Sunday, April 18, 2010

Proof of God in a Yellow Balloon

So many people say they can’t believe in God because they have seen no proof of Him. I wonder – if you say you can’t believe in something, would you know proof if you saw it? Or are you so busy believing that you don’t believe that you miss the proof He sends? What if you are missing out on something great because instead of believing in something powerful and beautiful, you simply believe you can’t believe?

A few weeks ago, I felt like I was being crushed by emotional burdens. And being a Texan, I wasn’t about to let myself be crushed – instead of being pushed lower, I stood up, stomped by boots, and said “No more. Enough of this wimpy nonsense. I’m getting out from under this burden one way or another.” Being a Christian, I called upon my church for help: some guidance, a prayer, anything that might help me push the weights off my back.

While waiting and trying to schedule a good time to meet with a pastor, Sunday came. We go to church on Sundays.

While sitting in my seat during the sermon, some thoughts rolled into my head like an ocean wave – strong and fast – so fast that I had to catch them before they rolled back out again. I grabbed my pen and the church bulletin and quickly wrote down the words that were pushing, pushing in: fear, worry, anger, hope and love. And balloon. Yes, the helium-filled kind with curly tails of ribbon.

When we got in the car to head home, I asked my husband to please stop in at the grocery store on the way home. “I need to buy some balloons.” To my surprise, my husband didn’t laugh or question or anything. Just “OK.” I’m sure he was thinking, “that’s an odd request….”

I bought five balloons for me and five for my husband; one for each of us representing the words on my hastily scribbled list. Yellow for fear. Purple for worry. Red for anger. Blue for hope. And pink for love. Handing him a black Sharpie, I told my husband what I thought we must do. Label our balloons and then write our hearts on them. What am I angry about? What do I hope for? What am I afraid of? And so on….

Again, surprisingly, no questions or pushback from my husband. He took his Sharpie and followed my instructions. No questions when I said, “Now, we are going to take these balloons down to the lake and let them go. We are going to send our hearts and fears and worries to God, and He will take care of them so we don’t have to anymore.” Did my husband think I was crazy when I said, “He told me so” out loud?

With our word-covered balloons in hand, we walked together down to the edge of the lake, away from the trees. One by one, we read aloud the words of our hearts written on those balloons. I hope I can become a good example for my children. I love you, Lord, even though sometimes it might not seem so. I worry that there won’t be enough, ever, to do the worldly things I still want to do. I am angry that things didn’t turn out the way I thought they would. And Fear –your name scrawled on a yellow balloon.

One by one, we let the balloons go, flying flying flying up into the high, puffy clouds (my 9 year old daughter would know the proper, scientific words for those kind of clouds). Each balloon carried by the wind until we could no longer see their bright colors against the brilliant blue sky.
I saved my ugliest balloon for last. That yellow one. It was especially heavy. The words on it blacker than darkness. Fear. My demon named Fear for you, Lord. I’m sending Him to you because you are a million times and more stronger than he.

I let go of that yellow balloon, tattooed in black ink. It still, appropriately, had remnants of every other balloons’ tail attached to it since it was the last one cut from the bunch. I watched it follow the same path, into the southeast sky, as the nine other balloons before it. I turned to talk to my husband, and when I glanced back up, the yellow balloon, which should have made its way up over our neighborhood at that point, was completely gone, nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t caught in a tree. It hadn’t fallen into the water. It wasn’t there, floating in the air. My mind started spinning. That balloon was the heaviest of all. Perhaps I wasn’t strong enough to send that heaviest of balloons to God on my own.

Nonetheless, the emotional and spiritual uplift created by sending my heart to God with balloons on a breeze is impossible to write in the words I know. I sent an email to my church to let them know I no longer needed that appointment. I have no doubt that the prayers of my sisters and brothers in Christ turned God’s attention to me, and He spoke without hesitation in words of joy that I could understand and capture on a tiny box of white space in my church bulletin.

The lightness of being has lasted for weeks. I feel free to do what needs to be done rather than wasting my attention on emotional angst which helps no one, including myself, and can actually harm those around me who are most precious: my husband, children and dear friends.

Yesterday, I spent 15+ hours at church. I would like to say I was praying or doing something good for someone, but I wasn’t; I was scrapbooking with my girlfriends. Just after midnight, as we were packing up our pretty pictures and papers, we noticed a scary looking man getting out of his car in the darkness of the parking lot furthest from the highway - and nearest us. We stepped back into the hallway, and it was then that I noticed that the door wouldn’t lock. My key will only unlock these doors – they are supposed to lock on their own. Fear crept in. A strange, scary man out there in the dark, a door that won’t lock him out. Fear.

We got in our cars, locked those doors around us and drove away. I watched the scary car with the scary man drive off as I called the police. I saw the strange car drive north on the highway. The policeman never saw the car – vanished. I worried much of the night about that unlocked door, hoping the police had checked on our church often during the dark hours to make sure the strange man hadn’t gone back.

While I was giving sleepy morning kisses to my daughter in her second story bedroom this morning, I glanced out the window and could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a yellow balloon stuck in one of the trees in my backyard.

No. You can lurk around my house. You can lurk around my head. You can lurk around my heart. But I will not carry you. And my strength to beat demons in a yellow balloon is proof of God’s existence, God’s love, God’s grace and God’s mercy because I’m just the scrapbooking lady; nothing more. Nothing more – without Him.

If you still need proof to believe, do the math. What are the odds that a stray balloon, specifically a stray, yellow balloon, would land in a tree in my backyard? Personally, I choose to believe, and the answer is: chances were 1:God.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

How Cute do you Dress Your Children?

When it comes to dressing our children, us moms fit into a matrix of how fashionable we are combined with how much our budgets (or credit cards) can bear.

If you don't care how your children are attired and don't have any money to spend on clothing, you can stop reading now. But, if you like your kids to look super-cute because they are a little reflection of you, regardless of your shopping budget, please continue with me.

Personally, I really don't like trying on clothes, so it is much more fun shopping for my children than it is for myself (except for shoes....check out my recent Manolo blog for more on that....)

Let's start with the moms on the low-budget & fashionable end of the spectrum. Do you buy the cutest stuff you can find at Target? Local resale shops? Ebay? End-of-season sales? I think all of these are great options, but they are all hit-or-miss and/or questionable quality. Isn't it more fun to get high-quality clothes in-season? What if you could get great quality clothing, exactly like you want it, when you want it, for free? Would you do it? I bet lots of you answered yes - of course - and you don't even know what you're missing.

Have you ever tried hosting a trunk show for a boutique brand like Chez Ami & Chez Belle, Kelly's Kids, Ragsland or Matilda Jane? By hosting parties for many of these boutique labels, you get the best quality clothing, often with custom monogramming options, for FREE. That's right - it's really free. These are not MLM's like Mary Kay - no one is going to ask you to become a sales rep or even ask you to commit to buying anything - hosting trunk shows is one of the few times in life when there really is a "free lunch." The average trunk show hostess for Chez Ami earns over $150 in free merchandise plus other goodies. So pull together some friends to shop and get something brand new and far superior to Target.

At the other end of the spectrum are the moms who are very fashionable and have plenty of cash to spend. If this is you, have you tried shopping at a local trunk show? Did you know that home show brands offer monogramming and custom options for clothing that is comparable (or better) in price than local boutiques? And your children won't be wearing the same (though adorable) Gymboree or Janie & Jack outfit as every other well-dressed child in the neighborhood. Your children will stand out in their cute-ness, you will be praised as the hippest mommy and, if you've shopped at a trunk show, you will likely receive special discount offers on the same high-end clothes later in the season. If the show you attend is hosted by a personal friend, you will have also helped her earn free clothes. It's a win-win.

If you are interested in hosting or attending a trunk show in the Highland Village area, please feel free to contact me. I can put you in touch with sales consultants and show hostesses for Chez Ami & Chez Belle, Kelly's Kids, Ragsland and Matilda Jane.

Happy Shopping!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Back-to-School Clothes for Mommy

If you’re like most of my mommy friends, you're getting ready for the kids to start school again. Whether it’s with a tear in your eye or a sigh of relief, the start of each school year represents an exciting new beginning for our children (even if they complain about it). It’s the start of nine months of constantly learning new stuff: from the scientific names for favorite animals to more mature interpersonal skills. Our children are sponges soaking up increasingly complex information.

But does that sponge ever grow full? I don’t think so. And, as adults, I believe that we yearn for new beginnings, too. Fresh starts don’t have to be scary changes to our grown-up lives like the end of marriages or changing careers or even moving to a new place. A fresh start for us moms can be as simple as starting a new season of learning with our children.

Your child’s plate will be full this year with the 3 r’s: reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. So why not take this chance to refresh your readin’ , writin’ and math skills, too? My guess is, your sponge is a bit dry like mine, worn out from a long, hot summer.

As your children begin a new year, why not try a new season of adult enrichment with me? (New outfits, shoes and bags are a bonus!)

· Read something enriching every day; at least as much as your eldest child is required to read for school. Gossip/celebrity magazines, romance novels self-help books and the back of the cereal box are not on the list of “enriching” things I have in mind here! If your older children are reading novels you missed (or weren’t written yet) when you were young, read the same books they are. Not only are you reading along, but this will give you something to talk about with your child (and help you proof their book reports)

· Sit down with pen and paper for a few minutes every day. Emails, Facebook, Twitter and even blogs don’t count! Practice your penmanship while writing a short, thoughtful note to a loved one. If you made a list, there is probably a different person in your life for every single day of the school year who would smile upon receiving a single paragraph from you. Simply tell someone you are happy they are part of your life – in writing, every day. These notes will be cherished, and will help you practice “writing.”

· Now for the arithmetic. Math. Many of you are thinking “EWWWW.” But this is easier than you think – you don’t even need to get out your calculator.
o First, subtract a bad habit or harmful behavior from your life each week. I hate to say it, but if you get into the details, you probably have enough of these for every week of the school year. I do. For example, cut back on the junk food. Spend less time being critical of yourself and others. Don’t complain about your spouse. Spend less money on things you don’t really need.
o Second, add a good behavior each week. Drink more water. Forgive people who’ve hurt you in the past. Donate your stuff or your time to charity. Get some exercise. Give someone unexpected praise. Pray.
o Then, if you make an effort to focus on one behavior to add and one to subtract each week, the math is simple. The happiness in your home will be multiplied; yours and your family’s.

This reading, writing and arithmetic sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Especially if you’re a mom who has to take care of the family and work outside the home, but think about how much your children are really asked to do. They get up early, spend 6 – 7 hours at school, go to any number of extracurricular activities and then do homework! Throw in a few chores, too!

If you continue your education with your children, you will not only find that it’s fulfilling, but you’ll be showing your children, by example, how much fun readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmetic can be. And no will ask you for your report card at the end of every six weeks.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Eating my Manolos

I need to lose some weight. I love to eat. I love love love to buy shoes. I enjoy collecting shoes, actually. It doesn't even matter if I ever wear them, I just like to go in my closet and look at them.

But lately our life circumstance hasn't allowed me to buy many (any) nice new shoes. Or so I have said in a kinda whiny voice to my husband. "I REALLY NEED some new shoes..." This coming from the lady who works from home 3 or 4 days a week and really doesn't even go out all that much... Thank God he knows better than to ask WHY I need those $130 shiny high-heeled shoes.

But, ladies - it just occured to me that I've been EATING my shiny new shoes!!!!! Why not lose weight AND get my Manolos????

If I ate half of the portions I've been eating, it would be good for my waistline AND I would likely save enough on the grocery/restaurant bill to justify adding something wonderful to my shoe collection almost EVERY month. Win-win.

Will it work? Check back here in a couple months for pics of the new shoes.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

When We Were Green

If scientists can prove that our enviroment is in worse condition that it was before, then doesn't that mean that they can describe the point in time when it was better?

And if there was a time when it was better, why don't we just do the same stuff we did then?

Turn Slumber Party Madness into Slumber Party Success

One mom, one dad, one sick baby and 6 nine-year old girls

A house full of sleepless madness? Amazingly not!

Tricks to making a pre-teen slumber party a success:

1) Let the birthday girl do the majority of the party-planning with the understanding that SHE thinks like a pre-teen and you probably (hopefully) don't. Your little party hostess will choose activities that her other friends will likely enjoy

2) Keep them busy! Plan at least 1 - 2 activities per hour prior to bedtime to reduce time spent running wild around your house. Alternate sitting down & moving around activities.

3) Have prizes! What girl doesn't like a prize? Play into their enthusiasm for some friendly competition by making some of the activities into games with real prizes. Prizes can even be silly stuff from the dollar section at Target - it's just fun trying to WIN! Try to alternate between physical vs. mental contests so that a variety of personalities have an opportunity to win.

4) Guests should arrive hungry. Even as adults, a great evening often starts with a great meal. Let the parents of your sleep-over guests know that you will be serving dinner shortly after the party starts. A good meal is a great way to calm the initial craziness of arrival AND it keeps the kids busy for at least an hour. Let your guest-of-honor pick some favorites to serve for dinner.

5) Finish up with an age-appropriate movie. Get the kids into their pj's & settled into their sleeping bags and the coziest blankets & pillows you have for a good movie. This will focus their attention and hopefully produce lots of giggles and some sleepyheads.

6) Have plenty of snacks & drinks on hand! Growing kids appear to eat non-stop! Make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks on hand for movie-time/late-night chatter time. A full tummy also seems to help induce sleepiness....

7) Let them stay up late! Most pre-teens still have a pretty rigid bedtime schedule. (Thank God!) So they think it's REALLY cool when they get to stay up late. Set a specified time for lights out, but make it reasonably late - midnight, 1am, whenever the movie ends.... They will be less likely to complain about bedtime...

8) Have a bedtime buddy. Have each child pick at least one buddy for bedtime, especially if they are nervous about sleeping in strange places with strange noises. If they know their buddy will be sleeping right next to them the entire night, they will be less likely to ask to call their mom at 2am to pick them up because your dog barked or the tree branch is scratching the window....

9) Have breakfast prepared the night before and limit it to no more than 2 options. If you are not a morning person, this will help you be nicer to the 10 year old who likes to have breakfast at 6am even after staying up chatting until 2. And don't forget to set the timer on the coffeemaker - you will definitely need your joe.

10) Set pick-up time at a reasonable hour. The party's over. You're tired. The kids are tired. Ask parents to pick up the next morning no later than 10am.

Bonus) Pray for no accidents or icky surprises!!!!!!