Library- Learning to Love it... again!

Libraries.
I love to go to the library.
I love the shelves upon shelves of books.
I love the organization of information.
I love the endless (seemingly) supply of stimulation available for the imagination.
And what about the smell?
Yes. The library has it's own smell.

The only exception would be when I HAD to go to the library.
Somehow the task of a daunting research paper took all the enjoyment
out of spending time in the library.
Being the over-achiever, perfectionist that I was (Boy! Becoming a mother has sure changed some things!),
I never attempted the easy, obvious subjects.
No.
I always seemed to choose the most difficult subjects to write about.
Of course, I wouldn't realize I'd chosen the most difficult subject until I'd spent enough time and effort pursuing it that it was impractical to change my mind.
Yep.
It was those times that the library did not equal enjoyment.

Then I had children.
I remembered the fun I used to have in the library
pre-research paper days.
I just knew my girls would LOVE the library too.
And so I packed up the diaper bag, buckled everyone into their car seats, loaded the stroller, and ventured off to the library.
After finding a parking space, I lugged out the stroller, unbuckled car seats, buckled a baby into the stroller, grabbed the diaper bag (that doubled as my purse), grabbed a toddler hand, instructed the oldest to hold the other toddler hand, and
traversed our way inside the library.
As predicted, they LOVED it.

Of course, trying to keep three young kiddos quiet, well-behaved and under control, soon thwarted my own enjoyment of the library.
But the girls were hooked.
It was hard to keep them from clearing off entire shelves of books.
Thank goodness the library put a limit to the number of books one could check out at one time.
Of course, twenty books can still be quite daunting.
And I thought it a wonderful idea to allow Industrious One to have her own library card. That meant our limit was doubled to only forty.

Books are wonderful!
Reading books can take you anywhere in your imagination.
The benefits are undeniable!

However, a deep dread soon overshadowed this wonderful place called the library.
One ripped book--- really, really ripped--- we're talking about several important pages of said book-- sent me to a dark place where the library was concerned.
Being a responsible, honest citizen and patron,
the image of an angry, unhappy librarian drove me into action.
I immediately went searching for a new copy of the beloved book for the library.
As Murphy would have it, the title was out of print!
::groan::
I finally found a used copy on the internet and purchased it.
The librarian was anything but angry with me over the ripped book.
She even seemed surprised that I produced a replacement.
Still, I was scarred.
Add to that incident a few times of forgotten due dates and large late fees,
and I soon found any number of reasons and excuses why we wouldn't be going to the library on that day.

But now my girls are a little older.
There are no more diapers, no more strollers, and no more paper-ripping toddlers.
Each one has grown to love reading.
Each one has their own library card.
And each one carries their own bag of books.
The kiddos still LOVE the library and fill their bags with their limit of books which promptly sweep them away to quiet places of imagination.

Library, I love you again!

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Friday Fun

Courtesy of our classroom board
following art class:

Ever feel like this?

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Wednesday's Work

Remember paper dolls?

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Evidence of Humanity

Laundry.

We all have it.
It's almost universal... at least, for all of us cloth bearing individuals it is.
It has to be done.
If it isn't done... well, that could be bad- very, very bad. (not to mention, smelly)

This basket is a basket full of CLEAN laundry.


Here we have DIRTY laundry on the floor, CLEAN laundry in the dryer,
and laundry in limbo inside the washer.


Oh no!
There's more!
That is CLEAN laundry on top of the washer & dryer.


You've got. to. be. kidding. me!!
More?
That is also more CLEAN laundry.

***GASP!***
I see another lump of laundry!
That's it!
I must put the camera down.
I can't show you any more!
I have laundry to do!

CASE CLOSED!

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Because Learning Should Not Be...

...memorizing dates and facts
to be tested
in order to obtain a grade

so that one can move on
to the next set of dates and facts to be memorized
to be tested
in order to obtain a grade
...

Because learning should encompass
understanding the struggles and experiences
of people in history.
It should involve braving the depths of human emotions
and soul-wrenching trials.
It should include opportunities to view another culture
from the other side of our observation point.
And maybe even going beyond viewing to actually touching
the experiences of history through the fingers of imagination.
Because THAT is where true learning is found.

That is why we have chosen this road.

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

A Little Consideration Goes a Long Way

Industrious One is taking a cake decorating class.
She's very excited about it.
Class #2 was scheduled today.

Winter Storm #2-10-2010 was also today.

Before she started baking we called the organization that holds the class
to confirm whether the class would still be held or not.
They did not know.
Bake the cake.
Call the instructor.
No answer.
Sent to voice mail.
I leave my message & phone number.
Keep my cell phone at my side all day long.
No call.

So Industrious One works hard all afternoon to prepare her icing and cake.
She iced the cake beautifully.
Then she turned around and the cake plate fell over!!
We salvaged the cake- now a little lopsided & definitely crumb-y- and transferred it to a different cake plate.
Rushed around to pack up all the supplies needed.
Grabbed a quick-- very quick-- bite to eat and ran out the door to brave the snowy & drifting roads.

Arrived on time.
Filled our arms with basket, box & bags and dragged everything inside to the classroom...
a dark classroom... very empty classroom...
::bad feeling::
Management approached and informed us that the instructor was there earlier in the day and canceled the class.
::sigh:: ::grumble:: ::growl:: ::bite my tongue::

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, to extend a little grace to others (after all I've received MUCH grace myself).
But I'm human.
I'm a mom ... a tired mom.. a stressed mom...
a mom with other stuff going on...
A mom with a cell phone ON all day long that was NEVER called.
A frustrated mom.
A mom who is tired of being walked on by others.
A mom who would like just a little consideration...it would go a long way.
A mom who should end this post.
A mom who is getting whine-y.

Dig deep.
Use this as a chance to learn a little and practice a lot.
Share the skills already in possession.

A little rainbow to brighten the end of a frustrating day.

Good job Industrious One!

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Eavesdropping??

Overheard today:

"You don't OWN the snow!", says one child to another.

© 2010
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

A few thoughts from my heart.

I was working on a purple crotcheted hat when I looked down and saw this pink heart on my lap.
I have no idea how it got there. It had been 24 hours since I had worked with that color. And I certainly hadn't shaped it there on my lap.
Funny how things just happen.
Life is like that.

I don't generally subscribe to resolutions because we all have the choice to make a change at any time. That being said, we gladly left 2009 behind and hope that 2010 brings encouragement, hope, and changes in positive directions for us.
Of course, change doesn't always come easy and many of the changes we hope to make in 2010 are going to be difficult-- but necessary.
And we pray the end results will be positive for our family.
We've just left the first month of the year behind and not much has changed for us. In fact, I declared, between sobs last week, that I feel like we're spinning our tires in deep, thick mud! We've attempted to make some moves but seem to have only encountered slammed doors. Now we're looking for windows.

One BIG CHANGE for 2010 we've already set in motion is that we are placing all three of our horses (Pholly, MaGee and Kid) for sale. We hope to find new homes for them quickly. My heart needs for this to just happen so it can heal and move on. We'll be sad to see them go, for sure. We've agonized over this decision since last summer. I've cried-- sobbed- felt the pain in my heart- put it off & tried to ignore it but... It is just necessary. There are positives on the other side of the decision that I'm hanging on to. Finding great new homes for them will ease the pain.

Parenting is certainly changing its face for us. It's one crazy beast that morphs from one form to another. We see areas we need to change, mistakes we've made and need to fix quickly before it's too late, things we are happy we're doing and would like to do more. I plan to blog more on this soon.

Speaking of blogging: It is my goal to keep this up to date this year. I have some personal goals where my love for photography is concerned that I hope to incorporate into my blog. One task I've set before myself is to capture ONE image from my day to share here. The idea seems to be in keeping with giving you a peek in my windows. That's not always easy because there's the risk of vulnerability. A friend shared a great quote today that says it best:
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue."
So true.

We've reached 2010 and we're into our late 30's... supposedly "all-grown-up".. and we're just now figuring out what we really want to do "when we grow up". ::insert laughing here::
That's not really fair, is it? I mean... what we really want to do is a far cry from what we are doing! Sheesh! (And thus we encourage our kiddos to take their time! There's no hurry when you're in your late teens and even your early twenties- I mean REALLY!)
So 2010 will involve much research... much pondering... some simplifying and hopefully putting some "ducks in a row". Whether we make drastic changes in the end or not only The Lord knows. But it can't hurt to take steps toward improvement- right?

And back to that heart...
next to pursuing wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)...
I hope to guard mine well and in turn encourage my children to do so as well.

"ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART,
FOR IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING YOU DO."
~Proverbs 4:23

Now how did that pink yarn heart get there?

© 2009
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.

Do Over

My Sailor-man & I have entered into a new stage of parenting called "Parenting teenagers". We entered this stage with our knee pads strapped on tightly. We know they'll help ward off the ache and pain that comes from spending much time down on our knees. Suddenly, we don't have the same amount of cushion around those joints that we used to. Bummer! Hopefully, no medication will be required to bring us out of this stage! (I jest!... hopefully!)

Months ago, I came across a piece of wisdom from another parent who has successfully survived parenting four teenagers across these churning seas. They explained their greatest tool- the DO OVER.

It makes sense. During this heightened time of change, our children are trying to become adults. It comes with much trial and error. And one of the areas that seems to be universally difficult is communication. The child now stretches his arms and attempts to express his own ideas. The problem is that they don't always express themselves in a manner that is truly "adult". When it comes down to it, some adults are still struggling to express themselves with maturity. So how can we expect them to get it right the first time? They need practice. And so...
the DO OVER!

Our teenager's failed attempt to express herself has a natural tendency to produce a response that might sound something like this: "How DARE you talk to me that way? I brought you into this world and I'll take you OUT!" (hahaha... I loved The Cosby Show! Do you remember that episode where Bill Cosby tells Theo that? Hilarious!) And of course, what this produces in an already explosive set of hormones is worse than the original failed attempt. Typically, fires flare up like wild fire and before you know it, someone is running for the closest fire extinguisher. It's not pretty.

But with this great tool called the DO OVER, a parent can simply remain calm and grant this "adult-in-the-making" a DO OVER. There are many ways to successfully activate the DO OVER. You can be long winded..."I understand you're trying to explain yourself but that wasn't the best manner in which to do it. How about a DO OVER?" This is good when you're feeling patient, having a great day, and in a nothing-can-make-me-mad mood. BUT! The DO OVER also works in a short version... "How about a DO OVER?" or simply "Wait. DO OVER." This is good when your day hasn't gone so well, you've next to no patience left, and you feel your blood pressure rising rapidly. Just take that one quick breath needed to get "DO OVER" from the tongue and past the lips.

And even better...
There are NO LIMITS to the DO OVER! I mean... this isn't baseball where it's three strikes and youuuuuuu'rrrrrrreeeeee OUT!
NOPE!
You can give as many DO OVERS as needed.

What a wonderful gem!
Give it a try!

© 2009
All images property of Jodie L Hemersbach
Do not copy, capture, print or steal.



P.S. DO OVERS don't have age limits either! They're like Roll-over minutes! They never expire!

A Team Effort

We're back from another family camping trip!!

We LOVE camping! It's a great way to spend time together as a family.


Camping is a family tradition that my own family had growing up. We spent at least one whole week out of every summer camping on the shores of Seventh Lake, located just outside Inlet, NY. The very special part of camping on Seventh Lake is that the state owned sites are boat (or hiking) accessible only. There are no roads leading in... no modern restrooms... no electricity... only two pit toilets located near the 2 sites with lean-to's (meaning you dig your own hole if you camp at any of the other sites)... it's truly CAMPING!!

I have the BEST memories from those family camping trips. It's one of my favorite places to be and someday I hope to take my girls there too.

But after our 3 day camping trip to Raccoon Lake, here in Indiana, something important has occurred to me. Camping is truly a TEAM EFFORT!!! That's the only way that I can imagine my mother ever got us there with all the necessary supplies for survival. We always had enough food & drinks for the week. We always had the right clothes. We always had toilet paper... ALWAYS!!!

And when I consider the preparations, the planning, the packing and foresight that mom had to have, I am in awe of her skills! (There were no Walmarts nearby folks!) While Mom & Dad always held to the motto that "we are a team" and Chad & I were always given tasks to pitch in on the work, I realize now that Chad & I didn't carry the "heavy end" of that load. NO indeed!

We were able to go on those wonderful family camping trips because Mom and Dad were... and are... a TEAM. They are a beautiful example of marriage. They work TOGETHER. They each SHARE the load. Mom worked hard to prepare for camping. And Dad didn't come home from his day job, plop down on the couch and expect her to wait on him... nope. He pitched in too. They WORKED TOGETHER. There was never his and hers - never! Not in jobs and not in possessions. It will always be OURS in their book.

And so we went camping this week and worked TOGETHER as a family. We drove in to our camp site and used the modern restrooms nearby (not quite the same as my ideal camping trip to Seventh Lake) but... We did the work TOGETHER and then we played TOGETHER.


Today is Mom & Dad's 38th wedding anniversary. And today I am so very thankful for my parents and their wonderful example to Chad & I then... and to us, our spouses and children now.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom & Dad! We LOVE YOU TONS!!!




P.S. I would be remiss not to wish my mother and father-in-law a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY also. Today they celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

(... some day I'll tell you readers about my good-man-Charlie-Brown's & my weird number thing ;) )

Going under water

Hair-tied-in-knots showed me her process for going under water.

This is the breathing preparation.

And now you hold your breath like this...

And I think this is sighting the point of entry....

And then you get in there quick before you run out of air and have to start all over....


And when you're done you pose for mom so her heart fills with mommy-love-and-pride.


::big grin::

Fragile

A young teenage boy is riding his bicycle. To where? I don't know. Apparently listening to his ipod, he was possibly in his own world with a favorite song in his ear. It was a great summer day for a bike ride. And then....

...he crossed the road without looking... or listening. In a moment- gone!

A man is going about his afternoon doing his job, I imagine. He's driving a heavy tri-axle dump truck loaded with gravel. Tons of gravel. I don't know what stresses his daily life holds but I know the nature of life. They are there. It was a great summer day even if he had to be working. And then....

...a boy on a bicycle turns right into the path of his truck. In a moment! There's no time to stop, 'tho he tries. The truck screeches and leaves a black path of rubber before stopping in a soy bean field.

It's not the opening for a novel. It's a true story that transpired just yesterday afternoon. It was around 2:30. The girls and I were checking out some groceries at our local small town IGA. We heard the sirens from the fire house across the street. Looking out the glass windows that are the front of the store, the cashier and I saw several emergency vehicles go screaming around the corner heading south. Both of us were concerned. Something told me that whatever call for help they were answering was BAD. The cashier expressed the same concern. I told her that it causes me to pray hard. She agreed.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, I glanced down the road headed south and saw the lights south of town. That feeling still lingering... it's BAD.

Today we got hay. We purchase hay from a gentleman who has become a dear friend to us. He and his family are wonderful people who are like extended family to us. He asked if our girls rode their bikes much... "yep"... "On the road?"... "no. Around the yard and on the driveway.".... He was sitting at the intersection waiting to turn when the boy crossed right in front of the gravel truck. A witness to that horrific event. He did not sleep well last night. Shaken to the depths of his soul is not an exaggeration.

Fragile.

Life is so very fragile.

In a moment, EVERYTHING can change.

Yesterday, our sweet Hair-Tied-In-Knots was pushing a bicycle over a landscape timber.. just to get it to the other side so she could ride it. It bounced up and attacked her. Her poor sweet smile was now covered in blood. I still don't understand how that thing did the damage that it did to her mouth. It was just one of those things... a freak thing, I guess. But she's now worried about smiling and someone seeing her bloodied, torn up gums. Her teeth are sore and she suffered some chips. It hurt and still hurt my mommy heart... and Gram's heart... and GDude's heart... and Daddy's heart --- Probably not as much as her mouth hurts. But chipped and bloody... we still have her here with us.

Oh Lord! Be quick to comfort that boy's family! Give them peace that ONLY You can give. Be with that man who was driving. Be with our dear friend who witnessed the accident. Give them Peace... Comfort... and Your Love!

It was a great summer day!

In a moment...

FRAGILE!!

The Circus is in Town

Well.... not really... but I felt like I was the circus!

In my bright, efficient, save gas money thinking, I made a vet appointment for our horses due for vaccinations and for Elsa... also due for booster shots. Seemed like a great plan... and I still think it was the smartest way of accomplishing the vetting that was due... but I didn't consider that I would feel like I was at the controls of a moving tornado!

I was so proud of myself for planning the morning well enough that we were actually running a few minutes ahead of schedule. Even after Pholly & "MaGOOF-ball" decided to play a game of chase (in the 90 degree heat no less!) with each other before being caught. Seemed fool hardy to me ... running is the last thing *I* would have wanted to do in yesterday's heat! Nevertheless, we had time to groom everyone, load everyone and still run back across the yard for forgotten items. As we pulled out of the driveway, I was amazed to see that I was ahead of schedule.

Of course, that all went away when I ran into towing "troubles". It wasn't troubles really... just concerns. But it was enough concern to warrant "Dad to the Rescue!" Nothing was amiss structurally, nor mechanically so we chalked it up to the wind, a different towing vehicle, and weight distribution. BUT, all of that extra time was now gone and we were late.

So now I am the LATE circus coming to town. We pull into the vet clinic in a nice neat package and then pour out like the wind that knows no boundaries. Oh... I'm sure it wasn't really that bad... but it's how my mommy-mind feels. Three kids, three horses, one puppy! Now that I think about it... it is much like supervising SEVEN children. No wonder I feel like the circus.

I'm not sure whether to express my appreciation for the kind, friendly manner in which the clinic staff handles us... or my apologies to them for the chaos I feel I am injecting into their afternoon.
And after we drive away... I realize I forgot to purchase the vaccinations for the ONE horse I left at home! Yep.... I had to turn around and go back... because, after all.... the whole point in bringing the circus to town was to save gas money!

Sigh! Welcome to "McBroom's Wonderful One Acre Farm"! (If you don't know what I'm talking about... look it up! It's a great... fun book to read to the kids!)

S--l--o--o--o--w Motion

You know those moments in life that fill just a few minutes or even just mere seconds yet are processed in your brain in a manner that makes you feel like it is happening in slow motion? Sometimes it's almost as if you are standing on the sidelines watching the event unfold. Or maybe it's as if your brain is processing the experience in a series of still shots that freeze each frame as it happens. It's weird! And it leaves you with a strange sensation depending on the outcome.

When I was pregnant with Hair-tied-in-knots, we hit a patch of ice and our vehicle could no longer be convinced to travel in the direction intended (around a 90 degree bend in the road). That moment still plays in my mind in s--l--o--o--o--w motion. I remember my-good-man-Charlie-Brown making every effort to stop the event-- brakes don't work on sheer ice. I remember realizing we were going straight into the trees ahead. I remember thinking, "this is going to HURT!" I remember turning to the inside of the car to avoid the shattering glass. How we ended up perfectly squeezed between two trees can only be attributed to God's Hand on us. We all walked away unharmed. I spent the afternoon finding glass in strange places.

The actual giving birth to my second and third daughters... those moments play in my mind as if they were hours stretched before me. I recall all kinds of details in those moments. I remember that it hurt but oddly enough... the pain actually fades aways-- otherwise, who would go thru it again?? REALLY!!?? In reality, the pushing stage of labor lasted less than 10 minutes with each. I don't know how long the reality of my first child's birth was. She was born by c-section and I was drugged & numb! THAT birth took hours!!:)

When my brother used to race dirt bikes, the start of the race... from the drop of the gates to the first turn... that seemed to take an eternity. The whole time I sat with my heart in my throat. When he would come out of that corner unscathed... and better... in the front... THEN I could breathe again. Yeah... that happens quickly but my brain always slowed it down.

I once fell off a mare we used to own. I got myself into the situation by a lack of good judgment and the consequences were only just and fair. She bolted and I knew that the other end of the run was going to involve me and the ground. It was a snowy winter day and I foolishly thought that the combination of coveralls and snow would act like a nice cushy mattress. I vividly knew when the fall began. My brain even slowed the event enough that I "planned" the place I should land. Slow motion or NOT... snow & coveralls do not equal cushy mattress! Yeah! THAT hurt!

Worse than my fall was the day Hair-tied-in-knots was riding a very well behaved haflinger when another horse had a moment of rebellion. I was standing beside my then 6 yo daughter who was happily riding all by herself. The other horse was young and the girl lungeing him essentially lost control of him. As he came careening around the outside of where we were, the girl didn't let go of the lunge line. I knew the second the pony left the spot. What choice did he have? He was just clothes-lined by an unexpected lunge line. Hair-tied-in-knots was on top of the saddle when she was next to me. I don't have a clue how I escaped injury... I was between the horses and don't remember ducking to avoid the now taut lunge line. I DO remember looking over and NOT seeing Hair-tied-in-knots on top of the pony. Nor was she on the ground! I knew that meant she was hanging on to the side of the saddle. Yeah! That whole scene plays in S-----L-----O-----W motion!! She did let go and she was fine... 'tho scared. So was the pony and both remember the experience all too well.

It's weird how the brain processes events sometimes.

I had a .....s--l--o--w ........m--o--t--i--o--n ........event today.

I climbed out of the car... shut the door...... saw horror on my dad's face... heard him say something like "OH! n...." (unfinished "no")... that was the second the door left my grasp... I vividly saw my mother's hand on the door jamb! .... my heart stopped!
Once again, I can only give the Lord credit causing her to move her hand JUST IN TIME! I don't know how her hand got out of there. There certainly didn't seem to be enough time but... (oh yeah! I can breathe.... I forgot!)... she has all of her fingers and none of them were crushed!

Oh! I'm so glad her hand didn't get shut in that door!!

PHEW!

I love you Mom! :)

Got Skills?

Pardon the interuption to this post... you'll find my blog at nibbynosing.blogspot.com.... Back to your regularly scheduled post... previously aired!

I've got skills... or at least, I am getting skills! But my Dad keeps telling me, "You've got skills!"

This afternoon my task was to finish hanging drywall in a kitchen remodel we're working on. My Industrious One volunteered her muscles to help me since my-Good-Man-Charlie-Brown had to work late at his day job. (Plus, she says she "loves power tools!") No problem! I have skills!

Only one concern- a section behind the temporary sink we've installed. The sink would have to be unhooked in order to cut and hang the drywall. So I spoke to Dad on the phone and told him that I planned to measure and cut that piece but wouldn't be able to put it in place until the sink was unhooked. Dad's response?

"You can do that! You have skills!" :)

He then proceeded to explain to me what I needed to do. Now, I do have a little bit of plumbing knowledge and experience... all thanks to Dad!... so I told him I'd give it a try. I saved that piece for last... maybe I wouldn't get to it. But when you're working with my Industrious One, you get stuff done! Before I knew it, there was that section! It was the only place left and there's no way I was going to leave the job undone!

So I tackled the job! Unhooked the sink and drain, measured, cut and installed the drywall, put the sink back in place, hooked up the drain and hooked up the water. Voila! Job done! As it turns out, Dad was right! I've got skills! :)

Funny too! While I was cleaning up the work area, I thought to myself, "Gee! That's all it took was for Dad to say, 'You can do it', to give me the confidence to at least try.

It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have someone encouraging you, cheering you on, and telling you, "YES! You CAN do it."

As I am writing this, "Hell's Kitchen" is on. I'm not sure it is good quality entertainment (it isn't truly) really but it's background noise right now. What a stark contrast to the very thing I'm writing. Chef Ramsey seems to have no qualms about ripping, tearing and devouring his "apprentices". There is very little praise, very little encouragement but MUCH negative, derogatory interaction.

It's not just on TV that I've encountered that negative, destructive approach to teaching, educating and training people. Sadly, it's common. I remember overhearing an exasperated woman tell her frustrated daughter to "just quit then!" I wanted to scream "NO! You CAN DO IT! Keep trying!"

What was that woman thinking? I've been told by some that some people need that kind of motivation to get them going. You know... it's like the "I'll show her!" mentality. Well... I suppose you might see a momentary spark of determination to "show them." Still... I am convinced that the damage done to a person's confidence, spirit and mentality far outweighs any benefit that moment of rebellious determination produced.

I wonder what would happen if Chef Ramsey were to tell the gentleman who couldn't recite the dessert menu, "You CAN do it! I know you can! You were chosen to be on this show because You CAN! You've got what it takes!" Well... I guess it wouldn't be "HELL'S Kitchen" anymore would it? And he wouldn't have fired the guy either. But isn't it sad that we're entertained by the destruction of another person's spirit?

Because my parents believed in us... because they always told us to do our best- that's all they expected (win or lose, succeed or fail)... because they still tell me "You CAN do it!'... because they walk beside us, encourage us... they feed us positive reinforcement... because they don't squash our dreams but cheer us on.... they encourage us to try new things, give it all we've got and motivate us to learn.... just some of the reasons........

I've got SKILLS!

A moment in the spotlight!

Feeling like a star!
The picture of her reading to Milton was
included in the Sonlight catalog.
It's a big deal folks! :)

Our catalog arrived yesterday. The anticipation of the Sonlight catalog arriving in your mailbox is a BIG deal in "Sonlight land". Truly! It's a bit like tracking Santa Claus across the globe on Christmas Eve. I knew it was getting close as several others in my state of residence had received theirs, but mine hadn't arrived. I actually thought maybe the lady in the post office was enjoying my copy. My copy was finally released to my box yesterday.

With all of that anticipation, you would think it would have been the first thing on my to-do list. Sadly, it fell by the wayside (GASP!) until this evening.

I had entered a picture of our youngest reading her reader to Milton for the cover photo contest. It wasn't chosen but I was excited to see that it made the inside of the catalog. And now my baby gets a moment in the spotlight.

It's not always easy living in the shadow of older siblings - I wouldn't know! I AM the older sibling. You'd have to ask my brother his opinion. He'll tell you I'm NOT the boss of him. I have finally accepted that. LOL It took a lot of reminding on his part... years! Many years!!!

I am not sure how you temper the oldest child- first born- syndrome. I am constantly in conversation about being bossy with our oldest child. I feel her pain. The simple fact is that she has been given great leadership qualities. She takes responsibility very seriously and is a hard worker. I often remind her (but haven't in a while... maybe I need to reiterate this again) that our strongest characteristics can also be our biggest downfall.

I feel unequipped to guide my oldest child into the best part of who she is. I can only pray that the Lord fills the gap between my shortcomings and her best. It's that way for all of my children. The responsibility of being a parent is weighty and not for the faint hearted, that's for sure!

However, today was easy! The spotlight was for our girl who was feeling overshadowed. The timing couldn't have been more perfect-- that's God! Just in time!