A lot of things are really very beautiful when they are up in the air...fluffy clouds, hot air balloons, soaring birds, the sun, etc. However, when it is my life that is up in the air, it's not quite so pretty. Lately, so many things seem to be unknown.
For example, are we going to be in PA or in MI? If we are in PA, are we going to live in this house or are we going to be able to find something more accessible? If we are in PA, there's alot unknown about Jaden in school. They don't know: will he be upstairs, will he be downstairs, will he have a new teacher, or will one of the other teachers move, who will the new principal be and will he/she be willing to meet Jaden's needs without a fight, and perhaps the biggest question of all, will all of these changes make him so anxious that he won't even be able to go to school and Ill be homeschooling him. Is someone going to take over my job at church or I am going to be doing it again? Should I get some sort of job with all the "free time" I'll have in the fall and if so, what type?
I feel like I did when trying to get pregnant in that two weeks between ovulation and "knowing". You can't really plan anything one way or the other. I can't take a new job or make big plans...I could be pregnant. I can't buy maternity clothes and baby gear, I might not be pregnant. The only difference is I have no idea when this up in the air phase will end. Alot will become more clear I think by August.
There is one thing I know...God knows! "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Shhhhh...
Don't tell anybody, but summer vacation is just around the corner (2 weeks from today) and I'm NOT looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, the precious little things that they are. But, there's something about the thought of being with them 24 hours a day/7 days a week, that is currently sending a shiver up my spine. There are certain things that I am looking forward to. I'm sure we'll have fun. I get their undivided attention for a few months to un-do some damage. (No, the world is not billions and billions of years old!) We won't have to rush in the mornings to get ready for school, we can be lazy. There will be some fun camps and of, course VBS. It's just, well, I like having some time to myself. I know, it's selfish...let's just keep that between you and I!
Monday, May 15, 2006
To Request or Not to Request...
That is the question.
To me, teachers are a lot like Obstetricians. Every single one of them has a following of people who love them and critics who'd be happy if they never had to deal with them again.
I would not say that I was overly impressed with the two of three first grade teachers we've had thus far. Trisha's teacher wasn't bad, but very strict and very CLEARLY does not like little boys. J & J's teacher was, well, horrible. (For us). Lots of people like her. I thought she brought out the worst in my boys and they had a very tough year with her. She is extremely sarcastic. Here's an example: At P/T Conference, she said that she has a very hard time motivating Jaden. I asked her what she's done to help him. She replied, " I call him names. He'll tell me to stop calling him names, but I tell him I'm going to keep calling him names until he finishes his work." Does anyone else find that as horrifying as I did? There was a lot of talk and a lot of prayer about pulling them out and homeschooling them (that's how damaging I thought she was being). In the end, things did turn around and by January, I think everyone got along fine.
So, now here's the dilemma. I certainly DO NOT want Ryan to have her. I would prefer him to have the third teacher who is nurturing. But, do I make a request? Do I become THAT kind of mom and request a teacher? AND, does requesting a teacher indicate that I do not trust God to match Ryan with the teacher that he needs?
Since we are getting a new principal, I have no idea whether or not this principal will even honor requests. The current principal did not honor any one year and honored them all the next. If I request and the principal decides not to honor requests, then I am guaranteed not to get the teacher I want. And, if I say I'm going to leave it up to God and Ryan gets the most horrible teacher, what do I do then?
Decisions....Decisions....
To me, teachers are a lot like Obstetricians. Every single one of them has a following of people who love them and critics who'd be happy if they never had to deal with them again.
I would not say that I was overly impressed with the two of three first grade teachers we've had thus far. Trisha's teacher wasn't bad, but very strict and very CLEARLY does not like little boys. J & J's teacher was, well, horrible. (For us). Lots of people like her. I thought she brought out the worst in my boys and they had a very tough year with her. She is extremely sarcastic. Here's an example: At P/T Conference, she said that she has a very hard time motivating Jaden. I asked her what she's done to help him. She replied, " I call him names. He'll tell me to stop calling him names, but I tell him I'm going to keep calling him names until he finishes his work." Does anyone else find that as horrifying as I did? There was a lot of talk and a lot of prayer about pulling them out and homeschooling them (that's how damaging I thought she was being). In the end, things did turn around and by January, I think everyone got along fine.
So, now here's the dilemma. I certainly DO NOT want Ryan to have her. I would prefer him to have the third teacher who is nurturing. But, do I make a request? Do I become THAT kind of mom and request a teacher? AND, does requesting a teacher indicate that I do not trust God to match Ryan with the teacher that he needs?
Since we are getting a new principal, I have no idea whether or not this principal will even honor requests. The current principal did not honor any one year and honored them all the next. If I request and the principal decides not to honor requests, then I am guaranteed not to get the teacher I want. And, if I say I'm going to leave it up to God and Ryan gets the most horrible teacher, what do I do then?
Decisions....Decisions....
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mother's Day
I was spoiled today :) I got lots of lovely handmade gift and lots of kisses and hugs. And, well, suffice it to say, someone is going to see Grease (the musical) when it comes to Pittsburgh in a few weeks.
I was working on a project for my church's children's ministry and I came across these quotes about motherhood. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite:
"In becoming a mother, I lost my mind, but I found my soul. " - Anonymous
"The best inheritance a mother can give ehr child is a few minutes of her time each day." -OA Battista
"The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Making the decision to ahve a child-its momentus. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." -Elizabeth Stone
"Parents are so often busy with the physical rearing of a child that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking the leaves." -Marceline Cox
Happy Mother's Day!
I was working on a project for my church's children's ministry and I came across these quotes about motherhood. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite:
"In becoming a mother, I lost my mind, but I found my soul. " - Anonymous
"The best inheritance a mother can give ehr child is a few minutes of her time each day." -OA Battista
"The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Making the decision to ahve a child-its momentus. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." -Elizabeth Stone
"Parents are so often busy with the physical rearing of a child that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking the leaves." -Marceline Cox
Happy Mother's Day!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Sneaky Little Mister
Some stories just go down in family lore for all time. Just mention the words "Fried Eggs" to someone in my family of origin and we still laugh hysterically. So far this story, courtesy of Jaden, has had some legs.
We had only been in our house a few months. The triplets were 3 and Ryan was just a baby. Our next door neighbors were very friendly, older (not retired, but have grandkids older than any of my kids) people, occasionally giving my kids snacks and often stopping by for a chat. Mr. Neighbor loves to cut his grass, I mean really loves. Anyway, one Sunday afternoon, he was cutting his grass as Jaden watched in amazement. Neighbor went around and around in circles around his house and Jaden watches, getting excited everytime neighbor came back into view. WHen neighbor turned off his lawn mower, Jaden says to him, "Hey, what are you doing there you sneaky little mister??" THe neighbor says, "What?" Jaen repeats, "what are you doing you sneaky little mister?".
I have no idea even where Jaden got that phrase, and I'm not really sure why neighbor got offended. But, ever since that time, no more cookies, no more chats. They've erected a large tree border between our yards and he leaves the 12 inch strip between his lawn and our driveway that is technically our lawn. I think he really likes us!
Anyway, Sneaky Little Mister still enjoys cutting his lawn, so for kicks, let's keep track, we'll start with May.
SLM: 6 Rob: 2
We had only been in our house a few months. The triplets were 3 and Ryan was just a baby. Our next door neighbors were very friendly, older (not retired, but have grandkids older than any of my kids) people, occasionally giving my kids snacks and often stopping by for a chat. Mr. Neighbor loves to cut his grass, I mean really loves. Anyway, one Sunday afternoon, he was cutting his grass as Jaden watched in amazement. Neighbor went around and around in circles around his house and Jaden watches, getting excited everytime neighbor came back into view. WHen neighbor turned off his lawn mower, Jaden says to him, "Hey, what are you doing there you sneaky little mister??" THe neighbor says, "What?" Jaen repeats, "what are you doing you sneaky little mister?".
I have no idea even where Jaden got that phrase, and I'm not really sure why neighbor got offended. But, ever since that time, no more cookies, no more chats. They've erected a large tree border between our yards and he leaves the 12 inch strip between his lawn and our driveway that is technically our lawn. I think he really likes us!
Anyway, Sneaky Little Mister still enjoys cutting his lawn, so for kicks, let's keep track, we'll start with May.
SLM: 6 Rob: 2
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Field Day 2006
I had the pleasure of vounteering for field day this year, now that all four of my children were involved. Rob also took the day off so that he could volunteer, which I thought was pretty cool. Together, Rob and I were responsible for Lawn Jacks, which has been highly touted as The Most Boring Game at Field Day. Throughout the day, you'd hear kids chanting, "Par-a-chute! Par-a-chute!" or "Dodge-Ball! Dodge-Ball." When they canme to Lawn Jacks, it was, "Is this almost over?" :) Oh well, one set of volunteers had to continually set up 75 pizza boxes for a relay.
It was fun to see my kids have fun. When we left, I said to Rob, "I love our school." And I do. Before field day, we had Jaden's IEP meeting to plan his services fro next year. It went very well. I'll post more later about that.
BTW, that lady with Jaden is his new teacher (after the other one went on Maternity leave)
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The weekend sports report
We had three soccer games and one wheelcahir basketball day camp. Very fun.
Trisha was the first game and she was a great goalie. She is one of the few girls ont he team who can punt the ball out of her endzone when she is goalie. Because she is a little bit shy (like her mother), I've had to teacher that's it's OK to get in there and get the ball away from someone; that she can be aggressive. Check shy and check nice at the door, sister. This week was the first game she really did that. SHe has some good height on the other girls and she was usign it to her advantage this week, which was fun to see!
I was not able to go to JOnathan and Ryan's games because I was with Jaden. But, from what I hear, Ryan scored four goals, a new all-time Klan family high. The previous record was held at three goals made by Jonathan in May, 2003. Of course, at Ryan's age they do not have goalies, but still, four goals is pretty good now! Jonathan also scored a goal in addtion to his killer defense moves.
Jaden had a lot of fun at hte basketball camp, I was SHOCKED at the level of play/competition that was seen. I was sort of expecting just a friendly game of wheelchair basketball. NOPE! The kids were zooming around, getting their fingers slammed between wheelchairs (no one complained), ripping balls out of each others hands...it was pretty cutthroat. I have to say the mother in me did not at all care for people ripping the ball out of Jaden's hands while he's try ing to hold on to the ball and move his wheelchair at the same time. I wanted to yell: "Hey! Cut him some slack; he's in a wheelchair." Of course, everyone was in a wheelchair! The first picture is Jaden's pregame workout. The second is him playing...look at the intensity in their eyes!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Crazy for You
I heard this song from Madonna on the radio yesterday. And, I guess it's the time of year maybe, but it brought back memories of my senior prom.
It's hard to describe my senior prom, although the words "terribly unfortunate" immediately come to mind. My date was, well, not my first choice. I went to an all-girls school, although I knew lots of guys (not in the Biblical sense, mind you). The first guy I asked said he'd like to go, but he needed to ask his girlfriend first. Never mind. The second guy said he'd like to go, but he didn't have enough money to rent a tux. Loser! So, that pretty much left the guy I took. Sadly, I can't even remember his name. It HAS been 18 years. I think it was Joe something and I think we called him Skippy. I can't remember if this was an actual nickname he was aware of, or something I just called him. I think it may very well have been his first date ever. In addition to the bad date, instead of renting a limo, my dad got one from Ford Motor Co. (where he used to be employed) and DROVE IT HIMSELF!! In addition to that, there was enough room in the limo for 6 people, not the 8 that we had in there (plus everyone's big dress hoops...this was 1988, afterall) Sadly, I was not one of the fortunate one's at the prom who were able to secure some alcohol. Perhaps that would have made the evening more enjoyable. At any rate, it was all worth a good laugh with my girlfriends for many months/years afterward. And, I think I've gotten over the embarassment of the my parents driving me.
Thanks for walking with me down memory lane!
It's hard to describe my senior prom, although the words "terribly unfortunate" immediately come to mind. My date was, well, not my first choice. I went to an all-girls school, although I knew lots of guys (not in the Biblical sense, mind you). The first guy I asked said he'd like to go, but he needed to ask his girlfriend first. Never mind. The second guy said he'd like to go, but he didn't have enough money to rent a tux. Loser! So, that pretty much left the guy I took. Sadly, I can't even remember his name. It HAS been 18 years. I think it was Joe something and I think we called him Skippy. I can't remember if this was an actual nickname he was aware of, or something I just called him. I think it may very well have been his first date ever. In addition to the bad date, instead of renting a limo, my dad got one from Ford Motor Co. (where he used to be employed) and DROVE IT HIMSELF!! In addition to that, there was enough room in the limo for 6 people, not the 8 that we had in there (plus everyone's big dress hoops...this was 1988, afterall) Sadly, I was not one of the fortunate one's at the prom who were able to secure some alcohol. Perhaps that would have made the evening more enjoyable. At any rate, it was all worth a good laugh with my girlfriends for many months/years afterward. And, I think I've gotten over the embarassment of the my parents driving me.
Thanks for walking with me down memory lane!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Wiping Crayon off Walls
We had a guy come today to paint up the stairs and in the hallways upstairs. This is the one area of the house that has not been touched in the nearly 6 years that we have lived here. When we moved in, Ryan was a newborn and the triplets were barely 3. One of their favorite things to do was color on the walls (that, and cut each other's hair!) So, this morning, I got out my Magic Eraser and started to erase the crayon marks. I think my favorite was when Jaden drew a picture on the wall along with his name. When I got angry about it, he kept insisting he didn't do it. When I asked him why his name was on it then, he just got a little mischievous grin and started laughing...he knew he was caught.
You know I've never really been one to live in the moment. When I was in 3rd grade, I was nervous about getting lost in Junior High. When I started 7th grade, I was worried about having to pass swim class in order to graduate from high school. You get the drift. That's why in the middle of cleaning the crayon, it dawned on me that I have FOUR months left until ALL of my kids are in school ALL day long. In fact, school starts August 28, 2006. This will be nearly 9 years to the day that I became a mom. Nine years seems like a long time to be knee deep in diapers and crayon marks. But, I'm feeling like it's not enough!! Oh, how I used to hate when people would tell me, "It goes by soooo fast!" But, it does. And, in my like-to-fret-about-things-before-they-happen-kind-of-way, I am sad.
I know I have posted in the past about how glad I am to be out of the baby stage and how I'm OK with the fact that those days of preschoolers are dwindling. I know! I know! BUt, there's something about seeing the art work of a three year old and then seeing the emerging cursive of almost nine year olds that makes me miss having wee ones. But, fortunately, I took good pictures and I have good memories. Not even a Magic Eraser can take those away!
You know I've never really been one to live in the moment. When I was in 3rd grade, I was nervous about getting lost in Junior High. When I started 7th grade, I was worried about having to pass swim class in order to graduate from high school. You get the drift. That's why in the middle of cleaning the crayon, it dawned on me that I have FOUR months left until ALL of my kids are in school ALL day long. In fact, school starts August 28, 2006. This will be nearly 9 years to the day that I became a mom. Nine years seems like a long time to be knee deep in diapers and crayon marks. But, I'm feeling like it's not enough!! Oh, how I used to hate when people would tell me, "It goes by soooo fast!" But, it does. And, in my like-to-fret-about-things-before-they-happen-kind-of-way, I am sad.
I know I have posted in the past about how glad I am to be out of the baby stage and how I'm OK with the fact that those days of preschoolers are dwindling. I know! I know! BUt, there's something about seeing the art work of a three year old and then seeing the emerging cursive of almost nine year olds that makes me miss having wee ones. But, fortunately, I took good pictures and I have good memories. Not even a Magic Eraser can take those away!
Monday, April 17, 2006
I have a new hat to wear!
I'm an AUNT !!
Yes, my first nephew was born this morning to Rob's sister Michelle and her husband. I hear he's adorable. I can't wait to meet him :)
Yes, my first nephew was born this morning to Rob's sister Michelle and her husband. I hear he's adorable. I can't wait to meet him :)
Easter Weekend
Well, it was just a lovely time to be sure. Lovely church service, lovely egg hunt, lovely dinner of cereal or leftovers...your choice! Lovely 3-on-3 basketball game with the kids. Allow me to expound:
Church was wonderful. Jam Packed to be sure. But, a nice message. In Luke 24:11, it says, "but they did not beliee the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense." The women were telling them that Jesus wasn't in the tomb, but that he was alive. SO, if having faith in a risen Lord sounds like nonsense to you...don't worry, it sounded like nonsense to the first diciples at first also.
Egg hunt. This is an annual tradition where we hide eggs filled with jelly beans all over the place. I think there is still one or two that we haven't found. THe one big downside tot his is that I do believe I ate approximately 1,276,999,475 jelly beans yeaterday.
Dinner. Well, what can I say? We don't live by any family and the kids would really just turn their noses up at a big ham/potatos/vegetables dinner anyway. So, instead of making Easter dinner like every other dinner we usually haave, I just take a break and give the kids the traditional cereal dinner. Although I can't really callit traditional because sometimes we go to McDonalds.
Basketball game. This was ROb's idea and it actually turned out to be fun. Team "Um" was me, Jonathan and Ryan. Team "Red Balls" (from Lingo) was Rob, Trisha, Jaden. Team "Red Balls" won by one basket, with Trisha scoring the winning basket. Several injury time outs were taken, not for physical injuries, but for the emotional injuries inflicted from the frustration of not being able to score a basket. But, that was just Rob!!! HA_HA only kidding!!
I ended the day, for some bizarre reason, looking at my Jr. High yearbook. Yup, good ole' Clifford H. Smart Jr. High School. Was Jr. High a good experience for anybody really?? I think not.
Church was wonderful. Jam Packed to be sure. But, a nice message. In Luke 24:11, it says, "but they did not beliee the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense." The women were telling them that Jesus wasn't in the tomb, but that he was alive. SO, if having faith in a risen Lord sounds like nonsense to you...don't worry, it sounded like nonsense to the first diciples at first also.
Egg hunt. This is an annual tradition where we hide eggs filled with jelly beans all over the place. I think there is still one or two that we haven't found. THe one big downside tot his is that I do believe I ate approximately 1,276,999,475 jelly beans yeaterday.
Dinner. Well, what can I say? We don't live by any family and the kids would really just turn their noses up at a big ham/potatos/vegetables dinner anyway. So, instead of making Easter dinner like every other dinner we usually haave, I just take a break and give the kids the traditional cereal dinner. Although I can't really callit traditional because sometimes we go to McDonalds.
Basketball game. This was ROb's idea and it actually turned out to be fun. Team "Um" was me, Jonathan and Ryan. Team "Red Balls" (from Lingo) was Rob, Trisha, Jaden. Team "Red Balls" won by one basket, with Trisha scoring the winning basket. Several injury time outs were taken, not for physical injuries, but for the emotional injuries inflicted from the frustration of not being able to score a basket. But, that was just Rob!!! HA_HA only kidding!!
I ended the day, for some bizarre reason, looking at my Jr. High yearbook. Yup, good ole' Clifford H. Smart Jr. High School. Was Jr. High a good experience for anybody really?? I think not.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Jonathan has a stalker
The original title of my post was going to be something about Jonathan having a play date with a girl today. This should, of course, not be a little weird to me, but I have to admit that it is. From what I understand, Jonathan is like the Casanova of the classroom. Although he is adorable, I think it's because unlike most of the other boys, Jonathan actually pays attention to the girls. It is perfectly natural that jonathan would be very comfortable around girls given the fact that he has a sister his exact same age. I think I'm still bothered by that stupid Bringing Up Boys Book! It assumes that since he likes to play with girls this means he will grow up gay. I'm not going to worry about that. I was a bit concerned given the fact that we don't really know this girl or her family.
Anyway, now to the stalker part. I counted. This girl called 25 times yesterday. twice she got to talk to Joanthan. After my not answering her call on her home phone, she proceeded to call on her mom's cell phone. Finally, I answered and said that Jonathan would not be able to come to the phone but that we were excited to have her over. I asked her if she wanted me to give Jonathan a message...she says, "No, what I have to say to him I can tell him myself at school tomorrow." Excuse me?!@?! Maybe I should just circulate this picture of Jonathan...that should cure this female interest thing!
*Bringing up Boys is a book by Dr. Dobson that began my journey into deciding not to listen to him!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Why I send my kids to Public School
It is always this time of year, as the school year draws to a close, that we examine the school year and begin thinking about whether or not we are going to make a change. For us, Public School is NOT a default decision. Meaning: we could afford Christian school if we felt so led, and I wouldn't mind terribly homeschooling if we felt so led.
Our decision to send them to the neighborhood school was actually a proactive one. I like that my kids are learning from someone other than me. Afterall, I know that I am not the end-all, be-all of knowledge and talent. I know that I have benefitted in my life from learning from many different people with many different personalities and strengths. I like that we get to meet and interact with different people. Not just people who all look like we do and believe exactly as we do. I like that my children have had the opportunity to learn at such a young age that just because someone says something is true, doesn't meant that it is true!
I remember when I first sent the triplets to Kindergarten, I told Rob that the first time someone told them they needed to be gay or vote for Hillary Clinton, I was pulling them out. To my surprise, this has never happened. I have not seen the liberal, horribly anti-Christain agenda that so many people talk about. HAve things been taught that do not line up with scripture? Once or twice. But that gave us a great opportunity as a family to talk about the truth. Is the public school perfect? Of course not. But, neither is Christian school and neither is homeschooling. There are things I don't like...like mean teachers (if anyone is going to yell at my kid it should be me) and the constant rush, rush, rushing in the morning. But, overall, at least so far, the first few years have been good. Doesn't mean I won't change my mind in the future. But, for now, public schooling is for us!
Our decision to send them to the neighborhood school was actually a proactive one. I like that my kids are learning from someone other than me. Afterall, I know that I am not the end-all, be-all of knowledge and talent. I know that I have benefitted in my life from learning from many different people with many different personalities and strengths. I like that we get to meet and interact with different people. Not just people who all look like we do and believe exactly as we do. I like that my children have had the opportunity to learn at such a young age that just because someone says something is true, doesn't meant that it is true!
I remember when I first sent the triplets to Kindergarten, I told Rob that the first time someone told them they needed to be gay or vote for Hillary Clinton, I was pulling them out. To my surprise, this has never happened. I have not seen the liberal, horribly anti-Christain agenda that so many people talk about. HAve things been taught that do not line up with scripture? Once or twice. But that gave us a great opportunity as a family to talk about the truth. Is the public school perfect? Of course not. But, neither is Christian school and neither is homeschooling. There are things I don't like...like mean teachers (if anyone is going to yell at my kid it should be me) and the constant rush, rush, rushing in the morning. But, overall, at least so far, the first few years have been good. Doesn't mean I won't change my mind in the future. But, for now, public schooling is for us!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Whatever...
I hate thinking of titles...
Anyway, I can't get a friend off my mind. This poor lady has just had one family member after another diagnosed with medical problems. And, now, today it's her husband...a 40 year-old guy with a strange mass and a biopsy. I have told God that I will not be impressed if it's cancer. I really won't be. It boggles my mind that some people seem to get slammed with problems while others live scott-free. This life is not fair. That's a lesson some smart people (my parents) tried to teach me when I was younger. I think I am only now starting to "get it". It reminds me of a quote I heard recently that this life here on earth is as close as believers will ever get to hell. Close enough for me, thanks. Sadly, and I do hate to mention this, it is also as close as non-believers will get to Heaven. I pray that my friend's husband will be fine.
On a much lighter note, a few people have wondered why I didn't mention on my blog the fact that I rammed into a friend's lightpost yesterday and knocked it right off the ground. Pretty clean cut, I might add. OF course, I am mortified and told her to please send me the bill, but the reason it didn't really hit my radar as being something to blog about is because of my driving record. I mean you really can't have high hopes for someone who rams their car into a gas pump for her first official act of driving with a license. (A brand new car too, might I add).
BTW, as I am typing this, I hear the doorbell. I go and answer the door and it is Ryan...with a daffodil for me. "Isn't it pretty?" he says. "Smell it." he says. "I gave it to you because you don't feel well." "Do you have a cup for it? It's real you know". What a sweetie pie, so thoughtful. Let's just not mention to the neighbors that one of their daffodils is missing!
Anyway, I can't get a friend off my mind. This poor lady has just had one family member after another diagnosed with medical problems. And, now, today it's her husband...a 40 year-old guy with a strange mass and a biopsy. I have told God that I will not be impressed if it's cancer. I really won't be. It boggles my mind that some people seem to get slammed with problems while others live scott-free. This life is not fair. That's a lesson some smart people (my parents) tried to teach me when I was younger. I think I am only now starting to "get it". It reminds me of a quote I heard recently that this life here on earth is as close as believers will ever get to hell. Close enough for me, thanks. Sadly, and I do hate to mention this, it is also as close as non-believers will get to Heaven. I pray that my friend's husband will be fine.
On a much lighter note, a few people have wondered why I didn't mention on my blog the fact that I rammed into a friend's lightpost yesterday and knocked it right off the ground. Pretty clean cut, I might add. OF course, I am mortified and told her to please send me the bill, but the reason it didn't really hit my radar as being something to blog about is because of my driving record. I mean you really can't have high hopes for someone who rams their car into a gas pump for her first official act of driving with a license. (A brand new car too, might I add).
BTW, as I am typing this, I hear the doorbell. I go and answer the door and it is Ryan...with a daffodil for me. "Isn't it pretty?" he says. "Smell it." he says. "I gave it to you because you don't feel well." "Do you have a cup for it? It's real you know". What a sweetie pie, so thoughtful. Let's just not mention to the neighbors that one of their daffodils is missing!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Exercise Class...
Sometimes kids have strange ways of telling you that they love you. Take this for example: I was coming out of exercise class the other day with Ryan. The babysitter wasn't there, so Ryan had to sort of sit on the sidelines and watch the class. We got into the car and Ryan exclaimed in a very excited and proud voice, "Mom!! You were the biggest mom in the whole class!!". He was so proud of me!! Don't worry Ryan, I noticed
Friday, March 31, 2006
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!!
"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!!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
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.) :-)
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.) :-)
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
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!!
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