Dylan is out of school for a week. It's Thanksgiving break. We already had his Fall Break back in October and during that break, we went non-stop. I planned activities for almost every day. We went to the Titanic Museum, Silver Dollar City, Fantastic Caverns, the lake, and so much more. I didn't want him to be bored. You know what he says he likes to do most, though. He likes to play at home with his toys. Don't get me wrong. He enjoyed everything we went to do, but when you get right down to it, the boy likes to sleep in his own bed and hang out at his house. He's not a fan of long car rides or unfamiliar places. He doesn't want to eat out all the time and he prefers his own toys over anyone else's. I love that boy! We've gone through some struggles with him since school started. Granted, some of his getting in trouble at school wouldn't necessarily happen in a public school, but he is where we chose for him and we need him to follow rules they have set. What's he getting in trouble at school for? Well, there's the time he didn't pass his papers forward when he was supposed to or there was the time he fell out of his chair because he leaned back too far in it or there was the time he was making gas-passing sounds on his arm when he was supposed to be quiet. Yes, those are the things he shouldn't be doing because he needs to follow rules no matter what they are. But, in addition to that, my little rambunctious boy has been talking too much at church and focusing his energy in the wrong direction at gymnastics. We've had some heart-to-heart talks in the last week and have seen a turn in the right direction. I'm just hoping it continues.
Eli is a firecracker. He wakes up with a humongous smile. If he doesn't, watch out, because he's either sick or something is seriously wrong. His smile is infectious like no other. His big cheeks just beg to be squeezed. His graying tooth sticks out like a sore thumb when he smiles but I love him just the same. He's smart and witty. His goal is to make you laugh or smile with him. He loves attention and to be the center of it is even better. We've been talking about pre-school for him next year to get him used to a different routine. I do learning time with him but he needs to get acquainted with a different authority structure and work on his social skills outside of family and church. He's not excited about it, but I think he'll do great when he starts.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Stolen Tongue
I can't believe it has been this wrong since I've written. I used to be so good at writing down my thoughts and things going on in life. Seems like Facebook has stolen my tongue. You can jot little tidbits of your day and those are just good enough to get you by, but there is so much running through my head constantly.
I am, right now, overwhelmed with thoughts and decisions to make. I'm torn and don't feel peace about any one certain direction. Our Pastor always says to just keep doing what you know is right and God will give you direction. Unfortunately, right now I'd rather God just write it in the sky with lightning so I know exactly what to do and I need to make a decision yesterday. Yes, I said yesterday. Sometimes in life we think we know what's best but then someone throws a little kink in it with comments or questions and they make you think. That's where I am.
I am, right now, overwhelmed with thoughts and decisions to make. I'm torn and don't feel peace about any one certain direction. Our Pastor always says to just keep doing what you know is right and God will give you direction. Unfortunately, right now I'd rather God just write it in the sky with lightning so I know exactly what to do and I need to make a decision yesterday. Yes, I said yesterday. Sometimes in life we think we know what's best but then someone throws a little kink in it with comments or questions and they make you think. That's where I am.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
First Leg of Cruise Vacation 2010
So, the Jaquess/Beeson family decided to go on vacation together...all 15 of us. This is in celebration of our parent's 40th wedding anniversary. We agreed on a cruise leaving out of New Orleans and headed to Cozumel, Mexico. Each family is on their own to get to New Orleans. Aaron and Julia with their kiddos stopped to see Julia's best friend in Livingston, LA. Christopher and Mel hitched a ride with Dad and Mom and they stopped to see some old friends from Germany in Oxford, MS. Chris and I spent the night in Jackson, MS and got to New Orleans earlier than everyone else so we could do a little sight seeing.
Just after we left Springfield, we realized our air conditioner wasn't working as well as we thought it should. By the time we passed through Memphis, I was sweating. I had dressed warm and brought a blanket because Chris usually freezes me out in the car. We finally stopped at Wal-mart and got some stuff to charge the air conditioner and enjoyed the rest of the ride. We stopped in Canton, MS to eat dinner at McAlister's. They had a miniature menu, but were very gracious to us even ordering at 10 minutes to closing time. We were throwing our trash away and leaving when the manager brought us a free piece of banana cream pie and 2 chocolate chip cookies. She said she knew how it was traveling with little ones and hoped this would make the last of our leg a little bit easier. How nice!
We stayed at Quality Inn and Suites in Jackson last night. The hotel was in need of some repairs and updates but it was mostly clean. We woke up this morning and headed down to eat breakfast. The biscuits and gravy were completely gone. There was no mix left for waffles. There was only 1 piece of wheat bread left and the fruit was gone. We asked one of the workers and he said someone was on a grocery run for fruit but he couldn't help with anything else except the waffle mix. So, we ate waffles and the little bit of cereal they had. Just makes me look forward to the hot omelettes on the cruise. We left Jackson this morning around 9:30 and got to our hotel without any problems.
Our hotel is 1 block from Canal Street and once you get to Canal Street, about 3 blocks down to Bourbon Street. We stopped and ate at Duffy's Diner. Chris had a philly cheese steak which was really good, but I ordered the Duffy's Cajun Special. It was delicious. I had jambalaya, gumbo, and cajun rice. The only thing I realized I didn't care for is red beans and rice. Something about it just didn't work for me. That was the only thing left on my plate. We left there and headed down to the river which turned out to be quite a walk with a 2 year old. We saw a holocaust memorial which I still am not sure I understand the placement. We then walked over to Jackson Park which is probably the most beautiful place we saw today in New Orleans. We visited the Saint Louis Cathedral and then wandered around long enough to bump into Cafe Du Monde. It took forever to find a waiter even willing to talk to us. Then, he told us he couldn't place our order because we weren't in his section which was literally the table behind us. We moved to that empty table and then he took our order. It took almost 10 minutes for him to return with 4 tiny glasses of water and our 2 orders of beignets. They were good, but not any better than a good ol' funnel cake from Silver Dollar City. The dough is more dense but basically the same ingredients. Our boys were so hot and sweaty they downed the water before even taking a bite of the beignet, but since the waiter had already disappeared we couldn't even ask for a refill. We then headed back to our hotel, which by this time was quite a walk. We figured we would walk down a portion of Bourbon Street not realizing exactly where we were. We ended up walking at least 8 or 9 blocks down Bourbon Street. It is not a place I would want to be at night, especially without my husband. No one even tried to talk to us, probably because we had our two kids with us. We finally got back to about a block from our hotel and they had shut down the cross streets to all traffic, that includes walkers. Come to find out, the New Orleans Saints are getting their Superbowl rings tonight at the Roosevelt hotel which is on that stretch of road. We had to walk around the whole block to get to our hotel. That wouldn't have been a big deal if we hadn't already walked so much. On top of that, this lady was walking behind us who was obviously very upset. She was yelling all kinds of vulgar language at her friend. Her friend kept telling her to stop talking that way, there's children around. She said, well they need to learn early. I told Dylan to hang back with me a little and we let them get ahead. Crazy lady! Anyway, we finally made it back to our hotel. The boys are playing with their Dad on the other bed. Our room with two queen beds actually has two separate rooms where we can close the door tonight and have some alone time without kids staring at us and giggling at us every time we make eye contact. My parents and Christopher and Mel just called. They are down on the French Quarter now eating dinner. Nothing like calling us as they are walking into the restaurant. Guess they didn't want to hang out with us :) I think I'll enjoy the air conditioning just a little longer for now. In 24 hours I'll be on a boat in the ocean. I'm good with that.
Just after we left Springfield, we realized our air conditioner wasn't working as well as we thought it should. By the time we passed through Memphis, I was sweating. I had dressed warm and brought a blanket because Chris usually freezes me out in the car. We finally stopped at Wal-mart and got some stuff to charge the air conditioner and enjoyed the rest of the ride. We stopped in Canton, MS to eat dinner at McAlister's. They had a miniature menu, but were very gracious to us even ordering at 10 minutes to closing time. We were throwing our trash away and leaving when the manager brought us a free piece of banana cream pie and 2 chocolate chip cookies. She said she knew how it was traveling with little ones and hoped this would make the last of our leg a little bit easier. How nice!
We stayed at Quality Inn and Suites in Jackson last night. The hotel was in need of some repairs and updates but it was mostly clean. We woke up this morning and headed down to eat breakfast. The biscuits and gravy were completely gone. There was no mix left for waffles. There was only 1 piece of wheat bread left and the fruit was gone. We asked one of the workers and he said someone was on a grocery run for fruit but he couldn't help with anything else except the waffle mix. So, we ate waffles and the little bit of cereal they had. Just makes me look forward to the hot omelettes on the cruise. We left Jackson this morning around 9:30 and got to our hotel without any problems.
Our hotel is 1 block from Canal Street and once you get to Canal Street, about 3 blocks down to Bourbon Street. We stopped and ate at Duffy's Diner. Chris had a philly cheese steak which was really good, but I ordered the Duffy's Cajun Special. It was delicious. I had jambalaya, gumbo, and cajun rice. The only thing I realized I didn't care for is red beans and rice. Something about it just didn't work for me. That was the only thing left on my plate. We left there and headed down to the river which turned out to be quite a walk with a 2 year old. We saw a holocaust memorial which I still am not sure I understand the placement. We then walked over to Jackson Park which is probably the most beautiful place we saw today in New Orleans. We visited the Saint Louis Cathedral and then wandered around long enough to bump into Cafe Du Monde. It took forever to find a waiter even willing to talk to us. Then, he told us he couldn't place our order because we weren't in his section which was literally the table behind us. We moved to that empty table and then he took our order. It took almost 10 minutes for him to return with 4 tiny glasses of water and our 2 orders of beignets. They were good, but not any better than a good ol' funnel cake from Silver Dollar City. The dough is more dense but basically the same ingredients. Our boys were so hot and sweaty they downed the water before even taking a bite of the beignet, but since the waiter had already disappeared we couldn't even ask for a refill. We then headed back to our hotel, which by this time was quite a walk. We figured we would walk down a portion of Bourbon Street not realizing exactly where we were. We ended up walking at least 8 or 9 blocks down Bourbon Street. It is not a place I would want to be at night, especially without my husband. No one even tried to talk to us, probably because we had our two kids with us. We finally got back to about a block from our hotel and they had shut down the cross streets to all traffic, that includes walkers. Come to find out, the New Orleans Saints are getting their Superbowl rings tonight at the Roosevelt hotel which is on that stretch of road. We had to walk around the whole block to get to our hotel. That wouldn't have been a big deal if we hadn't already walked so much. On top of that, this lady was walking behind us who was obviously very upset. She was yelling all kinds of vulgar language at her friend. Her friend kept telling her to stop talking that way, there's children around. She said, well they need to learn early. I told Dylan to hang back with me a little and we let them get ahead. Crazy lady! Anyway, we finally made it back to our hotel. The boys are playing with their Dad on the other bed. Our room with two queen beds actually has two separate rooms where we can close the door tonight and have some alone time without kids staring at us and giggling at us every time we make eye contact. My parents and Christopher and Mel just called. They are down on the French Quarter now eating dinner. Nothing like calling us as they are walking into the restaurant. Guess they didn't want to hang out with us :) I think I'll enjoy the air conditioning just a little longer for now. In 24 hours I'll be on a boat in the ocean. I'm good with that.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Brain is Storming
Well, with the housing market in a crunch people are still selling, but in our neighborhood they are taking serious losses. We thought that within the next year or two we would start looking for land to build, but we can't take that kind of loss. So, now we plan to add value to this house. Where to start? There is so much to do. I have to landscape the boys' favorite dirt spot and that will take some imagination. We just acquired a small section of a playset in our back yard. We intend to link them with a bridge and add a swing or other attraction to it. Our master bedroom and bathroom are in much need of decoration attention. When we moved in, it was necessary to make the entry way and living area appealing because that's what everyone else would see. And, Dylan's bedroom had to be decorated of course because he's a kid. When Eli came along he got a much more calm decor, but decor nonetheless. Now, I walk into my bedroom looking at an outdated color and absolutely no pictures or artwork on the wall, very few photographs in frames on the chiffarobe, a comforter in need of attention, and an old oil lantern that goes with absolutely nothing in the room. It needs a pick-me-up. My brain is storming. My wheels are spinning. I'm on the hunt for new. This summer is going to be full of redecorating, landscaping, redoing, and adding. By the time I get the bedroom done, I will move to the master bath and it must flow like never before. Then, I want to come up with some great ideas and start framing in our bonus room. By the time I get everything done, I'm not going to want to sell. Maybe that's a good thing!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
E-mail from God
Sometimes I get a quick note by e-mail that just makes my day. It doesn't have to say much, just Hello or How are you or, this is what I'm up to. I often keep those e-mails all day and read them over and over. It's that extra reassurance that someone cares.
When I read certain parts of the Bible, it's the same way for me. There are certain things in God's word that stand out more to me than others. A morning scripture reading can lend to that verse going over and over in my head all day or I go back and read it. It's my reassurance God cares. He's always watching me and looking out for my best interest.
When I read certain parts of the Bible, it's the same way for me. There are certain things in God's word that stand out more to me than others. A morning scripture reading can lend to that verse going over and over in my head all day or I go back and read it. It's my reassurance God cares. He's always watching me and looking out for my best interest.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Funny Things About My Boys
They compare body parts any time they get a chance.
They can pee on the side of the road and without toilet paper.
They think burping and passing gas is funny, even at age 2.
They make up silly games like "slip and bleed".
They can be a cowboy one day, the next a baseball player, and the next a skateboarder.
Their moods can change almost as fast as a girl's.
Drama still exists
They can pee on the side of the road and without toilet paper.
They think burping and passing gas is funny, even at age 2.
They make up silly games like "slip and bleed".
They can be a cowboy one day, the next a baseball player, and the next a skateboarder.
Their moods can change almost as fast as a girl's.
Drama still exists
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
The Good Why
Have you ever just stepped back and looked at your life and wondered why you have it so good? I have! Wow, what a blessed lady I am. I have a great husband who is a wonderful role model and Father to my two handsome boys. We live in a house and drive cars that work and have our health. We always have food on the table and in the cabinets. We have more than we could ever ask. God is so good!
There have been some things come in our lives lately that we honestly haven't expected, yet God has provided every single time in abundance. Why? I don't know. But I'm thankful he has in the past and continues to do so now.
Lamentations 3:21-24
21) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22) It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24) The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
God has blessed my family, but in an instant He can take it all away. It's easy to sing his praises while things are going good. The test will be when they aren't. I'm not sure how I'll do, but I hope I will remain faithful to His Word, to church, and to my family.
There have been some things come in our lives lately that we honestly haven't expected, yet God has provided every single time in abundance. Why? I don't know. But I'm thankful he has in the past and continues to do so now.
Lamentations 3:21-24
21) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22) It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24) The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
God has blessed my family, but in an instant He can take it all away. It's easy to sing his praises while things are going good. The test will be when they aren't. I'm not sure how I'll do, but I hope I will remain faithful to His Word, to church, and to my family.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Unknown
Anxiety is defined in the dictionary as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. My definition is similar. For me, anxiety is the fear of the unknown. No one knows what the next year, next month, next week, or even what the next minute holds. You can label it however you want. Sometimes anxiety is experienced when calling a friend for a favor. Sometimes it's over telling the truth. Sometimes it is over test results, whether school or medical. Sometimes it's about a decision you made but can't get peace. Everyone knows what anxiety feels like. It is your pounding heart, stomach curling, sweaty palms, and mind racing with worry and fear. Anxiety is natural. We all experience it at one time or another. How you deal with it is key.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Bible dictionaries actually define "careful" as anxious. So, Paul is reminding us not to be anxious about anything. He says we need to pray and earnestly talk to God. If we talk to God and develop that relationship he'll give us peace. Maybe it is peace about the right decision. Maybe it's peace in a tough time (death or marital problems). Psalms 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The Psalmist, David, doesn't say we never have fears. He says that when we seek the Lord, the Lord will deliver us from our fears. Anxiety is the fear of the unknown. Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Bible dictionaries actually define "careful" as anxious. So, Paul is reminding us not to be anxious about anything. He says we need to pray and earnestly talk to God. If we talk to God and develop that relationship he'll give us peace. Maybe it is peace about the right decision. Maybe it's peace in a tough time (death or marital problems). Psalms 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The Psalmist, David, doesn't say we never have fears. He says that when we seek the Lord, the Lord will deliver us from our fears. Anxiety is the fear of the unknown. Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Today I Choose
I'm just going to vent my frustration here because my husband isn't having a great day either so he doesn't need to have more added drama. I wake up this morning to Eli crying and he won't go back to bed so, yes, I do the lazy Mom thing and stuff him into bed with me. I just about fall back asleep when I realize I really need to be up showering and getting ready for my super busy day that includes payroll. I'm running behind already and it isn't even 8:00. I get my stuff organized and get ready to log in to start payroll and the Internet at my place of business is down. Great! So, I can't remote in and that means one thing, pack up your stuff and head to the office. But, wait, if the Internet is down, then I still can't connect to Commerce to do direct deposit so I'm going to have to do hand-written checks, anyway. Uggghhhh! If I just have to write the checks, anyway, then it isn't crucial that I get the information at any certain time. It's only direct deposit that has to be done before 6pm tonight. I move on to Job #2 and have problems there, as well. Things won't balance, transactions are missing, I'm confused about new items. Ugggghhh! Did I already say that? I finally get things figured out through several phone calls (and I rarely ever place a call to my boss there - I just do my job and we talk through e-mail if at all). As soon as I complete that, the Internet starts working again so I'm back to working on payroll. I get everything printed and I'm rolling along and I have troubles logging in. I finally get logged in after several tries and then low and behold there is an error message when I'm doing direct deposit. I log out and log back in like a good customer before calling. Same error message. I try to do a fund transfer instead thinking I'll just do the necessary and try again later...error message! Uggghhhh, I am so frustrated. The kids are arguing in the background. The trains are going round and round on the track but no one is playing with them. And, I'm sure there was something else annoying going on but I don't know what it was. I finally decide to call tech support and he says, "Well, you can't use Google Chrome...your error message is because you aren't logged in to Internet Explorer". What? Are you serious? I use Chrome every week and now after 6 months of doing direct deposit, it's going to give me an error message. Is this a test? I'm not passing. My stomach is full of anxiety. I haven't really eaten more than a snack of shredded wheat today (and that's not a filling snack, mind you). My head is starting to ache. My muscles are tense. I keep telling myself, it's Friday. The day is going to get better. I log in to Internet Explorer and it works. Everything works! This is the first good sign of the day. I finish payroll and I know that made me happy because that means money in the bank for me. But even through that, I had to laugh at myself. I've been talking about how good things have been lately and there always has to be bumps in the road. So, job #1 complete after job #2, but that's ok. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into town today to make my pick-up for job #1 and I didn't go by Mardel's to get my things laminated for my Sunday School class. I have friends possibly coming over tomorrow night which means tomorrow was set aside for cleaning. But, now I need to make a trip into town to do my pick-up and my laminating, so I have to switch plans for tomorrow to today. Where's my superwoman costume? I fixed the boys lunch. Does peanut butter and honey sandwiches with some chips, grapes, and a banana qualify as "fixing" lunch? I mean really, not much work involved there. I threw together a smoothie for my lunch and started picking up everything out of the floor for a quick vacuum. I vacuumed the house while the boys ate lunch and then put Eli down for a nap. Don't I feel horrible that he was awake 6 hours and I didn't spend much time with him. I feel pretty rotten. I sat down with Dylan and did a little learning time, all the while he's begging to play a board game or card game of some kind. I know the learning time is important so I insist we finish that but then he really needs to go down for a nap, also. Tonight, we're leaving him and Eli with some of our friends so he really needed that nap. Of course, now he's up for the 3rd time because "he has to go to the bathroom". He's not napping and he's not going to. He needs to wear off some energy. So, I tell him to get some shoes on and a jacket to go outside and play. I'm watching other posts on Facebook and I'm not the only one having a Monday on Friday. You know who you are?
So, I set out to find peace in the only place you really can...in God, the Bible. I started just looking up some key words and phrases. He's what I came across that made my smile, I've had plastered on my face all day, a reality. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." My day really wasn't that bad. I had a few hiccups, but if I let those little things wear on me, they could end up ruining my whole day. I can't let that happen. Ephesians 3:19 - 21 "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus through out all ages, world without end." He's saying God's love passes our understanding. It's beyond our comprehension. But, if we know the love of God we can be filled with him. God is able to do more than we can even think about and his power works in us, if we allow it.
I'm human. Being a Christian doesn't mean you don't have bad days. I have days that will get you down. I have frustration just like anyone else. I don't always handle it correctly. Today, I'm going to choose the right path. God loves me. My family loves me. If I get down in the dumps and let it ruin my day, I will have a negative effect on everyone else I come in contact with today. God will direct me. He says he will in Proverbs 3:5-6. So, today I choose to put a smile on, to sing funny songs and to finish my night with a bounce in my step. What will you do with your bad day?
So, I set out to find peace in the only place you really can...in God, the Bible. I started just looking up some key words and phrases. He's what I came across that made my smile, I've had plastered on my face all day, a reality. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." My day really wasn't that bad. I had a few hiccups, but if I let those little things wear on me, they could end up ruining my whole day. I can't let that happen. Ephesians 3:19 - 21 "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus through out all ages, world without end." He's saying God's love passes our understanding. It's beyond our comprehension. But, if we know the love of God we can be filled with him. God is able to do more than we can even think about and his power works in us, if we allow it.
I'm human. Being a Christian doesn't mean you don't have bad days. I have days that will get you down. I have frustration just like anyone else. I don't always handle it correctly. Today, I'm going to choose the right path. God loves me. My family loves me. If I get down in the dumps and let it ruin my day, I will have a negative effect on everyone else I come in contact with today. God will direct me. He says he will in Proverbs 3:5-6. So, today I choose to put a smile on, to sing funny songs and to finish my night with a bounce in my step. What will you do with your bad day?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ironic
The old songs says, Isn't it ironic...don't you think, It's like rain on your wedding day, It's a free ride when you've already paid, It's the good advice that you just didn't take, Who would've thought... it figures. I looked up ironic in the Webster Dictionary. It means incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result. My song would say something like, Isn't it ironic...don't you think, we haven't talked in 10 years but now we're laughing hard, you lived nearby and we had no time, now that you're gone a Chat window is all we have, Who would've thought...it figures. I have the desire to spend the next month traveling around to see all those people. I'd start with a short 1-hour drive, follow it up with a 5-hour drive or two, then on to a 9-hour drive, and maybe finish it up with a few trips overseas. A friend recently said to me, There are no mistakes made, just lessons learned. I guess that's the positive way of looking at it. Is it just my reminiscent attitude? Maybe! Do I want to be back in high school? No way. I love my life!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
That Long
Has it really been that long since I left a Blog? Oh wow! I guess Facebook status updates have ruled my life and I forgot how much fun it is to write. My little boys are growing up so fast.
Dylan just turned 5 this week. That means he definitely not a baby anymore and not a toddler either. He's just a kid and a smart one at that. He hasn't been in pre-school this year. It just didn't work out. The one he was in closed down and by the time I started calling around, the others were all booked up. I know, academically, he'll be just fine in school. His only problem is being easily distracted. I'll tell him to do something and he starts to go do it and then he sees a toy or something on the floor that shouldn't be there and he takes care of that and totally forgets what he was supposed to go do. I used to think, WHY does he do that? But really, I am just like that. I'll be on my way to do a load of laundry but I'll see something out of place and I'll put it away and then I'll notice I forgot to make a phone call and then I'll remember I needed to add something to my calendar and then I'll check my e-mail while I'm there and before I know it an hour has past and I haven't started that load of laundry. Can those type things really be hereditary?
Eli is 2 1/2 and so full of character. He wakes up with the biggest smile on his face and the first thing out of his mouth is, What's for breakfast or Can you fix me some breakfast? He's a tough little booger, too. He cries over pain but not near as long as you would expect. He does, however, know just how to whine when his brother is around to get his brother in trouble or to get his brother away. He's got that one mastered. Most of the time they play together really well. Days where they create games are the funnest for me. They started playing air hockey with the base to their marble race track and they've made up their own rules which pretty much make them both winners and everybody's happy. I love that! Dylan is extremely helpful with Eli and protective when others come around even though he likes to beat up on him when nobody else is looking. Next year, when Dylan starts pre-school, it's going to be a different world around this house.
I've been on Facebook for a year and a half or so now and just came in contact with my best friend from high school. You know, the one that knows everything about you...your deepest, darkest secrets. We haven't been in contact much since about 2 years after I graduated. There have been Christmas cards and maybe a phone call or two, but this recent connection has led to lots of laughs, late night searches for old CDs or pictures. It's that feeling deep-down of finding something you've been missing for so long. It's that smile that won't go away when you're talking, even if it is just through a Chat window. It's that excitement to see if they posted something on your wall or are online at the same time as you. I love it! Facebook has been incredible in ways I did not imagine. I go to church with a lot of people but in the hustle and bustle of getting your kids to their class and teaching a class and then picking kids up and all the other stuff, you don't get a chance to talk with everyone. Sure, there are church activities, but even then we spend half the time preparing food for our kids, feeding our kids, cleaning up after our kids so if they aren't sitting at the table with you, you probably aren't talking much. So, Facebook has been our connection. I know it's crazy! I've gotten to know people better because you post things on here you wouldn't just walk up and tell someone. Sometimes it is just what's going on that day or that they are sick or kids are sick, but it's a way for us to connect like never before. I've been able to talk to friends who live overseas and I wouldn't normally call them or sit down and type a letter, but I might leave a line on their wall and they on mine letting us feel like we're still "friends", still "connected", still "communicating".
Life is so good right now. Even when I don't feel great or the kids are sick, ultimately I wouldn't change a thing about life right now. I sit here with a half-cocked smile on my face just because I'm thinking about all the fun stuff that has happened in my life in the last 6 months. Don't get me wrong! There have also been lots of frustrating things, but don't they make you a better person. Don't they make you stronger. I think they have for me. Smile!
Dylan just turned 5 this week. That means he definitely not a baby anymore and not a toddler either. He's just a kid and a smart one at that. He hasn't been in pre-school this year. It just didn't work out. The one he was in closed down and by the time I started calling around, the others were all booked up. I know, academically, he'll be just fine in school. His only problem is being easily distracted. I'll tell him to do something and he starts to go do it and then he sees a toy or something on the floor that shouldn't be there and he takes care of that and totally forgets what he was supposed to go do. I used to think, WHY does he do that? But really, I am just like that. I'll be on my way to do a load of laundry but I'll see something out of place and I'll put it away and then I'll notice I forgot to make a phone call and then I'll remember I needed to add something to my calendar and then I'll check my e-mail while I'm there and before I know it an hour has past and I haven't started that load of laundry. Can those type things really be hereditary?
Eli is 2 1/2 and so full of character. He wakes up with the biggest smile on his face and the first thing out of his mouth is, What's for breakfast or Can you fix me some breakfast? He's a tough little booger, too. He cries over pain but not near as long as you would expect. He does, however, know just how to whine when his brother is around to get his brother in trouble or to get his brother away. He's got that one mastered. Most of the time they play together really well. Days where they create games are the funnest for me. They started playing air hockey with the base to their marble race track and they've made up their own rules which pretty much make them both winners and everybody's happy. I love that! Dylan is extremely helpful with Eli and protective when others come around even though he likes to beat up on him when nobody else is looking. Next year, when Dylan starts pre-school, it's going to be a different world around this house.
I've been on Facebook for a year and a half or so now and just came in contact with my best friend from high school. You know, the one that knows everything about you...your deepest, darkest secrets. We haven't been in contact much since about 2 years after I graduated. There have been Christmas cards and maybe a phone call or two, but this recent connection has led to lots of laughs, late night searches for old CDs or pictures. It's that feeling deep-down of finding something you've been missing for so long. It's that smile that won't go away when you're talking, even if it is just through a Chat window. It's that excitement to see if they posted something on your wall or are online at the same time as you. I love it! Facebook has been incredible in ways I did not imagine. I go to church with a lot of people but in the hustle and bustle of getting your kids to their class and teaching a class and then picking kids up and all the other stuff, you don't get a chance to talk with everyone. Sure, there are church activities, but even then we spend half the time preparing food for our kids, feeding our kids, cleaning up after our kids so if they aren't sitting at the table with you, you probably aren't talking much. So, Facebook has been our connection. I know it's crazy! I've gotten to know people better because you post things on here you wouldn't just walk up and tell someone. Sometimes it is just what's going on that day or that they are sick or kids are sick, but it's a way for us to connect like never before. I've been able to talk to friends who live overseas and I wouldn't normally call them or sit down and type a letter, but I might leave a line on their wall and they on mine letting us feel like we're still "friends", still "connected", still "communicating".
Life is so good right now. Even when I don't feel great or the kids are sick, ultimately I wouldn't change a thing about life right now. I sit here with a half-cocked smile on my face just because I'm thinking about all the fun stuff that has happened in my life in the last 6 months. Don't get me wrong! There have also been lots of frustrating things, but don't they make you a better person. Don't they make you stronger. I think they have for me. Smile!
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