So I literally ran into the auditorium, trying to make it to my daughter's Grandparents Day/Thanksgiving Day celebration. Since I was running late from my work conference call and PreK always goes first as the youngest students, I missed her singing. Ugh. I feel horrible. My husband greeted me at the door and saw the frantic look on my face.
"Just say you thought the 'Gobble, Gobble' part was the best," he said.
My dad then walked up and offered me his seat up front. I sat by my mom and my in-laws, who dutifully watched the remaining grades do their presentations. At least Little K's grandparents were front & center. At least it wasn't Parents Day. But oh, how I wish I could have seen her. The personal one-act show that she did for me later was adorable but I hate to miss those little moments. Luckily, Little K hasn't asked me if I saw her because I don't want to lie, nor do I want her to know that her working mother didn't make it in time. I'm good at beating myself up over these things. Oh well. Better luck next time.
Until the next nap time...
Friday, November 20, 2009
Balancing Work and Family
Have you ever been torn between work commitments and family? I'm on a work conference call but need to go to my daughter's 10 am Thankgiving production. The call is important in that we're planning for next year and even talking about giving back to a local charity. Still, my child is my top priority. Hmmm... this will be interesting to step off this call. Ugh.
Until the next nap time...
Until the next nap time...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Faces in the Crowd: Helping Parents Create Memories
Yeah! I'm so excited. Reporter Flori Meeks wrote the article "Faces in the Crowd: Helping Parents Create Memories". The article reviews my book 100+ Activities for Houston Kids with input from recent purchasers. I hope you'll check it out at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/heights/news/6724686.html.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Emma Turns the Corner, Little K Preps for Grandparents
Good news! Emma gets to go home from the hospital. We are all thrilled and thankful for your prayers. Please continue to pray for her as radiation treatments will begin to prevent the tumor from returning again.
Little K has been preparing for Grandparents Day, which is celebrated on Nov. 20 at our school. Apparently, she'll carry up the gifts at the 8:15 am mass and later sing a song with her classmates. Then, we get to play hookie by going to eat with Little K's two grandmothers and two grandfathers. How lucky we are! It's too bad her great-grandparents couldn't join us but they'll be in our thoughts.
Any suggestions on special gifts for the Grandparents? I'd like to give them a small token in remembrance of the day.
Until the next nap time...
Little K has been preparing for Grandparents Day, which is celebrated on Nov. 20 at our school. Apparently, she'll carry up the gifts at the 8:15 am mass and later sing a song with her classmates. Then, we get to play hookie by going to eat with Little K's two grandmothers and two grandfathers. How lucky we are! It's too bad her great-grandparents couldn't join us but they'll be in our thoughts.
Any suggestions on special gifts for the Grandparents? I'd like to give them a small token in remembrance of the day.
Until the next nap time...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Thoughts at Bed Time
What a day. As I bathed Little K tonight, I yawned and told her how tired I was. It's just been a long day with heavy thoughts, yet hopeful thoughts. Our last report on our friend Emma was: "7pm update: Emma is recovering nicely in the PICU. She is amazing! Clapping in a rythym and singing "Hungry, Hungry Hippos.""
At Little K's bed time, I couldn't help but to think of how blessed I am to have a healthy child and a community that can raise up a family through thoughts and prayers. Everyone should have this.
After Little K went to bed and Trent returned home from a meeting, I finished reading the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Here's one of my favorites from the book:
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generousity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."
Until the next nap time...
At Little K's bed time, I couldn't help but to think of how blessed I am to have a healthy child and a community that can raise up a family through thoughts and prayers. Everyone should have this.
After Little K went to bed and Trent returned home from a meeting, I finished reading the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Here's one of my favorites from the book:
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generousity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."
Until the next nap time...
Eyes Wide Open
Here's the latest on our friend Emma from her mom's FaceBook page:
"3:30 update: Emma made it through with flying colors! Doc got all of the tumor on the brainstem. She looks fantastic, can open her eyes and talk. Next 24 hours-still need to pray!"
Come on friends. Keep those prayers coming!
Until the next nap time...
"3:30 update: Emma made it through with flying colors! Doc got all of the tumor on the brainstem. She looks fantastic, can open her eyes and talk. Next 24 hours-still need to pray!"
Come on friends. Keep those prayers coming!
Until the next nap time...
Pray for Emma... A Mother's Wish
This morning, I write with a heavy heart. Little K's friend Emma, who battled a brain tumor 1.5 years ago, is fighting again. They discovered on Saturday that her brain tumor had grown quite a bit since the last scan in September. The tumor is now blocking the fluid in her brain. Today, they are rushing her into surgery in hopes of removing the tumor. Radiation will follow for weeks.
In the midst of it all, Emma's mommy is due with their third child -- a boy -- next week so we're also praying that the little boy does not come early. As Jayne said, she needs to be with Emma first. The surgery today is quite nerve-wracking but absolutely required, not to mention the tough, yet precious, road that lies before this family.
Her mother is asking that we all keep Emma & their family in our thoughts & prayers today. A Mother's Wish... I think today this will be many mothers' wishes.
"Let us see your kindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation." - Psalm 85:8.
Until the next nap time...
In the midst of it all, Emma's mommy is due with their third child -- a boy -- next week so we're also praying that the little boy does not come early. As Jayne said, she needs to be with Emma first. The surgery today is quite nerve-wracking but absolutely required, not to mention the tough, yet precious, road that lies before this family.
Her mother is asking that we all keep Emma & their family in our thoughts & prayers today. A Mother's Wish... I think today this will be many mothers' wishes.
"Let us see your kindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation." - Psalm 85:8.
Until the next nap time...
Saturday, November 07, 2009
100+ Activities for Houston Kids Reviewed on Chronicle Blog
A fellow blogger has written a review of my book 100+ Activities For Houston Kids on the Houston Chronicle blog site. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your comments and reviews!
http://blogs.chron.com/westsidestory/2009/10/kids_activities_abound_in_west_1.html
http://blogs.chron.com/westsidestory/2009/10/kids_activities_abound_in_west_1.html
Friday, November 06, 2009
Breakfast Time Laughs
So this morning, I was telling Little K how important it was for her to drink her OJ in hopes of her kicking the cough she has. Then, I told my husband the same thing. Yes, I'm bossy.
Trent poured his big glass of OJ and it looked so good that I decided to pour myself a small glass. I filled two small cups with crushed ice and then started pouring in the OJ for me and my daughter. Suddenly, I realized that my OJ looked much thicker than the juice in my husband's cup. Hmm... that's weird, I thought. I continued pouring.
"Oh my gosh!" I shouted. "Look at what I did. I'm pouring Egg Beaters into our juice glasses."
We all laughed as my husband & I tried to get the Egg Beaters out of the cups and into the omelette pan for breakfast.
"At least you didn't try to cook the orange juice," my husband laughed.
Clearly, I had not had my caffeine yet. Until the next nap time...
Trent poured his big glass of OJ and it looked so good that I decided to pour myself a small glass. I filled two small cups with crushed ice and then started pouring in the OJ for me and my daughter. Suddenly, I realized that my OJ looked much thicker than the juice in my husband's cup. Hmm... that's weird, I thought. I continued pouring.
"Oh my gosh!" I shouted. "Look at what I did. I'm pouring Egg Beaters into our juice glasses."
We all laughed as my husband & I tried to get the Egg Beaters out of the cups and into the omelette pan for breakfast.
"At least you didn't try to cook the orange juice," my husband laughed.
Clearly, I had not had my caffeine yet. Until the next nap time...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
How Embarassing! I'm Not Old
So my daughter had a play date with another 4-year-old yesterday in our neighborhood. When I picked up Little K to head home, her mother told me the most interesting thing.
Little K apparently had given the friend's mom a big hug. In response, the mom said: "Thank you. That was so nice of you to give me a hug."
Little K responded: "I love to give old people hugs."
Yes, really, she said that. When I left with my head hanging in shame, I told my fellow mom, "I think you look so young." Her husband looked oddly at both of us. He knew he shouldn't ask.
Until the next nap time...
Little K apparently had given the friend's mom a big hug. In response, the mom said: "Thank you. That was so nice of you to give me a hug."
Little K responded: "I love to give old people hugs."
Yes, really, she said that. When I left with my head hanging in shame, I told my fellow mom, "I think you look so young." Her husband looked oddly at both of us. He knew he shouldn't ask.
Until the next nap time...
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