Some days I am very jealous of David. He gets to leave the house and do his job without worrying about what his three little children are going to be up to. I would say he does it without interruption, but I know he has his own set of interrupters--implement dealers, implement problems, etc. Still, some days I really look forward to the day when I can just go somewhere or do something simple without making several calls to find a babysitter or loading up three carseats to take them along with me. For example, today I have to figure out how to mow the lawn while making sure all three kids are safe playing in the yard. Our yard is quite big, and they are not always visible from where I will be. Call me overprotective, but I just don't look forward to that at all.
Yesterday I got my haircut. For most people, getting a haircut is a minor event, barely even noticeable on their monthly planners. For me, this necessity requires many steps of planning. First, there is asking David if he can take the boys with him. (I have found that Teresa does just fine going to the salon with me. It must be a girl thing.) If he can, I must continue to remind him of our aggreement up until the time I drive out of the yard. If he cannot, I must call friends and family to see who can watch the kids for about an hour while I get my split ends trimmed. My usual contacts are my friend Kelly and aunt-in-law Phylis, one or the other who can usually help me out.
Calling for babysitters is really not one of my favorite things to do. Every once in awhile, David will come in the house and say, "Find a babysitter and we'll go to a movie tonight." Although I always LOVE the thought of a movie, finding a babysitter is many times easier said than done. After I make a couple of fruitless calls, I resign myself to wine & popcorn together in front of a DishNetwork movie. David accuses me of not really wanting to go out at all. Really, I am just tired of the rejection.
I must say that am very thankful for my parents-in-law and aunt & uncle in-law who live 20 miles away. They help us out often, especially during the school year when I need a fill-in sitter to help out with my drama coaching job. Many times when the boys go over to help Dad or Grandpa, I know they end up in the house having chocolate or strawberry milk and playing farm with Grandma. All of those instances help me out immensely. Still, I try not to call too often, lest my wonderfully behaved children wear out their welcome.
Yesterday as I was at the quilt shop choosing fabric for Teresa's birthday quilt, I told the owner that I couldn't wait to start attempting some of the beautiful projects they had on display. A mother with two grown sons, she assured me that it goes very fast. Honestly, I can already see that happening. When I think that Landen will be in school for 13 years and then realize how fast the past 8 years of married life have gone, I know it will not seem long at all until he graduates high school.
Thus, the constant struggle of a mom--wanting to do life's simple tasks without being weighed down, but realizing that these precious days of having my little chicks safe in their nest really are fleeting.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Just a few days left . . .
and then the Kallas family will be back in Leola again! I am so excited to see my aunts, uncles, and many cousins. My mom is one of 12 siblings, so getting together once a year is always quite a "big" deal. I will even meet a new cousin, baby Logan Kallas, who was born this past spring. I have such a wonderful family and I am so blessed to be a part of it. We are an extended family that actually likes to be together, and for that I am so thankful.
This year is Leola's 125th Celebration, so we are preparing for our parade entries. We are hoping for some more float competition this year from other area families. I cannot divulge any information on this top secret project--you will have to come to the parade on July 4 or wait for the pictures. :o)
Nathan has the whole weekend planned out. First he is going to ride the jelly bean train (barrels pulled by a lawn mower) and ride the ponies, then throw candy in the parade, and finally go to Carter's house (his cousin in MN) the next day. Carter's sister Lily, our goddaughter, will already be 2 years old on July 7.
So, it is a week of anticipation and preparation as we get ready for the busy weekend ahead.
If you hear a roar coming from around Hwy 10 later this week, you will know the Kallas family has arrived.
This year is Leola's 125th Celebration, so we are preparing for our parade entries. We are hoping for some more float competition this year from other area families. I cannot divulge any information on this top secret project--you will have to come to the parade on July 4 or wait for the pictures. :o)
Nathan has the whole weekend planned out. First he is going to ride the jelly bean train (barrels pulled by a lawn mower) and ride the ponies, then throw candy in the parade, and finally go to Carter's house (his cousin in MN) the next day. Carter's sister Lily, our goddaughter, will already be 2 years old on July 7.
So, it is a week of anticipation and preparation as we get ready for the busy weekend ahead.
If you hear a roar coming from around Hwy 10 later this week, you will know the Kallas family has arrived.
Friday, June 26, 2009
What a Thursday
David said this morning he heard that the Internet was close to crashing yesterday with everyone Twittering, Facebooking, and searching for information on the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I read of the people in Times Square reading the news feed and instantly taking out their phones to text. I'm sure that was a sight in itself. I think the last time there was such a need to instantly communicate was September 11, 2001--before Twitter & Facebook even existed.
I was brand new to this world (or maybe getting ready to make my appearance) when Farrah was an "Angel." Likewise, I was somewhere around first or second grade when Michael was crowned as King of Pop. I vaguely remember his performances and the birth of the "moon walk." Suddenly, it seemed like everyone, including myself was walking backward to music. Bruce Springsteen was more my style, but worked just fine for doing the moon walk next to my parents' record player. Like most people, was left confused and unimpressed by his increasingly strange appearance and behavior in public as the years went on.
Neither of these people made a huge impact on my life, nor did they ever cross my mind unless the media brought them to my attention. Still, I audibly gasped as I learned of each of their deaths yesterday.
Why? Perhaps it is that I am still somewhat under the illusion that entertainment icons are immune to real life problems and disease to which the rest of us are still susceptible. Even if they are suffering, surely they will pull through and live for many years to come, right? I fully expected Farrah would get that miracle she was praying for. Even when I saw that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital, I assumed it was yet another publicity stunt.
May we live each day appreciating our health and the presence of those we love. Yesterday we were doubly reminded of the mortality of rich and poor alike. That should be nothing new, but judging by America's reaction, these reminders never cease to find us unprepared.
I was brand new to this world (or maybe getting ready to make my appearance) when Farrah was an "Angel." Likewise, I was somewhere around first or second grade when Michael was crowned as King of Pop. I vaguely remember his performances and the birth of the "moon walk." Suddenly, it seemed like everyone, including myself was walking backward to music. Bruce Springsteen was more my style, but worked just fine for doing the moon walk next to my parents' record player. Like most people, was left confused and unimpressed by his increasingly strange appearance and behavior in public as the years went on.
Neither of these people made a huge impact on my life, nor did they ever cross my mind unless the media brought them to my attention. Still, I audibly gasped as I learned of each of their deaths yesterday.
Why? Perhaps it is that I am still somewhat under the illusion that entertainment icons are immune to real life problems and disease to which the rest of us are still susceptible. Even if they are suffering, surely they will pull through and live for many years to come, right? I fully expected Farrah would get that miracle she was praying for. Even when I saw that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital, I assumed it was yet another publicity stunt.
May we live each day appreciating our health and the presence of those we love. Yesterday we were doubly reminded of the mortality of rich and poor alike. That should be nothing new, but judging by America's reaction, these reminders never cease to find us unprepared.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Swimming Pictures
I took my camera along on Tuesday and managed to snap some quick pictures while all three heads were above water. We all had fun again. Today is the last day of lessons and it is 90 and calm--another perfect pool day!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Take on Jon & Kate
I can live in a world with disease, famine, and sticky floors. I just don't know if I can live in a world where Jon & Kate Gosselin cannot make their marriage work. I guess I was one of those that fell into using a celebrity couple as a sort of role model. I mean--look at their large family and the stresses they faced together. Their marriage wasn't perfect, but they kept it together. They were two very different people, but they seemed like a good team.
With one tabloid report, that all changed. Suddenly we heard that all was not well in Pennsylvania with the new house and two new puppies. They weren't going to face this world together forever after all, as they pledged to do at their vow renewal last year in Hawaii.
It's similar to when you hear a seemingly healthy person is diagnosed with cancer. You absolutely didn't see it coming and are shocked when you hear the news. After the smoke clears, you hear that, yes, the person hadn't been feeling well for quite some time and it was just getting worse and worse.
This divorce seems to be falling into a common theme with those who suddenly become famous. Remember the young, innocent Beatles? In a few years, they were long-haired drug addicts. Remember sweet and tastefully dressed Britney Spears on the cover of her first CD? Soon she was out of control as well. Check out the Gosselin family in Season 1. Jon & Kate looked just like the rest of us. Now we have Jon showing off on his ATV and Kate sporting designer hair and a different bikini with each trip to the beach. Has this show REALLY been for the kids? If it was, they should have enough saved up for their college educations, or at least a start by now. A good friend of mine was one of six and she and her siblings all went or will go to college. Their parents never had a reality show on TLC. It's called financial aid.
My days of watching the show are over, not that anyone at TLC will notice. It just isn't inspiring or entertaining to see two parents shuffling their kids between each other as they lead seperate lives. In a world where so many marriages end in divorce, that's just too much reality on TV for me.
With one tabloid report, that all changed. Suddenly we heard that all was not well in Pennsylvania with the new house and two new puppies. They weren't going to face this world together forever after all, as they pledged to do at their vow renewal last year in Hawaii.
It's similar to when you hear a seemingly healthy person is diagnosed with cancer. You absolutely didn't see it coming and are shocked when you hear the news. After the smoke clears, you hear that, yes, the person hadn't been feeling well for quite some time and it was just getting worse and worse.
This divorce seems to be falling into a common theme with those who suddenly become famous. Remember the young, innocent Beatles? In a few years, they were long-haired drug addicts. Remember sweet and tastefully dressed Britney Spears on the cover of her first CD? Soon she was out of control as well. Check out the Gosselin family in Season 1. Jon & Kate looked just like the rest of us. Now we have Jon showing off on his ATV and Kate sporting designer hair and a different bikini with each trip to the beach. Has this show REALLY been for the kids? If it was, they should have enough saved up for their college educations, or at least a start by now. A good friend of mine was one of six and she and her siblings all went or will go to college. Their parents never had a reality show on TLC. It's called financial aid.
My days of watching the show are over, not that anyone at TLC will notice. It just isn't inspiring or entertaining to see two parents shuffling their kids between each other as they lead seperate lives. In a world where so many marriages end in divorce, that's just too much reality on TV for me.
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