Ramblings

Thoughts and happenings from around here.

• Phebe is impressively 3. I am impressed that she lived to 3 years old and is filling the role of the 3 year old very well. Probably better than many 3 year olds around her.
• We are attempting to learn sign language. I am impressed by how loud sign language can become at the dinner table.
• My husband and I are going on a trip to Rhode Island at the end of January. Let's hope the weather isn't horrific. I will get to wear some of my fun dress up clothes, like the beautiful black corset Ethan got for me for Christmas. 
• My brother and his friend decided that Naomi should take MMA  (Mixed Martial Arts). I think that could be pretty awesome. I just need a sponsor and chauffeur for her. I am not ready to invest that much money or car time for my 7 year old.
• I got essential oils for Christmas! I now have peppermint, patchouli, rosemary and eucalyptus oil.   I am enjoying using them. Plus I just found out that if you mix some oils with epsom salts you can make bath salts. (The good kind....) 
•  It has finally snowed. I am satisfied. We can move on to spring now. Yes, I know we haven't even technically started January yet, but I have had my snow fill.
• I am reading a book about learning through play, the Montessori way. Some lovely theories, but man this book is dull. 
• I also tried listening to "White Fang", by Jack London on CD. Yeah, don't think I am going to make it through the book. Can't say I really see a point. I am 3 discs in. It's not as if I didn't give it a good shot.
• Finished listening to "Quiet" by Susan Cain. It was totally fantastic. I highly recommend reading this book. Introvert, extrovert you will benefit.
• Also finished listening to "Patriotic Treason, John Brown and the soul of America"by Evan Carton. John Brown was the man who attacked Harper's Ferry before the Civil War. This book changed my vision of him and the times significantly. 
• Now I am just listening to "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austin. I like her.
• I now have my very own copy of "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Suess. That makes me happy.I love that book.
• Caleb requested the same present this year for Christmas that we gave to him last year. He loves it.
• I am working on my list of things to put in stockings. Right now my list consists of -A good pair of gloves, band aids, toothbrushes, tape. Possibly some really good thick socks for sled riding. Useful and fun. I am open to suggestions. 

There is my randomness of the moment.

Breaking News

There was a shooting at a school in Connecticut. That is very sad.  I kind of avoided reading much about the shooting. This shooting, any shootings, I don't want to read about. I don't like people being hurt. I don't like reading how angry people get about it, or how glamorized it is in the media. (Do the people in media realize how much worse they make these things? Really, constant coverage of children DYING? How that just makes the next disturbed person have a new high score to reach?)

So I read the comments on Facebook. The people who are for armed guards in school. The people who are against it.

Someone commented that "When you pick up the sword, you become the target." I agree with the comment made in response, "Those children didn't have swords, yet they were the targets."

Does it not seem curious that these things happen so often where there is no one there who can be armed? They happen against those who can in no way protect themselves. I saw the idea thrown out that staff should be trained and allowed to carry, not required to carry. Thus it is a guessing game about if that teacher is armed or not. I am completely comfortable with that concept.

It would be beautiful to live in a place where that isn't even an issue. But the longer I live, the longer I realize "Should" and "Reality" are not synonymous.

I received a phone call from our school superintendent on Sunday. It was the only recorded phone call I have ever actually paid attention to. Starting the very next day, Monday, and everyday from now on, the guards at school with be armed. My little elementary school children, the junior high and high school kids, all under armed guards from now on.

I have been going through metal detectors at school since 9th grade. That was the year of Columbine. Everyday from 9th -12th, through the metal detector.

Everyday my kids have gone to school they have dealt with a metal detector. (Though the little kids get to walk around it. I guess they aren't dangerous.)

I am glad that my school takes safety so seriously. Seriously, they are trying really hard. I am impressed that they had the spine to make a decision like that. I am glad that they are willing to give the guards the ability to fulfill the job they were hired to do.

I do wonder deep down though, is it healthy for little kids to walk through metal detectors and have armed guards on a daily basis? Does that rob the innocence of a happy childhood. Knowing that they are trying to protect you? Protection from what? There are people that want to kill children? It is a sad conversation to have. I just end up saying "you're that precious that they are trying this hard."

Heartburn

So I have a serious topic I need to blog about, but until then I will tide you over with this-

It is a scene from Rango. I can't say it is one of my favorite movies,however we watched this particular scene about about 5 times.

There. All better.

Tune in for deeper thoughts later.

Toilet paper

I have had an awful lot of things like this around my house lately-




Though I didn't actually take any of these pictures, this is pretty much what it has been like. My, now three year old has a personal vendetta  against toilet paper. I am not sure what she has against it. Possibly it is just how satisfying it is to smack the roll and have it all come undone in a nice pile. So I  have managed to avoid this for a few days.

Wanna know my secret? Oh, no it isn't the crazy gadget you can BUY online. Nope. You just squish the roll.
It is way less satisfying to unroll like that. Thus far it has been quite effective.

Living with Phebe

Sometimes living with Phebe means that you walk into the kitchen to find her standing on a chair.

Standing on a chair that she has covered in whipped cream.

With that whipped cream all through her hair, on her clothes and all surrounding surfaces.

Then she stops standing on the chair and starts standing inside the tub of whipped cream, doing a crazy dance where she holds the back of the chair and twists her legs back and forth.

That's what it is like to live with Phebe.

We don't put pictures of our kids on line, and sadly no one else seems to have put up a picture that really captures the moment effectively.

Want to take a guess what we are got for her birthday?




Yup, that is what this three year old is getting. I think she will like it.

Sometimes it is about the receiving.

This evening the leadership of my church held their Christmas devotional. Kind of like a kick off for the Christmas season. Of course you hear beautiful music, words that help remind you Christ is the reason for the season, but there was one talk that really stuck out to me. Please, please, please take the time to watch this talk. It is phenomenal, so insightful.