Category Grace

Accident-Prone? – Is Clumsiness Genetic?

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Accident-Prone? – Is Clumsiness Genetic via Daily Prompt: Roots

Clumsiness 2

Friday night my four year old was screaming at the end of the hall. I ran to rescue him and found that his toe was stuck under the door. 😦

My daughter cried a short time later because she missed the last step coming downstairs and hurt her leg.

My six year old provided a presentation of the bruises he had gained during the week, as we put on his pj’s.

Hubby laughed and said, “I don’t think they got any of my genetics. They got all that clumsiness from you.”

My gracious reply was, “How do you explain their ability to forget everything they are supposed to be doing when the TV is on, the day ends in Y, or the sun is shining?” (Then I stuck out my tongue.) His response, “Maybe they did get one thing from me.”

png 1 Do genes impact one’s clumsiness? Do our parents pass down accident prone propensities? Continue reading “Accident-Prone? – Is Clumsiness Genetic?” →

Lord, I hope this day is good

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Lord I Hope This Day is Good

Asking for a “good” day is not uncommon, heck, it’s really not too much to ask anytime.

When David Hanner wrote this song, he put the daily prayers of millions to music. When Don Williams sang this song, he brought those prayers to life. Since its first recording, the song, “Lord, I Hope This Day is Good,” has been sung by many, including LeeAnn Womack.

I enjoy hearing this song anytime, but I love Don Williams’ version best. His vocal inflections of a grateful, but somewhat down-trodden man are so in tune with how many of my days go.

My favorite line in the whole song though is, “I don’t need fortune and I don’t need fame. Send down the thunder, Lord, send down the rain, but when you’re plannin’ just how it will be, plan a good day for me” 

I can take a rumble of proverbial thunder in my day. Rain is a good thing (Right, Luke Bryan?) The words accurately reflect the simple request that my efforts and adventures make for a good day.

With this song and theme in mind, I encourage you to set a simple intent in your day. Look for the good in all that is around you. Remember it’s not about fortune or fame. It’s not about how righteous you can be. It is hard to feel forgotten and lonely, but so long as you understand that what you do and who you are is special, your day will always be good.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I have found this song most helpful in the morning when my children don’t want to go to school. 🙂

 

The Joy of Overthinking – Wise Words Wednesday

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The Joy of Overthinking – Wise Words Wednesday

Joy of Overthinking

Photo credit: bluntcard.com

What is the joy in overthinking?

Worry, overthinking, and stewing over things we cannot control; these are all bad habits. I am guilty of doing all of these. It stinks. There is no joy in overthinking.

There is no joy in guilt.

There is no joy in worry.

There is no joy in stewing over things we cannot control.

Recently, my husband asked, “So why are so worried about it?” (I really should not have been worried about the situation.) My genius reply went something like this, “Because I want to.”

The question I should have been asking myself was, “What joy comes from worrying about this?”

The answer would have been simple. “None.”

If there is something in your life that you cannot control or guilt that you feel for the actions of others, ask yourself, “What joy comes from worrying about this?” Continue reading “The Joy of Overthinking – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Fairy Garden Dreams Become Reality (pixie dust not required)

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Fairy Garden Dreams Become Reality (pixie dust not required)

fairy garden love

Three years ago my children saw the Tinkerbell movie and began planning to make a fairy garden. Well, this year we finally made it happen!

This is one of those magical projects that brought my kids and I together in a successful collaboration of creativity.

The local dollar store provided adorable and affordable garden decor and my good friends at Dudenhoeffer’s Countryside Gardens offered the sweetest little plants for our flowery festivities.

Even though each of my children started out with roughly the same tools and supplies, fairy garden girlthey each created a unique and whimsical fairy garden. The garden of each child was an terrific representation of their personalities.

There were two things that I really loved about this project.

  1. My kids played in the dirt and made something cool. It doesn’t get any better than that!
  2. I was able to witness my children’s imagination at work. There is nothing more inspiring and motivating than pure, childlike awe and excitement. I honestly wish I had made a garden for myself. Tapping into that innocence and creativity would do anyone’s heart some good.

fairie garden 2

While we know fairies aren’t real, it is important to remember that nurturing the ideas and wishes of our children is a very real and necessary element of life. Providing opportunities to dream and create is something that benefits all of us.

The fairy gardens are beautifully displayed along our front walk. They bring smiles to the faces of everyone who comes to our home and provide a tremendous sense of pride for my children. I have caught each of them peeking at their gardens wondering if the fairies had visited. Their awe and wonder is so sweet.

I encourage you to take time to create something with those you love. Share your dreams and imagine together. You don’t have to build a garden to create something that lasts. The longest lasting part might be the memories you make, but those memories are magical. They can appear anytime you choose.

Believe in the magic of time spent together. Allow yourself to be inspired by the imagination that is shared. Put your intent into building energy that grows love and memories. It doesn’t require more than a little faith and trust (pixie dust not required.)

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I really do want to make my own fairy garden someday.

 

Life is a Hammock. Rock It! – Wise Words Wednesday

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Life is a Hammock. Rock it! – Wise Words Wednesday

Life is a Hammock

Seriously, there is no end to the rocking of my hammock! Everyday I make a list of what I believe is a do-able amount of objectives. Everyday my list outgrows what I can do and I often find myself going to bed at 11:00 p.m. still reeling from the turns my day took.

png 1 Can you relate?

Hammocks are supposed to be relaxing and fun. Life is not relaxing and fun at times.

Often we are faced with choices we did not see coming. The choices that swing us in new directions are meant to teach us something. Life is a hammock. We have to rock it or rock with it.

Last night my son’s team had their first practice. I printed drills and an agenda for the coaches (hubby and buddy J.). I printed copies of the schedule for the team on blue paper (so it would stand out). All the gear was in a tub and sitting in the hallway (so we wouldn’t forget it). Supper was made early. All three kids were dressed in clothes for the ballpark, with socks and shoes on their feet!

Hubby came in 20 minutes before we needed to leave. He needed a shower and wondered if we needed keys for the supply closet at the field. 😦  After a quick phone call, a set of keys was located. All I had to do was go get them….wait a minute… my son couldn’t find his bat. Okay, I would drive to get the keys, while hubby showered and the kids sought out the bat.

I got the keys and returned home. Bat was found. Hubby was showered. Hubby couldn’t find his glove. We were already 2 minutes late to set up for practice. Continue reading “Life is a Hammock. Rock It! – Wise Words Wednesday” →

They Zip by too Fast

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They Zip by too Fast via Daily Prompt: Zip

Zipping By

I never count down the days until school is out.

A lot of fellow educators and even more students will disagree with this, but let me explain why I never count down the days at the end of the school year.

The days zip by too fast.

png 1 I need my students to know that they are my priority. It needs to be clear that the lesson at hand is the focus. Yes, our objective is to have another year under our belts, but we don’t have to wish our year away.

png 1 I need to keep my focus on the tasks at hand. As an educator grading and instruction need to remain in the forefront of my mind… not what I am going to do with my summer vacation, or how much hay we will bale, or what my kids’ ball schedules are, or how soon my BFF and I can plan our girls’ trip. I must stay focused on the task at hand. The deadlines zip by too fast.

png 1 For my students and children, the time of life that they are in is so important to their development and growth. It zips by way too fast. Childhood and adolescence need to be savored and remembered. Make the lessons we teach count and the activities we do make a positive impact. The time zips by too fast.

While it is important to set goals and make plans, be sure to enjoy the moments that are present. Don’t let opportunities zip past you because you are too eager to get to a certain date. Slow down! Take advantage of what is here and now.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I really wish we could set a speed limit on time. It really needs to slow down.

 

With an Assist from Trisha

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With an Assist from Trisha

Assist from Tricia 1

This spring hubby, with help of his buddy J., stepped up to coach our son’s tee-ball team. I inherited the job of secretary, scheduler, and equipment manager.

In struggling through scheduling and what information I needed to share with parents, I also wrestled with what equipment to purchase. After asking around I finalized my list and ordered a good tee-ball tee, 24 tee-balls, a box of band-aids, t-shirts for the team, and three new batting helmets. (We already had one helmet.)

Four helmets seemed like a good start for coach pitch. Helmets are expensive, as far as six year-old baseball gear goes, but six year-old heads are priceless.

I worried. (I worry a lot.) What if we had three runners on, one up to bat, and one on deck? This was clearly going to happen. What was I going to do?  Continue reading “With an Assist from Trisha” →

Putting Us In Our Place – Wise Words Wednesday

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Putting Us In Our Place – Wise Words Wednesday

In Our Place

Photo credit: Pinterest

I am a horrible human being…

At least some of the time.

We all are.

Our kids, spouses, siblings, in-laws, and many, many others possess resounding powers to bring out the failure in us.

These failures lead us to dark and unhappy places. It is really tough to be put in these places and even tougher to move past them.

Here is the amazing news… we are not meant to stay in one place.

As human beings we are challenged to grow, move, and change all the time.

While I may want to duct tape my child into a grocery cart at times, most of the time I am more eager to entrap my darling with hugs. Continue reading “Putting Us In Our Place – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Tick Stuck – Something Special from My Son

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Tick Stuck – Something Special from My Son

Tick Stuck

Upon entering the house Monday after school, my son threw down his backpack, rummaged around for two small pieces of paper, and promptly waved them very closely to my face.

“Mom, look! One of them is really special.”

Here is what was on the two slips of papers:

Slip #1:  A treasure chest full of stickers for making good choices

Slip #2: A note from the school nurse with a tick taped to it; The note stated, “Removed tick from head, sent back to class; tick attached”

png 1 Can you see my conundrum? Which of these slips of paper was the “really special one” in the eyes of my six year old?

In my infinite mommy wisdom, I said, “Wow, buddy, that is so much awesomeness! Which one do you think is more special?”

His reply, “The treasure chest. The tick was just stuck in my head, so the 8th grade teacher helped me get it out, and then they taped it to the paper. Can I go outside?”

Well, there you have it.

My son valued his success in making good choices over a parasite. I am Mom of the Year! Continue reading “Tick Stuck – Something Special from My Son” →

Refuse Corruption – Wise Words Wednesday

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Refuse Corruption – Wise Words Wednesday

Corruption's Refussal

“Seriously, everyone is doing it.” “No one cares of I do it.” “Really, what will it hurt?” “They are all bad. Do you really think we can change them?” “It’s just on the news. Does it really affect me?”

While these are all fine questions, they are also means for corruption to enter into our lives. Accepting corruption fertilizes its growth and feeds its power. “Refuse to let the world corrupt you.”

The morning news makes me angry. They infuriate me with their story choices.

Why is it so necessary to start our day hearing and seeing violence, destruction, and upheaval among the human race?

I guess it sells ads and gets ratings, but maybe it is corruption’s way of daring us to become complacent or uncaring.

Well, this is your Intentergy double dog dare to not become complacent and uncaring!!!

(This does not mean I let my kids watch the police brutality videos or the clips of the bombing victims in Syria.) 

Here is my challenge for you.

png 1 Do not allow the media to desensitize you.

png 1 Do not allow yourself to think you are above the law or regulations established for the protection of our communities.

png 1 Do not allow corruption to be an accepted part of your daily routine.

png 1 Refuse to turn away from those in need.

png 1 Refuse to let your light of kindness and decency be diminished.

png 1 Refuse to let what others think change who you are or what you believe to be right.

png 1 Be the change that this world needs. Do not let corruption take hold.

png 1 “Refuse to let the world corrupt you.”

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. I believe we all have the power to overcome corruption. We just can’t overcome it all alone. Refuse to let the world corrupt you.