Not much to post about today, so I'll do a list of Sunday Stuff.
1. Our old, leaky tub is by our mailbox.
2. We are bathing at our neighbor's house. Thank you, neighbor.
3. Our new tub is in a box in M's room.
4. We cleaned (CLEANED) our house today. You wouldn't think the house now is the same house from this morning.
5. We hosted small group tonight. I had a great time and hope everyone else did, too.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week are super busy. I'm really looking forward to Thursday and then a relaxing weekend next weekend.
I'll try to download my pictures tomorrow. I've got some treasures on there I'd love to share with you.
I REALLY need to make a list of interesting topics to post about for NaBloPoMo. Is there anything you'd like to know about us? Any posting ideas? Just let me know. I'm sure I can accommodate you!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Teacher Joy
Tonight my teacher heart almost burst through my chest. A student from my very first class called me a few weeks ago and wanted to meet for lunch. During that lunch she invited me to a local beauty pageant (the Queen becomes the representative for a huge springtime festival) that she was competing in.
Tonight I watched a shy, gawking third grader turned into a poised, quietly-confident woman-child. She was magnificent. She was GORGEOUS. I was so incredibly proud to have known her when she was a little and to see how delightful she's become.
It's those connections that encourage me to get up and go to work, despite children breaking crayons on purpose, kicking crayons across the room, and breaking manipulatives. It's the hope that maybe I'm impacting one life, one tiny moment at a time, that keeps me going when I'm so frustrated by the bureaucracy, by the paperwork, by the stuff that has nothing to do with teaching.
Tonight, my heart was so full of teacher joy that I sat there with tears coursing down my cheeks, unable to contain them, because the invitation to see one of my former students, almost grown up, is worth every single bad day I've ever had in the classroom.
Tonight I watched a shy, gawking third grader turned into a poised, quietly-confident woman-child. She was magnificent. She was GORGEOUS. I was so incredibly proud to have known her when she was a little and to see how delightful she's become.
It's those connections that encourage me to get up and go to work, despite children breaking crayons on purpose, kicking crayons across the room, and breaking manipulatives. It's the hope that maybe I'm impacting one life, one tiny moment at a time, that keeps me going when I'm so frustrated by the bureaucracy, by the paperwork, by the stuff that has nothing to do with teaching.
Tonight, my heart was so full of teacher joy that I sat there with tears coursing down my cheeks, unable to contain them, because the invitation to see one of my former students, almost grown up, is worth every single bad day I've ever had in the classroom.
Friday, November 6, 2009
A Night on the Town
I'm headed out for Girl's Night.
I'm wearing sassy shoes. (Not boots)
I'm wearing my new sassy outfit.
I'm wearing my gorgeous pearls.
I'm carrying a too cute red clutch.
All in all, I think I'm ready!
I'm wearing sassy shoes. (Not boots)
I'm wearing my new sassy outfit.
I'm wearing my gorgeous pearls.
I'm carrying a too cute red clutch.
All in all, I think I'm ready!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Heartstrings
Tonight I heard the story of Amy for the first time. I've met her parents several times and really like them. We're involved in a big project together, but we don't know each other very well.
Tonight, they blessed me with Amy's story. It was truly a gift from them to me. I am so very thankful.
I know it probably seems that I harp on wanting another baby often. I probably do. I don't THINK I do, but it comes up more often than I realize, I'm sure. Sometimes on this path, I'm just so raw, so broken. It's not how I want to be or how I want to live or how I want others to know me. But it is my reality.
I imagine my babies are little angels, perfect and whole, living in the glory of Heaven. Sometimes it's the only way I can imagine them. I don't have any memories of THEM, so I guess I make up little stories for them, pretend. I'm sure I need some type of psychotherapy.
I hope tonight as Amy's parents told me her story, she was waltzing around Heaven and happened upon two little babies. I hope the young woman they told me about, the young woman with a huge heart, is holding and rocking two of the most loved, missed little babies in the history of parenthood.
Thank you to Amy's parents for telling me her story, for sharing her life with me. I can't tell you how much I feel blessed just knowing who she is and what she did in her 27 years.
Tonight, they blessed me with Amy's story. It was truly a gift from them to me. I am so very thankful.
I know it probably seems that I harp on wanting another baby often. I probably do. I don't THINK I do, but it comes up more often than I realize, I'm sure. Sometimes on this path, I'm just so raw, so broken. It's not how I want to be or how I want to live or how I want others to know me. But it is my reality.
I imagine my babies are little angels, perfect and whole, living in the glory of Heaven. Sometimes it's the only way I can imagine them. I don't have any memories of THEM, so I guess I make up little stories for them, pretend. I'm sure I need some type of psychotherapy.
I hope tonight as Amy's parents told me her story, she was waltzing around Heaven and happened upon two little babies. I hope the young woman they told me about, the young woman with a huge heart, is holding and rocking two of the most loved, missed little babies in the history of parenthood.
Thank you to Amy's parents for telling me her story, for sharing her life with me. I can't tell you how much I feel blessed just knowing who she is and what she did in her 27 years.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Riding Boots
ARGH!!!
I'm SOOOO in love with the new riding boot look! Earlier this week, I treated myself to the cutest new outfit. The perfect compliment would be a pair of those sassy riding boots.
Too bad I can't find any affordable ones with extra wide calves! I know I'm chubby, but COME ON PEOPLE...
There are women out there who are chubbier than me and WE WANT SASSY BOOTS, TOO!
*Deep breathing*
Okay, my tantrum is done. Although, honestly, this is about how I feel about life right now.
I WANT IT MY WAY AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW.
I'm SOOOO in love with the new riding boot look! Earlier this week, I treated myself to the cutest new outfit. The perfect compliment would be a pair of those sassy riding boots.
Too bad I can't find any affordable ones with extra wide calves! I know I'm chubby, but COME ON PEOPLE...
There are women out there who are chubbier than me and WE WANT SASSY BOOTS, TOO!
*Deep breathing*
Okay, my tantrum is done. Although, honestly, this is about how I feel about life right now.
I WANT IT MY WAY AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
36 Hours
My dear blogfriend, Kyla, did a simlar post a while ago.
Here is what the past 36 hours look like at the Benson household
MONDAY:
5:45 AM M is wide awake and in my bed. H is asleep on the couch.
6:00 AM H joins us for a family snuggle. He goes back to sleep. M and I have quite a nice morning together, snuggling. (Please, don't choke on the sarcasm)
6:30 AM I finally just get up.
7:00 AM M takes a shower
7:40 AM M and I are both ready for school. I leave. She cries.
8:00AM -3:10 PM School
3:30 PM Dr's appt (more clomid)
4:00 PM Head home early
4:45 PM After visiting for a few minutes, M and I head to the local mall to spend a gift card.
6:00 PM Meet H for dinner
7:20 PM Try on a pair of sassy boots to match my new sassy outfit. Cry because they won't zip. (The boots, not the sassy outfit)
8:00 PM Arrive home, put M to bed.
8:15 PM Pay bills, blog, watch a smidgeon of TV, read about 2 paragraphs in a book
10:00 PM Fall into bed, exhausted
TUESDAY:
12:04 AM M is in my room crying hysterically. I pray quickly, "Please don't let there be any throw up."
12: 05 AM "I NEED SLEEP." (No kidding, I think.) I put M on the toilet, thinking maybe her bladder woke her up.
12:06 AM Crying, "I need sleep, Mommy. Not potty." (Why in the world are you waking ME UP IF YOU NEED SLEEP????? I wonder silently.)
12:07 AM M goes back to bed. I have no idea what in the world she was crying about or why she got out of bed.
12:08 AM My head hits the pillow and I hear "MOMMY! I need to go potty now."
12:08:30 AM M is back on the toilet. This time she actually uses it.
12:10 AM Everyone is back in their beds.
1:00 AM Everyone is asleep EXCEPT me.
1:15 AM I finally drift off.
5:57 AM I'm wide awake.
5:58 AM-6:30 AM Doze
6:30 AM M is wide awake and ready for the day.
6:45 AM I get up and get ready, M stalks me in the bathroom.
7:20 AM I'm ready to leave for work, I wake H up.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM School and afterschool
5:10 PM Pick M up from H
5:30-6:30 PM Relay for Life committee meeting
7:35 PM Arrive home with dinner, eat, snuggle M
8:00 PM Put M down for bed
9:00 PM Publish this blog post
Day 3. Done.
Here is what the past 36 hours look like at the Benson household
MONDAY:
5:45 AM M is wide awake and in my bed. H is asleep on the couch.
6:00 AM H joins us for a family snuggle. He goes back to sleep. M and I have quite a nice morning together, snuggling. (Please, don't choke on the sarcasm)
6:30 AM I finally just get up.
7:00 AM M takes a shower
7:40 AM M and I are both ready for school. I leave. She cries.
8:00AM -3:10 PM School
3:30 PM Dr's appt (more clomid)
4:00 PM Head home early
4:45 PM After visiting for a few minutes, M and I head to the local mall to spend a gift card.
6:00 PM Meet H for dinner
7:20 PM Try on a pair of sassy boots to match my new sassy outfit. Cry because they won't zip. (The boots, not the sassy outfit)
8:00 PM Arrive home, put M to bed.
8:15 PM Pay bills, blog, watch a smidgeon of TV, read about 2 paragraphs in a book
10:00 PM Fall into bed, exhausted
TUESDAY:
12:04 AM M is in my room crying hysterically. I pray quickly, "Please don't let there be any throw up."
12: 05 AM "I NEED SLEEP." (No kidding, I think.) I put M on the toilet, thinking maybe her bladder woke her up.
12:06 AM Crying, "I need sleep, Mommy. Not potty." (Why in the world are you waking ME UP IF YOU NEED SLEEP????? I wonder silently.)
12:07 AM M goes back to bed. I have no idea what in the world she was crying about or why she got out of bed.
12:08 AM My head hits the pillow and I hear "MOMMY! I need to go potty now."
12:08:30 AM M is back on the toilet. This time she actually uses it.
12:10 AM Everyone is back in their beds.
1:00 AM Everyone is asleep EXCEPT me.
1:15 AM I finally drift off.
5:57 AM I'm wide awake.
5:58 AM-6:30 AM Doze
6:30 AM M is wide awake and ready for the day.
6:45 AM I get up and get ready, M stalks me in the bathroom.
7:20 AM I'm ready to leave for work, I wake H up.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM School and afterschool
5:10 PM Pick M up from H
5:30-6:30 PM Relay for Life committee meeting
7:35 PM Arrive home with dinner, eat, snuggle M
8:00 PM Put M down for bed
9:00 PM Publish this blog post
Day 3. Done.
Monday, November 2, 2009
30 Things about M
Remember I said I do better if I write down the things I want do accomplish? Well, here's an example. I sure did NOT make a plan for my 30 posts. I actually have no idea where I'm going with this whole write every day idea. For lack of a better post, I'm going to give you a little glimpse into life with M.
1.) M was born on a Wednesday evening at 6:15.
2.) She weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz.
3.) She was due on our anniversary, but arrived a day early.
4.) M has her father's personality.
5.) She's never met a stranger.
6.) She calls EVERYONE friend. When we're at the park, she'll say, "Let's go meet that friend." about any of the other children.
7.) If I speak to a child in public, she assumes they are one of my students.
8.) M has just discovered the joy of accessorizing.
9.) M is VERY quick witted. This is a dangerous thing because I am not witty, much less quick witted.
10.) Her favorite color is blue and has been for a long time.
11.) She is fickle.
12.) Very fickle.
13.) M has an enormous sweet tooth.
14.) She is an enormous TV addict. We indulge her WAY.TOO.MUCH.
15.) She was an easy toddler compared to the past few weeks.
16.) She argues ALL THE TIME about EVERY SINGLE THING.
17.) She has the BEST laugh.
18.) M does not understand joke delivery, but she sure thinks she's funny, which makes us laugh, which encourages her to tell another nonsense joke, and the cycle continues.
19.) She carved her first pumpkin this year and she's so proud of it.
20.) M is learning how to bathe herself. Part of me is so excited and part of me misses helping her.
21.) M loves to read.
22.) She loves to do crafty things.
23.) She doesn't have favorite toys. She changes her mind all the time. (See #'s 11 and 12.) For example, she ADORED Robyn for a few days after she got her, but she's sort of let her go for now.
24.) M and our dog have become best friends recently. Just the other day, when we got home, M ran up to the dog and said, "Hey gorgeous! I missed you!" Where she heard that, I have no idea.
25.) M will tickle anyone. That's her version of shaking hands.
26.) Have I mentioned that she's in an argumentative stage right now? Trust me. She is.
27.) M calls restaurants "houses." The Mexican restaurant is the "Chip and Cheese House." The local pizzeria is the "Pizza House."
28.) I don't think I have one picture of a true smile from M.
29.) M is completely and fully potty trained. She's been doing great during day time for more than a year. It was only two weeks ago that we took away the diapers at night and she hasn't had one accident.
30.) She's growing and changing every single day. I can't believe that the baby I held in my arms has grown into such a wonderful, delightful, exasperating little girl!
1.) M was born on a Wednesday evening at 6:15.
2.) She weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz.
3.) She was due on our anniversary, but arrived a day early.
4.) M has her father's personality.
5.) She's never met a stranger.
6.) She calls EVERYONE friend. When we're at the park, she'll say, "Let's go meet that friend." about any of the other children.
7.) If I speak to a child in public, she assumes they are one of my students.
8.) M has just discovered the joy of accessorizing.
9.) M is VERY quick witted. This is a dangerous thing because I am not witty, much less quick witted.
10.) Her favorite color is blue and has been for a long time.
11.) She is fickle.
12.) Very fickle.
13.) M has an enormous sweet tooth.
14.) She is an enormous TV addict. We indulge her WAY.TOO.MUCH.
15.) She was an easy toddler compared to the past few weeks.
16.) She argues ALL THE TIME about EVERY SINGLE THING.
17.) She has the BEST laugh.
18.) M does not understand joke delivery, but she sure thinks she's funny, which makes us laugh, which encourages her to tell another nonsense joke, and the cycle continues.
19.) She carved her first pumpkin this year and she's so proud of it.
20.) M is learning how to bathe herself. Part of me is so excited and part of me misses helping her.
21.) M loves to read.
22.) She loves to do crafty things.
23.) She doesn't have favorite toys. She changes her mind all the time. (See #'s 11 and 12.) For example, she ADORED Robyn for a few days after she got her, but she's sort of let her go for now.
24.) M and our dog have become best friends recently. Just the other day, when we got home, M ran up to the dog and said, "Hey gorgeous! I missed you!" Where she heard that, I have no idea.
25.) M will tickle anyone. That's her version of shaking hands.
26.) Have I mentioned that she's in an argumentative stage right now? Trust me. She is.
27.) M calls restaurants "houses." The Mexican restaurant is the "Chip and Cheese House." The local pizzeria is the "Pizza House."
28.) I don't think I have one picture of a true smile from M.
29.) M is completely and fully potty trained. She's been doing great during day time for more than a year. It was only two weeks ago that we took away the diapers at night and she hasn't had one accident.
30.) She's growing and changing every single day. I can't believe that the baby I held in my arms has grown into such a wonderful, delightful, exasperating little girl!
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