the don't frets

since I posted some of my rules a couple days ago today I thought it would be a great segue to post some of my don't fret thoughts.  You know, the things that I've had to learn to let go of, those items where you get to a point and realize it's not worth worrying about?

My don't frets:

:  don't fret if the milk spills

:  don't fret if your Christmas cards are late -- to all of you who know me -- expect it late. :)

:  don't fret if your 14 month old gets spaghetti all over his face (thanks Hannah for the pic)

:  don't fret about others opinion of your family size

:  don't fret when you see people counting your kids while you walk through Costco

:  don't fret that your family takes ALL the samples at each Costco sample station

:  don't fret if your house isn't perfectly clean when others come over

:  don't fret if you look silly with your kids

:  don't fret about followers, or numbers, or hits on your blog

:  don't fret about health -- learn what you need to learn -- but don't sit in worry.

:  don't fret about not having professional pictures taken every year

:  don't fret if your non-professional pics don't turn out perfectly

:  don't fret if your latte has too much foam -- just ask them to add milk -- but don't leave till you do

:  don't fret about your latte with too much foam especially if you didn't ask for it to be fixed

:  don't fret if your gloves don't match when it is -24 degrees outside

:  don't fret if your kids don't keep their lego sets together

:  don't fret when they dump all the legos out on the floor or their bed

:  don't fret when they receive duplicate lego sets

:  don't fret if your kids handmade cards have misspelled words

:  don't fret if your 3year olds pant and shirt don't match on the day they dressed themself

:  don't fret about the 11 loads of laundry that need to be folded.  (this one might be just speaking to me)

:  don't fret about snow storms -- have fun with this snow instead (this is also a rule)

:  don't fret if the Christmas presents aren't wrapped perfectly

:  don't fret if your cinnamon rolls burn -- the insides are still good

:  don't fret if your fam stays in their pajamas for most of Christmas

:  don't fret -- or at least try not to -- if your 5year old drinks most of your latte that you had fixed without the extra foam

:  don't fret -- here's why -- 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, 
what you will eat or drink; or about your body, 
what you will wear.
 Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27

memory strands

4 hours.

2 daughters

27 degrees and dropping

3 pairs of gloves 

6 extension cords

100's of twinkling white lights

1 glorious cup of coffee

3 red Rubbermaid Totes with green lids. 

7 thrown away strands

and

1 me

Why?  Why do I spend an entire afternoon stringing (and throwing -- while hoping it catches on a lone branch) Christmas lights outside? It's not for me.  Well, that's kind of not true -- some of it is for me.  I do love the peace and silence -- once my body goes numb with cold.  I love the beauty when I'm done. I do love the laughter with the girls.  And I love having lights outside -- it's so festive -- the lights twinkling against the sparkling snow.

I put lights up for my kids.

It's about memories. Tradition.  Sentiment. Excitement. Joy.

My little ones will stand in the living room and stare out the window in wonder as strand after strand lights up the yard. (Just a tidbit of info -- I only use strands of lights -- no blowups, plastic things, signs, etc -- just simple strands.  There are probably over 2000 lights out there.) With each light that goes up you can see the excitement rise.  My little Elijah excitedly exclaimed --  it's Christmas outside! -- as his little eyes glowed with glee as he watched me work.

My kids start asking in October if I'll put lights up.  How could I not?  Do I regret that day, the time outside?  Not in the least.  Someday my sweet little ones, and not so little anymore, will be grown.  And they will remember.

They'll remember the lights.
They'll remember their mom outside weaving the lights on bushes.

They'll realize how much I love them.

Because I really do.   Christmas is not about the stuff.  It's about Jesus. And family. And traditions. And memories. One little light at a time.

(love the pics?  They're all taken by my daughter - Hannah - who you can find here.)

Miscellany Monday

An ode to Miscellany Monday.
Written at 11:34 pm.

Oh, Miscellany Monday, here you are again....

sweet blogging day

a day of what - evers

Who knows what it will bring.

Oh Miscellany Monday, you are the best

fun, laughter, joy

mixed with memory
Beautiful thoughts.

Oh, Miscellany Monday, how I love you.

1) I was never good at poetry class.  I tried.

2) My major in college was Architecture.  I can draw.  I am creative.  I have a pile of plans I've drawn for our home showing how I would add on -- if I could. So I guess along with being creative I can dream. ;)

3) While studying architecture I studied Italian.  My dream was to live in Italy for several years.  I passed my proficiency exam.  I have not lived in Italy.  I can, however, order my food at an Italian restaurant perfectly.  Sometimes I even teach the waiters the correct pronunciation. 

4) I also studied Interior Design.  Therefore, when I watch shows -- like HGTV's Design Star -- and see terrible design I cringe and cover my face with a pillow.  I think my girls enjoy watching me cover my face and wait for that moment to happen.  They'll exclaim, "Mom's grabbing the pillow!!"  Tonight's show?  Exceptionally and painfully bad.


5) I play classical piano.  I've been playing since I was four.

 that's me playing -- Samuel was 2 weeks old.

6) Once, when I was in sixth grade, I played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for a piano recital from memory.  However, while up front, in a room full of over one hundred parents and relatives, I forgot where I was in the piece.  So I began to improvise.  I kept playing, and playing, and playing until I remembered where I was.  Then I wrapped up Moonlight Sonata and took my required bow.  Rushing back to my seat, I sat down and smiled.  My grandmother, who was also classically trained, winked at me and said, "that was the longest version of Moonlight Sonata I've ever heard ,dear." Then she patted my hand, and gave me a hug.  

7) I miss that grandmother.  She died one week before my daughter Chloe was born.

8) Chloe's middle name is the same as my grandmothers.  Her name?  Laurella.  A combination of Laura and Ella.  Chloe looks like my grandmother when she was young.  My grandma was beautiful.

 my Chloe Laurella

9) I'm writing this at 11:54 pm.  Samuel will be awake at 1:30 am.

10) Speaking of Samuel -- he's cutting all four top teeth at once.  As I wrote on facebook, I think he's trying to over achieve.  And speaking again of Samuel -- remember to enter my give-away for your own Teething Bling Necklace.  You will seriously love that necklace.  My goal for entries?  At least 100.  I'm close to 70 -- so if you haven't entered, do so -- that way I can make my goal.  (I like goals -- so click the enter my give-away link.  After you leave a nice comment here!)

Samuel with my Teething Bling

Impressed with this week's concise Miscellany Monday?  As am I.  Must have something to do with it being 11:56 pm.  And Samuel waking up at 1:30 am.

Remember, remember, remember (because I don't say forget - read Target Statements) to link up with Carissa's Miscellany Monday. Link up.  She's awesome. :)  I've also linked up with the mingle monday thread --check that out as well.

Blessings on your Monday!!