Some Things I Love

So the following list of some things I love may just give you a little insight to the strange shelves in my mind. If you know me well, you won't be surprised, for you know I'm a little crazy. If you don't know me well, don't hold anything you're about to read against me.

I love the book Heaven Is For Real. It's all about this 3 year old boy who has a heavenly experience while in surgery for a critical case of appendicitis. After his medically surprising, but not heavenly surprising, recovery, he begins to tell his parents about meeting Jesus and what and who he saw in heaven while he was in surgery. I admit that I was skeptical when I began reading, but as a believer in heaven and the Bible I ended up being pleasantly surprised by the proof and excited about the prospect of such a wonderful eternity. Is little Colton's heaven my heaven? I don't know. But any heaven at all where Jesus lives is all right with me. And in 40 or 50 more years, after I dance at my grandkids' weddings, I'll be ready to go.

I love the Hunger Games book series (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay). It is nothing like Heaven Is For Real. Not in the least. It is aimed at teenagers and is about a 16 year old girl who gets thrown into a fight to the death game held by her post-war North American capitol. It's brutal and science-fictiony and absolutely fascinating. I loved every minute of the read and fell in love with the heroine. I felt very motherly toward her and was so glad when...well, I won't spoil it for those of you who are still reading or who may. But I can say that if you are at all inclined to read young adult literature, you should definitely try Hunger Games. Just be sure to pack your bow and arrows.

I love going to the movies by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love going with the kids and Arrty and my girlfriends, too, but there's just something so free and easy about going by myself. And that's just what I did last night. I bought "just one" ticket, ordered the snacks I wanted (small popcorn and small Diet Coke), and sat where I wanted. (And then moved over one seat without feeling the least bit weird when an older gentleman, also alone, sat by me because the theater was almost full.) I should make it a point to go more often. It gave me a few hours of much needed solitude. And along those lines...

I love Fast Five! Oh.My.Goodness! I have enjoyed all the Fast movies, but this one was so, so, so good! Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with a little Paul Walker thrown in for good measure. Then you add some really fast cars, exciting car/train/truck/bus/vault chases, and a 100 million dollar heist. Nice. I loved it from the very first scene and smiled and laughed and gasped and jumped in my seat through the whole thing and even until the little surprise after the credits. I love this line in a review I just read about Vin and The Rock--"when they fight, it's like half of Mount Rushmore got liquored up and started wrasslin', two solid slabs of muscle whaling away at each other with great vigor, and to great effect." Yep. It was just like that. And I loved it!

So there you have it. I love heaven, good books, solitude, and action movies. I told you I was crazy.

10 Things Thursday

10 random things.


1. I taught my kindergartners how to draw a rabbit last week. They turned out really cute. Well, mostly. A couple of them looked a little like Picassos.

2. Julianna learned about the circle of life this week when our trusty mouser, Luke, left a mostly intact mouse on our front walk. When I explained to her that Luke's job is to get rid of the mice for us, she said sadly, "But I like mouses."

3. Josh asked me if I would buy him a cell phone. I told him that he could have one when he was the age that I was when I got my first cell phone--28. Adam then asked, "What did you do if there was an emergency?!" Which led to my explanation of land lines and pay phones. You know, back in the dark ages.

4. I bought new Play-Doh for my class this week. In spite of the mess, it's one of my favorite kindergarten activities. It really allows the kids to be creative. And even my 3rd and 4th and 5th-7th grade art classes had fun with it. (Oh, and one teacher who happened by my classroom.)

5. On cold, windy days my 15 minute recess duty is exactly 15 minutes. 14 1/2 if I can get away with it. On warm, sunny days, my 15 minute recess duty might stretch to 20...or, let's be honest, 25 minutes.

6. There's been lots of baby name talk in our family lately with my new nephew arriving this summer. If I had more babies to name, I like Maggie, Ethan, Ella, Noah, Ava, Sophia, Olivia, Ben, Max, Addison, Mia, Caroline...

7. Why is it so hard for kindergartners to distinguish one coin from another? They all look different. They are different sizes. They have different pictures on them. The penny is a whole different color for goodness sake! How hard can it be? Apparently pretty hard considering I spent my whole math time working on it this morning and some of them still said "penny" when I held up a nickel. Urrrggg.

8. I received a copy of Veggie Tales "Twas the Night Before Easter" from World Vision to show to our school. They also sent a little stack of pictures of children who need sponsors through their program. I love World Vision and we sponsor two children, but I really have to stop doing things where they send me these pictures. I want to sponsor them all! And I don't have to send the unsponsored ones back and I can't bring myself to throw them away. Anyone want to be a sponsor?

9. I so, so, so hope winter is over. If it snows again, I may just have to cry.

10. The movie "Fast Five" starts this weekend. I should not be so excited about an action movie. But Vin Diesel and The Rock in the same movie?!? I can hardly wait.

Wednesday WORD

To get today's WORD, I went to my Bible site, closed my eyes and clicked. This is where I landed.

Nathan told David, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it; God is with you." 1 Chronicles 17:2

Really?! REALLY?!!!!

We are reading!!

Today I sat down with each of my kindergartners and read with them one on one. And guess what?! They can all read!! Yes, there are some who are very beginning readers, but readers nonetheless. Even my two 4 year olds are reading. And I am thrilled! I've never had a year when every single one of my students were reading at this point in the year. Or even by the end of the year. Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo!

Cutest.Thing.Ever.

One of my afternoon moms came to pick up her little boy the other day and noticed Julianna in my classroom. "Is that your girlfriend," she asked her son. He grinned and acted all shy. Apparently he has been going home and telling his mom all about Jules and how she is his girlfriend. And when his mom asked him what Julianna looked like, he said, "a princess."

See. I told you. Cutest.Thing.Ever.

Wednesday WORD

Matthew 7:7 (various translations)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Quote of the Day

"Mommy, it's not snowing!!"

Show and Tell Fill in the Blank

This is my ____________________.
a) Bunny named FlowerHeart
b) Rocks
c) Bunny named Buns
d) Monster Truck
e) Pillow Pet
f) Medals
g) Christmas Tree ornament
h) Ipod (toy)

I like it __________________.
a) a lot
b) very much
c) so much

It's ________________.
a) special
b) very special
c) very, very special

I like to __________________.
a) play with it
b) take it with me wherever I go
c) curl up with it
d) listen to it

I got it from ___________________.
a) McDonald's
b) The Playground
c) Great-Grandma and Grandpa
d) Christmas

10 Things Thursday

10 things you should see in spring.

1. Sunshine
2. Blue skies
3. Daffodils and other new blooms
4. Short sleeves
5. Birds
6. Bugs
7. Green grass
8. Budding trees
9. Baby animals
10. Kids playing outside

1 thing you shouldn't see in spring: SNOW!

Overheard in Kindergarten

"I can spell dog--D-O-G."
"I can spell cat--C-A-T."
"I can spell God--G-O-D."
"I can spell dad--D-A-D."
"I can spell mom--W-O-W."

Saturday

So today is Saturday which means that I have two days left of spring break. I totally did not do anything on my "to do" list. Frankly, I didn't even make a "to do" list. It rained a lot, so we watched a whole bunch of movies. And I've been reading "Rhett Butler's People" which is "Gone With The Wind" from Rhett's perspective. And I've cooked a lot and done dishes at least 1,000 times. I've played Littlest Pet Shop and Babies and read more picture books than I can count. I spent several hours at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital and took care of a recovering child. I've gone grocery shopping and to Costco. I made it to the movies once and tried the new Coldstone Creations. I took Julianna to a birthday party and watched as my baby turned into a little girl. I went out to lunch with my husband and we talked about the past and the present and the future. I spent a loud, exhausting day chasing a two year old around Chuck E. Cheese's. I moved Julianna's crib out of her room and replaced it with a toddler bed in anticipation for her big girl bed in a couple of weeks. And I have spent the last few nights wondering how such a little girl needs to go potty so many times right after she goes to bed. And wondering how she can possibly still be so awake at 10:47pm after being put to bed at 8:00pm. (I figured that one out though, when I went in and found a huge stack of books in her bed. Up reading 'til all hours of the night? Wonder where she gets that?) So, no, my spring cleaning didn't get done. And my 4th quarter lesson plans didn't get made. And no big events happened. But my mind and heart got a little spring cleaning. And now I think I can make it through the next 9 weeks of kindergarten. And if the sun ever comes out, I know I can make it.

10 Things Thursday

10 things about Chuck E. Cheese.

1. It is a perfect reward for potty training. Jules has been saying for days, "Chuck E. Cheese, here we come!" every time she went to the bathroom. They even have a "potty perfect" calendar on the website that can help you keep track of success. And the "perfect pottier" gets 10 free tokens once it's filled in.
2. Julianna loves the games and rides. And it's great because each costs one token. No worrying about her not knowing how many tokens to put in.
3. The boys still like to go. There are plenty of games to keep them entertained for a few hours, too.
4. Chuck E. is scary. Not to me. I know he's just some kid in a giant mouse costume. But Julianna doesn't want to get "too close." At least she doesn't still hide in the seat behind me every time he's near.
5. The food's not bad. It's not gourmet pizza by any means, but it's edible. And the salad bar is pretty good.
6. They changed from Coke to Pepsi products. Which doesn't really matter to me. I'll drink either. But some people I know are not happy about the change. Not happy at all.
7. Sam rocks. Sam is the octogenarian owner of the two Chuck E. Cheese's franchises in Spokane. He's there almost every time we are and walks around and talks to as many customers as he can. He really wants everyone to be happy and have fun.
8. This is not allowed. Who would have thought that the sweet, little girl would be the one to get us into trouble? (And yes, I took pictures before I got her down.)
9. Some kids are just not as well mannered as ours. It takes one mean mother to put some kids in their place. (I was not that mean mother, by the way.)
10. It's a great place to take pictures.

Blessed Sunday

1. Living in a place and time where my children can be taken care of.
2. Answered prayers.
3. Tylenol with codeine.
4. Oregon chai, warm blanket, good book.
5. Spring break...even though it's snowing.

10 Things Thursday

10 things about potty training.

1. I've done it three times.
2. Each time was very different.
3. It's not easy or fun.
4. It's the first thing parents have to actually teach their children. Eating, rolling, crawling, walking, talking all seem to come naturally. Pottying in the potty? Not so much.
5. M-n-Ms are as valuable as gold. As are stickers with Jules. And the promise of Chuck E. Cheese's.
6. It is a challenge at home.
7. And even more of a challenge at school while trying to teach kindergarten.
8. It's kind of weird that bathroom habits can make me so happy. ("Are you happy that I went in the potty, Mommy?" "Oh my goodness, Julianna, I am so, so, so happy.")
9. I will never have to potty train another child. Never. Ever.
10. Julianna is potty trained. (I have to say that quietly so I don't jinx it.)

Wednesday WORD

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Blessed Sunday

I can think of 100 things that have been a blessing to me this week. Probably more. But the blessings themselves, although wonderful, aren't what I'm feeling the most blessed by today. What I feel most blessed by is that I can see those blessings. And be grateful for them. I can know from whom they come and raise my voice in praise. I can look forward to tomorrow knowing that I will continue to be blessed. Some days I'm reminded of the dark days in my life and it makes me oh so grateful to be out of them. In those dark days I felt surrounded by thick, impenetrable darkness. The kind I remember from my childhood when we visited my grandparents in the hills of West Virginia and when the lights went out, I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. There were no street lights or neighborhood lights. Even the moon was obscured by the hills surrounding the house. It was so very dark. That's how those days felt. I couldn't see anything, not even right in front of my eyes. I was blinded by pain and depression and fear. But today the sun is shining and I can look around and see everything. I no longer have those blinders on. Praise God! So today I am blessed...just by knowing how blessed I truly am.

Overheard in Kindergarten

Teacher, I'm going to find a rainbow and go to the end of it and find the pot of gold and then catch a leprechaun with my net...Just kidding. I don't have a net.

If you like my DS so much, you should lose some teeth so you can buy one.

I used to be a ninja.

10 Things Thursday

10 things about St. Patrick's Day.

1. It's an Irish holiday...and I am a Flanagan after all.

2. I get to wear green...but I don't own many green items of clothing.

3. There's traditional food...and I have corned beef and cabbage cooking in the crock pot.

4. The traditional St. Patrick's Day color used to be blue...I have plenty of blue in my closet.

5. There's pinching...but there better not be any in kindergarten.

6. St. Patrick taught Christianity...and chased all the snakes out of Ireland.

7. St. Patrick was born in 387...and died on March 17, 461.

8. St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach the pre-Christian Irish...each leaf stood for one part of the Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

9. At least a few of my students will forget to wear green...and I will have to dig out my shamrock stickers to put on their shirts for them.

10. I want to visit Ireland someday...and pick real Irish shamrocks.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday WORD

Isaiah 26:3 (various translations)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.

Rambling

Josh all of a sudden thinks he's 16. He's decided that he's no longer a child...he's a preteen. Well, the preteens in my house get treated like children. Because THEY ARE.

Adam got punched in the face at school a few weeks ago. His black eye is just about gone. I'm glad, because every time I saw my baby's bruised face, I got mad all over again. By the way, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person. He didn't deserve it.

Julianna loves to grab my hands and dance around the kitchen. The other day she declared, "Mommy, you're my dancer." To which I replied, "You're my dancer, too." And she is. Always has been. It took me three kids, but I finally got one who will dance with me.

I went to the Grease sing-a-long over the weekend with some of my favorite people. We sang. We danced. We laughed. And we all wished we were brave enough to dress like "Bad Sandy."

Our school auction was a big success. We made over $18,000 which is well over our goal of $12,000. Special thanks to all who supported our school at the auction and who do so throughout the year. I did my part, too. I spent $36.

At the beginning of the year, my afternoon class consisted of 4 of my kindergarten girls. Piece of cake. I actually felt a little guilty since it was going to be so easy. Well, I no longer feel guilty. Today I had 10 in my afternoon class. My 4 girls...and six 3 and 4 year old boys. At least they are all potty trained. Well, mostly.

I don't like the time change. The kids can't go to sleep when they should and therefore can't get up in the morning. It has thrown everybody into some kind of jet-lag like state. I'm sure it won't last long. Probably only 6 months or so...just in time for the next time change.

10 Things Thursday

10 things for sale at our school auction tomorrow night.

1. 4 Disneyland/California Adventure day passes + 2 night stay at Red Lion
2. $1500 landscaping package
3. snowmobile trailer
4. 42" plasma screen tv
5. Wii
6. several large baskets (gardening, road trip, family fun, fishing, cowboy cookout...)
7. over 100 small packages on silent auction (collectibles, restaurant gift cards, toys, tools, books...)
8. Silverwood tickets
9. a raft
10. dozens of yummy, homemade baked goods

Come join the fun and support a great cause.

Wednesday WORD

Jeremiah 29:11 (various versions)

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in the end.

Two For Tuesday

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Teilhard de Chardin


"Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them." Albert Schweitzer

Birthday Guilt

I'm feeling a little guilty. I really didn't mean for last week's 10 things Thursday to be a birthday shopping list for my family and friends. Really. I didn't. It was just for fun. Really. But it turns out that from my mom I got a wooden bowl, new dish towels, and a gift card to Applebee's. And from my sister and her family I got music (Glee Season 1 cd), a movie (Becoming Jane), and a book (Water For Elephants). Then today, a family friend showed up at school with a Dutch Bros. gift card. So I'm feeling a little guilty and embarrassed. I guess I should be more careful with my lists. But thanks everyone for the gifts. It's just what I wanted! :)

Blessed Sunday

On Friday I was blessed to have yet another great birthday. First thing in the morning the kids and Arrty all gave me the sweetest cards that they picked out themselves. And they gave me movies that they also picked out. So I got Flushed Away from Josh, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium from Adam, Scooby Doo from Julianna, and The Neverending Story from Arrty. Since one of our favorite family activities is watching movies, it was kind of perfect. Then on the way to school I stopped at Dutch Bros. to get my free birthday drink (large chai latte, of course). At school the kids were all excited about my birthday and sang to me off and on throughout the day including the whole school singing during chapel. Kids love birthdays no matter whose it is. One of my student's moms even went home after dropping her daughter off at school and made cupcakes for the class when she found out it was my birthday. How sweet was that? After school my family took me out to dinner. I picked Texas Roadhouse. I had pulled pork and bbq chicken. It was yummy. And yummy again last night when I ate the other half. After dinner I went to Borders and wandered around looking at all the books that I want to read, and bought myself the new Mark Twain autobiography. It's huge! I should have picked it up last instead of first so I didn't have to carry it around the whole store. Then I made a quick stop by my parents' house because I couldn't not see them on my birthday. They did make it all possible after all. When I got home we watched one of my new movies and laughed and ate popcorn. Then I read 'til way too late because I couldn't put my book down (Catching Fire). It was a good day. I smiled a lot and felt blessed to share my day with all those in my life. Here's to many, many more of those special days.

And so it begins...

Today I begin my 40th year of life. And I'm totally okay with it. Do I feel 39 going on 40? No. Does is seem all that old? Not today. But what I do feel is determination. Here's why. Throughout my house you will find several journals that have entries from years past. Mostly only the first few pages are written on because frankly I'm not that good at journaling. I start out strong at the beginning of any given year, but by mid-January my entries are sporadic at best and pretty much non-existent after that. But the thing that gets to me when I read any of them is that every year that I began journaling, whether I was 20 or 28 or 35, I have the same goals. Goals that haven't been reached. Really? I've had the same goals for the past 20 years and can't get past them? The good thing, I guess, is that they must be good goals if they are still important to me after all this time. But it's so discouraging to see that I haven't achieved them and moved on. Here's what they are.

Be healthy. Eat better, exercise, lose weight. I know what to do and even how to do it. But it's so hard. And it's so easy to make excuses. But the fact of the matter is that it's no longer just me who needs to be healthy. It's my family. And because of my neglect we are not as healthy as we should be. That's gotta change. Now. So by my 40th birthday, my family will be healthier. We will be stronger and lighter and more able to enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Be closer to God. Pray more. Read the Bible more. Rely on him more. This is the one that has actually changed the most. I have, over the years, grown closer to God. I do pray more and rely on him more. And even though I have read the whole Bible a few times, I don't do it everyday like I know I should. And again it all comes back to my family. At the beginning of the year I started reading my Bible that is broken down into days so that by the end of the year I would read the whole thing. When Adam saw me reading it one evening, he said, "Mom, are you reading the Bible?" When I said yes, he said, "Cool." And I realized that he may have never seen me reading it before. He'd seen me reading hundreds of other books, but he was genuinely surprised to see me reading my Bible. When I do occasionally read it, it's early in the morning or before bed. Not when the kids are up. I need them to know that it's important to me to immerse myself in God's word. Lead by example. By my 40th birthday, I want to once again read through the whole Bible. And let my kids see me do it.

Get my house in order. This has to do with clutter, having time to clean, and getting rid of things we don't need. I struggle with this because there's just so much stuff. It seems like I can't get rid of enough stuff to make a big difference. Not to mention that I live with at least 3 collectors. It feels like we are outgrowing our house. And that there's not enough hours in the day to take care of all the stuff the way it needs to be taken care of. So by my 40th birthday, I will downsize, simplify, and make new habits that include delegating chores.

Be financially stable. Sigh. This is a hard one. The last few years have put us further behind than ever. Dang economy and unemployment. I've always been bad at budgeting, but now it's more important than ever. And we might have to make some changes that we've been reluctant to make in the past. But one way or another, by my 40th birthday, I will at least feel like we're moving ahead in this area.

Write. In my heart, I am a writer. My head is so full of things I want to get on paper. Last night I was wandering through Borders and ran my hand along one of the shelves of books. And it hit me that if all these people can do it, why can't I? I have this great book in my head, several really. And I even have a few started. So by my 40th birthday, I will submit 12 articles to magazines and at least one children's book to publishers.

Easy, right? Piece of cake. But it must be done. I want to begin my 2nd 40 years with a whole new set of goals after having reached all of these. They've been on my list long enough. It's time they get done and make room for others. So today I begin a journey. A long, hard journey, but one that must be made. One that I am both excited and nervous about. One that I know, in the end, will make me a better person for having taken it.

Show and Tell

"These are my spy goggles and they're very special and I got it for Christmas and that's it."

A doll from the Bahamas that grandma brought K. back from a trip. (Very cute fabric doll with brown skin and braids. Today's cutest show and tell.)

"This is my Barbie and "Mike." She's very special and she's really special and they do this (wildly shakes poor Barbie upside down). And I love them very much."* (Histories most adorable show and teller.)

Lego house that was just built during free time. And believe it or not, "It's very special."

Glass ornament from China where the picture is painted on the inside of the glass ball through a tiny whole in the bottom. (Today's coolest show and tell.)

A white teddy bear holding a red heart that A. got from her mom for Valentine's Day.

"This is my soccer trophy and it's very special and I like it very much and it has a gold star on it and soccer things on the middle and I won it from soccer since I was the best."

Mummy Match game where "you roll the dice once you set it up then you put all the cards upside down and you flip them up and if you see the same letter and it's the same color you get to roll the dice."

Cell phone that's "dead" from M.'s big sister "and you can call people and text people. I can read a lot, like a thousand times a whole book. Like 10 books with 11 pages. And I like my phone a lot and I wish I had a real one so I could call someone. And that's it."

*This was Julianna's first show and tell. And yes, she calls Ken "Mike." Not sure why. Can you tell that she learned how to "show and tell" from kindergartners?

10 Things Thursday

10 things that would make perfect gifts for me. (This post is in no way related to the fact that tomorrow is my birthday...okay maybe it's a little related.)

1. Books. I love books. The one I really want but haven't splurged for yet is the new Mark Twain autobiography.
2. Movies. I also love movies and our family has a pretty good collection. I am starting to collect the "girl" Disney movies now for Jules.
3. Movie tickets. One of my favorite things to do with others or by myself is go to the movies. But I rarely do anymore because it costs a week's wages to take the whole family. And it's hard to get away by myself.
4. Restaurant gift cards. Who doesn't like a night off from cooking? I know I do.
5. Music. Cds. Itunes. 8 tracks. Okay, so maybe not 8 tracks. (Although if you have some, I think my dad still has a player somewhere.)
6. Dish towels. The ones I've been using are finally wearing out. I might have to break down and buy some for myself.
7. Chai latte. Mmmm.
8. Poetry. Written by the giver.
9. Wooden bowl. We were at a friend's house for dinner a few weeks ago and she had such a cool wooden bowl for her salad. I liked it a lot and thought about sneaking it out of the house in my diaper bag. (Not really. Who do you think I am?)
10. Time. Time with you. Time with my family. Time with a good book and chai latte. Time by myself. Anyone know where I can get some?

Wednesday WORD

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Compassion

On Monday nights we have a Bible study at our house. Last night's topic was compassion. One of the questions was, "What are some specific acts of compassion you've seen recently?" Things like helping with disaster relief, working with the homeless in our community, and giving to the needy were mentioned. But the one I thought of was adoption. We have several families in our school and church who have adopted children. I am always impressed by their compassion and dedication. They work hard to adopt. Tons of paperwork, lots of fundraising, and years of planning and waiting. All to bring a child home. And all because of the compassion they feel for the children in our world who have no one to call their own.

Over the past few years I have begun to feel that compassion more and more strongly. It breaks my heart to think of children who don't have a mommy to hold them and love them and tuck them in at night. Who go to sleep hungry or cold or afraid. And, oh, how it makes me grateful every single day that my children are warm, safe, fed, and loved. So, so grateful. I've always thought that maybe God has in his plan for us to add to our family through adoption. Maybe he still will. Who knows? What we do now, though, is sponsor two children through World Vision and donate to Lifeline Of Hope. Compassion leads us to do those things. And compassion will continue to lead me to pray for all those small, nameless faces in the world who need an extra blessing today.

Pictures

I'm not on the computer much at home. I tend to spend my time doing other things like cooking, cleaning, playing with the kids, and sleeping. So I rarely post pictures since my work computer doesn't have the capability to get them off my camera or disk. So I thought that today I would post some pictures from the last few weeks.

This is my class science project. Worms...awake ones...are in the cup. I actually learned a lot teaching my kindergartners about earthworms. Did you know they have 5 hearts? Or that that little band around their middle is where their eggs are stored? Me either. Until last week.

In the talent show, the boys were Darth's minions. They were bad guys, but very cute bad guys.

Light saber fighting is a talent. They choreographed the moves and practiced for weeks. It was very entertaining.

This is Josh's science project on crystals. He grew several different kinds of crystals and learned a lot. He also won first prize in his class!

Adam's project was on invisible ink. He used 8 different liquids to see which would make the best invisible ink. Surprisingly, milk worked the best. He won 2nd prize for his project!

These are Julianna's first pigtails. Oh my goodness at the cuteness!

One of the many blessings of my job is that I get to take Julianna to work with me when I need to. She hangs out with my class or in the pre-school class. She's actually learned a lot and loves to raise her hand whether she knows the answer or not. One of the hazards of having her in my class though is that she sometimes gets into things. Like the day I sat down at my desk and found this.

I guess she thought I deserved a whole lot of smiley faces and stars. Then there was this.

Her little collection of toys under my desk...snacks and friends to share them with. I never know just what I'll find after she spends the day in my classroom.

Then there's this picture from Christmas. Just 'cause, you know, my kids are so adorable.

Happy Saturday!

10 Things Thursday

10 things I am NOT doing today.

1. Driving on icy roads.
2. Having a minor panic attack from driving on icy roads.
3. Changing out of my pjs.
4. Missing my daughter.
5. Zipping 10 coats or putting on 20 mittens (3 times).
6. Worrying about the weather.
7. Digging my car out of several inches of snow.
8. Enduring middle of the winter recess duty.
9. Celebrating the 100th day of school.
10. Wishing I was home...because I am.

Gotta love a snow day!

Happy Birthday George and Abe!

I'm so glad that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were born. What with the whole American Revolution and Civil War situations. I'm glad they were around then and were able to lead our country in ways that changed the course of history. They were two amazing men whose determination and strength brought them from humble beginnings to the White House and into our history books and those of our great-grandchildren. So thanks, and happy birthday George and Abe. Oh, and thanks for the day off.

Because I love free days off. You know. The kind that have no ulterior motives. I don't have to buy any gifts or make any special meals. I don't have to be anywhere at any specific time. I don't have to do anything if I don't want to. It's just a day off. Which is just what I need today. My house is clean. My family is well. My taxes are filed. My blog is posted. So now I'm going to go snuggle with my daughter (the only other one who is up this early...and the reason I am), drink my vanilla chai latte, and read a good book.

Happy President's Day!

Old is in the eye of the beholder.

As of today, I am married to a man who is two years older than me. And he will be two years older than me for exactly two weeks, when I turn 39. Yikes. When did we get old? How did it happen? Actually, we were talking about it and neither of us feels our age. We still feel like the 20 and 21 year olds we were when we got married. Just a little more tired at the end of the day. And with kids. Which probably accounts for the tiredness.

I've loved my husband forever. At least for as long as I can remember. The crush in grade school and middle school eventually turned into young love and has over the years evolved into this comfortable, safe, wonderful life of memories and shared goals and parenting. He says I still make his heart skip a beat. And he makes mine skip two.

Is every day easy? No. Do we always agree? Umm, no. But even so, we are in this together. For the rest of our lives. And for that I'm glad. Even if he is old.

10 Things Thursday

10 words.

"awake"
worms
are
so
much
more
fun
than
"asleep"
ones

Wednesday WORD

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (various translations)

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.

Worms, and not the gummy kind.

I try, every day, to not only teach my students what I'm supposed to, but to avoid doing anything that will hinder their learning in any way. Well, today I very well may have traumatized my whole class. We are studying earthworms for our science project and I brought in a dozen worms that I picked up at the gas station on the way to school. Part of today's activity was to watch the worms and draw a picture of them. Umm, there was no movement to watch. But there was this. "Awww, look. My worm's asleep." "Mine, too." "Mine, too." Yeah, I'm afraid they were all "asleep." Some of the kids did figure out that their worms were dead, but that didn't stop them from being interested. I guess I should have just passed out plastic knives and changed the lesson to dissection. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. But this time I'll check the worms before I leave the store to make sure they're "awake."

Wednesday WORD

Philippians 4:6-7 (various translations)

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Just Because...

...there is nothing cuter than babies and puppies. (Especially these two babies.)

Alone

Some days I just want to be alone. But I'm very, very rarely alone. So the mere thought of it makes me sigh. The quiet. The freedom. I can only imagine.

But contrary to the norm, yesterday I was alone for a little while. Julianna woke up with a runny nose and watery eyes, so I wanted her to stay home from church so we didn't pass the cold around to all the other unsuspecting preschoolers. Arrty agreed to stay home with her and the boys jumped at the chance to spend the whole day at home. So off I headed to church by myself. I can't even remember the last time that happened. If it ever has. I got there just before services started and sat down in our regular seat. And did nothing. I didn't dig fruit snacks out of my purse. I didn't unzip a backpack looking for crayons. I didn't answer the question, "Can ______ sit with us?" I didn't scooch making room for four other people. I just sat. During the songs I didn't have to shush anyone or remind anyone to sing or take anyone out to the bathroom. I just sat and sang and prayed and listened.

And it was nice. For about 10 minutes. Then not only was I alone, I was lonely. I didn't know what to do with myself. It felt weird. I almost ate Julianna's secret stash of fruit snacks from my purse just for some semblance of normalcy. It became so very obvious that I am not complete without my family. Church isn't complete. Nothing is. They are a part of me. Not just a part of my life, but a part of me.

Yes, being alone is nice sometimes. But I'll remember that feeling of incompleteness the next time I long for a moment alone. And remember that alone turns into lonely really quickly.

What A Girl!

Julianna and I went shopping on Saturday. We went through the pink toy aisles in 4 different stores and looked at all the babies, Barbies, bunnies, and bows. It was so fun to watch her push buttons and ooh and aah over all the fun toys. I can't even count how many times she said, "Awww, that's very cute!" I'll tell you what's cute. My sweet daughter. (She ended up with a new winter coat for next year, a pair of Dora tennis shoes, a pair of silver church shoes, and a Belle doll.)

I don't know when the last time you potty trained a child is, but there is a lot of cheerleading involved. "Woohoo, you peed in the potty!" "Yeah, your pull-up is still dry!" "What a big girl you are!" Well, it seems like all that encouragement is rubbing off on Julianna. Today when we were in adjoining stalls in the bathroom at school, she said cheerfully, "Good job, Mommy!"

Sunday night I was washing dishes and realized that Julianna was awfully quiet. I looked around and she was nowhere to be seen. Uh-oh. So I went looking for her. I called down the hall for her, then opened the door to her room. I didn't think she was in there because the light was off. But then I saw the light from my phone shining from her hand as she stood in the corner. I turned on the light and looked at her. Before I could say a word, she closed my phone, handed it to me, and said, "I was saving it for you so Swiper the Fox couldn't get it!" Thanks, Jules, but I'm pretty sure a cartoon fox doesn't want to swipe my phone. (During the "saving," she called my mom, who by now can expect at least a few calls each week from her granddaughters.)

One of the hazards of having children so far apart is that the sweet little girl often hears, and amazingly quickly learns, older boy stuff from her brothers. For example, Julianna knows all the characters from Scooby Doo by name. And she is fully aware of Pokemon, video games and Star Wars (including how to use a lightsaber). The other night I was reminded of this hazard when I was putting laundry away and she walked into my bedroom and so, so sweetly looked at me and said, "Mommy, you're not a poop head."

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.