Fourteen

#2 turned fourteen yesterday. I spent the day remembering the morning trip to the hospital, the planned induction, the easy birth, the "big brother" yelling down the hospital hallway, "Aahmus, MY Aahmus," in his lispy, sing-song toddler voice. Then his life - crawling out of the bouncy seat when he was only a couple of months old, pulling up in the laundry basket at five months, eating a tuna fish sandwich at four months! Time with my little guy has gone so quickly and mostly just because of who he is!
He is full of energy and adventure, yesterday running through the woods and briers with his "Buddy". He is compassionate and kind- also yesterday signing a sympathy card "I hope our words bring you comfort." He is determined and self-willed, choosing McDonald's for his birthday meal even when many people tried to talk him into something better.
He spent his day worshipping at church, playing with a friend, enjoying time with his family, and then going to a youth group Bible study. He is a fun-loving, friendly fourteen year old. And I love him!

WV Hills

We made it back from "home" last night. Christmas tradition in my little family is that we MUST go to WV for the holiday. I tried years ago to only go every other year so that I could have some years at my own house with my little babes and the thrill of waiting for Santa. I was always outnumbered in my desire for a year at my own house, and off to the hills we would traipse.
At first I went begrudgingly. I had dreamed of Christmas mornings with my own children since I was a child. But my dreams were only mine, and I wanted more so to make my children happy, and off to WV we would head. I often said that I hated Christmas, it annoyed me so.
This year was different. Instead of forcing a family Christmas time on my little family, we waited to take everything with us to WV. I don't know if I finally grew into the idea of celebrating there or if it was that this year my children did not believe in Santa. Whatever it was, I felt happier and more relaxed at Christmas time than I have in a long, long time.
We visited with parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins. We attended church services with old friends and made a few new ones. We ate, opened presents, watched Christmas movies, enjoyed falling snow, and had a good time.
Looking out my parents' front windows, I noticed there are seven rolling hills. Each hill fades into the next, and without realizing it your eyes follow the slopes up to the gas well at the top about a half mile away. Those hills, rolling along smooth and rounded, are gentle reminders that getting to the top of the goal means going up as well as down.
I often grew tired and out of breath fighting my way through the Christmas Season, but this year I think I finally reached the top of the hill. What I gave up being at home with my children was finally blessed as I reached the goal of Peace at Christmas time.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Hubby and I celebrated 23 years of marriage on Sunday. We went to a movie- The Hobbit - and out to eat a nice steak dinner. The weather was warm, though it rained a little bit. Why mention the weather? Because 23 years ago when we wed it was horrible weather, unfit for man and beast. We were young, very young, now that I see people that age.

I was thinking recently about why we got married when we did and what I was expecting. I thought I knew a lot about marriage since I had witnessed so many marriages. Everyone in my family was married, and there are very few divorces. Even divorcees seem to follow up with a second marriage that lasts quite long in my family.

Of course, looking back now, I didn't know much about being married, but we figured it out together and I would say we have done a fine job.

It was sort of like getting a dog ten years ago. I had had dogs before; surely I knew what I was doing. Not so much. I had witnessed having a dog, but it was my parents who actually did all of the work. I guess I observed that part well, since I seemed to do all of the work involved in having Kelly.

So for the last several years I have hoped and wished that the old girl would kick the bucket. She was a lot of work! And then when she did leave us, I missed her terribly. Walking into the empty house, missing my porch companion, hearing her clicking across the floor in the middle of the night, those are the things I miss.

So... We got another dog! Yes, I know you are shocked. I even shocked myself. His name is Captain and he is a nine month old beagle. We need to get a shock collar system going to keep him out of the road, so for now he is a LOT of work making sure that he gets outside but stays on the leash. But already I enjoy having his little self shadowing me around the house, checking on what is going on in every room.

We bought a bed for him, since his last owners seem to have let him sleep on their bed. I thought it might encourage him to stay off of ours. No such luck. But the goofy little thing is sleeping underneath the table on my computer carrying case right now. I guess I am learning not to expect the expected with this one.
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I am heading home tomorrow for a White Christmas with family. The dog will be staying here with friends; sadly, he doesn't like the car! We will get to stay with both sets of parents and should get lots of visiting in with all of the relatives. Here's hoping your holidays are as happy as mine! Merry Christmas.

Calvin and Hobbes

I finished writing my Christmas play early enough to get the kids to practice for a month of Sundays. There were a lot of lines to remember, so I let them keep their scripts with them. I was very proud of all of them. Sweet "Calvin" had to learn a lot of new words for the play, but he held his own and did a fine job.

Here is the family at dinner eating "green stuff. Eewww." You know Calvin.

 The idea was that Calvin imagines the Bible as a bunch of superheroes. Below, the lion is turned to stone by Samson and then Deadly Delilah cuts off his hair for turning her lion to stone. I made the mane for the lion. I'm not bragging or anything, but she sure made a cute lion. Maybe it was just the kid!

 Above, Astounding Joshua knocks down a domino city with "her" laser eyesight. Joshua wore a pink fairy cape, just because she wanted to! We worked on knocking down those dominoes for a long time. Every time she got close to the table the dominoes would fall before she could do her thing! It finally worked in time for the play.
Below is "Deadly Delilah" with her huge pair of scissors.

 And here is the cast of ten brilliant actors! They are a great group of kids, and our church is blessed to have them. I hope all of you have a group of kids that fill your heart.

Homeschooled Biology

So we are halfway through high school with the first kid. You would think that means that the second time through ought to be a piece of cake. Humph! When #1 went through Biology, he was in a co-op class with several other kids and had a teacher who is a nurse. I basically sat back and let it happen.

#2 is not so lucky, or I should say, I am not so lucky! That friend was unable to teach this year, so I am on Biology duty. I liked Biology in high school, enough to actually take two years of it and then another class in college. But teaching it is another thing altogether. I have to remind myself what is going on, AND I have to come up with labs to perform. So the house looks a bit odd at times this year.

 During our study of spores and fungi, we grew some mushrooms in the kitchen window. They had bluish-gray tops and were actually kind of pretty. You are supposed to be able to eat them, but we were on theater time at that point, and we didn't manage eating them.

 Below was an experiment to see how far spores can travel. We did this in the diningroom. After it was over I realized, outside might have been a better idea! They can travel pretty far and wide.

 We have also taken a trip to a museum in Raleigh. The microscopes in the class were fabulous! The kids were able to see some pretty cool things floating around some pond water. Sort of made you appreciate chlorinated pools! #1 was even able to go on the trip with us, so his Biology knowledge was added to even after two years!

 This is a friend of ours who is also taking Biology this year. She is auditing the class at the university for her lectures, but she can't take the labs because of her age. So we are getting together for a few of the labs, and she joined us on the field trip. below she and her brother came over to our house to dissect Echinoderms. The Star fish wasn't too bad, but the sea cucumber was really nasty.

 Here is my boy after the field trip class enjoying a Starbucks hot chocolate while we wait on brother at the radio station. We have another class coming up. I imagine he will expect another chocolate! At least he is cute when he drinks it.

80s Dance

In late October the kids helped organize an 80s dance. The last several years, SGA has sponsored a "Sock Hop", but this year the kids wanted to change it up. They rudely chose an 80s Dance, as if that is a long time ago!!
Oh my goodness, what memories came back. They both chose to dress in an Alex P. Keaton fashion, and #1 discovered that he actually likes sweater vests! He thinks they make him look like an English schoolboy. #2 was much more into the tie around the head in an A.C. Slater type look from Saved By the Bell. Either way, both my boys looked handsome and especially favor their mother!
I'm not sure how much dancing was actually done. As mother of an SGA officer, I needed to be watching over other things, but they did seem to have a good time. Until next year!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Yes, I know it has been nearly a month since the BIG PLAY, but I have been struggling to stay afloat. I have not forgotten that you all want to hear about it though -- Aunty!

 #1 has done about 7-8 plays now, always as a speaking part- except the one that he worked on as a tech crew member - but he never had a major role. I was always happy with that, because the smaller the part the less you have to get your kid to practices! But he did get the lead role for this play. Look at him. How could he NOT be Ichabod Crane!? At 6'3" 130 pounds, he IS Ichabod Crane!
I am happy to announce that he did a wonderful job. He has a great voice for theater; it travels so well. He enjoyed his time, but he was also exhausted from it all. I think he will take a break from theater this coming semester because of the exhausting schedule.

 Here is #2 in his first theater venture. He has talked about trying the tech crew for quite a while, but he always backed out in the end. This time he stuck with it. Of course, he did! The time that I have a kid who has to be at every single practice through the week is when the other kid will decide to do tech and have to be there every single Saturday as well!!
I was proud of his committment though. Even when other kids skipped out, my boy was there. he painted, drilled, cut, moved, and whatever else he was asked to do. At the end, the director asked if he would be in charge of lights. He was very nervous about that, but took the challenge and did an excellent job. Here he is at the light board while a friend checks sound.

 What is theater without good friends to share it? Starting from the right, a very good friend who has been to our camp in WV a couple of times. The grandfathers are smitten with her, but the boys think she is just a really good friend. To the left is a good buddy who attended the Governor's Page Program with #1 last May. Next to him are two sisters that we have known for years. They are in #1's English class this year, and we have enjoyed renewing our friendship.

 Here are Ichabod and Katrina having a quiet moment on stage. Then, below, she DUMPS him. She refuses his offer of marriage and runs off stage. My poor boy!

 Of course it is all just in fun. Here they are after the stage, good friends as always.

 And finally, the curtain call. #1 is on the back right and #2 is back left in the brown jacket. It was a good play.

Community Service

A couple of weeks ago we went on a field trip to Raleigh. We were attending a class at the new Nature Research Center, and then afterward the kids looked around the new part of the museum. We wished we could stay longer, but the boys had to get back to do their community service. I realized, after saying that in public, that perhaps we should call it something else. Too many kids have to do community service like a jail term for bad behavior. My kids are doing it as good citizens.

 We finished writing up our project books for 4-H. At this age, the kids also have to put in their books what they have done for citizenship, leadership, and community service. Part of community service is adding up your hours for the year. Ready? #1= 119 hours, #2= 127 hours!!!
They did things like clean up parks, help with a charity yard sale, and lead a 4-H club. They also have regular groups that they offer time to. #1 regularly volunteers at a radio service to read the local paper to the blind or visually impaired. #2 often volunteers at NC Packs 4 Patriots to send packages to deployed soldiers.

 Here they are teaching others in 4-H. They have really gained a lot of valuable experience through 4-H, and now they are "passing it on" by being leaders of an afterschool club. I am VERY PROUD of my boys.

BIG SURPRISE!!

December 1st has arrived. . . warm, balmy, and beautiful. I watched the neighbor hang icicle house lights today while dressed in his shorts and tank top. There is just something wrong about that! Of course this is the Season of the Unexpected. Crazy things happen; a policeman buys a homeless man some socks and $100 boots, someone drops a gold coin in a red metal bucket, a child is born in a manger and saves the world. It's the Season of Big Gifts Given Humbly. It's crazy, ridiculous, unexpected, glorious, wonderful all wrapped up in colorful paper, or in swaddling clothes.
So what can we do, what can I do, to enter this Season of the Unexpected? Drum Roll Please.....
We have adopted a GIRL! I will call her D1 (Daughter 1) for the blogging hemisphere. Here is how it goes: A few weeks ago Preacher Man was talking to us from the book of James. I enjoy the book of James with its easy to understand proverbs and straight to the point message. You really can't get straighter than this:

          "Now listen you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6

Now, first of all, we are a preacher family living on basically one income. Next to the doctor and pharmacist neighbors we have, we definitely are NOT rich. BUT, we have a lot of education and access to libraries and the world wide web right in our home. I can go to the doctor whenever I need to, and last week my children saw a dentist. We have a home, with running water, electricity, indoor toilets - plural on the toilets! We have two vehicles, a refrigerator that makes ice and serves water, heat and air conditioning that don't require cutting wood, and FOOD!!! I have two large freezers filled with a beef and a hog right now. Believe me, I am wealthier than many can even imagine. I have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence for sure. So what were we to do with that?

Well, Hubby and I talked about it and decided that we could make life better for another child. We asked the boys if they would like a brother or sister, and #1 said he would like to try a sister since he already knows how having a brother goes! Last night I went to www.worldvision.org and found the perfect girl for our family. She lives in Swaziland where Hubby and I had thought a year ago we might be headed. Her birthday is October 1, so Hubby can share birthday nearness with a child like I do. She likes Mathematics like Hubby, and she lives where there are hills and green grass like I grew up around. I won't tell you her name, but it even has lots of vowels like my own biological children.

D1 has a sister, and she lives with her parents. Her dad is a construction worker, but employment is erratic. Her community has been in the World Vision program for several years, and they now have latrines, occasional healthcare, and Bible study groups. She will write to us, send pictures, and be a part of our lives as much as possible with this distance. For our part, we will send her to school, make sure she has food, water, and healthcare access, and we will pray for her. We will write, send packages, and be her "Far-Away Parents".

I know it isn't the same as really having D1 here in our home, hugging her, laughing with her, sharing the good and the bad. But D1 has parents who already do that for her. What she needs, what her parents need, is a little help. And where can they turn in a nation wrought with unemployment and AIDS orphans? Where can they turn? To the Unexpected, that's where. In a land far, far away, that I am sure she can only sort of imagine, D1 has a mother and father who love her already, who think of her fondly, who want only the very best for her. Sort of like our own Father in a land far, far away that I can only sort of imagine. I hope I make Him proud.

Scheduled

Every few days there is a little nip in the air that tells me autumn is upon me. I like the cooler weather, the comfier clothes, the possibility of a salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks. Another thing that tells me autumn is upon me is the schedule. When I feel like every second of every day is scheduled without relief, I know it is October. It happens every year.
This year, however, the scheduling is taking a toll that I can't handle. I am losing words. I try to write and the words don't come. Not that they aren't there, but they can't safely walk through the pea-soup fog out of my brain and into my fingers.
I have finished the chapters of my book. Last week I toiled over seveeral phrases so long it was excruciating; and I don't even think they sound all that great. Now I am trying to write the introduction, and the peanut butter sticking to the roof of my mouth has entered my sinus cavity and is threatening my very skull.
I also have committed to writing a Christmas play that needs to be done in a couple of weeks, and I teach three writing classes, which require ease of speech and writing ability. Based on these other requirements, I am closing the blog for a month.
I know many of you don't care; you don't read it all that often anyway, but for those of my faithful followers, I didn't want you to think I had expired and no one let you know.
Enjoy your autumn. Walk in a brisk breeze, wear a soft sweater, drink some salty sweet goodness. And come back in a month. Maybe I will have something worth reading then.

Small Steps

#1 had a rescheduled Math lesson today. His teacher had a problem meeting tomorrow, so we scheduled for today. After the lesson, we stopped at my chiropractor to see if I could squeeze in. He had already left for lunch. The hours are posted on the door, noting a two hour lunch from 1-3.
"I want to be a chiropractor! You get a two hour lunch, and you don't have to come in until 9:00!" hooted #1. I assured him that it doesn't start out that way.
Later in the afternoon, when I made it in to see the doc, I told him about the conversation. He laughed and said to tell him that after a B.S. pre-med, four years med school, an internship and ten years residency working 7:00-7:00, he too could take two hour lunches. He told me that his grown children think it is absurd that they should work weekends to make a little extra money. "I washed pots and pans to get money," he said.
It is so easy for kids to look at their current lives and think that it will be this way when they start out. They should start with a great house, eat out whenever they like, buy whatever they like, etc. From our experience in college ministry, many kids feel this way, and are able to get credit so that it is actually "true" for them. Then, one day, they discover that they can't work hard enough or long enough to pay off all of those bills, and they sink.
I think this is also applicable to our spiritual lives. We become a new Christian, look around at the "old" Christians, and expect to be able to serve the way they do, pray like they do, stand up under pressures the way they do. But just like with finances, you have to start at the bottom. You have to have little prayers before you get the big ones. You have to serve in small ways before you are ready for the hard cases, and you have to be faithful with a little before you can be faithful with a lot.
Many new converts try to bite off more than they can chew at the beginning, and then when the real tests come, they flounder and sink. If you are a new Christian, don't try to pray for two hours every morning; start with ten minutes and see how it goes. Don't try to help an entire hobo village; start with one person in need and truly be a friend and helper.
Some new Chrstians may "strike it rich" the first time and be able to handle the hard stuff, but most of us have to work up to a job like that. Just like getting your financial rewards comes later in life, being a faithful servant to God comes with time and practice.

MY Kitchen

Last week the boys were using my kitchen. They are completing a cooking project this year for 4H, and so I have to let them use the kitchen. I believe I already told you that #2 made pancakes and ended up with batter on his back. Yes, his BACK!
Then it was cupcake time. The place was left a mess with chocolate batter dripping down the INSIDE of the cupboard door! How in the world do you manage that? I have since found batter on the wall underneath the counter- not sure how that happened either.
Several days ago, #1 was eating a small piece of pumpkin bread in the kitchen. He was using a large dinner plate, which I had almost told him to exchange for a small bread plate, but decided not to. He finished, and I looked at the crumb-covered table. "How do you manage to use a huge plate and still get crumbs all over the table?" I asked.
"It's a talent," he smugly remarked.
I guess I can get used to sharing the kitchen with the boys. Perhaps with time they will become less messy, but what I can not abide are the MICE! I found my first dead mouse of the season on Saturday. It had crawled under the stove to die. I know we live near farm fields. I know the mice have to go somewhere, and that they are hungry. But do they HAVE to choose my kitchen to go into!? They are probably eating cake batter off the cupboard door.

One Day at a Time

Last week I was telling myself I only had to get through that week. I would just have to be patient, accept that I could not control most things, and then it would be over. The week went fairly well with no major mishaps.
Monday- Co-op all day, pick up a kid and take him with us to play practice, pick up Hubby's car from the shop after it broke down the week before
Tuesday- First Geography Club meeting, two 4H club meetings, LOTS of rain to mess with, monitor play practice to fill in for someone who didn't show
Wednesday- Get #1 to Math class, grocery shop, host an unexpected Political Meet and Greet Committee meeting, Take dinner to church and host the Family Night- Hubby took care of getting #1 to and from practice
Thursday- Monitor play practice because it was actually my turn to, get kids to radio and Packing 4 the Patriots to do community service, and go to the fair
Friday- Math class, fix a bike, Yearbook meeting

So I was looking forward to this week, until along about Friday morning I started looking at the calendar.
Monday- Co-op all day, NO play practice, Youth Group party in evening
Tuesday- Play Practice and 4H Political Meet and Greet at night
Wednesday- Math, Play practice and church
Thursday- Play practice, Wedding Rehearsal
Friday- Math, SGA, Hubby's last night to teach for this term (Next one starts the 19th)

I guess that does actually look better. I am posting this as a scheduled post, so it is hard to tell what will happen in the meantime. Now you see why I was needing a vacation last week! But still I find if I can go into it thinking that it will be horrible and I just have to get through this bit, then I do ok. Once the Political Meet and Greet is over then we head into getting the Fall Dance together. After that we just have to finish up the play, complete project record books for 4H, and oh, yeah, do school! Maybe it is better not to look at the calendar after all.

Fair Time, Part 2

I grew up going to the county fair. I remember horse barns and hay bales, washing and currying cow tails into big balls of hairsprayed stiffness, eating at the Shriner's Pizza Booth, and riding rides. I remember leather bracelets burned with my name and a horse picture, demolition derbies, and concerts on the side of a hill. I remember cookies placed in the exhibit hall, free water to drink, and tractor and horse pulls. I remember beauty pageants, game guys calling for customers, and seeing lots of friends. I loved the fair.

So imagine my disappointment when #1 emphatically asked not to go to the fair this year. I tried getting him to ask a friend, but it was pretty hopeless. I think he was burning out on play practice and 4H responsibilities, but I thought a night off with friends and fair fun were just what he needed. So I made him go.

The boys, of course, headed off on their own and soon found some friends to hang with. They bought a wristband so they could ride whatever they wanted, and then we rarely saw them again. Hubby and I enjoyed some time wandering alone and looking at the sights. Above was a one man band playing guitar, harmonica, and drums. The drums and cymbals are on his back and he had strings tied to his legs to make them do his bidding. He actually was pretty good, but his voice wasn't so hot.

Hubby HAS to have funnel cakes whenever we go to the fair. Notice the line to get one. I guess he isn't the only funnel cake lover in town!

We did come across #1 watching a puppet show with his friends. He was eating pizza and taking a break. I snapped this picture because he looked like he was in jail, which was the way he made me feel when I told him he had to go to the fair. What a mean mother he has!

Above is one of our 4H kids showing her goat. She didn't place, but she looked like she was having a good time. I remember showing lambs when I was young. I did not put the time and care into the raising or training, so I didn't do well. That wasn't the case with this girl though.
Below you see what treat I want at the county fair-- Cotton Candy! I shared some with my boys when we came home, but that bag lasted me three days. We also ate dinner at the Law Enforcement Booth to help support them.

The boys entered cupcakes and both placed second. #1 made chocolate with autumn decorations and #2 made white with honey, coconut, pecan icing. I think they each won $3 for that. That was their admission price the night we went, so I guess it paid off.

You see #2 is like his mother. He needed cotton candy too! He found several friends and they managed to have a good time. Here they are waiting for the pig races to begin. They raced regular pigs, potbelly pigs, goats, and ducks. Just the kind of fun the doctor ordered!

I caught #2 on the ferris wheel with his buddies. We stayed until about 10:00 PM.

So how did this prison sentence end? #1 happily told me that he had a good time, and I even got a hug when we got back home!!! Sometimes mothers do know best.

Cold Returns or What Happened to Summer?

Well for a couple of days, we are experiencing cold weather and autumn rains. That's a sure-fire way to get soup for lunch! Soup is actually one of our favorite lunches around here, and now the boys are resting with their bellies full and their heads hazy.
What is it about the weather that always makes us long for something different? We enjoy each season for a week or two, luxuriating in each tradition and comfort, but then we want to go back to 70 degrees and sunny, unless you are #1 whose favorite weather is rainy.
In the middle of summer we wish it were cool so we could put on our favorite sweater and drink hot cider. When Fall makes it here, we wish for snow days and sled rides. Winter brings dreams of warm Spring breezes and flip flops, and Spring only hastens the desire for shorts and beach trips.
I think it has to do with an old song, "This world is not my home; I'm just a passin' through." This world is just one big vacation trip (perhaps vacation is a bit too strong), and so we enjoy the little changes of scenery, the rest stops, and curiosities along the way, but after a while we start to long for home.
Vacation is fun for a while, but the return home is always the best.

Yorktown

 While my parents enjoyed a day at the beach, my family and I went to visit Yorktown. The boys and I actually had heard, and would hear, a lot about the town and the battle in our history lectures. It was helpful to see what the lecturer was talking about, and I have an idea of what it may have been like now. Looking through this tree to the opposite shore lets me understand that the site Cornwallis chose was not good because it was so easy for the French to trot their boats out and scare the boogy out of the English. Of course, Cornwallis thought he had aready scared the French away and that the English were on their way; oh for a good current time satellite image.

 This statue was placed in town years later in commemoration of those who fought in the battle. It was dedicated to Liberty, and in 1942 (? if I remember correctly) lightning struck it and knocked the head off of "Liberty". I thought perhaps God was saying, "Wake up and look around! There are people dying in this world and you are hiding your head. What happened to Liberty?"

 We walked from the National Park over to the town of Yorktown. It was kind of sunny and humid, so we expired about when we go to the statue. Shade was a pleasant blessing, as was the Ben and Jerry's ice cream store in town. Of course, I was told not to look at the prices and just to order what I wanted. We had saved money again by picnicking, and so I took this in stride- and didn't look.

 At the museum and reenactment center the boys were chosen to help fire the cannon.

 Imagine both of my boys being old enough to go fight for the new country-- and commit treason!

 And that was the end of our vacation field trip. We have one more field trip for history- Richmond, VA and the White House of the Confederacy. I had planned on that for Novemebr, but with the play in full swing, and a Biology field trip planned for after the play, it may have to wait until January.