The Refresh Button

This past weekend I went on a day drip to Gruene, and Ashley was able to meet up with us since she lives so close to there. It's funny how I totally forgot what it's like to spend one on one time with her. Saturday night we were riding in her truck and it made me so happy just to listen to music with her...I had forgotten how much we use to do that. It makes me so thankful that we have stayed friends and will continue to stay friends forever.

I was only gone a little over 24 hours, but of course I missed my babies. That's the second time I've been away from them, and it was much much easier than the first. My husband did a great job and I'm so thankful he was sweet enough to take on the babies for a day so I could have a fun little day trip.

Gruene is such a sweet little town...I had never been before but so many people I know told me how wonderful it was. I don't know why but I've always wished I could live in a little place like that. I've grown up and lived my entire life in Fort Worth, so it's nice to change scenery even if it's just for a day. On the way back my grandma was telling us about how when she was little they would have dinner and then everyone would go outside and sit on the porch and the kids would play. Why can't it be like that anymore? Most houses don't even have a front porch like that...let alone any unique character to them. Most of the shops in Gruene were in buildings that use to be homes. They were so pretty and intricately built. It's a shame that nowadays most houses look just like the next...just another box.

Sometimes I wish technology would be totally wiped out (bare with me). That way we would have to spend more time together and not on our phone/gaming system/computer. That way we would have to actually speak to people we know face to face. Most importantly, spend more time outside... breathing fresh air, soaking up vitamin d, and getting exercise. Everything we need is right in the palm of our hands...and sometimes I wonder how long it will be until we turn into the movie "wall-e". The fact that I can deposit a check into my bank account through my phone instead of actually having to go to the bank is still crazy to me. Does anyone else ever wonder if all of this technology is the reason that so much in our society has gone down hill? Don't get me wrong, I'm just as addicted to my smart phone, facebook, and classless reality TV as the next person...but sometimes I truly wish that we didn't have all of these things.

I know this is just wishful thinking. Maybe I'm old-fashioned or whatever you want to call it...but I'm willing to bet that adding a little more simplicity to our lives wouldn't hurt a thing.

Amber

For granted

Warning: This blog post is going to be very different from previous entries.

There is nothing in the world that is more infuriating to me right now than this NFL lockout business. It makes me SO MAD. I can't even fathom that these spoiled, bratty players are demanding more money or they aren't going to play. Let me tell you what they really need- they need financial advisers. 60% of NFL players become bankrupt when they leave the NFL because they don't know how to handle their money. Not to mention, we're in a huge economic recession. NFL players are literally spoiled to death. They have top of the line, name brand EVERYTHING. They make millions each year. They have many adoring fans. All the perks you could think of...and then fools like Adrian Peterson and Rashard Mendenhall compare playing in the NFL to "slavery". Is this a joke? That is without a doubt one of the most ignorant, disrespectful, insulting things I've ever heard. Let's talk to someone who was/is actually a slave? Hm...pretty sure that no slave has ever been paid millions of dollars each year.

I lay the blame in large part on the media for this. They have all of these players thinking they are larger than life. Athletes are no longer just athletes..they are celebrities. Episodes of cribs, late night talk show appearances, VIP parties. If I remember correctly, being an athlete in the NFL is a privilege. You were given an amazing god given talent, and someone was nice enough to take note of that and send you on your way to play. To play that game that you use to love, the one that you played since you were a little kid...pee-wee, middle school, high school, and then college. You were never even paid for the majority of your life to play this sport that you "love" so much. Which brings us to today, you've been spoiled now for so long by the NFL that you've completely taken it for granted, and it's not about the game you love anymore- it's about the money. What a sad thing to see.

I love football season, it's one of my favorite things. BUT- this has me so angry that I wouldn't mind if it didn't happen this year. I wish these idiots would see what it's like to live in reality...what the average American faces financially. (Yes, I'm aware that they have plenty of money and probably won't struggle) but I would like to see them learn some kind of lesson.

If we're going to talk about giving someone a pay raise...let's go there. How about the soldiers that serve our country every single day? Many of which are overseas putting their lives on the line daily, away from their families and loved ones...just hoping to make it until the next leave or return home. Or what about teachers? Yeah, you know...the ones who are working Monday through Friday teaching our kids the things they need to know to enter the real world one day. What about the do-gooders? The ones that are volunteering and giving countless hours...time and energy to help other people. All of these people make an average amount of money, it's no secret that many of our military friends and teachers are underpaid. So many families these days are living paycheck to paycheck and it's just not right. We're all giving it our best and these clowns want more millions to add to their millions. But what can you expect from a crew that continues to let dog killers and rapists live the high life? Oh yeah, I forgot...it's all about the money.

The point of this story is...I don't want to be a clown either. Sometimes when I'm feeling down and sorry for myself...I get a reality check. It comes in the form of a huge toothy grin from my sweet baby boy or beautiful little girl. It's like God is saying "Hey! Snap out of it...look at those two angels I gave to you!". He's right. I am so so SO fortunate to be home with them right now. They are the loves and lights of my life and I don't want to EVER ever taken them for granted not even for a second. It's hard to be in the house all the time, but with the weather becoming so nice- we've been doing a lot more. Going outside to play, so on and so forth. I wish I didn't have to remind myself not to take things for granted, but I would rather do that than live in denial.

I feel so much better now that I vented,

Amber