We finally got our call. The judge ruled for a parental termination.
I am both delighted and feeling bad.
I am thrilled that we are one step closer to Little Miss joining us forever, but I'm sad at seeing a family come apart.
My foster parent training was to reunify families. My heart was in putting families back together.
It still is.
I just see now a little more clearly that sometimes families look a little different and how they get put together sometimes takes a winding rocky path.
We are still along way off from a settled adoption, but we've taken another step down the road of our journey with Little Miss.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Waiting for the Call
There isn't much to say yet today.
I was finally able to get a semi-decent nights sleep after 2 nights of almost no sleep.
I sat on the stand yesterday, swore to tell the truth and answered questions as best I could.
It wasn't fun. I don't recommend it. I am not looking forward to doing it again, and yet I expect to need to again in the near future.
It is no easy task to detail another mother's failings, no matter what.
Today we simply wait for the phone to ring.
I was finally able to get a semi-decent nights sleep after 2 nights of almost no sleep.
I sat on the stand yesterday, swore to tell the truth and answered questions as best I could.
It wasn't fun. I don't recommend it. I am not looking forward to doing it again, and yet I expect to need to again in the near future.
It is no easy task to detail another mother's failings, no matter what.
Today we simply wait for the phone to ring.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
you know...
Every year as the old one ends and the new one turns over I step back and wonder what kinds of things God will do in the next chunk of time.
Well, as I'm getting ready to go to court and give my testimony in Little Miss's case, I'm thinking this will be some year.
I think it will be a year of growth for our family.
In lots of ways.
That's all I'm going to say for today.
Wow that God of ours is a real big one.
Well, as I'm getting ready to go to court and give my testimony in Little Miss's case, I'm thinking this will be some year.
I think it will be a year of growth for our family.
In lots of ways.
That's all I'm going to say for today.
Wow that God of ours is a real big one.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Waiting
***************UPDATES***********************
We have gotten the jury and our trial is in process.
**************UPDATE************************
Today is one of those days we are going to wait anxiously, but faithfully.
The Mr. is away on business, just an easy overnight, but as we texted this morning we realized the weight of the potentials kept both of us awake last night.
We are both hoping we get the jury but at the same time hoping for another delay.
Getting the jury would mean the start of the end to this crazy waiting to see what will happen with Little Miss. We will learn what will be her forever fate. Will she remain with us always or will she be moved along to the next place.
In our hearts, she will be forever ours.
A delay of trial would mean a continuance to this insane wait, but at the same time,it means more time. More time with Little Miss. More time without a decision that leads her to a life somewhere else.
In the end there is little more we can do than wait faithfully, knowing that God will handle this all according to His plan. We can wait in peace knowing that our part has been done for now.
We have gotten the jury and our trial is in process.
**************UPDATE************************
Today is one of those days we are going to wait anxiously, but faithfully.
The Mr. is away on business, just an easy overnight, but as we texted this morning we realized the weight of the potentials kept both of us awake last night.
We are both hoping we get the jury but at the same time hoping for another delay.
Getting the jury would mean the start of the end to this crazy waiting to see what will happen with Little Miss. We will learn what will be her forever fate. Will she remain with us always or will she be moved along to the next place.
In our hearts, she will be forever ours.
A delay of trial would mean a continuance to this insane wait, but at the same time,it means more time. More time with Little Miss. More time without a decision that leads her to a life somewhere else.
In the end there is little more we can do than wait faithfully, knowing that God will handle this all according to His plan. We can wait in peace knowing that our part has been done for now.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Box of Blessings
I want to encourage you to visit a few new places today. On the side bar you'll see a new blog listed, Comfort in Chaos and a web site for Snappin' Ministries.
Both of these are the gifts of a marvelous pal of mine, Barb. She is both an encouragement to me and a great, fun person to hang out with in real life or on the web! It's all your fault Barb, I danced with you today!
Anyway. Barb has encouraged me often, just simply by living her life and answering the calls that God gives her. Sometimes she encourages me in a real tangible way too.
Yesterday I was having a very long, dark day. I even whined, a lot, to one of my very wonderful, very long distance friends. I stomped my little foot and crabbed and longed for days gone by. I was looking back at a life already lived and seeing how sweet it was. In the end, I was recognizing what I'd been told before about that time in my life. It was a gift.
Those precious years in Madison with my little safe circle were so very sweet. They were a gift. They were learning years. I learned that I was so much more than I thought I was. That was the beginning of growing up for me. They were a gift that I would be able to savor for years to come.
This morning I was feeling better, but still having quite the morning. It's hard with the way our family life is to get into a routine and then stay in it. We have a lot of different needs, many, many appointments and visitors. There are lots of tasks to be done. There are lots of needs to be met and hearts to be loved. It can take a lot of energy and some days it's really hard not to just stop.
As things got better and the sun came out, I still had those lingering feelings of my closest and dearest friends being the ones the furthest away or the ones that struggle to stay in touch. I have plenty of pals around here, but those deep relationships take a lot of time and effort to grow and I haven't found just the right people for that yet.
In the middle of all that junk on my heart our door bell rang.
It was the post man. With a box. A box from Barb and Snappin' Ministries. A box of blessings and smiles. And dinner.
Barb and Snappin', thank you SO much. You've brightened a day, made dinner for tonight easy, brought a smile to my face and delivered inspiration to my door in a box.
You continue to amaze me.
Thank you!
Both of these are the gifts of a marvelous pal of mine, Barb. She is both an encouragement to me and a great, fun person to hang out with in real life or on the web! It's all your fault Barb, I danced with you today!
Anyway. Barb has encouraged me often, just simply by living her life and answering the calls that God gives her. Sometimes she encourages me in a real tangible way too.
Yesterday I was having a very long, dark day. I even whined, a lot, to one of my very wonderful, very long distance friends. I stomped my little foot and crabbed and longed for days gone by. I was looking back at a life already lived and seeing how sweet it was. In the end, I was recognizing what I'd been told before about that time in my life. It was a gift.
Those precious years in Madison with my little safe circle were so very sweet. They were a gift. They were learning years. I learned that I was so much more than I thought I was. That was the beginning of growing up for me. They were a gift that I would be able to savor for years to come.
This morning I was feeling better, but still having quite the morning. It's hard with the way our family life is to get into a routine and then stay in it. We have a lot of different needs, many, many appointments and visitors. There are lots of tasks to be done. There are lots of needs to be met and hearts to be loved. It can take a lot of energy and some days it's really hard not to just stop.
As things got better and the sun came out, I still had those lingering feelings of my closest and dearest friends being the ones the furthest away or the ones that struggle to stay in touch. I have plenty of pals around here, but those deep relationships take a lot of time and effort to grow and I haven't found just the right people for that yet.
In the middle of all that junk on my heart our door bell rang.
It was the post man. With a box. A box from Barb and Snappin' Ministries. A box of blessings and smiles. And dinner.
Barb and Snappin', thank you SO much. You've brightened a day, made dinner for tonight easy, brought a smile to my face and delivered inspiration to my door in a box.
You continue to amaze me.
Thank you!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Just The Thing
So I haven't posted in a while, the thing is I'm getting more sleep. How extra sleep translates into less writing, I'm not sure, but that's how it's working. Might have something to do with the vapor fog I feel like I'm living under now that I'm switching from a 12AM, 3AM & 7AM feeding cycle to a 9PM, 1AM & 6AM. It's all good, just adjustments.
Black Sheep asked me to play along, so I'll give it a try. I'm not gifted in either photo taking or making them show up on this screen so we'll see what happens.
4th photo in the 4th file on my computer.
Well it seems I can't figure out how to put the things in sequence and now I'm working one handed with Little One on my lap, so it will have to do.
This is one of the first pictures I took with my camera. It is some water in Waco, Texas. Ms. Kathy may be able to elaborate on the details in the comments. It was a version of hot that I'm not used to on that day. We went for a walk. I was there visiting and having a total getaway vacation.
Friday, January 16, 2009
just me being annoyed
So what did you do last night in the freezing cold?
I sewed up red monkey privates. Yes, I know. The things we moms do. A red monkey came to the mom hospital last night in a bad situation. Seems his seams came open and his inners we becoming his outers. So here I sat watching the news feed of how many million degrees below zero it felt like and stitched up a little red monkey's personals.
Our two year old has decided she needs to be 'just like the baby'. She's spending lots of time sucking on one of her old nuks, reverted back to a bottle and wants to be fed like the baby. I'm guessing it won't last too long, especially because she's trying hard to eat the same baby food as Little One. Today for lunch she ate 3 bowls of rice cereal, a box of banana berry baby food and part of a jar of mac-n-cheese. I wish you could see the determination on her face as she swallows this stuff down. It's out of sheer will power, I tell you. Each spoonful brings up that gag reflex in her, but she wants to be just like the baby so she forces it down. Then The Littlest Mr. brought out some chips and her resolve began to waiver, she almost let the baby thing go, but no, not yet. Maybe she'll be over it by dinner.
What else is new...I'm fed up with inconsiderate people. I'm tired of appointments getting cancelled, skipped or missed and no one calling until well after the fact. It's no small task to get my whole family ready for anything, let alone some sort of therapy session or some other "official" visitor to our humble home, but to then pull that off and get blown off, is putting me into a cranky mood. Once again, I'm feeling like I'm going to start howling at the wind on behalf of my foster kids who seem to be getting slighted more than the average kid.
I'm still trying to figure out if that's the real issue with our pharmacy...or shall I say former pharmacy. I'm not going back. I simply refuse to be treated that way, especially as a paying customer. Getting treated rudely or poorly by a stranger or acquaintance is one thing, but when you are the customer and are paying out money a certain level of politeness ought to exist, I don't even care if it's a fake polite.
So here's the tale of medicine that I still don't understand even though I spent 20 minutes on the phone this morning with the pharmacy manager. I'm not sure that she could manage anything, to be honest. Yup. Still a little cranky.
The medicine we get is something that the pharmacy must mix for us. They requested, the first time we filled it, that we give them 24 hours to make the medicine. I said, no problem. Left them with the prescription and came back the next day. The second time they said no problem and had the medicine ready in a few hours. Hmm, I thought this medicines took 24 hours to make. The third time I called in the refill at the end of one day and asked for it to be ready at the end of the following day. It seemed to me that I was giving them long enough to mix this up, especially since I was really beginning to doubt the story of needing 24 hours to mix this medicine.
This time, the pharmacy called me at home to tell me I didn't give them enough time to get it done and it would not be ready until that night. I said fine, not a problem. Then they called a few hours later to tell me it was ready.
I thought when they said they couldn't do it and needed more time that they couldn't do it and needed more time! I believed what they said.
So then when The Mr. went to pick it up last night there was a note on the outside of the medicine information page. In black marker. Highlighted. Stating that they were not given enough time to make this medicine.
So which is it? Do you need 24 hours to make this medicine or not? If I haven't given you enough time to get it done, then how is it that you're calling me a few hours later and telling me it's done?
The manager never answered any of my questions. She just kept insisting that they were not given enough time to get this medicine ready.
She never apologized for her staff who called me at home and scolded me for calling in my refill wrong. She did not apologize for the rude note scribbled on the outside of my information sheet. She did not offer to speak to any of her staff about treating the customers better. She did not make any attempt to offer any sort of understanding at all.
I still don't even understand how it is that they would like a customer to call in that particular kind of refill. I could not even get her to commit to how long it actually took to make the medicine or how long they needed to get it ready.
I got off the phone with her and thought, the manager argued with me.
I've been a retail manager. Over all, it's not good to argue with the customer. Every attempt should be made to not argue, even when they are wildly wrong and you can't give them what they want. There are ways to agree and sympathize without giving away the store.
If she had just simply said, "I'm sorry someone treated you like that" I would have said OK, hung up, let it go and brought my next prescription there.
But she argued.
Now I'll be getting my medicine anywhere but there.
The problem is, as people, we aren't grace filled. I know that I'll remember this a whole lot longer than if it had turned out better. I know that when people are asking me, even at the Dr. office, I'll be relaying my story of rotten customer service.
It's a really big reminder that the little stuff counts. The little ways we treat people, strangers, family or friends. The things we say, the looks on our faces. It all counts. It all makes an impression and an impact.
I sewed up red monkey privates. Yes, I know. The things we moms do. A red monkey came to the mom hospital last night in a bad situation. Seems his seams came open and his inners we becoming his outers. So here I sat watching the news feed of how many million degrees below zero it felt like and stitched up a little red monkey's personals.
Our two year old has decided she needs to be 'just like the baby'. She's spending lots of time sucking on one of her old nuks, reverted back to a bottle and wants to be fed like the baby. I'm guessing it won't last too long, especially because she's trying hard to eat the same baby food as Little One. Today for lunch she ate 3 bowls of rice cereal, a box of banana berry baby food and part of a jar of mac-n-cheese. I wish you could see the determination on her face as she swallows this stuff down. It's out of sheer will power, I tell you. Each spoonful brings up that gag reflex in her, but she wants to be just like the baby so she forces it down. Then The Littlest Mr. brought out some chips and her resolve began to waiver, she almost let the baby thing go, but no, not yet. Maybe she'll be over it by dinner.
What else is new...I'm fed up with inconsiderate people. I'm tired of appointments getting cancelled, skipped or missed and no one calling until well after the fact. It's no small task to get my whole family ready for anything, let alone some sort of therapy session or some other "official" visitor to our humble home, but to then pull that off and get blown off, is putting me into a cranky mood. Once again, I'm feeling like I'm going to start howling at the wind on behalf of my foster kids who seem to be getting slighted more than the average kid.
I'm still trying to figure out if that's the real issue with our pharmacy...or shall I say former pharmacy. I'm not going back. I simply refuse to be treated that way, especially as a paying customer. Getting treated rudely or poorly by a stranger or acquaintance is one thing, but when you are the customer and are paying out money a certain level of politeness ought to exist, I don't even care if it's a fake polite.
So here's the tale of medicine that I still don't understand even though I spent 20 minutes on the phone this morning with the pharmacy manager. I'm not sure that she could manage anything, to be honest. Yup. Still a little cranky.
The medicine we get is something that the pharmacy must mix for us. They requested, the first time we filled it, that we give them 24 hours to make the medicine. I said, no problem. Left them with the prescription and came back the next day. The second time they said no problem and had the medicine ready in a few hours. Hmm, I thought this medicines took 24 hours to make. The third time I called in the refill at the end of one day and asked for it to be ready at the end of the following day. It seemed to me that I was giving them long enough to mix this up, especially since I was really beginning to doubt the story of needing 24 hours to mix this medicine.
This time, the pharmacy called me at home to tell me I didn't give them enough time to get it done and it would not be ready until that night. I said fine, not a problem. Then they called a few hours later to tell me it was ready.
I thought when they said they couldn't do it and needed more time that they couldn't do it and needed more time! I believed what they said.
So then when The Mr. went to pick it up last night there was a note on the outside of the medicine information page. In black marker. Highlighted. Stating that they were not given enough time to make this medicine.
So which is it? Do you need 24 hours to make this medicine or not? If I haven't given you enough time to get it done, then how is it that you're calling me a few hours later and telling me it's done?
The manager never answered any of my questions. She just kept insisting that they were not given enough time to get this medicine ready.
She never apologized for her staff who called me at home and scolded me for calling in my refill wrong. She did not apologize for the rude note scribbled on the outside of my information sheet. She did not offer to speak to any of her staff about treating the customers better. She did not make any attempt to offer any sort of understanding at all.
I still don't even understand how it is that they would like a customer to call in that particular kind of refill. I could not even get her to commit to how long it actually took to make the medicine or how long they needed to get it ready.
I got off the phone with her and thought, the manager argued with me.
I've been a retail manager. Over all, it's not good to argue with the customer. Every attempt should be made to not argue, even when they are wildly wrong and you can't give them what they want. There are ways to agree and sympathize without giving away the store.
If she had just simply said, "I'm sorry someone treated you like that" I would have said OK, hung up, let it go and brought my next prescription there.
But she argued.
Now I'll be getting my medicine anywhere but there.
The problem is, as people, we aren't grace filled. I know that I'll remember this a whole lot longer than if it had turned out better. I know that when people are asking me, even at the Dr. office, I'll be relaying my story of rotten customer service.
It's a really big reminder that the little stuff counts. The little ways we treat people, strangers, family or friends. The things we say, the looks on our faces. It all counts. It all makes an impression and an impact.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Heard There's a Trend
I heard this is the season to blog about food and books so since I've already left the soup on the table, it's time for the reading list.
This is what I have lined up for 2009 so far.
Bible--I read through cover to cover in 07 and it was huge, not as in pages, huge as in impact. Then I spent 08 thinking that I really should have planned to read through again. So, that's the thing for 09, read it through again.
Soul Revolution--by John Burke. This is the 60-60 book. So far I'm liking it and thinking about a way to do the 60-60 in my own life.
iLead--collective authors. I'm working my way through this one on leadership in youth ministry. So far what I like best is the stand alone factor of each chapter. I can read a chapter and then put it down for a while without issue.
Scarpetta--by Patricia Cornwell. Just a guilty pleasure. I've been reading her books for years and especially love the Scarpetta series. I waited for a while to get this one, but gift cards mean you don't really need to wait for the paperback.
World Without End--by Ken Follett. Just for fun. Another one I've been waiting on for years. I loved Pillars of the Earth and so I've waited and waited for the paperback and now I have it! Unrelated but interesting, I don't like any other books by Follett.
I'm sure there will be plenty more, but for January, this seems like a good start.
This is what I have lined up for 2009 so far.
Bible--I read through cover to cover in 07 and it was huge, not as in pages, huge as in impact. Then I spent 08 thinking that I really should have planned to read through again. So, that's the thing for 09, read it through again.
Soul Revolution--by John Burke. This is the 60-60 book. So far I'm liking it and thinking about a way to do the 60-60 in my own life.
iLead--collective authors. I'm working my way through this one on leadership in youth ministry. So far what I like best is the stand alone factor of each chapter. I can read a chapter and then put it down for a while without issue.
Scarpetta--by Patricia Cornwell. Just a guilty pleasure. I've been reading her books for years and especially love the Scarpetta series. I waited for a while to get this one, but gift cards mean you don't really need to wait for the paperback.
World Without End--by Ken Follett. Just for fun. Another one I've been waiting on for years. I loved Pillars of the Earth and so I've waited and waited for the paperback and now I have it! Unrelated but interesting, I don't like any other books by Follett.
I'm sure there will be plenty more, but for January, this seems like a good start.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Before I Forget
I have a habit of making up foods, but this one I like so I want to share it before I forget it.
1 bag of boneless chicken
1 can of black beans
1 can fiesta cheese nacho soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 bag frozen corn
1 jar black bean and corn salsa
1 jar regular salsa
A little chicken broth or water to make it not so thick. Dump it all in the crock pot and let it cook. When the chicken is cooked remove it and shred it up, then put it all back.
It is great!
I like it with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. A little sour cream might be good too, or maybe some quac.
Yummy.
1 bag of boneless chicken
1 can of black beans
1 can fiesta cheese nacho soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 bag frozen corn
1 jar black bean and corn salsa
1 jar regular salsa
A little chicken broth or water to make it not so thick. Dump it all in the crock pot and let it cook. When the chicken is cooked remove it and shred it up, then put it all back.
It is great!
I like it with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. A little sour cream might be good too, or maybe some quac.
Yummy.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Uncharted Waters
I've been in a new place lately. That would be the position of cool mom. OK, maybe not cool, but at least a whole lot more likable than normal!
We've had some really great days lately reading our way through Black Ships Before Troy. It's a children's version of The Iliad. Today we finished it up and also read Jason and the Golden Fleece. That wasn't as good. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't much of a story either. Next we'll be reading The Wanderings of Odysseus. I'm guessing we'll get started tonight.
Then we've added some school on the computer. They actually argue about whose turn it is with the math game. Then it's who is getting the longer turn. They love it. I can't believe it.
The Little Mr. has also started with a typing program. He loves that too. Today he just couldn't get enough of it. Nothing I can complain about there. Even I like to take a few typing lessons on it. I'm not nearly as good a typist as I used to be or as I believe I am. Although the longer I type lessons on it, I realize it isn't so much that I'm a poor typist as much as I'm a poor speller! A ton of my mistakes come from misspellings. Funny how spell check makes you forget.
In between we've watched some science TV and then been strongly "encouraged" to write about it. It's not the most solid science--that found on TV, but it is getting some interest flowing in some new directions. That and writing about anything you see or hear or read is always great for the brain.
Then we've done some really goofy stuff like had a dinner of foods we could find in the freezer. We had pizza and french toast sticks. We filled in our healthy meal with left over New Years treats, chips and dip, cheese and crackers. For dessert, pumpkin pie. Now to make this even better, serve on paper plates in front of the TV.
Thankfully for all of us, those sort of meals and evenings are not the norm, but they are great fun once in a while.
In other notes the boys are getting a little different exposure to the Bible this year. Instead of doing lessons or Bible studies, they just getting some of the books as read alouds at bedtime. They are adventure boys so they began with Revelation. It's been fun to watch.
In general the boys have been fun to watch lately. They've gotten some electronics this Christmas and it's led to some unexpected bonding. They got into this habit of pairing up in the bunk bed, calling it a club and staying up half the night with their night vision goggles on. When it's very late and I'm done with the different feeding for Little One, I go into their room to check on them. They have been side by side sleeping soundly.
I'm cherishing these days where they've found a way to be great friends. It seemed for a long time that they would be forever locked in a pattern of big brother vs. little, one up-ing, competing and just being boys. They have found ways to befriend and share. They are thinking of each other in ways that really surprise me, but make me very happy.
I still think though, that this will be the season of review of a few home rules. I foresee myself saying the same things over and over this year. Millions of times perhaps.
Don't touch.
Be quiet.
Seems simple. I know. But, it's a full house and temptation is always there.
We've had some really great days lately reading our way through Black Ships Before Troy. It's a children's version of The Iliad. Today we finished it up and also read Jason and the Golden Fleece. That wasn't as good. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't much of a story either. Next we'll be reading The Wanderings of Odysseus. I'm guessing we'll get started tonight.
Then we've added some school on the computer. They actually argue about whose turn it is with the math game. Then it's who is getting the longer turn. They love it. I can't believe it.
The Little Mr. has also started with a typing program. He loves that too. Today he just couldn't get enough of it. Nothing I can complain about there. Even I like to take a few typing lessons on it. I'm not nearly as good a typist as I used to be or as I believe I am. Although the longer I type lessons on it, I realize it isn't so much that I'm a poor typist as much as I'm a poor speller! A ton of my mistakes come from misspellings. Funny how spell check makes you forget.
In between we've watched some science TV and then been strongly "encouraged" to write about it. It's not the most solid science--that found on TV, but it is getting some interest flowing in some new directions. That and writing about anything you see or hear or read is always great for the brain.
Then we've done some really goofy stuff like had a dinner of foods we could find in the freezer. We had pizza and french toast sticks. We filled in our healthy meal with left over New Years treats, chips and dip, cheese and crackers. For dessert, pumpkin pie. Now to make this even better, serve on paper plates in front of the TV.
Thankfully for all of us, those sort of meals and evenings are not the norm, but they are great fun once in a while.
In other notes the boys are getting a little different exposure to the Bible this year. Instead of doing lessons or Bible studies, they just getting some of the books as read alouds at bedtime. They are adventure boys so they began with Revelation. It's been fun to watch.
In general the boys have been fun to watch lately. They've gotten some electronics this Christmas and it's led to some unexpected bonding. They got into this habit of pairing up in the bunk bed, calling it a club and staying up half the night with their night vision goggles on. When it's very late and I'm done with the different feeding for Little One, I go into their room to check on them. They have been side by side sleeping soundly.
I'm cherishing these days where they've found a way to be great friends. It seemed for a long time that they would be forever locked in a pattern of big brother vs. little, one up-ing, competing and just being boys. They have found ways to befriend and share. They are thinking of each other in ways that really surprise me, but make me very happy.
I still think though, that this will be the season of review of a few home rules. I foresee myself saying the same things over and over this year. Millions of times perhaps.
Don't touch.
Be quiet.
Seems simple. I know. But, it's a full house and temptation is always there.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
And Just When You Think You've Seen It All
There is something about this whole boys being manly, testosterone induced nonsense that if nothing else, makes a good story that I'm sure we'll laugh about for years to come.
This Christmas we watched the movie over and over. You know it. Red Rider Guns. You'll shoot your eye out.
Today The Little Mr. went out to play with a neighbor kid. Soon enough it was dare you, double dare you, double dog dare and of course, triple dog dare.
I guess even when they are little men, they just can't walk away from it.
So he took the dare.
Stuck his tongue to a street sign pole.
Oh yes he did.
Froze it on too.
But this is a dare.
A triple dog dare.
Can't be a wimp now. Not in the neighborhood.
So he ripped it off the pole. Said to his pal, hey my tongue's bleeding, think I should go home now.
No tears. Not a whimper.
Not even when he poured himself a big glass of orange juice for dinner.
I strongly recommended that wouldn't be the best choice, but he's a little man and can't be told. He drank it. Said it only stung a little.
I'm telling you his tongue is not pretty. Not pretty at all.
But, as dumb as it was, I'm kind of happy for him. With all the quirks that have been dealt to him this is a far stretch from where he used to be.
He recognized a dare. He felt the play ground significance of it all. He stepped up to it instead of running home, a bucket of tears.
He ripped off the end of his own tongue, but he saved face with the kid on the block who gives him the most grief.
On the other hand, he just doesn't listen! I said a zillion times, don't do that!! It will hurt!!
And I've talked about dares with my boys too. Like the best response to a dare is, no way, I'm not that dumb, you do it. Or if someone says that part to you, you say, no way, I'm not that dumb either! Let's go play football or soccer or whatever.
Oh wait, and then there's always NO. NO, NO, NO, NO.
I know they know how to say no.
Life's never dull around here. Nope. Not even for a moment.
Know what?
I love it that way.
This Christmas we watched the movie over and over. You know it. Red Rider Guns. You'll shoot your eye out.
Today The Little Mr. went out to play with a neighbor kid. Soon enough it was dare you, double dare you, double dog dare and of course, triple dog dare.
I guess even when they are little men, they just can't walk away from it.
So he took the dare.
Stuck his tongue to a street sign pole.
Oh yes he did.
Froze it on too.
But this is a dare.
A triple dog dare.
Can't be a wimp now. Not in the neighborhood.
So he ripped it off the pole. Said to his pal, hey my tongue's bleeding, think I should go home now.
No tears. Not a whimper.
Not even when he poured himself a big glass of orange juice for dinner.
I strongly recommended that wouldn't be the best choice, but he's a little man and can't be told. He drank it. Said it only stung a little.
I'm telling you his tongue is not pretty. Not pretty at all.
But, as dumb as it was, I'm kind of happy for him. With all the quirks that have been dealt to him this is a far stretch from where he used to be.
He recognized a dare. He felt the play ground significance of it all. He stepped up to it instead of running home, a bucket of tears.
He ripped off the end of his own tongue, but he saved face with the kid on the block who gives him the most grief.
On the other hand, he just doesn't listen! I said a zillion times, don't do that!! It will hurt!!
And I've talked about dares with my boys too. Like the best response to a dare is, no way, I'm not that dumb, you do it. Or if someone says that part to you, you say, no way, I'm not that dumb either! Let's go play football or soccer or whatever.
Oh wait, and then there's always NO. NO, NO, NO, NO.
I know they know how to say no.
Life's never dull around here. Nope. Not even for a moment.
Know what?
I love it that way.
Just My Opinion
This struck me as wrong this morning in the paper. I know it really isn't, but still.
It seems at the local college you can take two classes about homeschool. The first one at least makes some sense to me, but I'm wondering why you wouldn't just gather this information from your fellow homeschoolers or your homeschool group. It is a class to encourage you that it is possible to homeschool through high school and how to keep records. All of the different homeschool groups that I've been a part of in the last 5 years have offered this in some way, shape or form. It was sometimes very formal with a speaker being brought in. Sometimes it was very casual, a gathering of more experienced homeschool moms meeting for coffee at someone's house to encourage and teach younger moms or those getting ready for the high school years. I know that there are also sources on the web and plenty of books at the library not to mention what you can order.
That brings me around to why on earth would you pay $100 a couple to hear this. That would so not be the way of the homeschoolers I know. Almost all of us are pretty darn careful about where and how we spend our dollars and if there is a way to gather this information and learn cheaply or for free, we're all over it.
There is also the issue that there really aren't too many people that pull their kids out of public schools or private schools right before high school to begin homeschool. And, most home school families I know are bent on learning. It would just be one giant research project for everyone. The teachers(moms & dads) are learners at heart or they wouldn't be homeschoolers.
Now the second class for $100 per couple...can I homeschool? What about socialization? Phy Ed? Science? Math? Writing? All the "hard" subjects? Curriculum?
I'm telling you, I don't know a single homeschooler who wouldn't take the time to really talk t0 a newbie or parent with serious interest in persuing homeschool on any of these topics. We're all willing to talk about the hot topic of socialization. We're willing to share and often show what different curriculums are all about. We're good at knowing where there are resources to help with teaching a subject you feel uncertain about. We know the rules about homeschooling in the state we live in. And back to the library and the web, there are tons of resources out there that one could access for a whole lot less than $100 bucks! Even if you bought a few of the books, it would be less. I'm still guessing here, but I'd say if you're interested in homeschool, you're also a person whose willing to put in the work on behalf of your kids. That means you'd be willing to do a little learing yourself to get the job done well.
Oh well, what do I know. I'm just one of those mom who has managed to homeschool my kids for a few years now without ever taking a college class that told me I could do it.
I'm guessing the collge won't be offereing these two classes for too long. I would be surprised if you could even fill them once.
People spend their dollars in crazy ways these days.
It seems at the local college you can take two classes about homeschool. The first one at least makes some sense to me, but I'm wondering why you wouldn't just gather this information from your fellow homeschoolers or your homeschool group. It is a class to encourage you that it is possible to homeschool through high school and how to keep records. All of the different homeschool groups that I've been a part of in the last 5 years have offered this in some way, shape or form. It was sometimes very formal with a speaker being brought in. Sometimes it was very casual, a gathering of more experienced homeschool moms meeting for coffee at someone's house to encourage and teach younger moms or those getting ready for the high school years. I know that there are also sources on the web and plenty of books at the library not to mention what you can order.
That brings me around to why on earth would you pay $100 a couple to hear this. That would so not be the way of the homeschoolers I know. Almost all of us are pretty darn careful about where and how we spend our dollars and if there is a way to gather this information and learn cheaply or for free, we're all over it.
There is also the issue that there really aren't too many people that pull their kids out of public schools or private schools right before high school to begin homeschool. And, most home school families I know are bent on learning. It would just be one giant research project for everyone. The teachers(moms & dads) are learners at heart or they wouldn't be homeschoolers.
Now the second class for $100 per couple...can I homeschool? What about socialization? Phy Ed? Science? Math? Writing? All the "hard" subjects? Curriculum?
I'm telling you, I don't know a single homeschooler who wouldn't take the time to really talk t0 a newbie or parent with serious interest in persuing homeschool on any of these topics. We're all willing to talk about the hot topic of socialization. We're willing to share and often show what different curriculums are all about. We're good at knowing where there are resources to help with teaching a subject you feel uncertain about. We know the rules about homeschooling in the state we live in. And back to the library and the web, there are tons of resources out there that one could access for a whole lot less than $100 bucks! Even if you bought a few of the books, it would be less. I'm still guessing here, but I'd say if you're interested in homeschool, you're also a person whose willing to put in the work on behalf of your kids. That means you'd be willing to do a little learing yourself to get the job done well.
Oh well, what do I know. I'm just one of those mom who has managed to homeschool my kids for a few years now without ever taking a college class that told me I could do it.
I'm guessing the collge won't be offereing these two classes for too long. I would be surprised if you could even fill them once.
People spend their dollars in crazy ways these days.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday Nights
I could tell you about the regular crazy stuff around here like Little Miss stripping down yesterday and running all over the house. Or her dumping out my jewlery box all over the room.
I could tell you about The Little Mr. being out standing this morning. He shared the last strawberry bagel with his brother, without being asked. He shoveled the drive and walk when I asked him. Without complaint. He shared his new DS game with his brother, again without being asked. He helped get things ready so we could be on time to Little Miss' appointment. He was amazing.
Then around lunch, something snapped and he again became a 10 year old boy. I'm going to blame it on early hormones or a full moon or planet alignment or something. It took hours to finish 2 pages of math. Simple math. What is that about? Then there was all the tantrums to go with it. Again. What gives?
Snow on the brain I guess.
Oh well.
What I was really going to tell you about was my high school kids. They just rock.
We've taken a different path this year. We're not doing the typical Bible study with them. There is no little booklet with questions and group activities. Not that those are bad, they really aren't, most of the time. We just went another route.
We're using a Bible study method guide. That means we're learning new methods to study the Bible. These are methods that once they've really gotten the hang of using them, they'll be able to use for the rest of their lives. The only thing they need to have is a Bible. Actually, if they have memory verses, they could do these studies with nothing but their own minds.
How cool is that?
The best part has been seeing the kids change how they look at their Bibles. It no longer is this big scary book that they don't believe they could ever really understand. It's fast becoming a book that they can really use. A book they can really understand. They are becoming empowered that they really are capable. They are learning that the Bible was in fact written for them and to them. It is not beyond them because of their age or being new Christians. They are learning that it is possible for them to find God in those pages really speaking to them, guiding them. It isn't all mysterious and difficult.
Makes me love my Tuesday nights, even on Wednesday afternoon when I'm dead tired!
I could tell you about The Little Mr. being out standing this morning. He shared the last strawberry bagel with his brother, without being asked. He shoveled the drive and walk when I asked him. Without complaint. He shared his new DS game with his brother, again without being asked. He helped get things ready so we could be on time to Little Miss' appointment. He was amazing.
Then around lunch, something snapped and he again became a 10 year old boy. I'm going to blame it on early hormones or a full moon or planet alignment or something. It took hours to finish 2 pages of math. Simple math. What is that about? Then there was all the tantrums to go with it. Again. What gives?
Snow on the brain I guess.
Oh well.
What I was really going to tell you about was my high school kids. They just rock.
We've taken a different path this year. We're not doing the typical Bible study with them. There is no little booklet with questions and group activities. Not that those are bad, they really aren't, most of the time. We just went another route.
We're using a Bible study method guide. That means we're learning new methods to study the Bible. These are methods that once they've really gotten the hang of using them, they'll be able to use for the rest of their lives. The only thing they need to have is a Bible. Actually, if they have memory verses, they could do these studies with nothing but their own minds.
How cool is that?
The best part has been seeing the kids change how they look at their Bibles. It no longer is this big scary book that they don't believe they could ever really understand. It's fast becoming a book that they can really use. A book they can really understand. They are becoming empowered that they really are capable. They are learning that the Bible was in fact written for them and to them. It is not beyond them because of their age or being new Christians. They are learning that it is possible for them to find God in those pages really speaking to them, guiding them. It isn't all mysterious and difficult.
Makes me love my Tuesday nights, even on Wednesday afternoon when I'm dead tired!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Just Another Day
It was some day around here.
It was a Monday, of course, just like your day and the first day back to all sorts of stuff, just like it was for many of you.
We just do life with a certain twist of insanity. A pleasant twist, sort of like getting a fresh lime slice in your diet coke at a friends house just because she knows you like it that way.
We began the night before with our Little Miss and all her attachment issues and sleep issues and just really feeling like last night wasn't made for sleep. Then we had Little One and his medical issues. Lets just say phlegm and nasal feeding tubes are not a good mix.
By 8:30 this morning I knew I'd be doing about 8 more loads of laundry.
Somehow by 10 we'd managed to accomplish a whole lot. We got every one's piano practiced. We continued with phlegm and added in teething. We worked hard at potty training. We got some of our chores done.
The next chunk of time involved getting dinner into the crock pot. Was there even life before the crock pot? How did a person get along? I'll confess now to owning more than one. More laundry got done. I talked to the vet about Lady Dog and how she is fast becoming Million Dollar Dog. I think she will get well soon simply through the sheer will power of The Mr. We got in a set of grammar lessons and a reading lesson. We read through several long over due history chapters.
Lunch and some play time. More laundry, toddlers and teething. I think somewhere in here was where I got to spend some quality time with our toilet and a plunger. Something about boys...a joy I got to experience not once today, but twice.
Did I mention laundry? Well, just in case you were wondering, I did some more. We snuck in a science lesson for The Littlest Mr. and read a whole lot more history. Right around the afternoon collapse time, we took turns playing with the toddler and doing Math With Mom. Yes, yes, it's a highlight of their day. NOT.
We continued through our day, medicating the dog, potty training and just generally keeping life to a low roar. Right around the time Little One was upchucking his afternoon feeding, we started the scramble to get to Tae Kwon Do. See, we haven't been there in weeks, and they actually called today to see what happened to us. Anyway, Little Miss decided she'd go along for the ride, but was not going to wear any seat belt. It was like putting a seat belt on a porcupine in the third seat of the van with other kids climbing over me. So much fun we have over here.
The Littlest Mr. had a major meltdown. He couldn't decide if he wanted to go to class or not. That first day back can be a tough one. He did go from holiday mode of sweets, screen time and late nights to early mornings, healthier foods and zero screen time. A shock to his little system. In the end, he enjoyed his class.
On the way there we had to wait for a train. A train that was stuck. It kept going back and forth. Mean while, traffic backed up. Between the train and J.K. Lee, Litte Miss fell asleep. This is a stretch of just a few miles and only a few minutes time.
Finally there we piled into Tae Kwon Do in groups. I'm sure it was a sight to see. First was Little Mr. all out of sorts and very loud about being late because of the train. Then The Littlest Mr. who still wasn't sure he really wanted to be there. Then came me with Little One all in his winter snug suit looking like a giant marshmallow starfish, dragging along by the hand is Little Miss with her eyes barley open. It's not until I'm taking off shoes and coats that I realise she only has one shoe on. The other one is in the van.
I could go on and on, but the real point is that it was one of our best days ever. It was wild and loud and fast, sticky, smelly and wet. There were tears and runny noses, wet pants and barf. In the end, total perfection.
Each kid got what they needed, even if it wasn't exactly what they wanted, but we all know those are two very different things, or at least we ought to. At the end of the night when everyone was cleaned up and snuggled off to sleep, it was a thing of beauty to praise God for.
It was a Monday, of course, just like your day and the first day back to all sorts of stuff, just like it was for many of you.
We just do life with a certain twist of insanity. A pleasant twist, sort of like getting a fresh lime slice in your diet coke at a friends house just because she knows you like it that way.
We began the night before with our Little Miss and all her attachment issues and sleep issues and just really feeling like last night wasn't made for sleep. Then we had Little One and his medical issues. Lets just say phlegm and nasal feeding tubes are not a good mix.
By 8:30 this morning I knew I'd be doing about 8 more loads of laundry.
Somehow by 10 we'd managed to accomplish a whole lot. We got every one's piano practiced. We continued with phlegm and added in teething. We worked hard at potty training. We got some of our chores done.
The next chunk of time involved getting dinner into the crock pot. Was there even life before the crock pot? How did a person get along? I'll confess now to owning more than one. More laundry got done. I talked to the vet about Lady Dog and how she is fast becoming Million Dollar Dog. I think she will get well soon simply through the sheer will power of The Mr. We got in a set of grammar lessons and a reading lesson. We read through several long over due history chapters.
Lunch and some play time. More laundry, toddlers and teething. I think somewhere in here was where I got to spend some quality time with our toilet and a plunger. Something about boys...a joy I got to experience not once today, but twice.
Did I mention laundry? Well, just in case you were wondering, I did some more. We snuck in a science lesson for The Littlest Mr. and read a whole lot more history. Right around the afternoon collapse time, we took turns playing with the toddler and doing Math With Mom. Yes, yes, it's a highlight of their day. NOT.
We continued through our day, medicating the dog, potty training and just generally keeping life to a low roar. Right around the time Little One was upchucking his afternoon feeding, we started the scramble to get to Tae Kwon Do. See, we haven't been there in weeks, and they actually called today to see what happened to us. Anyway, Little Miss decided she'd go along for the ride, but was not going to wear any seat belt. It was like putting a seat belt on a porcupine in the third seat of the van with other kids climbing over me. So much fun we have over here.
The Littlest Mr. had a major meltdown. He couldn't decide if he wanted to go to class or not. That first day back can be a tough one. He did go from holiday mode of sweets, screen time and late nights to early mornings, healthier foods and zero screen time. A shock to his little system. In the end, he enjoyed his class.
On the way there we had to wait for a train. A train that was stuck. It kept going back and forth. Mean while, traffic backed up. Between the train and J.K. Lee, Litte Miss fell asleep. This is a stretch of just a few miles and only a few minutes time.
Finally there we piled into Tae Kwon Do in groups. I'm sure it was a sight to see. First was Little Mr. all out of sorts and very loud about being late because of the train. Then The Littlest Mr. who still wasn't sure he really wanted to be there. Then came me with Little One all in his winter snug suit looking like a giant marshmallow starfish, dragging along by the hand is Little Miss with her eyes barley open. It's not until I'm taking off shoes and coats that I realise she only has one shoe on. The other one is in the van.
I could go on and on, but the real point is that it was one of our best days ever. It was wild and loud and fast, sticky, smelly and wet. There were tears and runny noses, wet pants and barf. In the end, total perfection.
Each kid got what they needed, even if it wasn't exactly what they wanted, but we all know those are two very different things, or at least we ought to. At the end of the night when everyone was cleaned up and snuggled off to sleep, it was a thing of beauty to praise God for.
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