For those who hate sappy stuff, I think you should stop reading now. But I do want to ask, why do people hate sappy, lovey-dovey expressions so much? I've had an issue with this since Hubby and I first got together. We are very affectionate toward each other. No matter where we are we don't hide it. I so often feel people are rolling their eyes at us and the comments from the children are endless. I do have to say we delight in grossing them out and sometimes pretend we're making out or something just to get a reaction! But why is it a bad thing to be in love and let people know it?
Yesterday was our second anniversary! I have to say I am so glad I listened to God and not the people who told me I was crazy. We have such a good relationship. I start thinking we're out of the honeymoon phase and then Hubby does something wonderful and I'm all twitterpated again. I wish everyone could experience what I have. I wish for you the feeling of love, peace, and joy. It doesn't mean there's never an issue or never any hurts or anger. Those things remind me we are still human and this isn't a dream. It makes it real when we can work through such things. I've recently began wondering if it has anything to do with previous failed marriages. I do think it makes me more attentive and determined to work things out.
So we had plans for the weekend. Kids were going to stay with grandparents and friends for Friday and Saturday nights. We were going to stay home and just enjoy time together. Well, we did that, but Hubby was sick. He woke up throwing up on Friday and that continued through the day. Saturday he was a little better, but still not up to par. We did go to Poor Richards for dinner Sat. night. The food was good, but that's about all the nice things I can say about it. In some regards the weekend was disappointing - it wasn't at all what I had expected. BUT we still had fun. We completely enjoyed just being together and we managed to have some fun too. (Only a deathbed would really stop us from all physical affection.) My hubby learned what was supposed to be given for each anniversary, and since the second is cotton (who thought that up?) he gave me new, nice cotton sheets. Without knowing the whole cotton thing, I got him clothes that were at least partly cotton. :) Yesterday he also sent me flowers at work.
Are you sick yet? The only sickness I want for my friends is love-sickness. Can you imagine the changes in the world if everyone was able to have the kind of relationship we have? Think about that and go kiss your spouse if you have one! For those who don't have a spouse - I'm praying for you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Searching for Excellence
I've been a little introspective (how do you like that word?) lately. For one, I've realized I like and want to be important. Doesn't everyone? I don't need to be the center of attention, but I want to be needed and be important. Maybe that ties to my other considerations about myself.
I've known for a very long time that I have high standards for myself. People have called me a perfectionist. I've worked hard over the years to keep my standards for myself more than placing them on others, but I can't say I've lowered the standards for myself. It is important to me to do well at everything I do. But lately I've just been trying to find one thing I do well. I feel like I'm working so hard in so many areas and coming up short in most of them.
Parenting is one area. I know, parents of teenagers can't expect to feel they are doing a good job. Later in life I and my children will see how hard I worked, what a good job I did, blah blah blah. I don't mean to downplay that, I'm just looking for something to keep me going now. I have teenagers, sure, but I also have an 8 year old, shouldn't I be feeling a little good about my parenting?
My work is the other area. I try so hard to be excellent in what I do. I feel like my job calls for that and it fits right in with my perfectionism. Only then I am called "critical." There is also a fairly new employee who has been given more responsibility quicker than I was as a new employee with the same or less training and background experience than what I had. So now I find myself being petty. Then I'm mad at myself for being petty. I know I can't be excellent and petty at the same time.
Again, my hubby (God bless that man!), had something to say. He told me I'm an excellent wife. He is good about making me feel appreciated. It did make me feel better to hear that, but (oh, I hate adding buts), as a wife I don't think I've tried all that hard to be excellent. I do what comes naturally. So can I claim excellence in an area I haven't tried to be excellent in?
Maybe I should just stop trying so hard in the other areas, do what comes naturally, and the excellence would follow? I guess my thought is that I cannot be naturally excellent. As a matter of fact, I know I am not naturally excellent. I know that my efforts will always come up short. It is only God in me that is excellent. Maybe since my marriage is so centered on God, that's what makes it natural and easy to be excellent. So if that is true, everything should be focused on God and then HIS excellence will show through in what I do.
I've known for a very long time that I have high standards for myself. People have called me a perfectionist. I've worked hard over the years to keep my standards for myself more than placing them on others, but I can't say I've lowered the standards for myself. It is important to me to do well at everything I do. But lately I've just been trying to find one thing I do well. I feel like I'm working so hard in so many areas and coming up short in most of them.
Parenting is one area. I know, parents of teenagers can't expect to feel they are doing a good job. Later in life I and my children will see how hard I worked, what a good job I did, blah blah blah. I don't mean to downplay that, I'm just looking for something to keep me going now. I have teenagers, sure, but I also have an 8 year old, shouldn't I be feeling a little good about my parenting?
My work is the other area. I try so hard to be excellent in what I do. I feel like my job calls for that and it fits right in with my perfectionism. Only then I am called "critical." There is also a fairly new employee who has been given more responsibility quicker than I was as a new employee with the same or less training and background experience than what I had. So now I find myself being petty. Then I'm mad at myself for being petty. I know I can't be excellent and petty at the same time.
Again, my hubby (God bless that man!), had something to say. He told me I'm an excellent wife. He is good about making me feel appreciated. It did make me feel better to hear that, but (oh, I hate adding buts), as a wife I don't think I've tried all that hard to be excellent. I do what comes naturally. So can I claim excellence in an area I haven't tried to be excellent in?
Maybe I should just stop trying so hard in the other areas, do what comes naturally, and the excellence would follow? I guess my thought is that I cannot be naturally excellent. As a matter of fact, I know I am not naturally excellent. I know that my efforts will always come up short. It is only God in me that is excellent. Maybe since my marriage is so centered on God, that's what makes it natural and easy to be excellent. So if that is true, everything should be focused on God and then HIS excellence will show through in what I do.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Feeling full
Since the last time I posted anything on my blog, it seems our lives have been quite full. Perhaps it is appropriate for the month of love that I've been quite focused on relationships.
Starting with family - JJ turned 15 - uugh! Now he has his driver's permit and I admit, I do not like teaching anyone to drive. This experience is only slightly better than potty training and weaning. We didn't do a huge celebration for his birthday because that day started the performances of the play both boys were part of. The play ran 3 nights, we went to see it the second night. The actors all did a great job and it was enjoyable, but I am so glad it's over! It's nice to have some time with my children again. The last night of the play was an ugly night though. I could give gory details to anyone who wants to call me, but I'll just say both boys got in big trouble and none of us got much sleep that night. Now we really get to spend more time together because both boys are grounded!
My ex-brother-in-law and his wife, who I actually consider my sister and brother, and their 5 kids came from the mountains of CO to see the play the boys were in. Then we were all invited to the ex-in-law's house for dinner. There have been some issues with the family lately, but really, it says a lot that we (including hubby) were welcome in their home. I thank God that despite stress and strains, we are still able to get along. I still have a great relationship with my brother and sister and we all enjoyed some great music as sis is a wonderful and unique musician.
Hubby and I have been developing some new relationships recently mostly through the churches we have been attending. We have started attending a small group for couples too and watched the movie "Fireproof." If you haven't seen that, you need to especially if you are married! We are enjoying all this.
Most of you have probably seen that I have become team captain for my office's Relay for Life team. I have also been trying to work more on my Avon business too. Guess what both of these things revolve around? While the obvious answer seems to be money, it really involves relationships. The relationships I have or have had with those who have been diagnosed with cancer is what really causes me to be involved in Relay to begin with. It's why I do it. Avon is similar. The cause may not be as noble, but I like the relationships I make with my customers and my downline.
Friday night I went to a friend's 40th birthday party with another friend. We discussed the people who were there and what kind of people would be at such a party we might have (this in NO WAY indicates I would like to have a 40th party later this year!). I think both of us felt we really do have a nice assortment of friends.
As you can see, my time has been quite full with all of this recently. Saturday, I actually had time to slow down and be lazy. I didn't leave my house all day. Yesterday we had a great day at church and in the evening my parents came over for dinner. So the weekend was relaxing and comfy and refreshing. As a result, today I feel full in a different way. I feel full of blessings. Looking back at all these relationships, I feel loved and am so thankful to God for all those I have relationships with.
Starting with family - JJ turned 15 - uugh! Now he has his driver's permit and I admit, I do not like teaching anyone to drive. This experience is only slightly better than potty training and weaning. We didn't do a huge celebration for his birthday because that day started the performances of the play both boys were part of. The play ran 3 nights, we went to see it the second night. The actors all did a great job and it was enjoyable, but I am so glad it's over! It's nice to have some time with my children again. The last night of the play was an ugly night though. I could give gory details to anyone who wants to call me, but I'll just say both boys got in big trouble and none of us got much sleep that night. Now we really get to spend more time together because both boys are grounded!
My ex-brother-in-law and his wife, who I actually consider my sister and brother, and their 5 kids came from the mountains of CO to see the play the boys were in. Then we were all invited to the ex-in-law's house for dinner. There have been some issues with the family lately, but really, it says a lot that we (including hubby) were welcome in their home. I thank God that despite stress and strains, we are still able to get along. I still have a great relationship with my brother and sister and we all enjoyed some great music as sis is a wonderful and unique musician.
Hubby and I have been developing some new relationships recently mostly through the churches we have been attending. We have started attending a small group for couples too and watched the movie "Fireproof." If you haven't seen that, you need to especially if you are married! We are enjoying all this.
Most of you have probably seen that I have become team captain for my office's Relay for Life team. I have also been trying to work more on my Avon business too. Guess what both of these things revolve around? While the obvious answer seems to be money, it really involves relationships. The relationships I have or have had with those who have been diagnosed with cancer is what really causes me to be involved in Relay to begin with. It's why I do it. Avon is similar. The cause may not be as noble, but I like the relationships I make with my customers and my downline.
Friday night I went to a friend's 40th birthday party with another friend. We discussed the people who were there and what kind of people would be at such a party we might have (this in NO WAY indicates I would like to have a 40th party later this year!). I think both of us felt we really do have a nice assortment of friends.
As you can see, my time has been quite full with all of this recently. Saturday, I actually had time to slow down and be lazy. I didn't leave my house all day. Yesterday we had a great day at church and in the evening my parents came over for dinner. So the weekend was relaxing and comfy and refreshing. As a result, today I feel full in a different way. I feel full of blessings. Looking back at all these relationships, I feel loved and am so thankful to God for all those I have relationships with.
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