Thursday, January 28, 2010

NOT like everyone else?

Today while waiting at the drive-thru-window for our food, I looked inside the "restaurant" (if you call Taco Bell a restaurant) and saw about eight high school girls waiting to order.  What struck me immediately was how much all the girls looked alike.  Same hairstyle, same color, same style of clothes, same make up... same everything. 

I immediately thought of when I was in high school and how I always wanted to fit in, to be like everyone else and not stand out.  I don't recall going to extreme measures to fit in like falsifying who I was or wearing the most trendy things just because everyone else was even if I didn't like it.  But I do remember that underlying desire to be accepted. 

Then I thought of my girls.  Oh, how I want them to stand out!  I want them to stand up for their friends in a crowd, show people grace in all circumstances, be excited about learning new things and show their true character in all that they do.  I want them to fall within the loose boxes of what is acceptable so they can manage life in our society.  But, I want them to also be sure enough in themselves to not be afraid of going against the "world view" when they know they should.  I want them to be strong enough in who they really are to do that.  And to do it with God's grace behind them. 

We talked to Soccer Girl just the other night about being graceful to her sister even when she feels like Lizard does not deserve grace because of her behavior.  We talked about how important it is to show people grace when they least deserve it.  I explained to her that I hope that others do that for me when I least deserve it.  

I think it is important for me as a mom to foster my children's character in such a way that they feel that fitting in is something they can do while NOT being like everyone else.  And I need to do that with God's grace behind me. 

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Valentine Card Idea

Okay - I am totally doing this for my kids Valentine's Day cards for school and for family.  Soooo much better than the dumb character cards we buy each year. 

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

iPhone Apps

Okay, this is a simple post to link to something so I don't forget.  How shameful is that?  I love the blog We are that Family - funny, faith-filled, great ideas, etc.  Kristen has a post about free iPhone apps for toddlers that are educational and help keep them busy when waiting in line or whatever. 

I don't have an iPhone yet, but in March when our contract is up, I will.  Okay, why is it that cell phone companies make you wait to upgrade or they charge you a fee?  They give you some song and dance about how cheaply they sell you the phone and it takes about 18 months for them to recover the cost, blah, blah, blah.  Hmmm, yah, right.  I am willing to buy a fancy phone and pay them more each month, but, I'll play their game and wait.  Sorry that was a little tangent, wasn't it.

Sooooo, here the link.   

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Psalms 6

Love this one - "do not rebuke me in anger"... "my soul is in anguish"... "the Lord has heard my weeping"... we were reading last night together as a family and I was reading out of Lizard's children's bible this Psalm.  It is straight and to the point. Let's just say it hit a cord and I started crying - wow. I should say this was after a particulary difficult afternoon with the kids with some "fine parenting moments" on my part (said with much sarcasim) and I was not feeling like the a good Mom (or even a semi-good one).  I am learning that God puts passages in front of me at just the right moment. Even today at the first day of bible study, the speaker hit me right between the eye with her words, or should I say God's words.

And, the kids loved reading together. It was a very nice way to end a difficult day.

Homemade Sloppy Joe

Sloppy Joe's

16 ounces ground beef
2-3 stalks celery, chopped (I usually leave this out-can't stand cooked celery!)
1 small onion, chopped
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite)
1 tblsp. firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard (I never seem to have this so I just squirt in some yellow mustard)
salt and pepper
1 tblsp. Worcestershire suace
1 tblsp. vinegar

1.  In a large skillet, brown beef, celery and onion and drain fat.
2.  Stir in remaining ingredients, simmer covered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3.  If looks too "loose", leave the cover off and let moisture evaporate.
4.  Cook until it's the consistency you like for serving on buns.

This is super easy - I usually double and put some in the freezer.  It is great with some french fries and with cole slaw (put it on the bun with the Joe).  Yum!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Getting My Moxie Back

I am feeling very optimistic about 2010 - we watched the "Night at the Museum Two - Battle at the Smithsonian" with the kids on New Year's Eve.  In there, Amelia Earhart talked about "moxie". 

Moxie according to the definition here is the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage; gumption, guts, nerve.  That's how I feel we are facing the new year - with gumption, courage and spirit on many levels.

I am signed up to run the Hippie Chick half-marathon again in May and will start training again this week to build up my base mileage.  Running for me takes moxie because I am not a natural runner; absolutely hated it as kid.  And, I am slow.  But it makes me feel strong and that I can do anything.  So I am starting off this New Year gathering up my moxie and it feels good.