In a conversation at lunch today, the topic of what exactly milk was came up. Wanting to be exact, my mom began to explain to the boys that is was made of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Before she could get the word calcium out, Nathan spouted something like "and don't forget Cowcium" Not noticing this small change in pronunciation, mom said "Yes, calcium too." Nathan, not to be daunted due to the miss of his pun. said it again - Cowcium. My mom looked over and smiled in that sweet way she has (which really means - Hey, I just said that. What is wrong with you - and said "Yes, calcium" Nathan again repeated "cowcium." At this Aaron finally got the joke and said "Hey that sounds just like Cow. It makes sense!" And began to giggle profusely.
I guess the reason G didn't get the joke that Aaron got is simply because - well it really was 5 year old humor :-)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
First Day of School
If anyone had asked me Sunday if I was ready for school. I would screamed in anguish, ran around in circles like a chicken with my head cut off and then sat down to weep at the frustration of it all. Never did I think it would be so hard to get one boy into kindergarten.
Nathan and I have spent the last week becoming intimately accustomed to the bureaucracy of hospital record departments and how they relate to the outside world. We have also been around the block with our own school district about how to best get my kiddos from point A to point B after school. And finally, Friday Aaron came down with a nasty case of strep throat which led to antibiotics which in turn caused a great deal of intestinal issues.
As the popular country song states "If you're going through he** , just keep on going" Well, that is what we did. Today, Aaron entered the hallowed halls of his elementary school. He participated in his first day and reportedly liked kindergarten. His only reservation was the nurse, who (by his own account) he likes personally, but doesn't like going to see her all the time.
Isaac said his day was awesome!!!!! He met a new friend and knew four other students from last year. No fun for him though, 3rd grade is all about work. Today was the first day and he did math, and reading.
Here is a pic of Aaron entering his classroom. I am not sure of the emotion he is expressing here, but everything was all smiles at the end of the day when I got home. Notice how he doesn't have any glasses. He spent his first day in a fuzzy state, since I ushered him out of the house without glasses or his special timer watch. Ooops.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
2 AM Worry Attacks
Now all of you who know me well understand that I worry. Here I am on a thundering rainy night at two a.m. worrying about my life in general. I blame it all on the kids really because before them I don't ever remember waking up like this and not being able to go back to sleep. Now, however, my mind simply races.
Tonight my mind races around the fact that presently my boys have no transportation to my campus after school. To make matters worse, at this point (due to numbers) they can't transfer to my second school, and Aaron has needs that make it difficult for him to be left on a bus for too long or to be left and entrusted to someone who doesn't know the medical world fairly well. I also have no home of my own as I now share a room with two other teachers. I am trying to figure out how to organize/squeeze 9 years of teaching materials and books into their rooms with their collective 20+ years of materials and books, while also holding on to the minute possibility that I might actually get a spot of my own that will unfortunately need a lot of cleaning! And adding to all this frustration is that we still don't have our rent house rented and September is sprinting up behind us. I can hear its feet pounding in the distance and getting louder. Did we remember to put in an advertisement to the fact that we have a rent house ?- um no! Why? - ummmmm, no idea!
Now taking one of these at a time (with the exception of not knowing what my children will do after the first day of school) would not put me near the edge of fear. But borrowing on the principal of compounded interest from accounting and using it to measure my fear at what the future holds for us in the next two weeks...um well I just became a fear millionaire - without any real moolah - unfortunately.
But as I laid in bed wide awake at an hour when I should be asleep, thoughts of where fear comes from begin move into the sides of my brain and push to the front.
Fear is not of God because God is in control of everything. If I have faith, then I need not fear. God has never let me down, ever!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Phillipians 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I have felt the peace that transcends all understanding and covet it again as I return to my bed. I am choosing to be greatful for my life at the moment, choosing to see all this as an opportunity and a blessing waiting to be revealed because I don't have God's whole plan outlined to me. If it sounds like I am talking myself into having faith, well I am. But I have discovered that faith is not a feeling but a decision to believe even when circumstances look impossible.
Now with that...back to bed and hopefully to sleep!
Tonight my mind races around the fact that presently my boys have no transportation to my campus after school. To make matters worse, at this point (due to numbers) they can't transfer to my second school, and Aaron has needs that make it difficult for him to be left on a bus for too long or to be left and entrusted to someone who doesn't know the medical world fairly well. I also have no home of my own as I now share a room with two other teachers. I am trying to figure out how to organize/squeeze 9 years of teaching materials and books into their rooms with their collective 20+ years of materials and books, while also holding on to the minute possibility that I might actually get a spot of my own that will unfortunately need a lot of cleaning! And adding to all this frustration is that we still don't have our rent house rented and September is sprinting up behind us. I can hear its feet pounding in the distance and getting louder. Did we remember to put in an advertisement to the fact that we have a rent house ?- um no! Why? - ummmmm, no idea!
Now taking one of these at a time (with the exception of not knowing what my children will do after the first day of school) would not put me near the edge of fear. But borrowing on the principal of compounded interest from accounting and using it to measure my fear at what the future holds for us in the next two weeks...um well I just became a fear millionaire - without any real moolah - unfortunately.
But as I laid in bed wide awake at an hour when I should be asleep, thoughts of where fear comes from begin move into the sides of my brain and push to the front.
Fear is not of God because God is in control of everything. If I have faith, then I need not fear. God has never let me down, ever!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Phillipians 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I have felt the peace that transcends all understanding and covet it again as I return to my bed. I am choosing to be greatful for my life at the moment, choosing to see all this as an opportunity and a blessing waiting to be revealed because I don't have God's whole plan outlined to me. If it sounds like I am talking myself into having faith, well I am. But I have discovered that faith is not a feeling but a decision to believe even when circumstances look impossible.
Now with that...back to bed and hopefully to sleep!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Canoeing
At the present, I have a huge black bruise on my right hip. It is a bit painful to sit. This bruise is my badge of honor and remembrance for the family's last summer fling - canoeing down a river.
I have done this before a few times, but never with my children in tow. The boys have experienced a canoe on a lake, not on flowing water. As for Nathan, well, he didn't take his fishing pole. So, for all of us there was something new. The word adventure floated through my brain Thursday on the drive to the Guadalupe.
Our adventure had many rocky parts, but the figurative rockiness began immediately. Where Nathan had decided to put in was not navigable and so we headed disgruntedly to a new location where there were more tourists, and I was afraid less nature to awe the kids.
We finally situated ourselves carefully in our canoe almost two hours later and began to paddle down stream in the midst of many other people tubing and floating the river. Soon we broke free of the tubing tourists and were basically alone. Out ahead, I saw some rapids and began to straighten up and told Nathan to get ready. I knew we could handle it. Visions of happily screaming boys, of a family working the rapids together and bonding all the way sped through my mind.
But for some reason, when we did get to the rushing water, the canoe went to the side and the water beat against the largest part of the canoe, and pushed it onto its side. When we tipped, my hip and leg got the brunt of the collision with the rocks below, but I was able to stand up fairly quickly. I was laughing at the unfortunate event and looked around at my family to see if they were sharing in the exhileration of our first real adventure. I, however, was the only one laughing. Isaac was crying while holding a scraped finger. Aaron was holding onto the edge of the overturned canoe looking stunned . Nathan was scowling at me like I tipped the canoe on purpose. We got the boys back in the canoe and then pulled it out of the rapids with the help of some people fishing from the bank. All was well, and I thought everyone would soon find the whole thing great fun. I was wrong. 15 minutes later, Isaac is still crying, Nathan is being plain surly and Aaron wanted to go home.
Finally 15 minutes or so down the river we found a sandy area to take a break and eat. The pained fingers and bruised legs and egos were soon forgotten as the boys and Nathan climbed rocks and looked at little fish swimming in the river. We were having fun again, and that made me happy.
We finished our short excursion down the river. I am ready to go back and to do it all over again. The boys are leaning more towards riding on motor boats, but I am sure that as they grow they will always remember our first canoe trip.
I have done this before a few times, but never with my children in tow. The boys have experienced a canoe on a lake, not on flowing water. As for Nathan, well, he didn't take his fishing pole. So, for all of us there was something new. The word adventure floated through my brain Thursday on the drive to the Guadalupe.
Our adventure had many rocky parts, but the figurative rockiness began immediately. Where Nathan had decided to put in was not navigable and so we headed disgruntedly to a new location where there were more tourists, and I was afraid less nature to awe the kids.
We finally situated ourselves carefully in our canoe almost two hours later and began to paddle down stream in the midst of many other people tubing and floating the river. Soon we broke free of the tubing tourists and were basically alone. Out ahead, I saw some rapids and began to straighten up and told Nathan to get ready. I knew we could handle it. Visions of happily screaming boys, of a family working the rapids together and bonding all the way sped through my mind.
But for some reason, when we did get to the rushing water, the canoe went to the side and the water beat against the largest part of the canoe, and pushed it onto its side. When we tipped, my hip and leg got the brunt of the collision with the rocks below, but I was able to stand up fairly quickly. I was laughing at the unfortunate event and looked around at my family to see if they were sharing in the exhileration of our first real adventure. I, however, was the only one laughing. Isaac was crying while holding a scraped finger. Aaron was holding onto the edge of the overturned canoe looking stunned . Nathan was scowling at me like I tipped the canoe on purpose. We got the boys back in the canoe and then pulled it out of the rapids with the help of some people fishing from the bank. All was well, and I thought everyone would soon find the whole thing great fun. I was wrong. 15 minutes later, Isaac is still crying, Nathan is being plain surly and Aaron wanted to go home.
Finally 15 minutes or so down the river we found a sandy area to take a break and eat. The pained fingers and bruised legs and egos were soon forgotten as the boys and Nathan climbed rocks and looked at little fish swimming in the river. We were having fun again, and that made me happy.
We finished our short excursion down the river. I am ready to go back and to do it all over again. The boys are leaning more towards riding on motor boats, but I am sure that as they grow they will always remember our first canoe trip.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sorrow
It has been a difficult last 24 hours. There I was in the San Antonio area getting ready to spend a lovely day with the family when my phone rang and I got devastating news. A child that I had known past away.
It is difficult enough to fathom why children suffer, but a child who dies is unimaginable. I have never actually known a child who has perished until Saturday. This child was one month old and diagnosed with Spina Bifida just like Aaron. In fact, in many ways her SB mimicked Aaron's. She had good leg movement, a VP shunt to control hydrocephalus and a low lesion. Her Dr's were Aaron's Dr's.
It is not known at this time why this little girl that I held in my arms on Monday past away this Sat. She seemed fine and thriving. My heart aches for her mother and father. I am at a loss at how to describe the feelings that I have regarding this subject.
I ask those of you that read this blog to please pray for this family who has lost their only daughter before her life really even got a start.
Thank you.
It is difficult enough to fathom why children suffer, but a child who dies is unimaginable. I have never actually known a child who has perished until Saturday. This child was one month old and diagnosed with Spina Bifida just like Aaron. In fact, in many ways her SB mimicked Aaron's. She had good leg movement, a VP shunt to control hydrocephalus and a low lesion. Her Dr's were Aaron's Dr's.
It is not known at this time why this little girl that I held in my arms on Monday past away this Sat. She seemed fine and thriving. My heart aches for her mother and father. I am at a loss at how to describe the feelings that I have regarding this subject.
I ask those of you that read this blog to please pray for this family who has lost their only daughter before her life really even got a start.
Thank you.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
"I'm A Genius"
In a state of incredible self esteem, Isaac announced to me this evening that he is a genius. Now, personally, I believe this to be true. I am pleased with the fact that at his tender age of 8 he feels like he can create what he wants, own the world, and self actuate himself. I am very aware that in a few short years all his feelings of assured ability will change due to adolescence. I am praying that he will be strong enough to muddle through that time and come out on top.
However, tonight, Isaac is not worried about his teenage years. He is just happy he has learned to open my locked bedroom door with one of those little plastic bread closures. You know, the ones on every unopened bread bag in the grocery store. His grin went to both ears as he stood in front of me and giggled at his new found ability. He now has the power to open my door whenever he wants. He has a little more control over a bit more of the house. He has a little bit of access to my secret quiet times. (As if I really ever get these) At this point, Isaac stood in front of me and said "I'm a genius. Can you write about this in your blog?" Well, how can a mom say no to that!
I was not angry at Isaac for stripping away my momentary peace, however. Seeing his glee and triumph are all it takes for my annoyance to be tempered with joy. It is my prayer that I will see the same glee and triumph in years to come. I hope it never fades!
However, tonight, Isaac is not worried about his teenage years. He is just happy he has learned to open my locked bedroom door with one of those little plastic bread closures. You know, the ones on every unopened bread bag in the grocery store. His grin went to both ears as he stood in front of me and giggled at his new found ability. He now has the power to open my door whenever he wants. He has a little more control over a bit more of the house. He has a little bit of access to my secret quiet times. (As if I really ever get these) At this point, Isaac stood in front of me and said "I'm a genius. Can you write about this in your blog?" Well, how can a mom say no to that!
I was not angry at Isaac for stripping away my momentary peace, however. Seeing his glee and triumph are all it takes for my annoyance to be tempered with joy. It is my prayer that I will see the same glee and triumph in years to come. I hope it never fades!
Monday, August 4, 2008
People in Pictures
I need to learn how to make captions for the slide show, but until then I wanted to tell everyone about the extra children in the slide show. The one picture of 5 kids(two of them mine) standing in a row in front of the Rainforest Cafe are Cody and Trish Blair's. We know them and purposefully met them in Galveston. But the other children seen playing in the sand and walking on the beaches are short term friends that my boys made on the trip. Nope, we are not shy!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Galveston Part 3 - the Upheaval
I just reread my Galveston Part 2 blog and realized that my brain was on vacation, too. Oh the run-ons and fragments! It will be revised soon!
We are now home again. As we drove into our neighborhood, I told the boys to look around and tell me where we were. Aaron piped up quickly. "We're home! I love home! It is so cuddily!" That statement warmed my heart to know that the boys enjoy home as a place of comfort and relaxation. As much as the beach was fun, home is always better.
Yesterday, Nathan discovered that the open waters of the gulf are not his friend. He came back from his 12 hour fishing trip with a vivid knowledge of the boat's cabin and bathroom. Unfortunately, as soon as the fishing boat rounded the jetty to open sea, Nathan felt the first 4 foot swell of water raise the boat and plop it down for the next swell to raise it up again. As the boat came down everything inside of Nathan went up, and Nathan's fishing day was over. This was especially sad for Nathan who has been wanting to do this type of fishing excursion for the last 5 years and had finally talked me into it.
Cody, Nathan's long time boy scout buddy, went with him and caught plenty of red snapper for both Nathan and him. So considering red snapper is 18.00 a pound at the local market, we feel the trip was still successful. But the dream of retiring to a sea worthy vessel and fishing for pleasure and money as gone by the wayside. As Nathan said, that dream has set sail without him. From now on, he will crab and do wade fishing where his feet can be on solid ground.
For the kids and me, yesterday was simply a day at the beach and pool.
We have only 18 days left of summer vacation. I felt a little heart palpatation just now at the thought that our summer will soon be over and our winter schedule will soon swing into high gear. As for now, I am determined not to think about it.
We are now home again. As we drove into our neighborhood, I told the boys to look around and tell me where we were. Aaron piped up quickly. "We're home! I love home! It is so cuddily!" That statement warmed my heart to know that the boys enjoy home as a place of comfort and relaxation. As much as the beach was fun, home is always better.
Yesterday, Nathan discovered that the open waters of the gulf are not his friend. He came back from his 12 hour fishing trip with a vivid knowledge of the boat's cabin and bathroom. Unfortunately, as soon as the fishing boat rounded the jetty to open sea, Nathan felt the first 4 foot swell of water raise the boat and plop it down for the next swell to raise it up again. As the boat came down everything inside of Nathan went up, and Nathan's fishing day was over. This was especially sad for Nathan who has been wanting to do this type of fishing excursion for the last 5 years and had finally talked me into it.
Cody, Nathan's long time boy scout buddy, went with him and caught plenty of red snapper for both Nathan and him. So considering red snapper is 18.00 a pound at the local market, we feel the trip was still successful. But the dream of retiring to a sea worthy vessel and fishing for pleasure and money as gone by the wayside. As Nathan said, that dream has set sail without him. From now on, he will crab and do wade fishing where his feet can be on solid ground.
For the kids and me, yesterday was simply a day at the beach and pool.
We have only 18 days left of summer vacation. I felt a little heart palpatation just now at the thought that our summer will soon be over and our winter schedule will soon swing into high gear. As for now, I am determined not to think about it.
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