Memories

Over the last few days I've been reading and watching things that have shown why it is important to preserve memories.

I'm always taking pictures.  I want to capture my kids lives.  They don't always LOVE me taking pictures.  But years from now they will.  I don't always print my photos.  I store them safely on my computer and on a backup drive.  I look at them often.  They are one of my most precious possessions.  Someday -- years from now -- I hope my children love looking back on our memories!  We may not go on grand vacations or do lots of stuff.  But I want to capture their everyday lives.  The days of playing in our little blow-up pool, Making forts out in the woods, sitting around a campfire, catching fireflies, picking flowers. Everything is important and everything is meaningful! 

One thing I found interesting and hope to do soon with my own children.  Let them create a scrapbook - just about them.  They do all the work.  And make it their own!

What a precious memory this will be!

My choice is to let them create their own memories, in their own words, their own style!

Stop to Smell the Roses!

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time, to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.


What is your choice?            By David L. Weatherford

Making a choice for yourself!

I feel a sense of pride for my daughter.  She is 9.  She is and always has been my shy girl.  Always standing in the background, always unsure of herself, always feeling bad because she isn't the popular one, or smart one, or the one!

Last year, as a family, we ran a 5k.  Didn't train much, but got up crazy early on a really cold morning and ran.  My 11 yr old ran circles around us - he ran his heart out and finished in around 22 minutes!  I stayed back with my daughter and my niece.  We got cold.  We got hot.  We got tired.  We got thirsty.  We got chased by marines!  We got sick of running.  Our feet hurt.  And our beds and a nice warm house sounded really good.  But we DID IT!!  We ran and we accomplished something!  And it felt good.....really good. (after we had finished!)

Fast forward to this year.   My girl!  She's amazing!  She made the decision to participate in Girls on the Run.  With who???  Nobody - - just her.  All by herself!  All of her friends and most girls her age either didn't sign up or are conditioning on a different day.  She runs - - twice a week.  Alone!  Sometime, other girls run with her.  But for the most part - - she is doing it alone.
  And I am so proud of her!!!  She made the choice to do something not for anyone but herself.  No matter what!!  Running is tough - - but she is determined! 
This is a huge change from the little 6 year old girl I had to drag (I do mean DRAG) out of the house to go to first grade!! 
She is gaining self-confidence everyday!!  I am so proud of her.

What choice would you make??

My girl - - - she chose to RUN!!!

So much more than words......

Have you ever thought about what your words really say to a person???

Careless comments can cause so much pain.  Careless words hurt so much.

Being the mom of a very sensitive little girl - I see so clearly how simple words can hurt someone so much.

"You can't play with us today......it isn't your turn."

"Your hair looks funny"

"Your voice sounds weird"

"Why do you like THAT?"

Do you try to be sensitive of other people's feelings before you speak?

Do you really need to make a comment that could be taken the wrong way?

My daughter who is only 9 years old has had to deal with so many rude comments from people.  And sadly, some of things being said are adults and teachers.  Sad isn't it?

Should their be a 100% club - - where when children get 100% on a test they get a prize.  Only to remind the other kids who maybe tried harder, studied longer and still aren't perfect - that they are failures?
Is it okay to give the smart kids "special fun projects" while the ones who struggle get nothing fun?

Should another student in 1st grade be allowed to laugh at another and tell her that her voice sounds funny.  Making her believe she shouldn't speak outloud anymore?  When she is in the learning process and trying to work up enough courage just to speak in front of others?

Are we building confidence??   Are we being encouraging and helpful in our words and deeds??

I saw this on facebook the other day.......have you ever thought about this:

The Girl you just called fat, she has been starving herself & has lost over 30lbs. The Boy you just called stupid, he has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night. The Girl you just called ugly, she spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her.The Boy you just tripped, he is abused enough at home. There's a lot more to people than you think.

Sometimes are words ARE more than just words!!   

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

I saw them tearing a building down,

A gang of men in a busy town.

With a yo heave ho and a lusty yell,

They swung a beam and the sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled

As those he would hire if he were to build.

He laughed and said, "Oh, no indeed,

Common labor is all I need.

For they can wreck in a day or two,

What builders have taken years to do."

So I asked myself, as I went my way,

Which of these roles am I to play?

Am I the builder, who works with care,

Measuring life by the rule and square;

Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,

Content in the role of tearing down?

Anonymous

Which one will you be?

So many times it is just so easy to tear others down, especially young children.  Too often we think children are young and can be spoken to anyway we want.

When was the last time you complimented a child?   When was the last time you said something that "BUILT a child up?"

When was the last time you complimented a fellow worker, a clerk, a friend.......How about a stranger??

Everyday we have choice to make...........What choice will you make?

Are you getting fuel???

The other day I needed to stop at the gas station to fill-up.  As I pulled into the station almost all of the pumps were occupied.  I pulled in as another car pulled in facing me and 3 other cars also pulled in to wait for the next pump to open up.

I jumped out of my car and began the process of filling up.  I glanced over at the car that had pulled in at the same time as me.  Both occupants leisurely got out of their vehilce and headed in to the store.  My first thought was okay - - they must have to prepay.  As I finished up, the couple exited the store, with beverages and snacks in hand.  As I pulled out of the station, I noticed they were parked in the wrong direction to even fill up.  They returned to their vehicle and they too left the gas station.

The question is......

                WHAT CHOICE WOULD YOU MAKE????

Would you park in the spaces on the side of the store and not take up pump space? 

OR

Would you park by the pumps directly in front of the door and never use those pumps, all while making at least 3 other vehicles wait?

Everyday we make choices.  Most of our choices have some affect on another person.  You may only think about yourself and your need for a drink and snack.  But how did your choice affect the people around you?
What if it was you waiting in line for a pump and you needed to be somewhere soon.  How did someone else's choice affect you?


What choice will you make today?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

It shouldn't matter if you or Irish or not!  Take the time to enjoy this day!


Wear a little green!! 
Have some green food!


My kids started the morning with green bagels!!!  Fresh yummy bagels from our local bagel shop - - Mint Chocolate Chip flavored bagels!  Just a special treat for to start the day!


It is just about doing something different for the day.  We don't normally eat green bagels.  But what a great way to start the day!  A little smile because of the funny colored bagels! 


A choice to do something different - - to make a memory - - to create a smile!!  To start the day off in a special way!!


It is your choice!!  What will you choose?

One Choice Away.......

Every day we are just one choice away from making a difference.

What kind of difference will you make?

Will your choice have a positive impact or a negative impact?

It is your choice.....what will you choose?