I'm always looking for new gift ideas - ones with a personal touch.
I love 24/7 Moms' idea - personalizing plates. It is an update on our children's plastic plates they decorated when they were in kindergarten. These new ones could be done from one adult to another! Or get your kids involved:)
For the full article, click this link: http://247moms.com/2012/06/diy-personalized-plate-its-a-cinch/
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Commit to Your Kids - for the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush
My heart raced, my fists clenched, my voice cracked.
It was an adrenaline rush.
The last two weeks have been the most tense, most entertaining soccer ever. My 8 1/2 year old son was showing skills he didn't have a few weeks before, and his whole team seemed to be doing the same.They are half the size of adults (it seems) and yet the kick backs, side moves, and strong punts mirror professional soccer (at least it feels that way).
And as Ryan deeks out a defender, my feet leap around as if I was the one with the ball. I try to keep them still, but they are as enthusiastic as my voice.
I actually checked to make sure I wasn't breaking any unwritten "yelling too loud" rule. I was told, "stay positive and you'll be fine." Oh yeah, I'm positive. Positive Ryan is going to be the best soccer player ever! (Along with the rest of his gelling team, of course.) I feel like I'm channeling my inner Sandra Bullock in the Blind Side, only she wasn't so noisy.
But this is a new experience for me. How proud I feel, how excited for my son and his team, how happy to focus solely on the game.
As parents, we enjoy watching our children's sports. Sensing their hard work, their accomplishments, and their personal pride are all part of the privilege of being a parent. We know this is part of our children's life and we will support our children as fully as we can.
But how does this extend to our personal involvement? How does this become not just a sport but a life event? These are my thoughts.
1. The soccer field (or name your child's sport) is a great place to be fully present. Being in the 'now,' not thinking of what must get done today, is a fulfilling experience.
2. Enthusiasm is nothing to shy away from. Be more enthusiastic - it is contagious, and we all have more fun.
3. Feel pride in your child's accomplishments, and spread that pride to the rest of the team or community. There can never be too much of feeling good.
4. Double-check that these feelings are authentic. If pride comes from a place of love and happiness within you, it feels authentic and flows well with the group. If pride comes from ego, check it at the door. This type of pride feels incongruent to others and doesn't sit right. When enthusiasm comes from a place of joy, it feels full of happiness. When it is ego-based, it seems over the top, unnecessary.
Throughout life we enjoy, we learn, we contribute and we enjoy some more. If we're lucky we also feel that bit of adrenaline from something special.
Forget skydiving or running. Once a week this is my new adrenaline rush.
The last two weeks have been the most tense, most entertaining soccer ever. My 8 1/2 year old son was showing skills he didn't have a few weeks before, and his whole team seemed to be doing the same.They are half the size of adults (it seems) and yet the kick backs, side moves, and strong punts mirror professional soccer (at least it feels that way).
And as Ryan deeks out a defender, my feet leap around as if I was the one with the ball. I try to keep them still, but they are as enthusiastic as my voice.
I actually checked to make sure I wasn't breaking any unwritten "yelling too loud" rule. I was told, "stay positive and you'll be fine." Oh yeah, I'm positive. Positive Ryan is going to be the best soccer player ever! (Along with the rest of his gelling team, of course.) I feel like I'm channeling my inner Sandra Bullock in the Blind Side, only she wasn't so noisy.
But this is a new experience for me. How proud I feel, how excited for my son and his team, how happy to focus solely on the game.
As parents, we enjoy watching our children's sports. Sensing their hard work, their accomplishments, and their personal pride are all part of the privilege of being a parent. We know this is part of our children's life and we will support our children as fully as we can.
But how does this extend to our personal involvement? How does this become not just a sport but a life event? These are my thoughts.
1. The soccer field (or name your child's sport) is a great place to be fully present. Being in the 'now,' not thinking of what must get done today, is a fulfilling experience.
2. Enthusiasm is nothing to shy away from. Be more enthusiastic - it is contagious, and we all have more fun.
3. Feel pride in your child's accomplishments, and spread that pride to the rest of the team or community. There can never be too much of feeling good.
4. Double-check that these feelings are authentic. If pride comes from a place of love and happiness within you, it feels authentic and flows well with the group. If pride comes from ego, check it at the door. This type of pride feels incongruent to others and doesn't sit right. When enthusiasm comes from a place of joy, it feels full of happiness. When it is ego-based, it seems over the top, unnecessary.
Throughout life we enjoy, we learn, we contribute and we enjoy some more. If we're lucky we also feel that bit of adrenaline from something special.
Forget skydiving or running. Once a week this is my new adrenaline rush.
If You Can't Beat Em...
 |
It took lots of tears
and bargaining
to get this sweet angelic child in that dress.
But, note, she is
covered from head to toe!
|
. . . just buy
stock in Hanes and purchase every color of sweatpant and sweatshirt known to
man! The Ego (middle child) has been
killing me about her clothes. She wears
the same red hoodie every day and literally the nicest thing I can get her into
to go to church is a velour sweatsuit.
In the spirit of giving and forgiveness, and complete exhaustion, I’ve
decided to just give in. And here’s what
I’ve learned about accepting defeat:
Nurturing Death
A beautiful soul, Annie Burnside, describes her friend's last moments with her mother. A beautiful story.http://www.chicagonow.com/soul-to-soul-perspective/2011/11/my-dear-friend-nurtures-her-mom-in-last-moments/
What does Autumn Mean for You?
What Autumn Means to Me: Women Influencing Now on The Essential Feminine Blog
Maureen Simon, Author of Awakening the Essential Feminine, is posting some guest blogs on autumn.
Be inspired by her empowering words, and read my short post on What Autumn Means to Me.
What does Autumn mean for you?
Maureen Simon, Author of Awakening the Essential Feminine, is posting some guest blogs on autumn.Be inspired by her empowering words, and read my short post on What Autumn Means to Me.
What does Autumn mean for you?
September is Busy: How to Navigate New Commitments
Phew!
We are three weeks into September and I haven't posted a blog since August. I started two new articles but didn't create the time to finish and publish them. In the meantime, I fulfilled my duties as mom-of-2-school-aged-children, soccer mom, committee member, committee leader, 2nd committee member, writers' group member and business start-up investigator.
In September the most important duty is "mom." My kids loved coming home the first 5 days exclaiming, "we don't have homework today, but YOU do!" As they pull out multiple forms each day covering medical, emergency contact, photo release, tell-me-about-your-child, photo payment and volunteer-for-this-committee requests.
September is also filled with new committee meetings, first-meetings-after-summer-sabbatical meetings, and kids sports meetings...er...practices and games.
Moms can feel the overwhelm of being pulled in multiple directions while trying to get used to the new year's schedule. I've heard more than once, "September is the new year, not January."
So true.
But this year felt a bit calmer than most Septembers, and I had to carve out some time in our busy schedule to think about this question: "Why is life running more smoothly?"
 |
| Studying in our Tree |
In September the most important duty is "mom." My kids loved coming home the first 5 days exclaiming, "we don't have homework today, but YOU do!" As they pull out multiple forms each day covering medical, emergency contact, photo release, tell-me-about-your-child, photo payment and volunteer-for-this-committee requests.
September is also filled with new committee meetings, first-meetings-after-summer-sabbatical meetings, and kids sports meetings...er...practices and games.
Moms can feel the overwhelm of being pulled in multiple directions while trying to get used to the new year's schedule. I've heard more than once, "September is the new year, not January."
So true.
But this year felt a bit calmer than most Septembers, and I had to carve out some time in our busy schedule to think about this question: "Why is life running more smoothly?"
Hurricane News and Family Focus
The last five days have been a little tense and a lot of
relief.
Late last week we focused on the news as reporters offered
an hourly update on the path of Hurricane Irene. They seemed certain that she
was headed straight for us. At over 460 miles wide, we knew we would be deluged
with high wind, massive rainfall and power outages.
On Friday and Saturday, our family checked batteries in
flashlights, lifted boxes and loose carpets off the basement floor, and tucked
away the patio awning, chairs and cushions. At the last minute I headed to Home
Depot for a generator, but they had been sold out for days. We crossed our
fingers and hoped that when we woke up on Sunday there would be power to keep
our sump pump running in our basement.
Lessons in Motherhood: A Tribute to My Mom
This weekend I am traveling home to help my mother celebrate her 70th birthday. She and my father are also celebrating over 30 years in their house. They move at the end of next month. There is much to celebrate and I'm thankful to be part of it.
My mother is a role model and and a source of strength and support. Along with my father, she provided a secure childhood, and I know I was fortunate to have that. It is a foundation I learned to cherish, and now try to provide for my own children.
As a child I took my mother for granted. I expect that my own children take me for granted also. And so it should be. They need to know I will always be there for them. They need to feel safe and secure, and if they question my presence then they question their own security. As a child I had no questions. I knew I could rely on my mother for anything.
I believe this came from very clear rules and boundless love. My sister, brother and I knew what our limits were. We knew we were doing something we'd get in trouble for, even as we did it.
As an older teen, I remember coming home late on a Saturday night. It was past the time I was allowed to stay out, and cell phones didn't exist yet to let my parents know where I was if I was late. So as I walked up to the door I rehearsed my words. "We got a flat tire. I'm sorry I'm late." Once it was the truth. Once it was a convenient excuse. Of course, now I know that two flat tires don't hold much weight with a parent.
However, I recall feeling scared for the consequence, but not for my safety. My mother might take away a privilege, but she wouldn't kick me out of the house, and she would always love me. I never questioned that. Ever.
As a teenager I was also keenly aware of the level of choice I was allowed to make. When it came to new boyfriends, college choices, job choices, or other decisions that would affect my future, I was allowed to make those myself. I laugh now as I remember that if my mother was unhappy about my choice, she was eerily silent. (She doesn't often have nothing to say.) Silence was enough of an opinion that I weighed my decisions carefully. But I still made those decisions myself, and lived with the consequences, positive or negative.
Knowing clearly what my mother expected of me (hard work, care for others, respect for rules and inner strength), helped me to establish myself in the working world and into adulthood.
My children are growing, though they seem a long way from adulthood. Nevertheless I know it is important to set clear rules and provide infinite love. My mother helped me to grow into the person I am today. I learned alot from her. I hope I am giving my children the same positive, nurturing environment she gave me.
I grew up in the house we will celebrate in this weekend. People have asked me if it is difficult to see family time in that house come to an end. Maybe a little, I reply. But mostly not. When the foundation of my childhood were my strong and loving mother and father, I can help them celebrate anywhere, even across distances, as what they gave is always with me.
My mother is a role model and and a source of strength and support. Along with my father, she provided a secure childhood, and I know I was fortunate to have that. It is a foundation I learned to cherish, and now try to provide for my own children.
As a child I took my mother for granted. I expect that my own children take me for granted also. And so it should be. They need to know I will always be there for them. They need to feel safe and secure, and if they question my presence then they question their own security. As a child I had no questions. I knew I could rely on my mother for anything.
I believe this came from very clear rules and boundless love. My sister, brother and I knew what our limits were. We knew we were doing something we'd get in trouble for, even as we did it.
As an older teen, I remember coming home late on a Saturday night. It was past the time I was allowed to stay out, and cell phones didn't exist yet to let my parents know where I was if I was late. So as I walked up to the door I rehearsed my words. "We got a flat tire. I'm sorry I'm late." Once it was the truth. Once it was a convenient excuse. Of course, now I know that two flat tires don't hold much weight with a parent.
However, I recall feeling scared for the consequence, but not for my safety. My mother might take away a privilege, but she wouldn't kick me out of the house, and she would always love me. I never questioned that. Ever.
As a teenager I was also keenly aware of the level of choice I was allowed to make. When it came to new boyfriends, college choices, job choices, or other decisions that would affect my future, I was allowed to make those myself. I laugh now as I remember that if my mother was unhappy about my choice, she was eerily silent. (She doesn't often have nothing to say.) Silence was enough of an opinion that I weighed my decisions carefully. But I still made those decisions myself, and lived with the consequences, positive or negative.
Knowing clearly what my mother expected of me (hard work, care for others, respect for rules and inner strength), helped me to establish myself in the working world and into adulthood.
My children are growing, though they seem a long way from adulthood. Nevertheless I know it is important to set clear rules and provide infinite love. My mother helped me to grow into the person I am today. I learned alot from her. I hope I am giving my children the same positive, nurturing environment she gave me.
I grew up in the house we will celebrate in this weekend. People have asked me if it is difficult to see family time in that house come to an end. Maybe a little, I reply. But mostly not. When the foundation of my childhood were my strong and loving mother and father, I can help them celebrate anywhere, even across distances, as what they gave is always with me.
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