Fit, Fabulous 40's Friday!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!
(and my longest post ever-if you do just one thing, watch the video at the end)

I was going to title today's post, "Living La Vida Loca" because my life has been a little like that!

So, I am sorry to those of you who may have wondered what happened to me for the last few weeks!

I'll give you the "Cliff Notes" version-

about a month ago, I noticed a small jelly-bean shaped mass on the side of my right breast,
so I made an appointment to get it checked.

During that week before my check-up, I began thinking of the possibilities:
Cancer, being the first one, and of course, the worst.

Knowing that it could be one of two outcomes, I prayed.
Honestly, I was a little freaked out, thinking about my children, husband and all the things that I believe God has a plan for me to do, but you just never know what HIS plan is.
So I prayed some more and trusted.

Only a few people knew about it- I only shared it with a close group of women that I attend Bible Study with because we share some pretty intimate stuff and I didn't want anyone else to worry-
unless they had a reason to.
I didn't even tell my mom or sister- even though I know they both would have prayed for me.
Weird.

So I went for the Mammogram and because I had my "little Jelly-Bean Guy" there,
they also had me do an Ultrasound.

That was cool- I could actually SEE what was going on inside there.
The doctor came in and he pointed out my JBG and said he could see blood going through it and that it was part of my lymphnode.

With all the evidence,
 they believed that it was NON-cancerous.

EXHALE......whew.

So, as you can imagine,
I was and am SO grateful that everything was fine.

The next day when I woke up, I was just grateful to be home, in my bed, breathing.

I decided I would give my BEST effort every single day to do more of these things:

1. Make sure my children and husband know I love them,
through words, hugs, laughter, engagement.

2. Spend time daily thanking God for the wonderful, FULL, rich life I have!

3. Being grateful for every little thing

4. Show grace, love and forgiveness to everyone I came into contact with

5. Give compliments generously and genuinely

6. Be as engaged as possible, every moment of each day

7. Say prayers for my friends and family who don't believe in God

8. Be more flexible

9. Give people the benefit of the doubt

10.Love myself more and forgive myself more.

After that crazy week, I've been watching alot of baseball-
Go Cardinals!

Some track meets

Kiana has been sprinting and pole vaulting...

I've been substitute teaching a little here and there,

at Madison (my friend Jill's First Grade classroom)

so clean, right?

And in Kindergarten

this week for my friend Peter...

I "heart" Kindergarten,

and last week I had the opportunity to speak at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church

to speak on Friendship

and here yesterday to speak on Prayer

on the National Day of Prayer!

What an honor!

My mom came to watch and then she, my sister and I went out for some Japanese Food

at Fukada

SO, so good!

having some fun, 

as usual-

My sister and I-

Then, I got my baby washed, (my little red car)

picked up the boys,

picked up the girl after her practice,

took her to her voice lesson

here

and then made this for dinner:

Yes, I fry my taco shells, really, is there any other way to eat REAL tacos?

What I DID do is use EVOO, and drained the oil, see?

I also used lean, ground turkey,

non-fat Rosarita beans,

low-fat cheese,

non-fat lettuce and avocados!

I think Luke ate 5!

Then,

for a treat- gotta enjoy these kids while they are still at home,

we went here

Ok,

Luke made the one at 12 o'clock,

mochi, chocolate dips

John had the one at 2 o'clock,

strawberries, peanut-butter, 

5 o'clock is easy to guess w/all that candy- LOGAN (not me!)

mini m&m's, always a cherry,

mine was at 7 o'clock

nuts, granola and sprinkles, gotta always have sprinkles

and

Kiana's is at 10 o'clock

granola and I don't know what that big white thing is.

I have been starting my mornings off with 2 tablespoons of the nastiest tasting stuff;

because it is really good for you/me and

it helps get rid of some bloat.

No lie.

After dropping off Kiana to HS

I came home and had this:

 1/2 scoop of protein

1/2 cup of oatmeal

1/2 cup of blueberries

chia

1/2 banana

I have this every single morning

and I love it.

Life is short-

we must live each day to it's fullest 

and love like there's no tomorrow!!

There may not be one-

Have a blessed day!!

Keep on moving!

Kindergarten Lessons- The Gift of Christmas

I've cried a lot since hearing about the shootings, in fact, who hasn't?

My husband, who rarely sheds a tear, cried.

President Obama cried.

I think at some level, our entire country cried.

I'm still in unbelief. 

I taught Kindergarten for many years 

and it is still my favorite age to substitute teach when I am asked.

They are still so innocent-

they are still so little

 and 

mostly, still so pure.

And if you have children, 

I know you would agree that we learn so many lessons from our children.

 I wanted to share one lesson I learned from one of my past kindergarten students. 

I shared this story at the Christmas Boutique that Salem Lutheran, in Orange, 

held the Saturday before last.

Leigh Anne, the Women's Director of Salem

was so wonderful!

I hope you enjoy it.

I titled it "The Gift of Christmas".

My favorite grade to teach was Kindergarten.

 I remember this one year, 

I had a student named James.

James stood out to me for a few reasons.

He was smaller than the other students, and he was thin and frail.

His blonde hair was very sparse on his head and he came to school with dark circles 

under his big blue eyes.

Many times when I would be reading a story, 

the students would be intensely listening to me 

and James would be totally sprawled across the floor.

Once, 

he had actually fallen asleep!

Well, I later found out why James always came to school tired and disheveled. 

His mother had left him and his baby sister to be raised by their father alone.  

I can only imagine James’ father getting him to school, 

going to work and taking care of the household, 

which is why I think a lot of James’ needs were just barely met.

Well, the months went by and Christmas vacation was almost here, 

so we had a little party the last day before the students had their 

Christmas Vacation.

I always gave my students a coloring book or notebook,

 with pencils or crayons. 

I made sure to wrap the presents w/paper and ribbon 

because I knew that for many of my students, 

this would one of only a few presents they would receive for Christmas.

I usually didn’t open the gifts I received from the students while they were there 

because I would never want anyone to feel bad about not giving me a gift, 

but one of my Mentors, that taught there for many years, 

said she opened the gifts, 

mostly because the students liked watching her open the presents, 

so I thought I would try this out this year.

One by one, I’d pick up a present, 

most of them wrapped with paper and lots of pretty bright ribbon, 

and one by one, 

the gift giver would come to the front of the room 

to stand next to me as I opened each present.

After unwrapping the gift and showing it to the students, 

they would clap and giggle, 

then wait for the next present and giver.

I was finally getting to the end of the presents and the last one I noticed was a 

small gold box.

It was somewhat beaten up, looked like it had been run over, 

and there wasn’t any wrapping around it or any ribbon. 

I picked it up and held it up to the class and said, 

"Now, I wonder who is giving me this beautiful box?” 

I looked around at the little curious faces as they all sat on the rug in front of me, 

and slowly, 

my eye caught movement in the back.

I saw a blonde head slowly rising above the others, 

and James stood up, 

with his little head bowed down 

as he slowly stepped over the children sitting on the rug, 

to the front of the room where I waited for him.

He stood next to me as I held the little gold box and I looked at his big blue eyes.

I said,

 “I wonder what is inside of this little box?”

As I opened it, I could feel all the children on the rug lean forward in anticipation,

as if to be able to peek inside if they did this.

They waited patiently.

Inside the small gold box was a very small, white button.

I took the little treasure out of the box to show the students and held it up 

so everyone could see.

They all began clapping excitedly 

and as they did this, 

I noticed that James was slowly picking up his lowered head. 

I exclaimed, 

“James, this is the most beautiful button I have ever received!!!”. 

(it was the only button I have ever received) 

He blushed, and as I bent over to give this little boy a hug of gratitude, 

I could feel his small bony body, 

in dire need of a hug.

He said that he found it on the floor in his mother’s closet 

and it was from one of her “pretty tops” 

that she took when she left.

He said he saved that button but he wanted to give it to me. 

It took everything I had to not just start bawling like a little baby!!

I didn’t really know what to say, other than 

“thank you so much, it means so much to me”.

His eyes were lit up with joy.

I learned a big lesson that day.

It is, really, the thought that counts.

It's not the size or the cost that is important when receiving a gift.

It is what it represents-

love for you.

Don't get consumed by gifts and presents this Christmas-

seek HIS presence

and 

you will receive the greatest gift-

HIS LOVE.

He is and was the true reason for this HOLYday.

May your day be merry and bright-

Prayers Please!

You know what they say?

"Be careful what you wish for,

because 

you might actually get it!"

I have always dreamed of being a 

REAL Speaker,

you know, someone who actually gets paid for it?

Well, this week I have a few speaking dates,

and I'm a little scared.

I could really use your prayers!

On Wednesday,

I'm speaking for one of my favorite Mom's Groups,

Mission Hills' Mom2Mom Group.

On Saturday I have my first

"REAL" Speaking opportunity at a Boutique in Orange.

Then, on Monday,

I have another "REAL" talk that another speaker referred me to since she couldn't make it.

I will be sharing 3 different talks,

within 

1 week.

Please say a few prayers for this girl! 

(two thumbs pointing at myself)

I am praying this:

But I'm not so scared that I'm not preparing or doing what I need to do.

Our God is faithful.

HE always shows up.

HE always provides.

HE never leaves me,

ever.

So, I don't have to be afraid.

That doesn't mean that some of the ladies won't like me.

:-(

That doesn't mean that I will bring all the lost to the Lord.

That doesn't mean that my fear is completely gone.

It is still there....a little...

but HE calls me to be brave,

faithful,

courageous.

So, 

I'm stepping!

Please say a prayer for me and for the hearts of these women that I will be speaking to

1) on Marriage (Wed)

2) on The Gift of CHRISTmas (Sat)

3) on The Power of a Praying Mother (Mon)

Thank you SO, SO MUCH!

And may I pray for you?

Lord, 

Please bless my friend reading this.

I pray that this week, he/she would see you, that you would make yourself 

supernaturally real for this friend.

I also pray that this friend would be blessed, protected and be swooned by you and your love!

Lastly,

I pray that they too, would step out in fear,

and that they too, would be brave,

courageous 

somewhere in their life this week!

Thank you, Father, for hearing every word, every prayer, every heart!

I love you,

in Jesus' name I ask these things,

AMEN!

Write... Right Now!

Have you ever had to suddenly be "Creative"?

It's hard to be creative "ON DEMAND".

Some people can be funny,

"ON DEMAND",

or mean,

"ON DEMAND"

or bossy,

"ON DEMAND"

or even cute,

"ON DEMAND"

(my kids and yours)

but to be creative,

"ON DEMAND"

can be difficult!

I'm in San Clemente with a dear friend for the weekend-

we are here to write...

she needs to write a "MOPS" talk

and I wanted to put some time in "something" I'm working on...

BUT,

being creative "ON DEMAND"

isn't as easy as one may think...

it's actually quite

EXHAUSTING!

Maybe it's because we have been eating "crap" all day...

(can I say that in blogland? I'll say it now and apologize later)

Maybe it's all the fact that we have been sitting on our rears....

all day...

Maybe it's because I opened my BIG mouth on Facebook and told everyone I was

going somewhere to "write"

and now I feel

the "pressure" of having to

"produce"

something!

But, alas....it is not by MY power, but by HIS power.

I

don't have to be creative

"ON DEMAND"

because

MY GOD is ALL THINGS

"ON DEMAND".

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1

"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

"Create in me a pure heart, Oh God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

God is a Comedian...

I'm speaking next week to a MOPS group that I have visited for the last 2 years.

This year, they had one small request.

"Janet, we would LOVE to have you back (maybe she didn't say "LOVE" in bold letters, but she did say, "love"), but can you do us a favor?

Uh oh.

"Sure, anything- what do you need?" (always here to please...)

"would you mind speaking on Organization?"

"Uh....okay", was my response.

"GREAT! Thank you so much, how about this date....time, etc".

Uh oh.

For any of you out there in Blog-Land who don't know me...

I'm not the most organized person.

I'm hardly organized..

God is a Comedian...

seriously?

Me???

Seriously?

I have stacks of papers in my office right now

(still there from when I spoke w/her 2 months ago!)

I'm so dis-organized that my kids are trained to put their hands up when they open the cupboards in case something comes falling out...

I'm so disorganized that when I try to file something or put something where it should be,

I CAN"T FIND IT!!!!!!

In fact...

"It sucks to be me ( as Nacho would say) speaking on Organization", was my first thought, embarrassingly so...

Then I heard a still, small voice....

It's not YOU...it's ME, speaking through you...

My heart is the vessel HE uses to encourage these women...

My mouth is the vessel used to present the message HE wants to present...

My disorganized mind is somehow used to focus on what HE thinks is important to communicate...

My body is a puppet HE uses while I attempt to step aside...

I am the vehicle HE uses to reach those Mommies, HIS Mommies...

It's all HIM...

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same SPIRIT. There are different kinds of service, but the same LORD. There are different kinds of working, but the same GOD works all of them in all people.

Now to each one the manifestation of the SPIRIT is given for the common good."

All these are the work of one and the same SPIRIT."

1Corinthians 12:4-7, 11

It does NOT "suck to be me", in fact, I am honored, blessed and humbled that HE would use me in this way...

sometimes confused,(me LORD? Seriously?)

but alas still honored!

And I know, that God will provide me with

WHAT to say,

AND

HOW to say it.

"My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I AM WEAK,

then I AM STRONG."

2Corinthians 12:9-10

I'll let you know how it goes!

Trusting In HIM,

Janet