Radio Sadness

I have my alarm clock set to wake me up to the radio...usually I wake up and turn it off before the news comes on. I don't like to watch or listen to the news anymore...it is usually, sad, sickening, or scary. So, I don't listen.

However, the other morning, the news came on and I didn't shut it off. They were talking about the universal health care bill and how it is in the Senate (or something like that) and they are taking parts out and adding things in. Then, they got a statement from one of the Senators and he stated something like "We should not allow the issue of abortion to prevent millions of people from having health care". I absolutely couldn't believe my ears. How about let's not let the issue of abortion prevent millions of people from living!!!! If I knew the name of the person that said that, I would write a letter. It saddens me that now, abortion is not a big controversial thing that we all debate, but rather an issue or debate that we throw under the rug in order to pass another bill.

Catch Up...

• So Punky has had a stuffy nose. However, she won't let me spray it or use the aspirator or help her blow it. So I finally told her that she had to stop complaining about it (because she really whines about it) unless she was going to let me help her. She says, "But Mom! I don't like any of the ideas you like!" Hubby and I just laughed.
• We were eating breakfast the other day and Hubby and I were talking. Punky said, "Let's focus on eating, guys!" I think she has heard that at the babysitters.
• Punky has said several times that she will eat turkey on Thanksgiving. I'll keep you posted as to whether that actually happens. I doubt it.

Halloween 2009-Part 1

Punky was a cute black kitty for Halloween...

Will post more pics later, as we didn't get to celebrate with Buddy because Ab was sick.

Rough Day

I really cannot believe how much my 4 year old knows, comprehends, and says. Hubby just said the other night it seems like she is so much older because of some of the things she says. She definitely acts like she is 12 sometimes!!

Well, the other night, I was trying to get her into bed and I asked her to pick out her clothes for the next day. She asked why she couldn't do it the next morning. I told her that it stresses me out in the morning (I am NOT a morning person) and that we need to get it done tonight so that we don't fight about it in the morning. I told her, "Baby, I don't want to fight with you about your clothes, and we really need to move fast in the mornings." She thought for only a second and then said, "No, mommy. Don't worry. We can do it in the morning...I will fight fast!" OH MY! I didn't quite know what to say to that!

Then a few nights later, she was picking out her clothes for the next morning and couldn't decide so I told her to go to bed and we would do it in the morning. She said, "But mommy, I don't want to have a rough morning!" OH MY! She learns so much!

Pity Party for Me

So many times I only think about myself...what I'm going through...what I'm feeling...what matters to me..who I have to make dinner for...what needs cleaned. God has taught me some very important lessons the last couple of weeks, but the one I learned this week was especially hard.

Every Thursday, I get to pick my nephew, Buddy, up from preschool at the same time I pick Punky up. I love it because Punky gets excited to have someone to play with at home and I like to see Buddy actually in school! He is such a wonderful little boy.

Anyway, this past Thursday, I had a pity party for myself. For some reason or another, I left work just a few minutes late, which meant I was going to be pushing it to pick up the kids. Even though they are both done at 11:30, I have worked it out so that I can pick Buddy up about 5 minutes early and still have plenty of time to get in the car line to pick up Punky. Well, I found myself leaving work at the time I should have been picking up Buddy. I am driving in the car, getting frustrated, getting angry at the SLOW cars in front of me, mad at the road construction that is slowing me down. I finally pull into the school lot and decide to pick Punky up first so they don't send her to after school care, etc. It was a mess. I pull into the car line only to see that there is a different teacher putting them into the car, and she is not NEARLY as fast as the usual teacher. Great! Just what I need. I am huffing and puffing and really getting myself worked up. I get Punky in the car and race over to get Buddy. I failed to mention that it is cold outside, and raining very hard at this point. I jet full sprint into the building to get Buddy, running all the way. I pick him up, run him back out to the car, get both kids buckled in and at this point I am done! I am upset, tired, hungry, soaked and totally feeling sorry for myself.

I really don't have those days tooooooo often...in fact many times I get teary eyed after dropping Punky off at school in the morning...I thank God as I am walking to my car that I have a beautiful child to take to school, that my job is flexible enough to allow me to do that, and that God has blessed us financially to be able to send Punky to a private school. I really have a great life. But there are those days like Thursday that the pity party for me begins. I found out just today that on that Thursday morning, one of the moms of a little boy in Buddy's class was killed in a car accident on the way to pick him up from class. In the instant that I was feeling angry and tired and UNthankful, I am sure that mother would have given anything to be in my shoes. My heart is sad, not just for this family's tragedy, but because I missed an opportunity to see the little blessings God has given to me. I hope from now on when I get stuck in traffic or am running late, that I think of this and remember how blessed I am and how thankful I am for what I have, for every day I have here on earth, and for the wonderful people in my life that I GET to care for.

Ballet

So Punky has started her first ballet class...it is for 4-5 year olds. She absolutely loves it. She is in the same class as her little friend from church and it is the most hilarious thing to watch these little uncoordinated girls run and twirl about thinking they are the most beautiful ballerina. I was laughing so hard (she couldn't see me) and I have to wonder how the teacher gets through class without laughing! Here are a few pics...

Punky is a busy bee!

Things have been going good...but busy in our house lately. Punky is REALLY enjoying school and her teacher informed me today that she has a little boyfriend. I asked if it was Will and she said no, Luke. I guessed Will because she talks about him a lot and the teacher said oh yes him too. Great. Two boyfriends in the first month of school. Hubby will love that one...

Punky started Cubbies again this year at church and really likes it. They learn so much for being so little!

She is also starting her dance class tonight...it is called Creative Movements for 4 year olds. What an interesting name! They focus a lot on ballet, and Punky is excited that she is required to wear a pink or black leotard (which she already has) and pink tights and ballet slippers. Her little friend from church is in the same class, so she is very excited. I did find out that I can't really stay and watch them, as they prefer the kids to be focused and not showing off or nervous in front of other people...ME? NOT ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES? WHATEVER SHALL I DO? Don't worry, I will sneak a few...

Big Day-Classroom and Dentist!

Today was a big day for Punky. It started off going to school to see her classroom and meet her teacher. As we were getting out of the car at school, Punky squealed with excitement (literally). Mrs. H seems very nice and we are so excited for school (K4) to start on Thursday. Here are a few pics (yes, I took my camera!)

It was somewhat strange for me, as this was MY 2nd grade classroom when I first came to this school. It seemed so much bigger 23 years ago than it did today!

We also went to Punky's first dentist appointment. I told her at home that we needed to brush our teeth before we went and Punky said, "No we don't mommy, the dentist will clean our teeth for us!" SHE DID SO GREAT! She of course made me go first so that she could watch what they do. When it was her turn she got right up in the chair and was all smiles. She did exactly what they asked her to do, and was so brave! (Once again, my camera was present).

Answered Prayer!

I know I have not been posting very well this summer...we have been sooo busy! I am hoping that with school starting we will get back into a routine and things will get less stressful. We are thanking God for some fun events this summer including a very successful Missionary Garage Sale at church, conclusion of our OT Bible study, a day trip (ALONE!) to Starved Rock, lots of swimming, playing, and summer fun.

Well, today we are going to see Punky's K-4 classroom and meet her teacher. She is very excited. I will post pictures later (of course I am taking my camera).

Anyways, one requirement of starting school is a copy of Punky's birth certificate. I knew that I had one here at the house because we were required to show one a few months ago for her elsewhere. However, after turning the house upside down (Hubby helped too), it was no where to be found. I was dreading having to drag Punky down to the courthouse, pay the fee and wait for another copy. Ugh. Just a few minutes before needing to leave, I decided to stop one more time and pray that I could find it. Punky and I prayed that we would find it ASAP! God totally led me to check Hubby's nightstand (no idea why) and it was there! Not 5 minutes after we had prayed. Punky and I stopped and prayed again thanking God for his help. Punky was actually quite excited. I think I was more excited about showing Punky that God answers prayer than about finding the certificate. What an awesome lesson.

Bible Study

Hubby and I have been in a WONDERFUL small group Bible study going through the old testament. It truly has been informative and eye-opening and we have really enjoyed it. There is quite a bit of homework week to week, but we have really enjoyed spending time together doing it...usually while Punky is sleeping.

On Saturday, Punky was in the other room playing, and Hubby and I decided to relax on our bed and read our study together. We were sitting there and Punky came in a few times to see what we were doing. A few minutes later, she comes in and asks if she can sit on the bed with us. We of course said sure. She comes back in, with her pen, notebook, and Bible and says "I'm going to do my Bible study too!" And she sat on the bed and wrote in her notebook and read her Bible just like us. It was so cute that I had to take a picture.

It just goes to show you that little eyes and ears pick up what you are doing, even when you don't realize it. It is so important to teach by example, and not just by words, especially with children.

She's so much like me!

The other day it was clean up time, and I told Punky she needed to go and pick up all the stuff on the floor in her room and I was going to come and inspect in a few minutes. I asked her a few minutes later if she was ready and she said yes. I went in, and this is what I found:

Everything had been picked up off the floor, but it was on her bed...

...and stuffed in the corner behind the closet door. She is SOOOO much like me!!!

Play Day

Hubby's work had "Play Day" where they offer all sorts of rides and activities and food for their employees and families. Punky and cousin Buddy had a blast and enjoyed all the fun! Of all the exciting things to do, they both liked the bounce houses the best.

Buddy was afraid to have his face painted, but yet he would launch his body off of the bounce house slide with no reservations...that is a boy for ya!We got to ride an ACTUAL school bus to the park...the kids thought that was wonderful!

School Bus

Punky has been asking for weeks, every time she sees a school bus, she wants to know if she will get to ride in one someday.

Well, today, she got the surprise of her life. Our sitter's father drives a school bus, and brought his bus by their house so the kids could take a ride! They had so much fun, and Punky was so excited...she felt like a big girl! Here are some pics...

Warm Weather...or is it?

We had a little bit of a tease of warm weather...and Punky has been having so much fun playing on her swing set. We are so ready for summer! Punky cannot wait to go to the park, swimming, and riding her bike/scooter. Here are a few pics of her on the warm sunny day, and then this past week in her raincoat and boots...too cute!

Easter 2009

Well, we had a pretty good Easter at our house this year. Saturday morning we went to a giant easter egg hunt with over 30,000 eggs. Punky and Buddy had a great time and got lots of candy.

The Easter Bunny came late in the night and left Punky's basket (she was very concerned as she went to bed Saturday night that I was not going to bed yet, because she thought the Easter Bunny would pass by because we were still up).

Despite the fact that we carried our camera practically the whole weekend, for some reason, I only got a few pics of Punky in her Easter dress. We had lunch at Hubby's parents house and then off to Pontiac for dinner with my side. It was a very busy day, but good to see everyone.

Peer Pressure

So, I think Punky has experienced her first bout with peer pressure. Lately, all she wants to wear is dresses...to school, to church, even just to play in around the house. Well, I have noticed at school that most if not all of the little girls are wearing dresses. I think she just wants to be like them, or they all conspired to be alike and wear them each day. Nevertheless, she is in dress mode, as well as make up mode. Anytime we go somewhere or someone is coming over, she has to run into my bathroom and put MAKEUP on!! I asked her why, and she said, "Mom, I HAVE to look beautiful!" I am now trying so hard to let her know that she IS beautiful without all of that stuff, just the way she is. She is only 4 year old!!! It has begun, and will probably never end.

Library Days

So, I am trying to look for some fun things Punky & I can do and so today we went to the library. She picked out some fun books, and we are excited to read them. I am going to start reading her chapter books...big girl books that don't have big pictures in them...I want her to use her imagination and anticipate what is going to happen night after night. We will see if it will keep her attention or not. If anyone has any recommendations for a book series that she would enjoy, I am open for suggestions! I thought about American Girl, but selfishly am trying to hold off on that because of all of the hoopla that comes with it (those dolls and accessories are SO expensive!).

Cuteness from the Punk-ster

As we were driving in the car the other day, Punky asked me where we were going. I told her to the physical therapist to help my neck. She said "Again? Mommy, you don't need to go there all the time, you just need to exercise in the morning like Daddy!" She knows my weakness!

Sitting in the physical therapist's, Punky wanted to go into one of the rooms to see if there were toys in it. She kept asking and I repeatedly kept telling her no. Finally she said, "Mommy, if we can go in there, I will give you a treat!" Gee, like she hasn't heard that bribe before!

Then, we were at home getting ready for supper and Punky wanted something to eat. I said no because it was almost supper time. She kept asking, and finally she said, Mommy, you need to give it to me, or else you are going to have a time out! Ugh.

Too big

Punky informed us the other day that she is too big for a car seat...those are for babies, she said. I think this all came from seeing her friend (who is a year older) get in the car and sit on a booster seat. So now, she keeps talking about getting a booster seat instead of a "baby" car seat.

The only thing we can think to tell her is that she has to eat in order to grow. It has actually worked a few times. She actually ate a piece of bologna at the sitters today for the first time! Small steps of progress...

Punky's Heaven

So, the other day at church, Punky's class talked about Heaven and what they thought it would be like. They had tons of magazines where the kids could cut things out and paste them on the paper....things they thought would be in Heaven. There was pictures of animals, people, houses, cars, any item you could think of. Well, Punky's picture completely describes her...

...sweets and pizza. She is definitely a blend of Hubby & me...I could eat sweets all day long (especially chocolate) and Hubby would eat pizza for every meal if I let him. Too cute.

Analog vs. Digital

Just a quick note...

I am so tired of hearing every other commercial on TV warning people that the analog signals for TV will be no longer after today. Get your converter box now!

I can't help but think if people would put this much effort in getting the word out about homelessness, food bank shortages, diseases, etc, then maybe some worthwhile things would actually get done!

Study

Hubby and I have started attending a new Bible study on the Old Testament. I have never done an "overview" study of the OT before, so I am interested in seeing the big picture. Already there seems to be quite a bit of homework, so I am praying I find the time to get it all done before the next week. It seems like a really fun group of people and we are both excited!

In other news...Punky has really been having a hard time wanting to eat dinner, or at least eat what I am fixing. If she doesn't eat, she has to go and sit on her bed until she is ready to eat. Once Hubby and I are done eating, it is too late for her, and she has to go the rest of the night without a treat or getting to finish supper. Tonight, we had mac n cheese, so I know it is just a test of wills, because she does like mac n cheese. This is so hard for me because I just want her to eat, but I know she has to learn that she eats what I fix when I fix it...I can't go fixing her seperate meals when she gets hungry. UGH!

Conversation

Here is how a conversation went today between me and Punky:

We pulled up next to a police car at a stoplight and:

"Look Punky, there is a police car by us!"
"Who gets to ride in there Mommy?"
"When people do something bad, they ride in there."
"Why?"
"When big people do bad things, the police man takes them to jail."
"Do they get a time out?"
"Well, yes, they do!"

It was very cute the way her mind was working.

Food Mishaps from Chef Reba

OK. Those that really know me, know that I don't like to cook...especially dinner when I am hungry. I got that from my mom, who does admit it as well.

Well, the past week has not been good in our kitchen...

Mishap #1:

In trying to find something to fix for dinner (my dilemma always is that I want something easy and quick, but nutricious for my family), I decided on chicken. We had some frozen chicken breasts, so I decided to cook them in the crockpot for a few hours so they would be tender. A couple hours later, I checked on them and found that they were only partially done, partially raw. I had thought to myself that it probably wasn't a good idea to put frozen meat in the crockpot because now it was probably filled with bacteria from not staying at the same temp. So, I called my mom. She was skeptical about eating them. I called my mother in law, but got no answer, so I called Hubby's grandma. I will never forget what she said..."Well, I don't really want to be the one to tell you to eat it or not, but I wouldn't!" Lesson learned. I quickly scrounged together something else. Ugh.

Mishap#2:

A few nights later, I was supposed to take a meal to a family at church that just had a baby. I was fixing pulled BBQ pork in a large crockpot and then in a small crockpot to take to them. They had been cooking for a couple of hours and I heard a popping noise in the kitchen. I went in there only to find my large crockpot throwing sparks all over the place. I reached over the sparks and unplugged both crockpots. I quickly took the crock pot pan/insert out of the big unit and put it in the oven on low to finish cooking and save the meat. I moved the smaller crockpot to another outlet to finish cooking. Needles to say, I had to throw my large crockpot away. Oh, but it gets better.

I went in an hour or so later and felt the small crockpot...it was not even on. It had sat there for over an hour with no heat. I wanted to cry. The sparking must have blown a fuse, so the other outlet didn't work. I couldn't risk the fact that I was giving a family bad pork, so I had to throw it out. Another bunch of expensive meat literally down the drain. I had to get the family take out.

Mishap #3:

We were out of milk today, so during my trip to Target, I realized they have milk and I wouldn't have to stop anywhere else. I also got some canned veggies for dinner tonight and we came home. I helped Punky into the house along with her blanket, doll, my purse, the target bag, and her school papers and set them all on the washer while we took our coats and shoes off. Punky was EXTREMELY hungry so I immediately set out to make her pbj sandwich...yes, that's right...I left the milk sitting on the washer. It was a good 4 hours before I realized it. It may have been okay to drink, but I am phobic about contaminated food, and just wouldn't take the chance...milk down the drain. I do not want to cook or do any fixing or buying of food for quite some time!!!!!

Crazy Busy

Well, our household has been very busy over the last few weeks, but thankfully we have been healthy!

Since my last post, we had a wonderful week in Florida during the -30 degree temperatures here. We went to Magic Kingdom and Sea World and did some shopping as well. It was just the three of us and we had a wonderful time being together.

Punky had her 4th birthday (which we celebrated while in Florida). She made a cake to take to school-white cake with pink frosting and sprinkles. They ate practically the whole thing!

We got a new camera, which is why I haven't posted pics in a while. I finally think I have figured it out.

Events until now

On Saturday, we arrived in Florida. It was fun to ride the airplane with Punky. She really actually liked it and was good. She kept herself very entertained. She decided she needed to sit by the window and when she saw the ground from way up high, she said "The ground looks like a puzzle!" The weather was about 75 degrees when we arrived and felt WONDERFUL!

We visited our favorite Florida family on Sunday. We went to their church and got to hear Pastor D preach and then spent the day with them. I think Punky was more excited about this than about going to Disney! She loved playing with GiGi and Gann and had soooo much fun. I will post pictures of the visit when we get home.

It was extremely nice weather on Sunday-about 80. It looks like the weather is steadily going to get colder as the week goes on, so no swimming for us this week! It is still warmer than back home, though!

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, I know, once you become an adult (I guess an old adult) you don't celebrate birthdays like when you were a kid. I am really fine with that, and don't even really need presents. So, here is how my birthday went...

• 7:00 a.m. - got up and showered, got Punky ready to go to the sitter; packed my lunch and out the door at 7:45.
• Got to work and had a nice stressful morning; many of my friends wished me a great birthday, and I even had a 40th birthday balloon appear in my office...nice. I didn't mind the joke, except that there were a few people that came by my office and asked (seriously) if I was really 40....NO!
• 11:00 - Friends bought me lunch-Panera yummy! Scarfed it down so that I still had time to run to the courthouse to get a copy of Punky's birth cerficate for Disney. Raced back to work.
• 12:00 - Had a lovely hard working afternoon.
• 4:30 - went to pick up Punky at the sitter...found out she had not taken a nap, so I knew this would be a fun evening.
• Punky needed to take treats to school on Thursday, so we stopped by Schnucks to pick out a cake mix and frosting. Went home.
• 5:00 - Made a cake (with Punky's help). Fixed a very fast and not so filling dinner of Ramen noodles and put in a load of laundry. Ate dinner; all of this with one cranky girl at my heels.
• 6:00 - left for church; Punky almost didn't get to go because of her attitude.
• 8:15 - arrived back home; hubby was at his soccer game; Punky had been crying most of the way home; had a conversation as to why she was NOT going to get to eat a cupcake because she had been bad all evening long.
• Got her ready for bed, teeth brushed, potty, all while she was still crying because now she didn't want to go to bed early. I explained many times that when she doesn't take a nap, she has to go to bed early.
• Put in another load of laundry.
• 9:00 - finally got Punky to sleep.
• Cleaned up the kitchen and folded laundry while watching something on TV (I can't even remember what).
• 9:45 - Hubby came home, so we put in a frozen pizza. YUM!
• Ate some pizza and put in another load of laundry (yes, I am behind and want it ALL done by the time we leave on vacation).
• 10:30 - Folded more clothes and decided it was time to go to bed.
• Made sure doors were locked and all lights out except the ones hubby was using.
• Gave Punky another blanket and turned out her princess light.
• Brushed my teeth, washed my face.
• Had devotions. I think I fell asleep before I was even done praying.

I could use a lot of words to describe my birthday...hectic, stressful, busy...but I am thankful for it. I have many wonderful people in my life and am truly blessed.

Oh, and I realized that my driver's license also expired, so I guess I know where I will have to go tomorrow!!! Oh great, a new picture. UGH!