Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
What heaven feels like
Stuck with a numb arm and baby napping in my lap.
But I wouldn't want it any other way.
Finally, while at the end of my "mom of young children" season, I've come to (nearly) master the art of staying home with a preschooler.
Off to the library tomorrow. This kid has had me read every book in the house.
Small update: the ENT confirmed his hearing loss due to empyema near his eardrums. (No surprise here, how many kids say, "speak up I can't hear you?") Another surgery is planned soon, but all is well.
But I wouldn't want it any other way.
Finally, while at the end of my "mom of young children" season, I've come to (nearly) master the art of staying home with a preschooler.
Off to the library tomorrow. This kid has had me read every book in the house.
Small update: the ENT confirmed his hearing loss due to empyema near his eardrums. (No surprise here, how many kids say, "speak up I can't hear you?") Another surgery is planned soon, but all is well.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Raea- 4th Grade
Favorite color: blueFavorite food: cupcakes
Favorite activity: soccer
What makes you happy?: "making people happy"
What makes you sad?: "When my friends are mad at me. And when people hurt me."
What do you like about school?: "Everything"
What do you like about your family?: "That they are competitive and funny."
Teeth loss count: 8
Height: 54 inches
Weight: 64 lbs
Last year: http://skinnerfamilynews.blogspot.com/2010/09/raea-2010.html
Larissa- Kindergarten
Favorite color: "I like green because I don't like pink anymore, and Mandi doesn't like pink either. But I kinda like red and yellow"
Favorite food: carrots and ranch
Favorite activity: crafts
What makes you happy?: "Christmas because you get a lot of presents"
What makes you sad?: Nothing
What do you like about your family?: Playing
Teeth loss count: 1
Height: 47 inches
Weight: 47 lbs
Last year: http://skinnerfamilynews.blogspot.com/2010/09/larissa-2010.html
Ethan- 1st Grade
Favorite color: indigo
Favorite food: spaghetti
Favorite activity: checkers
Favorite animal: remora
What makes you happy?: "you"
What makes you sad?: "when someone hits me or hurts my feelings"
What do you like about school?: math
What do you like about your family?: "That they are a good family, and they love me no matter what"
Teeth loss count: 1
Height: 51 inches
Weight: 51 lbs
Last year: http://skinnerfamilynews.blogspot.com/2010/09/ethan-2010.html
Herston- Three Class
Favorite color: orangeFavorite food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite activity: have a party to the beach
Favorite animal: cheetah
What makes you happy?: toys
What makes you sad?: fighting
What do you like about your family? Ethan and you and Dad and Raea
Do you like school? Yeah!
Height: 41 inches
Weight: 41 lbs
Every day is a lesson
I have always thought that the oldest and the youngest are treated differently. Today I saw that manifested.
Who do I think I am?!? As an Arizona mother, I realized today I never taught my three year old how to wear flip-flops.
Who do I think I am?!? As an Arizona mother, I realized today I never taught my three year old how to wear flip-flops.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
How did I get here, part II
Sometimes you feel the spirit so strong, it is selfish to keep it to yourself.
I was driving home from Eager three years ago. It was a weekend trip with just me and my kids. I was driving home when the phone rang.
"Hi, Ruth? I just wanted to congratulate you. You were one of only 10 employees we have selected for the nurse practitioner scholarship."
"oh."
"Did you hear me ok? You got the scholarship."
The rest of the phone call was a blur. I just remember having to pull over afterwards and started crying. I would be obligated to work full time for 3 years. It was not tears of joy; I was scared out of my mind.
Fast forward two years. I thought everything was making sense. I had spent the last two years working in the Neuro ICU and going to school. Because of my neurology and intensive care experience, I was the first in my class to get a job offer-- make that 3 offers. I choose the more elite position with the best doctors, but it had a 50 minute commute.
I only had the job for a couple months, and I had just sent another kid to school that was probably too sick for learning when I started crying on my way to work. I had made the wrong choice. I was supposed to be home with my kids. I was working too hard.
This was the roughest time in my life, and my kids were struggling, too. Just when I needed friends the most, I was "too busy" for them.
And then the bomb dropped. The doctors I had been commuting for pulled out of my faraway hospital. I didn't know what that meant for me, but it felt... Ok.
There isn't many times you get a second chance.
I waited a couple months to weigh my options. One of the only opportunities available was to go back to nights (one of my original options). My husband was concerned for "my body and my temperament", but we have done it before.
Then one of my original doctors, and now friend, offered me a job. I was going to go to the meeting with the HR rep to gather information and then politely tell them I needed to work less. He met me there and said "go home, talk to your husband, and then tell me the schedule you want."
It was my dream job.
But I wasn't going to make the wrong choice again. I was reading one of my parenting books for insight when I was prompted to make a call to a local mother that I respected for help.
"Oh, Ruth. I don't know what you should do, but I know that your daughter was absolutely giddy when you were home on Monday."
I wasn't planning to have lunch with her or even volunteer in the classroom, but she was happy to know I was going to be close.
"Mom, when I turn the corner walking home from school, I pray your car is in the driveway."
Saturday, I headed to the temple; I needed more meditation and personal revelation. Clear as day it hit me:
1. Home one day a week for therapy appointments.
2. Home in the morning before school.
3. Home when they get home for school.
Unfortunately, I could only see this working if I was back at nights.
The Family Proclamation says, "mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." My decision was not based upon what is best for me; it is what is best for my children.
Me and the owl. Friends again.
I was driving home from Eager three years ago. It was a weekend trip with just me and my kids. I was driving home when the phone rang.
"Hi, Ruth? I just wanted to congratulate you. You were one of only 10 employees we have selected for the nurse practitioner scholarship."
"oh."
"Did you hear me ok? You got the scholarship."
The rest of the phone call was a blur. I just remember having to pull over afterwards and started crying. I would be obligated to work full time for 3 years. It was not tears of joy; I was scared out of my mind.
Fast forward two years. I thought everything was making sense. I had spent the last two years working in the Neuro ICU and going to school. Because of my neurology and intensive care experience, I was the first in my class to get a job offer-- make that 3 offers. I choose the more elite position with the best doctors, but it had a 50 minute commute.
I only had the job for a couple months, and I had just sent another kid to school that was probably too sick for learning when I started crying on my way to work. I had made the wrong choice. I was supposed to be home with my kids. I was working too hard.
This was the roughest time in my life, and my kids were struggling, too. Just when I needed friends the most, I was "too busy" for them.
And then the bomb dropped. The doctors I had been commuting for pulled out of my faraway hospital. I didn't know what that meant for me, but it felt... Ok.
There isn't many times you get a second chance.
I waited a couple months to weigh my options. One of the only opportunities available was to go back to nights (one of my original options). My husband was concerned for "my body and my temperament", but we have done it before.
Then one of my original doctors, and now friend, offered me a job. I was going to go to the meeting with the HR rep to gather information and then politely tell them I needed to work less. He met me there and said "go home, talk to your husband, and then tell me the schedule you want."
It was my dream job.
But I wasn't going to make the wrong choice again. I was reading one of my parenting books for insight when I was prompted to make a call to a local mother that I respected for help.
"Oh, Ruth. I don't know what you should do, but I know that your daughter was absolutely giddy when you were home on Monday."
I wasn't planning to have lunch with her or even volunteer in the classroom, but she was happy to know I was going to be close.
"Mom, when I turn the corner walking home from school, I pray your car is in the driveway."
Saturday, I headed to the temple; I needed more meditation and personal revelation. Clear as day it hit me:
1. Home one day a week for therapy appointments.
2. Home in the morning before school.
3. Home when they get home for school.
Unfortunately, I could only see this working if I was back at nights.
The Family Proclamation says, "mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." My decision was not based upon what is best for me; it is what is best for my children.
Me and the owl. Friends again.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Love Letters
Deep cleaning and found this gem in Larissa's treasure box from Ethan.
This morning I got to watch Larissa stand up for Ethan.
I love my kids' love.
This morning I got to watch Larissa stand up for Ethan.
I love my kids' love.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Super kids
Loved this idea! Celebrating the super day with super capes and super kids.
Love watching Super E and his sidekick, Super H, in action.
Love watching Super E and his sidekick, Super H, in action.
Heart Attack-- Happy Valentines
Last night we attacked door steps with cut-out hearts. By the end, everyone had memorized John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you."
Not sure where [Ethan's] scary heart ended up.
Not sure where [Ethan's] scary heart ended up.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Child a God
"I am a child of God, and so my needs are great."
I have a child with a low threshold for stimuli. Unfortunately, the crying session can lasts hours until she passes out. Nothing I can say, negotiate, or do can stop them once they start.
Tonight I laid down next to her and began singing "I am a child of God". I wish I could say I helped her...
But I can say it helped me.
This beautiful being is a special child of God, with many needs, and this song is just a perfect reminder for parents.
I love my life and my children.
"I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows to late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with hime once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday."
I have a child with a low threshold for stimuli. Unfortunately, the crying session can lasts hours until she passes out. Nothing I can say, negotiate, or do can stop them once they start.
Tonight I laid down next to her and began singing "I am a child of God". I wish I could say I helped her...
But I can say it helped me.
This beautiful being is a special child of God, with many needs, and this song is just a perfect reminder for parents.
I love my life and my children.
"I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows to late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with hime once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday."
Saturday, February 4, 2012
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