Fun at home this month

I have been trying for a few days now to post new pictures on here from the past month - we've enjoyed fun at home, birthday parties, the fair. I will keep trying to share it. But I am giving up for tonight! Love to you all.

DEFEAT

Well, we didn't have the same outcome today. We had tears...lots of tears..."Let go of me" is what he told his teacher..."Mommy, don't leave me" and "I want to go with you" is what he told me......................

VICTORY

Ethan has been having such a hard time with separation anxiety. He struggles with transitioning when we drop him off at daycare. He cries & throws a fit for anywhere from 20 seconds to 20 minutes (the average is about 2 minutes). I hate that he feels abandoned. I hate that he struggles with his independence - I want him to love every minute of school. I hate that he disrupts his classmates. I hate that it delays my day.
We ordered a book to help teach him. It's called "The Goodbye Book". It is not the best resource ever...but something is making a difference....
No tears today! I am praying for the same outcome tomorrow.

CPR - what?

Recent research by Children's Hospital of Michigan found that only 1 in 5 teachers have CPR certification!
Considering that our children spend the majority of their waking hours in the school building each day this is not good news. One nurse (if you are lucky enough to have one at your child's school full time) cannot handle any health emergency that arises in the classroom. I firmly believe all teachers at all grade levels should be required to maintain current CPR & first aid certifications.

Note- I realize there are courses through American Heart Association that are not certified courses that teach all the basic appropriate info. I still advocate for certified course requirements. For teachers it would mean a few hours of training time every 1-2 years, but the information & skills gained could save countless children's lives.

Life Lessons

Last week we participated in a "birthday party" for Knipling Krayola Kids. It's an annual fundraiser for the Covenant Children's Hospital. We purchased toys for the kids & then we brought them to the birthday party. I really want my children to know the importance of living a life of servanthood. I hope they see that through the life John & I lead, too.
I was also amazed by the generosity of the staff from Albertson's on Slide. They not only brought cake for the party...but also boxes & boxes of gifts & balloons - many of which they delivered immediately to our pedi patients. It was wonderful to see the selflessness of my co-workers and my children.

The Knipling Krayola Kids will also have a fundraiser on Friday, September 22. Lunch (Pedro's tamales, cokes & ice cream) will be sold on the lawn outside the Children's Hospital to raise more money. Every purchase gets an entry into a drawing of 30 or more prizes (including a basketball signed by Coach Knight, Brighton purse, multiple gift certificates, Mary kay gift basket, etc). I will be there selling food - so stop by to say hello & support a great cause. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the kids. PLEASE JOIN US!

Sunday, September 17th

A Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving for Recent Rains

The City of Lubbock, Lubbock County & Pray Lubbock jointly declared July 30, 2006 a Day of Prayer & Fasting for Rain...
Since then we have received LOTS of rain! We are now back on track for our typical annual rainfall & our water supplies are stabilized.

So, the mayor has declared September 17, 2006 a Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving for Recent Rains.

Please participate.

Sleepless in Lubbock

Thoughts racing through my mind...
How will I complete all the things tomorrow that I need to do tomorrow?
What do I really need to do tomorrow? Any day?
How do I define church?
Why isn't the church more ACTIVE in service? Lots of talk, but I see so much greed & materialism - even in myself.
My husband is freakin sexy - what am I doing on this stupid computer - I should go wake him up :) No, he's grumpy when he wakes up.
Why is Ethan having such a hard time with separation lately? And how can we help?
What is that mysterious mark on his arm?
Why did I live a blessed life always? How would my life be different if my "nurture" was different? Have I shown & verbalized my gratitude for all who have been blessings to me?
I should eat something. No, that'll just be deposited directly to the hips.
Did Steve Irwin really die happily?
I hope John gets into the Police Academy. I never thought I'd be hoping for that. I am just trusting that what is right for us happens. God'll take care of us - He always has.
I hope my boys have wisdom in choosing friends. I know there will soon be a time when they will listen to nothing I say. They're growing up too fast. Cliche, but truth.
I want to see my HS girlfriends badly. I think I need some girl time.
Wait, isn't this where we started...I have no idea what I NEED.
Maybe it's just sleep.

S to the PICY

Spicy SuperSonic Cheeseburger....YUM!

If you know me well then you know I don't really eat much meat - especially not ground beef. So I rarely order hamburgers...but this new spicy burger at Sonic (with 2 beef patties) is AWESOME! Or as they say on the commercial it's S to the PICY.
And I'm D to the ORK!

Someday

Special Interests Publishing has declared Friday September 15 as "Someday." You know, the day you've been waiting for to pursue all of those projects, goals, and dreams. Well, it is finally here!

Someday has arrived; are you ready to begin?

The Mountain House

I just realized that I have never posted pics from Mom & Dad's property near Angel Fire, NM. They are planning on building a cabin there. We call it the mountain house. We've been twice this summer & the plan is to go again this coming weekend. It is just beautiful. These pictures (from our most recent trip) don't do it justice. I know the entire family will have such fun there! We already do!

Ethan's day at the lake

Mommy took a day off work in August & we had a day at the lake with our friend Braxton & his mommy Tyneal. This was Ethan's first boat experience - he is now FEARLESS!

Last weekend we visited John's family in Henderson & we went out on the lake in their boat. He had a great time with all his family, but his attention was not on fishing. All he wanted to do was drive the boat. He really wanted to jump into the water, too!