All I need to do is win the lottery!

I went to the grocery store today.  In the dairy section, I came across a gentleman with a black t-shirt with the words "All I need to do is win the lottery!".  He wore sunglasses in the store with bifocals on the outside of his shades.  This gentleman was in his late seventies; maybe eighties.

I back tracked several times in the store.  You could say at times that I was zig-zagging.  I bumped into this gentleman on a few occasions.  He made me smile because he seemed happy.

Today we are celebrating our veterans, heroes, and supportive family members of our military.  This kind man may have been a veteran and all he wants or needs is to win a lottery.

What many people don't realize is money doesn't solve problems.  Money creates opportunity.  What you do with the opportunities and lots given to you is up to you.

On Memorial Day, I reflect on my younger brother, Marchus, and the simple, obedient life he led.  You are my hero!  I love you, Marchus!

Compassionate Service Leader

Our daughter, Charleigh, has been in Nursery for two months now.  In our church, once a child is 18 months-3 years of age, they are able to attend Nursery during Sunday School and other auxiliaries.  It is usually a great place to be.  For many, it is the first time parent and child have been separated for an extended period of time.

The nursery leader told me that Charleigh would try to comfort all the kids in the room.  She would go around and pat their backs, if they were crying.  For the most part she was helpful and successful.  There were a few times when the child was so upset that Charleigh, herself, began to cry.  At which point, she would then suck her thumb and continue to pat the child's back.

I recently read, Dr. Keith Ablow and Glenn Beck's new book, The Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life.  In the book, the 4th Wonder is Compassion!  Dr. Keith Ablow said, "Compassion is one of the most empowering human emotions."  As I get older, I am learning compassion is a gift you can give and receive.  Others can show you compassion when we fall short with our many quirks.  We can in turn endow compassion on those around us who have hurt us and/or offended us.

Through my daughter, I am able to understand Compassion is an innate characteristic we are given from God.

Are naps more healthy for mother or child?

I took a much needed nap yesterday afternoon.  Actually, I took a nap because I stayed up too late the night before watching an 90's movie.  I should have gone to bed anyway.  I didn't stay up late saving lives or feeding a newborn.  So, it seems selfish for me to nap during my kids' Spring Break.

When I woke up, my cute kids were playing nicely with each other.  They said Charleigh woke up from her nap and I needed to go take care of her.  I don't' wake up very quickly.  I am usually somewhere between wakefulness and my last dream.

I dreamt I was rearranging furniture and plants in my home.  I really never have had a large enough home of my own or a lot of furniture to make big changes. 

I put my plants on a shelf in a cupboard.  It wasn't a kitchen cupboard; more of a low priority cupboard.  A few weeks later, I opened the cupboard to find a few dead plants.

I love to psychoanalyze my own dreams.  Are the plants-my children?  Am I hoping they will raise themselves, while I take naps?  Am I a horrible mother? Or do I hate plants?  Or do I hate the "Green Movement"?

So, in answer to my question; are naps more healthy for mother or child?  I would like to say for Mother.  I as a mother need to go to bed early, eat healthy, serve others, so I can be the best Mom for my children.

An evening at the Park!

Yesterday, my kids and I took a walk on a two-mile path.  It is hard for them to pass a park and not want to play, explore, and make-believe.  We always have fun getting into pine cone fights and letting the kids, be kids.

When do I tell my kids that an Underdog Push on the swing-set from their 5' 1" mom is not so high?  I have four kids now to push in their swings.  The physical demands at the playground are getting more brutal.  The kids love it when I push them high on the swing, but I am not very strong and cannot send them soaring through the sky.  I guess they can pretend their mom can help them reach the stars!

Blue Ridge Drive

Post Written by Marchus, Spencer, and Eli Crosland.  We woke up early Saturday morning and decided to go hiking.  We went to Ragged Mountain.  We saw all of the pretty leaves.   Last time we went on this hike, we discovered ruins of a very old home.  There are two chimneys with very little of a foundation.  We went straight to the chimney.  Then Marchus told a story about Taily Po, a Halloween story, he had heard from school.  He was able to recite the story almost verbatim.  Then we saw a canoe upside down by the lake.  We collected acorns that were beginning to sprout and brought them home to plant in our yard.  We saw two black moths sitting on a rock.  We hiked back to the car.  Then we drove up to the Shenandoah to drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains to see the beautiful leaves.  On the way, we stopped and had an acorn fight.  Then we drove back home and carved pumpkins for Halloween.

2010 First Day of School

Today, I sent a 1st Grader and a Kindergartner on the bus. I have been excited for them to start school and to get back into a routine. What happened next, I wasn’t prepared for. I sprang a leak in the corners of my eyes. I miss my kids terribly when they are at school. After the bus drove away, I took my 3 year old and 11 month old for a walk. Eli kept whining that we weren’t going home and Charleigh kept climbing out of her seat.

About 10 minutes after we got home, I received a telephone call from the elementary school. My BNWT (Brand New with Tag) Kindergartner had a clear plastic squirt gun in his backpack. The teacher said it is not an item that can be sent on the school bus. She had to confiscate the item and asked me to pick it up at my convenience.

Charleigh and Eli were in the backseat of the car on the way to the school. My 11 month old was rubbing her foot on her 3 year old brother’s newly shaved head. She was in a constant state of giggling since it tickled her foot so much. I love being a Mom!

Today, I failed!

Today, is garbage day and our third day of summer. So currently, I would have a hard time telling you what day of the week it is. I missed the garbage pick up this morning. So, I put my garbage can on a street perpendicular to me. (Thank goodness for second chances!) A half hour later, I cleaned up my Mother's Day vases and wanted to throw the dead flowers away. I put them in a small bag and proceeded to take them to my outdoor garbage can up the street. This gargantuan dog came charging down his driveway and barked at me like I was his prey. I stood still for a few minutes and then calmly walked away from the situation. I only had fifteen more feet to place the receptacle in the container. This particular neighbor has two large, thunderous dogs. They manage to never leave the yard; so to my best guesstimate, there is an invisible fence. I am so confident of this, I tell my children this belief.
When it came down to the moment of truth in facing my fears or being more brave, I failed!