This past weekend I participated in the alumni women's basketball game at my alma mater. Let's just say, I'm 31. And I was the oldest participant. The basketball skills have been on the decline and haven't been practiced other than in the basement with Aria. I went in hopes of seeing former teammates and to get a little exercise out of the deal.
I remember going to the alumni game when I was in college and right after I graduated and noticing a difference between those of us who had just graduated and those "older" women who had kids. Well, now I'm an older woman with a kid and those young whipper-snappers could eat me alive. In all honesty, if you could use some sort of time transport machine and put me in college at the same time as those younger women, they probably would have eaten me alive then, too.
To get to my story, personally, I don't think an alumni game should be taken very seriously. Sure, you should run up and down the floor, play defense, and go hard to try and score. I don't think you should be trapping and hitting people in the face to try and get the ball. It is all for fun.
I think a couple things lead to problems in this game. First, there is a lack of participation. There were only 10 women there. Let's be honest. Who is in shape to play a full game without any subs? Second, there are huge generation gaps. I didn't know half of the 10 people there because they were so much younger than me.
Back to my story. After being trapped and hit in the face, I let my temper and competitive nature get the best of me and I threw a little elbow to get one of the girls off of me. About two minutes later I realized how stupid that was and that I violated my own complaint that it was "just an alumni game." At the next dead ball I apologized to the woman I elbowed and she very graciously accepted.
After the game, I talked with my dear friend, Gina, about the incident. Gina actually had a similar experience last year in the alumni game where another player took things a little more seriously than Gina preferred. But Gina's comment to me was,
"This is not where I get my self-worth anymore."
Holy cow has that comment stuck with me! Such terrific insight, my dear friend. Specifically relating to college and basketball, I sure wanted to be good and noticed for it during those four years. I did determine my own self-worth based on things like basketball success when I was in my early 20s. After college, I searched for my self-worth in my teaching and coaching jobs. I wanted everyone to like me and think I was doing a great job.
But now, I don't have any of that. And you know what, my self-worth never came from any of it, either. I just never saw it. My self-worth comes from God. I was made in His image to honor Him. The price I'm worth was paid when Jesus came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I am beautifully and wonderfully made because I am a child of God. There is no other reason. It doesn't matter if I was a good basketball player or if I still am. It doesn't matter who my friends are or the possessions I have. What matters is I have a Savior who gave me life and I am supposed to live it for Him.
Wow! Such an excellent lesson came from an event where I was slightly annoyed I chose to participate. However, the person it came from doesn't surprise me in the least. Thanks for the great perspective, Gina! It is something I will continue to think about in many areas of my life!
10.09.2012
10.04.2012
Photographing My Child
Can anyone with a young child relate?
It sounds simple, really.
"Aria, do you see that pretty red bush outside the window?"
"Yeah! It's so pretty!"
"Should we go outside and take your picture by it?"
"Yeah!"
Enthusiasm. Excitement. Agreement.
Then this...
Apparently her idea of taking a picture and mine are quite different. I would prefer she stand in my designated spot, hold still, and smile a nice pretty smile. We even had Daddy make funny faces. Her idea was to wiggle around where she wanted and say cheese, which rarely results in a real smile. We were out there for at least half an hour.
And then by some random, lucky chance we got this. The lighting could be better. The hair could be tamed. The smile could be bigger.
But the cuteness could never be greater!
It sounds simple, really.
"Aria, do you see that pretty red bush outside the window?"
"Yeah! It's so pretty!"
"Should we go outside and take your picture by it?"
"Yeah!"
Enthusiasm. Excitement. Agreement.
Then this...
Apparently her idea of taking a picture and mine are quite different. I would prefer she stand in my designated spot, hold still, and smile a nice pretty smile. We even had Daddy make funny faces. Her idea was to wiggle around where she wanted and say cheese, which rarely results in a real smile. We were out there for at least half an hour.
And then by some random, lucky chance we got this. The lighting could be better. The hair could be tamed. The smile could be bigger.
But the cuteness could never be greater!
10.02.2012
Clothed by God
This morning, as we were driving to MOPS, I was once again blown away by the beauty of the trees with their fall colors. Everything is just absolutely gorgeous here right now. I don't remember a fall as colorful as this one. Aria and I were pointing out trees that were our favorites and guessing which ones would be Daddy's favorites. Aria likes the deep reds/almost purple. I like the bright red. Justin likes the yellows and oranges. It makes for a nice combination in our family. Anyway, as I glanced out into a forest of multi-colored trees, I actually got a little choked up. God makes the trees so beautiful for such a short time each year, right before they die for the winter. If God makes the trees that beautiful for just a few weeks, how much more beautiful does He make me all year long? I am His creation who He claimed as very good! It reminds me of Matthew 6:28-30
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
I know it doesn't match perfectly with my beautiful fall trees, but how often do I worry about how I look, if I have the right clothes or hair cut. Look at these beautiful trees, who in a few weeks will drop all those leaves. In my opinion, nothing tops their beauty. But in God's opinion, I do. And all of His children do. He made me more beautiful than those trees and He wants me to share His beauty with others to bring Him glory. Wow! No wonder I got tears in my eyes.
Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful trees and for the beautiful lesson you provided today through the Holy Spirit guiding my thoughts and heart!
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
I know it doesn't match perfectly with my beautiful fall trees, but how often do I worry about how I look, if I have the right clothes or hair cut. Look at these beautiful trees, who in a few weeks will drop all those leaves. In my opinion, nothing tops their beauty. But in God's opinion, I do. And all of His children do. He made me more beautiful than those trees and He wants me to share His beauty with others to bring Him glory. Wow! No wonder I got tears in my eyes.
Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful trees and for the beautiful lesson you provided today through the Holy Spirit guiding my thoughts and heart!
10.01.2012
Why
We've entered the "why" phase of childhood. I'm sure any parent who has a child over the age of 2 knows what I'm talking about. The repetitive "why" after every statement you make. I'm not sure if there is an age where it is supposed to begin, but for Aria it began just in the last month or so. It comes in all forms, "Mommy, why do you have to go potty again?" "Why are you putting that there?" "Why is that called a joey?" Why Why Why Why?????
A lot of times my final answer ends up being, "because God made it that way" or "I don't know, Aria" which is usually followed with, "Why don't you know Mommy?" Sometimes it is hard to not be annoyed by the constant "whys," especially when she insists on an answer I just don't have. However, "why" is how she's learning about the world around her. It is no longer acceptable that a joey exists as a baby kangaroo. Why does it exist? Why is it called a joey? It truly is the best form of learning, when you really think about it. Examine the world around you. Find something you don't understand and ask why. Find someone who knows the answer. It is a simple process, but one we all do.
The most convicting part of it all are the "whys" that make me think about why I like something or why I do something a certain way. Is it really necessary to get dressed before breakfast or can we eat in our pajamas? Will my life change drastically if I allow pajamas at the breakfast table? "Why do we have to change my diaper (first thing when I get up in the morning)?" That one I do have an answer for. Why do I like green anyway? Why don't I like pink? Why do we go to the library or MOPS or Hy Vee or the book store or Goodwill? Why do we clean our house? Why can't Aria come to my weekly Bible study/mom time? Why does Daddy go to work every day?
Her questions really make me think about why I am doing what I am doing. And more importantly, is this an activity or behavior I want to model to my child? Is this something I want her to watch/do/say/eat? Recently I sat in a group of adults and listened to a speaker proclaim the best way to help your child become a reader is not to read to them, but to read yourself. I thought the preschool teacher in the room was going to go through the roof. No, the speaker was not saying to stop reading to your child, he was simply stating the value of modeling the behaviors you want your children to do. It is cliche, but it is so true, "Actions speak louder than words."
While I will never be able to have all the answers, I want to encourage Aria to keep asking why. I want to help her learn how to find the answers I don't have and foster the love of learning that she already exhibits. And personally, I want to keep the conviction coming. It might give me some insight on why God made me who I am.
A lot of times my final answer ends up being, "because God made it that way" or "I don't know, Aria" which is usually followed with, "Why don't you know Mommy?" Sometimes it is hard to not be annoyed by the constant "whys," especially when she insists on an answer I just don't have. However, "why" is how she's learning about the world around her. It is no longer acceptable that a joey exists as a baby kangaroo. Why does it exist? Why is it called a joey? It truly is the best form of learning, when you really think about it. Examine the world around you. Find something you don't understand and ask why. Find someone who knows the answer. It is a simple process, but one we all do.
The most convicting part of it all are the "whys" that make me think about why I like something or why I do something a certain way. Is it really necessary to get dressed before breakfast or can we eat in our pajamas? Will my life change drastically if I allow pajamas at the breakfast table? "Why do we have to change my diaper (first thing when I get up in the morning)?" That one I do have an answer for. Why do I like green anyway? Why don't I like pink? Why do we go to the library or MOPS or Hy Vee or the book store or Goodwill? Why do we clean our house? Why can't Aria come to my weekly Bible study/mom time? Why does Daddy go to work every day?
Her questions really make me think about why I am doing what I am doing. And more importantly, is this an activity or behavior I want to model to my child? Is this something I want her to watch/do/say/eat? Recently I sat in a group of adults and listened to a speaker proclaim the best way to help your child become a reader is not to read to them, but to read yourself. I thought the preschool teacher in the room was going to go through the roof. No, the speaker was not saying to stop reading to your child, he was simply stating the value of modeling the behaviors you want your children to do. It is cliche, but it is so true, "Actions speak louder than words."
While I will never be able to have all the answers, I want to encourage Aria to keep asking why. I want to help her learn how to find the answers I don't have and foster the love of learning that she already exhibits. And personally, I want to keep the conviction coming. It might give me some insight on why God made me who I am.
9.24.2012
The Great Bed Swap
I've had this pain in my hip for about three years now. I thought it was just a pregnancy thing, but it hasn't really gone away. My pain came mostly at night while trying to sleep. My chiropractor and friend told me I needed to get rid of our waterbed.
Now, I loved my waterbed. I don't think my parents switched me directly from crib to waterbed, but I got my first waterbed at a pretty young age. I had slept on one (minus college dorms) ever since. But, I figured it was worth it to get a good night sleep without pain in my hip.
We shopped around and found what we wanted with a Sealy iComfot memory foam. It is glorious! The pain in my hip isn't gone forever, but I no longer have issues sleeping.
This great purchase set in motion the great bed swap in our household. Aria has been in her crib with the side off since about March. She was beginning to show signs of outgrowing it...or she put so many stuffed animals in it there wasn't room for her. Either way, we knew she couldn't sleep in a crib forever. While shopping for our bed, we looked at things for Aria, too. I found plenty I liked but didn't really want to spend the money.
We also had the problem of what to do with the waterbed. They aren't very popular anymore and I wasn't sure if we could sell it. I didn't want to put Aria in it, so we came up with a different plan. When we got our new bed, we moved the waterbed downstairs to be our spare bed and moved the spare bed (circa 1964 from my Grandma's house) into Aria's room, but not before painting it purple.
The bed frame didn't look the greatest, so we decided to spruce it up in Aria's favorite color and she was happy to help!
I "needed" her to help paint the boards that hold the box springs in the frame. When she lifted up her shirt and started painting her legs with the brush, I decided that was time to stop. She did have such a good time!
Aria was beyond absolutely thrilled to get a very big, big girl bed. It is a full size bed so it should last her for a very long time.
After painting her purple bed, I decided we might as well redo her whole room in something she will like instead of the orange and basketballs I like. She does like basketball, but purple is her thing. So, we painted her room, too! She also got to pick out her bedding set. No surprise that it is purple.
My favorite addition to her room is this musical butterfly. Aria's name means beautiful melody and that is what she has. Okay, so she sings in a toddler voice, but she is a singer and absolutely loves music. I wanted to find something to put on her wall to capture that love and I found this cool decal on etsy.
It was a crazy, fun transition from a nursery to a little girl's room. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. When I peek at her in that big bed, she looks so little and so big all at the same time. Where will we be next time I blink?
PS: In other sleep related news, our big girl also no longer uses her pacifier when she sleeps. Long ago, I began cutting the tip off piece by piece. It got so small that Aria no longer put in her mouth to sleep, but still held it in her hand. Well, when we got home from the Dells in August, I might have told a little white lie. I told Aria I couldn't find the pacifier and we must have left it in the Dells. She gave me the saddest look I've ever seen in my life so that I almost caved and gave it back to her, but 5 seconds later she could have cared less and just like that the pacifier is gone!! HAPPY DANCE!
Now, I loved my waterbed. I don't think my parents switched me directly from crib to waterbed, but I got my first waterbed at a pretty young age. I had slept on one (minus college dorms) ever since. But, I figured it was worth it to get a good night sleep without pain in my hip.
We shopped around and found what we wanted with a Sealy iComfot memory foam. It is glorious! The pain in my hip isn't gone forever, but I no longer have issues sleeping.
This great purchase set in motion the great bed swap in our household. Aria has been in her crib with the side off since about March. She was beginning to show signs of outgrowing it...or she put so many stuffed animals in it there wasn't room for her. Either way, we knew she couldn't sleep in a crib forever. While shopping for our bed, we looked at things for Aria, too. I found plenty I liked but didn't really want to spend the money.
We also had the problem of what to do with the waterbed. They aren't very popular anymore and I wasn't sure if we could sell it. I didn't want to put Aria in it, so we came up with a different plan. When we got our new bed, we moved the waterbed downstairs to be our spare bed and moved the spare bed (circa 1964 from my Grandma's house) into Aria's room, but not before painting it purple.
The bed frame didn't look the greatest, so we decided to spruce it up in Aria's favorite color and she was happy to help!
I "needed" her to help paint the boards that hold the box springs in the frame. When she lifted up her shirt and started painting her legs with the brush, I decided that was time to stop. She did have such a good time!
Aria was beyond absolutely thrilled to get a very big, big girl bed. It is a full size bed so it should last her for a very long time.
After painting her purple bed, I decided we might as well redo her whole room in something she will like instead of the orange and basketballs I like. She does like basketball, but purple is her thing. So, we painted her room, too! She also got to pick out her bedding set. No surprise that it is purple.
My favorite addition to her room is this musical butterfly. Aria's name means beautiful melody and that is what she has. Okay, so she sings in a toddler voice, but she is a singer and absolutely loves music. I wanted to find something to put on her wall to capture that love and I found this cool decal on etsy.
It was a crazy, fun transition from a nursery to a little girl's room. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. When I peek at her in that big bed, she looks so little and so big all at the same time. Where will we be next time I blink?
PS: In other sleep related news, our big girl also no longer uses her pacifier when she sleeps. Long ago, I began cutting the tip off piece by piece. It got so small that Aria no longer put in her mouth to sleep, but still held it in her hand. Well, when we got home from the Dells in August, I might have told a little white lie. I told Aria I couldn't find the pacifier and we must have left it in the Dells. She gave me the saddest look I've ever seen in my life so that I almost caved and gave it back to her, but 5 seconds later she could have cared less and just like that the pacifier is gone!! HAPPY DANCE!
9.23.2012
Tidbits
Hide and Seek
One of Aria's favorite games is hide and seek. She's getting better about hiding quietly and waiting for us to find her, but she still often pops up before we "find" her. She actually loves to count and come find us a lot more. However, she has learned to get some help from our four legged friend who can sniff us out anywhere. "Augie, where did Mommy go? Can you find her?" And the traitor-dog always trots right in to where I am. NOT FAIR!
Sports
We've been to a few volleyball games lately of middle schoolers we know and a coach we know. At one of the games I asked her if she liked volleyball. Her response, "Yeah, but I like basketball better." Score! That's my girl!
Repeating
Aria repeats everything we say. It is actually pretty cute because she usually adds more excitement to it than when we say it. Apparently, she also repeats things she hears other people say. The other day she told me, "Mommy, your hair is just like mine!" We get a lot of comments about how her hair looks just like Mommy's. She's listening.
Church Lessons
Lately the focus at church has been on the Creation story and more specifically that God made Aria. Each week she's had a color sheet focused on a different body part that God made. I assume they talk about God made your legs, what do your legs do? My favorite comment out of all these lessons randomly one day, "Jesus makes our eyes pretty." Why yes He does!
One of Aria's favorite games is hide and seek. She's getting better about hiding quietly and waiting for us to find her, but she still often pops up before we "find" her. She actually loves to count and come find us a lot more. However, she has learned to get some help from our four legged friend who can sniff us out anywhere. "Augie, where did Mommy go? Can you find her?" And the traitor-dog always trots right in to where I am. NOT FAIR!
Sports
We've been to a few volleyball games lately of middle schoolers we know and a coach we know. At one of the games I asked her if she liked volleyball. Her response, "Yeah, but I like basketball better." Score! That's my girl!
Repeating
Aria repeats everything we say. It is actually pretty cute because she usually adds more excitement to it than when we say it. Apparently, she also repeats things she hears other people say. The other day she told me, "Mommy, your hair is just like mine!" We get a lot of comments about how her hair looks just like Mommy's. She's listening.
Church Lessons
Lately the focus at church has been on the Creation story and more specifically that God made Aria. Each week she's had a color sheet focused on a different body part that God made. I assume they talk about God made your legs, what do your legs do? My favorite comment out of all these lessons randomly one day, "Jesus makes our eyes pretty." Why yes He does!
9.19.2012
Crafts
A friend of ours posted pictures of a really fun craft she did with her daughter who is the same age as Aria. It involved fall leaves and I thought Aria would love it, so I bought the supplies and gave it a try. The idea is the put tissue paper on contact paper and then stick it on the window and the sunshine makes it look like stained glass. I made some leaf shapes and cut small squares of red, yellow, and orange paper. Aria's task was to put the tissue paper on the contact paper.
She did one leaf, but kept asking for the glue. She didn't want the paper to be sticky already. Then, when we ran out of tissue paper squares she saw me cut some more. Apparently, cutting trumps any activity because she immediately wanted to cut.
Hey, cutting builds fine motor skills, right? She did help put more tissue paper on more leaves, they just weren't nice little squares with her cutting skills.
I neglected to take a picture of our window of leaves, but you can kind of see the finished product as she puts it up here. They are quite pretty and we did have a good time, it just took a little different direction than I expected. Thanks for the creative idea Whitney!
She did one leaf, but kept asking for the glue. She didn't want the paper to be sticky already. Then, when we ran out of tissue paper squares she saw me cut some more. Apparently, cutting trumps any activity because she immediately wanted to cut.
Hey, cutting builds fine motor skills, right? She did help put more tissue paper on more leaves, they just weren't nice little squares with her cutting skills.
I neglected to take a picture of our window of leaves, but you can kind of see the finished product as she puts it up here. They are quite pretty and we did have a good time, it just took a little different direction than I expected. Thanks for the creative idea Whitney!
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