Gender Gap

Same DNA source.
Only difference...
a seemingly innocuous Y chromosome.

But the difference is evident in more way than one....
we will start with one....

Mom : How was school today??
K: Horrible.Itwassohotandtheywon'tletusweartanktops
andshorts.soweareallmeltingawaytonothing.ididn'ttakeawaterbottle.theysaid
theywon'tturntheairconditioningonuntilmay1.itwassohot.
especiallytheoldbuilding.itwaslikeanoveninthere.thentheteachers
wereopeningtheirwindowsandtherewerewaspsallover
theschoolbecausetherewerewaspsinthewindows.ihatebugs.
ifitisn'tbettertomorrowiamgoingtohavesuchaheadache.

C: Good.

PS: pictures from the Philadelphia Zoo on Easter Sunday. Thanks Neena and Pappa we had a great time!

Proud

One mad dash this early early this morning....
after a late afternoon call yesterday....
After being rescheduled a few weeks ago, N was bumped up
rather suddenly to ship out this morning....
So, my Sis and I hopped in the car, and
off we went to visit him one last time and
be there to see him swear in.

He was excited.
Not nervous at all.
Can't say the same for Sis.
Although.
I am extremely proud of her.

"Inspected" and registered.
Bar code and all

The officer swearing in gave a very nice speech.
I must say, every one at the MEPS
(Military Entrance Personnel Station)
were very nice, polite, and accommodating for the families.
Made sure everyone had a good view of their recruit and got into the room.



The Oath of Enlistment (for enlistees):

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

If you know my nephew's story, you know this is a big deal.
This kid had been through hell.
He has come such a long way this past year.
My prayer that he find what he needs have been answered.
My sister is one of the strongest and bravest people I know.
I have never seen N. so excited, anxious and motivated to do something in his life.
He jogs, now, does push ups and chin ups.
He has worked hard to get here.
and I am so proud of him.

To also be in a room full of what I will call our "babies" ,
they all seemed so young,
who are swearing to follow the direction of our president no matter what,
defend the constitution and lay their lives on the line
vol-un-tar-ily folks,
was humbling.
Not sure how I managed not to cry.
That girl in the front was leaving her baby for 14 weeks to enlist.
I wish I could have discovered all of their stories.
The other marine swearing in with N was from Allentown and was 25 years old.
Not fresh out of high school. Making this decision as an adult.

New Recruit and proud of it.

Proud mom.
She deserves so much credit for all she has done.

Aunt who will do her best to send cookies and not worry too much.
Who deserves no credit at all except
to be able to be part of this step in N's life, and show her support.

Godspeed sweetie.
I wish for you great things.
I know you can accomplish anything you truly set your mind to.

Ooo-Rah!!

Yes - laundry

Yes, I am going to blog about laundry.
Don't you all wish I would lose my words again!

Cause to me it's about more than just hanging the laundry.
I wish I could tell you I do it to save the planet, and I
gently pray over each family member as I hang their things...but....
Um, yeah, a little, but not the main reason....

It dawned on my as I was hanging things this morning.
I always assumed I enjoy hanging the laundry so much
because some days it is my only quiet alone time.
No one follows me out there but the dog, and
she lazes in the sun and watches, and waits for me to finish,
so she can quietly follow me back inside.
I relish the birds singing while I am out there,
the sun on my back,
I enjoy just being with my thoughts, breathing
in the fresh air and slow pace I usually take in hanging.

A. A. Milne~~"One of the advantages of being disorderly
is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

But as I hung everything this morning, and thought of everyone that
teases me because I hang each family members clothes
on a different line, and preferably from top to bottom in the
order that I would fold.....
I think I relish and crave the order I create on the line.
God has blessed me with three of the most precious people I know
in my life, but also three people with ADD, thus chaos can reign in my house.
And yes, it has led us on some interesting paths.If my children were less needy, and didn't require more entertainment and stimulation than average children, would
we explore as much as we have? Would I have struggled as much to find interesting things for us to do? Most likely not.

Richard Garriott:Chaos and Order are not enemies, only opposites.

But I also spend the better part of my days, ordering, scheduling, tidying,
keeping track and just putting some order to our home and days.
God made me a type A.
I crave order.
Tidiness.
Structure.
So I think we balance each other well.
I think my need to be the organizer in our lives in the last 15 years
has emphasized my type A personality even more. I often have to reign myself in,
and stop myself from ordering everything outside the house too!
My friends are very patient with me.
Anyone that has ever said to me, why not just let 'the kids and J' take care of it,
or 'why must you be there' - don't get it.
There are just some things that have to be done. Appointments, assignment books need checked, plans need to be made....
and if I didn't, no one would.
Then there is the opposite, when J does get his mind on something,
he can be a relentless planner, to the extreme.

I have learned that unmade beds, don't burn down the house.
I don't rescue the kids every time they forget something at home.
A little clutter never hurt anyone...
but I also now I seek out and find order where I can.
In my spaces.
In my world.
And that is the best I can do.
It has taken me a lot of years to figure it out, and learn what I needed to stay sane.
So my "therapy", shall we say can come in something as simple as hanging the laundry.

Perspective

I have been wordless lately.
A lot I just can not put into words.
This put it all into perspective for me tonight.
No matter how stressed I feel.
No matter how hopeless something seems.
God is God
God is Good.
No matter what.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Can't hurt to try huh??

Check out this contest...all my dSLR lovin' friends...
win a Canon camera or check out the awesome camera bags!
Epiphany Bags

Please tell me....

Please oh Please tell me....
I am not the only one.....

Who sees the resemblance?

Because I CAN handle the TRUTH!

I know I know!!

A birthday has come and gone, nearly an entire month and no post from me! I don't know where my words are. I think the teenager took them, honestly. Will post soon. Took some pictures of spring arriving here. Birthday pics of C. are trapped in my phone, so I have to get them out.
Two teenagers. Two. One who refuses to shower and one who is trying to kill me slowly.
Back soon!

Photo stolen from his blog

Pastor Ryan's Blog

I dare you not to want to sponsor a child after reading this blog.
A group of bloggers recently went to Africa to visit
Compassion International's office and get the chance to meet
the children they sponsor.
This is my favorite blog from this trip. Linked him from PW's blog.
God has never placed the desire on my heart to mission out of this country.
I tend to feel there is a lot of need here in the US, but
these pictures make our poor look much better off.
I admire anyone that choses to travel to live and
teach in a foreign country in the name of God.
This group was simply visiting, that I think I could do!
I had followed a blogger last year on a trip to India.
A great advertising campaign if I do say so for myself.
Pay for these bloggers to visit and blog from Africa
about their trip , and motivate their readers to sponsor children as well.
I will say, since Jan. I have been considering sponsoring a child for each of my kids,
to help them better understand what they are blessed
with, a maybe get a glimpse at the rest of the world.
Seeing "first hand" through these blogs, how the money is used
and the difference it does make in these children's lives,
does make it a lot easier to decide where to give.
Because let's be honest, most of us don't want to be sending out money off,
not knowing if it is truly being used as intended.
So right now the kids are deciding which country to "pick" their child.
I am trying to teach them, they can make a difference from here.
There is only one blogger that has turned me off, and not off of Compassion,
but her in general. Because as usual, all of her posts were about her,
and her experience and how she was going to come back and change her life,
give til it hurts, making their lives less priviledged etc .
I will bet a million dollars she won't be giving up her internet connection,
and beautiful house, moving into a slum to give all the extra money to Compassion.
I am sure she doesn't intend to,
but here lately she has come across more and more "preachy".
I hate the insinuation that if the rest of us don't do the same
that somehow we aren't measuring up.
I know God wants us to help each other. I get that.
I personally believe some of the suffering exists in the world
to give us the blessing of helping each other.
Why did He chose to "put" me here, and other souls in Africa.
I have no idea.
Do I think it means He wants me to give up everything
He has given me in order to help those that may have less than I?
I am not so sure.
We give. We help. We pray.
I have raised my children to be aware of those that are less fortunate,
earning the things they have, not buying into every whim.
We live within our means, and are aware of and
compassionate of those that have less than we do.
Let's face it. Very few people are truly honestly "give til it hurts" -
we could all move into homes much smaller than the ones we have,
wear nothing but hand me downs, use the bus only,
have only enough clothes for a few days....
and give the rest of our money to those less fortunate.
But if I did that, would it make me any better of a person
than someone who decides not to change their life so drastically?
No.
We don't live extravagently but we live well.
And I believe we are blessed beyond belief.
I teach my children that the world does not revolve around them
and they both have kind giving hearts.
It distresses my daughter terribly when I won't give money to a homeless person.
Maybe I am trying to justify my version of "making a difference"
I don't know , maybe I am wrong.
But I have had these thoughts in my head for a few days and had to get them out.
And hopefully, in the meantime, you will read Pastor Ryan's blog too, be inspired like I was, and decide to sponsor a child too.
I hope so.
Because I think we can all make a difference in our own way,
the best way we can,
and not be judged for not doing more.

Totally self serving....

But awesome give away on one of the blogs that I posted as one of my favs last week.
Head over here,
and see the awesome photos, one of which she is offering
to send to someone in print form!
I am vacillating between the flower and the Amish man.
But the Bell tower is pretty darn cool too.
She is a fabulous photographer and I would be
honored to hang one of her prints on my wall.
You can enter too!!
Go now!

7 Favorite things

First - just a sneak peak at some of the pictures from the Flower Show - that is another post....but led me to remember that I never posted my seven favorites that I promised! Not that anyone readying want to know what I Love, but years from now when I look back I want to remember what was important to me right now.
Because believe me, I never in my younger life imagined
that I would love and enjoy some of the things that make me most happy now.
I will stay away from the pat answers if I can - of course I love my husband, kids and home.
1. Color. Lovely bright happy color.Love it.
Hence the picture above! Bright happy color makes me smile.
2. This one will hopefully make Marlooney happy because it does involve certain bodily functions! :)
Right now the relationship my kids have with their dad makes me insanely happy.
From someone like myself who never had a close relationship with her father, this is important to me. They have approached the age of constantly teasing each other and "one upping each other" - who can fart the loudest closest to whose face, teasing and poking and scaring each other in the hall upstairs. I can not help but grin from ear to ear when I hear J rip a good one and hear K , run screaming yelling, "Daaaa-aaad, you are so gross!" - There seems to be a farting theme going on lately. Anywhere he can rip one and make her scream gives him great pride! K always comes back for more and laughs and giggles the whole time. That makes me happy. :) I pretend to complain about the constant teasing but realize this is how he shows them he loves them. And it makes him happy. The look on his face when he "gets them" is priceless!
3. I said I would avoid it but can't help it - right now my hubby makes me happy. {although I do need to tell he is driving me crazy with ANOTHER job change he sprung on me last week!)We are at such a great place at the moment. This last year has been such a phase of growth for us, and right now we are basking in the glow of a really great period in our relationship. The other day when we were taking a walk with the dog, he even looked at me and said, "aren't we about due for an argument?"- that made me smile. We have always been close but the last 5 years has some very challenging moments. So nice to be out on the other side of that.
4. Ok, I am going to say it....I have tried to avoid being too outward about my weight loss at the risk of trying real hard not to sound vain or preachy, but right now being thin is making me happy! I feel SO good. Am enjoying shopping, and feeling good about myself. It felt so good to be out with my friends the other day and not once feel self conscious about my appearance or shy away from the camera. Yes, I know, my self respect should not hinge on my weight but for me it does. I do not feel good when I am heavier. Right now for the first time I am comfortable in my skin. Could this also be connected somehow to the mental wellness I have been feeling in my marriage too?Or vice versa? probably. But I will take it. :)
5. Ok - this list would not be complete without mentioning this - venti quad shot non-fat mocha. Preferably sipped in a comfy chair while chatting with a friend.....Ok, moving on.....
6. My new job is making me happy. I have been on the road and loving it for 9 years. But the novelty started to wear off after my accident and driving is no longer a pleasure for me. I never thought I would go back to outpatient. Most clinics are seriously over booked and I used to feel so useless doing that. But this clinic books differently and has a totally different theology about how a clinic should run. patient satisfaction is top on the list. I have the one on one time I enjoyed in home care without the travel and plus the stimulation of a room full of people interacting and laughing together while exercising. I did not realize how much I missed that until I was back in the clinic. Plus, I have never worked close to home before. always away. I am literally less than ONE mile from my house smack dab in the heart of where I grew up, which means, locals. Lovely- Pa Dutch- I- know- everyone- in -town locals. I thought it would irritate me, but I love it.
7. Cooking. Cooking. Cooking. Makes me happy. I find my zen in the kitchen. Trying new recipes. Feeding people who are truly appreciative of the effort.Particularly anything Mediterranean at the moment...olives, dun dried tomatoes, peppers....yumm..... When I feel stressed I cook. Baking preferably for stress relief. My 18 year old self would run screaming if she knew this! That 18 year old was going to move to the big city, work in a huge clinic, maybe do research...at look where she wound up - small town, growing vegetables and flowers, working in a small clinic a stones throw from home and couldn't be happier! Goes to show you, you can't hang your hat on too many plans. God often has a different path for you!

I've been tagged....

My wonderfully talented scrapbook-y friend Marlooney has tagged me with the "Over the Top" blog award. So sweet! Let's see - she said,
"(she always tells it like it is.....like me!....
but she's much more "refined" about it...I don't think I've ever heard that bitch swear...how does she do it?)"
I had to laugh because I think I swear plenty, but I guess I don't do it much here!
After all, my MIL reads this blog and we have to make
sure that she continues to think that I am the sweet
innocent darling who married her son!
I am uber humbled that anyone besides my family reads this and a- thinks I am entertaining in any way or likes it enough to even come back.
Most of the time I just feel like I am whining!
Believe me, if she wants honesty, there is a "raising a teenage girl" post brewing that will be packed full of honesty!
But for now I am to pick 7 blogs that I think are Over The Top and tag them, so here goes.....
Again - I have no idea how I find most of these, I click and click on other posts and blogs and come across these little gems. I am attracted to food, flowers, nature and great photography, as well as brutal real honesty by real people going through real things. I also tend to love stories of faith and courage. One thing you will most like never find on my blog is Susie Q blogger with 3.2 perfect blond- haired blued -eyed kids who can do not wrong, always perfectly coiffed, always getting straight A's, excel in every sport, oh isn't my husband so wonderful ,and look how beautiful my house is and look at my wonderful life types. That is for sure. I believe in keeping it real.
So here in no particular order...my favorites....today...could be totally different tomorrow...I will purposefully exclude Pioneer Woman because I believe I have shared way too many times how much I love this woman and want to be her in every way , from her attitude about life and love, to her wonderful witty humor.
1. I must Re-tag Marloony. I am so blessed to have gotten to know her through my hobby and enjoy every bit of her humor as well as her talent. I lovingly often refer to her as "one of my canadian friends" - perhaps because it makes me feel more "worldly"! LOL!
2. Next is Audrey. Again, witty beautiful soul who keeps it real. Very honest about her life, faults and all, and I love that about her. She also shows incredible survival and strength and I also admire that.
3. This is a new one I have stumbled across and I am growing every day to love it more and more. She appreciates nature, and photography just as much as I do and I really enjoy her photography and words.
4. This one, I have no idea how or where I even stumbled across him, but I love his honesty. He is a step-father to a developmentally delayed boy and new father to a baby girl...and his chronicle of their struggles to find a place in it all is really inspiring to me. He is brutally honest, and keeps it very honest and very real. He'll make you root for them immediately.
5. I have been following Cathy for about 2 years I think now. I often lovingly refer to her as my "soul mate on another coast" because we share a lot of similarities in our lives and feelings. I love her honest raw faith, and her willingness to share it. I strive to be more like her every day.
6. I of course could not get away from this list without sharing my latest food blog find. Dessert Stalking I believe I followed from Kate's blog....a wonderfully yummy collection of dessert recipes all in one place! Any one who knows me knows my obsession with recipes and trying new ones.....this site certainly has made it into my kitchen more than once in all these snow days!
7. Hmm...number 7...I am torn between on I may have to add an 8.....because I am also a quote hound....ya know when you can't find your own words to organize a thought or feeling, there are 1000's of quotes out there that can do it for you...my latest favorite...Notebookdoodles fits the bill well..along with really cute doodles and photos.
8. I have to add an 8 - I have been following April on this blog for nearly a year now. She too is funny, honest, and tells a great story. She also lives a life I would love on a farm in an old farmhouse. She even has an equally as entertaining and funny husband as well. And you can even learn how to skin a used to be live 10 minutes ago chicken if you like! Eavesdropping in her world satisfies my desire to have chicken and pigs and other creatures roaming the back yard.

There are of course dozens more I could share. Lots scrapbook related. Lots food related. But for now these are the ones I try not to miss.
As per Marloony's tag I am supposed to list 7 things I love......I think I will save that for tomorrow.
I am really sure this will come up on the list.
What I wouldn't give right now to see some green !

Young Man

Aye Aye C'apin!!
I am not even sure they know that this is an alcohol reference...
they just see the commercials....

This "young man" - no longer a boy
is wearing his father's old pants.
In the "men's" department....
Wore is father's shoes last week....

Voice is getting deep
Hair is getting crazy
His does not want to bathe
Face in his iTouch most of the time
Wears the same hoodie until I steal it to wash
Sleeps til noon
And will be 13 in a little over a week.
Man where does the time go.

Yet, one look at me
and he can still melt my heart.

Sn-oh boy!

Seems it snowed, huh?
The "Great Blizzard of 2010"
We haven't seen this much snow since 1996 I believe.
We have been holed up for nearly a week yet
I did not find the time to blog!
We are baking, and sleeping, and reading, and resting....
the kids are getting bored and on each others nerves and mine!

Some of us were excited!

Some of us had to work.

We are literally tunneled out the front door.

OH lookie - the plow went through.
Notice the garbage cans that J left out -
"just in case the garbage guys got here before the storm got heavy"-
Now I believe they are embedded in the snow bank til June.

Think the mail lady will come?
Well - she didn't.

Finally Dad got to have some fun with us since his office was closed too!
This was a momentary glimpse at the ten seconds that he managed to
stay on that saucer. My leg was bothering me from shoveling, so
I bagged the saucer this time around.

I am not sure I have words for this one!
K of course is "too cool" for snow pants any longer.

We were taking bets on whether or not the plow would push the pile as high as the sign.

Just some perspective on how high these piles are.
I am so glad the kids got to experience, finally,
and honest to goodness snow storm.
Not this couple of inches of wintery mix crap
we usually get.
Now there are predictions for another "major" event on March 7th...
I am not sure we can handle much more!

Life with a teenage girl

Hair.
The bane of existence for most females.
I don't think there are many that like their hair.
K absolutely hates hers.
And to her credit it does take a lot of time and product to tame those curls.
So - in November she had announced that
she was totally SICK of her hair and wanted to dye her entire head blonde.
Period.
No discussion.
She was going to WalMart and buying a dye kit and dumping it on her head.
Visions of Sun-In disasters from the 1980's flashed through my mind.
For this parenting moment, I went to bat. Drew a line in the sand.
But all my life experience and teaching could not deter her.
To say there was a "lively discussion" in our house that evening would probably be the understatement of the century.
I was very glad that my opinion and permission still mattered to her,
but it did not make saying no any easier.
But being a parent is not about being best friends.
There were a lot of tears.
There was a lot of ultimatums.
Then there was a compromise.
The agreement was, I would pay half of what we decide to do, if only she agree
to go to a professional.
And I would not be paying to maintain it.
Thankfully, we have a really young stylist that K seems to trust
and was on my side. (weehoo!)
The maintenance alone of dying her whole head was not even fathomable.
So Stacy talked her into chunky, VERY blonde highlights.
No problem.
It's only color.
Isn't orange or purple.
And made her happy.
And we thought it was a big deal.
We worked through it

Then comes the new year.
And again.
"I am SICK of my hair. "
She has always resented the time it takes to tame this mess every morning.
Can't say I disagree with her, but this is what God and her grandmother's genes gave her.
I am of the school of "learn to manage and live with it"...years of perming and coloring have taught me that you really can't fight mother nature.
But hey, what do I know!
So, now she decides it needs to go.
Well - I am the one that held her as she sobbed last summer
when she decided to go short and hated it.
I reminded her of this little fact.
Which is met with the oh so confident teenage, "So?"
"Ok - fine. So what you want", I say, "But don't expect me to hand you the tissues!"
(I actually prefer her with short hair. I think it highlights her face so nicely.)
So - off to the stylist we go again.
And she winds up with a reverse bob, that she
apparently "loves"...
Wheew.
Tears averted.

Ok, so now it is last week.....
Three weeks since the bob.
And once again.........
I hear,
"I want to cut my hair again"
OK, this time I do do a double take.
There isn't any going much shorter really.
So, once again...call the salon, and got the same reaction from Stacy....
"She wants to what? We can't really go much shorter", she says.......

But, apparently you can!
(with help from relaxer and a razor comb)
and inspiration from Halle Berry.....

And as severe as my reservations were.....
I love the results!
She loves it, or so she says for now!
She did say she wants to let the bangs grow in a bit.
I think she looks fabulous and can really rock the style.
She has been jazzing it up with skinny head bands and is thrilled now that she can wear some of her hats.

I have had my share of comments as in...
"How could you LET her do that?"
"Why didn't you stop her?"
"You could have said no"

But you know what.......
It is HER hair.
She has to live with it.
She has to love it.
It grows back.
(Although growing this in with her frizz and curl
is not going to be a pretty sight, but we will deal with that as we go)
She did not ask for
piercings.
Tattoos.
Five different colors.
She simply wanted it cut.
It was not about me wanting to be a lenient parent, or her best friend.
It is about letting her express herself as she wants to - within reason.
I dug my heels in on the blonde and insisted
that she go half way in January before she cut it all off.
She still wanted it cut.
and
it is HER hair.
Not mine.
She is soaking up the teasing she is getting from Daddy,
loves being told she looks like a model and looks beautiful.
She is holding her head higher and smiling a lot more.
And to me, that is what it is all about.
I think she is gorgeous.

Now let's see what February holds!