Thank you to my followers and commenters...

We watched the Ironman on TV the other day... the kids were inspired to have their own version.

This is the biking part of their Ironman... Shane was so much ahead of Jessica-- I couldn't get them in the same photo...

I don't think Jessica was really in a hurry...

and then it was over.

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I wanted to thank all of you who commented on my previous post--

he is still minus medication, ~We went to a family gathering and Shane was better behaved than EVER.... I did happen to bring the ipod and he used that for a while to self calm... and he also got to borrow/steal  a wagon ... so during the gathering if I couldn't find Shane all I had to do was look for the wagon. I think I might invest in a wagon... it sure kept him close by. He even was sweet to his grandma Leanna and sometimes, he doesn't react well to her-- I am not sure what happened but he seems to be relatively fine...

Jessica and Shane were enjoying a TWINK IE.... they saw an old ad or something that mentioned TWINKIES... and so Jerry decided that he would buy a box, neither Jerry or I have had a TWINK IE in about 2 decades! The kids liked the TWINKIES.... Shane and Jessica asked for and got to eat one... Shane was SO fast I didn't get a picture of him eating it!
We got a bag of clothes from my cousin Emily... and Jessica claimed this red shirt as her own... She likes it ... and Shane-- he says he will stick with camo!
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Getting rid of the yeah-buts

yeah, but...

Do you ever find yourself asking for advise from someone and then saying yeah... but--
I keep getting taught this lesson over and over again--
When we ask for advise, we need to listen with open ears,hearts and minds-- because if we don't then we end up with yeah, buts... and those do not make changes!

I know it's not easy to ask for advise-- and I know that sometimes the thought of other people/parents knowing that something isn't going smoothly is scary.
I really think that if WE want CHANGE,
then we have to be OPEN to hearing a new way of doing things.

I have found that if you ask a professional, or a skilled parent for advise, it won't come quickly-- that person will stop and think before speaking-- I think WE/I as the parent need to STOP, and LISTEN.  Maybe the advise isn't just right, but if you don't try what they suggest..... then the change you wish for ... will not come.


Maybe the lesson is to ask for advise, and be clear about what you wish/want the result to look like.
I think parents need to be flexible and willing,
 but that the kids need to have consistency and structure,
seems kinda like a conundrum to me.

By the way Thank you to all my commenters who give me advise...
I do appreciate each and every one of you--
even when I think in my head... yeah, but   
 I have been TRYING to take your advise,  honest!   :)
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Meanwhile, back at the ranch... The kids, Jerry and I, invited some friends to meet us at the theater for a free movie-- because we got there a bit late--
 Jerry and Shane sat together and Jessica and I sat with our friends-- it was an interesting expirence... I didn't hear Shane's comments the whole movie... but I heard Jessica's laughter--
 I much perfered the laughter~~ maybe sitting apart at a movie theater is a good thing?

We saw Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs... we have seen if before but...it was still FUNNY!

I found that sitting on a blanket is nice, but that getting up (without hurting your foot and toes)-- requires a picnic table.

Maybe it was just the heat?

Last night Jerry came home from working a hot,and hard 12 hour shift.--
 I asked if we could grocery shop and he said Yes! (Such a Good husband I have...)
 So, the kids Jerry and I went grocery shopping!
I don't normally enjoy grocery shopping and with the kids? Not my idea of a good time...
But... we were out of cereal
and I wanted to see "the world" (cue: the sarcastic comment here!)
We had a list and we did a pretty good job of sticking to it... Shane did have a moment or two of despair and frustration,-- but Jerry was really relaxed when dealing with him, and by being so mellow -- Shane was quicker to stop the unwanted behavior and start doing the appropriate behavior! 
I wonder if I am being too impatient with Shane-- and because I want his attention, and response so quickly I am the one that is creating the bump in the road to good behavior? 
hummm...  I am going to do some thinking on this, and maybe try some testing with Shane.
Maybe it was just the heat? Maybe mom(me) was just overdone?

They were good until...dinner

Yesterday~  the kids played almost all day long together in the house, with very little fighting and really no crying, or whining -- I thought that I had won the mommy lottery! 
 But, then... Daddy came home and he took us to get gas in the KIA and dinner at KFC...
(I don't think that the behavior that followed was because of Daddy... but instead that we were in the car, and thus being held hostage....)
Shane was SUPER talkative the whole ride... it was all about the cars around us-- look there's a ford, look there's a PT cruiser--- WOw does that car really have an awesome spoiler!  
 Honestly, I am glad that he is taking an interest in the things around us.... but does he have to TELL me EVERYTHING he sees?  He is also very insistent that either Jerry or I reply to him,--
I have got to figure a way to stop this behavior --it's driving me nuts!
When we were at KFC, he was not doing a great job of staying seated while eating, I kept repeating the command, sit while you eat.-- But I think that I need to find a better way of dealing with his behavior-- My command/statement isn't working... I need to find a statement and maybe a consequence that will work. Maybe I need to go back and use a first, then statement-- Shane first you eat your dinner then you can ?  I don't have a clue what I am willing to "let" him do that would make both him and I happy.  hummm.... any suggestions?
Then, when it was time to walk out Shane was not paying attention to me at all-- it was like the lights were on but no one was home... I asked him to open the door for me-- but he didn't even seem to realize I was talking to him... I had my crutches with me and my purse-- so I really couldn't get down to his level to repeat my words...  hummmm...

I just got a call from a friend from high school...with an invite to a picnic get-to gether and I'd love to go... but I can't drive and Jerry is working so I had to say no... darn it... (If the gathering was closer I'd call and ask someone to drop, me and the kids off-- but since it is out of the way a bit-- I'd have to ask someone to be a chaperon for most of the afternoon!)
This foot had better serve me well when it's finally fixed, cause I am really tired of having to say no.... just because of my foot!

Nothing much going on here.

Yahoo, I didn't have to take the medication last night before bed-- when I take the meds I get really, really weird dreams, I seem to sleep well but I awake with such a weird feeling I only take the meds when I am having pain that is preventing me from sleeping.

So, far this week I have been moving around the house a little better-- I am really looking forward to Thursday-- I am supposed to get my own personal modified walking boot-. I was able to go up and down the stairs on Sunday -- that was nice. (In the past I have had to crawl up the stairs...not the most pretty or comfy idea)

Jerry took the kids to the local BMX track yesterday -- Shane had a marvelous time...Jessica had fun but not quite as much. Later in the evening, Jessica and Jerry went back to the track to watch the races they have-- Jessica was not that impressed.... Shane stayed home cause he wanted his 45minutes of computer time!

Shane has been without medication since the end of school and although we have had a few meltdowns-- they haven't been violent or destructive.  Although as happy as I am about all that I am still aware that we haven't been putting Shane in hugely challenging situations,-- last year we went very often to Free lunches at the park-- Shane really had to learn to stand in line and wait... We also went to the free family movies at the mall ... But since I am not super mobile-- and Jerry is not always motivated (to wake up and) to go places- we haven't done these things yet this summer.

New hair cut... and some other stuff

Shane... having some classic "boy,water play"

It has been really hot here-- and although my dear hubby installed the A/C unit-- I couldn't stand my hair and I had a good portion cut off!
I feel SOOOOOooooo much better-- My hair seems to have body and curl-- which is pretty darn amazing -- Usually I have flat thin hair...

Jessica got home from church camp on Friday, to find that her Betta fish Marina died... Shane was also angry that we had not done "anything" special for him while Jessica was at church camp. (We did have some really fun plans for him on Friday, but then Jerry had to work so that effectively ruined the plans for Shane.)

So, now we have two new Betta fish, one boy, one girl-- Jessica,Shane and I got our hair cut-- but Shane and Jessica's need some fixing.... I was in pain and not really able to go back and ask for the hairdresser to fix their hair-- so hopefully they will let me or one of my girlfriends fix their hair.

Tomorrow -- well.. Jerry is going to drive all of us to church ... and I am hoping that I will be able to handle being in the wheel chair --
On Monday we have two appointments, one for Jessica for her retainer, and one for me and my foot.... hopefully I will come home with a walking boot. Jerry says that even if I don't want to see-- he is going to take pictures of my gnarly foot.   

Jessica,Jerry and Shane did bury Marina-- they said some nice words and then put her in the "swimming pool "garden" .... with a marker.   I was resting from getting my hair cut so I stayed in bed with  my foot up. Jessica orginially wanted to creamate her fish in the oven... Jerry talked her into buring Marina, Thank Gosh!

I have learned that my husband and my daughter are great at helping when they want to --- but sometimes they are annoyed that I call for help...       I can't WAIT to be independent again...  I can do some stuff  on my own-- but the crutches wear me out and our house is simply too small and messy for the wheelchair. They aren't being terribly un-helpful-- but let's just say there is ALWAYS room for improvement! :) 

I am seriously considering going on an all liquid diet while I am still unable to walk-- and see how much, or if that will help me?

Doing well enough!

I just had to go online and read about all my friends on FB...
it's amazing(or weird,or wrong ) how much I use FB to know all about others... :)

Jerry drove up on the motorcycle to bring Jessica her necessities-(I was at home alone... errr with Shane) - he was almost there and then his gas tank sprung a leak ... he fixed it with come electricians' tape and a screw...    What is a good story about Jerry,  and his vehicles without a bit of drama...?
(he came home feed me and Shane and then promptly went on craigslist to "pre-shop" for a motorcycle.,... silly man, I know his motorcycle is old and in need of replacement, but my KIA ... is first to get an upgrade.)

Me neighbor Pam came to my rescue and washed my hair in her front yard... awww Joy! 

Shane is doing well enough with out the medication-- he is willing to listen and follow directions as long as the TV,video or radio is off...  he even cooked me a chimmychanga... :) 
I am learning how to use the crutches in our super small house, I am learning that the wheelchair is nice to use outside.


and now I need to go put up my foot... it's telling me to go and rest...
I am sure this post is rather odd and rambling... I blame the drugs...
:) 

Garage Sale,Grocery Store Etiquette

Is there such a thing as Garage Sale Etiquette? http://www.drdaveanddee.com/etiquette.html

This is a picture out my front door-- apparently there is a block long garage sale-- happening today!
The street is not very wide so it has been kinda funny to see people and cars try to navigate the small space there is ...  It got me to thinking, if you weren't apart of the block long garage sale-- but you just happened to have stuff on your front yard-- how would people react? Would they just walk into your yard and start picking things up? And then how would you as the homeowner react? Would you run outside yelling and screaming?  What would happen if you were cleaning out the garage and yet people thought your stuff was  apart of the sale?

Garage Sales are such a fluid thing-- they often don't have an official, beginning middle and end.--
{Well at least that is my observation.}-- I would imagine that there are people-(not me)- who will start a sale at 8 am on the dot and stop that sale at 5pm.-- But I really think that doesn't happen very often. 
When you go to a garage sale do you discuss,out loud ~ what you like or don't like do you whisper to your neighbor-- "This price is too high?". 
So, many things about a garage sale are not clearly stated-- should I dicker/bicker about the price? Should I ask to try out the item? Should I even touch the item?

I would imagine that all these questions are much like the questions that plague our SPD kids -- and even our regular kids have -- navigating the "social world"!

I find myself doing a ton of pre-talking before we go somewhere-- lately I haven't been pre-talking too much-- I have a head cold and I am just trying to "get through" life. 

We went grocery shopping yesterday and I forgot to talk with the kids about how I wanted the groceries packed in the bags...  I had a moment of anger and frustration when Jessica was just putting items in...."willy nilly" Shane was just happy to keep pressing the button to move the conveyor belt -- he would take the  items off the belt and then press the button again.

I really think that if I had not been dealing with a head cold I would of managed the situation better-- .
I didn't yell or scream at the kids but I moved them both out of the way and finished the sacking of the groceries all by myself. Later after we were home, I thought about how I had just let a teach-able moment pass -- I could of done a MUCH better job of pre-talking and then showing what I wanted done.

I was annoyed that I let the moment pass-- I was also annoyed that I let others' who seemed to be SUPER impatient motivate me to just do it myself.  

Why do we have to be in a hurry to do everything?? Why can't we just slow down and breathe?
I wonder if these questions are the ones that prevent our SPD kiddos from responding quickly to a request?
Maybe if I slow down my expectations--
 maybe that will allow my children the time they NEED to comply with a request?
anyway.... just thinking... and wishing this head cold would STOP holding me back! .... geez I'm impatient! :)
haha ha

Weather, shmeather--

look the kids are creating a castle with the sand

daddy made the kite Jessica is working with and Shane created his own

homemade kites in the front yard

The date stamp proves...

that we did have pretty blue skies

for a short time on 6-5-09~

I must remember this--

because the weather has been SO rainy

that I am afraid my brain might be waterlogged!
Shane got some (sensory) sand time in a a local park... thanks to sisters' gardening tools! The weather has been very weird here in Oregon, rainy~ sunny, hard rain, soft rain, grey skies, rain-the sun peeking through, humid rain... did I mention the rain? Since it was nice for a bit ~ I wanted to take advantage -- We only stayed for about 45minutes but the kids were VERY happy to just be out of the house !

Happy Mother's Day

I don't have much to post today ... but I found this from a previous post.
http://frogparenting.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-things.html

or this from Feburary 2nd 2008
http://frogparenting.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-honor-of-erma-bombeckand-another.html


The kids have had breakfast, I have had a cup of coffee-- later we will go to church.
The kids did give me hugs and wish me Happy Mother's Day, but since we are broke-- we might just have a different version of Mother's Day, a cheap or free one! :)


Happy Mother's Day~

Our Walk part two...

Shane and Jessica stopped to read the information at our half way point.

If you look closely you can see pigeons on top of this roof?

As we were walking back to the car, we saw these pigeons flying around and around (the top of the house) like they were in a mid-air NASCAR race-- then they landed on the roof.

Shane.... had enough...

I guess there was or wasn't enough sensory input? Or maybe his sickness was bothering him?

Whatever it was, it sure slowed down the walk and irritated me...

Note to self: next time walk with adults -- or be willing to go at someone else's pace. !

Just another day?

Jessica is not worried about the fashion police... I am...

Jerry finally was able to get us faster Internet...

we now have broadband thru cricket...

and I am so very happy...

 I will be spending my day with Shane tomorrow--

 he received a level 3 and so he is going to be home with me ...

 His IA has been making his tasks more challenging and so -- he rebelled today-- he threw his hat at the IA--

His Special Ed teacher and I were in complete agreement on the ABC's of the event...

We knew what the Ascendant was-- His IA requesting a quicker response

The B -- Behavior-- was his throwing the hat and being rude and disrespectful

The C-- Consequences -- Tomorrow he will be home with me, he will have homework and then also homework from his social skills class-- I hope the weather holds so that I can get him doing some heavy work outside.

We also had a three hour appointment with the Early Steps program... they have been visiting us since Shane was about 2-- each time they come out we have to fill out

a TON of questionnaires... and they video tape us-- playing with Shane... They involved all of us... Jerry got paid $80.00 for his part, Shane and Jessica got gift cards for about $20.00 at Toys R Us.. Since I was the main contributor....my check was $180.00!   

But, because Shane is home tomorrow, I can't take him to use his card... that would negate the whole staying at home consequence.   I also can't take him with me to spend my money-- 

 It seems like Shane and I get to ...."share" his consequences.? Aw, Joy!

Our version of Normal...

So, Shane, Jessica and I went to visit the developmental pediatrician today--

Shane and Jessica LOVE going there-- the Dr. has great toys... :) and she never pokes you for shots!  

This toy was magnetic ... and Shane created this-- he said it was his version of a church and then when it was time to leave and break it down, he said "I'm the devil and I'm breaking down the church"

I'd say those were pretty profound words for a 1st grader!

This visit was just a check-up visit... we talked about how Shane is doing at school and at home ... I even had the Dr. look at the rash on Shane's chest... and back-- she felt that it was a contact rash...

maybe the dog irritated Shane's skin... or maybe it was the laundry soap--  It hasn't gotten any worse and there are no new symptoms to report -- so we are taking a wait and see attitude about it.

The Dr asked  how things were going and I explained that things were mostly fine... she was very happy to hear that Shane seems to be learning how to self-manage his behaviors.

We talked about taking Shane off of his medication during the summer to see how he does--

Both Jerry and I have not been eager to have Shane on meds,

{Risperdol}

(although they have helped)  

so hearing that this summer would be a test run without meds-- sounds fine to me.

(feel free to remind me that I said this during the summer... :) )

The Dr and I talked about the things that I use to help Shane when we have to wait in line,

 or during transition's...

1. pipe cleaners...different colors,different sizes
2. sugarless gum or Tic Tac's
3. window clings
4. tinfoil.... (this is a new suggestion from,my FB friend Nicole!thanks!)
5. handheld games.. we have a math one from our book fair.

So, anyway it was nice to visit a Dr, have a good visit and then leave feeling like,

Shane is just his version of normal! 

Simple, and yet priceless Joy!

I am learning that our family is not perfect, 

 no ...really we aren't PERFECT! huh...? who would of thunk it? :)

 my personal Dr. wants me to loose weight, by making two lifestyle changes, I need to be more motivated to follow through with exercising and cutting back on portions. I am hoping that the Spring weather will help me stay focused on getting healthy.  Often when the kids are arguing I tell them to be kind to each other-- I tell the kids that we only have one Jessica and or one Shane-- we need to treat her with love and kindness--I think I might need to ask the kids to say this to me... Mommy needs praise and encouragement also!  

I hope that I can get the tape in my head changed to a postitive message...

 It's not the first step that is the hardest but it's the steps in the middle -- when the end is not yet in sight.

But, even as I type this I think that maybe it's not a race or an event,

it's a whole new way of looking at things-

It's funny to me how things with the kids aften mirror things with myself...

 I want the public to see my son as his version of normal and I want the public to understand that he is still learning to be skilled at self managing his behaviors.

Now, I need to apply that thinking to myself, and getting healthy, I need to NOT expect perfection-- I need to just stay motivated and focused on the task--

The small steps I take will keep me on a path to a better me...

See, don't I sound positive and focused? ...

I am sure I will make mistakes... but isn't that what life is all about ?

Learning how to learn life lessons the FIRST time?

So, if you are willing? 

 I would love to hear your input...

postive is good, but honesty-with love is also welcome!

Spring Break~

Just the other day I was on my way into my local Walmart when I saw, and heard this...

A guy was sitting in a chair, with a huge fan on the back and ... "flying"    I just had to take some pictures

but these are the only two that are worth posting.

I was recently at my Dr.'s and she impressed upon me that I needed to make some serious lifestyle changes, -- so I saw these DANSKINNOW 2lbs weighted balls (sold only at Walmart)

I thought they would be fun for me to use, and maybe Shane would enjoy doing some heavy work with them.

Shane, while at  Grandma and Grandpa's--  driveway he was pushing the ball up the hill... with such focus... (right after I snapped this picture, he took the ball and said"Hey, Jessica-- catch! " and then threw the ball at Jessica's head! ) I am so glad the ball was awkward to throw so it missed Jessica's head, and glasses!

I was trying to get the kids and the dog to look cute, and stay still...

Shane wasn't happy being in the sunlight... I couldn't snap the picture quick enough for him!

And here is Grandma and Grandpa and the kids--

 I like this picture it sure shows Shane's personality...!

This is Grandma and Grandpa's new dog... it's name is Bitzy... it's a lab and bulldog mix, it was the runt of the litter,going to be put down by the vet- until the vet tech took the dog home and hand fed it with a syringe --It is a cute and snugly dog, but it doesn't seem to understand fetch or come when it's called.

More to say ... but not today... he he ha ha ...

I don't feel good, wah, wah,wah...

I feel like my head is not my head, and that instead I have a football helmet with spray-foam in it for my head.
I finally decided to call in the professional... and I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow.
I think that I will be taking Shane in also-- his cheeks are red, but he doesn't have a fever... I'm thinking possible fifths disease...--  ? But, I figure that since my parents will have the kids for the weekend, I will get him checked out ...just in case!...
Shane has had a tough time with recess and P.E this week... I am not sure what is going on but I am having a tough time dealing with Shane -- while feeling like cold gravy. yuck!
It's a nice sunny day, a bit windy and I just want to curl up on the bed and close my eyes...

Thanks for letting me wine/errr whine !
If I feel up to it, my dear hubby wants to take me out for date night-- while the kids are away at Grandma and Grandpa's...   I really want to do some furniture moving & cleaning while the kids are away I hope the Dr. makes me well quickly!

It seems like I have "all me eggs in the basket of Dr. make me well..."

 I hope I get good news at the Dr's office!

I'll write again when I feel better!

Daddy took the kids to the Driving range

Daddy took the kids to the driving range,

 they hit a couple bucket of balls, and burned some calories !

(Daddy only took 4 pictures... so that's all we get to see!)

you say you want More pictures? really? well okay then-- look at these!

While at the restaurant Mo's

 Shane was fascinated with the shiny things on the walls...

Jerry and the kids walking out on the Jetty...
      I ...was bringing up the rear... as usual!

This is the plaque that is on the Jetty... built by the Oregon National Guard...

The wind and rain, were preventing me from opening my eyes...

This is a tree that the kids found at the fishing hole... it was really ..."knotty"...

The kids and Jerry on the path... ahead of me as usual...

More Coast Pictures

Were you waiting around for more pictures?  That's nice...    ~ glad I could fill a need!

:) I think I am SO funny...

This is a "classic" picture of the kids, I was trying to get the background all centered in and then I needed to have them doing something, so I asked them to wave... good thing..
 ahem...  I didn't want to see their faces!

The other day Shane came home with a Bionicle from his playdate, -- I let Shane bring it with us on the drive-- but Shane kept putting the bionicle in my hair... finally I took it away and since the kids had recently watched Short Circut-- the bionicle was "dissassembled..."  on the dashboard of the truck.
Today I was returned the Bionacle to Shane-- hopefully it will not need dissassemble today!

On our way back home, Jerry wanted to stop by one of his favorite fishing spots and show us the scenery-- Shane had been complaining that he just wanted to go home, but once he was outside and he found two sticks...
he was happy to just..."be"... a boy in the woods...with sticks...
I guess you could call this simple,priceless~ Joy?

Just one of "those" days ~

Life is not always easy...nor is parenting-- :)

Just when you think you are knowledgeable about your kids, they either change their behaviors or-- your skills become obsolete!    Heck of a learning curb/curve if you ask me!

Today there was an Assembly at school, and Shane had a sub-- who is REALLY great with him-- she knows his regular teacher and so Shane doesn't have a chance to be a "pill" --- cause there are too many eyes on him... hehehehe! ahem 
 I was at the school to do some filing for Jessica's teacher, I overheard Shane with his IA, (Instructional Assistant) Shane was very adamant that he WOULD not be going to the Assembly, his IA was trying to convince him that he needed to try, -- I heard his tone of voice and I just knew that he was not going to be able to manage the Assembly.   I waited till they were past me in the hallway and then I tried to walk by them without Shane noticing--- I didn't want to be a distraction that ruined anything his IA had talked Shane into. (It doesn't feel good to avoid your child at school, but I knew that if he saw me the wrong time that might just set him up to make more negative comments.) 
Shane looked up just as I was walking by, he gave me a half-hearted hug and then went the other way with his IA... the look on his face was like he wasn't really there-- his eyes weren't there normal color and his smile didn't have the same brilliance.  It makes me sad to see my son with that look on his face, I think he doesn't even know that he's not connected to his body, and yet it's like he wants to ... just break-through the veil.
I went to the Assembly and watched the other kids get good behavior awards~
 (4 or 5 awards per each classroom),
I clapped and smiled, but there was that part of my heart that was torn-- Shane tries so hard ALL the time, and yet his behavior is not yet ....seen as typical-- he gets a TON of support in the classroom and he is doing relatively well academically-- {with the exception of handwriting}  but because he is not yet an expert at managing his SPD--he is still squirmy and wiggly...
Shane has been asking and asking to have a play-date with a few of the different boys at school-- I have been reluctant to say yes-- I know from experience how quickly Shane can meltdown and I know how his meltdown can have affects hours and sometimes days later.
 I finally overcame my terror, and we planned today...  to finally have the play-date.
I didn't want to leave Shane alone, but after talking with my neighbor-- who is a great sounding board, and talking with the Dad, about how to call if Shane starts to get twitchy... I finally decided that I needed to just let Shane do this. ---
Can I just say I was ...really ....really sweating this decision! 
It was so helpful that I could go back over to my neighbors' house and try to keep busy talking with her, all the while watching the clock tick by.... I think that might of been one of the longest hours... EVER!
Finally it was time to go get Shane, Jessica wanted to stay where she was so -- I went by myself, and even though it took about 40 minutes to leave-- between Shane taking off and on his shoes, finding his socks, getting a loaner toy to transition to, and me ... talking this poor father's ear off about how our family is "just different."  
 I am SURE that I said too much, but on the other hand, I would rather the Father possibly understand why we are like we... "are" -- than think that we are a bunch of wacko's! ...
 Hey, are we a bunch of wacko's...anyway? nah... I hope not!

I have been trying new recipe's for dinner this week, tonight the kids gave me the thumbs down...last night wasn't much better...    (Last night was breaded pork-chops that were soaked in OJ and then breaded-- along with some Parmesan couscous-- they liked the flavor of the couscous-- but the texture wasn't appealing)
 I was hoping to have a home run with one of the dinners-- ah, well at least I know my husband and I will have some happy taste-buds! This evening we had Maple-pecan  pork-chops--

I guess I have been cooking the bland food that the kids like so much that now they are not interested in food with new flavors!  grrrrr. ...

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the week, I hope that Jerry and I can keep the kids busy this weekend.  Jerry wants to take the kids bowling.... I hope this is a good idea!

Now, Patience & Boundaries

VERY Often when I post here, it's all about what is happening with my kids--
 it's not usually "well thought out--" ah hem...
but I figure if you just read it -- eventually it might make sense?
And if it doesn't-- then I take comments... and questions. :)
I like to read other people's blogs, to remind myself that
I am not the only one in the Whole wide world who...
would rather hang with my kids than...
 do what you want me to do-- because you think that I need to do what you want...
 I think that life with kids is so full of guilt ... am I doing this right, will they hate me when they are old, will they every be "normal", is their "normal" enough?, am I enough for what they need?, .
But I also think that sometimes boundaries are IMPORTANT...
 I think that if  I choose to focus with  what others' might see as Obsessive Complusive Disorder on my kids, then fine... I choose to do, what I deem to be the very best for my kids. :)
Learning to say No is key for my sanity...
Learning to say, I am only able to do this-- and stick to IT!
Learning to say, I'll do that tomorrow?
Anyway... when I was reading some blogs this morning,

• 5 minutes for Special Needs
• Allergy Life in Loudon
• Hartley's Life with Three boys
• It's Almost Naptime

while waiting...impatiently for my dear hubby to awake (and help ME with a task, that takes two people...) 
 I am learning that I need to be as patient with others'
                             as I WISH they would be for me.

We are trying to down-size and we have found some new homes for our plastic outdoor play structures--
I want to deliver them NOW, but my dear sweet hubby is sleeping, he was asked to work this evening.

(Well.,..bless his heart--as Missy @ It's only Naptime might say...)

bless his heart that he said Yes, to helping another,
 bless his heart that he is working an extra day-- we can use the extra money...but ...
bless his heart that his wife, needs him!
(to WAKE UP!)



There is also a Tsunami warning for the Oregon Coast, apparently there was an Earthquake in Chile. I'd like to drive to the coast and
see what Mother Nature has up her sleeve.(uh, er NOW!)

I'd like my kids to do their chores now, and with out complaint--
 I'd also like my kids to play together and make compromises....
But, I am learning .... that maybe I need to be patient?

In the past I have worked at the school's book fair, this year I was very vague about committing to helping, and although I feel like I am doing something GOOD for my kids--
 I still hear that little voice in my head saying... go and help...you know you want to-- who cares if they say mean things about you when your back is turned, you are doing this for the "good" of the school, who cares if they ask you why you don't just parent the way they do? 
I am sure the book fair will be great, and maybe I'll enjoy the book fair MORE as a spectator and customer not as a overworked, under appreciated volunteer.

I just want to be like Melody at Slurping Life  (Can I have dessert first?)