Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Bloom…Baby…Bloom!

As Springtime approaches, I find myself wandering around my yard surprised at the deep need I feel to get to know my surroundings in this new home of ours; I love seeing the flowers as they start peeking their little heads out and the trees with their wonderful little buds abounding. I find such joy in the daffodils that are brightly sharing their beauty, and as I do so, I cannot help but think of a quote that has touched me time and again…“Bloom Where You’re Planted”.

Many years ago, when I first set my eyes upon this little gem, I took it to mean be happy no matter where you might be.

Over the years I’ve come to understand that where we might be includes not only where you live, but it also means how you live, what you’re doing, and where you are at in life. Sometimes it can even be about where you can’t live, or what you may not be... It can be about a situation you are in, or a situation you long to be in.

No matter where you are planted, this phrase, “Bloom where you’re planted” is a reminder that you are strong and able to grow and blossom beautifully under any circumstance.   No excuses. No more of the “if only…” or “when I…” Those phrases, those thoughts do not bring about blooming. They stifle the grandeur we each possess.

Blooming is a slow process.  A full bloom comes in a slow and steady way.   It’s about taking one small step in the right direction, every opportunity you get. It’s about realizing that sometimes life doesn’t always go the way we might wish, sometimes we may feel we cannot blossom in the situations we’ve been placed in. Unfortunately, there are many times in life when we are faced with these very real feelings. It is then that we have to make a choice; we can turn inward and shrivel in the soil, or we can open our buds and blossom beautifully in the sun. There are no guarantees in this life, so when we hold back we do so at the risk of never fully blossoming.

A flower doesn’t ask for perfection before blooming…it does whatever it can to bring its beauty to the world. We would do well to take note of that…

We can bring such beauty to the world around us…Enjoy where you are, what you’re doing and how you’re doing it! This moment will never come again, don’t let it pass you by. We can thrive and flourish as we turn our heads to the sunshine…we can abound and bring joy to others as we choose to bloom!

 

Stacey Lytle – DHSA President

Miles to Go…or Not.

It’s Wednesday night and I’ve just spent yet another day careening around town in my battered mini-van, running the kids to and from various activities, arguing with them over what music to listen to (“No, we are NOT going to listen to Raffi again!”) and horking down a sandwich so fast I didn’t taste it and got the hiccups after the first swallow. As I attempted to first--hold my breath, then breathe--through the hitching in my diaphragm, I think “Is this really my life? Is this what I signed up for?”

Uh…NO. It’s a not-so-merry-go-round I’ve been on, and something has to give. I recently read an article in Practical Homeschooling magazine that posed the question, “Are you doing things for your children, or with your children?” The gist of the article was to encourage us to examine our priorities—and see how easy it is to get so involved doing things FOR the kids (driving, cooking, task-mastering, etc.) that we forget to do things WITH the kids.

It’s been on my mind a lot. I had to stop and assess how much time we spend dashing from lesson to activity—and the truth is—I spend a LOT of time in the car moving people around and hollering at them to HURRY. I think my kids see more of the back of my head and hear more yelling than they should. I just found a quote by David O. McKay that says “There should be no yelling in the home unless there is a fire.” If that’s the case, someone needs to gift me an extinguisher, because it seems we are always on fire. (My birthday is in June, just so you know.)

I need to scale back. But it’s hard to decide what to give up! Aside from their academics, the kids are involved in dance, choir, gymnastics, tae kwon do, scouts, Activity Days, a twice weekly co-op, baseball, preschool, and…well, believe it or not, the list goes on. These things are enriching FOR the kids! They make the kids “well rounded!” And then there’s the stuff my husband and I each do, like go to work and clean the house and serve in church callings, and exercise (okay, so I don’t exercise…but I should, because it’s important!) All these things are so important!

We’re so busy I can hardly breathe---and it hit me today that I like to be busy because it makes me feel important. But what’s MOST important? What’s really best FOR my kids? Who am I trying to impress? Not the kids. If I wanted to impress them, I’d let them pile on top of me on the couch and read with them. I’d sing with them. I’d go out in the back yard with them and let them do the “Mentos in the Coke bottle” explosion experiment they’ve been begging me to try. I’d play/laugh/dance/talk/pray WITH them.

My five year old has been coming to me several times a day wanting me to hold him. Holding out his arms, telling me I’m the “beautifullest Mommy in the world” and nearly every time, I’ve responded with “Later, baby. Grab your coat and shoes, we need to leave again.” The fact that I’m more annoyed by his request and loving declarations than I’m pained by rebuffing him, scares me.

There will always be things I need to do FOR the kids---but I don’t want them to grow up and only remember the back of my head with the glare of the dashboard or the computer screen as backlighting. I want them to remember my love FOR them manifested in what I do WITH them. I want to snuggle them, make them laugh, make memories WITH THEM! Above all, I want them to know I love them, that they are the “beautifullest kids in the world.”

I guess it’s not so hard to let go of those “so important,” “enriching” things after all. Now, where did I put the Mentos?

Marissa Pineda – DHSA Vice President

BoxTops

As you hopefully know, DHSA collects Box Tops, those little pick rectangles found on food, ziplocks, office supplies, and lots of other stuff. These are the main source of funding for DHSA allowing the board to host parties, buy paper products, pay for web hosting, and other fees associated with the group. General Mills just changed their site which allows me to see historically what our organization has earned.

We registered to do Box Tops in 2006. That year we earned $86.70. In 2008, we earned $132.90. In 2010, we earned $236.00. In 2011, we earned $267.20 and so far this year, we have submitted $305.

No Box Tops were submitted in 2007 or 2009.

This year, a large % of the boxtops have been earned by only 13 families (by entering the catalinas with Bonus Box Tops from Albertsons). I have received Box Tops from another 10 or so families, several of whom have also talked about registering and entering boxtops online. This means our entire organization is funded by fewer than 20 families. Imagine what great activities we could host if more families participated! Check your cupboards and start collecting now, I bet every family has at least 50 in your pantry. They tend to have expiration dates of 6/1 or 12/31 and I want to send in another big bundle before the 6/1/12 box tops expire. Bring them to any mother's meeting or activity and the board member in charge can get them to me.

Janet Cox – DHSA Treasurer

Couples Meeting

Friday, April 27th

Mark your calendars...find a sitter for your kiddos...and plan to spend a fantastic evening out with your hubby and a big bunch of friends!!!

You won't want to miss out on this fun night!!!

Details will be coming in the very near future!  :0)

Recap: March Mothers’ Meeting Show and Tell

I don’t know how to write a glib blurb about this past month’s meeting. It was fascinating and touching. Despite some initial feelings of self-consciousness or inadequacy—each mom who showed up shared something interesting and precious to her— a song written by a mother and performed by sisters; a deep and abiding feeling in the call to be a doula; the joy of reading, sewing, decorating, or organizing and maintaining the home; keeping a journal of spiritual experiences; painting as a means of self discovery and personal expression; preserving memories in scrapbooks; becoming stronger in a self defense class, optimizing and beautifying small spaces; taking pride in running a business; a song from the heart; and THE PASSION OF SIMPLY BEING THE MOM!

Safety Fair!

Saturday, April 28th

12:30pm to 3:00pm

Where: 9301 Mossywood, Boise ID (in the Charter Pointe Subdivision)

· McGruff The Crime Dog takes a bite out of crime! He will help teach your kids about Stranger Danger.

· Otto the Otter talking about Canal Safety, so parents can feel secure their kids are aware these aren’t a water slide ;)

· What does an Anti-drug message have to do with a Rock Climbing Wall? Come hear the message and find out!!

· Do you have teen drivers who think their invincible? Drunk goggles and tricycle obstacle course, (and maybe some grown ups would want to try this too!)

· Free Basic Self-defense mini-classes—get your kung-fu on!

· How tall is your child right now? If they went missing would you know how to identify them? Free personalized Child ID safety Cards for your children while you wait!

· Warm weather is coming, what a better time to brush up on your bicycle safety at our bicycle rodeo taught by professional bicyclist Jen Halladay! Bikes and helmets provided, but feel free to bring your own.

· What would your family do if your house was on fire? Come and find out in the Fire Safety simulation house!

AND MORE!!

Any Boy Scouts who would like to Volunteer with the Safety Fair for Community Service Hours, please contact Brigham Gonzalez at 473-4682 (this is his Eagle Project).

BSA Merit Badge Opportunit​y

bsa

Meridian Spring Formal

promI don't know if this topic has come up often if ever in the DHSA, but a few years ago when my oldest was in high school, we looked far and wide for a modest and appropriate prom option in the treasure valley.  My daughter recently sent me this link, (good to know she still cares about these things!!) and I thought maybe it would be something other parents of older teens would be interested to know about (maybe they know about it already and I am just finding out!)  I am just trying to spread the word and let people and especially our youth know there are better options to have a memorable night other than what the public schools are promoting.  - Michelle Gonzalez

http://meridianspringformal.blogspot.com/2012/03/announcing-meridian-spring-formal.html?m=1

Homeschool Idaho presents Homeschool Arts in the Park

Visual and Performance Art Festival for homeschooling families

DATE: June 23, 2012
TIME: Noon check in time for performers, 1 pm Performances begin.
WHERE: Lakeview Park Amphitheater, in Nampa Idaho
WANTED PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS
Stage Performers need to prepare a 5 min piece (mics and speakers available, as well as CD and CDG player)
Artists of all kinds are welcome to display their work
Examples:
Stage Performers:
instrument playing, skits, singing, juggling, poetry reading, recitation, dancing, etc
Art Displays:
Sculptures, models, crafts, paintings, drawings, etc
To sign-up for a time slot or display your work please email mitchell_fam@hotmail.com