Last night, I took Joshua (JJ), my 14 year old 8th grader, to rising 9th grader night at the local high school. I was very excited, and a bit nervous, for him to be starting this phase of his life. But high school can be so rewarding and such a special time with special people. You learn a lot. You grow a lot. You become a lot of who God made you to be.
I'm sorry to say that I sit here now understanding no more about high school that I did yesterday. When I was in high school (many moons ago), it was fairly simple. You need certain classes to graduate, take some electives, a language, and when you are a senior, if you have achieved, you can take the AP core classes. (There were 4 AP classes.) Now there are 26 AP classes, pre AP classes, CP classes, pathways, academies.....HUH????? I want him to learn, prepare for college, and have fun all at the same time. I don't believe that college level decisions should be put on a 14 year old. I also don't like the emphasis put on class rank. I want him doing well for himself, not because he is jockeying for position with his friends or people he doesn't even know.
He's smart. I want him to succeed, go to college, find what God has for him and live the full, abundant life that Jesus has offered. It just seems like so much emphasis has been put on outdoing everyone else. It seems to be a competition. Which, if you think about it, is quite funny because competition was never allowed when they were younger. Trophies for everyone! No keeping score! Thankfully I believe that Steven and I have raised him, all 3 of our boys, with the right amount of competition and compassion; success and silliness. Our lifestyle and teachings remain consistent regardless of how the world that surrounds them changes.
In a nutshell, I gave all the written info to JJ and told him to read it, learn and understand it and do what he believes is best. His teachers from 8th grade will recommend him for certain classes, but I have override authority. I want him to work hard, but not have to work so hard that he can't enjoy his teenage years. He brings home a registration sheet next Tuesday. (Yes! Already for next year!) We'll just prayerfully go from there.
On a more personal note, my emotional eating has gotten the best of me. 2-3 years ago I lost almost 30 pounds. It has slowly, but surely, found me again. From Zach's ADD and first year of middle school to the possibility of Elijah having autism or something similar.....I have gotten out of control. Starting now (meaning tomorrow morning) I will endeavor to get a hold on my emotional eating. I pray that God will help me find another way to find comfort, enjoyment, pleasure, or whatever it is I may be looking for at the time. I'm very disappointed in myself. I worked so hard to lose the weight only to have it come right back. Needless to say that my self esteem is not so great right now and that is affecting many other parts of my life.
So, here it goes. Don't be afraid to ask me how I'm doing.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Double Standards
Well, it has happened again. I don't think I can let Elijah ride a school bus again. At least not this year. I just don't trust them anymore.
I'm not sure if I blogged about it or not but a few months ago, I went to meet the bus as it was dropping the kids off. Only Elijah didn't get off the bus. As any mother would, my heart sank and I began to panic. Come to find out that his bus was overcrowded and so they asked only the kids that live in our neighborhood to get off of their USUAL bus and get on another. Well, Elijah didn't hear that announcement. He's on his normal bus so why would he need to get off? Anyway, the bus driver immediately knew that I was missing my son so she radioed to the other bus and they brought him home. It scared him as much as it did me.
Steven and I both called and emailed the transportation department for the school. I was told an announcement was made on the bus....and that was all. Even though they know exactly what kids ride which bus and they knew exactly what kids they wanted off and if those kids were at school that day, they didn't have a list that they checked and double checked to make sure each student they needed was off the bus. And my son fell victim to their lack of preparation. Even then, my problem was the fact that I have to show my ID and fill out all sorts of forms in order to change the way my son gets home from school. But all they have to do is send some stranger on a bus to make an announcement and that's enough?
Well, now we've had an issue with the bus in the morning. For the last 2-3 mornings, Elijah and I have been at the bus stop at the same time he's gotten on the bus for the last 3 or 4 years (same time as my older kids too.) However, the bus hasn't come. So I take him back home and drive him to school. Once I saw his bus along the way and just thought it was running late that day. Our neighbors weren't at the bus stop, but sometimes their plans change and they don't ride the bus so I thought nothing of it. Well, this morning the bus didn't show up again and it was cold so Elijah didn't want to wait any longer. I took him home and grabbed the older boys (we go to Starbucks on Friday morning before school) and headed out. Lo and behold, we see our neighbors at the bus stop 15 minutes later than when we normally catch the bus. (I had called her to see if she knew what was going on but didn't get an answer. I had remembered that her husband said something about her having to get them to the bus stop instead of him so he could get to work on time. But I didn't understand what he meant at the time.) I stopped to ask her and she told me of a slip of paper that was supposedly handed out to the kids who ride the bus telling them of the change. Well, I have never heard of or seen such a slip of paper. And Elijah claims to not know anything about it. She continues to say it was given out on Friday afternoon. Well, Elijah doesn't ride the bus in the afternoon because of the first incident. I then called the school to find out what was going on. I was told that the bus drivers were in charge of informing parents/students of the change and that slips were supposed to be handed out on Friday afternoon as well as Monday morning. Again, as far as I know, Elijah received nothing.
So here's my question.....why is it that I have to fill out all sorts of forms to change my son's transportation but all they have to do is hand out a slip of paper? Also, I get reminder emails about everything that happens at the school. Too many in some cases. Why wasn't an email or some other communication done to make sure parents got the information? I mean, they don't trust the kids to get on the right bus because they attach a tag to their backpacks that states what bus they ride. They don't trust them with agendas, reading logs and report cards because I have to sign to ensure that they made it home and I've seen them. So why wasn't more of an effort made to ensure that parents see something as important as a change in when the bus picks up their kids?
I am just beside myself. I have sent another email to the transportation department telling them that they need to do a better job relaying information. In the meantime, I no longer trust putting him on the bus. I never know when they may just decide to change something and just not tell me.
More and more I wonder if public school is the right place for him.......
I'm not sure if I blogged about it or not but a few months ago, I went to meet the bus as it was dropping the kids off. Only Elijah didn't get off the bus. As any mother would, my heart sank and I began to panic. Come to find out that his bus was overcrowded and so they asked only the kids that live in our neighborhood to get off of their USUAL bus and get on another. Well, Elijah didn't hear that announcement. He's on his normal bus so why would he need to get off? Anyway, the bus driver immediately knew that I was missing my son so she radioed to the other bus and they brought him home. It scared him as much as it did me.
Steven and I both called and emailed the transportation department for the school. I was told an announcement was made on the bus....and that was all. Even though they know exactly what kids ride which bus and they knew exactly what kids they wanted off and if those kids were at school that day, they didn't have a list that they checked and double checked to make sure each student they needed was off the bus. And my son fell victim to their lack of preparation. Even then, my problem was the fact that I have to show my ID and fill out all sorts of forms in order to change the way my son gets home from school. But all they have to do is send some stranger on a bus to make an announcement and that's enough?
Well, now we've had an issue with the bus in the morning. For the last 2-3 mornings, Elijah and I have been at the bus stop at the same time he's gotten on the bus for the last 3 or 4 years (same time as my older kids too.) However, the bus hasn't come. So I take him back home and drive him to school. Once I saw his bus along the way and just thought it was running late that day. Our neighbors weren't at the bus stop, but sometimes their plans change and they don't ride the bus so I thought nothing of it. Well, this morning the bus didn't show up again and it was cold so Elijah didn't want to wait any longer. I took him home and grabbed the older boys (we go to Starbucks on Friday morning before school) and headed out. Lo and behold, we see our neighbors at the bus stop 15 minutes later than when we normally catch the bus. (I had called her to see if she knew what was going on but didn't get an answer. I had remembered that her husband said something about her having to get them to the bus stop instead of him so he could get to work on time. But I didn't understand what he meant at the time.) I stopped to ask her and she told me of a slip of paper that was supposedly handed out to the kids who ride the bus telling them of the change. Well, I have never heard of or seen such a slip of paper. And Elijah claims to not know anything about it. She continues to say it was given out on Friday afternoon. Well, Elijah doesn't ride the bus in the afternoon because of the first incident. I then called the school to find out what was going on. I was told that the bus drivers were in charge of informing parents/students of the change and that slips were supposed to be handed out on Friday afternoon as well as Monday morning. Again, as far as I know, Elijah received nothing.
So here's my question.....why is it that I have to fill out all sorts of forms to change my son's transportation but all they have to do is hand out a slip of paper? Also, I get reminder emails about everything that happens at the school. Too many in some cases. Why wasn't an email or some other communication done to make sure parents got the information? I mean, they don't trust the kids to get on the right bus because they attach a tag to their backpacks that states what bus they ride. They don't trust them with agendas, reading logs and report cards because I have to sign to ensure that they made it home and I've seen them. So why wasn't more of an effort made to ensure that parents see something as important as a change in when the bus picks up their kids?
I am just beside myself. I have sent another email to the transportation department telling them that they need to do a better job relaying information. In the meantime, I no longer trust putting him on the bus. I never know when they may just decide to change something and just not tell me.
More and more I wonder if public school is the right place for him.......
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Decisions
First off, let me start by saying that I am SO PROUD of Zach, my 11 year old 6th grader. At the beginning of the year, his first year in middle school, he came to us and said he wanted to play the cello in the orchestra. Reluctantly, we agreed. (He has wanted to do MANY things over the years that we've paid a lot of money for and he ends up being apathetic about them. But musical training is supposed to help the brain, so......) I am constantly reminding him to practice and it frustrates me. However, Tuesday night he had his very first orchestra concert. AND HE DID GREAT! I could tell he was nervous. (He was taking deep breaths in his chair right before.) But he did it. It sounded wonderful! I am hoping that the feeling of the concert will encourage him to practice more. But I'm not holding my breath.
Decisions by parents are always necessary for their kids. Right now Steven and I are faced with a medical decision for Elijah. I keep going back and forth on what I want to do so I'm going to put it out there to see if writing about it helps and also to see if there are other opinions out there as well.
Elijah has SPD, sensory processing disorder. He's had OT for that and, though he still has issued with certain things, he is better and continues to learn to cope with various things as he matures. However, all along I have felt that there was something more going on with him. I brought it up to his pediatrician many times. "Does SPD affect maturity, intelligence, brain development, etc?" I kept getting a "I'm not that familiar with SPD" and "probably not". So I accepted that and we went on about our business. This year, Elijah is in 3rd grade and really struggling in school. He failed reading last semester (can't pass a cold reading test) and is now struggling with math as well. Through many SST meeting with the school and several evaluations by several teachers and the school psychologist, it has been determined that Elijah is "educationally eligible" for speech, language, and......autism services.
He doesn't have trouble with speech; however, he struggles with expressing himself. He can't answer "why" questions and has trouble organizing his thoughts and getting them out, either verbally or in writing. The autism one took me a little by surprise, but I had some inkling. He has some repetitive behaviors that made me think about it, but it was a fleeting thought. (He rocks, wrings his hands, shakes out his hands when he get nervous or frustrated. He also has a clothing rotation, right down to his underwear and pj's. He wears the same clothes every Monday, Tuesday, etc. He missed school one Tuesday and stayed in his pajamas. The next day he went to school wearing Tuesday's clothes and changed to Wednesday's clothes when he got home.)
Anyway, my question is whether or not I should take Elijah to a developmental pediatrician or some other specialist to test him to see if he is, in fact, autistic. The pediatrician was on the fence. It might be autism, which there is no real test for, or it might be a learning disability (reading comprehension, etc.) I would be inclined to agree with the latter if it wasn't for the repetitive behaviors. So this is my dilemma.
Right now I am inclined to NOT have him tested and just see if what the school does for him, whenever that starts, actually helps him. His only trouble is in school. He seems fine in everyday life, with the exception of whenever I ask him a thought provoking question.
Any opinions?
I continue to pray that God would show me how to best parents my kids. I always feel like I'm not doing so well.
Decisions by parents are always necessary for their kids. Right now Steven and I are faced with a medical decision for Elijah. I keep going back and forth on what I want to do so I'm going to put it out there to see if writing about it helps and also to see if there are other opinions out there as well.
Elijah has SPD, sensory processing disorder. He's had OT for that and, though he still has issued with certain things, he is better and continues to learn to cope with various things as he matures. However, all along I have felt that there was something more going on with him. I brought it up to his pediatrician many times. "Does SPD affect maturity, intelligence, brain development, etc?" I kept getting a "I'm not that familiar with SPD" and "probably not". So I accepted that and we went on about our business. This year, Elijah is in 3rd grade and really struggling in school. He failed reading last semester (can't pass a cold reading test) and is now struggling with math as well. Through many SST meeting with the school and several evaluations by several teachers and the school psychologist, it has been determined that Elijah is "educationally eligible" for speech, language, and......autism services.
He doesn't have trouble with speech; however, he struggles with expressing himself. He can't answer "why" questions and has trouble organizing his thoughts and getting them out, either verbally or in writing. The autism one took me a little by surprise, but I had some inkling. He has some repetitive behaviors that made me think about it, but it was a fleeting thought. (He rocks, wrings his hands, shakes out his hands when he get nervous or frustrated. He also has a clothing rotation, right down to his underwear and pj's. He wears the same clothes every Monday, Tuesday, etc. He missed school one Tuesday and stayed in his pajamas. The next day he went to school wearing Tuesday's clothes and changed to Wednesday's clothes when he got home.)
Anyway, my question is whether or not I should take Elijah to a developmental pediatrician or some other specialist to test him to see if he is, in fact, autistic. The pediatrician was on the fence. It might be autism, which there is no real test for, or it might be a learning disability (reading comprehension, etc.) I would be inclined to agree with the latter if it wasn't for the repetitive behaviors. So this is my dilemma.
Right now I am inclined to NOT have him tested and just see if what the school does for him, whenever that starts, actually helps him. His only trouble is in school. He seems fine in everyday life, with the exception of whenever I ask him a thought provoking question.
Any opinions?
I continue to pray that God would show me how to best parents my kids. I always feel like I'm not doing so well.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Is it ok to be disappointed in/with your kids?
You want the best for your kids, right? So what happens when they don't measure up to what you KNOW they can do? Or if they tell you one thing that they want for themselves but their actions tell a completely different story?
I would ask my parents, if I could, if they ever felt this way. However, they have been dead for 10-14 years now. I haven't gotten much parenting help from my own parents. So, maybe I'm asking anyone who reads this or just to get it out to make myself feel better. I'm not sure which is my primary motive, but here it goes....
My middle son has inattentive ADD. Not that big a deal, right? He started on medication sometime last year and has been doing better ever since. Last semester, he got all As in gifted and accelerated classes in middle school (a transition I truly thought he would struggle with). I'm so proud of him! I wake up this morning and was on the computer just checking on some school things and found out that he currently has 3 Cs in his classes. He has gotten some bad grades and not turned some things in. When I confronted him about it, he just says "I don't know". My struggle is that I know he can do it, but he doesn't seem to want to? Or doesn't care? And trying to help him by keeping him on track stresses me out. As he gets older, I try to take a more "hands off" approach to him, but I have read that the first year of middle school (especially with his challenges) isn't the best time. So, do I stress myself out and spend my time making sure he is doing what he is supposed to be doing (since I know he can) or do I back off and let him do it on his own? I told him this morning that I am not the type of mom that will catch him every time he falls. I will let him fail. I'm just not sure if this is the time to do that.
My oldest son is a baseball player. That is what he has wanted to do since he was 2 years old. He's played rec ball and travel ball for the last 10 years. Next year he will be going to high school. He wants to play ball for the school, get a scholarship, play in college and get an MLB contract. I think that's great and he certainly could if he really worked at it. That's just the problem. He doesn't really work at it. He knows almost everything there is to know about the game. He goes to practice twice a week. His coach (currently his father) requires his players to do workouts at home as well. However, he doesn't want to do that. He would rather look up sports news on his phone or shoot baskets or read. How can he claim to be so passionate about something but completely put it off? It's frustrating to me in a few ways; namely that he thinks things will just happen for him without hard work. (Less importantly the money that I am putting out for him to play when he isn't putting his best effort into it.)
All that said, I love my kids! I am super proud of each of them and would do anything for them. I think that is why all this is so heavy on my heart. I just want what is best for them. I want them to have what they want and be happy. I just can't control that. I guess that is what is most frustrating to me.
In the meantime, I will continue to love them, continue to guide them, continue to pray for them and hope that they learn the necessary life lessons. I also pray that I will be a good role model for them and practice what I preach.
I would ask my parents, if I could, if they ever felt this way. However, they have been dead for 10-14 years now. I haven't gotten much parenting help from my own parents. So, maybe I'm asking anyone who reads this or just to get it out to make myself feel better. I'm not sure which is my primary motive, but here it goes....
My middle son has inattentive ADD. Not that big a deal, right? He started on medication sometime last year and has been doing better ever since. Last semester, he got all As in gifted and accelerated classes in middle school (a transition I truly thought he would struggle with). I'm so proud of him! I wake up this morning and was on the computer just checking on some school things and found out that he currently has 3 Cs in his classes. He has gotten some bad grades and not turned some things in. When I confronted him about it, he just says "I don't know". My struggle is that I know he can do it, but he doesn't seem to want to? Or doesn't care? And trying to help him by keeping him on track stresses me out. As he gets older, I try to take a more "hands off" approach to him, but I have read that the first year of middle school (especially with his challenges) isn't the best time. So, do I stress myself out and spend my time making sure he is doing what he is supposed to be doing (since I know he can) or do I back off and let him do it on his own? I told him this morning that I am not the type of mom that will catch him every time he falls. I will let him fail. I'm just not sure if this is the time to do that.
My oldest son is a baseball player. That is what he has wanted to do since he was 2 years old. He's played rec ball and travel ball for the last 10 years. Next year he will be going to high school. He wants to play ball for the school, get a scholarship, play in college and get an MLB contract. I think that's great and he certainly could if he really worked at it. That's just the problem. He doesn't really work at it. He knows almost everything there is to know about the game. He goes to practice twice a week. His coach (currently his father) requires his players to do workouts at home as well. However, he doesn't want to do that. He would rather look up sports news on his phone or shoot baskets or read. How can he claim to be so passionate about something but completely put it off? It's frustrating to me in a few ways; namely that he thinks things will just happen for him without hard work. (Less importantly the money that I am putting out for him to play when he isn't putting his best effort into it.)
All that said, I love my kids! I am super proud of each of them and would do anything for them. I think that is why all this is so heavy on my heart. I just want what is best for them. I want them to have what they want and be happy. I just can't control that. I guess that is what is most frustrating to me.
In the meantime, I will continue to love them, continue to guide them, continue to pray for them and hope that they learn the necessary life lessons. I also pray that I will be a good role model for them and practice what I preach.
Friday, September 5, 2014
The things we tell ourselves.....
It's Friday. As I sit here, totally disgusted with the Braves, I can recall a conversation I had with some friends just yesterday. I told them I hadn't blogged in a while because I felt like everything I had to say was negative and I didn't just want to complain all the time. They gave me a different perspective. "Sometimes it's just good to know that you aren't the only one, that others out there are having troubles just like you." So here I am, hopefully not just airing my dirty laundry, but sharing my life and maybe connecting with someone somewhere.
It's been a rough few weeks. The bathroom remodel is on 3 weeks now and we still don't have Steven's vanity. (I'll explain that at the end.) There have been several hiccups along the way. Elijah is having some trouble in school. We have an SST meeting scheduled for Monday. We've been studying, playing education computer games, going over flashcards, etc. trying to help him keep up. I could be almost homeschooling with the amount of work we are doing. (The Marlins PITCHER just got a hit! Ugh! Maybe it's time to watch XFiles!) Rec baseball season is starting and everyone has clubs they want to join, instruments to play and everything seems to cost money. And the job that I was hoping for has hit a few snags and won't be as consistent as it has been in the past.
So, knowing that I am an emotional eater........I'm sure you can imagine my actions and internal dialogue over these last few weeks. I found myself sitting on the couch thinking, "I'll just eat fruit and salad and drink only water for a week. That should work." Or, "Maybe things are going wrong because I haven't been spending enough time with God. I'll get up early every morning and read my Bible." All of those things may sound great on the surface, but you know you can't keep it up. And then the first time you slip, you feel awful and go right back to your old ways. It's a vicious cycle that never seems to end. Then you end up feeling like a failure and just decide to give up entirely. I tend to do that. I can be at one extreme or the other, but rarely succeed in the middle. (That is one reason Steven complements me so well. He is much more stable and can balance me out!) It's all or nothing, full or empty, go all out or go home. In some situations that is a good trait, but not for everyday life.
I'm trying to find a consistent routine (yes, routine. I thrive on routine, just like Elijah.) that allows me to do what needs to be done around the house and the kids, still have time for Steven and even some time for myself (paint my nails, take a walk, etc). I've discovered that one of my problems is laziness. I would rather to nothing than something. That's when I start thinking that God wants me to live a much fuller life than this and I think that spending more time with Him will help......but I'm too lazy to take that first step.
Anyway, all this, I guess, just to put it out there. I'm asking for prayers to help me find my happy medium and be able to deal with the ins and outs of life.
On a much more positive note, so that not everything sounds down....Elijah passed both his 3s and 4s multiplication test today, Zach has adjusted well to middle school and is enjoying playing cello, and JJ starts rec baseball tomorrow so I get to see my favorite baseball player in action again. Steven and I are taking ballroom dance lessons....and enjoying it, and the bathroom is almost done! I'll be able to shower in it tomorrow night! It's beautiful and elegant and everything I was hoping for.
So, the vanity story. We originally ordered the vanities on July 28 so they would be here in time for the remodel. They were delivered and everything was a go. But, we the guys started, they discovered that Steven's vanity was delivered with no top (countertop, sink). After 2 hours on the phone, I got them to send me out another (yes, I had to pay for another) and they would pick up what I have and give me a refund for the first one. When the refund never came, I checked into it and found that it had been cancelled for some reason. I was able to get it started again and even got a confirmation email. During this time, I was tracking the delivery of the 2nd vanity because we needed here for the remodel. It was in GA on Aug 29 so I thought we would get it early. However, when I checked the next day, it was checked in in Maryland! I checked several times over the next 2-3 days and it never left Maryland. So today I called the shipper. THEY LOST IT! They have no idea where it is! Here we go again. So I called the retailer to let them know. Once again, they want to refund me for that one and order me another one. So we are now on our 3rd vanity. I've yet to have any refunds on my credit card and the guys are going to be done tomorrow. They are going to have to come back when (and if) we actually get the vanity so they can put it in. Ugh! (I had to let calm Steven settle that one because I was so livid that I was yelling at them and wasn't solving anything.)
Anyway, I'm guessing that many people, if not everyone, have felt this way at one time or another. I welcome suggestions and prayers. God is good all the time. I just have to let Him in.
Thanks for listening!
It's been a rough few weeks. The bathroom remodel is on 3 weeks now and we still don't have Steven's vanity. (I'll explain that at the end.) There have been several hiccups along the way. Elijah is having some trouble in school. We have an SST meeting scheduled for Monday. We've been studying, playing education computer games, going over flashcards, etc. trying to help him keep up. I could be almost homeschooling with the amount of work we are doing. (The Marlins PITCHER just got a hit! Ugh! Maybe it's time to watch XFiles!) Rec baseball season is starting and everyone has clubs they want to join, instruments to play and everything seems to cost money. And the job that I was hoping for has hit a few snags and won't be as consistent as it has been in the past.
So, knowing that I am an emotional eater........I'm sure you can imagine my actions and internal dialogue over these last few weeks. I found myself sitting on the couch thinking, "I'll just eat fruit and salad and drink only water for a week. That should work." Or, "Maybe things are going wrong because I haven't been spending enough time with God. I'll get up early every morning and read my Bible." All of those things may sound great on the surface, but you know you can't keep it up. And then the first time you slip, you feel awful and go right back to your old ways. It's a vicious cycle that never seems to end. Then you end up feeling like a failure and just decide to give up entirely. I tend to do that. I can be at one extreme or the other, but rarely succeed in the middle. (That is one reason Steven complements me so well. He is much more stable and can balance me out!) It's all or nothing, full or empty, go all out or go home. In some situations that is a good trait, but not for everyday life.
I'm trying to find a consistent routine (yes, routine. I thrive on routine, just like Elijah.) that allows me to do what needs to be done around the house and the kids, still have time for Steven and even some time for myself (paint my nails, take a walk, etc). I've discovered that one of my problems is laziness. I would rather to nothing than something. That's when I start thinking that God wants me to live a much fuller life than this and I think that spending more time with Him will help......but I'm too lazy to take that first step.
Anyway, all this, I guess, just to put it out there. I'm asking for prayers to help me find my happy medium and be able to deal with the ins and outs of life.
On a much more positive note, so that not everything sounds down....Elijah passed both his 3s and 4s multiplication test today, Zach has adjusted well to middle school and is enjoying playing cello, and JJ starts rec baseball tomorrow so I get to see my favorite baseball player in action again. Steven and I are taking ballroom dance lessons....and enjoying it, and the bathroom is almost done! I'll be able to shower in it tomorrow night! It's beautiful and elegant and everything I was hoping for.
So, the vanity story. We originally ordered the vanities on July 28 so they would be here in time for the remodel. They were delivered and everything was a go. But, we the guys started, they discovered that Steven's vanity was delivered with no top (countertop, sink). After 2 hours on the phone, I got them to send me out another (yes, I had to pay for another) and they would pick up what I have and give me a refund for the first one. When the refund never came, I checked into it and found that it had been cancelled for some reason. I was able to get it started again and even got a confirmation email. During this time, I was tracking the delivery of the 2nd vanity because we needed here for the remodel. It was in GA on Aug 29 so I thought we would get it early. However, when I checked the next day, it was checked in in Maryland! I checked several times over the next 2-3 days and it never left Maryland. So today I called the shipper. THEY LOST IT! They have no idea where it is! Here we go again. So I called the retailer to let them know. Once again, they want to refund me for that one and order me another one. So we are now on our 3rd vanity. I've yet to have any refunds on my credit card and the guys are going to be done tomorrow. They are going to have to come back when (and if) we actually get the vanity so they can put it in. Ugh! (I had to let calm Steven settle that one because I was so livid that I was yelling at them and wasn't solving anything.)
Anyway, I'm guessing that many people, if not everyone, have felt this way at one time or another. I welcome suggestions and prayers. God is good all the time. I just have to let Him in.
Thanks for listening!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Sunday Night
Not much going on in the Julian house lately. Well, that's not entirely true. There is A LOT going on, but none of it noteworthy or worth writing about.
The kids have been in school now for 2 weeks and are getting adjusted. JJ is in 8th grade and realizes that things are getting harder. Especially math. Luckily, his wonderful mother went to Tech, where the is lots of it, and loves math! So we end up sitting together doing math for hours. I like it. I'm not so sure that he does. The rec baseball season is starting and his travel team is also practicing some this fall. Whenever I put baseball stuff on the house calendar, I have to specify whether it's travel or rec, just so he knows what and who to expect. Steven is coaching both, so it gets a bit confusing. He will be turning 14 in less than a month so I am trying to figure out what to do for him. We bought him a new bat, which is what he wanted, but I want to do something on his actually birthday too.
Zach is getting adjusted to middle school. Homework on weekends is still new. We installed a rule of no Xbox until homework is done. I think that is helping. That way no one gets to Sunday night without having their homework done. They wouldn't dare miss their Xbox time! He has joined Chess Club that meets once a week and has decided to join the orchestra. (He's never even seen a stringed instrument up close.) We went on Friday and rented him a cello. This should be fun! Now he wants to start a chess club/class for the neighborhood and have people pay him to give them tips. Not sure how well that will go over, but I like how he thinks.
Elijah is adjusting to 3rd grade as well. He's very good at doing exactly what he's told, but not so good at improvising or inferring anything. He got a 38 on his first cold reading test (yes, out of 100) because he just didn't connect that the questions were about the passages he just read. We went over it at length and, hopefully, he will understand more next time. He continues OT starting tomorrow. That helps his hands and muscles, but not how his brain works. I am working with him but am curious if he needs more help than what I can offer. His friend, Christopher, came over to play yesterday and he loved it!
Steven is about done with his softball season. He'll be going out of town for a few days for work this week, which is odd. But I think he'll enjoy it. Work is going well and he loves helping people. We have volunteered to be small group leaders for the youth (back at it again!). That will start in September. With the understanding that we will NOT be leading a group with our kids in it. We'll see how that goes. He and I are still yard saling on Friday mornings and enjoying the time together. It's almost like a date night.
I am still running my business. It's been a bit slow lately. With school starting and various other things going on, I haven't been able to replenish my inventory. This are starting to pick up though so I'm glad. Our master bathroom is getting remodeled this week. I'm so excited! I've waited 6 years for this and can't wait to see it when it's done. I'll take before and after pics and post them when all is said and done. I also start back working at Perimeter this week for the kick off. I've missed my co-workers so this will be fun.
So, that's it. Nothing major. I'm going to see Garth Brooks in September and am SUPER excited! The last time we were able to get tickets, it was my honeymoon week and I couldn't go! This will make up for it.
Have a great week!
The kids have been in school now for 2 weeks and are getting adjusted. JJ is in 8th grade and realizes that things are getting harder. Especially math. Luckily, his wonderful mother went to Tech, where the is lots of it, and loves math! So we end up sitting together doing math for hours. I like it. I'm not so sure that he does. The rec baseball season is starting and his travel team is also practicing some this fall. Whenever I put baseball stuff on the house calendar, I have to specify whether it's travel or rec, just so he knows what and who to expect. Steven is coaching both, so it gets a bit confusing. He will be turning 14 in less than a month so I am trying to figure out what to do for him. We bought him a new bat, which is what he wanted, but I want to do something on his actually birthday too.
Zach is getting adjusted to middle school. Homework on weekends is still new. We installed a rule of no Xbox until homework is done. I think that is helping. That way no one gets to Sunday night without having their homework done. They wouldn't dare miss their Xbox time! He has joined Chess Club that meets once a week and has decided to join the orchestra. (He's never even seen a stringed instrument up close.) We went on Friday and rented him a cello. This should be fun! Now he wants to start a chess club/class for the neighborhood and have people pay him to give them tips. Not sure how well that will go over, but I like how he thinks.
Elijah is adjusting to 3rd grade as well. He's very good at doing exactly what he's told, but not so good at improvising or inferring anything. He got a 38 on his first cold reading test (yes, out of 100) because he just didn't connect that the questions were about the passages he just read. We went over it at length and, hopefully, he will understand more next time. He continues OT starting tomorrow. That helps his hands and muscles, but not how his brain works. I am working with him but am curious if he needs more help than what I can offer. His friend, Christopher, came over to play yesterday and he loved it!
Steven is about done with his softball season. He'll be going out of town for a few days for work this week, which is odd. But I think he'll enjoy it. Work is going well and he loves helping people. We have volunteered to be small group leaders for the youth (back at it again!). That will start in September. With the understanding that we will NOT be leading a group with our kids in it. We'll see how that goes. He and I are still yard saling on Friday mornings and enjoying the time together. It's almost like a date night.
I am still running my business. It's been a bit slow lately. With school starting and various other things going on, I haven't been able to replenish my inventory. This are starting to pick up though so I'm glad. Our master bathroom is getting remodeled this week. I'm so excited! I've waited 6 years for this and can't wait to see it when it's done. I'll take before and after pics and post them when all is said and done. I also start back working at Perimeter this week for the kick off. I've missed my co-workers so this will be fun.
So, that's it. Nothing major. I'm going to see Garth Brooks in September and am SUPER excited! The last time we were able to get tickets, it was my honeymoon week and I couldn't go! This will make up for it.
Have a great week!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Ruler follower no more??
I DID IT!
Or, more correctly, WE DID IT!
Between me, Steven, and my sister, we managed to get some tickets to Garth Brooks' concert here in Atlanta in September. I was so excited that I celebrated by listening to some Garth in my car for the last several days. (He has so many great songs!) I came across this one that I had forgotten about.
I am normally a rule follower, and still am when it is necessary. But, as I get older and see how different my kids are and how different things are for them than they were for me when I was a kids, I've learned that thinking outside the box it becoming more and more of a necessity. The lyrics to this song just really seemed to sum it up so I thought I would share.
"Against The Grain"
Or, more correctly, WE DID IT!
Between me, Steven, and my sister, we managed to get some tickets to Garth Brooks' concert here in Atlanta in September. I was so excited that I celebrated by listening to some Garth in my car for the last several days. (He has so many great songs!) I came across this one that I had forgotten about.
I am normally a rule follower, and still am when it is necessary. But, as I get older and see how different my kids are and how different things are for them than they were for me when I was a kids, I've learned that thinking outside the box it becoming more and more of a necessity. The lyrics to this song just really seemed to sum it up so I thought I would share.
"Against The Grain"
Folks call me a maverick
Guess I ain't too diplomatic
I just never been the kind to go along
Just avoidin' confrontation
For the sake of conformation
And I'll admit I tend to sing a different song
But sometimes you just can't be afraid
To wear a different hat
If Columbus had complied
This old world might still be flat
Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
Well, I have been accused
Of makin' my own rules
There must be rebel blood
Just a-runnin' through my veins
But I ain't no hypocrite
What you see is what you get
And that's the only way I know
To play the game
Old Noah took much ridicule
For building his great ark
But after forty days and forty nights
He was lookin' pretty smart
Sometimes it's best to brave the wind and rain
By havin' strength to go against the grain
Well, there's more folks than a few
Who share my point of view
But they're worried
If they're gonna sink or swiim
They'd like to buck the system
But the deck is stacked against 'em
And they're a little scared
To go out on a limb
But if you're gonna make a difference
If you're gonna leave your mark
You can't follow like a bunch of sheep
You got to listen to your heart
Go bustin' in like old John Wayne
Sometimes you got to go against the grain
Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
Guess I ain't too diplomatic
I just never been the kind to go along
Just avoidin' confrontation
For the sake of conformation
And I'll admit I tend to sing a different song
But sometimes you just can't be afraid
To wear a different hat
If Columbus had complied
This old world might still be flat
Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
Well, I have been accused
Of makin' my own rules
There must be rebel blood
Just a-runnin' through my veins
But I ain't no hypocrite
What you see is what you get
And that's the only way I know
To play the game
Old Noah took much ridicule
For building his great ark
But after forty days and forty nights
He was lookin' pretty smart
Sometimes it's best to brave the wind and rain
By havin' strength to go against the grain
Well, there's more folks than a few
Who share my point of view
But they're worried
If they're gonna sink or swiim
They'd like to buck the system
But the deck is stacked against 'em
And they're a little scared
To go out on a limb
But if you're gonna make a difference
If you're gonna leave your mark
You can't follow like a bunch of sheep
You got to listen to your heart
Go bustin' in like old John Wayne
Sometimes you got to go against the grain
Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
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