Is Spectating a Sport?

Saturday we went to the Plymouth 5k. Krista and her hubby were running, and a bunch of other people I knew (including these two rock star Plymouth firefighters, Mike and Michael, who did it in fire gear). I thought it would be fun to go cheer them on. I've been to the Twin Cities marathon a few years and it's so great to watch! Those runners are such an inspiration and really appreciate the spectators cheering them on.

I will never run a marathon. I'm pretty sure that if I'm going 26.2 miles, I'm gonna drive there. I admire those with determination to do it, I'm just not one of them. I'll go down to the river and watch the marathoners, I'll give them the support they deserve. It's an achievement for athletes, and I hold them in high regard.

But I could run a 5k. I saw runners who were obviously struggling (and heard stories of some who were struggling, but it wasn't obvious), but they did it anyway. And 3.2 miles is nothing to sneeze at. It does take a measure of discipline to be able to complete it. I actually ran one once. I finished near the end with two elderly (and by elderly, I mean 70s...?) gentlemen who encouraged me the whole way. I don't remember my time, but I remember the feeling of accomplishment. And I want that again.

How about you? Do you run? Have you set a recent goal? Inspire me!

FINE!

Sheesh. Can't a girl take a Blogcation?

Seriously, I have a lot on my mind. I've just had a hard time putting it into words. I have several topics in mind, but I'll run with this one:

LOVE.

How do we actually 'love' others?

I have been thinking of this a lot. If I am to love my enemy (and I believe I am), how do I do that? First, I have to define my enemy. Who is that? Someone who threatens me physically? Then I guess we have to look at our global enemies, those who might take away our physical freedoms, right? I think that's the easiest way to define the word. Then how do we love them? Pray for them? Send good thoughts? Physically MOVE OUR BODIES INTO ACTION and help them? Julie just read a book called Three Cups of Tea, maybe she can share some of that here.

I think that's too easy, though, too literal. Who else do my enemies include? People who have hurt me? Sure. People who still hurt me? Yep. And when I dig deep into that well, there is where I see where I'm lacking in love. Without getting into politics again*, I will say that others' viewpoints have hurt me. And I know that's wrong. And unjust. But sometimes people, through their opinions alone, have caused me pain.

So...what have I been working on? Loving them for our differences. I just re-read Embraced by the Light (changed my life years ago and was as powerful this time), and I realize now that it doesn't really matter if we have differences. We're all on different spiritual journeys and they're supposed to be different. We're supposed to see things differently.

So sometimes, when I see a hateful status update, or a venomous blog entry, I need to learn to leave it alone. To pray for peace and happiness for that person or entity and move along. And don't feel those negative feelings towards them. It's counterproductive and, frankly, a waste of precious time. I don't think loving them means trying to convince them that I am right. I don't even think it means calling them out on their negativity (although I did that once or twice). I think it means loving them for exactly who they are. Even if I don't agree with it.

Mindi and I have mastered this. We've had lots of practice. Politically, we are classic Right and Left. We have a very hard time finding middle ground. But it's humbling how our relationship has changed, and grown, because of our love for each other. And our love for humanity, actually.

Who else, then, is our enemy? Anyone who challenges our emotional comfort? Anyone who takes more than they give? Anyone who makes poor decisions and makes others suffer for them? Anyone who makes us angry? Anyone whose lifestyle we do not condone?

And, most importantly, how do we love them?

*From now on, I'm going to try to keep my political conversations to facebook. Because it's as exciting (right, ladies?!) and there's no risk of anonymous posters. If you want to be my friend there, find me. I accept everyone.

There is nothing cuter than a four year old on his first day of preschool. These two are so stinkin' cute. I picked Grace up this morning, and spent the 10 minute car ride listening to them talk. CUTE!

(Discussing their "homework." They had to color an elephant their favorite color.)

Matthew: My elephant is green. I colored it all by myself.
Grace: Mine is a rainbow elephant.
Matthew: Brown isn't in the rainbow.
Grace: No one helped me either!
Matthew: Do you like my fancy shirt?
Grace: It's awesome. Do you like my shirt? My mom bought it at Penney's. Like her name.
Matthew: Yeah.
Grace: Do you like my pants?
Matthew: Yes.
Grace: Do you like my shoes?
Matthew: Yes, and I like your socks! Do you like my shoes?
Grace: They're awesome.

No, kids, YOU'RE awesome. Hope you have a great first day of school!

Chicken Tetrazinni

I'm trying to remember if I posted this recipe before, but I didn't feel like digging. I'm making this for dinner. It's easy and so yummy, so just in case, here it is again:

2 1/2 cups un-cooked broken spaghetti
1/2 stick butter
3 T onion, chopped
4 oz can mushrooms with liquid
1 can cream of mush soup
13oz can evaporated milk
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp salt and celery salt
2 cups cooked chicken (canned works well, or rotissere chicken)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (I use More)
Parmesan cheese to top the dish

Cook spaghetti until tender, drain and rinse.In skillet, melt butter saute onion and mushrooms. Add soup, milk, seasonings, chicken and cheese. Put spaghetti in 9X13 buttered casserole. Pour sauce over top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

30 Hours

I had 30 hours to myself this week. Like...ALL to myself. No husband, no kids. Amazing how therapeutic that can be for a mom. Here are the things I discovered/learned:

1. Silence is golden. And kind of strange at first when you're not used to it.

2. The house stays very clean when I'm the only one in it.

3. Time for Mom is the greatest gift a Grandma can give.

4. Sleeping in is very foreign. But dreamy. Literally.

5. I can get more done in six hours alone than 40 hours with kids

6. I love my mom.

7. The boys bond better with Grandma when Mom isn't there.

8. There are a lot of mosquitos in the country and my boys are wearing proof of that.

9. It's good for City Boys to act like Country Boys once in awhile.

10. I missed them.

11. I still miss Cory. Four more days!

Bless us, O Lord.

We say this prayer at mealtime:

Bless us, O Lord

For these thy gifts

Which we are about to recieve

From thy bounty

Through Christ, our Lord,

Amen.

Jack says:

Bless us, O Lord

Bless us, O Lord

Bless us, O Lord

Bless us, O Lord

Bless us, O Lord

Amen.

Mindi's Giveaway

My friend Mindi is pretty smart. In the past year, she's gotten her finances in order. Big time. She's a follower of Dave Ramsey. She has a private blog, but since she feels so strongly about the benefits of his program, she wants to extend the giveaway to the readers of my blog. If you follow hers, feel free to enter there. If you're interested in winning an online session or an in-person class, feel free to sign up here.

Please know that I already entered. I kind of want to win, but getting serious about our finances scares me. I know that's ridiculous, but no question I'm the spender in this family, and I'll have some habits to change. And change can be scary, but it can be GOOD.

Here is her information:

So I took Dave Ramsey's FPU and L.O.V.E.D. it. Have I ever told you that? And I've always wanted to give his class away to someone who really needs and/or wants it. It's invaluable information and I want to share. I want you to love it like I love it. (Remember: his class can benefit everyone. From someone severely in debt, to someone who just needs to learn about insurance, real estate, investing, etc. Basically, everyone.)

After browsing his website and seeing that it is on special, I decided now is the time. I even called Dave Ramsey's office and secured the special price until the end of this month, to make sure I am covered. You'll learn things like that in his course. I giggled and told the customer service rep that I wouldn't pay full price because I took the course and I'm smarter than that.So, (ahhhhh! I'm letting out a scream. I'm a little nervous and a little giddy. It's a big deal to me.) that's what I'm going to do. I'm offering a drawing for either an online class or (better yet) an actual class. If it's offered in your area. The lucky winner can pick which one they want.

And I'm drawing the name on Saturday, September 19th at 11:59 a.m., MST.To enter, you need to solemnly swear that you will follow through and take FPU. Please. Because I know that there are some of you who won't win that truly will invest their time into it. So, please, do that for me? It's a big deal to me. Thanks.

Good luck! May the biggest spender win. Hehe.

Creativity in Color

I took this photo the other night of a page I had ripped out of a catalog. I don't think I'm going to frame it like Libby did (or maybe I will...). She's so creative. What unusual things do you have framed in your home?

Teletubbies

I sort of forgot about Teletubbies. Matty loved them when he was two, but they're not on our cable PBS station right now, nor On Demand. I wonder why. Anyway, I let Jack watch a Teletubbies DVD on my computer today. He loved it!

"The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the hightest standards and is content with nothing less than his best."

- Hamilton Wright Mabie