reflections

Today Sean and I have been married 7 years. Sure goes by fast. And yet...I don't know how we made it this far. Ha! Because of the snow apocalypse coming, we celebrated by making a trip to Wal-Marts for candles and bottled water and such necessities. We did stop at Starbucks on the way home for a little anniversary coffee.

We ended the night by playing some Mortal Kombat on the xbox. Good times. As I was losing interest in the game (because I was losing), we heard the sleet start! Just a few minutes ago. We love the sound of rain hitting our roof. I love listening to the thunder. Just wish it wasn't ice/sleet.

And, I'm really not a fan of snow. I like snow in the mountains. Not in Tulsa. It snowed about this time last year. Sean and I went sledding with the kids last year. Maybe we'll get to again this year.

So. What have I learned in 7 years of marriage...with 3 teenagers?
1. Be thankful always
2. Be quick to forgive
3. Always fall asleep first. Because the snoring might keep you up.

I'm sure I've learned more than that. I'll have to compile a more conclusive list later. For now, I better get off here and get to bed before Sean.

every day is a winding road

It's been an interesting few weeks. Ok. It's been an interesting few months. I've been having sleep issues and/or insomnia for about the last 10 months. My rest is starting to improve. At least I can see some improvement in my sleep patterns within the last few months. That's a good thing! I think.

Work continues to challenge, teach, and amaze me. I love my job. I love getting paid to talk with people, brainstorm for solutions to problems, brainstorm for activities to help families, and most of all...play! My dad teases me about my job. I get paid to take kids to the movies. I get paid to play checkers. I mostly lose at checkers, so I try not to play that too much. I've recently taken on 4 new clients, all teenage girls, at a children's home in the area. I love the environment and program for these girls. I'm excited to be a part of these girls' lives.

I'm a different person than I was when I started this job. The jury is still out on whether I've changed for good or bad! Yikes! I'm defnitely more relaxed. I've become a lot more open-minded. And maybe a little more crazy!

I want to start a Wacky Wednesday post. Each Wednesday I'll post my favorite work story of the week. Oh boy!

My sister and her family left yesterday after visiting for a week. I always hate saying goodbye! I have the sweetest niece and nephew. Nate and Terri are lots of fun to be with. We played and played and played cards. Wow! My niece is such a little sweetie. We were saying goodbye and hugging everyone yesterday. My mom started crying. Katie, my niece, saw my mom's tears. I was already holding Katie. She said, "I want Grama to hold me." So, I told mom. Mom took her and hugged her. Katie just laid her head on mom's shoulder and patted her back. It was the sweetest thing ever. My little 4-year old niece comforting her grandma. Kaitlyn is amazing. She is so smart. Sometimes too smart for her own good! She is so much fun to play with. She is always making me laugh. She wants to be a mom when she grows up...and be just like Terri. What an awesome compliment to Terri, my sister! Terri is an awesome mom! Man. I sure miss them!

Christmas - Part 1

My neice, Maegen, and me. She is hilarious!

The Moore fam on Christmas Day

The crazy siblings!

Nerts anyone?? (Take note of the Tennessee Volunteer playing cards...that were not mine, but I got to play with them!)

Epictetus

So, I'm reading this book for work right now, The Epictetus Club. It's pretty interesting. I can think of several spiritual analogies within the reading. A coworker and I are leading a group for an alternative school here in Tulsa. The book is very thought-provoking. The discussions that we've had with the group of kids is amazing.

Today, in chapter 5, we discussed how to determine what is within our control and what is not and how to tell the difference. How do we react or respond to the things we can't control. I believe there is a difference in reacting and responding to things that aren't within our control. Our attitudes and choices can make our lives pleasant and happy or crap.

It was interesting to listen to a different generation discuss these thoughts. These 17 & 18 year old kids...and granted I know they are in alternative school for a reason...all have the mentality and perspective that if someone does something they don't like then they have no choice but to retaliate. Some of that comes from their age...some from the environment they've been raised in...some from their culture. I get that. But it is so disturbing to me that they see no other options but verbal and physical harm.

The group of kids were really challenged to think today. As I was also. I even offered to the group that I don't always choose to respond to my own family. Sometimes I just react. That's not good. Today's discussion really challenged me more to stop and think. I didn't realize until recently how impulsive I can be.

I teach my clients to "Stop and Think!" I even made up a catchy song for the kids I see so they would remember! Now I'm learning from my own lessons. Life works like that, eh? It does.

The Epictetus Club is a easy, good read. True story. Check it out.

skanks...

I like Katy Perry. I like her music. So. I can if I want. My daughter says Katy Perry is a skank, a slut. I don't know how she thinks she knows that. I mean really. I mean if I am a 30ish year old woman who likes skanky teenage music...well, so. And what's wrong with Lady Ga Ga? I mean just because these women have serious wardrobe issues...and just because they wear lots of makeup...it doesn't mean they can't provide fun music for me to drive to and clean my house to. Come on. I'm not gonna feel bad about having dance parties in the privacy of my own home when all of my family is not home.

So, I am at my first NBA game tonight! Pretty fun stuff. I've been to some exciting college basketball games before, but not an NBA event like this!

I'm in OKC watching the Thunder lose to the Utah Jazz. Nevertheless, it's still fun to watch. There are lots of people dressed up since it's Halloween night.

Hope the Thunder can turn this game around!
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

a personal vacation

One day towards the end of September, I woke up and decided I wanted to go visit my sister and her family. I gave my work about two weeks' notice that I would be gone. Set up getting a free ride with my parents who happened to be driving that way....and I went! I spent 10 days in the mountains in New Mexico, and I wish I could already go back! It was beautiful!

We went to the International Balloon Fiesta, visited a pumpkin patch, took my niece to pre-school, played and played, painted pumpkins, went hiking, picked raspberries....it was an awesome, relaxing time!

Nate, Terri and I are painting our pumpkins.

The kids and I are resting from picking raspberries.



Katie loved taking pictures with my camera!

Here I am at pre-school with Kaitlyn. (Katie is on the left)

Katie, Terri, Dad and me at the Balloon Fiesta....we were waiting for the night glow and fireworks.

Terri, Kaitlyn and me on the hayride to the pumpkin patch.

Sisters!

(and the pumpkin rolled over to the side of the picture is courtesy of my nephew, Zach)

Terri and I racing Nate on pedal carts at the pumpkin patch. Sadly, Nate won. It is hard to pedal one of those cart things in that kind of altitude. I took 3rd place.

Katie, Zach and I posed for a picture at the entrance to the pumpkin patch. And I am telling Zach we cannot roll the pumpkins off the hay and watch them bust open on the ground. Although it would have been fun.

And here I am at the balloon fiesta with this fine storm trooper...who actually talked and was bossing people around. Kind of a weird experience.

My sweetie niece, Kaitlyn

It was a fun, fun trip! I took off and left Sean and the kids at home. My first time to get away like that. It was awesome to just relax and not have to worry about anything. A time of good, good rest that I needed. Can't wait to do it again!