Outside the zone

I have always enjoyed the fact that I am easily adaptable to new situations and that I like the challenge. So when a friend of mine told me that her dad needed help decluttering and organizing his home in Texas, I was excited at the prospect. I flew out there for a week and got back last week. I learned some very surprising things about myself...

Just before I was about to leave, I got really emotional about leaving my kids. I have never been away for them for even a night and now I was going for an entire week. Growing up, I never got homesick, even when I was living in London, so this emotional-ness was unexpected. I realized that I am so much more attached to my children than I thought was possible.

I also learned that leaving my comfort zone is such a good way for me to not only appreciate what I have, but grow as a person. I was flying to Texas to meet someone who wanted me to completely organize his house and I had no real professional experience doing so. I quickly adjusted to the situation though and it was a huge success. I know he is really happy with the results. And I enjoyed being able to offer my help (and the much-needed money was nice too:-)

Finally, I really did enjoy what I did for him. I know how easy it is to fall into a trap of accumulating so much stuff that you don't really need. I like living simply. It helps me to focus on my relationships with people rather than things. And when you have things organized in your home, it opens up both space and time to be doing the things that matter most.

Here's a picture of us getting ready to clean out the shed...That was an adventure!

Spontaneity

Cory and I have really been enjoying our date nights every other Friday in the babysitting co-op we are in. Last Friday, we decided not to plan anything and just wander around a strip mall that we had never been to before. We decided that we had to find something to eat and ended up going to this place called Pita the Great. Our lamb kabob was amazing and the title of the store turned into a great discussion about whether our food was solely Greek influenced or if Persian flavors were intermingled...

We had so much fun looking at the random stores and ended the night getting a donut at one of the shops while reading a random local newsletter that was printed by the donut store. I love feeling like we are at the official dating part of our relationship, when we only had to worry about trying to impress each other. Look at us then- so young and innocent:-)

Any good cheap date night ideas? We need one for this Friday...

Nothing too important...

I have been struggling lately to find both the time and wittiness needed to post. I guess I can just write about anything, but for the family that is away from us, I guess I feel some sort of obligation to give a weekly journal of what's happening with the fam, particularly the kids.

So in my attempt to not only do some introspection, but fill up a blog post as well, here are a few things that have been on my mind...

I am more amazed every day at how clueless I actually am and how good I've become at making myself sound like I know it all...

I sometimes get lost in memories of the different stages of my life and have a tough time not longing for those times, but instead enjoying the now...

I understand how easy it is for a mother to not feel appreciated for the work that she does and how progress reports or a promotion at work are more tangible results than a child learning how to feed herself...

I easily get frustrated when involved in intellectual conversations because I am reminded of my college glory days and how my knowledge has evolved into something entirely different...

Now that these small thoughts have been expressed, I think I need to make a few things clear...

I have learned to appreciate the many blessings I have. I know I have been given certain talents to help others and I enjoy not only the opportunities that I have to serve,

but the full life that I am creating.