Thanksgiving is alive and well

Just pondering the holiday we call Thanksgiving. I have heard so much negativity associated in the so called "lost Thanksgiving" and I'm here to give you a different perspective. 

I have been noticing, and loving by the way, all of the daily posts on fb regarding blessings and what people are thankful for. I notice the brotherly and sisterly love and outpouring support at the food banks and local charities. I notice that people put more emphasis on family time. It is truly an inspiration to me. 

My personal Thanksgiving insights include many things.  I love and cherish my family! Number one in my life. 

My husband, children, their spouses and soon to be spouses, and their children. My mom and my brother and sisters. My mother in law, my husbands brother and sisters. As you can tell, my family is my life. The fun late night talks with my kids as we make mounds of potatoes, and jello salads. The funny videos that get funnier the more we watch. The love we show with one another that makes me excited to spend an eternity with them.

A gratitude for my daughter and her hubby who took care of my mom while I went to work out.

Then their is the yearly turkey burn. I chose fun dance because life wouldn't be fun without dance. Sharing this year with my cute daughter. And of coarse their is my fun dance family, what a blast it was. Watching the different women forget for a moment the trials they face and just dance!

Then coming home to see my cute grandson sprawled out next to my son.

Now after all of the build up the day is finally here. Preparing, eating, playing games, sharing, Maceys Thanksgiving Parade. How could anyone ever say Thanksgiving is over looked? It's alive and thriving in my home.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Just add milk

I've always said that life is made up of defining moments. I know when I fell in love that it would change my life I watched each one of my children make wrong decisions that changed the course of their life, along with the right decisions that brought them back on track. I have hurt people and have been hurt by people and with that it changed our relationships. This last couple of weeks I have went through some defining moments that have been easy and have also been tough.  I have been frustrated at the choice that my husband made to be a network marketer full-time along with excited of some of his accomplishments. I have been able to ask my daughter for some advice about full-time networking because her husband has been a full timer and so is my other daughters husband so it's kind of a  family deal and I really didn't like the answers that I have gotten. I have always heard that you should not let other people define your mood or your feelings or your  emotions but in reality that is what always determines everything that I feel and everything I do and all the emotions that I have at this moment. I'm dealing with anger and frustration at a family member because of a decision that he felt he had to make and now it's up to me to decide whether this is a defining moment of me pulling away from him or forgiving but not trusting,  because there is a difference.

On a lighter note I was able to spend the weekend with my sweet daughter Jessica and we went to the corn maze for the first time which was fabulous and fun. Her,  Bronson and Brooklyn were able to spend the whole weekend with us and to wake up every morning with those three, was wonderful. We missed Tara and Joseph but they were sweet enough to go to his parents so that Jessica would have somewhere to sleep. We got lost in the maze trying to scare other people then in return scared ourselves. We took lots of pictures and just had a really fun bonding time I scratched off  three things off my bucket list, going to a corn maze,  going to burger bar and was able to get a hamburger as big as my head and I've always want wanted to go to drive-ins diners and dashes and burger bar is actually one of those so there was three that I conquered. But what was funny is sometimes as a mom especially with adults you don't think that you're needed as much as you used to be that you've already taught them everything that they needed to know and they're on their way to being great parents adults friends whatever their journey in life is.  But on Saturday morning we got up and everyone's kind of on a health kick/junk food kick at my house at all times and Jessica was saying how much she wanted to like oatmeal. She said she tried it but she just could not understand why everybody liked it ,so of course Samantha decided to make some.  She was putting it in a bowl she put sugar on it and then she put milk on it and Jessica was like what are you doing? Jessica never knew to put milk and sugar on it after it was made. No wonder she hates oatmeal that's like eating a cake half cooked. As we laughed I realized there is another thing that I got  to teacher even at her wise old age.  I can add to her knowledge which is, make sure you add milk. Oh and don't forget the sugar because we all know that sugar makes life better. 

Grandma , Nana or the best title ever!

I am privelidged to be a grandma to 6 beautiful kids. Josie , Chloe , Bronson , Kailia, Brooklyn , and Kavika. I think I have a different relationship with each one. Josie and Chloe were two I got to meet when they were older. I missed out on the little infant & toddler stage, but look out cause we are watching them in their diva stage. Bronson was like my own, living with me his first 3 1/2 years I got to see every FIRST! Kailia now has taken over that spot with her living with us, she has turned into the cutest little shadow I could ask for. Brooklyn is a mommys girl still but slowly feeling more comfortable coming to grandma to have some fun. Kavika is the newest one only a week old now has made his grand entrance into not only the family but into my heart. 

I know that every single grand child will be such a big part of my life because they are an extension of my own wonderful children. I see different qualities and features and personality traits that even there parents don't know about because they can't remember, but I can. I find myself holding them remembering and longing for a moment back with my own.  Then I quit boobing and realize that if that could be I wouldn't have not only grand kids yet but wonderful son in laws. 

I am blessed with something else, I get to share or they share with me, my grandchildren with other nanas, grandmas whatever they go by, they are a select elite small group of women I call friends and sisters. These women love my grand kids as much as I do. Which is a good thing because I don't trust my little angels to just anyone. 

They make sacrifices to drive long distances, ride a train, a plane, and one gets to see small glimpses on Facebook. Either way they share it's never enough time spent with our kids, grand kids, our in laws or even sometimes out laws. 

I speak for most of us ..... Our grand kids are our lives! We will always have an arm reaching out to hug, lips to kiss, a bed for them ( when mom and dad needs a break) and a heart  ready to love them. I am a grandma, I am a member of one of the best clubs EVER. 

It's always more fun with friends

If you all don't already know I love to work out. Fun dance Zumba , you name it I'm there. I have been so blessed to have made some great friends there, that makes it so much more fun.  Looking across the floor shakin your (everything) smiling sweating and just messing around makes you feel like your not working out! Well Saturday was going to be such a busy day with fun grand baby birthday party I was contimplating not going. And the farmers market might not make the cut either. As I was laying in bed thinking should I shouldn't i ... There was a text, are you coming? I'm saving you a spot! Well dang can't let em down, their saving me a spot!!! I went and had a extra fun sweaty time. Talking afterward I happen to mention if I left right from there I could hurry and get to the farmers market. LET THE PaRtY begin.

We all decided sweaty and gross but happy and friends we would all pile in a vehicle and go. When I go alone it's like I hit my vendors, get my salsa supplies, corn and of coarse kettle corn and get out of there. Not that day. We commented on shapes and sizes, beautiful displayes, smells, the peaches, and every dog that was there. Oh the cute little wiener dogs! And then we had personal stories of each and everything we saw. And if coarse we laughed and giggled like we were 10. And then there is Kim , she ended up in the bunny petting zoo and we couldn't get her out! She had to pet and hold each one so the others wouldn't feel bad. ( that's just how she is, kind thoughtful and always pointing out gods beautiful creations to me). While she was with bunnies my sweet Kama helped me pick my corn out, hold my hundred packages and shared a giggle or two about practically everything and kept trying and succeeding in paying for something for me.  Kim ( the buffest chick if the group) met us back with the biggest brownie looking goodness we ever saw divided in threes which we devoured in seconds, thank you great harvest! By the time we headed out,  arms loaded, and not even thinking about the busy day ahead we made one last stop to the kettle corn stand. Me being the only one who had not shared my wealth yet bought everyone a diet coke ! Yes a healthy way to end our Saturday morning workout. Now we could end here but then Kim decided to tell us she has a garden of plums and squash. When we finally get there she says just eat one we do not use toxic spray. At her expense (because I almost fell over in laughter) she bites into one as an earwig bites her lip! Again little school girls laughing again. I ended with an amazing time and a picture of friends that can make the smallest things something that I'll  remember and cherish not because of the great Ogden farmers market (although very fun) but because of friends who love me because of me. I wasn't a mom, a wife, a employee or any of those things at the time I was me. And that was enough! Thanks girls for going with me and always being there for me. Can't wait to return the favor. 

So I thought I was anal!

As you know or if you didn't already. we are now a family of almost 4 more in one house. Now that was a lot easier in some ways when they (except for Keith and I) were under 18. But now all but 1 and 7/8s are over 20. I used to, and frequently did, yell and everyone hopped to it even if they were cussing me under their breaths. Our moto, how unfair, was moms always right! Really there were only 3 ways to answer the mom. Yes I will, yes I would love to do it and yes mommy dearest I would be honored to. And I utilized this as much as possible. 

Years went on and with each kid I lost more and more of my control. Now today I am just talking about the cleanliness of my house. The clutter, the dishes, the bathroom, making dinner, you name it and I obsess over it. 

Having a new family move in has been a challenge for me. As a mom I feel the need to make sure everyone is fed and everything is cleaned up afterward. But this means I think everyone should do it in MY time , not theirs. And a I forget that they are all adults that I love and want to have a relationship long after everyone moves out. I was talking to a dear friend of mine and she told me at her house her husband got them each their own color plate so they knew who wasn't doing their own dishes. Now at first I thought he is crazy anal! Then I realized that was me. I told a few of my girls I was going to make a chore chart and I felt the daggers from the other room , it was like crickets. So..... As anal as I am, and that is an understatement! I have to let go a little or make myself crazy over a dish. Now with that said I relaxed a little and thought I'm not going to do those dishes and left for a while and guess what? When I came home,  the kitchen was clean. Oh how I appreciated it. I did teach them right, and it was me all along just being crazy and ANAL! Yes I'm the one who loves to fall asleep to the sound of the dishwasher. 

Looking back, 5 years goes by fast

Today had a been an exciting day for a special little man in my life. 1st day of kindergarten. Now you wouldn't think this should be such an emotional day for a grandma but really it has been.  

A little back ground is required to understand. 

When Bronson was born his mom had to step up as a single mom to be the financial provider for this little guy and in return this gave me a wonderful opportunity to be not only his baby sitter but also his mom away from mom. I have been so proud of my daughter for the sacrifice she made to leave him with me while she made sure he had food, clothes and a roof over his head. But boy when she was gone did we have a blast! This had caused us to have a different relationship then I have had with my other wonderful grandchildren. Not better just different. For 3 years I considered him mine! Lol, now his mom im sure thought he was hers but let's just say I'm so glad me and her had a great relationship because she pretty much let me think I was the one who loved him the most. Now speed up a little. When she found a wonderful husband who not only loves her but loves my Bronson it was a huge adjustment for me. They left my house , if only a mile away, but she made sure I could have him any time I needed him or he needed me. Preschool was coming to my house afterwards and us playing xbox, making cookies, or just buying flushies (slushies) and turning our mouths blue! Now another adjustment for this grandma. Bronson now lives an hour away and we see each other less but we are still very close. Gliding is wonderful btw. Today he went to school. How I wanted to be there hugging him and wishing him off in person, but he has like I said, a mom and a dad who love him as much as me and it's their turn. So, thank you Jess for sharing him with me in those precious early years and from now on. But also for letting me remember my own children when they went off to school for the first time. How excited they were and how I wish I had a moment back with them to hold, hug and make sure they knew mom believed in them and loved them with all her heart. And so after a few tears I'm off to do this silly ALS ice bucket challenge , I need to feel young and silly and donate to a good cause! I love you little guy grandma believes in you! 

Mines better then yours!

Coming from a family of networkers, we have seen multiple companies. Actually we have been in about 15 combined. The more training I have listened to, this is a very common thing. I guess it's cause the grass is (or looks) greener on the other side.

The one problem that has happened in our family is that networking is also a very emotional business, and so is my family. 

We grow close reaching out for our goals and dreams. We become vulnerable proclaiming our success and failures for the whole world to see. And with that, when one member leaves the company it's like a divorce for a period. That's where I feel like a mom, I have to work harder to keep us all together. I will tell you it's sometimes HARD!

I hear the good bad and the ugly of my business vs your business. I see the best come out and the worst come out in the people I care about.

 See we as network marketers are very passionate people. We care so much about people and what they can achieve that sometimes when others don't see or feel or experience or react like we think they should, we get hurt. Then the "my company is better then yours" comes barreling out. It's human. 

We all do it , (including me) it's a defense mechanism. It helps us get through the times when you doubt what and who you are. The saying "you can cut your own job but never cut someone else's job" is so true. Remember there are enough people in this world for everyone. But you only have one family, so wether they choose to get in your business, someone else's , or work traditionally , they are family! After all the money is made, lost, and made again , family is still here FOREVER! 

By the way mine is better then anyone's ! (And I bet you would beg to differ) 

Go! Fight! Win! Baby!