Looking around the room, I see cards from friends and family on my shelves (otherwise known as the shelves that hang in the room I am sleeping in that belong to someone else…). I was organizing a month ago when we moved in here and found the cards and reread them and loved the messages. They are reminders of the love in my life. One from my sister KT reads "it's you and me, through thick and thin…god willing, more thin." We have both had lots of thick this year. And that is life. But yes, God willing, maybe this year will be a little thinner! I am lucky to call my sister my best friend. She makes me laugh, and we just "get" each other.
My friends Joe and Jen in the bay sent a cute one with birdies all over it that says "every single day, do something that makes your heart sing" which is a quote from Marcia Wieder. For awhile I had gotten away from music, but now I am back having regular dance parties with my tiny human, and that feels really good. I love music! It is part of who I am. And Miranda and Ellie (mostly Miranda ;)) sent a cute one with dogs on it saying "Friend. Good." -Frankenstein's Monster and the inside reads "you. great." In spite of the distance between us, I am so thankful for a friend like Miranda who is a naturally-minded momma like me and making it work every single day out of love for her daughter. We are forcing our girls to be bffs, but I honestly don't think we will have to force it judging by their baby Skype sessions.
Alicia sent me one that says "the shortest distance between two people is a smile." She was at Cameron's birth. She has been an INCREDIBLE friend in spite of the distance created by us leaving Oregon, and she is one of the only people in Bend I felt comfortable opening up to before I left. Jake and Alicia have helped me so much in the last few months through their support and prayers. Very very thankful for them and excited as they prepare to become parents to a sweet baby girl this summer!
Not only cards, but texting has been a giant source of strength for me. That sounds so strange, but it is true! Our TU girls group has a text going daily. We don't all write every day, but we know that we can shoot out a quick text asking for prayer or advice on kid issues or family situations and there is support on the other end in 5 different states. Pretty amazing.
My parents rule. Just have to say that. They are so very different from one another and fill completely different roles in my life. My dad jokes in stress. And I get that…I have that gene. My mom supports and feels deeply…and I have that gene too. I know that I can call either one of them on a rough day, and I will end up feeling better when I hang up the phone. When you stumble from childhood into adulthood with your parents and your relationship morphs into friendship seamlessly, it is wonderful.
Yesterday I received lots of random texts and notes from friends and family who were thinking of me on mother's day. They were not contrived messages but rather personal and from the heart, specific to me and to Cameron. And it meant a lot to me. Yesterday was good, but it was tough too. I mean, Cameron didn't even get me a gift. :)
Encouragement has fueled my tank many a day when I was dragging. Encouragement gives me that boost of energy that I need to be a good assistant, a good mom, a good friend. The fog I was in has been lifted by healthy encouragement in my life, and I am forever grateful. Balance is difficult under "normal" circumstances but it becomes nearly impossible when the ground shifts daily. I am inspired by you, my friends and family. Inspired to be a better friend myself and to encourage those around me. I have also learned to cut people more slack because you just don't know what they are going through. It is worth having that extra dose of patience if it can help lighten someone's load.
My friends Joe and Jen in the bay sent a cute one with birdies all over it that says "every single day, do something that makes your heart sing" which is a quote from Marcia Wieder. For awhile I had gotten away from music, but now I am back having regular dance parties with my tiny human, and that feels really good. I love music! It is part of who I am. And Miranda and Ellie (mostly Miranda ;)) sent a cute one with dogs on it saying "Friend. Good." -Frankenstein's Monster and the inside reads "you. great." In spite of the distance between us, I am so thankful for a friend like Miranda who is a naturally-minded momma like me and making it work every single day out of love for her daughter. We are forcing our girls to be bffs, but I honestly don't think we will have to force it judging by their baby Skype sessions.
Alicia sent me one that says "the shortest distance between two people is a smile." She was at Cameron's birth. She has been an INCREDIBLE friend in spite of the distance created by us leaving Oregon, and she is one of the only people in Bend I felt comfortable opening up to before I left. Jake and Alicia have helped me so much in the last few months through their support and prayers. Very very thankful for them and excited as they prepare to become parents to a sweet baby girl this summer!
Not only cards, but texting has been a giant source of strength for me. That sounds so strange, but it is true! Our TU girls group has a text going daily. We don't all write every day, but we know that we can shoot out a quick text asking for prayer or advice on kid issues or family situations and there is support on the other end in 5 different states. Pretty amazing.
My parents rule. Just have to say that. They are so very different from one another and fill completely different roles in my life. My dad jokes in stress. And I get that…I have that gene. My mom supports and feels deeply…and I have that gene too. I know that I can call either one of them on a rough day, and I will end up feeling better when I hang up the phone. When you stumble from childhood into adulthood with your parents and your relationship morphs into friendship seamlessly, it is wonderful.
Yesterday I received lots of random texts and notes from friends and family who were thinking of me on mother's day. They were not contrived messages but rather personal and from the heart, specific to me and to Cameron. And it meant a lot to me. Yesterday was good, but it was tough too. I mean, Cameron didn't even get me a gift. :)
Encouragement has fueled my tank many a day when I was dragging. Encouragement gives me that boost of energy that I need to be a good assistant, a good mom, a good friend. The fog I was in has been lifted by healthy encouragement in my life, and I am forever grateful. Balance is difficult under "normal" circumstances but it becomes nearly impossible when the ground shifts daily. I am inspired by you, my friends and family. Inspired to be a better friend myself and to encourage those around me. I have also learned to cut people more slack because you just don't know what they are going through. It is worth having that extra dose of patience if it can help lighten someone's load.