Today is the first of 8 days with just me and the kids. We (I) decided early on that the best way to keep everyone (me) from missing David, we would try and stay busy.
Today's adventures included a trip to the Haynes Apperson Parade, in downtown Kokomo. I was a little concerned how I was going to manuever 3 chairs, 2 kids, and a cooler of drinks to a shady spot. I was also a little concerned about a)where the parade actually was and b)where I was allowed to park.
Luckily, we got there in plenty of time. After we parked and figured out a good place to sit, we walked to the downtown library to kill some time. (Too bad I was carrying all of that through the library. I may or may not have gotten a few looks. Whatever.)
The kids had a great time at the parade. It was kicked off by the veterans, who were led by my nephew Jonathan, on drums. We got to see several people we know in the parade, so now Noel thinks I know everyone in Kokomo. The kids had more than their fill of candy, and even got some free ice cream tokens from Culvers. About 5 or 6 floats from the end, it started raining, so we packed it up and headed home. The kids were sweaty and sticky, but happy.
And before you read this and think I am a mom who has it all together, right now they are chasing each other in and out of the house, screaming.
Oh, and Elise has no pants on.
You pick your battles.
Here's to a good day, and hopefully 7 more before we all are together again!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday Thank You's, one day late
Today I am thankful for. . .
571. air conditioning!!
572. funny moments between David and me (like last night when he was talking in his sleep, telling me about how I needed to be careful because there were grapes everywhere. When I tried to wake him up, he said, "I am WIDE awake." Really, grape man? Really?)
573. strong, healthy bodies for my kids and me
574. Nadine's continued improvement, for her courage and patience
575. getting to see old friends last night and catch up
576. one hand-me-down Dora bike that has made my daughter's week!
577. reminders of what our true blessings are.
578. our upcoming trip to Lincoln to see dear, dear friends
579. the first zucchini from the garden. . .picked this morning!
580. getting to drive the mission trip crew down to Indy tonight. It makes me think of Tanya Davis, who passed away a little over a year ago. She wanted so badly to go on the trip in 2010, but couldn't. She said driving us there was as close as she could come to going on the trip. I can't wait to be there when they get off the plane on the trip home, either!
What are you thankful for?
571. air conditioning!!
572. funny moments between David and me (like last night when he was talking in his sleep, telling me about how I needed to be careful because there were grapes everywhere. When I tried to wake him up, he said, "I am WIDE awake." Really, grape man? Really?)
573. strong, healthy bodies for my kids and me
574. Nadine's continued improvement, for her courage and patience
575. getting to see old friends last night and catch up
576. one hand-me-down Dora bike that has made my daughter's week!
577. reminders of what our true blessings are.
578. our upcoming trip to Lincoln to see dear, dear friends
579. the first zucchini from the garden. . .picked this morning!
580. getting to drive the mission trip crew down to Indy tonight. It makes me think of Tanya Davis, who passed away a little over a year ago. She wanted so badly to go on the trip in 2010, but couldn't. She said driving us there was as close as she could come to going on the trip. I can't wait to be there when they get off the plane on the trip home, either!
What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Summer Adventures
In two days, I will be sending David off, with about 25 other people, to work in Haiti for a little over a week. They are going to Peredo, where I went two years ago.
To say that I am jealous is an understatement.
I feel a connection to the people of Peredo. My heart aches for them in their pains and rejoices with them in their successes. Choosing not to go so that David can go is really hard.
BUT
I am so excited for David, and that helps.
Sometimes we are asked to serve in a tangible way that is very rewarding. Those are the fun times, the times you write blog posts about and take pictures of.
But sometimes God asks you to do something else so it frees others up to serve. I am a very hands-on person. I like to get in there and do stuff. So it has been a struggle at times, having 2 small children, to turn down opportunities that I used to love to do, like going to church camp or CIY. But God has really changed my heart to understand a couple of things. One is that my service is staying here and being with my children so David can go to Haiti. Another is to serve by praying, which I'm not so good at.
I have learned that service isn't always what you think it's going to be, but that's just the point about life: it's not about ME. In fact, it's not about the group going to Haiti. It's about sharing God's love everywhere we go, every day, in big ways, yes, but also in small ways.
And so, my summer adventure may look different than it did a few years ago, but it is still that. As any mom can tell you, taking kids to a city pool, a parade, or even down the street can be an adventure!
To say that I am jealous is an understatement.
I feel a connection to the people of Peredo. My heart aches for them in their pains and rejoices with them in their successes. Choosing not to go so that David can go is really hard.
BUT
I am so excited for David, and that helps.
Sometimes we are asked to serve in a tangible way that is very rewarding. Those are the fun times, the times you write blog posts about and take pictures of.
But sometimes God asks you to do something else so it frees others up to serve. I am a very hands-on person. I like to get in there and do stuff. So it has been a struggle at times, having 2 small children, to turn down opportunities that I used to love to do, like going to church camp or CIY. But God has really changed my heart to understand a couple of things. One is that my service is staying here and being with my children so David can go to Haiti. Another is to serve by praying, which I'm not so good at.
I have learned that service isn't always what you think it's going to be, but that's just the point about life: it's not about ME. In fact, it's not about the group going to Haiti. It's about sharing God's love everywhere we go, every day, in big ways, yes, but also in small ways.
And so, my summer adventure may look different than it did a few years ago, but it is still that. As any mom can tell you, taking kids to a city pool, a parade, or even down the street can be an adventure!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thank you for the rain
Because of the craziness of this summer (I need a routine!) I have forgotten to post my "Thankful Thursday" thank yous. It's been kind of an disappointing week. Last week, we thought we had found the house of our dreams. This week we found out that the house has some septic issues that may or may not be a deal breaker.
I was really disappointed about it last night.
I had already pictured our family in the house, I was already planning out where the kids would play, and how we would have dinners on the deck out back, and all of that is now in limbo.
As I started to unpack my feelings this morning, I realized that what I am more upset sad about is that we have been in a state of uncertainty for months, and I am not comfortable with uncertainty. I like to have a plan. I like to know what we are doing, where we are going, etc. I had just breathed that big sigh of relief, thinking, "NOW we can relax." And realizing that we are back on roller coaster was discouraging.
In reality, life is never certain. We never know what each day, hour, or minute will hold. I know there is a reason for everything. I also know that what our house looks like is small potatoes compared with so many more things in life. This is a chance for me to have faith and trust that God is working for the good of those who believe.
Last night, we had planned to take the kids to the park for a running program they go to every Thursday. About 30 minutes before we were going to leave, the sky got dark. The wind started blowing. It started sprinkling. And then we had ourselves a nice little rainstorm. The kids could have chosen to be upset about missing the races and going to the park. But instead, we all sat on the front porch swing and watched the storm. We laughed as the wind blew the rain onto our legs. And we REALLY laughed when David went out to unclog a gutter and got drenched.
Why can't I be more like my kids? Why can't I see every day as an adventure to be had instead of a plan that needs to be followed through?
We may end up in that house. We may not. But until then, it is my goal to be thankful in all circumstances. To see the blessings of the rain.
Today I am thankful for. . .
561. family bike rides.
562. Pandora.
563. the summer reading program at the library.
564. friends with a pool who are generous enough to let us come over and swim.
565. David's upcoming trip to Haiti.
566. a washing machine.
567. fun moments with the kids.
568. good books.
569. reminders that I need to forgive and let things go.
570. rain for our thirsty plants, and rain for our thirsty souls.
What are you thankful for?
I was really disappointed about it last night.
I had already pictured our family in the house, I was already planning out where the kids would play, and how we would have dinners on the deck out back, and all of that is now in limbo.
As I started to unpack my feelings this morning, I realized that what I am more upset sad about is that we have been in a state of uncertainty for months, and I am not comfortable with uncertainty. I like to have a plan. I like to know what we are doing, where we are going, etc. I had just breathed that big sigh of relief, thinking, "NOW we can relax." And realizing that we are back on roller coaster was discouraging.
In reality, life is never certain. We never know what each day, hour, or minute will hold. I know there is a reason for everything. I also know that what our house looks like is small potatoes compared with so many more things in life. This is a chance for me to have faith and trust that God is working for the good of those who believe.
Last night, we had planned to take the kids to the park for a running program they go to every Thursday. About 30 minutes before we were going to leave, the sky got dark. The wind started blowing. It started sprinkling. And then we had ourselves a nice little rainstorm. The kids could have chosen to be upset about missing the races and going to the park. But instead, we all sat on the front porch swing and watched the storm. We laughed as the wind blew the rain onto our legs. And we REALLY laughed when David went out to unclog a gutter and got drenched.
Why can't I be more like my kids? Why can't I see every day as an adventure to be had instead of a plan that needs to be followed through?
We may end up in that house. We may not. But until then, it is my goal to be thankful in all circumstances. To see the blessings of the rain.
Today I am thankful for. . .
561. family bike rides.
562. Pandora.
563. the summer reading program at the library.
564. friends with a pool who are generous enough to let us come over and swim.
565. David's upcoming trip to Haiti.
566. a washing machine.
567. fun moments with the kids.
568. good books.
569. reminders that I need to forgive and let things go.
570. rain for our thirsty plants, and rain for our thirsty souls.
What are you thankful for?
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Garden Update
Last summer I was pretty diligent about sharing pictures and stories about our garden. Just in case you are wondering about this summer, I will give you a little rundown of what's shakin' on our tiny farm in the back yard.
Here's the deal: we are moving. We are not 100% sure WHERE we are moving, but we are sure that we have to get out of this house by the end of the summer, probably about the beginning of August. And so the garden is in limbo. We still planted it (frankly, anything in there looked better than just a big square of dirt for potential buyers to look at), but not near as much. We have corn, beans, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini.
Now, here comes the fun part: we have no idea if we will still be here when it's time to actually pick/eat the food! The corn should be ready during the same week that we are supposed to be out of here, but who really knows?
So, we have taken garden things a little less seriously this summer, which is a little sad, because I'm going to miss being able to have so much food on hand in the winter, but for right now that is about all we can do.
Instead, we are spending more of our gardening time working out on a community garden. In addition to Bridges, I am going to start volunteering at The Crossing, which is an alternative school for students who have been kicked out of school or dropped out. They can earn a real diploma, (not a GED), while also learning life skills and being surrounded by Christian influences. I'm really excited about getting started when the next quarter starts up.
One of the projects they have taken on at The Crossing is teaching students about gardening. All spring, students grew dozens of different plants--from seed--in the classroom, which they then planted in garden boxes by our local library. But now the students are on break, so David and I are helping out with watering and weeding to keep it going. There are 25 boxes (4 ' x 8 '), and they are planning on selling the harvest at our local farmers' market. What a great experience for these students to have!
So, in a nutshell, while there won't be any pictures of me weeding on my blog, if you drive past the Kokomo South Branch library anytime, you can probably catch me in action right there. (No autographs, please!)
What kinds of things are in your garden this summer? Has the rain (or lack thereof) affected it?
Here's the deal: we are moving. We are not 100% sure WHERE we are moving, but we are sure that we have to get out of this house by the end of the summer, probably about the beginning of August. And so the garden is in limbo. We still planted it (frankly, anything in there looked better than just a big square of dirt for potential buyers to look at), but not near as much. We have corn, beans, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini.
Now, here comes the fun part: we have no idea if we will still be here when it's time to actually pick/eat the food! The corn should be ready during the same week that we are supposed to be out of here, but who really knows?
So, we have taken garden things a little less seriously this summer, which is a little sad, because I'm going to miss being able to have so much food on hand in the winter, but for right now that is about all we can do.
Instead, we are spending more of our gardening time working out on a community garden. In addition to Bridges, I am going to start volunteering at The Crossing, which is an alternative school for students who have been kicked out of school or dropped out. They can earn a real diploma, (not a GED), while also learning life skills and being surrounded by Christian influences. I'm really excited about getting started when the next quarter starts up.
One of the projects they have taken on at The Crossing is teaching students about gardening. All spring, students grew dozens of different plants--from seed--in the classroom, which they then planted in garden boxes by our local library. But now the students are on break, so David and I are helping out with watering and weeding to keep it going. There are 25 boxes (4 ' x 8 '), and they are planning on selling the harvest at our local farmers' market. What a great experience for these students to have!
So, in a nutshell, while there won't be any pictures of me weeding on my blog, if you drive past the Kokomo South Branch library anytime, you can probably catch me in action right there. (No autographs, please!)
What kinds of things are in your garden this summer? Has the rain (or lack thereof) affected it?
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Cooking Update
Okay, so here's my confession:
Like most people, I have not completely fulfilled my New Year's Resolution, which was to cook a new food every week. I have been trying, but some weeks just get away from me. Oh, and there's that whole house-selling/house-buying thing we have going on.
But I did want to share that we made friend okra for the first time, and it was very good.
Now, a good cook (and a good blogger) would have pictures right here, but you can just Google images of fried okra, if you please.
All you do is slice the okra, let it soak in some egg, roll it in cornmeal, and pan fry it for a few minutes. I preferred mine with a little ranch dressing (doesn't almost everything go better with ranch?), but David opted for plain. It was delicious. I'm definitely getting it again.
What have you been cooking up this summer?
Like most people, I have not completely fulfilled my New Year's Resolution, which was to cook a new food every week. I have been trying, but some weeks just get away from me. Oh, and there's that whole house-selling/house-buying thing we have going on.
But I did want to share that we made friend okra for the first time, and it was very good.
Now, a good cook (and a good blogger) would have pictures right here, but you can just Google images of fried okra, if you please.
All you do is slice the okra, let it soak in some egg, roll it in cornmeal, and pan fry it for a few minutes. I preferred mine with a little ranch dressing (doesn't almost everything go better with ranch?), but David opted for plain. It was delicious. I'm definitely getting it again.
What have you been cooking up this summer?
Monday, June 18, 2012
just a tree
If you know me, you have probably heard me talk about Donald Miller. Waaaaaaay back in the day (maybe 1999?? 2000?) I was strolling around Barnes and Noble, and I found this book:
I had never heard of Donald Miller before, but I bought it.
It was amazing.
The book chronicled Miller's journey from Texas to the Northeast in search of who God is and what His direction for Don's life was. (fyi, he later re-published the book under a different title, if you're looking for it.)
The book spoke to me, probably because I was going through some of the same experiences Don was (not the Volkswagen, though). I ended up emailing him, and he was such a nobody at the time that we actually wrote back and forth several times. Thus began my Donald Miller following.
You may know Donald from this little ditty he wrote:
Anyway. . .
I have this money-saving policy that I will not buy books if I can borrow them from the library or someone I know. I have been trying to get Don's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" ever since it came out (something like 2 years ago). When David won a Kindle Fire from work, I finally broke down and bought the book.
And I must say that it was worth all four dollars and ninety-nine cents that I spent on it.
The premise of the book, in a nutshell, is that each of us is living a story. What kind of story are you living? What is the purpose of your story? How are you fulfilling God's plan in your life?
Donald writes with such transparency and candidness that you can't help but love him. He shares his faults, but not in a self-depricating way, and his successes, but not in a braggy voice. As I read this, I am inspired to live every day more fully. Each day I have been given is a gift, not to be wasted.
Two of the biggest lessons in the book for me, personally were:
#1--When you read a story/watch a movie, the times where the character grows the most is through conflict. We seem to understand that, but we don't seem to apply that to our own lives
#2--I am a tree, and the story is about the forest, not one tree. How can I live so that the story isn't about me, but about my maker?
If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. And if you've read it, please let me know what you thought.
I had never heard of Donald Miller before, but I bought it.
It was amazing.
The book chronicled Miller's journey from Texas to the Northeast in search of who God is and what His direction for Don's life was. (fyi, he later re-published the book under a different title, if you're looking for it.)
The book spoke to me, probably because I was going through some of the same experiences Don was (not the Volkswagen, though). I ended up emailing him, and he was such a nobody at the time that we actually wrote back and forth several times. Thus began my Donald Miller following.
You may know Donald from this little ditty he wrote:
I have this money-saving policy that I will not buy books if I can borrow them from the library or someone I know. I have been trying to get Don's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" ever since it came out (something like 2 years ago). When David won a Kindle Fire from work, I finally broke down and bought the book.
And I must say that it was worth all four dollars and ninety-nine cents that I spent on it.
The premise of the book, in a nutshell, is that each of us is living a story. What kind of story are you living? What is the purpose of your story? How are you fulfilling God's plan in your life?
Donald writes with such transparency and candidness that you can't help but love him. He shares his faults, but not in a self-depricating way, and his successes, but not in a braggy voice. As I read this, I am inspired to live every day more fully. Each day I have been given is a gift, not to be wasted.
Two of the biggest lessons in the book for me, personally were:
#1--When you read a story/watch a movie, the times where the character grows the most is through conflict. We seem to understand that, but we don't seem to apply that to our own lives
#2--I am a tree, and the story is about the forest, not one tree. How can I live so that the story isn't about me, but about my maker?
If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. And if you've read it, please let me know what you thought.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Just roll with it!
Well, it looks like we are unofficially buying a house. And it's the house I wanted. It has all worked out pretty well, and for that we are thankful. I think I've spend so much time trying to find houses and keep ours clean that I have missed thinking about just how much I will miss this house. It's been the only home I've ever had with David. David asked me out on our first date in this very living room. He proposed to me here, too. We brought both of our children to this home. So many memories. . .
It can almost be paralyzing.
But I believe in a God who is bigger than a building, and I know that God has a plan much greater than one house can hold. I believe that home is wherever you make it, and that the important parts of the house are coming with me :)
Change is frightening, yet exhilarating. When I think about the times I have grown closest to God, they are in times of extreme change. And if I rely on God and focus on His plan (not my own), every life change can be a growing closer to Him.
This afternoon, we went for a walk/bike ride to Hobby Lobby (It's about 2 blocks away). Now that Noel can ride a bike, he is light years faster than Elise, so I stayed back with Elise and told Noel to stop at each stop sign and wait for us. And as he headed off further and further away, part of me was so excited for his new found freedom, and part of me was sad that time is moving so quickly. I want my children to be present in every moment, not to wish their lives away, and to make memories. That doesn't happen if I'm just focusing on how fast my kids are growing up or how I wish they could stay little forever. It happens when I celebrate each milestone with them, as hard as that might be for a mom to see.
I read a book once that said our job as parents from day one is to help a child grow from being completely dependent upon you to being completely dependent upon God. In order for the latter to happen, I must release my children, in faith, knowing that the One who made the stars can watch over my children much better than I can.
And so. . .
we roll on. . .
It can almost be paralyzing.
But I believe in a God who is bigger than a building, and I know that God has a plan much greater than one house can hold. I believe that home is wherever you make it, and that the important parts of the house are coming with me :)
Change is frightening, yet exhilarating. When I think about the times I have grown closest to God, they are in times of extreme change. And if I rely on God and focus on His plan (not my own), every life change can be a growing closer to Him.
This afternoon, we went for a walk/bike ride to Hobby Lobby (It's about 2 blocks away). Now that Noel can ride a bike, he is light years faster than Elise, so I stayed back with Elise and told Noel to stop at each stop sign and wait for us. And as he headed off further and further away, part of me was so excited for his new found freedom, and part of me was sad that time is moving so quickly. I want my children to be present in every moment, not to wish their lives away, and to make memories. That doesn't happen if I'm just focusing on how fast my kids are growing up or how I wish they could stay little forever. It happens when I celebrate each milestone with them, as hard as that might be for a mom to see.
I read a book once that said our job as parents from day one is to help a child grow from being completely dependent upon you to being completely dependent upon God. In order for the latter to happen, I must release my children, in faith, knowing that the One who made the stars can watch over my children much better than I can.
And so. . .
we roll on. . .
Monday, June 11, 2012
So much going on!
This past week has been a "crazy train" of events, as Noel would call it. I would love to sit and write about all of it, but I'm not sure my brain has figured everything out.
Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we showed the house, which meant keeping it as clean as possible and then getting the heck out of dodge--with the kids and the dog! One day we ate lunch at Wendy's while the showing was going on, and I felt bad for poor Tee Dog sitting in the back of the van, so I poured my bottle of water into our little kid toilet in the back in case she needed a drink. Then Noel proceeded to tell anyone who would listen at Wendy's about how we have a toilet in the van and our dog is drinking out of it. Classy is the name of the game, folks!
The chaos continued as we packed up everything we needed (and about 100 things we didn't) to go tent camping for 4 days. Yes, you read that right: tent camping. 4 days. A 5 year-old and a 3 year-old. I'm not sure what I was thinking.
Yes, I do.
I was thinking that camping is so much fun for kids, and that we need to make memories like I did growing up. But, let me tell you, I am exhausted. The kids had a great time, though, so it was all worth it. They rode their bikes, played in dirt, made friends, walked trails, and swam. They also proceeded to get yelled at a few (or 20) times by me for not getting along. (And yes, the irony was not lost on me that I was screaming, "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE KIND TO EACH OTHER?!!!) It was not my finest moment(s). I came home feeling pretty defeated in the mom area.
But the good news is that we have accepted an offer on our house. We still have some hoops to jump through, but it looks very promising!
And now, we just have to find a house to live in next! Ha!
We had picked out a house, but it wasn't meant to be, and so we are back at square one with about 6 weeks to get everything figured out.
Oh, and have I mentioned that David is going to Haiti in a few weeks? Yeah, go ahead and throw that in the mix as well, just to keep things interesting!
But God is good, and we are blessed beyond measure, just along for the ride!
Last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we showed the house, which meant keeping it as clean as possible and then getting the heck out of dodge--with the kids and the dog! One day we ate lunch at Wendy's while the showing was going on, and I felt bad for poor Tee Dog sitting in the back of the van, so I poured my bottle of water into our little kid toilet in the back in case she needed a drink. Then Noel proceeded to tell anyone who would listen at Wendy's about how we have a toilet in the van and our dog is drinking out of it. Classy is the name of the game, folks!
The chaos continued as we packed up everything we needed (and about 100 things we didn't) to go tent camping for 4 days. Yes, you read that right: tent camping. 4 days. A 5 year-old and a 3 year-old. I'm not sure what I was thinking.
Yes, I do.
I was thinking that camping is so much fun for kids, and that we need to make memories like I did growing up. But, let me tell you, I am exhausted. The kids had a great time, though, so it was all worth it. They rode their bikes, played in dirt, made friends, walked trails, and swam. They also proceeded to get yelled at a few (or 20) times by me for not getting along. (And yes, the irony was not lost on me that I was screaming, "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE KIND TO EACH OTHER?!!!) It was not my finest moment(s). I came home feeling pretty defeated in the mom area.
But the good news is that we have accepted an offer on our house. We still have some hoops to jump through, but it looks very promising!
And now, we just have to find a house to live in next! Ha!
We had picked out a house, but it wasn't meant to be, and so we are back at square one with about 6 weeks to get everything figured out.
Oh, and have I mentioned that David is going to Haiti in a few weeks? Yeah, go ahead and throw that in the mix as well, just to keep things interesting!
But God is good, and we are blessed beyond measure, just along for the ride!
Monday, June 04, 2012
The day I reconsidered all of my career choices
Why didn't I decide to turn my vehicle into one that shoots bubbles out and make a career out of it?
Seriously. Tonight, we met the Bubble Man. He has an old truck painted all kinds of crazy colors with all kinds of crazy stuff glued to the side of it. People hire him out to park his truck at parks and places (we were at the library reading program kick-off party). He brings buckets of bubble solution and sticks with rope that make huge bubbles. And all the while there are bubbles just shooting out of the top of his truck.
My son was fascinated.
So much so that at the end of the night, Noel just decided to sit on the ground and wait. "I want to stay right here until I see the Bubble Man drive his truck away," he says.
And so that's what we did. All four of us. We sat on the curb at the library and watched the Bubble Truck drive away.
Noel loved it. And I fell in love with him for that all over again.
Is there a better way to end a summer night?
Seriously. Tonight, we met the Bubble Man. He has an old truck painted all kinds of crazy colors with all kinds of crazy stuff glued to the side of it. People hire him out to park his truck at parks and places (we were at the library reading program kick-off party). He brings buckets of bubble solution and sticks with rope that make huge bubbles. And all the while there are bubbles just shooting out of the top of his truck.
My son was fascinated.
So much so that at the end of the night, Noel just decided to sit on the ground and wait. "I want to stay right here until I see the Bubble Man drive his truck away," he says.
And so that's what we did. All four of us. We sat on the curb at the library and watched the Bubble Truck drive away.
Noel loved it. And I fell in love with him for that all over again.
Is there a better way to end a summer night?
Friday, June 01, 2012
Let's be completely unique with this post (insert sarcasm font)
Fun things to do with kids in the summer!!
I feel like every blog I have read in the past 2 weeks has been all about what to do to keep your kids entertained during the summer. At first I thought this was overkill. I thought, "They are kids! Just let them play!" But now that it's been 2 weeks home with no schedule, I am starting to see that, left to their own devices, my kids will spend every day a)fighting or b)begging to play with something electronic.
There has to be a happy medium between planning out every day of the entire summer and letting them lie around every day.
And so, in the hopes of trying to keep a balance, I have made it a goal to do something "fun" or "interesting" with the kids every day. Now, some days that something might be very small (yesterday it was go through a car wash) and some days it might be big (last week we hit the Children's Museum), but the idea is to keep the fun in summer without making it a chore/burden for everyone involved.
So far, here are the "fun" and "interesting" things we have done:
*visited the Children's Museum
*went to visit our friend Rita's new horse
*went to Grandma and Grandpa's on the farm
*attended a fiesta (on the farm)
*had a bonfire
*planted the garden
*rode bikes (Noel is officially a 2-wheel rider now. . .SO PROUD!)
*play date at a friend's house
*rode through a car wash
*swam
*built a fort inside
*played with baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide
What is everyone out there doing to stay sane and have fun this summer?
I feel like every blog I have read in the past 2 weeks has been all about what to do to keep your kids entertained during the summer. At first I thought this was overkill. I thought, "They are kids! Just let them play!" But now that it's been 2 weeks home with no schedule, I am starting to see that, left to their own devices, my kids will spend every day a)fighting or b)begging to play with something electronic.
There has to be a happy medium between planning out every day of the entire summer and letting them lie around every day.
And so, in the hopes of trying to keep a balance, I have made it a goal to do something "fun" or "interesting" with the kids every day. Now, some days that something might be very small (yesterday it was go through a car wash) and some days it might be big (last week we hit the Children's Museum), but the idea is to keep the fun in summer without making it a chore/burden for everyone involved.
So far, here are the "fun" and "interesting" things we have done:
*visited the Children's Museum
*went to visit our friend Rita's new horse
*went to Grandma and Grandpa's on the farm
*attended a fiesta (on the farm)
*had a bonfire
*planted the garden
*rode bikes (Noel is officially a 2-wheel rider now. . .SO PROUD!)
*play date at a friend's house
*rode through a car wash
*swam
*built a fort inside
*played with baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide
What is everyone out there doing to stay sane and have fun this summer?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Moments that changed my life, Part 5
2001.
It was one of the most life-changing years of my life. I don't have time to write about every event and how it affected me, but I will list just some of the things that occurred.
*I finished my first year of teaching
*My sister-in-law was diagnosed with MS
*I got my heart broken
* I was in a pretty serious car accident
*My sister had to have a major surgery
*My grandfather's health continued to falter
*I quit my first teaching job
*I got another job teaching, but this time in Indiana
*I moved back to Indiana
*I lived on my own for the very first time
*I began to help with the youth at Chapel Hill
*I met David
*9/11 occurred
Needless to say, it was a pretty traumatic year. Through all of the ups and downs, I learned that the only constant in my life is God. As soon as I start to rely on anything or anyone more than Him, I lose focus and direction. 2001 was a hard year for me. But as I look back on it now with some perspective, I am so thankful for the hard years, because those are the times when God really molded me and shaped me.
I am, by nature, a very social person. I love to be around people. I can't imagine having a job or career where I wouldn't get to interact with people on a daily basis. But sometimes my social tendencies made me uncomfortable being alone. 2001 was a year where I learned that my God is enough. And so many positive things have come out of those events, that I can't help but to be thankful for it all. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows.
If you are reading this, you might be having a year like the one I just listed. You might be feeling like you are getting slammed with one crazy thing after another. Let me encourage you that God is still in control and He has a plan, even if you have no idea what it is. Even if we never find out what it is, He has a plan.
It was one of the most life-changing years of my life. I don't have time to write about every event and how it affected me, but I will list just some of the things that occurred.
*I finished my first year of teaching
*My sister-in-law was diagnosed with MS
*I got my heart broken
* I was in a pretty serious car accident
*My sister had to have a major surgery
*My grandfather's health continued to falter
*I quit my first teaching job
*I got another job teaching, but this time in Indiana
*I moved back to Indiana
*I lived on my own for the very first time
*I began to help with the youth at Chapel Hill
*I met David
*9/11 occurred
Needless to say, it was a pretty traumatic year. Through all of the ups and downs, I learned that the only constant in my life is God. As soon as I start to rely on anything or anyone more than Him, I lose focus and direction. 2001 was a hard year for me. But as I look back on it now with some perspective, I am so thankful for the hard years, because those are the times when God really molded me and shaped me.
I am, by nature, a very social person. I love to be around people. I can't imagine having a job or career where I wouldn't get to interact with people on a daily basis. But sometimes my social tendencies made me uncomfortable being alone. 2001 was a year where I learned that my God is enough. And so many positive things have come out of those events, that I can't help but to be thankful for it all. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows.
If you are reading this, you might be having a year like the one I just listed. You might be feeling like you are getting slammed with one crazy thing after another. Let me encourage you that God is still in control and He has a plan, even if you have no idea what it is. Even if we never find out what it is, He has a plan.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Moments that changed my life, Part 4
Besides going to a Christian college, I also attended Illinois State University for 2 years. (Don't stop to do the math, because it will be very clear that it took me much longer than 4 years to finish school). And while I was so thankful for my time at a Christian college, I do not think I would have been as prepared to teach in the public school setting if it had not been for my time at ISU.
Going to ISU was my wake up call. I found out very quickly that what I believed was not what everyone else believed. While I was on my own at Lincoln, I was REALLY on my own at ISU. There was no curfew, no rules about where I lived, no RA's to look out for me. And while I did not always make the best decisions, I learned how to be a light in the darkness for God. Two events stand out in my mind vividly. The first was when I chose not to attend a play that my drama class was supposed to go to. I did not feel like the subject matter was appropriate, and I really felt like it was an opportunity for me to share with my professor about my faith. The second event was when I casually mentioned that I was a virgin to another classmate on the way to class. She was dumbfounded, saying she did not have any friends who were still virgins. Ha!
Beyond the actual university experience, going to ISU was the first place where I lived in an apartment. I cannot begin to recount the stories of the fun we had at 2412 Clearwater. In total, 9 girls rotated through there, and it was such a crazy time! I made lifelong friends, created memories, had some of the best conversations of my life, and learned a lot about heartache as well. I won't go into detail, but I did get my heart broken during this time. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but I will always remember the support of my friends as well as learning about leaning on God above all others.
Every experience is for a reason, and I am so thankful that I got to attend both a Christian college and a university! Go Redbirds!
Going to ISU was my wake up call. I found out very quickly that what I believed was not what everyone else believed. While I was on my own at Lincoln, I was REALLY on my own at ISU. There was no curfew, no rules about where I lived, no RA's to look out for me. And while I did not always make the best decisions, I learned how to be a light in the darkness for God. Two events stand out in my mind vividly. The first was when I chose not to attend a play that my drama class was supposed to go to. I did not feel like the subject matter was appropriate, and I really felt like it was an opportunity for me to share with my professor about my faith. The second event was when I casually mentioned that I was a virgin to another classmate on the way to class. She was dumbfounded, saying she did not have any friends who were still virgins. Ha!
Beyond the actual university experience, going to ISU was the first place where I lived in an apartment. I cannot begin to recount the stories of the fun we had at 2412 Clearwater. In total, 9 girls rotated through there, and it was such a crazy time! I made lifelong friends, created memories, had some of the best conversations of my life, and learned a lot about heartache as well. I won't go into detail, but I did get my heart broken during this time. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but I will always remember the support of my friends as well as learning about leaning on God above all others.
Every experience is for a reason, and I am so thankful that I got to attend both a Christian college and a university! Go Redbirds!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Full Circle
Noel on his very first day of preschool, September 2009
Noel on his very last day of preschool, May 2012
It has truly been a wonderful experience for Noel to go to Chapel Hill Preschool. Fortunately, we get to keep him there one more year, as he is headed to kindergarten there in the fall. I am very thankful for the guidance, love, lessons, fun, and example the teachers, aids, and director have given Noel. I'm not gonna lie that it is a little bittersweet, but I want to enjoy and embrace every season of Noel's life. Onward and upward! Ha!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thursday Thank yous
This week I am thankful for. . .
551. the fact that my kids love hip-hop/dance music.
552. seeing my Bridges kids one last time at their awards program tonight. So proud of them.
553. my Mothers Day gift: JUST DANCE!! We have been getting our groove on around here. (And yes, I know Just Dance came out like 10 years ago, but I catch on slowly, okay?)
554. going to the zoo with the kiddos and some friends. Great time.
555. the impending arrival of my husband from a business trip. It's 8:33 pm as I write this, and he is supposed to be home at 9:00. It's the last few hours that go by the slowest.
556. leftovers.
557. a wonderful school year for Noel. He has had such wonderful teachers at Chapel Hill, and we are so thankful that he sees school in a positive light and that he has gotten to learn in a Christian environment.
558. God working out a new place for me to serve that I'm super excited about.
559. getting a sweet, romantic text from David on the anniversary of the day he proposed.
560. the knowledge that we have hope, even when we are in the midst of discouragement. A couple of my friends are really going through some trials, and yet they are relying on God to carry them through. What an inspiration to all of us!
What are you thankful for?
551. the fact that my kids love hip-hop/dance music.
552. seeing my Bridges kids one last time at their awards program tonight. So proud of them.
553. my Mothers Day gift: JUST DANCE!! We have been getting our groove on around here. (And yes, I know Just Dance came out like 10 years ago, but I catch on slowly, okay?)
554. going to the zoo with the kiddos and some friends. Great time.
555. the impending arrival of my husband from a business trip. It's 8:33 pm as I write this, and he is supposed to be home at 9:00. It's the last few hours that go by the slowest.
556. leftovers.
557. a wonderful school year for Noel. He has had such wonderful teachers at Chapel Hill, and we are so thankful that he sees school in a positive light and that he has gotten to learn in a Christian environment.
558. God working out a new place for me to serve that I'm super excited about.
559. getting a sweet, romantic text from David on the anniversary of the day he proposed.
560. the knowledge that we have hope, even when we are in the midst of discouragement. A couple of my friends are really going through some trials, and yet they are relying on God to carry them through. What an inspiration to all of us!
What are you thankful for?
Friday, May 11, 2012
Moments that changed my life, part 3
Because Mothers' Day is coming up, I am incredibly tempted to write about how becoming a mom has changed my life. But I'm trying to write these "moments" in chronological order, so just bear with me until I get there.
Moments that changed my life, part 3: Going to a Christian College
As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to go to college. I didn't know what I wanted to do (still don't, some days), but I knew that college would be in my future. Between my sophomore and junior years in high school, my youth minister's wife told me about Lincoln Christian College. At the time they held a summer music camp for high school students. On a whim, I went. All by myself.
I knew nobody.
I had no idea what I was doing.
And I had the time of my life.
We sang and learned a musical, but more importantly I got to know some of the students from Lincoln and see a little glimpse of what college life was like in at a small Christian school. By the end of summer camp, I knew that a Christian college was the right fit for me.
I went to Lincoln for 3 1/2 years. I was a business major for two years, and after spending a summer at church camps with junior and senior high school students, I knew that I had to change my major to education. I took a lot of flak for that, and I had to stay in school a lot longer than planned, but if was all worth it.
I ended up with a Bachelor's Degree in Bible from Lincoln (so if you need a licensed Sunday School teacher, I'm your man!), and I finished up my Bachelor's Degree in English from Illinois State University. (Don't worry, my next "moment" post will be about going to a state school as well. . .)
Here are just some of the ways going to a Christian school affected me:
*amazing opportunities to serve, locally and globally
*taught by some of the most amazing people I have ever me
*made some of the best friends I ever had
*saw how I fit into God's plan
More than anything, going to Lincoln gave me a foundation that I did not have before I left for school. Before that, I went to church because it was the right thing to do. I read the Bible because I knew I was supposed to. But I didn't really connect how God was working in my life to change others.
I am forever thankful that I went to Lincoln. It helped prepare me for my lifelong journey with God, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to go to a Christian college.
Moments that changed my life, part 3: Going to a Christian College
As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to go to college. I didn't know what I wanted to do (still don't, some days), but I knew that college would be in my future. Between my sophomore and junior years in high school, my youth minister's wife told me about Lincoln Christian College. At the time they held a summer music camp for high school students. On a whim, I went. All by myself.
I knew nobody.
I had no idea what I was doing.
And I had the time of my life.
We sang and learned a musical, but more importantly I got to know some of the students from Lincoln and see a little glimpse of what college life was like in at a small Christian school. By the end of summer camp, I knew that a Christian college was the right fit for me.
I went to Lincoln for 3 1/2 years. I was a business major for two years, and after spending a summer at church camps with junior and senior high school students, I knew that I had to change my major to education. I took a lot of flak for that, and I had to stay in school a lot longer than planned, but if was all worth it.
I ended up with a Bachelor's Degree in Bible from Lincoln (so if you need a licensed Sunday School teacher, I'm your man!), and I finished up my Bachelor's Degree in English from Illinois State University. (Don't worry, my next "moment" post will be about going to a state school as well. . .)
Here are just some of the ways going to a Christian school affected me:
*amazing opportunities to serve, locally and globally
*taught by some of the most amazing people I have ever me
*made some of the best friends I ever had
*saw how I fit into God's plan
More than anything, going to Lincoln gave me a foundation that I did not have before I left for school. Before that, I went to church because it was the right thing to do. I read the Bible because I knew I was supposed to. But I didn't really connect how God was working in my life to change others.
I am forever thankful that I went to Lincoln. It helped prepare me for my lifelong journey with God, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to go to a Christian college.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Moments that changed my life, part 2
My parents have been married for 49 years. Not once have I ever questioned their love for each other or their love for me.
The older I get, the more I realize that this is a significant part to who I am as a person. I work with students who range from 6th grade to college age. I have seen so many kids who deal with stuff they shouldn't have to, and one of those is parents who either fight all of the time or who are divorced/separated and put the child in the middle. Instead of home being a place for fond memories, home is sometimes where a child least wants to be.
I understand that sometimes divorce is inevitable. I know from experience that you can't control what the other person in the marriage does. I understand that step-parents can be a blessing. I truly believe that God gives us second chances in every area of our lives.
But I also understand that there are a lot of hurting children because their parents choose to make selfish decisions. When a girl I know doesn't want to go home because mom is drunk and dad doesn't want to come get her, my heart breaks. I have had numerous conversations with students whose dads promised to be there for something special, only to bail at the last minute.
Being a parent is easy. Being a GOOD parent is not.
By no means am I an awesome parent every day. And I am the first one sometimes to point out my parents' flaws (too much, actually), but the more I spend time with students who don't have the home life they need, I am more and more thankful that I never had to experience that in my family. And the more and more determined I am to show students the love and encouragement they need that they might not be getting from home.
The older I get, the more I realize that this is a significant part to who I am as a person. I work with students who range from 6th grade to college age. I have seen so many kids who deal with stuff they shouldn't have to, and one of those is parents who either fight all of the time or who are divorced/separated and put the child in the middle. Instead of home being a place for fond memories, home is sometimes where a child least wants to be.
I understand that sometimes divorce is inevitable. I know from experience that you can't control what the other person in the marriage does. I understand that step-parents can be a blessing. I truly believe that God gives us second chances in every area of our lives.
But I also understand that there are a lot of hurting children because their parents choose to make selfish decisions. When a girl I know doesn't want to go home because mom is drunk and dad doesn't want to come get her, my heart breaks. I have had numerous conversations with students whose dads promised to be there for something special, only to bail at the last minute.
Being a parent is easy. Being a GOOD parent is not.
By no means am I an awesome parent every day. And I am the first one sometimes to point out my parents' flaws (too much, actually), but the more I spend time with students who don't have the home life they need, I am more and more thankful that I never had to experience that in my family. And the more and more determined I am to show students the love and encouragement they need that they might not be getting from home.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
new food hits and misses
I don't have a lot of time to write tonight, but I wanted to share two new developments in my "new food" adventure of 2012.
#1 Mustard Greens. I tried braising them with some bacon, sugar, chicken broth, and vinegar. They were okay, but not near as good as kale. Not sure mustard greens will ever make another appearance at our house.
#2 Okay, promise you won't laugh. . .
Well, you can go ahead and laugh, but I must say that it was rather tasty.
Here's the story:
My mom has decided that she is going gluten-free. I love that she is taking steps to make her life more healthy, and I really love that she deiced to get rid of everything in her entire pantry that has gluten in it. Thanks to her we have 5 or 6 boxes of pasta and this little gem called Shake 'n Bake.
For the record, I have never used Shake 'n Bake, but I figured it's worth a try. Instead of coating entire chicken breasts, I cut the chicken into small, nugget-esque pieces and coated them. Wouldn't you know it? My kids thought they were honest-to-goodness chicken nuggets. Ate the whole plate of them. Now, I know Shake 'n Bake is my no means an all natural product, but it has to be better than the pink slime they put in McDonald's Chicken Nuggets. Baby steps. Baby steps.
And if you have stuck with me for this entire post (which is much longer than I originally intended), you receive a handsome reward:
Does anyone out there love this as much as I do? How come the Brady Bunch isn't on TV anywhere? My kids need to see it!
So, what have you all been eating?
#1 Mustard Greens. I tried braising them with some bacon, sugar, chicken broth, and vinegar. They were okay, but not near as good as kale. Not sure mustard greens will ever make another appearance at our house.
#2 Okay, promise you won't laugh. . .
Well, you can go ahead and laugh, but I must say that it was rather tasty.
Here's the story:
My mom has decided that she is going gluten-free. I love that she is taking steps to make her life more healthy, and I really love that she deiced to get rid of everything in her entire pantry that has gluten in it. Thanks to her we have 5 or 6 boxes of pasta and this little gem called Shake 'n Bake.
For the record, I have never used Shake 'n Bake, but I figured it's worth a try. Instead of coating entire chicken breasts, I cut the chicken into small, nugget-esque pieces and coated them. Wouldn't you know it? My kids thought they were honest-to-goodness chicken nuggets. Ate the whole plate of them. Now, I know Shake 'n Bake is my no means an all natural product, but it has to be better than the pink slime they put in McDonald's Chicken Nuggets. Baby steps. Baby steps.
And if you have stuck with me for this entire post (which is much longer than I originally intended), you receive a handsome reward:
Does anyone out there love this as much as I do? How come the Brady Bunch isn't on TV anywhere? My kids need to see it!
So, what have you all been eating?
Monday, May 07, 2012
Moments that changed my life, part 1
I have been filled with nostalgia lately. I think it's a combo of putting the house up for sale, getting ready for Noel to go to kindergarten, and finishing up the school year with my students. I've been thinking a lot about the way my life has been shaped and changed. So, I have decided to start blogging about my past and see what happens. I have creatively and uniquely names this: "Moments that changed my life". I know, I know, how am I not a published author yet?
Anyway. . .part 1: Growing up in my neighborhood
Until I left for college I had the same address: 3200 Revere Street. (Don't worry, stalkers, my parents don't live there anymore!). I lived in a little neighborhood of about 60 houses or so called Holiday Park. When I was in grade school I could have told you who lived in every house. It was so much fun to grow up in that neighborhood. Riding bikes was a daily ritual from March until October. We knew which house had the good candy on Halloween. And you never did anything without Mrs. Bell finding out about it.
Here are some moments that will always stand out in my mind from living in that neighborhood:
*playing in my best friends' back yards (none of our parents would let us come in and wreck their house--although I do remember sneaking in to Chiandra's house while her mom was gone & of course we got busted.)
*daring each other to walk up to the abandoned house on the corner. So many great, scary stories passed down about that house that I'm sure were never true. ("I heard there's a ghost who haunts the upstairs. . .")
*making up dance/ballet routines and performing them for our moms.
*riding the school bus with my friends
*camp outs that always ended up with us all inside.
*adventures to the neighborhood across the street, because it had a creek, making it exponentially cooler.
*getting picked on my the older neighborhood kids.
*wrecking my bike the day before the start of middle school. Nothing makes a girl feel more confident than a big scab on her forehead!
*trying to drive my first car up the hill in the yard instead of the driveway. Not a smart choice. Not. At. All.
Mostly, I just remember that in the midst of the chaos my family was going through, I found shelter in the safety of my neighborhood. Having siblings who were much older than me, I would have been all by myself most of the time, but thanks to living where I did, I didn't have to be. It was simple, but so much fun.
What memories of growing up do you have that you cherish?
Anyway. . .part 1: Growing up in my neighborhood
Until I left for college I had the same address: 3200 Revere Street. (Don't worry, stalkers, my parents don't live there anymore!). I lived in a little neighborhood of about 60 houses or so called Holiday Park. When I was in grade school I could have told you who lived in every house. It was so much fun to grow up in that neighborhood. Riding bikes was a daily ritual from March until October. We knew which house had the good candy on Halloween. And you never did anything without Mrs. Bell finding out about it.
Here are some moments that will always stand out in my mind from living in that neighborhood:
*playing in my best friends' back yards (none of our parents would let us come in and wreck their house--although I do remember sneaking in to Chiandra's house while her mom was gone & of course we got busted.)
*daring each other to walk up to the abandoned house on the corner. So many great, scary stories passed down about that house that I'm sure were never true. ("I heard there's a ghost who haunts the upstairs. . .")
*making up dance/ballet routines and performing them for our moms.
*riding the school bus with my friends
*camp outs that always ended up with us all inside.
*adventures to the neighborhood across the street, because it had a creek, making it exponentially cooler.
*getting picked on my the older neighborhood kids.
*wrecking my bike the day before the start of middle school. Nothing makes a girl feel more confident than a big scab on her forehead!
*trying to drive my first car up the hill in the yard instead of the driveway. Not a smart choice. Not. At. All.
Mostly, I just remember that in the midst of the chaos my family was going through, I found shelter in the safety of my neighborhood. Having siblings who were much older than me, I would have been all by myself most of the time, but thanks to living where I did, I didn't have to be. It was simple, but so much fun.
What memories of growing up do you have that you cherish?
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Thursday Thank Yous
This week I am thankful for. . .
541. homemade waffles.
542. forgiveness.
543. hard-but-necessary conversations.
544. healthy bodies.
545. my guitar.
546. my brother and sister.
547. answered prayers for a friend.
548. people who read and respond to my writing.
549. all of the beauty of spring: flowers blooming, grass growing, birds crashing into my window every morning!
550. God's provisions every day. It might not always be what I want, but it is always what I need.
What are you thankful for?
541. homemade waffles.
542. forgiveness.
543. hard-but-necessary conversations.
544. healthy bodies.
545. my guitar.
546. my brother and sister.
547. answered prayers for a friend.
548. people who read and respond to my writing.
549. all of the beauty of spring: flowers blooming, grass growing, birds crashing into my window every morning!
550. God's provisions every day. It might not always be what I want, but it is always what I need.
What are you thankful for?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)