Pray for the world!!

It seems that every day we turn on the news and see a shooting! One innocent person, two, hundreds killed!! I for one am getting sick of it!! I worry so much about the world my children will be growing up in!

This past Sunday we Christian celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. This is the 4 week preparation time for Christmas where we celebrate the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ into the world. I think to some of the first words we encounter in the Christian Gospels....."prepare the way of the Lord." Now if there is anything this world needs, it is to prepare the way of Jesus. In our world that is filled with so much violence and hate....we desperately need the peace of Jesus (even if you are not a Christian....the words of Jesus recorded in the Christian Scriptures are comforting).

I pray for all those people affected by today's shootings, those around the world that are still dealing with shootings and violence of loved ones and for those who feel the need to do these things. May we all be open to peace in our own hearts.

Passionate about potlucks

Last night, as I was cooking dinner my mind went to potluck suppers. I suppose it was because I was making my favorite food made by my Grandma, and now I make it for my family. I have not been to a potluck in a while, but if I did, I think I would make this dish. We call it "popcorn rice" because when you make it, it smells vaguely of popcorn popping--at least that's what I thought when I was young and the name stuck. To make it you brown orzo pasta in olive oil and then cook white rice with it. (I can give you the recipe if you would like it).

I love the idea of potlucks! I am somewhat of a picky eater, so in some sense they are terrifying! I used to work for a priest who let me know his thoughts on how great potlucks are...because you bring your best to give away! I mean, think about it....you never bring a dish you are not sure about, or one that you don't like all that much. You bring your best...and you give it away to others!

Wouldn't it be cool if this was life too! The best thing about people, those traits that are most admirable about people...if you use those traits to benefit others. If more people were kind, compassionate, generous with time, talent, and treasure that were given away to benefit other individuals....and all humankind! I think I am going to strive to do this in my daily life. I would like to think I do already, but I want to make a more conscious effort. I also want to teach this to my kids! It reminds me of a quote by St. Francis de Sales...."Be who you are, and be that well."

Till next time!
Hug those most important to you!

Where the heck have you been?

Ok world! I have decided to start blogging again. Its only been like 4 years!!!
I guess you could say I have been busy....with what you ask?
Here is a list:
Raising twins
Being a working mom
Quitting work
Packing a house
Selling said house
Moving 500 miles away to Nashville TN so my husband could take a promotion with his company
Applying for jobs I am qualified for and being rejected
Applying jobs I am overqualified for and also being rejected
Coming to terms with being a homemaker
Resenting the husband for making me move away from everyone I knew and loved
Resenting people who have jobs and friends and people to talk to that are not 4 years old
Trying to make some extra money in direct sales, and realizing you are not that good at it....but you like the product anyway!

I am sure there is something else I have been doing...but I think that list will give you something to chew on!!

Any of my loyal readers have any ideas for topics?
I will be focusing on different random thoughts I have...since I basically have 4 year olds to talk to I need an outlet!

Until next time friends....er, friend!
~CSP

Nice to meet you and a hearty handshake

Well, I am once again concerned about how to teach my children skills that I have not yet perfected, er...not even close to perfected!
I was recently speaking with a co-worker whose daughter is a pretty serious volleyball player. She is being contacted by college coaches and is going to meet them. The mother was telling me how they are teaching her to approach people, introduce herself and present herself in a professional manner. At first she was timid and mom and dad were right with her (but making her do the talking) and then she was able to step forward and do it on her own, with mom and/or dad close behind.

I think that is awesome parenting! And it made me wonder again how will I teach my twins to approach someone when I am really not comfortable doing that at times. I need to store these parenting tid-bits for future use.

I work with high school students and there are some parents that I encounter that all are about doing the work for the girls (its an all-girls school), "my daughter..." This is my reminder that I am NOT going to be one of those parents. These kids have a voice, they need to learn how to use it and use it effectively. Sometimes they use their voice too much...and don't say anything at all.

Ok, that is stored in my parenting "in box"...at least until they learn how to say actuall words!

Till next time!
~CSP

Blessed

Do you ever have one of those days where you are feelig down, and then something smacks you in the face, not usually literaly that says, 'um, hello idiot you have it pretty good!!'
I have had a couple of those moments in the last couple days.
The first is someone from my church had twin boys quite early, I'm not sure exactly how early but one of the little guys didn't make it, and the other one is not doing well. I am keeping the family in my prayers, but I am so blessed my twins were born so healthy...they made it to 38 weeks, I was not on any bed rest, and the weighed about 6 lbs and 8 lbs!! My little monsters!!
The second is happening at work. I am preparing a trip for our students to do service work in Honduras. The organiszation we are traveling with has a video on their site and watching the babies in the nursery made me cry. Maybe it just hits me more because I am a mom now, but to think of my babies in a situation where they did not have the necessities to live...and not even come close to having what they need. It makes my heart hurt so much. I pray for all those moms who can't support their babies, and just don't have the resources to give them what they need.
I just need to remember to take time to realize how lucky I am. Jeff, I hope you are reading this. WE ARE BLESSED. My babies are blessed too...not only to have an awesome mom and dad! But to be born here and now...and it is my mission to make sure they realise how blessed they are and to pay those blessings forward in life.

Till next time!
CSP

Fashion Sense

Ok. I'm worried that my twins will develop inadequate fashion sense. I have inadequate fashion sense and I am worried I will pass that on to them. This thinking all developed when the lady I share an office with is telling me about the drama of her freshman daughter trying to find shoes that match her homecoming dress. I am looking at the picture of the dress and she is explaining to me the shoes and how they just don't go together. They bought the shoes when they did not have the dress with them...then tried the shoes with the dress when they got home--no dice though.
SO, I'm sitting there and thinking, what is the problem here? Why do those not work together? What happens if Maggie asks what does this outfit go with? Uh...hmmm. In my head I am saying "I have no idea"
Is fashion sense something you learn? Or are you born with it? I also want Noah to have some fashion sense.
I have many gifts, but fashionistia is not one of them!
Perhaps aunts and uncles will have to help in this area!

Til next time!
~CSP

The Beginning

Hello World,
I have decided to start a blog reflecting on motherhood! I am the mother of 4 month old twins...a boy and a girl named Noah (boy obviously) and Maggie. They are the apples of my eyes but being their mother is the toughest job I have had in my life!
As I was standing in the bathroom this morning getting ready for work, I started to think I need to write down my thoughts about being a mom--primarily what I want them to learn in order to be good, productive members of society who are also compassionate and funny and good friends and someone people can talk to, and not socially awkward...and I am sure I am forgetting something.
So...stay tuned to this blog for my thoughts...and probably more questions than answers on how to be a mom (and a wife, and a working woman, and a faithful Christian...)

~CSP

P.S. If you have any answers to any of those questions, just let me know!!!