(please note this post may be somewhat warped by the outside temp of 102 – or my personal temp of 100 due to some summer-body-ache-up-all-night-illness)
Last August, when our students still thought our daily life was interesting, Marinna went to the local hardware store with me. It was one of probably four trips for me that week as we were still deep into our basement project. It was her first trip to such a place in her life.
She stared around in bored awe – not understanding one thing she saw – probably how I would look at the tools needed to fix the hubble telescope. Why even bother to ask what something is or what something does if you won't understand the answer?
She calmly stated, “Oh I know – this is for DIY. You Americans really like DIY. We don't.”
“Oh, how I hate misconceptions of internationally broadcasted television,” I thought. “No.” I said, “actually we don't like DIY – it is just so expensive to hire someone that we are forced to do it ourselves.”
“Yes it is cheap to hire labor in China, but a lot of us don't have any extra money. We wouldn't know how. How do you know how?”
I wanted to say.... “See that our basement is STILL leaking? We obviously don't know how either.” But the truth was, Jarod and my dad can do about anything... I don't know how other DIY'ers do it but these guys are amazing. They have taken a 50 gallon leak down to a small trickle with some rain barrels, dirt and some chewing gum – for $500.00 instead of $5,000. But still I said, “We don't know exactly what we are doing but both of our grandfathers did, my dad and uncle do, and Jarod just figures stuff out as we go along. We don't like this – but it allows us to have the kind of home and life we like – full of beauty and people – that's why we DIY.”
But I am a big fat lier.
We finished the house an we started the man cave. Half-way through the man cave we started the yard – the hand trenching of waterlines and electrical lines and building a dry river bed – half-way through that we started the pond and during DIYing the pond we discuss the porch that needs to be done and the fence -and peppered through the last year are of course a million little DIY projects lurking around every corner that need to be done in a 100 year old house – turned dorm.
Then we started the waterfall. And half-way through shoveling out the second truck bed of rock in 100 degree heat, I thought, “we don't need a freaking waterfall!”
I think we are addicted to DIY. I look at our garage that for a year has looked like the hardware store just puked all over it. Our garage looks like a DIY vomit volcano and our children spew the words, “When are we going to finish... XYZ...” like memorized play parts. There are half-used remnants of our projects everywhere and all I can think of is the verse from Proverbs, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” That is me every time I go into my garage. That is Jarod every time I ask him what he is thinking, in a quite moment before we fall asleep or on the way home from church and all he can spew is some technical mumbo-jumbo about the waterfall.
Should I start a DIY'ers anonymous? Is there need for it out there? Should I just move to Suadi Arabia and hire their laborers, as we are told it only costs $17 to have a whole room painted professionally? What is the answer? I don't know – but I was going to hire someone to paint the trim of our house... I really was – but then we learned that we'd have to call a certified lead guy – and they would tape off our house as hazardous and charge us 10 times as much. So I'll be DIYing that... while my children eat the lead paint chips, I'm sure.
But for what it is worth – like the guy smoking a cigarette through his hole in his neck – telling you that smoking isn't cool – I am telling you DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF. AT ALL COSTS - DNDIY!!!!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Harriet Beecher Stowe
She is recorded as stating at one point in her life, "i am but a mere drudge with few ideas beyond babies and housekeeping."
... i keep good company these days - I tell you - with women today and of the past.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
awesoming - a contemplation
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
I think God comes to me in books sometimes. Sometimes they just come in the mail from a friend or are recommended to me for someone else and I read a few chapters and find out it is actually for me. I need these books – the ones I would never choose on my own that say, “Sit down, shut up and breathe.”
Breathe in all the goodness of grace and of God. All that is not me and all that I can freely enjoy. One would think that the breathing in and finding pleasure in the goodness of life would be innate – something like sneezing that no culture, no matter how corrupt, could steal from God's children. But it's not. And I find myself graceless and this is like a punch in the gut of life. I quench the unmerited favor of God every time I step on the rat wheel of earning and measuring and doing to BE. But God already is – and God has forgiven, and therefore I am. Perhaps that is what it means to be made in the image of God – to be present in this world – and know that “it is good.”
But I am not about the process – I am ALL about the arrival. My friend Lyndsey and I - on my recent visit, half drown in babies and child rearing, ministry and family, talked continually of women we know who are “awesome”. We spoke of older women who read. Women who are generous with their time and resources. Women who remain calm in the face of fiasco. Women who raised six kids, held two jobs, have beautiful teenagers and clean houses. We are sure they potty trained their little ones without one melt down – because they are “awesome”. And we think we are not. We KNOW we are not. And we joked one another and said, “one day we will be awesome – maybe even the next time we see one another - if we give it a decade or so.” But we are confident that our awesome day is coming. But today, we are convinced is NOT it. Today we wallow in our “not awesomeness”.
But then I read a paragraph – a paragraph in a book about being a pickle. It takes time to turn cucumbers into pickles – they have to sit there for weeks “pickling” to perfection. And it would be ridiculous to expect anything else – anything but time and process – to make a pickle. So maybe, Lyndsey, today we are not awesome – but we are “awesoming” - it is a process – and somedays it feels more like drowning. But it isn't. It is being submerged in the narrative of God's love and goodness and grace in spite of ourselves. And perhaps if we'd spend less time trying to escape the “awesoming” process or figure out what we are doing wrong and just enjoy the submergedness of the daily experience – and soak in all the goodness – we'd see it in our own lives like we can see it in the lives of each other. The “pickling” – the “awesoming” - is a beautiful thing – it just may taste a little like vinegar at times. And if nothing else it at least gives me a good chuckle to picture myself as a pickle with a little Amanda face screaming, “help, help, get me out of this jar.”
Oh - and P.S. We are hoping the end result of our process will be a little more complex than that of a pickle so we could be stuck here for a good long while :)
I love you my “awesoming” Lyndsey – thanks for letting me process with you for a few days.
Philippians 1:6
I think God comes to me in books sometimes. Sometimes they just come in the mail from a friend or are recommended to me for someone else and I read a few chapters and find out it is actually for me. I need these books – the ones I would never choose on my own that say, “Sit down, shut up and breathe.”
Breathe in all the goodness of grace and of God. All that is not me and all that I can freely enjoy. One would think that the breathing in and finding pleasure in the goodness of life would be innate – something like sneezing that no culture, no matter how corrupt, could steal from God's children. But it's not. And I find myself graceless and this is like a punch in the gut of life. I quench the unmerited favor of God every time I step on the rat wheel of earning and measuring and doing to BE. But God already is – and God has forgiven, and therefore I am. Perhaps that is what it means to be made in the image of God – to be present in this world – and know that “it is good.”
But I am not about the process – I am ALL about the arrival. My friend Lyndsey and I - on my recent visit, half drown in babies and child rearing, ministry and family, talked continually of women we know who are “awesome”. We spoke of older women who read. Women who are generous with their time and resources. Women who remain calm in the face of fiasco. Women who raised six kids, held two jobs, have beautiful teenagers and clean houses. We are sure they potty trained their little ones without one melt down – because they are “awesome”. And we think we are not. We KNOW we are not. And we joked one another and said, “one day we will be awesome – maybe even the next time we see one another - if we give it a decade or so.” But we are confident that our awesome day is coming. But today, we are convinced is NOT it. Today we wallow in our “not awesomeness”.
But then I read a paragraph – a paragraph in a book about being a pickle. It takes time to turn cucumbers into pickles – they have to sit there for weeks “pickling” to perfection. And it would be ridiculous to expect anything else – anything but time and process – to make a pickle. So maybe, Lyndsey, today we are not awesome – but we are “awesoming” - it is a process – and somedays it feels more like drowning. But it isn't. It is being submerged in the narrative of God's love and goodness and grace in spite of ourselves. And perhaps if we'd spend less time trying to escape the “awesoming” process or figure out what we are doing wrong and just enjoy the submergedness of the daily experience – and soak in all the goodness – we'd see it in our own lives like we can see it in the lives of each other. The “pickling” – the “awesoming” - is a beautiful thing – it just may taste a little like vinegar at times. And if nothing else it at least gives me a good chuckle to picture myself as a pickle with a little Amanda face screaming, “help, help, get me out of this jar.”
Oh - and P.S. We are hoping the end result of our process will be a little more complex than that of a pickle so we could be stuck here for a good long while :)
I love you my “awesoming” Lyndsey – thanks for letting me process with you for a few days.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
the blur
So, after we unloaded our house of students one month ago and I cried a few tears and said, “uhh" and "ahh,” and “what am I going to do with myself?” I had a nice dose of reality. I miss those guys – a lot – but seriously – 3 months? That's nothing.
This month: we re-filled the house, watered the grass, directed a play, watched our son graduate kindergarten, went to Iowa, watered the grass, put in a pond, traveled through 9 states, attended two weddings, had two sick kids, and low and behold one of the students is already back from Saudi Arabia! I mean, really, what is this world coming to when someone can travel – literally – half way around the world before I can organize ONE closet? I was. I really was going to organize my closets this summer – and paint the trim on my house – but apparently I am having way too much fun for any of that. So much fun I'll just have to show you the blur of the month in photos, pay someone to paint my trim, and still not have time to blog or organize my closets next month.
This is Nancy who lived with us for only 2 weeks. She was a sweety - but poor thing what crazy two weeks with an American family. Can't you tell by my children?
The Awesome cast of "the mirror" - our last play at High Plains Christian school. These guys - couldn't have done better. I have loved this special hang out time with middle schoolers that last few years.
Jude's Kindergarten class with blue frosting teeth. I can't believe that next year these five will all go to different schools. - they have gotten so close. Maybe I'll start a school in my basement just for them... yeah... that's a great idea. I REALLY need to be going to bed now.
Ok so this is Kingsen, Nancy, and Julia (all from china - all living in our house for a while) all attending Jude's kindergarten program. Yeah people, that's the kinda entertainment we provide at 703 Fort. Beat that.
This is the only picture I took during our 3 days in Iowa (Toni took some great ones I guess - just ask my mom - they are on facebook). But we had an awesome time with grandma Mary as usual - and this is Jarod in front of the 1919 Model T his grandfather built. Also i found out that he built a boat when he and Mary had two little girls and baby - so I am thinking Jarod's love for a good time consuming hobby obsession came to him honestly. Also, the motto from Mary that will never leave me is: "save it, anyhow." Actually, yesterday in the mail we received a small plastic tupper-wear that I had left there by accident. I would have never missed it. So I guess her second montra could be "mail it, anyhow." I love that lady. And her grandson. And their quirks.
Lucy's first haircut - we took Maysyn for bravery. Totally unnecessary. She wanted pink highlights and to cut it "by myself" toward the end.
On the way to NC we stopped at the "Creation Museum" and met up with some friends from college. Their son Nathaniel - is the quite studious type and asked his parents when they would be returning. Better them than me since they only live 1 hour away.
The creation museum tuckered them all out.
3 cousins with water guns in the setting sun. 12, 6, and 3... there is something about "cousinness" that breaks down the age barrier. "Well, these adults don't seem to be leaving each other's side so whose here to pass the time?" Generation after generation. Right Nic and Gabe?
This is my Lucy and Jude with the Mcann Lucy and Ellie. Our wonderful friends who were missionaries in Honduras are now pastoring in Charlotte. And just like they graciously housed and fed us there - they did it again - and just like my kids overwhelmed theirs' there - they did it again here. I guess there is something about "sisters in Christ" that require our children to learn to tolerate bizarre friends from across the world too.
Ok - I have a whole blog to write about this photo (I don't know if it will happen) but this is my beautiful, wonderful friend Lindsey Mcann and I... and though my thoughts here run deep - all I can say is - My son is an amazing photographer (even noticing backlighting) but he is vertically challenged and that is a real bummer when photographing our figures and faces. Right Linds?
This is my Aunt Teresa and Uncle Bill on the day of their son's wedding. They are amazing. After 40 years of marriage - and more difficulties than one would think can fit into 40 short years - they are still in love. Actually their marriage is kinda non-stellar right now, but I think a season like that is to be expected now and again. I am still not sure why Uncle Bill brought Aunt Teresa these Krispy Kremes before the perfect storm of preparing her and their grandson for an outdoor wedding where it was 100 degrees with thunderstorm warnings. But he did. She didn't know why he brought them either - but they were yummy. They even put on the bakers hats and had a good laugh. So, that's how I know they are going to be ok. Eventually. Again. Like always.
This is Gabe's wedding - where it didn't rain. it should have - but didn't it - just cooled down real nice - added some intensity to the moment and was absolutely perfect
These are three of my favorite people at the reception. They hate this picture but I think it is absolutely perfect as well.
This is Lucy licking her wedding cupcake frosting like an ice cream cone. She licked it perfectly clean - did not touch the cake - and I laughed so hard I cried.
These are my amazing aunts and uncles, parents, and bride and groom. I love them. They are amazing... so different but amazing.
These are my children, the day after the wedding at a Children's museum Star Wars exhibit. And this is why our children never will want to travel alone with their parents. Because the day after a wedding, with all the comings and goings and yadda, yadda, yadda, who cares about a Star Wars exhibit? Grandparents - thats who - not parents - only grandparents.
Home at last! Our summer students are AMAZING! And totally chipped in to implement the dry river bed I have been dreaming of for months. They put up with such insanity. The day I get home from a 10 day trip and I have a daughter with a 102 fever I decide just the project we need for the evening is moving a literal ton of rock. That's stupid. Thanks for helping the stupid lady students. I was in a mess. Ok - so the students are Kingsen and Julia from China, Alsi from Turkey and Saad and Salah from Saudi Arabia. I love them. I want three more rooms so they can stay in the fall!!
Here is my wonderful husband and his wonderful - almost clear - almost non-scumy pond. This man can work miracles out of gatorade bottles, storage tubs, floor buffing pads, PVC and a pool pump. As long as his wife is gone for a week leaving him time to "work." Oh - and until we get the energy bill - then I think we might go back to a pumpless pond.
This is my son - in our green grass. I love this picture. I love that boy. I love the fact that while all this month was happening a dirt slide on the side of our house became a lawn. Who says miracles don't happen anymore?
This month: we re-filled the house, watered the grass, directed a play, watched our son graduate kindergarten, went to Iowa, watered the grass, put in a pond, traveled through 9 states, attended two weddings, had two sick kids, and low and behold one of the students is already back from Saudi Arabia! I mean, really, what is this world coming to when someone can travel – literally – half way around the world before I can organize ONE closet? I was. I really was going to organize my closets this summer – and paint the trim on my house – but apparently I am having way too much fun for any of that. So much fun I'll just have to show you the blur of the month in photos, pay someone to paint my trim, and still not have time to blog or organize my closets next month.
This is Nancy who lived with us for only 2 weeks. She was a sweety - but poor thing what crazy two weeks with an American family. Can't you tell by my children?
The Awesome cast of "the mirror" - our last play at High Plains Christian school. These guys - couldn't have done better. I have loved this special hang out time with middle schoolers that last few years.
Jude's Kindergarten class with blue frosting teeth. I can't believe that next year these five will all go to different schools. - they have gotten so close. Maybe I'll start a school in my basement just for them... yeah... that's a great idea. I REALLY need to be going to bed now.
Ok so this is Kingsen, Nancy, and Julia (all from china - all living in our house for a while) all attending Jude's kindergarten program. Yeah people, that's the kinda entertainment we provide at 703 Fort. Beat that.
This is the only picture I took during our 3 days in Iowa (Toni took some great ones I guess - just ask my mom - they are on facebook). But we had an awesome time with grandma Mary as usual - and this is Jarod in front of the 1919 Model T his grandfather built. Also i found out that he built a boat when he and Mary had two little girls and baby - so I am thinking Jarod's love for a good time consuming hobby obsession came to him honestly. Also, the motto from Mary that will never leave me is: "save it, anyhow." Actually, yesterday in the mail we received a small plastic tupper-wear that I had left there by accident. I would have never missed it. So I guess her second montra could be "mail it, anyhow." I love that lady. And her grandson. And their quirks.
Lucy's first haircut - we took Maysyn for bravery. Totally unnecessary. She wanted pink highlights and to cut it "by myself" toward the end.
On the way to NC we stopped at the "Creation Museum" and met up with some friends from college. Their son Nathaniel - is the quite studious type and asked his parents when they would be returning. Better them than me since they only live 1 hour away.
The creation museum tuckered them all out.
3 cousins with water guns in the setting sun. 12, 6, and 3... there is something about "cousinness" that breaks down the age barrier. "Well, these adults don't seem to be leaving each other's side so whose here to pass the time?" Generation after generation. Right Nic and Gabe?
This is my Lucy and Jude with the Mcann Lucy and Ellie. Our wonderful friends who were missionaries in Honduras are now pastoring in Charlotte. And just like they graciously housed and fed us there - they did it again - and just like my kids overwhelmed theirs' there - they did it again here. I guess there is something about "sisters in Christ" that require our children to learn to tolerate bizarre friends from across the world too.
Ok - I have a whole blog to write about this photo (I don't know if it will happen) but this is my beautiful, wonderful friend Lindsey Mcann and I... and though my thoughts here run deep - all I can say is - My son is an amazing photographer (even noticing backlighting) but he is vertically challenged and that is a real bummer when photographing our figures and faces. Right Linds?
This is my Aunt Teresa and Uncle Bill on the day of their son's wedding. They are amazing. After 40 years of marriage - and more difficulties than one would think can fit into 40 short years - they are still in love. Actually their marriage is kinda non-stellar right now, but I think a season like that is to be expected now and again. I am still not sure why Uncle Bill brought Aunt Teresa these Krispy Kremes before the perfect storm of preparing her and their grandson for an outdoor wedding where it was 100 degrees with thunderstorm warnings. But he did. She didn't know why he brought them either - but they were yummy. They even put on the bakers hats and had a good laugh. So, that's how I know they are going to be ok. Eventually. Again. Like always.
This is Gabe's wedding - where it didn't rain. it should have - but didn't it - just cooled down real nice - added some intensity to the moment and was absolutely perfect
These are three of my favorite people at the reception. They hate this picture but I think it is absolutely perfect as well.
This is Lucy licking her wedding cupcake frosting like an ice cream cone. She licked it perfectly clean - did not touch the cake - and I laughed so hard I cried.
These are my amazing aunts and uncles, parents, and bride and groom. I love them. They are amazing... so different but amazing.
These are my children, the day after the wedding at a Children's museum Star Wars exhibit. And this is why our children never will want to travel alone with their parents. Because the day after a wedding, with all the comings and goings and yadda, yadda, yadda, who cares about a Star Wars exhibit? Grandparents - thats who - not parents - only grandparents.
Home at last! Our summer students are AMAZING! And totally chipped in to implement the dry river bed I have been dreaming of for months. They put up with such insanity. The day I get home from a 10 day trip and I have a daughter with a 102 fever I decide just the project we need for the evening is moving a literal ton of rock. That's stupid. Thanks for helping the stupid lady students. I was in a mess. Ok - so the students are Kingsen and Julia from China, Alsi from Turkey and Saad and Salah from Saudi Arabia. I love them. I want three more rooms so they can stay in the fall!!
Here is my wonderful husband and his wonderful - almost clear - almost non-scumy pond. This man can work miracles out of gatorade bottles, storage tubs, floor buffing pads, PVC and a pool pump. As long as his wife is gone for a week leaving him time to "work." Oh - and until we get the energy bill - then I think we might go back to a pumpless pond.
This is my son - in our green grass. I love this picture. I love that boy. I love the fact that while all this month was happening a dirt slide on the side of our house became a lawn. Who says miracles don't happen anymore?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Cesped and other insanity
"Cesped" is the Spanish word for lawn. We learned it in language school in the city and NO Honduran native in the six months we lived in Urraco knew the word. They did not know what a lawn was. You know why? They don't have them. You know why? Because lawns are insane.
People who plant grass are crazy. Either that, or not entirely informed as to the undertaking cesped really is. Like when I started breastfeeding. Really, people? No one wanted to bother telling me that it was going to take 8 hours a day for at least two weeks? I think that is something I should have known. I think someone should have told me that I would be watering this stinkin' cesped 6 hours a day for a few weeks. That would have been nice info. (Jarod said he suggested a sprinkler system – but honestly – where is that money coming from?... I thought that was a joke.) No joke – my cesped is sucking the little life I had left right out through my mud coated feet. However, as insane as this fescue grass planting portion of my days have been for the last two weeks it is NOTHING compared to the insanity perused in other venues. Digging trenches to run extra water lines, renting large equipment to plant the seed, buying hoses and attachments, and the countless hours “schlepping” hoses is nothing compared to the end of semester/beginning of summer transition we have undergone... and really someone should have told us.
Told us that:
If God gives you a big house – expect it to be a hotel.
And expect the people in your hotel to take really long showers and eat at strange times.
If someone in your house is in finals week – you are all in finals week. If six people in your house are in finals week – you might want to leave.
Expect wind on BBQ days and lots of fun any way, even if no one knows what is going on
And you should expect to go one road trips just for the memory, even on your busiest days
If someone asks you to help them move – expect twice as much furniture – AND always expect mini-fridges at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Expect people you love to leave forever... and leave you with wonderful memories and some awesome “non-takables” – “I'll always remember her when I use this stapler.”
If you offer rides to the airport they will always SOMEHOW involve 4 a.m.
Always expect girls to try to over pack their bags by 5-10 lbs.
If you love people it is really emotionally draining to say goodbye... again and again...
Expect hugs from Saudi strangers and talkative long goodbyes from usually quite Asians
It is even more emotionally draining to have their bed taken over by a stranger - and to make friends with that stranger while folding laundry after 2 days of no sleep.
If you have Saudi guys living in your house they might leave unexpectedly, come back unexpectedly, or maybe even come back with a wife – you should learn to expect that.
You should expect flat tires at 6 a.m. And no jacks and tools.
You should expect emotional break downs and for at least one of your kids to get the flu
You should expect your parents to be strung out and your other friends to move without even saying goodbye... because really where were they supposed to find you?
You should expect to be sad everyday as you practice the “end of school” play with 8th graders... everyday knowing that one is watching from heaven... that never sits well.
You should expect weird weather patterns... and strange sleeping habits from everyone...
… and a lot of questions about who will fill the hotel beds next... and fights over who will water the cesped next.
And you should know that just when you think you can't handle it... when you can't WATER the stinkin' cesped one more time – God will send rain. Of course your basement will be wet. But you'll have time to clean that up because God will take care of the cesped, and all the other insanity. And just like breastfeeding – you'll look back and never regret one minute of any of it. But you'll wish someone would have warned you... or maybe you don't because you never would have thought, “Well, we might as well.” 'Cause that is just insane.
People who plant grass are crazy. Either that, or not entirely informed as to the undertaking cesped really is. Like when I started breastfeeding. Really, people? No one wanted to bother telling me that it was going to take 8 hours a day for at least two weeks? I think that is something I should have known. I think someone should have told me that I would be watering this stinkin' cesped 6 hours a day for a few weeks. That would have been nice info. (Jarod said he suggested a sprinkler system – but honestly – where is that money coming from?... I thought that was a joke.) No joke – my cesped is sucking the little life I had left right out through my mud coated feet. However, as insane as this fescue grass planting portion of my days have been for the last two weeks it is NOTHING compared to the insanity perused in other venues. Digging trenches to run extra water lines, renting large equipment to plant the seed, buying hoses and attachments, and the countless hours “schlepping” hoses is nothing compared to the end of semester/beginning of summer transition we have undergone... and really someone should have told us.
Told us that:
If God gives you a big house – expect it to be a hotel.
And expect the people in your hotel to take really long showers and eat at strange times.
If someone in your house is in finals week – you are all in finals week. If six people in your house are in finals week – you might want to leave.
Expect wind on BBQ days and lots of fun any way, even if no one knows what is going on
And you should expect to go one road trips just for the memory, even on your busiest days
If someone asks you to help them move – expect twice as much furniture – AND always expect mini-fridges at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Expect people you love to leave forever... and leave you with wonderful memories and some awesome “non-takables” – “I'll always remember her when I use this stapler.”
If you offer rides to the airport they will always SOMEHOW involve 4 a.m.
Always expect girls to try to over pack their bags by 5-10 lbs.
If you love people it is really emotionally draining to say goodbye... again and again...
Expect hugs from Saudi strangers and talkative long goodbyes from usually quite Asians
It is even more emotionally draining to have their bed taken over by a stranger - and to make friends with that stranger while folding laundry after 2 days of no sleep.
If you have Saudi guys living in your house they might leave unexpectedly, come back unexpectedly, or maybe even come back with a wife – you should learn to expect that.
You should expect flat tires at 6 a.m. And no jacks and tools.
You should expect emotional break downs and for at least one of your kids to get the flu
You should expect your parents to be strung out and your other friends to move without even saying goodbye... because really where were they supposed to find you?
You should expect to be sad everyday as you practice the “end of school” play with 8th graders... everyday knowing that one is watching from heaven... that never sits well.
You should expect weird weather patterns... and strange sleeping habits from everyone...
… and a lot of questions about who will fill the hotel beds next... and fights over who will water the cesped next.
And you should know that just when you think you can't handle it... when you can't WATER the stinkin' cesped one more time – God will send rain. Of course your basement will be wet. But you'll have time to clean that up because God will take care of the cesped, and all the other insanity. And just like breastfeeding – you'll look back and never regret one minute of any of it. But you'll wish someone would have warned you... or maybe you don't because you never would have thought, “Well, we might as well.” 'Cause that is just insane.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Evaluated
Happily, it looks as though all six of our wonderful students will be returning next year! We love this idea for SO many reasons... one of which is that we can't have done anything too horrible yet and that takes a load off. But just in case, and just to avoid any simmering problems under their polite skin, Jarod and I decided a year end evaluation of life at 703 Fort might be in order. Hence, this morning the children sleepily crawled into my lap as I continued typing the evaluation form. Jude asked what I was doing and then brightening to full alertness pleaded to take his own. So reading him the questions, this is how he answered - and I will record parts of it here because I never want to loose it. especially the part where our relationship is "GREAT".
One a scale of 1 -5 how would you rate:
Going to Bethesda? - a 5 which equals "I would like to do this more often!"
family meetings? - a 2 which equals "This activity is not so enjoyable"
We scored a 4 on both "homework help" and "transportation assistance", which I can only assume means we do a little too much homework and not quite enough transporting to his grandparents' and the Lowery's on his every whim.
Our household cleanliness was acceptable but surprisingly he finds his bed a tad lumpy.
The price is just right for him but he doesn't feel that he is learning and growing from this experience.
He feels wonderful about inviting people into our home and is completely comfortable with all of his relationships within the home. Except for Lucy. He gave this relationship a 2 rating which equals "I am adjusting - but would prefer things were done differently."
And finally, my favorite - and the litmus test of honesty by which all 6 year old evaluations of their parents should be judged was that he rated his satisfaction with his responsibilities at a 1 - noting that he, "should not have to do anything at all." And last but not least is that his number one priority for having a successful year next year was to have more ice cream socials like the one we held Friday night for over 150 people. With 9 flavors of homemade ice cream... I think he might be on to something... but next year he will have to do ALL the dishes - you win some and loose some kid.
My evaluation of life in photos:
On having a huge ice cream social on apparently the only beautiful spring evening of 2011 = 5 = GREAT. Having an "accidental" pond/swimming pool that will apprently accommodate a dozen grown women = 2 = I am adjusting but would prefer if things were done differently... say for example if we knew what we were doing!
On becoming a soccer mom = 3.25 = It is fine... I think. He says were doing it again next year.
On celebrating so many birthdays around our dining room table that by the time I get around to downloading the pictures from a month I forgot about at least two of them = 4.25 = next year it will be a 5 because I will have "halal" (think muslim Kosher) figured out and Bob is buying me a box of 500 birthday candles... (no less Bob if you want an accurate representation on each cake.)
On a life full of random activities thats varies from trench digging, to judging college speech competitions, to driving instructor and moving coordinator, to chef at the play-dough restaurant extravaganza (by the way this last one keeps the kids occupied for hours if you can convince them they need to make a bowl of real-to-life brown rice... but expect to throw the dried brown play-dough out afterward). 5.
On having friends so close that you think nothing of having "trade out sleepovers" for your two year olds just because "all the boys need to be together and all the girls need to be together." Lucy preparing for her first all alone overnighter at the Lowery's and Jonah settling in at 703 Fort. 5.
Having two Chinese Political Science Graduate students as friends as well as poetry, Economist, and Bible reading partners. A 5 - there is just nothing like it to stave off the long hours of mindless chores done by a midwestern housewife and to give a little weight to an afternoon otherwise filled with playdough rice. What a balance. Oh, and the pond in the background of the picture... just for good measure. Like i said, Kid, you win some and you lose some. Anyone want to venture a guess as to how MANY goldfish (or stumbling drunks) we lose to the giant mosquito pit in our side yard this summer?
One a scale of 1 -5 how would you rate:
Going to Bethesda? - a 5 which equals "I would like to do this more often!"
family meetings? - a 2 which equals "This activity is not so enjoyable"
We scored a 4 on both "homework help" and "transportation assistance", which I can only assume means we do a little too much homework and not quite enough transporting to his grandparents' and the Lowery's on his every whim.
Our household cleanliness was acceptable but surprisingly he finds his bed a tad lumpy.
The price is just right for him but he doesn't feel that he is learning and growing from this experience.
He feels wonderful about inviting people into our home and is completely comfortable with all of his relationships within the home. Except for Lucy. He gave this relationship a 2 rating which equals "I am adjusting - but would prefer things were done differently."
And finally, my favorite - and the litmus test of honesty by which all 6 year old evaluations of their parents should be judged was that he rated his satisfaction with his responsibilities at a 1 - noting that he, "should not have to do anything at all." And last but not least is that his number one priority for having a successful year next year was to have more ice cream socials like the one we held Friday night for over 150 people. With 9 flavors of homemade ice cream... I think he might be on to something... but next year he will have to do ALL the dishes - you win some and loose some kid.
My evaluation of life in photos:
On having a huge ice cream social on apparently the only beautiful spring evening of 2011 = 5 = GREAT. Having an "accidental" pond/swimming pool that will apprently accommodate a dozen grown women = 2 = I am adjusting but would prefer if things were done differently... say for example if we knew what we were doing!
On becoming a soccer mom = 3.25 = It is fine... I think. He says were doing it again next year.
On celebrating so many birthdays around our dining room table that by the time I get around to downloading the pictures from a month I forgot about at least two of them = 4.25 = next year it will be a 5 because I will have "halal" (think muslim Kosher) figured out and Bob is buying me a box of 500 birthday candles... (no less Bob if you want an accurate representation on each cake.)
On a life full of random activities thats varies from trench digging, to judging college speech competitions, to driving instructor and moving coordinator, to chef at the play-dough restaurant extravaganza (by the way this last one keeps the kids occupied for hours if you can convince them they need to make a bowl of real-to-life brown rice... but expect to throw the dried brown play-dough out afterward). 5.
On having friends so close that you think nothing of having "trade out sleepovers" for your two year olds just because "all the boys need to be together and all the girls need to be together." Lucy preparing for her first all alone overnighter at the Lowery's and Jonah settling in at 703 Fort. 5.
Having two Chinese Political Science Graduate students as friends as well as poetry, Economist, and Bible reading partners. A 5 - there is just nothing like it to stave off the long hours of mindless chores done by a midwestern housewife and to give a little weight to an afternoon otherwise filled with playdough rice. What a balance. Oh, and the pond in the background of the picture... just for good measure. Like i said, Kid, you win some and you lose some. Anyone want to venture a guess as to how MANY goldfish (or stumbling drunks) we lose to the giant mosquito pit in our side yard this summer?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Samari in our home
After dinner, while loading the dishwasher - all too many of us in the one-butt kitchen,
"Amanda, what is samari?" - Salah questions
"Samari?" ... slowly I search for a simple worded answer for Japanese ancient warriors
"My assignment - I have to watch movie - samari."
"Oh the last Samari" - I think, what a strange assignment.. but that is nothing new
And Jarod breaks into a full on explanation of Japanese fighting and when he is about to get to the full body demonstrations in too small a kitchen, with audience - it is Salah's turn to look confused.
"No, I will not watch THAT movie- only ANY movie and write Samari."
"Oh - Summary."
At least five times a day something like this happens around here. So my blog should be better - really there is no excuse.
"Amanda, what is samari?" - Salah questions
"Samari?" ... slowly I search for a simple worded answer for Japanese ancient warriors
"My assignment - I have to watch movie - samari."
"Oh the last Samari" - I think, what a strange assignment.. but that is nothing new
And Jarod breaks into a full on explanation of Japanese fighting and when he is about to get to the full body demonstrations in too small a kitchen, with audience - it is Salah's turn to look confused.
"No, I will not watch THAT movie- only ANY movie and write Samari."
"Oh - Summary."
At least five times a day something like this happens around here. So my blog should be better - really there is no excuse.
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