Changing Overwhelmed Into Blessings and Rainbows

Overwhelmed!
All mommies feel this at some time or another. I am feeling extremely overwhelmed at this moment.
I am over-committed, under rested, and completely overwhelmed with everything happening in my life.

My three children have busy schedules.
My husband has a busy work schedule.
My own work schedule could be busier, but I'm drawing the line, and saying, "NO!" to extra hours.
Volunteer commitments have me on the run this time of year.
My grandmother passed away, and grieving on top of helping my mom plan the services has me emotionally drained.
Add on to all of this my raging hormones, and I have every reason to be a hot mess right now.

Throughout all of this business, I am taking the time to realize how truly blessed I am.
I have three wonderful, talented, smart children, who know what they love.
My husband steps up and helps out when I ask him too. He doesn't complain too much, even though I know he wishes I'd say no to other people more often than I do.
I CAN say no to opportunities to work or help out other people, because we are comfortable enough to pay all of our bills, plus some fun things, with our regular pay checks.
Through volunteering I have met some of my very best friends! I get to see them more, and we have so much fun together!
My grandmother was a wonderful person, and reflecting on her life helps me to be a better person too.


So all of the craziness brings blessings. It is up to me to focus on the positive blessings, rather than the challenges that come with each of these crazy events in my life.

One of my students was lamenting to me how she hated to cry so much, and that she was sad, and never thought she would make it through the bad things that were happening to her.
My response, "Sometimes you have to wade your way through the mud made by the tears and the rain to see the rainbow."

Right now, I am heading my own advice, and seeking the rainbow!

Blessings to you!
~Kristen

Cinderella - The Back Story Updated

I cannot wait for "Cinderella" to come out this weekend!

Just watching this trailer brings out my inner princess, and makes me wish my fairy godmother would dress me up and send me away to the ball!



I am even more excited about the "Frozen Fever" short that appears only with "Cinderella"!

Saying Goodbye to a Grandparent through Prayer

My grandmother battled alzheimers and dementia for the last few years of her earthly life. I missed her adventurous spirit and amazing stories. She was one of the most independent women I have ever met, and I am more like her in many ways than I am like my own mother.

When her body finally gave up on this world, I was devastated by our loss of such an amazingly strong woman, but thankful that she was no longer suffering from the pain and anguish of a human body that had given up control to awful diseases that stole her fighting will to live her own independent life.

My grandmother was a very strong and devoted Christian, who wrote out many devotions and reflections on her faith.

I want to carry on that legacy, and write here about my faith and  praying through all that life throws at me.

Grandma Joan, this is for you!

"None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God)."
Romans 14:7-9, 10-11

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself."
2 Timothy 2:8-13

"My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Good is the Lord to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord."
Lamentations 3:17-26

"Annie" Movie Review ****

My daughter and I went to see the new film version of "Annie" this past weekend.
We both LOVE the original, and thought it would be very hard to match the level of entertainment and integrity displayed throughout that classical film.

I am pleased to report that both my daughter and I loved the new "Annie"!

We both enjoyed the classic songs woven into the updated story line.
I have many friends who are foster parents, and they were taken aback by the portrayal of the foster care system in the movie. Since Annie is portrayed as a foster kid instead of an orphan in the new movie, they had to adjust many aspects of the characters and their situations. All foster parents are not like Miss Hannagan.

They took many liberties with the personification of foster parents, millionaires, and foster kids. Movies always do, simply for entertainment value.

We found the movie charming, funny, touching and highly entertaining!