Quiet

I came across this link  the other day, and it really spoke to me.

For YEARS i've felt inferior because I am quiet. In high school, I had only a handful of friends, and now as a grownup, I have even fewer. And i'm not talking about Facebook "friends"... i'm talking about friends in real life that you actually associate with. No one wants to be around a person who doesn't have a whole lot to say. I get it. I'd be uncomfortable too. But then again, i'm already uncomfortable around most people. I'm racking my brain trying to think of something to say to the other people so they don't think I don't want to talk to them. I feel the most comfortable in groups of about 3, because then the group isn't too big that when i DO talk, I wont have a billion people watching me and I don't get lost in the group, and its not too small that i'm the only one that HAS to respond to everything someone is saying.

I've had people in my life who have poked fun at my quietness, and while they may have been joking, its not a joke to me. I cannot help that i'm quiet. And if I had a penny for every time I've heard the words "you're so quiet" then i'd seriously be a billionaire!

When I was in high school, I didn't really realize how quiet I was, I just thought I was not "pretty enough" or "nice enough" or of course "popular enough" to have people want to talk to me and be around me.... and maybe those things were true?
It wasn't until probably after Jadon was born that I realized that the problem is that i'm quiet, and people don't like to be around people who don't talk a lot. Again, I get it.
I tried joining a mom group, but that was miserably uncomfortable for me. Joining a group of women who already know each other, and having no real commonality with them? Plus, chasing after toddlers doesn't make it easy to have a conversation with someone anyways. And, when you're the only young family in the world who doesn't go out drinking.... it makes for Friday nights spent with the kiddos (which I am TOTALLY OK with!) instead of out with friends for drinks. I love spending time with my family.

I've stewed about my quietness for years.... YEARS.

It wasn't until about a year ago that I came to realize that God made me the way I am for a reason. I listen. I observe. I think. I'm quiet, and God made me beautiful that way. Yes, social situations are still tough, and some days harder than others. Some days I can easily just shrug it off, others not so much. But I have to constantly remind myself that I AM NOT FLAWED BECAUSE I'M QUIET.  I am who I am. And I am loved by the King who created me to be this quiet, reflective thinker!

Now, if only I could figure out how to help the rest of the world to understand introverts.

Birthday review

Well, the birthday is over. The parties are over. My baby girl is 5.
Avery had a wonderful week! Starting Wednesday on her birthday, she got to celebrate at school with cupcakes.
Then Friday we had no school, and 12 of her friends (and their siblings) from school came to help her celebrate at the bouncy house place. Seems like we were just there celebrating Jadon's 5th birthday, and now her's has already came and gone! She had a great time, and thankfully one of her friends at preschool has a brother in Jadon's class, so Jadon had someone to hang out with at the party. Boy, did the kids all have a blast! They bounced for an hour and a half before we stopped to do cake and presents. Everything went well! The kids were pooped by the time it was all over.
Then Saturday we had family over for ice cream. I think by then the birthday girl was a little overwhelmed by all the attention, and she was a little moody.

Plus, on Monday we got a puppy! An 8 week old miniature schnauzer :) She's a sweetie for sure, we named her Macy. Avery wanted to name her either Charlotte (after the spider on Charlotte's web) or Elsa. But the rest of the family wasn't on board with that.
Macy is pretty calm and loveable most of the time, but when she's wide awake she's a stinker, wanting to bite and chew everything. We have plenty of toys for her to chew, but she'd rather chew on your hands.... your feet.... your pants..... your robe..... the chair..... the couch..... etc. But she is doing really well crate training so far. The last 2 nights she's gone to bed at the same time as us, and not woken up until the morning when the rest of us get up! Lets keep it that way Macy!
She's had some accidents in the house. Its really just like having a newborn in the house! She has to go out to potty every hour or two!  Its been a lot of work, but I know she will be (and already is) a great family dog.  I look forward to taking her on walks. Right now we can't take her out a whole lot since she's not fully vaccinated yet. After her 3rd shot (in 2 months), she'll be free to socialize with doggie friends.

So that's what we've been up to!