Thankful Thursday

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” 

                                       Mother Teresa

This Thankful Thursday morning I am so beyond grateful for my recent trip to Nevada to be with my family. On Sunday, I got to surprise my mom and dad who share the same birth DAY. They were both born on November 4th, but 4 years apart. 4 is kind of their number. Their birthday is the reason that they even met. A mutual friend of theirs 42+ years ago set them up on a blind date because of it, and the rest... well it's MY history.

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” ― Maya Angelou  


My parents are without a doubt my heroes. 42 years married, 5 children, 6 grandchildren, a faith in Christ that is inspiring, those are just some of the reasons I look to them for inspiration. This past summer my dad had some major health issues and so this birthday I was especially grateful for his 71 years of life.  Nothing like a little brush with almost death to appreciate the everyday moments.

“you can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”
― Frederick Buechner

Another life I'm really thankful for this morning is my brother Greg's. That's him in between my sister Jen and I on his birthday. He was born the day right after my mom and dad's birthday on November 5th. My mom tells the story that she was at her birthday party 35 years ago, big and pregnant and she started to get contractions so she had a glass of wine to relax her. Well it did relax her, so much so, that Greg was born the very next day. Huh, funny thing is though the "relaxed" effect didn't linger. Nope, that kid is full of more energy than Red Bull on Crack! Seriously though,  My brother is all kinds of amazing. He is a truer, than true friend and I'm thankful I also get to call him my brother.

I got to see this little sweetie, my niece Sophia that I have nicknamed #lastminutebiscuit , because she was born on Dec 31st last year. I can hardly believe that this biscuit is going to be 1 year old soon. She is walking and talking and I was bound and determined to teach her my name while I was there. I kept saying can you say....  Auntie N-o-e-l....  Auntie N-o-e-l? She just smiled at me so sweet and cute like. It melted my heart every time. The good thing about the beginning of my name is that its the start of another word that most lil's learn to say pretty quick(NO!!) so I'm pretty sure my name will beat out her other Auntie's and Uncles.  Well, and even if she just goes around saying NO!! I'll take the credit for that too ;)

Are there any words that an Auntie can say to express the joy within that our nieces and nephews bring to us? All I can think of to say is that my nieces, even my oldest niece Kaylanne who I haven't seen in far too long, brings me such joy. When I see a part of my siblings, or my sister-in-love Hillary who is no longer with us, in my nieces it makes my heart swell with joy. They are JOY incarnate to me. There I tried, to express what a niece or nephew can do.

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.” 
― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

The final above quote is truly what I'm thankful for today because, I realize that my family of origin, is a rare gift. The older I get the more I realize how rare this gift, my family, truly is. I deeply love and admire each and every one of my siblings, and my parents. To have had the health and good fortune that we claim, through the Grace of God, is without words the greatest gift a life could ever behold.


Linking Up Here and Here

Happy Birthday To My Sister Jen

I interrupt this Wednesday's usual Love/Hate link up to bring you one of my all time heroes in life; 

My Sister Jenny.

Today is Jenny's birthday  I would just like to take this opportunity to do a little blaggin about her.

She's the beautiful bride in the above photo. On the left is my younger sister Gina, then my Momma, and Me.

I really could go on and on about all 3 of these women in that photo, because they are all so unequivocally amazing, but today is Jenny's day so let me do some blaggin(blogging+bragging) about my sister Jen.

Ever since I can remember I have looked up to my sister Jen.

If Jenny was playing with a toy I wanted it.

If Jenny was going somewhere I wanted to go with her.

If Jenny was singing a song I tried to sing with.

You get the idea. 

Early on in life I know I was a real pain in the butt  and had a bit of the Copy Cat syndrome stuck up in my bones. 

Poor Jenny.

I think it's a typical younger sibling kind of thing to look up to your older sibling with adoration. 

But, there was a brief moment when I remember I didn't want to be like her.

When we were teens, well she was a teen I was probably a 12 year old tween, Jen had a rough patch in life.  To quote one of my favorite movies, "She was an angry little Elf." 

It's crazy to think about now but there was a time when around every corner she seemed to be getting in trouble, and with passion.

And then like a switch that was turned on her life changed.

She came to know Christ in such a way that her little sister was left wondering what happened to Jenny?

She truly was a new creation in Christ.

You see, the thing about Jen is that she does this LIFE whole heartedly. 

She is not your stick your toe in the water to see if its warm kinda gal.

Oh no, she is go jump in off the diving board full force and then find out whether the water is warm enough kinda gal. 

COMPLETE opposite of me, but it is without a doubt what I love about her so much.

And it is what I admire most about her relentless pursuit to know her Savior.

From the moment she could choose her life's course 

She's like this;

I think I'll move to Tulsa OK the day I turn 18 to go to college

Then I think I'll move to LA

Then maybe I should move to Europe(Hungary, Budapest to be exact)  where I don't know anyone and don't know the language.

I think now I'll take up Triathlons.

Sure, yeah, let's DO THIS!!

Never a worry, never a care she just goes and does whatever it is in heart to do.

And now that we are older, wiser, and I hope more mature

I still admire her for those reasons.

Sometimes I wonder if she is ever afraid of anything. 

She has been my biggest cheerleader

My longest friend

My sister in word 

and in deed. 

Happy Birthday Jen 

I love you more than words 

could ever say

Being Okay With That Person

I woke this morning thinking about a conversation that I had yesterday while on the phone with my sister. We were walking and talking. It's how we do. I was telling Jenny my older sister that I heard a wise woman once say,  "You will spend half your life finding out who you are, and the other half being okay with that person."  I totally agree with this statement, and would say that I am almost to the other side of it. Almost being the operative word in that sentence. I feel everyday as I inch closer and closer to my forties a certain calm come over me.  It's not that I feel I was totally obsessed with what other people thought, but I was totally obsessed with what other people thought. 


As I've gotten older and had many a conversation with The Lover of My Soul, and My Giant about this I have realized that in my lifetime I think I have spent more time wondering and worrying what others are thinking, than I have spent having my own thoughts. 

That is the truth of who I was.

And now as I think about where I am right now, I still have the tendency to be concerned if people will like me or not. Although I recognize this tendency, it doesn't make it any easier to change.  I guess I would like it to be categorized as The People Pleasing Gene. I would like to believe you are either born this way or you are not, because then it makes it easier for me to swallow that pill.


Some are people pleasers.
Some are not.
I am a people pleaser that comes from a long line of people pleasers.
My Giant is not a people pleaser he comes from a long line of non- people pleasers.


I see the good in both.
I see the bad in both.
Somewhere in there, people pleasing and not people pleasing there is neutral ground. A Switzerland if you will of somewhat pleasing people and some what who gives a flying flip people. 


Do hear what I'm saying?
So the other half of that wise woman's statement is what I am working toward today. I feel I have a pretty good handle on who I am at the ripe old age of 37 and now it's just ...


Being okay with that person.


I recognize my need to please. 
And ya know what, I'm okay with the years I have spent doing so. It's what has brought me to this place.
But, at the very same time I want, I seek, balance in all things.
I'm ready to be okay with the person that I am, but not become complacent either at the same time. 


Does that make sense?




Now read this statement again,

"You will spend half your life finding out who you are, and the other half being okay with that person."
And think about it through the eyes of health, fitness and your looks. It takes on a whole new meaning doesn't it?
Maybe a topic for another day.
I thought of character traits when I heard it.
Sister Jen thought health and fitness.
That's why it's good to have a sister.
They help change the way you see the world.
Thankful for my sisters and my brothers this morning and for YOU! 

What are your thoughts about that statement? 

Dear Bella

Dear Bella,

I fear you have become more neurotic and way too nervous. You make me nervous, you are so nervous.
I wonder if I should put you on Prozac? When you act all cra cray it makes me want to confine you to your little box.
Those fluffy brown and grayish animals are called squirrels. You see them every day. They won't hurt you, I promise. I wish you would so calm down already. Simmer down, simmer down. Or as Auntie Jenny would say in Hungarian Nugi Nugi!
I am beginning to wonder if you have become a bad influence on your younger brother Barley.

Do you think it's time we seek help for you little dog?
I think we might need to find a therapist.



You sure are cute though.
And I still love you,

Your owner

P.S. Do you think, Maybe it's the diet food we have had you on for the last 3 years?

Favorite Captured Moments #3

This year was such a BIG year for my family in so many ways.
The month of June especially seemed like around every corner we were celebrating something.
But 2011 as a whole marked many very important dates for my family;

As I mentioned in the previous post we have an official teen now, we also have a 70 year old dad now, a 40 year old sister, a 30 year old baby sister, our baby brother graduated from High School,

And ....Sister Jenny's Wedding Day came. The day when my sister Jen said "I DO".

My sister Jenny's wedding was on June 25,2011 and what an amazing event that was.

Her special day has been a topic of conversation ever since I can remember. My day many moons ago(16 to be exact) June 3, 1995 came when I was so young, so in love, and also so very much like the non-detailed person that I am. For me there were many decisions that were made by others because I simply didn't care. So I don't remember putting as much time, energy, or thought into it.

The only detail that I remember thinking about was that of course I was going to get to finally have sex!! (Did she just say that? Why YES, YES I did!) My Giant, IF you are reading this which I highly doubt you are, know that just because I didn't think about our actual wedding day much doesn't mean anything other than, I knew without a doubt I was ready to get IT started!! LOL...

Okay where were we?? Oh yea, But my sisters day was one that was a long time coming, with many a thought, many a detail, and so there were many, many conversations as to what it would look like, who it would be standing next to her, and how it would all happen.

Well, her day came this year. She had always talked about getting married by the water and to see her on that day with the crystal blue Lake Tahoe water behind her made me realize how completely fortunate our family is to have one answered prayer after another. I am now the proud owner of another amazing brother-in-love, James Simmons. To see my sister in her new role as wife really does my heart good.

And Did I mention I have a teenage daughter now?

Favorite Captured Moments #2

In the Spring of 2011 the Scofield home became an official teenage home. That is we officially have a teenager now. So many people warned us about this moment when our lives would forever change. We were nervous. Not really.

Well, what I want to know is when did she

Turn into her

It goes by way too fast people. That's all I am saying. And you know that saying you don't ever know what you got until it's gone well it's true. When I was younger and my sister and I would fight and bicker about clothing items or what radio station we should have playing in our room I never thought in a million years that there would come a day that I would long to share a room with her again. That's where my girls are at. They don't know what they have.

I am here to remind them. Someday they will be grown women who will say to their children when they are fighting, "Love Each Other" or "Tell each other 'you're my best friend'! They will do as I have done. Repeat the words my mother said to me. Teach as I have taught.

So I kinda cheated by using some old photos to prove a point here but you'll forgive me.
From top to bottom
Emma and Chloe this year 2011 in Funky Freemont
Emma at Lake Tahoe 2007
Emma here December 2011
Emma and Chloe Newport Beach 2007
Chloe University of Washington 2011

This last pic is of me and my sister Jen enjoying a Christmas morning together.
Too Fast People.

And So I Start Again...

I like the idea of new beginnings.

I am amazed by the fact that our bodies no matter where we are in life can respond to starting over with exercise and eating right.
I have for several months not done a single thing in the exercise department. It is an area of great frustration for me how inconsistent I have always been with all things physical.
In January of this year I set out as all New Year's Optimistic people do to finally be consistent in this area. I lasted until the time change occurred in March and since then have not lifted a finger or a muscle I should say.
About a month ago my sister encouraged me by signing me up for a new gym. I was on my way to getting around to do this myself, but I can procrastinate like it's nobodies business when it comes to something I don't want to do. Don't even get me started about my upcoming, pressing need to register for a math class in the fall!!

Anyway, back to new beginnings. I am back at it again and have been going strong with the weekly workouts for over a month now. I am hopeful that it will last and I will finally be consistent in this area. I am hopeful that I won't come up with excuses or reasons why I can't do something that should be as important to me as bread, water and air.

I like the fact that God is a God who supports new beginnings. In fact He is all about new beginnings. His middle name could be NEW BEGINNING. I love how His motto is NOT- "Oh you screwed up forget it. You are a loser and you will never get it right but rather Grace and Mercy triumph over Judgement. That is His way. I think that is why He made us so that even our bodies respond so well with new beginnings.

Okay now for the random song in this blog;

This all reminds me of that old 80's song or maybe it was 90's...ya know how pretty much everything can remind me of a song right?

"Here I go again on my own,
Going down the only road I've ever known"

Okay all you song trivia people out there who sings it and what are the rest of the words??

For those of you who aren't on Facebook...ahem Shontell

I have to say that I have had absolutely no inspiration for a blog lately. It could be because I have been gone every single weekend for the last month and that doesn't leave much time for the imagination. 

 I thought about blogging the trips I took but then that's kinda like sending one of those postcards from Hawaii that says, "Wish you were here" which to me is just plain rude! 

(Speaking of rude, Bon Qui Qui has got the number on that word, "RUDE-  Don't interrupt" if you don't know who this character is you are seriously missing out) Put in Bon Qui Qui on YouTube and prepare to enjoy.

I was home this weekend though and still no inspiration is on the horizon. Some would leave their blogs unattended for a while but NO, not me.

I will sit here and type about nothing-ness just to have something new to look at on my blog.  I think I might share some fun new pics though.

- So the first would be SF-Giants ball park, I do believe that I could become a fan over time. Not more than the Bo-Sox's mind you but I have to say that SF has a pretty great park going on and I want to visit this place again in my lifetime. 

-Second pic is of me and Mo in our bus celebrating 14 years of marital bliss!! :)

-Third pic is Auntie Jen and Lo with blue bubble gum at Isaiah's graduation. Chloe is 9 now. She has this one last year before I have 2 kids in double-digits.....Help me Jesus!!

-Fourth pic Savy Rae Rae is a 2 year old now. I am just not okay with all these birthdays that happen so fast this time of year. We have Chloe and Em in May, Jeremy and Savy in June, and Isaiah in July. It hardly gives this phlegmatic time to breath.

-And Finally Emmers is now 11 and let me tell you something ....well I am practicing saying No and not caring that if her looks could kill me I would be dead 1000 times over, that is all I can say!! No really she is such a good girl it's just this pre-teen stuff not sure how I feel about it.

Simplify

I have decided to simplify. I started a few weeks back when I couldn't wait to be done with school just so that I could clean my house, and it hasn't stopped.  I am now getting rid of all these items that I have way too much of; Bowls, Mugs, Shoes, Clothes, Home Decor, Toys, toys, and more toys, more clothes, Sheets and blankets, Little trinkets that I hate dusting, Decorative Plates, All household items that I haven't used in over a year, and Picture frames.

IF there is anything that is on that list you are in need of please let me know otherwise by the end of this month it will be given to Savers. I just brought three GIANORMOUS  bags there today and it felt so good.

Part of my need for simplifying was because I just need to get my house clean after a semester of just being consumed with school, work, and everything else BUT my house. Part of my need to simplify is also because with 6 people in any household under 2000 sq. feet you just have to keep it simple. My house is only 1698 sq. feet and you better believe we use every inch and are grateful for every inch. And finally the last reason for this ever pressing need to simplify is because of a recent article I read in O magezine, (yes I know I already mentioned the magazine before but hey, it was a good one) it was titled , Back to Basics and it was about all these people who are becoming minimalist's by choice. I know (unlike my sister Jenny) that I will probably never truly achieve this state of being but, that doesn't mean that I am not going to die trying.

So Jen- I am right there with ya. I am trying to pretend that if I was moving right now how much of the crap that I have accumulated over the past almost 4 years in this house, would I be getting rid of. Then I am also getting rid of all things that I don't truly need, use, or otherwise really value enough to be taking up some of my precious space.

Ode to my Sister Jen

My older sister Jenny accomplished what many, many people would never attempt on a good day- she has finished and finished well, her first triathlon.  When I read her update and saw the pics of her on her blog I cried. I read it again to my kiddos and again I cried. I am getting awful emotional in my old age. I just cannot even begin to say how proud I am of her for this. I remember when she was home last summer and the thought first crossed her mind to do this. She just was looking for something to keep her motivated to exercise and also something to keep her busy since she knew she wouldn't be home for a year.  So what does one do when needing a hobby, or motivation to exercise- but of course sign up to do a tri !! She is an inspiration to me in more ways than one and here's to her job well done. Jenny I love you and as your lil sis I couldn't have a better friend to look up to. You ROCK!!

More of Budapest

Easter morning, and The First Subway Ever made, in the world!!!

We woke up Easter morning in Budapest and the sun was shining the birds were chirping and we were off to Jen's church over there. This particular morning they were meeting at her friends/pastors house Jeff and Anna's. Her whole team was there and had brought lots of yummy food for me to enjoy :) and enjoy did I ever!! On the way to the gathering Jen took us on the first subway ever made in the whole world which just happens to be in Budapest. I did not know this. Sister did know this, and I was like a kid at Disneyland. Truly , I thought how cool and what an insight to the people of Hungary who have proved to be very intelligent people. Hungary is one of the only countries in Europe who somehow managed to survive the World Wars pretty much intact or least better than surrounding neighbors. Many of the buildings there are original buildings and that is something that is rare in Europe because of all the brutal hits of war that had completely demolished many countries. So this lil' subway trip was pretty fun. There was an old man on there that looked so much like my dad's side of the family (who have Hungarian blood lines) it was crazy. He kept staring at me and my sister and finally we asked if he would take a pic of us. That is the one at top of the page. It was awesome to see sister interact with him speaking his language. I was so proud of her. I am so proud of her.

More Budapest, right outside Jen's door!!