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| Family holiday photo: take 1 |
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| Take 2 |
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| Take 3 |
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| Take 4 |
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| Take 5 |
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| Take 6 |
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| Time to give up. |
11/29/10
11/28/10
11/22/10
How To Kill Your Husband
Today I am taking part in what I am sure will turn into a murder. David wanted oyster stew this week. The man got a wild hair and started craving the stuff. Him mom always made a pot of it during the holidays, and he just wanted to eat it again. David asked me to pick up the ingredients at the store today, but he told me he'd be happy to make it. I wasn't to worry about it. He's so kind.
Turns out I had a little more time on my hands today than I was expecting so I decided to be nice and make the stew for him. It was then that I ran into an ethical dilemma. Make the stew and give him a heart attack in a bowl, or throw the ingredients away and suffer his disappointment. I made the stew.
I am an enabler. And possibly worse... a murderer. I need to go sit down.
A stick of butter.
Heavy cream.
Bacon fat.
This will not end well.
11/21/10
Even More Thankful
Yesterday we spent the morning at David's school putting together Thanksgiving dinners for students and their families. There is a wonderful organization at the school that raises money throughout the year and helps the kids who are living in poverty. There is a food pantry at the school, funds for clothing and school supplies, and money for these kids to pay for extra curricular activities. David is very proud to work at a place that cares deeply for its own.
This year over 100 Thanksgiving dinners and food items were organized and set up in the gym. We went to help with the loading/delivery process. Families could come to the school and pick up a dinner, or staff was there to help deliver the food to those that needed it. I brought my camera, but my kids were working too hard for me to capture them together in one shot. Did they groan and complain that we were going to donate our time to this on a Saturday morning? Absolutely. But once we got to the school and they saw how they could help, they got down to business and worked with joy. I was a proud mama.
As the morning drew to a close, we took a dinner with us to deliver. David had the address, which was a pay-by-the-week motel. Picture something very sad and then multiply that by 100 and you'll get the idea. David knocked on their motel door and the kids unloaded all the food from our car to hand to them. A family of four was in there, and David knew the students. By name. My kiddos were very quiet as we pulled away, as the severity of the situation sunk in. David and I had to blink back tears for the drive home.... Life is hard enough without the added burden of poverty and despair.
If you have not read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich yet I implore you to do so. It will radically change you. And be thankful for everything you have. Which, unfortunately, is something I am still working on.
Yesterday we spent the morning at David's school putting together Thanksgiving dinners for students and their families. There is a wonderful organization at the school that raises money throughout the year and helps the kids who are living in poverty. There is a food pantry at the school, funds for clothing and school supplies, and money for these kids to pay for extra curricular activities. David is very proud to work at a place that cares deeply for its own.
This year over 100 Thanksgiving dinners and food items were organized and set up in the gym. We went to help with the loading/delivery process. Families could come to the school and pick up a dinner, or staff was there to help deliver the food to those that needed it. I brought my camera, but my kids were working too hard for me to capture them together in one shot. Did they groan and complain that we were going to donate our time to this on a Saturday morning? Absolutely. But once we got to the school and they saw how they could help, they got down to business and worked with joy. I was a proud mama.
As the morning drew to a close, we took a dinner with us to deliver. David had the address, which was a pay-by-the-week motel. Picture something very sad and then multiply that by 100 and you'll get the idea. David knocked on their motel door and the kids unloaded all the food from our car to hand to them. A family of four was in there, and David knew the students. By name. My kiddos were very quiet as we pulled away, as the severity of the situation sunk in. David and I had to blink back tears for the drive home.... Life is hard enough without the added burden of poverty and despair.
If you have not read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich yet I implore you to do so. It will radically change you. And be thankful for everything you have. Which, unfortunately, is something I am still working on.
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| Driving to the high school on a beautiful Saturday morning. |
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| Carver and Z take a quck break in the process to run on the gym floor. |
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| Lily loading up a cart to make another delivery. |
11/18/10
Our Thankful Tree
Once we turned the calendar to November, we began our thankful tree. I love watching it grow. I love what my kids say. I love that they don't try to impress anyone with their ideas--like a Miss America pageant contestant hoping for world peace. My kids are thankful for things that are close to them and make them feel good. Like dogs and snowboarding and... bread. Not bread in the I'm-thankful-we-have-food-to-eat sense. But bread in the I-love-carbohydrates-and-things-slathered-in-honey-and-butter sense. Very real.
Once we turned the calendar to November, we began our thankful tree. I love watching it grow. I love what my kids say. I love that they don't try to impress anyone with their ideas--like a Miss America pageant contestant hoping for world peace. My kids are thankful for things that are close to them and make them feel good. Like dogs and snowboarding and... bread. Not bread in the I'm-thankful-we-have-food-to-eat sense. But bread in the I-love-carbohydrates-and-things-slathered-in-honey-and-butter sense. Very real.
11/17/10
11/16/10
This was what I came home to last week. When we leave our house, we keep the dog in the kitchen eating area and close the doors so he can't roam the house. We're pretty strict about where he's allowed to be and what he can and can't do. However...
He managed to jump up onto the table. And then couldn't get down. He was up there for a good 2 hours until I came home and found him. (You'd take a picture, too. It was hilarious.) Have you ever had days like that? Where you look around and think, "How did I get here? Where do I go now?" I do. And often. This is one of those days. We've been sick, sick, sick. I'm way behind on every chore and piece of paperwork you can name. I'm supposed to be training for a half marathon and I've completely lost my desire to run--not to mention the giant setback of our stomach flu. I'm not ready for winter. I'm not ready to be a mom of a 7, 9, and 12 year old--but there's not much I can do about that.
How did I get here?
11/15/10
Laughter and Joy and Zinabu is Now 7
Without my knowledge of how it happened, nor without my permission, my baby turned 7 yesterday. Z, you bring so much laughter and joy to us. Thank you for calling us your family and for loving us with an open heart, even when it was so tough at first. We love you.
Without my knowledge of how it happened, nor without my permission, my baby turned 7 yesterday. Z, you bring so much laughter and joy to us. Thank you for calling us your family and for loving us with an open heart, even when it was so tough at first. We love you.
11/12/10
Vacation!
Hooray for vacation. We took advantage of the Veteran's Day long weekend and drove to Breckenridge for a family getaway. We were in much need of one. Breckenridge slopes open for the season this weekend, and David and Carver were hoping to get a few runs in. I was looking forward to just being together as a family, staring at the gorgeous scenery, and sitting in a hot tub. (I am very easy to please on vacation.) Here's what's happened so far.
It is 5 degrees.
Carver got the stomach flu.
David got the stomach flu.
The entire city of Breckenridge lost power last night.
I scraped the car up against a cement post in a parking garage. I am afraid to even begin to think about how much that's going to cost. (A lot.)
I bet you can't wait to come to Colorado next summer and vacation with me.
Hooray for vacation. We took advantage of the Veteran's Day long weekend and drove to Breckenridge for a family getaway. We were in much need of one. Breckenridge slopes open for the season this weekend, and David and Carver were hoping to get a few runs in. I was looking forward to just being together as a family, staring at the gorgeous scenery, and sitting in a hot tub. (I am very easy to please on vacation.) Here's what's happened so far.
It is 5 degrees.
Carver got the stomach flu.
David got the stomach flu.
The entire city of Breckenridge lost power last night.
I scraped the car up against a cement post in a parking garage. I am afraid to even begin to think about how much that's going to cost. (A lot.)
I bet you can't wait to come to Colorado next summer and vacation with me.
11/9/10
I've Got A Golden Ticket
Don't you want a Golden Ticket? If you're reading this, consider yourself an honorary recipient. I'm thinking about next summer. The summer of 2011 when we are having a blog/reunion/campout/whatever here in Colorado. I'm a tad jealous after reading about another blog par-tay. I won't name names, but Bridget and Rebekah know who they are.
I've done some research on my end, trying to find a campground that would suit every one's needs and wants. Some of you tent it like Eagle Scouts, others of you think living out of a suitcase is roughing it. I thought the Y family camp had the best options, but I didn't like the idea of some of us in cabins, some of us on the other side of the property in tents, and others everywhere in between. It's pricey, in high demand, and overwhelming to think about booking all that--not knowing how many of you are coming and how much space we'd need, etc.
So here's the deal. Please come. All of you. No restrictions. We'll figure it out. I have a friend who has a teeny tiny cabin where we could gather, so we'd all be on the same property in the mountains. But if some of you were willing to come without kiddos we'd have more room for more people. Not to say that kids aren't welcome. Absolutely. But I'm also being realistic. As in, there-is-only-one-toilet realistic. And if all else fails, everyone can come to my house. We have more than enough room--it's enormous, and that's one of the reasons we moved in with my mom. To take advantage of her space.
So if you want to come, start telling me now what weeks WON'T work for you. I'd love to shoot for the first week of July, but I'm open.
Now go admire that Golden Ticket.
Why am I okay about the fact that I am eating Japanese noodle soup at 9:30 in the morning?
Because my youngest often goes through the day with no underwear.
Because my oldest told me at the very last minute that his science project needs to measured by meters, not inches.
Because my middle thinks she is getting a horse for Christmas.
Because my husband will be gone for 15 hours today.
Because the dog has maple syrup in his fur.
Do I really need an excuse?
Because my youngest often goes through the day with no underwear.
Because my oldest told me at the very last minute that his science project needs to measured by meters, not inches.
Because my middle thinks she is getting a horse for Christmas.
Because my husband will be gone for 15 hours today.
Because the dog has maple syrup in his fur.
Do I really need an excuse?
11/8/10
11/6/10
Zinabu is now free of his troublesome teeth. Remember how his permanent teeth grew in behind his baby teeth and his baby teeth didn't fall out? We went to the dentist this week and finally had them pulled. Tell me if this happens to anyone else besides me, but when Zinabu had to go through something rough, his past and his Ethiopian circumstances come screaming back to me. It's as if he's been through so much already that any additional difficulties seem overwhelmingly unfair. He was very scared to go to the dentist, and he reverted back to his coping mechanisms: staring at a spot on the wall, blinking back tears, and shrugging off my hands which just want to hold him. I hate seeing him go there because it brings back a lot of yucky memories for me and him, not to mention the crappy way he must be feeling. I was able to squeeze his little ankle through the procedure, and he did FINE. He was FINE. The dentist was great. The teeth came out well. And he got a toy from the prize box. But whoa, Nelly, it was a long afternoon.
11/3/10
Assignment: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who've influenced you and that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.
Result:
1. God (if you count Him as the author of the Bible, then I have to include it)
2. Judy Blume (very funny to write that right after God)
3. Anne Lamott (seriously love that woman)
4. Jane Austen
5. C S Lewis (I still remember my 4th grade teacher reading The Magician's Nephew aloud to us and I hung onto e-v-e-r-y word)
6. Michael Pollan
7. Jimmy Carter
8. Betty Friedan
9. Whoever wrote "What To Expect The First Year" because I pretty much lived on that book after adopting Carver. I had no idea what I was doing.
10. Robert McCloskey
11. Beverly Cleary
12. Jim Wallis
13. Flannery O'Connor
14. E B White
15. J K Rowling (you didn't think I'd forget her, did you?)
Can you tell my favorite genre is children's literature? It just brings back so many warm memories of feeling safe and secure in a book, being caught up in a good story. To this day, few things delight me more than re-reading Ramona The Brave or Charlotte's Web. It's soothing. And other author's on my list helped me define my life choices, philosophies, and faith. It was hard to stop at 15, though. I think 75 might have been a better number.
Result:
1. God (if you count Him as the author of the Bible, then I have to include it)
2. Judy Blume (very funny to write that right after God)
3. Anne Lamott (seriously love that woman)
4. Jane Austen
5. C S Lewis (I still remember my 4th grade teacher reading The Magician's Nephew aloud to us and I hung onto e-v-e-r-y word)
6. Michael Pollan
7. Jimmy Carter
8. Betty Friedan
9. Whoever wrote "What To Expect The First Year" because I pretty much lived on that book after adopting Carver. I had no idea what I was doing.
10. Robert McCloskey
11. Beverly Cleary
12. Jim Wallis
13. Flannery O'Connor
14. E B White
15. J K Rowling (you didn't think I'd forget her, did you?)
Can you tell my favorite genre is children's literature? It just brings back so many warm memories of feeling safe and secure in a book, being caught up in a good story. To this day, few things delight me more than re-reading Ramona The Brave or Charlotte's Web. It's soothing. And other author's on my list helped me define my life choices, philosophies, and faith. It was hard to stop at 15, though. I think 75 might have been a better number.
11/2/10
11/1/10
Happy belated Halloween! I spent the day hunched over the toilet puking my guts out. After 8 hours my stomach finally settled down, but now I'm stuck with a fever, chills, and a body that feels like it was hit by a truck. No clue where I picked up this nasty bug, but I hope no one else in the family gets it. Thank God for my mom, who made dinner last night and got the kids to school this morning. David took the kids trick-or-treating. I was horrified to miss out on that. Just awful. I'm hoping he took a picture of them with his iphone. I was so sick last night I couldn't even talk to him.
On Saturday night David and I went to a Halloween party. He suggested we go as his "worst nightmare."
He's a huge Minnesota Viking's fan, and going as dreaded Green Bay Packer's fans got a few laughs. We had a great time and I even got him to dance a little. That's a rare occurrence.
November was supposed to start 30 Days of Nothing for me. I think I might have to wait for January to do that challenge. Zinabu's birthday is in November, and I'm not ready for it at all. Also, we're going away to Breckenridge 2 different times. Once for Veteran's Day weekend and again for Thanksgiving. I don't feel like I can pull off 30 Days of Nothing without cheating a lot. So I'm putting it off until January. I'm bummed. I love 30 Days of Nothing in November. Our culture jumps from Halloween to Christmas and skips right over Thanksgiving. To me, November should be a time of thankfulness, reflection, gathering in, pausing to reflect, and appreciating all that we're blessed with. We will still do that as a family. (Remember our thankful tree? That's starting as soon as I feel better.) We will not shop for Christmas or think about Christmas or worry about Christmas until December.
And now I'm off to the bathroom...
On Saturday night David and I went to a Halloween party. He suggested we go as his "worst nightmare."
He's a huge Minnesota Viking's fan, and going as dreaded Green Bay Packer's fans got a few laughs. We had a great time and I even got him to dance a little. That's a rare occurrence.
November was supposed to start 30 Days of Nothing for me. I think I might have to wait for January to do that challenge. Zinabu's birthday is in November, and I'm not ready for it at all. Also, we're going away to Breckenridge 2 different times. Once for Veteran's Day weekend and again for Thanksgiving. I don't feel like I can pull off 30 Days of Nothing without cheating a lot. So I'm putting it off until January. I'm bummed. I love 30 Days of Nothing in November. Our culture jumps from Halloween to Christmas and skips right over Thanksgiving. To me, November should be a time of thankfulness, reflection, gathering in, pausing to reflect, and appreciating all that we're blessed with. We will still do that as a family. (Remember our thankful tree? That's starting as soon as I feel better.) We will not shop for Christmas or think about Christmas or worry about Christmas until December.
And now I'm off to the bathroom...
10/28/10
10/27/10
I'm Not Making This Stuff Up.
My children are so funny. This is how I found them the other night while
they were practicing their instruments.
My children are so funny. This is how I found them the other night while
they were practicing their instruments.
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| Why he's wearing the ninja scarf while drumming, I don't know. Don't ask me such difficult questions. Too bad his extra large Ethiopian forehead prevents him from really seeing out of the eye hole. It's a little awkward. |
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| Why are they so weird? Carver practicing in his snowboard boots. He was excited because they're new and he didn't want to take them off. |
10/26/10
10/25/10
10/22/10
I have this huge, gigantic, ranting, pleading, political, religious post in my head that I've written 50 different times and just need to get it out there, but then I think, "Really?" Who would it make feel better? Uh... me. And would it help society in any way? Um, probably not. It ranks right up there with other stupid ideas I've had like growing my hair out. November 2 can't come soon enough, because I'm tired of the hate and the whining and the bickering and the bull and the polarizing and the same 3 issues (being gay, abortion, and taxes) being hashed out over and over and over again. Really, people? We haven't moved forward at all? Look, I'm a Christian. I'll come out and say it after years of beating around the bush. But don't put me in a box and don't assume you'll know what I think on every issue. How would Jesus vote? To be honest, Jesus probably wouldn't make it to the polls in time because He'd be too busy working in a soup kitchen. I just want to wake up on November 3rd, read the results in the paper--good and bad--and get on with life. And then keep working in my own village on the issues that are important to me (cough... public school, equality, adoption... cough). Therefore, I will spare you my brain ga-ga and give you a photo of cutie Z on hay bales. Happy? Of course you are.
PS--This is not to say that I take for granted my right to vote. Oh no. Not at all. I'm just worn out with the campaigning.
PS--This is not to say that I take for granted my right to vote. Oh no. Not at all. I'm just worn out with the campaigning.
Yesterday
5:15 Wake up and run.
6:15 Shower, drink coffee, and pretend like I'm excited to be up that early.
6:30-7:35 Make pancakes, make lunches, make kids happy, sign papers, grab sweatshirts, bite my tongue about what my oldest is wearing, try not to forget anything as we walk out the door.
7:50 Kiss Lily and Zinabu good bye and drop them off at school.
8:15 Kiss Carver good bye and drop him off at school.
8:15:01 Turn on the radio and listen to NPR to catch the news.
8:20 Stop at the park and play fetch with the dog.
8:40 Drop off dog at house, check on Mom, attempt to tidy things a little but finally admit it's a losing battle. Throw dinner together and stick it in the fridge with instructions of when to bake it.
9:00 At Ali's house. Go in her car with her and talk non-stop. We have a rare morning of getting together with Shannon and the three of us grab coffee, buy birthday presents, and look for Halloween costumes.
11:30 Realize I forgot lunch. Start getting hungry. On my way to Lily and Zinabu's school.
11:40 Sign in at school for the day. Stop by the cafeteria to say hi to my babies. Learn that youngest baby traded all his grapes for BBQ potato chips. Try not to wring youngest baby's neck.
11:45 Start my volunteer work at the library. Spend 2.5 hours helping shelve books, talking to sweet kiddos about what they want to read, and blatantly push my favorite authors on unsuspecting minors.
2:30 Find Lily and Zianbu and start driving home.
2:45 Drop off Lily, who is excited because it's cooking day for her with one of our neighbors. She goes over there to bake. Grab some snacks. Grab drum sticks and music books. Leave for drum lessons.
3:00-3:30 Spend a blissful 30 minutes finishing a fantastic book while Zinabu pounds away on the drums with his drum instructor.
3:45 Take Z home and dash off to Carver's school to pick him up and take him to a wrestling meet. Find out that 3 other kids need a ride to the wrestling meet, so I quickly grab them as well.
3:48 Listen to one of my passengers tell me he has to have a window seat or he'll get sick. Make sure that kid sits by the window.
4:15-6:15 Watch a middle school wrestling meet. This is my second. I spend the entire time cringing and holding my breath. There are no words to describe it. David stops by and we share a quick visit. I make sure he knows to get dinner ready.
6:30 We're home. Eat dinner with family. Pretend to be listening as Lily asks for the ten thousandth time for a horse. Notice Zinabu sounds stuffy and probably is getting another cold.
7:00 Clean up and start homework.
7:30 Help Lily and Carver with their instrument practice.
8:00 Put Zinabu to bed.
8:30 Put Lily to bed.
8:45 Put Carver to bed.
8:46 Stare at a blank wall.
5:15 Wake up and run.
6:15 Shower, drink coffee, and pretend like I'm excited to be up that early.
6:30-7:35 Make pancakes, make lunches, make kids happy, sign papers, grab sweatshirts, bite my tongue about what my oldest is wearing, try not to forget anything as we walk out the door.
7:50 Kiss Lily and Zinabu good bye and drop them off at school.
8:15 Kiss Carver good bye and drop him off at school.
8:15:01 Turn on the radio and listen to NPR to catch the news.
8:20 Stop at the park and play fetch with the dog.
8:40 Drop off dog at house, check on Mom, attempt to tidy things a little but finally admit it's a losing battle. Throw dinner together and stick it in the fridge with instructions of when to bake it.
9:00 At Ali's house. Go in her car with her and talk non-stop. We have a rare morning of getting together with Shannon and the three of us grab coffee, buy birthday presents, and look for Halloween costumes.
11:30 Realize I forgot lunch. Start getting hungry. On my way to Lily and Zinabu's school.
11:40 Sign in at school for the day. Stop by the cafeteria to say hi to my babies. Learn that youngest baby traded all his grapes for BBQ potato chips. Try not to wring youngest baby's neck.
11:45 Start my volunteer work at the library. Spend 2.5 hours helping shelve books, talking to sweet kiddos about what they want to read, and blatantly push my favorite authors on unsuspecting minors.
2:30 Find Lily and Zianbu and start driving home.
2:45 Drop off Lily, who is excited because it's cooking day for her with one of our neighbors. She goes over there to bake. Grab some snacks. Grab drum sticks and music books. Leave for drum lessons.
3:00-3:30 Spend a blissful 30 minutes finishing a fantastic book while Zinabu pounds away on the drums with his drum instructor.
3:45 Take Z home and dash off to Carver's school to pick him up and take him to a wrestling meet. Find out that 3 other kids need a ride to the wrestling meet, so I quickly grab them as well.
3:48 Listen to one of my passengers tell me he has to have a window seat or he'll get sick. Make sure that kid sits by the window.
4:15-6:15 Watch a middle school wrestling meet. This is my second. I spend the entire time cringing and holding my breath. There are no words to describe it. David stops by and we share a quick visit. I make sure he knows to get dinner ready.
6:30 We're home. Eat dinner with family. Pretend to be listening as Lily asks for the ten thousandth time for a horse. Notice Zinabu sounds stuffy and probably is getting another cold.
7:00 Clean up and start homework.
7:30 Help Lily and Carver with their instrument practice.
8:00 Put Zinabu to bed.
8:30 Put Lily to bed.
8:45 Put Carver to bed.
8:46 Stare at a blank wall.
10/20/10
10/19/10
Recently Overheard
Lily and Zinabu were playing with Play-Doh yesterday. They were giggling and having an absolute ball. I was making muffins, and we were all together in the kitchen enjoying the afternoon. The giggles were growing, and then turned into all-out laughter. I asked them what was so funny, and Lily said, "We're making giardia!"* Nothing like science experiments concocting parasites.My kids. They're beyond me.
*Only families with children from Ethiopia know how this is such a fun part of our lives.
10/17/10
10/15/10
Questions/Answers
Tesi, bless her heart, wants to know the answers to the following questions. So I will oblige her. I am way behind on my blogging and it's nice to not have to come up with a topic all by myself. It might also be because I have photos on the camera waiting to be uploaded and the camera is in the car because we went to Carver's orchestra concert last night and I am too attached to my cup of coffee to walk the 20 paces to the door and go out and find the camera so I can post photos of Zinabu's field trip yesterday.
It might be.
1. What is your biggest pet peeve? Oh golly. Way to get to my inner dark side right off the bat. I recall saying in the last year that as I get older, the more pet peeves I acquire. It's not good. I have some strange ones, but I think the one that gets me most often is people standing too close to me in line. It always happens at the grocery store. The person behind me has their cart pushed up right against my thighs. As I'm paying, the next customer in line is right there next to me waiting for their items to be scanned. I HATE it. LOATHE it. First of all, people just need to be a little more patient in store lines. Second, respect my personal space. Just respect it.
2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? London, London, London, and London. Growing up we moved a lot, and I've had the opportunity to live in and near many major cities: New York City, Washington D. C., Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Denver. My favorites are the Twin Cities. They're hard to top, and we still miss living there so much. At this point in my life, I'd be happy to get out of the United States for a bit, and London is just so.... London! I told David if Sarah Palin was ever elected President, we would buy one-way tickets to England and get the heck out of here.
3. Have you ever been searched by the cops? As in actually frisked? No. My car? Yes. Our yard? Yes. Interviewed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Absolutely. But my mom reads this blog and I don't want to frighten her.
4. What is the one thing on your mind right now? If I said world peace, would you believe me? I hate this question because I have 6,982 things on my mind right now. Like paperwork, emails, errands, laundry, cleaning, groceries, David working too much, running, trying to be in 4 places at once, getting my kids to follow through, and where to put the rabbits. And that's just in the last 5 minutes. I guess what's been on my mind the most this week is weather. It's been a gorgeous fall here in Colorado, but cold is right around the corner and I'm not happy about it. I'm signed up for a half-marathon in January in Phoenix, and Ihave to get to somehow keep running early in the morning in snow, ice, and freezing temps. How do people do that?
5. Favorite song right now? The only time I really get to listen to music is when I'm running, so the songs on my ipod are "running inspired." I currently love Pink's So What and All These Things That I've Done by The Killers. It's all about motivation.
6. What talent do you wish you had? Tesi said "singing" and Rebekah said "running faster." They really should have checked with me before they answered that question because those are MY answers. Thieves! If I had to pick something different, I would say the ability to be comfortable around large groups of people, making small talk, etc. I am introverted, and I envy you extroverts who walk into any room and feel not a drop of apprehension. My family wishes I was more talented at cooking.
7. Favorite drink? Hmmmmm. Decaf coffee or V8 tomato juice. And tea. I drink only decaf these days. I was having some heartburn issues, and giving up caffeine and carbonated drinks cleared it right up. I am so geeky to love V8 tomato juice. But I do. Every day for a snack I have an apple and a V8. Yum.
8. In one word how would you describe yourself. Non-confrontational. I like a quiet life, know what I mean? I think it comes from being more introverted, but I detest getting into any kind of disagreement with anyone. I would not describe myself as a pushover, though. I don't like confrontation, but that doesn't mean I can't get into it with someone if it's necessary. Raising three children who have brown skin means I chose a path that includes a fair share of confrontation. It's a part of my life, but I'm not ever going to be comfortable with it.
And how about you? I'd love to know how you would answer these questions. Email me or write it on your own blog!
Tesi, bless her heart, wants to know the answers to the following questions. So I will oblige her. I am way behind on my blogging and it's nice to not have to come up with a topic all by myself. It might also be because I have photos on the camera waiting to be uploaded and the camera is in the car because we went to Carver's orchestra concert last night and I am too attached to my cup of coffee to walk the 20 paces to the door and go out and find the camera so I can post photos of Zinabu's field trip yesterday.
It might be.
1. What is your biggest pet peeve? Oh golly. Way to get to my inner dark side right off the bat. I recall saying in the last year that as I get older, the more pet peeves I acquire. It's not good. I have some strange ones, but I think the one that gets me most often is people standing too close to me in line. It always happens at the grocery store. The person behind me has their cart pushed up right against my thighs. As I'm paying, the next customer in line is right there next to me waiting for their items to be scanned. I HATE it. LOATHE it. First of all, people just need to be a little more patient in store lines. Second, respect my personal space. Just respect it.
2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? London, London, London, and London. Growing up we moved a lot, and I've had the opportunity to live in and near many major cities: New York City, Washington D. C., Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Denver. My favorites are the Twin Cities. They're hard to top, and we still miss living there so much. At this point in my life, I'd be happy to get out of the United States for a bit, and London is just so.... London! I told David if Sarah Palin was ever elected President, we would buy one-way tickets to England and get the heck out of here.
3. Have you ever been searched by the cops? As in actually frisked? No. My car? Yes. Our yard? Yes. Interviewed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Absolutely. But my mom reads this blog and I don't want to frighten her.
4. What is the one thing on your mind right now? If I said world peace, would you believe me? I hate this question because I have 6,982 things on my mind right now. Like paperwork, emails, errands, laundry, cleaning, groceries, David working too much, running, trying to be in 4 places at once, getting my kids to follow through, and where to put the rabbits. And that's just in the last 5 minutes. I guess what's been on my mind the most this week is weather. It's been a gorgeous fall here in Colorado, but cold is right around the corner and I'm not happy about it. I'm signed up for a half-marathon in January in Phoenix, and I
5. Favorite song right now? The only time I really get to listen to music is when I'm running, so the songs on my ipod are "running inspired." I currently love Pink's So What and All These Things That I've Done by The Killers. It's all about motivation.
6. What talent do you wish you had? Tesi said "singing" and Rebekah said "running faster." They really should have checked with me before they answered that question because those are MY answers. Thieves! If I had to pick something different, I would say the ability to be comfortable around large groups of people, making small talk, etc. I am introverted, and I envy you extroverts who walk into any room and feel not a drop of apprehension. My family wishes I was more talented at cooking.
7. Favorite drink? Hmmmmm. Decaf coffee or V8 tomato juice. And tea. I drink only decaf these days. I was having some heartburn issues, and giving up caffeine and carbonated drinks cleared it right up. I am so geeky to love V8 tomato juice. But I do. Every day for a snack I have an apple and a V8. Yum.
8. In one word how would you describe yourself. Non-confrontational. I like a quiet life, know what I mean? I think it comes from being more introverted, but I detest getting into any kind of disagreement with anyone. I would not describe myself as a pushover, though. I don't like confrontation, but that doesn't mean I can't get into it with someone if it's necessary. Raising three children who have brown skin means I chose a path that includes a fair share of confrontation. It's a part of my life, but I'm not ever going to be comfortable with it.
And how about you? I'd love to know how you would answer these questions. Email me or write it on your own blog!
10/12/10
I Get To Run
I woke up this morning to fierce wind, overcast skies, and freezing rain. Not exactly the ideal running weather. So I waited until this afternoon and headed to the Y to run on the treadmill. I am not a fan of the treadmill. It's mind-numbing and artificial, and there's usually some big buy next to me snorting and sweating profusely, completely ruining the zen atmosphere. As I was 30 minutes into feeling like a gerbil on a wheel, I saw a man in a wheelchair using the weights. I immediately thought of this article. And instead of saying, "I have to run on the treadmill" I switched to "I get to run on the treadmill." Because I need to be more grateful for what I have. Like legs that work.
A few less "have to's" and a lot more "get to's" make me a better person.
10/11/10
Monday, Monday, Monday... Why Do You Hate Me So?
Bronchitis, stomach flu, and bitter disappointment cloud this day. There is a silver lining. I am not one who is sick. I am the cleaner-upper of the vomit, though. It's so amazing to see a child's breakfast going down, then coming back up again in almost perfect form an hour later. Oh, is this too graphic for you? Sorry. It's just routine for me.
I was supposed to be painting the trim around our windows and putting away the patio chairs and sandbox toys for the winter. Instead, I am doing laundry and wiping a brow and listening to my mom try to cough her lungs into submission. But I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The bitter disappointment I speak of is about the new bunny. Lily bought Carver a rabbit for his birthday--cause that's how we roll around here. I was really pushing for the name Mr. Darcy. Hard. I even suggested Harry Potter. But he went ahead and named the bunny Fred.
Fred.
Cause that's how he rolls, I guess.
Bronchitis, stomach flu, and bitter disappointment cloud this day. There is a silver lining. I am not one who is sick. I am the cleaner-upper of the vomit, though. It's so amazing to see a child's breakfast going down, then coming back up again in almost perfect form an hour later. Oh, is this too graphic for you? Sorry. It's just routine for me.
I was supposed to be painting the trim around our windows and putting away the patio chairs and sandbox toys for the winter. Instead, I am doing laundry and wiping a brow and listening to my mom try to cough her lungs into submission. But I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The bitter disappointment I speak of is about the new bunny. Lily bought Carver a rabbit for his birthday--cause that's how we roll around here. I was really pushing for the name Mr. Darcy. Hard. I even suggested Harry Potter. But he went ahead and named the bunny Fred.
Fred.
Cause that's how he rolls, I guess.
10/7/10
I Dare You Not To Laugh
Couldn't do it? Neither could I.
The photo is a little blurry because I could not stop giggling. Carver decided to join the wrestling squad at school. Carver, who weighs (fully dressed and soaking wet) a feathery 70 pounds. Carver, who is so ticklish all you have to do is say you're going to touch him and he dissolves into giggles. Carver, who is the smallest kid on the squad and has had to wrestle girls. They gave him and extra small uniform, and it's still baggy. It just doesn't get any funnier.
But I'll give him props for his attitude. He is happy and loving it. Despite David and I "suggesting" he try something else. He doesn't care about his size. He doesn't care about his ability. He doesn't care if it isn't the most popular sport. He just wants to get out there and have fun. He's just so amazing at this thing called life.
He could give me a few lessons.
The photo is a little blurry because I could not stop giggling. Carver decided to join the wrestling squad at school. Carver, who weighs (fully dressed and soaking wet) a feathery 70 pounds. Carver, who is so ticklish all you have to do is say you're going to touch him and he dissolves into giggles. Carver, who is the smallest kid on the squad and has had to wrestle girls. They gave him and extra small uniform, and it's still baggy. It just doesn't get any funnier.
But I'll give him props for his attitude. He is happy and loving it. Despite David and I "suggesting" he try something else. He doesn't care about his size. He doesn't care about his ability. He doesn't care if it isn't the most popular sport. He just wants to get out there and have fun. He's just so amazing at this thing called life.
He could give me a few lessons.
10/6/10
Directions For Wednesday
1. Sit at computer.
2. Stick a bowl under your chin.
3. Go here.
4. Commence drooling.
1. Sit at computer.
2. Stick a bowl under your chin.
3. Go here.
4. Commence drooling.
10/5/10
Forgive me. I've been recovering from a bunch of middle school boys who slept over on Friday night. We (ok, not really me--but Carver) had a fantastic time. A little laser tag, some pizza and cupcakes, and staying up late with Uno and Yo-Yos. Yes. You read that right. Yo-yos are back in vogue.
The best part of the weekend was getting to meet Lyndon. Lyndon is Carver's new best friend. They met the first week of school and are pretty much inseparable. What's funny is that Lyndon is just a white version of Carver. They are so similar it's freaky. And Lyndon is so sweet and such a crack-up. Middle school was when I met two of my dearest friends ever. It was such a delightful season in my life. I'm hoping Carver and Lyndon are going to have the same experience.
Lily had a volleyball game this weekend, and I got to cheer her on in my sleep-deprived-only-ate-pizza-for-breakfast-what-was-I-thinking kind of stupor.
This week has started rough. David is sick, Zinabu was sick, and I'm just flying by the seat of my pants. Can you relate?
The best part of the weekend was getting to meet Lyndon. Lyndon is Carver's new best friend. They met the first week of school and are pretty much inseparable. What's funny is that Lyndon is just a white version of Carver. They are so similar it's freaky. And Lyndon is so sweet and such a crack-up. Middle school was when I met two of my dearest friends ever. It was such a delightful season in my life. I'm hoping Carver and Lyndon are going to have the same experience.
Lily had a volleyball game this weekend, and I got to cheer her on in my sleep-deprived-only-ate-pizza-for-breakfast-what-was-I-thinking kind of stupor.
This week has started rough. David is sick, Zinabu was sick, and I'm just flying by the seat of my pants. Can you relate?
10/1/10
9/30/10
9/29/10
9/27/10
Love
When David is gone, we all feel his absence. Especially at bedtime. Silly us... we started the tradition of reading aloud to our kids at night when they were babies. You know, the crazy dream of spending more time with them. Fast forward 12 years and we still read aloud to them, one at a time, at night. When David is gone and it's just me, it's a little zany. It takes forever to get those kids read to. I've considered scrapping it. But then I feel guilty. And guilt is just mother nature's way of telling you what to do as a mom.
But when David is around, he is full-on dad. And the kids soak him up. It's hard that his job takes him away from us often, but he is so good about doing as much as he can with the kids when he's available. (Like a 7 mile mountain hike with Lily yesterday.)
Can you tell Zinabu is particularly fond of him?
9/25/10
A Note From My Mom, Examined
Even though we live with mom, we're usually passing each other throughout the day. We've invented this hi-tech system of keeping tabs on one another. It's called "paper and pen." My notes to her usually read something like, "Sorry the breakfast dishes are in the sink. I'll clean them when I get back." or "Sorry the kids woke you up while they were dancing." Her notes to me are adorable. Case in point:
Even though we live with mom, we're usually passing each other throughout the day. We've invented this hi-tech system of keeping tabs on one another. It's called "paper and pen." My notes to her usually read something like, "Sorry the breakfast dishes are in the sink. I'll clean them when I get back." or "Sorry the kids woke you up while they were dancing." Her notes to me are adorable. Case in point:
a,) I am a grown woman, but she cannot write a note to me without smiley faces.
b.) She always, always, plays with the dog. Even though she doesn't have to. She loves him.
c.) She tells me where she's going so I'm not worried.d.) She says, "hee hee." So cute.
e.) Cannot resist drawing a heart when she signs "Mom."It's hard to guess my age based on this note. She keeps me young!
9/24/10
9/21/10
30 Days
Jayme certainly wins the award for going the extra mile on the "30 Days" challenges. Every month of this year, she has challenged herself in a new/different way. Currently, she is taking her kiddos to 30 parks in 30 days, which I think is utterly brilliant. Getting exercise AND exploring your city. It's a win win.
I have not been doing challenges every month--unless staring at your depleted pantry and trying to come up with some kind of dinner that includes kidney beans and crushed pineapple counts. I've done a few challenges, and of course they've been wonderful. Nothing like mixing up your life a little to keep you on your toes.
I spent one month reading only non-fiction. It was hard. You know I love to read and you know I love me my stack of books next to my bed and you know I can have 3 or 4 different fiction books going at the same time. But I wanted to stretch my brain a little and I limited myself to just non-fiction. I avoided most parenting books because they usually make me feel like I've done everything wrong and my kids are doomed and have no chance at life. However, I picked up How To Raise A Drug-Free Kid and found is to be very helpful and resourceful. If you live in a bubble and think your kids are never going to have to deal with being offered drugs (in any form) then you don't have to read this book. The rest of you, I highly recommend it. Very practical and it gives you the courage to have "those talks" with your kids when the time is right. I also read Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture and despite a lengthy history of the manufacturing business, I appreciated reading the facts and statistics about what I already suspected and know to be true. I never, ever, ever shop at Wal-Mart, and this book confirmed my theories. Rounding out the month I finished some foodie books, including Michael Pollan, and a book on the spiritual journey of Paul the Apostle.
Another month I was determined to cut down how much meat we were eating. To be honest, I don't think we eat that much. David will have to defend himself on that one, but as for me and the kids, we were eating a portion of meat with dinner every night. I challenged myself to go completely vegetarian, while I made 2 or 3 vegetarian meals for the family each week, leaving 4 or 5 meals with meat. And I have not looked back. I don't miss the meat at all. It's been 2 months now. People immediately ask me "How do you get your protein?" quickly followed by "How do you cook vegetarian for yourself and something else for your family?" My response is, "I get plenty of protein. Please don't worry about me." and "I make a main dish for my family and a large vegetarian side dish for me and the family to share. Plus lots of salad and fruits and grains." It's not hard at all. If anything, my kids are eating better because they'll try what I make for me and end up really enjoying it.
Suddenly, we are moving closer to October--which means November is right around the corner. And last November was when I participated in 30 days of Nothing. A total spending freeze on everything but food or emergencies. I want to do it again, and I hope you start thinking about if you could do it, too.
It's a lot easier if we're in it together.
Jayme certainly wins the award for going the extra mile on the "30 Days" challenges. Every month of this year, she has challenged herself in a new/different way. Currently, she is taking her kiddos to 30 parks in 30 days, which I think is utterly brilliant. Getting exercise AND exploring your city. It's a win win.
I have not been doing challenges every month--unless staring at your depleted pantry and trying to come up with some kind of dinner that includes kidney beans and crushed pineapple counts. I've done a few challenges, and of course they've been wonderful. Nothing like mixing up your life a little to keep you on your toes.
I spent one month reading only non-fiction. It was hard. You know I love to read and you know I love me my stack of books next to my bed and you know I can have 3 or 4 different fiction books going at the same time. But I wanted to stretch my brain a little and I limited myself to just non-fiction. I avoided most parenting books because they usually make me feel like I've done everything wrong and my kids are doomed and have no chance at life. However, I picked up How To Raise A Drug-Free Kid and found is to be very helpful and resourceful. If you live in a bubble and think your kids are never going to have to deal with being offered drugs (in any form) then you don't have to read this book. The rest of you, I highly recommend it. Very practical and it gives you the courage to have "those talks" with your kids when the time is right. I also read Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture and despite a lengthy history of the manufacturing business, I appreciated reading the facts and statistics about what I already suspected and know to be true. I never, ever, ever shop at Wal-Mart, and this book confirmed my theories. Rounding out the month I finished some foodie books, including Michael Pollan, and a book on the spiritual journey of Paul the Apostle.
Another month I was determined to cut down how much meat we were eating. To be honest, I don't think we eat that much. David will have to defend himself on that one, but as for me and the kids, we were eating a portion of meat with dinner every night. I challenged myself to go completely vegetarian, while I made 2 or 3 vegetarian meals for the family each week, leaving 4 or 5 meals with meat. And I have not looked back. I don't miss the meat at all. It's been 2 months now. People immediately ask me "How do you get your protein?" quickly followed by "How do you cook vegetarian for yourself and something else for your family?" My response is, "I get plenty of protein. Please don't worry about me." and "I make a main dish for my family and a large vegetarian side dish for me and the family to share. Plus lots of salad and fruits and grains." It's not hard at all. If anything, my kids are eating better because they'll try what I make for me and end up really enjoying it.
Suddenly, we are moving closer to October--which means November is right around the corner. And last November was when I participated in 30 days of Nothing. A total spending freeze on everything but food or emergencies. I want to do it again, and I hope you start thinking about if you could do it, too.
It's a lot easier if we're in it together.
9/19/10
9/16/10
Zinabu's Track and Field Day
Yesterday was Zinabu's track and field day. Lily's is today. They split the kids between upper elementary and lower elementary so they have lots of time to do all the events. This is one of the best days of the year for my kids because they love ditching their schoolwork and running around. We were a little frazzled getting out of the house yesterday, and my arms were full of extra sweatshirts and coffee and papers, so I left the camera sitting on the kitchen table.
Nice one.
So without further ado, I give you Zinabu's track and field day.
Yesterday was Zinabu's track and field day. Lily's is today. They split the kids between upper elementary and lower elementary so they have lots of time to do all the events. This is one of the best days of the year for my kids because they love ditching their schoolwork and running around. We were a little frazzled getting out of the house yesterday, and my arms were full of extra sweatshirts and coffee and papers, so I left the camera sitting on the kitchen table.
Nice one.
So without further ado, I give you Zinabu's track and field day.
 |
| Here is Zinabu running the 50 meter dash. That Ethiopian DNA makes him fast! |
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| Oh look! Here's Zinabu at the giant parachute. Don't you love the way he's laughing with his friends? |
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| Zinabu and Sadie doing the sack race. I hope he marries Sadie when they grow up. She is the sweetest little thing. Aren't they darling? |
|
| Now this one is my favorite. All the kids trying to get marbles out of the buckets of water with their feet. |
|
| Zinabu and his classmates, grinning and playing. |
9/14/10
9/12/10
Intervention
Too much, do you think? A tad overboard? Believe it or not I use every single box. I need my tea--especially when it's cold. But even during the rest of the year, I love a cup of tea. (I'm drinking some right now as I type.) I cannot guarantee you that my library books aren't delinquent or that my children are wearing matching socks, but I can certainly guarantee you a cup of tea if you need one. It's all about priorities, darlings.
9/10/10
Safety 101
Carver is 11... soon to be 12. As he grows older he is entrusted with more responsibilities. Which is good for him, but worrying for mama. Every day when I look at him, I see the 2 year old boy who spent his day giggling. It's hard to keep up with how fast he's growing.
We live on a beautiful, secluded street. It's a loop, so the kids have the freedom to ride their bikes around the loop (if they're together). Carver has the option to ride his bike by himself around our neighborhood. We've talked about what to do if you get hurt or lost. We've talked about not talking to strangers or getting into their cars. We've talked about calling home if you meet a friend and want to play. But we've never talked about what to do if you meet a bear. Which turns out to be the one thing we should have talked about.
Who knew?
The other day Carver rode his bike around our loop and stopped at a neighbor's house. He rang the doorbell but no one was home. He turned to go but stopped when he heard a rustling sound. A bear (Yes, a bear. I did not say squirrel or fox or rabbit or raccoon or hedgehog or big dog or giraffe or flamingo or beaver. I said bear.) walked out of the bushes and stood between Carver and his bike. The bear sniffed Carver's bike and rooted around for a little bit, then strolled on down the driveway and across the street. Carver then picked his jaw up off the porch, wiped the cold sweat off his brow, grabbed his bike and booked it out of there.
He was shaken up. I was floored. I tried not to overreact but praised him for his cool head and quick actions. Then I went inside and fainted. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This motherhood stuff is not for sissies.
The bear is a bit lost. Yes we live in Colorado and yes we live in a woodsy area, but we also live pretty far from the foothills and are smack in the middle of a city. I'm hoping he finds his way back to the mountains to hibernate. Since Carver saw it, the bear has been on our back porch twice. Now, when anyone wants to go outside, we have to do a bear check. It's reeeeeeaaaaallllly fun.*
(*that's me being sarcastic.)
(*that's me being sarcastic.)
9/8/10
Recently Overheard
Zinabu's teacher relayed this story to me. I shared it on Facebook, but in case you missed it (you know, since Facebook should not be the way people share stories anyway. I'm still trying to figure out what Facebook is really good for). Zinabu's teacher asked the kids during the first week of school to get to know one another. She told them to turn to the person sitting next to them and share something about themselves that the other person wouldn't know. Perhaps a talent or a favorite hobby, or even a fact about their family. Something they wouldn't know by just looking at each other. Zinabu, in all seriousness, turned to the kid next to him and said, "I'm brown."
Zinabu's teacher relayed this story to me. I shared it on Facebook, but in case you missed it (you know, since Facebook should not be the way people share stories anyway. I'm still trying to figure out what Facebook is really good for). Zinabu's teacher asked the kids during the first week of school to get to know one another. She told them to turn to the person sitting next to them and share something about themselves that the other person wouldn't know. Perhaps a talent or a favorite hobby, or even a fact about their family. Something they wouldn't know by just looking at each other. Zinabu, in all seriousness, turned to the kid next to him and said, "I'm brown."
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