Evaluating and Examining

"There is always room for improvement... you know, Its the biggest room in the house." So after reading this I decided to take stock in what I could begin improving in my own life and my surroundings. When you actually sit and take stock in everything you realize while you think you have it really good.. there is SO much room for improvement. Makes me wonder just how good life could be when lessons learned are actually applied. I decided to do a "Life Hack". Hack into my life and make improvements. I actually found website called http://www.lifehack.org/ and one of their post was 60 small ways to improve your life in the next 100 days. One of the things on the list was to write down 5-10 things your are grateful for, every day.

Developing an attitude of gratitude can only bring happiness. Learning to see the good, instead of the negative around you will only make you smile. One of my favorite books, that I often go to when I need a reminder of how good my life really is, is Something More by Sarah Ban Breathnach, in the book she states:

"Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend...when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives, but are grateful for the abundance that is present... love, health, family, friends, the joy of personal pursuits...the wasteland of illusion falls way and we experience Heaven on Earth. "

Today I am going to accept where I am at, and celebrate the positives and the gifts. I am going to be grateful for my amazing family, my wonderful true friends, the health of my loved ones, the ordinary things that mean I have one more day here with my family, the joys of being a mom. I am going to sit back take it all in and enjoy this ordinary Friday and know that I am truly blessed. So much good exists in my life, in every part of my being that today I am going to offer the gift of a grateful heart.

"Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart."

Learning to thrive....

"No more do I want to just survive, but I want to thrive. A flower that survives is prone to whither and never reach full bloom. I want to thrive and blossom in the splendor God has created me to be. " A friend posted that on Facebook, and I loved it! How often do we forget it is OUR choice how we handle life's challenges, changes and adversities. We can learn to just COPE, or learn to THRIVE.

This year has been one of those years for me. Many challenges have been faced, many changes have came and all brought their share of adversity. I have learned that I am not a fan of change. But who really is? I know God has said he will never give you more than you can handle...but at times I have wanted to say "okay God, thats enough". I feel like I have just been "surviving", I want to learn to thrive, to really feel alive and appreciate all the beautiful things around me every second.

Learning to trust yourself, and believing that you are your own worst enemy, but you are also your best asset. Learning to thrive and become the "beautiful splendor God has created you to be". What an awesome thought. Learning to let go of WHO you think you are and becoming what GOD planned you to be. I want to become that person. I once read a blog that brought up a good point. Standing in front of the mirror we see the imperfections, wrinkles, extra weight, etc... but if you look deeper you see YOU, the person that loves, and gives, and is courageous but has fears and doubts. It stated we are "Beautifully imperfect and perfectly beautiful, you are all possibilities happening at the same time."

Day to day I struggle between my own humanness and the person buried deep inside me that wants so much more, wants to express much more and wants to do and be much more. I want to become that person. I want to live a life fully knowing I am at least trying to follow God's plan, rather than ignoring or running. I want not only for myself to thrive but I want my family to thrive. I want to be closer, do more and be more. I want to love more, express more love and I want to always be an example my children can be proud to call MOM. I have failed that many times, and let myself down, but more than that I have let my kids down.


I'm going to quit avoiding change and uncertainty because it might be uncomfortable, it might be a tough adjustment, but I am going to lean into the change and learn to thrive in it. Learn to trust that God has equipped me, and I am capable of handling whatever is in front of me. KNOW that I have what I need and learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This will be a new journey for me, but it will be the journey that saves myself and my family. I hope we become a change that others see.

On my mind....

Lately I have thought a lot about responsible parenting, teaching discipline and building good character in our kids. I know that nobody ever said being a parent would be easy. Kids DO NOT come with instruction manuals, they do not come with a 1-800 number for tech support, and they certainly do not come with a BIG RED EASY button.. or even a pause and rewind (Ive looked for those). What they do come with is a basic set of NEEDS, both physical and emotional. These needs MUST be met by the PARENT, and if they are not met, all of them there could be lasting negative effects.

We must provide a SAFE ENVIRONMENT for our kids. Safe from harm, safe from dangers in the home and protect them as much as you can from dangers outside the home. Keep them out of harms way by interviewing caregivers, safety precautions in the home (smoke alarms, doors locked, etc). Make your home a safe place for your children. My son has one friend that will not spend the night ANYWHERE, never has... until this year. He will come spend the night at our house. After the first night here, I said "Yay, P... you stayed all night!" His response, "I don't know, I just feel safe here." As a parent, that meant I was doing something right.

Provide your child with BASIC NEEDS. Water, food, shelter are easy. Provide them with proper medical care, warm bed, appropriate clothing for weather. These are needs that your child must be given.

You must help your child with their SELF ESTEEM building. Accept their uniqueness, encourage them to participate in sports, clubs or activities. Acknowledge your child"s accomplishments and achievements. Encourage your child. Set expectations that are realistic for your child"s age and ability. Teach, do not criticize or ridicule, your child. In saying all that, do NOT build your child's self esteem up so much that they are obnoxious, and think they are the best at everything they do. That is a way to set your child up for huge failure.

Be involved in your child's EDUCATION. Communicate with their teachers, make sure they are doing their homework and assignments. Talk to your child about school. Ask about their day, their friends, and recognize their academic achievements.

Most importantly GET TO KNOW YOUR CHILD. Spend time with your kids, be approachable, ask questions. Communication is key.

Those are the obvious, and easy ones for most parents. The two I have thought a lot about lately are teaching your child morals and values, and providing discipline. I try to do my best when raising my kids. I try to remember that everything I do is a reflection of my kids as well. I can talk to my kids all day about our values and our morals but until they seem them in action it means nothing. Showing our values in our actions is a responsibility as parents. DO as I DO, not just DO as I SAY. Lead your children by example.

It is also your job as a parent to provide DISCIPLINE to your children. Be consistent in your discipline, provide a structured discipline. Have a discipline system that is predictable. If your child acts out a certain way THEY KNOW they will be disciplined because you have set that precedence. I try to hold my children accountable for their actions. I do not automatically assume it is the other kid when there has been wrong doing found. I hold my children to a certain level of behavior. I expect them to respect adults, and I expect to work hard at all they do. Im amazed daily at the level of disrespect I see from a lot of kids... but there again.. I look at the parent and realize the child has not been taught to respect.

I am sure for most of us, having children was a choice. We wanted to bring these beautiful beings into this world and be responsible for ALL their needs. I remember being so afraid of being "a mom" and having all the answers. Guess what.. You don't need all the answers. You just need to be there, and be a parent. Provide the basic needs, emotional and physical. Be a shining example for your kids. Follow your instincts. I pray daily that I learn to become all this for my kids and more.

Responsible Parenting... PASS IT ON! (as I step off my soap box.). :)

Wow..... what have I been doing.

I have told myself for months that I would start back blogging. I would get back into writing and posting about the mundane daily events that happen here at the Cash house. Seems LIFE has prevented me from doing so. Rather it was soccer, basketball, baseball, modeling (yes, Scarlett has done some of that since my last post), or just every day living... I have not blogged in over a year.

I've missed blogging so I have vowed to myself to get started back. In the beginning of 2010 my brother and I had a bet about who would keep up with their blog.. I think we both lost in 2010.. but he is off to a great start in 2011.

So if your still there and still reading.. Im gonna try this again. :) Happy Blogging everybody!

How much for that doggie in the window???

Love Day 6

Since I am covering my family. Day 6th would have to be how much I love my little Gizmo. I have NEVER been a dog person, never had inside dogs, never even been around many dogs. Did pet many dogs, never let dogs sleep in bed with me and DEFINITELY never, ever let a dog kiss me in the face. Well guess who is allowed all those things and then some. Santa Clause brought Gizmo to the kids on Christmas morning 2009 and it has been such a welcome addition to our family. He is the perfect Cash family dog.

He is active, playful and so very loving! I just love this spoiled dog! Who knew I would be one of those people that send out Christmas cards with my dog in our family picture. ha! But, he is definitely part of our family.

As you can see he enjoys nap time almost as much as I do! ha! He waits for me to go to bed every night, and then stays in bed with me on days that I sleep because I have worked all night. He is so excited to see us when we come home. Such a beautiful thing to have the unconditional love of a puppy!

My Baby Love, My Baby Love...

Love Day 5

What would life be without a little drama? Sugar and Spice and everything nice! Oh how I LOVE this little girl of mine. She is a perfect mix of sassy and sweet!

I love how sweet she is. One day while walking into a ballgame she saw a man with an amputated leg on crunches. She looked at me and said, "Mom, I see he is hurt, and I love him and said a prayer in my heart." She has understood me and listened to me when we meet people that are different. She doesn't see something wrong with them, the simply sees that they are different and sees the world different than she does.

BUT...

She can be a total diva, too! For example, yesterday.. big ugly snow day, she comes into my bathroom horribly sad. I ask what is wrong and she turns on the water works. Little tears are just flowing. She looks up at me and tells me...."I'm a bad dresser!". Of course I laughed at her.. which when a six year old is crying over the very real thought that they are a bad dresser... do not laugh at them! That just made the tears WORSE! I asked her "what in the world" made her think she was a bad dresser?? She told me it was because she was wearing something that didn't match!!! REALLY??? Six???

I love her creativity. She wants to be a rock country superstar! She has a whole different persona name Stella. She came up with all this on her own and on days she is feeling like a star, then she is Stella. I have called her my little Gwen. Because her style reminds me of Gwen Stefani. This girl can put an outfit together that would look horrible on most of us... but she pulls it off well.

I love how much she loves her mommy! I remember wanting a little girl so badly. The day the ultrasound tech told me I was having a little girl I cried and cried. My husband likes to remind of that moment on days when I am ready to pull my hair out from dealing with a six year old Diva. ! She thinks her mom hung the moon! Poor child will one day be very disappointed but for now, she thinks I am IT! She will not even say her daddy cooks eggs better than me.. which in our house is a long standing joke because my eggs are horrible!


I love her strong will, fiery personality, and so much more! I am so lucky to be her mommy. She has big dreams and I know with her determination nothing is impossible.

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...

LOVE Day 4

It goes without saying that I totally LOVE my family. So, like Leigh Ann my first few days of this month it is very easy to think of things I love.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little boy! He has brought endless amounts of sunshine to my life.

I love his big cheesy smile just like his mom's. I love his curly red hair. I love his easy going laid back personality. I love that he gets so fired up about his sports and takes playing by the rules very seriously.

I love that he says thank you for the little things I do for him. I love that he ends his prayers with "Thank you Baby Jesus". I love his sweet spirit.

I love his outgoing personality. He rarely meets a stranger. Young or old if you are willing to listen to him he is going to sit and talk to you. He is respectful and kind to others.

I love that he still gets up in the morning and the first thing he does is give me a hug and kiss. I love that he takes nothing for granted. I love that he is not afraid to show love.

I love everything about this little boy! I was blessed beyond what I imagined on September 18, 2001. In an instant my whole world was changed with one small little boy.