Showers.... rain and baby

I love giving things to others....  Yesterday, I went to a baby shower-- and I got to give away some gifts that I had spent a bunch of time and love working on.  Jessica's teacher from last year is due to have a baby girl in December, and I made her a changing pad, some burp cloths,a small baby quilt and some baby toys.
It was weird and fun all at the same time.... Because I knew the mom to be, thru school there was a lot of the ladies from school there-- however I was the only parent (of one of her students) -- there were teachers, a secretary and an IA, there was also some family and then a wife of the husbands' co-worker.
The school people all knew me and who I was, but I was reluctant to sit with them--- I didn't want to end up talking about the kids and school --when clearly they were at this shower for the baby...  So , I sat with the lady who was connected to the father to be-- she had her daughter with her and so we all talked it was nice.
After a bit the some of the teachers came and sat at our table-- It was fun to hear the conversations -- they are a fun group of ladies...  I do hope that I was well-behaved :) 
There was a moment or two when I overheard a comment that made me think of my family--- and the baby showers I have had...

the picture of the "girl" holding the baby--- that happens to be a third grade teacher who is single and looking-- she sat and held that baby for quite a while during the shower... at first I thought it was just to be funny-- but then I think we all realized she was ENJOYING holding the baby!  I can't wait to see her in the future as a married mom....
I completely forgot to get any pictures of me with the mom to be and my gifts on my camera.... but I know the grandmother to be did get some-- so maybe I can borrow a picture from her...

The family of the mom to be--- was very creative-- and also skilled ~she got a heirloom handkerchief that had been made into a bonnet for the baby-- some really special quilts-- and even some quilts from when she was a baby-- It was lovely to see things given that had such meaning and love attached.

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On another topic, Shane told me the other night at bedtime/tuck in time.... that he wanted to be like all the other kids at school-- I told him, he was and then he went on to say that he "wanted to have no rewards at school for good behavior,  only at home!"  Shane usually gets rewarded during the school day with some free time on the lap-top-- apparently the other kids have noticed-- The teacher has been really good about helping the other kids see Shane as needing a bit extra-- but not so that he looked WAY different. Now there is a new classmate that does NEED a lot of EXTRA and I guess Shane is being motivated by his peers to look more normal...  WOW--  His teacher and I talked about it and she was very impressed-- we agreed that if,on Monday it was still what Shane wanted~ then we would go with Shane's idea! 
I am very pleased with my son... yup!
 I think it's a combination of peer pressure, maturity and not being on the meds ~
seems to have changed how Shane behaves.  I also think that his teacher has been really clear about how she interacts with him-- and that helps Shane be able to predict her response to him.

My only complaint... the rainy season has begun... and I haven't gotten our family picture taken yet-- darn...
We are planning an outdoor picture with some really fun casual poses-- I guess we may have to rethink that -- or make plans to have an inside picture. 

Have a GREAT day !

My cousin's recent trip to help Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYjjQ-LCKR4



This is a video created by my cousin Jannet--
she was able -- to go to Haiti and spend some time giving back.
Her husband Jeff and their daughter Ally went also.I think they took like 14 suitcases full of donations -- they are planning yet another trip in September.

It was a moving experience.

Prayers are needed and Happy news

Currently praying for Haiti,

and also for Ester-Faith at HennHouse.

I am also hoping that all our prayers will be

multipied and good works, and good health will return.

On another topic... my sister-in-law Sara and my brother Peter,

already have one son Miles, but now they are expecting a daughter in June!

I am so very excited for them-- SO VERY EXCITED

There aren't very many girls on my mom's side of the family-- so any excuse to bring out the pink,ruffles and lace... ah , pure and simple JOY!

Jessica was playing with my pink Snuggie-- thanks to Aunt Danni~

I played with the editing...

one picture is the coloring book feature

and the other is fisheye, black and white and spotlight.

How do I take pictures of Jessica without getting those two spots on her glasses?

Jerry is home this morning and so Shane and Jerry are watching cartoons in our bedroom, and Jessica and I are reading books and watching TV, and blogging in the living room. It feels good to be home with family, and not to have a ton of places to go. I guess this means I am a homebody? :)

Haiti, Dinner, and American Idol

Haiti

Our thoughts and Prayers are with you~ if I had any ready cash I would send it to you~

Pop over to Rocks in my Dryer and read about her suggestion about how to help.

Pat Robertson, I am ashamed that you said what you did.

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Tonight for dinner, I took a can of stew and added some venison stew meat, along with more carrots-- to stretch the can a bit further. I also made some JIFFY brand drop biscuits with shredded cheese-- Jessica was so happy with dinner, she commented "Mommy dinner is 100million percent awesome!" -- Shane who can be a fickle eater--said "Mom this is the best dinner and I like the biscuits 95%!" Ah, Joy!


We are back to normal Oregon weather, a bit of rain, a bit of sun, and some grey skies to connect all the weather! One day I wish that a TV show would do a make-over for someone who lives in Oregon, complete with weather appropriate gear!

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American Idol

Pants on the Ground

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While watching Jeopardy this evening, I was impressed that I knew a good portion of the Seven Deadly Sins... WOW!

New places to visit,good things,and pet peeves.

I love Facebook ~
Recently one of my friends' posted about a site on Facebook called Fun and Function-- it's a resource to connect parents and caregivers to others-- and products that might be helpful. (for kids with sensory issues and Autism)
I stumbled up on a site http://www.softclothing.net/ that makes clothing that is super good for kids who have sensory issues-- Then the same site posted about how they had an interview with a Mom blogger -- I happened to stop by her blog and I am .... happy! I have a feeling that I will be visiting this "new to me blog" often. http://www.lilywolfwords.blogspot.com/



(Hey, Barbara-- I checked these links before I posted -- are you proud of me? LOL! )
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School...



Shane was supposed to earn 18 points today--

guess how many he received....?

20

I am SO very proud!

That being said, I am praying hard that this weekend goes well also!
Shane is also reading Charlotte's Web at school-- I am happy that his teacher finally gave him a more challenging book to read.



I also spoke with the tech-guy at the school-- and asked if I could get some iVideo files off of Shane's computer. His SPED teacher told me that there is some funny ones, one is Billy Goat Gruff-- I asked the tech-guy if he could put the files on my ipod but he said that won't work-- so instead he is going to put the files on a cd for me!

It will be glorious to go to Christmas and brag about my son with proof that he really is cute and adorable and maybe even funny--without his mom around to "coach"him!

I also found out that 25 pounds of oatmeal that was meant for two families-- instead is at another household -- the people who need it haven't gotten it (a family of five, who's father has been unemployed for 6 months now)-- and the only response is --"Well I've been busy..." Grrrr -- This oatmeal is part of an allotment that Jerry gets each year-- we often try to pass it along to other's that need it-- because we really don't eat THAT much oatmeal, and we like to give when we can. I have thought about calling up and demanding that the oatmeal get delivered this weekend-- but then I thought that might only create more drama. I called and asked Jerry if he could possibly get more oatmeal and he said maybe-- so at least I know I can deliver some.
I have to say that one of my pet peeves is when someone else offers to help and then doesn't follow through with the same attention to detail that the task deserves.

Do you have pet peeves, how do you deal with them-- and their repercussions?

The Borrowers... ?

I think someone borrowed my brain, and I'd really like it back-- NOW!
{The neighbors' loaned us a video called The Borrowers... I hope to watch it later this evening maybe it will hold the answer to where my brain is! }
I am so glad it's Friday, but it has been such a whirlwind week-- I hope next week is much less full of stuff to do and instead full of family,memories, and of course-- food!
I like to give back and help people when I can-- so when the third grade teachers asked me to make 50 new chair covers with a pocket on each... I didn't blink I just said yes... and now I am working hard on creating a new pattern that is "better" than the current.('cause I also have a need to do ...things better--ah hem...)
I wonder if the teachers plan on cutting our the fabric during the Christmas Break so that I can get happily overwhelmed with making these things? :) I am such glutton for punishment...
Late last night I ran into "issues" with my dial-up -- I had spent hours trying to upload iTunes, only to find that my iPod was formatted for a MAC and not Windows....
In desperation I called my neighbor and asked if her teen who is also named Jessica... could help-- She was SO happy to help-- It was like she was getting an extra cute little present! So, instead of visiting Patty for karaoke...(sorry) I was putting songs on my iPod-- I now have 32 songs-- I convinced Jerry that I needed his old headphones, and I gave the ear buds to the neighbor Jessica-- she loves them--.
I figure that I can listen to my iPod while I sew and pin ?
The other night Jerry the kids and I went to a restaurant... The Roadhouse-- to use a gift card. Normally this is a tough and often, emotional thing for me-- I am never sure if Shane is going to behave-- Not only did Shane behave but he was polite, and clear with what he wanted. I was so stunned-- VERY happy but stunned. On the way home Jerry was praising Shane by telling me what his teacher had said about the day-- that Shane did a GREAT job during the FIRE DRILL--(I happened to be at the school and Shane did DO an AWESOME job--he had his headphones on and was walking in line-- he looked more calm than some of the other kids!) Jerry went on to say that Jessica and Shane both had a great time watching an assembly -- and once again Shane did a great job of staying focused and behaving during the concert put on my the local middle school. I can't believe that this is my son-- it seems like he is really learning that he can do a GREAT job and he can get praise for being ...his BEST!
I am hoping that (I/)we are able to keep his good behavior while we are on break from school.
Last year I kept asking for Shane to have an IA... an Instructional Assistant- and for a short time we did have one-- this year the school is trying to get one for Shane-- so that when we are back from Christmas break -- he can have a bit of help getting back into the swing of things-- I love that the school is PLANNING ahead -- and really being pro-active about how best to support Shane...
Jessica and I tried to use the flat iron today-- it didn't work as well... I think mornings are TOO early to work on hair! (that's why the pictures are missing for today!)

Now, I'm off to research if I can take and post videos from the iPOD onto here...
and I also need to find out if I can "rip" my personal Cd's to my computer and then upload them via iTunes onto the iPOD.... {Since we used the neighbor's computer I don't know if I have to "rip" all my Cd's on their computer-- since my ipod was used on theirs--}
Maybe the above is clearer than mud... but it seems to be helping me! I thiknk....

We have our tree up-- and hopefully I can get some great pictures of it later this evening...
I better go and get busy working on my list of stuff to do...

I hope that your day is great and people treat you with a dose of extra special Christmas Spirit!

nightmares,fences,prayers and new shoes

I don't normally dream, and then remember them--- but
I had a dream last night... no --it was a nightmare...
I dreamed that one of my family, who NEVER emails me--sent me an email that said "I saw my grandson Bob at prison and guess who was right next to him? Your bratty son Shane!"

Okay... there are alot of things wrong with this dream/nightmare...

1. The family member who supposedly sent the email, doesn't do email.(ever)
2. That person does not have a grandson named Bob
3. My son is not bratty
4. I would know ...ya think... if my son was in prison?

Now... how do I get this out of my head?????

I know I'll have another cup of coffee!

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There is a mom, I know-- who has 3 kids, under 4 years old-- and now has a husband who is dealing with depression and a failed suicide attempt... she is a young mom and I don't know how to help her-- I know that she is brokenhearted, in so many ways. -- they are broke and unemployed, the husband will most likely be in the hospital for a while-- How to help? I want to be supportive. Later today we will celebrate her middle child's' 2nd birthday-- I hope the emotions don't overwhelm the day.

I sit her re-reading what I wrote...

and the answer hits me in the head...SWAK.,.. prayer! DUH!

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Our neighbors' put up a new fence yesterday, in the drizzle... And as I look at it this morning, I notice that it has a few posts that are crooked... Normally that might bug me some... but then the fence should of been ours to repair,(cause it's on our side). But... we didn't see the need, nor have the money-- The neighbors' decided that they wanted to take on the cost and the labor...They are a retired couple and their yard is the nicest in the neighborhood-- Jerry was home and did help a small amount-- but I really don't think they wanted help. In this economy we are spending our money on food,transportation, and the kids.-- Replacing a fence is too far down the list---I feel bad that the neighbors took on the cost and the labor-- but that was their choice. Now, if I could get over feeling guilty that we didn't help much.

Shane got a postcard in the mail from his new teacher, with a nice note and even a picture of her! Shane was impressed-- and so later today we are going to create a postcard for the teacher... Shane can give it to her, when we see her on Tuesday for our meeting. I created a calendar for Shane so that he could mark off the days until he gets to go to school-- now Jessica is asking for her own calendar also! Maybe~ I'll just buy one at the dollar store ?

Shane needed new shoes and so on Friday, all four of us...invaded the local Payless Shoe Source-- we happened to be in two cars and so Jessica and I were there first... the gentlemen who was working there was trying to be helpful-- asking to measure feet--

Miss Jessica, who knows... EVERYthing, started to tell our life story-- I stopped her and said that we were doing a bit of pre-shopping until the other half got there. I looked out in the parking lot to see Jerry hugging and talking with Shane-- apparently Shane no longer wanted new shoes. I wish that we could purchase things Shane needs without having such a "messy" visit to a store. I believe that Shane was just reacting to change, and probably trying to maniuplate the situation, but just being a part of it-- was hard. As he gets older will these types of trips become easier? I did pre-talk the trip and still Shane melted down--- he wasn't on the floor crying or anything, but Jerry and I had to focus all our energies on Shane-- so that he could pick which shoes he wanted. (I know that if he doesn't get to pick, the meltdown will last longer)

I feel like we got parented... geez!

Any ideas ? suggestions? comments?

encouragement--ELEVATE

Today could you go and visit the following link?
http://jeffdavidson.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/650/#comment-17

Leave a comment of encouragement if you will~

Thanks

CMN~

Do you know about the Children's Miracle Network?
http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/

Way back in May of 2001,when my daughter was born~
I found out all about them,and how they really help people at their moment of need.

In the past we, Jessica and I, have been on TV and radio almost each year,talking about our experiences with the NICU -- for CMN --- Just today they called and would like for us to talk to an Auditorium full of people at the Mr Wolverine pageant! (at a local high school)

Yes, I wanted to help,

but then No, I didn't want to go though all those emotions again,

yes, talking about it would be a good way to give back,

No, we are just trying to be normal-- just one of the many---

Finally, my answer was yes, Jessica and I will come and talk,

I can't say I won't cry the whole time--

but I can share how it was --

and just maybe people will step out of their comfort zone

and give more-- time, energy, or money !

So, now I need to write down what I think

I need to say,

and then put the paper in a page protector

so that it doesn't get soaked by my tears.

What to do

I have a new camera --I need to put the software on this slow computer and pray for enough room, new cookware-that I need to decide to keep or pack up and return-or I just need to try it out. I need to organize and sort things to donate...I need to bake some cookies,finish grocery shopping,strip the Christmas tree,and remove the Christmas tree, and wrap gifts(for my Mom's side of the family,their Christmas gathering that is on the 10th of Jan.) I need to finish making the magnets for the previously mentioned kids.
I also need to go and spend some lovely alone time at the library-- so that I can come home and put my nose in a book or three and ignore that the house still looks the...same.
I also need to see if my sewing machine with plastic parts -- can get through finishing the pants for Miles' Pj pants and then another top and pants.
By the way, my dear hubby who works 4 days on 4 days off-- 12 hour shifts-- might just be home for the next 8 days-- (did I mention that Jerry doesn't often, like to let go of stuff? )
I need my son to learn to use only 4 squares of toilet paper-- and to put said paper in the toilet...not in the garbage...AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh
Note to self: don't leave the kids to eat peanuts in the shell- while you blog and check email-otherwise the mess you see, might just curl your hair in an unpleasant way!!!!!!
I wonder if I can fix my hair, so that I don't look like a Who from Whoville!
Can I just go to church and have someone do this for me while I am away?
Thanks!

Woe, is me... ?

It's that time again, my dear husband has gone off into the "great wilderness"--

For what you ask?...

ummmm... I think it's a deer this time ?
Although, I am not that "into" the hunting thing...
{My sister-in-law goes hunting with the guys and she enjoys it, ~ I -- don't!!!}
I am happy to have the freezer full of meat, but past that --
Let's just say that I have other things I spend my time on!

Even when I was a child, hunting time always meant
an extra time to spring clean again, or remove things
that don't fit and pass them along ~
I remember more than once my Mom,
getting my Dad off to go hunting and
then taking everything out of the kitchen
and painting it, or even moving all the furniture and shampooing the rugs.

I can't say that I have ever...."enjoyed" housework,
but those times when my Dad was gone hunting for the ever elusive deer,elk,bear etc...
Seemed to be great fun for me, we got to eat fast-food, we got to sleep on the floor,or once or twice we got to sleep with Mom !

For my mom and I it wasn't a good hunting trip if Dad brought home an "animal",
but it was good for us...if we got things packed up and given away !

I look back now ~ it was our way of giving back,
I guess you could call it the Ying and Yang of the redneck family! ...LOL!