It's a Blog Hop!

One of those oh-so-clever ladies on the Mckmama forum has started a fun blog hop. Want to play along? Just follow the rules and add your post to the McLinky (click on it for directions.)

Here are the rules, from Jamie's blog:
Go to the place where you upload all your photos. If you don’t upload them online, just go to wherever you store your pics on your computer. Open the oldest album, and post the first photo. Tell the story behind it. Grab the MckLinky and post it on your blog. Just for fun, tag 3 people you want to see old photos of :)

So here is my picture:



That's me in the back. Second from the right. Mother Goose.

It was from my sophomore year of college, at a not-so-scary Halloween event called the Enchanted Forest. There was a place in Georgetown that hosted a Haunted Forest every year, and they'd pay a fraternity to staff it. For a few years, they also had this Enchanted Forest, which was a walk through nursery rhymes and fairy tales. It was a project for the frat's "Little Sis" organization.

I LOVE this picture for a few different reasons. For one, I really enjoyed doing this. As Mother Goose, I got to lead each group through the forest. It was a combination of tour guide, children's theater, and improv, and it was one of those moments I truly felt "in my element." I was sad when it was all over!

Another reason I love to remember the Enchanted Forest is because the first time I worked there was a turning point in my time in college. I was a homesick, lonely freshmanl with a back-home boyfriend, sitting on my computer (and the internet was really not all that exciting back then) and calling my mom. I had made a few friends on a freshman retreat through campus ministries, but I didn't feel like I was a part of any group yet. And I didn't know if I even wanted to be.

Then some of my new friends, some of them older, came and coerced me into coming with them to help with this haunted house thing. Soon I was hanging out in the PHA lobby, staying up too late, and hoping I would be a little sis. I found a place, made lots of new friends, took on leadership roles, dated new guys, and blossomed. I credit that first night at the Enchanted Forest as one of the reasons I am who I am today!

Plus, it reminds me that there are some people with whom we will stay connected, and that there are others... well... I'll just say that there are a few people in the picture that I don't miss. There's one girl that I remember being very intimidating, only now I can't even remember her name! Ha! So I guess it's a nice reminder not to let people get the best of you, because while the ones who are worth keeping around will be there, others come & go throughout life. And that's sometimes just fine.

I could go on, but I'm not really sure how interested my fellow blog-hoppers are in hearing my "back in the day" stories. I'll just tag a few of you. I'm picking from the people I think might visit my blog- so SJ, Brown-eyed Pea, and... ooh- Nikki! Yeah. I want to see your old photos. Ready? Hop!

Mom's Morning Out

I've mentioned a few times now about some recent craziness in our lives. One of the things that has made life a little more hectic lately is a new work/ministry opportunity for me.

I am now the director of our church's brand new Mom's Morning Out program. On the days when the girls are in school, I'll be running this new ministry so that moms in our church and community can have some time to themselves. It runs from 9-12, so after everyone goes home, I'll still have a little of that time to myself, too.

Today was our first day. We had four adults- two paid workers (me & my assistant) and two co-op workers. (Moms can work shifts to earn time to send their kids later, offering them a less costly alternative and helping me have enough grown-ups!)

I was expecting five kids, but we ended up with seven! We're growing already! Next week we should have three more.

The day went very smoothly. It was almost too smooth, making me wonder if I missed something. But I'm not going to spend too much time wondering- I've got more planning and paperwork to do.

If you're local and you're interested in Mom's Morning Out, let me know! I'm so excited about it- I'd love to share more.

Speaking to schoolchildren...

This is a post I wrote for a forum discussion about Obama's upcoming address to schoolchildren and all of the concerned parents threatening to keep their kids out of school. Some of the word choices are in reference to other posts, but I don't think they too hard to figure out.


I find this all to be a little silly. The public schools are funded and run by the government. So why is it so off the wall that the head of the executive branch of the government might want to talk to the kids in the schools? ABOUT schools? He isn't going to tell your kids to go home & tell mommy & daddy to vote for health care reform. He isn't going to tell them to keep abortion legal. He isn't "advancing his agenda."

He is the POTUS. He won the electoral votes and the right to do his best to lead our country. Whether we voted for him or not, we do need to "back him." Not in the sense that we blindly follow or get gassed, as someone so eloquently put it. But also not teaching our children that it is okay to disrespect people they disagree with, especially those in authority. Disagreeing is fine. But respectfully. And respect equals hearing other points of view.

Honestly, those of you who don't want your kids to watch- if you previewed it & found it to be a nice, inspiring speech, would you let your kids watch it? Or would you keep it from them because you don't want them to think positively about him AT ALL?

All other presidents address the nation, speak to schools, etc. My husband & I watched in class as Reagan addressed the nation when the challenger exploded. My husband also went to the White House for a D.A.R.E. graduation in the rose garden- where Bush 1 spoke. On 9/11, George W. Bush was reading to kids in a school. Do you think there were permission slips to "opt out" of that one? No- it was an awesome opportunity to see that the president cared about kids & education. Same thing here. Children need to see their country's government in action. They need to see the president.

Worry about your kids coming home having heard too much about the birds & the bees. Worry about metal detectors or out of date textbooks. But to act like Obama is going to brainwash our kids or try to convert them to future liberals? Have more faith in our president than that. Or at least in your own abilities to teach & shape your children.


And later, after someone said they thought he was "going after the children" because they are the future of our country...

"I believe the children are our future..." :) Except they can't vote. Or contribute money. By the time they will be able to vote, he will not be anywhere near the white house. And they don't have that much sway over those who CAN vote or contribute- you all don't buy everything your child thinks they need from commercials, right? So I have to respectfully disagree when people say that he is gearing up for the next election or pushing his agenda by focusing on elementary school kids.

As a first grade teacher, I actually saw what 6-year-olds understood about politics first hand, during the 2004 elections. In our particular school, most of them came in completely demonizing John Kerry. One little boy told me, "He's a gay and he wants to make us all gay." Nevermind he wasn't even sure what made a person gay or straight. Another little girl, whose parents were Kerry supporters, sat in the back of the room and cried, because she was completely alone in thinking that this man was ok.

How much more frightening must it be, then, to be a 6-year-old and not understand any of this, and now know that this "horrible" person is your president? When I was a kid, no matter who your parents voted for, you thought the president was amazing. You wanted to be just like him when you grew up. Now our country is so polarized, we're teaching our kids that instead of looking up to the president, they should be worried about him. Terrified of what he is going to do to our country. They shouldn't listen to or believe anything he says. Seriously?

We can all have our opinions. We can all even share them with our kids (although with caution- while I think a previous poster was right, and that they don't fully understand a lot of things, I also think they worry a lot more than we realize.) But when we start telling our children they can skip school or leave a class because we didn't vote for that guy and we don't like what he's going to say... I think we're sending a message to them that is worse than anything he might mention in his speech.

Another thing: You're right that many people did not "back" Bush. But they were also labeled unamerican and unpatriotic. Heck, there are country music stations here in the south that still won't play the Dixie Chicks. To be clear, I'm not saying anyone here on this thread hates America or any of that nonsense. I'm just saying it works both ways. Many of the people I know who got really angry at Sheryl Crow for example don't think twice about calling Obama "Hitler." It's all disrespectful, it's all divisive, and it's all, well... politics as usual, I suppose.

Bottom line, no, he's not speaking directly to our kids individually. But we are. What will we be telling them?

Song for Sunday

Faithful To Me
by Jennifer Knapp

All the chistles I've dulled carving idols of stone
That have crumbled like sand 'neath the waves.
I've recklessly built all my dreams in the sand just to watch, them all wash away.

Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile
To one who sees past all I see.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand
You're the only one who's faithful to me.

All the pennies I've wasted in my wishing well
I have thrown like stones to the sea.
I have cast my lots, dropped my guard, searched aimlessly for a faith
To be faithful to me.

Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile
To one who sees past all I see.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand
You're the only one who's faithful to me.
You're the only one who's faithful to me.

Simple as a nursery rhyme...

... it's Jack & Jill time!

For those of you who don't know, Jack & Jill is a seasonal consignment sale here in town. It is the best! Last year I consigned some clothes for the first time, though not many. I just cleaned out a few things that were the wrong seasons for the girls or that never quite fit, along with some extra baby things. My reason wasn't to make money, although I made about $75. It was to shop before everybody else!

This year, I got to shop even earlier. I'm working a few shifts at the sale this year, so I got to shop tonight at 5:30. It was amazing! I actually saw the sale before anyone else (except the owner and those workers who set up, obviously). When our group of workers went into the building, we had the first pick of everything. It was awesome. And overwhelming! Where to start?

First, I went to the big stuff, because it always goes early. I found a Little Tykes kitchen (our girls have a kitchen but it is older and a lot more cumbersome). For $20 I found one that is like new, and I can donate our other to our new Mom's Morning Out room, where there is a lot more space. (And a need- I know, cause I'm the new director! More to come about that one...)

I also found a cute little plastic vanity and seat for $3! Other big stuff I bought: a rolling trunk filled with Duplo blocks (something we never had for Big Sister) and a cool art table with a stool, a roll of paper, and two cups for paint or storing markers & crayons. I also got a few other toys: a horse & carriage for Big Sister's princess Barbies (that will need some work), a doll stroller and some plastic food for the MMO room, and something else for Little Sis which I can't remember at this particular moment in time. The toys for the girls will be for Christmas, along with a few other things. Big Sister is saying she wants an American Girl this year- thanks McDonald's Happy Meal!

Then I went on to the clothes. We are very fortunate to have some awesome families in the church that pass clothing down to my girls. So I already had a few very cute things for this fall. And of course, since I've kept almost all of Big Sister's things, Little Sis is pretty much set. But I did find some great outfits for Big Sis to wear to school. I got two Gymboree outfits- one with three pieces. I got four play outfits: track suits, knit pants & tops, etc. I found her Christmas dress and three other darling dresses; two of them are jumpers with cute tops underneath. I got two darling sweaters. And finally, I found some cute thermal pjs with princesses on them for $2.

I couldn't leave Little Sis out, so I did find her some brand new pjs and a cute (though worn) outfit. I also found a short-sleeved one piece outfit from Gymboree that will be perfect for these still-warm early autumn days we'll be having for quite awhile. But my favorite find this year? While looking in the 4s for Big Sister, I came across a hand-made boutique style outfit with beautiful fall colors and Little Sister's monogram! I never find her name- anywhere. It will be a while before she can wear it, but I am still very excited about it!

So, after all of these purchases- the big furniture stuff, the wardrobe for Big Sister, the toys, and some cute stuff for Little Sis- can you guess what I spent? $140.

I've saved so much, I think I'll go back.

"There you go" Thursday...

what? You've never seen "There you go" Thursday before?

That's cause I just made it up. Just now. Just for you.

Er, and because I am having the stinkiest writer's block lately.

So here's how it works. I'll ask a question, and then I'll answer it. There you go. Simple- like this:


Have you ever wondered why the bird feeders and windchimes at cute gift shops or at the hardware stores are so expensive? I mean, why pay $15 for a set of windchimes for the porch if I can get a small set at Wal-Mart for $4.97? What could possibly cause a $10 price difference?

There you go.

Expiration dates

The 31st of August is an important deadline; it's the day when all of the coupons in the School Coupon Books expire! A few days before, I always tear out the ones I think I might possibly be able to use and make a plan. This year, I had a whole stack for fun times downtown. It included the Creative Discovery Museum, a trip to World Next Door, hot dogs from a tiny (yummy) hole-in-the-wall stand, ice cream, and some shopping at the green grocery store.

Then reality hit, and I remembered that my children desperately need naps (or for Big Sis, downtime) in the afternoon. So I modified a little bit. We went to the museum, where the girls had a great time (even though it was short) and hung out with Curious George:

Big Sister took the one of me & Little Sis. In case you hadn't already figured that out...


Then we went to my favorite store, (everyone say it with me:) World Next Door, which was an adventure because it involved two adults and three loose children (double strollers just don't make it far into the store) in a store with lots of tiny and breakable things. (Hope & Shepherd had joined us after their class at the museum.)

I found some adorable Global Mama dresses for the girls that were half-off. That meant my coupon didn't work, but that was just an excuse to buy something else! I settled for some Land of A Thousand Hills coffee, which I've been meaning to try for some time now.

Here is a picture of the girls in their dresses. Please disregard the pink tennis shoes on Little Sister's feet; she is obsessed with shoes and must be wearing a pair- any pair- all the time. Also, disregard Big Sister's tense face as she attempts to get her little sister to stay in the shot:


After the shopping, we headed to the little hot dog stand for lunch. But not really. Because I had forgotten that they only take cash. Which I never use or carry. I even walked a few blocks to the closest ATM, but it didn't work either. So I ended up loading my children back into the van, giving them some diaper bag snacks, and heading home for lunch.

The good news? We had a great time and got out of the house. Oh- and they both slept like logs after all the excitement. I think we'll head downtown more often!