My dear friend Ann wrote a bunch of very sweet things about her husband Dave. (Hi Ann, hey Dave!) I thought maybe I would write a few things about my guy too.
One of our friends from high school lost her husband this past week. I can't even imagine how she must feel. Truly, unimaginable. So... I will take a moment to share a little about my guy.
How does one begin?? I love Brian because: or perhaps Brian is great because:
hhhhhmmmm
okay... here goes
1. Brian really is funny. Not all of the time and not in front of everyone, but he DOES have a sense of humor that I love.
2. Brian is very smart. Okay... we don't always like to discuss the same topics... but he is very intelligent and I love that about him.
3. He is a really good Dad. Sometimes he is yelly...(not too much) but mostly he is really great with the kids and slightly overprotective. He always has them doing neat things with him in the garage and he wants to help them have the things that they want to have.. that are OKAY for them to have.. but he knows when to say No too. He is a good Dad.
4. Brian is really generous. He totally supports (financially and emotionally) all of my pet projects including when my brothers and their families want to move in!!
5. He is a musician!
6. He is super cute!
7. He thinks I am cute!
8. His faith is strong. He is really involved at church. He shares his faith with his family.
I am really lucky to be married to him.... even all the times he drives me nuts!!
We will have 17 years in August. Wow!
Here is the funniest thing... Brian doesn't read my blog... and won't even know that this is here.
Maybe I will show him.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Oprah as the Anti-Christ
Okay... so Brian says I shouldn't even go there... but here is the deal... Oprah is teaching a class online to bazillions of "viewers". It is very New-agey and very anti-Jesus. It is my understanding, limited though it may be, that she is teaching that there is no sin and no devil and that we should look for the "God" within.
I find this pretty scary for a number of reasons. First of all.... Oprah has been around for 20 years coming into our homes on a daily basis. We know her and accept her. She has come a long way from the "schock and awe" shows. She now does a lot of shows on self improvement and self awareness. Millions and Billions of people love her.
Two, she has power. If Oprah endorses a product it is golden. If she dismisses it... well... I won't say it is doomed to fail but she has had books pulled from the shelves before because of her OPINION of it.
Three... she does lots of "good" things. She really does. She gives away tons of money, she set up the school in Africa, she has the Angel network. How could anyone believe she is not genuine??
Well.... if she is teaches ANYTHING that leads even one person away from Jesus to her new age ideology then she is misguided at the least and oh so possibly so much more. If she were truly Christian... she could be spreading the gospel NOT telling people to be like crystals.. and not bogged down with heavy thinking (or some such nonsense that I read on her website under the first chapter lesson.)
If you are chuckling... stop and think of it.... she has had a long time to be in our consciousness and to gain our trust and to GUIDE people..... She has a responsibility to be worthy of that kind of trust.
I find it very disconcerting!
Okay... enough about that. I will start a new post to talk of other things!
I find this pretty scary for a number of reasons. First of all.... Oprah has been around for 20 years coming into our homes on a daily basis. We know her and accept her. She has come a long way from the "schock and awe" shows. She now does a lot of shows on self improvement and self awareness. Millions and Billions of people love her.
Two, she has power. If Oprah endorses a product it is golden. If she dismisses it... well... I won't say it is doomed to fail but she has had books pulled from the shelves before because of her OPINION of it.
Three... she does lots of "good" things. She really does. She gives away tons of money, she set up the school in Africa, she has the Angel network. How could anyone believe she is not genuine??
Well.... if she is teaches ANYTHING that leads even one person away from Jesus to her new age ideology then she is misguided at the least and oh so possibly so much more. If she were truly Christian... she could be spreading the gospel NOT telling people to be like crystals.. and not bogged down with heavy thinking (or some such nonsense that I read on her website under the first chapter lesson.)
If you are chuckling... stop and think of it.... she has had a long time to be in our consciousness and to gain our trust and to GUIDE people..... She has a responsibility to be worthy of that kind of trust.
I find it very disconcerting!
Okay... enough about that. I will start a new post to talk of other things!
I'm Back... almost
Okay... I am ready to be back blogging after what feels like forever. I think I can get it together enough to be back online.
Possibilities for future blogs:
Oprah as the anti-christ
I am sure there are many more... but I need to write them down as I come to them or else they escape me completely. So.. back to my other work until I can come and share with you.. my faithful and loyal readership of two... three when Joy gets back! ha
Possibilities for future blogs:
Oprah as the anti-christ
I am sure there are many more... but I need to write them down as I come to them or else they escape me completely. So.. back to my other work until I can come and share with you.. my faithful and loyal readership of two... three when Joy gets back! ha
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
6 word biography
Okay... I can't take credit for this... evidently this is the "in" thing right now.. at least that is what one other blogger says... anyhow... the title is self explanatory.
Here is one for me
Family, Faith, Friends, Reading, Stamping;Happiness
Brian might be
Wood, Family, Wood, Faith, Wood, Golf
Noah might be
Always moving, sports, music, computer; exhausting
I will have to work on more.
Made a card tonight. That was fun. Could get some drizzle and ice tomorrow.
more soon.
Here is one for me
Family, Faith, Friends, Reading, Stamping;Happiness
Brian might be
Wood, Family, Wood, Faith, Wood, Golf
Noah might be
Always moving, sports, music, computer; exhausting
I will have to work on more.
Made a card tonight. That was fun. Could get some drizzle and ice tomorrow.
more soon.
Friday, February 08, 2008
I am Thankful For:
1. My Faith- it is a true gift
2. Two boys playing with shaving cream in the tub
3. Fresh guacamole and homemade salsa
4. The song "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot.
I couldn't even tell you all of the words from the song... but I have a very strong memory of hearing that song one day when I was a young kid (under 7 I would guess) Mom, John and I were going to the Alpena county fair and we were walking in from the parking lot. I remember the sounds of the rides (the diesel engine sound) and hearing that song blaring on the radios of all the fair workers.
We had to step over the big cables on the ground to get to the main walkway. Whenever I hear that song I think of that day and how excited we were. We were GOING TO THE FAIR. That day held such promise and we were so happy. That is what I think of EVERY time I hear that song. I heard it today.
2. Two boys playing with shaving cream in the tub
3. Fresh guacamole and homemade salsa
4. The song "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot.
I couldn't even tell you all of the words from the song... but I have a very strong memory of hearing that song one day when I was a young kid (under 7 I would guess) Mom, John and I were going to the Alpena county fair and we were walking in from the parking lot. I remember the sounds of the rides (the diesel engine sound) and hearing that song blaring on the radios of all the fair workers.
We had to step over the big cables on the ground to get to the main walkway. Whenever I hear that song I think of that day and how excited we were. We were GOING TO THE FAIR. That day held such promise and we were so happy. That is what I think of EVERY time I hear that song. I heard it today.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Things I am Thankful For
1. Dylan got moved into a different class that will better meet his needs and I didn't have to make a fuss. (James didn't either.)
2. My friend Trish.
3. Stamping with my Mom.
4. The cabbage salad recipe from Aunt Louise.
5. My brother playing his guitar for me.
6. Sammi who brings movies and books just cause she knows we are sick.
7. blogging
8. Hugs and kisses from ALL 7 children in my house.
9. I actually exercised for 15 minutes. It isn't a lot... but it IS a start.
10. I got to play with Spiderman today.
Today was an interesting day. The girls are both sick. They have this fever virus that also comes with a sore throat. They are fairly miserable. Noah was the only one who went to play practice.
I am doing a lot of cooking and dishes. Still, as you can see, I am very blessed.
Mom and I are trying hard to adapt an attitude of abundance and gratitude. So I will try to actually jot down some concrete "things" I am grateful for. Once you get started... it is really contagious. Radical gratitude. Being truly grateful for your life. Choosing joy and being a yellow chair.
The story of the yellow chair. Thomas Kincade wrote a book about joy that I only started to read. By now I have distorted the story that I did read, but it goes something like this. If you have a yellow chair sitting on your porch, it IS a yellow chair. In different light it may look white or orange depending on the sun and shadow but it still IS a yellow chair.
We can CHOOSE happiness. Even when bad things happen to us... that may effect our circumstances etc... we can STILL choose JOY. We don't have to let circumstances color us or our attitudes.
I always tell my kids... I choose to be a yellow chair. When the kids want to cheer me up... they draw me pictures of a yellow chair. I don't have one yet... but I may paint one very soon.
A visible reminder that JOY can be a conscious choice. Like gratitude.
Whatever life if throwing your way... I hope you have a yellow chair to sit in.
Know that I am thankful for YOU.
2. My friend Trish.
3. Stamping with my Mom.
4. The cabbage salad recipe from Aunt Louise.
5. My brother playing his guitar for me.
6. Sammi who brings movies and books just cause she knows we are sick.
7. blogging
8. Hugs and kisses from ALL 7 children in my house.
9. I actually exercised for 15 minutes. It isn't a lot... but it IS a start.
10. I got to play with Spiderman today.
Today was an interesting day. The girls are both sick. They have this fever virus that also comes with a sore throat. They are fairly miserable. Noah was the only one who went to play practice.
I am doing a lot of cooking and dishes. Still, as you can see, I am very blessed.
Mom and I are trying hard to adapt an attitude of abundance and gratitude. So I will try to actually jot down some concrete "things" I am grateful for. Once you get started... it is really contagious. Radical gratitude. Being truly grateful for your life. Choosing joy and being a yellow chair.
The story of the yellow chair. Thomas Kincade wrote a book about joy that I only started to read. By now I have distorted the story that I did read, but it goes something like this. If you have a yellow chair sitting on your porch, it IS a yellow chair. In different light it may look white or orange depending on the sun and shadow but it still IS a yellow chair.
We can CHOOSE happiness. Even when bad things happen to us... that may effect our circumstances etc... we can STILL choose JOY. We don't have to let circumstances color us or our attitudes.
I always tell my kids... I choose to be a yellow chair. When the kids want to cheer me up... they draw me pictures of a yellow chair. I don't have one yet... but I may paint one very soon.
A visible reminder that JOY can be a conscious choice. Like gratitude.
Whatever life if throwing your way... I hope you have a yellow chair to sit in.
Know that I am thankful for YOU.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Not enough time
It is 10:30 and as part of my "new" schedule I am supposed to be in bed already. I think tonight I may have to stay up until 11:00 to get things done. Dang that artificial light. (from a blog I read that talks about how artificial light has lengthened our days and allows us to work too long!)
Mom, the girls and I are going to Walton Arts Center tomorrow to see Addy an American Girl play. It should be fun. We don't often get to take just the girls. I am taking the boys out to Mom and Dad's in the morning and they will stay with Pop.
I have a whole bit about lent that I want to "discuss".. but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
For tonight I will just say this.... for a long time I have known that we can "choose joy". We can,
we can also train ourselves to be Radically Grateful...(capitalized here because there is a book entitled Radical Gratitude that I want to read.) I want to really and truly work on these two things. I have always been optimistic.(I am a glass half full kind of girl MOSTLY).. I know that I have many blessings... but I want to focus on them more. To put it quite simply... the Pollyanna attitude. But it is even more than that really... it is my hope that if I work on being consciously GRATEFUL then it will become second nature. Gratitude can lead to a feeling of abundance which should then evolve into generosity.
While I do try to be a generous person... we have all met the type of person who IS generous. They don't ACT generously... they just are that way. They are joyful and generous in spirit. They are happy and energized and you feel good around them. That is who I want to be.
Okay... enough. I have more to say but my time is running out and I have to be in bed in 16 minutes and I have to switch over the clothes.
This schedule thing may take a day or two to stick.
Mom, the girls and I are going to Walton Arts Center tomorrow to see Addy an American Girl play. It should be fun. We don't often get to take just the girls. I am taking the boys out to Mom and Dad's in the morning and they will stay with Pop.
I have a whole bit about lent that I want to "discuss".. but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
For tonight I will just say this.... for a long time I have known that we can "choose joy". We can,
we can also train ourselves to be Radically Grateful...(capitalized here because there is a book entitled Radical Gratitude that I want to read.) I want to really and truly work on these two things. I have always been optimistic.(I am a glass half full kind of girl MOSTLY).. I know that I have many blessings... but I want to focus on them more. To put it quite simply... the Pollyanna attitude. But it is even more than that really... it is my hope that if I work on being consciously GRATEFUL then it will become second nature. Gratitude can lead to a feeling of abundance which should then evolve into generosity.
While I do try to be a generous person... we have all met the type of person who IS generous. They don't ACT generously... they just are that way. They are joyful and generous in spirit. They are happy and energized and you feel good around them. That is who I want to be.
Okay... enough. I have more to say but my time is running out and I have to be in bed in 16 minutes and I have to switch over the clothes.
This schedule thing may take a day or two to stick.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
My Brother is Coming
My brother is coming... to stay for a while. He is coming with his wife and three kids and they will be staying for a month to six weeks. At first I was a bit stressed about this. I am coming to terms, however, and I think it will be okay. I believe this visit will help me solidify a routine with my own family as that is the only way I think we can make this work. My husband is extremely supportive and optimistic. The kids are becoming okay with the idea. I am planning... on how to make this the best situation possible for everyone. Routine will be key. This could be a very good thing. While I lack self-discipline... I do fine when exterior forces are at work. In other words... if things need to be done.. I get them done. So... an extra family in my house could just be the motivation I need to really do what I need to do.
My brother is coming... with his family. He really can be quite charming when he wants to be. Did I mention tho... that he is bringing his dog??
The picture is of Dylan.. . James' oldest boy.
Let it Snow
We are supposedly in for a snow day. Brian drove my car as it handles better in icy weather.
All of my to-do's have been deliciously post-poned. We wait in eager anticipation for the feathery white flakes to fall from the sky. At youth group we prayed for snow.
So.... let it snow.
All of my to-do's have been deliciously post-poned. We wait in eager anticipation for the feathery white flakes to fall from the sky. At youth group we prayed for snow.
So.... let it snow.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Juggling Act
Hi... It is extremely late and I promised Brian that I would be right there... but here I sit typing out my latest thoughts to you. I was finishing up in the kitchen after making my supper for tomorrow night as I have a fun day planned for tomorrow. A sensible me would have started much earlier. A sensible me wouldn't have spent a day reading (even though it was a good book and I DO need to have it read by Friday for discussion with my Phi's group.) A sensible me would have a routine and would do a better job getting things done. Where or where is the sensible me??
The Super Nanny solves almost every problem with a routine (and a naughty spot). But what I need is a routine. (See my blog on Goals for this year). I know what I NEED to do. So why then, it is so hard to get it done.
Things I need to do:
1. Go to bed on time and get up on time (sounds like something from Nanny McPhee)
2. Exercise (EVERY DAY -not when the mood strikes as it NEVER DOES)
3. Clean a little everyday and not let things pile up
4. Do a little laundry every day and not let things pile up
5. Teach the children
6. Read ahead all of the books that my children are reading so we can discuss them
7. Prepare lessons for the children
8. Provide healthy, well balanced, nutritionally sound meals for my family
9. Be a loving and supportive wife
10. Volunteer at my church
What I DO
1. Stay up too late trying to do all of the things I think I need to do so that I am unable to get up early.
2. Think that I NEED to exercise every day but then talk myself out of it every morning because I am too tired
3. I do clean a little everyday... but just enough to hold back the tide... the kids help and yet the dust bunnies still manage to invade. Too much stuff is partly to blame... but so am I
4. I start laundry all of the time... but then I forget to switch it over... I tend to let it go a day or two and then I have 4 loads (or nine) instead of two.
5. I do teach the children... we do okay... but not in a structured public school kind of way. I am still coming to terms with this
6. I read what I can... skim some and some I just let them tell me... Hey... they are good readers and they outnumber me!
7. Plan lessons??? okay... some, but not nearly enough. I pick GREAT books and use them, then I go with the teachable moment too.
8. ha.. I remember what vegetables are...I REALLY need to make changes here
9. I love... I support.. but I don't get up with him in the morning because I am here with YOU
10. I do volunteer at church... also discussed in another blog... I think I will be cutting back even more for a while.
I can do one or two things okay for a while... then something slides. If we are really doing well with school and the house... then the laundry goes and we eat what we can forage. (I must say... I am quite adept at making a meal out of not much..) Or... if I am really cooking and keeping up with laundry, then something else goes. I can't seem to keep all of the balls in the air.
My sweet mother-in-law would say to let the house go... and sometimes I do.. but the mess drives me insane. I also have somewhat self destructive tendencies in my staying up late to fit in my "me time" activities... blogging, stamping and reading. When I do that...like now.. I will pay for it in the morning.
I lack self discipline. Navy seals have self discipline... I do not. Please tell me others of you struggle with this too. Brian is so good. I am a mess.
Still... I think I can be better. Where there is a will... and all that. So... I plan to make a better plan. My kids have picked up on this too. Bekah has called me on this more than once.. my plan making does not impress her. In fact it somewhat disgusts her I think... still, she is no Navy seal herself. Brian also laughs at my lists... but they work for me and I DO accomplish some of them.
I am definitely a glass half full kind of girl.
Right now I am more than half full.... of a few extra pounds. Weight loss is definitely something I need to do too... but that will have to wait (weight) for another day.
The Super Nanny solves almost every problem with a routine (and a naughty spot). But what I need is a routine. (See my blog on Goals for this year). I know what I NEED to do. So why then, it is so hard to get it done.
Things I need to do:
1. Go to bed on time and get up on time (sounds like something from Nanny McPhee)
2. Exercise (EVERY DAY -not when the mood strikes as it NEVER DOES)
3. Clean a little everyday and not let things pile up
4. Do a little laundry every day and not let things pile up
5. Teach the children
6. Read ahead all of the books that my children are reading so we can discuss them
7. Prepare lessons for the children
8. Provide healthy, well balanced, nutritionally sound meals for my family
9. Be a loving and supportive wife
10. Volunteer at my church
What I DO
1. Stay up too late trying to do all of the things I think I need to do so that I am unable to get up early.
2. Think that I NEED to exercise every day but then talk myself out of it every morning because I am too tired
3. I do clean a little everyday... but just enough to hold back the tide... the kids help and yet the dust bunnies still manage to invade. Too much stuff is partly to blame... but so am I
4. I start laundry all of the time... but then I forget to switch it over... I tend to let it go a day or two and then I have 4 loads (or nine) instead of two.
5. I do teach the children... we do okay... but not in a structured public school kind of way. I am still coming to terms with this
6. I read what I can... skim some and some I just let them tell me... Hey... they are good readers and they outnumber me!
7. Plan lessons??? okay... some, but not nearly enough. I pick GREAT books and use them, then I go with the teachable moment too.
8. ha.. I remember what vegetables are...I REALLY need to make changes here
9. I love... I support.. but I don't get up with him in the morning because I am here with YOU
10. I do volunteer at church... also discussed in another blog... I think I will be cutting back even more for a while.
I can do one or two things okay for a while... then something slides. If we are really doing well with school and the house... then the laundry goes and we eat what we can forage. (I must say... I am quite adept at making a meal out of not much..) Or... if I am really cooking and keeping up with laundry, then something else goes. I can't seem to keep all of the balls in the air.
My sweet mother-in-law would say to let the house go... and sometimes I do.. but the mess drives me insane. I also have somewhat self destructive tendencies in my staying up late to fit in my "me time" activities... blogging, stamping and reading. When I do that...like now.. I will pay for it in the morning.
I lack self discipline. Navy seals have self discipline... I do not. Please tell me others of you struggle with this too. Brian is so good. I am a mess.
Still... I think I can be better. Where there is a will... and all that. So... I plan to make a better plan. My kids have picked up on this too. Bekah has called me on this more than once.. my plan making does not impress her. In fact it somewhat disgusts her I think... still, she is no Navy seal herself. Brian also laughs at my lists... but they work for me and I DO accomplish some of them.
I am definitely a glass half full kind of girl.
Right now I am more than half full.... of a few extra pounds. Weight loss is definitely something I need to do too... but that will have to wait (weight) for another day.
Monday, January 28, 2008
I am SOOOOOOO tired
What fun. Last night my good friend came over with four of her five children to spend the night.
They once lived nearby but have since moved a little over two hours away. We manage to get together once or twice a year for a LONG, LATE night. I am not sure who has more fun, the kids or us "girls". We stay up way too late (until 4:30 this morning) talking and then have to get up with the kids who always seem to be up early no matter how late we let them stay up!!
In addition to our eight... we had another two children to stay over too bringing our total to 10 children. I am so impressed with Moms who manage that many every day. After having "extras" around I always feel like someone is missing with just my own 4.
You may have noticed my new layout. My friend JOYOUS... told me how to get a new template and I am happy to say I did it without help from my DH.
There are tons of templates to choose from.... but I thought this one looked like me. If I could only stamp around the edges it would be perfect.
I know this is short... but I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night and I was up late and early the night before as well. It is a lot harder for me to recover from lack of sleep than it once was. That is not so subtle code for "I am getting older!"
We discussed possible college choices for my friends oldest last night... wasn't I just there myself? Times sure does fly... so enjoy every minute.
Sherri
They once lived nearby but have since moved a little over two hours away. We manage to get together once or twice a year for a LONG, LATE night. I am not sure who has more fun, the kids or us "girls". We stay up way too late (until 4:30 this morning) talking and then have to get up with the kids who always seem to be up early no matter how late we let them stay up!!
In addition to our eight... we had another two children to stay over too bringing our total to 10 children. I am so impressed with Moms who manage that many every day. After having "extras" around I always feel like someone is missing with just my own 4.
You may have noticed my new layout. My friend JOYOUS... told me how to get a new template and I am happy to say I did it without help from my DH.
There are tons of templates to choose from.... but I thought this one looked like me. If I could only stamp around the edges it would be perfect.
I know this is short... but I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night and I was up late and early the night before as well. It is a lot harder for me to recover from lack of sleep than it once was. That is not so subtle code for "I am getting older!"
We discussed possible college choices for my friends oldest last night... wasn't I just there myself? Times sure does fly... so enjoy every minute.
Sherri
Friday, January 25, 2008
Happy Birthday Daddy
Okay... I usually blog late at night, but we just got home from a lovely dinner at Mom and Dad's . Daddy turned 65 today. So...I think I will just post one picture and I will write again tomorrow.
This picture is from My birthday I think.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
My Boys
Okay... I REALLY like sitting here and pondering whatever takes my fancy. I have always wanted a captive audience to write to. But.... tonight I am just learning how to navigate this blog and I am going to post some pictures of my beautiful boys. So... no brilliant thoughts, just pictures of some of my best work. Do you recognize Indiana Jones and his father?? What about Noah in his new glasses?? Pretty cute right??
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
What are we called to do?
In Siloam they call it ministry. Whatever your area of volunteer work is really a type of ministry.
In the Catholic church they call it a vocation. With all groups there is much talk about what you are CALLED to do. What are we CALLED to do???
I am not really sure. I know that I love kids. I love my own kids. I love all kids really. I really love to teach. Is this my calling??? I am a pretty decent story lady. I can run a good VBS. (with my friend Joy) I was not so great at administration though. I was running our entire religious ed program for a while and to tell you the truth I HATED the paperwork. I can do it... but I don't like to do it and so I didn't enjoy it and I didn't do it all that well. I believe that supporting your staff is important and I hope I did that.. but there were many things that were less than perfect under my direction.
Right now I am the Youth Director of our parish. I don't think this is my CALLING. Why??
Well... because the kids drive me nuts. The same kids that I profess to love.. and really they are great kids but they drive me crazy. I feel OBLIGATED to continue because up til now no one has shown even the slightest interest in keeping out group going. That can't be a calling then can it??
What is your calling?? your passion?? though I don't think the two are necessarily the same unless I am performing some type of ministry by reading and stamping.. ha ha! That (reading and stamping) are my passions and teaching and learning too. I am really lucky that I get to do that with my kids.
My kids... I think that is my calling. Raising these four wonderful beings that God has blessed me with. Pray that I will have the wisdom and patience to guide them and help them to be the people God intends them to be. Hopefully, by doing that, I am becoming who HE wants me to be too.
In the Catholic church they call it a vocation. With all groups there is much talk about what you are CALLED to do. What are we CALLED to do???
I am not really sure. I know that I love kids. I love my own kids. I love all kids really. I really love to teach. Is this my calling??? I am a pretty decent story lady. I can run a good VBS. (with my friend Joy) I was not so great at administration though. I was running our entire religious ed program for a while and to tell you the truth I HATED the paperwork. I can do it... but I don't like to do it and so I didn't enjoy it and I didn't do it all that well. I believe that supporting your staff is important and I hope I did that.. but there were many things that were less than perfect under my direction.
Right now I am the Youth Director of our parish. I don't think this is my CALLING. Why??
Well... because the kids drive me nuts. The same kids that I profess to love.. and really they are great kids but they drive me crazy. I feel OBLIGATED to continue because up til now no one has shown even the slightest interest in keeping out group going. That can't be a calling then can it??
What is your calling?? your passion?? though I don't think the two are necessarily the same unless I am performing some type of ministry by reading and stamping.. ha ha! That (reading and stamping) are my passions and teaching and learning too. I am really lucky that I get to do that with my kids.
My kids... I think that is my calling. Raising these four wonderful beings that God has blessed me with. Pray that I will have the wisdom and patience to guide them and help them to be the people God intends them to be. Hopefully, by doing that, I am becoming who HE wants me to be too.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Technology
I watched a program on T.V. tonight about modern technology and its effects on our children. The article warned the public about myspace and facebook and about how our children are spending too much time on the computer. The reporters discussed how easy it is for kids to cheat now and explained the dangers of cyber bullies.
I don't disagree with the article. I can very easily see the dangers that are present. In fact, I plan to watch even more closely what my kids do online. I also want to continue to limit their online and computer time in general. They already have to earn their time... but I have let it slide a little.
No, my question is?? what about me? Is my blogging the same thing? True, this is a more passive pursuit. Me reading blogs is just reading, right?? but composing a blog? Isn't this like a myspace account?? I can tell all about myself and post pictures etc... is there a difference?
Is there a difference?? I am trying to discern. Well, for one thing, I am not open to the public. In fact, as of this writing, only one person has the address to this blog... Hi Ann! Up til now I have been writing with the sole purpose of writing just for me. I am going to give out the address to a few friends and they will be able to read, if they choose to, my rambling thoughts. They can look at pictures. However, I am not seeking new friends through my blog and that does seem to be a real purpose for the other type of accounts.
What was extremely concerning to me was the type of pictures that these kids were posting (very provacative and in states of semi- undress) Certainly you won't see that on my blog!
The article went on to discuss the amount of time the students were spending online. I do have a life and much to do, but I do know I can easily get lost online reading my favorites and writing my own blog.
What interesting food for thought. Blogging vs. my space... moms and kids. All good or all bad or somewhere in between. It is late and I must close but I will continue to ponder this topic.
Sherri
I don't disagree with the article. I can very easily see the dangers that are present. In fact, I plan to watch even more closely what my kids do online. I also want to continue to limit their online and computer time in general. They already have to earn their time... but I have let it slide a little.
No, my question is?? what about me? Is my blogging the same thing? True, this is a more passive pursuit. Me reading blogs is just reading, right?? but composing a blog? Isn't this like a myspace account?? I can tell all about myself and post pictures etc... is there a difference?
Is there a difference?? I am trying to discern. Well, for one thing, I am not open to the public. In fact, as of this writing, only one person has the address to this blog... Hi Ann! Up til now I have been writing with the sole purpose of writing just for me. I am going to give out the address to a few friends and they will be able to read, if they choose to, my rambling thoughts. They can look at pictures. However, I am not seeking new friends through my blog and that does seem to be a real purpose for the other type of accounts.
What was extremely concerning to me was the type of pictures that these kids were posting (very provacative and in states of semi- undress) Certainly you won't see that on my blog!
The article went on to discuss the amount of time the students were spending online. I do have a life and much to do, but I do know I can easily get lost online reading my favorites and writing my own blog.
What interesting food for thought. Blogging vs. my space... moms and kids. All good or all bad or somewhere in between. It is late and I must close but I will continue to ponder this topic.
Sherri
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I found them
Relief... I found my blogs. Actually, they weren't that hard to find. Google is truly amazing.
I just googled them and there they were... waiting to be read by me. I feel better.
I love to read the four I read. One gal is SUCH a good writer. It is just interesting to hear about her journey. One gal is just cynical. Her wit is RAZOR sharp... and sometimes not to my taste, however, I still check her out. The other two are friends and I will always check in on them. So..there you go.
I have to go and get ready for Wednesday night. We have PRE and Youth Group tonight.
Plus Katie has gymnastics..so we go for several hours. I have to finish my cards tonight for our swap tomorrow night... but maybe I will tell you about my amazing time-line that I constructed.
til then,
me
I just googled them and there they were... waiting to be read by me. I feel better.
I love to read the four I read. One gal is SUCH a good writer. It is just interesting to hear about her journey. One gal is just cynical. Her wit is RAZOR sharp... and sometimes not to my taste, however, I still check her out. The other two are friends and I will always check in on them. So..there you go.
I have to go and get ready for Wednesday night. We have PRE and Youth Group tonight.
Plus Katie has gymnastics..so we go for several hours. I have to finish my cards tonight for our swap tomorrow night... but maybe I will tell you about my amazing time-line that I constructed.
til then,
me
I need my BLOGS
Okay... here's the deal pickles... Brian just switched over our internet and erased all of my bookmarks and now I can't get my daily blogs in. I found Ann's-- thank goodness.. but I can't find Trish's and I can't find my Catholic girl blogs either. I need a daily dose.
Arrggh
Sherri
Arrggh
Sherri
Friday, January 11, 2008
New Year-- New Goals
The year is 2008 and this is a year for change. Well, I actually said that at the start of the school year... but I am holding to it in this new year too. I have always been an optimist. I am definitely a glass half full kinda gal... but unfortunately, I don't always stick to my new plan, schedule, routine, etc... I am a planner, a dreamer and I can always see the possibilities. However, putting these thoughts into actions isn't always as easy as it first appears. Still,,, a friend of mine told me recently, laughingly, that she loved that I was such a dreamer and planner, because even if I didn't accomplish EVERYTHING I set out to do... my dreams are so big...that doing some is not all bad.
I just reread this small paragraph and realized I am a walking/writing if you will/ contradiction. I am talking about the year of change and then complaining about not being able to maintain or KEEP THE SAME routine. What you need to know then is that actually sticking to a routine would be a change. HA
It is way to late for me to be doing this so I will close. By the way... this picture has absolutely nothing to do with what I was talking about but aren't my girlies gorgeous??
Goodnight.
Sherri
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
a screaming good time
Katie just had a birthday. She is eleven. We had a luau
party with 7 screaming girls. (literally screaming). They
screamed when she opened a 'cool' present. They screamed as we watched the countdown to High School Musical 2 and then some during the movie.
Caleb never did figure out why they were screaming or how to make them stop. He just covered his ears.
Gogo and Pop, my parents, came to share this wonderful day with Katie. They left before the movie though.. I am not sure they were excited about the screaming.
Common sense says that we could make them stop.. and we tried.. but I don't think it will be long and this stage will have passed. How fun that you can be so excited to be with your friends that you just have to SCREAM.
party with 7 screaming girls. (literally screaming). Theyscreamed when she opened a 'cool' present. They screamed as we watched the countdown to High School Musical 2 and then some during the movie.
Caleb never did figure out why they were screaming or how to make them stop. He just covered his ears.
Gogo and Pop, my parents, came to share this wonderful day with Katie. They left before the movie though.. I am not sure they were excited about the screaming.
Common sense says that we could make them stop.. and we tried.. but I don't think it will be long and this stage will have passed. How fun that you can be so excited to be with your friends that you just have to SCREAM.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Too Much Stuff
Today we are working on moving stuff around. The girls are each getting their own rooms. The boys are getting a bigger room and there is STUFF everywhere in my house. But tonight the girls were laughing and giggling and talking together.. their last night together. I predict they will "bunk" together at least on the weekends. They were reading an old diary of Katie's from when she was about 6. Pretty cute.
The boys were playing with the Pooh bears. We have several as I firmly believe that all children should know Pooh. Still... I didn't expect to find the boys playing with them tonight. Much like the Jessie doll on Toy Story 2, the Pooh bears have been cast off for some time and only because I couldn't bear (get it) to let them go are they still here. So the boys had them out for what may very well be another last...
The good thing about Lasts though is that they are usually followed by firsts. First night in their new rooms should be fun and I am so blessed to be along for the ride.
The boys were playing with the Pooh bears. We have several as I firmly believe that all children should know Pooh. Still... I didn't expect to find the boys playing with them tonight. Much like the Jessie doll on Toy Story 2, the Pooh bears have been cast off for some time and only because I couldn't bear (get it) to let them go are they still here. So the boys had them out for what may very well be another last...
The good thing about Lasts though is that they are usually followed by firsts. First night in their new rooms should be fun and I am so blessed to be along for the ride.
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