It's kind of been a busy afternoon today so I asked the crew (meaning Zoe and Hannah) what they'd like to eat for dinner. They exclaimed , "pizza"...well with a little help like..."Would you like pizza?" from me.
Anyway, I sat down to online order...love the 21 century...and as I was looking over the menu and ordering, I made a Forest Gump discovery! I realized that life can be like a pizza. There are those who like it with no sauce; some like it with the basics...meaning pepperoni and cheese; some are carnivores while others are vegetarians; and finally some like it with a little of everything!
We approach life in much the same way. Some like order and structure; some dive right in and chew away and others are quite picky. Finally, some like predictability coupled with life's spontaneity...life can be very good at that!
Now me, as a person, tend to bend toward the predictable and structured. That changed forever the moment I had Zoe...this is a good thing! Through all of the little changes I've had, I've realized how nice little surprises can be...and some not so little surprises! Through life's vicissitudes I realized that I had made a decision that was quite outside myself! I had broken the mold...even though I am still 'bent' in my structured way...I have changed, or been changed by the circumstances and decisions that have helped shape my life.
I could go on eating pepperoni pizzas with extra cheese forever; but, just think of all the wonderful flavors I'd have missed!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
I like my pizza with everything on it!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday...or a Stephen King novel? (smile)
Hopefully, everyone will be well soon...meaning a whole month without any of the following: Dr visits, school absences, work absences (for mark), mental lapses, emotional drama (Zoe excels at this one), and any creepy creatures of the dark...lurking and waiting to attack... well possibly I am dramatic too! **Please see my other blog for today also as they kind of go hand in hand: In His Footsteps
Saturday, February 23, 2008
One 'flu' over the O'Neil household
Yes...we have indeed caught the flu...ugh! First Zoe, Hannah myself and we're watching Mark like a hawk! I must say that the TAMIFLU® medication is a lifesaver though! It has significantly shortened the duration of this nasty little creature! Despite fever, occasional sprint to the bathroom and exhaustion, it has been better than I had imagined!
Bright side...well I gotta have one...at least we don't have to wonder if/when we will get the flu until next year now!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Little old ladies.....don't mess with them!!
They say that laughter is good for the soul and helps to keep you healthy. Well, if that is true, you and I should be good for at least a month by listening to this hilarious phone call. It was placed by an eye witness to an accident that happened in Texas. No one was injured...well not in the way you think!
**Special thanks to my father in law for passing this one along to me**
Click on this link with your speakers on: http://www.chumfm.com/MorningShow/bits/march24.swf
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Tribute to My Parents
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a marriage just like my parents. Why, because I have watched and learned from them and how they've dealt with living life. Their example helped me choose a mate, taught me about the kind of wife and mother I need to be, and how to live my life by example.
My mother has taught me to listen more and talk less; have a quiet time; how I react is as important as how I act; kindness is not an act, it is a responsibility....the list could go on and on.
My father has taught me the importance of finishing what I begin; being responsible for my actions; keeping my self in a condition of self-respect; finding inner strength....I could also go on.
My parents are lucky! They have one of those timeless marriages. They are the best of friends, intimates, compliments, mirrors, and Christ seekers that I have ever had the privilege of loving. I thank God for them and how they have shaped my life into the person that I am today.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, I love you!
Phil 1:3: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Mark Chronicles....Chapter Two: Our Anniversary
I have been given a truly wonderful gift! I have had the privilege of meeting, dating, and marrying the most wonderful man in the world! Today marks the seventh anniversary of our wedding covenant. I choose that word because it most perfectly describes what I feel our marriage is all about. It is as Jesus described: [Genesis 1:27], ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ [Genesis 2:24]. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark is such a fine man, complete husband and father. I can't even emagine having a more fulfilled life than the one I live right now. True, our marrage has had it's share of hills and valleys BUT the covenant has always held fast. It's been a strong foundation on which everything else is built! I think that I am just scratching the surface of what so many of my elder couples have known about marriage for years which is: If the foundation that you have built is strong...focused in the center of God's will...everything else can be fixed!
When we renewed our vows, as we do each year, the pastor read this scripture: Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. As I reflected on these verses, I realized that THIS IS the kind of man that I have married. He reflects the very nature of God's love each and every day through countless ways. Yes! I have been and will continue to be, for many years Lord willing, blessed with THE most wonderful husband and father. My only regret is that I can't truly express, through this writing, how endowed I truly am.
Happy Anniversary my sweetness, I love you!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Dance Dance Dance
Zoe has her first dance class today and she is so excited! She has expressed an interest the past few months in dancing or gymnastics and finally chose dancing. We went shopping and purchased her first dancing cloths consisting of 2 body suits; one of which is a sparky snazzy thing as well as leggings, tap shoes and ballet slippers. She won't dance in the recital this year because of her late start but will be able to attend and learn all the dances. Normally, dance class begins in September and ends in June. Because she was so excited to begin, Leasha... her teacher... said she could start mid-year and learn all the dances. This will make next year much easier on her should she decide to continue. I have never been one to force my child to do something they did not want to do BUT I do expect them to finish an activity once it is begun. This is something we have already begun to teach our children so Zoe knows she is committed till June and is very excited about it! Both Mark and I agree that this is just the creative outlet she needs to express herself; participate in a group of peers; and build self-esteem. We are almost as excited as she is! Last night she put on her tap shoes and tapped all over the house! I am just glad that she was not interested in violin lessons! (smile)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Smile...it increases your face value!
Some weeks are better than others and this week just isn't going how I want! You see, I view each week like a road stretched out in front of me and this one has been full of pot holes! Up side, we have new carpet (yeah) but the time it takes to put the house back together again...not to mention the energy required to do so is ugh... to say the least! I feel like one of those plate spinners trying to manage with the kids this week PLUS the ones I keep.
I got some comic relief while the carpet guys were here yesterday. To me, it was really funny watching the carpet guy's face as each child emerged from different areas of the house....I could almost see him asking himself, "How many children does this woman have?" With Kirby and Zoe playing outside, Hannah asleep on the couch, Aubrey asleep in the swing and then Kayci emerging from the bedroom, it was almost laughable! He never said anything, but I knew he was really puzzled!
Anyway, even though I have not had a good hold on my brain thus far, I plan to have at least some fraction of sanity by Thursday or Friday...Lord willing!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What could they be talking about I wonder?
As many of you know already, I babysit two children. Kirby who is almost five and Aubrey who is four months old. Kayci (who is my 10 month old) and Aubrey have lots of discussions amongst themselves. Although I try hard, I never can seem to catch them in full discussion mode, or when I do they stop!
Well, today I got lucky. They were open for the public so to speak and I got this wonderful tidbit!
Friday, February 1, 2008
When Ya Gotta Sleep...Ya Gotta Sleep!
Sometimes, when all else fails, they finally wear themselves out! Hannah, as I have said before, is very self reliant(smile) so when she didn't fall asleep earlier I knew it was coming....just didn't know where!
Friday smiles to everyone!
Mr. Common Sense has died.....join me in a moment of silence...
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.
Obituary
Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children . It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three new-found relatives; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, feel free to pass on his obituary. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
