Wow. Havent blogged since 2011. Gee whizo. Ok....2012... back surgery #3... wrote a book, went back to Disney World. 2013 sofar has been boring. Going to Disney for my birthday! Hello again, blogger. Looks like I need to update those sidebar pics.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The reason for the season
Note to self: Christmas isn't about presents.
I've waffled with this for three years now, more importantly though within the last two. Nice vs. Naughty is so subjective.. because my kiddos are at both ends of that spectrum each day/week!
We tried this year to shift the focus on Christian Charity, but still the materialism and cultural conformity beckons. Next year I will remember how chaotic this year went (and I am writing this on Christmas Eve!).
SO, I promise myself to do more to instill the goodness of Jesus' birth and the importance of a savior born vulnerable and low, because that is the whole point... commercialization or not!
I promise to buy the gifts I choose and give them out slowly, possibly even one at a time, to take into account my kiddos' inability to process too much at once. I will remember the sneakiness and lies I woke up to this morning, and how in better understanding of their needs, we will have to think even more 'out of the box' with Christmastime sensory overload.
Slow, deliberate, well thought out actions are the only way to go... not that I have much assurance things will be better, but I will at least have the thought that I had thought it out more thoughtfully. :-)
On another note, Christmas Eve Mass tonight was beautiful! We went to the 5:30 and the homily was very poignant (although Matthew said from where he sat further down the pew he got a little sleepy)and really made me think. One of the things he challenged us to do was examine what influences we had/have that make us faithful. Who instilled in us the values, morals, ethics, even the impetus to come to a church service. Jacob has recently been asking the difference in people who attend 'church' vs. those like us who attend 'Mass'. I am glad he is asking questions. Although it is not the differences that need to be taught, but the likenesses.
I hope that we can impart on our kiddos the same important lessons we've learned from our own parents. Read, search, find, study, worship.
I've waffled with this for three years now, more importantly though within the last two. Nice vs. Naughty is so subjective.. because my kiddos are at both ends of that spectrum each day/week!
We tried this year to shift the focus on Christian Charity, but still the materialism and cultural conformity beckons. Next year I will remember how chaotic this year went (and I am writing this on Christmas Eve!).
SO, I promise myself to do more to instill the goodness of Jesus' birth and the importance of a savior born vulnerable and low, because that is the whole point... commercialization or not!
I promise to buy the gifts I choose and give them out slowly, possibly even one at a time, to take into account my kiddos' inability to process too much at once. I will remember the sneakiness and lies I woke up to this morning, and how in better understanding of their needs, we will have to think even more 'out of the box' with Christmastime sensory overload.
Slow, deliberate, well thought out actions are the only way to go... not that I have much assurance things will be better, but I will at least have the thought that I had thought it out more thoughtfully. :-)
On another note, Christmas Eve Mass tonight was beautiful! We went to the 5:30 and the homily was very poignant (although Matthew said from where he sat further down the pew he got a little sleepy)and really made me think. One of the things he challenged us to do was examine what influences we had/have that make us faithful. Who instilled in us the values, morals, ethics, even the impetus to come to a church service. Jacob has recently been asking the difference in people who attend 'church' vs. those like us who attend 'Mass'. I am glad he is asking questions. Although it is not the differences that need to be taught, but the likenesses.
I hope that we can impart on our kiddos the same important lessons we've learned from our own parents. Read, search, find, study, worship.
Words of Wisdom
found a great quote (not by me!)
It helps me to remember that for most people with no personal experience with traumatized or mentally ill children, its just easier to believe the adults are the ones with the problem. Not that we are perfect or don't need to change/grow as well. But I think as a society we want to believe that all kids given love and stability will adapt and do great. It is horrifying to even face the fact of the trauma, abuse, neglect and suffering so many children around the world face. To face the reality of what that can do to a child and then try to find effective solutions is overwhelming.
It helps me to remember that for most people with no personal experience with traumatized or mentally ill children, its just easier to believe the adults are the ones with the problem. Not that we are perfect or don't need to change/grow as well. But I think as a society we want to believe that all kids given love and stability will adapt and do great. It is horrifying to even face the fact of the trauma, abuse, neglect and suffering so many children around the world face. To face the reality of what that can do to a child and then try to find effective solutions is overwhelming.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December 2011
So much to say! Well, we finished up shopping for the foster kiddos we were sponsoring Christmas for and had the gifts delivered on Dec 1st. I went and picked up the kids from school early so they could help deliver them. Since the April tornadoes, DFCS has moved from Ringgold to Fort Oglethorpe, so taking the kids was less traumatic than it might have been since they always got antsy going to the old location.
I have bought Tabitha a Alvin and the Chipmunks karaoke machine, and other than the stocking that is what she is getting from 'Santa'. She has been improving in her attitude and behavior, although since my kids are like certain laws of motion, with every improvement with one, the other has an 'equal but opposite' reaction.
So, Jacob has been moody, seeing us praising Tabitha and her eagerness to help out and be in good spirits and he has declined in his efforts. Literally just tonight I am rewashing clothes and clorox wiping out the clothes dryer because his heavily soiled underwear were added to the laundry.. creating a mess and emptying out my only tide pen. Alas, they have perfected this cycle of good vs. bad kid and even the therapist is trying hard to thump it into their minds that they can BOTH be good at the SAME time.
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