Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

Okay, so I have been trying to improve my blogging and I love reading other blogs so I'm going to TRY and participate in the BlogHer December 2013 theme: More/Less. There are prompts for every day (except weekends) and the goal is to write everyday in the Month of December. I have some post already planned but on the days I do not I will use the prompts set for this month...a little nervous that someone might actually find this little old blog and read it but excited that I am actually setting a goal and going to stick to it.

Well, here it goes!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

My answer: Depends on what I'm drinking! Most of the time I see the glass as half full. I'm, for the most part, a pretty optimistic thinker; however I am drinking from a cup that hasn't been running over for a while and lately I can see things in a negative light. I am trying to learn to see the cup not as half empty or half full but just as it is.... I am not completely out I am not completely full but hey, at least there is something in the cup.

As a single mom I am struggling to be where I want to be and at times I get caught up in what I do not have, what I wish I had, and what I think I should have. Other times I am thankful for what I do have and that I'm not completely rock bottom. Seeing things as they are is my goal... not to optimistic, not too pessimistic but just realistic. Besides my plan is: if the glass becomes too low or too high I'll just get a different size glass!

Elf on the Shelf

I have had an Elf (Eek) for two years and I have not been very clever. In fact I did not know that so many people went all out...the most exciting thing I've done is hide him at Grandma's house. Well, I have done my research and am not going to be too over the top but I am going to have a little more fun with Eek this year.

Let me first explain that we live in a SMALL apartment and I cannot place Eek in low places because I do not have children that will keep hands off...so up and high and hard to reach places it is. Second you must remember I am a single mom with very limited income so I have to be creative but spend little to no money on this. I have written down my plans for Eek's 25 days with us and I will try to update any changes made.

Eek's 25 days of Christmas 2013
Day 1:  Arrival with letter from Santa (On Tree) with NOTE
Day 2:  On top of Fridge
Day 3:  On Bathroom Mirror (with steam message)
Day 4:  In Kitchen Cabinet
Day 5:  In stockings with little treat
Day 6:  In bedroom with NOTE
Day 7:  In pantry with skittles
Day 8:  Reading Bible
Day 9:  On picture of kids (with doodle faces drawn)

Having our Eek bring out the ornaments with a note was a big hit for my three and five year old. My five year old was very excited with the note and she had me read it several times. We then hung the ornaments that Eek brought out and my little ones really enjoyed hanging every ornament and asking all about their meaning or where they came from...oh, I love this time of year!!

How do you hide your elf? What are your Christmas traditions?

Happy New Year

Today starts a new year for the Christian Calendar. As I prepare my heart for the Christmas season I am thankful for so many things. This year has been filled with sickness, loss, and troubles; but during this time I have been blessed with love, support, donations, and kindness from the people in my life. I have been given clothes for my children from those who have children who have out grown them. I have had sitters volunteer to help with my kiddos. People have visited us in the hospital and brought presents for my children. A coworker gave me tires, another coworker a TV and the list goes on and on and on. I am blessed. Times are not easy; but God is with me. I feel His love through those He has placed in my life. I hope this year brings more peace in my life and more health in my children's lives! But I know what ever this year has in store I will not be alone!

Praise be to God!

Ephesians 5:20
"Giving Thanks always for all things unto God and the Farther in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Me time

A common theme of my post may be that I am overwhelmed and burned out. Well, God wants us as parents (single or not) to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our children. I am not taking care of myself. I feel ashamed, embarrassed, or just hate to bother others when I need help. But even the best mother in the world needs help...God places people in our lives to help us.

My prayer for this week is that God gives me the peace I need to ask for help. I pray that God places people in my path that are more than willing to help and I pray that my children behave for those who watch over them while I'm receiving much needed help!

In Acts 20:28 we are reminded to take care of ourselves and others.
"So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock -his church purchased with his own blood -over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders."

Oh yea Kindergarten

I mentioned yesterday how overwhelmed I am feeling but I should have mentioned the kindergartner has a lot to do with this. My five year old is in her second (quarter?) of kindergarten and boy oh boy am I realizing that I am the mother of a school aged child.
I love kindergarten, I love her school and teacher...what I am not so crazy about is the lack of communication. I get very little comments from my child and her teacher has 23 children and emails are only if the child has been bad or in response to a question or email I've sent her. Any way, we have daily homework and so far so good. First report card (um, needed help understanding it) showed good progress and the thing I'm most excited about is...she got a good mark in conduct!

So, this year is almost over and I'm hoping to set some personal goals to write more about kindergarten and our home life...hoping to have some BIG changes coming to our lives soon!

Overwhelmed

I miss you! My non readers, my venting ground, my great plans and ideas!! I long to sit and write and plan and oh wait...to live! I want to live the life I dream off and dream of the life I live or something like that. I am so overwhelmed and exhausted I barely have time to shower so my dreams of writing, planning, and creating fall short or become extinct.

My family of three has been sick on and off for a while...we share the bug but I can't seem to rid myself of the bug...ugh! Any way, I am trying to get these ideas of mine on paper (or screen) and even if no one is reading but me and my mother I still feel good typing away my thoughts, ideas, and life!

So, overwhelmed as I may be I need this time...the quiet time to type away and let my brain enjoy some me time!

Blessings

My birthday is in November. My children and I baked cupcakes (nothing beats homemade icing!) and they were so very sweet to me but the sweetest blessing came to me my birthday week.

My coworker placed a treat on my car for my birthday and as she was doing so she noticed I needed new tires. I could not then and cannot now afford new tires. I explained this to my co-worker and she researched, found a dependable yet affordable place, and replaced my tires. I cannot begin to express how this helps me. I don't know how to show enough gratitude to my coworker for her kindness. It feels so good knowing she cares enough and is kind enough to look out for me and my family. This birthday I am truly blessed to have people in my life like my co-worker!