Comments from this quarter's report card...

"Ryan is doing well in all areas, he is always cooperative and attentive duirng instruction. He is eager to learn."

"Jaden is making outstanding academic progress, and I can always count on him to follow the rules and be a good listener. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Jaden this school year."

"Trisha's academic work continues to be top-notch, and her sense of integrity is something to be admired. Although she is well-liked by her classmates, she is not easily influenced by others."

"Jonathan performs well in everything he undertakes. His math skills are exceptional. He is a clear thinker and an attentive listener. He is able to explain his thinking and reasoning while solving problems. He is a fluent reader with good comprehension skills."

Hey, I warned ya...incessant bragging!!

The challenge of weight loss

Another weigh-in at Weight Watchers, another huge disappontment. I have gotten myself an accountability partner to help me with my weight loss goals. She is an aerobics instructor who goes to my church and the type of person who actually will hold someone accountable, which is good. I signed on with her the beginning of March and got serious about it. I've been working out and staying, basically, within my points range every day. So, since the beginning of March, do you know how much weight I have lost???? 4.2 pounds. Yippee. I'm working my tail off (although apparently not in reality) ,I drink so much water I can't get off the toilet, AND I am practically eating like a freakin' Ethiopian. Those people on The Biggest Loser lose like 14 pounds a week...what the heck?!?!?!?

Oh well, I must remember that I am not eating healthy and exercising for vanity. But, it's really to honor God with my body and to create a good example of a healthy lifestyle for my children, right? And, maybe a little bit it's so that I don't look *terrible* in summer clothes. At any rate, my goal this week, is to eat more food, specifically to eat more lean protein. (oh, you mean I'm not supposed to eat all of my points in Oreos.) :-)

Ryan

To me, Ryan is like the perfect 5-year-old boy. He's got just the right combination of craftiness and cuteness, sweetness and sassiness. He is eager to learn, loves his brothers and sister and is very affectionate. He says really cute things like, "I thought about Jesus all day today, even at school" and "I think when I get older I will tell Trisha's children about Jesus." When I asked about his children, he said, "Nope. Just Trisha's " :-) He's got a spark to him, that Ryan and he loves to have fun. He tries so hard to be a good boy and most of the time he succeeds, it's just that sometimes he gets a crazy idea and runs with it...literally. And, when he runs with that idea, danger is usually involved in the equation. So, when I got called from BIble Study this morning to come to Ryan's aid, it was no surprise to me whatsoever that he hit his forehead and ripped it open (again). Yes, by again, I mean this is the third time he has split his head open. The second time he had to have stitches. 3 of them. Right on his forehead. On the way into Bible Study this morning, he was telling me about what a brave boy he is. He sure had yet another chance to prove it. Poor Little Dude. I love those little scars on his little forehead. It's one more thing about him that makes him perfect. Oh, and, for an added bonus, school secretary calls and asks me to pick up Jaden, who is sick. I tell her that I will be happy to pick him up as soon as I get out of the ER with Ryan :) I know she thinks I have a great life!!

Maybe it's working afterall :)

Sometimes I wonder if the things I am trying to teach my children are even sinking in at all and then something happens that let's me know that maybe, just maybe it is. Here's an example:

Jimmy* came over for a little visit the other day. He decided that he would like to have something to eat, so he helped himself into my pantry and proceeded to say, "Nikki, can I have a Twistable."

Out of nowhere I hear Jonathan say, "What are you doing calling her Nikki, it's Mrs. K***" (Don't want to use my last name to make it any easier for you stalkers to find us!)

I say, "Thank you, Jonathan. And, Jimmy, not right now becasue we are about to have dinner. Maybe when you leave you can take one home with you."

Jimmy replies, "Well, my mom said that I could have one if I wanted to."

Jonathan says, "My mom said no." and then Jonathan walks over and whispers in my ear, "I'm worried that Jimmy is trying to be the boss of you."

I love that Jonathan was trying to protect his mom. I assured him I knew what jimmy was up to and I had it under control, but it sure was sweet to see this little protective side come out of him. And, that's one thing I always try to teach: loyalty to family. I think he's getting it.

*Jimmy's name has been changed to protect his identity. Furthermore, I would like to state for the record that Jimmy's behavior, while extremely bothersome to Jonathan, was not nearly as much so for me. Thank you.

My cat is in heat

Can I tell you how much fun it is to live with a cat in heat?? Not a lot...that's how fun it is!

Exhaustion

Y'know there comes a time in every camel's life when she is just a few straws short of a broken back. This does not happen infrequently to this camel. I'm sure you moms can relate. It's interesting because I've been studiing the life of David in my Bible Study and I learned this week that he, too, got exhausted. It was from fighting the same old battle over and over and over again. He had let his physical needs for rest and for proper nutrition go unmet. And, he felt like he was the "only one" who was battling this old enemy. I can sure relate to David. Nothing can exhaust me like fighting the same battle over and over, whether it's a behavior issue with the kids or a medical issue with Jaden, sometimes I just get tired. I know that I am not good about making sure I get proper nutrition, and I'm pretty good at running myself ragged pretty much with things I don't really need to be doing. And, I know I often feel like I am the "only one" who could possibly understand what I'm going through.

The cure to David's exhaustion was to let other people come in and fight the battle for him. Other men saw his exhaustion, told him to leave, and fought the battle for him. He went and retreated and spent time alone with God. I am learning that the cure to David's exhaustion is also the key to mine: letting people in to fight battles for me. Sometimes by letting them physically helping me and other times, by letting them know what's going on and so they can pray for me. Retreating away to spend time with the Lord is also key. I am thankful for my friends who know me well enough to know when I am exhausted. And, I am also thankful that God has used me to fight battles for others who are weary too.

One thing I heard this week is sometimes exhaustion comes because it is God's way of signaling that you need to make a change. So, that's something I'll have to look at. As mentioned in earlier posts, I do tend to be a bit of a "joiner" and get a little "overextended", which can add to my exhaustion from time to time. Maybe it's time to make some changes.

13 years and 4 kids later...

The date was March 13, 1993. The event: my own wedding. It was a wonderful day filled with many fun memories; a day when Rob and I pledged our unfailing love to each other before God. A snowy day, a cold day, but not too much went wrong, at least not that I was aware of until after the fact. Overall, a great day.

Now, 13 years and 4 kids later, it's fun to think back on that day. However, I have to say there have been days in our marriage that have more significance and meaning than our wedding day. Like a few weeks later when we were at the grocery store and Rob spent 30 minutes picking out juice...that was a significant day in our marriage...the first realization that perhaps this wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. Or, the day we closed on our first home. Or the day when after months of prodding, Rob finally agreed that we could start trying to have a family. I was very excited. Or the day we found out we would be parents of a child with a disabilty. Or those days when our precious little children came into the world. March 13, 1993 was just the beginning of what has been and will, I'm sure, continue to be a journey filled with many ups and downs. That day back in 1993 was just one event in our lives that have been filled with many events.

On my wedding day when I took those vows, I really had no idea what I was getting into. And, for the first few years I could have easily said, "I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS!" And, in fact, I did several times. But, I'm glad we both hung in there. I'm glad that I've got to share all of these events with Rob, even the hard ones. We are building a history and looking forward to our future!

I'm still cheesed off...

that Gedeon didn't make it to the Final 12 on American Idol...that's a crock, man!

Game Show Network

It seems we've developed an addiciton to the Game Show Network. I think interest was peaked about game shows when I got to sit in the hot seat at Millionaire Play It! in Disney. At any rate, channel 52 has become a very important fixture in our lives. I think it may be starting to be a problem though...here are some recent conversations I've had, tell me what you think:

Me: "Jaden, what did you do with your homework?"
Jaden: "I stuffed it in my blank."

Me: "Trisha we can either go to the Library or go to Target."
Trisha: "B. Target. Final Answer."

So, it's hard to tell whether or not we watch too much game show network. One thing I know for sure is next time the kids aren't really participating during family clean time, I'm going to try this: "100 people surveyed, top 5 answers on the board, what punishment will happen to children if they do not clean up their toys after they are done playing with them?"

Flat Stanley

Today at school was Flat Friday...the culmination of two months of work. We had a lot of fun learning about Japan, Detroit, and Missouri. Here are the boards:

A Myxd trip to the Dentist

So, yesterday, Trisha and Jaden had dentist appointments to take care of some fillings at 3:00. I had to pick up all of the precious little preciouses from school. School Secretary (who is getting mentioned more and more in my blog...hmmm...) calls everyone down except Trisha. You see Trisha is in the nurse's office not feeling so well. So, I walk in there and ask her how she is doing. She says, "I think I'm going to puke." She makes it into the bathroom, thankfully, but suffice it to say that the teacher's restroom...well, I'm not sure it will ever be the same. Apparently, she had a migraine. After trying to clean oursleves up, we pile in the car and head to the dentist. (I think this is a good time to mention that Trisha was crying the whole trip to the dentist becasue some puke went up her nose and its all she can smell!) Obviously, Trisha can't make her appointment, but because I am Efficient-Mom, I remember that Jonathan also has a cavity so I call ahead and put him in Trisha's place.

Now, when we get to the dentist, I wait for over a half-hour before the kids are even called back. Normally, I find this slightly irritating. Today, I find it horrifying. Because, there was a girl who WALKED IN and Dr. agreed to see her right then. I know he did this because, since I work there, he can just blow me off. It always amazes me at how quickly I can go from Spirit-filled, nice calm Christian lady to freaky, nasty B**** lady. It's probably not good, but it does get results.

So, Jaden and Jonathan are seated. I think I have mentioned Jaden's "anxiety problem" before. Apparently, while seated back in the chair he started to get "nervous". And, wouldn't you know it, HE pukes. Now, I know what you are thinking...since both kids puked, maybe it was a stomach virus. I thought the same thing..till Trisha and Jaden ate 6 pieces of pizza between them for dinner.

In the end, only Jonathan got his teeth worked on and he was the one without the appointment. Expect the Unexepected...the motto of Motherhood!