Post #660 !

I am learning that being 40 doesn't mean that you are a "know it all"
-- it just means that you give the illusion that you might know some stuff...

I have been learning that as much as I want  to get motivated and exercise, it is still too soon for me to be thinking about walking with my Aunt... right now I have to stay focused on using my foot and toes as I have been taught. I have learned that I need to SLOW DOWN and pay attention to how my body feels.
May I just state for the record that I am not good at SLOWING DOWN?

Thank you GOD... for being patient and willing to teach me this lesson again and again -- :)
(Thank you sir... may I have another?)  :)

I am currently reading Who's pulling your strings? by Harriet B. Braiker
 How to Break the cycle of Manipulation and Regain control of your life!

I am also reading No More Meltdowns by Jed Baker PhD
Alot of the things he talks about I know already, but his words are really easy to read--
(There is a little comic on page 57 ... it says "Mommy brought you a lovely elephant and a nice juggler to amuse you, in case you get bored waiting for the food." I laughed for a good while after reading that... It really is AMAZING the stuff I will do to make the social issues less.... of an issue!
 sigh...breathe... sigh

Both of the kids seem to be very happy to be back at school, they are both very happy with their teachers, and Jessica was almost giddy when she got to do homework yesterday!  I was happy to see that the kids had homework also :)


The other night,while in the middle of dinner- Shane came into the living room to complain "Jessica is eating the butter!"-- Jerry asked Shane.... "Well, are you jealous?" Shane replied, "No, I just wanted her to get in trouble!"  {Never a dull moment with these kids... nope, never a dull or quiet moment!}


I am in the middle of doing some sewing for Jessica's teacher from last year-- her teacher is pregnant and so I am sewing some things for her and the baby... Oh, what Joy!

Two people that are near and dear to my heart have been in need of prayer-- my cousins' daughter Ally-- and also my friend Patty who comments here as "Me...."
  Ally seems to be having relationship issues and Patty was in a car accident. --
 If you can --would you please pray for them? Thanks!

Sunny Happy Great Wonderful Monday!

Although both Jerry and didn't sleep well last night-- we were both awake at about 3am.--
 (there is a dog that keeps getting into our trash...grrrrr...)
 The morning turned out marvelous!   
The sun was shining and I checked my email first thing to find out that my sister-in-law Sara went to the hospital at about...3am last night(err this morning). She was past due to have my niece-- and finally at 8:57am  Georgia Jeanne Hutcheson was born! she weighed 7pounds 15ounces and she measured 20.5 inches long!
I am so flipping happy! A while back I had a strange dream about this baby and her name... part of my dream came true! How weird is that?

Anyway... on to regular news posting... :)

We had the IEP for Shane today, and also a gathering :Thanking of parent volunteers--
 Both events were SPECTACULAR!
I am feeling so special and appreciated, now if I could just beam myself down to California  to hug and hold that beautiful baby-- well-- then I would have nothing to wish for! :)

This was the first IEP meeting that I have had where-- all of the people at the table were finishing each others' sentences-- I didn't have to suggest hardly anything! I did take some notes before the meeting and brought copies for some-- my printer decided to not follow directions,. But it was a smooth meeting, his new teacher is eager and willing to have Shane in her class. What a pure and simple blessing! 

Then the kids and I went to the gathering to thank the parent volunteers--  It was so lovely I almost cried-- I got a picture of all the third graders, with letters from them--handwritten thanking me for helping out! awwww..... and then Shane's teacher gave me a certificate and some chocolates . 
They really like me.... really they do!   p.s. ~ I like them also!

Hope your Monday was MARVELOUS!
oh... and my favorite commenter...."Me" is now on FB.... yip yip hurray!

Mommy, Mom, Mother

A good mom I know... Patty-(also known as "me" in comments..)- sent this to me-- it made tears well up in my eyes-- so I thought I would post it here-- just in case ya' all needed a cry! -- I only hope that my kids are able to ask me my opinion before they are 35...  and I hope... and pray that I might live to see my kids turn 65 .
MOTHERS
 Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
 They don't have time to make it.
 Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
 Are probably in the sandbox.
 Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.
 Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up..
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
 Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...
 It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.....
 The Images of Mother
 4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
 8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't know everything!
 14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn't have a clue.
 16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
 25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
 35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
 45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
 65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
 The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the
figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
 The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
 Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
 It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
 Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
I'm still mommy to my kids,  I hope I can grow ...err gracefully into "Mother" .

The Eugene Weekly,The Eugene Library, juggling balls,and new shoes all in one day!

 Many things happened today~
My friend Patty... who is a  funny,sweet,sassy-- classy  -- karaoke hostess-
- helped to get a front page article all about our local karaoke scene... http://www.eugeneweekly.com/

The article was written by someone who REALLY likes to use adjectives-- which is nice... but a bit over the top if you ask me... and I wouldn't really describe Patty as the author Rick Levin did-- but then I have known her since I was 20 something and I am now almost 40-- I guess I see her in a different way?

Jessica's classroom and  8 or so adults went on the city bus to the Eugene Public Library-- I didn't want to ride on the city bus-- and so I met them at the library. It was a fascinating tour -- we got to see the machine that sorts the books-- the kids even  got complemented on,  all the questions that they asked--!   They each got to check out one book-- or more if they had a card and permission from an adult. Mrs.Kreider,our teacher- was nice enough to check out all the books on her card-- I helped out by taking the books back to school in my car-- I figured she didn't need to carry that huge quantity, and weight of books on the bus.  The kids were back at school and getting back started on their day when apparently there was a report of a community member who said the kids had been obnoxious while they were out and about. -- All of the parents' and staff that were with the kids were stunned-- I really wonder if they were even sure that their complaint was about our group -- or maybe instead other kids that were NOT a apart of the group?   It was just sad to see all the kids and staff reactions to this comment, it's hard not to take the comment personally-- but I wonder what motivated the comment.    (more pictures of library trip to come)

Then after school, Jessica was able to go and learn how to make juggling balls-- I plan on making some more for Shane over the weekend-- so I'll take pictures and give you a step by step directions then... very easy and cheap... I can't wait to show and share!

A few weeks ago Jessica grew out of her shoes-- so Jerry found her some new ones-- Which was nice... but then Shane has been ... begging for new shoes ever since!  Today, we were able to get him some new shoes-- at our local Dick's store-- Shane and Jessica thought that the mannequins were so.."fake" although they were both impressed to find that the mannequins have belly buttons and six-pack Ab's!
                                       WOW,  WHO would of thunk it?
I also found some EXPENSIVE but really nice exercise clothes at Dick's-- and even though I am often cheap... (think Walmart)~ It was nice to see nice,new, exercise clothes in my size!

Still in prayer for :
Travis and Family, The Hennhouse, Rick Dancer, and Haiti -- I do wish this list would get smaller!

Tp,perfection, and weekends without Daddy

Patty, I confess I did tp a bit at your place, but to my minimal defense, I was not alone, and we did not use even a whole roll !

Shane and Jessica recently had a "playdate"-- S and E came over to play for a while, their
Mom had to go to an orientation for her new job!

Yesterday I had to take the kids to the grocery store, and Shane was not behaving as I wanted him to ... I was angry with him, I couldn't figure out why he couldn't stay focused--- Then we we got to the car this song was on the radio-- the kids know I LOVE this song so they asked me to turn it up-- while singing to the song in the car-- I realized that PERFECTION really is my enemy!

Album: My Paper Heart

Artist: Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age

I'm still looking for a dream

A war's already waged for my destiny

But You've already won the battle

And You've got great plans for me

Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender

Got a couple rips in my jeans

Try to fit the pieces together

But perfection is my enemy

On my own I'm so clumsy

But on Your shoulders I can see

I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl

I thought I had it figured out

My life would turn out right,

and I'd make it here somehow

But things don't always come that easy

And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe

that I can do anything

Yet other times I think

I've got nothing good to bring

But You look at my heart

and You tell me

That I've got all You seek

And it’s easy to believe

Even though

(Chorus)

this weekend without Daddy -

- who is busy getting snowed on while,

looking for deer with horns... :)

[they (the hunters) have only seen deer without horns...]

I hope the snow will help them find what they want!

Rain,pain, and the week to come!

When Danni suggested that she take Jessica and I backpacking, I said yes, because I thought that Danni would not take her only sister in law,(me) and her only niece (Jessica) hiking to ...hurt them.

Danni is super organized, she had Jessica and I bring our clothing choices over to her house to get her... approval or disapproval... Danni does not allow cotton material for hiking... I have almost a whole closet full of cotton clothing... I looked for clothing that wasn't cotton and I found a few pieces-- Thank God for St Vinny's and Goodwill's!

When we packed our clothing, Danni loaned me two pair of socks, one was wool--- I didn't want to wear them...but I did.

The forecasters all said that there was only.. a 30% chance of rain....

They were WRONG .... it rained as we hiked in, it rained while we set up,it rained while we made dinner,it rained while we were in our tents blowing up the air mattresses, then while we slept, it rained.

In the morning we awoke to find that it had also froze the rain drops on the tents!~

It was so very nice to see the sunshine later that day!--

that is why there is the picture of me with sunglasses, soaking up the sun.

(please view this picture with your best airbrushing in mind...) Thanks!

We met many different groups of hikers --some older....some younger---but I was very proud to be apart of the group of 4 ladies who stuck it out... since Jessica and I were new to hiking, we could of whined and said let's leave NOW... but neither Jessica nor I were willing to admit defeat!

I am very sore, Jessica says she is very sore, being out in nature when the sun was shining down on the pretty water and the sky was the PERFECT shade of blue... ahhhh-- it was worth it!

One of the ladies from our church who is a healthy, happy hiker, happened to be available to come with us, which was fun-- she told stories about China, and her travels and experiences there--.

I can't say that I already have my next hiking trip planned-- because I am still working thru the pain of this one... but it was kinda fun...

When I got home my husband had done some work in the kitchen,(cleaning) he even made cookies! Shane had the privilege to play video games almost the whole weekend.

While the cat is away... the mice will play?

This week is another busy week for us~ tomorrow is curriculum night at the kids' school -- Jerry's birthday is on Wes. and Shane's birthday is on Thursday. On Sat. Jerry "gets" to watch a girl from his work...fight in a cage fight-- (WHAT?) -- and then on Sunday I get to help my dear friend Patty celebrate her birthday--

I wonder if October will be less busy?

Pictures from Karaoke...

this is me... on my way to church... I thought I had good hair and makeup-- but with the sunglasses... ah whatever...
Did you know that yesterday was the annivesary of Elvis passing away at 42?

This is my dear friend Patty-- who just happens to be a karaoke host--- she was laughing at some of her "singers" --

This is a "guy" who decided that he needed to look like ELVIS

This is a lady that had SO much spunk... the Elvis wig and glasses were her idea...

and here-- dancing.... much like Elivis-- I so wish you could of been there... it was VERY funny!

Happy New Year

I think that buying the new cook ware was a good thing, but -- when I read the directions -- I found that the Paula Deen cookware is only under warranty if it is washed, by hand! I guess I'll be spending more time in the kitchen?-- I am usually a rinse the dirty and use the dishwasher type!

I went to visit my friend Patty-- at a bar on campus- where she hosts karaoke-- and I have to say that --
Just for entertainment purposes I should go and people watch there more often. I left with more appreciation for my kids and their attempts to be "good".-- I really wanted to pull some of the girls aside and remind them that "Hello, you are in the public view!"
Our local community college is creating a performance of "Godspell" they were at karaoke to plug their performance-- and to sing some -- It was sad to hear that one of the cast mention, before he sang~ that he wasn't a Christian -- but he would act the part while he sang and while on stage...
I thought for a moment about going over and seeing if I could invite him to see praise and worship in action-- and then I decided that -- I might not help him, come to the Lord by being so forward~

Then, when I finally got the the library -- I happened to see the DVD-- for Godspell! Jerry and the kids are watching it now... it was written in 1973 --- so it's a peculiar DVD...

I hope you and yours have a Happy New Year and that blessings and good things
come your way! ---

Talk with you next year!
cheers!

First days and such~

The First Days of kindergarten and 2nd grade~
*my camera didn't have good enough batteries-- so I was unable to get pictures of the kids...AGH! *

Jessica had her first day of 2nd grade yesterday and it sounds as though she and her teacher are a perfect fit... The teacher asked the kids to ask as many questions, as possible -- the tougher the better-
Jessica asked "What is the thickest book in the world?" The teacher replied that she thought either the dictionary or the Bible! This teacher seems really plugged in to my daughter and who she is as a person! Yippppeeeee!

Shane's first day of kindergarten--- Well, -
The teacher asked me to stay for the whole day --
I said , "Okay-" I figured that I could help out and also try to point out the cues that Shane will show when he starts to melt-down.--- However, I became the fix-it mom--

• I helped the two sweet Hispanic girls finally STOP crying... I asked the girls if they went to church-- they said uh-huh--- in between sobs-- I said "Well, school is like church we learn about school stuff and later we go home to our Mommy and Daddy's" It took a while longer, but finally the girls stopped crying!
  
• If you read the previous post about meet the teacher day-- you know how I helped a little boy out from under a table?-- Well, this same boy-- escaped from the classroom-- through the boy's bathroom -- out to the playground! I was the one who went and found the child, and brought him back... (finding this boy was so..."normal" for me... it seems I do this a lot with Shane}
  
• I helped one the other boys' calm himself-- the teacher, the instructional assistant and I didn't know that there was NO RECESS for kinders on the first day of school... (HOW ANNOYING! ) anyway... I helped calm this little boy who was angry and frustrated-- I wanted to see the kids play outside myself...

There really are so many other things that happened that didn't sit well with me--
Of course, I have to realize that from EEP to public school was like going from an A+ to a D-

But, Shane seemed no worse for wear once we got home--
And --- more than one of the people (Patty,Laura,Elizabeth,Rochelle,Rick,Jerry)
I called to whine and complain to -- suggested that I just let him be--- I know that my son knows right from wrong and I know that he is a smart child--
So, I think for now I will just wait and see if this teacher is able to do -- what our taxes pay her for.
(Meanwhile, I am praying often and hard that the Spirit will help me be the force of change if need be, and that my tongue will only spout... helpful things! )

So, I guess this is day three of WIP~

Snopes,and carrot rings...

I found out that if you use a veggie peeler like the one above, and you peel carrots-- then you roll the peeled carrots up and put them in an ice cube tray

After you freeze them for a while you get frozen carrot rings--- my son happens to think these are AWESOME--- they are very cold and they do get somewhat slimy while you eat them-- they also leave orange-colored carrot juice on the face...
but you child eats the carrots!
And really as long as they eat it--- That's the GOAL!

Well...
Can I just say that even when I think I'm alone -- I'm not?
The rain comes falling down, or the wind ruffles my hair--
or I smell the stink of my dear child's' fart! Gotta love 'em!

I shared information below that is NOT correct--
and so I just wanted to Thank ~Patty !!
for being my compass of reason and knowledge of Snopes!
For more information -- read her comment on the post below!