Day 6 (late again) Simple Tradition #31Days

Tradition.  One of our family traditions is to attend our state fair every year.  Every school student receives a free ticket and they give the kids a day off from school.

I remember going with my dad as a girl.  It was fun.  I rode a few rides, played a few games, saw the animals, ate a few fried foods and, took a picture with Big Tex...  it was fun.

As a family we have been going since our girls were school-aged.  We ride a few rides, play a few games, see some animals and shows, eat some fair foods, and take our picture with Big Tex.  It is FUN.

We are tired after such a full day but we always go.  We always look forward to this day.

Yesterday was another such day.  There is a sweet simple rhythm to going every year.  I noticed yesterday that my girls still seem to love being with our family.  Somehow our family traditions have become things we can count on.  We measure time with them too.  We remembered friends we had been with in the past.  We remembered what their favorite parts were when they were little.  We realized that the "scary" rides weren't scary but it were still fun to do together.

These simple traditions are precious to me.  Toward the end of the day my husband leaned over and said, "we have two more."  He meant that we have two more "fair days" before our oldest is a college student and our tradition will change.  Usually this makes me sad but today I'm choosing to simply enjoy this simple tradition.

Day 5 - Text Message and a Phone Call #31Days

Life isn't really simple.  Life is full of amazing opportunities, ups, downs and people.

Today I am reminded that as long as I am following God's call on my life I am right where I need to be.  From texting a friend while thinking about her (while I was in Sunday school) to encouraging her through her tears on a phone call from the other side of the world my "simple" life had me right where I needed to be today.  I was to listen and encourage.  I am blessed.

Life isn't simple.  My job or role in life isn't simple either.

Instead of feeling discouraged or insignificant I need to stop and look around.  I need to open my eyes to what God has put in front of me.  My "simple" life is AMAZING.

Day 4 (a tad late) - FULL days #31Days

Ok so I missed a day.  In my defense it was a REALLY full day.  It was a Saturday and our family had a LOT on the schedule....

One of the things I love about my SIMPLE life is that I get to be around my kids and their friends.  I got to be with the high school band all day serving the kiddos and the directors.  There was a small army of parents who helped out through the day.

I love that I get to hang around these great kids.  I love that they ask me questions when they need help.  I love that they help me with technology (yep, got a Twitter lesson from one).  I love that the time I spend around them help me to get to know them a little bit better.

It was a FULL day but it was a joy.  Because of my SIMPLE life I was able to be there.  Now I wonder what today's SIMPLE life will hold...

Normal "Not-So-Simple" Day #31Days

A a mom to a medically fragile daughter you might think I would have it all figured out by now.  She is 12 years old after all.  I don't.  This is complicated.

Today was like many she has faced each  fall...  yucky hacking cough, feels crummy, BUT not really sick.  I made her go to school.  I checked on her.  I took her to the doctor just to make sure we weren't missing something.  We weren't.

The truth is her body doesn't work right.  It never will.  Today her body struggled to keep up and yet, she is still so strong and resilient.  She amazes me.

It is amazing how "normal" this has become to our family.  I am reminded that my life will never be "simple".  I will never enjoy a day and not be a little concerned about what will happen to her.  My life may not be simple but it is amazing.

Being her mom and making sure she is ok is a very good thing.  It's even ok for me to simply be her mom.  There is nothing more beautiful than being her mom.

Available #31Days

I LOVE that today I was AVAILABLE!  

I was available to spend a few hours looking for ideas and inspiration.  

I was available to help out for an event at the school. 

I was available to meet the guy who was going to remove the bees that moved into our house.  

I was available to pick up my daughter early from school (she wasn't feeling well).

I was available to take my older daughter to get her basketball shoe size (they have to be ordered tomorrow).

I was available to help when the school event was cancelled due to weather-related power outage.

Tonight our family had an unexpected evening at home together.  Because my life is a little simpler I am AVAILABLE and I LOVE it.

My "Simple" Life #31Days

Last October I joined The Nester 31 Day writing challenge.  It was a wonderful time of sharing many of the events of our "unexpected journey".

As October came closer and closer I found myself thinking about many different topics I could write about. Then I realized my main focus these days is enjoying each day with my family.  This October promises to be full of lots of events and activities for our family.

One of the best things I can do is to stop and mark these days.  I admit I am writing this mostly for myself.  As a mom who is allowed the joy of taking care of my family I find myself thinking what I do isn't important or significant.  Sometimes I think my life is too "simple".  I know that it is this "simple" life that I love.  It is this "simple" ordinary, normal life that I have often craved since our youngest was born.  I LOVE my simple life but sometimes I get lost in it.

Truthfully raising two daughters these days is anything but "simple".  It is loud.  It is unexpected.  It is full of laughter and tears.  It is MY "simple" life and I love it.

I hope you enjoy the glimpse of my "simple" life this October.

New Year.... direction and purpose....

It is a new year and many are talking about and thinking about goals and resolutions for the year.

I have found myself caught between looking back at what God has done in 2013 and what I want and need to do in 2014.  I have been inspired.  I am waiting expectantly for the sweet words that great authors have to share.  I am thinking through what I want and more importantly what God wants from me in 2014.

So where am I?  Thinking.  Pondering.  Seeking.

I am seeking what the Lord wants from me.  I am thinking about the lessons I have learned and how I should be different because of those lessons.  I am pondering what I want and what the Lord is laying on my heart.  Today with the new year already under way I am try to jump start my brain and my heart so I am walking through this year with purpose and joy.

I have followed several links and done some reading about the idea of choosing one word to sum up how I want to live my life this year.  oneword365.com is an inspiring idea and concept.  One that takes commitment and purpose.  It's a good idea.

Today I am working on my one word.  I have a strong idea about what it is, but I will take time to ponder and mediate on it.  I want to seek the Lord about His plans and then I hope to explore God's ideas and plan this year.