We survived.
19 people in my mom's 1800 square foot house.
We survived.
And what fun it was. So many people, kids and cousins. It was great having that time together and getting reacquainted with family members. I especially enjoyed watching all 8 of the cousins play together, ranging in age from 12 years to 10 months. I must share some pictures as I"m sure that's what you came for.
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Nothin much happen' here.
My life is going at it's usual high paced rate. The hubby's flying more to keep up with the mortgage and new car payment. School keeps me occupied most days when I am here alone. The kids are having a much better year than last year. I think first and foremost they are settled here and we don't here to much about Cleveland. Their teachers seem to be more relaxed and focusing on adding more 'fun' stuff like Magic School Bus videos, Amazing Race (pre-viewed of course) - it's an amazing geography lesson, Candy Store, field trips, enjoying their homeschool learning center.
Work at Gymbo is the same old political crap. I love the people that I work with and working with the customers but can't stand the politics. I've made a very good friend out of that job though and that has to be kept in mind. We are both Gymbo addicts and have the same affinity for buying boutique clothes for our kids. We are constantly finding more and more things that we have in common - shopping and thrifting being a big one.
I am constantly trying to find time to do the mundane things of running this house. I find myself exhausted by the end of the evening and all I want to do is plop myself down in front of the TV and enjoy a good movie or Discovery Health special. Sometimes I plop myself down in front of the computer and just mindlessly eBay. But I find these things rewarding for me especially after putting in a long day schooling the kids, working and squeezing in those mundane chores during that time. Evening is my time to just sit and be. Be nothing, be lazy, be silly, be quiet, be left alone. And because of that desire to be left alone and quiet, I find myself getting out of touch via phone with those that I hold dearest. I want to be left alone and not be bothered and picking up the phone and holding a conversation, I have to think. Something that I try and avoid in the evening. I have to work on that though because it really is my only time to devote 100% of my attention to that person without being interupted by the kids.
So, I'm just chugging along. Looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. My youngest daughter is thrilled to see her cousins Steph and Steve and can't wait to meet her newest cousin Lexi. As she has put it, "I can't wait to see the babies together" (meaning her other cousin Camille). And for those of you who know my Gabi, you can say that in her Foo Foo voice. It will be a wild, crazy and LOUD time at my mom's house with the 19 people that will be attending the festivities. Yes, that's 19 people folks, it will surely make for an exciting day.
And now I leave you with some cool pictures before I bore you to death anymore.
