Praying.  For me, it’s like breathing.  I just need to talk to God about things.  This summer was a summer of stepping out in faith…not knowing how all this dyslexia training was going to turn out.  My son has dyslexia, so I’ve dealt with it all his life.  He’s in high school now, and doing great.  But, honestly, I wasn’t sure what it would be like working with someone else’s child.  I want the kids I work with to be successful, too.  I want to give each kid what they individually need.  So, I pray.

Give.  I need to give into other’s lives and know that it has real purpose.  Helping kids with dyslexia has already been so rewarding.  One mom told me that her daughter despised reading.  Now, this same child will read because she WANTS to.  The mom also said that there is a positive difference in her daughter’s self-esteem and confidence.  That’s so awesome!  I was even able to talk to the mom about her own fears and struggles in having a child with dyslexia.  Once she realized that I’ve walked through the same thing with my son, I could see the relief in her eyes and hear it in her voice.  There is hope.

Today, one of my dyslexic kids came for tutoring, and she and her mom left with smiles on their faces.  She worked hard and struggled at times during the session, but she’s making progress.  It makes me feel good to know I’m helping someone…making a real difference in their life.  

Sleep, Pray, Give.  It’s amazing how these three things are intertwined.  As I give to these kids and wrap it in prayer, I sleep better at night.  You know, there are people in this world who are waiting just for you.  You have something wonderful to give that will make such a difference in their life.  Pray about it.  Sleep on it.  How can you step out in faith?

All this made me stop and think about the things in my life that really are most important.  Where are the most important things on my priority list?  I would love to say that they are at the top, but honestly, less important things seem to scream the loudest for my attention.  Do you find yourself living from one day to the next running back and forth between the things screaming the loudest?  And the next thing you know, another month has flown by…and the plans you had intended for the most important things in your life get pushed to the bottom of the priority list?

We all do it.  It’s too easy to let life get in the way.  And then something happens that gets your attention…like a young man waging a brave battle with cancer till the very end.  I admire his courageous battle, his courage to look past his own circumstances to be a blessing in the lives of his friends and family.  I admire his friends and family choosing to celebrate his life.  What a gift to his children.

It will be July 1st at the end of next week.  Did you spend time doing special things during the month of June with your friends and family?  Are you celebrating your relationships by making time for them?  Are you nurturing yourself so you can be recharged and refreshed to take care of the things that are most important to you?  If June has passed you by, then you always have July.  But, you have to put legs to your good intentions.  Otherwise, good intentions never go anywhere. 

Go have fun.  Let yourself laugh.  Get away and celebrate your friendships and loved ones.  It takes courage to say “no” to the distractions that are screaming the loudest in your life.  It takes courage to take the time to nurture yourself so you can nurture others.  But your friends and family need you…and you need them.  Go celebrate!

Making it through the training class was an accomplishment for me.  This dyslexia training class was based on the Orton-Gillingham approach.  My brain actually hurt.  I kept telling people that I had “brain fry” until my friend brought it to my attention that it’s not called brain fry.  I knew that.  But my brain was just absolutely fried from taking in all the information. 

I realized halfway through that I must have forgotten how to breathe, too.  During one of my breaks over the weekend, I decided to spend some time outside taking care of my flowers and plants.  I felt myself slowing down and taking deep breaths.  My brain stopped hurting.  Something as simple as watering and fertilizing the plants or picking off the dead blooms to freshen them up was relaxing and energizing.  And there’s nothing like being outdoors to help you remember to breathe.

I’m now working with a little girl who struggles like my son has.  I hope that I can make a difference in her life the way my son’s reading tutor has in his.  You can’t put a price on the value of seeing your child feel good about himself/herself…and your child realizing that he/she really can be successful.

You also can’t put a price on the value of taking time to recharge yourself.  Life can be so busy…so crazy.  I’ve been taking pictures of some of my plants and flower beds.  I hope you enjoy them.  I also hope that you’ll take a few minutes today to slow down and breathe…just breathe.

Good investments…good returns.  Once something is spent…it’s gone. 

Do you invest in your kid’s lives to help them be successful?  If so, then you are nurturing them with purpose.  Do you invest in your own life so you can be successful physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?  If so, then that’s nurturing yourself with purpose.  Nurturing yourself is a wise investment.  When you nurture yourself, you’re actually nurturing your kids as well as other loved ones. They reap the benefits as much as you do.  That’s a good return!

Here’s another way to look at it.  When you take care of yourself, you are creating a ripple effect…Nurture yourself = Wise Investment = Good Return = Benefits for you and your loved ones = You feel more energized = Better outlook on life = Happier = More success in all areas of life. 

As women, we tend to feel that we can’t take time for ourselves for tons of reasons.  And most of us don’t even realize that we’re creating a another kind of ripple effect that extends to our kids, our spouse, our loved ones, and others in our world.  But this ripple effect goes something like this…Spent life = Not investing =  Unfavorable return = More stress on you and others in your life = Tired with little to no energy = More of a negative outlook on life = Probable depression = Hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

You know, there just comes a point in our life where we’ve got to stop spending and start investing.  When we  realize that there IS real purpose behind our need to nurture ourselves, then we see the value of investing in ourselves.  As we are pro-active in taking care of ourselves, we are able to reach out to others.  And each and every one of us has something to offer that’s unique and important.  That’s purpose!

What are some things you can do to nurture yourself with purpose? 

1.  Make it a priority to build strong friendships.  Others need you, and you need them.  You weren’t designed or created to do life alone.

2. You and your friends help each other in areas of need.  Maybe someone needs help painting a room, learning a skill that you can teach them, or anything that meets a need someone has.  Offering to help others is one of the best ways to nurture yourself with purpose. 

3. Make your home a haven.  When your home is warm, inviting, and in order, it nurtures everyone.

4. Make your outdoor spaces/gardens a refuge from the world for you and your family.  Having a place to recharge and relax is nurturing with purpose.

5. Make it a priority to get enough sleep each night.  Getting enough sleep directly affects everything else.

6. Get away with your girlfriends.  This gives you time to revive, refresh, and rejuvenate yourself.  This is being pro-active in taking care of yourself…making a good investment so you can see a good return.  Remember, when you nurture yourself, you’re actually nurturing your kids and others!

7. Nurture yourself in all areas of your life including physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

8. Eat chocolate…and share chocolate!

You have a very real purpose in nurturing yourself.  Forget the lie that the world tries to feed us that somehow it’s not right to take time for yourself, or there’s no real purpose.  Start creating your ripple effect that brings good returns on your investment.  So…have you been investing in your life or just spending it?

Then, we’ve had a few days where he’s forgotten one thing or another, and I get a phone call from him saying, “Mom, I forgot my (shoes, shorts, science project, etc.)  I need you to bring them to me NOW!”  He really has been so good about stuff like this until the last week or so.  He needs a break.  So do I.

The thing about summer…especially these days…is that it goes by way too fast.  I remember when I was in school, we didn’t start back until the day after labor day.  We had three full months to enjoy.  It’s not that way now, so it’s important to plan fun things into your summer from the very beginning so time doesn’t get away from you.  Do fun things with your whole family.  What about water parks, Disney, or the beach?  Make special time just for you and your family.  Those memories will mean so much as the kids grow up.  But also make sure that you are making special time for you…you and your friends.  This is just as important!  What about a girls’ weekend to your favorite city, a road trip to the beach, or a few days away to do absolutely nothing?  Or you could get really adventurous and go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or go on a Caribbean cruise.  Sounds fun!  Balance is the key.  You and your family need to have fun together, but you also need to get away and nurture yourself.  Make this summer a summer to remember, strengthening not only family relationships, but also much-needed friendships!

Need some more ideas?  One budget-friendly idea is getting away to one of our beautiful national parks.  For more information, go to the U.S. National Park Service website at http://www.nps.gov/index.htm . 

One more day…just one more day, and school’s out for summer!  I’m so ready.  In fact, I started early with a girlfriend getaway last week.  And my family and I already have some fun things planned beginning in June.  So…what about you?  Don’t let this be another summer that passes you by!

But, when she got back in town, the things she was trying to escape from were still there.  She admitted that when she first got home, she curled up and sobbed…why couldn’t things be different, she felt so alone.  She was hoping that she wouldn’t have to face her problems…that they would just magically disappear.  But she realized that wasn’t realistic.   She still had to deal with her everyday life, but now there was a difference.  She was recharged, re-energized.  She was able to handle what life was throwing her way much better.  Her time away to connect with friends and rejuvenate was invaluable.

Two days later, I saw another friend that I haven’t seen in years.  She’s married with grown kids.  She and her husband own a business together which I’m sure has been affected in some way by the economy.  Her life experiences are very different from the friend I saw the other night, but she has some of the same needs. 

We didn’t have much time to talk, but it’s what she said in those few moments that was so meaningful.  She shared that she’s lost touch with so many friends that mean a lot to her because she’s been focused on things in her own life. But now, she feels a genuine need to re-connect with her friends and get away to build those bonds.  She needs it for her own health and well-being…to be restored and refreshed.

You know, that’s two different women who acknowledged the same need within the same weekend.  Getaways don’t make our problems go away.  I wish they did, but they don’t.  But, we all need to take time away to take care of ourselves before we reach crisis mode.  When we do, we’re able to think better, deal with life better, and best of all, love what means the most to us better.

Have you ever heard of glamping?  Well, glamping is combining glamour/luxury with camping.  How does sleeping in the great outdoors on a mattress with fine linens in luxurious tent accommodations sound?  Could you handle having your very own butler?  I mean, really!  What about dining on chef-prepared meals for a little pampering?  Forget the old way of roughing it.  This is the way to go!  You wouldn’t believe just how far camping has come!

Here’s another idea…a culinary vacation.  Imagine yourself in the Napa Valley Wine Country on a gourmet retreat.  Imagine that you’re staying at a serene, peaceful bed and breakfast complete with personalized, one-on-one cooking classes taught by a professional chef.  You have time to unwind and de-stress in the herb garden or by the Napa River.  And you get to sample the gourmet food and the local wines.  Sign me up! 

What about a volunteer vacation?  What? A volunteer vacation?  Sure!  It’s an adventure vacation in America’s wild lands.  Our beautiful national parks are part of the wild lands, and there are projects going on all the time.  The great thing about these vacations is you get to enjoy the awesomeness of nature while giving back to our national treasures.  Just think of how it will not only be rewarding to know that you’ve helped protect our wild lands, but you’ll be enriching the lives of people who come after you who want to enjoy our national parks.  There are lots of different types of volunteer vacations, both here and abroad.  Volunteering in our national parks is just one idea.

Last, but not least…a vacation by rail.  These are vacations where you travel by train and get to experience a new adventure around every bend.  These vacations are offered all over the U.S. and abroad.  It would be absolutely breathtaking to see the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, or New England in the fall when the leaves are changing by train.  There are tons of destinations to choose from, not to mention that train excursions can be very luxurious.  Doesn’t a vintage rail car trip into the Canadian Rockies sound incredible?

These are just a few ideas that create awesome lifetime memories for you and your friends.  I’ve listed a few sites below that give more detail about these ideas.  Hey, if you know of some unique getaway ideas, please let me know.  It’s always fun to try something new!

http://glampinggirl.com/

 http://www.gourmetretreats.com/

http://www.wildernessvolunteers.org/

http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/usa/index.html

This is a love story…a love story between Cowboy and Velcro. They are best friends, and always have each other’s back.  At first, I was concerned because Cowboy’s so big, and I didn’t want him to hurt Velcro. But it didn’t take long before we all knew that they had a special bond. They also had a special understanding. Velcro made it clear that she’s the boss, and Cowboy didn’t argue.

Within a few weeks of Cowboy coming to live with us, they started sleeping together in our laundry room. So many mornings now, I’ll open the laundry room door and find both of them cuddled together. Cowboy usually goes outside to eat his breakfast and likes to spend the day sprawled out in the yard…just sleeping…soaking up the sun. Velcro watches him from the breakfast room window. She likes to keep an eye on him and after a while will cry for him to come inside. When he walks in the back door, she runs up to him like she hasn’t seen him in forever. He hangs his head low to the ground so she can reach him to give him kitty kisses and hugs. The funny thing is when Cowboy decides to love her back by licking her on the top of her head. It just about knocks her off her feet every time. And she looks like she’s having a bad hair day after just one or two licks.

Every now and then, they love to chase each other when the mood hits. Velcro hides behind the sofa or under a chair and waits for Cowboy to lumber by. Just at the right moment, she’ll jump out and attack. He sees this as a sign that he can play rough. He’ll push her hard with his big nose, and she goes flying across the room. Usually, it all stops right there because Velcro realizes that she’s in over her head. Cowboy doesn’t know his own strength!

It’s all in fun, though. At the end of every day, they make their way back to the laundry room to their beds. And when I open the door the next morning, there they are…cuddled up close. They really do love each other.

Cowboy has these great, big paws. He loves to sit on his hind legs, put his front paws in our lap, and chill while we hold his paws. That’s it, just hold paws. He also has a big, ol’ head with large, floppy ears. He likes to put his head in our lap while we stroke his fur. And then there’s his bark. The first time I heard him bark, I just about jumped out of my skin. It was the deepest, loudest bark I think I’ve ever heard. He doesn’t bark much, but when he does…well, as the neighbor put it, “I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.” For all of Cowboy’s goofy lovableness, his size and bark can be pretty intimidating. Even so, he thinks he’s a lap dog. He literally tries to crawl in our lap and wants to be held. He’s so big, though, that as hard as he tries, he just can’t fit all of himself in our lap. So, the back half of him usually hangs off the chair.

Cowboy is the biggest baby there is. Every night he sleeps with one of his stuffed animals. He carries them around in his mouth and cries like a baby until someone pays attention to him. We bought him a toy box for Christmas one year because he was getting quite a collection of stuffed animals and other toys. His favorite baby is his moose. He uses it as his pillow when he’s sleepy. He never goes anywhere without his moose.

The only thing that Cowboy seems to be afraid of is thunder. He prefers to stay near us during a thunderstorm. Sometimes he has nightmares at night and while he’s napping during the day. He growls and cries in his sleep, and then wakes up and realizes that he’s safe. We say to him, “You’re o.k., Cowboy. We love you.” He seems to understand and will roll over and go back to sleep. It just makes you wonder, though, what he experienced when he was all alone somewhere in Arkansas.

It didn’t take long for us to realize that Cowboy had picked up some bad habits while he was a stray. We noticed that different things would come up missing like socks, shoes, clothes, paper, or a whole pan of brownies. Cowboy was a thief. I guess he learned to steal in order to survive while being on his own. But we had to break this habit. Not only did he steal things, but he would eat them, too. He was a thief and a goat!

One time I had just made a pan of brownies. They were cooling on top of the stove. The next thing I knew, my daughter was yelling because Cowboy had eaten the whole thing. He’s so tall that he can reach over the top of the stove and grab whatever’s there. Luckily, the brownies didn’t burn him, and he didn’t have any side-effects from the chocolate.

Cowboy is proud of his ability to steal things. He likes to show off his treasures that he carefully guards in his mouth. He gets this cocky look that says, “catch me if you can”. It’s almost like he’s daring us to take his stolen possessions away from him. Over time, he’s actually gotten better about being a thief. But, every once in a while when he does steal something, he squints his eyes and says, “C’mon, I dare ya!”