"Courtney! Hurry up! We're late! Dog gone it, hurry up! I'll be in the car and you had better be there like NOW!!! Do you hear me?"
The sound of little running feet. "I'm coming, Mom!!"
In the car I begin backing out of the garage as I catch a glimpse of my disheveled daughter. Long, knotted hair sticking every which way, clothes half assembled and the absence of shoes and socks. "Are you kidding me? You have had one hour to pull yourself together and this is what you come up with? Your hair is a stinking mess!!!!"
"I know, Mom. I'm still getting ready. I'll be ready by the time we get to school. Promise."
Arriving at school. I turn around to kiss her good-bye. The knotted hair is pulled sloppily into a scrunchy with sticky uppies all over the place. "You are a mess! Are you really going to school looking like that?"
"Bye Mom. Love you!!" Off she goes. Sigh.
After school pick-up. Messy child boards the vehicle. "I've so had it with that hair. We are going to get it cut off today. I'd be happy with a flat top at this point!" Pouty face. No words.
At the hair salon. "She needs a short hair cut that she can manage. Please donate the long hair to Locks of Love."
The beautician smiles and indicates that the knotted mess might be a task to save but she will try. More irritation on my part. Boy, I'm gonna get her good this time!!!
Leaving the salon. Smiling, happy child. "Mommy, I just love my hair. This is the greatest haircut. Thank you soooooo much for letting me get my hair cut. I'm so happy. I can't wait to show my friends."
Arriving home to see Dad (Oh, he's gonna give it to her because I already told him what went down). "Courtney, your hair cut looks good!" Bigger smiles. Happier child. "Can't wait to shower and style my hair" child.
Sigh. Guess who got the last laugh.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
On Hold
I stepped off the treadmill from my morning workout and grabbed my bottle of water. As I was chugging away, I happened to look up on the top shelf in my husband's shop and saw his enormous stack of boxes of golf balls (he has OCD, duh). It made me sad.
Skip retired from work three years ago. Since then, he has learned to manage his life around his golf schedule. He would leave for three or four days and do his golfing tour in the midwest somewhere or even in Phoenix. I knew that on golfing days that the kids were MY responsibility and that he was unavailable. Smart man.
Unfortunately, the economy and our lifestyle has demanded a change in our cash flow. An opportunity came for Skip to return back to work. I know that that is the LAST thing he wanted to do. After all, who wouldn't be enjoying retirement? But, he has ponied up and taking charge of our life like a man. He now is back to work and I don't see him until sometimes AFTER dinner. Sigh.
I just want you to know, Skip, we appreciate all the sacrifice that you are making for our family. I know the children don't understand how precious your time and money are but I do and I love you all the more for it. Right now you are doing what needs to be done.
As I look up once again at those golf balls on the shelf, I smile and know that they will be waiting for your return to the golf course so that they can get the living crap knocked out of them! Fore!!!
Skip retired from work three years ago. Since then, he has learned to manage his life around his golf schedule. He would leave for three or four days and do his golfing tour in the midwest somewhere or even in Phoenix. I knew that on golfing days that the kids were MY responsibility and that he was unavailable. Smart man.
Unfortunately, the economy and our lifestyle has demanded a change in our cash flow. An opportunity came for Skip to return back to work. I know that that is the LAST thing he wanted to do. After all, who wouldn't be enjoying retirement? But, he has ponied up and taking charge of our life like a man. He now is back to work and I don't see him until sometimes AFTER dinner. Sigh.
I just want you to know, Skip, we appreciate all the sacrifice that you are making for our family. I know the children don't understand how precious your time and money are but I do and I love you all the more for it. Right now you are doing what needs to be done.
As I look up once again at those golf balls on the shelf, I smile and know that they will be waiting for your return to the golf course so that they can get the living crap knocked out of them! Fore!!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Visit
My friend came to visit again. She always shows up around this time of year, it seems. I used to see her all the time at first and then it was just periodically, when she felt I needed her there, I guess. I was so happy to see her. She's the closest friend I have ever had and I have missed her so. She was wearing white, like she always seems to wear so well, and she looked absolutely radiant. I can't describe it any other way.
I was fussing about a diet that I have been thnking about to lose some weight. She then got a look in her eye and said, "How about the bread diet? We eat bread and butter every morning and then just drink water all day to make up for it." I said, "That sounds like fun. Let's do it!!"
She made the best whole wheat bread. We sat and slathered gobs of butter on the warm bread and just ate the decadent treat, not missing a morsel. We had gone about 2 hours and I said, "I'm ready for more bread." She then informed me that we weren't supposed to have more bread until tomorrow morning but now seemed good nonetheless. I grabbed half the loaf and headed for the table. She was laughing and joined in with me. It was so good to hear her laugh again.
She then asked if we could get down on our knees and give thanks for the bread and all the blessings that our Father has given us. She prayed. She then was pouring out her heart to Father about something that seemed to be troubling her. Someone that was upsetting her family. I couldn't understand but didn't want to interrupt.
It was then time for her to go. Oh, how I wanted to go with her. It isn't my time yet. I still need to stay here and raise my family and progress further. However, I know that when it is my time to pass through the veil, she will be there and it will be such a sweet reunion.
I love you, Terri. Thank you for stopping by.
I was fussing about a diet that I have been thnking about to lose some weight. She then got a look in her eye and said, "How about the bread diet? We eat bread and butter every morning and then just drink water all day to make up for it." I said, "That sounds like fun. Let's do it!!"
She made the best whole wheat bread. We sat and slathered gobs of butter on the warm bread and just ate the decadent treat, not missing a morsel. We had gone about 2 hours and I said, "I'm ready for more bread." She then informed me that we weren't supposed to have more bread until tomorrow morning but now seemed good nonetheless. I grabbed half the loaf and headed for the table. She was laughing and joined in with me. It was so good to hear her laugh again.
She then asked if we could get down on our knees and give thanks for the bread and all the blessings that our Father has given us. She prayed. She then was pouring out her heart to Father about something that seemed to be troubling her. Someone that was upsetting her family. I couldn't understand but didn't want to interrupt.
It was then time for her to go. Oh, how I wanted to go with her. It isn't my time yet. I still need to stay here and raise my family and progress further. However, I know that when it is my time to pass through the veil, she will be there and it will be such a sweet reunion.
I love you, Terri. Thank you for stopping by.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Groovin' on the Day
This was a fabulous day. Here are the top five things that made today so wondermus:
- I went on a long, beautiful hike with my BFF, Nancy.
- I made a new friend today. Officer Holland. Um, yeah, don't ask.
- Someone told me a secret that made me happier than happy.
- The weather is 70 degrees, beautiful and sunny and the poppies are in bloom.
- I am happy, healthy and excited to live my wonderful life.
I told myself that today was going to be glorious and I didn't let myself down. Thank you, self!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Blessing
Many, many, many years ago we became friends with a family called the Wattersons. We became bestest estest estest friends with them. We did EVERYTHING together. Brandilyn was best friends with Jillian, I was best friends with Terri, Skip was best friends with Rick. We embraced each other's families to the billionth degree. I always really really really wanted Shauna Leigh and Danielle to be close but that never happened (cuz I ADORE Shauna Leigh).
They moved to Nebraska and life went on. We still stayed close. Things changed over the years and Terri, Jamie and Nikki went back home to live with Heavenly Father. It was a tough transition for all of us to make but we have learned to live with our Heavenly Father's plan.
People change and situations change. I still love the family and support them unconditionally. Brandilyn and Jillian kind of drifted apart somewhat (they still love each other but they have changed). What is amazing, though, is that Brandilyn and Shauna Leigh have started to get closer.
Just this morning my darling princess called me to tell me that her wonderful husband is really, really sick. She was really frustrated and then "remembered that she has family right there in Rexburg". She called Shauna Leigh and asked if her husband and Derek could come and give Dave a blessing today after church. Shauna was happy to comply and even thanked Brandilyn for giving them the opportunity to serve and exercise their priesthood.
I am grateful for the Watterson family and even more grateful that we can still call each other "family" after all of these years. I love each and every one of you Wattersons! You ARE my family.
They moved to Nebraska and life went on. We still stayed close. Things changed over the years and Terri, Jamie and Nikki went back home to live with Heavenly Father. It was a tough transition for all of us to make but we have learned to live with our Heavenly Father's plan.
People change and situations change. I still love the family and support them unconditionally. Brandilyn and Jillian kind of drifted apart somewhat (they still love each other but they have changed). What is amazing, though, is that Brandilyn and Shauna Leigh have started to get closer.
Just this morning my darling princess called me to tell me that her wonderful husband is really, really sick. She was really frustrated and then "remembered that she has family right there in Rexburg". She called Shauna Leigh and asked if her husband and Derek could come and give Dave a blessing today after church. Shauna was happy to comply and even thanked Brandilyn for giving them the opportunity to serve and exercise their priesthood.
I am grateful for the Watterson family and even more grateful that we can still call each other "family" after all of these years. I love each and every one of you Wattersons! You ARE my family.
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Little Engine
I just need to write this. Sometimes it just baffles my little mind.
When we were embarking on our journey to adopt Courtney, we were informed that she had a twin brother that might be a future consideration for us. We were told at that time that he was "unadoptable" because of his behavioral challenges.
Jacob lived at a place called Burt Children's Center in San Francisco. A home for children with very serious behavior problems. Jacob had lived there for just shy of three years - the longest they had ever had any child reside in that facility. We came along and never gave up on the little guy and now he is our son.
Since living with us, he has been in a SDC (Special Day Class) at school. He has been in that class almost three years and, quite frankly, we have been a little concerned about his placement for sixth grade next year. They don't offer these special classes for middle school in our area. Skip and I had taken a leap of faith and put him on the list at the Charter School where Courtney goes just on the off chance that he would be able to fit in. Last week we found out that he has been accepted.
Yesterday, I got a note home from school suggesting that we mainstream Jacob into a regular class 100%!!! Starting next week Jacob will be in a regular class putting in a full day (he has been out at 1:30 every day and now it will be 2:50). My heart is full and my eyes are streaming with tears of joy.
It just goes to show you - perseverence (and prayer) pays off!!!
When we were embarking on our journey to adopt Courtney, we were informed that she had a twin brother that might be a future consideration for us. We were told at that time that he was "unadoptable" because of his behavioral challenges.
Jacob lived at a place called Burt Children's Center in San Francisco. A home for children with very serious behavior problems. Jacob had lived there for just shy of three years - the longest they had ever had any child reside in that facility. We came along and never gave up on the little guy and now he is our son.
Since living with us, he has been in a SDC (Special Day Class) at school. He has been in that class almost three years and, quite frankly, we have been a little concerned about his placement for sixth grade next year. They don't offer these special classes for middle school in our area. Skip and I had taken a leap of faith and put him on the list at the Charter School where Courtney goes just on the off chance that he would be able to fit in. Last week we found out that he has been accepted.
Yesterday, I got a note home from school suggesting that we mainstream Jacob into a regular class 100%!!! Starting next week Jacob will be in a regular class putting in a full day (he has been out at 1:30 every day and now it will be 2:50). My heart is full and my eyes are streaming with tears of joy.
It just goes to show you - perseverence (and prayer) pays off!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Come and Go
Sometimes we make our closest friends through our children. That has happened to me more often than not. Then, there are times that we lose that friendship because of our children. That, too, has happened to me. Right now I'm trying to cope with just that.
My boys did something wrong with the son of a close friend of mine. I agree that what they did was bad and I have interacted with my boys about said transgression. I wasn't going to say anything to my friend because I didn't want to cause friction between our families but after the "event" had happened a couple of times and the law was involved I simply had to tell her. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! I should have kept my big fat mouth shut!!
My friend told me to parent my own children and that she NEVER wants our boys to interact again. Never, never, never under ANY condition. Wow, that's harsh! They go to school and church together. This is going to be a tall order. I told my boys and they are pretty upset. Oh well!
I guess the biggest loss is my friendship. I love this woman and my heart is breaking. I hate this. I truly do. Our daughters are close friends, our boys WERE close friend and I THOUGHT her and I were very close friends.
I guess you just never know . . .
My boys did something wrong with the son of a close friend of mine. I agree that what they did was bad and I have interacted with my boys about said transgression. I wasn't going to say anything to my friend because I didn't want to cause friction between our families but after the "event" had happened a couple of times and the law was involved I simply had to tell her. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! I should have kept my big fat mouth shut!!
My friend told me to parent my own children and that she NEVER wants our boys to interact again. Never, never, never under ANY condition. Wow, that's harsh! They go to school and church together. This is going to be a tall order. I told my boys and they are pretty upset. Oh well!
I guess the biggest loss is my friendship. I love this woman and my heart is breaking. I hate this. I truly do. Our daughters are close friends, our boys WERE close friend and I THOUGHT her and I were very close friends.
I guess you just never know . . .
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