Hamster

New beginnings

So, I'm on the trail of a new beginning.  After 4 years at a job that (I not only loved but also) changed my life.  I  left it to complete my 2nd degree.  An endorsement in Special Education.  Recently, I have been reflecting on why I chose such a path.  I don't know what sparked inside of me, but the burning need to be a person that not only is involved in the education process but someone who can bring out their desire to do more in life.  As a mom of a child with a disability, it drives me bonkers knowing that there is nothing I can do to take away the disability.  Nor can I help my husband be ok.  I just need to breathe.

Which brings me to where I am.  I am in a place that can bring some hope to individuals and families that struggle with a disability.  The hats I put on, will not only enable myself to help a student, but the family as well. I am excited, nervous, and anxious about my next step.  But most of all, I am eager to get the last completed.  Ready to move forward and change lives.  Mine included.

Oct 2011

A few years back, this group picture would have looked a lot different. Some members were added, 1 was was taken away. Kids were born and have been growing since. But one thing remains the same, we are still crazy kids who love to experience life together.

This past weekend, this group of 30 year old kids had a blast experiencing balloon days. It was a lot of fun. And though my toes are freezing in this picture and my husband and I had been trying to keep our kids from throwing a fit and/or cry, I would not have traded this weekend for the world.

September 11, 2001

We will always remember.

Summer 2011

These are my boys. They are a handful, but they are so worth it!!

I'm back!

So, I have an 8 year old and 3 year old. 3 year old is going through the "copy what you say" stage while the 8 year old is "ticked because I didn't want them to do that" stage. Help!

Rough

Today is a rough day for my Sister-in-law and her family. She resigned from her position as Youth Director at a church for the wrong reasons. Long story, but she got the very short and sharp end of a stick. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

http://nachfolge.blogspot.com/2010/05/heading-to-wyoming.html

=)

hi!

Busy Weekend

So, I was a bit surprised. Friday, my wonderful husband surprised me with a night out with the girls. Well, he tried to. I was almost completely surprised, had I not stumbled across an email while helping a teacher (who was invited). It just amazes me that after almost 10 years of marriage, my husband still will try and make my day better by giving me something back. He knew how stressed I have been at work and school these past 9 weeks and talked to a teacher, then another....and then....here I am taken out for the evening by some friends. It was so nice to hang out with the girls. And even nicer to know my husband cares.

Sunday - My husband turned the ripe age of 34. He doesn't like the attention and so planning anything birthdayish....is a bit hard at times. But Z and I decided that we wanted to go to the Hockey game on that day. So we bought the tickets and off my husband, Z, and I went. It was a blast! And it was so nice for the night away. No worries. And with the gracious offer of babysitting, N was taken well care of while we were gone.

Even though we were all over and not sitting still this weekend....it was worth it. =)

Yuck!

I hate CANCER!!! To be fair, I don't think many of us do, but just last week, it affected our small community. A mother of 6 (yes 6) died after suffering with the C-word for awhile. Her kids range from ages Senior to pre-school. I have had the privilege of working with 2 of the 6 children and have gotten to know them pretty well. And to see them interact with their peers is surreal. With their mom sick for quite some time, they move around as though it doesn't faze them much that their mom is gone. Wednesday, I watched the 7th grader pick up his sister in kindergarten. Solemnly, they got their coats on and gathered their bags to head to the doors to be picked up by a family member who was taking them to the the viewing. The viewing that day and then the funeral on Thursday. After all done, they were back in school again on Friday. As though nothing happened. It's like they were numb and moving on all at the same time. Very surreal.

I feel for those kids. I think about my own kids at the same time and pray that they would be ok if something would happen to me and be strong like these kids. BUT....I pray that I have made a difference in their lives that they would miss me.

I don't know what goes on in these kid's minds (nor do I ever expect to)....but I pray for peace and strength for the future. Whatever it holds.

Fruit-Insect

So, when did the time fly? I mean, it seems like just yesterday that my oldest was just being bottle fed and needing diaper changes. Now, he's the BIG boy of the house. And if one forgets to add the 1/2 to his age (he is 6 1/2 btw), we hear about it.

For the longest time, no matter what we did, if we couldn't pass the words along by saying them quietly, my husband and I have been able to spell them out. And that worked for quite a long time, but just recently, we have had to change our strategy. This once child has learned to spell. Who let that happen? Rats, there goes another parent strategy! Teachers! Who told them they could do that???

So, our new plan....come up with "slang" for things we use a lot. Our newest....the restaurant. Z likes to go to Applebees. So does his parents, but going there EVERY time we went out to eat was sort of like going to the dentist for a root canal.....it has to be done, but not many people enjoy it. So....my brilliant husband, came up with code to help us avoid streets with this restaurant on it. Every time we see this fun, mozzarella stick serving eating establishment.......FRUIT-INSECT.

Even with the cool new name and disguise to keep us from slipping up and saying the name, we still ate there on Friday night. This time, not so bad. I guess, even though you re-name an eating establishment, it's all about the atmosphere. And, I wouldn't rename, move, or trade that for the world.

Sunday

This was emailed to me by a friend. The last story is my favorite. Something to bring a smile to your face. Have a wonderful day!

Reasons Not To Mess With Children

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God..'
The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.'
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, 'They will in a minute.'

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to 'honor' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, 'Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?'
Her mother replied, 'Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.'
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, 'Mummy, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?'

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
'Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, 'And there's the teacher, she's dead.'

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, 'Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.'
'Yes,' the class said.
'Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?'
A little fellow shouted,
'Cause your feet aren't empty.'

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
'Take only ONE . God is watching.'
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'

2010 Winter Olympics - It's a great day today!

I have to say that this is the best time of the year. For me, it tops Christmas, birthdays, carnivals.....etc. Watching the Winter Olympics is my most favorite thing to do. Today, sharing that with my oldest (Z) topped that moment even more. We re-watched the opening ceremonies and he declared when the U.S.A. walked in, that we needed to put our hands on our hearts and say the Pledge of Allegiance. While watching a hockey game this afternoon, he decided that his football jersey became his new hockey jersey. And, best of all.....his eyes got big watching all the various events that the athletes participate in. Even though I am swamped with these classes......I am taking time to experience the Olympics with my son. Memories that will never be forgotten.

Teeth

Let me start by saying that I love my boys.....both of them. But........geesh!! N is teething. Back when he was 5 months old, he got 4 teeth in. His top and bottom front teeth. And from that point to just a few weeks ago, that is all he had. So, we have been very blessed and fortunate to have only dealt with a few tantrums due to teeth for the past 17 months. Then, 3 weeks ago....they decided to come. Yes.....ALL 16 of the remaining teeth. What did we do to upset the gods? What's going on here? Our sweet, loving, fun, hugable toddler has turned into...... into... .... into.....a climbing, walking, screeching, unhappy and I'm going to tell you child. Oh, please pray that these teeth come in quickly.........

Z is going through a growing spurt and an independence spurt. He has to decide when he wants to eat something. He has to decide when to go somewhere. He has to decide if things are good for him. And he's sleeping more and more and needing to go to bed earlier. The good thing....he is having very, very few nights of bed-wetting. FINALLY!!!! So there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

It's amazing what stages these boys go through....but I wouldn't trade them for the world!

The funny things that happen.......

Sunday morning, and my oldest is getting his coat on to walk over to church (we live across the street now from church) and my youngest son starts crying. Not sure why N is in tears, but it appears he doesn't like what Z is doing. So, Z turns to N and says, "I'm sorry that I'm leaving N. I will miss you. But don't worry, I will sit with you at church and we'll be together soon."
After that, N was fine.

Isn't it amazing what 6 year olds pick up and say.