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?

Paige

We had old friends over for dinner last night. Jonah loved playing with their adorable girl.

Pure Bliss

Tonight's Bedtime Routine

I sat down to write something clever tonight but I kept getting interrupted with Jonah yelling, "I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE! I WANT A HAMSTER FROM THE PET STORE!"

I just went upstairs to talk with him about this new request. "I want a hamster from the pet store, Mom"

"But where will the hamster live?" I inquired.

"In a hamster cage [duh]."

"And what will the hamster eat?"

"Free water."

We've been talking about the fact that water doesn't cost money at most restaurants.

"And what happens if the hamster gets out of his cage?" I ask.

He mumbled something about taking the hamster to school.

I told him he'd have to talk to Pop and Grammy about getting him a hamster.

He's quiet now.

What Do You Think?

Back in the Saddle Again

I got a call yesterday from the Admissions office. They needed someone to do an interview while the managers in the office were away at a retreat. I went into the office to see if my old bosses could refresh my memory. Do you know what they said? "You know what to do."

Their words didn't help me much-- it's been eight years since my last interview!

The goal of our college interviews is to make students comfortable-- to make them feel like they're having a conversation with the counselor more than an interview. So a list of questions wouldn't help me; I needed to be reminded on how to transition from, for example, academics to leadership without the student really knowing that I was gaining knowledge about these areas.

I faked my way through it; I was definitely rusty. The interivew didn't last as long as it should have, but it's done. His parents asked some typical questions, and unbelievably, I could still quote any fact from eight years ago-- but I assumed they needed updated information :)

It felt good though. It felt good to be back in the saddle. I really do love it.

The Farm, Part II

The Farm

We spent some time at the Orebaugh farm today. I'll post more pictures later, but this is my favorite so far!

Molly's youngest son, Ethan

A Little Dirt

-- never hurt anyone.

Another Reason for Moving

We love living close to old friends. Tonight we had a last-minute dinner with Tim and Mel and their three kids. For the last seven years we've had to plan a huge weekend to get together with friends; now we just hop in the car and go see them for a few hours. How fun!

Guess How Much I Love You

I love that childrens' book. I often tell Jonah before bed that I love him "all the way to the moon," and then he replies, "and back."

He went to bed around 7:45 p.m. last night. At 10:30 p.m. I walked up the stairs to check on the kids. I suddenly heard faint, panicked screams and knew it was Jonah. I ran to his room and discovered him trapped in his closet. Our best estimate is that he'd been stuck for almost two hours.

He was quite disturbed-- he'd been sobbing. He jumped in my arms, crying and squeezing my neck.

I wept. My heart hurt. I held him tightly. I couldn't help wondering what he was thinking about the whole time.

He recovered rather quickly. He made a few comments about being stuck in the closet, but really, he was just tired and wanted to sleep.

We didn't talk about it today. I just gave him a lot of love.

Last night I was reminded just how much I love him...

all the way to the moon and back.