Sunday

This day sorta got off to a rocky start... I think we're rebounding, though. I just got home from the grocery store. I usually like to go to the grocery store at about 5:00 in the morning. Things are quiet, and I leave the boys in bed at home with their dad. That's my favorite time- I can take things slowly; peruse the cereal aisle at my leisure, giggle to myself about the tabloids at the check-out counter, and decide if I want two-ply papertowels or if the cheapest brand will do for today. Sunday afternoons are different... things are crowded and busy. Today, there was an older lady who, as we passed by the spaghetti sauce, looked over with an upraised eyebrow and carefully scrutinized every item in my basket. It kinda made me smile. As I was pulling in I saw a younger guy running into the store wearing pink flip-flops. Maybe pink is his favorite color, and I have no problem with that. It just made me wonder if he accidentally grabbed his wife's by mistake. When I was leaving I saw a truck parked in the parking lot. It was an older, dark-blue, beat-up kind of truck. It had an advertisement on the side. I think I'd like to meet the person who drives it. The ad was for "Premium Used Golf Balls, and Pure, Fresh Honey." That definitely made me smile. Talk about the combining of rather random passions. That's kind of like combining shoe shines with dog grooming or something. Like combining scrapbooking and coi pond installations, or photography and upholstery repair. It just reminded me that there are so many different people in the world, and most of us probably have a few passions that don't exactly fit together, but it makes us interesting, and fun to talk to and meet. The next time I meet someone new I think I'll ask- "What are the two things that interest you the most?" and just see what kind of answers I get.

so....

Most people that know me know that when I start a story with the word "so..." it generally means something funny is coming. I can't always promise that on this blog. I've never done this before. Life, Love, and Kids... generally funny topics, though not always- of course, that might depend entirely on your perspective. Mine is usually pretty positive. I guess we'll see.

Speaking generally, life is good. There are a few struggles, a few triumphs, and lots of laughs... I find myself sometimes frustrated with things that make no sense. Like the simple fact that you have to clean out the lint filter in the dryer or the next load of clothes takes longer to dry. Washing silverware. The fact that I have been trying to lose 30 pounds for the last 18 months. I could've lost it about three times by now if I would just discipline myself to do things the right way. But... I find myself frustrated with a lot of things lately. That's part of the reason I'm doing this. I've got to find someway to let some of this go. I don't care if no one ever reads this, I'm doing this because I need to find some time to let things out. Stress is starting to weigh on me. And I'm ready to take better care of myself. So... I plan to talk about things that fall under the heading of "Life". I want to lose 30 pounds by my birthday in a little over four months- I can do it and just by putting it down and answering to it, I am believing I will find success.

Love is better. I love my husband. I love my kids. I love Jesus so much. I love it when I write songs that make me cry. I love it when my kids give me "sucker-slobber" kisses. The ones where you can tell what flavor sucker they had from the bank. I love it when thunderstorms roll in and I love it when it's sunny and I can lay out and tan myself. ( I know- totally not good for me, but I can't find it within myself to stop!!) I love baking and cooking with my sons. I love it when my husband holds me and it's late at night after the kids are in bed and we can talk about anything or nothing.

Kids are...hilarious. Usually. I won't say I've never wanted to get a giant velcro wall with tiny little velcro suits so I could immobilize them from time to time, but I've never actually done it. Probably wouldn't, even if I had the chance. The ER staff at our local hospital is coming to know us well-- it's bad when you take your 3 year old in and you know that the technical, medical terminology for the "reason for visit" is "foreign body lodged in nasal cavity." He's put bean bag beans, raisins, a bead, and toilet paper up his nose recently. That's not even counting the things that were long enough to get out on my own. Things like crayons, drinking straws, and little green army men. My other children never attempted this... it's an absolute mystery to me. The last time we were at the ER (it was for the bead), the "dislodging" of the "foreign body" was so uncomfortable you'd have thought that it would have cured him. Nope. He sat up as I snatched it off his face to keep it from rolling into his mouth and said, "Don't throw that away- I want to show it to my bubbies."

So... maybe this doesn't really interest you. Maybe it does. Maybe I'll complain a lot and maybe I won't. Probably depends on a lot of factors. Not the least of which is my hormone levels... but I'm trying to make myself a different person. I'm trying to make myself better...and that's a step in the right direction.