Well I'm what I am and I'm what I'm not
I'm sure happy with what I've got
I live to love and laugh a lot
And thats all I need ~ Kenny Chesney lyrics
I've recently spent some quality time with Ethel....a rarity in our lives. Believe it or not, when I refer to "quality time", it does involve the presence of the children. For the moment, we believe we are fortunate to be in a stage where it's a bit easier than it has been. The older ones are responsible enough to tend to the younger ones so we can sneak out for a lunch or a walk. The younger ones aren't too much of a handful....they can tend to their needs and (as much as younger siblings respect older siblings) obey the older kids. The older ones are not attempting to sneak off and do "things" that will surely horrify us in the future (and probably make me regret this entry). We are not naive to think that rough days do not lie ahead as we navigate a course through "the teenage years" with the entire brood (this cycle officially begins in Dec. and will end when Son turns 20....in 14 short years), but for now we relish our days of "easier" parenting. For today, I am thankful for everything.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The Goog
Boys are found everywhere -- on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. ~ Alan Marshall Beck
I marvel daily how two children can be so amazingly diverse yet so similar...not to mention that this diversity exists under one roof! Essentially there are six years separating my two children. Daughter was drawn to books and learning immediately. Son...loves to learn, but not in the same manner. She was always more sedate and able to attend more to traditional learning. Goog....not so much. From the moment his eyes open in the morning he is on the go. He lives to be outside doing typical "boy" things.....he surfs, skateboards, bikes, runs, destroys, plays ball, spray paints (yes, I have found a spot of paint on our home that he and a neighbor hijacked from the neighbor's dad)....you name an activity that can be wild and woolly and outdoors and he is up for it. He is 6 going on 16....ready to be a "big guy". He knows more high school boys than most kids his age (from the skate park and the dock, I suppose). He already begs me to take him to the beach in Buxton...where all the big guys surf....at almost 40, I prefer to go to the beach in Hatteras where all the mom's hang out. He is NOT deprived by going to the beach there as there are a large number of surf-folk there, too. Yesterday his cousin DID take him to the beach in Buxton....I wonder if he'll ever be satisfied down here again! It's still morning and I've already heard about the Buxton beach. He is a daredevil. I can't bear to watch half of the things he does. I do not take him to the skate park because I know I will vomit. I hear he is good. I am NOT so bad that I don't allow him to go....I just can't watch. After surfing in Buxton yesterday, Hali brought him to where the rest of us were in Hatteras. Clutching his new surfboard (from Santa....how patient he has been to wait this long to use a gift!), he paddled out to where all the big kids surf. Last year I did not allow this. Yesterday it just seemed natural. He did great! On the last day of school he won a free kite boarding lesson. Whew....talk about a new fear for me! I know adults who have broken their necks doing that crazy stuff! I called Hubby from my classroom immediately to share the wonderful news.....his response: "Don't tell him!" It was too late, though, as it was part of the morning televised broadcast. It was so ironic since this spring Ethel and I took the brood down to the beach on a warm, windy day and watched dozens of people kite boarding. I looked at her as these crazies were using the kites, boards, waves, and wind to jump 10+ feet in the air doing all sorts of acrobatic stunts and said, "Why do I think that surfing is just not going to be enough for Son?" I am really rambling now....sorry. As I try to update and summarize the lives of my children at the close of this academic year, I think back to Son's first day of kindergarten. Before starting he expressed many times how much he wanted to read. Having such a busy schedule and desire to be outside, he just had never had the interest to devote time to learning outside of his preschool setting. After school we asked how the first day was. He was rather dismayed because "they didn't teach me how to read today". I guess he thought it would be like riding his bike, skating, surfing: just pick it up and do it. I am thrilled to say that my Goog has become a proficient student this year, exceeding the typical kindergarten expectations. I think we must be doing ok with him, too. He was student of the month for kindergarten in March because he ALWAYS helps with all the class chores and helps his classmates. My heart fills with pride, joy, and love when I merely think of him....just as it does when I think of Daughter. Of all the things I do.....I LOVE being MOM the most! :0)
I marvel daily how two children can be so amazingly diverse yet so similar...not to mention that this diversity exists under one roof! Essentially there are six years separating my two children. Daughter was drawn to books and learning immediately. Son...loves to learn, but not in the same manner. She was always more sedate and able to attend more to traditional learning. Goog....not so much. From the moment his eyes open in the morning he is on the go. He lives to be outside doing typical "boy" things.....he surfs, skateboards, bikes, runs, destroys, plays ball, spray paints (yes, I have found a spot of paint on our home that he and a neighbor hijacked from the neighbor's dad)....you name an activity that can be wild and woolly and outdoors and he is up for it. He is 6 going on 16....ready to be a "big guy". He knows more high school boys than most kids his age (from the skate park and the dock, I suppose). He already begs me to take him to the beach in Buxton...where all the big guys surf....at almost 40, I prefer to go to the beach in Hatteras where all the mom's hang out. He is NOT deprived by going to the beach there as there are a large number of surf-folk there, too. Yesterday his cousin DID take him to the beach in Buxton....I wonder if he'll ever be satisfied down here again! It's still morning and I've already heard about the Buxton beach. He is a daredevil. I can't bear to watch half of the things he does. I do not take him to the skate park because I know I will vomit. I hear he is good. I am NOT so bad that I don't allow him to go....I just can't watch. After surfing in Buxton yesterday, Hali brought him to where the rest of us were in Hatteras. Clutching his new surfboard (from Santa....how patient he has been to wait this long to use a gift!), he paddled out to where all the big kids surf. Last year I did not allow this. Yesterday it just seemed natural. He did great! On the last day of school he won a free kite boarding lesson. Whew....talk about a new fear for me! I know adults who have broken their necks doing that crazy stuff! I called Hubby from my classroom immediately to share the wonderful news.....his response: "Don't tell him!" It was too late, though, as it was part of the morning televised broadcast. It was so ironic since this spring Ethel and I took the brood down to the beach on a warm, windy day and watched dozens of people kite boarding. I looked at her as these crazies were using the kites, boards, waves, and wind to jump 10+ feet in the air doing all sorts of acrobatic stunts and said, "Why do I think that surfing is just not going to be enough for Son?" I am really rambling now....sorry. As I try to update and summarize the lives of my children at the close of this academic year, I think back to Son's first day of kindergarten. Before starting he expressed many times how much he wanted to read. Having such a busy schedule and desire to be outside, he just had never had the interest to devote time to learning outside of his preschool setting. After school we asked how the first day was. He was rather dismayed because "they didn't teach me how to read today". I guess he thought it would be like riding his bike, skating, surfing: just pick it up and do it. I am thrilled to say that my Goog has become a proficient student this year, exceeding the typical kindergarten expectations. I think we must be doing ok with him, too. He was student of the month for kindergarten in March because he ALWAYS helps with all the class chores and helps his classmates. My heart fills with pride, joy, and love when I merely think of him....just as it does when I think of Daughter. Of all the things I do.....I LOVE being MOM the most! :0)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
The End of the Year
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
~Martina McBride
After my mom passed away in 2000 I received numerous messages of condolence. All meaningful and heartfelt. Over the years one has remained in my heart and mind. It has been a source of peace for me. The strangest part is that the person who sent it more than likely doesn't even know how dear her message and how I have clung to it. Her message simply said that whenever I needed to see my mom, all I needed to do was look into my daughter's eyes. How prophetic since "my quote" wasn't released until 3 years later. On Thursday morning I received a phone call at school from one of Daughter's teachers urging me to attend the Award's Assembly. I had planned on going, figuring that she was going to be honored for (hopefully) Principal's List for the year...if not, it would at least be Honor Roll. I explained this to her teacher, who was glad I was coming. She then proceeded to tell me that Daughter was going to receive more than one award. I was thrilled for Daughter. She has become such an independent person...it just amazes me. She handles all aspects of her academics (except for the large projects) completely on her own. I wish I was more abreast of the situation at times, but I also realize that I need her to make her own way and be responsible. I am so proud of the awards she earned and the humbleness she displays. Sometimes I worry that the parenting choices I make (and have made) have created a child that isn't as self-confident as she should be about her talents. I worry that she doesn't always reach her full potential because she doesn't realize how capable she truly is. But, I am a worrier by nature. There were so many highlights of that day. Seeing her with her medals was awesome. One of the other highlights was the morning phone call from the teacher. During the conversation she told me what a fantastic job Hubby and I have done. She said that Daughter was just flawless. She had tried to find just one flaw, but couldn't find one. Yes, I realize that she, like all of us, are flawed. I could go on forever listing mine, but to have a teacher tell me just how amazing she thought my child was instantly put tears in my eyes. I cannot even describe how much I love that girl (don't worry....I have a post cooking up for Son, too!) and how immensely proud I am of her and all of her accomplishments. Martina's words only begin to scratch the surface. :0)
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
~Martina McBride
After my mom passed away in 2000 I received numerous messages of condolence. All meaningful and heartfelt. Over the years one has remained in my heart and mind. It has been a source of peace for me. The strangest part is that the person who sent it more than likely doesn't even know how dear her message and how I have clung to it. Her message simply said that whenever I needed to see my mom, all I needed to do was look into my daughter's eyes. How prophetic since "my quote" wasn't released until 3 years later. On Thursday morning I received a phone call at school from one of Daughter's teachers urging me to attend the Award's Assembly. I had planned on going, figuring that she was going to be honored for (hopefully) Principal's List for the year...if not, it would at least be Honor Roll. I explained this to her teacher, who was glad I was coming. She then proceeded to tell me that Daughter was going to receive more than one award. I was thrilled for Daughter. She has become such an independent person...it just amazes me. She handles all aspects of her academics (except for the large projects) completely on her own. I wish I was more abreast of the situation at times, but I also realize that I need her to make her own way and be responsible. I am so proud of the awards she earned and the humbleness she displays. Sometimes I worry that the parenting choices I make (and have made) have created a child that isn't as self-confident as she should be about her talents. I worry that she doesn't always reach her full potential because she doesn't realize how capable she truly is. But, I am a worrier by nature. There were so many highlights of that day. Seeing her with her medals was awesome. One of the other highlights was the morning phone call from the teacher. During the conversation she told me what a fantastic job Hubby and I have done. She said that Daughter was just flawless. She had tried to find just one flaw, but couldn't find one. Yes, I realize that she, like all of us, are flawed. I could go on forever listing mine, but to have a teacher tell me just how amazing she thought my child was instantly put tears in my eyes. I cannot even describe how much I love that girl (don't worry....I have a post cooking up for Son, too!) and how immensely proud I am of her and all of her accomplishments. Martina's words only begin to scratch the surface. :0)
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