Isn't This a Comforting Thought?
Mt. Maunganui is the nation's 3rd most dangerous beach, based on the number of rescues lifeguards have made. Great.
(Not that I ever go swimming in the ocean, so I suppose this really doesn't affect me personally......)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Letting Go
I'm convinced that parenting is an 18+ year journey in letting go.
This week I've been working on moving Samuel from sleeping in the bassinet in our room to the crib in his own room. We've kept him in our room for a long time because his room is the coldest in the house, so we had to wait until the weather warmed up enough before making the transition.
He's had his naps in his crib this week, but tonight is his first night in his own room. And part of me is a bit sad. No longer will he be sleeping right at my side every night. It sounds a bit dramatic, but it really is the first of many times in his life in which we will have to let go.....someday it will be sending him off to pre-school, then to school, then driving, then the first date...... Some parents are still letting go of their children after they're grown and married, releasing their children and grandchildren to live in foreign lands. Loving and letting go. Simultaneously. It's not necessarily easy. But it's part of life and part of parenting. Truth be told, it's the point of parenting.
Of course, watching our son move up the hall to his own room really isn't a big deal at all. But maybe I'm just a bit more aware of every phase and transition with Samuel, with the lurking thought in the recesses of my mind that this very well may be the last time I get to enjoy each of these precious "baby" phases. So I hold onto every day, every smile and giggle and little cuddle, grateful for yet another day that I get to be a mom.
I'm convinced that parenting is an 18+ year journey in letting go.
This week I've been working on moving Samuel from sleeping in the bassinet in our room to the crib in his own room. We've kept him in our room for a long time because his room is the coldest in the house, so we had to wait until the weather warmed up enough before making the transition.
He's had his naps in his crib this week, but tonight is his first night in his own room. And part of me is a bit sad. No longer will he be sleeping right at my side every night. It sounds a bit dramatic, but it really is the first of many times in his life in which we will have to let go.....someday it will be sending him off to pre-school, then to school, then driving, then the first date...... Some parents are still letting go of their children after they're grown and married, releasing their children and grandchildren to live in foreign lands. Loving and letting go. Simultaneously. It's not necessarily easy. But it's part of life and part of parenting. Truth be told, it's the point of parenting.
Of course, watching our son move up the hall to his own room really isn't a big deal at all. But maybe I'm just a bit more aware of every phase and transition with Samuel, with the lurking thought in the recesses of my mind that this very well may be the last time I get to enjoy each of these precious "baby" phases. So I hold onto every day, every smile and giggle and little cuddle, grateful for yet another day that I get to be a mom.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
New Zealand is now a better place
I've been waiting for this day for a long, long time. Since January 27, 2006, to be exact.
I was in the grocery store today, and what did I happen to see in the freezer, but Mint Cookie Crunch ice cream?? Think Mint chocolate chip, but instead of chocolate chips, add crushed Oreos. Like unto Sheridan's Frozen Custard "Grant's Grasshopper". Yum!!
You see, up until today, there was no such thing as mint chocolate chip ice cream in the grocery stores in New Zealand. (Actually, there's only once ice cream parlor in town that sells it.) It just isn't a common flavor here. Which is a great disappointment to all of us Americans who love mint chocolate chip.
Fortunately, there's now one less item on my hypothetical list of things that I can only enjoy in America.
I've been waiting for this day for a long, long time. Since January 27, 2006, to be exact.
I was in the grocery store today, and what did I happen to see in the freezer, but Mint Cookie Crunch ice cream?? Think Mint chocolate chip, but instead of chocolate chips, add crushed Oreos. Like unto Sheridan's Frozen Custard "Grant's Grasshopper". Yum!!
You see, up until today, there was no such thing as mint chocolate chip ice cream in the grocery stores in New Zealand. (Actually, there's only once ice cream parlor in town that sells it.) It just isn't a common flavor here. Which is a great disappointment to all of us Americans who love mint chocolate chip.
Fortunately, there's now one less item on my hypothetical list of things that I can only enjoy in America.
Monday, October 19, 2009
20 Years Ago Today
It's a night I'll remember as long as I live. I was 9 years old, had my pajamas on, and was on my way to bed when the phone rang. Dad answered, and before he even said 5 words, I knew immediately that the news wasn't good, and my life was forver changed. Within moments he gathered my brother and I in the living room to tell us that Mom (who was in the hospital) had gone to be with Jesus.
I could go on and on about the emotions I felt that night and in the days, weeks, and months to follow. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what those would have been. More to the point, today my thoughts haven't been of sadness and mourning, but rather of amazement at the kindness and goodness of my Heavenly Father to carry me through these last 20 years, and to bring me into the broad and spacious place that I'm in today. Let's face it: the story could have easily not turned out as good as it did. I could have easily fallen off the deep end, turned into a dysfunctional person (well, maybe I am a little!), and have ended up with a much different life than the one I have now. I could have run away from God and into a myriad of vices to dull the pain, but for no reason other than His grace, I found myself running to Him in the midst of unbearable grief. He is so kind, so good, so merciful, and so able to care for His children perfectly. And those aren't just nice little cliches. It's the story of my life. I'm grateful; really grateful. And sometimes I catch myself imagining what it will be like when, someday, I'll get to see my mother again, run into her arms, hug her, and catch up on the decades that we missed. Now that's going to be a glorious day!
It's a night I'll remember as long as I live. I was 9 years old, had my pajamas on, and was on my way to bed when the phone rang. Dad answered, and before he even said 5 words, I knew immediately that the news wasn't good, and my life was forver changed. Within moments he gathered my brother and I in the living room to tell us that Mom (who was in the hospital) had gone to be with Jesus.
I could go on and on about the emotions I felt that night and in the days, weeks, and months to follow. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what those would have been. More to the point, today my thoughts haven't been of sadness and mourning, but rather of amazement at the kindness and goodness of my Heavenly Father to carry me through these last 20 years, and to bring me into the broad and spacious place that I'm in today. Let's face it: the story could have easily not turned out as good as it did. I could have easily fallen off the deep end, turned into a dysfunctional person (well, maybe I am a little!), and have ended up with a much different life than the one I have now. I could have run away from God and into a myriad of vices to dull the pain, but for no reason other than His grace, I found myself running to Him in the midst of unbearable grief. He is so kind, so good, so merciful, and so able to care for His children perfectly. And those aren't just nice little cliches. It's the story of my life. I'm grateful; really grateful. And sometimes I catch myself imagining what it will be like when, someday, I'll get to see my mother again, run into her arms, hug her, and catch up on the decades that we missed. Now that's going to be a glorious day!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Perspective
A good friend sent me a link to this blog yesterday, and I'd highly recommend a read. I do not know these people, and know nothing more about them than what I read in a few posts. But I found it to be an uplifting story; not because of the joys of wonderful events, but because of a heart that's chosen to remain un-offended in the midst of tragic events. But I must also warn you that it's a "tear-jerker"; I'm glad I read it alone at 11pm last night, because I wept as I read it. And I don't mean just a few tears in the eyes. (Which I must confess is more of an indication of my own brokenness and hidden fears than a reflection of a great heart of compassion). But if you have a few quiet moments, I'd encourage you to go have a read. If nothing else, it will provide an eternal perspective, lifting us out of our own myopic existence and allowing us to be perhaps just a little bit more grateful for today.
A good friend sent me a link to this blog yesterday, and I'd highly recommend a read. I do not know these people, and know nothing more about them than what I read in a few posts. But I found it to be an uplifting story; not because of the joys of wonderful events, but because of a heart that's chosen to remain un-offended in the midst of tragic events. But I must also warn you that it's a "tear-jerker"; I'm glad I read it alone at 11pm last night, because I wept as I read it. And I don't mean just a few tears in the eyes. (Which I must confess is more of an indication of my own brokenness and hidden fears than a reflection of a great heart of compassion). But if you have a few quiet moments, I'd encourage you to go have a read. If nothing else, it will provide an eternal perspective, lifting us out of our own myopic existence and allowing us to be perhaps just a little bit more grateful for today.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Smiley Samuel
I have lots of cheesy nicknames for our little Samuel, depending on what mood he is in:
Silly Samuel
Snuggly Samuel
Singing Samuel
Sleepy Samuel
Serious Samuel
Squirmy Samuel
Starving Samuel
Sad Samuel
Story-telling Samuel
Sweet Samuel
Special Samuel
But no question, one of my favorite ~ and most common ~ little names for him is "Smiley Samuel". He is perhaps the happiest baby in the world: he smiles and "talks" to me all day long, with the occasional giggle added in for good measure, only fussing when he's hungry or tired. Otherwise known as an "Angel Baby". He's such a content, laid back, happy little boy with the sweetest, most tender spirit. Seriously, how great is my life when I get to look at this cute little face all day long?!
I have lots of cheesy nicknames for our little Samuel, depending on what mood he is in:
Silly Samuel
Snuggly Samuel
Singing Samuel
Sleepy Samuel
Serious Samuel
Squirmy Samuel
Starving Samuel
Sad Samuel
Story-telling Samuel
Sweet Samuel
Special Samuel
But no question, one of my favorite ~ and most common ~ little names for him is "Smiley Samuel". He is perhaps the happiest baby in the world: he smiles and "talks" to me all day long, with the occasional giggle added in for good measure, only fussing when he's hungry or tired. Otherwise known as an "Angel Baby". He's such a content, laid back, happy little boy with the sweetest, most tender spirit. Seriously, how great is my life when I get to look at this cute little face all day long?!
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