SSMT #14

Can I just say that this is getting harder and harder? It's not difficult to find a verse to memorize, it's difficult to find the discipline to actually memorize it! Anyway, here's my verse:

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.1 John 5:12

Grammy Daycare... Educational, Adventurous, Fun

It occurred to me yesterday as I sat watching "Dinosaur Train" with Sunny that Grammy Daycare offers a lot in the way of education. Why, at that moment we were sitting in Paleontology Class. It was followed by an episode of "Sid the Science Kid" which is my version of Applied Science Class. I think I'm on to something here.

watching Gramps prepare "animal pancakes"

Grammy Daycare also offers Art Class, Food Preparation Class, Zoology, Baking Class, Home Economics, Physical Education, Math, and Reading. Wow! I never realized what an advanced curriculum I was providing.

breakfast with Buzz and Woody

We also have Vocal Music Class, Instrumental Music Class, and Dance. I provide counseling, discipline, structure, and as many kisses and hugs as are needed to make it through the day.

puzzle time

We have guest speakers (Gramps, Tia Jess, Gigi) and go on field trips (Culver's, the park). We study sociology by traveling to Joanna's house to learn to relate to peers by playing with her kids. We have outside time, movie time, story time, and rest time. I provide healthy meals and decadent snacks.

learning rhythm with Gigi and Tia

No wonder I'm exhausted at the end of a Grammy Daycare session!

this skirt really twirled when we danced

Sad

You know that expression "I cried my eyes out"?

On my way to where I am today, I have encountered many people who use tears as a tool of manipulation. Consequently, I do not trust tears. I rarely cry myself. And when I do it's usually short-lived. I know that tears are supposed to be a form of emotional release. I know that I should feel better after a good cry. That doesn't work for me. I feel worse after I cry than I did before. I'm sure mental health experts would have some interesting opinions about me, but I really don't care.

Don't get me wrong. I shed a few tears at the important things. Hallmark commercials. That ad that features the unwanted, abused pets. News of a newborn baby even if I have no idea who the parents are. Military personnel leaving for overseas. Military personnel returning from overseas. Every time I hear the National Anthem.

Of course, I've cried over all of my kids. (The tears I've shed over Zach alone would fill an ocean!) But yesterday I was alone. And there's been a lot of stressors in my life lately. It was the perfect storm for tears.

Yesterday I got the sad news that JD and Janel are not moving near to us. I should clarify. They are moving nearer. To Kansas. I didn't realize how much my heart was set on them moving to Prescott, or Phoenix, or Colorado Springs, or anywhere within 12 hours until I got the news that Kansas is their destination.

I had been practicing what I would say if they should call and give me such news. And I delivered my lines perfectly. So well, in fact, that into the conversation JD asked me if I was disappointed. Are you kidding me?! Disappointed doesn't begin to cover it.

I didn't realize how much I was hoping for a closer destination for them. I made it through the phone call. Then I hung up the phone. And cried. For hours. Fortunately Dan called and I was able to stop crying.

My eyes are a mess this morning. I can't see a thing.

I feel terrible that I am so sad. I should be rejoicing! I think they made a wise decision. I support them totally in this and will be encouraging... tomorrow. I am so glad they are getting out of South Carolina. I am thrilled that JD has found a place to finish his internship hours. I am relieved knowing that they will be close to family (Janel's).

I knew intellectually that they weren't coming to Phoenix, but evidently my heart didn't get the memo.

If I had a bucket list, I guess I could cross "have a good cry" off of it. Except there was nothing good about it.

Back to School

I opened the newspaper this morning to find several "Back to School" ads. I don't have kids in school anymore and the grandkids aren't old enough, but there's still just something about seeing those words. I guess they still serve as a milestone in the calendar year for me. I do have a daughter that teaches school, so when the BTS ads appear I know her summer vacation is almost over.

But those words also serve as sort of an alarm clock for me. Back to school means the temps in Phoenix will be lowering to a balmy 100 degrees in about eight weeks. It can mean that I will start to see Autumn and Christmas decor in Hobby Lobby, Joanns, and Michaels, but this year the decor is already out. It means that the 15 mph signs will once more appear in our neighborhood. That when I walk with Sunny down to my mailbox each day at lunch time, we will hear the shrill, happy voices of the kids playing at the elementary school a few blocks away.

"Back to School" no longer means that I have four lists of school supplies to buy. It no longer means trying to find a backpack that will make it clear through the year for each of boys. I don't have to buy any more scientific calculators. Good, they were very expensive. I don't have to supply Kleenex, college lined paper, or glue as contributions to the teacher's classroom stash.

I don't have to, but maybe I will anyway. This year, I'm going to purchase school supplies for four kids and donate them. Maybe my contribution will help four kids enjoy their first day of school just a little more...

It's Saturday?!

Oh my goodness. If you could see my house you would run screaming in the opposite direction. I am not exaggerating. We've needed to switch the guest room and office with each other for months now. We decided to do it this week. I've been motivated for a while, but Dan had to catch up with me. The fact that Thunder is coming any minute and that Sunny will be staying with us a night or two finally motivated him. That's the good news.

The bad news (or maybe it's the other good news) is that he has so many appraisal orders that we are only able to work on the switch for a few minutes each day. A job that should have only taken a few hours has stretched out to several days. In the meantime, I have furniture from both rooms strewn throughout the house as we clean carpets. I think there is stuff piled on every single flat surface of my home. It is so cluttered. And clutter drives me crazy.

Dan's at Sam's Club today followed by an appraisal appointment. While he's out, I'm going to try to load as much furniture as I can into the guest room. I can't manage the bed so I'll have to wait on him. Then I'm going to switch the closet items for the rooms. If all goes well, I think the job should be complete by end of day tomorrow. At least I hope so.

In other news, we are on intense baby watch. Or maybe I should say I am on intense baby watch. Each day that goes by, Katie has more aches and pains, pressure and swelling. I get more and more excited with each new report. Since my increasing excitement irritates Katie, I have to release it on Dan. Needless to say, he's getting weary, too. We have a family pool to guess the date Thunder will arrive. I guessed today. Katie guessed two days ago. The rest of them guessed the 14th through the 19th. I'm sure Katie hopes I'm right!

Happy Birthday, Katie! Happy Anniversary, JD & Janel!

We have multiple celebrations in our family today. Katie (my 3rd child, 2nd daughter) was born 25 years ago today. Katie was a total surprise to us. And what a great surprise she was! It has been a joy to watch her grow into the lovely woman she's become. She is talented, creative, friendly, smart, compassionate, and a wonderful mother. Happy Birthday, Katie!

The other special event we're celebrating today is JD & Janel's 3rd wedding anniversary. Dan talked to JD last night and it sounds like they have a romantic day planned in honor of their anniversary. They are in the middle of a huge transition in their lives; looking for jobs and preparing for a long-distance move. I'm glad they can take today off to relax and enjoy spending time with each other. Happy Anniversary, JD & Janel!

Welcome July!

SSMT #13
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

One of the blogs I read wrote about this verse a few weeks ago. Her husband uses this verse as part of his marketing plan for his business. Isn't that cool? Anyway, when I read it I knew I had to memorize it. It applies to every aspect of our lives.

Christmas in July!
Yesterday Jessica and I dropped by Hobby Lobby after Katie's baby shower and oohed and aahed over the Christmas aisles. I am so collecting coupons and heading back there next week to buy Autumn candles. I found lots of decs that will work for my kitchen Christmas tree. I need new wreaths (mine are completely worn out). Fortunately Jess is good at floral design and has agreed to help me create some new designs for this year. Last year the music channel on TV started playing Christmas music on July 5th for Christmas in July. I will be tuning in this year to see if they continue that tradition. Hey, when it's 116 degrees outside, it's psychologically helpful to be thinking of Christmas...

Baby Shower
Katie's co-workers threw a baby shower for her yesterday and were kind enough to include Jessica and I. We had a great time. Katie's co-workers are so nice, friendly, and FUNNY! (These women are also dedicated, compassionate, and determined to make a difference in the lives of children who are wards of the state of Arizona). I haven't laughed that much in ages and I had sore muscles by the end of the party.

One of her co-workers crocheted a beautiful blanket and cap for Thunder. I promised to take a picture of him in them at the hospital. Someone also gave Sunny a "big sister" gift. Isn't that sweet. The cake was made from scratch and was the best cake I've tasted in years. It was incredibly rich, but somehow, not too sweet. The restaurant was decorated with lots of blue and brown balloons. Such a fun day...