November Thankfulness

I'm thankful for:

Nov. 1st - Jesus
Nov. 2nd - My Husband (21 yrs.)
Nov. 3rd - My 4 Boys

Nov. 4th - The right to vote

Nov. 5th - that I live in America

Nov. 6th - my health

Nov. 7th - my children's health

Nov. 8th - my 7 nieces and nephews

Nov. 9th - sweet times with little ones

Nov. 10th - making memories with family

Nov. 11th - my job

Nov. 12th - my colleagues who help me grow

Nov. 13th - Christian radio that challenges me

Nov. 14th - that I have the ability to think and to learn

Nov. 15th - old friends and new friends

Nov. 16th - my extended family--the whole BUNCH!

Nov. 17th - books

Nov. 18th - time with my boys

Nov. 19th - the military

Nov. 20th - laughter and time with friends

Nov. 21st - being able to share my passion with others

Nov. 22nd - my car

Nov. 23rd - church

Nov. 24th - bosses that allow me to be me

Nov. 25th - holiday breaks

Nov. 26th - creating "events" for my family

Nov. 27th - Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 28th - a family that goes along with my crazy schemes...even if it's 2:30AM

Nov. 29th - football

Nov. 30th - having my Grandmother around still

Nov. 30th -

Thanksgiving Reflections

This weekend has been FANTASTIC! Although it's only been five days long, I feel like it's been weeks since I've been at work. We had a house full for Thanksgiving. One of the highlights of my day was a call from DS 1! This phone picture was the closest we could get to including him in our Turkey Day Photo Journal. DH does an AWESOME job cooking the turkey! Here he shows off all the yummy food cooking in the oven. I'm so thankful for him and his contribution to our celebration. He's ever patient when my head is spinning on my shoulders exorcist style. I love that man!
We decided to serve our food up buffet style this year. It worked out pretty well, I think. Here's the crew getting their Thanksgiving "grub"!
We moved our living room furniture out so that we could all sit together. Isn't this a fine looking bunch? DH and I had both of our immediate families here (sans DS 1 and our oldest niece). And, having my Grandmother and her friend Dick join us from Ohio was an extra blessing.

Here's the second table. There were 23 of us in all.
We took an opportunity with Grandma here to take a family photo earlier in the day. This includes all of us except DS 1.

I love having our family around us on this special holiday. It's really what it's all about, isn't it?

Next up: A Black Friday Coffee Give Away Report

We just got a letter! We just got a letter!

Any of you who have watched "Blue's Clues" know exactly how to sing the title of my post!

Actually, we didn't JUST get a letter...it was yesterday after I posted. DS 1 called DH yesterday morning to let him know that he is fine. He hasn't "officially" started basic training yet, but will be in a "few days". He's been mostly doing paperwork and medical stuff and such.

Then, yesterday afternoon, we received a letter from him. It was brief and pretty much told us that he doesn't have an address yet, but they will send it soon. He said he is well.

Thank you all for your comments on my last post. I am really doing well for the most part. I have my "moments"...but those are the same as I have when they are here. They are those moments when I realize that time continues to march on and we have no choice but to go with it.

And, as I indicated, I have this great "Military Mom's Support Group" that are coaching me each step of the way. Put that together with family, wonderful blogging friends, and real life friends and I'd say I'm richly blessed!

Happy Tuesday to all!

My Head is Here...My Heart???

Do you ever feel like you are just marking time? Going through the motions? That's pretty much how it's been in my world since the last time I blogged. Now, I don't want anyone to think I'm in a total "funk", because I'm really not. I can just tell that my head and my heart were in two different places for a few days.

So, to catch you up...if you're still reading:

DS 1 hasn't contacted us yet. I understand from my "Military Moms Support System" (which is a total unofficial group of women in my world who've "been there/done that") that this is completely normal. He DID call us to tell us that he arrived in St. Louis and was getting on the bus to head to the base. And that was it.

I cannot hardly walk into his room. I accidentally dialed his number the other day when I wanted to call a friend that's right next to him in my cell phone directory. It choked me up to hear the answering machine.

I know all will be fine. And life absolutely goes on...

So, it's in that vein that I am writing the rest of this post:

DS 2 played in an Ultimate Frisbee Match at a local University on Saturday. He and his team WON the entire event. I can't remember how many games of frisbee they played before it was all over. Suffice it to say that it started at 10:30ish in the morning and we got the final "update call" around 9:00pm. He was pretty sore on Sunday, but loved playing and being part of that.

DS 3 stayed somewhat busy this weekend with the football game on Friday and church set up on Saturday along with all his "other stuff". He and DH are working on negotiations to purchase a small airplane, so I know he's one excited young pilot!!

DH took DS 4 to a fishing show on Saturday before the soccer game. DS 4 raked in fishing "stuff" at the booths there. He had me take him to our sporting goods store to get new line for his rod and reel on Saturday. Now THAT was a trip! He was convinced that he needed GREEN line cause the fish might "see" the other stuff in our pond. And he wanted a lure that cost more than the line...Keep in mind he fishes in SMALL lakes and ponds!! I was utterly impressed that the nice young man in the fishing section explained to him that the "cheap lures are much better" cause it's hard when you lose an expensive one. So, my young fisherman and I left. Sure enough his line was in the water for a very short time when he made his first catch.

We had a lovely lunch yesterday after church with some friends from there. These are not "new friends", but it was the first time we had some social time outside of weekly services. It was great fun and a nice distraction for me.

Now, we're gearing up for our big Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday. We are hosting 23 - 25 people at our house. I'm praying for good weather so we can spill into the outdoors without too much trouble. We are renting tables and chairs and planning to set up like we did for DS 2's prom dinner last May. It will be fun having family around and enjoying one another's company on that special day of thanks.

We are also getting ready for our big Black Friday Coffee Distribution at church. I have been able to coordinate with Starbucks and we will be taking 450 cups of coffee to the Best Buy Parking Lot on Friday morning at 4:00am. The store opens at 5:00am. We will be giving shoppers free coffee as part of our servant evangelism/kindness program. We have 13 people who will be meeting at the store at 3:30am to set up and distribute coffee. I am 100% excited about this. I think it is going to blow people away that we are giving the stuff that people pay so much to drink...for FREE!!

I am so sorry that I haven't been around to visit your blogs. I want each blogger who regularly visits to know that I miss you very much when I don't "connect regularly". You are one of the things that I am most thankful for! I promise I'll be around soon.

As you know, today was THE day....when we took DS 1 to ship off to Boot Camp. Here are some of the highlights of our day...

The three "older brothers" have a bonding moment in the middle of the kitchen before we head north.

And my DS 4 did NOT want to be left out. In fact, he took it much harder than I ever expected. His tears flowed freely tonight as he hugged his brother goodbye.


We had some time to fill in Tampa, so we went to the International Plaza and took some pics.

Here are DSs 2 and 3 who were a bit left out when I took a picture with DSs 1 and 4. And look what my sweet children did for me....they indulged me a took a picture with SANTA!! Aren't they simply the best? I know many many teens and young adults who would NEVER do such a thing for their Mother...but they did it.
This was one of the best Santa displays I've seen. It was themed around The Polar Express (one of my favorites) and includes this snow globe that you have to walk through to get to Santa. There is "snow" falling inside...I thought that was so neat. And while we were in the mall, we found the store with the massage chairs. DS 1 took a minute to enjoy a massage since he knows he won't be experiencing much "comfort" over the next few weeks and months.

After getting him checked in, we enjoyed dinner at Outback Steakhouse with his Uncle and three of his Grandparents.

After dinner, we took him back to the hotel and left him. He sent me the sweetest text on the way home. I tried to take a picture, but I cannot get the words to come out in focus. Anyway, the text read: Thanks for being a great parent and raising me right. Now rest assured the Army will be my pathway to being the best.

As I said yesterday, "The young man's fine...the Mother's a wreck!" BUT I am a MIGHTY PROUD wreck!! And, yes son, I'll be FINE!

Thanks, everyone, for your sweet thoughts and kind words today.

Mother/Son Status Check

You might remember when we all dressed up like the photo on the right to throw a huge surprise party for my DS 1 before he headed off to boot camp. And when DSs 3 and 4 and I painted our rug camouflage like the photo on the left. And you also might remember that he didn't get to go at that time for several reasons.


But the time has come for him to leave and head off to Boot Camp tomorrow. It's a day we've known was going to happen and that he's anticipated for quite some time. As I've noted several times, I am a bit melancholy about the whole thing. It's a "Mom Thing" and I'm OK with that.

There have been several instances over the past week or so that I've been reduced to tears in a matter of moments. Whether it's "just the right song" or a mention of military men and women or patriotism or parenting. I never know when it's going to hit, but it has.

Today I was remembering him as a little boy heading off to school for the first time. It was to be the first time I was really "away" from them as I'd always taught at the preschools and day cares they attended. And he was in my Kindergarten class. When we walked into first grade, I thought maybe he'd be a bit apprehensive. But he wasn't. He walked in and sat down and looked at me like, "you can go now." I walked back to my DH waiting in the car and announced, "The Mother's a wreck, but the child's just fine." I just wanted to freeze that moment in time.

And that pretty much sums up where we are here almost fifteen years later. He's confident and ready to take the next step in his life's journey, but I'd like to stop here and make time stand still for just a while longer. And really, if you think about it, that's exactly the gift I got when his date was shifted from April to November. Just look at some of the special memories I will now hold so dear as he goes...

We had the pleasure of having him here for DS 3's end of middle school and DS 2's graduation. In the picture above, he's surprising his brother on the last day of 8th grade in the gorilla costume along with the school's mascot (the Ram).

We had a great time in July scalloping at the river...
And I will be forever grateful for the time we got to spend in Ohio in September for my Grandma's birthday...
There are many other "gifts" I've had over the past few months. And, for now, that's what I'll cling to as I watch him go tomorrow.

Still...it's true..."the Mother's a wreck, but the child YOUNG MAN is just fine!"

I love you, son!!

Sunday Soup

This is going to be a "soup" kind of a post. Just random information and updates:

* Friday was our Fall Fun Fair at school. This was the rain date. We had a great time visiting with families and just having good fun out there.

* I spent yesterday with my Mom and Brother in Tampa. It was good for the three of us to be able to just be together and talk.

* Last night, I took DSs 2, 3, and 4 to the Third Day and Need to Breathe concert in Tampa. We had a great time. The boys got to get special arm bands to go to a special autograph session with Need to Breathe after the show. I think it was fun for them to get their stuff signed.

* DS 1 and I enjoyed some conversation time after we got home last night...hence my being up until almost 1:00am. He leaves on Wednesday for Boot Camp, so I am enjoying every moment we have to share.

* Now I am up and ready for church. After church today I have a baby shower and need to run several errands.

* Boy I could sure use a WEEKEND now!!

Thursday Thankfulness...

Thanksgiving is two weeks away.

This morning I opened my blog, as I often do, so see who's been here. I read comments and that little box over to the left caught my eye. It's the one that I put there because I was going to make sure that I was thankful for the WHOLE month rather than just focusing on my blessings during that one week...or worse, that one day. And a tinge of guilt came over me as I noticed that I stopped on Nov. 5th...EIGHT days ago!

THEN, on my way to work this morning, the DJ's started talking about the "health benefits" of gratitude and being thankful. They cited some research and I again found myself thinking, "You didn't even keep FIVE days worth of gratitude!"

When I got to work, I looked up the research and decided I'd share it here as a reminder that we all need to be thankful for many many reasons. Just like my Mom used to say about my vegetables..."It's good for you!" Look at this:

- Young adults who took part in self-guided daily gratitude exercises, as opposed to members of a control group who focused on hassles, reported higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, energy and were more likely to help someone.

- In a 21-day study of people with neuromuscular diseases (such as muscular dystrophy and polio), those who practiced gratitude felt more energy, more connected to others, slept better and were more optimistic.

- People who regularly attend religious services and engage in spiritual activities are more likely to be grateful, feel more interconnected to all life and express more responsibility to others.

- People who report high rates of gratitude are less likely to judge their success based on their material wealth and success.

This is highly useful data. Gathered in large part by psychologists Robert Emmons of the University of California at Davis, and Michael McCullough of the University of Miami, it supports those who seek empirical evidence that it will do them good to practise gratitude.

I know that we often talk about our blessings. And I often tell myself, in my head, about all that I'm thankful for...but I don't know that I tell OTHERS what I'm thankful for. And more important, I don't think I tell those who deserve my gratitude just how much they are appreciated.

It's never too late to start. I'm going to start by updating my list today....

What are you going to do to show thanks today?

It's Mid-November--and I'm Emotional

I know that each year I am alive, I feel like time passes more quickly. This school year seemed to drag at the beginning, but now here we are in (almost) mid-November. Once the holidays are over, time flies in an elementary school. But, time is flying elsewhere in my life too.

It's been a long time coming, but DS 1 leaves on Nov. 19th (one week from today) for boot camp. He will be in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He'll go straight from there to San Antonio for his AIT training. So, we are facing six months of life with minimal contact. And I'm the Mom, so I am entitled to a trace of weepiness over this! I'm excited for him, but oh so sad too!

Having our nephew in town for the past few days has been fun. He is a happy little man who is quite observant. And he says the cutest things--as 3yos do. The best was the other morning when he woke up and exclaimed: "Hey! The sky IS blue so we can get up now!" Hmmm...I'm guessing that he's woken up one too many times when it was BLACK and was probably told to go back to bed!

I got to share a tender moment with him the other night during bedtime. We read a story. We prayed. But he still wasn't quite settled. So, I did what I used to do when my boys were little...I cuddled with him and sang to him. And while I loved it that he and I were getting that special moment...I was suddenly drifting back in time to when my own boys were that little. It was precious! But it also made me emotional.

I can't believe how close we are to Thanksgiving! For any of you who are coming to my house for the dinner, I promise we'll coordinate menus soon! Seriously, I'm very excited cause my Grandma (from Ohio) is going to be down for the holiday. We plan to have some family photos taken. Of course when I think of doing that without DS 1, I get...well...choked up!

There is no doubt that I am blessed beyond what I can express here in a simple blog post. And I am so thankful for each and every blessing that I have received. I guess I've reached a point in my life when even the blessings can bring a tear of joy.

So, yeah, it's mid-November...and I'm emotional...but that's OK!

.

Book Review: The Abstinence Teacher

I picked this novel up while perusing a shelf of New York Times Bestsellers not long ago. I was intrigued by the back cover blurb which read:

Stonewood Heights is the perfect place to raise kids...It's the kind of place where parents are involved in their children's lives...Ruth Ramsey is the human sexuality teacher...She believes that "pleasure is good, shame is bad, and knowledge is power." Ruth's younger daughter's soccer coach is Tim Mason, a former stoner and rocker whose response to hitting rock bottom was to reach out and be saved. Tim belongs to The Tabernacle, an evangelical Christian church that doesn't approve of Ruth's style of teaching. And Ruth in turn doesn't applaud The Tabernacle's mission to take its message outside its doors.

Adversaries in a small-town culture war, Ruth and Tim instinctively mistrust each other. But when a controversy on the soccer field pushes the two of them to actually talk to each other, they are forced to take each other at something other than face value.

The Abstinence Teacher exposes the powerful emotions that run beneath the surface of modern American family life and explores the complex spiritual and sexual lives of ordinary people.

I chose this book because I was interested in seeing how this author portrayed both sides of a rather "hot topic". Here's what I found:

There are several threads that are woven neatly through the narrative. There are the clear threads which are introduced in the description above: abstinence curriculum, evangelical impact in the world. But there is also a thread that I think is much more real for Christians everywhere: addictive personalities that go from drugs and/or alcohol or some other addiction to the Church AND the problem of those churches that can be so controlling and judgmental.

I also love how the author presents subtle parallels in the individual battles of each of the main characters. For example, Tim is on the "side" of the evangelicals demanding the abstinence curriculum from Ruth. She is upset at the intolerance of those church members. But when Ruth finds herself feeling totally violated when Tim offers prayer at her daughter's soccer game, she is no less tolerant.

For those of you who limit yourselves to "Christian books" this is NOT a book that specifically fits that category. It is presented fairly, in my opinion and gives the reader the view of different lenses that could belong to any person in our own communities. But it is also quite graphic at some points and includes language that might be offensive to some. Although I think the inclusion of these references in the book help the reader consider other sides and viewpoints.

Without revealing it, I want to say that I was disappointed in the ending. It didn't "wrap up" enough for me...in fact, it unraveled a bit of the story at this point in my opinion. That being said, I'm glad I took the time to read it and enjoyed the personal connections to my own life and experiences.

Blog Play

I'm playing with my blog, so excuse the "mess" while I do so. Who knows how it will end up...I figure it's time I learn a bit more...

Random Family Update

We've hit November running around here and once again I am finding it hard to get my blogging in with any regularity. Here's the latest from my neck of the woods:

* DS 4 just finished his first soccer game of the season. His team won. I am continually amazed at the audacity of parents on the sidelines! I often wish they could hear how their comments sound to the rest of us!

* DS 3 and DH flew out early this morning to go to an air show across the state. They weren't sure they were going to get to go due to weather...but it was beautiful today. They'll be back later on this evening. I guess DS 3 was a sight at the high school football last night...he painted himself up and was seen hanging out with tons of kids throughout the night. I'd have never dreamed he'd be "Mr. Spirit"...but I'm glad he's having fun.

* DS 2 and DS 1 are really into the whole "Ultimate Frisbee" thing. They've been playing quite a bit lately.

* DS 1 is preparing to leave on the 19th for basic training. He packed stuff up in his room this week. It is hard for this Mother to look at all those packed boxes!!

* Our nephew is staying with us today and tomorrow. His Mom and Dad are in TN this week and he's staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We are watching him while Grandpa goes out of town for a couple of days.

Soooo...I'm thinking a viewing of Madagascar 2 is in my near future!

Have a great weekend!

To All American Voters (Long)

Dear American Voter,

I have pretty much tried to remain quiet regarding my political views and opinions during the campaign. Some might think it’s because I don’t have any. Or that I don’t care. But that is simply not true. I do care. Deeply.

On Tuesday, like many of you, I voted. There were times during the campaign when I was a bit torn between the two Presidential candidates. For me, it wasn’t a clear cut choice in some ways. Still I did make a choice. And, for what it’s worth, my “choice” did not win.

Now, here I am two days later. I’m not “scared” like many people have written on their blogs. I’m not totally disappointed. I think things will be fine. Of course they may change. Of course there may be things I don’t like and that I disagree with. But, that would be true no matter which candidate took office in January.

Instead of dwelling on what has happened, I find myself a bit angry today. Actually I’m a lot angry right now. Here’s why:

Some of the responses I’ve seen from BOTH sides, make me SICK! I know this is America and we have the right to freedom of speech. But, just because something is my “right” doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t be “thoughtful” or “responsible” with my words and my actions.

In the last two days I’ve heard McCain supporters speak of the gloom and doom that they think is on the horizon. I’ve seen people make statements via t-shirts and signage about their distaste for our new President that I think is better left unsaid. It doesn’t change anything nor does it help.

And I’ve seen and heard people who are staunch Obama supporters say and do things that I have found inappropriate. Someone at my school played “Happy Days are Here Again” over the loud speaker yesterday. I don’t think it was appropriate.

The person that chose to do this certainly has the right to believe that, in fact, “happy days are here again”…but is it fair to play that song when there ARE people from all different walks of life who work in this building? I think not.

Today an email was forwarded to our entire staff from a very famous person who has no qualms about stating an opinion on anything political. And the letter is harsh, which is nothing less than what I’d expect to read from this person. The letter writer poses the question: “What will it be like to have a smart President?” It goes on to note that “Science has been banished for eight years and will now return.” The writer suggests that we may “once again” support those who are working on a cure for illness or discover new forms of energy. Was this sort of thing halted over the past eight years? I think not.

The letter, like so many others in the past couple of days, discusses racism. The writer notes that racists were present throughout the entire campaign and in the voting booths. I agree. But, where we differ is in my belief that racism was and is present on BOTH sides of the political fence.

I think it’s wonderful that we’ve seen an African American become President. I think it DOES go a long way in saying that anyone can achieve in America. I don’t like, however, the fact that some people chose to vote for their candidate (either one) based on the color of his skin. I continue to pray for the day that Martin Luther King dreamed of when he noted that we would not “judge a person on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character.”

The letter writer goes on to encourage “fellow Dems” not to treat the Republicans in their lives the “same way they have treated you for the past eight years.” WHAT???? Is this person actually insinuating that EVERY person who calls himself or herself a Republican treats those who are not exactly the same way? And that it’s always BAD? What a shame!

I know ugly exists. And it resides in “both camps”. I wonder when, we will believe the words that were uttered by BOTH candidates on election night. I wonder WHEN and IF there will ever be unity in this land? I wonder when we will stop perpetuating the “us” and the “them” and start meeting somewhere that we can be “we”. Will we ever reach the place where we can agree to disagree?

I honestly say I don’t know.

I’m concerned today NOT because of WHO will take office in January. I’m concerned because there seems to be the smell of hate in the air. It’s coming from both “sides”.
And no one should be a bully!

One of my favorite sermons that DH ever preached was called, “Words that Hurt/Words that Heal.” Each and every time we speak, we have a choice: our words can be those that bring healing or they can be hurtful. I would say the same is true of our actions. Will they be divisive? Or will they build a bridge where there is none?

May we all consider our responses as we speak and act in our families, with our friends, and in our communities. May we find ways to be helpful rather than hurtful, positive rather than negative, loving instead of hateful. And may we extend grace to those who don't.

Wordless Wednesday--sort of

This picture showed up in our morning paper complete with my age revealed for our entire county! It shows DS 4 and I trying to stay warm yesterday morning while waiting to vote.

The caption reads: Susan (my last name), 44, a teacher, tries to keep her son, DS4, 9, warm as she tries to squeeze in a vote before school at (our polling place) in (our town), Fla., on Tuesday.

Book Review: Twilight

In the past month or so, I've had several people ask me if I had read, or was reading, the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. My answer, until last week, was "no". Several people at my school are at various stages of the four books in the series. It's been pretty much the theme of conversation at lunch. So I picked up the first one. And I'm not sorry for doing so.


First of all, this is a secular series. It is about Vampires. If someone would have asked me if I'd ever read a book about vampires, I'd have answered with a resounding "NO!" But, they told me it was more of a "love story" and that it "wasn't gory" and that "it was a page turner". And they were right!

The first book introduces us to Bella, a 17 year old girl who has just moved from Phoenix to Forks, Washington to live with her Father. While there, she meets Edward---a mysterious young man who eventually catches her eye and her fancy. I love the back cover blurb which says:

About three things I was absolutely positive: First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him–and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be–that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Several reviews I've read of this book tout this book as one that spans ages. It's shelved in the "Young Adult" section yet appeals to adults as well. One reviewer notes: "Unlike more traditional portrayals of vampires throughout literature, Meyer’s vampires are graceful, compassionate creatures. Edward is a vampire with morals and a conscience, as are the other members of his foster family."

I found Edward loveable pretty quickly. He definitely is a "vampire filled with compassion." Meyer does a nice job dispelling our traditional picture of vampires and their stereotypes. The love story is a sweet one that grabs the reader and definitely makes this a page turner. I also love that this book, which is being marketed primarily to teens, is really void of profanity and inappropriate behavior.

I'm amazed at the conversations and book talks that it has sparked among my colleagues. And we are all going to be going to see the movie when it opens on Nov. 21st.

If you choose to read this book, I'd love to hear your take on it.