B-Nut's Special Day....of course she's special every day!

I absolutely LOVE, I mean ADORE, my children's preschool. It happens to be at our church, which I also LOVE and ADORE. All 5 of my children have attended, and I have taught there (off and on and between birthing babies); since my Addi Jo (age 11) was 18 months old. This year, B-Nut and Elli-oooo both attend; and I work one day/week there. B-Nut is in the actual preschool while Elli-oooo attends the Mother's Day Out program. This will be B-Nut's last year to attend, as she will starting kindergarten next year. At our preschool, they have what is called A SPECIAL DAY. This is a day, not necessarily around their birthday, that is chosen by their teacher to honor that particular child. Yesterday was B's SPECIAL DAY. On this day, the child being honored gets to do many super things that the teacher plans out. In B's class, her teacher Ms. Peggy, makes this the most fabulous and special honor for the child; and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Let me preface this by telling you that B knew her special day crown was going to be pink....the child gets to choose the color, so she requested to wear something pink and to wear her hair in such a way that "the special day crown will fit comfortably." She also gets to choose a snack to bring to share with the class and a special book. B, was torn between bringing cupcakes or donuts, but since the snack is at 9:30; we really encouraged her to bring donuts. I know.....I know.....both are loaded with sugar, but somehow I feel better about giving the children a sugar buzz off of glazed donuts rather than cupcakes. Ms. Peggy gives the Special Day Child a gift, that she has found in nature, in other words a true gift from God. This is B opening the box.

In the box was a beautiful sparkly rock that Ms. Peggy had found when she was visiting a river. The child shows everyone in the class and then puts it in the nature center for everyone to enjoy for a few days before returning it to nature.

Parents are invited to come and celebrate in the morning. Ms. Peggy really likes daddys to come. This is me and B, in her pink crown.

Here are B and Ms. Peggy...her wonderful teacher. Ms. Peggy was also Addi Jo's and Drew's teacher.

Here is NPayne reading the special story that B chose to bring to school to share. She chose to bring Dream Snow by Eric Carle. It's a fabulous book.

B also gets to be the leader and the weather/calendar girl for the day. She gets to use her "Weather Girl" voice and use the microphone.

Here is the class playing a game.

B also got to be the drummer, in the class band, and choose the songs to sing and play. She chose "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Jingle Bells."

Here is the class band in action.

Here is my very special Bryna....she is special every single minute of every single day!

There's the very honorable SPECIAL DAY CHAIR!

WOW....Was that fun or what? We are so blessed to be a part of such a special school with such special people, and I can honestly say that besides being a mama; working there is the best job in the whole world.

Lions, Tigers, and Physical Therapists...Oh My!

I have been asked how the physical therapy on my foot is going, and honestly I don't want to talk about it; because I might throw up if I get into too much detail. I will tell you that I don't know how ANYONE, who you have just met (literally walked up and introduced yourself), can get so friendly with a perfect stranger's foot....it's just plain wrong. HOWEVER....I am really grateful and glad that this particular person, Staci (my PT), doesn't have a phobia or problem with feet (as do I); otherwise I would be walking around with a permanent gimp and a lot of pain. NUFF SAID!

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY.......a thousand words!

Here are the 5 best gifts I have ever received. I don't have a lot of words this week, but I think this picture speaks a thousand words on its own. You want an introduction to my children, here it is....their personalities are shining through.

For more fun or to play along, go to Angie's blog at www.angiescircus.blogspot.com

Children.....they really hear God!

Tonight was the shopping night for my 3 older girls. Each year, they use their allowance, money they have earned or made and go shopping for their family, friends and special people in their lives. You have to understand....this is a well thought out and planned shopping trip complete with lists and plans on how to split up, so they won't see what they are buying for each other. It's actually pretty fabulous to witness, and I love the fact that they spend so much time choosing gifts for the people they love. My girls, at least my older two, really and truly know the meaning of Christmas; and that almost brings me more joy than my heart can physically hold. As for Bryna, my 5 year old, she enjoys shopping for others; but occasionally I still get the....Can I have this? question. I am happy that at least now when I gently remind her that "we are buying gifts for others", she will continue to browse and doesn't end up in a meltdown. Although Bryna can still get a bad case of the gimmees.....I know that this little girl really hears God. This became evident to me tonight on our way to Dollar Tree (the dollar store where everything really is $1). The girls were chatting and giggling, and the radio was on our local christian music station. I could barely hear a lady talking, and although I couldn't hear what she was saying....I could tell that her voice was quivering; so I turned it up. As we listened to this lady's heartbreaking story about her gravely ill little girl, Drew and Addi became quiet; but Bryna she continued to giggle. Drew tried to shush her, but Bryna giggled a little more; and then she said something. I didn't hear what she said, and I began to lecture her about being respectful of other people's pain. When I quit rambling long enough to notice, I could hear her quiet voice and what she was saying. She said, "Mama, I was praying!" I immediately knew that her giggles weren't at the expense of someone else's pain, but they were because she was listening and could really hear the voice of our Lord. I don't know what He was telling her about that lady and her sick little girl, but it was good stuff. It made me feel so much peace for this woman, on the radio, whom I have never met and her ill child; and I am so thankful that children can really hear God when He speaks to them. As we get older, I think it's so much easier to tune Him out (unintentionally); and it's so much more difficult to BE STILL and listen and then celebrate and giggle at what He tells us. I love when my God makes me giggle, and I am going to really really listen. I am so thankful for this gentle reminder,,,, this busy time of year.....and I am always in the mood for a good giggle.

I'm joining in Kingdom Mama's Titus 2 Tuesday this week. This is my first attempt at this, so I hope I do it justice; and I hope I do my friend Lezleigh justice as well. For more Titus 2 Tuesday, click on my Titus 2 Tuesday picture on the side of my blog....that will take you to Kingdom Mama's blog.

Today I wanted to honor a very sweet lady and a good friend, Lezleigh. I am going to try to tell you some things about her, and I am going to use her own words for part of this post (to keep it accurate). I met Lezleigh at church several years ago. We shared the same Sunday School class for a few years, and we have been involved in many groups, committees, etc. at church. She is a good solid Christian woman who is strong in her faith through good times and bad. Lezleigh has a great husband and a sweet little boy. They have faced some challenges with their son, because he has some special needs (which aren't always being addressed in his school environment). She has and will continue to fight for her boy. Because her son hasn't officially been "diagnosed" with something that the schools consider a "special need," he is not given special services that could and would really benefit him. It's really disheartening to know that a child, who has special needs, will be denied services because of a lack of an "acceptable" diagnosis. She and I have traded a million e-mails and conversations about what she can do to get her son the help that he needs and is legally entitled to but isn't given. Lezleigh has even pleaded with his teachers and given them information to let them know how to help her son, but her information has been dismissed or ignored. It is very frustrating to me, and I know it is EXTREMELY frustrating to her; but on she fights for her son and his well being.

Lezleigh's family suffered a horrible tragedy a few years back....when her brother, Casey, who was in his very early 20's, lost both of his legs in the war. Casey has suffered so much physical and emotional pain, that I can't even imagine, and in turn so has his family. Lezleigh is a strong woman and has supported her baby brother through this tragedy every single inch of the way. I truly believe that God brings good out of, what can seem like hopeless and awful, experiences; and I know that Lezleigh embraces that belief as well. Because of her faith, her love for her brother, and her devotion to other veterans....she has become involved in a really wonderful organization. I think this is where God chose to bring the light of good, out of this tragedy, and into Lezleigh's life and in turn into the lives of so many others through her. The following are her words about this fabulous group....Impact Player Partners http://www.impactplayer.org/ They are a support organization that helps out the wounded Iraq/Afghanistan vet as well as their family. They give financial support, emotional support, support getting back into the workforce outside of the service. They have an inside track with alot of sports authorities, who give MASSIVE support in many ways to the guys/girls. Casey's been to Hawaii for football Pro Bowl, he's been to several events in the US sports wise thanks to their generosity. They have been a sponsor of his skiing on his challenge team. They have given mom and I massive financial support every time we've had to go with Casey somewhere for a surgery (they pay for our hotel, meals, etc.) We have also made connections with people in every walk of life that want to support our vets in any way they can, it's been an amazing way to network. Most importantly, we have made lifelong friends with the founders of the organization, Dick Lynch and Jim Hoelker. They have been there in some pretty tough times 24/7 for us when we needed them. I've had some conversations with them at the most bizarre hours getting through some times I didn't think I/Casey would. They have been there for us and for Casey when others have forgotten about the war, and still are.
Thus, I go and speak about the organization whenever called upon--I owe them more than I could every repay. I've spoken to small groups, I've spoken to large groups, I've been on the radio.
I've also spoken on behalf of Challenge Aspen, Casey's ski team. This is a group who is training for the Paraolympics in 2010, and they run completely off sponsorships. So whatever I can do for them, I do.

Today I want to honor my friend Lezleigh and let her know that her courage, will to fight for those she loves, and her strong faith speak to me in a much deeper way than words ever could.

Once again, I thank God for this introduction!

Hold On To Your Seat....It's Another Episode Of.... Not Me Monday

The following is a list of things I would not, could not, should not....with a cat, with a hat, in a car....(sorry got sidetracked for a minute)....absolutely DID NOT do this past week.


1. I did not sleep until 9:00 on Saturday morning only to arise to my sweet little baby girl (with naturally curly hair) in curlers.....maybe the hair curler fairy comes at night while I'm asleep and rolls her hair, then comes and takes them out in the morning before I arise....who knew that's how she got that naturally curly hair, and I thought it came from me.
2. I did not cause my eldest daughter to cry when I told her that her "clean" room was indeed not "clean" and explain that shoving things under the bed, couch or in the corner does not make a clean room and only makes a mother IRRITATED. I did not feel badly that I caused her to cry, and I did not wish that she would just put it away appropriately; so there would be no reason to get upset and cry.

3. I did not enjoy our 72nd annual candlelighting service at church, and I really did not enjoy watching my eldest daughter (the one I made cry) play the part of a shepherd.

4. I absolutely did not realize that I had my first visit with the Physical Therapist on Thursday, about 15 minutes before the appointment. I did not rush into my bathroom, pull up my pant legs and quickly and hurriedly and painfully shave my legs (in case she had to touch them while doing PT on my foot...which she did).

5. My foot did not feel much better after PT, and I did not end up with a sore neck; and I am not realizing that my body isn't just as young as it use to be.

6. When I went to PT this morning, I secretly did not wish she would quit rubbing my leg and get on up to my sore aching back.

7. I have not and am not secretly wishing that there really was a Santa, so he could bring my children their gifts; even though I'm uneasy around Santa (post on that coming soon).

8. I did not really enjoy the Christmas Parade, and I am not really glad it's over.

9. I did not replace my ink cartrige, in my printer twice, because I was not printing so many Christmas letters to enclose with my Christmas cards.

10. I DO NOT love Christmas cards...creating them, sending them and receiving them.

11. I did not cut my own hair....and it wasn't A LOT!

12. I did not almost faint when I saw the TERRIBLE cut that my mother DID not sustain on her hand while falling down in her bathroom. GOOD NIGHT NURSE!! I did not take the parrish nurse, from church, over to my mom's house to look at her hand and make sure it was not going to get infected and fall off. Work with me here.....It WAS NOT a serious cut.

13. On Friday, I DID NOT enjoy taking pictures of our church family putting together 110 bikes for the children at our local children's home, and I WAS NOT amazed at the sight of all of those bikes. Then I DID NOT smile a lot when I went to watch Addi and her Girl Scout troop ice skate, and I DID NOT smile a lot when they sang "The First Noel."

14. I absolutely DID NOT realize that I had purchased the exact same Christmas gift for her Girl Scout troop leader (that I had purchased last year) while we were heading to the party, and I did not come clean with her and tell her that I realized this after the fact; and that she could regift it. I was not extremely happy when she said the gift from last year was completely worn out, and she was thrilled to receive it again; and I did not wonder if she was just being polite and will really regift that gift.

WOW!!! I did not have a long list this week, and I did not do any of these things!!!

For more NOT ME MONDAY and to play along, click on MckMama's button on the side of my blog.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

What are you listening to right now? Me? Oh I'm listening to 3 of my children giggle, and sing and play "A Whole New World" (from The Little Mermaid) on their keyboard upstairs....they are suppose to be cleaning their playroom, but it doesn't sound like a whole lotta cleaning is going on.

Sunday Sermon Summary

As I've mentioned in my previous "Sunday Sermon Summary" posts....this season of Advent, our church is promoting a Simple Christmas. Last week the sermon covered how to worship more fully and keep Jesus close in the midst of a busy (nothing wrong with that) time of year. Today's sermon was titled Spend Less. On the way to church this morning, I told my children to be sure and really listen to the sermon today....there would be a mother administered test afterwards (and there was). Pastor Ken talked about how the Lord wants peace for us (Psalm 85:8-13), so he used this scripture to support the following....we should decorate, spend, socialize, etc. (this holiday season) as much as we want to as long as it brings us peace. In other words, if we get irritated at the fact that the decorations aren't going the way we planned or irritated at the fact that we are going to have to take all those decorations down or we get ourselves in a world of debt purchasing gifts or we get overwhelmed or stressed out by all of the activities; then we shouldn't do those things. We should do whatever brings us peace and brings us closer to Jesus....whatever will allow us to celebrate the birth of Christ and worship Him fully without causing us to feel irritated, overwhelmed or stressed. I thought it was a great message, as I always do, and I thought it was a good one for my children to really listen to this morning. During lunch, we did have the "mother administered test or pop quiz" as we ate lunch together. We blessed our food, shared our roses and thorns and then I asked the following....who can tell me something that Pastor Ken talked about this morning? I looked at Bryna (my 5 year old) who is just now able to sit in church without getting up a million times to ask me a quiet question. I received a very blank stare. Then I asked Drew (my 7 year old) who usually will quote you something from the sermon weeks later, because she is quite attentive. I received a sweet smile, hesitation and an attempt to blame Bryna for talking to her during the sermon as to why she couldn't hear Pastor Ken....to which she received my reply of you shouldn't blame your sister if you weren't listening....she reluctantly agreed. Then I asked Addison (my 11 year old) who could restate the sermon (in an 11 year old way) each week, because she is very attentive and has probably missed attending worship a handful of times in her 11 years of attending our church. As Addi began to speak, I told her younger sisters that they would probably be reminded of the sermon after they listened to her answer. Drew immediately began to add comments and intercede as Addison recapped the sermon for us (as I knew she would). I think putting her on the spot threw her for a loop. Bryna.....NOT SO MUCH! I told her to listen carefully as her sisters recapped the sermon in more understandable and appropriate 5 year old words. Both older girls completely understood what Pastor Ken had said (Bryna understood after she listened to her sisters), and they both understood why I chose for us not to put up every single decoration we have this year; and why we don't spend much money on Christmas (which we have never done....partly because we don't have much to spend but mainly because it's not about us, and we are way beyond being blessed and don't need anything....that's a whole other tangent and a whole other post). We discussed how Ken said it's perfectly okay to give gifts to those you love, but you don't have to go in debt to do that. My children are really thoughtful and generous people, and they do LOVE to give gifts to the ones they love; and right now there are some gifts under our tree (that I can guarantee you didn't cost them a dime to make but are worth more than all the money in the world....hmmmm sort of like God's gift to us).

COMING SOON.............

Christmas Card
My Take on SANTA
What's In A Name
Sunday Sermon Summary
NOT ME MONDAY
THE NEW ME!

Du..du...dudu....Drum Roll Please.....2008 Parade Pictures

Here they are....the long awaited pictures from the 2008 Christmas Parade! Okay....so maybe they aren't really that long awaited, but I hope you enjoy them. Addi Jo as a present....OOOPS....somebody tried to tear her open....we should have put DO NOT OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 25th!

Our Adventure Guide float getting ready to depart from our driveway. The float also carried the "male" version of Adventure Guides, so there was a mixture of little girls and little boys.
After she finished walking in the parade, Addi Jo came to watch with us....she was trying to warm up Elli (who refused to wear her mittens).

Here are our Adventure Guides.....girls and boys. Can you tell which 2 are mine? Hint....Hint....Drew and Bryna rode on the float! They were COLD but still having a blast!