Maria's blog
I've journaled lately about the problems Paige is having with walking, and now I have to confess something.
Earlier this week Paige was scheduled to see a specialist, an orthopedic doctor. Duane went with me to the appointment. We arrived early and sat down to wait for our name to be called. We sat, Paige read every magazine with food on the front. Annie cried and I nursed her in a bathroom stall. Duane read an entire magazine about the NBA and I tried to entertain the girls while catching the news through CCN. (Did you know that there was a beached whale in Florida on Tuesday? It was "breaking news.")
I watched almost 15 people walk past us into the doctor's office. Finally after 45 minutes of waiting I walked up to the receptionist and asked if we had been forgotten. She couldn't find anyone to ask, so we sat back down. Then after another 15 minutes and more patients going in we decided to leave. Duane had already been gone from work for 2 hours and we hadn't even seen the doctor yet. So we asked for our copay back and headed home.
As we were leaving Paige asked, "Why didn't the doctor heal my legs, Momma?" She was so worked up about the appointment I felt horrible telling her that we had waited so long that we couldn't wait anymore.
Just this morning we were getting ready to go out and she tripped and fell on the cat while he was eating his breakfast. She got up and had cat food and water all over her. I had to laugh because I couldn't figure out how she did that. She looked at me and said, "Momma I fell on Morrison, is he ok?" The real question is "How much more can the poor girl take?"
I need to go and reschedule that appointment. Maybe I take some coloring books and toys to play with this time! :)
Friday, June 30, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
It smells like suckers in here!
Maria's blog
Ahh, the innocence of a 3 year old...
Today my in-laws took us out to lunch after church. And of course Paige had to go to the bathroom. It seemed that after she was potty-trained that she like to go to every restroom in every store or public place that we visited. I figured this out when she'd ask to go and then couldn't when she sat down.
Paige and I walked into this particular restroom and we were greeted by a familiar smell. Paige looks up at me and says, "Momma, it smells like suckers in here!" I laughed out loud because I just never know what to expect from my children's' mouths. She asked me why I was laughing and I told her and then she asked, "Do you think that it smells like suckers in here too?" Of course now I did think that it smelled like suckers in this restroom.
I love that sometimes my children are totally uninhibited. Their conversations, ideas, and dreams remind me how inhibited I am by what other people think of me. You gotta love the bathroom and all the deep thoughts that surface from there. What an uncanny place to learn such an important lesson.
Ahh, the innocence of a 3 year old...
Today my in-laws took us out to lunch after church. And of course Paige had to go to the bathroom. It seemed that after she was potty-trained that she like to go to every restroom in every store or public place that we visited. I figured this out when she'd ask to go and then couldn't when she sat down.
Paige and I walked into this particular restroom and we were greeted by a familiar smell. Paige looks up at me and says, "Momma, it smells like suckers in here!" I laughed out loud because I just never know what to expect from my children's' mouths. She asked me why I was laughing and I told her and then she asked, "Do you think that it smells like suckers in here too?" Of course now I did think that it smelled like suckers in this restroom.
I love that sometimes my children are totally uninhibited. Their conversations, ideas, and dreams remind me how inhibited I am by what other people think of me. You gotta love the bathroom and all the deep thoughts that surface from there. What an uncanny place to learn such an important lesson.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thunderstorms
Maria's blog
We have been having a lot of storms late at night and extremely early in the morning lately. I don't mind the storms because it means that I don't have to feel so guilty about not watering my gardens. But just a few years ago the storms really bothered me.
I have birthed a child that is really disturbed by the storms though. I guess the old adage "What goes around comes around," must be true. I think that I gave my mother a horrible time when it came to late night storms. I don't remember running into her room screaming but I do remember holding my breath and walking REALLY fast into her room. I am most embarrassed to admit that the last time I did that I was MUCH, MUCH too old to be sleeping on my mother's floor. She was always very gracious to allow my presence in her room. But she sure was wise, she had a twin bed and I couldn't snuggle up with her.
Duane and I have a king size bed and it must afford 4 bodies in it several nights this past week. I am exhausted but I was sooooooooo thankful that last night we didn't have any storms that woke our household!
Knowing that the storms end gives me the hope that the morning will come soon. Even if it comes too soon, I am thankful that I have these little bodies to keep me awake during the night.
We have been having a lot of storms late at night and extremely early in the morning lately. I don't mind the storms because it means that I don't have to feel so guilty about not watering my gardens. But just a few years ago the storms really bothered me.
I have birthed a child that is really disturbed by the storms though. I guess the old adage "What goes around comes around," must be true. I think that I gave my mother a horrible time when it came to late night storms. I don't remember running into her room screaming but I do remember holding my breath and walking REALLY fast into her room. I am most embarrassed to admit that the last time I did that I was MUCH, MUCH too old to be sleeping on my mother's floor. She was always very gracious to allow my presence in her room. But she sure was wise, she had a twin bed and I couldn't snuggle up with her.
Duane and I have a king size bed and it must afford 4 bodies in it several nights this past week. I am exhausted but I was sooooooooo thankful that last night we didn't have any storms that woke our household!
Knowing that the storms end gives me the hope that the morning will come soon. Even if it comes too soon, I am thankful that I have these little bodies to keep me awake during the night.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Good eats, long rides, the ER & grandparents!
Maria's blog
We just got in from our trip to Ohio last evening. We spent almost a week in Ohio visiting our family.
Our trip began at 3:30am last Thursday morning. Duane drove the entire time, 885 miles. The trip including bathroom breaks, gas refueling, and screaming children was 17 hours. The girls did suprisingly well. Needless to say they were out of control when we reached my grandfather's house late that night!
We ran from home to home visiting family and friends. We were able to eat at some of our favorite places. We met our good friends, Bryan and Joleen at First Watch for breakfast one morning and savored the incredible breakfast food! We regret that we couldn't devote more time to being with our family.
On Saturday evening we had a party where some of our friends were able to visit. Several of our friends we hadn't seen in 3 years! Sunday we visited the Columbus Vineyard. What an amazingly huge church! It is funny how our perception has changed since being in Wichita!
Monday evening we were enjoying the visit of Duane's family and all the cousins were playing together when we heard a smack followed by Paige screams. We all ran to see what had happened. Through her cries we learned, of course, that she had hit her head. So as we were grabbing some ice for her, Duane pulled her bangs away from her face to reveal an enormous bump. It was purple and we were shocked how quickly it had surfaced. Duane looked at me and said, "We are going to the ER, I'm afraid she cracked her skull."
If you know anything of Paige's past head injuries, I have been awaiting the one that would send us to the ER, here it was! We threw her in the car, grabbed Annie and forgot Jena and headed off to the ER. I am not allowed to say how fast the car was pushed to the hospital. The entire time I am sitting next to Paige talking to her and she keeps saying to me, "Momma I want to go home." I am thinking the exact same thing, trying to keep from crying because of this situation!
We arrived in record time and were told to wait for the attening doctor. As we were waiting I heard a girl behind me say that she had been there since 5:30pm and that was even with a call from her doctor. I looked at my watch and it was 7:30pm! I thought that we were in for a long night. Not too long after that we were seen and I am guessing that it was because it was a head trauma and she was a toddler that we were able to get in so quickly. The doctor looked at her eyes and gave her some crayons. He was testing her gross and fine motor skills to see if she was ok.
Based on the way she was reacting he said that he thought that she would be ok. What a scare. We were so tired and had been "running on empty" for the past 4 days that we were ready to grab Jena and head back that night. We stayed and we are glad that we did.
Of course we had other obstacles along the way. What can you do when there isn't enough sleep, your children haven't napped and your husband is sicker than a dog again for the third night in a row? So we survived! I know that so often during that trip Duane reminded me that our idea of a vacation wasn't what the Lord had for us. I had to constantly put aside my plans and ask the Lord what He had for us.
Two very important people we visited with, completely changed our focus, our grandparents. We stayed with my grandfather for most of the time and enjoyed being with him! Then the day before we left we were able to visit with Duane's grandmother. Both visits were great and they seemed to really enjoy the girls!
Speaking of grandparents: we brought 2 back with us. Duane's parents will be spending time here in Wichita with us and we are so thankful they traveled back with us!
We just got in from our trip to Ohio last evening. We spent almost a week in Ohio visiting our family.
Our trip began at 3:30am last Thursday morning. Duane drove the entire time, 885 miles. The trip including bathroom breaks, gas refueling, and screaming children was 17 hours. The girls did suprisingly well. Needless to say they were out of control when we reached my grandfather's house late that night!
We ran from home to home visiting family and friends. We were able to eat at some of our favorite places. We met our good friends, Bryan and Joleen at First Watch for breakfast one morning and savored the incredible breakfast food! We regret that we couldn't devote more time to being with our family.
On Saturday evening we had a party where some of our friends were able to visit. Several of our friends we hadn't seen in 3 years! Sunday we visited the Columbus Vineyard. What an amazingly huge church! It is funny how our perception has changed since being in Wichita!
Monday evening we were enjoying the visit of Duane's family and all the cousins were playing together when we heard a smack followed by Paige screams. We all ran to see what had happened. Through her cries we learned, of course, that she had hit her head. So as we were grabbing some ice for her, Duane pulled her bangs away from her face to reveal an enormous bump. It was purple and we were shocked how quickly it had surfaced. Duane looked at me and said, "We are going to the ER, I'm afraid she cracked her skull."
If you know anything of Paige's past head injuries, I have been awaiting the one that would send us to the ER, here it was! We threw her in the car, grabbed Annie and forgot Jena and headed off to the ER. I am not allowed to say how fast the car was pushed to the hospital. The entire time I am sitting next to Paige talking to her and she keeps saying to me, "Momma I want to go home." I am thinking the exact same thing, trying to keep from crying because of this situation!
We arrived in record time and were told to wait for the attening doctor. As we were waiting I heard a girl behind me say that she had been there since 5:30pm and that was even with a call from her doctor. I looked at my watch and it was 7:30pm! I thought that we were in for a long night. Not too long after that we were seen and I am guessing that it was because it was a head trauma and she was a toddler that we were able to get in so quickly. The doctor looked at her eyes and gave her some crayons. He was testing her gross and fine motor skills to see if she was ok.
Based on the way she was reacting he said that he thought that she would be ok. What a scare. We were so tired and had been "running on empty" for the past 4 days that we were ready to grab Jena and head back that night. We stayed and we are glad that we did.
Of course we had other obstacles along the way. What can you do when there isn't enough sleep, your children haven't napped and your husband is sicker than a dog again for the third night in a row? So we survived! I know that so often during that trip Duane reminded me that our idea of a vacation wasn't what the Lord had for us. I had to constantly put aside my plans and ask the Lord what He had for us.
Two very important people we visited with, completely changed our focus, our grandparents. We stayed with my grandfather for most of the time and enjoyed being with him! Then the day before we left we were able to visit with Duane's grandmother. Both visits were great and they seemed to really enjoy the girls!
Speaking of grandparents: we brought 2 back with us. Duane's parents will be spending time here in Wichita with us and we are so thankful they traveled back with us!
Monday, June 05, 2006
I like your prominent forehead!
Maria's blog
Ema left us a card after her departure. In the card she wrote a note to each of the girls.
To:Jena
I think you can be singer or musical star. I like your voice! You are good singer!!
To:Paige
You are so cute girl!! I like your prominent forehead! Keep your silly power!
To: Annie
I'm sure you will be pretty girl! Like your sisters!!
From: Japanese girl Ema
P.S. I hope both of you will like fish sometime. Fish makes you smart.
I will agree with one thing, Paige has her daddy's forehead and it sure looks "prominent." Lately she has fallen a lot and always ends up with an enormous goose egg on her forehead. So Ema spent most of her stay here listening to me say, "Paige stop running." Followed by Paige running anyway and tripping only to have her head stop her.
A trip to the pediatricians' office resulted in an appointment scheduled for the end of this month to see a specialist for Paige. Her feet turn inward when she walks and it is even more pronounced when she has shoes on.
There is something inside of me that aches for my children when I finally come to the realization that they are not perfect. Honestly I like to think after their birth that they are but usually by the first night home reality hits. "If she were perfect she wouldn't be hungry at 3am!"
Alas we await the specialist's diagnosis for Paige and in the meantime I will be holding her hand everywhere she goes so she doesn't fall.
Ema left us a card after her departure. In the card she wrote a note to each of the girls.
To:Jena
I think you can be singer or musical star. I like your voice! You are good singer!!
To:Paige
You are so cute girl!! I like your prominent forehead! Keep your silly power!
To: Annie
I'm sure you will be pretty girl! Like your sisters!!
From: Japanese girl Ema
P.S. I hope both of you will like fish sometime. Fish makes you smart.
I will agree with one thing, Paige has her daddy's forehead and it sure looks "prominent." Lately she has fallen a lot and always ends up with an enormous goose egg on her forehead. So Ema spent most of her stay here listening to me say, "Paige stop running." Followed by Paige running anyway and tripping only to have her head stop her.
A trip to the pediatricians' office resulted in an appointment scheduled for the end of this month to see a specialist for Paige. Her feet turn inward when she walks and it is even more pronounced when she has shoes on.
There is something inside of me that aches for my children when I finally come to the realization that they are not perfect. Honestly I like to think after their birth that they are but usually by the first night home reality hits. "If she were perfect she wouldn't be hungry at 3am!"
Alas we await the specialist's diagnosis for Paige and in the meantime I will be holding her hand everywhere she goes so she doesn't fall.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Swimming lessons
Maria's blog
Looking at the date on the calendar reminds me how short the summers really are. Isn't the summer supposed to be full of relaxing, lazy days? At least that is how it seemed growing up. We didn't have a lot of money to go on many vacations or join lots of different extracurricular activities.
One summer I do remember when I was close to 11 or 12 years old, my brother and I were staying with a family from our church during the days. The mother, Kathi, had 2 young children, Isaac and Elizabeth. Isaac was 6 and Elizabeth was 4. It seems really silly now that these were children that I usually babysat for but because it was summer I was being watched by their mother!
Anyway, being that it was summer, Kathi decided that she was going to enroll her children in swim lessons at the Worthington pool. Now if you know anything about Worthington, Ohio, it is a suburb of Columbus and a wealthy suburb at that. Most families vacationed in Hawaii or Florida while we were from Columbus we vacationed at home!
So Kathi talked to my mom and they decided that it would be a great idea to enroll my younger brother, David and I in swim lessons. Early in the morning we dressed and went to the pool. We had to take a swim test and then be assigned our classes. So there I am all of 11 and sweating that I knew I wasn't a good swimmer. I had never had swim lessons before, I knew how to dog paddle and that was about it. As I watched other kids perform for the instructors I kept thinking "What can I do that will wow them into putting me in the big kid class?" "Oh, I know! I am pretty good at doing flips and handstands under the water. That's what I will do." Yeah, that wasn't what they were looking for. I did everything they asked me to do thinking the whole time, "This must be pretty good, they haven't said anything to me." They just kept writing things down on their clipboard.
So after everyone else finished their tests, we were broken up into our classes. As they called our names we stepped forward and they told us what class we would be put into. Since I had no idea the order of tadpoles and minnows or whatever each class is called, I was pretty proud of myself that at least they assigned me to a class. When I walked over to the pool to join the rest of the kids, I thought, "This must be a mistake! These kids are really little." I think that I was placed in a class with kids my little brother's age! I was humiliated!
I know that being humbled like that was horrifying for me. The instructors were high school kids and wasn't I almost in high school? How unfair that they were rich and could afford to be good swimmers and I wasn't I sucked at swimming. After all isn't swimming a rich kids' sport? I was 11 and thinking that this was the worst thing that could happen to me. I was so jealous of my brother and Isaac and Elizabeth's accomplishments (they all graduated to the next class) that I couldn't enjoy the rest of my classes. I know that when I was given my certificate of completion, it was probably just to make me feel better because I am such a horrible swimmer that it was just to make me feel good.
Needless to say, I didn't sign up ever again for swim lessons.
Fast forward, 15 years later...Duane and I decide to join a team at church training for a triathalon. The race would include a 1 mile swim, 5 mile bike and a 3 mile run. In training I improved on my running and felt pretty confident that I would do well there, but when it came time to train for swimming, I felt my heart racing. I jumped in the pool and was given instructions to swim to the other side and back to see how well I was as a swimmer. I know that the life guard was thinking, "Call that girl out of the water! She is going to hurt herself." I think that I held my breath the entire time! I was so scared. Those moments of humiliation as a young girl came back. I was so nervous to be vulnerable before my husband and the other team members. I would let them down I knew for sure.
Not more than 20 minutes after getting out of the water, I started to suffer from a migraine headache that knocked me out the rest of the day. The next week we came back to swim and the same thing happened. I was dehydrating myself by putting so much effort into something that I wasn't trained properly for. I didn't know the correct strokes or even the correct way to breathe. I am sure that it was fun to watch me flail about though.
So I bailed, along with Duane I might add, out of the race. I think back on that time and just wish that I could try a race that would just involve the running and the biking!
My lesson is stick the course, get the proper training and do my best. What a noble goal right? Let's just say I will teach my children that important lesson, that's what being a parent is all about right? :)
Looking at the date on the calendar reminds me how short the summers really are. Isn't the summer supposed to be full of relaxing, lazy days? At least that is how it seemed growing up. We didn't have a lot of money to go on many vacations or join lots of different extracurricular activities.
One summer I do remember when I was close to 11 or 12 years old, my brother and I were staying with a family from our church during the days. The mother, Kathi, had 2 young children, Isaac and Elizabeth. Isaac was 6 and Elizabeth was 4. It seems really silly now that these were children that I usually babysat for but because it was summer I was being watched by their mother!
Anyway, being that it was summer, Kathi decided that she was going to enroll her children in swim lessons at the Worthington pool. Now if you know anything about Worthington, Ohio, it is a suburb of Columbus and a wealthy suburb at that. Most families vacationed in Hawaii or Florida while we were from Columbus we vacationed at home!
So Kathi talked to my mom and they decided that it would be a great idea to enroll my younger brother, David and I in swim lessons. Early in the morning we dressed and went to the pool. We had to take a swim test and then be assigned our classes. So there I am all of 11 and sweating that I knew I wasn't a good swimmer. I had never had swim lessons before, I knew how to dog paddle and that was about it. As I watched other kids perform for the instructors I kept thinking "What can I do that will wow them into putting me in the big kid class?" "Oh, I know! I am pretty good at doing flips and handstands under the water. That's what I will do." Yeah, that wasn't what they were looking for. I did everything they asked me to do thinking the whole time, "This must be pretty good, they haven't said anything to me." They just kept writing things down on their clipboard.
So after everyone else finished their tests, we were broken up into our classes. As they called our names we stepped forward and they told us what class we would be put into. Since I had no idea the order of tadpoles and minnows or whatever each class is called, I was pretty proud of myself that at least they assigned me to a class. When I walked over to the pool to join the rest of the kids, I thought, "This must be a mistake! These kids are really little." I think that I was placed in a class with kids my little brother's age! I was humiliated!
I know that being humbled like that was horrifying for me. The instructors were high school kids and wasn't I almost in high school? How unfair that they were rich and could afford to be good swimmers and I wasn't I sucked at swimming. After all isn't swimming a rich kids' sport? I was 11 and thinking that this was the worst thing that could happen to me. I was so jealous of my brother and Isaac and Elizabeth's accomplishments (they all graduated to the next class) that I couldn't enjoy the rest of my classes. I know that when I was given my certificate of completion, it was probably just to make me feel better because I am such a horrible swimmer that it was just to make me feel good.
Needless to say, I didn't sign up ever again for swim lessons.
Fast forward, 15 years later...Duane and I decide to join a team at church training for a triathalon. The race would include a 1 mile swim, 5 mile bike and a 3 mile run. In training I improved on my running and felt pretty confident that I would do well there, but when it came time to train for swimming, I felt my heart racing. I jumped in the pool and was given instructions to swim to the other side and back to see how well I was as a swimmer. I know that the life guard was thinking, "Call that girl out of the water! She is going to hurt herself." I think that I held my breath the entire time! I was so scared. Those moments of humiliation as a young girl came back. I was so nervous to be vulnerable before my husband and the other team members. I would let them down I knew for sure.
Not more than 20 minutes after getting out of the water, I started to suffer from a migraine headache that knocked me out the rest of the day. The next week we came back to swim and the same thing happened. I was dehydrating myself by putting so much effort into something that I wasn't trained properly for. I didn't know the correct strokes or even the correct way to breathe. I am sure that it was fun to watch me flail about though.
So I bailed, along with Duane I might add, out of the race. I think back on that time and just wish that I could try a race that would just involve the running and the biking!
My lesson is stick the course, get the proper training and do my best. What a noble goal right? Let's just say I will teach my children that important lesson, that's what being a parent is all about right? :)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Flight home
Maria's blog
I awoke early to take Ema, our exchange student, to the airport. Her flight left at 6am, since it was an international flight she had to be there early. We left the house at 4:30am. It was bittersweet, her departure. She was a little sad and so was I. The time we had with her could have been richer, but the circumstances surrounding this year made it difficult. For that I am sad. But I also can imagine a mother across the ocean eagerly awaiting the arrival of her only daughter after being apart for 10 months. So in my mind I am thinking, "Hurry home to your mother. She only has you another 2 years or so." What a sad thought.
I am also facing my own "flight home." Although mine is a long 14 hour drive I will be returning with my family to visit our extended family. Several times throughout the past month I have wanted to cancel this trip, right now being one of those moments! I can deal with the hassle of packing clothes, food,the car and deal with the long drive, it is the arrival that freaks me out.
Planning time to spend with so many people, the stress of having to explain why today we are visiting this person and not that person leaves me spent. Looking at my schedule makes me stressed out. There is no time for us as a family to enjoy a vacation. That is what we are doing, going on a vacation. But instead it is a rigid schedule that if we miss one day we offend everyone.
All that to say I need to relax before I go, which just makes me laugh out loud at that thought.
God speed Ema, enjoy that long flight home girl. We will miss you!
I awoke early to take Ema, our exchange student, to the airport. Her flight left at 6am, since it was an international flight she had to be there early. We left the house at 4:30am. It was bittersweet, her departure. She was a little sad and so was I. The time we had with her could have been richer, but the circumstances surrounding this year made it difficult. For that I am sad. But I also can imagine a mother across the ocean eagerly awaiting the arrival of her only daughter after being apart for 10 months. So in my mind I am thinking, "Hurry home to your mother. She only has you another 2 years or so." What a sad thought.
I am also facing my own "flight home." Although mine is a long 14 hour drive I will be returning with my family to visit our extended family. Several times throughout the past month I have wanted to cancel this trip, right now being one of those moments! I can deal with the hassle of packing clothes, food,the car and deal with the long drive, it is the arrival that freaks me out.
Planning time to spend with so many people, the stress of having to explain why today we are visiting this person and not that person leaves me spent. Looking at my schedule makes me stressed out. There is no time for us as a family to enjoy a vacation. That is what we are doing, going on a vacation. But instead it is a rigid schedule that if we miss one day we offend everyone.
All that to say I need to relax before I go, which just makes me laugh out loud at that thought.
God speed Ema, enjoy that long flight home girl. We will miss you!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Posting pictures anyone?
I know that I cannot be that dumb to figure out this posting photos! I have read all the "help" comments but my blog posting doesn't have the photo button and I do not have a URL site to post photos from. My photos are on the computer, I know how to download them when I email but I cannot find the "photo button" on the posting site to help me! Can anyone lend a hand, LACY??????????
Thanks!
Maria.
Thanks!
Maria.
Graduation
Maria's blog
Another year has passed for the exchange student program. Ema graduated last night, along with 400+ students we witnessed walking across the stage to receive their diploma. Funny thing, each year the principal gives a gift to help the students remember their high school, the past two years the students have received a piece of brick! To signify the foundation that has been laid for their future and also the addition that was added to the school a few years ago, (the bricks were from the previous structure.)
Admist the air horns and screaming friends and families I was amazed that I knew so many people attending. It was pretty cool to look around and recognize these faces and I haven't been really involved in the high school either.
Ema was head back to Japan on June 1st and I am thinking how different things will be here at home. We will miss her although she has been so quiet here, we know that she was with us this year for a reason. I am praying that in some way the Lord will use this experience to mold her future. It is so cool to meet the other students that are her friends and know that the Lord has something in store for Duane and I. Our hearts have been touched by these students and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the next few years within the exchange student program.
Duane and I are praying and considering becoming exchange student reps here in Wichita this next year. We will see what the Lord brings of it.
Another year has passed for the exchange student program. Ema graduated last night, along with 400+ students we witnessed walking across the stage to receive their diploma. Funny thing, each year the principal gives a gift to help the students remember their high school, the past two years the students have received a piece of brick! To signify the foundation that has been laid for their future and also the addition that was added to the school a few years ago, (the bricks were from the previous structure.)
Admist the air horns and screaming friends and families I was amazed that I knew so many people attending. It was pretty cool to look around and recognize these faces and I haven't been really involved in the high school either.
Ema was head back to Japan on June 1st and I am thinking how different things will be here at home. We will miss her although she has been so quiet here, we know that she was with us this year for a reason. I am praying that in some way the Lord will use this experience to mold her future. It is so cool to meet the other students that are her friends and know that the Lord has something in store for Duane and I. Our hearts have been touched by these students and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the next few years within the exchange student program.
Duane and I are praying and considering becoming exchange student reps here in Wichita this next year. We will see what the Lord brings of it.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Black Cat and feathers
Maria's blog
I know that being a mother requires a lot of skills, many which I do not possess, but hopefully in time, my children will come to forgive me. Sewing, I would like to think, is one that I have, ok, maybe I wish for it! I still proceed without the skill anyway. Case in point...I was really excited about some material I found for the girls and I decided that I would make them dresses out of it. I gathered the material and took some rough measurements of how tall they were and where their arms would be. And then I proceeded to cut the material. Mind you the entire time I am thinking, "Ok, I don't have a pattern to go off of, I know what a dress looks like, right?" Yeah, so that didn't go quite as planned. I had to give up not too long into the project because of some miscalculations!
I could go on about the hundreds of 4x4 inch squares I cut when Jena was 2 months old, my idea...to sew a quilt for our bed. I was so excited, about 1 year later I got enough put together to sew a bumper cover for Jena's crib that she would soon be outgrowing. I did recover that loss of time though, I used it for Paige's crib! :)
I will spare you the other stories of sewing mishaps along the way to my point for today...we are attending Samuel McKinley's birthday party tonight and the dress is SUPER HERO attire. So, I have little girls with cute, prissy, fluffy dresses and dress up shoes, nothing that resembles a super hero! Duane got on line last night to find a super hero worthy of Jena and Paige and he found BLACK CAT, she is a friend of Spiderman. She wears a simple black outfit with white fur around the collar and wrists. She wears a really cool mask though. So my ingenious idea is to make this costume for the girls. I know what you are thinking, "Maria, the party is tonight!"
Well, well, I came through!
I found that the girls have black leotards and I found a white boa. So I cut the boa and stitched it onto the leotard. Feathers went everywhere, I must admit I didn't think that would happen. But the outfit came out really cute. Now, the rest of the night I will be following the girls picking up the feathers!
I must say that I was beginning to think that I had an issue with finishing projects, I think that I just need to be a bit more realistic in my endeavors. Maybe now I can figure out how to publish pictures with my posts so that you may see what an incredible seamstress I am becoming!
I know that being a mother requires a lot of skills, many which I do not possess, but hopefully in time, my children will come to forgive me. Sewing, I would like to think, is one that I have, ok, maybe I wish for it! I still proceed without the skill anyway. Case in point...I was really excited about some material I found for the girls and I decided that I would make them dresses out of it. I gathered the material and took some rough measurements of how tall they were and where their arms would be. And then I proceeded to cut the material. Mind you the entire time I am thinking, "Ok, I don't have a pattern to go off of, I know what a dress looks like, right?" Yeah, so that didn't go quite as planned. I had to give up not too long into the project because of some miscalculations!
I could go on about the hundreds of 4x4 inch squares I cut when Jena was 2 months old, my idea...to sew a quilt for our bed. I was so excited, about 1 year later I got enough put together to sew a bumper cover for Jena's crib that she would soon be outgrowing. I did recover that loss of time though, I used it for Paige's crib! :)
I will spare you the other stories of sewing mishaps along the way to my point for today...we are attending Samuel McKinley's birthday party tonight and the dress is SUPER HERO attire. So, I have little girls with cute, prissy, fluffy dresses and dress up shoes, nothing that resembles a super hero! Duane got on line last night to find a super hero worthy of Jena and Paige and he found BLACK CAT, she is a friend of Spiderman. She wears a simple black outfit with white fur around the collar and wrists. She wears a really cool mask though. So my ingenious idea is to make this costume for the girls. I know what you are thinking, "Maria, the party is tonight!"
Well, well, I came through!
I found that the girls have black leotards and I found a white boa. So I cut the boa and stitched it onto the leotard. Feathers went everywhere, I must admit I didn't think that would happen. But the outfit came out really cute. Now, the rest of the night I will be following the girls picking up the feathers!
I must say that I was beginning to think that I had an issue with finishing projects, I think that I just need to be a bit more realistic in my endeavors. Maybe now I can figure out how to publish pictures with my posts so that you may see what an incredible seamstress I am becoming!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Head massage anyone?
Maria's blog
Ahh yes, a head massage. I received one from my hair stylist this morning. I had been extremely anxious all morning, not knowing why. But after I received the head massage and was treated like a person instead of a slave, the world seem to be running smoothly again.
Ok, truth be told, there are some days when I try to hide from my children. This morning was one of those days. Paige whined for almost 3 hours straight and Jena just continued to talk to me...some days I can deal with it, but when I find myself with my head in the toilet just to have a moments peace I know I am in for a long day. I wasn't vomitting, I was scrubbing the bathroom, I hate cleaning the bathrooms, so it must have been a bad morning for me to volunterily clean the bathroom.
I whisked my children off to Jamie's house and rushed to my appointment. I have to say I really like my new hair cut. When I find clumps falling out in my hand, always after pregnancy, I start to freak out and go cut my hair.
Tomorrow my day will start off with another massage, this of my spine, from the chiropractor. Annie and I were involved in a car accident this weekend. We were rear-ended by a white minivan. I don't know why that part was important, but if you happen to spot a white minivan with a little bit of my bumper on it, smile and wave. The gentleman that hit me was extremely apologetic, especially after he saw me pull Annie out of the car!
Anyway, hope you all can work in a massage for your head. It really helps to clear your mind of any anxious thoughts and then you can laugh at yourself when you see how messed up your hair looks when it is over. It just isn't the same when you massage your own head, have someone else do it for you!
Ahh yes, a head massage. I received one from my hair stylist this morning. I had been extremely anxious all morning, not knowing why. But after I received the head massage and was treated like a person instead of a slave, the world seem to be running smoothly again.
Ok, truth be told, there are some days when I try to hide from my children. This morning was one of those days. Paige whined for almost 3 hours straight and Jena just continued to talk to me...some days I can deal with it, but when I find myself with my head in the toilet just to have a moments peace I know I am in for a long day. I wasn't vomitting, I was scrubbing the bathroom, I hate cleaning the bathrooms, so it must have been a bad morning for me to volunterily clean the bathroom.
I whisked my children off to Jamie's house and rushed to my appointment. I have to say I really like my new hair cut. When I find clumps falling out in my hand, always after pregnancy, I start to freak out and go cut my hair.
Tomorrow my day will start off with another massage, this of my spine, from the chiropractor. Annie and I were involved in a car accident this weekend. We were rear-ended by a white minivan. I don't know why that part was important, but if you happen to spot a white minivan with a little bit of my bumper on it, smile and wave. The gentleman that hit me was extremely apologetic, especially after he saw me pull Annie out of the car!
Anyway, hope you all can work in a massage for your head. It really helps to clear your mind of any anxious thoughts and then you can laugh at yourself when you see how messed up your hair looks when it is over. It just isn't the same when you massage your own head, have someone else do it for you!
Friday, May 12, 2006
The grocery store
Maria's blog
It is funny how certain people can really affect you without them knowing...
For instance the cashier at the grocery store can make you feel better about spending your month's worth of grocery money in one trip. If she smiles while you hand her the ONE coupon that you have. Or if she has a sticker that she shares with your children, knowing that it won't even last the drive home.
There is one gentleman that works at our grocery store as a bagger and almost every time I come in he asks about the girls. One day we were driving down the road and Jena saw him standing near our house waiting for a bus and she said, "Mommy, there's that funny man." I didn't quite understand what she meant by funny man, but then I remembered the time I went to the store and he told me how many days were left until Christmas, "67 more days," he said. I just laughed because he had it all in perspective. He was excited about Christmas and he made me think that I should have been too.
Another time, at a different grocery store, a gentleman stopped me mid-decision between cinammon rolls and orange rolls. (I was in a major craving during my pregnancy with Annie. The only time I remember leaving the house at 10:30pm and driving to the store to statisfy my silly craving of chocolate milk and cinnamon rolls.) This man began to tell me how he was a photographer during the Vietnam War and this one particular day he was working at a hospital, following a doctor and photographing him at work. A pregnant woman came in and was in labor. So this man stood behind the doctor and photographed the woman delivering her baby. I thought that this was a little odd for him to be sharing this initmate moment with a complete stranger. Apparently, she didn't care since she was in another world of pain. But he was so alive telling this story. He then began to share how some people like to save the vernix (the milky, cottage cheese looking stuff all over the baby after delivery) and spread on their skin because it is a "great moisturizer." I just laughed while he continued on with this story. I don't think he understood how I was jonesing for these cinnamon rolls or the chocolate syrup I knew that was waiting for me at home. But thinking back on those trips I am thankful that I am not always so focused on myself to not stop and listen to another person's story. It has really made me realize that the Lord has given us oppurtunites to be Jesus to another, even if it is at the grocery store.
So listen up the next time you are at the grocery store. Even if it is the Musak advertising Oreo cookies on the next aisle, you might get a chance to learn something really incredible about someone else or get a really great deal on Oreos! :)
It is funny how certain people can really affect you without them knowing...
For instance the cashier at the grocery store can make you feel better about spending your month's worth of grocery money in one trip. If she smiles while you hand her the ONE coupon that you have. Or if she has a sticker that she shares with your children, knowing that it won't even last the drive home.
There is one gentleman that works at our grocery store as a bagger and almost every time I come in he asks about the girls. One day we were driving down the road and Jena saw him standing near our house waiting for a bus and she said, "Mommy, there's that funny man." I didn't quite understand what she meant by funny man, but then I remembered the time I went to the store and he told me how many days were left until Christmas, "67 more days," he said. I just laughed because he had it all in perspective. He was excited about Christmas and he made me think that I should have been too.
Another time, at a different grocery store, a gentleman stopped me mid-decision between cinammon rolls and orange rolls. (I was in a major craving during my pregnancy with Annie. The only time I remember leaving the house at 10:30pm and driving to the store to statisfy my silly craving of chocolate milk and cinnamon rolls.) This man began to tell me how he was a photographer during the Vietnam War and this one particular day he was working at a hospital, following a doctor and photographing him at work. A pregnant woman came in and was in labor. So this man stood behind the doctor and photographed the woman delivering her baby. I thought that this was a little odd for him to be sharing this initmate moment with a complete stranger. Apparently, she didn't care since she was in another world of pain. But he was so alive telling this story. He then began to share how some people like to save the vernix (the milky, cottage cheese looking stuff all over the baby after delivery) and spread on their skin because it is a "great moisturizer." I just laughed while he continued on with this story. I don't think he understood how I was jonesing for these cinnamon rolls or the chocolate syrup I knew that was waiting for me at home. But thinking back on those trips I am thankful that I am not always so focused on myself to not stop and listen to another person's story. It has really made me realize that the Lord has given us oppurtunites to be Jesus to another, even if it is at the grocery store.
So listen up the next time you are at the grocery store. Even if it is the Musak advertising Oreo cookies on the next aisle, you might get a chance to learn something really incredible about someone else or get a really great deal on Oreos! :)
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Telling the story twice?
Maria's blog
I might be not as good at blogging as I was hoping. Just check out the previous 2 entries. Hmmm...maybe I should give it up!!
Tonight Duane and I will attend a meeting at the neighborhood elementary school for Jena. She will be attending kindergarten this fall. It is so hard to believe. Duane asks me often, "Are you sure you don't want to homeschool?" My answer hinges on tonight and what I feel the Lord is telling us through this meeting.
Last summer I spent a lot of time praying about homeschooling and I kept coming back to the fact that Jesus was in the public. Jena's personality screams for social situations. Then a few weeks ago Jena came to me and said:
"Mommy, do you know that there are people that don't know Jesus?"
I said, "Yes, Jena I do."
Then she responded, "I have to tell them about Him."
How can I say "No" to that? I know that if the Lord wants me to homeschool her this year, He will make it very clear tonight. But for now I am planning on sending her, no matter how much I will miss her! :)
I might be not as good at blogging as I was hoping. Just check out the previous 2 entries. Hmmm...maybe I should give it up!!
Tonight Duane and I will attend a meeting at the neighborhood elementary school for Jena. She will be attending kindergarten this fall. It is so hard to believe. Duane asks me often, "Are you sure you don't want to homeschool?" My answer hinges on tonight and what I feel the Lord is telling us through this meeting.
Last summer I spent a lot of time praying about homeschooling and I kept coming back to the fact that Jesus was in the public. Jena's personality screams for social situations. Then a few weeks ago Jena came to me and said:
"Mommy, do you know that there are people that don't know Jesus?"
I said, "Yes, Jena I do."
Then she responded, "I have to tell them about Him."
How can I say "No" to that? I know that if the Lord wants me to homeschool her this year, He will make it very clear tonight. But for now I am planning on sending her, no matter how much I will miss her! :)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Healing Rain
Maria's blog
Rain, rain, go away...come back another day.
Many of us are singing that song here in the city. Rain is nurishing and refreshing. We had a slight taste of it last night at a meeting.
As we were ending that meeting, Pastor Tom, began to pray and he came around Duane and began to pray healing and restoration over Duane. I jumped up and went over to him to join in but found myself too broken to say anything. God's spirit just poured over us. I cried like a baby that's for sure. But the most amazing thing to me is that I was so sure that it was the Lord ministering not just Tom guessing what we needed prayer for. The Lord was leading those men and women in prayer. That is how I want to pray and minister to people. God spoke several initimate things to my heart. It blew me away because I have just been asking the Lord to show me how he loves me and he did in a very real way last night. I just love him so much.
As much as the rain stinks sometimes, if it is the Holy Spirit raining down, I want to play in it, soak it up and get messy with it. Lord, bring more.
Rain, rain, go away...come back another day.
Many of us are singing that song here in the city. Rain is nurishing and refreshing. We had a slight taste of it last night at a meeting.
As we were ending that meeting, Pastor Tom, began to pray and he came around Duane and began to pray healing and restoration over Duane. I jumped up and went over to him to join in but found myself too broken to say anything. God's spirit just poured over us. I cried like a baby that's for sure. But the most amazing thing to me is that I was so sure that it was the Lord ministering not just Tom guessing what we needed prayer for. The Lord was leading those men and women in prayer. That is how I want to pray and minister to people. God spoke several initimate things to my heart. It blew me away because I have just been asking the Lord to show me how he loves me and he did in a very real way last night. I just love him so much.
As much as the rain stinks sometimes, if it is the Holy Spirit raining down, I want to play in it, soak it up and get messy with it. Lord, bring more.
Healing Rain
Maria's blog
I have been noticing many people commenting on the rain...it just makes me think of Ohio, we rarely see the sun in Ohio!
Anyway...last evening we attended a leadership meeting at church. Leading up to this meeting were some "debates" within our household between two members who I will call "nameless boy" and "nameless girl." So, "nameless girl" wanted to attend these meetings and go to the retreat following, but alas "nameless boy" didn't want to and a long debate began. We (excuse me, um) nameless boy and girl were debating one night and some friends, I'll call them, "the Merrymans" stopped by in the midst. "It is on" said the nameless boy to Mr. Merryman. They listened graciously to the nameless couple and gave their input like the godly people that they are. Ok really they spoke some good words and set the nameless couple in their place and the couple decided to go to the meeting.
During the meeting the Pastor was praying and he came up to the nameless boy, ok I am tired of that, his name is Duane. He began praying over Duane asking the Lord to release His healing over Duane and to restore Himself to Duane. Wow! What a rush of His Spirit we felt, I was sobbing like a baby, just thanking the Lord over and over for answering my prayers.
So often I find that the Lord reveals Himself to us in ways that are only meaningful to us at that moment. The words that were spoken hit me hard because they were only things that Duane and I had talked about. I KNEW that it was the Lord over us. It has been a long time since we have been ministered to in that way! All that to say, I know that God has something big in store and I knew that it was important for us to be there. It was obvious that Satan was doing everything that he could to keep us away because he is threatened by the Lord in us! I know that another couple benefitted from being there as well! :)
Enjoy the rain...we never know how it will affect us and also how in nurishes us. So I say, "Bring it on Lord!"
I have been noticing many people commenting on the rain...it just makes me think of Ohio, we rarely see the sun in Ohio!
Anyway...last evening we attended a leadership meeting at church. Leading up to this meeting were some "debates" within our household between two members who I will call "nameless boy" and "nameless girl." So, "nameless girl" wanted to attend these meetings and go to the retreat following, but alas "nameless boy" didn't want to and a long debate began. We (excuse me, um) nameless boy and girl were debating one night and some friends, I'll call them, "the Merrymans" stopped by in the midst. "It is on" said the nameless boy to Mr. Merryman. They listened graciously to the nameless couple and gave their input like the godly people that they are. Ok really they spoke some good words and set the nameless couple in their place and the couple decided to go to the meeting.
During the meeting the Pastor was praying and he came up to the nameless boy, ok I am tired of that, his name is Duane. He began praying over Duane asking the Lord to release His healing over Duane and to restore Himself to Duane. Wow! What a rush of His Spirit we felt, I was sobbing like a baby, just thanking the Lord over and over for answering my prayers.
So often I find that the Lord reveals Himself to us in ways that are only meaningful to us at that moment. The words that were spoken hit me hard because they were only things that Duane and I had talked about. I KNEW that it was the Lord over us. It has been a long time since we have been ministered to in that way! All that to say, I know that God has something big in store and I knew that it was important for us to be there. It was obvious that Satan was doing everything that he could to keep us away because he is threatened by the Lord in us! I know that another couple benefitted from being there as well! :)
Enjoy the rain...we never know how it will affect us and also how in nurishes us. So I say, "Bring it on Lord!"
Friday, May 05, 2006
Maria's blog
Maria's blog
Duane thinks that I am crazy to join the bloggers. But I think that it might be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
I just got side-tracked with a funeral procession outside my window. It is amazing how our lives are touched in so many different ways, while one person is having an incredibly great day another could be experiencing the worst day of their life. We just never know the power we have to bring life to someone or by our words inflict pain or even speak death into someone's life. How often do we do those things without even thinking of it?
So, that was deep thoughts by yours truely.
Duane thinks that I am crazy to join the bloggers. But I think that it might be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
I just got side-tracked with a funeral procession outside my window. It is amazing how our lives are touched in so many different ways, while one person is having an incredibly great day another could be experiencing the worst day of their life. We just never know the power we have to bring life to someone or by our words inflict pain or even speak death into someone's life. How often do we do those things without even thinking of it?
So, that was deep thoughts by yours truely.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Maria's blog
Maria's blog
Hello all!
I've been drawn into the "blog" craze...since I keep hearing that the Marshalls should blog, I thought that I would.
Today is Paige's 3rd birthday, as we were putting her to bed she said, "I'm big now, Mama." Of course she is!We bought her a "Big Wheel" and Duane was outside pushing her down the sidewalk because she isn't "big" enough to push the pedals yet.
I have a sleepy baby on me that I need to put to bed, it would make it easier to type if I wasn't holding her.
Hello all!
I've been drawn into the "blog" craze...since I keep hearing that the Marshalls should blog, I thought that I would.
Today is Paige's 3rd birthday, as we were putting her to bed she said, "I'm big now, Mama." Of course she is!We bought her a "Big Wheel" and Duane was outside pushing her down the sidewalk because she isn't "big" enough to push the pedals yet.
I have a sleepy baby on me that I need to put to bed, it would make it easier to type if I wasn't holding her.
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About Me
- Maria.
- I am a stay at home mother of 4 little girls who fill my life with so much joy and satisfaction. I love it!!!