Methinks someone is a little comedian!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
No longer a Brownie!!
The back of her sash with the Try-Its she was awarded at the ceremony
Bridging to juniors patches.
The front of her sash-I stayed up late the night before sewing the rest of her Try-Its on. I don't think there's room for the new ones she earned!!
The whole family came to see her ceremony. I thought it was important for us to support her. Me, her, & the boys took a bus to get to the city and walked to the meeting. Tom met us there and then he and Leanna's very sweet leader took us home.
Justin asked when he can become a girl scout too. : )
Goin' to Work
Memorial Day in pictures
Jacob and Kobe in matching hatsThe kids watched Shrek
I read I Stink to Timothy, Justin, and Noah. Jacob climbed around us, but didn't really listen. 
My memorial day reading
Just one I like of Timothy
Jacob and Kobe went bannanas (stickers)
Cowboy Woody was kickin' it outside.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Many other people are pondering it too......
An article written by a local music crittic and former addict on Henry's death. Beautifully written.
An excerpt:
"it was all I could do not to pull over and hold my own son close to me. Because the world is full of Henrys — young, amazing people with endless potential who don't realize the consequences of their decisions; who meet tragic ends; who leave behind a legacy of beauty marred by an end that's dark and ugly; who leave so many people, loved ones and strangers alike, asking themselves why."
An excerpt:
"it was all I could do not to pull over and hold my own son close to me. Because the world is full of Henrys — young, amazing people with endless potential who don't realize the consequences of their decisions; who meet tragic ends; who leave behind a legacy of beauty marred by an end that's dark and ugly; who leave so many people, loved ones and strangers alike, asking themselves why."
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Heartbreaking news
It's strange how the Internet can affect you so deeply. A while ago I posted about one of my favorite bloggers, whose son had been horribly beaten after a drug deal gone awry and he was in the hospital. On Memorial Day he passed away. He had started to get better and then suddenly got worse after about a month of improvement. I, along with many others, were praying it'd be all right in the end.
I cry every time I go to her blog. He was so young and beautiful and sounded like a talented, sweet, vibrant boy. Drugs ruined all that. After reading about her family since Leanna was little, in some small way I've come to know them as well. As a mother, I just can't even imagine the pain she's going through right now. I feel so sorry for his siblings-the two that grew up with him, and the one who is Jacob's age and barely got to know him, and one unborn yet, who will never know him. It hurts me to just think about it.
Many people have written that thanks to Henry's story, they are or will be talking to their kids about drugs, and are planning to handle the topic differently than they would have otherwise. In Henry's memory, his parents are starting an endowed fund that will provide scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay for needed drug and alcohol treatment programs for their children. I think his mother's coming forward with this story will help others going through the agony of loving an addict, and it does much to remove some of the stigma associated with being the parent of an addict. And hopefully it will help people realize that all addicts are not bad people, nor do they all come from impoverished, poorly parented backgrounds. It could so easily be anyone's child.
If you won't read the story on Katie's blog, take this message from her story: early drug experimentation should be taken seriously, because you don't know who will be unable to stop-until it's too late. Many people said in early comments that they had done drugs and had no problem stopping, so they assume it's no big deal. I encourage you to read the whole story on her blog, the first post is here or you could just read them backwards on her blog.
As a result of Henry and his mother's story, I've already started the conversation about drugs with Leanna, and intend to continue them, as age appropriate, with her and her brothers.
Edit: I wanted to add a few more thoughts. Lots of people have been adding beautiful words of sympathy and comfort for Henry's family, and writing on the subject. It'd be easy to write it off as a result of his mother's popularity in the blogosphere, but I think there's more to it. Henry's story has really touched a nerve with people. So many mothers could see their own sweet children in him. So many have realized that good parenting cannot protect our children, no matter how hard we try, we just aren't in control. You can do all the right things and still have a child end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's so unbelievably scary. You get through the pregnancy and the are they still breathing during the night stage, the toddling into trouble constantly phase........and you think you're safe. This story just really shocked people because when you have a child, you're never out of the woods. I have an Anne Geddes picture with the words, "The decision to have a child is to forever have your heart go about walking outside your body." This tragedy just brings that home in a way I hadn't considered before.
I think one of the most difficult aspects of this story is that if you've been in a bad place, had bad events happen, you feel as though you're safe now. Ok, the bad has happened, I should be alright now. Having a child with a drug problem is hard enough. Then to have them horribly beaten, left for dead....then in a hospital, waiting to see if they'll survive......isn't that enough? Then to watch them suffer and finally die. It just seems so unendurably cruel.
But there is small comfort in the fact that this story has likely changed life's course for someone's child. Positive changes are occuring. Until this, we just didn't talk about drugs and our children, (not publicly, anyway). I admire Katie for having the courage to tell this story. To write so beautifully and honestly about such a raw subject. A helpful dialogue has begun as a result of this tragedy. People are not just talking about it online-so many have mentioned talking to their children as a direct result of Henry's story. There is outrage over the police's reaction-or the lack of one-to the case. Apparently it's rather common for police to not bother with cases involving addicts. They are considered throwaways. But they are people-with families who love them, someone's child they doted on, someone's older or younger brother, someone's cousin, someone's friend. Henry's legacy may be to change people's perception of what an addict is, and what they are worth. I think of him and his family everyday now.
Hug your babies, no matter their age. Life is just too short.
I cry every time I go to her blog. He was so young and beautiful and sounded like a talented, sweet, vibrant boy. Drugs ruined all that. After reading about her family since Leanna was little, in some small way I've come to know them as well. As a mother, I just can't even imagine the pain she's going through right now. I feel so sorry for his siblings-the two that grew up with him, and the one who is Jacob's age and barely got to know him, and one unborn yet, who will never know him. It hurts me to just think about it.
Many people have written that thanks to Henry's story, they are or will be talking to their kids about drugs, and are planning to handle the topic differently than they would have otherwise. In Henry's memory, his parents are starting an endowed fund that will provide scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay for needed drug and alcohol treatment programs for their children. I think his mother's coming forward with this story will help others going through the agony of loving an addict, and it does much to remove some of the stigma associated with being the parent of an addict. And hopefully it will help people realize that all addicts are not bad people, nor do they all come from impoverished, poorly parented backgrounds. It could so easily be anyone's child.
If you won't read the story on Katie's blog, take this message from her story: early drug experimentation should be taken seriously, because you don't know who will be unable to stop-until it's too late. Many people said in early comments that they had done drugs and had no problem stopping, so they assume it's no big deal. I encourage you to read the whole story on her blog, the first post is here or you could just read them backwards on her blog.
As a result of Henry and his mother's story, I've already started the conversation about drugs with Leanna, and intend to continue them, as age appropriate, with her and her brothers.
Edit: I wanted to add a few more thoughts. Lots of people have been adding beautiful words of sympathy and comfort for Henry's family, and writing on the subject. It'd be easy to write it off as a result of his mother's popularity in the blogosphere, but I think there's more to it. Henry's story has really touched a nerve with people. So many mothers could see their own sweet children in him. So many have realized that good parenting cannot protect our children, no matter how hard we try, we just aren't in control. You can do all the right things and still have a child end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's so unbelievably scary. You get through the pregnancy and the are they still breathing during the night stage, the toddling into trouble constantly phase........and you think you're safe. This story just really shocked people because when you have a child, you're never out of the woods. I have an Anne Geddes picture with the words, "The decision to have a child is to forever have your heart go about walking outside your body." This tragedy just brings that home in a way I hadn't considered before.
I think one of the most difficult aspects of this story is that if you've been in a bad place, had bad events happen, you feel as though you're safe now. Ok, the bad has happened, I should be alright now. Having a child with a drug problem is hard enough. Then to have them horribly beaten, left for dead....then in a hospital, waiting to see if they'll survive......isn't that enough? Then to watch them suffer and finally die. It just seems so unendurably cruel.
But there is small comfort in the fact that this story has likely changed life's course for someone's child. Positive changes are occuring. Until this, we just didn't talk about drugs and our children, (not publicly, anyway). I admire Katie for having the courage to tell this story. To write so beautifully and honestly about such a raw subject. A helpful dialogue has begun as a result of this tragedy. People are not just talking about it online-so many have mentioned talking to their children as a direct result of Henry's story. There is outrage over the police's reaction-or the lack of one-to the case. Apparently it's rather common for police to not bother with cases involving addicts. They are considered throwaways. But they are people-with families who love them, someone's child they doted on, someone's older or younger brother, someone's cousin, someone's friend. Henry's legacy may be to change people's perception of what an addict is, and what they are worth. I think of him and his family everyday now.
Hug your babies, no matter their age. Life is just too short.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
My Boy
I am loving the stage Justin's in right now. This is new for me, since I mainly grew up around girls and Justin is my first boy so this is the first time I am going through this stage with a boy. I'm so glad I get to experience both-it's fun. It's entirely new for me though.
He's delightfully boyish-dirt loving, gun toting, fart-joking. He wants to be strong, he wants to be like his Dad, he wants to know when he can do adult things. (He just asked me today when he might grow facial hair) He's full of energy, he's very physical, fascinated with everything, curious about how the world works. He loves to help make things or to bake. He collects odds and ends-screws and bits of metal and whatever he picks up-and stores his treasures in his special spot for them. (He keeps it organized) He has money in his wallets and always wants to buy stuff. Mainly snickers bars. He still loves to hear a story. He's a little man of priciple. He LOVES boomerang tv. He likes history, outer space, the human body, tools, weapons, garbage trucks, bats, dogs, construction vehicles, guitars, superheroes, sharks, big wheels, and of course dinosaurs.
I love him.
: )
More fun with water
Not exactly water fun, but I think he kinda looks like a surfer dude here.
It didn't take long for Carolee to run inside!!
With a certain setting on the hose, you could see a rainbow
The kids all squirted the mailman (with his permission)
Water Gun Fun
The day after the Cabela's guns arrived, we got a new kind of gun. It certainly was the right kind of weather for it!
Memorial Day Reminder
Just sharing, sometimes adults forget the real reasons for holidays as well. (Here's why we celebrate Memorial Day) Looking for lessons for the holiday, and found this link to send the troops a thank you. And another one here. Also, a short version of the story of the Star Spangled Banner. Here's a longer one.
The Unknown Soldier
You need not ever know my name
This unknown soldier seeks no fame
This unknown soldier seeks no fame
I'm here to bring out thought from you
May your heart see more than your view
May your heart see more than your view
America, we marched with pride
We gave our life, for you we died
How well we knew the time might come
When life could sound that final drum
We gave our life, for you we died
How well we knew the time might come
When life could sound that final drum
Please think of us as life moves on
We tried so hard till that last dawn
We tried so hard till that last dawn
Do let our spirit fill the land
Pass treasured freedom, hand to hand
Pass treasured freedom, hand to hand
God blessed this country with such love
Hold in your heart, abundance of
Hold in your heart, abundance of
And when you stand before my grave
Think not of one, but each who gave
©2003Roger J. Robicheau
Think not of one, but each who gave
Friday, May 28, 2010
Got a little captain in him!
Wooden guns
New guns from Cabela's, curtesy of Nanny Sue. She made targets with paper and cans for the boys to take aim at! Water guns work too!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Lemonade Stand
Leanna sold Lemonade and cake while our neighbor had a yard sale last weekend. I believe she made more money than the neighbor did at her yard sale!!
Making the cake-I made her do it with me instructing. She set up her table and I made her sweep up afterwards and help carry in her stuff. I had her start rinsing the dishes but was interrupted and she didn't get to finish her own dishes, as I had intended. I purposely wanted her to do the work as well, though it would have been easier for me to quickly make the cake and clean up. Part of the experience should be putting the work into it too. And Monday as part of school, we figured out the cost of supplies and subtracted that from the total amount she made to see how much profit there really was. (though for this first experiment I supplied the cost of materials) We talked about ways we could have done things differently to make it better. I think she will want to try this again sometime!
The dark-caped one
The dark one roams the street!!
He tried to escape!
He stole other people's drinks!
He tried escaping into neighbor's houses!
The little bandit looked especially cute & dark with the hood up, but he refused to be photographed that way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
