The Farmer's Daughter  tagged me. Here goes . . .

Here are the rules:

Answer all the questions. Tag 8 people to do the same.
Not that you asked…

 1. What were you doing 10 years ago?  I had just changed my life course and became a full-time college student, to become a certified educator, after raising our three children.  One of the best moves I've ever made!

2. What are five things on your to-do list today?  Well, it's the end of the day, so this is what I've accomplished:

1. Went wine-berry picking with my daughter.
2. Worked on School Budget Project for my Educational Leadership Class.
3. Weeded the gardens around the pool (jumping in every so often!)
4. Updated my blog and posted on some of my favorites; responded to e-mail.
5. Cooked (some); cleaned (not much); and started researching and writing a paper for my Educational Law class.  (It's summer, so my schedule is a bit different from the school year!)

It's 11 pm and I still have to:

1. Fine-tune the Budget Project, now that my son has shared some of the finer points of Excel with me.
2. Complete the School Law paper--ugh!
3. Do the dishes, laundry, clean the kitchen, wash my hair, and tuck in my hubby!
4. Pay bills
5. Make my list for tomorrow! (It's gonna be a LONG night!)

3. Snacks you enjoy?  Popcorn, cheese, crackers, anything that goes crunch . . . oh, and a combination of pretzels and chocolate!

4. Places you’ve lived?  On my parent's dairy farm in a lovely New England town for the first 19 years of life; then on to my husband's 10th-generation family farm for the next 31 years, in a neighboring town.  Although I've traveled a bit, we've got deep roots, and I guess I was destined to be a farmer!

5. What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
1.  DO the great room/family room addition we've been talking about for years--and actually pay someone else to do the painting!

2.  Pay off Abbie's mortgage and give equal gifts to Jonathan and Nathaniel.

3.  Buy Al a new tractor or piece of "dream" equipment    Take Al on a fantasy trip, wherever he'd like to go!

4.  Become a philanthropist, kind of "Oprah-esque."

5.  Pretty much live the way we do now, continue working as we do, but with less $$$ worries!

6. Who are eight people you would to know more about?

I tag…Dotty, Patty, Mary Ellen, Shannon, serendipitygirl21, lisa brawner, Elizabeth M., and Mary Jenkins.  If you don't have your own blog, feel free to place your answers here in a comment!

But wait. My father was exactly the opposite. He carefully scooped up any intruders in his handkerchief and ushered them out the back door, free to fly or crawl away. I recall once in the summer in the backyard, I was becoming upset over a gnat in my lemonade. I know - a gnat, right? Clear as day, I remember my father saying, "Look! He's hardly drinking anything at all!" That brought a faint smile through my tears. He sure wasn't afraid of bugs.

Alas, my Mom's frightened gasps and screams were louder than my father's calm voice of reason, but in the end ... Dad's reason prevailed. Today, I know bugs are cool.

While I do prefer that I spot them first rather than them land on me unexpectedly lest I have a throwback experience, I realize that insects are quite fascinating. This morning I sat out on the back porch to journal. There I have a bunch of potted impatiens, polka dot plants and black coleus. Sitting with my coffee and about to write, I noticed an unusual character sitting in the impatiens. Got the digital, took some close-ups and decided to find out what it was at the end of my work day.

Fast forward to 6 p.m. and I'm on a really cool site that I just love, now that I'm not so afraid of bugs - What's That Bug? I figured with those huge eyes, he had to be some kind of fly though he didn't look like one. Sure enough - there he was - a Robber Fly, and of the type called the Hanging Thief. So now I know about Robber Flies, how they're beneficial, and why I shouldn't push my luck and aggravate one, not that I would anyway. (They have a painful bite when pushed to their limit.) Pretty cool!

OK - it's not my plan for this to be a bug site. Really. They just seem to keep showing up when I'm sitting still. And as bugs are creepy to so many people, I guess it's not so bad to give them a little good press. Who knows? Maybe I can help you be a little less afraid of bugs.

too far gone to turn back

When you fly across great distances, there's a point where the pilot always takes a deep breath, a small pause in the action to give recognition to the PNR. Sometimes they announce it to their passengers, though not with civilian crews. It's the point of no return. When you've got more than half way, and there's nothing to do but go forward, because turning back would mean certain death. It's based on fuel, rather than distance. The source of your propulsion and energy. And there's comes a point when it would make more than you have to get back where you started.

In this little journey of mine, denoted by its chaotic upheaval in my life, I have been dabbling as the pilot; generally heading toward a direction, but sometimes just hovering, sometimes looking back. I've hesitated, and switched course for a day or two, still not fully ready or aware of my destination. But somewhere in the last few days, I've hit my PNR. And the tight rein I've held over my emotions, that streak of practicality that helps me get through anything, is starting to loosen. I'm breaking apart.

One of my dearest friends said that I'm not doing myself any favors by keeping it in. That I need to grieve.

Privately I've known that, but silently, I've held the need behind uncaring determination; yet, it's obvious. My life that was, the future I knew, is in shambles, collapsing rapidly under the vicious assault I've given it. It seems while everyone is focused on the damage I've caused, remembering I am the instigator, the fact I have lost my dreams and goals is irrelevant. It's my fault, why should I feel sorry or any pain... whatever.  I'm not going to debate my guilt and the mass of opinions.  I struggle with grieving because in some way I agree with them.  And no one should help me get through the seething amount of angst because I deserve to suffer and to suffer alone.  I know it's stupid, and I'll get over it, but it's why I collapse when I'm alone.  It's the only time I can let go.

It's easier not to feel, but easy isn't ever what I'm looking for. And now that I am willing to grieve, I begin to see that I can start to let go of it. This is what she meant by walking into the fire, and feeling the burn. It hurts.

Although there were many times, especially in the beginning that the little guy was tiring out, he kept going with determination.   I wondered if this was a little insane for a 10 year old boy to attempt, but he really wanted to do it.  Throughout the hike we had the opportunity to talk and really spend 8 hours of good mom/son time.  Many times he questioned if he was going to make it and how much farther it was to the top. It was so rewarding to see his amazement of his accomplishment at each stopping point to look down and see where we had come.  I took the chance here to remind him that really life is just that; a constant lesson in learning where we have been and realizing that anything is possible if you decide you CAN do it.

As we got closer to the summit and could hear and see the people at the top, I could sense a huge amount of relief.   At that point we were counting off steps--50 steps,  stop and count to 20 and go on with the next 50 steps, etc.. There were some tears shed by my boy during that final mile; tears of frustration--it was a long mile!, tears of joy that it was almost over and tears of pure pride.  He had some very blue lips  and I didn't want to freak him out about that so it wasn't until we were safely back down to a reasonable range of oxygen that I told him he was blue!

As we got closer to the top, I was overcome with emotion that I was able to share this 'first' with my son and I know that it will be deeply embedded in each of our memories for life.  We have committed to a tradition of making the trek to the summit yearly.  

I tell him someday, he will be the one encouraging me and counting off steps in that final mile.

if there's one thing that He will remind me about.. it'll be this phrase, " Kingdom minded, Kingdom motivated." always asked Him, or even so.. to understand that hey, it's gonna work as a team, everyone's personally blending or rather complimenting into one..

however, this thinking of mine is renewed. was hanging out today with a group of friends, having durain session (1st time in like dunno how many mths or yrs!) and eating prata at a prata shop that sells prata that is as big as ur face. and it's true!!!

ok, back to the point.. somehow, it was one remark that a person that made me think that hey, there's many ways and a kazillion million ways to staying in track of being kingdom minded and kingdom motivated.. hahahaha.. for eg, "Z" may not like doing activities. but becuz of "i want to do this becuz im doing this for God, thats why" an extra mile is taken.. 

another one is.. (this jus came jus now) was sitting down waiting for this body heat of mine to lower temp, and i was thinking about today.. and i thought of the prata man.. hahahaa... 

isnt he skillfull that he can make a prata that's as big as the face or you know crispy on the outside but soft on the inside???

hahaha.. bet the prata man took years into perfecting his skills, plus putting his heart and soul into prata as big as your face, and delicious to eat on a friday night that people will jus go there the 2nd time, 3rd time, etc.... and the technique of accuracy of tossing the oily dough, not afraid of the spattering oil

what im trying to say is that, playing the guitar esp, praise and worship, it's not just about having the skills (yes, we have to constantly be improving! thats a must!) but becuz jus like the prata man is gonna serve a delicious food to a customer, is like giving a sweet aroma of worship, of praise, to God, like He's the customer.. 

im literally typing whats on my mind.. hahaz.. that's all for now tho.. nights! =)

Reactions may be mixed in the community – but mine is not.  I think it is the right decision.

As one of the community activists asked to be on the MJCCA’s Agency Policy Committee, a request which I accepted, I am familiar with the thoughtfulness in which the MJCCA staff and volunteers analyzed the factors that went into the decisions.  I am familiar with the paramount interest of its staff in being sensitive to the views of its members, the community and the rabbinic leadership of Atlanta. I am equally familiar with the passionate views of observant members of our community (and other community members as well) who believe opening on Shabbat is a bad thing for the JCC, a bad thing for the Atlanta Jewish community and a bad thing for the honor of Shabbat.

And lastly, I am familiar with the transcendent experience of observing Shabbat, as my family does each week in our own meaningful way.

In this case, familiarity breeds appreciation, not contempt.

There are  approximately 120,000 Jews in Atlanta.  There are not 120,000 Jews going to shul on Shabbat, nor are there 120,000 Jews staying at home on Shabbat and observing each relevant bit of Halacha.  At most there are a few thousand in Shabbat services on Saturday mornings, and a few thousand more that engage in some Shabbat tradition during the course of the day.  For a good portion of the Atlanta Jewish community, the closest they come to a taste of Shabbat is spending some time with their friends and family doing something engaging with one another.  Until now, the MJCCA was  not open to host that kind of engagement in a Jewish context on Shabbat.   Now it will.

The Jewish Times stated in its editorial (in contrast to the editorial’s generally constructive tone) “changing [the] policy is offensive not only to observant Jews, but  to others who want Jewish institutions to uphold Jewish laws and traditions.”  It goes on to state “this move undermines the Jewish community’s most important institutions, the home and the synagogue.”  Lastly, it writes “[t]he JCC… can be a unifying institution, but not when it rejects the core beliefs of a significant part of its community.”

Offensive. Undermining. Rejection. Those are tough words. And while I believe the JT’s assessment is incorrect, I also believe each is entitled to their opinion.

But I think as a Jewish community, all of us are entitled to a lot more than opinions.

And here is where the touch of Torah comes in.  In this week’s parsha, Matot, we read abut Moses conveying the laws of annulment of vows which are an interesting and complex set of laws that have been interpreted through the ages in the most thoughtful of ways.  Addressing when can one break a vow, when can a parent break a child’s vows, etc. – these laws convey a window into the essence of what a vow,  what a promise is. We also read in this parsha about how war is waged against the Midianites in retribution for their plotting the downfall of Israel through subversion of  Israel’s  morality.  Equal to what we learning about the war, we also learn about the spoils of war and their allocation.

In reaction to the opening of the MJCCA on Shabbat, one of the most common refrains has been that the MJCCA has broken its vow to honor Shabbat.  An interesting assertion –  and with it perhaps we should talk just as much about whether our synagogues, temples and other Jewish organizations are keeping to their vow to honor Shabbat by creating avenues for unaffiliated Jews in Atlanta to truly taste the essence of Shabbat  in meaningful, engaging way.  In many quarters the argument is being made that if MJCCA remains closed on Shabbat, perhaps theses synagogues and temples could keep their promise by attracting families on Shabbat mornings.  But are they keeping their vows already?  Have they created those avenues for Shabbat engagement in a way that resonates with the unaffiliated? Have they annulled the promise of becoming ‘destinations’ for Jews who, while not strictly observant, would nonetheless like a way to be engaged Jewishly on a Saturday in a way that is authentic yet personally relevant?

My family goes to shul almost every Shabbat morning, and it is one of the most enriching experiences for our family that occurs during the week.  We get a bit of Torah, a bit of community and a bit of food.  It is an experience that ‘fits’ us. And I tell everyone who will listen that they too should try the experience on for size.  But one size doesn’t fit all, and for those who  the shul experience doesn’t fit right now, shouldn’t there be the option for other experiences that fit them?  Before casting stones at the MJCCA for purportedly annulling its vow to honor Shabbat, shouldn’t we all do some self-examination of whether we are keeping our vows, individually and as community as they relate to the spirit of Shabbat?

Lastly, as to the charged tone and tenor of the criticism  that some are directing at the MJCCA, it as if some are characterizing the decision by the MJCCA as echoes of the wrongfulness of the Midianites.  But really, is opening on Shabbat akin to plotting against the moral fabric of the Jewish people?  The Midianites were, but I don’t think the MJCCA is.  I think quite the opposite actually.  Criticism is a healthy part of a community experience, but let’s make sure that the tone remains healthy and not characterized as a war of words.  If so, the spoils of that battle may not be what any of us intend, and we might all lose more than we gain.

So let us all make a vow together to honor Shabbat as a community by offering Shabbat resources in a myriad of ways that are reflective of the needs and interests of our community.

Let us wage a battle against apathy, not one another.

And let the results of our endeavors be a stronger Jewish community.

Shabbat Shalom.

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[Pushover patronize]

 I don’t know if I have mentioned this before, but my community has adopted a corporate commitment to a ‘consistent ethic of life’.

We only adopted this commitment a few years ago after we restructured our former smaller provinces into one larger province, so we are still kind of growing into what this means. For some, the consistent ethic of life equates with right to life issues and is only really about abortion. While our commitment to a consistent ethic of life definitely includes a stance against abortion, other life issues are also included. Two of these issues are poverty and war.

Last night on the news I saw being interviewed some people from Columbus, Ohio. They were saying that it is the economy and not the war that is the most important issue for them during this election time. I have to admit that it makes me feel badly that while we, as a nation, continue to wage war on the already battered people of Iraq, where by most recent estimates between 86,172 and 94,032 Iraqis and 4124 U.S. Americans are dead, that the economy has now taken center stage.[1][1]*

Of course I understand that the economy is important and that there are many working people out there who are having a hard time making ends meet. However, when we think about what we in the U.S. mean by making ends meet, and what people in places like Cambodia or Honduras, or Rwanda mean by making ends meet, the realities are drastically different. It has been said that while we worry about filling our gas tanks, others are worried about filling their stomachs. Food prices in some places in the world have gone up by as much as 40% and there have already been food riots in places like Haiti, Bangladesh, and Egypt.[2][2] I mean, of course, there is poverty in the U.S., but the vast majority of us to not live in the edge. When we talk about the economy being bad, we are talking about doing without comforts (and only some comforts at that), not about surviving. In fact, if we were to willingly give up just some of our creature comforts in the U.S., others would have more.

Its going to feel strange to put my next sermon post with the title, "Last Sermon of Internship". This must be only a fraction of what pastors must feel when they write that last sermon for their congregation as they prepare to move on. I have known this day was coming since I arrived at Hope, but it doesn't make it any easier.

I am going to go for a drive to clear my mind and hopefully feel the spirit moving...

Growing up in a Korean Presbyterian Church, I was baptized as a child, and I was confirmed as a teenager. However, in the Evangelical tradition, they disagree with infant baptism because they believe baptism to be a symbol that one has made a confession of faith. As a result, since babies can't make confessions of faith, infant baptisms are null. (My line of argument is more or less simplistic.)

This brings me to my current situation. I know that I am saved, and I have made a confession of faith through my confirmation. However, since I am currently attending a church that lines itself up with the Evangelical Tenets of Faith (as do I), is there a necessity to receive water baptism?

When I meditated on the word guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is alot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person relaxes and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

And gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word guidance.

When I saw “G”, I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i.”

God, “u” and “I” dance.

God, you and I dance.

This statement is what guidance means to me.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

Author Unknown.

We ended. I packed up, walked out, delivered the package and walked down. Till then, everything was fine. Then it began to turn to shreds. I arrived, delivered the second package, and stood around. We discussed, decided and proceeded to appease our hunger. I checked my watch, 1.30pm - the entire afternoon lay ahead of us. We stood up, picked up our bags, and headed off. They walked in, and I walked out.

----

There appears to be two worlds in existence. The one in the highlands of Anatolia, and the other - the rest of Turkey. In the past, I lived most of my life away from the highlands, and in the extremely hectic environment of the city. This time round, I chose to settle in the mountains, making trips into the city solely on an as need basis. I really enjoy this lifestyle, but I took a great amount of time to adapt. In fact I am still adjusting into the new surroundings. But what made it a smoother transition in the initial stages, was that I made frequent trips into the city to round off my previous affairs in order to complete my permanent move into the highlands. Now that my previous 'life' has come to a complete closure, there is little or no need to make road trips into the city. Life is self-contained in the highlands. The days go by with great joy in the tranquility and serenity of this environment, and I love it. 

However, when night falls, and the newspaper finally makes its way up the mountains and onto our table, the heart takes a plunge. The local news reports are filled with the happenings, events and hoo-hahs of the city. I sit there and wonder, and reflect on the life that I have chosen not to take. It is here that I ask myself the question, What If? Yet this question contains only a portion for regret, for the bulk of this sentiment is purely reflective. As I think back, I wonder how long I will continue to reflect, because despite my preferred choice for the highlands, a part of me will always remain with my friends who dwell amongst the skyscrapers and congested roads. 

Walk On by U2

...Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on 
What you got they can't steal it 
No they can't even feel it 
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight...

And I know it aches 
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much 
Walk on, walk on

Thank you, it is truly apt.

You have a place in the world that is unique,
A Place to walk that's yours alone,
You have a spirit bold and bright,
that's quick to care and to create,
You have so many dreams to seek,
so many talents all your own,
so much in you that's good and right-
so many things to celebrate!

will be missing the first 2nd service. :(

hopefully things will go well tmr.

im looking forward to it!

have some thoughts on my mind, but no time to blog.

maybe i should just type this in:

"education is the key to a better future. it will also place us on a platform that can bless others." these are the words of Cheh, a very special mentor to me. recently, i've been thinking especially a lot on education, mainly due to the stress i've been facing at school & my recurrent evaluation of the education system.

obviously, the conclusions made were so biased and i was never settled on any until i recalled Cheh's words to me, and currently, the conclusion is this: whether you like it or not, or whether is it the way you perceived it, the education system is like this. (whoever told you it's otherwise anyway?) whatever it is, you can simply be thankful for having a place to study, a platform of education, and a community for learning and growth. many things are beyond our control, including the way things are structured and work. dont expect things to work the way you want it. ah~ simply be content & grateful you have a school to go to, and transport to get there. many others (many, many, many others) are situations much worse off.. you're truly blessed. count your blessings, if only you will!

compared to the 1st term, i've really slacked off a whole lot (even though it's not as bad as the 1st year..). affected & influenced by some factors, plus being weighed down with work & personal issues, i was just kinda burnt out i guess.. it was the kinda situation whereby i just didnt want to do anything, yea, maybe like what june said, stone.. what i can say is i felt really uncomfortable to an extent, i guess the most appropriate phrase i can find is 'burnt out'.. tiredness weighs a soul down and forfeits the opportunity to re-focus, re-think, re-charge.. and there is no chance to re-do.

hopefully, though, i'll adjust back to how i started off this ay (acad year), plus the lesson learnt this term & not fall into the same situation again (i used the word 'fall' because it occurred so gradually - without notice!). i certainly believe that situations are not excuses for fault.. and we definitely have to stand and learn from them. living with no regrets! an ironic statement: every mistake aint really a mistake.

lastly, i still want to say, "GOD IS GOOD!" (All the time!) :))

*beginning, the 6th day

Alam mo, kanina, nagmamadali akong maglakad, sinusubukan kong umabot ng alas tres sa PLM para makaabot sa klase. Nagmamadali ako na umakyat. Lahat ng dinaanan kong tao, inuunahan ko kasi ambagal nila maglakad. Tapos, habang paakyat ako, palabas ng underpass, nakita kita.

Ilang buwan na kaya na di namamalimos ang nanay mo sa underpass? Noong una kitang nakita, third year pa ako. Alam kong may sakit ka na noon. Nakikita kita, pawis na pawis, gutom pero walang pera. Palagi kang nandun sa hagdan. Ni minsan, hindi kita binigyan ng barya. Naging katwiran ko kasi sa sarili ko, na kung tutulong din lang ako, yung malaki na, yung mababago ko yung buhay mo, yung mawawala ko yung paghihirap mo. Huli din kitang nakita nung third year ako. At ngayon, nakita na kita ulit.

Napahinto ako.

Hindi ko namalayang sa harap ng madaming tao, humagulgul ko, nilingon kita, gusto kong bumalik para bigyan ka ng barya, pero wala kong magawa, masasaktan ako na alam kong ni ang piso na ibibigay ko ay walang maaabot ni bigas na kakainin mo. Sa lahat ng nasayang na oras na hindi ako nagbigay, hindi ko alam kung dapat na magsisisi ako, magiging masayang hindi ako tumulong kahit sa papiso pisong pagbibigay.

Umiyak ako hindi lang dahil sa awa, umiyak ako hindi lang dahil sa wala akong magawa. Umiyak ako kasi bata ka. Madaming tao, pero ikaw ang nagkaroon ng ganyang kalagayan. Nahihirapan akong ilagay ang posisyon ko sa kinatatayuan mo, kasi natatakot ako. Kung ako siguro ang nagkasakit, baka hindi ko kinaya, napakalakas mo.

Bata ka. Ang dami pang oras na pwede mo sanang gamitin na tumatakbo ka, tumatawa, at hindi lang naghahantay ng barya sa hagdan. Naiiyak akong hindi ko alam kung paano ako magsisimulang tumulong.

Bata, gusto kong makitang unti-unting gumagaling. Araw araw ipapanalangin kong makikita kita. Aalamin ko ang lahat ng dapat malaman tungkol sa yo, ang pangalan mo, ang edad mo, ang mga kailangan mo. Tutulungan kita hanggang sa makakaya ko. Tutulong ako, hindi dahil sa awa, kundi dahil sa mahal kita. Bata, mahal na mahal kita, at ayokong makikitang unti unting nasasaktan ka ng sakit na patuloy mong nilalabanan.

Sa sarili kong paraan, ituturing kitang anak, ipapangako ko sa iyo 'yan bata. Kaya palagi kang maging matatag.

+++

Isinulat ko to para sa batang may Hydrocephalus na nakita ko sa underpass ng Quiapo. Kung makikita mo siya, lumingon ka, ipagdasal mo siya. Wag kang maawa, mahalin mo siya, tulad ng pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko ngayon para sa kanya.

 "Cry for the people you do not know, not because you pity them, but because you love them."
-Morrie, Tuesdays with Morrie

在这一刻，我忽然觉得他变得好高大。

爸爸说过，真正的感情，会经得起时间的考验。

如果感情是真的话，就算走了一趟之后，回来还是可以在一起的。

难道我现在只可以等？

你不等他，你的心也一样在等他。你可以选择吗？

她说，我爱你的方式错了。

但，已经太迟了。

1. Manage your children's bed time. No matter what age they are this should be consistent. If you give in and let them stay up this can create long term problems because you will be too tired to spend time with your spouse. Young children can drain all of your energy. So you have to make a time of reserve. Put them to bed early and make them stay there. Get them used to sleeping with the door closed so that they will know that when that door is closed it means that you do not want to see them anymore until the next morning. In my house 9:00 was their deadline. That means you have to start winding them down between 7:30-8:00. By 8:30 put them to bed and read a story to them, you want them sleep by 9:00 not just getting ready for bed. Tell them this is mom's time and good night.
2.Put a lock on your bedroom door. Get them used to knocking when you do not have the lock on. You start this type of training as soon as they are old enough to open a door and be consistent.
3. Tell your husband when you need a break from the kids. Let him take them to the park, play in the yard or go buy something to eat where they can play at the same time. Let him know that the energy that you gain will be to his advantage.
4. When they are old enough to play in the yard by themselves, come up with games that will keep them outside for a long time and make sure to lock the door. Like toss fifty pennies in the yard and tell them they will be highly rewarded for finding them all, or get 100 unfrozen popsicles and hide them all over the yard and send them on a hunt. Tell them to knock when you find ALL of them and do not knock unless you have them ALL. You'd be amazed at how much time you will have with your spouse. Do not over use this method because they will get board.
5. Define limits to your bedroom. When you can't get your child out of your bed, it has passed a limit. Retrain them. If you haven't started that habit, perhaps it would be more beneficial if you did not.
6. Teach them not to fear at night. That way they are not constantly coming in your room saying I'm afraid. Tell them darkness is their friend it only comes to help them sleep better and that daylight is their friend because it helps them to play better. My son used to be afraid of thunder until I told him God was only turning on the shower to give all his toys in the backyard a bath.
7. Always have numerous baby sitters available.
8. Occassionally spend weekends away and find hotels that have two distinct room. Embassy Suites is a good one for that. If you train them about knocking as I said earlier then they won't have a problem watching cartoon network with the door being closed to your room.
9.Schedule days with your husband so that you can just leave for a few hours to get recharged.
10.Give yourself an unwind period after the childen are sleep. Read a book. Drink tea. Take a hot bath. Something that will disconnect you from being mom so that you can prepare yourself to be a wife.

For more marriage help feel to visit my About page or web at mvpmedia1.com/lifeinspired. Hang in there, your relationship will be blessed!!!

My memories of him consist of him stopping over to visit on his way to Arthur Murray ballrom dance classes when I was a kid.    He absolutely loved to dance.    He was smart.   And I think he was always watching out for my mom.   I was comforted in the eulogy that the priest gave, it was clear that the priest actually knew who my uncle was, and that my uncle's faith was deep and persevering, that he would often join the priest outside after mass to discuss his faith and details of his life.  What a blessing to be an active participant in what we choose to believe.

Would it be strange to write my own eulogy?    I've often told my husband that when it does come time to write up our will, I think I'd like to include instructions about my funeral.    Probably pretty strange for someone who's about to turn 29 to be thinking about.     I do know I want a reading from CS Lewis and obviously readings from the Bible.   A gospel choir and a big party would be nice too.

Yeah, I'm pretty weird.    I'll probably put more into planning my funeral than I did my own wedding.

Have you ever thought about what you would want your funeral to be like?

Until next time,

Lorelei