Count your blessings

There are times when stress seems to skyrocket, and weeks seem longer than you can handle. Sometimes you have restless nights with too much on your mind, and when evening comes, you can't stay awake to finish your show.

After a couple weeks of late evenings and long days, I looked at myself in the mirror at work and I saw my disheveled self and tired glare. Instead of attempting to primp my hair or have a soda to pep myself up, I stood close to the mirror, folded my hands, and prayed.

I prayed about all of the things on my mind, the things I have no control over, and all that has been affecting my mood lately. I prayed for those closest to my heart and for their biggest struggles, too. I didn't force any words or thoughts, and I prayed until my eyes opened and I headed back to work.

A few hours later my boss called me into his office to ask me how things were going with work and to let me know that in about a month, I should see results of a raise. I am so thankful to receive something that I've been crunching numbers to see results of - - a little extra money.

And about 10 minutes after we got home, after an hour ride consisting of me thinking and talking about a new, stricter budget I developed, we got a call that gave us some peace of mind regarding some financial stressors we've been dealing with for quite some time now.

Keane picked me up in a giant bear hug after some weight was listed from our shoulders and I know I shed a tear on his shoulder. I thank the good Lord above for getting us through tough times and for bringing us happy ones when we least expect it.

As I enjoyed the flicker of candles Keane lit and a back rub he owed me, I couldn't feel more blessed. William Ackerman's The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter played through the speakers of Keane's phone and at that moment, I wished that beautiful song was the soundtrack to my life.

Sometimes I need a good reminder to count my blessings and give credit to the One who most deserves it.

Girls will be girls...

My momma got me and my sister each the entire Dick and Jane series for Christmas, all published in one, hardback book.  I let Kylie break it out the other night while I was reading Bloom, written by blogger Kelle Hampton, because Kylie wanted a book to read, too.

It's nights like this that I love having a little female around.  We, females, are definitely created differently.  That night, her and I spent a big portion of the evening in the kitchen.  I was working on making chili while Kaden and Kylie were watching the Disney channel in Kylie's room, when in wandered Kylie.  "What are you making?" she asked, "can I help?"  She scooted a kitchen chair toward the stove to help stir in the ingredients. 

Kaden had gone to the store with me earlier and picked out cake balls for dessert...if only I would have read the back with its lengthy detailed instructions amounting to only 12 balls of cake on sticks.  At each new step, we had to again call Kaden into the kitchen as he wanted to help, but he kept disappearing to watch a new Austin & Ally.

We baked a cake, waited for it to cool, crumbled it, added frosting, rolled it into balls, melted wafers, coated ends of sticks in the melted goodness, poked the sticks into the balls of cake, cooled them in the refrigerator, melted more wafers, rolled in the cooled cake balls and coated them, sprinkled with sprinkles, cooled again, and enjoyed after supper!

Before supper, Kylie graciously passed out the chili bowls and asked her brother what he wanted to drink and filled his cup with his drink of choice.  She loved every bit of serving and helping.  I do it naturally, spoiling Keane as he watches sports on the television, asking him if he wants tea or milk with his chili.  And I realize Kylie learns this from watching.  It then because normal and natural for her to do it, too. 

I learned this from my mother.  This is exactly what she does in her household for those she loves.  I was over visiting one day and I audibly announced that I wanted some Mountain Dew.  In my mind I was thinking about going to the store or searching in their kitchen for some to pour myself, and before I knew it, my mother was handing me a glass of iced Mountain Dew.  I wasn't requesting her to give me some, but she automatically did so. 

And not too long after that, I was, again, over visiting and chatting, and I turned around to find my little bro handing me a cup of Mountain Dew.  He had poured himself a glass and made me one too, without me asking or insinuating I wanted some.  Unless I just drink entirely too much Mountain Dew, which could be the case, it goes to show that the kindness is passed down. 

It's a sweet thing to watch as Kylie follows my actions and seems so natural about it.  That night, the two of us put on matching pajamas (black gauchos, white tanks, and no socks) at her request, and cuddled under a blanket on the couch and read, while the boys played a game of Battleship.  Girls will be girls.

Kylie fell asleep on my shoulder, hopefully feeling satisfied, accomplished, and happy.  I wrapped up the chapter I was on, put my book down, and did my nightly routine of washing my face and brushing my teeth.  When I came back into the living room, I thought the shortened version of Battleship was going to be through, but the boys were still naming off letters and numbers, hitting or missing.  I could see Kaden's gameboard from where I stood and I looked to his ships to see where Keane has "hit."

Kaden had two ships left on his board, one with three holes to hit, and one with five.  Each of these two ships had all but one hole pegged in red.  And the two missing holes?  They were in the center.  The very center of the two ships were the only pegs Keane needed to hit before he won the game, but I stood there as he rambled off some letter and number combination, and I listened as Kaden happily yelled, "Miss!!" 

I looked at Keane, still analyzing the situation before me, and saw his little smirk appear.  I shook my head slightly and went into the kitchen.  After a few more turns, Kaden hit the last of Keane's ships and proudly won the game.  Keane came in a close second and he explained to Kaden that he had already shot his last missile before his battleship blew, and knowing right where his peg needed to land, his missile landed on Kaden's last ship...although Kaden said this didn't count.

Boys will be boys, and dads will be dads.  I supposed that while Kaden doesn't realize his father's fake missle attempts, it doesn't hurt to take it easy on him.  And hopefully he, too, went to bed feeling satisfied, accomplished, and happy.  And that's what matters.

My first NFL game

The weekend before Christmas, my boss offered me his Chief tickets.  Keane and I invited Andrew and Kayley to join us on our trek to Kansas City.  It was quite cold, especially while tailgating, but our grilled food was delicious (brat burgers and wings) and the seats were amazing!  We had some really good laughs including the man who had to check our tickets and our persons before entering the gate having to watch Kayley finish her outside drink before she could throw it away, making fun of me for my blank "signs" which were just pieces of cardboard to keep under my feet (I heard it keeps you warm), and having to smile while he felt what was inside Keane's pockets.  Even though the Chiefs lost to the Colts (13-20), it was a great time.

Barbies

 

I played with a few Barbie dolls as a child but my sister played with them much more than I ever did.  I was stuck on baby dolls who were my real-life babies, having birthday parties, and friends, and who took trips to school in my backpack. 

 

Kylie has been asking for more Barbie dolls and Barbie clothes lately, and Grandma and Santa both gladly gave her some.  But weeks went by after her birthday and through Christmas and while her other toys were getting played with, her new Barbies were left in their unopened boxes.  I decided to take the afternoon and play Barbies with her.

Keane came and glanced in on us a few times; he laughed and said that he thought it looked as if I was enjoying it more than Kylie was. 

 

We dressed the plastic ladies in stylish outfits, fixed their hair, and Kylie even painted their fingernails.

 

  The Barbies laid out on the beach, went cruising in Barbie's pink jeep, went for a jog, and went to a dance. 

Oh, it was fun.  The brunette is by far my favorite and Kylie is partial to the blondes.

We kind of look alike, eh?

Gingerbread House

The past couple years the kids have enjoyed making a gingerbread house. I think Kylie asked about making one every weekend for the last month until, on Christmas morning, they opened a box with all the gingerbread house makings. And it's a beauty!

 

 

It's a Brand New Year

There is something about having a fresh, new year ahead of you.  I realize that nothing restarts or resets, besides the list of months, but it's a great time to look back on the past year, at all the of the changes and the victories, and also to give yourself new goals to look forward to.  I have a five-year-plan, and now, a one-year-plan as well.  Setting myself goals, writing them down, and watching myself achieve them...these things really make me feel proud and accomplished.  Other times, I'd prefer to not pay much attention to a clock or calendar because I feel the sweet moments of the here-and-now might pass me by if I pay more attention to what's supposed to be happening rather than the current happenings.

One of my goals is to be in line with my five-year-plan.  The details I'll keep personal.  I like surprises and I don't want my whole life planned out, but I also feel more stable and organized if I have a plan in place. 
A goal that I really want to be held accountable for is to save money!  I have plans to have a big savings at the end of this year, big for me at least, and plans on what that will be spent on.  This may be a hard challenge, but at the same time, I've experienced months that I've had to live very, very frugal to get by.  If I keep this mindset all the time, I'll do fine...right?

In my five-year-plan, I plan to make an income from a source other than a 9-5 job (or in my case, 8-5:30).  In my perfect timing, I'd like to have my personal job up and running by 2015, so in 2013, I want to have a game plan in place and begin the necessary planning steps to get to where I want to be.  I primarily want to make money with RusticCo.  I also want to write a book.  And hopefully by the end of this year, I'll have a more clear vision of where I want to be in 2015.

I want to discipline myself to clean the large dishes after use.  I have a tendancy to put the skillets and pots and pans to the side, and I sure dislike the way they look sitting on the kitchen counter.  A friend of mine cleans hers immediately after use.  When the rest of her family is done eating and settling in the living room to let their food settle and relax, she gladly uses that time to clean the dishes so that they will be done and the cleaning over with.  She even dries them and puts them away during this time.  All I want to do it clean the big ones.

I also want a constant reminder to laugh more, take life less seriously, and take more pictures.  I love to laugh, and I love those who make me laugh.  I know I worry too much.  I have a print in my home that reminds me to "pray more, worry less" and that is what I really would like to do this year.  I have a close prayer life with God and I would like to strengthen it and learn that I can't and shouldn't worry and stress about the things in life that I have no control over and the things that I shouldn't waste my time thinking about.  And I want to capture the moments that will so quickly pass us by, and may linger on our hearts for awhile but then fall into unremembered minds.

I wish for a happy New Year to you and yours.  Take with you all the great memories from last year, and only make more in 2013!

Keane and I brought in the new year with my mom, dad, and brother.  We ate delicious steaks with shrimp and salad, we drank some fun drinks, and played cards until 4:00 in the morning.  And thanks to Kollin, we did not miss the ball drop and we were reminded to turn it on TV about 3 minutes before midnight!