Wordful Wednedsday: Where I am from...

Oh Cocoa is making us dig deep this week...She is a natural writer and things like poetry seem to just flow from her.  Me...not so much.  I was going to pass on this one but than I decided to give it a shot (thanks to Meg over at Once Upon A Time.  She has a fear of writing poetry and she faced it head on and did an amazing job.  I figured if she is brave I will be too.)

The topic is to write a poem in the style of George Ella Lyon's "Where I am from".  This is so hard because it is so good....I am scared and did not even plan on doing this until this very moment so there are no drafts and trying to make it better...In other words just don't judge my poem on how good theirs are....Here goes...

Where I am from...

I am from mayflowers and Memorial Day
from barefoot skipping through dewy grass.
From scraped knees and treetops watching
the ladies next store hanging their laundry on the line
I am from the waving rock in the front yard
with what could only be a pickle tree growing up beside it.
I am from New England stone walls and long winters
I am from true Vermonters and  New Hampshire flat landers.
I am from the pool in Nana's back yard and the
swing made out of an old tractor seat that swung so high
you could touch the clouds with your toes.
 I am from summer days swimming in the lake,
eating smore's and playing hide-n-go-seek tag.
From winter days with Grampa pulling us on a toboggan
behind the snowmobile.  Falling off it into a big pile
cousins...

I am from not sleeping because of growing pains
From lightening bugs, and seeds that fly like helicopters
I am from walks on the railroad tracks,
playing baseball in the backyard with the neighborhood kids.
From jelly beans and popcorn dipped in red kool aid.
I am from gliders and open cockpit bi-planes doing aerobatics.
I am from painting classes, and sick days laying
under quilts at Mom's craft store.

I am from modern day pioneers
first to leave New England for the South.
From Yankee to Southern Belle wanna be.
I am from not going to church
to one that has shaped my eternity.

I am from the hottest day in August
being tied to my best friend for life
and then a year later for eternity.
I am from finding patience while we waited for
our miracle to come.
From a decade with him,
 passing so fast it is like
watching a movie being fast forwarded.
From playing in the rain, trains, building with Legos
video games, and hugs that must always be followed
by kisses.

I am from memories that will never fade
and are passed on and shared.
From faith, tears, and learning life can't be
according to my plan.
It must be according to His.
I am from learning to let go and take leaps of faith.
From self doubt to, I think I can, to "this too shall pass"...
I am from a Heavenly Father who will give me the world
if I am just willing to trust in Him
and who I am,a daughter of God.
And where I am from...

I could go on forever!!!  The memories of my life just kept popping into my head.  I am so glad I did Cocoa's Wordfull Wednesday on Where I am from.  I know my version is a lot less poem and more a rambling list of memories, some of which make no sense to anyone but a chosen few. :)  Pickle trees and tractor swings...Ah good memories.  Where are you from?  Give it a try. I think you will be surprised at what comes out.

Wordful Wednesday: Alliterations...(this is not easy people!!!)

Over at Chocolate on my  Cranium, Cocoa has challenged us to write an alliteration  today.  This was HARD for me for some reason. So, here it is...This is as good as it gets.  I had to change the color of all the "f's" to prove that they really are in there...

One of my Favorite Faces...

This familiar face is one of the first things I see in the morning.  Freckles from the summer sun find a home for a few months here. Finding out how you are feeling is easy for those who know you.  From your eyes we can feel your emotions. 
From the moment I found out you would be part of our forever family I was filled with joy.  Then I saw your sweet, fresh from Heaven face and I found a part of my heart that was never fully formed before. From the moment you entered our family I was forever changed, for the better. I will never forget your first words, first steps, and first day of school. Our family found its meaning when you found our way into our hearts.
 Faith comes easy to you. You are funny, friendly, and forgiving.  Family, friends, and strangers find full acceptance from you. I hope you never fear the future, for yours will be amazing.  From your talents you will always find the strength to fully fulfill your purpose in life.  Find the path your Father in Heaven has for you and continue in faith to follow it. 

Are you better at this than me?  Find out if it is one of your talents! See if other people found it easier than me over at Cocoa's.

Wordful Wednesday: A Motherhood Limerick

I am not a poet, but I though it would be fun to see what I could come up with.  Cocoa challenged us to write a limerick and suggested we could do it about motherhood.  I decided to go with some mothering difficulties...Don't make fun of me please. :)

                    There are piles of laundry everywhere.
                    Dish washing duties?..no one wants to share.
                    What's that horrible smell?
                    Can anyone tell?
                    If you are thinking of visiting, don't you dare!


That's almost a Limerick, right?  What can you come up with?  Check out other better Limericks over at Chocolate On My Cranium. :)

Wordful Wednesday: What I have learned from being a Mother.

Where do I even begin?  I have learned that I can survive with my heart outside of my body.  I have learned that even when I think I need a break and want to get a way, I just wonder what my child is doing while I am gone.  I have learned that even though I am a sound sleeper, I always wake up when my child calls to me at night.  I have learned that you need to be prepared for anything and big bags can help with that.  I have learned exactly what I sound like when I get upset, because I have seen my child act the same way.  I have learned that even though it is hard to be a mom, I am doing better at it than I think I am.  I have learned that while you wait in a doctors office, it helps pass the time if you trace your child on the paper they put on the table you lay on and let them color it in.  I have learned that in the summer you should always have extra clothes in the car because you never know when you will have the chance to swim.  I have learned that the sound of your child's laughter fills your heart to bursting.  I have learned that hearing your child cry can rip out a piece of your heart.  I have learned that if I am in a bad mood my child will be too.  I have learned that I can never take enough pictures of his sweet face.  I have learned that the 2's aren't terrible at all.  I have learned that each year will go by faster than the last.  I learned that if you make a mistake as a parent your child learns a lot from you if you apologize.  I have learned making your child a little paranoid about germs isn't a bad thing.  I have learned that baby drool on your shoulder is a good thing.  I have learned that there is no such thing as enough hugs and kisses.  I have learned that no one can teach your child as well as you can.  I've learned that talking to the Principal about a bad teacher will make you feel better, but also worse-because she will tell you if you think she is bad now you should have seen her before...  I have learned that amazing things happen to your child when they receive the Holy Ghost after baptism.  I have learned smart kids are unorganized.  I have learned that camping with a tent in the living room is awesome.  I have learned that the most amazing accomplishments in my life aren't really mine-they are my child's. I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love...I could go on and on, but you get the point.  The day I became a mother is the day I truly became me.

What have you learned in motherhood?  Share your experiences and check out other mothers at Cocoa's blog.

Wordful Wednesday: Myths about Women

This will be short and sweet today...and actually fits in perfectly with the myth I want to talk about. The world believes that women can have both a career and a family. I am here to tell you that if you have both, something will be lacking. I only work part time and there is a lot lacking in the house work department. I know it will be there tomorrow. But, you do have to wash the dishes when there are no more forks. And you do have to do the laundry when there is no more clean underwear. There are also things lacking in the family department. Date night, movie night, game night, making it to all the basketball games & field trips, when Jake is sick and I go to work because Daddy is home (but sleeping because he worked 3rd shift.), time to play, dinners that aren't out of a box, traditions crashing and burning...You get the picture. No these things aren't going to scar my family and we are blessed...but it is hard and I feel guilty EVERY day for something I could do better or more if I wasn't always busy trying to juggle it all. Yes, it is a reality in the world today that women have to work outside the home. I know my time working outside the home is temporary and I am happy that I have been able to be home for so long. I am so lucky that I was able to get a job that works so well with my schedule. I am extremely blessed for that reason. But as I talk to people at work and watch the news, it is evident that families are suffering in this country and I believe that mom's having to work is a big part of that. I hope I am not offending anyone. We all do what we have to do, but it is true. Families suffer when mom's have to work. Don't hate me for keeping it really people...If I weren't tired I would think of a better way to put all this, but you get it right? Now I have to go and open up a can of hot dog chill and pears for our awesome dinner, since my guys just finished their level on Lego Star Wars III.... (I had to work a longer shift than usual so that is the best I can do...)

Check out other ladies feeling on this very topic over at Chocolate on my Cranium.

Wordfull Wednesday: Beauty

Over at Chocolate on my Cranium, Cocoa and friends are discussing beauty. The first thing that popped into my mind was the words from an amazing hymn. "There is beauty all around, when there's love at home..." After yesterdays stress this is a perfect subject for me think about. I really am blessed with beauty all around me. Here is some of the beauty that I have enjoyed in my home lately...

*The beauty of our four legged friends and the joy they bring into our lives. I have loved, loved, loved, watching Jake and his new best friend play and cuddle. They adore each other and I adore them! There is beauty in having a best friend that will never judge you, will love you unconditionally, and will keep all your secrets.


*The beauty of an epiphany while reading the Ensign...In the article "His Grace is Sufficient", Kimberlee B. Grant wrote: "When it comes right down to it, I don't hate myself, but Satan does hate me and will use every tactic available to turn me away from the light." Yesterday Satan wanted me to look around me and see my shortcomings and feel guilty. It worked...almost. I decided to enjoy the beauty outside and let the mess wait another day. I can honestly say I feel no guilt in spending time outside with Jake and Sadie. And guess what? This morning went much smoother and the house is getting cleaned today. I think I fought a battle with Satan all day and came out with the upper hand. Go Me!

*The beauty of celebrating love! We had an amazing week leading up to Valentine's day remembering why we love each other....

We even celebrated by having a beautiful meal of lobster tails, Martinelli's sparkling cider, and baked potatoes. Aaron had gotten a $25 gift certificate to a grocery store in our area (not Bi-Lo) from work at Christmas time and decided to save it for a splurge. There is definitely beauty in sitting at the table and having a delicious meal with your family. I love that Jake only had his undershirt on for our fancy meal. :)

*The beauty of the earth. One day last fall I went outside and enjoyed snapping a few pictures of the beauty of Fall, my favorite season (though Spring is a close second with the wonderful weather we have enjoyed the past couple of days...). I love the color of the leaves against the still green grass. I love the smells, I love the brisk wind. I love this beautiful Earth in the fall...I am going to have to do the same thing and snap some pictures of Spring.





*The beauty of sleep...
Aaron how is it that you spend 5 nights a week up all night and still function during the day? Sadie spent 3 nights last week crying off and on...Which meant I only slept off and on...I was a mess. I find it much more hard to find beauty in my life when I haven't had a good nights sleep.
How do you do it? Thank you for doing it...

I could go on and on, but the messy house isn't cleaning itself (unfortunately!). Thanks yet again Cocoa for making me start the day off by thinking about how good life really is!

Wordful Wednesday: Random acts of kindness

I have so many acts of kindness that come to mind, so this one may sound silly but I still think about it often. It reminds me that things you don't even think twice about doing may be a random act of kindness that you didn't even know you did!
When my son was born I had a number of friends from church bring in meals. It was amazing to be taken care of by my sisters, but one part of one meal still sticks out in my mind. I am not even sure what the main course was, but I remember that along with it came a mason jar of home grown green beans. I knew how hard this family worked together to grow their garden. I knew how much joy they had spending time canning it together. I knew all the love that was put into this jar of green beans. For some reason this family giving me that mason jar of green beans they labored over really touched me. They were the best green beans that I have every had. Maybe it was the hormones from just giving birth...I think it was the Spirit touching my heart and reminding me that simple things can change the way a person feels. I have kept that in mind and because of it have been touched by the Spirit to give small and simple acts of kindness that I would have other wise probably not even thought twice about actually doing. Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness come from something you don't even know you did. Things that you don't even think about can be exactly what someone needs.

I just thought of something else! Jake loves to help people in the grocery store parking lot by putting up their shopping cart for them. I have witnessed many faces warm with a smile at this simple and random act of kindness. A smile on the strangers face, Jake's face, and of course mine. :) I think these little acts of kindness really are contagious because you can't help but feel better when someone serves you...It is the whole "pay it forward" phenomenon.

Read about other peoples random acts of kindness here at Chocolate on my Cranium