My New Addiction: Tricky Trays!

I may be behind the times, but I went to my very first tricky tray on Friday and I must say: I can not wait to go again. I had fun, won prizes and helped benefit an awesome non-profit organization.
I originally planned on going to the event with a friend of mine, but it ended up being postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. So my husband, Kevin, and I took the opportunity to have a date night. My mom and dad took our son, Sebastian, for the evening and off my hubby and I went.
Now, my husband didn't want to go to this fundraiser to begin with, which is why I had planned on going with a friend. But because she couldn't make it to the newly chosen date, I dragged (I hate that word) my husband along. It turns out we both had a lot of fun.
We browsed the tables littered with gift baskets and jewelry, toys and appliances, throwing our ticket stubs into cups next to each item we just "had" to have. We discussed which items our son would love as we each tossed ticket after ticket into cups next to Bob the Builder (Sebastian's current favorite) toys, train museum gift certificates and a candy-filled Thanksgiving pinata. We saw gifts that reminded us of What's-Her-Face and So-and-So, giving us ideas about what Christmas gifts to buy for whom.
After we ran out of tickets (of course I sent hubby for more... twice!), Kevin and I were able to sit and enjoy coffee and tea, hot dogs, desserts and other goodies with those in attendance. We met some new people and I even met a couple of people whom I work with for the first time, as we mostly communicate via email and telephone.
My husband and I were able to spend time together doing something that we had never done before. While tricky trays may not be as thrilling as sky diving or bungee jumping, they are exciting, especially if you have never been to one before. It adds some fun to date night, as it's not the same old dinner and a movie or bar scene. And you can win things!
You never know what you're going to find at a tricky tray. On Friday, there were baskets of hair supplies, candles, baking goodies, toys, crafts, greeting cards and more. There were gift certificates to museums, theaters and restaurants. Still other tables were loaded with electronics, collectibles, celebrity-autographed memorabilia. The list goes on.
When the time came for the announcer to call the winners' names, the anticipation and excitement filled the room. Those around us had clappers and light up toys so they could really make it known if they won. And did they ever. While Kevin and I simply raised our hands when we won, others could be heard in the next county. I knew that these women were definitely experienced tricky tray goers.
After all was said and done, Kevin and I walked away with a Swedish Raclette grill (so awesome! I will definitely be doing a review), bubble bath gift basket, "As Seen On Tv" gift basket, and a gift certificate for a men's haircut--not too shabby for first timers who never win anything!
But the best part of all was knowing that all of the prizes had been donated and the hundreds of people in attendance had just helped an amazing cause: Haven of Hope for Kids (www.havenofhopeforkids.org). Check back for details about this nonprofit, as I will be writing about it in detail. Anyone with children who have a life threatening illness must know about this organization, so if that's you or someone you know, stay tuned.
Until then, go check out a tricky tray; you won't be disappointed!

"You Are Important and You Are Needed"

Inspiration for today's post comes from a photo that a Facebook friend of mine posted yesterday. It was a photo of a news article, and unfortunately I do not know it's original source, but this is what it said:
Words for Teenagers
Northland College principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth. "Always we hear the cry from teenagers, 'what can we do, where can we go?'
"My answer is this: Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons and after you're finished, read a book. Your town doesn't owe you recreational facilities and your parents do not owe you fun.
"The world does not owe you a living. You owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in sickness and lonely again. In other words grow up, stop being a cry baby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It's too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you!"
Wow. If this isn't a huge wake up call and one of the most honest things I've ever read, then I'm the creator of the Italian mafia.
When I first started reading this and saw "your town doesn't owe you recreational facilities," I thought, "well what else do we expect teens to do?" When I read on, I felt like an idiot to say the least.
Not only are there so many more things for teenagers--and everyone else for that matter--to do than I had ever thought of doing while I was a teen, but there is something that can be done about the things that we want to see become a reality.
The above article is a call to action and an absolute slap in the face from reality. No one owes us anything. We owe something to ourselves. Rather than sitting at home complaining how bored we are, let's put our voices to good use. Go speak up for abused children who can't do it on their own. Go play bingo with a senior citizen who will live the rest of their days inside the walls of a nursing home. Go find out how to begin the process of receiving grants for a playground that you never had as a child.
The ending of the article really brings it all home: "Someday is now and that somebody is you." You want your town to create a safe place for children to play and teens to gather? You think there should be more family oriented events planned in your community? Well, who is the town if it isn't you and me? "You are important and you are needed."
We are the town, the neighborhood, the country, the world. Let's start putting our talents and our blessings to use by sharing them with others for the good of all.

Life Happens!

Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don't have the top for.  ~Jerry Seinfeld

Once again, it has been quite some time since my last post. But being the mother of a two year old boy, life isn't always predictable. The other night, for example, I planned on going to bed early and starting the work week off well rested. I couldn't have been more off... My son, Sebastian, suddenly started crying around 8:30pm, repeating, "I don't feel good. I sicky." And worst of all, he was holding both ears. Being that my father is deaf, I don't take chances when it comes to Sebastian's ears. So I laid him down, deciding I would call the pediatrician first thing in the morning. But then he started screaming bloody murder, yelling, "It hurts!" as he held his ears. Soon after the screaming began, he threw up. A combination of heartbreak--knowing first hand how painful earaches are--and my mother's famous "Better safe than sorry," made me get up and tell my husband that I wasn't going to wait until morning. So off to the ER we went. Diagnosed with an inner ear infection and prescribed with amoxicillin, Sebastian is already feeling much better than he was on Sunday night, thank God! Although he still wakes up in the middle of the night whimpering a bit and complaining that "it hurts," he's pretty much back to his old self: eating play dough, pretending the dog is a motorcycle, constantly begging for candy, and of course, causing me to believe that a tornado has suddenly struck inside my home. The bottom line is, life isn't always as you plan it to be. Everytime I begin blogging, I fully intend on writing every day. But then something unplanned happens: I have to work on a Sunday because a hurricane is on its way; I have to give my son a second bath because he decided to color himself with markers; I have to make a second trip to the grocery store because friends who are displaced are coming over for dinner; and sometimes I even have to take a trip to the ER in the middle of the night. Life happens and days turn into weeks, months pass, and before you know it, you're another year older and your plans have not worked out as you had once hoped. But that's okay. Sometimes circumstances aren't great, but usually things work out for the best. And sometimes, the results are even better than they may have been. I used to work five, eight hour days, Monday through Friday. However, I soon ran into babysitter issues on Tuesdays, so I changed my schedule to four, 10 hour days. Although my work days are longer, I am able to spend the entire day with Sebastian every Tuesday. I didn't plan on this and I was very hesitant at first. But I couldn't be happier. Now, Sebastian and I are able to spend quality time together, just the two of us, at least once a day every week. We bake yummy desserts, play cars and trains, color pictures for daddy, have play dates with my niece. So here I am, back in action with every intention on writing on a regular basis. But the truth is, I am a human being who also happens to be the mother of a two year old, crazy little boy. So while I ask you to join me as I give you "something to relate to," I also apologize in advance if I am unable to write daily; after all, sometimes life happens!

Pet Peeves: What are yours?

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
I was at the office today and after two minute intervals of silence, this is what I would hear. Over, and over, and over again. I was going insane, as were the other girls at work. Turns out it was a computer battery backup that wouldn't shutt off.
The morning beeping gave me the idea for today's post, which is light and fun: little things that drive us absolutely insane. For this post, I would love to see your additions, so please comment below!

I Hate When...
-you wave or smile to someone and they don't return the gesture... You're life is not that bad.
-people drive in the rain, fog, dark, etc. without their headlights on... Hello, I can't see you!
-people chew with their mouths open
-people yell "Huh?!" when they didn't hear what you said
-another woman your age calls you (or your husband!) hun... Seriously?
-someone comes right out and asks you if you're pregnant... Rude much?
-someone cuts you off in traffic, then proceeds to give you the finger as if you've done something to them
-the person driving behind you tailgates you because the person in front of you is driving slow... I can only go as fast as the person in front of me, buddy!
-people say "Davit." There's a "D" at the end; not a "T."
-people ask you for your opinion, then contradict it. Why ask me?
-people interrupt you!
-you come inside sopping wet like a drowned rat and someone asks, "Is it raining?" No! I decided to jump in the pool, fully clothed, and carrying all of my groceries.
-people end their questions with "then?" Like, "Can I get you another beer, then?" When? I want my beer now, not "then."
-someone walks into a room, knows nothing about your conversation and asks, "Where was this?" Not only is it annoying, but rather rude.
-I worked as a cashier and people would hand me crumbled up bills... How hard is it for you to nicely hand me an unfolded dollar bill?
-people slam into you as they pass without saying "Excuse me."

...And the list continues!

Weeping May Endure for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. -Psalm 30:5

Everyone goes through a time--or times--in their life when they feel like nothing is going right, and that it may never get better again. We all feel alone sometimes, as if no one could possibly know what it is that we're going through. And we ask ourselves, "How will I ever be able to move on?"
But the truth is, life does go on, and so do we. No matter how hard the struggle, no matter how high the mountain, no matter how deep the waters of dispair, we always manage to get through it.
Why? Because God will provide. Because the Lord carries us when we're weak; He leads us along the path of goodness when we can no longer see the road; He lifts us up when the water is too deep to trudge.
When I was 19 years old, I got a phone call saying that my grandmother wasn't doing well, and that I should go see her as soon as I could. I had heard this many times before, so I didn't panic, but as my mother and I drove the 45 minutes to see my grandmother, I said, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown when she dies."
When I walked into my grandmother's room and reality hit me, I fell a part. I knew that the Lord was going to call her home in just a few days. I didn't know how I was going to go on.
Up until that point, I had never lost anyone that close to me. But my grandmother and I had shared so many memories together, and I wasn't ready to let her go. But that would be selfish. My grandmother was suffering, and she had suffered for the past few years. So I went into her room and kneeled beside her bed and did the hardest thing I have ever had to do: I said goodbye.
I told her it was okay to go home, because I knew that she was tired. I asked her to watch over me once she was in Heaven. I apologized for times I had dissapointed her and for times that I wasn't there for her. I told her I loved her, I kissed her and told her for the last time that it was okay to go home.
My grandmother passed away two days later and I was a complete mess. My mom came to my apartment and sat with me until I fell asleep, reassuring me that everything was going to be okay. I didn't believe her. How would everything be okay? My grandmother was no longer a car ride away. There were so many things I had or hadn't done and now it was too late.
But the hands on the clock continued to tick by. I cried every day for a few months. I'd open up the refrigerator door and fall to pieces, remembering my grandmother as an amazing baker, whose home was always full of goodies. Why hadn't I asked her to share her recipes with me while she still could?
Thanksgiving came and I ruined the pumpkin roll. I called my mom, barely able to speak between tears. "It's just not the same as hers," I cried.
Christmas came and went, as did my college graduation. I was the first one in her family to attend and graduate college, and it hurt that she couldn't be there with me.
But then I stopped and thought, "She is here with me. She's always with me."
As time marched on, I cried less often and I began to remember my grandmother with a smile rather than tears. I still miss her and I wish my son could have met her, but I know she was with him when God sent him to grow in my belly.
I know she's watching over my family and I, that she's no longer in any type of worldly pain, and that one day, I will be with her again. And there she'll be, waiting for me with her delicious pumpkin roll and rice pudding.
So when times are tough and it seems as though life is falling a part, just remember that "This too shall pass." Although things very well may get worse before they get better, they will get better. Because "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Go Crazy or You'll Go Crazy

So much to do, so little time. Isn't that the story of everyone's lives? It's so hard to fit everything into your schedule as it is, let alone setting time aside for yourself. But we have to or we'll go crazy.
I believe it was Ben Franklin who said, "Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today?"
To that I say this: Why put having a glass of wine while sitting on the porch off until tomorrow? Or playing Duck, Duck, Goose in the grass with your kids? Or walking hand in hand along the beach with your soul mate? Drinking tea and talking with your mother? Asking your grandpa about the "good ol' days?"
You never know what life is going to throw at you next, so I say eat your dessert first. Save your sick days for when you're feeling your best. Jump in head first while everyone else is simply dipping their feet in the water. And go crazy every once in a while, because if you don't, you really will go crazy.

Take in the Moment, Make it a Memory

Milestones and memories. That's what life is made of, isn't it? We reach points in our lives that remind us we're growing older, and then those moments become memories and we do just that: grow older. And as we do, so do our children.
My husband, Kevin, and I took our 16-month-old son, Sebastian, for his first hair cut today. It was one of those moments much like the first time he rolled over, stood up on his own, took his first step.
Milestones like a first haircut really make me stop to appreciate the moment, because that's all we ever have. I take it all in and think, "Wow, time really does fly by."
I remember the day I knew I was going to be a mom; the day I heard my baby's heartbeat for the first time; the day I saw my "little bean"--as I always called him--growing in my belly. And then there he was, laying in my arms for the very first time.
Sixteen months later, my little bean is a growing like a weed. He's doing something new every day, and he always reminds me to soak up every moment, every toothy grin, every high-pitched giggle, every sticky grasp.
Yes, I've heard it all before... "You're a baby yet yourself..." "Wait 'til you're my age..." "Wait 'til he's in college..."
Yes, I am still young, and my son is just reaching his toddler years. But I won't be young forever, and neither will he. I'm not going to take these moments for granted. I refuse to let them slip by without fusing them in my mind, creating a filmstrip of memories to play over and over in years to come.
I am 22 years old. But I was 16 months old once, and my mother was 22. Before I know it, my son will be 22 and I will once again say to myself, "Time really does fly by."
So hold on to every moment God gives you, because time slips through our fingers before we even realize that our children have grown another year older.
Crawl around on the floor with them and let them climb on your back as if you're a mountain. Let them make you laugh until tears run down your face and your tummy sprouts that six pack you've always wanted. Read them three stories at bed time, maybe four if you just can't say no to those puppy-dog eyes. And once they fall asleep, sneek into their rooms and watch them dream. Because before you know it, they'll be chasing those very same dreams.