After such a long weekend I was very thankful that we had nothing planned yesterday. It was so nice to regroup before all the craziness. We spent the day just doing mundane things like cleaning. The girls also did their schoolwork, and I actually cooked a yummy dinner. We finished off the night by watching X-Men. It was just what the doctor ordered, and I felt ready to tackle the world when I woke up this morning.
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Gandhi
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thankful for the Ways Bear is NOT Like Me
Today Bear had another gymnastics meet. Overall her team did very well. In facet Claire did well too. The judges scored low on beam in general, so while her score was 8.5 (lower than the last meet) she still got 7th place. Her goal for the meet was to get over 9.0 on something, and she did on both vault and floor. That brings us to bars... She had a LOT of trouble. It started when she missed her shoot through. Then she missed her mill circle. I could see her fighting back tears as she mounted the bars one final time. With determination I can only imagine, she did the shoot through and fought her way through the mill circle. Then she finished her routine and saluted the judges. Only after she stepped off the mat did she collapse into her coaches arms crying. That coach comforted her, and then passed her off to Coach Julie, who I have waxed poetic about in the past. Coach Julie snuggled her for a minute, and then it was back to business.
The most amazing part of this story is that bars were the first event. After a start like that many kids might have messed up the whole meet, but not Claire. You could see the determination on her face as she warmed up for beam. When I asked her later how she was feeling at that moment she said, "I was thinking I'm gonna do great on my next skill!" You could see that in her face. She was pissed off, and she wasn't going to let anything beat her. That impresses me more than any of her actual gymnastics skills because I just don't have that ability to garner strength from adversity. It's not that I am a quitter, but it takes me time to recover from something like that. I may have been able to gather myself in time for the next meet, but definitely not for the next event. So today I extremely thankful that Claire is so tenacious.
The most amazing part of this story is that bars were the first event. After a start like that many kids might have messed up the whole meet, but not Claire. You could see the determination on her face as she warmed up for beam. When I asked her later how she was feeling at that moment she said, "I was thinking I'm gonna do great on my next skill!" You could see that in her face. She was pissed off, and she wasn't going to let anything beat her. That impresses me more than any of her actual gymnastics skills because I just don't have that ability to garner strength from adversity. It's not that I am a quitter, but it takes me time to recover from something like that. I may have been able to gather myself in time for the next meet, but definitely not for the next event. So today I extremely thankful that Claire is so tenacious.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thankful for Coach Julie
It's the beginning of what could be a long weekend. Bear has her second competition tomorrow, and because of the schedule we are going to stay at a hotel near the meet. As I have mentioned before I practically get sick when my kids are involved in competitions. So as this weekend approached I had my usual symptoms of bad dreams and nausea.
So what to be thankful for today...
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is Bear's coach Julie. You see, as of Wednesday she was not going to be able to make it to this meet. Bear's other regular coach would be there, plus a replacement coach who Bear knows, but hasn't worked with much. As of yesterday, Julie is coming to the meet which is great news because Bear and I really trust Julie. I'm not sure if it is because she is a mom, or because she is a bit older, or because she was a competitive gymnast. I just really trust her. She has a way of pushing for the best from the girls without taking the fun out of it. She also seems to read them better than the other coaches which is wonderful when you are trying to figure out what to say to a little girl who just fell off the balance beam. Anyway, I feel very thankful that Julie will be with Bear tomorrow. Since I am not allowed past the velvet rope, it is nice to know that someone I trust is back there with her.
So what to be thankful for today...
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is Bear's coach Julie. You see, as of Wednesday she was not going to be able to make it to this meet. Bear's other regular coach would be there, plus a replacement coach who Bear knows, but hasn't worked with much. As of yesterday, Julie is coming to the meet which is great news because Bear and I really trust Julie. I'm not sure if it is because she is a mom, or because she is a bit older, or because she was a competitive gymnast. I just really trust her. She has a way of pushing for the best from the girls without taking the fun out of it. She also seems to read them better than the other coaches which is wonderful when you are trying to figure out what to say to a little girl who just fell off the balance beam. Anyway, I feel very thankful that Julie will be with Bear tomorrow. Since I am not allowed past the velvet rope, it is nice to know that someone I trust is back there with her.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thankful for Shoes
Shoes may seem like a strange thing to make my list, but I am thankful for them for two reasons today. The first is a silly personal reason. I have been wearing the same black loafers for 4 years. For the past 2 years they have had holes in the soles. When the first hole appeared I began to look for shoes. I searched every store that sold shoes, and I could not find a pair that met all my criteria. My criteria weren't all that crazy. I wanted shoes that were in my budget, looked decent, and felt comfortable. So when it became apparent that I was not going to find what i wanted, I did what anyone would do. I resorted to duct tape. I pulled up the insole and patched the hole with duct tape. Then I replaced the insole. I repeated this procedure several times over the past couple years, and even bought new cushy insoles at one point. Of course each time I fixed the bottom it was more apparent that I NEEDED to find shoes. Finally yesterday, after enduring the ridicule of my peers, I found a pair of shoes that I could buy, and feel pretty good about. And so with no great sadness I bid adieu to my old shoes...
The second reason I have to be thankful for shoes involves the Earth Scouts group that we participate in. My favorite component in of the group is service opportunity. This month we held a shoe drive for Share Your Soles. This is a group that collects gently used and new shoes and sends them to people around the world in need. Shoes are one thing that I never considered necessary except in extremely cold places, but the information we were given prior to this service project surprised me. I hadn't considered how far many people have to travel for resources that we take for granted such as water and education. So our group placed a collection box in the library, passed out fliers to the neighborhood, and gathered shoes from our own friends and family. As it turns out we collected a big pile of shoes. I guess more than being thankful for the shoes I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of something good.
The second reason I have to be thankful for shoes involves the Earth Scouts group that we participate in. My favorite component in of the group is service opportunity. This month we held a shoe drive for Share Your Soles. This is a group that collects gently used and new shoes and sends them to people around the world in need. Shoes are one thing that I never considered necessary except in extremely cold places, but the information we were given prior to this service project surprised me. I hadn't considered how far many people have to travel for resources that we take for granted such as water and education. So our group placed a collection box in the library, passed out fliers to the neighborhood, and gathered shoes from our own friends and family. As it turns out we collected a big pile of shoes. I guess more than being thankful for the shoes I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of something good.
Here's a picture of the group with the giant pile of shoes.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thankful for Creativity
I don't think that as a child I was particularly prone to creativity. Partly it is just my personality. Even as a child I felt that there needed to be a purpose to my actions, and so much creativity seems pointless. The fruits of all this creativity seldom end up on the walls or displayed in any way, and do it felt like a waste of time to me. The other reason was that I was always afraid that I was dong it wrong. I felt that I wasn't good at art, and, as a child, I refused to even try things I wasn't good at. So I spent the better part of childhood avoiding opportunities to be creative.
When I first became a teacher I was stunned by how much my students loved to create. It didn't matter that most of the work they did ended up in the trash at the end of the day. It didn't matter that the block castle that they spent hours building had to be torn down before lunch. Most of the time they saw their creativity for what it was, a process.
So when I had children and for some reason decided to homeschool them, I was prepared for their creativity. I was prepared for the way they alternate between seriousness and whimsy when creating. It's rubbing off on me too. We spent hours yesterday making paper snowflakes, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Check out this great video about creativity.
Schools Kill Creativitty
When I first became a teacher I was stunned by how much my students loved to create. It didn't matter that most of the work they did ended up in the trash at the end of the day. It didn't matter that the block castle that they spent hours building had to be torn down before lunch. Most of the time they saw their creativity for what it was, a process.
So when I had children and for some reason decided to homeschool them, I was prepared for their creativity. I was prepared for the way they alternate between seriousness and whimsy when creating. It's rubbing off on me too. We spent hours yesterday making paper snowflakes, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Check out this great video about creativity.
Schools Kill Creativitty
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Thankful for My Problems
Yesterday was a rough day. In fact, it took me most of the day to find my thankfulness; and in truth, I am not sure my heart was in it even then. As I lay in bed last night worrying I was struck with the realization that my worries are so small.
True I had to spend $150 on a battery for a car that I am hoping not to own for more than a month or two. More importantly, I could afford to buy that battery. Also, while I was waiting for the battery to be changed I got to go out to lunch with my parents and my kids. Most importantly, in a few months I am probably going to get a mini van that is in great shape without having to take on a car payment.
Another problem yesterday was the discovery that Q-bert told me a lie that caused me to tell a lie. I was so upset by this. Trust is so important to me, and I do not trust easily. When I back away from the situation I can see that this is just a normal part of growing up. I can also be thankful that when I expressed how hurt and betrayed I felt, she felt almost as bad as I did. So although her pain caused me more pain, it also made me proud of her and gave me hope that this stage will pass quickly.
I also spent a lot of yesterday feeling like I need to clone myself. I spend a lot of time feeling that way. It seems like there is never enough of me to go around. Of course I should feel special and loved, and I do on most days, but when I feel like I am failing everyone that doesn't help. Still, I do feel good that those around me appreciate me so much.
So you see, every single problem I was worrying about was something to be thankful for.
True I had to spend $150 on a battery for a car that I am hoping not to own for more than a month or two. More importantly, I could afford to buy that battery. Also, while I was waiting for the battery to be changed I got to go out to lunch with my parents and my kids. Most importantly, in a few months I am probably going to get a mini van that is in great shape without having to take on a car payment.
Another problem yesterday was the discovery that Q-bert told me a lie that caused me to tell a lie. I was so upset by this. Trust is so important to me, and I do not trust easily. When I back away from the situation I can see that this is just a normal part of growing up. I can also be thankful that when I expressed how hurt and betrayed I felt, she felt almost as bad as I did. So although her pain caused me more pain, it also made me proud of her and gave me hope that this stage will pass quickly.
I also spent a lot of yesterday feeling like I need to clone myself. I spend a lot of time feeling that way. It seems like there is never enough of me to go around. Of course I should feel special and loved, and I do on most days, but when I feel like I am failing everyone that doesn't help. Still, I do feel good that those around me appreciate me so much.
So you see, every single problem I was worrying about was something to be thankful for.
Thankful for Family
As I sit here this morning trying to recover from Q-bert's math lesson I am finding it difficult to practice thankfulness. Sometimes, like everyone I suppose, I feel negative thoughts creeping in. My oldest daughter struggles with negativity often, and for some reason her emotions and mine always seem to be intertwined. Today seems to be an especially negative day for her, and so I thought to help boost both our moods I would write about more things I am thankful for.
Lots of people say they are thankful for their family, but I truly have reason to be. Obviously, I think my hubbie is great. As I have mentioned in the past, he just knows me. He can anticipate how most situations will affect me, and he cares enough to try to buffer them for me. I have written at length about my two awesome daughters. Q-bert keeps me on my toes with all the insightful things she comes up with.
The surprise is how lucky I am to have my parents. For example, the battery died on my car yesterday. Not only did my parents come rescue me with jumper cable, but my Dad offered to check the battery for me. I didn't take him up on it because NTB does it for free, but I feel so lucky that he would offer. My Mom helped with my Christmas shopping. My Dad helped my husband with a big plumbing project all Christmas weekend. My Mom is always available when I need her.
I listen to others talk about the relationship they have (or don't have), and it makes me so thankful that I have the relationship I do. I also, love the relationship between my parents and my kids, btu that is another post.
Lots of people say they are thankful for their family, but I truly have reason to be. Obviously, I think my hubbie is great. As I have mentioned in the past, he just knows me. He can anticipate how most situations will affect me, and he cares enough to try to buffer them for me. I have written at length about my two awesome daughters. Q-bert keeps me on my toes with all the insightful things she comes up with.
The surprise is how lucky I am to have my parents. For example, the battery died on my car yesterday. Not only did my parents come rescue me with jumper cable, but my Dad offered to check the battery for me. I didn't take him up on it because NTB does it for free, but I feel so lucky that he would offer. My Mom helped with my Christmas shopping. My Dad helped my husband with a big plumbing project all Christmas weekend. My Mom is always available when I need her.
I listen to others talk about the relationship they have (or don't have), and it makes me so thankful that I have the relationship I do. I also, love the relationship between my parents and my kids, btu that is another post.
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