Since the last post, we've come up with some names for Sam's hair. A good friend of mine called it the FauxHawk. Russ has named it the MoSparrow. I love them both!
My boys have given me several reasons to smile this week. Let me share.
After we prayed for our breakfast yesterday, Sam said God already blessed his food because it looked pretty good. Sure thing, he had been blessed with having Lucky Charms instead of our usual sugarfree cereal!
Dellen has been most encouraging of me the last few days. During morning Pilates, he stands around very impressed with my feeble efforts and says how great I am doing over and over. I can so handle that type of motivation, especially since it has been hard to get into any routine on the workout front!
He is also enjoying "playing" with my hair lately. He'll brush a little and put a clip in and say, "Mom, you look beautiful!"
What fun and sweet moments to experience!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mohawks
All the guys in our household had haircuts today, and we were presented with a parenting dilemma. Sam has beautiful thick with slightly wavy hair, which he absolutely dislikes because "only girls have curls". As a result, he has preferred for his hair to be in a buzz cut for over a year now. His hair has been growing out lately, and he has been having me spike it in the mornings. Sometimes, he wants a mohawk. (I thought I was exempt from morning hair styling with boys, but apparently not!) So this morning, as we are eating breakfast and telling him he has a haircut after school, he announces he wants a mohawk!
Russ and I talked quite a bit about this parenting step throughout the day. My mom was rather particular with our hair growing up, and I have always wanted to allow my children more freedom in their expression of self. Crazy hair - so be it! On the other hand, I also feel like controlling the situation due to Russ' employment in the church. I can just hear it now, "...that rebellious mohawk wearing six year old always running around." Thing is, I thought I wouldn't deal with any of this issue for at least six more years!
We decided to come up with what an acceptable mohawk would look like to us; one hopefully we could flatten or wet down for more formal occasions, and one that showed no bald head and didn't run all the way down the back. But most importantly, we wanted to give Sam some choices and hear his voice in the matter. Because bottom line, isn't that what his request is all about in the first place.
Beth, our hairdresser was wonderful; very creative and most open in walking us through this step. The picture shows what she did, and Sam was absolutely thrilled. We think a mohawk to him is simply some hair sticking up on the top, not the radical punk style we all tend to think of. Thank goodness. However, we will be preparing ourselves for all the steps of expression on our children's roads to independence, and if we have some expressive purple hair in the process, so be it.
Russ and I talked quite a bit about this parenting step throughout the day. My mom was rather particular with our hair growing up, and I have always wanted to allow my children more freedom in their expression of self. Crazy hair - so be it! On the other hand, I also feel like controlling the situation due to Russ' employment in the church. I can just hear it now, "...that rebellious mohawk wearing six year old always running around." Thing is, I thought I wouldn't deal with any of this issue for at least six more years!
We decided to come up with what an acceptable mohawk would look like to us; one hopefully we could flatten or wet down for more formal occasions, and one that showed no bald head and didn't run all the way down the back. But most importantly, we wanted to give Sam some choices and hear his voice in the matter. Because bottom line, isn't that what his request is all about in the first place.
Beth, our hairdresser was wonderful; very creative and most open in walking us through this step. The picture shows what she did, and Sam was absolutely thrilled. We think a mohawk to him is simply some hair sticking up on the top, not the radical punk style we all tend to think of. Thank goodness. However, we will be preparing ourselves for all the steps of expression on our children's roads to independence, and if we have some expressive purple hair in the process, so be it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Day to Myself!
I had the house completely to myself on Friday! I was in heaven! Being the introvert I am, I love any opportunity to be at home. And to have six hours to do so was awesome!
The occasion was that Dellen and Daddy got to go to the circus with the nursing home residents. Mema is the Activities Director and Papa the Chaplain. Russ gets to volunteer for special events, and this year Dellen was invited to go too! Lil knows I like to be home, and God bless her for creating this day for me! Sam attended school and handled that well, as long as, he got to see pictures. (It's a bit difficult to accept that their lives will each be filled with different events and opportunities, but we will be encouragers in that.)
The occasion was that Dellen and Daddy got to go to the circus with the nursing home residents. Mema is the Activities Director and Papa the Chaplain. Russ gets to volunteer for special events, and this year Dellen was invited to go too! Lil knows I like to be home, and God bless her for creating this day for me! Sam attended school and handled that well, as long as, he got to see pictures. (It's a bit difficult to accept that their lives will each be filled with different events and opportunities, but we will be encouragers in that.)
So, what does a such a day look like to me? The possibilities are endless really and I tried not to have too high of expectations. It starts with a list with items like: hot bubble bath, enjoying flavored coffee in new birthday mugs (I might mention they are the very mugs mentioned in a post from January 29th that had a list that fit what I thought an enjoyable life would be and were a gift from Lori), bill paying, devotional time, internet shopping for an earring tree, some journaling and writing, watching Pride and Prejudice, and on and on.
The time went far too quickly. I didn't accomplish everything on my list, but enough to feel full and relaxed. It was a most enriching day though, and a wonderful way to spend my first full day being 35! For some odd reason, I think 35 sounds like a very fun age to be and expect wonderful things for the year ahead.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Lettuce, Tomatoes and Dinosaurs!
Sam came home a week and a half ago as a T-Rex carrying his paper-mache egg he had made in school! He couldn't wait to break it open and hatch out his baby dinosaur. We did manage to show Gramps and Grams and Papa and Mema the artwork before the hatch! I'm glad it was his idea to get rid of the egg; it really took care of the "where do we keep all these school projects dilemna?" By the way, this is one dinosaur that DOES NOT eat lettuce and tomatoes!
Sam loves to draw. He is gifted (his mom's personal opinion, of course!) and is able to free hand many different things. His favorites are Star Wars characters and dinosaurs! All of his spelling tests come home with drawings on the backside. Recently, he has taken to adding the blood and gore of the battles.
Now here, are the lettuce and tomato eating dinosaurs! Karson comes over on Tuesday mornings, and I am usually in the middle of fixing lunch before his mommy comes for him. On this particular day, we were going to have tacos and I had put the lettuce and tomatoes on the table already. Before I knew it, Dellen and Karson had swooped in! With forks in hand, one started devouring the tomatoes and the other the lettuce! Are they so healthy, or are they starved?!
Sam loves to draw. He is gifted (his mom's personal opinion, of course!) and is able to free hand many different things. His favorites are Star Wars characters and dinosaurs! All of his spelling tests come home with drawings on the backside. Recently, he has taken to adding the blood and gore of the battles.
Now here, are the lettuce and tomato eating dinosaurs! Karson comes over on Tuesday mornings, and I am usually in the middle of fixing lunch before his mommy comes for him. On this particular day, we were going to have tacos and I had put the lettuce and tomatoes on the table already. Before I knew it, Dellen and Karson had swooped in! With forks in hand, one started devouring the tomatoes and the other the lettuce! Are they so healthy, or are they starved?!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Sam brought sugar cookies to his Valentine's Day party on Friday. He was such a help decorating them and was really excited to bring them. Dellen and I came for the class party; 18 pre-k and kindergartners on a sugar high is something else! Fun times. I've decided that these holidays become quite busy with school aged children! Made a note to self to sign up for snacks at a different holiday party in the future so we aren't also working on and bringing Valentine's too.
On Saturday, we celebrated as a family by cooking an extravagant meal of steamed king crab legs, bacon-wrapped filet minion, steamed asparagus, baked potato and strawberries. It was delicious! However, the extra work it took to do ourselves might not balance out with just paying the extra money in the restaurant for it!
Sam and Dellen both loved the crab legs too! And good for them, they didn't need all the succulent butter to dip it into!
On Saturday, we celebrated as a family by cooking an extravagant meal of steamed king crab legs, bacon-wrapped filet minion, steamed asparagus, baked potato and strawberries. It was delicious! However, the extra work it took to do ourselves might not balance out with just paying the extra money in the restaurant for it!Sam and Dellen both loved the crab legs too! And good for them, they didn't need all the succulent butter to dip it into!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Taking Heart in the LORD
As of late, I've been on a continual roller coaster ride with my emotions and moods; fear and envy the propellers.
Living in this age of instant everything doesn't help me really. With Facebook, I can see the achievements of others and then slump feeling like mine don't compare. I've been doing a lot of soul searching and assessing my life lately. It is most beneficial. I've written a lot of these thoughts out as that is a wonderful way for me to express myself and process what I am thinking. Maybe, just maybe, I will share some of that process at another time. But, today's blog is going in a different direction.
Earlier this afternoon, I was responding to some survey e-mails from my family, and answering random questions. One question asked what am I afraid of. I responded, "rejection and mean words". I was truthful but didn't think too much of it. I finished and went off to actually have some quiet time with my LORD. And He moved me. Let me share how.
Matthew 27 starting at verse 28 in regards to the crucifixion story. Excerpt taken from the New Living Translation. "They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on His head, and they placed a stick in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before Him in mockery, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and beat Him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. They they led Him away to be crucified."
Rejection. Mean words.
My Savior endured the very thing I am most afraid of, and He did it for me. He walked through this horrific event in order that I may receive and experience freedom and never feel and experience the isolation that He did.
The LORD had my attention. He had my praise. He had my confession. And, He kept on giving.
Psalm 34:1-22 "I will praise the LORD at all times, I will constantly speak His praises.
I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt His name together.
I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and He heard me. He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear Him, and He rescues them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!
Let the LORD's people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help.
But the LORD turns His face against those who do evil; He will erase their memory from the earth.
The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
For the LORD protects them from harm--not one of their bones will be broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the LORD will redeem those who serve Him. Everyone who trusts in Him will be freely pardoned."
Living in this age of instant everything doesn't help me really. With Facebook, I can see the achievements of others and then slump feeling like mine don't compare. I've been doing a lot of soul searching and assessing my life lately. It is most beneficial. I've written a lot of these thoughts out as that is a wonderful way for me to express myself and process what I am thinking. Maybe, just maybe, I will share some of that process at another time. But, today's blog is going in a different direction.
Earlier this afternoon, I was responding to some survey e-mails from my family, and answering random questions. One question asked what am I afraid of. I responded, "rejection and mean words". I was truthful but didn't think too much of it. I finished and went off to actually have some quiet time with my LORD. And He moved me. Let me share how.
Matthew 27 starting at verse 28 in regards to the crucifixion story. Excerpt taken from the New Living Translation. "They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on His head, and they placed a stick in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before Him in mockery, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and beat Him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. They they led Him away to be crucified."
Rejection. Mean words.
My Savior endured the very thing I am most afraid of, and He did it for me. He walked through this horrific event in order that I may receive and experience freedom and never feel and experience the isolation that He did.
The LORD had my attention. He had my praise. He had my confession. And, He kept on giving.
Psalm 34:1-22 "I will praise the LORD at all times, I will constantly speak His praises.
I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt His name together.
I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and He heard me. He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear Him, and He rescues them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!
Let the LORD's people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?
Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help.
But the LORD turns His face against those who do evil; He will erase their memory from the earth.
The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
For the LORD protects them from harm--not one of their bones will be broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the LORD will redeem those who serve Him. Everyone who trusts in Him will be freely pardoned."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Will You Marry Me?
February 10th is our Engagement Anniversary, and has become one of our household's top holidays! For the last eleven years, we have eaten the exact meal that Russ prepared for the lunch that he proposed during; hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, brownies and Pepsi.
This evening, Russ surprised me with the above pictured roses and sweet Willow Tree "Family: A Lifetime of Love" plaque.
Below, is a glimpse into our history hours after his proposal. He asked the question on a heart shaped brownie that he had made.
This evening, Russ surprised me with the above pictured roses and sweet Willow Tree "Family: A Lifetime of Love" plaque.Below, is a glimpse into our history hours after his proposal. He asked the question on a heart shaped brownie that he had made.
This entry goes to prove that romance is still in the air! I believe I have the absolutely best husband in this whole world! Thank you, my love!
Celebrating Mom/Grams
On Sunday, our family drove to Hillsboro for a quick trip to enjoy some catch up time with Gramps and Grams, and especially, to celebrate Grams' approaching birthday!
Sunday evening, we enjoyed our time together visiting and playing. Grams had made a wonderful feast; including something for every little taste bud to enjoy! We had the chance to go to their Quilt Shop and see the latest remodeling. I am always very impressed with the creativity Mom has in her work! Well done!
On Monday, we woke up and had a relaxing morning before all driving to spend the day in Wichita together. We celebrated Mom's birthday at Olive Garden and then enjoyed more visiting time while Sam and Dellen played at The Exploration Place. I wished I had remembered my camera to take pictures of us all trying to fly the Wright Brother's first airplane simulator, and of Gramps and Samuel flying (and Sam crashing) the commercial jet simulator.
What a fun day! We love and celebrate you Mom!
Sunday evening, we enjoyed our time together visiting and playing. Grams had made a wonderful feast; including something for every little taste bud to enjoy! We had the chance to go to their Quilt Shop and see the latest remodeling. I am always very impressed with the creativity Mom has in her work! Well done!
On Monday, we woke up and had a relaxing morning before all driving to spend the day in Wichita together. We celebrated Mom's birthday at Olive Garden and then enjoyed more visiting time while Sam and Dellen played at The Exploration Place. I wished I had remembered my camera to take pictures of us all trying to fly the Wright Brother's first airplane simulator, and of Gramps and Samuel flying (and Sam crashing) the commercial jet simulator.
What a fun day! We love and celebrate you Mom!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday Ritual
We've started a Saturday morning ritual around our house; going to the Convenient Care Clinic. Thank goodness it is available now, because we've used it three times in the last month. It never fails that my children come down with horrible symptoms over the weekend or after office hours. Last Saturday, I took Sam. Today, I took Dellen. I was in a few weeks ago.
We had a long night last night. Dellen tossed and moaned with pain all night. Verdict is an ugly ear infection again (he was on meds in early January for the same reason) and he also has bronchitis!
I've just doped him up again. Unfortunately, we've been warned that the bronchitis medicine will wire him up. Not what this tired parent needs for the day.
The winter Sam was three, like Dellen is now, he had recurring strept and ear infections. During the summer following that winter, he had his tonsils out. It has been such a blessing for him. Dellen's experiences now seem all too familiar!
I will close on a brighter note and say we are off to Corn Bible Academy's yearly German Feast and Auction! I will be indulging in lots of good food within the hour!
We had a long night last night. Dellen tossed and moaned with pain all night. Verdict is an ugly ear infection again (he was on meds in early January for the same reason) and he also has bronchitis!
I've just doped him up again. Unfortunately, we've been warned that the bronchitis medicine will wire him up. Not what this tired parent needs for the day.
The winter Sam was three, like Dellen is now, he had recurring strept and ear infections. During the summer following that winter, he had his tonsils out. It has been such a blessing for him. Dellen's experiences now seem all too familiar!
I will close on a brighter note and say we are off to Corn Bible Academy's yearly German Feast and Auction! I will be indulging in lots of good food within the hour!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Windows and Work
The parsonage is getting new windows! I'm so excited; something we've wanted to happen for a long time. We knew it would be happening this Spring sometime, but our friend showed up this week to begin the project. Little did I comprehend all the work it would entail for me.
The window treatments come down, there is dust everywhere in the rooms, bedding needs washed, furniture is moved and/or covered, floors vacuumed, mopped, etc., then the windows need to be cleaned afterwards. It is so hard to get them looking like they deserve without leaving streaks.
Our cat Hazel sleeps under our bed, and when we moved the bed out, it was so embarrassing to let the couple who is working on the windows see my mess. But seriously, who routinely moves their bed to vacuum under it?! ...Probably everyone but me!
Today, I've gotten smart after a long day of work yesterday, and have prepped the three remaining rooms. Still a lot of work, but maybe it will avoid washing the linens.
I am not a thorough housecleaner, and so I suppose it is good for me to have an occasional must work situation to clean curtains, etc. On a side note, my mom was a housekeeper at the reknown Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, while I was growing up. It is not her fault I don't clean better. She was very particular in how we cleaned - even taught us to dust the lightbulbs! On second thought, I will blame my lack of cleaning enthusiasm on her anyway. Maybe it was overexposure that has made me shy away from those responsibilities in adulthood! Just kidding Mom! It's just nice to be able to put the blame somewhere, right?!
One last whine, it is a noisy process and so our peaceful afternoon naptime has been most unfortunately affected as well.
So I sign off of this post, not exactly chipper about my day ahead. On the flip side though, I will immensely enjoy my new windows and will most likely appreciate clean floors under beds and washed window treatments!
The window treatments come down, there is dust everywhere in the rooms, bedding needs washed, furniture is moved and/or covered, floors vacuumed, mopped, etc., then the windows need to be cleaned afterwards. It is so hard to get them looking like they deserve without leaving streaks.
Our cat Hazel sleeps under our bed, and when we moved the bed out, it was so embarrassing to let the couple who is working on the windows see my mess. But seriously, who routinely moves their bed to vacuum under it?! ...Probably everyone but me!
Today, I've gotten smart after a long day of work yesterday, and have prepped the three remaining rooms. Still a lot of work, but maybe it will avoid washing the linens.
I am not a thorough housecleaner, and so I suppose it is good for me to have an occasional must work situation to clean curtains, etc. On a side note, my mom was a housekeeper at the reknown Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, while I was growing up. It is not her fault I don't clean better. She was very particular in how we cleaned - even taught us to dust the lightbulbs! On second thought, I will blame my lack of cleaning enthusiasm on her anyway. Maybe it was overexposure that has made me shy away from those responsibilities in adulthood! Just kidding Mom! It's just nice to be able to put the blame somewhere, right?!
One last whine, it is a noisy process and so our peaceful afternoon naptime has been most unfortunately affected as well.
So I sign off of this post, not exactly chipper about my day ahead. On the flip side though, I will immensely enjoy my new windows and will most likely appreciate clean floors under beds and washed window treatments!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Simple Seamstress
Since Sam started Kindergarten, I find that I have spent many hours mending his jeans. That boy knows how to play to the fullest. He likes to show me how he slides on his knees in gym class too. I am either constantly stitching up the holes or putting patches on his jeans, and then, we do it all again within the week! I have been known to sit down with six pairs of pants at a time. I'm learning that the patches only stay on so long before they peal off. So, after I iron on this week's patches, I'm going to try to sew around the outside of them also.
He has also outgrown pants from the beginning of the school year. The next task I need to accomplish is to learn to hem the length of the pants. Sam is a tall and solid kid for his age, and we need to buy bigger pants. But, then the length is too long. Grams helped at Thanksgiving as I took jeans for her to hem up. I appreciated it greatly! Since then, however, that same pair of new jeans has worn holes in the knees.
I don't get paid for all this mending. But, I do like to think I am saving us loads of money when you add up what each new pair of jeans would cost. (And it does have to be jeans, because he dresses as a cowboy each day; even wore his cowboy hat to school today). Once I got over any pride in not wanting my child to wear patched up jeans to school, it was okay. I am now seeing all the little boys playing on the playground in patched jeans. Part of being an active boy. Really, we wouldn't want it any other way.
I have also learned that he now never wears his nicest pants to school. We will try to at least save a couple of pairs of pants to wear for a few hours on a Sunday morning.
Last night, I also mended his winter coat. This morning he was very grateful, and said now he wouldn't be tearing it more everytime he put his arm in the sleeve. He said I was the best! ...That is all the payment I need.
He has also outgrown pants from the beginning of the school year. The next task I need to accomplish is to learn to hem the length of the pants. Sam is a tall and solid kid for his age, and we need to buy bigger pants. But, then the length is too long. Grams helped at Thanksgiving as I took jeans for her to hem up. I appreciated it greatly! Since then, however, that same pair of new jeans has worn holes in the knees.
I don't get paid for all this mending. But, I do like to think I am saving us loads of money when you add up what each new pair of jeans would cost. (And it does have to be jeans, because he dresses as a cowboy each day; even wore his cowboy hat to school today). Once I got over any pride in not wanting my child to wear patched up jeans to school, it was okay. I am now seeing all the little boys playing on the playground in patched jeans. Part of being an active boy. Really, we wouldn't want it any other way.
I have also learned that he now never wears his nicest pants to school. We will try to at least save a couple of pairs of pants to wear for a few hours on a Sunday morning.
Last night, I also mended his winter coat. This morning he was very grateful, and said now he wouldn't be tearing it more everytime he put his arm in the sleeve. He said I was the best! ...That is all the payment I need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)