An open apology to my students

On Thursday mornings, I tutor high school students who are trying to graduate after being kicked out/having dropped out of conventional high school.  On Thursday afternoons, I work with an after school program for middle school students who are struggling in and out of school.

Some days I leave with the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I leave thinking about how unfair some things are for these students.
About how I wish I could take them home.
About how glad I am that I know them.

But when I leave them, I go home to my cushy house in the country with my 2 healthy kids, my husband who  loves us and provides for us, physically and spiritually.  I am not afraid at night.  I have not lost my childhood because of someone else's decisions.

Dear Students,

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that adults could not get their crap together.  I'm sorry that you have to deal with situations that nobody should have to deal with, let alone a young child.  I'm sorry that choices others made have tainted your view of what it means to be a father, or mother, or a family.

I'm sorry that the church has not been there more for you. To walk alongside you and your family in hard times.  To care for you when nobody else was caring for you.

I'm sorry that, for the most part, we believers are so caught up in our own lives, our conveniences, our schedules, and our "problems" that we don't look for ways to help you.

God says that true religion is looking after widows and orphans.  Many of you have been "orphaned" in one way or another.  May we, the church, rise up and look after you.

Some Randomness to Celebrate Friday

I really did have all kinds of intentions to blog this week, and SERIOUSLY it was not my fault this time!  Our internet has been down all week  And while I have learned how much time I waste on the world wide web, I am grateful it is back and I can find the recipes I need, email the people I need, and of course listen to Pandora Disney Princess station (okay, that last one was for Elise.  She could do that for hours.)

So, in honor of this beautiful fall Friday, I now present some random thoughts that are bouncing around in my head:

*I was talking to our neighbors last night, and was curious about the house next door to them.  They have a shed in the back yard, but also a smaller shed really close to the house.  I asked if it was a playhouse for a child or something, and my neighbors said some words I would never forget.  "Oh, no.  It's a cat house."  You read that right:  a cat house.  These people built a playhouse for their cat.  Cats, actually.  And now they let raccoons in there and feed them, too.  And here I was, starting to miss my old, crazy neighborhood. . .

*I'm so glad the new seasons of some of my favorite shows are starting up again.  I'm loving Parenthood, although I'm not sure I'll be able to watch it if it gets any sadder than it already is.  A girl can only take so much.  Parks and Recreation was on last night, and it was great.  I can't decide which character I love more, and I love that.  It's one show that both David and I enjoy watching, so that's a double bonus.  Now, I'm just waiting on The Mentalist and Castle, and tv enjoyment will be complete.

*I've been experimenting with green smoothies this week.  I've tried spinach, kale, and now radish greens.  So far they haven't been too bad, and they give me so much energy (and vitamins).  I've been trying to make them ahead and have them ready to drink for breakfast.  My kids have tried each one, and nobody has complained about it, but I'm a little nervous to give them a whole glass.  Last time I did that their little bodies weren't used to all of those veggies, and they were running a little "loose", if you know what I mean.  Baby steps to good nutrition, right?

*Do kids ever get tired of riding on lawn mowers?  This question has yet to be answered "yes" at our house.  It the best entertainment at our new house by far.

*Speaking of my kids, my daughter is going through a whiny spell that is about to drive me to the brink of insanity.  It is exhausting!  Seriously, this morning the whining started because she wanted a treat AT 8:45 IN THE MORNING!!  When I said no she started crying.  Seriously?  Seriously?!!  Advice?  Help?  Babysitters?  I'll take all three

*I can't seem to keep our new house clean.  Ever. 

*I've been reading way too many sad books about death, divorce, murder, and whatnot.  I need some sort of lighthearted reading--any suggestions?

And there is your randomness for the day.  Happy Friday!!

I want to blog. . .

Here's the thing:

This whole moving/two houses/kids in school/working on Thursday/trying to exercise some more/my family wants to eat EVERY DAY thing has really thrown me for a loop.

Almost every day, I have sat down to blog about something interesting (or at least mildly entertaining), and it never gets done.

I have things I want to share

about meeting the neighbors

and moving to at tiny town

and learning about my new students

and going to the farm for Labor Day

and running a 5K

and all kinds of stuff

but they just haven't gotten done.

I'm not quitting the blog.  Really, I'm not.  I just need to get it back into my routine, so I can share more.

And while I'm on the subject of sharing, let me tell you how amazing jalapeno poppers are.  Seriously amazing.  And so easy.  You just slice jalapenos lengthwise, take out the seeds, and put a little cream cheese on them.  Sprinkle them with a little shredded cheese, and pop them into a really hot oven (425 or 450).  Cook for about 12 minutes.  Wonderful.  And if you want to kick it up even more, go ahead and wrap those puppies up in some bacon before you put them in the oven.

Seriously, I'm drooling right now.

So, if you're reading this blog, thank you for not giving up on me and my words.  I will return with more mundane-ness very soon!