January Blues

Why is it that January seems to bring on the "blues" or feeling a bit of sadness inside. I'm not sure why that seems to be. Maybe it is because its cold outside and usually hazy, although today there is sunshine and it looks beautiful out there. Maybe because it snows, snows, snows and then there is mud, ice, and muck on the sidewalks and roads. Maybe it is because the post Christmas bills are landing in your mailbox and the checkbook numbers are depressing. Maybe it is because a new year has arrived with all its new hopes and goals (which most are repeats from the previous year) and you feel so overwhelmed. But, in honor of the "blues" I would like to share a few thoughts that help bring a smile to my face, which is the best cure for the "January blues."

First of all, Miss Courtney is 18 and growing up so fast. She finally got a better managed job at Jimmy John's, not quite as cool as Rue 21, however, it is managed much better and she really likes the people she is working with. She was so happy to just finally find another job, we all know how painful job hunting is. She is finally focused on the future and her education dreams. She is set on becoming an elementary school teacher and studying Special Education. This is something she will be incredibly good at. She has a lot of compassion and love and she is so nurturing. She does so well volunteering with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and really does enjoy the youth she works with, especially those with special needs. I am so happy for her, as she has her whole life in front of her just waiting to be lived. She is eager to try the ACT one more time in hopes of improving her score a bit. She asked me if she could take it in April, imagine that! So her request for academic advancement of any kind really does make me smile! She is beautiful, those of the male gender had better stay away, I'm not ready for her to fall in love yet!

Caitlin, has worked hard this last semester to maintain her 4.0 GPA, which she did! She is looking forward to the drill team's region competition next week and she has worked so hard, I hope the team does well and places so they can advance to the state competition. The countdown calendar to the 16th birthday has a small amount of numbers left. I believe it will be 104 days to that blessed event! She cannot wait for the big 16 as she wants to drive and date and thinks that birthday will bring her great amounts of teenage freedom. I hope it brings the joy she anticipates. She loves her little brother and reads with him often. He loves her and really depends on her. She is the president of her young women's class at church and is a great leader. She leads with love and spends time praying for the welfare of the girls. Wow, she teaches me daily and this brings a smile to my face to watch her grow up so wonderfully.

Hannah, her hugs and kisses bring a smile to my face each and every day. She is so full of love and shares it with everyone in the most energetic way. She giggles and giggles and giggles. She can see all the love and beauty that the world has to offer, much of it unseen or missed by many. I appreciate her view of the world.

Bowen, wow, what a little man! He makes me laugh, mostly because of all the things he says or the questions he asks. I think it is great that his mind is so inquisitive and that he continually seeks for answers. I have made a habit out of adding little words of wisdom or love in the form of notes added to the lunches of the kids. On Monday, Bowen, in his most authoritative voice and with his hands on his hips asked, "Mom, why did you put the note, 'Remember to Smile' in my lunch?" I, of course, replied, "because I love you." This was not good enough. He informed me that loving me means not putting little notes in his lunch because all the other first grade boys thought it silly and laughed. He told me I could draw hearts all over his lunch sack in lieu of the notes, this way, the first grade boys might think there is a girl that loves him rather than his mom! That makes me smile, however, a little broken hearted that he would rather have a first grade girl crush instead of a loving mother. Watching Bowen grow up will be an adventure and not for the weak hearted.

Have a great week and remember to smile a bit to beat the "blues."