French Press Friday

DAY DREAMING

I'm sitting here with my hands wrapped around my hot mug of coffee.  Mmmm, it's especially delicious today.  And I feel rushed and ill prepared for the day.  It's my procrastination.  I have some specific ideas for my Friday postings, good ones, too...I hope.  But I can't write about any of them today because they need photo accompaniments.  And I have not done the photos yet.  And I don't have time right now.  And I cannot seem to figure out HOW TO GET THE PICTURES FROM MY PHOTO CARD ONTO MY LAPTOP!!  That frustrates me a bit, can you tell?  (Any advice?)

So today, let's daydream. 

I'm on the front porch of the island house my parents have in Ohio.  The home is a victorian one with many, many rooms that the grandkids love to run through.  It sits on Lake Shore Drive, two houses down from the hustle and bustle of "downtown".  The porch faces Lake Erie and is a favorite place for the adults.  We can watch the kids play ball in the yard, swing on the tire hung from the tree, and tumble in and out of the hammock.  I prefer to sit on the porch swing or in the air chair.  I like the gentle swaying motion both offer.  It matches the rthym of the lake water.  I sip my coffee and inhale deeply the scent of the island.  Fishy lake water, fresh mown grass, boat exhaust, coffee.  I listen to the sounds of my children, the visitors walking by, the breeze in the trees.  I close my eyes and can't help but smile.  This is contentment.  This is what heaven will be like.

Where do you go in your daydreams?

Mothers Are Home: "Only" a Mother

Mothers Are Home: "Only" a Mother

This particular writing touched me today, so I thought I'd share it.  Got your coffee?  After you read it, come on back.

I, too, am one who has been discontent in my role as mother and homemaker.  Thoughts like, "There must be more than just housecleaning and laundry, cooking and baking?!"  My three boys are at school all day.  I have no one to care for during the day.  I have been asked the question, "So, what do you do all day?"  And I have hesitated in answering, quietly asking myself, "What DO I do all day?"  There must be more.  So I use the time to write, thinking one day I'll be recognized!  I use the time to craft, thinking someone will appreciate this!

But I am recognized and appreciated.  And loved and adored - by people much more important than strangers - because I am Home to my family. 

The article made me think back to my childhood.  Could I remember the color of the walls in the kitchen?  Or the shape of the living room sofa?  Not at all.  What I do remember is music, open windows and fresh air, yummy smells in the kitchen, my mother's arms tight around me when I was sad, her cool hand on my forehead when I was sick.  My mother was home to me.  Home is a feeling of safety and security...and that was Mom.

Should I still write, craft, bake?  Yes, of course.  These are interests of mine; they bring me joy.  We as women should pursue what brings us joy.  But I believe it benefits us immensely to know that our role as mother is our highest calling.  Even when our families do not recognize what we do, our Heavenly Father does.  And He proclaims, "Well done."  I am glad to be Home to my sons.

Happy Easter

Thought my poor blog needed a little cheering up. 

Happy Easter all!

Mouse and JoJo watch the magic happen, as if they'd never seen it before.

Our eggs soak in the pretty colors the way I like to soak up the warm sunshine in the spring.  I love to sit on the back patio and feel the warmth of it penetrate every sun deprived pore in my body...ahhhhh!

 Bud is our scientist.  He wanted to know what would happen if he drew on the egg with a sharpie marker first, then dunked it.  Mr. Egg looks pretty happy in his green bath!

 

Silly string in the Easter basket makes for a good time!  Messy, but what boy doesn't love a mess.

And last, but not least, here's my pretty Easter table.

The tulips are from my yard.  They stand in a bottle that once held Starbuck's iced coffee.  I have tealights sitting in cups on top of purple grass.  The china dishes are my mother's.  I love a pretty table.  I don't know if the men in my house appreciate it as much as I do, but I know they love me for the efforts I make in turning our house into a home.

She can turn on a dime!

Ever have a day when you try so hard to overcome your bad mood, and at every turn the bad mood seems to gain the upper hand?

Today is that day.

Stay away.

Stay far away.

What I heard

Bud had his confirmation interview yesterday morning.  Oh, the memories it brought back.  Watching Bud's face, it especially brought back the nervous feelings in my heart and stomach.  I'm sure his head was filled with all the same questions:  What if I get it wrong?  What if I can't remember the 3rd commandment?  What if I can't remember ANYTHING?!

But he remembered plenty.  I heard him recite the 1st, 3rd and 4th commandments and their meanings.  I heard him answer the question, "What is absolution?"  Oh, I loved hearing that one.  I heard him explain the Sacrament of the Altar.  And I heard him stumble through thoughts of what all of this meant to him, for him.  I heard him come to the realization that it's all about Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross. 

He passed.  He received good comments from Pastor/Dad and the elder who was there.  He received handshakes and words of congratulations.  And I received an amazing gift in hearing my son confess his faith.  What a day!  For us both.

Blessed Sunday....

Ignorance

Do they know the pain they cause? 
                                                   I'm sure it's unintentional.

Do they know how much was invested? 
                                                   I'm sure they've no idea. 

Do they know of the hopes that have been forgotten? 
                                                   They can't possibly.

Do they know of the loneliness they leave in their wake? 
                                                    Definitely not.

"Father, forgive them..."

Teach me to forgive.


(newly written, on old ideas)

Going through the motions

I go through the motions because I don't know what else to do.

Because I'd spend the day in bed, in tears, in depression....

I go through the motions so my kids have a meal; so their clothes are clean.

I go through the motions so my husband has a towel to use in the morning, so he can face his day.

Because I cannot face mine.

This too shall pass....going through the motions.

French Press Friday

On this Good Friday, we had hot cross buns with our french press.

And Bud was in the living room with JoJo and Mouse...teaching them how to shoot rubber bands.

A blessed Good Friday to you all.

Supporting the introvert

Here's the introvert in me.  I've been rereading yesterday's post and mulling it over in my head.  A little too much maybe, because I'm worried about possible offending some of you who are extroverts!  My intent is not to raise the introvert and lower the extrovert.  One is not better than the other.  My intent is just to raise the introvert.  That's it.  You extroverts are great!  I just felt the need to speak up for the little guys.  So are we OK?  Great!

On with the post!

This cracks me up, because it' so perfect!

How can you support your introverted friend or loved one?  Pretty easy, really.  Here are some things to think about.

1)  Give them time to observe for a while when in new situations.  We are not antisocial.  We need a chance to take things in.  Check out how many people are around, if we happen to know any of them, and where the bathroom is so we can "escape" for a while if we need to.  We are a little uncomfortable in new surroundings and we just like to get our bearings.  Please don't make us jump right into the middle of things.  Stay by our side for a while and we'll give you the A-OK after a minute.

2) Give them time to think; don't demand instant answers.  It's not that we are unintelligent.  It's not that we didn't hear you.  We just need time to process what was said, formulate our reply and then make it come out of our mouths.  Please be patient.  We aren't deliberately trying to frustrate the heck out of you!

3)  Don't interrupt.  Oh my, this is a biggie for me.  It follows right on the heels of number two.  Just because we finally get to talking doesn't mean it's all going to come out in a rush.  We pause and consider between thoughts just as we pause and consider before we even start.  Just because I took a breath doesn't mean I was done with what I had to say.  Sheesh!  But see, if you aren't an introvert you don't know this.  I'll address this issue later.

4)  Give a warning cry of some type before changing plans or activities.  I learned this one with Bud.  He shared with me once that he hates being interrupted while practicing his trumpet.  Even if it's for supper.  We just need time to adjust our thinking.  We need time to prepare the train to move from one track to the other.  Our train does not jump tracks, OK?  Sorry.  That's the way it is.

5)  Reprimand them privately.  A good one to remember if you have kids who are introverts.  Just think about how much we hate crowds.  Then think about how totally humiliating it would be to have a mistake pointed out IN FRONT OF THAT CROWD!  Even if the crowd is just your family.  The feeling of embarrassment is powerful.  It can overrule any feelings of regret for having done wrong and I don't think much will be learned.

6)  Don't expect them to have lots of friends.  This has been a tough one for me personally.  I've felt I was supposed to have lots of friends and an active social life.  Well, that's not who I am.  I have very few near and dear friends.  I think an introvert came up with the word "acquaintance".  I have lots of acquaintances and few friends.  Extroverts have tons of friends.  Just check their Facebook page!  Introverts, do you "friend" everyone, or are you choosy?  I bet you're choosy.  We don't want everyone peeking into our lives.  Social networking is almost an evil for us introverts.  Even the phrase gives me the shudders...

7)  Don't try to change them.  There really is nothing wrong with us.  Please respect who we are, what we need, and the ways we survive this crazy life. 

8)  Ask them to share their needs.  We probably won't tell you what we need.  We probably won't say as we walk in the door to a noisy party, "Hey, give me a minute or two to take in my new surroundings."  So you are going to have to ask us what will be helpful.  And you introverts who are reading this:  Take some time to talk to your loved ones.  As much as it would help, as much as we would wish it to be so once in a while, no one can read our minds.  You are going to have to find words to explain your needs.  It will NOT be helpful to hand this list to someone and expect them to make your life easier.  You will have to do some work, too.  You can do it!  And it helps so much.

Being an Introvert

Introvert or extrovert?  Do you know which one you are?  My guess is, if you are an introvert and you know it, that you might feel a bit ashamed because of it.  Or that if you are an extrovert, you might feel a bit of relief that you're not an introvert.  Along with being an introvert comes the stigma of being shy, antisocial, a wallflower.  On the other end of the spectrum are the extroverts who are seen as the life of the party, the movers and shakers, the people we all look up to.  While these descriptions might be true, this does not lessen the importance of the introvert. I have learned that being an introvert does not define me, it simply describes me.

I knew I loved Audrey for a reason!

What is an introvert?  Simply put, an introvert is a person who needs to find some time alone in order to recharge the inner battery.  Quiet and solitude are what motivates this person and provides energy to meet the day.  Now, this is not to say that an introvert always needs to be alone or cannot tolerate noise. This is just what is needed after putting herself out there for a length of time.  For example, weekends tend to do me in.  The boyos are home from school, which is a good thing!  Please don't misunderstand me.  It just puts 5 people in our tiny house for 48+ hours (and only the introvert can relate to this!).  Add to that being at church for a few hours on Sunday where I float in a sea of people.  Again, being at church is a good thing, a needed thing.  But it also puts me "out there".  It's just a fact.  So when Monday rolls around I am more than happy to kiss my boyos and Hubby goodbye...and enjoy my quiet house all...day...long.  I might run errands, but I do it in a kind of fog.  I do it "in my own world".  I enjoy being on my own, accomplishing my tasks without having to talk to anyone.  And then at the end of the day when it's time for everyone to come home, I'm ready!

The extrovert, on the other hand, gets charged up by being with people.  Talking and mingling and sharing events of the day are energizing.  I don't get this AT ALL, but it's what I've learned and apparently it's true!  :)  Imagine the kitchen table at breakfast full of chatter and talk of plans for the day, maybe everyone sharing at the same time.  People talking over each other making sure everything gets said, from "pass the milk" to "don't forget I have practice after school."  This would look normal  and be energizing for the extrovert.  It might look normal to the introvert, too, but it would be chaotic.  The extrovert would be charged and ready to go.  The introvert would need to go back to bed!  Not because she was tired, but because she'd need a little quiet and a chance to restart the day.

Society tells us that being an extrovert is the way to go.  Extroverts get things done.  Extroverts get noticed.  From elementary schools to the workplace, it's the extrovert behavior that is encouraged.  The "cool kids", the popular crowd we all thought we wanted to be a part of....who were they?  The athletes who were out on the court or on the field.  The ones who went to the parties, to the dances, who sat in big groups at lunch.  The class presidents, the class clowns.  The ones with the big ideas, the ones who speak up first, who speak up the loudest.  Those are the ones we want as our leaders, don't you think?  But there is something to be said for the introverted behavior.  We think more and talk less.  We weigh situations before making decisions.  We have tremendous skill when it comes to observation.  We make the best listeners.  We have an eye for detail.  When we do offer an idea, it's usually well thought out and complete. 

So are you an introvert?  Or do you know someone who is?  Tomorrow I'll give you some ideas on caring for an introvert.  Nothing very profound.  Just some things I've learned along the way through my reading and...just living life as an introvert.

Blessings on your days ahead.

A Good Laugh

I was going to write about introverts, as I am very much one of them.  But JoJo sat down next to me as I was firing up my computer and we got to looking at my "Ponderings, Smiles & Giggles" board on pinterest.  (Hello, my name is Jenny and I'm a pinterest geek.)  He got the giggles so badly that I decided to post some and save introversion for another day.  I think that's the introvert in me - taking the attention off of myself and passing it on to someone else.  Ya think?

Anyway, here are JoJo's favorites.

"We ride!"

(he thinks this is hysterical!)

"Whaaaaat??"

(this one just produced a good giggle)

"Tickle him!"

(jamming his finger toward the ground, trying to sound tough through the laughter)

Hope you get to enjoy some laughter with your kiddos today.

Palm Sunday

Was this really what it looked like on that first Palm Sunday?  People standing shoulder to shoulder under a sea of green palms.  No room for a passerby to pass on by.  But why would he want to?  His curiosity would be piqued. 

"What is this all about?  Who are we expecting?  Who are we praising?  Shall I join in the hymn as well?  Why not!"

I imagine the excitement was contagious.  The anticipation overwhelming.  The pure joy at finally seeing Christ as He made his way through that throng was unstoppable.  The shouting that followed was as much an involuntary reaction as one's heart pounding inside one's chest.

Hosanna!  Hosanna to the Son of David!

What my mind inevitably moves toward is another crowd that will gather five days from now.  My wonder and my joy turn to heartache and confusion.  What fickle people we are.  How easily we are caught up in the ebb and flow of the crowd.  Lord, have mercy. 

Hosanna, hosanna to the Son of David.