Milestone Event...

I have one daughter.  Just one.  She is a junior in high school.  My daughter is shy and modest.  Yes, she is a cheerleader and I realize that seems like an oxymoron, but it's true.  Springtime in your junior year (and senior) means Prom.  My daughter has never had a boyfriend.  Never been on a real date.  She has been to one dance and she went with a group of girlfriends.  Things are much different today than when I was a girl in high school.  Despite not having fond memories of high school, I do have great memories of Prom.  My daughter insisted she is not. going. to. prom.

Last week her best friend Colin was over asking me for advice on a fun way to ask a girl to Prom.  Boys do crazy, creative things these days to ask a girl.  I don't know what ever happened to simply asking, but they don't.  So, the "Prom" discussions began again.

So, my daughter and I are heading to the mall to get some necessities and I bring up the subject.
Me..."So, if someone asked you to Prom, would you go?"
Daughter..."Someone did want to ask me, but I told him and everyone else not to bother, because I do not want to go, so do NOT ask me."
Me..."Well, that seems really crazy and slightly rude honey.  Why do you feel that way?"
Daughter..."Because either dad or my brother or my cousin will embarrass me!"
Me..."So, if I PROMISE that no one will embarrass you, would you reconsider?  I think that this is a memory that you cannot ever get back if you choose to skip it.  Certain things you get a do-over on, this is not one of them."
Daughter..."If you can guarantee that they will not make idiots of themselves and interrogate the boy, then I would go."
Me..."So, you promise!?  If you promise, I will promise that IF your dad, brother, or cousin embarrass you, I will give you $500."
Daughter..."Yes, I will promise to go."

So, we hit the mall with a whole new purpose.  Prom dress shopping.

I've learned a few things along the way in my life.  One is, do not judge a dress on a hanger.  Not every color is for every gal.  Not every cut/style is for every gal.  The only way to learn what looks best on your body type and skin tone is to try on dress after dress.  Just because they make it in your size does not mean you should wear it.

I have done my very best to teach my daughter these lessons too.  I'm proud to say, she's getting good at it.

The first dress she tried on, was "the one".  But, to be certain, we tried on others as well.  LOTS of dresses.  We still went back to "the one".  We didn't purchase it, because it's good to sometimes sleep on these things.

On the way home, we had the following conversation...

Me..."Do you realize that we will get to do this one more time and then the next time we go dress shopping together, it will be for your wedding.?"
Daughter..."Are you crying?"
Me..."A little.  I never got to do this with my mother.  Not for Prom or for a wedding.  I was there when we shopped for your dress to come home in.  I was there when we shopped for your baptism dress.  I chose so many Easter and Christmas dresses too.  Now, we are shopping for your prom dress.  You are a young woman and I am so proud of you.  I hope that someday we will shop for your daughter's first dress together and I hope with all my heart that you will treasure these times as I do."
Daughter..."Great!  Now, I'm crying."

These are the moments in life that God blesses us with that make everything worth while.

Big Girl Panties

Okay, so yesterday this blog idea came to me and I felt I had to share.  Of course, part of me thought that perhaps I was insane because this is not your normal posting idea.  Now, I know that "Big Girl Panties" can make everyone think something different, but for me, right now, it means one thing.  Fat Girl.  So, if you're still with me and reading - or just insanely curious - I'll go on to explain.

As a kid I was always chubby.  Not fat, but definitely not skinny.  My mother was the queen of Chips, Dips, Junk Food and Pepsi (or RC as was her favorite back in the day).  I was happy though, but most likely a wee bit unhealthy.  Fast forward to age 19.  I found myself and got healthy.  I lost weight and looked fantastic and felt even better.  Then came babies and the weight struggle began.  After baby #3 (at age 34) the hormones were a mess and the weight gain - well, let's just say I never got back to pre-baby and he's 10!  The past 12 months or so I have been changing that, but it IS a daily struggle.  I have managed to lose a little over 50 pounds, but I have a long way to go.  To make matters worse, I still see that fat person in the mirror.  Not very pretty, no self-confidence, just frumpy.  I mean, I'm fat - I don't deserve nice stuff or to look good ever.  (okay, that's my evil side talking - I really do know better).

So, the other day I was out shopping with my daughter and we were getting her some pretty fun bras and panties for spring/summer.  She insisted I buy something for myself.  First off, unheard of!  Second off, I'm too big to wear those things - I wear the "big girl" panties from Target (or granny panties as we so lovingly call them).  Well, guess what!?  I bought myself some pretty "stuff" and nope, I do not look like I once did, but I FEEL better.

See, I was losing my motivation lately.  I mean, I'm going to be 45 (yikes!) and my life is chaotic and frankly on most days, I'd rather lie in bed with the covers over my head than get out and face the world.  Working out!?  Hasn't been a regular habit lately because everyone else has been the priority.  So, I was feeling frumpy, old, and well, mighty danged comfortable in those big girl panties.

Who would have thought that one little pretty thing could bring about so much inspiration!?  Make you feel just a little prettier.  But a little bounce in your step.  Make you feel a little more like a woman and a little less like a mother, nurse, maid, cook, chauffeur, homework buddy, personal shopper, (well you get the picture).  I mean, come on - no one sees them.  (Okay, I don't care what the current style is - if my underwear are ever sticking out of my jeans it is an accident!) But, for whatever reason, I feel better.

So, if you're like me and you're walking around in your big girl panties (or whatever silly little frumpy thing that you've allowed to put you in a rut) let me tell you that YOU are worth it.  YOU do deserve something pretty and feminine and just for you.

Random Thoughts...

So, I've been back and forth, here and there - varying thoughts and ideas and attempting to come up with what to share next.   I have found myself in a bit of a state of rebellion, confusion, and well - a bit overwhelmed.  So, this morning I am approaching life with a new attitude (so-to-speak).

So, here's the random thoughts...

1.  Absolutely have decided to do hard wood floors in the bedrooms as opposed to carpeting.  Almost, changed my mind on this as we have had a few sleepovers this week and hard floors and sleeping bags are not a good combination.  But, I love the look, the healthier aspects of hardwood and the ease of cleaning them, so bye-bye carpeting!!!

2.  The all-white bed (inspired by Pottery Barn) is the winner!  I do so love change and the best and least expensive way to achieve my need for change is to keep the basics simple and neutral.

3.  My son's bedroom is coming along nicely and honestly looks even better than I had hoped it would.  I cannot wait to get the hardwood flooring laid in their and start decorating!!

4.  This is spring break week for my kids and the weather has been cold, rainy, and even some snow yesterday.  Gotta love Chicago.

5.  All this dreary weather has me in a frump.  Hoping for sunshine soon.

6.  I'm finding inspiration in random places lately.

7.  I have been finding myself re-evaluating my priorities lately and discovering that sometimes it's easier for me to let everyone else become the priority rather than face my own realities.  Sad, but true.

8.  I've been working on a bible study, Breaking Free by Beth Moore, and although there have been some days in the study that I felt did not really apply to me, there have been other days (especially recently) where I cannot even get through one day of study on one day.  For example, yesterday's study took me both yesterday and today to get through.  Powerful stuff.

9.  I have been reading a book called Love & Respect and as much as I was hoping to learn one lesson, I'm learning something completely different.  Ever hear an annoying voice in your head tell you that you're doing it wrong?  UGH.  LOL  That voice is getting to sound like a broken record in my life these days.

10.  I have discovered that I have strong rebellious tendencies and it is only when I allow myself to be quiet in the moment that I can feel the heaviness of heart that these tendencies cause in my life.

11.  I find joy in simplicity

12.  I have lost a sparkle in my eyes that I have noticed lately and I long to have that sparkle return

13.  My daughter is struggling to decide what she would like to do with her life, educational choices and career choices.  She keeps looking to me for the answers and for me to tell her what to do.  Although this would be easy to do, I know it is the one thing that I cannot do.  It is a difficult moment when you have to look at your child and say, this is a choice that you have to make on your own and although I can help you by pointing out the pros and cons of each choice, ultimately the choice must be your own.

14.  Life sometimes looks like a field of wild flowers.  You can choose to see the beauty of it or you can see simply weeds.

Which Way Do I Go!?

We are working on our house

Again and Still (she says with crazy laughter)

We're putting on the little details that we didn't get to in few rooms

You know, baseboards, trim pieces, etc.

I can't wait to show you my son's bedroom - I'm LOVING it!!

But, the question is for the master bedroom.

We are getting a new bed (the crowds cheer)

A Queen-Sized Bed that will fit MUCH better than the King-Sized bed we have now

But, I'm torn.

I LOVE the All-White Bed from Pottery Barn

I love it for many reasons, but #1 is it that it allows change

I love change

I LOVE my plain white dishes from PB and the flexibility it allows

A touch of yellow for spring?

A burnt orange for autumn?

You could add a throw, a pillow, candles, or whatever and change the look

Hubby and I also like this blue...

So, White or Blue?  

Which way would YOU go?

OH!  And the other dilemma...

In the bedrooms...

Hardwood floors or carpeting?

Happy Friday!!!

Anniversary...

Hubby and I are celebrating our 19th anniversary.  Yikes.  19 years!!  Not a major milestone like 25 (which my girlfriend and her husband are celebrating this year - yes, I was the LAST to get married)  but an anniversary none-the-less.

In honor of the day, I found some funny and sweet quotes I thought I would share.

The difficulty with marriage is that we fall in love with a personality,

 but must live with a character.  

~Peter Devries

Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  

~Michael Leunig

To keep your marriage brimming,

With love in the loving cup,

Whenever you're wrong, admit it;

Whenever you're right, shut up. 

Ogden Nash 

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, 

and let him make her sorry to see him leave.

Martin Luther

One advantage of marriage, it seems to me, is that when you fall out of love with him, 

or he falls out of love with you, 

it keeps you together until maybe you fall in again.

Judith Viorst

I am Blessed

I am blessed.

So much stress and chaos in my world these days and I am blessed with people who have sent me the most amazing bible verses and advice.

I'm learning to be at PEACE.

Nehemiah 8:10...

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.