I am 34 years old. Last week at the grocery I was buying beer and the cashier asked for my ID. (Which in no way irritates me or frustrates me or makes me feel "inconvenienced." I will flaunt my ID to anybody who questions my age when buying alcohol!) When the cashier looked at my birthdate, she raised her eyebrows and gave me a second look. Then she said "I would have never guessed you were that old." And now she is my new best friend.
But it is true, I do look younger than my years. I'm not passing for a high schooler or anything, but I'm petite and in reasonably good shape (especially after 3 kids) and I received the good genes from my parents in the hair and skin departments. I make a decent attempt to take care of myself and live a healthy life (ignore the beer purchase mentioned above) and I suppose that helps as well.
However... I think my brain is that of a 70-year-old woman. I have been thinking a lot lately about how OLD I feel sometimes and that leads to thoughts about how "uncool" my kids are going to think I am soon, if they don't already. So often I feel like that crabby old lady who refuses to embrace the next new and improved thing that is out there.
Example #1: While I do own a smart phone, I really don't care to have one. Brandon upgraded our mobile plan or something and we got new phones for free, so one day 2 boxes show up in the mail and he says "Here is your new phone." (Case in point: I don't even know how I got this thing.) I use it to make phone calls, send text messages and upload the occassional picture to Facebook. That is all. It does not have Angry Birds (much to my children's dismay). I do not have any cool apps. (The only one I have downloaded is for the public library and I have never used it.) It doesn't have any music or TV shows or movies or anything fun. It is not an iPhone. (Nor do I own an iPod or iPad or iAnything for that matter.) Brandon said when we are due for the next phone upgrade I can get an iPhone. I said no.
Example #2: I do not know how to use Pinterest or Twitter. Nor do I care to learn. I tried looking up something on Pinterest once, at someone else's suggestion, and I was so overwhelmed and confused and unable to find what I wanted so I quit and never went back. I do have teacher friends and designer friends who are on there all the time, and for their purposes it makes total sense. I even know some people who get recipes from there and I suppose that's a good idea, too, but I'll touch on that later. I have no use for a website that gives me the abilities to play make believe. Because let's face it, if I pin something to one of my boards (You're impressed I know that lingo, aren't you??) the chances of me actually getting around to making it or doing it or reading it or going there or whatever are slim to none. I'm a realist like that. As far as Twitter, I don't understand the point. I'm on Facebook and I post things there - why post the same thing somewhere else where presumably the same people are reading it? I also don't understand the whole "hash-tag" thing. I could probably do a little research and figure it all out and I might even find some people on there I would like to at least follow, but "figuring it all out" is something I would pin on one of my boards and we all know how that is turning out.
Example #3: I like paper! No, I think love is a better word. I do not have (or want) an eReader because I love a good, old-fashioned book. I do not use the calendar or planner function on my phone (I think it has one...) because I like my pretty new paper planner with pink flowers on the front. I subscribe to Kraft Foods magazines and I keep them all. When I want to look up an old recipe or find something new for dinner, I flip through the pages - I do no look them up online or search Pinterest. (Note: I am not a hoarder. That is not where this is going.) Last Christmas I was mad because the section of the newspaper that lists the holiday TV guide was missing. My sister said "You can just download the app to your phone and it will tell you what is on each day." Ummm... no. Not only do I not know how to do that but I want my paper!
Example #4: I own a Snuggie and I love it. You probably didn't see that one coming since every other example has been technology-related. But that's right, this girl is old in more ways than one! I am cold almost all the time. Brandon is hot 99.9% of the day. I have finally given up on the thermostat war so to keep myself comfortable while watching TV at night I curl up in my Snuggie. It is super soft and comfortable and just thinking of it right now is making me sleepy. I remember when I was young my Great Grandma had a similar thing that looked like a giant quilt that she wore while knitting. It was different from a Snuggie in that it went on like a robe and zipped up the front - kind of like a baby's sleep sack. And I remember thinking how warm and cozy it looked and how nice it would be to have one.
Until recently being "old" didn't really bother me - I refered to myself as the "crabby old lady" earlier but I really am a "happy and content old lady." But now I feel like it is catching up with me and I am going to really, REALLY fall behind the times and become the crazy old lady that everybody makes fun of. Do I just give in and embrace all this? Can I do some sort of exercizes, like the contestants on the Biggest Loser do to reverse their body age?? I guess I need to start taking some action... later! As long as I'm a happy old lady I'm going to let it slide a bit longer!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Year In Review (and what I plan to do better next year...)
What a title, huh?? I feel very cliche writing a post on the last day of the year about what happened over the past 12 months and what I plan on doing with the next 12. I promise this will not be a month-by-month summary of what we did, kids' milestones, etc. (No, that is reserved for the other website I haven't updated in forever. Maybe that should fall under the "what I plan to do better next year" section...)
I sit here now, on the last day of what has been an extremely crazy year. Really good coffee with my favorite creamer next to me. Brandon is at work. All kids are still sleeping and hopefully stay that way for a while because they need it. With the exception of the Today Show at super low volume in the background (as not to wake those precious sleeping angels) it is SO QUIET in my house and it is glorious. So this has given me some time and a clear head to actually sit and reflect.
Over the past year I have watched all three of my children grow so much and become seemingly different people than they were at this time last year. This was my first full year home with them and I have never regretted this decision for a second. I love picking them up from school instead of putting them on a bus to daycare. I love helping with homework and fixing after school snacks. I love taking my little man to story hour at the library every Monday morning. I think this decision has been so wonderful for all of us and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. I never thought I would want it and I never thought I would take it if it was offered, but man am I glad I did! This is definitely one of those times I am perfectly OK with being proven wrong.
Over the past year I have witnessed the power of prayer like nothing I have ever seen. We have had too many family members and close friends go through struggles of all kinds and every time there was a vast group of prayer warriors that stepped up and carried them through. It is amazing what just one person praying can do, but put a whole group of us together and let it spread? Unbelievable. Miraculous. Not only have I seen the wonderful things that result from prayer, but my faith and my relationship with God have grown as well. And we all know that can bring nothing but good!
We, too, have weathered some storms this year. I am very thankful that (in the grand scheme of things) they have been relatively minor. But struggles nonetheless and they have taken some work to overcome. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always been fast, but we have worked hard and continue to work hard. Some battles have been won and the light at the end of the tunnel is very bright for others. Determination will get us there and determination will keep us going toward our ultimate goal.
I feel like my goals for 2013 are the same generic goals everybody has - Be more organized. Simplify life. Exercise more. Be a better mom and wife. Maybe they are generic, but they are still worthwile resolutions and I plan on working hard on each of them. And overall I plan on just enjoying life more. Taking time to step away from the craziness to do things I want, whether it be reading a book or playing legos with my kids or just going to bed early.
I am excited for what these next 12 months have in store. To quote one of my favorite movie lines: "Life moves fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
I sit here now, on the last day of what has been an extremely crazy year. Really good coffee with my favorite creamer next to me. Brandon is at work. All kids are still sleeping and hopefully stay that way for a while because they need it. With the exception of the Today Show at super low volume in the background (as not to wake those precious sleeping angels) it is SO QUIET in my house and it is glorious. So this has given me some time and a clear head to actually sit and reflect.
Over the past year I have watched all three of my children grow so much and become seemingly different people than they were at this time last year. This was my first full year home with them and I have never regretted this decision for a second. I love picking them up from school instead of putting them on a bus to daycare. I love helping with homework and fixing after school snacks. I love taking my little man to story hour at the library every Monday morning. I think this decision has been so wonderful for all of us and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. I never thought I would want it and I never thought I would take it if it was offered, but man am I glad I did! This is definitely one of those times I am perfectly OK with being proven wrong.
Over the past year I have witnessed the power of prayer like nothing I have ever seen. We have had too many family members and close friends go through struggles of all kinds and every time there was a vast group of prayer warriors that stepped up and carried them through. It is amazing what just one person praying can do, but put a whole group of us together and let it spread? Unbelievable. Miraculous. Not only have I seen the wonderful things that result from prayer, but my faith and my relationship with God have grown as well. And we all know that can bring nothing but good!
We, too, have weathered some storms this year. I am very thankful that (in the grand scheme of things) they have been relatively minor. But struggles nonetheless and they have taken some work to overcome. It hasn't always been easy and it hasn't always been fast, but we have worked hard and continue to work hard. Some battles have been won and the light at the end of the tunnel is very bright for others. Determination will get us there and determination will keep us going toward our ultimate goal.
I feel like my goals for 2013 are the same generic goals everybody has - Be more organized. Simplify life. Exercise more. Be a better mom and wife. Maybe they are generic, but they are still worthwile resolutions and I plan on working hard on each of them. And overall I plan on just enjoying life more. Taking time to step away from the craziness to do things I want, whether it be reading a book or playing legos with my kids or just going to bed early.
I am excited for what these next 12 months have in store. To quote one of my favorite movie lines: "Life moves fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Is Cancelled
It is currently 1:26 AM. I stayed awake to get some work done. I have accomplished such a small amount I don't even think it qualifies as work. I know I will regret it when the sun comes up and little people start calling my name, but I just can't get settled tonight and force myself to bed. The fact that I am REALLY behind on work is weighing heavily on my mind, but every time I try to get some done all the other stuff that is weighing REALLY, REALLY heavily on my mind gets in the way.
This week I turned into the The Grinch. I reached a point in the holiday season where I was just DONE. Done with it all - the shopping, the planning, the errands, the organizing... all of it. I feel like the season has lost its spirit and in the midst of the craziness my family has lost sight of what Christmas is really all about. Certainly through no fault of their own, but it has just happened. And I feel we are at a point of no return. We just need to suck it up and grin and bare it through the end of the year and vow to do better next time.
And next time... WE WILL.
Brandon and I always make a point to get the kids involved in buying gifts for those less fortunate than us. We want them to know just how blessed we are and that everybody does not have what we have. We also try to involve prayers and religious activities around the house. Of course the kids are exposed to this everyday at school and church and Sunday School, but we want to extend beyond that so they remember what is most important about this time of year. Of course the commercialism and materialism creep in - my kids have been making and revising Christmas lists for a month. You just can't escape it. But we try very hard not to over-indulge them.
But everybody else... This time next week my kids are going to be swimming in so much STUFF they won't even know what they have. And I will have bought gifts for so many people, quite a few I am certain won't even realize I gave them anything. I found myself looking over my list of people to buy for earlier this week and so extremely frustrated because I just didn't want to do it. I don't want to buy Christmas gifts for people who barely know me. I don't want to drive all over town, to 5 different stores, trying to find the perfect gift for somebody I barely know. If I don't know you well enough to come up with a reasonable idea as to what you might enjoy, doesn't that say something? I am tired of buying just for the sake of buying, on both ends of the equation.
As I re-read that paragraph I realize it sounds a bit selfish and that is not my intent. Well, maybe it is a little... Is it selfish to want to spend my pre-Christmas evenings curled up on the couch with my children watching the Christmas shows we DVR'd? (No time - too busy shopping.) Is it selfish to want to finish getting my Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes out? (No room - too much stuff everywhere.) Is it selfish to want to do away with just about everything at this point and attempt to simplify this holiday?
Right now I will have to muster through and live for the hours on Christmas morning when the five of us are sitting in the middle of the living room floor in our PJs. And I will live for that next year as well, along with the hours I will spend cuddled up with my little ones every evening before. I vow not to waste precious time standing in line, driving around in bad weather, or stressing over doing things that I really don't want to do and things that don't need to be done. And I have a feeling it will be the most beautiful, glorious Christmas this home has ever witnessed.
This week I turned into the The Grinch. I reached a point in the holiday season where I was just DONE. Done with it all - the shopping, the planning, the errands, the organizing... all of it. I feel like the season has lost its spirit and in the midst of the craziness my family has lost sight of what Christmas is really all about. Certainly through no fault of their own, but it has just happened. And I feel we are at a point of no return. We just need to suck it up and grin and bare it through the end of the year and vow to do better next time.
And next time... WE WILL.
Brandon and I always make a point to get the kids involved in buying gifts for those less fortunate than us. We want them to know just how blessed we are and that everybody does not have what we have. We also try to involve prayers and religious activities around the house. Of course the kids are exposed to this everyday at school and church and Sunday School, but we want to extend beyond that so they remember what is most important about this time of year. Of course the commercialism and materialism creep in - my kids have been making and revising Christmas lists for a month. You just can't escape it. But we try very hard not to over-indulge them.
But everybody else... This time next week my kids are going to be swimming in so much STUFF they won't even know what they have. And I will have bought gifts for so many people, quite a few I am certain won't even realize I gave them anything. I found myself looking over my list of people to buy for earlier this week and so extremely frustrated because I just didn't want to do it. I don't want to buy Christmas gifts for people who barely know me. I don't want to drive all over town, to 5 different stores, trying to find the perfect gift for somebody I barely know. If I don't know you well enough to come up with a reasonable idea as to what you might enjoy, doesn't that say something? I am tired of buying just for the sake of buying, on both ends of the equation.
As I re-read that paragraph I realize it sounds a bit selfish and that is not my intent. Well, maybe it is a little... Is it selfish to want to spend my pre-Christmas evenings curled up on the couch with my children watching the Christmas shows we DVR'd? (No time - too busy shopping.) Is it selfish to want to finish getting my Christmas decorations and Christmas dishes out? (No room - too much stuff everywhere.) Is it selfish to want to do away with just about everything at this point and attempt to simplify this holiday?
Right now I will have to muster through and live for the hours on Christmas morning when the five of us are sitting in the middle of the living room floor in our PJs. And I will live for that next year as well, along with the hours I will spend cuddled up with my little ones every evening before. I vow not to waste precious time standing in line, driving around in bad weather, or stressing over doing things that I really don't want to do and things that don't need to be done. And I have a feeling it will be the most beautiful, glorious Christmas this home has ever witnessed.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Keep Calm and...
Sooooo.... I failed at "You Capture" when the topic was Yellow. And then again last week when it was "Lunch." And now I am already 2 days behind on this week's challenge of "Shoes." BUT I think I can handle this one, easily. We have no less than 569 pairs of shoes in this house and at any given time there are at least 10 pair (or sometimes not a pair) in the middle of my living room floor. So again I will say Challenge Accepted! Let's just hope I can follow through this time. Stay tuned!
These past couple of weeks have been busy. And in times like this my former self would have been in pure panic mode by now and would have already collapsed in bed 3 hours ago. (That's a lie. I would have fallen asleep on the couch and then been left there by my husband who attempted, numerous times, to wake me up but finally gave up and went to bed.) But as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I am feeling this sudden sense of calm. And strangely and rarely enough it has actually stuck with me! Usually this stuff goes away in a day, if it even sticks around that long. But I think in my life I have finally come to realize that some things just are what they are and you can't control them.
And since I have let myself actually believe this I have been a different person. My workload has not led to any late-night stressing. I feel a bit more organized. (I said a bit. This house is still mostly chaos!) I am checking things off my to-do list and the things that don't get checked off are not causing me to have a melt down.
All of this is a tad unreal, especially in the midst of the holiday season. I just hope I can stick with it and not lose my mind by Christmas like I do most years. I'm actually further ahead on Christmas shopping than I have ever been in November. (Be quiet all of you who are finished shopping! I don't want to hear it!) We are going to visit Santa this Saturday, the FIRST day of December. We will also put up our tree and lights and all the other fun stuff of the season. We will have FUN and not stress about other (mostly unimportant) stuff.
This morning I made a to-do list that was a page long. (A small page, but still a page.) I forgot that I would be gone this evening. Absolutely nothing got checked off that list. But you know what? I'm OK with that. I had a fantastic night celebrating my daughter's First Reconciliation, I watched my favorite, can't miss show on TV and did a little work. Now I'm writing this. Tomorrow I will pick up the list again and get to work. But until then I will just enjoy what is.
(And in reference to the title of this post... I see that "Keep Calm..." stuff everywhere. I have no idea what it means. It just seemed appropriate.)
These past couple of weeks have been busy. And in times like this my former self would have been in pure panic mode by now and would have already collapsed in bed 3 hours ago. (That's a lie. I would have fallen asleep on the couch and then been left there by my husband who attempted, numerous times, to wake me up but finally gave up and went to bed.) But as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I am feeling this sudden sense of calm. And strangely and rarely enough it has actually stuck with me! Usually this stuff goes away in a day, if it even sticks around that long. But I think in my life I have finally come to realize that some things just are what they are and you can't control them.
And since I have let myself actually believe this I have been a different person. My workload has not led to any late-night stressing. I feel a bit more organized. (I said a bit. This house is still mostly chaos!) I am checking things off my to-do list and the things that don't get checked off are not causing me to have a melt down.
All of this is a tad unreal, especially in the midst of the holiday season. I just hope I can stick with it and not lose my mind by Christmas like I do most years. I'm actually further ahead on Christmas shopping than I have ever been in November. (Be quiet all of you who are finished shopping! I don't want to hear it!) We are going to visit Santa this Saturday, the FIRST day of December. We will also put up our tree and lights and all the other fun stuff of the season. We will have FUN and not stress about other (mostly unimportant) stuff.
This morning I made a to-do list that was a page long. (A small page, but still a page.) I forgot that I would be gone this evening. Absolutely nothing got checked off that list. But you know what? I'm OK with that. I had a fantastic night celebrating my daughter's First Reconciliation, I watched my favorite, can't miss show on TV and did a little work. Now I'm writing this. Tomorrow I will pick up the list again and get to work. But until then I will just enjoy what is.
(And in reference to the title of this post... I see that "Keep Calm..." stuff everywhere. I have no idea what it means. It just seemed appropriate.)
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Light
I scrolled through my previous posts because I was certain I had written something with this title before. Apparently not. (Apparently I am losing my mind. Not breaking news.)
So as all my (very few) loyal readers may have noticed, I have been absent from blog-land lately. I look back and I feel like I should have a really exciting story to tell you about why I just didn't have the time to sit down and write. Sadly that is not the case. But happily, it is because we were simply really super-busy living life. A new school year, 2 soccer seasons, fundraisers, a traveling husband, holidays and birthdays... nothing stellar, nothing out of the ordinary, but just a lot of STUFF. So much stuff, in fact, that I often felt like I was losing my mind. Or at the very least, a very small piece of myself. I have been so busy taking care of everybody else and all their needs that I haven't devoted much time to myself lately. And I feel the time I HAVE devoted to me has revolved around work.
But now... well, now I am writing, so that's a start! Twice this month! And the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get a little brighter. I checked two books out of the library last week. Grown-up books! I watched my favorite Thursday night TV shows last night when they were actually on, not on DVR. (In retrospect that may not have been the best decision because I did not plan well for my Friday and that made things a little hectic.) But I am slowly getting back the things I have loved and missed. It's not all there... I haven't linked up with You Capture in forever. On several occassions I have actually taken pictures and never got around to uploading them. (This week's challenge is Yellow. Challenge accepted!) I still want to read all the other blogs I used to and the stack of books I bought at the library used book sale this summer. And I want to organize my house. And I want to get crafty with some pictures I took over the summer. And... well, you get the idea. Baby steps, my friends! Slowly but surely I will get there.
Not only do I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am starting to see light shed on certain situations. Recently I have taken a step back from things and put a lot of time into evaluating where my life is going and where I want it to go. I know where I WANT it to go, but most days I don't feel that is the direction I'm heading and I don't know how to redirect. Some days I don't even know if I can. I feel a constant pull between working towards what I want and working towards what I feel is best for others or what others want me to do. But the past couple of days I spent a lot of time working on my personal goals and somewhat neglecting other things. This led to panic. And stress. And worry. And after a surprisingly short amount of time, it led to an amazing release. The stress was suddenly lifted and I felt calm. I don't know that I can adequately explain it, but I just knew I was doing the right thing.
So hopefully that little pinhead of a light at the far end of the very long tunnel continues to come closer. And hopefully that light from above continues to not only shine down on me, but to open my eyes when it does.
So as all my (very few) loyal readers may have noticed, I have been absent from blog-land lately. I look back and I feel like I should have a really exciting story to tell you about why I just didn't have the time to sit down and write. Sadly that is not the case. But happily, it is because we were simply really super-busy living life. A new school year, 2 soccer seasons, fundraisers, a traveling husband, holidays and birthdays... nothing stellar, nothing out of the ordinary, but just a lot of STUFF. So much stuff, in fact, that I often felt like I was losing my mind. Or at the very least, a very small piece of myself. I have been so busy taking care of everybody else and all their needs that I haven't devoted much time to myself lately. And I feel the time I HAVE devoted to me has revolved around work.
But now... well, now I am writing, so that's a start! Twice this month! And the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get a little brighter. I checked two books out of the library last week. Grown-up books! I watched my favorite Thursday night TV shows last night when they were actually on, not on DVR. (In retrospect that may not have been the best decision because I did not plan well for my Friday and that made things a little hectic.) But I am slowly getting back the things I have loved and missed. It's not all there... I haven't linked up with You Capture in forever. On several occassions I have actually taken pictures and never got around to uploading them. (This week's challenge is Yellow. Challenge accepted!) I still want to read all the other blogs I used to and the stack of books I bought at the library used book sale this summer. And I want to organize my house. And I want to get crafty with some pictures I took over the summer. And... well, you get the idea. Baby steps, my friends! Slowly but surely I will get there.
Not only do I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am starting to see light shed on certain situations. Recently I have taken a step back from things and put a lot of time into evaluating where my life is going and where I want it to go. I know where I WANT it to go, but most days I don't feel that is the direction I'm heading and I don't know how to redirect. Some days I don't even know if I can. I feel a constant pull between working towards what I want and working towards what I feel is best for others or what others want me to do. But the past couple of days I spent a lot of time working on my personal goals and somewhat neglecting other things. This led to panic. And stress. And worry. And after a surprisingly short amount of time, it led to an amazing release. The stress was suddenly lifted and I felt calm. I don't know that I can adequately explain it, but I just knew I was doing the right thing.
So hopefully that little pinhead of a light at the far end of the very long tunnel continues to come closer. And hopefully that light from above continues to not only shine down on me, but to open my eyes when it does.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Election Wrap-Up
AANNNNDDDD... I'm back! I'm not even going to attempt to explain why this blog was abandoned for over 2 months, I'm just jumping right back in!
As expected, this year's presidential election was HUGE. Monumental. Historic. And the cause of many arguments, much nastiness, and quite a bit of Facebook smack-talk and de-friending. And to that I say... grow up and get over yourself. As I have every year since I was legally able, I stood in line and voted like the proud American I am. I voted for a presidential candidate, a congressional candidate and quite a few other races on my local ballot. Some of my people won, some did not. I accepted it and went on with life. I did not post any status updates on Facebook gloating about "my wins" or bad-mouthing those who voted for "the other guys." I did not threaten to relocate my family to another city, state or country because the outcome may not have been exactly what I wanted. And I did not delete anybody from my friends list on Facebook, because I don't have any friendships that are built on political beliefs. (Although I will admit I did remove a few from my newsfeed. I still love ya, but I don't want to see all your negativity. See people?! That's how you do it!)
Now with that being said, I will admit that I am concerned about our future. I have never gone into an election with such uncertainty about who I was going to vote for. (I didn't decide on some of the races until I was driving to my polling place.) It bothers me (a lot) that I did not feel 100% confident in voting for either major Presidential candidate. I am more than a little frightened for my children's future and what will be awaiting them as they become adults. I am concerned about how I will provide them with the childhood I have always dreamed for them when our country is in such a state of chaos. And I am a tiny bit worried about how our family will manage on a day-to-day basis if this trend continues.
But more than any of those feelings, Election Day 2012 made me PROUD. What's that, you say? Do those two terms even go hand-in-hand after all this?? Yes, and let me tell you why.
For starters, voter turn-out was so high that several places ran out of ballots. Northern Kentucky was predicting a 70% turnout and they still ran out! Amazing! Now I will say, I will never understand why we don't have 100% turn-out every November, but that is an argument for another time. We'll take what we can get. Baby steps. It makes me proud that so many Americans feel so strongly about our current state and our future that they took the time to DO SOMETHING about it. Don't just sit on your couch (or computer) and complain!
Secondly, I am so very, very proud of my children. Growing up I'm certain I had no idea who was running for any elected office until I was in my teens. Nor did I really care. Now in many parts of the country, our county included, the polling places set up a "Kids Voting USA" booth. Kids can stop by and cast their private ballots, this year voting on the Presidential Race, the local Congressional race and 3 "issues" that were exclusive to the kids' ballots: Does your school do enough to prevent bullying? Do you think e-books should replace traditional text books in the classroom? Do you think the government should ban super-sized soft drinks?
(I will stop here to say that Brandon and I have talked to the kids about the election and who is running and a little about what the candidates stand for. But we have not pushed our opinions on them in the least and we didn't even tell them who we were voting for until Monday night.)
So we arrive at the local elementary school to vote. My 2 older kids were SO excited to vote! So excited that they voted before I did. Lucas (4 years) made his Presidential and Congressional selections based on the photos of the candidates. While he didn't really understand a lot of the issues, he recognized each candidate by picture and was able to put an X in the box of those he had told me he was going to vote for. I read the 3 issues to him and he firmly told me his answer and marked his X's. Ella (7 years) came in with her mind made up on all items on the ballot and voted as such. She had told me the reasons she was selecting the people she did and she had a thought process behind each of her selections on the Issues. What a proud Momma I was!!
So while the Election madness may not have brought out the best in everybody, it wasn't all bad. My kids were shown once again how important it is stand up for what you believe and take advantage of the wonderful priveledge we have to vote. Witnessing their little minds work through the selection process has made me hopeful for their future. One little baby step at a time, this world will become a better place.
As expected, this year's presidential election was HUGE. Monumental. Historic. And the cause of many arguments, much nastiness, and quite a bit of Facebook smack-talk and de-friending. And to that I say... grow up and get over yourself. As I have every year since I was legally able, I stood in line and voted like the proud American I am. I voted for a presidential candidate, a congressional candidate and quite a few other races on my local ballot. Some of my people won, some did not. I accepted it and went on with life. I did not post any status updates on Facebook gloating about "my wins" or bad-mouthing those who voted for "the other guys." I did not threaten to relocate my family to another city, state or country because the outcome may not have been exactly what I wanted. And I did not delete anybody from my friends list on Facebook, because I don't have any friendships that are built on political beliefs. (Although I will admit I did remove a few from my newsfeed. I still love ya, but I don't want to see all your negativity. See people?! That's how you do it!)
Now with that being said, I will admit that I am concerned about our future. I have never gone into an election with such uncertainty about who I was going to vote for. (I didn't decide on some of the races until I was driving to my polling place.) It bothers me (a lot) that I did not feel 100% confident in voting for either major Presidential candidate. I am more than a little frightened for my children's future and what will be awaiting them as they become adults. I am concerned about how I will provide them with the childhood I have always dreamed for them when our country is in such a state of chaos. And I am a tiny bit worried about how our family will manage on a day-to-day basis if this trend continues.
But more than any of those feelings, Election Day 2012 made me PROUD. What's that, you say? Do those two terms even go hand-in-hand after all this?? Yes, and let me tell you why.
For starters, voter turn-out was so high that several places ran out of ballots. Northern Kentucky was predicting a 70% turnout and they still ran out! Amazing! Now I will say, I will never understand why we don't have 100% turn-out every November, but that is an argument for another time. We'll take what we can get. Baby steps. It makes me proud that so many Americans feel so strongly about our current state and our future that they took the time to DO SOMETHING about it. Don't just sit on your couch (or computer) and complain!
Secondly, I am so very, very proud of my children. Growing up I'm certain I had no idea who was running for any elected office until I was in my teens. Nor did I really care. Now in many parts of the country, our county included, the polling places set up a "Kids Voting USA" booth. Kids can stop by and cast their private ballots, this year voting on the Presidential Race, the local Congressional race and 3 "issues" that were exclusive to the kids' ballots: Does your school do enough to prevent bullying? Do you think e-books should replace traditional text books in the classroom? Do you think the government should ban super-sized soft drinks?
(I will stop here to say that Brandon and I have talked to the kids about the election and who is running and a little about what the candidates stand for. But we have not pushed our opinions on them in the least and we didn't even tell them who we were voting for until Monday night.)
So we arrive at the local elementary school to vote. My 2 older kids were SO excited to vote! So excited that they voted before I did. Lucas (4 years) made his Presidential and Congressional selections based on the photos of the candidates. While he didn't really understand a lot of the issues, he recognized each candidate by picture and was able to put an X in the box of those he had told me he was going to vote for. I read the 3 issues to him and he firmly told me his answer and marked his X's. Ella (7 years) came in with her mind made up on all items on the ballot and voted as such. She had told me the reasons she was selecting the people she did and she had a thought process behind each of her selections on the Issues. What a proud Momma I was!!
So while the Election madness may not have brought out the best in everybody, it wasn't all bad. My kids were shown once again how important it is stand up for what you believe and take advantage of the wonderful priveledge we have to vote. Witnessing their little minds work through the selection process has made me hopeful for their future. One little baby step at a time, this world will become a better place.
Monday, August 20, 2012
You Capture - Photo A Day
I must admit, as I start this post, that I cheated a bit this week. I didn't get around to viewing last week's You Capture posts until Tuesday, which means I got this week's challenge a day late. So with the topic being "A Photo A Day" my week ran Tuesday - Monday. And while I'm at it, I will also admit that this challenge stressed me out a bit. (OK, more than a bit.) I thought I would NEVER remember to get a decent shot each day. BUT I surprised myself and had fun in the meantime!
On Tuesday morning the kids and I went to the park near our house. Their favorite thing to do there is walk the Nature Trail and my favorite thing to do there is take their picture on this bridge.
On Wednesday we played in our back yard. This year we planted pumpkins for the first time ever, just to see what they would do. I love to see them early in the morning, as the sun rises and their blooms open wide toward the East.
Thursday was the start of soccer season in our house. Both Ella and Lucas will be playing this season and Ella had her first practice Thursday evening.
Friday morning I took the kids downtown so they could play in the new park on the river and we could meet Brandon for lunch. This was our first visit to this particular park and I can't wait to go back. They have an exhibit on The Black Brigade and I loved this statue that was perched on top of the wall surrounding the exhibit. I believe the title was "A Mother Waits With Her Children" (but that probably is not 100% accurate). The piece alone was moving, but add to it the fact that you can see the Ohio River in the background and the bridge coming from Kentucky and the American Flag (just barely) at the top... it is just unbelievable. So much to take in.
With a very active, athletic 4-year-old boy in our house a lot of things get stuck on our roof. Saturday it was a boomerang so Brandon went up to retrieve it. The whole thing made me giggle - him up there in his Superman shirt with the blue skies in the background. Too much! (And so photo-worthy!)
And finally Monday morning... I received a single pink rose on Sunday afternoon and it was just too beautiful not to photograph.
So that is my week in photos! See what everybody else has been up to this week at The Home of You Capture.
On Tuesday morning the kids and I went to the park near our house. Their favorite thing to do there is walk the Nature Trail and my favorite thing to do there is take their picture on this bridge.
On Wednesday we played in our back yard. This year we planted pumpkins for the first time ever, just to see what they would do. I love to see them early in the morning, as the sun rises and their blooms open wide toward the East.
Thursday was the start of soccer season in our house. Both Ella and Lucas will be playing this season and Ella had her first practice Thursday evening.
Friday morning I took the kids downtown so they could play in the new park on the river and we could meet Brandon for lunch. This was our first visit to this particular park and I can't wait to go back. They have an exhibit on The Black Brigade and I loved this statue that was perched on top of the wall surrounding the exhibit. I believe the title was "A Mother Waits With Her Children" (but that probably is not 100% accurate). The piece alone was moving, but add to it the fact that you can see the Ohio River in the background and the bridge coming from Kentucky and the American Flag (just barely) at the top... it is just unbelievable. So much to take in.
With a very active, athletic 4-year-old boy in our house a lot of things get stuck on our roof. Saturday it was a boomerang so Brandon went up to retrieve it. The whole thing made me giggle - him up there in his Superman shirt with the blue skies in the background. Too much! (And so photo-worthy!)
A Sunday afternoon nap - who doesn't love one?! Casey loved one so much that she didn't care if Joseph's shoes were in her way. In fact, she seemed rather comfortable snoozing with her nose in there.
And finally Monday morning... I received a single pink rose on Sunday afternoon and it was just too beautiful not to photograph.
So that is my week in photos! See what everybody else has been up to this week at The Home of You Capture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)