Friday, May 29, 2009
What am I thinking?
So we haven't gotten any professional photos taken of the kids since May of 2007 I think (even at Wal-Mart it's expensive!) so I just scheduled photos for tomorrow morning. Am I sane?!? Taking all four kids to the photographer tomorrow, when I have no outfits planned, nothing planned, all by myself? I think I'm just asking for punishment.. But hopefully I'll get some really nice photos out of it. :)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Final Game
The girls final game was Tuesday night. We had a 50% chance of rain starting at 7:00 and the game was scheduled to start at 6:00. I wasn't sure we would have a game, but sure enough we did :)
The girls had a BLAST! All of the kids were completely wound up, I don't know if it's because of the rain or because it was their last game but they were having so much fun. Zoe was the first batter and she smacked that ball, then ran to third base---THIRD BASE!! We have NEVER had a player do that over the last three months. We all just busted out laughing and said "Zoe, go the other way!" Well, Coach Mike was trying to get her turned around and was laughing quite hard himself. She did eventually make her way to first base, but was out before she could get there.
Hadassah has a powerful little swing on her, she just doesn't always connect to the ball :) Something we can work on until next season (which she says she DOES want to play.. I'm just sad it's no longer Co-ed.. oh well).
Gavin sat in my lap or Ryan's the whole time with his little hoody on and his crocs (couldn't find socks--so I grabbed his shoes to keep his toes warm). He was fascinated by the game and by the rain.
I was a bit sad the season was over, we had SUCH a great team. The girls made some new friends: Tyler, Aiden, Aidan, Joshua, Mara, Kate, Andy, Kelcey, and Trace (the last three are incredible ball players---trace had home runs at all of our last games--he's amazing!).
Saturday afternoon the kids had a pool party at Coach Mike's house (in between storms) and had a blast. At one point Zoe fell under and Kelcey's mom jumped in and got her out.. All night I just kept thanking God for keeping her safe, it could've ended really badly.
We had a great season. I hope the girls want to play next year. Maybe we'll try soccer--who knows. It was definitely fun and we have some awesome memories :)
The girls had a BLAST! All of the kids were completely wound up, I don't know if it's because of the rain or because it was their last game but they were having so much fun. Zoe was the first batter and she smacked that ball, then ran to third base---THIRD BASE!! We have NEVER had a player do that over the last three months. We all just busted out laughing and said "Zoe, go the other way!" Well, Coach Mike was trying to get her turned around and was laughing quite hard himself. She did eventually make her way to first base, but was out before she could get there.
Hadassah has a powerful little swing on her, she just doesn't always connect to the ball :) Something we can work on until next season (which she says she DOES want to play.. I'm just sad it's no longer Co-ed.. oh well).
Gavin sat in my lap or Ryan's the whole time with his little hoody on and his crocs (couldn't find socks--so I grabbed his shoes to keep his toes warm). He was fascinated by the game and by the rain.
I was a bit sad the season was over, we had SUCH a great team. The girls made some new friends: Tyler, Aiden, Aidan, Joshua, Mara, Kate, Andy, Kelcey, and Trace (the last three are incredible ball players---trace had home runs at all of our last games--he's amazing!).
Saturday afternoon the kids had a pool party at Coach Mike's house (in between storms) and had a blast. At one point Zoe fell under and Kelcey's mom jumped in and got her out.. All night I just kept thanking God for keeping her safe, it could've ended really badly.
We had a great season. I hope the girls want to play next year. Maybe we'll try soccer--who knows. It was definitely fun and we have some awesome memories :)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Skating Super Star
A lot has happened since I last posted.
It appears that the illnesses we started April with, have carried over to May.. sigh.. but hopefully the end is insight.
The girls last T-Ball game went well, but it was way too hot out there. The girls played ok, but after the third inning all the kids were saying "Are we done yet?" I think all of the parents were wondering the same thing.
Saturday night Hadassah had a skating party for C4. Originally I was going to leave both boys home with Ryan, but due to his nasty cold, I just left Gareth with him. So Gavin, Zoe, Hadassah, and I went to the skating rink. We had SO MUCH FUN!
At first neither Hadassah nor Zoe wanted to skate, so I just walked with them around the outside of the rink so they could watch other skaters. It didn't take too long before they both said "I want to skate!" So we got their skates, laced them up and I took each of them out one at a time. I walked on the outside of the rink (as I had Gavin in the sling) and held one of the girls hands while I walked her around. Hadassah fell probably 10 times her first lap, but she got right back up and loved it. Then I took Zoe around and she had a better hang of it. She was take itty bitty baby steps and probably only fell twice. After this it was time for the Hokey Pokey. We LOVE doing this at music time, so I was really excited about it. I was able to go out onto the rink with the girls and it was awesome. Now, Hadassah kept trying to stay up right, but she wouldn't keep her little feet still, so I think she spent most of the song in between falling and getting up. We were laughing so hard we could hardly breathe. Now, you might think that's cruel--she wasn't getting hurt, she was just a slippery little thing. Zoe tried to get into the music a bit, but she was pretty shy, so she mostly chewed her fingers and watched other skaters with a sweet little smile.
After another round or two of circles, we decided to rest. I enjoyed talking to "Ms. Page" whom Hadassah goes on and on about when we're at home :) Her husband, the famous "Mr. Todd", gave Hadassah a skating lesson for one lap and she absolutely loved it! Then it was time for pizza and dessert.
The eating part of the skating rink is tile--so I carefully walked the girls over to a table and said "Ok, stay here, I'll go get some food and be right back." Well, that didn't last. The girls just loved having roller skates on, so they followed me around, falling all the while.
Another mom, Ms. Kit, asked if she could watch Gavin while I take the girls out and I said "SURE!" So I took the girls out for two more laps of skating. I gotta tell you, I was so proud of my girls! Zoe pretty much had the hang of it before the night was through, but poor Dassah just couldn't stay up right. We eventually got some pads for the girls, but I think it was too late for help. Hadassah had an amazing attitude about falling-she just kept getting right back up. It was wonderful!!
Well, the next day at church, Mr. Todd gave out two t-shirts for excellent skaters and guess who got one--Hadassah! She told me she said "Mr. Todd, did you see me keep falling and get right back up?!?!" to which he replied "Heck yeah!" Well that was just the icing on the cake for her. :) None of us can wait to go skating again--maybe for her birthday, if they're still open that time of year.
Now for school--with Ryan sick this week, I've been doing Hadassah's school work when I get home from work. Usually, if I step in as a substitute, we have a clash of personatlities.. but this week has been a pure joy. Yes, I'm exhausted, but it has been so much fun learning about why donuts have holes in the middle, what different animals groups are called (a crash of rhinos), and everything else. This is due in part to Ryan's excellent organizational skills. Everything was planned out/printed out, I just had to explain/introduce/teach it.
Speaking of school--I'm back in class as well, taking Argument & Persuassion. I wasn't too excited about it, but it's another class I need to finish my AA. Well, it's only the second week but already I'm really enjoying it. We are currently reviewing MLK Jr's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and it is amazing. Reminds me a lot of the Apostle Paul's letters, some of which were also written in jail.
That's all for now. :)
It appears that the illnesses we started April with, have carried over to May.. sigh.. but hopefully the end is insight.
The girls last T-Ball game went well, but it was way too hot out there. The girls played ok, but after the third inning all the kids were saying "Are we done yet?" I think all of the parents were wondering the same thing.
Saturday night Hadassah had a skating party for C4. Originally I was going to leave both boys home with Ryan, but due to his nasty cold, I just left Gareth with him. So Gavin, Zoe, Hadassah, and I went to the skating rink. We had SO MUCH FUN!
At first neither Hadassah nor Zoe wanted to skate, so I just walked with them around the outside of the rink so they could watch other skaters. It didn't take too long before they both said "I want to skate!" So we got their skates, laced them up and I took each of them out one at a time. I walked on the outside of the rink (as I had Gavin in the sling) and held one of the girls hands while I walked her around. Hadassah fell probably 10 times her first lap, but she got right back up and loved it. Then I took Zoe around and she had a better hang of it. She was take itty bitty baby steps and probably only fell twice. After this it was time for the Hokey Pokey. We LOVE doing this at music time, so I was really excited about it. I was able to go out onto the rink with the girls and it was awesome. Now, Hadassah kept trying to stay up right, but she wouldn't keep her little feet still, so I think she spent most of the song in between falling and getting up. We were laughing so hard we could hardly breathe. Now, you might think that's cruel--she wasn't getting hurt, she was just a slippery little thing. Zoe tried to get into the music a bit, but she was pretty shy, so she mostly chewed her fingers and watched other skaters with a sweet little smile.
After another round or two of circles, we decided to rest. I enjoyed talking to "Ms. Page" whom Hadassah goes on and on about when we're at home :) Her husband, the famous "Mr. Todd", gave Hadassah a skating lesson for one lap and she absolutely loved it! Then it was time for pizza and dessert.
The eating part of the skating rink is tile--so I carefully walked the girls over to a table and said "Ok, stay here, I'll go get some food and be right back." Well, that didn't last. The girls just loved having roller skates on, so they followed me around, falling all the while.
Another mom, Ms. Kit, asked if she could watch Gavin while I take the girls out and I said "SURE!" So I took the girls out for two more laps of skating. I gotta tell you, I was so proud of my girls! Zoe pretty much had the hang of it before the night was through, but poor Dassah just couldn't stay up right. We eventually got some pads for the girls, but I think it was too late for help. Hadassah had an amazing attitude about falling-she just kept getting right back up. It was wonderful!!
Well, the next day at church, Mr. Todd gave out two t-shirts for excellent skaters and guess who got one--Hadassah! She told me she said "Mr. Todd, did you see me keep falling and get right back up?!?!" to which he replied "Heck yeah!" Well that was just the icing on the cake for her. :) None of us can wait to go skating again--maybe for her birthday, if they're still open that time of year.
Now for school--with Ryan sick this week, I've been doing Hadassah's school work when I get home from work. Usually, if I step in as a substitute, we have a clash of personatlities.. but this week has been a pure joy. Yes, I'm exhausted, but it has been so much fun learning about why donuts have holes in the middle, what different animals groups are called (a crash of rhinos), and everything else. This is due in part to Ryan's excellent organizational skills. Everything was planned out/printed out, I just had to explain/introduce/teach it.
Speaking of school--I'm back in class as well, taking Argument & Persuassion. I wasn't too excited about it, but it's another class I need to finish my AA. Well, it's only the second week but already I'm really enjoying it. We are currently reviewing MLK Jr's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and it is amazing. Reminds me a lot of the Apostle Paul's letters, some of which were also written in jail.
That's all for now. :)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Love thy neighbor
'Love thy neighbor as thyself' does not mean that you first need to learn to love yourself before you can learn to love others. Because, let's face it, we already do love ourselves. If we didn't love ourselves, we wouldn't eat, we wouldn't sleep, we wouldn't even shower. It's because we love ourselves that we know we need food for nourishment, sleep for regerneration, and showers because it's not fun to be stinky.
Loving myself is the easy part. It's loving others that can be difficult, especially when they're in a spot in life that's hardly lovely, like rebellion.
It takes a concious effort to pray for those who get on my nerves, to pray for those who've hurt me or my loved ones, to pray for those who are going in the complete wrong direction and can't even see it. But it's by Christ that I am able to love them. It's His love working in my heart that shows me "Hey, they are still my child. I formed them, I blew breath into their body. I love them."
Then there's always the gentle reminder of how I looked before I was saved -- a complete and total mess. Thinking I had it all together, thinking I had all of the answers. Boy, was I wrong.
Lord, lead me down this path, show me how to love. Love through me.
Loving myself is the easy part. It's loving others that can be difficult, especially when they're in a spot in life that's hardly lovely, like rebellion.
It takes a concious effort to pray for those who get on my nerves, to pray for those who've hurt me or my loved ones, to pray for those who are going in the complete wrong direction and can't even see it. But it's by Christ that I am able to love them. It's His love working in my heart that shows me "Hey, they are still my child. I formed them, I blew breath into their body. I love them."
Then there's always the gentle reminder of how I looked before I was saved -- a complete and total mess. Thinking I had it all together, thinking I had all of the answers. Boy, was I wrong.
Lord, lead me down this path, show me how to love. Love through me.
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