M.I.A.

A couple of my friends accused me of being M.I.A. recently. They were curious as to what I had been doing and why had it been over a month since they had seen me last. I didn't have any real concrete answers other than "life just gets hectic" and "I've been busy with the kids." It was all true but as we ended our various conversations I realized that maybe they really didn't quite believe me fully. So later I decided to take a little time to really think about what I had been doing. We do live in Nebraska after all and so most of my activities have been home based. I did get my new sewing machine which I have played with now and again trying to learn all the new bells and whistles it has to offer me. It is no where as easy as my old machine which I can't seem to part with. I have been to the quilt store to peruse the fabrics several times. Finally last week I picked out fabric to make a new quilt. So have I started it yet? Sadly NO. Not because I don't want to. I am patiently waiting for my new quilting foot arrive. I have taken a hand applique class at the Country Sampler. I really don't know why I was so hesitant to accept that it was a valid method of quilting for so long. I guess the fear that I would be no good at it. Well I am good at it, the instructor confirmed that for me as I whizzed through it with no problem. Needless to say the quilt I will be making next has some applique on it. I sat thinking I realized that those were really the only highlights of my last couple months. I did patriarchate in a wonderful secret farmgirl sister exchange for a few months. I had a wonderful sister in Diana who sent me some of the greatest little treats. I hope that my secret sister enjoyed her items. I never did hear a single word from her; so for all I know some random person received all the packages I sent. If that is the case it must have been quite a hoot for them each month to receive a package from a secret pal! It makes me laugh just thinking about it. I found us a new church to go to after a couple months of searching. Jade still has no desire to go but I know she will come around but the rest of us went for a visit and enjoyed the service and everyone there. I have been keeping busy with O.E.S. and all of the meetings and practices that we have had since January. I know that I am doing my best in that regard but boy is it difficult to get those lines memorized and all those marches. After March that should all be back to our normal schedule. Then of course there is work. Granted that is only 2 days a week.

Two of the last and possibly most disturbing things I realized though was how much T.V. I have been watching and how much my family and I had been eating out! I always admit that I am a t.v. junkie and in the winter it is horrible. I have cut back on how many shows I watch but how could I deprive myself of my top two guilty pleasures of Nip/Tuck and Big Love. We had some extra money steadily coming in and I swear we must have really boosted our local economy by eating it all away. So when I saw that March was national nutrition month I decided that we would not eat out for the whole month. I am a great cook and my son is starting to walk down that same path so why shouldn't we be eating nice meals in the comfort of our own home. Meals made with fresh whole food...not the processed garbage. Plus, with my daughters awesome baking skills we should be able to eat like kings and queens.

I realized that even though my friends may not have realized what I was up to I was up to one thing all along that is dearest to my heart. Being there for my children. Yes, I think that sometimes as a parent I can s"mother" my children but at the same time I am always trying to encourage them to be the best they can be, to follow their heart-n-dreams and to be the best that they can be. To be the type of person who is tolerant of others and does not judge. To be a good soul and respect all life. They have both been exploring their creative sides the last couple months and keeping up with their school work without me pushing them too much. Are they happy? I think so and so for me that is a lot to accomplish. Happy well rounded children complete our little family.

Hugs until next time!