Utter Failures

When I was in elementary, we had a collection of kids' abridged classics. The thing is, I didn't know they were abridged. And, after reading through all the Nancy Drews and other things I was interested in, I needed something "bigger" to read. So around age 11 or so, I got interested in the classics. I remember looking at the stack and being excited to read Treasure Island, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Around the World in 80 Days, etc. So, I started reading and was like... ok these aren't so hard. I don't see what the big deal is. And then... And then. I discovered that these books WERE NOT THE REAL BOOKS. I was furious. I had been tricked! The nerve! Who pays money for fake, incomplete books?? (I was in full-on "speak to the manager" mode... a miniature vesrion of "Janet", if you will) Deciding never again to be fooled by the publishers of these imposters, I went in search of the real thing, and I started collecting unabridged classic...

I was driving alone a few weeks ago and talking/praying out loud about some things that I wasn't thrilled about and hoped would change. Vehicles and appliances that needed repair... basically smallish things that just weren't status quo. And in the middle of my conversation, I suddenly had a thought occur to me. Almost like a voice spoke to me. And what it said was this: "Laura, you are kind of a negative person." I stopped talking, my mouth wide open. Uh... what? And then I thought about it for a second and just had to smile at that realization. Yeah. Yeah, I am. I would have always described myself as a pragmatic or realistic person, definitely not overly positive, but not negative. But in the past year, I've been... shall we say, in a funk. Which is a long time to be in a funk. But having my second child and working full-time and also doing all the "mom" things while trying to manage chronic pain and fatigue... that really started to take more ...

A friend shared an inspirational quote on Instagram the other day and it got me thinking. Here's the quote: So at first glance, I agree with the quote. We should be doing our best and giving each day all our effort. And our faith would agree: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23 & 24 But what gave me pause was the way the quote could be taken. YOU are better than being average. YOU deserve the best. YOU need to live in a way that brings YOU all the things YOU want so YOU can be a SUCCESS. I'm not saying at all that the friend intended that. (If that was you, please don't @ me!) But contrast the "YOU"-focused application with this: I think most of us (Christians and not) would see through and denounce the prosperity gospel advocated by the Joel Osteens of the world. That's probably n...

Someone told me the other day I should have a blog about the reality of having kids since most "mom blogs" are more idealistic or at least don't show the everyday messy reality. I'm not going to create a new blog -- this one is largely about those types of things, anyway. But I decided I'd write a post about that topic. Keep in mind, this is my point of view and experience. So here we go -- Having Kids: Expectations vs. Reality. Expectation: I don't think I'm actually prepared to have kids Reality: I wasn't Expectation: I'm going to be really tired Reality: I am Expectation: I have no idea what I'm doing Reality: I didn't Expectation: I don't think I can do it all... Reality: I can't Expectation: I am going try my best to balance work and home life Reality: Still working on that Expectation: I'm pretty laid back. Wonder if I'll stay that way? Reality: Eh... Expectation: I don't like kids... I wonder...

On our 10th anniversary, I thought I'd post a blog about US! How It Happened Neither of us were really looking to get married. We weren’t against it at all, but we weren’t “aiming” for it. I had ideas about what I was going to do in my early-to-mid twenties and so did Jeremy. We’d both dated some, but nothing was ever a good fit. And then one day I was working in the fitness center and this guy comes in that I didn’t remember seeing before. Something that happened was funny (neither of us remember what), but we remember laughing together while he checked in at the desk. And that was the end of that. Except it wasn’t. Later that week, we saw each other during a meal, and said hi. Jeremy thought, again, that he’d probably never see me again, so as a joke, he introduced himself as Billy. And I was like… um ok. Whatever. And that was that. Except it wasn’t. We saw each other again at the fitness center. And he had to confess his real name. And then we talked about Star Trek....

I was in my mid-20s when someone said something about me that I'll always remember. She told me that I was the person that connected other people with who/what they needed. I didn't even know that was a thing, to be honest. But it really stuck with me, and I'm so glad she told me that. It changed a lot of things for me! To me, the best person to know was the person who knew the answers. So, knowing relatively few answers, I didn't think I was a very important person to know. Not that I was useless or anything. Just not super helpful.  I'm changing my mind about that. And I am really starting to embrace and love being a connector. Whether it's connecting a person with a book, a friend, a group, an online resource, or a great local small business, I really love connecting. As I have embraced this role, I've seen even more opportunities just land in my lap -- it's not like I go looking for this stuff -- but people will just start talking to ...