SO Proud!!

I am so proud right now. As a mom, my heart is full of joy that is spilling over as the tears well up in my eyes! My oldest child has a hard time with new situations. It is so hard for me sometimes to understand what she is feeling. I normally get frustrated and therefore have a very hard time understanding what she needs during these times.
When she had her first day of soccer practice, she cried and would NOT leave our sides for about 45 min. My husband and I had to tag team b/c we would both get so frustrated. After much discussion, she went out there and had a great time~ just like we knew she would. The rest of the soccer season was great! She played well and made new friends.
When she would go up in front of our homeschool co-op for her presentation, she would start and then freeze and run back to her seat. She did, at the end, go up with a friend to present her poem. Later she told me she really had fun doing that and was glad she did.
There are other instances that I know happened, but I can't recall right now. I am not at all this way, so it is hard for me to understand what is going on in her head. I want so badly to be able to give her what she needs, but I feel so frustrated b/c I just don't know what it is. I will not let her quit. I do that in as loving a way as possible. And, she is always thankful I don't let her quit. But, I don't know how to get rid of the drama that comes before the gratitude.
So, when she was on stage during her dance recital, my heart leapt with her! She loved it! She wasn't scared at all. She smiled and had fun. It was wonderful!
When she got her ears pierced, she confided that it was hard b/c she hadn't experienced this before and she was nervous, BUT she went ahead with it and was so thankful she did!
And finally, the most recent and the initial reason for this post... we went to an indoor water park. At the park, they had this constant wave ride that people could use a boogy board or a surf board on. You started at the top and with the water forcefully pushing upwards, you surfed along- IF you could stay on the board. I will admit, there were many a wipe out that were funny. My daughter really wanted to go on it, but she was scared b/c it was new. Once she finally decided to, she stood in line and watched as people busted- hard! Her two friends went before her and had great rides. It was her turn and she didn't get a good send off and was swept up with the forceful waves. She got off and ran to me and I told her how very proud I was of her that she tried. But, it didn't stop there. She, on her own, wanted to try again! That was so HUGE! She tried and did it two more times perfectly! She had a blast!
I can't express to you how proud I was ~ am ~ of her! But, it is not just me being proud... she was proud of herself for doing it and not giving up. That is the best thing she could received!

My first born son

"Mommy, can we have alone time?" This question is frequently asked by my 1st born. Her love language is absolutely time. My 2nd born's love language is hands down touch. Sometimes I have to watch not squashing that b/c he is constantly touching me & every once in a while I need space. But this day, he asked for time! It was so wonderful needing that from him. I immediately called my husband in and told him that my son and I were going for a walk. I gave him a scoop of ice cream on a cone, and off we went. We only walked less than a mile, but I cherished every minute. He showed me different discoveries he made, we counted rocks, and I did my best to remember every moment b/c I know, as most people with older kids tell me, they grow up too fast. I know it is kind of silly, but I also thought about all of those books on boys I have read ~ what not to take personally b/c they are boys and how to see the excitement and adventure in their eyes.
I love having a son! Don't get me wrong, I adore my daughters! But, there's something about my son. I think b/c when I taught school I noticed the relationships some of my boy students had w/ their moms and I always wanted that. I am so glad that his love language is touch. When I am reading a story to all the kids he has to be leaning right on me, or when we watch TV some part of him has to be touching me, or when we walk he will hold my hand, or when I snuggle with him at night he will trace my face with his fingers. On a daily basis, I pray that this will always be the case. I pray that we will, as with all of my children, always have a special bond. I pray about the man he will become and the wife he will have and the children they will have. I think about all of things he can do for the Lord and how his life will affect many. I am absolutely loving this journey that we are on together and I thank God everyday for the gift of my son!

The Living Word

Man, as I go through other people's blogs, I am amazed at how the scriptures that they have posted are jumping off the pages at me. These Words are ALIVE! He is ALIVE! I am feeling so strengthened and renewed right now by the precious, living Word of my Lord!

Not Alone

God has totally blessed me with amazing friends. When I moved 750 miles away from my home to be with my husband, I really knew no one. God immediately brought friends into my life, friends that I still have after 10 yrs. of living here in a place I now call home. The thing that is amazing right now is the connection I feel with other bloggers out there~ people I have never met in person but feel completely connected to just through their words and pictures. My girlfriend, Joy, told me about blogging and I never really thought about it. But, now I see that it is not just a bunch of people talking about their lives and ongoings, it is a family out there, a support to know that other people are going through the same things. I am not sure how much time I will be able to spend blogging and how many people will even read my blogs, but I am so thankful to be encouraged by so many wonderful people that I would never have met if it were not for this new adventure in my life.

Eight Random Facts Meme

A. Each player lists eight facts/habits about themselves
B. The rules are posted at the beginning of the game before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Thanks Joy! Now I, like you, have to figure out if I have 8 facts about myself. I have been thinking about it throughout the day. HMMMMMM. These won't be in any order of importance.

1. I had all four of my children at home with a midwife. They were each amazing experiences! My first delievery was the longest... 6 hrs. It went really well- not that it wasn't painful. My second delivery lasted all of 1 hr. and 13 min. My midwife didn't make it and we ended up delivering the baby all on our own. That was totally my favorite experience. My third delivery was only 1 hr. That was really great! The midwife knew enough this time to leave the moment I called her with my first contraction. My last delievery was slightly longer. He was postierier (SP) so even though the labor didn't last long, I had to push for 50 min. and my butt still isn't the same! But I loved having them all at home. It was AWESOME!
2. I ran track in highschool. The 440, 880, mile, mile relay, high jump, and various other relays. I was even 2nd in County in the 880. I was beat out right at the end- ugh. But, I got to stand on the podium and that was great!
3. I have met some famous people well, kindof. The first is Roy Orbison Jr. He took me out to eat my first thai food. Then he took my sis and I out to walk around Hollywood. We even spent Christmas w/ him and his family. His dad, who sang Pretty Woman, had already passed away. His Grammy was on the mantle. And, Paul McCartney was supposed to stop by to say hello, but he didn't. Herman Moore, a football player, goes to my church. I talk w/ his wife more than I do him, but he is really nice when I do. I almost touched the hand of Donnie Whalberg at a New Kids concert when we rushed the stage!
4. I love to read! I wish I had more time. I totally treasure the time I have to go to the bathroom either #1 or #2 b/c I will bring my book in there and sneak away for a little while. The bad part is that I have to finish the book and FAST! I read huge books in only a couple of days b/c I have to know what happens. Therefore, I don't read as often as I would like b/c house work doesn't get done & kids don't get played w/ as much, b/c I am always in the bathroom! :) That leads me to #5...
5. I normally read the last page or so of a book before I begin or some time while I am reading it. I know, I know, but I just have to see some persons name in the back pages to at least know that that person did survive.
6. If I could have a camera attached to my head I would. I love taking pictures. I bring my camera most places b/c I want to capture those moments. I think it would be really cool to be a person who goes to a party or event and stands in the corner to capture people unnoticed w/ real expressions. I also scrapbook my pictures. What a great hobby.
7. Hello, my name is Heather and I am a messy. There are two types of people- messies and cleanies. I am a messy striving to be a cleany while looking around as I am typing at my totally messy basement. I wouldn't say my husband is a cleany himself, but it's a huge need of his to have a clean house, so I better finish #8 and quickly.
8. I want to act. One day I hope to be in a movie or even on stage. I think a movie more. I took acting in college and I loved it. Not so much for the fame, but the joy in it and maybe even sharing the love of Jesus with those I worked with.

I am going to stop at 8 b/c I am supposed to, but now that I am on a roll, I enjoyed that and could think of more. I have no one to tag this to b/c I have only just begun blogging and don't know anyone else. Thanks Joy for tagging me. :)

Women and Public Restrooms

My sister just sent this to me via email. I laughed so hard, b/c it is so true. It is sort of long, but totally funny! ENJOY!

PUBLIC RESTROOMS...THIS IS SOOOO FUNNY AND TRUE!!!!!! When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, ne arly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance." In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance." To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday -the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail. Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, Tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get." By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispense r for fear of being dragged in too. At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this." As you exit, you spot your hub by, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door! This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe so accurately.