Because of Him

Hope your Easter was wonderful!

2013.

    This Christmas was so different than years past. I did less. Less shopping, less spending, less decorating, less baking, less eating, and less hurrying. But with all that "less" I feel more. I feel more grateful, more rested, more focused, and more reflective. It has left me with a desire to live more simply and be thankful for what I have, because it is more than enough.

    The past twelve months have taught me a lot about myself starting with nursing school. When I started this journey, it seemed like a practical thing to do- go back to school to learn a trade so I can go back to work and start making money again. I was burned out with real estate and wanted something different. I chose nursing because of its stability, not because of my yearning to help others. Being a nurse was never something that I pictured myself as, and certainly never what I wanted to be "when I grew up." Very quickly I learned that this field is where I belong, and that as corny as it sounds, I feel like I found my calling.

   Over the past year, I have had to juggle like never before. I had to dig deep to study, learn nursing skills, and understand pathophysiology that didn't come easily for me.  My family has had to sacrifice a lot for me to be able to do so. I am so thankful for a husband who has supported me and worked hard to allow me to do this. I am beyond humbled for the extended family that has shown their support in so many ways. Without them, this would be an impossible undertaking. I am grateful for the experience and for the way it has changed me and my outlook on life.

   I have watched my boys thrive this year. I am so proud of the young men that they are becoming. They are truly my world and I feel so privileged to be their mother. They make me a better person and they are my "why." I am excited to see where 2014 takes them.

   Even though this year has felt like an uphill battle at times, I look over these pictures and I am reminded of the joy that we have had this year. I can't help but smile to see all these faces that I love and I am grateful to have them in my life. These are some of my favorites from 2013. Be ready for picture overload.

 

 

food for my children.

          On a cold, winter morning in 1945, three American soldiers knocked on doors in the city of Fürth. This had become routine for them. They searched homes on an almost daily basis, looking for Nazi soldiers. Just six months before, Adolph Hitler had committed suicide and Admiral Karl Dönitz, the new German president, called for all members of the Nazi army to surrender (Historic UK). The war had ended, but it was still a time of worldwide chaos.

            As they approached the front door of a small apartment, they did not realize they were being watched. Peering from the window were five small children who were frightened by the strangers approaching. The children examined the three uniformed men making mental notes of how clean they looked and that their uniforms were neatly pressed. It was a striking contrast to their tattered clothes that were quickly becoming too small. The soldiers looked strong and well fed. The children were thin and hungry. Of the three soldiers, two were white and one was African American.

            The soldiers knocked on the door and the children scattered. Their curiosity was overcome by  fear. They were scared by the presence of strangers and terrified of one in particular. They ran down to the cellar and closed the door tight. This had been their hiding place for as long as they could remember. Emil, the oldest brother, made sure his brother and sisters were safely hidden before he climbed the stairs and put his ear to the door, listening to what was happening upstairs.         

            Hitler’s propaganda had spread throughout Germany for years by this time. The ideas taught by Hitler’s Youth were filling the classrooms and the minds of the youngest German. From the time that children started school, they were reared to be “race-conscious, obedient, self-sacrificing Germans who would be willing to die for Führer and Fatherland” (USHMM). Children were taught never to question authority and to accept everything. These five children were no different. This was the first time they had ever seen a person of color. Their schoolteachers had filled their heads with lies, the biggest one being that all black people only lived in Africa and that they were cannibals. Is it any wonder why they were terrified?

            Their mother, Frieda, was a good hearted, intelligent woman who was not easily swayed by the propaganda that had surrounded their lives for many years. She was strong and had been raising her children alone for the last year. Her husband, Hans - a talented mechanic in the German air force - had been on a flight that was forced down by the Americans. She did not know whether her husband was alive or dead, but she lived each day with the hope that he would return. This hope kept her strong for her children. She kindly welcomed the soldiers into her home.

             The Americans ask how many people live in the apartment.  They tell Frieda that they need to look around. “My children are in the cellar”, she tells the GI’s. “They are scared.”  She calls to her children and coaxes them out of hiding. The children obey their mother. The girls cling to their mother’s legs as the three men search the apartment.  One stands at the front door with his rifle drawn, while the other two go through the house. They find no one.

            The soldiers prepared to leave, satisfied that no one is hiding in the home. They smiled kindly and thanked Frieda for her cooperation. Boldness comes up inside Frieda and she asks, “Do you have any food for my children?”  Without hesitation, the African American soldier reached into the nap sack on his shoulder and pulled out a candy bar. Frieda unwrapped the bar immediately and broke the chocolate into pieces for her children. It was their first taste of chocolate and the only meal that they had eaten in days. The children’s eyes were big and they ate the chocolate with gratitude and fervor. Frieda was happy. It did her heart good to see her children eat. The soldiers smiled at the children and turned to leave. Although the days ahead would be hard, the kindness from the soldiers and the gift of chocolate represented a sweet future for this family.

            I happen to know that Frieda’s family went on to do great things. How do I know this?  I am Frieda’s granddaughter. My mom was one of those tiny girls clinging to her mother’s legs. She grew up to become a brave young woman who moved to the United States at just eighteen years old. It is clear to me that my family was guided and protected through this very dark time in history. To this day, whenever my mother shares a piece of chocolate with one of my sons, she tells them of her first taste of a chocolate bar and her first taste of American kindness (Downs).

 

 

Works Cited:

1.  Downs, Irmgard K. Personal Interview. 17 September 2012
2.  "Indoctrinating Youth." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust  Memorial Museum, 11 May 2012. Web. 19 Sept. 2012.

3.   "World War 2 Timeline - 1945." Historic UK. Historic UK, 2012. Web. 19 Sept. 2012.

 

 

grateful.

Today I subbed as a teacher's aide for a class with eight Autistic fourth and fifth grade boys. All but one were extremely well behaved and high functioning. As far as substituting goes, it was a breeze.

I believe children with special needs can share so much love and strength and bless the lives around them immensely. These boys really made it a great day for me, but there is an overwhelming gratitude in my heart right now to be able to come home to my two strong healthy boys. It was exactly what I needed today and I am grateful.

30 days of thankfulness.

I am grateful for my husband and could list the many specific things I love about him, however it's the things he doesn't do that sometimes speak the loudest to my heart. He never asks me to be something I'm not, his vocabulary doesn't contain the words "you really should" or "you know what you need to do?". I am thankful he loves me for who I am.

30 days of thankfulness.

I am thankful for my children who have taught me to enjoy the present. No matter how we may long for an orderly life and a tidy home, and there will inevitibly be goals to achieve and deadlines to meet, every day greets us with moments of simplicity that we can choose to enjoy. In these moments, if we allow ourselves to be present, are where the sweetest memories are made. One day there won't be fingerprints on the wall and kids asking us to sit and watch cartoons, read a book, or play a board game with them. I am thankful to have these opportunities each day to stop working on my to do list and enjoy the present.

thankful thursday.

I am thankful for a short sale negotiator at B of A that is helpful, courteous, and wonderful. She is the 12th (yes, 12th!) that I have had assigned to me on a problem file (that I've worked on for more than a year) that is not just trying to do a good job, but going above and beyond to push this file through. I seriously thank the Lord for Ms. Hawkes every day.

the most wonderful time of the year.

Thanksgiving weekend has been absolutely glorious. Our Thanksgiving dinner for our "little family" of four was great. The days to follow have been filled with movies, leftovers, long walks, projects, and more leftovers. It has been a fantastic time to enjoy each other and focus on what we have.

This is my absolute favorite time of the holidays- the time leading up to Christmas day. So much to do, look forward to, and reflect on. I just can't believe 2010 has flown by!

Our Christmas tree is up and the other decorations are slowly being set out. We've been cleaning, organizing, and purging as we get ready for the holiday. It will feel so great to start the year off organized and fresh! We are ready for a great holiday season.

be grateful.

While I am full of turkey and nibbling on a peice of apple pie I am thinking about what I am thankful for.

a loving husband
healthy, happy kids
a warm home
our needs being met
having a bit less than we have had in the past because we are so grateful for what we have now
a loving mom
fantastic in laws
extended family
the sound of kids laughing
the sound of boys wrestling and tearing up the house
friends
church
the Savior and His Atonement
our salvation
a Heavenly Father that knows and loves us
a warm bed
food on the table
clothes to wear
hot showers
friendly people
our jobs
time with the boys
date nights
Sam the dog
Tiki the dog
babies
grandparents
good neighbors
teachers that care about our kids
life
love
silliness
hard work
days of rest
holidays
miracles
2010
new beginnings
changes
progress
waking up
exercise
the scriptures
deep thoughts
reflecting on what you're thankful for. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

give thanks.

We are ready for a quiet Thanksgiving. It's just the four of us this year and we are looking forward to a restful day together. Our home looks and feels like Thanksgiving...


We have been talking about the things we are thankful for. For family night, the boys listened to a CD of the story of the Pilgrims making their way to America. We wrote what we are thankful for on leaves and put them up in our kitchen. Griffin is thankful for all the important things... like indoor toilets.


~Happy Thanksgiving!

happiness.

It's been a great day. I am so grateful for my husband who makes me so happy and two wonderful little boys with kind hearts. I am a very lucky (and happy) girl.

Here's to a great week ahead!