The Morning He Turned 40

PK has a crazy work schedule.  His birthday happend to fall on a Monday this year which meant he wouldn't be home until late, so we had to celebrate early.  He got up and went to the gym about 5 a.m. and the kids and I got up to surprise him when he returned.  We turned out all the lights and sat on the windowseat in the kitchen.  When he finally (he must have been motivated to do an extra long workout since he hit the big 4...0....) returned he walked into the kitchen and we all yelled, "Surprise." 

 

Then we all had cookie cake for breakfast because that is how this family rolls.



 

The Orange Bike

Aaron was about three when one of my dear friends decided to practice tough love on her boys.  They had several bikes between them and would not put them away.  My friend told her sons that the next time they left a bike out, it would go in the garbage.  The next time a bike was left out, she was true to her word.

One of the boys left a rather nice bike out and she put it with the trash cans on garbage day.  The bike was designed for freestyle tricks.  It was expensive and she didn't really want it to be hauled away as garbage.  Our neighbors, my family included, were really good about passing around things our kids had outgrown or we no longer used.  She saw my husband and said he should take the bike to save for Aaron, so PK did.

Aaron eventually grew into the bike and got great use out of it.  Then he outgrew it.  Hannah had Rachel's old bike, so we no longer needed Aaron's old bike.  I had a yard sale one day and my friend who happens to be on staff at our church came to sit with me.  She said if we didn't sell the bike she would buy it for her son.  I insisted that she immediately load it up.  I would much rather pass things on to friends who need them than try to sell them at a yard sale.  After all, the bike was given to us.

My friend's son learned how to ride a bike without training wheels on that bike.  She mentioned several times what a blessing that bike had been to her son.  I really thought nothing of it as I was very glad he was having fun with it.  He also outgrew it.

This past Saturday our church preschool had a yard sale.  Families from the preschool and church members donated a variety of items.  When I came to work the yard sale Saturday morning, I saw that the bike was for sale.

My friend was at the yard sale all day.  Toward the end she sent a text asking if Aaron could sleepover with her son.  When she came to pick Aaron up, she said the bike sold.

A little boy rode the bike around and around the church yard.  He asked his dad if he could have the bike, but the dad did not have the money.  The little boy came to the table and asked how much the bike cost.  My friend asked how much money he had.  He pulled out his little wallet and counted out his coin.  "I have seventy cents."  The reply, "That is exactly how much that bike costs."

Who knew how many little boys would be blessed by one orange bike?

Touched By a Life

Growing up, I was never comfortable around elderly people.  Even as a grown up, I've never really been comfortable around elderly people.  Until a couple of years ago, my aunt worked at a nursing home.  I would stop by to see her there when I was in town, but she knew I was afraid of the little old people.

In the last couple of years, that has started to change.  Probably because I am getting older and none of them seem as old.  Perhaps I have realized what a wealth of information they are.  Hearing their life experiences first hand can't be replaced by reading it in a book. 

There are two ladies at my church.  They are 82 year old twins.  Their names are Elspeth and Beverly.  We know them as Beth and Bebe.  It is one of the cutest sights to see them come in dressed in matching outfits.  My church holds WOW (Weekly on Wednesday) every Wednesday night during the school year.  This year I am not working with the kids and decided to take a class on Wednesday nights.  The class I am attending didn't start until after Labor Day so I had several weeks to look elsewhere. 

Beth and Bebe started a knitting group.  I can't knit or crochet.  My grandmother tried to teach me and I can still see her looking at my chain which was backwards and asking, "How did you do that?"  All of the items they make are donated to hospitals or others in need.  They make little iv covers for babies and blankets for those babies who don't make it amongst other items.  They are very passionate about their ministry.  The first Wednesday night I sat with them, I left feeling so happy just having sat and listened to them talk.  One had a career in radio and the other a career in television.  They have met Perry Como and the Beatles.  They asked me where I grew up and they both looked so surprised when I said, "Indiana" because that is where they grew up.

As we progressed through Wednesday nights, I was able to assist them to the car or help them into the church.  The Wednesday night before last, Bebe was in line for her dinner.  One of the ladies uses a walker and the other a cane.  I told her I would carry her plate.  We stopped at the station for salad and she leaned over and whispered, "Get the firm lettuce because I can't chew well."  I smiled and obeyed.

The following Wednesday one of the ladies from church poked her head into the class I am taking and asked us to pray for Bebe and Beth because Bebe had been taken to the hospital.  The next morning our church family was very saddened to hear that Bebe had passed away that night. 

When I found out, my heart ached.  First, because I was afraid of what that would do to Beth.  Beth lost her husband and her only daughter.  Beth and Bebe told me they were the only family each other had left.  Second, I was a bit selfish in my thinking because I was just getting to know her and loved her. 

The funeral was yesterday.  I really wanted to go, but wasn't sure if I should since I had just met them.  Several of the ladies from the church were meeting at the church and riding together.  I joined them.  I was so glad I went. 

There was a short one hour visitation time followed by graveside services at the cemetery behind the funeral home.  Just before time to progress to the cemetery, visitors were asked to stand in a circle for prayer.  Beth had been sitting to receive guests.  When she stood her mouth literally dropped open in surprise at the number of people in the circle. 

I spoke to her when I arrived at the funeral home and told her how sorry I was.  She said she was glad Bebe didn't suffer and was now in a better place.

What the Lord spoke to my hearts was that we should all be living our lives and touching people in such a way that after just after meeting us we have managed to bless their lives in some way.

I will be taking lunch to Beth this Friday.  My selfish thought...I can't wait to sit and listen to her tell her stories and learn from her.

A Hole in My Heart

I've been running again lately.  I've done four miles, but generally do three.  The hills are killer.  I really do live where it is up hill both ways. 

At the top of the steepest hill, I often see this little old lady walking around her yard.  She wears a duster.  A duster is a light, loose fitting, long housecoat.  It seems that if my grandmother was at home, she was wearing a duster.  The lady I see while running looks like my grandmother.  Nah, she isn't a dead ringer.  However, the duster, her build, her hair, the way she walks and the slight grumpy expression she wears are strong reminders.

The other morning she was on the sidewalk.  As I passed, I took out my earbud and said good morning. 

She spoke, "I wish I could jog." 

I stopped and turned to look at her, "If I can do it, anyone can." 

She smiled and said, "I have two holes in my heart."   

"Walking is good for you."

"Yes."

Smiling, "Have a great day."

She smiled and waved.

I ran and tried not to cry.

When I see her I think of my grandmother and talking to her reminded me of the hole in my heart.  Today marks a year since Grandma met Jesus.  I know that sounds so cliche', but it really is what happened and what I try to think about when I find myself missing her.

Today is Grandparent's Day.  How fitting for the one year anniversary.

Why Skunks Stink

My preschoolers are in the middle of a camping theme.  I have a tent set up in the classroom and we have been talking about things we might see or do if we were camping.

I've covered one side of my easel with felt to make a felt board.  I trade out the things to stick to the felt depending on the theme or skills we are focusing on.  Velcro works well on felt boards just in case anyone needs to know.  Ha!

Since we are camping, I found a set of numbers that have a picture of a woodland animal on each number.  Today I was helping the kids put the numbers in order.  When we came to a number with a skunk on it, I held it up and asked the kids if they knew what the animal was.

***Warning...bad word in the following***

Kids:  It's a skunk!!
Me:  What do you know about skunks?
Preschooler:  They piss. (Seriously, the child was serious and didn't mean for there to be a shock factor which made it funnier)
Me:  (Trying not to fall out on the floor laughing) Wh..wh..huh...what did you say?
Preschooler:  No, I mean they fart.
Me: Hahahahahahahaha!

Wasn't it Just Last Week?

Wasn't it just last week that I was admitted to the hospital after being in California all of two days?  Wasn't it just last week the doctor handed me a little 4lb 14oz bundle?  Wasn't it just last week when I was walking through KMart in Yucca Vallery with a baby propped in her carseat in the shopping cart who looked at me and blew her first raspberries?  Wasn't it just last week she was taking her first steps trying to reach our neighbor who stopped by for a visit?  Wan't it just last week that she wouldn't go to sleep witout her "pasibabyblanket?"  Wasn't it just last week we were spending our days in the cul de sac with all the other neighborhood toddlers?  Wasn't it just last week when Barney, Dora and VeggieTales were the shows we watched over and over and over?  Wasn't it just last week when I snapped that picture of her standing on her tip toes trying to peak at her new baby brother in his bassinet?  Wasn't it just last week when we took her to Disneyland and she insisted on waiting in line to meet every. single. princess?  Wasn't it just last week when I was strapping three little kids into the triple jogging stroller every morning?  Wasn't it just last week when my friend Christine and I took her shopping "down the hill" for her new kindergarten wardrobe which happened to be entirely pink?  Wasn't it just last week she was trying to talk me into letting her ride the bus for her first day of kindergarten?  Wasn't it just last week when she caught the Tooth Fairy trying to slip the dollar under her pillow (so busted)?

Wasn't it just last week?

Someone.  Anyone.  Please tell me how we went from just last week to having a teenager in our house.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the imitation of a sound in words.  Examples are buzz, splash, hiss, woof and meow.  It is my five cent teacher word.  Another example would be Screeeechh.  That was the sound of our summer abruptly coming to an end.

The kids started school this past Monday.  We were cruising along full speed enjoying our summer and BAM! (another example of onomatopoeia) we hit a brick wall.  It was time to go back to school.  I am always a bit sad, boo hoo, when the kids go back.  We had a fun and relaxing summer.  It was the first time since we have lived in Georgia that PK was home for the summer.  Since his days off are Tuesday and Wednesday, it is rare that we all have a day off together.  The kids being off during the summer gave us some family time.

This is what Aaron thought about going back to school and his first day of middle school.  Whaaa!

Nahhhh.  It wasn't really that bad.

Rachel was all smiles.  She has been ready to go back since we came back from Florida.

Here is the two of them together.

Then there was Hannah Banana.

She has Stacy Anderson this year.  Stacy is a friend of mine and was the supply teacher in Hannah's first grade class a couple years ago when her first grade teacher was on maternity leave.  We were so hoping Hannah would be in her class again this year.

I don't have a picture of all three of them together because I took Hannah and went straight to work.  The preschool teachers had to work setting up classrooms this week. 
Our students come back next Monday.  PK took Rachel and Aaron so they wouldn't have to get to school so early.  It was pretty emotional for me.  It is the first year I didn't see them off for their first day of school.  Of course, it didn't bother them.  After this week, I will drop them on my way to work.  Next year they will all be at different schools. 

The girls have had a great first week and I expected nothing less. The big surprise?  Aaron actually likes school.  It isn't the smiling from ear to ear excitement the girls have, but for him, it is great.  I am so thankful to see it.  He has a couple male teachers which I think is helpful.  He also said he likes moving from class to class.