A Mom's New Year Resolutions

Well, here we are at the end of another year. For me, this has probably been one of the most difficult years of my life. Many wonderful things have happened, yet many terrible things have happened as well. I know that our lives are made up of ups and downs, but this year has been more downs than ups. Years like this make us look back and appreciate the years we had things so well.

It's always this time of year when I sit down and contemplate what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. I make a list of a few things (ok, so there are usually more than a few things) that I need to do in the new year. I then proceed to not do them in short order. I don't know what causes me to forget my resolutions before the month of January is even over, but I do it every year. Don't get me wrong, I have done well some years to make it as far as March.

This year, I didn't want to do the same old, same old. I wanted to do something a little different. I decided to make a list of things I wouldn't do in the New Year as opposed to things I would do. I know a lot of people rather look at things the other way around, but I definitely need a new approach. So here goes. . .

1) I will not give up running. I will keep trying even though it's hard, cold, and well, plain painful at times. Currently, I am running about 3 miles. I plan to increase that this year.

2) I will not be the same wife/mother I was last year. I don't think I was a bad one, but I want to do better and find ways to become the person God would have me to be for them.

3) I will not over do it on my schedule. I want to have a less stressful and hectic year. I think I have the ability to pull this one off now that our family has made some adjustments and I look forward to being able to do more for my family and our church by being a proactive planner with a calendar. I think that by actually using a calendar I can keep our events at a minimum.

4) I will not be a Christian in my words alone. I want to have my actions speak for me.

5) I will not take the mountain tops for granted. This is something that I have done for years. Last year taught me that I can no longer do that.

6) I will not allow fear to drive my thoughts, actions, and life. I will ask for God's help.

7) I will not take my family for granted.

8) I will not allow my house get the best of me. For those of you who know me well, you know I am not a neat freak. I have a mess going pretty much 24-7. I then allow myself to become completely overwhelmed by the mess until I cannot function. No more in 2011.

9) I will not allow myself to stay indoors for days at a time. I am going to get out and be more accessible to my friends. I have learned this year that it makes me a better mom and wife to have some "me" time.

And last but not least. . .

10) I will NOT allow other relationships, things, people, events, etc. to interfere with my relationship with my Heavenly Father. In the last few years, I have allowed so much to come between me and Him. I am putting my foot down.

After making my list, I look back and realize I am still making resolutions. However, I am much better about not doing things than I am about having to do something. I hope that my blogs in the future will reflect that I am not doing things well! I would love for each one of you to come and leave a message of encouragement or accountability for me when you think of it. I hope that if you have trouble keeping resolutions, you might try the same tactic.....I'll keep you posted on my progress!

My Little Reindeer

Here are the photos from the Straightforward Son's 1st School Christmas Concert as promised! We were super proud of him! I threw in some of him singing "Away in a Manger" and partying too for good measure! ENJOY!

Our little Rudolph!

The class singing Rudolph

"The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head...."

Two buddies chowing down at the party!

Mrs. Amy gets the kids ready for their book exchange!

Pet Peeves and Small Joys During the Season of Peace

Ok. I don't know about you, but there are so many things that happen to me during this season that drive me insane! I had to share a few of them with you.

1) I think they up the amount of toy commercials from October through December. In December it seems that they are shoving in as many as they can. (Thank goodness we only have basic cable now. I have no idea how many are being shoved in between Dora and Diego breaks right now!)

2) Parking in any parking lot (including the Dollar Tree) starting after Black Friday is a ridiculous task. People will literally tear off the front of your car to get a parking spot that even remotely seems like it might be closer to the door. I get that it's cold, but I have to get two kids in the store! Please, give a mom a hand and just let me have the space.

3) People who won't commit to the Christmas Play. Look, it's really hard to plan a Christmas Play if you are the lead role and are not sure you are going to show up. We only do this one time a year. Practicing for a few weeks (during church hours), showing up to the last dress rehearsal and the play should be a piece of cake.....right?

4) It irks the poo out of me when people will go all out decorating for Halloween, but won't even put up a strand of lights for Christmas. This might seem random, but I am an avid lover of Christmas lights. I appreciate those who get out in the cold and do the work!

5) Parents who refuse to tell their kids no. Picture me. I am in Wal-mart with the Straightforward Baby and the Straightforward Son walking remotely near the toy aisle trying to get to the pet section. A kid is screaming at their mother because they want to bring a toy home right now instead of having it for a gift. I then have to look my boys in the eye and give them a talking to just because of how that kid behaved. Ok, so maybe I don't "have" to, but I believe in being proactive!

Ok, so there are a few of my holiday pet peeves. Now for the REALLY good part! The joys....

1) I had the nicest Salvation Army bell ringer man (that was the most interesting thing I have typed all day) help me put the Straightforward Son in a buggy at Wal-Mart when it was about 20 degrees outside. He saw me struggling in my big jacket with my kid in his big jacket and came to my rescue. I usually drop in some change, but I gave that guy a dollar. He earned it and got a huge Merry Christmas from the Straightforward Son.

2) The Straightforward kids had THE BEST experience with Santa this year. I did a photo shoot at Bradley's Pumpkin Patch with the best Santa I have ever seen or been around. He spent time in between photos playing Leapster with a little boy who now thinks he and Santa are best friends. He'll never forget that special day!

3) We recently lost a wonderful member of our family this month. I had to explain death to my 3 1/2 yr. old son. You would think this would be terrible. Instead, he looked at me with those beautiful eyes and said, "Mommy, I will miss Uncle Walter, but I am sure glad you are still here." I have to admit I went somewhere and shed a few tears over that one.

4) Being a part of the Christmas activities at church again have just warmed my heart. I really love getting involved. Now that I have the ability to do so (without the craziness of a teaching schedule to hold me down), I am taking full advantage of it. The kids (no matter how uncommitted) have been a blessing and a lot of fun to be with. I can't wait for the Straightforward Son to sing his solo! I'll have to take some pictures and post!

5) Watching the Straightforward Son today perform in his class' musical debut was great. Of course, he started dancing and almost knocked a classmate over, but it was still precious and brought me much joy.

I would love to hear some of your pet peeves and joys of this season! Post them in the encouragements (otherwise known as comments) so we can enjoy them all!

Peace on Earth . . .

Well, needless to say I took a break from blogging to get through Thanksgiving. We made it. Those of you who know our family know what we have been going through recently and it has been rough. However, it was so nice to sit around the Thanksgiving table and offer our thoughts of appreciation to the Lord and each other. It truly made us realize just what we had been blessed with this year, even though things have been tough.

Now, on to Christmas! I don't know about you, but the Straightforward House has been bustling this Christmas season. We have had something on our calendar every day. We also have an advent calendar where the Straightforward Boys have a note each day about something special that will go on that day that is just for them. It's just one of the highlights of this season! I have committed to way too much this season and am trying to stay above the waves at this point. This is the first Christmas season that I feel totally unprepared for! Yet, I wanted to take some time to stop and offer some thoughts about the season in my most Straightforward manner!

Recently, I talked to our Sunday School class about peace. I am probably the worst person to talk about the subject as I am one of the world's worst worriers. I went into it a little hesitant, but found some interesting truths as I taught the lesson and the kids interacted with me.

Have you ever thought about the shepherds out sleeping in the fields? All of a sudden the sky opens up with angels! People are screaming (ok, singing very loudly) basically "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." (Luke 2:14, NIV) I don't know about you, but that is probably one of the most incredibly unpeaceful ways to talk about the peace that had arrived! :) I think I might have had to change my shepherdly undergarments had I seen this sight.

Today we see this verse translated to all kinds of things you can buy at Christmas. You see things that declare "Peace on Earth." Tons of Christmas cards and other paraphernalia have this or the word "Peace" tattooed all over it. Now don't get me wrong. Our Savior was born to bring peace. However, it is not in the way that so many people preach about or all the Christmas cards tend to portray it. Jesus wasn't sent to bring peace "on earth" between people. He came to bring peace to those who would accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Look at the end of what the angels' message says--"and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."

Still don't believe me? Check out this verse--"Think not not that I came to send peace on earth:I came not to send peace, but a sword. " (Matthew 10:34, KJV) WHOA.....what happened to the cute little baby we see in the nativity scenes and on the cards? What about this verse? "Suppose ye that I come to bring peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." (Only 10 chapters from where the angels declared peace in Luke 12:51, KJV) Look at the difference between these verses and the message the angels brought that day to the shepherds. Yes, peace was finally readily available on earth for people, but it wasn't the way or the type that everyone expected.

Isn't that the way God always works? It seems that it is never the way or the means by which we expect God to work. He can use something stunningly simple, or He can use something infinitely complex--it seems it depends on the message and to whom the message will be delivered--that's not in the Bible, that's just a Straightforward Momism. I love that I can see His hand in something as simple as the smiles of my boys, yet understand His hand in the complexity of the way they were designed within my body. It's just incredible.

Off the tangent. After the discussion, our Sunday School class decided that Christmas cards about peace should not show a quiet night that is peaceful....but probably should show the innards of a person who is saved. Yeah, so our idea won't quite make the shelves of Hallmark this Christmas season. Who knows? Maybe next year.

I pray that you will find time this year to stop and find that true peace that is specifically for "those on whom His favor rests." If you are not one, become one. This is the perfect time. Don't put it off. You can't waste another minute without this peace! If you are already one of these, let go and let the peace do its work. Let Him have all your trials, troubles, and concerns. There's no time like the present--hahaha a little Christmas humor for you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!