Life ain't easy

Why does life have to be so hard sometimes? I mean really. I see so many people struggling to make ends meet, to overcome illness, to have or grow a family, and the list goes on. It's hard to see pain and suffering, especially when it's people you care about.

Then you see some people who have it all. Or maybe it just looks that way. Maybe they're fighting for something too. I think hardships are universal and everyone has their story. Some just aren't as forthcoming with it.

How do you handle these things? How do you keep your head up and keep trucking along? I know I use my faith as my way of getting through those times. "If God brings us to it, He will see us through it." Amen. All we can do is keep the faith. Pray and know that these things will come to pass.

It's difficult. It's hard to release that control, to let go and let God if you will. My best friend and I used to sing a song in church that echoed this sentiment. When I Let it Go by Sierra. Good song, even better message.

So yes, it's true that life ain't easy, but I truly do believe that God will never give us more than we can handle. I guess some of us are even stronger than we ever would have imagined. That strength will continue to see us all through the trying times and will bring us out even better in the end. I have faith in that.

Boss lady

I like to make plans.
I like things done my way.

I like to be the boss.

I've known this for a long time. It has been my personality since I was a little kid. I used to start clubs left and right, hold meetings, set up businesses, and basically set the itinerary for all the kids in the neighborhood. They all knew what they were getting into, but that's the way they liked it. And I will say this for myself, we definitely didn't have a single moment of boredom in our childhood.

Fast forward to today and you'll see that I'm still that way to an extent. If I want something done then I'm the one who makes the plans. This doesn't always hold the appeal it used to. Sometimes I find that I'd like to be the one that sits back and says, ok that sounds like a good plan. I'm in, you set everything up. That would be pretty sweet.

Or so I think. Would I really be able to turn over control? Could I hand over my plan making, manager style ways and let someone else step up? I've tried before, but found that things don't get done. If I'm not bossing(in the nicest way possible lol) then it's not happening.

Maybe that's the way it will always be. Furthermore maybe that's the way I want it to be. It's who I am and at thirty that's not likely to change. Really this skill set if you will has gotten even sharper with having four children to guide through life so it only makes sense to continue on this path, right?

Guess Springsteen isn't the only Boss.

Mob Mentality

Hide your children! Light some torches and storm the castle!

It amazes me how people can be swept up into a frenzy so easily. They start siding with one another and soon you have a mob of angry, confused people feeding off of each other's emotions. Scary. A little matter becomes a big matter and people are ready to throw down. This is the time when people should reevaluate the situation before reacting, but by this point they're too swept up for that. The mob strikes out and doesn't stop to think about the person(people) they may be hurting.

I witnessed something like this recently. It all started out simple enough, but the next thing you know names were being called, angry messages sent, and the recipient crying for days. That person never intended any harm and it breaks my heart to think of everyone lashing out over something so silly. Where's the compassion, people?

Sigh.

It's Friday though and I'm in a good mood so let's move on, because I can't hate on a mob in general..and I won't comment on certain familia mobs. ;) Instead I'll say that Flash mobs are pretty nifty. That's a mob I could get into. Hundreds of people simultaneously breaking into song or dance in the middle of an otherwise boring day? Winning!

...and I'll leave you with my favorite flash mob video


:)

Playing catch up

Here I go again. I can't seem to get in a good blogging groove, but I'm sure going to try.

Can't believe it's already April. 2011 is proving to be as quick of a year as the last. March was a wonderful month for us. Ella turned three,had a great party, and we took our first real family vacation...and what a vacation that was! I only wish we could have stayed another week. It was truly a blast and the girls were on cloud 9 most of the time. Dining with princesses, riding in tea cups, and watching fireworks every night. A girl can get used to that kind of life! Even more exciting, we're already making plans to go back. :)

This month is my nephew's birthday, my birthday, Michael's and my dating anniversary, and Easter. It's sure to be a happy and full month. I wish you all a happy month as well!

Making a list and checking it twice

We're going on VACATION!!! Large font and all caps are awesome, but don't quite convey this kind of excitement. I can do better.

Now imagine the same sentence, shouted as only Oprah can do, arms thrown in the air. Maybe a fist pump(not of the Jersey Shore variety, but a classy Mrs. Winfrey one) thrown in. I also love the visual of Oprah pointing in turn at Michael, each one of the girls, and I.."and you're getting a vacation, and you, and you!"

Yes! That's close to the excitement in my household at the moment. We're finally taking our first family vacation. :) Long overdue and I'm so ready! With the excitement comes the anxiety. The packing alone is daunting. I've got lists coming out the wazoo at this point. Those lists keep getting revised and rewritten. Can you tell I like to be in control of the situation? Someone's gotta keep a handle on things like making sure everyone has enough socks, sunscreen, snacks. That someone is yours truly. Also on the lists are my worries. Worries of time management, traffic, our two dogs who will be boarded for the first time in their canine lives...and the list goes on. Worry is useless, but my mind won't hear that. I'll be glad when we're buckled in the van and headed on our merry way. The worrying won't stop, but by that point it will be too late to worry about what I did and didn't pack lol! And if all else fails, there are only about 3,000 Walmarts on the way to pick up whatever didn't make it into our luggage. ;)

One thing I know for sure, list or no list, is that we're going to be in for one of the most exciting weeks of our lives!

Happy Birthday, Ella!!!

On March 11th, 2008 our baby Ella Sophia came into this world at 11:55am via c-section. She weighed 8lbs, 15.4 ozs and was 21 inches of pure sweetness. We were so ecstatic to welcome her into our fold and were counting our blessings as our family grew from five to six in number.

There are so many special moments that stand out vivid in my mind from that day. Michael and my mom in their matching surgical gear ready to team up for another installment of Here comes baby. Hearing Ella cry as she took her first breath and the tears that instantly flowed from me. The nurse bringing in a picture they'd photocopied in the nursery so I could gaze at her as they let me recover in the O.R. (this was to get me to my room/baby faster). Ella being ready to nurse right away and latching on like a little pro. Kissing her head full of dark hair and marveling at how tiny her feet were. Introducing her to her big sisters who all shyly came forward to initiate their baby sister into their pack. How precious they looked in their matching pink big sister shirts and witnessing their love for Ella at first sight. Michael proudly holding his fourth baby daughter in his arms and the look of love on his face. Seeing my parents beam with pride over their 8th grandchild. The happiness that was in the air. The pain as meds wore off. The knowledge that it would soon fade. The love that surrounded me. Such an amazing day! Has it really been three years?

Enjoy every moment of being three. I love you more than these words alone could ever express! Happy Birthday, Monkey!!!

This time next week

In one week my baby girl will be three. 3?!!? Yep, three whole years...or to break it on down 1,095 days/156 weeks/36 months old. Do you hear that? Oh it's just the sound of my heart breaking. Not to mention that all my experiments to bend space and time have been a bust. For now I'll have to accept that my kids are going to keep on growing.


OK ok so that's not really such a bad thing. Infact watching your own children learn and grow is pretty awesome. There's nothing better than the look on a child's face after they've accomplished something new. I'm terribly proud of the sweet and smart little girl Ella has become. She's excited about her birthday this year which makes it more exciting for all of us. All she's been talking about for weeks is the pink Dora cake Meme is making her. :)

Sigh. There's no holding them back and that's how it should be. While I may not be able to keep them babies forever I'll always have plenty of photos, videos, and best of all memories.