Role Models

I recently heard that Rihanna received some criticism for being a poor role model to which her response was...

"See, people ... they want me to be a role model just because of the life I lead. But no, I just want to make music. That's it."

I thought this response was rather disappointing.  We are all role models.  We are all examples of how life can be lived.  Now whether we are good examples or not can be argued.  But like it or not you are a role model simply by your very existence.  I often consider what kind of role model I am for my kids but don't often think about how I may effect others.  I was blessed to receive the following note from a friend and former colleague a while ago after a brief visit.

"Sooo glad I got to see you! Your hair is so long! I love it! I just wanted to tell you real quick that you are such a great person! Your so loving, caring, and friendly and I really look up to you! You are just the perfect role model to me of what kind of wife, mother, and friend I want to be!! You are beautiful inside and out! I cant believe how much I miss talking to you everyday and sharing our life stories and problems LOL! Well just wanted to tell you how I felt since I don't see you everyday anymore!"

I was totally humbled and floored at the same time when I received this.  Yes, there were some tears involved...I'm a crier what can I say?  I have NEVER received something so nice and will forever treasure this note and my sweet friend Kelly who wrote it ;) 

It was so cool that I received this note on the same day that I received a lovely one from someone I consider to be one of my role models....Miss Kelley from Kelley's Kids & etc.  Since meeting Kelley in blog world, she has quickly become a friend and someone I admire greatly.  She approaches life with humor, grace, and a whole lot of faith.  I love reading her posts.  She has also shared with me through emails and reached out to me in support of my desire to grow my faith. 

She gifted me with this lovely Bible and I can't tell you how much that show of support and all her prayers for me have impacted my life.  To reach out like that to someone you don't even "know"....that is the kind of giving heart I want to have.  She is such an encouragement to me as a mother, friend, and daughter of Christ.  She is a truly remarkable woman whom I hope to know for a long time to come :)

What role models do you admire in your life?

Shame on Me

I have been self indulgent of late with a mopey attitude.
YES I have stress and YES I'm overwhelmed but so is everyone.  And when I take a minute to focus on people and events outside of myself, I see that I have have it pretty damn good.

Some bloggy inspirations have hit me today.
Both Rachel from Finding Joy and Carissa of Lowercase Letters have posted
about looking on the bright side and essentially counting your blessings.  And when you really look and put things in perspective, the Lord has rained them down on me in abundance.
Shame on me for forgetting that.

So I decided to review this past week and link up with Rachel and Carrissa for favorite things Friday.  Here are some of the joys I have experienced this past week.

1. Music and it's never ending power to move me

Some of my favorite tunes this week

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Boyce Avenue - Teenage Dream (NOT Katy Perry's version)

Brian Kissinger - Entire "Can't Get Away" album but particularly "Today"  You may be able to find him on YouTube but he used to be the music ministry leader at the school where my husband teaches.

Francesca Battistelli - The Stuff

2.  My oldest son

Loves me all the way to Pluto and back.
That boy's a lover and I will NEVER tire of hearing him tell me he loves me.

3.  My youngest son

Is starting to be more affectionate.  I admit I have compared him to his older brother...sssh...I know your not supposed to do that...and he is not nearly into cuddling and such as his brother was/is.  But this week he has started to give me kisses without solicitation and he has even been asking me to lay with him for a bit at bed time.  God love him.  It has warmed this mama's heart immensely.

4. Sunshine

I need the sun practically as much as I need air.
Blessedly woke up to a clear and bright morning today which helped to center me and lift me up.
Thank you Lord for creating such glorious light!

5. My Ceiling Fan

It is finally warm enough to have my ceiling fan on low at night.  I love to have the cool air swirling around me and be cozy warm under the cover, not to mention the "white noise"....love it.

6.  Growing things

My Weeping Cherry Tree has exploded with blossoms.  My hyacinths are blooming (my oldest picked me one to keep inside and enjoy the aroma).  The grass, it even needed cut today!

7.  Reaching Out
I was asked for my email address from a bloggy friend this week.
Made me feel really good that she reached out to me!  Thanks Cory!

So if you're feeling down, re-examine your past week and find all the beautiful moments that have been given to you and link up with Rachel.

Blog Love

I'm embarrassed that I'm just getting to this post but life has been busy.  My husband had his wisdom teeth removed on Monday so he is essentially MIA.  Still have to do the full-time day job, and take care of kids, and hubby, and laundry, and build a business, and cook.  I'm whining I know but need to vent once and I while :)  Promise I'll be sunnier about it all tomorrow.

Speaking of sunny...on the bright side, the lovely Miss Megan at Our House of Pink, recently awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award!  I'm SOOO thankful to her for the blog lovin'.  I really appreciate all of you who leave me comments!  In order to accept the award I need to: Thank Megan, share 7 things about myself, and pass on the award to other deserving bloggers

7 things about me 

1. I still fight shyness on a daily basis in some way.

2. I LOVE orchids, just can't seem to grow 'em.

3. I hate the phone, I'd much rather email or talk in person.  I'd like to blame this on my kids since they're so boisterous when I'm on the phone but truthfully I have always been this way.

4. I have an addiction to sweets...really...will eat 'til I feel sick.  Not good.  Trying to bring it under control :)

5.  Lived in sunny North Carolina for 2 years and somehow still decided to move back to dull gray sky Pittsburgh, PA.  We just missed the family too much!  I guess it makes the sunny days more special.

6. Have been to 3 other countries: Canada, England, and Scotland.  I REALLY want to go back to Scotland.

7. Tortured my poor husband with being "just friends" for too long when we first met.  Thankfully he hung around!

Other Blogs I feel deserve this award  (I would have had Our House of Pink on here but she beat me to it!)
I always look forward to posts from these ladies, check them out and follow along with me!

Finding Joy

Lowercase Letters

The Busy Budgeting Mama

The Hedricks

Where is my Instruction Manual