Grateful Heart

I've been following a very inspiring story the last several months. Shay Kelley has been traveling to all 50 states, living in her truck and collecting canned goods and socks for the homeless. She has such an amazing attitude about everything and she just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. In addition to her website & facebook, I've been receiving her tweets and I'm just blown away by this young woman.

She took a negative experience in her life and decided to use it for the benefit of others. She's reaching out to a segment of our community that most of us hide from. I know I've been guilty of that, myself. Shay keeps talking about being grateful for all that she has and that spreading love is the number 1 priority in her life.

As I read her blog and her tweets, I discover something about myself...I'm not nearly as grateful as I should be. I have a home, I have food on the table and most importantly, my son is healthy and happy. Yes, my life has taken some twists and turns that I never expected it, yes, I struggle with money (but I am realizing that is a position that I'm putting myself in....I hear Dave Ramsey in my head telling me to grow up and act my wage!!), but we don't go hungry...we're not cold at night and the list goes on and on.

Why then do I tend to freak out about things when I know that the important stuff is under control and God is going to take care of us? I tend to try to control everything around me and I know that I should just leave it all up to God, but why do I keep trying to take control of things? I think God is still trying to teach me patience and Faith. Maybe I keep him chuckling because that is something he has to repeatedly teach me.

Hugs to all!!

Awwww.....

I have the sweetest friends. My friend, Mindy, took this picture Saturday at Drew's first soccer game. Isn't it adorable!!! Thank you Mindy. Love ya!

Articles & Comments

I am always reading the news, then I usually make the mistake of reading the comment section at the end. I've learned something through this process....there are a lot of angry people in the world. Well, at least, that is how it seems.

Some people think I'm a "bleeding heart liberal" and others think I just let people walk all over me. I don't believe either is correct. I try very hard not to judge people because I'm not "walking in their shoes," (a quote from one of my all time favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird). I have no idea how I would respond to the challenges and issues they are facing, heck, I don't have a clue as to what they are facing.

The reason I bring this up is that I just read an article in CNN about Angline Jolie and the work she is doing for Pakistan. That country has been devastated by floods. Many of the comments people left were horrible. Why are so many people so mean? That is something I don't understand and hopefully, I never will. Now, don't get me wrong, I can and do get very mad about certain things and I do have strong opinions on certain subjects, but I have a pretty good understanding of who feels like I do and who doesn't. Just because someone doesn't share all the same view points, doesn't mean I can't learn from them and they can't learn from me.

Ok, I'm going to get off my soap box. Sorry!

Hugs!
Paulette

Striving for independence!

Drew has really started showing his independence lately. One the one hand, I'm thrilled! I love watching him grow and develop. It is such an amazing experience and I find that I'm learning right along with him. On the other hand, it is sad. My little boy is growing up!!! I remember the first time I held him and he was so tiny. I can't believe that's been over 6 years ago.

Another downside/challenge in Drew's quest for independence is his constant need to question me and everything I say. In fact, last night, I told Drew that X was going to happen and that he just needed to trust me. He said, "So, I'm just supposed to believe everything you say??"

I was stunned. It got me thinking, how the heck do I respond to that. I don't want him to blindly trust anyone and everyone. I want him to find his own way and discover his own viewpoints/beliefs. I know there are people in the world that I don't want Drew listening to, much less trusting. What do I do?? How do I explain all this to a 6 year old??

Sometimes, I feel so way out of my league as a parent. I think I'm making it up as I go along.

The cycle of Life...

It's been an interesting week at my house. Drew came home, I took off work and then I had to go back to work and Drew went back to his dad's house (we're back on the routine). We were also gearing up for another year of school....kindergarten take #2! I feel that this is going to be an awesome year for Drew. His teacher asked if he was going to be a leader in her class to help the other kids and he said, "yes!" He's looking forward to helping the others out and having Mrs. D. again. She is wonderful and I'm so thankful that he got her again.

Things were going great and looking up and then reality shows up to bite me in the rear. My little pug, Liberty died on Saturday. Actually, I had to have her put down, but I'm not explaining that to a 6 year old. So, Dan and I told Drew that Liberty died at the vet, and that's the truth, she did. Since Drew was with his daddy, I told him on Sunday that she died. I was dreading that conversation. We cried and we talked about Liberty, but I know that he will come to terms with it and that it's a part of life. Of course, this morning, Drew looked at me and said, "Mom, let's not tell my friends at school about Liberty dieing, I don't want to make them sad." I had to work really hard at not crying at that one. Drew is such a compassionate little soul. I am so honored to be his mommy.

That's it for this one.
Hugs!