Just to put your mind at ease
we are not going to host the boy.
It is just not the right time for our family.
But, just to prove to you that I am still insane...
the question is not off the table for next year. =)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
a question for you...
I am in another quandary. I know, I know. You are shocked.
We are looking to add some more chaos to the house. Well, I'm not. I have enough going on in the next year, but Kevin has come up with "genius" plan. He would like to billet a kid from one of the Thunderbirds teams.
What this means is that a 16 year old boy would move into our house for 9 months during the school year. Actually he doesn't turn 16 until September.
My concerns are this...
One- who is responsible for getting him to school? Checking his homework? Getting him to hockey? Doctor's appointments? transportation issues. Kevin assures me that this is not an issue, as he will be 16 soon. Will he have his own car? We are NOT providing one for him!
Two- A housing allowance comes into the equation, but just how much does a teenage boy eat? Seriously! The amount that we were told would probably feed the kid for a week! What about the other three?
Three- There will be house rules! We would have to sit with his family and find out their rule and tell them our rules making sure we are all on the same page. But what if he is late? What if he is caught drinking or something? What if he were to bring a girl back here? What if... what if... what if...
Four- What about the effect on OUR kids? Will a teenager's schedule be a problem with a house full of little ones? Okay, Dillon's not little, but still, he will be the most influenced by this kid. He will want to be all over him, in his room, etc all the time. Now Dillon is good about limits, but what if the kid doesn't handle the extra attention of being a "big brother" well? Can we trust a 16 year old with the little girls?
Five- the positives- Dillon will have a boy to be around. We might have some extra help with the kids if we would like to go out once in a while. We would be helping out another family. ummmm.... what else?
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? What advise can you give?
Are we totally insane?
We are looking to add some more chaos to the house. Well, I'm not. I have enough going on in the next year, but Kevin has come up with "genius" plan. He would like to billet a kid from one of the Thunderbirds teams.
What this means is that a 16 year old boy would move into our house for 9 months during the school year. Actually he doesn't turn 16 until September.
My concerns are this...
One- who is responsible for getting him to school? Checking his homework? Getting him to hockey? Doctor's appointments? transportation issues. Kevin assures me that this is not an issue, as he will be 16 soon. Will he have his own car? We are NOT providing one for him!
Two- A housing allowance comes into the equation, but just how much does a teenage boy eat? Seriously! The amount that we were told would probably feed the kid for a week! What about the other three?
Three- There will be house rules! We would have to sit with his family and find out their rule and tell them our rules making sure we are all on the same page. But what if he is late? What if he is caught drinking or something? What if he were to bring a girl back here? What if... what if... what if...
Four- What about the effect on OUR kids? Will a teenager's schedule be a problem with a house full of little ones? Okay, Dillon's not little, but still, he will be the most influenced by this kid. He will want to be all over him, in his room, etc all the time. Now Dillon is good about limits, but what if the kid doesn't handle the extra attention of being a "big brother" well? Can we trust a 16 year old with the little girls?
Five- the positives- Dillon will have a boy to be around. We might have some extra help with the kids if we would like to go out once in a while. We would be helping out another family. ummmm.... what else?
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? What advise can you give?
Are we totally insane?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Superhero names
I am taking three different online classes right now. Two are serious, education related and the other is to help bring more scrapbooking back into my life. That one is called My Freedom by Shimelle. My sister drew me in and it has been an interesting ride so far. We are slowly discovering different pieces of ourselves. Another something that I have been doing a lot of lately... self reflection... but that is a COMPLETELY different post.
Any ways, this week we are looking at our serious and playful sides. Today we were to analyze our serious sides, our work if you will, but in a less serious style. We are super heroes. Anyone that knows me knows that this is not an area that I care to tread in, but I can open up and try to have a little fun.
Our superheros are supposed to have names. I am terrible at these kinds of things. Case in point... one class about 12 years ago I had to have a nickname and I went with Tara-dac-dyl. Another time I was the Mominator. Do I need to go on? I didn't think so. I need help.
So according to my notes I actually have three parts to my serious side, "my work", they are mom, teacher and student. I had to define those roles in my glamorous superhero world and came up with this...
Mom- the fiscal, physical and moral responsibility of guiding the next generation of Whalens.
Teacher- Stratagize the most conniving ways to impress upon young minds useful knowledge (that they will then deny).
Student- Attempt to gather knowledge gamma rays while constantly scanning and analyzing real world learning environments for top secret keys to success.
So, with these three roles in mind, what would you name me?
What would you name you and what are your superhero roles?
Any ways, this week we are looking at our serious and playful sides. Today we were to analyze our serious sides, our work if you will, but in a less serious style. We are super heroes. Anyone that knows me knows that this is not an area that I care to tread in, but I can open up and try to have a little fun.
Our superheros are supposed to have names. I am terrible at these kinds of things. Case in point... one class about 12 years ago I had to have a nickname and I went with Tara-dac-dyl. Another time I was the Mominator. Do I need to go on? I didn't think so. I need help.
So according to my notes I actually have three parts to my serious side, "my work", they are mom, teacher and student. I had to define those roles in my glamorous superhero world and came up with this...
Mom- the fiscal, physical and moral responsibility of guiding the next generation of Whalens.
Teacher- Stratagize the most conniving ways to impress upon young minds useful knowledge (that they will then deny).
Student- Attempt to gather knowledge gamma rays while constantly scanning and analyzing real world learning environments for top secret keys to success.
So, with these three roles in mind, what would you name me?
What would you name you and what are your superhero roles?
Happy Birthday to D!
Today is the big man's 9th birthday and we are off to Elitch's to have some fun!
Happy Birthday Big D!
Happy Birthday Big D!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The game...
Dillon has two major sports that he plays. If he had his choice, it would be more, much more, but I had to simplify things so I had him choose a summer sport and his hockey. He chose baseball and this is his second season. This season he is on a kid pitch team for 9 and 10 year olds.
They have practice on Tuesday afternoons, and at this week's practice there was an incident that changed things....
The team had broken into two groups. One group was playing a regular game set up with one player batting until they got 5 hits, then the player would run the bases while his teammates tried to tag him out. The other group was practicing batting as well, but the coach was continuously throwing balls to the batter, so quickly that the batter barely had time to re-set his stance before the next ball was there to hit. Dillon had just moved over to the second grouping when it happened. He was out in the field catching and returning balls to the coach when he was stung by a bee!
He was sent into the rec center for treatment, not even stopping to tell his mom what happened! I didn't know until he came back out and had an ice pack on his head. (bad mom moment here so beware) I noticed that the team was starting to pack things up and I was upset because Dillon had not yet had a chance to bat. He was heading back out to the second field when the coach was heading in. I yelled out to Dillon, but was really talking to the coach, "you haven't had a chance at batting practice yet!" (yes, my child was just hurt and I was egging him on back into practice, I told you, bad mom moment)
The coach hears me and begins to meander my way. He gives me a line about how he wants to make sure Dillon will be okay to play in the big game tomorrow (Wed) and doesn't want him to get hurt any further. Hang on... this isn't pretty... I reply... that's all well and good and all, if he ever played in the game. He is usually sittin' the bench or stuck in the outfield. He never sees any action.
Coach- well, we'll make sure he sees some action tomorrow then.
Me- And did he ever tell you that he is a hockey goalie?
Coach- well, he does have good hand eye coordination.
Me- yeah...
Coach- has he ever played catcher?
Me- nope, but he might like to try. What he really likes to play is short stop or second base.
Coach- really... okay then. We'll see him in the game tomorrow.
It's now game time... Wednesday night... late start... Maga and Papa are here to watch... Dillon is in the game. He is posted at second base.
His first at bat isn't great. He strikes out swinging, but he looks good at bat.
It is now late in the game. Dillon played in the first couple of innings and has been sittin' pine for a couple. The game is tied. We are going into extra innings.
The other team bats first. Our pitcher is tired. He walks the first few batters. Then we start getting them out.
One.
Two.
Three outs! We're up.
The first batter is up. He swings and hits. Makes it to first.
The next batter is walked.
The next batter is walked.
The bases are full.
The next batter is struck out.
The next batter is struck out.
Guess who is up to bat next? Big D.
Maga leans over to me. "I can't stand it! There are two outs and he is up to bat!"
I reply "are you kidding? He is loving it! He is out there thinking that this is his moment. He is going to swing and clear those bases."
First pitch... he swings and misses.
Second pitch... the ball is out of here! He hits it right over second base. The player gets under it to try for the catch... he drops it!
DILLON SCORES THE WINNING RUN!!!
His team sweeps him up and ushers him to the first spot on the hand shake line. He is the hero of the night!
That will teach that coach to mess with a mama bear! =)
They have practice on Tuesday afternoons, and at this week's practice there was an incident that changed things....
The team had broken into two groups. One group was playing a regular game set up with one player batting until they got 5 hits, then the player would run the bases while his teammates tried to tag him out. The other group was practicing batting as well, but the coach was continuously throwing balls to the batter, so quickly that the batter barely had time to re-set his stance before the next ball was there to hit. Dillon had just moved over to the second grouping when it happened. He was out in the field catching and returning balls to the coach when he was stung by a bee!
He was sent into the rec center for treatment, not even stopping to tell his mom what happened! I didn't know until he came back out and had an ice pack on his head. (bad mom moment here so beware) I noticed that the team was starting to pack things up and I was upset because Dillon had not yet had a chance to bat. He was heading back out to the second field when the coach was heading in. I yelled out to Dillon, but was really talking to the coach, "you haven't had a chance at batting practice yet!" (yes, my child was just hurt and I was egging him on back into practice, I told you, bad mom moment)
The coach hears me and begins to meander my way. He gives me a line about how he wants to make sure Dillon will be okay to play in the big game tomorrow (Wed) and doesn't want him to get hurt any further. Hang on... this isn't pretty... I reply... that's all well and good and all, if he ever played in the game. He is usually sittin' the bench or stuck in the outfield. He never sees any action.
Coach- well, we'll make sure he sees some action tomorrow then.
Me- And did he ever tell you that he is a hockey goalie?
Coach- well, he does have good hand eye coordination.
Me- yeah...
Coach- has he ever played catcher?
Me- nope, but he might like to try. What he really likes to play is short stop or second base.
Coach- really... okay then. We'll see him in the game tomorrow.
It's now game time... Wednesday night... late start... Maga and Papa are here to watch... Dillon is in the game. He is posted at second base.
His first at bat isn't great. He strikes out swinging, but he looks good at bat.
It is now late in the game. Dillon played in the first couple of innings and has been sittin' pine for a couple. The game is tied. We are going into extra innings.
The other team bats first. Our pitcher is tired. He walks the first few batters. Then we start getting them out.
One.
Two.
Three outs! We're up.
The first batter is up. He swings and hits. Makes it to first.
The next batter is walked.
The next batter is walked.
The bases are full.
The next batter is struck out.
The next batter is struck out.
Guess who is up to bat next? Big D.
Maga leans over to me. "I can't stand it! There are two outs and he is up to bat!"
I reply "are you kidding? He is loving it! He is out there thinking that this is his moment. He is going to swing and clear those bases."
First pitch... he swings and misses.
Second pitch... the ball is out of here! He hits it right over second base. The player gets under it to try for the catch... he drops it!
DILLON SCORES THE WINNING RUN!!!
His team sweeps him up and ushers him to the first spot on the hand shake line. He is the hero of the night!
That will teach that coach to mess with a mama bear! =)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Answer
Lorie was mostly right! Good job!
"Sleep tight" refers to when the pioneers would have to tighten their bed strings before going to sleep. And "don't let the bed bugs bite" is reference to the cups at the bottom of the bed posts. The pioneers would have cups with oil in them placed under the bed posts and would also put oil on the posts to keep the bed bugs out of their straw.
Yeah Lorie!
I will send you some cornbread! =)
"Sleep tight" refers to when the pioneers would have to tighten their bed strings before going to sleep. And "don't let the bed bugs bite" is reference to the cups at the bottom of the bed posts. The pioneers would have cups with oil in them placed under the bed posts and would also put oil on the posts to keep the bed bugs out of their straw.
Yeah Lorie!
I will send you some cornbread! =)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Pioneer camp
Last week the kids enjoyed a week at pioneer camp. I wasn't sure how well it would go over, but they had a blast! They were able to make butter, ride in a horse drawn wagon, and pan for gold, all on the first day!
During the rest of the week they braided rugs, made candles, baked in a pioneer stove, worked with a blacksmith, weeded the garden, attended a one room school house (where Dillon had to sit in the corner with a dunce hat on!), make popcorn on a fire, made quilt squares, played authentic pioneer games, etc...
Here are some pictures from the last day when they were able to show me around to see all that they had learned.
Dillon playing pioneer games...
Dillon the blacksmith apprentice...
Bailey loved making candles here...
Bailey speaks to the chickens...
BTW- do you know what "sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite" really means?
Dillon does!
Leave a message telling me what you think it means... there may be a prize involved!
During the rest of the week they braided rugs, made candles, baked in a pioneer stove, worked with a blacksmith, weeded the garden, attended a one room school house (where Dillon had to sit in the corner with a dunce hat on!), make popcorn on a fire, made quilt squares, played authentic pioneer games, etc...
Here are some pictures from the last day when they were able to show me around to see all that they had learned.
Dillon playing pioneer games...
Dillon the blacksmith apprentice...
Bailey loved making candles here...
Bailey speaks to the chickens...
BTW- do you know what "sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite" really means?
Dillon does!
Leave a message telling me what you think it means... there may be a prize involved!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
It's about time
Do you have good control on your time, or does it get away from you? Do you organize your day in the morning and finish it all by the night, or are you more of a weekly organizer, if at all?
I don't feel as if I have a good enough control of my time, so I am trying something new this week. I made a list, which isn't totally new, but this time I wrote down everything I could think of that needed done in a domestic type way. I did include my school work and even tried to plan some scrap time. After everything was written down I could have a clearer vision of what needed done.
But I took it a step further. Usually when I make a list like this, I just do whatever on it and still have tons left to do by the end of the week. This time I wrote a M, T, W, R, or F next to the items. Making sure my week was balanced out.
I will say that it has helped, but I am not there yet! I missed some things yesterday and I am way behind today, but I think this might work. It will just take time to get used to it.
A musical tribute....
For Dr John Elliot who was a good friend of my mom's. He was a good man, a good friend, and a great doctor.
My sister has much more eloquent words to describe the man.
My sister has much more eloquent words to describe the man.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Vacation part deux
We escaped again this week. After that fiasco with Abby on Monday, Kevin's mom called and let us know that his brother's little family would be heading to Jackson Wy that weekend. This was our chance to see baby Scarlett. So we packed up and headed out of town in the middle of the night.
It was fabulous in Jackson. Warm, but not too hot. Sunny. No pressure to be here or there or anywhere. Catching up with some of his family. And snuggling with Scarlett.
We just had to pack up and head out again in the middle of the night in order for me to make it back here to work by noon today. We got back in town at 11:37 A.M. I made it to work, freshly showered mind you, by 12:10 P.M. and it's a good 15-20 minute drive.
Here are some pics from the weekend...
Alpine slide racing... Dillon won
Avery smiling... a rarity...
Flowers on the course...
Bailey's first horse back ride. I got to lead her around for a half hour. Up and down the mountain side.
Then Bailey tried to lead "Chubby".
Some afternoon golf... of the miniture kind.
Washing it all down with some brownie sundae. Yum!
It was fabulous in Jackson. Warm, but not too hot. Sunny. No pressure to be here or there or anywhere. Catching up with some of his family. And snuggling with Scarlett.
We just had to pack up and head out again in the middle of the night in order for me to make it back here to work by noon today. We got back in town at 11:37 A.M. I made it to work, freshly showered mind you, by 12:10 P.M. and it's a good 15-20 minute drive.
Here are some pics from the weekend...
Alpine slide racing... Dillon won
Avery smiling... a rarity...
Flowers on the course...
Bailey's first horse back ride. I got to lead her around for a half hour. Up and down the mountain side.
Then Bailey tried to lead "Chubby".
Some afternoon golf... of the miniture kind.
Washing it all down with some brownie sundae. Yum!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A sad goodbye.
Yesterday Abby hurt herself again. This time pretty badly.
Our next door neighbor has a new puppy and he has asked my kids to help "socialize" his dog to be comfortable with children. So every once in a while, Bailey goes next door and brings Massa over here to play for a while. When Massa is here, Abby is usually outside so that it doesn't bother her. Yesterday though Bailey made a mistake. She brought Massa in before letting Abby out. Abby was shoved out the back door, which I am assuming brought on a fit of jealousy or anxiety. She busted through the fence cutting up both front paws.
Luckily I saw her running down the street right after it happened and whistled her home. She came running back with a trail of blood behind her.
I freaked out.
I brought her in and immediately began applying pressure to her paws and yelling for Massa to be taken home. While I am trying to hold Abby down and hold towels on her arms, I call for help. My other neighbor, God love her, comes to my rescue once again.
Dillon and I pile Abby into the car and head for the Animal Hospital. She is taken into surgery and her paws are sutured back together.
During the time that I dropped her off there and the time I need to head back to pick her up, I come to the realization that Abby needs much more than we can offer.
I think it through. I ask others advise. I try to find another solution.
There is none.
She needs medication for anxiety. She needs people that are home a lot. She needs constancy that we can not provide. She needs a new home.
Today, I took her back.
Now we have to grieve.
Our next door neighbor has a new puppy and he has asked my kids to help "socialize" his dog to be comfortable with children. So every once in a while, Bailey goes next door and brings Massa over here to play for a while. When Massa is here, Abby is usually outside so that it doesn't bother her. Yesterday though Bailey made a mistake. She brought Massa in before letting Abby out. Abby was shoved out the back door, which I am assuming brought on a fit of jealousy or anxiety. She busted through the fence cutting up both front paws.
Luckily I saw her running down the street right after it happened and whistled her home. She came running back with a trail of blood behind her.
I freaked out.
I brought her in and immediately began applying pressure to her paws and yelling for Massa to be taken home. While I am trying to hold Abby down and hold towels on her arms, I call for help. My other neighbor, God love her, comes to my rescue once again.
Dillon and I pile Abby into the car and head for the Animal Hospital. She is taken into surgery and her paws are sutured back together.
During the time that I dropped her off there and the time I need to head back to pick her up, I come to the realization that Abby needs much more than we can offer.
I think it through. I ask others advise. I try to find another solution.
There is none.
She needs medication for anxiety. She needs people that are home a lot. She needs constancy that we can not provide. She needs a new home.
Today, I took her back.
Now we have to grieve.
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