I honestly do not know where time goes. It is as a big a mystery as those missing socks from the dryer.
Oh well, it is not for me to understand fully, this side of heaven. But time has surely slipped away from me so far this year. I haven't blogged in 5 months and due to that fact, I am sure no one is even going to be reading this. Regardless, I am back.
To make it simple, here is a list of highlights from the past 5 months:
1. Had some cosmetic surgery on a certain two parts of my body that are much happier being smaller.
2. Celebrated Jonah's 4th birthday, at Chucke Cheese, Where a Kid can be a Kid!
3. Celebrated Seth's 13th birthday with a basement full of other rowdy teenage boys, 3 of whom then spent the night in said basement. (Wow! I am the mom of a teen! UNbelievable!)
4. During the past few months we have enjoyed 6 snow days from school. Yep, I have the photos to prove it.
5. Celebrated Randy's 42nd birthday at Dave and Busters in March.
6. Signed up to be a part of a short term mission team to Peru in June. God help!
7. Loved Easter and all the reminders of hope and assurance we have of eternal life.
8. Spent time with the youth group, even having a girls overnight here at my house.
9. Went to Washington DC with the 8th grade class. A blast!
10. Got my hair cut quite a bit shorter and joined weight watchers. Also am using the Y membership regularly.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Happy Holidays to you!
I hope everyone had a great holiday season! They go so fast, don't they? All that lead up and then, BOOM! it is over.
We had an eventful holiday healthwise, with Carol needing an emergency pacemaker on Christmas Eve night. But even with that, I think we all, Carol included, found time to enjoy each other. We never go anywhere on Christmas Day. It is a great tradition to have. Mallory and I always get matching pjs on Christmas Eve, another tradition, and we stay in them all day on Christmas. The kids all enjoyed their gifts and family time on that day. They also enjoyed hearing the Christmas read, as their dad does every year.
New Year's Eve was great! We had a party in our almost finished basement. We had a ton of friends and lots of kids everywhere. Just the way I like it....the more the merrier! Oh and the food was yummy!
My favorite gift to receive this year was a family YMCA membership. Seth and I have been going right after school every day. We do the track and then he plays ball while I use the wellness center. The Y has a fun atmosphere!
My favorite gift to give was Seth's new cell phone. He loves it! About 6 months ago he started caampaigning for it. He even wrote an essay, made copies and posted them all around the house for his dad to see and be convinced. In the end we decided to get him an ice blue Chocolate and so far he has been very responsible.
I hope that your 2008
is truly great!
We had an eventful holiday healthwise, with Carol needing an emergency pacemaker on Christmas Eve night. But even with that, I think we all, Carol included, found time to enjoy each other. We never go anywhere on Christmas Day. It is a great tradition to have. Mallory and I always get matching pjs on Christmas Eve, another tradition, and we stay in them all day on Christmas. The kids all enjoyed their gifts and family time on that day. They also enjoyed hearing the Christmas read, as their dad does every year.
New Year's Eve was great! We had a party in our almost finished basement. We had a ton of friends and lots of kids everywhere. Just the way I like it....the more the merrier! Oh and the food was yummy!
My favorite gift to receive this year was a family YMCA membership. Seth and I have been going right after school every day. We do the track and then he plays ball while I use the wellness center. The Y has a fun atmosphere!
My favorite gift to give was Seth's new cell phone. He loves it! About 6 months ago he started caampaigning for it. He even wrote an essay, made copies and posted them all around the house for his dad to see and be convinced. In the end we decided to get him an ice blue Chocolate and so far he has been very responsible.
I hope that your 2008
is truly great!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Addendum to the cool list
Ok, the santa that turns on my Christmas tree lights by remote did not work for me and is now officially off the cool,things list. Evidently our tree has too many lights (it is a 9 foot tree) and it blew a fuse. The santa is still cool, but only for trees with one set of lights.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
My list of cool things
1. Minimizer bras
2. Aldi's popcorn chicken
3. The Dollar Tree
4. ebay (I bought my first item this week!)
5. My Fuji digital camera with the giant lcd screen
6. student teachers
7. Premier jewelry
8. my AVON santa that turns the tree lights on by remote
9. Dr. Seuss
10. writing love notes on a mirror with a vis a vis marker
11. DVR
12. my care group
These are in no particular order.
Now Add your cool things in a commect to this post!
2. Aldi's popcorn chicken
3. The Dollar Tree
4. ebay (I bought my first item this week!)
5. My Fuji digital camera with the giant lcd screen
6. student teachers
7. Premier jewelry
8. my AVON santa that turns the tree lights on by remote
9. Dr. Seuss
10. writing love notes on a mirror with a vis a vis marker
11. DVR
12. my care group
These are in no particular order.
Now Add your cool things in a commect to this post!
Monday, November 26, 2007
My thanksgiving for Thanksgiving
I had a wonderful holiday weekend. Honestly, this was one of the best in the last 10 years. One of the highlights was spending the night in Walmart, in Bucyrus. My oh so goofy cousins, Donnel and Gina, talked me into this escapade. We went out at around midnight, armed with a blanket and the Black Friday ad. From 1 until about 3, we were about the only shoppers in the store. At 3 or so, more people started showing up. Maps were handed out telling where pallets would be located and the excitement grew. It got a little nerve wracking at 4:30, when I realized there were more people surrounding the pallet then there were items on it. At 5 the announcement was made to "Let the fun begin!" and hands reached from all around me ripping at the shrink wrap on the items. I did manage to get everything I wanted! And I had an adventure to boot! Of course, I wasted all the money I saved when I got pulled over for speeding on the way home to Marion at 6:30 am.
Friday the kids and I went with my in-laws to the Comfort Inn in Bellville to enjoy the water aprk and the Amish restaurant. We stayed until Sunday and had a blast! We taught Larry to play Bull Crap. Good times were had by all!
Of course the Wednseday before Thanksgiving we spent the night with my mom. My three nephews were there also, so all 6 kids enjoyed being together. Mallory especially liked meeting my mom's new dog, Zena. She is a German Shepherd.
All in all, this was one of the best Thanksgivings I can remember!
Friday the kids and I went with my in-laws to the Comfort Inn in Bellville to enjoy the water aprk and the Amish restaurant. We stayed until Sunday and had a blast! We taught Larry to play Bull Crap. Good times were had by all!
Of course the Wednseday before Thanksgiving we spent the night with my mom. My three nephews were there also, so all 6 kids enjoyed being together. Mallory especially liked meeting my mom's new dog, Zena. She is a German Shepherd.
All in all, this was one of the best Thanksgivings I can remember!
Monday, November 12, 2007
My youth group
I am a youth group leader at Trinity and it is a blast! We have kids from 6th grade to seniors in high school, and sometimes older. Each gathering is an adventure and I never know what to expect!
Last night, after studying Thomas and his doubts, we went to the "rec room" to play a game. It was a goofy game, in honor of Thanksgiving approaching, that you would more likely see in an elementary gym. It required two kids to be trees with a turkey trapped between them. When Tony would call out a phrase the kids had to switch up either the trees, the turkeys, or all of the group.
I laughed so hard to see the kids all get really into this game. And I mean all the kids, including the high schoolers. We all got quite competitive and no one wanted to quit. It was so much fun!
When this week gets stressful, I will flash back to the fun we had playing turkeys and trees and laugh again!
Last night, after studying Thomas and his doubts, we went to the "rec room" to play a game. It was a goofy game, in honor of Thanksgiving approaching, that you would more likely see in an elementary gym. It required two kids to be trees with a turkey trapped between them. When Tony would call out a phrase the kids had to switch up either the trees, the turkeys, or all of the group.
I laughed so hard to see the kids all get really into this game. And I mean all the kids, including the high schoolers. We all got quite competitive and no one wanted to quit. It was so much fun!
When this week gets stressful, I will flash back to the fun we had playing turkeys and trees and laugh again!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Jonah's terminology
Kids say the darndest things....
Jonah went through a week long feeding clinic last winter at Childrens. He needed to learn to eat enough calories per meal without gagging, etc. Randy and I were trained to sit with him and keep him going for 30-45 minutes. We say things like "take a bite" and "good chewing". Jonah has taken to calling the person "feeding" him, the EATER CALLER. Get it? He cracks me up! When it is time for a meal, for him, sometimes we will tell one of our older kids to keep him eating. Then I will hear him yell, "Seth, You're not the eater caller!"
Yesterday, Jonah created a new term. THE FIXER.... here's what happened:
Jonah has a feeding tube port, called a Mickey button. We haven't used it in 8 months, but the doc does not want to take it out until he proves he can gain weight on table food and he gets through the winter illness free. SO he has this button sticking out. We were told it happens at least once for a child to lose their buttons. It has been almost 2 years and we had been fortunate until yesterday.
I got a call from Randy telling me Jonah, who was at our trusted sitter, had lost his button. Randy was at work, as was I, but we both raced to Jana's at the same time. See we were told that after about an hour the hole could seal itself shut and would require surgery to replace. Randy had been trained to put in a new button but had never had to do so, until this day.
When we hurried into Jana's, Jonah was sitting there with a big old band-aid, and he said, "My belly button broke!" We scooped him up and raced for home. Randy got the new kit and called our GI doc from Childrens. She began giving him instructions, step by step. I held Jonah down. You just imagine how he liked that!
Randy was having lots of trouble. It could have been his shaking hands, or just the fact that the hole had already started sealing. He could only get the new port in about 1/4 inch and then it would stop. The doc on the phone kept telling him he had to "dialte" the hole by twisting the tube back and forth.
After 4 tries with no luck, I let go of Jonah and called our pediatrician's office. The doc had already told us we were too far from Childrens to get there before the hole sealed. I was talking to a nurse at Dr. Maur's office, who was telling me that there was nothing they could do and we should go to the er (for $100!). Just I was hanging up the phone, Randy got it to pop in! Hurray! Once Jonah calmed down and quit crying, he looked at Randy and said, "Daddy you are THE FIXER!"
Jonah went through a week long feeding clinic last winter at Childrens. He needed to learn to eat enough calories per meal without gagging, etc. Randy and I were trained to sit with him and keep him going for 30-45 minutes. We say things like "take a bite" and "good chewing". Jonah has taken to calling the person "feeding" him, the EATER CALLER. Get it? He cracks me up! When it is time for a meal, for him, sometimes we will tell one of our older kids to keep him eating. Then I will hear him yell, "Seth, You're not the eater caller!"
Yesterday, Jonah created a new term. THE FIXER.... here's what happened:
Jonah has a feeding tube port, called a Mickey button. We haven't used it in 8 months, but the doc does not want to take it out until he proves he can gain weight on table food and he gets through the winter illness free. SO he has this button sticking out. We were told it happens at least once for a child to lose their buttons. It has been almost 2 years and we had been fortunate until yesterday.
I got a call from Randy telling me Jonah, who was at our trusted sitter, had lost his button. Randy was at work, as was I, but we both raced to Jana's at the same time. See we were told that after about an hour the hole could seal itself shut and would require surgery to replace. Randy had been trained to put in a new button but had never had to do so, until this day.
When we hurried into Jana's, Jonah was sitting there with a big old band-aid, and he said, "My belly button broke!" We scooped him up and raced for home. Randy got the new kit and called our GI doc from Childrens. She began giving him instructions, step by step. I held Jonah down. You just imagine how he liked that!
Randy was having lots of trouble. It could have been his shaking hands, or just the fact that the hole had already started sealing. He could only get the new port in about 1/4 inch and then it would stop. The doc on the phone kept telling him he had to "dialte" the hole by twisting the tube back and forth.
After 4 tries with no luck, I let go of Jonah and called our pediatrician's office. The doc had already told us we were too far from Childrens to get there before the hole sealed. I was talking to a nurse at Dr. Maur's office, who was telling me that there was nothing they could do and we should go to the er (for $100!). Just I was hanging up the phone, Randy got it to pop in! Hurray! Once Jonah calmed down and quit crying, he looked at Randy and said, "Daddy you are THE FIXER!"
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Mallory's forgetfulness
The title says it all. All kids forget things from time to time, but Mallory has had a particularly bad week. The list of forgotten items is growing quite lengthy. She has forgotten her glasses twice, her retainers twice, her shoes (yes, she actually walked to the car barefoot without noticing!), and today her backpack and jacket for school were left in my car.
I gave the whole list so that you would understand the depth of my frustration. That way you might not judge me so harshly for what I did today.....
During my planning time, I ran out and jumped in the car to drive to Mallory's school to deliver the forgotten items. Many of you parents feel my pain I am sure. Upon arrival at the school, I went to the office to deliver Mal's stuff. The secretary gave me my oppurtunity....she asked me to deliver the stuff to Mallory's classroom. That is when my diabolical plan, called Embarrass Mallory, hatched. I showed up in Mallory's classroom doorway and called out, "MMMMaaallloorrrry!" in a singsong voice. Then I spotted her in her seat, went over, handed her her backpack and draped her jacket over her chair. I patted her on the back and sang out, "Goodbye!" Mal's teacher, Mrs. White said, " Tell your mom thank you." Mallory muttered, "No." And I said, "You are lucky I didn't kiss you with lipstick on!"
So judge me if you must, but I am hoping Mallory won't be forgetting things as much in the future!
I gave the whole list so that you would understand the depth of my frustration. That way you might not judge me so harshly for what I did today.....
During my planning time, I ran out and jumped in the car to drive to Mallory's school to deliver the forgotten items. Many of you parents feel my pain I am sure. Upon arrival at the school, I went to the office to deliver Mal's stuff. The secretary gave me my oppurtunity....she asked me to deliver the stuff to Mallory's classroom. That is when my diabolical plan, called Embarrass Mallory, hatched. I showed up in Mallory's classroom doorway and called out, "MMMMaaallloorrrry!" in a singsong voice. Then I spotted her in her seat, went over, handed her her backpack and draped her jacket over her chair. I patted her on the back and sang out, "Goodbye!" Mal's teacher, Mrs. White said, " Tell your mom thank you." Mallory muttered, "No." And I said, "You are lucky I didn't kiss you with lipstick on!"
So judge me if you must, but I am hoping Mallory won't be forgetting things as much in the future!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Freedom Writers
My student teacher started taking over my classes today. She is teaching a series of lessons based on the movie, Freedom Writer. This is one of my favorite movies! It is the true story about Erin Gruell, who chose to teach at an inner city school that had a well deserved bad reputation. Of course, since I am a teacher, I find this type of movie inspiring. I recommend it for everyone!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Trick or Treat
This year we will again be trick or treating with Angie Castle and her kids.
Mallory is dressing as a pink leopard like cat. I like to call her a cheetah girl but she prefers kittycat. She tied for 1st this year in the church harvest fest, with Nolan Anderson, who dressed as a rainbow singer. Mallory has gotten 1st for 4 years in a row now! Her reign continues...... You should know that they vote by applause and Mallory has a loud obnoxious mom :).
Jonah is an OSU buckeuye this year. He has a jersey, with shoulder pads, pants and a helmet. Too cute if I do say so myself! The helmet is just a little too big and falss over his eyes sometimes.
I think Seth is undecided. He might sit this one out since he is 12, almost 13. He does have a basketball head to wear if he becomes a child again in time for trick or treat!
Mallory is dressing as a pink leopard like cat. I like to call her a cheetah girl but she prefers kittycat. She tied for 1st this year in the church harvest fest, with Nolan Anderson, who dressed as a rainbow singer. Mallory has gotten 1st for 4 years in a row now! Her reign continues...... You should know that they vote by applause and Mallory has a loud obnoxious mom :).
Jonah is an OSU buckeuye this year. He has a jersey, with shoulder pads, pants and a helmet. Too cute if I do say so myself! The helmet is just a little too big and falss over his eyes sometimes.
I think Seth is undecided. He might sit this one out since he is 12, almost 13. He does have a basketball head to wear if he becomes a child again in time for trick or treat!
Jonah says the cutest things
Let me preface this by telling you that when Jonah feels hunger, which is not very often, he says that his tummy is rumbly.
Ok, so we are in the Expedition, on St. Rt. 23, heading to Newmans-Cardington Rd. and home. I have my turn signal on in plenty of time but the very kind and thoughtful drivers coming up behind me refuse to get over in the right hand lane. It happens, right? So I am forced onto the rumble strips on the berm before I make my turn. If you have ever driven on rumble strips, you know they got there name for a good reason~ they rumble! After turning safely, Jonah calls out, from the back seat, "What was that!??" I explain that the noise came from rumble strips on the road. There is a lengthy pause (and I have almost forgotten his question) when Jonah asks, "Why is your car hungry?"
Ok, so we are in the Expedition, on St. Rt. 23, heading to Newmans-Cardington Rd. and home. I have my turn signal on in plenty of time but the very kind and thoughtful drivers coming up behind me refuse to get over in the right hand lane. It happens, right? So I am forced onto the rumble strips on the berm before I make my turn. If you have ever driven on rumble strips, you know they got there name for a good reason~ they rumble! After turning safely, Jonah calls out, from the back seat, "What was that!??" I explain that the noise came from rumble strips on the road. There is a lengthy pause (and I have almost forgotten his question) when Jonah asks, "Why is your car hungry?"
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Our Little Austin
October 15 was the anniversary of the day I gave birth to Austin Royal Owings. He was stillborn, weighing in at around 1 1/2 pounds and 15 inches in length. I was 26 weeeks along with in the pregnancy and was so excited about him! Randy and I had experienced some secondary infertility and had tried for 23 months to get pregnant with Austin. So you can imagine our excitement when things were moving along. Sadly, Austin stopped moving over the weekend of the 12th and by the time I had a doctor due an ultrasound on Monday the 14th, he was gone. I delivered him the next day, surrounded by the love and support of my care group and church family. We let Mallory name him to help her cope. She had been so anxious to have the baby be born and I wanted to make sure she understood. We had a graveside service on Friday of that week. Steve Roper officiated and we gathered at my care group leaders' house, Gary and Joanie Warner, afterward.
On Austin's actual due date, January 18, my care group gathered again to put together a scrap book, including photos of Austin, song lyrics and poems, and cards from people. Every year on the anniversary this scrapbook comes out of hiding and the memories come flooding back. This scrapbook will always be a cherised item for me. It is full of love and support from many caring people.
I look forward to the day I get to meet Austin and hold him in my arms in Heaven! We miss you Austin!
On Austin's actual due date, January 18, my care group gathered again to put together a scrap book, including photos of Austin, song lyrics and poems, and cards from people. Every year on the anniversary this scrapbook comes out of hiding and the memories come flooding back. This scrapbook will always be a cherised item for me. It is full of love and support from many caring people.
I look forward to the day I get to meet Austin and hold him in my arms in Heaven! We miss you Austin!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Kid Nation
My kids, Seth and Mallory, are hooked on the new tv show, Kid Nation. It is a reality show where 40 kids have been placed in an abandoned old west town and are left to make something of it. There are the usual competitions and drama each week. Last night the discussions focused on religions and how they should be acknowledged. It was fascinating to see the kids try to sort this out. Finally one kid shouts, "This is how wars are started People!" Wow! The town council also gets to award a $20,000 gold star to a kid each week. It has been going to the person who has worked the hardest, but this week it went to the girl who brought peace between the religions.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The tooth fairy
Help! I think we have been busted by a clever 9 year old. Mallory lost a tooth and decided NOT TO TELL US! She then placed said tooth under her pillow as a test that we, or the tooth fairy, were about to fail. The next day she triumphantly announced that she caught us in a lie and she now knows the truth, there is no tooth fairy! ARRGGGHHH! Busted! If anyone knows a way to recover from that one, I'd like to here about it. :)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Happy Birthday to Mallory
Yesterday was another milestone for Mallory. She turned 9! I am most surprised by this because she already acts like she is 15 or so.
She loves High School Musical so it was an HSM birthday. She got the chapter book, a poster of Zac Efron, and the cd from HSM2. We took her to eat at one of her favorite places, Red Lobster. She also wore a badge all day that said Happy Birthday so that everyone would know and sing to her. Then when I pick the kids up from Reach, a mid week church program, she complains because everyone sang to her. See what I mean about the 15 year old part?
This Friday she is having 7 of her bff's over for a slumber party. It will be High School Musical heaven!
She loves High School Musical so it was an HSM birthday. She got the chapter book, a poster of Zac Efron, and the cd from HSM2. We took her to eat at one of her favorite places, Red Lobster. She also wore a badge all day that said Happy Birthday so that everyone would know and sing to her. Then when I pick the kids up from Reach, a mid week church program, she complains because everyone sang to her. See what I mean about the 15 year old part?
This Friday she is having 7 of her bff's over for a slumber party. It will be High School Musical heaven!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
WOW! What a weekend!
Revolve was fantastic! It was super high energy with lots of great concerts. The main theme was "Girls are you seen as a treasure or a target by guys, and what can you do about that?" It was very relevant and presented by a hottie, Chad Eastham, who clearly kept the girls' interest. The concerts were by Hawk Nelson, KJ52, Natalie Grant, and Ayiesha Woods. I'll admit I was feeling my age when KJ52 performed. It's all hip hop and I couldn't keep up the hop.
My favorite part had to be the drama team. They were a group of 4 young people who moved me to tears! They were very talented.
We already have seats reserved for next year! www.revolvetour.com
My favorite part had to be the drama team. They were a group of 4 young people who moved me to tears! They were very talented.
We already have seats reserved for next year! www.revolvetour.com
Friday, September 14, 2007
Revolve
Tonight I am headed to Nationwide Arena with 24 other beeeautiful young ladies for the teen conference called Revolve! It is like Women of Faith but for the younger set. This is why I became a youth leader people!!! It is run by Natalie Grant. I also get to see KJ52 and Hawk Nelson! I am pumped....see I am already practicing my teen speak (although I am pretty sure pumped is out by now).
I will let you know how wonderful a we had next week! In the meantime, go to revolvetour.com
I will let you know how wonderful a we had next week! In the meantime, go to revolvetour.com
Thursday, September 13, 2007
A pox on the pox!
Oops! Mallory has shingles. It is very blistery, somewhat painful, sometimes itchy, rash that follows the nerves around one's torso. I should know because I had a very bad case as a child and Seth had them last year. Now it is Mallory's turn. The oops comes in because now 2 babies at the sitters have them and both their moms are teachers. I have cost the school district money for substitutes. Oops! Well not me personally, but you know what I mean.
The weird thing is that both of my kids have gotten this virus. Most of us associate it with older people. The doctors say it is a virus that lies dormant and just flares its ugly head when it feels like it. Once you have the rash you are no longer contagious. That means it was too late by the time we knew Mallory had it. Sorry babies! Sorry Madelyn!
The weird thing is that both of my kids have gotten this virus. Most of us associate it with older people. The doctors say it is a virus that lies dormant and just flares its ugly head when it feels like it. Once you have the rash you are no longer contagious. That means it was too late by the time we knew Mallory had it. Sorry babies! Sorry Madelyn!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Jonah is sooooo cute! I could eat him!
I have a rockstar on my hands. Jonah has been carrying around Mallory's Barbie guitar fpr a few days now. he even writes his own lyrics. The latest, which I think is a knock off from a new show called Yo Gabba Gabba (where do they get these names?), has one line repeated over and over. It goes like this~
I'm so happyyyyyyyyy when i play with my friends.
repeat and strum as you sing..........
Jonah has also gotten very bossy lately. When I learned the words and tried to join in, this upset him a lot. Evidently this song is only meant to be a solo. I was told to stop singing now! sigh, there was a time when a duet would have been preferred.......
they grow up so fast.
I'm so happyyyyyyyyy when i play with my friends.
repeat and strum as you sing..........
Jonah has also gotten very bossy lately. When I learned the words and tried to join in, this upset him a lot. Evidently this song is only meant to be a solo. I was told to stop singing now! sigh, there was a time when a duet would have been preferred.......
they grow up so fast.
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