Monday.
Diana is on vacation, so Kids Day Out is insane. Those kids need a little Diana-style "don't take prisoners but follow the rules people" kind of leadership. Kisses don't get wet paint paper pumpkins to dry before 1:00 and little ones to stop sobbing over a transition to chapel that makes a twin echo the sentiment. Even though he separated so beautifully from his momma right out the gate this morning.
I am not proud, but it was a Margarita Monday.
After work of course.
Praise God for healed tummies. And progress with 2 year-olds, even if it ends up being two steps back. And naps in the car during musical theatre, a husband who baked the go-to last minute pizza meal, and early bedtimes.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
October 5th
It's a soccer time of year. We have three in soccer this year. It's a first. It's crazy.
This weekend, we have three soccer games at three different times (thankfully, really) at three different locations. Apparently, it's also against the rules to post pictures of CYC games without written permission from the other team. So we won't be doing that.
But here are some from the Baptist league - they aren't so picky:
It was also a "Let's Make This Place Festive and Get Out of This Funk" kind of weekend, so out came the Halloween decorations. The kids helped a little. I really need to let go of that control more. Everything Meiners put out was perfectly positioned, but my first response when they ask, "Can I help?" is like fingers on a chalkboard and dissonant noise in my ear - I hike my shoulders up to my earballs and sneak off like I didn't hear. Poor kids.
Happy Fall!
This weekend, we have three soccer games at three different times (thankfully, really) at three different locations. Apparently, it's also against the rules to post pictures of CYC games without written permission from the other team. So we won't be doing that.
But here are some from the Baptist league - they aren't so picky:
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| that's Mr. T in the blurry electric blue shorts in the middle yellow shirt - goalie! |
Happy Fall!
October 4th
Happy 16th Anniversary Honey. I love you. Looking forward to celebrating soon. Right now, I think that Orange Beso from Canyon Cafe wouldn't sit well. Soon. You're the best!
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| pre-celebrating - last week |
October 3rd
We went to dinner last night, and my stomach felt a little off. The hairs on the back of my neck were up since The Mister came home sick from work in the middle of the day two days ago with a stomach bug. And he *never* comes home sick from work.
Indeed. Whereas I woke to this handsome face this morning and the prospect of a sweet day spent together celebrating our 16 years of marriage...
I was sick, and his face turned into this:
Mine too.
He went and bought us new phones, and the twins new phones, too. Which made their faces look like this:
Those expressions are actually pretty tame compared to the screaming Pookie exhibited as she came running upstairs to see her "surprise" after school.
I watched the high school parade in isolation from the bedroom deck.
And stayed home alone while three went to the football game and two went to a Homecoming party. I watched Mom's Night Out and folded laundry. It was a fiesta for my soul while my body rested. I look forward to feeling better as soon as possible.
Indeed. Whereas I woke to this handsome face this morning and the prospect of a sweet day spent together celebrating our 16 years of marriage...
I was sick, and his face turned into this:
Mine too.
He went and bought us new phones, and the twins new phones, too. Which made their faces look like this:
Those expressions are actually pretty tame compared to the screaming Pookie exhibited as she came running upstairs to see her "surprise" after school.
I watched the high school parade in isolation from the bedroom deck.
And stayed home alone while three went to the football game and two went to a Homecoming party. I watched Mom's Night Out and folded laundry. It was a fiesta for my soul while my body rested. I look forward to feeling better as soon as possible.
October 2nd
When I blogged before, I was a stay at home mom.
Funny, but to this day I still write "SAHM" on intake paperwork at doctor's offices and such, even though I now have two paying jobs plus the gig of Mom. It's just kind of easier to say. Plus, it's all the same phone number, and not enough space to explain, so "stay at home mom" works. No one asks questions. And I don't make much money, anyway, so they won't be coming to me as "Party Responsible for Payment."
At social parties when people ask what I do, I start out by saying I'm a preschool teacher. And that's true. Mostly. I work in Kids Day Out and am paid as a "caregiver" ...but I prefer to say "teacher" because that sounds more significant and meaningful, and because I believe our work in the classroom is not only a job of providing care - changing diapers, etc., but one of teaching, as well. "We use a chair for sitting, not for hitting." "Crayons are for paper, not to poke in noses or to color on walls." That kind of thing. I work with my best friend, and I get paid to kiss on 2 year-olds all day - my favorite age to teach, so it's a double win.
I go on to tell attentive party listeners that my second job is a bit more "convoluted" and difficult to explain. Knowing they are enraptured at this point, I continue. "I am a parent actor at the children's hospital where I play the role of mom at the bedside in their simulation department. They recreate medical scenarios like code situations using a robot baby and real doctors and nurses, and I pretend to be the robot baby's momma. I actually run their family actors program."
I never know if I've lost my audience by then or not. OK, usually I have. But if they were to understand, or if perhaps I was better at my delivery, I would tell them how incredible the Family Actors Program is, how much fun I am having this year leading it. I would tell them about the incredible team I work with and how we are affecting important change in the lives of 100s of medical students and professionals who may one day be better prepared to compassionately interact with and save the life of one our loved ones because of the moments they spend pretending with me and my team. That's good stuff. That's important work.
It's groundbreaking, really, as most hospitals - if they have simulations at all - use paid actors or other staff to stand in as parents. We are real family members who are invested in the hospital because we take our children there. Over and over we hear from staff how having us there makes the scenario far more realistic as they practice, and that's because we *are* real. We are being ourselves.
That's what I did today. I raised my babies, taught others' babies, and changed lives for babies. All in a pretty darn good day's work.
Funny, but to this day I still write "SAHM" on intake paperwork at doctor's offices and such, even though I now have two paying jobs plus the gig of Mom. It's just kind of easier to say. Plus, it's all the same phone number, and not enough space to explain, so "stay at home mom" works. No one asks questions. And I don't make much money, anyway, so they won't be coming to me as "Party Responsible for Payment."
At social parties when people ask what I do, I start out by saying I'm a preschool teacher. And that's true. Mostly. I work in Kids Day Out and am paid as a "caregiver" ...but I prefer to say "teacher" because that sounds more significant and meaningful, and because I believe our work in the classroom is not only a job of providing care - changing diapers, etc., but one of teaching, as well. "We use a chair for sitting, not for hitting." "Crayons are for paper, not to poke in noses or to color on walls." That kind of thing. I work with my best friend, and I get paid to kiss on 2 year-olds all day - my favorite age to teach, so it's a double win.
I go on to tell attentive party listeners that my second job is a bit more "convoluted" and difficult to explain. Knowing they are enraptured at this point, I continue. "I am a parent actor at the children's hospital where I play the role of mom at the bedside in their simulation department. They recreate medical scenarios like code situations using a robot baby and real doctors and nurses, and I pretend to be the robot baby's momma. I actually run their family actors program."
 |
| one of my family actors comforting our SimBaby before our scenario begins |
I never know if I've lost my audience by then or not. OK, usually I have. But if they were to understand, or if perhaps I was better at my delivery, I would tell them how incredible the Family Actors Program is, how much fun I am having this year leading it. I would tell them about the incredible team I work with and how we are affecting important change in the lives of 100s of medical students and professionals who may one day be better prepared to compassionately interact with and save the life of one our loved ones because of the moments they spend pretending with me and my team. That's good stuff. That's important work.
It's groundbreaking, really, as most hospitals - if they have simulations at all - use paid actors or other staff to stand in as parents. We are real family members who are invested in the hospital because we take our children there. Over and over we hear from staff how having us there makes the scenario far more realistic as they practice, and that's because we *are* real. We are being ourselves.
That's what I did today. I raised my babies, taught others' babies, and changed lives for babies. All in a pretty darn good day's work.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
31 days of Tired and Worn
I'm tired, I'm worn,
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/tenth-avenue-north/worn-lyrics/#ZMUcu6FecIoTsq6o.99
Thunder cracks against the night sky as I sit and love Him in return. We don't deserve it. I don't "get it." But He reigns. He wins. And in that alone is any hope I have in this screwed up world.
Thank you, Lord, for a new heart for Angela. Though my own heart breaks for the family who made the decision to save another in the midst of their loss, God reigns. He wins. May Angela live the life He dreams for her!
I pray for my Bazouki Nation. Rally the Troops. He reigns. He wins.
Good night, dear friends. Supernatural Rest for all.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
New Year, New Traditions?
A new year begins with new resolutions. A resolve to change, improve, or at least revise. A do over. Start again. Refresh.
I am grateful that God gives us these times. Sometimes a new school year. Sometimes a new season. Now a new calendar year. A fresh start.
Starting new this year means thinking of that half marathon looming yet again come spring. Fewer trips to Bread Co. Healthier eating and more regimented living. Inevitably chaos wins. I am somehow OK with that.
This year I think also of traditions. What continues? What evolves? What fades? Do we spend enough time forming these bonds of ritual in our family? Should we spend more time, do more things? What about less?
You know what thought came to me while I hashed and rehashed these thoughts during the first few hours and days of 2013? I began to wonder what my kids will want me to pass down to them when the time comes. Those things - items wrapped in the sentimentality of the tradition behind them - are strangely caught up in my mind as the stuff that matters tonight.
I guess I'm thinking of Christmas mostly. It is certainly a time of sweet remembrance. The wooden advent calendar, the Willow Tree nativity, the ornaments. These are the things that come out, even when we head to Disney World instead of doing our normal, more "traditional" routines.
So much to think about. To be grateful for. To anticipate and celebrate.
Here's to the moments of 2012 ...and to the living of 2013.
I am grateful that God gives us these times. Sometimes a new school year. Sometimes a new season. Now a new calendar year. A fresh start.
Starting new this year means thinking of that half marathon looming yet again come spring. Fewer trips to Bread Co. Healthier eating and more regimented living. Inevitably chaos wins. I am somehow OK with that.
This year I think also of traditions. What continues? What evolves? What fades? Do we spend enough time forming these bonds of ritual in our family? Should we spend more time, do more things? What about less?
You know what thought came to me while I hashed and rehashed these thoughts during the first few hours and days of 2013? I began to wonder what my kids will want me to pass down to them when the time comes. Those things - items wrapped in the sentimentality of the tradition behind them - are strangely caught up in my mind as the stuff that matters tonight.
I guess I'm thinking of Christmas mostly. It is certainly a time of sweet remembrance. The wooden advent calendar, the Willow Tree nativity, the ornaments. These are the things that come out, even when we head to Disney World instead of doing our normal, more "traditional" routines.
So much to think about. To be grateful for. To anticipate and celebrate.
Here's to the moments of 2012 ...and to the living of 2013.
Happy New Year everyone!
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