ThOuGhT fOr ThE dAy (post 290)

"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives." ~C. S. Lewis

And it indeed it is. What's the quickest way to show someone you love them? A hug, a kiss, both signs of affection and both a quick trip to happiness. I know I can't be mad anymore if my little one is curled up on my lap. No matter how annoyed I am with my man, if he hugs me and gives me a kiss I just can't keep it up. Take a second and give a hug away today and give the gift of happiness. Just a thought...;0)

Don't be embarrassed

Yup, that's my girl! ;0)

 A friend told me once that she and her kids were on their way out of Costco with a full cart when her daughter toppled out of the cart and started wailing loudly (she wasn't hurt). "I was so embarrassed!", she complained and I just shook my head. Is there a parenting rule that I am not aware of that states, "The behavior of your children is a direct reflection of you as a parent"? Perhaps I have it all wrong.

I have taught my children from a very young age that they are to respect other people's property and space and that no one person is "better" than another. I have taught them to be respectful of the feelings of others as well. That being said, farting in public seems to be the joke that never gets old. My oldest shouts instead of speaks and sometimes it would be better if we were all deaf...if you know what I mean. They think it's hilarious to make faces and be obnoxious in public as well and does this somehow make me a bad mom? Nope. Personally I think that quite the opposite is true, I think that it shows that I encourage them to be themselves. I think that it shows that I care about their self-esteems and I think that it shows that I encourage them to be creative as well.

Are you being embarrassed because your kid is commenting loudly about the smell in the restroom or are you not comfortable on your own skin? "I refuse to be embarrassed by anything that my kids do. They are individuals and I encourage that." Like I told my friend, my children aren't a reflection of me, I am merely the guide. Guide them and encourage them to be their best and step back and let them. ;0)

TiP fOr TuEsDaY (post 288)

Being realistic.

I'm awesome. (Well, not really) I'm fashionable. (Except when it's hot or I'm tired) I'm a great parent. (My kids watched 4 hours of cartoons on Netflix yesterday...sure, I am) I don't want to come across as having it all together here and I'm really not the expert on anything. I spent some time reading over my past posts and I get the feeling that I come across as a know-it-all. Trust me, that is sooooo not the case! No, I am tired some days, overwhelmed some others, and disorganized most of the time. The days I accomplished cleaning, cooking, and work as well, are miraculous to say the least! I don't want people to think I am some all-accomplished, super-knowledgeable, go-getter awesome Mom. Realistically, I'm out of great ideas and time and honestly that's okay. ;0)

ThOuGhT fOr ThE dAy (post 287)

J. Lamb 2011

"Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live." ~Oscar Wilde

I suppose this mistake in thinking could be easily done. As a parent I spend more time doing everything else for others before I do for me and when I insist upon time for ME it could be considered selfish to some. I assure you it is not. Time for yourself should never be considered selfish. Parenting is an often thankless job, perhaps the beneficiaries of you and your hard work are being selfish by not letting you pursue some time for you. Didn't think of it that way, huh? Never let You be put on the back burner of your own happiness...just a thought. ;0)

tHiS iS wHaT i LiKe (post 286)

Psst... something great is happening at Levi's!

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Beauty

 

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I shared this quote on my FB fan page yesterday. It suggests that beauty lies within and as I was thinking about it again this morning, the thought of "beauty lies with the beholder"came to mind. Both of which are absolutely true. What I deem beautiful may be totally opposite of what you think is beautiful. I happen to be a huge Chili Peppers fan and the lyrics to "Around the World" came to mind as well.

I know, I know for sure
That life is beautiful around the world
I know, I know it's you
You say, "hello" and I say, "I do"
 (The video is here if you want!)

J. Lamb 2011

I think it is impossible to find true beauty without finding it within yourself. Of course this statement comes from someone who appreciates beauty in all things, blame it on a creative background. I love to take pictures of interesting things. I love color and interest in all things. When you stop focusing on what everyone else thinks is attractive, you can really see beauty in everything. Even in a bed of weeds.

Find beauty within as well. I have done so many things wrong in my life, hurt people I love, hurt myself more. I still don't do everything right and make the same mistakes over and over again. I was so hard on myself for so long, let people treat me badly, didn't stand up for me. I didn't feel beautiful inside or out. I am a tad cynical and a realist though. I know there are many more people who better looking than me, smarter and better put together than me too, but I can't let that stop me from shining my brightest for me and me alone. As a parent you find yourself doing everything for everyone else and you end up last every time. You want to do something for yourself, but feel guilty for wanting more. Don't. You can't spend your life standing around hoping that someone will ride up on a white horse and make all your dreams come true, it just ain't gonna happen! You are in charge of your own happiness and give yourself permission to be happy and beautiful within. It's okay, really. I imagine my kids looking back and thinking, "Mom was firm and loving and showed it's okay to be the very best me possible."

We have a saying in our house:

I just want you to be the very best (insert name) possible.

I never knew I was really smart or talented or even good looking. It never occurred to me that I shouldn't be worried about what anyone else thought or whether they liked me or not. I just didn't think I could do anything and was so scared to fail, I didn't try. I've missed out on so many things and experiences and because of it, I feel like I'm in a constant holding pattern. There are so many things I wish I could do now, but I have other obligations (and that's okay). I learned to love myself, but it took a really long time and it isn't an exact science either. Constant tweaking and reminding are needed.

Okay, I'm rambling (shocking, I know!), I just want to encourage everyone to take a minute to find beauty in something not considered beautiful. Then I want you to find something beautiful within yourself. Let's see, for me today it's the beautiful azure sky above my ugly wall and waste high weeds in my backyard. In me, I think my ability to accept people for exactly who they are is beautiful. How about you?

TiP fOr TuEsDaY (post 284)

A long holiday weekend make a blog-slacker be, not that I played all weekend mind you. Nope. I actually only really had yesterday off and took full advantage of the day with my kids. We rose early and traveled some and got sunburned, ate some awesome stuff, played a ton, and made it home very, very late. It was awesome! Despite running on maybe 6 hours of sleep, it was just what I needed to refuel and to tackle the mundane reality of the working Mom.

J. Lamb 2011

All that being said, I want to suggest to my over-planning, perfectionist counterparts (myself included), take a day trip. Don't worry if the kids didn't eat anything but junk all day. Don't worry if no one got enough sleep. Don't worry about time and schedules and obligations. Pack the kids up and take them someplace you can all enjoy. Play with them too. Keep it simple and uncomplicated and just enjoy each other. It's the activities like these I best remember from growing up and also the memories I cherish. You're making memories, so make them easy to remember and enjoy!  Because you really don't want them to only remember the frazzled, overworked, "This is supposed to be fun, so quit crying!" Mom. That's your TiP fOr TuEsDaY! ;0D