I love this time of year, the grass, the trees, the flowers, everything comes to life! And my family's attitudes come to life also, which is very refreshing. Our patio furniture has been set out, the grill is out, we are arranging for our landscape to be refreshed, the steps have been put back on the dock...feels like we are ready to enjoy the outdoors again. I think everyone has 'summer fever' already, but it's nice to see the start of spring!
It's also a very busy time of year for us, spring sports are upon us and it's go, go, go for us daily, BUT I will take it. This is what we signed up for when we decided to become parents, seeing our kids do what they love.
The big reward for spring, the ending of the school year close by and then summer!!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Letting it Soak in
I finished reading, "The Shack". It wasn't at all what I expected. I've been wanting to read it for sometime. I haven't read a book in quite awhile and to start with this book, amazing grace. Now that I have read this book, I have to let it soak in. It's a good soaking though. I can't put into words yet what I got out of this. I felt like I was reading my own life story though, in a way. I don't want to ruin the book for those that have not read it, so I will not go into further detail.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Am I Overly Sensitive?
I don't think so, I like to think I have common sense on what to say and what not to say around people.
Kids grow and we all know kids grow at different rates. My youngest daughter is now 4' 9". She is catching up to me! But lately, more and more people have made this comment to her, "Wow, you have really slimmed down!" Or they say it when talking to myself or my husband AND she is standing nearby. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? This really, really ticks me off!!!!! To me, this is telling my daughter that she WAS FAT!!
It is not like she was overweight at all!! She just wasn't a stick like some kids, but good lord, she wasn't overweight. I shouldn't even have to defend her weight, I find it really ridiculous! What does this do to her? How does this effect how she sees herself now and into the future? It's so hard raising kids nowadays, we don't need this added to it. So frustrating.
I've always hated when people commented about me being so petite. I am still amazed that adults would continue to make such comments to my daughter. Just tell her that she is getting taller!!! PLEASE!
Kids grow and we all know kids grow at different rates. My youngest daughter is now 4' 9". She is catching up to me! But lately, more and more people have made this comment to her, "Wow, you have really slimmed down!" Or they say it when talking to myself or my husband AND she is standing nearby. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? This really, really ticks me off!!!!! To me, this is telling my daughter that she WAS FAT!!
It is not like she was overweight at all!! She just wasn't a stick like some kids, but good lord, she wasn't overweight. I shouldn't even have to defend her weight, I find it really ridiculous! What does this do to her? How does this effect how she sees herself now and into the future? It's so hard raising kids nowadays, we don't need this added to it. So frustrating.
I've always hated when people commented about me being so petite. I am still amazed that adults would continue to make such comments to my daughter. Just tell her that she is getting taller!!! PLEASE!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Defining Me
We attended Omaha's annual Holt dinner and auction this past Saturday. It was a blast, as usual, and was so happy that we were able to attend this year after missing it last year. All three of my kids were able to attend with us this year, their first Omaha event, but they have attended the event in Eugene. Seems a little out of order. Anyway, we had fun, bid on quite a lot of items, both in the silent auction and the live auction. Everytime my kids would tell me what they were bidding on, I kept telling them to slow down and their response, "But it's FOR THE THE CHILDREN!" Okay, they got me on that one, so I let 'em run free!
My youngest daughter, adopted from Korea, has church requirements to attend four Lenten Services for confirmation. Very hard when she has cheerleading on Wednesdays also. So I asked if my daughter could make up for the 4th service by writing about her experience attending the auction.
My daughter wrote about bidding on items and winning them, the dessert dash, and so on and that she had fun. I asked her why is it that we attend this event? She looked at me with a blank look. No response. I thought to myself, 'really? Isn't it obvious? Still no response from her. After all of my volunteering and traveling to Korea, you would think it was obvious, but to her, it really wasn't. I told her we are a Holt family. We are grateful for our family and therefore, we give back to Holt.
So does that mean my daughter doesn't notice the difference between herself and her siblings and the kids around her? I was kind of shocked that she didn't see this. I thought for sure she would know why we do the things we do for Holt. But she just sees herself as any other kid in any other family. How refreshing. I always talk about being labeled in life and here I was, keeping the label of Holt on myself and her. She sees us as a FAMILY having a fun night out together, nothing more, nothing less.
Yes, I am a Holt adoptee, but that alone does not define me. I have to thank my daughter for reminding me of this.
My youngest daughter, adopted from Korea, has church requirements to attend four Lenten Services for confirmation. Very hard when she has cheerleading on Wednesdays also. So I asked if my daughter could make up for the 4th service by writing about her experience attending the auction.
My daughter wrote about bidding on items and winning them, the dessert dash, and so on and that she had fun. I asked her why is it that we attend this event? She looked at me with a blank look. No response. I thought to myself, 'really? Isn't it obvious? Still no response from her. After all of my volunteering and traveling to Korea, you would think it was obvious, but to her, it really wasn't. I told her we are a Holt family. We are grateful for our family and therefore, we give back to Holt.
So does that mean my daughter doesn't notice the difference between herself and her siblings and the kids around her? I was kind of shocked that she didn't see this. I thought for sure she would know why we do the things we do for Holt. But she just sees herself as any other kid in any other family. How refreshing. I always talk about being labeled in life and here I was, keeping the label of Holt on myself and her. She sees us as a FAMILY having a fun night out together, nothing more, nothing less.
Yes, I am a Holt adoptee, but that alone does not define me. I have to thank my daughter for reminding me of this.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
It IS the Weather!
Today is the tenth day in a row of no sun, so I'm thinking it is the weather making people feel out of sorts. And now Saturday's forecast has the possibility of snow! First day of spring and we will have snow, not good.
As a mother and wife, I wish I could just put a sunny band aid on everything and make it all better. I remember as a kid I always wanted the fun cartoon band aids. My kids went thru that stage too, but I rarely bought them because they cost more than the store brand. I also knew my kids would make up boo boo's just to get the band aids. But somehow, it seemed to make things all better. If only life events and people's moods got better with just a band aid. Maybe I should splurge and go buy some FUN band aids for my family?
Spring is coming and I love watching everything come to life. I hope it also helps everyone's emotions spring to life too!
As a mother and wife, I wish I could just put a sunny band aid on everything and make it all better. I remember as a kid I always wanted the fun cartoon band aids. My kids went thru that stage too, but I rarely bought them because they cost more than the store brand. I also knew my kids would make up boo boo's just to get the band aids. But somehow, it seemed to make things all better. If only life events and people's moods got better with just a band aid. Maybe I should splurge and go buy some FUN band aids for my family?
Spring is coming and I love watching everything come to life. I hope it also helps everyone's emotions spring to life too!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Can I Blame it on the Weather?
The snow is almost gone, just a few traces here and there. Spring is official Saturday, but leading up to it, it has been very cloudy and rainy. Spring weather for sure, but add in a few snow showers possible here and there too.
I don't think the weather has really affected my mood like some others. I actually like winter and I like rainy days. BUT!! Those around me and things around me seem to be in a funk. So how do I stay positive for them? We've all heard the saying, "Fake it til you make it", and for me, I have done that at various times in my life and I know others have too.
This doesn't mean I go out and buy everything in the world because others have what I want, common sense. Doing that would put anyone in a funk after receiving the bills and you dig yourself deeper. To me, it means I have to change my attitude. Denying doesn't help situations either, so I don't do that. Reading inspirational quotes can help others, but they are only words if you don't truly live in reality. But when others around me and things around me seem to be off kilter, how do I help?
I know there are things in life I cannot control, but it gets so frustrating when I don't have that control. I like to reflect on my life a lot and I'm very grateful for my life and my family. I wish others could be as happy, I mean truly happy. For me, it doesn't take much to make me happy. It's the simple things in life that I cherish.
I think when a family member feels down, I feel down and most of all, helpless. I'm just frustrated. Life happens and we go on, but I don't like the 'dark clouds' above. And this too shall pass...I'm hoping it will pass soon and the sun will shine and that will help the moods, right?! For now, I will just smile in the fake sun.
I don't think the weather has really affected my mood like some others. I actually like winter and I like rainy days. BUT!! Those around me and things around me seem to be in a funk. So how do I stay positive for them? We've all heard the saying, "Fake it til you make it", and for me, I have done that at various times in my life and I know others have too.
This doesn't mean I go out and buy everything in the world because others have what I want, common sense. Doing that would put anyone in a funk after receiving the bills and you dig yourself deeper. To me, it means I have to change my attitude. Denying doesn't help situations either, so I don't do that. Reading inspirational quotes can help others, but they are only words if you don't truly live in reality. But when others around me and things around me seem to be off kilter, how do I help?
I know there are things in life I cannot control, but it gets so frustrating when I don't have that control. I like to reflect on my life a lot and I'm very grateful for my life and my family. I wish others could be as happy, I mean truly happy. For me, it doesn't take much to make me happy. It's the simple things in life that I cherish.
I think when a family member feels down, I feel down and most of all, helpless. I'm just frustrated. Life happens and we go on, but I don't like the 'dark clouds' above. And this too shall pass...I'm hoping it will pass soon and the sun will shine and that will help the moods, right?! For now, I will just smile in the fake sun.
Friday, March 12, 2010
My Photos Above
I keep forgetting that I changed the pictures above on my blog, thanks to my great friend and Sistah. So thought I should explain each picture.
The first one, I've had previously, my referral picture from Korea when I was going to be adopted. I was 4 1/2 years old. I use this picture for all my profile pictures; this blog, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc. I love this picture for some reason, I'm not sure why. I guess I look into this little girl's face and can see all the questions running thru her head. And then there's that little bit of a smile, trying to look happy or the puppy look of 'pick me, pick me'. You can't really tell how small I am at this age from looking at this picture.
That is why I post the second picture, the little jacket. I've talked about this jacket also on my blog. This jacket is the only thing I had with me when I was adopted for the second time 15 months later. I was 5 1/2 years old and was the size of a two year old. I cherish this jacket. It's a reminder for me of yet another chance at life.
The next picture is of me and my husband in Korea in 2006. We are honoring Harry and Bertha Holt at their graves at Ilsan. This place means so much to me. I feel so honored every time I am there and can give thanks to Harry and Bertha for their love and faith. To have shared this trip with my husband was truly amazing. I know it touched him greatly too.
Leave it up to me being cheesey in the next picture with my husband. And I am the one that hates having pictures taken. We were heading up to the temple in Korea during the family tour. This picture makes me smile every time I look at it. It was raining, obvious, but we were walking hand in hand sharing the walk up the long path and feeling on top of the world. My husband is very attentive to me and is always making sure I am taken care of, he is my knight in shining armor.
The last picture, my entire family in Korea along with my youngest daughter's foster parents. Two families joined together after 11 years. A trip of a lifetime and one that I will treasure forever.
The first one, I've had previously, my referral picture from Korea when I was going to be adopted. I was 4 1/2 years old. I use this picture for all my profile pictures; this blog, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc. I love this picture for some reason, I'm not sure why. I guess I look into this little girl's face and can see all the questions running thru her head. And then there's that little bit of a smile, trying to look happy or the puppy look of 'pick me, pick me'. You can't really tell how small I am at this age from looking at this picture.
That is why I post the second picture, the little jacket. I've talked about this jacket also on my blog. This jacket is the only thing I had with me when I was adopted for the second time 15 months later. I was 5 1/2 years old and was the size of a two year old. I cherish this jacket. It's a reminder for me of yet another chance at life.
The next picture is of me and my husband in Korea in 2006. We are honoring Harry and Bertha Holt at their graves at Ilsan. This place means so much to me. I feel so honored every time I am there and can give thanks to Harry and Bertha for their love and faith. To have shared this trip with my husband was truly amazing. I know it touched him greatly too.
Leave it up to me being cheesey in the next picture with my husband. And I am the one that hates having pictures taken. We were heading up to the temple in Korea during the family tour. This picture makes me smile every time I look at it. It was raining, obvious, but we were walking hand in hand sharing the walk up the long path and feeling on top of the world. My husband is very attentive to me and is always making sure I am taken care of, he is my knight in shining armor.
The last picture, my entire family in Korea along with my youngest daughter's foster parents. Two families joined together after 11 years. A trip of a lifetime and one that I will treasure forever.
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