I just love thoughtful gestures. I think they are my primary love language. (According to the book I'm reading, we each have one.) :-) I think it must also be why I like to do things here and there for those people that I care about. If we like it, someone else probably will too, right? Anyhoo. . .
It just makes my day when someone does something nice to me or for me or for one of my kids or husband. One kind act will "fill my bucket" for weeks, months or even years as I think back about it. I just like nice people. Sometimes people don't even realize that nice little things are a big deal. But they are to me.
My Mom is thoughtful, she always remembers special occasions and is great at sending the kids Valentines day cards etc . . . despite having like 30 grand kids, she remembers every one. Anyway - yesterday I had a nice surprise. My Mom sent me a box in the mail, just because. It was filled with a sweet note and a couple of little things for me to do for myself one day when I have some time. It was nothing lavish, but it was simple and thoughtful and it made me feel her love from far away. It was so nice, which of course I like.
Another thing this week that put a smile on my face was a little treat left on our porch by a friend. Again, it wasn't lavish, just thoughtful. And I felt loved and remebered again, when I specifically needed it. I guess this is just a reminder for myself that little things can make a big difference to other people. You may not think so, but showing love in the smallest of ways might mean a lot to someone else. So, don't be shy, go ahead . . . do something nice for someone! 'Tis the season, right? :-)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I'm thankful for LAUNDRY??
Of course, this time of year we all have hearts full of Thanksgiving. It is a topic on our minds and of discussion around our homes. I am no exception. I have so very much to be thankful for. My blessings are innumerable and obvious. With the most obvious being my precious family, whom I adore.
However, sometimes we hear or see or talk to someone who brings to our attention just how grateful we should be. This can come at unexpected moments, no matter what time of year. I had one of those moments this week.
Anyone who knows me well is aware that I hate laundry. It's just not my thing. I always have a lot of it clean needing to be folded and put away. I always have a lot of it dirty needing to be washed. I always have piles to sort and hang and there is always an endless supply of socks to match. It's the job that I never seem to be done with and can't ever seem to stay ahead of. I hate laundry. I say it pretty often and think it even more often than I say it.
Well, John's parents came up for a very pleasant visit this past week. While they were here, the topic of laundry came up in conversation. (more with John than me, since it was in Spanish with his Mom.) John is one of 7 kids and he casually asked his Mom how she kept up with laundry when all her kids were small. She agreed that it was a challenge. Then she went on to explain that for most of the years that her kids were small they were in Mexico without washing machines. She literally washed her laundry on a wash board and hung it to dry. This included the diapers, which she made. Many of our parents used cloth diapers, right? Well, they didn't have money to buy cloth for diapers, so she cut up the bags that flour came in and boiled them. This made the material soft and cloth like, so that it would work well for diapers. After hearing that, I had a new respect for her and the challenges that she has overcome in her life. She worked hard to take care of my husband and his siblings, much harder than I have to work.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm grateful that I have a functioning washer and dryer to assist in my laundry duties. And I'm also thankful that I can buy diapers, change them and throw them away, instead of washing, re-using and then making more myself. And I suppose I should be thankful for all the laundry we have, because it's a lot better than not having clothes at all. So today I tried to do laundry with a better attitude and it wasn't so bad. I've been enjoying the holiday break time with my kids too, so that made it even better. (they put their own stuff away! :-) I reminded myself today that with the right attitude, we can be thankful for everything in life, even things we thought we hated, like laundry.
However, sometimes we hear or see or talk to someone who brings to our attention just how grateful we should be. This can come at unexpected moments, no matter what time of year. I had one of those moments this week.
Anyone who knows me well is aware that I hate laundry. It's just not my thing. I always have a lot of it clean needing to be folded and put away. I always have a lot of it dirty needing to be washed. I always have piles to sort and hang and there is always an endless supply of socks to match. It's the job that I never seem to be done with and can't ever seem to stay ahead of. I hate laundry. I say it pretty often and think it even more often than I say it.
Well, John's parents came up for a very pleasant visit this past week. While they were here, the topic of laundry came up in conversation. (more with John than me, since it was in Spanish with his Mom.) John is one of 7 kids and he casually asked his Mom how she kept up with laundry when all her kids were small. She agreed that it was a challenge. Then she went on to explain that for most of the years that her kids were small they were in Mexico without washing machines. She literally washed her laundry on a wash board and hung it to dry. This included the diapers, which she made. Many of our parents used cloth diapers, right? Well, they didn't have money to buy cloth for diapers, so she cut up the bags that flour came in and boiled them. This made the material soft and cloth like, so that it would work well for diapers. After hearing that, I had a new respect for her and the challenges that she has overcome in her life. She worked hard to take care of my husband and his siblings, much harder than I have to work.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm grateful that I have a functioning washer and dryer to assist in my laundry duties. And I'm also thankful that I can buy diapers, change them and throw them away, instead of washing, re-using and then making more myself. And I suppose I should be thankful for all the laundry we have, because it's a lot better than not having clothes at all. So today I tried to do laundry with a better attitude and it wasn't so bad. I've been enjoying the holiday break time with my kids too, so that made it even better. (they put their own stuff away! :-) I reminded myself today that with the right attitude, we can be thankful for everything in life, even things we thought we hated, like laundry.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Music performances
Music Perofrmance day at school!
Our kids have been singing their songs around the house and talking about it for weeks, and the day finally came! They were both very excited to participate in their concerts during music class.
John and I thoroughly enjoyed attending our our kids music performances the past couple of days. They both did an excellent job and we were so proud of them! They love their music teacher. She must have the magic touch with kids, because even our little Brookie gave quite the performance. It was very fun and very cute. Even Cameron watched attentively and smiled during the songs. Then he congratulated the kids with bug hugs and kisses, of course! 
Celebration with Andy
We celebrated Andy's arrival and recent birthday with a little "mock Thanksgiving" dinner. John had fun making a turkey and some fixins. Austin and Brooke had fun decorating a cake for him. I enjoyed helping and eating, of course! Most of all, we enjoyed a fun visit and birthday dinner with Andy Boy!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Cameron's One Year Picture
It's been a couple of months now, but I never posted this picture of Cameron at one year. It was a very cute stage with just one top tooth coming into that cute smile. He's changed so much already. He's still lots and lots of fun though!
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