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Jul. 5, 2008
My Scout is home!
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Jul. 2, 2008
Boy Scout Camp
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Spenser is at Boy Scout camp this week. Keep in mind that he just got home from youth camp on Friday, and left again on Sunday. He called me Sunday night on a friend's phone to tell me that his phone doesn't have a signal there, and please tell all his peeps that he is unavailable and don't waste their texts on him. I haven't heard from him since. OK I realize he is growing up and doesn't need his mommy, but hello?!? I need him. I know that the scoutmaster would call if something had happened, and so no news is good news, but I Just want to hear his voice and know what is going on at camp. Is it fun? Is he starving to death? Is he safe and not drowned in the bottom of the lake from his swimming and/or motor boating class? Ok, again, I know Mr. Neal would call me, but still. I emailed another scout mom with this: Have you heard from L____? I haven't heard from Spenser since Sunday night, and while I am sure everything is fine, it is strange that he hasn't called. His cell phone doesn't have a signal there, but he used someone else's Sunday. Her reply: L____ had to go to the hospital to get a few stitches, so yes, we’ve heard from him. Unfortunately, he did not give us news about Spenser. Why do I not feel better? |
May. 29, 2008
To My Teenage Son
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Sometimes I am overwhelmed with sadness when I think about how short the time is that I have left with you. But most of the time, I am just in awe as I watch you becoming a man right before my eyes. Your voice is deeper, your shoulders are broader, and I can barely keep you in clothes because you are growing so fast. And the shoes, oh my goodness, the shoes. I am so proud of who you are becoming, and who you already are. I always wanted a boy  just like you! Love Mom |
May. 8, 2008
Why I Love My Husband-- Reason Number 642
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We have been talking in Sunday School about the differences in men and women, and how those differences affect the marriage relationship. One example is that women want men to understand their emotional response to a problem without rushing in to try to fix the problem. (For a better explanation, you can get the book For Men Only.) Jason explained it to the guys this way: If your wife sees something and she perceives that it is a bear, and she believes that bears eat people, her emotional response is fear. Now guys typically want to go out and shoot the bear OR convince her that no its a tree stump not a bear or guess what bears are herbivores and eat berries not people. But what she wants is for him to come sit and hold her hand and tell her he is sorry the bear frightened her, In other words, start with the emotional response, not with the problem. Sounds simple enough for us gals, but apparently this is mind boggling for the guys. So tonight I was
And in that statement, I knew he understood me. I knew he recognized my emotions even if he didn't understand or agree with them. And you know what, that was enough. |
Apr. 2, 2008
So where do I rank?
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Today Macy (5) wrote Sydney (6) a note that says "I love you mur tin anione except Trinna" which translates to "I love you more than anyone except Trina" (and later she added "and God.") Trina is a 24 year old lady at our church whom my kids adore. So God, Trina, Sydney-- do you think maybe I am #4? I'm afraid to ask! |
Feb. 18, 2008
In Everything Give thanks
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A couple of weeks ago, we had a long conversation in our house about accepting the things about us that we can't change. It was sparked by Reed's discontentment with her height. She is what I call "petite," known in some circles as "short." She is definitely small for her age, which is a continuous source of frustration and disappointment for her. It didn't help that she was trying out for a play and I warned her that she would not likely get the part that she wanted because of her size. She was younger than the character, which is not always a hindrance, but being small for her age was a significant factor. It's hard to play older when you look younger. So at lunch one day, we all went around the table and named things that we can't change about ourselves but would if we could. We also had to name something we like about ourselves. We talked about the fact that God made us the way we are, just like He wants us. Of course, none of it seemed to help her mood, so we eventually just dropped it. As casting for the play continued, it became apparent that a smaller cast would be needed. All of the main characters were being double-cast, and one of the Aslans was small (for Aslan) and one of the best contenders for Digory was small for his age. The female lead would need to be small. Reed ended up getting the role of Polly not only because she is a good actress-- lots of good actresses did not get the role, but because she was just the right size. |
Jan. 23, 2008
Technology
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I love technology only to the extent that it benefits and simplifies my life. I am not one to browse websites that talk about the newest cell phones coming out, or computer gadgetry etc etc etc (like some people in this house. *yawn*) But I do appreciate the marvels that man has come up with, and I sometimes wonder at the advancements that my kids take for granted. They know not of the 8 track or the cassette tape (well, barely) and Macy at least will probably not remember VHS movies. They won't remember back in the olden days when houses had one phone and you called everyone on that one line. *gasp* What brings all of this to mind, you ask? The fact that last night I was IM'ing with my 6 year old, practicing her spelling words for the spelling bee on Friday. I typed "across" and she typed it back to me. Likewise "along," "away," "bake" and so on. "This is fun," she said. And it was. It's good for her spelling, good for her typing skills, and I can subtly correct her spelling or grammar without it seeming like a big deal. She told me "by" and I told her "bye." To which she replied "wutever." Oh well, so much for being subtle. I guess the day I realized that things had changed forever (besides the day I had to ask my 9 year old to turn the stupid dvd on) was the day that Jason sneezed in church and received a text message on his phone that said "Bless you." Wutever. |
Jan. 3, 2008
Teaching Media Discernment
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We are careful about what we allow our children to watch, read and listen to. I am sure we make mistakes, and there are people who wouldn't agree with every decision we make. But our kids at least know that it matters. They know that we don't walk willy-nilly into a movie theater and watch any ole movie on the screen. We read reviews ahead of time to see if it is appropriate for our family. The twelve-year-old gets to see a few movies that the nine-year-old isn't allowed to see, and mom and dad take the college kids to see movies that we wouldn't take our children to see. (I am Legend comes to mind-- great discussion starter for college kids, nightmare inducer for 4 year olds.) They know, for example, that we aren't going to see The Golden Compass, even though it has a polar bear in it and Reed loves polar bears. (Another movie that might be appropriate for college students/adults to watch and discuss but is not for my kids to watch.) And when they are at my mom's house, if they are unsure about something on TV they turn it off until they can call and ask about it. We didn't tell them that part-- they came up with it on their own. That part always amuses and impresses my mom. I was likewise impressed last Friday when we were out with the college students and Jason's cell phone rang. Spenser was at a sleepover and called to say "So-and-so's older brother is watching 40-Year-Old Virgin. Can I watch it or do I need to find something else to do?" Jason's response: "Find something else to do." He didn't have to call-- we would have never known that he had seen it unless he confessed. But it shows that what we are doing is important-- we can teach our kids to be discerning about their media intake. I am not saying he will always make the best choices and always call us and ask. But, for now, I know I can trust him, and I know we are doing the right thing. Installing our values into our kids is not only possible, it is imperative. Media is the plural of medium: a means of effecting or conveying something. I am the one who gets to decide what is conveyed to my kids, and I am teaching them to make that choice as well. |
Dec. 28, 2007
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
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The kids got the board game for Christmas, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" We played it last night, which is a pretty good record for us-- we got Homeschoolopoly last Christmas and never got around to playing it until November. But last night I was sick of each of us staring at some electronic screen of one kind or another and so we turned off the computers and video games and dvds and played the game. Macy didn't enjoy it, even though she was on Daddy's team, so I let her off the hook after about 20 minutes. Sydney was on my team and had fun. I think we all did very well, but in the end, the 7th grader was the only one smarter than a 5th grader. Jason and I both were stumped on our million dollar questions. His was about a sculptor and mine was a science question that I thought I knew but wasn't willing to gamble on. (What element does Au stand for) Keep in mind science is not my strongpoint, and we couldn't get help from anyone. (Whereas in the regular questions you have 3 "lifelines.") Spenser knew the answer so I could have used him, and, of course, Jason knew. I knew it was either silver or gold, but I kept my 500,000 because I wasn't sure. (Good thing, because I was leaning toward silver, which is Ag.) Spenser's million dollar question was what is the largest organ in your body-- which is a science question that I could in fact answer. (skin) He got it right, proving that he is, in fact, smarter than a 5th grader. But then I already knew that! |
Aug. 30, 2007
Sunday School Lesson Gone Wrong
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One day in Sunday School a few weeks ago, our lesson was on Abraham and Lot-- you know, the one where they divide theland and Lot picks the green side and Abraham is stuck with the yucky side which turns out to be good. Since I work with preschoolers, I boiled it down to "Abraham let his friend/relative pick first." A good lesson for the 3-5 year old set. Fast forward a couple of hours and Macy and Sydney are getting in the van. They both want the same booster seat. Weeping and gnashing of teeth ensue. I remind them of the Sunday School lesson and say"One of you needs to be Abraham and let the other one choose." After a moment of silence, Sydney sighs and says begrudgingly, "I'll be Abraham." She's clearly not happy about it, but at least she is willing. Macy jumps in the seat and says, happy as a clam, "I'll be Lot." Sigh. We have a long way to go. P.S. I praised Sydney for choosing to be unselfish and kind and she blossomed and became very happy with her choice. |