Grandma was a wonderful hostess. Growing up, I remember her cooking huge meals for various events which were often held in the basement of their condo building. I loved going over there, seeing family and I absolutely loved her manicotti, meatballs and rice. I could never get enough. Even better was when it was time for coffee “AND”. It wasn’t about the coffee. It was all about the “AND.” The “AND” meant a treat… cookies, chocolates, chaddah… I was all in for the AND!

More than food, though, the “AND” with Grandma and Grandpa meant the amazing way they embraced everyone and anyone the Lord brought their way. Grandma always had a beautiful smile, a warm embrace and a piece of candy for all.

I’m grateful for the love my Grandma showed me growing up through her smile, her willingness to give and how she would spend time with me and my family. We are all here because of what a blessing she was to each of us and how she made each of us feel loved and special.

I will always remember and miss Grandma’s gift of coffee “AND” so much more!

Growing up, I was blessed to have all 4 of my grandparents in my life on a weekly basis. At minimum, I saw all of them at church each week.  I realize how rare that truly is and I am so thankful.

Even more special is that my girls have gotten to know their great grandparents! When I was pregnant with my youngest (7 years ago), my maternal grandfather passed away. My oldest still remembers him. The past several years, my girls have been able to spend time with their other 3 great grandparents. What a gift!

Grandpa was weeks away from turning 94. He was an amazing man who taught me many things…Here are a few.

1. Stick Together

He and Grandma were married for 70 years. They went everywhere together. In their younger years, they commuted to work downtown Chicago together. They went to church and did life together.  I can’t really remember a time that I saw Grandpa without Grandma. When you find your person, stick with them.

2. Hold on Tight

One of the main images I have in my head, is of my Grandpa holding onto my Grandma. Guiding her while walking, holding her hand, and putting his arm around her shoulder. He found his sweetheart and he wasn’t letting go.

3. Lend a Hand

Grandpa was a helper. You didn’t have to ask him to help because he was already doing it. No job was too small… Clearing the table, collecting trash, vacuuming, driving a friend, making a delivery… You name it and he was doing it. He gave freely of his time to anyone who needed it. No questions asked.

4. Whistle While you Work

No matter what he was doing… You could usually find him whistling. He was joyful and spreading his happiness. I can still hear it. If you’re breathing, life is good… Just whistle!

5. Always Time for a Pop

Grandpa always had soda pop … Orange, grape, root beer… And always wanted whoever came by to stay for one.  He had time and wanted you to slow down and chat for a bit.  He was a social guy and loved to tell stories… If you took the time to listen. Wish I could go back and hear a few of those stories one more time.

6. Honor

Grandpa served in the military. Every Memorial Day he honored his fallen brothers. He was very proud of the sacrifices he made many, many years ago. He taught me to respect those who have served and to show gratitude on a regular basis.

7. Love God

Grandpa lead by example.  If you asked, he would tell you, but wasn’t one to be outspoken in general.  He was at church every Sunday no matter the weather.  He came to serve, love, see family, and support his son the pastor. Grandpa always had a hug and a smile.  Later in life, he attended a church closer to home. He loved and served well there, too.  He did not need recognition for all he did– he did it because of his love for the Lord. Such a mighty example of faith.

I love you Grandpa.

(And don’t worry about Grandma, your son is watching over her and we are, too)

I love traveling, especially the anticipation of travel. The planning, the shopping, the coordinating, and even the packing. Having something to look forward to keeps me going.

We have been planning a trip to Europe for months. It’s our first major long-term trip as a family. Last year at this time, we finalized plans to move and shared with the girls our desire to homeschool. We knew it would give us the option to travel with Tim for work and for our family to be on our own schedule. We have done a few small trips, but with all the moving (4 times in 6 months) and uncertainty of our living situation, major travel has been on hold. Until now…

The girls have been counting down on a daily basis for many, many weeks. To say that anxiety is at an all time high would by an understatement. What will the plane be like? What will we eat? What’s the hotel look like? We’ve never been gone this long! I’m going to miss my bed and toys and our house! (Cue tears) These are the things I hear all the days….

I am eager to get traveling, too.  I have worries as well.  How long will it take us all to get over jet-lag?  Did I pack all the things we need?  (I am sure I over-packed, but this is an opportunity for learning and I will make improvements for our next adventure). Will we all be able to sleep in the same room for over 3 weeks?!?  What will homeschooling look like “on the road”?  How do I make the most of educating our girls as we travel the world?

I hope to have answers to these questions that will affirm our ability to homeschool and travel the world.  I know it won’t be easy, but nothing epic ever is!

 

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Lots of reasons (ahem, excuses)… Mainly my lack of confidence.  I feel like I can’t write unless there is some grand purpose and meaning behind what I’m saying.  But, I’ve missed it.  I’ve found that writing is therapeutic for me and helps me work through whatever is going on in my life.  I think it’s because I’m a verbal processor and writing is cheaper than therapy.

I like to talk through whatever is on my mind. My poor husband… I ramble on and on and expect him to keep up.  He has learned to listen and occasionally ask a question to help me process, which is all very sweet since he is an internal processor.  Talking about something at lengthy is not his preferred way to spend time.

Lately, I’ve been talking his ear off about suitcases for our upcoming trip.  Carry on or check bags?  What size suitcase?  Soft or hard side? Matching or let the girls chose their own?  You get the idea. He’s had to listen to all these debates and more.  This is the man who is a travel warrior– on the road half the year and only takes a carry on no matter where he is going or how long thr trip is. He hates to check a bag and despises when me and the girls do so.  I think I wore him down with all my jabber because he agreed that we can check our bags!! I don’t have to put 3 weeks of travel (plus a wedding) in a carry on! Such relief!  I can breathe.

But wait… What tote should I bring?

My poor husband…maybe it’s time to go to therapy!!!

Resolutions stress me out.  There is such pressure to make a goal for the year.  Make changes and solve all your problems.  Decide to take away something and life will be better. It seems a lot is riding on what resolution you make and being a perfectionist…I also struggle with finding “just the right resolution” and knowing I will not be able to carry it out as well as I like (the pessimist in me).  Rarely does anyone talk about their resolutions past January.  Nor do many talk of success or failure or what even happened with those so called “resolutions”.  And for these reasons, I have generally avoided them.

My birthday is in January…it often leads to reflection of the year before, like most people do on New Year’s.  (Do you all do this on your birthday as well?…I’ve always wondered).   I wish my birthday  were more in the middle of the year so I could have a second chance for reflection.  Anyway, I typically review the year before and look at the coming year as an opportunity for something new.  A challenge, a vacation, an event, a new accomplishment…not necessarily a “resolution” that will change my daily behavior.  Does that make sense?

My husband is very good at looking at the big picture and at the long-term.  When he puts his mind to something, he does it.  For example, he will set goals for himself and for our family for the future.  He looks to see where we will be in a year, in 5 years or in 10 years .   I struggle to do that.  I’m very much in the day, the week, or the season that we are in.  I have a hard time seeing past that.  I love how my husband balances me and helps me grow in that area.

So, instead of making a yearly resolution, I have loved the idea of claiming a “word” for the year.  I haven’t done this in “an official-write it down-journal it” sort of way.  Not until now.  This year I have given much thought to my word (impressive, I know) and I feel it really applies to where I am at right now.  There is a lengthy description regarding what my word means and why I have chosen it.  It is quite possible that I have gone overboard (not me…!!!) or put too much thought into it, but it’s where I’m at right now, so I am embracing it.

My word is: SALT.

The obvious: Salt Life…island living, being on the ocean, hearing the waves, breathing in the salt water.  It’s where my soul belongs.  I feel alive standing in the stand staring out at the waves.  When I am at the ocean, I am more myself than any other place on earth.  Moving to an island has been the single best decision Tim and I have made together. (the scariest, riskiest, and possibly the craziest…more on that in a future post)

The spiritual: In the Bible, Jesus calls us to be the Salt of the Earth.  He was telling us to add flavor to the earth, to add benefit to all that we come in contact with in the world.  Salt is a preservative and as Christians we are to maintain our love for Christ and to promote that in the world without losing our “flavor”.  In other words, without becoming bitter or hard and continuing to bring the light of Christ to the world.  On a personal level, I do not want to lose my “salt” for Christ.  The hardness of my heart needs to be softened and preserved with salt to make a positive impact in this world.  (more on the hardness in another post one day)

The physical: Our bodies need salt.  This past year, I have discovered that salt plays an essential role in my chronic migraines (again, another post on this one day).  The balance between potassium and sodium in the body is important and in my body, possibly the key to the pain I’ve experienced for 25 years.  I have totally changed how I eat and it is beginning to reduce the number and intensity of migraines I experience.

The minimalism: Salt is the most basic of all flavorings.  It’s the most minimalist item to use in cooking.  This is how I am choosing to live life–simply and as a minimalist.  Living simply is a new concept to me that I have only begun to investigate.  Selling our home, our assets and about 75% of our items last year was a start, but it is not the end.  I am working to bring concepts of minimalism into every area of my life.  It provides one with the freedom of time and space to do all that they love to do. I can’t wait.

As you can see (if you’ve made it this far in my post), Salt means so much to me on many different levels.  It’s my word for the year and for my current season in life.

What’s your word?

 

Sometimes we feel God. He’s real and alive and we easily see His works. Other times, it’s not as clear. A dry season. A drought.
As a person who likes to take action and to be moving forward, it’s tough for me to slow down and just be present in the season. It’s like a pause button has been hit. God is working, but I don’t see it. Or I don’t like how it’s going. Or I don’t understand what’s happening.
I’m in that place right now.
I sense God telling me it’s ok (and it helps having my mom reassure me in this). That I don’t need to fix it. That I need to allow Him to renew me. Allow Him to take over. That I need to trust and it’s ok to be along for the ride. That he’s working for my good and I can take a breather.
I’m trying to rest in this season of drought, of stillness, of being “on hold”. I’m eager to the day I am able to look back and see how things worked together. How God orchestrated mighty things for my family’s greater purpose. I know we don’t always get an explanation or answer to our “why”…but, I hope to. (Another post on that one.)
Anyway, I wanted to encourage you if you happen to be in a drought season. Keep seeking God. Draw near to Him and allow Him to strengthen you. And know it is ok to be right where you are.

So… The holidays. They turn the average mom into a crazy mom. And those already on the edge get pushed over. How to maintain sanity…
1.Do not over schedule. And that might mean saying “no” to lots of fun things!! Are you introverted? Make sure you don’t over commit to too many social events. Do you have kids who are over stimulated easily? Think about whether the candy, lights, noise, and large man with the beard are really worth it.
2.Take time to plan time for family traditions– but don’t overdo it. You don’t have to do EVERY single thing EVERY single year. Pick and choose.
3.Take it all in stride and realize you can’t have it all. Some things have to go. Clean house, laundry, perfect meal, work out… Prioritize.
4.Be quick to forgive others who are acting crazy. Give Grace… ‘Tis the season to be an example of the reason!!! (Jesus!!!)
5.BOUNDARIES!! (Yes, this concept will somehow make it into just about all of my posts) Set them. Maintain them. Do not lose sight of them. Especially when it comes to family expectations and those members that made you have to create the boundaries in the first place!!! (Read “Boundaries” by Drs Cloud and Townsend)
6.Don’t forget about time with the Lord. No explanation needed.

I’ve never wanted to homeschool my girls.  In fact, I’ve said, “I could never do that!” and “there is no way that would work for our family and personalities!”.  Guess what?!?  I’m homeschooling my girls.  When God tells you to do something, it’s best to listen and obey.

So, here I am…obeying.  It does not mean that it’s easy once you obey, but God does equip us for the task at hand.  I am loving the freedom it is giving our family.

My oldest (6th grade) attends a coop and goes to Spanish, Drama, World History, Chemistry/Physics and PE.  She is running for student government and is making friends.  It is a beautiful thing.  We will begin reviewing some math and doing some writing at home…eventually.

My youngest tried the coop, but it is a bit overwhelming for her–she’s only in kindergarten and not reading or writing yet (side note–this does not concern me in the least).  Truth be told, I was a bit overwhelmed myself.  I’m happily embracing the concept of “unschooling” right now.  We are pursuing her interests and taking things organically and slowly.  And… I LOVE IT!!!!

I’m blessed to be able to be with my girls and pursue this new way of living as a family.  Change isn’t easy, but I know we are on the right path.

Not sure I’ve ever “fit in”.  I remember as a little girl, just watching.  I was hesitant to join the group and preferred to be on the outside looking in.  (I’m sure there are years of therapy I could do working through all of that…)  I had few friends through elementary and middle school and I definitely was not a part of the “in crowd”.

By the time I reached high school, I found there were more opportunities and I got involved in a ton of activities.  I was still not a part of the “popular kids”, but I made friends through those various groups.  We shared a common interest or goal and there was a “safety in numbers” type of feeling.

As I grew into an adult, I embraced the idea of having lots of different kinds of friends–not just an exclusive group to hang out with, but a variety.  I was friends with a very diverse group of women–age, socio-economic status, ethnicity, etc.  Peer pressure was not existent in my adult life. Until I moved to a new state.  Suddenly, I lost my footing and felt the pressure to fit in.  There was a definite group in the community.  Being new in town, I wanted and needed friends.  Once again, I felt like a little girl looking in from the outside.

I didn’t realize what was happening at first.  I definitely got caught up in the social scene and trying to make a place for myself and my family.  After a time, I realized I was not being true to myself.  I stopped and regrouped.  Part of this awakening is what eventually lead to our move.  I’m so thankful I reassessed and was honest with myself.

My family is starting over again. This time, I am being cautious and intentional about how we spend our time and who we spend it with.  I’m happy to be watchful and careful and not jump into anything without prayer and clear direction on which way to go.  Relationships are my top priority.  More on this to come.