beachy 2011

After some contemplation, salty air in my lungs, sun on my skin and some keen observations, I'm convinced I'm blessed beyond measure and I have the best kids in the world. I was taking a walk this morning and gray clouds rolled in and it rained on me. As the rain poured down, I realized it's not that unpleasant, and it's warm outside. My face and eyes were getting pretty wet, so to shield my face I looked down. As I looked down I saw two incredibly beautiful shells. If it wasn't raining and my head wasn't down, I wouldn't have found these two sea treasures. Metaphor for life?......it made me think a little.

Thoughts
.....Re-acquainting with Josh. It's been several years since we've seen him, and in so many ways he hasn't changed a bit. He's sweet and natural with the kids and a genuinely fun person to be around. We consider ourselves so blessed to enjoy a week with him
.........Getting to know Amelie. She's such a sweet little 2 year old! What a wonderful little kid. For having been here in the US for only a few months, her language is great! We could understand many words and she has a very sweet and cuddly disposition
.......Beachy time. We spent so much time just sitting in the sand, listening to the ocean roar, feeling the breeze and sun on our faces and smelling the salty air. Swimming, running, playing horseshoes. Crabs inside conical shells, crabs in flat shells, clams digging. Relaxing. Breathing.
.......Rest. Relax. Reflect.......Retire??

What does it mean????

To quote the double rainbow guy....."what does it mean????" Today I get my first FDA approval and my reaction: "really?". Was it all the waiting or the years of struggle with this product that turned my reaction sour?? Not sure. All I know is that I've worked on this project for 3 years and now that it's approved and the launch batches are nearing completion, I'm just glad to get rid of it. Not the reaction I anticipated. I guess it's anti-climactic when I get one approval and I've got 2 waiting in the wings and 4 that will be submitted this year. After the standard 2 year wait for a final approval.......okay, whatever....I've got work to do.

Sta-cation 2010!

This Christmas has been so relaxing, mostly because we've all 6 been on vacation the entire time. It's been wonderful to just sleep in, watch movies and cook our favorite foods (and a few new things). As I watched the kids this week I'm amazed at a few things. Julie is so much a young lady now. She is such an absolute beauty and has the gift of a dry wit that I enjoy very much. As she opened her gifts this year I realized how she appreciates the personal and thoughtful gifts and as she has matured, she has become very sensitive - she's a delight. I see a strength in her that is amazing. Life with Evan has expanded beyond our own family to those of friends more this year than ever. He surrounds himself with people who are fun to be around and who have good hearts. It seems like these kids have a heart for Christ and are trying to make their ways through life the best way one can. People always criticize the next generation....not me. The world is in good hands. Claire has been at my side baking and cooking this week. She is really growing up and beginning to beginning to be concerned with her distant future. She's thinking about driving, what kind of car she will have, where she will work first and of course where she will go to college. She has grown more firm in her desire to be a Veterinarian and is working now toward that goal....all of that and she's only in 6th grade. Whatever she does - school work or basketball, she shows absolute resolve to do her best. Regan is just "Regan". She is the breath of bliss and carefree existence - enjoying singing with guitar hero (you ought to hear her belt out Bohemian Rhapsody) and watching movies and playing. She is so dear and still loves to cuddle, even though she tells me my breath stinks! She'll have things to worry about in many years to come. It's nice now to enjoy her carefree attitude! All in all, this week has been wonderful - a reality check that this is what it's all about - the kids & their futures and just enjoying their diverse personalities. Ok, back to cooking. For New Year's dinner we're having a German Mushroom stuffed Beef Rouladen.

And just like that.....summer is over?

A few trips to Cheat Lake Park, several visits to the WV Botanic Garden, a long weekend at the farm, a week at Disney.......and just like that....it's over? You've got to be kidding me. I don't even remember it starting. Just like all the other well-intentioned plans for seasonal bliss, I can file this summer under "where did the time go?" So, here we go, back to school with homework in the darker evenings, cross country meets, soccer matches.....goodbye summer.

May 22, 2010. Today would have been my Dad's 71st birthday. In so many ways, losing him was a life altering event that fundamentally transformed me. Life is too short to hang onto anger and carry a grudge. Let it go. Life is too short to skip even one hug or one kiss. You never know when it will be your last. Life is too short to concern yourself with material posessions. Items come and go. People are forever. Work hard and try to take time to play a little. It's the simple joys we share that bring us the closest. Pancakes for breakfast, washing a car, a good movie; just simple things. Listen to others; it's amazing what you can learn. When you leave this world, two things you leave behind really matter: the love you have given others and the children you pass this world on to. We're all eternal beings on our journey through this life to eternity, here to help each other out the best we can, our lives an example of the love of Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday, Dad. To say I miss you would be an understatement.

Here's a pic of the beautiful roses Eddie gave to me for Mother's Day last week. What a sweet guy. I couldn't ask for a better husband or father for my children. period. The girls are playing a ferocious game of "hot hands" right now. I want to tell them to stop, but I know this childhood rite of passage has never caused permanent damage (I think). A few minutes ago, I had to say to Regan "why are you writing on the watermelon?" Life just wouldn't be complete without the kids bringing these bizarre details into our daily lives. Stress? Yep. Joy, fulfillment, entertainment? Absolutely. May all Mother's Days be filled with treasures lovingly made by the tiniest hands. I love every trinket, every card hand-made from construction paper, every sweet gift they give, every kiss, every hug, even the tantrums. Thank you GOD. I am truly blessed.

Mother Teresa's "Anyway" Poem

Sometimes a few simple words or a meaningful poem can help put things into focus. This poem helped me focus a bit on turning the other cheek and continuing to be kind, even when someone I've been kind to was unkind in return. "Move on," I had to tell myself and continue to trust, continue to be kind and continue to be happy. I'm not going to relinquish control of my happiness and my behavior to another human - I'll try harder to relinquish control to GOD.