Tess sang at church on Christmas Eve.
Holy crap, my kid is talented
People tell me she is talented and I smile and humbly say "thank you" when the whole time I want to shout.........
"I KNOW! She just makes me want to jump and scream with pride! Doesn't she have such stage presence and charisma and confidence?! And she is only 10!! Did you see her smile! Oh my goodness.... Isn't she beautiful? Would you believe I have to remind her to practice? Can you even believe that? I mean, she practices, but not as much as you would think.....Did you hear her? She sounds like she must practice hours a day, but nnooooooo, I assure you she does not...... I wish!(not really) What? yes, those are tears. I can't help it. She brings me such JOY when I see her in front of a crowd, performing, something she does with such ease. I am so proud of her. WE are so proud of her."
So yeah, Tess performed on Christmas Eve and was awesome.
At least that is what everybody told me........I was too busy holding my breath and praying and crying and smiling and running the camera.........I am nervous enough for the both of us.
So thankful she got the performance genes from Andy's side of the family and the beautiful smile from mine.
THIS IS MY BLOG AND I CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT! (no matter how gratuitous it may seem) MY KID IS FREAKING AMAZING AND THE WHOLE WORLD(at least the whole 6 of you that read this blog) NEEDS TO KNOW....even though all 6 of you have met Tess and already know she is such a cool kid.
The End.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Martens Christmas Vacation
This has been the fastest vacation ever. Andy and I had 6 days off together and I only have 3 more to go......I swear if this had been a regular work week it would only be Tuesday. Just want to recap our time off for the record books.
After tomorrow, we will have attended SIX Christmas celebrations, the first one on Friday the 23rd and the last one being tomorrow. I always have to remind people that we aren't even products of divorce! Andy and I are blessed to have our grandparents still alive and able to attend Christmas celebrations, not to mention our own parents each hosting day long events. On Christmas day we traveled to Oregon to spend time with my grandmothers and extended family. We are also lucky to have all of Andy's dad's side of the family close by and enjoy getting together around the holidays. The other night I tallied it up and we had purchased 182 gifts.....for family, friends, and people we don't know........no wonder this year I felt a some relief when there was nothing left to buy or wrap. It is also a good thing that all these Christmas celebrations were spread out over several days....easier to organize and take inventory of what needs to be done and what just is not going to get done.
After Christmas weekend, we had to switch gears to plan a birthday party for a very important six year old. Kate decided to give the new water park at the Sleep Inn in Liberty a try for her party venue. Having a party that close to Christmas is always "iffy" when it comes to inviting friends....people are either out of town or thrilled to have something to do. Luckily, Kate chose three of her closest friends and they were all available to par-tay! We are so thankful that our family is willing to help Kate celebrate a holiday-time birthday by making her feel very loved and special. I hope we can continue that magic even when she gets older......
Wednesday of this week was my parents 45th wedding anniversary. I probably should have planned some big swarray, but instead chose to give them a gift they can enjoy for years. I gave them "free labor" from my husband as he tiled a beautiful back splash in their kitchen. He worked for two LONG days making a bagillion detailed cuts around outlets, under cabinet lights, and randomly placed decorative tile.....all without grumbling. I am so thankful he has that skill and was willing to use two of his vacation days to make my parents kitchen b-e-a-utiful. Thank you Andy! Technically, I gave up two vacation days too, as the girls and I hung out at my parents house "supervising" and acting as his gophers for anything he needed.
Today was "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" day.
Happy to report the laundry is done and put away, the dish washer is empty, the house is picked up, and all three girls have put away their Christmas loot and "organized" their rooms.
Did I mention that we STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!?
I think Monday is going to be another "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" kind of day.
After tomorrow, we will have attended SIX Christmas celebrations, the first one on Friday the 23rd and the last one being tomorrow. I always have to remind people that we aren't even products of divorce! Andy and I are blessed to have our grandparents still alive and able to attend Christmas celebrations, not to mention our own parents each hosting day long events. On Christmas day we traveled to Oregon to spend time with my grandmothers and extended family. We are also lucky to have all of Andy's dad's side of the family close by and enjoy getting together around the holidays. The other night I tallied it up and we had purchased 182 gifts.....for family, friends, and people we don't know........no wonder this year I felt a some relief when there was nothing left to buy or wrap. It is also a good thing that all these Christmas celebrations were spread out over several days....easier to organize and take inventory of what needs to be done and what just is not going to get done.
After Christmas weekend, we had to switch gears to plan a birthday party for a very important six year old. Kate decided to give the new water park at the Sleep Inn in Liberty a try for her party venue. Having a party that close to Christmas is always "iffy" when it comes to inviting friends....people are either out of town or thrilled to have something to do. Luckily, Kate chose three of her closest friends and they were all available to par-tay! We are so thankful that our family is willing to help Kate celebrate a holiday-time birthday by making her feel very loved and special. I hope we can continue that magic even when she gets older......
Wednesday of this week was my parents 45th wedding anniversary. I probably should have planned some big swarray, but instead chose to give them a gift they can enjoy for years. I gave them "free labor" from my husband as he tiled a beautiful back splash in their kitchen. He worked for two LONG days making a bagillion detailed cuts around outlets, under cabinet lights, and randomly placed decorative tile.....all without grumbling. I am so thankful he has that skill and was willing to use two of his vacation days to make my parents kitchen b-e-a-utiful. Thank you Andy! Technically, I gave up two vacation days too, as the girls and I hung out at my parents house "supervising" and acting as his gophers for anything he needed.
Today was "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" day.
Happy to report the laundry is done and put away, the dish washer is empty, the house is picked up, and all three girls have put away their Christmas loot and "organized" their rooms.
Did I mention that we STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!?
I think Monday is going to be another "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" kind of day.
This story needs to be told
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2011
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 5 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in our Christmas morning finest and all three girls have brought a new Christmas toy with them to play with/read at church.
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2005
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 3 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in Sunday finest as I am big as a whale and most clothes do not fit, and Tess is no doubt carrying a new toy in each hand from her Christmas morning haul. The three of us walk up to the front of the church and get ready to light the candle. Pastor Fred is saying something Christmasy and Christ-like when he looks down at Tess and asks "Tess, did you have something you wanted to say?" (Because if you know Tess, you know she has something to say.) Andy and I look at each other with panic as we realize she is about to annouce her list of Christmas gifts to the entire congregation when instead she loudly says:
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to all men" which was her angel line from the church Christmas program a week earlier. There were a bazillion loud gasps, some cheers, and two parents that audibly sighed with relief( and pride).
It felt so surreal to be up there lighting the Christ candle six years later with two more family members joining us. We let Jane carrying the candle lighter up to the front and then Kate got the honor of actually lighting the special candle. It was fun to remember that special morning(Fred remembered that morning too!) six years ago, just two days before we got our beautiful Kate Sinclaire and when we got a preview as to how talented our Brogan Tess was going to become.
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 5 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in our Christmas morning finest and all three girls have brought a new Christmas toy with them to play with/read at church.
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2005
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 3 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in Sunday finest as I am big as a whale and most clothes do not fit, and Tess is no doubt carrying a new toy in each hand from her Christmas morning haul. The three of us walk up to the front of the church and get ready to light the candle. Pastor Fred is saying something Christmasy and Christ-like when he looks down at Tess and asks "Tess, did you have something you wanted to say?" (Because if you know Tess, you know she has something to say.) Andy and I look at each other with panic as we realize she is about to annouce her list of Christmas gifts to the entire congregation when instead she loudly says:
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to all men" which was her angel line from the church Christmas program a week earlier. There were a bazillion loud gasps, some cheers, and two parents that audibly sighed with relief( and pride).
It felt so surreal to be up there lighting the Christ candle six years later with two more family members joining us. We let Jane carrying the candle lighter up to the front and then Kate got the honor of actually lighting the special candle. It was fun to remember that special morning(Fred remembered that morning too!) six years ago, just two days before we got our beautiful Kate Sinclaire and when we got a preview as to how talented our Brogan Tess was going to become.
Kate is FINALLY SIX!
All year long Kate asks us....how many more days until my birthday? She truly believes that because her birthday is the last week of the year, she has to wait longer than anyone else in our family to have a birthday. "I have to wait until December 27th! That is so unfair!"
The night before her birthday we told her she only had a few hours until it was her birthday and she started smiling so hard I thought her face would crack. Jesus's birthday is a big deal in this house, but Kate's birthday is a close second.
The tradition in this house is to have a pile of gifts in the middle of the room when you wake up
Birthday party at the local water park. Three of her bestest friends.
The night before her birthday we told her she only had a few hours until it was her birthday and she started smiling so hard I thought her face would crack. Jesus's birthday is a big deal in this house, but Kate's birthday is a close second.
The tradition in this house is to have a pile of gifts in the middle of the room when you wake up
Birthday party at the local water park. Three of her bestest friends.(from left: Kate, Alexis, Kendra, Grace)
Big birthday smile from our new 6 year old.
Big birthday smile from our new 6 year old.
Christmas Eve at the Parents house
Dad and Andy
The girls with their new stufffed animals
Me and My Momma
Unkie John and his shadowChristmas Eve day was spent at my parents house. We watched the Chiefs lose, then opened presents, played with the new loot, ate supper, went to Christmas Eve service at church (Tess and Andy each sang) then came home and played a new Wii game until the Wee hours(tee hee)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Apologies
My husband informed me that it has been since November 30th that I last blogged. I called him a damn liar......
so I owe him an apology.
It's a good thing I don't blog for a living, or I would be one broke blogger.
I owe you readers an apology.
I have "week before Christmas vacation" syndrome and my motivation to work is nill. I owe my clients an apology for my slightly slow response time to their perceived emergencies.
I have spent more money than planned this Christmas on some really lovely gifts, but now I owe my --saving for a new house--bank account an apology.
I swear a few times every night when I drive through the insane Liberty shopping traffic so I owe the other commuters an apology..they are just working schmucks like me trying to get their shopping done on their way home.
The Christmas program at church was not the tragedy I had worried it would be. I totally owe the kids of Kearney First United Methodist Church an apology for pulling off a Christmas miracle. The program was, as usual, wonderful.
Christmas cards are still not mailed.
Again, my apology
So what have I been doing for the last 20 days?
Christmas shopping
working
taking kids to Christmas program practice
taking Tess to baskteball practice
getting my hair cut
Youth group
Church Christmas Cantata practice and program
wrapping gifts
Insanity work out videos....again
addressing, sealing, and stamping 60+ Christmas cards
taking Kate to THREE birthday parties for her classmates
did I mention Christmas shopping
and Kate's 6th birthday shopping
and working every day
celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary
buying a new awesome couch which made new curtains, throw pillows and a rug necessary.... and getting the carpet cleaned.
shopping for Dr Mahmood's wife's Christmas present...she is going to LOVE it.
Now I feel like I need to apologize for that long boring list.
so I owe him an apology.
It's a good thing I don't blog for a living, or I would be one broke blogger.
I owe you readers an apology.
I have "week before Christmas vacation" syndrome and my motivation to work is nill. I owe my clients an apology for my slightly slow response time to their perceived emergencies.
I have spent more money than planned this Christmas on some really lovely gifts, but now I owe my --saving for a new house--bank account an apology.
I swear a few times every night when I drive through the insane Liberty shopping traffic so I owe the other commuters an apology..they are just working schmucks like me trying to get their shopping done on their way home.
The Christmas program at church was not the tragedy I had worried it would be. I totally owe the kids of Kearney First United Methodist Church an apology for pulling off a Christmas miracle. The program was, as usual, wonderful.
Christmas cards are still not mailed.
Again, my apology
So what have I been doing for the last 20 days?
Christmas shopping
working
taking kids to Christmas program practice
taking Tess to baskteball practice
getting my hair cut
Youth group
Church Christmas Cantata practice and program
wrapping gifts
Insanity work out videos....again
addressing, sealing, and stamping 60+ Christmas cards
taking Kate to THREE birthday parties for her classmates
did I mention Christmas shopping
and Kate's 6th birthday shopping
and working every day
celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary
buying a new awesome couch which made new curtains, throw pillows and a rug necessary.... and getting the carpet cleaned.
shopping for Dr Mahmood's wife's Christmas present...she is going to LOVE it.
Now I feel like I need to apologize for that long boring list.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November 30th
I have been sneezing since 4 o'clock this afternoon and still haven't stopped. My nose has a tickle waaaay up inside between my eyes that won't quit. I have a bright red nose from all the blowing, my eyes are glassy looking and constantly tearing, and I have about peed myself twice.
TMI?
Probably the two benadryl I have taken.
Why did I not just skip tonight's daily post? Because this is the last day of the month!
For that I am thankful.
TMI?
Probably the two benadryl I have taken.
Why did I not just skip tonight's daily post? Because this is the last day of the month!
For that I am thankful.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
November 29th
Thankful for a cutie patootie new haircut on my Jane Gracen. All three of my girls have patiently let me cut their hair.....but once they get in school, I pay a professional. If you knew my Brogan Tess at this age, you will smile at the similarities.
What happened to November 28th?
Lordy, what a Monday.
The day following any long holiday is torture at work.....people freak out when they aren't able to be in contact with us for four days.......it almost makes it not worth the time off.
Almost.
I worked my tail end off for 8 hours, then came home and melted. Seriously. Did not want to do anything but eat, and sit around, and look at my family.
Which is what I did.
Thankful for a night with nothing to do but to do nothing.
*smile*
The day following any long holiday is torture at work.....people freak out when they aren't able to be in contact with us for four days.......it almost makes it not worth the time off.
Almost.
I worked my tail end off for 8 hours, then came home and melted. Seriously. Did not want to do anything but eat, and sit around, and look at my family.
Which is what I did.
Thankful for a night with nothing to do but to do nothing.
*smile*
Sunday, November 27, 2011
November 27th
Tonight I am extremely thankful for some alone time. The in-laws gave me one of the best birthday gifts ever by calling this afternoon asking if ALL THREE girls could come over and help them decorate a Christmas tree.
HELLS YES, they can!
I made a super fast trip to Wal-mart to exchange a couple of things, then came home and got 5 loads of laundry done and wrapped about 50 presents... several of which were for the girls!(I usually have to wait until they go to bed, then drag everything up to my bedroom and wrap until the wee hours of the night...today was sooo much better)
After 5 hours they returned to the house with their bellies full and their energy tanks empty.
Perfect.
It doesn't happen often, so when it does, I am so thankful to have just a smidge of alone time.
It also reminds me how thankful I am when everyone comes home.
HELLS YES, they can!
I made a super fast trip to Wal-mart to exchange a couple of things, then came home and got 5 loads of laundry done and wrapped about 50 presents... several of which were for the girls!(I usually have to wait until they go to bed, then drag everything up to my bedroom and wrap until the wee hours of the night...today was sooo much better)
After 5 hours they returned to the house with their bellies full and their energy tanks empty.
Perfect.
It doesn't happen often, so when it does, I am so thankful to have just a smidge of alone time.
It also reminds me how thankful I am when everyone comes home.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
It's My Birthday!
Today I am thankful that this guy could not ignore the irresistable charm of this older woman. Happy Birthday to ME.
Friday, November 25, 2011
November 25th
Tonight I am thankful for another Black Friday survived. This year my mom and I left around 7:30am.....we had to wait until the child care got home from work!........and didn't get home until 7:30pm. Not bad for her first time!
I love shopping all day and then going back through my purchases when I get home and being surprised at what all is in the bags. It was so long ago that I stood in line, it is easy to forget!
This year I got a lot done and spent less than usual, probably because I have already done some shopping before today. I also had some birthday money to spend, so got some goodies for myself at Black Friday prices! Makes turning a year older a little more fun.......
My legs are tired, my feet are sore, my back is achy, my house was trashed(thank you child care...NOT) but I am feeling JOY.
Happy day after Thanksgiving to all, and to all, a good night!
(The child care DID get the Christmas tree up and decorated! Hooray!)
*so thankful*
I love shopping all day and then going back through my purchases when I get home and being surprised at what all is in the bags. It was so long ago that I stood in line, it is easy to forget!
This year I got a lot done and spent less than usual, probably because I have already done some shopping before today. I also had some birthday money to spend, so got some goodies for myself at Black Friday prices! Makes turning a year older a little more fun.......
My legs are tired, my feet are sore, my back is achy, my house was trashed(thank you child care...NOT) but I am feeling JOY.
Happy day after Thanksgiving to all, and to all, a good night!
(The child care DID get the Christmas tree up and decorated! Hooray!)
*so thankful*
Thursday, November 24, 2011
November 24th
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow....
you're only a day away!!
BLACK FRIDAY!
CAN'T WAIT.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
November 22nd
So thankful to pull into the cul de sac and see this girl's car is safely home from college for the holiday. (I'm thankful Conrad made it safely home too.)
Now if we can just get our Bailey safely home from New York this weekend.......(Bai will be marching/performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade! I am so thankful for the opportunity for her....she called last night and is having a crazy fun time. Turn to NBC on Thursday morning to see her in the FRONT ROW of her performance group, all the way over to the right. We are super proud. In above pic she is second from the left in the front row.)
So thankful for these girls and what a blessing they are to us.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
November 20th
Today I am thankful that I have officially caught the holiday spirit.
I love Christmas shopping. Love Love Love it!!
Every year the Adopt a Family list at our work gets longer and longer. Last year there were 28 families that met the criteria, this year there are 40. As of Friday last week, there were still 14 families that had not been adopted.
Makes my heart hurt.
I am so lucky to be a part of a Med Services team at work that picks the biggest family and goes above and beyond to make sure the kids, and adults, have a wonderful Christmas. My parents and our family also adopted a family. This year a former co-worker and his family have fallen on hard times and need a little help having a merry Christmas. And there will be a chance to adopt some of the teenagers from the Watkins Mill Youth Detention Facility here in Kearney thru our church. Did I mention there are still 14 families that need to be adopted at work?
Yep, I am planning to look thru the list one more time.........
Andy and I have a little joke that this time of year I am going to spend every extra penny we make on people we don't even know....
It just feels JOYful to spend money on one more person, rather than money to buy us one more thing that we don't even really need.
This holiday season I want to give until my giver is sore.
YOU SHOULD DO THIS TOO!
I am thankful that the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in this house.
I love Christmas shopping. Love Love Love it!!
Every year the Adopt a Family list at our work gets longer and longer. Last year there were 28 families that met the criteria, this year there are 40. As of Friday last week, there were still 14 families that had not been adopted.
Makes my heart hurt.
I am so lucky to be a part of a Med Services team at work that picks the biggest family and goes above and beyond to make sure the kids, and adults, have a wonderful Christmas. My parents and our family also adopted a family. This year a former co-worker and his family have fallen on hard times and need a little help having a merry Christmas. And there will be a chance to adopt some of the teenagers from the Watkins Mill Youth Detention Facility here in Kearney thru our church. Did I mention there are still 14 families that need to be adopted at work?
Yep, I am planning to look thru the list one more time.........
Andy and I have a little joke that this time of year I am going to spend every extra penny we make on people we don't even know....
It just feels JOYful to spend money on one more person, rather than money to buy us one more thing that we don't even really need.
This holiday season I want to give until my giver is sore.
YOU SHOULD DO THIS TOO!
I am thankful that the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in this house.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
November 19th
Typically going into a Wal-mart makes me want to gouge my eyes out....but the Excelsior Springs store is THE exception.
Tonight the two younger daughters and I went on a late evening Christmas shopping trip to pick out some toys for some little ones on our list. It was a Martens family field trip of sorts. An activity that got us out of the house combining work(getting some groceries) and fun(toy shopping!).
I love that the store is clean, well lit, the shelves are well
stocked, there is always a checkout lane open, rarely any drama, and it is open 24 hours.
I am thankful for the Excelsior Springs 24 hour Wal-mart.
Tonight the two younger daughters and I went on a late evening Christmas shopping trip to pick out some toys for some little ones on our list. It was a Martens family field trip of sorts. An activity that got us out of the house combining work(getting some groceries) and fun(toy shopping!).
I love that the store is clean, well lit, the shelves are well
stocked, there is always a checkout lane open, rarely any drama, and it is open 24 hours.
I am thankful for the Excelsior Springs 24 hour Wal-mart.
Friday, November 18, 2011
November 18th
Tonight I am totally thankful for some really great praise music. I didn't really know much about Christian rock music until I started to get involved with our teenagers at church. Every Wednesday night we have Worship after Bible Study, led by a praise band. A few years ago I didn't know a single word, didn't enjoy it, preferred singing the "oldies but goodies" from the hymnal on Sunday morning.
I am a changed person.
Now I have a huge playlist of praise music and love to worship with music led by a praise band....I am especially smitten with "The Journey" praise band on Saturday nights at our church. Really talented group of musicians and they don't sing the typical I heart Jesus music, if you know what I mean.
If you don't, it's because you haven't been to the Journey service and you should go!
Anyway, tonight I was running(don't laugh) on the treadmill and I decided to switch it up and listen to my worship playlist.
These are the songs I think are the bomb-diggity....for a variety of reasons.
You are my Joy--DCB
Trouble Won't Go--Enter the Worship Circle
Wrap Me in Your Arms--Fifty Seven Seven
Beautiful, Beautiful--Francesca Battistelli
Please Be My Strength and Beautiful Things--Gungor
Always--Kristian Stanfill
So Long Self--MercyMe
Funky Jesus Music--TobyMac
Catchafire--TobyMac
Be Glorified--Tim Hughes
Hungry--Joy Williams
Oh, Happiness--DCB
All of these songs either have lyrics that totally speak to me, or they just have the ability to make me want to dance and move! I totally encourage you to check them out. Even though I didn't list this song above, hands down, my favorite music lyrics come from the David Crowder Band's "How He Loves".......it makes my heart sing and my brain cry when I think about the complete peace it makes me feel.
The songs opens with "He is jealous for me...."
makes me feel so WOW.
and then I love the lyric "If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking"
Double WOW.
I so wish this kind of music had been a part of my teenage years........so thankful that it is a part of my adult years.
I am a changed person.
Now I have a huge playlist of praise music and love to worship with music led by a praise band....I am especially smitten with "The Journey" praise band on Saturday nights at our church. Really talented group of musicians and they don't sing the typical I heart Jesus music, if you know what I mean.
If you don't, it's because you haven't been to the Journey service and you should go!
Anyway, tonight I was running(don't laugh) on the treadmill and I decided to switch it up and listen to my worship playlist.
These are the songs I think are the bomb-diggity....for a variety of reasons.
You are my Joy--DCB
Trouble Won't Go--Enter the Worship Circle
Wrap Me in Your Arms--Fifty Seven Seven
Beautiful, Beautiful--Francesca Battistelli
Please Be My Strength and Beautiful Things--Gungor
Always--Kristian Stanfill
So Long Self--MercyMe
Funky Jesus Music--TobyMac
Catchafire--TobyMac
Be Glorified--Tim Hughes
Hungry--Joy Williams
Oh, Happiness--DCB
All of these songs either have lyrics that totally speak to me, or they just have the ability to make me want to dance and move! I totally encourage you to check them out. Even though I didn't list this song above, hands down, my favorite music lyrics come from the David Crowder Band's "How He Loves".......it makes my heart sing and my brain cry when I think about the complete peace it makes me feel.
The songs opens with "He is jealous for me...."
makes me feel so WOW.
and then I love the lyric "If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking"
Double WOW.
I so wish this kind of music had been a part of my teenage years........so thankful that it is a part of my adult years.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
November 17th
To say I am thankful for my parents is an understatement. I am grateful, I am forever in debt to them for all the money they have saved us, and I am blessed to have them as the grandparents of my children.
My parents were teachers for 30 years and conveniently decided to retire when Tess was about 9 months old. For the last 10 years, through nursing school, job changes, two more kids, and going from part time to full time work schedules.....my parents have been there to offer their home, their food, their energy, their free time and their love to my children.
I hope they know how important they have been to the raising of my girls into the amazing kids they are today. Every day, I am thankful for my parents.
My parents were teachers for 30 years and conveniently decided to retire when Tess was about 9 months old. For the last 10 years, through nursing school, job changes, two more kids, and going from part time to full time work schedules.....my parents have been there to offer their home, their food, their energy, their free time and their love to my children.
I hope they know how important they have been to the raising of my girls into the amazing kids they are today. Every day, I am thankful for my parents.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
November 16th
Tonight I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the teenagers of our church. I have been blessed to be one of the youth leaders for almost 3 years now and I love it.
At first I was so intimidated by the thought of teaching something I know so little about. It has taken me the three years to realize that the kids don't care if I "know" everything, they want someone to help them become better Christians....and accidently learn the Word of God along the way! These kids are smart and funny and have waaaay more pressures as a teen than I ever remember having. I am blown away by the intelligence these kids have when it comes to understanding the scriptures and feel lucky when I actually get to teach them something they didn't already know.
I feel good knowing these youth are our future leaders and I am thankful He chose me to help make them into future Christian leaders.
At first I was so intimidated by the thought of teaching something I know so little about. It has taken me the three years to realize that the kids don't care if I "know" everything, they want someone to help them become better Christians....and accidently learn the Word of God along the way! These kids are smart and funny and have waaaay more pressures as a teen than I ever remember having. I am blown away by the intelligence these kids have when it comes to understanding the scriptures and feel lucky when I actually get to teach them something they didn't already know.
I feel good knowing these youth are our future leaders and I am thankful He chose me to help make them into future Christian leaders.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
November 15th
Today I am thankful for KU basketball.
Now that baseball season is officially over this family is hurting for some sports to watch! Not that football is bleh, but football is pretty bleh compared to the high energy of college basketball and the fun of America's favorite past time....Royals baseball!
The first clothing Tess wore was a Jayhawk tshirt and hat while having "Rooock...Chaaaalk.....Jaaaayhaaaawk.....K...U..." sung to her by her daddy the day she was born. Jane owned a NCAA championship t-shirt before she was even born. The family thought I might go into pre-mature labor from all the jumping around I did that championship night in 2008. Kate loves to make us crafts with hearts, and the words KU, Dad, and Kate on them.
To stave off the winter blahs we love to get the whole family together to watch a game, especially the Kansas vs Missouri game.....wonder who our new "must see" rival game will be with next year?
KU basketball brings the Martens family togther and for that I am thankful.
Now that baseball season is officially over this family is hurting for some sports to watch! Not that football is bleh, but football is pretty bleh compared to the high energy of college basketball and the fun of America's favorite past time....Royals baseball!
The first clothing Tess wore was a Jayhawk tshirt and hat while having "Rooock...Chaaaalk.....Jaaaayhaaaawk.....K...U..." sung to her by her daddy the day she was born. Jane owned a NCAA championship t-shirt before she was even born. The family thought I might go into pre-mature labor from all the jumping around I did that championship night in 2008. Kate loves to make us crafts with hearts, and the words KU, Dad, and Kate on them.
To stave off the winter blahs we love to get the whole family together to watch a game, especially the Kansas vs Missouri game.....wonder who our new "must see" rival game will be with next year?
KU basketball brings the Martens family togther and for that I am thankful.
Monday, November 14, 2011
November 14th
Today I am thankful for playing games with Kate.
Normally I am NOT a game player. Ask any Martens family member, I am a total wet blanket when it comes to family game time.
Playing games with Kate is my exception, and we especially like to play Uno. Most nights before we read, we play a game or two of Uno. It is really fun seeing how Kate is thinking out her strategy and delivering her "draw" cards to really put the hammer down.....followed by her cute little evil smile.
Tonight I am thankful for game night with Kate.
But that doesn't change the fact that I hate playing games.
Mind games are cool though.
Normally I am NOT a game player. Ask any Martens family member, I am a total wet blanket when it comes to family game time.
Playing games with Kate is my exception, and we especially like to play Uno. Most nights before we read, we play a game or two of Uno. It is really fun seeing how Kate is thinking out her strategy and delivering her "draw" cards to really put the hammer down.....followed by her cute little evil smile.
Tonight I am thankful for game night with Kate.
But that doesn't change the fact that I hate playing games.
Mind games are cool though.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
November 13th
Today I am thankful for finances.
I just finished paying some bills, and thankfully, there is a bit of money left over. When I say a bit, I really mean a smidge....
I am thankful that this holiday season I can buy for my family and teach my girls the JOY of buying for others.....especially people we don't even know.
Money saved is wise, money spent wisely is JOY.
I am on a never ending quest to become a wise woman.
I just finished paying some bills, and thankfully, there is a bit of money left over. When I say a bit, I really mean a smidge....
I am thankful that this holiday season I can buy for my family and teach my girls the JOY of buying for others.....especially people we don't even know.
Money saved is wise, money spent wisely is JOY.
I am on a never ending quest to become a wise woman.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
November 12th
Today I am thankful for healthy, growing, daughters.
I bought Tess her first "unmentionables" today.
Big day for the Martens house..her father doesn't even know yet.
Sad part is she was afraid to tell me she wanted to
try wearing a bra.
Good part is that when she did tell me, I didn't freak out.
Funny part is that we both had been wanting her
to try wearing one for a few months now....
I am thankful for getting to be a mother to daughters.
I bought Tess her first "unmentionables" today.
Big day for the Martens house..her father doesn't even know yet.
Sad part is she was afraid to tell me she wanted to
try wearing a bra.
Good part is that when she did tell me, I didn't freak out.
Funny part is that we both had been wanting her
to try wearing one for a few months now....
I am thankful for getting to be a mother to daughters.
11-11-11
Conversation between Jane and I yesterday evening....
Jane: "Mom where are you going"
Me: "On a date with my boyfriend!"
Jane: (gasp) "You have a boyfriend? Who's his name?"
Me: "His name is Andy"
Jane: (giggles) "Mom, that's not a boyfriend, that's my dad!"
pause pause pause
Jane: "Why do you want to date my dad?"
Me: "Because I think he's cute!"
Jane: total break down into girlie giggles....
Last night Andy and I, along with my BIL and SIL, went to see my brother's band play at a hole-in-the-wall Westport bar. We had a great time, stayed up too late, and really enjoyed the music.
Love date nights with my man, love a good babysitter(Courtney rocks!)love my BIL/SIL, love my brother.
Totally thankful for time with people I love.
Jane: "Mom where are you going"
Me: "On a date with my boyfriend!"
Jane: (gasp) "You have a boyfriend? Who's his name?"
Me: "His name is Andy"
Jane: (giggles) "Mom, that's not a boyfriend, that's my dad!"
pause pause pause
Jane: "Why do you want to date my dad?"
Me: "Because I think he's cute!"
Jane: total break down into girlie giggles....
Last night Andy and I, along with my BIL and SIL, went to see my brother's band play at a hole-in-the-wall Westport bar. We had a great time, stayed up too late, and really enjoyed the music.
Love date nights with my man, love a good babysitter(Courtney rocks!)love my BIL/SIL, love my brother.
Totally thankful for time with people I love.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
November 10th
Today(and every day) I am thankful for my brother.....
For those of you that did not even know I had a brother, he looks like me, only as a dude.
After four years of being an only child, and the only grandchild, John was born and the sweet life was over for me.
We are better friends now than we ever were as kids, and most days he is way too busy to spend much time visiting suburbia, much to our parents chagrin. My girls love their Unkie John. He loves them too and loves to tease them mercilessly.....while they giggle.
John is a coffee snob barista by day and a singer/songwriter by night. He was a solo act for years and recently added a band of friends to the stage. Tomorrow night Andy and I will stay up past our bedtime to attend a "John Greiner and The Sawyers" show downtown. Finally a show that is not on a Tuesday night at 9:00! (yawn)
Did I mention it will be a coveted date night for us too?
hint.......guess what I will be thankful for tomorrow!
For those of you that did not even know I had a brother, he looks like me, only as a dude.
After four years of being an only child, and the only grandchild, John was born and the sweet life was over for me.
We are better friends now than we ever were as kids, and most days he is way too busy to spend much time visiting suburbia, much to our parents chagrin. My girls love their Unkie John. He loves them too and loves to tease them mercilessly.....while they giggle.
John is a coffee snob barista by day and a singer/songwriter by night. He was a solo act for years and recently added a band of friends to the stage. Tomorrow night Andy and I will stay up past our bedtime to attend a "John Greiner and The Sawyers" show downtown. Finally a show that is not on a Tuesday night at 9:00! (yawn)
Did I mention it will be a coveted date night for us too?
hint.......guess what I will be thankful for tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
November 9th
Today I am thankful for exercise.
No. I am not joking.
Yes. I hate to exercise.
I am thankful for the ability to move, sweat, and suck wind in an attempt to be a healthier person.
I am also thankful for my co-worker Kendra and my hubs Andy for working out with me and holding me accountable when I sit on my rear instead of exercising.
So, to be clear...
Thankful for exercise....but greatly dislike it.
Next year I hope to be thankful for a flat(er) stomach and a smaller behind.
No. I am not joking.
Yes. I hate to exercise.
I am thankful for the ability to move, sweat, and suck wind in an attempt to be a healthier person.
I am also thankful for my co-worker Kendra and my hubs Andy for working out with me and holding me accountable when I sit on my rear instead of exercising.
So, to be clear...
Thankful for exercise....but greatly dislike it.
Next year I hope to be thankful for a flat(er) stomach and a smaller behind.
November 8th
I am so very thankful for family time. We were having such a wonderful Martens 5 evening last night that I totally blew off my daily post.
Rarely are we all home, all evening.....I know, it is just going to get worse as the girls get older.
During the week before Halloween I had been looking for some free movies on the television to entertain the girls.....that is where I stumbled on the 13 Days before Halloween movies on ABC Family Channel.
We watched The Addams Family(twice), Addams Family Values, Coraline, and Matilda. the girls loved these "old" movies and really thought they were hilarious.
I had forgotten how full of sexual innuendos The Addams Family movie is....most went over the girls' head.....I think.
Last night was the post Halloween viewing, it took that long to find a free family night, of Ghostbusters!
The girls loved it.
I loved seeing all of us, sitting in the dark, wrapped up in blankets, watching a family movie that wasn't animated.
So thankful for time with the fam
Rarely are we all home, all evening.....I know, it is just going to get worse as the girls get older.
During the week before Halloween I had been looking for some free movies on the television to entertain the girls.....that is where I stumbled on the 13 Days before Halloween movies on ABC Family Channel.
We watched The Addams Family(twice), Addams Family Values, Coraline, and Matilda. the girls loved these "old" movies and really thought they were hilarious.
I had forgotten how full of sexual innuendos The Addams Family movie is....most went over the girls' head.....I think.
Last night was the post Halloween viewing, it took that long to find a free family night, of Ghostbusters!
The girls loved it.
I loved seeing all of us, sitting in the dark, wrapped up in blankets, watching a family movie that wasn't animated.
So thankful for time with the fam
Monday, November 7, 2011
November 7th
Today I am thankful for awesome neighbors and cul-de-sac living!
We have the best street ever, full of kids with fun parents.
(okay, if you know us, you know we have a few odd balls on the street too)
We bought this house 10 years ago and there were only two young kids on the street...our Samantha and Bailey. Now there are 15 kids ranging in age from 18months to almost 18!
Most evenings there are kids riding bikes, playing ball, or just running around. And every kid knows the #1 rule for playing on our street: The first person to see a car shouts "CAR!" and everyone runs/rides for the closest piece of grass to get out of the way.
We have genuine worries about moving somewhere without the West family.
There is something really special about our friendship. We don't know near everything about each other, but we know enough, and we still like each other anyway.
I am so thankful for our neighbors across the street.......you know who you are.
We have the best street ever, full of kids with fun parents.
(okay, if you know us, you know we have a few odd balls on the street too)
We bought this house 10 years ago and there were only two young kids on the street...our Samantha and Bailey. Now there are 15 kids ranging in age from 18months to almost 18!
Most evenings there are kids riding bikes, playing ball, or just running around. And every kid knows the #1 rule for playing on our street: The first person to see a car shouts "CAR!" and everyone runs/rides for the closest piece of grass to get out of the way.
We have genuine worries about moving somewhere without the West family.
There is something really special about our friendship. We don't know near everything about each other, but we know enough, and we still like each other anyway.
I am so thankful for our neighbors across the street.......you know who you are.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 6th
On the sixth day of November the good Lord gave to me......
The gift of a la-zy Suuundaaay.
I love Sundays. The older I get, the better the chance, that Sunday is going to replace Thursday as my favorite day of the week! Seriously.
Every Sunday morning at our house starts at 8am with the musical trumpets of CBS Sunday Morning. Andy and I love that show. It entertains, it educates, it gives me a reason to sit still in the morning and say "sshhh" to my kids.
Then the Martens 5 start the process of getting four girls and one boy ready for church. This time of year our biggest fashion dilemas come when trying to decide which shade of pink leggings (pronouced legguns at our house) to wear with the Sunday dress.
Church is just "aahhh" time. Time to relax, recharge my mind, and rejoice in worship.
We get home, eat lunch, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and then throw ourselves on the couch.
Delightful. Simply the best.
Today I spent the majority of my afternoon telling the girls to "sshhh" while I checked my eyelids for holes.
I am so thankful that God created this 7th day for resting.
The gift of a la-zy Suuundaaay.
I love Sundays. The older I get, the better the chance, that Sunday is going to replace Thursday as my favorite day of the week! Seriously.
Every Sunday morning at our house starts at 8am with the musical trumpets of CBS Sunday Morning. Andy and I love that show. It entertains, it educates, it gives me a reason to sit still in the morning and say "sshhh" to my kids.
Then the Martens 5 start the process of getting four girls and one boy ready for church. This time of year our biggest fashion dilemas come when trying to decide which shade of pink leggings (pronouced legguns at our house) to wear with the Sunday dress.
Church is just "aahhh" time. Time to relax, recharge my mind, and rejoice in worship.
We get home, eat lunch, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and then throw ourselves on the couch.
Delightful. Simply the best.
Today I spent the majority of my afternoon telling the girls to "sshhh" while I checked my eyelids for holes.
I am so thankful that God created this 7th day for resting.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5th
Tonight I am thankful for steak....
The steaks Andy grills at our home are without a doubt better than any steak from a resturaunt.
The steaks Andy grills at our home are without a doubt better than any steak from a resturaunt.
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4th
Mother's Intuition. Either you have it, or you don't.....and chances are if you don't, it's because either you are not a mother(yet) or you are a boy.
Tonight I stopped at Kohls to pick up a quick gift. I was on my way to the check out when I saw this young mother, carrying a toddler, with "the look". I walked passed her and then turned around to see her quickly scanning between clothing racks walking quickly.
Yep, she was looking for her child.
Then I heard the familiar soft scream, "Maa-son!" said softly to not induce panic in others, or in the herself.
I know this scream because I HAVE BEEN THERE. Probably why I recognized "the look". Anyway,
I knew this lady needed help, and I just could not walk away.
Did I mention, I HAVE BEEN THERE.
So I turn around, set down my purchase, and fast walk to catch up with her.
Long story short, it took two MORE moms to surround, wrangle, and hold Mason while his mother caught up with us. She dropped to her knees, hugged the boy and did the sob-scold..."you scared me! Please don't ever do that again!"
She thanked us profusely as we offered to help her to the car.
Did I mention Mason thought running from mom was fun?
She called her friend who was shopping in a different area of the store while we each held onto Mason.
Friend came, mom thanked us again while wiping the tears from her eyes.
The other mother and I both said "Don't mention it..... WE HAVE BEEN THERE."
I am thankful for mother's intuition. I knew the expression on that mother's face was not "where is that rug I saw in the ad?"
It was "My child is gone. I cannot belive this is happening to me."
Been there, done that.
Tonight I stopped at Kohls to pick up a quick gift. I was on my way to the check out when I saw this young mother, carrying a toddler, with "the look". I walked passed her and then turned around to see her quickly scanning between clothing racks walking quickly.
Yep, she was looking for her child.
Then I heard the familiar soft scream, "Maa-son!" said softly to not induce panic in others, or in the herself.
I know this scream because I HAVE BEEN THERE. Probably why I recognized "the look". Anyway,
I knew this lady needed help, and I just could not walk away.
Did I mention, I HAVE BEEN THERE.
So I turn around, set down my purchase, and fast walk to catch up with her.
Long story short, it took two MORE moms to surround, wrangle, and hold Mason while his mother caught up with us. She dropped to her knees, hugged the boy and did the sob-scold..."you scared me! Please don't ever do that again!"
She thanked us profusely as we offered to help her to the car.
Did I mention Mason thought running from mom was fun?
She called her friend who was shopping in a different area of the store while we each held onto Mason.
Friend came, mom thanked us again while wiping the tears from her eyes.
The other mother and I both said "Don't mention it..... WE HAVE BEEN THERE."
I am thankful for mother's intuition. I knew the expression on that mother's face was not "where is that rug I saw in the ad?"
It was "My child is gone. I cannot belive this is happening to me."
Been there, done that.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
November 3rd
Really thankful for forgiveness.......
A few days ago I forgot about a mother that was sitting in our waiting room. She had come to the office over her lunch break to pick up a script for her son. Her really sick son. I was notified of her arrival by the front desk, finished a task I was doing, and then went to lunch.
When I got back from lunch, like a whole hour later, there was a voice message waiting on my phone from her saying she had waited as long as her job would allow and would I please mail the script because she can't leave work easily to come back up to the office.
*sigh*
After I realized what an ass I had been, I called her and had to leave a message for her.
I apologized. Totally owned my mistake. Said that I was so very sorry and asked for her forgiveness.
About an hour later I got a message from her. .......she has the thickest southern drawl.......saying "everyone makes mistakes Sarah. You have always been so good to my son, that this is just no big deal. I forgive you..apology accepted."
Forgiveness is a big deal.
I'm going to make an effort to try it more often.
A few days ago I forgot about a mother that was sitting in our waiting room. She had come to the office over her lunch break to pick up a script for her son. Her really sick son. I was notified of her arrival by the front desk, finished a task I was doing, and then went to lunch.
When I got back from lunch, like a whole hour later, there was a voice message waiting on my phone from her saying she had waited as long as her job would allow and would I please mail the script because she can't leave work easily to come back up to the office.
*sigh*
After I realized what an ass I had been, I called her and had to leave a message for her.
I apologized. Totally owned my mistake. Said that I was so very sorry and asked for her forgiveness.
About an hour later I got a message from her. .......she has the thickest southern drawl.......saying "everyone makes mistakes Sarah. You have always been so good to my son, that this is just no big deal. I forgive you..apology accepted."
Forgiveness is a big deal.
I'm going to make an effort to try it more often.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
November 2nd
I am thankful for nice co-workers. I love my job and I really love the people I work with. Easily the most fun place I have ever worked and it is largely due to my peers.
Today I received an award, the "Tag Team" award, given to an employee that has gone above and beyond (in the nominators opinion) and deserves special recognition. Multiple people are nominated, usually around 15, and the entire agency votes on the winner.
This month I won.
The cool thing is that this is the third time I have won this award in the whole year and a half I have worked at Tri-County. The super awesome part is that each time it has been for something that did not seem "above and beyond" to me at all, just me trying to be a good human.
Getting the award is humbling, and I really wish the person I had nominated had won. I personally thought she was an extra good human this month.
Instead, the people voted for me.
So I graciously accepted my certificate and my sweet parking spot for the month.
A fun work environment is really something to be thankful for.
Today I received an award, the "Tag Team" award, given to an employee that has gone above and beyond (in the nominators opinion) and deserves special recognition. Multiple people are nominated, usually around 15, and the entire agency votes on the winner.
This month I won.
The cool thing is that this is the third time I have won this award in the whole year and a half I have worked at Tri-County. The super awesome part is that each time it has been for something that did not seem "above and beyond" to me at all, just me trying to be a good human.
Getting the award is humbling, and I really wish the person I had nominated had won. I personally thought she was an extra good human this month.
Instead, the people voted for me.
So I graciously accepted my certificate and my sweet parking spot for the month.
A fun work environment is really something to be thankful for.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thanks and Giving...November 1st
I want to try something not that unique. For every day of November I am going to blog something I am thankful for. I also hope to throw in some blogs about giving, which I am thankful for the ability to do.
Some posts may be a sentence or two, and some a paragraph explaining why a particular item is worth mentioning. I hope to even put a picture or two, or twenty, with my thoughts.
If this isn't something you care to read, I will see you again in December.
I am so thankful for books.
Books, books, and more books, please.
--I am really looking forward to cold nights, warm blankets, and a hot drink.......and a BOOK.
--These days I pretty much only read non-fiction. It seems like I have read most fictional story plots anyway and I don't get excited by sci-fi or fantasy. The real world is thrilling enough for my suburbia brain.......
--When I go to the library it is a scheduled event, and Andy knows not to expect me home for an hour. I leave the library with at least 10 books, so if a book doesn't catch my interest, I have another to start reading right away......my time is too precious to waste on a dull book.
--What a JOY that my girls love to read as much as I do. I have to scold Tess to turn off the light at night and stop reading. Kate is working on a chapter book with few pictures(in Kindergarten!)
--I have decided not to read a book based on its poor taste in covers, whether it was offensive or simply boring, or weird.
--I read the entire Twilight Saga in a little over a week. It took over a week because I had to put the final book on hold at the library and wait for it.
*disclaimer* I was(and still am) not into the whole Twilight hysteria at all. Ask my teenagers. They had to MAKE me watch the first movie, about a year after it came out. After seeing that movie I was told the book was better and decided to give it a go. OMG....I was hooked on that lady's writing and became a reading zombie. Pretty sure I neglected the husband and kids that week, and I did read way into the wee morning hours a couple times.
--I have never read a Harry Potter book and don't plan to.
--I found the name of my first born in a book. I believe the name of the book was "Birthright"
--My special bedtime routine with Kate is lines from three of her favorite books. EVERY night I say "I love you my wonderful child"(I Love You Stinky Face) and "Good night Ladybug girl"(Adventures of Ladybug Girl) and "Bon Appetit"(Fancy Nancy) to her....in that order. If I forget any of them, she calls me out.
--Jane loves books about underwear. She has at least three.
--I can't read in the car for very long...I get motion sick.....totally is a great way to pass the time
--I belonged to a book club once...and it was more to get the free bag than to purchase books cheap. I cancelled as soon as I met my quota.
--I fantasize of a vacation where I am on a beach and get to read for MOST of the trip
--I don't think that guys that read are sexy.
--I prefer paperback over hard cover and I rarely purchase a book. THEY ARE FREE AT THE LIBRARY!
--I wish I could say I had read all the "classics" but I have not....that is on my bucket list for sure
--The movie is never as good as the book. period.
--I am on TEAM EDWARD
Some posts may be a sentence or two, and some a paragraph explaining why a particular item is worth mentioning. I hope to even put a picture or two, or twenty, with my thoughts.
If this isn't something you care to read, I will see you again in December.
I am so thankful for books.
Books, books, and more books, please.
--I am really looking forward to cold nights, warm blankets, and a hot drink.......and a BOOK.
--These days I pretty much only read non-fiction. It seems like I have read most fictional story plots anyway and I don't get excited by sci-fi or fantasy. The real world is thrilling enough for my suburbia brain.......
--When I go to the library it is a scheduled event, and Andy knows not to expect me home for an hour. I leave the library with at least 10 books, so if a book doesn't catch my interest, I have another to start reading right away......my time is too precious to waste on a dull book.
--What a JOY that my girls love to read as much as I do. I have to scold Tess to turn off the light at night and stop reading. Kate is working on a chapter book with few pictures(in Kindergarten!)
--I have decided not to read a book based on its poor taste in covers, whether it was offensive or simply boring, or weird.
--I read the entire Twilight Saga in a little over a week. It took over a week because I had to put the final book on hold at the library and wait for it.
*disclaimer* I was(and still am) not into the whole Twilight hysteria at all. Ask my teenagers. They had to MAKE me watch the first movie, about a year after it came out. After seeing that movie I was told the book was better and decided to give it a go. OMG....I was hooked on that lady's writing and became a reading zombie. Pretty sure I neglected the husband and kids that week, and I did read way into the wee morning hours a couple times.
--I have never read a Harry Potter book and don't plan to.
--I found the name of my first born in a book. I believe the name of the book was "Birthright"
--My special bedtime routine with Kate is lines from three of her favorite books. EVERY night I say "I love you my wonderful child"(I Love You Stinky Face) and "Good night Ladybug girl"(Adventures of Ladybug Girl) and "Bon Appetit"(Fancy Nancy) to her....in that order. If I forget any of them, she calls me out.
--Jane loves books about underwear. She has at least three.
--I can't read in the car for very long...I get motion sick.....totally is a great way to pass the time
--I belonged to a book club once...and it was more to get the free bag than to purchase books cheap. I cancelled as soon as I met my quota.
--I fantasize of a vacation where I am on a beach and get to read for MOST of the trip
--I don't think that guys that read are sexy.
--I prefer paperback over hard cover and I rarely purchase a book. THEY ARE FREE AT THE LIBRARY!
--I wish I could say I had read all the "classics" but I have not....that is on my bucket list for sure
--The movie is never as good as the book. period.
--I am on TEAM EDWARD
Monday, October 17, 2011
Gone
The FOR SALE sign is officially out of our yard.
*waving white flag*
We are looking forward to the holidays and making messes.
Our plan is to try again in the spring, when hopefully the market is "better," if there will ever be such a thing again.
Until then, our house is officially off the market, but most definately still FOR SALE, if you(or a friend) are interested!
*waving white flag*
We are looking forward to the holidays and making messes.
Our plan is to try again in the spring, when hopefully the market is "better," if there will ever be such a thing again.
Until then, our house is officially off the market, but most definately still FOR SALE, if you(or a friend) are interested!
Kate Cheer Camp
Front row, middle of the picture, dancing with the KHS Golden Girls
KHS football game, getting ready to lead crowd in a cheer
Middle of the picture, KHS football game, leading crowd in cheerKate is our dancer girl. All my girls like to dance, but Kate has always had "it"......the coordinated moves, the facial expressions, the long blonde hair, and this passion for dancing.
I can still remember her asking me one morning, before we ran errands, how much longer till we left. When I told her about 20 minutes, she said "good, I've got to get my dancing done". She went to her room, closed her door, turned on the music and didn't come out until it was time to leave. We would love to find an outlet to channel her love for dancing, without enrolling her in an actual dance class. She doesn't want to learn tap/ballet/jazz etc.....she wants to groove. And tumble. This girl loves acrobatics and tumbling. I did find a tumbling class in town that she could enroll in when she is 6 years old. Her age, the ability to do both right and left handed cartwheels, and ability to do a back bend and return to standing are the requirements. She has two of the three items, but the back bend is our goal for the winter. I just get the feeling that things of the dancing/acro nature are going to be Kate's "thing" instead of most sports, which will be new territory for these parents.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Seriously?
Who has time to blog these days? Not this gal....
I guess a synopsis of recent weeks is due considering it has been awhile.
Things are moving right along with the family. Andy turned 35 a few weeks ago, and for the next month and a half, on paper, I am only a year older than him. I remember it being so cool to go get our marriage license (13 years ago!) and see our ages as only a year apart. He went on a golfing weekend extravaganza with his dad and spent three days chasing a little white ball around three different golf courses in Kansas.
Good times.
I am keeping busy at work and getting kids to every different activity known to man. Most days I feel like I am "losing it" as described in my last post. Wish I could report that I have found "it" but nope. Last week I briefly considered a career change from nurse to teacher as I taught Sunday School, Youth Bible Study, and a Behavioral Emergency class for the EMT students at the fire department. That was a lot of preparation work and a lot more stress than I need on a daily basis. For some reason, taking care of mentally unstable children and adults seems waaaaay easier to me.
Tess started volleyball a few weeks ago and loves it......not to mention that I love that she loves it. She struggles with serving, but so does the rest of her team, which makes it pretty hard to win a game. Thankfully she is on track with the passing and understands the concept of the "volley" in volleyball. I would love to see this be a sport that attracts her attention. Last weekend she had a piano/vocal recital that left me smiling so big my face almost cracked. Her vocal performance was so heartfelt. Not perfect, but charismatic and her stage presence was felt by everyone. Her piano just rocked. For real. She played it without mistake and again, her stage presence and body language while playing made me was to stand up and cheer afterwards. Makes all the nagging worth it in the end. I can't tell you what a JOY it is for Andy and I to receive such flattering compliments about our daughter(s).
Kate has had a really big month, but that would best be described in a photojournalism story, so you will have to wait until I can get the pictures off my camera. School is good, Life is good. Kate is G-O-O-D. She is learning to spell and LOVES to read. Even though she didn't start out with the reading bug like Tess did, she has realized that reading is cool....especially when you don't have to ask anyone for help to figure something out. Arts and crafts continue to be her favorite thing to do, and now we are getting our daily pictures/artwork from her with writing on them.
Jane has really matured since starting Preschool. She loves to go and is disappointed when it isn't a school day. Thankfully her Sunday School class is located in her preschool classroom, so Sunday mornings have become less of a struggle. She continues to want to wear dresses to everything, and her idea of clothing is even more picky than Kate's. Jane loves to ride her bike and wants to play outside every minute possible. A day is not complete without her quoting a movie line from either Open Season or Over the Hedge, her two favorite movies....pretty sure my parents have gotten their moneys worth out of those purchases.
We are gearing up for the holiday season, and with that we are anxiously awaiting the time we can take our house OFF the market. We have given it a good college try, shown it about 7 times. There are no houses in the area that we even want to buy right now, so waiting until spring to try again feels like the right plan. The thought of spending the holidays in a rental somewhere seems like a total holiday spirit buzz kill. All the lookers have given positive feedback, but no one wanted to give us their money. We have let our cleaning go by the wayside and just this morning I asked Andy if we could call our realtor and just take the house of the market right now......"Our house is too far gone" cleanliness wise, I said.
Just this afternoon we got another showing.
Seriously.
I guess a synopsis of recent weeks is due considering it has been awhile.
Things are moving right along with the family. Andy turned 35 a few weeks ago, and for the next month and a half, on paper, I am only a year older than him. I remember it being so cool to go get our marriage license (13 years ago!) and see our ages as only a year apart. He went on a golfing weekend extravaganza with his dad and spent three days chasing a little white ball around three different golf courses in Kansas.
Good times.
I am keeping busy at work and getting kids to every different activity known to man. Most days I feel like I am "losing it" as described in my last post. Wish I could report that I have found "it" but nope. Last week I briefly considered a career change from nurse to teacher as I taught Sunday School, Youth Bible Study, and a Behavioral Emergency class for the EMT students at the fire department. That was a lot of preparation work and a lot more stress than I need on a daily basis. For some reason, taking care of mentally unstable children and adults seems waaaaay easier to me.
Tess started volleyball a few weeks ago and loves it......not to mention that I love that she loves it. She struggles with serving, but so does the rest of her team, which makes it pretty hard to win a game. Thankfully she is on track with the passing and understands the concept of the "volley" in volleyball. I would love to see this be a sport that attracts her attention. Last weekend she had a piano/vocal recital that left me smiling so big my face almost cracked. Her vocal performance was so heartfelt. Not perfect, but charismatic and her stage presence was felt by everyone. Her piano just rocked. For real. She played it without mistake and again, her stage presence and body language while playing made me was to stand up and cheer afterwards. Makes all the nagging worth it in the end. I can't tell you what a JOY it is for Andy and I to receive such flattering compliments about our daughter(s).
Kate has had a really big month, but that would best be described in a photojournalism story, so you will have to wait until I can get the pictures off my camera. School is good, Life is good. Kate is G-O-O-D. She is learning to spell and LOVES to read. Even though she didn't start out with the reading bug like Tess did, she has realized that reading is cool....especially when you don't have to ask anyone for help to figure something out. Arts and crafts continue to be her favorite thing to do, and now we are getting our daily pictures/artwork from her with writing on them.
Jane has really matured since starting Preschool. She loves to go and is disappointed when it isn't a school day. Thankfully her Sunday School class is located in her preschool classroom, so Sunday mornings have become less of a struggle. She continues to want to wear dresses to everything, and her idea of clothing is even more picky than Kate's. Jane loves to ride her bike and wants to play outside every minute possible. A day is not complete without her quoting a movie line from either Open Season or Over the Hedge, her two favorite movies....pretty sure my parents have gotten their moneys worth out of those purchases.
We are gearing up for the holiday season, and with that we are anxiously awaiting the time we can take our house OFF the market. We have given it a good college try, shown it about 7 times. There are no houses in the area that we even want to buy right now, so waiting until spring to try again feels like the right plan. The thought of spending the holidays in a rental somewhere seems like a total holiday spirit buzz kill. All the lookers have given positive feedback, but no one wanted to give us their money. We have let our cleaning go by the wayside and just this morning I asked Andy if we could call our realtor and just take the house of the market right now......"Our house is too far gone" cleanliness wise, I said.
Just this afternoon we got another showing.
Seriously.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Losing it
I try and hold things together, but there is always something.......
In my previous self I was an organized, list making, remember to do things kind of person. I had a routine and people knew they could count on me.
Now I'm not so sure.
In my previous self when I would need to remember to do something, I usually just went ahead and did the task....I could even be found guilty of putting things on a list that were already completed, just to check them off.
lame.
Now, I think of things while I'm at work, or driving the car, or sitting in church, or trying to fall asleep at night, and wish I could put the thought with the task of writing it down.
Needless to say I forget a lot of things until they are due, or past due. I lose documents that need to be turned in because I try and sign things/fill out the form when it is received and then misplace it before it is time to turn it in. AARGH. I hate that.
Makes me feel like such a dork.
Turns out in my spaciness I am even starting to lose friendships. Not in a bad way, but just in an "why don't you notice me anymore?" kind of way. Makes me feel like a schmuck because I really want to say "I'm sorry, but I don't really notice anything anymore...it's nothing personal!"
So, I'm losing it and I'm getting damn tired. I hate feeling like I am not my best self, even though I am pretty stinkin happy most hours of the day. Someday I hope to feel more together and develop some sort of a system to keep from always feeling a step behind where I should be.
Losing it sucks.
The funny thing is I can't really put my finger on what "it" is that I've lost, which makes it even harder to find.
In my previous self I was an organized, list making, remember to do things kind of person. I had a routine and people knew they could count on me.
Now I'm not so sure.
In my previous self when I would need to remember to do something, I usually just went ahead and did the task....I could even be found guilty of putting things on a list that were already completed, just to check them off.
lame.
Now, I think of things while I'm at work, or driving the car, or sitting in church, or trying to fall asleep at night, and wish I could put the thought with the task of writing it down.
Needless to say I forget a lot of things until they are due, or past due. I lose documents that need to be turned in because I try and sign things/fill out the form when it is received and then misplace it before it is time to turn it in. AARGH. I hate that.
Makes me feel like such a dork.
Turns out in my spaciness I am even starting to lose friendships. Not in a bad way, but just in an "why don't you notice me anymore?" kind of way. Makes me feel like a schmuck because I really want to say "I'm sorry, but I don't really notice anything anymore...it's nothing personal!"
So, I'm losing it and I'm getting damn tired. I hate feeling like I am not my best self, even though I am pretty stinkin happy most hours of the day. Someday I hope to feel more together and develop some sort of a system to keep from always feeling a step behind where I should be.
Losing it sucks.
The funny thing is I can't really put my finger on what "it" is that I've lost, which makes it even harder to find.
Monday, September 19, 2011
I Love to Ask People for Money!
The 2011-12 school season has officially started.
Know how I can tell?
Because I have three children, each selling something as a fundraiser.
If I see another order form for cookie dough, trash bags, or candles........
Call me.
Orders are due next week.
Know how I can tell?
Because I have three children, each selling something as a fundraiser.
If I see another order form for cookie dough, trash bags, or candles........
Call me.
Orders are due next week.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Jane--Joyful Noise Preschool 2011-12
After many tears, shouts of NO, cries of "I don't want to", and offers of bribery on our part.......
JANE GRACEN MARTENS has started preschool!!!
We were so thrilled when Jane came home from her preschool open house saying she LOVED it and would be willing to go back for the real deal on Friday. When she woke up that morning, I was sitting by her bed watching her, thinking how I can not believe my baby is old enough to start preschool. When she opened her eyes up, she smiled at me and softly said "this is my school day isn't it momma?" This girl brings me such JOY that my heart melts when she smiles. There is something about being the baby of the family......our third blessing......I knew her first day of school was going to bring some tears. Jane dressed in her favorite skirt and shirt, wanted her hair done like the sisters' hair(ponytail) and wore her backpack to eat breakfast. We took a gazillion pictures and finally it was time.
We had a little snafu once we got to church as Jane wanted to take her beloved stuffed animal in with her. After finally convincing her that Curly would wait patiently for her in the car, we were off.
I love that our church has such a fantastic preschool. Both Tess and Kate have attended there, and it is the same area that the girls go to Sunday School each Sunday. Thankfully it is a familiar place to Jane, even if the concept of going to school isn't! I told Jane to lead us to her classroom and as you can see, she had left her worries at home and took off down the hall with her ladybug backpack bouncing.
After putting away her backpack, us taking more pictures, and me trying to hold on to the moment for as long as possible, it was time to go. I managed to get a hug and a kiss and it was back to playing with the toys along side her friends. Yes, I cried...and there was a thoughtful box of kleenex waiting for me on my desk at work. I waited all afternoon for a call from my sweet Janey to hear how her day had gone. Finally around 3pm my phone rang and I learned what had kept my darling so busy........
Preschool was exhausting. She had played hard, sang songs, went outside, and had cupcakes for a friend's birthday. Andy said she fell asleep on the way home from Preschool at noon and had just woken up before calling me. As I pulled into the driveway that evening I was greeted with her shouting " I loved it mom!" Music to my ears.
It is so funny how her going to school makes my heart feel so heavy but puts such a smile of JOY on my face.
Kate--Kindergarten 2011-12
Our middle blessing started Kindergarten this year!! She had been waiting patiently to be "big" like Tess for what seems like years. We are thankful she attended summer school during the month of June to get a taste of what going to school every day was going to feel like. She was exhausted and whiny after the first couple of mornings.....difficult to wake up, and then once she was up, she didn't really want to go to anywhere. We spent a few minutes trying to schmooze her into going until we finally broke the news to her that going to school is not a choice, it's the law. You should have seen the size of her big blue eyes when we told her that the police would arrest us if she didn't go to school.
That was the first week, and ever since she has been excited and loving school. Every day we ask her to tell us three things that happened at school. She almost always says "I didn't have to go to the Principal's office!"
Kate is also learning that not all kids handle their emotions the same. One day she came home from school with the story of a boy that put his hands up in fists and growled like a bear when someone touched his toy car. To hear her tell the story, a knock down fight almost happened.
Reading is becoming something she enjoys to do, not just to have stories read to her, but to try and read them herself. JOY! We are constantly helping her sound things out, and spell words. She loves to practice her writing, and her artwork has excelled to include words now.
Kate had her first sleepover right before school started with a preschool friend. The friend slept over at our house first, then Kate got to stay over there. Both nights were a total success. We were so proud of her, but probably not as proud as she was of herself.
Kate is going to do great things this year. She is singing in the Cherub choir again this year, learning new things about God during Sunday School, and is still the best pray-er I know. Next week she will participate in a cheer camp led by the KHS cheerleaders and Golden Girls. Kate has always been our dancer girl and it clearly brings her JOY to shake her booty. Dang if she isn't pretty good at it too. Her emotions are still her worst enemy and we have had to introduce the concept of being a "cry baby" with her. She cries over the silliest of reasons, although to her they seem like life changing events. Recently she was having a really rough evening and I asked her if something was bothering her. It turns out that Tess had gotten in trouble on the bus, and her getting in trouble had embarrassed Kate.....to the point of tears. This same emotional child is also the one that loves to hug me every day when I get home, enjoys making cards and pictures as gifts for people, takes loving care of her stuffed animals, and remembers to say please and thank you better than most adults.
Can't believe she has started school. The first five years of her life have flown by and I worry the next five will as well. The only consolation for her growing up so quickly
is that there are such amazing things in store for our blonde haired blue eyed beauty.
Tess--Fourth Grade 2011-12
Tess turned the big 1-0 on September 4th. We surprised her with a new Diamondback mountain bike, style named "The Tess". It's a pretty expensive bike for a 10 year old, but how could we not buy a bike that had her name on it? We surprised her with the bike and she has already ridden our money's worth out of it. Thanks to her Unkie John her bike is now tricked out with a bell(annoying) and a light(for night time rides?) which she thinks is pretty darn cool. And thanks to some birthday cash, she bought an uber expensive water bottle and holder.....all because it was cool looking and she could.
Tess started the fourth grade this year and is loving it. We are blessed with a oldest daughter that loves school, loves to learn, and enjoys the social scene without being a social butterfly. She just got her "driver's license" in math (involved passing a timed math facts test) and has already done her required oral book reports for the quarter. This year they get to really get their hands dirty with science experiments and their social studies class is devoted to learning about the State of Missouri. She is skipping the drama club performance this semester to try rec. league volleyball, and she has been practicing for her upcoming piano and voice recital in October. This is her first year getting to be involved with Kids for Christ at church and I am thrilled that this is the beginning of a long and exciting journey of learning about her faith and putting that faith into action. We are learning that the older she gets the mouthier she gets and we are in constant limbo between encouraging her to express her sassy self and wanting to ground her for the snarky comments that she says. Even with that being said, she is my first born blessing, and we are so very proud of her, even though I can't possibly be old enough to have a ten year old.
Tess--first day of fourth grade--2011
September 11, 2011
Ten years ago today I was getting my one week old daughter ready for her first doctor's appointment. I turned on the television and immediatly saw the live coverage of the first tower minutes after it had been hit. I clearly remember asking Andy to "come look at this.....is this for real?" We were late for that doctor's appointment.
This morning our family of five was glued to the television watching the coverage of the memorial service at Ground Zero and the tributes on the History Channel. We were late for church.
This evening as we watch still more coverage of the tragedy I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if my firefighter/paramedic husband had somehow been involved.
I wonder if he would have been one of those that would have run into the building with the plan to save and rescue. Would he have considered it his duty to serve and to protect?
Or would he have thought twice, said screw this, and run like a chickens#*t back to our home into the loving arms of his waiting family.
I am sure there are many, many people that wish their loved one would have taken the chickens#*t route.....they might still be here today.
I know for a fact there are many, many people that only are comforted by the knowledge that their loved one was so brave and courageous.
Since my husband and father of my children is safely here with me today, I am proud to think he would have gone into that building without a doubt of if he should......maybe a few thoughts of what he might lose....but still would have gone.
But any other scenario and I might have wished, for a just a brief second, to have a chickensh#*t husband.
This morning our family of five was glued to the television watching the coverage of the memorial service at Ground Zero and the tributes on the History Channel. We were late for church.
This evening as we watch still more coverage of the tragedy I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if my firefighter/paramedic husband had somehow been involved.
I wonder if he would have been one of those that would have run into the building with the plan to save and rescue. Would he have considered it his duty to serve and to protect?
Or would he have thought twice, said screw this, and run like a chickens#*t back to our home into the loving arms of his waiting family.
I am sure there are many, many people that wish their loved one would have taken the chickens#*t route.....they might still be here today.
I know for a fact there are many, many people that only are comforted by the knowledge that their loved one was so brave and courageous.
Since my husband and father of my children is safely here with me today, I am proud to think he would have gone into that building without a doubt of if he should......maybe a few thoughts of what he might lose....but still would have gone.
But any other scenario and I might have wished, for a just a brief second, to have a chickensh#*t husband.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Humble Pie
Quick synopsis of our house selling/buying adventures thus far....
--The house we want has a contract pending(still) and we won't know if it sells for another week or two.....or three or four.
--Looking at other houses is fun, but usually ends in disappointment. They look promising on paper, but when we actually step through the front door we are let down. OR we walk around trying to see the potential in a certain house when deep down we know it is not a house we want. It ends up being a waste of our time, of our realtor's time, and of our emotions.
--Keeping a house clean enough for a (rare) showing is hard. really hard. We have already started to ease up on our cleaning expectations. Our house is still cleaner than it's ever been though!
--The doubt that anyone will ever want to buy my house is toxic to my spirit.
--Building a house is expensive. There is a reason why builders are having a hard time right now. It cost a lot of money and people just don't have it. period.
--Trying to find a house is stressful on a marriage. period.
--Banks are not lending money to just any Joe Blow these days. We have an appointment with a loan officer tomorrow and I am nervous. I feel like it is an interview to determine my financial worth.
--Learning that we have champagne taste with a Miller High Life budget.....at least it is the champagne of beers!
--We are learning that humble pie tastes pretty good with our cheap beer. We have a house that we can afford, that is safe and protects us. We have kids that can ride their bikes, not just because the neighborhood is safe, but because they are healthy enough to do it. We have jobs that we love, and even having a job is a big stinkin' deal these days.
--The patience this whole process is requiring and the stress we are feeling, added to the fear of the unknown may drive me to drink above mentioned cheap beer.
--The house we want has a contract pending(still) and we won't know if it sells for another week or two.....or three or four.
--Looking at other houses is fun, but usually ends in disappointment. They look promising on paper, but when we actually step through the front door we are let down. OR we walk around trying to see the potential in a certain house when deep down we know it is not a house we want. It ends up being a waste of our time, of our realtor's time, and of our emotions.
--Keeping a house clean enough for a (rare) showing is hard. really hard. We have already started to ease up on our cleaning expectations. Our house is still cleaner than it's ever been though!
--The doubt that anyone will ever want to buy my house is toxic to my spirit.
--Building a house is expensive. There is a reason why builders are having a hard time right now. It cost a lot of money and people just don't have it. period.
--Trying to find a house is stressful on a marriage. period.
--Banks are not lending money to just any Joe Blow these days. We have an appointment with a loan officer tomorrow and I am nervous. I feel like it is an interview to determine my financial worth.
--Learning that we have champagne taste with a Miller High Life budget.....at least it is the champagne of beers!
--We are learning that humble pie tastes pretty good with our cheap beer. We have a house that we can afford, that is safe and protects us. We have kids that can ride their bikes, not just because the neighborhood is safe, but because they are healthy enough to do it. We have jobs that we love, and even having a job is a big stinkin' deal these days.
--The patience this whole process is requiring and the stress we are feeling, added to the fear of the unknown may drive me to drink above mentioned cheap beer.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
well crud.
The house we want has a contract on it. We found out yesterday and feel like we have been kicked in the gut.
Not that we didn't know this could happen, and not that we ever felt fully confident that we would get this house.
We just hoped....and prayed really, really hard.
The reality is that this house has had several contracts on it in the past(which we didn't know about until this one) that have fallen through, and there is still hope that this one will too.
Not that I wish anyone bad luck....but I wish the current contractees bad luck.
In the meantime, we wait and we continue to pray really, really hard. I don't want to pray that we get this house, but that the best situation unfolds for us.
I had the quick reaction to start looking at other houses for a back up plan. We have worked so hard getting our house ready to be on the market, that it seems like a huge waste of energy to not keep it there. Andy says that looking at other houses is like dating a rebound girlfriend. She isn't the right girl, she's just the girl right now.
I don't want to settle for a rebound house.
Not that we didn't know this could happen, and not that we ever felt fully confident that we would get this house.
We just hoped....and prayed really, really hard.
The reality is that this house has had several contracts on it in the past(which we didn't know about until this one) that have fallen through, and there is still hope that this one will too.
Not that I wish anyone bad luck....but I wish the current contractees bad luck.
In the meantime, we wait and we continue to pray really, really hard. I don't want to pray that we get this house, but that the best situation unfolds for us.
I had the quick reaction to start looking at other houses for a back up plan. We have worked so hard getting our house ready to be on the market, that it seems like a huge waste of energy to not keep it there. Andy says that looking at other houses is like dating a rebound girlfriend. She isn't the right girl, she's just the girl right now.
I don't want to settle for a rebound house.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Mothering Fail
Today was a bad day for the Martens 4. (Andy was at work)
It started out with me oversleeping on the morning I was to pick up Tess from camp. Not cool. Between the rain, a dark room, no snoring beside me.......I was o-u-t. I woke up about 12 minutes before I had wanted to leave. I jumped out of bed, shouted at the other two girls watching cartoons to get dressed, and about 18 minutes later we were out the door. The good news is we made it in plenty of time.
Bad news is my oldest blessing did not seem a bit happy to see her family. Not that I expected her to rush into my arms and cry tears of joy, but a hug and a smiling hello would have been nice. Did not happen. Tess is ready for an all week camp, so get over it mom, right?
Wrong. I kind of stewed about it all the way home from Lawson. That and the fact that she had no camp stories, no Jesus moments, no fun stories.....just some nonsense about a girl at camp that was totally non-camp related. I DON'T CARE, I wanted to shout. Anywhoooo
We got home, I tried to re-start my mood by watching a favorite show that I had taped on the DVR. It was going great until Tess comes down and says that Kate has just hit her in the face and shouted hateful things. ( a similar interaction between the two of them had happened about 30 minutes before, and I had to get after them.......) Well, let's get this fixed now because I've had about it enough.
While I really doubt Tess's innocence in this foray, I do know that lately Kate has been acting out her feelings rather than using words. Her temper flares quick, she lashes out, and then usually feels immediate guilt. For some reason she has it in her mind that she can't control this reaction and that she is a bad kid. I know this is not the case, but convincing her of this is not easy. She is pretty sure she is unlovable and a bad kid, so therefore can't help but "forget" how to act when upset with someone.
My middle blessing is a wonderful child. She is so lovable and amazing and crazy cool. Tell me how you can love your children the same but have one child who has so much doubt in her love-ability. We had a long talk, and she had a really long cry. I am not sure what it is going to take to get her through this good-girl-acting-badly phase, but I hope it passes quickly.
We went shopping for Mimi and had about a 3 hour good stretch.
Then we came home. Lordy. Kate spilled every liquid thing she touched. Twice. Tess was tired and cranky, making messes and irritating Kate on purpose. Jane was whiny and tired, needy and wanting me to do every little thing for her.
Kate's dinner time prayer was thanking God for today, even though it had been a bad day, and please let tomorrow be better because we can't handle it being a worse day.
Amen, to that.
Are you ready for the mothering fail?
We had limped through dinner with several spills, some tiffs, a few snarky comments and I asked the girls to help pick up some of their messes. Well, they half arsed through that and I got snippy. Everyone was doing exactly the opposite of what I had asked, and at the time, seemed to be doing it to get under my skin. Trying to sell a house with three kids is hard. Trying to sell a house with three kids, in a bad housing market is really hard. I have had my fill of picking up every flipping mess my family makes. And we are only a month into this adventure.
So we were soooo close to making it without a total loss of control and sensibility, but then it happened. All three girls simultaneously pissed me off and.........
I grabbed a wooden stick toy out of Jane's hand(that she was purposely trying to hit/miss Tess with) and BROKE IT IN HALF ACROSS MY THIGH WHILE I GROWLED LIKE A SASQUATCH.
Tess started crying, Kate jumped on her bed and hid under the covers and Jane stood there shocked and then started crying.
Total mother fail.
I had been warning them all day that I was hanging on by a thread.
The good news is that all three girls were in bed and asleep by 8:15 tonight and before Tess and Kate fell asleep I had a chance to apologize for my behavior. I accepted full responsibility for acting like a lunatic and asked for forgiveness and love.
Thankfully they both said they still love me, although Kate gave me the so-so hand sign when I asked her if she still liked me.
The best was when we all three discussed that I don't lose my mind very often, they said I had NEVER lost it, but they clearly are wrong. I have never broke a piece of wood over my thigh before though.
Thank you Jesus that the stupid thing broke.
They ended the conversation saying that they had seen dad act like that before, "but not you, mom!"
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, day.
It started out with me oversleeping on the morning I was to pick up Tess from camp. Not cool. Between the rain, a dark room, no snoring beside me.......I was o-u-t. I woke up about 12 minutes before I had wanted to leave. I jumped out of bed, shouted at the other two girls watching cartoons to get dressed, and about 18 minutes later we were out the door. The good news is we made it in plenty of time.
Bad news is my oldest blessing did not seem a bit happy to see her family. Not that I expected her to rush into my arms and cry tears of joy, but a hug and a smiling hello would have been nice. Did not happen. Tess is ready for an all week camp, so get over it mom, right?
Wrong. I kind of stewed about it all the way home from Lawson. That and the fact that she had no camp stories, no Jesus moments, no fun stories.....just some nonsense about a girl at camp that was totally non-camp related. I DON'T CARE, I wanted to shout. Anywhoooo
We got home, I tried to re-start my mood by watching a favorite show that I had taped on the DVR. It was going great until Tess comes down and says that Kate has just hit her in the face and shouted hateful things. ( a similar interaction between the two of them had happened about 30 minutes before, and I had to get after them.......) Well, let's get this fixed now because I've had about it enough.
While I really doubt Tess's innocence in this foray, I do know that lately Kate has been acting out her feelings rather than using words. Her temper flares quick, she lashes out, and then usually feels immediate guilt. For some reason she has it in her mind that she can't control this reaction and that she is a bad kid. I know this is not the case, but convincing her of this is not easy. She is pretty sure she is unlovable and a bad kid, so therefore can't help but "forget" how to act when upset with someone.
My middle blessing is a wonderful child. She is so lovable and amazing and crazy cool. Tell me how you can love your children the same but have one child who has so much doubt in her love-ability. We had a long talk, and she had a really long cry. I am not sure what it is going to take to get her through this good-girl-acting-badly phase, but I hope it passes quickly.
We went shopping for Mimi and had about a 3 hour good stretch.
Then we came home. Lordy. Kate spilled every liquid thing she touched. Twice. Tess was tired and cranky, making messes and irritating Kate on purpose. Jane was whiny and tired, needy and wanting me to do every little thing for her.
Kate's dinner time prayer was thanking God for today, even though it had been a bad day, and please let tomorrow be better because we can't handle it being a worse day.
Amen, to that.
Are you ready for the mothering fail?
We had limped through dinner with several spills, some tiffs, a few snarky comments and I asked the girls to help pick up some of their messes. Well, they half arsed through that and I got snippy. Everyone was doing exactly the opposite of what I had asked, and at the time, seemed to be doing it to get under my skin. Trying to sell a house with three kids is hard. Trying to sell a house with three kids, in a bad housing market is really hard. I have had my fill of picking up every flipping mess my family makes. And we are only a month into this adventure.
So we were soooo close to making it without a total loss of control and sensibility, but then it happened. All three girls simultaneously pissed me off and.........
I grabbed a wooden stick toy out of Jane's hand(that she was purposely trying to hit/miss Tess with) and BROKE IT IN HALF ACROSS MY THIGH WHILE I GROWLED LIKE A SASQUATCH.
Tess started crying, Kate jumped on her bed and hid under the covers and Jane stood there shocked and then started crying.
Total mother fail.
I had been warning them all day that I was hanging on by a thread.
The good news is that all three girls were in bed and asleep by 8:15 tonight and before Tess and Kate fell asleep I had a chance to apologize for my behavior. I accepted full responsibility for acting like a lunatic and asked for forgiveness and love.
Thankfully they both said they still love me, although Kate gave me the so-so hand sign when I asked her if she still liked me.
The best was when we all three discussed that I don't lose my mind very often, they said I had NEVER lost it, but they clearly are wrong. I have never broke a piece of wood over my thigh before though.
Thank you Jesus that the stupid thing broke.
They ended the conversation saying that they had seen dad act like that before, "but not you, mom!"
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, day.
Friday, July 29, 2011
They will know we are Christians by our love
Last night was Kate's first ever sleep over with a preschool friend. Tess left for camp yesterday, and Kate was feeling pretty down....so what does a parent do to cheer a child up? Bribe them with having a friend over!
We were getting ready to eat supper and Kate, our pray-er, was patiently waiting for everyone to sit down and zip it so she could pray. We gave her the go ahead and she starts out with thanking God for the food(always) and then thanks God for her friend coming over(of course). As soon as the friend heard her name she started to giggle. No big deal, girls giggle, even during the prayer sometimes.
So Kate starts over, and this time the friend starts to TALK to her during the prayer.
HUH?
So Kate starts over again, and the friend jabbers and laughs......
sidenote: Jane only sometimes stops what she is doing, closes her eyes and participates in the prayer.....but even she was looking around like "what is up with this girl? doesn't she know we are thanking God right now?"
After Kate has to start a fourth time, we tell her to just keep going. God doesn't mind if *friend* talks as long as the prayer is heartfelt.
It was a great prayer by the way.
Last night as the girls were trying to fall asleep downstairs the thunder started. We waited for a few minutes to see if this caused any distress. My girls love storms, but for some kids they are a total deal breaker. We had asked *friend's* mom about food likes/dislikes, etc. but forgot to ask about storm fears.
Andy went down after a couple of booms to check on them. He came back upstairs with three little girls and their pillows.
He told me that when he went downstairs he could hear Kate trying to comfort *friend* by telling her "it's okay, I'm here with you, my mom and dad are here, and God is with you too!"
I pray Kate's ability to share her faith stays strong.
God is so good.
We were getting ready to eat supper and Kate, our pray-er, was patiently waiting for everyone to sit down and zip it so she could pray. We gave her the go ahead and she starts out with thanking God for the food(always) and then thanks God for her friend coming over(of course). As soon as the friend heard her name she started to giggle. No big deal, girls giggle, even during the prayer sometimes.
So Kate starts over, and this time the friend starts to TALK to her during the prayer.
HUH?
So Kate starts over again, and the friend jabbers and laughs......
sidenote: Jane only sometimes stops what she is doing, closes her eyes and participates in the prayer.....but even she was looking around like "what is up with this girl? doesn't she know we are thanking God right now?"
After Kate has to start a fourth time, we tell her to just keep going. God doesn't mind if *friend* talks as long as the prayer is heartfelt.
It was a great prayer by the way.
Last night as the girls were trying to fall asleep downstairs the thunder started. We waited for a few minutes to see if this caused any distress. My girls love storms, but for some kids they are a total deal breaker. We had asked *friend's* mom about food likes/dislikes, etc. but forgot to ask about storm fears.
Andy went down after a couple of booms to check on them. He came back upstairs with three little girls and their pillows.
He told me that when he went downstairs he could hear Kate trying to comfort *friend* by telling her "it's okay, I'm here with you, my mom and dad are here, and God is with you too!"
I pray Kate's ability to share her faith stays strong.
God is so good.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sorry
Yesterday Kate lost her mind after losing a game of Wii tennis. Her big sister won and Kate does NOT like to lose.
This is the scenario that was reported to me by both parties.
Tess won, Kate shouted "I hate you" and threw the Wii remote.
Kate knew she was in trouble as soon as her heart rate slowed down to normal.....Tess also immediately ran upstairs to me to tattle.
After a short discussion on how that situation needs to be handled better next time, I asked Kate to tell Tess she was sorry.
Kate's reply: "But if I say I'm sorry it means I won't do it again and I'm pretty sure I will, Mom"
This is the scenario that was reported to me by both parties.
Tess won, Kate shouted "I hate you" and threw the Wii remote.
Kate knew she was in trouble as soon as her heart rate slowed down to normal.....Tess also immediately ran upstairs to me to tattle.
After a short discussion on how that situation needs to be handled better next time, I asked Kate to tell Tess she was sorry.
Kate's reply: "But if I say I'm sorry it means I won't do it again and I'm pretty sure I will, Mom"
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Two Weeks
Keeping the house uber clean with three young kids is for the birds. Every time we leave the house, I have to think about someone wanting to come look while we are gone. PRESSURE! Pick up the gazillion pairs of flip flops, wipe the toothpaste out of the sink, dust off the t.v. screen, weed the landscaping, wipe the kitchen counters, spray some smell goody stuff, put fresh fruit in the bowl.......AARRRGGGHHH.
And it has only been two weeks into the process.
To answer the elephant in the room question....no, we have not had anyone interested in looking yet, although my mother-in-law swears she saw someone take a flyer from the box in the yard yesterday.
Everytime the phone rings I hope it is Deb wanting to show the house. I also hope that it is not Deb calling to tell us the house that we want is SOLD. What an emotional rollercoaster we have put ourselves on. I do not even like rollercoasters. They make me s-i-c-k.
What a weird feeling to be so excited about something but have to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait....all the while not knowing if the one thing you are excited about will even happen.
I picture my stuff in this house. I picture the stuff that I've always wanted to do with a house but didn't have the right space for it....I picture my kids playing in this yard, I picture having dinner parties and holiday celebrations at this house. I picture my kids coming home from college to this house........
Did I mention that I have this weird, possibly psychotic, draw towards this house?
Andy and I went and looked at the house a second time last week. We spent a lot more time looking at the the little details we had glossed over the first time. The place needs some work. It has so many little things that could turn into big money at the store.
We don't care.
It is so weird to pray for something like this, but I do. Every day. Sometimes twice. Not that we get what we want, but that we get what we need.
I'm pretty sure I need this house. Sorry God.
And it has only been two weeks into the process.
To answer the elephant in the room question....no, we have not had anyone interested in looking yet, although my mother-in-law swears she saw someone take a flyer from the box in the yard yesterday.
Everytime the phone rings I hope it is Deb wanting to show the house. I also hope that it is not Deb calling to tell us the house that we want is SOLD. What an emotional rollercoaster we have put ourselves on. I do not even like rollercoasters. They make me s-i-c-k.
What a weird feeling to be so excited about something but have to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait....all the while not knowing if the one thing you are excited about will even happen.
I picture my stuff in this house. I picture the stuff that I've always wanted to do with a house but didn't have the right space for it....I picture my kids playing in this yard, I picture having dinner parties and holiday celebrations at this house. I picture my kids coming home from college to this house........
Did I mention that I have this weird, possibly psychotic, draw towards this house?
Andy and I went and looked at the house a second time last week. We spent a lot more time looking at the the little details we had glossed over the first time. The place needs some work. It has so many little things that could turn into big money at the store.
We don't care.
It is so weird to pray for something like this, but I do. Every day. Sometimes twice. Not that we get what we want, but that we get what we need.
I'm pretty sure I need this house. Sorry God.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
To Pee or Not to Pee......
Telling this story might get me in a little bit of trouble with a certain blonde in our house, but it was meant for the laugh of it, not the embarassment of it.
Kate "peed a little" (her words) in her bed last night. She did the right thing by coming to me, at 4am, telling me, correcting the problem and then going back to bed. I did not even have to roll over.
This morning the girls needed to get up early to get dressed and ready for drama camp. I happened to walk by their room and saw Kate, still sleepy in bed, with Tess hovering over her and trying to wake her up in a not nice way.
Kate: "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Tess: still doing it..."Why?"
Kate: "Because I peed last night right there where your hand is." said totally stoic
Tess: "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
Jane, however, stayed dry all night in her big girl Hello Kitty undies. Progress as promised!
Kate "peed a little" (her words) in her bed last night. She did the right thing by coming to me, at 4am, telling me, correcting the problem and then going back to bed. I did not even have to roll over.
This morning the girls needed to get up early to get dressed and ready for drama camp. I happened to walk by their room and saw Kate, still sleepy in bed, with Tess hovering over her and trying to wake her up in a not nice way.
Kate: "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Tess: still doing it..."Why?"
Kate: "Because I peed last night right there where your hand is." said totally stoic
Tess: "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
Jane, however, stayed dry all night in her big girl Hello Kitty undies. Progress as promised!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
News, Notes & Quotes
Breaking News....
My sweet baby Jane is three years old today! more on that in the evening news.
Today is my one year work-a-versary. I still get caught off guard on Sunday evenings when I remember that I have to work the next day. I love my job, although I'm the only one that thinks a one year anniversary is worthy of celebration.
Our house has been on the world wide web now for a week. There is a sign in our yard, glossy brochures in a bin, and a lady is coming today to take pictures for a virtual tour. Not sure how I feel about that, but if it helps sell my house....
Our Bailey just found out she will be marching, as a cheerleader, in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this year. Be prepared for some serious fundraising! You will be asked to help sponsor this dream!
Notes:
My parents go on vacation to the beautiful state of Colorado next week. We wish them nothing but JOY while they visit with family and be tourists to God's beautiful handiwork.
My niece Amelia is adorable and I'm pretty sure she loves me being her aunt.
Next week Tess and Kate will be going to a Theatre Camp at North Kansas City High School. This should be a week of delight for Tess and hopefully will help with Kate's shyness at performing. They will perform "Sleeping Beauty" on the final night. I hope they love it. If not, it's going to be a loooooong two weeks.
As mentioned above, our regularly scheduled child care is going on vacation. Andy and I firmly believe that when the "free" child care wants time off, they should get it, so my parents are sans grandchildren for the month of July. This doesn't mean we won't let them see our children, it just means they get to choose if and when they want to see them. Our Samantha is the hired help for the month and the girls are loving it. We are thrilled that Samantha was available and we have someone we can trust with our girls.
Quotes:
Samantha: "Jane, how old are you today?"
Jane: "2"
Samantha: "How old will you be tomorrow?"
Jane: "46"
Kate: "Mom, I don't want to know how to read before I go to kindergarten. I just want to be normal."
Scene: My office, sitting with a patient that is also a mom to a spoiled 5 yr old girl. Her insurance won't pay for her Adderall prescription. The mother's Adderall, not the child's, by the way.
Me: I'm sorry, Susie, but some insurances won't pay for an adult to be on a stimulant. I will try and call your insurance company, but they usually want me to verify that you are either working or in school." (She is neither)
Susie: "Well that is total crap. Being a mom is really hard. I went to college, for like 5 years, and being a mom is way harder."
Me: silence, holding back snarky comment.
Happy Thursday everyone! God is so good!
My sweet baby Jane is three years old today! more on that in the evening news.
Today is my one year work-a-versary. I still get caught off guard on Sunday evenings when I remember that I have to work the next day. I love my job, although I'm the only one that thinks a one year anniversary is worthy of celebration.
Our house has been on the world wide web now for a week. There is a sign in our yard, glossy brochures in a bin, and a lady is coming today to take pictures for a virtual tour. Not sure how I feel about that, but if it helps sell my house....
Our Bailey just found out she will be marching, as a cheerleader, in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this year. Be prepared for some serious fundraising! You will be asked to help sponsor this dream!
Notes:
My parents go on vacation to the beautiful state of Colorado next week. We wish them nothing but JOY while they visit with family and be tourists to God's beautiful handiwork.
My niece Amelia is adorable and I'm pretty sure she loves me being her aunt.
Next week Tess and Kate will be going to a Theatre Camp at North Kansas City High School. This should be a week of delight for Tess and hopefully will help with Kate's shyness at performing. They will perform "Sleeping Beauty" on the final night. I hope they love it. If not, it's going to be a loooooong two weeks.
As mentioned above, our regularly scheduled child care is going on vacation. Andy and I firmly believe that when the "free" child care wants time off, they should get it, so my parents are sans grandchildren for the month of July. This doesn't mean we won't let them see our children, it just means they get to choose if and when they want to see them. Our Samantha is the hired help for the month and the girls are loving it. We are thrilled that Samantha was available and we have someone we can trust with our girls.
Quotes:
Samantha: "Jane, how old are you today?"
Jane: "2"
Samantha: "How old will you be tomorrow?"
Jane: "46"
Kate: "Mom, I don't want to know how to read before I go to kindergarten. I just want to be normal."
Scene: My office, sitting with a patient that is also a mom to a spoiled 5 yr old girl. Her insurance won't pay for her Adderall prescription. The mother's Adderall, not the child's, by the way.
Me: I'm sorry, Susie, but some insurances won't pay for an adult to be on a stimulant. I will try and call your insurance company, but they usually want me to verify that you are either working or in school." (She is neither)
Susie: "Well that is total crap. Being a mom is really hard. I went to college, for like 5 years, and being a mom is way harder."
Me: silence, holding back snarky comment.
Happy Thursday everyone! God is so good!
Friday, July 1, 2011
For Sale
Our house is for sale.
Holy cow.
I could go on for paragraphs about this life changing decision Andy and I made, but in reality, it is a pretty short and sweet story.
Two people fell in love with a house that was found by a co-worker who was surfing the web while at work.
These same two people hadn't planned to start trying to sell their house for another year, but felt some connection to this house and decided to pray about it.
And work REALLY hard to get their house ready to show to potential buyers.
SO
one week ago we walked around the outside of the house and looked in the windows
the next day we went inside the house, fully expecting there to be a "deal breaker", but there wasn't.
the next few days we worked like crazy boxing up our life and stacking it in the garage
on Tuesday of this week we signed a contract with our realtor from ten years ago
and this morning a "For Sale" sign magically appeared in my yard.
the end.
Holy cow.
I could go on for paragraphs about this life changing decision Andy and I made, but in reality, it is a pretty short and sweet story.
Two people fell in love with a house that was found by a co-worker who was surfing the web while at work.
These same two people hadn't planned to start trying to sell their house for another year, but felt some connection to this house and decided to pray about it.
And work REALLY hard to get their house ready to show to potential buyers.
SO
one week ago we walked around the outside of the house and looked in the windows
the next day we went inside the house, fully expecting there to be a "deal breaker", but there wasn't.
the next few days we worked like crazy boxing up our life and stacking it in the garage
on Tuesday of this week we signed a contract with our realtor from ten years ago
and this morning a "For Sale" sign magically appeared in my yard.
the end.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
And now it's time for a break down.....
Kate has 4 days of Pre-Kindergarten summer school left to go. She has been a trooper, getting up early every morning and going to school while the rest of the family (excluding me) stays home and has fun.
At least that is what she is assuming everyone else is doing....having TONS of fun without her.
Every day she comes home with art work and some stories about her experiences. One evening she let us know that two bad things and one good thing had happened to her that day. The two bad things involved her getting "in trouble" for doing something she didn't know was against the rules. I'm pretty sure she was kindly advised by her teachers, but in her heart, she had gotten in trouble.
Because I know you are dying to know what she did, I will gladly share. The first thing happened when she was the star student for the day and in charge of leading the line of classmates to and from places. She thought the teacher had told her to go ahead and lead everyone out of the gym but she had not, and Kate perceived that as being in trouble. The second incident was she picked up some wood chips on the playground to use as pretend candy for their imaginary candy store, and she got told that picking up wood chips is against the rules! According to her, she cried because she was so embarrassed! Rough day, and to hear her replay the story for us was heart breaking.
Kate HATES to be embarrassed.....even more so than the average bear.
Anyway, I am now finally getting around to the title of this post. I turned around in the car this morning to make sure Kate was buckled up, and I see silent tears streaming from her beautiful blue eyes. She didn't want to go to school today. "It's too long of a day for me, mom!" she cried when I asked what was wrong.
I had been waiting for this to happen, and would have placed a bet that it would happen sooner than it did. Kate is not used to being somewhere every day, all day. And while I am so very thankful that my kids do not have to go to all day childcare every day, it sure would have prepared Kate for these long school days.
Once she got the tears out, blew her nose, I reassured her that if she could just start the day at school the teacher would call us if she simply could not make it the rest of the day. I explained that the office had every phone number possible to contact us, even grandma and grandpa's! She reluctantly agreed to go, but only after I let her in on the secret that she gets to pick where we eat out on the last night of summer school. I told her she could pick anywhere she wants.
Except Chucky Cheese.
Which made her laugh before she got out of the car and walked down the long side walk towards the school.
My middle blessing is growing up.
At least that is what she is assuming everyone else is doing....having TONS of fun without her.
Every day she comes home with art work and some stories about her experiences. One evening she let us know that two bad things and one good thing had happened to her that day. The two bad things involved her getting "in trouble" for doing something she didn't know was against the rules. I'm pretty sure she was kindly advised by her teachers, but in her heart, she had gotten in trouble.
Because I know you are dying to know what she did, I will gladly share. The first thing happened when she was the star student for the day and in charge of leading the line of classmates to and from places. She thought the teacher had told her to go ahead and lead everyone out of the gym but she had not, and Kate perceived that as being in trouble. The second incident was she picked up some wood chips on the playground to use as pretend candy for their imaginary candy store, and she got told that picking up wood chips is against the rules! According to her, she cried because she was so embarrassed! Rough day, and to hear her replay the story for us was heart breaking.
Kate HATES to be embarrassed.....even more so than the average bear.
Anyway, I am now finally getting around to the title of this post. I turned around in the car this morning to make sure Kate was buckled up, and I see silent tears streaming from her beautiful blue eyes. She didn't want to go to school today. "It's too long of a day for me, mom!" she cried when I asked what was wrong.
I had been waiting for this to happen, and would have placed a bet that it would happen sooner than it did. Kate is not used to being somewhere every day, all day. And while I am so very thankful that my kids do not have to go to all day childcare every day, it sure would have prepared Kate for these long school days.
Once she got the tears out, blew her nose, I reassured her that if she could just start the day at school the teacher would call us if she simply could not make it the rest of the day. I explained that the office had every phone number possible to contact us, even grandma and grandpa's! She reluctantly agreed to go, but only after I let her in on the secret that she gets to pick where we eat out on the last night of summer school. I told her she could pick anywhere she wants.
Except Chucky Cheese.
Which made her laugh before she got out of the car and walked down the long side walk towards the school.
My middle blessing is growing up.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
sociology 101
Sociology and watching how people act in society has always interested me. I know we all people watch, but have you ever really noticed how people interact?
I have three girls, and there are three different personalities forming right before my eyes.
We have had several social gatherings the last few weeks, several family reunion gatherings, church activities, etc. so I have had plenty of time to watch and learn about my girls.
Tess walks into a room assuming that people are going to want to know her, so she had better put herself out there to be met. She constantly adjusts herself to fit whatever the situation is in the room. She doesn't know a stranger, loves to make connections, and if not watched carefully, she will take over the job of the hostess, even if it isn't her party.
Kate enters a room wanting to meet everyone, but not sure where to start. If someone comes up and introduces themselves and invites her to join, she's good. She acts shy, but loves to be asked to join group. What I love about this girl is if she isn't interested in the situation of the room, she just makes her own. She is totally comfortable being a "party of one" and I am so proud of that. THAT takes guts.
And then there is sweet baby Jane. My sweet delicate girl. Jane walks into a party, will walk right over to the first person she sees and say "Hey! Do you have a snack? I am Hun-gry!" She loves to join whatever the activity is, as long as it doesn't mean she has to sit still. She is the follower that will call out the leader if she suspects shenanigans. If she doesn't like the situation she will stop, cross her arms over her body, scrunch up her face and that is IT....game over.
All unique, all make me proud, yet some characteristics have the potential to be a problem. The cool part is I see a little bit of my own personality in each of them. I can't wait to review this in several years and see if each description still fits.
I have three girls, and there are three different personalities forming right before my eyes.
We have had several social gatherings the last few weeks, several family reunion gatherings, church activities, etc. so I have had plenty of time to watch and learn about my girls.
Tess walks into a room assuming that people are going to want to know her, so she had better put herself out there to be met. She constantly adjusts herself to fit whatever the situation is in the room. She doesn't know a stranger, loves to make connections, and if not watched carefully, she will take over the job of the hostess, even if it isn't her party.
Kate enters a room wanting to meet everyone, but not sure where to start. If someone comes up and introduces themselves and invites her to join, she's good. She acts shy, but loves to be asked to join group. What I love about this girl is if she isn't interested in the situation of the room, she just makes her own. She is totally comfortable being a "party of one" and I am so proud of that. THAT takes guts.
And then there is sweet baby Jane. My sweet delicate girl. Jane walks into a party, will walk right over to the first person she sees and say "Hey! Do you have a snack? I am Hun-gry!" She loves to join whatever the activity is, as long as it doesn't mean she has to sit still. She is the follower that will call out the leader if she suspects shenanigans. If she doesn't like the situation she will stop, cross her arms over her body, scrunch up her face and that is IT....game over.
All unique, all make me proud, yet some characteristics have the potential to be a problem. The cool part is I see a little bit of my own personality in each of them. I can't wait to review this in several years and see if each description still fits.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Winning!
Last Thursday was the Awards Assembly for 3rd-5th grades at Hawthorne Elementary. We have always been very proud of the awards Tess has brought home in the past 3 years, but this year we are super duper ginormous big time proud.Tess was presented with a Library Award(she is a total library mouse and enjoys the dewey decimal system) a Language Arts Award(for overall goodness at the English language, I guess) The President's Physical Fitness Award (with Obama's signature!) and.....drumroll please.......
The Principal's Award for having all A's all four quarters!!!!!
Third grade is the first year the teacher's actually record a letter grade for assignments and report cards. Tess worked hardest to keep that math grade at an "A", the rest were much easier.There weren't many kids that earned this award and accompanying medal, and I have challenged Tess to remember the feeling of receiving this award each time she wants to scream when I mention doing some math facts.
SO proud of this girl.
Princess Jane
We have had this toddler bed in Jane's room since Kate graduated to a bunk bed. Instead of wanting to sleep in it, Jane has used it to store her stuff on. Nothing could coerce her to move from crib to big girl bed. Can't say we pushed her too hard, we liked the idea of having control of when she could or couldn't get out of bed!The youth at church are having a garage sale the first weekend of June and we decided no time like the present to get our girl to "grow up" and sleep in a big girl bed. After some brainstorming, Andy and I decided the only way to sell this new sleeping arrangement was to do an extreme room makeover minus the extreme. We took down the crib, moved the toddler bed to its old spot, hung a princess tent over the bed, put her pop up Dora tent in the other corner to create her very own clubhouse, and........tah dah!
She walked into her room, shouted "oh my gosh, this is AWESOME!" and started jumping on the bed saying "I'm a princess!" over and over.
She has only fallen out one time and didn't even bother to wake us up. She just slept on the floor till we found her the next morning.
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