I am grateful for exactly 8 things right now, and you get to hear them:
I am grateful:
1. For libraries and checking out free learning materials for our family to enjoy. I am really into trying out new music lately and love the CD selections. (Currently listening to Jamaican Playground and Songs to Grow On For Mother and Child by Woodie Guthrie)
2. For our Samoan neighbors downstairs. They laugh really loudly a lot, and smile really big and yell, "HI SALLY!" when I see them, and blast their music at all hours, and value their friendships and families. I miss the unconventional, outspokenness of the Polynesian culture, and am grateful that it's somewhat here at our apts right now.
3.That my husband isn't one of the 14,000,000 Americans that is out of work right now.
4. For finding La Leche League 5 years ago and how it has helped shape my mothering knowledge and experience in such a positive way.
5. For answers to prayers. For that gentle nudge you feel when you know you got the answer you need, then you go forward peacefully with what you need to do.
6. For Wendy and Sara, my two friends here in SLC. Last week we went out to lunch and had so much fun talking for literally hours. We don't hang out all the time, but knowing they are here and they are my friends, means more than they know.
7. For knowing that my family is more important than anything else, and for loving and embracing my role as a mother and a housewife. For knowing that I don't have to feel pressure or guilt for doing what I love the most. (I know the pressure is out there full force, but it's no interest of mine to be a part of it. I am happy right where I am and I'm grateful for that!)
8. That God gave me a sense of humor. I find a lot of things funny, things that really shouldn't be funny, are funny. I like to laugh a lot and I'm grateful for that.
That's 8 for being Gr8ful! Have a nice day!
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mei Tais make friends
Our little Zadok was just 3 months old when we first moved to Idaho in 2006. Micah and I had lived in Los Angeles, CA for the first 2 years of our marriage, and were now beyond ready to move on. I'm still not sure what possessed us to choose Idaho, as neither of us had any real connections to the place. Micah had an aunt and uncle in Sugar City that he worked for before his mission, and I had heard of Idaho, but had never been there before.
I remember driving all night to get there, leaving the bustling, polluted, city lights behind us. We arrived in Sugar City early in the morning, where we finally got out of the cramped car and dumped ourselves onto Micah's families front lawn. When we woke up the next morning, we were Idahoans.
I can still remember the feeling of complete liberation as I saw the beautiful scene around us; green meadows of grass and flowers, tall fields of wheat, a little creek passing through the yard, and the majestic Grand Teton mountains standing tall in the distance. I was so happy to be in the country again.
After renting an apartment in Rexburg for 3 months, we ended up buying a house in a small town called Rigby, population 3000, which was about 25 mins South of Rexburg. It was a small, cottage type house where we planted a huge garden and put in a wood stove. I put Zadok in his little pouch almost everyday and went walking around the neighborhood, breathing in the country air. I was happy there, but starting to really feel like I needed to find some friends that I connected with.
It was one Sunday at church that I finally saw another Mom wearing her baby in a sling. Our eyes caught immediately and I knew it was friendship at last.
This Mama introduced me to the Mei-tai babycarrier, which is, to this day, my most favorite baby sling in the world. She gave me my first Mei-tai as a gift, then taught me how to pick out the right fabrics and sew them, and then how to really enjoy babywearing as an integral part of my whole parenting experience.
I already knew that wearing your baby in a sling means more than buying a product; it's a powerful way to connect with your baby, and ease the challenges of parenting. However, owning a Mei-tai, made it all so much more enjoyable!
Micah and I have countless experiences of wearing our babies close to us to get through hard things, like teething, sickness, crankiness, owies, and fears. Especially Zadok, who is so shy, the Mei-tai really helped him feel secure. I can still remember the way he'd snuggle his head down into my chest when we entered a busy room.
It's no wonder my eyes perk up whenever I see another Mom with her baby in a sling, because there's always that possibility that she might feel the same way I do about babywearing. (Although, I realize It's not always that way, but the chances are high in my favor.) Finding friends is often difficult when you move to a new place, so having this commonality made it much easier for me. (And yes, I eventually made new friends who didn't wear their babies in slings, too.)
So although Idaho wasn't really where we wanted to stay forever and we've since moved on, that's where I first discovered that Mei-tais make friends.
This is our very first Mei-tai, gifted from our friend. In this photo, I hadn't learned how to use it correctly, yet. (Notice the bunched-up straps.)
Check out my "babywearing" label for more babywearing pix and info
I remember driving all night to get there, leaving the bustling, polluted, city lights behind us. We arrived in Sugar City early in the morning, where we finally got out of the cramped car and dumped ourselves onto Micah's families front lawn. When we woke up the next morning, we were Idahoans.
I can still remember the feeling of complete liberation as I saw the beautiful scene around us; green meadows of grass and flowers, tall fields of wheat, a little creek passing through the yard, and the majestic Grand Teton mountains standing tall in the distance. I was so happy to be in the country again.
After renting an apartment in Rexburg for 3 months, we ended up buying a house in a small town called Rigby, population 3000, which was about 25 mins South of Rexburg. It was a small, cottage type house where we planted a huge garden and put in a wood stove. I put Zadok in his little pouch almost everyday and went walking around the neighborhood, breathing in the country air. I was happy there, but starting to really feel like I needed to find some friends that I connected with.
It was one Sunday at church that I finally saw another Mom wearing her baby in a sling. Our eyes caught immediately and I knew it was friendship at last.
This Mama introduced me to the Mei-tai babycarrier, which is, to this day, my most favorite baby sling in the world. She gave me my first Mei-tai as a gift, then taught me how to pick out the right fabrics and sew them, and then how to really enjoy babywearing as an integral part of my whole parenting experience.
I already knew that wearing your baby in a sling means more than buying a product; it's a powerful way to connect with your baby, and ease the challenges of parenting. However, owning a Mei-tai, made it all so much more enjoyable!
Micah and I have countless experiences of wearing our babies close to us to get through hard things, like teething, sickness, crankiness, owies, and fears. Especially Zadok, who is so shy, the Mei-tai really helped him feel secure. I can still remember the way he'd snuggle his head down into my chest when we entered a busy room.
It's no wonder my eyes perk up whenever I see another Mom with her baby in a sling, because there's always that possibility that she might feel the same way I do about babywearing. (Although, I realize It's not always that way, but the chances are high in my favor.) Finding friends is often difficult when you move to a new place, so having this commonality made it much easier for me. (And yes, I eventually made new friends who didn't wear their babies in slings, too.)
So although Idaho wasn't really where we wanted to stay forever and we've since moved on, that's where I first discovered that Mei-tais make friends.
This is our very first Mei-tai, gifted from our friend. In this photo, I hadn't learned how to use it correctly, yet. (Notice the bunched-up straps.)
Check out my "babywearing" label for more babywearing pix and info
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Ice -cream parlor
When I first moved to Provo Utah in 2002, to attend college, I knew about one person. It was a huge adjustment for me, moving to this new town and starting out brand new. The school was so big and so different from my small hometown college in Hawaii.
I found a place to live with 3 other girls whom I had nothing in common with and didn't feel compelled to hang out with. There were some lonely weeks walking to and from my classes, waiting to meet and make new friends. I tried to be social and smile at all the strangers I met, but it wasn't until months after I moved there that I finally found my social niche, and found the friends I really connected with. (friends that are still some of my besties today)
I remember one, cold, snowy night at the very beginning, my roommate came home and convinced me to go to a church social FHE, where all the single college students from our church got together once a week to do some fun activity or another. She really had to twist my arm to go, as I had been to one before, and it didn't really knock my socks off.
I finally concluded that I could use some social interaction, so I went. I figured it wouldn't hurt to make some new acquaintances, and maybe even a new friend.
This particular night about 25 students were car-pooling to an ice-cream parlor for shakes. I jumped in a car with a bunch of girls and guys I didn't know very well. We chit chatted and exchanged names. We ordered ice-cream and talked about school. After we finished our ice-cream shakes I excused myself and went to the restroom.
When I came out several minutes later everyone was gone. I couldn't believe it. I had to walk about 2 miles back to my house in a downpour of snow! It was cold, dark, and pretty scary. I knew in my heart of hearts they didn't leave me on purpose. I found out later what happened was that nobody knew me well enough to care which car I came in, or which car I was driving home in, so they all just ignorantly left me there.
That experience made me kind of bitter at first, but led me to laugh about it later on, when I finally found wonderful friends who cared about me.
I found a place to live with 3 other girls whom I had nothing in common with and didn't feel compelled to hang out with. There were some lonely weeks walking to and from my classes, waiting to meet and make new friends. I tried to be social and smile at all the strangers I met, but it wasn't until months after I moved there that I finally found my social niche, and found the friends I really connected with. (friends that are still some of my besties today)
I remember one, cold, snowy night at the very beginning, my roommate came home and convinced me to go to a church social FHE, where all the single college students from our church got together once a week to do some fun activity or another. She really had to twist my arm to go, as I had been to one before, and it didn't really knock my socks off.
I finally concluded that I could use some social interaction, so I went. I figured it wouldn't hurt to make some new acquaintances, and maybe even a new friend.
This particular night about 25 students were car-pooling to an ice-cream parlor for shakes. I jumped in a car with a bunch of girls and guys I didn't know very well. We chit chatted and exchanged names. We ordered ice-cream and talked about school. After we finished our ice-cream shakes I excused myself and went to the restroom.
When I came out several minutes later everyone was gone. I couldn't believe it. I had to walk about 2 miles back to my house in a downpour of snow! It was cold, dark, and pretty scary. I knew in my heart of hearts they didn't leave me on purpose. I found out later what happened was that nobody knew me well enough to care which car I came in, or which car I was driving home in, so they all just ignorantly left me there.
That experience made me kind of bitter at first, but led me to laugh about it later on, when I finally found wonderful friends who cared about me.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
About friends
I've always loved having friends. Ever since I was a little girl I always had a million friends. I remember my birthday party in the 3rd grade and my mom making a comment about how I had to invite my whole class because I didn't want anyone left out. I think there were like 25 kids there.
I've thought about if this need for lots of friends is a security thing; like maybe having this big, warm, blanket of friends makes me feel loved, wanted, and secure in my life. Or maybe my need for lots of friends is just the way I am. I mean, I like people, and I like talking, laughing and conversing with people. So why not with lots of unique an diverse friends? Or maybe I need lots friends because I like it when my phone rings and it's someone saying,"Hey Sally, we're having waffles for breakfast-come on over!"
Or maybe I need friends because I believe with all my heart that each person I meet brings something special into my life. There has to be something to learn from everyone, and I truly believe that each friend I have has taught me something important about life. But my most obvious reason for friends is that I find so many good things in the people I meet, it's hard not to call them my friends.
So I was thinking these thoughts about me and friends:
I like having friends.
I like having good friends, too. (You know the kind where you can go to their house, eat all there food, take a crap in their toilet, and leave a note saying you were there.)
I like hanging out with friends, doing nothing, and watching our kids play.
I keep in touch with friends through many modes of technology. Email, phone calls, text messaging, Facebook, snail mail. Sometimes even ESP.
I like to make things, cook things, sew things, send things,and do things for friends.
I regretfully admit to losing a friend and not knowing what to say or do about it.
I admit to making too many friends in the past,and not having time to hang out with all of them.
I admit to playing cupid with friends. You know, "I love this friend so much, I think you will love her, too. Let's set up a date and have you meet."
I admit to being overly eager to make a new friend, then finding out really soon that it was a bad match, then backing down slowly so as not to seem rude and distant all of a sudden.
I admit that at times I have been a bad friend, a flaky friend, a jealous friend, a snobby friend, and a psycho friend. I hope people can see through my mortal weaknesses
I won't be offended if someone doesn't want to be my friend. (well, not TOO offended.)
Some people call their husbands their best friends. That never felt right to me. A best friend is someone who loves you unconditionally. My husband loves me unconditionally, yet also has to smell my breath in the morning, live with me while I'm pregnant, and cuddle me to sleep at night. My husband is my soul mate.
I've always had more girl friends than guy friends.
I've always liked having a "group" of friends, but have found as I get older that you don't need a group, just several good ones you can trust.
I rely on friends to be my family substitutes, especially since I haven't lived near my family in 8 years or so.
I have friends with different ideas about politics, religion, parenting, fashion, and sexual preferences. I expect them to still like me, too.
I find value in friends who are honest, caring, and have good ethics.
I make friends wherever I move and then have a really hard time leaving.
My family are my friends.
I think having good girlfriends is a vital necessity in life.
If you are my friend and you are reading this something magical will happen in 10 seconds.Just wait and you will see. Unbelievable. Don't delete this, you won't believe it.
Just kidding. It was just starting to sound like a cheesy email.
Well, those are my thoughts on friends.
I've thought about if this need for lots of friends is a security thing; like maybe having this big, warm, blanket of friends makes me feel loved, wanted, and secure in my life. Or maybe my need for lots of friends is just the way I am. I mean, I like people, and I like talking, laughing and conversing with people. So why not with lots of unique an diverse friends? Or maybe I need lots friends because I like it when my phone rings and it's someone saying,"Hey Sally, we're having waffles for breakfast-come on over!"
Or maybe I need friends because I believe with all my heart that each person I meet brings something special into my life. There has to be something to learn from everyone, and I truly believe that each friend I have has taught me something important about life. But my most obvious reason for friends is that I find so many good things in the people I meet, it's hard not to call them my friends.
So I was thinking these thoughts about me and friends:
I like having friends.
I like having good friends, too. (You know the kind where you can go to their house, eat all there food, take a crap in their toilet, and leave a note saying you were there.)
I like hanging out with friends, doing nothing, and watching our kids play.
I keep in touch with friends through many modes of technology. Email, phone calls, text messaging, Facebook, snail mail. Sometimes even ESP.
I like to make things, cook things, sew things, send things,and do things for friends.
I regretfully admit to losing a friend and not knowing what to say or do about it.
I admit to making too many friends in the past,and not having time to hang out with all of them.
I admit to playing cupid with friends. You know, "I love this friend so much, I think you will love her, too. Let's set up a date and have you meet."
I admit to being overly eager to make a new friend, then finding out really soon that it was a bad match, then backing down slowly so as not to seem rude and distant all of a sudden.
I admit that at times I have been a bad friend, a flaky friend, a jealous friend, a snobby friend, and a psycho friend. I hope people can see through my mortal weaknesses
I won't be offended if someone doesn't want to be my friend. (well, not TOO offended.)
Some people call their husbands their best friends. That never felt right to me. A best friend is someone who loves you unconditionally. My husband loves me unconditionally, yet also has to smell my breath in the morning, live with me while I'm pregnant, and cuddle me to sleep at night. My husband is my soul mate.
I've always had more girl friends than guy friends.
I've always liked having a "group" of friends, but have found as I get older that you don't need a group, just several good ones you can trust.
I rely on friends to be my family substitutes, especially since I haven't lived near my family in 8 years or so.
I have friends with different ideas about politics, religion, parenting, fashion, and sexual preferences. I expect them to still like me, too.
I find value in friends who are honest, caring, and have good ethics.
I make friends wherever I move and then have a really hard time leaving.
My family are my friends.
I think having good girlfriends is a vital necessity in life.
If you are my friend and you are reading this something magical will happen in 10 seconds.Just wait and you will see. Unbelievable. Don't delete this, you won't believe it.
Just kidding. It was just starting to sound like a cheesy email.
Well, those are my thoughts on friends.
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