(i will hopefully post pics in the next few days of our fun weekend, but i needed to make a journal entry, so feel free to ignore this boring post;)
I am consistently amazed at how different my children are in comparison to each other. I KNOW they have the same parents. They were raised with the same toys, books, and silly rhymes. Yet Katherine and Jake are polar opposites in so many ways. They are yin yang. I love watching them learn and grow as they each excel in their own way.
___
Yesterday I let the kids each call to have a friend come over to play/hang out. I am thankful for the amazing, kind, intelligent friends my children have found since moving. Jake and his friend played video games, went to the temple and then out to ice cream. Katie and her friend watched the big boys a bit, then they made cookies--not just so they could eat them, but they also came up with the idea to take some to a few neighbors. Justin and his friend played, shared and were kind to others. If I made a list of attributes I want my kids' friends to have, these kids all fit that list. Preteen and teenage years are ahead and friendships will change often, I understand and remember. Yet my heart sighs a little in relief and thanksgiving knowing these are the children my kids choose to associate with at this point.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
13.1 miles? Really?
At the beginning of last year I worked hard to lose weight. I lost 37lbs, leaving the obese category and feeling quite healthy. Not skinny by any means, but I've never wanted to be skinny. ewww. Curves are great. Hours and hours of aerobics and walking in January and February. Then, life changed in March. My Grandpa died, so we had some extra stress and a long road trip to San Diego. The next week I went with Dave to Idaho to interview for his new job. Then two weeks after that I had my comprehensive test for my Master's degree. Life happened and I let my exercise slack off.
While in Idaho, I saw that they were having a half marathon on June 5th. This seemed like a great way to motivate myself to get back to exercising and I decided I wanted to train so I could walk the 13.1 miles. I had 2 1/2 months--plenty of time, right? Right! That is, if you DO train. For some reason, I found it difficult to train when I was studying for my test. Then Dave moved to start his new job and I got to be an alone mom for 6 weeks. Plus the selling of the old house and buying the new home and packing and moving. And unpacking. It is easy to see why I didn't make the time. So since I didn't train, I shouldn't have done the race. But, I did.
I decided I was just going to walk. No big deal.
I have an exceptional competitive (bordering on stupid) side to me. When all the other people in the walking group were going SO fast, I started my pace too fast. I would have been fine had I wisely stayed with the back of the pack. I'm not wise. I kept up with the middle of the pack and my knees were crying by mile 9. I would walk a bit until my right knee hurt too much then I would do a slow jog until my left knee hurt too much. I hobbled across the finish line and I wasn't last. There were about 2% of the people behind me.
It was foolish, but I did it. I was very sore for a few days, but I did it. Did you know that all along a half marathon or marathon they have people there to cheer for you? It was the greatest thing ever. You feel like you can't go farther then a stranger yells words of encouragement and you know you CAN go farther. It helps your body keep going. I was so glad I had my sunglasses on because I shed more than a tear or two on that course. Who would've thought that 13.1 miles would be such an emotional experience for me? While it was foolish to do a half marathon without training I am exceptionally glad I did it.
Then I let my knees rest a few weeks. My sister and I got it into our brains that we should try for another half marathon. This time we would train and we would do it with 27,000 of our new best friends down at Walt Disney World. We even roped some suckers, I mean friends, into doing it with us. I realized that the most difficult part of a half marathon isn't the race itself, it's all the miles and miles and miles and miles of training. It took a lot of time to prepare but it made the race quite different. No excessive pain or soreness. No wondering if I could do it. It was actually kinda fun, in an insane kinda way.
Why I want to remember:
Reason #1--If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. If ye are not prepared, be afraid. Be very afraid. Events in life are much easier and enjoyable if you are properly prepared but preparation isn't always easy.
Reason #2--I wish I could truly express how much having the strangers cheer for me helped. I would not have finished without them. How much could my cheering help others in life? My husband, my children, my friends, strangers even? I believe cheering others on, offering kind words whenever possible, can make a huge difference. It may not matter to those who are prepared for the event they are enduring, but for those enduring an event beyond preparation it can make a world of difference.
While in Idaho, I saw that they were having a half marathon on June 5th. This seemed like a great way to motivate myself to get back to exercising and I decided I wanted to train so I could walk the 13.1 miles. I had 2 1/2 months--plenty of time, right? Right! That is, if you DO train. For some reason, I found it difficult to train when I was studying for my test. Then Dave moved to start his new job and I got to be an alone mom for 6 weeks. Plus the selling of the old house and buying the new home and packing and moving. And unpacking. It is easy to see why I didn't make the time. So since I didn't train, I shouldn't have done the race. But, I did.
I decided I was just going to walk. No big deal.
I have an exceptional competitive (bordering on stupid) side to me. When all the other people in the walking group were going SO fast, I started my pace too fast. I would have been fine had I wisely stayed with the back of the pack. I'm not wise. I kept up with the middle of the pack and my knees were crying by mile 9. I would walk a bit until my right knee hurt too much then I would do a slow jog until my left knee hurt too much. I hobbled across the finish line and I wasn't last. There were about 2% of the people behind me.
It was foolish, but I did it. I was very sore for a few days, but I did it. Did you know that all along a half marathon or marathon they have people there to cheer for you? It was the greatest thing ever. You feel like you can't go farther then a stranger yells words of encouragement and you know you CAN go farther. It helps your body keep going. I was so glad I had my sunglasses on because I shed more than a tear or two on that course. Who would've thought that 13.1 miles would be such an emotional experience for me? While it was foolish to do a half marathon without training I am exceptionally glad I did it.
Then I let my knees rest a few weeks. My sister and I got it into our brains that we should try for another half marathon. This time we would train and we would do it with 27,000 of our new best friends down at Walt Disney World. We even roped some suckers, I mean friends, into doing it with us. I realized that the most difficult part of a half marathon isn't the race itself, it's all the miles and miles and miles and miles of training. It took a lot of time to prepare but it made the race quite different. No excessive pain or soreness. No wondering if I could do it. It was actually kinda fun, in an insane kinda way.
Why I want to remember:
Reason #1--If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. If ye are not prepared, be afraid. Be very afraid. Events in life are much easier and enjoyable if you are properly prepared but preparation isn't always easy.
Reason #2--I wish I could truly express how much having the strangers cheer for me helped. I would not have finished without them. How much could my cheering help others in life? My husband, my children, my friends, strangers even? I believe cheering others on, offering kind words whenever possible, can make a huge difference. It may not matter to those who are prepared for the event they are enduring, but for those enduring an event beyond preparation it can make a world of difference.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sunday Afternoon Church
(For those that don't know, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We don't just choose what congregation we want to attend, rather we are divided geographically into "wards". This allows us to fellowship with our neighbors and severely lessons inter-congregational competition among other advantages.)
Currently, four wards (congregations) share our church building. At the beginning of the new year the wards rotate as to which will start services at 9, 9:30, 1 or 1:30. We went from beginning at 9:30am to 12:30pm. After complaining a bit in December about the impending change of doom, I am here to eat those words. I was SO sure I would hate the new time and schedule--I was SO wrong.
See, the wards that start on the hour have Sunday school-type classes first from 9-10:40 or 1-2:40. Then these wards go to our main service, Sacrament meeting, from 10:50-12 or 2:50-4. The wards that start on the half-hour have Sacrament meeting first from 9:30-10:40 or 1:30-2:40 then they go to Sunday school-type classes from 10:50-12:30 or 2:50-4:30. Yes, we go to church for 3 hours almost every Sunday. Sorry if that was confusing but it pertains to the post.
I loved the 9:30 time slot last year and so I was sure the afternoon church thing was going to be annoying. We have done it before, but it has been many years and our family has changed significantly. We don't shop or go to movies on Sunday afternoons, but we do love to play games, take naps and partake in afternoon naps. I knew church at 1pm would end those things. Plus, I currently serve in our nursery--teaching and playing with children 18months old to 3 years old. Church at 1 makes nursery at NAP TIME. This is another reason I was not looking forward to 1pm church.
Let me share some of the benefits of our new time.
Reason #1: I now get the nursery children for the first part of church. Heeheehee...that means their parents get them when they are a little more tired and cranky for the last hour of church. Selfishly, this makes me giggle inside. Can't explain or justify it, that's just the way it is for me.
Reason #2: We are using Sunday mornings to the best of our advantage. Rather than sleeping in for a few extra hours we still get out of bed before 8am. We are enjoying a relaxing breakfast as a family. Dave and I have a quick meeting together to discuss needs, goals, and concerns. LOVE it! Then we have a family meeting to discuss calendaring, menus, needs, goals, and concerns. So nice :) Then we have calm, family time with Uno or some other card game. Soft, gospel-type music plays in background as we have lunch and get ready for church. It is a purposeful, peaceful time for our family.
As a result of our well used time on Sunday morning, everything is running better around here. Chores are getting done at a much higher rate. Savings accounts have been opened and children are adding to them regularly. I'm MUCH more relaxed when I get to church because I wasn't part of a crazy morning rush to get everyone ready.
I hope this post reminds me to be more open to changes in the future and to find the positive. But...now I am wondering about two years from now. In January 2012 we will go the 1:30 slot but in 2013 we will be back in the morning. How am I going to keep my Sundays so peaceful?
Currently, four wards (congregations) share our church building. At the beginning of the new year the wards rotate as to which will start services at 9, 9:30, 1 or 1:30. We went from beginning at 9:30am to 12:30pm. After complaining a bit in December about the impending change of doom, I am here to eat those words. I was SO sure I would hate the new time and schedule--I was SO wrong.
See, the wards that start on the hour have Sunday school-type classes first from 9-10:40 or 1-2:40. Then these wards go to our main service, Sacrament meeting, from 10:50-12 or 2:50-4. The wards that start on the half-hour have Sacrament meeting first from 9:30-10:40 or 1:30-2:40 then they go to Sunday school-type classes from 10:50-12:30 or 2:50-4:30. Yes, we go to church for 3 hours almost every Sunday. Sorry if that was confusing but it pertains to the post.
I loved the 9:30 time slot last year and so I was sure the afternoon church thing was going to be annoying. We have done it before, but it has been many years and our family has changed significantly. We don't shop or go to movies on Sunday afternoons, but we do love to play games, take naps and partake in afternoon naps. I knew church at 1pm would end those things. Plus, I currently serve in our nursery--teaching and playing with children 18months old to 3 years old. Church at 1 makes nursery at NAP TIME. This is another reason I was not looking forward to 1pm church.
Let me share some of the benefits of our new time.
Reason #1: I now get the nursery children for the first part of church. Heeheehee...that means their parents get them when they are a little more tired and cranky for the last hour of church. Selfishly, this makes me giggle inside. Can't explain or justify it, that's just the way it is for me.
Reason #2: We are using Sunday mornings to the best of our advantage. Rather than sleeping in for a few extra hours we still get out of bed before 8am. We are enjoying a relaxing breakfast as a family. Dave and I have a quick meeting together to discuss needs, goals, and concerns. LOVE it! Then we have a family meeting to discuss calendaring, menus, needs, goals, and concerns. So nice :) Then we have calm, family time with Uno or some other card game. Soft, gospel-type music plays in background as we have lunch and get ready for church. It is a purposeful, peaceful time for our family.
As a result of our well used time on Sunday morning, everything is running better around here. Chores are getting done at a much higher rate. Savings accounts have been opened and children are adding to them regularly. I'm MUCH more relaxed when I get to church because I wasn't part of a crazy morning rush to get everyone ready.
I hope this post reminds me to be more open to changes in the future and to find the positive. But...now I am wondering about two years from now. In January 2012 we will go the 1:30 slot but in 2013 we will be back in the morning. How am I going to keep my Sundays so peaceful?
Monday, February 07, 2011
Hypocrite!!
I am the world's largest hypocrite and I am apparently OK with it. Here are a few examples of my hypocrisy I don't mind sharing with you:
- I tell my kids to do their homework but I always waited until the last minute to do mine. From middle school through my master's, I almost always waited until the deadline was looming.
- I want my kids to be friendly with others but I still haven't gone to meet the neighbor that moved in over a month ago.
- I hope my kids will read their scriptures and say personal prayers yet mine is lacking and I am often just glad we got our family scriptures and prayers done. My kids are much better at personal scripture study than am I.
- My children are expected to save 50% of their income but I sure like to fritter ours away at Costco buying large quantities of beautiful fruits and vegetables that will go bad before we could possibly eat them all. We shall not discuss the large quantities of junk food that DO manage to get consumed before going bad.
- The biggest reason I am a hypocrite today: I REALLY wish my friends, new and old, would update their blogs but I never do because I don't feel I have anything important to say.
Friday, July 30, 2010
♦♦That went fast!♦♦
Since last blogging:
○I started applying for a new job for Dave. Yes, he was fully aware I was doing this and it was a decision we agreed upon. But how funny would it have been to apply for job without him knowing :))
○My grandpa died. It is OK, because he was old and ready. It was nice to see family and to have one last southern California vacation.
○Dave got a new job and just over 2 weeks later he moved to Idaho while I stayed with the kids so they could finish school in Lovelock.
○I graduated from UNR with my Master's Degree in "Counseling and Educational Psychology" with an emphasis in Educational Technology.
○We moved to Idaho.
I am loving our new home and new city. This was a great choice for the entire family. That being said, sometimes moving has lonely moments. Again, I am thankful for living in the electronic age. I have enjoyed facebook and the blogs of my friends. I love laughing with you and sharing in your life during this isolated time. Thank you for taking the time to share your life with me ♥
○I started applying for a new job for Dave. Yes, he was fully aware I was doing this and it was a decision we agreed upon. But how funny would it have been to apply for job without him knowing :))
○My grandpa died. It is OK, because he was old and ready. It was nice to see family and to have one last southern California vacation.
○Dave got a new job and just over 2 weeks later he moved to Idaho while I stayed with the kids so they could finish school in Lovelock.
○I graduated from UNR with my Master's Degree in "Counseling and Educational Psychology" with an emphasis in Educational Technology.
○We moved to Idaho.
I am loving our new home and new city. This was a great choice for the entire family. That being said, sometimes moving has lonely moments. Again, I am thankful for living in the electronic age. I have enjoyed facebook and the blogs of my friends. I love laughing with you and sharing in your life during this isolated time. Thank you for taking the time to share your life with me ♥
Saturday, December 12, 2009
the tools of children
i was trimming the little boys' nails this evening.
justin said, "mom, you can't cut my nails!"
"why not?"
"because i am growing them super long so i can reach the things high on grandma's top shelves for her."
justin said, "mom, you can't cut my nails!"
"why not?"
"because i am growing them super long so i can reach the things high on grandma's top shelves for her."
The Gravel Pit?
We heard the best sledding around is to be enjoyed at the gravel pit. Skeptical but hopeful, we drove out there and we weren't disappointed. Easily accesible in a non-4x4 vehicle, we found a large hill with a limited number of tube-popping cacti and sage brush.
That's Jake pulling the tube, supplied by Rees family--thanks for sharing.
Katie kept going down the hill so fast that I was never able to catch an action shot, just this one pose.
Dave braved the sledding to give John a turn; he's a great dad.
Justin is in the bottom pic heading down the hill.
We had great fun and will definitely head over there again!
That's Jake pulling the tube, supplied by Rees family--thanks for sharing. Katie kept going down the hill so fast that I was never able to catch an action shot, just this one pose.
Dave braved the sledding to give John a turn; he's a great dad.
Justin is in the bottom pic heading down the hill.
We had great fun and will definitely head over there again!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Band/Choir Concert
Living in a small town has it's ups and downs.
Up: the band and choir concert COMBINED lasts only about 1 hour.
Down: the middle school choir is combined with the high school choir and there are only 2 boys in the choir. two middle school boys with voices that aren't deep yet so it might as well be 2 more girls singing alto.
Up: there is always plenty of room to sit down, even at the last minute.
Down: audience manners don't exist, at all, ever. It is an interesting cultural phenomenon in our little town--people will talk all the way through a concert or play and ignore any bad looks thrown their way.
Up: since everyone is noisy I don't get too embarrassed about my toddler making noise.
Down: we have a teeny-tiny high school band with only about 20 people. Almost all are flutes, clarinets and saxophones; there are 2 percussionists and 1 trumpet player. Looks like a weird woodwind ensemble.
Dave asked if we were going to take the video camera to record Jake's beginning band performance. Really? A sixth grade band performance is so pretty, not only do we get to sit through it live, but we want to watch it again later? I forgot the video camera and didn't miss it. I forgot the earplugs...I missed those.
I give thanks to all parents, grandparents and friends that endured my beginning band concerts.
Oh, I almost forgot--my kid had a serious solo all through one song. Go sleigh bells!!
Up: the band and choir concert COMBINED lasts only about 1 hour.
Down: the middle school choir is combined with the high school choir and there are only 2 boys in the choir. two middle school boys with voices that aren't deep yet so it might as well be 2 more girls singing alto.
Up: there is always plenty of room to sit down, even at the last minute.
Down: audience manners don't exist, at all, ever. It is an interesting cultural phenomenon in our little town--people will talk all the way through a concert or play and ignore any bad looks thrown their way.
Up: since everyone is noisy I don't get too embarrassed about my toddler making noise.
Down: we have a teeny-tiny high school band with only about 20 people. Almost all are flutes, clarinets and saxophones; there are 2 percussionists and 1 trumpet player. Looks like a weird woodwind ensemble.
Dave asked if we were going to take the video camera to record Jake's beginning band performance. Really? A sixth grade band performance is so pretty, not only do we get to sit through it live, but we want to watch it again later? I forgot the video camera and didn't miss it. I forgot the earplugs...I missed those.
I give thanks to all parents, grandparents and friends that endured my beginning band concerts.
Oh, I almost forgot--my kid had a serious solo all through one song. Go sleigh bells!!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Slacker Santa Parent
(time for my yearly, unrelated blog entry)
i am a slacker parent. i take the easy way out of discipline at this time of year and i am SO ok with my attitude.
me: please eat your vegetables.
justin: i don't want to!
me: santa will see...
justin:[he says nothing as he is too busy cramming veggies in his mouth]
this is one simple example, but it just shows how i have turned all discipline over to santa for the month. it is quick and easy and always works. santa parenting also works to address this situation:
me: who did this?
kids: not me
me: santa will know
kids: [instant confession from sneaky culprit]
but, as i have older kids...i know it will come back to bite me in january when my child no longer listens to me and santa is gone. maybe this year i could lie to my kids even more; i'll invent a character that will bring a present at the end of each month if the kid is good. it's tempting...
i am a slacker parent. i take the easy way out of discipline at this time of year and i am SO ok with my attitude.
me: please eat your vegetables.
justin: i don't want to!
me: santa will see...
justin:
this is one simple example, but it just shows how i have turned all discipline over to santa for the month. it is quick and easy and always works. santa parenting also works to address this situation:
me: who did this?
kids: not me
me: santa will know
kids: [instant confession from sneaky culprit]
but, as i have older kids...i know it will come back to bite me in january when my child no longer listens to me and santa is gone. maybe this year i could lie to my kids even more; i'll invent a character that will bring a present at the end of each month if the kid is good. it's tempting...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
today's schedule:
8- jake to swim team
9:15- pick-up jake, drop katie at swim team
10- pick-up justin's friend for the day
10:05- get katie from swim team
10:30- take katie to fitness camp
10:45 jake's friend comes over
11:00 Justin and friend to swim lessons
12:30- pick-up katie from camp
4-5 food bank
dinner?
6- katie to 4H building for golf club
(and yesterday there was even more:-)
Gotta love summer--now when is nap time?
9:15- pick-up jake, drop katie at swim team
10- pick-up justin's friend for the day
10:05- get katie from swim team
10:30- take katie to fitness camp
10:45 jake's friend comes over
11:00 Justin and friend to swim lessons
12:30- pick-up katie from camp
4-5 food bank
dinner?
6- katie to 4H building for golf club
(and yesterday there was even more:-)
Gotta love summer--now when is nap time?
Thursday, December 25, 2008
SnowMan!
{extra posts and pics so loved ones we are missing right now can enjoy the season with us}
The snow was too dry to make a snowman, so Dave went out and helped the kids with it.
John was bundled so well that he couldn't put his arms down, but he sure was having fun!
It was dark by the time they got done.....
The snow was too dry to make a snowman, so Dave went out and helped the kids with it.
John was bundled so well that he couldn't put his arms down, but he sure was having fun!
It was dark by the time they got done.....
Christmas Sledding
We live in the desert. Sledding on cacti and weeds is neither fun nor safe. How do Lovelockians deal with this problem? Today we found out....
You stay in the valley and pull the sled with a 4 wheeler! Many thanks to our neighbors for inviting us over for the fun.
Happy Christmas to all!
(i really did this 'cuz i am having fun learning to use my new camera!:-)
You stay in the valley and pull the sled with a 4 wheeler! Many thanks to our neighbors for inviting us over for the fun.
Happy Christmas to all!
(i really did this 'cuz i am having fun learning to use my new camera!:-)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Getting Ready for Christmas
A quick video to share the Christmas spirit with you.
Video by Kenneth Cope and Liz Lemon Swindle
I hope you have a great day!
Video by Kenneth Cope and Liz Lemon Swindle
I hope you have a great day!
Monday, December 15, 2008
all is well...
i just spent 2 days in the hospital with john, he is doing better. he had high fever and febrile seizures. the doc was overly cautious, and we were there 2 nights. as babies often do, he bounced back quickly and was going crazy by yesterday afternoon. he kept making a run for any exit he could find. i couldn't blame him, when i am in the hospital i can't wait to go home either. i am glad his fever is controllable and no more seizures. he seems very thankful to be home too. i might post pics later.
Monday, December 08, 2008
can you smell the panic?
i have a tough final today. if i blow it, i will not be happy with my grade. i planned on studying all day except for cub scouts (yes, i'm still leading cubs) and family home evening. grandma decided to go to wal-mart today (70 miles away). no biggee, i am used to studying with the kids. last night's pots and pans didn't get done and i was planning on leaving them there all day.
at noon 2 vehicles pull into my driveway. grandma had told the two ladies she is singing with in the Christmas program that they could practice here today. when i answered the door and let them know grandma wasn't here, they asked if they could practice here anyway. total and complete mortification. neither of these women had ever been in my home before. here's what they saw:
15 Christmas totes stacked in the office
my homework all over the office table, plus old books and papers everywhere
20 various Christmas boxes in my front room
pillows, blankets, jammies, wipes, toys ALL over the family room (where they practiced)
walmart bags on the counter from saturday...yes, saturday
shoes, papers, ornaments all over the house
i was crazy embarrassed and annoyed at grandma, but when i stopped feeling sorry for myself, i got really sad for grandma. her short-term memory isn't what it used to be. her motor skills haven't been the same since the little stroke. it is hard watching her get old.
well...at least my dishes were done and the kids were clean, so they didn't need to call cps (did i mention one lady was the elementary school principal? :-)
at noon 2 vehicles pull into my driveway. grandma had told the two ladies she is singing with in the Christmas program that they could practice here today. when i answered the door and let them know grandma wasn't here, they asked if they could practice here anyway. total and complete mortification. neither of these women had ever been in my home before. here's what they saw:
15 Christmas totes stacked in the office
my homework all over the office table, plus old books and papers everywhere
20 various Christmas boxes in my front room
pillows, blankets, jammies, wipes, toys ALL over the family room (where they practiced)
walmart bags on the counter from saturday...yes, saturday
shoes, papers, ornaments all over the house
i was crazy embarrassed and annoyed at grandma, but when i stopped feeling sorry for myself, i got really sad for grandma. her short-term memory isn't what it used to be. her motor skills haven't been the same since the little stroke. it is hard watching her get old.
well...at least my dishes were done and the kids were clean, so they didn't need to call cps (did i mention one lady was the elementary school principal? :-)
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Merry Christmas
i didn't even get around to buying Christmas cards this year. i couldn't find your address if i tried for an hour. please know i think about you and wish you a merry Christmas! happy new year too, while i'm at it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Why here?
A new family has moved into our little town of about 2,000 people. The husband works with Dave and I am planning on taking some cookies over today or tomorrow. I thought I would make a nice little card on the computer, but the only ones I thought fit were the ones under the label “Sympathy”. I feel this for a two main reasons yet I’m sure others exist. The first reason I want to offer her sympathy is because moving just sucks. I won’t even go into packing, unpacking, extra cleaning and the impossible task of finding the thing you are looking for in the pile of boxes. No, the main reason moving is so horrible is that you leave your friends. It is like a giant bus has crashed and all your friends are gone. It is horrible that the women that can bring you the most comfort in such a hard time can’t really be there for you. Yes, there are people who will one day be your friends, but no one on whose shoulder you can cry right now when you really need to. New jobs, new school for the kids, new neighbors…the whole ordeal is something you need a solid, reliable friend to help you through.
Second reason moving here sucks—well, this town is small. Not like a small town back east, where there is another small town 15 miles away, this small town is an island, 70 miles from anything. This makes shopping crazy difficult. Doctors’, dentists’, orthodontists’ appointments take the whole out of school for the kids. Going to a movie theater means 90 min in the car, sitting for the 2 hour movie then 90 min more in the car. You get the picture. There are many reasons this town is no fun.
But…why here?
A huge reason we live here is summed up on the school calendar in a few phrases such as: Christmas Concert, Christmas Vacation and Easter Vacation. Yes, the music teacher here teaches the children Christ-centered songs for Christmas. They have Christmas parties at school and a Christmas tree. Easter vacation has not been turned into “Spring Break”. It is still Easter Vacation.
My less than coordinated child will be able to do any sport he really wants to do. My neighbor’s daughter is a cheerleader…any of the girls willing to work and go to practice are included. This town nicely spaces it’s sports out so gymnastics began the week after soccer ended. The kids can do all the sports and activities they want to learn. This town is super kid-friendly. We live on this island for our children.
For those with beaches, or shopping or land that grows things I do envy you at times…but not today. I will take cookies and a Sympathy-Welcome card. I will share the great things about our town and encourage her to spend time with her old friends by phone, email and blogs. You will never know how your words helped me when you had no idea I was reading…
Second reason moving here sucks—well, this town is small. Not like a small town back east, where there is another small town 15 miles away, this small town is an island, 70 miles from anything. This makes shopping crazy difficult. Doctors’, dentists’, orthodontists’ appointments take the whole out of school for the kids. Going to a movie theater means 90 min in the car, sitting for the 2 hour movie then 90 min more in the car. You get the picture. There are many reasons this town is no fun.
But…why here?
A huge reason we live here is summed up on the school calendar in a few phrases such as: Christmas Concert, Christmas Vacation and Easter Vacation. Yes, the music teacher here teaches the children Christ-centered songs for Christmas. They have Christmas parties at school and a Christmas tree. Easter vacation has not been turned into “Spring Break”. It is still Easter Vacation.
My less than coordinated child will be able to do any sport he really wants to do. My neighbor’s daughter is a cheerleader…any of the girls willing to work and go to practice are included. This town nicely spaces it’s sports out so gymnastics began the week after soccer ended. The kids can do all the sports and activities they want to learn. This town is super kid-friendly. We live on this island for our children.
For those with beaches, or shopping or land that grows things I do envy you at times…but not today. I will take cookies and a Sympathy-Welcome card. I will share the great things about our town and encourage her to spend time with her old friends by phone, email and blogs. You will never know how your words helped me when you had no idea I was reading…
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Quirks...Who Me?
So I was "tagged" again and I decided to actually respond to it this time. I'm supposed to mention a few quirks or weird things about me. But since those weird things I do seem normal to me, I thought I would ask my loving family for help. Here is what they said--kids words in red:
You Call your kids, and our friends, “Pookey-Bear” just to embarrass us. This is true. I will roll the window down and yell “Hi Pookey Bear” at Jake’s friend walking down the street. They laugh and turn red. I just think it’s funny.
The madder you get, the quieter you get. It really gets their attention.
You think failure is an A- They are picking on me for how stressed I get doing my homework.
At this point they are all afraid to speak, sure that they will say something that will be mean and make me mad.
You like watching ‘Tween movies and the Disney Channel sit-coms for kids. Who doesn’t?
They are out of quirks and now just saying anything that comes to their mind. So I will supply the last few
I still have nightmares about not being able to open my high school locker because I just can’t seem to remember the combination.
I'm not embarrassed about my age, nor do I ever intend to be. Who would want to be 29 forvever? Not me--bring on those birthdays!
What are your Quirks?Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Treats and Tricks
My life is full of things I am happy about, my mental treats. Yet often these treats come with a downside, the little tricks in life. I was just thinking about some this morning as I hold John and type with one hand. Here are a few of the treats, or happy moments, along with the tricks or sad moments that are yoked together.
Treat--I am thankful my family has SO many things to wear. We all have lots of clothes. Trick-- the immense laundry I need to do.
Treat--I’m happy for my friend Christelle. Her husband just passed the Nevada Bar. He has tried a few times and had lost hope. I’m glad he will be able to get a job making more money. Trick--I’m sad my friend Christelle will be moving away this summer because her husband passed the bar. We will try to enjoy the time we have left with her.
Treat--I am glad my children got to play soccer this season. I am also glad soccer season ends this week. No tricks here, just happiness all around.
Treat--I’m happy for my mom; she has retired from the State of Nevada. She will be moving in with us on Friday. I am thankful she will be here to help drive kids and read to my precious babies. Trick--I am sad that I no longer have a play/guest room and that I have had to clean it out. As a side note, Christmas presents have been cancelled this year. We will never need another board game, card game, stuffed animal, puzzle or toy ever again. Now I have to tell the kids and Santa….Do you think Santa will bring us gas cards instead?
Treat—reading your blogs. I love hearing about you. Trick—I miss you all!
Treat--I am thankful my family has SO many things to wear. We all have lots of clothes. Trick-- the immense laundry I need to do.
Treat--I’m happy for my friend Christelle. Her husband just passed the Nevada Bar. He has tried a few times and had lost hope. I’m glad he will be able to get a job making more money. Trick--I’m sad my friend Christelle will be moving away this summer because her husband passed the bar. We will try to enjoy the time we have left with her.
Treat--I am glad my children got to play soccer this season. I am also glad soccer season ends this week. No tricks here, just happiness all around.
Treat--I’m happy for my mom; she has retired from the State of Nevada. She will be moving in with us on Friday. I am thankful she will be here to help drive kids and read to my precious babies. Trick--I am sad that I no longer have a play/guest room and that I have had to clean it out. As a side note, Christmas presents have been cancelled this year. We will never need another board game, card game, stuffed animal, puzzle or toy ever again. Now I have to tell the kids and Santa….Do you think Santa will bring us gas cards instead?
Treat—reading your blogs. I love hearing about you. Trick—I miss you all!
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