Thoughts for Thursday

I am beyond sad that this is my last week with Ruston. I've had so much fun with him over the summer. I think it's going to be harder to leave him this time than it was the first time I went back to work. He has such a personality now and we do so much together during the day.

I am definitely excited about his opportunities for this year, though. We were very lucky that we had grandma's to take care of him and we didn't have to send him to a daycare. Only problem is that he got a little spoiled and really didn't know how to interact with other kiddos. My cousin, Amy, keeps her little girl and her brother's daughter at her house. (Which happens to be right next door to my school!) She's going to keep Ruston some this year! We're starting out with 2 days a week and then hopefully we'll be able to add some days as the year goes on. I'm so happy that he will have some kids his age to play with and grow with. And he still gets 3 days of grandma time, too!

But I'd much rather stay home and keep him myself! haha I mean, really, who wouldn't want to do this everyday??.....

I'm going to miss these summer days with my boy!

Thoughts for Thursday

This summer we've started having a girls night over at my house every Wednesday. Each girl brings over drinks and snacks and we just have a good time together. The plan each week is to watch Sex and the City. We've started with the seasons of the TV show and then we'll watch the movies. Sometimes we watch 4 episodes, sometimes we never even turn it on!

Whether we watch the show with full attention, talk the whole time, or never make it to the living room, every Wednesday is such a fabulous time. I can't tell you how great it feels to just relax with friends and talk about life.

We catch up on what's going on in our lives, plan future events, and remember old times. It's such a relief to get some grown up time with people that I am close to and know where I'm coming from in life.

Love you girls and you have no idea how much I look forward to girl time every week! I thought this Sex and the City quote would be appropriate for today. :)

"Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate...without them what would shape our lives? Maybe if we had never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, have babies, or be who we are. After all, things change, so do cities. People come into your life and they go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart."

Thoughts for Thursday

Another email I have saved from way back!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Thoughts for Thursday

From Maya Angelou....

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."

Thoughts for Thursday...Part 4

A year ago today, I was frantically getting sub plans together for an unknown amount of days. I was running around my apartment, trying to pack clothes. This was made harder by the fact that I was 5 months pregnant and nothing really fit anymore. I was rushing up and down 3 flights of stairs in the heat to get everything (including myself and the dog) into the car as soon as possible. I was driving 35 South to Austin with way too much time on my hands to think. A year ago today, I was preparing myself to say one last goodbye to my Grandma. My Grandma...what a special person. I have so many great memories with my Grandma. Studying my spelling words outside on the big red chairs. Riding to school with her in the mornings and running around the high school cafeteria waiting for my bus to come. Driving her car for the 1st time and refusing to use only 1 foot for both pedals. She never let me drive again after going around the corner at a ridiculous speed. :) Just talking to her...or actually, just listening while she lectured. :) And I'll never forget the smirk/smile she would give when she looked at you out of the corner of her eye, with her head tilted down. I still think about my Grandma almost everyday. It's kind of hard not to, when the person who bought her car passes me everyday on my way home from work. A year ago Sunday, we laid my Grandma to rest next to my Uncle Steve. I remember thinking during the funeral that she and Steve were dancing in God's kitchen now. :)

This week's words come from Carrie Underwood:

"Old man, hospital bed.

The room is filled with people he loves.

And he whispers, 'Don't cry for me,

I'll see you all someday.'

He looks up and says,

'I can see God's face.'

'This is my temporary home,

it's not where I belong.

Windows and rooms, that I'm passing through.

This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.

I'm not afraid because I know,

this was my temporary home.'"

Thoughts for Thursday...Part 3

Coming to you from Dawson's Creek. Oh, how I miss those high schoolers and their ridiculously mature conversations.....(really, though, I did LOVE that show!)

"Because life, much like a french movie, rarely makes any sense. But when it's right, it's right...and you don't question it, you don't think, you don't ponder, you just exist."

Thoughts for Thursday...Part 3

To all you Mommies out there!....I got this earlier this week from Mimi. The pictures in the email were of random cute babies. But of course, I had to replace it with my cute baby. :)

Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

Before I was a Mom.

Thoughts for Thursday...Part 2

Here's another email I've had saved from Bethany since '06. When she first sent this to me, I was in college, dealing with issues I thought would ruin my life at the time. It's really crazy to think that things turn out so differently from how you picture your life being. Everything happens for a reason and I'm so glad I ended up where I am. I remember getting this and just thinking to myself, wow, so true....

I BELIEVE...

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Thoughts for Thursday...

I've always really enjoyed inspirational and uplifting emails. I've had this one from Meghan saved in my inbox since 2003! Good words to remember....to all of you reading this - I wish you enough. :)

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough".

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom".

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?".

"Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?".

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?".

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....

To all my friends and loved ones,

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

Thoughts for Thursday

Love this...I got it in an email a while back. I've heard that it was written by Maya Angelou, but I've also heard Pam Satran.

Every woman should have...

...one old love she can imagine going back to; and one who reminds her of how far she has come...

...enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own...even if she never wants to or needs to...

...something perfect to wear if the employer or man of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

...a youth she is content to leave behind...

...a past juicy enough that she is looking forward to retelling it in her old age...

...the realization that she actually will have an old age - and some money set aside to help fund it...

...an email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account - all of which no one has access to but her...

...a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

...one friend who always makes her laugh...and one who lets her cry...

...a decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

...eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

...a resume that is not even the slightest bit padded...

...a purse, a suitcase and an umbrella she's not ashamed to be seen carrying...

...something ridiculously expensive that she bought for herself, just because she deserves it...

..a feeling of control over her destiny...

Every woman should know...

...how to fall in love without losing herself...

...how she feels about having kids...

...how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

...when to try harder, and when to walk away...

...how to have a good time at a party she'd never choose to attend...

...how to kiss in a way that communicates what she would and wouldn't like to happen next...

...that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...

...that her childhood may not have been perfect, but it is over...

...what she would and wouldn't do for money or love...

...how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it...

...who she can trust, who she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

...where to go - be it to her best friend's kitchen table, or a charming inn in the woods - when her soul needs soothing...

...not to apologize for something that's not her fault...

...what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...or a year...

Thoughts for Thursday

Today was exhausting....mentally and physically! It was my first day back at work and it felt like the longest day ever. I was totally lost the whole day. Luckily, I have a few good students that helped me out. :) Gosh, it was like the first day of school all over again. They talked nonstop and acted like they had no idea how to act in school. I'm breaking myself in slowly, though...I work 3 days this week and then I have all of next week off. You know, I never thought I'd say it, but I wish I didn't have to work. I would love to be able to stay home with Ruston. I really am so lucky that I don't have to send him to daycare. I would have worried myself sick today if that were the case! Well, here are this weeks words of wisdom....

GOD SAID NO...

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No. It is not for me to take away, But for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, No.. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;

It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from

Worldly cares And brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No. You must grow on your own,

But I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things That I might enjoy life.

God said, No. I will give you life, So that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.

God said... Ahhhh, Finally you have the idea.