Skinamerinkydinkydo...

Samantha singing her Pop-Pop's song!

Sorry, I don't know how to edit the video's yet. I hope to catch Andrew singing this too. He loves this song. I had to record it 3 times because he kept crying that Pop-pop wasn't on the computer and you couldn't hear Samantha singing. He thought he was going to sing to him over Skype.

Tomorrow is a big day. The kids meet their new teachers. They are starting at a new childcare center on Tuesday next week. It is with mixed emotions that this change is happening! Samantha has been at the same daycare for 4.5 years and AJ, well, since I went back to work when he was 3 months old. May God bless all of those teachers that have been a part of my children's daily lives. Those that have loved them and taught them. Knowing my children are well cared for while I am away from them means more than I can express in words. Please pray that we will ALL bond with the new teachers quickly!

Flexibility?

We had quite the week. 2 half-days for me because Samantha had vacation church school. I was able to rearrange my schedule a bit, so she could attend 2 days. (Hopefully next year she can go more....yes, I have mommy guilt.) That gave me a little more time with her than usual and we really enjoyed it. An extra trip home after I stranded David and the kids without car keys. David showed some flexibility there! I had an early breakfast meeting with an old friend from Pittsburgh and brought both sets of my keys with me. Luckily, I was able to return home by 8:30 am so he still got in most of his work day.

This is Samantha's artwork. She designed this Flower Fairy from natural media (leaves, flowers, grasses from our yard).

One day Andrew even stayed home in the morning with me, and we had some fun mommy-son time. He was really sad he couldn't go to VCS because he wanted to "Play with Samantha". I am so grateful they are playing together so much better. We've learned to adjust to their fighting, and rather than separate them, we are encouraging them to come up with solutions. Samantha is usually the leader there, and comes up with an alternative "plan" and Andrew usually agrees. In time, I hope he learns from her flexibility.

Samantha and Andrew play with a Playmobil set.

From the kitchen, I love hearing, "I have a good idea" or "lets go make a mess!" The teamwork is wonderful.

Samantha was a little under the weather yesterday, but seems to be herself today. She just kept saying she was tired and lying around. I guess we are lucky thats all it was!

Quite a few people have asked me what's next for me, since I didn't get a teaching job this summer. I honestly don't know at this point, and I am trying to trust God that there will be some plan out there that will bring more peace to our lives. My funding for the current grant runs through April of next year, so there isn't really any rush. In an ideal situation, I will find something I love before the summer, so we could move and settle into a new home before Samantha starts kindergarden, but I don't expect that everything will work out in that ideal way. I am reapplying for the grant I didn't receive (application is due basically the first of Sept), and I will know in November whether it will be funded. There is a part of me that wants to walk away from it all and just see what happens, but there is also a part of me that thinks I need to keep trying to land a tenure track position. I am still going every direction I can right now. I will have some discussions with some leaders in science education in this area over the next couple weeks. Maybe that networking will spark some ideas or an opportunity. I like to think I'm being flexible.

Timely giveaway- I heart bacteria T!

Many of you know the struggles we've had with Andrew's digestive system. Just when we've begun to relax that his digestive system normalized, this week has been not so good and this weekend well, leaves us wondering if his symptoms have returned or he has a virus. I hate to say it, but I am hoping its a virus. I am hopeful his symptoms are short term. But, as I was looking through many of the blogs I read for sales and advice in the kitchen, I came across a very timely giveaway and good reminder....

Blog: A Few Short Cuts.

Giveway: A "I heart bacteria" T-shirt and coupons for Culturelle.

Reminder: Culturelle is what may have turned Andrew's system around last time! Probiotics are definitely what helped David when he had his digestive illness which caused him to loose 15lbs in just 6 weeks. Time to start giving Andrew probiotics again on a regular basis. With the link to the coupons on A Few Short Cuts, I will be headed to the store today.

Our bodies are the home for more bacterial cells than human cells! The colonization of our digestive tract by 'probiotic' bacteria is beneficial for many reasons. First of all, their presence actually blocks the colonization by harmful bacteria or viruses. Secondly, they help us digest our food. Finally, they keep our immune systems on their toes. Using probiotics and/or eating yogurt with live cultures has great health benefits and while its good to have this practice all year round, its especially important after an infection or a course of antibiotics.

So much fun!

We've been having so much fun with the kids!

They are enjoying time at the pool, although we've only been going for about 45 minutes at a time because of the heat and our schedules. Its actually perfect. They cool off, get comfortable in the water and we all get a little exercise. They will start swim lessons in July and I cannot wait to see how they do. I am almost think AJ could swim if we just tossed him in, but I also know he would never forgive me.

This weekend we tried to focus on family time, especially with Daddy. Samantha took Daddy to the Princess Ball.

This was actually a fundraiser her godfather told David about. They had a blast. She was 'presented', and very politely curtsied as she walked across the stage. David said she ate, danced, and curtsied more. She came home with her hair done up, finger nails painted, and with make-up on. Night of her life!!

This is Samantha with her good friend, "ALEX" before the Ball.While the girls dressed up, the boys hung out with mommies. Samantha's godmother, her son, Andrew, and I had dinner, played in the outside pool, read books and played 'hide and seek'. It wasn't the "Lion Ball" Andrew requested, but he quickly forgot and had a blast. He loves his big boy friend!

This is AJ borrowing one of his friend's helmets....a Saint's helmet actually (David was proud).

Saturday afternoon we went to see Charlotte's Web at the Nashville Children's Theatre. It was wonderful! I have been to the theatre once a year for the last 3 years, and I have never been disappointed. The cast was amazing. Andrew was mesmerized (as we sat in the second row), and he was so relaxed. He actually fell asleep on my lap during the last 3 minutes. Samantha was so excited. She loved it, but honestly was disappointed that Wilbur wasn't a real animal. Moreover, she didn't even recognize the sheep for a sheep, asking why there wasn't a sheep in the play (she has had the story read to her twice).

We are looking forward to next year's series already. There are probably only two productions that are age appropriate but we will make every effort to attend both, Seussical and Goodnight Moon!!

Sunday was very laid back. After church, we watched a World Cup match and then I took the kids to the library and the park to give David some quiet time to watch the US Open. Then the kids and I brought home dinner for Daddy and they helped me serve it to him. We finished the evening with calls to Grandpa and Granddaddy, and a wreckless distruction of Samantha's room. So, kids will be kids!! While they are growing up, we still have to keep an eye on them for in just 10 minutes they can wreck havoc!! And then they snuggle up, say I'm sorry and I melt like a popsicle!

Personally, I am trying to get back into the swing of things in lab (mentally). Honestly, there are days I don't even want to be there, but I am trying to remind myself that there must be a reason why I am there and that I don't have to be perfect or heroic necessarily. I just need to focus on each task and do the best I can for the glory of God.

From the backseat...

On the way to church today, Samantha asked to see her "Saints" book. I handed to her.

Andrew said (to me), "I want to see St. Christopher".

"His book is in the trunk."

"Oh", replied Andrew.

Samantha then said, "St. Christopher is in this book. See."

"Oh", replied Andrew.

"And this is Jack Johnson", chimmed Samantha.

Daddy interjected, "Samantha, Jack Johnson isn't a Saint".

Samantha said, "Well, I think he is nice, so he is a Saint". If only.

Perspective

I have never been one who articulates themselves well in writing. Tonight, my brain hurts. My eyes are puffy. My apologies- the post is going to be jumbled. I listen to my daughter asleep on my bed because I was too tired/sympathetic to her being 'scared' in her room. I will move her before I retire for the evening, but its a pleasant reminder that all is well. She is peaceful, comforted in my bed, and Andrew is the same in his own room. Hopefully, David is also (although he is likely nearing wake up time in his part of the world).

I believe God has a plan for each of us. I believe we have free will. I believe when 'one door closes, a window opens'. I believe in 'meaning', but not in 'happiness'. I believe I can do nothing without the Almighty Father's divine help. I believe I need to pray more!

I want what's best for my children, but I don't always know what that is. I want to talk to my husband when he is away, especially when I need his perspective, but that is often not possible. I want to control my life, but know that much of it is out of my control.

2 great job opportunities were not in the plans. My grant wasn't either.

I realize all of my disappointments this week arise from my blessings! I realize new life brings new perspective (John David, I cannot wait to hold you). I realize with every failure I might have, someone else is celebrating a success. I realize my children are loved and well cared for at home, church, and school. I realize my husband is leading a meaningful life by bringing accessiblity to others (and I am proud of him!!).

By God's grace, when Andrew dropped the mason jar on the back porch yesterday (in his bare feet) no one was hurt.

By God's grace, when the storm blew through today and opened our back door, knocked down patio furniture, moving our grill, tearing apart our tulip poplar and leaving puddles in our kitchen, we were safe and the tree didn't land on the house and no animals found refuge in our home. By God's grace, technology allowed the kids and I to have a face-to-face conversation with my eldest goddaugher, Anna, and my mom this evening (boy, did I need that!).

I am grateful for all that I have (I am grateful the list is too long to type it)!! I am grateful for friends who have shown so much support for me and try to understand what I do in that foreign land of Lab. This week in particular I am grateful my children like to listen to LuLu Mae. And, I am grateful they don't mind peanut butter and jelly for dinner when I am too tired to cook.

I look forward to discovery. I look forward to the challenges ahead. I look forward to the joy on my children's faces when they see David later this week. I look forward to holding my new nephew and sharing the joy with family. I look forward to time with friends watching the World Cup. I look forward to hearing about our teens trip to Mexico.

The big and the small all wrapped up in this crazy time on Earth. May God's Will be done!

Summer got off with a SPLASH!

Summer got off to a wonderful start this weekend with Memorial Day! Our summers seem to be driven by out of town guests, time with friends, and time in the great outdoors (pool time, picnics, and playtime!). That's exactly what happened this weekend. We also enjoyed our annual picnic to hear the Nashville Symphony at Vanderbilt (the picture of Andrew in blue above is from that evening- do you think it was humid?)

There have been a few changes around the house...mostly in name calling. For the first time today, Andrew actually corrected me when I called him AJ!! We usually go back and forth between the two names and occasionally, David calls him "SON!". Today he showed a perference! We'll see if it lasts. Seems most people at St. Ignatius call him AJ and most people at daycare all him Andrew. I don't have a preference either way...but I do have a perference on what I am called....Andrew has taken to calling me Mom. Just Mom. No Momma, no Mommy. Samantha corrects him. Bless her! She seems to know what it means to me. He isn't allowed to grow up that fast!!

Personal reflections...thankful reflections.

I did find some time Monday for personal reflection on the sacrifices that our military have made for us! As I thought and prayed for the people I know that have served this country or are currently serving, I feel overwhelmingly blessed. I have a grandfather, uncles, cousins and friends that have served....THANK YOU!!

My parents celebrated 40 years of marriage this weekend! It was hard not to be there with them to celebrate. I attended a bridal shower on Sunday and it was there that I was telling someone about their anniversary and I got all choked up. They are so special and 40 years is no easy task! Congratulations, Mom and Dad! We love you!!

Sunday was also Granddaddy's birthday. The kids enjoyed talking/video calling him on Monday and were very sad we weren't heading there after we got off Skype. AJ kept saying," Are we going to see Granddaddy?" I guess the trip to MS seemed short to him?