Serving Up Stevens

Language Lessons and Laughs

2011-10-20T13:53:00.003-05:00

As a teacher, I know I will never get rich, but I can honestly say that I believe my job is a lot more entertaining than most.

This week especially I have laughed out loud, been awed by a child and shocked by another. These little beings we refer to as children really do think so differently than adults. Many times their wisdom is as poignant as their guffaws.

Case in point: A teacher in one of the rooms that I float into was discussing citizenship and what it means to be a citizen. The girl Iwas closest to leaned toward me and asked, "What is a citizen?" I answered that a citizen of a country is one born in the country who belongs there." I expected to get a nod of understanding. Instead, I got a shocked "Mrs. Stevens!!!!" complete with mouth hanging open and eyes bugging out of her head. I was confused. So I repeated it and sure enough discovered the little girl had thought I said "porn". I am still flabbergasted how this young child knew what porn was, but not the word citizen. It should also be noted that this child was not an ESL student.

Case in Point 2: The next day, I was sitting with a group of kindergarten students learning the H sound. We were looking at objects beginning with H and the next one on the list was a hook. I asked if anyone knew what the picture was and a little girl very confidently answered - "Yes, A hooker." After the porn thing, I couldn't help myself. I just laughed out loud and wondered what my world was coming to!

An about face: In the same class as the first story, I was teaching a prewriting strategy in writing. The class was creating a web. It is fashionable today for all work to be student led and therefore more engaging. I agree with this philosophy and was leading the children in a brainstorming discussion about their passions. One little boy raised his hand and said he was passionate about his belief in God. I wrote it down and went on with the lesson. The next part of the lesson was doing a class web and so I took a vote. Out of 4 different topics on the chart to pick from "belief in God" won. Suddenly the class was shouting at me all the reasons they believed in God. The room was pulsing with the energy of excited little faces all smiling brightly about God's promises to his people. God helps us, God loves us, God sent Jesus to earth to save us, the list went on. After the group lesson, I asked for students to work independently on a new web of their own. 5 students still wanted to write about believing in God...and who am I to stop them. I was awed by their delight in the creator and humbled that I sometimes take Him for granted.

It has been an interesting week to say the least. Teaching is tough work that sometimes lends little time for outside pursuits, like writing this blog. But at times, it is the most entertaining and rewarding of careers.

A Picture of the Beach

2011-08-11T06:52:00.005-05:00

Growing up, I lived smack in the middle of our Great Nation. We were a minimum of 1000 miles from any beach and, therefore, I didn't see the ocean much.

Even with my limited childhood knowledge, I love the ocean. I love the dull roar of the surf and the thought that those waters are teaming with thousands of creatures. Pelicans soar up into the sky only to turn straight down and torpedo into the water. Thousands of fish are pulled out of the ocean each day, crabs scuttle across rocks. And occasionally, we even get to see a shark pulled up onto shore. It is both mesmerizing and intimidating to watch the ocean.

What goes on in the water is awesome, but what happens on the beach itself is sometimes humorous and always heartwarming.

Usually, Nathan and I lug all the stuff necessary for a day at the beach down to our spot and set up while the kids grab the boogie board and sand toys and begin their day. After all the work is done, I sit with a book to occasionally read and watch the beach goings-on. Nathan moves in and out of the surf with nets and fishing poles to try and get something hooked on a line. The children go to respective activities. As the day passes, we become like the ocean itself. My family moves apart and then back together in a smooth undulation. We join each other for walks, kite flying, sand castle building and fishing. But then we separate and move on to do something alone. The days are together, but not on top of each other.

Others, strangers that become friends-for-a-day, move in to check out what we dragged up with the seine net. They talk about ocean animals and comment on castles and sometimes help out with a net or join in on some digging.

This year, a group of older kids taught Aaron how to skim board and another couple kids helped in vain to keep the ocean from overtaking the sand castle my kids tried to make exactly where the tide was coming in. When the ocean won that battle, Aaron looked up at me and said "It was a good fight". He learned that nature is way more powerful than 5 children and a few shovels.

Sarah and Aaron both spent time fishing with Nathan. They would strap on life jackets and move out into the waters with him until all I could see were little kid heads and Nathan's big floppy hat. They stayed out with him like that for a long time, just spending time with their dad. And the look of joy when they snagged something was incredible. My children get very excited about catching a fish!

We go every year now, after I got that real taste for the shore, I just can't help taking them to the ocean. Each year the trip changes just a little, each year we see something new and each year we build memories that are not tied to things but to each other.

My child's Idea of the word Whore House

2011-07-16T20:15:00.006-05:00

Tonight I made lasagna. It is one of my specialties and is eaten with gusto and true joy by my husband and children. They always ask for seconds and do not restrain themselves during lasagna eating dinners. Tonight was no exception and Sarah was covered with red sauce all over the mouth cheeks and nose.

Being a girl, she decided about half way through dinner to ask for a napkin. I was surprised to see she was such a mess. I guess I had my attention on my lasagna, too! Immediately, I handed her a napkin and made an exclamation of mock horror at her face. She giggled.

It was at this exact moment that Aaron very loudly stated that she looked just like a whore house. I wasn't exactly sure I had heard right.

Whore houses are not normal Stevens family topics of discussion. I asked him to clarify. Now Aaron is my child most likely to get into trouble and therefore, might have found out some how what a whore house actually was. As I asked for clarification. I was silently debating whether I should be angry or educational in my response.

Aaron also looked as if he thought that maybe he had made a mistake and was about to get sent away from his lasagna dinner. But sheepishly he said it again and sure enough he had said whore house.

"Do you know what that is?" I asked in my mostly calm but teetering on highly emotional voice. It was at this point that Isaac jumped in and said yes with great confidence. Isaac explained that a whore house was a scary place. You know like Halloween scary. Aaron at the same time is nodding his head in agreement with a look of complete agreement and assertion in his belief.

After a moment of deep thought, I said "No, I think what you are talking about is a Haunted House. It is not at all like a whore house." Nathan disagreed with me there, but for the sake of the children's senses didn't allow that conversation line to continue.

Needless to say, we had to have a vocabulary lesson about that term and hopefully we will hear it no more at our dinner table.

Harriet - The return of the Lady

2011-07-04T15:54:00.003-05:00

About three weeks ago, the dogs got out. Marley and Harriet saw an opening and sprinted through the door. It was scorching hot outside. I had somewhere to be and I didn't really want to chase dogs around the block for their amusement. So, I let them go.

I figured that they would come back. Sure enough, Marley scratched on the door about 15 minutes later and we went on about our day.

At 10:30 that night I wanted to put the day to rest and go to sleep. I started calling to the dogs in order to put them to bed for the night. That is when it dawned on me that Harriet did not come home like Marley. She was gone.

The children were sad. The next day, I went looking for her and couldn't find anything. No one called to say they found her. After a week, I was sure she was gone forever.

I was saddened by this turn of events, but was resigned to the fact that somehow the one dog that I would have been fine with losing was still at my house and my little cutie was gone.

9 days later, I was finishing my morning exercise route when my walking partner (mom) gasped loudly. I startle easily and began yelling "What! What!" and searching for the giant attack dog that was, I was sure, bearing down on us. I turned my head and there she was.

HARRIET! My English Spaniel Beauty was running straight toward us, her ears were flying straight back, a look of pure joy in her eyes. She ran right to me. When I picked her up she was smelly, wet and gross.

I was astounded that she was back. I think she was astounded to find her family again.

She got a day at the doggie spa and we go out sweet little Harriet back.

Where did June Go?

2011-06-10T20:53:00.003-05:00

Here it is July 4 and I am thinking what I do every year. Summer is half over and I don't know where it went.

June for us was spent sending the boys to camp and Sarah to swim lessons. We've seen cheap movies, gone fishing, rode bikes had fun times with friends and family. We have even torn out carpet and are in the process of redoing floors in the kid part of the house.

In all it has been a June filled with summer type stuff. I am including some pics of the boys at camp below.

Aaron went to Camp John Marc for special needs children during the Spina Bifida week. He loved doing the crafts, swimming and cooking out on their "camping" night. His mosaic was especially beautiful and is hanging in our hallway.

Isaac went to both church and Scout camp and he like both equally well, I think. He did say there were less bugs at church camp, but then Scout camp had loads of snakes. I am not sure why bugs creep the boy out more than snakes, but that is the way it is.

Without further adieu, here are the cutest boys in the world.

Pretty Little Liar

2011-06-08T09:42:00.004-05:00

Of course lying is abhorrent behavior and should not be condoned. However there are times when children try blatant lying and a parent just needs to take a moment and reflect on the events that occured during the lying because it was kind of humorous. - After the child has been disciplined, of course.

So a few days ago, I walked into my very clean bathroom to find toothpaste smeared all over my mirror. Ugh, I thought. I just cleaned this and what rugrat could be so insensitive.

I figured I knew which one, so I called in my beautiful princess. The child who always wants to please and can be so compliant that at times it is scary. (We don't come from compliant stock, you know)

I said, "Sarah, who did this?" as I pointed to the smeared mirror. Without blinking, without pausing or batting an eye she said...Isaac did it. Now, I was pretty sure this wasn't true, but I can't just call her out without investigating, so I had to get Isaac.

"Sarah," I said, "Go get your brother." She replied in a very sweet voice, "Yes, mommy." She smiled a lovely little smile and skipped out of the room sing-songing, "Isaac, mom needs you."

Soon Isaac appeared and I repeated the question. Now, Isaac is 11 and why would he put toothpaste on a mirror when he could simply wash it off his hands. Plus, Isaac is the only child I have that when directly questioned cannot get away with falsehood. Isaac denied his guilt and looked indignantly at his sister when told what she had said. Yep, we had found our culprit.

I turned to Sarah and told her that I knew she had lied and I was very upset. Immediately the waterworks got turned on and she sputtered out a little "I'm sorry".

Please don't get me wrong. I didn't succumb to the waterworks trick. Sarah was punished quite sufficiently for her wrongdoing. But I was amazed at the ease in which this complete blatant lie just flowed from her mouth plus she showed such happiness at the thought of her kindest brother taking the wrap for her.

Needless to say, my eyes were opened a bit. Aaron's response to all this was "See I told you, it's not always me". Ugh.

First Born

2011-05-17T06:22:00.002-05:00

This year has been full of many firsts for Isaac.

He has more responsibility, more choices and more opportunities afforded to him because of his age. Yes, he is getting close to the end of his childhood, and I am trying not to think of it. Instead, I am concentrating on the many things he can now do for himself and me.

Here is the short list:
Pack his own camping gear - except for the socks. I don't know why he never has socks.
Camp without his parents
Clean his room - but this does take days to do because he is really messy.

Mow the lawn

Vacuum
Clean bathrooms
Do the dishes
Earn his own way to camp :)
Read books to himself
Help his sister with homework
Hoe a garden
Play piano very well
Sell a bizzilion boyscout cards and earn money for his pack

Retrieve dogs when they get out of the fence
Solve Wii and Computer problems

This is the part of older kid that is really great. I'm not going to mention the daily hormonal hysteria where he turns red and cries over very little things that won't matter at all in the next 45 minutes but at the moment seems monumental. Nope, I am not mentioning that stuff.

Graduation

2011-05-11T15:33:00.000-05:00

I feel like I need to explain the hiatus I took from my blog. So please read below and know that we are well.

This is the time of year for many graduations. This year it is My turn!. This Saturday, if I chose to walk, I would be presented with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. This represents three years of work, toil, pain, sweat, cancorous sores, ulcers, and pestilence. Actually, it really wasn't that bad until this last year when my classes seemed to demand more projects and kept me from writing in my blog.

So, in reality - I didn't quit my blog, but have been too busy to stop and write the stories. Unfortunately, I have probably forgotten most of the stories from this year too. Grad School mixed with three children have certainly fried my brain.

But I am looking forward to many wonderful, crazy experiences and hopefully some really funny stories too.

So stay tuned. More writing is coming shortly.

When Did Saying Stupid become worse than OMG

2010-12-22T06:26:00.002-06:00

Each year in class we read Eve Bunting's, A Picnic in October. I love the story for many reasons, but most importantly for the symbolism of Freedom that I get to discuss with my newly assimilating students. I love to hear what they believe freedom is and what they think of their new country. It is also a time where I get to hear background on my students. They tell some of their stories to me and my eyes are always opened just a little bit more to what some people go through in order to make it to the U.S. and the great opportunities that we have in this country.

The only draw back to the story is the one part when a character says the S word -you know, stupid! The kids always suck in their breath and some will even say Miss that was a bad word, I can't read it. Literally, I have had students stop reading and refuse to say this word out loud. It has always led to huge discussions about how the word is not bad, but just not always nice. etc, etc.

This has always really bothered me since, I have never thought any word was bad, perhaps some words are not polite or justified for public use, but all words have a place that is why people began using them.

The only phrase that really grates on my nerves is OMG. Said by my little ones completely and without a blinking eye to the fact that they just said the Lord's name in vain. It is a definite "do not do" in my class. However, I am constantly fighting this battle.

This year it hit me square in the face. I had just asked my third graders to again not say OMG and suddenly they were open mouthed, eyes wide, and stuttering because the word stupid was on a page in a book.

All I know to say about this revelation is WOW, How did We as the collective educationalworld (parents included) let this huge misappropriation of angst happen!

When the 10 Year Old Cooks

2010-12-22T05:46:00.004-06:00

A while back (like about 3 weeks ago) I really didn't feel so good. Of course, as it usually goes it was on a night when my hubby would not be home. I was dragging myself home with the kids in tow all the while knowing that my night would not be restful, but filled with the needs of others.

On arrival home, I dragged myself into the family room and plopped onto my favorite comfy spot and groaned. The oldest asked me what was wrong and I explained. I am sick.

Now Isaac is my nurse. He is a kind hearted soul and the more he grows the more compassionate he is becoming. Even so, I was surprised when he told me that he would help fix dinner. Almost a boyscout, he had helped prepare other meals on campouts with his pack and I knew he could handle the directions. After all, Mac and Cheese in any form just isn't too difficult and it was about all I could handle on this particular night.

So I asked him to boil water, put in the noodles, and then cut up the velveeta and put it aside until we were ready for it. I heard him in the kitchen opening packages. I heard the bubbling of boiling water, drawers sliding and the soft plunk of a knife on a cutting board. I was thankful and very proud.

After al the preparations were done, Isaac went to his room and became absorbed in what ever he does in there, so I decided that I better haul myself off my comfy spot and go see what was happening with the noodles. They were done and it was time to drain off the water.

The first thing I noticed about the noodles was the intense murkiness of the water. I had never seen water so white from boiling macaroni before. I poked around in the pot, but found nothing strange so I decided to go ahead and drain the mac. When I did, I discovered tiny spongy white pieces of SOMETHING stuck to most of the noodles. I stared in disgust. What could this be? I racked my foggy brain, but could think of nothing that would look like this. I gingerly put a little of the substance to my tongue to taste. No taste.

I was certainly baffled so I called my mom. She was baffled too, and couldn't manage to offer anything more than "Could the mac be bad?" and "Do you think it was a wormy thing boiled to oblivion." I shuttered at that since I had already put on tiny part of one of those things in my mouth.

However, it didn't taste like protein, or anything else and we were hungry. What ever it was was no longer alive,(if it ever was alive) so out of a resolve to not think about it any more and a desperation of having nothing else to feed the children without dragging my sick self out to a grocery store, I decided to rinse each piece of mac and then get on with my life. What doesn't kill us will make us stronger, right?
So I rinsed and placed each piece of spongy-free macaroni back in the pan.
My rinsing done, I had all the items ready for the cheese sauce portion of the meal. But, I couldn't find the velveeta anywhere on the kitchen counter. I remembered hearing a knife cutting something,but the evidence was no where to be seen. So I went to find Isaac and see where the velveeta was.

"Isaac," I asked, "Where is the cheese you cut up?"
"Mom," He said, "I put it in the pot with the macaroni."

And suddenly the mystery of my spongy little tastless mess in the kitchen made perfect since. Note to the galley - Don't boil velveeta. It is yucky!

You Picked Me!

2010-12-05T22:19:00.002-06:00

This Friday we received a precious Christmas Card from one of the families we travelled to China with. Sarah was sitting by me when I opened the card and we chatted about the little Chinese girl in the photo.

She said "She is from China, like me." Yes, I said. We oohed and Awed and then went to put the card on the angel card holder that will display cards through out the holidays and probably won't get taken down until June. :)

About two hours later, as I sat typing my research paper, Sarah walked up to the card holder. She pointed to the little girl in the picture and said,

"Her mom went to China and chose her" "But, You Chose Me!" Her hand went to cover her heart and she bent her knees a little leaning into her words. "You Chose Me, Mommy!" And then she was bouncing on her toes delightedly. Her smile beaming. And again she giggled "You Chose Me!"

I smiled at her, stunned by the exhuberant emotion. I tried not to cry as I thought of the miracle her life is becoming. I thought about God and his Grandeur. And I thought about His love.

"Sarah" I said. "I chose you. Daddy chose you. And God chose you!"

"Yes" She squealed and then turned heal and bounced down the hall filled with joy.

Can a Birthday get any stranger?

2010-11-08T21:41:00.005-06:00

We have a tradition in the Golden/Stevens family that a birthday lunch is always held on the Sunday closest to a family members actual birthday. Last Sunday, it was my mom's lunch. Dad set up the whole thing and told me to bring the cake and a particular present He had is all planned out. I was happy to let him do the planning, but as the saying goes...The best laid plans of mice and men....

When we arrived at Mom and Dad's house, the steaks were coming off the grill, the salad and beans were on the table, and everything was set. We were ready to eat - and we did. It was yummy as usual. My dad can really make a great salad and mom never misses with anything. Plus, I had made be most moist and scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert. And I even had candles!

The only real problem was that both the grown children had forgot their presents for their dear mom. But, she galantly took it in stride and said some soppy motherly thing, like we were all she needed. (pause for awe, isn't she the best)

As usual, the children finished their food first and were excused to run outside and play. Presently, one of them popped his/her head back in the kitchen and asked where Jake was. Jake is the geriatric dog in the family. He is also not the smartest dog in the kennel and so we all started looking for him. The family fanned out in different directions. We called for him, but there was no thumping tailed answer in response. Then I bent down and peeked under a bush. I saw a tail. It was brown with small black stripes across the back and furry. I called to Jake and sill no tail thump, Uh Oh...Isaac confirmed our worst thoughts when he poked Jake with a stick and declared him hard as a rock.

We gathered shovels and the family headed to the back part of the property. The men dug a grave while us women watched. Sometimes one of the kids would pick up a spade and begin to dig, but mostly they just played. When all was said and done, Jake was laid to rest. We said our goodbyes to the old family dog and went back to the house to have birthday cake.

Words, Words, Words

2010-10-08T12:26:00.003-05:00

I love words! I love reading words, writing words and thinking about words. So, it doesn't surprise me my children are incredibly verbal. However, the ferosity of their verbage (how's that for words) is very different.

Isaac likes to talk about what he loves and all the time! Sometimes the talk goes on so long that I begin to hear only a Whhhaaa Whaaaa sound in my ears. Sarah, of course, is still learning words and picking everything up a great speed. - This is probably because her mother and brother are talking constantly. :)

Then there is Aaron. The reason for this post. My Aaron, that usually is the rough and tumble action before words type boy, will occasionally bring an audience to a stand still with his vocabulary. This week he has been impressing his teachers and me with the following vignette. Mind you, he is in the second grade.

The vocabulary word is sphere.

Teacher: Does anyone know what a sphere is...

Aaron: Yes, it is like a scepter. You know one of those things on the end of a staff. It is round and kings put it out to people when they make an oath.

Teacher: Yes, that IS like a sphere.

The other children are left in the dust still trying to figure out what the first word meant.

One Year

2010-09-13T22:56:00.002-05:00

A year ago, we met the best little girl in the world. Those of you who know her well will see the changes she has made.

Tonight, I am thinking of the year gone by and I am happy and sad all at once. Words can not express the feeling of joy mixed with something else that may be part grief for not having the pleasure of her company her whole life and for her not having the gift of a forever family at birth.

Still God gave her to us - even with our flaws. He entrusted her life and its purpose to us. I am overwhelmed and awed.

Thank you God for Fan Xiao Fu who was born in a country far away but was meant for the USA We love you Sarah - our beautiful princess.

Conversations with Sarah

2010-08-03T07:13:00.003-05:00

I am simply amazed by this little girl. I love the way she calls the special people in her life "my ___(insert name)___" and a love her delight at anything brand new. She is certainly a treasure.

Recently, I sat down with her for breakfast and I talked with her about our day and how it would unfold. This was a particularly busy day. We had a camping trip to plan for and a house to clean.

I told her we would need to clean all our stuff. She looked at me very seriously and said "We have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of stuff. Mommy has stuff, Daddy has stuff. Isaac and Aaron have stuff." All the while, her hands are going in giant circles sweeping around to show me all the stuff.

It suddenly struck me how much we take for granted concerning all our "stuffs". Eleven months ago, Sarah had no stuff. Her clothing and toys were all communal and therefore ownership was something very alien to her.

So now she has stuff and she is proud of her stuff. Often she wants more stuff and I admit that usually I give it to her just to see the pure delight on her face. I wonder, do the rest of us middle class Americans see our stuff for how amazing it is and revel in what we have. I usually spend my time wanting different stuff. But I should change that because I do have a lot of stuff - even when I start thinking that I don't.

Sometimes Inquisitive Kids Pay Off

2010-07-14T06:48:00.004-05:00

About a month ago, I decided to take all my children to see Karate Kid. I have this thing about movie previews - I love them about as much as a the movie itself and therefore, I feel cheated if I walk in late to a movie. I was very pumped about seeing both the movie and the previews for whatever might be coming next.

So we all piled in the car at 6:50 pm and made our way through our road construction laden town and finally came to the theater at 7:10. There I discovered our movie had started 10 minutes before. Angst!

Now I had a battle in my mind, walk in 10 minutes late after the show was obviously in full swing, all the previews missed by a mile, or go to another theater. I whipped out my handy 3G phone and found another theater and another time. I convinced my kids to sit in a car a little longer and off we went to the Harbor in Rockwall - on a Thursday night - in the summer.

As I turned down the street to The Harbor I noticed lines and lines of cars EVERYWHERE. My first thought was: - "I wonder which incredibly wealthy family was having a major party" and then it occurred to me that it was Thursday night - at The Harbor - during the summer and that meant - Free Concert and a million people. It also meant no parking places, cars going every which way and a sea of people trying to fit themselves into a key hole sized lawn for a free concert. And All I wanted to do was take the kids to a movie.

Then I saw my oasis. Valet. I pulled up, handed my car over and all the kids piled out onto the pavement. I thought this was a very wise way to spend 10 dollars. No hassle. The only unfortunate consequence was Sarah not understanding why I had just handed my car keys to a total stranger. I wasn't sure I was going to get her out of the car for a minute. But when no one else seemed alarmed she relented her hold on the door frame and into the movie we went.

Two hours, three drinks, a package of candy and one giant popcorn container later - and we were back outside going to get my car. As we approached the valet hut, my heart sank.

Where did all these people come from. Literally over 200 people were smooshed into a 300 foot concrete radius with the Valet Hut as its center. I pushed myself and the three very grumpy, candy and soda spiked kiddoes to the front of the counter and looked at the frenzy of activity. Keys flew passed me and people ran back and forth grabbing tickets. Where was the line? Where was some help? And hHow was I going to manage this at 10:30 p.m., with three grumpy kids for what looked like at least an hour wait to just get my car back?!

That is when the inquisitive kid syndrome hit my older two boys. They had also been watching the busyness of the valet hut and were astonished by how it ran. They began to ask the valet guy questions. Incessant questions. Questions about the keys to all the cars. Questions about the valet guy. Questions about headlights, flashlights, and their uniforms. I tried to pull them away and get them to sit,but my heart wasn't in it.

After about two minutes the Valet guy told the boys to start looking for our keys ourselves. My boys went after the search with gusto! But the questions just didn't stop. Now the questions were: Do you see a Nissan key? Mom does it have a clicker on it like daddies? Is that it? Hey look at that one! We need a flashlight! and Sir, do you have a flashlight? The Valet guy looked at me and saw that I had one child hugging my waist while whining, plus two boys that were pretty sugared up. With an exhasperated sigh, he asked for my ticket. I happily handed him my valet ticket. He promptly found my keys and put them at the front of the line. I sheepishly smiled at him and thanked him while literally pulling my two boys from the Valet Hut.

15 muntes later, we were in our car and on the road home. Thank you inquisitive boys!

The Pit Party

2010-07-12T22:00:00.005-05:00

It is a tradition in Okeene, Oklahoma to attend the annual Pit Party. This is not a town function really, but the kind of easy going, whoever wants to come (and by the way- bring some food) affair that I have always dreamed small towns were made of.

So once a year, right after the 4th of July when fireworks are cheap in OK, people show up at the shale pit. It is set a few miles down a couple country roads. You wouldn't know how to get there unless someone told you and even then a city slicker could easily get lost if they missed the cattle guard in the road and then forgot to turn left at the second gate. (These were not the real directions, since I never drive there, but as a city slicker rely on my friends to take me)

This year, we got lucky to my standards and found ourselves eating and playing in the pasture above the pit. It was a lot less dusty and I didn't feel completely caked in red dirt afterward. The pasture did offer new challenges in that giant piles of cow pies were laying around everywhere - some fresh. When the cars started showing up, the cows moved on, but not before we all got to see a little bit of the herd including a calf and a pregnant cow. Sarah thought that was really cool. However, she was still oblivious to the down-home fun that was about to transpire.

Out of the back of a huge truck, black cats, sparklers and other types of poppers started flying into the hands of excited children and watchful adults. A prayer of safety was said over the group, and then the shooting began.

Dizzying sounds of popping fireworks with the occasional bellow of warning mixed with the squeal of delight reverberated around the pasture. The wind was blowing as it does in Ok. and so a few times, a firework would shoot into the air, go off and then we would be sprayed with debris. This was usually followed by figuring out who the culprit was and telling them to move on down the hill so ash wouldn't get in the hamburgers.

In all, it was a good time, as always. We watched the kids have fun, made small talk with our old friends and some new friends. And then, when all the fireworks have been used up and there wasn't one sparkler left for the kids to light, we all went home to happily hit the hay :)

The funniest Thing!

2010-06-30T08:34:00.002-05:00

Ok, a slight confession to make in order to tell this story- I know that I am an old soul, but I really enjoy the O'Reilly Factor on t.v. I don't get to watch it often because the boys usually dominate the t.v. with cartoons and kid friendly movies. But last night, we only had a few minutes of down time before our evening walk and I decided to check in. So the kids and I sat down to view some current events.

On the screen sat O'Reilly, one of his Blonde commentators and the steadfast Combs. Of course a heavy discourse and charged discussion was folding out in front of us. It was heated. Hands were moving, voices raising, and body language showing great angst.

In the middle of all the revelry, my Aaron (the most hot headed of my children) turns to me and asks "Do these people know they are on television?" Yes, I answered. "Well, " He said, "Don't they know not to argue in public!"

I busted out laughing. I love the brains of my children.

Why do we have 4 bedrooms?

2010-06-16T22:56:00.002-05:00

Okay, I know this might be a little unorthodox, but, more often than not, all three of my kiddos like to sleep in the same room.

Right now, I am listening to a little voice sing her own made up song. This sound is coming from Isaac's room. Nathan shushes our girl and commands silence only to be told by one of the boys that they like her singing.

Each night Nathan and I witness the same strange dance to see what room they will all choose and if our oldest will join in or decide that he is above the slumber party atmosphere. When the room is chosen, then beds have to be created. Pillows, blankets and bodies are all arranged depending on who gets the floor and who is stuck with the bed.

Finally, after many wiggles and multiple kisses, a song is sung to lure the group into slumber. However, it usually just prompts singing and requests for more songs. When lights go out, sleep enters the room gracefully wrapping all the children up. Most of the time, the littles ones end up cuddling together during the night or someone comes to find us and snuggle in the wee hours of the morning. I don't mind because I love their little heads tucked under my chin. I love their calm quiet breathing.

One day, I am sure all the children will decide the the privacy of their own room is way more cool than all piling up together. But that night is not tonight and I am grateful for the little voices that travel from their slumber party to my ears as I type this.

Little Sayings

2010-06-15T19:39:00.003-05:00

I have to admit that I crack up at the little conversation pieces that children come up with. The way language comes to them lends itself to just the cutest little things. I know this is not unique to my children. Even I changed English to fit my own needs as a child. When I was a kid I called those big green jumping bugs Hop Grassers and I still say that my stummy hurts sometimes.

Today I got a real laugh out of Sarah's response to the pop music I was singing along to in my personal "swagger wagon".

I still chuckle as I remember the words "Mommy! Please be quiet, I can't hear my book!"

School is out..It's Medical Visit Time!

2010-06-11T20:52:00.003-05:00

School ended with a whirl of activity. Aaron was shuttled up to Oklahoma for a few days of fun with Grandparents Stevens on their microfarm, while Isaac immediately went to Camp Gap which is a Texas sized version of Falls Creek or Windemere (for those of you that know what that is).

I stayed home with Nathan who began teaching summer classes this week and Sarah who daily asked where her brothers were.

We have managed to get in one good afternoon of swimming, but most of the week was filled with Medical Tests to get Sarah on the path to wearing "big girl" underwear.

One of the many challenges of living with any form of Spina Bifida is the toll it takes on a persons ability to use the restroom in the usual way. Most people with SB will use self intermittant catheterizing to create the same ability that the rest of us do just because our bodies tell us to.
In order to get there with Sarah, we visited Children's Medical Center in Dallas twice to have a Urodynamic Test ( a pressure test) and a DMSA (a kidney function test). In the middle of all this, I thought we might as well schedule all our Dr. appts for her and we went to Scottish Rite for our six month evaluation. This was a littany of professionals who, over the span of 2.5 hours saw my little girl. All of this was exhausting for her and me!

However the end of this very long week has come, and a new chapter for Sarah has begun. We have been cathing her for two days now. She woke up this morning and asked immediately to get her underwear on and for me to help her. She is a strong girl with determination and much patience - Thankfully! Right now she just watches me cath her (which is way different than cathing a boy where all my expertise lies), but someday she will do it herself and be completely independent.

I thank God for modern medicine everyday and for the U.S. medical system which does not throw these children away as damaged, but knows that with a little help they can rule their lives and be as accomplished as anyone else!

A weekend of Firsts

2010-05-05T21:44:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, was the start of the loss of little boy Isaac. Our Webelos 1 den went on their first patrol campout with the parents close at their heels. We were ready to help pitch tents, bandage wounds, douse flames or whatever came up.

To the boys credit, and the parents stunned pride. None of that was needed. We had a great time, and I think Isaac said "Hi, Mom" to me once as he skirted through the parental side of the camp to get something he had left behind.

It was also Sarah's first camping experience. Apprehensive at first, she didn't quite get why I was shoving all our belongings - including her pillow into a thin cloth thing that resembled a giant purse. And when the flashlight clicked off at 11 pm the first night and sucked the tent and everything in it into a black abyss, Sarah was a bit concerned. The new night noises were a little overwhelming at first too.

But after that first night, she settled right in and became little woods girl. She charmed the people we were with and bopped around the campsite like she owned it.

When the time to tear down camp came, Sarah was very upset to see the tent go. She told me several times that she wanted to stay and didn't want to go back home. At least until I reminded her that her toys, clothes and the flushing toilet were at home waiting for us. Then she got in the car.

A Jellyfish Has No Brain

2010-05-05T21:27:00.002-05:00

Today I had the pleasure of attending a Mother's Day Program put on by the first grade students. When the pagentry was done, I sat chatting with Aaron and relishing in the time to speak with him without the constant interruptions from the many responsibilities that follow me around.

I questioned him on their recent project on the ocean and its creatures.

He researched crayfish, but wanted me to know about the jellyfish which has no brain. I marvelled at that with him for a moment and then asked him how did the jellyfish know what to do.

His answer: Mom, without a brain, they don't ever get anything right.

How Do You Say B-I-B-L-E

2010-04-30T13:25:00.002-05:00

7 months ago Sarah did not know one iota of English. As she began speaking in English, her words still had a very Chinese flavor to them. Mandarain does not end with closed sounds, but everything seems to be open at the end of a phrase. Now this is just an observation, don't take it for fact, but I haven't heard anything end at the back of the throat or with a persons lips closed in Mandarin. So she would say I like-a mama, or I want-a a cookie. Sometimes she still does this and it really can crack me up!

Anyway, Sarah has been here awhile now and has emersed in English. I have been ecstatic to hear her utter words like kitty, mommy, bed, and at this point my list could go on forever -because she knows so much.

However, I was stopped short yesterday when she asked me if she could take her bIIIIIble to Walmart with us.

I did not spell bible incorrectly in the sentence above. I hope that you can hear her say bIIIIble with the long i - stretched to an infinitesimal length. It is just the way a Native East Texan would have said it.

So quickly she has gone from being completely Chinese to being a Texas Cutie Pie.

Dear Teacher

2010-04-19T18:49:00.002-05:00

Dear Teacher,

I know when you call me to tell me about my child's behavior that it needs to be done. I know my child can do wrong and I know that my child can infuriate Mother Teresa if in the right mood.

But please, Mrs. Teacher, remember that I am the mom and I love this child dearly. Please remember this is very personal to me and my heart breaks when you tell me what my child has done and what you have done to my child - even if it was an inadvertant wrong.

Mrs. Teacher, when you tell me you have tried everything, please don't be offended when I question you about everything. Please don't assume that I am angry with you or blame you. Please remember that I desire what you do - A happy, well behaved child. But do respect that even with your experience as a teacher, I know this child better. This child is mine.

Sincerely,

The Parent

Our Route 66 Spring Break

2010-04-05T22:48:00.002-05:00

How to Feel Like You've Accomplished Something With Three Kids in the House

2010-03-26T20:45:00.008-05:00

I have never been a "crafty" person. I have tried to sew. I have tried to scrapbook, make flower arrangements etc. All failures. I was resigned that crafting was not my thing. I could find my creative outlet in other ways. After all, shopping and pedicures took lots less effort.

Then this new little girl came into my life and I went to buy my first hair bow and almost fell over! 8 dollars for a really cute one and I was going to need a bow to match every outfit, especially if she was going to become a proper "bow head".

As luck would have it, my wonderful Sis-in-law (who is very crafty) had just learned to make bows and she consented to teach me. I had my reservations since I stink at everything other craft I've tried, but I pressed on and made a bow, and another, and another...and another.

Success. In fact, I am now getting so good, I feel comfortable giving some away. So two Sunday afternoons ago, I sat down to do a craft. I worked for two hours and made about twenty-five bows. Cute, crafty bows

I felt accomplished - elated. In the midst of a time in my life when nothing is ever finished and my children are so needy, I finished a couple hours of work and saw my progress. Something was done. And then I understood my fellow crafty friends. They craft to express and to see finished work. They get to say, look what I have done. I am accomplished!

Eskimos or Joes

2010-02-15T21:07:00.004-06:00

There is a very famous restaurant in Stillwater, OK that my family frequents on our trips to my Alma Mater and to see my husband's mother. (mater, mother...ha ha. )

Anyway, the restaurant is Eskimo Joe's. They have the best Cheese fries on the planet and some really awesome sweet peppered bacon. My family loves it and they love Joe, the Eskimo mascot and his faithful dog, Buffy.

On Saturday, I was alone with Aaron for a short while and he asked me what a "Joe" ate. The question puzzled me and I asked for a repeat. Once again he asked "What does a Joe eat?" I am thinking that Joe is a friend, or an animal, or this is an elaborate 7 year old joke. So I ask him to tell ME what they eat in order to ward off getting stuck as the butt of his joke. Aaron, unfortunately, just looked confused and became more emphatic.

"Mom, what does a Joe eat? You know those cold people in fur that live with the polar bears."

I immediately saw the error of our hamburger, cheese fries eating ways. I suddenly realized that Joe's not only causes clogged arteries, but a complete misrepresentation of an Eskimo and the name Joe. My son is doomed.

Moving Right Along

2010-01-13T20:51:00.003-06:00

Sarah has officially moved into the realm of full sentences. These aren't great literary achievements, (yet) but she has asked to go to Grandma's house and asked her Baba Golden for a book. In fact, she won't leave his house without a new book. She even said today, "I love Grandma. I love Baba. He give me book. I love Uncle Matt." This morning she told me "I want the black and white dress." Wow!

Don't think the other side of the family has been left out. She has asked for Aunt Margaret, Keith and her cousin Katie. She talks about sledding in the snow over Christmas break and all the family pets. When we left Grandma Stevens house, she wanted to go back and always asks to talk with her on the phone.

I am past counting the amount of words she knows as they are so vast. I know she has a lot left to learn, but man I am impressed. Even now she is sitting beside me "writing" in her notebook. - from left to right and in very English looking scribbles!

Isaac's First School Choir Performance

2009-12-08T21:05:00.002-06:00

Sarah's Words and Phrases

2009-11-17T14:47:00.002-06:00

Most people who will read this know that I am an ESL teacher. Therefore, I am absolutely fascinated by the language development happening in my household presently.

Here are some of my favorite Sarah phrases - all in English!

1. That's enough - I wonder why she knows that?
2. I go outside
3. Nee sit down. (nee means you in Chinese)
4. Wash your body
5. Aaron did it
6. butter
7. cookie
8. candy
9. mine
10 No
11. No
12. No and
13. No!
14. Mommy
15. Daddy
16. color
17. Backpack
18. car
19. cat
20. woof
21. dog

Response to Comment

2009-11-10T21:23:00.002-06:00

To the anonymous posted response that told me It wasn't God who brought Sarah to my life.

Who are you and what makes you think that God can't work through people. And no, the donations that were given were all by Christians following God's lead. Not one nonchristian gave to her adoption. The God loving and following Christians gave small amounts that they were led to give and we were given so much more than we needed.

Who else can know all the ins and outs of what was needed for our family but God. Who else could have put the timing together like it was. Who else could have knitted together our family in a time span that allowed me to be okay with all of this.

My strength comes from God, alone. Left to my own devices I could not mother or have the strength to mother these children. Yes, Miracles do happen and they have happened more than once in my life and are key markers that God is real, God cares, and he is active in our lives. He would like to be active in your life as well, all you have to do is admit that you have fallen short and can't live without him. Believe that Jesus is God's son and that he came to die for you because he loves us more than anyone ever could. And then choose to believe and have faith. Choose to learn and follow his lead.

I love my family and friends, but I must say that nothing they could have done would have gotten us to China if God wasn't with us.

Response to

2009-11-10T21:22:00.001-06:00

A Not So Little Miracle

2009-10-17T15:06:00.004-05:00

During the course of adopting Sarah, we experienced many little miracles. However, in the midst of working to get her, life was too tumultous to sit and ponder these amazing showings of splendor made by our Creator.

One of them was gathering the money we needed to travel. Anyone who knows me well understands that I worry all the time about money. This is a constant struggle for me and, as usual, I didn't feel monetarily prepared for Sarah.

We needed to take 7,000.00 U.S. currency with us to make our donation to her Chinese Orphanage and to pay all the fees we would need while in China. This was quite a bit more than we had available. At the very beginning, I told Nathan that we couldn't get her without that money and I wasn't putting it on a credit card. Even so, without the money, we stepped out in faith and started our preparation to get our youngest.

We wrote friends and family requesting prayer and a donation if possible. We hoped for something to help us along, and we waited prayerfully and, yes, sometimes panic striken at the thought that we had committed to going to China without all the funds in place. I hoped to just make it to China with enough to survive and get back home safely.

Funds began to trickle in little by little. I kept a running saga in my head of different ways we could scrounge out the money if we needed to, but none of my schemes were needed. Our family and friends honored God with their donations to little Sarah. Finally, 24 hours before our departure date we had 7,600 in our Sarah account! That was 600 more than was needed and gave us a buffer of comfort in case we ran into unexpected expenses. In addition to that we somehow managed to find a little more money for buying gifts. I am still in awe thinking about how the money came together when it was impossible for us to do on our own.

The amount God gave us /was generous and the timing was perfect. God said he would not forsake his people. He remembered our family's dream and He brought a forgotten child half way around the world to a new family who had been longing for a little girl for years.

One month later....

2009-10-17T14:45:00.002-05:00

Sept 15 was gotcha day. Now we are a month away from that momentous occasion that changed 5 lives - definitely for the better!

Our days have been crazy, tumultous and exhausting in general. I have had many good intentions to write our successes and trials, but have been overwhelmed by the needs of three children and no time left for anything.

Sarah, I believe is adjusting well to life in the U.S. She has learned several words in English. These include dinosaur, circle, flower, giraffe, sit down, and her favorite - no. She combines this word with her brother's names frequently. She loves to play with her dolls and organize her favorite things. She lovingly takes care of her clothes and thankfully has gotten used to the dogs. She even kissed Harriet's nose last night.

She transitioned well to day care, thankfully and we are now in our second week of regular schedule. Which is all too hurried for me, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. I will persevere

Isaac has certainly has mastered the role as big brother to her. I found him teaching her about legos Friday evening and he loves to help her get into her car seat.

Aaron - He is not adjusting so well and needs prayer. He is struggling in school and at home with authority and personal responsibility.

As for the parents, we see each other in passing. And now that I have made the jump from car to minivan, our car rides are much calmer. Each child now has personal space again, whew!

A Story of Church in China

2009-09-26T07:53:00.002-05:00

At church each Sunday, we go to worship and sing our praises to God. Driving the easy 5 minutes to church, sometimes with screaming kids doesn’t always put me in the mood to worship. But it should. In the U.S. there is literally a church on every corner and any denomination may profess their faith in their own unique way.

China has as many Christians as the U.S. just based on size alone, but they can’t choose a church. If they want to worship legally they must attend a church ran by an atheist government official. A government official literally sits in the service to make sure Jesus isn't elevated above the state. The Government is tolerant of internationals worshipping in their own way, however. Sunday morning in Beijing, the adopting families showed our passports to get into the Beijing International Christian Church. It was a mega church with many different services. Due to schedule, we woke up early and went to a smaller service. We entered a small auditorium and the power of God hit me square in my chest.

In this room alone, there were approximately two hundred foreigners in Beijing worshiping the Creator of the Universe. Race, creed, ethnicity were all meshed together and Christians were raising their voices in praise.

The song “Our God, Is an Awesome God” took on new meaning as I my eyes took in a room where every color in the world was represented and believing in Christ’s sacrifice.

After all I have lived and struggled through in my Christian walk, nothing came close to showing me God’s real size and strength as seeing people half way across the world lift up their hands to praise The One True God, twelve hours before my own home church service even began for the week.

Remember to Pray for the churches in China and for the Christians as they live their lives for Jesus.

Becoming a Stevens

2009-09-22T06:13:00.001-05:00

Sarah is becoming more and more like a Stevens each and every day. I can see her trust in us grow each day by way of her demeanor, talkativeness and willingness to try English words.

Today I went to run an errand at the back of the hotel lobby while Nathan showed her ivory carvings in the front cases. As I rounded the corner to find them, she saw me and began to tug on Nathan’s arm yelling Mama in her exuberantly loud voice. She broke from him and came running to me with great delight – giggles and all. I picked her up and she wrapped her arms around me and held me like I was the best person in the whole world.

She also makes her wishes known a little more often and is more relaxed. This morning she climbed on my lap spontaneously. She also gets very excited about our daily routines, especially if they involve some type of personal grooming for her.

She still carries her backpack around all the time and still stuffs it full of what is important to her. Mostly this includes wipes, hair clips, her tiger (our pictures are in the LCD screen on its belly), pullups, clothing, socks, and recently used napkins. In looking at the list, all these items are things we have given her to keep her clean or take care of her. At night and during nap, the backpack and her socks and shoes come off and are laid next to her in a neat and orderly fashion. She is very proud of her abilities to organize her things, open the hotel room door with the key (Daddy and Mommy can never get it to work) and clothes folding. I can’t wait to get her to help me tackle my continous laundry pile problem.

Visa Prayers Answered

2009-09-22T06:09:00.002-05:00

All info arrived and Sarah was able to get her Visa. Nathan spent all night Monday night making calls back to the US.

Please Pray

2009-09-21T06:25:00.000-05:00

We have just found out the the National Visa Center has not completed uploading our visa information yet and sent it to the Consulate. We are supposed to get Sarah's visa this time tomorrow. Please continue to pray that this will get done and we will be able to leave Wednesday evening with the rest of the group for Hong Kong and then home Thursday morning. Nathan will be on the phone again tonight trying to make contact with the National Visa Center and possibly our senator and representatives. He will have approximately 12 hours to make calls before our visa appt tomorrow morning. Thank you for your continued prayers. We have met so many wonderful people with amazing stories on this trip and have seen how God works we have confidence that amazing things can happen.Angela

On the Road in Guangzhou China

2009-09-19T09:51:00.001-05:00

Guangzhou

We’ve come a long way – literally. From Dallas to Beijing, Wuhan and now Guangzhou. This city has something like 30,000,000 people living here. It is huge, but has many international foods, so tonight we will eat Italian. Tomorrow, German cuisine. Our hotel is on the 32nd floor and the hotel restaurant is on the 45th floor. I don’t think I have ever been this high up, perhaps with the exception of a 10 minute stint on the Empire State Building.

Our first stop today was to the medical office for Sarah’s mandatory health examination. This place consisted of two large waiting rooms and small cubicles with medical people wearing white coats and face masks. Very charming. We were the first group of adoptive parents to arrive and got the best waiting room. Within 15 minutes after our arrival, everyone else showed up. Over 100 families and their adoptive children were waiting for the same health exam that we needed to do.

We met several other Americans with their new loved ones. One family was on their third special needs adoption to China! All together they have 6 children. It was crowded, loud, and chaotic. Sarah sat glassy eyed on my lap during most of the visit. I am beginning to notice that this is her stressed state. We saw it last night leaving Wuhan as well. Today she held her things just a little tighter.

The Dr. looked her over and told us exactly what we could see. She has Spina Bifida, all right. The looked in her ears and throat and then gave her a TB test. I had geared myself up for a very unhappy Sarah during the TB test, but I was surprised. It was explained to her, she held her arm out, looked at it happening and then got a piece of candy. Not one tear leaked from her eye. The next boy screamed so loud people were holding their ears. We have to go back on Monday to get the test looked at and clear her to leave China.

On the NVC front, we have been told people are working on getting info to the US Consulate. We can’t contact them again until our Monday night, so we do not know where our paperwork is, exactly. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers.

God Is Answering Your Prayers

2009-09-19T07:29:00.003-05:00

The right info is at the National Visa Center in Washington. Pray that it gets processed and that the US Consulate in Guangzhou will have access to the info on Tuesday when Angela and Nathan take Sarah to get her US Visa. The Dallas Visa Office did not pass the new family study info along to the National Center when it was suppose to send it. This was the US Officials dropping the ball. Everything in China has worked well. They are now in Guangzhou. They have joined the other families going through the same process. Yesterday they took Sarah for her medical exam. They will all travel to Hong Kong from Guangzhou by bus on Wednesday. They are scheduled to leave Hong Kong on Thursday. Thank you for your prayers.

Pray for Angela and Nathan

2009-09-17T19:25:00.003-05:00

Pray for Angela and Nathan. Some paper work is missing at the visa office. They had an update to their home study by the social worker that changed the age of the child that they could adopt. It was all approved but did not make it to the visa office. This puts Sarah's visa in doubt. They will be calling people in the US from China all day tomorrow. Pray that they get through maze of phone machines and connect with the right people. Pray that someone will walk the paper work through so Sarah can get her visa when they reach Hong Kong on Wednesday.

2009-09-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

Three Strange Sights

One
Driving back from a beautiful display of Chinese music, the guide and driver began talking excitedly in Mandarin. They were laughing, pointing, and in general had a surprised expression.

When our guide noticed all the Americans in the car trying to figure out where the excitement was she pointed to the SUV less than two inches from our van (I am not exaggerating about the two inches)

“A Monk”, she said. Evidently not only is it odd to see a Buddhist monk driving, but very odd to see one driving a brand new Porsche Cayenne. Evidently, there are “Kenneth Copelands” in China.

Two
We have seen few animals. We were told this is because people must obtain a license for all pets and so they keep them inside until after the dog catchers has completed their work for the day. We have seen a couple small dauschounds and Lasa Apsas and one scraggly cat, but yesterday we saw a full blooded German Shepherd. I would hate to pick up the poop for that dog in a city like this.

Three
We were the strange sight this time. We went to the grocery store and after a week of not seeing any children out and about, all of a sudden there were lots of school age children all headed the opposite direction as us. We commented that there must be a school close by and we were right and school had just let out for the day. Suddenly there was a massive wave of excited 7-10 year olds all shouting and pointing our direction. I think we were the first Caucasians they might have ever seen up close, or maybe it was the red hair.

Everywhere people stare at us, but this just about caused a riot.

2009-09-15T18:10:00.001-05:00

Sarah’s First Shopping Trip

The best part of the trip so far was today. When we got Sarah she had a backpack, but the inside was definitely not full. Mostly the backpack held the things we sent to China for her and a couple diapers. We were also told not to bring too many items for her, so halfway through today, she was out of clothes. So, today after paperwork and an interview with Chinese officials we went shopping. Awesome!

By ourselves, just the three of us, we trekked down to a city shopping area in Wuhan. Wuhan is about the size of NYC and every bit as interesting. We had trouble finding stores for children at first, but when we did the price was right! Macy type items for 15 dollars and the smaller stores were less. Plus, if you hesitate, the sales lady will take off more money! At times, I had to use Sarah as a prop and once the sales lady actually took the pants off her and put new ones on before I had time to process what was going on. I had to act everything out that I wanted and we got stares from everywhere.

Going to buy Sarah her very first personal possessions was thrilling. Getting to ask a child that has never had her own piece of clothing which dress she likes best is so much fun. I felt like Daddy Warbucks.

We bought bows for her hair, socks, dresses and pants and a new pair of shoes. When we got back to the hotel we pulled out the extra suitcase and packed it with her things. She folded and laid them in carefully and then took them out again. She put all her socks and hair bows out of the suitcase and put them in her backpack and then she moved them all around again.

Right now, she is lying on her palette with all her things surrounding her head. She wants to see all of them so she feels comfortable. It is incredibly cute.
Backpack update: Now she will take it off to sleep, but must have it in eyesight. She also allowed it to sit beside her in the car and in the back of her shopping buggy

2009-09-13T18:28:00.001-05:00

Gotcha Day

At home it is 2:20 in the afternoon, but I write at 3:20am. Two nights ago, I managed 8 hours of sleep for the first time since last Tuesday. This Monday morning I am happy for the 5 I squeezed out.

Today is Gotcha Day. In two hours we meet in the lobby and travel with the group to the airport. From there we travel with one other couple to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. We will stay there during the first several days of meeting Sarah and getting the paperwork completed. Hubei is a province of many lakes, rivers and thriving business. It has been termed the New Business Center of China because of easy river access. Many items are manufactured there.

I don’t think words describe the river of feelings raging inside me. I miss my boys terribly and we are at a journey’s end that I have longed for many years. We are also at a beginning that I can’t imagine life without, but must admit that I am nervous to say the least.

If I were Chinese, I might name today something like The Sacred and Uplifted Day where Hearts Spill over for Love and Glory. I am sure it would look much better in Chinese characters, but I hope the words can grasp some of my thoughts.

2009-09-13T12:23:00.001-05:00

Overload

Yesterday, Saturday, was our first full day in China. Our Guides said they wanted us exhausted by the end of the day, and they succeeded. In one day, we visited the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, a Jade Factory and had two Westernized Chinese meals.

Being this busy has made the wait for our new bao, bao easier. We have taken a lot of pictures, and video and have done a lot of oohing and awing over things I never thought I would have seen.

The group we are traveling with is very kind and our Guides are gracious and teaching us all the time about Chinese culture and history. One of our Guides said she learned our National Anthem in school and then sang it to us in Chinese.

Today we go to a church service and continue to see everything we can. BTW, for all those out there who bemoan our traffic. You should try Beijing in a bus.

Let It Begin!

2009-09-10T06:31:00.002-05:00

Right now, 6:31am, I feel like the hamster mixed with the cat in BOLT the Movie. The hamster sits on top of a free fall drop to the top of the train and is ready to plunge into the unknown. But the cat is desperately trying to get back to safety. That is how I feel today. I know it is a bit of a juxtaposition, but hey I'm a female and my complexities are numerous!

We have already met one family traveling with us to Beijing. They are taking their first adopted child with them and it has made me miss my children all the more. Last night, I handed them off to Papa and got the hugs and kisses I needed for the night, but this morning seems hollow. What a void they leave when not around. Last night, Aaron hugged me so tight. His little arms round my neck and he told me that we wouldn't be too far apart. Isaac, my ever practical child was giving me pointers on what to do when I got sick, like this was inevitable.

The next two/three days will be in Beijing. I am hoping to post lots of picks.

Thanks for remembering us this next two weeks.

A Smooth Transition

2009-08-24T20:55:00.003-05:00

The title says it all. We did about as good today as we possibly could. We made it to school with all pertinent supplies, lunches and bags. I managed to oversee lunches being made last night and tonight. I am ignoring the fact that there is only dairy products in Aaron's lunch. He made it himself and that is a first step!

Actually, the six year old has been displaying a shocking amount of independence lately. He announced to the nurse that he didn't need her help to use the restroom today and he barely waved at me when we passed each other in the halls. I was very proud.

Isaac loves his teachers and was excited about them last week. My favorite line from his school beginnings this year was as follows:
"Isaac, do you want to know who your teachers are?"
"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, (panting like a dog in expectation)
"Well," I said..."I'm not going to tell you"
"GRRRRRR" Hee, Hee. I love teasing the boy.
"Okay, It is Mrs. Shackleford"
" Yippee, Yes!"
"Do you know who that is?"
"No"

I gotta love the optimism. His low point was finding out that he will be the only 4th grade class in the old wing and therefore will not have lockers. Sadness!

As for the adoption. We are again waiting. The referral has been sent to China with our approval signed on it and we are waiting. Did I mention, we are waiting.... Anyway, her room is finished. I love walking into it and seeing the girly curtains (Thank you Margaret), the purple walls and the quilt spread across her bed. Now all it needs is the little girl. The boys keep asking when we are going. I wish I knew for sure, but it will be soon. After all, the clock is ticking and it can't be long now. I am glad they are excited.

Bringing Sarah Home - The Journey

2009-08-08T11:58:00.002-05:00

It has been almost 24 hours since Leah our social worker called us and told us that China had sent us the official referral. I am still in awe and processing the news. We expected the referral at the end of Sept and to travel in November sometime. But it seems that we will travel much sooner.

Now that we have the referral, pictures can be posted and information openly shared. We are literally 6 (maybe 8) weeks away from having three children. (As soon as I can find the pictures of her, I will post)

We have longed for her, hoped for her and worked for her. I wish we could say everything was perfect and we were completely ready to greet our new daughter. But what I want is not necessarily what needs to happen, so that all the glory of this experience can go to God. When all was working on the expected schedule of travel in Nov. the financial part of the plan seemed in line. We had time to make grant applications and get responses. I was confident that it would work and the money would be completely in place.

Today I am not so confident. I am clinging (by this I mean dangling by one hand hold to a precipice) to the the knowledge that God is in control and if this is our child, no earthly force will keep her from us. It is only a matter of God's timing and having the faith to let him work and not get in his way with my ego or pride.

If you read this please join with me in prayer for our little girl. Pray for the health of her kidneys and the finances to bring her home.

Good News on the Eye Patch Front

2009-08-08T11:39:00.003-05:00

Last June, we were told that on top of our other daily medical duties we would need to get Aaron to wear an eye patch. A year later, many tantrums, bribery sessions and pleading explanations later we got word yesterday that Aaron's eye sight has gotten a little better.

The progress made him smile and made him proud of what he did. We are not out of the woods yet, however. We have until age 8 to get his eye as good as we can. We have been given extra duties this year to help our progress such as coloring in circles for 15 minutes a day and seeing the Dr. again in two months to see if we should start putting drops in his good eye to make it more blurry.

Anyway, I am ecstatic!

Goodbye South Dakota

2009-07-31T22:39:00.003-05:00

When I was riding in the back of the SUV toward SD, I had no idea what to expect. The last time I had been in the Black Hills I was 13, give or take a year. Anyway, I had forgotten how barren and ugly Nebraska is. As a child growing up in Missouri and close to the Kansas border, we would make fun of flat, boring Kansas. Well, Kansas is a Six Flags compared to Nebraska- with the exception of Carhenge. Who knows why someone built it, but there it was erected out of foreign and domestic cars and in Nebraska.

This vacation wasn't the restful slow crawl of our beach vacations. Each day this past week we were up and out of my Aunt and Uncle's home by 8:30 and on our way touring beautiful mountains known as the Black Hills. Pine trees stood straight and tall up the sides of hills. They stood in stark contrast to the walls of gray rock that towered above our heads. During our stay we marveled at the beauty and the cool weather around us. We played tourist to Mount Rushmore, Rapid City and Custer State Park.

The boys petted buffalo and wild donkeys. They raced up the sides of mountains and stood looking out over a cliff to a pristine lake below. We took in a dinner show and paddleboated. In all, we had great fun. We had a grand time,but wished that Nathan could be with us. He would have loved to climb a mountain with the boys, delighting in their shouts of "Hey mom, I am taking the dangerous way!" Their first time in a mountain environment.

I will soon post pics and video of all the granduer we saw in the Black Hills. Aaron got over his illness by the third day, and it was all up hill from there! Except, Nebraska - I can really do without Nebraska, maybe it was the miles and miles of ....corn.

A Tornado, A Rainbow and Bloody Noses - SD trip Part 1

2009-07-25T20:59:00.002-05:00

Road trips are an adventure that as a child I did not necessarily enjoy, however now I feel the need to impart this joy to my children. With that in mind, I set off with my parents to South Dakota to see our Northern family.

Two days into the trip we have had two bloody noses, one fever, tornado sirens went off during dinner, we were caught in a hail storm and then God produced a beautiful double rainbow.

Aaron and Isaac have enjoyed the frequent stops at places like Carhenge, a SandHills area Museum and the Swedish heritage town, Lindsborg, Kansas where we saw beautiful Dala horses.

We have made it to South Dakota and everyone is no worse for the ware!

The Journey Begins - Again

2009-07-21T07:11:00.005-05:00

I have mentioned adoption in my posts before and some might remember us working concession stands a couple years ago to help fund our adoption of a little girl. In fact, in April of 2007 we sent our dossier to China and have been waiting ever since for something to happen.

This year it looked like our adoption dream was floating away from our grasp, but then suddenly the winds changed direction.

We have now accepted a referral for a child who is very similar to Aaron in need and is the most precious little three and 1/2 year old girl-ever. She has a big smile with a dimple in her cheek, loves the outdoors, loves music, hates vegetables and can be (according to her caregivers) obstinate at times.

Reading her bio was like reading about us.

We prayed vigorously for this child before the referral and I must admit, that I prayed vigorously for the doors to be closed if this wasn't the child for us. Over the last three weeks I have been astonished to see a door begin to close and then find it shoved open again - even wider than before. This is not to say I am not full of a heightened level of anxiousness. After all, we just found out that we are more than likely adding to our family in a record time of 4 months. Eek!

This whole process is very new to us and we are feeling it out as we go. But for everyone's info... In about 1-2 months we should recieve a preapproval that will state China feels we can proceed to the next level. Then we will receive referral agreement which is the official "Yes" and finally we will get travel plans. It is very possible we won't know til the month we travel when we go. The only real answers we have is that is usually takes 3-4 months.

In this time, please join us in prayer for our Sarah and her kidneys. Pray for us to have all three children stay healthy and pray that we will be wise in our decisions.

As news from China comes, I will post. As my emotions rise and fall and I struggle with all the things that I always struggle with, I will post. And as weird, unusual and amazing things happen to the Stevens clan, I will post.

I do have a total of 13 pictures of little Sarah, but they should not be posted until we have the referral. So until then....words will have to do.

If you Flush a Fish Down the Toilet

2009-07-07T11:33:00.003-05:00

If a 4 year old fish dies in your house and you flush the fish down the toilet, then the toilet might get clogged and make a glug glug sound.

If your wife hears the sound and tells you in the car, then you might not remember later on to take care of the problem before the night time routine begins.

Then if you wait too late at night to make dinner when your wife is out, then you might have to deal with bathroom time and cook at the same time.

If you sit your littlest on the potty to go and then leave to grill some chicken then your littlest son might sit for a long time and decide to flush before he is finished.

If he flushes before he is finished then the toilet might overflow and you will hear screaming while you are trying to finish grilling the chicken.

If you hear screaming you might run to the bathroom to see your child standing in very unmentionable stuff, and you might tell him to get into the bathtub and wait until you clean up the mess. While you are working on cleaning up the mess, you might smell burning and realize that there is chicken on your grill.

When you realize your dinner is being burned beyond recognition, you might run to the grill and discover that one set of grilled chicken is now being chewed on by the dogs in the yard and that the breasts grilling are charred.

While you get the chicken off the grill to prevent a fire, you might hear something smash and break in the bathroom. You will hear your child say- Uh Oh. I'm sorry. It was an accident.

You will run into the bathroom to find that your youngest child has gotten thirsty and asked his older brother for orange juice.

The older brother will get o.j. for his sibling in a fragile glass and somehow bypass the remaining yuck on the floor and hand it to him while still in the tub.

Being in the tub and slippery, the glass will fall and break in the tub where your child is standing barefoot.

So now in a matter of a few short minutes, you have to clean yuckiness off a floor, glass out of a bathtub, safely transport your child to the other bathroom for a bath and you have lost your dinner.

When all this is done you will call your wife when she is on her way home and ask for Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper and twinkies.

Angry Cats

2009-06-18T18:04:00.004-05:00

Aaron sits with his hand out calling the dog, Pete to him. Petey turns in circles and licks his lips in anticipation of a back rub. Aaron looks up at me while holding tight to his little pup, smiling and thinking. I can see the wheels turning behind my son's green eyes. At the same time, the pup's eyes are bulging out of his head, and I am worried that one might pop directly out from the pressure Aaron is applying to the dog's waist. Aaron looks down at the dog and then up at me. He announces that he knows why I like dogs and hate cats. Why, I ask. And then in his little honest voice he says it is because dogs are happy, while cats are always angry. Cats, it seems, just don't have a good attitude.

Well, I can't say it better than that. Cats don't look happy. Uppity and snooty and a little annoyed, but definitely not happy. Dogs, however, are loyal, true and will love you and be happy with you no matter what.

I love the reasoning of a child.

Our Cub Master Hard at Work

2009-06-12T21:10:00.005-05:00

I couldn't resist taking these short videos of Nathan hard at work being the Cub Master. He has a lot of fun! At the end of the meeting all the boys moved up a rank and our littlest one received his first tiger handkerchief. Aaron was very proud of his new status.

Nathan is Now Master Mason

2009-06-12T10:20:00.004-05:00

Thursday night, Nathan went through his third degree Master Mason ceremony. I, of course, could not be a part of it. However, at 8:45 the boys and I were encouraged to come back to the lodge to be presented with a family bible.

I don't know much about Mason life, but Nathan has several relatives that have been Masons. These include both grandfathers, uncles and at least one cousin. On hand last night were several of Nathan's Masonry involved friends and an uncle and a cousin. The cousin gave Nathan his grandfather's Mason ring during a ceremony and my dear husband cried. At least that is what I am told, I wasn't actually there to see it.

I am proud of my hubby for learning and memorizing what was necessary and taking the obligation. (again not sure what that means) I am also proud of him for keeping the tradition in his family. He is definitely a man of honor and the Masons seem to be an honorable group to belong to.

And the Littlest seems to be the Strongest

2009-06-10T18:22:00.004-05:00

Today I finally broke due to my foot pain and allowed a Dr. to put a shot in each of my heels and then wrap them for a week. I have been denying that my feet pain me from morning til night for about a year now, but it has gone on too long. Knowing that a shot was imminent, I brought along moral support in the form of a burly grown man and two boys. I was hoping that I could squeeze the burly man's hand tightly and somehow distract myself from the stinging sensation and hot pain of the shot.

I sat in the examination chair and was lifted up and into position. We had all been debating whether or not I would go forward with the shot. I have this gargantuan fear of something sharp being jabbed into my flesh and then being injected with a foreign substance. The Dr. pronounced that we needed to just do it and not talk about it at all and it would be over quickly. Before I could even agree with him a drawer was open and a needle and syringe were being drawn out and filled with a medicinal concotion. Eek. I started to hyperventilate just a bit and asked Nathan to stand by my side.

Aaron could see what was about to happen and he immediately put his fingers in his ears. This is a true sign that he is stressed and worried about something. The needle was being prepped and Aaron's eyes were getting wider. Isaac, on the other hand, had not yet looked up from his DS. Aaron looked at me with searching worried eyes and then asked to leave the room. I didn't want him to feel any more trauma so out he went shutting the door behind him.

After he left, on of my hands grabbed Nathan's arm and the other one shielded my own eyes. My breathing turned ragged and I had to force myself to breath deeply through the shot. It was over quickly and probably wasn't as bad as my mind had made it(probably). I don't even think I screamed. I did however leave claw marks on my Hubby.

When it was done, Aaron knocked on the door and timidly entered the room. It was then that it struck me that I had panicked over two shots when this little boy - although not liking to see someone else's painful procedure - has been through a lot more with much less drama than I had just shown. I have held him during multiple CAT scans, VCUG's, sonograms, pricks with needles to arms, legs and head, 6 different surgeries and those don't count the routine prodding that he receives at each Dr's. visit.

Last night, when I came home and propped myself up on the couch. Aaron is the one who came to love on me and gently touch my bandaged feet. I got a lot of kisses and hugs from him last night.

Aaron's New Endeavor

2009-06-08T21:41:00.003-05:00

This afternoon Aaron began piano lessons. His little legs dangled off the bench as his teacher taught him about the piano. He was so adorable sitting up straight in the L shape and listening with rapt attention. When the lesson was over he told me all about how to hold his hand. He immediately wanted to go home and practice. Will my children be the next Jonas Brothers? Anything is possible.

Little Surprises

2009-06-02T14:31:00.006-05:00

I sat on the couch putting on my shoes this morning when a nine year old bounded in the room and plopped himself down on my knees. Two gangly arms locked themselves around my neck, and he gave me a hug that would melt any mother's heart. A "secret"*** kiss followed and an I love you, Mom.

AAAHHHH! How sweet the love of a child! Just the night before the other boy cuddled up next to me and gave me a big smooch on the cheek during the middle of story book time. He smiled a little smile and smushed himself up under my arm, promptly falling asleep.

The thought makes me happy :-)

***Secret kiss denotes the order of where your face gets kissed first, second, third and so on...In this day and age I felt I better explain that.

NEWS IN SHORT

2009-05-22T14:24:00.003-05:00

Only 4 weeks left of domestic adoption training
Only 2 weeks left of school
Nathan and I both got A's in our respective Grad courses
Nathan is no longer driving a bus to supplement income (hmmm....I wonder why that happened....check older blogs)
Nathan will be taking a whopping 9 grad hours this summer - bye, bye Nathan...see you in Sept.

And Finally the Best News.....

Our concurrent Chinese adoption has made a small amount of progress. Our dossier has been approved and our folder moved to a different desk to wait for .....well, we don't know how long...but at least it has moved desks.

Spring Piano Recital

2009-05-17T20:30:00.003-05:00

I must say that I am full of pride when I watch Isaac play the piano. He practices and it does show! I wish I had practiced growing up like he does. As I watch him bow on the stage, I imagine the doors that will be open to him because he can play an instrument.

He performed flawlessly and earned his Scale Medal for memorizing all his scales and playing them in a certain amount of time.

Meet Spike and Spaz

2009-05-03T13:53:00.005-05:00

About two weeks ago, I checked my email and found, mixed in with the SPAM, a request for a happy home for two guinea pigs: cage and all included. Aaron has been asking for some sort of rodent since before Christmas and I have held out for more than one reason. The biggest being I didn't want to pay for a rodent, especially something like a mouse, that I would lay a trap for and kill under any other circumstance.

So a couple Monday nights ago, Nathan and the boys went to pick up our new family additions. It was a total surprise for the boys and therefore, the boys were ushered into the car knowing nothing about their destination or the purpose behind the trip. Off to another town, they drove and found the owner's house. The boys inquired about the house and who lived there. Are these long lost relatives, are we buying the house, do they have little boys to play with?

The door opened and a lady answered the door. My boys smiled at her and politely said hello. Then the lady said she knew why they had come and asked if the boys were surprised. Now they were thoroughly perplexed. This lady was nice and all, but she didn't rank high on the excitement quotient. As the boys stared around, they finally noticed her pointing to a cage and revelation dawned on them. The boys moved in closer and the excitement grew. Filled with giddiness they brought home Spike and Spaz.

So far, they have been good about cleaning the cage and keeping the guinea pigs happy. We have rearranged Aaron's room to accomodate them and now they live with him. Our only issue seems to be that Harriet, the sweetest of our dogs wants to eat the guineas very badly. She whines and cries to get in the cage. I would think she just wanted to be friends, but a person can't mistake the maniacal look in her eyes as she begs to be closer to them.

This is Spike with Toy Lion.

This is Spaz working construction.

Derailment

2009-04-25T20:35:00.003-05:00

Friday afternoon, I had everything worked out. I had picked up Isaac from school, Aaron was temperature free and I had a date with my toes. The first pedicure of the season and I felt giddy about it. Nathan was going to swing by and pick up Isaac to head off to a boy scout camp. So, I was mentally prepared for silence and solace.

My week had been a wild ride of sickness and worry over a continuous high fever with Aaron and trying to get Isaac to remember to do his homework. I was glad it was over.

Then my phone rang. I looked at the picture on the screen and saw my hubby. He usually calls on the way home from work. I picked up the phone with a happy hello and was met with disaster. He spoke two short sentences.

"I've been in a bus accident and the Dr. called - you need to take Aaron to the hospital. He has some sort of bacterial infection that will only respond to IV antibiotics." Then he said he had to go and he hung up.

Shock. Stupor. Panic.

Questions roared in my mind about the accident and the child running around my house. He looked pretty healthy to me, but there was some diabolical bacteria lurking inside him. Go to the hospital! Which hospital and what am I supposed to tell them. And Darn, My toes still look awful!

Usually, I am pretty clear headed under pressure. I have always held a secret ambition to be an Emergency Room Nurse or a Police Dispatcher. But I had no information here and I could do anything to get the ball rolling. So, I called my husband back and hoped he wasn't being throttled by police or on an ambulance himself.

He gave me a little more info and a starting place. In the end I was able to get hold of an actual Urologist who assured me that the antibiotics Aaron was already on seemed to be taking care of the pesky bladder bacteria.

Two hours later, Nathan was not on his way camping (because his mandatory drug test had taken forever), my toes were pedicured properly and we were eating dinner together at a local restaurant. Both boys were at the church being entertained and we were on an impromptu date and not at the hospital. I was thanking God for all the outcomes of the evening.

I was also marveling at how fast change happens. As people we are on a road that we think is set in stone- immoveable. We go about life with a certainty that is not really present. At any moment life can be derailed. I have had experience with this before. Aaron has taught me a lot about derailment, and I have lived through other experiences where I know, that except for a divine plan for my life, I would not be writing this now. (Another car accident years ago comes to mind). God is so good to bless us, though. I am sure he gives us our sense of certainty as to help us not live in fear, but then he allows those derailments so that we can be pruned to His likeness.

So, I am very thankful tonight to be at home and not at the hospital. I am thankful Nathan was not hurt in the accident and that no one else was. I am also thankful for the opportunity to live through the derailments. Mostly, I am thankful for a God who care for me through it all.

A Rich Family

2009-04-13T14:59:00.007-05:00

A door bell rings and a front door opens. Two little girls run inside an expectant house. Hugs are eagerly sought by the adults and then the girls scatter to find their cousins. They haven't seen them in a while and they are coiled with energy, ready to play.

After a brief hello and getting the visiting dogs settled outside we all traipse off to the local church's Easter Egg hunt. The children are in various age groups and this means the adults also must scatter in order to keep watch over the egg war that ensues. I hear parents coaching children on how to get the most eggs, and on how not to get run over by zealous egg hunters behind them. A whistle blows to start the action and the whole thing is over in less than 5 minutes. From the side lines it reminds someone of a PAC-Man video game but in force. As the children, move over the egg littered grass it is suddenly without color as if the eggs have been beamed up into space. Bags in hands the children bend down on the sidewalk to break open their eggs and sort candy and other small treasures. The parents help and at the same time snitch the good chocolate that we know the kids won't eat anyway- probably.

The eggs, however, are soon forgotten as everyone comes to the house again. A game of chase picks up in the backyard while lunch is prepared. After lunch, an afternoon whittles away with cake decorating, movie watching and in general just visiting.

Mid-afternoon a short adventure ensues as three women stand over a hot oven figuring out how to get a stuck ham out of it. It has plumped up during cooking and is too big slide out the way it went in. Finally, the top is cut off and it can be removed from the oven for its final basting. It is a fairly simple fix but it does give us a laugh.

7 hours after the ham is put in the oven, it comes out again ready to be devoured. The doorbell rings once more and the other side of the family shows up hungry. Eating, eating - more eating. Talking, laughing, and just plain hilarity ensues as the kids eat at their table. The boys showing off for the girls. The girls egging them on with giggles.

After dinner, the adults open facebook and YouTube to share found funnies. Talk moves from jobs, to the economy and politics and then back to Extreme Sheep Herding. (My all time favorite YouTube video.) Chocolate covered Espresso beans are tasted and a divine lemon roll is savored. The egg-shaped cake is also eaten to the delight of the children that methodically pressed M&M's into the frosting earlier that afternoon. Soon, the masterpieces from the kitchen are reduced to crumbs. Stomaches are full.

The above was our Saturday.

I read today about true riches in a person's life, and I thought of Saturday and our family visiting; surrounding us. I thought about the comfortable closeness that comes from knowing people for decades. The gentle teasing that is done in love and jest. It is simply, beautiful.

At the end of our lives, I am sure we look back on what we have done, accomplished and acquired. I want my thoughts to be on what I have experienced and especially on the love I have shared with family and friends. Saturday was a treasure that can not be bought in Saks. It was a treasure of time well spent and fortune found in the relationships that were strengthened.

Scottish Rite Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-04T21:47:00.004-05:00

I am proud of myself for actually getting this video to load. I have had several launch failures and I was beginning to feel a bit inadequate in the technology area. However, I am excited to show everyone a glimpse of one of the best hospitals in the world! Our Spina Bifida Association annual Easter Egg Hunt is always on the Scottish Rite Hospital grounds. Did I mention they are run completely on donations and no patient ever pays anything out of pocket. Amazingly this hospital was created without government intervention!

So, here are the boys enjoying a beautiful Texas day in Spring!

Which came first Knowledge or Intelligence?

2009-04-01T22:10:00.002-05:00

Tonight we got a happy visit from Uncle Matt. This always causes revelry and excitement from the boys. Tonight his visit came during homework time and Matt found himself caught up in looking through Isaac's graded papers. Now, Isaac likes to organize his folder for easy scrutiny of 100 percent papers. He puts all 100's on the left of the folder and all other grades on the right.

Isaac, as he should be, is very proud of those 100's and especially proud of his commended performance on the TAKS test. (He only missed one!) There Isaac was standing proud and commenting on all his scholarly achievements when the conversation turned to the right side of the folder where the A's, B's and C's are all lumped together. Matt made the suggestion that if Isaac moved all the A's together it would make that stack of papers really big. Isaac very seriously considered this statement.

Then he turned to Matt and stated in the resigned voice of a boy coming to grips with his limitations that sometimes intelligence just doesn't match his knowledge.

Happy Birthday - Isaac

2009-03-15T20:26:00.002-05:00

We celebrated Isaac's birthday this week. It was on a school day but Isaac felt it should begin with jubilation. How better to do that than by requesting breakfast in bed? This is exactly what he asked me for as he went to bed the night before his birthday.

Yeah right! I told him that I might be able to manage some toast, seeing as the next morning was a school morning. At this he gave up, because toast isn't good enough for a breakfast in bed. It should include pancakes or waffles and fresh squeezed juice. Thank you T.V. I know this must be where he got the idea, because he has never experienced that kind of treatment at our house.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Isaac. He received some grand gifts and has spent most of the last few days putting together legos that he got for his birthday.

Us Girls

2009-03-15T20:06:00.006-05:00

The usual Sunday routine is lunch with my parents and grandmother after church. Today was no different. We sat, held hands to pray and then began to dig in. With 5 adults and two rambunctious children at the table it is usually every man, woman and child for themselves. The boys ask for ketchup and cheese. My dad asks for the onions while I dip out a bit of guacamole for myself. Grandma asks for the chips and then my dad complains that Nathan still has the meat at his end of the table. This, of course prompts Nathan to shove the meat farther from my father and obligates me to retrieve the meat before all is lost and Dad gets no protein at all. By this time, the boys are finished eating and asking for chocolate chip cookies or to be excused.

Today the only difference was my mother, whom unknown to the whole table, was sitting with her hands folded under her chin and gazing at the Sunday rigamaroll. The passing of the bowls had finally stopped and the clatter of forks were on the rise but my mother was still poised in her chair just staring at us all.

My dad got wind that something was amiss and asked my mother what the problem was. My mother, the woman who has never had trouble asserting herself in our family says to us all: "I was just wondering when someone would pass me something to eat."

The statement caught all of us with forks half way to our mouths. The martyrdom was apparent in the air and as all good families would do...we laughed at her and then passed her everything at once.
Well, she asked for it didn't she. :-)

Later on this evening, we ate dinner with another family. They are good friends and have a daughter about Aaron's age. The conversation was moving briskly and everyone was talking except their little girl. After several minutes of silence from her, she spoke up clearly with this sentence "I was just wondering when someone was going to talk to me".

Immediately, my mind went to my mother's statement and the thought crossed my mind. I guess us girls never really change.

He Can Read!

2009-03-03T20:30:00.002-06:00

Aaron and I were sitting on my bed tonight doing homework. Every week he has a packet of work to do and this week was no exception. We were on page two and I was pointing to a picture of a mop. Beside the mop were two word choices: mop and man.

I directed him to circle the word that went with the picture. He looked at me and said. I don't know which one it is mom. Should I circle man or mop?" Realization washed over me and I stared at the boy who up until now has showed no interest in actually reading anything.

"I never told you what the words were on this one, Aaron. How did you know it was man?"

A sly little grin spread over his face and a giggle gurgled up from his throat. It is a good thing that his smile can melt me in whatever mood I am in. I grabbed him in my arms and hugged him tight. "You can read!" I shouted. Aaron just kept on giggling.

Now, I just wonder how long the boy has had me shnookered.

Working It Off - Dave Ramsey Style

2009-03-02T16:25:00.004-06:00

This last Saturday found us all standing in the Wii aisle at Fry's. Isaac had his hands wrapped around several games. He was looking at them with a kind of intense frenzy that only an eight year old can accomplish about a video game.

"Pleeeaassee mom, can I have the Lego Star Wars game. It has all 6 episodes!"

I looked at it and thought that surely Nathan wouldn't allow it because we have plenty of games, but then I saw it had Lego Leia IN the metal bikini. I knew he would go for it then because a Lego Leia in the bikini (movie 6) is just strange and Nathan is all about the strange things in life.

So with a promise to work off the 20.00 that Isaac didn't have to buy the game, Nathan and I bought it for him and took it home.

On Sunday, we set a box of medical supplies in front of our boy and told him to start sorting. At first he balked. After all, work is not his strong suit. But then we reminded him of his promise to pay back the 20.00 and the sorting began.

When he had finished sorting plus completed a couple other "interest charge"chores, we told him he had cleared his debt with his parents and he was free to do what he wanted.

In true Dave Ramsey form, Isaac stood in our kitchen, raised his arms toward the sky and screamed out loud...."I'm DEBT FREE...FREEDOM!"

EMAIL?

2009-02-24T20:37:00.002-06:00

Last week we were filling out paperwork at the Urologist. I was talking out loud as I filled out the stats. "Male or female", I said into the air. Aaron looked up at me and very confidently said..."Your female, I'm e-male."

A Spina Bifida Post

2009-02-19T12:06:00.004-06:00

We drove to Plano yesterday to have our trusty Urologist take a look at why we can't get Aaron any more continent than he already is. Our major issue, in relation to the Spina Bifida that Aaron lives with, is our daily battle with pee and poop. The number 2 side of things is pretty well managed, but the last 4 months have been riddled with number 1 issues.

Aaron was given an urodynamic test. He was poked and prodded as 220 ccs of water was pushed into his bladder and electrodes were hooked to very unmentionable places. He was a little nervous about some of the electrodes but was very brave - even when his brother declared that they would hurt coming off!

Drum Roll, please. The stats are that his bladder holds just about as much as any other 6 year old bladder, but his sphincter muscle doesn't work at all. This means that any more surgery to tighten his bladder neck or put Deflux in his ureters is not going to help our little boy. Our options at this point are minimal.

We could completely block off the regular pee route and open another one by his belly button. Technically this would be done through surgery - not by Nathan or me. It would definitely fix the problem, but it would close off all other less invasive options. Or... we can wait until puberty and hope his prostrate will enlarge enough at that time to help him hold his urine longer. Or.... or we can hope to try a very new nerve rerouting surgery being tested here in the United States at Beaumont Hospital in Minnesota, (I think). It was created by a Chinese Surgeon named Xiao. Only about 8 children so far have had it done and results are still not completely conclusive.

Well, puberty is at least 7 years away and the rerouting surgery is no where near researched enough to be done on my little boy. Our Doc suggests to wait it out for awhile and we agree that doing nothing seems the best approach...for now.

I remember sitting in a church service about 4 years ago and hearing our Pastor relishing the turning point in which a parent no longer buys diapers or pullups. We have been buying those products since the year 2000 and it looks like we will continue to use them well into the next decade. I wonder if Huggies has some sort of most loyal customer reward? If so, I am sure we are in the running for the grand prize!

Little Surprises This Week

2009-02-13T14:25:00.003-06:00

Since I have been so grumpy this week, I thought it would be good to take stock of the little surprises that this week offered.

So here is a list.

1. Isaac is continuing to ace his practice state tests and I am thinking that a commended performance is very probable. Yes, I know we all hate the those tests, but hey...no tutoring needed. Plus, it proves how smart he is!

2. He picked out the 5th Harry Potter for his Library book and he can actually read it and understands it. WOW!

3. Aaron came and asked me if he could make a Valentine's card for his teacher.

4. Nathan brought me a DP this afternoon since he took time off from work when I did not.

5. A plastic table cloth was given to me, so I don't have to wash mine all the time.

6. Nathan took care of getting the meds refilled - Thank You!

7. Lots of my students gave me Valentines!

Well, for such a yucky week, I don't think the list is too bad.

Happy Valentine's Day

The State of the Family

2009-02-12T07:49:00.004-06:00

There is a lot of talk on t.v. and the radio about the state of our economy. However, I believe more important is the State of the Family.

It is a constant struggle to keep schedules and obligations at a manageable level. These last couple of weeks, I have felt that the Stevens' are losing our battle. Each day is taken with the noble efforts to work and learn. Each evening has been taken up with other "noble" obligations such as college classes, boyscouts and basketball to name a few. Plus the daily tasks of taking care of a special needs child. I hate to even bring up the S.N. child thing, but it does change your existence. Time is monitored differently and extra brain power is used to make sure all goes well. As of right now all our noble enterprises and daily routine seem more like part of the list to be checked off at the end of the day.

I wonder how much is too much. Where does a family draw the line at the busyness? I used to listen to other families talk about this struggle and not feel the pressure of it myself. I thought it would be easy to draw our line, but I now understand. There is nothing on our busy list that seems frivolous. A well reasoned case can be made for each area of work. And so, the rat race scurries on.

I write this not to complain about my life, but to question it. I ask if this is what God meant for our daily lives. How do we make the most of the opportunities without sacrificing our family? Do I dream too big? What is really not important? How do we make the right decisions?

I do not have the answers to these questions. But I will search for them and in the mean time...

There is a pin prick of light at the end of the tunnel. I think it's called Spring Break. And it will be here in about 4 weeks. Until then, we will meet our obligations and our family will survive.

A Smooth Morning

2009-02-04T19:58:00.002-06:00

It is amazing to me that February has come so swiftly. We are completely back into the swing of school and today was, once again, the EARLY MORNING. If I could type "early morning" in shaky scary letters, I would.

Each Tuesday, I begin mentally preparing for the early morning. I set out clothes, bags, etc. I resign myself to the fact that I will not be wearing make-up or doing my hair. I get ready for the parent/child showdown with the sleepy-eyed boys who hold fast to their covers as I pry them up to do their morning routine.

However, today it was not so scary. In fact, the word serene floats in my mind as I think of how smoothly this morning went. Nathan, the alarm clock, woke up Isaac and I wrangled Aaron out of bed and into the bathroom. All I said to Aaron was "Come on, it's our early morning" and the boy was moving. He wanted to go to out to breakfast. He knew that his new "Parenting with Love and Logic" mommy would not take him to a greasy fast food restaurant one minute after the deadline.

The deadline is where we leave no matter what, even if teeth aren't brushed, food isn't eaten and clothes aren't on. I refuse to hum above them and remind them to keep getting on with the routine. By the way, I have never actually had a child leave the house naked. In the last week or so, they have left the house looking rather frightening, but never unclothed. - Thank goodness.

Anyway, both boys were ready and in the car 5 minutes before my newly imposed deadline. I even got my makeup and hair done this morning.

I was impressed. I drove down the road smuggly saying to myself - see the parenting with Love and Logic really works. I am a mom in control. I have created expectations and they are being met. I have been calm and yet immovable. I have not hovered over them like a helicopter to get out the door. They now understand and respect the deadline. It is their responsibility. I am SuperMom.

In the middle of my elation a wave of realization hit me. We certainly did get out the door on time. The boys were perfect. I was not. All medications needed to keep Aaron's bladder relaxed and bacteria free were not taken and were left at home which was 20 minutes behind us. I winced knowing what this meant for my little boy. But, I shook it off and was thankful that at least missing the meds would only mean things would be a little messier.

My SuperMom bubble got deflated real quickly - but, hey, that's life.

So Sorry about the Grammar

2009-01-27T17:56:00.002-06:00

I must say I am embarrased. I feel compelled to apologize to the world for my gross abuse of the English language in my last post. I wrote hurriedly, checked for problems during a late night stupor and just realized (to my horror) that I really goofed on my grammar.

Oops.

The Look

2009-01-25T21:22:00.003-06:00

A bit cold today, but the wind was not whipping around us at 40 miles an hour, so we got the Air Hog out today.

Isaac got his remote control Air Hog for Christmas, but today was the first day we took it out. We had multiple outside activities going at the same time, and really we didn't want to put everything away. Therefore, we just decided to fly it in the front yard. - Really, what could happen, right.

All was well for a while. I would repeatedly say directing words such as "Keep it low. Don't go near the houses. Good job!"

Then I made the fatal suggestion to let me drive the plane. Isaac threw it up and I pushed the button. Off it went sailing through the air. I was turning the controller watching the plane bank to the left and the right all the while sailing higher and higher. Pretty soon the Air Hog was higher than the two story house two doors down from us and I was pretty sure it was angling the direction of that houses roof. I tried to make the airplane come back down or turn a little more sharply back to the street.

It never made it. The Air Hog disappeared over the highest point of the roof and all sound from the plane stopped.

I immediately yelled "I'm sorry" and "I tried to keep it off the roof!" We all ran to the neighbors house and looked up. Sure enough the plane was resting on the top slant of the roof. The wind wiggled it a little here and there, but it obviously was not coming off the roof without help.

Isaac turned and looked at me with the look that said something like "I can't believe I let you fly my plane." but what he said was "Mom, I forgive you."

Fogive me! I hadn't killed it yet. I still had a chance to get the plane back. Nathan went to ring the doorbell and inform our neighbors about the stow away plane on their roof, but no one seemed to be home. We stood there on the front yard and stared at the plane - willing it down. But it just wouldn't budge.

We considered just going to get a ladder, but thought it might be considered rude for them to find Nathan halfway on their roof retrieving our plane. So, we wrote a note instead and scotch taped it to their front door.

When they found the note, the neighbors called. Nathan was the ultimate hero. I had gotten the plane stuck. Nathan however, used a 20 foot ladder and a telescoping painting pole with a zipp tied fishing pole at the end to get the plane back.

He got a whoop of "Yeah Daddy" in direct contrast the the look I got, but at least the plane lives to fly another day.

Rocket Launching

2009-01-19T13:18:00.005-06:00

Saturday, the boys and Nathan discovered a new hobby. I am actually surprised they didn't discover the joy of ignition, launch and rockets blasting in the sky much sooner. It was a great time for Nathan and Isaac especially.

Aaron wanted it to be a great time, but having several run-ins with getting burned, he is usually less likely to be in the middle of something that has to do with fire and small explosions. So he sat in our car with the windows up and doors locked during the rocket launches.

He says he is ready for it next time, though.

In the picture below, you can see Aaron right in front of the man with the boys scout uniform. This is our friend and assistant cubmaster, Jim. Isaac is holding a rocket right up to his face and so he is partially blocked from view and squinting as well. He is behind the boy rubbing his eyes. Nathan is not pictured because he was messing with the third rocket he wanted to launch. There is nothing like waiting til the last minute to do things.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

2009-01-13T10:31:00.002-06:00

This weekend we celebrated Aaron's 6th birthday. One of my favorite parts of the boys' birthdays is making their cakes/cupcakes. I usually let them help a little, but since cake is a creature where taking time is essential to the frosting not dripping onto my table, almost always, the boys are not up to witness the final touches.

So, I finished Aaron's fairly simple cup cakes and showed him the final product the next morning. They were all iced, sprinkled and with a letter of his name on each one. He sucked in his breath, opened his eyes wide and started announcing to his brother. "Look, Look, my cupcakes are done." and "I want one, now." He was galloping around the room with a look of joy and feeling special. I love those moments. I love the looks of excitement and knowing it was my work that made the boys feel that way.

Nathan was still working on the 4 layer cake baking at this time, so I was the first to show him his treats. Aaron's birthday consisted of cupcakes AND birthday cake AND a good amount of presents. He played with a friend all afternoon and actually dug into his lego set and started creating ships! A great turn around from a couple weeks ago when he said he wanted legos, was given legos and then said he didn't want them anymore.

We did promise the boys and combined birhtday Wii system in exchange for me not having to plan huge expensive birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese. (Ugh, I hate that place). Unfortunately, the levels of supply and demand are out of whack and Aaron has a Wii game and no Wii to play it on- still. I am searching, and most likely will eventually order it on line.

All in all, his birthday was a success.

Since turning 6, Aaron has informed me that he would no longer call me Mama, because only babies did that. He also managed a whole night in his room - by himself. I am hoping for two!

The Important Book

2009-01-07T12:32:00.006-06:00

Isaac wrote a book about his family for a school project recently. He gave it to us for a Christmas present and I just had to share.

Lucky 13

2008-12-23T03:51:00.006-06:00

13 years ago I stood in front of a young man who is now my partner and has held my heart for almost half my life. Back then I was niave and alturistic. I had pie in the sky hopes and dreams. I had no idea what I was doing.

13 years later some of those dreams (and others I had no idea about) are now a reality. However, my life is not and never will be a pie in the sky. I have often thought that I am glad we all must live life in linear fashion. As I look back on the years, I am not sure I would have had the courage to continue if I knew some of what would face Nathan and me. Yet, life has happened and Nathan and I have moved with it together.

Last night we sat and discussed our greatest accomplishments to date. The only rule was it must not be our children. The children are definitely up there, but them as a response would be way too easy. We were going with deep thoughts.

As we talked, I got an amplified sense of us as real partners. Sometimes I push at things and sometimes he quietly sits a waits for things to happen. At times we both puff up and bump heads. But together, we are a team. My affection, love and need for him grew again last night as I sat talking with him.

In spite of my niavity at age 20, God was with me and helped me make the right choice in a lifetime partner. I have been blessed beyond measure. God gave me the right partner to have as we moved from our first out- of- college jobs to our current jobs, became parents of a kid with special needs, and began working our way towards the "greater good" through education, service, ministry, and family.

In linear form, I am unable to know what will happen in the next 13 years. What ever it might be, my prayer is simple...By Your grace, my God go we...together.

Jugs and Drugs

2008-12-16T18:43:00.003-06:00

Once in a blue moon we would get a snow day growing up. It was very once in a while because I lived in Missouri then and regularly went to school in knee deep snow. Now, occasionally we still get a snow day. It is more of a black ice and crazy driver day, but still I get the rush of getting a freebie. A whole day without schedule. An opportunity to do nothing and catch up on what ever I am behind in.

So this morning at 5:30 I started my wake up routine only to be interrupted by the house phone. The ringing felt odd at this hour and I thought, surely not, but deep inside I knew the caller was the bus dept. Nathan answered the phone and got the news, no school. This started to sound like a very elaborate joke, because we were not expecting no school. The weather didn't seem too bad outside - just amazingly cold. On came the t.v. and school was definitely called.

One of the great things about a day like today is the opportunity to linger at the dinner table. Tonight, while eating, Aaron started talking to us about girls with red dots who live in England and carried jugs on their heads. We explained this was probably India. He agreed and we kept the conversation going. He kept explaining about the jugs, and then he suddenly said he didn't know why they carried the jugs since he learned in school that you shouldn't do
jugs. They are dangerous. "Those girls dipping river out into the jugs should find something else to carry the river back to their villages." he said.

I tried to keep a straight face - but yeah right. That was classic. Jugs instead of drugs. These funny little miss understandings are exactly what makes living and working with children such a joy.

Crazy Weather

2008-12-09T20:23:00.004-06:00

Will Rogers once said if you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a minute. Well, I'm not in Oklahoma, but the weather here changed in about a nano second today. I rose to balmy seventy degree weather and left my first school in frigid weather about 11:30. Now I hear sleet and straight line winds outside. If it would all accumulate into a snow day, this weather would all be worth it.

Students as always were crazy all day as the weather dropped. I actually had 2nd graders hide under the table, kindergartners fall asleep and a third grader make strange noises in the middle of class. I saw my eldest child burst into tears four times today and my youngest was at fault for only three of them.

I guess the whole family is feeling a bit under the weather, both figuratively and literally. So it is nice to all be curled up and sitting on the couch, if just for a little while.

8 more days to Christmas break, but who's counting.

Fast Forward to Christmas

2008-12-06T18:05:00.004-06:00

Our Thanksgiving holiday turned out fairly well. We roasted marshmellows, sang songs and told stories around a bonfire and ate loads of food. It was complete with all four of us having a stomach bug right before or during the holiday. That didn't stop us from going to Nathan's homestead and visiting, though.

Then we rushed right back to the daily grind complete with our own children and students believing that the Christmas holiday has already begun. Therefore, this week has been filled with lots of angst in regard to doing what before we have always done. Here are examples of what I get to hear daily.

"Mom, why do I have to do all the work." After unloading the dishes, one time.
"I don't want to do the project over. I can read it just fine." Sure you can read it, but your teacher's 40 year old eyes will not be able to see your pencil scratches on blue construction paper.
"My teacher says I don't need to study my sixes." Upon me asking him to study the morning of the test.
"I am not tiiirrred." Said while crying at 8pm when they got up at 6am.

It has been a littany of these little things. In fact, as I write this both boys have been sent to their respective rooms for fighting.

But I digress...

One of my most difficult lessons that I must learn over and over is that I don't have to be in the middle of everything. I went to exercise this morning and ran right into the parade and Home Town Christmas Extravaganza that our little town always has the first weekend of December. I immediately called my adoring husband and said we should join the bounce house fun that I saw before me. The cute homey crafts, hot cocoa, visiting Santa and the allure of being in the middle of excitement was sucking me in to their fold.

Unfortunately, I heard no excitement in my darling H's voice. He hates crowds and a morning filled with the revelry of Home Town Christmas is like death by a thousand nicks to him. The rest of my workout, I silently struggled with not going. I want to be there and see it all, and I wanted to rest. Back and forth, my thoughts pulled me. But in the end, logic prevailed. I reminded myself that Christmas doesn't have to be a continuous race to see it all and get it all. In fact, Christmas should be a time when you get to slow down and enjoy the blessings that we all have.

I can rejoice that I have (currently) two healthy boys, Nathan and I have good jobs doing things we love, and supportive family and friends. In the perilous world in which we all live, this is about as good as it gets.

So please, all who might read this, have yourself a very Merry and restful Christmas.

Also, please take a look at the blog prayforeli.blogspot.com The Ramirez family can use our prayers.

Singing In the Early Morning

2008-11-19T21:03:00.002-06:00

Wednesdays come too soon each week. It is what the boys and I call our early mornings. The only good part of a morning when you have to leave the house by 6:45 is the quick run to Chick Fil A to get the chicken minis. We love 'em.

Unfortunately, we have been getting up later and later. Now, our 6:45 is more like 6:55 and Chick Fil A has gone out the window. But I still have to be at early morning duty at 7:15 and so, the boys and I rush around. Me rushing and the boys resisting. It is like a crazy tug of war, where the rope usually gets tied in knots and someone ends up crying. I was the crier only once, thank you very much.

Today started exactly like last Wednesday. Me prodding children along. Children roaming the house in search of forgotten items or just roaming the house. Needless to say, when I finally hit the road to school, we all needed a bit of a pep talk from God.

In goes the worship music and "How Great is Our God" begins to play. It is one of the most beautiful contemporarty Christian songs and one I love dearly. From behind me I hear a little high pitched whine that seems to be moving with the music. I am not sure if it is another morning fight and so I turn down the music and it stops. Up goes the music and the little whine begins. Suddenly it dawns on me that I am hearing singing.

I ask if someone is singing the song with me. And Aaron's little voice says yes with just a touch of embarrassment. I say great. Then let's all sing. I turn the music back up and I hear the most beautiful sound in the entire world. Two little voices singing about how great our God is. I did cry this morning on the way to work, but not out of frustration as the last time. Today were tears of joy at the pure love and faith my children were demonstrating - singing praises to God!

Bless them!

Pictures in the Camera of my Head

2008-11-16T21:08:00.004-06:00

We got home today! The whirlwind camping trip was great fun. I do have pictures to share. Presently, they are stuck in my camera that has a dead battery. I'd love to charge that battery, if I could only find where I put the charger. It might still be at Camp John Marc. Right now if my Father in law is reading this, he is laughing and wondering if I have my glasses. Yes, I do. They are on my face. He has mailed them to me at least three times after I have left them at his house after visits.

So, instead of pictures of Isaac climbing walls, or Aaron painted to look like the most cool red and green snake in the world, readers will get the top ten list of things I forgot this week because my brain is just too full.

1. Battery charger for camera
2. calendar - left in the Doctor office bathroom on Friday - it is unfortunately still there and at least 45 minutes from home.
3. calendar - left in the Doctor office waiting room where I remembered it only about 10 minutes before I lost it again.
4. Lesson Plans - lost in the room I was working in and found after my classes were over.
5. Computer - Left at home
6. Computer charger - left at home the day before
7. My lunch - at least once a week left at home - Thank goodness for Chick Fil A
8. My children - left at the camp cafeteria, but don't worry it was only a short walk back to the cafeteria and they didn't even know I actually left them.
9. Lubricant for Aaron's cath - Somehow we made the whole weekend on 6 packets of lubricating Jelly.
10. My brain - don't know where I lost it and definitely can't get it back

Spina Bifida Family Camp

2008-11-15T21:55:00.003-06:00

This weekend we are enjoying a family getaway accompanied by about 15 other families. It is SB family camp weekend and we are all at Camp John Marc. Camp John Marc is constructed in a way that people with special needs can easily access everything from the kitchen to the swimming pool. It is lavish and beautiful with deer grazing on the lawns and large sprawling oak trees. This camp is also where Aaron will spend a week of every summer enjoying complete freedom from his ever- present parents. It will be a wonderful experience for him when he turns 8.
Family camp originally came about as a help for those parents and children who shy away from that step to be independent. These weekends give parents and their kids a time to meet other children who will be at camp when it is their turn to go. We are an automatic group that understands the little things when it comes to SB.
For Aaron, I hope this weekend also allows him to bond with other people living with SB. He lives in a world with a different norm than his own. Understandably, this causes him frustration. So, this weekend lets him see all his friends and say to himself, look there are children living with SB just like me. No need to worry about what other people might think about his eye patch, cathing or scar here. At this camp people in general talk about the weather, what activities they will do for fun and the placement and size of their scars.
Being a family camp, it also lets Isaac meet new friends and try new experiences. This year Isaac climbed the climbing wall. I was very proud of this effort because it was such a challenge. He went at least 20 feet in the air and did it with only one little glitch. But hey, his mom wouldn’t do it at all. I am still amazed at his daring!
Tomorrow we drive home and back to our daily lives. We take with us the knowledge that we are not alone in our constant struggles. Their is a group of moms, dads and kids who are surviving the same trials that we do and that is comforting.

A Continued Frustration

2008-11-11T22:17:00.002-06:00

It seems that each day is unpredictable in our lives. I am not talking about the weather, or something trivial like that. I am talking about Aaron's incontinence due to Spina Bifida. Today was a particularly bad day. For no known reason, this last month or so has been racked with issues. Perhaps it is him growing, or being in the school environment where he has little control over his input and output.

Last week, it looked like we had it all licked. Schedule is going fine and we are making it pretty well. Then today out of nowhere comes a day of complete ruin where the schedule is concerned. I often think how my little boy must feel taking wet clothes in a baggy into his classroom. He does this often. I have asked him if he wants to give up on the padded underwear and move back to something a little more absorbant, but he says no.

The unanswered questions are palpable in my head and I can't do anything about them but pray that it will work out and God will surround my little one with strength, faith, and family and friends that will love him even when his body refuses to work with him.

A lazy Sunday Afternoon

2008-11-09T19:49:00.003-06:00

This looks like a lazy Sunday afternoon but looks can be deceiving. It seems that whenever I want to take a rest all the dogs find their way to my lap.

In reality, this was a brief ten minutes after teaching Sunday School, finishing off my mother's birthday cake, and completing a Turkey project with Aaron made completely out of seeds.

But if a 10 minute rest is all I can get on a Sunday afternoon, I will take it - even with a doggie blanket.

The boys were outside playing Knights in Shining Armor during this time, which could explain why the dogs were seeking my protection. 8 and 5 year olds yielding swords makes the back yard a little dangerous.

This Fall Season

2008-11-03T21:34:00.003-06:00

This Halloween was a happy one. The week before Aaron and I spent the day with my parents at the Arboretum while Nathan and Isaac camped. Seeing as I had just spent a night in a tent, I was glad to not be sharing that experience again. My sinuses are really made for the air conditioned indoors. We also carved pumpkins this year. We each have one, but Aaron's never got carved. Anger reared its ugly head again and then he was too proud to admit that he might need some help, so he just ended up coloring all over his with black sharpie. It still looked pretty scary, though.

Two days before Halloween our church had its annual Harvest Festival and costume night. It is always fun to see all the kiddos dressed up and then to do Carnival style games. There were literally 2500 people who came to our church! Crowded was an understatement, so we didn't stay too long.

Halloween night was really great the boys loved going around the neighborhood. We saw tons of people and neighbors. It really was fun! At the end of the night, they even got out the camping chairs and did a little giving of the candy. I think they were just as excited about this part of the experience.

I am posting the picks from this in a new slide show. I hope you all (whoever you might be) enjoy! By the way, sorry it is a link and then you have to make it a slideshow by clicking instead of all the work being done. I am frustrated that I can't figure out how I did this before. Oh well. If any out there know how to get picasaweb to make the cute one I did with my Galveston slide shows then please let me know!

HOA

2008-10-23T17:10:00.003-05:00

Most fairly new neighborhoods have an HOA these days. These organizations of human conformity mean to keep the community beautiful. In their pursuit of beauty, we have received another "nicely" written notice that we need to weed our front yard. In went something like this:

We are writing to inform you that you must have overlooked the enormously large amounts of weeds that have killed all your grass in the front yard. Please rectify this situation immediately, or pay the dire consequence of being the worst land owner on the block. Oh yeah, we could also fine you. We love to fine people a minimum of $50.00 because they do not want to conform to our understanding of the beauty that is a well maintained and perfectly green front yard. Sincerely, Your ever checking, measuring, and scrutinizing HOA.

Ok it wasn't that bad but, we do have a weed issue. Our weeds are not the gangly type that grow up past the grass and sprout nasty nobby little burrs that catch on socks. These weeds lie low to the ground and at the present moment they are flowering. We have had them all summer but up until now they were green like our sparse grass. So from a distance green meant lawn was being kept up tidily and HOA left us alone.

The white mass of weeds have now given us more than the plain green lawn would ever give. Outside today, the boys and I stumbled upon three monarch butterflies feasting on my weeds. They fluttered to and fro and gave us such a wonderful moment of peace. The boys and I paused on the sidewalk and gazed at God's glorious creatures.

I guess we will eventually comply with our HOA. But, for now...I think our lawn mower is broken.

The Case of the Milk Nabber

2008-10-20T15:28:00.003-05:00

Saturday, I made the weekly trip to "The Walmart". I am to the point that I really don't like Wal-Mart. It is big, crowded and, really, not that much cheaper than the other grocery stores in town. It does have an Optometry Center, though and that is where I needed to go. Yet again, I needed to straighten out the badly shaped frames resting precariously on Aaron's nose. Being Walmart, it was open. So, in I went.

Like all Walmart shoppers, I found myself thinking that I might as well get the week's groceries and not make two trips somewhere. Yep, I was falling right into the dark and dangerous schemes of Walmart's Top Brass. Get 'em in and they can't leave for under 100 bucks!

Aaron and I shopped, and then went to the check out line. Amazingly, there was only one solitary man checking out in front of us. I unpacked my cart and began browsing the magazine rack. After about half of some cheesy entertainment magazine, I felt a tug at my shirt and heard Aaron ask why the man in front of us had taken our milk. As it happens, when Aaron talks, I usually don't believe him. This is one of those sad consequences of a boy who continuously tries to get out of trouble, but as I scanned the conveyor belt I saw no milk.

"What did you do with the milk?" I questioned Aaron. Indignately, he looked at me, mouth gaping and pointed to the man wheeling his cart toward the exit.

I grasped what Aaron was saying about the same time that the clerk did, and she turned and caught the man and tried to explain the mistake. "No, he said. I bought milk, too." She turned and looked helplessly at me and stated that this man obsconding with my milk had told her it was his. But, where was my milk that I had put on the conveyor belt? I told her my milk color and make. I looked in my empty cart to just be sure milk wasn't hiding there.

Sure enough the milk in his cart was the brand and color I usually buy, sure enough my milk (that I can visualize getting out of the case at the back of Walmart) was also not there. The man just stood there and shook his head at us like we were all idiots. And out the door went my milk.
The clerk did go get me more milk, but I have to wonder if that man really knew what was going on, or if he was a MILK NABBER!

11 days

2008-10-11T22:12:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it has been 11 days since I last posted anything. That's a tale tell sign of how busy we have been. We have had piano, soccer, grad school, boyscouts, a camping trip that turned into a sinus infection for me and a new dog to top it all off. The school year is flying by with homework, projects and loads of activities. It seems that we can barely catch our breath.

Here is a top 10 list of the most exciting portions of our lives over the last 11 days.

1. Getting Marley our new Shepherd Mix dog from the pound.

2. Introducing Marley to Pete and Harriet - keeping them from killing each other for the first day. Now they are best friends.

3. An Eye Doctor visit, Pediatrician Visit and a Urologist Visit. - All is well, but Aaron's eye sight is really bad! We are now using the eye patch four or more hours a day - like it or not.

4. Camping for one night at a local lake and watching Marley play in the water.

5. Aaron goes a whole week with good behavior at school!

6. One nature hike where lots of fishbone pictures were taken.

7. Isaac is exited from the Speech program at school - He has come a long way, baby!

8. Aaron keeps the patch on his eye for several hours without complaint.

9. Boys attend their first ever bicycle rodeo.

10. One 30 minute nap today after I finished writing my 3rd paper for graduate school.

Whew! I am tired just remembering it all. Below is a pic of our newest family member.

A Strict Policy

2008-10-01T09:19:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we sat in a popular restaurant eating a late dinner. A t.v. buzzed behind us and Isaac kept looking at it. Suddenly, He yelled. "Hey, that's Barack Obama" and right after that announced John McCain had filled the screen. He looked at us with great importance and then made the announcement that he would like to be President someday. Well, that's cool. I could be the first mother. I might even get a secret service detail out of the deal.

Aaron, of course, wanted to join in the conversation. He stated that president wouldn't do for him, but he would like to be a judge. That of course, prompted a discussion about which had more power a judge or the President of the United States. Then out of nowhere, my 5 year old, kindergartner stated that if he was judge he would ...Now brace yourself...I swear these are his words....

"Make a strict policy on pizza" I looked at Nathan and then at Aaron and I repeated "a strict policy" Those words just came out of my child's mouth. Where in the world did he pick that up and then use it in a sentence that made sense. (well, mostly)

A policy on pizza, I asked. What kind? "A policy where I could eat it whenever I want!" Aaron stated with a smile. Yep, it was used correctly.

Goodness, my children don't miss a beat!

My Three Joys

2008-09-24T21:29:00.003-05:00

I am sitting tonight in a hotel. I have called my children and husband and said I love them and miss them. I can't wait to see them again. As I sit here tonight, I think about the boys' sweet voices over the phone and how much I miss being able to take my hand and brush their hair or rub their backs.

I have thought about all the things that my loving husband has given me and sacrificed for me and my happiness. Too often, I do not tell him this. (Don't tell anyone, but I can be a bit critical)But he is perfect for me and I delight in his abilities, kindness and love.

Earlier today it struck me that I almost feel empty. I am so connected to my three Guys. I am proud of them, love them and at times I have been known to fight for them. I want happiness, love, and most of all for them to be right in God's will.

Tomorrow I will be back at home and I know I will sense the feeling of peace that comes over me knowing that the ones I love the most in the world are just a breath away.

Checking up on Grandma

2008-09-21T21:22:00.004-05:00

About three Saturdays ago I was asked to make sure that my grandmother was doing ok. Mom and Dad were on a hiatus down south a little ways speaking at a conference. Since Grandma spends her week days alone, my mom didn't want her spending this particular Saturday alone as well.

At approximately 10:30, I made the short drive over to my parents house. I had been told the back door would be unlocked. I was to just walk in, check on things and perhaps make a little small talk. When I got to the back door, however, I found it locked up tight as a drum.

I knocked and hoped that Grandma might be able to hear me. As I stood at the backdoor I realized the inevitable. Grandma can't hear us across a table at dinner. She wasn't going to hear me knocking at the door. Perhaps she would hear a ultra loud new doorbell at the front of the house. Around the house, I trekked. I say trek because the bushes around the front walk are overwhelming and my parents can not seem to get them trimmed properly. When I finally rang the doorbell, I heard the chimes ringing from inside the house. I waited. And I waited. - Nothing, again.

Back around the house I went. This time I banged on the glass windows and the door. Still no movement from within the house. I was beginning to feel slightly panicky. After all, Grandma is old. What if her time had come on the day I was supposed to drop in. What would I do? I pushed those thoughts away and sallied up to her window. I could hear a faint droning inside and felt sure it was the t.v. I leaned over the prickly holly and knocked on the window. - Nothing- Not to be daunted (or have to tell my mother that I had not actually seen Grandma all day) I flattened myself next to the corner of the house and worked my way to the window, the prickly holly to my backside.

I reached the window and had the sudden thought that I might be able to open it from the outside. It might just be that the window would be unlocked here. As luck would have it, Grandma's window was unlocked and I began to push upward hoping to make entrance from the outside. As I pushed on the window, I looked in through the blinds to find Grandma on the phone. Part of me wanted to just let Grandma be, but then she was expecting my company, so I carried on trying to push open the window.

Well, I pushed a little too hard and the window fell inward knocking over a standing lamp. I was now leaning inside the house, holding up the window and trying to right the lamp. Grandma was still jabbering away on the phone. "Grandma", I yelled at the top of my lungs. I was maybe 24 inches from where she was sitting in her lazyboy. She was oblivious! I yelled at her again. And again. Still nothing, but I continued to yell in the hopes that something might change. Finally, she told her phone companion that she could hear what sounded like my boys at the front of the house. She hung up. I continued to yell, thinking that surely she would now hear me trying to get her attention while holding up the window only inches from her chair.

She lifted herself off the lazyboy and got her walker. To my amazement, she went towards the hallway. She still couldn't hear where the noise was coming from. By some sort of grace, at the door of her room, she turned to see her youngest granddaughter half in the room, holding up the window and lamp. Her only statement "My goodness! What are you doing there!?"

Time

2008-09-19T21:05:00.002-05:00

One of the best and worst things about time is that it passes - and quickly. When I read a nightly "chapter" to my boys time passes very fast. When I spend an evening with friends, time passes very fast. On Christmas day, time passes very fast. And this crazy busy week has passed by very fast!

Since my last post I have accomplished lesson plans, half of a graduate paper, and have helped to begin a 3rd grade project on Deserts. We have also, mostly finished the work on the rent house. At least, 7/8 of the house is painted, the house dusted and vaccuumed, paint scraped off counters and cabinets, light bulbs put in, new toilet seats have been attached and a door knob added to the bathroom door. In the least, I am feeling slightly accomplished.

A Day in Our World

2008-09-17T21:56:00.002-05:00

I feel like all my creative ability has dried up with the responsibilities that are now sitting upon my husband and me. Cute antedotes and funny happenings haven't stopped occurring around me, but the time to reflect and write about the humor has evaporated before my eyes. And of course, by the time I am able to reflect and write I can't remember what was so funny.
So to commemorate how crazy my life has been (be it my fault or not) here is a rundown of my week.

1. Wake up at 5:00 and am at school until 4:00 at least every day during the work week
2. Class on Monday until 9:00p.m.
3. Tuesday Cubscout meeting after school, soccer practice after school, and the Mayor gives a commodation to scouting, so of course we go.
4. Fill out paper work for scouting
5. Husband goes to paint the rent house again. - He has been painting nonstop since Sat. Morning. I get the boys to bed, make lunches, do homework with them, clean the house.
6. Wed. - more painting, I skive off choir and help clean the rent house, come home and get boys to bed, homework done, and reclean the my house.
7. Thursday hasn't happened yet, but I have already been warned that renters will move in around 7pm and we have until then to complete painting, cleaning, repairing odds and ends and mowing the lush jungle that was formerly known as the backyard. Of course we both will be at school until 4:00 and Nathan won't be in until after that sometime.
8. Friday - Husband works football game
9. Saturday - Soccer game and scouting event that will last all day
10. Sunday - Teach Sunday School, Cubsout planning meeting and I will probably be trying to do a ton of homework during the weekend that I haven't gotten to yet for my graduate school that I thought was such a great idea last June.

My question is this. What happened to the "Leave It To Beaver" world I thought was and adult's life when I was a kid? I remember wanting to be BIG so badly as a child. Now all I would like to do is go right back to kid-dom.

Anyway, cheers to survival and to keeping my chin up. :-)

Surgery Went Well

2008-09-14T20:23:00.003-05:00

It has been a whirlwind weekend. We did the day surgery on Friday, Nathan worked a football game friday night, and since then he's been painting the inside of our rent house for all of Sat and Sun.

Now I is close to nine pm and I have finished making sure the boys' have their schoolwork in order. I still have lesson plans to do and my house isn't up to where I want the babysitter to see it tomorrow.

So, this is very short post to say that I am ecstatic about how easy this day surgery was. Aaron commented on it during our drive home. After all, the last time he went into surgery it was a four day stay in the hospital with many tubes to care for after. This time the Doc didn't even make an incision. He simply threaded all the needed materials strait up Aaron's penis and injected the Deflux strait into his urethra. The fact this can be done is simply amazing. Saturday we had great day. We were completely dry between three hour caths. Today, it didn't work so well, and I am wondering if we are still experiencing bladder spasms from the UTI. It is a wait and see game from here on out. I am just praying this works well enough to keep from having to eventually do a bladder augmentation.