I have been finding out that I always start my blogs with stating that it has been a long time since last time I wrote. But it is true, our life has been turned all around but we survived it. It is amazing what God can do when you let go and let God take over. So things are looking up, and the kids are crazier than ever.
First let me start with Joe, why not, he is the one who always makes us scratch our heads and look at eachother with our lip curled up on one side, you know what I mean. We are completely confused by the stuff he says and does. And at times I wonder if he was switched at birth because my child would not be so stuck on poop, farting, boobs, and this one Michael Jackson move that he thinks is so funny. And I know the PSAs are all saying that a family that eats dinner together has all this great stuff happen to them, but they have never eaten dinner with our family. If they did that PSA would be removed from the TV so fast your head would spin. The reason why is, Joe does most of his "funny things" at the dinner table. Mike and I look at each other and try so hard not to laugh, because the girls are already laughing. Mike and I start out with a stern look at each other, then at Joe, then back to each other, then it is always Mike that starts to loose it. His shoulders will go up and he gets this silly grin on his face that is now turning red. Right then I tell Mike don't do it, but it is too late he busts out laughing. Then I can't help but laugh because, well I just can't help it. Joe is so funny and cute, even though Marfan Syndrome keeps him from playing sports and a lot of other activities it rarely gets him down. He is one in a million and we are so blessed to have him as a son.
Now Allie has this problem with telling stories. She seems to be unable to tell a whole story. The other day she had some drama in her life and we were talkin about it and what happened at school and how she fixed it. So she is telling me and this is what she says, "So I told her we need to talk about last Friday and her friend said yeah we do...and yah". Done that was the story, wait what? And "yah" what, so I had to ask her just that. She said, "Well we are going to talk about it later....and yah". Come on! Are you serious, I get another "and yah"! So again I have to ask her "then what happened"? She says, "Then Zack picked me up and dragged me to class...and yah". So I told her that if she was in a job interview she would not get the job...and yah. Allie goes this wasn't a job interview I was just telling you a story, and I said poorly. So Allie and I did a mock interview and I was going to interview her. I started with, "So what was your worst retail experience'? She replied, "An old lady yelled at me." I asked, "What did you do about that"? Her reply, "I walked away from her!" I said "WHAT, you walked away from her, she was your customer you can't do that!" She goes, "Mom, chill this isn't for real." Oh yeah, I just got a little excited. But as far as Allie goes as a person she is the most giving, humble, kind, beautiful, person. I love her so much. She takes after me in a lot of ways, but she has a lot of goals and she is driven to become something with her life and that determination comes from Mike.
Our Little Bird, Sarah, thinks she is tough but she is loving and kind. She is a challenge, but I have her figured out. She will never admit that I do, but I do. She is 17 and graduating in Dec. this year. We have always raised our children that they can do anything and that the whole world is open to them. Well, Sarah doesn't do well with that. She hates having too many decisions, it truly stresses her out. I feel so bad for her, she doesn't know what to do. We will support her in whatever decision she makes as long as it is legal. And if you know Sarah you would now why I put that legal comment in there, just kidding :) She is so smart, talented, beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and at times she doesn't believe it. In this house she is the trend setter. Everyone goes off of her style of clothes, hair, and makeup, music, and it goes on at school too. It is so sweet to walk in on her at night sleeping to check on her because she still sleeps like she did when she was a baby. When she was a baby we were attached at the hip, we were never apart (and it is kind of still that way). I love her so much, she means so much to me. I want her to be happy, secure with herself, maybe not so shy. But she is so funny, in the mornings it is always turn off the fan and open the blinds and it will be a very sad day when she moves on and I don't have to do that anymore. She is always on top of the fashion world, she is a great sister and daughter, her smile lights up a room, and her eyes sparkle when she is talking to someone she likes. She is my Little Bird, oh how I love her so.
Nate the oldest of the 4 I have to say is the whackiest. He had a hard first 7 years of his life, but then he came and lived with Mike, myself, and Sarah (she was 9 months old). It was a great day, it was on a Wednesday in March of 1995. He has grown up and some paths he took were hard, others not so hard. But I think that's how you get character. You get it during the hard times, and hopefully you will turn out like Nate with no anger or hate hidden deep inside. He is easy to forgive and that is one thing that I did learn from him...to forgive easily and let it go. I love this kid he is always in a good mood unless you wake him up. You never want to wake up the bear, he is horrible. We have had bad times and good times and great times and I would not trade any of them for anything. Nate and I in a way grew up together. I was 24 when we adopted him, I was very young. But I love him.
A couple months ago Nate got jumped by these 4 guys at his apartment after he got off work. One guy held Nate's arm to the staircase railing while the another guy did the same thing on the other. Then another guy just started beating up Nate, but these guys were drunk and Nate was sobber. The fourth guy didn't do anything and neither did Nate's roommate. But this scrappy little Asian friend of theirs named Elton (love him) jumped in and started pulling guys off of Nate. Then they ran off. Well, I knew about this story and one night I was over there and one of the guys come to Nate's apartment because his girlfriend is friends with one of Nate's roommates. So this guy puts his hand out to shake my hand and says nice to meet you. I slapped his hand away and said aren't you one of the guys that jumped my son! And he said no it was my friends, and I said why didn't you tell them to get off or help Nate? Then him and I were nose to nose yelling at each other, I used to be a boxer I could have taken him. Then this guy looks over at Nate who is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and shruggs his shoulders and says you deal with her. Then the boy turned around and left. I have to say it was so much fun, almost like back in the day of my boxing period, sort of.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sk8ter Boy
Last Friday I took Joe and 3 of his friends to a skateboard store and a really hard skate park downtown KC. Four little 11 years old boys and me, a 41 year old mom that is totally out of my element. But lucky for me I do have some history in the skateboarding life. For a time in my life I was involved with Stephen Baldwin's Ministry. But he was just the face of it, the real man in charge of it, I will call him Mr. Southern. The legendary skater Christian Hosoi was one of the lead speakers/skaters. I was in charge of finding a venue, local talent, and raising money. Unfortunately, the Ministry went under and we never were able to have a show in Kansas City.
I think that skaters have a bad reputations. They are very stereo typed of being on drugs, drinking, fighting, and just getting in trouble all the time. I'm not saying that there aren't any of those people in that community, but there are skaters that are good people, Christians, and out there to spread God's word, but they are always over looked by the troubled skaters. But I blame that on the media, society, parents, and on the skaters.
The media only reports about the crime that happens up there. And trust me I know there is a lot. Lots of drugs, liquor, cigs, and fighting. But, there is also NOT ONE PARENT UP THERE. The parents just drop them off and are done with them until the park closes. It just seems that parents don't care what their kids do anymore, just as long as they are seen (for a second) and not heard. It is so unhealthy, and it is such an easy fix. Parents want to put them on antidepressants, ADD meds, anxiety meds, anything to tame them down so they, as in the parent, don't have to deal with the real problem.
The kids are lost, and when an adult sits down with just one kid, you will notice that several other will start to gather. They are just like everyone....They just want to be heard and validated. And to me they have some of the coolest ideas. Someone needs to believe in them, love them, keep promises (such as their parent's staying married).
Ok, I'm off my soapbox. The boys and I went to the Escapists store downtown off Broadway and Southwest Blvd. That store is so nice but about $20 higher then the prices here in Olathe, KS. But they had some great stickers. So we bought stickers and by the time we were in the parking lot the boys were putting them on the bottom of their boards. Then off to the skate park we went.
It was great, we had it all to ourselves for a long time. Penn Valley Skate Park really is not for new skaters. Luckily my boys have had some time at the park in Olathe, Two Trails. After about 1 1/2 hours these 2 guys show up and they ripped up the park. We were talking to them and they have been skating for 8 years. One boy broke his wrist twice, ankle twice, and arm once. I was explaining to the boys that you have to do these tricks and just know that you are going to brake something sometime......but just not that day on my time :)
They were cool with the broken bones, it was dropping into the bowl that terrified them. Go figure. We all agreed it was one of the best days ever. Then we decided to go to a restaurant down off Metcalf Ave. But to make that long trip fun everyone had a straw, a napkin, and spit. So at every red light we blew spit balls at the cars around us. It was great we got windows, doors, and gas lids. We were laughing so hard. It was a great day of boy fun, luckily this lady has a great sense of boy humor.
I think that skaters have a bad reputations. They are very stereo typed of being on drugs, drinking, fighting, and just getting in trouble all the time. I'm not saying that there aren't any of those people in that community, but there are skaters that are good people, Christians, and out there to spread God's word, but they are always over looked by the troubled skaters. But I blame that on the media, society, parents, and on the skaters.
The media only reports about the crime that happens up there. And trust me I know there is a lot. Lots of drugs, liquor, cigs, and fighting. But, there is also NOT ONE PARENT UP THERE. The parents just drop them off and are done with them until the park closes. It just seems that parents don't care what their kids do anymore, just as long as they are seen (for a second) and not heard. It is so unhealthy, and it is such an easy fix. Parents want to put them on antidepressants, ADD meds, anxiety meds, anything to tame them down so they, as in the parent, don't have to deal with the real problem.
The kids are lost, and when an adult sits down with just one kid, you will notice that several other will start to gather. They are just like everyone....They just want to be heard and validated. And to me they have some of the coolest ideas. Someone needs to believe in them, love them, keep promises (such as their parent's staying married).
Ok, I'm off my soapbox. The boys and I went to the Escapists store downtown off Broadway and Southwest Blvd. That store is so nice but about $20 higher then the prices here in Olathe, KS. But they had some great stickers. So we bought stickers and by the time we were in the parking lot the boys were putting them on the bottom of their boards. Then off to the skate park we went.
It was great, we had it all to ourselves for a long time. Penn Valley Skate Park really is not for new skaters. Luckily my boys have had some time at the park in Olathe, Two Trails. After about 1 1/2 hours these 2 guys show up and they ripped up the park. We were talking to them and they have been skating for 8 years. One boy broke his wrist twice, ankle twice, and arm once. I was explaining to the boys that you have to do these tricks and just know that you are going to brake something sometime......but just not that day on my time :)
They were cool with the broken bones, it was dropping into the bowl that terrified them. Go figure. We all agreed it was one of the best days ever. Then we decided to go to a restaurant down off Metcalf Ave. But to make that long trip fun everyone had a straw, a napkin, and spit. So at every red light we blew spit balls at the cars around us. It was great we got windows, doors, and gas lids. We were laughing so hard. It was a great day of boy fun, luckily this lady has a great sense of boy humor.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
You Gotta Laugh!!!!
If you have been reading my blogs you understand that for me, my life changes in a heartbeat. Well, there are these nice periods of time that things are quite. It's like the "calm before the storm", honestly it is. My older sister, Kim, always tells me in a boggled laugh that she can't believe all this happens to my family. Unfortunately, I have to agree with her. There are to keys to surviving these storms, 1) Pray & Put all Faith and Trust in Jesus 2) Step away from the situation and just watch how it plays out.
This year has had its ups and downs, but it seems as if it will end on a bad note. You know how I started this blog to share my family's funny stories? Well, in the last several months we seem to be running short on those. It totally sucks because I am not that kind of a person. I could always see the best in something bad, or could make a joke out of something. Lately my jokes and laughter are few and far between.
So here is what I am going to do, I will just list the short details of what is going on over here:
1)In 2009 Joe had the lenses in both eyes removed and synthetic ones put in. With "bags" stitched behind the lenses to keep in place. We just found out he will have to have another surgery to cut holes in the "bags" because his lenses are cloudy
2)Everyone knows in Feb, 2011 I suffered a 2nd grade concussion and ended up loosing my job that I loved. In August I suffered another concussion and my Post Concussion Syndrome was back (it never went away). We have now hired a lawyer and are trying to get Disability.
3) Mike had 2 part time jobs but no benefits, and we need them. He finally got a job with benefits, he was there for about 4 months and decides that job was not for him. So now we have 2 weeks benefits and to get all of our medical issues done.
4) Our oldest daughter Sarah-Kate keeps on saying that after graduation in December she is moving down to Texas to be with this boy that she has been talking to ONLINE for almost a year.
5) My health is not the best. But it is better not to tell anyone in my family because everyone is already dealing with a lot of crap. I feel this is my crap and will tell them when the time comes.
6) Our house is on the market, but we have had not had any showings in forever. That is fine because for some reason all the neighborhood kids think my house is theirs until bed time.
7) Even if we do sell it we have no idea where we are going.
Oh my gosh, as I am typing all this stuff out I am laughing. This is funny, this is the stuff movies are made of. I have 7 bad things that I easily rattled off, but I have about 100 good things I can also rattle off just as easy. It is so easy to get caught up in the drama of life and forget what the real purpose of life is. God wants us to be happy, joyous, trusting, and loving. I can be that, but "Life" gets in the way. Writing burdens out like that can really put things in perspective. I highly suggest it. Thanks for reading my complaining. Kristen
This year has had its ups and downs, but it seems as if it will end on a bad note. You know how I started this blog to share my family's funny stories? Well, in the last several months we seem to be running short on those. It totally sucks because I am not that kind of a person. I could always see the best in something bad, or could make a joke out of something. Lately my jokes and laughter are few and far between.
So here is what I am going to do, I will just list the short details of what is going on over here:
1)In 2009 Joe had the lenses in both eyes removed and synthetic ones put in. With "bags" stitched behind the lenses to keep in place. We just found out he will have to have another surgery to cut holes in the "bags" because his lenses are cloudy
2)Everyone knows in Feb, 2011 I suffered a 2nd grade concussion and ended up loosing my job that I loved. In August I suffered another concussion and my Post Concussion Syndrome was back (it never went away). We have now hired a lawyer and are trying to get Disability.
3) Mike had 2 part time jobs but no benefits, and we need them. He finally got a job with benefits, he was there for about 4 months and decides that job was not for him. So now we have 2 weeks benefits and to get all of our medical issues done.
4) Our oldest daughter Sarah-Kate keeps on saying that after graduation in December she is moving down to Texas to be with this boy that she has been talking to ONLINE for almost a year.
5) My health is not the best. But it is better not to tell anyone in my family because everyone is already dealing with a lot of crap. I feel this is my crap and will tell them when the time comes.
6) Our house is on the market, but we have had not had any showings in forever. That is fine because for some reason all the neighborhood kids think my house is theirs until bed time.
7) Even if we do sell it we have no idea where we are going.
Oh my gosh, as I am typing all this stuff out I am laughing. This is funny, this is the stuff movies are made of. I have 7 bad things that I easily rattled off, but I have about 100 good things I can also rattle off just as easy. It is so easy to get caught up in the drama of life and forget what the real purpose of life is. God wants us to be happy, joyous, trusting, and loving. I can be that, but "Life" gets in the way. Writing burdens out like that can really put things in perspective. I highly suggest it. Thanks for reading my complaining. Kristen
Monday, September 26, 2011
5 Dogs = 5 Crazy Days
This blog will be short and sweet because I am so tired. I will run down the pros and cons about what is going on. So here is the situation: Sarah-Kate and I are house sitting my parent's house. Fine and dandy, but they have 2 Golden Retrievers and 1 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Teddy, and he eats EVERYTHING. We brought up our 2 dogs also, and I honestly thought this would be easy because the dogs slept all afternoon. The real reason we volunteered was because my parents have cable and we don't, so this is a big deal to us.
We are in day 2 of 5 of house sitting. So far not to bad, feeding time really stinks because the dogs want to eat each others food. So my parents dogs eat first because they inhale their food, honestly I don't think they chew it. They just suck it up in one breath. Then I have to kick those dogs outside, and lock the door because Keeper - Golden Retriever, knows how to open the back sliding glass door. Then my 2 dogs eat and it takes them forever to eat. Then I have to give my parent's dogs their medicine, aka- "Pill". All the dogs know that the word "Pill" means, more dog treats. Cause if you give one dog a treat you have to give them all treat. Finally everyone is done, and we ALL chill out together for a bit.
My Dad did give me the lovely chore of watering the yard 2x a day. The whole yard, this one chore takes 2 hours....Not even kidding. Now I'm no idiot, but my Dad had to show me where to water, how long, and how to use the sprinklers. I'm fine with that it's whatever, I'm only 41 with a yard, family, house, and my own LAWN. So I'm pretty sure I know how to water a yard, but not his yard (I guess). Not only does my Dad take me on a "How to water MY yard" field trip, he has also drawn out a diagram of the yard with house, bushes, and trees on it. It shows where to water, directions how to water, and guidelines to knowing even if I should water. My parents are so retired. But my Dad takes his lawn very seriously....maybe too serious, I'm just saying.
So other than feeding the dogs, cleaning up poop from the dogs, giving them their medicine, and the 4 hours a day I spend watering the yard it has been a nice little get away. It's weird to not have Mike sleeping next to me and having to be quiet if I can't sleep. I watched TV till 1 am this morning, even though my parents bed is a king size there still isn't enough room for "everyone". Dasher the oldest Golden sleeps in between the pillows with his head on mine. Keeper the youngest Golden sleeps in the middle of the bed. Teddy sleeps right next to me, taking the covers. Boo, our dog, sleeps on a pillow on the floor by the bed. And little Miss Millie sleeps in front of the pillows next to me on the bed.
It has been fun staying here with Sarah-Kate and the dogs. Everyone needs some time alone, well almost all alone. But I wouldn't have had this weekend any other way. I love you Mom & Dad, and I love you my beautiful husband & kids.
We are in day 2 of 5 of house sitting. So far not to bad, feeding time really stinks because the dogs want to eat each others food. So my parents dogs eat first because they inhale their food, honestly I don't think they chew it. They just suck it up in one breath. Then I have to kick those dogs outside, and lock the door because Keeper - Golden Retriever, knows how to open the back sliding glass door. Then my 2 dogs eat and it takes them forever to eat. Then I have to give my parent's dogs their medicine, aka- "Pill". All the dogs know that the word "Pill" means, more dog treats. Cause if you give one dog a treat you have to give them all treat. Finally everyone is done, and we ALL chill out together for a bit.
My Dad did give me the lovely chore of watering the yard 2x a day. The whole yard, this one chore takes 2 hours....Not even kidding. Now I'm no idiot, but my Dad had to show me where to water, how long, and how to use the sprinklers. I'm fine with that it's whatever, I'm only 41 with a yard, family, house, and my own LAWN. So I'm pretty sure I know how to water a yard, but not his yard (I guess). Not only does my Dad take me on a "How to water MY yard" field trip, he has also drawn out a diagram of the yard with house, bushes, and trees on it. It shows where to water, directions how to water, and guidelines to knowing even if I should water. My parents are so retired. But my Dad takes his lawn very seriously....maybe too serious, I'm just saying.
So other than feeding the dogs, cleaning up poop from the dogs, giving them their medicine, and the 4 hours a day I spend watering the yard it has been a nice little get away. It's weird to not have Mike sleeping next to me and having to be quiet if I can't sleep. I watched TV till 1 am this morning, even though my parents bed is a king size there still isn't enough room for "everyone". Dasher the oldest Golden sleeps in between the pillows with his head on mine. Keeper the youngest Golden sleeps in the middle of the bed. Teddy sleeps right next to me, taking the covers. Boo, our dog, sleeps on a pillow on the floor by the bed. And little Miss Millie sleeps in front of the pillows next to me on the bed.
It has been fun staying here with Sarah-Kate and the dogs. Everyone needs some time alone, well almost all alone. But I wouldn't have had this weekend any other way. I love you Mom & Dad, and I love you my beautiful husband & kids.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thank you Lord, Oh Thank You Lord
As a mother of four children, one out of the house and 23 years old. Two teenage girls, the sympathy can start now. Last but not least we have Joe who is 11 years old. In my previous post I think I explained Joe pretty well. OH, since that post Joe has received 2 more detentions, we are so proud :) As a stay at home mom, sometimes you just want the kids to go away. By this time I would pay someone for privacy, food in the house, and silence. We are so busy, and I keep thinking that it will slow down but it doesn't. When there is a chance that the silence almost went away, you attitude changes.
Even though your children will break glasses, plates, or tables from dancing on top of them your love for them never go away. When your kid starts to learn to ride a bike they fall a lot, and do you notice how your arms are. They are reached out even though you might be out of range to catch them. The same goes for driving. Your child backs out of the driveway, arm out the window waving goodbye. And then the praying starts, lots and lots of it. But at times even the Good Lord lets things happen to the people we love. We don't know why it was their time, you can't question it...it is just God.
Today Sunday 18, 2011 I received a phone call from a Kansas Trooper. This call could be about Nate or Sarah-Kate. Sarah-Kate had just left for work at Hollister in Oak Park Center. And my fear was brought to life, Sarah-Kate was on I-35 Northbound in the middle lane, lost control of her car and at 65-70 mph and hit the concrete wall head on. Mike was working, so I couldn't get in touch with him, but my parents were over and my Daddy and I drove on the right shoulder to her wreck. All my Daddy kept saying was "you didn't tell me that is was on the highway". He must have said it 5-6 times. My Daddy and I had to cross the highway which wasn't moving because of her wreck. It was so weird to be on the highway and trying to keep it together for Sarah-Kate.
So the "Pink" car is now totaled, but so what. We bought that car for a couple hundred dollars, Sarah-Kate is priceless. There are so many miracles that happened today, and you can't say "it's weird", cause it's not. It is God. So here how they go
1- The State Trooper driving behind her was headed to another accident on I-70, he saw it all
2- She was wearing her seat belt and walked away with a bloody nose
3-My parents were at my house so my Daddy and I could go to Sarah-Kate
4-The car is totaled, but she is not
5-No one else was involved
6-Our love for Jesus Christ grows everyday
7-To know that it is our Lord that kept her safe....and a seat belt.
Friday, August 26, 2011
OH MY GOSH, JOSEPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My youngest son, Joe, is so sweet, so kind, and can be such a butt! The bad thing about that is he can be all of these at the same time. There just has to be something about the youngest child. You know, you're more chill with them, they get a car at 16, they get in trouble...kind of, and so basically they are spoiled. But I can only speak for Joe, he spoils me back. He is always the first one to call someone out if they say or do anything disrespectful to me. I love that in him, he is always out to help the "Underdog". It's the way he does this that can be seen as wrong, protective and loving, but just wrong.
I have so many stories of how he has done this, so I will only share a few. The first time Joe admitted to saying a bad word was in 4th grade. A friend of his told Joe that his mom said I was irresponsible. For the record I am not, I like to think of it as chill but with a side of hot. This all happened on the playground without any teachers around (thank you Lord). Joe's friend continues to say this to him until Joe just got so mad. Joe pushes the kid down to the ground, stands over him and says, "Well at least she isn't an asshole like your mom". I know, I know, not good behavior from Joe. But of course he isn't going to get in trouble for it. He was sticking up for me, and I thought is was cool. I would have done the very same thing, so I know where he gets his attitude. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
This other time I wasn't involved in, finally! Joe and the girls were fighting, the girls were at the top of the stairs and Joe was at the bottom. Right there this fight isn't fair, 2 against 1 not good odds for Joe. They are all yelling back and forth and yada, yada, yada, when the girls scream that Joe flipped them off. Unfortunately I wasn't the one who responded to this, Mike was. Mike doesn't like all of this giving the finger and language crap. That is what he calls it, "Crap" not bullshit or just shit..."Crap". But since Mike didn't see Joe flipping the girls off he let it go. All that did was escalate the fighting. Then from out of nowhere we all hear, "You guys can go f*$k yourselves". Where the heck did that come from? Mike marched right back into the entry way and took Joe to the kitchen sink. And as you can imagine the girls were laughing, which only made Joe more upset. Mike had Joe stick out his tongue and Mike slapped some "Soft Soap" on it. Then he made him sit in the dining room for 2 minutes. That had to be the longest 2 minutes ever.
At that time Joe was fair game, if you know what I mean. The girls would go look in the dining room at him then laugh and run away. It was so mean of them. Then Joe would cuss at them again, and he would get in trouble. This went on for so long that it started to get funny. The soap didn't teach Joe anything, he will still get caught giving the finger or cussing. What are you going to do?
So this afternoon I get a message from Joe and he got detention. He has only been in school for 2 weeks!!!!! I don't know what it is for, but I will find out. Maybe I will keep you posted.
I have so many stories of how he has done this, so I will only share a few. The first time Joe admitted to saying a bad word was in 4th grade. A friend of his told Joe that his mom said I was irresponsible. For the record I am not, I like to think of it as chill but with a side of hot. This all happened on the playground without any teachers around (thank you Lord). Joe's friend continues to say this to him until Joe just got so mad. Joe pushes the kid down to the ground, stands over him and says, "Well at least she isn't an asshole like your mom". I know, I know, not good behavior from Joe. But of course he isn't going to get in trouble for it. He was sticking up for me, and I thought is was cool. I would have done the very same thing, so I know where he gets his attitude. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
This other time I wasn't involved in, finally! Joe and the girls were fighting, the girls were at the top of the stairs and Joe was at the bottom. Right there this fight isn't fair, 2 against 1 not good odds for Joe. They are all yelling back and forth and yada, yada, yada, when the girls scream that Joe flipped them off. Unfortunately I wasn't the one who responded to this, Mike was. Mike doesn't like all of this giving the finger and language crap. That is what he calls it, "Crap" not bullshit or just shit..."Crap". But since Mike didn't see Joe flipping the girls off he let it go. All that did was escalate the fighting. Then from out of nowhere we all hear, "You guys can go f*$k yourselves". Where the heck did that come from? Mike marched right back into the entry way and took Joe to the kitchen sink. And as you can imagine the girls were laughing, which only made Joe more upset. Mike had Joe stick out his tongue and Mike slapped some "Soft Soap" on it. Then he made him sit in the dining room for 2 minutes. That had to be the longest 2 minutes ever.
At that time Joe was fair game, if you know what I mean. The girls would go look in the dining room at him then laugh and run away. It was so mean of them. Then Joe would cuss at them again, and he would get in trouble. This went on for so long that it started to get funny. The soap didn't teach Joe anything, he will still get caught giving the finger or cussing. What are you going to do?
So this afternoon I get a message from Joe and he got detention. He has only been in school for 2 weeks!!!!! I don't know what it is for, but I will find out. Maybe I will keep you posted.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
School Enrollment or School Scam....You Decide
First off let me say that I don't remember my parents having to pay fees for me to go to school. I watched the news the other day and the Shawnee Mission school district is getting their "panties in a bunch" because they will have to start paying fees at enrollment. Well, all I have to say is "Cry me a River". In Olathe we have paid a fee since my oldest started school. I will still have to pay that fee for another 6 years. The news said that the fee was a mandatory $75.00 in Olathe School District, well yeah we have that. But what the news forgot to mention are the fees for Room Mother $10.00, riding the bus $300.00, plus some other fees which add up to $25.00. So this year for my children to go to school the District's fee was $75.00, BUT we have yearbook and game passes also. So now, without clothes or school supplies the grand total to enroll my children was..............$495.00
If that doesn't shock you, well then we have the school supply list. I do have to say that my children love to go school supply shopping. I have no idea, but they do. Sarah-Kate says she loves the smell of new supplies...whatever floats your boat Sarah-Kate. Allie and Joe just like to spend money. They prefer the shopping for clothes rather than supplies. On the supply list they had the craziest stuff: stapler, stapler remover, post its, and other things. Luckily I had the girls with me because they knew what to get and what you can borrow from the school. Personally, I think with the school fees being that costly that we should not have to pay for supplies. But that is just me.
Do you remember the days that you could dress your children in anything YOU wanted them to wear. Now that they are older their fashion statements are a bit peculiar. I have no room to talk though, I used to wear long underwear under my skirts. But starting in about 6th grade I have noticed my kids get very "labelized". Name brand for this and name brand for that. I actually had Sarah-Kate go get a job at Hollister at the mall. We need all the discounts we can get. She is just happy to have a job, money, and now a car of her own. It's not the prettiest car, it is pink. But Mike calls it purple, he is wrong. The first car I drove was a 2-tone mustard color car. I wrecked it of course. My mom still talks about that car and how she loved it. I don't see me doing that with the PINK car.
But with this new school year we will have the same attitudes we had before. But one thing that won't be the same are my kids' teeth. They are either in braces or out of them, so they won't have the same teeth (which is nice). Another thing that won't change is that the girls will cry over boys, boys will try to beat each other in strength competitions, and you know that really doesn't change much when you grow up.
If that doesn't shock you, well then we have the school supply list. I do have to say that my children love to go school supply shopping. I have no idea, but they do. Sarah-Kate says she loves the smell of new supplies...whatever floats your boat Sarah-Kate. Allie and Joe just like to spend money. They prefer the shopping for clothes rather than supplies. On the supply list they had the craziest stuff: stapler, stapler remover, post its, and other things. Luckily I had the girls with me because they knew what to get and what you can borrow from the school. Personally, I think with the school fees being that costly that we should not have to pay for supplies. But that is just me.
Do you remember the days that you could dress your children in anything YOU wanted them to wear. Now that they are older their fashion statements are a bit peculiar. I have no room to talk though, I used to wear long underwear under my skirts. But starting in about 6th grade I have noticed my kids get very "labelized". Name brand for this and name brand for that. I actually had Sarah-Kate go get a job at Hollister at the mall. We need all the discounts we can get. She is just happy to have a job, money, and now a car of her own. It's not the prettiest car, it is pink. But Mike calls it purple, he is wrong. The first car I drove was a 2-tone mustard color car. I wrecked it of course. My mom still talks about that car and how she loved it. I don't see me doing that with the PINK car.
But with this new school year we will have the same attitudes we had before. But one thing that won't be the same are my kids' teeth. They are either in braces or out of them, so they won't have the same teeth (which is nice). Another thing that won't change is that the girls will cry over boys, boys will try to beat each other in strength competitions, and you know that really doesn't change much when you grow up.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ouch!!! Not Again!!!!!
So I am going to try to type this post without any mistakes. I'm sure that won't happen though. See in February, 2011 I fell on the ice in our driveway and hit my head. I suffered a 2nd grade concussion which in turn ended up going into Post Concussion Syndrome. I don't have a very good short term memory, my speech is not the best, and I can't do math if my life depended on it. When I go to the doctor for my checkups I have to take an easy test to most, but I'm not like most anymore. My doctor will just ask me what day it is, who is the President, and so on. I get most of them wrong. But he is such a nice guy that he will tell me that I did great. But then he will in his polite way tell me I failed...Bummer!
The last time I took the test I failed, but I did improve. That was such a great day! Then some day last week, I don't remember when, I had a metal bar fall on my head. Here is what happened: the bar bonked my head, I threw up, I went to bed, and Mike made me go to the ER. The doctor there said that my eyes were severely dilated. I guess you couldn't see the brown, only the black pupil. So I went in for a CAT scan, no bleed, thank you Jesus. Then I went home. Someone had to be with me for 24 hours, and Mike had to work the next day. My mom volunteered to come over, and I have to admit there is nothing better then having your mom by your side when you're sick.
I'm back to square one. I have another severe concussion, and everything hurts. I am super tired, which I don't want to take naps during the day. I was waiting for my daughter at the mall to fill out some paperwork at Holister because she just got a job there. I was sitting in one of those wonderful leather chairs they have and fell asleep 3 TIMES!!! I had my phone in my hand and dropped it, that is what woke me up. There was this guy sitting next to me, and the only thing he said to me the whole hour was that I was snoring. It took everything in me not to say anything rude, so I just apologized.
We are going to see what happens next with the whole bruised brain thing. The kids continue to get out of their punishments. They will do something wrong and I will ground them from something. Then in an hour I will see them doing what I grounded them from. Then I will ask them, "Didn't I just ground you from that?". They will say no or say you grounded Blah Blah from this. And I don't feel up to interrogating them, so I let it go. I'm know it is wrong, but I have to carefully pick my battles. So, I will keep you posted on everything and if this contains wrong grammar I apologize. But if it contains not one error that is because I proof read this about 100 times. It only took my 3 days to write it....I was being sarcastic.
The last time I took the test I failed, but I did improve. That was such a great day! Then some day last week, I don't remember when, I had a metal bar fall on my head. Here is what happened: the bar bonked my head, I threw up, I went to bed, and Mike made me go to the ER. The doctor there said that my eyes were severely dilated. I guess you couldn't see the brown, only the black pupil. So I went in for a CAT scan, no bleed, thank you Jesus. Then I went home. Someone had to be with me for 24 hours, and Mike had to work the next day. My mom volunteered to come over, and I have to admit there is nothing better then having your mom by your side when you're sick.
I'm back to square one. I have another severe concussion, and everything hurts. I am super tired, which I don't want to take naps during the day. I was waiting for my daughter at the mall to fill out some paperwork at Holister because she just got a job there. I was sitting in one of those wonderful leather chairs they have and fell asleep 3 TIMES!!! I had my phone in my hand and dropped it, that is what woke me up. There was this guy sitting next to me, and the only thing he said to me the whole hour was that I was snoring. It took everything in me not to say anything rude, so I just apologized.
We are going to see what happens next with the whole bruised brain thing. The kids continue to get out of their punishments. They will do something wrong and I will ground them from something. Then in an hour I will see them doing what I grounded them from. Then I will ask them, "Didn't I just ground you from that?". They will say no or say you grounded Blah Blah from this. And I don't feel up to interrogating them, so I let it go. I'm know it is wrong, but I have to carefully pick my battles. So, I will keep you posted on everything and if this contains wrong grammar I apologize. But if it contains not one error that is because I proof read this about 100 times. It only took my 3 days to write it....I was being sarcastic.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Where Were You?????
My youngest daughter came home today from a 2 1/2 week stay at my sister's house in Winnetka, IL. I was so happy to see her get off that plane that I think I might have cut her air supply off. When I was up at the airport with my youngest son, Joe, we were looking at all of the different types of people. I was telling Joe how before 9/11 we were able to sit right in front of the gate door to welcome or send off our family members. And how Security hardly ever went through your items or pat you down. We were able to joke with the Security Officers about having a weapon and how we could even bring drinks on the plane. He just could not believe it. And then I realized how life has changed so much.
Our world will never be the same after that horrible day in September, 2001. I completely remember where I was that morning. I had just had knee surgery, and was stuck in bed. Mike was getting ready to leave for work, he stayed home a little longer that morning to take care of me. Mike was literally walking out the door when I yelled for him to come upstairs and watch on TV what just happened. We watched the TV together for awhile, but he went off to work. I asked him not to go, but he really did need to go.
I was watching the "Today Show", which is based in New York. Katie Couric was on the phone with another reporter. The reporter told Ms. Couric that a plane hit the tower, and Ms. Couric said something like..."Surely not, surely you're wrong. I'm sure this was an accident". Then another plane and another attack only this one was live on TV. That is when I think everyone got a sense that this was not an accident. We were under attack, but who would do this?
In my mind I was almost making myself believe this was an accident. I couldn't even wrap the thought around my head that there were passengers on the planes. I asked Mike if he thought there were innocent people on the planes, and he looked at me dumb-founded. I didn't want to believe it, and Mike would always protect me from truths like that. For example, if there was a dead animal on the side of the road he would always say the animal was "sleeping". I knew it was dead, but with Mike saying that my mind would be at ease somehow. This time he didn't "sugar coat" anything, and that is a scary thing when you're used to being "sugar coated".
Then the Pentagon was hit and then the plane went down in Pennsylvania, and with that the feeling of severe panic sets in. Where there children on the planes? Did we know anyone on the flights? What city is going to get hit next? When is this going to stop? I was watching TV but I wanted to stop, I couldn't. It seemed like the destruction and devastation from that day went on for days, months, and years. This was the day the United States lifestyles will be forever changed. My children will never know what it was like to fly before then. But...Mike, myself, and our children will be able to tell generations to come about..."Where we were" on that day. ...Where were you?
I don't know if it was just me, but I am so glad I'm not flying all the time. I am glad I stay home with the kids, and can be there for my family at all times. I have God and my husband to thank for that.
Our world will never be the same after that horrible day in September, 2001. I completely remember where I was that morning. I had just had knee surgery, and was stuck in bed. Mike was getting ready to leave for work, he stayed home a little longer that morning to take care of me. Mike was literally walking out the door when I yelled for him to come upstairs and watch on TV what just happened. We watched the TV together for awhile, but he went off to work. I asked him not to go, but he really did need to go.
I was watching the "Today Show", which is based in New York. Katie Couric was on the phone with another reporter. The reporter told Ms. Couric that a plane hit the tower, and Ms. Couric said something like..."Surely not, surely you're wrong. I'm sure this was an accident". Then another plane and another attack only this one was live on TV. That is when I think everyone got a sense that this was not an accident. We were under attack, but who would do this?
In my mind I was almost making myself believe this was an accident. I couldn't even wrap the thought around my head that there were passengers on the planes. I asked Mike if he thought there were innocent people on the planes, and he looked at me dumb-founded. I didn't want to believe it, and Mike would always protect me from truths like that. For example, if there was a dead animal on the side of the road he would always say the animal was "sleeping". I knew it was dead, but with Mike saying that my mind would be at ease somehow. This time he didn't "sugar coat" anything, and that is a scary thing when you're used to being "sugar coated".
Then the Pentagon was hit and then the plane went down in Pennsylvania, and with that the feeling of severe panic sets in. Where there children on the planes? Did we know anyone on the flights? What city is going to get hit next? When is this going to stop? I was watching TV but I wanted to stop, I couldn't. It seemed like the destruction and devastation from that day went on for days, months, and years. This was the day the United States lifestyles will be forever changed. My children will never know what it was like to fly before then. But...Mike, myself, and our children will be able to tell generations to come about..."Where we were" on that day. ...Where were you?
I don't know if it was just me, but I am so glad I'm not flying all the time. I am glad I stay home with the kids, and can be there for my family at all times. I have God and my husband to thank for that.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
"Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Fish, Blue Fish"
I spent some time with my older sister, Kim, and her four children. She has all girls, and lost her son when he was 2. Luke died from the flu winter of 2003. Our family will forever be changed, but that doesn't always have to be a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, losing Luke was the worst thing our whole family has ever gone through. You are not supposed to have a child die first, we the parents are to go to heaven before them. But, for some reason God took Luke first. Kim and her husband, Mark, have changed, some for the better and some for the worst. But I have no idea what it is like to have your son taken away so soon, and I don't judge. But "Big Sisters" never seem to stop telling "Little Sisters" what to do.
I took my three younger children, Joe, Allie, and Sarah-Kate to Iowa to meet up with Kim and her four children. Kim is three years older than me, but I did almost everything first. I got married before she did, I had a baby before her, and I went through a major illness (which she has never gone through and I pray never will). My children are older than her children. I have a 23 year old boy, a 17 year old daughter, a daughter who is 13, and son who is 11 year old. Her girls range in ages from 13 - 4 years old. My children have put my husband and I through so much it is almost sad. But I have emotionally grown up, and learned so much from all of it. That is what Kim doesn't see, that I am a 41 year old mother, wife, and woman. And this drives me crazy!!!!!
I don't know if this is how it is with all older sisters, I am the youngest child in our family. I know Kim has a HUGE heart, and she bosses me around with the best intentions. She would never deliberately hurt me, ever. I know that, and love that about her...but sometimes she makes my head spin. She will ask me about this kid or that kid is doing, and I tell her what is going on knowing the whole time I am setting myself up for a lecture. Then it starts...."Well Kristen, you know you have to do this or that because of this or that". I don't even argue anymore, I let it slide because it isn't worth fighting about. I actually take it as a compliment, this is one of Kim's way she shows she loves me. I like to know that my sister has my back if I ever needed her. She is a very comforting thought to me. I love her and her family dearly.
Kim has these funny things she does to her kids that are very smart, but I have to laugh. For instance, if any of her children go outside for anything, they get lathered up with sunscreen. I'm not talking one sunscreen I am talking two different kinds and lots of it. She puts it on herself and her face looks like a clown for a good 5 minutes. It will truly take her about 5 minutes to rub it all in. And she does the same with her girls. This is such a routine for them that now Kim will put a bunch on their faces and not even rub it in. Her girls are getting older and she thinks they will rub it in. Little does she know that they don't. And when we were together one of her daughters laughed and said, "I'm not going to rub it in Aunt Kris. I'm going to leave them like dots so my sunburn will look cool". As an Aunt to these beautiful girls I should help them rub it in, but I can't. I just can't! I love to see Kim go berserk. So I'm laughing, and when I do Kim pops her head up to see what's going on. Then she gets mad she will say, "Kris, Rach, Tess, whoever you are just stop it!" Usually by the second wrong name we help her out and give her the correct person's name she is yelling at. Which make it all the more hysterical.
All nine of us were at dinner at a place called, "Machine Shed" in Iowa. Now keep in mind Kim lives in Chicago, and the slow country life doesn't sit well with her. We ordered our food and it took about 15 minutes to get. Fine right? Nope, at about 10 minutes she was asking where our food was. No one was in a hurry, but Kim's infamous words were said, "My kids are starting to loose it". She says that a lot!
So, finally the food comes, we are eating dinner and I get out my fancy phone that has an App for a Whoopi Cushion. I start pressing the phone and these great & loud fart noises start up. People in the restaurant are starting to give us unkind looks. My kids, myself, and 3 out of the four girls are laughing. So we blame my son, Joe, for farting. Kim has a "talkin to" with him. She is saying stuff like how her girls are impressionable and she wants them to learn how to act in a restaurant. But the sounds keep coming and we are even laughing harder because Kim's lecturing Joe on manners. All the while her kids are running from chair to chair, and Tessa's, 4, in her booster seat that is connected with her chair tips over on the side and crashes to the floor. Then Kim tells us we have to go NOW. That was probably one of the funniest things that happened on this two day trip.
I love my sister with all of my heart and feel blessed to be able to call her my sister. Her husband and daughters mean the world to me. And Luke will be waiting for us in heaven, and until then I will love him like crazy. A family wouldn't be a family if no one cared, if roles weren't established, if the younger kids weren't bossed around by the older kids, and if in the present you can all laugh about the past and then dream together about the future. God will always be my first priority and second is my husband, and then the rest of me goes to my family. We always have each others back, and are always ready to correct each others children. Because correcting our own children isn't half as fun as correcting others.
I took my three younger children, Joe, Allie, and Sarah-Kate to Iowa to meet up with Kim and her four children. Kim is three years older than me, but I did almost everything first. I got married before she did, I had a baby before her, and I went through a major illness (which she has never gone through and I pray never will). My children are older than her children. I have a 23 year old boy, a 17 year old daughter, a daughter who is 13, and son who is 11 year old. Her girls range in ages from 13 - 4 years old. My children have put my husband and I through so much it is almost sad. But I have emotionally grown up, and learned so much from all of it. That is what Kim doesn't see, that I am a 41 year old mother, wife, and woman. And this drives me crazy!!!!!
I don't know if this is how it is with all older sisters, I am the youngest child in our family. I know Kim has a HUGE heart, and she bosses me around with the best intentions. She would never deliberately hurt me, ever. I know that, and love that about her...but sometimes she makes my head spin. She will ask me about this kid or that kid is doing, and I tell her what is going on knowing the whole time I am setting myself up for a lecture. Then it starts...."Well Kristen, you know you have to do this or that because of this or that". I don't even argue anymore, I let it slide because it isn't worth fighting about. I actually take it as a compliment, this is one of Kim's way she shows she loves me. I like to know that my sister has my back if I ever needed her. She is a very comforting thought to me. I love her and her family dearly.
Kim has these funny things she does to her kids that are very smart, but I have to laugh. For instance, if any of her children go outside for anything, they get lathered up with sunscreen. I'm not talking one sunscreen I am talking two different kinds and lots of it. She puts it on herself and her face looks like a clown for a good 5 minutes. It will truly take her about 5 minutes to rub it all in. And she does the same with her girls. This is such a routine for them that now Kim will put a bunch on their faces and not even rub it in. Her girls are getting older and she thinks they will rub it in. Little does she know that they don't. And when we were together one of her daughters laughed and said, "I'm not going to rub it in Aunt Kris. I'm going to leave them like dots so my sunburn will look cool". As an Aunt to these beautiful girls I should help them rub it in, but I can't. I just can't! I love to see Kim go berserk. So I'm laughing, and when I do Kim pops her head up to see what's going on. Then she gets mad she will say, "Kris, Rach, Tess, whoever you are just stop it!" Usually by the second wrong name we help her out and give her the correct person's name she is yelling at. Which make it all the more hysterical.
All nine of us were at dinner at a place called, "Machine Shed" in Iowa. Now keep in mind Kim lives in Chicago, and the slow country life doesn't sit well with her. We ordered our food and it took about 15 minutes to get. Fine right? Nope, at about 10 minutes she was asking where our food was. No one was in a hurry, but Kim's infamous words were said, "My kids are starting to loose it". She says that a lot!
So, finally the food comes, we are eating dinner and I get out my fancy phone that has an App for a Whoopi Cushion. I start pressing the phone and these great & loud fart noises start up. People in the restaurant are starting to give us unkind looks. My kids, myself, and 3 out of the four girls are laughing. So we blame my son, Joe, for farting. Kim has a "talkin to" with him. She is saying stuff like how her girls are impressionable and she wants them to learn how to act in a restaurant. But the sounds keep coming and we are even laughing harder because Kim's lecturing Joe on manners. All the while her kids are running from chair to chair, and Tessa's, 4, in her booster seat that is connected with her chair tips over on the side and crashes to the floor. Then Kim tells us we have to go NOW. That was probably one of the funniest things that happened on this two day trip.
I love my sister with all of my heart and feel blessed to be able to call her my sister. Her husband and daughters mean the world to me. And Luke will be waiting for us in heaven, and until then I will love him like crazy. A family wouldn't be a family if no one cared, if roles weren't established, if the younger kids weren't bossed around by the older kids, and if in the present you can all laugh about the past and then dream together about the future. God will always be my first priority and second is my husband, and then the rest of me goes to my family. We always have each others back, and are always ready to correct each others children. Because correcting our own children isn't half as fun as correcting others.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
PTSD?
PTSD, ever heard of it? Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur soon after a major trauma, or it can be delayed for more than 6 months after the event. When it occurs soon after the trauma, it usually gets better after 3 months. But some people have a longer-term form of PTSD, which can last for many years. The cause of PTSD is unknown, but psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors are involved. PTSD changes the body’s response to stress. It affects the stress hormones and chemicals that carry information between the nerves. Having been exposed to trauma in the past may increase the risk of PTSD.
I don't think I know one person who hasn't had some sort of traumatic event in their life. Some people think that only soldiers returning home from war experience it. But that isn't the whole truth. Yes, our courageous soldiers do experience it, but so do many "Average Joe's". The only difference is a soldier is known to have it and seek help, but the public will not. And the stigma that PTSD carries is almost shunned, especially by Americans. And to admit to having any kind of mental illness is "crazy" in the United States.
Then I wonder how the folks down in Joplin, MO will do. I know May 22, 2011 was traumatic for the victims of the tornado, but what about all the volunteers? What about the things people saw that night or the days to follow? I have only heard or read the stories of what people saw, and I wonder if they will ever be the same. Surely not! Adults and children witnessed things that were truly horrific. They saw people impaled with wooden beams, children with wounds so severe their bones where showing. Yet there was a sense of community with everyone helping each other out. Everyone there were and are heroes.
I did go down to Joplin to help with the clean up with my youngest daughter and church. Even going down there 10 days after to volunteer, changed our lives. It did effect both of us, and truthfully there is no way that it couldn't have. Seeing the homes that were demolished, the trees that were once there all gone, and the lives that were taken was unreal. I don't know how to explain it but, there was this "funk" around the area. It was what some people call a "bad vibe". Almost like you could smell the feeling of sadness and unsureness. Unsure of how they would build their lives back up and the lives of others.
Joplin is far away from being repaired. But when you listen to the stories and look into their eyes, you can see that little spark of hope. You can't live one second without hope. The citizens of Joplin will be and are going to be suffering from PTSD, and it is our duty as Christians to help out some way or another. We are told by Jesus to be salt and light. We have to be gracious like the Lord to the victims of the tornado now and in the future. So if you will please take 5-10 minutes out of your day and pray for healing. There needs to be healing in Joplin, and also in the surrounding areas. We need not be anxious about anything, but in prayer with everything.
All I can do is volunteer and pray for Joplin, and I so want to do more. This whole disaster has changed my life. Now I seem to be more cautious when there are storms or tornado watches. I don't go outside to see the sky when the tornado sirens go off. I have a survival pack and plan for my family if we were to ever go through something like that. I strongly recommend that for everyone.
I don't think I know one person who hasn't had some sort of traumatic event in their life. Some people think that only soldiers returning home from war experience it. But that isn't the whole truth. Yes, our courageous soldiers do experience it, but so do many "Average Joe's". The only difference is a soldier is known to have it and seek help, but the public will not. And the stigma that PTSD carries is almost shunned, especially by Americans. And to admit to having any kind of mental illness is "crazy" in the United States.
Then I wonder how the folks down in Joplin, MO will do. I know May 22, 2011 was traumatic for the victims of the tornado, but what about all the volunteers? What about the things people saw that night or the days to follow? I have only heard or read the stories of what people saw, and I wonder if they will ever be the same. Surely not! Adults and children witnessed things that were truly horrific. They saw people impaled with wooden beams, children with wounds so severe their bones where showing. Yet there was a sense of community with everyone helping each other out. Everyone there were and are heroes.
I did go down to Joplin to help with the clean up with my youngest daughter and church. Even going down there 10 days after to volunteer, changed our lives. It did effect both of us, and truthfully there is no way that it couldn't have. Seeing the homes that were demolished, the trees that were once there all gone, and the lives that were taken was unreal. I don't know how to explain it but, there was this "funk" around the area. It was what some people call a "bad vibe". Almost like you could smell the feeling of sadness and unsureness. Unsure of how they would build their lives back up and the lives of others.
Joplin is far away from being repaired. But when you listen to the stories and look into their eyes, you can see that little spark of hope. You can't live one second without hope. The citizens of Joplin will be and are going to be suffering from PTSD, and it is our duty as Christians to help out some way or another. We are told by Jesus to be salt and light. We have to be gracious like the Lord to the victims of the tornado now and in the future. So if you will please take 5-10 minutes out of your day and pray for healing. There needs to be healing in Joplin, and also in the surrounding areas. We need not be anxious about anything, but in prayer with everything.
All I can do is volunteer and pray for Joplin, and I so want to do more. This whole disaster has changed my life. Now I seem to be more cautious when there are storms or tornado watches. I don't go outside to see the sky when the tornado sirens go off. I have a survival pack and plan for my family if we were to ever go through something like that. I strongly recommend that for everyone.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Perception
When I started this Blog on Saturday May 21, 2011 I was feeling real sorry for myself. I wrote things like, "What is a person to do when their limit is reached?" I think that is my favorite saying, I am always wondering what my limit is. I literally count out how many "bad things" have happened to me and my family. Honestly, I rarely ever count out how many "good things" have happened. Why is that? I think it is because it is much easier to knock ourselves down than it is to build ourselves up.
Did you know every time someone says a negative statement towards you, it takes 21 positive statements just to wipe that one mean one out. I can see football coaches yelling at their players. How they hold the player's face mask, get nose to nose with the kid, and in front of all the players start yelling, screaming at the top of his lungs, and spitting on the player while foaming at the mouth like a wild dog with rabies. I would say that is pretty negative. Now does that coach have to turn around and say 21 things that player did good that day? If he doesn't will that child go home and hurt himself? All left up for speculation.
I do know that we are all human, including parents. And there are those times we catch ourselves acting like our parents, even though we said throughout our whole entire teenage years we would never "be" like them. Now I find myself giving the most wisest wisdom that I learned from my parents, and trying to teach it to my children. Now I'm no idiot, I see their little blank faces, I know that they have mentally "checked out", and it drives me as crazy as it drove my parents. Rumor around the Hansan Household I hear is that our children are saying when they grow up and are parents they aren't going to be like us. All I can think of is, "SCORE! WE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!"
As a parent I certainly do not claim to know everything. I am really only doing this whole "Parent-Thing" by the Grace of God. Ever heard of the, "Power of the Praying Parent"? If you haven't I strongly recommend the book by Stormie Omartian. We are borrowing our children from the Lord, and it is our job to teach them God's way. This is what we want our children to learn first, and if they leave the path that they were walking on with God. Our children have the tools to know how to jump back on it, and they know God's grace and forgiveness. The past is in the past, and it is wiped away, and you are renewed. Thank You Jesus Christ our Savior
Did you know every time someone says a negative statement towards you, it takes 21 positive statements just to wipe that one mean one out. I can see football coaches yelling at their players. How they hold the player's face mask, get nose to nose with the kid, and in front of all the players start yelling, screaming at the top of his lungs, and spitting on the player while foaming at the mouth like a wild dog with rabies. I would say that is pretty negative. Now does that coach have to turn around and say 21 things that player did good that day? If he doesn't will that child go home and hurt himself? All left up for speculation.
I do know that we are all human, including parents. And there are those times we catch ourselves acting like our parents, even though we said throughout our whole entire teenage years we would never "be" like them. Now I find myself giving the most wisest wisdom that I learned from my parents, and trying to teach it to my children. Now I'm no idiot, I see their little blank faces, I know that they have mentally "checked out", and it drives me as crazy as it drove my parents. Rumor around the Hansan Household I hear is that our children are saying when they grow up and are parents they aren't going to be like us. All I can think of is, "SCORE! WE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!"
As a parent I certainly do not claim to know everything. I am really only doing this whole "Parent-Thing" by the Grace of God. Ever heard of the, "Power of the Praying Parent"? If you haven't I strongly recommend the book by Stormie Omartian. We are borrowing our children from the Lord, and it is our job to teach them God's way. This is what we want our children to learn first, and if they leave the path that they were walking on with God. Our children have the tools to know how to jump back on it, and they know God's grace and forgiveness. The past is in the past, and it is wiped away, and you are renewed. Thank You Jesus Christ our Savior
Saturday, May 14, 2011
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Out of my four children three of them have blond hair and blue eyes. Only Sarah-Kate has brown hair and brown eyes like myself. If I remember correctly back in school, brown characteristics where the dominant genes. If that is true, then what the heck happened to my family? Mike has blue eyes and when he was a kid he had blond hair, but it turned brown (and now gray). I take this whole "gene" thing as a sign that I am NOT a dominant "gene" in this house.
I don't mean, "Boo Hoo, my family doesn't need me". Because trust me they do. When I worked full time, Mike was in charge of dinner. And it was a known fact the kids would be eating either frozen pizza, mac-n-cheese from a box, or spaghetti. We are now to the point we can't see, eat, smell, or even look at spaghetti anymore. I am just giving Mike a hard time. He really is a great Dad and in his defense he did ask me to write down some recipes for him. I just never did it.
Currently I'm not working because in the beginning of February I fell on the ice in our driveway. I fell backward and smacked the back of my head on the driveway, bad. I suffered a severe concussion, amnesia for almost 3 days, and had to go on a leave of absence at work. I ended up in speech therapy, therapy that helps with dizziness, I don't remember the month of February and most of March, numbers, days, and simple tasks are very challenging. I have what is called - Post Concussion Syndrome. I have never heard of this, but there is such a thing.
I ended up losing my job because I wasn't there a year yet and didn't qualify for FMLA. When the HR dept. called me to let me know I couldn't come back I just happened to be in speech therapy. I was devastated and started crying hysterically. My speech therapist is the one who told me about this, that is the only reason I know. I loved my job, I planned on retiring from Freightquote.com. I didn't need to look for another job, I was set. It is a great company to work for. I honestly loved everything about it, everything. But they couldn't hold my position so what could I do? Nothing.
I still have memory loss, it's very scary. My family and friends will tell me I did or say something but I won't remember any of it. The kids at first were getting a bit irritated with me because they would tell me their plans or something, and then 5 minutes later they would have to tell me again. They quickly found how it was beneficial for them too. If they got in trouble earlier in the day I would forget, so no punishment for them. They used that to their advantage often. I felt bad that everyone was getting frustrated with me, but honestly I had no idea why they were getting frustrated. I lost my short term memory, if they told me I would forget seconds later.
In my daily prayers I ask God to heal me. It is a fear of mine that I will stay like this. I have my degree in Communication, and now it is hard to finish a complete sentence. I am not as quick witted as I used to be. I have lost confidence in myself. I don't let anyone know this because this has gone on so long that I don't think anyone wants to hear about it anymore. That is OK, I don't want to live with it anymore. I do have peace in God, and I have to do my part and God will handle ALL of it.
I don't mean, "Boo Hoo, my family doesn't need me". Because trust me they do. When I worked full time, Mike was in charge of dinner. And it was a known fact the kids would be eating either frozen pizza, mac-n-cheese from a box, or spaghetti. We are now to the point we can't see, eat, smell, or even look at spaghetti anymore. I am just giving Mike a hard time. He really is a great Dad and in his defense he did ask me to write down some recipes for him. I just never did it.
Currently I'm not working because in the beginning of February I fell on the ice in our driveway. I fell backward and smacked the back of my head on the driveway, bad. I suffered a severe concussion, amnesia for almost 3 days, and had to go on a leave of absence at work. I ended up in speech therapy, therapy that helps with dizziness, I don't remember the month of February and most of March, numbers, days, and simple tasks are very challenging. I have what is called - Post Concussion Syndrome. I have never heard of this, but there is such a thing.
I ended up losing my job because I wasn't there a year yet and didn't qualify for FMLA. When the HR dept. called me to let me know I couldn't come back I just happened to be in speech therapy. I was devastated and started crying hysterically. My speech therapist is the one who told me about this, that is the only reason I know. I loved my job, I planned on retiring from Freightquote.com. I didn't need to look for another job, I was set. It is a great company to work for. I honestly loved everything about it, everything. But they couldn't hold my position so what could I do? Nothing.
I still have memory loss, it's very scary. My family and friends will tell me I did or say something but I won't remember any of it. The kids at first were getting a bit irritated with me because they would tell me their plans or something, and then 5 minutes later they would have to tell me again. They quickly found how it was beneficial for them too. If they got in trouble earlier in the day I would forget, so no punishment for them. They used that to their advantage often. I felt bad that everyone was getting frustrated with me, but honestly I had no idea why they were getting frustrated. I lost my short term memory, if they told me I would forget seconds later.
In my daily prayers I ask God to heal me. It is a fear of mine that I will stay like this. I have my degree in Communication, and now it is hard to finish a complete sentence. I am not as quick witted as I used to be. I have lost confidence in myself. I don't let anyone know this because this has gone on so long that I don't think anyone wants to hear about it anymore. That is OK, I don't want to live with it anymore. I do have peace in God, and I have to do my part and God will handle ALL of it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
So Blessed, I just have to except it
Have you ever sat back when you are home alone and there was complete silence? Look around your house, reflecting on all the stuff you have, the stuff your kids have, or the stuff your husband has? Well, today I made myself do that. I stopped what I was doing, no distractions for me, no more static. Because when you are in constant motion you don't have time to get a good look into your life. There is no way to see how the Lord has blessed you. There's no time to feel anything like sorrow, purpose, grief, sadness, shame, guilt, or even happiness. Or all the other feelings you have buried deep down inside us.
Those "feelings" are so hard to accept, hard to deal with, and very hard get to a healthy place with. I have been very lucky in my life to have been able to come in contact with some of the most wise and giving people in the area. Some are therapists, pastors, business owners, and authors. They have taught me so much about the difference between feelings vs. truth. Trust me there is a BIG difference.
Feelings come and go. I could wake up in the morning and feel sad, then get a great phone call in the afternoon and feel happy. They are up and down. I try not make a major or minor decision on how I feel. It is very challenging for me to do. But if I do, there is a good chance it is going to be a bad choice.
Feelings come from your past experiences, good or bad, that is what makes you who you are. Some pasts are not good, then it is important to seek help in a solid therapist, pastor, or Christian support group. It will help to figure out why you feel this unlovable, stupid, why you are in this abusive relationship. Don't be emotionally handicapped anymore.
It helps to get a piece of paper out and draw a line down the middle, one side name "Feeling" the other "Truth". Step back and pray to Jesus and ask Him for help with this. He will help open up your heart, I know first hand he will. On that piece of paper write a feeling word, "less of a woman" (for me). Then pray... truth is, I am doing what God tells women to do in the Bible. I am taking care of my family, I encourage, I'm devoted to my husband, and most of all Jesus is the King of our house. That was just an example on how to do it.
We are saved by the blood of Jesus, if you "feel" you are not getting love from your spouse or significant other, it doesn't matter. Jesus loves YOU so much that he died for you, YES YOU!! He died for Kristen Hansan, Mike Hansan, Nathan Hansan, Sarah-Kate Hansan, Allie Hansan, Joseph Hansan, Philip Severson, Pat Severson, Kim Melancon, Mark Melancon, Rachel Melancon, Claire Melancon, Gracie, Melancon, Luke Melancon, Tessa Melancon, Judy Hansan, Donnie Hansan, Sandy Stout, Randy Stout, Dylan Johnson, Tanner Johnson, and many many more. Thank you Lord.
Those "feelings" are so hard to accept, hard to deal with, and very hard get to a healthy place with. I have been very lucky in my life to have been able to come in contact with some of the most wise and giving people in the area. Some are therapists, pastors, business owners, and authors. They have taught me so much about the difference between feelings vs. truth. Trust me there is a BIG difference.
Feelings come and go. I could wake up in the morning and feel sad, then get a great phone call in the afternoon and feel happy. They are up and down. I try not make a major or minor decision on how I feel. It is very challenging for me to do. But if I do, there is a good chance it is going to be a bad choice.
Feelings come from your past experiences, good or bad, that is what makes you who you are. Some pasts are not good, then it is important to seek help in a solid therapist, pastor, or Christian support group. It will help to figure out why you feel this unlovable, stupid, why you are in this abusive relationship. Don't be emotionally handicapped anymore.
It helps to get a piece of paper out and draw a line down the middle, one side name "Feeling" the other "Truth". Step back and pray to Jesus and ask Him for help with this. He will help open up your heart, I know first hand he will. On that piece of paper write a feeling word, "less of a woman" (for me). Then pray... truth is, I am doing what God tells women to do in the Bible. I am taking care of my family, I encourage, I'm devoted to my husband, and most of all Jesus is the King of our house. That was just an example on how to do it.
We are saved by the blood of Jesus, if you "feel" you are not getting love from your spouse or significant other, it doesn't matter. Jesus loves YOU so much that he died for you, YES YOU!! He died for Kristen Hansan, Mike Hansan, Nathan Hansan, Sarah-Kate Hansan, Allie Hansan, Joseph Hansan, Philip Severson, Pat Severson, Kim Melancon, Mark Melancon, Rachel Melancon, Claire Melancon, Gracie, Melancon, Luke Melancon, Tessa Melancon, Judy Hansan, Donnie Hansan, Sandy Stout, Randy Stout, Dylan Johnson, Tanner Johnson, and many many more. Thank you Lord.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day?
Having 4 children one would think that on Mother's Day I would not have to do a thing. Even more so since they are older, right? It never works out that way unfortunately. But, in their defense I don't want anything either. Every year I ask for the same thing...a handwritten letter from each child explaining what I mean to them. Once a year I want my ego stroked so kill me!
Now that they are getting older the letters are getting better. When they were toddlers I would get drawings. The drawings would be of the family or of me and them, I still have them. It's so funny, Joe used to draw hands so big. Which in Art Therapy is a symbol of safety, I learned. Nathan would make rainbows that would cover the whole page. That was a symbol of hope, which made me very happy that he was hopeful. Allie's people never had hands, that's not good, and Sarah-Kate's pictures never had any of the other children in it. Her pictures usually where only of Mike, myself and her....I should have caught on to that.
This year though, my letters where incredible. They really blew me out of the water. Nathan wrote three rough drafts before he completed the final one. Joe's letter was a metaphor on how I am like the sun and will always be there even if you can't see me because of clouds. And he is only 11 years old. Allie's was on a scrap piece of paper and was about me being a great mom. She said her friends wished I was their mom, but not when I get mad. Sarah-Kate has yet to write a letter. She is 16 years old and trying to "find" herself. The other day she was a Hippy, the day before that she was "Scene". I wouldn't want to change places with her, it is such a hard age. I told her to stop and just try being "Sarah-Kate", because I heard that Sarah-Kate is totally cool. Keep her in your prayers please.
Finally the end of the day is almost here (Thank the Good Lord). Dinner at our house is always a bit of a chore. Getting dinner on the table, telling everyone to wash their hands, setting the table, and getting drinks, it can get pretty crazy. But on this "glorious day" we tell stories about me/mother. My family has to tell of a funny story about me. Not hard, I am a mess I am not going to lie. We are sitting at the table and the kids are thinking, and Mike pipes in and says he has one. Now, Mike doesn't really get into this stuff at all, like never. The kids tell their stories and we all laugh. But NOT this year,NNNOOO, Mike has a funny dating story to boot. The kids are all ears because 1.Dad doesn't really ever share like this and 2.It's a dating story.
Let me just set the scene: It is almost 90 degrees outside, feels like 100 degrees in the house. We refuse to turn on the air conditioner. We are sitting down to eat and the stove has been on for about an hour. Nathan doesn't feel good. Sarah-Kate is in a "I Hate" mood. Allie is on Tylenol 3 so she is just fine. Joe, well Joe just wants someone to play catch with him after dinner. Mike speaks up and says, "I have a mom story. It goes back to when we were dating". I'm just thinking great, I am positive I was drunk in the story (because I was pretty much drunk the whole time we dated) and rude (because I was young and crude). Then he spoke of a time we where in Butler, MO. Oh yes, one of our Butler stories, WONDERFUL!!! It was about a fish fry we attended back in the day. How I was in the bed of a truck with about 8 farm boys, and of course I was drunk. Which Mike did leave out, but it goes without saying. And we had a farting contest...and I WON.
Really Mike? Why that story out of all ours stories? How in the world do you remember that and why would you remember that? I wouldn't think that was a proud moment for you. But in the end my children learned a little more about their mom. I am a strong enough woman to hang with 8 big home grown farm boys and out fart them all. I am probably more of a dude than a dudette, but still love men (if you know what I mean) That people can change, I am not as gross as I was. But I am not totally PC either. That Mom and Dad were partiers, but not anymore. We left that life when we completely gave ourselves to Jesus.
Now that they are getting older the letters are getting better. When they were toddlers I would get drawings. The drawings would be of the family or of me and them, I still have them. It's so funny, Joe used to draw hands so big. Which in Art Therapy is a symbol of safety, I learned. Nathan would make rainbows that would cover the whole page. That was a symbol of hope, which made me very happy that he was hopeful. Allie's people never had hands, that's not good, and Sarah-Kate's pictures never had any of the other children in it. Her pictures usually where only of Mike, myself and her....I should have caught on to that.
This year though, my letters where incredible. They really blew me out of the water. Nathan wrote three rough drafts before he completed the final one. Joe's letter was a metaphor on how I am like the sun and will always be there even if you can't see me because of clouds. And he is only 11 years old. Allie's was on a scrap piece of paper and was about me being a great mom. She said her friends wished I was their mom, but not when I get mad. Sarah-Kate has yet to write a letter. She is 16 years old and trying to "find" herself. The other day she was a Hippy, the day before that she was "Scene". I wouldn't want to change places with her, it is such a hard age. I told her to stop and just try being "Sarah-Kate", because I heard that Sarah-Kate is totally cool. Keep her in your prayers please.
Finally the end of the day is almost here (Thank the Good Lord). Dinner at our house is always a bit of a chore. Getting dinner on the table, telling everyone to wash their hands, setting the table, and getting drinks, it can get pretty crazy. But on this "glorious day" we tell stories about me/mother. My family has to tell of a funny story about me. Not hard, I am a mess I am not going to lie. We are sitting at the table and the kids are thinking, and Mike pipes in and says he has one. Now, Mike doesn't really get into this stuff at all, like never. The kids tell their stories and we all laugh. But NOT this year,NNNOOO, Mike has a funny dating story to boot. The kids are all ears because 1.Dad doesn't really ever share like this and 2.It's a dating story.
Let me just set the scene: It is almost 90 degrees outside, feels like 100 degrees in the house. We refuse to turn on the air conditioner. We are sitting down to eat and the stove has been on for about an hour. Nathan doesn't feel good. Sarah-Kate is in a "I Hate" mood. Allie is on Tylenol 3 so she is just fine. Joe, well Joe just wants someone to play catch with him after dinner. Mike speaks up and says, "I have a mom story. It goes back to when we were dating". I'm just thinking great, I am positive I was drunk in the story (because I was pretty much drunk the whole time we dated) and rude (because I was young and crude). Then he spoke of a time we where in Butler, MO. Oh yes, one of our Butler stories, WONDERFUL!!! It was about a fish fry we attended back in the day. How I was in the bed of a truck with about 8 farm boys, and of course I was drunk. Which Mike did leave out, but it goes without saying. And we had a farting contest...and I WON.
Really Mike? Why that story out of all ours stories? How in the world do you remember that and why would you remember that? I wouldn't think that was a proud moment for you. But in the end my children learned a little more about their mom. I am a strong enough woman to hang with 8 big home grown farm boys and out fart them all. I am probably more of a dude than a dudette, but still love men (if you know what I mean) That people can change, I am not as gross as I was. But I am not totally PC either. That Mom and Dad were partiers, but not anymore. We left that life when we completely gave ourselves to Jesus.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Tough Love Club
I think all mothers can relate when I say we give all of ourselves to our children...without any hesitation. I honestly don't think children are wired to always be thinking of how great their parents are. I know for a fact they aren't, and that's ok. It's fine when a child is a bit selfish, it's the only time in our lives we can get away with it. But it is when that selfishness follows them into adulthood.....that is when parents need to go into action and produce boundaries for themselves. AKA ~ Tough Love.
Some people call it "Tough Love", but who is it really tough on? So, let's say you kick your somewhat adult child out of the house. What now? They're gone! Who are the ones going to be upset? The child or you? I'm going to put my money on the parents. How do I know this? I have lived it first hand. I had an older sister who needed "Tough Love" and now I have a child in the same position.
People commonly say, "That is why they call it Tough Love", REALLY!!!!! Is that why? I mean what is that? How is that going to help me feel better? Do they think they are giving you advise or something? "I had no idea WWWWHHHYYYHY they called it Tough Love. Just thought it was a new club or kind of drink". With all sarcasm aside, when I step back and think about what they just said, it is almost like a code between parents. They are letting you know that they have been there and feel your pain.
When parents are dealing with their child who was/is a "big mess" it is hard to look beyond your own problems. But when other parents say that catchy phrase of, "that is why they call it Tough Love", usually they give you a look, almost like they are giving you permission to ask them for advise. Almost like a look of acceptance into their pain and troubles. I have to thank these selected few parents who let us into their lives and helped/are helping us get through our own "big mess".
Now we have something in common with these incredible people, and we are thankful to be part of the Tough Love Club. Everyone in this club is so very raw and real. There are hardly any secrets, and a ton of support. We do not know most of them but we know they are out there, so we pray for them. Ask me about our families "Tough Love" and will let you know how we handle it.
And when you are in the trenches with your child, and you really think that you have reached your limit....just know that other parents whom may have limits far beyond yours. I hope through all of this I gained character and knowledge. And have been able to turn that knowledge into wisdom.
I love my husband and my children so dearly. I am so glad that the Lord has let Mike and I borrow Nate, Sarah-Kate, Allie, & Joe while we are here on earth.
Some people call it "Tough Love", but who is it really tough on? So, let's say you kick your somewhat adult child out of the house. What now? They're gone! Who are the ones going to be upset? The child or you? I'm going to put my money on the parents. How do I know this? I have lived it first hand. I had an older sister who needed "Tough Love" and now I have a child in the same position.
People commonly say, "That is why they call it Tough Love", REALLY!!!!! Is that why? I mean what is that? How is that going to help me feel better? Do they think they are giving you advise or something? "I had no idea WWWWHHHYYYHY they called it Tough Love. Just thought it was a new club or kind of drink". With all sarcasm aside, when I step back and think about what they just said, it is almost like a code between parents. They are letting you know that they have been there and feel your pain.
When parents are dealing with their child who was/is a "big mess" it is hard to look beyond your own problems. But when other parents say that catchy phrase of, "that is why they call it Tough Love", usually they give you a look, almost like they are giving you permission to ask them for advise. Almost like a look of acceptance into their pain and troubles. I have to thank these selected few parents who let us into their lives and helped/are helping us get through our own "big mess".
Now we have something in common with these incredible people, and we are thankful to be part of the Tough Love Club. Everyone in this club is so very raw and real. There are hardly any secrets, and a ton of support. We do not know most of them but we know they are out there, so we pray for them. Ask me about our families "Tough Love" and will let you know how we handle it.
And when you are in the trenches with your child, and you really think that you have reached your limit....just know that other parents whom may have limits far beyond yours. I hope through all of this I gained character and knowledge. And have been able to turn that knowledge into wisdom.
I love my husband and my children so dearly. I am so glad that the Lord has let Mike and I borrow Nate, Sarah-Kate, Allie, & Joe while we are here on earth.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dad knows a Barbie AND a Dolly!
Another busy day in the Hansan house. But my wonderful husband let me sleep in and he got the kids off to school today. What a great surprise to me, it is amazing what another hour of sleep will do for a person. The day was full, I had to drive Nathan around to apply at Long-Term Care Facilities in our area. Don't get me wrong we have a lot of fun, he is such a great person. We laugh very hard when we are together, but we also learn a little bit more about inner selves....very deep, yes, very deep.
It's going to rain for the next couple of days so attitudes in our house were a bit on edge. Not that we were scrapping one another. But we were snapping, the tongue can be a very wicked tool. Luckily the end of the day we had our last and best laugh. Side note: I am so out of shape I have very bad ab muscles. So when I laugh really hard it hurts my stomach because I am so out of shape. But tonight I didn't care, I really needed to laugh and let off some steam that way. I do prefer to laugh, do you?
We were sitting at the kitchen table, Mike, myself, Joe, and Sarah-Kate. I was looking at Mike's phone and saw that a "Barbie" called him. I said, "You know a Barbie?". I mean really, who wants to be named after a plastic, synthetic hair, and painted on face doll? Stop, Stop, Stop, I forgot I live in Johnson County Kansas, my bad. Let me just give you the dialog of our conversation:
Scene - Mike and I are in the pink car headed to Radio Shack to buy a fuse for the new big TV.
Me: "Kids we need your opinion on this, Dad and I were finally alone in the car.."
Joe: "Stop right there!! That is all we need to hear!!"
Me: "That is not what I mean Joe, we were coming home from the store, DUH!"
**Everyone is laughing now
Me: "No seriously, you all know that Dad and I never get time alone. We finally have it and guess who calls?"
Everyone: "KEVIN!"
Me: "Yep, and Dad stayed on the phone for over half the time we were together in the car!"
Sarah-Kate: "Dad, don't do that. Mom wants all of your attention."
Mike: "Oh, I KNOW!"
**I go through Mike's phone at the kitchen table:
Me: "You know a girl named Barbie?"
Sarah-Kate: "I KNOW!!!, and he knows a Dolly too!"
Mike: he turns to look at me, "And she knows a Madison."
Immediately I get it...Dolly Madison..snacks
**I'm laughing hysterically, I can't take a breath, and I am coughing. My abs hurt because I am out of shape. Joe and Sarah-Kate are laughing but they don't know why. Mostly because Daddy and I are laughing.
Sarah-Kate: "I hate you all!" Then gets up from the table and googles Dolly Madison.
Joe: Joe whispers, "Mom, who is Dolly Madison?"
Me: "Well, you know Little Debbie, right?
Joe: "No, who is she?"
Sarah-Kate: "Dolly Madison was the wife of our fourth President, James Madison."
**She was right, but really?What do you say to that???
Mike: "You know them, they live down on that street called Hostess Lane."
Sarah-Kate & Joe: "Where is that?"
****Mike and I are now crying we are laughing so hard. Plus the two kids are getting really mad, which is just an add bonus for us.
Me: "I can't take it anymore, I have to tell them. They are snack cakes"
Sarah-Kate: "I hate you all!! You all wonder why I am so messed up in the head! Because of parents like you!!"
Me: "Well the least you can do is say Thank You."
Just one of many of my crazy family stories.
It's going to rain for the next couple of days so attitudes in our house were a bit on edge. Not that we were scrapping one another. But we were snapping, the tongue can be a very wicked tool. Luckily the end of the day we had our last and best laugh. Side note: I am so out of shape I have very bad ab muscles. So when I laugh really hard it hurts my stomach because I am so out of shape. But tonight I didn't care, I really needed to laugh and let off some steam that way. I do prefer to laugh, do you?
We were sitting at the kitchen table, Mike, myself, Joe, and Sarah-Kate. I was looking at Mike's phone and saw that a "Barbie" called him. I said, "You know a Barbie?". I mean really, who wants to be named after a plastic, synthetic hair, and painted on face doll? Stop, Stop, Stop, I forgot I live in Johnson County Kansas, my bad. Let me just give you the dialog of our conversation:
Scene - Mike and I are in the pink car headed to Radio Shack to buy a fuse for the new big TV.
Me: "Kids we need your opinion on this, Dad and I were finally alone in the car.."
Joe: "Stop right there!! That is all we need to hear!!"
Me: "That is not what I mean Joe, we were coming home from the store, DUH!"
**Everyone is laughing now
Me: "No seriously, you all know that Dad and I never get time alone. We finally have it and guess who calls?"
Everyone: "KEVIN!"
Me: "Yep, and Dad stayed on the phone for over half the time we were together in the car!"
Sarah-Kate: "Dad, don't do that. Mom wants all of your attention."
Mike: "Oh, I KNOW!"
**I go through Mike's phone at the kitchen table:
Me: "You know a girl named Barbie?"
Sarah-Kate: "I KNOW!!!, and he knows a Dolly too!"
Mike: he turns to look at me, "And she knows a Madison."
Immediately I get it...Dolly Madison..snacks
**I'm laughing hysterically, I can't take a breath, and I am coughing. My abs hurt because I am out of shape. Joe and Sarah-Kate are laughing but they don't know why. Mostly because Daddy and I are laughing.
Sarah-Kate: "I hate you all!" Then gets up from the table and googles Dolly Madison.
Joe: Joe whispers, "Mom, who is Dolly Madison?"
Me: "Well, you know Little Debbie, right?
Joe: "No, who is she?"
Sarah-Kate: "Dolly Madison was the wife of our fourth President, James Madison."
**She was right, but really?What do you say to that???
Mike: "You know them, they live down on that street called Hostess Lane."
Sarah-Kate & Joe: "Where is that?"
****Mike and I are now crying we are laughing so hard. Plus the two kids are getting really mad, which is just an add bonus for us.
Me: "I can't take it anymore, I have to tell them. They are snack cakes"
Sarah-Kate: "I hate you all!! You all wonder why I am so messed up in the head! Because of parents like you!!"
Me: "Well the least you can do is say Thank You."
Just one of many of my crazy family stories.
Monday, April 18, 2011
I think I'm Busy, But What Gets Done?
The alarm clock goes off in the morning..... BANG! It's morning and the day is off to a good start. Wake up on the first alarm because there is no snoozing for me in this house. No way, I have to brush my teeth, wake up the three children sleeping upstairs, and try to wake up the dogs to go out. Make my way downstairs to the coffee maker, heaven, I take a deep breath of the wonderful aroma and be still.
Of course that doesn't last that long. Mike is the first one down the stairs asking me what I was going to do today. I don't have the guts to tell him I really want to nap all afternoon. He would completely have a fit. I am able to change the subject by asking him what he wants for breakfast and for his lunch. One down and four more to go, so I walk down to the basement and poke the bear. Now I have been warned not to poke the bear, AKA-Nathan, but I do it anyway. I figure he can have me wake him up in a civil manner or have Mike wake him up like a Drill Sargent.
Lunches are packed, everyone has taken their vitamins, and now I can take about 30 minutes to myself. I know I have a lot to do and I feel really anxious about it. So I start doing the items on Mike's list but I can't finish some because it is his nursing stuff. I do laundry, I am always doing laundry. I worked on Mike's resume and rewrote it for a certain nursing job he wants to get. I picked up Sarah from school and drove Nathan to fill out an application at a local pizza joint. I didn't do a lot so why did I feel so overwhelmed?
Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. And if you haven't filled out your taxes yet........you might want to get on that.
Of course that doesn't last that long. Mike is the first one down the stairs asking me what I was going to do today. I don't have the guts to tell him I really want to nap all afternoon. He would completely have a fit. I am able to change the subject by asking him what he wants for breakfast and for his lunch. One down and four more to go, so I walk down to the basement and poke the bear. Now I have been warned not to poke the bear, AKA-Nathan, but I do it anyway. I figure he can have me wake him up in a civil manner or have Mike wake him up like a Drill Sargent.
Lunches are packed, everyone has taken their vitamins, and now I can take about 30 minutes to myself. I know I have a lot to do and I feel really anxious about it. So I start doing the items on Mike's list but I can't finish some because it is his nursing stuff. I do laundry, I am always doing laundry. I worked on Mike's resume and rewrote it for a certain nursing job he wants to get. I picked up Sarah from school and drove Nathan to fill out an application at a local pizza joint. I didn't do a lot so why did I feel so overwhelmed?
Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. And if you haven't filled out your taxes yet........you might want to get on that.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
In Out the Door, In Out the Mouth
The dogs run up the hall to the front door, then down to the back sliding glass door. They get so excited when the kids are home from school. I wish I had that same enthusiasm. A day with no school means my house is going full of people in and out of my house. I will have smelly preteen boys playing basketball outside the house then want a drink of water, yeah right! We all know what that means, "I'm hungry and I am a growing boy so I will eat all of your cereal, pop-tarts, and anything else you will let me eat". I will also have beautiful new teenage girls who are just too awkward with themselves for me to watch. I have to give them pointers on how to handle boys, other girls, but most important how to have self esteem and self worth. These girls are so funny, they make me laugh the hardest.
Then I have the girls who are new drivers with the cars that Daddy just bought them. They are the greatest young women in the world, and I feel so lucky that they will even talk to me. If you know what I mean. They are "so" cool, and yet so young. Finally I have the BAND! These are the boys with ages that run between 18-23. My son is the oldest at 23 years old. They have adopted me as there band mom. It is a very high honor, "I would like to thank the judges for giving me this title." I love them so much, these 4 big boys are the nicest boys that know how to make me feel so important. They really do that when I have food in the house.
I would never give up any of the time I have with all of these children for anything. They make me a better person, and I hope that I am able to somehow I make a difference in their lives. I wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for my hard working husband. He is a wonderful loving man and I am so blessed.
Then I have the girls who are new drivers with the cars that Daddy just bought them. They are the greatest young women in the world, and I feel so lucky that they will even talk to me. If you know what I mean. They are "so" cool, and yet so young. Finally I have the BAND! These are the boys with ages that run between 18-23. My son is the oldest at 23 years old. They have adopted me as there band mom. It is a very high honor, "I would like to thank the judges for giving me this title." I love them so much, these 4 big boys are the nicest boys that know how to make me feel so important. They really do that when I have food in the house.
I would never give up any of the time I have with all of these children for anything. They make me a better person, and I hope that I am able to somehow I make a difference in their lives. I wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for my hard working husband. He is a wonderful loving man and I am so blessed.
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