Worry....

I worry so much about my children. It consumes me and sometimes I just can't take it anymore. The situation is compounded because they are children of divorce who get carted away from me every other weekend.

I worry if they play to many video games (especially violent ones), if they watch to much TV, if they are on the computer to much, if they are eating right, reading enough, if they exercise enough, if they are too nasty to one another or others, I worry about everything.

Recently, I have been concerned about their spiritual health. At their ages, 13, 10 and 10, how aware should they be? We have never raised them in any faith because, honestly, we weren't sure of ours. However, lately I have found some spiritual relief in my life through meditation, gratitude and attempting to live being present. I want to teach my children to be more aware of the world, the people around them, to be grateful for the lives they were given and to practice loving kindness. How do I do that? I struggle with this. Can I teach them to put away all the distractions of today and just sit quietly?

This weekend I am going to try two things:

• Giving them gratitude journals and taking a silent walk
  

Wish me luck or send good thoughts my way or something.....my children can't be quiet for more then 10 seconds.

This came from Buddhist Metta

"In true meditation, first you fill yourself with love mentally, 'May I be well and happy'. After a while you extend it to all others, saying mentally, 'May all beings of the Universe be well and happy'. Mean it and feel it. Also try to see that the world is filled with your love, with a great desire that they may be happy, a desire such as a mother has for her only child."

S'mores Lovin

Who wants a big, sticky kiss?
Nothing says Summer like backyard bonfires with s'mores and popcorn. I think this is one of my favorite things to do with the kids on those long summer nights.

P.S. The boy in the background is not as close to the fire as he appears.

This s'mores cake is a delicious way to incorporate s'mores into your next outdoor dinner party.

These s'mores cookie bars looks like the perfect way to celebrate summer. I definitely see these in my future.

Finding My Mojo, again...

According to the Urban Dictionary......

Mojo
N.

1. Self-confidence, Self-assuredness. As in basis for belief in ones self in a situation. Esp. I context of contest or display of skill such as sexual advances or going into battle.

2. Good luck fetish / charm to bolster confidence.

3. ability to bounce back from a debilitating trauma and negative attitude

I have been in such a funk lately and I am not sure why. Maybe its the terrible economy that is kicking my ass no matter how much overtime I work or maybe its the fact that have very little time or money to do the things I really enjoy. Maybe its the kids , the house, the laundry, the yard, the weight I have gained, all of which need my attention?

The thing is I am done being miserable and self pitying. I am going to pick myself up by my Payless bootstraps, not Fyre bootstraps :( , and carry on.

I need to slowly focus on a few things I truly enjoy, like blogging, photography, cooking and exercising until I begin to feel like myself again.