1. I decided to do 7 quick takes again and it's actually Friday! I really like writing this way, though there's not much going on so I am not sure I will end up actually having 7.
2. Jadin finally brought home one of those dreaded christian character awards. I really wanted to take it back and talk to the teacher about the whole thing. M. wasn't on board with it. I also got to ask our Pastor about it (again!) only because I was at church for a meeting, and he said to just keep it. Sigh. Still think it's not right.
3.The weather is finally improving here. It's hard to believe we made it through another winter. It was in the 70s yesterday! Even wind couldn't spoil it for me. It is going to be cooler the next few days but we are still talking 40s.
4.I overdid it on the flute yesterday and my mouth HURTS! I was told to keep it at about 30 min. every day, but, seriously, it takes me 45 min just to warm up. Anyways, 3.5 hours is probably too much even for me but the kids were playing happily and I am enjoying myself too much, it's hard to put it down.
5. When I was a little girl and refused to practice piano, my mom always told me how grandma used to punish her for being bad by locking her piano and not letting her practice (my piano has a little lock with a key, though I don't remember seing that key). I have to confess I wished more than once that my mom punish ME that way, too. All I got was more time practicing :) Now I feel the same way about the flute. I giuess, piano was simply not the right instrument for me :)
6.I noticed that Rachael is much happier when Daniel is at home. He only goes to school three days a week now and they play so well together. We will be getting a higher water bill this month (they like splashing in the sink together) but it's totally worth it to me.
7. Rachael likes to run around the house naked. I often come to the living room and find that she took all her clothes off (again). She is soooo cute, but though we keep our house warm, it's still not THAT warm. She can put on her panties and pants by herself but I still have to help her with the shirt (on the way on, she seems to have nooooo problem getting rid of it.)
Happy Friday, friends!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
God Moments
**Special thanks to Brooke for encouraging me to update this blog. If you need the encouragement, I am sure she will be happy to provide it for a small fee. She has a magic touch)**
Ok, not major ones. If you were not a believer in God you would probably just call them coincidences. Fine by me (I am not the one going to hell).
So, a couple of weeks ago I was looking at my flute warm-ups thinking to myself 'Boy, I wish I had a wider variety of these exercises so that I can spend more time on improving my tone.' Lo and behold, the first words out of my teacher's mouth at the next lesson were 'I want you to buy this book' (yes, it's the one I mentioned in my previous post light years ago). And today it came.
Be careful what you wish for, God does listen. From today on I will be spending about half an hour every day playing the same 12 notes between 1st B and 2nd B over and over again at a paaaaainfully slow tempo. Yes, for about half an hour (or longer if I am more diligent).
On the bright side, the book says I should improve. Eventually...(aren't you glad you are not my neighbor?) LOL.
Another 'God moment' started at church. I played flute during worship service for the first time in a couple of months. This little fifth grader comes running up to me afterwards, her face lit with absolute delight and excitement. I know the little girl quite well, we are a small church and she happens to absolutely adore small children of which I had three in the past few years (Rachael is still in that adorable age of grabbing A's attention whenever they see each other. She loves the attention, A loves giving it to her and I love the free time I get to talk to ADULTS. It's a win-win-win :). So we bonded over that. But I have never seen her THAT exited and though our pastor is a great preacher I doubted she was old enough to get that much from his sermon.
Turns out, since she will be starting 6th grade next year and they are required to take band, she will be learning to play the clarinet (I am not sure what it has to do with the flute, but in her mind it is obviously connected). I am sure that particular instrument was chosen because her dad used to play it in middle school and kept it after he was (allowed to be) done. It does require repair, but they already have it. She told me she can't wait to start to which I said 'great! we can practice together!' She was so, so excited! I even found a couple of teachers for her and gave their names to her mom.
So, like I just said, my flute book came in the mail today. Guess what else I found in that package? Yes, three books for B flat clarinet! The note said 'Thank you! Bonus books inside' The seller mush have decided to clear her/his music and sent these three books to me. Providentially, all three are for the clarinet and now she has some books to start learning. And we can practice together :) (that should make those long tones a little less boring)
Ok, not major ones. If you were not a believer in God you would probably just call them coincidences. Fine by me (I am not the one going to hell).
So, a couple of weeks ago I was looking at my flute warm-ups thinking to myself 'Boy, I wish I had a wider variety of these exercises so that I can spend more time on improving my tone.' Lo and behold, the first words out of my teacher's mouth at the next lesson were 'I want you to buy this book' (yes, it's the one I mentioned in my previous post light years ago). And today it came.
Be careful what you wish for, God does listen. From today on I will be spending about half an hour every day playing the same 12 notes between 1st B and 2nd B over and over again at a paaaaainfully slow tempo. Yes, for about half an hour (or longer if I am more diligent).
On the bright side, the book says I should improve. Eventually...(aren't you glad you are not my neighbor?) LOL.
Another 'God moment' started at church. I played flute during worship service for the first time in a couple of months. This little fifth grader comes running up to me afterwards, her face lit with absolute delight and excitement. I know the little girl quite well, we are a small church and she happens to absolutely adore small children of which I had three in the past few years (Rachael is still in that adorable age of grabbing A's attention whenever they see each other. She loves the attention, A loves giving it to her and I love the free time I get to talk to ADULTS. It's a win-win-win :). So we bonded over that. But I have never seen her THAT exited and though our pastor is a great preacher I doubted she was old enough to get that much from his sermon.
Turns out, since she will be starting 6th grade next year and they are required to take band, she will be learning to play the clarinet (I am not sure what it has to do with the flute, but in her mind it is obviously connected). I am sure that particular instrument was chosen because her dad used to play it in middle school and kept it after he was (allowed to be) done. It does require repair, but they already have it. She told me she can't wait to start to which I said 'great! we can practice together!' She was so, so excited! I even found a couple of teachers for her and gave their names to her mom.
So, like I just said, my flute book came in the mail today. Guess what else I found in that package? Yes, three books for B flat clarinet! The note said 'Thank you! Bonus books inside' The seller mush have decided to clear her/his music and sent these three books to me. Providentially, all three are for the clarinet and now she has some books to start learning. And we can practice together :) (that should make those long tones a little less boring)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Few Words Wednesday
I ordered this book at the recommendation of my teacher (and saved 10$ by ordering vs. buying it at the music store where I have my lessons). Ahhh, tone work. Don't you love it? You do? What is wrong with you???!!!
It should be here in a week. Until then I will go slur my octaves. FUN! (sarcasm, obviously)
It should be here in a week. Until then I will go slur my octaves. FUN! (sarcasm, obviously)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Visit.
Remember the drama with a busted ear drum? Well, it didn't end there, though we were fortunate enough to have it happen on Wednesday and Thursday, because Grandpa and Grandma came to visit on Friday and by then Daniel was feeling a little better.
Our Grandparents have really high expectations when it comes to keeping a clean house. Needless to say, when they come to visit I start freaking out (I do have three small children and eating in the living room is not a crime in this house, so, yes, our floors do have an occasional crumb on them, let alone toys) Add to that an early phone call from a friend and spending all morning with her and all three of those children having been sick for the last three weeks and you will get the idea about my mental state (and the state of my house).
Well, at least the kids were really happy. They ADORE grandparents. The first thing Rachael asks when she wakes up is 'Where's Grandma?' Unfortunately I have no pictures, because I was too busy with meals/laundry/cleaning up. Throw in a couple of adults in my tiny kitchen all giving me advice and a work out/flute practice time, and it's amazing I am as sane as I am (ok, I did manage to put pepper shaker in the fridge and do some other things that an adult in a normal healthy state of mind probably wouldn't do, but other than that I am doing pretty well (insert hysterical laughing here).
So, to 'more drama' part. Rachael woke up on Sunday morning kind of crabby. I was hoping Grandparents would help take care of the kids during worship team practice, but they decided to stay home. It's a good thing they did. I could hear her crying the whole time we were practicing. In addition to that practicing wasn't good. Someone told me (quite meanly) that I was playing too close to their ear. Also when the piano and vocals could not keep the same tempo for some reason they decided to 'kick the drummer (me)' so to speak. So, after we played through all the songs once I went to investigate Rachael's continuous crying. (it was obvious that no additional practicing would make us sound any better as a group, for that we would have to grow EARS and start listening to each other instead of being soloists) One look at her miserable face and rubbing of the ear and I was on my way to Rapid Care (they are open on Sundays, a great alternative to the ER) where I ended up spending my morning. M wasn't happy, he thought I should wait till Monday because 'we can't be sure it's an ear infection'. Who's 'we'?
Turned out, I was right.(And that is why God gave children MOTHERS. So that they can survive the childhood). Another child with an ear infection. It's amazing what a dose of antibiotics can do to a child, though! By evening service she was her regular happy self. I keep telling M. that Mother's gut is Always right!
Well, grandparents are on the way home, ear infections are being dealt with, Daniel got a few much needed spankings (which resulted in a MUCH better attitude). Now, a work out and some time with the flute and my sanity might make a come back.
Our Grandparents have really high expectations when it comes to keeping a clean house. Needless to say, when they come to visit I start freaking out (I do have three small children and eating in the living room is not a crime in this house, so, yes, our floors do have an occasional crumb on them, let alone toys) Add to that an early phone call from a friend and spending all morning with her and all three of those children having been sick for the last three weeks and you will get the idea about my mental state (and the state of my house).
Well, at least the kids were really happy. They ADORE grandparents. The first thing Rachael asks when she wakes up is 'Where's Grandma?' Unfortunately I have no pictures, because I was too busy with meals/laundry/cleaning up. Throw in a couple of adults in my tiny kitchen all giving me advice and a work out/flute practice time, and it's amazing I am as sane as I am (ok, I did manage to put pepper shaker in the fridge and do some other things that an adult in a normal healthy state of mind probably wouldn't do, but other than that I am doing pretty well (insert hysterical laughing here).
So, to 'more drama' part. Rachael woke up on Sunday morning kind of crabby. I was hoping Grandparents would help take care of the kids during worship team practice, but they decided to stay home. It's a good thing they did. I could hear her crying the whole time we were practicing. In addition to that practicing wasn't good. Someone told me (quite meanly) that I was playing too close to their ear. Also when the piano and vocals could not keep the same tempo for some reason they decided to 'kick the drummer (me)' so to speak. So, after we played through all the songs once I went to investigate Rachael's continuous crying. (it was obvious that no additional practicing would make us sound any better as a group, for that we would have to grow EARS and start listening to each other instead of being soloists) One look at her miserable face and rubbing of the ear and I was on my way to Rapid Care (they are open on Sundays, a great alternative to the ER) where I ended up spending my morning. M wasn't happy, he thought I should wait till Monday because 'we can't be sure it's an ear infection'. Who's 'we'?
Turned out, I was right.(And that is why God gave children MOTHERS. So that they can survive the childhood). Another child with an ear infection. It's amazing what a dose of antibiotics can do to a child, though! By evening service she was her regular happy self. I keep telling M. that Mother's gut is Always right!
Well, grandparents are on the way home, ear infections are being dealt with, Daniel got a few much needed spankings (which resulted in a MUCH better attitude). Now, a work out and some time with the flute and my sanity might make a come back.
Friday, March 18, 2011
My Most Favorite Picture Of Them All.
Remember that first picture of Daniel I mentioned I really wanted to post on his birthday and couldn't find? My friend and doula who actually took it e-maild it to me. So, here it is:
Awww, my baby! Miracle in the making. What more can I say.
Awww, my baby! Miracle in the making. What more can I say.
A Bit Of A Difficult Situation
Not for me. We are all fine and I am happy to see Daniel feeling better and playing and laughing again. Those antibiotics must be working. Today is his first fever-free day.
I was awaken by a phone call this morning (awaken rather late, by the way, had it not been for that phone call Jadin would have been VERY late for school). I didn't make it in time to actually get it but my friend left me a message. I was very surprised by that call because though we were close in the past and talked a lot on the phone she stopped calling me once she got more independent, learned to drive a car and started working on and off.
She was crying as she told me her husband wants a divorce. Hers has never been a happy marriage, she is mail order bride and a Christian married to a guy hostile to Christianity. Yes, she was told it wasn't the right decision, but it is what it is. She decided to marry the guy anyway. She is not happy with him, and never has been. There's a lot of things he is doing that are wrong. She also thinks he's cheated on her (heard a phone message that wasn't intended for her ears). And now he wants a divorce. He told her she will be better off staying in the States instead of going back to Ukraine (I don't think he cares that much he just doesn't want to pay for the ticket) and that he will be willing to fix her car (she was in a minor fender-bender a week ago, which was the first time I heard from her in a long time, she wanted to know if we can help her pay to get her car fixed) and will take her to California to stay with a pastor she knew briefly ten years ago and haven't talked to for a few years.
She is devastated. She doesn't want a divorce. She doesn't know what to do. She is not a citizen, but I understand that she is eligible should she want to become one (and if she had the money, which she doesn't)
My heart is breaking for her. There's really nothing I can do to help but pray. I am not even sure what to pray for. I don't think staying with the guy is a good thing for her. I can't pray for divorce, it's against God's will and she doesn't really want it. It makes me ever more thankful for the great husband that I have. But I wish it was different for her. I wish she didn't marry him in the first place. I wish she did the right thing and followed God. What a difficult situation! If you think of my friend, will you say a prayer for God to turn this bad situation into something positive.
Thank you!
I was awaken by a phone call this morning (awaken rather late, by the way, had it not been for that phone call Jadin would have been VERY late for school). I didn't make it in time to actually get it but my friend left me a message. I was very surprised by that call because though we were close in the past and talked a lot on the phone she stopped calling me once she got more independent, learned to drive a car and started working on and off.
She was crying as she told me her husband wants a divorce. Hers has never been a happy marriage, she is mail order bride and a Christian married to a guy hostile to Christianity. Yes, she was told it wasn't the right decision, but it is what it is. She decided to marry the guy anyway. She is not happy with him, and never has been. There's a lot of things he is doing that are wrong. She also thinks he's cheated on her (heard a phone message that wasn't intended for her ears). And now he wants a divorce. He told her she will be better off staying in the States instead of going back to Ukraine (I don't think he cares that much he just doesn't want to pay for the ticket) and that he will be willing to fix her car (she was in a minor fender-bender a week ago, which was the first time I heard from her in a long time, she wanted to know if we can help her pay to get her car fixed) and will take her to California to stay with a pastor she knew briefly ten years ago and haven't talked to for a few years.
She is devastated. She doesn't want a divorce. She doesn't know what to do. She is not a citizen, but I understand that she is eligible should she want to become one (and if she had the money, which she doesn't)
My heart is breaking for her. There's really nothing I can do to help but pray. I am not even sure what to pray for. I don't think staying with the guy is a good thing for her. I can't pray for divorce, it's against God's will and she doesn't really want it. It makes me ever more thankful for the great husband that I have. But I wish it was different for her. I wish she didn't marry him in the first place. I wish she did the right thing and followed God. What a difficult situation! If you think of my friend, will you say a prayer for God to turn this bad situation into something positive.
Thank you!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Another Reason...
...why I haven't blogged in a while is sick kids. It all started with Jadin (as it usually does). He had what looked like the flu to me. I did take him to the doctor after a week just to make sure his lungs were clear (which they were and by then he was obviously getting over whatever bug he had so it turned out to be a waisted trip). Doctor D. said that since he did have a flu shot that it was probably not the flu. However I talked to another medical professional and she said that they simply missed that strain of the flu.
Jadin is fine now, and so is Rachael (she had fever for two days last week but still has the cough and the runny nose, which could be totally unconnected to the virus, because I found a brand new tooth on the very back of her mouth) but Daniel has had a fever for over a week now. He also woke up crying at 4 am on Wednesday saying that his ear hurt. Well, there's nothing I could do at 4 am, so he was told that, and given Tylenol and sent back to bed. I ended up 'sleeping' in his bed with him (if you can call that sleeping). We took him to the doctor as soon as the office opened and he does have an ear infection, the very first one in his life. Am I the only one thinking that 5 years old is a little too late to start having ear infections? Don't kids usually have them between birth and 5?
Anyway, we started him on antibiotics, what really concerns me is that I found a couple drops of blood on his pillow and dried up blood in his ear. Very, very bad! I called the doc. right away and he said that Daniel could have ruptured his ear drum (the nurse who delivered that news to me sounded totally unconcerned, like rupturing an ear drum is not a big deal) but that he doubts that's what happened (then where is the blood coming from???) because he just looked at him yesterday and it didn't look that bad. He also said to bring him back if the pain worsens over the weekend.
Now, I understand that if his ear drum did get ruptured, there's nothing they can do about it now. But I am his mom and I am freaking out and want answers NOW! Doesn't look like that's going to happen, but I am taking him back Monday morning when he is done with his antibiotics.
-Sigh-
Life WILL get better. I know it will. We just need to be patient.
Jadin is fine now, and so is Rachael (she had fever for two days last week but still has the cough and the runny nose, which could be totally unconnected to the virus, because I found a brand new tooth on the very back of her mouth) but Daniel has had a fever for over a week now. He also woke up crying at 4 am on Wednesday saying that his ear hurt. Well, there's nothing I could do at 4 am, so he was told that, and given Tylenol and sent back to bed. I ended up 'sleeping' in his bed with him (if you can call that sleeping). We took him to the doctor as soon as the office opened and he does have an ear infection, the very first one in his life. Am I the only one thinking that 5 years old is a little too late to start having ear infections? Don't kids usually have them between birth and 5?
Anyway, we started him on antibiotics, what really concerns me is that I found a couple drops of blood on his pillow and dried up blood in his ear. Very, very bad! I called the doc. right away and he said that Daniel could have ruptured his ear drum (the nurse who delivered that news to me sounded totally unconcerned, like rupturing an ear drum is not a big deal) but that he doubts that's what happened (then where is the blood coming from???) because he just looked at him yesterday and it didn't look that bad. He also said to bring him back if the pain worsens over the weekend.
Now, I understand that if his ear drum did get ruptured, there's nothing they can do about it now. But I am his mom and I am freaking out and want answers NOW! Doesn't look like that's going to happen, but I am taking him back Monday morning when he is done with his antibiotics.
-Sigh-
Life WILL get better. I know it will. We just need to be patient.
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