Friday, April 10, 2009
Tornado
Unfortunately today's weather was quite severe. Tornado's touched down less than 5 miles from my home and played hop scotch across the southeastern part of my county. Several neighborhoods have been badly damaged. So far the reports are up to 60 injured & I haven't heard of any fatalities at this point. Please pray for those injured and the families who have lost their homes.
A gloomy day and an update on CJ's haircut
It's a gloomy, rainy day. Appropriate, I suppose for a Good Friday. We're under a tornado warning right now- which is always fun with me at work and my children in different places.
I wish they’d given us today off. I’m trying to muster the energy for work. I’m taking a generic Claritin and decongestant. I meant to take a musinex before I left home but forgot. I feel like someone ran over me backed up and did it again. My nose has swollen shut and I don't think you could drive a nail in there with a nail gun. It’s supposed to rain on and off all day today but forecast calls for it to be clear this weekend. I just hope the ground isn't too wet for the egg hunt tomorrow-or we haven't been blown away by a tornado.
We explained Good Friday to WC this morning. It’s difficult to get across today is a solemn occasion when he’s vibrating at the seams in anticipation for more sugar. I meant to do it last night, he was riding his bike in the driveway after we got home yesterday and they had an egg hunt at school. I asked him if he knew why we celebrated Easter. It took a couple of laps around the driveway before he responded, “Because Jesus loves us.”
“Yes, and do you know why else?”
A couple more laps around the driveway. “Because he died on the cross.”
Then something must have happened with CJ to distract me from the conversation. He was pushing his tricycle around the driveway & doing other things. He tried to ride his tricycle last night but doesn't quite have the concept down. He got one foot on a pedal but the other on top of the front wheel guard and pushed- he went forward a smidgen but w/o his other foot on the pedal just stopped. After a while he just chased WC up and down the driveway and picked dandelions in the yard.
I'm pleased to report that CJ, indeed, did get his first professional haircut. My mom said it was touch and go at first- until he discovered a broom. He has a strange fascination with brooms right now. He'll go get ours at home and play with it. From what I was told he sat in the chair holding the broom by the handle and the stylist has to work around that. The first thing I noticed is that the back is crooked. On the positive side she was able to get it shorter all over than I had been.
I wish they’d given us today off. I’m trying to muster the energy for work. I’m taking a generic Claritin and decongestant. I meant to take a musinex before I left home but forgot. I feel like someone ran over me backed up and did it again. My nose has swollen shut and I don't think you could drive a nail in there with a nail gun. It’s supposed to rain on and off all day today but forecast calls for it to be clear this weekend. I just hope the ground isn't too wet for the egg hunt tomorrow-or we haven't been blown away by a tornado.
We explained Good Friday to WC this morning. It’s difficult to get across today is a solemn occasion when he’s vibrating at the seams in anticipation for more sugar. I meant to do it last night, he was riding his bike in the driveway after we got home yesterday and they had an egg hunt at school. I asked him if he knew why we celebrated Easter. It took a couple of laps around the driveway before he responded, “Because Jesus loves us.”
“Yes, and do you know why else?”
A couple more laps around the driveway. “Because he died on the cross.”
Then something must have happened with CJ to distract me from the conversation. He was pushing his tricycle around the driveway & doing other things. He tried to ride his tricycle last night but doesn't quite have the concept down. He got one foot on a pedal but the other on top of the front wheel guard and pushed- he went forward a smidgen but w/o his other foot on the pedal just stopped. After a while he just chased WC up and down the driveway and picked dandelions in the yard.
I'm pleased to report that CJ, indeed, did get his first professional haircut. My mom said it was touch and go at first- until he discovered a broom. He has a strange fascination with brooms right now. He'll go get ours at home and play with it. From what I was told he sat in the chair holding the broom by the handle and the stylist has to work around that. The first thing I noticed is that the back is crooked. On the positive side she was able to get it shorter all over than I had been.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Touchless Wonder
Ahhh the joys of spring- the sniffling, sneezing, dripping...the sounds of my coworker hacking to death in the next cube. It is a wondrous time of year.
Yesterday mom said she was going to the hair salon today and would also try to get CJ's haircut while there. Up until now I have been the only person to cut his hair (I have no prior experience mind you). Until last night I thought I did a decent job of it. Mom informed me otherwise. And the reason for the home cut isn't simply monetary. CJ is, how can I put this, a peculiar child. He doesn't like to be touched- and not just by strangers. We have family members he sees on a regular basis- like his other grandmother that he refuses to let them touch him. His cousins- the 4 girls ages 7-4 used to want to carry him around their own living doll- he would scream and still wont let any of them touch him. Sometimes, Jay, his own father can't touch him without it resulting in screaming and crying for mommy. Only me & my mother seem to be able to do anything with the child at anytime. And most of time WC can touch him. In the church nursery, he's fine as long as none of the workers attempt to touch him. If he gets upset and they try to comfort him- it only makes it worse. Which is totally contradictory to your instinct when tending to a child and they get upset. But this is just how he is. Although one surprising exception happened at Christmas time when friends of mine were visiting from out of town. CJ had never met them before yet before the evening was out, he went over to my friends husband and climbed up in his lap! I'm interested to hear how today's haircut attempt will go. This woman will definitely earn her money on this one. I've been able to trim it up without upsetting him and to me that was the most important thing. But I guess at some point he'll need to get used to someone else cutting his hair.
Yesterday mom said she was going to the hair salon today and would also try to get CJ's haircut while there. Up until now I have been the only person to cut his hair (I have no prior experience mind you). Until last night I thought I did a decent job of it. Mom informed me otherwise. And the reason for the home cut isn't simply monetary. CJ is, how can I put this, a peculiar child. He doesn't like to be touched- and not just by strangers. We have family members he sees on a regular basis- like his other grandmother that he refuses to let them touch him. His cousins- the 4 girls ages 7-4 used to want to carry him around their own living doll- he would scream and still wont let any of them touch him. Sometimes, Jay, his own father can't touch him without it resulting in screaming and crying for mommy. Only me & my mother seem to be able to do anything with the child at anytime. And most of time WC can touch him. In the church nursery, he's fine as long as none of the workers attempt to touch him. If he gets upset and they try to comfort him- it only makes it worse. Which is totally contradictory to your instinct when tending to a child and they get upset. But this is just how he is. Although one surprising exception happened at Christmas time when friends of mine were visiting from out of town. CJ had never met them before yet before the evening was out, he went over to my friends husband and climbed up in his lap! I'm interested to hear how today's haircut attempt will go. This woman will definitely earn her money on this one. I've been able to trim it up without upsetting him and to me that was the most important thing. But I guess at some point he'll need to get used to someone else cutting his hair.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Peace
One of my favorite times of the day is in the evening. After dinner is over and the children have their bath. I dress CJ in his pajama's (WC dresses himself then runs off to do his own thing) and we sit in the same rocking chair that I fed him and his brother in when they were small babies. CJ has grown accustomed to our routine and when I ask him if he is ready to read his stories he dutifully grabs his comfort blankets and runs to my bedroom. He sits in my lap while I read him two stories- his favorite is Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boyton. And I generally alternate the other story between another Boyton book or something else. He really likes Goodnight Moon as well. After I finish his stories we just sit there for a few minutes rocking back and forth. I gently place my cheek on the side of his forehead so I can feel his skin against mine and close my eyes. Any other time of the day, he would jump down and run off- like most active toddlers with a world to explore. But not now. We just sit there together & rock back-n-forth. A funny thing happens. No matter what else has gone on that day, how many tantrums he's thrown, how frustrated he (or anyone else) has made me- I feel all that drain away in those few minutes. I'm truly as peaceful as I've ever been. When I tuck him into his crib and cover him with his favorite blanket- he looks up at me with a smile and says, "luss you." (love you). Somehow that moment, makes it all worthwhile.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Holy Week-verse
Below is the biblical reading from church this past Sunday.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death
even death on a cross.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2: 5-11.
Jesus' blood is sufficient. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death
even death on a cross.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2: 5-11.
Jesus' blood is sufficient. Thanks be to God. Amen.
New Handles
A few weeks ago we were forced to change out the kitchen faucet because the old one wouldnt quit leaking. So replaced it with a nice new brushed nickel one and that got me to thinking about the handles on the cabinets. I went back to the Home Depot and ran into sticker shock- $5+ per handle...29 handles...YIKES! So I did some internet research, thank you Google...and ordered some for a fraction of the store cost even when shipping 
was added in. So here are some before & afters...
was added in. So here are some before & afters...
One old (gold) and new one side by side.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Parenting- sometimes it feels like mission impossible
WC often picks bedtime to hit me with his theological/philosophical questions. While brushing his teeth they come out of blue like a guided missile targeted to leave me stumbling for answers that will satisfy him and not lead to another question. This is mission impossible parenting. Why he chooses this time of day to ask- stalling bedtime or simply this is when these issues cross his little mind while getting ready to settle in for the night, I don’t know. Answers aren’t always easy for me to understand, as the adult. How do I explain these things to him? If there are any discrepancies in my answers this child picks it up- a cop with a radar gun sitting on the side of a long stretch of road where the speed limit lowers by 10, he’ll stop me in a heartbeat. Tuesday evening conversation went something like this:
“Mom, did God really make us?”
“Yes.”
“Before He made people, was God alone…was Jesus there?”
“Yes.” (sly answer there.)
“How long did Jesus live on earth?”
“They think about 33 years. A long time ago.”
“Why did Jesus die on the cross?”
(oh crap) “Um…as payment for our sins…so we can go to heaven.”
He looks concerned about that last part. We’ve already had many discussions on heaven and he doesn’t want to go there because he doesn’t know where it is. And he often uses the phrase that he doesn’t remember what God looks like. Which these ponderings began after my Grandfather passed away. Initially we didn’t tell WC about it figuring at 3 he wouldn’t remember him. But last year he began asking why he hadn’t seen Granddad in a long time & we finally told him that Granddad had gone to heaven. And ever since then, out of the blue, he expresses fear of growing old and dying. One day he was afraid that his father & I would die then he & CJ would be alone in the house. The only thing I could think to do was assure him that he & CJ would never be alone. I can’t promise him the other- it isn’t up to me. But I don’t mention that either.
Then as quickly as the theological discussion started it was over:
“Are we made of meat?”
“Yes.”
“Nu uh.”
“Yes. Muscle is what meat is.”
“We don’t eat people.”
“No. the meat you eat is the muscle from cows or pigs.”
“Pigs...like roast?”
“Or ham, bacon, hot dogs.”
“Yummy…hot dogs.” And with that he skipped out of the bathroom to find Jay to tuck him into bed.
I informed Jay he was going to start supervising the nightly teeth brushing and potty time so he could get the thrill of answering these questions. Not that he’s any better equipped than I am. I feel so inadequate to answer these types of questions. Do other children ask their parents these sorts of questions? When I envisioned raising my son it never occurred to me that I would need to have answers to these sorts’ conundrums.
“Mom, did God really make us?”
“Yes.”
“Before He made people, was God alone…was Jesus there?”
“Yes.” (sly answer there.)
“How long did Jesus live on earth?”
“They think about 33 years. A long time ago.”
“Why did Jesus die on the cross?”
(oh crap) “Um…as payment for our sins…so we can go to heaven.”
He looks concerned about that last part. We’ve already had many discussions on heaven and he doesn’t want to go there because he doesn’t know where it is. And he often uses the phrase that he doesn’t remember what God looks like. Which these ponderings began after my Grandfather passed away. Initially we didn’t tell WC about it figuring at 3 he wouldn’t remember him. But last year he began asking why he hadn’t seen Granddad in a long time & we finally told him that Granddad had gone to heaven. And ever since then, out of the blue, he expresses fear of growing old and dying. One day he was afraid that his father & I would die then he & CJ would be alone in the house. The only thing I could think to do was assure him that he & CJ would never be alone. I can’t promise him the other- it isn’t up to me. But I don’t mention that either.
Then as quickly as the theological discussion started it was over:
“Are we made of meat?”
“Yes.”
“Nu uh.”
“Yes. Muscle is what meat is.”
“We don’t eat people.”
“No. the meat you eat is the muscle from cows or pigs.”
“Pigs...like roast?”
“Or ham, bacon, hot dogs.”
“Yummy…hot dogs.” And with that he skipped out of the bathroom to find Jay to tuck him into bed.
I informed Jay he was going to start supervising the nightly teeth brushing and potty time so he could get the thrill of answering these questions. Not that he’s any better equipped than I am. I feel so inadequate to answer these types of questions. Do other children ask their parents these sorts of questions? When I envisioned raising my son it never occurred to me that I would need to have answers to these sorts’ conundrums.
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