Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Resting on your Laurel's: Does anybody hear him, does anybody see?
Resting on your Laurel's: Does anybody hear him, does anybody see?: Sorry it has been awhile...(major understatement), but this summer has been CRAZY busy with lots of fun, fun, fun! Now that school has gone...
Does anybody hear him, does anybody see?
Sorry it has been awhile...(major understatement), but this summer has been CRAZY busy with lots of fun, fun, fun! Now that school has gone back into session I am finding little tidbits of time to start blogging again. Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog, it means alot.
With school in full swing, I am going to let that fuel this latest blog. I don't ooften blog about my children. I do this purposefully to protect them, but after today's events, I have been pondering a few things.... Let me begin by saying this! I think educators ARE AMAZING. They have in my mind a VERY difficult job..One of the hardest. They have a responsibility to arm future generations with the tools they need to succeed. Not only in that child's/persons someday profession but life as well. To help infuse passion into their work and to tap boundaries that the student never knew they were capable of reaching. With all of this hero responsibility also comes a pile of JUNK as well. Not enough pay worthy of their job, endless needs for school supplies with NO budgets in sight, Disrespectful children, disobedient children, unreasonable parents, and the list goes on and on and on.
Being a parent of a child who is a little behind the curve, puts me into the category of parent who needs to have more than the average parent teacher communications. Thus far we have been very lucky with the teachers we have been assigned. They seem very interested in seeing my child succeed and get past these delays. They are happy to give me communications to help iron out problems and come up with solutions to nip things in the bud. Without rehashing the whole situation, here is the question I have been pondering...How often does it happen if a child is pegged as a trouble maker the previous year that they will continue carrying that scarlet letter into the next school year? Even if there has been marked progress in that child's behavior. I would love to think each year begins new, the slate is wiped clean, but try as we do sometimes we allow the past to dictate or fog the present. This breaks my heart. Living with my child on a daily basis, we tackle the good, the bad and the ugly and some days there is more of the bad and ugly...but each days brings more maturity and progress... Sending them into the big bad world is scary and when your child is being blamed for something they HAVE done, but nothing is being done to get to the bottom of the situation or too find out the WHY is where I find fault. I will never criticize the system when it is teaching my children to own their mistakes, this is critical. You will find I will only question it when they are not being treated fairly and they were not asked the why they did what they did...that they had reacted out of retaliation to an others mean and vengeful bullying. I know often it is easier to just see what the past is dictating the future to look like. Being the parent of the child who doesn't fit in easily, who needs to have speech therapy, who needs to have extra reading help, ( I thank God every day these HELPS are available to him!) I Know there must be frustration. On his part and that of the teachers, but I also know that kids can be EXTREMELY MEAN, especially if one in their midst is unlike the other, a little bit weaker, a little behind.. I am a strong believer in second chances, but I also believe there are many who would say the same but really are weary of those in need of the second chance.
So here is my thought provoking questions....How loudly do you yell to demand fair treatment for you child? If a situation arises who do you know (other than yourself and your husband) you can count on to advocate for your child? And how hard are you willing to push the point without creating more problems for your child at the school? And where does that fine line fall?.
With school in full swing, I am going to let that fuel this latest blog. I don't ooften blog about my children. I do this purposefully to protect them, but after today's events, I have been pondering a few things.... Let me begin by saying this! I think educators ARE AMAZING. They have in my mind a VERY difficult job..One of the hardest. They have a responsibility to arm future generations with the tools they need to succeed. Not only in that child's/persons someday profession but life as well. To help infuse passion into their work and to tap boundaries that the student never knew they were capable of reaching. With all of this hero responsibility also comes a pile of JUNK as well. Not enough pay worthy of their job, endless needs for school supplies with NO budgets in sight, Disrespectful children, disobedient children, unreasonable parents, and the list goes on and on and on.
Being a parent of a child who is a little behind the curve, puts me into the category of parent who needs to have more than the average parent teacher communications. Thus far we have been very lucky with the teachers we have been assigned. They seem very interested in seeing my child succeed and get past these delays. They are happy to give me communications to help iron out problems and come up with solutions to nip things in the bud. Without rehashing the whole situation, here is the question I have been pondering...How often does it happen if a child is pegged as a trouble maker the previous year that they will continue carrying that scarlet letter into the next school year? Even if there has been marked progress in that child's behavior. I would love to think each year begins new, the slate is wiped clean, but try as we do sometimes we allow the past to dictate or fog the present. This breaks my heart. Living with my child on a daily basis, we tackle the good, the bad and the ugly and some days there is more of the bad and ugly...but each days brings more maturity and progress... Sending them into the big bad world is scary and when your child is being blamed for something they HAVE done, but nothing is being done to get to the bottom of the situation or too find out the WHY is where I find fault. I will never criticize the system when it is teaching my children to own their mistakes, this is critical. You will find I will only question it when they are not being treated fairly and they were not asked the why they did what they did...that they had reacted out of retaliation to an others mean and vengeful bullying. I know often it is easier to just see what the past is dictating the future to look like. Being the parent of the child who doesn't fit in easily, who needs to have speech therapy, who needs to have extra reading help, ( I thank God every day these HELPS are available to him!) I Know there must be frustration. On his part and that of the teachers, but I also know that kids can be EXTREMELY MEAN, especially if one in their midst is unlike the other, a little bit weaker, a little behind.. I am a strong believer in second chances, but I also believe there are many who would say the same but really are weary of those in need of the second chance.
So here is my thought provoking questions....How loudly do you yell to demand fair treatment for you child? If a situation arises who do you know (other than yourself and your husband) you can count on to advocate for your child? And how hard are you willing to push the point without creating more problems for your child at the school? And where does that fine line fall?.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Activate Super Mom Powers! Wait where's my cape?
Being a mom is the HARDEST job on the planet! Yes I said the Hardest! Noses that need wiping for the ump tenth time, walls that need scrubbing, cloths that need folding, dogs that need walking, spills that need cleaning, meals that need planning, groceries that need buying, meals that need cooking, carpools that need driving, diapers that need changing, time outs that need timing, stories that need reading, homework that needs doing......and on and on, You get the picture. In the middle of all this stuff, the time is needed to be found for your own personal and physical development and health, not to mention meeting the needs of your husband...(well that's a whole nother blog)... There are moments when the above can become a vortex of scheduling, duties and time management that seems to spiral out of control. And I would wager to guess that many of us do not handle the above with the grace of Joan Cleaver or Mrs. Brady. On One said above day in my life I had a dear Friend explain this to me and I have clung to her words of wisdom daily.
This particular day, things were WAY out of control. I had 3 babies all under the age of 4 and all in a type of diaper. My house was a wreck, the laundry was piling up and the baby was screaming. And I had just crumbled to the floor crying because I felt like I was failing at the one thing in my life that should come naturally. My fuse was burning out. And Lo and behold there was a knock on my kitchen door. I opened it to see my sweet, dear friend. Now I was glad to see her but I was MORTIFIED that she would see my house in this state of dis-order or worse see me in this condition. What she did next, I believe was ordained by God Himself. She took one look at me and ordered me to a bubble bath. I was not to reappear for ONE hour. I reluctantly followed her command. After my hour of bliss, I walked into a seemingly new world. My kids were all calm, clean and DRESSED! ( all before 11:00 am.) Dinner was started in the crock pot, lunch was made and a load of laundry had been started and folded. I looked and her and said "How"? She looked up from the table where she was doing a puzzle with my oldest and patted the chair next to her. She explained her secret to me with this principle. "Each day you begin with a basket of apples. and all day long you are passing out apples to the people in your life. Now if you don't do something daily to replenish your supply, you are going to be left with NOTHING to give."
I will not tell you that since that day I have perfected the art of replenishment. Some days are great and others, well they are still hard.. But I have recognized the importance of taking a few moments a day for myself. Whether it be to do a devotion, blog, read a book or just take a 30 minute bath in silence. :) It helps to keep me centered and most importantly helps me to be able celebrate the hugs and new adventures in my children's lives...
So thought provoking question for the day...How do you fill your apple basket? What steps are you doing TODAY to bring a sense of replenishment back into your life?
This particular day, things were WAY out of control. I had 3 babies all under the age of 4 and all in a type of diaper. My house was a wreck, the laundry was piling up and the baby was screaming. And I had just crumbled to the floor crying because I felt like I was failing at the one thing in my life that should come naturally. My fuse was burning out. And Lo and behold there was a knock on my kitchen door. I opened it to see my sweet, dear friend. Now I was glad to see her but I was MORTIFIED that she would see my house in this state of dis-order or worse see me in this condition. What she did next, I believe was ordained by God Himself. She took one look at me and ordered me to a bubble bath. I was not to reappear for ONE hour. I reluctantly followed her command. After my hour of bliss, I walked into a seemingly new world. My kids were all calm, clean and DRESSED! ( all before 11:00 am.) Dinner was started in the crock pot, lunch was made and a load of laundry had been started and folded. I looked and her and said "How"? She looked up from the table where she was doing a puzzle with my oldest and patted the chair next to her. She explained her secret to me with this principle. "Each day you begin with a basket of apples. and all day long you are passing out apples to the people in your life. Now if you don't do something daily to replenish your supply, you are going to be left with NOTHING to give."
I will not tell you that since that day I have perfected the art of replenishment. Some days are great and others, well they are still hard.. But I have recognized the importance of taking a few moments a day for myself. Whether it be to do a devotion, blog, read a book or just take a 30 minute bath in silence. :) It helps to keep me centered and most importantly helps me to be able celebrate the hugs and new adventures in my children's lives...
So thought provoking question for the day...How do you fill your apple basket? What steps are you doing TODAY to bring a sense of replenishment back into your life?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
In an instant!
When my son was 18 months old that moment happend to me. It was a regular day. We got up, I got ready for work, I kissed my husband and children goodbye, and went to our resturaunt to prepare for the customers I would serve that day. If you had warned me of what was to come, I would tell you, YOU were crazy. I remember I had to take a delivery that day to a city about 20 miles away and since it was so far, my husband and son rode with me. When they came to pick me up, I noticed that my son felt warm. I didn't think much of it, except I hoped he wasnt getting sick! But since he was smiling and his usual happy go lucky self I wasnt that worried. I remember making a mental check mark to watch him and mentioned this to my husband. After taking the delivery my husband and son went on thier merry way to pick up the girls from preschool and put the babies down for thier naps. When they left everything seemed fine, but how quickly things change.
About an hour and a half later my husband called me and said he thought that my son was acting a little strange and we probably needed to make an doctors appointmnet for him. I told him I would do that and call him right back. In the time it took to dial the phone and talk to a nurse, my husband beeped in on the other line. I put the docs office on hold and when I swtiched lines my husbands paniced voice said...."come home NOW, I've called the rescue squad. He (my son) is having a seizure and is turning blue."I remember switching lines and blurting out to the nurse what was happening and if she could get a doctor to meet us at the ER that would be great!" I told my manager that I had to leave and I RAN!. The car ride home was excrutiating. I was pleading, screaming, sobbing for God not to take my Son. I barely remember anything else except for that!.. When I got home my husband was outside holding my son waiting for the ambulance...which I beat By the way!. The baby was stripped down to just his diaper, lips purple and his little arms, legs and head were just hanging there. limp, lifeless. My husband was trying to get him to respond, but there was NOTHING. The ambluance pulled up and as if on cue my son vomited...and started breathing. I rode with him to the hospital. When we arrived we were told to wait for triage. While waiting I looked at the paramadic and asked if this was normal. Before he could respond, we were called back. The nurse took one look at my son, asked if she could hold him and told me to follow her. She took off at a sprint, knocking over tables and sending doors flying.
I remember that at first it was only one nurse and one doctor, and then like 20 medical personel. I felt like I was in a dream. All I could do was watch and plead with the Lord. I remember them flying past me with his little body on a gurnie, twitching from the seizure that had gripped his body. The nurse stopped and explained that they needed to be in a trama room and close to a crash cart. A CRASH CART? This couldnt possibly be happening to us. How could God alllow this happen? We were just begining the journey with our son! We had NOT had enough time with him. Why was the Lord not answering our pleas? I FELT helpless. In that moment I surrendered. I told the Lord I trusted Him with whatever outcome He had planned for this moment. I tumbled into a corner and cried...waiting and watching.. 45 LONG minutes later, it was over. The seizures had stopped. These were the answers we were given. My son suffered from something called Febrial Seizures. They happen when the body has a temp spike when there is a cold or virus in the body. He would likely grow out of them by the time he was 3 years old. My son only had 2 more seizures after that on a much smaller scale. And then majically they never returned. I always hold my breath when he gets sick. I am always armed with tylenol and ready to battle with this dreaded seizure that almost stole his precious life. While the commotion of that day has faded the memory remains clear. Present, persistent, never changing...I can even still rememeber the distinct smell of the hospital.
Each persons moment is different. Some are more extreme than others. Some are more crippling. I could have turned into a basketcase after that happened. Blaming God and choosing not to see that He had graciously chosen to spare our sons life. While the moment was excrutitaing, the outcome was peaceful..We were very blessed. When I watch my son play or laugh, I remember how grateful I am for the Lords mercy. Things could have ended so differently. Even though it is hard to explain I was prepared for the Lords will. While I obviously Pleaded for His mercy I understood that His will was perfect. It gave me comfort. I could envision my Heavenly Father standing with my Son stroking His hair, telling Him He was right there with Him....
So here is my question....How do we deal with the things that we have NO control over. The unexpected curveballs that life throws us. What do you feel that the Lord has equipped you with after your moment. What has He placed in your arsenal of experiences to help others? How do you stay connected to waht you have learned? How do you keep growing?
While you ponder this, let me leave you with a verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Book Review "Divergent"
It is not often I find a book I love but when I do Tend to devour the book! To me, the mark of a great book versus a good book is that at the closing you are left mourning the series. I thought it would be fun to list a few books that have captured my attention over the past few years! In return I would love to know what books you like to read. I know this strays from how I normally write but my appetite for another GREAT book is calling and I am eager to find that next great one!
Top 10 books....
1) Embarressing but true All Twilight Books by Stephanie Meyers ( **** out of five stars, the novalty is wearing off! )
2) All the Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling ( ***** out of five stars! Love the world of HP)
3) The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich (*** out of five stars. Has Funny moments and the characters are enduearing but there are 16 books in this series and I am stuck on book nine! Kinda bored,)
4) The Shunning Series by Beverly Lewis (***** out of five, love the purity of the Amish faith and a very easy read. I acutally saw the made for TV movie of the Shunning that made me look into these books! :)
5) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins ( ****** out of five stars! First two books are GREAT! The last book tucks everything up nicely but I will admit It was not how I envisioned it ending! But still a GREAT BOOK!)
6) I am number four By Pittacus Lore (this is a planned 6 book series) (**** out of five stars. The book was better than the movie. I recommend you read the book first, because the movie definently changes thinsg. This is suppose to be the next big book series. We will see..)
7) Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal ( *** out of five stars. This book brought me back to grade school, when I was first discovering my love for the written word . So If you were a Sweet Valley Twin Reader this is a fun Adult version (10 years after Sweet Valley High) of the Wakefield Twins.)
8) The Love comes softly Series by Jeanette Oak (**** out of five stars. Very little house on the prairie with a GREAT emphasis on the Love of our the Lord.)
9) The Shack by William P. Young (***** out of five stars, Loved Loved this book and its description of how our relationship to God the Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit should be.)
10) Divergent by Veronica Roth ( This is a planned Trilogy, next books release to be announced)
Divergent is the latest book I have read and it was GREAT! I am anxiously waiting the next enstallment and Summit has already purchased the movie rigths to this book. Both Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins are credited with recommending this book and they were CORRECT! Could not put it down! :) You can find a really good book reveiw on Amazon if oyu are interested! This is also a great book for those of you whom have read the Hunger Games!
Books on my hit list include ( Bools I entend to read):
1) Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
2) Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
3) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Top 10 books....
1) Embarressing but true All Twilight Books by Stephanie Meyers ( **** out of five stars, the novalty is wearing off! )
2) All the Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling ( ***** out of five stars! Love the world of HP)
3) The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich (*** out of five stars. Has Funny moments and the characters are enduearing but there are 16 books in this series and I am stuck on book nine! Kinda bored,)
4) The Shunning Series by Beverly Lewis (***** out of five, love the purity of the Amish faith and a very easy read. I acutally saw the made for TV movie of the Shunning that made me look into these books! :)
5) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins ( ****** out of five stars! First two books are GREAT! The last book tucks everything up nicely but I will admit It was not how I envisioned it ending! But still a GREAT BOOK!)
6) I am number four By Pittacus Lore (this is a planned 6 book series) (**** out of five stars. The book was better than the movie. I recommend you read the book first, because the movie definently changes thinsg. This is suppose to be the next big book series. We will see..)
7) Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal ( *** out of five stars. This book brought me back to grade school, when I was first discovering my love for the written word . So If you were a Sweet Valley Twin Reader this is a fun Adult version (10 years after Sweet Valley High) of the Wakefield Twins.)
8) The Love comes softly Series by Jeanette Oak (**** out of five stars. Very little house on the prairie with a GREAT emphasis on the Love of our the Lord.)
9) The Shack by William P. Young (***** out of five stars, Loved Loved this book and its description of how our relationship to God the Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit should be.)
10) Divergent by Veronica Roth ( This is a planned Trilogy, next books release to be announced)
Divergent is the latest book I have read and it was GREAT! I am anxiously waiting the next enstallment and Summit has already purchased the movie rigths to this book. Both Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins are credited with recommending this book and they were CORRECT! Could not put it down! :) You can find a really good book reveiw on Amazon if oyu are interested! This is also a great book for those of you whom have read the Hunger Games!
Books on my hit list include ( Bools I entend to read):
1) Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick
2) Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
3) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
There she blows.....
If you know me then you know my number one favorite television show is "The Deadliest Catch" shown on the Discovery Channel. I know not a typical choice of someone in my demographic (or at least I don't think so), but I LOVE it! It gets my blood pumping. If you are not familiar with the show, let me enlighten you. It is a show about Crab fisherman. The show surrounds 5 - 6 boats that fish the baring sea. There is always huge weather, crusty and grungy men with mouths like...well sailors and accident's looming around every corner. But this isn't what draws me to the show. It is the PASSION that these men have for what they do. The shear love and (excuse me for lack of better term) balls against the wall determination to get the job done. There is also a sense of family with in the ships interiors even if it is dysfunctional at best. No matter the obstacle, they are going to find their way around it....to the end game. To fill the ship with King Crab or Opillio Crab (depending on the season). Watching last nights season premiere got me thinking about my passions. I think one is obvious. Chick-fil-A. That is an easy one for me. I love the company. Not just because it is my lively hood but also because I believe in what we are investing in. It is not just about selling chicken, it is about getting to be a part of someone Else's life and making it better. If even for just one moment. Supplying them with a hot, great tasting meal, by a smiling person whom is truly happy to help. We all deserve that. Those moments are the ones that last. The one's that can change a day around. The one's that help to supply the respect and candor that everyone deserves.
Another passion for me is singing. Another easy one to pick out if you know me. I am never more at peace than when I get to sing. I am never closer to my Savior than when I get to worship. This is how I lay my burdens at His feet. I get to leave them there and move on knowing He has it under control.
So wheredo your passions lye? What gets your blood pumping? Whats makes you wake up in the morning and drives you to master each day?
Another passion for me is singing. Another easy one to pick out if you know me. I am never more at peace than when I get to sing. I am never closer to my Savior than when I get to worship. This is how I lay my burdens at His feet. I get to leave them there and move on knowing He has it under control.
So wheredo your passions lye? What gets your blood pumping? Whats makes you wake up in the morning and drives you to master each day?
Monday, April 11, 2011
A few of my favorite things
Hi! I know it has been forever since I last posted! Sorry guys! I thought I would try something different today! It has been very quiet in my house today since the children went back to school! I have had alot of time to get lost in my thoughts.And here is where my thoughts resided.
I have had a "Be still and know that I am Lord" kinda day! I have felt His prescence closely today. So I have decided to share a list of places I find my Lord so that you will start to look for your places of peace and comfort. Here are a few...
-in my children's laughter
-in a cool breeze
-upon walking into my home
-my husbands hug
-holding hands with my children
-while singing ANYTHING
-having a door held open for me by a stranger
-in a friends voice
-while reading his scripture
-in a clean house (this isnt as often as I would like! LOL)
-my community group
-at my CHURCH
-walking on the beach
-walking on the treadmill
-listening to a thunderstorm
-reading a good book
-In my daughters sigh
-In my Sons mischevious grin
-In my daughtes determination to do it correctly
These are only a few but these are a few of the blessings the Lord "Hugs" me with daily! Where do you find your peace? When you feel lost how do you find these moments? How do you share with others, so they can experince the same peace?
I have had a "Be still and know that I am Lord" kinda day! I have felt His prescence closely today. So I have decided to share a list of places I find my Lord so that you will start to look for your places of peace and comfort. Here are a few...
-in my children's laughter
-in a cool breeze
-upon walking into my home
-my husbands hug
-holding hands with my children
-while singing ANYTHING
-having a door held open for me by a stranger
-in a friends voice
-while reading his scripture
-in a clean house (this isnt as often as I would like! LOL)
-my community group
-at my CHURCH
-walking on the beach
-walking on the treadmill
-listening to a thunderstorm
-reading a good book
-In my daughters sigh
-In my Sons mischevious grin
-In my daughtes determination to do it correctly
These are only a few but these are a few of the blessings the Lord "Hugs" me with daily! Where do you find your peace? When you feel lost how do you find these moments? How do you share with others, so they can experince the same peace?
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