Merry Christmas!

What.  A.  Year!  Wow!  Christmas is of course my favorite holiday.  I love everything about it.  I love who Christmas celebrates, I love the excitement in the air, the decorations, the gatherings, the music and just about anything else that Christmas brings.  I especially like the cooler weather that usually starts to kick in around now...but I guess this year Mother Nature is changing things up a bit.  I am NOT pleased about this but other than hopping on a plane and flying north I'm not sure what to do about that other than accept it (with a bit of grumbling I will admit).

One of my favorite things to do at Christmastime is give gifts.  I love buying that PERFECT gift that makes someone feel special.  I love surprising others with gifts they aren't expecting.  This year my children were surprised and it was so much fun planning and perfecting the delivery of these gifts.  They each receive 3 gifts from Santa.  After opening their gifts, our elf Jangle, prepares a huge box of "stocking stuffers."  They each take a turn blindly reaching into the box and drawing out an unwrapped gift.  They have to decide who it belongs too.  They really enjoy this part of Christmas morning--maybe even more than opening their 3 gifts!

For nearly 3 years, Avery has been begging to go to New York.  She wants to see Broadway shows and I've been dying to take her.  I have never been to New York City and I'm super excited she and I will be leaving in two weeks to finally make her dream come true!  I cried when I watched her open box after box until finally opening a puzzle she had to put together to read about her surprise.  I think she might have even cried a little too. ;)

Ivy, aka Ivy Mendes, received a ukulele she was not expecting but her biggest "surprise" was a framed 24x36 poster of she and Shawn Mendes.  She flipped out!  Highlight of my morning!

Jackson is so hard to surprise!  He didn't really give us a lot of options so he probably knew what he was getting but I know he had a few surprises in the "stocking box."  I'm not sure how long Santa will be delivering presents to the boy who will be 20 next Christmas!

The funniest part of our morning, although not very funny to Ivy, was watching her reaction to Jadon's HUGE teddy bear.  The kids fill out a Christmas wish list and Jadon had this bear at the top of his list.  He talked about it for months before Christmas.  I told him it was very expensive so Santa probably would not be able to deliver.  When Jadon was talking about it a couple of weeks ago, Ivy said, "I asked for that too!"  I kindly reminded her that if she wanted a giant teddy bear she may want to update her list because it was not on her list for this year.  Nothing else was said.  Here is her reaction, which, I'm still in shock about...

So I'm not going to lie...HUGE disappointment.  I know she regrets having this reaction.  She recovered quickly but my first thought was...OMG I've raised a selfish BRAT!  How could this have happened?  My baby girl who earned money to spend every last dime of it on gifts for others just had a tantrum over a stuffed bear.  She is very remorseful and is completely thrilled with her Christmas gifts so please don't think she is totally ungrateful.  She had a moment of weakness (you know, those that we ALL have) ...and now we all can laugh about it (well...she's not quite there yet).  I did, however, learn a lesson that no matter how much I love gifting, I need to help my children find joy in gifting AND rejoicing with others when they receive a gift ---even if they wanted that same gift.  Maybe this year I was a little too involved in finding those perfect gifts that I didn't spend enough time allowing my kids to be part of it.  Lesson learned!  And please know Ivy is an absolute sweetheart and she really does love others ---even Jadon!

At the end of the day, I am hugely blessed.  I am sitting in my bed relaxing, listening to my children "play" with their stuff, reminiscing of days when they were little and thanking God I still have them in my life.  This year has been so wonderful...and so terrible at the same time.  Lots of heartache and lots of celebrating too.  I guess that is just how life is.  I'm just glad I have my family and we have managed to make it through another year together.  They are my rock ---even when I want to choke them and when they want to choke me--- I know we all love each other and are in it for the long haul.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.  We did not do Christmas Cards this year ---the first time EVER!  And you know what?  It's really o.k.  We hope you all have a fabulous 2016!  

  

Graduation, Graduation, Birthday and New School Year!

So I have taken time away from Facebook.  I chose to do this for several reasons.  First, I get notifications about all sorts of stuff that I can't seem to make stop...it's really annoying and too time consuming to deal with.  Second, Facebook has turned into a lot of shared videos and reposted articles and such...  that is not what I wanted Facebook for.  Last, it became a place where nosey, evil doers who have nothing better to do than conjure up ways to create drama...I don't do drama.  So I rarely even go on Facebook much less post anything about our busy lives.  I have to say, I have truly enjoyed it although I do feel a bit disconnected from everyone.  I think thats OK!  I have had PLENTY to do to keep me busy...and to be honest...I've appreciated those who have chosen to connect with me via other means.  YOU are the ones who truly want to be a part of my life...and I am grateful for you! (you know who you are!)  I did not post HUGE events although it was tempting.  Instead, I chose to cherish them and celebrate with an intimate group.  I think we should get back to those groups...you know, those that think of you and actually call, those that you run into and who are truly interested about what's going on, not those that are snooping so they can start rumors or keep up with our life from behind the scenes...Not good folks...not good.

Left: Christmas   Right: July 2015

First off.. Jackson Moody graduated high school!  I'm so super proud of him!  He is headed off to college in just 6 days and I couldn't be more excited for him as he starts this new journey.  Secondly, my kid is just amazing.  He has lost almost 50 pounds and he looks and hopefully feels fabulous.

Avery is a senior.  I dropped her off for her LAST first day of school.  She is working and making her own money.  I'm so proud my kids have chosen to do this.  I think it prepares them for their rapidly approaching adult life.

Ivy started 7th grade today.  She has grown SO much and added 4 inches to her height in the last 3 months....  NOT KIDDING!  She is the same height as Avery.

Jadon celebrated his 11th birthday yesterday AND started his first year of middle school today!  This blows my mind.  I cannot believe my kids have grown up so quickly...so cliche I know...but they just did.  I held each of them in my arms yesterday!

I just graduated from Vanderbilt!  I'm so glad it's done!  So now off to new things and can't wait to get started!  I am so blessed with a wonderful family.  I have so much to be thankful for.  The last year has been a whirlwind and although it was very stressful at times, I'm so glad I did it!  I could not have done this without their sacrifices, understanding and support.

6 Months of Life in the Fast Lane

Wow!  So I haven't posted anything in 6 months.  How did THAT happen!?  Well I can tell you it happened because my priorities fell somewhere in between work, sleep, eat, study, Nashville, kids, house, health and holidays.  It has been a crazy ride but I am so glad to say that I am HALF WAY DONE with grad school.  It is going very well despite the way I feel my world is crashing down on top of me sometimes.  Right now I am focusing on getting my clinicals done.  I am learning a ton and still have so much more to learn before taking boards.

Jackson, Jadon and I did get to take a short little ski trip to Winter Park, CO.  It was beautiful and the trip was fabulous.  We had a fantastic time and I still want to move there! :P

Jackson, my first baby graduates in 2 months!  How did it come so quickly?  Lots of college decisions will be made soon.  I'm so proud of him!  Being a teenager is tough and being a parent of a teenager is so exhausting.  It's totally worth it though. :)

Avery cut all of her hair off.  I was so sad...but there are worse things she could have done.  Of course she is still totally gorgeous...she could shave it off and still be beautiful!  She will be having foot surgery to correct a painful bunion on April 2nd.  She will be on crutches, non-weight bearing, for at least 6 weeks.  She is hoping to take up track in the fall if this does the trick and eliminates the pain.  Please be in prayer for her because this will be a rather challenging time for her (and me and Jack!).

Ivy just started softball and is so excited.  She absolutely loves it.  For this season (of life...not ball) I am again, only a cheerleader during games.  Jack will have to handle practices and such because of my commitment to school and work taking so much of my time.

Jadon isn't doing anything right now.  He wants to play football this fall :|.  Jack and I are against that idea because he is so small.  He loves playing sports with his friends.  He just wants to fit in and feels left out.  I wish he could find something he loves that was a good fit for him.  He loves anything active. Any ideas?  This is what happens when he gets ahold of my phone...

Jack is my super hero.  He takes such good care of our family.  I have had to make tough decisions about my job that have brought me down in so many ways.  He is my anchor and the anchor of this family.  He cooks, grocery shops, cleans, does laundry, pays the bills, carts the kids everywhere they need to go and packs me a lunch each day that I work.  With me being gone once a month for school he is a single parent and takes care of everything.  In the midst of this craziness he has managed to build me a covered porch around my new hot tub he bought me for Christmas! He is also finishing the rest of the basement.  God has blessed me so much by giving me such a loving husband who loves me enough to do all that!

Well I know this was just an update and it's nothing earth shattering or too interesting.  I have been on spring break and finally had a chance to breathe and thought I would leave a note for those who cared.  Hope you all know that I haven't left the earth or anything and although I'm not on Facebook much, I do exist and our little "Moody Mansion" hasn't disappeared!

It's all MY fault!

It's all my fault.  It is.  It's MY fault that you are so stressed.  I mean, I am the one who said you need to make good grades (I did not say all A's by the way).  It's my fault that I make you ask before you go anywhere.  It's my fault that I limit the time spent away from home, make you do chores and clean your room.  It's my fault I make you speak respectfully to me, your dad and your siblings.  You are right.  I will take the blame on this one.

I doubt I am the only parent who has heard similar accusations.  And...I doubt there is any "fault" in what I just described.  Parenting is hard.  There is no one specific recipe that will yield the desired results and the variables that arise are endless.  I will say that I love being a mother.  I feel honored and so very blessed.  I have enjoyed my children at every age but at every age there have been challenges and obstacles that have presented learning opportunities for all!  I don't like to think about Jackson going to college in a year.  I want to think of him as that brilliant three year old that loved me unconditionally and needed me.  But...he isn't three...and he doesn't need me the same way he did when he was three. 

 I love you Jackson! 

I remember when they were little and I couldn't bear to go to work and leave them.  I thought, "How sad!  A mother should NEVER have to work and leave her kids!", when in all reality they never knew I was gone.  Now I look back and realize that the older they get, the more they need me in their life.  Now this may change as they "leave the nest" but I still feel that my kids need me to butt in and give them reason to say "it's your fault."  Now of course I don't want to stress out my kids.  I want them to be happy.  I want them to be successful and I want them to grow into responsible, productive, mature and respectful adults who love and trust the Lord.  I remember being 17...and I was not any of those things at 17 (brrr...I shudder to think of those days sometimes...sorry Mom :]).  

I once thought that I wanted my kids to have all those things I never had as a child.  That was a MISTAKE!  Giving my kids a lot of those things produced self-centered thinking, greediness and a sense of entitlement.   I could ask around and get an array of suggestions and opinions, but I'm not (not this time anyway).  I'm going to trust God on this one.  I still make mistakes, and I FEEL like a terrible parent at times (and sometimes I really AM a terrible parent!).  I am learning each step of the way.  I'm sure at some point I will be able to sit back and reflect and offer a bit of wisdom to some young unknowing parents who are about to make the same mistakes, but until then I think I will take the route of humility and follow direction from the only one who REALLY knows what's going on!

Please know, I think I have great kids and I love them dearly.  Being a teenager is hard.  I remember it all too well.  If I had the chance I wouldn't go back...not for a minute.  

Philippians 2:14-16New International Version (NIV)

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Proverbs 22:6New International Version (NIV)

6 

Start children off on the way they should go,

    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:4New International Version (NIV)

4 Fathers,[a] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I am not a SNOB! ;

Praise!  I'm going back to work on the helicopter tomorrow! 

So today I had coffee with a great new friend.  She decided to share with me what she thought about me when she first met me.  She said she thought I was a SNOB!  I could NOT believe it.  Anyone who truly knows me, knows that this is not me.  I LOVE to talk and get to know people but I do have a problem...I don't feel comfortable talking to people I don't really know.  I am that person who loves to talk and share once I know I am welcomed into the conversation.  I am often so afraid of offending someone and making the first move into introductions.  This is a weakness, I know, but I never quite realized that it could be offensive or give off a first impression of snobbishness!  We laughed and of course I was not offended.  I am intrigued to know how I come across even when it's a shocking revelation.  I will certainly work on that although I have to say I am also working on "not caring" what other's think of me as this has also been a stronghold (that can be in another post).

I have attended Hebron since I was 10 years old.  That's a LONG time!  I have sang in the choir ever since I can remember.  I grew up at Hebron and sang my first solo when I was 14 or 15 years old.  I was terrified.  I have battled stage fright most of my life.  I have forgotten words more times than I can remember and if there is one thing on stage I am worried about...it's usually that.  Each time I sing I focus on why I am there.  It's not about me.  Simple as that.  Although of course I would like for it to be perfect and I always work to do my best.  It's really OK if I do mess up (and I do mess up quite a bit...shhhhh...don't tell anybody!).  I bring up singing because my dear friend mentioned that "because you sing on stage at church" as one of the things that made her think of me as a snob.  I have often worried about the impression I give at church after singing.  A lot of people see me and think they know me.  Perhaps that is why I seemed snobby.  I never want to seem unapproachable...and I promise...I'm not!  I'm just plain Jane simple Sherri.



In our conversation today, I shared that I have started doing something when I prematurely judge (as if I should do it at all) someone based on my first impression.  We never know what that person is really like.  They may have acted in a way that doesn't settle well with us, or maybe they were distracted and didn't notice us in the way we felt we should have been noticed.  I have certainly been distracted over one or more things in  my lifetime.  I have practiced this more in traffic.  In order to survive Atlanta traffic I have tried to imagine what the life of that person who "ticked me off" is like. Maybe their spouse just left them, maybe they are headed to the hospital to see a loved one who is dying, maybe they are late for a job interview after being jobless for months, maybe they are suffering from depression, maybe they just lost a child, maybe they have been abused or hurt in another unimaginable way.  I could go on and on.  

So just a suggestion and a challenge to whomever reads this...try it.  You won't believe how quickly your first impression can change.  I will work on my awareness of people around me, especially in groups of people I'm often around and really should reach out to.  I am hoping this is something you will try too.  I am so far from perfect and I have no right to judge others...and it doesn't feel good to be judged either.  

John 7:24New International Version (NIV)

 "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Matthew 7 New International Version (NIV)

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Cat pee! AGHHHHH!

After I arrived home Jack informed me that Noir, our family indoor/outdoor kitty peed on the leather recliner in the den.  Noir is MY cat even though Jadon also claims her as his.  I LOVE my cat.  I never thought I would say that but...I do.  I rescued her from the pound several years ago.  She is a very loving cat...not like some of the antisocial ones I've encountered in the past.

Noir does not use a litter box.  She prefers to go outside.  We leave the garage door up just enough for her to go out as she needs to.  She has a litter box but never uses it.  I can't remember the last time we've bought litter.  

A few weeks back she hopped up onto my bed and before I could even realize what she was doing, she peed on my bed!  This was when I was hurting a great deal, so getting up in a hurry was quite difficult.  I suspected then that something was wrong...and now I see that I should have taken her to the vet.  So after hearing this news I immediately suspect she has a UTI...and I'm really hoping this is what it is since it can be treated.  She did it again today...and Oh...MY...Goodness...I cannot handle the smell.  I have cleaned and cleaned the recliner and the hardwood floor.  Apparently she has been frequenting this spot because there was a LOT on the floor.  I have super sonic smell so this really isn't working out for me.  I am praying very hard there is a simple solution because I have put Noir outside for the night and I am very sad (and so is she).  We will be seeing the vet tomorrow.  If you have any suggestions please let me know!  I have read all the suggestions when a cat is avoiding their litter box but she never has used one anyway so those don't really help.  

Home at last! ~and~ tips for Mom's of boys :)

Finally home sweet home!  I am so happy I was able to reunite with my family tonight.   

Before I left, I wrote each child a note to be delivered each morning.  They would either open it prior to leaving for school or Jack was to put it in their lunch.  I decided to incorporate a gift that a sweet lady at my church gave me years ago.  It's called a "Blessing Box."  I'm embarrassed to say I don't even know the person's name that gave it to me.  She just walked up and handed it to me and told me she wanted me to have it.  It really is the neatest idea.  It is filled with verses.  Some are in tiny scrolls while others are pasted onto foam shapes with various pictures or designs on them.  I decided that instead of keeping all of these blessings to myself, I would give one to each of the kids each day.  The kids were so excited to get their letters each day.  I know the girls were much more excited than the boys (or maybe they just show their excitement better) but it was still a fun way to give a "blessing" from the Lord and a word of encouragement from me as well.  

Today in class, the instructor briefly mentioned the stress that parents often experience with potty training.  I remember those days and I do NOT want to relive them.  The stress that Jack and I have experienced as parents is probably like the stress most families with 4 children face.  We were (are) constantly faced with logistical dilemmas, accusations of favoritism, fatigue and heaven forbid the fear of forgetting one of them somewhere!  We have always been fairly laid back as far as letting our children roam and experience things (in other words we probably drove others crazy with our seemingly lack of over-protection).  This has not always gone well and we have lots of humorous stories to remember to tell our grandchildren about.  Jack started keeping "the book" years ago.  Anytime anything funny or memorable happens with one of the kids, he says "that goes into the BOOK!" and he writes it down.   I'm so glad he does this because I do not ever want to forget the funny and sweet things our kids do that make us smile. 

I have learned a lot of lessons the hard way in parenting and some I have learned from other's mistakes.  I thought perhaps I could share some of my learned experiences to hopefully prevent these mistakes from being repeated (and hopefully preventing injury!) So here are a few things to consider:

1.  Don't let your kids know you heat the bathroom up in the winter with the hairdryer (if your bathroom is that big, perhaps you should buy a space heater).
2.  Don't let bullets accidentally fall to the floor when you empty your pockets after shooting at the     range.
3.  Don't leave young boy child alone in the bathroom with a hairdryer heating up the room.
4.  Don't let young boy child venture into your closet to find bullet on the floor.
5.  Don't think that the young boy won't try to see what will happen if he heats the bullet he found on the floor with the hairdryer.
6.  DO know that bullets WILL explode when heated up with the hair dryer.
7.  Don't call your spouse while they are at work to find out how to treat a toe that was slightly injured by a bullet the young boy exploded with the hair dryer.

8.  DO have a conversation with young boy child...and if he responds with "I will NEVER play with a hairdryer again," know he has completely missed the point and you may need to start over. 
9.  DO pray over your children and ask for wisdom...because sometimes it escapes our brains.  Also ask for protection because kids will do the craziest things even if you think they wouldn't.

Disclaimer: There is no admission of this happening to anyone in our family.  

Psalm 4:8New International Version (NIV)

8 

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, Lord,

    make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 22:6The Message (MSG)

6 

Point your kids in the right direction—

    when they’re old they won’t be lost.