Before I had Peppermint Patty (she is my first love), I had absolutely no clue what baby gear I needed and what baby gear I didn't. I thought if it was in the store, it was necessary. Wipe warmer. Check. Pretty bedding. Check. Diaper Genie (x2). Check. baby stuff out the wazoo. Check.
Peppermint Patty had a pretty room painted yellow with lovely boarder that matched the lovely (expensive) bedding that I had purchased. She even had a lovely rug (that matched the bedding, of course) to match as well. I agonized over the crib. I agonized over the changing table. I wondered if I should get a rocking chair.
After Peppermint Patty came I figured out I didn't really need half the baby gear I thought I did, so when Pig Pen came along (sorry in advance Pig Pen, my second love) she got nothing. She didn't even really have a "real" room of her own for a while. I simply shoved the crib and changing table in the extra room (with all the extra stuff of our house still in the extra room), threw up a decoration on one wall that matched the bedding and called it done. No paint, no extra stuff, no nothing.
And you know what.....she didn't care one bit. She didn't care that the wipe warmer was gone. She didn't care that her room was really the extra room with no fluff. She didn't care that all her clothes were hand me downs from her sister just 2 years earlier and most had stains from her sister. She just didn't care....and quite frankly I was tired....and I didn't care either.
Fair warning if a 3rd child should some how, in some miraculous manor, weasel their way into this family, they will have less than no fluff. They will get the basics. Period. They shouldn't expect more. They are the third. (don't worry....this isn't happening....you know....never)
I was in Walmart yesterday and overheard two ladies, both who were extremely pregnant (I thought I might have to rush one of them to the hospital myself), discussing if they were ready. The first lady said she still had stuff to buy. She was obvisously the first timer. The other lady said she was ready. She then turned to me and said "It's my 3rd. They don't need all that stuff." You know what.....she is right. All that stuff is really for the parents. The pretty room. The pretty gear. The 8000 outfits that will only fit for 3 minutes. The "stuff" that we think we need when really we don't.
Babies have been on this planet for as long as...well....forever. I don't think back in Adam and Eve's day Eve was wondering if her babies would be OK if she wiped their behind with a cold wipe. I also don't think back in Roman times people were wondering if they should buy the cheap stroller for $60 bucks or the expensive one for $600. These things in the end don't really matter. What matters is that when we bring babies into the world we have love, a few clothes, boobies or formula to feed them, a mountain of diapers, and a warm place for them to lay their heads. The rest is just gravy.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The English Language
Would or wood?
Me or I?
Is, am, are, was, were?
To comma or not to comma?
Does the word need an apostrophe? (don't ask me)
To or too?
How do you spell a word when spell check has no clue?
These are all things I contemplate when writing. I am NOT an English person so let me establish that first. I stood for a few years while teaching in English teachers rooms and tried to glean from them all the knowledge that should be standard for a sophomore but I had yet to pick up because I am a little behind and probably didn't pay attention "that day" when I was a sophomore myself. I tried really hard to learn more than I did already know.....but I seriously think I failed. I am no better today at figuring out where a comma should go, how exactly should I use that apostrophe, or if I should use me or I than was back in high school.
The English language is so complex and yet most of the world picks it up as a second language. Ever call in the middle of the night to have something serviced? That probably isn't an American you are talking to. So how is it possible if most of the world is trying to master my language as a second I still can't get it all straight as my first? Why can't I remember the simple rules of grammar? Why can't I spell simple every day words?
I have no answers to my questions and as much time as I spent lately contemplating "to" or "too" you think I would have come up with one. So for now I leave you with this, if the brwn cow crosses' the rode, wile I were drivin' the greane tractor, he mite git hit.
Me or I?
Is, am, are, was, were?
To comma or not to comma?
Does the word need an apostrophe? (don't ask me)
To or too?
How do you spell a word when spell check has no clue?
These are all things I contemplate when writing. I am NOT an English person so let me establish that first. I stood for a few years while teaching in English teachers rooms and tried to glean from them all the knowledge that should be standard for a sophomore but I had yet to pick up because I am a little behind and probably didn't pay attention "that day" when I was a sophomore myself. I tried really hard to learn more than I did already know.....but I seriously think I failed. I am no better today at figuring out where a comma should go, how exactly should I use that apostrophe, or if I should use me or I than was back in high school.
The English language is so complex and yet most of the world picks it up as a second language. Ever call in the middle of the night to have something serviced? That probably isn't an American you are talking to. So how is it possible if most of the world is trying to master my language as a second I still can't get it all straight as my first? Why can't I remember the simple rules of grammar? Why can't I spell simple every day words?
I have no answers to my questions and as much time as I spent lately contemplating "to" or "too" you think I would have come up with one. So for now I leave you with this, if the brwn cow crosses' the rode, wile I were drivin' the greane tractor, he mite git hit.
Things I Learned "On The Farm"
Things I learned or now cherish about growing up Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday's (and a few other sporadic days thrown in along the way) in Western Oklahoma....where the wind really does sweep down the plain. Thank you for loving on this big city girl!
1. The smell of red dirt after a field has been plowed is the best.
2. The red dirt never comes off new white shoes.
3. Hoeing peanuts at 7 am is better than at 12 noon. (do you know that peanuts grow in the ground?)
4. Hoeing peanuts at 7 am is best done with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (learned this from Jawanna House).
5. Sacking peanuts is not for the weak. (didn't have to do that many times)
6. Basketball is a sport.....and baseball.....(thanks boys for letting me play)
7. Some people really don't lock their doors.
8. Cows are scary (sorry....never got over the cows).
9. If you open your home to a preacher, his wife, and kid they will come over. :)
10. Cedar Hills Baptist Youth Camp is NOT just for learning about God.
11. I know how to flick the heads off of grasshoppers. Don't judge.
12. Dr. Pepper.
13. A small town that you can walk to the country store and still get a glass Coke bottle is the best.
14. You WILL drive 45 minutes to Walmart.
15. People really do love living in the sticks.
16. Wild mushrooms can taste like steak.
17. Deer season is a religion.
18. When your grandma and grandpa are 2-3 hours away, God will provide ones to step in. (Miss you Grandma and Grandpa Schimmel......ear tugs!)
19. Holding hands with boys is fun. (oh.....I am an idiot for this one some times....don't laugh Neely!)
20. There is this dressing they used to serve with chicken at the local stops.....they don't make it like that around here!
21. Youth Rally's are less tortuous with friends.
22. Sitting in a canyon talking about life with friends is priceless. (Thanks Neely!)
23. Wrangler butts are really nice to look at.
24. Food. OH the food! Thank you for feeding me and teaching me!
25. Allergies flare when the wheat is being combined.
26. If the wheat has to come off, the peanuts have to be dug, or the cotton has to be swathed, there will be a low attendance at church at I think that is OK with God.
27. Moving irrigation pipe must be one heck of a job and farmers have to do it often (who knew).
28. Farm kids don't get to the "big city" much. What I thought was every day was a treat.
29. All kids could drive before me....WAY before me......
30. The wind NEVER stops blowing so buy the extra strength hairspray.
31. Take a wet wash cloth in a baggy and a jar of water with you were ever you go. (Grandma Schimmel....oh Grandma Schimmel.....)
32. The Schimmel, House, Taylor, Bates, and King families are forever written on my heart. Thank you to all the families who loved on my family when we needed it. You took us into your homes and lives and made us apart of you. You taught me more about life and how to love others more than any one group of people could. Your homes, land, churches, and family are forever etched upon my heart....like the red dirt, I will never rid myself of you.....nor would I want too! Ear tugs and love to my Western Oklahoma family! :)
1. The smell of red dirt after a field has been plowed is the best.
2. The red dirt never comes off new white shoes.
3. Hoeing peanuts at 7 am is better than at 12 noon. (do you know that peanuts grow in the ground?)
4. Hoeing peanuts at 7 am is best done with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (learned this from Jawanna House).
5. Sacking peanuts is not for the weak. (didn't have to do that many times)
6. Basketball is a sport.....and baseball.....(thanks boys for letting me play)
7. Some people really don't lock their doors.
8. Cows are scary (sorry....never got over the cows).
9. If you open your home to a preacher, his wife, and kid they will come over. :)
10. Cedar Hills Baptist Youth Camp is NOT just for learning about God.
11. I know how to flick the heads off of grasshoppers. Don't judge.
12. Dr. Pepper.
13. A small town that you can walk to the country store and still get a glass Coke bottle is the best.
14. You WILL drive 45 minutes to Walmart.
15. People really do love living in the sticks.
16. Wild mushrooms can taste like steak.
17. Deer season is a religion.
18. When your grandma and grandpa are 2-3 hours away, God will provide ones to step in. (Miss you Grandma and Grandpa Schimmel......ear tugs!)
19. Holding hands with boys is fun. (oh.....I am an idiot for this one some times....don't laugh Neely!)
20. There is this dressing they used to serve with chicken at the local stops.....they don't make it like that around here!
21. Youth Rally's are less tortuous with friends.
22. Sitting in a canyon talking about life with friends is priceless. (Thanks Neely!)
23. Wrangler butts are really nice to look at.
24. Food. OH the food! Thank you for feeding me and teaching me!
25. Allergies flare when the wheat is being combined.
26. If the wheat has to come off, the peanuts have to be dug, or the cotton has to be swathed, there will be a low attendance at church at I think that is OK with God.
27. Moving irrigation pipe must be one heck of a job and farmers have to do it often (who knew).
28. Farm kids don't get to the "big city" much. What I thought was every day was a treat.
29. All kids could drive before me....WAY before me......
30. The wind NEVER stops blowing so buy the extra strength hairspray.
31. Take a wet wash cloth in a baggy and a jar of water with you were ever you go. (Grandma Schimmel....oh Grandma Schimmel.....)
32. The Schimmel, House, Taylor, Bates, and King families are forever written on my heart. Thank you to all the families who loved on my family when we needed it. You took us into your homes and lives and made us apart of you. You taught me more about life and how to love others more than any one group of people could. Your homes, land, churches, and family are forever etched upon my heart....like the red dirt, I will never rid myself of you.....nor would I want too! Ear tugs and love to my Western Oklahoma family! :)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Buying A New Car
Seriously. No Seriously. I mean REALLY. Does buying a car have to be SO hard?
Over the last few weeks I have driven about every sedan in the under $30k range. I can tell which seats are hard, which seats are nice, which interiors are European, which interiors look like a Ford, which cars are built in the same factory as another car, which salesmen are lying (most of them), which salesmen are nice, which places will want to deal, which ones won't, etc, etc, etc. It is getting RIDICULOUS!
I have finally made a decision. I would post a picture but since I still need lessons on how to do that (please help me if you know how) I will just tell you it is the Hyundai Sonata. I would prefer black, so I have to wash it every day, but will also settle for silver, dark grey, a Pacific blue, or white. I can tell you we do NOT want a $2000 dollar navigation system since I only go to Walmart, Emma's school and church. I also want leather seats, a sunroof, and would prefer if it drove itself....OK....well....maybe I am not serious about the last part....but wouldn't that be nice.
The problem now is finding said car. Do you know, KNOW, how hard it is to find this picky American woman who has more wants than needs with this car? Do you KNOW? I would curse right now but my mom is watching. Let's just say that if I have to deal with one more sales person I will die with the car I have right now.
So cheers car sales people......y'all are seriously about as bad as the plague. We love to hate you and I guess for now I am hating you more than ever. Raise your glasses and solute yourselves. You deserve it!
Over the last few weeks I have driven about every sedan in the under $30k range. I can tell which seats are hard, which seats are nice, which interiors are European, which interiors look like a Ford, which cars are built in the same factory as another car, which salesmen are lying (most of them), which salesmen are nice, which places will want to deal, which ones won't, etc, etc, etc. It is getting RIDICULOUS!
I have finally made a decision. I would post a picture but since I still need lessons on how to do that (please help me if you know how) I will just tell you it is the Hyundai Sonata. I would prefer black, so I have to wash it every day, but will also settle for silver, dark grey, a Pacific blue, or white. I can tell you we do NOT want a $2000 dollar navigation system since I only go to Walmart, Emma's school and church. I also want leather seats, a sunroof, and would prefer if it drove itself....OK....well....maybe I am not serious about the last part....but wouldn't that be nice.
The problem now is finding said car. Do you know, KNOW, how hard it is to find this picky American woman who has more wants than needs with this car? Do you KNOW? I would curse right now but my mom is watching. Let's just say that if I have to deal with one more sales person I will die with the car I have right now.
So cheers car sales people......y'all are seriously about as bad as the plague. We love to hate you and I guess for now I am hating you more than ever. Raise your glasses and solute yourselves. You deserve it!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Summer
Dear Summer,
Will you be my boyfriend faster than normal? I know you are fast, furious and come on to me like a hot locomotive most of the time. Please, please, PLEASE....BRING IT ON! I am ready for you. THE WORLD IS READY FOR YOU....BRING IT!
I am cold. I am tired. I am cold and tired. I just broke up with my boyfriend winter a few days ago (even though the restraining order and stern letter didn't seem to get to him) and I am in need of some HOT lovin'. :)
Waiting for you....
Kristin
Will you be my boyfriend faster than normal? I know you are fast, furious and come on to me like a hot locomotive most of the time. Please, please, PLEASE....BRING IT ON! I am ready for you. THE WORLD IS READY FOR YOU....BRING IT!
I am cold. I am tired. I am cold and tired. I just broke up with my boyfriend winter a few days ago (even though the restraining order and stern letter didn't seem to get to him) and I am in need of some HOT lovin'. :)
Waiting for you....
Kristin
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Breaking Up Is hard To Do
My open letter to Winter - my former boyfriend.
Dear Winter -
I love you. I really do. You come in with such gracefulness each year into my life that sometimes I don't even recognize your presence. You bring Bald Eagles to look at, great sunsets to admire, and a time to remember that life is a cycle. As much as I do love you and appreciate your snowy days to build snowmen with my girls, the cold nights to snuggle with Big Grasshopper, and time to reflect and renew my life, I am breaking up with you.
I AM BREAKING UP WITH YOU!
Did you hear me?
WE ARE THROUGH.
As much as I appreciate all you have done for me this year, I am over you. Tired. Cold. Done. I mean DONE. Did you hear me? DONE.
Thank you so much for loving me with your blustery cold winds whipping around me like a snuggly hug. Thank you for pelting my face with snow like a sloppy wet kiss. Thank you so much for bringing me all the blessings that you know how to bring, but we are done. Please stay at least 1056000 feet away from my house. This will help both of us. Please know that I like to dance in the nude under the light of the moon and stars to the weather goddess (more to drive my neighbors and parents/in-laws crazy) but that does not mean that I need you to return even if the weather goddess thinks you need to.
Thank you so much for your time. I am sorry I have to break up with you this way but there doesn't seem to be a better way seeing how you turned off your iPhone or changed your number or something. I hope you understand I love you, we just can't be together any more.
Love always.... now just go away....
Kristin
Dear Winter -
I love you. I really do. You come in with such gracefulness each year into my life that sometimes I don't even recognize your presence. You bring Bald Eagles to look at, great sunsets to admire, and a time to remember that life is a cycle. As much as I do love you and appreciate your snowy days to build snowmen with my girls, the cold nights to snuggle with Big Grasshopper, and time to reflect and renew my life, I am breaking up with you.
I AM BREAKING UP WITH YOU!
Did you hear me?
WE ARE THROUGH.
As much as I appreciate all you have done for me this year, I am over you. Tired. Cold. Done. I mean DONE. Did you hear me? DONE.
Thank you so much for loving me with your blustery cold winds whipping around me like a snuggly hug. Thank you for pelting my face with snow like a sloppy wet kiss. Thank you so much for bringing me all the blessings that you know how to bring, but we are done. Please stay at least 1056000 feet away from my house. This will help both of us. Please know that I like to dance in the nude under the light of the moon and stars to the weather goddess (more to drive my neighbors and parents/in-laws crazy) but that does not mean that I need you to return even if the weather goddess thinks you need to.
Thank you so much for your time. I am sorry I have to break up with you this way but there doesn't seem to be a better way seeing how you turned off your iPhone or changed your number or something. I hope you understand I love you, we just can't be together any more.
Love always.... now just go away....
Kristin
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Day
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!....but please hurry up and plow it up so we can get back to the grind that is/was/and always will be. This should be how the song really goes.
I am not saying I am not enjoying having the girls PP and PP around 24/7 fighting, laughing, fighting, crying, hitting, pushing, laughing, crying, laughing, and generally just being themselves. I am not saying that I have not enjoyed listening to the girls fight about who is going to be Mrs. W and who is going to be Mrs. G (Peppermint's teacher and the intern in her class right now) as they play school. I am not going to say that I am not enjoying watching hours and hours and HOURS of Dora, Olivia, Dino Dan, Sesame, and any other show that comes on PBS or Nick Jr. I am not saying I am not enjoying ALL time it takes to get the girls dressed and undressed just so they can spend 5-10 minutes outside before wanting to come in because it is bitterly cold. I am not saying I am not enjoying Facebooking endless times during the day. I am not saying I am not enjoying hanging out, slacking off, and doing whatever I want. I am not saying I am not enjoying not having to drive PP and PP to and from school and whatever activity that is going on during the day. I am not saying I am not enjoying the snow.....but I am over it. OVER IT. OVER IT!
At this point school will be in session until the second week in June. At this point we are eating into lake/raft/camping time and everyone knows how much I LOVE lake/raft/camping time. At this point we are eating into SUMMER. SUMMER....so as much as I love the to sing "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow," I am OVER IT....and THAT IS what I am saying....
I am not saying I am not enjoying having the girls PP and PP around 24/7 fighting, laughing, fighting, crying, hitting, pushing, laughing, crying, laughing, and generally just being themselves. I am not saying that I have not enjoyed listening to the girls fight about who is going to be Mrs. W and who is going to be Mrs. G (Peppermint's teacher and the intern in her class right now) as they play school. I am not going to say that I am not enjoying watching hours and hours and HOURS of Dora, Olivia, Dino Dan, Sesame, and any other show that comes on PBS or Nick Jr. I am not saying I am not enjoying ALL time it takes to get the girls dressed and undressed just so they can spend 5-10 minutes outside before wanting to come in because it is bitterly cold. I am not saying I am not enjoying Facebooking endless times during the day. I am not saying I am not enjoying hanging out, slacking off, and doing whatever I want. I am not saying I am not enjoying not having to drive PP and PP to and from school and whatever activity that is going on during the day. I am not saying I am not enjoying the snow.....but I am over it. OVER IT. OVER IT!
At this point school will be in session until the second week in June. At this point we are eating into lake/raft/camping time and everyone knows how much I LOVE lake/raft/camping time. At this point we are eating into SUMMER. SUMMER....so as much as I love the to sing "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow," I am OVER IT....and THAT IS what I am saying....
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Weather
"If you can't change it, go with it." - Kristin
This is my weather motto. I know my parents (Gigi and Popi) and Big Grasshopper's parents (Nana and Papa) think I have something to do with the weather and what falls from the sky....I will say that just because I dance outside naked at night to The Weather Goddess from the North Pole under the moon and stars, this does not mean I have anything to do with what falls outside. I just like to dance naked outside at night under the moon and stars and I think that should be fine. (TMI I know....sorry....and if you believe any of the above, please let me sell you some ocean front property right on Beaver Lake.) Anyways....
My real weather philosophy is very simple. "If you can't change it, go with it." We can't change it. If I were in charge it would be 90-100 most days and all of us could live on a body of water and hang out all day fishing, swimming, and floating in our rafts as the drink man brings us cold drinks when needed. We would also have private chef's that make us breakfast, lunch, and dinner and we would never have to lift a finger. But, because I seem NOT to be in charge, please note that their is an EPICALLY HISTORIC snow storm coming and you better get ready....or go out and do a little naked dancing of your own to your own weather god/goddess under the light of the moon and stars....but you better hurry....because snow is coming!
Happy Dancing!!
This is my weather motto. I know my parents (Gigi and Popi) and Big Grasshopper's parents (Nana and Papa) think I have something to do with the weather and what falls from the sky....I will say that just because I dance outside naked at night to The Weather Goddess from the North Pole under the moon and stars, this does not mean I have anything to do with what falls outside. I just like to dance naked outside at night under the moon and stars and I think that should be fine. (TMI I know....sorry....and if you believe any of the above, please let me sell you some ocean front property right on Beaver Lake.) Anyways....
My real weather philosophy is very simple. "If you can't change it, go with it." We can't change it. If I were in charge it would be 90-100 most days and all of us could live on a body of water and hang out all day fishing, swimming, and floating in our rafts as the drink man brings us cold drinks when needed. We would also have private chef's that make us breakfast, lunch, and dinner and we would never have to lift a finger. But, because I seem NOT to be in charge, please note that their is an EPICALLY HISTORIC snow storm coming and you better get ready....or go out and do a little naked dancing of your own to your own weather god/goddess under the light of the moon and stars....but you better hurry....because snow is coming!
Happy Dancing!!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Birds And The Bees
As I was changing last night Peppermint Patty came in. I am pretty open and find nudity really not that big of a deal (and I can tell you after pushing out two babies, babies don't find nudity that big of a deal either). I do try to be discreet with some things but if I am changing my clothes and putting on my PJ's and one of the girls comes in I don't really think it is that big of a deal. Anyways, PP comes in and the following conversation takes place.
Peppermint: Mom. (looking at me in a weird wondering way) Where do babies come from?
Me: (thinking I can go one of two ways, I simply ask) Where do you think babies come from?
Peppermint: Your poo poo part?
Me: Close, your pee pee parts.
Peppermint: Ouch! That would hurt. How big are babies? (using her hands to figure out how big a baby comes out of a pee pee part....me trying to show her) Ouch! I don't think I want to have babies. I think that would really hurt!
Me: Good. I am glad you don't want to have babies. (me thinking - YES! because for the past 6 or 8 months PP has been talking about nothing but having babies and becoming a mom...immediately....which I know isn't possible but I would like to hold it off for as long as possible...)
PP: OK Mom....(goes away happy I answered her question and no other concern has she.)
I bring this up to bring up a story. The other day a situation came up with someone else with a student talking about where babies come from and we started talking about if we could or could not give "the talk."
I personally don't think "the talk" really needs to be "a big talk" at all if you are open and honest from the beginning. I think if you always answer the questions that are asked as honest, open, and on a level a child can handle, a long surprising talk never needs to take place. I also think most parents need to be talking to their kids way before they do. I am not saying PP needs to know about periods and all the mechanics of sex right at this moment, but if something comes up, I am very open to answering her questions in a way that will be on her level that will make sense to her. I also personally believe (because I matured physically very early and had no clue what was going on) that kids have the right to know what is happening to their bodies and that if honesty and openness don't happen they will go somewhere else to find the information...and in this day and age I really don't want my girls, PP and PP, to go to the internet or somewhere else to figure things out. (Remember the talks with other girls on the playground about what was happening with your body? If you didn't have THOSE playground talks, find yourself blessed.) I also have this theory that if you have a period, vagina, penis, and sex you can talk about it with your kids.
So....we have started "the talk" that I hope will not be a talk at all but a very long discussion about life as it comes....sorry if this offends or if your kid learns something from my kids before you think they are ready....but maybe they are more ready than we all give them credit.
Peppermint: Mom. (looking at me in a weird wondering way) Where do babies come from?
Me: (thinking I can go one of two ways, I simply ask) Where do you think babies come from?
Peppermint: Your poo poo part?
Me: Close, your pee pee parts.
Peppermint: Ouch! That would hurt. How big are babies? (using her hands to figure out how big a baby comes out of a pee pee part....me trying to show her) Ouch! I don't think I want to have babies. I think that would really hurt!
Me: Good. I am glad you don't want to have babies. (me thinking - YES! because for the past 6 or 8 months PP has been talking about nothing but having babies and becoming a mom...immediately....which I know isn't possible but I would like to hold it off for as long as possible...)
PP: OK Mom....(goes away happy I answered her question and no other concern has she.)
I bring this up to bring up a story. The other day a situation came up with someone else with a student talking about where babies come from and we started talking about if we could or could not give "the talk."
I personally don't think "the talk" really needs to be "a big talk" at all if you are open and honest from the beginning. I think if you always answer the questions that are asked as honest, open, and on a level a child can handle, a long surprising talk never needs to take place. I also think most parents need to be talking to their kids way before they do. I am not saying PP needs to know about periods and all the mechanics of sex right at this moment, but if something comes up, I am very open to answering her questions in a way that will be on her level that will make sense to her. I also personally believe (because I matured physically very early and had no clue what was going on) that kids have the right to know what is happening to their bodies and that if honesty and openness don't happen they will go somewhere else to find the information...and in this day and age I really don't want my girls, PP and PP, to go to the internet or somewhere else to figure things out. (Remember the talks with other girls on the playground about what was happening with your body? If you didn't have THOSE playground talks, find yourself blessed.) I also have this theory that if you have a period, vagina, penis, and sex you can talk about it with your kids.
So....we have started "the talk" that I hope will not be a talk at all but a very long discussion about life as it comes....sorry if this offends or if your kid learns something from my kids before you think they are ready....but maybe they are more ready than we all give them credit.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Not Your Mama's Kindergarten
After a semester of Peppermint Patty being in kindergarten I can tell you a lot has changed since you and I (supposing you were born before 1990ish) went to school. First, I went to half day kindergarten. I arrived, put up my stuff (I think I had stuff but don't really remember), got my crayon box, and tried to sit at the girls table. I am sure Mrs. Bell did interactive things, we sat on carpet squares, and were interactive but I really have no clue because I honestly can't remember. I think my biggest achievement was writing my name, saying my ABC's, and tying my shoes. We had recess, PE, music, art, library, and probably something else. Before lunch I was picked up by La Petite, went and ate lunch, and then took a 2 hour nap. I am not sure we actually "learned" something but then again, I have already said I can't really remember. It was a LONG time ago.
Today PP is at kindergarten all day. She is learning way more than tying her shoes, skipping, and just saying her ABC's. This week they are learning punctuation. Really? My child, who can't write a sentence without a tremendous amount of help, is learning about punctuation. By the end of the year I have been told they will be reading basic sentences, know how to read simple sight words, and be able to write a paragraph. Really? A paragraph? WOW! I don't think I wrote a paragraph until at least 2nd grade and I probably remember that because it was with Mrs. Branson, second semester, about President Lincoln or Washington (not sure why I remember that...but whatever).
In some ways I am happy they are doing more than tying your shoe, skipping, having 3 recesses, taking naps, and coloring a few pages. I am glad they are pushing PP to learn more than I did in kindergarten, first, and probably some second grade combined. But really? Really?
I guess she is ready.....but don't know if I am. Going to go tie my shoes and skip now.....and maybe later I will call Mrs. Ball (the best HS English teacher I know) and see if she can teach me how to write a paragraph correctly.
Today PP is at kindergarten all day. She is learning way more than tying her shoes, skipping, and just saying her ABC's. This week they are learning punctuation. Really? My child, who can't write a sentence without a tremendous amount of help, is learning about punctuation. By the end of the year I have been told they will be reading basic sentences, know how to read simple sight words, and be able to write a paragraph. Really? A paragraph? WOW! I don't think I wrote a paragraph until at least 2nd grade and I probably remember that because it was with Mrs. Branson, second semester, about President Lincoln or Washington (not sure why I remember that...but whatever).
In some ways I am happy they are doing more than tying your shoe, skipping, having 3 recesses, taking naps, and coloring a few pages. I am glad they are pushing PP to learn more than I did in kindergarten, first, and probably some second grade combined. But really? Really?
I guess she is ready.....but don't know if I am. Going to go tie my shoes and skip now.....and maybe later I will call Mrs. Ball (the best HS English teacher I know) and see if she can teach me how to write a paragraph correctly.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011 Resolutions
I don't normally make New Year's resolutions. They seem kind of silly to me and for some reason I know I am going to break them no matter how big or little they are. This year there are some things I would like to accomplish so maybe I will just put these out in the universe and in a year come back and see what has stayed out in the universe.
1. Read the Bible more. Any reading would be more than I am doing now most days so simply to read the Bible every day, even just a verse, would be a huge improvement. I also want to put out fleeces and see where God takes me, not where I take God.
2. Feel better. Part of that would be to lose weight but I am not writing that down....Feel better sounds much more all in compassing. Part of the feel better is to eat better, move more, and hopefully that will lead to losing weight which will mean I will feel better.
3. Take more chances. I am not sure what that means but sometimes I need to step out of my comfort zone and go with the flow a little more.
4. Not be so loud. I know everyone who knows me knows this probably isn't possible but....maybe.....
5. Not cuss so much. I only have a few words I really like. My youngest child, Pig Pen, has decided she likes one of the words as well. (I know, I am a great example.) So, for the sake of everyone I am going to try to get those couple of words out of my vocab.
6. Do more for myself. I think I am itching for something because I don't do enough for myself to keep my inner spirit going. Maybe I will take a cooking class or two, or another cake decorating class, or try to learn to knit again, or learn to sew. I don't know what the something is but whatever it is I hope it is for myself.
7. I want to not be so scared of the unknown. I am always worried about the unknown. I hate that. I really would like to - in the words of Nike - Just Do It.
8. I want to Facebook less. I know, I know. Facebook queen. I know. If I could hold myself to checking once in the morning and once at the evening or afternoon that would be a great accomplishment.
9. I want to find more balance at home. I am really bad at doing laundry, cleaning on a regular basis, and keeping things going as much as I should. I have made lists in the past of what to do on this day or that day, but this year I hope to just do a little every day and keep it up so it isn't as much as a struggle as it has been.
10. I want to be a better wife and mother. I know this is number 10 but it very easily could be number 2. I need to be a better partner for BG and a better mama for the girls. I think part of this is doing all of the above.
11. Stop biting my finger nails. I know...it is gross....I know....I know....I have tried....I am going to try again....I know.....Yes.....I know.......
I could keep going because there is A LOT to improve but I think we are all that way (If you aren't, please take me to lunch - you can buy - and tell me your secret). We all have things we want to improve, want to stop, or want to fix. I am no different. I am just putting these things out there in the universe. I don't know if any of these things are really possible but I am putting them out there in the universe and next year this time I will look back and see how the universe and I have done.
1. Read the Bible more. Any reading would be more than I am doing now most days so simply to read the Bible every day, even just a verse, would be a huge improvement. I also want to put out fleeces and see where God takes me, not where I take God.
2. Feel better. Part of that would be to lose weight but I am not writing that down....Feel better sounds much more all in compassing. Part of the feel better is to eat better, move more, and hopefully that will lead to losing weight which will mean I will feel better.
3. Take more chances. I am not sure what that means but sometimes I need to step out of my comfort zone and go with the flow a little more.
4. Not be so loud. I know everyone who knows me knows this probably isn't possible but....maybe.....
5. Not cuss so much. I only have a few words I really like. My youngest child, Pig Pen, has decided she likes one of the words as well. (I know, I am a great example.) So, for the sake of everyone I am going to try to get those couple of words out of my vocab.
6. Do more for myself. I think I am itching for something because I don't do enough for myself to keep my inner spirit going. Maybe I will take a cooking class or two, or another cake decorating class, or try to learn to knit again, or learn to sew. I don't know what the something is but whatever it is I hope it is for myself.
7. I want to not be so scared of the unknown. I am always worried about the unknown. I hate that. I really would like to - in the words of Nike - Just Do It.
8. I want to Facebook less. I know, I know. Facebook queen. I know. If I could hold myself to checking once in the morning and once at the evening or afternoon that would be a great accomplishment.
9. I want to find more balance at home. I am really bad at doing laundry, cleaning on a regular basis, and keeping things going as much as I should. I have made lists in the past of what to do on this day or that day, but this year I hope to just do a little every day and keep it up so it isn't as much as a struggle as it has been.
10. I want to be a better wife and mother. I know this is number 10 but it very easily could be number 2. I need to be a better partner for BG and a better mama for the girls. I think part of this is doing all of the above.
11. Stop biting my finger nails. I know...it is gross....I know....I know....I have tried....I am going to try again....I know.....Yes.....I know.......
I could keep going because there is A LOT to improve but I think we are all that way (If you aren't, please take me to lunch - you can buy - and tell me your secret). We all have things we want to improve, want to stop, or want to fix. I am no different. I am just putting these things out there in the universe. I don't know if any of these things are really possible but I am putting them out there in the universe and next year this time I will look back and see how the universe and I have done.
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010
This year has been one crazy ride! We have made more memories and done more as a family than I ever thought possible.
In February Pig Pen turned 3. Being 3 is a lot harder than being 2 and she has had some growing pains this year that I am not sure any of us were ready for. She is the funniest child you have ever met who is obsessed with animals, her tricycle (she rides it in the house), and getting her way. In early September her sister gave her a hair cut so she went from having beautiful long blond hair to short short light brown hair over night. That change is the hardest for me because I still can't believe her hair is so short. She isn't as far along academically as Peppermint Patty was when she was this age, but I know Pig Pen is smart and will get it in her own time. She is stubborn like her mama (who would have thought) and she doesn't like to be pushed to do anything she doesn't want to do. I am excited to see where God takes her over the next few years and how her personality continues to develop. She truly is a special little girl and I am so proud that she is mine.
On March 7th Peppermint Patty turned 5. The baby that took 9 months and 14.5 hours of labor with 3.5 hours of pushing before she would come out turned 5. The baby that I still don't know where all the time went turned 5. I am still not sure I am over her turning 5 and she will be 6 right around the corner. She loves fishing, riding on the tube, swimming in the pool, getting tickled, and playing with Nylah the dog. She is still timid when she is in big crowds or around people she doesn't know but that doesn't slow her down for long. She is funny, smart, quiet, bossy, and a good friend. She has grown up so fast and I can't believe I have a kindergartner! She is a girly girl who Big Grasshopper is already trying to figure out how we are going to pay for her expensive clothes and hair some day! LOL! She is one of a kind and I am so glad that God has put her in our family.
The weekend in between the girls two birthdays we had a joint birthday party on the Tumble Bus. That is one pretty cool ride that I would definitely recommend for small parties. Everyone had a great time and the girls enjoyed having their friends at our house.
In April Big Grasshopper turned 36 and I turned 32. We are old. I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to think about it. I don't even think I should have mentioned it here, but it is definitely a milestone that must happen in order to keep the dash going. Getting older is one of those strange things in life. I look back at when I was the girls age and think I thought my parents were so old at the age I am now....and guess what....I think I was right.....they were old and now I am kinda feeling old. 32 is not THAT close to 40 but it is way farther away from 22-23 than I feel possible. I am hoping the closer I get to 40 the less old I will feel....maybe?
The Summer....aaaaahhhhh.....the summer that was 2010....filled with camping, boating, swimming, tubing, hanging out with friends, fishing, more camping, more swimming, more hanging out with friends, more enjoying 100 degree heat, eating, drinking, camp fires, and more hanging out with friends. What an amazing summer!! I am really not sure summer 2010 will never be beaten in my mind. Peppermint learned to swim without her life vest or floaties in the pool. She still has to always wear her life vest in the lake, but she is so proud of her swimming abilities in the pool. We camped out so much that I think we were camping more on the weekends than we were home. The girls and Big Grasshopper really love fishing and I have bragging rights that I am the only one that caught my limit when we went Stripper fishing while BG's sister and her boyfriend visited for a few days. We enjoyed the boat more than any people ought to....but my mind still goes back to those days of rafting and having fun as a family on these cold winter days. It truly was a magical summer that will not soon be forgotten.
August 19th. The day I have been dreading since March 7, 2005. The day that Peppermint Patty started to school. I cried most of the summer when I thought about PP going to school. She didn't get into the school near our house due to over crowding so we have to drive her across town to the overflow school. I may not like the drive but I like the school and her teacher is absolutely amazing!! I can't say enough about the experience PP is having this year. She is learning so much and has come so far. I can't believe by the end of the year she will be reading and writing in complete sentences with some accuracy. I am almost in tears just thinking about my baby who isn't a baby anymore going to kindergarten but she loves it and loves her teachers so I am so proud of her. (Thank you Peppermint's teacher....you know who you are and you know I LOVE YOU!!!)
Sometime between September and the end of October we lost our camera....with A LOT of pictures on it. Still hoping to find it and this is the one low point of the year that I can think about. If you want to get us a gift...now you know what to bring us. :)
Between August and now is just a blur of driving everyone to everything every where. My car is always completely trashed out and always smells of milk, fast food, or some chap stick that Pig Pen thinks she needs to coat her lips in. BG and I are trying to keep up as best we can with all the demands of having 2 crazy girls and a life that seems to be getting faster. Don't get me wrong...it is crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way!
I am not sure what 2011 is going to bring. I am having an itch for something but not sure what. I am going to be putting out fleeces and letting God lead me through this instead of me leading God....well....I am going to try anyways....Whatever happens I know this.....Geoff and I love each other, love the girls, and the girls love us. Nothing is better than that and I am so proud of the family we have built. Ups, downs, whatever happens, we have each other in 2011.......Happy 2010....Hopeful for 2011.
In February Pig Pen turned 3. Being 3 is a lot harder than being 2 and she has had some growing pains this year that I am not sure any of us were ready for. She is the funniest child you have ever met who is obsessed with animals, her tricycle (she rides it in the house), and getting her way. In early September her sister gave her a hair cut so she went from having beautiful long blond hair to short short light brown hair over night. That change is the hardest for me because I still can't believe her hair is so short. She isn't as far along academically as Peppermint Patty was when she was this age, but I know Pig Pen is smart and will get it in her own time. She is stubborn like her mama (who would have thought) and she doesn't like to be pushed to do anything she doesn't want to do. I am excited to see where God takes her over the next few years and how her personality continues to develop. She truly is a special little girl and I am so proud that she is mine.
On March 7th Peppermint Patty turned 5. The baby that took 9 months and 14.5 hours of labor with 3.5 hours of pushing before she would come out turned 5. The baby that I still don't know where all the time went turned 5. I am still not sure I am over her turning 5 and she will be 6 right around the corner. She loves fishing, riding on the tube, swimming in the pool, getting tickled, and playing with Nylah the dog. She is still timid when she is in big crowds or around people she doesn't know but that doesn't slow her down for long. She is funny, smart, quiet, bossy, and a good friend. She has grown up so fast and I can't believe I have a kindergartner! She is a girly girl who Big Grasshopper is already trying to figure out how we are going to pay for her expensive clothes and hair some day! LOL! She is one of a kind and I am so glad that God has put her in our family.
The weekend in between the girls two birthdays we had a joint birthday party on the Tumble Bus. That is one pretty cool ride that I would definitely recommend for small parties. Everyone had a great time and the girls enjoyed having their friends at our house.
In April Big Grasshopper turned 36 and I turned 32. We are old. I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to think about it. I don't even think I should have mentioned it here, but it is definitely a milestone that must happen in order to keep the dash going. Getting older is one of those strange things in life. I look back at when I was the girls age and think I thought my parents were so old at the age I am now....and guess what....I think I was right.....they were old and now I am kinda feeling old. 32 is not THAT close to 40 but it is way farther away from 22-23 than I feel possible. I am hoping the closer I get to 40 the less old I will feel....maybe?
The Summer....aaaaahhhhh.....the summer that was 2010....filled with camping, boating, swimming, tubing, hanging out with friends, fishing, more camping, more swimming, more hanging out with friends, more enjoying 100 degree heat, eating, drinking, camp fires, and more hanging out with friends. What an amazing summer!! I am really not sure summer 2010 will never be beaten in my mind. Peppermint learned to swim without her life vest or floaties in the pool. She still has to always wear her life vest in the lake, but she is so proud of her swimming abilities in the pool. We camped out so much that I think we were camping more on the weekends than we were home. The girls and Big Grasshopper really love fishing and I have bragging rights that I am the only one that caught my limit when we went Stripper fishing while BG's sister and her boyfriend visited for a few days. We enjoyed the boat more than any people ought to....but my mind still goes back to those days of rafting and having fun as a family on these cold winter days. It truly was a magical summer that will not soon be forgotten.
August 19th. The day I have been dreading since March 7, 2005. The day that Peppermint Patty started to school. I cried most of the summer when I thought about PP going to school. She didn't get into the school near our house due to over crowding so we have to drive her across town to the overflow school. I may not like the drive but I like the school and her teacher is absolutely amazing!! I can't say enough about the experience PP is having this year. She is learning so much and has come so far. I can't believe by the end of the year she will be reading and writing in complete sentences with some accuracy. I am almost in tears just thinking about my baby who isn't a baby anymore going to kindergarten but she loves it and loves her teachers so I am so proud of her. (Thank you Peppermint's teacher....you know who you are and you know I LOVE YOU!!!)
Sometime between September and the end of October we lost our camera....with A LOT of pictures on it. Still hoping to find it and this is the one low point of the year that I can think about. If you want to get us a gift...now you know what to bring us. :)
Between August and now is just a blur of driving everyone to everything every where. My car is always completely trashed out and always smells of milk, fast food, or some chap stick that Pig Pen thinks she needs to coat her lips in. BG and I are trying to keep up as best we can with all the demands of having 2 crazy girls and a life that seems to be getting faster. Don't get me wrong...it is crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way!
I am not sure what 2011 is going to bring. I am having an itch for something but not sure what. I am going to be putting out fleeces and letting God lead me through this instead of me leading God....well....I am going to try anyways....Whatever happens I know this.....Geoff and I love each other, love the girls, and the girls love us. Nothing is better than that and I am so proud of the family we have built. Ups, downs, whatever happens, we have each other in 2011.......Happy 2010....Hopeful for 2011.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Just Be Human
Doctor's and Teachers are very much alike. Both have degrees, are professional, and deal with the public in both the best and worst circumstances. Both work hard everyday to make sure who they see is taken care of and should go beyond the call of duty when necessary to see that who they are taking care of is taken care of and they are the best "OK" they can be. Both also deal with more paperwork and bureaucracy than should be necessary and if given the chance to hold a bonfire and burn all the paperwork, most would not hesitate to bring the paperwork and lighter fluid and do a dance as it burns. I think for the most part both teachers and doctors go into their profession with a whole hearted thought they can make a difference and then find out that medicine is not like what we see on Grey's anatomy and teaching is not what is depicted in after school specials.
As a teacher on sabbatical I know first hand the carnage of teaching. (As I am not a doctor I won't say it is hard but watching from a far I am pretty sure that it is difficult.) It is hard. It is difficult. There are long hours. There are tears. There is heart ache. There is a lot of sacrifice of one's self. However....this is only if you are good....no great....the greatest....you are human. You care. You love. You laugh. You dance. You sing. You put yourself out there. You are yourself. You make mistakes. You are kind. You speak from the heart. You look people in the eye and are honest. You take time to explain what is happening with the other humans that you are dealing with. You treat others the way you would want to be treated; the way you want your kids, wife, husband, mother, father, etc. to be treated.
I think this is what a lot of doctors and teachers have forgotten. We have forgotten that we deal with humans and to deal with other humans we have to also be....drum roll please.....human!!! Since when did it get so hard to take a few extra minutes to feel for others? Since when did it get so hard to try to understand someone's plight?
I have struggled for the last 10-12 days being sick. I am not expecting miracles when I go to the doctor. I am not even expecting them to make me be better in one day. What I do expect is what is expected of me as a teacher when their child is in my classroom - I want a human. I want someone that is kind, considerate, compassionate, understanding, and takes an extra 30 seconds to be friendly and helpful even if there isn't much they can do. I also want them to look me in the eye and try to help me the best way they know how. Is this too much to ask? Maybe....but if I have to be a "human" when I am teaching their child, than I expect that of my doctor when they are doctoring.
Human...nothing more....nothing less...Human. Just Human.
As a teacher on sabbatical I know first hand the carnage of teaching. (As I am not a doctor I won't say it is hard but watching from a far I am pretty sure that it is difficult.) It is hard. It is difficult. There are long hours. There are tears. There is heart ache. There is a lot of sacrifice of one's self. However....this is only if you are good....no great....the greatest....you are human. You care. You love. You laugh. You dance. You sing. You put yourself out there. You are yourself. You make mistakes. You are kind. You speak from the heart. You look people in the eye and are honest. You take time to explain what is happening with the other humans that you are dealing with. You treat others the way you would want to be treated; the way you want your kids, wife, husband, mother, father, etc. to be treated.
I think this is what a lot of doctors and teachers have forgotten. We have forgotten that we deal with humans and to deal with other humans we have to also be....drum roll please.....human!!! Since when did it get so hard to take a few extra minutes to feel for others? Since when did it get so hard to try to understand someone's plight?
I have struggled for the last 10-12 days being sick. I am not expecting miracles when I go to the doctor. I am not even expecting them to make me be better in one day. What I do expect is what is expected of me as a teacher when their child is in my classroom - I want a human. I want someone that is kind, considerate, compassionate, understanding, and takes an extra 30 seconds to be friendly and helpful even if there isn't much they can do. I also want them to look me in the eye and try to help me the best way they know how. Is this too much to ask? Maybe....but if I have to be a "human" when I am teaching their child, than I expect that of my doctor when they are doctoring.
Human...nothing more....nothing less...Human. Just Human.
Friday, November 19, 2010
For My Mom
For the past several days I have been thankful for something different. My family, the girl's teacher's and the simple things in life. But today, today I am thankful for my mom. My mother. My mommy. My mama.
When I was 2 we were in a terrible car wreck. I wasn't sitting my car seat that day (this fact actually saved my life). Instead, my mom put me beside her on the big wide console of our 1970's car. When my mom lost control of the car and we started flipping over and over (5 times in total), she wrapped her arms around me. She protected me in spite of her own safety. When the car came to a stop, the paramedics were called, and we were rescued my mom was found to have crushed both arms and broken ribs to save my life. I broke my left arm and have scar on my face that is still my reminder of what my mom did for me. While laying in the glass of that broken, flipped, mangled car, I would scream "mama, mama." Every time I would yell for her she would become conscious enough to tell me she was there and it was OK. Eventually it was really OK.
She has always told me that it is OK and if it isn't, she has always tried to make it OK. We haven't always seen eye to eye. My mom is a lady in every sense of the word. She has manors. She knows how to cross her legs. She knows how to be quiet when she should be. She knows how to walk in heals without looking like a fool. At one time when she was in the business world, when she spoke, people listened. When she walked, people watched who she was going to fire. She was and still is commanding. She also plays the piano and organ like nobodies business. She is Mrs. Clean. She is a Proverbs 31 woman.
She deserved a daughter who was much like her. Gentil, manored, lady like. She got me. I say that to say I am sorry I am not more like her. I wish I was quiet with less of an opinion. I wish I knew how to always act correctly in all situations that I am thrown in to. I wish I had the desire to sweep and mop on a daily basis. I wish I were a little more like my mom....but I am not....I am me, and she has always been OK with that. She hasn't always understood everything I have done or said. She hasn't always been the proudest when I have stuck my foot, elbow, and half left arm in my mouth but she has always tried to be there no matter what. She sometimes still frowns on some of my craziness but she loves me no matter what. She always says I Am OK. It is OK to be who I am.
I am proud to be her daughter. I may not be the daughter that she deserved, but I am proud that I am the daughter that she raised. She raised me to be independent, self sufficient, strong willed, unwilling to settle, loud and proud of who I am. There has never been a day that I haven't known she was proud of me. There has never been a day that I haven't known how much she loves me.
Thank you mommy for loving me. Thank you mommy for always standing behind me and being proud of me for who I am. I love you more than you know I am proud to be your daughter. You may not have gotten the daughter that you deserved but I thank you for always loving me anyways. You are the best mama I could ever ask for. I LOVE YOU!!!!!
When I was 2 we were in a terrible car wreck. I wasn't sitting my car seat that day (this fact actually saved my life). Instead, my mom put me beside her on the big wide console of our 1970's car. When my mom lost control of the car and we started flipping over and over (5 times in total), she wrapped her arms around me. She protected me in spite of her own safety. When the car came to a stop, the paramedics were called, and we were rescued my mom was found to have crushed both arms and broken ribs to save my life. I broke my left arm and have scar on my face that is still my reminder of what my mom did for me. While laying in the glass of that broken, flipped, mangled car, I would scream "mama, mama." Every time I would yell for her she would become conscious enough to tell me she was there and it was OK. Eventually it was really OK.
She has always told me that it is OK and if it isn't, she has always tried to make it OK. We haven't always seen eye to eye. My mom is a lady in every sense of the word. She has manors. She knows how to cross her legs. She knows how to be quiet when she should be. She knows how to walk in heals without looking like a fool. At one time when she was in the business world, when she spoke, people listened. When she walked, people watched who she was going to fire. She was and still is commanding. She also plays the piano and organ like nobodies business. She is Mrs. Clean. She is a Proverbs 31 woman.
She deserved a daughter who was much like her. Gentil, manored, lady like. She got me. I say that to say I am sorry I am not more like her. I wish I was quiet with less of an opinion. I wish I knew how to always act correctly in all situations that I am thrown in to. I wish I had the desire to sweep and mop on a daily basis. I wish I were a little more like my mom....but I am not....I am me, and she has always been OK with that. She hasn't always understood everything I have done or said. She hasn't always been the proudest when I have stuck my foot, elbow, and half left arm in my mouth but she has always tried to be there no matter what. She sometimes still frowns on some of my craziness but she loves me no matter what. She always says I Am OK. It is OK to be who I am.
I am proud to be her daughter. I may not be the daughter that she deserved, but I am proud that I am the daughter that she raised. She raised me to be independent, self sufficient, strong willed, unwilling to settle, loud and proud of who I am. There has never been a day that I haven't known she was proud of me. There has never been a day that I haven't known how much she loves me.
Thank you mommy for loving me. Thank you mommy for always standing behind me and being proud of me for who I am. I love you more than you know I am proud to be your daughter. You may not have gotten the daughter that you deserved but I thank you for always loving me anyways. You are the best mama I could ever ask for. I LOVE YOU!!!!!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Home
I am Sooner born and Sooner bred. A part of my heart will always belong to Oklahoma, but something is changing and has been stirring from within me for awhile now. I am becoming an Arkansan. I have been here over 10 years. I moved to NW Arkansas on a hot August day in 2000. I didn't ever think I would officially call NW Arkansas home. I think I thought I would eventually return to Oklahoma (where the wind comes sweeping down the plain) fall in love with a Sooner man (a Cowboy would never do) and settle down on the plains. What actually happened was I fell in love with a California nerdy computer guy who could really care less about football, and the rest as they say, is history.
So why do I think I am becoming a NW Arkansan? Good question. I love this little part of the world. I love the trees. I love the lake. I love Walmart (even though I curse it daily). I love the atmosphere. I love the lifestyle of the area. I love the people. I even like the Hogs (gasp...I know)....
Also, when I am driving north on 540 from Fort Smith to Fayetteville I get goose bumps every time I come over the hill and see Fayetteville in the valley and the U of A on top of the hill. It is beautiful! It is amazing! It is home!
Now I know I don't live in Fayetteville (30 minutes away actually) but when I see the U of A on the hill I always know I am home. NW Arkansas is my home. NW Arkansas is home....and I couldn't be happier.
So, this Sooner Girl that was Sooner born and bred...is home...with her California boy....in NW Arkansas.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Blessed
I started on a journey 3 weeks ago that I didn't and still don't know where I am going and where God is taking me. She Lives Out Loud has been a time on Tuesday nights that has been a saving grace, time of reflection, and a time to renew. It is amazing how much God loves this girl that can't seem to keep it together, that runs the other way when things get hard, who asks more from him than I could ever repay, and who on a daily basis finds little time, if any, to fit Him in. In spite of that, he has still blessed me beyond measure.
I think the most amazing thing about my God story and my life journey are the people that He has put into my life. For most of my life there has always been someone there to stand in the gaps. Women and men that have served as a parents, mentors, friends, protectors, confidants, teachers, and much more. No matter where I have turned or which path I have taken, there has always been someone there to help, fix, listen, and take care of me. I truly believe these people are from God.
My life story is nothing more than a turbulent first few years, middle is filled with love, hope, and being spoiled, and the end as of now is more being spoiled and being blessed beyond my wildest dreams. In my story, however, are God's finger prints everywhere, in the form of love from others. People that simply have blessed me because they love me where am in life. They don't care who I am, where I am from, or how crazy I am in all my glory. People love me for me, no matter the me that I am at the time.
Amazing people like Geoff, my Mom, Dad, Aunt Helen, Uncle Blaine, Alex, Aaron, Aunt Patsy, Uncle Henry, Erin, Erin, Aaron, Granny Reichert, Papa Reichert, Grandma Irene, Papa B, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Francis, Jimmy and Sandy Schimmel, Neely Schimmel, Dane Schimmel, Grandpa Schimmel, Grandma Schimmel, the House family, Elaine -Natalie-Ryan Bates, Darlene Taylor, the Jordan family, Lisa Willis, Christy Lynch-Burcham and her wonderful mom, Lookeba MBC, Hinton MBC, Oakdale MBC, Bethel Baptist Church, Cedar Hills Youth Camp, Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Summers, Mrs. McGregor, Pete and Sharleen Rathmell, LaDonna Ball, Grace Point Church, my workout group, Waltina Hannah, and so many others that I could fill up pages and pages and pages of names, but I won't. I won't because some of them don't have names, some of them don't even have faces, and some of them I have long since forgotten - but God hasn't. All of these people are God's fingerprints. God's way of showing himself to me on earth. Sure I have had "God moments" where I knew only because of him am I still here, but it is the moments that aren't as significant that take my breath away.
Thank you to all of you that have taken my breath away and continue to take my breath away on a daily basis. God's love that has been shown through you is nothing less than a Heavenly treasure here on earth. I truly don't deserve God's love but He gives it freely because he loves me in ways I cannot yet comprehend. I stand on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 on a daily basis and truly believe that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." I also believe that everyone has a purpose in those seasons. I may not always understand why people come in or go out of my life but I know that God knows. Every single person's fingerprint on my life is amazing, cherished, and blessed.
My prayer for each of you is simple. Dear Lord, please bless all those who have blessed me until their cup runs over. Thank you for always filling the gaps and for leaving your fingerprints of love all over my life. Amen.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I think the most amazing thing about my God story and my life journey are the people that He has put into my life. For most of my life there has always been someone there to stand in the gaps. Women and men that have served as a parents, mentors, friends, protectors, confidants, teachers, and much more. No matter where I have turned or which path I have taken, there has always been someone there to help, fix, listen, and take care of me. I truly believe these people are from God.
My life story is nothing more than a turbulent first few years, middle is filled with love, hope, and being spoiled, and the end as of now is more being spoiled and being blessed beyond my wildest dreams. In my story, however, are God's finger prints everywhere, in the form of love from others. People that simply have blessed me because they love me where am in life. They don't care who I am, where I am from, or how crazy I am in all my glory. People love me for me, no matter the me that I am at the time.
Amazing people like Geoff, my Mom, Dad, Aunt Helen, Uncle Blaine, Alex, Aaron, Aunt Patsy, Uncle Henry, Erin, Erin, Aaron, Granny Reichert, Papa Reichert, Grandma Irene, Papa B, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Francis, Jimmy and Sandy Schimmel, Neely Schimmel, Dane Schimmel, Grandpa Schimmel, Grandma Schimmel, the House family, Elaine -Natalie-Ryan Bates, Darlene Taylor, the Jordan family, Lisa Willis, Christy Lynch-Burcham and her wonderful mom, Lookeba MBC, Hinton MBC, Oakdale MBC, Bethel Baptist Church, Cedar Hills Youth Camp, Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Summers, Mrs. McGregor, Pete and Sharleen Rathmell, LaDonna Ball, Grace Point Church, my workout group, Waltina Hannah, and so many others that I could fill up pages and pages and pages of names, but I won't. I won't because some of them don't have names, some of them don't even have faces, and some of them I have long since forgotten - but God hasn't. All of these people are God's fingerprints. God's way of showing himself to me on earth. Sure I have had "God moments" where I knew only because of him am I still here, but it is the moments that aren't as significant that take my breath away.
Thank you to all of you that have taken my breath away and continue to take my breath away on a daily basis. God's love that has been shown through you is nothing less than a Heavenly treasure here on earth. I truly don't deserve God's love but He gives it freely because he loves me in ways I cannot yet comprehend. I stand on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 on a daily basis and truly believe that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." I also believe that everyone has a purpose in those seasons. I may not always understand why people come in or go out of my life but I know that God knows. Every single person's fingerprint on my life is amazing, cherished, and blessed.
My prayer for each of you is simple. Dear Lord, please bless all those who have blessed me until their cup runs over. Thank you for always filling the gaps and for leaving your fingerprints of love all over my life. Amen.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Big Girl...Stick With Your Dancing Doctor Idea
Big Girl and Little Lady decided to play barber shop yesterday....Little Lady's hair lost.
Yesterday afternoon started off like any other. I picked Big Girl up from school, came home, did snack, watched 30 minutes of TV, and then told them they had to go play for a little bit while I tried to pick up (ha!). I went to check on them a couple of times and they were playing really well...or so I thought. After I had checked on them, I came in, sat down for a minute and flipped on the TV for some reason. A few minutes later Little Lady comes out and says "Emma has scissors." OK. Wait. What? Wait. What has happened to your hair? What the? BIG GIRL!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO?!?! GET IN TIME OUT RIGHT NOW!!!! WHAT THE? WHAT THE? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHY DID YOU DO THIS? Big Girl simply says "Sisters hair was too long. She needed a hair cut." At this point I am crying historically (yes...historically) and trying to figure out the what, why, and where this hair cutting has happened.
I call Big Grasshopper and leave the following message crying....bawling......OK....snot coming out my nose, tears dripping on my clothes crying.....BIG GIRL JUST CUT LITTLE LADIES HAIR!!!!! CRYING...and I hang up. I bet that is a great message.....yup....classic Kristin message.
I then call my WONDERFUL hair goddess person and beg her to help me. She takes me in laughing and fixes Madison's hair.
I know most kids do this and it is a right of passage, but to say that we have talked about not cutting hair is an under statement. Every time we have out scissors (which will be never, ever, not until they are 35 will they get to use another pair of scissors in this house) I talk to them about only cutting paper, and only cutting things we need to cut. We never, ever, under any circumstance think we need to cut clothing, Barbie hair, or someone's hair, including our own. (Think all my talking has really paid off...don't ya think?)
My verdict at the end of the day is Big Girl should stick to her dancing doctor idea of what she wants to be....and it is just hair....it grows back....right?
Yesterday afternoon started off like any other. I picked Big Girl up from school, came home, did snack, watched 30 minutes of TV, and then told them they had to go play for a little bit while I tried to pick up (ha!). I went to check on them a couple of times and they were playing really well...or so I thought. After I had checked on them, I came in, sat down for a minute and flipped on the TV for some reason. A few minutes later Little Lady comes out and says "Emma has scissors." OK. Wait. What? Wait. What has happened to your hair? What the? BIG GIRL!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO?!?! GET IN TIME OUT RIGHT NOW!!!! WHAT THE? WHAT THE? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU DO? WHY DID YOU DO THIS? Big Girl simply says "Sisters hair was too long. She needed a hair cut." At this point I am crying historically (yes...historically) and trying to figure out the what, why, and where this hair cutting has happened.
I call Big Grasshopper and leave the following message crying....bawling......OK....snot coming out my nose, tears dripping on my clothes crying.....BIG GIRL JUST CUT LITTLE LADIES HAIR!!!!! CRYING...and I hang up. I bet that is a great message.....yup....classic Kristin message.
I then call my WONDERFUL hair goddess person and beg her to help me. She takes me in laughing and fixes Madison's hair.
I know most kids do this and it is a right of passage, but to say that we have talked about not cutting hair is an under statement. Every time we have out scissors (which will be never, ever, not until they are 35 will they get to use another pair of scissors in this house) I talk to them about only cutting paper, and only cutting things we need to cut. We never, ever, under any circumstance think we need to cut clothing, Barbie hair, or someone's hair, including our own. (Think all my talking has really paid off...don't ya think?)
My verdict at the end of the day is Big Girl should stick to her dancing doctor idea of what she wants to be....and it is just hair....it grows back....right?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Your Only A Day Away.....
Tomorrow...sweet tomorrow....
The day Emma was born was so special. For one it meant that my body would quit having high blood pressure and I could go back to feeling somewhat normal and two it meant I would finally get to see this bundle of joy that I had waited on for the last 9 months. After she was cleaned up, everyone got a good look at her, and I was all alone for a few minutes with this little person it hit me....I would never be able to completely protect her again.
I know that she isn't going off to college and I am not sending her away to a deserted island but tomorrow is one more thing I can't completely protect her from. I can't choose her friends, can't make people be nice, can't always help her make the best choice, and I will not be there every second to know that she is OK. I can't protect her.
So for me....tomorrow is just a day away....but if today slows down to a crawl....that will be just fine for me...because today I can protect her and know that she is OK.
The day Emma was born was so special. For one it meant that my body would quit having high blood pressure and I could go back to feeling somewhat normal and two it meant I would finally get to see this bundle of joy that I had waited on for the last 9 months. After she was cleaned up, everyone got a good look at her, and I was all alone for a few minutes with this little person it hit me....I would never be able to completely protect her again.
I know that she isn't going off to college and I am not sending her away to a deserted island but tomorrow is one more thing I can't completely protect her from. I can't choose her friends, can't make people be nice, can't always help her make the best choice, and I will not be there every second to know that she is OK. I can't protect her.
So for me....tomorrow is just a day away....but if today slows down to a crawl....that will be just fine for me...because today I can protect her and know that she is OK.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Things Never Said About Having Children
There are unwritten and unspoken things about having children. Things that if a people who do not have children learned before having kids themselves would maybe make them rethink having the beauties in the first place. Why are these things unspoken? 1. We who have children want others to be in misery with us so we don't tell them the REAL horrors. 2. You sign a waiver (in the hospital while drugged up) saying you will never, ever, under any real circumstance tell any childless couple what life is really like after you take home that precious little bundle of joy. OK...well maybe you don't sign a waiver but I do think there is an unwritten code that some things just aren't talked about. 3. We who have children want to laugh at people who don't have children when they actually do. Most people who don't have children have a preconceived notion that they can parent better than we can or that they would do things different. What normally happens is they turn out to be average parents just like us and do crazy things just like us and so then we get to laugh at all their "if I was a parent" theories. So what are the the things unspoken or things you have to sign a waiver to never ever tell a childless parent?
1. You will NEVER, EVER, EVER sleep a whole night the same way you did before you had your bundle of joy. The first 6-12 weeks are the most sleep deprived time but even after you think you should go back to peacefully sleeping through the night you don't. You get up to see if they are breathing. You hear every cough. You hear if they roll over. You hear if they go to the bathroom. You hear EVERYTHING. You also STILL have to get up. They get sick. They throw up. They have to go to the bathroom. They want to play with their dolls or cars at 3 in the morning. Sleeping is NEVER the same.....EVER....
2. The amount of poop one child can have on any given day is so massively unproportional to how big they actually are. It is ridiculous! You think they should have tiny little poops and that it should only happen 1-2 times a day. Nope. Some days I have wondered how on earth that much poop can come from such a small child. When the girls were babies they seemed to be poop factories....OK...and so they were poop factories....but I would absolutely be amazed at how much poop would come out of them at any given time...and just when I thought they were done....oh no...they would poop...AGAIN!!!
3. Throwing up. Not spit up...Throw up....on you, around you, in your mouth, in your hair, on your clothes, on your new leather sofa, on the carpet, in the bed, anywhere but in the toilet. It happens. It still happens and Big Girl and Little Lady are 5 and 3. Neither of them can seem to find a toilet when it needs to be done and the mom instinct is just to let them to puke on you. Yup.....pleasant....I know.
4. Vacations are for.......SLEEPING!!! Yes...you will just want to sleep! I know...you think you are going to want to do all the usual things when you go on vacation without the little beauties for the first time like drinking, having sex, partying it up, etc. Nope...After Big Girl was born we had our 4th anniversary. We decided to go up to Branson for one night. We dropped her off with Nana and away we went. I thought we would have a great time. We would eat out, get some rest, have sex which we haven't had since she was born because we were so tired (see #1 if you don't remember the lack of sleep part) and just really do some fun things. We got to Branson, checked in to the hotel and decided to nap....for 4, FOUR, 4 hours! We got up go eat, see the show we had bought tickets for, and then went to the hotel back and fell promptly to sleep....AGAIN! The next morning at 9:30 we wake up to remember that check out at this hotel is at 11. Oh yes we did have some fun in between the sleeping...but there was JUST SLEEPING happening.
5. Most parents will tell you that sex will become way over rated...because it NEVER happens. Being sleep deprived and smelling like poop or throw up or both at the same time is not the picture of attractive. If it does happen it is short, sweat, and hurried. Long gone will be the days of pretty night gowns and candles. Long gone are the days that the acts of lust could take forever and no one would care. In are the days of someone screaming at the door that some cartoon is over, their sister won't share, or that they need milk. In are also the days were you say "hurry...you have 5 minutes make them count....do you really think they are asleep?....etc." Yup...romantic don't you think?
6. Children are dirty and gross little creatures. They are always getting into things. They are always putting things in their little mouths that they shouldn't...like dog poop, rocks, coins, crayons, play do, etc. I don't think I have gone a day in over 5 years where I haven't been utterly disgusted by something one of my children has done. They are always showing me things I would rather not see, doing things I wish they wouldn't do, and putting things in places...well...we won't go there.
These are 6 of the more obvious things to list. I could write 94 more to round out to an even hundred but I can't. Remember...I signed an oath. But I will tell you this if you are still reading. I wouldn't change a thing. For all the sleep I have lost and for everything else that has happened, I wouldn't change a thing. I would actually go back if I could and do it all again. I long for the nights were I had 3 am feedings so I can hold Big Girl again and have her stare up at me with her big brown eyes or for mornings where I could escape for a few moments to have some quiet nursing time with Little Lady. They grow up so fast and as I look back over the last 5 years I laugh and cry. There really are crazy things that happen that no one tells you about....but I wouldn't change a thing.
1. You will NEVER, EVER, EVER sleep a whole night the same way you did before you had your bundle of joy. The first 6-12 weeks are the most sleep deprived time but even after you think you should go back to peacefully sleeping through the night you don't. You get up to see if they are breathing. You hear every cough. You hear if they roll over. You hear if they go to the bathroom. You hear EVERYTHING. You also STILL have to get up. They get sick. They throw up. They have to go to the bathroom. They want to play with their dolls or cars at 3 in the morning. Sleeping is NEVER the same.....EVER....
2. The amount of poop one child can have on any given day is so massively unproportional to how big they actually are. It is ridiculous! You think they should have tiny little poops and that it should only happen 1-2 times a day. Nope. Some days I have wondered how on earth that much poop can come from such a small child. When the girls were babies they seemed to be poop factories....OK...and so they were poop factories....but I would absolutely be amazed at how much poop would come out of them at any given time...and just when I thought they were done....oh no...they would poop...AGAIN!!!
3. Throwing up. Not spit up...Throw up....on you, around you, in your mouth, in your hair, on your clothes, on your new leather sofa, on the carpet, in the bed, anywhere but in the toilet. It happens. It still happens and Big Girl and Little Lady are 5 and 3. Neither of them can seem to find a toilet when it needs to be done and the mom instinct is just to let them to puke on you. Yup.....pleasant....I know.
4. Vacations are for.......SLEEPING!!! Yes...you will just want to sleep! I know...you think you are going to want to do all the usual things when you go on vacation without the little beauties for the first time like drinking, having sex, partying it up, etc. Nope...After Big Girl was born we had our 4th anniversary. We decided to go up to Branson for one night. We dropped her off with Nana and away we went. I thought we would have a great time. We would eat out, get some rest, have sex which we haven't had since she was born because we were so tired (see #1 if you don't remember the lack of sleep part) and just really do some fun things. We got to Branson, checked in to the hotel and decided to nap....for 4, FOUR, 4 hours! We got up go eat, see the show we had bought tickets for, and then went to the hotel back and fell promptly to sleep....AGAIN! The next morning at 9:30 we wake up to remember that check out at this hotel is at 11. Oh yes we did have some fun in between the sleeping...but there was JUST SLEEPING happening.
5. Most parents will tell you that sex will become way over rated...because it NEVER happens. Being sleep deprived and smelling like poop or throw up or both at the same time is not the picture of attractive. If it does happen it is short, sweat, and hurried. Long gone will be the days of pretty night gowns and candles. Long gone are the days that the acts of lust could take forever and no one would care. In are the days of someone screaming at the door that some cartoon is over, their sister won't share, or that they need milk. In are also the days were you say "hurry...you have 5 minutes make them count....do you really think they are asleep?....etc." Yup...romantic don't you think?
6. Children are dirty and gross little creatures. They are always getting into things. They are always putting things in their little mouths that they shouldn't...like dog poop, rocks, coins, crayons, play do, etc. I don't think I have gone a day in over 5 years where I haven't been utterly disgusted by something one of my children has done. They are always showing me things I would rather not see, doing things I wish they wouldn't do, and putting things in places...well...we won't go there.
These are 6 of the more obvious things to list. I could write 94 more to round out to an even hundred but I can't. Remember...I signed an oath. But I will tell you this if you are still reading. I wouldn't change a thing. For all the sleep I have lost and for everything else that has happened, I wouldn't change a thing. I would actually go back if I could and do it all again. I long for the nights were I had 3 am feedings so I can hold Big Girl again and have her stare up at me with her big brown eyes or for mornings where I could escape for a few moments to have some quiet nursing time with Little Lady. They grow up so fast and as I look back over the last 5 years I laugh and cry. There really are crazy things that happen that no one tells you about....but I wouldn't change a thing.
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