I've been thinking a lot lately about what I value. And how my words and actions should reflect what I value most. Let me give you a few examples.
Throughout junior high and high school my parents faithfully paid for me to take voice lessons. I loved taking voice lessons. Learning to improve my voice was important to me; or at least that's what I thought. It wasn't until years later when I was paying for my own voice lessons that I learned how much I valued them (or didn't). I rarely practiced when my parents were the ones footing the bill. However, when I was the one writing the checks, practicing and taking my lessons more seriously became a priority.
I value motherhood. I hope that is reflected in my actions. I have children (and one more on the way). I've decided to forgo pursuing a career to stay home and delve into the world of my childrens' lives. I hope that this shows that I value being a mom. I'm not a perfect mom! I know plenty of women who have struggled with the choice between being home or going to work. And some career moms are probably far better mothers than I am. But I value motherhood. I hope that my children know that and that the people I come in contact with know that.
I value healthy living. I think our bodies are sacred and we need to be taking care of them. But gosh, I love chocolate! It is a regular part of my diet. (And might I add, all sorts of other sugary, salty snacks.) So the question I've been asking myself of late: Do I value chocolate more than healthy living? Well, my actions are saying yes.
Hopefully these things illustrate what is on my mind. Am I demonstrating through my words and actions what I value? Because when my words and actions don't reflect what I profess to value, then I obviously have placed something else as a higher priority. It is probably something we all struggle with. It is hard to clearly define what we value when there are things that both seem good. However, I believe what I value most dearly will (and should) win out in my thoughts, words and actions. I've come to see this is reflected in all I value whether it be physically, politically, morally, or spiritually.
If you have gotten to the end of this and are wondering why I wrote all this, like I said, it has just been something on my mind. Thanks for letting me get it out.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New Clothes and Other News
News from our little part of the country:
Yesterday on an extended shopping excursion to decent stores (no, Walmart doesn't qualify as a decent store) Jaron - who regularly struggles with motion sickness - lost his breakfast. The Millers were 40 minutes into a 45 minute drive and had no immediate intentions of returning home despite the rancid smell in their van and Jaron covered in yucky stuff. It was a great way for Jaron to add new clothes to his wardrobe although he never suffers from the second child syndrome. Kim commented to Clark that she was grateful he had never done this to her while she was alone. They are now making plans to better equip their vehicle to more appropriately deal with motion sickness induced messes.
Russell has taken up being a mimic. His vocabulary is quickly expanding as he is easily delighted in repeating words. His favorite being "animals". Some of his mimicking is not appreciated because he has picked up bad habits from his older brother: spitting, meowing like a cat, and shrieking at the top of his lungs. Although Clark and Kim have worked faithfully to squelch Jaron's desire to scream, the mere mention of the word scream and Russell is quickly happy to demonstrate for the next 5 minutes.
It seems that Clark and Kim have added a cat to the family, although no four-legged feline can be found in the house. For the past several weeks Jaron has taken to meowing and sometimes acting like a cat. He will keep this up for hours. He has no shame of continuing this cat/meowing obsession even in nursery at church. As stated above, he has a great admirer that gladly joins him in his cat-like expressions. The Millers aren't sure if this Jaron's way of protesting the lack of a cat.
Kim is contemplating hibernation. She is quite possibly in denial that 17 family members are coming for Thanksgiving, Christmas is 38 days away and oh yeah, she is going to have a baby sometime around the New Year. She feels completely unprepared for everything. She is looking forward to hosting family in their house and is already listening to Christmas music and wondering if she can sneak up a few Christmas decorations. She worries that no one will be around to take her kids while she is in labor because they will all be out of town visiting friends and family and so Jaron and Russell will be in the delivery room to help "distract" from the pain.
Mr. Handyman's skills are becoming a bit rusty since moving into a new home. Although the house has lots of problems: faucets plumbed backwards (hot-cold, cold-hot), missing balustrade railings, and not enough electrical switches and outlets and other items too numerous to list. However, Clark has been rendered obsolete due to a builder's warranty that guarantees that these items will be fixed. That is, if you can ever get the builder to return 3 weeks worth of phone calls and then show up on the appointed day and time. (This becomes Kim's issue as she has spent whole mornings rearranging plans as she waits expectantly and delightfully for someone to show up who never does.) Clark busily makes lists of things he will like to build with his new table saw as he sits in hotel rooms or airports as he has been traveling quite a bit for someone who just researches.
Yesterday on an extended shopping excursion to decent stores (no, Walmart doesn't qualify as a decent store) Jaron - who regularly struggles with motion sickness - lost his breakfast. The Millers were 40 minutes into a 45 minute drive and had no immediate intentions of returning home despite the rancid smell in their van and Jaron covered in yucky stuff. It was a great way for Jaron to add new clothes to his wardrobe although he never suffers from the second child syndrome. Kim commented to Clark that she was grateful he had never done this to her while she was alone. They are now making plans to better equip their vehicle to more appropriately deal with motion sickness induced messes.
Russell has taken up being a mimic. His vocabulary is quickly expanding as he is easily delighted in repeating words. His favorite being "animals". Some of his mimicking is not appreciated because he has picked up bad habits from his older brother: spitting, meowing like a cat, and shrieking at the top of his lungs. Although Clark and Kim have worked faithfully to squelch Jaron's desire to scream, the mere mention of the word scream and Russell is quickly happy to demonstrate for the next 5 minutes.
It seems that Clark and Kim have added a cat to the family, although no four-legged feline can be found in the house. For the past several weeks Jaron has taken to meowing and sometimes acting like a cat. He will keep this up for hours. He has no shame of continuing this cat/meowing obsession even in nursery at church. As stated above, he has a great admirer that gladly joins him in his cat-like expressions. The Millers aren't sure if this Jaron's way of protesting the lack of a cat.
Kim is contemplating hibernation. She is quite possibly in denial that 17 family members are coming for Thanksgiving, Christmas is 38 days away and oh yeah, she is going to have a baby sometime around the New Year. She feels completely unprepared for everything. She is looking forward to hosting family in their house and is already listening to Christmas music and wondering if she can sneak up a few Christmas decorations. She worries that no one will be around to take her kids while she is in labor because they will all be out of town visiting friends and family and so Jaron and Russell will be in the delivery room to help "distract" from the pain.
Mr. Handyman's skills are becoming a bit rusty since moving into a new home. Although the house has lots of problems: faucets plumbed backwards (hot-cold, cold-hot), missing balustrade railings, and not enough electrical switches and outlets and other items too numerous to list. However, Clark has been rendered obsolete due to a builder's warranty that guarantees that these items will be fixed. That is, if you can ever get the builder to return 3 weeks worth of phone calls and then show up on the appointed day and time. (This becomes Kim's issue as she has spent whole mornings rearranging plans as she waits expectantly and delightfully for someone to show up who never does.) Clark busily makes lists of things he will like to build with his new table saw as he sits in hotel rooms or airports as he has been traveling quite a bit for someone who just researches.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Getting Political
Hopefully the title of this post gives you fair warning. If you don't want to read my political views, stop reading now.
I have found myself strangely wrapped up in the political dealings for the past year. It is amazing that everything led up to election day yesterday and it's done and over with. I find myself very let down. For several reasons. For the record, I haven't been wildly happy about either Presidential candidate. I found myself more drawn toward John McCain because of his conservative leanings. It probably doesn't come as a surprise then that I'm unhappy with the election results. I think I feel overwhelmingly hopeless!
Clark says I am practically a libertarian (more accurately put, a economic libertarian). I like my independence. I like making my own decisions about my own life. I don't like someone else telling me what is best for me. When we qualified, I never was wildly interested or fond of government assistance programs; I just like my independence. I feel in despair with the thought of the next President - he loves government. He thinks government can solve any problem. I strongly question: What does the government do well? Maybe I'm too negative.
I don't like the idea of universal health care. (Yes, something should be done, but a government/socialist program is not the answer.) I don't like the idea of anymore economic bailouts. We need less government entitlement programs - not more. People need to learn more independence. And probably how to be more aware of serving and helping others instead of waiting for a government program to step in and help. I don't think we should be "sharing wealth" as people so casually toss around. Wealth sharing should be prompted by the individual, not the government. I've known lots of people who are exceptionally generous with the "excess". I think they do far greater good than just giving money to people who make less. I mean, earned income credit is a joke. I know, I've been given it. We always saved the money or used it to pay property taxes. I could keep going on but I'll stop.
I can't stress to you enough the strong feeling of hopelessness I feel. I know that I already said it, but that's how I feel. You won't see me out celebrating this decision. I'm hoping I can get through the next four years.
It's a little late for this but my mother-in-law emailed it to me and I got a good laugh out of it.
I have found myself strangely wrapped up in the political dealings for the past year. It is amazing that everything led up to election day yesterday and it's done and over with. I find myself very let down. For several reasons. For the record, I haven't been wildly happy about either Presidential candidate. I found myself more drawn toward John McCain because of his conservative leanings. It probably doesn't come as a surprise then that I'm unhappy with the election results. I think I feel overwhelmingly hopeless!
Clark says I am practically a libertarian (more accurately put, a economic libertarian). I like my independence. I like making my own decisions about my own life. I don't like someone else telling me what is best for me. When we qualified, I never was wildly interested or fond of government assistance programs; I just like my independence. I feel in despair with the thought of the next President - he loves government. He thinks government can solve any problem. I strongly question: What does the government do well? Maybe I'm too negative.
I don't like the idea of universal health care. (Yes, something should be done, but a government/socialist program is not the answer.) I don't like the idea of anymore economic bailouts. We need less government entitlement programs - not more. People need to learn more independence. And probably how to be more aware of serving and helping others instead of waiting for a government program to step in and help. I don't think we should be "sharing wealth" as people so casually toss around. Wealth sharing should be prompted by the individual, not the government. I've known lots of people who are exceptionally generous with the "excess". I think they do far greater good than just giving money to people who make less. I mean, earned income credit is a joke. I know, I've been given it. We always saved the money or used it to pay property taxes. I could keep going on but I'll stop.
I can't stress to you enough the strong feeling of hopelessness I feel. I know that I already said it, but that's how I feel. You won't see me out celebrating this decision. I'm hoping I can get through the next four years.
It's a little late for this but my mother-in-law emailed it to me and I got a good laugh out of it.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Captured Moment
I stumbled upon this little moment when after lunch the house got a little too quiet. I love how Jaron was reading a book to Russell. I love how these two are little buddies. They typically play pretty well together - but they have their bad moments. But I'm so glad to see that they love to be together.
Then they continued to "read" on there own.
I need to point out something else. The weather here is crazy; it's currently 77 degrees out! We aren't in
Wisconsin anymore. In fact, the boys wore sandals trick-or-treating. I had been in the process of putting away their summer clothes, but I guess not yet!
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