My children love to read. And not much in this world makes me more proud than watching my children get lost in a book. Though I don't tell him this, my heart swells with pride when I find Zach in his bed, way past his bedtime, reading a book, begging to "just finish this chapter".
This summer one of the banks in the area had a challenge: read 10 books, get a bank account with $10 in it. Zach was all over it.
Yesterday was the last day to go in and open an account with this program so I took both boys down with their reading lists.
And the story goes like this:
Andrew was at the end of his rope. He was tired and cranky and wired. Thursdays are hard days and towards the end of the week his behavior gets a little out of hand.
Thankfully, Dan, the man who was helping the boys open their accounts, was very patient. He laughed with them and fell for Andrew immediately (as most people do). Even through Andrew's farting (that he felt the need to announce every time - as if the stench wasn't enough). Even through Andrew's incessant questions about "the vault". He even heard someone answer the phone "TD Bank, how can I help you?" and it got caught in his mouth (meaning he felt the need to repeat it over and over and over and...).
In the end they both had new passbook savings accounts with $10. They also walked out with "vaults" of their own (big green TD Bank coin banks). I gave them each $20 and let them make their first deposits, showed them how to fill out the paperwork and how the passbook worked. Zach got a lollipop and Andrew informed us all that "lollipops are bad for your teeth" and that he didn't want one.
On the way home Zachary and I had a little conversation:
Z: I'm one lucky kid!
Me: Why's that?
Z: The bank account! Thank you, Mom!
Me: Oh, honey, you did all the hard work by reading those books. You deserve it!
Z: That wasn't hard work reading those books!
That's when my heart melted. Who's the lucky one here? Him for opening his first bank account or me for having such an amazing child that opening a bank account makes him feel so lucky and grateful? Not a video game or a new bike but a bank account.
I am so damn lucky.
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
10/1/10
10/29/09
Darkness
"It's always darkest before the dawn."
I have always been afraid of the dark. I honestly can't tell you why.
About a year ago I started walking home from work on regular occasion. I usually work afternoons and evenings and it is not uncommon to leave my office after 8 or 9pm to make the mile trek home. Of course, it's dark....
Sometime in that year I have gotten over my fear - for the most part. Even after the horrendous murder in our town in May I was not scared (call me crazy, but I refuse to live in fear in my own town).
Don't walk behind me up a dark staircase. Don't make spooky noises while I am walking through the dark house. It's not funny, I'm still scared. But, I am better...
This morning I got up around 5:15am and was out of the house and walking by 5:30. It was pitch black. So dark that even with the headlamp on my head I couldn't see the ground underneath my feet at some points in time. So dark that while I was running home I was terrified I was going to trip and fall because I couldn't see the sidewalk under my feet.
An hour later when I got home it was still dark and there was no sign of the sun even. The sky was starting to show a little blue and not so much black...but no sun. And the biggest fear I had was of falling.
Progress, not perfection.
And to top it all off, my great morning that started with a 5K, ended with dropping my children off at school was also met by an angel by the name of Bill.
Bill is an older gentleman who lives in town. I met him when he was doing some contracting work on our neighbor's home. I don't see him often but I was graced with his presence this morning as we left Dunkin Donuts (for Andrew's daily visit with his friends).
As we crossed paths Bill looked me up and down and said, "Have you lost weight?! You look great!"
I love that man.
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."
I have always been afraid of the dark. I honestly can't tell you why.
About a year ago I started walking home from work on regular occasion. I usually work afternoons and evenings and it is not uncommon to leave my office after 8 or 9pm to make the mile trek home. Of course, it's dark....
Sometime in that year I have gotten over my fear - for the most part. Even after the horrendous murder in our town in May I was not scared (call me crazy, but I refuse to live in fear in my own town).
Don't walk behind me up a dark staircase. Don't make spooky noises while I am walking through the dark house. It's not funny, I'm still scared. But, I am better...
This morning I got up around 5:15am and was out of the house and walking by 5:30. It was pitch black. So dark that even with the headlamp on my head I couldn't see the ground underneath my feet at some points in time. So dark that while I was running home I was terrified I was going to trip and fall because I couldn't see the sidewalk under my feet.
An hour later when I got home it was still dark and there was no sign of the sun even. The sky was starting to show a little blue and not so much black...but no sun. And the biggest fear I had was of falling.
Progress, not perfection.
And to top it all off, my great morning that started with a 5K, ended with dropping my children off at school was also met by an angel by the name of Bill.
Bill is an older gentleman who lives in town. I met him when he was doing some contracting work on our neighbor's home. I don't see him often but I was graced with his presence this morning as we left Dunkin Donuts (for Andrew's daily visit with his friends).
As we crossed paths Bill looked me up and down and said, "Have you lost weight?! You look great!"
I love that man.
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."
3/26/09
Thursday's Thankful Thirteen
Even during these crazy times, we have plenty to be thankful for!
1. I am thankful that Unemployment FINALLY sent out a check to Kirby. Over a month without his income has been tough.
2. I am thankful that spring seems to have FINALLY arrived. It is gorgeous out there today. A and I walked this morning and I didn't even need to wear a jacket.
3. I am thankful that, for the most part, A's homework has been going well and that, most nights, we don't fight too much about it.
4. I am thankful that Z was okay with not signing up for baseball this year. I'm not interested in all that goes with it (the money, the dedication, the tryouts, the small-town coaches and parents).
5. I am incredibly thankful that Nicki and Rich are coming down tomorrow and we get to meet up with them! I haven't seen them since June (although Nicki and I rarely go three days without talking and always have a, seemingly, never-ending game of Scrabble going).
6. I am thankful that we were able to spend A's birthday with my wonderful family. This is the first time all my siblings were together since my niece's homecoming (which is rare for us).
7. I am grateful that my most amazing family got A a new bike for his birthday. This is his first two wheeler (with training wheels). While we have had a few crashes it has not been anything too seriously (at least according to Kirby or myself - if you ask A he will tell you that he needs to "go to the hospital" or we need to "call and ambulance").
8. I am grateful for two new regular clients over the past couple weeks. The economy isn't killing everyone...yet.
9. I am grateful that I was able to spend a little while with the newest addition to the family, baby Marian, at Andrew's party. She sat with me and we played...it was heaven!
10. I am grateful for the two BINGOS I got on Facebook Scrabble this week. Cheesy, you say? My blog - my gratitude! BINGOS are hard to come by - I take every one I can!!
11. I am a little grateful that I am going to get my brows waxed tomorrow. This is only a small amount of gratitude because I HATE doing it but I know if I don't I will look like Beaker with the uni-brow.
12. I am grateful for my "new" laptop. My girlfriend upgraded and gave me her old one and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I love that I am typing this while I am sitting on my bed waiting for A to go to sleep...
13. I am thankful that Z has made a great friend. I always worry about the friendships he is forming and his socialization (and he's the "normal" kid). He and his friend E have been spending nearly every weekend together and I really like this boy.
What are you thankful for this Thursday?
1. I am thankful that Unemployment FINALLY sent out a check to Kirby. Over a month without his income has been tough.
2. I am thankful that spring seems to have FINALLY arrived. It is gorgeous out there today. A and I walked this morning and I didn't even need to wear a jacket.
3. I am thankful that, for the most part, A's homework has been going well and that, most nights, we don't fight too much about it.
4. I am thankful that Z was okay with not signing up for baseball this year. I'm not interested in all that goes with it (the money, the dedication, the tryouts, the small-town coaches and parents).
5. I am incredibly thankful that Nicki and Rich are coming down tomorrow and we get to meet up with them! I haven't seen them since June (although Nicki and I rarely go three days without talking and always have a, seemingly, never-ending game of Scrabble going).
6. I am thankful that we were able to spend A's birthday with my wonderful family. This is the first time all my siblings were together since my niece's homecoming (which is rare for us).
7. I am grateful that my most amazing family got A a new bike for his birthday. This is his first two wheeler (with training wheels). While we have had a few crashes it has not been anything too seriously (at least according to Kirby or myself - if you ask A he will tell you that he needs to "go to the hospital" or we need to "call and ambulance").
8. I am grateful for two new regular clients over the past couple weeks. The economy isn't killing everyone...yet.
9. I am grateful that I was able to spend a little while with the newest addition to the family, baby Marian, at Andrew's party. She sat with me and we played...it was heaven!
10. I am grateful for the two BINGOS I got on Facebook Scrabble this week. Cheesy, you say? My blog - my gratitude! BINGOS are hard to come by - I take every one I can!!
11. I am a little grateful that I am going to get my brows waxed tomorrow. This is only a small amount of gratitude because I HATE doing it but I know if I don't I will look like Beaker with the uni-brow.
12. I am grateful for my "new" laptop. My girlfriend upgraded and gave me her old one and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I love that I am typing this while I am sitting on my bed waiting for A to go to sleep...
13. I am thankful that Z has made a great friend. I always worry about the friendships he is forming and his socialization (and he's the "normal" kid). He and his friend E have been spending nearly every weekend together and I really like this boy.
What are you thankful for this Thursday?
1/22/09
Seoul - here we come!!
At 8:30 this morning my sister got THE call. The one that we have been waiting for. The one that says "pack your bags, you get to go pick up your baby".
Hopefully, by this time next week we will have our little girl home, safe and sound!
Please send my sister and her family (her husband, her two sons, her mother-in-law and our mother) well wishes. Keep them in your prayers during this amazing journey. There are no two people in this world who deserve this more.
And with that, how about a little Thankful Thursday?
Hopefully, by this time next week we will have our little girl home, safe and sound!
Please send my sister and her family (her husband, her two sons, her mother-in-law and our mother) well wishes. Keep them in your prayers during this amazing journey. There are no two people in this world who deserve this more.
And with that, how about a little Thankful Thursday?
- I am so thankful that my sister and her husband get the opportunity to visit Korea. My brother-in-law is Korean and I think this is such an amazing opportunity for him and his children.
- I am thankful that my mother gets to be a part of this journey. I swear she has been waiting for a little girl since Z (her first grandchild) was born. I think it is fitting that she gets the opportunity to be there.
- I am thankful that we didn't have to wait until after the Korean New Year (Monday) to get the call.
- I am thankful that my nephew will not miss his Pinewood Derby race this weekend...they probably will not get to leave until Sunday or Monday.
- I am thankful that the same nephew answered the phone this morning when he was suppose to be heading out the door for school.
- I am thankful that my sister is allowing us to be at the airport when she arrives. I don't want to crowd the baby when she will already be so overwhelmed...but I do want to be there as much as I am "allowed".
- I am thankful that this means the entire family will probably be able to join us for Z's birthday (as long as our little girl is feeling up to it).
- This one may cause a little controversy...I am thankful that the plane went into the Hudson last week because what are the chances that there would be another serious plane crash in the weeks following?
- I am thankful that my family is so close and that we are able to share this day together.
It's not 13...but, honestly, there are so many more things that just can't be put into words.
1/12/09
2008 - What a Year
I have been meaning to post this for a while, but life got in the way.
2008 was a really hard year for us but we made it through.
Even though it was tough, there are many things to be grateful for:
2008 was a really hard year for us but we made it through.
Even though it was tough, there are many things to be grateful for:
- I read 47 books:
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg
The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steidle and Gretchen Wallace Steidle
Begonia for Miss Applebaum by Paul Zindel
Life Estates by Shelby Hearon
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Night by Elie Wiesel
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses) by Douglas Brown
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs
Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Neffenegger
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
H by Elizabeth Shepard
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Love In Another Town by Barbara Taylor Bradford
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I refuse to release the name of this book publicly...it really was that bad!
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Plum Wine by Angela Davis-Gardner
Good Grief by Lolly Winston
The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steidle and Gretchen Wallace Steidle
Begonia for Miss Applebaum by Paul Zindel
Life Estates by Shelby Hearon
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Night by Elie Wiesel
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses) by Douglas Brown
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs
Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Neffenegger
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
H by Elizabeth Shepard
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Love In Another Town by Barbara Taylor Bradford
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I refuse to release the name of this book publicly...it really was that bad!
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Plum Wine by Angela Davis-Gardner
Good Grief by Lolly Winston
There were many good and a few not so good. Some of my favorites from this year include The Twilight Series (of course), The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Three Cups of Tea, The Devil Came on Horseback and Daniel Isn't Talking. You can click on any of the titles above and see their descriptions at Amazon.com.
- We had an amazing trip to camp.
- We got to spend a day with Nicki, Rich and Xander.
- I got to fulfill a childhood dream of seeing NKOTB in concert with some wonderful people!
- The boys had a wonderful school play and Z even had a speaking roll.
- We had no major medical emergencies (aside from A's seizure in February that required a trip to the ER).
- I am not pregnant and was not pregnant through the entire year of 2008!
- My father's wife Sue (Nana Sue) overcame breast cancer.
- I hiked with an amazing team to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. Our team was able to raise nearly $700.
- I became part of an amazing group of women who started Embracing Autism. We hosted our first annual autism awareness day.
- I am going to become an aunt (again) to a beautiful baby girl.
- Alex and Andrea got married with her father present at the ceremony (we are looking forward to another ceremony in June that we will be able to be present at).
- Z turned 8 and entered the 3rd grade - this will be his last year at the "little" elementary school.
- A turned 6 and is enjoying his second year in kindergarten.
- Kirby and I went through a separation, and while that wasn't fun, we were able to realize how much we love each other, our boys and commit to working on our relationship again.
- I was able to spend a few nights with some great friends that I don't get to see too often.
- I was able to take a role in the primary race for president. And I am now able to say that I shook hands with the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and that I am a small part of the reason he was elected!
- The boys were able to meet their niece and both she and Allyson continue to do well.
- We had some wonderful family time fishing, hiking, playing, etc.
- We had a great trip to The Franklin Park Zoo.
- The NHPTV Auction had another great year and I had a great time volunteering.
- We got to spend some wonderful times with James and Nicole and their family.
- Nicole gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Jennie right before Thanksgiving.
- We spent a day in Boston exploring.
- We went to a Fisher Cats game with the family.
- Z became a Cub Scout.
- My business made it through another year - even though the economy really stank up the place!
I know there are a million more things...check out my Thursday's Thankful Thirteen postings from the past year. We have so much to be thankful for.
I am not big on resolutions. I find that they are a great way for me to fail, so I tend not to make them.
There are, however, a few things I would like to accomplish this year:
- Read 52 books
- Hike at least 3 mountains with the boys including Mount Willard.
- Enjoy a full week at camp.
- Take a trip on the Conway Scenic Railroad.
- Go to the ocean at least once.
- Get to Vermont!!
- Take the boys to The Basin.
I hope you all had a wonderful 2008 and that you are able to have an even better 2009!
1/9/09
GREAT NEWS!
The CPSC released a clarification today on the new lead regulations to take effect 2/10/09.
According to the CSPC, "The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards."
For more information: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
This is AWESOME news! I am so thankful!
According to the CSPC, "The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards."
For more information: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
This is AWESOME news! I am so thankful!
12/19/08
Superficial much?
In these "tough economic times" I am doing everything I can to get more bang for my buck. We have always set a budget for Christmas; this year I have just worked a little harder to be sure that the money we spend gets stretched a little further.
Every day I pick the boys up from school. Every day I sit at the same table I have sat at for the past 4 years (god forbid I change the routine). Every day I sit with the same women (the majority of which I like). A couple of weeks ago, however, a comment was made that irritated me...
A woman was talking about having already finished up her daughter's Christmas shopping, how she was so proud that the list was so short and the items on it were so inexpensive. I'm not sure how she got on the subject of her mother-in-law (MIL) but she started talking about how her MIL buys her daughter things from the thrift store for Christmas. I commented on how I thought that was great, that my father's wife does the same thing. She said that it was fine to give her things from the thrift store but "to wrap them up for Christmas, ugh" - like she wanted her to just give her gifts randomly throughout the year.
The next day I walked my butt down to our local consignment shop and looked for some good deals. I walked out of there with a pair of pajama bottoms and 4 shirts for Kirby and a shirt for Z. All for $24. They were in perfect condition. They barely look worn. I was psyched!
I called Kirby to rave about my finds. I tell him I am going to wrap them up and put them under the tree. He says "yeah, that's fine, it's not like they would even know". I promptly informed him that "I don't give a rat's ass if they know, oh and BTW (yeah, that's what I said), the things I got for you are getting wrapped up too". Of course, he changed his tune, "I didn't mean anything, I mean, yeah, that's okay".
So I wonder, what IS wrong with this? I am not giving my kids things that are ripped or torn or even look worn. These are NAME BRAND clothes that MAY have been worn a few times but LOOK brand new. Even if they DID notice, my kids are not going to care (in fact, one of Z's favorite things to do is to go through the tables upon tables of clothes at our local "street fair" on the last night when everything goes for free - he also loves to get bags of "hand-me-downs" from my cousin's son). So why do people make such a big deal about it?
I truly don't understand...
Every day I pick the boys up from school. Every day I sit at the same table I have sat at for the past 4 years (god forbid I change the routine). Every day I sit with the same women (the majority of which I like). A couple of weeks ago, however, a comment was made that irritated me...
A woman was talking about having already finished up her daughter's Christmas shopping, how she was so proud that the list was so short and the items on it were so inexpensive. I'm not sure how she got on the subject of her mother-in-law (MIL) but she started talking about how her MIL buys her daughter things from the thrift store for Christmas. I commented on how I thought that was great, that my father's wife does the same thing. She said that it was fine to give her things from the thrift store but "to wrap them up for Christmas, ugh" - like she wanted her to just give her gifts randomly throughout the year.
The next day I walked my butt down to our local consignment shop and looked for some good deals. I walked out of there with a pair of pajama bottoms and 4 shirts for Kirby and a shirt for Z. All for $24. They were in perfect condition. They barely look worn. I was psyched!
I called Kirby to rave about my finds. I tell him I am going to wrap them up and put them under the tree. He says "yeah, that's fine, it's not like they would even know". I promptly informed him that "I don't give a rat's ass if they know, oh and BTW (yeah, that's what I said), the things I got for you are getting wrapped up too". Of course, he changed his tune, "I didn't mean anything, I mean, yeah, that's okay".
So I wonder, what IS wrong with this? I am not giving my kids things that are ripped or torn or even look worn. These are NAME BRAND clothes that MAY have been worn a few times but LOOK brand new. Even if they DID notice, my kids are not going to care (in fact, one of Z's favorite things to do is to go through the tables upon tables of clothes at our local "street fair" on the last night when everything goes for free - he also loves to get bags of "hand-me-downs" from my cousin's son). So why do people make such a big deal about it?
I truly don't understand...
12/18/08
Thursday's Thankful Thirteen
Here we go again, another Thursday, another Thankful Thirteen. If you want to play, leave a comment here and link your blog back here.
1. I am thankful for our MIRACLE of numbing ear drops.
2. I am thankful that the boys' holiday play was such a success and that Z was able to have a speaking roll in his last year.
3. I am thankful that my mother, sister and father's wife were able to make it up for the show.
4. I am thankful that A has so many wonderful friends in our town and that his Dunkin Donuts friend (Mrs. Roberts) was able to come to the show. Also thankful that she is beyond wonderful to him - he loves his yearly Hess truck Christmas present.
5. I am grateful to all the power crews that took care of our state during the recent ice storms. My mother was without power for 5 days and she is one of the luckier ones - many are still without.
6. I am thankful that our town has their OWN power crew and we do not need to depend on PSNH (the crew that most of NH does depend on). We only lost power for a few hours in the middle of the night and our crew got right on it!
7. I am thankful that my neighbor has friends that check in on him and were able to get him the help he needed before his mental health became a more immediate/serious problem.
8. I am thankful that we have friends and family we can depend on, people that I know will always be there and people that my children can turn to.
9. I am thankful to have a job. During these "tough economic times" I am blessed.
10. I am grateful that my children do not expect a lot of us this time of year. Of course, on each of their lists there is something extravagant, but they do not go overboard. I guess, honestly, I am thankful that they are so easy to please :)
11. I am thankful that even though my father is a complete mental case, who drove to camp the day after the ice storm came through, he and his wife made it to and from safely, bringing back two Christmas trees and the old refrigerator (that they replaced with one that actually makes ice cubes).
12. I am thankful that A is feeling better and that, aside from the nose running, he seems all but over his cold.
13. I am thankful that a week from today will be Christmas. That all the shopping will be done. And that my kids will be sitting in the living room watching their new movies, playing with their new toys and enjoying our family.
1. I am thankful for our MIRACLE of numbing ear drops.
2. I am thankful that the boys' holiday play was such a success and that Z was able to have a speaking roll in his last year.
3. I am thankful that my mother, sister and father's wife were able to make it up for the show.
4. I am thankful that A has so many wonderful friends in our town and that his Dunkin Donuts friend (Mrs. Roberts) was able to come to the show. Also thankful that she is beyond wonderful to him - he loves his yearly Hess truck Christmas present.
5. I am grateful to all the power crews that took care of our state during the recent ice storms. My mother was without power for 5 days and she is one of the luckier ones - many are still without.
6. I am thankful that our town has their OWN power crew and we do not need to depend on PSNH (the crew that most of NH does depend on). We only lost power for a few hours in the middle of the night and our crew got right on it!
7. I am thankful that my neighbor has friends that check in on him and were able to get him the help he needed before his mental health became a more immediate/serious problem.
8. I am thankful that we have friends and family we can depend on, people that I know will always be there and people that my children can turn to.
9. I am thankful to have a job. During these "tough economic times" I am blessed.
10. I am grateful that my children do not expect a lot of us this time of year. Of course, on each of their lists there is something extravagant, but they do not go overboard. I guess, honestly, I am thankful that they are so easy to please :)
11. I am thankful that even though my father is a complete mental case, who drove to camp the day after the ice storm came through, he and his wife made it to and from safely, bringing back two Christmas trees and the old refrigerator (that they replaced with one that actually makes ice cubes).
12. I am thankful that A is feeling better and that, aside from the nose running, he seems all but over his cold.
13. I am thankful that a week from today will be Christmas. That all the shopping will be done. And that my kids will be sitting in the living room watching their new movies, playing with their new toys and enjoying our family.
12/8/08
It's all about the contest!
One year ago I started this blog because Z's class had started one. I thought it would be something fun that the kids and I could do together. Little did I know that this would become a place of free therapy for me and that I would make so many good friends.
So today is about paying it forward. In the past couple months I have won two WONDERFUL prizes and now I am offering you the chance to win too!
Now, I don't have hundreds of sponsors, I don't have businesses knocking on my door begging me to endorse their product and I don't have hundreds of dollars to give away...
But I do have this:
So today is about paying it forward. In the past couple months I have won two WONDERFUL prizes and now I am offering you the chance to win too!
Now, I don't have hundreds of sponsors, I don't have businesses knocking on my door begging me to endorse their product and I don't have hundreds of dollars to give away...
But I do have this:
Tell me your hubbies wouldn't LOVE this stocking stuffer? Maybe your Dad or even your Mom? Maybe you want to spend this all on yourself?
Whatever way you choose to use this card it could be all yours by following the next few steps:
1) You MUST comment here - that will automatically get you ONE entry
2) If you are interested in a second entry become a follower of my blog (there is a link to the right to become a follower - if you are already a follower you will get an extra entry as soon as you comment)
3) You will receive another entry if you refer someone to the contest - be sure that they leave your name when they comment
4) Browse through my archive and leave a comment on an older post (some of my favorites are to the right) - this will get you another entry
5) And lastly, if you blog about this contest and link it here you will receive 5 additional entries (be sure that you let me know you have blogged so I can give you the entry)
You have the opportunity to win, at least, 9 entries if you play your cards right...so easy!
This contest will end Thursday December 11th and the prize will be sent by Monday December 15th as long as the winner gets back to me in time with their mailing address (this should allow plenty of time to arrive before Christmas).
There it is. The first official bloggy contest of Crazy Town, USA. Go forth, spread the word and ENJOY!
11/20/08
Thursday's Thankful Thirteen
We have had a few awful weeks. Given what my family has been going through, however, we still have many things to be thankful for.
1. I am grateful that our meeting on Tuesday went as well as could be expected. We are on the road to closure and getting well.
2. I am thankful that Zachary's parent teacher conference went well and I was able to bring home a report card full of threes and only a couple twos (they are graded in numbers 1-4. 4 is more than proficient, 3 is proficient).
3. I am thankful that Zachary was really disappointed about those twos and wants to work harder to get a report card with all threes and fours next quarter.
4. I am grateful for my family who has gone above and beyond the call of duty these past few weeks listening to many of my dramatic phone calls, taking the kids and helping Kirby and I in whatever way they can.
5. I am grateful for my friends who are my chosen family. They have listened to more than their fair share of phone calls these past few weeks. They have emailed and texted and just shown so much support.
6. I am thankful to live in a home that is heated and, mostly, windproof especially these past few days when the wind can go right through you and temperatures are in the 30s BEFORE the windchill is factored in.
7. I am thankful for my two feet that have been getting me to work lately. I have taken up walking to and from work most days and am enjoying the quiet and the exercise that I am getting.
8. I am grateful that my MP3 player survived it's time submerged in a glass of water thanks to Andrew. He was good enough to take the SanDisk out before he did it...I am not so sure that would have survived.
9. I am thankful to the client that gave me a new sweatshirt from her septic company. Andrew loves their trucks (because they have honey bees on them - he calls it a honey truck and thinks it is hysterical every time I remind him it is a POOP truck).
10. I am thankful that Kirby and both have stable employment. Times are tough for many families. We are blessed to have jobs that we can count on everyday. Many others are not as lucky.
11. I am thankful for food in our fridge, pantry and cabinets. Again, many are not as blessed as we are.
12. I am thankful that Kmart is offering layaway this year because we may be blessed and have steady work and food in our home, but money is still tight and I am thankful I can set it all aside and pay a little each week.
13. I am grateful that my children are safe, that they have a home, a loving family, food in their bellies and people who love and care about them every where they go.
Play along, join the gratitude, make a Thursday's Thankful Thirteen and link it over here.
1. I am grateful that our meeting on Tuesday went as well as could be expected. We are on the road to closure and getting well.
2. I am thankful that Zachary's parent teacher conference went well and I was able to bring home a report card full of threes and only a couple twos (they are graded in numbers 1-4. 4 is more than proficient, 3 is proficient).
3. I am thankful that Zachary was really disappointed about those twos and wants to work harder to get a report card with all threes and fours next quarter.
4. I am grateful for my family who has gone above and beyond the call of duty these past few weeks listening to many of my dramatic phone calls, taking the kids and helping Kirby and I in whatever way they can.
5. I am grateful for my friends who are my chosen family. They have listened to more than their fair share of phone calls these past few weeks. They have emailed and texted and just shown so much support.
6. I am thankful to live in a home that is heated and, mostly, windproof especially these past few days when the wind can go right through you and temperatures are in the 30s BEFORE the windchill is factored in.
7. I am thankful for my two feet that have been getting me to work lately. I have taken up walking to and from work most days and am enjoying the quiet and the exercise that I am getting.
8. I am grateful that my MP3 player survived it's time submerged in a glass of water thanks to Andrew. He was good enough to take the SanDisk out before he did it...I am not so sure that would have survived.
9. I am thankful to the client that gave me a new sweatshirt from her septic company. Andrew loves their trucks (because they have honey bees on them - he calls it a honey truck and thinks it is hysterical every time I remind him it is a POOP truck).
10. I am thankful that Kirby and both have stable employment. Times are tough for many families. We are blessed to have jobs that we can count on everyday. Many others are not as lucky.
11. I am thankful for food in our fridge, pantry and cabinets. Again, many are not as blessed as we are.
12. I am thankful that Kmart is offering layaway this year because we may be blessed and have steady work and food in our home, but money is still tight and I am thankful I can set it all aside and pay a little each week.
13. I am grateful that my children are safe, that they have a home, a loving family, food in their bellies and people who love and care about them every where they go.
Play along, join the gratitude, make a Thursday's Thankful Thirteen and link it over here.
11/19/08
Pure Joy.
I stole this from Tiffany who stole it from someone else.
If you need a smile, if you want to experience pure joy, if you want a laugh...even if you don't: WATCH IT!
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
If you need a smile, if you want to experience pure joy, if you want a laugh...even if you don't: WATCH IT!
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
11/12/08
October in Pictures
Things are, to say the least, crazy around here. Do we expect anything else in Crazy Town? I think not.
Your prayers are appreciated for my family through a rather difficult time. I will post as I can.
Until then, enjoy the pictures of our month!
10/9/08
I love Richard Simmons - Thursday's Thankful Thirteen
First, thank you to Where's My Angels for reminding me about this story. I will probably not get all the facts right, I have probably embellished a bit over the years but you will get the idea...and why Richard Simmons is so very important to me and my family.
Years ago Richard Simmons had a talk show called (amazingly enough) The Richard Simmons Show. Now, since I am such a spring chicken, I have no memories of that show. But I will tell you that the show is responsible for my brother.
I guess my father watched the show (which cracks me up because I have to assume that Richard hasn't changed all that much over the years). One day there was a guest who taught the audience how do the Heimlich maneuver...thank god.
Alex was about a year old when he swallowed an orange segment whole and started choking. I remember a little about it but, in all honesty, I was only 3 at the time so my memories are foggy and recreated by people telling the story. Obviously he couldn't breath. My parents say he was turning blue. My mother asked if she should call the ambulance and my father told her it would be too late...
And he performed the Heimlich maneuver like Richard taught him and he saved my brother's life.
To this day that story give me chills. To this day I get teary when I think about it.
Richard Simmons saved my brother's life. Call him kooky, call him a nut (and he is) but I tell you, that man is my hero.
Alex married the woman of his dreams this weekend. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control we were not able to make it. The pictures were enough to bring me to massive tears. Without Richard, I would not have been able to see this:
Alex waiting for his lady.
Alex with Dad and Mom.
It's official.
Andrea and her family.
Thank you, Alex, for making Andrea my official sister. And thank you, Andrea, for making my brother so happy. We are so happy for you both.
And thank you, Richard Simmons, for allowing us to see this day.
No, it isn't numbered, but this is my Thankful Thirteen for the day. There are way more then 13 things that make me thankful in these few pictures...
**Edited to add: I realize the more I read this that I fail to give my father credit for the role he played in saving Alex's life. Of course, my father is an amazing man (and even more my hero than Richard Simmons).**
Years ago Richard Simmons had a talk show called (amazingly enough) The Richard Simmons Show. Now, since I am such a spring chicken, I have no memories of that show. But I will tell you that the show is responsible for my brother.
I guess my father watched the show (which cracks me up because I have to assume that Richard hasn't changed all that much over the years). One day there was a guest who taught the audience how do the Heimlich maneuver...thank god.
Alex was about a year old when he swallowed an orange segment whole and started choking. I remember a little about it but, in all honesty, I was only 3 at the time so my memories are foggy and recreated by people telling the story. Obviously he couldn't breath. My parents say he was turning blue. My mother asked if she should call the ambulance and my father told her it would be too late...
And he performed the Heimlich maneuver like Richard taught him and he saved my brother's life.
To this day that story give me chills. To this day I get teary when I think about it.
Richard Simmons saved my brother's life. Call him kooky, call him a nut (and he is) but I tell you, that man is my hero.
Alex married the woman of his dreams this weekend. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control we were not able to make it. The pictures were enough to bring me to massive tears. Without Richard, I would not have been able to see this:
Alex waiting for his lady.
Alex with Dad and Mom.
It's official.
Andrea and her family.
Thank you, Alex, for making Andrea my official sister. And thank you, Andrea, for making my brother so happy. We are so happy for you both.
And thank you, Richard Simmons, for allowing us to see this day.
No, it isn't numbered, but this is my Thankful Thirteen for the day. There are way more then 13 things that make me thankful in these few pictures...
**Edited to add: I realize the more I read this that I fail to give my father credit for the role he played in saving Alex's life. Of course, my father is an amazing man (and even more my hero than Richard Simmons).**
9/30/08
Dinner and Drinks
Before my, most exciting, night at NKOTB I met Jessi and Aaron at their home. Jessi and I were going to the concert together and Aaron had offered to drive us into Boston.
Jessi is my best friend's sister and I hadn't seen her in years. She and Aaron are engaged to be married and I had not yet had the pleasure of meeting him (although I read their blog everyday and feel like I know him). So, it was really good to see/meet the both of them.
They brought me to one of their most favorite restaurants where we ate (really AWESOME food) and chatted and ate and chatted. We gossipped (gasp - me? I know!). We laughed. It was nice.
Aaron met us at the door with the car (it was pouring) and drove our butts down to Boston - in the POURING rain. I am SO thankful he offered to drive. While I COULD have handled it, I am really glad I didn't have to. I was tense enough riding down in the backseat (and NOT because of Aaron's driving, just the rain).
I think all of Jessi's blog readers swoon a bit every time we read a post about something wonderful Aaron did. Now I get it :)
When we got to The Garden, Jessi and I waited outside for my (soon-to-be) sister-in-law, Andrea, and people watched. I was truly amazed at the women coming into the concert (and I mean WOMEN, I honestly could have counted the number of men at the show on two hands...the number of STRAIGHT men could have been done on ONE hand...maybe even just a few of those fingers). We were pretty close to the youngest women there. We saw every walk of life, though. I saw old women with saggy boobs in their original NKOTB tank top...I saw young women in new NKOTB-wear....I saw gay men...I saw a man that was, obviously, dragged their by his girlfriend (or whatever) and was VERY unhappy to be there...it was interesting...
As soon as we got into The Garden we saw the most yummy looking, frozen cocktails in "glasses" as tall as my kids. Soon enough, Jessi and I were on the hunt. 3 flights of stairs, 20 minutes in line and $12 later we had the most delicious margaritas...that were gone before NKOTB even hit the stage :) Yummy!
And you all know how much we enjoyed the show, how we screamed like little girls...but what I didn't mention was that we (Jessi) is pretty sure that Donny heard us (her) screaming...of course, we talked about it the whole ride home...
And that was about that point in time that Aaron offered to drop her at the bus station to find her own way back:)
Good times, good times!
Thanks again, guys! Can't wait to see you at The Hike (please click the link and support our efforts to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness)!
Jessi is my best friend's sister and I hadn't seen her in years. She and Aaron are engaged to be married and I had not yet had the pleasure of meeting him (although I read their blog everyday and feel like I know him). So, it was really good to see/meet the both of them.
They brought me to one of their most favorite restaurants where we ate (really AWESOME food) and chatted and ate and chatted. We gossipped (gasp - me? I know!). We laughed. It was nice.
Aaron met us at the door with the car (it was pouring) and drove our butts down to Boston - in the POURING rain. I am SO thankful he offered to drive. While I COULD have handled it, I am really glad I didn't have to. I was tense enough riding down in the backseat (and NOT because of Aaron's driving, just the rain).
I think all of Jessi's blog readers swoon a bit every time we read a post about something wonderful Aaron did. Now I get it :)
When we got to The Garden, Jessi and I waited outside for my (soon-to-be) sister-in-law, Andrea, and people watched. I was truly amazed at the women coming into the concert (and I mean WOMEN, I honestly could have counted the number of men at the show on two hands...the number of STRAIGHT men could have been done on ONE hand...maybe even just a few of those fingers). We were pretty close to the youngest women there. We saw every walk of life, though. I saw old women with saggy boobs in their original NKOTB tank top...I saw young women in new NKOTB-wear....I saw gay men...I saw a man that was, obviously, dragged their by his girlfriend (or whatever) and was VERY unhappy to be there...it was interesting...
As soon as we got into The Garden we saw the most yummy looking, frozen cocktails in "glasses" as tall as my kids. Soon enough, Jessi and I were on the hunt. 3 flights of stairs, 20 minutes in line and $12 later we had the most delicious margaritas...that were gone before NKOTB even hit the stage :) Yummy!
And you all know how much we enjoyed the show, how we screamed like little girls...but what I didn't mention was that we (Jessi) is pretty sure that Donny heard us (her) screaming...of course, we talked about it the whole ride home...
And that was about that point in time that Aaron offered to drop her at the bus station to find her own way back:)
Good times, good times!
Thanks again, guys! Can't wait to see you at The Hike (please click the link and support our efforts to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness)!
9/22/08
Best. Birthday. Ever.
I recently turned the big 3-o. No big deal, really. In fact, if one more person asks me if I "feel old" I swear I am going to go postal.
30 is NOT old. 50...maybe. Just kidding :) I don't think 50 is old either. I really think that you are as young (or old) as you feel. And, honestly, I have felt much older than 30 for a long time.
While it isn't old, 30 does warrant celebration. Kirby was told, in no uncertain terms, that there was to be a celebration. And celebrate he did.
He contacted all my family and my close friends and invited them all out to celebrate and have dinner with us. He really went all out. And it was proven, once again, that I have the BEST friends and family EVER. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life and love and care about me.
We ate, we laughed, we (or I) opened presents (which were not expected but, of course, I was very excited about). We had a great time. I am so happy!
Kirby and I have certainly had our problems. There have been plenty of times that we didn't think we were going to make it. Honestly, there have been times when I didn't WANT to make it. For him to pull this together was so heart warming and wonderful. Yes, I told him he "had" to :) but he made such a huge effort. I can honestly tell you that I love him more today than I ever have.
Dad and Sue with Thanny
My oldest friend Kitty (not old as in age - but been together forever) and her husband Jeff
My newest friends "TNT" Tracy-n-Todd
Mom and Bob
My big sister Monica
The soon to be newlyweds Alex and Andrea
Thanny and me
Andrea's beautiful cake
Andrew helping me blow out my candles
Pictures of me through the years by Mom
Thank you, again, Kirby. I love you more than life!
30 is NOT old. 50...maybe. Just kidding :) I don't think 50 is old either. I really think that you are as young (or old) as you feel. And, honestly, I have felt much older than 30 for a long time.
While it isn't old, 30 does warrant celebration. Kirby was told, in no uncertain terms, that there was to be a celebration. And celebrate he did.
He contacted all my family and my close friends and invited them all out to celebrate and have dinner with us. He really went all out. And it was proven, once again, that I have the BEST friends and family EVER. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life and love and care about me.
We ate, we laughed, we (or I) opened presents (which were not expected but, of course, I was very excited about). We had a great time. I am so happy!
Kirby and I have certainly had our problems. There have been plenty of times that we didn't think we were going to make it. Honestly, there have been times when I didn't WANT to make it. For him to pull this together was so heart warming and wonderful. Yes, I told him he "had" to :) but he made such a huge effort. I can honestly tell you that I love him more today than I ever have.
Dad and Sue with Thanny
My oldest friend Kitty (not old as in age - but been together forever) and her husband Jeff
My newest friends "TNT" Tracy-n-Todd
Mom and Bob
My big sister Monica
The soon to be newlyweds Alex and Andrea
Thanny and me
Andrea's beautiful cake
Andrew helping me blow out my candles
Pictures of me through the years by Mom
Thank you, again, Kirby. I love you more than life!
9/15/08
Somebody help me out of this funk!
My life is good. Wonderful, actually, all things considered. My children are healthy and smart and caring and kind (most days). We have wonderful friends and family that surround us, if not in person, on the phone. My children have the opportunity to have two sets of wonderfully adoring grandparents and even have a set of great-grandparents.
Yesterday we had lobster, steamers, corn on the cob - FREE. My Great Aunt turned 60 and her husband threw a surprise birthday party at a local seafood restaurant...and he paid for it ALL. Everything. If nothing else, I should be glowing right now because of that :)
After eating WAY TOO MUCH, we took the kids fishing. Andrew, who has the attention span of a flea, caught his very first fish (pictures to come)! A blue gill - HUGE. He was so proud. That makes me happy...but I am still feeling a bit funky.
I have a wonderful business. I love my boss, she is THE BEST (have I mentioned that I am the boss :). I make my own schedule, I charge whatever I want...I never miss a kid's event because I am always sure to take it off.
And things between Kirby and I are working. Slowly but surely we are finding a way to make things work - better than ever. Our trip to camp was exactly what we needed to remind us that, us, the family of us, was something that we didn't want to lose. It is a long road. There are millions of things to work out and work on. But we are committed to the work. We are committed to making it better for us and better for our kids.
Just one more think I should be so grateful and thankful for.
So, why am I in such a funk? I am not feeling like myself. In fact, I feel kind of fluish...and the fact that I know there is bug going around makes me feel even more fluish (paranoid much....but really Andrew DID puke yesterday on the way to the birthday party...but free lobster was on the menu, no way in hell were we turning around). I am feeling that, "I don't want to get out of bed for the next year" feeling...
So, I am leaving it up to you, bloggy readers, to share something funny. Pass along a good story. Leave me a silly comment. Get a good You Tube video (but just an FYI, I HAVE already seen the one where the cop steals the pot from the evidence room then calls 911 because he thinks he has overdosed...to stinking funny and I have also seen the one where the guy gets his head stuck in the elephants ass).
Today's challenge: MAKE ME LAUGH!
Yesterday we had lobster, steamers, corn on the cob - FREE. My Great Aunt turned 60 and her husband threw a surprise birthday party at a local seafood restaurant...and he paid for it ALL. Everything. If nothing else, I should be glowing right now because of that :)
After eating WAY TOO MUCH, we took the kids fishing. Andrew, who has the attention span of a flea, caught his very first fish (pictures to come)! A blue gill - HUGE. He was so proud. That makes me happy...but I am still feeling a bit funky.
I have a wonderful business. I love my boss, she is THE BEST (have I mentioned that I am the boss :). I make my own schedule, I charge whatever I want...I never miss a kid's event because I am always sure to take it off.
And things between Kirby and I are working. Slowly but surely we are finding a way to make things work - better than ever. Our trip to camp was exactly what we needed to remind us that, us, the family of us, was something that we didn't want to lose. It is a long road. There are millions of things to work out and work on. But we are committed to the work. We are committed to making it better for us and better for our kids.
Just one more think I should be so grateful and thankful for.
So, why am I in such a funk? I am not feeling like myself. In fact, I feel kind of fluish...and the fact that I know there is bug going around makes me feel even more fluish (paranoid much....but really Andrew DID puke yesterday on the way to the birthday party...but free lobster was on the menu, no way in hell were we turning around). I am feeling that, "I don't want to get out of bed for the next year" feeling...
So, I am leaving it up to you, bloggy readers, to share something funny. Pass along a good story. Leave me a silly comment. Get a good You Tube video (but just an FYI, I HAVE already seen the one where the cop steals the pot from the evidence room then calls 911 because he thinks he has overdosed...to stinking funny and I have also seen the one where the guy gets his head stuck in the elephants ass).
Today's challenge: MAKE ME LAUGH!
9/12/08
Nothing makes sense anymore
I am dragging today...as I mentioned in my earlier post.
It's Friday and we have had a busy week of school, school and more school. Thursday is my busy day at work so I am always left exhausted. It is dreary outside. It isn't raining, but it should be, and it is COLD! I love the chill in the air that fall brings, but when there is no sun it just makes it miserable.
Compound all that with the fact that lately I have become incredibly frustrated by people that have children but don't appreciate them.
I know you all read my posts and laugh at how frustrated I get with my children. And I will be honest that there has been a time (or two) that I wonder if cages are legal...or overdosing on Benadryl to get them to sleep...but those are the times that I call my sister Dana (the social worker) and check (because she knows all the legalities, of course). If she tells me no then I take a few deep breaths and move on...
Before I go any further please be sure that you understand that I am joking. Sure I have asked Dana about cages, but do you think I would honestly use one...okay, don't answer that.
Tonight I am attending the wake of a 7 week old baby. SIDS is apparently the cause. I do not know her parents but her grandmother is a client of mine and her cousin is in Z's class - small town, although I don't KNOW them, I know them. I feel that it is the right thing to do, show up and offer my condolences to my client. Not knowing the parents does not make it any easier or help me understand any more.
When her grandmother told me she said, "She was beautiful but I can only know in my heart that God had a special purpose for her". I KNOW in my heart she is right...but not knowing the purpose makes it so hard. I know that it is not up to me to understand God or his reasons but jeez. This just doesn't make sense...
Tuesday I will be appearing in court. In what capacity I am not sure. I have been asked to appear for a court case involving a 4 year old boy whose mother claims his father is molesting him. Of course, I will not go into details about how I am affiliated with this family, what I know or do not know...but I can tell you that this little boy's life has been ruined.
Dana, of course, does not go into real detail about her job but I know what she deals with. We see the reports in the papers and on the news.
Andrea (Alex's fiancee) works in a boy's home. This place is where boys are sent that cannot live at home - or anywhere else - due to SEVERE abuse (sexual or otherwise) and neglect. Again, she can't share the details but we know.
Tell me how it makes sense that a 4 year old boy is still here, subjected to the insanity of his life every day and a 7 week old is gone? Tell me how this little boy was given to these parents when I know plenty of good people with loving and caring homes that can't have children. Tell me how parents who ignore, beat and abuse are given children when there are people out there crying in their beds at night because they can't have children.
I know it is not up to me to understand God and his purpose for us as human beings. I know that in my deepest heart. But coming to terms with that and letting go is something entirely different.
I am so thankful for people like Dana and Andrea and so thankful for the work they do. I would be homicidal. I am not sure that I could let justice take its course...there are too many times where the judicial system does not work the way it is supposed to (in my opinion).
I am so thankful that my children live in a safe home where people love them and care for them. We may not be perfect, but if they know nothing else in their lives, they know that we love them unconditionally.
The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him. - Pablo Casals
It's Friday and we have had a busy week of school, school and more school. Thursday is my busy day at work so I am always left exhausted. It is dreary outside. It isn't raining, but it should be, and it is COLD! I love the chill in the air that fall brings, but when there is no sun it just makes it miserable.
Compound all that with the fact that lately I have become incredibly frustrated by people that have children but don't appreciate them.
I know you all read my posts and laugh at how frustrated I get with my children. And I will be honest that there has been a time (or two) that I wonder if cages are legal...or overdosing on Benadryl to get them to sleep...but those are the times that I call my sister Dana (the social worker) and check (because she knows all the legalities, of course). If she tells me no then I take a few deep breaths and move on...
Before I go any further please be sure that you understand that I am joking. Sure I have asked Dana about cages, but do you think I would honestly use one...okay, don't answer that.
Tonight I am attending the wake of a 7 week old baby. SIDS is apparently the cause. I do not know her parents but her grandmother is a client of mine and her cousin is in Z's class - small town, although I don't KNOW them, I know them. I feel that it is the right thing to do, show up and offer my condolences to my client. Not knowing the parents does not make it any easier or help me understand any more.
When her grandmother told me she said, "She was beautiful but I can only know in my heart that God had a special purpose for her". I KNOW in my heart she is right...but not knowing the purpose makes it so hard. I know that it is not up to me to understand God or his reasons but jeez. This just doesn't make sense...
Tuesday I will be appearing in court. In what capacity I am not sure. I have been asked to appear for a court case involving a 4 year old boy whose mother claims his father is molesting him. Of course, I will not go into details about how I am affiliated with this family, what I know or do not know...but I can tell you that this little boy's life has been ruined.
Dana, of course, does not go into real detail about her job but I know what she deals with. We see the reports in the papers and on the news.
Andrea (Alex's fiancee) works in a boy's home. This place is where boys are sent that cannot live at home - or anywhere else - due to SEVERE abuse (sexual or otherwise) and neglect. Again, she can't share the details but we know.
Tell me how it makes sense that a 4 year old boy is still here, subjected to the insanity of his life every day and a 7 week old is gone? Tell me how this little boy was given to these parents when I know plenty of good people with loving and caring homes that can't have children. Tell me how parents who ignore, beat and abuse are given children when there are people out there crying in their beds at night because they can't have children.
I know it is not up to me to understand God and his purpose for us as human beings. I know that in my deepest heart. But coming to terms with that and letting go is something entirely different.
I am so thankful for people like Dana and Andrea and so thankful for the work they do. I would be homicidal. I am not sure that I could let justice take its course...there are too many times where the judicial system does not work the way it is supposed to (in my opinion).
I am so thankful that my children live in a safe home where people love them and care for them. We may not be perfect, but if they know nothing else in their lives, they know that we love them unconditionally.
The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him. - Pablo Casals
9/10/08
It's been too long.
I am still coming down from my SITS high. It was seriously overwhelming but SO wonderful. I finished up commenting everyone that came and visited my blog (aside from those of you that I couldn't comment due to privacy or whatever - there was actually a few that wouldn't let me comment for some unknown reason).
During my hiatus I totally forgot how much I enjoy blogging, giving comment love and receiving comment love. I missed this SO much!
So many things to update...
There were a number of questions from commenters in my blog and I want to be sure that I answer them as well as I can.
First off, YES, I washed my little man in the sink at camp :) It is a total tradition. At the camp there is only a shower and A, my autistic son, does NOT do showers. While at camp, well, they get ABSOLUTELY disgusting - matter of fact, one day I gave him a pot of water to play in so his fingernails would get clean (it worked very well by the way).
I swear to all that is holy, I used Comet on the sink BEFORE I put him in (it is a "boys" camp...they don't really "clean") and AFTER. The sink was VERY clean while he was in it and even more clean AFTER he was in it :) Angels, you can gag all you want :)
My profile picture is wonderful, thank you for all that commented on it. No, I did not take it. I found it online somewhere...photobucket maybe? It is called "Praying for a Cure". If you notice, the little boy in the picture is holding the autism awareness ribbon. Personally, I am not praying for a cure, I am praying for awareness. Many of you know about A and how I think he is perfect just the way he is. In my opinion, it is the rest of the world that needs to change, not him.
Yes, I do barter - quite a bit actually. I like to barter for things that I wouldn't normally spend money on (pedicures, foils, websites). If you are interested in a barter, approach someone that offers what you want. Make an offer. What's the worst that can happen? My hairdresser wouldn't get a weekly massage without bartering and my hair would be totally gray (never mind what my heels would look like) - oh and my boys would look like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. I wouldn't have a business website either. It has been well worth my time!
YES, there are a few gents (or so I hear) that are affiliated with SITS. I have yet to see/read one...but I have been told...
We DID have an AWESOME vacation. No, we didn't get eaten by any wildlife and we did not get lost in the woods. We didn't figure out that we could have a good time as a family - just remembered. Having 3 boys and such a busy life, we tend to forget how much fun it is to just slow down. This vacation helped us remember that and so much more. I will be blogging more about the wonderfulness of our vacation in the very near future...stay tuned!
My Abstinence blog brought in a LOT of comment! I am so glad you guys got so involved! So many different opinions but when it all comes down to it we all feel strongly about one thing: we love our kids and want what is best for them. I appreciate all the opinions!
Yes, I am ALWAYS in a hornet's nest. Of course, I also believe you create drama...and I do. Granted, there is nothing I can do about ER trips due to ear infections (8 hours from home) or trips to the ER because someone sliced themselves with an umbrella (who does that you ask...Z does that...he is his father's son - also 8 hours from home). But I certainly tend to have a bit of drama queen in me :) Oh, and when I was little, we were climbing a mountain and I SAT in a red ant hill...awful!
I don't have a fear of hornets (or any other flying insect) - at least not an irrational fear. I was stung earlier this year. It hurts like hell, but I survived.
The boys burned themselves on peanut butter about 6 months ago...they like to melt peanut butter and dip popcorn in for a snack. I think Z overheated it...it was boiling when I got to it. They both burned themselves pretty badly and that also required a trip to the ER. Ugh! They are their father's sons (who I had to bring to the ER once for burning his corneas while welding WITHOUT A MASK...of course, that was just one of our MANY trips for him).
Peggy, you did not give birth to me...unless my parents lied to me all these years AND my siblings were right when they told me I was adopted....and maybe Traci is right then...and I DO have a long lost sister named Debbie...
I can't believe the mass amounts of you that have NOT received pedicures - ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I don't care how "embarrassing" your feet are...isn't that why you GET a pedicure?! I don't care if you "hate" feet...they never did anything to you but cart your butt around your whole life - TREAT THEM! Seriously, you will thank me for it!
And for those of you that suggested getting up earlier (like 5am) to get a shower in...you have GOT to be kidding me! No way, no how. I love my sleep more than I love peace and quiet in the shower. And besides all that, I have not had a full nights sleep in over 8 years. A, my youngest, doesn't sleep through the night...never has. I take every second I can get :)
Karen, I don't use 2 in 1 any more (and my hairdresser knows - actually she buys my hair products for me - she TOTALLY rules - and NO I will NOT give any of you her name...you think I want to potentially ruin this deal for myself?). Well, actually, if I am being honest...while we were at camp...well...Pert became my new friend. But I SWEAR I dumped her as soon as we got home!!
Sassy Stephanie, I tried the lock on the fridge...he figured it out. How that child doesn't weigh as much as I do is BEYOND me!
Okay, so that is it. All questions answered...and if not, comment me, I'll do my best to get to you.
Keep coming back! Lots of exciting news to come! More pictures (cause my boys are THE CUTEST)...and more fun!
During my hiatus I totally forgot how much I enjoy blogging, giving comment love and receiving comment love. I missed this SO much!
So many things to update...
There were a number of questions from commenters in my blog and I want to be sure that I answer them as well as I can.
First off, YES, I washed my little man in the sink at camp :) It is a total tradition. At the camp there is only a shower and A, my autistic son, does NOT do showers. While at camp, well, they get ABSOLUTELY disgusting - matter of fact, one day I gave him a pot of water to play in so his fingernails would get clean (it worked very well by the way).
I swear to all that is holy, I used Comet on the sink BEFORE I put him in (it is a "boys" camp...they don't really "clean") and AFTER. The sink was VERY clean while he was in it and even more clean AFTER he was in it :) Angels, you can gag all you want :)
My profile picture is wonderful, thank you for all that commented on it. No, I did not take it. I found it online somewhere...photobucket maybe? It is called "Praying for a Cure". If you notice, the little boy in the picture is holding the autism awareness ribbon. Personally, I am not praying for a cure, I am praying for awareness. Many of you know about A and how I think he is perfect just the way he is. In my opinion, it is the rest of the world that needs to change, not him.
Yes, I do barter - quite a bit actually. I like to barter for things that I wouldn't normally spend money on (pedicures, foils, websites). If you are interested in a barter, approach someone that offers what you want. Make an offer. What's the worst that can happen? My hairdresser wouldn't get a weekly massage without bartering and my hair would be totally gray (never mind what my heels would look like) - oh and my boys would look like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. I wouldn't have a business website either. It has been well worth my time!
YES, there are a few gents (or so I hear) that are affiliated with SITS. I have yet to see/read one...but I have been told...
We DID have an AWESOME vacation. No, we didn't get eaten by any wildlife and we did not get lost in the woods. We didn't figure out that we could have a good time as a family - just remembered. Having 3 boys and such a busy life, we tend to forget how much fun it is to just slow down. This vacation helped us remember that and so much more. I will be blogging more about the wonderfulness of our vacation in the very near future...stay tuned!
My Abstinence blog brought in a LOT of comment! I am so glad you guys got so involved! So many different opinions but when it all comes down to it we all feel strongly about one thing: we love our kids and want what is best for them. I appreciate all the opinions!
Yes, I am ALWAYS in a hornet's nest. Of course, I also believe you create drama...and I do. Granted, there is nothing I can do about ER trips due to ear infections (8 hours from home) or trips to the ER because someone sliced themselves with an umbrella (who does that you ask...Z does that...he is his father's son - also 8 hours from home). But I certainly tend to have a bit of drama queen in me :) Oh, and when I was little, we were climbing a mountain and I SAT in a red ant hill...awful!
I don't have a fear of hornets (or any other flying insect) - at least not an irrational fear. I was stung earlier this year. It hurts like hell, but I survived.
The boys burned themselves on peanut butter about 6 months ago...they like to melt peanut butter and dip popcorn in for a snack. I think Z overheated it...it was boiling when I got to it. They both burned themselves pretty badly and that also required a trip to the ER. Ugh! They are their father's sons (who I had to bring to the ER once for burning his corneas while welding WITHOUT A MASK...of course, that was just one of our MANY trips for him).
Peggy, you did not give birth to me...unless my parents lied to me all these years AND my siblings were right when they told me I was adopted....and maybe Traci is right then...and I DO have a long lost sister named Debbie...
I can't believe the mass amounts of you that have NOT received pedicures - ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I don't care how "embarrassing" your feet are...isn't that why you GET a pedicure?! I don't care if you "hate" feet...they never did anything to you but cart your butt around your whole life - TREAT THEM! Seriously, you will thank me for it!
And for those of you that suggested getting up earlier (like 5am) to get a shower in...you have GOT to be kidding me! No way, no how. I love my sleep more than I love peace and quiet in the shower. And besides all that, I have not had a full nights sleep in over 8 years. A, my youngest, doesn't sleep through the night...never has. I take every second I can get :)
Karen, I don't use 2 in 1 any more (and my hairdresser knows - actually she buys my hair products for me - she TOTALLY rules - and NO I will NOT give any of you her name...you think I want to potentially ruin this deal for myself?). Well, actually, if I am being honest...while we were at camp...well...Pert became my new friend. But I SWEAR I dumped her as soon as we got home!!
Sassy Stephanie, I tried the lock on the fridge...he figured it out. How that child doesn't weigh as much as I do is BEYOND me!
Okay, so that is it. All questions answered...and if not, comment me, I'll do my best to get to you.
Keep coming back! Lots of exciting news to come! More pictures (cause my boys are THE CUTEST)...and more fun!
Crazy!
Oh yes, yesterday was SO crazy! I am working my little tail off to try and comment everyone that visited yesterday. If you don't get a comment from me please accept my apologies - I either missed you in the madness OR your blog wouldn't let me comment (which I have run into a couple times).
Thanks to all you lovely SITSas again and again and again! The bloggy love is AMAZING!
Thanks to all you lovely SITSas again and again and again! The bloggy love is AMAZING!
8/14/08
Vacation! and a thankful 13 :)
Today is the first day of our family vacation to camp. I wish I could tell you that I am blogging as we sit by the lake and enjoy the kiddos fishing...but I am not. Actually, what I am doing is blogging in the future - or would it be the past....You see, camp has no internet, no cable, no cell service - NOTHING! So, this post is actually being written in preparation for my vacation.
A bit about camp:
My uncle passed away about 9 years ago and his brothers (my father and my two uncles) took over his land and cabin in ME.
At that point in time there was no indoor plumbing...but there was an outhouse. Thankfully the women in the family put up enough of a stink that the boys did put in indoor plumbing.
It is a small cabin on an ENORMOUS piece of land that includes a good amount of lake property. There are few neighbors and even they are so far away that we could scream till the cows came home and they would never hear us. The land is so large that last year we got lost while hiking it (there were a few insane moments...I will save that story for another blog).
The lake is small, the fishing is tough but the kids have a blast.
I love that place.
It is too far for us to make the trek up regularly (it is about 6 hours from here but with two kids in the car the drive can easily turn into 8). In fact, in the 9 years since the brothers have owned it I have only been up twice.
Last year we decided to make it a yearly event. It was so much fun and such an inexpensive trip I couldn't see why not.
So, today, by the time you are reading this we should have arrived. We should have left very late last night (or very early this morning), made the trek while the kiddos were still sleeping, and arrived as the sun came up.
I won't be able to respond to comments and visit all my favorite blogs but bear with me....I will be back in full swing sometime next week. I have enough blogs written and scheduled to last through our time away so be sure to come back and visit!!
I can't wait to share all about our exciting adventures!
And, of course, it is Thursday (well, not really, but it IS, right?). Since I am doing this, almost, a week in advance bear with me :)
1) I am thankful that Kirby and I did not kill each other on either the ride to or from the zoo...and nobody was thrown into the Tiger's habitat.
2) I am thankful that we did not lose A at the zoo :)
3) I m thankful that we were able to see Josiah and spend some time with him. (Keep your eyes out for a post all about the zoo later on this week).
4) I am thankful for the rain. Because, honestly, it has rained for about 4 weeks and there is NO POSSIBLE way it can continue for our trip to camp...right?!
5) I am thankful for the white "punchbuggy" that has been sitting in the parking lot across the street for about a month now. Because A gets such a charge out of it every time we walk by (he has a thing for Herbie the Lovebug).
6) I am thankful that Mom took Z for a couple nights over the weekend. A is much better behaved without Z and vice versa.
7) I am thankful for Poland Spring Seltzer water because it makes it much easier to keep up with my water intake!
8) I am thankful that I did not break anything when I took a MAJOR fall down the stairs this week...home alone...at night...SCARY! (I am okay, think I may have chipped my tailbone but it feels MUCH better today than yesterday).
9) I am thankful for some amazing friends....I think I say this every week and I promise you it is NOT enough! They truly are amazing!
10) I am thankful that our Autism Awareness day will be August 23rd and almost over. Don't get me wrong...I have LOVED planning this and honestly LOVE the women that I am planning it with. It has been a lot of hard work and I am ready for it to be over.
11) I am thankful that I have all my blogs pre written and ready to posted during my vacation. I can't wait to come home and see all the comments!
12) I am thankful for good music than can help me drown out the world, sleep at night and get my groove on.
13) I am thankful that my life is good. There are rough times but I know that I will always make it through. Considering where I could be...my life is darn good!
A bit about camp:
My uncle passed away about 9 years ago and his brothers (my father and my two uncles) took over his land and cabin in ME.
At that point in time there was no indoor plumbing...but there was an outhouse. Thankfully the women in the family put up enough of a stink that the boys did put in indoor plumbing.
It is a small cabin on an ENORMOUS piece of land that includes a good amount of lake property. There are few neighbors and even they are so far away that we could scream till the cows came home and they would never hear us. The land is so large that last year we got lost while hiking it (there were a few insane moments...I will save that story for another blog).
The lake is small, the fishing is tough but the kids have a blast.
I love that place.
It is too far for us to make the trek up regularly (it is about 6 hours from here but with two kids in the car the drive can easily turn into 8). In fact, in the 9 years since the brothers have owned it I have only been up twice.
Last year we decided to make it a yearly event. It was so much fun and such an inexpensive trip I couldn't see why not.
So, today, by the time you are reading this we should have arrived. We should have left very late last night (or very early this morning), made the trek while the kiddos were still sleeping, and arrived as the sun came up.
I won't be able to respond to comments and visit all my favorite blogs but bear with me....I will be back in full swing sometime next week. I have enough blogs written and scheduled to last through our time away so be sure to come back and visit!!
I can't wait to share all about our exciting adventures!
And, of course, it is Thursday (well, not really, but it IS, right?). Since I am doing this, almost, a week in advance bear with me :)
1) I am thankful that Kirby and I did not kill each other on either the ride to or from the zoo...and nobody was thrown into the Tiger's habitat.
2) I am thankful that we did not lose A at the zoo :)
3) I m thankful that we were able to see Josiah and spend some time with him. (Keep your eyes out for a post all about the zoo later on this week).
4) I am thankful for the rain. Because, honestly, it has rained for about 4 weeks and there is NO POSSIBLE way it can continue for our trip to camp...right?!
5) I am thankful for the white "punchbuggy" that has been sitting in the parking lot across the street for about a month now. Because A gets such a charge out of it every time we walk by (he has a thing for Herbie the Lovebug).
6) I am thankful that Mom took Z for a couple nights over the weekend. A is much better behaved without Z and vice versa.
7) I am thankful for Poland Spring Seltzer water because it makes it much easier to keep up with my water intake!
8) I am thankful that I did not break anything when I took a MAJOR fall down the stairs this week...home alone...at night...SCARY! (I am okay, think I may have chipped my tailbone but it feels MUCH better today than yesterday).
9) I am thankful for some amazing friends....I think I say this every week and I promise you it is NOT enough! They truly are amazing!
10) I am thankful that our Autism Awareness day will be August 23rd and almost over. Don't get me wrong...I have LOVED planning this and honestly LOVE the women that I am planning it with. It has been a lot of hard work and I am ready for it to be over.
11) I am thankful that I have all my blogs pre written and ready to posted during my vacation. I can't wait to come home and see all the comments!
12) I am thankful for good music than can help me drown out the world, sleep at night and get my groove on.
13) I am thankful that my life is good. There are rough times but I know that I will always make it through. Considering where I could be...my life is darn good!
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