She's Kind of a Big Deal!

Today is a very special day for my family as it is my Grandmother's birthday!

Happy 100th Birthday!

This past weekend we celebrated Tillie Dybing's life as she joined a very special club:  The Centenarians.  That’s right, my grandmother turned 100 years old!  According to US Census 2010 data, there are approximately 55,000 US centenarians.  In a world of seven billion, I’d say she's a pretty big deal!!!

The world was a completely different place when she was born.  Think of it this way - she has lived an entire century.  So, in honor of my grandmother, let’s take a look back at what she’s experienced these past 100 years.

My children are often surprised to realize cell phones didn’t exist when I was a child… they are perplexed by the idea of a phone being attached to the wall and can’t imagine a life without a remote control for the TV.

But imagine this…Grandma has lived through six wars, the introduction of plumbing and automobiles, to the first man on the moon. She saw major advancements in medicine such as the polio vaccine, bone marrow, lung or heart transplants.

Some folks would wonder just what my Grandma thinks of all the changes that have happened since she was born. I guarantee you that she doesn't spend much time thinking about it. I think, that's one of the secrets to her longevity. My Grandma is an optimist, she’s always laughing, always smiling, and always talking. I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen her in a bad mood!

Still, my Grandma is as self-sufficient a person as you could hope to find for her age. She wouldn't have it any other way. Up until a few years ago, she was still driving around Minot, ND so she could continue to volunteer at the local hospital. But driving in North Dakota winters presents additional challenges.  There were several days she could be found pushing her battery operated snow blower down the driveway just so she could get to the hospital for her volunteer work. 

My grandmother has 1 son, 1 daughter , 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: That’s 337 years of life that wouldn’t be without her.

The Dybing Family

 

So today, I raise my glass to a remarkable woman.  We will celebrate her life, happiness, and family. Tillie is a mother, grandmother, great grandmother. A friend to many, and someone with much to be proud of.  Happy 100th Birthday Grandma!

 

Mom - A Job Like No Other

From the moment my first came into the world, I knew my life had changed forever. 

I have poured well over 5000 glasses of water for my kids. Of those glasses, I have cleaned up at least 1,000 messes. I have worked on 10 science projects and had at least 300 doctor visits. I have packed 1,000 school lunches. I have driven in the car for two hours straight, all while staying within a 2 mile radius, having never actually stepped foot out of my car.

I have run covert operations to check my kids’ electronic devices. I have fallen asleep in my kids’ beds more than I fall asleep in my own.

I have done all of these things, but can’t claim that I am that special. I look around and know that all moms are doing exactly what I am doing. Whether we work outside of the home, or in, we are in this together. 

The reality is that moms are like no other species. We can multi-task. We can comfort. We can find solutions. We cry when they cry, but they never know. We smile every time we talk about our kids. We can fix their cuts with band-aids and their hurt feelings with a trip to Freeziac. We are psychic and can use our crystal balls to try to make everything all right, but know that we need to teach them how to do that on their own as well.

Moms are special.

We get to do special and amazing things. We get to enjoy our families every day, laugh every day, love every day. So on this Mother’s Day, when my kids bring me breakfast in bed, I will read my beautiful cards, I will eat my "MOM" shaped pancakes and drink my Diet Coke. I will smile wide because I know tomorrow I get to pour them another glass of water.

Moms, our cups runneth over.

Happy Mother's Day

For the Love of Music

For as long as I can remember, music has been a big part of my life. I was introduced to music at a very young age.  With parents as music teachers, there was always a melody of some sort playing in our house. 

My appreciation for music didn't always exist.  Yes, I was one of those kids that disliked piano lessons and would find every possible excuse to get out of practicing and I certainly did not enjoy being the "special music" at church on Sunday's.

But music isn't just about reading notes and carrying a tune...it's about finding a connection. A connection to other people, places, and memories.  It's about knowing exactly where you were, who you were with, and what you were wearing when Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" blasted on the "boom box" during high school basketball practice.

Music not only creates a connection, but it also elicits an emotion. Some music gets you pumped up, ready for a workout, a long run or even a game. Take for example the song "Thunderstruck". Anyone that knows NDSU sports, understands the excitement when they hear it begin to blare over the loud speakers.

The sentimental side of me melts when I hear "Can't Help Falling In Love".  The song is a classic and  one that I remember from my wedding day.  It reminds me of how lucky I am to have found someone who loves me unconditionally.

And then some songs provide memories that can be bittersweet.  Each and everytime I hear "How Great Thou Art" it brings a tear to my eye, remembering how my sister and brother in law sang it so beautifully at my Grandma's funeral.

For every emotion, for every experience, for every aspect of life, there is a piece of music. We may remember a certain place, person, smell, color and so on. As a song progresses we may smile, laugh, cry, giggle or even smirk.

Music has and always will have a special place in my heart and I'm thankful to my parents for enabling me to develop my love of music. So in today's hectic world consumed by high academic standards and demanding sports schedules, I will continue to encourage my kids to embrace music through piano, band, choir, or whatever direction they may choose.

Music is a gift and without it, life would be awfully boring.

 

Dare to TRI...

Do you remember when as children we would dare each other to do something that required some degree of courage or stupidity?  It was more of a game than anything else, which always produced, well... interesting results.

Recently I have tried to carry this simple game concept into my adult life. However, I don’t need anyone to dare me. I'm daring myself.

Last weekend I participated in the Dare to TRI - Maple Grove Triathlon. 



http://www.maplegrovetriathlon.com/

With each new challenge I dare myself to do, I learn a little more about myself. On this particular Saturday morning, I learned...

I am way more competitive than I am willing to admit. I become emotional when stressed (shocker). I am mentally and physically stronger than I realize and not to sweat the small stuff.

Most importantly, I learned how blessed I am to have a huge network of supportive family and friends!  Each and every one of you were there for me when I needed it most. 

Early on I said I wasn't trying to compete, I simply wanted to complete.  Mission accomplished!



Call it what you want... a dare, a goal, a mid-life crisis, or a check on your bucket list.
It really doesn't matter as long as your having fun.

So, slap on some lipstick and do something daring, be something daring, try something daring.
Dare to be different. Dare to be outrageous. Dare to fail. Dare to win or simply Dare to inspire.

Dare to TRI...





 Stronger