a reason, a season, or a lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, 

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty; 

to provide you with guidance and support; 

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. 

They may seem like a godsend, and they are. 

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, 

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. 

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. 

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. 

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, 

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. 

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. 

They may teach you something you have never done. 

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. 

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; 

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. 

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, 

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. 

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, 

whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

I love this ... is it a poem?  I'm not sure.

but it rings so true, and is a good reminder for all of us.  

we need each other, if only for a short time.  

~ with love, Katie

what's your parenting style?

I found this questionnaire in *gasp* Parenting magazine ... I am, for the record, not a big fan of this magazine.  to me its filled with lots paranoia and fear ... wait ... how'd did it even find a home in my mailbox???


anyway -
I found this questionnaire and wanted to share & invite any/all mommies reading to participate.  just because.

1. describe your parenting style - I tend to be strict about certain things, like responsibility & manners, but for everything else, I do my best to be as flexible as possible.  
2. last meal you cooked - spaghetti & meatballs
3. weirdest thing in you purse - 3 hotwheels ... is that weird?
4. craziest thing you've done while sleep-deprived - I am thankful to be out of that stage. that said, I don't remember!
5. behavior you hope your kids don't inherit from you - I'm not much of a reader, but I would love for them to discover how great that can be.  does this mean I ought to start reading for myself?
6. last thing your child did that made you laugh - my boys are funny all the time!  Elliott is especially funny lately since he is learning to talk and getting very expressive.
7. your favorite baby gear - when they were baby-babies, I was always so thankful for my boppy.  I was so thankful to be able to nurse them both, and that boppy saved my arms!  today my favorite thing is my Bob stroller.
8. lost object you recently helped your child find - Sam can't seem to keep his shoes together.  how does one shoe always end up on the opposite side of the house?  or often, we find 1 in the house and 1 in the car ....?!&$#@!
9. the song that best describes your parenting experiences - I do my best to cherish, the good and the bad days alike.  the bond a mother has with her children is close to indescribable.  its like no other.  I LOVE this song; Sade is one of my favorite musical artists ... go listen, The Sweetest Gift, by Sade
10. kids' tv show you can't stand - Spongebob is way too annoying for me.  Barney is actually ok, its the child actors that ruin the show, so much so, I just can't get over it.  and Cailou is a big whiner ... and why doesn't he have hair?  ever?
11. first word that pops into your head when I say "mom" - love

leave me a link to your answers in the comments.  remember, there are no wrong answers!


ps. what do you think of Parenting magazine?

doggie sweetness

an email forwarded from my mom, the dog lover ...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10 yr old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure in their home for the old dog.

As we made arrangements, Ron & Lisa told me they thought it would be good for their 4 yr old son Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. Shane seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for awhile after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life --- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” He continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

That’s truly amazing, and from the perspective of a 4 yr old!

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When a loved one comes home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

bald boys

Samuel is now 5 1/2 years, and Elliott is 2 years.

I love how they love each other.

Baldness couldn't be cuter.