Five Minute Friday: EXTREME

    This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing, shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: EXTREME.

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I am all or nothing.  Seriously.  I will give everything I have to a project, or I won't try it.  That is why there are 10 drafts sitting in my inbox, ready to be filled out.  I promised myself I would do all of the prompts for 2022, and though it might take me until the end of 2023, I will get them done!

I will run myself ragged to complete a task.  I won't do it half-heartedly.  I will do it all the way.  I'll go above and beyond.  Go big or go home.

For instance... I've gone back to school.  Grad school isn't for the weak, you guys...

I am pouring my heart and soul into the work.  Things are taking me 3 times as long to complete because I am enjoying the process so much!  I get tunnel vision and won't stop until it's perfect.  

My husband says that I can do the minimum and still get a degree.  I say I want a 4.0!  I will spend two hours on assignments that are only worth 10 points in order to do them perfectly.  Is it excessive?  Absolutely.  Is it paying off?  I think so... Especially in the long run.

Today, I had another professor ask if they could use my research paper as an example for the classes moving forward.  I'll take the pat on the back.  I work too hard and put too much effort into something that no one will see, and no good will come from.  I have something to say, and I'm gonna say it, dangit!

Getting it done in the midst of the constant chaos

Humble(ish) brag:  I am smart!  I am a good student!  and I am doing the damn thing!

My little study buddy (Ellie) who doesn't want to ever sleep!

Five Minute Friday: SHOW

 This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: SHOW

_____GO

My favorite big girl in the whole world comes up and gives me the sweetest hug. When I go to let go, she pulls me in tighter. 

“Oh, this is a GOOD hug! Thank you, baby. I needed a good hug this time. That was perfect. How did you know?”

“Your nose gets really red, so I know you are gonna cry.”

She is no stranger to my tears. I wear my heart on my sleeve and every emotion in my brain comes out through my eyes.

Happy… tears

Sad… tears

Mad… tears

Frustrated… tears

Scared… tears 

Sappy commercials… tears

Feel good endings… tears

I’m an empath, and can’t help but feel big feelings. And so does my little middle love. 

I pray she never loses her ability to see people. Even when they don’t want to be seen. Even when they try to hide. I pray she always looks.

STOP.

Millie (6) and Lucy (2)

 

Five Minute Friday: SIMPLE

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing, shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: SIMPLE.

When did it get so complicated?

Every few days, there seems to be another event or party that we can’t miss.

November through January are always jammed packed with all the things.

I know it’s so that we can give them a magical childhood,

but good gracious.

So.Tired.

And it’s only December 9th, (I think).

A baby in a manger.

Advent.

The anticipation of the coming Christ.

A messiah sent,

born in a stable

in a barn

in the middle of nowhere.

No fanfare.

No event.

Just silence

and a baby’s first cry.

That’s what it’s always been about.

All the other stuff is fluff.

Seems like I just need some reminding.

My sweet little Angel, sheep and two spectators
at our church's Family Night in Bethleham production. 

Five Minute Friday: REPRESENT

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing, shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: REPRESENT.

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It's funny to me how we are recognized according to certain groups.  A running joke in our marriage when we go somewhere is whether I'll be recognized as Jeff's wife or he will be recognized as Jen's husband.  It all depends on the relationship within which we are being referenced.  

It's a social experiment of sorts:

Did we meet the person at the same time?  Is one of us closer to the person?  Does it change over time when we both have known the individual for a long time?

Is it a UMHB connection?  Then I'll 100% of the time be Jeff's wife.  

If it's someone in the Hope world, he will typically be "Jen's husband".  

Haiti?  Madam Jeff, all the way.

Hope House?  Mr. Jen.

But, more often than not, I'm the wife of the easily recognizable Jeff.

I am many things, but by far, my most favorite is Jeff's wife. 

Five Minute Friday: FORGET

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: Forget

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We are over 10 years into this parenting journey.  Our biggest, and first love just turned ten, our middle turned six, and our littlests just turned two.

Apparently, I have kids every four years. Specifically every Election and Olympics year.  Not planned, obvs. During those four years, it is incredible how much I don't remember each stage.  When baby toys were replaced by toddler toys, it was about time to bring out the baby toys, again.  I think I haven't "put up" a single toy in the past ten years.

In between these swaps, so much was forgotten.  The lack of sleep.  The demands of feeding a baby. The isolation of gatherings, sequestered to a back room to nurse or put the baby down for a nap.  The feeling of a baby softly breathing on your neck.  The first everythings.  The uncontrollable laughing fits.

However, about the time I forget, a new love comes along to remind me just how special each stage is.

STOP.

Christmas 2014

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2022

Five Minute Friday: PERFORM

     This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing, shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: PERFORM.

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14.  That is the number of FMF's sitting in my draft folder.  I believe that is all of them.  But I definitely need to go back and ensure I haven't missed any.  At the beginning of 2022, I decided that I will focus on writing and finish each prompt for this year. That was before I decided to begin my Master's this Fall, so needless to say, I'm a little behind. 

It seems like too big a number to get accomplished before the end of the year.  Especially since I will have another four or five to do before 2022 ends.

BUT, I set out to finish this goal for the year, and goodness I am going to do it.  It might take me until the end of 2023 to get it done, but this is one goal I will finish!  Grad school sure put a stop to my diligence in completing these each week (or a few at a time).

Here's to hoping I remember to make it a priority!

STOP.

Five Minute Friday: ROAD

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday series. Five minutes of free-flow writing, shared with whoever wants to read it. This week’s prompt is: ROAD.

Straight

Windy

Open

Standstill

Less traveled

Popular

Back roads

Traffic

Lonely

Speedy

Slow

Empty

Packed

Standstill

Creeping

Broken

Underwater

Cracked

Unknown

Dirt 

Unexpected

Clay

Concrete 

Shifting sand 

No matter what it looks like.  No matter the conditions.  No matter who is traveling beside.  He is always there, leading the way.