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Broken Promises

Broken promises lead to the breakdown of relationships.  But what do you do when you chronically break promises to yourself?  Over the years, I have learned to not make promises that I cannot or will not keep so that I can trust my own word.

Whether it is an exercise program (I will work out more) or diet (I will eat less), or how you parent your kids (I will be more patient) or how you deal with your spouse (I will be more patient), the things we say to ourselves are important.  If we continuously disregard our own promises, we discount our integrity.  Conversely, promises made and kept lead to a confidence in ourselves.  The important thing is to do what you say, even if it is a sacrifice of comfort or time.  If you cannot trust yourself to keep your own word, why should anyone else trust you?

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (MSG)

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In Twenty Years

Hovie and Eli Walking

When our three kids were much younger, I got through the hard days by asking myself, “In twenty years what will it matter?”  Well, Hubby and I have passed that 20-year mark on the life-long journey of parenting.  Our two girls are in college and the little baby boy is 16 years old and 12 inches taller than me.  We have passed through diapers, tantrums, and spilled milk at the dinner table.  We are completely done with the heavy duty parenting of babies, toddlers, tweens… and almost done with teenage years.  It is a great spot to look back and see how far we have come.

Obviously, the kids don’t know about the sleepless nights I spent feeding a newborn every 2 hours; the worry over fevers and finances; the loop in my fatigued brain saying, “Am I doing this right?”  They remember an inflatable pool on our cement patio; donuts on Saturday mornings and wrestling with daddy before bedtime.

Now we look back at twenty years worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and realize there are no more bath nights and bedtime stories. The training wheels are done, tiny black tap shoes were sold at a garage sale and the tooth fairy will not visit anymore. They are having adventures on their own, but we still have a little more family time to treasure on our journey with our three young adults walking tall beside us.

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Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello! My name is Ani Kouyoumdjian.  Don’t worry if you can’t say my name.  My Armenian name is one that most people do not attempt to pronounce.  Over the years of volunteering at my kids’ schools, some teachers and students called me Mrs. K because it was easier to say.  I am known as Mrs. K where I currently volunteer as a library aide at a local elementary school.

My favorite time to hear my name called is when I visit a lovely young married friend with five small children.  When I go to the door with a plate of PB&J sandwiches and knock, I hear a stampede of little feet and a chorus of “Mrs. K is here!  Mrs. K is here!”  The door flies opens and I am greeted with a flurry of hugs and smiles.  On some visits, my friend and I talk and laugh and fold laundry together.  On other visits, the conversation is deeper and we talk about spiritual things and end our time in prayer.

As I start this blog, I imagine myself spending a few minutes visiting with you.  Some visits may be helpful and encouraging.  Other visits may be cheerful and fun.  I hope that every time you visit me, your heart will be glad to say, “Mrs. K is here!”  Welcome to my blog!

Love & Blessings,

Mrs. K

For the interested:

Ani = “AhNee”

Kouyoumdjian = “Koo-yoom-jun”

Mrs. K is married to the wonderful and supportive Mr. K.  They will soon celebrate 28 years of marriage.  The K’s are blessed with three beautiful children, The Firstborn 22-year old Daughter, The Middle Child 19-year old Daughter, and The Boy, who will be 17 years old this summer.