Why do I journal?

September 17,2006

Well let’s see, another month has passed us. Fall is definitely here and that means chilly nights and mornings. I finally talked Jeff into letting us turn on the heat today because there is moisture in the windows and I don’t want to risk mold. He was reading, preparing for his Sunday school lesson when I asked him about turning the heat on and he didn’t answer me. So I turned off the light he was using to read and told him to open the blinds because then he could see again. If we can’t afford heat then we can’t afford light either. That’s how I see it at least! He laughed because he knows I’m a brat but I always find a way of getting my point across.

Today I just sat down to journal. It's been a while and I was craving it. Why bother, you ask?

I love my journal. It's so honest and I can read it at anytime and the things I've been through and the feelings I've had really inspire me and push me to keep going. Life is so beautiful and crazy and I really forget meaningful lessons I've learned if I don't record them.

Today has been a bit of a challange. One thing after another, and another, and another. I sat down to journal and I felt like I needed something. I needed to read something about the past that could enlighten me and increase my faith. Instead I found that excerpt above. It made me laugh, really hard.

Some things never change. I know I could change....not be so sassy, bratty, determined, stubborn,....but what fun would that be, really?

funny boys!

This is what I am currently listening too!
See here is the thing.
They would normally all be napping right now and I would have some "mom time."
Adelle is napping! Yay!
However, Emmett napped all morning while Braxton was at preschool.
Emmett is not tired. He will be tired right about the time Adelle wakes up.
Braxton has decided that he is not tired at nap time anymore.
This is basically true and he goes to bed better without a nap.
So boys, if you really want to be up right now.....
You get to entertain each other!
They seem o.k. with this:)

mother vs. mother

Today I went on a walk with my little ones. It was a beautiful morning, the kind that calls me out for a walk. The air was crisp and cool but the sun was bright. We bundled up, only to unbundle half way through our route. We walked our usual walk through the neighborhoods and as we were coming around a familiar corner I stopped instantly and was taken back by a mother racoon and her 3 little coons crossing the same street I was walking onto. The mother racoon stopped as well. We were closer to each other than either of us would have preferred. I was scared. She was scared too. I don't like racoons. I never have. They really terrify me and I felt violated that they were out in the broad daylight on my walk! Now, I don't know if you're supposed to make eye contact with this animal or not but I did and something really amazing happened. It was as if through that gaze we came to understand each other. In that short moment, and it was really short because I was scared, it was like our hearts were heard and I was able to beg her, "please don't hurt my babies," and she mutually agreed that if I stayed away from her coons she would stay away from mine. And so we did. I, still stopped in my tracks, waited for her and her babies to cross the road. When they had crossed she turned back for one last look and I was then able to proceed on my walk.
This was a happy learning experience for me and I found it interesting that I knew she was a mother. I didn't see any of her motherly features but the way she stared me down and the way she was so concerned for her little ones made it so evident that she was their mother. I love nature.
I still don't like racoons!

Special Saturdays

Saturday was special for me.
Jeff and Braxton were gone doing manly things so I got to be home with just the babes.
They took alternating naps which meant that I got to spend special time with each of them by themselves.
This does not happen often.
First Emmett napped so Adelle and I got to do girl stuff. We painted nails, read books, drew hearts (her favorite thing to draw lately), and she let me curl her hair. We ate Doritos. I love my little girl. She is so girly. It's perfect.
Next Adelle napped and Emmett and I got to spoil each other.
I gave him his own bath in the sink (only child style) and he loved it. He played and splashed and made funny faces.
Then he got a full body coconut oil massage. Yum!
I sometimes think, "how can I compensate Adelle and Emmett for the two years that Braxton had me all to himself?"
The answer is, "I can't!!"
That is why we have special Saturdays.

If your wondering about the picture with the crayons it's just random

Every girls crazy 'bout a...

sharp dressed man!!

Jeff took these pictures the other night and they made us crack up laughing.
We often have these handsome guys over at our house.
They are missionaries from our church and great to hang out with.
I like to spoil them in hopes that someone kind is spoiling my brother in Spain.
Our kids especially love to entertain them.
Adelle was memorized by them on Monday.
She was being so shy and flirty and absolutely hillarious.
She would inch her way closer and closer to them really nonchalantly.
She had no idea Jeff was trying to catch her on camera.

This girl is too much!
Here she is wearing Bama's lipstick

Can I mow the lawn?

Not sure how safe this is but it sure is handy!

Blast from the Past!

This last weekend was my 10 year class reunion! It was a blast from the past! Jeff had more fun with my class/friends than he did at his own reunion. That is success! He's such a good support to me and I think the reason he enjoyed himself so much was because he watched me work and work on it and he felt my joy when it all came together.
This is me and Cassie my longtime friend from 6th grade, former college roommate...love this girl!
Here are some more besties from yesties! (get it, best friends from yesterdays)! From left Shelby, Me, Mindi, Erin and Hillary. This was my solid group of girlfriends in high-school including Sarah, Courtney, and Jama who couldn't make it! We missed them! Since high-school we have all led very different lives but we are still so close and I love these ladies.
It was so fun to be all together again! Looks like I'm still the shortest:)
My sister was nice enough to come to the night party and take pictures for us! Thanks Lesh!
Here are more "lifers." Kristi, to the far left, and I were in the same kindergarten class! Tina and Katie are in the middle, we met in 6th grade, and Christen is on the right end. We met in highschool and now we are basically neighbors and have kids the same age! Who would have thought??
My mom always would sing to us the song that goes like this:

make new friends
but keep the old
one is silver
and the other gold

I love all these golden friends!

Welcome Fall

I have not been excited about this season approaching
But
Braxton has been
Fall for him means:
Preschool
His Birthday
Football season
Halloween

Today felt like fall and it was actually beautiful
My house smelled of slow-roasted potatoes from our garden all day
We wore coats and shoes with socks
We went to Preschool, then to Library story-time
We took an afternoon walk
We worked outside after dinner and the air was crisp
It is dark now
It is "early" but I'm ready for bed
Welcome Fall

You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.” - Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

Let me try and express the many emotions I am feeling right now.
Braxton turns 5 in a month (really!!??), which means that for almost 5 years I have been wrestling with the idea of homeschooling my children. A good friend of mine put it perfectly when she said something to the effect of, "but what if the teachers at school don't recognize how brilliant my child is?) That is exactly how I feel, about all my children, and it seems almost unfair for them to go and possibly get lost in the crowd of 30 other children. However, I also feel really passionate towards public school and the chance that it gives my children to learn, grow, teach, and experience life outside of our little bubble. That is also important. I could go on and on, listing pro's and con's of each but the reason I am a fence sitter on this issue is because I really don't think one way is better than the other.
So, because of a loving Heavenly Father who knows me so, so, well my first little October Baby (Braxton) will not start school until next fall. This gives me an extra year to make the big decision. With that in mind I recently gave in to the honest truth that Braxton will thrive in public school. He is social and smart and he knows who he is and I know that realistically if I told him we were going to do school at home he would be really dissapointed. To support my decision I decided public school would be secondary to his primary education which he will be taught at home. I will work with him at home on reading, writing, math,...and then he can use the public school for learning about marijuana, bad words, and video games.
With that decision I was recommended a book by a friend called, The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. I checked it out at the Library and it's already been phenomenal. Braxton and I are working on the vowel sounds right now and he's loving it. Adelle chimes in sometimes too which is also great and it gives Braxton a chance to teach his little sister the sounds. Extra practice for him! I was feeling really good about the decision until....
Yesterday!
Yesterday was supposed to be the first day of school for the district we are in. It was not. The teachers went on strike. They are in controversy over a few extra minutes of pay and as of today school will not start until at least Monday.
I do not know all the facts. I do not understand all the lingo. It makes me sad that in the recession we are experiencing, these teachers can't be grateful and appreciative of the jobs they do have and the money they do get! I'm confused at the dynamic between teaching for money and teaching for the love of the children. I know it is their job. I would also agree that they are highly underpaid and overworked. It's all so complicated but yet simple?
The parents need to take the time to raise their children with good manners so that the teachers don't need to waste much of their time conflict managing.
The parents need to send their children to school well rested, well fed, and with an understanding of respect for themselves and others.
The parents need to practice with their children the things they are learning in school so that the teachers time can be more productive.
Then the teachers can have the money they are fighting for because it won't be wasted on spending 15 minutes disciplining Freddie or on making sure Suzie has breakfast.
Thanks for hearing me out. I feel better!
As for me, I will do my part and for now my china cabinet will be filled with unorganized books.

You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

- Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

nap time

My name is Andrea and I am a firm believer in naps.
Every day between the hours of 1-4 you best not be knocking at my door or ringing my doorbell. You can call, but I won't answer because my phone will be off.
Everyone needs a break.
The kids need sleep. I need time to blog (lol) and do dishes...
We all are rejuvenated after this little rest.
It's a beautiful thing.

Owie!

I think Adelle has been watching too much Peter Pan with her Brother.
She tried to fly last night and jumped off the window sill.
Her intentions to land on the couch were accurate for a split second
until
the couch launched her straight into the hope chest!
Ouchie! Ouchie!

I was not home....which is a really good thing.
Dad got to deal with it.
Dad deals with these sort of instances way better than I do!

By the time I got home Adelle was back to risky self.
Jumping off the bed.
Trying to hang from the mirror on her wall....

The only assurance I have that she did really get hurt is the black and blue face...
oh, and Braxton who is more scarred by just witnessing:)