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The other night my family and I were hanging out after dinner. Doug and my daughter, Leanne, were snuggled up on the couch. I wasn’t really paying attention until I heard Doug ask, “Leanne, what do you want to be when you grow up?”
She paused for a second, and then replied, “I want to be me!”
I immediately stopped what I was doing. Time stood still for a second. Me….I want to be ME. That answer kept repeating over and over in my head. I want to be me when I grow up…who ever thinks to say that? Is that even an option to choose from?
I’m still in awe of hearing those words, and am reMinDed of all the things we can learn from children. They are so innocent, full of energy and confidence. Isn’t that the way we all want to live? And why can’t we? Why can’t you just want to be YOU?
It is easy to always want what we don’t have. The cars, the body, the money, the career, the perfect family…we constantly pick and choose areas in people’s life that we ‘want to be when we grow up’. The reality is, the people you want to be like, also want more in life. It is a vicious cycle and impossible to keep up.
Why do we do this to ourselves? It is so exhausting! We get so foCuSed on wanting to be someone else that we forget to APPRECIATE what has already be given to us. Be happy being YOU. YOU have something that no one else does. Don’t be so quick to wish it away. Enjoy it!
~Lara
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Stepping outside of my comfort zone has NeVeR come easy. Until I was in my 20’s the list of foods I would eat was limited to say the least and to this day I shock people when I tell them I only lasted 2 nights away at college. In 3 days my parents moved me in and out of a 5th floor dorm room at the University of Rhode Island back to my all familiar bedroom and I was commuting to Seton Hall the next morning. I order the exact same personal pizza at our favorite local restaurant every Friday night and I managed to find a Dunkin Donuts in Aruba while on our honeymoon so I could get my daily fix of french vanilla coffee light and sweet.
Call me traditional, stubborn, or just plain crazy…but that’s me the way I like to be! That is until my daughter received the Disney movie Tangled for Christmas. For as long as I can remember CiNdErElLa has been my favorite princess. Of course I liked Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Belle from Beauty and the Beast, but Cinderella was my girl. Last week I reluctantly sat down with my kids to watch Tangled and see what this Rapunzel had to offer. Not only did I LOVE the movie but I found myself having an inner struggle with myself over how much I really LOVED this new Disney princess. I tried to let it go but as my kids wanted to watch the movie over and over again, I too wanted to take in every second of its BrilLiAnCe. Shortly after this princess competition I created in my head began, I mentioned my new fondness for Rapunzel to my sister. She has been a Belle fan her whole life and I knew she would set me straight. After discussing Rapunzel’s charming qualities as though she were a real person, we both agreed that this new spitfire of a princess had won both of our hearts.
So what you might ask does this have to do with anything? EvErYtHiNg!!! How many times have you said “No” to something because it wasn’t in your comfort zone? Think of all you might be missing and what’s out there waiting for you to discover. Plus…no one ever said you could only have one favorite!
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A couple of weeks ago my husband had made the oBserVation on how I don’t put things away when I am done using them. I responded the way I always do, “It’s because the kids probably distracted me when I was getting ready to clean up”.
That conversation tugged on me for a week. Was there tRuTh behind my husband’s observation of my untidiness? I decided I would test myself and see. After making a point to break this habit for a week, the answer is YES. I have been hIdiNg behind the excuse of the kids, and I never knew it. Not only did I realize that Doug was right (see my “Tastes like vinegar” post), but it has actually made my life easier. I don’t have as much to pick up at night and I feel more organized during the day. Now, don’t get me wrong—my house is not spotless because I don’t spend all day picking up after the kids. BUT, if I get it out, I put it away when I am finished!
It was hard to admit that Doug was right, but I did what all wives should do (no matter how bad it tastes!) and thanked him. Sometimes people tell us things that hurt, but after we have time to cool off, we should try to see if there is some truth to what they are saying. It was worth the pain knowing that Doug loves me enough to hold me aCcouNtabLe so I can be a better ME. If I’m not willing to allow my spouse to hold me accountable then who will? The truth hurts, but let’s be honest, being stubborn gets you nowhere.
~Lara
Live-It List Hidden Question of the Week
What will be the hardest item to achieve on your Live-It list?
Comment below to receive 1 point.
For more details: http://thesuedesofa.com/2011/10/02/win-a-coach-purse-the-details/
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One thing that does my soul good is living in a cLeAn HoUsE. And although I do my best, there are just those days where my house is anything but! In those times I remind myself of the quote by poet Wallace Stevens: “The ImPerFecT is our PaRaDiSe.”
The above picture is my version of “Happily Ever After”. What’s yours?
Here’s a video glimpse of my “Happily Ever After”.
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If you follow our blog you already know that our guys are KaNsAs StAtE WiLdCaT fanatics. So, when the Cats made it to CoTtOn BowL it was signed, sealed, and delivered that they were going.
Cotton Bowl Ticket 
Nothing like grilling a fillet mignon for the tailgate!! 
Although the outcome wasn't as the guys had wished (Arkansas won 29-16) they had a great time! They really loved the Cowboys Stadium!! 
Can you pick out our guys?! {Doug is directly above the guy in the middle of the pic with a black shirt, orange lanyard, and who is talking on the phone. Scott is to the right of Doug.} ~Robynn & Lara~ -
Last May, Joplin, Missouri was ravished by a horrific tornado that claimed more than 160 lives. Being just a couple of hours to the northwest of Joplin, this tragedy hit close to home. Many people from my community have family and friends who were in Joplin on that devastating day.
Immediately following the tornado, there was an outpouring of donations and volunteerism. People joined together to help those affected. Our community shipped truckloads of water, clothing, toiletries and other necessities. It seems that sometimes the worst of circumstances brings out the best in people.
This coming Friday (January 13th) ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will air their series finale, which takes place in Joplin. One thing that makes this episode unique is “Extreme Makeover” typically builds a house in seven days, but this time it will build seven homes in seven days. The stories of the families involved will no doubt be touching to say the least.
The handsome fella 2nd from the left is Brett, a former student at Chanute High School when I was a teacher (back in the day). He was a volunteer, helping with the construction of the homes. I’m alway proud when former students go on to contribute to society in a positive way!!
The show will air on Friday, January 13th at 7:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time). That morning the show will be featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
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Want to earn 5 entries to win the COACH purse? Email us your Live-It List item and picture(s) to go with it! suedesofa@yahoo.com
For more details visit:
http://thesuedesofa.com/2011/10/02/win-a-coach-purse-the-details/
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My husband, a sports buff, was telling me this story about how a collegiate coach was CoNteMpLaTing whether or not he should take a different coaching position. It would pay more money and bring more presitge, however, it would require that his family move to another city. Both he and his family were very HaPpY where they were. Not only did the coach love his job and his life, so did his family. As the coach debated over taking the new position a very wise person told him this:
“Don’t MeSs with happy.”
Good advice.
It is so easy to always want something just a little bit better, even though in reality, you are actually quite happy with what you have. Maybe it’s the house and neighborhood you live in, but due to pressure from the {Jones’} you feel the “need” to get a newer or better one. Or take, for example, your job. It could be that you LoVe your job and are completely happy there. You just wish you got paid a bit more.
Next time you want to make a change, it may be time to ask yourself if you’re happy right where you are. You may find that even with circumstances less than IdEaL you still are happy. If so, are you sure you want to mess with “happy”?
;) Robynn
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I always have a hard time getting back into the SwInG of things once Christmas and New Years are over. I get so wrapped up in preparing for the holidays that when they are finally over I find myself without any motivation to start anything else. To make matters worse I keep hearing about everyone starting their resolutions and I don’t even want to take down my Christmas decorations. It is like I am in denial that the holidays are really over!
Not wanting to let the winter blues get the best of me, I knew I needed to get moving and do SoMeThInG. Yesterday after I dropped my son off at nursery school, I decided to do something simple and bake brownies with my daughter. It wasn’t a goal on my Live-It List and it wasn’t a huge undertaking, but it was SoMeThInG. Not to mention they were pretty yummy and made one little 2 year old really excited to be “Mommy’s helper”.
Are you finding it hard to get yourself going these days? Reluctant to JuMp into your Live-It List? Don’t feel like you need to move mountains in week one. The year has just begun! Do something you enjoy that makes you happy and you might just find yourself ready to tackle your goals!
