Speaking My Truth

Wow! It finally was nice enough to be out yesterday. I have felt really bad for the kids. I guess I didn't realize how little we have been out. Yesterday, when I told them we were going on an adventure, Hans yelled out, with overwhelming enthusiasm, " Tell me where, is it Albertsons?" I should have gone with that and gradually worked my way up, but instead I started with the zoo. Hans loves monkeys. He has about 25 of these hanging ones. Every thrift store and garage sale is carefully sorted through to make sure there are no homeless hanging monkeys. They form curtains around his bed on the bottom bunk. The kids enjoyed the zoo and I was impressed when we went to the shark feeding and Hans answered the zookeepers questions correctly. He has a pretty vast knowledge of ocean life. He knew the difference between the sharks and what species is the largest(whale shark) and the most dangerous( bull shark). Olive was a little perturbed by the attention he received and started throwing out some ideas of her own. She has decided when she gets older she wants her head to be pink.

So yesterday was a busy day. Siobhan had another band concert. Arriving, the boy getting out of the car next to us was looked upon as a sort of street urchin, "oh, it's elliot, ugh". Following the performance, where he wowed everybody with a kick ass drum piece, he was "so awesome, I totally talked to him". Pete announced he was named Manager of the Year for his store. I am very proud of Pete and excited for him. He constantly doubts his abilities, despite the lavish praise he receives. It was nice for him and I look forward to taking advantage of his extra discounts this next year. So, really we are both winners.

I really try to be encouraging to Pete. I think that I am mostly a positive person, that's what I strive for anyway. I have received a great many lessons from my step mama Sharon. I used to like to joke about all her sayings and catch phrases but as an adult I find that most of them hold true. She has taught me a great many things things that have helped me make good changes in my life. I don't often share a lot about Sharon on the blog. She is a really awesome person. She is really open to all people and never tries to force anything on anyone. She always says of her advice, "take what you can use and leave the rest". But, my favorite lesson that she and Ottman(her animal son) have given me is to speak my truth. I have heard this many times but this has really been important to me in the last several months. This story could go on for awhile and I am sure that I don't need to detail all my various issues, that's where a trained professional comes in. But today, just for fun, let's list five things we like about ourselves, things we are good at. For me, it was harder than I thought. I hope everybody will give it a try. I know this one is a little bit vague, next week I may have to make the list- five list ideas. Anyway, here we go everybody....

#1. I like that I am willing to try new things and learn different ways of doing things.

#2. I like that I read a lot, I also like that I am a fast reader.

#3. I have a good memory and make an effort to remember things that people have told me.

#4. I am a devoted wife and mother and I like that I have put a real work toward that.

#5. I like that I dance with the kids, even though I feel totally ridiculous a lot of the time.