Things I Learned Today

I do NOT like it when a four year old says to me, "You're not the boss of me." Ummm, yes, I am indeed the boss of you. Now get in time out and stop hitting your classmates.

No matter how many times you tell 3 and 4 year old boys to stay out of the puddles, they will still walk right through the middle of every puddle on the playground.

In fact, if they are standing in the middle of a puddle and you tell them to get out of it, they will just stare at you like they've never heard the English language before. Puddle? What is this "puddle" you speak of?

3 jackets does not = 1 coat. The mom who sends her 3 year old to school in 3 spring jackets instead of 1 winter coat does not have to put 10 coats on preschoolers 4 times a day. Three jackets means 4 extra sleeves to turn right side out and 2 extra zippers per recess. And, by the way, wearing three jackets doesn't mean your child doesn't need gloves. Unless he wears one jacket and wraps the other two around his cold, pink hands.

Avatar totally copied Ferngully. The kids watched Ferngully today at rest time and I was surprised at the similarities. Human male changes into native forest inhabitant. Female rescues him from local fauna. Bad guys in bulldozers. Talking trees. Glowing flora. Basically the only difference is that in Ferngully they have wings instead of tails.

Blessed Sunday

Today I was blessed to be able to take a nap with Josh. It's been a long, long time since he's taken a nap with me. I remember like it was yesterday the days I would lay on my side on my bed and tuck him under my arm next to me. I remember the feel of his tiny, newborn body and the smell of his sweet head. And the joy and contentment of being a new mom. Today he wasn't tucked under my arm. He can almost tuck me under his. And he doesn't smell the same. But that mom feeling? It was the same. Maybe even more so.

Ramblings

I am surviving without a microwave. It's tricky to cook without an oven or a microwave, but we've had hot meals every night thanks to the crock pot, deep fryer, and stove top.

Thursday I had to run into Target and took Julianna to the toy department. I was intending to buy her one of those little Furreal puppies that the girls at school have and she loves so much. She picked one out but then when we got to the My Little Pony aisle she wanted a pony instead. She chose a purple one and gladly gave back the puppy. Whatever she wanted was fine with me. Besides, the pony was half the price of the puppy. When we got home, she took her pony in to show her daddy. "Daddy, look at my birthday present," she said. (Umm...it's not your birthday, little girl.) He looked at the pony and said, "Oh, is it a My Little Pony?" "No," she replied, "it's MINE."

One morning on the way to school, Josh was helping Adam study for his spelling test. One of his words was miraculous, but Josh pronounced it miracle-iss. Adam said, "It's mirAculous. Not like 'Jesus was a miraclist.'" So like Adam.

Speaking of driving to school, we saw moose three mornings this week. Three one day and one each of the other two. What a place we live in!

I learned this week that you are only supposed to put one space between a period and the next sentence. What?!?! That is not what I learned in high school typing! And I totally just had to backspace once after that exclamation point.

I bought a new cup this week. I love it. It's the Aladdin To Go Tumbler. Just what I've been looking for. It's hard plastic with a lid and straw. And it has two layers so it doesn't sweat all over my desk. It's perfect for ice water. And it was clearanced at Target! It is this one.

I've discovered yet more joys to having a daughter this week. Among them are playing with girly toys like dolls and ponies and Littlest Pet Shops. (Which I would have totally loved when I was little. And kinda love now.) And buying pink and/or sparkly things. And watching princess movies.

I've even been looking for a Littlest Pet Shop horse for my...ummm, I mean Julianna's, collection.
Have a great Saturday! I'm off to watch Snow White with my daughter.

Show and Tell

This is my puppy and she's very special to me and her name is Heartflower and I like her a lot and she's a girl and she's very special and I got her at my friend's birthday party and he was turning one.

These are my puppies that I got for my birthday from my friend that I haven't saw for a long, long time. They're named Hailey and Puppy and this one is a girl and this one is a boy and they can do this. ("This" is to sit on her head.) Actually this one is named.............hmmm.............ummm..............Parley. And it's a girl, they're both girls, and I like them a lot and they're so cute.

This is my ds with a kitty game and I also have Walk Around the World and it's special and the Dora one is special but not that special--E. do you have a ds? Okay I'll give the Dora one to you.--and I just know that's its fair to share and I just thought that this one would maybe be a really good one and also it's a really good game and--Z. is really funny--and I went with my aunt and this is my show and tell and she bought that ds game for me and also I really wanted a xbox but everyone voted on Triple Play and I really like games but Triple Play was funner and it was a Christmas present from my aunt and--I have to say that Z. is so funny--and I just love it so much and it was just...and I got another pillow pet and its name is Molly and I have the same two pillow pets as Simone and Molly is my ladybug pillow pet and that's it.

These are my Littlest Pet Shops. I really like them and they are very special to me and I ordered this one and I got this one and I found this one and they're very special to me and they're very special to me and they're all girls and this one is Tigerlily and this one is Raina and this one is Squeaky and this one has rainbows around it and clouds and this one comes with a bubble head and it has a little cute tail like Z.'s hamster and her tail is very special and this one is very, very special to me and she has very sharp teeth and she has like little hairs coming out and a really wiggly tail and my hamster haves really tiny ears and one tooth and I really like it and that's it.

These are my Pet Shops and I have a kitten and I have my seal and there's so much accessories. I have a lot of accessories and Z. wants to trade and they are really special to me and this is something that goes on the head and then she can sing and this is the shower that A. plays with and the pet shops sing in it and this is the mirror and I bend it like this so it's like a sit down mirror and this is the hanger for all the things and this is a flower and its wooden kinda and this is a little hair brush and this is the blanket and I sometimes put it on my nose like I did with my sticker and it's really special to me and this is my favoritest seal and these two are best friends and they love each other and they are really nice and they won't bite--they're just toys--and I pretend they're real but they're just toys and the tiger comes up and says...nothing. And they are really special and they're so cute and they are really best friends and they like me so much...and I love A. the most. (A. is the only boy in class.)

This is my Zhu Zhu and it's very special and his name is Squeaky because he squeaks a lot and he's very special and I got it for Christmas and I always sleep with him and that's it.

This is my Barbie and I love her very much and my mom buyed it for me and she can sing and I always sleep with her.

Bonus show and tell: A.'s mom brought in their new puppy. The second most adorable chocolate lab puppy I've ever seen! The girls in class were oohing and aahing over her when Z. said, "She's so cute I could just marry her!" A. replied, "You can't marry her...you're a girl and she's a girl." No mention of the human/puppy issue.

Wednesday WORD

2 Timothy 1:7 (from various versions)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

Heaters and ovens and microwaves, Oh My

A week and a half ago, one of the heaters in the living room stopped working. Then last Wednesday, the element in my oven went out halfway through cooking a pizza. Then Sunday night my microwave quit. No big deal about the heater. The working one keeps us warm. And the oven? Besides pizza what do I need it for? But the microwave? How did our grandmothers survive without one? So early Monday morning I called Sears to see what to do about it. Luckily we bought the extended warranty and it's still covered. So I was given my agreement number and told to take it to our nearest Sears store for a replacement. Cool. I can do that. So I took it to Sears, waited for a while to be helped, waited for another while for the girl to figure out what was going on, waited another while when she called the warranty place, and was then told that my microwave had to be sent away to see if it could be fixed or if it should be replaced depending on the cost effectiveness of the repair. Wait a minute. Sent away? Repaired? So I sighed a little, didn't say what I was thinking, and took my broken microwave to receiving to schedule a repair. And I waited. The guy finally came out and told me that they had to send it to Seattle and that they'd let me know the verdict. It should be back by February 3rd. "So how am I supposed to cook popcorn for the next 2 and a half weeks," I asked. He didn't think that was nearly as funny as I did. Maybe he thought I was serious. He probably gets yelled at a lot. But not having a microwave for 2 weeks? If that's the worst thing that happens to me this week I'll be happy. And if they do end up sending it back from Seattle, do you think I could get them to fill it with Ivar's fish and chips? That would make me double happy.

So in over thinking (like I usually do) this whole appliance failure thing, I think I've learned a lesson. I've been a little angry at God lately and let him know it. Maybe he's showing me, somehow, that I should let it go. Give it to him. He takes such good care of me. And he loves me. And everything will be okay if I just wait. Just like I have to wait for my tea water to heat up in a kettle on the stove.

Someday Too

Someday I will wake up to an alarm clock instead of a sweet little voice saying, "Mommy. Hey, mommy!" Someday I will go to the bathroom and look for little fingers to peek under the door and not see them. Someday I will sit on the couch and be cold because I will not have a kid or two or three sitting next to me or on my lap. Someday I will sit on that same couch with no one to tell me how they don't want to get up because it's so comfortable using me as a pillow. Someday I will watch tv and miss the best parts because no one will say, "Mom, did you see that?! Rewind! Rewind!" Someday I will go to bed without having read picture books, sang songs, tucked anyone in, or laid next to snuggly little bodies. Someday it will be too clean and too quiet. Someday. But not today.

Someday

Someday my house will be clean and stay that way for longer than 2 1/2 minutes. Someday I will only have to worry about if I need to go potty. Someday I will cut apple slices and peel oranges and eat them myself. Someday I will be able to watch movies that are not animated. Someday I will open the pantry and not have fruit snacks and granola bars and Lucky Charms fall on me. Someday I will walk through the living room and not have to step over Legos and Pokemon cards and plastic horses and sippy cups. Someday I will have time to read something other than Biscuit's New Friend and Dora's Birthday Surprise. Someday I will pour a glass of Diet Coke and not have to hide it or share it. Someday. But not today.

10 Things Thursday

10 great things about snow days.

1. Snow days are like getting a bonus. You don't know they're coming so it makes them that much sweeter.
2. Nothing is planned. You were supposed to be at school, so nothing else is scheduled. Nowhere to be. Nothing to do.
3. It's the perfect excuse to stay in the house all day.
4. And a perfect day to stay in pajamas all day. (Not like I need a snow day for that, though.)
5. Lots of free time to snuggle under a blanket with a cup of chai latte and a good book.
6. All day long to play with and love on the cutest little 2 year old in the whole world.
7. Time to catch up on all those hours of dvred shows with the family.
8. Time to catch up on a few chores that tend to get missed in real life.
9. Not having to drive on treacherous roads.
10. A nap. A long, sweet nap.

Tragic

Every time some tragic event happens like the one in Tucson last week, it makes me sad. So sad. Not only for those who lost their lives or are fighting for them at this very second. Not only for the mommies and daddies who are grieving lost children. Not only for those who will never again be able to hug the someone they love most in the world. But sad, too, for the senselessness of it all. I've thought to myself in times like these, "What could possibly possess someone to do such a thing?" And that's just it. They are possessed. Possessed by demons either real (scary, I know) or in their heads.

During the discussions about this latest tragedy in Tucson, the subject of mental illness has come up. The thing about mental illness is if you've never experienced it, you can't comprehend it. And even if you've been through it with a loved one but haven't lived it yourself, you can't fully understand. The words "mental illness" sound so scary. That's how they describe those people in institutions or wandering the streets muttering to themselves. Not someone like me. A wife and mom and daughter and sister and teacher and Christian. How could I have suffered from "mental illness?" But if you look at the definition of mental illness you find this:

any of various conditions characterized by impairment of an individual's normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused by social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, or other factors, such as infection or head trauma; any of various psychiatric disorders or diseases, usually characterized by impairment of thought, mood, or behavior.

Abnormal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning? Check. Environmental factors? Check. Impairment of thought, mood or behavior? Check. And yes, it was scary. Scary in my head. Scary to deal with the symptoms. Scary to see how it affected those in my life. Scary to admit the problem. Scary for those going through it with me. Just scary. Throughout my troubles I never ever in a million years thought of hurting anyone else. But I am fully aware that my brain was not working the way it should. I had other thoughts that were not "normal" and know all too well that when you are completely out of control of your thinking, anything can happen. Does being mentally ill mean you aren't held responsible for your behavior? No. Does it mean you can do whatever you want without consequences? Certainly not. But really, I can't help but feel sympathy for anyone who suffers with mental illness, either temporary and curable, or chronic and harder to control.

The senseless part of it is that there is help. It's just that it's so hard to recognize and then admit that there's a problem that you need help with. And so often I think that those around someone who needs help are afraid to say anything. "I think you have a mental illness." Yikes. I don't want to be the one to say that to someone. I know there are other ways to say it. More loving ways. More helpful ways. And I hope that all those who know someone suffering with mental illness will have the courage, and the kindness, to help them in whatever way they can.

I am grateful every day, every single day, that I'm better. My struggles with anxiety, panic disorder, and depression were the hardest days of my life. And surely ones I never want to repeat. But I am also grateful for the hard won understanding for those who also struggle in this way. I don't claim to know anything beyond what I lived. But what I lived gives me a tiny glimpse into the minds of those with mental illness. I no longer judge. I no longer shake my head in disbelief. I'm just sad. Sad for them, those who love them, and those who are forever changed because of them. And I hope and pray that someday anyone who suffers in this way can get help without shame or fear...or insurance.

Lost and Found

Have you ever wondered what babies dream about? I have. But how could Julianna, at 2 1/2 years old possibly understand, let along describe, her dreams? But this morning, she did just that. When I went in to get her out of bed, she told me that she tried to cover her "Huggy Buggy" (a stuffed purple butterfly) with her pink blanket but it was lost outside her crib.* But that she then found it and put it back in her bed and covered it up. It took me a minute to realize that she was telling me about something she dreamed. (She can't get out of her crib and even if somehow she did, she couldn't get back in. She's tried.) It was so matter of fact, the way she said it. Her little brain doesn't know real from dreams. To her, Huggy Buggy was lost and then found. Oh, to have baby dreams. So simple and harmless. Meaning nothing more than a lost toy. Not like the dream I had last night about a Greek god-like giant with a whip turning everything around me to stone. Weird. I know. And I don't even want to know what it means. It can't be good.


*Yes, my daughter still sleeps in a crib even though she's old enough to be in her big girl bed. I know it's time, but I think I'm fighting with the idea of my last baby turning into a big girl. Maybe soon she'll move into her lovely, handmade big girl bed. Maybe not.

10 Things Thursday

10 fines for silly crimes. (From MSN.com.)

Anyone who's gotten a traffic ticket knows how frustrating it can be. But considering the $290,000 speeding ticket issued in January 2010 in Switzerland, where traffic fines are calculated based on the offender's wealth, you might consider yourself lucky. Read on for some of the silliest reasons people have gotten tickets.

1. Swedish law says the court can disapprove of names that aren't suitable for "some obvious reason." In 1996, a couple was fined 5,000 kronor (about $755 today), for not having named their five-year-old son. They named him Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (pronounced "Albin") in protest. The court rejected the name and upheld the fine.

2. Everyone knows drinking and driving is a huge no-no, but what about doing your hair while stuck in traffic? In England, it's a good way to have a brush with the law. Stephen Lynch of Hertfordshire was slapped with a £30 ticket (about $48 today) after a cop claimed he was grooming his mane for at least 20 to 30 seconds without focusing on the road.

3. Daniel Horne was walking home when a police car drove onto the pavement and crushed his foot in Beddau, South Wales. After the cops took him to the hospital, Horne was issued an £80 fine (about $127 today), for denting said vehicle in the collision.

4. In England, driver Michael Mancini was hit with a £60 fine (about $95 today) for grabbing a tissue while at the wheel. The policeman (nicknamed "PC Shiny Buttons" due to his overzealous approach to the job) claimed Mancini was not in proper control of his vehicle while he blew his nose. “I thought they were joking,” the driver has said of the ridiculous incident.

5. Looks like social media has gotten the better of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. The player was fined $25,000 by the NFL for posting updates to his Twitter account during the team's 2010 preseason game versus Philadelphia. (The league bans social media on game days from 90 minutes before kickoff until after postgame interviews.)

6. In 2007, a six-year-old girl faced a $300 fine in Brooklyn, New York, for decorating the sidewalk in front of her home with chalk drawings. Her neighbors reported the so-called vandalism, and the girl's parents received a letter from the Department of Sanitation warning them to remove the graffiti from their property.

7. After Vandana Gurjar filed for divorce from her husband, a court in central Madhya Pradesh, India, slapped her with a sizable fine — 200,000 rupees (about $4,524 today) — for saying her ex was impotent. Gurjar's husband felt the accusation "rendered him unmarriageable and sullied his prestige," so in retaliation the shamed fellow sued her for defaming his manhood.

8. If you're visiting Singapore, where cleanliness is maintained by famously strict laws, be sure to double-check the toilet before you exit the bathroom. Failure to flush can leave you saddled with a $150 fine.

9. In what his neighbors have called "Cabbagegate," Steve Miller of Clarkson, Georgia, was fined $5,200 for growing too many vegetables in his backyard. The farmer had been growing veggies and selling them at local markets for 15 years, but the police fined him because it's illegal to grow that much food where he lives.

10. Keep your amore under wraps if you find yourself motoring around Eboli, Italy. This particular town in the notably passionate nation has outlawed kissing in cars, and violators face a jaw-dropping €500 fine (about $699 today).

Happy...

Today is I's birthday. She is turning 6. It's very exciting when you're turning 6. And there's cupcakes. Always cupcakes. With tons of frosting and sprinkles and some kind of little plastic thing on the top. I's little plastic thing is a balloon that says Happy Birthday. And today looks much like all the other birthday celebrations in our kindergarten class. Except that I. isn't your average kindergartner. As soon as she walked in this morning, she looked at me and said expectantly, "Happy?....." "Oh, yeah," I replied, "Happy birthday!" From then on she did that to all of her classmates and a few of the teachers. It was so funny. And so like her. So happy birthday, I., and many, many more.

And by the way, I'm totally doing that same thing on my birthday.

First Day Back

I just have to say that I made it through the first day back to school after Christmas vacation. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to change out of my pjs. I didn't want to drive the icy roads. I didn't want to go over blend ladders again. I didn't want to. But I did. And I'll do it all over tomorrow. And I might not want to, but I'll be glad I can.

Happy New Year!

Last night as I lay in bed at 1ish,* I felt for the first time in years, actually excited for the beginning of a new year. After a few years of more downs than ups, I'm ready for a fresh start, one way or another. I'm looking forward to a year of changes for the better.** So I fell asleep with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.

Then at 4:30 Jules woke up coughing and wanted to snuggle so I did what all mommies do, I got up and got her out of bed and headed to the couch for a few minutes of comfort. As I walked down the hall I noticed that the dogs, who were in because of the freezing temperatures, had gotten one of Julianna's toys and I knew that if Piper had a chance, she'd chew it up. So I sat Jules down on the couch and walked into the kitchen to move the toy out of reach. Just as I went to kick the toy away from the puppy, I realized that I was standing in something wet...at that same moment my feet slipped out from under me and I fell with a hard thud onto the kitchen floor. Into a puddle of...wait for it...puppy pee.

All I can say is, if the beginning of my new year is any indication of how the rest of the year will go, I'll just be in my room until 2012. Really, falling in a puddle of pee can't be a good sign.

*I was up past midnight mostly because we were watching movies. Avatar, which I liked a lot more than I expected. Maybe liked it even enough to buy it for our collection. And to see the next one at the theater. And The A Team, which I'm not ashamed to admit, I loved. Bradley Cooper is a really good Face.

**Please pray for a new job possibility that Arrty has right now. We really, really, really want this job. Please pray. And then pray again. Thanks.

10 Things Thursday

10 things about Christmas vacation.

1. I love it. I love not getting up to an alarm clock other than the one that says, "Hey, mommy," over the baby monitor.
2. We put our Christmas tree up the Friday after school got out. I know that seems late to some people, but it's perfect for me. It's a great way for me to officially declare that I'm ready for Christmas. And it was so much fun to decorate with Julianna this year. She loved looking at all the different ornaments and putting them on the tree. She has also given herself the job of turning on the tree lights every morning as soon as she gets up since she and I are usually the first ones up.
3. I had a great time making Christmas gifts. I made two clocks, 6 frames, a snack tray, a cup cozy, a pen holder, a ribbon shirt with hair clip to match, a treasure box, 5 calendars, peppered pecans, and 3 batches of strawberry jam.
4. Christmas Eve we went to church with my parents and my sister's family where we sang and prayed together. Then back to mom and dad's for West Virginia sandwiches and homemade fries and lots of yummy desserts including homemade cream puffs, no-bake cookies, birds in a nest cookies, lemon bars, rice crispy treats, and buckeyes, which is the official name for this particular dessert. Then we got new jammies. Which I love, love, love.
5. Christmas morning was wonderful. The boys know the routine and were great teachers for Jules. When we got up and were walking down the hall, Adam said, "Mom, is dad going to read the Christmas story before we open our stockings?" "Well," I answered, "he could do it after we open them." "NO. He has to do it first. That's how we do it." Adam wasn't asking to try to put off the reading of Matthew. He was asking to make sure we were sticking with our tradition. I loved that so much. And we did read the wonderful story of Jesus' birth before we opened any presents.
6. There is nothing better than Christmas with a two year old. The boys are still fun and still get excited about their gifts, but oh my goodness, Julianna was sooo excited. She loved every present and wanted to play with everything before she opened her next package. Arrty could hardly keep up with her as he took each baby doll and the tiny pieces that went with them out of the boxes. And how much did I love playing babies with Julianna? I've done Legos and cars and Bakugan and Transformers. And this year I got to do babies and Littlest Pet Shop! Woo hoo!
7. Christmas day afternoon we were back and mom and dad's to open more presents with them and my sister's family. We tried to do one present at a time. That worked for one round I think. Then the kids, especially the girls, couldn't wait. The homemade gifts were a hit again this year. It's a great tradition. As is our new tradition of prime rib for Christmas dinner. Mmmmm. Especially with Ada's loaded mashed potatoes and cream corn, mom's green bean casserole and cooked carrots, and my pink stuff and homemade crescent rolls. I could go for a plate right now, as a matter of fact.
8. After the busy week before Christmas, I was looking forward to a relaxing second week of vacation. And that's what it's been. Reading and movies and playing with the kids. (Except for Monday when I was sick with some kind of stomach bug. Ugh.) I can't count how many hours I've played games with the boys and followed Julianna around doing whatever she wanted to do. I have loved spending so much time with her. She is growing up so fast. Turning into a little girl right before my eyes. A little girl who says things like "actually" and "of course" and "let's pretend..."
9. And speaking of growing up, she has also been potty training. One thing about being of advanced maternal age is that I'm way relaxed about things like potty training. She wasn't interested during the summer so we waited until now. And she is doing really well. She is so proud of herself and loves all the clapping and cheering I do to encourage her. Could I have pushed her earlier? Probably. But why would I want her, my very last baby, to grow up any faster than she already is. Her last diaper, or pull-up, will be my last one, too.
10. Did I mention that I love vacation? I do. I really, really do.

I'm still here.

Still recovering from Christmas. And snowed in at the moment. But here, none the less.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Just thought I'd check in this morning. It's been a busy but wonderful first 3 days of vacation. Monday was spent cleaning house and taking the boys to the dentist. (No cavities! Woohoo!) Tuesday we celebrated my lovely sister's birthday with dinner, cake, and gifts at mom and dad's. And I had another good day yesterday watching movies and visiting with some more of my favorite people in the whole wide world. Today will be spent finishing (hopefully) last minute Christmas crafts and wrapping the gifts hiding under a blanket in my bedroom. And hoping that the boys' big gift gets here in time for the big day.

Hope you have a great Christmas Eve eve.

Phew!

I survived. I made it through the week before Christmas vacation with kindergartners. It's not easy, let me tell ya. They are always on hyper-drive, but this time of year they are on double hyper-drive. Everything is Santa and presents and candy canes and tinsel. They are doing all kinds of fun, exciting holiday stuff at home and the energy carries on into the classroom. But after so many years teaching kindergarten, I'm ready for it. And we all made it through and had some fun on the way.

I also had the pleasure of teaching Bible class this week. (We combine preschool through 2nd grade and have one big Bible class with four teachers taking turns teaching.) I was glad to get to teach the story of the birth of Jesus. Most of my students have heard the story so many times that they could teach the class. They know all about the angels and the shepherds and Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. So I tried to make it fresh. I used picture cards to tell the story the first time and then reviewed the next day adding more to it. But as we reviewed, it went something like this:

"Then the angel came to Mary and said, 'I have good news. Your pizza is here!'"
"NO! She's going to have a baby."
"Ohhh. That's right. A baby. Then Mary and Joseph headed to New York for the census."
"NO! Bethlehem!"
"Bethlehem. Right. When they got there they started to look for McDonald's."
"NO! The inn."
"Oh, yeah. The inn. They found the inn and they had lots of rooms left."
"NO! There were no rooms!"
"Oh, that's right, no rooms. So they had to stay at the mall."
"NO! In the stable!"
"The stable. Right. Then baby Jesus was born and they put him in a nice, warm crib."
"NO! The manger."
"The manger? Really?"
"YES!"

The kids thought it was great fun teaching the teacher. And hopefully they got the idea and don't go home telling their parents that Mary and Joseph went to McDonald's.

We also had our school Christmas play this week. Adam was Joseph and Josh was a donkey seller. The cutest Joseph and donkey seller ever, if I do say so myself. It was really cute. My class was angels and we only had one angel robe over the head and one lost halo. Not bad. The parents love it, and that's what matters.

Then yesterday we had a little party for our class. There were lots of treats and goodies. It was fun to share in the excitement of the season with my class who love it so much.

And last night when we got home, we decorated our Christmas tree. I like to wait until school's out for vacation to decorate. I'm just never quite ready until then. The kids have been wanting to put up the tree since Thanksgiving, so we told them we'd do it the last day of school. And that's what we did. Julianna had so much fun looking at everything. The rest of us have seen all the ornaments before, but it's the first year she's really been able to join in the fun of the tree. And it's lovely with all the hodge podge of ornaments and snowflakes and icicles.

So here I am today, with a semi-short list of things to do and a whole Saturday with absolutely nothing planned. It's the perfect start to a two week vacation.

Treats

Today is National Cupcake Day. Who knew? If I would have known yesterday, I would have made cupcakes for you all. But since I didn't, this one will have to do.

Happy National Cupcake Day!

Santa Mode

So this morning Kathy walked into my classroom and it was kindergarten chaos. I had just asked them to line up and well, they weren't listening. Instead they were chattering and bouncing. She gave me a look that said, "What's going on in here?" Or maybe, "I thought MY class was bad." "Watch this," I said. "Who put up your Christmas tree this weekend?" 8 little hands shot up. I knew it. I can tell when the tree goes up at home. Might as well start vacation now. They are in Santa mode.

Catch up

After 30 straight days of posting, I guess I needed a little break. I started a few posts but just wasn't in the mood. So in case you're wondering what I have been up to, here's a synopsis of my week.

Saturday--School craft fair. Sold some Avon. Went home and crashed.
Sunday--Church. Chinese food. Church children's Christmas party. Cookies. Crafts. Santa. Almost hit a deer on the way home.
Monday--Memorial service for an amazing 93 year old sister in Christ. Soup and salad for lunch. Took a nap (ahhh). Cleaned the house. Bible study group at our house.
Tuesday--School. Costco. Mom and dad's house. Home.
Wednesday--School. After school care duty. Bible class. Home.
Thursday--School. After school care duty. Target. Home.
Friday--School. Movie party for the entire student body. (Who's bright idea was that, anyway?) Cleaned up popcorn and Skittles. Helped make curtains. Costco (again). Dollartree. Mom and dad's house to pick up the boys. Home.
Today--Up at 6:03 with Jules. Sears. McDonald's with my sister, niece and nephew for breakfast and playland. Downtown. Figpickles. Gingerbread houses. Back to Figpickles. Dropped off nephew. Home.

There you have it. And in case you're wondering, I've also been mitzvahing.

Thank goodness it's Friday

I am exhausted. I've had a really long week and have had a sore throat for the past three days. When I get finished with work tonight, I will be setting up my booth for tomorrow's craft fair at our school. Then I can go home. And then be back at 8:00am tomorrow to hopefully sell a lot of Avon. If you're in our neighborhood, stop by and say hello and do a little shopping.

Today's Mitzvah: My class. We did lots of fun things today and played to learn. And they had free time after show and tell to play with what they brought.

10 Things Thursday

I had this "10 things on my Christmas list" post going for today and then got to #7 and couldn't think of anything else to add because I was thinking about all those people who would love to make lists but can't because they aren't going to be having much of a Christmas this year. Sometimes I have days when I feel sorry for myself because I have to work and my husband only works part time and can't find a decent full time job. Poor me. I have to get up every morning to go to work. But I have a job. Poor me. We barely make enough to pay our bills. But we pay our bills. Poor me. I can't go out to dinner this week. But I have plenty of food to cook at home. My poor kids. They're not getting that expensive video game they want for Christmas. They're only getting 3 gifts instead of 4. Poor, shmoor. We have a roof over our heads and working heat. We have a month's worth of food in our pantry and fridge. We all have warm coats and boots and gloves. And my kids have more toys than will ever get played with enough to wear them out. We are not poor. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Do we have financial struggles? Yes. Do I have to watch what I spend? Yes. Every day. Do we have everything we need and many of the things we want? Yes, yes, yes. We have been given so much over the past few years. This year I want to be a giver. So I'm not going to post a Christmas list today. I'm going to post "10 things I can do to give to others this Christmas season."

1. Donate to the food bank or food boxes at church.
2. Help wrap and deliver gifts from our church's Giving Tree.
3. Look around my house for unopened toys and gifts to share with others.
4. Choose a name for the Giving Tree to give to.
5. Join together with others (at work, at school, at church) to support a needy family.
6. Skip my weekly lunch out or trip to Dutch Bros. and give the savings away.
7. Encourage the children in my life to be givers.
8. Encourage the grown ups in my life to be givers.
9. Share what we have, whatever it might be, with those less fortunate.
10. Pray. Pray for those who need jobs. For those who are discouraged. For those who are in need. Just pray.

The great thing about this list is that YOU can do many of these things, too. Join me in finding a way to give.


Today's Mitzvah: Julianna. Today is her half birthday. She is two and a half years old. So I am going to give her a little pair of Dora socks (she loves socks) and a pair of purple, sparkly slippers (she loves shoes, too). Happy Half Birthday, Sweet Girl.

Chain, chain, chain

For the last several years I have bought the kids these little cardboard advent calendars. You open one door each day to get a little piece of chocolate to count down the days until Christmas. They really liked them. But this year I didn't see them when I was shopping so didn't think to buy them. Until last night on my way home. But it was sort of a blizzard and I had a half an hour drive home so I wasn't stopping for anything. (Except a chai latte. My yummy new friend from Dutch Bros.) So last night as I lay in bed, I was thinking of how I could make my own advent calendar with treats each day. And I had a great idea. (Many of my great ideas come while I'm trying to fall asleep. Hmmm.) I thought that I could make a construction paper chain with numbers 1 through 24 on one side and a riddle or hint written on the inside leading the kids to somewhere in the house where their treats would be hidden. Fun. Free. (Because I have enough treats stashed in the pantry and at school to give 3 each day and not even notice.) Brilliant. So this afternoon while my students were having rest time and watching Toy Story (again), I made my chain. And much to my relief, I was able to think of 24 places to hide treats and 24 clever hints to lead to them. After dinner tonight, I introduced Josh, Adam, and Julianna to the chain. They loved the idea! Woohoo! Here it is.

And here's today's hint: Some people say I'm slow, but I can win a race even against a rabbit.

Any guesses?

The more links I added, the more excited I got about this little activity. (I also started making a list of the hiding places in order so that I didn't have to try to remember what I was thinking for day 22.) I hope it is as fun as it has started out to be. And I really hope I remember to hide the next day's treats every night.

By the way, this was today's mitzvah. My something special for someone special.

30 in 30

This, my dear readers, is my 30th and final NABLOPO post. I did it! I actually posted every day during November. And it wasn't even as hard as I thought. Granted some of my posts were short and not in the least bit informative/entertaining/moving/brilliant. But there's always tomorrow.

Which, by the way, starts Mitzvah December. Here are the Mitzvah rules. Okay, so there are no rules. But here are a few things I do.

1. The mitzvah has to be something I wouldn't do already. My sister's birthday is December 21st so giving her a gift on that day doesn't count because I'd do that anyway. (Notice how I dropped that information in there, Ada?) Ditto for Christmas gifts.
2. The mitzvah should be planned ahead of time. But not so much that spontaneous mitzvahing is stifled.
3. The mitzvah should be meaningful. If I gave Kathy some tomatoes and a raspberry smoothie it would not be an act of kindness. Now coffee and chocolate. That would be a mitzvah for her.
4. The mitzvah should be explained when appropriate. I plan to do some anonymous mitzvahing, too.
5. The mitzvah should cost very little if anything. It's truly the thought that counts.

I can hardly wait to get started.

Have a terrific Tuesday and if you are in North Idaho, be careful out there in the winter weather.

Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for children's prayers. They are so honest and open and wonderfully full of faith and love when they talk to God. It makes me happy and I know it makes him happy, too.

Gloves

I would be so very appreciative is someone would figure out a way to keep the inner lining of kid's gloves in the fingers of said gloves. I spend several minutes of my life everyday trying to fit little fingers into gloves whose lining is not where it should be. And several more minutes trying to explain to the owner's of those little fingers that it is not, in fact, the way I'm pulling their gloves on but the gloves themselves causing the trouble.

Oh, and while you're at it, could you install some kind of locaters in kid's gloves, too. I'm already tired of accompanying kindergartners to the "lost and not found."

Blessed Sunday

Over the past few days I have been blessed by spending time with my family. A lot of time. We watched movies, played games, and ate turkey and pumpkin pie. Most of the time has been restful. But there have been moments when the extended time together and close proximity to each other has been a little stressful. Like when the kids couldn't decide on which movie to watch. Or when Chewie kept accidentally shooting R2 during a serious game of Lego Star Wars on the Wii. But there have also been those moments like when my sweet daughter lay giggling with Adam as they snuggled together to watch a movie. And when Josh sat and held my hand for the longest time just to be close to me. And when the five of us laughed and played and loved each other. And there have been those moments when I just take a deep breath and smile. Those moments that I treasure in my heart. Those moments that happen and I'm not sure how I got here. To be this person who's been a wife for 18 years and a mommy for 11. But here I am. And it's a blessing.

Get a clue.

I played Clue with the boys last night. It would go a lot faster if they wouldn't act out each suggestion with the tokens and weapons. Who knew that the red Miss Scarlett piece could hold a revolver?


Today's thanksgiving thought:

I'm thankful that the boys in the family are in charge of snow removal. As much as I hate washing dishes, at least I'm warm when I wash them.

White Friday

I am heretofore declaring the Friday after Thanksgiving as "White Friday." The complete opposite of "Black Friday." If you are one of those people who goes out at 4am to shop on this Friday, I hold no ill will against you. I do, however, think you're a little crazy. I looked at the ads yesterday and saw exactly 3 things I would have bought had I gone shopping today. And one of those I can get tomorrow when we go into town for Thanksgiving Dinner #5. So even though my Christmas budget is very strict this year, saving $10 was not in the least bit worth braving the weather and the crowds.

Now on to "White Friday." Here's what I'm going to do to celebrate.

1. Cook a turkey since we ate at mom and dad's yesterday. I love leftovers and so I will cook Thanksgiving dinner at our house today. (#4, by the way.)
2. Watch movies and eat popcorn and drink soda. Any movie is fine. Whatever we can all agree on.
3. Read. I am at the moment reading a book of short stories by O. Henry. And Emma by Jane Austin. (Yes, I sometimes read more than one book at a time.)
4. Work on my Christmas list. It's already started, but I now have a few handmade gift ideas to add. (I love our family's new tradition of handmade gifts.)
5. Organize gifts I've already bought. Mostly stuff for the kids and stocking stuffers.
6. Fill out my Mitzvah calendar while enjoying the perfect cup of Earl Grey.
7. Take pictures of the kids playing outside in the snow. It will hopefully be warm enough today.
8. Hem Adam's snow pants. (Probably before #7 occurs.)
9. Decidedly NOT go shopping.

So basically, "White Friday" is a day to relax. A day to only do things I want to do. A day to spend at home surrounded by the ones I love. It's the very best kind of day.

10 Things Thursday

How can today's 10 things be anything other than 10 things I'm thankful for.

1. God. He is good and takes care of me inside and out.
2. My husband. He is my safe place.
3. My children. I love them more than I ever thought possible.
4. My family. Mom, dad, my sister and her family. They make days like today so very special.
5. A warm house. Where I know that my family can sleep tonight without a care in the world.
6. Good tires. Driving in the snow is not fun for me. It's good to know that I'm as safe as I can be.
7. My job. One day last week I found myself thinking, "I love my job." It hasn't always been that way.
8. Delicious food. Today was full of it.
9. Laughter. Today was also full of this.
10. You. Chances are that if you are reading this blog, you have somehow, sometime, enriched my life. Thanks.

Yeah, Minnie!

Last weekend I took Julianna to see Disney On Ice. (Adam was our date.) I wanted to take her, but didn't want to spend the extra money. But when she saw the commercial on tv and squealed and jumped and danced, I knew it would be worth it. So Saturday afternoon we headed to Spokane to see Mickey and Minnie as they celebrated all kinds of special days.

Not long now. Five minutes until showtime!

Lumiere inviting us to be their guests.
Lots of Disney friends. Who could possibly be in that giant cupcake?! It was Mickey and Minnie and friends. The cupcake led to an unbirthday party in Wonderland with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and their friends. This is a Mardi Gras celebration with the cast of The Princess and the Frog. (Which, by the way, is the Disney movie with the best music.)

Then Valentine's Day with Minnie, her Fairy Godmother and the Disney princesses.

The princesses.

Prince Mickey joining the fun.

Tiana and Prince Naveen.

Mulan and Li Shang.
Snow White and Prince Charming.
Jasmine and Aladdin. Belle and Beast. Ariel and Erik. Chinese New Year's festival. Japanese Cherry Blossom festival. Minnie--Julianna's favorite. Summer vacation in Hawaii with Lilo and Stitch. Hawaiian fire dancer. (Yes! There was fire on the ice!)
Sorcerer Mickey. Dancing brooms from Fantasia. They were kind of creepy. But not as creepy as Jack the Halloween king and his minions. The villains were kind of cool, though. Captain Hook, Cruella DeVille, Jafar, and several wicked stepmothers. More villains celebrating Halloween. Toy Story friends joined in the final celebration--Christmas! Santa Goofy. Mickey and Minnie on Santa's sleigh. Finale complete with pyrotechnics. Saying Goodbye.

It was such a fun time. Julianna loved it! (Except for the witches and brooms.) She loved Minnie the most and if you ask her about it, that's what she'll tell you about. I'm so glad I was able to take her and that Adam was able to share in the fun, too. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Thanksgiving Dinner #2*

Today at school, the PTO put on a full turkey dinner for all the students and families at our school. It's a tradition that has been happening for years. It was great. It's one of the few times during the year when almost all the parents join their kids at school. All but one of my students had someone come to share lunch with them. (She was temporarily adopted by another mom and was fine.) And I got to share the time with my family enjoying lunch, too. And now, in 51 short minutes, I will begin my much anticipated Thanksgiving break. And I must get home as soon as possible to perfect my cheeseball recipe for the 2nd Annual F. Family Cheese Off.

*Dinner #1 was at my turkey class a few weeks ago. It was good, too.

Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for active parents. Some parents are great supporters of the school and do so much for the students and staff. Here's a big shout out to Jackie and Patty. Ladies, you rock!

Snowy Days and Mondays

I was planning a trip to the grocery store after work today, but was not at all looking forward to it, and really began to dread it when I saw all the snow this morning. On days like this, when the roads are treacherous, I just want to get home as soon as possible. So I decided to take my hour of prep time today and run to the store. I got there, shopped, paid, and got back in just under an hour. Not bad considering I got all the necessities plus all the stuff for Thanksgiving dinner. And since I spent over $50, I got my turkey for 23 cents a pound. A twenty-two pounder for just over $5. What a deal!

Just as I pulled into the parking lot, though, I realized that I left my grocery list at school. Yikes. I worked on that list all weekend. So I grabbed a piece of paper I found in the car and scribbled down my list again hoping I would remember everything. And I did! The lists matched! I'm pretty sure it was a mini-miracle.

So I am all shopped for the holiday. (Except for the pumpkin pie that I'll get from Costco tomorrow.) And I'm so looking forward to the next few days. Ahh, Thanksgiving.

Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for people who actually return their shopping carts to the appropriate place instead of leaving them in the middle of the parking lot. Even when the parking lot is covered with snow.

Blessed Sunday

Remember last year when I did Mitzvah? It's a simple act of kindness. The way I did it was to print out a blank calendar and fill in each day with a name (or two or three) of someone to whom I would like to show an act of kindness. Sometimes it was a word. Sometimes a note. Sometimes a gift. The exercise of intentionally showing kindness every day was such a blessing. So I think I'll do it again. From December 1st through December 31st I will go out of my way to be kind to a specific person (or two or three). Join in the Mitzvah fun if you'd like. It's fun and its a blessing.

Catch Up

So I realized that I've not included thanksgiving thoughts for the last 8 days. I guess I forgot that I was supposed to be doing those each day. So here's 8 things I'm thankful for to catch up.

Hot chocolate--As hot drinks go, hot chocolate is tops. Followed by a good cup of Earl Grey tea as a close second.

A good pen--Preferably blue ink with a click top, not a cap. One that writes smoothly and doesn't smear. It gets bonus points if it's pretty.

Lists--Lists keep my life in order. Grocery lists, to-do lists, Christmas lists, lists of goals and books to read. Lists are good.

Fuzzy socks--I don't wear socks if I don't have to, but a comfy pair of fuzzy socks on a cold day is nice.

Silence--Silence is not a common occurrence in my life. There are very few moments when it's even a possibility. But that makes me appreciate it all the more when it does happen. I take a deep breath and enjoy every second.

Finishing a project--Is there any better feeling than completing a big project? Being able to stand back and look at what I've done and know it's finished creates such a feeling of relief and sense of accomplishment.

Cameras--I love to capture the moments of my life on film...or disk. And I have such cute subjects to photograph.

And today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for the coming week. 2 days of school with one being a day of celebration and then 5 glorious days to read and snuggle and watch movies and eat turkey and be thankful.

Note to self:

Do not take shoe loving toddler shoe shopping.


She wanted these.
And these.
And these.

What she got was these (except black and red).

I know, I know. They are not pink. But they were only $12.00. The pink ones were $33.00. I can't pay $21.00 for pink. But I'm not completely heartless. She also got these.

Payless is having their buy one get one for 1/2 price sale so I got them for $5.50. They have those cool red lights that light up when she walks. She loves them. She's so going to want to sleep in them tonight.

(The boys also got new boots. Yikes! Men's sizes cost way more than youth sizes. Hopefully they'll last two years.)

10 Things Thursday

10 things about today.

1. It snowed. I brushed at least two inches off the van this morning.
2. The boys do not have snow boots. I started to tell them to wear their boots, but then remembered that there is no way they can wear last year's boots. They've each grown at least a shoe size and a half since then.
3. When the first snow flies, kindergartners go crazy. It's like snow is sugar and they have all eaten handfuls before school.
4. The sun came out and melted the snow. Which is just fine with me.
5. I finished my report cards. Just in time for my parent/teacher conferences tomorrow.
6. I have not, however, done my assignment from last weekend's turkey class. I have to do a simple summary to earn my U of I credit.
7. We've done one turkey project. And I have at least two more planned for next week.
8. I was able to sing today. I couldn't yesterday.
9. Tonight is our last Dynamic Marriage class. I'll tell you all about it soon.
10. I looked at the leaked Black Friday ads online. I almost thought about shopping that day. Almost.

Word of the Day

Today's word: frustration.

Two For Tuesday

Two things Julianna said this morning.

"I do it myself!" Every mother's dream...and nightmare. It's a dream because it signals a little independence and maybe, just maybe, I won't have to put her socks on her for the rest of her life. And a nightmare because she always wants to do it herself when we have exactly 12 seconds to get out the door if we're going to be on time and it takes her a lot longer than 12 seconds to put on her socks. (She also wanted to put on her pull-up and then wear her pants pulled down around her knees so that you could see the princesses on her pull-up.)

"Mommy's so cute right now." She composed a song (of course) using this phrase over and over and over. It may have been the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

Report Cards

Doing report cards for kindergartners is hard. It's very subjective. There are no number grades at this point. Actually there are very few number grades the whole year. So I sit down with each student with a list of what I've taught so far and see what they know. Sometimes they know it all. Sometimes they struggle. But that's okay. This is kindergarten. We are just learning to learn.

Tonight I will fill out report cards based on my evaluations and the written work we've done. I'll see where my students are excelling and I'll see what we need to work on. Then on Friday I'll share that information with their parents at conferences and we'll continue on our journey.

And I'll write 9 times in the comments, "A pleasure to have in class." Just kidding. I'll only be writing that 8 times.

Blessed Sunday

Is it cheating on Blessed Sunday to just say that I'm blessed? Blessed to overflowing. Not my checking account. It certainly isn't overflowing. But so many other areas of my life are. And so I feel blessed.

Explanations...

...about yesterday's post.

Jules was feverish. All day Thursday, all day Friday and into this morning. She is much better now. Back to her old self--playing, laughing and being silly.

Arrty and the boys are almost done building the fence around a new run for the dogs. We wanted them to be together this winter to be able to play in the snow and sleep in the same house for extra warmth. It's almost done. Just a few finishing touches to the gate. I am so happy about this fence. I can't even tell you.

Last night and today I attended a Project Wild class called "Wild About Turkeys." Who knew there was so much to learn about wild turkeys? Did you know that turkeys make 28 different sounds? And you thought it was just "gobble, gobble." I actually missed the early morning turkey hunting session today because I stayed home to make sure Jules was okay. (There were no turkeys harmed in the hunt. It was just with cameras and binoculars.) She ended up going to the second half of today's class with me. She was great. She whispered and did her puzzles and colored. It was a great class. I have some new great ideas for this month.

The leftovers comment comes in from last night's dinner. The Fish and Game Department fed us a full turkey dinner last night as part of our class. Kathy and I were counting up the number of turkey dinners we were going to have this month. At least 5 for me. But, we decided, at least we wouldn't have leftovers from this first one. Alas, Jamie (who rocks the Cabela's cafe) came into our class and offered the leftovers to whoever wanted them. We gave everyone a chance to claim them, but when they didn't, we did. What could we do? So I came home with a to-go box full of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, a roll, and even a little cup of gravy. Leftovers after all.

It's been a busy, fun, exhausting weekend. And I didn't even mention the tea party yet.

Friday

Jules is feverish.
Fence is getting built.
Turkey class.
Leftovers.

More on all that later.

10 Things Thursday--Double Scoop

The top 20 movies as rated by Zagats.

20. Dr. Strangelove (1964)
19. Finding Nemo (2003)*
18. The Third Man (1949)
17. The African Queen (1951)*
16. The Pianist (2002)
15. All About Eve (1950)
14. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
13. Citizen Kane (1941)
12. It Happened One Night (1934)
11. Rear Window (1954)
10. Singin' In The Rain (1952)*
9. The Lady Eve (1941)
8. The Wizard of Oz (1939)*
7. Star Wars (1977)*
6. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)*
5. Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)*
4. Schindler's List (1993)
3. Casablanca (1942)*
2. The Godfather Part 2 (1974)
1. The Godfather (1972)

*The ones I remember seeing.

How many have you seen? What others should be included in this list? Any that shouldn't be on the list?


Today's thanksgiving thought:

I'm thankful that I get to be home today to catch up on to do lists.

A rose by any other name...

In a parenting magazine I was reading recently, I came across this poll.

Have you ever had second thoughts about your child's name?
Yes--44% No--56%

It made me think about my own children's names. Josh was named after he was born since we didn't know if he was a boy or a girl. We had a list of our top two names for both, but Joshua was #3 and didn't make the "hospital" list. I almost feel like he named himself. After staring at him for awhile, his name just was. Adam, on the other hand, was named before he was born, if only in my head. I knew that even though I thought of him as Adam, we'd have to meet him to see if it stuck. It did. And it didn't take long for either boy to become their names. I can't imagine them being anything other than Josh and Adam.

Julianna, coming into our family so much later, felt different all the way around. First we needed a semi-biblical name since the boys had biblical names. (It bugs me when Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have a sister named Savannah or Meghan or Tiffany.) And we wanted her name to start with an A or J to fit into the family mold. That limited our options, but there were still some good ones: Abigail, Ariel, Anna, Joanna, Julia, Jordan, Jezebel. (What?! You don't like Jezebel?) But I kept thinking of putting Julia and Anna together to make Julianna. Not a traditional Bible name, but still. We were definitely not certain of her name when we drove to the hospital on her birthday. We wanted to meet her and hold her and see who she was. I have to admit that I kind of loved the name Julianna Grace. It just sounded so good together. But I knew that it was a big name. And would need a little girl with a big personality to fill it. I hoped the little girl joining our family was just such a girl. Once all the commotion was over and it was just her, her daddy, and I in the hospital room, I held her and looked at her and somehow just knew that she was Julianna. And although it did take me a little while to get used to such a big name for such a tiny girl, I can't imagine her being anything but Julianna.

How about you? Any second thoughts?



Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for hope.

And just when I thought I'd heard it all...

A. (age 3): "Teacher, M. (age 6) just said she was going to kick my a**."

Oh. My. Goodness.



Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful that it is the 43rd day of school and I am on lesson 43 in my curriculum. Woohoo!

Cleanliness

I don't know how much time you've spent on an elementary school playground lately, but I've spent quite a bit. There's this thing that kids do on the swings and have for as long as I can remember. If two of them start swinging side by side at the same speed, they say, "You're in my shower," or "Get out of my shower." I don't know why. But it is better than several years ago before "shower" replaced "toilet."

Anyway, today at recess, Julianna was swinging next to one of my kindergartners. When they were swinging together, K. said to Jules, "You're in my shower." To which my new to the playground toddler replied, "No, I took a bath yesterday."

Today's thanksgiving thoughts:
(4 of them since I haven't included any on my posts since Thursday.)

I am thankful for high school theater. It makes me happy.
I am thankful for Saturdays. Mostly because sometimes I get a nap.
I am thankful for leftovers. It means I don't have to cook dinner.
I am thankful for my sweet niece, Abby. Her hugs everyday make my day.

Blessed Sunday

There are lots of little traditions that our family does on different occasions throughout the year. We watch the Peanuts holiday movies on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We follow the Irish tradition of putting candles in all our windows at Christmas. On Valentine's Day we go to the store, pick out cards for each other, read them and then put them back. On the first day that the temperature hits 70 after a long winter, we roll down the windows in the car and yell, "We love 70!" to any and all who care. On Christmas Eve, Arrty reads the Christmas story from one of the gospels after we get home from my folks' house where every year we eat West Virginia sandwiches and open one present containing new pajamas.

And on the day when the time changes and we "fall back" an hour, instead of sleeping in that extra hour, we get up at regular time and spend it going out for breakfast. So that's what we did today. Adam, Julianna, and I shared the Huevos Grande; a ham, bacon, and cheese omelet, home fries, and biscuits and gravy. It was grande. We all got full and still brought some home. It's really fun and like all those little traditions, it has become a blessing that creates memories for our family.

Paying Dues

Every once in a while some kids at school will form a club. In kindergarten it's usually something like the Unicorn Club where the only rules are that you have to love unicorns and no boys allowed. Or the Pink Club where the only rule is that you have to wear something pink everyday. That rule negates the necessity for the "no boys" rule. Those clubs are mostly fun. Unless someone who wants in is excluded.

But there are some clubs that we join without wanting to. Clubs that we are a part of because of who we are or what we've been through. Clubs with others like us. Others with whom we share something. Something we'd rather not share. I've had this club idea for a while since that episode of Grey's Anatomy where George's dad dies. And Cristina tells him that he's in the Dead Dads Club. She says, "You're not in it 'til you're in it." That's how some clubs work. We're not asked to join. We don't sign on any line. And yet we find ourselves a member. And we're not in it 'til we're in it.

I am an unwilling member of the Crazy Club, whose members have gone through anxiety/panic/depression. I don't mean to make light of it in any way by calling it crazy. But that's how it feels to me. I was initiated into this club a few years ago after my car accident and struggling with post traumatic stress. Which led to severe panic attacks and anxiety disorder and deep depression. The thing about the Crazy Club is that I didn't really know I was in it. It took a long time and some dramatic episodes and some professional help to introduce me to the club. Before I was in the club, I didn't even know there was one. Why would there be a club? Just snap out of it. Or pray out of it. Or count your blessings till you get out of it. From the outside I didn't understand it. I didn't know the rules. Or the dues that needed to be paid. I didn't know the other members or that I would soon be the club president. I wasn't in it 'til I was in it.

Someone I love more than anything in the world is in two clubs to which I don't belong. And like me, she never intended or planned or wanted to be in either. Things happened and people happened and the unthinkable happened and there she is. In the clubs. Two clubs for which she is continually paying dues. Dues that I wish she didn't have to pay. Dues that break her heart. Dues that are unfairly charged. But dues nonetheless. And these clubs that she's in? These terrible clubs with unfair rules? She wasn't in them 'til she was in them.

These clubs that we can find ourselves in are too numerable to list. You are in clubs that I'm not and can't be in. And some of my clubs you can't be in. You may be in a club that I don't even know exists. Or you may change clubs in the blink of an eye. One day you're in the Married Club and the next you're in the Widowed or Divorced Club. One day you're in the Employed Club and the next you're in the Unemployed Club. One day you're in the Pregnant Club and the next day you're not. One day you're in the Sane Club and the next thing you know you are an unwilling member of the Crazy Club. And it remains true for each club that you're not in it 'til you're in it.

All we can do is pay our dues and hope they're not too high. And to not forget that there are others in our club. Others who will understand. Others who have been in the club for awhile and might be able to help us. And someday we might be the one who's been there for awhile and just might be able to help new members navigate their way.

Show and Tell

two Fur Real Friends cats that T. got for her birthday this week (Julianna LOVED them and so I now know what to get her for Christmas.)

a tiny ceramic pirate bear that's "really special" from Walmart

a toy motorcycle that A. got for his birthday from his brother that's "very special" and "it's very special" and "it's very special" and "it's very special" ... "and that's it." (There were lots more "very special"s that began to get groans from the rest of the class which A. loved. And since he's so stinkin' cute, I let it go on for a while.)

a picture of "a lonely tree" on "a windy day" where "no people were there" and where "Jesus didn't want any houses built there" drawn by G. and "it's very special" (Of course it is.)

a brown purse that I. likes "really much" to carry her Zhu Zhu Pet, diary, camera, leaf, little box with a toy lady bug, pink marker, some "crystals" (rocks), little angel, pink fangs, two Littlest Pet Shop toys, silver cross, and heart necklace

"This is my DS that I really like that has two things that goes with it one is walk around the world and I didn't bring the other one and it goes in like this and guys pay attention and it's my favorite ds and this is the button that turns it on and this is the button that moves it and it's my favorite ds in the whole wide world and I'm going to be playing it every day for hours and hours until I'm a grandma and 'til I go up to heaven and it lost a little thing to it I lost it at the playground across my street and it's really cool and there's a "r" and a "l" those are buttons and this is the volume to turn it up and down and this turns it up and this turns it down."

*I have included links to some of today's show and tells just in case you're not up on what's "in" with the elementary crowd these days. You should also know about silly bands.

10 Things Thursday

10 things about this blog.

1. Today is my 4th blogiversary!

2. It's the first blogiversary that I didn't miss because I thought it was at the end of November.

3. I started this blog as a distraction from crazy, severe panic attacks.

4. It has been a lot of fun and even a blessing at times.

5. My family will often say things like, "You're going to blog about this, aren't you?" or "You should blog about that." or "Please don't blog that."

6. I blog in my head. Very few of those thoughts actually get posted.

7. I love comments on my blog. It makes me happy.

8. I sometimes get jealous when other people get tons of comments on their blogs and I don't. Lots of people read my blog. They are just quiet readers.

9. I know people because of this blog that I would never have known otherwise.

10. I hope that someday my kids will read my blog and know their mom better than they would have without it.

Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for the sunshine. It does a lot more for me than just the extra vitamin D.

Machines do everything these days.

This morning in chapel, the boy in my class (the one boy) was sitting next to me. Our principal was giving a lesson on doing the right thing. Keeping our hands to ourselves, being kind, obeying our teachers, etc. When all of a sudden my sweet only-boy-in-the-class was making some kind of sign with his right hand. It was kind of like a claw. You know. One of those you can use to pick up stuffed animals in those machines at the mall. I gave him the "stop playing in chapel" look and he leaned over to me and said, "It's my wedgie machine." Then he started miming giving himself a wedgie. During chapel. Right next to me. I couldn't help but to laugh. Are you kidding me? A wedgie machine? What will they think of next?


Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful that my daughter is a born singer. She sings more than she talks. She even writes her own songs. Among her hits from the past few days are "I Love Adam/Josh," "Hallelujah," and my favorite, "I'm Going to See My Mommy." She was singing "Hallelujah" (just the word "hallelujah" over and over and over) yesterday at the grocery store. So cute. Even though some old lady thought she was saying "hello" to her. I didn't correct her even though the reality was so much better. Yes, my girl loves music. Has since she could hear. Or at least since I took her with me to that Def Leppard/Styx/REO Speedwagon concert when I was 8 months pregnant.

Day 2

Here's something random. On the top of my computer screen sits a stuffed butterfly, Nemo (as in Finding Nemo), an Einstein bobblehead, a green ninja, and an origami dragon.

Today's thanksgiving thought:

I am thankful for $2.00 Tuesdays at Dutch Bros. And for hot chocolate with a shot of vanilla.

November

November is here and that means it's NABLOPOMO (National Blog Posting Month). During NABLOPOMO, bloggers who participate are asked to post everyday. That's 30 days straight. If you register your blog and post everyday, you are eligible for prizes. One year I won a $50 itunes gift card. It was great...once I figured out what itunes was.

I'm going to try it again this year. I'm very busy with work and kids and home and life, so some days might be just a word or two. Or maybe a picture or something I copy and paste. But my self imposed theme is "thanksgiving." Each day I will share something I'm thankful for. That will give me something to work from on those days when writer's block kicks in.

So be sure to check in every day. Who knows what you might find.


Today's "thanksgiving" thought:

I am ever so thankful that I can get up in the mornings and take care of myself and my children. There have been days that I couldn't. But today I could...and did. And was glad for it.


P.S. Do you like my Thanksgiving countdown clock? I LOVE Thanksgiving!