Don't Worry, Be Happy :) :)

The pics are "non-post-related" again...but I guess they emphasize the point "be happy" :) Here's the girls "skating" last week while daddy was making ice cream :)
Dylan driving with his foot :)
Shelby after enjoying red velvet cake batter :) And below is "speedy Hailey" on her new roller blades...I kept calling her "Speedy" and although she said it annoyed her, I think she loved it :) Ha!

Ok, so I'm on a little mission lately to "destress" my own life and those around me. Granted it's a VERY slow process and I'm horrible at truly relaxing and not getting anxious about stuff...but for my 100th post today (whohoo!) I simply just wanted to post some interesting statistics that were posted in our bulletin at church yesterday...it made me think a little about the things I needlessly worry about and maybe it'll do the same for you.....

40% of the time we worry about things that will never happen.

30% of the time we worry about things we cannot change.

12% of the time we worry about criticism from others that are untrue.

10% of the time we worry about our health.

8% of the time we worry about legitimate problems.

(Research done by David Stare...not sure who he is, but I'm not at all surprised by his findings cuz I know I'm guilty of all that worry!).

So, that means 92% of the time we are worrying needlessly....putting undue stress on ourselves and in turn possibly causing those legitimate problems that we may have (health issues, etc)....Hmmm....I'm not gonna get on my big ol' soapbox today and preach about this...but doesn't it just make you think...what in the world is wrong with us all that we worry so much?! Now maybe you're a non-worrier and "hats off to you!"...I wish I was YOU! But, I know many are just like me. I am guilty of worrying about my health, worrying about my family's health, worrying about tomorrow when I should be living in the now and enjoying and living each day to the fullest, and worrying about what other's think of me, worrying about money, worrying about jobs, and the list could go on and on I'm sure. UGH! What a huge burden so many of us put on ourselves. I for one need to make a life change....not only do I need to stop worrying (or at least curb my worrying so it's not so massive)...but I need to "cast all my cares upon Him" and NOT worry (as Matthew 6:25-34 says). For you cannot worry and worship God at the same time (this was said in church yesterday too...and it's so true!). Anyway...so that's my sermon for today....short and sweet :)

So, yes, I'm on a mission to be less worrisome and help those around me be the same...though I admit I am doing a poor job so far. Yesterday was just bad, bad, bad. The only thing that made it bad was that I spent like 3 hours trying to decipher my PTO minutes and type them out into legible form (the grand ol' job of the new PTO secretary..me). I got so anxious about the whole thing that I was almost panicked...I could hardly function. I knew all along how silly it was to waste my time on that, but the perfectionist in me will just not let things go. I finally gave up and put it aside, but late last night I started to get the upper abdominal pain I used to have all the time (but haven't had in 6 mos)...anyway...I know it was stress-related and try as I might I am having a hard time "casting this burden off". So very silly...I know...I really do know that...such a trivial thing. So, now you know...I get anal about things...yes, it's a major downfall of mine. I really have been pretty good about stuff the last 6 mos since starting this blog, but I guess the old habits can rear their ugly heads at any point (such is the way of the devil...he knows how to put that doubt and worry in your life). Anyway...so I just wanted to share with you my thoughts on worry and how important I think it is to NOT be anxious.

And with that I will end on a "funny" note. Today Hailey had one of her good friends over...now I'm not sure what denomination she is, but I know she goes to church and previously I thought she might be catholic? Anyway...in the car Hailey wanted to listen to our VBX music which is very loud/boisterous and very much "praise-like" (not hymn-like :))...anyway...her friend heard the music and said..."this is rock music about love and it must be GOTHIC!" What?! I almost burst out laughing...it was hard to contain it. Gothic??? Is that really a word in a 7 year old's vocabulary. She then asked Hailey if she was a Gothic Christian (can you even be a gothic and a Christian?hmmm??) Anyway...Hailey said "yes", cuz I know she has no idea what gothic even is (her friend explained it was when you "wear all black"...and that's "ok" and sometimes "she wears all black too") Anyway...it was an interesting conversation. Made me really wonder what songs her friend listens to (among other things that I wonder about this girl :)) I was proud of Hailey though...she just kepting saying, "this is music about God" and she just kept singing and doing the motions :) I guess we'll need to talk about the whole gothic thing when she gets home from camp today. Can I tell you I'm just so excited about my kids growing up and all the "fun" things we're gonna need to start explaining to them. Gone are the carefree baby days......sigh :(

Anyway...so happy Monday to ya'll out there and whohoo on my 100th post! My hope for everyone today is simple, but true (and you can sing it if you like :)) "Don't worry, Be happy" :) Love ya'll!