"I felt like I had been looking for this place ... my whole life".
~Their Eyes Were Watching God (TV movie)
My 3 Grits |
These are pictures I took of some of my favorite places to walk and run. We are so blessed to live where we do and we love it. Today, I am thankful for the beautiful blue sky and looking forward to a wonderful weekend. Make today a good one!
"I felt like I had been looking for this place ... my whole life". ~Their Eyes Were Watching God (TV movie)
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A mother's intuition...there is nothing like it. One just knows when something isn't quite right. Any mother can tell you she has sensed it at some point in her journey. About two months ago our youngest was diagnosed with asthma. We went to a highly respected pulmonologist whom I personally think is wonderful. We listened intently as he described her condition and what can be done to control it. We left feeling hopeful that with the medicine she will be able to carry on as usual. She was put on three different medicines.
After about a month we began noticing behaviors that were bothersome. At home she became aggressive and more stubborn than usual =) At school is where she became withdrawn and weepy. I was going over everything in my mind and trying so hard to figure out what could be causing this change. She is normally a very happy, joking and very loving three year old. So, I called the pulmonologist and we sat down together to try and come to a conclusion. I had been doing some research at home and found out the one of her meds is sometimes known for such behavior...even scarier...it can be much worse...depression and suicidal thoughts. I knew in my heart and mind, I wanted her off and now. The doctor didn't even try to convince me otherwise. He said take her off and let's see what happens. I was so relieved that he agreed with me but at the same time I was thinking to myself, "my goodness how many children are on this medicine and going through this?" I am happy to say she is back to her happy self and our family is so ecstatic. Her teachers worked with us and kept a log of her behavior at school and yes, it has been much better. She is playing and trying to make friends. This is what a three year old should be doing. So, parents...if you have an intuition about something, anything...go with it. Follow your heart because you are probably right. No one on this planet knows your children better than you. Not doctors, not teachers, not relatives...you. Today I am thankful I followed my intuition and my love bug is back to herself. Happy Thursday!!! This morning was a rough one...most mornings it is difficult to wake my middle daughter, but today was down right nasty. She did not want to get out of bed. She had plenty of sleep, but was just content staying in bed. Which would have been fine if it was Saturday. Unfortunately, for her it is not and she has to be efficient in the morning because the bus comes EARLY. So, she fought and was loud. She woke up my younger one an hour earlier than she needs to be up. I was upset with her for being so loud and rude. We finally made it down the stairs and to the breakfast table. There was a lot of crying and me holding my breath because I just didn't want to start my day off like this. As she was walking out the door to catch the bus a swarm of guilt overcame me. I didn't yell at her, but I did tell her that if she continued to cry like a baby she would come home and go to bed. Yes, looking back in hindsight I should have left off the "cry like a baby part." We all do it...we all say things we wish we could take back. We can't. At that moment that I was watching her walk to the bus I started to regret not being more calm.
After taking my youngest to preschool and going for a nice mind clearing run; I decided I would go have lunch with her and make sure her day was going smoothly. I arrived at the school and her class was already in the cafeteria. I wish I had my camera. The moment she saw me she had this HUGE smile on her precious little face. It was priceless. All had been forgiven and we moved on. We hugged and enjoyed a nice lunch for the next few minutes. Today I am thankful for a redo. I know she may remember our morning, but I am hoping that she does not. I am hoping she remembers me coming to have lunch with her and how happy we both were. Now, let's see how tomorrow morning shakes out!!! “Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.” ~Bob Newhart Rays of Sunshine....No, unfortunately I did not take this picture. I found it online and really like it. Doesn't it look like such a peaceful road? It makes me wonder what is on the other side of the hill? One of my favorite things is a ray of sunshine. For me, it is magical. It gives me hope and fills my inside with a positive, calming feeling. I've always believed that the rays of sunshine are sent from Heaven. I love that. Maybe it is our loved ones sending down a shimmer of hope for us here on earth. Whether it is or not, the rays always bring a smile to my face. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you can go out and find a ray of sunshine. Enjoy your beautiful day! Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ~ Louisa May Alcott Do you ever feel like you're being torn in two different directions? Most of us can relate to this feeling at some point. Do you hear a voice telling you to go a certain way, or choose a certain task? I feel like this often especially when it comes to self motivation. There are days when I feel like I can conquer the world...Super Mom!!! Then of course there are days when I feel like I have been conquered...by three little girls or by something in my day that just didn't go quite right.
Today, I am talking about exercise and motivation. Be it my occasional lack of motivation or feeling tired from just being a Mom; it is so easy to ignore the positive voice and say to yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow." I don't want to listen to my negative, low motivating voice any longer. We are not promised a tomorrow, so I am starting anew. I am going to try my best to choose the positive, motivating, hard working voice. I started practicing yoga a month or so ago. I need it for many reasons: my low back issue, to balance myself and to be in tune with myself. I absolutely love it. I love how I feel when I am stretching....Yes yoga is hard work. I love how I feel when I am done. It's a sense of accomplishment when one day I can stretch just a tad bit further and work my body more. It is an hour or so of time when I am alone with my thoughts and tuning into what my body needs. Yes, there is a room full of other people doing the same exact thing, but if you've ever taken yoga you know what I mean....there is a sense that you are there alone with the instructor. So, today I am thankful for finding yoga and for choosing to listen to my positive voice. It's soothing for my body, soul and mind. I can't do much better than that. Thanksgiving Tree
Happy Sunday! I absolutely love this craft idea. This came from a site called craftsbyamanda. I am planning on doing this with my third grade CCD class. I think it is a great way to let the kids show different things they are thankful for. I am also going to do this with my own family and when the kids feel the urge to add a hand we will do. Hopefully, we will look back in many years and not only admire how much their hands have grown but their hearts too. For complete instructions, check out this link: http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/10/childs-thanksgiving-tree-craft.html Have fun and I hope you cherish this craft for many years to come!!! Enjoy your Sunday y'all. For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Our Dog Murph...she is almost 10 years old and still acts like a puppy at times. She is so loved and adored by all of us. Murph has become an integral part of our family. She was around before our girls and I guess you could say she was our first baby. Yes, she is spoiled but how can you not. Look at that face!
Murph is a gentle, patient dog. She has endured ear pulling, tail pulling, and some much rough play from the three girls. Throughout it all she doesn't once flinch or snap at them. I believe she knows they are her family and she protects them with all her might. When one of us is feeling sad, do you know who is there putting her snout on the person's lap....yep Murph. She is the most loyal companion. She can sense when one of us needs some loving and she is right there to provide it. How can you go wrong with a dog like her? As you can tell, we absolutely love our Murph dog. I hope that each of you has a pet that you are thankful for. There are days I wish Murph and I could be alone....she doesn't sass, she doesn't argue. She just looks at you with those puppy dog eyes that say, "I love you no matter what." Well, okay every once in a while there is a barking fit...but we love you Murph! I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth Hey folks...it's been a while and I have been busy writing just not my blog...it was neglected for a bit and I apologize. Life gets really busy at times. To keep myself on track I have decided to do something for the month of November. Each day I will write about the topic "Thankfulness." I am going to try and get creative as the month goes along so not to bore y'all with a list of things I am thankful for. We can all make a list like that and yes for a million different reasons we probably should.
To begin... Tonight I am feeling very thankful for a date night. It is so easy to get caught up in the girls' activities and school happenings that before I know it my schedule is completely booked. Then I find myself beyond exhausted. Unfortunately, sometimes "couple time" gets put on the back burner. Why do we allow this? If it wasn't for "us" there would be no girls. I need to remind myself of this more often. I love my husband and I don't want to put him or us to the side anymore. It's easy to make excuses for not having date night- no sitter, costs too much money etc. Not anymore...there is always something that can be done, even if it means having an at home date night (after the kids are in bed of course). So, I am off to get ready for my date and yes I am super excited!!! I'm going to leave the loud voices and sibling rivalry to my much trusted baby sitter! Have fun y'all.... “Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.”~ Fawn Weaver |
ABOUT ME:Hi I'm Jen, married to my best friend for 17 years and a Mom to 3 beautiful, energetic daughters. My blog is about navigating life as a wife, Mom and friend. It's learning to live with and give out grace...And of course Girls Raised In The South (GRITS). Thanks for spending some time in my small part of the world! I hope you find a story that resonates with you and you'll want to come back! Follow us by:
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