I'm Lazy

This is really not an epiphany, just a fact I have wanted to hide from for my entire life. I am quite lazy and a little spoiled. I want things to be easy. I want life to be effortless. I want what I see in other moms, yet I do not seem willing to work for what they display in demeanor and attitude.

Here is the catch. I don't really want to be lazy. I just seem too lazy to change my laziness. Still with me? If I could, I would have a chef, a full time tutor for my children and a maid. Throw in the butler for the times I am too lazy to get up to answer the phone. Or better yet, let the maid get the phone so I do not have to get around to hiring the butler.

Yet I love to cook, and dream of meals from scratch with organic and clean whole foods. I love the feeling of satisfaction you get after a long hard day of housework and how great it feels to "just be" in the house you have just cleaned. I LOVE being with my kids and homeschooling them and seeing the ah-ha moments of their learning process. All that being said, I am sabotaging my own desires by my lack of "get up and go" and it is hurting my household.

Today I was Jekyll and Hyde. I woke up with a plan. I was going to have a good and selfless attitude while teaching my kids, sprinkled with a heavy dose of patience. Check! Then we would all do our chores while the birds sang along with our efforts. It rained here today. And the stupid birds never showed. And the kids did not cooperate with chores. And Mommy yelled. Again. And it was all due to my incessant laziness.

I can make my house look like a palace when we have an event or company coming. I run like crazy and get the job done. I am SURE this does not go unnoticed by the offspring. We are not total slobs and do the everyday things, but it is common for the laundry to pile up, the pots to wait a day or two (since they do not go into the dishwasher) and the corners to get very dusty. Shoes will lay unattended for days, ignored by every family member who walks by. I would love to say I mercifully sigh and pick up the shoes, but usually I just kick them out of my way (and half the time they are probably mine).

I have not reflected to the kids the person I want them to become, I take the lazy route and wag my finger at them when they do not listen to my instructions for how they should be. I am a bit ashamed and embarrassed by that fact.

Proverbs 13:4 says, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." I am feeling like that sluggard lately, I want a lot of things, yet have not worked terribly hard to get them while bemoaning the fact I did not succeed. I guess it is time to join the land of the diligent and "go to the ant".

"Eazy"

So far all I have come up with to use as an alias for our little visitor is "E.Z.", but since that can easily be confused for K.Z. (our oldest son), I decided to call him "Eazy" in the blogosphere. Frankly, that's how I would describe him too.

Today we decided to go and visit the "Lego Store" which is about 45 minutes from our house and in a mall (I hate malls). It turned out that it was also "Trick-or-Treat Day" at the same mall so it was really crowded. We checked out the Legos, a dishwasher, since ours is slowly rusting away down the drain, grabbed a pretzel and then got out of there. All of our kids were a dream, making the excursion very pleasant.

This afternoon we had a lazy time playing and enjoying being together. I am kind of sad that our weekend with Eazy will be coming to an end tomorrow. Mr. Clean and I have a lot of praying to do and some heavy duty chatting. This little man could be a great fit in our family. Besides, could you resist this face?

"Eazy"

He's Here! He's Here!

We are doing a kind of "respite/trial run" with a 3 year old foster boy who needs a permanent placement. He is in a great foster home now but it is not an adoptive resource and it looks like the case may be heading down that road. So he is hanging with us this weekend.

I have not come up with a "blog identity" for him yet, but one will hit me. When I started blogging a few years ago I decided not to use our real names, but to post photos and entries with nicknames.

Now that I have strong friendships with and much respect for many of you, I want you to know that I continue doing this only because my blog is still accessible to anyone. For those of you that comment often and whose blogs I read, I have no problem sharing other information with you (and you know this if you are on Facebook, LOL!).

So thanks for your prayers and comments on the events of our lives, even if you do not yet know our names. He knows and we appreciate it! More on possible "foster son #2" (and pictures) tomorrow!

Thankful For Small Glitches

For some unknown reason Blogger was down yesterday just when I was on the edge myself. I needed to vent. So I went to Word and typed there. After the tears, frustration and illogical thought patterns all subsided I reread what I had written. I no longer feel this low, but I decided to post it anyway just in case anyone else ever feels this way. You will get through it!

And yes, the boy is still alive and still in our favor, and no, the boy will not be standing at the bus stop Monday morning waiting for "big yella". On to yesterday...

"Something is just not clicking with my boy. I have been homeschooling him since the beginning (he is now in third grade) and his light bulb has yet to “turn on” when it comes to reading. He reminds me of a halogen bulb that is still warming up, but not quite to its full potential. I know it is there. I apparently have no clue how to cultivate his abilities.

In the beginning I thought it must be my curriculum, or the way I was teaching. If that were the case (and it probably had something to do with it) the girls should be following K.Z.’s footsteps. They are not. Xena is actually surpassing K.Z.’s skills in school at the present. We start school and she zooms through it in 3 hours max. Usually it only takes her about two and I LOVE teaching her. Lately K.Z. has been dragging out his lessons for hours. I am about ready to crack with him.

We joined a cyber charter school last month to get some direction for him and a little more accountability. The curriculum is excellent, the teacher he has been assigned seems very helpful, but I am still in tears by the end of the day with threats of eternal exile in his room, hanging over K.Z’s head. When do I admit defeat?

The only next logical step is brick and mortar school and that thought makes me cry even more. But what if it is the missing link that he needs? The biggest problem is that since he is not on grade level, he would either be held back or put in “special ed” classes to help him catch up. Both would be absolutely belittling to him and frankly, it would set him up to be picked on. Mr. Clean has brought the hammer down however. This is either a benchmark year for him (attitude wise when it comes to school) or he is on the bus. Since private school is not an option financially, he would have no choice but to go to public school.

I am absolutely beside myself with this. We do have great days (yesterday was one of them and this morning was as well, until it crashed and burned this afternoon), but then they are followed by horrible ones where I get nothing accomplished whatsoever at home except for trying to get school done through tears and anger (both mine and his). If our family actually does expand by one more, how does this all balance out?

I do not want to paint K.Z in a bad light. He is a good kid with a type A personality. If he can’t do it perfectly, then he isn’t going to do it at all. Which in turn, starts the flow of tears and anger in both of us. The little ones get neglected and the day goes to pot. I am rambling so my thoughts probably are not terribly coherent, but I had to “vent” a little in a community I felt would understand. Forgive my ranting."

Filling Up Our Mini Van

Today we had a foster family fall festival at a local pumpkin patch and corn maze. Mr. Clean finally got to meet a little guy I have been fawning over for a couple weeks now. This 3 year old is currently in care in a great foster home, but it looks like he may need a "forever home" and his current foster parents are not looking to adopt, just to foster. The case has not been officially transferred to adoption yet, but it is slated to go that direction.

So now I am in communication with his current foster mom to see when he could come and spend a weekend with us to see how he would feel about, and fit into our crazy household. There is no doubt that he will be scared and being so young he would not quite get what was happening, but it will give us a great chance to get a "gut feeling". I am hoping to be able to do this next weekend.

So if all falls into place we may just have that 5th seat full in the minivan and a very complete family portrait. Pray for this sweet boy and for us!

Paging Our Founders

Although it probably is not necessary for me to state it, most of you know that I am not a Barack Obama supporter. It only has to do with his political position on certain things, as a man and human being, I respect his place in this world.

That being said, I am posting this video because I found it fascinating from a Constitutional stand point. Had it been John McCain I would have posted it as well (equal opportunity blogger!). I know that the people that read my blog are thinkers, and some of you (one of you in particular) has a deep love for the Constitution, as do I.

So watch this video and tell me what you think. Obviously there is a lot behind the scenes and unless we read every court brief and motion on this case we will not know all the details, but the video is a good appetizer.

Roll Call

So I have been blogging now since... hang on while I check my old blog... since March of 2006 and really have been enjoying the outlet. Plus, I get to "meet" amazing people from all over the country (and Canada, eh?). People I would actually want to hang out with if they were not so far away. They account for the tens and tens of readers that I have, and they usually comment semi-regularly.

But according to Statcounter, there have been over 19,000 hits on this blog alone in the past 21 months. Who are you? I am dying to know. I have had people check in from China, the UK, Italy, and even from one of the "Stans", I just cannot remember which one. Now some of these hits are probably just passing through, but many revisit and stay a while. Yet I have no clue who you are.

So give me a shout out in the comment box (including you tens of tens that I know about already) and tell me where you are and who you are, if you are so inclined. If you blog, leave the address. If you don't, just sign in under the "Name/URL" option. I'd love to "meet" you!

I Am Procrastinating

I have no clue what is wrong with me lately. I hate, hate, hate, waiting until the ninth hour to get things done, yet it seems to be my norm lately. Case worker is coming? Quick! Clean the house. I am leading the Missions Sunday in Junior Church tomorrow? Uh-Oh, better go and get my things together! We need to leave in a hour and have dinner first? Ugh! Have a sandwich!

It has been like that lately and I do not know why. I have been asked to speak this year at our church's annual Ladies Christmas Banquet. You could have knocked me over with a feather when the invitation was extended, I consider it quite an honor. Once things were set in motion I was on fire writing. For a spell. Then I got a case of, "this cannot be real. I am crazy to think I can pull this off." In the shower I was brilliant, the car, amazing. Doing laundry, the thoughts just flowed. Sitting at the computer? Brain dead.

I managed to fire off a first draft to my pastor's wife whose opinion I really value. It wasn't complete, but the gist was there and her comments helped to reset my "go" button. I requested a deadline for the next draft as I have been so bad at setting my own lately. She asked to see it by Wednesday. I had a million things in my brain last night related to the updated draft that I loved. Today they are not landing. I have been praying that the Lord will guide my words and make them His and I know that He will. I am hoping He plans to do this by Wednesday.

Maybe I need to go do a load of laundry and let the creativity flow.

Those Dirty Dems

This article cracked me up, since this happened in my mother's neck of the woods and the fact that they stole not only political signs, but someone's mums! If they hadn't caught the capers, I would have sworn it was a Democrat housewife!

It is ironic to me that those rooting for the "party of choice" do not want Republicans to have the choice to choose yard signs that do not support the Democrat candidate. It makes sense though, had it been a Republican stealing the signs, he would have called it a merger and acquisition!

Happy Friday and know I mean no offense to the Dems that I love, this article just had me laughing, as we have had a huge problem with Republican yard signs getting stolen in my county as well...


XXXXBURG, PA, Friday, Oct. 10 -- XXXXburg police arrested two people Thursday morning in connection with the theft of 23 political signs from yards in the borough and surrounding area.

Police charged Philip M. XXXX, 19, XXXXburg, with driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Valerie XXXX, 20, 1864 Address Road, was a passenger in the vehicle and was charged with underage consumption.

Police said in a release that an officer in an unmarked vehicle observed suspicious activity in the area of E. XXXX Street and Address Avenue around 2 a.m. The vehicle that the officer was watching went south on XXXXbrook Avenue at a high rate of speed. Police located the vehicle at the Sheetz on Wayne Avenue and made contact with the subjects.

During the course of the investigation, police determined that the two had stolen 23 political signs and two mums from numerous yards. Police said that 22 of the signs were for John McCain, with the other being for (local Republican). The signs are believed to be from the borough and the (local neighborhood) area.

Police said that further charges for theft are pending.

The Art of Patience

I must admit that I am not particularly patient by design. I am not ridiculously impatient, I just hate dragging things out. Being a foster parent cures you of that quickly. Over 48 hours ago our brand spankin' new adoption case worker (new to us, not to her job) met with Iggy's BioMom and possibly BioDad to discuss the fact that the County was moving forward with adoption and they could either give consent or have their parental rights involuntarily terminated. I have no clue what happened in that meeting and I have to say, it is killing me.

Tonight I had to go to a mandatory annual meeting of all the foster parents in our county. The first subject on the agenda was adoption. The adoption supervisor went over all the legalities and made the statement that they always try and convince the parents to consent to adoption as that makes thier jobs substantally easier in the long run, and that parents you would never think would sign are often the ones that do, once they realize that this is the best situation for their child(ren). Let's hope that our case worker is convincing...

Scandalous!

Yesterday I used my blog to write about the famous original Mr. Clean's death (not my own shaven sweetie, whom I lovingly refer to as Mr. Clean). I knew all day it was the 7 th of the month. I knew all day that my little man was now nine months old, yet I did nothing to honor that. They should take away my mother license.

So, happy 9 months Iggy boy! It has been amazing and I pray that we have many more years with you around!

Just an Iggy update: Last week the adoption worker came to meet us and Iggy, along with our case worker. She sees the case going easily and more than likely by this time next year he will be legally a part of the Mr. Clean clan.

She had a meeting with BioMom and possibly BioDad (I do not know if he showed up and seriously doubt it) yesterday although I have not heard the outcome of that meeting. The adoption case worker was going to lay it down for them and let them know that she was pushing this case through to adoption. They could either sign their parental rights away and have the kids permanently placed sooner or she was going to take them to court and have a judge do it. Stay tuned to find out what happened. When I know, you will know, but I am not betting on the fact BioMom signed. Afterall, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't have.

Saying Goodbye To The Real Mr. Clean

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- House Peters Jr., a TV actor who became the original Mr. Clean in Procter & Gamble's commercials for household cleaners, died Wednesday. He was 92.

Peters died of pneumonia at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in Los Angeles, said his son, Jon Peters.

The elder Peters' most memorable role came as Mr. Clean -- a muscular man with a bald head, a hoop earring and a no-nonsense attitude toward dirt and grime. From the late 1950s and into the early 1960s, Peters Jr. helped advertise the famous household cleaner with the trademark jingle, "Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean."

Peters Jr. played many supporting roles through his career, including working with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry on their television shows. He also appeared in "Perry Mason," "Gunsmoke," "The Twilight Zone" and "Lassie."

"He always played the heavy," Jon Peters said, referring to his father's customary roles as a villain or brawny character. "Even though he wasn't happy about being cast in those roles, he worked really hard at it."

His father's acting career spanned 1935-1967, according to his Web site. He also wrote an autobiography, "Another Side of Hollywood," in which he describes growing up the son of an actress and silent film actor in Beverly Hills. His father, Robert House Peters Sr., has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Peters Jr. was never a leading man, but played many character parts in cowboy movies and won a Golden Boot Award in 2000 for his lifetime contributions to the western genre, his son said.

Peters Jr. was born January 12, 1916, in New Rochelle, New York, as Robert House Peters Jr. His son said Peters Jr. studied drama in high school and became inspired to pursue an acting career.

He also is survived by his wife, Lucy Pickett, a daughter, another son and four grandchildren.

No Choice in these Grand United States, Unless of Course You Agree...

For me this has much less to do with the issue at hand, but more to do with my parental rights. I am an American parent and I refuse to give away my right to raise my children morally to the State. Watch this family's story, regardless of your opinion on the issue. It is disturbing and a very real reminder why I want to keep my children close at hand. When did Kindergarten stop being just about colors and the alphabet?

Scary, But Foreseeable

Remember people, this is not just a presidential election year. Do your homework on the people "behind the scenes"...

Check out Dave Ramsey's solution to this problem. Only 50 billion would be spent his way verses 700 billion. Maybe he should be our write in candidate!