Words of Advice

Here are some words of advice to the mother whose son's life I saved at the pool today.

1) When taking your child to the pool, it would be helpful if you, yourself wore a bathing suit. Although you looked stylish standing next to the pool in your Capri's, fancy heels and halter top, it wasn't exactly pool appropriate attire.

2) When your son is not tall enough to stand in the pool by himself, don't let him go down the slide without you being IN THE POOL waiting to catch him. (See Advice #1)

3) Don't count on all the rest of the moms at the pool to be keeping our eyes out on your son. I didn't see him in distress until it was almost too late.

4) When you need my assistance to save your son because I, unlike you, am IN the pool with my son, don't just point to me and say sweetly in a calm voice that your son is having trouble and he keeps going under... my advice is to either A) JUMP INTO THE POOL to save his life B) YELL LIKE A MANIAC and get people's attention.

5) After the life guard and I both went through great lengths to save your son, a nice thank you would have been appropriate...I'm sure the fact that you didn't get near else was because you were afraid we would splash you therefore forcing you to send your outfit to the dry cleaners.

6) After all of the above had transpired, Please, Please, Please, do not allow your son to go BACK DOWN THE SLIDE -- it blew my mind that you allowed him to go again forcing the lifeguard to once again jump in and rescue him.

7) My last piece of advice -- GET A CLUE! better yet -- stay home

Keeping My Mind Busy

I have been on an emotional roller coaster this week. I wish I could chalk it up to PMS and not having access to chocolate, or being on a diet which is making me cranky, but the truth is much deeper and more personal. I'm painfully aware that this was the week my baby would have been born. Trust me, I have given myself the pep-talks that this was part of God's plan and that he knows better than I, but did I truly have to see and be around a ton of babies everywhere I went this week? In the restaurants, in the grocery stores, etc. Just was a little more than I could handle... and I'm usually a tough cookie. So, you'll have to pardon me if I take a few more days to pull myself back together.

My sister, niece and nephew are arriving tomorrow for a short visit. I am so excited and I've been getting our house ready. It's been a great distraction -- family is always a good cure for the blues.

Christmas in July

So last night Christopher and I started putting together his Christmas and birthday list since both occasions are one day apart. He is at that age where every commercial he sees or every Target or Toys R Us flyer has something that he "must have!". So, last night while showing me another Lego set that he "needs" for his collection, I hopped on Target.com and starting his wish list. I explained to him that we could build a nice list over the next few months and then I can email it to all his Aunts and Uncles and Grandfathers so everyone would know what he would really like. He loved this idea and so it began. Of course I also explained that to make room for all the 250+ piece lego sets he is requesting that we are going to have to go through his current toys and make a few donations between now and then. Just WHERE does one put all these Legos?? Any advice from you moms with boys that are into building this wonderful creation with extremely small pieces? His bookshelf is near capacity LOL.

One Extraordinary Sunday

Today Steve & I celebrate the 8th anniversary of our "reconnection". We first met as teenagers and became friends. Then we lost touch for 15 years. Then, 8 years ago today, he walked back into my life.. and hasn't left LOL That's a GOOD thing. Here's a little recap that I posted last year that always makes me smile..

I just rolled my eyes after I heard this message on my answering machine over eight years ago...

"Beth, this is your sister... where are you?? You must still be at church. Anyway, it's Sunday night and I just spent the last 40 minutes talking to your future husband.... AND YOU KNOW WHO IT IS!!! Call me as soon as you get this message..."

Ok... first of all, for those of you who know my sister, she is very excitable, so you can only imagine the squeals of delight that accommodated that message. Secondly, I had no idea who she was talking about or what she was talking about. I was a single girl, living in Lancaster and relatively happy with where I was at with my life. I had great friends, a good job, I was active in an awesome church and was learning how to cope with my mom's passing.

So, after replaying the message a second time, I called my sister back and she rapidly and excitedly told me that at church that day she had run into a guy she knew from college, Steve M. It had been years since they had seen each other and after a few minutes of chit chat he asked how I was doing. Ruth didn't even remember that he knew me (she had introduced us when we were teenagers, we formed a friendship but lost touch once I went away to college). So, she of course mentioned that I was still single (thanks for the plug, Ruth) and living in Pennsylvania. She threw in that I often came to NJ to visit and that we'd all have to get together sometime.

Honestly, my first reaction to this was not very positive. "Ruth, I haven't seen this guy in like 15 years. I'm not the same girl.. I'm no teenager and certainly I don't look like I did back in those days." But she was determined. My sister enjoys being a matchmaker and was successful in pairing up several of her friends. Up until this point, the matches she made for me were anything but successful. One guy tried to sell me Amway products during the entire course of dinner. Thankfully, this was a double date with my sister and brother-in-law at whom I repeatedly rolled my eyes throughout that disaster of a dinner/date. Next up was a blind date with a guy that had a personality of a wooden door -- didn't crack a smile all night. It was painful. I definitely needed someone who can laugh.

Who would have known that eventually Steve & I did reconnect (much to my sister's glee!) I shared with you all last year on my blog about how God brought Steve and I back together through bizarre circumstances (I was living in NJ because of a stroke my father had suffered). Today marks seven years since that "reconnection" and we treat it like an anniversary. I'm so excited and, honestly, marrying a man who loves God, me and our son, was so worth the wait. We often joke about why we never dated as teenagers... how awesome it would have been to not have lost touch for those 15 years... but then we realize that God had a purpose in those 15 years. He used that time to make us ready to be the man and woman of God we needed to be in this marriage. God's timing is perfect.. always

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. "James 1:17

It's One of "Those" Days..

Today is officially an "off" day. My head just isn't quite on right or something. I had TWO baskets of laundry in my basement. One that I HAD JUST TAKEN OUT of the dryer.. AKA "clean clothes" and, the other, the much larger heap of dirty clothes. So, being so easily distracted by so many thoughts that typically roll around my head in any given day, I just put THE CLEAN CLOTHES BACK IN the washing machine. I honestly must have just put 7 or 8 shirts in... didn't feel that they were still warm.. didn't phase me at all until shirt number 8.

Sounds like I should call it a day. And how was yours?

Land of Make Believe

Even though this is our third summer here in Western New Jersey, yesterday was our first visit to the Land of Make Believe, a wonderful little amusement and water park located about 20 minutes from our front door.

We've known about it for years, but one thing or another always got in the way of us going there. But, with Steve having a day off yesterday and the weather calling for a scorcher, it seemed like the perfect time to check it out.

We had SO much fun. If you have kids under the age of 12, I think they would love it. For those who have never been, it's like Dutch Wonderland (except not as big). The park is really geared for toddlers (I'd say kids under 12... we didn't see too many teenagers there). The water park alone was worth the trip. Chris had a ton of fun on the pirate ship which had many slides and dozens of places to use water guns and other gadgets. They had another pirate fort, a huge wading pool which was great for babies and toddlers and at least 4 or 5 water slides (That's where the tweens and teenagers were). Something for everyone.

We did the amusement park as well - It was the first time we could truly just sit back and watch Chris go on the rides. We didn't have to strap him in or ride with him. He's tall enough to do most rides for himself. Made me proud and sad all at the same time.

I guess you could say that the only thing I was wishing for at the Land of Make Believe was that I could "make believe" time would stand still and that our little boy would always be six and having the time of his life!

If you've never been, check out their website

Change

Felt like the blog needed a little sprucing up so I changed the background and added a new quote to the top. I received this list of "Old Farmer's Advice" not so long ago. See if any of these may inspire you, apply to you or just make you smile:

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* Don't judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Live a good, honorable life... then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time around.
* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

And then my new mantra... "Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God."

We are Back!

Just walked in the door less than an hour ago from our awesome vacation in Florida. Was a l-o-n-g day of traveling and was so happy to just walk in the door... then I was ECSTATIC when I remembered that I had spent the day before we left for our vacation cleaning the house from top to bottom. Nothing like coming home to a warm, inviting place and not a reminder of the usual chaos that ensues from day-to-day. Maybe I'll light a candle and take a bath... one last fleeting moment of relaxation before reality crashes on my head.

Vacation By the Numbers

5 -- Number of Days we have been on vacation
5 -- Number of Days it has RAINED while on vacation
4 -- Number of trips to get ice cream
4 -- Number of times we were almost hit by someone TEXTING while driving in Florida
3 -- Number of wrong turns we took to get to the beach
3 -- Number of people who fell off jetskiis in 2 separate incidents
2 -- Number of times the Coast Guard Police pulled my brother-in-law over for violations while jetskiing
2 -- Number of family members who cried during Toy Story 3
1-- Number of times a bird POOPED on my LEG while at the beach
1 -- Number of times another bird DROPPED A BONE on the beach umbrella I was sitting under!
Countless - number of memories we are making each and every day.

A New Era

It's inevitable that your child asks questions... it seems like we've moved from the "Why" "How" "When" section to the "let's ask the most embarrassing questions LOUDLY" department.

Yesterday due to a last minute play date cancellation, I was faced with the decision to cancel my much needed haircut appointment, or take Chris with me. If it was just a haircut, I wouldn't have been too concerned... 30 minutes tops. But, I knew I was getting some highlights as well so this was going to be at least 1 1/2 hours at the hairdresser. Not wanting to go on vacation with bad hair, I decided to reason (aka..bribe) Christopher to come along. Promises of a new video game for good behavior. He was sold.. I was scared.

He actually did relatively great for the first 45 minutes. I had a little bag of entertainment for him and snacks and he happily sat next to me (thank goodness there was an empty chair there) and asked a million questions about every part of my appointment. He couldn't get past the aluminum foil in my hair, or the big sink where they rinse out my hair and the big chairs with the blow dryers that come over your head. He was fascinated and wanted to experience every part for himself. He was convinced that he, too, wanted blonde highlights, a shampoo and a chance to sit under the big blow dryer.

At about the one hour mark, he was done being amused and ready for us to move on... to the Walmart next store to claim his reward for good behavior. He was sitting next to me at the big blow dryer and we were talking a little louder because of the noise of the dryer. There was an older women sitting right next to us getting a hair cut. I guess Chris had never seen a women getting a short hair cut so, out of his mouth to my sheer horror.. he loudly asks me "Mom, is that a MAN??? " I wanted the chair to swallow me up right then and there. Clearly it was a women... just with super short hair. I tried to explain it in a quiet voice not to cause more damage then was done.. but he kept saying. rather, yelling.. WHAT? What mom? I Can't hearrrrr youuuuu!!" Great.. you cant' hear me but the he/she getting his/her hair done certainly can.

Oh well. Just one of many embarrassing moments to come.

You Had Me At Hello

The minute we walked into the pediatric dentist's office... they had me. This dental office is like nothing I had ever experienced in my life. When you walk in, the check-in counter is on the left and the game room... yes, game room is on the right. Parents on the left, kids on the right. Pac-Man, Tetris (the classic huge video games) are the centerpiece of the game room with various toys and activities that keep the kids engaged until it's their turn.

Each kid picks out 3 items from the "menu". Kid-flavored floss, fluoride, toothpaste, etc. I wish I had a dentist like this when I grew up. The dental hygienist couldn't have been nicer and the kids are active, happy participates. There is no crying in this office -- kids just love to come here. Today Chris was assigned to the "Star Wars" room. I thought his eyes were going to bulge out of his head when he walked in there. Star Wars is his favorite (for now) and he was just blown away by all the cool spaceships, posters from the movies, light sabers, photos and movie memorabilia that they had in this room.

He did so well.. no cavities! On the way out, he asked the dentist if they had a Batman room because he likes batman too. (They don't).

Whoever dreamt up this office was a marketing genius. Totally suited for kids. Wish I could go there. They have a princess room for girls -- I could deal with that.

Trust

Came across this in my devotional the other day and thought I'd share...

Stoop-shouldered,
foot-dragging,
sighing
resignation
is not trust.

Real trust
bounces on eager toes of
anticipation -
laughs with pure delight
of knowing
in whom it believes--
rests easily
knowing
on whom it waits.

Lord,
so wrap me in the
knowledge of You
that my trust is no longer
in You, but
is You.

by Susan Lenzkes

Weekend

What a weekend! I thought completing kindergarten on Friday was going go to be the highlight, but boy was I wrong. On Saturday Chris rode his bike without training wheels for the first time! We are so proud of him.. just checking off those milestones one at a time. Realizing that my little boy isn't so little any more. Had a great time on Sunday celebrating Father's Day down in South Jersey with my father-in-law and family.

Today was our official first day of summer break and we have been going non-stop. Mini-golf, play date, library, food shopping, swimming. He's taking a dinner break and has announced he would like to ride his bike and play soccer after that. Someone is going to have to carry me inside later.

Today

Tomorrow is Chris' last day of kindergarten and they are having a big ice cream party (at 9:30 in the morning!) which I will be attending. Notice how I always seem to go to the parties that involve ice cream or food? Anyway... today is my last few hours of alone time before the summer starts. So... just to let my family know..

TODAY ...

.. if you need to find me this morning...

..... you will NOT find me at the following places...

....... in front of a washing machine or dryer....

......... ironing clothes.....

........... scheduling doctor appointments, paying bills, reorganizing a closet, drawer or pantry

............... at the dry cleaners, auto shop, post office or volunteering at the school...

No, for the next few hours, I WILL be....

... roaming around my favorite local stores, just looking, maybe trying some things on.

..... going to the most kid un-friendly stores just because I can go without fear of something breaking

......... sipping coffee or an iced green tea and looking at a magazine...

.............. just chillin' because I'm going to need to be well rested for this summer!

Now I better get to it because he has early dismissal today so that only gives me TWO hours to relax..So, enjoy your day everyone.. I'm certainly going to!

Almost.....

Every Wednesday Chris has to "share" in class. It's the modern day show and tell. You bring in a toy or special object, share 3 sentences about your item, and then pick one classmate to ask a question.

When we visited the Newseum in Washington, DC., my broadcast-savvy husband encouraged Chris to purchase a foam microphone as a souvenir thinking it would make a great item to share with his class. Well, for the last 2 months, that poor microphone was never selected to be the "special" object for share. Chris would choose his other beloved stuffed animals or knick knacks...always pushing the microphone off for another week. Well.. we are down to the wire. Tomorrow is his last share. Realizing that, yesterday he told me that he was going to bring in the microphone. At long last! I knew his father would be happy, but I didn't want to say anything and make it a surprise. Well... that whole theory got shot when Chris arrived home from school today and asked me, "Mom... do you think that Scooby Doo could pretend to talk into the microphone during share tomorrow?" "No.. .you can only bring in one object...either Scooby or the microphone."... let's just say that maybe Steve can bring the microphone in to work one day to "share" because it's not going to see the light of day in the kindergarten class.

Window Cleaner

I have a 6 year old window cleaner. He is standing on our deck with not just one, or two.. but three water guns. I guess it saves on having to run into the house to fill them. Now he didn't go outside with the intention of washing my windows... what 6 year old boy would volunteer to do that? He just wanted to squirt... but the problem was that every time he went in and out of the house, he would leave the sliding glass door open and, inadvertently, would squirt into our kitchen. So, I lovingly told him to close the glass door and aim at the windows. Then, lovingly suggested to take a paper towel and see how fast he could catch the water as it was sliding down the glass. See.. you have to make it a game! LOL

Of course that lasted only a few minutes.. .now he is squirting any fly or bug that he happens to encounter. Oh the joys of summer!

Torture

Do you remember the feeling you had when you were little and your parents told you NOT to do something? Maybe it was not to touch something delicate, not to hit your brother/sister, or not to push a button. Whatever the directive, one thing was for sure... the more you were told NOT to do it, the more you wanted to. Am I right? It was right there.. just waiting for you to act on it. Temptation almost.

Well, tonight I'm that little kid. Tomorrow morning I'm taking a routine blood test, but I have to fast 12 hours before the test. No problem, right!? But it's honestly driving me crazy. It's not that I'm hungry because I purposely ate a late dinner and I'VE BEEN EATING ALL DAY as if preparing my stomach for this 12 hour lull. You would think that I'm a contestant on Survivor packing on the pounds because I'm going to be stuck in the wilderness for 40 days with no real food to speak of.

I just have to wait these next 12 hours. But the thought that even if I wanted to nibble on something at 9:30 tonight, that I can't is so bothersome. It's like an inalienable right has been taken away. Am I overreacting.. absolutely. Should a PMS women be denied chocolate at the wee hours of the night... NEVER.

Needless to say, I will definitely be packing a snack in my purse tomorrow morning so after I have done the deed, I can go back to eating on my terms. See you at IHOP at 8:30 .

What's the Temperature?

The other day I pulled out Chris' inflatable pool. He hadn't used it since we lived in Florida, and honestly, he didn't even remember it since he was so little last time he used it. He had such a good time splashing around and jumping into and out of that little pool, that every day since then, he's wanted to go back in. Unfortunately, the weather has no cooperated. Even still, he didn't quite grasp the concept that if it's cold outside, it would be REALLY cold in that pool water.

So, every day one of the first things that he does, is turn on the TV and asks me to watch the weather. So, now I just leave it on the Weather Channel (probably one of the safest things to put on TV these days) and he watches to see what the temperature will be. He knows if it's in the high 70s or above, he can have access to the pool. Who knows, maybe he'll change his dream of being a librarian to becoming a weatherman. Either that or maybe he'll become a member of the Polar Bear Club... brrrr!

Vanity

Yesterday, Steve & I rearranged our furniture in the master bedroom. It is now nice and spacious and, best of all, I got my vanity area back! Hadn't had it since we lived in Florida. I was very excited this morning - took a shower and all the while, anticipating sitting on my little white bench and applying makeup and drying my hair in my little special area... just for me. You know as a mom sometimes there aren't many places in your house that you can declare are yours (well.. other than a kitchen or washroom.. I mean an exciting place.. kids free.. just a spot for you. This is MY spot.

As I pulled the white bench out to sit down this morning, you can only imagine my surprise to have 3 little Lego figures jump out at me.. two fell on the floor and one remained on the chair. I burst out laughing realizing how silly of me to think that our son would not explore this new territory and claim it as HIS own. Nothing is sacred people. Nothing..

Save The Date

Heard at my house yesterday...

"Mom.. I want a party to celebrate my 100th birthday"
"Wow.. that's planning ahead!"
"Yeah... I want to eat Pizza at Bensi (an Italian restaurant) and then have ice cream cake"

So, basically he will be celebrating his 100th exactly as he celebrated his 6th birthday minus the bowling. LOL

So, save the date people... December 26, 2103 Hope we are all still around to celebrate with him!