Been fighting off tears all day. A friend of mine, not anyone that one might call "best" in a childlike sense of the word, but one whom I "connected with" instantly is moving in three weeks. Not anywhere close, either...from Tennessee to Alaska-It will be quite an adventure for their entire family...all 14 of them! Yes that is right, 14. They have 12 children with no sign of slowing down ;) I admire their dedication and obedience to God and all His gifts! In my weak moments, in those moments when I don't think I can stand being in the same house with my kids or husband, Kim has always told me what I needed to hear. Sometimes it is just, "I know, I've been there and other times she has a kernel of wisdom that only comes from years of similar struggles. She is younger than me, but with more children than me, her loss of patience, frustration and tears probably outnumber mine. Kim isn't someone I get to talk to often or see that often, but like that old pair of shoes in the back of the closet, you take them out and put them on every now and again because they are comfortable and good for your spirit. Kim, if you are reading this, I don't consider you like an old pair of sneakers because you are smelly, dirty and stained, although I have seen you postpartum, lol! I will miss Kim because those moments will be gone. I probably should have been a better friend, but well, too late for that....
Another friend was in for her yearly MRI of her brain. She has a history of a brain tumor and actually had one removed 15+ years ago, but nothing had really developed or changed since then, until now. Lorrie is my neighbor and truly like that loving, picking on, chiding sister way. She smokes, I drink and we sit outside letting mosquitos eat us up while we share our frustrations, joys and of course laughter, lots of laughter. Our kids almost always get along, our husbands get along, and they live close by, which all makes for a convenient friendship. Sometimes I feel like we are both fumbling around in the dark for the lightswitch to illuminate our busy lives. They have four children and she works full time on the weekends...and by that I mean two 12 hour shifts. Tomorrow she is seeing a research doctor regarding this new MRI. After that she is seeing another specialist who does a gamma knife. Right now she knows not what her fate is and she is very concerned, as well all are. I went by to see her today, shared a glass of wine and thought, "what would Todd & the kids do without her?" I don't like to go there. I don't verbalize it and I know her computer is broken, so she won't be reading this anytime soon. But, the worry, stress and pain that she is going thru is immense. She keeps saying, "I trust in God, I trust in God..." and funny enough that seems to be my issues with God as well (must be the control freak in me). Pray for Lorrie, pray for their family; pray that the multiple meningiomas stop growing, that they aren't cancerous and can be operated on, pray for healing.
Pray also for my friend Kim and her family as they embark on a cleansing and trust in God in an entirely different way. They are moving to AK in the hopes of a better future for the family, without a thing to weigh them down, except what can be stuffed in a suitcase. This must be freeing in some ways, but scary in others and I pray for God's will in all things. Amen.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September brings change....
Well, today I am feeling a bit "writerish" so I figured I'd do a monthly update...stop laughing, I really am! We'll see how long this lasts before I am interupted by a small child getting into something they shouldn't. I can't put in pics because my "thingy" stopped working and the laptop is on its way to Omaha with Paul (which is how I usually get the pics in the computer).
Veronica reminds me a lot of Katie when she was this age. Into everything and climbing! We go to Church and she is trying to wriggle out of arms and over pews; balancing on the sides and backs of chairs in the cry room. Climbing onto the dining room table, back of the couch, piano and even onto kitchen counters. Difference being, she doesn't necessarily WANT something, but does it just to do it. The sense of accomplishment is written all over her face! Due to this fact, last night I poured over toddler climbing/sliding/playsets and finally decided on one that I think would be just the thing..should be here by the end of the month. I've given up on Paul ever building the big kids the outdoor playset they've been begging for ever since we moved here three years ago...maybe Christmas will bring them a substitute...still contemplating my rebellion.
Kimberly, ah, Kimberly...Paul and I decided that if her personality could have been infused in all the kids, we would have 15 by now! She is the most easy going, obedient, loving child in the house. Easily corrected and easily disciplined...she makes my life so much happier (most of the time). She is learning to write and is working on phonics. She already knows colors, basic shapes and can identify value and write her name...she's been a willing and eager student.
Lauren. Lauren celebrated her birthday the end of August. The big 9 year old is just as distractible, if not more, than Megan. She also is an eager student, but half the time can't remember WHAT she is doing from one moment to the next. I had her a stack of clothes to put away and 10 minutes later I go up to find out where she went. Clothes will have dropped from the pile until the pile is gone, 2 ft from her room and she will be laying in her room reading a book or playing Littlest Pet Shops with Kimberly...totally forgetting about the clean clothes that were to have made it to the dresser drawers. Even her friend's main complaint is that all Lauren likes to do is play piano and read...really? I have no problem with that aspect of her personality!
Stephen has hit a speedbump in life. He is now a sloven, lazy mess. He used to be the neatest child. Always, always had a clean room...not anymore! I think if he has his way, he'd have one outfit AND THAT IS IT! Cuts down on laundry thought, right? He rushes through his schoolwork to get it done for the week, then sits back and reads...drives me batty! When I try to come up with more work for him, he totally rebels and says that he doesn't have to do it. (I mean this boy will be in hysterics just trying to avoid doing anything more than what is necessary). He is already my height and his feet appear bigger than mine...and he's only 11...can't wait to see what the next year brings!
Rebecca has become a social outcast. She remind me a lot of Audrey Hepburn...artsy, quiet, shy. She prefers to isolate herself from everyone else...except occasionally coming out of her shell (when forced) to engage in social activities or pal around with her friends or sisters. She is excellent with young children and will make an excellent babysitter!
Megan turned 15 in June and is finally starting to learn some skills to overcome her ADD from a clinical psychologist. I kinda lost all hope for that child and we sought out help in order to deal with some issues (gorey details aside, I'll just leave it at that). Every family has their struggles, some are transparent and out there in the open for everyone to "see," others' struggles are hidden, behind closed doors and you never know about them, until something happens to throw the door open to the public....I learned that years ago. Some of us live our lives looking up to families we see as "perfect" and "wish we could have kids like that," and I've learned that things aren't always what they appear and I pray daily for friends and families and their own personal daily struggles.
Anyway, back to kids, Katherine turned 17...I still can't believe it! 17! She passed her drivers test in July and Paul and I are wondering how we made it until now! It has been such a help to us! She can drive and go out on a shopping errand, drive kids to school, allergy shots, etc. A week before school started, she also decided to home school her senior year. The public high school was messing with her schedule and we tried since May to meet with her counselor to try to get an appropriate schedule set up...they never returned our calls at first, then wouldn't meet with us, then Katherine finally got them on the phone and they said to wait until classes start! Ugh! It was so frustrating because at the time we were trying to get her into the local community college and needed to set up her schedule so we could schedule her college classes. Paul finally just let slip, "why doesn't she just homeschool?" Kat heard that and did her research to figure out if it would mess her up or not and approached us...a week before school was to start, she approached us with her "proposal" and well, we consented.
The oldest five are attending a la carte classes from Lighthouse. Kat is getting Physics, Trig/Pre-Calculus, Macro/Microeconomics and her 4th year of English & Lit. Her classes are TOUGH, so we decided against the college coursework for now. She is about 90% sure she wants to attend Benedictine next fall, but Paul and I are making her look at a few other colleges, just in case. The others are taking a variety of courses like science, writing/grammar and Megan and Stephen are both in Destination Imagination, which may bankrupt us in the end,but is inspiring them to "turn their brains on!"
Okay, the kids received a VHS player from grandma on her last visit...followed by a bunch of videos and the kids have rediscovered our videos that have been packed up and "Veggie Tales" is distracting me, so the words are not coming as freely as before. Have a blessed day!!!
Veronica reminds me a lot of Katie when she was this age. Into everything and climbing! We go to Church and she is trying to wriggle out of arms and over pews; balancing on the sides and backs of chairs in the cry room. Climbing onto the dining room table, back of the couch, piano and even onto kitchen counters. Difference being, she doesn't necessarily WANT something, but does it just to do it. The sense of accomplishment is written all over her face! Due to this fact, last night I poured over toddler climbing/sliding/playsets and finally decided on one that I think would be just the thing..should be here by the end of the month. I've given up on Paul ever building the big kids the outdoor playset they've been begging for ever since we moved here three years ago...maybe Christmas will bring them a substitute...still contemplating my rebellion.
Kimberly, ah, Kimberly...Paul and I decided that if her personality could have been infused in all the kids, we would have 15 by now! She is the most easy going, obedient, loving child in the house. Easily corrected and easily disciplined...she makes my life so much happier (most of the time). She is learning to write and is working on phonics. She already knows colors, basic shapes and can identify value and write her name...she's been a willing and eager student.
Lauren. Lauren celebrated her birthday the end of August. The big 9 year old is just as distractible, if not more, than Megan. She also is an eager student, but half the time can't remember WHAT she is doing from one moment to the next. I had her a stack of clothes to put away and 10 minutes later I go up to find out where she went. Clothes will have dropped from the pile until the pile is gone, 2 ft from her room and she will be laying in her room reading a book or playing Littlest Pet Shops with Kimberly...totally forgetting about the clean clothes that were to have made it to the dresser drawers. Even her friend's main complaint is that all Lauren likes to do is play piano and read...really? I have no problem with that aspect of her personality!
Stephen has hit a speedbump in life. He is now a sloven, lazy mess. He used to be the neatest child. Always, always had a clean room...not anymore! I think if he has his way, he'd have one outfit AND THAT IS IT! Cuts down on laundry thought, right? He rushes through his schoolwork to get it done for the week, then sits back and reads...drives me batty! When I try to come up with more work for him, he totally rebels and says that he doesn't have to do it. (I mean this boy will be in hysterics just trying to avoid doing anything more than what is necessary). He is already my height and his feet appear bigger than mine...and he's only 11...can't wait to see what the next year brings!
Rebecca has become a social outcast. She remind me a lot of Audrey Hepburn...artsy, quiet, shy. She prefers to isolate herself from everyone else...except occasionally coming out of her shell (when forced) to engage in social activities or pal around with her friends or sisters. She is excellent with young children and will make an excellent babysitter!
Megan turned 15 in June and is finally starting to learn some skills to overcome her ADD from a clinical psychologist. I kinda lost all hope for that child and we sought out help in order to deal with some issues (gorey details aside, I'll just leave it at that). Every family has their struggles, some are transparent and out there in the open for everyone to "see," others' struggles are hidden, behind closed doors and you never know about them, until something happens to throw the door open to the public....I learned that years ago. Some of us live our lives looking up to families we see as "perfect" and "wish we could have kids like that," and I've learned that things aren't always what they appear and I pray daily for friends and families and their own personal daily struggles.
Anyway, back to kids, Katherine turned 17...I still can't believe it! 17! She passed her drivers test in July and Paul and I are wondering how we made it until now! It has been such a help to us! She can drive and go out on a shopping errand, drive kids to school, allergy shots, etc. A week before school started, she also decided to home school her senior year. The public high school was messing with her schedule and we tried since May to meet with her counselor to try to get an appropriate schedule set up...they never returned our calls at first, then wouldn't meet with us, then Katherine finally got them on the phone and they said to wait until classes start! Ugh! It was so frustrating because at the time we were trying to get her into the local community college and needed to set up her schedule so we could schedule her college classes. Paul finally just let slip, "why doesn't she just homeschool?" Kat heard that and did her research to figure out if it would mess her up or not and approached us...a week before school was to start, she approached us with her "proposal" and well, we consented.
The oldest five are attending a la carte classes from Lighthouse. Kat is getting Physics, Trig/Pre-Calculus, Macro/Microeconomics and her 4th year of English & Lit. Her classes are TOUGH, so we decided against the college coursework for now. She is about 90% sure she wants to attend Benedictine next fall, but Paul and I are making her look at a few other colleges, just in case. The others are taking a variety of courses like science, writing/grammar and Megan and Stephen are both in Destination Imagination, which may bankrupt us in the end,but is inspiring them to "turn their brains on!"
Okay, the kids received a VHS player from grandma on her last visit...followed by a bunch of videos and the kids have rediscovered our videos that have been packed up and "Veggie Tales" is distracting me, so the words are not coming as freely as before. Have a blessed day!!!
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