Sunday, May 13, 2007
It's about time
It's about time. About time for me to REALLY learn how to cook. Jeremy & I made fried chicken and homemade rolls last night for the first time in our marriage. They were some kind of good! It made me realize that I need to stop saying that I'm from the south if I can't even cook a decent southern meal. I mean, I don't know how to make cole slaw. I've never made hush puppies. I haven't made blackened catfish. What kind of southerner am I? I'll tell you--one that goes to restaurants to eat such yummy goodness. That will have to end. No longer will I have Captain D's to run to in order to curb the hush puppie craving. Pinto beans and corn bread, red velvet cake, and banana pudding is not enough--I need to go beyond the basics of my southern roots and truly embrace the food heritage that has been present in all my childhood memories. I owe it to Hannah and Benjamin. I owe it to my husband. I owe it to my friends in Great Falls. I'm a woman on a mission.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
One Step Closer
The change in plans (and our lives!) over the past two months have hit me in stages. I'm glad they haven't hit all at once, but it seems that with every step we take forward, my stomach always response by tensing up in a little ball. It's as though I get tense when I think of my future reality and the tension only leaves when I forgot about tomorrow and concentrate on today's worries! :)
Today, we finally got orders, have all of our move dates scheduled and got the HORRIFIC flight itenerary planned. (Why, may I ask, does it take longer to get to Montana from Korea than it takes to get to Charlotte from Korea? By THREE HOURS!) The silver lining in the itenerary is that we go through LAX, and I've never had any reason to go through that airport. I'll be with two kids, a double stroller, two diaper bags, possibly two car seats, our carry-on luggage, passports in hand while out of my mind jetlagged, but I'll still be able to say that I went through LAX. And since I don't have any anticipation to be going through that airport again in my life (the only thing west of Montana that I'm interested in flying to is Alaska), I'm glad to have another airport on my "places I've flown through" list.
Orders. They are so....final. I'm really leaving Korea. I'm really leaving the cushion of my mommy friends in the same apartment building who help me to not lose my mind. I'm really moving somewhere and become an oak tree. (You know, have "roots.") So for now I will lose myself in the latest book club book (The Lights on Tenth Street) and forget about how in the WORLD I'll be ready for movers in less than 9 days!
Today, we finally got orders, have all of our move dates scheduled and got the HORRIFIC flight itenerary planned. (Why, may I ask, does it take longer to get to Montana from Korea than it takes to get to Charlotte from Korea? By THREE HOURS!) The silver lining in the itenerary is that we go through LAX, and I've never had any reason to go through that airport. I'll be with two kids, a double stroller, two diaper bags, possibly two car seats, our carry-on luggage, passports in hand while out of my mind jetlagged, but I'll still be able to say that I went through LAX. And since I don't have any anticipation to be going through that airport again in my life (the only thing west of Montana that I'm interested in flying to is Alaska), I'm glad to have another airport on my "places I've flown through" list.
Orders. They are so....final. I'm really leaving Korea. I'm really leaving the cushion of my mommy friends in the same apartment building who help me to not lose my mind. I'm really moving somewhere and become an oak tree. (You know, have "roots.") So for now I will lose myself in the latest book club book (The Lights on Tenth Street) and forget about how in the WORLD I'll be ready for movers in less than 9 days!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
I'm a Revolutionary!
From Lifeway.com:
"NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Parents who faithfully and consistently apply God's words on life and family have a better chance at raising desirable children, Christian pollster George Barna says.
Revolutionary Parenting
An April 9 news release promoting Barna's new book "Revolutionary Parenting" is short on polling data, but it mentions three dominant approaches to parenting -- parenting by default, trial-and-error parenting and revolutionary parenting.
"Revolutionary parenting, which is based on one's faith in God, makes parenting a life priority," Barna, chairman of The Barna Group, said. "Those who engage in revolutionary parenting define success as intentionally facilitating faith-based transformation in the lives of their children, rather than simply accepting the aging and survival of the child as a satisfactory result."
Barna sought out young adults who considered knowing and serving God their top life priority, possessed a biblical worldview and believed that their main purpose in life is to love God. Then he worked back to research what parenting characteristics produced such children.
One of the most sobering outcomes of the research, the news release said, was that less than one out of every 10 young adults in the United States meets those simple criteria."
"NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Parents who faithfully and consistently apply God's words on life and family have a better chance at raising desirable children, Christian pollster George Barna says.
Revolutionary Parenting
An April 9 news release promoting Barna's new book "Revolutionary Parenting" is short on polling data, but it mentions three dominant approaches to parenting -- parenting by default, trial-and-error parenting and revolutionary parenting.
"Revolutionary parenting, which is based on one's faith in God, makes parenting a life priority," Barna, chairman of The Barna Group, said. "Those who engage in revolutionary parenting define success as intentionally facilitating faith-based transformation in the lives of their children, rather than simply accepting the aging and survival of the child as a satisfactory result."
Barna sought out young adults who considered knowing and serving God their top life priority, possessed a biblical worldview and believed that their main purpose in life is to love God. Then he worked back to research what parenting characteristics produced such children.
One of the most sobering outcomes of the research, the news release said, was that less than one out of every 10 young adults in the United States meets those simple criteria."
Found!
(Reference previous blog before reading)
The dustbuster is found...in the couch. In the couch? Wouldn't a person expect to find the ring there? How could I not see the dustbuster in the couch? Oh! Wait! Maybe because my mind is lost, too!
The dustbuster is found...in the couch. In the couch? Wouldn't a person expect to find the ring there? How could I not see the dustbuster in the couch? Oh! Wait! Maybe because my mind is lost, too!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Lost
We all misplace things, but the list of things missing in our house keeps getting larger and more practical...
-Jeremy's class ring
-the kid harness we put on Hannah so she'll walk where we want her to
-the dustbuster
How can I lose a dustbuster? I don't have a yard, garage or basement. I have less than 1100 sq feet in my house. It has to be here SOMEWHERE. At least, one would think so. It's hard not to think that Hannah did something with each of these things! Terrible thinking, huh? "Hannah, did you through away daddy's class ring?!?" I think the last thing to add to that list is my mind. It has been lost for at least four months. One day I'm hoping for a grand reunion--I was quite fond of it!
-Jeremy's class ring
-the kid harness we put on Hannah so she'll walk where we want her to
-the dustbuster
How can I lose a dustbuster? I don't have a yard, garage or basement. I have less than 1100 sq feet in my house. It has to be here SOMEWHERE. At least, one would think so. It's hard not to think that Hannah did something with each of these things! Terrible thinking, huh? "Hannah, did you through away daddy's class ring?!?" I think the last thing to add to that list is my mind. It has been lost for at least four months. One day I'm hoping for a grand reunion--I was quite fond of it!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
A New (guilt-free) Perspective on Proverbs 31
The Proverbs 31 Woman
by Lisa Whelchel
for Christian Activities 5/1/2007
I don’t know about you but I am very intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman! I’m tempted to skip that whole chapter and jump ahead to the “everything is vanity” theme of Ecclesiastes which is closer to where I actually live.
The other day I was asking the Lord why He would put such an unattainable example in the Bible that only makes women feel like failures in comparison. I felt like He said, “Because that is how I see her and that is how I see you. I see all of the good things you’ve ever done or will do and all of your sins are covered by my Son’s blood so I don’t see them.”
I suddenly understood that I should read that chapter from a proud and loving Parent’s perspective. For example, if my mother were to write a chapter describing me she would probably write, “My daughter, Lisa, is an amazing woman. She graduated high school as valedictorian, she’s a Grammy-nominated singer, a creative mother, an actress on a hit television series, a loving wife, she’s made millions of dollars, a ballet, tap and jazz dancer, a glider pilot, a talented musician, great cook, teaches multiple grades, keeps a beautiful home, her nails always look gorgeous, she sews her children’s clothes, keeps a record of their lives in scrapbooks, she’s up before dawn having her devotions, she wears designer clothes, and she is a record-setting race car driver.”
Now all of that is true but my mother would have left out quite a few pieces of significant information. For starters, I’ve done all of those things over the course of forty years; I don’t do them all now. She would have also left out many of my secrets that she alone knows that I would be terribly ashamed if anyone else knew. And there is even more to each story she has listed. Here’s a perspective from someone other than my own mother:
“Lisa is an amazing woman. (Some of the time.) She graduated high school as valedictorian, (there were three students in her graduating class,) she’s a Grammy-nominated singer, (who recorded each line of the song multiple times and the engineer pieced together a whole song that was on pitch,) a creative mother, (if you don’t count the yelling,) an actress on a hit television series, (who almost got fired for getting too fat,) a loving wife, (except for years 2-7,) she’s made millions of dollars, (and lost it all,) a ballet, tap and jazz dancer, (she was the worst one in her class,) a glider pilot, (who hasn’t flown since she got her license,) a talented musician, (she can play two songs on the guitar,) great cook, (she cooks two standard “company” meals well, ) teaches multiple grades at the same time, (with only one child in each class,) keeps a beautiful home, (with the help of a once-a-week housekeeper,) her nails always look gorgeous, (they are fake,) she sews her children’s clothes, (the sewing machine hasn’t been touched in years,) keeps a record of their lives in scrapbooks, (she’s three years behind,) she’s up before dawn having her devotions, (there was that week back in 1999 when she was up before dawn for a week straight,) she wears designer clothes, (that a wardrobe person picks out and she only wears while filming, )and she is a record-setting race car driver, (at a Malibu Grand Prix go kart track.)”
Now, both of these perspectives are true, it’s just one of them is being written through the loving eyes of a parent. I believe that is how God looks at us. He sees all the good we’ve ever done and can do in the future. He forgets our mistakes and focuses on our successes. From that perspective maybe we actually can be Proverbs 31 women.
by Lisa Whelchel
for Christian Activities 5/1/2007
I don’t know about you but I am very intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman! I’m tempted to skip that whole chapter and jump ahead to the “everything is vanity” theme of Ecclesiastes which is closer to where I actually live.
The other day I was asking the Lord why He would put such an unattainable example in the Bible that only makes women feel like failures in comparison. I felt like He said, “Because that is how I see her and that is how I see you. I see all of the good things you’ve ever done or will do and all of your sins are covered by my Son’s blood so I don’t see them.”
I suddenly understood that I should read that chapter from a proud and loving Parent’s perspective. For example, if my mother were to write a chapter describing me she would probably write, “My daughter, Lisa, is an amazing woman. She graduated high school as valedictorian, she’s a Grammy-nominated singer, a creative mother, an actress on a hit television series, a loving wife, she’s made millions of dollars, a ballet, tap and jazz dancer, a glider pilot, a talented musician, great cook, teaches multiple grades, keeps a beautiful home, her nails always look gorgeous, she sews her children’s clothes, keeps a record of their lives in scrapbooks, she’s up before dawn having her devotions, she wears designer clothes, and she is a record-setting race car driver.”
Now all of that is true but my mother would have left out quite a few pieces of significant information. For starters, I’ve done all of those things over the course of forty years; I don’t do them all now. She would have also left out many of my secrets that she alone knows that I would be terribly ashamed if anyone else knew. And there is even more to each story she has listed. Here’s a perspective from someone other than my own mother:
“Lisa is an amazing woman. (Some of the time.) She graduated high school as valedictorian, (there were three students in her graduating class,) she’s a Grammy-nominated singer, (who recorded each line of the song multiple times and the engineer pieced together a whole song that was on pitch,) a creative mother, (if you don’t count the yelling,) an actress on a hit television series, (who almost got fired for getting too fat,) a loving wife, (except for years 2-7,) she’s made millions of dollars, (and lost it all,) a ballet, tap and jazz dancer, (she was the worst one in her class,) a glider pilot, (who hasn’t flown since she got her license,) a talented musician, (she can play two songs on the guitar,) great cook, (she cooks two standard “company” meals well, ) teaches multiple grades at the same time, (with only one child in each class,) keeps a beautiful home, (with the help of a once-a-week housekeeper,) her nails always look gorgeous, (they are fake,) she sews her children’s clothes, (the sewing machine hasn’t been touched in years,) keeps a record of their lives in scrapbooks, (she’s three years behind,) she’s up before dawn having her devotions, (there was that week back in 1999 when she was up before dawn for a week straight,) she wears designer clothes, (that a wardrobe person picks out and she only wears while filming, )and she is a record-setting race car driver, (at a Malibu Grand Prix go kart track.)”
Now, both of these perspectives are true, it’s just one of them is being written through the loving eyes of a parent. I believe that is how God looks at us. He sees all the good we’ve ever done and can do in the future. He forgets our mistakes and focuses on our successes. From that perspective maybe we actually can be Proverbs 31 women.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
More pictures
Sleep. It is amazing the difference a good night's sleep makes in a mommy. It is amazing the difference a good night's sleep makes in a Hannah. It is even more amazing the difference it makes to mommy when Hannah gets a good night's sleep.
Thank you, Lord, for a 14 hour night for Hannah! She is so much fun when she is rested!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Because my life is never dull
It is not unusual for fire trucks to pull into the parking lot of my apartment building. We have the only elevator on base, and any time the emergency button gets pushed (and it happens frequently because they put the button where even Hannah can push it!), the fire department has to come and investigate. Today was not a normal day. There were people outside who, it appeared, were not being allowed in the building. What was going on? Both kids were very peacefully asleep (who wants to wake up napping babies?) so I figured I would leave if there was a fire alarm. But, wanting to be a responsible mom I called my girlfriend to find out what she thought. Picture both of us standing on our balconies on opposite sides of the building...
"Good. You are still in the building. Do you know what's going on?"
"No, I don't--do you?"
"No, I don't--do you?"
"No, there are a lot of people outside that aren't coming into the building, two fire trucks, a police car, and the Fire Chief."
"Do you think the building is on fire?"
"If the building was on fire, wouldn't they pull the trucks up to the hydrants?"
"One would think so, but this IS Korea! Wait, Steph is walking by...Steph said she thinks that Jamie Sherwood's house it on fire on the 8th floor. They are evaculating the building floor by floor."
"So, should we get the kids up? We are on the 2nd and 3rd floor--surely the fire won't get here."
"I would think the alarm would go off if we need to leave."
"Why aren't they getting the fire hoses out?"
"I don't know. I just got the kids down for a nap. I don't want to get them up."
"I don't know. I just got the kids down for a nap. I don't want to get them up."
"Me too. I think I'll get the diaper bag ready just in case we have to leave."
"What are you going to take?"
"Diapers and fire insurance papers."
"Good thinking!"
"Why do I feel better standing in my apartment talking to you?"
"I don't know. Kind of silly, huh?"
"I guess I'll just wait for the alarms."
Ten minutes later...
"Why are you still in the building? Are you not coming out?"
"My alarm didn't go off--did yours?"
"Yes, through the apartment loud speakers. We are all suppose to be outside."
"Yes, through the apartment loud speakers. We are all suppose to be outside."
"I'll be down in just a minute."
Two minutes after getting outside the fire department comes down the hill...
"The building is all clear to go back inside. It was just a lot of smoke."
"The building is all clear to go back inside. It was just a lot of smoke."
The ladies on the sidewalk are all whispering and quasi-grumbling...
"How can you have "just smoke"? Where there is smoke there is fire!"
"How can you have "just smoke"? Where there is smoke there is fire!"
I've never had a reason to REALLY say that before! Ah Korea! What will my life be without you? Delightfully boring!! :)
The Hokies and the Media
For the past week I have been glued to the news, internet news, blogs, websites, and emails the tell me the stories of my fellow Hokies and their families. I don't know how much you are all following the story. Maybe you are like I normally am with these types of things "I've heard about this all week--can we move on to something else?" I usually feel like I hear the same things over and over. This time, it hasn't bothered me. It has helped me to stay connected with my extended family and all that they are going through.
In all of my news watching and reading I've picked up on a couple of things that may have slipped your attention. And because I think that the American media is like a big bully that pushes their thoughts, opinions, and policies onto everyone who listens, I think that it is a glorious thing to share these tidbits on with you...
(All of these stories are told in U.S. time.)
On the Monday evening news, all of the major news channels said that questions were being raised and outcry was being heard over the decisions made by President Steger and the Chief of Police. They managed to find a few students to interview who wanted to bash the President for the lack of proper warning to the student body after the first shooting. It seemed to make great controversial headlines. At the Tuesday afternoon convocation the student body rose to their feet and gave President Steger a standing ovation that lasted three minutes. After that, the media quit looking for people who disgruntal students. And the comments made were that "a panel was being formed to ensure the situation was handled propertly" with no names being mentioned again. Go Hokies.
Then on Wednesday night NBC news aired video footage of the shooter. Cho had sent to the videos, pictures, and a rambling letter to the news station in between the first and second shootings. I watched in horror as they did exactly what Cho knew they would do--give him the final word from the grave. I was outraged. And so were the Hokies. The next day at a press conference the VA Chief of Police commented on the lack of propriety in airing the footage. At least two families turned interviews for the Today show because of the airing of the footage. Countless students were interviewed telling of their disapproval of the footage. Not only did NBC not air any more videos (as they had promised to do at the close of the Wednesday night broadcast) but they came as close as I have ever heard to giving an apology on air for, basically, being so insensitive. Go Hokies.
The best part? The Student Government has formally asked all media to leave campus by the start of classes on Monday morning. Handwritten signs were posted by students around campus asking the media to go home. "You came, you filmed our story, you showed how we are a family. Now, please leave."
I used to think that the media was a powerhouse of corrupt secular theology that could never be stopped. The Hokies have proved me wrong. It is amazing the power of a group of likeminded individuals who will not allow what they value to be trampled upon. And while at the beginning of this tragedy the news asked "How will this event negatively affect future enrollment?" I think they answered their own question--it won't. Throughout the week the news has had to report what is actually happening in Blacksburg--students, families, faculty, and the community at large coming together to get through a tragic time unified in heart and spirit. And if you want to go to college in a place as great as Virginia Tech, they are accepting applications. :)
In all of my news watching and reading I've picked up on a couple of things that may have slipped your attention. And because I think that the American media is like a big bully that pushes their thoughts, opinions, and policies onto everyone who listens, I think that it is a glorious thing to share these tidbits on with you...
(All of these stories are told in U.S. time.)
On the Monday evening news, all of the major news channels said that questions were being raised and outcry was being heard over the decisions made by President Steger and the Chief of Police. They managed to find a few students to interview who wanted to bash the President for the lack of proper warning to the student body after the first shooting. It seemed to make great controversial headlines. At the Tuesday afternoon convocation the student body rose to their feet and gave President Steger a standing ovation that lasted three minutes. After that, the media quit looking for people who disgruntal students. And the comments made were that "a panel was being formed to ensure the situation was handled propertly" with no names being mentioned again. Go Hokies.
Then on Wednesday night NBC news aired video footage of the shooter. Cho had sent to the videos, pictures, and a rambling letter to the news station in between the first and second shootings. I watched in horror as they did exactly what Cho knew they would do--give him the final word from the grave. I was outraged. And so were the Hokies. The next day at a press conference the VA Chief of Police commented on the lack of propriety in airing the footage. At least two families turned interviews for the Today show because of the airing of the footage. Countless students were interviewed telling of their disapproval of the footage. Not only did NBC not air any more videos (as they had promised to do at the close of the Wednesday night broadcast) but they came as close as I have ever heard to giving an apology on air for, basically, being so insensitive. Go Hokies.
The best part? The Student Government has formally asked all media to leave campus by the start of classes on Monday morning. Handwritten signs were posted by students around campus asking the media to go home. "You came, you filmed our story, you showed how we are a family. Now, please leave."
I used to think that the media was a powerhouse of corrupt secular theology that could never be stopped. The Hokies have proved me wrong. It is amazing the power of a group of likeminded individuals who will not allow what they value to be trampled upon. And while at the beginning of this tragedy the news asked "How will this event negatively affect future enrollment?" I think they answered their own question--it won't. Throughout the week the news has had to report what is actually happening in Blacksburg--students, families, faculty, and the community at large coming together to get through a tragic time unified in heart and spirit. And if you want to go to college in a place as great as Virginia Tech, they are accepting applications. :)
Check out WWW.VT.EDU
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tragic Irony
Yesterday I woke up to the news that my beloved campus had been ravished by deadly shootings. This morning I woke up to find that the perpetrator is a resident alien from South Korea. The South Korean government issued an apology of sorts. (I find is strange at times for governments to apologize for the behavior of one of their citizens.) While I have felt a type of disconnect from yesterday's events due to the time difference and such, this odd connection between the shooter and my host country has proven a strange twist in this story for me.
Cho was born in South Korea and his parents moved to Northern Virginia when he was 8 years old. In all likelihood, his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents live in South Korea. And given the small size of this country, I live closer to his family than I have lived in relation to Blacksburg since I graduated. What must his family be thinking right now? I can't imagine how it must feel to be the parents of Cho--to see everyday on the news the pain and suffering he has caused, to hear the media talk about their son they way they are talking, to wonder if they as parents could have done something to prevent this. I can't imagine the shame this will bring on their family within the Korean culture.
For those who didn't get to watch the convocation, I encourage you to go to FoxNews.Com and watch the video clip of Nikki Giovanni's speech. The clip is less than 3 minutes long, and it is really the last minute of the clip that will paint the best picture possible for you to feel what it is like to be a Hokie.
And yes, that clip makes me cry.
Cho was born in South Korea and his parents moved to Northern Virginia when he was 8 years old. In all likelihood, his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents live in South Korea. And given the small size of this country, I live closer to his family than I have lived in relation to Blacksburg since I graduated. What must his family be thinking right now? I can't imagine how it must feel to be the parents of Cho--to see everyday on the news the pain and suffering he has caused, to hear the media talk about their son they way they are talking, to wonder if they as parents could have done something to prevent this. I can't imagine the shame this will bring on their family within the Korean culture.
For those who didn't get to watch the convocation, I encourage you to go to FoxNews.Com and watch the video clip of Nikki Giovanni's speech. The clip is less than 3 minutes long, and it is really the last minute of the clip that will paint the best picture possible for you to feel what it is like to be a Hokie.
And yes, that clip makes me cry.
Monday, April 16, 2007
My Alma Mater
Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia is the place my heart calls home. It is the place I became an adult, the place I grew up in my faith, the place I fell in love with Jeremy. It's the place I learned what friendship was all about and made girlfriends who will never leave me. Ever. It's the place where I learned how to shag dance, consolidate financial statements, and roast coffee beans. It is the place where I realized who I was and started to like it.
I'm a Hokie.
No, I didn't "attend Virginia Tech." I'm a Hokie. We are, as some Hokies say, a Hokie Nation. There is a camraderie amoung VT grads that extends throughout all of eternity. To see someone in a VT sweatshirt prompts an immediate "Go Hokies" from our lips. There is no where else our children could go to college that would make us more proud. And for them to marry a fellow Hokie would be almost for than we could ask for.
You can imagine my shock, horror, and disbelief when I woke up this morning and saw my beloved campus on the news due to a horrific and deadly tragedy. In the background of the news articles I saw the dorm building I lived in. I saw the buildings I went to class in. I heard tales of tragedy in the building that was home to Jeremy's major. And I wept. I cried for my home. I cried for the kids who lived through this ordeal. I cried for those who didn't. I cried for the parents. I cried for my friends who are ministers at Tech at my old church.
It doesn't take the media long to go from reporting the facts and showing pictures the grieving to placing blame and speculating the long term effects of this event on the future of the school. Bad things happen. Terrible, horrific things happen. And while we all wish it didn't happen, calling for the resignation of the President and Chief of Police will not solve any problems--it will create them. It will not bring healing to hearts. It will not bring back the deceased. These men executed their respective duties as best as possible given the circumstances and the evidence. To blame them is to grieve them more than they are already grieving. And they are grieving--this is Blacksburg.
And while some people may turn down their acceptance letter from Virginia Tech because of this event, they are really turning down one of the finest universities in all of America. Tech is a school where a 2600 acre campus can feel as small as your backyard if you want it to. Where your professors take the time to know you by first name, even in a class of 500. Where football reigns supreme in the heart of the student body, even when we stink in the post-season.
Virginia Tech. My heart's home. Today my heart is breaking.
I'm a Hokie.
No, I didn't "attend Virginia Tech." I'm a Hokie. We are, as some Hokies say, a Hokie Nation. There is a camraderie amoung VT grads that extends throughout all of eternity. To see someone in a VT sweatshirt prompts an immediate "Go Hokies" from our lips. There is no where else our children could go to college that would make us more proud. And for them to marry a fellow Hokie would be almost for than we could ask for.
You can imagine my shock, horror, and disbelief when I woke up this morning and saw my beloved campus on the news due to a horrific and deadly tragedy. In the background of the news articles I saw the dorm building I lived in. I saw the buildings I went to class in. I heard tales of tragedy in the building that was home to Jeremy's major. And I wept. I cried for my home. I cried for the kids who lived through this ordeal. I cried for those who didn't. I cried for the parents. I cried for my friends who are ministers at Tech at my old church.
It doesn't take the media long to go from reporting the facts and showing pictures the grieving to placing blame and speculating the long term effects of this event on the future of the school. Bad things happen. Terrible, horrific things happen. And while we all wish it didn't happen, calling for the resignation of the President and Chief of Police will not solve any problems--it will create them. It will not bring healing to hearts. It will not bring back the deceased. These men executed their respective duties as best as possible given the circumstances and the evidence. To blame them is to grieve them more than they are already grieving. And they are grieving--this is Blacksburg.
And while some people may turn down their acceptance letter from Virginia Tech because of this event, they are really turning down one of the finest universities in all of America. Tech is a school where a 2600 acre campus can feel as small as your backyard if you want it to. Where your professors take the time to know you by first name, even in a class of 500. Where football reigns supreme in the heart of the student body, even when we stink in the post-season.
Virginia Tech. My heart's home. Today my heart is breaking.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The first of many "lasts"
We had our last recall for an exercise today!! YEAY!!! Only four more days of exercise left!!! Only four more days of chem gear and "big voice"! And only 72 days left in Korea. Wow. We may actually make it :)
A Family Weekend
Here at Osan AB, the concept of "family time" has a definition that, unfortunately, usually only consists of bedtime rituals and going to church on Sunday mornings, if you are lucky. This weekend has been a wonderful exception for the Rhodes Family! We not only have enjoyed bedtime book reading and Sunday morning church, but we went to McDonald's (a first for Benjamin!), and TWO trips to the playground together! It seems like a taste of what a "family" is suppose to be, a taste of what life will be like when we get back to the states, where work hours are consistent and untouched by the demands of a couple of Generals, dozens of Distinguished Vistors, and a pending operational inspection :)
I can't even imagine how much fun it will be to have a YARD! Grass!! Won't that be fun??
ps--I've tried to add this picture to the sidebar, and it always says there is an error in the upload. Do any of my computer savy friends know what I'm doing wrong??
Friday, April 13, 2007
My "Little" Man
After 2.5 weeks, we finally got an appointment for Benjamin's 2 month well-baby check-up. My 11 week old son weighs in at 14.5 lbs and measures a whooping 25.5 inches. In exactly two months he has gained 2 lbs and grown 4 inches. He is as big now as Hannah was at four months. The "newborn" stage left early. :) Following his sister's footsteps he started gumming his hand and will probably cut teeth in the next few weeks. It has made him quite the happy camper lately. Thankfully, all of his wakefulness during the day has caused him to sleep 8 hour stretches for the past two nights, from 9pm feeding to a 5am feeding. Hopefully, we'll be able to keep that up! It felt good to get two nights of seven hours of sleep, especially since I wasn't able to have naps those days.
Wendy--it's ORI time next week!! I'm thrilled :-(
Monday, April 09, 2007
The brain...
Do you ever feel like the thoughts in your head are swirling around like a flushing toilet that won't stop flushing? Water moving powerfully around and around and around and it just doesn't stop no matter what you do?
I know. I have weird analogies.
I know. I have weird analogies.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Spring Cleaning
In light of the blogs of my dear friends Amber (Joy Outloud) and Angela (Diapers and Stilletos)...
I don't spring clean. I move. I moved out the spring/summer of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 (I got to skip a few years!), 2006, and now in 2007. I told you that I haven't had a calm year in a while! When adding the times I moved in and out of college living locations to all of my other moves, the sum -total number of moves in my life is 16. That includes two addreses in Montana and three apartments in Korea. And people ask me why I keep all of the boxes my Pampered Chef items came in! Ha! I'll actually have to start spring cleaning once I "settle" somewhere. (I used to think that only houses settled!)
I don't spring clean. I move. I moved out the spring/summer of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 (I got to skip a few years!), 2006, and now in 2007. I told you that I haven't had a calm year in a while! When adding the times I moved in and out of college living locations to all of my other moves, the sum -total number of moves in my life is 16. That includes two addreses in Montana and three apartments in Korea. And people ask me why I keep all of the boxes my Pampered Chef items came in! Ha! I'll actually have to start spring cleaning once I "settle" somewhere. (I used to think that only houses settled!)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The life you expected?
Jeremy & I had a conversation tonight that got me curious as to the reponses of my friends. I think I know the answer that some of you will give. For others, I'm not so sure. So, here it is...is the life you are living the one you dreamed of/expected to live when you thought about your "adult" life as an adolecent/teenager? For Jeremy, the answer is yes. When he thought of his life he figured he would work as an engineer somewhere, have a wife and kids, a house, and serve in a church. For him, it's like all of the puzzle pieces now have recognizable pictures on them and they are all in place.
I'm the exact opposite. I said this matter-of-factly and without regret, but my life is COMPLETELY different than I dreamed of/expected. By this point in my life my accounting career would have me in at least the low six figures. Not that I dreamed of having a lot of money, but I did fantasize about a black Lexus occasionally :) I always wanted to work for the firm that I worked for in Boston. It was my plan from the moment I entered college. And I loved working for them and would have continued had I not married a man who lived in the only state in the US without a PWC office! I wanted to eventually transfer within the company to an office in a foreign country so that I had an "in" to help missionaries within the country. Maybe somewhere in India or Sri Lanka. (Never Asia, though! HA!) Marriage? Eventually I would have liked to be married (never thought about the military aspect!). I never ever dreamed of having kids, though. Didn't know that I wanted them at all (sound familiar Nenang??). Kids and Liz Claiborne don't really mix well together!
So, what about you? Are you living the life you expected you would live? Or has life turned out differently? Again I say, turning out differently is not bad. It's just...different. :)
I'm the exact opposite. I said this matter-of-factly and without regret, but my life is COMPLETELY different than I dreamed of/expected. By this point in my life my accounting career would have me in at least the low six figures. Not that I dreamed of having a lot of money, but I did fantasize about a black Lexus occasionally :) I always wanted to work for the firm that I worked for in Boston. It was my plan from the moment I entered college. And I loved working for them and would have continued had I not married a man who lived in the only state in the US without a PWC office! I wanted to eventually transfer within the company to an office in a foreign country so that I had an "in" to help missionaries within the country. Maybe somewhere in India or Sri Lanka. (Never Asia, though! HA!) Marriage? Eventually I would have liked to be married (never thought about the military aspect!). I never ever dreamed of having kids, though. Didn't know that I wanted them at all (sound familiar Nenang??). Kids and Liz Claiborne don't really mix well together!
So, what about you? Are you living the life you expected you would live? Or has life turned out differently? Again I say, turning out differently is not bad. It's just...different. :)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Teething
No, not Hannah. Benjamin. Yes, I know that he'll be two months old tomorrow. But I also know that Hannah started gumming my finger at about the same age and popped two teeth out the week she turned three months. What can I say, my kids are overachievers in the mouth area :) Now, if only we can say that in the brain area...time will tell...
Life is full of big decisions, isn't it? Jeremy & I have been in a hurricane of them over the past two weeks. In, out, up, down, left, right...which way should we go? So many thoughts, so many discussions, so many prayers, so many tears and wanting the "decision" time to be over and the clean up from the hurricane to begin. Seems like we haven't had a "calm" year since we've been married. Maybe 2008 will be the year of the calm because 2007 definitely isn't! Then again, it will be time for another baby by then...2009? Maybe?
Life is full of big decisions, isn't it? Jeremy & I have been in a hurricane of them over the past two weeks. In, out, up, down, left, right...which way should we go? So many thoughts, so many discussions, so many prayers, so many tears and wanting the "decision" time to be over and the clean up from the hurricane to begin. Seems like we haven't had a "calm" year since we've been married. Maybe 2008 will be the year of the calm because 2007 definitely isn't! Then again, it will be time for another baby by then...2009? Maybe?
Interesting Article
Are We Really Depriving Our Kids?
By Jill Cooper
I often hear ladies complaining that they want to stay at home with their kids but that they "have to work since it is so expensive to raise kids these days". One of the main questions I get asked about frugal living is "won’t I be depriving my children if I live the frugal life?" Maybe I can answer that question with a few questions.
I often hear ladies complaining that they want to stay at home with their kids but that they "have to work since it is so expensive to raise kids these days". One of the main questions I get asked about frugal living is "won’t I be depriving my children if I live the frugal life?" Maybe I can answer that question with a few questions.
How am I depriving my children by having them drink water for every meal instead of juice and soda? Isn’t one thing doctors are always complaining about is we don’t drink enough water? Cutting out just one glass of soda per person per day for a family of four would save $547.50 a year and make them healthier.
How am I depriving my children by having them eat an apple or homemade granola bar for a snack instead of a bag of chips? Obesity is a major problem among children in the United States. If you cut out just one bag of chips a week you would save $104.00 a year and make them healthier.
How am I depriving my children by having them walk to school or to a friends house instead of my always driving them there? Lack of exercise is a big problem. You would save time and wear and tear on your car by having them walk and make them healthier at the same time.
How am I depriving my children when I don’t buy them every toy they see and want? We wouldn’t dream of giving a baby on baby food all the chocolate that he wants because we know it would make him sick. His body can not tolerate that much chocolate even if he desires it.
In the same way, an older child can’t emotionally deal with the overload of toys. I as an adult become stressed just from trying to buy a bottle of shampoo. Have you ever noticed how many options you have? Trying to make a decision can be overwhelming. Do I get it for thin, fine, dry and damaged or colored and permed hair? The list goes on and on.
In the same way when a young child looks at piles of toys, he can become very stressed over choosing which one to play with. If you watch, you will notice that they tend to play with the same couple of toys over and over. If you didn’t give them all the toys they asked for and bought one less brand new toy at $10 a week, you would save $520.00 in one year and you would help relieve them of some stress.
It is no wonder our children stay confused. We insist that they should eat healthy yet we take them out to eat 3-5 times a week at McDonald’s. We give them a bag of carrot sticks in their lunch because it’s healthy and then give them a bag of chips when they get home from school to get them off our backs.
We want them to have strong character yet the moment they whine or cry for another toy or some candy at the store we give in out of guilt. We are afraid that if we don’t give them what they want, they won’t love us so to rid ourselves of uncomfortable feelings we say yes. How can we teach them to be strong in character when we are so weak?
How could our society and way of thinking have gotten so mixed up that we think a child is deprived if a mom chooses to stay home and not go to work? We have come to believe that moms should work outside the home so that children can have the most expensive clothes, education or material things. (Note I didn’t say best but rather most expensive since the most expensive doesn’t mean the best.) If a mom goes to work so a child can have all those things it’s not considered depriving the child of anything but it’s mom. Which do you think does a child more harm- being deprived expensive things or it’s mom?
For you stay at home moms: Before you become too puffed up with pride be aware that too many social, church and school activities can deprive your children of you just as much as working. Do all things in moderation.
Better to give your kids your values you have than the valuables you can't afford.
Better to give your kids your values you have than the valuables you can't afford.
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