100 Acre Woods (REPOSTED From Canfield Composition)

In the 100 Acre Wood

Yesterday in a rare moment of relative 'quiet' (meaning that only four of my six very loud children were screaming at ear-piercing decibels) I happened to catch the weatherman's forecast on the evening news. Are they even called that anymore?  I don't think that's the politically correct term these days, because these days, it seems everything must tout politically correct terminology.  But that's another post for another time.  Anyway, his description was something like this: "Another windy, dreary day here in east Tennessee".  And I wondered to myself which Tennessee he was talking about!  In my east Tennessee it was a beautiful, blustery, almost-chilly day (Christopher Robin, eat your heart out).  Leaves skitter across the roads; breezes billow my living room curtains.  I've loved having the windows open and listening to the birds in the trees on my front lawn.  And if the kids are eating, I can even hear the breeze blowing the leaves.

Isn't it interesting that two people can have such vastly differing views on the same event (or weather conditions or what have you)?  Truly happy people in life are able to maintain that positive perspective, no matter the challenges or trials they may be facing.  And I'm pretty sure that I want to be 'one of those' people.  I want to find joy in whatever comes my way.  Life experiences have taught me that this isn't always so easy.  But life has also taught me that I am so much happier when I'm able to find joy in this journey.

So this day I resolve to try harder to find the light in the dark, especially when it'd be easier to just stay in the dark (I think I must be part groundhog).  The next time I'm stuck behind an oblivious little Grandma speeding along the interstate at a reckless 52 mph in the left lane, I'll just turn up the radio and sing along like nobody's listening.  And the next time my moody preteen screeches at me, I'll be thankful that she has such a beautiful voice.  When my husband leaves his dirty laundry on the bedroom floor, I'll be thankful that I have a home at all when so many in this world are not so blessed to be able to say that.  Then I'll pick up the dirty laundry and lovingly place it under his pillow.  I mean, let's not get carried away here.  There's plenty of time to improve.  Besides, I need to save things to work on next month.

Things Don't Turn Out As Planned

So, today we were heading to Salt Lake to visit my sister and help with her kiddos.  On the way there, my little one threw up and so we turned around and headed home.

I was only 10 minutes from my destination!

How often do we turn around or go on another course of action, because something comes up.  Yeah, I know.  I had to turn around, it was the right course.  So, then I ask, how often are we going on a good course, and need to be on a better one and so we need to do a 180 and turn back?

This just got me thinking.  Being a teenager, I use to dream.  And I dreamed a lot.  I dreamed of the beautiful, clean house I would live in.  With 17 children.  Yeah, I wanted 17 children.  I didn't really know what that would be like.  But, I thought I could handle it.  I would be the perfect mom, make the perfect cookies, have the perfect house . . . I dreamed just like all teenagers do.  I didn't realize that being an adult would be so different and so hard.  That I would still have challenges and trials.  That I would worry more.  That sometimes my plans wouldn't work out.

Well, I didn't end up with 17 children.  I have 2.  And I love them dearly. They are amazing.  And I am grateful for them.

I wanted to be a stay at home mom.  I think that is the best occupation in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And yes, I know it is hard.  I know that now as an adult.  I still would love to be with my children more, instead of working.  But, I have to say, I am so grateful that I have a graduate degree that has made it possible that I can choose my job.  AND I do have a wonderful career.  I think of it as my insurance policy.  And literally it is!  But, I can be so flexible with my job.  I get to do amazing fun things.  I didn't plan to work, but I love all the benefits that I get.  And my work blesses me as a mom and wife.

So, here are just some examples.  Sometimes, things just don't turn out as planned.  And sometimes it's okay.

Of course, I would have loved seeing Becky and her kiddos.  They are one of the most amazing families I know!  She is so selfless and such an amazing mother, and friend.  She knows how to have a good time and she has taught me the finer art of shopping - much to my husbands chagrin.  LOL!

But, I will see her over Thanksgiving.  And all is well.

Little one just woke up - playing peak a boo.

Life is good.  I am blessed!