All you mommies, homeschooling or not, may be interested to check out this free web site: Sheppardsoftware.com. C's geography teacher told us about it and I just went to it a few minutes ago. Fun stuff! And educational!! And it isn't just geography either.
So do you remember those days? The days of learning the capitals and the states and the rivers and the mountain ranges and the... I do remember and I must say that our kids have it really good!!
It would have been really nice to have had interactive games which addressed all learning styles to find out that Sacramento is the capital of Kansas. (Or is it Topeka?!) And to not have to learn off of a blurry-inked xerox copy taken from the map out of the classroom atlas. I don't think I ever really figured out exactly where Maryland was on that map!
Most people will agree that some things (dare I say, many things?) in education today are not as good as they once were. But there are undeniably things that are better! This website proves it!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Memory...
...from Thanksgiving past:
When D and I were in our first year of seminary, we stayed in TX for the big Feast and invited some seminary friends to eat with us. This was a really big deal for us as we had always travelled back to family for this occasion and the new friendships we had made thus far were still, well, new.
With great confidence I bought the turkey several weeks in advance. I had never prepared one before, nor had I ever paid the least bit of attention to anyone else's preparation of one, and so I figured it would be wise to have all the shopping done nice and early. It was a fresh turkey, by the way. Fresh turkeys do not stay fresh for several weeks in advance of the Feast. Fresh turkeys that aren't fresh tend to make this fact known in dreadfully unmistakeable ways!! Lucky for me, the local WalMart had also made a mistake with my fresh turkey. The buy date had been mislabelled as if it were frozen and so we were able to trade in the nasty bird for a non-nasty bird.
My confidence that I could actually prepare an edible Feast was a bit shaken by this drama, not helped at all by the disgusted look on the face of the butcher at the WalMart, but I wasn't going to give up. Thursday morning I popped the new turkey in the oven, tucked neatly into its little turkey-baking bag, and I went on with my other preparations. The guests arrived and we all were enjoying conversation over appetizers, when little D decided to check out how the turkey was doing. He peeked in the oven, and in a voice that only a 5 year old boy can possess when you least want him to, he said, "What the h--l is that"! You could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
We were thankfully amongst true friends that day who at least pretended like they believed us when we insisted that we really don't talk like that in our home and we had no idea where he learned it, etc.
...from Thanksgiving present:
C and J were helping me clean in preparation for the company Thursday morning. It was so nice to have their help as I once again prepared the whole meal (only with a frozen turkey this time). As she dusted around my big pumpkin flavored candle which I have enjoyed the past few Thanksgivings, J asked: "Can we light the stinky candle today"? Oh! Wow! Maybe not everyone is as crazy about it as I am!
D and I laugh over that fresh turkey/cussing incident every Thanksgiving and this year, the re-telling of it was just as funny as always. I am somewhat amazed that another Thanksgiving has come and gone with yet another memory to add to the others.
And I pray that my heart will choose to remain very aware of all that I have to be thankful for. Thankful for the memories from the past, the blessings that are in the present, and the hope of the future that God has in store for our family!
When D and I were in our first year of seminary, we stayed in TX for the big Feast and invited some seminary friends to eat with us. This was a really big deal for us as we had always travelled back to family for this occasion and the new friendships we had made thus far were still, well, new.
With great confidence I bought the turkey several weeks in advance. I had never prepared one before, nor had I ever paid the least bit of attention to anyone else's preparation of one, and so I figured it would be wise to have all the shopping done nice and early. It was a fresh turkey, by the way. Fresh turkeys do not stay fresh for several weeks in advance of the Feast. Fresh turkeys that aren't fresh tend to make this fact known in dreadfully unmistakeable ways!! Lucky for me, the local WalMart had also made a mistake with my fresh turkey. The buy date had been mislabelled as if it were frozen and so we were able to trade in the nasty bird for a non-nasty bird.
My confidence that I could actually prepare an edible Feast was a bit shaken by this drama, not helped at all by the disgusted look on the face of the butcher at the WalMart, but I wasn't going to give up. Thursday morning I popped the new turkey in the oven, tucked neatly into its little turkey-baking bag, and I went on with my other preparations. The guests arrived and we all were enjoying conversation over appetizers, when little D decided to check out how the turkey was doing. He peeked in the oven, and in a voice that only a 5 year old boy can possess when you least want him to, he said, "What the h--l is that"! You could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
We were thankfully amongst true friends that day who at least pretended like they believed us when we insisted that we really don't talk like that in our home and we had no idea where he learned it, etc.
...from Thanksgiving present:
C and J were helping me clean in preparation for the company Thursday morning. It was so nice to have their help as I once again prepared the whole meal (only with a frozen turkey this time). As she dusted around my big pumpkin flavored candle which I have enjoyed the past few Thanksgivings, J asked: "Can we light the stinky candle today"? Oh! Wow! Maybe not everyone is as crazy about it as I am!
D and I laugh over that fresh turkey/cussing incident every Thanksgiving and this year, the re-telling of it was just as funny as always. I am somewhat amazed that another Thanksgiving has come and gone with yet another memory to add to the others.
And I pray that my heart will choose to remain very aware of all that I have to be thankful for. Thankful for the memories from the past, the blessings that are in the present, and the hope of the future that God has in store for our family!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Family Barber
After a blissfully relaxing weekend away to visit my dear friend Kellie, I came back refreshed to my loving family and my job as mom.
Alot has been written about Mom as the V.P., janitor, chef, shuttle van driver, tutor/teacher, nurse, etc. Is there any other job out there that is so diverse? Honestly, I can't say I am passionate about some aspects of my job as mom. Toilet cleaning immediately jumps to mind!!
I have recently added a new item to my personal mom job description--barber. I used to do this long ago when my boys were very small and didn't like going to the barber and they didn't care what their hair looked like, which was good because all I could manage was a buzz.
Weren't they cute little guys?! I wonder which holiday we were celebrating in this picture?! (: I think they were singing Your a Grand Old Flag for the patriotic show. It is hard to say for certain since we did them every year and they kind of blend together in the memory.
Anyways, we took a little break from mom-barber at some point and the boys had "real" haircuts at the barbershop just like their daddy.
But just this last summer, my boys discovered that they liked buzz haircuts again. And my husband discovered he is growing closer to his dream of being bald, and all of a sudden I am the barber again. Buzz haircuts for all three now!! Here are some recent photo's from this summer at Higgins Lake. Isn't that sweet with D and the girls? And yes, the minnows were alive.
Not only do we save at least $45.00 a month in our budget, but I also get to love on and talk to and listen to my boys (and my man) as they sit completely still without any t.v. or x-box distractions. And my food budget will go down too if they keep eating what they catch at the lake!!
I love my job!!
Alot has been written about Mom as the V.P., janitor, chef, shuttle van driver, tutor/teacher, nurse, etc. Is there any other job out there that is so diverse? Honestly, I can't say I am passionate about some aspects of my job as mom. Toilet cleaning immediately jumps to mind!!
I have recently added a new item to my personal mom job description--barber. I used to do this long ago when my boys were very small and didn't like going to the barber and they didn't care what their hair looked like, which was good because all I could manage was a buzz.
Weren't they cute little guys?! I wonder which holiday we were celebrating in this picture?! (: I think they were singing Your a Grand Old Flag for the patriotic show. It is hard to say for certain since we did them every year and they kind of blend together in the memory.
Anyways, we took a little break from mom-barber at some point and the boys had "real" haircuts at the barbershop just like their daddy.
But just this last summer, my boys discovered that they liked buzz haircuts again. And my husband discovered he is growing closer to his dream of being bald, and all of a sudden I am the barber again. Buzz haircuts for all three now!! Here are some recent photo's from this summer at Higgins Lake. Isn't that sweet with D and the girls? And yes, the minnows were alive.
Not only do we save at least $45.00 a month in our budget, but I also get to love on and talk to and listen to my boys (and my man) as they sit completely still without any t.v. or x-box distractions. And my food budget will go down too if they keep eating what they catch at the lake!!
I love my job!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Leotards and Ponytails
J. is ecstatic! She broke the exciting news to her Papa (who is visiting in town) and to Big D about 8 times in a span of 4 hours: " I am signed up for gymnastics!! It starts September 3rd at 4:40 and I need a leotard and have to wear my hair in a ponytail."
This has been a dream of hers for about a year, which for an 8 years old is an extremely long time. She went with a little friend to a free session and was raved over by the coach. And we have been hearing about it since. We thought time would help this phase to pass along into history. It has not. We signed her up for basketball, which was fine, but certainly not gymnastics. And so now she gets her very own gymnastics session until January 3rd.
Watch out Olympics 2012!!
I did some gymnastics as a kid. Maybe a year, maybe two. But I loved it and continued to practice even without lessons. For many years of my childhood I entertained the entire watching world with my ability to somersault faultlessly and cartwheel perfectly and best of all, do back bends, back walk-overs and back handsprings in the imaginary Olympics of my own mind. (Oddly, I never could get the front ones down for some reason. ) Anyways, I gave myself a 10 every time!! Except for that one balance beam routine on the tailgate of the old truck in the pasture next door. That earned me a sad 9.4 and a painful trip to the emergency room with a broken arm. Oh, there was also the unfortunate "see how many back hand springs in a row" episode. That too earned me a trip to the emergency room with a broken wrist and worst of all, another low score.
For anyone who is wondering, my gymnastic routines are now only on exhibition for close family and mainly take place on a diving board or on a trampoline. But I am thrilled that soon J. will be taking over my old role and I can live vicariously through her.
Maybe I can become her coach and travel with her to London! Someone has to wash her leotard and scrape her hair back in the tight little ponytail!
This has been a dream of hers for about a year, which for an 8 years old is an extremely long time. She went with a little friend to a free session and was raved over by the coach. And we have been hearing about it since. We thought time would help this phase to pass along into history. It has not. We signed her up for basketball, which was fine, but certainly not gymnastics. And so now she gets her very own gymnastics session until January 3rd.
Watch out Olympics 2012!!
I did some gymnastics as a kid. Maybe a year, maybe two. But I loved it and continued to practice even without lessons. For many years of my childhood I entertained the entire watching world with my ability to somersault faultlessly and cartwheel perfectly and best of all, do back bends, back walk-overs and back handsprings in the imaginary Olympics of my own mind. (Oddly, I never could get the front ones down for some reason. ) Anyways, I gave myself a 10 every time!! Except for that one balance beam routine on the tailgate of the old truck in the pasture next door. That earned me a sad 9.4 and a painful trip to the emergency room with a broken arm. Oh, there was also the unfortunate "see how many back hand springs in a row" episode. That too earned me a trip to the emergency room with a broken wrist and worst of all, another low score.
For anyone who is wondering, my gymnastic routines are now only on exhibition for close family and mainly take place on a diving board or on a trampoline. But I am thrilled that soon J. will be taking over my old role and I can live vicariously through her.
Maybe I can become her coach and travel with her to London! Someone has to wash her leotard and scrape her hair back in the tight little ponytail!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Grandpa
Last Saturday and Sunday was spent with my extended family. Extended, as in 2nd and 3rd cousins that I haven't seen since elementary school. My grandpa was the last of his generation in the family, the last of the family to live in Iowa also, and so a grand effort was made to re-unite.
The whole weekend was a series of breakfasts and dinners and times to remember. It was very sweet and meaningful. Some hilarious things came up also, which I know that my Grandpa would have truly appreciated as he had a strong sense of humor.
The memorial service on Sunday was held in a quaint little Presbyterian chapel, but was held in a Quaker style since that is the tradition both my grandparents were raised in. Quaker services are very dignified. They are focused on quiet and meditation and also allowing the opportunity for anyone to stand and share what God has laid on their heart.
So a group of grandpa's friends from the nursing home came to the service and sat right behind me and my sister-in-law. Towards the end of the service during a pause, one of the gentlemen decided he would like to share a memory and slowly pulled himself up. How can I say this delicately? Into the waiting silence, he passed gas. I must say that I am so proud of myself for not falling off the pew in laughter. Honestly, I am not sure if he even knew it happened because he didn't skip a beat. But oh, it was so funny. And I have no clue what his memory of Grandpa was.
Another gentleman shared about how Grandpa in the early years of practicing medicine was well known for his home remedies. He was the town Dr. for 58 years and much revered. But there was one remedy that he took off his shelf, his cough syrup. Apparently it was made of half honey and then the secret ingredient was half scotch. A mother called him one day and said her son had been coughing and so she was treating him with grandpa's cough syrup, but he was reacting very strangely to the medicine. Grandpa asked how much she was giving him and she said one tablesoon every hour. Grandpa was horrified and told her it was supposed to be only one tablespoon a day. And that was the last of Grandpa's home remedy for coughs!
After the service, one of the older ladies came to us and said she had a memory but didn't think it was appropriate to share in the service. She said that one morning at the breakfast table in the cafeteria, Grandpa leaned over to her and with a twinkle in his eye said, "Let's start a rumor!" Apparently, after Grandpa was widowed he became prime prey for the widows at the nursing home. He never even thought of re-marrying but obviously was willing to enjoy a bit of a social life.
Grandpa was quite a person. And I am so thankful he is with the Lord and reunited with his family who are already home.
The whole weekend was a series of breakfasts and dinners and times to remember. It was very sweet and meaningful. Some hilarious things came up also, which I know that my Grandpa would have truly appreciated as he had a strong sense of humor.
The memorial service on Sunday was held in a quaint little Presbyterian chapel, but was held in a Quaker style since that is the tradition both my grandparents were raised in. Quaker services are very dignified. They are focused on quiet and meditation and also allowing the opportunity for anyone to stand and share what God has laid on their heart.
So a group of grandpa's friends from the nursing home came to the service and sat right behind me and my sister-in-law. Towards the end of the service during a pause, one of the gentlemen decided he would like to share a memory and slowly pulled himself up. How can I say this delicately? Into the waiting silence, he passed gas. I must say that I am so proud of myself for not falling off the pew in laughter. Honestly, I am not sure if he even knew it happened because he didn't skip a beat. But oh, it was so funny. And I have no clue what his memory of Grandpa was.
Another gentleman shared about how Grandpa in the early years of practicing medicine was well known for his home remedies. He was the town Dr. for 58 years and much revered. But there was one remedy that he took off his shelf, his cough syrup. Apparently it was made of half honey and then the secret ingredient was half scotch. A mother called him one day and said her son had been coughing and so she was treating him with grandpa's cough syrup, but he was reacting very strangely to the medicine. Grandpa asked how much she was giving him and she said one tablesoon every hour. Grandpa was horrified and told her it was supposed to be only one tablespoon a day. And that was the last of Grandpa's home remedy for coughs!
After the service, one of the older ladies came to us and said she had a memory but didn't think it was appropriate to share in the service. She said that one morning at the breakfast table in the cafeteria, Grandpa leaned over to her and with a twinkle in his eye said, "Let's start a rumor!" Apparently, after Grandpa was widowed he became prime prey for the widows at the nursing home. He never even thought of re-marrying but obviously was willing to enjoy a bit of a social life.
Grandpa was quite a person. And I am so thankful he is with the Lord and reunited with his family who are already home.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Barista-Boy
At long last, my eldest child will be able to truly show his gratitude to me. Gratitude for the late night feedings, the thousands of diaper changes, two years of homeschooling, several science fair projects, scads of basketball practices, a couple scares in ER, and laundry, lots and lots of laundry!
As of Monday, he will become an official barista.
He came home for lunch today and let me know the great news he had just been hired at Biggby's, my favorite coffee/tea hangout with my pals. The only downside, he said, was that he will be called a barista, which according to him sounds a bit girly. For starters: nothing could make him girly and, besides, isn't it just Italian for "revered maker of the coffee"? ( I really have no idea! I don't even know if I am spelling it right!)
And so where does him showing his gratitude come in? He gets a free drink each shift. And, this is where it gets really good, he doesn't like coffee!!!!!!!!!! Or hot tea, for that matter!!!!!!!!
Cha-ching!!!
Such a good, good kid is my barista-boy!!
As of Monday, he will become an official barista.
He came home for lunch today and let me know the great news he had just been hired at Biggby's, my favorite coffee/tea hangout with my pals. The only downside, he said, was that he will be called a barista, which according to him sounds a bit girly. For starters: nothing could make him girly and, besides, isn't it just Italian for "revered maker of the coffee"? ( I really have no idea! I don't even know if I am spelling it right!)
And so where does him showing his gratitude come in? He gets a free drink each shift. And, this is where it gets really good, he doesn't like coffee!!!!!!!!!! Or hot tea, for that matter!!!!!!!!
Cha-ching!!!
Such a good, good kid is my barista-boy!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Grandpa and the Rabbit-Skunk
My Grandpa died 10 days ago at the age of 101.
He went from being a farm boy who drove a plough behind a team of horses to medical school (great grandma mortgaged the farm to pay for it). He returned to Indianola, Iowa after med. school. From his small town medical practice he served his country as a World War II doctor and then came back home again to live for the rest of his days. From Quaker roots, he was always a quiet and dignified man.
Grandpa's memorial service will be in a couple of weeks and we grandkids are supposed to come up with a memory to share. Try as I might, the memory that remains at the top is the story of the rabbit-skunk.
Growing up, when my family would make the 8 hour trip up north to visit Grandma and Grandpa, one thing I looked forward to was how different things were in Indianola, Iowa. This town was the epitome of small town Americana with a square and a local coffee shop stocked with old men drinking coffee and killing time in the middle of the morning. Sidewalks lined every street so we kids could ride the old fashioned bikes we found in the garage all the way past the city park garden to mainstreet to the tennis courts and back home again. But whatever we did, we had to be back in time for dinner!! I can still picture the dining room and the placemats neatly set in place and the fresh flowers beautifully arranged on the table for dinner. The windows might even be open letting the breeze flutter the curtains...completely unheard of in Oklahoma summers.
One evening, after the silent prayer Grandpa always observed before dinner, he announced that he was afraid he had seen a rabbit-skunk in the garden earlier that day and we were all to be very careful to not get too close.
A rabbit-skunk!! Amazing!! We just didn't have rabbit-skunks down in Oklahoma and I very much wanted to see one. I wondered how they looked. I wondered if they sprayed like regular skunks! Did they hop?!?
I can't remember exactly how the devastating news was broken to me that Grandpa had seen what he thought to be a rabid-skunk, and that there really was no such thing as a rabbit-skunk. I just remember the laugh it brought that night and for years following anytime we visited. It was kind of a bond between a quiet and dignified grandpa and his littlest granddaughter.
He went from being a farm boy who drove a plough behind a team of horses to medical school (great grandma mortgaged the farm to pay for it). He returned to Indianola, Iowa after med. school. From his small town medical practice he served his country as a World War II doctor and then came back home again to live for the rest of his days. From Quaker roots, he was always a quiet and dignified man.
Grandpa's memorial service will be in a couple of weeks and we grandkids are supposed to come up with a memory to share. Try as I might, the memory that remains at the top is the story of the rabbit-skunk.
Growing up, when my family would make the 8 hour trip up north to visit Grandma and Grandpa, one thing I looked forward to was how different things were in Indianola, Iowa. This town was the epitome of small town Americana with a square and a local coffee shop stocked with old men drinking coffee and killing time in the middle of the morning. Sidewalks lined every street so we kids could ride the old fashioned bikes we found in the garage all the way past the city park garden to mainstreet to the tennis courts and back home again. But whatever we did, we had to be back in time for dinner!! I can still picture the dining room and the placemats neatly set in place and the fresh flowers beautifully arranged on the table for dinner. The windows might even be open letting the breeze flutter the curtains...completely unheard of in Oklahoma summers.
One evening, after the silent prayer Grandpa always observed before dinner, he announced that he was afraid he had seen a rabbit-skunk in the garden earlier that day and we were all to be very careful to not get too close.
A rabbit-skunk!! Amazing!! We just didn't have rabbit-skunks down in Oklahoma and I very much wanted to see one. I wondered how they looked. I wondered if they sprayed like regular skunks! Did they hop?!?
I can't remember exactly how the devastating news was broken to me that Grandpa had seen what he thought to be a rabid-skunk, and that there really was no such thing as a rabbit-skunk. I just remember the laugh it brought that night and for years following anytime we visited. It was kind of a bond between a quiet and dignified grandpa and his littlest granddaughter.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
I have to brag...
Last night, we were all out in the yard doing some gardening, throwing the baseball, and J was bossing Truck around. (She loves the power trip of telling the huge beast to heel and sit and fetch it up. She is such a girl!! And I already feel sorry for her future husband!!)
But then the boys started to feel destructive and decided they wanted to cut something down. Fortunately, we have about 10 dead trees in our front yard that have been just begging to be removed for the last 2 years. So with a dull axe and an even duller hatchet, my boys happily went to work. After hacking away for about 30 minutes, they decided it would be even funner to pull the trees down with the wench on Big D's truck. That occupied them for another 30 minutes. And meanwhile we were all getting very hungry. But there was no way I was leaving two teenage boys alone with a wench. (: (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
This is where my proud moment comes in. C volunteered her services as chef. When she called us in, the table was set complete with flowers in the middle of the lazy susan. Spaghetti was our main course with buttered slices of french bread and a salad on the side. Drinks were at each place, which is something I always seem to forget until right when I sit down. It was so wonderful I could have cried!!
And that is why I had to brag!! I sure like my kids, every one of them!!
But then the boys started to feel destructive and decided they wanted to cut something down. Fortunately, we have about 10 dead trees in our front yard that have been just begging to be removed for the last 2 years. So with a dull axe and an even duller hatchet, my boys happily went to work. After hacking away for about 30 minutes, they decided it would be even funner to pull the trees down with the wench on Big D's truck. That occupied them for another 30 minutes. And meanwhile we were all getting very hungry. But there was no way I was leaving two teenage boys alone with a wench. (: (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
This is where my proud moment comes in. C volunteered her services as chef. When she called us in, the table was set complete with flowers in the middle of the lazy susan. Spaghetti was our main course with buttered slices of french bread and a salad on the side. Drinks were at each place, which is something I always seem to forget until right when I sit down. It was so wonderful I could have cried!!
And that is why I had to brag!! I sure like my kids, every one of them!!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
One of Those Moments
Yesterday after school, my 16 year old son picked me up from Big D's office in his car. (!!!!)
We were headed downtown to a tux shop because my baby boy has been invited to prom by a girl from our church. (!!!!!!!!!!!!)
As the tux shop guy showed my son the options, I had one of those moments of blinding insight. He is not my baby boy anymore. He is growing up at the speed of light and he is drawing very close to adulthood.
This is one of those moments when I should NOT be "biding my time". The time is now! The time to love on him and cherish him and laugh with him and listen to him. The time is now!!
We were headed downtown to a tux shop because my baby boy has been invited to prom by a girl from our church. (!!!!!!!!!!!!)
As the tux shop guy showed my son the options, I had one of those moments of blinding insight. He is not my baby boy anymore. He is growing up at the speed of light and he is drawing very close to adulthood.
This is one of those moments when I should NOT be "biding my time". The time is now! The time to love on him and cherish him and laugh with him and listen to him. The time is now!!
Friday, May 2, 2008
T.T.
T.T. stands for toilet tissue, thank you very much. I have decided to try and refer to it as that from now on. It sounds very genteel and ladylike. (You might use T.T. for gently dabbing mascara off your face but you don't even think about using T.T. for a midnight foray on a neighbor's yard right before a thunderstorm is expected. )
Here is the story:
D and I were reminiscing about his mom the other day and somehow the topic of toilet paper came up.
(Maybe because we were down to one roll in a house of 6 people. Maybe!)
Anyways, he mentioned that T.T. was how she referred to toilet paper on her grocery list, although in real life she called it TP. I guessed that maybe she thought if she dropped her list in the store and someone behind her picked it up and saw the initials T.T. they wouldn't be able to decipher her code-word and figure out that her family was the kind of family that found themselves in need of TP. D just kind of looked at me. I could tell he would never have even thought of that as a reason.
Someday, we will get to ask her. I really would love to know. And we will probably have a really good laugh over it.
And on that note, I wonder if when we get to heaven we will actually remember all the general, non-life changing but personal and quirky questions that were never asked.
Biding My Time!!
Here is the story:
D and I were reminiscing about his mom the other day and somehow the topic of toilet paper came up.
(Maybe because we were down to one roll in a house of 6 people. Maybe!)
Anyways, he mentioned that T.T. was how she referred to toilet paper on her grocery list, although in real life she called it TP. I guessed that maybe she thought if she dropped her list in the store and someone behind her picked it up and saw the initials T.T. they wouldn't be able to decipher her code-word and figure out that her family was the kind of family that found themselves in need of TP. D just kind of looked at me. I could tell he would never have even thought of that as a reason.
Someday, we will get to ask her. I really would love to know. And we will probably have a really good laugh over it.
And on that note, I wonder if when we get to heaven we will actually remember all the general, non-life changing but personal and quirky questions that were never asked.
Biding My Time!!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Refrigerator Lit. 201
When my children were small we had little colorful alphabet magnets that I stuck on the refrigerator. It was just my little way of helping along the education of our next generation and besides my kids thought it was fun. But we are now well past that phase...sigh. But on the upside, we have graduated up to Refrigerator Lit. 201!
We like to think of it as a more mature method of creative magnet education on the refrigerator.
At various points in time we will see a new arrangement and we will pause to read what incredible literary genius has been born in some family member's mind.
As you can see, they come welling up from the depths of our hearts and minds. Don't worry, you will be the first to know when I compile and publish our work!
We like to think of it as a more mature method of creative magnet education on the refrigerator.
At various points in time we will see a new arrangement and we will pause to read what incredible literary genius has been born in some family member's mind.
As you can see, they come welling up from the depths of our hearts and minds. Don't worry, you will be the first to know when I compile and publish our work!
Monday, April 7, 2008
A Monday Phenomena
I just got back to my house from dropping the girls off at the bus stop.
Some mornings this little ritual is murder. Nothing goes right. They are running late as soon as their little feet hit the floor. The bathroom is too small for two little girls. Lunches are such a pain to make. Backpacks are heavy and unwieldy. Tempers rise. Mom gets tense. We pray together and the bus arrives. Those days are often Mondays.
But this Monday, everything has turned out right. C's alarm didn't go off and I woke them up 10 minutes late, but no big deal. The outfit J had picked out didn't match so Mom had to make an adjustments, but that was ok too. The bathroom was the perfect size for two little girls this morning. The backpacks didn't occasion one comment. The lunches were made before I even reminded them. No one was tense. We prayed together and the bus arrived.
So what happened? New duds! New Spring duds, no less! I am pretty sure that is the answer. It is going to be 67 degrees here today (we are told) and bless their little girly hearts they are both in new white capri's and loving it!! And honestly, I can't blame them. I feel the exact same way about new clothes. So now I just need to figure out how to provide the girls with something new to wear for the next 6 Mondays of school so this Monday phenomena can continue.
Some mornings this little ritual is murder. Nothing goes right. They are running late as soon as their little feet hit the floor. The bathroom is too small for two little girls. Lunches are such a pain to make. Backpacks are heavy and unwieldy. Tempers rise. Mom gets tense. We pray together and the bus arrives. Those days are often Mondays.
But this Monday, everything has turned out right. C's alarm didn't go off and I woke them up 10 minutes late, but no big deal. The outfit J had picked out didn't match so Mom had to make an adjustments, but that was ok too. The bathroom was the perfect size for two little girls this morning. The backpacks didn't occasion one comment. The lunches were made before I even reminded them. No one was tense. We prayed together and the bus arrived.
So what happened? New duds! New Spring duds, no less! I am pretty sure that is the answer. It is going to be 67 degrees here today (we are told) and bless their little girly hearts they are both in new white capri's and loving it!! And honestly, I can't blame them. I feel the exact same way about new clothes. So now I just need to figure out how to provide the girls with something new to wear for the next 6 Mondays of school so this Monday phenomena can continue.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Jelly bean jar
A very fun thing happened for C during Spring Break week. She actually won something...a very large jar of jelly beans from a grocery store. My young mathematician calculated the number of jelly beans by looking at the serving size on the package the store had laying out and estimating. She came within 15 beans. The actual number was something like 1122 beans. And she was so-o-o excited to win!!! We were too since she generously shared all week long.
Jelly bean jar then (we had already dipped into it by the time I took the pic) ...
Jelly bean jar now...
I like the purples. The girls like the pastels. M prefers the black. D and D3 pretty much just grabbed by the handful and didn't worry about the color, unless it was black. As you can see, you pretty much don't want to be a jelly bean in our house. And M gets the last laugh as black are the only ones left.
Jelly bean jar then (we had already dipped into it by the time I took the pic) ...
Jelly bean jar now...
I like the purples. The girls like the pastels. M prefers the black. D and D3 pretty much just grabbed by the handful and didn't worry about the color, unless it was black. As you can see, you pretty much don't want to be a jelly bean in our house. And M gets the last laugh as black are the only ones left.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Spring Break Memories part 2
I can't believe how fast the week flew by. Here are just a few highlights!
There were games...lots of games!!!
Snow ball fights with the grandparents...
Football in the snow...
Snow Angels...
A visit to the farm and the maple syrup grove...
We of course watched March Madness (Go Jayhawks!)and most of all just relaxed together and had fun!
There were games...lots of games!!!
Snow ball fights with the grandparents...
Football in the snow...
Snow Angels...
A visit to the farm and the maple syrup grove...
We of course watched March Madness (Go Jayhawks!)and most of all just relaxed together and had fun!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Spring Break Memories
My family rarely took vacations over Spring Break.
Friends and classmates would gather on that first day back and compare notes on their "fun" Spring Breaks. After they had gushed about their ski trips and cruises and beach trips and Disney World, they would look expectantly at me and I would have to summon up a false smile and put some incredible spin on either staying home all week or the trip to Grandparents that we did take.
My grown up mind recognizes that my parents did an incredible job of loving us and taking care of us and providing us with plenty of fun memories together. The problem was, it just wasn't fancy fun that you could brag about to your friends.
But I also understand why my younger self struggled. And to that end I am going to try very hard to make this week a fun and different week for the kids!
Fortunately for us, we started our Break with 6 inches of snow. Thick, wet, sticky snow that is incredibly perfect for building snow art and making snow balls. All 6 of us piled out into the yard and had an absolute blast on Saturday. I would post pictures but the camera is dead (just batteries...it isn't permanent). C got stuck for 10 minutes in one of our giant snow men that she had hollowed out. M relaxed in his snow chair and ottoman and watched D3 and his dad snow wrestle.
Today we slept in late and then played basketball up at the church gym. It was so fun watching my 6 ft. D3 guard little J on his knees, getting down to her size. And tonight we are all going to the movies at 9:00. J's eyes got wide over her lunch when we told her what time the movie was and that we would be leaving the house at what is usually her bed time.
I am not sure what the rest of the week will look like. It may not be fancy fun like their friends who are jetting off to Florida, but I am going to make as sure as I can that it is different then a normal week in their life!
Happy Spring Break to us!!
Friends and classmates would gather on that first day back and compare notes on their "fun" Spring Breaks. After they had gushed about their ski trips and cruises and beach trips and Disney World, they would look expectantly at me and I would have to summon up a false smile and put some incredible spin on either staying home all week or the trip to Grandparents that we did take.
My grown up mind recognizes that my parents did an incredible job of loving us and taking care of us and providing us with plenty of fun memories together. The problem was, it just wasn't fancy fun that you could brag about to your friends.
But I also understand why my younger self struggled. And to that end I am going to try very hard to make this week a fun and different week for the kids!
Fortunately for us, we started our Break with 6 inches of snow. Thick, wet, sticky snow that is incredibly perfect for building snow art and making snow balls. All 6 of us piled out into the yard and had an absolute blast on Saturday. I would post pictures but the camera is dead (just batteries...it isn't permanent). C got stuck for 10 minutes in one of our giant snow men that she had hollowed out. M relaxed in his snow chair and ottoman and watched D3 and his dad snow wrestle.
Today we slept in late and then played basketball up at the church gym. It was so fun watching my 6 ft. D3 guard little J on his knees, getting down to her size. And tonight we are all going to the movies at 9:00. J's eyes got wide over her lunch when we told her what time the movie was and that we would be leaving the house at what is usually her bed time.
I am not sure what the rest of the week will look like. It may not be fancy fun like their friends who are jetting off to Florida, but I am going to make as sure as I can that it is different then a normal week in their life!
Happy Spring Break to us!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Spring is Just Around the Corner
A couple days ago I heard the distintive trill of a Sand Hill Crane. I ran to the window and there it was, strutting across my snow covered back yard. This just has to mean that Spring is around the corner!!! (Please, Please, Please!!!!)I think he may be the baby of our pair from last year. He is bigger then they were. ("My, how he has grown up!") And apparently they do tend to return to their "homes".
But I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that as of today he has found a mate. So hopefully in a few months our family will be stretched out in the warm green grass of our yard, enjoying a lazy summer day. We will hear the Sand Hill Cranes trilling their approach and will get to watch the proud parents and their new little baby toddling across our sunshine filled yard. The boys will spot them first, the girl's will adore the cute little baby, Hidey will try and stalk them, Truck will ignore them, and it will all be good!
Biding My Time!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Home Sweet Home
I had a fabulous weekend with Kellie over at La Vida Dulce. You spoiled me shamelessly, my sweet friend!!
Sunday we did "church" in the desert, hiking up the side of a mountain and occasionally tiptoeing through icy water. The desert was incredibly beautiful and the weather was so, so nice!!
I think that morning might have been the highlight of the weekend!
Or maybe it was eating authentic mex!!
Or maybe it was reconnecting with her family. Oh, who am I kidding, the whole weekend was a highlight!
It was hard to say goodbye to my friend Monday morning, bright and early. But God knew all this and that is why He invented airports. Enough said! And when I finally saw my honey at baggage claim, and was wrapped up in his big arms, it was all good!! Home sweet home and still biding my time!!
Sunday we did "church" in the desert, hiking up the side of a mountain and occasionally tiptoeing through icy water. The desert was incredibly beautiful and the weather was so, so nice!!
I think that morning might have been the highlight of the weekend!
Or maybe it was eating authentic mex!!
Or maybe it was reconnecting with her family. Oh, who am I kidding, the whole weekend was a highlight!
It was hard to say goodbye to my friend Monday morning, bright and early. But God knew all this and that is why He invented airports. Enough said! And when I finally saw my honey at baggage claim, and was wrapped up in his big arms, it was all good!! Home sweet home and still biding my time!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Story of How We Met the UGLI Fruit
It all started at WalMart with my husband and I trudging the aisles and tossing various items into our floppy-wheeled cart. Milk. Sugar. Milk. Cereal. Milk. Pasta. Lately, our menu has become somewhat hum-drum...same ol', same ol'... bor-ring.
Our cart was heaped like a mountain as we hit the fruit section. Just as I was reaching for the carrots, we saw "it". There was almost a warm tropical glow surrounding the table on which it sat. We stared at the misshapen, dingy looking, spongy type thing. It was something we had never seen before, or heard of for that matter. After all, it was from the magically warm land of Jamaica and we live in the frigid land of North. D boldly reached out and put one in our cart and suddenly things were not so boring!! We rushed home and excitedly presented to our 4 waiting children the UGLI fruit.
Their innocent little faces registered some doubt, as the fruit is really quite ugly. D. went to the sink and cut through the skin of the fruit and presented each of us with a piece. It was delicious!! It was different!! And then it was gone!!! But the memory has still remained. Days later, one of us will say, "hey, I want some more UGLI fruit" and the rest of us will all nod in agreement.
Moral: If you need some excitement in your menu, go find something UGLI to put in your grocery cart!
Our cart was heaped like a mountain as we hit the fruit section. Just as I was reaching for the carrots, we saw "it". There was almost a warm tropical glow surrounding the table on which it sat. We stared at the misshapen, dingy looking, spongy type thing. It was something we had never seen before, or heard of for that matter. After all, it was from the magically warm land of Jamaica and we live in the frigid land of North. D boldly reached out and put one in our cart and suddenly things were not so boring!! We rushed home and excitedly presented to our 4 waiting children the UGLI fruit.
Their innocent little faces registered some doubt, as the fruit is really quite ugly. D. went to the sink and cut through the skin of the fruit and presented each of us with a piece. It was delicious!! It was different!! And then it was gone!!! But the memory has still remained. Days later, one of us will say, "hey, I want some more UGLI fruit" and the rest of us will all nod in agreement.
Moral: If you need some excitement in your menu, go find something UGLI to put in your grocery cart!
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Kids Have A Snow Day
They are still asleep, except J. You know, it is the strangest thing how I have to drag her little behiney out of bed and crack the proverbial whip until she leaves on the bus, but on a snow day she is up and out of bed before normal wake up time.
Anyways, the snow is steadily drifting downward outside my window. All is calm and still and beautiful. And my neighbor is out snow plowing across the street. I think it may be because the plow is more of a toy then a tool. But it is kind of messing up my calm and peaceful morning. Makes me feel guilty that we too should be out snow blowing. Hmmm. Big D. is already at work. Maybe I should go wake the boys up and get them going on it too! Or maybe I will just move to another window.
So back to enjoying my, I mean the kids, snow day.
Anyways, the snow is steadily drifting downward outside my window. All is calm and still and beautiful. And my neighbor is out snow plowing across the street. I think it may be because the plow is more of a toy then a tool. But it is kind of messing up my calm and peaceful morning. Makes me feel guilty that we too should be out snow blowing. Hmmm. Big D. is already at work. Maybe I should go wake the boys up and get them going on it too! Or maybe I will just move to another window.
So back to enjoying my, I mean the kids, snow day.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Home Sick Makes Me Homesick
Today I am stuck at home sick. I have had my share of colds and allergies in the last couple of years, but it has been a very long time since I had the whole fever thing...chills, headache, racking cough. ICK!! Aren't you glad you are reading this and not sitting next to me?! And in addition, I have 3 kids home with the same thing.
So here I am shuffling around in a robe, blanket, and slippers taking care of my kids when I personally just want my own mom to come tuck me in and bring me a cup of tea. Pathetic, but true. There is something about being sick that makes me homesick for my mom.
Growing up, my mom loved us kids dearly but did not believe in spoiling us. She is of true pioneer stock and somehow has a pain threshold to match which none of us kids inherited. But when one of us 5 kids got truly sick, Mom turned on the sympathy like crazy. I would eat saltine crackers and drink hot lemonade and she would read me books in bed under a "tent" of sheets. But by far, the most luxurious thing she did for me was to let me put my little replica of the Liberty Bell on my nightstand. When I needed something I would ring and she would come find out what I "required" of her. Truly!!
That little bell disappeared at some point and I hadn't thought of it for ages until this Christmas. Just this last Fall, Mom and Dad made another trip to the East Coast and for Christmas, one of my "funny" gifts was that little replica bell. I am tempted to put it on my nightstand for old times sake...but am a little afraid one of my kids will see it, want to know the story, and want to put it on their own nightstand. I don't think it is a tradition I care to pass down! (: But I will make them hot lemonade and I have a good supply of saltine crackers in the pantry so I think we will all be ok.
So here I am shuffling around in a robe, blanket, and slippers taking care of my kids when I personally just want my own mom to come tuck me in and bring me a cup of tea. Pathetic, but true. There is something about being sick that makes me homesick for my mom.
Growing up, my mom loved us kids dearly but did not believe in spoiling us. She is of true pioneer stock and somehow has a pain threshold to match which none of us kids inherited. But when one of us 5 kids got truly sick, Mom turned on the sympathy like crazy. I would eat saltine crackers and drink hot lemonade and she would read me books in bed under a "tent" of sheets. But by far, the most luxurious thing she did for me was to let me put my little replica of the Liberty Bell on my nightstand. When I needed something I would ring and she would come find out what I "required" of her. Truly!!
That little bell disappeared at some point and I hadn't thought of it for ages until this Christmas. Just this last Fall, Mom and Dad made another trip to the East Coast and for Christmas, one of my "funny" gifts was that little replica bell. I am tempted to put it on my nightstand for old times sake...but am a little afraid one of my kids will see it, want to know the story, and want to put it on their own nightstand. I don't think it is a tradition I care to pass down! (: But I will make them hot lemonade and I have a good supply of saltine crackers in the pantry so I think we will all be ok.
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