A Day That Was TOO much...

This day just about wore me out! Even though it was the first day of ISTEP testing in my schools (which causes great amounts of stress), my own children had several needs to be met. So, here are the updates...

Allie- Allie had an appointment at the doctor to discuss recurring stomach aches. We determined that some of it may be related to her continued feelings of perfectionism and self-imposed stress. The other part of it we think is related to acid reflux. The good news is that Allie feels validated in knowing why her stomach hurts and that there is a plan to help with her upset stomachs. She was able to return to school today and feel okay. I hope that this discovery will help her this week as she has her violin recital on Friday.

Katie- This one came out of nowhere today... As you know, Katie has a fairly severe dairy allergy. While at the pediatrician today, she suggested a place called Allergy Associates of LaCrosse (as in LaCrosse, Wisconsin). They are licensed and board certified doctors who specialize in allergy and immunology. They determine the allergy and then do desensitization of the allergen. We can do the desensitization at home. They had a cancellation, so we will be able to go on March 19! It is a seven hour drive, but it could be life changing. I am thankful for my friends who have done something similar and experienced success with a removal of food allergies. We are now doing the unhappy task of gathering all of Kate's previous testing to try and avoid redoing similar tests. The goal is to make the first appointment very useful, so we can start the process. Friday, March 19 could start an end to food allergies for Katie.

William- This is something that has been such a burden for quite a while. William loves music but specifically, he loves drumming. Tonight he had his audition and instrument selection for 6th grade. The music department sends home a letter saying how difficult it is to be selected for percussion, because every sixth grade boy wants to be a drummer. I have fretted over this for months. What if William does not get selected? How will that crush his spirit? I have been praying in such a pitiful "mom" way. I have been asking God to please let William be chosen to percussion knowing how much we longs for it. Thinks are often so difficult for him, and he is already insecure. Please, God, let him get this!

When we arrived tonight, we were reminded that it is likely he will not be chosen. During the audition, William was awesome! He did far more than other auditions I watched. I walked away with a spring in my step thinking, "Thank you, God for answering my prayer! He has to be selected after that audition!" If trying out for percussion, it is required that you try other instruments. William definitely not interested... He tries trumpet, trombone, and baritone. The band teacher says several times how talented he is, how he can accomplish sounds that most new students cannot make, and more. She then offers to let him try French horn. She mentions that they do not let very many students try because it is so hard. He starts playing and does a great job. In fact, some of her descriptions were, "This is college money. He has a better ear than many high school students. He is smart and so naturally wonderful. If I could convince him to play anything it would be french horn, because very few can do it well." WOW. Now, here is the really amazing thing... Walking away from the night William says to me, "Mom, I will always play drums. I love it. Can't I take drum lessons and improve that skill but play French horn in the band? I think that I would miss drumming, but I would still do it all of the time. Maybe I should try the French horn and look at the future in drumming." This is what I love... God didn't answer my prayer that William get chosen to do percussion (although it looks like he will get that offer). God far exceeded my prayer in that He changed William's heart. How cool is that? I can stop worrying over William's hurt and pain at being rejected. His heart has been changed to not only accept something other than drumming but to celebrate it. Wow!

Balance update

Can you believe that it is March? I thought that it was probably high time to review my resolutions. My big word for the new year is "balance." So... how am I doing?

Spiritual:

I have done a good job of reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer. I totally bombed the "read the Bible in a year" deal, but I have been doing a good job of reading and learning. I am seeking a friend for accountability and prayer.

Physical:

Well, the past three weeks have been good. Does that count? I have been exercising, made a race goal, and have done a really good job of watching what I am eating. So... if we are only talking about the last few weeks, I am on a roll!

Mental:

I did start teaching a new dual credit class for Vincennes University and The Crossing. By teaching this class, I have stretched some new mental muscles I hadn't used for a while. I am also getting back into my book club that I haven't been able to attend for a while. This will help.

Social/Emotional:

Well, I am sorry to say that this is the weakest area for me right now. I have not done a great job of connecting with friends. This is silly since this is usually an area of strength for me. I have had really good family times and individual kid times. I have a friend who I am going to meet once a month for coffee. I need to create more balance with this.

Well, that is the update. This was a boring post, but it was good for me to reflect on how I am doing on my goals. Ooh, I need to go since we are having family (homemade) pizza/movie night. The pizzas are ready to come out of the oven right now.

The Gift of Time

I am a person who tries to see the gifts of time when they are given. Sometimes it is hard to be thankful for them. For example... last night I had a sweet four-year-old who wanted to chat with me all night! She finally drifted off to sleep sometime after 3:00 AM; my body could not be so easily convinced. So, I was given the gift of time. I had two hours to be alone before kids and Jon would be awake. I prayed; I listened to my family breathe (or snore); I thought about how much I have in my life. This was truly a gift of time, but I didn't always enjoy it.

I was kind of dreading tonight. After no sleep last night, I knew I was going to be home alone with the kids tonight. (Jon has ski club on Tuesdays.) Although I love my sweet ones, I was thinking I would be a bit tired (and perhaps grouchy).

We were able to invite a friend over for dinner. She came, because the person she normally meets with on Tuesdays had something else to do tonight. (The gift of time!) We had a wonderful time!! We had dinner together, talked about Lent, and even danced to Michael Jackson (yes, that was from Allie). I was able to fold some laundry while watching the kids get hugs from another mom. I was able to snuggle with one kid while the other two were getting some special attention from a dear friend. I was able to enjoy those crazy kids, give them what they needed, and enjoy our friend. Such a blessing today!

Today I enjoyed the gift of time. I hope that I pay attention to see those other gifts that I am so freely given.

Funnies and Sweets overheard in my house this week

Allie: "Have you noticed I am wearing pants more often? I am really liking the feel of pants these days. It's the zipper. I think zippers really make the pants!"

Allie (in a bathroom at a Chinese restaurant): "Holy Chinese, Mom! This is an amazing bathroom!"

William: "How does that happen? Moms just know what to say to make things right."

Kate: "I don't want to have anymore birthdays! When I have a birthday, I have to get a shot!"

Allie (after an extremely long toot): "Excuse me. What? I had to wait until it was done."

William: "I cleaned my room. Now... I can't play, sleep, or do anything in there for one week. That way I won't have to clean it again."

Kate: "I can't sleep in my own bed, because my room makes noises at me. Well, Allie makes noises, but I can't sleep with those noises. I need to sleep in your bed."

Ask for a stronger back...

I have been trying out a new toy this week... TOSWF. Sounds fun, huh? It is a Test of Silent Word Fluency. This brief test gives an idea of a student's reading level. I was the first guinea pig;I don't want to brag, but my score was great! I tested my Vincennes Class and was surprised that some of them had below a ninth grade reading level. I tested my kids and husband... (the downside of having an English teacher in the family). Very fun. When I tested an entire class today, I was shocked that 83% of the students are below a 6th grade reading level. 83%?!

Another part of my week has been catching up with friends (either personally or via facebook and blog) regarding their time in Haiti. I look at those pictures of tiny, malnourished babies and my heart just breaks. So many with no home, food, clothes, etc.

So... all of this to get to the point in the title. I was reading an essay by Zora Neale Hurston (again... English teacher) where she talks about the label of "colored" and being reminded that she was the granddaughter of slaves. She says that those labels on press her forward to individuality and success. She talks about how all of us have labels in our lives, but they only make us happier when we succeed. I wonder if my students with such low reading levels, poverty, broken homes, and more will see it that way? Will they excel in spite of their history, or will they use it as a crutch?

Each day on my drive home, I pass a sign on a church that says, "Don't ask for a lighter load, ask for a stronger back." Although I usually hate those silly sayings, this one has stuck with me. I wonder if I am willing to ask for the stronger back.

I have life pretty easy. I love my family, my job, my church, my friends, and the list goes on. I like to be comfortable. I like my easy life. When we pray at night, my kids' prayers (after thank-you, God items) sound something like this, "Please protect us. Please protect our house. Please keep our van running. Please keep us happy, safe, and together. Please keep my parents here to raise us. Please keep us."

In truth, I think my prayers are more like that, too. Again, I like comfortable. Am I willing to be uncomfortable? Am I willing to ask for a stronger back? Am I willing to stretch?

I don't know.

Birthday Kids 2

Well, with two kids on the same date, I need two posts! My sweet Kate was born at week 32 weighing in at 3 lbs and 2 oz. She did a great job and never needed to be put on the ventilator. She was just a tiny bundle of joy! Here she is on day one:

And a few days later...

Coming home at 3 lbs 13 oz

With her brother and sister for Valentine's Day

What do I love about Kate? She is almost always happy!

She has taught me patience and tolerance- particularly with illnesses. (This is the picture that helped define her dairy allergy.) UGH

She keeps me on my toes! She has eaten everything from fertilzer, tums, an ant, dog food, silica gel, and the list goes on... (I am so glad she does not put everything in her mouth anymore, but she is still an adventurer!)

She is the perfect balance of snuggly love and pure ornery! Look at this sweet face!

That's my Kate!

Birthday Kids

With the earthquake in Haiti, my illness, and two birthdays in one week, I feel like I didn't spend enough time really reflecting on my birthday kids and their journeys. So, if you don't like to read about how great my kids are, look away now! This, by the way, will take two posts... One for each child born on January 13.

Here is the first picture I saw of William. He came way too early at week 29 weighing 2 lbs 8 oz. He was transferred to a different hospital, so for the first five days I waited to see pictures of how he was doing.

Here he is the first day I held him:

Here he is at one month!

What do I love about William? His playful attitude. He can make me laugh all of the time!

His tough spirit... I think that kids is a deep soul who withstands a lot. (Pic: post eye-surgery)

His ability to look at things in a different light. This, to me, looks like a mess! To him, it is a challenge!

His sense of adventure... Boy, does he keep me on my toes!

He makes me a better parent, because he has introduced to a world of challenge, difficulties, and deep sensitivity (that he hides very well).

I love this kid!