Happy Heavenly Birthday!

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:1-4

It was 5 years ago today, oddly on a Monday, that I was awoken after a fitful night of semi-sleep by the stinging ring of the phone at 5:30 am. I was not surprised, but rather felt a rush of relief run over me, while at the same time great sadness. We'd been anticipating this moment for days, weeks, months.... possibly even a couple years. It was the hospital informing us that my father had finally passed from this earthly life into a new realm, known only to us by a few vivid pictures revealed to prophets and followers of Christ - heaven.

My father, by earthly measure, is but a babe walking the streets of gold, sitting at the feet of Christ, joined by those who have gone on ahead of him. While he is so young up there, I marvel to think of the knowledge gained in the first moment in His presence, the peace, the health, the love that must be in that place. The awe, the reverence, the sensory overload. When I think of my dad in heaven I am overwhelmed by the "thing" that was done for me so that I might someday join him. I am filled with humility, thankfulness and every kind of emotion towards a God who chooses to pursue each and every one of His creations to be reconciled through the gift of His son on the cross.

February 22 was my dad's earthly birthday, and while I'll always remember that day, this one is far more important to me now. It's the day we made a very important deposit in Heaven, when our earthly hearts broke and set in place a heavenly mindset unlike I've ever owned before. I would love to have my father here with me again, but in my heart I understand that we were created for an even higher purpose and plan than I can fathom. I cannot attest to the fading memory others have spoken of because for me my father is as clear a memory as if he were still here! His memory now offers me a hope and a future in a place far better than here.

1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits^[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Revelation 4

Love, Deanna

Dear Daddy,

So much has happened since you've been gone. There's no way I could write it all in one letter, but I'm sure you understand. Here are some of the highlights!

The year you left us, Skyler was born. She was truly a gift from above as she reminded us of the gift of life when our hearts were broken by your death. She was a tiny little peanut - still is! - but with a big, stubborn mind. Her mommy has met her match! The following year she gave us quite a scare, contracting bacterial meningitis. In the backs of our minds, we kept saying to you, "You can't have her! We want to enjoy her for a lifetime!!" We won, and she's still here, ruling the roost down in Savannah.

A couple years later, your first grandson was born. He was NO peanut, let me just tell you! And he's got some lungs to match his stature. Brendan will not be ignored and if S didn't meet her match the first time around, there's back-up! There are so many things about those two that remind us of you. Brendan's love for food and his Lovegren glare. Skyler's intellectual bent and her piercing eyes. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't all wish you'd had the chance to meet them!

On the homefront, I'm doing just what you told me to do. I'm keeping busy! I even pick up odd jobs here and there and every time I read the want ads (like you taught me), I can see your proud, approving smile. I still think I should call you every time we make a big purchase, are expecting a big storm or just want to meet up with mom somewhere. I also still can't believe it when I forget that you're gone. People have told me that would fade, but it really hasn't. Sometimes it just feels like you're right next to me or in the next room (watching TV!). Most of time, I just feel like you're a phone call away.

Speaking of TV. you should see the nice TV you have now - I mean, that your son has! =) He has taken over your remote control and has talked mommy into some pretty nice technology. She even has a laptop now! D & J... well, let's just say that we're all still waiting on Doug. ;-) You remember what that was like, don't you? I might have more news for you in another 5 years!

My girls still miss their Pabu. We've discontinued our stops at Pilot for M&M's, we still check the weather before we venture out and we still enjoy taking turns in Pabu's chair. Kt - you would be so amazed by her. She studying one of your favorite subjects right now - Ancient Egyptian Civilization. She's even using your Pharaoh books! I really wish you were around to help her make a scale model of a pyramid (like the Mount Vernon you made for S;-)). Kt still remembers you dearly and her deepest desire is to make her grandmother move next door so she can take care of (pillage!) her!

Em doesn't remember you so much anymore, but she can recount any number of stories we've told her about you. While she doesn't remember, she is so like you in so many ways it's eerie. Em is intuitively attached to all weather events and stories. She faithfully listens in the morning for temps and is sure to inform each of us of any impending storm warnings. She also has a unique sense of her individuality, keeping firm in her belief that it really doesn't matter what the norms are, she's her own normal. (I keep waiting for her to happily go off to school in inside out shirts or mismatched shoes!) Em also shares the twinkle in your eye - it's the warmest thing on her most days, and my heart leaps when I see it because for me it's a glimpse into my father's eyes.

Finally, mommy. I know she told you that she would never go anywhere ever again without you around, but we've taken it upon ourselves to disprove that prediction. Since you've abandoned her, we've taken her to Disney World (of course!), Hilton Head, California (Disneyland!;-)), D&J to Montreal and other places around here. Most of the time we've driven or flown her.... she pretty much takes us, though! This summer, she's embarking on one of your dreams - and Alaskan cruise. (She turned down a trip to Hungary with us to go for that one!) You would be so proud of her in so many ways. Actually, you'd be amazed. Life has not been easy, but she's had the most positive attitude towards it all. She is living life to it's fullest despite the lonliness - and most of the time I think she's pretty happy.

There are many other things I could tell you, but really I'm just thankful that we had you around as long as we did. We all miss you dearly but look forward to joining you someday. Until then, we have lots of living left to do and we rest in the belief that you are in a better place, warming up the sofas for us! Don't worry about mommy - we've got her covered. In fact, we're fighting over her all the time. You taught us to value her, respect her and love her unconditionally - and it's a good thing you did that.

Miss you and love you lots,
Deanna

Bottomless Pit

I think our house is really just a bottomless pit of kid junk. I'm sure my junk is in there somewhere, but it seems as though the surface, the volume and the bottom of every pile has a K or E on it somewhere. It's endless, it's contagious, it multiplies exponentially and as hard as I work to eradicate it, it's like Kudzoo.... there is just no end to it. Even when I give in and throw it all away I find more. How does this happen??? I ask myself, as I sit here on the sofa with a birthday party "goodie" bag next to me... that's only the beginning! ;-S

Congratulations, A&F!

Yesterday, T and I had the privilege of attending an amazingly fun celebration - the wedding of the couple we went through some months of pre-marital counseling with. Aside from the typical pre-wedding craziness, the day could not have been more perfect, more fun, and incredibly emotional. I am so excited for this couple, in ways I've never been at a wedding before. I don't know that I've ever been so invested in a marriage or so excited about how much potential two young people have together to change the world. I consider it an honor that they chose to involve us in the way that they did and am so excited to watch them grow together!

In Like a Roadrunner?

So, the first day of March. It's a funny weather day - beautiful looking from inside, fiercely cold and windy outside. I wouldn't say it came in like a lion or lamb, but maybe a roadrunner. You'll just be walking along and then this huge gust of wind brushes by, almost like something went speeding by you. So, if it's in like a roadrunner, will it be out like a turtle? Who knows!!

Happy Leap Day!

What a strange day.

Back in the Olden Days

I was chatting with a friend last night on google chat about life before computers or the internet, a life this person never experienced the same way some of us did! She then made some comment about how I walked to school uphill both ways with shoes that were too small.... and I said, "Well, I did!" She probably thought I was kidding, but I really wasn't!

Other than the fact that I grew up in Connecticut on the "Gold Coast", I would never have considered our family rich by any stretch of the imagination. When I was younger, my mom stayed home with us and my dad was a teacher. I wore hand-me-down clothes or sometimes clothes my mom made (not as uncommon as it might be today!) and I'm sure I wore plenty of shoes that were too small for me.

We were "walkers" and each day, with a group of kids from my street, we walked about a 10 minute walk to school. It really wasn't far at all, in fact, you can look down our small street and see the rather large, ominous "Ratfield Penitentiary", our petname, up on it's little hill. Having lived on "Church Hill" with only one house separating mine from the church, you might imagine the hill it sat on. We basically descended, crossed a busy road, walked down a side road, crossed a smaller street and then either walked up a small hill or a huge stairway to get to school.

On the way home, we descended those same steps, retraced our route and huffed and puffed all the way up the church hill, being ever so careful not to step on any cracks lest we break our mother's back! On the way up, we'd occasionally stop with our own back breaking backpacks to rest on people's yards (nowadays, we'd have been arrested for that!). When we finally reached the top, we'd cross the street at the top of the hill, unattended, and head for home. It's a journey that I doubt kids make alone these days, but we did that every day.

What was the worst thing about walking uphill both ways in small shoes? Probably the fact that it was close enough that my mother rarely felt the need to pick us up, even in the rain and snow. Other kids who lived farther would have cars waiting for them on those days. So many cars that I don't think my mother wanted the hassle of figuring out where to park. Not to mention, she had my little (annoying) brother at home! So, we conveniently had "rubber boots", you know, the kind that you put over your shoes. Well, maybe you don't know! LOL

Of course, all this was back before weather.com, before my mom spent any amount of time doing anything resembling blogging or surfing the net. You know, back in the olden days.....

Planning Ahead

Em was quite distraught all day today about her beta fish. The fish bowl needed cleaning and she was worried her fish might die - a bit melodramatic! She burst through the door this afternoon sobbing that she had so much homework (not true) and she'd never be able to do it all AND clean the fish tank with daddy.... it was quite a show, sorry you missed it!

Once we completed the dying fish that she's allergic to conversation, she and I went off to shop for dinner. In the car she says this:

"Grace, my safety patrol, told me about these window suckers that clean your windows."

At this point, I've moved on and I'm wondering why I've never heard of window suckers - I need some of those!! She continues,

"She also said we could get a filter. You know, at Petco."

Then I realized we were back on the subject of our dirty betta fish tank... UGH! I just let it go.

From there, we progress to this conversation on the way home:

Em: "If my fish dies, I want a rabbit."

Me: "Well, if you get a rabbit, you will have to take care of it yourself. I can't help you because I'm allergic to rabbits and so is your sister."

Em: "Well, OK, if I can't get a rabbit, how about a snake?"

Me: "Uh, I think you need to ask your dad about that."

Em: "Maybe I shouldn't get an animal that I'm really afraid of. That might not be a good idea."

FINALLY, some semblance of reason!

Em: "How about a horse?"

Thank goodness we got that tank cleaned tonight! =)

Quiet

I'm surprised it's been so long since I've written on here. Being an ISTJ, I've written many a blogpost in my mind, just haven't gotten around to actually typing it in here. Sometimes for me, when it's done in my brain it's done.... sorry!

Here's what I've got cooking:

1) 24+? members on our Hungary team, traveling to Vienna, Austria, on to Sopron, Hungary to run a program for European church planters' children while they attend a conference, meeting up with the Cameroon team of 15+? in Paris. Last night I spent a good deal of time hunting down Youth Hostels for our large group. Honestly, the prospect of staying in one with my children give me the willies.... but the Holiday Inn T's Cameroon team stayed in 2 years ago at the airport - they were awesome! - can't accommodate that many. I understand, but it still makes me sad. T won't let me call Disneyland Paris... I wonder why? hehe

2) T's and my anniversary (15 years!) is July 30. We'll be somewhere in Hungary for that, taking care of about 50 kids. So.... we are doing something we've never done before. Hard to believe! but my mom has graciously agreed to spend the beginning of her spring break with our girls so we can escape to Florida, namely Miami, hopefully Key West.

3) Trying to get back into a workout routine, but I'm just not a cold weather person. It's been a real challenge for me. I'm not a very disciplined person to begin with, unless I have built in something. I haven't done that here, but it needs to be done!! This week, Aspercream and Advil have been my two best friends! =)

4) Summer camp.... why do we have to sign up so early?

5) Wedding.... our premarital counseling guinea pigs are getting married this weekend, and with last weekends bad weather and everything from last Friday being pushed back, organizing that has been crazy. Now all we need is to throw in something like the stomach flu, which is making a comeback all over the girls' school. YUCK!

I promise a much more entertaining next entry... just thought maybe I had some 'splainin' to do!

Wet Day?

Well, the girls are home, everyone's home!! There is less than an inch of snow outside, slick driveway, wet streets. Hmmm.... someone's going to pay for this if that's all we get!! It's not even drizzling outside. Nothing, nada, nunca! At least I got to sleep in! =)

Winter Storm Warning

We are no longer watching, but forewarned about our "big snow event" tonight into tomorrow. I'm hoping it doesn't happen, but assuming it will! I'm still making my kids go to bed on time tonight because the last time they said this we woke up to nothing!! Another time, it just rained!!! So tonight, I'm sure with their pajamas on backwards, it's off to bed while visions of snow days are dancing in their heads...

Morning Madness

Our morning started out just fine. T made eggs for everyone, I made lunches, the girls were up and ready early, backpacks ready to go. At 3 minutes to 9, Em says to me, "My parent tooth and my baby tooth are still in my mouth." She has been mentioning this "parent" (or adult) tooth for a couple days, so I asked to see it. Sure enough, it was coming in way behind that baby tooth. I told her we'd have to get that baby tooth out soon and she asked how. I said, "Just keep wiggling it until it's loose enough. If we don't get it out, the dentist will have to."

I'm not sure if she took "soon" extremely literally or if the word dentist scared her, but she went and pulled the tooth out right in front of me! Blood everywhere, crazy look on her face, running to the bathroom, lots of paper towels.... it was quite a scene! Almost prime time TV quality in my opinion! Em now has a gaping red hole where that little tooth was. I sent her off to school (I cannot believe we actually made it to the bus stop!) with a paper towel. Clean - the others are all in the garbage, in the aftermath of our morning madness. For all the whining she does, that child sure does have a high tolerance for pain! The only thing she said was, "I'm totally shaking!"

Not Your Parent's College!

The WP ran an article today about my parent's alma mater, The King's College. When they attended back in the '60's, the campus was in Briarcliff Manor, NY in an old golf resort turned college. It was a BEAUTIFUL campus. Through the years, they lost that property, tried to move to another location and eventually relocated in the Empire State Building. Strange, but it's nice that it's still alive, so to speak. I'm really surprised to see an article about them in DC, but kind of fun. Interesting to see the history of that college moving from suburban liberal arts to completely urban college.

As a side note (that any alumni from that era would appreciate) my aunt sent me my father's freshman initiation beanie from Kings. As a joke, my brother hung it in my kitchen and I haven't taken it down yet, despite repeated outcries from my mom to throw that horrid thing away, as it holds some awful memories for her. They have nothing to do with my dad, but everything to do with some kind of abusive ritual.... sorry mom, just can't bring myself to throw away a piece of family history! LOL

Birthday Update

So.... snow it did, ruin my birthday it did not! My day started out by T and the girls making me breakfast in bed - twice! T made his first fried egg (forgot to flip the first one and had to make me another!) and the girls were both up and dressed before 8:30 - that was two miracles before I even got out of bed. Oh, did I mention I got to sleep in a bit?;-)

Once the girls were off to school, T and I went shopping. A small miracle - I found a dress for a wedding, no small feat! And we only went to one store. Funniest moment of the day: T asking me if that had taken care of my shopping bug. LOL - men know nothing about women - 'nuf said!

From there, we ran a couple errands then had lunch at Mimi's Cafe. It was really good - we were both pleasantly surprised. We brought home the worst thing on the menu I could find - Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie - YUM! There's still half of that thing in the fridge. Between the two of us we could only eat half. We did that while watching my first birthday present, Becoming Jane. That was not the movie I thought it was, but it was still good. I'm not sure why I thought it was about a Jane Austen book club or something - is that another movie?? Weird....

After that... oh, wait. I forgot. While we watched that movie it was snowing outside. We got about 1/2 an inch total and the roads stayed pretty wet. That was nice - no big mess, buses getting stuck or anything...

Once the girls came home, we got started on dinner. We skipped gymnastics, mostly because we just forgot! Oops! Then fondue for dinner - that was an experience! Note to self: next time we have fondue with the girls, prepare something you don't have to patiently wait for so those savage hungry beasts will not whine all through dinner!! We enjoyed our dinner as well as our chocolate fondue dessert. Now the girls know why they've never had that here before. Hehe.

After dinner, showers and hair (wouldn't be a birthday if we didn't all get our hair done!), I got my presents. From Kt a Vera Bradley purse - my very first one! I love that (although I'm thinking of exchanging it for a smaller size with Kt's help!) and a 'Lil Kinz Webkinz from Em. I need that like a hole in the head, but she was so sweet getting that for me. Her doggies mean so much to her, so it was a really cute gift, especially coming from her.

Now, I'm writing and T is playing the Wii. I think he enjoyed his day off as well, especially considering it wasn't even close to being the full day of shopping I'd predicted! I'm now finishing up my laundry because I must have clothes for tomorrow. Thanks for all the well-wishes, everyone. I hear the eclipse tonight was awesome - I was too cold to go out (I'm such a winter wimp!), but I sent T out for a look. Kind of a fun birthday thing.... if only it was a bit more, er, tropical outside!

One last thing - my friend, Jeremy, who I only know from blogging, have not actually met, posted this on his blog - and it was the best birthday laugh ever!! Enjoy! Thanks JDR!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Snow Advisory

SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A SNOW ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EST THIS EVENING.

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL SPREAD SNOW ACROSS NORTHERN VIRGINIA... AND NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND LATE THIS MORNING...AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE WESTERN WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE SUBURBS BY NOON...AND THE WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METRO AREAS DURING THE EARLY AFTERNOON BETWEEN 1PM AND 3PM. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED. HIGHEST SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE ACROSS NORTHERN MARYLAND ALONG THE PENNSYLVANIA BORDER. SNOW WILL COME TO AN END THIS EVENING.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Yes, folks, 'tis true!! The snow's acomin' and there's nothing I can do!!

Incremental Improvement

6am 26°F Feels Like 20°F

9am 31°F Feels Like 24°F

12pm 37°F Feels Like 30°F

3pm 38°F Feels Like 31°F

6pm 38°F Feels Like 31°F

9pm 33°F Feels Like 23°F

I'm noticing a tiny rise in predicted temperatures, but not enough to make it a fun day for me!! Originally, T was going to take the day off and we were going to go shopping (I just wanted to torture him a bit for my birthday! LOL), but we'll have to postpone that. I'd hate to be in the middle of trying something on only to find out my kids are being released early from school!!

So, what to do on a snowy, yucky birthday.... stay in bed all day and watch TV? I don't even know what's on TV during the day other than General Hospital. Lifetime?? Lifetime Movie Network?? Or maybe I'll just read and blog all day. Who knows.... maybe there's still time for an atmospheric miracle!

Happy Snow Day!

6am 26°F Feels Like 21°F

9am 32°F Feels Like 25°F

12pm 38°F Feels Like 30°F

3pm 39°F Feels Like 29°F

6pm 37°F Feels Like 27°F

9pm 37°F Feels Like 27°F

It doesn't get much worse than this for a birthday.

Happy President's Day!

Today was surprisingly fun! T, after working 17 hours straight this weekend, took today off. When we woke up (ridiculously late!) it was already 66* outside - YIPPEE! We showered, put on our capri pants, t-shirts and sunglasses and headed off to DC. Fortunately, the double-decker bus credit card machine was broken and we did not bring $100 cash along, so we hopped on the Metro and went down to the mall. From there, we walked over to the Smithsonean Museum of Natural History. It was a glorious 5 minute walk in the warm sun - I even thought for a minute we ought to enjoy the outdoors, but we weren't planning to stay all day!

We spent a good three hours just wandering around that museum with hundreds of tourists. I remembered at one point that many of the school up north are off this week, which was likely one of the reasons it was so crowded - that, and it is President's Day! We saw dinosaurs, mummies, butterflies, insects... fossils, totem poles, and many other fascinating things. We also spent $30 on lunch in the "cafe" (as opposed to the restaurant!) on two turkey sandwiches, 2 drinks, 2 bags of chips and milk. YIKES! That's what we get for being really spontaneous!

As we were finishing up, we noticed that people were walking around with umbrellas, plastic entombed strollers, wet hair.... Needless to say, we knew an adventure awaited us! After waiting a bit for the downpour to subside, we bolted for the metro. Totally soaked and happy we had our Crocs on (LOL), we made it to the train with minimal wetness considering BUT very cold! I guess we ought to check the weather next time!!

Speaking of weather, I guess today's surprise is a precursor of what's to come. I've been watching the calendar for weeks now and every time I've checked my birthday (this Wednesday) has been cold but totally clear. Well, tonight is a different story. They are so far calling for a full day of snow. I honestly couldn't be more depressed about that. There is nothing I want more at this point than to be anywhere that snow is the last possible thing that might happen! I'm just really, uh, wishing today had been my real birthday!

"Making Progress"

President and Laura Bush are traveling around Africa embracing the signs of "making progress" around countries who have used US aid dollars for fighting poverty, preventing malaria and AIDS/HIV programs. For all the negative things we hear about Bush, I happen to think it's a huge commitment he's made to that continent and one I'm happy to pay my taxes for. He has taken a stand on conditions in Africa - especially Sudan - that I agree with. While I've never been to Africa, I've heard plenty about it from our teams who have gone. Story after story is filled with hope, warmth, a resilience that we have little need to develop in our "safe" suburbs. We have a lot to learn about community from African nations and it's nice to know that we are helping in some small way to preserve future generations there.

Deja Vu

It's (almost) just like the old days. T's still at work. That will be going on 17 hours now. I wonder if they will buy them all breakfast?? The thing that's annoying is our dogs. One of them - the old one - has barked ALL NIGHT LONG!! So, it's bad enough that T has worked all night and gotten no sleep, I haven't slept a wink, either!! He's down there still barking, and when I let him outside he stood at the bottom of our back steps and barked. AGH!!!! Just shoot me now!

I'm really not a dog person and truth be told, I actually dream about having no dogs in this house. I'd much prefer a cat, but with allergies and asthma that is out of the question. If Em wasn't such an animal lover, I'd consider giving away these dogs today after a night like last night. Of course, I think I was the only one who was up all night.... Kt's and her friend haven't made a peep. That could be wishful thinking, though! ;-)

Ironic

For 13 years T worked for Verizon as a DBA. Each year, he'd work on my birthday weekend - faithfully! Each year, it would get worse, longer hours, more weekends. Only one year did we actually go away for my birthday (which generally falls right around President's Day weekend). This year is his first year working at his new job. So far, any weekend work has been about 1 hour. We smile about it a lot. Until this weekend.

Here it is, President's Weekend, big Oracle release. He went in at 3, things are not going well, who knows when he'll be home, then he'll be thrown off all weekend. He also does not get President's
Day off (WHAT????), so what's worse about this time around? I get to have the girls all day while he's at work. I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking I'd like to pretend it's not really my birthday at all! (Can I stay younger as well??)

Happy Birthday, Jacks!

Well, I missed it by a day, but I did at least tell her HP yesterday!! Instead of blogging, I was subbing at Mother's Day Out, grocery shopping and making chicken fajitas for our neighbor with 6 kids. Quite an undertaking. Once that was done, I settled in for a movie with Em and Kt and promptly hit the sack!

For J's birthday, my mom made her a lasagne for dinner and my brother (who wasn't able to top the car he got her last year for her 30th birthday!) got her a new laptop. NICE!! I don't think we'll be topping that at our house for my birthday next week. That's OK, we didn't do the brand new car last year, either!! LOL

I'm really glad Jack's and I have our birthdays close because I used to share it every year with my grandmother (same day) and my father (two days after mine). Now that they are both gone, I still don't have to celebrate alone - well, maybe alone, but not by myself.

The funniest story about Jacks - she makes gorgeous jewelry, and we all know it. Even T knows it, but somehow when he was setting up an account for her and we told him to use "beader" he misunderstood us and used the word "beater" - and whenever I think of that, I just crack up!! What a goof! She's not a beater at all, but we've been wondering what T was thinking!!

So, Happy 31st Aunt Jacks!

Maryland School Suspensions Up

This article mentions a rise in Maryland state school suspensions. I'm not surprised, as we now institute the "zero tolerance" policy in schools. I have to say I'm quite surprised that NOT ONCE in this piece does it mention that parents need to get involved or support the schools. No, instead the responsibility is falling on the schools and teachers to find alternate ways to change student behavior.

Personally, I believe if parents supported these decisions at home we'd see fewer behavioral problems at school. Instead, when kids are suspended the parents complain. I'm sorry, but if my child actually does some that warrants a suspension, you better believe they will be changing their behavior at school and it's going to start at home! By the way, having children who so far seem unlikely to be suspended, I'd prefer they are learning at school and the students who are not there to learn and are an interruption - I'm happy to have them suspended!! More valuable instructional time for my kids that they miss each day because of those who don't deem it important or necessary to obey.

Smiles

When your 10 year old daughter is asking you a serious question with blue lips from eating some kind of Valentine candy, it's just impossible to keep a straight face!

I Can See Clearly Now

I left work today and the sun was shining. The first words that popped into my head were "I can see clearly now, the rain (and snow, and ice) have gone"! In many ways, that song defines me. A doctor friend of mine once suggested I might have SAD, seasonal affective disorder, and I think there's some truth to that. I just get more and more depressed in bad weather.

Today, I'm feeling a bit more clear minded, level headed, happy. It's a little pathetic, but that's just the way I am. I guess I need to move to Florida or something!!

Is there a song that defines you?

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you all have an enchanting Valentine's Day today!

After our scramble to make it out the door ON TIME today (no snow or ice - yippee!), I am now sitting here, in the middle of the messiest house you ever did see. I cry, moan, beg, threaten... I guess I'm just not assertive enough. I'll be cleaning alone again. Then making dinner. Then doing homework with everyone. Somewhere in there I will go to work.

Here's what I got the girls for Valentine's Day: an American Girl heart apron (each), baking stuff for cupcakes - YUM!, a small chocolate heart and a Webkinz heart bullfrog. I think they will enjoy their Valentines!

As for dinner, I have no idea what I'll make. I'm not really motivated to cook much but I think I'll just try something new and different - of course, nobody will like it. Maybe that's why I'm not motivated!! They'd all be happier with a pizza! Then we'll make those cupcakes. Then we're watching No Reservations (after the girls go to bed!). T wanted to watch it last night, but I opted for tonight - I'm pretty sure he didn't know why. I mean, it IS Valentine's Day!

Birthday Wishes

If I could choose anything at all for my birthday, it would likely be to go on a Disney Cruise. Especially in February!! Of course, at this point, in the middle of an ice storm, I'd be happy with being anywhere warm. I loathe cold weather - snow and ice just make that loathing more pronounced! So, I just spent a little time vicariously going on a cruise while reading that lovely CNN travel article about them. Just because I'm a dreamer, I also have the Disney Cruiseline Planning DVD, so I've already chosen my cabin.=)

Too bad my husband won't step foot on a cruise ship.

Here We Go Again....

Tomorrow, Tuesday, expecting snow, I have to work, my kids are home from school (primaries).

Someone PLEASE send me to a tropical place before I freeze into a iceblock and shatter into a million pieces!

Monday Morning Funny

This morning Em crawled into bed with me - again! This is becoming a ritual. She looked right at me with those very serious eyes and said, "Mommy, I have some baaaaad news. This morning, the radio said 'For Americans, the flu shot MIGHT * NOT * WORK!" I kind of chuckled and said, "Oh, really?" She replied, "Yes!" After a short, thoughtful pause, she asked, "Are we Americans?"

At that point I was busting up, and it reminded me of this past weekend when she asked me if we were Jewish! This girl is having a major identity crisis. But here's the best part: she is now thoroughly relieved that she got to the flu mist as opposed to the shot!! (Poor Kt!)

Plans

Here's the way it typically goes down around here when we make "plans" to do something and dad's away at some Christian conference.....

Going to Connecticut - have planned this months in advance....

1. My mom's contractor called last Friday - he put a new ceiling in her bedroom on Monday/Tuesday....

2. They are calling for snow "showers" this weekend - around here, that could translate into a full-blown blizzard by that time!

3. The dog is sick.... so not calling a dog-walker to clean my house!

4. My sitter for the girls today... her daughter had a fever, and they went anyway, and of course, I couldn't leave work early!

5. My mom emailed this morning - she has a cold now, and my brother and his wife spent at least last night at her house (3 small bedrooms) because the hot water heater in their apartment died. The landlord apparently said to my sister-in-law (in Connecticut!), "Well, you have cold water!" Yup, uh-huh... have you checked the temperatures up there lately? I have.... daily for over a week! I'm not taking any cold showers up there!

6. Still no word on whether or not the landlord decided to fix that hot water heater!

7. It's almost midnight and I'm still not packed. Partly my own problem, but I've been drying the same load of laundry for 2 hours and my dryer doesn't seem to be drying anything.... and that's where all the clothes are for the trip.

Kt's friend is here, and despite all of the above we will be leaving in the am to culminate her last birthday wish, which was for one of her best friends to visit her second home. Sometimes it starts with a grain of sand, layers of irritation are added and you end up with a beautiful pearl. At least that's what we're hoping for here!!

Oh, So Sweet

This morning I rolled over in bed and saw 64* as our outside temperature - which led to a big smile on my face. I had expected that to dip at some point today, but I just tucked Em in(to my bed!) and it still says 64*. It's been a nice, warm day today. I love little winter breaks, especially when it does not require any travel!! I know it will be short-lived as tomorrows high is only expected to be around 49.

Here's what I did on this unseasonably warm day: got up with a smile, made dessert for the teachers PTA dinner, took a walk with my MP3 worship songs, showered in a warm bathroom, ran dessert over to school in a short-sleeved shirt, saw my beautiful girls, got them off the bus on their half day, spent the afternoon outside with them in the balmy but damp 70's, got them over to gymnastics in the wind, ran down to their school for a 6:45 conference and it was still 67*!, then came home. Just walked the dogs with no coat on. How sweet is that? Now I'm just hoping it doesn't all end with a tornado!!

30,000th

So, appropriately, my 30,000th visitor was my mom. At least I think it was her. She tries to stalk me on here, even goes so far as to leave anonymous comments - LOL. OK, sometimes she actually signs them "mom", but I'm thinking we might need to get her to start her own blog. Although that could be dangerous when I vaguely remember all the damage she could do to her children on one of those. On second thought, we'll just laud her as my 30,000th visitor and leave it at that! ;-)

Tarantulas

For the past couple days we've been getting quite the education about Tarantulas from Em. Last week, she had a reading book all about them and really absorbed a lot of information, which she obviously found fascinating. I happen to think it's fascinating that a first grader can gather so many facts in such a short, tiny reading book - 20 pages, 265 words! Oh, and the map.

T left last night for Florida and Em has been relentless in her concern for his safety, seeing as tarantulas live in that region! She has been warning him about them, their shape, their abilities and even the fact that they like to hide in plants much like the ones in the bedroom she assumed he'd be sleeping in at our friend's house. Every time we mention daddy and his trip, we learn one more thing about those scary, dangerous creatures.

This morning, Em crawled into bed with me and I assured her that daddy was safe in Florida AND having lots of fun. She very seriously said to me, "Well, at least he's not paralyzed!" Being 8 am and still a bit groggy, I asked her to explain to me what she meant by that. She then said, "That's what happens when tarantulas bite you!"

Never again will we be able to visit a tarantula region!

You know...

Condi, it's not to late to jump into this mix. I mean, nobody is really winning or anything! ;-)

Day Off

So, last night I put into practice something I've been needing to do - I said no. I felt a twinge of guilt, but I've been planning this whole day off thing to get my stuff done for a couple weeks. It's a much needed sabbath!

Off to bed I went, not a care in the world, dreaming of my day at the gym, then home for some relaxin....

All a dream, I tell you! I was up all night with a stomach bug, then the girls had a late open for school and now I'm ready to head back to bed. Thank goodness! I said no or today would have potentially been a train wreck - me sick, trying to find someone to watch the girls between 10-11, working with little kids and feeling really lousy.....

And the delay? I was up at 4:30 am (one of many times) and it was 35 degrees out. If there was any ice out there, I'm not sure where it was! All I see is torrential rain. Downpour. So, I guess we had a rain delay. And you know what that means? Everytime rain is forecast, Em will be asking me if there's a late open. I would bet a million on that one!!

Cathing My Breath

I have about 15 minutes before the girls arrive home. The past week has been a true whirlwind of activity. Between Kt's first band concert, Em's first sleepover party, our first official international summer trips leader's meeting, our last pre-marital counseling session with A&F.... oh, and me being asked to work yesterday when I walked into the girl's school to volunteer for the morning.... I'm whooped!

There are so many things I could say about the past week, but then there's too many. We had Bible study last night and are reading through the book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day - I'm really liking this book. It's written by Mark Batterson (?) who pastors a church that meets in Union Station, DC. Last night we talked about facing our fears, which is really a great topic for me. I was actually thinking about this blog and how when my husband and his blogging friend, Jeremy, encouraged me in the beginning, I had my rote reaction: I could never do that! I mean, who really cares about what I write or think anyway!! And that may still be the case, but in actuality I don't blog for an audience. I blog for me. And through this, just as combating many other fears in life, the things I've learned about myself and about others and especially about God are invaluable.

I'm hoping for a slowdown in all the craziness, but I don't see that happening any time soon! Tomorrow I'm returning for the poor teacher I dissed when I decided to work in second grade all day (for money!;-)), then lunch with an old friend, then pull things together for Girls Grace Adventure, gymnastics... and the list goes on. I just keep telling myself to do life - it's either that or be bored, and for now, that's just not an option!

Craziness

So, my marathon of commitments is nearly at an end. I'm surprised that I'm not as drained as I thought I'd be. I guess when we're doing things that focus on others and not ourselves it's much more fulfilling/energizing.... at least for me!

Today I took Kt to a Southern Living at Home party - really just to hang out with a friend. In the car she said, "I know what I want for my next birthday - Tony Hawk." I laughed, a person? She assured me I did not hear incorrectly. She *needs* to learn how to Ollie (?). I said, "You know, Kt, skateboarders generally have scrapes and bruises everywhere from learning/practicing all these different tricks. Her reply? "Mom, those people are serious, I'm just doing this for fun!" Yes, I did the "that makes no sense" rolling my eyes thing while she couldn't see me, but then I had to laugh, because I think I sometimes have that same mentality.

If I don't learn to say no with a little less guilt I'm going to implode at some point! I don't imagine it going down that way, because I'm just doing it all for fun! ;-)

Mommy Milestone

So, tonight was a mommy milestone, not to mention a huge one for Kt! It was her very first ever band concert!! I know my mom is probably grinning, thinking back to my first band concert, when I was a fourth grade flute player. Of course, my poor parents had to live through 17 years of band concerts, orchestra, etc. because my sister played the violin and my brother was a percussionist!

Really, I enjoyed tonight. I wasn't sure how it would go, but I was really impressed at how far all the kids have come in just a few short months. I'm so glad I convinced Kt to give it a try - she is very musical and seems to love it as much as I did!! And, of course, we ended the evening with the traditional ice cream shop visit. Unfortunately, grouchy and I (that would be Em) came home before the fun. Just a little late for that one.

I can't believe I'm a band parent!

I've Been Tagged

I think I did something similar to this, but not NEARLY as long! As usual, I won't be tagging anyone specifically. Here goes....

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? Deanna Durbin and my grandmother, whose nickname was Kay.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? When I was sick after being home with my girls, and I went to get tested for strep and the very rude receptionist basically told me to get lost because my insurance card was 1 week expired. The hospital, pediatrics and the lab techs we had seen in the past week never mentioned that to us..... I had to run home (crying the whole way because I had a fever, sore throat and a sick kid with me) to find the new cards. When I returned, she told me it was no good - she lied. I am still working on forgiving that woman!

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Well, I am a calligrapher. I like my handwriting, but I'm also ultracritical of it.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham, but I have to switch to turkey because I have high cholesterol.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Two girls.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I guess not, I don't know.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Nope, I'm not the least bit sarcastic!! PLEASE!!!! (uh huh, and if you believe that, I have a piece of swampland waiting for you in New Orleans!)

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup.

9.WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes, but it would have to be safe. (LOL)

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Lucky Charms.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Not really.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint Chocolate Chip.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I always look for a smile. If I don't get that, I'm pretty much looking the other way!

15. RED OR PINK? Pink (and green)!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm way too judgemental and it comes across as being very negative. I just need to keep my mouth shut!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I miss my dad terribly.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans and my brown cozy crocs.

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A heart shaped peppermint pattie.

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The fan on my laptop, which runs constantly. I believe this thing is eventually going to implode!

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green, in a dark variety.

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Anything fruity and tropical.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband. Or did I just text him?

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Gymnastics, ice skating and diving.

25. HAIR COLOR? Strawberry blonde.

26. EYE COLOR? Light brown.

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I'm supposed to wear glasses at night but never do. I have one eye that is nearsighted, one that is farsighted and when I'm not really tired I have 20/20 vision.

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza and chocolate.

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? 27 Dresses.

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Brown sweater.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer, or Florida in the winter.

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs - kisses are way too germy.

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brownie sundae.

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Calm My Anxious Heart

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one.

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Spongebob Squarepants and part of Zach and Josh.

38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Laughter, my girls, babies.

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones.

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hungary.

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can unicycle. Or at least I used to be able to!

42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Bridgeport, Connecticut.

OK, so that's it. I am only tagging those who actually bothered to read ALL about me - you know who you are! ;-)

Catch-up

The aftermath of having my girls home for 12 days straight is that I'm running ragged trying to catch up with life!! Doctors appointments, trips, parties.... I'm totally whooped and it's not really settling down. It seems to only be getting busier!

Last weekend, we took a group of high school seniors up north for a weekend in NYC/Connecticut. It was really fun and I think they were able to see a part of NYC that most people never see unless they live there. It was interesting to listen to them share about the things that impacted them - visiting Times Square church, staying at the mission in the Bronx, working at Genexel and serving the homeless at Abounding Grace. Of course, staying in my mom's house was also an experience! All in all, I think they all had a super time.

Now we're back, and aside from the usual work/homework/gymnastics we have Kt's very first band concert tomorrow night (and so my journey as band parent begins!), subbing in the lunch room again (always an adventure!), making dinner for our neighbor whose husband was just diagnosed with the exact same lymphoma that inflicted my father - but he's younger and has 6 children and another on the way! and Em's slumber party (hopefully!!) on Friday night. Oh, then there's our summer leaders meeting on Saturday (here) for our 4-5 trips, marriage counseling on Sunday.... oh, and I'm taking a short break to attend a Southern Living at Home party. On Monday, after I volunteer in Em's class, I'm going to collapse. OK?

I did have to say no to something I was very interested in being part of. The timing was bad, the day they chose for meetings didn't work and the more I think about it, the more I think God planned it that way. I'm not sure it was the right thing for me to participate in, so I'm gladly passing on it. It was flattering to be asked, though!=)

Well, I'm off to hunt for a black below the knee skirt for Kt's first concert. She informed me yesterday that her black pants didn't fit.... thanks for the notice! I only asked her last week, to give me more than one day to find this thing. I've started my search online and am having 0 luck. HELP!

Justice

The man I've referred to a couple times on here, who killed three people in Florida on Christmas Day, was finally arrested and charged. Drunk driving, cocaine, xanax and speeding all contributing factors. I'd say this was way overdue.

Wow. Looks like he spent a whole 24 hours in jail.

Global Freezing?

All summer long all we hear about is global warming this, global warming that.... Then winter hits, freezing cold, snow, wind chills.... I'm thinking it's more like global freezing than global warming!! Let's here it for summer, warm beaches, flip flops and sun!!! Send the warming my way, please!

Space Expedition

After our harrowing snow adventure last Thursday, we packed our house with 7 high school seniors for a brief sleepover, picked up two more college students in the morning and drove up to Connecticut. The girls and I put those poor, cold souls on the 2:22 Metro North train in to Grand Central Station and they have been serving NYC ever since!! While they have been trucking around, painting, filing, organizing clothes and serving the homeless, we've been having fun.... shopping, eating out, shopping, movies (LOL) and now we are getting ready to host them for the night in the house I grew up in. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - smaller than average, if you know what I mean!! I have to go make a couple breakfast casseroles, blow up some air mattresses, move all their stuff downstairs and then wait.

Just to give you an idea of how big God is, we got them up here in a 10 passenger van that had a broken door until Wednesday, made it through a snowstorm on Thursday to our house and found the only parking space in a sea of cars at the Fairfield train station when we arrived Friday afternoon - just steps from the station door. Any commuter would be wildly jealous of our "luck" - not to mention, the parking attendant, the nicest, sweetest man in the world was right there to let us know that for $6 we could park it there all weekend. Yay!! Now I don't have to wander out at all hours of the evening looking for them when they arrive sometime around midnight? Thanks, God!

So, tomorrow we process a bit of what they just did. I don't know if they will be coherent enough to go to church... but that's OK, because they've been "doing church" all weekend!! We have some great kids at our church - no, really, they are amazing!

Why I Believe in Hibernation

I wonder why God didn't create us to hibernate?? It really makes so much sense. Storing up food, that we would eat sparingly (think of all the money we'd save not eating out!), bundling up and not having to go out in the snow (no need for plows or shovels - just let the snow fall where it may!) and lots and lots of good sleep (everyone could catch up, then we'd all enjoy and happy, healthy summer!). Instead, we have cold to brave, snow storms to ruin all our important plans and by summer we're still trying to catch up on our sleep, and the nights are shorter!!

So, here I am, have to leave for work in about 10 minutes, haven't packed for the trip I'm supposed to leave for this afternoon because, well, it's snowing, and they are predicting ice after that and the storm is heading towards my destination. This has kind of dampered my attitude about getting ready, because instinctively, I'm ready for hibernation! In my humble opinion, nobody should be going anywhere today. We should all hunker down, bundle up, watch a good movie, have a cup of hot cocoa and let the snow fall where it may. Happy Hibernating!

"Tweens?

I had this conversation with Kt today.... and I'm just totally stunned. Is there a pill to make your kid stop getting older??

Kt: (arriving home from school) Is there ANY way at all we can wait until Saturday to drive up to Connecticut? Any way AT ALL?

Me: Why? What's going on?

Kt: Only the most popular party, all the popular kids are going and I really, really want to go!! They are going to play truth or dare and spin the bottle and I really, really want to go. PLEASE?

Me: Uh, what makes you think that I want you to go to a party where they are going to play spin the bottle?

Kt: Come on, we're not, like, 4 anymore or anything!!

Me: Do you even know what spin the bottle is???

Kt: Sure, it's when.... (she describes exactly how it's played - and it's just painful for me to listen to her enthusiasm!)

Me: What if I don't want boys kissing "or something" you? Do you really think that is OK?

Kt: Well, what if I don't play, but I just watch?

Me: What if I just say we're going to Connecticut!!

Ah.... too young to know better.

Really, though, I'm quite disturbed. Looks like I have a lot of ground to cover with this child, unfortunately. Whenever we have something like this happen, I'm kind of glad it's happening at an age where she tells me, then again I was so hoping these things would not even be on her radar until at least Middle School!! The scary thing is that I know this whole situation is driven by a desire to be loved and accepted by her peers. It doesn't really matter that she has tons of friends, she just likes that feeling. HELP!!!

Resembling Normal

Well, both girls got on the bus this morning for the first time in 12 days.... and that was having only one day after an 11 day vacation where they were both in school. That's nearly 33 days at home with my children. I need a vacation!!!

Of course, after the girls got on the bus, I scarfed down my breakfast and headed over to their school for my bimonthly 1st grade volunteering! Yup, my first day of freedom and I was in school. Hard to believe, but I guess that's life! After that, grocery shopping for the first time in a few weeks, then I sat around and waiting for my aunt to call me to come help her with her passport application - of course, she called me at 3:30.... I should have just gone to the gym!! Humph.

Kt had piano lessons, the girls did their homework, I cooked real food for dinner - yummy, nutritious meal, now I have laundry, bible study stuff and a snack to make for tomorrow, might possibly hop on that treadmill now that T moved it for me back to the one outlet in our dingy basement. It feels like we're back to "normal"!

Crazy week ahead - bible study tomorrow am, then work, dr. appointment Wednesday, then help my aunt (hope that works out better than today!), then Girl's Grace Adventure, Thursday is packing and work... then leave for Connecticut. Maybe. Still not sure about that trip. Taking the seniors to NYC, T is. Maybe. That's kind of how it always is around. "Normal"!

I put together a card last night... finally.... so we can send out our Hungary Thank Yous. It's kind of late to do that, but the whole thing was a lot to process and it's fluid. Looks like we might go back this summer. When we decided to go last year, I told everyone that it was not something we'd do every year. Taking the whole family on a missions trip is a huge undertaking. Well, looks like we might try that again. "Normal"! I eat my words.

Gotta run. Lots to do. Hopefully I can fit a couple blog posts in there this week. "Normal"!

Christmas Day Tragedy Update

I've still tried to follow this story. A Florida blogger posted this about the same accident. Elsewhere in another post on her blog someone left a comment to the effect that Belniak (the driver of the truck that "pulverized" the Tahoe) is the brother of the assistant state DA. There was a suggestion that having that connection is what is contributing to the delay of any charges in this case. That just seems utterly objectionable to me consider what this mad did!! Do connections like that literally allow someone to get away with murder?

The Pinnacle of Unmotivatedness

OK, probably not a word, but for me, today it is! Today is my throw in the towel day, my "I totally give up!" day and my "I don't want to do ANYTHING!" day. I'm home for the 9th day in a row with a sick child, barely got the first one on the bus AGAIN, canceled the birthday party of the century planned for tomorrow, and made a doctor's appointment for myself for this afternoon to see if I'm somehow contracted strep as well. I mean, 9 straight days with strep kids - how can I not have it, right??

I have yet to make it back to the gym, still have a few Christmas decorations to take down, need to get started on mounds of laundry. Instead, I'm just a bit annoyed, dejected and just plain unmotivated to do anything. Em is upstairs, hacking away, had a slight temperature of 100 this morning - so I kept her home again. Of course, now her temp is normal, she was dressed and ready to go, and I know she's making a huge mess upstairs - craft time. What am I doing? I'm down here blogging. At this point, does it matter?

To make everything even more confusing, all my emails to T, which is the primary way we communicate, have bounced back. I guess his work is blocking gmail?? Anyway, all day yesterday I thought he was taking care of a few things... but he never got the messages. Just frustrating, I tell you! And his cell phone isn't even working - can't call him, can't text him, can't email him.... I might at well be a single parent at this point!!! Anyway, if you're wondering where he is as well, it's likely you're in the same boat! Happy sailing!

Bibles in the Classroom

I was reading this article this morning on Fox about a federal judge ruling that passing out Bibles in a classroom or basically anywhere on school property was "unconstitutional". It's an interesting piece, and interesting that the 4 families who brought the suit against the school system were Christian families.

First of all, this would never happen around here! It's important to note this case resides deep in the Bible belt, Missouri. While I think the anti-religion movement in public schools has gone way too extreme (where even the mention of the word "Christmas" or "Jesus" is not allowed around here!), I have stepped back a bit to realize this protection extends to my own children beyond Christianity. While I personally wouldn't object to my child bringing home a Bible from school, I might take issue if they were given a Koran or some Satanism manual. As a parent, if my children are going to be exposed to other religions in grade school (once in high school, it's going to happen on their own!), I'd like it to be my decision. So, while I think "unconstitutional" might be a stretch, since the constitution was written on Biblical principles, I do appreciate my children being protected at that young age from various religious teachings I may not agree with.

I don't blame the Gideons for trying, but there are plenty of ways to spread the Good News in the world.

Happy Birthday, Em!

Today, Em is 7 years old. She is a little sad she won't be in school for her birthday. Instead, she'll be going to work with me. How boring! LOL Poor thing -- she may not have her greatly wished for sleepover party this weekend, either. That has been her dream for a couple years.

5 years ago, Em, Kt and I were heading to Connecticut to celebrate her birthday with my parents. My dad was not doing so well, finishing up chemo, stem cell transplant and radiation, with the lymphoma taking over his body. On our way up, she threw up in the car. Illness seems to plague her on her birthdays! My father was seriously disappointed that we had to turn around at the Delaware Memorial Bridge and return home. It would have been our last visit with him at home, not the hospital.

Em tells me all the time she misses Pabu, but in the same breath will tell me she doesn't remember him at all. She just knows in her sweet little heart that she loves and misses him. So do I!! My dad love Em with all of his heart as well. They share the exact same glisten in their eyes, positive attitude about the most minute details and an intensity about things they believe in - even if it's just about the weather! Oh, they are both passionate about weather!

When Em was very young, she would sit in a chair and turn her feet around at her ankles with a silly little grin on her face - it's the same grin my dad always had while he twirled his foot around sitting in his chair in the front of the TV. I'm so thankful they met each other before my dad passed just a couple months later.

So, today we celebrate my little Em turning 7, and I can't believe how far she's come in those 5 years, plus the two she had that she doesn't even remember!!

Cruisin'

I can dream a little while I'm stuck home with my sick kids, right? I was thinking about cruises today when Em asked T for a "disinfect and protect" wipe. Yes, we're watching wayyyy too much TV these days! Anyway, it's unlikely I'll be taking a cruise, but for those of you who can consider one, CNN has a great piece on choosing a kid friendly cruise. Now, if you want to take your kids, read carefully. If you don't want to take your kids, just take note of the cruise lines that everyone with kids will be choosing! Catch my drift? ;-) Bon Voyage!

"Not Immune"

That's what they're saying.... but that's my mall AND that's where I always park! EEK! One would have to admit that over the past couple years, as the mall has added more restaurants, chic shopping and parking garages, the number of loiterers has increased ten-fold. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't feel as safe as it used to, back when Jo-Ann's was on the second floor!

Truth be told, with the addition of the movie theater, Cheesecake Factory and Nordstrom, I've completely avoided the mall at all cost... unless it's a weekday or I have a great, great need. And the last time we were there, we saw the new soft playspace they added - can we say superbug? or unattended minors?

I guess I'll be a bit more watchful about where I park, when I go and the people around me. I guess putting in metal detectors wouldn't help anything! (I'm totally kidding, folks.... I'm not that naive!) But now that I know we're not immune, I'll definitely be thinking twice about that trip to the mall!

It's A First

Yup, I'm blogging early. Actually, I've been up since 6:30 - pretty good for a non-morning person like myself. I had to run over and get some labwork done, then finished so early I ran to Wal-mart for some birthday stuff (since I'll be home all day with a sick birthday girl - strep!) and now I'm home.

I was ever so nice to wake up on a January morning, bright and early, before the sun was even up, and have that outdoor thermometer read 60!!!! Granted, it was a little drizzly and very cloudy, but those clouds made a brilliant backdrop for an amazing sunrise, let me tell you. I'm not a huge cloud fan, but the colors of the sunrise reflected off those gray clouds was magnificent. There's got to be a lesson in there somewhere, but it's too early for my feeble brain!

So, I'm now home with a few moments to spare before I go wake up child #1 and see if she's better enough to head off to school today. Poor thing, she still looked a bit ill yesterday. I'm just not 100% sure she'll make it all day. I honestly could crawl back into bed, but there's a lot to do around here if we're going to birthday!

So, Em finally did it. For the first time, she told me she's too old for something. I've seen her lose interest in things, like Barney, but she's never verbalized to me that she's just too old. So here we are, days before her 7th birthday, and I informed her that her father replaced her beloved ice cream cone toothbrush with a Dora one. She looked very forlorn and said to me, "You know, I'm just past Dora!" I replied, "Oh, you are?" She responded, "Yes. I think I'm too old for that." Anyway, we agreed that for now, with the strep an all, she needed to use Dora. But I guess I'll be picking up one more birthday gift!

I'm telling you...

Walt Disney World is NOT just for kids! ;-) (It might not even be for frugal adults!!)

OK - I'll keep going. We love Disney, but we've learned to cut some corners in the food department. We have yet to dine at any of the Grand Floridian restaurants, although we've heard they are fabulous. About the most we spend on a meal is at the Crystal Palace - which is a character buffet for around $35/person, or the last time we splurged for an African meal at Boma, which was super!! We have never eaten at a Disney restaurant we haven't liked, and we've probably only eaten at about 5% of the ones offered. That being said, who cares if ONE restaurant at Disney is not for kids. There are so many others that are totally marketed just for kids it just seems realistic that at least one is reserved for those kid-weary parents who continue to vacation in a huge kids playground.

If you are staying at the Grand Floridian and you have young children AND you're willing to spend at least $125 per person at a restaurant, save yourself the pain, get a WDW babysitter, buy your child something they like for dinner and go enjoy a quiet, peaceful, luxurious dinner. While you're doing that, I'll be hanging out at Starlight Ray's cafe, scarfing down a Ceasar salad before I run off to enjoy Buzz Lightyear. See ya! Enjoy!!

Select a Candidate

Kind of a like a "dial your winner" kind of thing. It's a bunch of questions you answer to see who aligns best with what is important to you in a presidential candidate. My top match was Duncan Hunter - who is he?? (I feel like I live in a hole or something!)

Novel Idea

Ok, this made me laugh... even today! Kids are so creative, just not always good forecasters.;-)

Life and Perils of a Mom

I kept Kt home again today - she's still pretty wiped from this whole fever/strep thing. I had super high hopes of sending her tomorrow, to the point where I was finally planning all the things I would do that I haven't had a chance to do since she got sick last Wednesday.... then I got the call. Em has a fever now, had to pick her up early. Even if I send Kt tomorrow, guess what I'll be doing all day??? And her birthday is Thursday and I still haven't finished shopping for it. I'm totally sunk. I feel like I need someone to come disinfect my entire life!!!!

UPDATE: Em tested positive for strep. I guess Kt had it after all.... and maybe this fever won't last 5 days!

Warning!

Next post is not for the faint of stomach!!

We ended up taking Kt to the ER today. Actually, T did. I rely on him to do all the doctor stuff - I hate doctors. Anyway....

Yesterday, Kt was doing much better, but today was completely different. She was back to being really sick, had a fever that even ibuprofen wouldn't touch and her glands were so swollen she could only speak in a very garbled fashion. We had thought we might take her to "Nighttime Pediatrics", a new area walk-in after hours clinic, however that place is turning out to be a problem. At 1:30 this afternoon, the earliest appointment we could get was at 6 pm. We knew from my sister's experience there that would likely have us out the door around 9.... and they won't give any kind of antibiotics unless a test says you need them.

Kt has this unfortunate problem of really large tonsils. No one has yet mentioned tonsillitis, but when we head to the doctor with them, they jump back in fright. Apparently, nothing was different at the ER today. After gawking and comforting that poor child, the doctor opted to give her an antibiotic and we decided that now would not be the best time to learn how to swallow a pill. Long story short, T nearly had a coronary trying to find a 24 hour pharmacy on a Sunday night that carries a mega dose of Erythromycin in liquid form. Due to a possible penicillen allergy, that's what we're left with. We are hoping for a major turn around for that child so we don't miss more school than necessary.

I had the dubious job of taking Em to a birthday party (that Kt had to miss). It was fun, but I had been hoping to do something like head to the gym during that party. Instead, Em decided to spring on me that her stomach hurt, and with the illness in the house.... I opted to stay there for the party trying to contact T at the ER. What an afternoon!

So, one more day at home. One more week without my regular grocery shopping trip, gym visit, volunteering in Em's class.... Cabin fever is beginning to set in. Luckily, I have a warm day to look forward to - highs in the low 60's. If Kt is feeling better at all, we are going walking together! That should be fun! As for dinner.... well, I have no idea what we'll do. Tuna?

So Not Athletic

I won't even pretend to be a tiny bit athletic!! Now, if I just knew what curling was!

You Are Curling

What you lack in athleticism, you make up for in concentration. And while curling isn't much more of a sport than bowling, you *can* win a gold medal for it!

What Winter Sport Are You?

Christmas Tragedy Update

I have continued to follow the story involving the friends of my sister-in-law. The death toll is at three now and the perpetrator is still free. While the new article is saying that charges are "imminent", I'm still wondering what's taking so long. Not even a traffic violation? It just seems so outrageous to me. How long does it take to get results on bloodwork - taken over a week ago??? I am just really confused and hoping for some justice.

I Love Chocolate

although I wouldn't consider white chocolate truly chocolate...

You are White Chocolate

You are White Chocolate You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent. Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you. You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Remnants

The crowds are all gone, now we just have to clean up behind them!! I'm still working, very slowly, to clean up after a fun couple of weeks. As usual, things have been left behind. The most obvious? The illness my sister brought along! Kt got the fever last night and is home sick today. I knew this would happen, just in time to go back to school. I guess she'll be taking an extra long holiday!! Would have been nicer if my brother had decided to leave that projection thing for the wii! =)

Back to Normal

OK, so this is a bad image (have to work on that, too, this year!), but this is back to normal site meter. Yes, you see that now that Christmas is over, all Christmas letters have been written, sent or forgotten, I'm not so popular anymore!! Hard to believe that I went from 500 to less than 50 visits a day in just a week!!

It's OK. Now my husband can relax, stop rolling his eyes and making snide comments about the Night Before Sitemeter.... back to normal, I'm just another oblivious blogger, having a little corner in the blog world all to myself again. ~sigh~

Auntie Anne's

The Washington Post has a beautiful article preceding the release of Anne Beiler's autobiography, Twist of Faith. It's a great read, fascinating and full of hope. I encourage you to read it (and they even use the word - transformation!)!

New Year

Chipped nail polish, frigid cold,
sink filled with filthy dishes
Cobwebs filling up my soul
a tangle of millions of unfulfilled wishes.

Brilliant smiles, new resolutions,
creative minds with new willingness.
Redemptive acts, the gift of life,
seasonal reminder of love's forgiveness.

TRANSFORMATION

I was driving to the gym this morning - figured I better get to work on my "list"! I was trucking along in the bitter cold, looking at my disgusting nail polish all chipped, thinking about that strange letters we were to unscramble for the Howard County Symphony of Lights mixed up word contest. I thought to myself: Why do we start the New Year in the dead of winter??

Yesterday was gorgeous, so I can't really complain, but for all those resolutions to get out and become something more than what we are, today is more of a crawl-in-bed-and-hibernate kind of day!! Although, in some ways, if I can start it now, I can certainly continue it when it gets nice out! (I hope!) It's the least I can do for myself, my kids, my savior.

2007 was awesome. Sure, there were some stinky parts - like the sewer last year, my uncle dying suddenly, T's dad having two different kinds of cancer, having no family summer vacation, adjusting to never having T available to work from home, crazy medical issues (like a quivering liver), and other really little things. For the record, there were WAY more amazing things, like our first ever family missions adventure, lots of time with family, T's new job - which is just amazing, a day at Six Flags for free!, getting a wii, healthy children, smart children, children who know Jesus. It was truly a wonderful year.

So, now 2008. Can it be a year of Transformations? Sure it can. And while I want to simplify, I'm not sure that's the answer to being transformed. Experiences transform. My mom asked me if I see the glass half full or half empty, and seriously, that question seems to me to be the most ridiculous question EVER! I mean, my answer is "it depends on what's in it!" If it's something I like, it's half full, if it's something I loathe then it's certainly half empty! Don't we all feel the same way?? Silly question.

My year will be both half full and half empty. I know there will be ups and downs, and they will equally contribute to whatever kind of transformation will occur in my life. Each and every experience, good and bad, will sharpen me if I allow it to.

Open minds, accepting hearts,
making each and every experience count.
The gift of friends, family, life,
Every corner turned, every hill we mount.

TRANSFORMATIONS.