Five People in My Family

Do you remember that old Sesame Street song where they sing... "Five people in my family" I live it now and while stress and exhaustion go hand in hand with motherhood, I wouldn't change it. WCH is loving the first grade and seems to be just fine with my presence in the building. JDH is doing better now that we pulled him out of pre-school. He has such a wonderful outlook on life and he makes me laugh constantly. We are excited that he possibly qualified for speech services. JCH is growing and changing so much. She can already sit up and is on her way to getting around the room by rolling and possibly scooting soon. Pretty good for a once three pounder. So, if you thought I was off my rocker before... You should see me now.

Where do I even begin?

Not much time lately to really write from the soul. Life has been dragging me every which way. Although sometimes I feel that I can barely rise out of bed and do it all over again, I made my self stop and look back at the last few months. I am proud to say that we did it! Dan and I managed to make it through all of these things since summer:

0. Losing an old dog and training a rescue dog
1. The Pataskala Street Fair
2. The beginning of school
3. Taking my first grader to work everyday
4. Papa Bill's campaign for 91st District (State Rep)
5. Accepting a dirty house
6. Dan's new presidency of Pataskala's Rotary
7. Dan's new chairmanship of the Licking County Republican Party
8. Dan and I threw the biggest birthday party of our life (at school).
9. Soccer season for both boys
10. solid food for Claire
11. realizing that Will is my genetic dump off site and he will suffer for that
12. Teaching Will how to contain all of that energy during the school day
13. Teaching James not to beat the tar out of the "first child"
14. Getting James tested for speech services
15. Is she sleeping through the night? Can't tell
16. Parent/Teacher Conferences
17. Dan's travels
18. Watching Papa Bill gracefully accept a Republican defeat for the State House.
19. Enjoying my Grandmother now that she lives in town at the Oaks.
20. 10 years of marriage
21. a concussion for me... Performing in Camp O'Bannon's Murder mystery is dangerous

Phew!

We did it!

Happy 100th Birthday Pataskala School!

My school and my husband's alma mater, turned 100 years old this year.

Dan and I pulled it off! For the last two years, Dan and I have been planning the 100th birthday party for Pataskala Elementary. We managed to pull off the art auction, fund the Ohio Historical Marker, develop school activities, and host over 200 people for an alumni banquet. It went better than I could have ever hoped. We had a blast and are still recovering.

1908-2008

Breathing down my neck

It's that time of year again... when school is around the corner, the street fair is looming in the near future, my children must return to school and life without me, and when I must rejoin society. It happens every year and I manage to get through it just fine. I stress, fret, freak, toil, and geek about all of it and without it, I would not be who I am. So, please keep in mind... that I mean no harm, I am just working through my issues. CAUTION: Keep a clear distance!

New Eyes

I rise each morning determined to leave a good work in each of my children's hearts. I really try to be loving all the time and to teach patience, strength, and love. Not every day is always successful in these areas. While that bothers me, I know it is part of life. Being the mother of three has strengthened me and well, mentally strapped me too. I am wiser and yet, still clueless. There are days when I question my abilities as a wife and mother and then I am reminded of God's Grace and his infinite wisdom. He would never have given me these three beautiful children without a master plan. Why do I complain about my path in life when God has done so much for me? He gave his only son so that I might be saved and I seem to forget that when I am complaining away about my day, my struggles with work or children, or when my weaknesses become obvious.

I was reminded this week at church to look at life with child-like eyes. I need to remember that God made the most majestic mountains and yet the softest breeze. My children continue to share their view on life with Dan and I and we are given a new way to view the world. After JCH's four month check up yesterday, I was reminded again of God's goodness. She is perfect (weight, developmental marks, etc.). I am blessed to be handed this precious child who trusts me and loves me. Her trust is breathtaking. I am reminded of the love God has for us through the bond I have with my three. No matter my sins, my children's faults, or how my day ends, looking at it all with new eyes is certainly helping.

Sailing Away

After ten years of marriage, I am convinced Dan and I can get through anything together if we can survive five days of Lakeside Sailing Lessons. We have had a good time learning how to do something completely new. Quite humbling to be with your best friend and be so clueless about what you are learning. We have had fun learning from our two Lakeside Sailing Instructors who are college students. Nice kids, but better comedians than instructors. Dan has been the sailor and I have been along for the ride although I am picking up a lot of vocabulary and the concept.

Things to remember about our sailing experience are:

1. We read in the course syllabus (during class) that there was a swim test. We were walked out to the end of the swim pier into the wide open Lake Erie and told to tread waves/water for 4 minutes. We barely passed the four minute swim test, being thrown a life vest in open waters, told to swim to it , put it on (with jello legs) and then to swim fifty yards and back. I thought I would die and then Lakeside would never be the same for my family.

2. Classroom time was a stitch but, learning to use what they taught us when we actually got out on the water was sometimes difficult.

4. Getting hit in the back of the head with the boom (sail) and landing in the water during a game of sail tag was a new experience.

5. Our "big" trip to East Harbor Beach by sailboat was fun but, really slow. We were the first to arrive and the last to get back. Turns out that our boat is a lot smaller than everyone else's boat.

Uncle Jerry

Jerry

brother, uncle

funny, sarcastic, witty

spoils his niece and nephews

adored by his nephews...and now his niece

thoughtful, athletic, supervisor, bachelor, coach

I really enjoy watching my brother as he grows older.

Our friendship continues to grow and change.

Jerry is a loving, excellent dad to AJL.

fisherman, ballplayer, poker player

Thirty-Six years old

friend