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What? God isn’t here to make me happy?

I am feeling extra whiny today about various things in my life that I have no control over. Nothing serious...just annoying.
Thankfully, in mid-whine...my husband told me to go grab a coffee at a local coffee shop and "settle down a bit". (Those were probably well-calculated words). =)

So, here I sit - doing a little google-searching, and soul searching. I am a big fan of Rick Warren so I thought I'd "Google him". Here are some powerful snippets of the interview that has helped pull me out of self-pity mode (until I finish my coffee, at least).

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you’re going into self-centeredness,’which is my problem, my issues, my pain.’ But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

Randy Pausch, Last Lecture Author Dies

Very rarely am I moved by a YouTube video.  Sometimes I find them funny...sometimes interesting - but very rarely am I truly touched. 

That was until I stumbled upon Randy Pausch's last lecture.  It made me laugh.   It made me cry.  It  made me feel encouraged...and best of all, it made me remember how blessed I am. 

If you haven't listened to the lecture...I've posted it below. 

Randy leaves behind three young children and an adoring wife whose courage is also inspiring. I remember an interview she did where she discussed the inevitability of losing her husband (and the father of her children).  Her response...."I have everything I need".   She says it is her motto. 

Thanks to Randy's inspirational message and his wife's courage...it is my motto too.

God bless you Randy.  You will be missed. 

12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk

I just stumbled upon this article and thought I would share it.  Chances are, you've never sought advice about parenting & motherhood from a Zen Monk.   Continue reading this article to find out why you should....

I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days.

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On a Serious Note…Waiting Children from Africa

 
This is my sister and brother in-laws blog.  My sister in-law is spending her days in an orphanage in Ethiopia waiting for her newly adopted daughter (Eden) to be released to her by the court system there. 

While bonding with her daughter she's met dozens of amazing children who desperately need homes.  Please read this post to learn more about one little boy who had his hopes of adoption shattered yesterday when he was diagnosed with HIV.  Please pass it along and share it with families you know who may open their homes to a waiting child.

I write a lot about simplicity in this blog and scaling back.  It is almost embarrassing to look back at my posts about "making life easier" when you consider the life of an orphan like "John" who would give anything just to have a home.

Please read Nancy's post...and take a moment to donate or learn more about the plight of AIDS orphans from these links...

Happy Mother’s Day - 10 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

This was just e-mailed to me and I thought I'd share it. Not sure who wrote it or I'd give credit...

10 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

5. My mother taught me IRONY
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

6. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

7. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

8. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

9. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

10. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.'

It’s Official - I’m Loaded…How About You?

It has been an exciting week for my family.  For the first time since I decided to quit my full-time job and stay home with my children...our bank account is starting to grow vs. dwindle into oblivion!  Woo hoo!  I feel rich! 

I know that I am blessed beyond comprehension...yet I remember spending the last few years constantly stressed about my decision to stay home.   I would almost sweat every time I opened the bank statement.   I was hesitant to give generously because I was afraid that I would be spending our kids' lunch money or college tuition.

It was almost ironic that I found this website today.   Whenever I start my little bank-account pity-party I am going to visit the site and type in my current income. 

As of right now our family is in the top 2% for wealth and we are the 103,478,261 richest family in the world. Not bad, huh?

Take a moment to check out the site.  Type in your family income and see how rich you really are.  It is quite the eye-opener, isn't it?

How rich are you? >>I'm loaded. It's official. I'm the 103,478,261 richest person on earth!

Technorati Tags: wealth , rich , how rich are you , giving , charity , donating , give back , global weath test , global rich list , globalrichlist.com

This is Really Powerful: Children See, Children Do - Please Share It

The other day I pulled into the line at the bank drive through.  My four year old daughter promptly shouted, "what the heck is going on here?"

"Um - WHAT did you just say?"   I asked?   She repeated herself and replied, "that's what daddy always says when it is taking too long". 

I guess it could be worse, I thought....right before I called scolded my husband. 

I certainly shouldn't be throwing stones.  One afternoon when I got cut off in traffic I mumbled, "what a jerk".  A few blocks later, my three year old son looked at the car that had pulled up next to us.  "He's a jerk too, right mommy?" - UG.

Needless to say, this video was quite the eye opener for me.  Please take a look, think about it - and pass it along to your friends.  It is really powerful and an important reminder for parents everywhere.

Technorati Tags: inspirational video , parenting , children , kids , motivational , youtube video , parenting video , parenting tips , parenting advice , parenting ideas

A Lesson from a Cop’s Wife - Leave Nothing Unsaid

This week is the anniversary of my husband's friend, team member and co-worker David Briese.   He died in a tragic car accident while attempting to provide back-up for a fellow officer.   I wrote this article on the day he died and thought it would be fitting to post it today.   Please keep the family and friends of Deputy David Briese in your prayers...and hug your loved ones a little tighter today. 

My husband's friend, partner and co-worker (a fellow police officer) died this morning after being involved in a horrific car accident. Tragedies like this one have a way of making us reflect upon our dearest relationships.
Has anything been left unsaid? Have we said things we regret? Have we said "I'm sorry" even for the small things?
I stood outside the officer's briefing room this morning and watched one officer after another gather to mourn. The silence was agonizing as I watched a dozen uniformed men stare at the ground and hold back tears.
In that moment, I imagined myself as the widow of the dead officer.

Did I tell him I loved him? Did he know how much I cared? Did I say "I'm sorry" for the argument we had this morning? Was anything left unsaid?

He handed me the van keys and gave me a hug.
I looked at his eyes. Yes, everything is okay. Everything is always okay with us.

Like most married couples, my husband and I have fairly frequent arguments....big ones, stupid ones, silly ones. But not a day goes by where we don't say (and mean) "I love you". Even through tightly clenched fists and grinding teeth we say it, and we mean it.
Maybe I should title this post "a lesson from a cop" because he's the one who taught me how fragile and fleeting life is.
I really don't know what he does everyday (and frankly, I don't want to know). I do know that he sees a lot of "yuck" and it is easy to tell how awful his day was by the tightness of his hugs.

Continue Reading:  A Lesson from a Cop's Wife - Leave Nothing Unsaid - Associated Content

Tags: police, police wife, police family, policeman

Preschool learning: What should a 4 year old know?

The title of this article caught my eye tonight.   My daughter turned four this summer and I am often obsessed with how she is doing socially and educationally.  I couldn't wait to see how she "should" be doing so I could compare her with the other kids at her preschool.

Needless to say, this article was a real eye-opener.  Even if you don't have a four year old...it is a must read.   Enjoy...and share. 

Written by Alicia Bayer

I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. "What should a 4 year old know?" she asked.
Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only 3. A few posted URL's to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.

Continue Reading: ParentWonder.com - Preschool learning: What should a 4 year old know?