Awards Day at school is one of those proud moments that you sit and watch with excitement and pride of all you and your child have endured for the last 180 days. It actually seems short lived compared to the multitude of hours & money spent on volcano projects, science fair projects, essays, solar systems built (which I still haven't gotten back some much needed kitchen utensils that was used to rig that out of space contraption), posters made from a 1 night notice, Indian teepees...you get the drift.
Honor Rolls for all 3 - which I am so proud of.
Outstanding Student of the Year for Miles - which speaks volumes of the man he is becoming.
Yes it was a proud day. THEN...they begin to hand out the awards to those kids who had perfect attendance.
Perfect Attendance. What exactly is perfect attendance? It means they were never late to school, never checked in, never checked out, and never missed a day, moment, breath...of school.
Now to an OCD person you strive for perfect attendance. You will at all costs attend no matter what. I myself had perfect attendance in high school. I liked it because it exempted me from exams, but who would dream of school being like it was back in the day? I remember waking up sick as a dog and my mom saying to me in her southern drag, "Amy, just stay home, it ain't gonna hurt you to miss a day". How many of your parents actually encouraged you to stay home? No, parents are dragging their kids to school kicking, screaming, fighting, coughing, throwing up, fever, - whatever it takes.
Now that I'm a recovering :) OCD person (notice I said RECOVERING), I willfully fight anything to be perfect. House cleaning, laundry, life, church, even school attendance. I figure we get 10 days to play hooky. What would my kids remember more about growing up - a certificate of paper, or 10 days of trips to the beach, sleeping late on a school day, taking trips, amusement parks, water parks, bowling, fishing or whatever we can come up with.
So we don't usually get recognized for that prestigious award on Awards Day, but we do get our awards on those fun days throughout the year.
So now you know how I feel about perfect attendance. And I know it looks good on a resume or college application but we're talking elementary and middle school here o.k.?
So I in all my wit and deficient ability to keep my mouth shut sometimes when I should, rather loudly with my "matter of fact type voice" proclaimed as those children stood proudly up in front of the multitude of us 'slackers' while their parents all went down and took pictures noted, "SO those are the kids that got all OUR kids sick this year, huh?"
I don't think Stacy will sit with me at Awards Day anymore. But everyone around me enjoyed it so much that I think I will have plenty of company at our next school function.
Take a break, miss a day
~A
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Child's Perspective On Kindness
Before school every morning we have a "hands in" prayer time. It's a tradition.
A couple weeks ago my sister was staying with the kids for us while we attended a conference. She decided that the 'hands in' prayer time could benefit even greater with a more applicable teaching time. So every day they had a different challenge to complete. Things like: find someone today that you can help, give someone a compliment today, do a good deed...etc.
My daughter is in the drama filled world of third grade. She often comes home telling us stories of how mean this one little girl can be. Or that this little girl has informed her that she is not her friend. Or even, "you can't be in our club". There is generally a story every afternoon, to the point that the boys now get in the car after school and ask, "what did (insert name) do to you today?".
As a mom it's hard to see your child upset. I have refrained from giving too much advice because I wanted to see her put into action the things that we have talked about and how to handle certain situations. We have prayed for (insert name). We have talked about what her home life could be like and that could be a reason why she acts the way she does sometimes.
Now it was my sister who was having to hear the stories of this girl's meanness. So she decides to teach my daughter about kindness. "Be nice to her", "say something kind to her", "You have to kill her with kindness" she would instruct her every day.
A few days ago after picking up the kids I could tell my daughter obviously had something on her mind. You could sense the heaviness she was feeling. She seemed at the end of her rope. She finally says to me, "Mom, Sherry says that I should kill (insert name) with kindness", and there was a long silence..."Yes, that would be nice", I replied. And with much seriousness & thought she replies back, "I'm gonna get a baseball bat and write KINDNESS on it, and hit (insert name) with it".
I found that it was best to just pull over since I couldn't see past the tears of laughter how to drive.
Where on earth do they get this stuff? I have no idea...
A couple weeks ago my sister was staying with the kids for us while we attended a conference. She decided that the 'hands in' prayer time could benefit even greater with a more applicable teaching time. So every day they had a different challenge to complete. Things like: find someone today that you can help, give someone a compliment today, do a good deed...etc.
My daughter is in the drama filled world of third grade. She often comes home telling us stories of how mean this one little girl can be. Or that this little girl has informed her that she is not her friend. Or even, "you can't be in our club". There is generally a story every afternoon, to the point that the boys now get in the car after school and ask, "what did (insert name) do to you today?".
As a mom it's hard to see your child upset. I have refrained from giving too much advice because I wanted to see her put into action the things that we have talked about and how to handle certain situations. We have prayed for (insert name). We have talked about what her home life could be like and that could be a reason why she acts the way she does sometimes.
Now it was my sister who was having to hear the stories of this girl's meanness. So she decides to teach my daughter about kindness. "Be nice to her", "say something kind to her", "You have to kill her with kindness" she would instruct her every day.
A few days ago after picking up the kids I could tell my daughter obviously had something on her mind. You could sense the heaviness she was feeling. She seemed at the end of her rope. She finally says to me, "Mom, Sherry says that I should kill (insert name) with kindness", and there was a long silence..."Yes, that would be nice", I replied. And with much seriousness & thought she replies back, "I'm gonna get a baseball bat and write KINDNESS on it, and hit (insert name) with it".
I found that it was best to just pull over since I couldn't see past the tears of laughter how to drive.
Where on earth do they get this stuff? I have no idea...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Acting My Age
I consider myself somewhere in the ballpark of mid 20's when it comes to having fun. I like to have fun, be adventurous & spontaneous. It's one thing that my kids love about me. Rarely do they attempt something that I'm not 2nd in line. Now I'm not reckless or dangerous but I have been known to break a few rules but...who hasn't, right?
But this weekend my body sat me down for a nice long talk. Actually we are STILL sitting, or I should say laying.
I was the one 2 years ago that HAD to talk the husband into getting the kids a trampoline. After all it was going to have a net around it and we would abide by all the rules. It would get the kids outside and be a fun source of exercise. We would have so much fun. I explained how careful we would be. How we would take turns, only jump one at a time. He finally gave in.
The hours they have spent jumping and playing are too numerous to count. The gallons of water they have used spraying each other while jumping are enough to fill a small pond. It has been moved countless times so to be in the shade throughout the day. Many times I praised my great idea and worthwhile investment. Needless to say we have gotten great enjoyment from our trampoline.
It has shown much wear & tear over the span of 2 years, including a ripped net, something that we have said over and over that needed to be replaced.
It was Sunday night that the kids & I were jumping and began to chant relentlessly for Dad to come join us...."Daaddy, Daaddy, Daaddy".
We hadn't been on long before the game began and I was tagged "it". I made my way bouncing around trying to choose my victim. Laughter filled the night air. I was usually the brunt of the jokes for my lack of graceful poise in mid air. I set my sights on Miles. I made a high bounce toward him. As I came back up I found that my legs didn't quite have enough room to get underneath me and it began. It was what felt like hours but happened in seconds. I started stumbling backwards, grasping for anything I could grab onto to stop my spiraling fall that felt like would never end. Then there was the moment that I knew... The moment I knew that I was going to regret letting my silly husband ever talk me into getting such a dangerous, ill made,
reckless, stupid piece of junk ever made.
Then I awoke on the ground surrounded by people who claimed were my family , hearing shrills of agony I'm sure have never been uttered only to realize they were coming from me. I lay there in the grass and dirt, fully prepared to stay there for the next 6 days. I tried to be brave for the children. I tried. Then the husband thought it was time I was moved to the house. We scurried around and unearthed what was the left side of my lower back and managed to get me in the house which involved being carried like a sack of fertilizer out of the local farmers market.
It was a long night...a very long night. Truth be told it's been a long few days, but I am getting better.
I've learned a few things in this whole ordeal.
1. Don't tell anyone how you got hurt. They WILL laugh. They WILL make jokes. They WILL make comments about your age.
2. GET A NET!
and lastly....
3. When you are in pain...you could care less if the hospital gown opens in the front or the back!
Keeping my two feet planted on the ground for awhile,
~A
But this weekend my body sat me down for a nice long talk. Actually we are STILL sitting, or I should say laying.
I was the one 2 years ago that HAD to talk the husband into getting the kids a trampoline. After all it was going to have a net around it and we would abide by all the rules. It would get the kids outside and be a fun source of exercise. We would have so much fun. I explained how careful we would be. How we would take turns, only jump one at a time. He finally gave in.
The hours they have spent jumping and playing are too numerous to count. The gallons of water they have used spraying each other while jumping are enough to fill a small pond. It has been moved countless times so to be in the shade throughout the day. Many times I praised my great idea and worthwhile investment. Needless to say we have gotten great enjoyment from our trampoline.
It has shown much wear & tear over the span of 2 years, including a ripped net, something that we have said over and over that needed to be replaced.
It was Sunday night that the kids & I were jumping and began to chant relentlessly for Dad to come join us...."Daaddy, Daaddy, Daaddy".
We hadn't been on long before the game began and I was tagged "it". I made my way bouncing around trying to choose my victim. Laughter filled the night air. I was usually the brunt of the jokes for my lack of graceful poise in mid air. I set my sights on Miles. I made a high bounce toward him. As I came back up I found that my legs didn't quite have enough room to get underneath me and it began. It was what felt like hours but happened in seconds. I started stumbling backwards, grasping for anything I could grab onto to stop my spiraling fall that felt like would never end. Then there was the moment that I knew... The moment I knew that I was going to regret letting my silly husband ever talk me into getting such a dangerous, ill made,
reckless, stupid piece of junk ever made.
Then I awoke on the ground surrounded by people who claimed were my family , hearing shrills of agony I'm sure have never been uttered only to realize they were coming from me. I lay there in the grass and dirt, fully prepared to stay there for the next 6 days. I tried to be brave for the children. I tried. Then the husband thought it was time I was moved to the house. We scurried around and unearthed what was the left side of my lower back and managed to get me in the house which involved being carried like a sack of fertilizer out of the local farmers market.
It was a long night...a very long night. Truth be told it's been a long few days, but I am getting better.
I've learned a few things in this whole ordeal.
1. Don't tell anyone how you got hurt. They WILL laugh. They WILL make jokes. They WILL make comments about your age.
2. GET A NET!
and lastly....
3. When you are in pain...you could care less if the hospital gown opens in the front or the back!
Keeping my two feet planted on the ground for awhile,
~A
Sunday, November 28, 2010
There's no place like HOME~
We have a CHRISTmas tree tradition that every year I buy a new ornament or two for each of us that has some memory of an event or activity or accomplishment for that year. As you can imagine with 5 people it has grown rather large.
I love to see the anticipation from the kids as they each are given their ornament. Tonight we followed in our tradition as it seemed that CHRISTmas had come early by the kids excitment when they found out that I did indeed already have their ornaments for this year.
Each one was carefully wrapped & passed out. We each took turns opening our ornaments beginning with the youngest. Each ornament was met with surprise and discussion about the stories & events behind each one. Perhaps my favorite this year was our Family Ornament. I try to find one ornament that represents something significant for our family that year. Past ornaments have included a skiing Santa, a new school and my favorite a new church. But this years ornament was simple to decide on.
We each carefully unwrapped the layers of paper to finally discover a beautiful home. Indeed this is the year of having our first real home as a family. A place to call our own. A place to raise our family in. A place that protects & shelters. A place to dream in. A place to laugh in. A place to share with friends. A place to host our families. A place of rest.
My hope for you is that your home, whether new or old, large or small, owned or rented is a place that comforts you, draws you close, and provides a place where life long memories are created.
There's no place like home,
~A
I love to see the anticipation from the kids as they each are given their ornament. Tonight we followed in our tradition as it seemed that CHRISTmas had come early by the kids excitment when they found out that I did indeed already have their ornaments for this year.
Each one was carefully wrapped & passed out. We each took turns opening our ornaments beginning with the youngest. Each ornament was met with surprise and discussion about the stories & events behind each one. Perhaps my favorite this year was our Family Ornament. I try to find one ornament that represents something significant for our family that year. Past ornaments have included a skiing Santa, a new school and my favorite a new church. But this years ornament was simple to decide on.
We each carefully unwrapped the layers of paper to finally discover a beautiful home. Indeed this is the year of having our first real home as a family. A place to call our own. A place to raise our family in. A place that protects & shelters. A place to dream in. A place to laugh in. A place to share with friends. A place to host our families. A place of rest.
My hope for you is that your home, whether new or old, large or small, owned or rented is a place that comforts you, draws you close, and provides a place where life long memories are created.
There's no place like home,
~A
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thanksgiving - things I love
I love Thanksgiving. I look forward to when my kids get married with children and come home for Turkey Day. It could quite possibly be my favorite holiday.
Things I love & have learned about Thanksgiving:
~ I love the cooking. (not so much the cleaning)
~ Love all the new recipes, and all the old favorites.
~ I know that we need a deep fryer so I can have fried turkey more than once a year.
~ I also have learned that to recreate Ireta's famous green beans, I need a pressure cooker. Seriously, I am scared to death of those things and the noise they make, so guess I will just have to stick with the safer version that doesn't stand a chance of blowing up in my kitchen.
~ I love spending time with family. Especially when it's not rushed and when I know the majority of them.
~ I love the football that comes with the holiday.
~ I know that I would love the shopping, just have never experienced it. Our family has one of our dinners on Black Friday, so it's also a cheap holiday for us.
I guess I could sit and think of tons and tons of things that I love about Thanksgiving, but it seems the older I get the more the real meaning of the holiday seems to surface.
It isn't a holiday filled with boxes of candy or dozens of roses. It isn't a holiday filled with baskets of eggs or fingers stained with dye. It isn't about fireworks or kids knocking on doors begging for candy. It isn't about presents & gift wrapping, or lights that won't glow.
To me Thanksgiving is time to reflect all the blessings I have. To think of His goodness & mercy He's shown. I think about giving thanks to the One who gave His all.
I will give thanks
~A
Things I love & have learned about Thanksgiving:
~ I love the cooking. (not so much the cleaning)
~ Love all the new recipes, and all the old favorites.
~ I know that we need a deep fryer so I can have fried turkey more than once a year.
~ I also have learned that to recreate Ireta's famous green beans, I need a pressure cooker. Seriously, I am scared to death of those things and the noise they make, so guess I will just have to stick with the safer version that doesn't stand a chance of blowing up in my kitchen.
~ I love spending time with family. Especially when it's not rushed and when I know the majority of them.
~ I love the football that comes with the holiday.
~ I know that I would love the shopping, just have never experienced it. Our family has one of our dinners on Black Friday, so it's also a cheap holiday for us.
I guess I could sit and think of tons and tons of things that I love about Thanksgiving, but it seems the older I get the more the real meaning of the holiday seems to surface.
It isn't a holiday filled with boxes of candy or dozens of roses. It isn't a holiday filled with baskets of eggs or fingers stained with dye. It isn't about fireworks or kids knocking on doors begging for candy. It isn't about presents & gift wrapping, or lights that won't glow.
To me Thanksgiving is time to reflect all the blessings I have. To think of His goodness & mercy He's shown. I think about giving thanks to the One who gave His all.
I will give thanks
~A
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Time...
Looking back at my blog tonight I realized a few things:
1. It's been a year! WHAT?! How on earth has a year past since my last post? How did this happen? I know in my mind I've posted thousands of entries, I guess they just never made it to the page. I also started a journal/memory/book thingy on my computer. I have always wanted to keep a journal for my kids to read when they get older. I also wanted somewhere to write down my thoughts in areas that I am struggling through and things that helped me get through them. I figure once I've been through the fire...might as well help someone else when they pass through. So that has taken some time and energy away from my blog too.
2. My last post was about working out, training, Zumba, gym - gosh, I'm tired just thinking about all that!
I realized that it has now been a year since my feet started hurting. Ouch :( I started working out and exercising to feel better because we all know that everyone says, "if you want to feel better you need to exercise". BahHumBug!
I have had such enormous pain at times since working out that sometimes I could barely walk. I went to doctors, got injections, stretched muscles, therapy, you name it. One guy even said, "just don't do what you did when they started hurting". REALLY, You think?
I do realize that exercise is good. Just not for my heels. So would anyone like to tell me what cardio exercise doesn't involve moving your heels?
3. I realize that my kids are getting older, and I don't like it! What the cuss?! Where has time gone? As much as I would love to spend more time blogging, if given the choice between that and spending time with my kids...yep, you guessed it. Another reason why it's been a year. But as with most all my posts, they are written in the wee hours of the night after the "tuck-ins and good night kisses".
4. I realize that I have just a little more knowledge of being the woman of God, wife, mother, pastor's wife, daughter, sister, & friend that I am called to be. For me to gain knowledge is for me to find treasure.
Maybe I will do better this time around. But if not, you'll know that I'm enjoying the ride~
1. It's been a year! WHAT?! How on earth has a year past since my last post? How did this happen? I know in my mind I've posted thousands of entries, I guess they just never made it to the page. I also started a journal/memory/book thingy on my computer. I have always wanted to keep a journal for my kids to read when they get older. I also wanted somewhere to write down my thoughts in areas that I am struggling through and things that helped me get through them. I figure once I've been through the fire...might as well help someone else when they pass through. So that has taken some time and energy away from my blog too.
2. My last post was about working out, training, Zumba, gym - gosh, I'm tired just thinking about all that!
I realized that it has now been a year since my feet started hurting. Ouch :( I started working out and exercising to feel better because we all know that everyone says, "if you want to feel better you need to exercise". BahHumBug!
I have had such enormous pain at times since working out that sometimes I could barely walk. I went to doctors, got injections, stretched muscles, therapy, you name it. One guy even said, "just don't do what you did when they started hurting". REALLY, You think?
I do realize that exercise is good. Just not for my heels. So would anyone like to tell me what cardio exercise doesn't involve moving your heels?
3. I realize that my kids are getting older, and I don't like it! What the cuss?! Where has time gone? As much as I would love to spend more time blogging, if given the choice between that and spending time with my kids...yep, you guessed it. Another reason why it's been a year. But as with most all my posts, they are written in the wee hours of the night after the "tuck-ins and good night kisses".
4. I realize that I have just a little more knowledge of being the woman of God, wife, mother, pastor's wife, daughter, sister, & friend that I am called to be. For me to gain knowledge is for me to find treasure.
Maybe I will do better this time around. But if not, you'll know that I'm enjoying the ride~
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Everybody is doing it...
Everybody is doing it...You should try it...You'll love it!!! I want to be there when you do!!!
What on earth am I talking about? The latest craze in fitness of course, ZUMBA!
Now, I have been going to the gym for about a year now. Worked out with a personal trainer for 3 months. For the last 2 months I attended a "Boot Camp" workout, which is like having a personal trainer, but sharing him with 5 other people and it's cheaper. So naturally, when I get bored I look for something new.
All my 'young' friends have been talking about zumba non stop. They love it. They keep encouraging me to go. And always say, "now when you go for the first time, let
me know, I want to be there". That should have been my clue. :)
I went to my first class tonight. I felt like I was Baby from Dirty Dancing, the night she carried 'a watermelon', except Baby only made a fool of herself in front of maybe 20 people...I had the honor of humiliating myself in front of 200!!
There were people of every age, color and kind together. For one solid hour we all danced like tribal people during mating season.
I did break a sweat but nothing like "boot camp", but I never once looked to see how much time was left in the class.
I came home tonight and showed my husband a 3 second show of what class was like. By the look on his face, my fears of making a fool of myself were confirmed. Maybe next time I'll just carry a watermelon.
What on earth am I talking about? The latest craze in fitness of course, ZUMBA!
Now, I have been going to the gym for about a year now. Worked out with a personal trainer for 3 months. For the last 2 months I attended a "Boot Camp" workout, which is like having a personal trainer, but sharing him with 5 other people and it's cheaper. So naturally, when I get bored I look for something new.
All my 'young' friends have been talking about zumba non stop. They love it. They keep encouraging me to go. And always say, "now when you go for the first time, let
me know, I want to be there". That should have been my clue. :)
I went to my first class tonight. I felt like I was Baby from Dirty Dancing, the night she carried 'a watermelon', except Baby only made a fool of herself in front of maybe 20 people...I had the honor of humiliating myself in front of 200!!
There were people of every age, color and kind together. For one solid hour we all danced like tribal people during mating season.
I did break a sweat but nothing like "boot camp", but I never once looked to see how much time was left in the class.
I came home tonight and showed my husband a 3 second show of what class was like. By the look on his face, my fears of making a fool of myself were confirmed. Maybe next time I'll just carry a watermelon.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Welcome Home Curtis, welcome home
I wrote a blog about our family getting "Curtis" the dog from my mom. It's been almost 3 months since he came to live with us.
Last week my sister and I met at the half way point and I picked up my mom so she could come and stay with us for a week.
I think that one of the main reasons she really came to visit was to see if Curtis was happy here. I imagined that the grandkids was another major reason. :)
I was a little nervous about him seeing her for the first time...was he going to like her better than he did me? Was he going to decide to be her buddy & follow her around this week?
My fears were put to rest when he saw her for the first time.
All through the week he remained true to me. This was important to me because my mom was convinced that Curtis' misbehaving was due to the fact that he missed HER and wanted to go home.
Now fast forward to the end of the week when it's time to take her back to the half way point. (and remember my previous blog on just how many times she has given him away and taken him back)
As I'm loading up, Curtis comes out the front door and typical for him he jumps in the car. I tell him that he is not going this time. I can't possibly drive 4 hours with him today. You see, Curtis chases cars, trucks, cows, motorcycles, 18 wheelers...INSIDE the car! It's the most insane thing you have ever saw.
I ask my mom to help me get him out of the car and take him back inside. She takes him inside and I'm finished loading the car waiting. She gets in the car and I look over at her as I put the car in reverse...and it happens. She is crying.
I can't bare it. I put the car in park and announce that I'm just going to go back inside and get him.
She had been asking me all week, "you want me to take Curtis back home with me?". She even asked the kids before we left that morning. Each time we told her no, that he was happy here and that we wanted him to stay.
But I think she really wanted him back. She missed his company.
So, now I'm in the house packing his stuff up to go back. I do it quietly so the kids don't know whats happening.
Now, I'm crying. But I couldn't let her know.
We met both my sisters for breakfast at the half way point. Boy were they surprised. Curtis has yet again been moved like a piece of furniture.
Saying goodbye was very emotional for me. I was offically attached to "Stacy's dog".
After returning home the kids took the news hard. Graham was especially brokenhearted.
The next day we had church service. Afterwards we had a huge pool party and shrimp boil. The day finally ended with us returning home at 8 p.m.
As we all piled out of the car moving slowly from the events of the day, Graham says, "I hear barking". I figured Tess was mad with us after being gone all day. Then Mac says, "but that sounds like a Curtis bark!".
By this time we are all running up the porch rushing to get Stacy to open the door. We bust in and there he is! He has returned!!! "But how?", asks Mac.
My sister & mom had driven the whole way on Sunday to return him. She said that he was "sad, & dragging around", even said he wouldn't sleep with her.
It's offical. Curtis has found his home forever!! Never to be moved again!!
So in the words of Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover, "Welcome Home Curtis, Welcome Home!".
Last week my sister and I met at the half way point and I picked up my mom so she could come and stay with us for a week.
I think that one of the main reasons she really came to visit was to see if Curtis was happy here. I imagined that the grandkids was another major reason. :)
I was a little nervous about him seeing her for the first time...was he going to like her better than he did me? Was he going to decide to be her buddy & follow her around this week?
My fears were put to rest when he saw her for the first time.
All through the week he remained true to me. This was important to me because my mom was convinced that Curtis' misbehaving was due to the fact that he missed HER and wanted to go home.
Now fast forward to the end of the week when it's time to take her back to the half way point. (and remember my previous blog on just how many times she has given him away and taken him back)
As I'm loading up, Curtis comes out the front door and typical for him he jumps in the car. I tell him that he is not going this time. I can't possibly drive 4 hours with him today. You see, Curtis chases cars, trucks, cows, motorcycles, 18 wheelers...INSIDE the car! It's the most insane thing you have ever saw.
I ask my mom to help me get him out of the car and take him back inside. She takes him inside and I'm finished loading the car waiting. She gets in the car and I look over at her as I put the car in reverse...and it happens. She is crying.
I can't bare it. I put the car in park and announce that I'm just going to go back inside and get him.
She had been asking me all week, "you want me to take Curtis back home with me?". She even asked the kids before we left that morning. Each time we told her no, that he was happy here and that we wanted him to stay.
But I think she really wanted him back. She missed his company.
So, now I'm in the house packing his stuff up to go back. I do it quietly so the kids don't know whats happening.
Now, I'm crying. But I couldn't let her know.
We met both my sisters for breakfast at the half way point. Boy were they surprised. Curtis has yet again been moved like a piece of furniture.
Saying goodbye was very emotional for me. I was offically attached to "Stacy's dog".
After returning home the kids took the news hard. Graham was especially brokenhearted.
The next day we had church service. Afterwards we had a huge pool party and shrimp boil. The day finally ended with us returning home at 8 p.m.
As we all piled out of the car moving slowly from the events of the day, Graham says, "I hear barking". I figured Tess was mad with us after being gone all day. Then Mac says, "but that sounds like a Curtis bark!".
By this time we are all running up the porch rushing to get Stacy to open the door. We bust in and there he is! He has returned!!! "But how?", asks Mac.
My sister & mom had driven the whole way on Sunday to return him. She said that he was "sad, & dragging around", even said he wouldn't sleep with her.
It's offical. Curtis has found his home forever!! Never to be moved again!!
So in the words of Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover, "Welcome Home Curtis, Welcome Home!".
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
18 years & still in love
I just had the privilege of celebrating 18 years of marriage to my best friend in the whole world.
Things that I have pondered...
I have had the best time of my life.
I have been married 1/2 of my life now. WOW!
I have been married longer than my parents were.
I have been married longer than my in laws.
I have been married so long that I really can't remember life before marriage.
I'm only 7 years away from my 25th wedding anniversary and I want a HUGE party.
18 years ago - I didn't have a clue about planning a wedding.
18 years ago - Everyone in my life was still living.
18 years ago - people thought I was either crazy or pregnant. :) I was crazy in LOVE!
18 years ago - I never wanted kids. Now I have 3 of the most precious gifts EVER! I would have had more if I thougtht we could afford them :)
I wouldn't trade anything in the world for where I am now.
These are the BEST years of my life!
~A
Things that I have pondered...
I have had the best time of my life.
I have been married 1/2 of my life now. WOW!
I have been married longer than my parents were.
I have been married longer than my in laws.
I have been married so long that I really can't remember life before marriage.
I'm only 7 years away from my 25th wedding anniversary and I want a HUGE party.
18 years ago - I didn't have a clue about planning a wedding.
18 years ago - Everyone in my life was still living.
18 years ago - people thought I was either crazy or pregnant. :) I was crazy in LOVE!
18 years ago - I never wanted kids. Now I have 3 of the most precious gifts EVER! I would have had more if I thougtht we could afford them :)
I wouldn't trade anything in the world for where I am now.
These are the BEST years of my life!
~A
Monday, June 29, 2009
I always said that Curtis would come live with me, BUT
I didn't mean the DOG!
Curtis was my down syndrome uncle. I wrote about him before. It was always our plan that he would come to live with us when something happened to my grandmother. He died before that ever happened.
Soon after he died my niece had a litter of Shih Tzu puppies. After checking them all out, we agreed there was this one little guy that looked like Curtis. He had narrow eyes that were farther apart than the rest and he was the sweetest thing.
Needless to say, once they named him Curtis... he was in the family. When it came time to sell the puppies they couldn't bring themselves to sell "CURTIS". So my mom agreed to take him.
Now you have to understand my mom & animals. We had animals growing up, but they were ours. She had nothing to do with them. She has tried to have a couple of dogs but only to give them away after a few weeks because of their lack of obeying her & her lack of patience. Guess that's why she never re-married either.
Long story short, she had Curtis for longer than she ever kept any other dog, but then decided that she was going to sell him to a neighbor's friend who loved to play with him & wanted him.
He went home with her but then soon came back...She bought him back. Couldn't stand it. Then she gave him away to a family friend TWICE...She took him back TWICE.
After visiting our family a few weeks ago, she made the comment that "Curtis needed to be with kids"...and Stacy fell for it. He liked Curtis because he was a big burly dog, not like our dainty Tess who he says is full of drama!
I told him this was going to be his dog. I was not bathing him, feeding him or taking him to potty. He had to do it. "Yes, yes, I will", he replied.
So like I always said Curtis has now come to live with us. Not like I expected though.
He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning barking, to which I elbow (very hard) my husband and say, "He's YOUR dog!"
I wish I could say it was working out like I planned but I have to go now and take Curtis out to potty & then give him a bath!
Curtis was my down syndrome uncle. I wrote about him before. It was always our plan that he would come to live with us when something happened to my grandmother. He died before that ever happened.
Soon after he died my niece had a litter of Shih Tzu puppies. After checking them all out, we agreed there was this one little guy that looked like Curtis. He had narrow eyes that were farther apart than the rest and he was the sweetest thing.
Needless to say, once they named him Curtis... he was in the family. When it came time to sell the puppies they couldn't bring themselves to sell "CURTIS". So my mom agreed to take him.
Now you have to understand my mom & animals. We had animals growing up, but they were ours. She had nothing to do with them. She has tried to have a couple of dogs but only to give them away after a few weeks because of their lack of obeying her & her lack of patience. Guess that's why she never re-married either.
Long story short, she had Curtis for longer than she ever kept any other dog, but then decided that she was going to sell him to a neighbor's friend who loved to play with him & wanted him.
He went home with her but then soon came back...She bought him back. Couldn't stand it. Then she gave him away to a family friend TWICE...She took him back TWICE.
After visiting our family a few weeks ago, she made the comment that "Curtis needed to be with kids"...and Stacy fell for it. He liked Curtis because he was a big burly dog, not like our dainty Tess who he says is full of drama!
I told him this was going to be his dog. I was not bathing him, feeding him or taking him to potty. He had to do it. "Yes, yes, I will", he replied.
So like I always said Curtis has now come to live with us. Not like I expected though.
He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning barking, to which I elbow (very hard) my husband and say, "He's YOUR dog!"
I wish I could say it was working out like I planned but I have to go now and take Curtis out to potty & then give him a bath!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Granny's - everyones got one
But I think mine is hilarious!
I been thinking about her so much lately. Remembering all the times we (my siblings) spent at her house...
* making world famous mud pies dried only by the solar heat.
* playing in the "play house". Which was basically a pit in the back yard that we would swing down into.
* sewing little patches together with her. That's my only sewing experience.
* her chasing us for spankings & the older kids climbed trees and the younger hid.
* rolling her own cigarettes. Prince Albert in a can, baby!!
* sleeping with her & having to be rubbed down in Vicks Menthol Salve, regardless if you were sick or not. Nose, throat, chest & back.
* ironing leaves between sheets of wax paper. I'm gonna do this with my kids for old times sake.
* the black rotary phone. I used to sneak in her bedroom to play with it.
* crackers & mustard. Still a great snack today.
Granny was one that whenever you visited her she would talk, talk, & talk. Then when it was time to go, she walked you to your car and talked some more. But now that she's older she doesn't walk you out anymore, but boy can she still talk. The difference now when you call her is she talks then announces, "well, I've said all I know to say, Good-bye". And that's that. So funny.
And though she might be getting up there in the years, don't let that fool you. She can spout out dates of years past like it was yesterday. I've always wondered how she does that. I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, much less the events of 1967.
Just to give you a picture of what my Granny is like... She reminds me SO SO much of The Fruitcake Lady. If you've never heard any of her stuff just google it. You'll be in for a treat.
Granny don't beat around the bush and she don't pull no punches, she just tells it like it is. I love her.
I always enjoy our talks and think that one day, I'm gonna be just like her.
I been thinking about her so much lately. Remembering all the times we (my siblings) spent at her house...
* making world famous mud pies dried only by the solar heat.
* playing in the "play house". Which was basically a pit in the back yard that we would swing down into.
* sewing little patches together with her. That's my only sewing experience.
* her chasing us for spankings & the older kids climbed trees and the younger hid.
* rolling her own cigarettes. Prince Albert in a can, baby!!
* sleeping with her & having to be rubbed down in Vicks Menthol Salve, regardless if you were sick or not. Nose, throat, chest & back.
* ironing leaves between sheets of wax paper. I'm gonna do this with my kids for old times sake.
* the black rotary phone. I used to sneak in her bedroom to play with it.
* crackers & mustard. Still a great snack today.
Granny was one that whenever you visited her she would talk, talk, & talk. Then when it was time to go, she walked you to your car and talked some more. But now that she's older she doesn't walk you out anymore, but boy can she still talk. The difference now when you call her is she talks then announces, "well, I've said all I know to say, Good-bye". And that's that. So funny.
And though she might be getting up there in the years, don't let that fool you. She can spout out dates of years past like it was yesterday. I've always wondered how she does that. I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, much less the events of 1967.
Just to give you a picture of what my Granny is like... She reminds me SO SO much of The Fruitcake Lady. If you've never heard any of her stuff just google it. You'll be in for a treat.
Granny don't beat around the bush and she don't pull no punches, she just tells it like it is. I love her.
I always enjoy our talks and think that one day, I'm gonna be just like her.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The one thing I NEVER wanted to happen...
Yeah, I'm a pastor's wife, church planter, mom, blah, blah, blah...BUT I can also fight. And boy did I want to knock somebodies lights out!
You gotta understand that some mom's pray very specific prayers over their babies while they are in the womb. Like for health & proper development, which I did. For this baby to grow up and be a world changer, which I did. For them to always have a close relationship with their siblings, which I did. And who could forget to pray for good teeth? Not me! I prayed for that, seriously. Stop laughing, I did.
I was the only one in my family to not have braces. Had good teeth till I had children. But I also knew all about having to get teeth FIXED. And I didn't want that for my kids. I also knew how much dental procedures cost and insurance was never even close to covering it so I thought, "why not just pray for perfect teeth now?".
So, now you know a little bit about why I obsess over teeth, (it's the first thing I notice about people)...
It's my birthday & I'm headed to watch the boys play baseball with my mom & sister. They have to be there a hour early & since my mom & sister didn't know where to go, I sent Stacy & the boys on & told him we would be following shortly.
We are about 4 minutes away and my phone rings. It was Stacy, but all I could hear was crying and him saying something like "hold this on there". He finally says those dreaded words that I never ever ever wanted to hear..."Honey, Graham just got his front 2 teeth knocked out!".
My stomach has just sunk into my feet, I have a huge knot in my throat immediately and all I can say is, "are you serious?". Of course my mom & sister are now asking, "what, what???".
I can hear Graham crying over the phone. My heart just breaks. He's worried about how he looks. He's bleeding from his mouth being busted up. His lip and gum's are bleeding and Stacy is loading him up to take him to the emergency room. He instructs me to hurry and find Miles when I get there to calm him down.
I met Stacy & Graham in the parking lot and gave Graham a big hug and tried to comfort him the best I could and offer my words to him that,"it's not really that bad son", all the while the last mile I have beaten my steering wheel till I bruised my hand.
I park and find Miles who immediately breaks down when I get to him. Brothers can beat EACH other up, but when somebody ELSE does something to one of them...you are in trouble. He was ready to fight. He is just like me. When he gets really mad & upset he cries. Once I got him calmed down, all he wanted to do was "be with Graham". It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
So what happened?
Graham & another boy was warming up before the game. The coach had announced for them to gather their things because they were moving to a different field. Graham reached down to get his stuff and when he raised back up, the kid had thrown the ball and it hit him square in the mouth.
Stacy said he came running to him crying, blood gushing out of his mouth, holding his 2 front teeth in his hand.
I have emotions. I'm pretty ticked off. I'm trying to think in my mind, "ok Amy, you gotta hold it together for the sake of the children" and then I'm asking Miles, "which kid hit him?", "where's his parents?", "what happened?". I think I probably would have been better if somebody in the guilty party would have offered their apologies or asked how Graham was, but no, they were too busy eating their big fat hot dog. All I can see is this processed mystery meat being shoved up their nose till parts of it are oozing out of their eyeballs. Then I'm brought back to reality by thinking as bad as this seems...I guess it could have been worse. 'sigh'
Thankfully, God placed the nicest family in our church, who the man happens to be in the dental profession. When Stacy was on the way to the hospital he called him and told him what had happened. He met Graham & Stacy at the ER and said that he thought that he could fix G's lip & gum's and he would go ahead and seal the pulp that was exposed on the teeth. He also worked on him Saturday morning to glue his old teeth back on to get him through Easter weekend & protect the pulp.
Now we are waiting to see if the roots are going to make it from the trauma, so far so good.
I guess Graham & I will have more things in common now. We'll get our teeth bonded together.
As the days have passed it has gotten easier, but I still think about what is to come with a young boy & 2 front teeth that are bonded. How many times will we end up having to fix them? Will he ever be able to bite into an apple or eat corn on the cob? Things that most people take for granted that I can't do.
I just keep telling myself, "their just TEETH".
I'm learning that I don't understand & can't control everything that happens...and when it does I have to say - Tis gar plen - "so what".
Miles says the kid owes us 2 teeth.
You gotta understand that some mom's pray very specific prayers over their babies while they are in the womb. Like for health & proper development, which I did. For this baby to grow up and be a world changer, which I did. For them to always have a close relationship with their siblings, which I did. And who could forget to pray for good teeth? Not me! I prayed for that, seriously. Stop laughing, I did.
I was the only one in my family to not have braces. Had good teeth till I had children. But I also knew all about having to get teeth FIXED. And I didn't want that for my kids. I also knew how much dental procedures cost and insurance was never even close to covering it so I thought, "why not just pray for perfect teeth now?".
So, now you know a little bit about why I obsess over teeth, (it's the first thing I notice about people)...
It's my birthday & I'm headed to watch the boys play baseball with my mom & sister. They have to be there a hour early & since my mom & sister didn't know where to go, I sent Stacy & the boys on & told him we would be following shortly.
We are about 4 minutes away and my phone rings. It was Stacy, but all I could hear was crying and him saying something like "hold this on there". He finally says those dreaded words that I never ever ever wanted to hear..."Honey, Graham just got his front 2 teeth knocked out!".
My stomach has just sunk into my feet, I have a huge knot in my throat immediately and all I can say is, "are you serious?". Of course my mom & sister are now asking, "what, what???".
I can hear Graham crying over the phone. My heart just breaks. He's worried about how he looks. He's bleeding from his mouth being busted up. His lip and gum's are bleeding and Stacy is loading him up to take him to the emergency room. He instructs me to hurry and find Miles when I get there to calm him down.
I met Stacy & Graham in the parking lot and gave Graham a big hug and tried to comfort him the best I could and offer my words to him that,"it's not really that bad son", all the while the last mile I have beaten my steering wheel till I bruised my hand.
I park and find Miles who immediately breaks down when I get to him. Brothers can beat EACH other up, but when somebody ELSE does something to one of them...you are in trouble. He was ready to fight. He is just like me. When he gets really mad & upset he cries. Once I got him calmed down, all he wanted to do was "be with Graham". It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
So what happened?
Graham & another boy was warming up before the game. The coach had announced for them to gather their things because they were moving to a different field. Graham reached down to get his stuff and when he raised back up, the kid had thrown the ball and it hit him square in the mouth.
Stacy said he came running to him crying, blood gushing out of his mouth, holding his 2 front teeth in his hand.
I have emotions. I'm pretty ticked off. I'm trying to think in my mind, "ok Amy, you gotta hold it together for the sake of the children" and then I'm asking Miles, "which kid hit him?", "where's his parents?", "what happened?". I think I probably would have been better if somebody in the guilty party would have offered their apologies or asked how Graham was, but no, they were too busy eating their big fat hot dog. All I can see is this processed mystery meat being shoved up their nose till parts of it are oozing out of their eyeballs. Then I'm brought back to reality by thinking as bad as this seems...I guess it could have been worse. 'sigh'
Thankfully, God placed the nicest family in our church, who the man happens to be in the dental profession. When Stacy was on the way to the hospital he called him and told him what had happened. He met Graham & Stacy at the ER and said that he thought that he could fix G's lip & gum's and he would go ahead and seal the pulp that was exposed on the teeth. He also worked on him Saturday morning to glue his old teeth back on to get him through Easter weekend & protect the pulp.
Now we are waiting to see if the roots are going to make it from the trauma, so far so good.
I guess Graham & I will have more things in common now. We'll get our teeth bonded together.
As the days have passed it has gotten easier, but I still think about what is to come with a young boy & 2 front teeth that are bonded. How many times will we end up having to fix them? Will he ever be able to bite into an apple or eat corn on the cob? Things that most people take for granted that I can't do.
I just keep telling myself, "their just TEETH".
I'm learning that I don't understand & can't control everything that happens...and when it does I have to say - Tis gar plen - "so what".
Miles says the kid owes us 2 teeth.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Gym Update - week 4 (evaluation)
I talked my trainer into evaluating me a couple of days early. My evaluation was scheduled for Sunday but who goes to the gym on Sundays? And today is my birthday and the kids are out of school for Good Friday so we did it on Thursday. Although he made me promise to still come to the gym on my birthday and do cardio. Yeah, I'm really starting to not like him! :)
I've lost a total of 8 pounds.
1-1/2 inches in my waist.
1 inch every where else (legs, arms)
And I've lost 4% of my body fat. So it's official now... I'm not obese anymore :)
So all in all it was a good month. I felt like I worked my tail off. I've eaten only what was on my list. I've been faithful to the gym. I haven't killed anyone in my cravings. I've given up my sleep for torture.
Killer Mike gave me an "A-" on my evaluation. I won't tell you what I gave him.
I've lost a total of 8 pounds.
1-1/2 inches in my waist.
1 inch every where else (legs, arms)
And I've lost 4% of my body fat. So it's official now... I'm not obese anymore :)
So all in all it was a good month. I felt like I worked my tail off. I've eaten only what was on my list. I've been faithful to the gym. I haven't killed anyone in my cravings. I've given up my sleep for torture.
Killer Mike gave me an "A-" on my evaluation. I won't tell you what I gave him.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Birthdays & Loss
Birthdays - you either love 'em or hate 'em. Age seems to be the deciding factor. I always say, "your only as old as you act", which explains a lot in my case. I still act like I'm in my twenties. Now, I didn't say I FELT like I was in my twenties, but I still act like a crazy kid sometimes.
But these last couple of birthdays have been extremely hard for me. Up until now, I didn't really talk about it. But my birthday reminds me of a great loss. It's funny because usually you don't remember the loss of a loved one on your own birthday, you usually remember them on theirs. But this one is different.
My Uncle Curtis was special. Not because he had down syndrome. Not because he insisted on kissing you EVERY time he saw you. Not because he never met a stranger (and yes, kissed them too).
He always loved unconditionally. We said he was "the glue that held the family together".
Birthdays were HIS thing. It was the funniest thing. He didn't have any kind of "smarts", like books, reading or writing BUT if he came over to your house and you had a calendar...He would mark every single 19th of each month on the calendar with a big "X". His birthday was the 19th of May but he marked every month anyway.
If it was ever anybody else birthday in the family and we got together he was furious. No one was allowed a birthday but him. Oh, and try singing the birthday song to someone other than him, and you were definitely not getting anymore kisses from him for awhile.
Once I rented the entire Skate Castle for Miles' birthday. I had decorated the entire snack area with dinosaurs and such on every table, had the place looking great. While we were all off skating Curtis came and threw every single decoration in the trash because we were celebrating someone else birthday.
He came to stay with us for awhile several years ago and we were having a big Youth Party. It was in December & we had planned a bonfire, hayride, "the works". He told all the youth it was his birthday and they believed him. So we turned the entire night into his birthday party. The same for 4th of July, Memorial Day, etc. You couldn't have a get together without Curtis thinking it was "my birthday".
He probably knew the whole time exactly when "his birthday" was, but he just loved all the attention and just thought, "if these crazy people are going to get together might as well be for me". :)
So, now I find myself having a hard time celebrating "my birthday". I love the days leading up to it, but just the day itself seems so hard. I told myself I was going to do better this year. I guess it just takes time. I really do miss him. My family talks about him all the time. We talk about the funny things he used to do and say.
This year the kids are out of school so maybe we'll have a day filled with things that Curtis loved...changing the trash, wrestling, one dollar bills, the beach, eating, singing, church, and kissing everyone we meet while we tell them, "it's been a looong time."
But these last couple of birthdays have been extremely hard for me. Up until now, I didn't really talk about it. But my birthday reminds me of a great loss. It's funny because usually you don't remember the loss of a loved one on your own birthday, you usually remember them on theirs. But this one is different.
My Uncle Curtis was special. Not because he had down syndrome. Not because he insisted on kissing you EVERY time he saw you. Not because he never met a stranger (and yes, kissed them too).
He always loved unconditionally. We said he was "the glue that held the family together".
Birthdays were HIS thing. It was the funniest thing. He didn't have any kind of "smarts", like books, reading or writing BUT if he came over to your house and you had a calendar...He would mark every single 19th of each month on the calendar with a big "X". His birthday was the 19th of May but he marked every month anyway.
If it was ever anybody else birthday in the family and we got together he was furious. No one was allowed a birthday but him. Oh, and try singing the birthday song to someone other than him, and you were definitely not getting anymore kisses from him for awhile.
Once I rented the entire Skate Castle for Miles' birthday. I had decorated the entire snack area with dinosaurs and such on every table, had the place looking great. While we were all off skating Curtis came and threw every single decoration in the trash because we were celebrating someone else birthday.
He came to stay with us for awhile several years ago and we were having a big Youth Party. It was in December & we had planned a bonfire, hayride, "the works". He told all the youth it was his birthday and they believed him. So we turned the entire night into his birthday party. The same for 4th of July, Memorial Day, etc. You couldn't have a get together without Curtis thinking it was "my birthday".
He probably knew the whole time exactly when "his birthday" was, but he just loved all the attention and just thought, "if these crazy people are going to get together might as well be for me". :)
So, now I find myself having a hard time celebrating "my birthday". I love the days leading up to it, but just the day itself seems so hard. I told myself I was going to do better this year. I guess it just takes time. I really do miss him. My family talks about him all the time. We talk about the funny things he used to do and say.
This year the kids are out of school so maybe we'll have a day filled with things that Curtis loved...changing the trash, wrestling, one dollar bills, the beach, eating, singing, church, and kissing everyone we meet while we tell them, "it's been a looong time."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Gym Update - week 3
I think this week should really be week 2 since I took last week off to go to the beach. And I gained 2 pounds.
This week was probably the hardest so far.
I've really had to step up my cardio workout & that's been huge for me. I think that I officially could qualify for a handicap sticker in my car now.
Thursday we worked legs. Afterward, I tried to do my cardi on the treadmill. NOT good. My legs were like spaghetti. I thought maybe if I ran instead of walked really fast my legs wouldn't be so wobbly. WRONG! I could have won $10,000 if someone had a video camera. I looked like a drunk woman running DOWN Mt. Rushmore. Someone actually asked me if I was o.k.
I quit. Called it a day. Ran extra on Friday to make up for it. WRONG again. Can't walk, sit, squat, climb, basically anything that deals with my legs bending. I never realized how short our toilets were until now! Good Lord!!
I have lost the 2 pounds from last weeks vacation, plus 1 :) But I've also peed in the floor twice!!! JK!!!
This week was probably the hardest so far.
I've really had to step up my cardio workout & that's been huge for me. I think that I officially could qualify for a handicap sticker in my car now.
Thursday we worked legs. Afterward, I tried to do my cardi on the treadmill. NOT good. My legs were like spaghetti. I thought maybe if I ran instead of walked really fast my legs wouldn't be so wobbly. WRONG! I could have won $10,000 if someone had a video camera. I looked like a drunk woman running DOWN Mt. Rushmore. Someone actually asked me if I was o.k.
I quit. Called it a day. Ran extra on Friday to make up for it. WRONG again. Can't walk, sit, squat, climb, basically anything that deals with my legs bending. I never realized how short our toilets were until now! Good Lord!!
I have lost the 2 pounds from last weeks vacation, plus 1 :) But I've also peed in the floor twice!!! JK!!!
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