Southern Sayin' Of The Month

I live for the light of a full moon. -me

Friday, October 22, 2010

I Wish They Knew...


I'm back at work this year as a reading teacher and I love it more than anything I've ever done. I love seeing children learn to read and having a part in making that happen. But there are times (like today) and there are children where this is especially difficult. There are things I wish they knew, but I can't always tell them.


There is SO much more to reading than comprehension questions, literacy strategies and the level of the book you're on.


That I make mistakes when I read stories out loud to my son and I don't go back and self-correct. I keep on reading...just like you do.


I worry that my "instruction" and comprehension assessment may take all of the joy out of your reading.


These are just a few things I think they should know, but most importantly I want them to know that their struggles with reading and their reading level DOES NOT define them as a person.


They are children with big hearts, sweet smiles, passions for horses and racecars. They are so much more to me than accuracy percentages, self-correction ratios, and reading levels. They are real people. And we will get there...it may take months or possibly even years, but we will work through their struggles and try to do it without breaking their spirits. I hope they know I feel this way.



Wednesday, October 20, 2010

For All My Worrying

I am finishing up a bible study by Priscilla Shirer on the book of Jonah. During our video lesson this week, she read an excerpt from Job 38. It was one of those things I needed to hear; to know that for all my worrying and attempts to control my life, that I am not in control. I must put my life, my actions, and my worries in His hands. God is the one who was there from the beginning and knows how our lives and the Earth will play out until the end.

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’

“Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.

“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!

“Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!

“Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war. Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?

“Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning?
Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up?

“Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew?
Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?
For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.

“Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?

“Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?

“Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?

Job 38

The answer is no. I can not do any of these things. These powers are reserved for God and I need to let Him do His job. I need to lay my worries on Him and fully rely on God.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Transitions

I do not handle transitions well. While I can multi-task like nobody's business, my mind and body do not deal well with transitions. Transitioning back to work. Transitioning into our new home. Transitioning from the lazy days of summer into the swing of Bible Study, soccer practice, Charity League meetings, and Children's Choir Club.

I love my new job with a passion that I thought I'd lost for teaching. I love our new home and the promise it holds to be the place where we raise our children and make our family's memories. I love each activity that we participate in throughout the week, but the bottom line is that I do not transition well. While the mental drain it causes is difficult enough, my body respond well either.

I need more sleep now than I ever remember needing (aside from during my pregnancies, and I'm definitely not preggers) and I feel just a touch sick all the time. It may take me some time before I can begin writing again regularly...right now I feel like my blog has been lost in transition. I will be back soon! And with pictures of our wonderful forever home!


Friday, September 17, 2010

Signs That She's A Girly-Girl


My precious little Bug is growing up so fast! 16 months already, and acting like she's 16 at times. I've recently noticed a number of things that have caused me to realize that I have a certified girly-girl, miss priss, drama queen on my hands.

Bug loves to carry a purse (my lunchbag) around with keys and a hairbrush inside. Bless if that pretty red hair were to get messed up!

She puts her hands on her hips. Yes, at 16 months.

She rides her ladybug Radio Flyer while using a glue stick as lip gloss. (First driving lesson will be: no applying makeup while driving).

She has her Daddy and her brother wrapped around her little finger.

She loves to carry my heels around the house.

She knows exactly how to look at you and say "cookie" so that you'll give her one every time.

This girl's gonna be trouble, but she sure is fun!


Friday, September 10, 2010

Belle Is Back With A Brand New Edition

So, I've obviously been neglecting my blog. It's not that I've forgotten it, I've thought about posting many times in the past couple weeks yet something (WORK and EXHAUSTION) has held me back. But guess what ladies, I'm back.

And in yet another homage to my love of lists I'll just share a few randoms:

1. I desperately need a haircut. I've been "growing it out" but I'm permantly in that awkard stage and it's just stringy and unkept. I gotta get my style back ASAP!

2. Tonight is a sweet water night. I'll be having several servings of sweet water to reward myself for my hard work this week.

3. I am totally in love with my new job as a reading specialist. The children are wonderful, my coworkers are exceptional, and I couldn't ask for a better boss!

4. I saw a lady in a hospital gown riding on a golf cart on a main road. I asked the RedHead if we should call someone.

5. We are planning on having final inspection next Tuesday so we should have our CO (certificate of occupancy) next week sometime! Then the moving will begin!

Just a few snippets, but if the sweet water keeps flowing more blogging may be to come!

Happy Friday Friends!


Monday, August 23, 2010

Uninvited Guests

Several times this afternoon I would be in another room and I'd hear Monkey talking to himself. I ignored it at first, but he was having full, one-sided conversations. I finally asked him who he was talking to and he said his friends.

"Oh," I replied, "what are their names?"

"Ed and Jim and Crystal and..."

"Um, how many are there?"

"Thirty-one."

"Okay." And here is where I decided to let the conversation end. Imaginary friends are normal, right?

But then he continued. "And they live in the walls and when they're in the walls they look like snakes, but when they come out they look regular."

"Okay honey, that's nice."

Now I'm wondering if I should smile and play along or seriously call an exorcist to rid my home of these snake people who live in my walls!


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

And Then There Was School...

It's official. I'm back at work. I'm tired...beyond tired really. But I think it's going to be a wonderful year. Even if I look and feel like this every night.

I apologize for the short post. I'll be back when I can string more than two sentences together!



Sunday, August 15, 2010

Some Days Are Stranger Than Others


Ever had a day that was going perfectly normal and then one weird thing happens and then all of the sudden you feel like you're in the middle of the twilight zone. Um, that was my day today.


Wake up feeling a bit dehydrated from muchos margaritas last night. Normal.


Go see Eat, Pray, Love with my Mama. (Loved it!) Normal.


Change diapers, feed babies, dole out discipline. All Normal.


Make a quick trip to Walmart...well, about that. It was all perfectly normal until a man approached me in the produce aisle and said, "Mmmm, onions." To which I looked at him and them back at the produce. Then he says, "You've got really pretty feet." And I look at him like, "Dude, you're freaking me out and I'm here with my baby so back the hell up." Sensing my uncomfortableness, he proceeds to repeat his point. "I just wanted to tell you that you have beautiful feet." Not normal. One more reason for me to avoid Walmart.


Then on the drive home I find myself behind this really cute old Mercedes. I look at the license plate because it's one of those phonetic spelling puzzle vanity plates and it reads, "IMAGYN". I immediately had duel thoughts go through my head; one did not come before the other, I literally read it two ways at once. Is it, "Imagine" or "I'm A Gyn (as in gynecologist)"??? You decide. Definitely not normal.


So my day went from plain to strange in about an hour. Happy Sunday!

*Note, those are not my feet. Those are google image feet. I'm sure the Walmart weirdo has googled feet many, many times!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love


I mentioned a few posts back that I was reading Eat, Pray, Love. I was prompted by the movie previews I saw (I know...a great way to get your reading list) to rush out and get this book to read so I could then watch the movie. So here's my take...


The book is basically divided into three sections chronicling her travels across Italy-Eat, India-Pray, and Indonesia (Bali)-Love.


I loved her tales of Italy! It sounded beautiful, exciting, and delicious. The prospect of landing oneself in a country and leaning the language and culture simply by experience seemed absolutely amazing (not to mention the food...and she mentions the food quite a bit).


The story of India was different. I always think it's amazing when people go through religious experiences, but as she conceded herself, they are practically indescribable. She still attempted to describe them and while it didn't quite sit right with me, I appreciate her openness in sharing such a personal experience. ( Her daily life she described at the Ashram was not what bugged me, just the description of her divine experience. And I'm sure it spoke directly to some people, just not me.)


Then came Bali. I love how she would just meet these people and become so involved in their lives. Wayan is probably my favorite of the people she encountered in her travels; hers is an amazing story. And of course, she met her love there. So romantic. I think the RedHead and I need a holiday there asap!


I think this was a wonderful book and I look forward to see the movie! If you want some romance and inspiration then definitely read this book.


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Stress For Sale

If you're feeling particularly content, calm, or bored, then I would be happy for you to purchase a little of my stress. Why didn't I consider that it would be difficult to be packing up a house, making final decisions on the home we're building, start back to work, and come to terms with not being a stay at home mommy anymore all in one month.

Maybe I did consider it, but I did what is easiest and tucked it neatly in the back of my mind so that I wouldn't have to deal with it.


Except now it's here and I have to deal with it.


Tomorrow I start back to work and although it will be an adjustment going back to work full time, I am very excited about my new job as a reading teacher.


I've currently packed a total of 8 boxes. Slowly but surely.


I think I'm ALMOST done making house decisions. Right now the painters are finishing, tile is being laid and the hardwoods, garage doors, and driveway are coming soon. Then we'll just need to put in the lighting and plumbing fixtures and we'll be done. I'm more than ready to move in!

(This pic is a few weeks old, but it's the most recent I've taken.)


Then there's the issue of leaving my babes. This has been the most amazing year and a half. All of my prayers were answered when I received the opportunity to be home everyday with Colson and Lilly-Belle. I will always be thankful for this time and I have a strong appreciation for all that stay at home moms do and glad that the RedHead was able to afford me this experience. I can't think about it too much because that's when the tears come, but I want my children to know that this year was the best year of my life. Thankfully we have the BEST sitter who loves them as much as I do, so I know they will be well cared for. I hope Miss Liz is ready for these two!



Thursday, August 5, 2010

Hard Day At The Office

It's been a hard day at the office. First, I've dealt with Lilly the Spider Monkey scaling every chair, toilet, cabinet, and packing box in sight. Brave, yes. Graceful, no.


Then after a particularly uneventful trip to the pool, Monkey trips over thin air in the parking lot and busts his knee open. Thankfully no stitches, but it apparently hurts like hell when they glue your skin back together. This I gather from the ear piercing screams he shared with me and the poor doctor doing the gluing. He's resting quietly now after an oreo milkshake which is the cure to all ills.

Now I need to rest quietly...


Monday, August 2, 2010

Today I'm the World's Worst Mother

...alternately titled, Responsibility's A B*!$@ Apparently you earn yourself the title of World's Worst Mother if you:

A. make your child take a nap.

B. concede to "rest time" when he claims that his eyes just won't stay closed. Apparently playing in your room is torture.

C. Make your child actually CLEAN up the mess they made during rest time.

D. Offer to clean it for them if they pay you $2 of their own money.

E. Offer to solve the whole problem by throwing the toys away.

F. tell them to stay in their room until they have chosen from either C, D, or E.

Teaching your child responsibility is hard...on the both of you.

Monkey, I graciously thank you for this award. And one day you'll thank me.

*Bug requested that I mention you can also earn an Honorable Mention as World's Worst Mother if you:
-refuse to carry your child on your hip at all times.
-refuse to feed them lunch unless they are seated.
-or fail to have no less than 5 snack options with you at all times.



Thursday, July 29, 2010

Listen Carefully


Sometimes God tries to tell you something by whispering it softly in your ear. Other times He puts it in front of you like a flashing neon sign so that it can not be ignored.


I have felt Him speaking to me both ways lately.


He's whispering to me that it's okay to live in the gray area of life. For a long time I held my opinion as the highest and I was under the assumption that if you weren't with me, you were against me. But now I'm learning to consider the other side. To sometimes not care at all. And to still appreciate my strong opinions, but respect the opposition.


Then there's the neon sign. This is usually the one that's harder to deal with. Mine has been the reminder that I need to be true to myself. Life will try to jade you. People will try to change you and trip you. I just need to remember that what matters is that I'm true to myself whether you like it or not. Beyond that, I just need to Let Go and Let God.


I'm hoping that if I listen carefully that I can always hear what God is trying to tell me.



Wednesday, July 28, 2010

My Relationship With Facebook


Sometimes my relationship with Facebook seems like an ill-fated affair. There are so many things I love about it...the ability to keep up with far away friends through pictures, updates and chatting. However, just as in any relationship, we have our problems too. There are five to be specific, but facebook being the loving partner that it is has one feature that keeps me in the relationship.

Hide.

This lovely little feature gives me the ability to not delete, but hide anything or anyone that annoys me. Particularly these.


1. The Laundry Baskets. These people think FB is the appropriate place to air their dirty marital laundry. Every update is about what's going wrong in their marriage or relationship, what mistake their significant other has recently made, or what they're doing to mend their relationship. Attention Laundry Baskets: FB is not your therapist and if you don't want people all in your business then don't put it out there. HIDE.


2. On the other hand we have what I call the LoviePoos. These people love their dog, their husband, their child, their best friends and it's all they post. We get it. You love them, but how about spending less time tell the Facebook world and more time telling them. HIDE.


3. The Sports Announcers. You know these people. Their status reads, "Good Morning Facebook!! Got to make a quick trip to Home Depot, then mow the yard, then out for lunch with Mike, then we're watching the game. I'm busy today!" Thank you for the play by play, but it's really not necessary. HIDE.


4. The Attention Seekers. These are the posters of vague status' that imply impending doom or a huge surprise. "Why does this always happen to me? Will I ever learn?" or "Can't wait for Saturday...life will never be the same!" These people tell you nothing because they just want to engage you and lure you in to ask questions about them. This lady's not taking the bait. HIDE.


5. The Gamers. The Farmvillers. The Mafia Warriors. I'm not sending you boards or nails and if you continue to send me invitations to do so, HIDE. *I may be guilty of this when Monkey hacked my account and sent my friends invites to play Bubble Island. I'm immensely sorry.


If you're on my Facebook and you are any of these people, trust me, I've hidden you. Who do you hide on Facebook?



Monday, July 26, 2010

I Promise They're Photogenic, Really.

The Monkey requested a photoshoot with the Bug the other day. It was the first time he realized that they both having rocking chairs. I happily obliged. Until I looked at the results.


I promise they're photogenic...just not together. I can't wait to see how the Christmas card turns out this year.


Saturday, July 24, 2010

House of the Nekkid Nappers

Today we're obviously hosting a nekkid party at my house.

Morning nap is over. I go in to get the Bug up. She's diaperless...and happy.

It's afternoon naptime. The monkey comes wandering out of his room claiming he can't go to sleep. Again, naked. It's only after I bring it to his attention that he's not wearing any clothes that he looks down and nods his head in agreement.

He still makes no effort to dress. But I'm not going to push it. It's blazing hot here and it's nekkid party day, obviously.



Friday, July 23, 2010

Perfect Parenting

A blogger I read regularly posted a response on her blog today to some very negative feedback she received after an interview she did on parents giving their children non-prescription medicine. After reading the article I felt that what she said was "rearranged" to be put into the context that made it sound the worst. But what got to me...really got to me...were the comments on the article. The comments were self righteous, rude, and ignorant.

I understand that no, you shouldn't drug your children, but it wasn't just that topic that was addressed by the respondents. They were commenting on motherhood. And according to these people, they were the perfect parents and had the answers to it all. I think as mothers we are too hard on ourselves.

When I became a mother I didn't know that one child would roll off the changing table into the laundry hamper. Or that I give the other a sucker before they were a year old just to keep the peace. I didn't know that one would strip down naked and color themselves and my couch orange with a Sharpie while I grabbed a few extra winks. Or that I'd even consider that one (at about 6 months) had broken their nose after a not so graceful swan dive off the couch...while I was watching them...from less than a foot away.

Mothers need to know that this crap happens to everyone. And if they say it doesn't then they are liars. We are human. We make mistakes. And they are children; they will push boundaries, take risks, and make their own mistakes. We just need to accept this and move on because there is no such thing as the perfect parent or the perfect child. If you spend your life chasing after the idea of being the perfect parent then you'll surely miss all the fun.

...and just to make you smile!
All images courtesy of Anne Taintor.



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