Christmas Parties

Ya know, I just don't do well in crowds. Especially the Walmart, Christmas shopping types of crowds. But there we were last night, Rachael and I, doing some last minute shopping for Christmas parties. I'm room mom for her class and I had to take 2 dozen cookies to Matthew's party. Poor Rae, with the chaos going on, there I was saying "no, get behind me....no wait, will you just stay in front of me? Gosh Rachael, when you are in front of me I keep running into you because you keep stopping! Get beside me. No Rachael, when you are beside me there is not enough room to get through the aisles!!" You get the picture. But we made it out of there with party supplies and her gifts for Matthew, Nana and Dale. Success and we spent less than $100! $96 to be exact.

Rachael's party was at 9:00 this morning. I brought cookies and crackers (juice supplied by the school) and I brought the goodies to make candy-cane reindeer. With the help of her teachers, my mom and another dad it was a success.

The party was over at 10am and Matthew's Christmas program began at 10:30am. One of the benefits of living in a small town. This time crunch was actually do-able.

Matthew did such a good job! The kids sang several songs and then when leaving the stage they got to each say their name into the microphone. Only about 4 kids wanted to do it (some were feeling a bit shy about being on stage with all those grown-ups looking at them) but Matthew got right up there and said his name.

After the program we had snacks, etc and Santa was there.....now, for some reason my children are not real fans of Santa "in person"...now the concept of Santa is wonderful and they love Santa! But the thought of him being in the same room with them? I don't think so. However, Santa had reindeer food and Matthew REALLY wanted some reindeer food...so he braved it. I was so proud of him. Honestly, I couldn't care less whether they sit on Santa's lap or not....but I was proud of him for facing his fears head-on and coming out a winner.

I wasn't thrilled about BOTH parties being this morning, but now that it's all over, I'm so glad. At least it's behind me and I can relax. Presents are bought and wrapped, Christmas cards are (almost) all mailed out (reminder to self....go by the post office for more stamps). All that's left is a little cooking and we are good to go! Oh and of course church music performances on Sunday and Monday. I'm singing a solo on Sunday, then playing hand bells and directing the choir on Monday.

More snow is expected tomorrow. So far it says ice tonight and 2-4 inches of snow tomorrow with LOTS of wind. Don't think I'll be going out in it! It should be over by tomorrow afternoon so we'll have time to clear the driveways before church on Sunday.

Stay warm! I plan on doing the same!

Merry Christmas

Let those Creative Juices Flow!

I'm a huge advocate for allowing my children to express themselves. To learning new things and experimenting. I'm the first one to hand my kids the digital camera and let them have at it. Granted, the camera is barely hanging on and has masking tape holding it together. But I've gotten some FANTASTIC pictures out of the deal!

However, that being said...I discovered yesterday when I was taking a picture of my dear daughter (she's lost 4 teeth in 2 weeks and looks too cute!) that the camera's memory was full. Matthew had been taking pictures the day before and to my shock and amazement, this is what he found worthy of photographing:
So remember folks, when you let your children's artistic juices flow, use caution when downloading your camera!!!

Christmas Survey

I got this survey on my MySpace bulletin board from my good friend, Joy.
Here are my answers.

1. Christmas tree up yet?
Yes. We put it up the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

2. Any Christmas decorations up yet?
Yes. Inside and out.

3. What are you asking for for Christmas?
Just to be home. Kinda missed out on Christmas last year.

4. What do you usually do on Christmas Eve?
Church. This year I'll be doing handbells and choir at the service. Busy time!

5. What do you usually do on Christmas Day?
Wake up. Open presents. Cook C'mas dinner. This year we will have Christmas dinner at church, so not so much cooking. YEA!

6. Do you own any christmas clothes or jewelery?..
Maybe a Christmas pin or something.

7. Do you use white or colored christmas lights?
White

8. Do you cook Christmas cookies?
Yup, did it yesterday.

9. Do you buy Christmas presents for your whole family?
I wish I could...mostly just the kids and grandkids.

10. How many friends do you buy presents for?
A few.

11. Is there a Santa Claus?
Heck ya!!

12. Favorite Christmas Carol?
Oh Holy Night

13. Would you rather it be a white Christmas, or a warm Christmas?
White.

14. Was last year a good christmas?
No!!!

15. Which Christmas color do you like better? RED or GREEN?
Red.

16. Do you get a real Christmas tree, or is it artificial?
Artifical

17. When you get older, will you get a real or artificial tree?
I am older and I have an artificial.....

18. Do you hang stockings?
Yes...stockings for everyone! Family, pets...whatever.

19. When opening presents, does your family all open them at the same time, or do you take turns?
We take turns to make it last longer.

20. What is usually in your stocking?
Mine? Lump of coal.

21. Do you get up early on Christmas day?
Yes, the kids get me up!

22. Does your family eat breakfast before or after opening presents?
After.

23. Do you have a favorite ornament you hang on the tree?
A handmade star that my father bought in South Africa.

24. What Christmas movie do you like to watch the most?
Hun, if it ain't a cartoon my TV doesn't know how to play it!

25. What do you like better, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Day.

Back Again.....

Ohhhh it has been so long, I have been so bad! Life just seems to get in the way, sometimes. But I guess it's a good thing I blog for me, because I'm wondering if I'm the only one reading this! Seems no one noticed that it's been forever since I blogged! But like I said, I do it for me.

Ice, snow, then more ice, then more snow.....and did I mention ice? We've had a few weeks now with lots of it. The kids stayed home from school yesterday and around here it seems that's a rather big deal. It takes quite a bit to close school. But they were back today, although watching Dale try to drive up our driveway to take Rae to school was rather interesting. I kept picturing him flying back down the driveway and crashing through the garage. But he made it and she's at school, safe and sound. I did decide to keep Matthew home. The ice and such isn't worth only being at school for 2 1/2 hours.

In the midst of all this snow and ice, Sunday was the choir concert at church. As if all their hard work, coming to practice and all each week wasn't enough. Even with all the snow and ice on the ground everyone showed up for the performance and it was flawless! I mean completely perfect!! I was so proud of "my" choir. As the last "Joy!" was sung I had to fight back the tears. I know, it seems rather over dramatic for a small church's Christmas program. But considering where I was a year ago (hospital) and where I am now. It was even more amazing than maybe it would have otherwise been.

So I'm going to work harder on keeping this updated. It's so good for me. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in Mommy-ing and such that I forget to take a few moments to decompress. This helps me do that.

Grief

I'm sitting here in tears with grief over the loss of a cat. Not my cat, mind you....my dad's cat. This is possibly one of the saddest pet losses I have experienced. My dad decided, about a year ago, that he wanted a cat to keep him company. I convinced him that he should get 2. He's gone alot and the cats could keep each other company. So we got him 2 cats from the animal shelter here, got them checked, fixed and got their shots for them and then traveled to Texas to take them to him.

Now, let me say this. My dad LOVES these cats. Not a conversation goes by that he is not talking about them. All of his friends love them, they are awesome cats. Daddy lives alone, is blind and the cats are his family.

So he called me today. The female cat, Sophie, evidently got in the dryer while he was doing laundry yesterday. He had no idea. He found her. I cannot IMAGINE how he must have felt, discovering her that way. I tried to explain to him, this had nothing to do with his blindness. Cats, unfortunately, like to get in dryers. And Sophie was notorious for getting into small spaces.

He's heartbroken. I'm heartbroken for him. I worry, not so much about the loss of Sophie, but about the circumstances. His loss would be hard enough, but he has to deal with the guilt as well. It's just so sad. He's so careful about them, maybe more so than most because he is blind. This was just so unfortunate and tragic.

So if you read this, send positive thoughts his way. If you pray, please pray for him. He spends most of his day, every day caring for others. He has friends who are surrounding him with love right now, but this is gonna be tough. I told him to let his friends comfort him and to let his other cat, Spook, comfort him as he comforts Spook.

I just needed to share.

Books

I just read a book...yes I said it. I JUST READ A BOOK! I can't tell you the last time I read a book. But I did it. Today. Matthew and I went to the library today for storytime and while he was enjoying his time I went upstairs to check out a few books. I saw this book, Life on he Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers. I just thought it looked cute ("Notes between a mother and daughter") so I checked it out. Wow. Cute was not the word to use for this book. It was easy reading but very emotional. Very good.
Anyway, I was so excited about actually reading something that I'm about to start on another one I've been waiting for the library to get in, "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom. I've really enjoyed his other books, so I bet this will be as good. I also checked out a few genealogy books and a biography of Abraham Lincoln. Genealogy has really become my passion and I've discovered, much to my father's joy, that I'm a closet history buff! Anyway, enough of my book report.
I broke my toe yesterday. OUCH! Acutally I don't KNOW that I broke it, but I'm pretty sure it is broken. I called the doc today and she said their's nothing they do for a broken toe, so I'll just limp around a bit. But MAN it hurts! Yes, I was goofing around. Matthew was on my bed and I was jumping around singing and acting silly and WAM I ran into the corner of my dresser. That'll teach me.
More soon

What a week!

Seems I've already used "What a Week!" as a title of one of my posts...but if the title fits, blah blah blah.



My dad was here for 2 weeks, just left Monday. It's always a good time when he is here. The kids adore him and we always have fun! We went to see my 96 year old Grandma when he was here and it was a wonderful experience. She is an amazing woman, just had surgery for yet another cancer and is recovering fine. They managed to get all the cancer. It's amazing to me that they would even do surgery on a 96 year old, but the surgeon said that was no reason not to. She's in perfect health! She was thrilled to spend time with the kids. I haven't seen her smile so much in a long time.



I've started working out at the gym, determined to lose some weight. With my youngest 4 years old now, I can no longer use the excuse "baby fat" . Time to get busy. Wish me luck.



I started my volunteering for the year at Rachael's school today. I've been rather anxious about it, ready to get started. I've felt so disconnected and being there, meeting her classmates and being a part of it made me feel better. I only do an hour a week, but it's so worth it! Rachael enjoys having me there and I like knowing the kids that she's talking about everyday! I've already been to Matthew's school a few times, so it was good to go to hers.



So, it's almost time to head to the gym. Wednesdays are my busiest day I think. Kids to school, volunteer, gym, pick up Matthew at 11:30am, shop for Nana, laundry, clean house, Rachael home at 3:00. Get the kids settled, fed, bathed, etc before I have to go to choir practice tonight. Who says I don't have a full time job? :)



As of right now, I've got 2 blogs going. I haven't decided where I will hang my hat. So in the meantime, I'm double-posting. I'll see which blog seems to work better for me (and you).



Having a great day, I hope you do the same.

Separation Anxiety

I think I'm having separation anxiety or first grade anxiety or homework anxiety. I really don't know which. If it's separation anxiety it took 1 1/2 years to get here! I know that I'm not the one in school, but this school year has been really hard on me! Boo left this morning in tears because of her homework (which was not done and was lost over the weekend), which inadvertantly left me in tears as well! Should 6 years olds REALLY have to stress over homework? Should 6 year old even HAVE homework? OK, different subject, I'll probably end up doing a whole blog on homework before this is all over with. But seriously, this is all so stressful! So I ended up emailing her literacy teacher explaining the homework situation, letting her know how seriously Boo takes this and that we would be glad to redo it tonight.

OK, so maybe late onset separation anxiety (hehe, sounds like a real diagnosis, doesn't it?). Maybe it's because last year was so blissfully wonderful in school that it didn't really FEEL like school? I was all involved, volunteering, getting notes and emails from the teacher (who is, I must admit, an absolute gift from heaven and we've already requested her for bub for next year). This year I'm completely disconnected, cut off. Maybe this is real life school and I've just never experienced it before (from the parenting side). I've offered to volunteer in the class but it's "not needed yet". Or maybe it's because next year Bub starts kindergarten and then they will BOTH be in school and then no more babies for me? I don't know. Boo loves school, loves her teacher, but I see the stress already. Most of it self-inflicted. But since I don't have a clue what's going on in school (or at least I don't feel like I do), what can I do?

I don't know. I'm just walking around here with a big lump in my throat, hoping she doesn't get in trouble for not having her homework (which is obviously my fault if I threw it away), waiting anxiously for a response from her literacy teacher, assuring me that all is alright.

MAN I need a hobby! :)

What a Week!

It's been a non-stop crazy week so far! It started Sunday morning, the first "choir" Sunday of the season. The choir did great, of course. I'm glad to get that first performance out of the way, it's always a little nerve-wracking for me! Of course I had to pick a more difficult piece for the first Sunday, which looking back, I think wasn't wise. The choir was fine but I could have decreased my stress level if I had picked something a little easier. I guess I got a little carried away directing, though. In the middle of the performance I whacked the microphone that was standing beside me! Luckily it didn't fall over in a loud crash! I don't think anyone noticed, but I tried to control myself after that!

Monday consisted of getting the kids to school, running for a lengthy trip to Walmart, picking up Matthew, cooking and cleaning and then off to committee meetings at church at 5:30pm. Who says I don't have a full time job? I'm on the worship committee and am secretary for the Deacons, both of whom met that night. Made it home by 7:45pm, just in time to get the kids to bed!

Tuesday? More of the same. Entertaining Matthew, running errands and of course yesterday was the YMCA's High School Musical 2 Extravaganza, which Rachael has been SO excited about! I dropped off her and her friend after school and then Matthew and I showed up after the movie for a swimming party. Home in time for dinner, homework and bedtime. (Yes, first graders with homework. I can't even IMAGINE a few years from now if they ALREADY have homework!)

Today? More of the same. Got to take Matthew to school, Nana to the store, get some recycling done, housecleaning and get ready for choir tonight. I know, for those who have "real" jobs it sounds like I've got it easy. Trust me, it's not. I've neglected the house more than I should this week, simply because I've been out running. Maybe I'll find time for me next week?

As you can see, no new and exciting news, just the same ol' stuff. But we are looking forward to my Dad coming to visit in 2 weeks! It's always fun when he comes. He entertains the kids and never requires us to entertain him! He enjoys just living our lives while he is here.

Time to get Matthew ready for school!

The Invisible Woman

I got this in an email today. How appropriate!

Perspective: The Invisible Woman

By Nicole Johnson

It started to happen gradually. One day, I was walking my son Jake to school. I
was holding his hand, and we were about to cross the street when the crossing
guard said to him, 'Who is that with you, young fella?'
'Nobody,' he shrugged.
'Nobody?' said the crossing guard, and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we
crossed the street I thought, 'Oh my goodness, nobody?'

I would walk into a room, and no one would notice. I would say something to my
family like, 'Turn the TV down, please,' - and nothing would happen.
Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for
a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, 'Would someone turn the
TV down?' Nothing.

Just the other night, my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for
about three hours, and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend
from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I
whispered, 'I'm ready to go when you are.'
He just kept right on talking.

That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see
me. I don't think anyone can see me. I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one
of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken
to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously not! No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the
floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at
all.

I'm invisible.

Some days, I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie
this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human
being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,
'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30,
please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that
studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going-- she's going-- she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend
from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was
going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking
around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and
feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only
thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana
clip, and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling
pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package,
and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd
given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for
the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would
become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral
while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside
of a beam! He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much
time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will
ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that
is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness.
It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the
people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on
something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far
as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there
are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning
and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing
it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only
at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the
sacrifices of invisible women.

mommyblogging

Mammograms

Today was the day. My first mammogram. Oh the horror stories I had heard with all the squishing and pressing and pinching. Come on now....it was nothing! Don't get me wrong, it wasn't fun, but it was really nothing.

2 1/2 years ago my best friend since kindergarten died of breast cancer. I couldn't help but wonder what her first mammogram was like. She was so young! She has been on my mind so much today. I miss her, so many days I get angry because she's gone. She had babies the same age as mine, now they have no mother. It's just not fair. But SHE is the reason I had this mammogram. Every year on her birthday, I donate to the Komen foundation. I can't bring her back, but I pray that they will find a cure. She has a daughter. I have a daughter.

So girls, go get your mammogram. It's so not a big deal! But in so many ways, it is a big deal. It took me all of 15 minutes. Do it for your babies, if nothing else.

I've thought of so many "blog-worthy" subjects over the weekend, but of course with kids running around, etc who has time to write? And when I try to write, my concentration gets thrown out the window (considering all I hear is "Mommy, I need.....Mommy, get me.....Mommy, I gotta PEE!" So you see, no time for writing.

So, I'll do a separate blog for each subject, just so I can keep up. First of all, I've moved my blog from MomsBuzz. It's all fine and good, but I was getting tired of the pop-ups and half the time I'd lose my entry and have to start over again. Sorry, I don't have the time OR the ability to even remember what I've written! So here's my new home. Welcome.

Ya know, in a world of High School Musicals and Hannah Montanas, the most interesting thing happened the other day. My kids watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music (well, most of it). It was so cute for them to watch the things that I watched when I was a kid. See, I was a musical FREAK! I memorized all the songs to every musical known to man and dreamed of someday performing them onstage. I would get SOOO emotional when the songs came on and just sing and dance...yes, I was a drama queen. So, then there's Boo. JUST like me. It's so funny because I know EXACTLY how she feels. Of course she's singing all the High School Musical songs, but she wants to be Gabriella and she sings with SUCH emotion for a 6 year old! But anyway, it was nice to see her enjoying those oldies. She was even dancing around the room singing "I am sixteen going on seventeen". Cute.

Just another day at the zoo

OK, so what was I thinking? Boo would be in school, brother and sister missing eachother terribly. We walk in the door, brother and sister run into eachothers arms (slow motion, can't ya see it?) and play sweetly together all night......and then I woke up.

Boo's been home 20 minutes now. So far they've screamed at eachother about 3 times, Bub has repeatedly (each time a little louder) asked her to drag him around the room by his head (fortunately overheard this and convinced her that we didn't want to take a trip to the ER today).

So now she is looking for her Barbie Cheerleader twisty thing. "Where is it mom?" "I don't know, look in the toy box" (5 seconds of searching) "Nope, not there....now really, where is it?" "Well hun, I don't know, go look in your room" "Well I didn't lose it, I've been at school all day!" "Well, Boo, I GUARANTEE you that I did not play with it in your absence" "Well, Mom, FIND IT!" "Well, Boo, NO!" Huff, grunt, found something else to play with. Sheer joy.

On the brighter side, she is loving school. She loves her teacher and everything associated with first grade. The girl sitting next to her told her yesterday that her folder was a "baby" folder because it had Disney Princess on it. I guess when you are in the first grade, you are much too mature for Princess. I asked Boo what this gal had on her folder, thinking maybe High School Musical, Hannah Montana or is that too baby too? She had cats on her folder. Cats....does anyone else see the silliness of that girls remark when she had cats on her folder? Give me a break. I asked Boo what her response to this overly mature, cat-loving , first grader was. She said she did not respond. To that I say "Go Girl!" I was proud of her. I asked if her next-desk neighbor was friendly today and Boo said "Yeah, I guess she said all she had to say yesterday"

OK, kids won't let me type anymore...I've spent 5 minutes not paying close attention to them! More later!