Here I Am vs. I'm Here

Last week, I read an e-mail from the Stroller Strides National Fitness Director. In the letter, Farel wrote a very simple phrase that has stuck with me all week. "Here I Am vs. I'm Here"

I had a really good friend in college who wore his watch backwards EVERYDAY! It drove me crazy! Finally, I asked him why and he told me that he wore his watch backwards because it reminded him that his goal in life was to put other's first. Great theory in life, but how did the watch fit in? He simply said, If someone needed to know what time it was he would never have to strain his neck to see. To this day, I still don't get the watch point (why couldn't he just tell them what time it was?), but I commend his selfless actions.

I'd like to think that I'm a "I'm here" person, one that tries to put other's first and listens well. A person that remembers the little things about a person's life, some one who will gladly give you an extra cracker for your child or diaper if you were out. When ever I try to be this person, I always think of Lauren B. from our Stroller Stride's class. She truly is a I'm Here person.

More often than not, I fear that I fall into the trap of a "Here I am" person. It may be inadvertent, but this person always seems to feel that they are the most important thing going on at any given time. This person may have nothing but the best intentions, but almost always serves their needs first. When I think of this person I always envision Eloise from the children's story books. "I am Eloise. I am six." This is not how I want to live me life.

So, are you a Here I Am or a I'm Here kinda girl ?

Too Much?

So, last night my family and I went to see my nephew, Matthew, play his 2nd to last all-star game. He is on the 9 and 10 year old team for San Carlos and they will be playing for the championship tonight.

I was amazed at the excitement in the air. The fans were yelling, the moms and grandmas had on their "team shirts" and photo buttons, heck the game was even being streamed live over the Internet for the "out-of-town friends and family". It was a major deal!

As we drove home, I couldn't help but ask, why? They are 9 and 10 year olds. Is it really that big of a deal? Are we making too much out of it?

It was then that my voice of reason (Andy) snapped me back into reality (aka Motherhood). "Look at this the way their moms would, their kids are doing something really cool and are doing it well."

He was right, it wasn't too much if you were their mom, dad, grandma, etc. After all, I've been known to announce to the whole fire station that Sam was using the "big girl potty" and take her on a mani/pedi day for it. Or march Lanie around the house on my hip for her failed attempts at walking. (yes, in our house, even a failure is an reason to cheer)

I don't think celebrating you or your kid's achievements (however big or small in life) can ever be too much.

Now, if I could only figure out how to make those photo buttons...

If you're happy and you know it...

You’re probably living in Denmark. That’s right, a new survey came out this week that said the happiest nation in the world is Denmark of all places. Ironically, the United States came in at #16. With everything that we have as a nation how did we only rank 16th? Don’t we have more than enough things to make us happy?

This got me thinking, there must be A LOT of people in the US unhappy.

So, here it is, my top 10 reasons that I AM HAPPY (and I know it).

#1) I have a great family. Sam turned 2 last week and is as crazy as ever and Lanie is turning 1 this Saturday. They are great friends and are just beginning to have a good time with each other

#2) I have an amazing Husband that I love to the moon and back. I know, I know, I don’t want to brag, but he really is kinda great. Andy is loving, kind, great with the girls and most importantly, really understanding of me and my crazy life. Not to mention that he’s not too hard on the eyes.

#3) I have a super cool job that I love to do. Stroller Strides is the best job I’ve ever had (don’t tell anyone, but it’s the kind of job that I’d do for free of I had to, that’s how much I love it).

#4) My family is healthy and happy.

#5) There’s always food on our table. In these crazy economic times, you can’t imagine the comfort in that.

#6) My girls are free to grow up and be whatever they want to be in life. I have to give credit where credit is due on this one. This has very little to do with me and Andy’s influence but rather the amazing Americans who came before us. Because of the men and women who have served our country in times of war and peace, Sam and Lanie can grow up to be anything in life, from a President to a stay at home mom.

#7) We have a roof over our heads and a soft bed to sleep in.

#8) The new season of Project Runway is starting. I know that this is shallow, but I really do love this show.

#9) The Lazy days of summer are in full swing at my house. It’s lighter later and that means playing in the yard till my kids fall over with exhaustion. (No more fighting over movies at bed time).

And Last, but not least…

#10) I don’t live in Denmark! I’m sure it’s a great country, but I get to live right here in San Diego where my family is and the weather’s great.