My latest obsession

I accept that I have slight tendencies toward OCD. It's a gift and a curse. The gift aspect is that I'm very organized and am a good team worker. The curse is that when I become obsessed with something I tune out the rest of the world...my kids....my husband....my life. My lastest obsession is MOPS. I belong to a group called Mothers of Preschoolers. It's a wonderful group and I have met amazing women through this group. Next year I will be on the leadership team, which is called steering. I'm so excited. However my OCD is kickin' in. It's not even May and I've already made a schedule for what crafts we are going to do. (Yes I'm the creative coordinator).

The gift of this particular obsession is I'm learning to trust in people other than myself.

I've always been told that my "friends" are people I can turn to in times of crisis but I never really believed it. Logically if these people say they would be there in times of need, they will right? Well until recently (last 3 years I would say) I've never really trusted that virtue in the people around me. I guess it's because I've never had a good self-esteem. Growing up I never felt like I was "good enough". In retrospect what the people in my life that were making me feel like that were trying to push me and make me do my best. As a child I just never felt that because as a child you don't have that kind of maturity.

So getting back to trusting others. I'm at a place in my life that I have people I trust my friendship heart with. I believe MOPS helped me with this. Now I'm back on steering and ready to plow forward with 100% of my being. The curse however is I'm staying up until all hours of the night trying to figure out a craft to do (even though I already have them all planned out). I guess I feel that even though I have it "set in stone" I can do better! I can find a better craft, a cheaper craft, a more inpiring craft.... it's all that pushing my parents did to do my best and not accept second place (even though THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH)

Motherhood....

This is a job for mommy... Both kids crying.... Erik fell and hurt himself and screamed at the top of his lungs which sent his sister into hysteria because she was so scared.

Not being Thankful!

Today we had some time to kill before going out to lunch with Phil today so we went over to St. Vincents. Erik loves playing with the toys and I like looking at what people have given away wondering what kind of story there is behind why something is at St. Vincents. Today the only thing I found worth anything was a small plastic case for Erik to put art supplies in. It was only $1. We get up to the counter and I realize I don't have any cash so I'm going to put it back. The cashier was nice enough to contribute .50 to match my .50 I had in my wallet. I was amazed that this woman took money out of her own purse to give so I could come home with a measly little art case. I say thank you and head out. On our way out Erik brings out the big lip because he "didn't get a toy". Like the child doesn't have enough toys at home anyway. I have a little talk about being thankful and he soon changes his mind that the art supply case is acceptable. It got me thinking about thankfulness and how he must not know what thankfulness is, have I not shown him how to be thankful. We always tell our kids "what do you say" when they are suppose to say those magic words "thank-you" but do we teach our children what thankfulness is. I'm sure most of us think we do, but I believe the best way to teach them is to show that we are thankful for what we have in our life instead of taking everything for granted. So my point is, I AM THANKFUL.....

for my life

for my family

for my friends

for my church

for my moms groups (MOMs and MOPS)

for my health

for my country

for my freedom

for my personal effects

I may not show it but I AM THANKFUL. If you are reading this post I AM THANKFUL for you being in my life. I may not be good at showing it and please call me on it if you are feeling under appreciated. I am oblivious to so many things in my life, I may not realize someone needs me until they say "I need you", know that I need you too and whatever I can do to show my thankfulness, please let me know. I want to raise my children to be thankful for everything in their life, not just the fun stuff. I am told that if you are were not shown something (like love) by your parents, then you don't know how to do that. I slightly agree but I think it's more laziness on your part to not be a better person than your parents. We all want to make it better for our children. Our parents wanted a better life for their children and so on... so let's make it a better place. We can start by showing thankfulness. This does not mean, I believe no one shows me thankfulness, all I'm saying is I need to show my thankfulness more.

We are getting ready to celebrate the biggest sacrifice of history. Jesus dying on the cross. Let's remember what He sacrificed for us and maybe showing thankfulness won't be so hard.

So as we enter in the Easter season, let me end my saying Thank-You to all of you in my life who have made me a better person and I hope to return the favor someday by being that great friend that you've been to me. God Bless you all and Happy Easter!