Note: I am not singing Lady Gaga. Oh… how I despise Lady Gaga. Ridiculous, repetitive oh la la-ah, rah, rah, rah-ahaah.

No.

Thank.

You.

Instead, I am rah-rah-ing in a peppy cheerleader sort of way.

I have been taking Colby to and from VBS this week (except yesterday when my superawesome neighbor helped me out). Every time I pick him up, it’s a chore and a test of my patience and strength. Getting Colby from VBS means loading the twins and Lily into the van and then unloading them using maneuvers only seen in advanced yoga. Picking him up involves somehow fastening a baby to my body while holding Lily’s hand and lugging the other baby along on my hip. It involves wading through seas of small children, moms, and the random art project dropped on the floor to get to Colby, and then turning around and wading through the same madness to get to the car where I immediately repeat the kid-loading maneuvers, drive home, and unload.

Every time I have picked him up this week, I have run into our church’s youth pastor. Each and every time he sees me, without fail, he says, “Yeah! It’s Lindsay! Check you out, nothing’s stopping you!”

Now, I don’t mean he says that when he sees me coming in the door. I mean he says that when I’m coming in the door, and then a “Way to GO, Lindsay” after I find Colby, and another, “You are awesome, mama!” when I’m leaving.

I have seen him do this same thing to high school kids, little tikes, guys, ladies… everyone. He’s genuine, and he truly means what he says.

I have a twin-mom friend who, whenever I see her, asks, “How are you doing?” and after I give my response, she says something to the effect of, “You’re here, and that’s awesome.”

These instances make me feel fantastic. I am here, and it takes a lot of effort, planning, and preparation to get here (wherever “here” may be).  It feels good to have my efforts recognized, even if it’s just a simple, “You are here and that’s awesome.”

It makes me wonder… how often do I cheer another person on?

Am I so stuck in my own little world, that I can’t give someone else an atta-boy?

I’ve decided to keep my eyes open and on the lookout for someone else who needs encouragement. Even if they don’t appear to need encouragement; I know I probably don’t look like someone who needs encouragement. I’m not usually mopey and frowning, pleading with my eyes for some glimpse of hope. Instead, I generally have a smile on my face and am skipping along or acting silly with my kids. Still, even in those moments, it’s amazing to be told, “Wow. You’re doing a great job.”

Has someone encouraged you recently? How did they do it and what did they say?

P.S. Speaking of peppy… I am a finalist in the Lovable Labels contest. YIPPEEEE! I find out tomorrow morning if I’m going to New York for BlogHer’10. Wish me luck. I can’t even imagine how much I could get out of that conference…