I remember having this amazing relationship with my Mom growing up. I always thought she was beautiful. She was kind, thoughtful, and a very hard worker.
Until this one day...when I realized I was much cooler than she was. Suddenly, she appeared less amazing, wore dorky clothes, and nothing she said made any sense what so ever.
Shortly after those awful years of living with a dorky dressing dumb mom...I moved out.
Shortly after moving out, I realized how amazing she was...again. I remembered her inner and outer beauty. But, more than that...I remembered that she was paying for everything that kept me going in college.
Then I had children. Now I realize that she really is amazing. She is beautiful on the inside and out...and she is a genius. PURE Genius.
I had children when I was pretty young. When I found out I was pregnant with Big...I was 21...barely. I knew nothing of being a parent or the toll it would take on my mind, body, and heart. After Big was born...I was sure I was a good parent. I could change his diapers, rock him to sleep, get him to burp after a bottle, and he didn't have his first stitches until he was 2. Yep...good mom...right here.
I am amazing...I thought, as I loaded up my new baby and my two year old in a grocery cart and did all the shopping. I've totally got this...as I handled a church service with ease and gracefully found my way out of any situation that contained vomit or runny poo.
Parenting isn't that hard after all...I thought.
Stupid...stupid...stupid.
When Big became a pre-teen, I really had no idea what I was up against. But...we handled all that came our way. Again...I thought...We are REALLY good parents...as we saw grade cards and met new friends through sports. We've totally got this...as we met the challenges of a busy sports schedule, a 10 year old...and an unexpected three year old on my hip.
I don't know what people complain about...I thought.
Stupid...stupid...stupid.
We have now entered the world where we are man to man with teens in this house. And to boot...we have a very curious seven year old that hangs on every word.
Let me explain.
I thought it would be fun to take my two impressionable boys shopping for clothes for the upcoming middle school dance. I'm not sure what happened in that two hour time period, but I discovered something I don't think I was quite ready for.
I am the dorky dressing dumb Mom my mom once was in my eyes.
I know...I can hardly believe it either. Just last week I was commending myself for wearing jeans tucked into my boots. That's cool...right? For someone who was such a stellar parent with small babies and toddler...I've apparently lost all of my "swag". What am I saying...I really have no clue.
As I wandered around a store that I used to frequent, I realized I was shopping for my kids...in this store...that I used to buy clothes in. Suddenly...it hit me like a sack of bricks.
I'm...not...cool anymore.
I bolted out of that store like nobody's business. I found myself in the Dillards restroom staring in the mirror. I don't even recognize myself anymore. I...am...my...mother.
Oh...My...Goodness.
My kids think I know nothing. They love me...they do. But, I'm not cool. I tried following Big's friends on Twitter in an attempt to keep an eye on things. This is "not cool". My smarter than me 14 year old got into my Twitter and unfollowed people. As I admitted to being guilty of following some of his friends...he informed me that it is "kind of creepy".
Super. I'm the dorky dumb sort of creepy Mom with no swag.
This is all new territory. So...stay with me as I try to figure it all out.
I love my kids and I want them to understand that just as they are learning to be big...we are learning to let them be big. It is cray cray.
#notready
I'll need support and dare I say it...cookie dough. Lots of it. Thank goodness...I still have a Little.
This is way harder than I thought it might be. Who is with me? Dorky not ready to let go parents...unite!
Have a blessed day!
Referee of Two Teens and a Little
Referee of 3
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Come As You Are
I just spent the last 45 minutes cleaning up my house for my new cleaning assistant. Yes. You heard that right. I have hired a cleaning assistant. She will be my new best friend. I feel like I already want to buy her gifts even though I'll be paying her to help me keep this place up. I want to thank her for simply existing and being around to help me.
I'm not ashamed.
I need help.
I've needed help for years. Please don't misunderstand me. Coach and the boys do their part. Coach does more than most husbands I am quite sure. But there is something about being a Mom and Wife that takes a little more. There is an expectation of the way things "should" be. When you are a Mom/Wife that can't fulfill those obligations due to job...children...sports...etc., you feel almost unworthy of your title. I'm not writing this for pity. Really...I'm not. There is just this GIANT list of things you want to accomplish in your day that 9 times out of 10 don't get done in real life.
We are coming and going so much that it makes my head spin. Cleaning happens. Deep cleaning only happens when someone is coming over. Spring cleaning happens in the summer and closet clean outs happen on snow days. That's how we roll around here. However...my point to this post isn't to tell you about why I need a cleaning helper new friend.
I was thinking as I was running through my house trying to make it something it usually isn't...about how ironic that is. I was hanging towels and putting away a month's worth of jewelry. I was scrubbing toilet seats and picking up the shoes that surrounded the "shoe basket" in the front door. I was putting away mail and shining my faucet in the attempt to make my new cleaning helper friend think we are usually quite tidy. I even fixed my make up and put on perfume. (Did I think she would smell me? I don't know. I really...don't...know.)
I laugh at the thought of what I looked like doing this.
I think coming into a church home can be like this as well. Or simply coming to know Christ. So often we think, or rather we KNOW that we need him. We need help. We can feel it and know that he is the missing piece of our lives. Yet...we rush around trying to clean up our lives using every other method than just coming to him as we are. We think we have to look, be, act, and be perceived as a certain person. All God wants is for us to come to him as we are.
We are usually broken. We are messy. We are confused and sometimes hurt. We are trying to pick up pieces or find our way back to the path. And he says...that's OK. He isn't wanting us to come to him with shiny faucets and shoes neatly placed in our baskets. He says just come...as we are.
I love that about God...because I'm a mess. And he loves me anyway. I can only hope my new cleaning assistant friend is okay with that too. :)
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
I'm not ashamed.
I need help.
I've needed help for years. Please don't misunderstand me. Coach and the boys do their part. Coach does more than most husbands I am quite sure. But there is something about being a Mom and Wife that takes a little more. There is an expectation of the way things "should" be. When you are a Mom/Wife that can't fulfill those obligations due to job...children...sports...etc., you feel almost unworthy of your title. I'm not writing this for pity. Really...I'm not. There is just this GIANT list of things you want to accomplish in your day that 9 times out of 10 don't get done in real life.
We are coming and going so much that it makes my head spin. Cleaning happens. Deep cleaning only happens when someone is coming over. Spring cleaning happens in the summer and closet clean outs happen on snow days. That's how we roll around here. However...my point to this post isn't to tell you about why I need a cleaning helper new friend.
I was thinking as I was running through my house trying to make it something it usually isn't...about how ironic that is. I was hanging towels and putting away a month's worth of jewelry. I was scrubbing toilet seats and picking up the shoes that surrounded the "shoe basket" in the front door. I was putting away mail and shining my faucet in the attempt to make my new cleaning helper friend think we are usually quite tidy. I even fixed my make up and put on perfume. (Did I think she would smell me? I don't know. I really...don't...know.)
I laugh at the thought of what I looked like doing this.
I think coming into a church home can be like this as well. Or simply coming to know Christ. So often we think, or rather we KNOW that we need him. We need help. We can feel it and know that he is the missing piece of our lives. Yet...we rush around trying to clean up our lives using every other method than just coming to him as we are. We think we have to look, be, act, and be perceived as a certain person. All God wants is for us to come to him as we are.
We are usually broken. We are messy. We are confused and sometimes hurt. We are trying to pick up pieces or find our way back to the path. And he says...that's OK. He isn't wanting us to come to him with shiny faucets and shoes neatly placed in our baskets. He says just come...as we are.
I love that about God...because I'm a mess. And he loves me anyway. I can only hope my new cleaning assistant friend is okay with that too. :)
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Friday, January 31, 2014
Parenting...
When our kids were little, people would say things like...
"This is the easy part."
or
"They only get harder."
When you are up at 2:00 a.m. with a new baby and a puking toddler, you beg to differ. However, now that my kids are a little older, I do think I have to agree somewhat. There isn't anything like the tired of a Momma after a long night with a new baby. I am always very hesitant to say the words "I'm exhausted" in front of a new parent because I remember. I remember thinking that when someone said that to me after Little was born, I wanted to cry and say with mascara running down my cheeks..."you don't even KNOW tired." I'm off topic...stand by.
Okay...as I was saying. Parenting...is hard. As our kids have grown, our love, our fears, and our pride has grown along with them. I'm so thankful for our friends who have had children grow up before ours. Watching them handle their children has been so helpful as I am a visual learner. There are things that you never see coming though.
Coach and I like to say we try to do the best we can. We really do. With the chaos that ensues our lives on a daily basis, we always try to find time to sit and talk with the boys. Even if it is for 10 minutes. We are finding that even the littlest bit of communication one, makes a difference, and two reveals a lot about our children. Little doesn't have to find time to be communicated with because...well, he never stops talking. We know A LOT about Little. I wonder where he gets that...
Anyway...we spend a lot of time thinking and re-thinking our parenting choices. As I said before...parenting is hard. Harder than I ever thought. I don't remember ever having to deal with these kinds of problems with my cabbage patch kids growing up. They just sat there and always smiled. They never talked back and they loved me back. I'm sure of it.
In the past few years, our kids have been put in situations where we as parents feel like it is "unfair" or not as it should be. I don't know why our first reaction to things is always skeptical and negative. I think because we think we "know" what is best for them and when our best laid plans don't pan out...we panic. We think..."no...this isn't the way it was supposed to be." We worry and hurt and worry some more for our kids. As I said...the bigger they get, the bigger the fears. Right now I am overwhelmed with fear for my teenager who is learning to drive and my pre-teen who is spending his first year in Middle School. But...they surprise me all of the time. In situations where I think they are getting the short end of the stick, they find the good in it. I guess...what surprises me the most about parenting is this. We spend so much time trying to teach them how to be good people and live a respectable life. And out of nowhere...they teach us. They handle things that we deem unfair with grace and kindness. They surprise us with their positive outlook and ability to see a bigger picture. These are moments when I know that God is involved. Because we as earthly parents want to find the people in charge and give them a piece of our mind. God steps in and teaches our children to do the right thing...and we learn from them.
Sometimes I'm just amazed.
I found this quote in my devotional the other day about parenting and I'm taking it with me everywhere I go.
"...none of us are in control of our world except God, and nothing happens to us or our loved ones that He doesn't know about."
That's pretty good stuff right there. Nothing happens to our loved ones that he doesn't know about. All of the things that come up in the lives of our children...he knows. Not only does he know...he equips them to handle it knowing all the while, we as earthly parents need to learn through them.
Good stuff...good, good stuff.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of3, 23
"This is the easy part."
or
"They only get harder."
When you are up at 2:00 a.m. with a new baby and a puking toddler, you beg to differ. However, now that my kids are a little older, I do think I have to agree somewhat. There isn't anything like the tired of a Momma after a long night with a new baby. I am always very hesitant to say the words "I'm exhausted" in front of a new parent because I remember. I remember thinking that when someone said that to me after Little was born, I wanted to cry and say with mascara running down my cheeks..."you don't even KNOW tired." I'm off topic...stand by.
Okay...as I was saying. Parenting...is hard. As our kids have grown, our love, our fears, and our pride has grown along with them. I'm so thankful for our friends who have had children grow up before ours. Watching them handle their children has been so helpful as I am a visual learner. There are things that you never see coming though.
Coach and I like to say we try to do the best we can. We really do. With the chaos that ensues our lives on a daily basis, we always try to find time to sit and talk with the boys. Even if it is for 10 minutes. We are finding that even the littlest bit of communication one, makes a difference, and two reveals a lot about our children. Little doesn't have to find time to be communicated with because...well, he never stops talking. We know A LOT about Little. I wonder where he gets that...
Anyway...we spend a lot of time thinking and re-thinking our parenting choices. As I said before...parenting is hard. Harder than I ever thought. I don't remember ever having to deal with these kinds of problems with my cabbage patch kids growing up. They just sat there and always smiled. They never talked back and they loved me back. I'm sure of it.
In the past few years, our kids have been put in situations where we as parents feel like it is "unfair" or not as it should be. I don't know why our first reaction to things is always skeptical and negative. I think because we think we "know" what is best for them and when our best laid plans don't pan out...we panic. We think..."no...this isn't the way it was supposed to be." We worry and hurt and worry some more for our kids. As I said...the bigger they get, the bigger the fears. Right now I am overwhelmed with fear for my teenager who is learning to drive and my pre-teen who is spending his first year in Middle School. But...they surprise me all of the time. In situations where I think they are getting the short end of the stick, they find the good in it. I guess...what surprises me the most about parenting is this. We spend so much time trying to teach them how to be good people and live a respectable life. And out of nowhere...they teach us. They handle things that we deem unfair with grace and kindness. They surprise us with their positive outlook and ability to see a bigger picture. These are moments when I know that God is involved. Because we as earthly parents want to find the people in charge and give them a piece of our mind. God steps in and teaches our children to do the right thing...and we learn from them.
Sometimes I'm just amazed.
I found this quote in my devotional the other day about parenting and I'm taking it with me everywhere I go.
"...none of us are in control of our world except God, and nothing happens to us or our loved ones that He doesn't know about."
That's pretty good stuff right there. Nothing happens to our loved ones that he doesn't know about. All of the things that come up in the lives of our children...he knows. Not only does he know...he equips them to handle it knowing all the while, we as earthly parents need to learn through them.
Good stuff...good, good stuff.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of
Saturday, January 4, 2014
The Time of our Lives
There are so many things I want to say about our vacation that I decided to write a blog. Our vacation started about a week ago when we left our small town for another big Nelson adventure. None of us had any idea what we were about to experience. For this, I am thankful. I'd like to say the entire trip was amazing and that we had the time of our lives. This is true. But I wouldn't be being completely honest if I didn't tell you that we had some "rocky times". (Pun intended). Now I know what you must be thinking. A week on a cruise with her family and she is going to complain. I'm not complaining. I'm just going to tell you the real story. I could bore you with all of the details, but I think I will tell this story through a series of "what I learned" quotes. So...without further adeau...
What I learned on our Family Vacation
By Amy Nelson
1. I learned that we are so fortunate to have had this opportunity to be with Coach's family. They are all amazing people and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. Family loves us no matter what. At times on this vacation, I was very thankful for that. Nana...we love you so much and we thank you.
2. Cruises are awesome. Waves are less awesome. Dramamine is awesome. Rough seas and cold fronts are not awesome. Cruises are not for the weak. I am kind of weak.
3. Mexico is beautiful. At least parts of it are. Progreso was just as beautiful as I imagined. I wish I could have tucked my sissy into my travel bag for photography purposes. As it turns out, I am Still a terrible photographer.
4. Progreso has sidewalks. And as most sidewalks do, Progreso's tend to slope down every once on awhile. I learned that when carrying a seven year old on your back, you should watch your step instead of smile at the locals who are driving by. The ground in Progreso feels much like the ground at home when I fall on it. I can still hear the locals laughing as my family rushed to my aid. Unfortunately there was no where to hide. I laughed and made jokes with everyone else, but I will never forget the look on Little's face when I looked up. He was horrified that I had fallen and that I had dropped him. Ugh. Just call me Grace.
5. Uncles are great to have around. Ours bought a Green Bay Nacho Libre mask and a set of bongos. I learned not to take him shopping with Us anymore.
6. I love Dolphins. We got to swim with them and I even saw Coach give one a kiss. Watching the boys' faces as they swam with the Dolphins was quite possibly the highlight of this trip. Well...it takes a close second to the warm chocolate melting cake we had for dessert every night.
7. I learned that my skinny, tall, sister in law should never introduce me to her favorite dessert. We re-named the warm chocolate melting cake "Paige's cake". I am quite certain the cake will look differently on my 5'4" frame, but it was worth every bite.
8. I learned that Big and Middle are capable of making friends wherever they go. I am so glad they were able to make friend "ships". Get it? I'm delirious
9. I learned that eating breakfast at the front of the ship while the water is "rough" as the captain said, is much like eating more carny food than your stomach can hold and immediately riding the teacups. It is a bad idea.
10. I learned that just as I developed a sentimental attachment to our mini-van, I also developed an attachment to our amazing crew. I cried a little when I thought about leaving the new "friends" we made. I'm sad to leave, but so ready to Be home.
We really are very lucky to have had this trip. I'll load pics when I get home, but for now you have my top 10 "What I Learned On Our Family Vacation". Have a blessed day. We are on the road again! I apologize in advance for any misspelled words. I'm blogging from my phone. happy New Year!
Referee of 3
What I learned on our Family Vacation
By Amy Nelson
1. I learned that we are so fortunate to have had this opportunity to be with Coach's family. They are all amazing people and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. Family loves us no matter what. At times on this vacation, I was very thankful for that. Nana...we love you so much and we thank you.
2. Cruises are awesome. Waves are less awesome. Dramamine is awesome. Rough seas and cold fronts are not awesome. Cruises are not for the weak. I am kind of weak.
3. Mexico is beautiful. At least parts of it are. Progreso was just as beautiful as I imagined. I wish I could have tucked my sissy into my travel bag for photography purposes. As it turns out, I am Still a terrible photographer.
4. Progreso has sidewalks. And as most sidewalks do, Progreso's tend to slope down every once on awhile. I learned that when carrying a seven year old on your back, you should watch your step instead of smile at the locals who are driving by. The ground in Progreso feels much like the ground at home when I fall on it. I can still hear the locals laughing as my family rushed to my aid. Unfortunately there was no where to hide. I laughed and made jokes with everyone else, but I will never forget the look on Little's face when I looked up. He was horrified that I had fallen and that I had dropped him. Ugh. Just call me Grace.
5. Uncles are great to have around. Ours bought a Green Bay Nacho Libre mask and a set of bongos. I learned not to take him shopping with Us anymore.
6. I love Dolphins. We got to swim with them and I even saw Coach give one a kiss. Watching the boys' faces as they swam with the Dolphins was quite possibly the highlight of this trip. Well...it takes a close second to the warm chocolate melting cake we had for dessert every night.
7. I learned that my skinny, tall, sister in law should never introduce me to her favorite dessert. We re-named the warm chocolate melting cake "Paige's cake". I am quite certain the cake will look differently on my 5'4" frame, but it was worth every bite.
8. I learned that Big and Middle are capable of making friends wherever they go. I am so glad they were able to make friend "ships". Get it? I'm delirious
9. I learned that eating breakfast at the front of the ship while the water is "rough" as the captain said, is much like eating more carny food than your stomach can hold and immediately riding the teacups. It is a bad idea.
10. I learned that just as I developed a sentimental attachment to our mini-van, I also developed an attachment to our amazing crew. I cried a little when I thought about leaving the new "friends" we made. I'm sad to leave, but so ready to Be home.
We really are very lucky to have had this trip. I'll load pics when I get home, but for now you have my top 10 "What I Learned On Our Family Vacation". Have a blessed day. We are on the road again! I apologize in advance for any misspelled words. I'm blogging from my phone. happy New Year!
Referee of 3
Thursday, November 28, 2013
So...so...THANKFUL
I am thankful for...
I started a bulletin board in my classroom just like that. I let my students use sharpies in their favorite colors to write things they were thankful for. There were a lot of "family" and "friend" posts. Some were thankful for peanut butter and jelly...and their pets. Each student got to write as much as they wanted all week long. And it made me think...about what I'm thankful for. I've been posting to facebook here and there through the month of November, but as I really think about what I'm thankful for...I wanted to write a blog. I want the people in my life to truly know how grateful I am for them.
1. I'm thankful for the strength and grace behind my mother's words.
2. I'm thankful for the gentleness of my dad's smile.
3. I'm thankful for the generous and kind heart of my sister.
4. I'm thankful for the unconditional love of my husband. I am also thankful for his freckles...his smile...and how he looks wearing jeans. :)
5. I'm thankful for Big's freckles, smile, and the ability I have to crack him even when he is super mad. I love his desire to be better and his intensity towards things he cares about.
6. I'm thankful for Middle's beautiful blue eyes and his smile. His smile can light up a room...or a baseball field. I'm grateful for his giving heart and his concern at all times for his family.
7. I'm thankful for Little. His smile...his sweet heart...his nervous antics...I just love him so much.
8. I'm thankful for my family and friends. I have some that I can laugh with and some that I can cry with. Most of them have seen me do both and love me anyway. I'm thankful that my true friends allow me the chance to mess up and still want me in their lives. I love that the people in my life understand the "real" in me and can take it.
9. I'm thankful for my home. We have more stuff than we know what to do with. We live here. We can clean it up for a party in like 45 minutes and we can mess it up again in 5. My favorite time of the day is when the house is quiet and I can sit and be thankful for just that. I also love the noise that takes over when the kids have friends here...or when our football family comes over after a game.
10. I'm thankful for my job. I had no idea how the plan would come full circle when I turned 35, but it did. I love my students as my own children. I'm not sure if that is normal, but I do. I love watching them learn and have fun just as I do my own boys. I can't think of a better place for me to work than in my school. I'm grateful for all the support I've had and all the friendships I've made in that place. Work isn't really work...when you "work" at MGS.
11. I'm thankful for the health of our family. I've had the opportunity over the years to see how precious that health really is. I know how important those little things are and have learned not to take a single thing for-granted. I am grateful for my friends in the Kyrie Foundation and am so thankful that God prepared my heart to work with and for that cause.
12. I'm thankful for black Friday. (Sorry Pastor Rick...but, I am.) WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Let's do this.
Turkey
Nap
Shop
In that order.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of3 23
I started a bulletin board in my classroom just like that. I let my students use sharpies in their favorite colors to write things they were thankful for. There were a lot of "family" and "friend" posts. Some were thankful for peanut butter and jelly...and their pets. Each student got to write as much as they wanted all week long. And it made me think...about what I'm thankful for. I've been posting to facebook here and there through the month of November, but as I really think about what I'm thankful for...I wanted to write a blog. I want the people in my life to truly know how grateful I am for them.
1. I'm thankful for the strength and grace behind my mother's words.
2. I'm thankful for the gentleness of my dad's smile.
3. I'm thankful for the generous and kind heart of my sister.
4. I'm thankful for the unconditional love of my husband. I am also thankful for his freckles...his smile...and how he looks wearing jeans. :)
5. I'm thankful for Big's freckles, smile, and the ability I have to crack him even when he is super mad. I love his desire to be better and his intensity towards things he cares about.
6. I'm thankful for Middle's beautiful blue eyes and his smile. His smile can light up a room...or a baseball field. I'm grateful for his giving heart and his concern at all times for his family.
7. I'm thankful for Little. His smile...his sweet heart...his nervous antics...I just love him so much.
8. I'm thankful for my family and friends. I have some that I can laugh with and some that I can cry with. Most of them have seen me do both and love me anyway. I'm thankful that my true friends allow me the chance to mess up and still want me in their lives. I love that the people in my life understand the "real" in me and can take it.
9. I'm thankful for my home. We have more stuff than we know what to do with. We live here. We can clean it up for a party in like 45 minutes and we can mess it up again in 5. My favorite time of the day is when the house is quiet and I can sit and be thankful for just that. I also love the noise that takes over when the kids have friends here...or when our football family comes over after a game.
10. I'm thankful for my job. I had no idea how the plan would come full circle when I turned 35, but it did. I love my students as my own children. I'm not sure if that is normal, but I do. I love watching them learn and have fun just as I do my own boys. I can't think of a better place for me to work than in my school. I'm grateful for all the support I've had and all the friendships I've made in that place. Work isn't really work...when you "work" at MGS.
11. I'm thankful for the health of our family. I've had the opportunity over the years to see how precious that health really is. I know how important those little things are and have learned not to take a single thing for-granted. I am grateful for my friends in the Kyrie Foundation and am so thankful that God prepared my heart to work with and for that cause.
12. I'm thankful for black Friday. (Sorry Pastor Rick...but, I am.) WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Let's do this.
Turkey
Nap
Shop
In that order.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of
Monday, November 18, 2013
Connecting Again
After spending time with my sweet Granny and Mom this weekend, I have a new perspective on my cell phone. It is always interesting to me to get someone else's view on a topic. On our three hour car ride home, we discussed many things as we were covered in packages and squished beyond belief. One of those being how disconnected our society is because of our cell phones. We've all seen the commercials. We've all seen the Facebook videos about putting your phone down and finding life again. What got me was my Granny's voice saying "I just don't get it." She was so sincere in her words and it really made me think. To be honest...I don't get it either. I don't know why we can't go ANYWHERE without our phones. I don't know why we can't sit through a dinner...or a movie...or a conversation without checking in with our friends, followers, etc. I am guilty. Guilty as charged. And hearing my Granny ask about our family dinners and our rules for phones made me kind of ashamed. We should be more present in our lives, yet we are living examples of what we dislike about our children and their phone habits. I say we because thinking there are others out there like me, makes me feel less "bad".
So...I'm challenging myself and my friends and family to put our phones down. Find a time in your day when you can sit and check all that the world has to offer via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Then...spend the rest of your day living in the present.
This is a difficult challenge. Don't think for a second that this will be easy. Make a list of the things you could do instead. I have a million things that "I never have time for". Yet, I find time to like statuses and pictures on social media sites. I miss out on important conversations that happen right in front of me because I get so concerned with conversations that are happening on FB.
Social media isn't a bad thing. It's like anything else in life. You have to find the right balance. Good luck friends! Just think of how proud your Granny will be if you connect again.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of3, 23
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So...I'm challenging myself and my friends and family to put our phones down. Find a time in your day when you can sit and check all that the world has to offer via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Then...spend the rest of your day living in the present.
This is a difficult challenge. Don't think for a second that this will be easy. Make a list of the things you could do instead. I have a million things that "I never have time for". Yet, I find time to like statuses and pictures on social media sites. I miss out on important conversations that happen right in front of me because I get so concerned with conversations that are happening on FB.
Social media isn't a bad thing. It's like anything else in life. You have to find the right balance. Good luck friends! Just think of how proud your Granny will be if you connect again.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of
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Friday, November 15, 2013
The Diorama (the full story)
Little enters stage left as I am checking the dinner in the oven. Not to my surprise, the chicken is under cooked and the middle child who is recovering from a stomach virus voices that he is starving and storms off in a rage. (a little exaggeration is included for dramatic effect)
Little: Mom...remember that diorama I have that is due tomorrow? blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...
(This is all I heard as I was thrown into full blown panic mode)
Me: What are you talking about?
Little: The Black Bear Habitat we have to turn in tomorrow. It's called a DI-OR-AMA. I need it to look like either Alaska or Canadia. (insert Little slapping his forehead here and correcting himself)
Little exits stage left. I panic. Then I talk myself out of a panic by logically thinking about the issue.
Me: There is no way he has a project due tomorrow. I would have known about this long before tonight.
Coach: I don't see anything in his backpack. Did the newsletter say anything?
Me: Not that I remember. (pretend the next few sentences are mumbled as I am eating Halloween candy to calm my nerves.) I swear I went through all of his papers from the last couple of weeks just yesterday. I didn't see anything. (Not that I remember. I did a quick run down before I divided them into the keep and throw away pile. I was cleaning my kitchen for the first time in awhile. I just wanted to find my counter tops.)
Me: I know...I'll just call his teacher and another mother in the class. They'll tell us this is either not true or due next week sometime. Little is just now getting the details...I am sure.
An hour later, we find out that the diorama is in fact due tomorrow. That they have been researching this in class and they were told to create a habitat to show their class...if they wanted to. Guess who INSISTED on showing the class...
I'll try not to bore you with anymore play by plays, but this whole scene took place in two hours I'm telling you...things got ugly. Most of you know this, but I am a new teacher/mom. Those two things don't always play nice with one another. Last night was one of those nights. As I was preparing sub plans for being gone today (which by the way is TOTALLY stressful and I believe there should be a college class just for sub planning), this ordeal shows up in my living room. Some children would take the "we'll work on it this weekend and turn it in on Monday" answer just fine. But not our Little. He does not do change well. He needed this project to be done. Now. He had no idea that we didn't know about it and I had no idea he'd been working so hard on this. This is of NO FAULT to his teacher. She sent the notes home. This is the fault of the new teacher/mom.
When things get tough...I like to do the following.
Little: Mom...remember that diorama I have that is due tomorrow? blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...
(This is all I heard as I was thrown into full blown panic mode)
Me: What are you talking about?
Little: The Black Bear Habitat we have to turn in tomorrow. It's called a DI-OR-AMA. I need it to look like either Alaska or Canadia. (insert Little slapping his forehead here and correcting himself)
Little exits stage left. I panic. Then I talk myself out of a panic by logically thinking about the issue.
Me: There is no way he has a project due tomorrow. I would have known about this long before tonight.
Coach: I don't see anything in his backpack. Did the newsletter say anything?
Me: Not that I remember. (pretend the next few sentences are mumbled as I am eating Halloween candy to calm my nerves.) I swear I went through all of his papers from the last couple of weeks just yesterday. I didn't see anything. (Not that I remember. I did a quick run down before I divided them into the keep and throw away pile. I was cleaning my kitchen for the first time in awhile. I just wanted to find my counter tops.)
Me: I know...I'll just call his teacher and another mother in the class. They'll tell us this is either not true or due next week sometime. Little is just now getting the details...I am sure.
An hour later, we find out that the diorama is in fact due tomorrow. That they have been researching this in class and they were told to create a habitat to show their class...if they wanted to. Guess who INSISTED on showing the class...
I'll try not to bore you with anymore play by plays, but this whole scene took place in two hours I'm telling you...things got ugly. Most of you know this, but I am a new teacher/mom. Those two things don't always play nice with one another. Last night was one of those nights. As I was preparing sub plans for being gone today (which by the way is TOTALLY stressful and I believe there should be a college class just for sub planning), this ordeal shows up in my living room. Some children would take the "we'll work on it this weekend and turn it in on Monday" answer just fine. But not our Little. He does not do change well. He needed this project to be done. Now. He had no idea that we didn't know about it and I had no idea he'd been working so hard on this. This is of NO FAULT to his teacher. She sent the notes home. This is the fault of the new teacher/mom.
When things get tough...I like to do the following.
- eat a candy bar
- yell at someone
- go to Target
- apologize
Usually in that very order. I actually told Big and Middle to get out of my way as I was heading out the door to Target. I didn't feel bad until I got to the Christmas section. I wandered aimlessly around looking for a black bear and some snow. All the while thinking...how did I miss this? I could feel my eye start twitching. That happens when I am overly stressed. I knew immediately what I needed...so I headed to Starbucks. I told the lady at the counter my story. I think she thought I was crazy, but she made me one heck of a skinny vanilla latte and told me good luck as I left.
When I got home, the boys were fast at work. Big was making a cave. Middle was cutting out trees. Little was coloring a river and Coach was gluing down rocks. As the five of us sat around the table helping Little...I realized that this crisis (I am dramatic...I know)...brought us together. Even after I had acted like a candy crazed maniac. The big boys were working to help Little because they knew it was important to him. It was great to see them working towards something that didn't benefit them in any way. I was kind of a proud momma bear. (no pun intended)
The benefit to being a new teacher/mom is that I get it. I understand that no parent has super powers. I know that no parent is always on top of everything and that probably...there were parents out there scrambling before our Presidential Wax Museum yesterday. And that's ok. I get it. The notes that came home...the ones you may or may not have read...the ones you probably threw away and felt accomplished because there was space on your counter again...it's okay.
My name is Amy Nelson. I have too much on my plate. I am a procrastinating, eye twitching, candy eating, project forgetting, new teacher mom.
And that's
OK.
Have a blessed day!
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