How do you get to be the second car in the carpool line?

We are second in the carpool line!

Over the last month or so, there have been some major changes in our household.  For the most part, they have been positive and even spectacular on some levels.  Most notably my job status has changed,  Although I am still employed, it looks a lot different for our household.  I can now drop off and pick up children.  The highlight of my day has gone from a slew of nonproductive meetings with people I don't like to seeing if I can be first through  fifth in the carpool line.  Which is where I now sit, an hour early mind you while I type this post. My child can now look me in the face in the morning and say, "Mommy, I think I want you to pick me up from school today. Try to be first in line." Incredibly, I smile and say, "first"?  He replies, "Okay maybe fifth."

For some one who has always worked full time and overtime this is a whole different lifestyle for me.  Honestly, it is one I feel that I have stepped into excitedly with only a tad bit of uncertainty.  I am excited that I can enjoy, slowing down long enough to play with my kids after school and not have to worry about the hustle of getting home, getting dinner prepared, kids fed, and bathe and bedded only so that I can continue the day's work while sitting in the bed. I am excited to think that dinner does not have to be full speed ahead, but well thought out and prepared with love.  I am no longer over exhausted, over worked or overlooked.  I can smile at my husband, wait patiently as he talks about his day, repeat for the thousandth time what I just said and fold the clothes after they have been washed.

There is at least one room in my house that remains tidy, our bed is made daily, I  now stop moving long enough to pick things up off the floor and even put them where they belong.  I am amazed at how I ever had time to work.  I love this new life and realize that I will have to make some sacrifices if it is to continue, but three weeks into it, I would say, I am ready to do what I have to do. Even if that means cutting in front of some over achiever mom trying to be first through fifth in the car pool line ahead of me. Not on my watch!

This makes lots of since and we subscribe to this thought daily

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fenblogs/~3/O0QFmAhcdFA/tuesdays-tip-handle-care

posted from Bloggeroid

Every now and then, I think it is important to remind myself what the bible says about marriage.

Today I am reading day 1 of Marriage:

posted from Bloggeroid

Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Love - Food on Shine

I have had more than a few conversations this week with moms trying to figure out some creative things to pack in their child's lunch other than the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

My oldest sons kindergarten teacher told the parents to "pack a little bit of a lot of different foods". And since I never knew from one day to the next what my child will 'like' or 'dislike', I liked her suggestion and really found it to be a great way to get him to eat more of his lunch than he brought home.

Recently, while perusing the Internet for ideas, I ran across this article of some not so  great ideas for your kids lunch... based on the comments, I would say that packing soup for a first graders lunch is probably not such a great idea.  With that being said...any great ideas? #anyone

Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Love - Food on Shine

A list of top 10 things that make my middle school experience a lot different then kids today...

10. I could not wear lipstick, eyeliner or mascara in the 7th grade

  9. I did not get my first relaxer until I was in 7th grade

  8. All the "fast girls" would smack  their lips when they talked

  7. There were boys who chewed tobacco and the school allowed them to hang out on the "spitting         porch" before school

  6. Teresa what's-her-face 'wanted' to fight me (we never did)

  5. The first time I remember the school talking to us about college was when the track coach who was dating a guy still in college introduced  us to Phi Slamma Jamma (UH)

  4. 9th grade was junior high

  3. Everybody could participate in whatever sport as long as you made the team

  2. The only electronic device(s) were cordless phones

  1. The parents did not act worse than the kids

Get Some Where and Sit Down

My Big Mama use to say that.  She was really trying to tell us to stop moving so much, settle in one place for  a minute---peace be still.  I have been telling myself that quiet a bit today.  Here it is,  one year later and I find myself in the same professional mess once again.  I keep asking, how do I get in this same predicament year after year. My mother told me once before, when the dysfunction that surrounds you becomes functional...it's time to go.

With that thought in mind, I am looking for my keys.

But this time, I am not moving until God says move.  The problem is, there is so much noise in my life, I am not sure if I can hear him when he speaks.  The question is, will I know his voice if I hear it? Will he have my attention? Will I hear my voice and think that it is his? Perhaps that is one reason, I find myself here in this place over and over again.  Maybe I should do what God has already told me to do. (That sounds crazy! Of course I should do what God has told me.) Nothing in his plan tells me I need to be where I am today.  I am a square peg trying to make myself fit in a round hole. Which is why I am right here at this same place facing the same ole mess just on a different day.

So now my question is, do I know how to follow?  Can I be obedient? Can I ignore the distractions, overcome the obstacles, walk in faith and find my way? In Big Mamas words, can I get somewhere and sit down?

What I do know is, life is a persistent teacher.  It will repeat the lesson until I learn.

Dang, I'm tired of taking this class.



Simple words I hear from God. Could it be this simple.

1, 2, 3..

Listen to me

4, 5...

You will survive

7,8...

I am God and I can wait.

9, 10...

Let's not go through this again.

Who Can You Count on to Remind You that Character Counts? Michael Josephson Commentary: Put the Big Rocks In First 735.1

Michael Josephson Commentary: Put the Big Rocks In First 735.1

I enjoy Michael Josephson's stories. I don't know anyone else who reminds the world, that character counts. I wish more people would listen and learn.

My Husband Wears Mom Jeans

So there!  I said it. My husband wears "Mom Jeans" and seems to be confused that I don't find them...uhm...attractive!?
What are Mom Jeans you ask?  Well, I define them as jeans you should have given up wearing a while back,  but you can not seem to let them go because they are so damn comfortable and  'broken in' after years, months, days and hours of wearing.  They render  you momasexual, ( a mom with no sex appeal) less desirable, but prove to be functional, particularly when chasing boys around the park while talking on your Iphone. They tend to sit high on the waist and taper at the legs, falling just short of what could be considered 'flooding'.  They give your view from the rear an appearance less than attractive but more flat and unbelievably wider than normal.   I think it is safe  to say,  that if you purchased them more than two years ago, they probably fall at the top of what one would considered as bonafide "Mom Jeans".
Fortunately, I tend to buy jeans that are  long and boot cut. Most appropriate for wearing with a stiletto, high-heeled boot or wedge sandal. The husband on the other hand...let's just say he does not have as many options nor is he as fashion conscious.  Why does wearing "Mom Jeans" pose such a problem? Well, the Urban Dictionary has nine different definitions of "Mom Jeans" none of which I would want used to define my outfit of choice.  But how do I get the hubby to agree that "Mom Jeans" on him or me are a definite no-no? Even President Obama took a great deal of heat for his fashion choice.  Swagger or no swagger, just say no!

One of nine definitions:

jeans highlighting the flat curvature of the 40+ buttocks. Similies: upside-down-heart shaped-butt. Commonly seen aacompained with front butt. Extremly high waist, and always a crappy shade of blue or black. Usually found in Kohl's or Mervyn's It's late afternoon, the boys scream to go to the park. It's hot, I'm tired and it is starting to get dark, In the car, kids, cups, balls and bikes, The trip from the car seems more like a hike. Running, jumping, screaming they play, I try my best to stay out of their way. Push me. No! Push me. Me first, me too, How much is a mom expected to do? I cook, I clean, I even sing, running here, there, every where, I love, I scold, showing how much I care, but wearing mom jeans---I would not dare!