For my Dad

Hi Dad!!!

He was asking why I haven't updated my blog. By now, he may be the only one reading anyway...

Need a cello?

A friend of mine found this post on Craig's List. I had to copy and paste it just so I have something to come back to for a giggle after a rough day.

So my sister gave me this cello a couple years ago. It's a nice cello. Actually, it's a great cello. It's probably the best cello, but I don't really know much about cellos. Also the neck snapped off. Of the cello. So it's really more like 3/4's of a cello, but the other 1/4's still there, it's just not attached. It's kind of like you're getting two cellos, only one of them doesn't have a body and the other doesn't have a neck. But if you stand them up next to each other it's like old times. You could probably fix it with like some music glue or something like that.

She also gave me a cello bag that I can give to you too, now that I won't have a cello. It's a really nice cello bag. You can fit everything in it. Actually, there might even be a bow in the bag, I'm not sure. I don't want you to think that there's 100% a bow in the bag. It's way over there, I can't check right now. But if it's in there it's yours.

If you're like me and you don't know how to play the cello then you could use it as a coin bank. It's hollow and there are two S's on the front that you could drop the coins through. Then when it's filled up you could drop it off of your roof or carry it around like a change purse. Ooh, in the cello bag. It'd be like a cello purse. I'd do it but I'm moving across the country and it won't fit in my car. What else could you do with it. You could saw the front off and use it as a sled. Or give the neck to a baby as like a wizard stick for Christmas. Totally give this cello to someone for Christmas. Or Hanukkah.

Please come get it. I'd actually go somewhere to meet you if wherever we're going is a cool place. Like the desert or something.

I'm 90% certain the bow's in there.

Eclipse photos

Ladybug and I had a good time staying up together and watching the progression of the lunar eclipse. Here are some photos that show the sequence. Some pictures are better than others. I was taking the pictures with my simple point and shoot digital camera. Also, occasionally the sky was a bit hazy. I was also trying to play with settings on my camera to see what setting would get the best photo.

Here is a link to a video (that I did NOT take!) that shows the whole eclipse. It's pretty cool!

December?!

Whoops, I fell off the "blog-wagon" again. Guess I'm just trying to see who REALLY loves me! There's a few of you left who have patiently (and some not so patiently) waited for the next post. Glad you aren't holding your breath!

It's been busy around here, to say the least! I have plenty to blog about, but most of the time lack the energy to get it done.

So, I'll summarize a few of the highlights in completely random fashion and hope to get pictures on here of some things soon.

*We spent Thanksgiving at Brian's brother's house with his side of the family. While we were there, we took the opportunity to surprise Brian for his 40th birthday. It was a true surprise since his birthday didn't fall until the middle of the next week! We had fun pulling that one off. And yes, I have pictures. :)

*I have been working on camp organization. I have all our guest artists hired and most of the returning staff, as well. I had some help from Brandon and have learned how to update the camp website. The registration form has been revised and should be ready for launch on the website in January. The work on the brochure and poster is coming along and will hopefully be completed soon.

*Meanwhile, registrations for the convention have been trickling in. Thankfully, I have that down to a science. I LOVE mail merge!

*The girls and I made sugar cookies Monday and will frost them tomorrow. Yummy! I'd better get back to exercising on the Wii... I haven't been as faithful as I wanted to be on that these days! But, I'm still faithful in eating the junk I shouldn't eat...

*I'm almost done with piano lessons for the semester. Then I hope to get to my Christmas preparations. Hopefully we can get the tree up this weekend and get some presents wrapped.

*Ladybug completed one part of her catechism review last night. She did an excellent job on her memory work! I'm very proud of the work she has been doing in catechism class. I look forward to her Confirmation in the spring!

*The girls continue to work hard on school work. It is nice that they can be independent on many of their tasks.

*We have enjoyed dog sitting this month. First, for my friend and her two cute shih tzu dogs. They are sweet dogs. And now, we have Brian's parents dog, JJ. Someday I hope to have an indoor "lap" dog. :)

That's all I can think of for now. Hopefully, I'll find my way back to my blog before January!

Maybe a GPS would help?

My sister-in-law shared this tonight:

She told my nephew that he was a c-section birth. My 9 year old niece then asked, "What section was I born in?"

Lost

7 year old: "Daddy, can you read to me?" Daddy: "I don't know, have you lost your attitude?" 7 year old: "Yes, so can you read to me?" 4 year old: "You lost your attitude? Where is it?!"

John's Transplant Update

If you are following Little John's story and would like to read the latest blog entry:

Here is a link to Gina's blog.

Life in the Shadows

My kids aren't kids who are naturally outgoing or have the outward appearance of excelling. Their talents are much more subtle. They are bright and talented, but if you aren't watching closely, you will miss those amazing details. I see them every day.

My kids are not "showy" kids. They don't particularly like being the center of attention. They don't like to perform. They don't like a lot of attention drawn to them. They are not highly competitive.

But, because of that, I too frequently forget that they do appreciate recognition. It's so hard to balance in a world that has to see what you do in order to give recognition when you have kids who don't want to stand out, and don't particularly want to place themselves in front of others.

Thankfully, last night my oldest daughter received some recognition. She was so thrilled. It was so neat to see, yet I received another load of guilt. She could have had the same recognition last year, but she didn't want to take away from anyone else and neither did I, so she remained in the shadows. So, now I remain in the shadow of guilt.

I hope someday I learn how to balance, for my kids' sake.

Another update on John

God was indeed watching out for John this morning. Gina received a call from the hospital that he had gram positive blood cultures. Had he had the transplant, he would have been on immune suppressing drugs which would have allowed the infection to grow like crazy.

Feel free to check back in on her blog.

Prayer Update

John did not have his surgery this morning. The organs were not in good enough shape for successful transplant. He and his family will return to their home and wait for God's perfect time.

Please continue to pray for the family who lost a child.

Praying

My friend Gina's son, John will undergo a multiple organ transplant in the morning. I can only imagine the emotions Gina is feeling - relief that a donor has been found, fear of the surgery and the unknown, sadness for the family who lost a loved one. May God be with all and grant His peace.

Her blog can be found here.

Piano

Panda went to the piano and was trying to figure out how to play a song on her own.

Ladybug said, "Mom, Panda is trying to sound out the song."

Pumpkin Carving

My friend invited us to come over and carve pumpkins with them. Her boys were so helpful with my girls! Butterfly was the first to dig into her pumpkin. I figured she would be the one who would not touch the pumpkin. But that was Ladybug!Panda dug into her pumpkin and did a great job with the assistance of the boys.
The finished products: (We finally convinced Ladybug to work on hers)

Butterfly's pumpkin is an owl on a tree limb - kind of hard to see in this photo.B

Bike Riding

Butterfly decided that she wanted to learn to ride her bike without training wheels a couple of weeks ago. We went across the street to the church parking lot and I gave her a little push and she went a few feet. We tried again and she went a little further. One more time and then she was riding all the way across the parking lot. (these pictures are actually taken later at the school nearby)Ladybug came out about that time. She had taken the training wheels off her bike a couple years ago, but then wiped out and wouldn't ride again. Her jaw dropped as she saw Butterfly racing across the parking lot. She grabbed her bike and off she went. She told me that she wasn't about to let Butterfly get ahead of her! Yes, she does have a bigger bike, but wanted to ride this smaller bike that a friend gave to her.Panda wanted to join in the fun, of course, so she pulled out her tricycle and away she went.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Report

We arrived at the pumpkin patch pretty close to our arrival time goal. We paid our fees and with the help of the map made our plan of attack. We decided to tackle the corn maze first this year. As we walked toward the corn maze, we (the moms) about panicked when we noticed that the jumping pillow was not inflated! Hoping that it would be inflated later, we continued walking to the corn maze, after a stop at a tree swing and a teeter totter.The girls tested their navigation skills by leading us through the maze. I'm not sure they knew where they were going, but they enjoyed being the leaders. We (the moms) enjoyed listening to their cute conversations. After finding our way out of the maze, we headed over the swinging bridge to another tree swing, tricycles, horse swings, and a hay bale maze. Once the girls wore the moms out by making them run the horse in circles, we continued our exercise routine on the pedal cars. Yes, they apparently make pedal cars for two people, just so young children can further poop out the moms. It really was fun, until the hill... My legs are going to tell me about that hill again tomorrow.
We (the moms) we delighted to see that the jumping pillow had been inflated. So, we encouraged the girls (as if that took great arm twisting) to go have fun jumping. They invited us to join them and, of course, we couldn't refuse. We jumped until our post-baby bladders could take no more bouncing... some things just aren't the way they used to be.On our way to lunch, the girls had to make a trip down the tube slide. We enjoyed our lunch in the picnic area and marveled at the beautiful weather! We couldn't have had a better day.
After lunch, it was off to the playground area. The girls wanted to review their fire pole sliding, swinging, log swinging, and climbing skills. After brushing up on those skills, we took a ride on the paddle boats. Mine wouldn't steer. I thought we were going to be stuck on the little pond all afternoon. Thankfully, paddling backwards worked.
We were getting to the end of the afternoon, so we let the girls pick what they would like to do before we left. The older girls chose the tube slide again and the younger girls chose the jumping pillow. A good time was had by all. Once we were sufficiently worn out and VERY thirsty, we headed to the car. Snacks and drinks were passed out and we headed for home.