I love Christmas! And I love traditions. We didn't have a lot of traditions growing up, so I may have gone a little overboard with my kids. But I want them to remember these times and hopefully pass a few on to their own kids someday. What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
Here are a few of ours...
- On Christmas Eve we open one gift...always new pajamas for everyone.
- We also go to church Christmas Eve and read the book "A Tale of Three Trees" each year.
- We set out cookies and milk for Santa and usually a letter is written to Santa (when they are young enough).
- Each year we get the kids an ornament that is related to something in their life that year. I keep a little journal for each of the kids and write down the ornament and why it is significant. Then someday when they take their ornaments to their own home they can look back at the journal as they put their ornaments on their tree.
- When Harrison was little he always slept with us on Christmas Eve (so he wouldn't get up an peek...not that he would EVER do that). Clara is a better sleeper so she doesn't usually do this. Now she and Harrison let us know when they are awake and they have to wait at the top of the stairs until we tell them to come down.
- Santa fills the kids stockings. That's really the only credit Santa gets around here. We don't make a big deal out of him.
- Each of us gets only three gifts...since Jesus got gold, frankincense and myrrh. This simplifies Christmas and makes us really think about what we are giving.
- For the four of us, I wrap all our gifts in plain paper and paint on them for decoration. Usually I use brown mailing paper, but this year I used solid red and green. Harrison requested that I go back to the brown...he likes traditions. : )
- When Harrison was in kindergarten we started going to make a Christmas plate each year. And once Clara got a little bigger she started helping with the plate. Now I have a whole set of plates with the kids art on them for Christmas. This is one of our absolute favorite traditions! As soon as Thanksgiving dinner is done we get the Christmas plates down and use them everyday. It is so fun!
- The last couple of years we have gone caroling with our flock (small group) from church here on our street. This is one of my favorite things that I hope will continue for many years. I remember piling in the back of a pickup and going caroling as a kid. I'm glad my kids are making these memories with our sweet flock family.
- We always celebrate Christmas with some of our friends too. Last night we did the annual Merideth Christmas get together. The Merideths have been kind enough to welcome us into their family. And we always enjoy getting together and sharing a meal, opening gifts and usually playing Apples to Apples or some other game. We celebrate Christmas with the Ingles by mail now, since they moved to Texas. But we used to do the same thing with them when they lived here.
- Throughout the Christmas season we have an advent wreath on our dining room table. Each week we read the meaning of each candle and focus on God's gift of His precious Son. And on Christmas morning we read the Christmas story in the Bible and light the Christ candle.
- Of course, we have a stack of Christmas books that come out after Thanksgiving and we read those throughout the season. And we try to watch several Christmas movies throughout the month too.
- And last year, Joey the Elf joined our Christmas traditions. Joey is our Elf on The Shelf. And Clara is CRAZY about him! It is so fun to watch her try to find him each day. And I have caught her more than once just talking to Joey, telling her whole life story to him. This morning I heard her saying "I hope I'm on the nice list, I really try to be nice, but sometimes I'm not." So fun having a 6 year old in the house!
I've probably forgotten something. But those are most of our favorites that we have consistently done for years. Christmas (not "the holidays") is my favorite time of year. I love reading the story of Christ's birth in my quiet time over and over during this month. Seems like I pick up a little something new each year. What a blessing it is to have the freedom to worship God and celebrate Jesus not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Dance Fever
There's been a lot of dancing going on around here. Okay...Clara dances a lot. Harrison went to a dance, but I don't think any actual dancing took place. But that's okay, Clara has done enough dancing for all of us. In fact, while we were out carolling last night she danced herself right into a mailbox. And last week she had her winter recital and they did a little jazz dance that was so cute. They were all darling in their Rudolph antlers. This is such a fun age!
Then Saturday night, Harrison went to his first high school winter formal...with a girl. As you'll see, it involved flowers, suits, and girls in beautiful dresses and fabulous shoes (for the girls...the boys shoes are boring). It was a little surreal watching these kids, some I've known since early elementary school, looking so grownup. It was a really fun group and they had a lot of fun. They tolerated about a million pictures being taken. Then they all went to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, then on to the dance. As I headed back to Edmond, I only made it about 15 minutes away before I got a text saying they were done with the dance and ready to leave. So, back I went and they all headed back to the after party at a friend's house to watch a movie and play ping pong. I'll admit, it's weird having your baby all dressed up in a suit, being almost 6 feet tall, going to a high school dance. But...it's also really fun enjoying the young man he is becoming.
Run! Run! Rudolph!
Ta Da!
Our little dancer!!
Clara had to get in on the act and appeared in this dress!
Deep thoughts by Harrison and Mason!
Harrison and Jaclyn, Winter Formal 2011
The boys....or should I say men???
Very cool!
Ben is the sock guy....this time he had Christmas socks.
The whole group...great bunch of teenagers.
My boy cleans up pretty good!
Harrison and Rhett all dressed up for formal.
Then Saturday night, Harrison went to his first high school winter formal...with a girl. As you'll see, it involved flowers, suits, and girls in beautiful dresses and fabulous shoes (for the girls...the boys shoes are boring). It was a little surreal watching these kids, some I've known since early elementary school, looking so grownup. It was a really fun group and they had a lot of fun. They tolerated about a million pictures being taken. Then they all went to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, then on to the dance. As I headed back to Edmond, I only made it about 15 minutes away before I got a text saying they were done with the dance and ready to leave. So, back I went and they all headed back to the after party at a friend's house to watch a movie and play ping pong. I'll admit, it's weird having your baby all dressed up in a suit, being almost 6 feet tall, going to a high school dance. But...it's also really fun enjoying the young man he is becoming.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Seasons come and seasons go...
As a rule, I love the change of seasons. Fall is my favorite, all the leaves changing colors. Of course, spring is a close second, with everything blooming and starting fresh. And even with my kids, I have enjoyed the seasons they were in, but had fun embracing new seasons. But I'm sad to see a couple of seasons end.
You see...my boy isn't playing basketball for the first time since he was four years old. We went and watched the 9th graders play their first home game the other night. I'll admit I got a little teary-eyed watching and knowing my big old boy wouldn't be on the court. It was his choice. He opted to not go out for the team this year. Several factors played into that decision. But, it made me sad. I loved, loved, loved watching him play basketball! And it was my sport too. I wasn't a rock star player, but it was the game I loved. And I always regretted stopping after 9th grade, not trying a new coach in high school. More than anything, Harrison loves basketball. He has played....and played...and played since he was big enough to have a Little Tykes goal in the garage. When we moved in here and we met new neighbors they would always say "oh you live in the house with the blond-headed kid who is playing basketball 24/7!"
That darn kid just keeps growing up and making choices on his own. And he does mature stuff like telling me "Mom, my best shot of getting any kind of athletic scholarship money is for running, not for basketball. So, I should focus on running. AND academics of course!" : ) And the kid can run, he's got some wheels. And it turns out....the cross country coaches and track coaches have been amazing. Not to mention the quality kids that he is running with. So, once again, I entered a new season...one that involves running and lots of it. Luckily, I can watch him run and never actually have to break a sweat myself. But I still (sniffle, sniffle) hate saying good-bye to basketball. Guess I'll have to get Clara signed up next year!
And the other season ending? Okay, I know it sounds stupid. But...I really hate that Clara has moved out of the little girls clothing section. I know shopping is not a sport. And clothing your child isn't really a season of life. BUT...I loved the little girl section at Target...and Gap...and Old Navy. And moving up to the bigger girls section takes away a lot of the innocence. Honestly, there a lot of hoochie clothes in the girls section! My baby is 6, she does not need lace up and down the side of her leggings like a rock star. She doesn't need suggestive slogans on her t-shirts. She does not need to be wearing "camis" because all the shirts are low cut or see through. Why oh why can't they make the little girl section go up to size 8, instead of size 5? Seriously, they are little girls. They have their whole lives to grow up (and hopefully not dress like hoochies). I'm just sayin....it makes me sad!
You see...my boy isn't playing basketball for the first time since he was four years old. We went and watched the 9th graders play their first home game the other night. I'll admit I got a little teary-eyed watching and knowing my big old boy wouldn't be on the court. It was his choice. He opted to not go out for the team this year. Several factors played into that decision. But, it made me sad. I loved, loved, loved watching him play basketball! And it was my sport too. I wasn't a rock star player, but it was the game I loved. And I always regretted stopping after 9th grade, not trying a new coach in high school. More than anything, Harrison loves basketball. He has played....and played...and played since he was big enough to have a Little Tykes goal in the garage. When we moved in here and we met new neighbors they would always say "oh you live in the house with the blond-headed kid who is playing basketball 24/7!"
That darn kid just keeps growing up and making choices on his own. And he does mature stuff like telling me "Mom, my best shot of getting any kind of athletic scholarship money is for running, not for basketball. So, I should focus on running. AND academics of course!" : ) And the kid can run, he's got some wheels. And it turns out....the cross country coaches and track coaches have been amazing. Not to mention the quality kids that he is running with. So, once again, I entered a new season...one that involves running and lots of it. Luckily, I can watch him run and never actually have to break a sweat myself. But I still (sniffle, sniffle) hate saying good-bye to basketball. Guess I'll have to get Clara signed up next year!
And the other season ending? Okay, I know it sounds stupid. But...I really hate that Clara has moved out of the little girls clothing section. I know shopping is not a sport. And clothing your child isn't really a season of life. BUT...I loved the little girl section at Target...and Gap...and Old Navy. And moving up to the bigger girls section takes away a lot of the innocence. Honestly, there a lot of hoochie clothes in the girls section! My baby is 6, she does not need lace up and down the side of her leggings like a rock star. She doesn't need suggestive slogans on her t-shirts. She does not need to be wearing "camis" because all the shirts are low cut or see through. Why oh why can't they make the little girl section go up to size 8, instead of size 5? Seriously, they are little girls. They have their whole lives to grow up (and hopefully not dress like hoochies). I'm just sayin....it makes me sad!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
Thanksgiving....oh how I love thee....let me count the ways! I really do love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday to cook for. And something about it just makes me smile. I love the food, the fellowship, the family being home...even the football (to an extent). As I was cooking the two days before Thanksgiving I was thinking about why I enjoy this holiday so much. And I realized that some of it is just totally sentimental. I started planning out my menu and here's what I saw...
Turkey - which I learned how to cook all by myself for my family many years ago...and they love it!
Green Bean Casserole - never had a Thanksgiving without it...or a church potluck dinner for that matter.
Mashed Potatoes - one of the few things I would eat at Thanksgiving when I was a kid....now I make the Pioneer Woman's version and my family loves them too, even the big kid who wouldn't touch them before.
Nana's Dressing - My bestie Christi's grandma's recipe. Makes me think of Christi each time I make it, and usually involves a call or text to my friend.
Broccoli Salad - A favorite that I got from a friend, Lynn, who lived here for a few years and was a wonderful cook. Always makes me think of fun times with their family.
Apple Pie - My favorite recipe that I got from Lori, a girl I worked with at GMAC when I was 20 years old. Still a family favorite (and definitely my favorite). Reminds me of those first few years out on my own.
Pumpkin Pie - Always makes me think of Joe's mom Louise, since she loved to bake pies. This year I tried a new recipe from a new friend at church.
Key Lime Pie - Harrison's favorite. And Grandma Jean's recipe, which makes me think of her and my dad everytime I make it.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce - A recipe I got from a Martha Stewart magazine way back when I used to read magazines. And this year, Clara helped me make it....very fun!
I love that the whole menu pretty much comes from shared experiences with special friends and family. That's the best way to build your recipe box!
Another thing I love about Thanksgiving is just the time at the table together with whoever we share the meal with. We almost always have some international students with us. This year we had three young men from China here for Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun to talk about China and compare places we have been. They are all students in Guangzhou (except for this year while they are at UCO) which is where we spent most of our time in China. Over the years we have had lots of Japanese students, a few Chinese, one from Taiwan, and one from Sri Lanka. I'll never forget Apsara, the girl from Sri Lanka. She was our waitress at Steak and Shake one Sunday. We struck up a conversation and found out where she was from. That week she was on my heart. And on Sunday I begged to go back to Steak and Shake and see if we could see her again. So, we sat in her section and ended up inviting her to Thanksgiving. I'll never forget, she told us she had been in Oklahoma for 4 years and had never been in an American's home. That broke my heart! Not long after we met Apsara the Tsunami hit her country. Because we had a connection with Apsara it really made us more tuned in and prayerful for the people of Sri Lanka when that tragedy struck. Lord, help us to be mindful of the mission field we have right here in our backyard!
Daniel and Lee Cho enjoying Thanksgiving dinner.
Fall fun, jumping in the leaves!
Clara with her friends Stone & Amaiya, having some fall fun!
Our happy girl!
Joe, Clara and Leo after a big Thanksgiving feast!
Fancy Nancy at the Storybook Parade
Ahhhh....Kindergarten.....you gotta love 'em!
Turkey - which I learned how to cook all by myself for my family many years ago...and they love it!
Green Bean Casserole - never had a Thanksgiving without it...or a church potluck dinner for that matter.
Mashed Potatoes - one of the few things I would eat at Thanksgiving when I was a kid....now I make the Pioneer Woman's version and my family loves them too, even the big kid who wouldn't touch them before.
Nana's Dressing - My bestie Christi's grandma's recipe. Makes me think of Christi each time I make it, and usually involves a call or text to my friend.
Broccoli Salad - A favorite that I got from a friend, Lynn, who lived here for a few years and was a wonderful cook. Always makes me think of fun times with their family.
Apple Pie - My favorite recipe that I got from Lori, a girl I worked with at GMAC when I was 20 years old. Still a family favorite (and definitely my favorite). Reminds me of those first few years out on my own.
Pumpkin Pie - Always makes me think of Joe's mom Louise, since she loved to bake pies. This year I tried a new recipe from a new friend at church.
Key Lime Pie - Harrison's favorite. And Grandma Jean's recipe, which makes me think of her and my dad everytime I make it.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce - A recipe I got from a Martha Stewart magazine way back when I used to read magazines. And this year, Clara helped me make it....very fun!
I love that the whole menu pretty much comes from shared experiences with special friends and family. That's the best way to build your recipe box!
Another thing I love about Thanksgiving is just the time at the table together with whoever we share the meal with. We almost always have some international students with us. This year we had three young men from China here for Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun to talk about China and compare places we have been. They are all students in Guangzhou (except for this year while they are at UCO) which is where we spent most of our time in China. Over the years we have had lots of Japanese students, a few Chinese, one from Taiwan, and one from Sri Lanka. I'll never forget Apsara, the girl from Sri Lanka. She was our waitress at Steak and Shake one Sunday. We struck up a conversation and found out where she was from. That week she was on my heart. And on Sunday I begged to go back to Steak and Shake and see if we could see her again. So, we sat in her section and ended up inviting her to Thanksgiving. I'll never forget, she told us she had been in Oklahoma for 4 years and had never been in an American's home. That broke my heart! Not long after we met Apsara the Tsunami hit her country. Because we had a connection with Apsara it really made us more tuned in and prayerful for the people of Sri Lanka when that tragedy struck. Lord, help us to be mindful of the mission field we have right here in our backyard!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Who wasn't there...
I enjoy my kids, they make me laugh! Not to say they never make me want to pull my hair out...I had a near-hairless moment this week after jean shopping with the big one. But as a rule...they crack me up. And the little one, she ranks right up there with Carol Burnett (yes, I realize this dates me). So, to be fair, I feel I must share some of the most recent Claraisms. I will warn you, if you need to go to the bathroom you might go now...because some of these might make you wet yourself. Just sayin!! (The translation for the bold words will be in parenthesis.)
- "Bah gee go. It's 3 words." (bald eagle)
- "Jackie Nimble, Jackie Quick" (Jack be nimble, Jack be quick)
- "Old little woman who lived in a shoe....that doesn't make any sense! People need to live in houses or parments." (apartments)
- "Jesus and God are fun! Cuz you get to worship them!"
- "Baba Black sheep can you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three and four."
- "Little Bo Peep lost her sheep, she couldn't go find them. ACTUALLY...just leave them alone, that's it."
- Twice in one day Clara came up to me and she had blue marker all around her mouth and lips. So I said "your lips and face are blue"....her response, "I didn't do it." REALLY? Who keeps doing that to her!?
- She has a new escape tactic when wrestling with her brother...it's really effective....LICK HIM!
- In the car one afternoon she was counting (and she does know how to count quite well), "4, 7, 9, 13, 17". So I asked "were you wanting to count by odd numbers, like 1, 3, 5, 7, 9? Or by even numbers, like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10?" She replied "I'm counting by zeros...it's pretty tricky."
- Same day, she gets in the car and tells me that the counselor came to their class and read to them. So I asked what book she read. Clara's answer? "Little Red Hiding Hole". (Little Red Riding Hood....maybe we should read more classics.)
- Same day....we go to the dentist and when we are getting out of the car she announces that she can't get her seat belt unbuckled. Hmmmm! Unusual! Well, when you zip your sweater shut around the buckle (after you buckled it), it gets confusing when you try to get out.
- SAME DAY....this is our conversation (and I swear, I couldn't make this up if I wanted to).
C (Clara) - Who wasn't there. (lack of question mark is intentional...it was a statement)
M (Mommy) - Who wasn't where?
C - Who wasn't there.
M - Who wasn't where?
C - Yeah, who wasn't there.
M - What are we talking about?
C - Who wasn't there.
M - Are we talking about school?
C - Yes...who wasn't there.
M - Honey, I wasn't at school, I don't know who wasn't there.
C - Who wasn't there.
M - I don't know! (Frustration implied) Who wasn't at school today?
C - Exactly. Who wasn't there.
M - Clara, I don't know what you are talking about....who wasn't there?
C - Who.
M - Do you want to tell me who wasn't at school? Because I wasn't there and I don't know who wasn't at school.
C - Who wasn't at school?
M - (Light bulb moment) Are you saying "Hugh" wasn't at school today?
C - That's what I said, Who wasn't at school.
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!
- "Bah gee go. It's 3 words." (bald eagle)
- "Jackie Nimble, Jackie Quick" (Jack be nimble, Jack be quick)
- "Old little woman who lived in a shoe....that doesn't make any sense! People need to live in houses or parments." (apartments)
- "Jesus and God are fun! Cuz you get to worship them!"
- "Baba Black sheep can you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three and four."
- "Little Bo Peep lost her sheep, she couldn't go find them. ACTUALLY...just leave them alone, that's it."
- Twice in one day Clara came up to me and she had blue marker all around her mouth and lips. So I said "your lips and face are blue"....her response, "I didn't do it." REALLY? Who keeps doing that to her!?
- She has a new escape tactic when wrestling with her brother...it's really effective....LICK HIM!
- In the car one afternoon she was counting (and she does know how to count quite well), "4, 7, 9, 13, 17". So I asked "were you wanting to count by odd numbers, like 1, 3, 5, 7, 9? Or by even numbers, like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10?" She replied "I'm counting by zeros...it's pretty tricky."
- Same day, she gets in the car and tells me that the counselor came to their class and read to them. So I asked what book she read. Clara's answer? "Little Red Hiding Hole". (Little Red Riding Hood....maybe we should read more classics.)
- Same day....we go to the dentist and when we are getting out of the car she announces that she can't get her seat belt unbuckled. Hmmmm! Unusual! Well, when you zip your sweater shut around the buckle (after you buckled it), it gets confusing when you try to get out.
- SAME DAY....this is our conversation (and I swear, I couldn't make this up if I wanted to).
C (Clara) - Who wasn't there. (lack of question mark is intentional...it was a statement)
M (Mommy) - Who wasn't where?
C - Who wasn't there.
M - Who wasn't where?
C - Yeah, who wasn't there.
M - What are we talking about?
C - Who wasn't there.
M - Are we talking about school?
C - Yes...who wasn't there.
M - Honey, I wasn't at school, I don't know who wasn't there.
C - Who wasn't there.
M - I don't know! (Frustration implied) Who wasn't at school today?
C - Exactly. Who wasn't there.
M - Clara, I don't know what you are talking about....who wasn't there?
C - Who.
M - Do you want to tell me who wasn't at school? Because I wasn't there and I don't know who wasn't at school.
C - Who wasn't at school?
M - (Light bulb moment) Are you saying "Hugh" wasn't at school today?
C - That's what I said, Who wasn't at school.
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Creepy!
Things that creep me out...
- Mice. EWWWW!!! Even if you put them in a cage and call them a gerbil...still creepy!
- Albino crickets.
- Worm graveyards. You know what I mean. Big rain. It stops. You go outside and there is a worm graveyard all over the cement.
- Food with the head left on it.
- Food with head parts. For instance, when I opened a pot on the stove when I was a little girl and there was a giant (to me...but probably normal sized) cow tongue cooking. My dad denies it, but I can still see it in my mind today.
- Food that involves feet. No, I do not want any chicken feet thank you!
- And while we're at it....no food with animal private parts. Enough said!
- Fingernail or toenail injuries. Made me shutter thinking of it. Cut your head off, have a heart attack, have a bug in your ear....I'm good. But please don't have a nail injury.
- When people talk with a bubble in their throat. Clear your throat already!
- A server who licks the milk shake off the side of your cup before she hands it to you! Happened to my husband once.
- When someone talks to you and obviously "knows you well" and you have absolutely no idea who they are.
- I think the previous statement may be related to my age. So, I guess turning 50 kind of creeps me out.
Just sayin...
- Mice. EWWWW!!! Even if you put them in a cage and call them a gerbil...still creepy!
- Albino crickets.
- Worm graveyards. You know what I mean. Big rain. It stops. You go outside and there is a worm graveyard all over the cement.
- Food with the head left on it.
- Food with head parts. For instance, when I opened a pot on the stove when I was a little girl and there was a giant (to me...but probably normal sized) cow tongue cooking. My dad denies it, but I can still see it in my mind today.
- Food that involves feet. No, I do not want any chicken feet thank you!
- And while we're at it....no food with animal private parts. Enough said!
- Fingernail or toenail injuries. Made me shutter thinking of it. Cut your head off, have a heart attack, have a bug in your ear....I'm good. But please don't have a nail injury.
- When people talk with a bubble in their throat. Clear your throat already!
- A server who licks the milk shake off the side of your cup before she hands it to you! Happened to my husband once.
- When someone talks to you and obviously "knows you well" and you have absolutely no idea who they are.
- I think the previous statement may be related to my age. So, I guess turning 50 kind of creeps me out.
Just sayin...
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
50??? How did that happen???
A couple weeks ago I turned 50. I thought I'd sit down and blog about it as soon as it happened. But I forgot. You will see that as a theme from now on I'm afraid! Actually, it was pretty painless. And in some ways, it was pretty delightful. For example, a few days before I turned 50 several of my very dearest friends celebrated with me at a local tea room. It was so fun to look around the table and think about how each of these friends became so dear to me. Mandi, I met when she was 3 and I was helping teach her Sunday school class. Her mom Susan, I met a few years later in a small group at church. She was actually in the room with us when Harrison was born...and several years later Harrison was in Mandi's wedding. Kela, JJ, and Kari I met when our kids were all in Sonshine School together. Kristin and I became good friend when we were pregnant with our teenagers and we have shared many milestones together. Merlene and I met when we were homeroom moms together in 1st grade (for the now teenagers). Christine, Jenni and Robin I all met through Harrison's friendships with their kiddos. And Jill is my sweet neighbor. Most of us have laughed together, cried together, shared parenting advice, and so much more. When my mom died three years ago, Christine was with us. Within a couple of hours Jill had lunch at our house and Merlene had brought dinner. And when I walked out at my mom's funeral, there sat several of these friends who had driven 150 miles to support me. I am blessed!!!
Then, Tuesday night, Joe walked in the house....followed by my sweet friend Christi who had flown in from San Antonio to surprise me! What a wonderful surprise! Sometimes you just need some girl time with one of your besties! Some yummy food, a couple of glasses of wine, and a little shopping....perfect time with my friend. What a blessing to have Christi fly up for 24 hours just to make my day special. I have the best friends!!!
And then, dinner with my family at my favorite Japanese hibachi restaurant. Sometimes I look at my little family and I'm amazed at what God has done in my life!
Now, I have to say, that 50 brings several kind of realizations. There are the usual things like wrinkles, sagging, aches and pains. But I had to kind of giggle at some of the other things. Here are a few things I've picked up on lately...
- When you are 50 and you have a kindergartener, you are just fine with watching the younger, first time moms sign up for everything.
- At 50....it is not a good idea to keep your foot cream and hair pomade in the same location....you might get them confused one day....just sayin!
- When you are 50 you get a lot more "well bless your heart" comments. Like the girl at bootcamp who was whining about how she was too old for all this (I might add she weighs like 90 pounds). I asked how old she was, she said 38. I told her I'm 50. She said "well, I have 3 kids"...(hear the WAAAAHHH! in my voice)...well, I have a kindergartener. Wait for it...."Oh, bless you heart! I thought I was old when I had my last one!" I just smiled. Or the lady at the Clinique counter who complimented my haircut and asked if I had always worn it short. I told her that I had let it grow, thinking I'd leave it long until I turned 50 but actually cut it a few months early. She said "You're 50? Do you have kids?" I give her the low down....a 15 year old and a 6 year old. Wait for it...."Oh! Bless your heart! That must be what keeps you so young."
- My "max weight limit" changes everytime I hit a milestone birthday. It's very liberating! : )
- One day I put on a new necklace and think to myself "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way" (it was set up for a leftie). Then the next day I put the necklace on I think "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way". A couple days later I put the necklace on and I think "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way." Geez!
- You dress your child cute for picture day at school. And it never even crosses your mind to fill out the form and send a check....kind of like you've never done this before.
- Last weekend I was texting a friend in Nebraska during the Nebraska game. She mentioned something about a missed extra point because she knows the kicker. I was thinking to myself, "how did I miss that...I thought I was paying attention." So I don't say anything. Then about 15 minutes later I realize we had DVR'd the game and started it about 45 minutes late so we were not even seeing the same plays while we were texting. DERRR!
In honor of my 50th birthday, I'll post a few pictures from my younger days.
This is my brother Kim and I at my grandparents farm back in 1964
My favorite picture with my brother (the church in the back ground was where my dad was pastor).
Ahhhh! The 70's! I was probably 13 or 14 here. We were big stuff!!!
At 50, I'd have to say you might as well have a sense of humor about yourself. And the best part is, if you do something embarrassing, there's a good chance you won't even remember tomorrow! Life is good!!!
Then, Tuesday night, Joe walked in the house....followed by my sweet friend Christi who had flown in from San Antonio to surprise me! What a wonderful surprise! Sometimes you just need some girl time with one of your besties! Some yummy food, a couple of glasses of wine, and a little shopping....perfect time with my friend. What a blessing to have Christi fly up for 24 hours just to make my day special. I have the best friends!!!
And then, dinner with my family at my favorite Japanese hibachi restaurant. Sometimes I look at my little family and I'm amazed at what God has done in my life!
Now, I have to say, that 50 brings several kind of realizations. There are the usual things like wrinkles, sagging, aches and pains. But I had to kind of giggle at some of the other things. Here are a few things I've picked up on lately...
- When you are 50 and you have a kindergartener, you are just fine with watching the younger, first time moms sign up for everything.
- At 50....it is not a good idea to keep your foot cream and hair pomade in the same location....you might get them confused one day....just sayin!
- When you are 50 you get a lot more "well bless your heart" comments. Like the girl at bootcamp who was whining about how she was too old for all this (I might add she weighs like 90 pounds). I asked how old she was, she said 38. I told her I'm 50. She said "well, I have 3 kids"...(hear the WAAAAHHH! in my voice)...well, I have a kindergartener. Wait for it...."Oh, bless you heart! I thought I was old when I had my last one!" I just smiled. Or the lady at the Clinique counter who complimented my haircut and asked if I had always worn it short. I told her that I had let it grow, thinking I'd leave it long until I turned 50 but actually cut it a few months early. She said "You're 50? Do you have kids?" I give her the low down....a 15 year old and a 6 year old. Wait for it...."Oh! Bless your heart! That must be what keeps you so young."
- My "max weight limit" changes everytime I hit a milestone birthday. It's very liberating! : )
- One day I put on a new necklace and think to myself "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way" (it was set up for a leftie). Then the next day I put the necklace on I think "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way". A couple days later I put the necklace on and I think "before I wear this again I need to change the charms around so it clasps the other way." Geez!
- You dress your child cute for picture day at school. And it never even crosses your mind to fill out the form and send a check....kind of like you've never done this before.
- Last weekend I was texting a friend in Nebraska during the Nebraska game. She mentioned something about a missed extra point because she knows the kicker. I was thinking to myself, "how did I miss that...I thought I was paying attention." So I don't say anything. Then about 15 minutes later I realize we had DVR'd the game and started it about 45 minutes late so we were not even seeing the same plays while we were texting. DERRR!
This is my brother Kim and I at my grandparents farm back in 1964
At 50, I'd have to say you might as well have a sense of humor about yourself. And the best part is, if you do something embarrassing, there's a good chance you won't even remember tomorrow! Life is good!!!
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