Happy Birthday, Marissa!

Where have the last five years gone? My baby girl, Marissa, turned five today. We had a Purplicious Party yesterday and everything went well. The girls painted, danced, bounced on the moonbounce, ate pizza and decorated cupcakes! Perfect day for a purple party!

It feels like a lifetime ago when I brought her home from the hospital and I just sat there in our living room staring at her. She was the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. Her skin was the most beautiful shade of olive and she had these tiny angel kisses on her eyelids. I loved to watch her breathe, sleep and dream.

It is bittersweet watching her grow. On one hand I am so excited to see her reach each milestone, on the other, I am saddened as she inches farther and farther away from me. Marissa has grown to be such a lovely young lady. She is smart, funny, frilly and sincere! She is just a darling and I know that she will grow to be strong and independent.

I could not be more proud of her and I am so thankful that God gave her to me.

Happy Birthday, Marissa!

Part-time or Lifetime?

I am not and will never claim to be a "righteous" type of person. I don't attend church regularly, I do not bow my head in prayer to appease an audience and I do not feel it necessary to inform all those around me of my deep love for Christ and/or of my religion. I do not condone those who feel it is their calling to live a life dedicated to their religion and their savior, but I do raise an eyebrow when I meet someone who makes such claims but their daily actions reflect otherwise.


I grew up in a home that was heavily influenced by the practices and beliefs of the Southern Baptist Church. I learned about accepting Jesus into our hearts, the importance of reading the scripture, the sacrament of baptism etc etc etc. Ironically, I didn't feel that I gained the majority of my moral guidance from my family or the church where we attended. As I grew into myself and learned to question my life, my surroundings and my personal goals, I was able to reflect, research and reach out to the necessary tools to faciliate my personal relationship with Christ.

Today, my husband and I decided to take our children to Hershey Park, PA for a day trip. During the car ride, my husband and I began to have a conversation about how we feel we are raising our children and modeling what it means to be virtuous and show good moral standing. I started to think about the experiences that I have with people and if my interactions with others on a daily basis reflect a christian life.

I think about a few people that I know who attend church weekly, sometimes multiple days a week; those who hypocritically wear the cross pendant delicately dangling from their necks as they speak of holiness and virtue and with the next breath boast of their plans for deceit and lust. Maybe I'm being harsh, but recent events have soured my thoughts and feelings for the "part-time" christian. In my private moments in prayer, I think of those souls and I pray that they find their path.

Some may argue that a true christian should take every opportunity to share their love and beliefs and I cannot argue with that point. Actions speak louder than words and that is truly all that I can say on the matter. Choose your steps carefully, it is not only God who is watching, but all others who look to you and wish to see your divine journey.

My post this evening has strong feelings and can be read as negative and cross towards christianity. I apologize for any misunderstanding as that is not the case. However, I AM angry. I AM furious that people feel that they can hide behind holy words and claim to be something that they are clearly not. What sort of message does that say about christians? Can we openly live a life of sin and simply laugh it off that Jesus will forgive us tomorrow? Can we pick and choose when we want to be christian? I will not raise my children to be "part-time christians" I hope that I teach them the value of a lifetime devoted to Christ. Each step, each word, each action, a true reflection of what it means to be a good person both inside and out. Let's remember the, unfortunately, ever-so-trendy but all to real question, " What Would Jesus Do?" as we walk through our life.

I believe that in order to be a lifetime christian, our actions must reflect our hearts. Do not claim to be something you are not. If you talk the talk, then walk the walk. I ask others to be patient with me and my imperfections, because I'm still a work in progress.

I do not judge others who make poor choices, live life in a less christian manner, or struggle with their own peronal journey with God. I only ask that we all not claim to be something we're not. If you stumble, reach out to those that can help you find your way. When others need guidance and support, help lead the way by heart and your actions.

Operation Detox *UPDATE*

Like most women, I feel that I'm constantly at battle with my weight. I'm not overweight by any stretch of the imagination and I consider myself in pretty good shape, however I've got that lingering 5-10 lbs that just will NOT budge!

Recently I learned about The GOOP Detox, its endorsed by Gwenyth Paltrow (who ALWAYS looks great) and a friend of mine just lost 11lbs in one week! Amazing! I guess the trick would be learning to KEEP it off and not allowing your body to go into shock when you go back to regular food.

For me, I feel that this would be a great way for me to quickly shed those pounds and then retrain myself how to properly nourish my body and not over indulge in the "not-so-good" foods that I have recently grown accustomed to.

I'm a believer that crash diets don't work and that we need to make the effort to have a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE rather than yo-yo our way through life and weight management. I'm curious to see how this GOOP Detox will work and if I will be happy with the results. I wouldn't try this if I wasn't already in decent shape, and I won't continue with it if I feel that I'm starving myself or that it is showing negative side effects to my body.

I'm hoping to start this tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll keep daily updates and we'll see how this goes!

Check out the detox plan at http://goop.com/newsletter/15/


UPDATE:

After talking with some friends and doing a little more research, I have decided that this probably isn't the right plan for me. While I am looking for a way to jumpstart my weight loss and help motivate me, I just don't think that this is a very healthy way to go about reaching my goals.

I have modified my diet, making sure that my daily calories come out to about 1000 calories/day and I've been working out doing 30 min cardio, 30 min weights and 10 minute abs. I'll keep posting my updates!

As of today, I'm 4lbs down from the beginning of the week!

My Children...

tiny heart

tiny hands

tiny fingers and tiny toes

sweet cries

sweet sighs

sweet dreams; little woes

You were inside me and my heart began to grow

my love for you is endless, more than you will ever know

I held you and kissed you, thanking God for precious life

I guard you and protect you, may you grow to know what's right

I fear for you and cry for you and want to do my best

You reach for me, you run from me, you push me to the test

I hurt for you; I laugh for you; I ache for you; I know

You hurt for me; you laugh with me; you grow from me; you know

big wishes

big hopes

big dreams and big fights

my children, my world, the light of my life.

Open Doors

When one door closes, another one opens. That is something I think we often times forget. I have always tried to remind myself that there is a learning experience from every opportunity, both pleasant or challenging. Its not easy to always find the lesson, but I think that with each opened door we are presented with an opportunity where there is always a chance to grow, learn and/or change.

I've never been much of a risk taker, but as I have gotten older I have learned that sometimes you have to push yourself or take that extra step if you want to find great success. I don't mean to be reckless but I do mean that we each need to rely on faith and our abilities to carry us through any situation.

Also, just because something doesn't work out, doesn't mean that we missed out. There are times when things are just not meant to be and I believe that there is always something else waiting for us around the corner.

The lessons that I hope to instill in my children is to work hard, perservere, dream big and try not to take yourself too seriously. Life is short and fragile, make the most out of every day.

Here are some quotes that I would like to share:

Risk-Taking Quote from the Cadet Maxim:
"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. "~ Cadet Maxim

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Taking Chances Quote:
"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Eleanor Roosevelt Daring Quote:
"Do one thing every day that scares you."~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Henry David Thoreau Going For It Quote:
"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in the dark to our success. "~ Henry David Thoreau

Billy Wilder Quote on Trusting Your Own Instincts:
"Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's."~ Billy Wilder

Need Washing?

This story was sent to me and I was so touched by it, I wanted to share...


A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.

We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.. 'No, we won't, Mom... That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.


I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

Siblings

I have been blessed with two beautiful children. It was early in my life when I realized how badly I wanted to have children. I think some women are just programmed to want to be mothers. I believe that my children are my greatest accomplishment in life.

We had Marissa our first year of marriage and after many conversations, pleas, fights and realizations, we had Christian 3 1/2 years later. I believe that our children have made us better people and have at many times made our marriage stronger. As parents, Marty and I have learned to rely on one another and support each other through the not-so-easy parenting moments..

My children are as different as two people can be; they have many moments when they do not see eye to eye. However, as I have watched them grow and connect with one another I realize that they have developed a deep love and friendship that only siblings can know.

Seeing my children together reminds me of my relationship with my own brother, Michael. We have an unspoken language of love and understanding. I couldn't have asked for a better brother and friend. I hope that my children continue to grow and nurture their friendship and will recognize that no matter what, they will ALWAYS have each other!

Beach bums...

We decided to head to the beach on Friday. Marty spent the weekend with us, but then he went back to work early this morning. The kids and I are staying down until July 6th. This should be fun!

We'll get our fill at the pool, beach and boardwalk; thankfully the kids are pretty laid back and easy to entertain. Today has been a relaxing day of painting and movies. We'll probably head out to do some shopping shortly, but its just nice to not have anything planned.

It is so peaceful here. I'm glad that our house is sort of on the outskirts of town. We have the luxery of the beach feel without the beach traffic. I couldn't be happier.

So I guess we're having a lazy week, but I'm really loving having the quality time with the kids...

Time for a change...

Anyone that knows me knows that when I'm stressed I do drastic things to my hair...

Well, even though, I just had a trim and reshaping cut, on Friday, i just couldn't take it anymore and went in to get 9 inches off! So much for growing it out.

I really like it and it is VERY easy to fix. I spent the day by the pool today and let it air dry and it actually looks really cute. Its got a little bit of wave and great body. I'm hoping that its not too trendy, but I definitely feel a little more updated.

We all need a little change every now and then, right?

The Silver Lining

Whenever something bad happens in life, I try my best to see the silver lining. I have to believe that there is a reason. I try and find if there was some life lesson, some hidden blessing, or some other purpose for my misfortune. Some may say that I am naive or that I am in denial; life just isn't fair is what most would argue.

When I look at my life as a whole, without any hesitation I would admit to feeling blessed. Even when life throws me a lemon, I might not be able to make lemonade of it, but at least I know that I have the love and support of my family and friends.

Maybe there aren't silver linings to bad situations, maybe life just sucks sometimes, but I guess the greater lesson is knowing that you'll get through it and that everything will be ok.

Tough Decisions

I have found that any time I am experiencing great personal growth, it usually involves having to make a tough decision. Either with work, marriage, child rearing, friendships, money, life is all about choices and most of the time they aren't easy. I guess if everything were easy, I would not really grow.

So many times you hear those tired quotes and cliches about growth and accomplishment; "mistakes are not failure, but a chance to learn and grow"... What does that mean? Are there really any wrong answers? Are we all just floating around in chaos and occasionally bumping into opportunity and good fortune? Is all this planning and thinking honestly getting me anywhere? Who truly wins in the end?

I feel that I often struggle with what my heart wants and my head knows. I'm sure I'm not the only one that finds myself in that predicament. I'm always battling with internal conflict. I'm either always winning or always losing. Its tiring.

So for today, I'm faced with the questions: Should we plan that trip? Did I do the right thing by having Marissa at horse camp? Do I need to let someone go? Do I really need a housekeeper? Should we hold off on the home renovations? Should I invest in this business opportunity? The list goes on and on! I'm filled with doubt, guilt, hope, anxiety and excitement. I guess sometimes you just have to make a choice and hope for the best. I take comfort in knowing that I'm not alone...

Junior League of Annapolis, Inc Cookbooks!

I love these cookbooks! Not only do these books help fund the Junior League of Annapolis, Inc and all the projects that we do in the community, they are simply just fabulous cookbooks!

Last night we had our committee meeting at my home (I'm co-chairing the cookbook committee the ever-so-wonderful Colleen Wood) Well, we only serve food from the cookbook at our meetings. I have to RAVE about these amazing recipes!

From Of Tide and Thyme:

Pg. 37 Pineapple Cheese Ball

SUPER EASY! I hollowed out a whole pineapple and filled it with the cheese mixture. It was beautiful!

Pg. 336 Fresh Strawberry Pie

Another very easy dish! I forgot to serve it at the meeting, but my daughter brought it to summer camp the next day to give to her teachers; they LOVED it! The pie was so easy to make, but looked like I had worked all day on it. It was so beautiful!

a Thyme to Entertain:

Pg. 77 Jalepeno Cheese Squares

This cooked beautifully. The dish is colorful and light. It has a rich flavor without the heavy feel and can be served either hot or cold. Its great for breakfast too!

Pg. 77 Sweet Vegetable Dip

I think this was my favorite dish of the evening. This is a gorgeous dip that speaks for itself. Its tangy but sweet and brings a pop of color to the table! I suggest serving this in a nice bowl as a centerpiece. Its a real crowd pleaser!

Pg. 79 Cilantro Chicken Sandwiches

Another great hit! The cilantro dressing was just right! I made a few adjustments, added swiss cheese and seasoned the grilled chicken to bring out a little fire! The sandwiches were hearty and full of color. It looked delicious and when you bit into it, you definitely weren't disappointed!

Click on the Title above to go to the JLA website to order your book! These are a MUST have for every chef, and even if you don't cook they are beautiful books that will give you insight to the life and culture of Annapolis!

Its Raining, Its Pouring...

We have rain on the forecast for the next 10 days... We're not going to let it "rain on our parade" though! The kids and I are planning out some great activities that we can do as a family. Here are some of them:

1. Build a Fort: We've turned our living room into a fort using bedsheets and attaching them to all the furniture! The kids play, have snacks and read books. It takes up a great amount of time and energy! We also pull all the cushions and pillows off the furniture to set up walls and barriers! Its so much fun!

2. Kids in the Kitchen: My kids LOVE to cook and they love to EAT even more! I've got some awesome, kid friendly cookbooks (Snack Attack and Kid Favorites Made Healthy from Better Homes and Gardens and Disney's the Magic Kitchen Cookbook to name a few) This is a wonderful way to get kids involved in meal planning, excited about eating healthy and it also provides some great math and science lessons!

3. Making Movies: Marissa is quite the drama queen and Christian is a pretty good supporting actor. We have lots of fun making home videos. They will act out a story, perform songs and dance for the camera. Then we make popcorn, set up on the couch and enjoy the shows on the big screen! They laugh until they drop! Its a silly and creative way to teach children about self-expression!

4. Dancing in the Rain: If its warm enough, we put on our swimsuits and play in the rain! Who says you can't play outside when its raining? Its like having sprinklers on all around you! They don't even need toys, they just love to run around and play in the puddles. Throw some towels in the dryer so that they are nice and toasty when you come inside! The kids will have expended a ton of energy and they'll probably want a nap afterwards!

5. Playing Hide and Seek: Both my kids love to play Hide and Seek. I usually do the "seeking" and I make it really silly by pretending to be tickle crazy! This game can go for a good hour or more, and I usually have to be the one to stop it.

6. Books: For some quiet time, we snuggle down with a big blanket and a stack of books. Thankfully, both my kids could listen and read books for hours. Make sure you have a bottle of water, reading a lot can make your voice tired. Sometimes, I use puppets or flannel boards!

7. Arts and Crafts: We love to create gifts for grandparents and friends. Get out the crayons, paint, glue and scissors and spend some time being creative. These projects don't last very long so be sure and have PLENTY of supplies! This week, we'll be making tote bags and decorating them with fabric paint. Then the kids will also make cards decorated with various sparkles, stickers and colors!

8. Bubble Baths: Kids love to play in the bathtub! Bubbles, body paint, toys and fun towels can make this activity so much fun! I also get a bubble maker and have it on in the bathroom so that they can float all around the room. It really creates a "bubbly" atmosphere filled with giggles!

9. Make Musical Instruments: Kids love to make music. So we take "junk" from around the house, empty paper towel tubes, rice, strings, tape, rubber bands, etc and we make instruments. Then we put on some fun kid music and pretent to be the band! This takes up a lot of time and give the kids a fun way to be creative and move!

10. Exercise: There are some awesome kid exercise videos. We love Kid Yoga too! The kids get on their "exercise gear" and we exercise together. We talk about our muscles and being healthy! Be sure adn exercise with them so that they build confidence in their own physical abilities!

Enjoy! "Rain, Rain, its ok, You can't spoil our fun today!"

Date Night

While I was pregnant with our daughter, Marty and I made a commitment to each other that we would not allow ourselves to get sucked into losing our identity as individuals and bury ourselves in the life of parenthood. We decided that we needed to find something that we could do together, without baby, that would keep us communicating and participating in nurturing our relationship with one another.

What we found was the theater. I have always had a love for fine arts, specifically, performing arts. I love musicals and plays, symphonies, etc. Marty's family had raised him to appreciate the arts as well and luckily, being so close to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, we have access to great venues. We frequently caught shows at the Kennedy Center of Permforing Arts, The Mechanic Theatre, and the Meyerhoff.

We eventually became season ticket holders for Broadway Across America at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (http://www.france-merrickpac.com/home.html) also known as The Hippodrome. We see about 9 shows a season. We've seen shows from the classic, Phantom of the Opera, to the recent, Avenue Q. Our final show of our 5th season, is Spring Awakening.

The shows are typically once a month, September-June. What this has done is give us something that we do together. Its not our only "date night", but its something that is steady and that we can always look forward to. We usually dine at Ruth's Chris Steak House or Babablu's Grill because they offer a car service from the restaurants to the theater. We have four tickets so we usually invite another couple. That has been great because it allows us to socialize with other people. The whole evening is just a delight and it has been something that has really strengthen our marriage and our friendship!

I think that making time to be a "couple" is important in a marriage. You have to make the commitment every day to your significant other, so its important that you continue to nurture and grow with one another. For us, this has really kept us connected. We have the time to ourselves to dress up and "date" each other, we engage in great conversation at dinner with other adults, and the shows create great discussions! I've learned a lot about my husband; his humor and things that he appreciates.

The theater might not be the thing that clicks for your marriage, but whatever it is, be sure and make time for each other! You can't go wrong in any relationship when you find something that you enjoy doing together and helps you appreciate the company.

"Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm" - Augustine Birrell

Over the years of my life, I have made many friends. There have also been times in my life when I have gone without a friend in the world; heartbroken and lonely. Looking at my life today, I feel very blessed by the friendships that I have and I realize that those friendships did not happen by accident.

I think that the word "friend" is tossed around lightly. It is so easy to quickly label someone with that word, but the actual work of a friendship takes constant nurturing partnered with mutual respect and dedication. I look at my relationships that I have with people and I realize that with each true friend that I have, my life is so much brighter and full. Not because each person brings something to me, but because with each relationship I grow and my life is filled with compassion and understanding. Also, I feel that I can give myself to them in a way that is without shame or judgement. I can truly be myself and I know that I can accept people for who they are, completely.

I have a small group of friends, true friends; you know? The ones that you call when your heart is broken, or when your life is spinning with excitement and happiness. True friends feel your emotions and listen with their hearts. They offer advice with a level head and with your best interest in tow. They laugh with you until your sides hurt and they will sit with you in silence as your grieve. They are extensions of your soul. I never considered myself rich, until I counted my friends.

My friends are very diverse. My best friend, as cliche as it may sound, is my husband. He is strong and steady. He sees all dimensions of my complexity and he loves me without doubt. My closest girlfriend has known me since I was a young teenager. She has seen me grow and change. She appreciates the woman that I have become and she holds near and dear to her heart the girl that I was before. We speak an unspoken language of love and understanding. I know that no matter how I grow or change, the one thing that remains constant is my love and respect towards her. Our lives are intertwined and bonded in a way that is almost as if we were sisters.

I have been so fortunate to make friends as an adult. In a society that is so fast moving and competitive, it is hard to let down the barriers and connect with others. I feel lucky to have met a few women where we instantly had a connection. We are all going through similar stages in our lives. We're married, raising children, working hard and nurturing the woman that lives inside each of us. We're connected through a passion and love of life and well-being. I feel supported, encouraged and valued through these friendships; its full circle. I think about those friends and I can't wait to see them and connect with them. I love them, for who they are and who I am with them.

Friends are with your for a season, a reason or a lifetime. Whatever it may be, they will forever leave an impression on your heart and you will never be the same. Our friendships are what mold us to be the person we are; the lessons on love and friendship are what give us insight into who we want to be.

*the picture is of my daughter and her friend, Kendall. May she be blessed with friends and may she grow to know the value in being in a friend!

Just Another Manic Monday!

Ready, set, GO! Let the week begin! The word, "Monday" is almost like a dirty word to most. It represents the end of the weekend, the beginning of the work week, and has a ring of RESPONSIBILITY! Most Sunday evenings, I find myself mentally organizing the upcoming week and switching gears to prepare for the many tasks and obligations adult life brings.

A typical Monday begins with an alarm clock going off at 5am and with much dismay, I leave the comfort of my king size bed and ready myself for the day's adventures. I shower, get dressed, get the kids up, bathed, dressed and out the door by 6:30-7am (on a good day- I do find that some days I'm pushing 8am) Thank GOD for my Keurig, I get a fresh cup of coffee every morning in less than 90 seconds and I'm out the door! I love getting to the center early so that my kids can have breakfast there. Its just so much easier!

I spend the first half hour at work in my office checking email and enjoying my coffee in silence. I know that my children are safe and happy with their teachers and classmates, and I really enjoy this time to organize myself, read emails and catch up with my good friend, Christine, on instant messenger! (I am so happy that someone else begins their day as early as I do!)

Monday mornings are usually pretty quiet until about 9am. All the children are in their respective classrooms and the teachers have all greeted one another and caught up on the weekend news. At about 9:30, the flood of emails begin. All the parents have had the weekend to collect their thoughts and plan out how they would each approach me with their questions, concerns, complaints and applauds...I spend the majority of the morning solving problems, putting out fires and reassuring parents that their child is right on track and developing great friendships, as well as progressing normally with all the developmental milestones. I don't complain about this part of my job because I realize that these parents rely on our center to help shape and mold their children into thoughtful contributing citizens! I also recognize that it is my job to inform parents of how their child does in our care...many parents only see their children for a few hours a day!

The other big part of my Monday is preparing the staff for the week. Everyone needs to know what's on the snacks and lunch menu, they need to be informed of all special events and programs, and it is important that they are given any details about students as well as who is attending and who is out for the day or week. Most of the time, they are given this information the week prior, but Mondays are always so hectic and we're all recovering from the weekend its a good idea to give reminders.

Usually by lunch time, we can see how the week will proceed. The children each come in with their stories from the weekend and we can generally feel the "mood" of the group. If we successfully complete the first day of the week, we feel confident about the remaining four days, however there have been Mondays when we are all wishing Friday could come a little faster.

So what will this Monday bring? We shall see, but I can tell you whatever is in store for us today will leave us wishing that Sunday was just a little bit longer...

Recharing my batteries

We're at our beach house in Delaware this weekend. Its been too long since we've been here and I was very much looking forward to the "down time". The drive was pretty easy, we made it here in about 2 hours, not counting our stop for lunch at this great little Mexican place where I seriously had the best chimichanga outside of Mexico!

Yesterday afternoon, we went to the pool and I quickly learned that taking two children under the age of five to the pool by myself is not really something that I would like to do again in the near future. Marissa has always been my cautious child; she's not a big risk taker and she tends to be more timid of her physical abilities. Chrisitan, however, is a different story! Within two minutes upon our arrival at the pool, I watched in disbelief as my 20 month old son JUMPED into the pool! Thankfully, I was right there! We played for a while until the kids had their fill of pool fun and we headed back to the house for snacks and quiet time (wishful thinking!)

Today has been more laid back, the kids and I did a little shopping while Marty "worked" on his car. Is that what men say they are doing when they just want to admire their toys? When we returned to the house, Marty was applying a final coat of wax on his convertable and going over every inch inspecting its perfection! :::: rolls eyes ::::

Marty decided to take Marissa to the pool this afternoon while Christian and I settled into a FOUR HOUR NAP! I am not generally a "napper", but I must say, that was just what the doctor ordered! I feel so refreshed and relaxed. Its probably not how most people would choose to spend their time on a beautiful sunny day at the beach, but I definitely feel great!

So now that my batteries are recharged, I wonder what's on the agenda for this evening...

Staying Positive

Last night I was reflecting on the day's megrims (like how I used the word of the day?). I respectfully realized that I really should count my blessings. Times are hard, there is no doubt about that. My husband's business is being greatly affected by the economy and he finds himself in constant battles with investors and project managers. Everyone is paranoid and all the work is being watched and inspected with white gloves and magnifying glasses. My own business has seen better days. With the rise of costs and inability to raise tuition rates, I struggle to be sure that my last penny is stretched to its maximum ability.

Our daughter is going through some health issues concerning her colon, kidneys, bladder and intestines. Things seem to be progressing, not without major discomfort, but we seem to be working towards a healthy goal. I won't lie that this has not contributed to high stress levels and anxiety in our home. A parent's greatest weakness is not being able to "fix" whatever is bothering/hurting their child.

There are days when I just want to crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head and pray for a new day, but that's not very realistic. Is it? So what keeps me going? I am very thankful for my relationship with my husband. He is a unique individual, to say the least. Even with all this turmoil, he keeps a level head and maintains a constant focus on the goals set forth. He is logical and has the will to persevere through any endeavor. He's smart. I don't mean "book smart", which he is, but he's smart in that he realizes that life is cyclical. That is something that I have learned from him and I have realized that when times are hard, we let down our anchor and wait out the storm. We hold steady, work hard at maintaining our strength and try not to rock the boat any more than we need to.

I look around at my life and I'm thankful for what I do have, which is a lot, and I remind myself that there are people out there that are not as fortunate. I have a wonderful family, great friends, my health, and the ability to work. Sulking will not get me anywhere.

I suppose that this is why I volunteer in my community. I find that when I help others, I realize that there is so much that I can give that improves the lives of others, even for a brief moment in time. With the Junior League of Annapolis, I connect with other women and we work together to strengthen each other and our community. I find a significant amount of value in my time that I devote to this organization and its cause.

So when you're feeling low, don't invalidate your feelings, we have all been there and our feelings are very very real! However, try to look at things in a larger perspective...here are some tips for staying postive from lead motivational speaker, Craig Harper:


1. I hang out with like-minded people who energize me and I avoid the energy vampires.

2. I learn from, and get inspired by, successful people.

3. I ask myself the right kind of questions – the “what can I learn from this experience” questions, rather than the “why does this happen to me” questions.

4. I regularly get excited about possibilities – sometimes too excited!

5. I don’t focus on negatives – I invest my emotional energy where it will give me the best return.

6. I change the stuff I can and I let go of the stuff I have no control over. (I struggle with this one!)

7. I am constantly setting goals. Big and small.

8. I dedicate time every day to ’switching off’ and having fun for fun’s sake. Strategic silliness.

9. I express myself creatively. It makes me happy.

10. I let myself dream. Sometimes my mind keeps me awake all night!

11. I invest time into others. People who are completely self-focused tend to have more downs than ups.

12. Whatever most people my age do, I try and avoid.

13. I regularly take stock of my life and consciously appreciate everything in it and about it. I am always acutely aware that my life is great and that I am blessed to be where I am.

14. I set high standards for myself. I want to be exceptional and do exceptional things, and I will. Not because I’m particularly talented, but because I am prepared to work harder than most. I love to explore and push the boundaries of my potential.

15. I love swimming against the tide. I love doing what most people don’t or won’t. I love being unconventional and throwing ‘logic’ out the window (now and then). Sometimes logic is a synonym for fear and ignorance.

16. I look after myself physically. I don’t smoke, drink or use drugs and I never have. Ever. Being physically fit and healthy, helps me stay focused on a mental, emotional and creative level. It’s very hard to be ‘up’ when you’re physically unwell.

17. My self-talk is positive. I don’t beat myself up. I don’t feel sorry for myself and I don’t indulge in ‘pity parties’.

18. I get great feedback and support from lots of amazing people – like you. Thanks.

19. I keep stimulated and challenged by doing lots of different stuff! I thrive on variety and change – private coaching, corporate speaking, professional writing, TV, radio, blogging, business coaching and every so often, I make an appearance at my gyms. If I had to do the same thing day in, day out, I would be in trouble. I have made a career out of my passion. I get paid to do what I love.

20. I spend quiet time alone recharging my batteries. No phone, no internet, no TV, no people, no noise, no distractions. I connect with the fat eight year-old for a while and see what he has to tell me. Sometimes the only person we don’t listen to is ourselves.

Keep Your Chin Up and STAY POSITIVE!

Technology Woes

How did I become so reliant on technology? Specifically, the cell phone. I have spent the majority of the day trying to validate my email account for my blackberry. I entered my username, entered my password (which happens to be the SAME password I have had for all time for this specific account) and after several moments it tells me that my account cannot be found!!!

I have troubleshooted, requested help, and read every HELP file that the website offers. Another question: What happened to a real, air breathing, brain fuctioning customer service rep? There aren't enough issues in this world that we felt we needed to complicate things by trying to get advice and suggestions from an automated computer?!?! BLAH!

So, needless to say, I'm going to have to get myself to the oh-so-friendly cell phone service store so that I can speak to someone about why I am unable to receive email messages on my mobile device...LOVELY.

The Power of New Shoes

I love shoes. I probably love shoes more than any normal woman should. Shoes have a wonderful way of brightening any day. No matter how my weight may fluctuate (or as of late, stubbornly stay at an extremely uncomfortable status) my shoe size is forever consistent and faithful!

Yesterday I found myself at Nordstroms shopping for my children. Marissa needed new flipflops (with straps) for the summer and then of course they had a wonderful sale on boys shorts and polos! I made it halfway out the store when that glorious women's shoe sale rack summoned me! How I love to see dozens upon dozens of shoes marked down to reasonable, some not so reasonable, prices!

Three pair later(sandals, stillettos, and ballet flats) I find myself exiting the building with a big smile and a sense of triumph! Hey, I got a deal! At least that's what I told my husband when he asked me in an annoyed tone if I really needed MORE shoes.

Today, as I sit in my office, admiring these darling platinum strappy sandals, I feel like a million bucks! That in itself, makes these shoes worth every penny!

Kindergarten Readiness

With my education background and working with my own preschool and children, I have learned, created and implemented many strategies and practices that focus on Kindergarten Readiness. I have spent countless hours and endless amounts of energy doing everything I could possibly think of to provide a learning environment that fostered growth and development for young students.

Over the years I have researched curricula and worked diligently to ensure that my preschool and ultimately MY child would be equipped with the tools necessary for her to succeed in elementary school and further more as a life-long learner. This is what we call, "Kindergarten Readiness". Marissa will go to a fantastic Kindergarten in the fall and I could not feel any more confident that she is beyond prepared...however, I. AM. NOT.

How does a parent even begin to cope with the idea that their child will enter the big world of institutionalized learning?!?!? (Ok, so I know I can get through this, like all parents do; perhaps I'm being a little dramatic) My child will trot off into the morning horizon, toting her pink with purple polka dot back pack and this will be the first of many steps she will take farther and farther away from me.

So how does a mother go through "Kindergarten Readiness"? I have visited the school, met the administration, met the school nurse, the teachers, etc. I've requested that they put me on speed dial (half joking) and I have assured them that I will volunteer for anything that they may need me to do to assist them in my child's learning. Maybe this would have been easier for me had she attended a preschool program away from me. I have always felt that I was able to provide both her and myself with the best possible situation being that I own and operate the child care center and preschool where she has attended since her birth. I wonder if I only convinced myself that out of selfishness for not wanting to share her with the world. I have no doubt that Marissa will not only adjust well into Kindergarten, I am certain she will excell. I guess the only thing I can do for myself at this point is be happy that I had her with me during her early years and remind myself that no matter what she will always be my baby. I guess it wouldn't hurt to suggest a little more sternly about being added to the school's speed dial...

Clearing Off My Plate

I am counting down the days as I say good-bye to many commitments that I have had. I'm finishing up my degree in Early Childhood Administration this week. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about this; I've spent far too many evenings sitting infront of a computer taking online courses! Finally, I won't have to worry about deadlines, assignments and online quizzes! Hooray! Forget the accomplishment of completing a degree, I'm just ecstatic that I will no longer have to think about homework, papers and projects (at least not for a while, I'm sure in time I will choose to go back to school, but not for a long while).

Another job that I'm so happy to see end is my commitment as our Home Owners Association President. I am still astonished that I even stepped up to this commitment, being that I have never really participated in our HOA, nor do I have the least bit interest in managing neighborhood policies or getting involved in the petty quarrels that happen amongst neighbors. However, I felt sorry that no one would volunteer last year, so foolishly I thought that I could devote a small portion of my time to this task...BIG MISTAKE! I think that it was a much larger commitment than I had anticipated. Even with a property manager, and I use that term loosely, I found myself overwhelmed by the questions and issues of the community. So for tomorrow, I will happily pass over my responsibilities to the brave and optimistic new President. I will then go to sleep knowing that there is ONE less thing that I need to worry about :o)

So what will I do with all this new "free time". I suppose that's why I looked into creating a blog. I'm just not happy unless my brain is functioning at full capacity! Maybe I'll take some cooking classes or pick up a new hobby! I'm definitely looking into some "self-improvement" activities. Let's not forget that I naively agreed to co-chair the cookbook committee for the Junior League. I wonder what sort of adventures this endeavor will bring...

Getting Started!

Well, here goes nothing...

I've never been much of a blogger. I catch up on friends and find some stories entertaining or informative, but I've never thought of myself as all that interesting, at least not interesting enough that people would want to read about me.

After talking with several friends, I'm learning that blogging can be a great tool for just getting thoughts out and connecting with other people. So, I'm just your average lady; I'm married, have two wonderful children and run a small preschool. I find myself busier than I should be, but loving every last moment of it. Bear with me as I learn all this blog stuff. I appreciate any tips or suggestions you may have and I promise not to get too carried away with my crazy ideas of what it means to be a wife, mother, business person and woman...