The Funny Paper

Today was super cool because I took my coupons out of the Sunday paper and Reagan spied the funnies. I gave each kid a section of it and they laid on the floor and read them. I had flashbacks to when my sister and I used to do the same thing. What was even more entertaining was the fact that they thought because they looked like cartoons that they would be funny to them. I also remember as a child waiting to read them and then not finding them funny at all. Today I tried it again as I saw some of the same comics I used to read as a kid. Much to my surprise they are VERY funny now. I get it. Adult humor. The best one reminded me of my husband and his sister as they had a comic about two kids sitting in the back seat arguing about how they "weren't touching each other." Ron used to hold his finger a millimeter away from Michelle and say, "I'm not touching you." He still does that from time to time to me and I make sure he pays for aggravating Michelle all those years!! LOL

Most Polite

Ron and I dropped Ryan off at school the other day and his teacher called us to the side. As we stood there and waited to talk to her I ran through the possibilities of things she could want to talk about. None of them were particularly good and I was inventing ways of answering her. Much to my surprise the teacher said, "Ryan is the most polite child I have EVER encountered!" She mentioned how children is age tend to bump into a person and just keep walking, but Ryan always says, "excuse me" and "Sorry Miss Lyn." So we were instructed to keep doing whatever it is that we are doing because it's working and he is a joy to have in class. Ron and I just looked at each other and said, "thank you, we will." We were overwhelmed by such a nice compliment that really falls to Ryan for remembering his manners. Then we laughed in car assuming that today would probably Ryan's rudest day ever. That was not in fact the case and so we give Ryan a hand for being super polite!

I was trying to figure out what makes him/them so polite and the only thing I can think of is that we are polite to him. I do think some it has to do with personality, but we do make sure he uses his manners. I imagine this is surely a case of what you put in you get out. Needless to say we are super proud of Ryan!!

So Much for Everyday!!

Ugh. I cannot believe that in less than a month I have not kept this resolution!! I guess I just don't have quite that much material yet. Over the last few days I have learned another not so great thing about myself. I am super competitive, but only with Ron it seems. Here is some background. We got a Wii for Christmas. Ron and I play tennis almost every day. He beats me almost every time and somewhere around game three there is mild cursing and the need to take a deep cleansing and calming breath while I repeat..."this is only a game." We play together against the computer and I am just fine. When Ron becomes my opponent I play as if millions are on the line and I might lose a sponsor if I don't win. I have decided that this very game is perfect grounds for me to learn patience and grace when I don't get my way. It's also an excellent time for me to control my ever challenging tongue and learn new words instead of those stinky bad ones. I am getting better albeit very slowly. Turns out that if I talk myself into a calm place I don't get to the cursing, yelling part. Who knows maybe this stupid game will help me achieve the calm filled with grace person I have always wanted to be. It certainly doesn't hurt to follow the tennis matches with baseball in which I slaughter Ron's team every time. Ah yes...that is wonderful. Good thing Ron loves me and doesn't take it personal win I cheer and dance when I win a match!!!

Dishes

I hated doing dishes as a kid and I hate doing them now. If fact I have a sink full now and I have finally learned that waking up to them ruins the start of my day. So nothing interesting tonight just the knowledge that some things you don't grow out of once you reach adulthood. For me it's a messy bedroom and loathing the chore of dishes. Thank goodness the girls are old enough to start taking over some of the dish doing. As for my bedroom it's a battle but an important one so I am trying to keep it nice. I think once it gets it's make over it will be even easier to keep clean. Off to do the dishes...oh how I hate doing the dishes...

My Dad

Today's blog is because I miss my Dad. I love the way he interacts with my children. I appreciate how generous he is with time and sometimes money too!! I love when he lets me see his soft side and makes me laugh when he acts all tough. I love that even though his body sometimes screams sixty something, his heart is my age. I love that even though life has been hard and unfair, he still loves Jesus as though it has been perfect. I love that thinking about him makes me smile. I love that God has given me the best Dad a kid could get. I love that because of my dad me and my family love and serve God and therefore have the best life ever. So Dad...thanks. Thanks for everything. The good times, the not so good times, the mistakes and the successes. It's because of you that I am who I am. I am blessed and grateful that you are mine. I love you...

Am I Worth It?

I have a dilemma. This summer is the Close To My Heart convention and I really want to go. I will get to see Nona whom I haven't seen in a couple of years, spend time with Tiphanie and attend classes and have a great weekend. So what's the dilemma? It's expensive. I know I can save the money but once I do it's this big chunk of change and there are so many things to "need" instead of want. I was surprised that the real issue is do I think I am worth the money it will take to go? Much like my dear husband my paychecks get eaten up by bills and needs for everyone but me. So all this pocket money I was supposed to have has not quite materialized like I had hoped. It has been awesome as Christmas, birthday's and a bunch of other things have been paid for with my little pay check. God has been good and it has stretched far. So if I have done all this for nearly a year for everyone else, why do I feel guilty spending it on myself?? Maybe it's time I blaze new trails for Mom's like me that feel like everyone else in the family is worth great things but us. In my head it really doesn't come out as such a pity party and that's not what I am trying to convey but it is there in the back of my head. Otherwise there is zero reason for me not to be excited about going. No reason I should second guess it because it will be paid for in cash. The other cool thing is I, unlike others can drive to it. So here is what I am going to do. I am going to keep this New Year's Resolution and I am going to go. I am going to take time for myself in one giant chunk and do something that is just for me and all about what I want to do. It may be selfish it may not but I will be sure to let you know how it all works out!! Secondly I will purpose in my head that I will not allow myself to feel anything but excited. As each dollar is saved I will choose to be proud of myself and excited that I have this opportunity. Plus it will give me good practice saving because Ron is turning 40 in 2011 and as we all know it will be here before we know it! I am NEVER going to be able to quit my job...lol

Then and Now

I have stuff to say but no time to say it so enjoy these then and now pictures. The years are 2007/2010.


Ryan