The first thing that fell this morning was ME .... down our stairs into the basement. I twisted my ankle and landed on my right arm. Ouch! Thankfully my whole body ended up in the same place at the same time unlike a fall a couple of years ago where my arms were left on the second stair from the top and my body was on the second from the bottom.
What fell all .... day ... long .... today was RAIN! It was lovely! It was the perfect day to be at home, in comfy sweats, doing some housework, watching some television, and taking a couple of cat naps. And I did all of these things.
I hope you enjoyed your Saturday, as well.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
The Homecoming Dance
Dawson took Taylar to the homecoming dance last night. His buddies came over to hang out while him while the girls got ready at another house. Taylar arrived with her best friend and her date. Then they all rode to the dance in his mustang, but not before pictures.
At the next dance, these two will be going in this car! And Dawson will be driving. Whoa!! First dances ... driving ... a girlfriend ... it's more than this mama's heart can take.
 |
| With this corsage, I thee dance ... |
 |
| The whole gang in front of Dawson's cool car. |
At the next dance, these two will be going in this car! And Dawson will be driving. Whoa!! First dances ... driving ... a girlfriend ... it's more than this mama's heart can take.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Homecoming Parade
Today is our town's homecoming. Dawson, Eli, and Brynne all three had a part in the parade.
Dawson's class float represented the Old West in the theme "All-American Homecoming". Dawson did all of the detail work on the bulldogs.
Eli recently joined Cub Scouts, so he and his pack got to lead the parade with the flags. He LOVED the parade! I could see him waving from all the way down the street.
Brynne rode on a trailer with the Septemberfest wee queen candidates, since the Septemberfest parade was cancelled last month because of rain.
After the parade, I took Eli and Brynne to Dairy Queen for a treat.
Tonight Dawson is going to the football game and then to the homecoming dance with Taylar. I'll have pictures of them later in the weekend.
Dawson's class float represented the Old West in the theme "All-American Homecoming". Dawson did all of the detail work on the bulldogs.
Eli recently joined Cub Scouts, so he and his pack got to lead the parade with the flags. He LOVED the parade! I could see him waving from all the way down the street.
Brynne rode on a trailer with the Septemberfest wee queen candidates, since the Septemberfest parade was cancelled last month because of rain.
After the parade, I took Eli and Brynne to Dairy Queen for a treat.
Tonight Dawson is going to the football game and then to the homecoming dance with Taylar. I'll have pictures of them later in the weekend.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Nicole's Daybook
Outside my window... it's beautiful! Sunny, crisp, leaves changing.
I am thinking... about all of the implications of Kyndal's actions from last night. Here she goes!
I am thankful ... for my simple life and my simple home.
I am wearing... brown and green workout pants, a green long-sleeved shirt and a white hoodie.
I am planning... to do laundry at my mom's today because my washing maching died this weekend.
I am creating... lesson plans on the fly this week, because I didn't have my Sunday evening planning time.
I am going... with Dawson after school to order his date's corsage for the homecoming dance this Friday.
I am reading... The Perks of Being a Wildflower by Stephen Chbosky.
I am hoping... that at some point my teenagers learn that you have to respect authority even when you don't agree with it. Have I failed in this aspect of parenting?
From the learning rooms... We are back to a regular school schedule this week after a week of necessary errands, a sick day, and a field trip. We like these structured weeks!
Noticing that ... the junk mail in my inbox has gotten so out of hand! So I have spent the past couple of days unsubscribing to those I don't want. I was seriously getting about 100 junk e-mails a day, and they were all things I had signed up for at some time or another.
From the kitchen... I am having toast with homemade jellies (plum, blackberry, zucchini strawberry) that I got from Dawson's girlfriend's mom. I would be eating homemade chunky applesauce, also, but Dawson ate the entire jar last night!
Around the house... are fall decorations FINALLY!
One of my favorite things... my pjs and robe, a cup of hot green tea, and a blanket while snuggled up on the couch after the kids go to bed.
A few plans for the rest of the week... tonight we are going to the high school volleyball game. Tomorrow night I have handbell choir practice at church and dinner. Thursday, Dawson and I are going to buy his outfit for the homecoming dance. Friday is homecoming! Eli and Brynne are both in the parade ... Eli for cub scouts and Brynne for the Septemberfest queen contest. After recuperating from the dance and late night Friday night, we will be taking it real easy the rest of the weekend!
I am hoping... that at some point my teenagers learn that you have to respect authority even when you don't agree with it. Have I failed in this aspect of parenting?
From the learning rooms... We are back to a regular school schedule this week after a week of necessary errands, a sick day, and a field trip. We like these structured weeks!
Noticing that ... the junk mail in my inbox has gotten so out of hand! So I have spent the past couple of days unsubscribing to those I don't want. I was seriously getting about 100 junk e-mails a day, and they were all things I had signed up for at some time or another.
From the kitchen... I am having toast with homemade jellies (plum, blackberry, zucchini strawberry) that I got from Dawson's girlfriend's mom. I would be eating homemade chunky applesauce, also, but Dawson ate the entire jar last night!
Around the house... are fall decorations FINALLY!
One of my favorite things... my pjs and robe, a cup of hot green tea, and a blanket while snuggled up on the couch after the kids go to bed.
A few plans for the rest of the week... tonight we are going to the high school volleyball game. Tomorrow night I have handbell choir practice at church and dinner. Thursday, Dawson and I are going to buy his outfit for the homecoming dance. Friday is homecoming! Eli and Brynne are both in the parade ... Eli for cub scouts and Brynne for the Septemberfest queen contest. After recuperating from the dance and late night Friday night, we will be taking it real easy the rest of the weekend!
From my picture journal.
 |
| Me and the munchkins at Powell Gardens last week. |
Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.
Monday, October 8, 2012
I don't know what to call this post ... "Growing up too fast", "Impatience" , "Independence", "Deja vu".
I graduated from high school on a Friday. On Saturday, I moved to a town 30 miles away into an apartment by myself. I was 17. I had secured a job at a law office as a secretary and was enrolled in 15 hours in college. I had a serious boyfriend. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to get on with my life. I wanted to be in charge of myself. And I wanted it NOW. The next few years were very hard. I had to work very hard. Being a grownup was liberating, but exhausting.
Fast forward about 25 years.
Kyndal.
Kyndal will be 18 next month. She is a senior in high school. She has a serious boyfriend. She wants to be independent. She wants to get on with her life. She wants to be in charge of herself. And she wants it NOW.
I remember taking her to kindergarten. Instead of being dropped off in the kindergarten loop with all the other five and six year olds, she wanted to get to school early and for me to drop her off at the very end of the sidewalk in front of the school. Then she could walk all the way down it by herself, go in the front door with the big kids, and go sit in the cafeteria with them until the bell rung dismissing them to class. I can still see her walking down that sidewalk with her braids down her back and her way-too-big Barbie backpack on her back. She'd turn around once or twice and wave at me. She was saying, "Bye, mommy. See how big I am now."
Kyndal is not getting along in her current living arrangement. She wants to move out of her dad's house very soon and in with her boyfriend. They are making plans for their future. It's not the path I would have chosen for her. It's a hard path. It's doable, but it's hard.
She wants to be indepenent. She wants to get on with her life. She wants to be in charge of herself. And she wants it NOW.
At first I told her that I would not support this decision. But then I had to ask myself if I would rather her do it completely alone or do it with some guidance and emotional support. Because, she is going to do it if that's what she wants.
So I have spent the last couple of Sunday evenings talking with Kyndal and Collin, trying to give them advice that I hope they are hearing and taking to heart. They have some steps that need to be taken, but do they have the courage and diligence to take them? All I can do is be here when they need to talk, impart my meager wisdom, and pray for them.
Gone are the days of my greatest worry being whether Kyndal would fall down on the sidewalk walking up to the big kid door at school. Now I lose real sleep worrying about her. Parenting gets harder, not easier. Their decisions now affect the rest of their lives. And bandaids and kisses don't heal wounds.
I graduated from high school on a Friday. On Saturday, I moved to a town 30 miles away into an apartment by myself. I was 17. I had secured a job at a law office as a secretary and was enrolled in 15 hours in college. I had a serious boyfriend. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to get on with my life. I wanted to be in charge of myself. And I wanted it NOW. The next few years were very hard. I had to work very hard. Being a grownup was liberating, but exhausting.
Fast forward about 25 years.
Kyndal.
Kyndal will be 18 next month. She is a senior in high school. She has a serious boyfriend. She wants to be independent. She wants to get on with her life. She wants to be in charge of herself. And she wants it NOW.
I remember taking her to kindergarten. Instead of being dropped off in the kindergarten loop with all the other five and six year olds, she wanted to get to school early and for me to drop her off at the very end of the sidewalk in front of the school. Then she could walk all the way down it by herself, go in the front door with the big kids, and go sit in the cafeteria with them until the bell rung dismissing them to class. I can still see her walking down that sidewalk with her braids down her back and her way-too-big Barbie backpack on her back. She'd turn around once or twice and wave at me. She was saying, "Bye, mommy. See how big I am now."
Kyndal is not getting along in her current living arrangement. She wants to move out of her dad's house very soon and in with her boyfriend. They are making plans for their future. It's not the path I would have chosen for her. It's a hard path. It's doable, but it's hard.
She wants to be indepenent. She wants to get on with her life. She wants to be in charge of herself. And she wants it NOW.
At first I told her that I would not support this decision. But then I had to ask myself if I would rather her do it completely alone or do it with some guidance and emotional support. Because, she is going to do it if that's what she wants.
So I have spent the last couple of Sunday evenings talking with Kyndal and Collin, trying to give them advice that I hope they are hearing and taking to heart. They have some steps that need to be taken, but do they have the courage and diligence to take them? All I can do is be here when they need to talk, impart my meager wisdom, and pray for them.
Gone are the days of my greatest worry being whether Kyndal would fall down on the sidewalk walking up to the big kid door at school. Now I lose real sleep worrying about her. Parenting gets harder, not easier. Their decisions now affect the rest of their lives. And bandaids and kisses don't heal wounds.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Happy Kids
I think that my kids are all in a pretty happy place right now.
Kyndal is certainly having the most difficult time, but she is on the verge of being on her own and is unsure about what her future holds. It's a very exciting time for her. She and her boyfriend have some major decisions they need to be making. If they have the courage to follow their hearts, then I see great things for their futures. I just hope they have patience.
Dawson ... well ... things are going great for him right now. He is doing really good in school. He has met a couple of really great friends. And, he now has a girlfriend. She is adorable. I grew up with her parents, so I know that she comes from a great family. Let's just say he is smitten.
Eli and Brynne are loving living here in Missouri, close to papa and grandma, able to walk and scooter everywhere. They love the park and our church. They are so happy that we are close to my parents' lakehouse so they can go fishing and out in the boat.
Even Crusoe is perfectly happy here. He loves going out in the boat, too.
One of the greatest things for me is our family dinner on Sunday evenings at my parents'. It's so great to have all of the grandkids together (and significant others) for dinner and fun. This week all the kids (even the baby) walked across the street to play basketball at the elementary school. Then they all went for a Dairy Queen date.
It's fun and exciting times for my kids, and a joy to watch.
Kyndal is certainly having the most difficult time, but she is on the verge of being on her own and is unsure about what her future holds. It's a very exciting time for her. She and her boyfriend have some major decisions they need to be making. If they have the courage to follow their hearts, then I see great things for their futures. I just hope they have patience.
 |
| My niece Ashtyn and Kyndal's boyfriend Collin |
Dawson ... well ... things are going great for him right now. He is doing really good in school. He has met a couple of really great friends. And, he now has a girlfriend. She is adorable. I grew up with her parents, so I know that she comes from a great family. Let's just say he is smitten.
Eli and Brynne are loving living here in Missouri, close to papa and grandma, able to walk and scooter everywhere. They love the park and our church. They are so happy that we are close to my parents' lakehouse so they can go fishing and out in the boat.
Even Crusoe is perfectly happy here. He loves going out in the boat, too.
One of the greatest things for me is our family dinner on Sunday evenings at my parents'. It's so great to have all of the grandkids together (and significant others) for dinner and fun. This week all the kids (even the baby) walked across the street to play basketball at the elementary school. Then they all went for a Dairy Queen date.
It's fun and exciting times for my kids, and a joy to watch.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Happy Birthday
Yesterday was my dad's 63rd birthday. My mom, sister and the rest of the family had an out-of-town volleyball game of my niece's. So, Eli, Brynne, and I invited my dad over for a special dinner. The kids made cards for papa and we had pork chops, oven-baked sliced potatoes, fresh green beans, and crock pot pumpkin pie. It was a nice evening! Happy birthday, dad!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Nicole's Daybook
Outside my window... it's sunny with a slight breeze, and crisp and cool! It was a perfect fall day to be walking at the park. Beautiful!
I am thinking... about how I have been busy living my life instead of blogging about it.
I am thankful ... that I got to hear my 3 month old baby niece's first laugh yesterday. Eli and Brynne were outside playing ninja and she was watching them. Then she started laughing. She did it more than once. So special!
I am wearing... black lined track pants, a nike t-shirt, tennis shoes.
I am planning... a garage sale we are having this Saturday.
I am creating... Ninja Halloween costumes; items to put in the church Christmas bazaar.
I am going... to run up and get my hair colored in about 30 minutes. Yea!!!
I am reading... The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd ... just kidding! I actually finished it at the lake this weekend! Now I am reading The Perks of Being a Wildflower by Stephen Chbosky.
I am hoping... that some money will start growing on our trees.
From the learning rooms... We have had to take a couple of Life Skills days this week so far. Yesterday we HAD to go get groceries, go to the recycling center, etc. Then today I HAVE to get my hair done while my sister is in town. It's back to the books tomorrow, and we are going on a field trip on Friday.
Noticing that ... I love BBC television series! I started watching Call the Midwife last night on PBS, have recorded Upstairs, Downstairs (season 1), that I wanted to watch because season 2 starts this week, and cannot WAIT until January when Downton Abbey starts again!
From the kitchen... Fixing dinner for my dad tonight. It's his birthday and the rest of the family is going to my niece's volleyball game. We are having baked pork chops, gold potatoes, fresh garlic and bacon green beans, and crock pot pumpkin pie!
Around the house... are pumpkins. I'll finish decorating this weekend when Rick brings my tub of fall decorations.
One of my favorite things... is watching Dawson live the small town school life.
A few plans for the rest of the week... today I am getting my hair colored and cut, then having lunch at my mom's. Tonight the little kids and I are fixing my dad his birthday dinner. Tomorrow night I have hand bell choir practice at church. On Thursday evening, my friend is coming over for some chat time. The little kids and I are going to a really cool place by Kansas City called Powell Gardens to see their Fairy Houses and Forts exhibit on Friday. And that night Rick is coming for a visit! And he's bringing Antonio with him. On Saturday I am having a little garage sale, and then we'll go to church on Sunday and then dinner at mom and dad's before Rick heads back to Oklahoma. I'd say he'll spend lots of time watching all of his favorite t.v. shows I have dvr'd for him on Saturday while I'm having the garage sale. There aren't too many projects for him this time, so he'll be able to just spend some time relaxing.
I am hoping... that some money will start growing on our trees.
From the learning rooms... We have had to take a couple of Life Skills days this week so far. Yesterday we HAD to go get groceries, go to the recycling center, etc. Then today I HAVE to get my hair done while my sister is in town. It's back to the books tomorrow, and we are going on a field trip on Friday.
Noticing that ... I love BBC television series! I started watching Call the Midwife last night on PBS, have recorded Upstairs, Downstairs (season 1), that I wanted to watch because season 2 starts this week, and cannot WAIT until January when Downton Abbey starts again!
From the kitchen... Fixing dinner for my dad tonight. It's his birthday and the rest of the family is going to my niece's volleyball game. We are having baked pork chops, gold potatoes, fresh garlic and bacon green beans, and crock pot pumpkin pie!
Around the house... are pumpkins. I'll finish decorating this weekend when Rick brings my tub of fall decorations.
One of my favorite things... is watching Dawson live the small town school life.
A few plans for the rest of the week... today I am getting my hair colored and cut, then having lunch at my mom's. Tonight the little kids and I are fixing my dad his birthday dinner. Tomorrow night I have hand bell choir practice at church. On Thursday evening, my friend is coming over for some chat time. The little kids and I are going to a really cool place by Kansas City called Powell Gardens to see their Fairy Houses and Forts exhibit on Friday. And that night Rick is coming for a visit! And he's bringing Antonio with him. On Saturday I am having a little garage sale, and then we'll go to church on Sunday and then dinner at mom and dad's before Rick heads back to Oklahoma. I'd say he'll spend lots of time watching all of his favorite t.v. shows I have dvr'd for him on Saturday while I'm having the garage sale. There aren't too many projects for him this time, so he'll be able to just spend some time relaxing.
From my picture journal.
Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Immediate Results
I mentioned on Tuesday that I had decided to make some changes to Brynne's diet because of her lactose intolerance and probable IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Some brief history. Brynne has always had stomach aches, since she was an infant. In fact, she started taking Maalox as an infant (per doctor's orders). She was also a very gassy baby ... like wake us up out of a dead sleep. She had obvious milk aversions and was switched to soy formula (with positive results) by about 6 weeks. Breastfeeding was impossible. If I ate anything that contained a milk protein, she suffered for it. Her tummy has always been very distended and bloated. And she has had a couple of trips to the doctor due to some serious bathroom issues.
At one point our doctor had us try an elimination diet to determine if she was lactose intolerant, but it was a difficult test to administer on such a small child. We knew that she probably was. But, when she would get one of her tummy aches we would just give her a dose of Maalox and she would feel better.
Here in the past year, however, her bathroom issues have become more serious. And, her tummy has gotten very bloated. She's a short and stocky girl, so I just figured her bigger tummy was due to her natural build. She is a healthy eater, not an over eater, and is very active. The rest of her body looks good. But why is her tummy still so big?? My mom mentioned that she wondered if it was a gas buildup due to milk and/or other things. (At some previous doctor appointments, my doctor would say that her tummy was so tight that she was sure it was full of gas.)
So, I decided to tackle this with a change in diet. I did lots and lots of research and came up with the following changes:
We have only been doing this diet since Sunday. But, you know what? It's working! Usually when she goes to bed at night, her stomach is really bloated. In the mornings, it's smaller. Last night when she was putting on her pj's, her stomach was significantly smaller than it usually is! I could see a huge difference already!
She has been very concious of everything she is putting in her mouth, asking me if it is a safe food. I am doing my part behind the scenes (like making sure safe foods are on hand, making her decaf tea, cooking with turkey instead of beef, making her snacks she can eat like carrot muffins, and just keeping her educated). But it's great that she is aware that she has a health issue that she needs to take care of. She's a smart girl and I am sure we will be successful with this.
Some brief history. Brynne has always had stomach aches, since she was an infant. In fact, she started taking Maalox as an infant (per doctor's orders). She was also a very gassy baby ... like wake us up out of a dead sleep. She had obvious milk aversions and was switched to soy formula (with positive results) by about 6 weeks. Breastfeeding was impossible. If I ate anything that contained a milk protein, she suffered for it. Her tummy has always been very distended and bloated. And she has had a couple of trips to the doctor due to some serious bathroom issues.
At one point our doctor had us try an elimination diet to determine if she was lactose intolerant, but it was a difficult test to administer on such a small child. We knew that she probably was. But, when she would get one of her tummy aches we would just give her a dose of Maalox and she would feel better.
Here in the past year, however, her bathroom issues have become more serious. And, her tummy has gotten very bloated. She's a short and stocky girl, so I just figured her bigger tummy was due to her natural build. She is a healthy eater, not an over eater, and is very active. The rest of her body looks good. But why is her tummy still so big?? My mom mentioned that she wondered if it was a gas buildup due to milk and/or other things. (At some previous doctor appointments, my doctor would say that her tummy was so tight that she was sure it was full of gas.)
So, I decided to tackle this with a change in diet. I did lots and lots of research and came up with the following changes:
- Lactose free milk and minimal dairy products
- No red meat
- No insoluble fiber on an empty stomach
- No insoluble fiber unless coupled with some soluble fiber
- No artificial sweeteners
- No egg yolks
- Limited oils, butter
- No caffeine
- No carbonated beverages
- Change from whole wheat to white or corn or potato (rice, pasta, breads)
- No wheat bran
- Limited of the following (and always eaten with an insoluble fiber): popcorn, berries, grapes, raisins, cherries, pineapples, melons, peaches, nectarines, apricots, pears, citrus, apples (safe if peeled), dates, prumes, peas, lettuce and all greens, green beans, bell peppers, corn, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, onions, shallots, leeks, garlic, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, fresh herbs
- Increase of these foods: white rice, white pasta, oatmeal, cornmeal, white breads, barley, rice cereals, corn cereals, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, soy, quinoa, carrots, yams, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, rutabagas, parsnips, beets, pumpkin, mushrooms, chestnuts, avocados, bananas, mango, papaya, and applesauce
We have only been doing this diet since Sunday. But, you know what? It's working! Usually when she goes to bed at night, her stomach is really bloated. In the mornings, it's smaller. Last night when she was putting on her pj's, her stomach was significantly smaller than it usually is! I could see a huge difference already!
She has been very concious of everything she is putting in her mouth, asking me if it is a safe food. I am doing my part behind the scenes (like making sure safe foods are on hand, making her decaf tea, cooking with turkey instead of beef, making her snacks she can eat like carrot muffins, and just keeping her educated). But it's great that she is aware that she has a health issue that she needs to take care of. She's a smart girl and I am sure we will be successful with this.
Fishing Derby
Ever since I slipped up and revealed to my kids that my parents have a lakehouse (yes, I managed to keep that a secret for the first 6 1/2 years of Brynne's life! ... I am not a lake person), they have taken a lovin' to fishing ... especially Eli.
This past Saturday our town had a fishing derby at the local park. Registration was at an early hour (for us on a Saturday) of 8 a.m. The derby ran from then until 10:00 a.m. Papa went with us because
a) I don't touch bait. And
2) I don't touch fish.
So, if they got lucky and actually caught a fish, Papa would be an important person to have along.
It. was. COLD! That wouldn't have been so bad, but there was a strong northeast wind. My dad told me that an eastern wind means minimal fish biting. That proved to be true for us.
Neither Eli nor Brynne caught a fish. But, they had fun. And my dad and I had fun listening to the two of them bantering back and forth. We call Eli and Brynne: "Claude and Margaret". Claude and Margaret were fishing on Saturday morning.
After about an hour, and not even one nibble, the kids ran to play at the park and my dad and I fished for a few minutes before packing everything up. The chamber of commerce provided a free fish fry with all the fixins' (which is kind of weird at 9:00 a.m.), but it was still good!
When the prizes were distributed, each child got a bag with lots of fishing tackle goodies. Eli was presented with his very own fishing pole ("This is the best day of my life!") and Brynne received a tackle box with tackle.
Guess where we are going this weekend? To the lake ... to go fishing. (We have some years to make up for.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)