Monday, October 11, 2010

Life, love and marriage

Saturday, Mike and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.  We have had our ups, downs, tests, trials, sorrows, joys, and walked through the valley of the shadow of death on more than one occasion.  Only God can help a couple weather the storms of life in the way we have.  We argue like any couple, but our love remains strong.  Building a marriage on the rock called Jesus DOES make all the difference. 

We made vows, 11 years ago and it has taken determination, prayer and love to make it work.  Marriage is work.  You don't just get married and then everything falls into place.  People are different.  People change.  Because of these two facts, marriage is ever changing and morphing into something else. It is our choice in choosing how to react to those changes that makes the difference.  Yes, there are some relationships that are toxic and dangerous.  However, most problems can be worked out.  Most storms can be weathered.  It would surprise some if I told all the stuff we have weathered.  People think we have it easy.  That is far from the truth.  However, on that day, 11 years ago, we purposed in our hearts we would never ever have an out.  We would do whatever it takes to keep us going.

Today we have 3 beautiful children.  We still have our ups and our downs.  What used to be cute and adorable to each other when we first got married.......not so cute and adorable as it was then.  I mean, used to if he snored...it was funny.......now I just want to sleep.  Used to the tapping of the toothbrush on the sink...not to bad, now it is akin to a drum going of in the other one's head.  Not because we don't love each other but because love changes and we change.  Getting past the little annoyances is the key. 

Learning that life is short and you never know what will happen next; helps you appreciate each other more.  Standing together holding your child in your arms and not knowing if this will be his last breath; changes you.  Suddenly, you find that the things you use to worry about....are not so big.  Having God intervene and knowing you have been given a miracle humbles you.

Life is not a bed of roses and neither is marriage.  But it is oh so worth the pricks and the stumbles and the hurts over the years when you have decided forgiveness will be a corner stone of your marriage.  Forgiveness.......love.......faith.....and most of all the Lord.  If you have these...you can weather things you would not believe.  Does that mean there will be no more problems? Of course not.  It means that together you can face them because Jesus is in control.

October 9, 1999 

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

What's Up

Jenny was distracted today and I said:

Jenny you are not usually distracted, what's up.

She said:
"Clouds".

Now she wasn't being fresh because she said it, in a sweet way.  I guess she thought she was just answering my question. 

I need to find some other ways for her to practice her name writing.  She is getting bored with the usual.  So, I need to break it up.

Today we are working on several things and she is a bit distracted.  I think I will take her for a Fall walk once she finishes this worksheet to help her focus. 

Nothing says I have to do things a certain way.  I can be flexible and tailor her day to her needs.  Since we haven't done as much PreK lately she just may need to get back into the routine. 

I am surprised how much she has picked up with what we have and haven't done.  All of a sudden she is really getting the phonics concept and beginning sounds.  We are going to work on it some more, but she really is getting it.  Now if I can just be consistent well...more consistently.

So now I think we will take a walk and see those clouds that are indeed UP.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Trying to come up with some idea for PreK this week.

I think we will bake some and maybe go on a "field trip".  I want to do a fall based theme.  I also want to focus on phonics, counting, writing and recognizing some site words.  I plan to get some contact paper and laminate some stuff I have to make it more durable. 

We have lots of leaves in our yard so we will probably do some leaf crunching..LOL.  I need to make sure she gets outside every day.  I am going to go to the dollar tree and see if we can find some more things to add to our preK stash.

We are going to do lots of reading. 

I think I also want to do a "photo" book of her day and then us make a story called Jenny goes to PreK.
We will take the photos and then write what is happening and make a story of her whole day.

Just some ideas I am kicking around.