Kid Time

My kids are such an important part of my life! I've always loved kids, even when I was one myself. I couldn't imagine a life without children. I've wanted to be a mom ever since I can remember. I'm not saying I don't ever face challenges with my kids. They are far from perfect and can take a lot of work and sometimes bring hurt into our lives, as I know at times I've done inadvertently to them. Welcome to life. We are all fallible human beings who sometimes fail, hurt, anger, and disappoint one another. The important thing is that we make the effort to move forward and walk in love and forgiveness, especially with our spouse and kids since these bonds are designed to be the strongest ones, second only to the one we're supposed to have with God Himself.

Although there are many things I miss now that none of my kids are little anymore, there are some perks too. No more diapers and relatively few sleepless nights or tantrums or potty accidents. ;-) Though they no longer have that baby and toddler cuteness, I still can enjoy them as the amazing young people they are becoming. Which brings me to the matter of doing this intentionally. My kids still need me (though not all of them will admit it, not naming any names here, but I'm thinking them), and I'm pretty sure they still want at least some of my time and attention, even at the ripe old ages of 22, 19, 16, 14, and 10. It's all too easy just to let life happen because they aren't screaming for mommy anymore, nor do they tend to initiate contact. Because of this, I've let one on one time with them slip. So now, as part of my joy filled, purposeful second half, I've decided I need to incorporate spending individual time with them, for their sake and mine. Relationships need time and work. You can't stay on cruise control too long and expect to have great depth, closeness, or joy in them.

Today, it's Kelley's turn. She's 16. We have a lot in common as far as interests and tastes. Out of the 5, she and I are the most alike. That doesn't mean I love the others any less. Just that sometimes it's easier for us to relate to one another and to find activities we both enjoy equally. We're planning to go to Caribou (a place like Starbucks, not sure how widespread Caribou is, but we have it throughout Minnesota). We both love hanging out there, getting a drink and a treat. I'm looking forward to this bit of bliss in my day.

Yesterday's bliss was taking a nap. I know that doesn't sound too exciting, but sometimes getting under the covers in the afternoon and snuggling into my pillows for a little sleep feels soooo wonderful, especially since I've given up caffeine (for the most part).

Would love to know what kinds of things you do when spending individual time with your kids.

Enjoy your kids today!

Daily Bliss

I've started incorporating this thing I call my daily bliss into my life. It's just a fun way of  saying that I make sure to include at least one thing each day that makes me happy. It doesn't have to be anything big or expensive or time consuming. Repeats are ok as well. But I think it's important to put something fun or relaxing or exciting or lovely, something that brings me joy into each day. Too busy, too broke, too tired are no longer acceptable excuses. Many bits of bliss take only a moment and cost nothing.

Yesterday, I went out to dinner with my husband. That was my daily bliss. It was just at a family restaurant, but the break from cooking and clean up was nice. And I enjoy eating something other than my own cooking once in a while.

So I'd like to encourage everyone to go for their own daily bliss. Maybe it will be dinner out. Or maybe something else. The important thing is that it's something YOU like. I would love to read about ways you have or would like to incorporate daily bliss into your lives. I enjoy finding new ideas to get my happy on. 😃

Welcome!

Hi there! Welcome to my new blog! I've started a few but ended up ditching them after a while. Hopefully, I'll do better this time around. This will be a kind of potpourri of my thoughts, feelings, activities, struggles, victories, dreams, goals, and peeks into my life as I attempt to live out my second half joyfully. My natural tendency would be to get bummed out about the aging process and the loss of youth, the physical challenges that can come beginning in our fifties, the fact that it's extremely unlikely to have any more children (which I realize for most women is a happy thought, but I'm NOT like most women. I adore babies and little ones and would be thrilled to have them around until I kick off.) But instead, I've decided to start fully embracing life and am determined to walk in joy and have fun while pursuing my purpose and passion. Some of my interests include beauty and fashion, health, personal growth, having fun, family (married to an awesome dude and have 5 beautiful kids, two grown, two teens, one tween), friends, spiritual growth and disciplines, reading, writing, shopping, decorating, homemaking, homeschooling, crafts, organization, ministry, travel, learning new things, having non threatening adventures, humor, becoming a Christian counselor, food, babies and kids, being a girly girl. I'm not saying I'm good at all these things. In fact, some of them I really struggle with or don't currently do, and I could improve even in the ones that I'm pretty good at. In some ways I'm an overgrown kid. I love all things Tinkerbell and princessy, even at my somewhat advanced age. I'm pretty laid back, but if pushed too far, I do have a temper.

Anyway, that's a little about who I am and where I'm at in this second half. I'd love if you'd join me as I work on doing life more joyfully. I welcome any comments, questions, or ideas about topics to explore here, or any tips you might have as I walk out this adventure called life. I do ask that all comments be respectful to me and other commenters. It's OK to disagree, but please make sure to do it kindly. (That's the mama hen in my talking. lol) BTW I'm a quirky mix of that mama hen AND overgrown kid. Funny paradox, but it's who I am. I never have claimed to be exactly normal. But then again, normal isn't a requirement for living out a joyful second half. ;-)