Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Meet our newest Family Member
Those of you who know me well, know that there is no way that I would give birth at this age! Let's face it...you need two things in order to achieve that, and I have neither! So, my kids have been begging me to get our fence fixed so that K could get a dog and M could bring her dog, Bella, to stay with us at home. I have avoided the "get a new pet" thing as best as I could. I have given the "we'll have to see" speech which the kids swear translates into "no" more than once. However, they finally wore me down. I have finally succumbed to the pressure, the puppy dog eyes, the whining and the"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease" moments in our home. Hey, we can't keep this house clean so why not add more to it. And one of the two fish from the fair died within two days of winning it. Of course, the one that is left in the "old fishbowl" is now my newest morning conversation partner. He swims; I feed; I talk; He listens. Gotta love it. The fish in his room has become my final stop of the night.......He swims; I feed; I clean; I yell about his dirty tank, and we go to bed. Our newest pet. What a pig! I mean he is filthy most of the time. He eats like a pig.......He smells like a pig........His bed is a total mess! He has hair in his eyes, his tail wags constantly, and he poops like crazy. Best part.........I am Not allowed to do much of anything to help the kids out. It is their job...not mine. Well, I did scoop poop, but hey, my son doesn't flush half the time and sometimes when he does I have to get the plumbers friend so....scooping poop? It's a cinch. So I would like to introduce you to our newest family member. All comments about a family resemblance will be stricken from the blog. Ladies and Gents..........meet Wilbur!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Under the Oak Tree
Today I found peace and quiet. I refreshed myself in a moment of God's peace and His quietness under an oak tree while standing with family and friends.
My children and I attended the funeral of a friend whose family has been a part of our lives since I was about 10. She was only 6 years older than me. She was a "horse lover" from "the get go". She comes from what we call "good jeans" and she looked cute in her boots and jeans! She was a strong, giving, loving, Christian woman.
The honor given to her at the cemetery spoke to my heart. I have decided it must be a "cowboy way" kind of thing for true cowboys and cowgirls to be buried under big beautiful oak trees. The family cemetery is out on a country road on small slope of ground where your eyes can follow the double lane road that roller coasters on down to green grass, fields, tall trees, ranches and grazing cattle. And so.....as we stand there gathered around the "green funeral tent" under shady oak trees, our eyes are focused on a beautiful wagon driven by a team of huge black Perchin horses moving slowly up the double lane road. All is quiet except the jingling of the harnesses and the clomping of hooves. In the wagon rests the oak casket covered with dozens of yellow roses. Behind the wagon walk the pallbearers who are soon joined by the ministers and then by the family. All is quiet....... except for the sounds of "country". Peace! Perfect Precious Peace. How fitting. In the quiet and peacefulness, the casket it set for the final prayer and thoughts. BUT...just as the minister is about to begin, God gives us one of his well timed "stress relievers". My kids spot a brown horse across the fence at the back of the cemetery. And at just the right moment, it lets out one long loud whinny......then vanishes. In the peace, in the quiet, in the confidence of her new life we all bow in prayer.
The peace found in that small cemetery was welcomed. It was a day to be reminded of God's love and His grandeur.
It reminded me of another oak tree in a quiet cemetery almost 8 years ago. It is a place where I can find peace and quiet. Something that my day in and day out schedule is missing. I needed peace today....under an oak tree. Thanks "D".
My children and I attended the funeral of a friend whose family has been a part of our lives since I was about 10. She was only 6 years older than me. She was a "horse lover" from "the get go". She comes from what we call "good jeans" and she looked cute in her boots and jeans! She was a strong, giving, loving, Christian woman.
The honor given to her at the cemetery spoke to my heart. I have decided it must be a "cowboy way" kind of thing for true cowboys and cowgirls to be buried under big beautiful oak trees. The family cemetery is out on a country road on small slope of ground where your eyes can follow the double lane road that roller coasters on down to green grass, fields, tall trees, ranches and grazing cattle. And so.....as we stand there gathered around the "green funeral tent" under shady oak trees, our eyes are focused on a beautiful wagon driven by a team of huge black Perchin horses moving slowly up the double lane road. All is quiet except the jingling of the harnesses and the clomping of hooves. In the wagon rests the oak casket covered with dozens of yellow roses. Behind the wagon walk the pallbearers who are soon joined by the ministers and then by the family. All is quiet....... except for the sounds of "country". Peace! Perfect Precious Peace. How fitting. In the quiet and peacefulness, the casket it set for the final prayer and thoughts. BUT...just as the minister is about to begin, God gives us one of his well timed "stress relievers". My kids spot a brown horse across the fence at the back of the cemetery. And at just the right moment, it lets out one long loud whinny......then vanishes. In the peace, in the quiet, in the confidence of her new life we all bow in prayer.
The peace found in that small cemetery was welcomed. It was a day to be reminded of God's love and His grandeur.
It reminded me of another oak tree in a quiet cemetery almost 8 years ago. It is a place where I can find peace and quiet. Something that my day in and day out schedule is missing. I needed peace today....under an oak tree. Thanks "D".
Monday, September 22, 2008
Just the latest......in life
Now you can ask if I like my job! Yes, I do. I really do. This office is full of people who are set on making it best for the kids. It is an office filled with people who care about everybody! It is an office who laughs with me at my mistakes!! And let me say that I have made several!
So, I think I will stay.
I guess that the funny part of the thing is my own two children. Yes, my son still struggles. The other day I told him that I thought we might need to go visit with a counselor about some issues we are dealing with (nothing bad!). He sat there a moment, grabbed my arm and said "You're a counselor, can't you help us?" I laughed! Told him it would be like me trying to advise someone who was having eating problems. He just stood firm that "Mom, you are the counselor!"
As a treat for cleaning rooms and mowing the lawn for me, we ate at a local restaurant which is a little out of my budget.....especially when my kids go there and decide they don't want fish after all and they will just have mac and cheese. NOPE not on my bill! So as they are devouring our bread supply, I remind them that the last time we ate out they weren't hungry because they had eaten half a bucket of peanuts while sitting at the table. In the nice quiet room, Mr. K announces that "I didn't eat any bread there, but I ate a lot of peanuts, and I put butter on them first so actually I had peanut butter without the bread." To my delight the table of 8 next to us broke into laughter and repeated his statement to anyone else who didn't hear it. Poor Miss thing..as a big 5th grader that is just enough to make her crawl under the table.
Yesterday however was even better. My two love the songs from ABBA so we were eating lunch, (yes I cooked lunch on a Sunday!) and listening to the songs. Miss M asked me if I thought they might get to watch the movie when it comes out. I told them that I would probably discuss it with Aunt T. and let them know. After a long silence, Mr K responded with, "Hello, you gave birth to us didn't you? Or..(with his finger under his chin and those thought filled eyes) did you?" Miss thing just started laughing!!!
So this morning............I thought I would be funny and wake everybody up by using the water bottle. They didn't think I was funny. Everyone at work did.
So, I think I will stay.
I guess that the funny part of the thing is my own two children. Yes, my son still struggles. The other day I told him that I thought we might need to go visit with a counselor about some issues we are dealing with (nothing bad!). He sat there a moment, grabbed my arm and said "You're a counselor, can't you help us?" I laughed! Told him it would be like me trying to advise someone who was having eating problems. He just stood firm that "Mom, you are the counselor!"
As a treat for cleaning rooms and mowing the lawn for me, we ate at a local restaurant which is a little out of my budget.....especially when my kids go there and decide they don't want fish after all and they will just have mac and cheese. NOPE not on my bill! So as they are devouring our bread supply, I remind them that the last time we ate out they weren't hungry because they had eaten half a bucket of peanuts while sitting at the table. In the nice quiet room, Mr. K announces that "I didn't eat any bread there, but I ate a lot of peanuts, and I put butter on them first so actually I had peanut butter without the bread." To my delight the table of 8 next to us broke into laughter and repeated his statement to anyone else who didn't hear it. Poor Miss thing..as a big 5th grader that is just enough to make her crawl under the table.
Yesterday however was even better. My two love the songs from ABBA so we were eating lunch, (yes I cooked lunch on a Sunday!) and listening to the songs. Miss M asked me if I thought they might get to watch the movie when it comes out. I told them that I would probably discuss it with Aunt T. and let them know. After a long silence, Mr K responded with, "Hello, you gave birth to us didn't you? Or..(with his finger under his chin and those thought filled eyes) did you?" Miss thing just started laughing!!!
So this morning............I thought I would be funny and wake everybody up by using the water bottle. They didn't think I was funny. Everyone at work did.
Monday, September 8, 2008
To the point!
Hey, today I actually found the following: the top of my desk, the back side of the folder holding "things to do", an email to laugh at, an old friend, a horrible grade on my son's spelling test, an hour at the table doing homework..just the three of us, a parent that I pleased, my blog spot, and a wonderful rain storm! It was a great day! What about you?
If you want inspiration.........check one of the sites in my friends and family section!
If you want inspiration.........check one of the sites in my friends and family section!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ask me in two months okay, two weeks maybe
So today after another very busy day, I am resting on the couch and Kauy crawls up there (sits on top of me) and says: "Mom, do you ever get board of education?" I laughed. I laughed some more then said...you bet and sometimes I get board with the board of education.
We have started something new at our house this week. I have decided that I will pay bucks NOT to have to pick up at night....NOT to have to repeat myself...NOT to have to remind them to brush and flush (you read correctly)...and NOT to have to stay in Kauy's room until he is completely asleep. So here is the plan:
1. I wrote up a contract for each. I love the first sentence. It reads: "I understand that by living in this household, I HAVE to share in the responsibilities." It goes on to say that they understand the idea of an allowance. We sat down, read through it, discussed it and signed on the solid line.
2. I listed the chores for each of them. My favorite...."Complete a request from an adult without going to a 3rd request. In other words, do it the first time."
3. I then listed the consequences. One of which is loss of any toys left in the living room/ dining room/ bathroom for two weeks.
4. I listed the rewards. I worked from one week, to two weeks, one month, and finally 2 months. Culminating with a trip out of town. One week = trip to Prime time and I pay for one activity for the week.
5. Now in order to work, I created some pieces of paper. 4 say $.50 and about 6 say $1.oo.
I taped these to the top of their door frame. IF they break a rule, I don't say a word but just walk in and take one off the frame. Starting with a $.50. What is left at the end of the week is theirs for allowance. Tonight I had to take one from each of them because "Tool Time" was fun and they weren't in a get a shower mode. Oops...too bad for you! I caught Makaley checking the door frame in Kauy's room and then going to check hers. All I said was..."I asked 3 times for you to shower." BUT....she didn't stomp or huff off because she didn't want to loose the next $.50. They can also use the allowance to purchase toys back earlier than two weeks if they choose to.
Now my predictions? Well, this will be work for me to remember stick to the rules no matter how it hurts them or me. I will have to pay up. It will do great for about 2 weeks, then I probably won't fork out much allowance. I even thought about making some of those money strips in red. If they loose all of their allowance money before Sunday night, then I put up red ones which mean you owe me! Ha Ha Ha Of course we are reading this great book about a 12 year old who earned $58,000 in just a couple of months. They are both into saving and seeing who can get there first.
So, check with me in a month. See how we did. I would love for them to prove me wrong!!!!!
We have started something new at our house this week. I have decided that I will pay bucks NOT to have to pick up at night....NOT to have to repeat myself...NOT to have to remind them to brush and flush (you read correctly)...and NOT to have to stay in Kauy's room until he is completely asleep. So here is the plan:
1. I wrote up a contract for each. I love the first sentence. It reads: "I understand that by living in this household, I HAVE to share in the responsibilities." It goes on to say that they understand the idea of an allowance. We sat down, read through it, discussed it and signed on the solid line.
2. I listed the chores for each of them. My favorite...."Complete a request from an adult without going to a 3rd request. In other words, do it the first time."
3. I then listed the consequences. One of which is loss of any toys left in the living room/ dining room/ bathroom for two weeks.
4. I listed the rewards. I worked from one week, to two weeks, one month, and finally 2 months. Culminating with a trip out of town. One week = trip to Prime time and I pay for one activity for the week.
5. Now in order to work, I created some pieces of paper. 4 say $.50 and about 6 say $1.oo.
I taped these to the top of their door frame. IF they break a rule, I don't say a word but just walk in and take one off the frame. Starting with a $.50. What is left at the end of the week is theirs for allowance. Tonight I had to take one from each of them because "Tool Time" was fun and they weren't in a get a shower mode. Oops...too bad for you! I caught Makaley checking the door frame in Kauy's room and then going to check hers. All I said was..."I asked 3 times for you to shower." BUT....she didn't stomp or huff off because she didn't want to loose the next $.50. They can also use the allowance to purchase toys back earlier than two weeks if they choose to.
Now my predictions? Well, this will be work for me to remember stick to the rules no matter how it hurts them or me. I will have to pay up. It will do great for about 2 weeks, then I probably won't fork out much allowance. I even thought about making some of those money strips in red. If they loose all of their allowance money before Sunday night, then I put up red ones which mean you owe me! Ha Ha Ha Of course we are reading this great book about a 12 year old who earned $58,000 in just a couple of months. They are both into saving and seeing who can get there first.
So, check with me in a month. See how we did. I would love for them to prove me wrong!!!!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Best is all you can be!
It was my first day dealing with the pressure of my new job. Hello? What was I thinking? Without going into detail I will just say that there were more kids than floor space in a couple of math classes; some kids had an extra helping of language arts or math; some were on the wrong campus (and some of those didn't understand Eng. or Spanish but were precious and patient); some don't like the classes they are in; and some just didn't want to be there..end of discussion. Of course I took it upon myself to decide that it was all my fault. I decided that I had dyslexia and transposed class numbers, or I was talking and not paying attention, or I decided that kid needed more Grammar! Then after pouring my thoughts out to others I decided that my co-counselor could be right.........there was a little problem with some class numbers that were not our problem.
I found myself trying to be perfect for everyone. I didn't want to make a mistake. I needed to be just perfect and a total success. I didn't want anyone to second guess the choice made to move me into the office. I soon found myself asking.......do I try that hard for my family? Some would say not on a daily basis. More importantly do I try that hard for God? The creator! The one who gave me the fingers that put those numbers into the computer! The one who gave me the ability to work with students! The one who blessed me with 2 very precious children! Do I give Him my "very best try"? On a daily basis?
Today there were a number of students who were enrolled on our campus that spoke either not a stitch of English, or a very limited amount. A majority of those don't speak the only other language I can speak....Spanish. There they were. There they stood in their "new" clothes carrying a binder or backpack, ready to meet a world they don't understand. Yet, they tried. Today they were coming as the "best" their parents had to send us. They would give their best in actions today also. They were patient with me, the one who could only smile and try to reassure them that we would take care of them. There are plenty of people in our world who are in the same situation. Not just those who don't understand the language I speak, but those who do and I don't speak to them. They are the "lost" of this world. Not just the young ones who are lost and can not find their way around the campus. I need to give my best. Even when the numbers don't match, the phone is ringing, the coaches need another schedule change, someone doesn't want to play clarinet, the parent who rubs everyone the wrong way is standing in my door, I need to give my best. I am a representative of a place like no other. The king there doesn't ask for perfection, just my best. The best is all I can be. So, tomorrow I will try again.
I found myself trying to be perfect for everyone. I didn't want to make a mistake. I needed to be just perfect and a total success. I didn't want anyone to second guess the choice made to move me into the office. I soon found myself asking.......do I try that hard for my family? Some would say not on a daily basis. More importantly do I try that hard for God? The creator! The one who gave me the fingers that put those numbers into the computer! The one who gave me the ability to work with students! The one who blessed me with 2 very precious children! Do I give Him my "very best try"? On a daily basis?
Today there were a number of students who were enrolled on our campus that spoke either not a stitch of English, or a very limited amount. A majority of those don't speak the only other language I can speak....Spanish. There they were. There they stood in their "new" clothes carrying a binder or backpack, ready to meet a world they don't understand. Yet, they tried. Today they were coming as the "best" their parents had to send us. They would give their best in actions today also. They were patient with me, the one who could only smile and try to reassure them that we would take care of them. There are plenty of people in our world who are in the same situation. Not just those who don't understand the language I speak, but those who do and I don't speak to them. They are the "lost" of this world. Not just the young ones who are lost and can not find their way around the campus. I need to give my best. Even when the numbers don't match, the phone is ringing, the coaches need another schedule change, someone doesn't want to play clarinet, the parent who rubs everyone the wrong way is standing in my door, I need to give my best. I am a representative of a place like no other. The king there doesn't ask for perfection, just my best. The best is all I can be. So, tomorrow I will try again.
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