Harden Not Your Hearts

*Warning the post ahead is not only FOREVER long it is also NOT for the faint of heart. But, this is what I have been thinking about a lot these days so hang with me here as I process this out with YOU beloved reader. When is the last time you cried, I mean really cried about something that moved you? For me, it's not hard to remember because I'm somewhat of a cry baby.  But, I'm not talking about crying over something like a good, happy ending of a movie. Or a sappy commercial. NO, I'm talking about the poverty in the world, the thousands of children who don't have parents to love them and care for them, or maybe the children who do have parents, but those parents are broken and abusive. I'm talking about the broken marriages, the broken politicians, the broken pastors, the broken teens, THE broken. It's  the stuff we see on the news every night. Well, YOU see on the news, I don't watch the news for this very reason, It makes me cry.  I've always wondered what it would be like if the anchorman or woman would read the news with the emotions of a relative to the person they are reporting about? With a heart that wasn't hard? Human trafficking, War,  Elder abuse, all the injustices of this world. These are not topics that any of us like to think about. In fact if you are like me you avoid topics like this with every ounce of your being, you run the other way from topics like this. I run because, I feel helpless. I feel overwhelmed. I feel like I wish I could adopt every beautiful orphan child, but My Giant said No! *Sidenote- Whenever I think of all the world and humanity in it's darkest state, I remember in the movie The 5th Element when the Alien lady sees' all the worlds devastation like war, and terrorism and she thinks twice about saving the world that she has come to save.  There's a good analogy there with the whole "Savior of the world" thing. Put a pin in that thought we will come back to that. Have you seen The 5th Element? It's one of our favorites around here. Good movie, but that's a side note there. A brief intermission before we get  Back to the heavy.

  Recently, I have been surrounded with a lot of heavy news from friends and family. It's hard not to feel so much sadness when I talk to these beloved people in my life. I can very easily become consumed by the sadness, but I have to remember that's not where I should stay.  Speaking of staying,   I know this is a heavy topic. I know it's not happy. I know you want to skip this blog right about now and go to another happy place, but wait. I promise a happy ending and even a song at the end of this story. Let me tell you that I know the easy route to take when you read and hear of tragedies is to either ignore, or feel there is nothing we can do to help so we harden our hearts. We don't realize this is what is occurring.  We are unaware that over time when we stop watching the news, when we stop hearing the out cries of injustices we are hardening our hearts. I'm guilty of this a thousand times over. And then before you know it, it's been a really, really long time since you have wept over something other than that spilt milk. Your probably thinking about now, well what are you getting at Noël? Should I turn on the news and immerse myself with every sad story that there is out there? Should I become a social activist? Crisis counselor? Should I go find every homeless person I can and invite them to live with me? Should I drop everything and fly to Africa and bring home some beautiful babes as my homecoming present? And to that I say NO BIG DUMBY!  No I would never call you dumb my beloved reader, but NO don't do that.  I mean unless that's what you feel prompted to do after reading my silly blog. To be quite honest, I'm not really sure what I'm trying to get at here. Except maybe, that even I need to remember that it's not doing nothing when we pray. Jesus Heal. There is a NAME we can call when we need help. Jesus Heal. It's not doing nothing when we try to help where there is an outstretched arm. Jesus Heal. It's not doing nothing when you do what you can when you can. Jesus Heal. There is a NAME that is above all names, it's better than calling 911 in an emergency. Jesus Heal. It's not doing nothing to keep a soft heart, and there is only one name I know that can keep this heart from hardening. Jesus Heal.   This is what I read today; "Blessed(happy fortunate and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord at all times(regardless of circumstances), but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity." Proverbs 28:14
And then I read this: "In his hands are the deep places of the earth; the heights and the strength of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.  Today if you hear his voice Harden not your hearts" Psalm 95:7-8
That last sentence reminds me of my Gram or "Grandma THE Great" is what my kids called her before she went home to be with Jesus. Yes, she loved Jesus and she would say(with a beautiful East Coast accent) all the time, "Today if you hear his voice harden not your hearts." But, that whole scripture reminds me of the age old childhood song, "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" and that makes me feel better. Like I don't have to solve all the worlds problems, but I can listen for HIS voice, ask HIM to keep my heart soft,  and pray.  Jesus Heal. I want to have a soft heart for when I hear of tragedies, of very hard things that my friends and family are going through, so I can weep with them. I want to share in the joys AND the sorrows. His Great Name is what keeps this heart soft. 

Back To School Giveaway

Hello There Beloved Readers Today all of The Fab 4 kids are back in school and it is awfully quiet around here. I already washed all the breakfast dishes, did some laundry, made some beds, walked and NOW...  it's time celebrate with another giveaway.  I decided to ask some other mom's to help me out with this one and let me tell ya, These lovely momma's are giving YOU some LOOT! Woot, Woot, for Loot! SO ... Are you ready for a fun back to school giveaway? Up first we have my friend Bernadette, who you can find over at Barefoot Hippie Girl . She is giving you A lovely Toe Ring, Sugar Scrub, and a fun New Nail File. Who couldn't use a new nail file? I know my nails have been quite neglected this summer while hustling and bustling those kiddos all over. When I first met Bernadette I knew right away we were going to hit it off because, she's a part of that 4 kids club, and well she's amazing! If you haven't met her yet head over there and say hello.

Next we have another busy Momma friend Carina who's oldest lil/big guy just went off to Kindergarten. I still remember every single one of my kids first day of Kindergarten and I'm pretty sure that day is harder on the momma's than anyone else. You can find Carina over at Lovely Little Whimsy.

She's another amazing momma that I feel so fortunate to live near by. And she is giving you some pretties from her shop. Her jewelry is so pretty I want to buy it all. Like Now. 

 Sarah who you can find over at Fontenot Four is a momma that has helped me more than she probably even knows. This woman is beyond top-notch and I feel honored to know her. She is giving you some prime real-estate in blog land people. Not even kidding. If this was a monopoly game her Ad Space would be like getting Boardwalk or Park Place ;)

Salena, is a busy momma that I look to as the light at the end of this tunnel called Parenthood. Let me tell you why, she has grown children and she's still smiling. It's hard to believe, I know because she looks so young. I thought the same thing, but she has lils and bigs and she is STILL Smiling.

You can find Salena  over at A Little Piece of Me.

And then I am so excited to share with a headband made by yours truly that I added an Albert Einstein button to. Stephanie over at Wonder Guess Try made that button and the pendants that I am giving away. They all represent something that reminds me of this time of year. Sorry that I didn't get better pics but I was kinda busy, YO! I will describe them to you though. The middle pic has all three pendants.  The movie Grease, I mean enough said there right? But because I love to sing"I'm in a Store and I'm SINGING!!" I have to start a song here, "Summer Lovin' Had me a Blast, Summer Lovin Happened so fast." Go on sing with me, you know you want to. And then Cardigans have always just screamed Fall and School and sigh... oh just goodness. And then of course we are wrapping up the baseball season so there's that. I'm not even going to mention how my team the Bo's Sox are doing. In fact, let's just not even talk about baseball except to say it's NOT October yet people! It could happen. Bo Sox nation come on!!

So there you have all the LOOT, and now it's your turn to join this Back To School Celebration. Thank you to Sarah, Carina and Bernadette for helping me make this a Big Back To School Bash! You Momma's are Stellar and I am beyond thankful for each of you. a Rafflecopter giveaway

10-4

It's that time again, ya know the time when I answers 10 questions on the 4th of every month just for some plain ole' good times. Please join in, I would really like to know what you would answer to question number #4.   Or If you want you can join in on the whole thing and link up by clicking the cutie pa tootie below.


1. Do you listen to Pandora?  What is your go-to Pandora station? Yes, I do listen to Pandora. My favorite stations are the Hillsong Worship, Dean Martin, Creedance Clearwater, Billy Holiday, and Dixie Chicks.

2. What is your favorite post from August?
Oh The Joy Of Being A Housewife 

3. What non-cartoon TV show reminds you of your childhood?

Wow, this is a hard one. Well, currently the show New Girl was some what reminiscent of my life this past year because at one point I was living with 3 barge men and I was the only female. Other than my daughters I was the cook, the clean up, the everything. But, the women have arrived Praise Be To Jesus and so now I would have to go with Friends, because I live with Friends now and truly we should have our own reality show.

4. What bad habit do you have that even annoys you?

I sometimes snort when I laugh really hard. It's so embarrassing. Also I have major anger management issues when I hear other people chewing. I border line the behavior of a psycho-path when its the only sound I hear. Ok, and I am also obviously very dramatic.

5. What 5 things would you take with you if your house was on fire?  People don't count...hopefully, that's a given.

Wedding Pictures
Grandma The Great's Cookie Jar
Mo and Solomon's Art work
Lock Box that has all our important documents ie... social security cards, birth certificates, car titles.
Is it bad that I can't think of a 5th thing?

6. Do you have a cleaning schedule that you use to keep up with your housework?

No. I have had schedules in the past but I never seem to stick to them. I am kind of a clean as you go kinda gal. But, I will probably try to go back to somewhat of a schedule now that kids are in school. Two things that are never done in this house, dishes and laundry. It's like death and taxes ;)

7. What was your high school mascot?  Please tell me you have the ability to scan a high school picture to post too...

Ha so funny. Well I went to Carson High which is the Capital of NV. so our Mascot was a Senator. And nope, sorry no scanner over here, so therefore no embarrassing High School pics from me. But I will say that I celebrate my 20th HS reunion next summer which just seems "inconceivable !" (You are welcome Princess Bride fans)

8. What is your favorite picture from August?

Visit with my Momma was AMAZING!

But then this picture of my boys at the beach with snow cones... well it just makes me giggle uncontrollably.
I'm pretty sure that I will be looking at this picture to bring me some sunshine this winter.

9. What do you love most about fall?

I LOVE everything about Fall. It is my most favorite season, with my most favorite Holiday, Thanksgiving. I love the trees explosions of colors, the smell of pumpkin spice, the colors orange, yellow, and brown, the creamer Pumpkin spice, the candles ... oh the candles... the decor, pumpkins, kids dressing in costume, EVERYTHING!!

10. Tell me your dream cupcake.

Deep dark chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. Like a Reese's Peanut Butter cupcake. Maybe even bits of the peanut butter cup on top. Mmm Mmm... Nom Nom.

Let The Wild Rumpus Begin

The first day of school for my daughters is today.

Emma's First year of High School.

Chloe's First year of Jr. High.

I'm not really sure who is more nervous and excited, Me or Them?

The first day of school for my boys is on Wednesday.

I suppose it's good that it wasn't all on the same day, although I am bummed I didn't get that first day of school pic of them all together.

Sigh...

But then again

Too much excitement and emotions for this old momma and my heart might have burst.

Solomon will be in 5th grade this year, and Isaiah in 3rd.

I can hardly believe how fast the years are going by.

A well meaning friend in regards to Emma starting high school said,

"Be sure you don't blink."

Don't ya know those kind of comments are ones that can send this sentimental momma into a tail spin?

So as we head into this new school year I am thinking about the book, Where the Wild Things Are. Let me tell ya why. I always feel when my kids go back to school that I am somewhat letting them out into the wild. I hope that they are protected from the bullies, and that God forbid they are not the bullies themselves. I also feel like I wish I could go with them, or at least be a fly on the wall to see how their day is going. Ya know, to kinda swoop in and save the day if they need me to. I know this isn't possible. Still, a Mom can dream right? The only thing that comforts me is knowing that although I can't go with them there is ONE who does go with and even before them, and that is Emmanuel(God with Us). I know that God hears my prayers for them to have a great school year. To make good choices. To have amazing learning opportunities.  And to make great friends. If you are a momma(or a papa) today who has sent your young out into the wild don't forget, your prayers go with them. 
And So with that being said, I say... "Let The Wild Rumpus Begin" Here's to a great school year to you and yours.

Random Saturday Night Letters

Dear Summer 2012,
I will miss you. You were relaxing, mellow, and warm just the way a summer should be. With 41 dry days recorded here in the Seattle area, you were record breaking and  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear MY Giant, Could you please refrain from answering business calls when we are on a date. The world will go on if you don't answer, I promise. I love you and You're HOT!

Dear Bella,

Could you please remember to not get any cuter, and naughtier at the same time.

I really don't understand how this is possible, but somehow you have managed to dupe us all these past six years. Also is it really true that you need sunscreen while you are laying out like this?

Dear Blog Link Ups

I am sorry I have failed you.

I will try to stay more consistent in the future.

Please, don't quit me.

Dear Flowers that grow along the road side,

There are no words to describe to you

how grateful this native born desert girl is grateful

for you. You fill my heart with joy, my life with pleasure.

Dear Blackberries,

Do you even know how happy I am that I can walk outside my front door, on any given Saturday morning and put YOU in my pancakes.

Nom. Nom.

Dear Butterfly,

You landed on my hat the other day while I was just sitting there enjoying another beach day. 

You made me think of my favorite movie,

You've Got Mail.

Hat+Butterfly= Quote From My Favorite Movie.

Dear Fab 4, 

You are growing up way too fast.

Please stop that.

Thanks for still indulging your mother in silly games like "Who can blow the biggest bubble?"

And I LOVE YOU.

Flashback Friday

All this week I have been looking for a great, classic, end of the summer movie, to share with my kids.
I finally landed on A League of Their Own. It is truly one of my all time favorite movies. With a cast so fun and a topic so great it is for sure a classic in my book. I know it's technically not a classic since I don't consider it that old being that it was filmed in the 90's. But, if you were to ask my kids if it's a classic well... you should have heard the comments at the end of the movie when the actors were made up to look like their older selves.  And I quote, "Wow, the makeup artist's did a really great job making them look old. It's so believable for being such an old movie."
Ahem... yes a movie from the 90's is OLD to my children, and so am I . Welcome to my world.

 But, my kids kept recognizing tons of other actors and actresses that I didn't even know. I guess the lady from the TV show Monk is in it and Tea Leoni. And Tom Hanks really cracks me right up as the grumpy, drunk coach. One of My favorite parts is when he yells at one of the girls for making a bad play and she starts crying. He says,"What are you doing? Are you crying? There's no crying in Baseball. THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!"
Anyway, it's a great "OLD" movie(wink wink) and if you and your family haven't seen it yet do yourselves a favor and check it out.

I was paying close attention to the hair do's and the way the women were using the scarves to put their hair up. And because I love you, and trust you not to put these silly pictures up all over the internet(bah ha ha) I am gonna share a few of the styles that I came up with, with you all. Tell me what you think?

And Your Welcome.

In honor of the movie I chose a baseball post to go along with the movie. It wasn't hard for me to find a baseball post, although it's hard to believe this whole season I haven't written a single blog about it. Other than of course my boys playing.
I think this week I shall have to remedy that.
Happy Friday Everyone! Hope you all have a great labor day weekend ahead.

So now it's time for what I like to call a little FBF- if you are new here this is a link up for blogs that are a year or older. You find an old post that you want others to read or re-read and link it up. Then you read each others and I hope comment and get to know your fellow FBF'ers.

Reprogram Time

My kids start school next week, but
we are already in the back to school mode around here. The meet and greet of teachers for the boys is today, and the High Schooler has been for two weeks already at her school everyday for Volleyball practice. The resident Jr. Higher this year doesn't get a meet and greet apparently, but we are just gonna go roam the halls for fun. Let's hope we don't get kicked out before she even gets started. 
So with all of this I have to reprogram the internal clocks from island time to "REALITY" time. So in the evenings we have been preparing for bed around 8 and then reading for about 20 minutes, and then lights out around 8:45 ish.
Let it go on record,
That's been a pretty big (Ish) folks.

Last night was rough, that's all I'm gonna say. 

When I cracked the whip at 8pm to go brush teeth and get ready for bed, you should have heard the out cry. 

But then around 11:30 the house was quiet, and I was still awake.

Go figure, that the biggest whip to crack is gonna have to be on my ass.
Because here it is past midnight and yep, you guessed it I'm the only one awake. 

There is a part of me that feels SO not ready for the lazy days of summer to end. In the summer I throw that whip out the window and let the Fab 4 stay up til all hours making memories.
I personally feel, that's what the summer is all about.
In fact,

I always think of the Billy Holiday(she's my fav) song Summertime when summer rolls around.
But, as the school supply lists are being handed out, and I am at the bank taking out a loan to pay for it 

I think about the fact that the nights will get longer, and the days will get shorter.

I try to soak in the Vitamin D while I can and sit outside as much as possible.
Because come October, The "living will no longer be easy" and "the fish won't be jumping".
Sigh..
Which makes my mind jump immediately to... HURRY QUICK...
 I have to buy one last watermelon and have one last EPIC BBQ to mark the occasion. 

Speaking of the word EPIC...

Apparently,

I didn't make the summer as EPIC as I could have in my children's eyes.
And I quote Isaiah, aka Zed, aka my baby, aka my 8 year old boy, "Mom I can't believe the summer is already over. It was SO not Epic"
First of all where did this kid come from?
Second...
Can I get a witness that if you didn't take your kids to Disneyland or some kind of amusement park, or just some where other than your local beach it was NOT EPIC to them?!?!

He must have forgotten that we bought a ba-zillion fireworks on the Fourth, went to a couple Mariners games, had Summer Little League baseball games 4 nights out of the week, Swim Lessons, visits from all kinds of beloved friends and family,camped, made smores right outside our doorstep...But still... NOT EPIC.

So I say, "What will you tell your teachers when they ask what was your favorite thing about your summer?" And I shutter to hear the very honest answer. From the mouths of babes people, comes... well... their truth. 

Can I also get a witness that sometimes it's hard to hear our children's truth, and sometimes it's just downright funny ?

On this particular occasion it was funny because well The Fab 4 all chimed in, and they all have a very varied view(ha ha say that 5 times fast) of what an Epic summer should look like.

In Other News...

I have begun to really long for the schedule, the routine that is the END of summer.

I have already started bringing out all my apple decor in the spirit of back to school days. 

I start stocking up on pumpkin spice everything. I literally almost fell over with complete and utter joy from the smell of a pumpkin spice candle at the grocery store the other day.

I start to get giddy with excitement about the fact that my favorite season is right around the corner.

And I bid this summer a do which despite my children's description was, "SO NOT EPIC!"
Who needs Epic anyways?
Was your summer Epic?
Please do tell what did you get to do this summer that my children would be jealous of.

*Oh and let it go on record, I don't really have a whip, maybe some COOL whip ;)

Love/Hate

I Love my new design, thanks again to the amazing and truly fab Alyx. I Hate nothing about it, at all what so ever. Nothing but love right there. 

I Love  coffee and that I live in the Mecca of coffee land, Seattle. So many coffee beans So little time. I Hate that sometimes I drink more of it than I probably should and stay up til the wee hours of the early morning.

I Love, LOVE, Love watching old movies. I watched How To Steal A Million the other night and I thought...

I Hate that I haven't seen this movie until NOW! So many movies so little time.
I LOVE... no I adore My niece Savanah Rae. 


Is she not the cutest 5 year old you have ever seen?

I hate that I am not there in NV to see her off to Kindergarten or to take her out for some special Auntie/Niece after school cupcake time. I also hate the fact that she is growing up so fast. SO not okay!
I Love that in one week(One WEEK people) from today I will have a High Schooler, A Jr. Higher,  and Two boys in Elementary. I Hate that 3 schools will get to enjoy my kids for more hours in the day than I will. 
I Love that My Favorite Season, Fall is right around the corner. I Hate that the summer is almost over.
Now it's your turn share some loves, share some hates, grab a button and link up.

Some Might Say

some might say I'm a housewife 
some might say she's nothing more
some might say how hard can it be to sweep the floor?

some might say that I can cook, 
some might say that I can clean,
i wonder if my job will ever truly be esteemed ?

some might say she's just a mom
some might say she's got the hardest job
i feel like half the time my days are but a fog.


some might call me crazy 
some might call me silly
i think i'm maybe both

some might say i'm quiet
some might say i'm loud
i think i'm in between

some might say i nurture
some might say i protect
i feel there is no problem that I can't deflect

some might say i sing 
some might say i write
i know my voice will disappear 
one day from sight

some might say i watch
some might say i yearn
i know how hard it is to listen
and how hard it is to learn

some might say i'm vintage
some might say i'm new

i think i'll stick to what i do

and be among the few
to not worry about what

some might say.

Winner Announced

I just want to thank everyone who participated in my 7 year  blogversary celebration. 
And although this announcement is long over due   WE have a winner!!

Rachael from  twenty-something-sherbet.blogspot.com 
IF you haven't already met Rachael please go say hello and congratulate her.

Stay tuned for a Back to School Giveaway planned for the first week in September. 

Mama's Gotta A Brand New Bag

I know it's Sunday, and I know I have a rule on Sunday that there is to be no technology, but I am breaking my own rule. That's right I said it. I am breaking my no technology rule today because, well look around.  It's a whole new place over here.  What do you think beloved reader? Do you like my new look? I have had so much fun working with Mrs.Alyx to change the place around.
Which brings me to my second confession, the first confession was that I broke my technology rule today in case you didn't catch that. The second confession I want to make to you is that I really don't like or haven't ever embraced change. But, when I approached Alyx about this new look I was so excited.  I was nervous, don't know why exactly, but I was mostly excited. And I have to say, I am really proud of myself for actually seeking out change. Now granted, my blogs new look isn't Earth Shattering change, but for me it's a pretty big deal so throw me a bone people. And finally, my last confession this Sunday, and it's one some of you might already know;  generally I don't like to clean. I mean I like it when things are clean and organized, but I have a hard enough time keeping up with the day to day cleaning that is required for a family of 6+2 cousins+4 village people+2 dogs, so I don't often deep clean. BUT, and here's where the confession number 3 comes in; IF you really piss me off, I will clean like the Dickens! (Ha ha, who's Dicken's and why does he clean?)  Seriously, though I will scrub, I will launder, I will iron, I will paint, I will scrub some more, I will dust, I will throw out stuff I should have thrown out long ago, and I WILL CLEAN. I have had this trait since I was a young girl.  Ask my mom.  So if you come over and I am deep cleaning it probably means someone really pissed me off and that's how I'm dealing with it. What do you do when you get really irked?
Ok I think that is all I can divulge for now. I better go before my family wakes and sees me breaking my own rule. Shhh... you are sworn to secrecy! 
Thanks Alyx I love what you have done with the place. 

Flashback Friday

Breakfast at Tiffany's 

Who loves it?

Who hates it?

Who has never seen it?

Well, you better believe this girl loves it. I have watched it a thousand times at least, and have of course introduced my girls to the movie. 

Audrey Hepburn playing the character of Holly Golightly is so eccentric.

So bizarre.

So troubled. 

So mysterious in this movie. 

Is it any wonder that it became so popular?
But, I have to say watching it as a parent knowing what I know about all the social innuendos that are made was a bit different then when I watched it as a young, naive teenager for the first time. 
Still, it will always be a favorite. Did you know that Audrey H. had just given birth to her son 3 months prior to filming the movie? How is that even humanly possible to be that thin after just having a baby. 
And did you also know that she Audrey hated Danishes, but that was the pastry you see her eating in the first scene.
My favorite scene in the whole movie is when she catches the woman at the party's hat on fire. I laugh so hard at that every time. 
I also cry every time she lets the cat go, even though I hate cats I just think it's so sad that part. 
I'm a big baby at movies so that's not a big surprise. 
My favorite Audrey H. movie is My Fair Lady. What's yours?
My mom loved that movie and even played the role of Eliza Do Little in College. 
Eliza DoLittle, and Holly GoLightly ... I wonder if there are any HUGE Audrey fans out there that named their daughters Elize and Holly after her??
Well, and my flashback blog is about my momma-zita today so with that I say get ready to FBF;

So Are You Ready Bloggity Bloggers? This is the dealio:

1. You have to have been blogging for at least a year.(Mandatory) 

2. Link up your old posts from at least a year ago. Don't link up your website, click on the actual title of your old post so that's what the other linkers will read(did you know you could do that?)So if you did know way to go Smarty Pants, but if you don't know how to do that you click on the title of your post that will give you the right http:// to copy and paste in the box that says LINK. 

3. Follow Your Host- It's the decent thing to do.

4. Have FUN!! 

The Snark Has Been Lifted

Here's the thing, I have been some kind of Snarky recently.

Really, beyond Snarky.

I've been bordline B-word.

But I just love that word Snarky.

Do you know what that word means? 

Well, I will tell you,

actually Urban dictionary will tell you.

Snarky- Adjective 

Any language that contains quips(what's a quip?) 

or comments containing

sarcastic or satirical witticisms intended as blunt irony. 

Usually delivered in a manner that is somewhat abrupt 

and out of context and intended to stun and amuse.

I'm not sure that my comments are stunning or amusing, they have been more on the border of bitchy! (Oh right we covered that)Sorry for the curse but it's really true. I guess it's good that I realize this, but it's not helping me to be less Snarky.

Last night, I was even shocked by the comments that were rolling off my tongue and onto a platter of garbage, so I thought ya know I need a "check up, from the neck up." I headed out the door with two kids in tow. I dropped them off to a youth event at church and I proceeded onto Choir practice, where I thought surely worshiping Jesus will change this Snarky behavior right around.

Nope.

So then I thought well, maybe I just need some junk food? Who will be my witness that sometimes what we eat really helps our overall attitude and mental well being? Anyone? Come on people don't leave me hanging! I went to Jack in the Box and got my "Go To" favorite junk food of all time, Jalapeno Poppers. I gobbled them up lickidy split and drank some Diet Dr. Pepper and still nothing. In fact at this point I started to get a belly ache, which only encourages a Snarky tude. 

 

After picking up two happy youthz(New Girl fans quote for ya) I decided that the only hope to rid myself of my Snarky behavior was just to go to bed early. I got home, got kids all settled in and went pretty much straight to bed.

And do you know what? 

It worked.

I woke this morning feeling better.

I felt renewed.

I felt refreshed.

I felt like the Snark had been lifted.(At least until next month ;) wink wink)

To keep that Snark from coming back I have a list of what I'm thankful for because after all it is Thankful Thursday.

Today, I'm thankful for a fresh perspective.

I'm thankful for a good nights sleep.

I'm thankful for Jalapeno Poppers.

I'm thankful for youthz.

And I'm thankful for people who love me despite my Snark!

I'm thankful that Emma made the High School Volleyball team.

I'm thankful for coffee with foam.

I'm thankful for my health.

I'm thankful for my children's health. 

I'm thankful that My Giant is home after his recent business trip.

I'm thankful for my 2 cups of Awesome.

I'm thankful for you beloved reader.

I'm thankful for good books.

I'm thankful for "new days fresh with no mistakes."