Sounds of Summer

I'm on the second full day of my kids at camp. What have I accomplished? Some. Not much. Is my bedroom beautifully painted? The can hasn't even been stirred. I have found that I'm pi-tiling. My mother-in-law loved that word. You know doing a little of this, a little of that, not much big but something.

I feel my toes are kind of peeking over the edge of what is to be the "poor me" thinking about to start in my brain. Not sure why. I doubt I would be very productive if the kids were home. I think it's because the task seems big.

I just need to push myself away from this computer and just begin.

So, here I go....

So Here We Are...

Have you ever heard the story about how families dealing with special needs children associated with landing in a different country for vacation?

It goes, so you pack for a trip to Italy. You plan. You board the plane and then found out upon landing that you are in Holland. It's not that Holland is bad. It's just not Italy. You enjoy it but keep thinking about Italy.

I thought I got Italy.

I did but now I'm in Holland.

I have two wonderful sons. An AMAZING husband. My second son, is what parents dream about, smart, handsome, and weary-free. My first, wonderful too but Holland. He's funny, smart, and a puzzle. He has been diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia and now maybe Asperger's. What labels! How do you define a life when it has been defined by labels?

So a follow up to this post: No Aspergers. Since these are spectrum conditions I know there are times that techniques for Aspergers can be used to help. Then again, aren't alot of techniques helpful for anyone. Couldn't we all be slow to judge and quick to listen?

Fair-weather Friend

I've come to learn that even if your kid plays nice that doesn't mean that all kids place nice. Now, don't get me wrong, I have no notion that their is a halo above my kids' heads. But, I am an involved parent who is constantly teaching life lessons based on events of the day. I can't say that is always true for the kids my children "play" with.

My husband and I have had an epiphany this summer. Crazy, since we are only two weeks into summer break. But, when a child spends three days playing at your home and then decides to join in on the bullying of your kid, you start to think, oh, this is a fair-weather friend. Or how about the child that plays nice when their parent is around but takes on the role of a bully when they are out of their parents' sight? Or how about the passive aggressive child that doesn't say two words but pushes your child in the back multiple times as they cross the street? Boy, the weather is fair today!!!

I'M DONE!

I'm done with trying to coach my kids on how to put up with this so that they have someone to play with in our neighborhood. This summer I'm all about amusement parks, swim club and friends outside the neighborhood. As an adult, I don't associate with these kind of people so why should my kids?

With ectasy comes pain

ec·sta·sy (kst-s)

n. pl. ec·sta·sies

1. Intense joy or delight.

2. A state of emotion so intense that one is carried beyond rational thought and self-control: an ecstasy of rage.

3. The trance, frenzy, or rapture associated with mystic or prophetic exaltation.

ag·o·nize (g-nz)

v. ag·o·nized, ag·o·niz·ing, ag·o·niz·es

v.intr.

1. To suffer extreme pain or great anguish.

2. To make a great effort; struggle.

v.tr.

To cause great pain or anguish to

I was listening to MPR radio this morning about combat in Iraq. So much pain... I found myself thinking upon agony. Why God? This hurt, this agony. The story was so overwhelming that to walk into the store became an act of habit. My mind was still in the car listening to the soldiers' pain but my feet were walking to get my errands done. My mind kept thinking why so much pain? But then, I remembered, God gives us joy. Overwhelming, truly powerful joy! Love, mother love, wife love....LOVE! Would I want to be minus love so I could never experience agony? Would being numb be fine if it was without ecstasy? Is that how we would want to live?

Dipping My Toe in the Big Pond

So, I've made a decision. I'm going to pursue my career this Fall. Ever since we began the basement project I have been loving the whole research and implementing part of my degree. I have had such a fun time pulling together ideas by either surfing the web, paging through magazines or exploring the stores. I've become so passionate that I fear I could passionately put us in the poor house if I don't start making some money soon. So, decision made. Now to go about getting it going.

I'm thinking since I've been my best client over the years. I'll use my house as my portfolio. I think I'll even create a site that showcases it so people can go to it as a reference.

Now that it's my thoughts are in print. There's no turning back!

Creative Blog Inadequacy

I have to admit.  I love blogs about being creative from crafts to decor.  Give me a good blog about a "stay-at-home" mom gussying up their home and I'm there.  But, I always come away thinking why am I not that motivated.  How do they do it?  Are they really so full of energy that they can think of a pattern, draw it, (maybe they already have the fabric so we'll skip the part that they shopped) sew it, photograph it and post it.  Oh, and have their family fed and in bed at a decent hour (let's go on the assumption that it's summer so there are no kids needing to do homework) .  Really, is it that possible?  I want to hear about how they were so creative because they never clean their house and their spouse isn't too happy about that.  Or, I've made enough money off my blog that my nanny/cleaning person tidies up for me so no need to worry about my home going to pot.  

"Can we get real here" as some talk show host said it best.

My Child's Advocate

My son was recently diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Upon this diagnose, my son's school counselor repeated over and over "you are your son's advocate". I am his shield when he knows no difference. So, I find that I become momma bear very easily when situation arise that paint my son in harsh light. I should also mention that my son has difficulty lying. I know, "yeah, right". No really. If I ask if he's not done something more often than not, he will answer he hasn't. Of course, I'm thinking, don't most nine-year-olds say the opposite?
So that brings us to today. My son is being punished TOMORROW, for calling a girl a cuss word, YESTERDAY. Now I agree punishment for the cuss word, YES. But if it was so hurtful, why did it take a day for the girl to tell a teacher (because the teacher had no knowledge of it)? And if we begin to punish for past performances what is the statue of limitations? And if my son hadn't of been so honest, who's word would of won out if he had lied and said he didn't say it?
Again, not advocating lying but just wondering.