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April 26th, 2009
06:01 pm - Happy Birthday Tabitha!
Everywhere we go we are a bit of a novelty. We have five girls, in some cultures we would have been like royalty. In some cultures, well, it wouldn't have been such a blessing, or so I hear every time I take them all out. I also have to laugh that if we make sure that everyone is looking nice, hair in a hair pretty, cute, clean clothes, pre approved before we walk out the door, we get at least one comment on how well behaved our children are. On the contrary, if we have to go somewhere right after school or less than prepared... you can guess the reception we receive! Anyway, to make a long story short, I can't leave the house without being asked if they are all mine and how old they are. So this is my favorite month of the entire year. Between Aril 27th and June 8 we are all odds or all evens.
For the next month, every time someone asks me what the ages of my children I won't have to close my eyes, take a deep breath and think, because they are 13, 11, 9, 7, 5.
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March 31st, 2009
09:45 am - Sunday night
Saturday night, Aerika came out of her room crying. She had forgotten a school project that was due on Monday. I took a heavy sigh and asked her to bring me what she had. She dug though her backpack only to realize it was left at school. We chatted for a minute decided she definitely needed the requirements or she would be unable to complete the assignment. I asked her what she thought she should do. She came up with names of three friends she could call Sunday morning to ask if she could borrow a copy of their requirements.
Sunday morning she called her friend Hannah, we picked up a copy of the report requirements after church, it was 4:30. Sis Thompson, Hannah's mom, whispered to me Hannah spent 14 hours on her project and her other daughter,Ashley, spent 20. Suddenly, I felt like I was thirteen and I had a project that should have been done three weeks ago. Right there, I wanted to cry. I felt hopeless! I struggled for the next three hours, I was a stressed out ball of nerves and wow poor Aerika! I looked up her grades and realized not turning this assignment in would take her grade from a B to F and this teacher doesn't take late assignments. Aerika's only option was to get as much done as she could and hope for the best.
It was a ten day bike trip. One hundred miles a day. She has to cross the Columbia river, cross two bridges, visit a major dam, fly a kite, put her toes in the Pacific Ocean, eat lunch in a hay field, cross two mountain passes, ride through a national park, touch a glacier, visit a college, eat fruit at a fruit stand, row a boat in a lake, fish in a river, visit two historical sites,the list went on... She needed a one page journal each day,pictures, and a map.
It was about 7:30 when a friend dropped Tally off, I vented a moment with my friend and she said to me that she remembered doing that to her mom a few times growing up. One time in particular, she said, she told her mom she needed a Japanese display the next morning. She told me that it was one of the most spiritual times she remembers with her mother.
Here I am immobilized with stress, how can I turn this into anything but a disaster? Is it even best to rescue her? At that point, I think I decided that I needed to go to bed and let her SUFFER the consequences.
By about 8:30, my heart was beginning to soften. I started to think about what I should be doing.
Ideally, I would have loved to use this as a learning experience. If we had taken three weeks I would have loved to show here how to use map quest to figure out mileage. I could have shown her on the first few and let her do the rest. She would have gotten great at it by the end. We could have taken a whole week to chart our trip. I would have loved to teacher her how to research each area that she visited. She could have taken a whole day to think about and write each page of her journal. It could have been clever, fun, and beautiful and a wonderful learning experience. I could have helped her and been a Super Mom...ahhh for the perfect world.
But really, I had four choices. It's a little like a choose your own adventure novel!
First, is my favorite, go to bed. It isn't always a good idea to rescue your child! Let her learn from this experience. Procrastinating stinks! It feels terrible, it is never fun. If she fails this class she will have another opportunity to take Washington State History in high school and the good news is she probably won't have this assignment again!
Second, stay up with her and watch a movie so that she doesn't feel totally alone. Besides, then I can tell her she HAS to stay awake and finish. She can choose how much or how little she learns and I can bring her sugar to keep her awake. I can help her if she gets stuck, I can help her if she doesn't know how to do something. I can even give her ideas from the couch if she gets writer block. I still don't get sleep but at least I didn't rescue her again!!!!
Third, I can rescue her. Not a total rescue I can help her as much as I can, I can spend time "showing" her what to do and let her do as much as she has time for. We can work side by side, she won't learn as much as she would have by leaving her on her own. She won't learn as much as she would have by taking three weeks to work on it. She will probably spend a lot of time telling me what to type because I type faster. It would become as much our project as her project. She won't learn that procrastinating stinks. She won't learn that feeling of being absolutely alone in the middle of the night wishing she could go to sleep even though she can't.
Fourth, total rescue. I like this one too. I can send her to bed at a decent hour and finish it myself. I can almost guarantee an A and that would bring her up to an A in the class. I wouldn't have to help her for the rest of the quarter and she would do great in the class. It is easier to do it myself. I will probably get to go to bed much earlier, and that is really what this is all about anyway isn't it.
We stayed up until three. She worked really hard. I worked just as hard. She learned a lot, not as much as she could have. She will probably get a B. We forgot to dip her toes in the Pacific Ocean.
I chatted with her this morning about what she thought we should have done. She thought the third option was best. Of course that is because it was another rescue! I asked her what she learned. First thing, she said, she learned to never procrastinate. It could have been my lousy attitude at the beginning or it could have been that she didn't enjoy 4 hours of sleep and going to school. Second, she learned to let the computer do the work for you, don't make it hard on yourself if the computer can do the work for you. Third, when she is a mom, she is going to stay up and help her daughter.
I have just taught my daughter that moms rescue their daughters. Is that really what I was going for?
So here we are. Babies are no longer keeping us from sleeping through the night. In fact, a few weeks ago one of the girls said she tried to wake me up in the night and she couldn't. I was a little surprised. I asked if she talked to me and I didn't hear her and she said no, she came in my room and looked at me like she always does and I didn't wake up like I always do...gravy! Back when we had babies waking up every few hours, I slept with one eye open. I would wake up with someone looking at me on a regular basis. Now projects seem to be the number one reason for sleep loss. When does a rescue become a rescue?
So here we are, Aerika is the guinea pig. When Zoe is a teenager we will have this all figured out. And hopefully I will handle things better.
Good news is that as legend has it, if you stick your toes in the Pacific Ocean you will always come back. Aerika and I forgot to stick our toes in the ocean, maybe we will never go back, and Aerika will always have her assignments in EARLY from now on!
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March 27th, 2009
01:37 pm - It's my Zoe!
There is a movie star in all of us! And all it takes is a new pair of sunglasses to bring it out!
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01:06 pm - Parent/Teacher conference
So Yesterday was parent/teacher conference for all my school age children. It just confirmed what I have always suspected. My daughters are the most brilliant, talented and special children ever, not to mention angelic and beautiful!
I am so grateful to all these teachers that genuinely love working with children.
My favorite conference was Tabitha's. Her teacher was Aerika's teacher in 2nd and 3rd grade. To stir things up a bit, conference was in an open house style. Worked for me, I was able to put kids down for a nap and sneak out with Aerika babysitting. Tabitha had a checklist of things she was supposed to show me. Stories she had writtten, Math, Science, Social Studies. Nothing unusual, it also included the Benchmark tests they took. Tabitha was able to show me all her stuff and we oohed and ahhed. When she was done her teachers chatted with me about my daughter.
Why was it may favorite?
I always feel like we forget to look at each child as an individual. These teachers have a different set of parents every 20 minutes, most of them I am sure she doesn't have to hear from as often as she hears from Mrs.Corrigan. We chat about WASLs and Benchmarks, whether my child meets standard. How many times tests she has passed, whether she spells her high frequency words correct (they mark down WASL scores for that you know) Yes, I do get the read the sweet stories they have written and awesome art, but I often leave feeling sympathy for this teacher that gives her heart and soul to teaching and feels like she has to assure me that they have been teaching math to this test and she is sorry that my child missed this or that problem. She then assures me that my child is meeting all standards and off I go.
I love taking a moment and talking about my child as an individual, her hopes, dreams and capabilities. I don't envy these teachers, I have been trying to put the thoughts together all night about how I felt about Parent /Teacher conference. I left feeling sad our schools don't have time to look at children as individuals. I left knowing that these are wonderful, talented teachers that care about our children who are caught in the middle of WASL, Benchmark, No Child Left Behind, Behavior problems, Parent Problems, Learning Disabilities, and lack of time for creativity that makes children love school.
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March 17th, 2009
01:42 pm - What are my children learning in school?
St Patrick's Day...
Perri came home from school with a very shiny new rock...
"Look mom, my teacher gave me a bologna rock."
"A bologna rock? What's a bologna rock?"
"You kiss it and it gives you good luck"
"Oh, you mean a Blarney Stone?"
If you get good luck from kissing a Blarney Stone what do you get from kissing a bologna rock?
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February 20th, 2009
01:06 pm - We got our income tax refund and my neighbor won the lottery
So I looked at the front page of the newspaper today and my neighbors won the lottery. How very bazaar is that!
On a bit smaller scale...
We have been anxiously awaiting the income tax refund, so today is officially the Corrigan's richest day of the year. To celebrate, I went to Albertson's and took advantage of all the really cheap deals! It is 15 cent fruit snacks today! Whah hoo! I bought 30 boxes of fruit snacks and 10 boxes of our favorite granola bars for $10. Ahh, life is really good!
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February 4th, 2009
09:35 am - I just wanna be buff
We joined a gym, a very odd thing for me and my sweety to do but it is great fun for me. I haven't lifted weights for a very long time and was blissfully unaware of exactly how wimpy I had become. Someday I would really love to feel like I did before all my babies! The bonus is that it gets Damon and I out on a date several nights a week.
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December 8th, 2008
05:34 pm - Aren't you glad we live in an enlightened society!
In 2006, a Jewish group sponsored a menorah at the state capital. I understand why they would want to do that. We have a 'holiday tree' on the campus, I understand their desire to have a symbol of hope representing their religion. Funny, I can't feel offended.
That prompted a man to propose a nativity scene depicting the birth of Christ on the capital campus. His request was turned down. The guy sued and his Nativity scene was installed in 2007 and again this year. Again, I understand why he would want a symbol of peace placed on the Capital. I hope his intentions were sincere.
Unfortunately, no menorah is on display in 2008.
This year, there is a new billboard by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. I wish I could find the quote in it's entirety. "real reason for the season, the winter solstice." Okay, I can go there with you. I understand why it would be important to you to spread that message. Again that quote alone, I don't find at all offensive. The quote that got me really thinking... "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds," Isn't that ironic.
I always find it so interesting to come across someone that is self proclaimed open minded only to find that they are open minded as long as you believe all the same things they do.
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November 19th, 2008
09:37 pm - Bet you will never guess how my day is going!
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:
Wives, what of the unbridled tongue in your mouth, of the power for good or ill in your words? How is it that such a lovely voice which by divine nature is so angelic, so close to the veil, so instinctively gentle and inherently kind could ever in a turn be so shrill, so biting, so acrid and untamed? A woman’s words can be more piercing than any dagger ever forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined. Sisters, there is no place in that magnificent spirit of yours for acerbic or abrasive expression of any kind, including gossip or backbiting or catty remarks. Let it never be said of our home or our ward or our neighborhood that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity … [burning] among our members.”
President David O. McKay said:
“The home must be the most sacred place in the world.”
Elder Shumway said the following in regards to what President McKay said:
For this to be accomplished, we cannot raise our voices or allow contention to dwell in our homes. Imagine what our homes would be like if each time we felt offended, hurt, or angry we acted with love and followed the Lord’s counsel to turn the other cheek.
Elder Harold B. Lee:
“When you raise your voice in anger, the Spirit departs from your home.”
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October 9th, 2008
12:12 pm - Elections make me so frustrated!
I turned 36 this year. It is humbling, to think that the amount of time I have been over the age of 18 is equal to the amount of time before I was 18. That means that this will be the 5th presidential election since I have been eligible to vote. It concerns me that I have not felt strongly positive about a Democrat or Republican in that time. Strangely enough, this morning I found myself thinking about Ross Perot.
Perhaps it is a moment of insanity, I did bump my head rather hard this morning, I wish there was a candidate with Perot's wish list.
• If I had just one wish for my country, it would be a strong moral, ethical base. I had that when I grew up as a boy in the Great Depression. People did what they said they would do. That's all changed. We've got to get back to that.
• If I had two, it would be a strong family unit in every home.
• Third would be the finest public schools in the world. Having great young people coming from strong family units being properly educated today would do more for our country than anything.
and economic policy. I like the Perot Charts. I understand them. And I think his bailout plan is better than the one that we have adopted.
I also agree with what he says about McCain.
Too bad Perot is crazy, and old, and well, not a nice guy.
Hmmm, a morning wasted and still no one fit to run the country!
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September 23rd, 2008
09:24 am - Dad's the fun parent! AGAIN!!!
Perri came out of her room this morning in her Zora Tunic and a lovely metallic silver belt. I cringe and send her back to try again, as daddy falls for her cute little smile and pleads in her behalf. Yes, my daughter went to school today dressed in a Zelda costume. Good thing dad wasn't home for the ugly bell bottom capris that Tally always tries to wear with her cute little pink and white cowboy boots. I don't know that I would have given in so easy. That outfit always reminds me of Captain Kirk, perhaps he was trying to show off his pretty boots too!
Serenity got her first kill!!!! We replaced Molly with a tiny little manx kitten. She is 9 weeks old today. Bit on the feisty side. If Molly reminded me of a rabbit, Serenity is definitely froggy. Her long back legs are perfect for hoping but she lacks the control of a rabbit. Sunday, she was quite proud as she made her first kill. She caught us a crane fly! Whah hoo! Had so much fun she got us another last night. She may make a vicious killer yet!
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August 25th, 2008
11:56 am - Once again the weekend has slipped away, and Monday has made its way here again ....
Summer is quickly drawing to a close and we all should be buzzing with excitement about the new school year. So why is it that I am not excited? In fact, sad and lonely is starting to creep in.
By the end of the week, we should have a list of teachers for the girls in grade school and we will have attended Aerika's first open house for middle school. We have some odds and ends school supplies to find, but for the most part this year we have been trying to find all the sales throughout the summer. It fits in with the whole grocery game concept, since that is one of my hobbies, shopping was much more fun this year. I got all the ten cent crayons and one cent glue etc, I think I have spent a whole sum of ten dollars. In case anyone is wondering, yes, I am very proud of myself!!! I am sure Aeirka's scientific calculator and flash drive will be more expensive than all the other supplies combined but I am still so relieved, last year supplies cost a fortune.
Brinnen's little sister was born on Friday. His mom will want to spend most of her maternity leave with him at home, I sure will miss him. Last week, I swear he knew something was up because he sure was struggling. Today, he is quite back to normal, and very sleepy!
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July 29th, 2008
03:40 pm - Made some jam, lost my cat
Sounds like country music lyrics!
Peaches were on sale last week, my stomach was sick most of the week and so we never ate them. Every day, I threw one or two away and decided that no one in the family was ever going to eat them. Today finally, I thought I better get the few that were left made into jam. I didn't have enough for a whole batch so I dumped in some strawberries from the freezer and hoped for the best. The girls love it but I think it is too sweet. It needs some sour cream and a yummy waffle to make it taste good!
The best cat in the house has turned up missing. The honest truth is that he was a terrible pet. We saw him once a day for 15 minutes or less and occasionally if I was really lucky he might climb into my bed smelling like freshly killed dinner and shower me with slobbery loves as he rubbed his teeth on me. He is a scrawny little manx cat, but he is quite the vicious killer. Hope he wanders home in the next few days but realistically, I figure he went after a rat that was too tough for him. They were his favorite.
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July 24th, 2008
09:59 am - Writer's Block: Phobias
Butterflies, yup, I totally understand that it is irrational but they really creep me out!
Doesn't have a huge impact on my life, but everyone loves to make fun of me, and I have to admit I would make fun of me too if I weren't so scared!
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08:57 am - Survived Girls Camp!
Being an adult has some unexpected consequences. For an example, how is it when I was a child I loved camping! but when I got older it seemed like the ground was harder and packing and recovery were not worth it anymore. In fact, I started to wonder WHY??? in the world we go to the trouble.
When I was helping at girls camp last week, I had a string of interesting realizations. We as adults were invited to shower in the early mornings, quite before the break of dawn, at the lodge. I laughed a bit, the missionaries encouraged us to drive up because it was a bit of a hike. Perhaps I just don't look like much of a camper! It might have been a 10 minute walk. For most of that week, I stretched out my walk as much as I could because it was a wonderful chance to gain perspective and my only opportunity for a bit of cherished time alone.
The first day, as I began walking, I realized how homesick I really was. All the things that outwardly define who I am were not with me. Damon and the girls were at home with the dogs, my chores, my yard, and I wasn't even able to run.
What a wonderful opportunity to draw closer to the Savior, study a little harder, and put my testimony of the gospel in perspective. I am so grateful that I had a chance to teach these girls, to listen to the firesides, and figure out who I really am. Once I got over how shy I am, how homesick I was, camping with no outside distractions was a beautiful chance to reflect on who I am, where I want to go, and what I need to do to strengthen my weaknesses.
I got home safely, grateful that I am not a teenager. My home was still intact, surprisingly so! I love my sweet family so much. Silly as it sounds, camping was a lesson in gratitude.
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July 10th, 2008
11:12 am - Thought provoking article...
Well I found this article and I can't seem to get it out if my mind. http://www.newsweek.com/id/143792 Bear with me as I babble!
As I have washed my laundry and scrubbed my floors and wiped pee off the floor of my bathroom again, I have been asking myself, 'Am I truly happy?' My book that I have been trying to read all week, is thrown who knows where again. My friend has dropped off her kids for the day, and I am sure that when they are gone, I will have to pull out My Friend, the floor cleaner, again, I have already mopped once today and all that toilet cleaning? Well I am sure that I will be bleaching the floor again, she has boys. Does this really make me happy? Perhaps some perspective is needed.
The thought that has been creeping into my head is that there needs to be opposition in all things. Would I recognize happiness without sadness? Would I recognize the bad without the good? etc. My greatest joys have made it possible for me to feel my greatest sorrows. My greatest joys? Being sealed for time and all eternity with my family, giving birth to my daughters. My greatest sorrows? Disappointing my husband and watching my children struggle.
SO, am I happy? Evey moment of marriage and motherhood hasn't been bliss, why? Because, the depth of love I feel for my family opens me up for a certain amount of pain. I love them all so much I want to be the perfect wife and mother. When they are sad, I am sad. Worry has a whole new meaning since marriage and childbirth.
I love living in our ward with Sisters that have raised their children and who can look at my world with a little more wisdom and yes, a better perspective than I have. My mushy memory can't tell you when it was, I can't even tell you who gave me some of the best advice I ever got (how ungrateful is that!). She reminded me to enjoy every season of my life. For some reason, I took that advice very seriously. Do I wish that I had a career? Government reform is the only career that I feel passionate about at this moment. Well, here is the problem, I know that I could not fully enjoy a career right now, accomplishing everything would be impossible and I have no desire to be ripped in half! When I was at work I would be wishing for time with the girls, when I was with the girls I would be wishing I had time to get everything done at work. But...having a career after my girls grow up will be fantastic! The season of my life 14 years ago? Damon and I were getting to know each other, we played, we laughed, we had very little responsibility. The season of my life right now, is for raising my daughters, growing up with my husband, learning who I am and who I want to be. 15 years from now? I would love to have a career.
I really feel like I have it all. The time now is for raising my family. Vacations, a career, and time alone in the bathroom will come! Am I happy? Absolutely! If I had no children, I am sure I would be happy. But, I would hate to see my life without the most joyful moments, even if it meant I could give up all the feelings of inadequacy, sorrow, and worry connected with my children.
At this moment...
Zoe is wearing a tiara Tyler is wearing a stethoscope. They are pretending to get married.
Perri, Katie, and Jacob are making mud pies in the front yard.
Tally, Tabitha, Jessy, and Aerika are playing Zelda and Worms.
Yes, I am very, very, happy even though each of them will cost $150, 000 to raise not including the medication for the ulcers they give me!
I am grateful for the changes they have made in me. I honestly believe they have made Damon and I better people.
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July 9th, 2008
05:47 pm - Camp!
Did you ever agree to something...maybe you got caught off guard, maybe you didn't get enough sleep and you didn't understand the request, maybe you were just plain having a crazed moment...and later realize....AHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!! Did I say yes? Hmmm...how did that happen. As the day arrives, you become increasingly aware of the insanity of your decision! yup that pretty much sums up the reality of my week!
Well I have agreed to go to girls camp. I am still undecided how it was that I ended up going. Truly, it is exciting but talk about outside my comfort zone. The week is being consumed by preparing devotionals and scripture study for the girls, fun activities and packing...sure would be easier to pack if my laundry was ever done!!!
Damon will be home with the girls. I am sure all of them will enjoy a vacation from chores, because you know, he is the fun parent!!!!!
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July 7th, 2008
09:46 am - Back to reality
Monday again, these weeks sure seem to be flying by!
It is a bit of a reality check this morning as we rejoin the world after a very sweet and peaceful weekend. To make it even more fun I actually got a chance to win Settlers, and I had two chances to run. My yard... well there will be plenty of time for that this week. I am afraid it looks just a scary as it has all summer. 'a face only a mother could love' well my garden is definitely less beautiful to my neighbors than myself.
We said goodbye to a special family this weekend. The Barry's moved to Arizona this weekend. The 'grand finally' was Saturday night we had a BBQ with the Barry family and the Kill family. Eleven kids in my house, too much fun and just my speed! Once again we are the biggest young family in the ward. No, we aren't technically a young family any more but I am hanging on to that because our children still are a bit squirrelly!
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June 25th, 2008
04:02 pm - 10 reasons I love summer
Listening to little girls playing in the back yard.
Waking up early, gardening, and bringing in a bouquet before breakfast.
Running down the road at 6am, closing my eyes for just a second, and listening to the birds sing.
Reading anything I want to my daughters, no required reading for school.
Even 80's music sounds better if the sun is shining.
Really good watermelon.
Our neighborhood rooster crowing his heart out , while I lay in bed with my window open.
Flowers, gardening, never having time to clean the house. Don't want to clean anyway.
Having time to play, no dropping off and picking up from school.
Damon gets to fly, I love to see him passionate about life.
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June 19th, 2008
07:55 am - ahhh...summer, now if we just had some sun...
Well today is the day, Aerika's 6th grade graduation and the last day of school!!!
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