Cousins

A Chicken Strip

Jonah received a dollar in the mail yesterday from his Pop and Grammy. I asked him on the way home from the library last night if he wanted to get something special with his dollar.

"I'm hungry. I want chicken," he replied.

So we turned into the nearest KFC as Jonah giggled excitedly in the seat, anxious for the chicken treat he could buy with his very own dollar.

Mike asked for one chicken strip. The total came to $1.32 with tax.

Mike and I had no money; Jonah had his dollar.

We had a credit card, which I certainly would have felt free to use, but Mike, ignorant of the car behind us in line, decided that he would rather find $.32 in our car.

We look around our seats...a penny, another penny, a dime, a nickel. I dig through the glove compartment, through the center console...

I can't find any more money but Mike refuses to give up. This is a game for him. I'm getting embarrassed. I'm giggling. I start to shrink in my seat. Mike turns on the dome lights in the car (HELLO WORLD, LOOK AT US!). He was determined. He finds more pennies.

I'm convulsing now from trying to hold in my nervous laughter. I delicately mention to Mike that he COULD use the credit card.

A few "minutes" later, we have $1.29. We need three cents. Mike looks the employee right in the eyes, "Is that good enough?"

DID HE JUST SAY THAT????????

The employee motions for us to move forward.

They give us the chicken strip.

It's a lonely chicken strip in a large KFC box.

I'm so embarrassed.

Square Dance Partner and Seymour Viewers:

Make yourselves known.

A Conversation

A recent conversation with a local teenager:

Teenager: Are you guys from [that college I live near]?

My Friend: No, we're 31. [I decided not to tell my age!]

Teenager: OMG, you're as old as my mom. You look so much younger than her though. I mean, really I thought you were from [that college]. Gee, you guys just look younger. What is it about you?

My Friend: Well, we're in our sweats with no makeup.

Teenager: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, my mom just looks older, you know. She doesn't do drugs or anything. She just looks older. OMG, I can't believe you're, like, my mom's age!

*****

So was I supposed to be flattered? Hmmm, I'm not sure.

Today

Someone wants to be just like her big brother...

Our Visit with Santa

Cooking

I have "fond" memories of stopping at Kroger on our way home from school about every day of the week when I was younger. My dad was/is a believer in the "cooking what sounds good tonight" concept, making it rather hard for my mom to plan menus or make large trips to the grocery store. So we made our daily trips to Kroger and bought the needed ingredients for the evening meal.

But I tried something new this weekend in an effort to save both time and money at the grocery store. I tried the "once a month cooking" concept. I'd always been curious. I took a huge trip to the store on Friday night (quite different from our express lane trips I remember as a kid) and cooked most of the day on Saturday.

By Saturday evening, I could barely stand, I had the beginnings of a migraine, and I was tired of looking at food.

This afternoon I felt differently. I loved serving my family a nice meal that required no effort from me today.

I think I'm going to like it.

One miserable day leads to 29 good days. I can handle that.

I Know, I Know

I've heard from far too many of you. You're obviously sick of seeing my post about a ticket and wondering if I'm okay. I'm fine. I have many stories to tell; I just haven't sat at my computer long enough to write anything.

In the meantime, check out what my little girl wants to wear around the house these days:

Ticket

I had a perfect driving record until yesterday. I was driving the mini-van, Mike was reading in the front seat, and the kids were quiet in their car seats. We were travelling to eat dinner with many of Mike's parents' friends.

The policeman asked me if there was a reason I was speeding. I told him I was "zoning." I really was. He asked me how fast I thought I was travelling. I had no idea.

I have more of a lead foot since living in Michigan. Seventy-five miles an hour just feels normal! Yeah, that's not too good when the speed limit is 55.

Oops.

I have to pay $110 this holiday season.

Ouch.

You won't hear me bragging about my perfect driving record anymore.

A Wedding Shower

We celebrated my friend, Jana, today. She's getting married on December 30. Congratulations, Jana!

Even Helio Can't Change His Mind

Mike and I took ballroom dance classes when I was pregnant with Jonah. I loved the class; Mike hated the class. I was in my element. Mike was far removed from his--

I was reminiscing about our class on Monday while watching Dancing with the Stars. I love the show. Mike hates the show.

Do you see a pattern?

I have a favorite couple this season: Helio and Julianne.

I thought Helio could lure Mike into the show. Mike has a family history of attending the Indianapolis 500. He loves the race, he loves the traditions associated with the race, and we were at the brickyard when Helio won both of his Indy 500 championships.

"That doesn't matter," he says.

Bummer.

Our Harmonica Band

Animal Sounds

Lydia is learning her animal sounds so, naturally, we spend a lot of time saying the sounds out loud.

But what sound does a rabbit make?

I say "ribbit" almost every time.

Ra-bit
Ri-bit

It makes sense to me.

Why?

It has begun.

"Jonah, we need to wash your blanket."

"Why?"

"Because it's dirty"

"Why?"

"Because you sleep with it every night."

"Why?"

"Because it brings you great comfort and helps you relax."

"Why?

"According to my research, the growth and change you're experiencing can give you a sense of mental chaos and uneasiness, and your blanket can be comforting...."

*********

What did he want me to say?

All in a Day's Work

I worked yesterday. I enjoyed myself.

I was overwhelmed while interviewing a 17 year old boy with a brain tumor. It's benign, but he's had two brain surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy and sat in the office telling me all about it.

He's partially paralyzed on his right side as a result.

So much of what I normally discuss in an interview seemed trivial. What's his potential for leadership, academic success, etc.? While his peers have been involving themselves in activities to fatten their college applications, he's been in physical/occupational therapy sessions, learning to walk again.

We had a good conversation about the ways he's been able to see God at work, but he was slow at answering my questions due to his brain's inability to process information quickly, and I wanted to be sensitive to the effort it took him to have a conversation.

Interviews like this remind me of why I love working in admissions. I felt challenged to live life with a positive attitude, I felt intense love for my own children, and I felt so thankful that I have a healthy family...all in a day's work.

Farmer Steve

A man named Steve farms the land surrounding our new subdivision. Mike asked Farmer Steve if Jonah could have a ride in his combine. They took about a 45 minute trip. What a great experience in our front yard!

Nightmare

I'm a little late in telling this story...

It was Halloween night. Jonah was having a nightmare. I rushed to his side, cuddled with him for a bit, and returned to my bed. I lied in bed thinking, "Did they talk about something in reference to Halloween at school?...should we rethink our family's decision to participate in trick or treat?...I hate that I can't shelter him more." The next morning I asked him about it.

Traci: You had a nightmare last night, Buddy. Do you remember what it was about?

Jonah: Little People


Oh, what trauma!

This May Not Look Like Much to You...

...but it's a big deal to me!

Jonah has been playing outside with our new neighbors. They have three boys, and he gets so excited to spend time outdoors with them. He's constantly asking if he can go outside and play with Dawson, their four year old.

I've been waiting for the day when he would want to explore our "backyard."

They were marching with weeds in their hands and "fishing" in a small puddle.

I'm not accustomed to him playing apart from me. It's a wonderful thing.

Old Navy Disaster

Jonah's head got pinned under a cart at Old Navy this morning. I saw it happen. While I waited in the check-out line, he walked over to a cart and tried to stand on its side. The cart was empty and fell over, knocking him down with his head stuck under it.

His nose bled, and he cried hard for about.... 10 seconds.

The manager wanted to fill out an accident report. I said it wasn't necessary.

I asked if he wanted to stay at the mall or go home. He wanted to stay at the mall.

He's a tough kid.

A Game of Tag

I've been tagged by my friend, Amy, so I must tell you seven unusual/interesting things about myself. This may be the first time I've admitted some of these things publicly.

1. My husband tells me I have a peculiar way of brushing my teeth. I apparently need to rinse my right hand in the water throughout the tooth-brushing process, giving it a swift rotating movement with a palsy-like hand.

2. I can't eat around dogs or cats. I can't eat if my napkin, cup, or plate has dogs or cats on it. I lose my appetite around household pets.

3. I got a tattoo of a flower on my first date weekend with Mike.

4. I moan unconsciously while eating cereal. My dad said I did this during high school when I would eat breakfast across the table from him every morning. Mike will imitate me with a faint, short moan when I eat cereal next to him now. I don't know I'm doing it. I think they're making the whole thing up--

5. I tap dance and just quit lessons when I moved here.

6. I don't eat eggs. When I was little I wondered what the difference was between the eggs that hatch chicks and the eggs we eat. I heard the eggs we eat were unfertilized eggs; therefore, in my warped mind, I believe we eat chickens' periods. That disgusts me.

7. The "monster" in my bedroom when I was young was E.T. That weird creature was on the floor next to my bed every night when I was little. I slept with the door open in case I needed to make a quick exit and get away from him.


Tag-- you're it: (I don't have an easy way to hyperlink on my Mac computer)

Tiberi's Villa
Smith Family Wobinson
Thoughts from the Sidelines
In the Middle of Nowhere
The Souzis Bunch


Smith Files, I'm sparing you.

Zoo Boo

We went to Zoo Boo yesterday with our friends, Tim and Mel, and their children. Contrary to their faces in this picture, the kids had a great time!

At the Playground

Pictures

We had our family pictures taken last weekend. We don't have the proofs yet, but our amazing photographer posted some of our pictures on her blog. Check them out.

Picture of the Day

Cousins

My Drug of Choice

I sit alone tonight after watching the kids all day. Mike left at 5:30 a.m. and has to work until 10:00 p.m. I call Mike at work. I neeeeeed something to make me feel better.

"You make the call," he says.

I call.

He sneaks out of work and calls me when he turns on our road.

I see the headlights approaching and run to the end of our dark driveway.

He rolls down the window.

I see it.

I grab it.

I tell him I love him.

I run back inside.

He returns to work.

...

A Chocolate Peanut Plus shake makes any day better.

Pumpkin Patch with Preschool

Today

Mike needed a family picture for work today. We get professional pictures taken on Sunday. I think we need to teach the kids to look at the camera in the next two days!

Grammy

My mom visited this week. It's amazing how much easier life is when Grammy is here. She's such a big part of my kids' lives that I don't have to give her instructions on what Lydia can eat or explain Jonah's bedtime routine-- she knows. She's a "hands-on" grandma, and I am so thankful for that.

You've heard of a horse whisperer; my mom is a kid whisperer. The kids prefer her, and I don't mind one bit.

This week, we're thankful for:

silly string from Hobby Lobby
folding laundry so neatly
milkshakes at McDonalds
special popcorn before bed
ironing Mike's dress shirts
etc.
etc.

So when are you coming back, Mom? :)

Daddy's Lunch Break

Mrs. In Your Face

It seems like all my writing energy has been directed at Jonah's new teacher. She has a notebook that she writes messages to me every evening, and I spend way too much time responding to her; hence, I haven't had time to blog.

I've become one of THOSE parents. His teacher has been on the defensive and even said that no one had ever "questioned her ability before."

oops.

I've determined there are two key elements missing from school this year: the teacher's willingness to have the patience, positive attitude, and energy it takes to connect with Jonah and a structured, creative program that keeps him challenged.

The area's special education co-op just posted a position for another teacher's aide in Jonah's classroom as a result.

I'm hopeful for more change.

They think I'm Mrs. In Your Face.

If they only knew...

Thank You

I'm overwhelmed. Thanks so much for your phone calls, prayers, emails, and comments regarding Jonah. He had a really good morning. Before he left for school, I showed him the smile on my face.

I worry sometimes about being too vulnerable on my blog, but I'm also grateful that I can share my heart with all of you.

Thanks for your continued encouragement.

Jonah

Jonah needs your prayers. We need your prayers. It seems that the last three months are finally catching-up with us. I haven't mentioned it much on the blog, but Jonah has had an increasingly hard time adjusting to the move.

Initially, Jonah often talked about friends in Alma: Lauren, Deitrich, Sammy, Adam, Danny.... He was difficult to handle but I explained this away because he needed school, structure, playmates, activity. But school has started-- and he's gotten worse. It seems that he's angry about our move, and he's angry about his new school.

We received a letter from his teacher last week that cautiously told of his aggression with kids in his class. Then last week our sweet babysitter called me at the admissions office in tears because Jonah was having an angry meltdown and she couldn't get him to stop (it had been going on for an hour before she called).

I'm so sad for Jonah. After the babysitter left, I asked him why he was angry. He said, "I wanted some quiet time."

He's learning how to self-regulate and knowing that he can communicate his needs to us is good-- but it doesn't help when he's raging.

I've spent naptime today just perusing the internet. There are so many resources available. I even found a mom's retreat for mothers of kids with Sensory Processing Disorder. I immediately cried just thinking what it would be like to connect with other moms that have the same frustrations and concerns as myself.

Our immediate answer is a private occupational therapist. I breathe a sigh of relief just thinking about it. I'm not sure about the cost of therapy, driving 45 minutes to a pediatric facility, or paying for a babysitter for Lydia, but I do know that school's not the answer right now. We need to do something more.

I cried to a dear friend earlier this week. I'm just burdened and emotionally exhausted. I often repeat "God gave him to us because we're the best parents for him. God gave him to us because we're the best parents for him. God gave him to us because we're the best parents for him," but I hadn't really thought before about what God was teaching me by giving me Jonah.

My friend told me the answer to that question: I can't worry about what other people think.

That's hard for this people-pleasing, type A, perfectionist. I like to be liked. I want others to like my kids. I don't want others to judge me because of my son's behavior.

These thoughts consume me and wear me down.

So pray for him. Pray for Mike. And pray for me.

Look Who's Four Today!

Priceless :)

Greenville Football

We spent the weekend in Greenville, Illinois with the Hehmans. Eric is the head football coach at Greenville College and we had never seen him "in action." We enjoyed hearing stories about their 150 year old house, tasting Liz's good cooking, and watching their adorable son, Matthew.

Go Panthers!

Eric and Molly surprised everyone with a last minute trip to the game, but I think Eliza had more important things to do:

Something to Ponder

A Recipe Request

I'm tired of my recipes, and I have a request-- please post (on your blog or on my comments page) one of your staple recipes. I have no interest in your favorite meal that you make twice a year for your family. Give me a practical recipe that you make for your family at least once a month. Here's one of mine:

Chicken Spaghetti

4 chicken breasts
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. spaghetti
1 can cr. of mushroom soup
2 cans Italian stewed tomatoes
12 oz. package of cheddar cheese

Cover chicken, celery, and onion with water and cook until tender. Shred chicken. Cook spaghetti in chicken broth. Put spaghetti, mushroom soup, undrained tomatoes, cheese, celery, onion, and chicken in 9 x 13 pan. Mix well. Top with 4 oz. shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.

Life is a Highway

...and we've been traveling at 90 m.p.h.

I'm ready to watch a movie at night with my husband. I'm ready to relax during naptime. I'm ready to give myself a pedicure.

But when will it ever slow down?

Big Grins

Grandma Smith and Aunt Nancy were here today. I think two little people enjoyed the day. What do you think?

Today's Thoughts

My mom asked me recently for some birthday ideas for Jonah. He'll be four years old in a couple of weeks. I guess I hadn't thought much about it before, but Jonah is completely not into what other boys his age enjoy. I think it's correct to assume most four year old boys like things such as cars or balls or Superman or firetrucks.

Not my boy. He's obsessed with roller coasters, Magic School Bus, maze books, and maps.

Last night our conversation before bed was all about his bloodstream. On a recent Magic School Bus video the bus travelled down the bloodstream in Ralphie's leg so Jonah thought his blood was only in his leg. He was mesmerized when I drew an outline of all the places his bloodstream flowed (a map).

After the bloodstream conversation he wanted to know where his pee went when we flushed it down the toilet. I did my best to explain our home's plumbing (another map).

After the plumbing conversation, we talked about Washington and Pennsylania and Ohio and Michigan and all the other places where he has friends/relatives. Of course, this included an analysis of east, west, north, and south (another map).

...and to think he's "learning" the color purple at school this month.

Fun News

Cousins

Picture of the Day

I Have an Idea!

Let's see...how can we make the world think that Christ followers are the most cheesy group of people you'll ever meet? Hmmm....

I know.... let's invent these one-liners and put them on our signs for everyone to see. That's sure to bring the masses through our front doors. They'll want to know who we are because the sayings outside our church are so clever. Our pews will be filled, and in turn, they'll learn about Jesus.

We can say things like:
- Make your eternal reservations now-- smoking or non-smoking.
- Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
- PSALMS read here.
- This is a CH__CH. What's missing?

What do you think?

Our Plague

I'm beginning to think we're living in the Old Testament. You know the part-- the part where God says to Moses, "Tell Aaron to stretch out his staff and gnats/frogs/flies/etc. will swarm their land."

Except we have these field crickets.

They're everywhere. They're in our garage, in our heating system, in our flowers, in our shoes... We've taught Jonah how to step on them so now we have cricket bodyparts everywhere too.

I guess that's what happens when you live in the middle of a cornfield-- literally.

According to my internet research, the first frost should immobilize them. I've never been so excited for snow.

Tonight

I just went upstairs to check on my dear Jonah. It's 10:00. He didn't take a nap today.

And he's obviously not tired yet.

Welcome Weekend

I've been a bit nostaligic today. It's Welcome Weekend on campus. Nervous freshman and their parents are scattered about, emptying their minivans and tractor trailers.

While driving the loop, I began thinking a little about my first couple weeks of school-- my roommate who held hands with her boyfriend while riding bikes and thought Michael W. Smith was of the devil, my square dance partner who I don't think ever left the computer science "dungeon" during his four years of school, that first hug from my future roommate, the dorky Precious Moments signs on our doors, making friends, buying used books, learning how to study...

And then I saw this poor sight:


It all seems like a different life.

So I drove my mini-van back home, unstrapped my kids from their car seats, put away the groceries, looked out the window at my new landscaping and with a smile on my face realized that it didn't SEEM like a different life...

It WAS a different life!

The Obsession

I remember it well-- those days on the playground spent playing four-square for a few weeks, after which time we switched to kickball, and then, after getting tired of kickball, we found great joy in capture the flag.

I remember loving my Cabbage Patch doll for a bit, but moving on to paper dolls for a while, and then spending time recording my voice on a small tape player while Amy Grant sang on my boombox.

Every kid goes through stages.

But this stage of Jonah's has lasted quite a long time. He's obsessed-- really, he's OBSESSED with roller coasters. I think he asks me 4 times every hour, "Mom, what's your favorite roller coaster?" I used to say that I didn't have a favorite. I used to say that they made me dizzy. I used to say that I don't like roller coasters. Now I just pick one, although it's rarely the answer he wants. Let me give you an example:

"Mom, what's your favorite roller coaster?"

"The Millinium Force."

"You can't say that one."

"Well, how about the Wicked Twister?"

"No, that makes you dizzy."

"Hmmm, what about the Top Thrill Dragster?"

"No, that's scary."

"Woodstock Express?"

"That doesn't have a video (he enjoys watching the videos on www.cedarpoint.com)."

"Magnum. I really like the Magnum, Jonah."

"Okay, let's watch it."

So he proceeds to turn on the video of the Magnum while he literally holds my head so I can't look anywhere but the screen.

This conversation takes place a few times every hour. If I state that the Magnum is my favorite coaster next time, then undoubtedly he'll say, "You can't say that one." And the cycle continues :)

A Love Letter

Jonah was sad yesterday. He missed Tammy, his teacher in Alma. I asked if he wanted to write her a letter, and this is what he told me to write:

"I moved to my new house and I can't do anything without Tammy....and Tammy is moving to (our new town)...and me and Tammy go to Florida...and every place in the world with Tammy every single day.

And [have] a very good day every single day.

I love you, Tammy."

Hallelujah

Jonah started school yesterday.

He'll attend everyday from 12:30-3:00. It is a huge blessing. It seems quite similar to the developmental program he attended in Alma. I've really struggled the past couple of weeks with his need for activity and my limited ability to provide it for him. It's been oppressively hot so the playground has been out of the question, full day activities to the childrens' museum or zoo seem out of the question because of Lydia's schedule, and trips to the grocery store or shopping center don't really fulfill his need for sensory input. So we've been inside our house, trying to keep sane.

Until yesterday.

He didn't give us many details. There's a boy named A.J. that he likes, his favorite part was the puppet show, he had a doughnut for snack, and the story was about "kids." He came home with a smile on his face and couldn't wait to get back on the bus today.

If this experience is even half as beneficial to him as last year's teacher/class, then it will be a good year.

The Weekend

The scene was set. The actors were in place. The curtain opened as the green civic approached the narrow, gravel drive. Two rusty pick-up trucks sat in the parking lot. Overgrown weeds filled the flower beds. The unsuspecting players, Mike and Traci, walked to the manor house cautiously, unaware of the adventure that awaited.

They opened the large, heavy front door. A bag of kitty litter and dusty stacks of magazines welcomed them. An older woman with the distinct look of Mike's Aunt Donna approached the couple. She chatted for a bit about the price of food. The players were quiet. This was to be their romantic weekend getaway.

They slowly climbed the wooden staircase, jaws dropped, eyes wandering. Dusty antiques covered every inch of the mansion-- tattered silk flower arrangements had seen better days.

Traci, although confused at the setting, collapsed in bed before Mike returned with the suitcase, sleeping two hours.

It was dinner time. A candlelight dinner was planned. Mike and Traci took their seats at a cozy, corner table. The server lit the candelabra, setting a single, fake rose aglow. Sounds of Ozzy Osborne danced through the dining room from the kitchen. The players smiled. The players laughed. The players fully expected someone to tell them they had been transported to the Augusten Burrough's memoir, Running with Scissors or perhaps Hamlet would appear shouting, "I am but mad north-northwest!"

Nevertheless, the food was delicious, the time away from kids was needed, and memories were made of a unique 7th anniversary celebration.

Was I Only Dreaming?

10:30 p.m. Go to bed

12:30 a.m. Awaken to the sound of tornado sirens

12:35 a.m. Turn on the television to decide what to do

12:40 a.m. Nervously listen to more tornado sirens

12:41 a.m. Hear the weather man announce that there are four funnel clouds moving in our direction

12:42 a.m. Decide to bring kids downstairs with us

12:45 a.m. Sit with Lydia in the bathtub while she sleeps on my shoulder

12:55 a.m. Decide that the bathtub isn't an interior wall

12:55 a.m. Move to our large pantry; Lydia wakes up and plays with food

12:57 a.m. Jonah sleeps on pantry floor

1:00 a.m. Mike watches the storm, assuming I guess, that he'll dive for the pantry if needed

1:15 a.m. Funnel clouds are near

1:30 a.m. Lydia vomits

1:45 a.m. Jonah snores; the weather appears to be settling

2:00 a.m. Return kids to their beds

2:22 a.m. Toss & turn in bed-- what a weird night

6:30 a.m. The alarm rings. Was that a dream? Did that really happen?