I am a critical person. Maybe it's the teacher in me, or I'm just a snob, but I notice spelling and grammar errors. And I seem to notice them everywhere. The most offensive are those from commercial sources. I figure those wishing to make me part with my money should prove to be capable of using it. And sometimes I just assume that the ad or offer is just plain fraudulent if the writing is bad.
I don't usually say much about what I come across online. I especially "play nice" when it comes to casual interaction or any personal blogs. I know spelling and grammar are not every person's strength. I am not perfect, either. But, I am neurotic about it enough to grab a dictionary or check dictionary.com if I'm not sure about my own spelling. Truthfully, I haven't wanted to offend good friends by criticizing their writing. It's just not that important.
That being said, I don't think it would hurt anyone to check into when to use than vs. then or knowing when their is better than they're or there. A really common one is your against you're. So much fun. :)
Anyway, I bring this up because I was browsing my local Craigslist tonight. That is a great place to look for spelling and grammar problems. Some people type too fast. Some people don't proof read after editing. Some people are just missing certain skills. I came across one last week that apparently never learned how to use the word our and resorted to are instead. It was a bit of a challenge to understand what the person was saying at first. Someone else said "in a half" instead of "and a half." There are a lot of shelfs for sale on Craigslist. I could go on. This would be a great source of (bad) examples for a high school English teacher to use in class!
And then there are the ones like this:
Wanted: I need a a girl front faceing car set
i am looking for a car set for my little girl she is out growing her new born car set if you have one that is in great condition not been in a reack please sennd me a picture and let me know how much i cant afforward very much
Is this real? I have to think that this person is actually very smart to make it look like she's so illiterate...therefore (assumably) poor and needy = please take pity on her and give her a car seat. Unless she really does want a set of cars...not likely, though.
This makes me extra determined that my kids pae attention and doo well in skule!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Finger painting
We have a behavior system in our house that has been in place for several years. It works really well for us. It has gone through a few adjustments, but I think it will serve us for a few more years to come (I hope).
Each child has a cup of 10 marbles (the flat kind that don't roll away) of one color. Daniel is dark blue, Nathan is green, Leah is yellow and Rebekah is red.They can earn marbles or lose them. Once they've earned all 10 marbles, there are different rewards they can pick from - electric train, Hot Wheels toy, glitter paint, finger paint, a dollar toward a book order, 30 min on the LeapFrog games, etc. Then they put the marbles back and start over.
We recently added Joseph to the system. He is light blue. Last week, Joseph earned his 10th marble. He first chose the train, but changed his mind about 10 minutes into it. Normally, it's not permitted to choose more than one activity, but I didn't want to try to explain it to a tantrum-prone 2-year-old. He chose the finger paints.
He really enjoyed himself.
And when he wanted to do a THIRD thing, I put my foot down. There are only so many things I want to clean up in one afternoon!
This afternoon, Joseph was running around the living room cleaning up things so he could earn marbles. My living room looks much nicer now!
Each child has a cup of 10 marbles (the flat kind that don't roll away) of one color. Daniel is dark blue, Nathan is green, Leah is yellow and Rebekah is red.They can earn marbles or lose them. Once they've earned all 10 marbles, there are different rewards they can pick from - electric train, Hot Wheels toy, glitter paint, finger paint, a dollar toward a book order, 30 min on the LeapFrog games, etc. Then they put the marbles back and start over.
We recently added Joseph to the system. He is light blue. Last week, Joseph earned his 10th marble. He first chose the train, but changed his mind about 10 minutes into it. Normally, it's not permitted to choose more than one activity, but I didn't want to try to explain it to a tantrum-prone 2-year-old. He chose the finger paints.
He really enjoyed himself.
And when he wanted to do a THIRD thing, I put my foot down. There are only so many things I want to clean up in one afternoon!
This afternoon, Joseph was running around the living room cleaning up things so he could earn marbles. My living room looks much nicer now!
Pinewood Derby
Our Pinewood Derby was last Wednesday. It was Daniel's 2nd derby. He had fun making his car, painting and mod podging some designs on.
The car wasn't too bad on the race track. There were 14 boys racing cars and Daniel came in 5th. Some boys didn't have much success with their races and their long faces were sad to see. Chad said it's good for them to have experience losing. I agree, but I don't think they have to lose EVERY race to get a good lesson out of it.
Nathan missed being eligible to race by SIX days. Six? Aw, Man! He'll be ready next year, by darn!
The car wasn't too bad on the race track. There were 14 boys racing cars and Daniel came in 5th. Some boys didn't have much success with their races and their long faces were sad to see. Chad said it's good for them to have experience losing. I agree, but I don't think they have to lose EVERY race to get a good lesson out of it.
Nathan missed being eligible to race by SIX days. Six? Aw, Man! He'll be ready next year, by darn!
5 Months!
Our baby is five months old (as of last week). Has it really been that long?/It's only been 5 months? I'm not exactly how I feel about how the time has passed. At 3 AM, it seems like an eternity since I slept through the night. In the middle of the day, while I watch her grab at toys, I'm sad that time is passing so quickly. Luckily, I have my blog and journals and can look back at things that make up the little moments.
Here is our big girl in her baby bouncer. It used to be that I'd put her in there and she'd stay right where I placed her. Now, she wiggles and squirms her way to the bottom. Huh...that must be what that seat belt on the seat is for. There really is no chance of her kicking the toys when they're dangling over her knees!
I was thinking about younger siblings today. They are such lucky ones to be born into families with so many people to love and teach them. Poor Daniel; he only had his parents (and a cat) in the home. I was trying to be so perfect, that I probably stressed the kid out. Even now, I think he would benefit from an older brother or sister (so he would know exactly what it feels like to be picked on).
But Sarah does not need to worry about knowing what it's like to be picked on. She has LOTS of love and attention. Her mother, though still not perfect, is less of a monster than Daniel's was. Lucky Girl!
Here is our big girl in her baby bouncer. It used to be that I'd put her in there and she'd stay right where I placed her. Now, she wiggles and squirms her way to the bottom. Huh...that must be what that seat belt on the seat is for. There really is no chance of her kicking the toys when they're dangling over her knees!
I was thinking about younger siblings today. They are such lucky ones to be born into families with so many people to love and teach them. Poor Daniel; he only had his parents (and a cat) in the home. I was trying to be so perfect, that I probably stressed the kid out. Even now, I think he would benefit from an older brother or sister (so he would know exactly what it feels like to be picked on).
But Sarah does not need to worry about knowing what it's like to be picked on. She has LOTS of love and attention. Her mother, though still not perfect, is less of a monster than Daniel's was. Lucky Girl!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Do you remember these? Did you have a whole tangled draw full of them when you were a little girl? Can you believe they are coming back?
(Per Kristy's question: these are barrettes with long ribbon tails.)Even more shocking...I am considering making some for Leah! Oh, please tell me the fabrics with huge, colorful shapes and patterns aren't coming back. That's a part of the 80's I could happily never relive.
I'm too young to see a repeat in fashion trends. Isn't it supposed to take longer to come back around?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Helping the Economy
This was the last question on Nathan's Daily Language Review worksheet yesterday. He got it wrong, but maybe he got it right.
If the government gave the money to the people to spend, instead of obscure and questionably existing entities, we could make sure the economy really does get a boost. Imagine if the only motivation we needed to buy a new car was a flat tire!
My refrigerator has tape holding the bottom shelf of the door in place. I should go get a new one! (It would save me $$ on my power bill, so it's a doubly good idea.) My computer got a virus...clean, new computer, please. There's a rip in my sofa's fabric. It definitely needs to go!
I understand that this may put a big strain on landfills and the general health of the planet, but I choose not to acknowledge certain possible problem areas (still in line with gov't spending). And think of the jobs this could create...people to go around and flatten your tires (while inserting a stimulus check under your windshield wiper) so that you'd have a valid reason for the new purchase. Then the doctors would even benefit because we'd all get sick from the "new car smell" fumes we'd constantly be inhaling.
It really is a genius plan, and I give all the credit to my soon-to-be 8-year-old.
Maybe this post is really to help me feel better about the new washing machine we're 80% ready to purchase on Saturday. In my defense, our washer is 18 years old this year and STINKY. We repaired it once about 9 years ago. Part of me thinks that "stinky" is the same as a flat tire. But we're helping the economy, minus the stimulus check.
I wonder if Nathan's teacher thought his answer was a reflection of our lifestyle? If she's seen the holes in his knees (I keep telling him NOT to wear those to school), or noticed that he wears the same jeans the entire week (also something he doesn't hear me mention), then she probably thinks he just picked the wrong answer.
If the government gave the money to the people to spend, instead of obscure and questionably existing entities, we could make sure the economy really does get a boost. Imagine if the only motivation we needed to buy a new car was a flat tire!
My refrigerator has tape holding the bottom shelf of the door in place. I should go get a new one! (It would save me $$ on my power bill, so it's a doubly good idea.) My computer got a virus...clean, new computer, please. There's a rip in my sofa's fabric. It definitely needs to go!
I understand that this may put a big strain on landfills and the general health of the planet, but I choose not to acknowledge certain possible problem areas (still in line with gov't spending). And think of the jobs this could create...people to go around and flatten your tires (while inserting a stimulus check under your windshield wiper) so that you'd have a valid reason for the new purchase. Then the doctors would even benefit because we'd all get sick from the "new car smell" fumes we'd constantly be inhaling.
It really is a genius plan, and I give all the credit to my soon-to-be 8-year-old.
Maybe this post is really to help me feel better about the new washing machine we're 80% ready to purchase on Saturday. In my defense, our washer is 18 years old this year and STINKY. We repaired it once about 9 years ago. Part of me thinks that "stinky" is the same as a flat tire. But we're helping the economy, minus the stimulus check.
I wonder if Nathan's teacher thought his answer was a reflection of our lifestyle? If she's seen the holes in his knees (I keep telling him NOT to wear those to school), or noticed that he wears the same jeans the entire week (also something he doesn't hear me mention), then she probably thinks he just picked the wrong answer.
In case it doesn't show on Monday
Last week I took a ride on the bathroom scale and got a number below the one I ended up posting on Monday. But I wanted to be honest, so I didn't dredge up the old score; I stuck to the current one.
I felt so cheated! I had done better and then there was nothing to show for it. So I have to take an opportunity to share the progress I have made since Monday and hope that there is still some good news to share by the time I have to report next Monday. It's juvenile, I know, but I'm getting older every day and should eventually grow up.
Yesterday and the day before that, I was 176.4. Amazing, I know! I've been stuck at 180 for so long that I was getting fairly frustrated. And this morning? 175.6! Yipee! I've had a secret goal to get to 175 before the end of the month. On Monday, it wasn't looking good. Now, on Thursday, it's looking very possible.
So now you know. If Monday's number is 177.0 again, you may want to assign some people to call every couple of hours and make sure the depression hasn't consumed me.
I felt so cheated! I had done better and then there was nothing to show for it. So I have to take an opportunity to share the progress I have made since Monday and hope that there is still some good news to share by the time I have to report next Monday. It's juvenile, I know, but I'm getting older every day and should eventually grow up.
Yesterday and the day before that, I was 176.4. Amazing, I know! I've been stuck at 180 for so long that I was getting fairly frustrated. And this morning? 175.6! Yipee! I've had a secret goal to get to 175 before the end of the month. On Monday, it wasn't looking good. Now, on Thursday, it's looking very possible.
So now you know. If Monday's number is 177.0 again, you may want to assign some people to call every couple of hours and make sure the depression hasn't consumed me.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sorry cookies
If you're expecting this to be a post glorifying another kitchen disaster, you're wrong. But your assumption would not be unfounded. I do have plenty of those stories that have made it into my blog.
This post is a story of Leah and her little friend who is over today. They've been playing together since they got home from school about 3 hours ago. Lunch went fine and they played for a long time before any feelings got hurt. Then it happened.
Leah: I'm six and you're five. (I imagine this was said with at least a hint of superiority.)
Friend: Well, my birthday is blah, blah, blah. (She didn't say blah, blah, blah; I just can't remember what her b-day is now.)
Then Leah comes upstairs and announces her friend is being rude and replays the conversation for me. Leah wouldn't admit that her original statement might have started the problem and insisted on being offended at the tone in which her friend replied.
Five to ten minutes later, I hear Leah yelling and a door slams. Hmm...maybe I should step in and be a parent here before we send this little girl home with emotional and/or physical scars. At this point, I'm thankful for Rebekah who continues to play happily and gives me an opportunity to talk with my deeply troubled six-year-old.
I tried to explain to Leah that her friend might not have felt very good when Leah made a point of telling her she was younger. Maybe her response was a way to try to stand up for herself. I have to pause mid-sentence several times to make sure Leah can actually hear me over her crying. I'm trying not to think of the cold tears that are dripping all over my arm. (How caring of a parent does that make me?)
Eventually we come up with a plan to make up over cookies. Leah took 3 packages of cookies upstairs with a plan to say, "I'm sorry. I still want to be your friend." I listened at the bottom of the stairs, but only heard that she was talking - not what she was actually saying. It must have worked out OK, because I recently heard laughing (the fun kind).
Oy...boys are a lot less emotional! This girl thing is going to be interesting.
This post is a story of Leah and her little friend who is over today. They've been playing together since they got home from school about 3 hours ago. Lunch went fine and they played for a long time before any feelings got hurt. Then it happened.
Leah: I'm six and you're five. (I imagine this was said with at least a hint of superiority.)
Friend: Well, my birthday is blah, blah, blah. (She didn't say blah, blah, blah; I just can't remember what her b-day is now.)
Then Leah comes upstairs and announces her friend is being rude and replays the conversation for me. Leah wouldn't admit that her original statement might have started the problem and insisted on being offended at the tone in which her friend replied.
Five to ten minutes later, I hear Leah yelling and a door slams. Hmm...maybe I should step in and be a parent here before we send this little girl home with emotional and/or physical scars. At this point, I'm thankful for Rebekah who continues to play happily and gives me an opportunity to talk with my deeply troubled six-year-old.
I tried to explain to Leah that her friend might not have felt very good when Leah made a point of telling her she was younger. Maybe her response was a way to try to stand up for herself. I have to pause mid-sentence several times to make sure Leah can actually hear me over her crying. I'm trying not to think of the cold tears that are dripping all over my arm. (How caring of a parent does that make me?)
Eventually we come up with a plan to make up over cookies. Leah took 3 packages of cookies upstairs with a plan to say, "I'm sorry. I still want to be your friend." I listened at the bottom of the stairs, but only heard that she was talking - not what she was actually saying. It must have worked out OK, because I recently heard laughing (the fun kind).
Oy...boys are a lot less emotional! This girl thing is going to be interesting.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Entitlement
Before you read this: I try very hard to follow the admonition to support/sustain my church leaders. With differences in personalities, this can be harder at some times than others. As I say this, I may undermine myself in the words that follow. I am still really trying. And I'm trying to apply the story below in my own attitudes and actions. This may be one of those situations that calls me to repentance later. I hope not.
Have you ever felt entitled to something that wasn't otherwise being assigned or given to you? Maybe your nursing baby woke every 1.9 hours in the night and you felt deserving a nap. Or, maybe you'd cut back on junk food all week and felt deserving of the last piece of candy left in the bowl.
What about the time you felt frustrated by a long, horrible day and snapped at your family members? Did you ignore the guilt by saying it wasn't your fault? (I don't actually know anyone who's done this, I'm just thinking up possible scenarios.)
Maybe you brought an extra large bowl of potluck to the ward dinner and decided it was payable in extra dessert. Or, maybe you'd just spent your Saturday morning cleaning the building with a couple other families and you KNOW you worked harder, so when you see garbage in the hallway the next day you decide it's someone else's duty to bend down and pick it up. (After all, you didn't even see it.)
We've all suffered from entitlement at some point. Kids are especially prone to it. Hopefully, as we get older and gain more understanding of life, we are able to have a little more perspective. I know there are some instances in my own life that I am working on.
Yesterday our stake held a special and unplanned (if you call less than 3 weeks' notice unplanned) Stake Conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks was in the area for leadership training on Saturday and he chose our little stake to spend his Sunday with. Apparently, ours had been the area stake to go the longest without a visit from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. So the stake began preparing for Elder Oaks' visit as well as President Kim Clark (BYU Idaho) who was accompanying him.
As nearly ANY member of the LDS church can tell you, having a General Authority visit is a big deal; especially an Apostle. The Stake was trying to prepare for a large numer of people and trying to decide how best to handle seating, parking, etc. Among other preparations made, was the decision to ban saving seats. And to go one step further, the outside doors would be locked until one hour before the conference would begin. It was emphasized from the pulpits: NO SAVING SEATS! Be in it or be in a different one.
Personally, I loved this rule. I HATE seat saving. I can't tell you how many times my little ones have gotten ready early and stood waiting outside closed doors only to be relegated to the folding chairs anyway because one sleepy teenager (times 20) is saving the entire row of seats for his family that hasn't even finished breakfast yet. The time this happened when I was pregnant was the worst; I had a lot of self-chastisment to do that time because I was steaming mad and not hearing one word of the talks!
Anyway, we arrived at the church yesterday about 20 minutes before the doors would open. Chad had to usher and was to be there 15 minutes early. The rest of us waited in the car. We weren't there very long before the lines began forming at all 3 entrance doors. I knew there was no chance of us really getting into the chapel and was trying to tell myself not to worry about the mad dash for seats. We were sure to get a place, even if it was in an overflow room. For this reason, I kept the kids in the van until about 5 minutes before the doors would open.
Since I didn't want to take up more space with a baby seat and bulky coats and didn't trust leaving the coats hanging in the appropriate areas (we lost a good coat at the Halloween party that way), we were staying warm until the last minute. It was about 20 degrees after all!
To make a long story shorter and less judgemental (I've revised this post so many times, it's hardly what it started out to be): someone who knew better saved seats for his family.
It will be interesting to learn how this affects his fellow ward members who will be back to regular routines and regular Sunday interactions with him next week.
Note to anyone trying to rise above the general masses: this is not a church of entitlements.
I HATE seat saving. But I admit our seats were nothing to complain about and I lost no energy over the situation this time. Any difficulty I had concentrating can be blamed on my hungry baby and restless cherubs. (And maybe the wiggly 3-year-old in front of me.) ;)
Have you ever felt entitled to something that wasn't otherwise being assigned or given to you? Maybe your nursing baby woke every 1.9 hours in the night and you felt deserving a nap. Or, maybe you'd cut back on junk food all week and felt deserving of the last piece of candy left in the bowl.
What about the time you felt frustrated by a long, horrible day and snapped at your family members? Did you ignore the guilt by saying it wasn't your fault? (I don't actually know anyone who's done this, I'm just thinking up possible scenarios.)
Maybe you brought an extra large bowl of potluck to the ward dinner and decided it was payable in extra dessert. Or, maybe you'd just spent your Saturday morning cleaning the building with a couple other families and you KNOW you worked harder, so when you see garbage in the hallway the next day you decide it's someone else's duty to bend down and pick it up. (After all, you didn't even see it.)
We've all suffered from entitlement at some point. Kids are especially prone to it. Hopefully, as we get older and gain more understanding of life, we are able to have a little more perspective. I know there are some instances in my own life that I am working on.
Yesterday our stake held a special and unplanned (if you call less than 3 weeks' notice unplanned) Stake Conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks was in the area for leadership training on Saturday and he chose our little stake to spend his Sunday with. Apparently, ours had been the area stake to go the longest without a visit from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. So the stake began preparing for Elder Oaks' visit as well as President Kim Clark (BYU Idaho) who was accompanying him.
As nearly ANY member of the LDS church can tell you, having a General Authority visit is a big deal; especially an Apostle. The Stake was trying to prepare for a large numer of people and trying to decide how best to handle seating, parking, etc. Among other preparations made, was the decision to ban saving seats. And to go one step further, the outside doors would be locked until one hour before the conference would begin. It was emphasized from the pulpits: NO SAVING SEATS! Be in it or be in a different one.
Personally, I loved this rule. I HATE seat saving. I can't tell you how many times my little ones have gotten ready early and stood waiting outside closed doors only to be relegated to the folding chairs anyway because one sleepy teenager (times 20) is saving the entire row of seats for his family that hasn't even finished breakfast yet. The time this happened when I was pregnant was the worst; I had a lot of self-chastisment to do that time because I was steaming mad and not hearing one word of the talks!
Anyway, we arrived at the church yesterday about 20 minutes before the doors would open. Chad had to usher and was to be there 15 minutes early. The rest of us waited in the car. We weren't there very long before the lines began forming at all 3 entrance doors. I knew there was no chance of us really getting into the chapel and was trying to tell myself not to worry about the mad dash for seats. We were sure to get a place, even if it was in an overflow room. For this reason, I kept the kids in the van until about 5 minutes before the doors would open.
Since I didn't want to take up more space with a baby seat and bulky coats and didn't trust leaving the coats hanging in the appropriate areas (we lost a good coat at the Halloween party that way), we were staying warm until the last minute. It was about 20 degrees after all!
To make a long story shorter and less judgemental (I've revised this post so many times, it's hardly what it started out to be): someone who knew better saved seats for his family.
It will be interesting to learn how this affects his fellow ward members who will be back to regular routines and regular Sunday interactions with him next week.
Note to anyone trying to rise above the general masses: this is not a church of entitlements.
I HATE seat saving. But I admit our seats were nothing to complain about and I lost no energy over the situation this time. Any difficulty I had concentrating can be blamed on my hungry baby and restless cherubs. (And maybe the wiggly 3-year-old in front of me.) ;)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Report Cards
The kids' report cards came this week. Not too bad, even for a biased mother!
Daniel seems to be improving with age (he IS sort of cheezy). I think this is the best report card he's gotten in a while. His teacher doesn't assign homework; she assigns work. If they don't get it done in school, it becomes homework. I don't think he had any homework at all this week. That's BIG for Daniel!
I give myself a 'C' grade in preparing for this post. I erased the last names of the kids, as well as the name of the school and teachers'/principal names...all at the top of the pages. Huh...it appears some of that info is on the BOTTOM of the page as well.
Daniel seems to be improving with age (he IS sort of cheezy). I think this is the best report card he's gotten in a while. His teacher doesn't assign homework; she assigns work. If they don't get it done in school, it becomes homework. I don't think he had any homework at all this week. That's BIG for Daniel!
Nathan's report card is as I expected. His spelling grade went down from the last report card. Now he's only at 99%. Sheesh!
Leah is acing Kindergarten. You know how rigorous that can be. I am not surprised by her "cuts on line" grade. She's never been very straight when she's cut her hair. And because of that, she has lost some scissor privileges in the past. I guess that delayed her a tiny bit.
I give myself a 'C' grade in preparing for this post. I erased the last names of the kids, as well as the name of the school and teachers'/principal names...all at the top of the pages. Huh...it appears some of that info is on the BOTTOM of the page as well.
I'll have to be on the look out for bad men now.
Winter Driving in the Country
It's been snowing a bit lately. That's fine with me because I love the snow...as long as it doesn't land on the roads. Unfortunately, I have no control over that. And even if I did, the wind would play its own little game and create some unsafe roads anyway.
We do have a good strong wind around here. It's part of living in this part of the state. That's fine, too, because I love the wind. I just don't like the wind blowing the shingles off the roof. That's not wind, that's trouble!
Anyway, when the wind blows the snow onto the roads around here, we end up with some pretty impressive drifts. I was headed to "town" today and had to navigate several drifts. I chose to drive around them since I was driving a minivan, not a truck. But there were some instances where I didn't have much choice and it was then I wasn't sure if it really was a minivan I was driving, or just a light-weight snow plow. I did get snow pretty high up into the air in some places. If I wasn't worried about flipping the van, I might have attacked some of the bigger drifts! (I guess there is some recklessness in me somewhere.)
I was driving on one particular road that was only bordered by wide open, dormant farm fields. With the wind blowing the snow across most of the road's surface and bright blue sky above me, it felt like I was driving in heaven! But snow drifts are bumpy and though I couldn't really see them under the wispy snow in motion, I sure could feel them as we bumped along the way. So much for my heaven analogy; I'm pretty sure heaven is a little easier on the axles.
We do have a good strong wind around here. It's part of living in this part of the state. That's fine, too, because I love the wind. I just don't like the wind blowing the shingles off the roof. That's not wind, that's trouble!
Anyway, when the wind blows the snow onto the roads around here, we end up with some pretty impressive drifts. I was headed to "town" today and had to navigate several drifts. I chose to drive around them since I was driving a minivan, not a truck. But there were some instances where I didn't have much choice and it was then I wasn't sure if it really was a minivan I was driving, or just a light-weight snow plow. I did get snow pretty high up into the air in some places. If I wasn't worried about flipping the van, I might have attacked some of the bigger drifts! (I guess there is some recklessness in me somewhere.)
I was driving on one particular road that was only bordered by wide open, dormant farm fields. With the wind blowing the snow across most of the road's surface and bright blue sky above me, it felt like I was driving in heaven! But snow drifts are bumpy and though I couldn't really see them under the wispy snow in motion, I sure could feel them as we bumped along the way. So much for my heaven analogy; I'm pretty sure heaven is a little easier on the axles.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I'm asleep...oh, no I'm not...wait - yes, I am...
Sarah is playing a peek-a-boo game of nap time with me.
I nursed her until she was a dead weight. She whimpered as I put her into bed, but found a comfortable position and stayed asleep. She was good for about 35-40 minutes and then it was the beginning of the end.
I'm not sure if she woke Joseph, or if it was the other way around, but she wouldn't settle back to sleep on her own. And I gave her plenty of opportunity. After the pillow muffled the sound of her crying but not the sound of my guilt, I got up and tried putting her in the swing. That didn't work the magic I was hoping for. I found a pacifier.
Sarah is a little delayed in her pacifier addiction. I'm still hoping for one, but it's been slow going. I held the pacifier in her mouth as the swing went back and forth while I rested my sleepy head on her crib railing. Eventually, she kept it in by herself and seemed at peace so I snuck back to bed.
As soon as I pulled the covers up to my shoulders, I heard crying anew. I tried an earplug for the ear not against the pillow. The sound was still loud enough to make it through the pillow to the other ear. I started putting an ear plug in both ears but realized that she was crying enough to ruin my efforts. So I got up and figured I could hold her and work on a scrapbook page.
I made sure I went to the bathroom (while my arms were still free) and went looking for my slippers (because my feet were cold). By the time that was accomplished, she was asleep! Grrr! I felt too awake to go back to bed so I plopped myself down at the computer. Since I've been typing, she's been crying, silent and now crying again. I guess nap time is over. Maybe I was supposed to ask for her permission to nap first. This may be a punishment. I sure feels like one.
I nursed her until she was a dead weight. She whimpered as I put her into bed, but found a comfortable position and stayed asleep. She was good for about 35-40 minutes and then it was the beginning of the end.
I'm not sure if she woke Joseph, or if it was the other way around, but she wouldn't settle back to sleep on her own. And I gave her plenty of opportunity. After the pillow muffled the sound of her crying but not the sound of my guilt, I got up and tried putting her in the swing. That didn't work the magic I was hoping for. I found a pacifier.
Sarah is a little delayed in her pacifier addiction. I'm still hoping for one, but it's been slow going. I held the pacifier in her mouth as the swing went back and forth while I rested my sleepy head on her crib railing. Eventually, she kept it in by herself and seemed at peace so I snuck back to bed.
As soon as I pulled the covers up to my shoulders, I heard crying anew. I tried an earplug for the ear not against the pillow. The sound was still loud enough to make it through the pillow to the other ear. I started putting an ear plug in both ears but realized that she was crying enough to ruin my efforts. So I got up and figured I could hold her and work on a scrapbook page.
I made sure I went to the bathroom (while my arms were still free) and went looking for my slippers (because my feet were cold). By the time that was accomplished, she was asleep! Grrr! I felt too awake to go back to bed so I plopped myself down at the computer. Since I've been typing, she's been crying, silent and now crying again. I guess nap time is over. Maybe I was supposed to ask for her permission to nap first. This may be a punishment. I sure feels like one.
Monday, January 18, 2010
BAD Mother!
All day long I've been trying to get things done. I haven't been very successful, but my second batch of bread is baking. That's something.
The problem I've had is that Sarah picks inopportune times to need me. She did it all last night when I was trying to accomplish something - a decent night of sleep. And she kept it up throughout the day.
So I finally got a chance to put her down and try to spend some time in the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later, I'm walking down the hall and racking my brain trying to remember what I did with the baby!
It took me way too long to remember, but I found her where I'd left her...in the swing. Safe. A sleep. Whew. Isn't it funny that your house can be crawling with kids but you still notice that someone is missing? Hopefully, this is as lost as she ever gets.
The problem I've had is that Sarah picks inopportune times to need me. She did it all last night when I was trying to accomplish something - a decent night of sleep. And she kept it up throughout the day.
So I finally got a chance to put her down and try to spend some time in the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later, I'm walking down the hall and racking my brain trying to remember what I did with the baby!
It took me way too long to remember, but I found her where I'd left her...in the swing. Safe. A sleep. Whew. Isn't it funny that your house can be crawling with kids but you still notice that someone is missing? Hopefully, this is as lost as she ever gets.
Embarrassed
There are several things about me and my life that cause me distress. One of them is my messy house. I'd consider blowing it up, but I'm not sure anyone would be able to see the difference. I could have a clean house, but it would be the only thing I had and I think that's a poor trade.
Yesterday, a friend followed me home from choir practice so I could give her some eggs. As we were walking towards the door and stepping inside, I was dying inside. I knew that entrance was a mess and it gave a back view of the kitchen...that we can usually hide from the main entrance. Additionally, it was Sunday afternoon...the end of a weekend. Maybe some houses end up clean after a whole weekend to get it that way. Ours is the opposite. We had a whole weekend to mess it up.
I kicked aside snow boots and baby toys (I was disgusted to see Sarah's baby toy sitting in a dirty entryway...thanks Joseph), maneuvered around the garbage bags sitting next to the overflowing garbage can, and pretended I didn't see the lack of open counters in the kitchen. I hoped she didn't see the jumble of food stuffs crammed into the fridge when I opened it. The worry entered my mind at that point that I hoped she didn't think the eggs were bad since everything else was presenting such a hygienic image.
When I muttered something about the mess, she was very kind and said it looked like "home." Oh yeah? It didn't look like her home. I know; I've been in it several times. She also has a big family, but her youngest is older than my oldest and only 3 are still at home. So I have something to look forward to...I hope.
And what did I get out of the experience? A big frustrated feeling of EMBARRASSMENT! I'm not feeling philosophical...just embarrassed.
Yesterday, a friend followed me home from choir practice so I could give her some eggs. As we were walking towards the door and stepping inside, I was dying inside. I knew that entrance was a mess and it gave a back view of the kitchen...that we can usually hide from the main entrance. Additionally, it was Sunday afternoon...the end of a weekend. Maybe some houses end up clean after a whole weekend to get it that way. Ours is the opposite. We had a whole weekend to mess it up.
I kicked aside snow boots and baby toys (I was disgusted to see Sarah's baby toy sitting in a dirty entryway...thanks Joseph), maneuvered around the garbage bags sitting next to the overflowing garbage can, and pretended I didn't see the lack of open counters in the kitchen. I hoped she didn't see the jumble of food stuffs crammed into the fridge when I opened it. The worry entered my mind at that point that I hoped she didn't think the eggs were bad since everything else was presenting such a hygienic image.
When I muttered something about the mess, she was very kind and said it looked like "home." Oh yeah? It didn't look like her home. I know; I've been in it several times. She also has a big family, but her youngest is older than my oldest and only 3 are still at home. So I have something to look forward to...I hope.
And what did I get out of the experience? A big frustrated feeling of EMBARRASSMENT! I'm not feeling philosophical...just embarrassed.
Lurking Contest Winner
I have the results of the random.org number generator. Only 9 of you were honest enough to admit you lurk. All five of Chad's sisters made themselves known. I know several of my readers are part timers and may not have checked in during the week.
I guess they are excused. But the rest of you (you know who you are) should at least say hello!
I have been considering bringing back the Mystery Pictures. Some of you may remember those. I haven't posted any in over two years, but I think of them on occasion. Maybe you'd like a chance to prove how smart you are in that area! I've been trying to decide if I want to do prizes for those, too. Too bad I'm not rich...that would actually make the prizes attractive.
Anyway, the winner of the delurking contest is #9...the last to comment...Melissa! :) Let me know which of my fabulous prizes you'd like most (so glad I didn't offer anything heavy).
I guess they are excused. But the rest of you (you know who you are) should at least say hello!
I have been considering bringing back the Mystery Pictures. Some of you may remember those. I haven't posted any in over two years, but I think of them on occasion. Maybe you'd like a chance to prove how smart you are in that area! I've been trying to decide if I want to do prizes for those, too. Too bad I'm not rich...that would actually make the prizes attractive.
Anyway, the winner of the delurking contest is #9...the last to comment...Melissa! :) Let me know which of my fabulous prizes you'd like most (so glad I didn't offer anything heavy).
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Nathan's Baptism
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Another Fallout
It's been 4 1/2 months since Sarah was born. That means it's time again for the shedding-of-the-hair. This is another one of those unpleasantries that comes with pregnancy. My hair is falling out in mass quantities.
I try to get ahead of the problem by giving my head a good brushing before I get in the shower, but I inevitably get tangled in loose hair every time I shampoo. The drain will be complaining soon.
Yesterday I felt like I was constantly finding strands of hair on my clothes. This morning, I've pulled hair from my mouth twice... and just minutes after getting out of the shower. YUCK. It's clean, but it's invasive!
I'm glad this is my last time to enjoy this rite of passage. The only hair that should fall out after this is the frustrated fistfuls I pull out myself!
I try to get ahead of the problem by giving my head a good brushing before I get in the shower, but I inevitably get tangled in loose hair every time I shampoo. The drain will be complaining soon.
Yesterday I felt like I was constantly finding strands of hair on my clothes. This morning, I've pulled hair from my mouth twice... and just minutes after getting out of the shower. YUCK. It's clean, but it's invasive!
I'm glad this is my last time to enjoy this rite of passage. The only hair that should fall out after this is the frustrated fistfuls I pull out myself!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Victory!
This morning, Rebekah cleaned up the library (which was mostly clean already) so that she would be able to get out a tiny toy she saw peeking through the side of a clear container.
I was just impressed that she knew she'd have to clean up first and actually acted appropriately! This is my little girl who finds every excuse she can invent to avoid cleaning. I know that having the room mostly clean to start with probably made the task less overwhelming, but she DID notice there could be an improvement and did something about it.
Victory! My efforts are being rewarded!
I was just impressed that she knew she'd have to clean up first and actually acted appropriately! This is my little girl who finds every excuse she can invent to avoid cleaning. I know that having the room mostly clean to start with probably made the task less overwhelming, but she DID notice there could be an improvement and did something about it.
Victory! My efforts are being rewarded!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
*POP*
When I was young and clueless, I had certain expectations and plans for my life. Of course, most of my dreams and schemes were idealistic and were supposed to happen almost effortlessly. Somewhere along life's path, from the point of naive dreaming to the present moment, someone hid behind a figurative tree and using a blow dart (or arrow or musket or rifle or long range missile), they popped my "perfect life" bubble.
I wish I could live briefly in a sci-fi/fantasy plot and go back to visit my younger self and lay some groundwork for the truths of life that would knock me flat on my rear. I'd probably start with mentioning that just because they're an adult, it doesn't mean they're right and you're wrong. That might really make a difference in the choices I would soon be faced with. On the flip side, I hope my kids don't figure that out for a little while longer. Even better, I hope I WILL be right so they will be well-taught and prepared for life's attacks and challenges.
I used to think my house would be well-kept and a cozy haven against the wicked world. Somehow, more of the wicked world got in than I wanted and I can't think of a single thing that is well-kept. Even the ceilings have cobwebs!
I used to imagine heart-warming scenes of together time with my kids. We would play games, read stories, bake cookies, do crafts and anything else idyllic to mother-child bonding. What I ended up with was games and books scattered from one end of the house to the other and kids who started fighting over who got to pick the game or story, and didn't stop until the fight over who had to put it away. I avoid doing anything at all in the kitchen because of the huge mess that only I seem to be able to clean up. And crafts? I'm doing better, but I still have to gear myself up for the event.
Of course, I was going to be so loving and concerned over my children's injuries that a smile and a hug would be far more effective than a band-aid. What we have evolved into is that the kids now take care of their own injuries (unless they are real, in which case I step in and admonish them to stop crying and be more careful next time) and then I just get to pick up all the trash from the discarded packaging. Thankfully, a hug and and a cuddle do still have some value, but the kids would much rather get a box of band-aids in their Christmas stockings. You should see their reactions when people outside of the family offer to "kiss the boo-boo." Picture: "Are you daft?"
With all of my training in education and the hours I spent learning to manage behavior, I was certain my kids would have perfect manners. And I have to give them some credit; they do behave well a lot of the time. It's not uncommon for strangers to approach our family while we're out and compliment the kids on how well they are behaving. And I usually feel bad after I say it's because we threatened them before we walked in. But I still say it. It's the frustration I feel when they don't have perfect behavior as soon as I demand it that surprises me the most. I try to remind myself that they're kids (but they're my kids and supposed to be flawless, darn it)!
Then there's the issue of my physical appearance. (I'm about to get startling honest here.) I never thought I would be so overweight or dissatisfied with my appearance. When I look in the mirror, I am surprised to see how big I really am. I don't feel like I'm 178 pounds, or anywhere near it. It's so frustrating to think I've made progress and find out I'm really doing worse! Also, I would have expected to be familiar with my own face after having it for 36 years. It, too, looks different than I expect and I'm usually better off to look away than try more flattering pinches or pulls. It's possible that these reasons are why I've stopped really trying to improve myself. I apply make-up once a week. I don't feel badly about that, but I'm not sure what message it sends. Another "gone to pot" housewife here!
Somewhere along life's path, I missed the lesson on enjoying the little moments. So often I meet people who say how fun little kids are or what special memories things are, and I think they are a little crazy. I didn't have one ounce of fun trying to keep Joseph from destroying the store we were in today. Rebekah seemed to want to encourage him, and I had to lug around 20ish awkward pounds of baby-in-a-carseat. Some lady there mentions to me how fun they are at that age. Apparently, I'm WAY too grouchy because I totally missed the fun part. Maybe it's just fun to watch. Either way, it's something new to feel guilty about; I'm missing the fun.
Now, I don't think my kids are all bad and never enjoyable. I laugh a lot and witness a lot of caring moments between them. I will miss the little kid in each of them when they grow up, but sometimes it seems like they never will!
So my life isn't what I expected. My bubble has been popped by real life's darts. My house is a mess, my kids would rather fight than get along, I can't remember the last time I slept through the night, my body has been overtaken by someone else's body, my kids don't snap to attention when I clear my throat, blah, blah, blah.
My new plan is to clean up the sudsy mess from my popped bubble and use it to clean up my life a little and figure out how the heck to make my imperfect life the perfect one for me.
I wish I could live briefly in a sci-fi/fantasy plot and go back to visit my younger self and lay some groundwork for the truths of life that would knock me flat on my rear. I'd probably start with mentioning that just because they're an adult, it doesn't mean they're right and you're wrong. That might really make a difference in the choices I would soon be faced with. On the flip side, I hope my kids don't figure that out for a little while longer. Even better, I hope I WILL be right so they will be well-taught and prepared for life's attacks and challenges.
I used to think my house would be well-kept and a cozy haven against the wicked world. Somehow, more of the wicked world got in than I wanted and I can't think of a single thing that is well-kept. Even the ceilings have cobwebs!
I used to imagine heart-warming scenes of together time with my kids. We would play games, read stories, bake cookies, do crafts and anything else idyllic to mother-child bonding. What I ended up with was games and books scattered from one end of the house to the other and kids who started fighting over who got to pick the game or story, and didn't stop until the fight over who had to put it away. I avoid doing anything at all in the kitchen because of the huge mess that only I seem to be able to clean up. And crafts? I'm doing better, but I still have to gear myself up for the event.
Of course, I was going to be so loving and concerned over my children's injuries that a smile and a hug would be far more effective than a band-aid. What we have evolved into is that the kids now take care of their own injuries (unless they are real, in which case I step in and admonish them to stop crying and be more careful next time) and then I just get to pick up all the trash from the discarded packaging. Thankfully, a hug and and a cuddle do still have some value, but the kids would much rather get a box of band-aids in their Christmas stockings. You should see their reactions when people outside of the family offer to "kiss the boo-boo." Picture: "Are you daft?"
With all of my training in education and the hours I spent learning to manage behavior, I was certain my kids would have perfect manners. And I have to give them some credit; they do behave well a lot of the time. It's not uncommon for strangers to approach our family while we're out and compliment the kids on how well they are behaving. And I usually feel bad after I say it's because we threatened them before we walked in. But I still say it. It's the frustration I feel when they don't have perfect behavior as soon as I demand it that surprises me the most. I try to remind myself that they're kids (but they're my kids and supposed to be flawless, darn it)!
Then there's the issue of my physical appearance. (I'm about to get startling honest here.) I never thought I would be so overweight or dissatisfied with my appearance. When I look in the mirror, I am surprised to see how big I really am. I don't feel like I'm 178 pounds, or anywhere near it. It's so frustrating to think I've made progress and find out I'm really doing worse! Also, I would have expected to be familiar with my own face after having it for 36 years. It, too, looks different than I expect and I'm usually better off to look away than try more flattering pinches or pulls. It's possible that these reasons are why I've stopped really trying to improve myself. I apply make-up once a week. I don't feel badly about that, but I'm not sure what message it sends. Another "gone to pot" housewife here!
Somewhere along life's path, I missed the lesson on enjoying the little moments. So often I meet people who say how fun little kids are or what special memories things are, and I think they are a little crazy. I didn't have one ounce of fun trying to keep Joseph from destroying the store we were in today. Rebekah seemed to want to encourage him, and I had to lug around 20ish awkward pounds of baby-in-a-carseat. Some lady there mentions to me how fun they are at that age. Apparently, I'm WAY too grouchy because I totally missed the fun part. Maybe it's just fun to watch. Either way, it's something new to feel guilty about; I'm missing the fun.
Now, I don't think my kids are all bad and never enjoyable. I laugh a lot and witness a lot of caring moments between them. I will miss the little kid in each of them when they grow up, but sometimes it seems like they never will!
So my life isn't what I expected. My bubble has been popped by real life's darts. My house is a mess, my kids would rather fight than get along, I can't remember the last time I slept through the night, my body has been overtaken by someone else's body, my kids don't snap to attention when I clear my throat, blah, blah, blah.
My new plan is to clean up the sudsy mess from my popped bubble and use it to clean up my life a little and figure out how the heck to make my imperfect life the perfect one for me.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Q: What's worse than a sick baby?
A: That would be when it's your own baby that's sick. Sarah is our sick baby. :(
Here is our sick girl Saturday night. Doesn't she look like she's miserable?
Her little head is so full of mucus, she's learned to breathe through her mouth. I'm quite expert with a bulb syringe, but even that is doing little to help her. I stayed home from church with her yesterday and only slipped over to church for choir practice (Chad and Joseph came home early for that).
We got little to no sleep last night as Sarah was miserable and unable to sleep well. It was a BAD night that ended way too soon. I need a nap. At least I have a chance to get one. I don't know what Chad's going to do. He says it's too cold to sleep under his desk (a running joke between us).
So we are having fun at our house. I will be really glad when all the kids are old enough to suffer through their colds without so much work and worry for the parents. Medicine always helps, too.
On to other topics:
It's been cold around here. It warms up, the snow melts a little and then it drops below zero. The kids recently discovered their own version of a slip 'n' slide: winter style. They entertained themselves a little while on Saturday. I got pictures and video and secretly hoped that their clothing was up for the challenge.
I braided the girls' hair Saturday night and this is what we ended up with for church. Poor Rebekah...her hair does not like to play nice. I hope she gets better results as she gets older. Leah's hair has always been the over-achiever type. I really like how it turned out. She brushed through it this morning, though so she's looking a little poufy.
I recently repaired a doll originally made by my grandmother over 20 years ago. My kids had loved it to the point that an arm came off. When I sat down to fix it, I just placed the arm in without checking the other side first. After I finished I noticed my idea of correct was different than the one my grandma had when she made the doll. Do you notice the difference?
Now I just look at this toy as a bridge between two different women. There is some touching symbolism in that doll somehow. I also think it looks like a windmill or a little fella getting ready to do a cartwheel. :) This your doll, Amber.
Remember that stocking board I mentioned a bit ago? We finally got it finished last night. I can check off my first thing on my Christmas list! What do you think?
Here is Sarah helping to show it off. She's not asleep even though it looks like she is (as was the trend last night).
Here is our sick girl Saturday night. Doesn't she look like she's miserable?
Her little head is so full of mucus, she's learned to breathe through her mouth. I'm quite expert with a bulb syringe, but even that is doing little to help her. I stayed home from church with her yesterday and only slipped over to church for choir practice (Chad and Joseph came home early for that).
We got little to no sleep last night as Sarah was miserable and unable to sleep well. It was a BAD night that ended way too soon. I need a nap. At least I have a chance to get one. I don't know what Chad's going to do. He says it's too cold to sleep under his desk (a running joke between us).
So we are having fun at our house. I will be really glad when all the kids are old enough to suffer through their colds without so much work and worry for the parents. Medicine always helps, too.
On to other topics:
It's been cold around here. It warms up, the snow melts a little and then it drops below zero. The kids recently discovered their own version of a slip 'n' slide: winter style. They entertained themselves a little while on Saturday. I got pictures and video and secretly hoped that their clothing was up for the challenge.
I braided the girls' hair Saturday night and this is what we ended up with for church. Poor Rebekah...her hair does not like to play nice. I hope she gets better results as she gets older. Leah's hair has always been the over-achiever type. I really like how it turned out. She brushed through it this morning, though so she's looking a little poufy.
I recently repaired a doll originally made by my grandmother over 20 years ago. My kids had loved it to the point that an arm came off. When I sat down to fix it, I just placed the arm in without checking the other side first. After I finished I noticed my idea of correct was different than the one my grandma had when she made the doll. Do you notice the difference?
Now I just look at this toy as a bridge between two different women. There is some touching symbolism in that doll somehow. I also think it looks like a windmill or a little fella getting ready to do a cartwheel. :) This your doll, Amber.
Remember that stocking board I mentioned a bit ago? We finally got it finished last night. I can check off my first thing on my Christmas list! What do you think?
Here is Sarah helping to show it off. She's not asleep even though it looks like she is (as was the trend last night).
And now I come to the end of this post. Sarah has made me a considerably slower typist this morning and she's come to the end of her willingness to sit at the computer. I am her personal slave until I can get her to sleep. (There is already one failed attempt about 20 minutes ago.) Ooh! It looks as though she may be succumbing to raw fatigue. Sadly enough, I know how she feels.
Keep us in your thoughts today. I wouldn't mind if you mentioned Sarah in a prayer. She's really not feeling well at all - poor girl.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
To all you Lurkers!
Apparently, it is National Delurking Day. This means it's time for all of you to shed your cloaks of invisibility for just a moment.
There might be one or two of you out there that don't know what a lurker is. It's someone who reads the blog, but never/rarely comments. I don't know how many of you read the blog regularly, but I know how many of you comment. First place goes to Kristy S (you are my most faithful commenter). Last place goes to most of the rest of you.
But I point no fingers. I often read and run, too; I am a great lurker.
In honor of Delurking Day, let's have a contest. I will offer a prize to one of the commenters for this post (and hopefully, you will feel it is worthy of that distinction). I'll pick randomly through random.org and let you know if I need your address. I'll create a list of choices to pick from and get back to you on that (look below).
You can sign off as Anonymous if you don't have a registered name, just type your name into the post so I know who you are.
I will pick the winner from all the comments received by next Sunday.
I look forward to knowing which friends are old and which are new! Which one are you?
Here are the prize choices (exciting, I know):
1 - a set of 8 note cards, with envelopes, 4 different colors
2 - a set of 24 recipe cards and matching stationery
3 - 2 crocheted dish cloths (yet to be created)
4 - a crocheted bookmark...not pictured (yet to be created)
I'm trying to stick to things that are easy and economical to mail. :)
There might be one or two of you out there that don't know what a lurker is. It's someone who reads the blog, but never/rarely comments. I don't know how many of you read the blog regularly, but I know how many of you comment. First place goes to Kristy S (you are my most faithful commenter). Last place goes to most of the rest of you.
But I point no fingers. I often read and run, too; I am a great lurker.
In honor of Delurking Day, let's have a contest. I will offer a prize to one of the commenters for this post (and hopefully, you will feel it is worthy of that distinction). I'll pick randomly through random.org and let you know if I need your address. I'll create a list of choices to pick from and get back to you on that (look below).
You can sign off as Anonymous if you don't have a registered name, just type your name into the post so I know who you are.
I will pick the winner from all the comments received by next Sunday.
I look forward to knowing which friends are old and which are new! Which one are you?
Here are the prize choices (exciting, I know):
1 - a set of 8 note cards, with envelopes, 4 different colors
2 - a set of 24 recipe cards and matching stationery
3 - 2 crocheted dish cloths (yet to be created)
4 - a crocheted bookmark...not pictured (yet to be created)
I'm trying to stick to things that are easy and economical to mail. :)
Off balance
Leah went hopping through the kitchen on her right foot.
"I'm giving my left foot a break!" (She says she hurt it at church today.)
I can only picture her right foot say, "Gee, Thanks!"
"I'm giving my left foot a break!" (She says she hurt it at church today.)
I can only picture her right foot say, "Gee, Thanks!"
Friday, January 08, 2010
I Wish
I think I should start a new series in my blogging. I would call it the "I Wish" series. In it would go things like - I wish Sarah would spit up on the 2-day old outfit and not on the 5-minute old one.
or - I wish the TV would freeze up on the FIRST 10 minutes of a show instead of the LAST 10.
So today - I wish the earwigs would find somewhere else to hide, rather than under the tin foil covers of my stove top burner drip pans. BBQ'd earwig is a nasty surprise.
or - I wish the TV would freeze up on the FIRST 10 minutes of a show instead of the LAST 10.
So today - I wish the earwigs would find somewhere else to hide, rather than under the tin foil covers of my stove top burner drip pans. BBQ'd earwig is a nasty surprise.
Spanish Spaghetti
Rebekah apparently knows Spanish.
R: Mommy, I know how to spell "spaghetti" in Spanish.
Me: Oh yeah?
R: spah - GET- tdee
Now, I don't know much Spanish, but I'm pretty sure she's got some of it wrong.
R: Mommy, I know how to spell "spaghetti" in Spanish.
Me: Oh yeah?
R: spah - GET- tdee
Now, I don't know much Spanish, but I'm pretty sure she's got some of it wrong.
Choices
Joseph wanted some Cheerios from the baggie in my diaper bag. When I told him, "No" and said they were for church, he didn't cry.
I soon heard a door close. I found him in a room by himself, leaning up against a chair, calmly eating from the baggie. He looked like he was completely at peace with the world, enjoying his Cheerios.
I took the bag and told him that was naughty. He followed me out of the room, bent over, swaying back and forth with a sheepish grin saying, "ah ha."
grrrr! I'm still trying not to laugh, though.
I soon heard a door close. I found him in a room by himself, leaning up against a chair, calmly eating from the baggie. He looked like he was completely at peace with the world, enjoying his Cheerios.
I took the bag and told him that was naughty. He followed me out of the room, bent over, swaying back and forth with a sheepish grin saying, "ah ha."
grrrr! I'm still trying not to laugh, though.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
That's Twisted!
I'm doing some laundry this morning (wait...that's not the twisted part) and I've changed the sheets on the bed so they went into the washer. It wasn't quite a full load, so I added some of my pajama pants.
You should know that my pajama pants are my regular pants unless I leave the house. At that point, I put on real pants; but only until I get back home again. I change my pajama pants every day so I go through lots of pants.
Anyway, I threw everything in the washer and went to remake the bed. Just as I finished up the bed, I saw a stray pillowcase on the floor. Lovely. So I went to add it to the load, thinking I'd probably have to turn it back a little to have it agitate a little longer.
When I opened the washer, I saw that one of the pajama legs had partially slipped over the top of the agitator and got stuck. I released it, but didn't see any laundry moving in the tub. The water looked yucky enough that I drained it to start over. When the water was finally out, I found a huge twisted mess of sheets and pant legs. The errant pair of pajamas had grabbed the sheets and while the agitator turned, everything got tangled up. I didn't even know this could happen in the washer! If the sheets hadn't been in there, it might not have.
Untangling the mess was not easy as everything was wet and heavy and essentially braided together. I then longed for the day I would be able to upgrade to an agitator-free washer. *sigh* This washer is old. And it STINKS! (I mean odor, not the slang.) I'm afraid that it will die too soon and we won't be able to replace it with the good stuff. Then we'll have to wait even longer to get a nicer machine.
I guess I should just be grateful that I have a washer and the only thing I have to do is put the clothes in, then take them out. And in the winter, I don't have to freeze to death hanging out clothes. When do they create a machine that folds it, too? (No wonder we're all fat and weak...we have too many conveniences.)
Incidentally, I heard a disturbing bit of info the other day about washing clothes and septic tanks. Apparently, doing all of the wash on one day is bad for your septic tank because all that water stirs up the sludge at the bottom of the tank and floats it up and out into your drain fields. That's when things get stinky and expensive. Too bad so many of us are on time-of-day meters and try to do the wash when the expense is cut to a third. So now I try to do a little each day, preferably at night so the dryer can run on cheaper power. Those of you on city sewer can be grateful for some things!
You should know that my pajama pants are my regular pants unless I leave the house. At that point, I put on real pants; but only until I get back home again. I change my pajama pants every day so I go through lots of pants.
Anyway, I threw everything in the washer and went to remake the bed. Just as I finished up the bed, I saw a stray pillowcase on the floor. Lovely. So I went to add it to the load, thinking I'd probably have to turn it back a little to have it agitate a little longer.
When I opened the washer, I saw that one of the pajama legs had partially slipped over the top of the agitator and got stuck. I released it, but didn't see any laundry moving in the tub. The water looked yucky enough that I drained it to start over. When the water was finally out, I found a huge twisted mess of sheets and pant legs. The errant pair of pajamas had grabbed the sheets and while the agitator turned, everything got tangled up. I didn't even know this could happen in the washer! If the sheets hadn't been in there, it might not have.
Untangling the mess was not easy as everything was wet and heavy and essentially braided together. I then longed for the day I would be able to upgrade to an agitator-free washer. *sigh* This washer is old. And it STINKS! (I mean odor, not the slang.) I'm afraid that it will die too soon and we won't be able to replace it with the good stuff. Then we'll have to wait even longer to get a nicer machine.
I guess I should just be grateful that I have a washer and the only thing I have to do is put the clothes in, then take them out. And in the winter, I don't have to freeze to death hanging out clothes. When do they create a machine that folds it, too? (No wonder we're all fat and weak...we have too many conveniences.)
Incidentally, I heard a disturbing bit of info the other day about washing clothes and septic tanks. Apparently, doing all of the wash on one day is bad for your septic tank because all that water stirs up the sludge at the bottom of the tank and floats it up and out into your drain fields. That's when things get stinky and expensive. Too bad so many of us are on time-of-day meters and try to do the wash when the expense is cut to a third. So now I try to do a little each day, preferably at night so the dryer can run on cheaper power. Those of you on city sewer can be grateful for some things!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Rebekah is in Level 5
Swimming lessons were over in August. We're still talking about them. We really liked swimming lessons and now we talk about swimming lessons coming up again...likely in August.
Rebekah and Leah talk about what levels they will be in. Leah was moved up to Level 2 (mostly because of her age) and so Rebekah will be in Level 1 by herself. Maybe it's a good thing we're talking about it now, so she'll be able to go to that class by herself when the magical day finally arrives.
Anyway, we're in the "Level" mentality.
Yesterday was the first Sunday of the year and all the primary classes changed. Rebekah advanced (there is no failing in Primary!) from the Sunbeam to the CTR 5 class. She keeps saying that she is in Level 5 now. She was wondering how long she would be in that level. "Until next year," I keep saying.
Rebekah and Leah talk about what levels they will be in. Leah was moved up to Level 2 (mostly because of her age) and so Rebekah will be in Level 1 by herself. Maybe it's a good thing we're talking about it now, so she'll be able to go to that class by herself when the magical day finally arrives.
Anyway, we're in the "Level" mentality.
Yesterday was the first Sunday of the year and all the primary classes changed. Rebekah advanced (there is no failing in Primary!) from the Sunbeam to the CTR 5 class. She keeps saying that she is in Level 5 now. She was wondering how long she would be in that level. "Until next year," I keep saying.
Happy Birthday, Leah!
Leah turned 6 on Saturday. She had been looking forward to her special day and was making several wishes out loud. She was really hoping there would be a strong horse theme!
I don't know if it's because the mother in me wanted to please my little girl or the little girl in me remembers how it is to love horses, but I tried to make her day happy.
I spent a bit of time on the cake top the night before. We'd had friends over earlier in the night, so I got started on it a little later than normal. I didn't think it turned out too bad. She liked it.
Our family has learned that hair burns quickly and without warning. Leah knows to hold her hair back!
She really enjoyed cutting and serving up the cake. This is a birthday privilege in our family. Eventually, I'll expect them to cut and serve themselves all the time. (I'm really going to enjoy that!)
I had a little porcelain carousel horse that was given to me before Leah was even born. I'd never gotten it out of the box until a few weeks ago. It doesn't do anything, but there is a music box in the base that plays "Camelot." She liked it enough to kiss it on the way up to her room. She ended up with a little bit of glitter on her face for it. :)
She got socks and underwear. Horse theme not included.
The kids picked out a stuffed horse for her. It's huge (bigger than Joseph) and soft. It only cost $10, so I was happy. We threw in a horse coloring book for more fun. A few other toys and clothes and Leah was a happy six-year-old.
Leah has REALLY been enjoying kindergarten this year. She's starting to read from the scriptures with us at night. She likes to follow along with her finger in my hymn book at church.
Leah is a great big sister and her "children" know she loves them. Sometimes they are hard to carry around, but she doesn't give up.
Leah is not all hugs and cheery smiles. This girl has a stubborn streak a mile wide and some kind of switch that flips with little or no notice. When Leah gets hurt, the whole county knows it. If she's crying to get someone in trouble, she seems to trying out for a position with the opera. Leah does NOT like to ride in the car very long.
Leah is very sensitive to the dynamics of friendships and we often hear about what happens between her and her school friends. That's a very bumpy ride!
Leah has a beautiful smile. She is our favorite Leah and we enjoy watching her enjoy life.
I don't know if it's because the mother in me wanted to please my little girl or the little girl in me remembers how it is to love horses, but I tried to make her day happy.
I spent a bit of time on the cake top the night before. We'd had friends over earlier in the night, so I got started on it a little later than normal. I didn't think it turned out too bad. She liked it.
Our family has learned that hair burns quickly and without warning. Leah knows to hold her hair back!
She really enjoyed cutting and serving up the cake. This is a birthday privilege in our family. Eventually, I'll expect them to cut and serve themselves all the time. (I'm really going to enjoy that!)
I had a little porcelain carousel horse that was given to me before Leah was even born. I'd never gotten it out of the box until a few weeks ago. It doesn't do anything, but there is a music box in the base that plays "Camelot." She liked it enough to kiss it on the way up to her room. She ended up with a little bit of glitter on her face for it. :)
She got socks and underwear. Horse theme not included.
The kids picked out a stuffed horse for her. It's huge (bigger than Joseph) and soft. It only cost $10, so I was happy. We threw in a horse coloring book for more fun. A few other toys and clothes and Leah was a happy six-year-old.
Leah has REALLY been enjoying kindergarten this year. She's starting to read from the scriptures with us at night. She likes to follow along with her finger in my hymn book at church.
Leah is a great big sister and her "children" know she loves them. Sometimes they are hard to carry around, but she doesn't give up.
Leah is not all hugs and cheery smiles. This girl has a stubborn streak a mile wide and some kind of switch that flips with little or no notice. When Leah gets hurt, the whole county knows it. If she's crying to get someone in trouble, she seems to trying out for a position with the opera. Leah does NOT like to ride in the car very long.
Leah is very sensitive to the dynamics of friendships and we often hear about what happens between her and her school friends. That's a very bumpy ride!
Leah has a beautiful smile. She is our favorite Leah and we enjoy watching her enjoy life.
Once there was a snowman
Chad and the other kids (he he) played in the snow on New Year's Day. It was prime stay-off-the-roads-and-make-a-snowman snow. I don't think they quite knew what kind of trouble they were getting themselves into.
The snowballs got so big that Chad had to get the BIG ladder and use it as a ramp to stack them.
Here is their snowman with Nathan's hat and Leah's mittens. Chad estimated him to be about 10 feet high.
Here is the poor fellow yesterday. The weather was a little too warm for him and he slowly tipped over. I don't think I've ever seen such a limber snowman! He went a little farther before eventually going too far. Chad said the head got the brunt of the damage. He's fallen and he can't get up. I'll bet it's much colder in heaven.
The snowballs got so big that Chad had to get the BIG ladder and use it as a ramp to stack them.
Here is their snowman with Nathan's hat and Leah's mittens. Chad estimated him to be about 10 feet high.
Here is the poor fellow yesterday. The weather was a little too warm for him and he slowly tipped over. I don't think I've ever seen such a limber snowman! He went a little farther before eventually going too far. Chad said the head got the brunt of the damage. He's fallen and he can't get up. I'll bet it's much colder in heaven.
New Year's Eve
Despite my headache and lack of enthusiasm, we still celebrated the new year and made it all the way to midnight (although I offered several times to help them celebrate early).
Here are pictures of our activities.
We painted many sun catchers. This was a surprisingly fun activity. We still have a ton of paint left, so I may get more sun catchers for future activities.
This is when I told them to shout, "Happy New Year!" They did, but this is what I got out of it. They looked thrilled, don't they? That's what they get for insisting on staying up so late!
The next day the kids went out to play in the snow. This is Joseph's first time playing for very long at all. It sure didn't take him very long to figure out how to throw snowballs! Leah just ignored him. Either the aim was off or the throw wasn't very strong. He'll get better with practice!
He did practice a little on Nathan. :) 
Here are pictures of our activities.
We painted many sun catchers. This was a surprisingly fun activity. We still have a ton of paint left, so I may get more sun catchers for future activities.
We ate snacks. Joseph enjoyed some chocolate.
We watched a movie. I've already mentioned what I thought of this movie. It won't be one we add to our DVD library (which we hardly add to at all anyway).
We played some games. Actually, "we" did not play games. I blogged the old year out and everyone else played games. That is why there are no pictures of that part of the night.
We watched the ball drop on TV and threw streamers.
This is when I told them to shout, "Happy New Year!" They did, but this is what I got out of it. They looked thrilled, don't they? That's what they get for insisting on staying up so late!
The next day the kids went out to play in the snow. This is Joseph's first time playing for very long at all. It sure didn't take him very long to figure out how to throw snowballs! Leah just ignored him. Either the aim was off or the throw wasn't very strong. He'll get better with practice!
He did practice a little on Nathan. :)
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year
It's about 45 minutes before the new year arrives. And it's not only a new year, but a new decade. I've survived another year. Some days that seems to be a bigger miracle than others.
Currently, we are having our traditional marathon of games, snacks and fun while we wait for the clock to strike twelve. This year I'm having a hard time feeling the excitement. I've had an unfriendly headache most of the day. I was unable to catch a nap and now the headache is including my sinuses. I feel a pulsation in my nose as my head throbs. Happy stinkin' New Year!
So far tonight, we've painted sun catchers (Christmas presents), watched Marley and Me (not thrilled with the language in it or some of the situations...hoping my kids are too clueless to catch much, but that may be too naive of me), had some snacks (now my stomach is wondering if that was a good move), and Chad is now playing In A Pickle with the kids. I'm wondering how much of a party pooper I'd be if I snuck off to bed!
I tried to suggest that we call it a night, since most places are already in 2010, but the kids would have none of it. Even Daniel who was crying because his back hurt every time he coughed (who ever heard of that one?) wanted to wait until MST midnight.
Both Leah and Rebekah threw up tonight after a little coughing attack. Yuck. And they did it within an hour of each other. Fabulous. Sarah has started coughing again and her blocked tear duct is back as of her most recent illness. So I expect that ending the old year on a low note only means we have better things to look forward to in the new year.
I look forward to the coming year and all the memories it will leave for us as so many years have done before. I know not all memories will be pleasant ones, but I hope that they will all be seen as blessings in some form. I hope my regrets will be few and my accomplishments will be worthy. I pray that my family (near and far) will be healthy and at peace in their lives. And I hope that each day I will find that I have become a better person than the day before. (I hope you'll forgive me when you discover I didn't quite make it.)
So Happy New Year, everyone! When you find yourself passing through our little spot on the map, pause at our doorstep and let us welcome you in, even if just for a moment!
Currently, we are having our traditional marathon of games, snacks and fun while we wait for the clock to strike twelve. This year I'm having a hard time feeling the excitement. I've had an unfriendly headache most of the day. I was unable to catch a nap and now the headache is including my sinuses. I feel a pulsation in my nose as my head throbs. Happy stinkin' New Year!
So far tonight, we've painted sun catchers (Christmas presents), watched Marley and Me (not thrilled with the language in it or some of the situations...hoping my kids are too clueless to catch much, but that may be too naive of me), had some snacks (now my stomach is wondering if that was a good move), and Chad is now playing In A Pickle with the kids. I'm wondering how much of a party pooper I'd be if I snuck off to bed!
I tried to suggest that we call it a night, since most places are already in 2010, but the kids would have none of it. Even Daniel who was crying because his back hurt every time he coughed (who ever heard of that one?) wanted to wait until MST midnight.
Both Leah and Rebekah threw up tonight after a little coughing attack. Yuck. And they did it within an hour of each other. Fabulous. Sarah has started coughing again and her blocked tear duct is back as of her most recent illness. So I expect that ending the old year on a low note only means we have better things to look forward to in the new year.
I look forward to the coming year and all the memories it will leave for us as so many years have done before. I know not all memories will be pleasant ones, but I hope that they will all be seen as blessings in some form. I hope my regrets will be few and my accomplishments will be worthy. I pray that my family (near and far) will be healthy and at peace in their lives. And I hope that each day I will find that I have become a better person than the day before. (I hope you'll forgive me when you discover I didn't quite make it.)
So Happy New Year, everyone! When you find yourself passing through our little spot on the map, pause at our doorstep and let us welcome you in, even if just for a moment!
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