Dig

Incubus' song "Dig" is one of my favorite. When my husband and I met we were both dealing with many issues from the past. Sometimes it felt as if the whole world was against me but no matter what I was going through he was there. In much the same manner I became his home, a place where it was okay to be himself and receive unconditional love.

After we were married things were great. Then the external stressors once again came back down on us harder than ever. We were now living on a single income and the single income was coming from self-employment in a failing economy. We also had a new baby. Our love for each other never changed but certainly the hardships drained us. Before long we were both cranky and tired.

Now when we are tired, stressed, or even angry I can put on "Dig" and know that we are both imperfect people who love each other very much and we need to continue to be best friends regardless of what is happening in our lives. It's a reminder of our promises and our need to be rescued from time to time. Here are the lyrics to "Dig:"

We all have a weakness,

but some of ours are easy to identify,

look me in the eye,

and ask for forgiveness,

we'll make a pact to never speak that word again,

yes, you are my friend.

We all have something that digs at us,

at least we dig each other.

So when weakness turns my ego up

I know you'll count on the me from yesterday.

If I turn into another

dig me up from under what is covering

the better part of me.

Sing this song

remind me that we'll always have each other

when everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness that cleverly attaches and multiplies

no matter how we try.

We all have someone that digs at us,

at least we dig each other.

So when sickness turns my ego up

I know you'll act as a clever medicine.

If I turn into another,

dig me up from under what is covering

The better part of me.

Sing this song!

Remind me that we'll always have each other

when everything else is gone.

Oh, each other when everything else is gone.

Our Christmas Blessing!

This Christmas was very special to our family.

We started it off by going to my mom's house for a Christmas feast. I really appreciate that my family has been considerate of the vegetarians in the family and specially prepared each dish (with the exception of the meat dishes) without chicken broth or gelatin. So the bacon was left off the broccoli salad and the potato dishes were made with vegetable broth. It was great!

Before we started opening gifts Bear came up to me wiggling his loose tooth. I could see it was about ready to come out but he wasn't going to make it happen on his own. I offered to pull it out for him and he agreed to let me. I took some floss and looped it around his tooth. Nervously, I yanked down firmly knowing that if I failed to extract the tooth with the first pull any other attempts would be refused. Luckily the tooth came right out with the first tug, looking a bit like a white lassoed marshmallow. Bear was thrilled and proudly showed off the new window in his smile.

Ever try to get six children to sit for a picture? Well...

Five out of six ain't bad.  Right to left: Bear, Midge, Jules, Nay, Boo, and Nee-Nee.
Then it was time to open presents and all heck usually breaks loose as the gift wrap goes flying and the kids get amped up on new toys.

Midge didn't know what to do with the wrapping paper so Stephen helped him.

On the way home Nee-Nee and I had a talk about Jesus and the meaning of Christmas.  She told me that she was ready to accept Jesus into her heart. For those won't aren't familiar with Christianity, this is a major step in our faith affirming that we believe we have salvation through Jesus and his death. So last night she prayed for Jesus to come into her heart and be her savior.  Bear also prayed, but I don't know if he fully understands it yet.

It was truly the best Christmas ever!

Happy Birthday Jesus....errr....Stephen

My husband's birthday falls on December 23rd and is often overshadowed by Christmas.  Luckily he has a sense of humor and has always told people of the story of his birthday cake's inscription saying "Happy Birthday Jesus & Stephen."  Now this story has always been joke...until this year when I got him the fabled cake:

His reaction when I placed the cake in front of him was priceless.  He was really amused:

We had planned to go to a local pizza shop that ended up being closed the week of Christmas so we invited our friends and family to our place for pizza, cake, and a game of Texas Hold 'Em.  It was a great night.  I bought my hubby Nutty Bars, Mac and Cheese, and Nutter Butters for his special day.  The junk food he has to miss out on all year because I don't buy it is a special treat on his birthday.  He said that food made him feel right at home, which is good for an Iowa boy who is now stuck in California.  Happy 33rd Birthday Baby!

Where's Your Black Vortex?

During the winter months I never travel without my trusty lip balm within my reach.  This year I bought the Earth Mama, Angel Baby brand, which is organic and works well with my crunchy lifestyle.  :-)  I used it liberally on myself and the kids until one day I went to get it out of the side pocket of my purse and it was gone.  I was upset but went ahead and purchased another one.  Within two days I had also lost that one.  I searched my entire purse including the pocket I normally kept it in, the car, and the diaper bag.  Now I was peeved!  I bought yet another one and put it in the same outside pocket.  Within a week it was also gone.  It was only then that it occured to me to check the side pocket for holes that might lead to a space between the purse and the pocket...like a little purse vortex.  Sure enough I squeezed two fingers through a tiny hole in the side pocket and pulled out three Mint Herbal Lip Balms!  I was a bit embarassed to think I was putting the lip balm in the same pocket the third time even when I knew that the first two times the lip balm had disappeared when I stored it there.

That really got me to thinking about the things we do over and over and even after getting undesirable results still continue to do.  I can list many times over the years of life lessons where it took me making the same mistake over and over to learn a valuable lesson.  At think sometimes it's because we have always done something a certain way and don't really consider changing it because it's our "norm."  Other times I think it's because we are too busy to realize that there is a problem that can be fixed.  For me the problem tends to exist when I have expectations of something or someone other than myself that don't get met.  In this case, I expected that the purse would not have a hole because it was fairly new.  That expectation cost me about $8.  

So today's reflection is not a critique or a criticism, but rather an encouragement towards self-reflection.  It could be that you struggle with being late, financially strapped, yelling at your kids, or your weight.  Perhaps you feel like others are letting you down.  Rather than getting upset, take charge of your issues.  Set up boundaries, take charge, and find solutions.  Change your habits or simply the way you word things.  Ask yourself if you are causing your own issues.  Seek advice from others who have been there.

Most importantly, remember that attitude is everything.  Accept that you can't change everything and you shouldn't try to change anybody, but you can change how people and situations affect you.  

Have a wonderful week! 

Barefoot Writing

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I was recently asked to be one of the co-leaders for the Barefoot Mamas Network. I will be doing the writing for the blog and helping run things when the founders are too busy. I am very excited and I feel like this is going to be a great opportunity for me.

Recently I was also asked to write for a website called BettyConfidential.com. I have been published twice already and I plan on doing more once time permits.

Read my articles here and here.

Happy Reading!

Think Of Me

Last night I took a sleepy Midge to his crib and prepared to have to coax him into sleeping.  He gave me a snuggle then looked me right in the eye and said "Tinka me."  I wasn't sure what he was trying to say at first but he continued to look me in the eye and say "Tinka me" so I knew he was trying to tell me something.  Finally it occured to me that he was saying "Think of Me" which is a song I have been singing to the kids at bedtime for years.  He had heard me sing it to Nee Nee and Bear every night and now he was ready to have his turn.  I started singing and he immediately laid down, snuggled his stuffed animal and closed his eyes. 

The song if from the cartoon Veggie Tales and the lyrics go:

"Think of me everyday.

Hold tight to what I say,

And I'll be close to you,

Even from far away.

Know that wherever you are,

it is never too far.

If you think of me,

I'll be with you."