Free

I've been suffering from writer's block lately where I sit down to write a post and the words don't come. Imagine that...me with no words. I'll think of bunches of things going on around here, but in my mind it looks like one of those AFV video montages. August was pretty typical for us, soccer and cheerleading have started for the girls, #1 and I attended a woman's conference hosted by our church and I've thrown myself full swing into PTO to make up for June and July when the words "PTO" caused me to cringe and gnash my teeth. But, it's all good now. Melissa just needed a break. And, a change of perspective. Perhaps, one might even say an attitude adjustment.

Something has happened to me over the summer. After a lifetime of worrying about everything I've ever said or done and everything I might say or do, I feel as if God has brought me to a place of freedom to be me. No apologies necessary. I like to act. I like to make people laugh. I am loud and I talk a lot. I like to cook. I like to read and write. I like to take charge. I like to sing and dance. I like to try new things. I love my family. I love Jesus.

God specifically made each one of us...so many details it makes my head spin. We need to stop apologizing for the way He wired us. And, we need to stop finding fault in the way He made the other people around us, too! Negativity is like a breeding ground and it is easy to get caught up in. We can easily find ourselves complaining about even the littlest things if we take our eyes off of Him. That is the "norm" in the society in which we live and I've been caught up in it many times.

The good news is that Christ came to renew our minds, to revolutionize the way we think which will effect what we DO and what we SAY. I would like to know what gifts and abilities people hide for the sake of appearing humble. They never admit to the things in life they are passionate about for fear of being judged by others. Are you one of those people? If so, stand up and be proud of who God created you to be and GO FOR IT!

Happy Tenth, #2!

Oh my word, it's been so long since oH mY wORD has had a new post! That's because (brace yourselves for the shock) I have been super busy! This weekend we celebrated #2's tenth birthday. I love that kid! Since this was a real milestone birthday we had a big party at the Kidmazium in Palmyra with 20 or so of her closest friends. I highly, strongly recommend having a party there. We brought all of our things in and were prepared to take it all up to our "party room" when they stopped us at the front desk and instructed us to just leave it there and they would take it to the party room and set it all up. I was like "whoa, nice". They were so helpful and they played games with the kids. When it was all over they cleaned everything up and brought all the gifts and leftover supplies/food down to the lobby for us. All with a smile and I was like "whoa, sweet". Well worth the money and the kids had a blast. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy. I fear I have grown too old to come up with the elaborate at home parties that we had when they were younger....in fact, I have started wondering what it will feel like to be a grandmother one day and the thought isn't nearly as horrifying as it was 5 years ago.

Okay, that was a strange sounding confession.....I'm not advocating any of my children getting married and making me a grandmother anytime soon. I guess I'm getting older, they are getting older and my elaborate castle cakes and princess costume birthday party days may be coming to an end which can only mean one thing. What that "thing" is yet, I haven't figured out. I know, deep stuff. What can I say? 22 kids screaming in a Kidmazium has turned my brain to mush tonight.

Happy Birthday, my dear sweet #2. Amazing child, really. Nothing ordinary about her. People comment so much on her beauty, yet it isn't until you know her that you realize how beautiful she really is. I often wonder if she will be a judge, a pastor, or head of the Red Cross. Her heart knows no limit of compassion (she gets upset when they show videos of people getting hurt on AFV). She is bright and her love language is affection, which is a true test to me because mine is not. When she wedges herself between me and the cart when I am trying to fly through the grocery store in less than five minutes, I have to be very careful not to hurt her feelings by pushing her out of the way! I call her my tree monkey because she will jump on me and wrap her legs around me and want me to just carry her around like that. all. day. I love her beyond words!