Been thinking a lot about Lent and I finally decided that I would give up facebook. It is hard to do as I have used this social network to reconnect with some old friends and keep in touch with family. However, I can use email or pick up the phone if need be. I think I spend way too much time on on facebook, time I could be spending with family, friends and God.
I am also using the Lenten Devotions 2010 by Rev. Dr. Richard E. Rusbuldt. This is a series of scripture readings, reflections and questions which invite a person to journey to Jerusalem with Jesus and the disciples. My goal is to grow in my relationship with and understanding of God by spending time with the Lord.
I've been thinking about my faith recently and realize that it may reflect western values more than God's values. Not sure what to do about this, but wanted to remember the thought.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Big Fall
My stepmother, Andrea, slipped on the ice yesterday. She broke her ankle and is in the hospital. Hopefully she will have surgery tomorrow and be able to go home.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Big Snow
Two big storms in the last week. The first Friday night 2/5 and Sat. 2/6 leaving about 20 inches of snow. The second Wed. 2/10 leaving 24 inches.
The boys are in heaven. Three days off school and plenty to do. They have been busy building tobbogan runs with banks and ramps as well as forts, igloos and tunnels. They have also had time with neighbors including an awesome snowball fight. Just ask Nick. Inside there have been fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate, roasted hot dogs, toasted marshmallows etc... Yes the house is beginning to look like a ski lodge. The only problem is that when we leave our gloves by the fire to dry, Dexter steals them.
Tonight we took in a movie. Percy Jackson - The Lightening Theif. The boys loved it.
Tomorrow I'd like to get them to Valley Forge Park for some serious sledding down big hills.
No school on Monday because of Presidents' day. It is like an unplanned mini vacation and we are taking full advantage of it.
The boys are in heaven. Three days off school and plenty to do. They have been busy building tobbogan runs with banks and ramps as well as forts, igloos and tunnels. They have also had time with neighbors including an awesome snowball fight. Just ask Nick. Inside there have been fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate, roasted hot dogs, toasted marshmallows etc... Yes the house is beginning to look like a ski lodge. The only problem is that when we leave our gloves by the fire to dry, Dexter steals them.
Tonight we took in a movie. Percy Jackson - The Lightening Theif. The boys loved it.
Tomorrow I'd like to get them to Valley Forge Park for some serious sledding down big hills.
No school on Monday because of Presidents' day. It is like an unplanned mini vacation and we are taking full advantage of it.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ben's candy tree
Last time I wrote about Ben planting some candy. Today, he noticed a weed growing in the general vacinity of the planted candy. He is sure his candy is growing. I mentioned that it looked like the other weeds and I wasn't sure it was a candy plant. He came up with some story about the candy melting into the soil and being absorbed by the roots of the plant. Like a white carnation put in red food coloring, he is sure the weed has been transformed by absorbing the melted candy juice and is now somehow a candy plant. I told him, I wasn't sure about it. He told me to just wait and see. Glad I have a smart kid or I might have pulled up our candy tree with the weeds.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Savoring the moment
Ben rushes into the house from the school bus. I glance up to see him run back outside. I follow him and he is covered in dirt with a glass sitting next to him.
Mom: "Ben, What are you doing?"
Ben: "Nothing...I'm almost done."
Mom: "What is that glass doing outside?"
Ben: "I was...a...thirsty."
Mom: "Come on Ben. Let's go inside, clean you up and you can tell me about what you are doing."
Ben: "Well, Mom, you know when a person plants a piece of gum, hoping a tree will grow."
I nod trying to look like the wise mom.
Ben: "I had this piece of candy (a great sour candy called toxic waste) and I planted it. I wasn't wasting it because it had fallen on the floor of the school bus. I know it probably won't grow but there is always hope. God can do anything."
Mom: "You're right Ben, there is always hope."
Mom: "Ben, What are you doing?"
Ben: "Nothing...I'm almost done."
Mom: "What is that glass doing outside?"
Ben: "I was...a...thirsty."
Mom: "Come on Ben. Let's go inside, clean you up and you can tell me about what you are doing."
Ben: "Well, Mom, you know when a person plants a piece of gum, hoping a tree will grow."
I nod trying to look like the wise mom.
Ben: "I had this piece of candy (a great sour candy called toxic waste) and I planted it. I wasn't wasting it because it had fallen on the floor of the school bus. I know it probably won't grow but there is always hope. God can do anything."
Mom: "You're right Ben, there is always hope."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Fall Ball Saturday
Two games today Ben's at 9:00 and Nick's at 12:30.
Ben's - Coach pitch in the rain. Ben liked being catcher the best. This is an interesting position. The coach uses a big bucket of balls and pitches one pitch right after the next, especially in the rain when he wants to keep the game moving. Anytime Ben caught the ball, it would still be in his glove as the next ball arrived. Ben would try to dodge it, but frequently, it would just bounce off of him. I'd rename this position catcher/target.
More fun at Ben's game. While Ben was catching, there were several pauses to refill the ball bucket. After the first, Ben decided he would play his position differently. He played sitting down and gathered the balls between his legs. Like a hen with a big clutch of eggs, Ben hoarded the balls in hopes he could throw them back to the pitcher instead of just putting them in the bucket. No such luck. Ben came over to me after the inning and said, "Mom, I wanted to be a ball machine and keep throwing them." He demonstrated with awesome sound effects. The ball machine at the batting cages Thursday evening really had an impact.
Nick's - A bit more serious. They actually keep score,count outs etc... Nick had a good game for having been at a sleepover the night before. He was tired as he walked out onto the field but pulled it together. He even scored a run. Nick's team won! Way to go Bulldogs!
In tomorrow's game, Nick will pitch for the first time. He is excited and nervous. He practiced a little after the game today and looked good.
Ben's - Coach pitch in the rain. Ben liked being catcher the best. This is an interesting position. The coach uses a big bucket of balls and pitches one pitch right after the next, especially in the rain when he wants to keep the game moving. Anytime Ben caught the ball, it would still be in his glove as the next ball arrived. Ben would try to dodge it, but frequently, it would just bounce off of him. I'd rename this position catcher/target.
More fun at Ben's game. While Ben was catching, there were several pauses to refill the ball bucket. After the first, Ben decided he would play his position differently. He played sitting down and gathered the balls between his legs. Like a hen with a big clutch of eggs, Ben hoarded the balls in hopes he could throw them back to the pitcher instead of just putting them in the bucket. No such luck. Ben came over to me after the inning and said, "Mom, I wanted to be a ball machine and keep throwing them." He demonstrated with awesome sound effects. The ball machine at the batting cages Thursday evening really had an impact.
Nick's - A bit more serious. They actually keep score,count outs etc... Nick had a good game for having been at a sleepover the night before. He was tired as he walked out onto the field but pulled it together. He even scored a run. Nick's team won! Way to go Bulldogs!
In tomorrow's game, Nick will pitch for the first time. He is excited and nervous. He practiced a little after the game today and looked good.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Too Busy at Palmer?
Wow! I really have a love/hate relationship with school. I love going to school- the people, classes, ideas etc... Hate the feeling that I have too much to do and a brain that might explode trying to get everything done.
Learning to juggle my responsibilities at home with my new responsibilities is a challenge. I sometimes think, if only I could take one class a semester, it would be perfect. Two or three things would not be due the same day and I could just enjoy school. But then again there are benefit to taking multiple classes. Classes have interconnected themes and my thinking is more challenged. Being at school two days with some time between classes allows me to befriend other students, sharing ideas and challenges. Besides if I took one class at a time, I'd be in school forever. School is not my hobby, but a means of developing the skills I need to live out my calling.
So, where does that leave me. I love school. In life I always seem to have an overflowing plate or not enough to do. I much prefer the overflowing plate. Life is good.
Learning to juggle my responsibilities at home with my new responsibilities is a challenge. I sometimes think, if only I could take one class a semester, it would be perfect. Two or three things would not be due the same day and I could just enjoy school. But then again there are benefit to taking multiple classes. Classes have interconnected themes and my thinking is more challenged. Being at school two days with some time between classes allows me to befriend other students, sharing ideas and challenges. Besides if I took one class at a time, I'd be in school forever. School is not my hobby, but a means of developing the skills I need to live out my calling.
So, where does that leave me. I love school. In life I always seem to have an overflowing plate or not enough to do. I much prefer the overflowing plate. Life is good.
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