Absolutely NOTHING! Unless, of course, you want to hear about laundry and vomiting children. No? Ok, then.
On a different subject, I feel like I have been surrounded by death. It started when four families in our very small church lost their loved ones in a very short period of time. I am not sure why it affected me so much, but I have been shaken up. Maybe because I understand God's perfection and how offensive our sins are in His sight and it's hard for me to remember that He is also GOOD. Not just good in general, but that He is good to ME. He showed it time and again. But my sins are always before me. There's so much loss and death in the world brought in by sin. Why should I escape? Why should my soul be spared the loss of the ones I love when everyone around me is affected? Am I less sinful? Am I in any way different? Is He not the same God to them as He is to me? Is he not glorified in death as He is in life?
So, why should my soul be spared the grief?
Don't worry, we are all well (minus the throwing up, which is not deadly as Jadin is as happy and running around today as he was yesterday) Still, I feel like I am living in shadows.
My teacher called yesterday saying that her mom is dying so she will not be in town for some time. And I also learned about the death of this beautiful little baby girl. So.Not.Fair.
I hate you, sin! I am so looking forward to Jesus coming back. And today I am trying to remind myself that death has been defeated. Christ's life, death and resurrection is the seal on my 'not guilty' decree. That day WILL come.
As for now, as Apostle Paul said 'To live is Christ and to die is gain'
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Smiling Embouchure Is Noooooo Good
This is what I am really struggling with:
I like the guy, he is really funny.
I can't figure out how to go up an octave to save my life, though. My mouth is just refusing to curl DOWN. When I move my jaw the way he is doing it, no sound comes out.
It is somewhat comforting that this is a master class, he is teaching professional flutists, so it's not just my problem.
I like the guy, he is really funny.
I can't figure out how to go up an octave to save my life, though. My mouth is just refusing to curl DOWN. When I move my jaw the way he is doing it, no sound comes out.
It is somewhat comforting that this is a master class, he is teaching professional flutists, so it's not just my problem.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
God Takes Care of Us Always.
We had no school yesterday because they were forecasting wind chills of -40F. Of course, it wasn't that bad, actual temps were around -7F for a high, and the winds were typical SD winds. So, I called a friend (she was going to take her daughter to school for their 2hr late start) and we met at Starbucks for a quick cup of coffee. Since I had the boys with me I got them hot chocolate (a real treat, they only had Starbucks hot chocolate once before) as a bribe :) We had a nice visit.
A side note, Rachael has this thing now where she'd misbehave as long as it takes to get a spanking (I usually don't spank her unless she is hitting a hot cup of coffee I am holding threatening to spill it and burn both of us or of she is throwing food hard enough to get people sitting at the table next to ours. Or something along these lines.) So, she got her spanking yesterday and was a perfectly happy little girl after that, playing and giggling, quite a contrast to a winy unhappy child she had been all morning. She did it again this morning when M and I went out on a little 'breakfast' date. The transformation was so drastic that even M. (who is usually not keen to observe things like that) commented on the subject. Is that what terrible twos look like in a girl? Because the boys NEVER did this.
Anyway, back to yesterday. I wasn't feeling very well all day but decided to go work out (to make my body 'snap out of it' Didn't work quite as well, I only did 400 cal. and had to quit). We got back home without any trouble (and by that I mean the car worked and I didn't vomit all over it:).
Well, this morning M. went to start the van to take the boys to school. It was completely dead. Wouldn't start. At all. It appears that the battery finally died (after 8 years of faithful service) and nothing helped.
Now, what would I have done if it happened last night? -7F isn't that bad, unless you have to walk home with three little children in tow. If today wasn't M's day off, the kids would have to miss school (they had a trip to the stock show planned for today, both were really excited about that). Providentially, M WAS home and took them to school in his pickup. And the van held together yesterday. God really does take care of us.
A side note, Rachael has this thing now where she'd misbehave as long as it takes to get a spanking (I usually don't spank her unless she is hitting a hot cup of coffee I am holding threatening to spill it and burn both of us or of she is throwing food hard enough to get people sitting at the table next to ours. Or something along these lines.) So, she got her spanking yesterday and was a perfectly happy little girl after that, playing and giggling, quite a contrast to a winy unhappy child she had been all morning. She did it again this morning when M and I went out on a little 'breakfast' date. The transformation was so drastic that even M. (who is usually not keen to observe things like that) commented on the subject. Is that what terrible twos look like in a girl? Because the boys NEVER did this.
Anyway, back to yesterday. I wasn't feeling very well all day but decided to go work out (to make my body 'snap out of it' Didn't work quite as well, I only did 400 cal. and had to quit). We got back home without any trouble (and by that I mean the car worked and I didn't vomit all over it:).
Well, this morning M. went to start the van to take the boys to school. It was completely dead. Wouldn't start. At all. It appears that the battery finally died (after 8 years of faithful service) and nothing helped.
Now, what would I have done if it happened last night? -7F isn't that bad, unless you have to walk home with three little children in tow. If today wasn't M's day off, the kids would have to miss school (they had a trip to the stock show planned for today, both were really excited about that). Providentially, M WAS home and took them to school in his pickup. And the van held together yesterday. God really does take care of us.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thoughts on a Sunday Night.
1. My husband is sick. He got Rachael's bug. I am sure there are worse things in life than a stomach bug, but let me tell you, we are all quite miserable here.
2. Tonight's worship service has been cancelled. The weather is not good (we had fog and freezing rain last night and it has been snowing ever so lightly all day), C., or pianist, has plans and I can't play (because of #1 and having three kids), our Pastor just came back from an out of town meeting last night and had asked another pastor to preach at night (not a good idea since the roads are so bad). So, no church tonight. Kind of sad. But it makes it easier with the kids, because I had them all bathed and in bed by 7:30. We are usually not even home from church that early.
3. Stock show started last week. We went as a family on Saturday just for a little while and the boys are going with their classes. Jadin is going on Tuesday and Daniel on Wednesday. Rachael was sooo very good, she walked almost the whole time and I never heard a word of complaint out of her. Pretty good for a child who is recovering from an illness. Jadin was pushing his boundaries. Daniel kept saying that he wanted to sit down. I was stressed. It was one of those times when I wished I had leashes for the boys. It was crowded and did I mention Jadin waving his arms around like a wind mill, touching everything (being especially careless with fragile things), wanting (very loudly) to go a few different places at once, asking for toys and candy, not staying with us and just being a normal (though a little... (ok, A LOT) hyper) 6 year old. Like I said, stressful.
4. I keep experimenting with the flute trying to get the best sound. Not sure how I feel about the results. I will have to settle on one way of doing things and stick with it, though, if I want to get anywhere. I stopped playing in church for now hoping to correct a few things and then resume, otherwise I just go back to the bad habits that used to work for me (sort of).I really missed it, I didn't realize how much I enjoy doing it.
5. Everyone is sleeping now, so I should turn this thing off and go to bed. Have a good night, everyone.
2. Tonight's worship service has been cancelled. The weather is not good (we had fog and freezing rain last night and it has been snowing ever so lightly all day), C., or pianist, has plans and I can't play (because of #1 and having three kids), our Pastor just came back from an out of town meeting last night and had asked another pastor to preach at night (not a good idea since the roads are so bad). So, no church tonight. Kind of sad. But it makes it easier with the kids, because I had them all bathed and in bed by 7:30. We are usually not even home from church that early.
3. Stock show started last week. We went as a family on Saturday just for a little while and the boys are going with their classes. Jadin is going on Tuesday and Daniel on Wednesday. Rachael was sooo very good, she walked almost the whole time and I never heard a word of complaint out of her. Pretty good for a child who is recovering from an illness. Jadin was pushing his boundaries. Daniel kept saying that he wanted to sit down. I was stressed. It was one of those times when I wished I had leashes for the boys. It was crowded and did I mention Jadin waving his arms around like a wind mill, touching everything (being especially careless with fragile things), wanting (very loudly) to go a few different places at once, asking for toys and candy, not staying with us and just being a normal (though a little... (ok, A LOT) hyper) 6 year old. Like I said, stressful.
4. I keep experimenting with the flute trying to get the best sound. Not sure how I feel about the results. I will have to settle on one way of doing things and stick with it, though, if I want to get anywhere. I stopped playing in church for now hoping to correct a few things and then resume, otherwise I just go back to the bad habits that used to work for me (sort of).I really missed it, I didn't realize how much I enjoy doing it.
5. Everyone is sleeping now, so I should turn this thing off and go to bed. Have a good night, everyone.
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Long Overdue Update.
I haven't written a post in a very long time. Not sure why. I was busy at times, or plain not wanting to write at other times.
Also, terrible two's are in full swing here. Rachael is independent. She will not let me do ANYTHING for her. That includes no assistance in the bathroom (The sound of bathroom door slamming shut and a little voice calling 'I want privacy!' makes me shudder. She's gotten hurt on the step stool in there on more than one occasion and is covered in bruises), climbing over (and falling off of) the kitchen gate, putting on/taking off of clothes (which, by the way, takes her FOREVER, but if I dare help to speed up the process, she throws a fit, takes them all off and starts over), eating (spaghetti flying everywhere), going to bed (last night she decided she was tired at 7pm and started screaming 'get up, mommy, get up!' It took me a while to realize that she just wanted my permission to go to bed.)
On the other hand, she is very clingy. I can't sit down at the computer without her treating me as a jungle gym and wanting my undivided attention. I am not allowed to pick up the flute or come within 2 feet of the piano. When she sees sheet music, she pitches a fit. Now, that part definitely needs to stop. I HAVE to be able to play/practice my instruments without it turning into a major meltdown. She has to learn to give me 40 minutes. I recently started giving her playdoh at practice times and telling her that she can only play it while I am practicing. She LOVES playdoh and is usually looking forward to that time of the day. Unfortunately, I can't concentrate on what I am playing amidst the constant 'Look at me, mommy! Can you open this, mommy? I want ____, mommy.' So, I went back to practicing while she is asleep. Let me tell you, I accomplish more in 40 minutes while she is asleep than I do in 2 hours if she is awake.
That brings me to what occupies my thoughts during the day. My flute lessons started a month or so ago and I am loving it! My teacher has 20 years of experience and is very instrumental in diagnosing and correcting my problems. She helped me figure out proper embouchure and angles, and gave me tone and breathing exercises (definitely a challenge! But I LOVE a good challenge) and I am seeing improvement after only two days of doing them. Of course, I can't really talk or eat, the muscles in my mouth are so sore. It hurts to even think about proper embouchure. But it works. Hopefully, the soreness will go away in a couple of weeks and practicing will not be as painful. But I noticed that I can finger much faster while maintaining good (or, rather, better then before) tone, something I have been struggling with. And my long notes are improving, too. I don't fall down an octave for the most part (unless I am just tired and can't maintain muscle control, that should go away with practice, too) and my sound is less raspy.
In other words, it's going well and I am having a lot of fun with it.
Back to Rachael. Say a prayer for her if you think of it. She's got some sort of stomach bug and haven't been able to keep anything down the last couple of days, though she seems to be doing a little better today. Hopefully, it will go away quickly and the boys will not get it.
Jadin has been acting up recently. He got two yellow lights at school in the past month and I seem to have to constantly discipline him.
Daniel had a spell when he said no to everything I said, so we had to work on that, as well.
All that adds up to a whole lot of disciplining. Not easy, I tell you. But I think we are progressing. At least with Daniel.
That's probably it for now. I will try to update more often in the future.
Hope you all are having a good day.
Also, terrible two's are in full swing here. Rachael is independent. She will not let me do ANYTHING for her. That includes no assistance in the bathroom (The sound of bathroom door slamming shut and a little voice calling 'I want privacy!' makes me shudder. She's gotten hurt on the step stool in there on more than one occasion and is covered in bruises), climbing over (and falling off of) the kitchen gate, putting on/taking off of clothes (which, by the way, takes her FOREVER, but if I dare help to speed up the process, she throws a fit, takes them all off and starts over), eating (spaghetti flying everywhere), going to bed (last night she decided she was tired at 7pm and started screaming 'get up, mommy, get up!' It took me a while to realize that she just wanted my permission to go to bed.)
On the other hand, she is very clingy. I can't sit down at the computer without her treating me as a jungle gym and wanting my undivided attention. I am not allowed to pick up the flute or come within 2 feet of the piano. When she sees sheet music, she pitches a fit. Now, that part definitely needs to stop. I HAVE to be able to play/practice my instruments without it turning into a major meltdown. She has to learn to give me 40 minutes. I recently started giving her playdoh at practice times and telling her that she can only play it while I am practicing. She LOVES playdoh and is usually looking forward to that time of the day. Unfortunately, I can't concentrate on what I am playing amidst the constant 'Look at me, mommy! Can you open this, mommy? I want ____, mommy.' So, I went back to practicing while she is asleep. Let me tell you, I accomplish more in 40 minutes while she is asleep than I do in 2 hours if she is awake.
That brings me to what occupies my thoughts during the day. My flute lessons started a month or so ago and I am loving it! My teacher has 20 years of experience and is very instrumental in diagnosing and correcting my problems. She helped me figure out proper embouchure and angles, and gave me tone and breathing exercises (definitely a challenge! But I LOVE a good challenge) and I am seeing improvement after only two days of doing them. Of course, I can't really talk or eat, the muscles in my mouth are so sore. It hurts to even think about proper embouchure. But it works. Hopefully, the soreness will go away in a couple of weeks and practicing will not be as painful. But I noticed that I can finger much faster while maintaining good (or, rather, better then before) tone, something I have been struggling with. And my long notes are improving, too. I don't fall down an octave for the most part (unless I am just tired and can't maintain muscle control, that should go away with practice, too) and my sound is less raspy.
In other words, it's going well and I am having a lot of fun with it.
Back to Rachael. Say a prayer for her if you think of it. She's got some sort of stomach bug and haven't been able to keep anything down the last couple of days, though she seems to be doing a little better today. Hopefully, it will go away quickly and the boys will not get it.
Jadin has been acting up recently. He got two yellow lights at school in the past month and I seem to have to constantly discipline him.
Daniel had a spell when he said no to everything I said, so we had to work on that, as well.
All that adds up to a whole lot of disciplining. Not easy, I tell you. But I think we are progressing. At least with Daniel.
That's probably it for now. I will try to update more often in the future.
Hope you all are having a good day.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Finally!
My Internet is back! And did I miss it! We have been having reeeeeeally cold weather (today temp went up all the way to 9F) and some snow. I think that's what caused connection problems.
It was an eye opener for me. I didn't realize how much time I spend on the computer. Yesterday I managed to finish a project I have been dreading for the last 7 years. Cleaning M's side of the bed and under the bed. It was really REALLY bad, I ended up with 3 large boxes of his old magazines alone. The were also weights (lots of them) that he has never used in our 8 years of marriage. And empty gun boxes (that apparently I am not allowed to toss because should he decide to sell them, original boxes add value) Covered in layers and layers of dust.
He came home and was really upset though he did move the bed and let me vacuum under there. How can guys live like that and not mind? So what that it's under the bed and you can't see it. You are still breathing it! After that he proceeded to empty the boxes and put old magazines back under his side table. WHY??? What was wrong with keeping them in the box?? He told me it's HIS house and HIS stuff and he will keep it where HE wants to keep it.
OK then.
Not a good attitude. And I AM still upset.
Then there's Rachael. She doesn't want to take naps in her bed. She wants to be held. She screamed for 2 hours yesterday and for an hour today. Didn't take a nap. Almost fell asleep on the (5 min. long) drive to the YMCA.
It's 3 hours of screaming in two days. Her throat is sore. She is tired. She did fall asleep on the way back from the Y and slept for about an hour. Oh, glorious hour! I got to practice flute. My second lesson is tomorrow, and what do you know, all of a sudden she doesn't want me to play flute. Or anything else, for that matter. She starts....yes, you guessed right, screaming. The only time I get to practice is when she is napping. Which, she is not.
Why did she decide she doesn't like me playing right after I started lessons? She never objected before!
In other words, fun few day. At least, I still get to work out. I don't know what will happen to my mental health if she decides she doesn't like it in the Nursery any more.
It was an eye opener for me. I didn't realize how much time I spend on the computer. Yesterday I managed to finish a project I have been dreading for the last 7 years. Cleaning M's side of the bed and under the bed. It was really REALLY bad, I ended up with 3 large boxes of his old magazines alone. The were also weights (lots of them) that he has never used in our 8 years of marriage. And empty gun boxes (that apparently I am not allowed to toss because should he decide to sell them, original boxes add value) Covered in layers and layers of dust.
He came home and was really upset though he did move the bed and let me vacuum under there. How can guys live like that and not mind? So what that it's under the bed and you can't see it. You are still breathing it! After that he proceeded to empty the boxes and put old magazines back under his side table. WHY??? What was wrong with keeping them in the box?? He told me it's HIS house and HIS stuff and he will keep it where HE wants to keep it.
OK then.
Not a good attitude. And I AM still upset.
Then there's Rachael. She doesn't want to take naps in her bed. She wants to be held. She screamed for 2 hours yesterday and for an hour today. Didn't take a nap. Almost fell asleep on the (5 min. long) drive to the YMCA.
It's 3 hours of screaming in two days. Her throat is sore. She is tired. She did fall asleep on the way back from the Y and slept for about an hour. Oh, glorious hour! I got to practice flute. My second lesson is tomorrow, and what do you know, all of a sudden she doesn't want me to play flute. Or anything else, for that matter. She starts....yes, you guessed right, screaming. The only time I get to practice is when she is napping. Which, she is not.
Why did she decide she doesn't like me playing right after I started lessons? She never objected before!
In other words, fun few day. At least, I still get to work out. I don't know what will happen to my mental health if she decides she doesn't like it in the Nursery any more.
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