Why do I blog?

My blog is unsearchable (supposedly anyway).  I have been told it's hard to find when someone forgets the web address.  I have been asked why I don't make it searchable.  I've been told I am a good writer, that I am funny, or that I have something to share with the world.  I have been encouraged to make it MORE.  I have been asked if I ever considered really investing in this and making some money off blogging.

First, I think we all have something to share with the world.  Second, I am only funny in certain moods; yes, I have many moods.  I have even been known to show up as a melancholy (GASP!) on personality profiles.  I love to write, but whether or not I am good at it depends on whose reading it and how quiet/peaceful it is when I am typing.

I began bloggin because I found that with children afoot my journal was getting neglected.  I love to ponder things in my heart and tuck little memories away.  The problem is that life with young children (at least the vivacious, high energy kind we tend to produce) means living in a constant state of controlled chaos.  There is very little quiet and often when quiet hits, I am usually too tired to pick up a pen and process.  For some reason (I am convinced it uses a different part of my brain), I am able to type in the chaos.  I cannot journal when it is noisy or busy.  I need stillness; I need coziness and perhaps a cup of tea to curl up with my trusted journal and pour out my heart.  I try to make time for my old friend every now and then, but I felt like I was missing moments.  I want to remember good times AND bad.  I want to look back and laugh, cry, smile at what our life is today.  I want to look back with gratefulness for what God has brought us through and blessed us with.  I began to blog, because I wanted a record of this time.  This crazy, fleeting period of life that those who've gone before me say to cherish.  Blogging is one way I am attempting to cherish the NOW.

There are various reasons I am unsearchable.  First, I am no conspiracy theorist, but I do think there are far too many Creepers in the world.  I don't want them looking at my kids.   Second, I am a people pleaser.  I have been fighting it for years and definitely have periods of successes and failures, but I know the temptation to blog for others is too great.  I LOVE when people tell me nice things.  But I don't want to find myself in a place where I am trying to be funny or write eloquantly to feed the people pleasing beast that is always tempted to rise within me.  Authenticity is too valuable.   I am weak and I know it, so I'd rather avoid it, unless God showed me something different. 

I also juggle enough in life without adding one more thing that feels like a commitment;)  Could I make money on my blog?  I am really skeptical.  I love my life, but it doesn't seem that extraordinary or interesting.  Still, even the prospect of having to "perform" feels a bit much.  I've recently revamped our menu plan and in the process of looking for pretty templates I could use, I found a ton of blog planning templates.  My first thought was, "Wow!  People PLAN their blogs;)"  No, Thank you!  Don't misunderstand me, I don't think it is wrong AT ALL.  I just can barely keep up with life as I currently know it.  I don't even know where I'd get the mental energy to plan blogs for a week.  I prefer my random ramblings that only those who know me love.  I type fast and in the midst of playing children, most of the time, spelling or grammatical erros often slip through only to be found in a reread three days later or when a friend sends me an email that say, "You crack me up!  You just wrote...."

Maybe someday I'll get on the more official blogging band wagon, but right now, I know this is about all this mama can handle;)  But SINCERE thanks to those of you who are so complementary!!  Those of you who are reading this thinking, "You suck at blogging, who told you differently?"- LOL, thanks for loving me enough to read anyway;)

Bon Voyage!

In a couple days Marc and I are leaving on a jet plane.  I haven't been this excited about something in a long time.  I feel pretty giddy, if I am honest.  It's been a long time since we've had extended time together like this.  We get away for a weekend here and there, but usually it's for a specific reason like a conference or someone's birthday; truth is even when we just plan a night or two away at a nearby hotel, we usually head home on Sunday just about the time we actually are relaxed and rested.  It takes us two days just to realize the kids really aren't around and then it's time to go home;)

We cashed in points and are going to Cancun.  It ended up being the cheapest option cuz I don't think August is a popular time for traveling to Mexico...it is beyond popular to me!  We're going to do some adventuring together and go ziplining, off roading, and swim in a cenote.  We are going to sleep in and read books by the pool.  We are going to sometimes to absolutely nothing but be together.    After the Lord, our marriage is the glue that holds this family together and before we bring home child #4, we thought it would be a good time to take a babymoon of sorts.  Time to just focus on us and on connecting with one another.  I love my husband and CANNOT wait for 5 days with him all to myself.  YIPPEE!!!!

Espesyal Dine Ayisyen

Tonight was a silly supper that was not so silly, but oh so special.  It was our Special Haitian Dinner or in Kreyol, "Espesyal dine Ayisyen".

I picked a few Haitian Recipes to try that I thought might be kid friendly and bought each member of the family a special gift to wear while we are waiting to bring our precious boy home.

Our Menu

Riz National
-Haitian Style Rice and Beans are AMAZING!  (The recipe has bacon in it- how could it possible be bad?;)

Bannann Peze

-Twice fried Green Plantains...like thick potato chips...they are quite nice.

Gateau au Beurre
-Traditional butter cake (contains two cups of butter and 7 eggs...again, guaranteed goodness)

Our center peice was the Haitian Flag and Each placemat was a Haitian Coloring Page.  Each Place had a special gift for the kids and us to wear as a symbol that Christian is with us in our hearts even though the miles between us are long.

Each of the kids got a pendant that is a map of Haiti with a line with Port au Prince (where Christian lives currently) highlighted

I got Marc a funky cuff that says, "Haiti"..but I failed to get a great picture;P

I got a very, very special necklace...I am crazy about it.

That is the silhouette of Haiti with Christians name, the silhouette of the USA with Ava Phin and Chloe and as you can see the center says, "Love has no boundaries."  I love it, love it, love it and can't wait to move from three pieces to two when we bring Christian home and I have his name added to the USA pendant;)

 

Three special kiddos anxiously waiting for their special little brother to take his seat at our Silly Suppers.

OLYMPICS!!!!!

I love the Olympics.  LOVE THEM!  I enjoy watching all the sports and I love the background stories and seeing the triumph on winners faces.  It'll occupy most of our next couple weeks.  OLYMPIC MANIA has begun.

Last night we had our small group here for Opening Ceremonies.  Everyone has teenagers except us and let me tell you- watching it with teenagers is great fun.  Commentary in fake British accents made the time brilliant fun...so fun I didn't take a group picture;)  I did take pictures of the food- turn out my friends are just as big of fans...

I made Go USA PUNCH:) probably something few people would appreciate...but my friends do...

 They got equally into the fun- Nikki brought Baklava and Greek Salad- ya know, cuz the Olympics are rooted in Greece and Heidi brought fruit pizzas in honor of the host country and in support of Team USA...we also had our Sheboygan version of British Bangers and Mash- Brats and Potato Wedges;)

We let our children stay up a little late and watch the show and part of the parade of countries, but they had to retire about the time Jamaica was making their appearance.  This morning, we let them see the recording from Team USA's enterance through the torch lighting.

Seeing the torch assemble last night was cool- seeing my kids amazed at it- even cooler;)

Then in true Aneed Silly Supper Tribute- we had an Olympic Breakfast:)

USA pancakes and berries

Our Olympic torch (made with pancake, scambled eggs, and fruit loops- THANKS pinterest;)

HAPPY OLYMPICS EVERYONE!!!

Humble Pie

Dear Target Shopper of Ol'-

You certainly don't remember me; I am quite sure you didn't even notice me, but about five years ago, I saw you shopping at Target.  You had a toddler boy with you and put him in a cart and gave him candy to keep him quiet while you walked around Target.  I was appalled at your actions.  I believe I may have been appalled enough about it to gossip about you to my friend, Bobbi.  I am sure my words were something like, "If you can't discipline your kid, then leave him at home.  What is WRONG with that woman that she sugared up her kid just so SHE could look at clothes.  How selfish!"

I just want to say, I am sorry.  See, at the time, I had one child- a little one year old girl.  She was a compliant child for the most part and an excellent sleeper.  I had no idea how easy my life was.  I spent my time making organic baby food and reading her books.  Books she kept in perfect condition, mind you.  Since then I have had two more children- neither of them fantastic sleepers and certainly farther from the compliant end of the temperament spectrum.  I had no idea the exhaustion that can set in for a mother- oh, I thought I did, of course, but I didn't have a clue.

Last night, I went with my youngest into Hobby Lobby.  She wasn't acting up at that moment, but I know her MO is to usually last about five minutes before some antics erupt.  I really wanted to meander through the store and browse.  I immediately went to the candy section and handed her a box of Mike and Ikes and I thought of you.  See, I thought you were selfish, but really you probably just needed a few moments of peace...and now I realize you were wise.

My first child didn't have sugar or candy until age two.  My third helps her self to my candy drawer.  I am taking a bit of dramatic license, of course, I do feed my kids a healthy diet MOST of the time, but I also realize most of what I worried about when I didn't have battles to pick was insignificant.  My youngest thanks you for your brilliant candy idea.  She enjoyed my Hobby Lobby stroll as much as I did and I left refreshed (a little browsing does THIS mama good, okay?!) and I think a little happier.  Hats off you to mama.  As I look back now, you look like you were probably a really good mom and I am very sorry for judging you just to stroke my own self ego!  Turns out a tiny bit of Candy is okay every now and then- SHOCKER!

Sincerely,
Kim

Dear Debbie-

You don't know this but 6 or 7 years ago, I watched your fourth child, a 3 or 4 year old at the time, walk around with a pacified and I was digusted.  I told my husband, "That will NEVER happen when we have kids."  I anxiously awaited the time to take away my first child's paci.  We made sure she only used it in for sleep and were embarrassed that she had it until 3 1/2.  No one really knew except our close friends, but I worried what everyone thought.

My youngest child is 2 and she walks around with a paci; we haven't even attempted to restrict it to the bed only yet.  Her teeth are fine, she talks up a storm and now I have enough perspective to know she ain't takin' it to kindergarten.  You walked around unashamed and I thank you because really- "who cares!?"  I was a pompous idiot to judge you.  I now realize some kids just need a little help soothing themselves.  No one judges the thumb suckers (or maybe they do- who knows?!).  Why does everyone care if MY kid has a pacifier?  She is developmentally on track and cute as a bug.  A few years into parenting and I realize these things are no big deal; I'd rather take a lesson from your playbook and focus more on shepherding their hearts than meeting other people's standards of the perfect parent.

Thank you for holding your head high and giving me the opportunity to laugh at my own juvenile stupidity and now hold my head high too.

Life is short, battles are many- serenity is worth it;)

I hear your daughter is amazing...so I'm hoping mine will be too.

Blessings,
Kim