Small Successes and Thankful Thursday - "2010" Edition

Welcome to 2010!!!!!!

I've been a little behind on sleep lately, so I won't get all wordy - but this week has been filled with a lot of successes. I feel really blessed because they have been a boost!

1. I remembered to celebrate Epiphany in a deeper way with my girls (well, really Lovely). Funny thing was, I did it a day early (I wanted to do it on the 6th, and assumed Tues was the 6th hehe!). But we had fun!! I made a Crown like bread (Lovely called it cake lol) out of cinnamon rolls, and served yellow/gold colored fruit and eggs with it for the theme. Lovely was really excited. The Magi dropped by and left some stocking stuffer like gifts (I have a different idea for next year...thanks to Erin). It was a great breakfast....then I laughed when I realized it was not the 6th. HEHEH! Still, a fun morning, and meaningful morning, is a SUCCESS! See pics:



2. I've kept my house, yes HOUSE, in order! Yes, the kid toys and laundry folding can clutter when it is out, but the whole donation and purging has gotten me back on track. Despite being really tired and a little sick, I've done FlyLady this week (we're in the Kitchen) and it so nice! I can quickly pick up before someone comes by. It's not perfect, and I've got more to do, but what we have feels GREAT!

3. I have been cooking better this week AND worked out with my friend and neighbor S! It felt really good to do something fun and social and challenging. With feeling tired and sick a lot, I've slacked off in working out, and pregnant or not...I need to be healthy! It feels GREAT!! Thanks girly!

PRAYING for Sarah Reinhard and family!!!

Thankful Thursday
This week I am thankful for...

1. my husband - he's been so supportive to me this week, and a great listener!
2. My girls - so funny, cute, faith-filled, etc...
3. my friends!
4. prayer - I've had lots of bad news or heard of heartache and prayer is an amazing thing!
5. for a fresh start of 2010!!

This list is far too short...but I'm full of gratitude. Much love!!!

I'm here - tired. But not out.

It's been an interesting two days since I blogged!

First off. Happy Epiphany! We celebrated (due to a case of pregnancy brain lol) yesterday, a day early, with an Epiphany breakfast celebration. We made a crown bread "cake" and served it with fruit and eggs (both the colors of gold lol - Lovely LOVED it!!) and the Magi came by our house and left some little somethings. Next year, I totally want to do the idea (an idea I read at Erin's blog) where children receive three small gifts on Epiphany - a "gold" gift (something handmade - this is something I need to keep me crafty!!!), a "frankincense" gift (something faith filled), and a "myrrh" gift (something for the body - like shampoo or body wash or bubbly fun). I did not know about these ideas, and so we went a little more cutesy stocking stuffer-ish, but Lovely was really into the real story and how it was 3 small things like Jesus got 3 meaningful things.

I have pics to share, but I'm so tired I'll upload them tomorrow. We had fun, even at 6am!

But, right now - I'm ready to crawl into bed. It's been a rough two days. In the people I know around me, or have come to appreciate - one lost her young brother in law (father of two girls) this past weekend. Then, on the day they were supposed to leave for the funeral, her 5 year old daughter suffered a (believed) seizure. She had to see a pair of EMT's work on her little girl. I can't imagine how that feels. In my neighborhood area (not people we knew - but we know their friends) our local area was touched by a terrible tragedy. Leaving the details out - somehow a family that seemed so in sync and full of life and faith somehow headed down an unimaginable path. The end result is 2 small children are now without their mother, a close knit community in mourning and shock, and trying to come together in hope and faith.

In both cases, people ARE turning to faith. That is such a hopeful action. Events like this week are not how WE planned a 2010 start, and being an emotional pregnant woman - these events swirl in my mind and heart. I ache for Sarah R and her family, and I ache for the children forever touched by this tragedy and the friends we know in shock and anguish. What I cling to, and they as well, is that God is here. He is holding each person up. Sarah R especially is clinging to Mary and her role as Mother and I know that gives great comfort. They suffer what we suffer. I know people will ask "Where is God in this - why did he let this happen?". Well, for one thing - we are fallible in body and hearts. Our bodies age, decay, mutate, even fail on us. We also have FREE will to make decisions that forever change what God has planned for us. In all the pain this fallibility causes, God is with us. Jesus, Mary, angels....we are loved, treasured, and delighted in. We are held close and never alone. We know something better is to come, but when people are young it's hard to be ready to celebrate what is truly next and greater - or how they were sent Home.

So I pray for them. I pray also for my friends who have sick kids, are sick themselves, are stressed, and more. There is a lot of that going around so far this early in January. The strength they show back is amazing....unimaginable. A great witness.

But I write this so tired. Tired from mommy-ing all hours of the night (pity party!), sick myself off and on for weeks (pity party!) , and some personal issues going on and I feel so tired (I know...wah wah!!). The events weigh on me more than the faith part. I still can't believe the events going on. I need to try and embrace the strength over what happened instead of the weight of what happened. Easier said than done....but I will end this saying I do believe in all I wrote - and I know I'm right (hehe, hear that - I'm RIGHT!) even if I can't be the loudest cheerleader tonight. Gotta love these pregnancy hormones!

So - hopefully some sleep and some meditation can help bring the balance and light I long for myself and those REALLY affected. They are truly warriors!

Much love - and I'm here for you always. Better yet...Someone has always been.

A cute "Valiant-ism" today....

Just a quick life capture:

Today as we were hanging out as a family, little Valiant scooted over to her books, picked up Goodnight Moon, and scooted over to Hubby saying her version of "Thank You!". She pulled up on his pants, attempted to hand him the book, making it quite clear she wanted to be picked up and HIM read to her THAT book.

It was so adorable.

She also liked kissing the bears, and the kittens, and the mittens, and the bowl of mush...LOL!

She also started getting into our family photos and loves to point and answer our questions "Where is ____" Which on is __". So precious.

Life goes by fast...trying to capture these precious moments is hard! But I'm trying. But I'm so very blessed by my precious children!

Looking back at 2009 - Looking ahead to 2010

I love this time of year....New Year's Eve. It isn't about the annual party we throw which thrills us with a house full of loved ones (kids too!) to ring in a new year - though that is awesome. It's usually all the reflecting I hear and read about that makes me want to also strive in goal making for the fresh new year. It also makes me reflect back to see if I met any of the goals/resolutions I made the previous Eve.

I used to just make resolutions - but I found I broke them. I used to do this college. Now I "resolve" to make goals...and for some reason - this helps!

In early 2009, I started blogging in a way to help me have a place to focus on the 2009 goals I made. I'll copy and paste a few things here from those early entries and goal making:

1st- about me...
Wanna join me for the journey? Well than, welcome to your (hopefully) daily dose of a Rose-y (hehe) Outlook on Life. The name fits, for many reasons, the obvious and not so obvious. It fits our family unit, as well as my view on the world. I'm an optimist, spiritual "God's got me even if I struggle with letting go" happy go lucky, life is good and what you make of it, sunshiny gal. Life IS good, and I'd rather look at things happily, and have an er, ahem...rosy outlook on the life I've been given. Even though the flip side of me is a worrier, and I struggle at embracing a pure confidence in many things, I still prefer at the end of the day to embrace the good, because life is too short. I'm reminded every day. We need to find the joy - work at it if we have to. And, I have to use my brain, heart, and soul to do this - with a lot of help and faith.

So - there was my intro on me. When 2008 was passing away, and it was the Eve of 2009 - I made a goal. I wanted to work on that more worrisome side of me. I wanted to try to become a stronger, more confidant person. The person I felt 95% of the time. The person who was infused with faith and PEACE and optimism after a day with family, time with God, uplifting Mass, fun with friends, or even with a cross that I bear KNOWING God carried me, or waking up and knowing I was taken care of; that worrying was pointless because it lead to fear and doubt, and that isn't what life is about. Life is about living without taking things for granted and how precious our gifts are, because life is short!

People who know me know I'm an optimist, happy, and God trusting. I've been tested many times and I know God is there for me. I actually feel Him most during those "drop to my knees" times and I'm so grateful for those times. Yet...one thing I wanted to work on in 2009 was dealing with the "smaller crosses" of life and letting go of my fears and letting God make me the confidant woman He wants me to be! How is it I do so well with big crosses (illness, job loss, strife) but the daily little ones sink me? I was hurt a ton in my past, and currently deal with some harsh but caring extended family members. The result is I battle insecurities daily - even when I know God can just take those from me if I let Him. I felt in 2008 (and maybe because in 2008 I was pregnant or nursing - thus more emotional, hormonal, post partum, and tired) I was giving in to my worries on a daily basis. I questioned what I said to people, did, thought, or what others did or said towards me. I worried about my family, I let negative family comments get to me and affect how I felt about myself and parenting. I felt all I vented to trusted friends was just "me me me me me" (I still battle that - friends reading this...I love you and thank you for being that listening ear - I'm going to keep working on it for 2010!). I wanted to let that go in my life and be open to the GOOD. Be whole!

So, New Year's Eve, before 2009, I resolved these goals:

1. Work more on letting go, letting God with my daily worries, small crosses, and insecurities.
2. Embracing each day.
3. Focus on quality time with my girls and husband.
4. Becoming more prayerful and doing more "quiet time" and reflective reading.

I know journaling helps people stay focused on their goals, as well as create an outlet for their feelings so they can process, release, and find a way to move forward. I decided to blog in Feb of this year to help me find that focus, and feel like I had a place to vent that wasn't always a friend whose valuable time I was using up LOL! Also, blogging was great for me because I could post the POSITIVES in my life - pictures, family events, my kids, etc and know that during my day I DID do something good for my family. My anxiety would make me think I had wasted the day, or didn't spend time with my girls or husband. Blogging these great moments and seeing them add up helped me see I was living out my calling. I think most bloggers do that. It's why sometimes we as readers think a blogger's life is perfect - and it is not....they are just capturing the good moments and memories. They struggle with all the stresses we do - they just try and remember the good times. So blogging helped me greatly with those goals of seeing my life more clearly and blessed. A true gift where each day is precious and short.

When I look over the blog, I see where I quoted from my readings, or from other inspirational places, the bible, friends, family, or famous quotes and they have helped me so much. I see the pictures of our family moments, or Daybooks capturing my little moments, or venting entries that gave me emotional release. I've felt I've stayed accountable to that 2009 goal list. Sure, I've fallen a few times, but I have made it a constant focus of improvement.

When I talk to my husband and friends (well, BEFORE getting pregnant with #3) I ask them if I seem better, talking less about my worries etc. Did they see me as a little more peaceful than in 2008? Most reactions seemed positive - though I was warned to not expect to CHANGE myself - God made me who I am - the parts that make me a worrier or a prey to anxiety also make me a great listener, empathic to others, accepting and loving of others - maybe even a challenge to others with my perspective. I just need to keep working on finding that balance. I really think I was/am doing better job at letting go. Now, getting pregnant (YAY!!) has brought back some of those hormones that mess with me, brought out some "great" (sarcasm) extended family comments lol, and some of those inner voices that make me worry about everything...but I feel stronger! I feel more empowered to take on those anxieties. I may freak a little, but if I reflect, pray, write, or call someone - I can release faster than I did before. I take that as a step in the right direction. I'm letting Go, Letting God a little more every day.

One New Year's reflection I got a lot out of and made me write this post was Jennifer's entry. She lists 7 lessons from 2009. Most of them were really great for me. I'll do MY take on her list - paraphrasing her titles:

1. Taking Care of oneself physically helps everything else...I have found this year that working out more, or walking, has helped me deal with all those inner voices. When I am stronger in body, I find I can be more focused on my spirit. Endorphins or energy help one focus 'Above'. I lost about 23 pounds (before getting pregnant) that really renewed me. Mind, spirit, and body DO work together to help us hear God and feel Him. It's empowering!

2. Rethinking Gratitude...Jennifer is so right - if you lose the "If only's" and try to be grateful for what comes your way (or a HIDDEN blessing from a hard road or cross) it is easier to be happy. I also try to adopt a "Why NOT me" attitude when things (good OR bad) happen instead "why me?." It really helps the spirit!

3. Trusting God does make things work out! HAHA - That is TOTALLY what I've been working on this year, and when I can do it...it is SO true!

4. Avoiding snacks and toys in church....Well, lol...we do use those things in small quiet doses, so I can't really relate to what she wrote, aside from the fact we don't take in many toys, and when I had a baby shower for Lovely, someone told me to adopt the "shopping cart" mentality with church. "You NEVER want to let your kids out of the shopping cart or you'll never get them back in - same goes for the pew. Keep crawlers and walkers in your lap or the pew chairs because if they learn they can move around in the pews, then they'll really push your buttons in getting you to take them out, or distract others from welcoming your kids in church." It has worked for both my girls (who knows why!) and both are pretty calm church goers. If I have needed to stand up with a fussy little one - I usually don't have to go far, and I don't let them down. I just hold them, then come back and sit down. Our new pastor actually prefers us to STAY in the sanctuary. He doesn't like us being separated from Mass and welcomes the noises of children. How else will little ones learn if they can't be a part of the community (toys, snacks, books, and all). I LOVE that!!!!!!

5. Expecting others to fill you up....As a girl who battles this.....her #5 rule is SO true!!! Sometimes I look for affirmation from family members over and over and don't and get crushed. Only God is perfect and always there for you...so why do I stress? HAHA - easier for me to say than for me to do. I value others so much because of my past LOL! A new goal for 2010.....

6. "The root of stress is usually fear...." AMEN!!! That is a lesson I have figured out this year!!! I'm taking it with me to work on in 2010!

7. The Poop Fates...HAHA - this one was just too funny. And, a lesson I already learned. Poop, and anything else, can happen to you and the kids ANYTIME...hehehe! That REALLY goes for stomach bugs too! Never say never!

So thanks Jennifer for the reflection!!

Ok - so what am I resolving for 2010? Here are my goals (in no particular order):

1. To continue working on letting go, and trusting. If those anxieties take hold, I need to acknowledge them, then let them go somehow to God. That is true empowerment to me. I know I can do more growth here. Blogging, praying, and knowing who to talk to and challenge me helps as well.

2. Continue to put health on the list - cook better, eat better, exercise and encourage my family to do the same. 2009 was our best year yet for this - I know 2010 can rock this too!

3. Keep working on my prayer life, and praying with my Hubby and girls. It will help us all stay fresh and renewed.

4. THIS IS MY BIG ONE - last year, I worked on me dealing with the little crosses and letting go, letting God more. This year, I want also turn my focus of self improvement outward towards my spouse and family. I want to work on building up my family. So often I find myself treating others with more respect than my Hubby. I want to work on how I respond to my children's needs. I want to be secure in how they are being raised. I want to point out their talents as much as I point out their little friends' talents. I also want to make my extended family more of a priority with family time - even with the undercurrents of strive at times. Life is just TOO short. Sometimes the people we know love us unconditionally are the people we don't put 1st enough because they love us unconditionally. I want to improve that this coming year.

5. I want to continue making family traditions, discoveries, and values. 2009 has been such a blast exploring what worked for us and next year will be just as great, especially with a little newborn boy in the mix!

6. Looking to God to affirm me, not others. My love language is "words of affirmation" so this will be HARD to do (one of my hardest)....but I can't let those harsh comments get me down, or live for others. I need to blaze the trail I'm called to carve!

So there you have it....looking back to 2009, and looking ahead to 2010. I feel SO blessed! We never know how long we have, so today is all we can aim for...and I strive that each day we're given in 2010 will be a day I'm not taking for granted, and where I see all the rich blessings I've been given even in the small and big crosses which WILL come.

Much love and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Enjoy this fresh new start!!!

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday - "New Year's Edition"

I can't believe this is the last one of the year! WOW!!!

Happy Almost New Year! I almost forgot about the small successes today. I'm trying to work on a post/entry/reflection on the end of 2009 and the goals I had for it, and then looking forward to 2010 with new goals. I also do resolutions, but usually it works out better for me if I "resolve" to do goals. But, we've been so busy with small and big successes that that post might not get done! The kids are down for a nap (I should take one) so maybe I'll get it done before resting!

For now...here are some successes from the past week!

1. By far my biggest one - making it to 20 weeks with our baby.....(click HERE to see the big ultrasound reveal!!)

2. We've spent almost every day purging items from our house to either donate, or to just clean out our home (yesterday alone we had 6 boxes of clothes and items to donate!). It feels good to get so much done. The days off from school enable me to do this, and it feels really good. I've been wanting to do it for a while, but needed the time off AND the generosity of family with gifts, etc for the kids made it a need! So, now everything has a place. Lovely even picked out HERSELF...4 bags of childhood toys to give to needy children. I was SO proud of her. To me, that is another side of Christmas - for kids to really get what's important.

3. We had a FANTASTIC Christmas. We spent it with family at my sister's, and it was wonderful. It was nice to come back home and be a family and do Christmas traditions (we got our lights put up, etc) and really focused on the reason for the season. We're playing carols in the house, doing crafts....welcoming friends in town to spend time with us...it is great. I've been trying to make up for a more busy advent than I had planned, so this has been nice. Please click here, here, and here to see what we've been up to. It's been really fulfilling!

Our Family wishes yours a wonderful Christmas Season!!!!

Thankful Thursday
This week I am thankful for...

1. being able to look back over a year (2009) that has been safe, healthy, fruitful, and challenging for our family. We're really blessed!
2. My God - who gave us 2009, and each single day we have to live to the fullest!
3. For our baby Savior and all the fulfilled promises.
4. my husband - who is ever patient and loving to me and our family.
5. my precious daughters and son on the way - they are everyday miracles.
6. my family - even in the craziness of the roller coasters our lives take us, that there is glue holding us together.
7. my amazing friends....each a gift...each part of my family, I'm indebted.
8. being so rich in what matters - not my bank account :)
9. being grateful for our home, able-ness to be there for others, a loving church community, and helping God take care of our family.
10. for the opportunity to embrace 2010 and see where it leads us, God willing!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

By far, the BEST kid gift of Christmas morn? EDITED

(and yes, Baby Jesus is the BESTEST Gift....as Lovely would correct me lol)

But, by far, the best gift for a growing girl on Christmas morn? The below video captures it (and yes, for mommy, the other best gift has been Lovely's kid camera, because mine is dying and so I have use her's to capture all the pics I've posted this week LOL!).

The video has no sound - thanks to the camera being a kid camera, but it reminds me nostalgically of the silent home movies of my childhood. I like it!

I'm so glad this toy is making a comeback! Lovely has NOT STOPPED playing with it since the 25th. AWESOME!

Enjoy!





And not to leave Val out....here she is (if these videos are working...) with her favorite toy!

one way to celebrate Christmas for 12 days...

is to FINALLY get lights up on the exterior of one's house - even if it is just the windows! LOL!!!

Hopefully we can get out a lawn light display or 2 before New Years :) The outside just escaped us this year, even at Christmas Eve.

Hey - this is just another way to keep the 12 days fresh and special and exciting, right? :)