Being a mother...

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She
said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves
you and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit
was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,
but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.
* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
of bad news.
* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,' I responded.. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much.'
* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick
her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our date. She waited in the door.
She had curled her hair and was wearing the
dress that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday on November 19th.
* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angel's... 'I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,
as she got into that new white van.
'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my
arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only
read large print.. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at
me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I
who used to have to read the menu when you were
small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and
let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable
conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other's life. We talked so
much that we missed the movie.
* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said,
'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me
invite you.' I agreed.
* * *

'How was your dinner date ?'
asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,'
I  answered.
* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't
have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I
paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two
plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me.
I love you, son.'
* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved
ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till 'some other time.'
* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back
to normal after you've had a baby..... somebody
doesn't know that once you're a mother,
'normal' is  history
* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct .. somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring ...
somebody never rode in a car driven
by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother,
your child will 'turn out good'....
somebody thinks a child comes with
directions and a guarantee.
* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a
mother... somebody never helped a fourth grader
with his math..
* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't
have two children.
* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother
is labor and delivery.... somebody never
watched her 'baby' get on the bus
for the first day of  kindergarten ...
or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her
child gets married....somebody doesn't know that
marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a
mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when
her last child leaves home....
Somebody never had grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so
you don't need to tell her.... Somebody isn't a mother.

This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating
the people in your life while you have them, no matter who that
person is...

I have been thinkin a lot about my own mother lately. She is a widow and I all too often forget what it must be like for her because I'm too busy thinking about my own loss of my dad almost three years ago. This story really made me think about how I want to take advantage of the fact that we still have her every day. Her hapiness means more to me than any issues that I may still be having with my losses. My mom is an amazing, smart woman and I am so glad to have her in my life!

Here is a quote that I found that I liked today spoken by the 14th Dalai Lama, "The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being."
Hope everyone is having a great day, much love,
Crystal

Out of the ruins... We rise up and show our true colors

Hello all,
Attached is a link to some information on the Janapnese Tsunami and suggestions for sending financial aid. By now we have all heard how terrible this tragedy is and how many lives were lost and how many people are still missing. It is a sad day when the only thing on the news is the death toll and all the things that were destroyed. Yes, mother nature is a powerful force and it seems that lately she has had a mean streak. And though it seems that these kinds of things are happening so frequently these days we have to wonder if this is also a chance for us to learn how to be grateful, sympathetic, gracious, and giving. So many things can we take from this. And I am always so moved and amazed by what happens right after a disaster like this. People come out of the woodworks to HELP.

Celebrities, humanitarians, world leaders, military personnel, doctors, and everyday average people like you and me, find ways to aid the country and the people within it. These people are leaving there comfortable lives at home in their safe countries to go into a place that has fallen apart basically to help people they have never met. My husband and I had a deep conversation about this the other night while watching the news. I said, "Can you imagine being a person who survived? You know that help may be days away still and you can hear people trapped in the rubbell, and you know that you may be their only chance for survival? All the sudden, you are the only deciding factor in whether they live or die. And as many times as things like this happen people do not hesitate to jump in there and help. How amazing is that?" We saw it with Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, and how they stood together and helped each other to survive. We can certainly focus on the negative, all the death and the destruction. But we can also choose to see how amazing the human spirit can be, how we choose over and over again to help our fellow man out... Simply because we are fellow men.

I am constantly moved by the pictures, not only because they are so sad to see, but how the photographers have captured this human spirit as well, people helping people. People they have never met and probably will never see again. If you haven't already, look around you, and be grateful for what you have. Also, it's not a bad time to review your own emergency preparedness plans. I know mine could use some updating... ok, ok, I guess I could come up with one first and then update it. Either way, we can use this as a learning experience and a rare chance to see the good side of people. The people who have dropped everything to go and help, I wish I could send out a mass message to them to thank them for what they are doing. I would sure hope they would do the same for me if I ever needed it. Much love,

Crystal.
Here is the link:

Japan tsunami: Here's how you can help - CSMonitor.com

Quick story to remind us to be grateful.

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.  
He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help."  
There were only a few coins in the hat.


 

A man was walking by.  
He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.
He then took the sign, turned it around and wrote some words.  
He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up.  
 A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.  
That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
 The boy recognized his footsteps and  asked,
 "Were you the one who changed my sign  this morning?  What did you write?"
                               


 
The man said, "I only wrote the truth.  
I said what you said but in a different way.
"I wrote: 'Today is a beautiful day; but I cannot see it.'"
                               
Both signs told people that the boy was blind.  
But the first sign simply said the boy was blind.  
The second sign reminded people how fortunate they were to have their sight.  
Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?  


  Moral of the Story:  

Be thankful for what you have.  
Be creative. Be innovative.  Think differently and positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.  
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.
Keep the faith and drop the fear.

Eight "Squeaker" Months :)

Hello Everyone!

Today my little squeak is eight months old and what an incredible ride it's been so far. It seems he has grown in leaps and bounds these last few days. He's mobile... beware! He now scoots in his own one-leg-crossed army style that's all his own, (I call it the squeak-scoot). He holds his bottle, despite my best efforts to deter him from taking yet another job away from me :( and he sits up for long periods of time, he also finally learned to jump with both legs in his Jumparoo. Yes people... I fear that walking is not too much farther down the road. These things are all great, it means he is catching up to what is normal for his age despite being born almost six weeks early.

The doctor said by one year we probably won't notice the difference between him and other one year olds which is great. But of course I would love him no matter what. We have had a rough past couple of nights. Since Ash has switched to the night shift it has brought about a change in him. He is clingy to me, and wakes up at all hours of the night, seemingly to make sure that someone is still there to comfort him. At first I was very frustrated, it felt like we were taking steps back at night, despite our steps forward during the day. But then I talked to my little sis, usually it is me giving her advice but now we seem to take turns which is great. She told me it must be Ash's schedule change and in a few days hopefully he will decide that no one is going to leave him and he will sleep in peace again. So last night when he woke up twice I was more calm. I made him a small bottle and rocked him and told him it would be alright. Mommy's not going anywhere, I promised, and he cuddled back which he doesn't do during the day.

It's so much harder to be pleasant at three am with a hysterical baby, but then he did somehting that made me completely forget to be frustrated. I was rocking him and he was resting his head on my chest and was almost asleep, all the sudden he lifts his head up and blew a raspberry on my neck! Then he laughed and put his head back down and fell fast asleep! It was the funniest thing I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Then I kissed his chubby little cheek and put him in his crib and went to bed and he slept the rest of the night.

Despite trials, and times I want to pull my hair out, he truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me and having him with the love of my life makes it all the better. My little family is the best and I wouldn't change it for all the well-rested nights in the world. Lots of Love,

Crystal

That which does not kill us...

Hello all, Just wanted to take a quick minute to post another message. Had a hard day, yes it's not all sunshine and roses believe it or not. But that is what this page is for. To take what is hard and negative in my life and put a positive spin on it. My husband, for anyone who doesn't know him, is the hardest working man I have ever known. His commitment and devotion to his job sometimes makes me feel like his family is second at times. This is frustrating to me, who believes that family should always come first.

This was not the first time I had been frustrated, he has to take a turn doing the night shift every so often and I'm not a fan of the night shift at all. Since I work days, we are like two strangers passing in the night and I feel like we miss out on a lot with each other during the six weeks he has to work that shift. This week, he informs me that he has to stay even later because of the extra work load they have. He would be working until three in the morning instead of eleven. Then he tells me that saturday he will be going in for the day shift as well. That means he works until three am, comes home for maybe two hours of sleep, and goes back to work by six am.

This did not sit well with me. I was so angry that his work would even allow him to do this. Then he tells me that it was his choice, that they needed him and he said yes. Let me tell you I will never understand this thinking. I guess I was raised differently, working to me is just a job... To him it is what makes him, him. Not that my father didn't work hard, because he would have done anything to make ends meet, but this is a competely foreign work ethic to me.

Anyways, After being upset for about a day about it I finally realized... I looked around at my things, my house, the clothes in my closet, the food in my pantry, the vehicles outside, all the things that we use and need in our daily lives that we don't even think about. That hard work pays for those things and can afford us a lifestyle where we can do things that we want to do. Instead of being angry with him I should wake up each morning and THANK him. I should also thank heavenly father for being born into a country and time where the freedom to work and play is available to everyone. That pursuit of happiness is what makes this country different from the others. It is not only a privilege... but a Right!

In my place of business I get to see and hear first hand the troubles in the economy. It didn't hit so close to my heart than the other day when a 77 year old customer of ours who had been doing well for many many years, and spent the last few years building a beautiful retirement home for his and his wife, lost almost everything. They are now watching their beautiful home being sold for pennies on the dollar. His heartbreaking story almost made me cry right there in the office. He said, i'm 77 years old, i'm not going to be able to start over. This is the story for so many people and I will always remember that anytime I start to fell ungrateful for what I have.

It could always be worse, and when I'm feeling mad that Ash is gone, It's almost as if on que... Riley will smile or giggle. Last night he tried to blow a raspberry on my neck because I do it to him all the time. He is my light in what can be a dark and sad world. Then I will get a text from Ash saying how much he loves and misses me. These little things make a big difference. What a wonderful family I have! Lots of love,

Crystal

An uplifting story :0)

A little girl stood near a small church from shich she had been turned away because it was "too crowded."

"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School."

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there...

A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.
Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250, 000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church , with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit TempleUniversity, where thousands of students are educated.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds".

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

I love this story! It brought tears to my eyes as I read it. Everyone have a great day!

- Crystal

Wherever you go, there you are...

Hello everyone and welcome to my first blog post! (I laugh at myself as I say "everyone" because I'm pretty sure for awhile "eveyone" is going to be my little sister... Hi Jessie!)

Anyways, I wanted to start this blog because of something that happened to me yesterday. I was browsing the web as I often do, clicking on news stories that led me to other news stories and so on. I came across an older story about that church that's been all over the news that mostly consists of one family and thier belief that God is punishing americans, more specifically american soldiers, because of the military's stand on homosexuality and the don't ask, don't tell policy. So, in this man's twisted view of right and wrong, he decides that he is going to take his crazy train on the road and picket american soldiers funeral's.

Of course this caused quite a stir with the families and lawsuits followed. These lawsuits made it all the way to the supreme court, where the cheif justice decided to favor the church on the grounds of free speech. He also wanted to make it known that though he did not agree with what the church was doing, the law keeps them safe and he could not punish them beyond the law because he though it was in poor taste. As much as I hated to admit it, it sounded like he made a difficult, but correct decision.

I was so fired up about it all day though! I just kept going back to it in my mind, I thought, even though the law protects them it doesn't make it any less disgusting and wrong! How can this man get it so twisted in his head, that because he believes something so strongly, he needs to treat others this way? I wondered, how would he feel if someone decided to picket someone he loved's funeral because they didn't agree? Like I said, I was so frustrated and mad all day that it just clouded up what could have been a pleasant day. I even posted the link to Facebook.

Then I thought, wait... now everyone (or anyone I should say) that clicks on that link will be all fired up and I might have just inadvertantly made someone else's day upsetting too. Then I felt bad. And finally, to make a very long story shorter, we ended up here. I want to post good things, things that you can read that will leave a smile on your face or peace in your heart instead of hate. After all, this church man was so pleased with all the media attention he was getting, furthering his message of intolerance and cruelty. I want to do the opposite! May this page bring attention to the positive good things that are happening, even if it's just in my own living room. There are good things to be found out there, people are still helping little old ladies cross the street, and volunteering at animal shelters and doing marathons for cancer. Let's focus on all that is good, it is out there still I just know it! So, if you have a positive story, message, or just want to comment please do so, I would love some feedback! Thanks all!