From Kristen Armstrong's Blog :
"Confident on the Inside means - You are wise enough to accept God’s definition of who you are, and you are strong enough not to accept counterfeit messages. You know your own beauty and are grateful for it, never needing to promote or pollute it. You possess awareness of your talents, as well as the humility and generosity to share them. You can say 'Yes' and 'No' with equal certainty. You live and love big – never needing to play small or belittle others. You can say 'thank you' to a compliment as easily as you can say 'Forgive me' or 'I forgive you' to a mistake. Confident on the Inside means that you feel so comfortable in your own skin that your very presence is an invitation to freedom for others. Confident on the inside knows no age."
"I want my girls to see me out on a race course, both sucking wind and struggling as well as flying across the finish line. I want them to see me shake off my shy and get up in front of a room full of people and talk about the things that matter so much to me that I am willing to offer a piece of myself in the hopes that they might matter to someone else. I want them to see me eat and enjoy food – with the appetite of a woman who prefers to push rather than deprive. I want them to see me try new things – fail at some and fall in love with others. I want them to go on adventures with me. I want to be a team. I want them to know what it means to put your heart out there, all of it, and be happy with that, regardless of how it is received."
"We have to live it out, ladies." " ...we have to be willing to be seen if we want to earn the relationship to be understood. If our lips are moving, but our actions don’t match – we become a badly dubbed foreign film, without the benefit of subtitles."
"We show young women how to be confident on the inside by first being confident on the inside ourselves."
- Kristen Armstrong
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Holiday Hoopla
There isn't much documentation, since I am failing on #28 again (take pictures every week), but we had a pretty good holiday. Even with the sick kids, we still had a good break. A few random notes about the last 3 weeks:
Once Jack got over his nasty ear infection, he is communicating a lot. He is clearly nodding his head "Yes", asking for "Mo" (as in more food), trying to ask for help with sign language, and pointing at everything that catches his interest. He learned to climb onto the kitchen chairs (and table) and climb over the back of the couch upstairs. As he got better the Christmas week, he took all of the "twin life force" and Madeline got really sick. I guess we can only have 2 happy kids at one time.
I was pretty close to taking Madeline to the ER on 2 different days, Christmas Eve and the 27th. I had taken her to the doc at the begining of the week, but they said she just had a bad cold. Bad cold turned into Bronchialitis/RSV with probable pnemonia. So she was on a nebulizer all week and taking antibiotics. It took her a few days, but she eventually took back some of the "twin life force" and Jack started to slow down and might have conjunctivitis (eye infection) now.
Madeline learned to say "No" and "Mine" this week. The first time she said "No" I had offered her some food, and she pushed it away with a firm "NO". I laughed outloud it was so funny. Later I asked for a kiss, she again said "Noooo" and ran away. My laughter has fanned the flames and she says "No" to most requests for hugs and kisses now. It took us a couple days to figure out she was saying "Mine". I really didn't expect that out of a 16 month old, but here it is. She is learning all the animal sounds and is clearly trying to talk to us, but we have no idea what she is saying. Most of it sounds like Ewok talk.
Gwendolyn had a great holiday. She played hookey from school one afternoon, Jenna and I took her to lunch and to see The Frog Princess. She really enjoyed it. Christmas Eve, John caught on camera her complete lack of awareness that it was Christmas Eve. I don't know if that is good or bad, I think bad. She loved all her gifts, including a new kitchen and lovely play cupcakes. When the kids were all trying to play with the cupcakes, a brief tussle ensued - Gwen yelled "Cupcake Fight!" She also sang "No swiping on Christmas" from the Dora Christmas special about 200 times, sometimes changing the words to "No eating on Christmas", "No yelling on Christmas", "No recycling on Christmas". We also watched The Little Mermaid for the first time, she asked 175 questions, half of which were "Why?". For good reason, as the plot gets a little confusing at the end.
Thanks to Jenna for visiting and doing all the cooking. It was a much better Christmas with Aunt Jenna visiting! Thanks to John for my sweet Cricut and other awesome gifts - he did very well as usual.
Once Jack got over his nasty ear infection, he is communicating a lot. He is clearly nodding his head "Yes", asking for "Mo" (as in more food), trying to ask for help with sign language, and pointing at everything that catches his interest. He learned to climb onto the kitchen chairs (and table) and climb over the back of the couch upstairs. As he got better the Christmas week, he took all of the "twin life force" and Madeline got really sick. I guess we can only have 2 happy kids at one time.
I was pretty close to taking Madeline to the ER on 2 different days, Christmas Eve and the 27th. I had taken her to the doc at the begining of the week, but they said she just had a bad cold. Bad cold turned into Bronchialitis/RSV with probable pnemonia. So she was on a nebulizer all week and taking antibiotics. It took her a few days, but she eventually took back some of the "twin life force" and Jack started to slow down and might have conjunctivitis (eye infection) now.
Madeline learned to say "No" and "Mine" this week. The first time she said "No" I had offered her some food, and she pushed it away with a firm "NO". I laughed outloud it was so funny. Later I asked for a kiss, she again said "Noooo" and ran away. My laughter has fanned the flames and she says "No" to most requests for hugs and kisses now. It took us a couple days to figure out she was saying "Mine". I really didn't expect that out of a 16 month old, but here it is. She is learning all the animal sounds and is clearly trying to talk to us, but we have no idea what she is saying. Most of it sounds like Ewok talk.
Gwendolyn had a great holiday. She played hookey from school one afternoon, Jenna and I took her to lunch and to see The Frog Princess. She really enjoyed it. Christmas Eve, John caught on camera her complete lack of awareness that it was Christmas Eve. I don't know if that is good or bad, I think bad. She loved all her gifts, including a new kitchen and lovely play cupcakes. When the kids were all trying to play with the cupcakes, a brief tussle ensued - Gwen yelled "Cupcake Fight!" She also sang "No swiping on Christmas" from the Dora Christmas special about 200 times, sometimes changing the words to "No eating on Christmas", "No yelling on Christmas", "No recycling on Christmas". We also watched The Little Mermaid for the first time, she asked 175 questions, half of which were "Why?". For good reason, as the plot gets a little confusing at the end.
Thanks to Jenna for visiting and doing all the cooking. It was a much better Christmas with Aunt Jenna visiting! Thanks to John for my sweet Cricut and other awesome gifts - he did very well as usual.
Monday, December 7, 2009
How does SHE do it?
I don’t WANT to be perfect. That would just be boring and make other people nauseous. But I am constantly disappointed with my own performance lately. Mostly in the parenting department, but also in categories of wife, employee, cook, eater, housekeeper, runner, friend, Catholic, neighbor, sister, daughter, citizen, and decorator. In short, there about a hundred things I wish I could do, do better, do more often or stop doing. Yes, I am being hard on myself today, mostly feeling sorry for myself after a rough Sunday evening trying very hard not to explode and night spent uncomfortably on the couch with Madeline. And looking at my 101 list, it is a manifestation of the desire to be better in all these 
areas. But how do I put the sorry-for-myself-I-want-to-be-better feeling into action? Right now I am too busy pouting to do anything about it. What does make me feel better, is Googling "Perfect Mom Picture". You get the expected Barbara Billingsley pic and a suprising Britney Spears photo. So maybe I should just stop whining and be glad that I am somewhere in between Mrs Cleaver and Britney. Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Who wants to move to Taiwan?
Wouldn't it be just totally f-ing crazy if we moved to Taiwan? Just to mix things up around here? I think so. John thinks it is a great idea and isn't at all worried about SARS, Bird Flu, earth quakes or typhoons.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Can it possibly be December already?
WTF? It's December 1, 2009. I can't believe how a day can crawl by at a snail's pace, yet time seems to pass so quickly when you look back on it. This time last year I was ass deep in diapers, bottles, breast milk, crying babies and barely holding it together. Now.. well, now there are no bottles or breast milk at least.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Shop Sip & Share
The event: Shop Sip & Share
When: Thursday Dec 10th 6-10pm
Where: Mama Fu’s in the Triangle
Cost: $12 for dinner and a non-alcoholic drink, raffle tickets for the drawings are $2
Fun: food, plus shopping from lots of cool vendors, and a raffle with tons of prizes
Why: To support b club of Austin
How: send me an email if you would like to buy a ticket to attend, go to the website above, or show up on Dec 10th. I will also be selling raffle tickets.
How else: if you are a vendor who would like to attend and have a table, or if you have a product or service you would like to donate, go to the website or contact me and I will set you up with Renee.
What is b club? http://www.bclubaustin.com/ an organization that raises funds to support the breast cancer emergency support fund providing short-term financial and social service support to Central Texans living with breast cancer.
On a personal note: this event is being organized by one of my very best friends, Renee. Last September when I was at the hospital visiting my babies in the NICU I got a call from a friend telling me that Renee had breast cancer. I will never forget that moment. She was too young, too vibrant and way too cool for something like this to happen to her, I get teary thinking about it. It certainly put all my small problems into perspective quickly. I was devastated for her, but I also knew that Renee would face adversity head on and kick cancer in the butt. I am happy to say that she did both and continues to fight cancer through volunteer activities, raising funds and awareness.
Renee’s story:
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30; married only 4 years and being a mother to a 13 month old was a real shock in my perfect little world. However, thanks to the support of my family, friends and my faith I was able to kick cancer in the butt, and have found a new calling in my life - to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients in my community. When I was given my diagnosis in September, 2008 I was fortunate to have the financial means to keep my energy focused on fighting the cancer and my family and not stress about finances. However not all women have the fortunate circumstance I was blessed with. And now as a breast cancer survivor, wife and mother; it is my turn to give back to my local Texans. I am happy to say that as of January, 2009 I have been given an “all clear” from my doctors and now onto the PARTY I call “My Life”! When I was approached by Jan to join b club as a queen b I was tickled PINK! Becoming a queen b with b club has instilled a passion and drive I had forgotten was in me to focus on my mission to inform, educate and make people aware of the day to day impact both mentally, physically and financially this disease can take on a woman and her family.After the mental and physical triumphs I have endured after my breast cancer diagnosis, fight and successful battle, I am always ready to CELEBRATE life, have a Party and B-INVOLVED.With much love,Renee
When: Thursday Dec 10th 6-10pm
Where: Mama Fu’s in the Triangle
Cost: $12 for dinner and a non-alcoholic drink, raffle tickets for the drawings are $2
Fun: food, plus shopping from lots of cool vendors, and a raffle with tons of prizes
Why: To support b club of Austin
How: send me an email if you would like to buy a ticket to attend, go to the website above, or show up on Dec 10th. I will also be selling raffle tickets.
How else: if you are a vendor who would like to attend and have a table, or if you have a product or service you would like to donate, go to the website or contact me and I will set you up with Renee.
What is b club? http://www.bclubaustin.com/ an organization that raises funds to support the breast cancer emergency support fund providing short-term financial and social service support to Central Texans living with breast cancer.
On a personal note: this event is being organized by one of my very best friends, Renee. Last September when I was at the hospital visiting my babies in the NICU I got a call from a friend telling me that Renee had breast cancer. I will never forget that moment. She was too young, too vibrant and way too cool for something like this to happen to her, I get teary thinking about it. It certainly put all my small problems into perspective quickly. I was devastated for her, but I also knew that Renee would face adversity head on and kick cancer in the butt. I am happy to say that she did both and continues to fight cancer through volunteer activities, raising funds and awareness.
Renee’s story:
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30; married only 4 years and being a mother to a 13 month old was a real shock in my perfect little world. However, thanks to the support of my family, friends and my faith I was able to kick cancer in the butt, and have found a new calling in my life - to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients in my community. When I was given my diagnosis in September, 2008 I was fortunate to have the financial means to keep my energy focused on fighting the cancer and my family and not stress about finances. However not all women have the fortunate circumstance I was blessed with. And now as a breast cancer survivor, wife and mother; it is my turn to give back to my local Texans. I am happy to say that as of January, 2009 I have been given an “all clear” from my doctors and now onto the PARTY I call “My Life”! When I was approached by Jan to join b club as a queen b I was tickled PINK! Becoming a queen b with b club has instilled a passion and drive I had forgotten was in me to focus on my mission to inform, educate and make people aware of the day to day impact both mentally, physically and financially this disease can take on a woman and her family.After the mental and physical triumphs I have endured after my breast cancer diagnosis, fight and successful battle, I am always ready to CELEBRATE life, have a Party and B-INVOLVED.With much love,Renee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)