Recent Blog Posts: Raising Bakersfield

A Commercial to Make Us All Feel Good

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:57:23 PDT

There's a Dixie paper plate commercial that I love to see. It's a series of moms and their kids, with the point being that your time with your children is too important to waste it doing dishes. Therefore, use Dixie paper plates and have more time playing with your precious angels.

Now, that's a commercial that makes me feel good. Despite the fact that I'm just plumb lazy and don't like to do dishes (have been using paper plates since I left my mommy's house), I can actually convince myself that I don't like to do dishes for my children's greater well fare.

Next, I need a commercial that makes me feel like a supermom when I accidentally fall asleep on the couch during my son's viewing of Go Diego Go.

Single Mom in the Woods

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:47:31 PDT

My girls and I just returned from our first camping trip of the summer. It was a nice way to kick off our first weekend out of school (or at least their's, I still have a final and a paper to write) Anyway, there are two kinds of people in the world. Those that love camping and those that hate it. I am the former.

Some may think I'm crazy, because not only do I camp, I go solo with two kids. I take my girls camping at least once every summer and this year we already have one trip under our belt and one planned for July. Why do I do it? Because I decided a long time ago that we weren't going to miss out on the fun stuff just because their Dad isn't around.

I took my first solo camping trip when my oldest daughter was a year old. I wanted to take her to the trees she was named after, so I drove up, put her in the pack and play, set up our tent, and that was that. Okay, well, to be fair, my friend was working as a ranger up there at the time, so he came and stayed the night with us. I am mostly fearless, but not completely. But two years ago, when my girls were 1 1/2 and 6, I did do it entirely alone. Luckily we ended up in a site next to a large, loud group. This was preferrable to being next to some scary loner sharpening his pocket knife. I figured worse case scenario, we get in the car and leave. But we managed to spend two nights by ourselves, and even cooked over the campfire I built.

I get more savvy as time goes by. I'm not afraid to light the camp stove and lantern any more, so we have expanded our camping menu from hotdogs and marshmallows to things you can't cook over a fire. Ultimately, the point is, if there's something you want to do, do it. Don't let circumstances stand in your way. I have taken more trips alone than I have with a co-pilot, and we have been fine. Of course, I stick to places I know, I carry a cell phone, and I always tell someone where I'm going and when I'll be back, just in case. The way I see it, life is short and I am creating memories for my girls that will last a lifetime. And we are having a lot of fun along the way.

Song Bird #2

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:06:51 PDT

My little girl loves to sing. I've written about this before. However, last night at Costco, we had an amazing treat, a double whammy, a surprising thrill, a memory to last a lifetime.

As we wandered the store, I heard music, a beautiful voice. I looked up, searching for the speakers. I thought, "I don't remember hearing music in Costco before." (And I usually notice music in a store; in fact, I sing the songs in the grocery store - yep, there you have it.)

I kept searching, and then I saw IT. The kiddo saw IT, too, and she beelined ahead of me. The siren's song was coming from the karaoke machine, and a most lovely young woman was demonstrating. So, the kiddo sang her little heart out on the karaoke machine, and passersby would stop, smile and applaud. I'm sure if we would've put a tip jar out, the kiddo would've made a few bucks. We stayed there for a good 20-30 minutes.

Now, if that isn't enough of a treat, her comes the icing on the cake. The demonstrator, the young woman who sang so beautifully, the angel who introduced the kiddo to this magical machine, well guess what her name is - ARIEL!!!!!!!!! The kiddo was stunned, shocked, wonderfied. She wasn't sure what to make of it. And then she said, "I'm Ariel. You're her sister." Guess there can't be two Ariels. :)

So, Costco delivered more than we expected. The entertainment was out of this world.

Parenting in Politics?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:12:15 PDT

I've been watching the politcal wheels of each party start to seriously spin (and do donuts in each other's lawns), and I got to thinking about what my own angle should be in analyzing the options for who SNL is going to make fun of for the next four years.

For me, for the first time ever, I'm asking "what is our country doing for (or to) my children?" I'm done worrying about what the country does for me. "Ask not what your country can do for you..."

But it wasn't immediately obvious to me (at 6am) what my desires of the government for my children should be. I mean there are some obvious ones;

quality and timely healthcare (no real complaints there),

education (don't dumb down the system to bring the lowest kids up one notch and the highest down five),

and media (I'd like the government to take a closer look at what they are allowing our kids to see).

Does anybody else have any parent-driven issues that drive your vote on election day? Or is it parent-driven at all?

Finally a Hobby.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:31:13 PDT

Some of you may recall my recent blog entitled - My Hall Closet is an Evil Reminder. In that writing, I speak of all my unfinished projects that I will certainly never accomplish. Well I would like to say, that contrary to what I wrote about my never used sewing machine, I have created a few.... dare I say Masterpieces? No. I won't say that. Not for a few years probably. But I thought I'd share them anyway. There is the taggy blanket that is made of real tags, because apparenlty my son can tell the difference between tags and just pieces of folded ribbon. You'll see the baby blanket I made for a friend's 4 week old (luckily she's too young to point out the mistakes), a headband that was more difficult than I could have ever imagined... and to top it all off my daughter won't wear it, and then there's the blanket I made this afternoon that is going to a one year old for his birthday in about a week.

If anyone here has sewing experience PLEASE share your wisdom with me!

Summer break at last!

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:03:07 PDT

Today is the first day of summer vacation- I get to spend the next two and some months at home, enjoying Abigail. She was born in August of 07, and I returned to teaching in November. It was difficult to send her to daycare, and despite all the reassurances that it would get easier, it never did. I've been looking forward to this time since I had to go back to work.

Abigail's Nannie (my mother) presented her with her first popsicle yesterday... she managed to get most of it in her mouth, and to completely turn her face, hands, tongue, and shirt purple. I look forward towards more popsicles, swings at the park, and time spent with Abby. The joys of summer.

Kids jokes

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:34:23 PDT

I just read someone elses blog on here who mentioned a couple of the jokes her kids like to tell. It is funny how really awful jokes can be really funny coming from your kids. Especially if they don't make any sense. We've tried to teach Z-rock the knock knock joke that ends 'orange you glad I didn't say bananna?' She loves to tell it, but this is her version:

-Knock knock

-Who's there?

-bananna

-bananna who?

-BANANNA!!

At this point, she starts laughing hysterically. I wonder what other kinds of not-quite right or just plain 'don't make sense' jokes your kids have told.

Told the patient "No more goat cheese until after delivery"

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:59:48 PDT

Well after writing that previous blog, I have a word of warning for mothers to be: Follow the rules on eating raw, undercooked or non-pasteurized foods!!!

I got really, really, really sick last week and could only go to two places: my bed, and the toilet. And no, it's not a good thing that my illness took care of my constipation problem :)

I was convinced I had listeriosis, which you get from the bacteria listeria which can be found in raw, undercooked or non-paseurized foods. Several phone calls to my doctor assured me that my body was dealing with the bacteria correctly and I was not going to get meningitis or miscarry or die. But god, it was awful.

Upon the last call from the doctor's assistant, as she read back my notes from the week, I chuckled at the last line of the doctor's notes: "Told the patient no more goat cheese until after delivery." NO problem!

I went to the doctor this morning for my regular monthly appointment and felt assured everything was OK after hearing a much louder, stronger heartbeat than last month. However, any weight I might have gained before last week I lost again. I'm still three pounds lighter than I was before getting pregnant. I am supposed to be gaining a pound a week here!

My doctor's orders this morning: You need to gain weight.

Rest assured I will start eating more, but no undercooked meats, no non-pasteurized dairy products, and I will scrub my raw veggies raw.

Green light!

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:05:53 PDT

OK, I'm back from my kidless weekend with the wife and two other couples. Raising Bakersfield may now continue! (like you even knew I was gone)

Great weekend. Hangin out at the pool, playin cards, eating, napping, walking, hot tubbing, eating, napping.... and NO WHINING! It was awesome.

Now back to life.

Song Bird

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:46:41 PDT

Tonight at the dinner table the kiddo and I sang our entire conversation. She loves to sing, as most of you know. She just started singing instead of talking, and then I replied in song, and we just kept going. I don't ever want to forget this.

Toilet Fiasco

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:32:37 PDT

The context for this is my 3-year-old son is about 50 percent potty trained. He hasn't had a bowel movement in his diaper for at least six months. All our "accidents" are urine. I use quotes because he knows darn well how to go, but he isn't the least bit bothered by sitting in pee all day and arbitrarily decides sometimes that it's simply not worth the trip. So this morning, when I discovered feces in his diaper, I was REALLY annoyed and made a big production of scolding and fussing after I got him all cleaned up.

ME: Go stand in a corner!

J. Why?

ME: Because you went boo boo in the diaper and you know better.

J. (folding arms) Hmmmf. I'm mad at you.

ME: Fine. You still have to stand in the corner.

J. I'm telling Auntie.

ME: You can tell Auntie and Uncle and Granny and anybody else you want. They'll all be really disappointed in you. And Auntie would make you stand in a corner, too. Uncle might even whup you.

J. (pondering the whupping a moment, then a lightbulb goes off over his head and he points to the clock, which reads 7 a.m.) No call Auntie. Auntie sleep.

Then he dutifully served his sentence in the corner.

A few hours later, he had to go again and this time went to the toilet. I think he must have put half a roll of toilet paper in there along with his personal deposit. The toilet is now stuffed up. It overflowed when he flushed. I poured a bottle of Drano in there and will call a plumber in the morning if it isn't clear by then.

GRRRRRR!!!!!

Shopping with 3 monsters.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:39:46 PDT

If I would have been speaking out loud in Vons today -

"Oh Dear Lord, please give me the strength to manage my children for the next 20 minutes, and still come out of it sane. Please keep Mitchell from crying, Kaitlynn from running into that one lady, again, and Andrew from collapsing the baking potato display...... again. Give me serenity so that I do not scream outrageously, in turn hurting the ears of these poor, unsuspecting kidless grocery shoppers today. Grant me the creativty to give a new answer for the next time I hear, "Mommy can we buy this?". Prevent my fingers from dialing the nearest orphanage the next time Andrew 'hides' from me in the adjacent aisle. And most importantly, bestow upon me the patience to not beat my children for breaking each and every single rule that we discussed in detail repeatedly during the car ride over here. (sigh) Amen. That's it! You're going straight home and taking a nap! No you cannot have those fruit snacks!! No dessert for you guys tonight! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about that sir. Kaitlynn watch where you're going. Move out of the way so she can get through Andrew. Leave those roses alone! Please put the yogurt in the cart gently. Sorry, we still have to get tortillas and cornstarch................ AHHHHHHH!"

slogan

Sat, 31 May 2008 13:48:48 PDT

I like the name of Heather's blog: "I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry." I know we totally all feel like that sometimes. I am wondering how parenthood has changed your life and if you have a slogan to back it up.

Mine would be "I fight for life throughout the highs and lows" stolen from one of my favorite songs.

Come on now, don't be shy.

Little Woodworkers in Training

Fri, 30 May 2008 21:41:38 PDT

We recently discovered a fabulous lil activity with an added bonus of it being FREE! It's called Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics . A couple Saturdays a month Lowe's puts on clinics for kids. They make something different every time and they get a lil patch to put on their aprons too. They are soooo cute! Our kids have really enjoyed the two clinics they've gone too (and Daddy too :) ). I know they also do this sort of thing at The Home Depot but have not personally experienced it.

recording everyday activities...

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:03:29 PDT

Something I have gotten away from since I became a stay-at-home-mom....I used to be a great one to journal the important things in my life. You know, the things that bothered me, important activities, especially when my sweetheart asked me to marry him, and we had so many great things going on with the wedding, our first home, remodeling....then kids.

Well, my grandma (who I was very close to) passed away at the age of 94 in December this past year....one thing that I found while going through the house - and her possessions, was a notebook that she had written about her everyday activities, visitors, meals, EVERYTHING....even the personal conversations, and other business of the day. Kind of funny, actually! But, I have realized that it was neat to see a glimpse into my grandma's life at home - and it has inspired me to begin journaling again, to record the funny, and the monotonous days....maybe one day my grandkids will get a chuckle out of my boring life....like recording the washer repair guy coming to fix the washer, and how many loads of laundry I washed, folded and put away in one day!

Does anyone else have funny stories or suggestions to make it easier to record daily funnies - especially things the kids say?

Signs . . .

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:42:56 PDT

that the kiddo is growing up:

she's making/telling "jokes" - maybe they're not ones you'd find in a joke book, but she's starting to get the gist
she's learning to rhyme - in fact, she tries to rhyme several times a day
she likes to talk to her friends on the phone

Those three things seem to be mile markers. Ugh. Not again. I'm losing my baby.

One School Year Down, Several To Go

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:41:19 PDT

This is not the first blog post of this type. Seems like we tend to cry and reminisce when seasons of our children's lives come to an end. Thus we've had a few end-of-the-school-year posts on Raising Bakersfield. So, this is mine (with a shameless plug for Bakersfield Parent Nursery added).

We had a great year. And I say "we" because the kiddo's preschool is a cooperative preschool, meaning parents are required to participate. Since the kiddo was only three years old, she attended the 2/3 combo class on Tuesday & Thursday mornings. Her teacher, Miss Sam, was a first year teacher (her son attended the other class), but she was as brilliant and prepared as any well seasoned teacher. Did I mention we had a fantastic year at BPN?

The last day of school rolled around faster than I anticipated. In fact, Thursday morning I was frantically getting the camera ready so I could take a last day picture. I'd realized I didn't have one photo of just the kiddo and her teacher. I mean, really! This is her first school teacher EVER! You'd think with my digital photo addiction I'd have taken care of this months ago. Ha. So, when we arrived at school, I coerced the kiddo to pose under the BPN sign, and the tears started to well up. Tough to take decent pics when the faucet is leaking. I did my best, and then we entered the gate, found Miss Sam, and captured a photo before the kiddo covered herself in playground mud (I can't tell you how many days she has been caked in dirt/mud when I picked her up.). After the photo, the kiddo had a very important question she'd been waiting to ask her teacher:

Kiddo: Miss, Sam, do you like green eggs and ham?

Miss Sam: I love green eggs and ham. Do you like green eggs and ham?

Kiddo: Nooooo.

Miss Sam: No? You do not like them? Will you eat them here or there?

Kiddo: Nooo.

Miss Sam: No? Will you eat them anywhere?

Kiddo: Nooo.

Miss Sam: No? Will you eat them with a fox?

Kiddo: Noo.

Miss Sam: Will you eat them in a box?

Kiddo: No! It's a joke! (and she walks away laughing)

So, that's my memory of the kiddo's first preschool teacher that I'll treasure forever. It was so cute. Oh, and I caught it all on video!

Although I'm sure we'll have a fun summer, we're looking forward to returning to BPN next year.

Hives

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:44:06 PDT

"We're not going anywhere, honey. You have hives."

"Mom," the kiddo says laughing, "I don't have hives. That's where bees live."

I laughed with the kiddo, but my worry still manifested in checking her entire body every fifteen minutes or so.

We went through this to a much greater degree about a year ago. She broke out in hives all over her body. They'd appear, and then disappear, and then others would appear in a new area. We couldn't keep up. We rushed her to urgent care, learned that these magical spots were hives, and we treated her with Benadryl (one dose every 6 hours for 24 hours).

Thankfully I caught her outbreak early yesterday. She had a mass of them on her thigh. Today she has the scratch marks from tearing at her itchy skin, but no more hives.

I do wish I knew, though, what her allergy is.

Sweaty Eyes.

Fri, 30 May 2008 09:10:20 PDT

I knew this would happen. It's 9 a.m. and has already started. I dropped off my son at school today for what will be his very last day of Kindergarten forever and ever and ever..... and there went the waterworks. I swear I can't get through any of my children's milestones without shedding at least a few tears. We're just about to leave the house for his class party where I'll have to say goodbye to his teacher, his friends, his classroom, his pencil box, his chair, his homework chart, the hook where he hangs his backpack.... Okay getting a bit carried away, but seriously how do you all make it through days like this? I thought life flew by when you had kids, but it REALLY whizzes by when you've got kids in school. I know I'll be over this by tomorrow... just can't believe this day is actually upon us.

A Sweet Dilemma

Thu, 29 May 2008 18:22:03 PDT

I can't really say how it all started but somehow over the last few years I have developed an absolute fetish to the world of baking. And not just cookies and muffins. I mean out of this world, seven hour long projects, that cost a near fortune to create.

I do remember the tipping of the scale. Hmmm...that sentence brought up a whole different issue about sweets after it came out, but what I was referring to was the pushing-over point with my obsession for creating delectable goodies. It was two years ago this month and I was sitting in my car waiting for a friend to join me at a restaurant for lunch. I had picked up my latest edition of Bon Appetit magazine and it had a cake on the cover that made my heart pitter patter. I became so engrossed in the recipe and the pictures, that before I knew it, my friend was knocking on my car window asking me if I was looking at a dirty magazine from the happy and glazed over expression on my face.

I made that cake and I have been on a mission ever since. The mission is to perfect my baking skills and create my own recipes. This is, of course, all working towards my retirement plan of opening my own bakery. I've set on a course of making one dessert a week. My problem? My hips don't need it. My husband's waist doesn't need it either. We feel compelled to eat the spoils since they're just sitting in the refrigerator. I'm looking for volunteers who would be willing to take half of my creations. This week will be a lattice top sour cherry pie, courtesy of Bon Appetit magazine.

Also, I would love to start baking goodies for special occasions. If you buy the ingredients, I'll give you a WOW dessert. Of course, you have to like it sweet. That's the only way I do it!

Take a gander at four of my creations in the slide show!

Never Believed Anyone

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:51:35 PDT

Before hitting high school, I felt like time went by a second at a time. Now it's like it goes by a year at a time. Going through high school and coming up to senior year was unbelievable. Then senior year itself was hardly memorable it went by so fast. Now I'm out of high school and all the friends that I have that are seniors are already graduating.

It makes it so hard for me to believe that a whole year ago this day, I would be walking across the stage tonight at 7pm. For many, you're probably like, "You're entirely still young." This is true, but if time keeps going by like it does, I won't be for much longer. And sadly, I don't think there is any way to slow it down. Friends and I have talked about it many times, and it's a depressing thought that already a year ago (seems like less then a month) it was our special night, we were in the spotlight, and we were turning to the next chapter of our life, which for many was college.

Now we're practically already in the middle of the chapter? It's like this chapters of our life aren't out of a Nicholas Sparks, or some other writers huge thick books, but out of a child's book. They seem to, now, just keep flipping right on through.

Growing up I always took for such granted when someone would say, "Enjoy life kid, because it's short," or "Have fun while it lasts." You know how kids give those wimpy smiles and then walk away; well I was one, and now I'm the one trying to tell younger friends, "Enjoy everyday all you can, because all this flies, and highschool is gone in no time." But them as well have no idea and don't seem to believe it.

I really didn't think about it much until the talk of the last day of school is here, or I passed my finals came. Of course at the end of the school years you hear it everywhere. Now when I hear it, it literally makes me stop and take a quick glimpse back through my memory of those memories I have through HS and especially graduation.

Anyhow, I definitely know 100% that many, if not all of you can relate. What a great superhero power that would be if you could stop time.

I want to give me congratulations to every kid, student, young adult that made it here in 2008, as well! What a great year it has been, I know for me, but my 2007 class will always be sitting here in the back of my head.

Last Day of School

Thu, 29 May 2008 11:11:37 PDT

Today was Layton's last day of Kindergarten at Castle Elementary. Now it is on to 1st Grade! It's been a great experience watching him develope a social circle on his own, and watching him learn and excel.

Congratulations Layton!

And super thanks to Mrs. Laura Ziemer, who loves all her students like her own children. She provided the perfect experience for my son as he entered school life. We couldn't have been happier!

Are You Honking at Me?

Wed, 28 May 2008 22:18:07 PDT

I have been experimenting with gas conservation...namely, driving slowly. Paying special attention to not accelerating like a bull out of the gate at every stop, has really helped conserve fuel. But, today, I was honked at. I knew it would happen eventually, but under the actual circumstances, I wouldn't have figured it.

I was coming to a red light, the gentleman who honked at me was over eighty, had a handicap placard hanging from the rear view mirror of his boat...er, I mean his Lincoln Towncar circa 1988, and was trying to get around me to make the left hand turn lane which currently had a green light. But, the beauty of it, the sheer comedy of it all, was when he eventually sped up around me to make his green light, he came to a full stop and then made his left turn.

Yeah, that sort of destroyed the idea he was in that much of a hurry.

Just so you know...

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:43:30 PDT

I don't really plan on blogging on here much unless it's something that specifically pertains to raising children in this town we call home.

But I do blog about other various subjects on a fairly regular basis at cheeziemommie.blogspot.com.

Here's Hoping!

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:18:58 PDT

How did I get here? Well, I was irresponsible with my food choices. I'm often lazy during my downtime. I use the excuse of being so busy in the afternoons to help me justify eating out at lunch too often. And I have kids, that don't finish their food, so I feel the need to not 'waste' it.

Losing weight - as wonderful as it feels, it really sucks. I have no one to blame but myself. Long story short - While pregnant with Andrew I gained 23 pounds and automatically lost 14 of those. I eventually lost the last 9 pounds, but then eventually gained them back. Next, I got pregnant with Kaitlynn and again gained 23 pounds. Seeing as that was ages ago (or maybe because I so choose) I have no clue how much I lost. I just know that when I started Weight Watchers for the very first time, (in February) I was down 13 from my starting weight... and I had motivation. I was to be the Matron of Honor in my sister's wedding in July. You can be sure I was absolutely determined to not be the fat bridesmaid. Well I did it! I lost almost 20 pounds and felt great. But then the wedding and reception came and went.. and along with that went my motivation, right out the door. I started back on Weight Watchers that following January, but was finally pregnant with baby #3. I threw caution to the wind with my eating habits during that pregnancy. I figured I would eat whatever my heart desired and still only gain 23 pounds. Not so! This time, I packed on an extra 41 pounds, and I completely regret it. Seven weeks after giving birth, I started Weight Watchers once AGAIN, this time with my husband. He lost 18 pounds, I lost 6. Holidays came and went and we both fell off the wagon. I signed up for Weight Watchers AGAIN in January and did well for a couple of months, but failed once more. So about 3 1/2 weeks ago, I started on my own at home (which I do NOT recommend, meetings are a big part of succeeding) and did perfect for 2 weeks. Heck, I even got up every morning at 6:30 and did a run/walk for 2 miles. Last week was the third week in my weight loss journey, and exercise was nowhere to be found in my schedule. This is week four, food choices are going well, exercise, again, is not.

SO - tomorrow night I go back to my weekly meetings. I am SICK and TIRED and FED UP and ANGRY with being overweight but not sure I can do it without a specific motivation. Yes I want to be healthy for my family, I want to have more energy, I want to live a long fulfilling life, but for some reason it's just not the same as when my sister got married. Can someone invite me to be a bridesmaid?? ;) My goal in January was to lose the weight before Summer but as you can tell that didn't happen. I have about 30 pounds to go before I can be considered 'average' according to those all-too-strict height/weight standards set by FDA/Insurance Companies/the Government, or whoever is in charge of those awful charts.

I plan on posting my weekly progress here, hoping that making my successes and/or failure public will help me along the way!

It's the Final Countdown...

Wed, 28 May 2008 07:15:59 PDT

bonus points if you just sang a few lines of the Europe song from the 80's. Great song.

On Friday, Jill completes the school year. She counts thursday as the last day, because it is the last day her 4th and 5th graders are at school with her. But Friday, after she "checks out" at Fairview Elementary, we are going camping for the weekend with some friends, sans kids, to celebrate the end of the school year... and her birthday, but the end of the school year is more exciting.

Yes, she is teaching summer school, and pre-k at that, which starts next monday, but it is only half days and not nearly as much prep. We'll get the extra family time the kids love. We'll get to do nothing every once in a while. I'll get a little help around the house and with the kids. We can eat dinners earlier. We have our vacation trips to look forward to. Jill and I will get more time together.

and the kids will realize how good they have it with me, and stop singing the chorus "I want mommy" every time they don't get their way with dad... at least for a little while. :-)

But seriously, the school year is a grind. Teachers who do it right work as hard or harder in those ten months than most people do in twelve. And Jill does it right. I'm not one to shy away from bragging on my family, so I'll tell you that Jill's class improved an average of 3 grade levels in their reading ability through the course of the year. ALL of them are now at or above grade level. To me, that should put her on the six o'clock news, but teachers don't get the credit they deserve.

So we will enjoy our summer as a family. Jill will recharge and go back next year to bring another class of kids up to where they should be and beyond. Then we'll see her again in another ten months. It really is a sacrifice, but she is saving lives that have been discarded by teachers and parents before her. So it is a sacrifice our family is proud to make.

She also does private tutoring if anyone is interested (for much cheaper than those comercial tutoring places). She loves it. I think it is extra work, but she loves getting one on one time with kids and showing them what they can do.

Friends Are the Family We Choose for Ourselves

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:22:26 PDT

A close family friend moved away today--across the world to Missourri--and she's not the first friend I've lost to that state. But anyway. She is in her 70's and one of the coolest ladies I know. Eccentric in all the right ways and someone I aspire to be like should I hang around the planet long enough. She collects unusual earrings and has hundreds of pairs...her late husband used to buy them for her...and great hats that she would sport on Sunday mornings at church. She was asking me yesterday how old I was when she met me. She told me she'd been in Bakersfield 29 years, but hadn't met our family until the second year she was here, so 28 years ago. That made me 10. I remember her being at all the important events in my family's lives. My siblings adoption parties, our weddings, my parent's 40th anniversary party. She was more like family than a friend. But like so many people we love, we think they will be around forever. I even lived around the corner from her for a couple years and always thought, "I should stop by" but never did. More often than not I ran into her in the grocery store, or at Taco Bell. But she crossed my mind more than my path and she has left an eternal imprint on my heart. She will be missed--but she is closer to her daughter and grandson now and that's a good thing.

It may kill me, but . . .

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:14:51 PDT

I have decided that I have absolutely got to cut down on caffeine. By cut down, I mean eliminate Diet Coke!!! I am terrible. I don't even want to say how many cans of it I drink a day - I'm not really sure, but the estimate would be terrible. So, on Saturday, I told my husband that the next day I was going to do it and that it was going to have to be cold turkey, and he had to help me, or I would break down. So, Saturday night, I drank my last can of Diet Coke, at least for a while. It is now the end of Tuesday, and I have not had any. I have had some caffeine in the form of Excedrin to help with the headaches and in the form of chocolate, which I am NOT giving up! I don't eat as much chocolate, though!!! I have wanted to give it up for a long time, but have not been willing to do it. I am excited that I may actually accomplish this goal!!! I do realize that we are only three days in, but I think it will happen!

Lessons from Mom

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:49:02 PDT

I had the chance to visit with my mom this weekend as she and I met up in Tehachapi at my uncle's cabin. Now that I'm pregnant, I had lots of questions:

How much did I weigh when I was born? 7 pounds, something (I don't remember! I'll have to ask her again.)

How much did you gain when you were pregnant with me? 50 pounds (yikes!) and lost it all right away

What was it like to give birth to me? I was a week late. To help get me out, my dad took my mom offroading. Apparently that didn't work either. My mom's water never broke. Maybe I was waiting for my mom's birthday so we could share the special day together. Sure enough, I was born the evening of my mom's 21st birthday. She opted for a natural birth; no epidural. She said it was more fun than painful and when I popped out, my mom said "That was fun! Let's do it again!" She likened the experience to a roller coaster ride.

During the course of the weekend, my mom was surprised by all the things I was abstaining from. No coffee? No caffeine? My mom said she drank Pepsi during her pregnancy. I told her the obvious ones: no nicotine, no alcohol. But then there were these: no raw eggs (no caeser dressing), no raw fish or undercooked meats (although I cheated and ate seared ahi and medium-rare steak from the barbecue), no non-pasteurized cheeses (although I ate some goat cheese and didn't ask whether it had been pasteurized or not. It was sooooo good). No yogurt or bubbly drinks (my gas is bad enough!). No bananas (I need fruits that makes things move, not the opposite).

My mom said she didn't remember any of those rules when she had us kids. She just went about her usual lifestyle. I haven't minded giving up too much, in fact I am so happy I was finally able to quit smoking after 10 years!

I hope my birth experience was as much fun as my mother's :)

For a McDonald's Toy?

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:48:27 PDT

Super cool and amazing tiny pieces of plastic junk are now available in every McDonald's Happy Meal! My son added the first couple of adjectives and I bet you can guess who added the last. I have to hand it to McDonald's in the cars they hand out in their happy meals each summer; they do make the little boys go wild. Thus, my son does all within his power to be a perfect little angel so I deem it worthwhile to drive over to McDonald's and buy him a happy meal.

It took a full minute for my son to jam the torpedo shooter, which catapults from the grill, in the wrong way and render it useless. But, I would not take defeat so easily. I had driven all the way to McDonald's to get that toy, spent over three bucks for ancillary food to get that toy, and listened to the baby scream through all of it to get that toy. It wasn't going to break on me now.

I rumaged through all my husband's tools to find something to wedge the torpedo out, while my son followed me around the house asking if I could open up his apple dippers for him. "Forget the food! I'm trying to fix the toy." I said in frustration. Did that actually come out of my mouth? I put the toy down, helped him with his apple dippers, took a deep breath, found a flat head screwdriver and slid the torpedo out.

Then my son jammed the torpedo in the wrong way again. Where did it all go wrong?

When you just can't let it roll off your back.

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:40:15 PDT

As a traveling notary, signing agent I get calls to do notary assignments and have about 4 hours to plan for the appointment. Such being the case Friday afternoon, I had a call to do a signing in Posey that evening. Called my parents to see if they would take the boys for me if Brian wasn't home earlier enough to stay with them, called to borrower to set the time and get directions. Borrower said they expected to be at their cabin by 5 and would call me when they got there so I could head over, instead of me sitting infront of their cabin waiting. By 6:30 no one had called so I called the signing company that contacted me and left a message that the borrowers had not called, no one was answering the phone at the cabin, etc. Even called the loan company and left a message there with the same information. The borrowers called around 8pm, too late for me to drive over there and do the signing (each signing takes approximately 2 hours, plus drive time). I got a call from the signing company Saturday morning, (they didn't ge the message I left Friday night), told them what had happened, they called the loan company, etc, etc. Heard nothing from anyone over the weekend, then this morning while I was at school with Cole the signing company called me twice and emailed once wanting to know what happened, the loan company was pissed that the signing didn't take place. The borrowers are now back in Bakersfield so they found another notary there to take care of it. But what pisses me off is that the signing company and the loan company think I'm a complete idiot for not doing the signing over the weekend. Majority of these documents are date sensitive, and that's why I didn't "just do" the signing on Saturday. These documents turned out to not be date sensitive, so I could have done the signing, if someone would have just phoned and told me that. So now I'm out the $75 for the signing, plus all the paper and ink I used to print the documents. I asked the signing company for a partial payment for my time, they told me they had to check with the manager and find out the procedure for these things. B.S. - at least $40 is acceptable for my time to just print the documents and read everything to make sure it's all there. When these things happen it makes me wonder why I bother doing loan signings, I'm not going to get rich from them, and they are few and far between up here, but if I'm ever back in town then it would be more beneficial and I could still service the mountain communities.

But on a funny note, the borrowers had friends up to their cabin for the weekend and these friends got lost - so they stopped at my parents house for directions and to use the phone - coincidence you think?

Thanks for letting me blow some steam, one of these days I'll figure out how to let stuff like this just roll off my back and move on to the next thing (I hope)!!

Kern Canyon

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:38:23 PDT

Wow. I had no idea. In the past, we have asked around about cool places to visit that are nearby. Kern Canyon had come up a couple times, but for whatever reason I hadn't given it much thought.

On Saturday, we packed up lunch, and headed out on 178. I was pleasantly surprised at how close and how beautiful it is out there! On top of that, we actually really love that kind of weather too, rain clouds and temps in the 70s. I love going to the coast, but even that almost seems to costly a trip now with gas over four bucks, so its nice to know there is another beautiful getaway so close by.

Bakersfield is growing on me. The city has a bad rap, which I heard repeatedly from people before moving here, but I think its got such a great location to be in so many different types of places within 2 hours or less.

Anyways, all that is to say I think I've found my new 'getaway' place.

My Son is a Teacher

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:03:38 PDT

My 3-year-old teaches me new things everyday. Like how to hang small toys from his small toddler basketball net (they have to be a certain way according to him). But I'll focus today on some of the things he has taught my 16-month-old daughter.

One of her first words was "BobBuilder," made possible because it is one of the boy's favorite shows. Another favorite: Thomas the Tank Engine, which my daughter fondly calls "Percy" (the green engine). She has definitely been exposed to a wider and more interesting variety of kid shows than if she were the first child, or if she had an older sister.

While she loves babies and baby dolls, she is very interested in his toys--his tools and cars seem to be her favorites recently. But I haven't figured out if her attraction to them is based on his desire to keep them out of her hands or not.

Another thing he has taught her is that it is great fun to run down the hallway squealing. They love to take turns doing this, while I unsuccessfully try to convince them that it is more fun to sit quietly while I read them a story.

He has taught her it is fun to play in the dirt and splash in the bathtub, and that under her bed makes a perfect fort to play in. Despite their disagreements over whose turn it is to play with select toys, the girl is an eager student, and her big brother is all too willing to teach her.

Grandparents

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:24:10 PDT

During my toddler/preschool/early elementary years, I had living great grandparents. I have few memories of them, but the memories I do have are precious. My great grandmother always had to give me money when I visited. For some reason, she was compelled to stick her hand in the cookie jar (yeah, that's where she kept her spending money) and get "a little sumpin'" for me. On one of our last visits together, she had nothing in the cookie jar to give, and my little child heart broke for her as I saw how disappointed she was in having nothing to offer. My great grandfather was a goof, at least in my eyes. He consistently attempted to have a conversation in French with me (note: I did have to take French when I was little, but I was not near fluent; I only knew a few words and phrases). And know what else my classy great grandfather expected of me? He expected me to know how to write with my toes. Yep. We practiced and practiced. I am forever indebted to him for that.

The kiddo is also blessed to know some of her great grandparents. This last weekend, we headed up north to visit her great grandfather, fondly known as Papa. The kiddo loves when Papa makes paper airplanes. But my favorite moment this weekend was when she slowed down and snuggled with her Papa. I know that snuggle spot well, and I'm so glad she gets to enjoy it, too.

our dad-band is looking for a bass player

Mon, 26 May 2008 20:47:47 PDT

bakersfield's only kindie-rock band, mr.oscat, is currently searching high and low (kinda) for a bass player (wouldn't a stand-up bass player be most satisfactory?) . we have songs, gigs, gear, and a flexible attitude. you can check out our music @ www.mroscat.com. if you're interested,(or know someone who may be) email us at otaylor@mroscat.com - thanks- mr.oscat

It's Over!

Sun, 25 May 2008 23:02:03 PDT

Not that I didn't enjoy every second of it, but as much as I loved seeing my son playing "real" baseball this year, I for one am so glad it is over!! We have done NOR T-ball 2 years in a row. It's a nice, affordable, comfortable program - One saturday a week for about an hour, for 5 weeks and it includes a shirt and hat. However, seeing as we've noticed some talent in our son's left handed pitch and his batting skills, we decided to try something a bit more challenging this year. So we signed him up for the Southwest Baseball League. And although it was worth it, it was a lot more work for us parents than I ever imagined it would be!

The schedule was one weeknight practice, one weeknight game and one Saturday game each week, which occasionally could wind up as Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all in a row. Each meeting during the week was always scheduled during dinnertime, which is understandable, nonetheless, still a HUGE pain in the neck. It meant macaroni and cheese really quick at 4:30 in the afternoon, Granola Bars or Raisins in the car and ALWAYS eating out afterwards because we'd usually finish slightly after 7 p.m. in the evening. We needed cleats, a bat, a ball, red striped socks, a red belt and gray baseball pants - on top of the registration fee. But I promise you .. it was worth every penny!

It was a great joy to see him progress throughout the 18 games. We loved watching him get "a big hit for us". Or cheer out their appreciation for the opposing team after the game. Of course Andrew's highlight of each game was the snack that followed..... I was just happy to be going home to rest so I could quit chasing the other children in a dirt lot filled with gopher holes. The biggest advantage was that I washed his laundry twice a week. Unfortunately it very often happened at the last minute so he'd wear wet socks or a t-shirt with a wet collar to his game. It would keep him cooler, I'd assured him. And recently I've heard there are real-life-crazy-people that actually play summer ball..... in BAKERSFIELD! eek!

Anyway, I'm just glad we'll be spending our summer in a swimming pool and our AC'd house. It seems insane to even imagine doing all this again next Spring, but you can be assured that you will be able to catch us on a weeknight again with our baby's stroller loaded up with snacks, water bottles, baseball gear and a few folding chairs.

AYSO sign ups are going on now for the Fall.. wondering what their schedule is like? Experienced parents post here!

Start 'em Young

Sun, 25 May 2008 07:20:37 PDT

Some of you may remember that I previously blogged about going down to Mexico over Easter Break and helping to build houses.

Yesterday, I took my 5 year old for the day and it was an experience he can't wait to repeat. I was so proud of him as he got right in there and worked along side the rest of us. I didn't care that he was done after about half an hour. He spent the rest of the day playing with Mexican kids. He took some of his own hand-picked toys to give away. And at the end of the day, he gave away candy and toys to several families.

He got it. He understood that some people are miles less fortunate than us, and he can't wait to go back again. And I look forward to taking him back.

Now I know there are comments that will be unspoken, like "Oh my gosh, you took your little boy to Mexico? That is so dangerous!"

It's more dangerous outside my front door. I was so comfortable in the location we worked in yesterday, that there was a time someone asked where Layton was, and I said "I don't know, he's around here somewhere," and went back to work.

It was a great experience, and Layton is well on his way to understanding the WHOLE world around him, and for that I am proud.

We'll be doing these one day trips a few times a year, spending the night at a church on a Friday night, working in Mexico Saturday and driving home to Bakersfield Saturday night. I'll post the next time we do and we'd love to have you come! It's a great day to spend as a family.

A penny for my thoughts..

Sat, 24 May 2008 21:35:58 PDT

Just jotting down some quick thoughts here.

Why is it that babies must grow up so quickly? I try my hardest to really enjoy every moment with them, to stop the clock for just a minute so that I can permanately embed that memory into my head.... but those moments pass all too quickly.

My just-about-9-month-old is baffling me on how quick he's progressed in the last month. Crawling, 5 teeth, pulling himself to a standing position, sleeping through the night (I won't complain about that one) .... all in less than 30 days. My husband and I just look at him and wonder, 'What happened, How did we get to this point, When did you get so big?'

I thought I learned my lesson the first time. With the oldest, I was in such a hurry for him to crawl, then walk, feed himself, talk, start school and such because it was all so cute and a lot of fun. So I promised myself with our daughter that I wouldn't be that way, especially because my husband told me she'd be our last. But then life happened, we moved to Bakersfield and I got involved in playgroups and all the wonderful events that this town has to offer for parents and children. So we were go, go, going all the time and now I mourn her infancy because most of the time I can't even remember what she was like as a baby.

So the third and FINAL baby would be different. I wouldn't rush him to do ANYTHING. (except for maybe sleep better) But you know what? It didn't matter. It still happened and I just wish I could stop the clock on our lives every now and then and truly, TRULY savor each minute with my kids so that I'll never forget how adorable, huggable, enjoyable and lovable they were as babies and toddlers.

The Gender Card

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:52:13 PDT

I thought with the addition of the third male in the house, and me being the only female, our second bathroom needed an overhaul to make it less feminine. So, I wholeheartedly meant it when I asked the whole family to go with me to the store and help pick out colors and patterns. But then, I saw it. The shower curtain of my dreams.

I couldn't contain myself. I had to make it mine. My husband tried to steer me towards shower curtains that were striped and not too different in style from most of the shirts he wears. I poo poo'd them all. I just had to have that shower curtain; almost as if my self-identity was interwoven in its majestic silky threads and Bohemic style embroidery.

My husband reminded me the reason we were redecorating in the first place was to find something less frilly, not more frilly, since the boys will be primarily using the bathroom. "But our guests use that bathroom too!" I cried out with my fingers crinkling the silk curtain in a panic. "I don't want our guests to think my tastes are defined by anything other than this shower curtain."

"What about the boys?" He asked.

"One is too young to care and the other one just picked out a plastic curtain with dancing monkeys on it!" I replied.

"What about what I want?" He asked.

And though I was desperately trying to not throw out the gender card, I did. "Between all the burping and farting and wrestling and dirty clothes thrown all over the house, I feel so outnumbered! Please let me have this."

He finally succumbed. Later, when I was putting up my shower curtain, my eldest was patiently watching me, cheering on my good tastes. When I thanked him for his support, he simply responded, "Yeah, because I know I want dinner."

I was touched. They get it when they're young and somehow...it just disappears.

Tennis Anyone?

Fri, 23 May 2008 12:11:09 PDT

My six year old wants to learn tennis. Does anyone have any experiences with local tennis lessons or camps?

Success!

Fri, 23 May 2008 08:39:27 PDT

Yesterday I completed my four-day visit to Fairview Elementary school as an author, sharing my stories and even teaching a bit of writing method. I had a blast! I don't know why I get so worked up about these things. I have a constant need to impress people, and with that, a constant fear that I won't. If I can get over that, I can actually enjoy the experience. This week I did.

I only sold about 15 books to kids. In my previous school visits this year I sold 155 and 85. Hopefully not sounding too judgemental, I didn't expect much in sales at this school. It's not a neighborhood dripping with money.

But what I got in return was worth more. I got more hugs, more smiles, more questions than I have ever gotten. I hope that I gave as much inspiration as I received.

Kudos to Principal Mike Barella, who's really got a good thing going on. His teachers and staff are awesome, and the KIDS were amazing. They were respectful and well behaved, and they asked questions well beyond what I expected.

Signs we go certain places too much

Fri, 23 May 2008 08:21:34 PDT

Very early on, The Pumpkin could recognize the logos for stores like Target, Costco and Trader Joe's--and ask to to there, unprompted. (Oh, and distinguish between bookstores by the Borders and Barnes & Noble logos.)

Just now, as we're getting ready to drive to preschool and she's pushing her stuffed hippo around in a stroller through the house, I heard her say this:

"I'm taking my hippo for a walk."

"We're going to Starbucks."

Steven Curtis Chapman

Thu, 22 May 2008 21:22:26 PDT

Some of you may have heard the news this morning like I did, or maybe you haven't, about the tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, five year old Maria, adopted from China. Click here to read it if you haven't. The summary is that one of the family's teenage sons hit her in the family driveway with his SUV. It was entirely unintentional, but I doubt there is much comfort in that.

I wish wish wish that I could use the phrase, "I can't imagine."

But it wouldn't be true.

I CAN imagine, and I did, against my will. My heart and mind were forcefully taken hostage by an imagination that pictured the event in my own driveway.

My heart is ripped.

As outside observers, we have the welcomed opportunity to put the thought of what happened to that family out of our minds and continue on with our lives. But before I do that, I just want to pray for the Chapman family. Happiness will be a difficult treasure for them to find in the immediate and distant future. The pain that son will be forced to endure will be unbearable.

I pray that God will help him with that burden.

I pray that Maria's passing will in some way shine a light for others.

I pray that through this, the Chapman's faith will lead them in the path of hope.

I pray that God will wrap his arms around them and bring a peace in a time when peace seems unattainable.

I pray that the memory of Maria's smile will be the well of joy in their desert of despair.

I pray that when Steven raises his head from this sorrow, he will be an even stronger messenger than before.

I pray for everyone who has suffered and lost, that they wll know that God is God. After the good, He is God. After the bad, He is God. After the painful and after the tragic, He is God. There are reasons we don't know; reasons we couldn't understand if we did.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

-Jeremiah 29:11-13

Just one of those days.....

Thu, 22 May 2008 15:50:48 PDT

I finally decided that today was the day that the house had to get cleaned. I was going to start upstairs in the boys bedrooms, then come downstairs and send the boys upstairs (safety gates are a blessing in a 2 story house). I cleaned the toy room, knocked down spider webs, sorted some things for donation, took down my quilt hanging on the wall to wash it. And then, half way through vacuuming the boys bedroom my gosh darned vacuum cleaner quit. It just stopped running. I checked the plug, made sure I hadn't tripped a breaker or anything like that. Then decided that I had burnt the motor on the thing. So I called my mom, laughing b/c just last week she bought a new very expensive vacuum cleaner and I had been thinking of teasing my hubby about buying one for me (we only have carpet in the boys bedrooms & rugs downstairs - there isn't alot of vacuuming in our house). So my mom very happily & graciously (are those words to use when vacuuming your house?) brings her new expensive vacuum up to my house, I thought I was getting the old yucky one to borrow for awhile. So I called hubby and told him what had happened, after a few under-his-breath 4 letter words he laughed at it too, but told me I couldn't buy a new vacuum cleaner yet (he didn't want me buying this vacuum cleaner 5 years ago when we moved into this house, he thought our old one was still good - but he isn't the one that vacuums, I AM!) So it's the end of the day, or almost anyway, I have a Tupperware party at 4pm so my day is done basically, and I called hubby to get tortillas for dinner b/c the boys ate the last three for a snack after their naps, and he asked me if he could get tortillas at the vacuum cleaner store. He thought he was going to have to buy me a new one today, after telling me I couldn't buy a new one - what's the reasoning behind that, dear daddy's who read these blogs? The house is cleaned for another week, and I'll resort to using my little dirt devil hand vacuum for any spot cleaning until I find something new. Bye bye for now, time to shop in the Tupperware catalog, I wonder if they have vacuum cleaners?!!!

WARNING: Don't put sunscreen in your eyes (like duh!)

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:11:49 PDT

Some of you have already this. I posted it on my other blog at Mom eNetwork

.......Yesterday we were going for a swim. I sunscreen all over my daughter. Literally, head to toe. She managed to get some in her eyes. She started to have a reaction to it. Swelling in the eyes, bright red, runny nose. We gave her a bath and washed everything really well. The reaction lasted for some time. I gave her Tylenol and watched her. This was a scary event. It wasn't the first time she used this sunscreen. It was the first time it got in her eyes. I was thinking about taking her to urgent care to get her eyes rinsed. So now I'm wondering what do you moms put on your children's face for sunscreen. As I don't want to revisit that event. ...

Just wanted to share my experience.

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I have since used the same lotion on her legs and arms. So I'm confident she's not allergic to the formulation. Just the fact that it got into her eyes. After several great responses, I now will use the stick sunscreen on the face. :) Or not put anything on her face.

Technology Crippled. Awaiting a Speedy Recovery.

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:07:09 PDT

Though we have a swimming pool I don't always want to go through all the steps necessary to go for a dip. Thus, I purchased a kiddie pool. You know the kind you add water and It's 2 feet high. I never thought in a thousand years I would purchase one. It's perfect because I can keep it under the patio. Which means I don't have to hassle with sunscreen. (My sunscreen drama post to follow...) So, last week when it was like 100 degrees closer to He_ _ (double hockey stick) I set the pool up. I thought, I can site right next to her and work with my laptop. There I was working away. She was so cute. Playing with all her toys. Then....... SPLASH. Yeah, that's right, she learned how to effectively splash about a pint of water onto my laptop. Laptop became toast with the water and heat. I have now become technology crippled. I've been out of service for a week. Lonely without my web presence! It has taken some adjustment. My computer is at the doctor. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.

$5,000 in Rebates Available on XL7

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:32:47 PDT

Golden Empire Suzuki is offering $2,500 Customer Cash, $1,000 Loyalty or Competitive Owner Incentive (see dealer for details), $500 Military Rebate and $1,000 College Grad Rebate on the XL7. Visit Golden Empire Suzuki for more info.

Golden Empire Suzuki

Too Much of a Good Thing...

Wed, 21 May 2008 23:56:47 PDT

Sometimes I worry about what my girls have. And I mean what they have, not what they don't have. Even with a single, mostly-unemployed Mom, scraping by on child support and little else, they have an excess. Between their respective Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even me, they are spoiled.

I recently went through the toys in their room. Toys they don't even see because there are too many. And we will be making a trip soon to donate some to charity, just so they can glimpse what it's like for kids who are less fortunate. But then I realized that underneath their little consumer exteriors, always want want wanting, are these sweet, generous little spirits...in spite of me and their excessive surroundings.

The other day we were at one of our favorite hang out spots downtown and one of our homeless friends walked by and said hello. We chatted for a couple minutes but as he was walking off, my eldest ran to catch him and handed him a dollar. Her dollar. Without any prompting from anyone. She gets it, I thought. Her heart of gold gleaming in my mind's eye. Despite all my lecturing, that seems to go in one ear and out the other, she understands what it means to have and have not. She knows, as if innately, how to be generous. Or somewhere along the way she learned it. And I won't be so presumptuous as to say it was from me. Although I hope I am generous too, it was yet another moment of learning from my children. And remembering that perhaps the most important lesson is to remain teachable.

Is it Wrong?

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:29:42 PDT

Is it wrong that when I was waiting at a red light on the corner of Coffee and Hageman today, watching a Shell Gas employee change the regular unleaded price from $3.99 to $4.09, I wanted to slew 'your momma' comments at him at minimum, and throw him down to the ground and jump on him at max?

Of course, I didn't. I know it's not his fault. But man...he was brave doing that in broad daylight during the lunch rush. I guess that explains why he was persistently looking over his shoulder with a mild look of fear and panic.

Overwhelmed!

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:22:01 PDT

Not that anyone wants to hear my woes, but I have been completely out of pocket and am blogging right now to try to forget how overwhelming things are right at the moment. So, just a quick update on my life. On Saturday night my husband hurt his back, and on Sunday morning at 5:00 a.m., when he tried to get up so we could go to church, he absolutely could not stand. He is a pastor and was supposed to be teaching at church by 10:00, and it just wasn't going to happen. Thanks to a wonderful man from a partner church who came and filled in!!! I was terrified for a few minutes that we were either going to have to cancel or I was going to have to speak. I'm not completely unwilling to speak in front of people, but definitely not excited about it at the last minute. Also on Sunday morning, Sarah, my three year old, woke up with a fever, which she still has today, and of course, it is only a virus, so there is no way to treat it. On top of all of that, I work from home, which I am thankful for, and often I have very little work, but right now I am swamped. I have about 15 cases that need to be prepared for adoption finalization by the end of June, which takes a lot of time.So, I ask myself, what do I need to learn in the midst of all of this? There is always a lesson. For one thing, I am sure God is trying to teach me a greater amount of compassion for people who are sick. My husband can attest that I am not "Miss Mercy" when it comes to sickness among my family. I don't know why. I have empathy for all sorts of other people and other situations. But this week, I am having to be a servant to everyone around me. Brent is such a great hands-on dad and husband. He will wash the dishes or cook dinner and will bathe and dress kids, as well as help with homework, and I am so blessed, but right now, he can barely walk and bending over is not an option, so I am on my own, taking care of a sick little girl and an injured husband, as well as the three healthy and very active boys that are in my house. But what a great opportunity for me to serve others. Once a month our church likes to go out into the community and serve, and I love doing that, but for some reason, it is harder to serve my family - it doesn't feel quite as rewarding, which is silly! God has given them to me and they should be first on my mission field, so one thing I think I am to learn in all of this is to serve them better! Who knows what other lessons are out there for me during this?!! It's kind of exciting to think of what they might be! However, I hope Sarah gets well and Brent's back loosens up, um, yesterday!!!!Back to work and family I go - oh, and dinner . . .