Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
That To-Do List
A while ago I posted about my to-do list that I will be working on instead of New Year's Resolutions. I'm happy, thrilled, and excited to say it's done. DONE! All 18 of the original things on that list (along with many other normal day-to-day things that a family of five needs to have done) have been completed and marked off. YEAH!!
The last two things were items on my list since...well...one since BEFORE I left Guam! At least I think it's been that long since I've pieced together that blue quilt. But yesterday I refused to "eat the bread of idleness" and just work on the thing. And I got it all done!! YEAH!! Ben has said it's his, but I don't think he realizes how small it is. It's more of an over-size baby quilt. But it's done...even if my sewing machine acted like a very small child when they are oh, so very tired: uncooperative! Part of it was operator error (blame it on being in a hurry and being blond), but after that was corrected I think my machine is just ornery when it comes to quilts. (Maybe I should talk to Drew about an upgrade....say to a quilting machine instead of just a sewing machine...hmmmm...something to think about it...)
The other project that has been on THE LIST since summer was to update the kids' school photo albums. But that's done as well as of last week. These albums were intended to chronicle school up to 8th grade. With William in 9th that means his is done - as in DONE...as in not too much longer and he'll be gone.But as I said in another post, that's how life is suppose to be.
Back to my to-do list....time, now, to sit and think about what projects need to be done...or what project I would like to do.....
The last two things were items on my list since...well...one since BEFORE I left Guam! At least I think it's been that long since I've pieced together that blue quilt. But yesterday I refused to "eat the bread of idleness" and just work on the thing. And I got it all done!! YEAH!! Ben has said it's his, but I don't think he realizes how small it is. It's more of an over-size baby quilt. But it's done...even if my sewing machine acted like a very small child when they are oh, so very tired: uncooperative! Part of it was operator error (blame it on being in a hurry and being blond), but after that was corrected I think my machine is just ornery when it comes to quilts. (Maybe I should talk to Drew about an upgrade....say to a quilting machine instead of just a sewing machine...hmmmm...something to think about it...)
The other project that has been on THE LIST since summer was to update the kids' school photo albums. But that's done as well as of last week. These albums were intended to chronicle school up to 8th grade. With William in 9th that means his is done - as in DONE...as in not too much longer and he'll be gone.But as I said in another post, that's how life is suppose to be.
Back to my to-do list....time, now, to sit and think about what projects need to be done...or what project I would like to do.....
Monday, February 13, 2012
Music and Singers
Last night we watched some of the Grammies. I must admit - I didn't know most of the people and groups that were nominated or preformed. For the most part I find secular music and raido stations vulgular and annoying, so I listen to mostly Christian music. I know when I have Klove on, my kids won't be repeating anything shocking or asking me to explain a ruanchy joke.
But as the kids are getting older and into the teen years and have radios in their rooms, they listen to more secualar music. For a while now Melissa has been talking about how she like Adele.
Yeah....I had no clue who this person or group was. At times, when we would hear a song by her somewhere, Melissa would point it out to me. I had to admit, what little I heard, I like. The songs were very blues...with a great swing to them.
But last night during the Grammies was the first time I put the face with the voice. I was impressed. This morning I did a quick internet search and listened some of her songs, an interview of her, as well as read through some of her lyrics. While the interview had a few choice words I would not want to repeat or hear my kids say, I did not find anything objectionable in her lyrics. They reminded me of some of Taylor Swift's songs - songs they wrote about the things going on in thier life.
Two quotes from yesterday have stayed with me today. One was from the head singer of Mercy Me (Christian group). He said on Twitter, "Music is in good hands with Adele." I agree. She has such a clear and unique deep voice that she'll be singing for the public for a long time to come.
The other quote was actually about Whitney Houston, whom died this weekend. Not sure who said it, but the quote was something along the lines of: Whitney didn't need all those back-up dancers or a light show - she would just come out on stage with a micorphone and sing her heart out.
Wow. So, true. Adele just came out and sang last night. She, too, didn't need dancers prancing around like some groups last night did or like we saw in the Super Bowl half-time show. She's good enough to entertain us with just her voice.
Another part of Adele that I was impressed with was her dress. It was modest. It was lady-like. It was stylist. It was time-less. What a difference between her and some of these other singers that seem so insecrue that they flaunt all that they have and try to distract us with a "show" instead of just singing from their heart.
But as the kids are getting older and into the teen years and have radios in their rooms, they listen to more secualar music. For a while now Melissa has been talking about how she like Adele.
Yeah....I had no clue who this person or group was. At times, when we would hear a song by her somewhere, Melissa would point it out to me. I had to admit, what little I heard, I like. The songs were very blues...with a great swing to them.
But last night during the Grammies was the first time I put the face with the voice. I was impressed. This morning I did a quick internet search and listened some of her songs, an interview of her, as well as read through some of her lyrics. While the interview had a few choice words I would not want to repeat or hear my kids say, I did not find anything objectionable in her lyrics. They reminded me of some of Taylor Swift's songs - songs they wrote about the things going on in thier life.
Two quotes from yesterday have stayed with me today. One was from the head singer of Mercy Me (Christian group). He said on Twitter, "Music is in good hands with Adele." I agree. She has such a clear and unique deep voice that she'll be singing for the public for a long time to come.
The other quote was actually about Whitney Houston, whom died this weekend. Not sure who said it, but the quote was something along the lines of: Whitney didn't need all those back-up dancers or a light show - she would just come out on stage with a micorphone and sing her heart out.
Wow. So, true. Adele just came out and sang last night. She, too, didn't need dancers prancing around like some groups last night did or like we saw in the Super Bowl half-time show. She's good enough to entertain us with just her voice.
Another part of Adele that I was impressed with was her dress. It was modest. It was lady-like. It was stylist. It was time-less. What a difference between her and some of these other singers that seem so insecrue that they flaunt all that they have and try to distract us with a "show" instead of just singing from their heart.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Beauty Pageant
Last year Melissa went to her school's beauty pageant with a friend. Since then she has talked about participating in this year's pageant. So, she did.
My baby girl is just about all grown up.
In yesterday's post I talked about a quote from a book, "The Lost Wife", about women who sparkle from within and without. On the way to the pageant, I told Melissa that as much as she was sparkling from the outside with all the fancy dress, make-up, and hair, she really sparkles because she always sparkles from the inside.
She has such a thirst for life. One of my dearest memories of her as a toddler was one Wednesday night as we were going into church. There she was - just a tiny little thing, but could run and walk and talk at nine and half months. That night she was running in the church's parking lot toward the door - just running and laughing - just because...like she was afraid of nothing...just enjoying life.
This girl? When she puts her mind to something, she does it. While she did not place at the beauty pageant, she did an amazing job. I know at 13, I could not have stood on a stage and let everyone look at me and just stand there and smile. She is amazing, that girl of mine.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Book Update
Yes, another book: "The Lost Wife" by Alyson Richman. The story starts off as an older man attends his grandson's wedding and meets the bride's grandmother...who use to be his wife before WWII. The book is about their love as well as the ghastliness of the war....but also in how the human spirit survives.
I usually don't fall in love with quotes from a book, but a phrase in this book stopped me.
"She [the mother] always told us there were two types of women. Those who are lit from the outside and those who are lit from within. The first needs the shimmer of a diamond to make her sparkle, but the other, her beauty is illuminated through the sheet light of her soul."
Reminded of the Jesus calling His followers to be the light of the world as well as Peter in 2 Corinthians 4 saying we have been given the light of knowledge of God's glory in our hearts. May I always shine from the inside never relying on the outside to make me sparkle.
I usually don't fall in love with quotes from a book, but a phrase in this book stopped me.
"She [the mother] always told us there were two types of women. Those who are lit from the outside and those who are lit from within. The first needs the shimmer of a diamond to make her sparkle, but the other, her beauty is illuminated through the sheet light of her soul."
Reminded of the Jesus calling His followers to be the light of the world as well as Peter in 2 Corinthians 4 saying we have been given the light of knowledge of God's glory in our hearts. May I always shine from the inside never relying on the outside to make me sparkle.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Loosening These Apron-Springs
So many times as we raise our kids we focus on the first...the first steps...the first tooth....first day of school. But we miss the lasts...the last time they crawled...that last loose tooth.... But there are time when we notice the passing of time. Friday was a day like that for us. A time of handing over control and responsibility...with our heart in our throats all the while.
Friday William's high school soccer team were playing in the first round of the state play-offs - and neither Drew nor I could attend. Like to have killed me! See the game was at the other end of the state - six hours away. And I couldn't go. To have him so far away...yikes!
No, this isn't the first time he's been away from us. But before he was with people I had full confidence in. This time? Not so much.
A huge issue for us is the food. All my kids are allergic to nuts and peanuts. As in they swell up and quit breathing if ingested. Scary - very scary! (Here's the story of it happening in Guam.) But over the years, we have taught them that the world will not change for them - they have to be the one to change and be proactive. It's their health and ultimately, they are responsible for it. We talk about reading labels and asking questions. And when in doubt - throw it out or don't eat - being hungry and breathing is the better option!
When we were vacationing in Australia we went on a cruise to dive and snorkel at the Great-Barrier Reef where lunch was provided. The crew could not tell me with all certainty that was no nuts in the salad or breads. My kids didn't eat much. We were ninety minutes out in the ocean - way too far away from an ER even with Epi-Pens on hand. That's just how it is. (I did have some safe snack food with me, but they were hungry by the time we returned to the hotel.) Many times the kids have gone to a birthday party and didn't eat the cake or other treats. They all know it's just not worth it.
At all the schools the kids have attended, I have become great friends with the school nurse. I have made sure all the teachers know exactly what my kids can and can not eat. Most teachers have been great! A few, though, had to be told to NOT feed my child - that I would send in a treat for that special day.
As the kids have gotten older they have gotten tired of the conversation - they don't like the other kids knowing there's an issue. They just want to fit in. In fact, this was the first year I did not send an email to William's or Melissa's teachers at the beginning of the year. Partly because, there's less food in the classrooms in middle and high school than in elementary rooms.
We are, also, to the point where the older kids have to carry an Epi Pen with them when there's food involved...which with teens is most of the time. They hate it. But it's a non-negotiable. Food=epi pens.
So. Back to Friday and the soccer game six hours away. In the past I would talk to the adults around to make sure they knew how to use an Epi Pen and make sure they knew where the Epi Pens were stored. Actually, when the system works right, the school nurse is to go over this with the teacher. But I had a sneaky suspicion the school nurse was not notified of the trip. (I found out that she was not.) Drew and I talked - and talked to William. We decided to let him go on the trip - after all, he has worked hard and deserved to go!
Drew and I, also, decided not to have a conversation with the coach over the food...to use this as a way for William to be totally responsible for his health.
Oh, my. That was hard.
I trust William. I do. I know he would NEVER eat anything that would endanger his health. He has vivid memories of that night in Guam (and probably a few other reactions as well). But the other boys? Not so much. All it would take is for one boy to eat a peanut butter cracker then rub his hand on William's face (they are teenage boys after all! I found out afterwards that a few moms made snack bags for the boys - complete with chocolate-chip cookies with pecans and several packages of crackers and peanut butter. And a banana and an apple. Yeah for fruit, at least!)
But the apron strings...loosening they need to be. After all, our goal in raising children is to raise them to leave us. (Gen 2:14) And in leaving us, they need to be able to take care of themselves.
It's just...the training is hard at time.
(They lost the game 4-0. And yes, William did great - on the field and with the food.)
Friday William's high school soccer team were playing in the first round of the state play-offs - and neither Drew nor I could attend. Like to have killed me! See the game was at the other end of the state - six hours away. And I couldn't go. To have him so far away...yikes!
No, this isn't the first time he's been away from us. But before he was with people I had full confidence in. This time? Not so much.
A huge issue for us is the food. All my kids are allergic to nuts and peanuts. As in they swell up and quit breathing if ingested. Scary - very scary! (Here's the story of it happening in Guam.) But over the years, we have taught them that the world will not change for them - they have to be the one to change and be proactive. It's their health and ultimately, they are responsible for it. We talk about reading labels and asking questions. And when in doubt - throw it out or don't eat - being hungry and breathing is the better option!
When we were vacationing in Australia we went on a cruise to dive and snorkel at the Great-Barrier Reef where lunch was provided. The crew could not tell me with all certainty that was no nuts in the salad or breads. My kids didn't eat much. We were ninety minutes out in the ocean - way too far away from an ER even with Epi-Pens on hand. That's just how it is. (I did have some safe snack food with me, but they were hungry by the time we returned to the hotel.) Many times the kids have gone to a birthday party and didn't eat the cake or other treats. They all know it's just not worth it.
At all the schools the kids have attended, I have become great friends with the school nurse. I have made sure all the teachers know exactly what my kids can and can not eat. Most teachers have been great! A few, though, had to be told to NOT feed my child - that I would send in a treat for that special day.
As the kids have gotten older they have gotten tired of the conversation - they don't like the other kids knowing there's an issue. They just want to fit in. In fact, this was the first year I did not send an email to William's or Melissa's teachers at the beginning of the year. Partly because, there's less food in the classrooms in middle and high school than in elementary rooms.
We are, also, to the point where the older kids have to carry an Epi Pen with them when there's food involved...which with teens is most of the time. They hate it. But it's a non-negotiable. Food=epi pens.
So. Back to Friday and the soccer game six hours away. In the past I would talk to the adults around to make sure they knew how to use an Epi Pen and make sure they knew where the Epi Pens were stored. Actually, when the system works right, the school nurse is to go over this with the teacher. But I had a sneaky suspicion the school nurse was not notified of the trip. (I found out that she was not.) Drew and I talked - and talked to William. We decided to let him go on the trip - after all, he has worked hard and deserved to go!
Drew and I, also, decided not to have a conversation with the coach over the food...to use this as a way for William to be totally responsible for his health.
Oh, my. That was hard.
I trust William. I do. I know he would NEVER eat anything that would endanger his health. He has vivid memories of that night in Guam (and probably a few other reactions as well). But the other boys? Not so much. All it would take is for one boy to eat a peanut butter cracker then rub his hand on William's face (they are teenage boys after all! I found out afterwards that a few moms made snack bags for the boys - complete with chocolate-chip cookies with pecans and several packages of crackers and peanut butter. And a banana and an apple. Yeah for fruit, at least!)
But the apron strings...loosening they need to be. After all, our goal in raising children is to raise them to leave us. (Gen 2:14) And in leaving us, they need to be able to take care of themselves.
It's just...the training is hard at time.
(They lost the game 4-0. And yes, William did great - on the field and with the food.)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Lost and Found
Since the kids started school, I have enjoyed working in their classrooms. I started out being a co-room mom in William's kindergarten class. I loved getting to know the other moms (the other co-room mom and I ended up being great friends - Hey, Carie!!). I, also, enjoyed getting to know and supporting the teaching, and getting to know the other kids in the classroom. After all, these were the people that my child was spending an enormous about time with. Over the years, I done different things for the classes and school - and enjoyed it all (okay - most of it!)
Of course, in Guam I started to sub and that's when I really got to know the school in a whole new way! As a sub for all the grades I was able to see how the curriculum worked together as well seeing all the work an elementary teacher does - and so glad I'm not one of them! No way could I teach the same class day in day out - all. year. loooong.
When we moved here, I was sort of at lose ends. I did not sub for the first six months - I wanted a time to focus on getting the kids settled and the house settled. And then there were all those doctor appointments that needed to be made up because we weren't able to take care of them in Guam. I tried to help out some in Ben's class, but as a fourth grader his teacher needed less help in class than the lower graders. Also, things are different here. I didn't want to be room mom because I had no idea of the traditions here. (And that my friends, was such a smart decision! Some things here are just CRAZY!)
I still wanted to help out, but not sure how. But at the end of the year, I found my spot. Ben had lost his jacket towards the end of the year. On the last day of school, I went to pick up the meds we keep in the nurse's office and I wanted to go through the lost and found - hoping his jacket still had his name in it and that I could find it.
Oh, wow. Was I in for a shock! I wish I had thought about taking a picture of the closet where the lost and found was stored. I would say it was six feet by ten? Twelve? It was really a closed off stair-well. And it was full. As in FULL. F.U.L.L.
There were two good sized hanging racks with jackets and sweaters on hangers - full. And then at least two - probably more - large tubs - all overflowing. Then there were just piles and piles. You literally could NOT walk through it all without putting your life at risk. As I was going through the jackets looking for Benjamin's I was amazed to see that many had a name in them. But no one had taken the time to return them to the child. My thought was: "I can do this." (Yes, I did find Benjamin's - thankfully, in the 2nd pile I went through.)
So, I am. Every few weeks I stop by the school, go through the lost and found, return the item to the child if the name is on it, and then take all the left-over un-named items to the Goodwill.
So far, I have probably take eight bags to the Goodwill. And by bags, I don't mean Walmart size. Nor do I mean tall kitchen garbage bags. Nor do I even mean large yard-waste bags. No. I mean the industrial size garbage bags the school janitor use for the extra large cans in the cafeteria.
As in I have taken enough clothes to Goodwill to clothe a small country! Saddening really. To think that these kids have enough jackets that they don't miss one. Or the parents have enough money to buy a new one instead of time to stop by the school to locate the missing one.
Then there are the lunch boxes. At one time or another all my children have left theirs at school or on the bus. But the next day they had instructions to FIND IT! And they did. Yesterday when I was at the school I came across a lunch box that I know I have returned to the child at least once before. Then I found a second lunch box with the same kid's name on it. Then a third!
Really? If this kids can't remember to get home a lunch box, then I think it's time to either switch to the school lunch or a paper bag that can be thrown away. After all, it's apparent that this child does not care about his things.
I have also taken a Vera Bradly lunch bag to the Goodwill - not cheap. A Banana Republic rain coat - oh, so very nice! and I'm sure, also, no cheap! But yesterday was the prize. I came across a local college team's leather football jacket. I'm sure someone paid a pretty price for it new. And now someone will get a steal of a deal at the Goodwill.
Put your name in your items people!! It's money that's just floating away.
Of course, in Guam I started to sub and that's when I really got to know the school in a whole new way! As a sub for all the grades I was able to see how the curriculum worked together as well seeing all the work an elementary teacher does - and so glad I'm not one of them! No way could I teach the same class day in day out - all. year. loooong.
When we moved here, I was sort of at lose ends. I did not sub for the first six months - I wanted a time to focus on getting the kids settled and the house settled. And then there were all those doctor appointments that needed to be made up because we weren't able to take care of them in Guam. I tried to help out some in Ben's class, but as a fourth grader his teacher needed less help in class than the lower graders. Also, things are different here. I didn't want to be room mom because I had no idea of the traditions here. (And that my friends, was such a smart decision! Some things here are just CRAZY!)
I still wanted to help out, but not sure how. But at the end of the year, I found my spot. Ben had lost his jacket towards the end of the year. On the last day of school, I went to pick up the meds we keep in the nurse's office and I wanted to go through the lost and found - hoping his jacket still had his name in it and that I could find it.
Oh, wow. Was I in for a shock! I wish I had thought about taking a picture of the closet where the lost and found was stored. I would say it was six feet by ten? Twelve? It was really a closed off stair-well. And it was full. As in FULL. F.U.L.L.
There were two good sized hanging racks with jackets and sweaters on hangers - full. And then at least two - probably more - large tubs - all overflowing. Then there were just piles and piles. You literally could NOT walk through it all without putting your life at risk. As I was going through the jackets looking for Benjamin's I was amazed to see that many had a name in them. But no one had taken the time to return them to the child. My thought was: "I can do this." (Yes, I did find Benjamin's - thankfully, in the 2nd pile I went through.)
So, I am. Every few weeks I stop by the school, go through the lost and found, return the item to the child if the name is on it, and then take all the left-over un-named items to the Goodwill.
So far, I have probably take eight bags to the Goodwill. And by bags, I don't mean Walmart size. Nor do I mean tall kitchen garbage bags. Nor do I even mean large yard-waste bags. No. I mean the industrial size garbage bags the school janitor use for the extra large cans in the cafeteria.
As in I have taken enough clothes to Goodwill to clothe a small country! Saddening really. To think that these kids have enough jackets that they don't miss one. Or the parents have enough money to buy a new one instead of time to stop by the school to locate the missing one.
Then there are the lunch boxes. At one time or another all my children have left theirs at school or on the bus. But the next day they had instructions to FIND IT! And they did. Yesterday when I was at the school I came across a lunch box that I know I have returned to the child at least once before. Then I found a second lunch box with the same kid's name on it. Then a third!
Really? If this kids can't remember to get home a lunch box, then I think it's time to either switch to the school lunch or a paper bag that can be thrown away. After all, it's apparent that this child does not care about his things.
I have also taken a Vera Bradly lunch bag to the Goodwill - not cheap. A Banana Republic rain coat - oh, so very nice! and I'm sure, also, no cheap! But yesterday was the prize. I came across a local college team's leather football jacket. I'm sure someone paid a pretty price for it new. And now someone will get a steal of a deal at the Goodwill.
Put your name in your items people!! It's money that's just floating away.
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