Letting Go

Letting go, seems like an easy concept. But not easy at all to do. We have all had things that we have to let go of, sometimes by choice and other times it was out of our control. Either way, it's not easy.

Mike's dad passed away in October, and watching Mike and the boys go through that was rough. Having lost my dad 7 years ago, I knew what pain was coming. You never get over the loss of a parent, no matter how young or old you are. They are a part of you, of who you became. You never really let go of them, they stay with you forever. I still have vivid dreams that my dad is alive and I always ask him where he has been, and the answer is always the same.......I've been right here. These dreams seem to come when I need reassurance, or when I need to let something go.

I felt the need to write this because I have been carrying around some baggage. Baggage that I should have unloaded a long time ago. Sometimes we keep it as a reminder of the past even if it’s not a good memory. Why do we feel the need to do that? I don’t have the answer to that, I wish I did. So I let that baggage go, let the old dreams leave.

The past couple of years have been tough. A lot of changes which resulted in letting go of dreams. Dreams are tricky little creatures. Somewhat elusive, that's why we are always chasing them. Dreams are just a suggestion; it took me a long time to figure that one out. A suggestion on how things could be, nothing set in stone. Yet when a dream fails to come to fruition, we are devastated. The dream never has to leave, modify it and make it new again. Let go of the old one and make a new one. We can't predict life, if we could, it wouldn't be fun at all.

If something is not working for you, get rid of it. Whether it's a pair of shoes that are really cute, but hurt your feet, or a person who isn't doing you any good. Let It GO! Life is short, your time is precious, don't waste it on things, or people who you really don't need. Purge!!!! Just like you clean out the bugs in your computer, clean out your life. Get rid of the unwanted clutter, so that you can make room for new wonderful things! Let go of the pain and hurt you have, don't deny it, we all carry it! Let it go! Become a right brained person. Live in the here and now, don't over analyze, just do it! Like a band-aid, just rip it off and throw it away. The wounds will heal better with the sun anyway!

So, LET GO OF THE OLD DREAMS & THROW THE BAGGAGE OUT! Make new dreams, and get new baggage. More stylish, that suits who you are now. One thing I have learned is you can always start over.

The House That I'm Building

No, I'm not actually building a house. I'm speaking about the house/home I building for my children, the lessons taught and memories made. Think back to when you were young, those are the things that made you who you are today. The Sunday dinners at Grandma's house, family camping trips, visits to the park, you get the idea. Are you building a good house for your kids? I know it feels like we never have enough time with them, but make what time you do have count. It gets even harder when you have more than one child. I deal with that one all the time, who gets what and when can you do it? When the boys were younger we took turns taking them out to dinner, a movie or whatever they wanted to do.

My boys are older now, Jordan has moved out on his own and Alex is going to be a Senior next year, and Chris will be a Junior. Where did the time go? Soon they will be bringing me grandchildren to visit. I'm very excited about that. They will have families of their own and hopefully some of the traditions that they had growing up will be passed on. The building blocks of family. Sometimes as a parent we second guess ourselves, wondering if we have given them everything they wanted. The truth is I hope you haven't given everything they wanted, but instead everything they needed. That you have taught values and integrity. How to be kind and sympathetic to other people’s needs. Selflessness and humility, in other words a house that is strong and steady, not big and flashy. In the years I have been around I have learned that slow and steady win the race, enjoy the view. Going too fast will only create a bad foundation and cause the house to crumble.

Take some time and think about the house that built you and make modifications if needed and build a strong house for yourself and family. It's up to you to do the right things and teach your children how to follow in your footsteps. Go out pick up a hammer and get to work.

Home

You can’t go home again…..or can you? Why not, who says we can’t? We should all go home again at least a few times in our lives. Recently, I have started on my journey home. What happened to that happy freckled faced young girl that giggled at everything? I want to find her, I miss her. So, I’m going home, back to the place that makes me, me. I always start with my Grandpa Donoho he was an amazing man full of strength and spirit, he taught me to stand up for myself, but to also be a lady, I miss him, and he’s part of my home. My road home is a long one filled with wonderful memories of the people who shaped me into the woman I am today. The road is sometimes bumpy and full of curves, but I love remembering every one of them. It all serves as a reminder, of where I came from. That’s why I go home again, anytime I feel I have forgotten who I am. A little self check if you will. Maybe it’s selfish; I love to have that feeling of truly being loved for who I am. The summers spent having Lemonade stands, riding my bike to M&W to get some candy and swimming in the neighbor’s pool. It was all so innocent and safe, just like it should have been. Family vacations, holiday dinners, even funerals are part of my road home. All of it made me……me. I am so thankful to have had so many amazing people on my journey. So yes, you can go home again. Memories are always a great way to start, pull out the picture album and start your journey home. You never know, you may find strength you had forgotten you had. Mamma, I’m coming home.

Farm Life

It's been a bit since the last time I wrote. Life has been crazy busy, I'm sure that most of you feel the same way. The hustle and bustle of daily life can be overwhelming. Spring is here on my little farm. We are up to four pygmy goats now, Cinnamon is about to give birth, so more will be here soon. I have added some other new additions as well, I now have Double & Trouble, my Rouen ducks. Who knew they would be so much fun!
I was asked yesterday, "Why do you have so many animals?". It took me a little of guard, I don't think of it that way. They are like family, that would be like asking why I have so many kids, I just do! But it did get me thinking.............Unconditional love? They don't talk back, they are always happy to see you, they are soft and sweet, when I'm done with them I can put them back in the cage. Who really knows why, I just love them! It's selfish I suppose, they make me smile and in todays society, that's a big deal! Right now I'm sitting on the back porch looking at the goats, chickens and horses. My dogs are playing in the pond, the cat is sitting with me. What more could I ask for? It's peaceful and they are so funny! Maybe you don't like animals, if that is the case, I'm sorry you are really missing out! I'll keep you posted on the goats.

Changes....they are a coming

I want to apologize for not keeping up........I've been rather busy. I want to talk about changes today. Why do we fear change so much? When in reality things change everyday, we just don't pay attention. When our kids are little we notice every change in them daily. The new little hairs growing the beautiful head of our baby. We mark the changes in Baby Books and the hundreds of baby pictures that we take. So what happens to us, why can't we embrace all change in that way? Some of us take changes in stride like professionals, then some of us act like children and refuse it. Which one are you? Maybe a little of both? I want to talk about the changes that sneak up on you. The ones you were not expecting, but that can change your life forever. Like finding out that you are pregnant at eighteen. That's a big change that will affect everything in your life. How do you deal with? Curl up in a corner and cry......or make the choice to embrace the fact that you will be having a baby? I was faced with that myself. Not married and still living at home and about to have a baby. I was scared, but also so excited about the change that was coming. Change is a wonderful thing.......take it for a ride, try something new. I'm not suggesting that you get pregnant, start small so you will be ready for the big ones. Go try Sushi, or take a dance class. If change scares you, start small, you might find you really like it.  It can be very addicting. Changes.......they are a coming!

Death/Loss Of A Loved One

We all have to deal with loss, there are many different forms of loss. Death is the form I want to talk about today. Some of us don't have to deal with this topic until they are adults. Unfortunately some of us must deal with it at a young age. Death is never easy, it's an extreme loss for us. Sometimes it can be a blessing for those who have been in pain. Other times it comes as a shock. I think of it as an earthquake, at first the rumble is devestating, scary and life altering. But how we deal with the "aftershocks" is what makes us who we are. I have witnessed some horrific "aftershocks", family fighting each other over money and belongings. Why do people feel the need to be so petty? Keep the memories from the person who passed away, things are nice, but can break and dissapear, memories are forever. The best thing to do is to celebrate the life of the person lost. Look at pictures and share stories with your friends and family. Children are almost always going to take death hard. They don't understand where the one they loved has gone. In our family we believe in Heaven, my children know that someday they will see the people they loved again.
So I want everyone to go out today and make memories with those you love. Look at pictures now and tell your children who they are and share stories. Someday you won't be around and they need those memories. Take a walk in the park, read a book together. Make everyday a memory.

Slow Down

How many times do we walk right past a beautiful bunch of flowers not even taking a second to smell them, let alone even notice them? I really hope it's never. We are blessed with so many wonderful sights and smells everyday. The colors of the sunrise and sunset are amazing.  Be humbled and take a second to reflect. Our lives are precious, be good to yourself and the ones you love. Slow down and take a second to enjoy what God has given us.