Sometimes I think I've become a curmugeon already. I've forgotten that life should just be fun at times. Each year I seem to get a little more uptight and anxious. I'm so worried about doing the right thing, the right way, that I forget to just let loose and have a little fun. Point in fact, it's the 12th day of summer vacation, yet I'm so worried about having summer activities and not just wasting the summer away that we haven't had a chance to relax yet.
I finally squeezed in one measely 10 minute nap in the last 12 days.
In the name of summer laziness. That's just not right!!!
So here's to relaxing and re-discovering my funny bone. I'm pretty sure it's hiding with my lazy bones.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
One for the Parents
We ran smack into the joy of having a 13 year old the last two weeks. Most of the episodes included my husband and I looking at each other and saying,
"It's finally here, isn't it? Years and years of teenagers with attitudes have just started."
As I said to a friend last weekend, "Twelve was glorious. Goofy, funny, delightful. Thirteen, ummm, not so much."
Monday Fred admitted that he's been rather grouchy. I was glad he noticed. To give him credit his mood swings are quite sudden. He can be laughing with us, all of us having fun, and then suddenly exclaim, "You're laughing at me!! Are you just trying to be mean to me?" and then stomp out of the room.
Hon and I are left agreeing, "Yes, we were laughing...and so we you just a minute ago."
Teenagers. It's a new, not so normal.
This summer in an effort to stretch his mind a little more we've decided to guide his reading more directly. (Yes, this is proof to him that we're horribly mean.) After quite a fewtantrums dramatic out bursts, we just picked up the first 3 books we choose from his reading list.
He skimmed one in the car on the way home. He then came home and started reading another one. Excitedly, I might add.
I'll score that as one for the mean old parents. I'll take the joy any way I can find it.
"It's finally here, isn't it? Years and years of teenagers with attitudes have just started."
As I said to a friend last weekend, "Twelve was glorious. Goofy, funny, delightful. Thirteen, ummm, not so much."
Monday Fred admitted that he's been rather grouchy. I was glad he noticed. To give him credit his mood swings are quite sudden. He can be laughing with us, all of us having fun, and then suddenly exclaim, "You're laughing at me!! Are you just trying to be mean to me?" and then stomp out of the room.
Hon and I are left agreeing, "Yes, we were laughing...and so we you just a minute ago."
Teenagers. It's a new, not so normal.
This summer in an effort to stretch his mind a little more we've decided to guide his reading more directly. (Yes, this is proof to him that we're horribly mean.) After quite a few
He skimmed one in the car on the way home. He then came home and started reading another one. Excitedly, I might add.
I'll score that as one for the mean old parents. I'll take the joy any way I can find it.
Home Tours
"Shut the back door. We don't want to air condition the neighborhood!!"
Anyone ever utter those words at your house?
We now have an even better reason to close the back door. This morning a chipmunk decided to drop in for a quick tour. While the boys and I walked around on our tip toes hoping to scare the chipmunk back outside with our added height, our fearless protector, Wink, laid on the front rug. Finally, when he got up to see why we were all walking in circles, on tip toes no less. He noticed our visitor and quickly escorted him back into the yard.
Anyone ever utter those words at your house?
We now have an even better reason to close the back door. This morning a chipmunk decided to drop in for a quick tour. While the boys and I walked around on our tip toes hoping to scare the chipmunk back outside with our added height, our fearless protector, Wink, laid on the front rug. Finally, when he got up to see why we were all walking in circles, on tip toes no less. He noticed our visitor and quickly escorted him back into the yard.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sharing Faith
I stumbled across Angie Smith's blog, Bring the Rain , last week. If you have time it's worth a read beginning to end, or you could start here, but bring your kleenexes. You might ask why I would suggest reading about someone else's pain? As Angie wrote in a post last week, if I can carry just a bit of their grief for them it is worth it. God is working miracles in their lives through this difficult season. I pray His comfort, love, and peace surrounds them.
Angie's post, The Threshing Floor, is a beautiful example of God's word being revealed as you so dearly need it.
May God be with them. May they worship God joyfully and expectantly.
Angie's post, The Threshing Floor, is a beautiful example of God's word being revealed as you so dearly need it.
May God be with them. May they worship God joyfully and expectantly.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Power Washing for Fun and Entertainment
Who knew power washing a deck was so much fun?
Now, I know why my husband has never let me touch one before, and why most men I know get all excited about the prospect of owning their own power washer.
A big thanks to my friend Lisa who let me borrow their power washer. Although I have no prior power washing experience, I figured if my dear friend Karen (who did not learn to pump gas until after college) can handle her family's deck maintenance, I definitely had to give it a try.
As I told Hon, "If I do a horrible job, we simply hire someone to do it after all."
Oh, baby, I've found a whole new skill set. I have a feeling that my yearly deck power washing and re-sealing will be a highlight of the spring cleaning season. I can even put it on my stay-at-home-mom resume. It would of course go under specialty skills, not under necessary skills like: wipes noses, does homework, sews costumes, soothes childhood angst, looks for lost items, all while cooking dinner skills.
Anyone willing to take bets on how many times I pulverize my toes today???
Now, I know why my husband has never let me touch one before, and why most men I know get all excited about the prospect of owning their own power washer.
A big thanks to my friend Lisa who let me borrow their power washer. Although I have no prior power washing experience, I figured if my dear friend Karen (who did not learn to pump gas until after college) can handle her family's deck maintenance, I definitely had to give it a try.
As I told Hon, "If I do a horrible job, we simply hire someone to do it after all."
Oh, baby, I've found a whole new skill set. I have a feeling that my yearly deck power washing and re-sealing will be a highlight of the spring cleaning season. I can even put it on my stay-at-home-mom resume. It would of course go under specialty skills, not under necessary skills like: wipes noses, does homework, sews costumes, soothes childhood angst, looks for lost items, all while cooking dinner skills.
My Stay-at-Home-Mom Specialty Skills
- Spreads dump trucks full of mulch each spring
- Solves electricity and circuit breaker issues caused by...
- Outdoor Christmas lighting schemes
- blows up and repairs small appliances at inopportune moments
- assembles furniture
- deck power washing for fun and entertainment
One small note of caution to anyone else who tries their hand at power washing. Umm...as you power wash small bits of debris will start to cover your feet and legs. Rinsing your legs and feet off with aforementioned power washer...not your best idea. I only wish I could remember that little tidbit of wisdom.
Anyone willing to take bets on how many times I pulverize my toes today???
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
But I Don't Want to Get Up
The days of having a teenager who acts like a teenager have started. Fred's shower ran long yesterday morning, so I went upstairs to knock on his bathroom door and tell him to hurry it up. However, while the shower had been running for 20 minutes, the door to the bathroom was open, and the no one was in there.
???
As I said, "Fred, where are you???"
A moan sounded from the mound under the covers. The stinker had turned on the shower and climbed back into bed.
That is way more resourceful than the way I used to just hang my foot over the side of the bed and stomp the floor to try and fool my parents into thinking I was out of bed. :)
???
As I said, "Fred, where are you???"
A moan sounded from the mound under the covers. The stinker had turned on the shower and climbed back into bed.
That is way more resourceful than the way I used to just hang my foot over the side of the bed and stomp the floor to try and fool my parents into thinking I was out of bed. :)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Family Time - a Treasure Indeed
The Dude turned 11 last week and learned an important fact.
Family time is important to him.
Hon had to travel on the Dude's birthday. It's happened to all of us before. Sometimes you have to celebrate your birthday on another day or without someone very important to you. However, this didn't sit very with the Dude this year. He couldn't explain why his birthday didn't seem as great as normal, but I was pretty sure I knew what the problem was. Even though I'd made pancakes for breakfast, decorated his room with streamers, took donuts to his class, he'd opened presents, had cake, and his favorite pizza for dinner something just wasn't right.
So, the day after his birthday we headed out for a family dinner to celebrate. All was right with the world again. Towards the end of the meal I leaned over and asked the Dude if it finally felt like his birthday. With a grin as big as the sky, he nodded and said, "Yeah!"
What did he treasure most?
The photo of his family at the dinner. You would have thought it was made of gold.
I knew I love that kid for a reason.
A good time was had by us all, because as we climbed in the car afterwards, Birdie said,
"I don't know how to say that place's name, but I am definitely coming back!"
Family time is important to him.
Hon had to travel on the Dude's birthday. It's happened to all of us before. Sometimes you have to celebrate your birthday on another day or without someone very important to you. However, this didn't sit very with the Dude this year. He couldn't explain why his birthday didn't seem as great as normal, but I was pretty sure I knew what the problem was. Even though I'd made pancakes for breakfast, decorated his room with streamers, took donuts to his class, he'd opened presents, had cake, and his favorite pizza for dinner something just wasn't right.
So, the day after his birthday we headed out for a family dinner to celebrate. All was right with the world again. Towards the end of the meal I leaned over and asked the Dude if it finally felt like his birthday. With a grin as big as the sky, he nodded and said, "Yeah!"
What did he treasure most?
The photo of his family at the dinner. You would have thought it was made of gold.
I knew I love that kid for a reason.
A good time was had by us all, because as we climbed in the car afterwards, Birdie said,
"I don't know how to say that place's name, but I am definitely coming back!"
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