A Handbook

(I found this while cruising around on the internet. Pretty cool, if ya ask me.)




HEALTH:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to meditate.
6. (Breathe)

7. Read more books than you did last year.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

PERSONALITY:

11. Comparing our lives to others is fruitless. We have no idea what their journey is about.

12. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones especially about things out of our control. Invest energy in the positive present moment.
13. Try not to over do. Understand limits.
14. Why take ourselves so seriously. No one else does.
15. Gossip drains precious energy.
16. Dream more while we are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. We already have all we need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Let go of our partners mistakes of the past. Focus on our present/future happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Make peace with our past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of our happiness except us.
22. Realize that life is a school and we are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons we learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. We don’t have to win arguments. It’s ok to agree to disagree.

SOCIETY:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is insignificant compared to what you think of yourself.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends & family will. Stay in touch.

LIFE:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. (Higher powers) heal everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how we feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When we awake alive in the morning, be thankful.

Down to Moments

It's pretty common knowledge that my 3 youngest siblings and I haven't seen each other since the middle of November. Before these months, we haven't gone more than 10 consecutive days without seeing each other. It's been rather difficult. Having someone as a daily part of your life, then not being able to see them or talk to them at all, without so much as a warning. Especially knowing they're just miles away. Difficult is an understatement, I'll venture to say.

In the beginning it wasn't too bad. I figured interviews would come and go, and life would return to normal. After acknowledging that was not the case, it was heart breaking, and devastating. Especially when Isaiah would ask for them.

There were bad weeks, where all I wanted to do was drive over and see them. Even if just for a minute. I knew that would make the situation worse. So I didn't. The bad weeks subsided.

There were bad days. Days where I would reminisce and wallow. Grieve if you will - with the knowledge that things would never go back to how they were. Then we had one very bad day, where I did drive by. I didn't stop. That would be stupid. Well...driving by was stupid too. I suppose I just wanted to be closer to them for a second.

Now, it is mostly down to just bad moments here and there. I'll get choked up and let a tear or two slide. Then I screw the cap back on. Mostly subconsciously...I think. That or I am just adjusting to how it is for now.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to not miss them. As miserable as missing someone under circumstances such as these is, it carries the faith that we'll be reunited. Sooner or later.

And I've decided to welcome the dreams about them. Daniels sarcasm carries even through the realm of sleep. Oh, that boy. What I would give to hear one of his lame yo mama jokes right now.

Blessings - Laura Story

The first time I heard this song I changed the station because it seemed like just another one of those songs. Ever have days where every song you hear seems to have the same message? Yeah...I was having one of those days. And it was really annoying me. Apparently not sleeping makes me irritable. Imagine that.

Anyway...I heard it again less than half an hour later on a different station so I figured I would listen to it all the way through. Maybe I was supposed to hear it. When it got to the chorus all I could do was cry. I got that all choked up feeling and started bawling. At the time also blamed that on being throughly exhausted.

Now, after listening to it a couple more times, I'm realizing it's something more. I was most definitely supposed to hear this song. Really. I'm beginning to see that healing really does come through tears. And without all these sleepless night I wouldn't be so close to God. I wouldn't feel him so near. Some of his greatest blessings really do come through 'raindrops.' There have been more beautiful things happen than I can even mention through these last few months.

There has been more love, support and encouragement shown to me than I could ever imagine possible. I've developed a new appreciation for those around me. I've also developed a new passion for my children. Until what you feel your very reason for existence is threatened you can't even imagine the kind of pain that would entail if it was taken from you. And the fear that comes with that threat. This has truly been the most horrifying few months of my life. However, without the events that have transpired I would not have been drawn so close to His side. This has also been the most beautiful months of my life.

My Constant & A Clean Reminder

There are so many things in this world that are unstable, inconsistent, and so easily broken. Seeing the brokenness in Japan, and in other natural disasters, is a reminder of the insecurity in even the things we view as being so secure and stable. Our families. Our homes. Our jobs. Add to the list what you will.

As of lately it seems as though the one thing that has always been a constant to me has been shattered and shredded. My family. It's temporary, I know. But what I don't know is how long this is going to last. Weeks? Yes. Months? Yes. Years? It's looking that way.

Nothing of this world is constant. Nothing. Everything changes. The flowers, trees and grass grow, shed, and regrow. People die or leave. The Seasons come and go. Rain and snow exchange places [if we're lucky. This is New Mexico after all]. Our children grow up and will one day move away. Although that's a ways off, they have already changed so very much. The one thing that every remains the same is God's love for us. That never changes, fades, or is otherwise.

He loves us without conditions and without fail.

I'm learning that one thing I crave is stability. I crave there being something that I can hold on to all the time. Something that can't ever be taken from me. And well...anything tangible can be taken from me. God's love is that one thing. Well, God, in general, is that constant. He will always be there.

I'm also learning that I need reminders of this, more often than I realize. And lately I'm receiving them just exactly when I need them. Which just so happens to be yet another reminder of His amazing love.

My thankfulness for these reminders is unmeasurable.

Completely unrelated, I've developed the unquenchable urge to be baptized [no pun intended]. I'm ready for a fresh start. I know being baptized won't give me a new start by itself. It will, however, be a clean reminder to refresh myself in Him, daily. Don't worry. I'll wait until it's warmer. Mainly because I know how blasted cold the baptistery is, even during the summer.

I feel some energy for passion coming back. There has always been passion of sorts in my life. And something you're passionate about always takes energy. Quite frankly, the last 4 months have drained me so that I haven't been passionate about anything. That's changing. Be warned.

He Loves Me. A Lot.

Thanks to our wonderful Pastor, I've once again been reminded of how deep and thorough God's love is for me. I don't ever remember everything taught on Sunday mornings but there are always little pieces that stick out. And sometimes, I don't even remember what parts of the teaching stuck out. However, knowing that there was something that stuck out, keeps me moving forward. I hope that makes sense.

Bryan played the YouTube video of How He Loves - John Mark McMillan during service on Sunday. I had heard the song many times before, but this time was different. I was more overwhelmed than ever by God's presence. His love. Now, I'm one of those that usually cries while worshiping God. And not just a couple tears. Full blown crying fits. Not this time. I was too overwhelmed. I didn't know what to do. It felt like my heart was being pumped full of love and was going to beat right out of my chest.

Since then I've listened to How He Loves about a million times. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. More often than not I find myself humming it...or singing at the top of my lungs. But that's fine.

Don't Go Changing...

Just The Way You Are-Billy Joel  <---- click link please :-]

This is for you, my baby sister[s]. All 3 of you. I've always thought this as our song. The 4 of us.

My relationship with one of you has grown to an incredible level. You're my strong hold and my shoulder to cry on. I'm glad I have you.

And the other two, well I miss you something fierce. Acknowledging that is like pouring salt on a festering wound. But, sweet salt in a way. It doesn't hurt anymore. Well...It hurts when I think about it. I just push you out of my mind most days. Then when I can't anymore it hits at a million miles an hour. Then I kinda lose it. But that's fine, right? Because we can't be strong all the time. That's what we have each other for.

We're split up in pairs, ya know? We'd be screwed if it was 3 and 1, or 1, 1,1 and 1.

Regardless, when we're reunited, we're gonna sing this song over and over again, dancing around the living room, like old days. At least that's the vision I'm holding on to. So until then...Don't Go Changing.

I'm going to go hit the replay button again.

I love you. All of you. More than words can say.

I do - Forever and ever, baby!

If you're easily offended, you probably shouldn't read this.

Whoever said marriage was going to be filled solely of happy times? Butterflies and Glitter, constantly? Well, let me tell you something. Butterflies die and glitter gets in your eyes. Also, life is tough. Get a helmet. With that said, marriage is filled with challenges on the daily. Sometimes you dislike each other so much it's infuriating. But that doesn't mean you just throw the towel in. Marriage is not for the faint hearted. And it is, most certainly, not for wimps.

I'm refreshed to know that Jon and I aren't the only couple who want to rip each others throats out sometimes. I love him profusely, but some days I would rather smack him over the head with a baseball bat, and some nights I would rather sleep on the couch.

But really! Let's be logical, shall we? Why in the world do I expect myself to be happy with my husband 100% of the time? Do I expect myself to be happy with any other person 100% of the time? Uh. No. That, my friends, is a ridiculous expectation. Seriously. Living with someone, being around them ALL the time, is exhausting. No wonder America's divorce rate is through the roof. Sheesh! Like I said...marriage is not for wimps. It requires more commitment, acceptance, love, honesty and trust than any other relationship. And all these characteristics are choices. And they are characteristics that must be practiced constantly.

Jon and I have been together for over 5 years now. We've been married for almost 4 years. To be honest with you, I didn't love him the day we got married. I was attracted to him. Very much so. I enjoyed being around him. Of course. Holding his hand was (and still is) one of my favorite things to do. And those blue eyes...Wowza!! Over the past 5 years, I've learned to love him. Now I love him more than I ever thought possible. And guess what? You can't unlearn to love someone. It's like riding a bike. It's difficult sometimes...like when you're pedaling up a hill. But you eventually get to the top, and usually you can coast to the bottom of the other side. Just like in marriage, or in any relationship for that matter, there will be many many hills to pedal over. Pedaling over those hills in marriage won't produce amazing calves, but it will give you the most beautiful marriage.

If I love him this much today, after just 5 years together, I can't imagine what this love will grow to through the  rest of this 'Until death do we part...' commitment.

August 25th, 2007

Proof

Every once in awhile I wonder what of my own attributes my children will develop as their own. If any of them. Will they develop some of my more loved attributes? Or some of my more disliked attributes? One day at a time, it becomes clear to me, that yes indeed my children are so much like me. Don't worry...they're so much like their father too. It's a good thing too. I don't think this world could handle three people of concentrated Mary. ;-)

Both, Isaiah and Jayme are NOT morning people. They're happy when they want to be, and that's it. If you catch them on a bad day, you're screwed. Isaiah looooves standing in front of the pellet stove to warm up. And if you tell him something he doesn't particularly want to hear, even if it is true, he will argue with you until tears start. They both eat popcorn in mass quantities. Janice-May belched earlier. She then proceeded to giggle hysterically. Yesterday, she brought me a bag of espresso coffee grounds from the cabinet. I then discovered she had them in her hair, in her clothes and all over her person...and all over my living room floor. She smelled of caffeine heaven as did my whole house. Isaiah refuses to sleep with socks on unless it's just so cold they're required. Isaiah hates showers unless he can enjoy a steamy one at least 15 minutes long. Janice-May loves baths, but when she gets all wrinkled she starts to freak out a little. Brownies make both of them unreasonably happy. Despicable Me is their favorite movie.

It looks as though they are quite a bit like me. This makes me happy. And seeing as how Isaiah is barely 3 and Janice-May is just shy of 14 months, it makes me super curious to see how they'll grow up to be like me. Yes...I'm a bit conceited, but that's fine. More so, I'm just plain curious to see who and what they'll be as they grow up. I'm not rushing this though. I'm cherishing every minute no matter how large or small. I'm growing to love them more every day. I'm amazing at how much affection you can hold for a single human being. It can't be measured.

The Mama

The girl

The boy