How cool is a sleep over?

I remember how fun it was as a kid to be invited over for a sleepover. It was special... so out of the ordinary, so anticipated, and so cool! I was invited to a birthday slumber party at Betsy Billey's house when we were in elementary school. She was in the same grade at the same school. We lived less than a mile and a half apart with dirt roads between us. We all brought our own sleeping bags and laid them out in the living room. We watched episodes of the Pink Panther on VHS video tape, told scary stories after the lights went out, and tried not to fall asleep.

As adults, there just aren't alot of sleep over opportunities. But while my husband was away at trainings for his job, my 4-year old and I stayed at my sister's house several nights. For DT it was so cool!

Well, last night we had my sister's family over for dinner...tacos, rice, beans, chips and salsa. She and her husband had driven separately since she was driving with the kids from home Plymouth 35 minutes away, and her husband was coming from work here in South Bend. As the evening wore on, and it was time for them all to head home, her 3-year old asked "Why do we have to go?" in an effort to buy just a little more time. Before I knew what I was saying, I heard my response, "It's time for DT to go to bed, and you, unless you want to sleep over."

Now, my nephew is what I'd call a Mamma's Boy (sorry, Anita). I didn't expect the crazy, resounding "Wahoo, okay, can I?" And as it turned out, he did stay...as well as his mom and his 2-year old sister. It wasn't the fiasco I would have expected if I had actually planned this sleep over. We all slept fine, and got up at a decent time to have a pancake and bacon breakfast. My sister got to do a little shopping and the kids got to play outside on the swingset and in the driveway with sidewalk chalk. They had a blast.

I'm going to sit back and relax.

I had it pretty good today. After work I called Ben from the car. He said he was on his way home too. He was going to pick up a few things for supper first. I asked if he'd mind picking up DT from after-school care so I could go work out at the gym... I usually pick him up. And between picking him up and not being in the best of health lately, I haven't been getting to gym. And I think it shows.

So I did a quick, so-so work out and came home. Ben had given DT an after school snack. DT was content watching some cartoons. And as I relaxed and looked through DT's school folder for the long-awaited Top Banana papers, Ben headed for the kitchen to address some vegetables he had pre-cut. This meal is one that I personally messed up last week. We had some leftover fresh pineapple in the fridge that he wanted to use for some sweet and sour pork, but... I got to the pork before he did and prepared it with bread dressing (probably nothing in comparison to his plan for sweet and sour pork).

Well, I believe there will be something sweet and sour tonight. And I don't have to do anything for it. He wouldn't even start the stove until I got out of his way. So, like I said, I think I have it pretty good today.

Who's Top Banana?

If you read my blog at the end of August, you'll remember that DT neglected to give me the all-important picture day order form from school. What a fiasco! And believe it or not, I still don't know how that ended up. After emailing the photography company, I sent in payment, said who my son is and what school he took pictures at, and I indicated my package preference. I guess I just have to wait and see whose pictures I get if any.

Well, it has happened again. I know he doesn't mean to, but DT just isn't giving us important papers from school. This time he completely forgot to put his folder in his backpack. In kindergarten there's really no reason to hide it. So, is he just forgetting?

Here's a breakdown of our conversation:

DT: Mom, do you know what I'm gonna be next day?
Me: What are you gonna be?
DT: Top Banana!
Me: What's Top Banana?
DT: Do we have pictures of me?
Me: Yep. What kind of pictures?
DT: Pictures of me when I was born?
Me: What do you need those for?
DT: For Top Banana! We need pictures of me.

Now, without the note from his teacher detailing the whole process of Top Banana (which is in his folder at school) I didn't know how, as Top Banana's mom, to prepare for this momentous day/week.

I called his teacher. She later returned my call saying that "Yes, DT was supposed to be Top Banana next week, but that she'll give the necessary information to another student at church on Sunday. And DT can be Top Banana the week after."

When, I told DT the result of my call, he smiled. He didn't seem to mind that his being Top Banana is delayed. Maybe he realizes it's his fault...although I really doubt it. He seems peacefully oblivious...as he did on picture day.

Are these isolated incidences or a sign of what I should expect for the next 12 years?

Is pollen the culprit?

Over the years I've found myself getting sick in the fall. It starts with a red, sore throat and then I lose my voice. A few sneezes, and drippy nose come the next day. Then, an evening of chills. And fatigue! Several days later, I begin coughing up (sorry to those with weak stomachs) thick, yellow phlegm. And with it...my chest hurts, upper airways feel tight. The low, fried voice remains for days. Mornings are the worst. If I wake up with a voice at all I'm lucky.

This is an annual event. Can I figure it out this year?

I went to my doctor on day 2 this time. I usally wait too long... when I'm dealing with the phlegm and airway problems. She took an inventory of my symptoms, looked in my ears, nose, and throat, and said it looks like allergies. She suggested I try over-the-counter Zyrtec for 7 days. She said if it's allergies, I'll feel better in that time. I just don't know. This is my 3rd day on Zyrtec and I feel so much worse! I didn't go to work yesterday or today. I'm now experiencing ALL of the aforementioned symptoms.

Now, I've dealt with this year after year and my symptoms have been treated in several ways. I've undergone adult tonsilectomy for the "chronic sore throats," countless antibiotics for "chronic sinus infections," and last fall I resorted to a the ancient neti pot which cleanses the nasal passages with possitive pressure using salt water.

I wonder...Could pollen be the culprit? I'll continue the Zyrtec for 4 more days and see. I just need relief. Any advice out there?

"My address..."

DT's kindergarten class has been practicing their addresses. We taught him all but the zip code this spring, so he was actually ahead of the game. But when I saw his teacher Monday afternoon, she relayed a cute story to me of what happened earlier that day. She referred to it as a "lightbulb moment" when she could just see him make the connection.

She had written down each child's address and made a point of saying "This is your address." She said DT's eyes got big and he called her over. When she got there he whispered, "Did you know, my address is the same number on my house?"

Gotta get on the bus...

The church that my family has been a part of for the past 5 years generally shows an outpouring of compassion when a family is in need. I've seen it over and over again. They see that financial and emotional needs are met when they are made known. The hard part tends to be making yourself vulnerable to sharing those needs.

A new situation has arisen, and now that my family is looking for another church and hasn't been there in awhile, I don't know whether the need is being addressed. I feel passionate about this issue, because my 97-year old grandmother is involved. She has been a member of the church her entire life and I feel she deserves the opportunity to remain an active member through these golden years.

My grandmother has never driven a car. My grandpa drove her when he was living, and when he died she moved to an independent-living apartment at Greencroft (a retirement community). Her 2 sons would transport her to appointments. And other church members living at Greencroft would take her to church. But, finally, that is no longer possible. Her oldest son now goes south for the cold seasons, and her youngest son (my dad) is serving the church through Brethren Volunteer Service for 2 years at a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. And the other church members who live at Greencroft who used to drive the group to church are no longer driving due to age and health issues. My grandmother and the other "Greencrofters" have no way to get to church.

So, do they sit back and accept that now in their final years they won't be involved in the church that they grew up in and raised their families in? Or can the church pull through for them?

Now, I'd never say this church is a group of visionarries or problem-solvers, but I'd think they can they see the need and consider it an outreach ministering to their own? With funds they've been blessed with, can they offer to transport the group of aging members who have given of themselves throughout the years?

Could a church bus/van meet the needs? And a paid driver for Sunday mornings? Something to consider.

Happy Adoption!

I couldn't be happier for my cousin Carrie's family. They've worked with a great non-for-profit adoption agency in Elkhart County and been blessed with 2 healthy beautiful children... four years ago a sweet daughter and this week, on Labor Day, they were made complete with a son. I saw him today and he is precious. He never opened his eyes, but he squeaked and startled several times. They say he's been very good, only waking up once last night to eat and not being fussy or spitting up. He is a healthy bundle of joy and another true blessing. Best wishes to the new family.

Self-Portrait of a Future Astronaut

Sometimes I let my mind wander, and I guess what DT will become when he grows up. Will he want to be a teacher like his dad? A "missionary" like his grandma and grandpa Huber? I've asked him each year on his birthday what he wants to be when he grows up. And the answer has changed over the years.

His first answer at age 2 was, "A daddy."
Then, at 3, "A football player."
At 4, "A firefighter."
And now..."An astronaut."

He's been asking alot of questions about "outer space" lately. Like, "When can we go there in a rocket ship?" and "What do you think we could do there?" He's such a science boy. When we moved here a year and a half ago, he picked out his light fixture at Lowe's... with celestial cutouts in the metal mounting plate, and the wallpaper border with stars, sun, and moon. He wants to know about the changing of seasons, what causes weather to change, and how fog and dew form. At age 5, he wants to know alot more than I did. And he does have ambitions.

Last Friday he brought home a self-portrait he made on the first day of kindergarten (the picture above). He was very excited to show me, but half-apologetically explained that he tore one of his legs. I love his picture! This is how he sees himself.

This is who he sees as future astronaut?

Could be!