My second Mother's Day was nice. Shawn got us tickets to the Cardinals game. The weather was chilly, and we had Keira all bundled up. She was really well-behaved, and only got fussy toward the end of the game. Mom had offered to let her stay with them for the day, but I wasn't about to spend Mother's Day without my baby girl. OH! And this morning, I got the best gift of all....she said "I love you"!! (It sounded more like "I lah lou", but I had just said it to her, and she was repeating it back to me, so I knew what she said. Last year, she smiled her first real smile at me on Mother's Day. I love her so much it makes my heart hurt!
Back to the game, though...It was our first trip to the new stadium. I was impressed, overall. I had heard some things, both positive and negative, but I liked it. I thought the layout was nice, and I really enjoyed the view from our seats. I also liked the fact that we could see into the stadium from the upper level of the parking garage. I did not, however, like the stairs to get to our level, but we discovered on the way out that we could take the ramp instead, if we wanted to.
The Cards lost (7-6), and Albert didn't hit homerun #20, but it was a good time anyway. Plus, I got a really cute PINK Cardinals tote bag! I'll post some of our photos later.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Goodbye Grandpa
Well, we officially said goodbye to (Shawn's) Grandpa on Friday morning. The funeral service was really moving. I knew how much we (his family) all loved him, but I had no idea how many other lives he had impacted. Several people talked of how he was always right there, first in line, to offer help and to do whatever he could do for the church and for others. I feel very lucky to have been able to know him and to call him "Grandpa". He was such a kind and gentle soul. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He lived life with such love in his heart for God and for his family. He and Grandma were married for 59 years. They loved each other so much, so I know it's going to be hard for her to be here without him. One thing that the minister said that really stood out in my mind during the service was about the difference in time on Earth and in Heaven. He said that 11 years on Earth was like 7 minutes in Heaven. That means, whenever Grandma gets to Heaven, Grandpa just got there. What a neat thought.
We'll certainly miss Grandpa until we're reunited with him in Heaven.
We'll certainly miss Grandpa until we're reunited with him in Heaven.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
What else...?
We just heard today that Shawn's grandpa passed away this morning. I'm not sure what happened, what the circumstances were and everything... The visitation will be tomorrow afternoon/evening. Then the funeral will be Friday morning. We have my granmda's memorial service Saturday afternoon. Ok, I think our family is ready for a break!
Want to take a little peek...
...inside Shawn's brain? If so, feel free to check out his very own blog at
http://hafespace.wordpress.com
http://hafespace.wordpress.com
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Keira is WALKING!
Well, my baby girl is officially a TODDLER now! She started walking everywhere last week, and she's just so darn cute when she does it, too! I'd been waiting for her to start walking since she turned a year old...you know, comparing her to other 12 month olds, then 13 month olds, and FINALLY at 13 1/2 months old, she DID IT!! Mom said that I was a "later" walker, too. So, I guess that's another thing she gets from me (besides her chubby feet and attitude). I knew she wouldn't stay a baby forever, but it sort of makes me sad that she's growing SOO quickly!
Just Venting!! ARGH!
So, we heard today that we were selected to recieve a technology grant from HP (we = 4th grade team @ our school)... We knew from the beginning that it would be a lot of work, and a couple of us were kind of excited about the possibility of getting all of this great technology to use in our classrooms and a $500 stipend each. We didn't want to get excited until we heard either way...and today we heard that we'd gotten it!
Well, the two of us who were sort of positive about the grant just knew that it would be a big talking (griping) point during lunch today. The team that we work with is GREAT, no doubts about it, but can be negative when it comes to change...especially things that require extra work. Sorry to say it, but it's true. I guess I can be, too, but I know that if it's something I have to do, getting upset over it isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make it that much harder. That's basically what I said during lunch today. I'm not SUPER-DUPER excited about all of the extra work and time that's going to go into this project, but I'm trying to find a silver lining.
One of the other teachers said that she wanted "out" of the project because she didn't want to do anything that would take ANY extra time away from her son. She didn't understand why I wasn't upset about the extra time requirements...with Keira at home and another one on the way. I sort of resented that she would imply that my time with Keira wasn't as important to me as her time with her son was to her... But, I kept my mouth closed to avoid anymore unnecessary drama. I think that I'm pretty lucky to have a job with such great hours (8:00-3:15 Monday through Friday, from August to May). I am only away from Keira until 4:00 at the latest and am home with her every weekend and holidays and summer months. I could have a job from 9-6 or I could have to work on weekends, holiday and summers, but I don't. So, I think that if I have to spend an extra hour or so a week doing work, then so be it. It could be much worse, you know?
Anyway, I know that next year will bring a lot of changes (personally and professionally), but I'm willing to be optimistic about them. Hopefully my colleagues will be as optimistic (or at least not as vocal about their pessimism) and that our school year goes as smoothly as possible. Time will tell...
Well, the two of us who were sort of positive about the grant just knew that it would be a big talking (griping) point during lunch today. The team that we work with is GREAT, no doubts about it, but can be negative when it comes to change...especially things that require extra work. Sorry to say it, but it's true. I guess I can be, too, but I know that if it's something I have to do, getting upset over it isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make it that much harder. That's basically what I said during lunch today. I'm not SUPER-DUPER excited about all of the extra work and time that's going to go into this project, but I'm trying to find a silver lining.
One of the other teachers said that she wanted "out" of the project because she didn't want to do anything that would take ANY extra time away from her son. She didn't understand why I wasn't upset about the extra time requirements...with Keira at home and another one on the way. I sort of resented that she would imply that my time with Keira wasn't as important to me as her time with her son was to her... But, I kept my mouth closed to avoid anymore unnecessary drama. I think that I'm pretty lucky to have a job with such great hours (8:00-3:15 Monday through Friday, from August to May). I am only away from Keira until 4:00 at the latest and am home with her every weekend and holidays and summer months. I could have a job from 9-6 or I could have to work on weekends, holiday and summers, but I don't. So, I think that if I have to spend an extra hour or so a week doing work, then so be it. It could be much worse, you know?
Anyway, I know that next year will bring a lot of changes (personally and professionally), but I'm willing to be optimistic about them. Hopefully my colleagues will be as optimistic (or at least not as vocal about their pessimism) and that our school year goes as smoothly as possible. Time will tell...
Monday, May 01, 2006
Motherhood
My mom sent this to me and it made me cry! I thought I'd post it here for all of you MOMS to enjoy (and for all of us who have MOMS to realize just how much they love us!).
"For all my favorite mothers.
This is for the mothers...who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
...who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
...who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
...who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes, and all the mothers who DON'T.
...who gave birth to babies they'll never see, and the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
...whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
...who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
...who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner, and for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
...who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
...who go hungry, so their children can eat.
...who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time."
...who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school, and for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
...who teach their sons to cook and do laundry and their daughters to sink a jump shot and change the oil and/or tires on their car.
...whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home-or even away at college.
...who sent their kids to school with stomachaches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up right away!
...whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
...for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love...sometimes totally unappreciated!
...who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year old dyes their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
...who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And mature mothers learning to let go, for working mothers and stay-at-home mothers, single mothers and married mothers, mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all, for all of US. Hang in there.
In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray."
Thank GOD for MOMS (and for Dads!)
"For all my favorite mothers.
This is for the mothers...who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
...who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
...who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
...who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes, and all the mothers who DON'T.
...who gave birth to babies they'll never see, and the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
...whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
...who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
...who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner, and for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
...who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
...who go hungry, so their children can eat.
...who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time."
...who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school, and for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
...who teach their sons to cook and do laundry and their daughters to sink a jump shot and change the oil and/or tires on their car.
...whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home-or even away at college.
...who sent their kids to school with stomachaches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up right away!
...whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
...for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love...sometimes totally unappreciated!
...who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year old dyes their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
...who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And mature mothers learning to let go, for working mothers and stay-at-home mothers, single mothers and married mothers, mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all, for all of US. Hang in there.
In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray."
Thank GOD for MOMS (and for Dads!)
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