Monday, March 28, 2011
New OKbites blog!!!
Well, I made the effort to start this NEW BLOG sooooo come on over and check it out! Happy eating and exploring Oklahoma!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Baby steps...
So for the last few months I have disappeared from the blogworld, although I have managed to keep reading several every few days or so. Life around the Brown house had been somewhat eventful and we have endured many changes. Since I spend a few hours a day at the computer transcribing it is hard to bring myself to blog. I have missed it. I want to keep doing it. Here is an effort to get back at it. I am even considering a new blog reviewing restaurants in the OKC area... stay tuned for that one... that would require eating out more, which I enjoy, but not so sure the hubs will go for that one. Perhaps I could have guest reviewers???
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Mean girl's
So, there is a lot of talk about bullying these day's. Bullying is a terrible feeling. I have been bullied as a child and sadly a few times as an adult in the work place. I have made an effort to talk to my children about bullying. I realize it most likely will happen at some point in their lives. I can honestly say early experiences of bullying have shaped me in to who I am today. I developed unnecessary fears, a poor self image, self doubt, and low self esteem due to bullying. I have thought of several of the instances over the years, however, couldn't put my finger on it until recently. I was bullied.
As a mother of 2 girl's I pray that they NEVER have to endure some of the situations I encountered. One specific example would be in 7th grade. I was new to a school. A small Christian school at that. Perfect target. My only friend's when starting there were boy's. Not good. The girl's at this school had attended for several years and already had their groups established. I was not about to be included. It was quite obvious. I can remember purposely not being invited to a birthday party that pretty much every other girl was invited to. To make matter's worse several mom's found out and attempted to include me. At this point I was not about to attend. Although they had good intentions I knew it was out of pity. Needless to say I stopped attending that school by Christmas, and eventually moved back to my home state of California to finish middle school. Long story short we returned in 9th grade. Only with God on my side did I have the courage to go back to the same school, with the same girl's. I was blessed with a new friend on the first day and we became inseparable for the rest of our high school year's. The same girl's were actually nicer, more mature, and more accepting. I often wonder if they had/have any idea how that impacted me? For years I doubted and avoided relationships due to this one experience. Praise God I finally believed that others were including me because they actually DID want me there, it was not just out of pity.
As I have matured I have learned that these experiences have shaped me in to who I am, even though it was "the end of the world" while I was going through it. I also know it broke my mother's heart! I am dreading these days for my daughter's, and of course my son. To my surprise he has mostly mentioned a girl that he thinks is a bully... even to the boy's. I have also tried to make sure he is not the one bullying.
I believe that some people may be getting irritated with all the talk and media coverage regarding bullying. I believe it is necessary and so important. It's about time!!!
Mostly what I am trying to convey is that we as parents should be probing and making sure our children are not being bullied. If we feel like they might be it is important not to minimize it. I promise it can have long lasting effects.
As a mother of 2 girl's I pray that they NEVER have to endure some of the situations I encountered. One specific example would be in 7th grade. I was new to a school. A small Christian school at that. Perfect target. My only friend's when starting there were boy's. Not good. The girl's at this school had attended for several years and already had their groups established. I was not about to be included. It was quite obvious. I can remember purposely not being invited to a birthday party that pretty much every other girl was invited to. To make matter's worse several mom's found out and attempted to include me. At this point I was not about to attend. Although they had good intentions I knew it was out of pity. Needless to say I stopped attending that school by Christmas, and eventually moved back to my home state of California to finish middle school. Long story short we returned in 9th grade. Only with God on my side did I have the courage to go back to the same school, with the same girl's. I was blessed with a new friend on the first day and we became inseparable for the rest of our high school year's. The same girl's were actually nicer, more mature, and more accepting. I often wonder if they had/have any idea how that impacted me? For years I doubted and avoided relationships due to this one experience. Praise God I finally believed that others were including me because they actually DID want me there, it was not just out of pity.
As I have matured I have learned that these experiences have shaped me in to who I am, even though it was "the end of the world" while I was going through it. I also know it broke my mother's heart! I am dreading these days for my daughter's, and of course my son. To my surprise he has mostly mentioned a girl that he thinks is a bully... even to the boy's. I have also tried to make sure he is not the one bullying.
I believe that some people may be getting irritated with all the talk and media coverage regarding bullying. I believe it is necessary and so important. It's about time!!!
Mostly what I am trying to convey is that we as parents should be probing and making sure our children are not being bullied. If we feel like they might be it is important not to minimize it. I promise it can have long lasting effects.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Next stop... Amish Cheese House!
Over Fall break our family spent a few days at a resort at Grand Lake. We were able to enjoy the hot tub and the kids loved having a few cable channels, since we do not have cable at home. My 12 year old would have preferred to watch T.V. the entire time we were there. Sorry, no can do. Since there really wasn't much to do I had a grand idea! "Let's drive over to Chouteau to the Amish Cheese House to their anniversary celebration!" Davis was not thrilled, David was unbiased and Sophie was siding with Davis. I was a little worried because it poured down rain the entire 45 min. drive. I had no idea what we were going to experience. I was really worried that it was gong to be a big flop. Much to my surprise, several other people had the same idea. I was so happy to see the parking lot full. We were able to enjoy sandwiches w/ homemade bread, homemade chicken noodle soup, and homemade ice cream. We also got to ride in a horse drawn Amish buggy because the ran stopped for about 30 minutes. It was a great experience for the whole family. We even read a small book about the differences between the Amish and Mennonite's. There were several of both around the store/restaurant working or shopping. One neat thing I learned about was the different families that will welcome you in to their home for a traditional Amish dinner. I can't wait to go back and do this one. If you get a chance stop by the Chouteau Amish Cheese House!
What does it mean to live simple?
This is such a broad topic! The first thing that comes to mind is simplifying my home. Less stuff to be exact. Less clutter. Being a good steward of money. Making use of what we can. Minimizing waste. Yes, it borders on the movement of "Being Green". I believe it is important to be mindful of all the things I've listed.
But before all of these things I have learned that "living simple" can, if I choose, afford me the opportunity and privilege to lead a more Christ centered life. I am guilty of always rushing around, especially rushing my kids. That is not simple. I have been working really hard to minimize distractions or in my eyes "living simply" so that I can praise God, pray, study the Bible, and share these things with my family. I have had to remind myself that: my children do not have to be involved in a sport each season, it is OK to make a mess... a big mess to do a craft with my daughter, I should sit to nurse instead of trying to multitask and wash dishes while doing so, it's OK to take a nap, the laundry can wait- as long as we have clean underwear :) , and the list can go on. Letting go of these things or better yet succumbing to some of them has helped me to have a clearer mind. So for me "living simple" means not over commiting, learning to say no, and consuming and buying less therefore I have less to take care of. It takes effort!
What does it mean to you to "live simple"?
But before all of these things I have learned that "living simple" can, if I choose, afford me the opportunity and privilege to lead a more Christ centered life. I am guilty of always rushing around, especially rushing my kids. That is not simple. I have been working really hard to minimize distractions or in my eyes "living simply" so that I can praise God, pray, study the Bible, and share these things with my family. I have had to remind myself that: my children do not have to be involved in a sport each season, it is OK to make a mess... a big mess to do a craft with my daughter, I should sit to nurse instead of trying to multitask and wash dishes while doing so, it's OK to take a nap, the laundry can wait- as long as we have clean underwear :) , and the list can go on. Letting go of these things or better yet succumbing to some of them has helped me to have a clearer mind. So for me "living simple" means not over commiting, learning to say no, and consuming and buying less therefore I have less to take care of. It takes effort!
What does it mean to you to "live simple"?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Out of the mouth of babes...
At the Dr. office:
Sophie to nurse, refferring to Camille... "she realizes you from when you gave her her shots". (thankfully Camille was in a great mood when this was said)
Sophie to Dr. Mickey... "you took forever" (in reality it was about 3-4 minutes wait time)
Camille: big explosion in pants
Sophie: "Mom was that you?"
Me: "um no, Camille just filled her pants"
Sophie to friend, and a few other parents around: " I wasn't sure because some times she says it's Camille, when it was really her".
Me: Speechless, and I can't believe I just wrote that!
Davis: "two 7th grade girls like me"
Me: " how do you know that?"
Davis: " because they always want to sit by me on the bus"
Me: "do you like either of them?"
Davis: "no"
Me: "why"
Davis: "because they are in 7th grade"
Me: a sigh of relief! and many other mixed emotions!
Davis: " I talked to Mrs. McBride tonight"
Me: "Really, about what?"
Davis: "she asked me if I was a soph. or a jr."
Me: "what!, did you tell her you just turned 12?"
Davis: "she said, "are you kidding me!?"
Sophie: "do I have to marry my first boyfriend?"
Me: " most likely you will not"
Sophie: "how will I know who I am going to marry?, how did you know dad was who you wanted to marry?"
Me thinking: she is only 5, I am not ready for this!!!
And sadly....
Sophie: "she gets all of the attention, everyone thinks she is so cute, I don't like being the big sister"
Me: "oh, honey... you are adorable too, and you can do so many neat things that you are going to be able to teach her. We love you so much"
Sophie: "I just didn't know she would be this cute."
Me: Confused and heartbroken. Any advice is welcome. We're trying our best to make her feel special and not 2nd best. I am grateful she is able to articulate how she feels even though it's a bit heartbreaking.
Sophie to nurse, refferring to Camille... "she realizes you from when you gave her her shots". (thankfully Camille was in a great mood when this was said)
Sophie to Dr. Mickey... "you took forever" (in reality it was about 3-4 minutes wait time)
Camille: big explosion in pants
Sophie: "Mom was that you?"
Me: "um no, Camille just filled her pants"
Sophie to friend, and a few other parents around: " I wasn't sure because some times she says it's Camille, when it was really her".
Me: Speechless, and I can't believe I just wrote that!
Davis: "two 7th grade girls like me"
Me: " how do you know that?"
Davis: " because they always want to sit by me on the bus"
Me: "do you like either of them?"
Davis: "no"
Me: "why"
Davis: "because they are in 7th grade"
Me: a sigh of relief! and many other mixed emotions!
Davis: " I talked to Mrs. McBride tonight"
Me: "Really, about what?"
Davis: "she asked me if I was a soph. or a jr."
Me: "what!, did you tell her you just turned 12?"
Davis: "she said, "are you kidding me!?"
Sophie: "do I have to marry my first boyfriend?"
Me: " most likely you will not"
Sophie: "how will I know who I am going to marry?, how did you know dad was who you wanted to marry?"
Me thinking: she is only 5, I am not ready for this!!!
And sadly....
Sophie: "she gets all of the attention, everyone thinks she is so cute, I don't like being the big sister"
Me: "oh, honey... you are adorable too, and you can do so many neat things that you are going to be able to teach her. We love you so much"
Sophie: "I just didn't know she would be this cute."
Me: Confused and heartbroken. Any advice is welcome. We're trying our best to make her feel special and not 2nd best. I am grateful she is able to articulate how she feels even though it's a bit heartbreaking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)