Chapter 3 of the study is entitled Clarifying Vision.
What is the vision I have for my kids? Do my kids know anything about the vision I have for them? If they know, do they get it too? I don't know if I've really thought about a concrete vision I have for my kids. I have a general target or umbrella thought about what I would like for them but I have never really thought of targets along the way. Or as all of us school teachers keep hearing....the benchmarks.
The author came up with a target that he wanted for his children when they reached 18 - it included goals in the following areas; spiritual, social, physical, emotional, mental, character and life skills.
Being the visual person I am, I actually want to create a picture of a target....break it into annual chunks and sit down with each of the kids and come up with our 'targets' for the coming year. With the new year right around the corner I think it's the perfect time. The goals can be measureable and we can check ourselves as the year goes on. I want my kids to take ownership of the target vision too....which is why Greg and I are going to include them in the planning process. Greg and I will also be working on a long range goal to help direct our parenting.
Here are some of the quotes that I liked and some of the things that gave me pause from this chapter:
"Only 4 percent of the parents surveyed (this was from a Barna Group survey) thought it was important to help their kids develop moral values. More than twice as many parents were concerned with making their kids happy than with seeing their kids moral."
"If we seek to disciple our children, the goal isn't their happiness but helping them prepare for life and make wise choices. One of the crucial goals parents often forget is imparting a vision to their child - helping her discover her purpose and see herself as a significant member of a larger community, contributing to a greater cause."
"Many parents are climbing the ladder of success and dragging their kids behind them, only to discover the ladder is leaning on the the wrong building. The ladder is leaning against the fun house from a traveling carnival. Tomorrow the structure will be gone. Happiness for our children is too elusive a goal."
"I like to tell Christian parents, "Don't stress. Pray. The same Holy Spirit that is in them is in you. Pray that he'll do his work.""
"Before we can pass on vision to our children, we must have one for ourselves as parents."
"It's no good to have a home with curb appeal but a crumbling foundation."
"Your children are more likely to become persons of vision if they have grown up in a home that believes in and reinforces vision."
"Prayer helps us imagine our children's future with confidence because we know that they won't walk alone - God will be with them."
"It takes a lot more than good intentions to leave a legacy of love. The best intentions have a tough time competing with the relentless pressures of culture. We have to be focused and strategic. Good intentions that aren't followed by specific actions are just empty words."
"A child with vision doesn't get trapped in the mundane. There is something he is shooting for. He has ideals and goals that inspire him. With an internal sense of purpose and a clear vision of what he wants to become, he is motivated to pursue his aims."
***Then one of my favorites of all***
"We are created by intelligent design rather than by evolution through natural selection. We aren't mistakes; we are masterpieces. We are creations of worth." Can I get an Amen!?!
So, do you have a vision for yourself? For yourself as a parent? For your child? Children? Do they know what the vision is? Any thoughts?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
This Little Girl
was born strong....even in the womb she was strong. And strong is a great way to describe her....she has strong will....a strong love for animals....a strong reliance on Jesus
....as she grows she will be a strong force to be reckoned with!She is also very smart! It amazes me that she is already writing all her letters and numbers....spelling words
.....drawing pictures and then telling us a story about them....
What a blessing she is!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
My Firstborn
He's my boy.....watching him grow is bringing tears to my eyes....tears of joy....but also of longing....for that little toddler in the cowboy hat. Tonight he reminded me that "he's halfway to being a guy"
How to describe him.....sensitive, empathetic, athletically gifted, artistic, loving, authentic, messy, distractable, creative, goofy......
I'm proud of the boy that he has become....he's overcome things....he still does not believe in himself as much as I do....but that will too come in time. He's my firstborn and will always be my baby!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Raising Nice Kids Part II
Thanks for all your insightful comments on the last post. I love being part of conversations (even if online) where everyone can share freely and respectfully.
I think the gist of what I'm feeling from this book is that our kids need to be equipped to be more than just 'nice'. 'Nice' is great but can be so ambiguous. What is their 'nice' based in?
The second chapter is titled "Parenting as Discipleship" and holds to the thought that parenting should be more than just modifying our children's behavior. It shouldn't be just raising them into compliant little people that are dressed and groomed well and show good manners in public. That's part of it, of course, but they need preparation.....preparation and conditioning to take on the challenges they will most certainly face in life.....getting them ready to do battle in the 'cosmic contest' that is going on around them.
So here are some of the main ideas of this chapter that I found most intriguing....
"We want to pass on lasting values to our kids. To do this we need a perspective that is transcultural and not simply a product of our culture. We need a long term perspective that is not obsessed with short term payoffs."
"We are on a mission from God. We have been called by Him to raise up the next generation of moral leaders. We need to move beyond punishment and discipline to discipleship."
"Discipline should be understood not as punishment but as teaching of self-discipline, an internalization of values through relationship."
"The primary goal of parenting isn't teaching, it's modeling"
"A focus on discipline generally creates compliant kids, but it rarely produces courageous ones. Now I am not advocating a permissive style of parenting; I am calling us to a more demanding style of parenting - one that requires us to change and grow and provide the example. Discipleship calls on us to set the pace, knowing that our children are most likely to absorb the values they see lived out in our lives. We can teach them skills, but we need to show, not tell, when it comes to what we say is important."
That last paragraph is the most telling for me in the chapter. This book is reminding me that to change my children, most of the time I need to change myself too. I need to be present and cognizant of my daily doings.
Is what I am saying/telling my children matching up with the way that I am living on a day to day basis? Am I around when those 'teachable moments' present themselves or am I too absorbed in myself? Am I trying to occupy them by buying them the lastest and greatest, signing them up for every imaginable activity or am I showing them that I intend to be intentional and deliberate in the time I share with them?
Sometimes these questions are hard to ask....but we have to be honest with ourselves....not delude ourselves to think we're already doing everything we can to raise them.....I know that when I ask myself some of those questions the answers that I give are not the ones that will be in the best interest of raising my kids. So I have to change....and be willing to change.
Thoughts?
I think the gist of what I'm feeling from this book is that our kids need to be equipped to be more than just 'nice'. 'Nice' is great but can be so ambiguous. What is their 'nice' based in?
The second chapter is titled "Parenting as Discipleship" and holds to the thought that parenting should be more than just modifying our children's behavior. It shouldn't be just raising them into compliant little people that are dressed and groomed well and show good manners in public. That's part of it, of course, but they need preparation.....preparation and conditioning to take on the challenges they will most certainly face in life.....getting them ready to do battle in the 'cosmic contest' that is going on around them.
So here are some of the main ideas of this chapter that I found most intriguing....
"We want to pass on lasting values to our kids. To do this we need a perspective that is transcultural and not simply a product of our culture. We need a long term perspective that is not obsessed with short term payoffs."
"We are on a mission from God. We have been called by Him to raise up the next generation of moral leaders. We need to move beyond punishment and discipline to discipleship."
"Discipline should be understood not as punishment but as teaching of self-discipline, an internalization of values through relationship."
"The primary goal of parenting isn't teaching, it's modeling"
"A focus on discipline generally creates compliant kids, but it rarely produces courageous ones. Now I am not advocating a permissive style of parenting; I am calling us to a more demanding style of parenting - one that requires us to change and grow and provide the example. Discipleship calls on us to set the pace, knowing that our children are most likely to absorb the values they see lived out in our lives. We can teach them skills, but we need to show, not tell, when it comes to what we say is important."
That last paragraph is the most telling for me in the chapter. This book is reminding me that to change my children, most of the time I need to change myself too. I need to be present and cognizant of my daily doings.
Is what I am saying/telling my children matching up with the way that I am living on a day to day basis? Am I around when those 'teachable moments' present themselves or am I too absorbed in myself? Am I trying to occupy them by buying them the lastest and greatest, signing them up for every imaginable activity or am I showing them that I intend to be intentional and deliberate in the time I share with them?
Sometimes these questions are hard to ask....but we have to be honest with ourselves....not delude ourselves to think we're already doing everything we can to raise them.....I know that when I ask myself some of those questions the answers that I give are not the ones that will be in the best interest of raising my kids. So I have to change....and be willing to change.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Danger of Nice Children
Greg and I are in a small group right now studying a book called The Danger of Raising Nice Kids. The first time I saw the title, I was baffled. What's wrong with nice kids? I think my kids are nice? I want them to be nice.
But as we're delving into this book I am finding reasons why I want my kids to be more than nice. Let me share a few things from the first chapter with you. As we dive deeper into the book and into conversation I'm sure there will be more.
What is nice? According to the author it's a pleasant, friendly, well-mannered, carefully groomed and most likely conservatively dressed person. But Webster's dictionary will tell you that at one time nice meant strange, lazy and foolish coming from the Latin root for 'ignorant.'
If you noticed all of the things the author mentions in his description of nice are outward or behavioral issues. Yes those things are important but what about the qualities of the heart like vision, authenticity, listening, empathy, compassion, discernment, boudaries, contentment and passionate love?
So for now, I will leave you with some of the quotes that struck me the post from the author. Feel free to comment. I'd love to be in conversations with you about this too.
1. A lot of what passes as advice to parents, including advice to Christian parents, will help us raise nice kids. Nice wimpy kids. Kids without backbone, passion or courage. In this era, kids like that will be destroyed.
2. We need to know how to go far beyond influencing our children's behavior to influencing their heart, mind and skills for life. We need to learn to parent with purpose, to grow integrity within ourselves and our children.
3. Our children need qualities that will help them become warriors, not wusses.
The author has a whole discussion on how we are creating an entire generation of children who do not know how to fail. We offer praise to our kids about everything and tell them they did good, even if the didn't. Do they realize we're just patronizing them sometimes? I have a feeling my kids do. So back to authors quotes.
4. False praise creates fragile people. We want people to feel good about themselves. As a result of this esteem obsession, we have a generation who thinks they are entitled to things without working for them.
5. We need to resist our culture and allow our children to grow up slowly.
6. Don't be afraid of your child. Don't be afraid to draw the line. Children need a moral center - an anchor that provides stability while they choose friends, discern the right decisions and perceive others with empathy.
7. We need to train them to take criticism without falling apart. We need to permit scenarios in which they fail but learn that failure is never final, unless you blame someone else. Some of lifes greatest lessons can be learned from our failures, if we are willing. We need to help our children develop an accurate view of themselves, with clear-cut analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, instead of a hyped-up self-esteem based on shallow slogans. We want them to feel good about themselves without thinking god of themselves.
Ok friends - that's it for today. I'll bring you thoughts on chapter 2 tomorrow.
But as we're delving into this book I am finding reasons why I want my kids to be more than nice. Let me share a few things from the first chapter with you. As we dive deeper into the book and into conversation I'm sure there will be more.
What is nice? According to the author it's a pleasant, friendly, well-mannered, carefully groomed and most likely conservatively dressed person. But Webster's dictionary will tell you that at one time nice meant strange, lazy and foolish coming from the Latin root for 'ignorant.'
If you noticed all of the things the author mentions in his description of nice are outward or behavioral issues. Yes those things are important but what about the qualities of the heart like vision, authenticity, listening, empathy, compassion, discernment, boudaries, contentment and passionate love?
So for now, I will leave you with some of the quotes that struck me the post from the author. Feel free to comment. I'd love to be in conversations with you about this too.
1. A lot of what passes as advice to parents, including advice to Christian parents, will help us raise nice kids. Nice wimpy kids. Kids without backbone, passion or courage. In this era, kids like that will be destroyed.
2. We need to know how to go far beyond influencing our children's behavior to influencing their heart, mind and skills for life. We need to learn to parent with purpose, to grow integrity within ourselves and our children.
3. Our children need qualities that will help them become warriors, not wusses.
The author has a whole discussion on how we are creating an entire generation of children who do not know how to fail. We offer praise to our kids about everything and tell them they did good, even if the didn't. Do they realize we're just patronizing them sometimes? I have a feeling my kids do. So back to authors quotes.
4. False praise creates fragile people. We want people to feel good about themselves. As a result of this esteem obsession, we have a generation who thinks they are entitled to things without working for them.
5. We need to resist our culture and allow our children to grow up slowly.
6. Don't be afraid of your child. Don't be afraid to draw the line. Children need a moral center - an anchor that provides stability while they choose friends, discern the right decisions and perceive others with empathy.
7. We need to train them to take criticism without falling apart. We need to permit scenarios in which they fail but learn that failure is never final, unless you blame someone else. Some of lifes greatest lessons can be learned from our failures, if we are willing. We need to help our children develop an accurate view of themselves, with clear-cut analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, instead of a hyped-up self-esteem based on shallow slogans. We want them to feel good about themselves without thinking god of themselves.
Ok friends - that's it for today. I'll bring you thoughts on chapter 2 tomorrow.
Monday, October 02, 2006
The Music Tag
Liz tagged me....so did Bonni I think and maybe someone else too....so I guess I shall participate.
The Rules
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your LiveJournal/blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.
1. How To Save A Life by The Fray
2. 100 Years by Five for Fighting
3. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
4. World Spins Madly On by The Weepies
5. Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
6. Since You've Been Around by Rosie Thomas
7. Where Does The Time Go by The Innocence Mission
Now who can I tag that hasn't been tagged yet.......let's see:
1. Jodi
2. Amanda
3. Sara
4. Miki
5. Kathy
6. Sonda Rimes
7. The In Case You Didn't Know Blog
The Rules
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your LiveJournal/blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.
1. How To Save A Life by The Fray
2. 100 Years by Five for Fighting
3. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
4. World Spins Madly On by The Weepies
5. Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
6. Since You've Been Around by Rosie Thomas
7. Where Does The Time Go by The Innocence Mission
Now who can I tag that hasn't been tagged yet.......let's see:
1. Jodi
2. Amanda
3. Sara
4. Miki
5. Kathy
6. Sonda Rimes
7. The In Case You Didn't Know Blog
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Sad
I'm behind on my blog - I know.....lots happening this past week, but more about that later. I need to share this. Kade did this the other night. It's a pic of Kita the first day Greg and I got her 11 years ago. She got liver cancer and we had to have her put down about 2 years ago. My kids are still mourning her.
Kade knows she's not coming back....but he made this anyway....and he left it sitting on my desk. Brought tears to me because she was such an amazing dog. And my boy still misses her so much.
Kade knows she's not coming back....but he made this anyway....and he left it sitting on my desk. Brought tears to me because she was such an amazing dog. And my boy still misses her so much.
Friday, September 15, 2006
A long 4 months
not as long for me as it was for some others that I love dearly....but long enough. Back in May I asked you to pray about/for people who are like family to me. They were facing a situation that would have put a son/brother/father on death row. On May 10th the a committee was supposed to return a decision on whether or not the death penalty would be an option for this young man. Well, May 10 turned into September 14 and the decision is, the death penalty is not an option in sentencing.
Now of course this young man will pay, and has been paying, for the crime he committed. He willingly left his voice out of the workings of the committee in order for God to work in the way He wanted to. Would I have been able to do that knowing that my voice might save my life? Am I willing to give up my 'perceived' control over my destiny? Questions to think about.
Anyway, this situation is not over and there will be more hurdles to overcome...but there is comfort in knowing he will not have to pay the price of his life.
Now of course this young man will pay, and has been paying, for the crime he committed. He willingly left his voice out of the workings of the committee in order for God to work in the way He wanted to. Would I have been able to do that knowing that my voice might save my life? Am I willing to give up my 'perceived' control over my destiny? Questions to think about.
Anyway, this situation is not over and there will be more hurdles to overcome...but there is comfort in knowing he will not have to pay the price of his life.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
.000 ERA baby!
Kade pitched his first ever game today! He's playing on a fall ball team with a bunch of really nice kids and parents....very cool experience so far. They had their first game this morning (and in the early morning rush I forgot the camera! waa!) The coach is letting all the kids get a chance at playing every position which is great. Kade got to pitch the 3rd inning. I think I held my breath the whole time. He walked the first batter. Then threw a strike to the 2nd batter...the first kid tried to steal 2nd and our catcher made an awesome throw (Kade even ducked out of the way for the throw - cute!) and they got him out. Then he struck out the next 2 batters. Needless to say he is on cloud 9 and I am finally breathing again!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Ponies Win!!
Well, the soccer gods were looking down on the Shooting Star Ponies on Saturday. Victory! 3 to 0....and there is actually proof that Keira participated in the game. That actually didn't happen until halftime when her daddy and brother showed up. For some reason their mere presence turned her into Little Miss Pele. That's her....little number 4 going after the ball....shocking!
Now of course she and her friend Oni did a lot of hugging on the field too. There's just a lot of love on the Shooting Star Ponies! And when you are only 4 you need to take time for your friends....even if it is in the middle of a soccer game!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Exploring with my boy
Blogger heard my desperate pleas and my picture uploaded!! What a Day!So Ann(i)e's Challenge was to use 7 different pieces of patterned paper. This was good for me in so many ways! I have been hoarded this paper from ScrapAddict's Fashion Forward Kit. Why do I think paper is too beautiful to cut up? And these pictures of Kade and I have been sitting on my desk waiting for the perfect time to be used. I loved the layout Annie did so much that I lifted the way she laid out her patterned paper and mat paper.
There is not any journaling on this but I can vividly remember talking with Kade on the beach. We talked about all kinds of things....what he thought third grade would be like, what it would feel like to be bitten by a honu, things we love to eat....just little things...but things that remind me that my boy is growing up.
Of course there is also the embarrassing side to the pics....after Greg took these and Kade and I kept walking on down the beach, I slipped hard and cut up my knees and hands. Could it have been because I was wearing flip flops on moss covered rocks? Sure! But I didn't want to loose anytime changing my shoes when I could have been hanging out with my son. The cuts {and embarrassment} were worth it!
Stupid Blogger
Dumb blogger! Won't let me upload pics today or yesterday and I actually finally got a page done for Ann(i)e's Challenge! Felt so good to create but I guess I have to wait until lame-o blogger gets their picture act together. Okay so I've called blogger three bad things that I wouldn't let my kids call anyone....sorry blogger....thanks for being free. Okay, how's that.
So since I can't post a pic today I will post a HMMMM list from Jess....some of them will make you actually scratch your head and some will make you giggle! Enjoy......
Stupid Questions.. Think about it
How much deeper would the sea be if were wasnt any sponges?:
Why doesnt Tarzan have a beard?:
When dog food is new and improved tasting how do they know?:
If ignorance is bliss, why arent more people happy?:
When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?:
Should a crematorium give discounts for burn victims?:
If space is a vacuum, who changes the bags?:
How do you draw a blank?:
If rabbits feet are so lucky, then what happened to the rabbit?:
If nothing sticks to Teflon, then how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?:
Why do they put expiration dates on sour cream containers?:
When you choke a smurf, what colour does he turn?:
Why do they sterilize the needle for a lethal injection?:
Why is a carrot more orange than an orange?:
What if the hokey pokey really is what its all about?:
Do hummingbirds hum because theyve forgotten the words?:
Why do they call it a TV set when you only get one?:
Whos cruel idea was it to have an S in the word lisp?:
If money is the root of all evil, why do churches want it so badly?:
If swimming is such good excercise why are whales so fat?:
How comes night falls but day breaks?:
What if the lid of a milk catron said open somewhere else?:
Why are they called apartments if they're all stuck together?:
If vampires cant see their own reflections, how is their hair so neat?:
Why do tugboats push?:
Can you be a closet claustrophobic:
If police arrest a mime, do they say he has the right to remain silent?:
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?:
Do people who are born again have two bellybuttons?:
If you try to fail, and succeed, what have you done?:
Are you getting sick of this quiz?:
Me too:
Final question: Five years from now, will they have a soviet reunion?:
Think about it..
So since I can't post a pic today I will post a HMMMM list from Jess....some of them will make you actually scratch your head and some will make you giggle! Enjoy......
Stupid Questions.. Think about it
How much deeper would the sea be if were wasnt any sponges?:
Why doesnt Tarzan have a beard?:
When dog food is new and improved tasting how do they know?:
If ignorance is bliss, why arent more people happy?:
When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?:
Should a crematorium give discounts for burn victims?:
If space is a vacuum, who changes the bags?:
How do you draw a blank?:
If rabbits feet are so lucky, then what happened to the rabbit?:
If nothing sticks to Teflon, then how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?:
Why do they put expiration dates on sour cream containers?:
When you choke a smurf, what colour does he turn?:
Why do they sterilize the needle for a lethal injection?:
Why is a carrot more orange than an orange?:
What if the hokey pokey really is what its all about?:
Do hummingbirds hum because theyve forgotten the words?:
Why do they call it a TV set when you only get one?:
Whos cruel idea was it to have an S in the word lisp?:
If money is the root of all evil, why do churches want it so badly?:
If swimming is such good excercise why are whales so fat?:
How comes night falls but day breaks?:
What if the lid of a milk catron said open somewhere else?:
Why are they called apartments if they're all stuck together?:
If vampires cant see their own reflections, how is their hair so neat?:
Why do tugboats push?:
Can you be a closet claustrophobic:
If police arrest a mime, do they say he has the right to remain silent?:
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?:
Do people who are born again have two bellybuttons?:
If you try to fail, and succeed, what have you done?:
Are you getting sick of this quiz?:
Me too:
Final question: Five years from now, will they have a soviet reunion?:
Think about it..
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
It Won't Be Boring!
Well everyone in this house is back to school....including me! And I have to say I am very excited about my students this year! It is definitely going to be one of the more challenging groups of kids I have had but they all seem so kind so I know we are going to make all kinds of progress.
One of the things that most excites me about the challenges is the amount of learning I am going to have to do this year. I have never had a group of kids in so many "categories" before. I have a student with diabetes....a severely hearing imparied student so they are putting an amplification system in my room and I get to wear a microphone (like I wasn't already loud enough...heehee).....3 students with some type of speech delay/impediment.....one little guy whose whole family are involved with gangs.....another student with an undiagnosed circumstance, I'm thinking it may be Aspergers Syndrome, remember 'Rainman', well this child is like that, brilliant but uncapable of any kind of interpersonal contact.....anyway these kids are awesome!
So even the teacher is going back to school this year....and I'm totally thrilled!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Hotel Rwanda
I just finished watching Hotel Rwanda . It's taken me 2 days to watch. Last night I watched the first hour....then had to stop.....my mind was reeling and my heart was wrenched. There were many nightmares that followed during the long night.
This afternoon I feel sick....sick that something of this magnitude happened and I only knew bits and pieces of it. I don't care if the UN or foreign governments chose not to call it genocide....how they couldn't I have no idea. 800,000 men, women and children slaughtered with clubs and machetes over a 100 day period....that's 8,000 souls lost each day. And why? Because their identity card labeled them as Tutsi....one word....a word that meant indescriminate death.
If you're not familiar with the Rwandan Genocide here's a timeline of the inaction of the UN and every other country of the world. It's a total outrage.
This afternoon I feel sick....sick that something of this magnitude happened and I only knew bits and pieces of it. I don't care if the UN or foreign governments chose not to call it genocide....how they couldn't I have no idea. 800,000 men, women and children slaughtered with clubs and machetes over a 100 day period....that's 8,000 souls lost each day. And why? Because their identity card labeled them as Tutsi....one word....a word that meant indescriminate death.
If you're not familiar with the Rwandan Genocide here's a timeline of the inaction of the UN and every other country of the world. It's a total outrage.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Back on the Field!
Well both of my kiddos hit the soccer field this morning....and it was also my coaching debut! To sum up today in a word - chaos!
Kade's game got rescheduled for 12:45 and Keira was to play at 12:30.....but Keira's game is only supposed to last about 45 minutes so we figured she and I would make it for the last quarter or so of Kade's game.
Keira and I got to the field at noon and all of the other Shooting Star Ponies began to arrive. By 12:25 there was no other team there yet for us to play. So here's what I learned today....if the schedule says your game is at 12:30....that really means your game is at 1:00 or any time between 12:30 and 1:00....just whenever people show up. WHAT!!??!! The scheduled game time is not the scheduled game time apparently. I'll have to call about that this week. After our girls had already been there warming up for a half hour, they were pretty much done. Well, Keira was really done. Her terror-ific attitude really made it hard for me to coach the other 7 girls. We ended up losing, 3 to 1, but the parents didn't seem upset and I think most of the girls had a good time. My head was spinning though! I did get in trouble for going onto the field during the game....one of the little girls decided to sit in the middle of the field and suck her thumb....I was afraid she was going to get run over and she wouldn't get up so I went out to pick her up....got a visit from the Division Director telling me to stay off the field. Oh well!
As our game ended I jumped in the car and headed to another park for Kade's game...and I pulled up just as the ref blew the whistle signaling the end of the game! I hear that Kade had a great game....they won 5 to 1. I took him to get an ice cream, just the 2 of us, so he could tell me all about it.
Okay - only nine games to go!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Irony, Kharma, Turn-about....
whatever you call it....I have seen it in spades this week at work.
I've been debating since Friday whether or not to write about this. And now I have decided I need to...in order to get my thoughts on the situation clear because I know at work tomorrow there will be all kinds of drama and chaos surrounding this issue. Now, names will be changed to protect the innocent {even though I don't really think there are any innocent!}
During the last 4 years my job assignment has been complicated. Basically the position I had required twice the work as most others. This assignment was supposed to be rotated between a few of us teachers each year but for one reason or another it never happened and I was the fortunate one to carry it for the last 4 years. But not this year! Yeah!! It finally rotated to another teacher we will call Homer.
Now 2 years ago Homer was in a position to be able to help me out a bit....but he didn't want to help...instead he went to our principal, Mr. Smithers, and complained, moaned, groaned and said it was a violation of some Ed Code to help us....so Homer got what he wanted and we got no help. Not what I would have wished for from a colleague but it's what I got so I had to make the best of the situation. Not once did I consider not doing the extra work.....because the kids would be the ones to suffer and none of this was their responsibility. I was hired to do a job and I am not the kind of person who is going to do it half-ass. That's just not who I am.
So this year I have a new principal, Ms. Krebapple. Homer has told Ms. Krebapple in no uncertain terms he will not fulfill the duties assigned to him. Ms. Krebapple reminded him of the Ed Code that he had spouted 2 years ago and said he would have to do it alone. Well Homer came to my room, looking for support or validation of some sort I guess. I really had to fight back the urge to scream about my vindication, etc. Instead I told him that I would try to be as sympathetic as possible, which was not much since I knew the job could be done...and yes it will take more time and energy....I've done it for 4 years for crying out loud! I also told him that if he continued on the course of action he was pursuing, the kids were going to be the ones to suffer and that would not be fair.
So now it's time to prepare for tomorrow. I don't want to be in the middle of this but unfortunately I'm being pulled in for many different reasons. This is a really stinky way to start out the school year!
I've been debating since Friday whether or not to write about this. And now I have decided I need to...in order to get my thoughts on the situation clear because I know at work tomorrow there will be all kinds of drama and chaos surrounding this issue. Now, names will be changed to protect the innocent {even though I don't really think there are any innocent!}
During the last 4 years my job assignment has been complicated. Basically the position I had required twice the work as most others. This assignment was supposed to be rotated between a few of us teachers each year but for one reason or another it never happened and I was the fortunate one to carry it for the last 4 years. But not this year! Yeah!! It finally rotated to another teacher we will call Homer.
Now 2 years ago Homer was in a position to be able to help me out a bit....but he didn't want to help...instead he went to our principal, Mr. Smithers, and complained, moaned, groaned and said it was a violation of some Ed Code to help us....so Homer got what he wanted and we got no help. Not what I would have wished for from a colleague but it's what I got so I had to make the best of the situation. Not once did I consider not doing the extra work.....because the kids would be the ones to suffer and none of this was their responsibility. I was hired to do a job and I am not the kind of person who is going to do it half-ass. That's just not who I am.
So this year I have a new principal, Ms. Krebapple. Homer has told Ms. Krebapple in no uncertain terms he will not fulfill the duties assigned to him. Ms. Krebapple reminded him of the Ed Code that he had spouted 2 years ago and said he would have to do it alone. Well Homer came to my room, looking for support or validation of some sort I guess. I really had to fight back the urge to scream about my vindication, etc. Instead I told him that I would try to be as sympathetic as possible, which was not much since I knew the job could be done...and yes it will take more time and energy....I've done it for 4 years for crying out loud! I also told him that if he continued on the course of action he was pursuing, the kids were going to be the ones to suffer and that would not be fair.
So now it's time to prepare for tomorrow. I don't want to be in the middle of this but unfortunately I'm being pulled in for many different reasons. This is a really stinky way to start out the school year!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Knocking Out Another Challenge
With all the rushing to get ready for school to start I haven't got to scrap! So since Greg is playing poker at a friend's house tonight I thought I get another of Ann(i)e's Challenges done. This one was to use circles.
The layout is a bit sappy...pics of K sleeping at 3 and then awake a few hours later at 4. The gorgeous Rhonna papers are from the Simply Splendid kitt at ScrapAddict.
Lots to catch up on...but tonight what I need to catch up on most is sleep
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Don't Mess With Me
So most of you that know me know that I do not love Chuck E. Cheese...too many germs....but because my children love it I relent. We joined some friends there this afternoon for what we hoped would be a fun time for the kids....but how quickly things can turn.
I glance up and there are 3 pre-teenish girls in the face of a sweet 9 year old boy. I call his name, the girls look at me and then walk away. I guess these girls had stuck their big ol hand in front of the camera when the boy's sister was taking a picture. He told them to stop so they follow him and proceed to intimidate him using these words, "You don't want to mess with us. We're bigger than you and we'll kill you."
Umhm....so the boy's mom and I went to find the girls...we do...start asking them what happened....they deny everything and I don't just mean deny, I mean disrespectfully deny ever even being by our table. Huh?? You looked right at me. But then their daddy shows up and decides getting in the face of a woman could be fun....he was very scary...I can definitely see where his daughters would have learned their intimidation skills.
The manager finally shows up....says he'll take care of it....pretty sure that these people were his family since he actually did nothing and they followed him around to the ice cream machine, getting tokens, etc. Before we left (which happened too early for my kids liking) I asked him if they were family, how did he take care of the situation, told him it looked funny that he now had these girls following him around the place, told him the girls continued to walk by our table giving us their go to hell looks....which by the way the girls told him that we were doing to them....yep...that's me....a 36 year old mom throwing down mad dogs to 12 year old girls!
So this whole situation opens up good conversation in the car on the way home. We talk about needing to be aware of our surroundings, that anyone can be a bully, when mommy says it's time to go there is a reason - not just spoiling your fun. Then it gets sticky. I tell them that when we pray together tonight we need to remember these girls and their dad....pray that something/someone will do something to touch their heart. "Why would I want to pray for them!?" is Kade's immediate response. "Well because that's what Jesus would do." What a lame answer! It's true, yes, but there's not a lot of meat there.
Then it gets me thinking about our discussions regarding hospitality during Soliton. One presenter said, "If someone asks if you're a Christian, tell them to ask your enemies." So today, these people were sort of my enemies...that's a bit strong of a word but you know what I mean. What did they think about me? How could I have extended hospitality? So I'm led to the writings of Luke:
Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
So for the rest of the day I am thinking....how could I have blessed these people? Do I really love them? How will be pray for them? Is there anything that we did do today that would have shown them a glimpse of the One we strive to follow? These will be the topic of conversation around our dinner table tonight!
I glance up and there are 3 pre-teenish girls in the face of a sweet 9 year old boy. I call his name, the girls look at me and then walk away. I guess these girls had stuck their big ol hand in front of the camera when the boy's sister was taking a picture. He told them to stop so they follow him and proceed to intimidate him using these words, "You don't want to mess with us. We're bigger than you and we'll kill you."
Umhm....so the boy's mom and I went to find the girls...we do...start asking them what happened....they deny everything and I don't just mean deny, I mean disrespectfully deny ever even being by our table. Huh?? You looked right at me. But then their daddy shows up and decides getting in the face of a woman could be fun....he was very scary...I can definitely see where his daughters would have learned their intimidation skills.
The manager finally shows up....says he'll take care of it....pretty sure that these people were his family since he actually did nothing and they followed him around to the ice cream machine, getting tokens, etc. Before we left (which happened too early for my kids liking) I asked him if they were family, how did he take care of the situation, told him it looked funny that he now had these girls following him around the place, told him the girls continued to walk by our table giving us their go to hell looks....which by the way the girls told him that we were doing to them....yep...that's me....a 36 year old mom throwing down mad dogs to 12 year old girls!
So this whole situation opens up good conversation in the car on the way home. We talk about needing to be aware of our surroundings, that anyone can be a bully, when mommy says it's time to go there is a reason - not just spoiling your fun. Then it gets sticky. I tell them that when we pray together tonight we need to remember these girls and their dad....pray that something/someone will do something to touch their heart. "Why would I want to pray for them!?" is Kade's immediate response. "Well because that's what Jesus would do." What a lame answer! It's true, yes, but there's not a lot of meat there.
Then it gets me thinking about our discussions regarding hospitality during Soliton. One presenter said, "If someone asks if you're a Christian, tell them to ask your enemies." So today, these people were sort of my enemies...that's a bit strong of a word but you know what I mean. What did they think about me? How could I have extended hospitality? So I'm led to the writings of Luke:
Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
So for the rest of the day I am thinking....how could I have blessed these people? Do I really love them? How will be pray for them? Is there anything that we did do today that would have shown them a glimpse of the One we strive to follow? These will be the topic of conversation around our dinner table tonight!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
She's No Bunny
but the girl's got hops! Or is it she's looking for a way to stay entertained at her brother's baseball practice? I'd say it's a little bit of both!
I finally got Challenge #2 done for Ann(i)e's Blog Challenge. It was to use angled papers. So I found these silly pics of Keira and decided to go for it using the absolutely fabulous Geisha Girl kit from
ScrapAddict.
So not much else going on today....fairly lighthearted wouldn't you say? Guess you never know what you'll find on this journey with me....it's either heavy or light....maybe I'll try some in between sometime....heehee
Monday, August 14, 2006
Busy Day at Our House
Well, Keira started her first day of Pre-K today!! She loved her day. She already knew the teacher and has 2 of her little girlfriends in the class. Such fun! Of course the new school outfit had to have pink in it! I'm wishing I could find a pair of pants like hers in my size!
She came home with a painting and 2 drawings. And when Kade asked how the day was she gave a little hop and said "good" and then was on her way to something else!
There is a movie being filmed in town right now. My friend J'Daire let us know they were looking for extras around Kade's age so he decided he would like to go.
He got to be a kid playing basketball and in another scene playing 4 Square. A few of his friends were there and they had a good time. Of course they didn't get the "hurry up and wait" thing that was going on....but sometimes I don't either!Now of course Keira was with us but she was too small/young to be in the shots. But as soon as I turn my back on her she's off, and has one of the production assistants wrapped around her finger. She went up and told him "I'm too small to play basketball."
So what do you think they did? Well create a part for her of course! Good grief! She is now the "hopscotch girl" in one of the playground scenes. Then it was off to wardrobe (aka Mom's car) to change into another outfit for the lunch scene. The director of the movie came out and talked to her and then asked if we could have her back at 7:45 in the morning. There's a big chance that call will be cancelled, which would be great because I would like to sleep in, but they have her number so we'll see.
So now we're home, eating sloppy joes, recapping the day.....who knows what tomorrow will bring!
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