Tomorrow is Challenge Kick-off Day!

Remember:  we start tomorrow to change our lives forever.  Just two hours a day for four months. 

What are you planning to do?  Do you know what time of the day you're going to work on it?  Have you made plans in case you're interrupted during your change time?  Are you prepared mentally to say to yourself, "there's always tomorrow", in case you mess up one day or more?  

We are not perfect.  We're just trying to change a little something in our lives that probably will have everlasting ramifications.  No pressure. :)

I have to tell ya, that I get a little flutter in my spirit when I think about our successes.  I just know we're going to be successful.  

May I suggest that even though we may not want to share our "thing" or even know each other, that we offer our prayers for those who are working on the challenge?  That when we're spending our two hours changing, we send up happy and supportive thoughts.  Most of us are mothers with young children and often feel isolated, let's pray for each other's successes.

Ok, so it's 11:15am....time to get a shower. :) (Today is my day off...hahahaha)

I finally have a stalker! Is that a good thing?

Have I told you about my little Indian man?  I met him on my walks in the morning.  He lives two streets over on Bellemore Ave.  The first two mornings I walked by him, he was outside in a lawn chair reading from him prayer book out loud.  I was rather impressed actually.

The third morning he was waiting for me.  He got up from his chair and waved me down.  We introduced ourselves.  I really have a hard time understanding his English.  He's only been in the US since March.  He lives in that little, bitsy house with his wife.  Sounds like he has other family that live in the area.  

The next few mornings he's usually pacing up and down Summit Ave, which is the street that connects all of the side streets in the area.  So, we meet some where on Summit and chat for a few minutes.  We ask about each other's families.  Yesterday I noticed he was carrying his prayer book.  I asked him if he was Buddhist or Muslim.  "Oh, no!", he said.  He seemed a little offended even.  He told me that he is Sikh.

I did a little Wikipedia research and found the Sikh religion to be very interesting.  There are a lot of similarities to Mormonism actually.  According to Wikipedia, the Sikh choose to be baptized.  They wear 5 external emblems of their covenant to Sikhism.  They believe in helping others and defending the poor and the weak.  Supposedly, they are very generous.  Men who where turbans are usually Sikh.  Interesting, huh?

So, I enjoy meeting him on Summit Ave and chatting for a few minutes.  I would guess that he's rather lonely since he doesn't really have a community of people with whom to hang out and be Sikh. (lovely political correctness, huh?)  

Today, however, Sanni, I think that's his name, was not pacing up and down Summit.  When I walked past his house, the door was wide open but I didn't see anyone.  I was just finishing the last two blocks of my walk when I noticed he was standing at the top of the hill just where the road bends, it's about two blocks on the other side of my street.  I don't know if he saw me but I ducked down a side street and came around the other side of my house.  I was careful that I didn't go into the house until I was sure he wasn't standing at the top of the street.

Maybe I'm just being too freaky, but maybe I'm being safe.  IF everything I read on Wikipedia is true, then Sanni is nothing to be feared.  But, how am I supposed to know?  I have six children to protect.  I'm probably have to take another route until I shake him or feel more comfortable with his friendship.

My challenge decision

I'm sure everyone has been waiting with baited breath for me to reveal my decision for the challenge starting Friday, August 1st.  

Drum roll, please........

I've decided to write a book.  It's been on my mind now for almost a year now.  My focus will be on joy and gratitude.

I didn't tell anyone because I'm afraid to fail, but I kinda started last week.  I have started to wake up earlier in the morning to go for a walk.  I've gone 7 days in a row now (except Sunday).  I've been trying to work out a schedule for myself.  My ultimate goal is to get up around 6:30am and go for my walk.  I think I'm going to work on the book for about an hour.  Probably from 8am-9am.  So, I'll be "bettering" myself by walking first thing then I'll spend some time in study and prayer.  Depending on how long the kids will leave me to myself, will determine how long I work on the book on a daily basis.

Ok, so now you know.  Please let me know what you're working on.  Let's be each other's biggest cheerleaders.  Let's change for the better and accomplish our goals and dreams.

Fairs and Festivals

I took the kids to the Gloucester County 4-H Fair/Peach Festival on Friday, July 25th.  They had a few carnival rides there that the children just loved.  I spent half my mortgage on the bracelets to ride those dang rides.  Oh well, what's shelter vs. the delight of a child on a cheap carni-ride?

How cute are these little kids!  Joey, Lucy, Leah and Robbie.  This little bouncy ride was the favorite.
Leah's first ride.  She loved it.  Robbie even had her put her arms up.  Of course, it went slow emough that I could keep up with it.
This was at the end of our excursion.  We were all hot, tired, sticky and stinky, but they are cute!

Robbie loves to climb.  He has loved to climb since he was a nine month old baby and climbed out of the crib and smack onto the floor.  
Robbie and Joey rode the bull.  Joey was totally thrown off like a shot.  I thought he was going to be hurt but when he got up he was giggling like Beavis or Butthead and said that it was "cool".

We ate peach slushies, which were heavenly.  The kids got to see wolves, bunnies, pigs, cows, horses, goats, cats, birds and reptiles.  Mommy got to sweat her guts out.  But, it was fun.  It's a good thing to do.  I'm glad we went.

Reason & Will

This is part of an email I got from John Assaraf (from The Secret movie).  It kinda goes hand in hand with our challenge.  Just thought I'd post it as food for thought.

Are you ready to take the conscious part of your brain to the next level?

Well, you may be surprised to learn that the conscious part of your mind has six intellectual functions! The first of these functions is reason, your ability to evaluate what you want and feel. That's why, if you don't like the results in your life, you need to use reason to consciously make different choices. And if you're not so good at this, if you struggle to understand your own reasons for making decisions about your life, ask a friend or mentor to help you when you need to make an important decision. 

Your second intellectual function is will. Your results in life are determined by the greatness of your will. Without will, or mental toughness, you can't have a life of abundance. Your will keeps you going even when your body or mind want to quit. 

Don't have a strong will? You can change that. Find your passion: the more driven you are by something, the more will you'll have for it. It develops like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Find something big and challenging and take it on! Choosing a big goal that you really want to accomplish is scary and requires mental will to achieve. Don't settle for being comfortable, challenge yourself to be scared and really go for something worth being scared about!

As you continue to discover the subconscious beliefs that are holding you back, think about how your will and your reason can work for you to enrich and empower your life. Be sure to evaluate yourself carefully and honestly so you can discover which of your beliefs need alteration. This will help you see where you are and where you've been; your conscious mind, including your will and reason, will be responsible for reprogramming your unconscious mind and thus taking you to the next level.

Here is a quote to keep in mind:

"You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind."  —Mahatma Gandhi

Mommy, why does something smell like throw up?

That would be the pumpkin that spilled on the carpet three days ago, Joey.

Why do bad things happen to tired mommies?

My poor little Robbie.  He has his mother's temper.  Need I say more.  Of course, that's what blogs are for.

Sam was supposed to take him out for a "special night" that he earned three months ago and asks Sam about EVERY night.  So, finally tonight's the night.  After FHE, Sam was going to take him to the mall to the arcade.  I don't know exactly what happened but Robbie was supposed to sweep the kitchen floor after dinner and Joey was nagging Robbie about something and started screaming at Joey.  (this happened more than once) Sam finally announced that they weren't going tonight.  

Oh...those magnificent words with a frightful scream out of such a little body.

"YOU'RE THE WORST DAD IN THE WORLD!!!!!"

At which point he slams the basement door just to make sure we heard him.  My basement door has a rack on it that acts as my little pantry because I have no cabinet space otherwise. Robbie slammed the door so hard that the rack pulled right out of the door, screws and all, and came tumbling down with ALL the food bouncing down the stairs.  

Luckily, Sam grabbed Leah just as the rack pulled from the door or she could've been very hurt.  Robbie runs away screaming at the top of the decibel level as though he had a leg severed or something.  Of course, he couldn't really run if the leg was severed but you do get my point.  I'm so tired right now I'm starting to get a wee bit punchy.

Anyway....I start to navigate the stairs with Leah in my arms to get he to safety, BECAUSE a quart size mason jar of pumpkin pie filling had broken and was EVERY WHERE.  EVERY WHERE!!!!!  It was on everything as well.  Sam was livid and was just trying not to hurt anyone.  Usually he's the one that cleans up the messes...he's so good at it.  Not this go around.

I've been up and down the stairs scrubbing the pumpkin goo and picking of slivers of glass.  I just got finished vacuuming the stairs and decided to take a rest before I go back and spray the resolve cleaner on them.

UGH!  I hate it when kids do this.  I sure hope I sleep well tonight.

OK..so here's the exercise.  I'm thankful for this experience because...my stairs have been vacuumed, Sam put a new light bulb in the stairway fixture (it's been out for months), Leah didn't get hurt, I've got a head start to the holidays since my stairway smells like pie.

That's it for now.  Yes, you're welcome to laugh when you see the orange stairs.  Don't put white carpet down when you have kids no matter how desperate you are for the basement to be done.

Nighty night!

The challenge continued

Ok. I've heard from a few of y'all. I'm really excited to know that we'll be working together. So, I thought I'd update you on my list o' things to change.
1. Learn Spanish
2. Learn Guitar
3. Learn PhotoShop
4. Write my book

My sister told me I should write the book I've been talking about for a year now. That seems to be the hardest thing to do. :) Should I start easy or just go for broke? Right now isn't the best time to make that decision. It's nearly 1am and I'm a ding-a-ling for being up right now.

So, your turn. Tell me...I need to know. What are you going to work on?

Good Night!

Another Picture of Lucy

I've been working on Lucy's baptism book and goofing around with PhotoShop. I'm getting a little bit better. I have to say that I really like this picture that I did. This will be the picture on the cover on the book. When I'm done with the book, I'll see what I can do to post it to the blog. I'm almost done.

Lucy's Baptism

Lucy and Sam
The whole family including Lucy's cousins Wiley, Wyatt and Wylan Marsh.

Lucy was baptized on Friday July 18th. What a beautiful day! It couldn't have been any more fabulous than it was. The Lord just poured His spirit out on our little group. We had everyone there that we had hoped for and then some more.

The challenge

I listened to a really great CD the other day.  It's called "Turn off the TV and Get a Life" by John Bytheway.  

I'd like to repeat a story that he tells.  I have already shared it with some of you but I'd like to share it with all my loyal readers.  He he.  Plus, I'd like to issue a challenge to go along with it.

So, when John Bytheway was a teenager, he went to the school library to find a book on how to "make it through high school".  More emotionally and socially and less about the academics.  Well, there was not such book to be found.  He told himself that he would write that book one day.

One day turned into many years.  Finally, he told himself that he really needed to write the book.  But, he couldn't figure out when during the day he'd find the time to do it.  He decided that he would give up his 10pm-12am "channel surfing" time and get up at 5am to be at the office at 6am and write for two hours before he had to start work.

He did give himself an incentive of a glass of "fresh squeezed" Tropicana OJ if he got up at 5am. He also programmed his alarm clock with a recording of a Gordon B. Hinckley quote about discipline.  I'll have to see if I can find it.  He said that hearing Pres. Hinckley talk about the importance of discipline got him out of bed.

He admitted that some mornings were tougher than others, especially during the winter.  Some mornings he was only able to write a paragraph, other mornings he got out two or three pages.  He continued on until he had enough for a chapter or two and he faxed it over to Deseret Book. Sheri Dew called him and said that she wanted to see the rest of the book.  Needless to say, that motivated him to get out of bed and finish it.  

His book was eventually published and changed his life.  He has since sold 100 of thousands of books and tapes and is a highly sought after speaker.

I was very impressed by his diligence, determination and discipline.  Lord knows, I've tried to be as disciplined but failed.  Not that failing is a bad thing.  One surely learns from failure.  I'm thankful for my failures and I'm looking forward to being successful because of the wisdom I've gained through my failures.

I started considering the numbers.  He said that it took him four months from the first morning he got up at 5am until his book was finished and ready for editing/publishing.  So multiplying it out that's two hours five days a week for four months.  Approximately 160 hours.  That's it!  He changed his life in 160 hours.  Isn't that amazing!!!!

So, here's my challenge.  I'd like to encourage each of you to pick something that you've always wanted to do or change and starting August 1st begin to apply yourself for two hours a day.  Your four months will be over on December 1st.  Can you imagine that type of Christmas you'll have?  Seriously.  Something WILL be different in your life.  How exciting!!

So you have about 15 days to ponder and pray about what it is that you're going to give yourself permission to learn/change.  I personally am so excited about this challenge that I can't decide what to start with first.  I want to do everything.  So, I've decided that I'm going to have to pray about it and get a little direction.  I'm sure Heavenly Father smiles at the thought of receiving that prayer but I really need a little help.  I know, I know....He's big on people making their own decisions.  This is kind of like me being a little girl in a candy shop.  It's all going to be good, but I'm sure one has got to be the best to try first. :)

So, will you join me in my challenge?  I sure hope you will.  I'll be your biggest cheerleader, you know that.  I'm excited to see what great things we can accomplish.  I also encourage you to invite others to join our 160 hour challenge.  We are great women. (I don't know if any men read this, but you're included to in the "men" part of women...gosh I crack myself up)  We can do great things. 

We're all spread out across the country and have super busy families, callings, jobs and hobbies. But we can support one another in a huge embrace for our aspirations and efforts.

Let's do it!  I'll let you know what I choose once I figure it out.  Hopefully sooner than later.  Please give yourself permission to create in yourself what you've always wanted.

Pictures from the weekend

Katie Drinkwater got to throw candy from a car because she was a contestant in the Miss Pitman pageant.

Jessie is bright-eyed with anticipation for a grand parade.  Leah's just chillin'.

Robbie looks tired.  It's a good thing he didn't have to march in the parade.

YIKES!!!!

Maggie Newman demostrates some karate.

This was one of my favorite floats.  I'm not sure if you can tell what it is but it's the float for the winner and runner up from the Miss Peach festival.  Anyway, I thought this float was funny because here you see to beautiful young ladies dressed in lovely gowns sitting on a riding mower with a big ole pile of black mulch right in front of them.

Jackie Nesbit was a contestant in the Miss Pitman pageant.  She got to ride on a car and look purty.

This is a nice picture of Jen.  She's 15 now.  

 

Joey playing peek a boo.

Tracey Naval and Robin AhPing

Diane Paul 

Leah's got the best seat on the sidewalk--on her daddy's shoulders

Sallie Drinkwater with older brother Bill James.

Our Fourth!

I think that yesterday's 4th of July was the best I've ever spent.  The day started and ended with rain.  But, it was still wonderful.

We went to the Pitman Parade and sat with so many of our friends.  I haven't been to a parade in a while.  I enjoyed the tacky floats, the gospel "music", the beauty queens,

 the old cars and 

 myriad of fire trucks, but what I love most about parades are the bands.  I love the way the brass playing patriotic songs electrifies my soul and spirit. 

I  love the cadence of the drums. Reminds me of my days in the high school marching band.  I love how the sounds make my body want to rejoice and march and sway.  It always brings a smile to my face.  

I also very much enjoyed standing in respect for the flags as men and women having served in our armed forces or are currently serving in our police and fire rescue presented it.

My sense of patriotism was warmed as EVERYONE on the parade route stood in respect of the service and flag as it passed.  These are great lessons and opportunities for my children.

We went home for a spell to cool down a bit and then went over to Diane Paul's home for a cookout with her family.  We were welcomed with open arms and enjoyed each others' company and fabulous food.

From Diane's we headed straight to Philadelphia to attend a Phillies' game.  Before we got to the stadium, we witnessed an accident.  Luckily, no one was injured.  We pulled over to the side of the road to call 911.  The victim of the accident was a lady from Mexico who spoke little English.  She was so upset.  I am so grateful for the experience to hold this woman in my arms as she sobbed with stress and anguish.  She needed someone to help her and let her cry.  Her name is Maria.  I am thankful that my children were able to see me serve someone and care for a stranger in need.  This is not to boast.  This is because I want my children to be tender to those in distress.  I couldn't do much for Maria--I tried to speak a couple of things to her in Spanish--but all I could remember at the moment was tortilla, taco, something Dora the Explorer says in cartoon language that you can't understand anyway....oh, and Finnish did flood back into my brain at lightening speed.  Back to Maria---I couldn't do much for her, but I could hold her and cry with her.  It's been almost two years since I was in that awful accident in PA with all of my kids.  Those memories returned and I felt her sadness and worry.

On to the game.  It was really fun.  Sam and I decided that a Phillies baseball game is the place to be on Independence Day.  They did all sorts of tributes to the armed forces and recognized our country's founding fathers.  Sam said that all that was missing for him were some jets to fly over.  Yeh, that would've been pretty great too.

We were just into the first inning when the rain started to fall.  As the queen of preparedness, I fell short.  I have a bunch of ponchos at home.  We had to wait for the sold out ponchos to be restocked.  That's ok.  

We went back and snuggled down in our wet stadium chairs and watched the rest of the game.  The rain let up for a few innings but the last three or so, it rained constantly.  Leah fell asleep on Sam.  She was so tired.  Joey was exhausted but instead of sleep, he started acting crazy.  I thought is was hilarious.  I got some pretty good video him.  

We were there for the best play of the game.  The score was tied 2-2.  Bottom of the ninth, 2 outs and one man (Pedro Feliz) on 2nd.  Shane Victorino is up to bat.  I'm not sure how many strikes/balls.  But he ripped one down the first base line for a base hit and Feliz came into score which won the game.  You would've thought those boys had just won the World Series.  It was very cute.  Great moment.

That's it for the day.  It was a good one though.  I'm thankful that our Independence Day is celebrated with so much festivity and fun.  In Finland, their Indecpendence Day is about as fun as a funeral.  In fact, I've been to more exciting funerals than the parade in Finland.  I'll have to find and scan my pictures from the parade in Finland.  

That sure was a happy note to end on.  Ok, one more.  There were a couple of Mets' fans in the stands with us.  Near the end of the game, with rain teeming down, some Mets' fan screams in a perfect NY accents "HIT THA FREEKIN' BAWL!!!"  I'm just glad he said "freekin'".