Towards the end of my pregnancy last year, I made a comment on this blog about my inability to think. I couldn't study. I couldn't contribute to Sunday School because I had no good thoughts to share. I just passed away hour after miserable hour doing Sudoku and Ken-Ken puzzles. All of my energy was in making a baby and keeping us warm and caring for the kids.
Fast forward a few months. Klaus was still fresh out of the oven but enough time had passed that we were going on a family outing to the library--all of us! I remember talking to Matt on the long drive there, and then seeing something on a passing car which triggered a thought. I remember thinking about that thought, really actually thinking about it, analyzing it, pondering over it, and then coming to a conclusion. I remember sharing it with Matt. It was my first real brain-powered thought since having the baby! I was so pleased with myself. It was reassuring to know that I was capable of having my own thoughts.
Fast forward to the present. I have recently found myself yearning, praying, researching for something to do that will be a break from my life as "Mommy"--a hobby of some kind, a service project, an outlet, an escape, a change, a class, something that will use the part of me that is not Mommy but Rhyetta.
Maybe it's because we've started kidschool again and we're studying and reading and learning again. Kian and I are reading a biography of Benjamin Franklin. And we're reading "Robinson Crusoe" which takes a little mental exercise to understand. Abby and I are reading "The Secret Garden." Matt and Kian and I are reading "Plutarch's Lives" which takes a lot of mental exercise to understand. And we'll be starting Dickens and Shakespeare this year as well. It's turned my brain on and I like it! It's felt so exciting to read something, have to think about it to understand it, then explain it, then question it, then do a little more research on it which leads to learning about something else. I suppose it's the learning process. It's not just my kids learning, it's me too! And I can THINK again!
I smiled to myself yesterday during the briefest of moments on a quick kidschool break when I glanced down the hallway and thought to myself, "This afternoon during quiet time I'll be able to study something!"
I've researched Masters Degrees in Library Science (cost-prohibitive). I've thought about becoming a Master Gardener through the local Extension Office (should help my gardening skills). I've pondered institute classes, part-time work, exercise classes, anything really that might be the break I'm looking for. I don't even know what yet. But I'm so happy just thinking of the possibilities.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Two versions of an exciting day
First, here is Abby's version of this exciting event...
Abby Rescues Blackie by Abby Musser
One day in a huge forest with a clearing there was a family. Mom, Ella, Felicity and me went on a walk and a big dog and a small puppy came along. The dog was named Wilbur and the small puppy was named Blackie.
Now, Blackie always followed Wilbur. While we were walking back home, Blackie followed Wilbur into some tall grass and did not come back! So I, Abby, went in and rescued Blackie. Then we went home and played. We still have our beloved Blackie and he still loves us. The End.
Abby Saves the Day by Rhyetta Musser
Today we took a break from learning to go for a walk. It was hot but now and then a refreshingly cool breeze brushed past us and the day felt extremely pleasant. Our new puppy Blackie followed us along with Wilbur, our dog. It was a healthy exertion for us all climbing up and down hills. On our return, the puppy followed Wilbur into a brush-filled, sloped field and didn't come out again. "Blackie, come!" we called. We heard him cry from not too far away. I didn't want to enter the tall, grassy, tick-infested, chigger-loaded field to rescue him! But Abby was unafraid. She bravely stepped in, found a path to him (there were big spiderwebs too!) and pulled him into her arms.
"The brave rescuer saves her helpless puppy!" I declared encouragingly. She beamed at her heroic adventure for the morning. The End.
Abby Rescues Blackie by Abby Musser
One day in a huge forest with a clearing there was a family. Mom, Ella, Felicity and me went on a walk and a big dog and a small puppy came along. The dog was named Wilbur and the small puppy was named Blackie.
Now, Blackie always followed Wilbur. While we were walking back home, Blackie followed Wilbur into some tall grass and did not come back! So I, Abby, went in and rescued Blackie. Then we went home and played. We still have our beloved Blackie and he still loves us. The End.
Abby Saves the Day by Rhyetta Musser
Today we took a break from learning to go for a walk. It was hot but now and then a refreshingly cool breeze brushed past us and the day felt extremely pleasant. Our new puppy Blackie followed us along with Wilbur, our dog. It was a healthy exertion for us all climbing up and down hills. On our return, the puppy followed Wilbur into a brush-filled, sloped field and didn't come out again. "Blackie, come!" we called. We heard him cry from not too far away. I didn't want to enter the tall, grassy, tick-infested, chigger-loaded field to rescue him! But Abby was unafraid. She bravely stepped in, found a path to him (there were big spiderwebs too!) and pulled him into her arms.
"The brave rescuer saves her helpless puppy!" I declared encouragingly. She beamed at her heroic adventure for the morning. The End.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Fresh Start
Today marked the beginning of another school year for me. It also marks my sixth year and second in sixth grade in my chosen profession. At the beginning of each school year I anticipate the makeup of my class (especially if there are those precious "gems" coming from the previous grade!). I can make a pretty good guess how the year is going to go depending on how the class behaves the first few days of school. If today was any indication, I am in for a great teaching year. I had 16 out of 20 students show up today and none of the are a said "gem". This year, I will experience a first. Today I received a student that recently moved from our neighboring country to the south. This student speaks little to no English.To say the least, it will be an interesting experience this year.
I look forward to see the growth and learning that my class this year obtains. I am grateful for this fresh start as I know each of my new students are. Hopefully this year doesn't become like riding a wooden roller coaster.
I look forward to see the growth and learning that my class this year obtains. I am grateful for this fresh start as I know each of my new students are. Hopefully this year doesn't become like riding a wooden roller coaster.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Our Felicity
I've heard of people placing names of things around the house when they are learning another language, but this is just too funny...
Ella got a good laugh out of Felicity being the butt of the joke, as did we all.
A while ago, I was wondering what happened to Felicity because she had been going to the bathroom for a long time. She wasn't in the kids bathroom, so I looked in Rhyetta's and my bathroom. I found Felicity sitting on the potty fast asleep. I quickly grabbed the camera and Rhyetta and shot the following video. Unfortunately, she had woken up somewhat but she was still very tired while sitting on the potty.
Oh Felicity. You bring much joy and happiness into our lives.
Ella got a good laugh out of Felicity being the butt of the joke, as did we all.
A while ago, I was wondering what happened to Felicity because she had been going to the bathroom for a long time. She wasn't in the kids bathroom, so I looked in Rhyetta's and my bathroom. I found Felicity sitting on the potty fast asleep. I quickly grabbed the camera and Rhyetta and shot the following video. Unfortunately, she had woken up somewhat but she was still very tired while sitting on the potty.
Oh Felicity. You bring much joy and happiness into our lives.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Our Little Singer
Rhyetta has recently been "doing preschool" with Felicity. They are using What your Preschooler Needs to Know and Felicity loves learning and singing the nursery rhymes as well as listening to the stories. Here, she sings "Mama's going to buy you a knocking-bird" that she has learned.
Fun in the Sun
Today we started filling the swimming pool so we can cool off in the summer heat. The past few days (except Sunday of course) we have been hard at work cleaning out the muck and yuck that collected in it. We were able to finally purchase a pool filter/pump so we can keep the water clean.
I am glad that we are able to have some fun in the sun this summer. Now we just have to figure out how to maintain the water (our preference would be to not use chlorine) so it stays crystal clear.
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| Kian the "Exterminator"- Trying to get horseflies. |
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| Felicity enjoying the water, while Kian and Abby talk about horseflies. |
I am glad that we are able to have some fun in the sun this summer. Now we just have to figure out how to maintain the water (our preference would be to not use chlorine) so it stays crystal clear.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
A Wedding!
We had the opportunity to attend a wedding and reception of Matt's coworker this past weekend. It was awesome! It was so fun to teach the kids some etiquette, get all dressed up, and brave the blazing hot weather to celebrate with E. and J. Here are some of the highlights from the weekend. They certainly made us laugh.
The girls especially were so excited to see the wedding ceremony. We had looked forward to it for weeks. It was difficult for them to enjoy it, however, because they had to stay quiet and there was a broad-shouldered man sitting in the row in front of us. One of the nicest things about it was that after the ceremony the bride and groom personally greeted each guest as they left the chapel, row by row. We waited our turn as the front rows were dismissed first. I asked the girls if they wanted to hug the bride which I thought they would seeing she was wearing such a pretty white dress but they felt shy and chose not to. When they came to our row, we all stood up and congratulated and hugged the bride and groom, well, all of us except Felicity. She decided there was no way she was going to get close to those strangers. She refused to leave the pew. No worries that everyone behind us was waiting for their turn to leave the chapel! She backed up into me (I was holding our 25-pound baby in the heat). I tried to escort her out with my hand, pulling on her hand, but she wouldn't have it. She climbed onto the pew to avoid getting near them! They got the hint and backed up but I still couldn't pull her out. I got out of the way (Klaus is heavy!) and Matt came back to pick her up to leave but she had lost her shoe climbing onto the bench. Matt reached down to collect it and heard a rip. His pants had ripped right there in the chapel with everyone behind us watching this little escapade! We exited as discreetly as possible!
After a trip to JC Penney to buy some new pants!, we were on our way to the reception held at a hotel in the city. It was held in the ballroom. There was an entire table dedicated to holding huge glass candy bowls filled to the brim with assorted candies. The guests were allowed to fill up a bag of candy as a treat. The kids loved it of course! I loved the music and the dancing. I got to dance with the girls spinning them around as much as they liked. Kian wouldn't dance with me, but he did get out on the dance floor and made up some of his own fancy footwork. It was very methodical and required his total concentration. Some of Matt's coworkers held Klaus for us so Matt was able to dance with me. That was the best part!
Some of Matt's coworkers helped themselves to the open bar and there was a cup left on our table with a straw and pretty pink liquid on the bottom. This looked more appetizing to Ella then our own water goblets, so she decided to pick it up to refresh herself after dancing. (In her defense, we do share water glasses and cups at home). I was thankful that I saw her drink a sip of this alcoholic beverage and quickly grabbed the cup away, telling her that it was someone else's cup and that it had alcohol! She spit what was left in her mouth back into the cup and felt very bad about it.
We danced and visited and ate cake till 9 pm when it was decided by all to go home. We all loved it.
The next morning we were getting ready for church and I had a lot to do to get ready so I asked Abby to help Felicity get dressed because they were wearing matching dresses. She volunteered to do so cheerily and Felicity looked great. I helped her with her shoes and we went to church. It wasn't until Matt sat her on his lap during church that we realized she had no underwear! The little flasher!
Such fun times in our family this weekend.
The girls especially were so excited to see the wedding ceremony. We had looked forward to it for weeks. It was difficult for them to enjoy it, however, because they had to stay quiet and there was a broad-shouldered man sitting in the row in front of us. One of the nicest things about it was that after the ceremony the bride and groom personally greeted each guest as they left the chapel, row by row. We waited our turn as the front rows were dismissed first. I asked the girls if they wanted to hug the bride which I thought they would seeing she was wearing such a pretty white dress but they felt shy and chose not to. When they came to our row, we all stood up and congratulated and hugged the bride and groom, well, all of us except Felicity. She decided there was no way she was going to get close to those strangers. She refused to leave the pew. No worries that everyone behind us was waiting for their turn to leave the chapel! She backed up into me (I was holding our 25-pound baby in the heat). I tried to escort her out with my hand, pulling on her hand, but she wouldn't have it. She climbed onto the pew to avoid getting near them! They got the hint and backed up but I still couldn't pull her out. I got out of the way (Klaus is heavy!) and Matt came back to pick her up to leave but she had lost her shoe climbing onto the bench. Matt reached down to collect it and heard a rip. His pants had ripped right there in the chapel with everyone behind us watching this little escapade! We exited as discreetly as possible!
After a trip to JC Penney to buy some new pants!, we were on our way to the reception held at a hotel in the city. It was held in the ballroom. There was an entire table dedicated to holding huge glass candy bowls filled to the brim with assorted candies. The guests were allowed to fill up a bag of candy as a treat. The kids loved it of course! I loved the music and the dancing. I got to dance with the girls spinning them around as much as they liked. Kian wouldn't dance with me, but he did get out on the dance floor and made up some of his own fancy footwork. It was very methodical and required his total concentration. Some of Matt's coworkers held Klaus for us so Matt was able to dance with me. That was the best part!
Some of Matt's coworkers helped themselves to the open bar and there was a cup left on our table with a straw and pretty pink liquid on the bottom. This looked more appetizing to Ella then our own water goblets, so she decided to pick it up to refresh herself after dancing. (In her defense, we do share water glasses and cups at home). I was thankful that I saw her drink a sip of this alcoholic beverage and quickly grabbed the cup away, telling her that it was someone else's cup and that it had alcohol! She spit what was left in her mouth back into the cup and felt very bad about it.
We danced and visited and ate cake till 9 pm when it was decided by all to go home. We all loved it.
The next morning we were getting ready for church and I had a lot to do to get ready so I asked Abby to help Felicity get dressed because they were wearing matching dresses. She volunteered to do so cheerily and Felicity looked great. I helped her with her shoes and we went to church. It wasn't until Matt sat her on his lap during church that we realized she had no underwear! The little flasher!
Such fun times in our family this weekend.
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