#5 Things that lift me up

AMAZING FRIENDS!!!!

Although my countdown of the Top 100 things that lift me up are being blogged in no particular order of preference, it is fitting that this one is in the top 5.


I have always heard horror stories about college roommates. I was very blessed because the three roommates I had freshman and sophomore year of college are still three of my best friends. Two other girls who spent a lot of time in our room and were dubbed "honorary roommates" also make up part of the circle of women who hold a deep and special place in my heart.


These five women are my kindred spirits. We are different in so many ways, but alike in all the ways that really count. They have been with me through every high and low. They know the very core of me, who I truly am and they love me despite of that! They just get me. In a world where it is so hard to be real with people, our friendships provide a safe haven. We can be real, vunerable, and honest.

Every year we get together for a weekend to share, laugh, cry, and reflect. Oh yeah, we eat a lot too! We are all spread out over the United States and, at one time, around the world. As we grow older and our responsibilities increase, it has been more difficult for us to arrange six busy women's schedules - somehow we always manage to do it. This year was the most difficult of all - although after about six to eight months of searching we found a weekend. Unfortunately, at the last minute one of the ladies became ill and was not able to come, which is the first time all of us have not been together for a "reunion". There was an obvious piece missing from our intricate puzzle. I think not having all of us there really reinforced the importance of our time together and how necessary our friendships with one another are.


I cannot imagine my life without these five women in it. I wish we lived closer to one another so that we could share in each others daily lives but for now I will cherish our one weekend a year. We joke that someday we will be in the same nursing home together! What a sight that will be!


I admire these five ladies in so many ways and thank God for our unique bond that continues to grow stronger each year.

Here is a picture of Jen, Eliza, Sarah, Kristin and myself at the Chiaha festival last weekend. We really missed you Terri!




Kristin, Terri, Sarah, Eliza and Jen - you lift me up. Thank you for your love and friendship.

#4 Things that lift me up

My boys - the best of friends!

Micah and Noah get along for the most part. But, let Noah take one of Micah's transformers and boy, you better watch out. Micah definitely has my temper! He always tells Noah that he needs to share but is not willing to take his own advice.

I have really enjoyed watching their play develop over the last several months. They have gone from playing side by side to interacting with each other. Micah watches out for his little brother. He calls him "Kid" and "Little Buddy". They are doing a lot more imaginative play too. It is so sweet! I look forward to many years of best friendship.

#3 Things that lift me up

A freshly painted bedroom!

It only took me five years but I finally painted our bedroom. This picture really doesn't do it justice. It is a sage color and the bathroom is a shade lighter. I LOVE IT! It makes me feel like I have a whole new room! So bright and airy!

Richard said tonight, "Well, this is the last room in the house that had to be painted - so we are finally all done." I replied, "yep, until I decide I want to change the color of one of the other rooms!" He just rolled his eyes at me.

I have a feeling that I exhaust him. ;)

Happy Birthday Richard!

Richard turned the big 4-0 today! He told me he did not want to do anything for his birthday, but I just couldn't resist. We had a small family party and he seemed to not be too mad at me for planning it. We got him this cake in the shape of a toomb stone! Aren't we mean?

# 2 - Thing that lifts me up

Day at the Salon!

There is nothing like getting a new do to make you feel human again. When I went on Friday, it had been about six months since I had been. I am bad about not making it a priority. If I don't make my next appointment before I leave....it can be another six months to a year before I go back. Ah, but it sure does feel good to be pampered those couple of hours!

#1 - Things that lifts me up

My work out buddies!

I am so thankful that I now have people to work out with! For a long time I was going to the gym at lunchtime with my friends from work but we all got so busy. My niece and her friend have agreed to meet me at lunch and walk and I am just so greatful. Especially since I did not want to go to work out today and had every excuse in the book - but knowing that they were waiting there for me motivated me to go anyway. Working out alone = BORING! Working out with friends = FUN, FUN, FUN! Now - if Richard and I could just motivate each other to get out of bed in the morning to walk....

Baby steps....

He lifts me up....

One of Micah's favorite songs is by a Christian band, Audio Adrenaline. The chorus says, "I get down....He lifts me up". The funny thing is that Micah and Noah both sing the song this way - "He lifts me up....I get down." The latter version of the song seems to be the way I tend to live my life. Just as every time God gives me an experience that lifts me up, I allow the negatives of life to bring me back down. Why is it so easy for us to focus on the negative?

The other day, during my workout/therapy session, my therapist asked me to tell her some things that I like about myself. As I walked the treadmill, I thought....and I thought...and I thought. I then began to cry....I couldn't think of one thing. I would start to say something that I liked but then it was always tagged with something negative. It took me almost the whole rest of the afternoon to come up with one specfic thing that I liked about myself - that wasn't plagued by a negative. (I am currently working on a longer list) :)

The world is so doom and gloom these days - the constant rise and fall of the Dow, war, gas prices, violence, hatred....I could go on and on. It makes it hard to allow God to "lift us up" when we are down.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9; 16-18
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Through outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


I spend so much of my life looking back at the mistakes I have made, struggling with guilt - the shoulda, coulda, wouldas of life. I spend the other half of my life fretting about the future - worrying about what is yet to come. Rarely do I spend time in the here and now - being thankful for the ways that God lifts me up day by day.

I have decided to steal an idea from a friend who also blogs. I am going to write random blogs at times but over the next several months to a year I am going to post the "TOP 100 things that lift me up". Of course, this exercise in thanksgiving is more for me than anyone else but I hope that whoever (if anyone) is reading this blog - they too will be encouraged, will spend more time living for TODAY, and will being lifted up rather than being brought down.

Food for thought: It takes more muscle strength to frown than to smile.
You can choose to either be a Tigger or an Eyeore.

Steve turns 39!

Friday was Steve's 39th birthday. He and Richard are only 11 months apart! Ellen had twins the hard way! The whole Bryant clan went to the nursing home today to throw him a little party. Steve was elated that we were all there and he enjoyed the company. He ate and drank his weight in birthday cake and Dr. Pepper!

The kids got more hugs and kisses than they expected from random strangers in the hallways. It is not very often that these folks get to see such cute little ones. I think it does their hearts good. Speaking of the kids -what a group of rugrats! They are all growing up so fast!

We told the boys we were going to see their Uncle Steve and Micah said, "We don't have an Uncle Steve." How pitiful is that. Although Steve lives in the same town as we do, we have not been to see him in about a year. I think sometimes it is too hard for Richard to see his brother in the situation he is in.

For those I have not told his story to, several years ago Steve was shot in the head in his home. He is now paralized on one side of his body and has a very limited vocabulary. However, he is so much fun to be around - he likes to flirt with all of the nurses at the nursing home!

It was such a blessing today to spend time with all of Richard's family. I think we take family for granted a lot. I am realizing more and more that I need to treasure the time I have with my family. I have been blessed with so much family and I hate that we all spread out so much. We have to make the most of the time we do have together. At the end of the day, relationships....they are all that really matter.

Happy Birthday Steve. We all love you so very much!

Aunt Jo Jo

Aunt Jo Jo is a pro at potty training. Tonight she was giving us pointers since Noah will potty all day long at school but not so much when he is at home. Here is Noah getting instruction and encouragement from Aunt Jo Jo over the phone as he tries to potty before bed. Hopefully, her encouragement has helped. He can't wait to send Aunt Jo Jo a picture of his pee pee! We love our Aunt Jo Jo!

Communication

For some reason I have a problem communicating with those whom I love (friends/family). This is especially crazy since I have always been the one who "talks to much". My lack of communication these days does not stem from a lack of desire....just a lack of time and energy. Richard and I are attempting to make some major changes in our life. One of these major changes being that we no longer have a television. This change has given me a little more time in my day - since I am sitting in front of the boob tube for several hours a day. Instead, I thought I would try to funnel my creativity into something that would allow me to communicate with my loved ones better. Thus, the blog. Hope you all enjoy!