Monday, April 19, 2010
Movie Monday - Spaghetti
Miles is like a sponge. Tonight for dinner we had spaghetti (thanks to the leftovers that Nana and Papa had left at our house. A few weeks ago I noticed how Miles was eating his noodles - he was copying off of us! So tonight I got it on film because I think it is pretty clever. I'm partial though. :)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Your forever "eomma"
There has been a lot about adoption in the news lately - first the missionaries in Haiti and then the mother who sent her child back to Russia with a note. It really has me thinking. I think about how others must see our family - it is obvious that one of my sons is adopted and that the other son looks just like his father. I am conscious about how that appears....especially when someone asks me if I'm "babysitting". (Yes, it just happened at the international food market a few weeks ago.) It is easy for me to get flustered or angry when someone talks about me "saving" a child, or asks imposing questions about my decisions....but I don't want to get angry. I want my children to see me approach these questions completely unfussed. I want to appear cool and cavalier....because these questions don't matter. What others wonder, or think doesn't matter. If anything, I've been given these opportunities to point out how special each of my boys are, and to educate those around me.
There are a few things that I want BOTH of my boys to always remember...
** I don't have a choice in loving you. For me it is no longer optional. I am built to love these two little boys. I function by loving them.
** They are stuck with me forever. Both of them - they aren't going to get another mom. There may be times when they want one - like when I drop them off at soccer practice in my paint clothes, or sing along in public to whatever is on the radio, or when we go to weddings and I attempt dancing, or when they are stuck going to high school at the same school I teach at.
** Nothing you can do will make me stop loving you. You can try - although I hope you don't.
** You're probably going to have a hard time finding a significant other that I'll think is good enough.
** That my emotions are tied to your emotions. Although I love being happy when you're happy, life would be a lot easier if I didn't also get sad when you're sad, or angry when you're feeling angry. However, I also don't want you to feel the pressure to always be happy. I want to feel these emotions with them...I want to deal with what they're dealing with. I choose it.
** If they want to get their hair buzzed while I'm still alive, then they are just out of luck.
** If I could choose ANY two little boys in the ENTIRE world to raise, it would be them, hands down.
** I'm going to make mistakes, and I'm going to try to always remember to apologize for them. But, for those mistakes that I don't catch until it is too late, and I forget to apologize, I will tell you I'm Sorry now. :)
** We're in this for forever, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
There are a few things that I want BOTH of my boys to always remember...
** I don't have a choice in loving you. For me it is no longer optional. I am built to love these two little boys. I function by loving them.
** They are stuck with me forever. Both of them - they aren't going to get another mom. There may be times when they want one - like when I drop them off at soccer practice in my paint clothes, or sing along in public to whatever is on the radio, or when we go to weddings and I attempt dancing, or when they are stuck going to high school at the same school I teach at.
** Nothing you can do will make me stop loving you. You can try - although I hope you don't.
** You're probably going to have a hard time finding a significant other that I'll think is good enough.
** That my emotions are tied to your emotions. Although I love being happy when you're happy, life would be a lot easier if I didn't also get sad when you're sad, or angry when you're feeling angry. However, I also don't want you to feel the pressure to always be happy. I want to feel these emotions with them...I want to deal with what they're dealing with. I choose it.
** If they want to get their hair buzzed while I'm still alive, then they are just out of luck.
** If I could choose ANY two little boys in the ENTIRE world to raise, it would be them, hands down.
** I'm going to make mistakes, and I'm going to try to always remember to apologize for them. But, for those mistakes that I don't catch until it is too late, and I forget to apologize, I will tell you I'm Sorry now. :)
** We're in this for forever, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tomorrow is going to be......
AWESOME.
Why? Because.....
** I am going to have coffee with some good friends.
** I am going to plan a baby shower for someone that really deserves it.
** I am going to go into work and get a TON of stuff done and feel really productive.
** I am going to treat myself to a fountain Coke from McDonalds while I do it.
** I might even treat myself to an entire lunch from MickyD's.
** I am going to come home just in time for nap time.
** I am going to make Thai Chicken Noodle Salad for dinner and it reminds me of summer.
** I am going to an artist reception for my students who have done an awesome job at yet another art show this spring.
** I am going to finish watching the movie that DJ and I started, but he started snoring halfway through.
** Then I'm going to go to bed and think about how awesome my day was, and thank God for each person in my life that was put there.
Today was NOT awesome, but tomorrow is a new day, and that new day is going to be AWESOME.
Why? Because.....
** I am going to have coffee with some good friends.
** I am going to plan a baby shower for someone that really deserves it.
** I am going to go into work and get a TON of stuff done and feel really productive.
** I am going to treat myself to a fountain Coke from McDonalds while I do it.
** I might even treat myself to an entire lunch from MickyD's.
** I am going to come home just in time for nap time.
** I am going to make Thai Chicken Noodle Salad for dinner and it reminds me of summer.
** I am going to an artist reception for my students who have done an awesome job at yet another art show this spring.
** I am going to finish watching the movie that DJ and I started, but he started snoring halfway through.
** Then I'm going to go to bed and think about how awesome my day was, and thank God for each person in my life that was put there.
Today was NOT awesome, but tomorrow is a new day, and that new day is going to be AWESOME.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
My book club is better than yours....
I have a confession....I belong to a book club. Okay, that's not much of a confession, but what if I told you that it really isn't about books? It's more about a couple of women (some of my favorites out there) that get together and talk about each other, themselves, and pretty much anything but the book at hand? What if I told you that we weren't even supposed to read books every time? I know, you're jealous aren't you?
Here's how it works, each week a different person chooses the "assignment" (80% of the group is made up of English teachers). We then have a month to complete the assignment and report back on the following Monday where we sit around and munch on sweets and drink wine. We're only a little over two months in, but so far we love it. The first month my friend SS had us read the book Shelf Discovery, which talks about all of the books that we read as young women - including my favorite two childhood authors Cynthia Voigt and Judy Blume. We then had to reread one of the books mentioned in the book and bring it in along with an embarrassing picture of ourselves in jr. high. Although I could find absolutely no embarrassing pictures of myself from that time period (yeah right....more like I couldn't decide between the thousands of terrible self-portraits I performed - and kept no less!), I did find an entire box of my precious old novels. I decided to reread Deenie by Judy Blume and I was only more thrilled when I opened the front cover to find not only my name stamped inside, but also a fantastic throwback sticker of Donnie(y?) from New Kids on the Block. ANYWAYS I have lost track of why I'm writing this..... our last assignment was to make a Vision Board.
I'll be honest....I've read The Secret, and I'm not opposed to the idea of bringing positive energy my way, but I have always thought the idea of a vision board was a little cooky. (And that is coming from someone who made it through high school sports by spending time before each game envisioning the basketball going through the hoop.) We didn't have to read anything - we just had to envision our goals and fit them all onto a board that was small enough that we would want to display it in a place where we would see it everyday. My board was 26"x30" (not small) and has been hidden in the corner every since our meeting three weeks ago.
I put a lot of thought into my vision board. I did research - i.e. If you want washboard abs then you don't want to put something that says literally - "Fight stomach fat" because you'll actually be attracting stomach fat. It's a dangerous game, these vision boards. :) Also, I didn't want to put things on there that I knew would happen, or things that were just plain crazy. (i.e. I know we're going to have more children - no matter how we decide to go about it, but it would be just plain crazy for me to say I want above mentioned wash-board abs (mostly because I don't want the work that goes along with said "abs")). However, I must say that this assignment couldn't have come at a better time. Just when I feel like my dreams have to sit on the back-burner, and have Idisplaced the time to pursue them - even losing the interest and inspiration behind them, I NEEDED this assignment. I NEEDED to have to think about my goals and the actuality of them - the reality of them. I NEEDED to lay it all out on a giant piece of foam board in front of me so that I could see what was worth pursuing, and what my heart actually wanted.
Most vision boards I think are meant to be secretive....but not mine. I'm putting it out there now - mostly for two reasons. First, because I want my children to see that their mom has goals outside of just being a mom and wife and teacher. I want them to know that I believe in dreams and goals. Second, because I want to be held accountable. It's easy to get sucked up into everday life - who would even consider that my creative side is suffering except myself? I figured if I put it out there on a public spectrum, then it will remind me that I am in charge of making it happen.
The best part of making this vision board was deciding what WAS important to me...what I really wanted. Do I believe all of these things could possibly happen? Sure. Do I think I need a vision board to do it? Nah. But it is fun to have it documented all the same. And the best part was when I walked into the bar we were meeting at with my ginormous board of dreams. No shame. :)
Here's how it works, each week a different person chooses the "assignment" (80% of the group is made up of English teachers). We then have a month to complete the assignment and report back on the following Monday where we sit around and munch on sweets and drink wine. We're only a little over two months in, but so far we love it. The first month my friend SS had us read the book Shelf Discovery, which talks about all of the books that we read as young women - including my favorite two childhood authors Cynthia Voigt and Judy Blume. We then had to reread one of the books mentioned in the book and bring it in along with an embarrassing picture of ourselves in jr. high. Although I could find absolutely no embarrassing pictures of myself from that time period (yeah right....more like I couldn't decide between the thousands of terrible self-portraits I performed - and kept no less!), I did find an entire box of my precious old novels. I decided to reread Deenie by Judy Blume and I was only more thrilled when I opened the front cover to find not only my name stamped inside, but also a fantastic throwback sticker of Donnie(y?) from New Kids on the Block. ANYWAYS I have lost track of why I'm writing this..... our last assignment was to make a Vision Board.
I'll be honest....I've read The Secret, and I'm not opposed to the idea of bringing positive energy my way, but I have always thought the idea of a vision board was a little cooky. (And that is coming from someone who made it through high school sports by spending time before each game envisioning the basketball going through the hoop.) We didn't have to read anything - we just had to envision our goals and fit them all onto a board that was small enough that we would want to display it in a place where we would see it everyday. My board was 26"x30" (not small) and has been hidden in the corner every since our meeting three weeks ago.
I put a lot of thought into my vision board. I did research - i.e. If you want washboard abs then you don't want to put something that says literally - "Fight stomach fat" because you'll actually be attracting stomach fat. It's a dangerous game, these vision boards. :) Also, I didn't want to put things on there that I knew would happen, or things that were just plain crazy. (i.e. I know we're going to have more children - no matter how we decide to go about it, but it would be just plain crazy for me to say I want above mentioned wash-board abs (mostly because I don't want the work that goes along with said "abs")). However, I must say that this assignment couldn't have come at a better time. Just when I feel like my dreams have to sit on the back-burner, and have Idisplaced the time to pursue them - even losing the interest and inspiration behind them, I NEEDED this assignment. I NEEDED to have to think about my goals and the actuality of them - the reality of them. I NEEDED to lay it all out on a giant piece of foam board in front of me so that I could see what was worth pursuing, and what my heart actually wanted.
Most vision boards I think are meant to be secretive....but not mine. I'm putting it out there now - mostly for two reasons. First, because I want my children to see that their mom has goals outside of just being a mom and wife and teacher. I want them to know that I believe in dreams and goals. Second, because I want to be held accountable. It's easy to get sucked up into everday life - who would even consider that my creative side is suffering except myself? I figured if I put it out there on a public spectrum, then it will remind me that I am in charge of making it happen.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Our Zoo Date
On Saturday Dustin was busy with a conference for most of the day so I decided to take the boys to the zoo. We had a lot of fun and I thought I'd share a little photo essay of our fun day........
Here is a view of our sweet double stroller that I get very excited about anytime anyone wants to talk about it. I think it might have something to do with the clever engineering and all of the different ways the two seats can be configured - I'm a sucker for puzzles. Anyone with two kids close together - I highly recommend it. :)
This is the first (and only) picture I got of Miles actually facing the camera....
The typical view from behind my camera - Miles running off to the next exhibit. We made it through the African exhibit in record time. It's a good thing we're members - it makes me feel a lot less guilty about running through the entire zoo. :)
Afterwards we walked to the park to hang out for a bit and enjoy a nice snack.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Bubye Spring Break....
I'm not sure if I've ever been so sad to see a spring break bite the dust as I am right now. I'm sure part of it is because this is one of the latest spring breaks I've ever had, and therefore the best weather for such galavanting as spring break surely entails. Or perhaps if it is because I've actually enjoyed this week way more than I enjoyed my entire maternity leave this winter (which I believe has a LARGE part to do again with the weather). The boys and I got into a routine and we had a lot of fun together. Like I mentioned in the last post, spring break is TOTALLY different than it was during my carefree childless days, but different doesn't mean good or bad....just, different.
The days of productive week-long breaks are well behind us. I can't even really tell you if I got anything accomplished this past week - it is such a blur. I can tell you what I didn't get done.....I didn't get the house spring cleaned. I didn't get a single piece of jewelry made. I didn't write out a single lesson plan. And I didn't edit a single photo for any of my clients.
What did I do? I went on walks every day. I kissed ouchies. I took naps. I ate lunch with a very worn out bear and monkey. I blew bubbles. I ate elaborate and drawn out breakfasts. I raced cars and trucks outside. I went to the zoo. I had a picnic in the park. I changed a lot of diapers. I pulled out all of my summer clothes. And I jumped in mud puddles.
Being a working mom is miserable and rewarding at the same time. Sometimes I feel guilty that I get to take a week like this past one off, when other working moms and dads don't. If I could have one wish for the world it wouldn't be world peace (I've pretty much given that one up). It would be that everyone got a spring break to feel refreshed and alive. And who knows, it might just lead to world peace.
The days of productive week-long breaks are well behind us. I can't even really tell you if I got anything accomplished this past week - it is such a blur. I can tell you what I didn't get done.....I didn't get the house spring cleaned. I didn't get a single piece of jewelry made. I didn't write out a single lesson plan. And I didn't edit a single photo for any of my clients.
What did I do? I went on walks every day. I kissed ouchies. I took naps. I ate lunch with a very worn out bear and monkey. I blew bubbles. I ate elaborate and drawn out breakfasts. I raced cars and trucks outside. I went to the zoo. I had a picnic in the park. I changed a lot of diapers. I pulled out all of my summer clothes. And I jumped in mud puddles.
Being a working mom is miserable and rewarding at the same time. Sometimes I feel guilty that I get to take a week like this past one off, when other working moms and dads don't. If I could have one wish for the world it wouldn't be world peace (I've pretty much given that one up). It would be that everyone got a spring break to feel refreshed and alive. And who knows, it might just lead to world peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)