It's time to say goodbye.
This blog was such a great outlet for me when I first started it so many years ago. It was meant to chronicle our new adventure to Denmark.
Now it seems like I rarely post anymore and I wanted to give it a proper send off. There are a LOT of memories inside this little blog. I could never delete it just because it holds such a giant chunk of my heart.
I have lost interest in my fitness blog as well. I'll be saying goodbye to it at some point too. But I am leaving it for now. One thing at a time!
I'm not done blogging, but this chapter "The Arff Adventure" is over. Thanks so much for reading!
Take care and God bless!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
big things
This is for all the times I wished that my kids were "just a little older"
...so I didn't have to lug around a stroller, diaper bag, toys and cheerios
...so I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night
...so I didn't have to change diapers and wash bottles
...so I could use the bathroom undisturbed
...so I didn't have to watch another episode of Dora
...so we didn't have to go through teething and potty training
...so that I could go out for dinner with just my husband
...
What I was doing was
bringing my best buddy everywhere with me
and listening to the cooing and jabbering from the crib.
Kissing toes and giving tickles during diaper changing time.
Getting company because my best buddy loved to be with me every where I was.
Singing our favorite songs and watching our favorite cartoons.
Laughing and playing peek-a-boo.
Taking trips as a family.
...
Being a parent is hard work. Frustrating and stressful at times.
But how quickly the time slips away.
My first born is in her last years of school.
My tiny, tiny preemie....all grown up!
Nearly 17!
I am ashamed at all the times I wished her childhood away.
All those little things
were BIG things.
I know that now.
I wished for a day when it would be just my husband and I.
But that day will be here far too soon,
I know it.
My children will grow.
There will be graduations, weddings, and grandchildren.
I am thankful to have children that will eventually have their own families.
I will love being grandma and seeing our family grow and grow
over the years.
Getting together on holidays and special occasions.
But I'm not ready for that yet.
I'm still mommy. They still think I'm the greatest woman in the world.
They still sit on my lap and listen to my stories.
They still play toys.
They still believe in Santa.
I'm going to love and hug and squeeze them until they push me away.
I will enjoy
EVERY. LITTLE. THING.
I love you, sweet babies of mine.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
It's time to stand up
[Start Quote]
You know what you stand for, the things you believe in; the things that matter most in your life. These bedrock beliefs are your foundation, your core; they comprise the basis for who you are today. These fundamental principles define what you do, how you think and how you act.
And they dictate what you won't stand for as well.
Standing strong in the face of adversity is anything but easy. It takes fortitude, it takes courage; it takes resolute determination and will. Sticking to your belief system is easy when things are clicking, when everything is going your way. But when things start going awry, when things start getting a little bit sticky, do you stay true to your beliefs - or do you look for the easy way out? Do you stand firm - or do you toss your beliefs aside and just go with the flow?
When you stand up for yourself and your beliefs, especially when the stakes are high, you may find yourself standing alone. And that can be daunting, overwhelming, even disheartening at times.
There are few things more unsettling than standing up for what you know is right only to have everyone else, especially those closest to you, desert you. Left on your own and all alone, you can feel abandoned, weak and highly vulnerable. You start wondering if you're doing the right thing. You start having second thoughts. And you start wavering, waffling and wilting under pressure. Yet these very moments can propel you to greatness if given half a chance.
When you stand strong, criticism will be hurled your direction. Whenever and wherever you take an unpopular stand, there will be dissenting voices in the crowd striving to shut you down or shut you up. Some may call you names. Others may question your motives and character. And there are those who may get downright down and dirty, doing whatever they can to besmirch you and your good name.
Right then and right there, amidst the most uncomfortable of uncomfortable circumstances, you are put to the ultimate test. Will you wilt in the heat of the moment and give in, tossing your principles aside or will you stand strong for what you believe is right no matter what?
Standing strong is what winning in life is all about. No, you may not always win. And yes, you will taste defeat more times than you care to remember. But make no mistake about it, when you stand up for your principles, you' re never a loser. By resolutely believing in yourself and your convictions, you develop character and an internal strength that cannot be defeated.
It's time to stand up. Believe what you believe... then live it every ounce of your soul. No more backing down, no more giving up; no more cowering in the face of difficult choices and decisions. No more squirming, no more worrying about what others may think. No more sitting on the fence, hoping you'll please those all around you. No more apologizing for what you believe.
(let's read that again, shall we? No more apologizing for what you believe.)
Don't worry about what others say or think. Just do what you know is right in your heart.
The Bottom Line: When you stand up for what you believe, you stand out.
[End Quote]
My thoughts:
This was something I read by the Power Performance Program. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon it, but somehow, I think I was directed there for a reason. I think it's a group dedicated to motivational speaking, newsletters, etc. that inspire people to be their best and succeed in life. It was rather fitting that I found it, actually. It's definitely not always pleasant to stand up for your beliefs, because not everyone shares them. But I'd rather be true to myself, than try and please everyone. We all know what a losing battle that is. When you stand for what you believe in, you are building character. When you are true to yourself and honest with those around you, that is a characteristic of true strength. Don't be afraid of those not willing to accept it - they are unsure of themselves.
If you are going to identify yourself with something, you need the backbone to take the heat when not everyone feels the same way about it as you do. Strength through adversity.
You know what you stand for, the things you believe in; the things that matter most in your life. These bedrock beliefs are your foundation, your core; they comprise the basis for who you are today. These fundamental principles define what you do, how you think and how you act.
And they dictate what you won't stand for as well.
Standing strong in the face of adversity is anything but easy. It takes fortitude, it takes courage; it takes resolute determination and will. Sticking to your belief system is easy when things are clicking, when everything is going your way. But when things start going awry, when things start getting a little bit sticky, do you stay true to your beliefs - or do you look for the easy way out? Do you stand firm - or do you toss your beliefs aside and just go with the flow?
When you stand up for yourself and your beliefs, especially when the stakes are high, you may find yourself standing alone. And that can be daunting, overwhelming, even disheartening at times.
There are few things more unsettling than standing up for what you know is right only to have everyone else, especially those closest to you, desert you. Left on your own and all alone, you can feel abandoned, weak and highly vulnerable. You start wondering if you're doing the right thing. You start having second thoughts. And you start wavering, waffling and wilting under pressure. Yet these very moments can propel you to greatness if given half a chance.
When you stand strong, criticism will be hurled your direction. Whenever and wherever you take an unpopular stand, there will be dissenting voices in the crowd striving to shut you down or shut you up. Some may call you names. Others may question your motives and character. And there are those who may get downright down and dirty, doing whatever they can to besmirch you and your good name.
Right then and right there, amidst the most uncomfortable of uncomfortable circumstances, you are put to the ultimate test. Will you wilt in the heat of the moment and give in, tossing your principles aside or will you stand strong for what you believe is right no matter what?
Standing strong is what winning in life is all about. No, you may not always win. And yes, you will taste defeat more times than you care to remember. But make no mistake about it, when you stand up for your principles, you' re never a loser. By resolutely believing in yourself and your convictions, you develop character and an internal strength that cannot be defeated.
It's time to stand up. Believe what you believe... then live it every ounce of your soul. No more backing down, no more giving up; no more cowering in the face of difficult choices and decisions. No more squirming, no more worrying about what others may think. No more sitting on the fence, hoping you'll please those all around you. No more apologizing for what you believe.
(let's read that again, shall we? No more apologizing for what you believe.)
Don't worry about what others say or think. Just do what you know is right in your heart.
The Bottom Line: When you stand up for what you believe, you stand out.
[End Quote]
My thoughts:
This was something I read by the Power Performance Program. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon it, but somehow, I think I was directed there for a reason. I think it's a group dedicated to motivational speaking, newsletters, etc. that inspire people to be their best and succeed in life. It was rather fitting that I found it, actually. It's definitely not always pleasant to stand up for your beliefs, because not everyone shares them. But I'd rather be true to myself, than try and please everyone. We all know what a losing battle that is. When you stand for what you believe in, you are building character. When you are true to yourself and honest with those around you, that is a characteristic of true strength. Don't be afraid of those not willing to accept it - they are unsure of themselves.
If you are going to identify yourself with something, you need the backbone to take the heat when not everyone feels the same way about it as you do. Strength through adversity.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Summer....I want you back!
Goofing off at the apple orchard....
I want those days again. It's WAY TOO COLD for me right now!! We have to keep the heat in our house at 60 degrees because of a pipeline explosion in Canada. I'm so looking forward to the call that tells us we can go back to our normal gas usage! I'm in long johns and sweats, 3 layers of shirts, gloves, hat and scarf and STILL cold!!
Learning to stay positive....
Friday, January 24, 2014
It's coming
I've learned SO much about myself in the last year. It was the best AND worst year of my life....if you can understand that. Which, I admit, sounds weird. But out of a really bad situation came so many more wonderful things. So I believe that we live through the bad so we can discover the good.
Let me explain: Something bad happened. Then, an opportunity presented itself. It was an opportunity that could potentially make this "bad thing" a little better. And it did. But what really blossomed out of this opportunity were so many wonderful blessings that I had never anticipated. Like a flower that just keeps blooming and blooming.
And I know that even greater things have yet to come!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
HI
I am a Scorpio ;)
It's been the perfect day: snowy and cold outside but the fireplace is on and the stew is cooking - making the house smell glorious! I finally took the time to clean off my desktop and get rid of stuff that was cluttering it up. I love having newly freed space on my computer!!
My dog pooped today! It was a joyous occasion because she ate a bunch of tinfoil the other day and it had been about 2 days since her last ....eh, movement.
Today I'm thankful for my sweet friends. They listen with their hearts. I love you girls.
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