Day 14: Ten Things That Make Me Happy

This is in no particular order, but here are 10 things that make me happy.

1. Spending time with God, reading his word, and praying. This is when I feel most peaceful and satisfied.
2. When Calla does her morning stretches and her coos and smiles. Just holding her and looking at her make me so full of love and happiness.
3. When Chip surprises me with a kiss and a "bear hug."
4. Laying in bed with my son, Chip, in the morning as he is waking up. He smells sleepy and he is warm. It is one of my favorite moments in my day.
5. When Keith and I sit together, alone, and talk. He is my best friend and sharing life with him makes me happy. I love our time together.
6. Christmas. Anything Christmas. Songs, presents, trees, food... Make me happy.
7. Running outside. Something about being outside. Looking at the sky. I love the feeling I get after too.
8. Nap time. When the house is quiet and I can curl up on the couch with a book. Pure joy.
9. My two favorite treats: Coffee and coffee dates at Starbucks or ice cream and ice cream dates at DQ.
10. Clean house- no dishes in the sink, vacuum lines in the carpet, tile sparkling, bathrooms cleaned. I just love for things to feel clean. Then I can relax.

Day 13: Public Apology

 To thine own self be true - William Shakespeare, Hamlet

I would like to apologize for not always being true to myself. Sometimes I do things to please others, and I end up over-committed, stressed, and an overall disappointment to myself and others. Or sometimes I fall into the pressures of focusing on things that aren't important because others around me are focusing on those things: vanity, materialism, mother-of-the-year, etc. One of the lessons I am learning currently is that peer pressure can go both ways. Standing up for what you believe may feel lonely, or you may lose friends, but there is always someone watching you that may be influenced by your actions. Peer pressure doesn't have to be negative, and it most certainly doesn't have to go with the crowd. I need to stay true to myself and let what is important to me guide my decisions not because I feel I have to, or someone will be mad at me if I don't. I am too old to play the popular game. I am sorry I haven't always been true to myself. I have fallen into the trap of doing things that I shouldn't for all the wrong reasons. It has left nothing but regret and wasted time. That is not how I want to live my life. So what I am going to do is try to be more conservative with my time. More honest with myself and others about how I feel, and press on. Don't fall into the pressures of others. Be true to yourself.

Day 12: What do you miss?

Robyn and I before Prom. Junior Year?

The prompt for day 12, yes I am behind, is what do you miss? Since it is summer, there is one thing that comes to mind. I miss Robyn Turnovsky (Seipel) and spending time with her at her pool. Robyn and I grew up together. Not in the same house, but as neighbors. She was my first friend. From birth, we grew up next door to one another. Although our fights were epic, we loved each other. To this day, I love Robyn. Some of that is met with regret for the time and distance between us, but she is one person I know would take me in at my worst, and I would do the same for her. She is someone I trust and love as a sister. Her family, was my family. Her fridge was my fridge. :) There were many times I ate over there. The best part of my childhood would be our summer days. We would spend all day by the pool. Robyn always the lobster the first few weeks, and me the one with too much sun oil. (Her dad did not like us to wear oil. Sorry Jim.) Our summer days were priceless. Robyn's friendship shaped me as a person. She was always honest and dependable. I would do anything to go back for one more day and sit with her by the pool... eat Sunchips, drink a soda, and lay on a raft. That is what I miss the most right now. Ah, to be young again.

Day 11: Sell Myself in 10 Words or less.

The audience is not clearly defined for this one. So this is hard. But here you go...

Loving, caregiver, with a strong will and sensitive heart. (9 words).

Day 10: Most Embarrassing Moment

I don't just have one moment that stands out; I have a moment from each point in my life. So here ya go. One from high school, college, and finally, momhood.

1. Most Embarrassing high school moment.
We we were at an away basketball game. My friends and I thought we were cute. We were going to cruise the concession stand for cute boys. Since we were the cool kids, we sat at the top of the bleachers. I, of course, wasn't paying attention to my steps as we walked down, and I tripped over God only knows and landed on a group of thugs. I am not being funny. Seriously, there was a group of rough guys who seriously wanted to fight me because I may or may not have scuffed up their FUBU jerseys. Let's just say, I didn't get any hottie's numbers.

2. Most embarrassing college moment.
I was a lifeguard in the summer during college at Manhattan Public Pool. Mainly for the tan. While working one hot, July day, I was making my merry way to the stand when my MALE manager said, "Hey, Candice, your string is showing." Not quite sure what he meant, I looked down to see if the drawstring on my bathing suit bottoms had popped out. Nothing. I thought, "What is he talking about." He called for me again. I went over to him to see what the fuss was all about. He smiled and said, "Your tampon string." I. Was. Mortified. Here I was, walking around the pool with THAT hanging out. I wanted to die.

3. Most embarrassing mom moment.
This story is sweet. It takes place on Mother's Day. Keith took us all to the park for a picnic and some fishing. It was a beautiful day. As we were getting ready to leave the park, I went to the truck to feed Calla. As I finished up, I noticed Keith walking with Chip back towards the truck and Chip was crying. I felt bad for him, so I had to get out to see what was the matter. I put Calla in my other arm to open the door. Next to me was a man loading a bike on his bike rack. We said, "Hello." As I shut the door of the truck, I felt a cool breeze in a place that hasn't felt a cool breeze in a very long time. I looked down and what do you know, I didn't put my boob away. There I was, in the park, with my boob out. I hurried and covered myself but the damaged was down. I am sure bike-guy had one heck of a story for his friends when he got home. Oh brother sauce. 

There you have it. I hope you had a great laugh. :)

Day 9: Moment in My Day

My son is obsessed with my phone.  He loves to walk around and take pictures. I love it because I get to see the world through my two-year-old's eyes.

Photo of my Chip

We made a fort this morning, where I was hoping to occupy him for a while so I could get some work done on the computer. He watched a little of Monster's Inc. He then was distracted by his tractors and was soon up and playing. The fort again was occupied by his dad when he was home for lunch. The two of them snuggled and watched some news. Chip kept leaning over and giving his dad kisses. It was the sweetest thing. We have had a pretty busy day. I have had lots of work things going on, and Chip has done some serious playing. :) Next up, after naps we are walking the dog. Hopefully, it won't be too hot.

Day 8: Advice

I am late with this one. This was yesterday's topic, but better late than never. I had gotten into town later than expected from Keith's parent's house. I spent all day yesterday getting unpacked, paying bills, getting organized again for another week. No time for blogging...
I have a few simple pieces of advice that I have learned along the way. Here they are (some more serious than others):

1. Unpack early after vacation.
If you unpack soon after you get home, it makes the week better. I have found that I can get more done if I am not digging through the suitcases all week or tripping over them as I walking from the bed to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

2. Fold your laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer.
Folding laundry as it comes out of the dryer and hanging the "hanger clothes" promptly makes putting laundry away easier. I have been employing this method recently and realized I have less wrinkles in my shirts, and I am more efficient at getting laundry done.

3. Think before you speak.
Sometimes I have said things and immediatiely regretted it. Have you ever said anything and wanted to stuff those words back in your mouth quickly? Yes, me too. I am learning to harness my tongue. This is not always easy, but necessary. Sometimes what we say can cause a lot of damage and mistrust. You can damage a relationship, if not forever, for a long time. So when angry or irritated, if you love and value the person, don't respond with words you will later regret. Your words can be forgiven but not easily forgotten.

4. Take it God.
When worried or facing a difficult challenge don't ever underestimate prayer. It is hard to think, for me personally, that prayer will be effective, but every time I have relied on God and prayed about whatever I struggled with, He has followed through. Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

5. Make your own baby food.
It is fun, cheap, and healthy. My son eats ANYTHING. He always has, and I attribute that to my culinary skills. :) I loved making his food, and can't wait to make Calla's. We saved sooo much money too. It is unreal what baby food costs. All you need is an oven, food processor, and ice cube trays. No  special equipment needed. Your baby will thank you later. ;)

6. Walk a mile in someone's shoes. (Cliche I know)
We have all had different experiences in life. We have different families, lives, and struggles. Sometimes it is hard to understand what someone is going through, so instead of passing judgment or speaking harshly about them or to them, put yourself in their shoes. Not everyone has an easy life and some stages of life are easier than others. For me, I feel that having two small children is pretty difficult to manage. But it won't last forever, and it certainly isn't the worst it could be. Before you judge, put yourself in their shoes. And if you still don't get it, walk another mile. (That is from a song. Drew Holcomb. "Another Man's Shoes." Great song.)