BREAKING NEWS: White Suburban Mom Speaks Out

BREAKING NEWS: White Suburban Mom Speaks Out.

I usually do not speak up about matters concerning politics religion or racism, but this is gone on too long. How can we possibly sit by and let this go on? People are dying and the only power I have to stop it is to try and change the hearts of the people around me so here goes.

The most important news story is how racism has and is defining our country. It saddens me deeply after all this time we cannot seem to move past it. 

I am white. Unlike many white children raised in the 1970's and 1980's, I was raised in a home where my parents loved everyone: All races, all religions, all sexual orientations. Sure, if you were mean spirited, they wouldn't be all warm and fuzzy, but they did their best to mirror Christ to people they encountered and I love them for that.

Breaking news stories about black and brown children being killed hurt us ALL. We need justice and we need understanding, but most of all we need Christ. Our police are being killed, stores are being looted and all of this frightens me. As a white woman I am frightened and horrified because as a race we just have to do better. Love is the only answer. If we loved everyone and let them be proud of who they are while mutual respect reigned and we didn't judge each other, we would all be better off. 

My view may seem too open minded, but I ask you this: Why NOT? why can't I treat everyone with dignity in a world where people don't? Why can't I love more and judge less? Why can't we just let an individual's merit and heart be what we see?

"... The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

Things to do before I die....

Today I woke up with a lot on my mind. One of my cousins passed away tragically this week of pancreatic cancer and it has really hit me hard. 

These questions come to mind along with so many others... He led a full life and loved this around him. In contemplating my own life I had a few questions......

Why do we take so much of life for granted?

How can I be a more intentional wife and mother, making each day count?

How can I make what I do on earth leave a lasting Legacy for those I leave behind?

Why do we take so much of life for granted? A smile, a hug, an "I love you" a snapshot, they all mean so much. I want to drink in every drop like a sweet nectar. I want to stop in the middle of the mundane and routine tasks of everyday life and look deeply into my husbands eyes and remind him how incredible I think he is! 

I want to hold my sons' hands at dinner and ask for a hug and tell him he's 'my date'. I want to braid my daughters' hair and tell them I am so proud of them. All of that. And more!

This is Aiden as Captain America. Yup...

How can I be a more intentional wife and mother, and make each day count? I can plan, plan, plan ahead. And at the same time, I can be okay when the unexpected happens, because it most definitely will. I can make time for FUN, and lighten UP! I can take more time for ME, and more scheduled one-on-one alone time for each of my six children. They all matter. And this age will be gone in a blink! And most of all I can schedule time alone with my husband and be intentional about studying the Bible with him and enjoying our quiet moments together as a couple, because our marriage and our family are definitely worth the effort.

How can I make what I do on earth leave a lasting Legacy for those I leave behind?

I can do the aforementioned items and "suck the marrow out of life" a la Robert Herrick / Robin Williams. I can be a better friend. I can love more deeply. And, most importantly, I can mirror Christ to those around me. I believe in the Christ who hung out with sinners and spent time with the bad guys and prayed for His enemies.

http://youtu.be/fg1bx3oA0eU 

 I hope that's the legacy I leave behind. Love. Because in the business of the every day, which is filled with juice boxes, carpool and soccer games, I just want people to know how loved they are. 

So sit there and ponder this friends: all that matters really, is love.

Goodnight friends,

J

How I failed my kids this summer!!!!

This isn't just another back to school blog with lists of how to keep the homework center organized. That's another post for another time. 

This fall our children are ages 14,14, 12, 7, 5 1/2, and 5. This year they will all be in school for the first time. I have spent the last 10 months caring for my children after a layoff that turned out to be an enormous blessing to our family. I can say I haven't regretted a thing. Have we struggled financially? Sure. But, I can say this: I have given my children the one thing that isn't on any school supply list anywhere - my time.

My kids live in a fast paced world. They love horses, video games, superheroes, princesses and transformers yet they all know one thing for certain. They are truly loved.

So this back to school season I can confess that I am sure I have failed my children horribly the last few months. I have been too tired, too worried about my job search, too anxious, too everything.... But I do know this: I have been HERE. And being HERE is what so many kids are missing. They know they are loved, provided for and despite my shortcomings we have had a summer to remember because I was here.

As a weepy kinder / second grade / 7th grade / 8th grade momma, I will cry on the first day of school. Yep... I will weep because they're growing too fast (where does the time go?) and I will weep because I am grieving the loss of companionship and buzz of activity and the roller coaster ride that has been this summer. 

So amid the "Boquets of Freshly Sharpened Pencils" (Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail) and the backpacks and soccer gear which now line the halls, the only thing that is missing is me. And, I know I can look at the backpacks and say, "We're Good." Because they know I'm there with them in the memories that we shared this summer and will continue to make for years to come and for that I am truly and deeply blessed.

Have a great day friends. Meet the teacher is tonight. Sigh....

Have a great day friends,

J

Cousins Camp

Last week we went to my parents house and had cousins camp. Everyone had a wonderful time here is a simple highlight of what happened. Each day was filled with activities and opportunities to give back. Toward the end of the week the eight kids all planned a special talent show. That was a highlight of the time there. One of my favorite memories from the week ends of my little boy Aiden (5) doing a lip-synch to the final countdown.

Check it out: http://youtu.be/X0xW4qVDoPc

Hope you enjoyed the laugh! 

More soon,

J

When bad stuff happens!!!!

So here is my rant for the day... People sometimes ask me how I hold it together... Just remember we need to be thankful for all the blessings we have, and try not to worry too much because God's GOT THIS! 

I know it's infuriating sometimes when life throws bad stuff your way, but all we can control is ALWAYS doing right by the kids and taking care of OUR future.

And please understand, I am upset about what we have to face sometimes too! However, if we let OUR lives continually get wrapped in the negativity and/or make bad choices, the enemy WINS. And I REFUSE to let that happen!!!

We are victors and we (us and God) win when everyone grows up healthy and happy and we forgive the past and move on with OUR  FUTURE!

We HAVE to rise above it all...

With God, we CAN!

J

Staying on track

This new year I want to stay on track. Be consistent and deliberate in everything I do and make time to be creative because that is my outlet! 

Lately, I've been going through things that I had at my old office. You see, I was laid off back in November and went through a very hectic time during the holidays and these boxes had been cluttering up my life since then. I have created a home office space in our bedroom for now. It's not much but it will do.  

I have established a cleaning schedule that I can work around the home school time with the boys. It's not fool proof, but it will allow me to get everything done and still have some downtime for blogging and creating things.

Here is what I did yesterday. My grandmother had these two plaques in her bathroom when we were little so I painted the wood trim black, the hangers silver and hung them in the girls' bathroom. I hope they like them as much as I do!

So there it is, the bathrooms are complete. So thrilled with our teamwork!

My husband bought stained, poly'd and installed the cabinets and I did the organizing, cleaning and decorating.

And here is the girls' bath...

Combined, the bathrooms cost us about $200 in stain, poly and cabinetry purchased. The shower curtain was ours. The girls white memory foam bath mat was at SAMs for about $15, and the boys shower curtain was a gift and the monkey bath mat was bought at Target, both we've had forever. The toothbrush holder cups were $1 each and I bought 6, one for each kid. They were in the office supply section at Dollar Tree.

More to come!!!

Have a great day!

J

Boys will be boys... Part I

Today I was hard at work in the boys room. We have two new IKEA lack tables that I put together so they can play Legos on them. We also had another table for art/play that was gifted to us by a friend and another bunch of shelves that we also bought at IKEA. 

Here are the two tables in place and my boys happily playing by them.

And here is some art that I printed out and placed in some old frames that I was about to send to good will.

I am about half way done with their room. Praying I make it. Whew! Mommy needs a break. More photos coming soon!

What are some of your favorite ideas for kids rooms? Storage?

Thanks,

j