Inside Out - Lisa Rugglesa thousand times I’ve failed, still your mercy remains

Christmas is coming and some crazy people have already started decorating!

Our family tradition is to decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving.   This year we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Michigan, so the decorating will start this Sat. morning.

Brad and I have spent the last couple months thinking about what we want our Christmas to look like.   This Christmas is going to be a little different.  We have decided to join the ADVENT CONSPIRACY.

As a family we have decided to drastically cut back on our Christmas present spending.   Brad and I have will not be buying for each other (although I did buy him one gift before we made this agreement.)

We will still buy Chloe and Emily a couple small gifts and take the rest of the money to send oversees to starving children. What does this look like?  For our family, we will:

• mostly make/bake gifts instead of buying them
• spend family time making memories baking
• spend time picking out life giving animals for others from www.worldvision.org
• find ways to give back to our local community
• give money we would normally spend to www.compassion.org to help provide water to those in need

I love that World Vision has a gift catalog with pictures of what you can purchase.  It really helps the girls get excited about giving.

As you are shopping this year consider adding one more child to your list.  It is hard for us to comprehend but the gift of 5 ducks can change a whole families life.

I can’t think of a better present.

5 Ducks Anyone?

I constantly find myself turning off the girls bathroom lights.  A couple months ago I wrote  Save the Dolphins While this helped the girls to become more environmentally conscious it required me to continue reminding them to turn off the lights.

The novelty soon wore off.
Over a month ago I decided to add incentive to keeping the lights off.

Here is how it works:

• Each of the girls have dimes
• Each time they turn off the light that someone else left on, they get 10 cents
• Each time I find it on, they pay me 10 cents
• They can use the money they “earn” to purchase something small
• It was fun and Emily really got into it

Often they forget to ask me for the money, but a good habit has been formed and the bathroom light is usually off when not in use.

Last night while taking a shower I suddenly felt the need to look outside the shower quickly.  As I looked I saw my dear hubby with a very mischievious grin and and a huge container of water.  Based on past experiences I knew it would be very cold and coming over the shower curtain quickly.  

With my stealth like moves I managed to push the container to the side and for the most part avoid being frozen.   Not only did the water end up all over the bathroom but it also started an all out war in the house.

The girls were quick to come to my rescue.  For the rest of the evening we were chasing each other.  Girls against the one boy.  Emily and Chloe were so cute.  At one point we (the girls) were locked in my bedroom and they were using skype to try and negotiate with the enemy (their dad)  in the office.  He looked pretty scary on there.    :)   I should have taken a screen shot so I could put it up on this post.  

We all had a fun filled evening with lots of laughing, screaming and tickling.  Although it took the girls about an hour to settle down and fall asleep at bedtime.  Oh well.

So, are you a prankster and if so, what are your favorite pranks?

For those of you who know me, know that I can do without animals in my life.  I think I know why.

Growing up, we had a outdoor dog and barn cats.  I grew up spending the summers chasing them around and loving my animals.  My brother and I would pull all the blood engorged ticks off of our dog Shotzie.  I remember doing it but it never bothered me a bit.  I had stronger stomach as a kid.

We moved from the farm and I begged my parents for a sweet little indoor dog.  Finally my wish came true.  A beautiful white American Eskimo.  We named her Sammy.  She was a lot of fun in the beginning.  We soon found out that she had really STRONG hunter instincts.  Every time we would let her out of the house she came pouncing back so proud of herself.  She would find either manure or a dead animal and roll in it to cover her scent.  I remember many baths until I finally decided I didn’t want her anymore.  My brother volunteered to take over her care.
I think Sammy cured me.  I would be happy never owning another animal in my life.  I don’t like cleaning them, picking up thier bodily functions or anything else.  In fact just writing this makes me want to go sit in the corner and suck my thumb.  :)  Maybe I need counseling.  Just kidding.

Anyways, God gave me a daughter that is in love with animals.  She has a built in dog radar.  If there is one within 50 feet she’s asking to pet it.

Last week we babysat our neighbors guinea pig Tiny.  The girls fell in love with her and I have to say it melted my heart to watch them love on her.

This little fella would chirp back to the girls as the cuddled her.

It did something special for my girls and has me thinking.  Hmmm……

If anyone knows of a animal that is warm and fuzzy but doesn’t go to the bathroom, please let me know.  That would be my first choice.

Last week my parent came to stay with my girls while Brad and I went away to Catalyst. The girls loved having their Grandma and Grandpa Gillim’s undivided attention.

I have an extremely weak stomach, I run the opposite direction at the site of blood. If the girls are hurt and Brad is around, he is the one to tend the wound. I know, it isn’t good motherly instincts.

Last year Chloe stepped on glass and I thought I was going to pass out. I wrapped up her bleeding foot and called in Uncle Jay for emergency assistance and to decide if we needed stitches. I’m a wimp and I know it.

So it very much surprises me that both my girls do well with blood, cuts, needles and such. Last year my close friend had a c-section and Chloe wanted to look! I looked because I had to, that is what a friend does. But not Chloe she was all into it.

Grandpa is a diabetic and offered to give Emily a lesson in administering his shot. She quickly jumped at the chance.

Do you have a weak or strong stomach?

Last night the girls had Crazy Hair Night at their Wednesday Warrior class. Chloe came home from school excited to get going on a new hair style. The crazier the better.

Emily informed me she wouldn’t be doing her hair. I was quite surprised that she didn’t want to participate in all the fun and craziness. I learned a long time ago to only engage in the battles that were important. So I agreed that she wouldn’t have to wear her hair crazy. I didn’t try to talk her into it. Just agreement from mommy.

About five minutes before we walked out the door Emmy had a change of mind. This is what we came up with in 5 minutes.

As we were walking out the door the girls started worrying that maybe it wasn’t really crazy hair night and what if they were the only ones that had crazy hair. It would be SO embarrassing.

The minute they walked in and saw everyone else’s hair crazy, they were fine. They were a part, no more insecurities just excitement.

Crazy hair girls, Kung Fu Fighting…..

Last week I woke up to a little person tugging on my arm in the middle of the night. Emily had woke up and wasn’t feeling good. I pulled her into bed and loved on her. Her tummy and back were hurting.

Note to self: When your mother intuition says, go get a bucket, do it!

Let’s just say we both ended up with puke all over us. I was kicking myself for not getting the bucket. Oh the things you go through for your babies.

I spent the rest of the night rocking her. It brought back memories of nights spent in the rocker when the girls were little.

The day after Chloe was born Brad’s Mom took him to pick out a glider. It will always be a part of our family. There are so many memories that were made rocking my little ones. Although not all were pleasant, it is piece of our history.

Chloe was a premie and very collicky. Brad and I would take turns being with her all night and when we couldn’t handle it anymore we would call in Grandma for relief. The first couple months of her life were really difficult. I had health issues, didn’t feel good, and had a screaming baby.

As I rocked Emily the other night, I held her tight and savored the hours in the middle of the night with my baby realizing that my little ones are growing up quickly. How many nights will I have to hold them and comfort them like a little child?

I have become very nostalgic with that rocker and it will always have a place in our home.

It is a part of our story.
What do you have in your home that holds sentimental value?

Yesterday I invited Emily (my 5 year old) to play a game of Uno with me. With a huge smile on her face she quickly responded by saying, let’s play with cheating!

I explained to her that if she wanted to cheat, I didn’t want to play the game. Emily agreed to play by the rules.

After a little while, I had to go into the other room to help Chloe. While I was away Emily was kind enough to deal a new hand.

My cards.

Her cards.

Hmmmm……

I couldn’t find the camera. I used photo booth for the pic’s. Brad will love this one!

I love my girls school! Chloe’s teacher has asked parents to come in and read every Friday. Today was my day. I was able to pick any book and spend time reading and talking for 20 mins. I had a great time. Unfortunately, I brought the camera but forgot to ask the teacher to take a pic.

I picked one of my all time favorite books. It inspires me every time I read it.

I’ve included the book. Take a minute and read it, you will enjoy it!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’ t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Emily is my Little Chef, she loves to work in the kitchen with me.

And while I enjoy the bonding we get from cooking together. It can be very messy.

Last week we made Minestrone Soup and here is what it looked like when we finished.

Sometimes I find myself thinking, is this really worth the mess? But then my heart responds with a loud YES!

It is worth having to completely scrub down the stove, step on food, mop the floor, trip over all the extra chairs and steps stools and have it take twice as long to complete dinner.

I’m able to spend precious time with Emily, teaching her something she loves! I know I will look back one day and wonder where the time went.

I can confidently say, I will not regret the messes made.

I’m thankful I’m able to spend precious time with my girls!