I'm a Crook!

OK, so I probably won't go to jail or anything, but I'm feeling a bit guilty about something.

Last spring, our church did a small group study on a book, by Kerry & Chris Shook, called "One Month to Live". To say it was life changing might be a bit over the top, as I haven't really altered the way I LIVE my life, but I have altered my perspective on many of the day to day things I deal with in my life. Appropriately titled, the book focused on the question "What if you were told you had one month to live?" Would the things that you thought mattered really matter? What would you want your legacy to be? How would you "live the dash" (picture the dash as of that on one's headstone...the time between when you were born, and when you die). The book really just emphasized what I already know...that THINGS in this life are not important, but it's the relationships in our lives that matter...that life is too short to live with regrets....that life wasn't meant to be boring, but that we were meant to live life with passion. It really was a good study.

ANYWAY...on to my guilt...

A couple of months ago, I was reading an online excerpt from their new book, "Love at Last Sight", and found where I could pre-order a FREE copy of the book by providing them with my blog address. If I were to receive the book in the mail (which I did, a few weeks later), I was to read it and write a short book review and post it to my blog...by September 30th. Uh, ok. Here's the part where I feel guilty. I diligently read the first 2 chapters of the book in the first 2 days (it is a 30 day challenge). I'm not really sure what happened between then and now, but I have not made it past the 2nd chapter. The first two chapters were really good. They were. But, here it is October 1st...and I missed the deadline. This irritates me for several reasons...#1, the chapters in the book aren't very long. #2, I got the book free because I made a COMMITMENT to read it and write about it (perhaps they planned on people not necessarily following through...but I hate breaking commitments!), and #3, it just seems to follow a nasty pattern I have fallen into of starting something and not finishing it. So...I kinda feel like I stole the book.

I do plan to read it, and I will blog about it. I'm starting the book over...today. So...on or AROUND October 30th, there WILL be a book review on "Love at Last Sight" on my blog. If you want to read an excerpt from the book yourself, you can do so here.

5 years ago

5 years ago, on September 14th, I became a Mom. I feel very blessed to have that title. I know there are many women who ache to hold a child in their arms, but who, for whatever reason, are unable to do so. I grieve for them, I really do. I grieve for them, like I grieve for the children who have parents, or a parent, who could care less about that title. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes as a Mom. Sometimes I lose my patience and take it out on the little ones that give me that title. Sometimes I question the decisions I make for my children, am I making the right ones? "Mom" is the most rewarding title I have ever held, yet it also holds the most challenges. OK, "wife" is up there, too, but for now I'm talking about being a Mom.

This little guy changed my world. I love him so much and have so enjoyed being able to watch him grow and emerge into the little boy that he is becoming. He is certainly no longer a baby. Sigh.



For his birthday this year, we invited some neighbor friends, as well as some friends from school and church, over to our house for a 'race car themed' birthday party. Unfortunately, I did not get many pictures of the party, as James and I apparently had a miscommunication about the camera...ahem...

Ryan saw a picture of this cake online when I was looking up ideas for his party, and he wanted me to make it. Oy! I'm not very clever in the cake-making/decorating department...but I do have to say that this one was pretty easy, and I was pleased with the way it came out (as was he!).





For one of the games, the kids got inside these 'race cars' that I made (from cardboard boxes) and raced across our backyard and around some traffic cones that James had borrowed from work. The kids loved the racing game...just wish I had some pictures of them actually doing it. (grumble, grumble, grumble)



Honestly, though. How did our Moms and Dads ever plan a birthday party without the internet? I mean, I googled "race car themed birthday" and stole all of my party planning ideas from someone far more clever than me. Thanks to that person for sharing with the world. My kid thought it was the best birthday party, ever!

We kept it pretty low key on Ryan's actual birthday, but he did enjoy opening some gifts from us, as well as his favorite dessert...vanilla ice cream with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles.

Back to School

It was back to school for Ryan last week! This year he is in the 4 & 5 year old program (ReadyK) at Chenango Valley Nursery School. If I haven't mentioned it before, I will say it now...we LOVE it there! Needless to say, Ryan was pretty excited to go back. Fortunately, a couple of the kids from his class last year are in with him this year, so it has taken no time at all for him to warm up to his new class. He does have 3 new teachers this year (3 because there are 18 kids in his class!), but they are all very nice, and though they didn't teach his class last year, their faces are familiar to him.

This year is a little different, too, in that he attends school 5 days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are his 'regular' preschool class, and the Tuesday and Thursday sessions are his "Literacy" days. The Literacy portion of the class is a little more advanced, and helps the kids with literacy related activities. Ryan isn't a kid who loves to write. This year they will be helping the kids with writing their first and last names. In addition, they will be learning some sight words, and focusing on those early reading skills. All of the information is presented in a fun way, and it is never forced upon the child. I think it will be good for him.

Here he is on the first day...ready to get going!



Ella is not a happy camper when we have to leave Ryan at school. She thinks she should be able to stay, too. I, however, am enjoying my alone time with just her and am trying to cherish every moment, as next year it will be her turn. They are both growing up so fast.