I got this in an email and I thought it was great, so rather than forwarding it and annoying someone, I thought I'd post it here.
CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14 K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34 Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Ten Years
Tonight I was thinking about what people ask you when you are planning for the future. Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?? Then I thought, what was I doing ten years ago?? What changes have happened in ten years?? Here's some of the stuff I remember from 1997.
Ten years ago I was a student (again). I was working toward my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I lived in Coffeyville, Kansas and commuted to Bartlesville, OK to attend Bartlesville Wesleyan College (they've changed in 10 years, too. Now they're Oklahoma Wesleyan University). I lived with my parents and my miniature schnauzer, Heidi. My nephew, the first grand baby in my family was born. I bought him lots of cute baby clothes at Kmart where I was working part-time in the apparel department. I had check-ups every 3-6 months to make sure I didn't have any recurrence of my cancer. My brother and his family lived in Indiana. I didn't know anyone in Washington state and had never considered living anywhere that was very far from Kansas.
Ten years later, I am a teacher, not exactly the way I planned to teach. I did get my degree and my teaching certificate. At one point I was certified to teach in three different states! I'm homeschooling my son. I did teach preschool when I was pregnant with my son. I taught summer school for the Olympia School district (the only job I've ever gotten without even interviewing. I didn't even know I had the job until a teacher of an autistic child called to talk to me about having him in one of my classes. I had pneumonia at the time and pretty much told her she didn't know what she was talking about. She was right, I had been hired, they just forgot to tell ME). I also substitute taught in a vast array of classroom for a few years.
I now live in Washington state with my husband and my son and an Airedale named Lucy. Well, to be honest, I'm pretty sure her full name now is Lucy Goose and sometimes I refer to her as 'The Goose'.
My brother lives in Kansas again and his family consists of himself, his wife, his son, two daughters and two doggies. He was recently diagnosed with Meniere's disease, which can effect your hearing and equilibrium. Hopefully, his low-sodium diet will help get it under control.
So much has changed in the past 10 years that I don't think the 26 yr. old me would have ever believed it if someone had told her what the future would hold. I have met so many new people in ten years, it's incredible. I've said good-bye to a couple that I wished I could have kept around longer, Colin's grandma and mine. I'm just so happy that they both were able to meet my child. I've wept with friends over lost babies and rejoiced over the ones who arrived here safely. Babies are such a miracle. I know it's a cliche, but it's true. This amazing little person with tiny hands and feet, so helpless. I remember when Ian was born, I was so sick from that pregnancy. Colin's mom helped me quite a bit the first week. Then came the day she had to go to work. I remember thinking, what are people doing, leaving me alone with this baby?? What if I do something wrong? Shouldn't someone be here just in case? I think that was my mommy awakening, that moment when you realize, you're in charge of what is going to happen with this tiny person. God blessed you with this baby, now what am I going to do with this blessing??? Yeah, I'm not sure 26 yr. old me would recognize 36 yr. old me. How about you? Where were you ten years ago?? Have things changed for you? Have you laughed, grown, changed and lived life to it's fullest? I hope so.
Ten years ago I was a student (again). I was working toward my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I lived in Coffeyville, Kansas and commuted to Bartlesville, OK to attend Bartlesville Wesleyan College (they've changed in 10 years, too. Now they're Oklahoma Wesleyan University). I lived with my parents and my miniature schnauzer, Heidi. My nephew, the first grand baby in my family was born. I bought him lots of cute baby clothes at Kmart where I was working part-time in the apparel department. I had check-ups every 3-6 months to make sure I didn't have any recurrence of my cancer. My brother and his family lived in Indiana. I didn't know anyone in Washington state and had never considered living anywhere that was very far from Kansas.
Ten years later, I am a teacher, not exactly the way I planned to teach. I did get my degree and my teaching certificate. At one point I was certified to teach in three different states! I'm homeschooling my son. I did teach preschool when I was pregnant with my son. I taught summer school for the Olympia School district (the only job I've ever gotten without even interviewing. I didn't even know I had the job until a teacher of an autistic child called to talk to me about having him in one of my classes. I had pneumonia at the time and pretty much told her she didn't know what she was talking about. She was right, I had been hired, they just forgot to tell ME). I also substitute taught in a vast array of classroom for a few years.
I now live in Washington state with my husband and my son and an Airedale named Lucy. Well, to be honest, I'm pretty sure her full name now is Lucy Goose and sometimes I refer to her as 'The Goose'.
My brother lives in Kansas again and his family consists of himself, his wife, his son, two daughters and two doggies. He was recently diagnosed with Meniere's disease, which can effect your hearing and equilibrium. Hopefully, his low-sodium diet will help get it under control.
So much has changed in the past 10 years that I don't think the 26 yr. old me would have ever believed it if someone had told her what the future would hold. I have met so many new people in ten years, it's incredible. I've said good-bye to a couple that I wished I could have kept around longer, Colin's grandma and mine. I'm just so happy that they both were able to meet my child. I've wept with friends over lost babies and rejoiced over the ones who arrived here safely. Babies are such a miracle. I know it's a cliche, but it's true. This amazing little person with tiny hands and feet, so helpless. I remember when Ian was born, I was so sick from that pregnancy. Colin's mom helped me quite a bit the first week. Then came the day she had to go to work. I remember thinking, what are people doing, leaving me alone with this baby?? What if I do something wrong? Shouldn't someone be here just in case? I think that was my mommy awakening, that moment when you realize, you're in charge of what is going to happen with this tiny person. God blessed you with this baby, now what am I going to do with this blessing??? Yeah, I'm not sure 26 yr. old me would recognize 36 yr. old me. How about you? Where were you ten years ago?? Have things changed for you? Have you laughed, grown, changed and lived life to it's fullest? I hope so.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Good News
I feel like a little bee, always saying the same thing...busy busy, busy, buzz. It has been a busy week again! Tuesday we had a soccer game, Wednesday we had errands and Awana, Thursday, homeschool sports and swimming lessons and today I watched my friend's three children for about 6 hrs. All this in addition to homeschool. Busy!
Colin had an interview on Wednesday morning and Thursday we found out he got the job. Hooray! He's still in the financial division at the LCB but he will now be a budget analyst. Today he found out that he will also still be the tax revenue specialist. Looks like he's gonna wear a couple of hats for his new job. He'll start on Oct. 16. I know he's excited. Congratulations, Colin!!!
Tomorrow we have another soccer game. Only two left. Ian sure has been having fun playing soccer. We'll be sure to sign him up again in the spring. I'll try to post some soccer pictures soon. I am hopeful that blogger has fixed the photo trouble. Keep looking and see if I get them posted.
Colin had an interview on Wednesday morning and Thursday we found out he got the job. Hooray! He's still in the financial division at the LCB but he will now be a budget analyst. Today he found out that he will also still be the tax revenue specialist. Looks like he's gonna wear a couple of hats for his new job. He'll start on Oct. 16. I know he's excited. Congratulations, Colin!!!
Tomorrow we have another soccer game. Only two left. Ian sure has been having fun playing soccer. We'll be sure to sign him up again in the spring. I'll try to post some soccer pictures soon. I am hopeful that blogger has fixed the photo trouble. Keep looking and see if I get them posted.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Christmas Present Flashback
Recently, Ian has been getting into a bit of trouble around the house. It all started with a gift that I bought on an after Christmas sale last December. I found three Hot Wheels toys that looked like either a van or a special vehicle that opened up and there was a place for a little car and a small track inside. I bought one for Ian and one for each of his cousins who are close in to Ian. Ian had seen them when I bought them and he begged me for the orange one, the one that was different from the rest. When his birthday rolled around, he was given the orange one and all was well in the world until his cousin's birthday rolled around in June and he was given one of the silver "vans". My once content child was struck by the wants. He wanted the silver van, no longer was the orange van worthy of his attention. It might have ended there except for the fact that the third cousin's birthday isn't until December. Which means his gift is in my closet. Ian decided that he needed to get in my closet and get down the silver van.
Ian has been repeatedly told to stay out of my closet. It happens to be where I usually keep Christmas presents. Thankfully, this year, not all his presents have been stored in my closet. Last Thursday, Ian had been in my closet and had gotten in trouble for his naughty visit to forage in gifts. What I did not realize was, he had also been getting into some of his Christmas gifts which were in bags on high shelves in my closet. I soon realized this last Thursday evening when Ian, being in a particularly ungrateful mood, dragged out one of his gifts, walked over and shoved it in my face and told me 'this isn't as nice as I thought it would be!' Needless to say, I'm not so sure he will be getting that toy this Christmas, it might be off to Toys for Tots! I must admit this does remind me of something I did when I was probably eight, although, I was much sneakier than Ian!
*******WARNING!!!!FLASHBACK IN PROGRESS*******************************
It was getting close to Christmas, only a few weeks away. We lived on a little farm and my parents had to take care of our animals. It was cold and dark so my little brother and I were left inside the warm house with the strictest of commands. Under no circumstances were we to go into my parents bedroom. Naturally, this made my desire to go into their bedroom unquenchable. So I did what curious, naughty little eight year old girls do, I snuck into their bedroom. It looked the same as always, except there was a great big box near their closet. I crept nearer and then I committed the ultimate naughtiness...I looked inside. Wow! A Barbie Doll! The one I wanted, too! All kinds of neat stuff. Stuff for my little brother, too. I called him in so he could see all this stuff. We pulled it out and later I put it back and we left the room and acted like we had never been in there. It worked perfectly all evening. No one suspected a thing. My brother and I went to bed. I was just dozing off when I heard a very unhappy voice say 'DeAnn Michelle Adamson!!!!!" Uh-oh. The full name, that means BIG trouble. I came out of my room and faced the inquisition. I listened to their questioning. Had I been in the box in the bedroom??? I did what any parent-fearing, punishment-hating child would do, I lied. Of course I hadn't been in any box. What box?? Of course, it probably didn't help my case any that just that evening I had suggested that I would love to have the same exact Barbie that was in the box. The truth came out and I was given a spanking, which I so rightfully deserved.
*************************************************************************************
According to my mother, Santa didn't pay a visit to us that year. We only had presents from Mommy and Daddy and nothing under the tree Christmas morning, but I don't remember that part of it.
Back to Ian. He obviously saw more things than I realized. On Monday, I asked him if he would like to watch a Magic School Bus show for part of science. I told him I'd have to check and see if there were any on ON Demand, if there weren't, we'd have to look for something else. He piped up and said 'Or we could watch the DVD's you have in your, er, uh, never mind.' The missing word would be: closet. What a little stinker! Time for Mommy to get more devious with gifts. Maybe I should just wrap them when I get them, although, that never stopped me!
Ian has been repeatedly told to stay out of my closet. It happens to be where I usually keep Christmas presents. Thankfully, this year, not all his presents have been stored in my closet. Last Thursday, Ian had been in my closet and had gotten in trouble for his naughty visit to forage in gifts. What I did not realize was, he had also been getting into some of his Christmas gifts which were in bags on high shelves in my closet. I soon realized this last Thursday evening when Ian, being in a particularly ungrateful mood, dragged out one of his gifts, walked over and shoved it in my face and told me 'this isn't as nice as I thought it would be!' Needless to say, I'm not so sure he will be getting that toy this Christmas, it might be off to Toys for Tots! I must admit this does remind me of something I did when I was probably eight, although, I was much sneakier than Ian!
*******WARNING!!!!FLASHBACK IN PROGRESS*******************************
It was getting close to Christmas, only a few weeks away. We lived on a little farm and my parents had to take care of our animals. It was cold and dark so my little brother and I were left inside the warm house with the strictest of commands. Under no circumstances were we to go into my parents bedroom. Naturally, this made my desire to go into their bedroom unquenchable. So I did what curious, naughty little eight year old girls do, I snuck into their bedroom. It looked the same as always, except there was a great big box near their closet. I crept nearer and then I committed the ultimate naughtiness...I looked inside. Wow! A Barbie Doll! The one I wanted, too! All kinds of neat stuff. Stuff for my little brother, too. I called him in so he could see all this stuff. We pulled it out and later I put it back and we left the room and acted like we had never been in there. It worked perfectly all evening. No one suspected a thing. My brother and I went to bed. I was just dozing off when I heard a very unhappy voice say 'DeAnn Michelle Adamson!!!!!" Uh-oh. The full name, that means BIG trouble. I came out of my room and faced the inquisition. I listened to their questioning. Had I been in the box in the bedroom??? I did what any parent-fearing, punishment-hating child would do, I lied. Of course I hadn't been in any box. What box?? Of course, it probably didn't help my case any that just that evening I had suggested that I would love to have the same exact Barbie that was in the box. The truth came out and I was given a spanking, which I so rightfully deserved.
*************************************************************************************
According to my mother, Santa didn't pay a visit to us that year. We only had presents from Mommy and Daddy and nothing under the tree Christmas morning, but I don't remember that part of it.
Back to Ian. He obviously saw more things than I realized. On Monday, I asked him if he would like to watch a Magic School Bus show for part of science. I told him I'd have to check and see if there were any on ON Demand, if there weren't, we'd have to look for something else. He piped up and said 'Or we could watch the DVD's you have in your, er, uh, never mind.' The missing word would be: closet. What a little stinker! Time for Mommy to get more devious with gifts. Maybe I should just wrap them when I get them, although, that never stopped me!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Colin Can Talk To Anyone
I'm sure I've said this before but, Colin can talk to anyone. People also remember him, even when he can't remember them. We had the perfect example for both those topics today.
First to illustrate that Colin can and will talk to anyone. We went to the Territorial Stage Coach today. It was on a three day journey retracing the path that the pioneers took. Colin had been saying something about the Governor or the Gregoire's doing something with it, but I didn't pay much attention. Once we were there we roamed around and looked at the stagecoach and the few displays that were there. There really wasn't a whole lot going on when we were there. I figured more of the festivities happened Friday and Saturday. So we milled about and Colin talked to some different history buffs about his family history and the Yantis property, which is right near or was exactly where we were (depending on which historian you believe). Then Colin moved on to talk to another couple of guys. One was trying to sell some "Territorial Stagecoach wine" to the other guy. Colin stood around and talked to both of them for a bit and then spoke to the "wine seller" for a few minutes. Then it was time for us to head out. When we got back to the van I asked Colin if he knew who he had been talking to. He said 'no'. I told him, based on all the conversation (some of it Colin probably could not hear) I believed he had been talking to the husband of our Governor. I checked online when we got home and I was right. I knew Colin could talk to anyone!
The second illustration is for: people remember Colin even when he doesn't remember them. We went to Costco after our outing and while we were there, I took Ian around for a couple of samples while Colin paid for our shelves that we bought. Unfortunately, I found something else to buy so we had to go through the line twice. When we were walking out Colin asked me "Where do I know a Michael Smith from? He was in line with me and he knew me,but I don't remember him."
I knew that it was a MOPS connection so I told him that he met him at a MOPS event. That's my Colin, he's memorable!
First to illustrate that Colin can and will talk to anyone. We went to the Territorial Stage Coach today. It was on a three day journey retracing the path that the pioneers took. Colin had been saying something about the Governor or the Gregoire's doing something with it, but I didn't pay much attention. Once we were there we roamed around and looked at the stagecoach and the few displays that were there. There really wasn't a whole lot going on when we were there. I figured more of the festivities happened Friday and Saturday. So we milled about and Colin talked to some different history buffs about his family history and the Yantis property, which is right near or was exactly where we were (depending on which historian you believe). Then Colin moved on to talk to another couple of guys. One was trying to sell some "Territorial Stagecoach wine" to the other guy. Colin stood around and talked to both of them for a bit and then spoke to the "wine seller" for a few minutes. Then it was time for us to head out. When we got back to the van I asked Colin if he knew who he had been talking to. He said 'no'. I told him, based on all the conversation (some of it Colin probably could not hear) I believed he had been talking to the husband of our Governor. I checked online when we got home and I was right. I knew Colin could talk to anyone!
The second illustration is for: people remember Colin even when he doesn't remember them. We went to Costco after our outing and while we were there, I took Ian around for a couple of samples while Colin paid for our shelves that we bought. Unfortunately, I found something else to buy so we had to go through the line twice. When we were walking out Colin asked me "Where do I know a Michael Smith from? He was in line with me and he knew me,but I don't remember him."
I knew that it was a MOPS connection so I told him that he met him at a MOPS event. That's my Colin, he's memorable!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Homeschool Sports
Ian started his home school sports class Thursday. He had a great time. During free time he played a little basketball and then the whole group played two or three versions of tag. There were probably 25 or more kids ranging from K-6 grades. Ian can't wait to go back again!
Men's Bible Study
Colin started a men's Bible study this week. I am so excited. I have wanted him to have fellowship with other guys, but he just hasn't had the opportunity. He had such a good time last night getting acquainted with the guys that were there. The class was across the hall from my Bible study and I could hear Colin chatter and laugh. What a nice sound to hear, a happy husband.
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