Book Talk

 I recently read What Was Mine, a story of a woman who so longed for a child, and when the opportunity presented, she abducted one.  She raised the child as her own and gave her a very good life.  But when the cold case comes to the surface when the child is 21-years-old, lots of worlds are rocked.  I felt like this book was a little far-fetched at times (but maybe not, given the crazy circumstances?), but it was gripping and kept me hooked.  When it ended suddenly, in my opinion, I was disappointed.  A decent read, but it will leave you wanting more.

 I loved Pastrix, a memoir by Nadia Bolz-Weber.  "Pastrix" is a condescending term used by some to describe female pastors.  Nadia grew up in a strict, religious home, but she took an unconventional path and now leads an unconventional congregation.  They are based on accepting all, attracting all, and loving all.  I have struggled with religion quite a bit in my adult life and I found this book to be so validating.  I also found hope in it, knowing there are people like Nadia who lead congregations that are "come as you are, be who you are" ... and if you cuss, enjoy adult beverages, lead alternative lifestyles, and screw up all.the.time., you are still worthy.  This is a book I can see myself reading again. And again.

So ... after I read Pastrix, I decided to open For the Love, which had been sitting on my Kindle for a long time.  I didn't buy it or ask for it, but it showed up, and I had ignored it because religion is not my thing.  But I thought, what the heck?  Jen Hatmaker is famous in the blog-o-sphere and on FB and on HGTV.  And in my head, she is super religious.  Her message in this book was all about giving and accepting grace as we maneuver our way through adulthood, parenthood, our jobs, our marriages, and middle-age.  Although I felt like she was preachy at times, and I realized I don't see eye-to-eye with her on all issues, I appreciated her message and realized that I read this at the right time.  We are all worthy of grace, and most of us (ME) could stand to give a lot more of it.

"I'm hoping to lead a tribe that does more healing and less hurting."

Jen Hatmaker

Growing Pains

We are having growing pains in our home, and I'm not sure whose are the worst, but for the sake of my pity party, I'll say mine rank right up there.  In the last couple of weeks, Emma has had multiple behavior issues at school.  One day they even called me while she was in the office, and I sure did have them put her on the phone so I could give it to her straight.  She "yes, ma'am"-ed me until I told her to scoot herself on back to class with better behavior.  On that particular day, she and a friend refused to come inside from recess.  Once the teachers were able to get them in, they ran out of the classroom and down the hall.

Between the lesser behaviors such as running around the classroom, not following basic directions, and telling her teacher "no", Emma's antic this week takes the cake.  On Tuesday when it was time to come in from recess, all of the kids but Emma and a friend were lined up following directions.  Emma was still on the playground, up on a bridge that connects two structures.  Not only would she not come down, she and her friend took off their clothes - ALL OF THEIR CLOTHES - threw them over the side, and danced around laughing.  The office staff had to come intervene.

Everyone I've shared this story with has laughed hysterically.  I get that it's a little funny, but all I can picture is my daughter two or three years from now pulling this sort of stunt in elementary school.  Not funny.  Not even a little bit.  It takes a lot of staff to manage this sort of situation.  And then you have the angry parents of the kids who had to see the naked one calling to inquire about what steps will be taken to ensure this doesn't happen again. Plus it's chaotic, and totally compromises the integrity of the learning environment.  I sure hope she can get this out of her system, but I happen to know some special friends who come to kinder with behaviors like this still in their little systems ... and I'm wondering if my Emma will be one of them.

I don't expect my kids to be perfect; we all have our days, of course.  But blatantly disrespectful?  Becoming a safety hazard?  Stripping?  Um ... no.  Not in the plans.  As someone who routinely meets with parents about their child's behavior, the last few weeks have been - to say the very least - humbling.  They've been incredibly frustrating, and at times I certainly haven't been my best self as a parent or a person, but man am I humbled.

Yesterday someone randomly asked me if we plan to have any more kids.  HA-HA-HA! 

Green Space

 Our backyard project is finally nearing completion, and it's been a long time coming!  When we moved into our house in the summer of 2013, the backyard was full of landscaping.  Although it looked okay, it required a lot of maintenance and took up most of our pool deck space.  Steve got right to work on removing much of it, but this back section remained. Jumping off the back bricks into the pool quickly became popular, but you always had to dodge branches in order to do it.

After we had the pool re-tiled and plastered this winter, we decided it was time to just make the whole space new.  We had all of the shrubs removed.  Although I love green, it was just too much and we really wanted usable space.

 We opted for synthetic lawn (aka turf).  It's awesome!  The job was completed this afternoon, and although we can't walk or put anything on it for 24 hours, it already makes such a difference out back.  Although we don't have a dog now, we might someday, so we went with the pet-friendly turf. 

 We're not 100% sure what we'll put up there yet, but Sara really wants a hammock and I could go for an ISU bags game.  We're so happy to have some green space inside the fence ... and no more getting scratched by bushes when trying to jump into the pool.

Anyone else ready for pool season?  Come on over!