37 Things I want my daughter(s) to know...My version

As the mother of a now eight year-old, I am suddenly struck by all the things I want to instill in my daughter(s) about how special she is, the importance of being true to your heart, how to be a good friend, and so much more. A mother’s greatest aspiration is to see her children lead happy, rich, fulfilling lives. As I watched my little girl wake up this morning as a beautiful 8 year old, my mind is filled with all the wishes I hold in my heart for her happiness. If I could, I would giftwrap the world for her. I would create a new world designed to delight her. There is nothing that makes me feel happier or more content than to see joy on my child’s face.

I know that I cannot (and should not) make my daughter’s life perfect. I know that eventually she will venture out into the world on her own. She will have to face her own dragons and learn many things the hard way. I know that most of what I tell her – even the things I might whisper earnestly in the quiet dark of her room while she sleeps – will remain unheard and unheeded for a very long time. It won’t matter how much I tell her and how many warnings I give- she has to experience life and do things on her own. I am realizing that my place now is to sit on the sidelines a bit more. I will always be here for her and ready to cheer, help and protect. The time has come though that I watch and let her go out and experience things- a bit more, but NOT too much!!!!

There are things I want my daughter to always remember. I will tell her these things – today, tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. I will repeat them over and over until they echo so clearly in her head that they might be mistaken for her own thoughts. These are the things that I believe will help her create her happiness – grow it in her own heart instead of ceaselessly searching for it in other people and places and pursuits.

1.You are SPECIAL.
2.There is no one else exactly like you in the whole world. Cherish your unique self. God made you EXACTLY how you should be…EMBRACE it!
3.Enjoy the INNOCENCE of your childhood.-
In a world full of superficial values, peer pressure, and bullying, as well as a pop culture that pushes materialism and consumerism – you are being leapfrogged through your childhood. There is a constant pressure for you to grow up way too fast. I mean, when did 5 become the new 10, anyway?Grow slowly.
4.You DESERVE love, admiration, honesty, respect, and second chances.
5. You have the right to use your VOICE – any time, any place, on any topic.
6. You are BEAUTIFUL
7. Beauty is as beauty does and while physical beauty is fleeting, a beautiful soul lasts forever.
8. TRUE friends make you laugh and feel good about yourself.
9. TRUE love makes you want to be a better person.
10. Girls can do ANYTHING boys can do … and some things boys can’t.
11. Magic is real – you just have to know where to look for it.
12. Taking time for yourself is important – be your own best friend.
13. You can always come home. ALWAYS
14. You can tell me anything.
15. You don’t always have to follow the rules, but …
16. … always follow your heart.
17. You are a creative genius and your creations are your gift to the world. Give them freely and joyfully.
18. There’s no such thing as failure. Learn from every experience.
19. You are loved more than you will know until you have your own child.
20. Anything is possible if you believe.
21. Be spiritual and give thanks to God- know what you believe, why and truly believe and live it
22. Go after your passion with a vengeance, but …
23. … remember to slow down and savor the journey along the way.
24. Sometimes it’s okay to eat dessert first.
25. Don’t wait for things to be “perfect” before you do something.
26. Keep your eye on the Big Picture, but revel in the details.
27. Trust yourself. You are smart enough, strong enough, and brave enough.
28. Be a sister. Be a friend. Be a protector.
29. It’s okay if you don’t know the answers. Sometimes it’s a better place to start from.
30. The Golden Rule is the easiest standard by which to measure any choice.
31. Travel is the best teacher, but always be safe and be wise. The world is a beautiful place, but it is not without its sharp edges.
32. Never compromise your beliefs – not for stature, approval, or anything else.
33. Manners count.
34. Learn to laugh at yourself and life will suddenly seem much easier.
35. It’s okay to be fragile sometimes. Life can be like that.
36. I am ALWAYS so proud of you.
37. I will ALWAYS be with you. Even when I’m gone I will be holding you in my heart and wrapping my love around you.

Dusting off the blog...

Well it's been over half a year since I have been on and updated the blog so I figured it is time. I will do my best at updating, but I have decided not to set unreasonable expectations! We are ALWAYS busy that is the nature of young children and being out numbered by them! It is ALL wonderful busy and I want to relish it and enjoy it because I know it is going by too quickly! Our "baby" turns 4 in two days...how did this happen? Where did the time go? I don't know there are days that I feel like will never end and weeks that disappear in the blink of an eye! What I do know is that when I look at the time so far it has been happy- trying (we have had a lot of changes and moves thus far and molding these little ones to become good responsible people is hard work)..yes, but happy! I want to take more time and just be in the now. Stop cleaning or working on the computer to hear and listen to what my kids are saying to me. It's so easy to get wrapped up in my to do list and all that needs to be done! The reality is that the dust, dirt, work and laundry will ALWAYS be there (unfortunately I do not possess bewitched magic). So I am trying to let go of my neat freak tendencies and remember while those things will never go away until I address them my kids will NOT always be here and be in this stage that they are in! I know that I am going to turn around and they will be these grown up people. When this happens I want to feel that although it did go by too quickly that I am not full of regret! I took the time I could and enjoy my children! This sounds so easy, but it really isn't because the demands of running a house is overwhelming! So on this final note..I have laundry to start, dishes to do, a house to pick up, bathrooms and floors to clean etc. etc. etc. but FIRST I have kids to play with, listen to, hug, kiss and LOVE unconditionally!!

Christmas, my child, is love in action

Again, I sit here wondering where the time went. Yet, here we are drawing another year to a close and ready to start a new one. The past couple of months have been busy- what's new right?!

We had a great Halloween and Thanksgiving. We spent Halloween here with friends and drove up to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time relaxing and spending time with family. We were even able to check out the new Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville Arkansas. It is amazing and gorgeous!!

We also experienced the first broken bone in the Ripp Family..guess who?!?!? Yes, it was Holden four months of tackle football not one injury, but he's done with football for two weeks and breaks his hand playing tag. It was a minor break and just had a brace rather than a hard cast- he was disappointed in this.

Now we are full swing in Advent season preparing for Christmas. This ends up being one of the busiest times of year with all of the parties and get togethers. The kids are officially out for Christmas break. We are so ready to relax and have some great family time together. We are staying here and having no visitors this Christmas so it will just be us. We plan on staying in our pjs most of the day and if it's nice going for a family walk up to the park to play:) Holden and Kailyn are also in the Gospel at Christmas Eve mass and then we are going to a friend's house for dinner that evening. We have some great play dates and activities planned over the break too! We are going to do some of the things around here that we haven't had a chance to do yet.

So far we have had a fun advent and Christmas vacation. We went to cut down our tree, made our annual gingerbread house, Kailyn had her Girl Scout Christmas party, went ice skating with the Girl Scout group, baked cookies with our friends, Kailyn and Holden had their Christmas piano recital (they both received award for most points earned of all the students Kailyn took 2nd and Holden 3rd), Kailyn and I had a special date and went to see the Nutcracker ballet with one of her dear friends, we went to the Ice Cutters Christmas which was so neat, we went to see Chipwrecked with Holden's best buddy in his class, played at Chuck E Cheese with some friends we made from cheerleading and have enjoyed not being on a schedule!!

It will be a wonderful, happy and another very blessed Christmas!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you our dear family and friends! We love you all so much and we are so thankful to have each of you in our lives!