When I approached the counter I was overwhelmed in the real sense of the word as I read the headline of the Star Tribune, “In somber shock, four vibrant lives mourned.” I sat in the corner of the store with tears streaming my face as I read about Danielle Renninger, Jordan Playle, Megan Sample and Lauren Peterson, all North Dakota State students from Minnesota. These beautiful girls were killed in a car crash yesterday during one of our first snowy storms of the season.

All I can think about is I don’t know the definition of being overwhelmed today. All I can think about is that I don’t know what it is like to lose a child at the age of 18 when her future is so big and bright. All I can think about are the parents and their tears and their torn out hearts.

A driver in a third car who rear-ended the SUV that hit the girls commented, “It happened in less than a second.”

That is all the time it takes to make life go from ordinary to overwhelming. Less than a second.

My heart goes out to the parents in their grief and loss. I am praying that our community surrounds them with support and care.  I pray that each person who reads my blog today will make a commitment to share comfort with the families of these amazing daughters. Even a simple prayer offered on their behalf can bring strength.  And I pray that we can let go of something that is overwhelming us today and see a bigger picture–see that life is precious and fragile and fleeting.

Today was an absolute treat. I got a free coffee at Caribou for my birthday and then I also purchased the Valentine special buy one get one free! (The extra coffees are in my fridge to heat up tomorrow and the next day!) I am a bargain shopper–even when it comes to coffee.

My parents and another great friend both sent me Starbucks coffee cards that arrived in the mail today. Perfect timing. And my sister-in-law sent Starbucks VIA ready brew instant coffee for me to make at home.

My husband surprised me with 2 deliveries of flowers! One arrangement for my birthday and one for Valentine’s. He also helped my children make me breakfast in bed.

Finally, I found out today that if I mention www.MyNaturalMarket on my blog I will receive a $5 off coupon! This is the place I buy my protein powder for shakes. It’s delicious.

No better way to celebrate than with friends, family and a few added bargains!

Hope your V-day was a steal of a deal, too!

One of our strategies is the high point/low point game. At dinner we ask everyone the highlights of their day. Yesterday, Steven shared his low point–an emergency root canal. His highpoint? An emergency root canal completed.

Perspective. How important is our perspective! I’m reminded again and again that life will never be perfect. Root canals, bad days, homework that needs to be done, dishes that need to be washed, bills that need to be paid. Life will also never be entirely awful. Kids doing cart wheels in the living room, a fun greeting card in the mail, a hot bubble bath, planning a family trip, sleeping children.

What is your low point today?
What is your high point?

Life will always ebb and flow. We are each given a second chance daily to try again, make a change, enjoy the scenery and love each other.

For any last minute interest in attending our talk on Saturday, February 11th click here. More than anything we would love a few extra prayers and cheers for our message to make a difference for those who attend.

I sent my daughter to school last week in pajamas for pajama day. Only problem? It wasn’t pajama day. When she got home I discovered it was pajama day for her brother’s class and her class would have PJ day the next day.

Every parent’s goal? To stay on top of the school calendar–fun days, testing days, library days, bring more milk money days, fundraising days, no school today days!

I asked Madelynn why she didn’t have the school call me to bring her some clothes. She said she didn’t mind and that she liked wearing pajamas two days in a row. She just told people, “My mom made a mistake.”

Those are the days I wonder if I really am keeping up. I stumble and sit down. And while I’m sitting, I think about how lovely it is to have a child so confident that she can be the only first grader walking around school in pajamas and be completely delighted.

Once again, my children send a message loud and strong, “Keep going! With each and every stumble…keep going.”

One of the magnificent projects Father Reiser founded was Reiser Relief to support the poor in Haiti. After visiting Haiti in the 1990′s Father Reiser said, “You can’t walk away from misery and do nothing.” Visit his website to watch the video of Father Reiser receiving  one of 2011 KARE 11′s Eleven Who Care Awards.

At Father Reiser’s funeral his niece shared four principles that her uncle lived by:

1. Find Something You Like to Do and Do it!

2. Treat People with Kindness and Respect.

3. Ask What You Can Do for Others.

4. Thank God You Are Here and Start Each Day with Joy!

His famous word was “excellent.” Father Reiser would ask, “How are you doing today?” and taught his congregation to never respond with anything less than “Excellent!” His philosophy was that we are to live each day with excellence–doing the best we can with what we have.

When Shawn died, Father Reiser told me, “Jennifer, you will not believe me now. But, every day following Shawn’s death will be more wonderful than the day before. God-willing, find me in heaven and let me know if I was right. God has used Shawn to help so many people. And when you get to heaven you will see how glorious His plan.”

My husband Steven had the honor to meet with Father Reiser one on one before we were married. Father Reiser asked him what he likes to do. Steven shared his love for ski racing and coaching and Father Reiser told him, “This is what you are passionate about, this is what you need to do.” He knew that people do their best at things they love to do.

Father Reiser was a humble servant who selflessly spent a lifetime serving and helping others. I will honor his legacy by offering my best daily–finding what I love to do and doing it. Would you join me by doing the same? I can think of no better honor.

What have you decided to do with your New Year?

We were making some shopping returns this week when my daughter told me, “I smiled at some grump people and they smiled back.”

“So, it worked?” I asked. “That’s the way to handle grump people?”

“That’s really much it,” Maddi said.

“You mean that’s pretty much it,” I corrected. I love how Madelynn mixes up phrases, a trait she inherited from me. I have the same problem with cliches, usually saying them backwards. More so, I love my daughter’s decision to change the mood around her. It makes me want to follow her example.

At the gym where I work out there is a quote on the wall that I always stop to re-read, “Even if you think you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

That’s my wish for 2012–to get up….to step up to the challenges in front of me. I don’t want to just sit here and let 2012 slur into the next year. We all know the track we desire to walk. It’s time to walk that track.

Get up. Step up. Stay up.

“I believe he can,” I told her.

“He can,” she told me back. “He can…he’s peeking over a cloud.”

Life is filled with many doubts. Have one conversation with a child and you are immediately filled with belief. Some things one believes without question.

We went skiing as a family a couple of weeks ago and on the way home Maddi was explaining with exuberance how fun it is to jump with the skis. She instructed, “Mom, when you go over the little bumps…you just need to believe.”

“Believe in what, Madelynn?”

“You just need to believe! It’s not the going up part that is hard. It’s the coming down part that is hard. You have to believe when you are coming down that you are going to make it.”

I was enthralled by my little one’s faith-filled logic.

Her brother was listening in the back seat and said, “Well, Maddi, I think you also need some balance.”

“No, Jordan, you just need to believe!” said Madelynn.

“Madelynn, I think you need to believe and have some balance.”

“Okay,” Maddi conceded. “You can have a little balance but mostly you need to believe.”

What do you need to believe in this Christmas season? Kindness, forgiveness, second chances, new hope, a whole lot of love?

I believe Someone up above sees you and wants the best for you. Just believe. Maybe add a little balance. He’s peeking over a cloud.

“I do miss you,” I said wondering if I should say more. “When you get off the bus I’m always happy to see you.” I left it at that deciding we didn’t need to discuss how six hours of space during the day can also be nice.

“If you miss us so much,” Maddi said, “Why don’t you home school us?” She was beaming a proud grin.

Christmas can be a season of longing. Who are you missing this time of year? For me, it is always a time of reflection–bittersweet.

My kids are reflecting, too. Last week at breakfast, Madelynn looked up from her waffle and said, “Mom, it kinda seems like we are special.” I asked her why and she said because we share. I thought she meant toys or clothes, so when I asked her specifically what we share I wasn’t expecting the answer she gave. “We share about dad…the daddy in heaven. We share him with everyone. It kinda seems like we are special.”

“How does this make us special, Maddi?” I couldn’t help to lengthen the conversation. I wanted to know more about her definition of special. Most people losing a parent wouldn’t choose to describe their situation this way.

“Because you talk about him, mom, to people and that makes them happy and because daddy died on a special day…a really special day.”

We will always miss him. At Christmastime, during the summer, for birthdays and at random times that cannot be predicted or planned.

All I could say to Madelynn was, “You are right. We are special.”

Who are you missing this season? There is a special reason why.

My eighty-eight year old grandmother asked me this week how my brother is doing and if I had time to “spike or stripe or whatever that thing is you do on your computer to talk to each other.” I controlled myself from laughing and tried about three times to help her pronounce “Skype” which only turned into her repeating, “Skate? You went skating with Adam?”

Misunderstandings. Isn’t that a part of daily life? Someone misinterprets something you have said. Someone misinterprets something you have done. You misinterpret a message from someone close to you. Communication barriers can be simple or complicated.

Maybe today is your day to clear up a miscommunication. Maybe today is your day to start over. Maybe today is your day to Skype a friend or go skating or whatever it takes to make a connection.

At supper I asked what made her wish for a clean house. She said she likes clean houses like grandma’s. I then asked if our house would be considered clean. She said no because we have four kids. Then she added, “I know. I’ll write a letter to Santa and ask him to clean our house.”

“Does he clean houses?” I wanted to know.

“Yep. And if he cleans our house I will give him three dollars!”

How could Santa refuse a deal like that?

What would you wish for if you had a wishing rock? Make a wish. Maybe Santa will help you out, too!