A quick insert

Yes. . . Christmas character. . . coming. . . need more time.

Instead

Had a wonderful afternoon with Noel. We dressed up and went to see a local dance company put on a Christmas show. Great music: all Christian, all lifted high to the Lord--very cool.
Noel liked most of it, really liked the suckers I threw in my purse (so glad I did that!), sat on my lap the whole time so that she could see. I liked her there. I could whisper to her. I could hug her. I don't get a lot of time one-on-one with my girl.
Then. . . after one of the dances. . .while the lights were out. . . while they were changing dancers and music. . . while it was completely quiet in the theater. . . Noel sat up and burped. Loudly.

Lots of chuckling from the folks sitting around us. I shook my head, smiled a bit, pulled her close, and explained that burping in public isn't really acceptable. Let's try to not do that again.

Gary's response when I told him about it over dinner?

"That's my daughter."

I adore him

I know I said in my last post that I would talk about my favorite Christmas character. Tomorrow. . . or whenever I get around to it. Just look forward to it o.k.? :)

Instead, I have a little story to share, one that gave me immense amusement!

Garrison has been into money lately. He traded his tooth fairy money for some basketball cards on the bus. He worked hard to get a dollar and went to the dollar store to chose something of his very own. Though he is only six, we are hoping that he'll begin to see the value of money, how saving works, how spending works etc.

So, one morning he set up a garage sale in our living room. I laughed and just enjoyed the show. I also announced that I would not be buying anything at the garage sale. 1. I didn't need anything that was available. 2. I purchased most of what he was selling anyway. 3. I thought the prices were a little high.

Garrison sells for awhile in the living room and sadly doesn't have any customers. Simon and Noel are both glad to purchase the stuff: they just don't have any cash. Ah, a problem.

I'm working in the kitchen, playing with Penny, putting her in bed, taking a shower etc. I discover later that Garrison is no longer selling in the living room, but has moved out to the road. He is going to have a garage sale: a real one. It is the middle of November and he is ready to go!

HILARIOUS!

Garrison patiently waiting for some business.

He has his stand all set up.

$2.00 for a mini-skateboard! Outrageous!

Simon joined him shortly afterwards to assist. After about 20 minutes, Garrison convinced Simon that if he stayed outside, then Simon could have all the profits. They did ask if they could go around and knock on doors to drum up some business. I said "no". Mean mom.

Sadly, no one stopped and they didn't make any money. I'm o.k. with it.

Update on Gary

Thanks for your care and concern. Gary is feeling better. Bless God! Woo-Hoo! Yipee! Yee-Haw! Yes Yes Yes! He is on his third course of antibiotics. Whew.

He had a hearing test and he hasn't lost it (his hearing that is)-he was beginning to think he'd never hear again. I'm excited to be able to whisper sweet nothings to him again again soon. Shouting "You look sexy!" doesn't have the same meaning to it--especially when the kids hear and ask what "sexy" means. O.K., this didn't actually happen. I'll wait to tell him how sexy I find him when I can actually whisper and have him hear me. Instead for now, we find ourselves not talking after the kids go to bed because we'd wake them up. Soon and very soon--many whispers-and conversations that have been on hold for the past few weeks. i.e. Christmas presents, conversations with friends, observations at school, job situations. . . Gary and I need to get caught up.

On a different page, thought we had turned a corner with my crazy into everything girl, but no. Eating more dog food than ever. Shaking out all the creole seasoning. Tape! Wandering. . . no running. . . into other classrooms as soon as my eyes are off of her. Spent more than a few minutes looking for my lost girl at school on Monday. She had made friends with a reading specialist. Not a bad choice. She is so engaging though. Funny. Excited. Learning new words every day. Makes me laugh every day. Oh, how I just adore--until she gets into the garbage. Really?!?

Next post: my favorite Christmas character. I know, you are excited. :) Hope your week is going great. Ours is looking better all the time.

Rough go

Folks

My praying family and friends. . .

Gary is sick. Not sick like "I have a cold" sick. Not sick like "you are a pervert" sick. Not sick like "let's do surgery" sick.

His body is fighting something. After working over 100 hours during his on-call week, his body was just. . . weak. Cold led to ear infection and lots and lots of pain and pressure. He got on antibiotics and nothing changed. He got on new antibiotics and nothing has changed. They thing one of his ears ruptured. He can't hear and I'm married to and 85 year old man who refused to ear his hearing aid.

He has another doctor's appointment tomorrow. Would you pray for him? For the doctor? For healing? For relief from the pain, pressure and dizziness that has been with him for a week and a half now? I'll keep you posted.

You know when. . .

You know when you love to spend a night out with your husband?

You know when you find a Groupon deal for a crazy silly night watching Roller Derby?

You know when you buy it in September and keep the e-mail unread and are reminded every day that soon and very soon, you'll be on a date with your guy?

You know when you found friends to go with you?

You know when your friends can't go because they suddenly have a family Christmas party?

You know when you can't find other friends to go?

You know when you realize the night before the you neglected to find a babysitter?

That's me.

My kids

I don't want to be one of "those moms".

I don't want to be one of "those moms" who talks about how great their kid is, how smart their kid it, how amazing their kid is. . . blah blah blah. Plus, if someone is struggling with their child, I want to empathize rather than announce that my child isn't struggling with a particular issue. SO, I find myself talking poorly about my kids. I would walk away from a conversation with another mom thinking--"that really isn't who Simon is" or "I can't believe I just said that about Noel" or some such thing. I'm afraid I'll be seen as the "mom with her head in the clouds" or "mom out of touch with reality" or "mom who doesn't see when her kids are just ding dongs". I'm afraid of being judged. (a whole nother blog).
So--I'm going to try and speak the truth in love about my kids. Sure, they make mistakes. Sure they drive me crazy at times. Sure, I mess up as a mom every day. Yes, they can be ding dongs. But--let me tell you a few things about my ducks.


Garrison has a smile that will melt your heart. He is so very caring in regards to his faith and pays such close attention to Bible Stories. He is strong and sensitive. He gravitates to adults rather than kids and will talk with anyone. They boy is reading--READING! I really enjoy spending time with him.
Simon has been showing many artistic talents lately. I'm thrilled with this as I myself am very challenged with doing art. He gets along with every kid he meets and has tons of friends. He is super silly. He can go on a cleaning frenzy and suddenly, rooms are picked up in my house! Love him!
Noel fascinates me. Her personality is so big and when we laugh I couldn't be happier. She is in gymnastics and is the strongest one in her class. I'm amazed when I see what this girl can do in the gym. She gets so excited to help me in the kitchen and is the best egg-cracker of all the kids. She also MUST wave good-bye to anyone who leaves our house. She stands on the sidewalk, often without shoes or socks, and makes sure that every visitor gets a proper send-off.
Penny my baby is amazing. Her favorite word is "yes" and I can't get enough of it. I love to ask her questions when I know she'll get excited and shout out "YES!". She kicks her feet when she sees her daddy. I love that she is an explorer. I love it when she gives me a hug and kiss. I love when I hug her and she'll pat my arm over and over again. She cackles just like me and I couldn't be happier.


I like my kids. I like being with them. I tell them almost every day that I'm so glad that God chose to put us together. He could have put my kids with any other family and God picked them out for me. I love love love them and am so thankful that I get to spend every day with them.

Friendship

Friendship has been the theme of the past month of my life. It seems wherever I turn I am learning from my friends, learning through my friends, making new friends, celebrating my friends, weeping with my friends, encouraging my friends, confronting my friends, and generally thinking about my friends.

It is hard to make friends as an adult. I used to have school, then I had college. I worked at two different schools and made friends there. Now, my regular friends are ages 6, 5, 4 and 1.

In the past month though, there seems to be a focus. Let me share a couple of the discoveries that God has taught me through them. (If you are my friend and you can't seem to find yourself on this list: fear not! I love you dearly and I am just choosing to share these and keep you close to my heart.)

1. You will never "get over" the death of a parent. I will ALWAYS listen to you when you need to talk, remember, or cry. Always.

2. You have taught me that my assessment of the situation is not the best way. I never thought that if a child is treating my kid poorly in school, perhaps I should invite said child and their mama over to my house. Rather than chastise this child of God, talk poorly about them behind their back, tell my child to just "stay away" or think bad thoughts of poor parenting (rarely the case!)--I might instead offer to play with them and my child and teach them how to be a good friend. Really!?! What a brilliant and difficult thing to do. Thanks for teaching me this.

3. You have taught me that I need to be more honest about where I am in regards to my values and opinions. I shouldn't be afraid to say what I think because I disagree with you. We can disagree about stuff. It isn't a big deal.

4. You have taught me that I need to carve out more time. Your friendship is so important to me and I often let it slide because it is so very good--yet then I miss out on you and I love you so very much!

5. You have taught me once again that everything is not perfect in perfectville. Thanks for being vulnerable with me and letting me pray for you.

6. You have taught me that I need to be more in step with the Holy Spirit. You are Spirit-filled and your e-mail has caused me food for thought. What do I need to do so hear and then obey the Spirit?

7. You have taught me that I don't have to be friends with everyone. I am not your friend. It is o.k. for us to not be friends.

8. You came to earth for me and left heaven for the comforts of a stable. Really? I would not want to do that at all. Thanks friend for being willing to do that for me.

Thanks my friends for helping me to grow as a person, as a child of God, and as a friend.