A Lifetime of Love

This weekend was so nice. It all began with a phone call Friday afternoon. . . My friend J. called me and presented me with 2 propositions: we could go shopping for a wedding gift and then have dinner ALONE (as in a “girl’s night out”) OR we could do the same thing as couples (with her oldest girls staying with my children to baby-sit). I called TJ to get his input, and honestly, I was thinking he wouldn’t be up for either of J’s ideas. He had a rough day on Friday and I didn’t think he’d like the idea of being home alone with the kids and it was evident from his mood he didn’t feel like being sociable. But, he surprised me by telling me he and P. (J’s husband) had planned for J and me to get together for a girl’s night out while we were at the Wilds. So, J and I went shopping and then had dinner at the Olive Garden (which, if you know me, is my FAVORITE restaurant)! After dinner, we went to Panera for coffee and sat there 45 minutes after the store had closed drinking coffee, talking,...

It's registration time for next semester (I can't believe it- the semester is flying by!) and as I was going over my degree planning sheet, I came across something that I'm still not sure how to interpret. I found out that ALL Special Education majors also graduate with a certification in Elementary Education. Now, for those who may not know, Special Ed. is a K-12 certification, meaning I can teach any grade level but only in Special Ed. Elementary is specifically for grades 2-5, and I would LOVE to have this additional certification because then I wouldn't be limited to only being able to teach Special Ed. The problem lies in that I have a feeling I need to take some additional methods courses (i.e. how to teach) in science and social studies. I'm not sure, and when I went to ask the degree planning person, she is out-of-town until next Wednesday. The suspense is killing me, especially because I was hoping to complete my student-teaching next year and graduate. Ad...

Of all of the many chores I do as a wife/mother, laundry is probably my most dreaded. Perhaps it is because it seems to be never-ending; there are always clothes to be washed. I have been the type to only do laundry once per week for that very reason: I hate it and couldn’t possibly bear the thought of doing laundry every day. I should clarify that I don’t really hate laundry. I have no problems with sorting clothes, putting clothes into the washer and/or dryer, or even getting them out of the dryer. No, my problem is folding them. I do okay for the first 4-5 loads. After that, it’s all downhill. I fold laundry on my bed, so what usually happens is that any clothes that happen to get washed/dried after load 6 is left in the laundry basket until Wednesday, Thursday, or even Friday. By then, it’s slim pickin’s because we’ve picked through the basket, finding and wearing the necessary item of clothing. I’m usually left with a handful of stray socks, underwear, and a few shirts or shorts....

Above is a video that helps keep the humor in mothering. Remember, perspective is everything! I hope you enjoy it; I certainly did!

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." ~John 9:3 As you are aware, CDH is a little-known birth defect, that, according to Breath of Hope, Inc (2007), occurs almost as frequently as Cystic Fibrosis and Spina Bifida. Several families I know (some in person, some through the Internet ) have been greatly affected by this. Out of compassion for them and my love for children (especially those with disabilities!), I am trying to help spread the word about CDH. With a minimal investment of time, you can help, too. CDH families and friends are trying to get March 31 declared as CDH Awareness day and we are asking for your help! If you would like to participate, please email cdhawareness@breathofhopeinc.com and you will be forwarded a sample letter and the Proclamation to mail to your governor. Please help us to bring this horrible birth defect to the attention of everyone and no...

Everyone is feeling better. . . except me. My stomach is killing me, and I don't know why. I have been fasting out of fear of vomiting , except if you know me, I LOVE food! So, for breakfast I settled on a handful of animal crackers. It's taken me 4 hours to eat them all because I'm afraid the next bite will put me over the edge. I did my presentation today. I just finished it at 11:15. It went very well, and I think I did great. I presented the information and then we went from our classroom into the gym to do an activity. I used one of Th's giant floor puzzles and each student had 1 piece of the puzzle. The first time we did it, no one was allowed to talk. *Remember, my presentation was on PDD which includes disabilities such as Autism- communication skills are a deficit* The second time we did, I permitted the students to talk. We completed the puzzle faster the first time (silence) because everyone watched and patiently waited for pieces that matched their own. Th...

Well, apparently we are in for the long haul. The stomach bug has claimed another victim- T.G. I now have Ta and T.G. who can't keep anything down, and I feel nauseous myself. Poor Ta, after getting another bath this afternoon because he vomited all over the kitchen floor (again!) said to me, "Me need medicine for my mouth. No more throw up. Me not like it." Have you ever seen your heart crumble right in front of your eyes? I did after hearing that comment. I can't give him anything for I fear it would only make him vomit more. And poor T.G.! She doesn't know what's happening, and unfortunately I can't predict when it will happen, either. She got me, the playroom floor, and the hall floor all before I realized she was actually vomiting and not just "spitting up". Duh! James 1:2, "Count it all joy. . ." Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to learn kindness and compassion as I watch them suffer.