I meant to do that...

I love my morning workouts. (I'm not so fond of them when the alarm goes off, but I'm happy once I'm at the gym). The gym I work out at has a women's only section that I like to go to. Everyone there is focused on finishing her workout, not attracting attention. You can get in and out without really being noticed and it's not too crowded. I love that I can be anonymous in a way. I don't really know anyone and I can be in my own world.

This morning at the gym there was a woman on the treadmill. She was near the end of her workout and the sun was shining in her eyes (the treadmills are set up facing a window). She put her machine on pause and pulled the shades in front of her. As she made her way back to the machine, she didn't notice that it had re-started. She grabbed onto the side bar and climbed on, without realizing that the thing was IN MOTION. It flung her off of the back, causing her to tweak her shoulder and hit her head on the side of the machine. Everyone stopped what they were doing...I mean, you couldn't ignore the "Ahhhh!!" she yelled out. They all stared and then quickly looked away...not wanting to make eye contact (I guess they didn't want to embarrass her). She was not about to allow the beast to throw her off without a fight, so she quickly jumped onto the sides of the machine, got her bearings and hopped right back on, finishing her workout! The only thing that makes this story even worse for her is that...she is ME.

My shoulder is still aching and I think I may have a pretty nice knot on my head, but at least I'm healthy, right???

Summer Vacation

I have just survived the first week of summer break! As a good friend said, it was beginning to look more like summer broken earlier in the week, but we're starting to get the hang of being. together. all. day. long.





I thought I would share some of my most favorite quotes from the boys. I seriously have no idea where they get this stuff...


After a day of two playdates and many errands, my younger N says:
"Mom, I'm pooped, but NOT extinct."


Older N: "Mom, when's lunch?"
Me: "Oh, probably in about 20 minutes or so."
Older N: "Great! We have enough time to defeat the evil empire."


During lunch:
Older N: "Mom, if you could have any color light saber, what would it be?"
Me: "I don't know. I've never really thought about it."
Older N: "Well, you probably should just have a gun then."


While working in the back yard:
Younger N: "Mommy, I just saw the cutest centipede."


Later that day...
Younger N: "Daddy, don't sit in your chair, Cutie (his Webkinz-a stuffed animal) pooped in it."


And my all time favorite...after sending both boys to their room for letting a light saber battle get out of hand...
"Fine! We're going to stay in here forever and never play with you again! You'll be all by yourself for the rest of the day!" (Do they not realize that's not really punishment after a particularly rough day???)

So, anyway, I'm thinking that poop and Star Wars are going to be our themes for the summer. But that's okay...I wouldn't want to be anywhere else then with my two little guys.

The Big Debate

Now that I have a little guy in school, I have found myself to be an unwilling participant in the education debate. Public School vs. Private (Christian) School vs. Home School.

I firmly believe that God has specifically chosen each one of us to parent the children he has given us because he knows that we are just the right fit. I also believe that I know what is best for my kids. But, there are some (making generalizations here) that believe that a "good" parent would never allow their children to be exposed to the mean, nasty world of public school.

For our family, at this time, public school is the best fit. My husband and I both had great experiences in public school and if it weren't for Christians attending the PUBLIC school my sister went to, I wouldn't be living my life with Christ as the center.

Now, please hear me when I say that I believe each family should make the choices that best fit their kids and situation. It's just that it seems that some people who have their kids in private Christian school or who homeschool sometimes believe that their education choices are better than what I have chosen for my family. I've heard all of the arguments, but my favorite is that "well, I believe that we should reach out to those who don't know Christ, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my own child's spiritual growth by putting them in public school." I'm not sure if it's intended, but the implication there is that I'm a bad parent because I'm putting my kids at risk.

I know that this is not the opinion of all parents who choose private school and homeschooling, but it certainly seems to be a hot button for some.

My hope is that we can support and respect each other's choices, knowing that as parents we ALL want what is best for our children.

Seriously????

I found this on MSN.com today...

As a new kind of facial flies up search results, should we feel better that bird poo is organic? Um, how could it not be?That's right, "bird poo facial" is hot in search this week. Evidently, guano is being proudly offered in salons from New York to London. Search also unearths the news that bird poo is big business, at least in Peru, where it's also used for commercial fertilizers.

You can find a related article here:
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/offbeat-news/bird-poo-facial

I'm just wondering...since it costs $200, do you think that maybe they use a specific type of bird poo...maybe from an exotic or rare bird...or is all bird poo the same?

All I Really Need To Know...

My oldest is finishing his last week of Kindergarten. It's hard to believe. He is loving school and is so smart (I let my husband know how much our son is like me whenever I can). Today he asked me if I would cry on his last day. I told him I probably would, but I would do my best not to embarrass him...he wisely suggested that maybe I should wear my sunglasses that day...

Fifteen years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a poem titled "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten." I've included his version at the end of this post, but thought I'd include the version we've witnessed at our house and while I've volunteered in the classroom.

• Poop and pee are two of the funniest words that you can ever share with a friend at recess
• You must announce "I win" to the class whenever you finish your work first.
• Three boys cannot use the same urinal without causing an "unfortunate" accident.
• When you take kids on a hike at Hoyt Arboretum (and get to see lots of cool stuff...even a tree that has been hit by lightning), their favorite part will be riding the bus to and from.
• Perfecting the armpit fart is something that should never be given up on.
• Even though they're "big kids" now, they still need a hug and help back up when they fall.
• A 10-year-old is one of the most mature people you'll ever know.

And now, I leave you with the real list:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think someand draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.
• When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder.
• Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggestword of all - LOOK.

The Cover Up

A few months ago my two boys were fighting (yep, they haven't fought again since). They were doing everything they could to irritate each other...we were dropping my oldest off at school and were getting out of the car, when he decided to try to come out of my younger son's door. Game ON. So, just as he was ready to make his exit, my younger one slammed the door on him...and in the process, slammed his own thumb in the door.

It wasn't pretty...and it looked (and sounded) like it REALLY hurt. It was a great teachable moment...we were able to talk about anger and how to deal with it...and that sometimes when we give into it, big owies can happen.

For the next few weeks, we'd clean it and put hydrogen peroxide on it. Whenever we took the bandaid off and his owie was exposed to the light, it would start to really hurt again. He would implore..."please, mommy, put the bandaid back on...it hurts when there's nothing over it."

Isn't it funny how our owies seem to hurt more when they are exposed to the light? When we actually have to look at them and see how they've changed us. When we see it with our eyes, it's as if the pain itself is being magnified.

I've got a few owies right now that God is trying to help me expose to the Light. I've been begging him to let me keep them covered...it feels better that way. But will I really be able to experience true healing if I don't allow Him to reveal the source of it to me...to clean and disinfect it so I can be whole again? It is so much easier-and in the short run, less painful-to keep it covered up as my little one so wisely said...but is that really what I want?

Papa's PIzza Fundraiser

On Tuesday, June 10th, you have another great opportunity to get some yummy food while supporting Walking with Angels at the same time. That's right...you can fight cancer while enjoying delicious pizza while your kiddos tear it up in the Papa's game room.

Why so convenient you ask? Well, that's just how Walking with Angels rolls.

All you need to do is print out the flyer below (right click on the image and select print), take it to Papa's Pizza in Beaverton (their address is conveniently located on the flyer) on June 10th and wait for that cheesy, saucy deliciousness to be prepared for you.

Relay for Life FUNraiser

Who wants to go to a plain ole fundraiser when you can actually attend a FUNraiser????

Present this flyer at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant in Beaverton on Tuesday, June 3rd between 5pm and 8pm, purchase a meal and a beverage and Sweet Tomatoes will donate 15% of your purchase price to the American Cancer Society. Enjoy a great meal and help a great organization! (Right click on the picture to save and print - you must bring the flyer to receive the donation!) 1225 NW Waterhouse Ave, Beaverton

Hope to see you there!!!!!