joy along the way

When I was a kid, we would go on road trips. Some were long (from California to Montana), while others were short (from home to Mt. Hermon or to Sunset Beach - a couple hours). It didn't matter how long or short, I couldn't wait to get to the destination. The trip itself was boring. We didn't have electronics to keep us busy. We had to look out the windows. Or play the alphabet game. Or find license plates of all 50 states (stupid Hawaii). 

As I became a grown up, I realized that there was enjoyment in the road trip itself. I now pack the car with all kinds of junk food, load up on caffeine, play DJ with the radio stations, and look out the windows. Sometimes we make pit stops along the way in interesting little cities or at fruit stands or unique restaurants. The journey has now become part of the vacation.

And such is life.

Sometimes we get so caught up in where we are trying to get to or to attain our next goal, that we forget to see the beauty along the way. We focus so much on the end result that we get impatient and forget to enjoy the process of getting there.

Here's a small scale example: some days when I homeschool, I can't wait to get everything checked off the to-do school list. I'm pushing the kids to keep working, to quit messing around, and to get it done. But if I slow down a bit, I am exposed to the incredibly humorous things that come out of my 6 year old son's mouth. He is a crack up! And I cannot express the happiness I feel when I hear my daughter sit at the piano and practice her lesson...without complaining!! People, anything done without complaining around here is a huge deal! As my two kids play together, I hear them giggle and use their imaginations together - I'm watching them build a close relationship as brother and sister. Priceless! I don't want to miss those things simply because I want to be done with school.

And then there's the long term example: overhauling a house. We have lived in this house for a couple of years now. I look around and see all that needs to be done around here. Our last house had numerous upgrades done to it: we lived there for 9 years! Moving in here was like starting from scratch. But we have done improvements and I try to enjoy them now that we have them. It's so easy to look at what I don't have instead of seeing all that I have been given.

The hardest part about finding joy in the journey is that you have to look for it. But the best part is finding it because then the journey is so much more enjoyable. 

KC

good support

About once a week I have the opportunity to spend some time with my dear gals. My husband will graciously hold down the fort while I go to a friend's house and giggle the night away, as ladies left alone often do. Or I might head to a late (I mean late) movie with a group of gals who have no problem being the loudest ones in the theater. (If you've ever been in the theater with us, I apologize...sorta). 

But these women, amazing women, are the people that I would do anything I possibly could for. Sometimes my life gets crazy, and they all understand that. But if I'm available, I'm there for whatever they need.

And you know what the best part is? They are right there for me too! If I need somebody to watch my kids for a couple hours, or come be a part of an event I am hosting, or to be there for me to vent to - they are there. I'm sure they don't always want to, but that's what being a true friend us about: sometimes you do the stuff you don't feel like doing.

My mom always said: to have a friend you have to be a good friend. (If you even wonder where most of my wisdom comes from, now you know: amazing parents). It's so much easier to develop a friendship with someone when you show a personal interest in them, as well as what they do or are involved in. Even something as simple as "liking" their status on Facebook (let me just tell you: I check out who likes my stuff on Facebook all the time!) 

It's easy to be a flake, to be someone who says they will come and support, but never shows up. But to be that friend who comes to back you when no one else does, that is a valuable friend to have. 

It took me a while to figure this out, but essentially, being a good friend meant "showing up." 

Thanks to all my friends who constantly "show up" for me. You mean the world to me.

KC

hug your mom

Today was my daughter's birthday. We celebrated with our family, all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. We had lunch, cake and ice cream, presents, and swimming. I love having my family over. I love hosting at my house. And I love the little girl who I did all this work for today. 

But that little girl only told me "thank you" one time today. And it was after she opened her gift from us and only after I reminded her to thank us! 

Now, I'm not saying this to put my kiddo down. There are plenty of times when she shows me gratefulness. And I understand the excitement of getting caught up in a day that's all about you. And she exercises good manners on a pretty regular basis outside the home...

But this exhausted mom could have used a gigantic hug at the end of the day from the birthday girl.

I don't know about the rest of you parents, but as a mom I have never given so much of myself to anything as much as I have to my children. I have sacrificed my desires, my time, and my sleep for them. I have cried countless tears of sadness, worry, and frustration. I have pushed myself past my limits and out of my comfort zone numerous times for them. 

But that's what moms do. It's a wonderful sucky job. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

If your mom is still around, maybe it's time to give her a call or take her out to buy her a cup of coffee. Tell her thank you for giving of herself for you. 

And give her a great big hug.

(Love you, Mom!)

KC

 

blessings

I have been blessed. I was raised in a Christian family, surrounded by Christian friends. God has placed Christian people in my life as I have "grown up" (sorta) to stand with me in tough times, to give me godly advice when I've needed it, and to build me up. I am blessed.

Looking back, there have been a number of people who have come and gone in my life. Some who have gone, they were meant to go. They were around me for their own selfish gain or to teach me a lesson and then move on.  Sometimes they've meandered out of my life in their own way. Other times God had to show me to back up and distance myself. When people are toxic, sometimes you have to make the choice to remove the toxins. (My Momma always told me: bad company corrupts good morals). 

And then there are those who have come and stayed. Those are my favorite. Whether I talk to a person every day or once a month, there are some who have found a place in my heart and stay there, no matter how far away they might be, no matter how often I talk to them. And I have chosen those people to reside in my heart. They are my blessings from God.

So when a blessing walks into your life, don't let them go. Take them, grab them, and tuck them into your heart. And take care of them, because those people, they are the ones who will help you survive in this world when you feel like you can't do it on your own. 

KC

little by little

One of my dear sister-in-laws reminded me of a very important perspective the other day.

So often in life, we look at where we are and where we want to be and they seem so far away from each other.

A thousand projects that need to be done around the house.

Getting the kids' chore list complete and having them follow through on it regularly. (Ha!)

Working to get my body in better shape.

Transforming the food choices in our house to be completely healthy.

Staying on top of the housework. That laundry pile never seems to get smaller.

And sometimes looking at where you are trying to get to, while you are standing where you are, you almost feel like giving up before you've even started. It feels impossible. Whatever you might do will barely make a dent in it all. Why even get started?

But my sister-in-law reminded me that it's okay to take small steps to get where you are going. It's something I've always said in CrossFit training: something is always better than nothing. Any kind of movement is always better than sitting on the couch. 

And it translates into other areas of life as well. Anything you do to reach your goal is better than not doing anything at all. Eventually, all your little steps will add up and instead of looking forward to where you still have to go, you'll be able to look back and see just how far you've already come.

KC

because they're still little

For those of you who aren't yet aware: I'm homeschooling our two kiddos. We are entering our 3rd week and despite the complaining and grumbling and whining (and a little of that from the kids too), I am completely at peace with this decision.

My husband and I prayed about this decision for about 7 months before we finally decided to jump back into the home school world. I went from "absolutely not!" to  " things would really have to fall into place..." to "we are definitely going to home school!" 

That God of ours: when He wants something to happen, He makes it happen.

Little by little, God confirmed the idea that He had planted in our minds. I could probably name at least 64 reasons why we are home schooling. But if I had to come up with the most prominent and important reason, the reason that I kept coming back to time and time again, it would be this one: my children are little for such a short time and this time right now is the most valuable time for me to pour Jesus Christ into them.

You see, someday my kids are going to think they are smarter than me (my 8 year old daughter already does!) and then they will completely stop listening to me. But right now, while they are still pliable and mold-able, I have the opportunity to teach them about Jesus and how important He should be in their lives.

Last year, I taught piano lessons in the afternoon. My kids would come home from school and I would be working, at home - which was wonderful - but still not able to spend very much quality time with my children. I don't want to look back and regret that I didn't spend more time with them while they were still living in my home...and I was already feeling that way last year!

I came across this video on youtube of an artist that I had the privilege of meeting this past year. He sings in a well known Southern Gospel group but also does solo work. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear this yet, it'll get you right in the heart. Click here to see the video. (This song was nominated for a Dove Award this year for Country Song of the Year. Devin and his buddy, Doug will also be performing here in Ripon on September 15, 7:00 at Immanuel Church - shameless plug!)

Here's the thing, though. Not everyone is called to home school. I believe that with my whole heart. Many people have told me that they couldn't do it. And that's okay because God calls each person according to His purpose.  But that's where God pointed us, so that's where we went.

So, when then grumbling, complaining, and whining start to happen, I'll just tell myself to shape up because I'm doing what God wants me to do!

KC

knock knock banana

What a ridiculous title for a blog post! But it is what it is. It'll explain itself later...eventually.

My daughter can't get out of her own way. Sometimes she starts in on something and blows it way out of proportion till it's absolutely ridiculous. She will be beside herself with anger over something as simple as: me telling her "no" to a piece of gum before dinner. Anyone else live in this ridiculous parenting world? Or am I alone here, pulling my hair out strand by strand...

With this child of mine, I have realized that I cannot deal with her situation until she can garner an ounce of logic back in to her brain. Typically during an episode (she's too old for them to be called tantrums, so we call them episodes... but they're really tantrums) all she can see is what she wants and isn't getting, while logic leaks out the back door. Sometimes we manage this by using the "squirrel technique." If any of you parents have ever seen the movie Up, you know what I'm talking about: distraction. 

Tonight's method of distraction: my awesome sense of humor. As I sat in her room, listening to her moan, I started telling her the knock knock banana joke. 

Me: knock, knock

Her: moan

Me: banana!

Her: moan

And I repeated that 3 times followed by:

Me: knock, knock

Her: moan with smile

Me: orange

Her: loud moan because she knows the punchline

Me: orange you glad I didn't say banana?!

And as she started to giggle, I told her two other silly knock knock jokes and by the time I was finished, she was giggling, back to herself, ready to have a conversation. And I didn't raise my voice once! 

If I can get my girl back to "conversation mode" we will be able to make astounding steps in the right direction. By the end of our conversation this evening, she was apologizing without any promoting from me. 

In this world of parenting, you need a sense of humor. If you can't laugh at yourself or with your kids once in a while, you might find yourself going slowly insane. 

KC