"The Greatest Generation"

Each family has a history. My family has a wonderful history that Mark and I have chosen to keep alive in our children through stories and pictures. And it is a family history that I am thankul they will want to share with their children, and their children's children.
Part of that history is the service that both of my grandfathers had in the protection of our country and the continued fight to protect our freedoms we now experience everyday in the United States.
I say with a heart full of pride that both of my grandfather's served this country during WWII. My dad's dad (Grandpa) was in the Navy. My mom's dad (Poppa) was in the Army.
Two years ago several of us took my Poppa to see the WWII Memorial. It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. My grandfather wore an Army hat my mom had gotten him and everywhere we went people thanked him for his service. The tour guide at Arlington Cemetary became emotional while talking with him, had him sign a book that he carries with him to have war heroes sign, and then he announced my grandfather's name and thanked him over the intercom for his bravery and service to our country. I am so proud to be a part of this heritage, this history. I am grateful that I can say that my grandfathers believed in something greater than themselves, and were willing to fight for it, for themselves and for future generations. Freedom always costs something. And as difficult as it is to understand for me, my grandfathers understood that, and courageously put their lives on the line for the American people, for our livelihood, for our freedom.
I am extremely sad that my Grandpa was unable to see the memorial that was built in his honor, and the honor of men he fought beside. He passed away in 1992. I am sad it took so long to build. But I am grateful that it stands today for our generation to see, and for future generations to visit and try to gain some perspective of the incredible men and women who gave their time or their lives in service to our country.




This blog isn't about whether you believe in war or not. It is, however, a blog that encourages EVERYONE, regardless of your stance, to honor and be grateful for the sacrifices soldiers made for you and for me. Unfortunately we live in a time where many of us have forgotten that we are not entightled to the freedoms we possess. And these freedoms that we embrace and sadly, take advantage of and use for our own personal gain, came at a price. Freedom cost something. Even the freedom that we have in Christ cost something...it cost Jesus His life. Someone had to die for the freedom we have in Him. Freedom isn't free.
Many men and women over the centuries have courageously fought for us. It is devastating to know that many people have lost their lives. It is heartbreaking to know that there are men and women who lost their lives in battle, and have never returned home. This is why I love the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The soldier that is in this tomb is one where they felt the remains could never be indentified. Therefore, it is a symbol to represent all who have fallen during battle. It is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. As one soldier that guards the tomb of the unknown said, "We're going to give them the best that we can."

They 'get it.' The recognize the bravery and the sacrifice these men gave for our country. And that is why my stomach turns and I could spit fire when I think that this year the President of our Great Nation is not putting a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I do not want people to write back their opinions about this president. I don't care if you are someone that loves him, or someone that hates him...I would feel this way about any president. It is disgraceful, repulsive, and inconceivable to me that the president would not place a wreath on this tomb on Memorial Day. Inconceivable. I am almost at a loss for words at the level of disrespect this shows all men and women in uniform.
I get it, his family is on vacation...he could have gone next week. But he did say he would place a wreath somewhere in Chicago. Thanks, but no thanks. A wreath somewhere in Chicago is as symbolic as a wreath on my front door. It doesn't cut it, Mr. President, when you consider the price these men paid so that you could even step foot into the highest office in our country.
I'm sorry I am ending on such a sour note. But I do think it should be of the utmost importance to people that we honor those in uniform. That we honor those that are living, and honor the fallen.
And with that I say thank you Poppa and Grandpa for serving your country well. And giving us a family history we can be proud of. You are both brave men and have given us an incredible legacy to pass onto our children. I love you.
The Joyful and Tired and Incredible Grateful Mom,
Lindsey

To Play or Not to Play, That Was the Question

A few weeks ago I was sent an email about playing in an alumni lacrosse game to honor my former coach that has now been involved in lacrosse for 50 years. I was so excited about the possibilities of playing. I was excited about who I would see, about the laughter I knew would ensue, and about the different exercise my body would be getting for an evening. However, I was terrified to play. I haven't played or coached in 9 years. That is a long long long time in the world of lacrosse where quick feet, and an even quicker/sharper mind are a necessity.
I called my dad and asked his opnion on whether or not I should play. I called my wonderful friend Janine who was so confident in my need to play, and her desire for me to play, that she journaled about it in her prayer journal (I was unaware of this until after the game). I talked at length about it as I went through all of the reasons I shouldn't play (the best reason I could come up with is that any ounce of pride I had in me would surely be left on the field-no room for pride when you are embarrassingly terrible at something). And then with the encouragement of Mark, my dad, and Janine I decided to play. My main motivation-I wanted my kids to see mommy on the field playing. I realize that Zachary is the only one that may have a memory of this as he grows up, but it meant something to me to have them see me in action.
The day of the main event I was so nervous! I was talking to a friend and just rambling on and on about my fears and also about the humility it was taking for me to go out there and play against a bunch of high school girls that are, literally, half my age, and that have something to prove. Her response, "Yes, but don't you think that you'll have a better perspective and understanding of the game now that you are older. You may play better because of how you see the game now." She was right. I did feel like I had a better understanding of the game while in the midst of playing. But before the game I was telling Mark her words of encouragement and he laughed and just said, "Yeah, these 16 year olds are in shape and super fast, but don't worry, you have wisdom." Thanks Mark.
So with wisdom on my side it was time for me to get ready for the game. As alumni's, we were told to wear black. Not sure if this was to represent us being old and decrepid, but I digress. Anyway...I stood infront of my mirror trying on different black shirts to see which one was more flattering. Then tried on the different outfits with Spanx, or no Spanx. There I was, mentally preparing for a game, trying to decide if I should wear Spanx under my workout gear or not! I opted to not wear them for the simple fact that it was over 80 degrees and I didn't want to run once down the field and totally pass out because I was so freakin' hot from wearing pants and Spanx that suck in my body from the chest to my knees.
I did think that I looked decent enough to go and represent the "old ladies" of the lacrosse team. I finally decided on a plain black t-shirt that I had worn several days prior to the game, that had not been washed, and that had green beans baby food smudges all over the left shoulder. Awesome.
When I arrived I learned we were playing in the stadium and so as I was running into the stadium I tweaked my ankle. Not a good sign. It was so great to see some familiar faces. I was, however, the oldest girl by atleast 3 years. And the only one that had had children (which, by the way, I loved having there for the world to see. They make me so proud.) I was ready to play when my old coach looks at me and says, "I am not putting you in midfield, you are home with three kids." Seriously?! Just because I am a stay at home mom with 3 boys doesn't mean I am now a lazy woman who sits and eats bon-bons all day...that only occurs in my dreams! I finally did get to play and felt great doing it. But one of the high schoolers asked a few of us how old we were. When they girl next to me said she was 25 the girl says, "Wow. You're 10 years older than me." Ah! And for me I was like, "Yep. I'm 30 (twice your age)." It was as though they had never met anyone that old outside of their parents before.
It was a great game. We had a blast! We laughed a ton! And we, the alumni, won the game 10-6. Woot!
And when the game was finally over Zachary took to the track and ran 2 laps...a 1/2 a mile!!!! It was awesome! And Drew was even running the track until he was distracted by a fence. You know he was thinking, "Hmmm...I wonder if I can climb this?"
In all seriousness though...this game brought out a lot of insecurities in me. Insecurities that I know I have, but have been able to stuff far below the surface for a very long time. Choosing to play drew those insecurities out of me, and the ugly and petty fears I had are unjustified and make me too self-focused...which is not who I want to be. I drove to the game pumping myself up by saying, "These girls have no idea how terrified and full of fear you really are for this game. Just show up and put on a mask. You'll be fine, and they will never know the self-doubt you have in your ability to play this game, or the insecurity you have of not being in fighting form right now." But I realize, I don't want to have to say those things to myself to do something fun and outrageous. I want to live confidantly in who God has made me. Live proudly because although I may not be in top lacrosse playing shape I can marvel at the fact that I have had 3 beautiful, healthy, wonderful children in less than 4 1/2 years. And be grateful that when I choose to put myself out there, whatever it is, I have my incredible husband, children, family, and friends that support me, not because I am the best, but because they love me.
Incredibly Thankful to Still Play,
The Joyful and Tired Mom

It's Been Awhile

Hello to my enormous following...it has been too long.
I am completely kidding-about the enormous following anyway. It has been a very long time since I have written. To be honest, it hasn't been because there are a lack of things I want to share, but rather, I don't want every post to sound so "woe is me." Therefore, I have chosen to forgo writing for a time in the hopes of checking my nasty attitude at the door and sitting down at the computer and being funny, witty, and incredibly inspiring (ha!).
Truth be told though, I'm not sure I'm there yet. Kids are hard. Man, to all the stay-at-home moms out there that I silently envied because I thought the most difficult part of your day was trying to not double-book a luncheon with friends-I AM SO SO SO SORRY. I never, in my life, imagined that motherhood would be so challenging. And I constantly hear women say, "Oh, it's so hard, but I wouldn't change a thing." If I can be totally transparent here...I would change a thing. I would change lots of things.
1)For starters, the first order of business would be to make it so there is a miraculous recovery for women after they have children. And by "miraculous recovery" I do not mean that we physically heal. I mean that the moment our beautiful child is born we instantly drop back down to a size 6 with amazing abs and no need for Spanx or weight watchers...ever! I think we are owed that much after carrying a child for nearly a year. And no, I am sadly not from the school of thought that says, "Oh, but atleast we get to experience pregnancy. Men don't get to experience the joy of feeling their baby move." I'll tell you what Mark got to experience: sleeping through the night; feeling the baby move when he wanted, not at 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.; eating whatever the heck he wanted and not having to prick his finger 4 times a day or give himself 2 insulin shots a day. And he never has to experience someone asking him if he is pregnant when he isn't! (This has happened to me after each child was born-yikes.) No one will ever go up to a man and just say, "Wow-you are looking awfully fat these days." And if I thought people wouldn't judge me or say I had a nasty attitude...I would totally keep going. :-) I am not happy pregnant woman.
2) The second thing I would change is that I would give my children ears that always listen.
3) I would never have to worry about a stranger trying to take my kids.
4) They would go to bed the minute that I wanted them too. And, they would all take naps at exactly the same time everyday.
5) Occupational Therapy would be free.
6) I would be able to cook in the kitchen without having our cat (aka: Drew) under my feet the entire time.
7) I wouldn't worry what other people thought of me, my parenting, or my children.
8) I would have much more joy in embracing what each day brings, as opposed to gearing myself up for a days worth of time-outs.
9) I would make it so my dog never shed. Glorious!!!!!
10) I wouldn't be insecure about anything. And instead of condemning myself for what I can't do, I would marvel at what I can do.
11) I would laugh a whole lot more at the goofy things my kiddos say and do because they are hysterical! I don't want to one day look back at this time in sadness and regret because I let precious moments pass me by.
12) I would eat more chocolate and not gain an ounce. As it stands now, I look at it and go up a pant size.
13) I would invent Diet Wine.
14) Finally, I would choose to be different each day for my children as I constantly evolve as a parent figuring out how to best love them and teach them to grow up to be responsible, caring, helpful adults.
Till next time...
The forever grateful for Grace,
Joyful and Tired Mom
Oh! And I would totally have my laundry fold itself...and put itself away.

Knock Knock...Who's There?...Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a fabulous Mother's Day...whether you were celebrating your own motherhood, or your fabulous mom! And yes, I spent the day celebrating with my kiddos and husband, and with a little nap. But I did get to spend Saturday night with my incredible mom who has given of herself to her children and family for 30 years! She's amazing and I know how absolutely blessed I am to have her. I love you mom!

For Mother's Day I woke up to flowers, a special "splurge" coffee, a wonderful card that Zachary was so excited about (because it had butterflies and "You love them," as he says), and a trip to breakfast for a delicious meal I didn't have to prepare, cook, or clean-up. We went to church-fabulous. Came home and ate a great lunch: sloppy joe's and french fries, 2 of my favorties. I devoured and indulged because I know that on Mother's Day God blesses women with allowing them to be a glutten and not have any calories count. It's true. It's in Galatians. Ha. Later in the day Mark and I went to Iron Man. Yes, this was my pick, but Mark was beyond thrilled. He was able to relax too on Mother's Day.

My favorite part of the day came in the form of a joke. As we were getting ready to go out the door
Zachary says to me:
-"Knock Knock"
My resonse:
-"Who's there?"
-"Zachary."
-"Zachary Who?"
-"Zachary's penis drinking coffee. But don't worry, it's cold coffee so I won't burn my wiener."
(I know I shouldn't be laughing at potty humor, but come on-that was funny.)

It was a great day. I can't believe these little guys are ours and that God has entrusted them to us. And I can't believe how quickly they are growing up. I cried at breakfast as I watched Zachary cut his own pancake using a knife and a fork. And then almost became emotional again when Mark informed me that Zachary used the urinal for the first time at the restaurant. Drew is growing so quickly and his face just looks like a little boy more and more each day. And Nate doesn't even resemble the infant we brought home 6 months ago. It is going so fast.

I am thankful. I am thankful that I have three healthy, beauitful, rambuctious boys. And I am so thankful to Jesus that he has given me a husband that never makes me feel like I carry the child rearing/house duties on my own. Mark's support, love, and encouragement sustains me. And although it was a wonderful day where my family celebrated me in my role as "mom", the reality is that any part of me that could be considered a good mom is because of the Lord and all the amazing support He has surrounded me with during this time in my life.

Thankful and Loving Jesus,
The Joyful and Tired Mom