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What’s Important?

2013 was a tough year for my family; a really, tough year. I spent a lot of time soul searching, crying, pleading, fighting and more. I spent even more time asking the big question, “Why, Lord?”

And we made it thru.

So what did I take away from 2013 that I can use towards 2014? What was I supposed to learn and what is important? What can I change and what can I do to work with the things I can’t change?

First, there’s the job. Not that my job comes first…it’s just that I spend the majority of my time there. Working 7 to 5, Monday-Friday tends to wear a person down. I can’t really change my job and I wouldn’t want to. I love my job and love the people I work with even more! And…I love the fact that I can see five of my children every day while I am at work. I’m figuring out that on the days I can leave, I need to get outta there! I’m also breaking up the day by taking a power walk with some awesome co-workers and NOT talking about work! And…I’m going to bed earlier. 🙂

God. Time with Him. Laugh all you want, but I love my Bible app, YouVersion. It lets me read whenever I can get a few moments in; some in the morning, some at night…and sometimes in a quiet corner just to get me thru the day! And now that my son can drive me to work, sometimes I read in the car, too! I know that we’re taught to read in the morning and then again at night and it should be for a certain length of time…but I get up at 5 am and am exhausted by 8 pm…and I am sure that God doesn’t care that I’m not following someone else’s rules for spending time with Him. The point is that I do find a way. 🙂

My family. We have seven children. Yes, seven…and a beautiful bride for our oldest as well. Between work, grocery shopping, Walmart shopping, homework, projects, and everything else….it’s hard. But, they are our most valuable treasures. So how do we fit it in? Some days it’s taking one shopping with me so we can have a quick meal or stop for a treat in between. It’s amazing the conversation you can have when it’s one on one. We alternate…we take turns taking our kids out on dates. Sometimes it’s planned…most times it’s seizing the opportunity! And my children are great! They don’t complain that we’re playing favorites because they can appreciate the quality time themselves. And nothing warms my heart more than watching them make the effort to spend quality time themselves with another sibling.

So what’s important?

All of the above. What’s important is learning balance; facing life head on and realizing that some things are necessary and others are out of your control. What’s important is realizing what you can control and making sure to live each day, each moment, to the fullest. It’s making sure that those who are special to you know it. That they are not just hearing it, but that you are showing them as well.

I’m not sure what 2014 holds for me; for us. But I do know this; my plans are to make sure that I seize the opportunities that come my way; to seize the moments that will make us laugh, cry, dance…love.

William

This morning I woke up with the dreaded thought of going to Costco. Lately, every time I go, it is CRAZY busy. As in, you-can’t-walk-in-the-aisle-busy.

So I pondered renewing my membership at Sam’s Club.

Plus..there are things I like to get at Sams…and things I like at Costco.

So I went back and forth and back and forth.

And finally, I was like, “Fine…I’ll go to Sams!”

And it was great…because Bboo woke up and so she got the privilege of going with me. Cause I’m just nice like that!

We made it thru and the lines were so nice and short…and so I decided to reward her with pizza and a slurpee.

Cause I’m just nice like that!

And as we were sitting there talking, I noticed an older gentleman desperately trying to grasp his cart and and the cart next to him.

I jumped up and ran over to try and catch him as he fell to the ground. By that time, another woman had come over and helped me help him up and get him sitting down. We got him some water and Bboo and I sat next to him talking with him while he tried to re-gain his composure.

I asked him if he had anyone to drive him home and he replied that he was driving himself; so I asked him where he lived and it turned out it was just down the street from us.

So, Bboo and I helped him out, loaded up our groceries, and she followed me while I drove him home in his van. (and  a very nice van, I might add!)

William moved here in 1989 with his wife. They were married for 52 years and raised three daughters together before she passed away this past year.

“I miss her,” he said, as tears welled up in his eyes. (Mine, too.)

His grandson lives near. He was in the Navy and married a women from Japan. They have three very smart girls and now his wife wants to move back to Japan.

His niece is supposed to move here at the end of June.

We talked about my crew as we drove to his house; him asking me several times if my daughter was still following behind us and was she a good driver. 🙂

We finally made it to his home and brought his groceries in and put them away. Such a sweet man. Lonely.

And then we drove home…and Bboo let hubby know right away that I’d drove a strange man to his house while she followed behind us. She was going to call him earlier, but figured he’d be better off finding out after her calling and saying,

“Dad, mom’s driving a strange man home while I follow behind…um, no…we don’t know where we’re going, but we’ll be ok.”

I’m glad we decided to go to Sams’. And I’m glad I got to meet William.

We’ll Miss You, Leah!

Tonight we said “See you later!” to a dear friend…no, family member, as she moved across the states. We like to tease her and make her cry and remind her how tough we are…that we are not criers like she is.

But the truth is, not knowing when we will see her again breaks my heart.

Leah has been there for our family through the past eight years. For me, it started out as a choir teacher who loved my kid. The moment I watched the Drama Queen run up to the stage and bounce into Leah’s arms as she kept singing without a beat….wow. Someone who got my kid!

Leah brought out the best in her. DQ is such a free spirit and Leah got that. She worked with her and taught her so much about singing. I had so much fun teaching children’s choir with her even though I can’t carry a tune…but together, we had some fun years!

Throw Bboo in the mix and we had even more fun!

But the best was just knowing she was there putting a dent in my couch on Sunday afternoons. Or knowing any of us could call or text and she’d be there; whether it was to sit next to one of us in the hospital or take one out for a movie or shopping spree….or well…whatever was needed.

Sunday was the last time the DQ and Leah sang together before Leah went home to be with her *real* family. Three services…and by the last one, she could barely hang on. Fitting…but hard to watch.

We love you, Leah…and we’ll miss you terribly.

As we say goodbye….

Where they started…..

Quotable Quotes with Kathleen – AKA High School Teacher

Kathleen’s response to, “Oh, you’re talking again?” “No, we’re just messaging.”

We used to just talk. Now we have to wonder if messaging is talking or just messaging.

Kathleen’s response to “hooking up”

What is hooking up? It could mean five different things? Then there’s talking…or hooking up…or texting…”

Kathleen’s response to “low key hot”

How can you be low key hot? You’re either hot or your not. How can you be low key hot?

Kathleen’s response to “SWAG”

I don’t understand it. I must not have it.

Kathleen’s response to “ratched”

It’s wretched, misspelled.

Kathleen’s response to “Catch a fade”

Something about fighting. I might end up in a fight if I say this.

 

The Little Things…

It’s the little things in life that create joy…

Like when my newly adopted son grabs my hand for the first time, just because he wants to hold my hand…and tells me that he is so glad to have me for his mom. (Yes, there were a few hidden tears…)

Like the joy on the Drama Queens face when I state, “Guess who’s coming to town this weekend?” …and she jumps for joy screaming, “Aunt Tracie, Aunt Tracie!”

Like, the fact that Aunt Tracie and I have such a close relationship, that I obviously have a “look” that spells out her name on my face that my kids instantly recognize as the “Tracie” look….

Like the Smart One helping his youngest newest siblings with their homework, just because…even though he’s been very sick for three days now.

Like…spending 5 minutes talking to my soon-to-be daughter…what a blessing she is!

It’s the little things that bring joy…

Anyone else feel that way?