Let's Have a Coffee Date

I don't think we have had a coffee date in a while, so lets?

If you came to my house for coffee, I would come to the door with Boobo on my hip and you would be greeted by our two dogs, Ginger and Jack, who do not know a stranger.  They'd probably try to lick you to death before I could wrangle them upstairs behind the gate.

Actually, I'd probably have you call me when you were in the driveway so I could do that before they attack you...

Just behind me will be Princess and Little Man because they love when we have guests.

Booboo would cling to me with his face slightly hidden from you because he is a little unsure of people he doesn't see everyday.

I would offer you a drink.  I would have coffee ready but we would also have tea, water, juice and milk if you would prefer something different.  I would probably have made or bought a snack for us as well. Biscotti, coffee cake, something like that...

I would set the older two up with a snack and activity and Booboo in his high chair with us.  I would have my mug with coffee and you would have yours and we would sit at the kitchen table overlooking the family room and chat.

I would start by asking how you have been.  How is work?  Your family?  Anything new going on?  Any new projects in the near future?

You would fill me in on the little things...this and that...what you are excited to be venturing into.

Summer break is about to start and I would tell you about the summer camps that I have my kids signed up for and that we are going to finally begin swimming lessons.  I found private and semi-private lessons for a reasonable price.  This is necessary because one of the kids fell in the pool last year and is terrified of trying again.  I want them to be at ease and have as little distraction/waiting/meltdown time as possible.

I would tell you that Jason is really liking his new job and that it is exactly what he wants to be doing.  He is able to spend more time with us and he has the freedom to excel in the areas that he is naturally gifted in.  we took him out to dinner last weekend to celebrate his graduation and had a really nice night.

We are making new plans to switch the bedrooms around so that all the kids can have their own space.  We are really trying to tackle projects that have had to take a back seat to life.  Organizing is my forever goal, but right now there are a few things that must be straightened out.  3 kiddos and all of their school stuff and activities plus whatever we adults have going on is getting a little out of hand.  I think if I could streamline some things, it would run smoother.

I would tell you about the new business ventures that we have taken on.  My It Work! products are like little miracles and things are really going well.  I am beginning to offer my Social Media knowledge to others in the form of consulting and social media management.  I am excited to move into something new, but nervous too.  I love these crossroads where something old meets something new and it makes sense.

By this time Princess will have come to show you her new dance moves and Little Man would want to show you that he has discovered Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles and Scooby Doo.  He is officially not my little toddler boy anymore.  He is on his way to being quite a big boy.  He will show you his new hair cut that Daddy just gave him and his scrapes and bruises from his daily struggles as a boy.

Booboo will be tired of sitting in his seat and I will try to get him interested in something so that we can talk longer.

You might have your little ones with you and maybe the kids would show them their bedrooms and where there toys are.  We have a swing set out back that I am sure they would enjoy.  If it's nice out, we could mover the back deck where we can watch them play and you can tell me about what your plans for the summer are.

In the afternoon the sun moves from the deck and it is pleasant to sit and be.  Of course, Booboo will have had enough sitting and I would probably be walking behind him as he tried every toy on the deck.  The kids will want to join us in more conversation and we well talk a bit longer.

It will be approaching nap time for one or both of my boys and either lunch or dinner, so you will gather your kids (if they are there) and we will all walk you to the door.  We will say that we need to have coffee more often, or to set up  a play date at the park.  The kids will be adamant about the second idea :)

We will hug and say goodbye.

     

• Please consider subscribing 
  Enter your email address:
  
  
  Delivered by FeedBurner
  

So Much On My Heart

I have been somewhat distant and that is because I can't seem to narrow down what I want to write about.  I have so much going on it's swirling around in my brain.  I decided that I will just talk about it all and see where it goes.

My baby started Kindergarten this week and I am soooo proud of her for being such a brave little girl.  She is everything I wish I could be.  She's confident, outgoing and easily makes new friends.  She is so sure that it will be great, and even if she runs into a problem she just lets it roll off her back.  I pray and pray and pray that she continues through life just like this.  When I first went to school, I lost everything that made me like her and it only got worse as I got older.  I just want her to stay Her.

We also decided that it is in her best interest to go full day.  I know.  I hate the idea of her being in school, away from me, but I am having her go more than required?  Yeah.  It's part of what is so wonderful about her.  She craves learning and new experiences.  She wants to play and be engaged.  She was disappointed that she was only going to school half day, so when I found out that there was room in the enrichment program that some of her friends are attending, I jumped on it.  She will get a full day of fun and friends, get to eat lunch in the cafeteria like a big kid and get what she needs for her smart little brain :)  It kinda kills me and I have been agonizing over it, but I think it's the best decision.

Another bonus to her attending school all day is that it allows her brothers to take center stage with their Daddy and Grandmothers during the day.  Little Man has struggled a bit with his place since Nemo was born.  He wants to be the baby and a big boy all at once.  I think that if he can be the Big Brother more and have one-on-one time while Nemo naps, he will feel better and get more of what he needs.  I want to be the one to give that to him all day, but Daddy and Grandmas are the very next best thing.

Ok.  There's more, but I think that's enough for now.  Thanks for the therapy session ;)

For updates on posts like this one, please consider subscribing
Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Layers

You know how Shrek says Ogres are like onions - they have many layers? I feel like that too. I'm sure everyone does. Humans are so multifaceted. Although, I would prefer to be compared to a diamond. Diamonds reflect different colors depending on which angle you are looking from.

For a long time, I have felt like I am supposed to do something special.  Like I have a purpose? Everyone has one, I'm just not sure what mine.

I firmly believe that at age 3, we are who we are meant to be in the purest form.  No inhibitions, little socialization.  Our spirits are free to exist without boundaries or restraint.

So I think back to that time for the answers to my questions about myself. What would my three year old self do/say? I can also look at my daughter for this. She is me 25 years ago.

What did I want to be when I grew up?  What was important to me?

Creativity.  I pictured myself painting, drawing, building, singing and writing.

Over time, I listened when people said, "they are called starving artists for a reason." Or " you have to be really talented to make it as an artist." I took that to mean that I wasn't good enough.  So I focused in more practical career choices.

I have spent lots of money and years of my life pushing away things that are a fundamental parts of me.  I always found ways to be creative in whatever did, but it was secondary.  

I've peeled my way through layers of self doubt and insecurity and discovered that I truly should have followed my heart.  My three year old self (or my daughter) would tell me how silly I have been.

I am certain that my highest calling is to be a wife and mother. No doubt in my mind that those things are my priority.  I just feel that I'm not tapping into something about myself.

Do you ever feel like this? 

Do you feel you have a higher calling or something you'd like to rediscover?

My Thoughts On The Market Street Building Collapse in Philadelphia

Yesterday, on the 2100 block of market Street in Philadelphia, a building collapsed killing 6 people and injuring at least 13 others. 

Reports claim that construction next door to the Salvation Army Thrift Store caused the accidental collapse. 

Witnesses rushed to the aid of those trapped inside while the rescue workers were on their way. One of which was a high schools student. 

This may not be the most horrific event we have watched in the last year, but it is nonetheless tragic. It also hits close to home for me because we live in close proximity to the city. 

I want to commend those who risked their well-being to help others, both trained and untrained. I also want to extend my condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the accident. 

It is hard to understand when such an unusual thing happens what the purpose is. "Where is God?" people ask. I can't explain why those who died were chosen to be taken home yesterday, but I can tell you that God was in those people who saw what happened and raced to help. He was in the rescue team and witnesses who were brave enough to put their lives on the line.

    ***Sending Prayers to and for all involved***   Below is a 6abc newscast covering the building collapse