Where is the mitten? The Boy asked as he looked out the window of the plane as we made our landing approach. I have been pointing out the state of Michigan on the map for weeks. The kids (and anyone else from Michigan) can always pick it out since it looks like a mitten. He finally decided the "clouds must be covering it up".
Me and the kids went up North to visit my Grandmother, my Aunt, my Uncle and my cousins. We hadn't been up to visit in over three years. It's hard to believe.
I was worried about traveling with the kids by myself, but it was relatively painless. The kids each had their backpacks full of "surprise" stuff. The long lines here at home didn't seem to bother them. As we lined up in the security line they each pulled off their shoes and tossed their backpacks in their bins and went through security like old pros. We did wear our crocs and flip flops which made things easier. My eyes were glued to their shoes and we used the escalator-I didn't want my children maimed in a fight between their shoes and the escalator.
On our way back The Girl went through security without any help. I had a flash-forward to her heading off to hike through Europe. The hassle of flying not even a thought in her mind.
We had so much fun on our trip. We went the Detroit Zoo. http://www.detroitzoo.org/ It was a full day..a lot to see. I was surprised so many things came back to me from my childhood. The polar bears were awesome! The Penguinarium was still the same. It was like a scene from Happy Feet. I was waiting for one of them to start tap dancing.
We enjoyed the beautiful weather and catching up with family. Eating Frozen Custard. Riding 4-wheelers.
I hope we can all go next time and stay a week. There wasn't enough time! Thanks to our gracious hosts!
Monday, September 29, 2008
A little scare
Last month I had a medical scare. I went to the doctor and they sent me to have things checked out...thankfully everything turned out okay.
The weird thing is how fast life can change. The mere thought of cancer stops you in your tracks. At the same time, you are years down the road visualizing your family without you in it. Wondering if your children will remember you. Wondering what they will remember about you (now that's even scarier). Wondering what will people think when they see the crap in your closets.
Then you snap back to reality. Not wanting to get ahead of yourself. Knowing the chance of getting from here to there is statistically a long shot.
All in all, I want to live my life more intentionally. I feel I live my life like a reaction to the things around me rather than with the kind of purpose I wish I had.
The weird thing is how fast life can change. The mere thought of cancer stops you in your tracks. At the same time, you are years down the road visualizing your family without you in it. Wondering if your children will remember you. Wondering what they will remember about you (now that's even scarier). Wondering what will people think when they see the crap in your closets.
Then you snap back to reality. Not wanting to get ahead of yourself. Knowing the chance of getting from here to there is statistically a long shot.
All in all, I want to live my life more intentionally. I feel I live my life like a reaction to the things around me rather than with the kind of purpose I wish I had.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
God's word
A day in the life...
Monday we were on our way to soccer practice. The Girl was reading a Bible story to the Boy. The Boy was not happy with the selection. He asked her to read something else..said this story was boring...then when his request was not granted...began hitting and scratching her. All while I am trying to drive.
Of course, she retaliated..hitting and yelling. Finally, mid swing she says, "Stop. I hate You! You need to stop. I'm trying to read God's Word".
Monday we were on our way to soccer practice. The Girl was reading a Bible story to the Boy. The Boy was not happy with the selection. He asked her to read something else..said this story was boring...then when his request was not granted...began hitting and scratching her. All while I am trying to drive.
Of course, she retaliated..hitting and yelling. Finally, mid swing she says, "Stop. I hate You! You need to stop. I'm trying to read God's Word".
Book 'em
Yesterday, The Boy had an unscheduled trip. On our way home from preschool, he repeatedly wiggled out of his seat belt. After telling him to buckle up several times, I finally cashed in on a something I'd been threatening for quite a while. I told him if he didn't put his seat belt on correctly, I was going to take him to the police station. He did not comply, so I drove him to the station.
At first he refused to go in, but I picked him up and carried him to the reception desk and asked for a police officer. One was sitting close by and asked what I needed.
I explained that my son repeated unbuckled in the car and often unbuckled his sister. The officer took my cue and played "bad cop". It's safe to say there was a little interrogation followed by a serious reprimand. The police officer asked his name, age and if his mother had told him to wear his seat belt. The Boy ignored the first two questions, but quickly informed the officer that his mother had NOT told him to wear a seat belt. (I guess that settles it...it's all my fault). The officer didn't bite. He asked him again..."Your mother hasn't told you to wear your seat belt?" "No" he replied again. The officer then took another approach. "Boy, you'd better wear your seat belt. I wear mine. Your mom wears hers. Your mom will get in big trouble if you aren't wearing your seat belt. And if your mom brings you here again and you're not wearing your seat belt, YOU are going to be in big trouble. Do you hear me?" He did answer "Yes Sir" and we left.
Oh , was he mad at me. He told me that I was going to jail. He told me he was embarrassed. He told me "I thought you were taking me to the grocery store".
Did our field trip pay off? Who knows. Only time will tell.
To be honest, I was a bit surprised that the officer was so stern. Although I was grateful.
At first he refused to go in, but I picked him up and carried him to the reception desk and asked for a police officer. One was sitting close by and asked what I needed.
I explained that my son repeated unbuckled in the car and often unbuckled his sister. The officer took my cue and played "bad cop". It's safe to say there was a little interrogation followed by a serious reprimand. The police officer asked his name, age and if his mother had told him to wear his seat belt. The Boy ignored the first two questions, but quickly informed the officer that his mother had NOT told him to wear a seat belt. (I guess that settles it...it's all my fault). The officer didn't bite. He asked him again..."Your mother hasn't told you to wear your seat belt?" "No" he replied again. The officer then took another approach. "Boy, you'd better wear your seat belt. I wear mine. Your mom wears hers. Your mom will get in big trouble if you aren't wearing your seat belt. And if your mom brings you here again and you're not wearing your seat belt, YOU are going to be in big trouble. Do you hear me?" He did answer "Yes Sir" and we left.
Oh , was he mad at me. He told me that I was going to jail. He told me he was embarrassed. He told me "I thought you were taking me to the grocery store".
Did our field trip pay off? Who knows. Only time will tell.
To be honest, I was a bit surprised that the officer was so stern. Although I was grateful.
Visit with Big Daddy
We had a wonderful time last weekend when Big Daddy, my father-in-law, came to visit. I loved having his company through carpool duty and various other tasks. We surprised The Girl and met her for lunch. Big Daddy got to meet the teachers and see the school. Everyone was on their best behavior...thankfully.
The weekend was filled with Soccer. Friday night game for The Boy and Saturday morning game for The Girl. The weather was stifling. It desperately needed to rain but never did. The kids enjoyed their games, although the skill level of the competitors put ours to shame. This week both kids will have practice, so the next games might be better. The Girl had never played a game of soccer before and all of her practices were rained out, but she still was willing to give it a try. She did a great job.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Soccer Anyone?
The weeks are starting to get busier and busier. Soccer started this week. The Boy had his first game. He was giddy with excitement. After a slow, unsure start, he was running with the pack of three year olds chasing the ball. He scored three of the five goals.
You could see the kids wondering "is it okay if I TAKE the ball from the other kid". Parents spend so much time telling kids to share...now we're yelling "take the ball" from the side lines. Some kids responded much better than the others. Some ended up on the sidelines sucking their thumbs and twisting their hair...the pressure must have been too much. One kid who was getting tired of running, got his sister's chair and plopped it down in the middle of the field and took a seat.
A few times, when The Boy got close to the goal but overshot it, he'd ball up his hands into fists and push it with the top of his hand. I guess that wasn't "touching" the ball in his mind.
The Girl and her dad passionately yelled from the sidelines. Their shared competitiveness was a bit disturbing.
You could see the kids wondering "is it okay if I TAKE the ball from the other kid". Parents spend so much time telling kids to share...now we're yelling "take the ball" from the side lines. Some kids responded much better than the others. Some ended up on the sidelines sucking their thumbs and twisting their hair...the pressure must have been too much. One kid who was getting tired of running, got his sister's chair and plopped it down in the middle of the field and took a seat.
A few times, when The Boy got close to the goal but overshot it, he'd ball up his hands into fists and push it with the top of his hand. I guess that wasn't "touching" the ball in his mind.
The Girl and her dad passionately yelled from the sidelines. Their shared competitiveness was a bit disturbing.
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