Thursday, May 28, 2009

Stop What You're Doing: I Have Something to Say...

I don't know how many of you have seen this, but if you haven't, take the five minutes. I'll wait.

I found it fascinating.

Very eye-opening.

And convicting.

And totally spot on.

I don't know how many people really read this blog. I mean, I know my mom and mother-in-law do (Hi!). But beyond that, I really have no idea. Nor do I know what type of backgrounds you all have. Since the blog is out there in cyberworld, in the back of my mind I know that it can be accessed by anyone at anytime. Sometimes, when I log-in to write, I can see in my live traffic feed that there are people that stop here (even if for a brief second, and by accident) from all over the place. So for all of you readers, or people who happen to accidentally stop here after using Google, desperately seeking the answer to some question you have (sorry, you were led astray. You aren't going to find it here), I need to tell you something.

I am desperate for you to know that there is more than this life in this world. I want you to know that there is a God who has promised you life everlasting. The condition? You have to believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that He came to save you from this world.

What? You think you've done too much wrong and made too many mistakes? You think God would never want to save you because you've gone way too far past the line? We all have. We all are sinners. That is no surprise to God. That's why he sent His one and only Son. He sent Him to live a perfect and blameless life. He sent Him not for the perfect people, not for even the good people, but he sent Him for us "while we were still sinners"(Romans 5:8). Then while we were still doing everything wrong, and as we spit in His face, He laid down His life for us.

God is not surprised or caught off-guard by your sins. He knew you would be a sinner when He created you. It didn't stop Him from bringing you into this world. He still created you because he loves you that much. That same God wants to spend eternity with you.

It's never too late. You will never do too much wrong. He is waiting for you with big open arms, and once you allow Him to grab hold, He will NEVER let you go.

I realize that some of you who will read this may still not believe me. For whatever your reasons are, I will still pray for you, as I will also continue to pray for Penn. I pray that one day this truth will become real to you. I will pray that it doesn't happen too late. Because, just as Penn said, even though I don't know you, if there were a truck barreling down on you, and you didn't see it coming (or believe it was coming), I would try to do something to save you. And, again to restate what the video already said, this is WAY bigger than that.

Your life is at stake here.

Your eternal life.

I just needed to share that with you.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" --1 Peter 3:15

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

School's Out For Summa!

Oh yea! I have been wanting to post that title for WAY too long. It feels good. Even though coming back for ONE day this week felt so wrong. I should have titled this "Randomness" because that is what you are going to get. Just a bit of random goings on around here the last five or so days.

First, our garden is doing wonderfully. I really was a bit worried because the beans were not the first to pop through the soil, as they have always been in the past. Hubs planted the beans and carrots this year. I usually just draw a dainty little line in the soil with a trowel, drop the seeds, and lightly cover them back up again.

Hubs had a full size shovel.

So, his was a bit different than my approach.

When I told him that I was a bit nervous about the beans not popping through, he said, "Don't worry. When they pop through, they'll be the strongest beans we've ever grown." Personally, I like my beans tender, but who am I to judge.

No worries, they are here.

Next up, Field Day. The Girl had her first Field Day the last Friday of school (which should've been the last day of school in my opinion...have I shared that already?). Hubs and I were ready for some relays and racing.

Not so much.

That's not how they do it anymore.

So we did some jumping:


Some running to get a good jump in:


Some parachute play:






If you still feel like you need a little more competition after all that parachute play, well then, we have some croquette:


This was The Girl's favorite station of the day, Face Painting.


Followed very closely by the Playground Station (I can't even make this stuff up. The pictures are proof.)


Oh, look at who else was there:


The last station of the day, was a little Sack Race:


The kids, by this time, were DYING for some sort of competition. They all gave it there all, and were even cheering and hooting and hollering. Thankfully, The Girl, she's had plenty of experience with the Sack Race. She KILLED it.

OK, so that comment was a bit violent for a Kindergarten Sack Race, but all the pent up competitive spirit was brewing over at this point.

All in all it was a good day, and good fun was had by all.

Finally, in order to say good bye to the school year properly, we had Kindergarten Graduation today.



After some songs and a video montage of the year, diplomas were handed out.


But, only to the ones who passed:


Oh, I kid.

Of course, they all passed.

And, a picture with her teacher:


It was a special first year of school, and we were lucky to have such a great teacher and fun class.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bunch of NOT running around to enjoy.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The First of Many, I'm Sure

First off, I was crabby yesterday! Whew! I am much better now. I don't know what that was, but I had a fever for three days and nothing else. No sore throat, no swollen glands, no runny nose, or headache...weird. All that matters is that I am better. Sorry for the crabbiness.

Today, thankfully, was also a beautiful day outdoors, so I didn't miss the nice weather totally. Since it has been so nice lately, the kids have been outside so much more. It's these times that I wonder how I even kept my sanity during the winter months when we are all locked inside together day after day.

The Little Man has been getting so much braver these days. Last year, it was an achievement for him to be able to climb the ladder into the top of the swing set fort. This year he is jumping out of the fort without the aid of a ladder. I swear, he hits the ground so hard sometimes, I can't help but cringe.

Today, he thought he was brave enough to jump from the ladder to the monkey bars.

My heart stopped, but he made it.

Then he had no clue what to do.

He was too scared to let go with one hand and get to the next bar, and also thought it was too far to fall. Considering he jumped from the fort several times, I am not sure where this fear came from. So he just sat and screamed.

And screamed.

And cried.

And screamed some more.

The Hubs went to get him, and tried to encourage him to try to cross the bars or to jump down, but he was having none of that. So, eventually, The Hubs got him down. We thought that was the end of that.

No.

Of course it wasn't.

And, of course, he waited until we were both back inside, in the basement before he tried again. Then the screaming started all over again. We thought he would just let himself drop, but no such luck. The Hubs went back out to get him, but the screaming kept on. Finally, I went outside to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently, he did drop to the ground, and was complaining that he hurt his knee so bad he, "Couldn't walk ever again."

He did actually stay on the ground and wouldn't move until finally The Hubs carried him inside where he continued to wail. He put ice on it to see if that would help, but no, it didn't. Eventually, I went over to take a look at the knee. There wasn't even a scratch on it. No bruise either.

I was just about to say, "You'll be fine in a bit," when I saw something funny. No, not a broken bone. It wasn't a dislocation either. It was a sting mark.

Yes, a bee sting.

When he fell on the ground, he landed on a bee and was stung.

Wait. It gets even more bizarre.

The bee...He was dead before The Little Man had even fallen on it.

The Hubs had noticed it earlier in the day when he was mowing, but figured since it was dead, he'd just leave it since it wouldn't hurt anyone.

Wrong.

Lesson learned: If you are on the monkey bars and you need to drop, check out the ground below. You could land on a dead bee and get stung.

I somehow feel like this could be just the beginning of a crazy Summer Break.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I Wish I Could've Saved This For a Rainy Day

It was 90 degrees today.

Right up my ally weather-wise.

I was inside with a fever.

Still.

I did get to take two naps today, though. So, all in all, the day was a toss-up.

The end.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Some Encouragement

Today I woke up and was blah. I mean I didn't have any real symptoms of illness, but I wasn't feeling well. I was exhausted, achy, and I had no appetite. I was in SLOW MOTION all morning. Then two things happened. First, I was reminded that this was the LAST Monday of the school year!

The Girl does have school next week, but Monday is a holiday.

Also, she is going back for ONE day after that.

Seriously.

We couldn't just end the school year before the holiday weekend. Nope. We are back for just the Tuesday after Memorial day.

Lame.

That is the day that there will be the Kindergarten graduation. Of course, we can't skip that. So we will drag our little booties back for ONE day next week as well.

Whatever.

The other thing that got me going was The Little Man. He saw that I was moving slow and not feeling up to par. He said to me, "Momma, you have to go get all of your exercises done today. After that you will feel all better."

I did feel better.

For just that hour.

I will just keep reminding myself, "One more week of school...and a day."

Thursday, May 14, 2009

We May Get a Tutor Over Summer Break

I'm a little scared.

I had planned on being the one who checked homework up until about 6th grade, and then, I would hand it off to The Hubs claiming, "I did the first half you do the second half." In reality, I don't want to have to check over/answer questions for the second half of school years because, honestly? I am a little afraid that I won't know what they are doing.

Especially when it comes to math.

I barely made it through Algebra the first time, and since, you know, I've had so many real life scenarios where the knowledge of Algebra has come in so handy, it's not really all that fresh in my mind.

Nor will it be nine years from now.

So tonight, when The Hubs checked over The Girl's math homework and had some questions, it freaked me out a bit. He's supposed to be the "Go To Guy" concerning this stuff. He's not supposed to be the guy that has questions about Kindergarten math.

No worries, though. The Girl walked him right through it with patience and compassion.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Next Up: America's Got Talent

After this week, I should be able to make an appearance here on Tuesday nights. I have been released from the grip that was The Biggest Loser. Oh. My. Heavens. I was TOTALLY addicted this season!

Also, I was SHOCKED at the outcome. Who knew? I have yet to meet/talk with someone who didn't say they were surprised that Helen won. And, hello? She was 117 pounds! ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME! I mean, I don't know how tall she is, but that is not, "Oh wow! She lost a lot of weight." That's more like, "WHOA, that girl is skinny!" Also, Tara and Mike looked so good. I had tears of joy through out last night's Finale Episode.

Now, all that's left for us (as in what interests this family, not in all of TV land) in reality television this season is Survivor.

Did I ever mention that this reality television watching is a family event? No? Well, that's probably because we have been too busy watching it and discussing all the parts and pieces.

I am not even kidding when I tell you that The Little Man and The Girl could totally walk you through the details of both The Biggest Loser and Survivor this past season, use all the correct names, know the different strategies, and tell you who they hope is going to win and who they hope gets voted off next. It's very interesting to get a small person's perspective on things. For example, The Girl, she wanted Tyson to get voted off of Survivor for weeks before it actually happened. She said it was because she thought he was, "Plain mean and nasty". Also, she thought he was a big liar. I was shocked to hear this because The Girl likes everyone. I mean, she always finds something in a person to like. Sure enough, he was voted off not too long after she declared he must go.

This morning, instead of, "Good morning, Dad", the only thing The Girl wanted to know was, "Who won The Biggest Loser?" After being shocked herself, she had to have her daddy pull up pictures of the contestants on the Internet so she could see for herself. The Little Man said, "Helen won? Well how much numbers did she lose?" Lastly, tonight, as we caught up with last week's Survivor (love DVR), The Little Man beamed with excitement as we watched his favorite player, Stephen, win immunity.

So, yes, reality TV has become a family event.

Yes, I realize I should have my speech ready for when they come to deliver my "Mother of the Year Award. "

Sorry. They only give out one a year. You must have exceptional parenting skilz to receive one.

Monday, May 11, 2009

We Now Continue with Our Regularly Scheduled Program

Mother's Day was really great. No, I mean it. I don't think I can think of a better Mother's Day weekend. Saturday morning we went to breakfast with The Hubs' family. Raspberry Granola Pancakes topped with raspberry yogurt.

Yum.

After that, we decided we better get started on the garden a day early. Usually we save the garden for actual Mother's Day, but the weather wasn't sounding too promising for the next day so we thought we better go for it. It was just plain nice to spend time together outdoors. Even though the kids didn't stay completely focused on the garden, they were outside with us and they were behaved.

More happiness.

After the seeds and plants were in the garden, we kept going with some outdoor cleaning/pruning/sprucing up. It is right up my alley to start a task and then see a finished product. I love completion.

Next, we hit up some yummy Mexican food for lunch. Again, the kids were well behaved. I am feeling like the most blessed woman on the planet.

Sunday, was wonderful too. The Hubs was on set-up/tear-down duty for church that morning, which means he has to go early, while I hang back with the kids. Not on this Sunday! He offered to take both of them with him so I could have a morning to MYSELF!

Bliss.

So after both kids woke me up with kisses and letters (both letters told me that their favorite thing about me was that I made them food...), then they were off with Daddy to church, and I was free to surf the web in silence with my tea and in my jammies until it was time to get ready for church, which I did BY MYSELF.

A whole lot of happiness.

After church, we hit up some yummy salad, and home we went. The whole time the kids were very well behaved.

Today, it's Monday.

Thank goodness it was nice out today.

My kids are OFF THE HOOK.

Crazy.

LOCO.

Hyper active wild animals.

I should've known that at any moment they were about to EXPLODE. They had been holding it together so well for Mother's Day. I know no one asked them to, but because God is so good, they did.

And now it's over.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Regardless, He's Still Sweet as Sugar

Yesterday, I got to be apart of The Little Man's first Muffins with Mom. His preschool does this event the Thursday before Mother's Day every year. The Girl has done them as well, and so I kind of knew what to expect.

My expectations may have been set too high for The Little Man.

Seems as though we have failed him in the area of teaching him manners.

Specifically how to treat a lady.

Namely, his mother.

Instead of pulling out the chair and offering it to me, like all the other kids had done, and how his teachers instructed him, he pulled the chair out, took a seat, and then looked at me and said, "Mom, can you get me a muffin."

Clearly, the purpose of a Mother's Day Muffins with Mom was lost on him. He was there for the muffins.

Period.

Later in the day he made up for it though.

We were getting all of our last minute gardening stuff purchased at a local home store. The Little Man is VERY excited about gardening. For the last three years, for Mother's Day, we plant our veggie garden. It's just a fun time to spend together, and the kids and I love it. As we were walking into the store, he asked if we were going to be planting the new stuff in our garden that day. I told him that, yes, we would be planting some of it today and the rest of it would be planted on Sunday. Out of pure excitement The Little Man proclaimed, "YEA!! Oh Momma, I love you."

I replied with, "I love you too buddy."

Then he said the sweetest thing he has said in a long time, "Happy Mudder's Day to you Momma."

My heart melted and all the muffin hogging, no chair pulling out, clueless about how to treat a lady stuff went right out the window.

He completely redeemed himself.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

I Wonder What Else They've Been Talking About

I was hugging and snuggling The Little Man before he left me for school. His hair was combed all nice and he had jeans and a collared shirt on, which is much different than a non-school day. On those days, he prefers to stick with "cozy" pants and a t-shirt, and hair that is uncombed. Sometimes he asks if he can, "Just stay in his jammies, please".

I love that about him.

Anyway, as I snuggled him, I said to him, "Buddy, you are so handsome. How did you get so handsome, anyways?"

Without even the slightest of hesitations he came back with, "From my daddy."

We know who he's been spending time with.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Oh Happy Day!

First, I am all caught up from all the stuff that has been weighing me down for the last two weeks! It feels good to get a couple of large monkeys off my back. In honor of this momentous occasion, I will be brief so that I can enjoy an evening in bed, in front of the tube, in a complete vegetable like state.

Bliss.

Also, today, when shopping for vitamins at a local health food store, I found a chocolate bar that The Girl can eat. I know that this sounds small to most of you, but here's the deal: The Girl has NEVER had a candy bar! Because of her peanut allergy, the only chocolate she has had is chocolate chips. Don't get me wrong, chocolate chips are divine, but they are far cry from a candy bar. Apparently, chocolate only gets manufactured in plants that contain peanuts.

Except for Tootsie Rolls, which I think we all can agree in unison, "I DON'T THINK SO".

Thankyouverymuch.

So today, when I saw this bar in the candy aisle that was wrapped in a wrapper with a familiar logo on it, I snatched it up. The kids LOVE their bars, so I knew from purchasing their bars that they are a company committed to being allergen friendly. Sure enough! It was a bona fide chocolate bar. There was even one that was dark chocolate or one with rice crispy type things in it similar to a Nestle Crunch Bar. Here's more good news: They taste great! I mean, you couldn't tell the difference between them and a Hershey's Bar. Which is to say, if there was a competition between this bar, and say maybe some fine European chocolate, well, this bar would lose. But, hello? My girl can have a chocolate bar, and I don't think she is complaining one bit about quality.

Because she knows nothing about different levels of quality within the chocolate world.

Remember, up until now, she has thought that the giant Tootsie Rolls were chocolate.

Can you hear the music in the background? I think it's "A Whole New World" from the Aladdin soundtrack.

So, because of this small blessing today, I will say that I LOVE ENJOY LIFE PRODUCTS!

Moving on.

The Little Man put on a shirt today that had a crab on it.

me: Hey buddy, you're a little crab today!
p: No I'm not!
me: Yes you are. Look, your shirt has a little crab on it. You're a crab!
p: (Looking at his shirt and thinking) No, I'm not a crab, Mommy! I am just a boy with a crab shirt on.

Well, now we're all clear.