Question Of The Day

From My Daughter:

"Mom, I've been thinking about this. You know Seth in the Bible?" she asks, because she knows that he is Adam and Eve's third son born after Abel was murdered by Cain.

"Yes," I reply.

"Well, mom, who could he have married?"

Hmmm. And so begins the questions from a bright, inquiring mind. I'm especially excited for the inevitable "where do babies come from?", or "how are babies made, mom?" that are sure to come in the near future.

Early Morning

Early morning

(as in eyeballs not even open yet)

+

Two energetic children

(as in jumping-on-the-bed energy)

+

Request to paint

(as in make a mess in your kitchen)

=

NO!

(as in not in this lifetime!)

Clear thinking & vision is a requirement for BIG decisions such as these.

Tidbits

I love my nieces. In fact, they have become especially close to my heart in the last little while. Lately they have been very thoughtful and kind to my kidlets. As I posted recently, Jenna is particularly thoughtful about writing letters to Hannah, which makes my girl feel like a million bucks. Yesterday, Rachel very generously gave her "old" digital camera to Hannah. Hannah is thrilled to be able to take her own pictures to her heart's content, and I'm thrilled that she has this new creative outlet.

Yesterday I invited them both over for supper since Dave wasn't going to be home. They decided it was a good day to take the kids outside and have a water gun fight. They went and bought a couple of big, honkin' water guns and some balloons, and they threw and sprayed to their heart's content, much to the delight of my kids. Then they gave the water guns to the kids, who woke up this morning first thing to ask me if they could go outside for a water gun fight. They also asked of Rachel and Jenna were coming back today because they wanted another fight.

So, to my nieces: You're the greatest.

-----------------------------

One more quick story. Hannah locked herself in her room for most of the day because she got it into her head that she wanted to write a song. WRITE A SONG. I was tickled pink. I don't know what put it into her head, but I was ecstatic that she had the desire to try to create something. I set her up on Microsoft Office, gave her a quick lesson (that girl is going to be showing me EVERYTHING within a couple of years, I guarantee it) and told her to type away. She came out periodically to ask me how to spell words like "praise" and "ghost" - as in Holy Ghost. I waited with anticipation. I really don't care what she writes or even if it's any good. Truly. I am just so fascinated that she got this idea in her head.

The end result? She tried writing two songs and deleted them. Honestly, I am not disappointed - she spent several hours working on this project. She told me that "it was really difficult to write a song", and I told her that I was so happy that she was trying and to not give up. She could try again tomorrow.

She ended up typing the first page of her Nancy Drew book - PERFECTLY - every jot and tittle in place, and told me she had every intention of typing the whole book. I managed to hide my smile.

I do think I will get her on a typing tutor ASAP. That girl pretty much has Microsoft Office down.

You Wouldn't Think He Was So Funny............

It's been quite a trial this last day and a half. I'm not sure if it's because we were rained in today or if it's just another phase, but my son has been a B.......R......A.......T.....pretty much all day and some of yesterday. Consequently, his big sister is quite cranked about it.

Yesterday he swung from his curtains........again.......bending his rod........again. This happened three months ago and we felt like we had effectively dealt with it because he's been good since. One suggestion I had was to remove the curtains from his room but didn't believe it was an option because it wasn't really teaching him anything. I still believe that, but I'm telling you that suggestion is looking better all the time. The problem is that he would still have to have blinds, and nothing would stop him from pulling on them and wrecking them either. The key is finding the right consequence for this action, and we're still working on that.

Today he removed the money from his piggy bank (a first), and told me he hid the money all around his room. He emptied his toy box out and when his dad went in to say hi to him at lunch, he couldn't find him. Dave came to me asking where Seth was, so we went together to his room to find him hiding in his toy box. This itself isn't really terrible, it's just that it was a day of "firsts". And it left me wondering what else he was going to try for the "first" time.

He had so much pent up energy that I spent about two hours wrestling with him, and I quit only when I felt like he was going to end up putting me in a body cast. Even now my mid back is throbbing. In the five days we were in our hotel room in Red Deer last week, he was nothing like he has been the last day and a half.

His sister has been extremely frustrated with him and I've been trying to teach her to ignore him, and to come to me when she felt the need to retaliate. I don't want her to be a tattle tale, but neither do I want her whaling on him in anger. For the most part this worked today. Except once. Seth was doing a half head stand in the living room with one leg sticking out when Hannah passed him. It must have been too tempting, because she ended up boxing him on the leg as she passed by, even though he had not provoked it this time. I asked her why she did it, and she replied, "I don't know." She is not usually meanspirited. She's just been frustrated.

We went to the library this afternoon. We left without getting to the children's department. He must have thought he was in a casino or something, because he was spinning the rotating rack of books so hard that he surely thought he was going to win the jackpot (another first). From there we went to the post office to mail a package. While there, Seth was doing his stand-up comedy routine for the clerk, who thought he was quite funny.

"You wouldn't think he was so funny if he lived with you," was Hannah's response.

Hmmmm. Think she's just a tad frustrated? It was hilarious, I must confess, and the clerk and I both ended up laughing.

He ended up in bed @ 7:30 tonight. I'm tired. Hannah's tired. He's tired. He's also without any treats or computer for two full weeks because of the curtain rod incident. I'm not sure yet if that will be effective but only time will tell. I really, really hope tomorrow is different, because it's supposed to rain for the next couple of days so we will be indoors more than usual.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with a boy who walks around with a glint in his eye, a smirk on his face, looking to see what trouble he can stir up, without breaking his spirit? This is a serious question. I don't really want his personality to change, I love him just the way he is. I just want it controlled, if possible. Seriously, folks. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Before he thinks up a bunch more "firsts" - and drives me totally crazy.

Bird Watcher

This morning I went past Hannah's room and peeked in to see if she was still sleeping. She was laying backwards on her bed, very quietly looking out her window. When she saw me, she put her finger to her lips to warn me to be quiet.

"This is the morning the birds come to my tree," she whispered, lest the birds hear her, I guess.

"They come on Wednesday mornings?" I asked.

"Usually," she again whispered.

Who knows. Maybe birds do consult their calendar and find our tree is scheduled for Wednesdays....:)

Cute Sayings From My Cutie-Pie

One of the things I regularly say to my kids is that they are my "favorite boy/girl in the whole world". In turn, they usually respond similarly, telling me that they "wouldn't want any other mommy" or that they had the "best mommy in the world".

A little while ago during breakfast, Seth told me, out of the blue, that he "wouldn't want any other mommy but me". Usually this discourse begins with me. This time it began with him.

I responded by saying, "I had the best boy in the whole world."

He answered with, "I wouldn't want anyone else but you. Or your husband."

Chuckling, I asked him who my husband was.

"Dave," he replied with a "duh" tone in his voice. He then said, "Actually mom, if you or your husband ever made me mad, I'd be ticked."

I laughed out loud to that, much to his delight. I honestly don't know where he comes up with these things.

On the way back home after being at camp meeting last week, when we were on the outskirts of the city, Seth informed us that we were on the inskirts of Regina (Hannah was trying to fool him that we were in Regina instead of Saskatoon).

Dave thought that was hilarious and wanted that one written down, and so I have. With a couple of others as well.

From my funny, little cutie-pie.

You Got Your Change

Well folks, I've kept my mouth shut long enough. Eight months, in fact. If you do not like political comments, this is not for you.

As has been predicted by many (myself included) the deterioration of the family unit and decay of morality is now on a very rapid downward spiral, thanks to Barack Obama. I can now expect that my children will face persecution unlike anything I could ever imagine. The effects of his presidency will be felt across the world, and especially in my bordering country. Those of you who wanted change, you now get your wish.

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize the implications of this press release:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release

June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA


The White House


1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW 


Washington, DC 20500