Victory Today

My oldest has always struggled with brushing her teeth. This simple task has been complicated by her sensory integration disfunction. I have done everything I know to do to help her learn, but felt like she was destined to have false teeth. The past six months, she wouldn't let me brush for her. I think because she knew a 12 y/o should be brushing her own teeth.
So, today, she had a cleaning. I was prepared to get the talk from the dentist about how her teeth were not getting cleaned. After the dentist dicussed some orthodontic issues, I asked the hygenist what areas of her teeth did G need to pay special attention. I was shocked to hear, "None. She has been doing a good job."

This is a day to celebrate. Right up there with the first day that she was able to write an "s" between the lines.

Touring the house where my Grandma was born, married, and had her first child.

Today, I had the privilege of visiting the one of the oldest houses in C. It was built in 1915 and my Grandma was born there in 1917. It was restored in 2003 and my dad's cousin M lives there now.

What a treasure it was to hear all the stories and look at old pictures. My Grandma went with us and chimed in when she could add to the story or tell her own.

I would love to document what I learned today, maybe a scrapbook. I did get video and a few pictures. M said she would send me any pictures I need, either past or present.


G really enjoyed herself. She loves to read American girl stories and I think it reminded her of some that she may have read.

L, M, and O were more entertained by M's dog. L did perk up when we toured M's small garden. Also, when she showed us her worm farm. And they liked pushing phone books down the stairs. (It looked like a slinky.)

What a treat today was!!!! Some days are just special and today was one of them.

Every life is valuable!!

When my youngest child was born and spent 11 days in the special care unit, I witnessed this firsthand. I met other parents whose babies were much sicker than my baby. I saw the gleam in their eye as they told me about their little one.

It was obvious that one 2 1/2 month old named Christian, had captured his mom's heart. She talked about how her life was so much better now that he was here. She was so in love with him and her life was so full with him in it. I could tell that she had grown so much and I saw her reaching out to her Heavenly Father and feeling his warm embrace.

I found out that this baby Christian had joints that would not move. His legs and arms were sticking straight up as he was lying on his back. He was not expected to live very long. His mom was facing this as a young single mother and all she wanted to do was be with her son. You really should have seen her face beam as she talked about his accomplishments, like gaining weight.

Recently, I watched a movie called 99 Balloons. It reminded me of my time with Christian and his mom, and my own experience with my youngest in the hospital. It is about a sick little boy and how his parents felt about him.

If you get a chance to watch it, be warned that you will cry, but you will be changed forever.


go to www.ignitermedia.com and then search for 99 balloons

Am I smarter than a fifth grader?

That is a good question. But, lately, I enjoy taking the National Geographic Geo Bee Challenge. Everyday, there are 10 new questions from the National geography bee.

I usually get about 6 questions right. The most I have ever gotten correct is 8 and the least is 3.

If anyone has any online quizzes or thinkng games that they do on a regular basis, post it in the comments. I am interested in adding to my daily challenges.

Here's the address www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee

I was cute!

Two year old O announced, "I was cute at the park today!"

They ARE listening!!

I don't want bangs!

Five year old M does not want to have bangs! That is very clear. We have been trying to grow them out, so I thought it was strange when she told me wanted me to cut her bangs. I did and then she said, "Cut them all the way, Mom."

I tried to explain, but all she knows is she doesn't want them, so cut them off.

If I had a digital camera, I would show you what she did to her Dora doll.


Bangs cut down to the roots.

Anne Hutchinson's Way

We read Anne Hutchinson's Way, yesterday. I didn't think my 5 year old was listening. Evidently, she was, because today she came strolling into the livingroom and announced she had nine kids and she was pushing them all in her stroller. Then she put them all to bed in my bed, saying each one's name as she tucked them in.

Anne Hutchinson had 11 kids, but 9 baby dolls was all M could find.

What is the paradox?

Why did I choose this name ? Well, paradoxes have always been my favorite part of the Bible. An example would be, in order to save your life, you must lose it. Much of our Christian walk could be considered a paradox.

I guess I like paradoxes because it shows that God is bigger than our understanding of Him. He is not boxed in to our view of what He should be like. He is so much better that we can even understand.

I choose to embrace the life that I have in Jesus, especially when it seems like a paradox.