2012: The Year of...?

This is the time of year when you hear people talk about making resolutions.  I stopped doing that a few years ago, when I realized my yearly attempts would most likely be broken.  Then I would feel bad about myself for my lack of follow through. 

Now instead of resolutions, I make goals for myself.  I don't wait until the last week of December to do it either, this is a continual process throughout the year.  But each December, I do look back at what I've achieved over the year, and instead of seeing lack of ambition, I view my successes.  This is much more rewarding, and helps me move forward and build on my goals. 

2011 for me was a big year with beginning this blog, starting to write my book, and undertaking the huge task of homeschooling my high school aged son.  All of this started in the summer.  I ran my first marathon this December.  If I had set resolutions at the end of 2010, I guarantee you none of these things would have made the list.  In fact, after I finished my first half marathon in December 2010, my first words to my husband were, "I'm not ready for a marathon."

Don't wait until the end of the year to make the changes you want to make.  Set goals year-round, but use the end of the year to reflect on what you've accomplished.

Next December, you can look back and say, "2012 was the year of..."   

A Christmas Post

As we go into these last couple of days before Christmas, I'm once again reminded of how truly blessed I am. 

This year, in an effort to focus more on giving to others, I've tasked my children with using their creativity for gifts.  They weren't shopping in a store or looking through a catalog, they were only limited by their imagination and what they could find around the house to make.  What a delight to see how the teenagers took this to heart.  I was impressed with the outcome.

Have a merry Christmas, and enjoy the time spent with each other this season. 

For the sake of our children

What is it about our children that makes us lose our sense of logic at times?

Last week, our family attended Aubrey's Kindergarten Christmas program.  When it was over, I was speechless.

Of course the chairs were all filled, and people were standing in the back.  This wasn't our first go-round, so we arrived early enough to sit in the chairs lined along the wall (no worries of someone sitting in front of us).  Everything was fine until they dimmed the lights and pulled the curtain back from the stage.

I honestly thought there might be a celebrity on the stage.  It became a photo shoot and gathering of fans.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm all for supporting my children, and I'm a proud mom.  But sometimes I think we need to reign in our pride a bit.  Here are a few basic notes I believe should be followed when watching our children perform.

1.  When your child is on a stage (under lights) and you're sitting in the dark, it really doesn't matter how long you stand and wave.  He can't see you.

2.  If you stand to take a photo, please be considerate of the people behind you trying to watch the program.  Especially if you're in the front two rows.

3.  This is not the time to toss out sarcastic comments to those who are standing in front of you.  It's difficult to hear the children sing.  Be an example for those around you.  A positive one.  Although I used those comments I heard to further explain the meaning of inappropriate behavior to Abby who was sitting  next to me.

As a parent, I was disappointed for the sake of the children performing.  I was embarrassed for some of the adults who behaved in this manner.  This should have been an enjoyable evening.

It makes me wonder if it was just this particular group of adults, or is this spectacle becoming more common.  Have we become so self-absorbed and senseless that we lose sight of what's important? 

Let's use our sense for the sake of our children.

First Marathon

I ran my first marathon on Sunday.  It was a big day.  The notion of running a marathon first came to me in high school, when I chose it as the subject of a research paper.  It was one of those way out there goals that I would get to “someday.”  20 years later, I can say I’ve done it.

My training began on August 1^st with typical dry, Texas temperatures of over 100 degrees.  Sunday’s race had temperatures around 40 degrees and falling, rainy with a blustery north wind.  What a difference!

Even with the weather the way it was, I was determined not to let it dampen my mood.  I was going to soak in the whole experience.  

Now I'll stop with the bad weather puns.  Here are a few of my initial thoughts after Sunday's marathon.

·         Nike Dri Fit really works!

·         I don’t want to look at another banana for the rest of the year.

·         The hardest part was the walk to meet my husband and daughter after the race.

And most importantly - 
 

·         Why can’t I take a good post-race photo?  I always look completely beaten down. 

On a more serious note, I was excited to be there.  I loved the fireworks during the national anthem, the number of volunteers handing out water and Gatorade, and the cheering spectators who braved the cold, wind, and rain, and lined the miles of the course.  It was a tough run, and I did struggle with some of the later miles more than I thought I would.  Miles 21-24 were the toughest, but I finished.   

I don’t know if I can accurately describe the feeling of crossing the finish line.  To complete something I’ve worked so hard for.  It was worth it.  Running a marathon may not be anywhere near your list, but I encourage you to find a big goal to work on.  It's amazing how it feels to finish.

The question was recently asked of me, “Will you do it again?” 

What do you think?

Grading Myself

Do you ever have those times when you get really down on yourself?  Sometimes, it’s not even because of something you can control.   

A few months ago, I went through a tough time as a mother.  There were a lot of changes in my life, and I was able to spend more time with my children.  Instead of feeling like I was making a difference, all I could see was what I had done wrong.  Daily, there was something happening that would add to my feelings of inadequacy.  There was a time I even told my husband, “I’m failing at this.  If I was given a report card for motherhood, this would be my first failing grade.”

I guess I can be a little hard on myself. 

Fortunately, others in my life are a little more forgiving of me than I am of myself.  When I mess up, my kids are quick to accept my apology and move on.  Even if they’re mad at me for something I think I did right, they get up the next day and give me a new start.  They don’t hold grudges.    

It makes me thankful too, that even when I feel like I’m earning an “F” in my life I have the ability to start over at anytime.  My God gives me second chances (and third, and fourth…).  My report card in life can go from an “F” to an “A” anytime.  All I have to do is ask.

My God forgives me.  My husband and children forgive me.  My friends forgive me.  It’s time for me to do a better job of forgiving myself.  I’m going to make mistakes, and that’s okay.  

Do you ever grade yourself? 

You can make every day an "A."  Just ask.