skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Kids are so funny. They have played Scary Monsters, ran around the house playing laser tag, now they've calmed down, and Clay is reading "Oh Yikes! History's Grossest, Wackiest Moments", and Mary Claire was playing doctor with Ethan. In just the time it took to type this much, she examined him, gave him a pretend shot, and he began to cry Seriously Loudly. Then when he got a tinker toy lollipop, he tripped, dropped it, and now wants it washed. Heehee (and then she really washed it in the sink) They are creative, and I'm never bored-you will never hear those words slip through my lips.
Today was chaos at church. I always hope for it to be a nice, relaxing time with God, you know, an opportunity to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to recharge for my week. But, then we don't go alone, so I set my expectations way too high! The kids were at PRE (like Sunday School), and the north parking lot was so full (and there's no outlet!), so Ches dropped me and Ethan off at the front doors. We wriggled like salmon upstream to get to Mary Claire, then had coats, purses, backpack, folder, and beautifully decorated cross (which seriously hampered my Holy-Spirit-filling later), and had to go outside to another building to get Clay. And so it began.
His classroom was AGAIN dark and empty. It is now 10:18, and the kids get out at 10:15. Earlier in the year, they would make us wait in the hall (and we're Catholic and everyone has other kids with them in line), like sardines packed in between other parents coming and going, and moving in and out of the way so they could go out the exit door of the building-pure purgatory, in advance. Anyway, my point being, that I learned to get Mary Claire first to avoid the hallway hubbub. Well, now they are gone! This is the second time it's happened. The first time I freaked out, looked ALL over the church (bathrooms, nursery, gift shop, vestibule, up in the pews by Ches, Cry Room, etc.), and found him down in another PRE hallway (far from where he was supposed to be in his other building)! So, I found him more quickly this time, but I complained. I try to be nice, especially since it's *church*, but it's crazy! He should be where I left him, especially since we have high security, and I have to "sign" him out. The director told me the teachers go to 10:30 Mass, and they didn't want to be late. I said that I was going to be late now after trekking all over campus looking for my son! I asked if he could be in a consistent place each week so I could come right to him, but she said no. (??) She said they get out at 10:15, then they bring the extra kids to Faith Hall, in the main building. I said I had two kids to pick up, and one of them can't be picked up at exactly 10:15, so one will be a couple minutes later. Long story, but it was aggravating.
So, then the glitter. We got into church, and our journey had been all about preserving the glittery cross. We dropped Ethan at the nursery, and the cross survived the clinging child (yes, he asked to go in there), the coat-rubbings, the crowds of people, etc. When we got to the pew, I hung it around a hymnal in the book rack of the pew in front of us. It kinda got in the way when we were kneeling, but there was no better spot (it was wet and glittery after all). Well, the next time we stood up, Mary Claire didn't like her legs touching it, so she laid it on the pew. You know what happened from there. Then it was all over her dress, and she turned the dress all around to the front to check out the wet purple glitter (and gave everyone a nice view of her tights). She sat on her coat to protect the pew, but then the glitter started to dry (and harden) and bugged her, so she picked at it. She raised her hands up high (so everyone could see the beauty), and began to pick at her hands, making glitter fall down like snow. I lowered her hands, and she pulled on the glue to make stretchy-like wads between them. Then they got crusty, and she kept playing. Then she whined, wanted her dress washed, wanted to go get a drink, her throat hurt, needed to go to the bathroom, and it continued. I kept telling her to be quiet and asked if her teacher told her to be quiet all the time. She said no, and I silently thought to myself what a saint she is. The teacher, not Mary Claire, btw. It continued until the end, and it was hard. I hate it when I can't focus, it's just not the same experience. I know God knows I was trying.
I tried something new today: I let Clay go get Ethan from the nursery. It was nice! I usually talk to people all the way there, and he's the last one to leave (which makes me feel guilty). Today, we got to leave pretty quickly, and Ethan fought us all the way to the car. He wanted to go the opposite way of the van! I tried to stop, kneel down to his height, and ask where he was going, but he could just tell me, "That Way!" toward the moving cars and other parking lot. Yep, a crazy morning. I am still glad we went, but sometimes we have to adjust our expectations. I totally didn't expect a missing child and sticky purple glitter.
Hopefully if you were at church with me, you were so busy, that you didn't notice my glittery, talky experience. I hope you were filled with the Holy Spirit (maybe even enough not to judge our family?). heehee
A big miscommunication led to a really long road trip today. We had this wonderful Saturday opportunity-a whole day opened up for us to enjoy! I took my time, got the kids their baths, made sure they cleaned up their rooms, made beds (maybe this is what I enjoy? Odd.)...and then. Ches and I were having a good day (tell ya more later), and we chatted about what we'd like to do today. We decided we could take a trip-maybe Branson to pick up the First Communion dress I bought this week (well, called and paid for) at Strasberg, we could go to Tulsa and play at Kaleidoscope (the Children's Museum) and go to Pottery Barn Kids, and Ches thought maybe we should go to Fort Scott, Kansas and visit his dad's grave site. Well, who am I to weigh PB Kids over his dad?
We all got ready, and didn't leave here till about 1:45-way late for a day trip, and Ethan had been up since 6am! He was so tired, but we were just sure he'd nap in the van (yeah, we were proven wrong). We have been planning to go to Ft. Scott since last May when we didn't have time to fit it in around Memorial Day. And every day is filled with so much (especially those four-basketball-games-a-day Saturdays in the fall!). Anyway, I thought Ches really wanted to go somewhere in our still-new van, so we got flowers, a camera, snacks, movies, and books for the kids, and left. Long story short, we got there, found his stone, took pictures, taught the kids a little about a national cemetery (like that the veterans' wives are buried on the opposite side/back side of them with the headstone engraved on the back-no, I didn't know this-but Ches did), and learned that they are picking up all flowers on January 20th. Sad, isn't it? They'll only be there for four days, but we just couldn't pick them back up. They talked to their grandfather they've never met, and we said goodbye.
We got back in the car and headed right back home. Can you believe that? I can tell you part of the reason-there's not much up there. It is a very small town (well, they have a Pizza Hut you can eat in, which boggles our mind because our PH is gone!), and there isn't anything to do. So, we drove back to Joplin, ate dinner, and came home. That's it. The kids are in bed, and our Saturday is gone. It was okay, I wrote some thank you notes, read magazines, the kids read, played games, and watched movies. We just spent it confined in a van.
On the way back home, I asked Ches if he was glad he went, if he felt better after visiting. He said, "I thought you just wanted to get out of the house!" Ha. Ha. It was all a misunderstanding. I thought he'd wanted to go somewhere, and he's suggested Branson, and I'd thought he felt he needed to see his dad. So, we learned something today! We will talk-and be specific and honest-on our next free Saturday (like next year or whenever). We'd both wanted our free Saturday to be at home relaxing, but we thought the other one wanted a day out! Crazy. At least we learned something, so it was profitable.
On another note. We went back to the doctor yesterday. We went together, so I wouldn't forget anything. I won't go through the whole thing, but he told me not to worry about the time restrictions he gave me on having a child before I turn 37. That was probably the biggest relief for me. I was so worried, not knowing if he was going to tell me that my time was up, or if he would help us. I felt like it was a toss up. It went fine, after he got in there (an hour late, but I have to assume he was delivering some blessed family's baby). He is so personable and even funny. I feel like he'll do what he can to help, so we will stick it out. He ran a panel of tests, so I hope I hear how they went on Monday. He told me I could continue my baby aspirin every day (I learned WaY too much online: to remedy/help prevent problems with antiphospholipid antibodies), and take it until we hear a heartbeat (he is ever the optimist), and he'll check my progesterone next month 7 days after ovulation. There's a plan, and not too invasive, so I can handle it. He wants me to stress less this month, and not try too hard (ie: not check for ovulation or pregnancy), and just to come in for blood work if I have pregnancy symptoms.
Long story, but it's our life right now. We went out on a date last night (we needed to get out together!), and went to PF Chang's. We are not big believers in luck or fortunes, but we do enjoy getting our fortune cookies! Last month, we got "big surprises in your future" (which I complained that we did get a surprise, and a letdown, but Ches thinks the surprise is in the future still), and last night Ches got "Beginnings are the hardest part, don't lose faith". I think you can find God and your faith anywhere. Even in a cookie.
Thanks, God for placing Your words in our hands. We needed a vote of confidence and a ray of hope. ...It's hard making a decision that you feel God drew you toward, and then failing at it. It sure makes life confusing.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Girl Scout cookies are for sale! : ) We are officially open for business. They won't be in till Feb. 14th or 15th, but we are excited. It's our big fundraiser for the year, and the girls enjoy it. My sis-in-law is selling them at her office, and she sold so many last year (maybe more than Mary Claire??)! Mary claire set her goal at 200, so I just hope we can reach it! Every year it gets harder-especially in this economy. I think everyone knows it's for a good cause-it's not just for the cookies to eat. This year the NWA Children's Shelter was chosen for the Gifts of Sharing cookies (when people will buy some, but don't want them at their house to eat!). It's hard when the sale is right after the holidays, and everyone wants to lose weight. (Like me.) Let me know if you would like to order some! : )
I forget that when I shop, it requires more work and more HaNgErS! I bought some stuff for next winter, mostly for Ethan, but now I have to store it! Mostly I got spring and summer clothes. I will have to work on putting them away now!
I am still working on the Wii Fit-and it's still telling me I've gained weight-like I don't know! It wants to know if I want fitness tips. No, thanks. Really, I know the problem. I'm working on eating less. : )
I got Mary Claire a great new book (yes, it was last week, BeFoRe the *incident*). Ches read a little, and it may be risky! He thinks he read that a girl had a crush on a guy and wanted him to kiss her. So now, I have to read it to preview it. My kids are on such high reading levels, the content is above their age levels. I can't keep up-especially with both of them! I let them read books I've read, but they new ones I can't read all of before I give them. When I was in college, I had to read ALL the Newbery and Caldecott award winners. Yes, it was a four page list. The Caldecotts (best picture book each year) were easy, it was those dog-gone Newberys (best children's text-usually, but not always, a chapter book) that were so tough!! Anyway, I have the books I read as a child, the ones I read in college and while teaching, and the ones I've read in the past few years. But as they come out, I can't always "pre-read" them. Have you read Love, Stargirl? Let me know how it is.
**Ok, did some searching, and it's not that bad. A fist fight, a kiss, a moon (which I don't look forward to describing), and some adult pipe-smoking. Could be bazillions worse. I'll have to do the searching before I buy or before I give! Lesson learned.
ps-Cookies For Sale!! Officially has started. Wanna help sell? Come get a form! Want some cookies? Let me know how many of each kind! : )
