"Treading on Dreams"

A colleague of mine sent me the link to this video.  This is Ken Robinson's 2010 TED talk, and it is a great follow up to my earlier post of his 2006 presentation.  It is worth a watch--he is funny, eloquent, and speaks of the need for a revolution in education around the world.

August 3, 2010 Blessing #98

I am thankful for my teachers, parents, and professors who helped me discover my talents.  I am thankful that I am one of the few referenced by Ken Robinson who cannot imagine myself in another career. I believe my work is an "expression of my authentic self."  That is a gift from God.

The Gift of Work

Trey's grandmother and I were chatting today, and she told me about all the families in her church who have at least one adult out of work. My family is blessed that we both have jobs-and not just jobs, but careers with employers who value us and our families. Things do seem tough-and it is easy to focus on all the things that are hard, but everything would be much worse if we were unemployed.

Blessing #97, August 2, 2010

I am especially thankful for my work and Trey's work. We both feel that we are called to our professions, and we are blessed to make livings doing what we are called to do.

Comfort and Meaning

Sometimes I hear a sermon, and it feels like it was written just for me. This morning we were still in Conyers with my in laws, so we attended their church, The Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection. We've visited there several times for Holidays or to talk about our visits to Haiti, and I have always been impressed with the message and the reverance of the congregation. But today was really special. Perhaps because I am grappling with tough news (I will share it later-but know that I am fine), I am more focused on seeking comfort and meaning. Today I found both. It's late, so I'm not going to recap the whole sermon, but I will convey what I felt the central message was-it was a message about the power of love-of God's love for us and about our love for one another. No matter the darkness we must walk through, it is never so dark that love cannot penetrate and shine a light to comfort us and help us see the way through.

Blessing #96, August 1, 2010

I am thankful for all the love in my life, and I am thankful that today I was reminded about its power. More importantly I am grateful for my faith, which provides me with comfort and strength.

Impromptu Slumber Party

Our family got some tough news, so tonight we are having an impromptu slumber party at Granna's and PawPaw's house. Tough news goes down easier when you are with the people you love. Well, it has turned in to a lovely day. It has been so lovely, that depsite the tough news, finding blessings is easy. The kids are thrilled to see their Daddy (he wasn't with us on vacation), their Grand Parents, and one of their Great Grandmothers. We've been swimming, eaten great meals together, played Wii, and Phase 10. With hugs and laughter flowing freely, everyone's outlook is positive.

Blessing #95, July 31, 2010

Today I am thankful for the love that my family shares. It doesn't make the approaching storm less severe, but it does provide the shelter in which we can wait it out.

Home Again, Home Again

It has been a long, hot drive home. But, we are here, and we are safe. We had 5 wonderful days in Brunswick with Nana, and this morning I didn't really care to leave. But coming home is wonderful. There is nothing like that home smell when you open the door, the feel of your own bed, and the familiar sound of the creeks in the floor.

Blessing #94, July 30, 2010

Tonight I am thankful for safe travels and the blessing that is being able to bring my children to this wonderful home.

Summer Waves

We started the day with phone calls to Aunt Cary and Aunt Courtni-both have birthdays today. Then, Nana went with the kids and me to Summer Waves on Jekyll Island. It was so much fun, and made so special because she was there to share it with them. The kids had so much fun running through the Splash Zone and riding the slides. After lunch we visited our friends and neighbors, Donny and Jackie, and the kids got to listen to Donny talk about WWII. He flew B-17s, and is full of memories as well as commentary on today's political scene. I don't believe my kids will get many chances to meet-much less talk to a pilot from WWII, so that was extraordinary.

As if that wasn't a red-letter day, we topped it off with pizza and a trip to see Toy Story 3. It was fabulous! What a great way to wrap up our vacation...now we have to get some sleep and get ready to head home tomorrow.

Blessing #93, July 29, 2010

I am thankful for Cary and Courtni! It is a blessing that my Mom was willing to help me take the kids to Summer Waves-we created memories and laughter that we will never forget. I am glad my children got to visit with a WW2 vet, and so glad that Woody, Buzz, and all the gang found a loving home!

Wait up, Son!

I watched in amazement today as Chip LED me on a 10 mile bike ride around Jekyll. He even stopped along the way to read the historic markers about The Horton House and the ecology of the marsh and the dunes. Then he taught me all about those things. How and when did he become so fit, strong, and smart?

My Dad has said, "a great truth is that parents get slower as their children get faster." When he first said that to me, Chip was a toddler who had just discovered running-and for years it was the only speed he knew. I chased him everywhere. I remember thinking Daddy's words were pretty sad, but today I didn't feel sad at all. I felt proud that things were unfolding as they should be-even if it is a little bittersweet.

Blessing #92, July 28, 2010

I am thankful that Chip is strong, healthy, and happy. His self confidence is blossoming along with his desire for independence. Sure, it makes me nostalgic for those baby days, but I have a wonderful peace that things are unfolding as they should.

Phase 10

What a day! There have been no TV, movies, or video games. The only cell phone calls were to tell Daddy goodnight. We walked around the place, shopped for groceries, napped, and met our good friend Lonnie for dinner. Later, the kids and I sat around the dining table with Mom (aka Nana) and played Phase 10. This is a card game that my family has fallen in love with. We discovered it as we prepped for the Haiti trip in March. We played in the airports and then with the Haitians. The game is fabulous because there are no boards, dice, or game pieces to complicate things. Just cards; and it is inexpensive. It is great for even Katie (4 years), as she practices numbers, counting, and sorting.

There is so much noise in our society--cell phones, TVs, DVD players even in the car, that sometimes we forget how much fun we an have when we get "unplugged".

Blessing #91, July 27, 2010

I am thankful for precious, real connections with my family and friends. When I am unplugged my relationships with my family and friends feel more authentic and robust. It is these connections that I believe we were designed for-because it is through them that we experience love-and that is to experience the Divine.

Safe Travels

We have arrived in Brunswick. It is hot here, just like Athens, but there is a wonderful, salty breeze which makes it bearable. We took our time coming down-stopping for happy meals, tacos, and bathroom breaks. We went back roads from Washington, GA and we saw a lot of small town Ameria. Chip and Katie were the best travelers-better than their Mom and Nana for sure. In any case, I am pooped--so here we go!

Blessing #90, July 26, 2010

Thank you, God, for safe travels and this wonderful refuge our family enjoys. I am grateful for time to relax and a breeze off the salt marsh.

You can Sneak into my Room!

The kids and I are packing up to head to Brunswick for a week with my Mom. She grew up there, and I have spent a ton of time vacationing in Glynn County. It has always been the place my family goes to rest and recover from our busy lives. We get to eat when we're hungry, sleep when we're tired, and enjoy each other's company. The salt air is like medicine for whatever ails us--and usually that is stress!

We stay in the house my Grandfather Watson built for my Grandmother many years ago, and we drive over to Jekyll to bike, swim, visit the Sea Turtle Center, and the water park, Summer Waves. We love these trips, and try to make it down there atleast twice a year.

This year, Trey can't go. After Jamaica, he's grounded for a while with work and he's pretty down about it. Tonight, he said to all of us, "I'm going to miss you all so much!" And Katie piped up with, "You know Daddy, you can sneak into my room at night and get one of my gavies and take it back to your bed and snuggle with it. That will make you feel better!"

July 25, 2010 Blessing #89

Gavi is Katie's made up word to describe her silky blanket. She has several of these in assorted sizes, and the size she needs to comfort herself depends on the trauma she's just endured. At night she must sleep with a big gavi, but for a car ride to the pediatrician a little gavi will suffice. Chip wasn't big on security items, but for Katie that gavi is a passport to another dimension in which she is calm, relaxed, and content. I think it is wonderful that her first act when she senses turmoil in another is to offer what she equates with ultimate comfort and security. If Chip gets hurt, she brings one to him. If Jake, our dog seems sad, she wraps him in one, and if say I've had a hard day she comes running with a gavi. It says alot about the love and generosity in her that she is so willing to share an object that is so valuable to her--I am blessed that I continue to like the people my children are becoming. I marvel that they teach me so much.

Graduate school

We just got in from the graduation party for my brother in law. He finished up his Masters' in special education-a remarkable feat as he has done this with a house full of children and full time job. It was a great party! Having spent time in grad school myself, I have a healthy understanding of the committment required to persevere.

Blessing #88, July 24 2010

I am thankful for the access my family and extended family have had to education. College and graduate school were challenging to be sure, but so worth it. Upon completion of each chapter, I felt there were new ways I could use my gifts and new ways of thinking about old problems.

Snug in their Beds

Fisher and Kaselynn, our nephew and niece, are here visiting. In age they are close to Chip and Katie respectively. All week the kids have been so excited--and now they are worn slap out, snuggled in their beds with their various security items (for the girls it's blankets-a gavi and a woo) and for the boys it is books (Chip is reading to Fisher now). It is just the cutest thing ever. I mean on the one hand you look and see young, vulnerable children-and on the other you see the future of this family. What a bright future it is.

Blessing #87, July 23, 2010

Cliche, but children are precious and they are our future. What is even greater is that all 4 of these children are turning into fabulous people-they just get more wonderful and interesting. What gifts from God.

Way Past Bedtime

I almost forgot! I climbed in to bed with heavy-lidded eyes and realized I hadn't done my entry. We just got home from my friend Julie's house. We had so much fun and stayed way past bed time. It's a great thing about summer that we can relax a little on the routine. It is also great news that I can't go to sleep until I've completed this exercise.
That's a habit with staying power.

Anyway, counting blessings is easy tonight.

Blessing #86, July 22, 2010

I am thankful for friends and for being able to spend time with them. Tonight we all had play dates. Julie's kids match up perfectly in age with mine, so they paired off and played great together. Julie and I got to visit and really catch up on our busy summers. It was a great ending to a great day. Now, my eyes are closing so I have got to turn in!

Red-letter Day!

Katie began the summer needing her floaties just to get in the shallow end at our neighborhood pool. 5 weeks ago she started swim lessons, and today she swam; strokes, breath, and everthing from one side of the pool to the other. The best part was the look on her face. She was genuinely amazed at her accomplishment and when emerged victorius at the other end, she was beaming with pride.

Blessing #85, July 21, 2010

My parents always told me, "Anna, you can do anything you put your mind too." I think it is beyond important for parents to expect good things from a child, and convey those expectations. Still, no matter how many people tell you of your potential, nothing affirms it more than accomplishing a goal that at one time seemed out of reach. Today I saw that look on Katie's face-she discovered she had what it took to accomplish something that seemed impossible and even scary just a few weeks ago. I tell her all the time that she is smart, strong, and special. Today, I saw that she believed me, a little bit more than she did yesterday. What a blessing to see my child succeed and grow in self confidence.

Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens

I am torn tonight about which blessing to count. I am really enjoying the Borg novel, Putting Away Childish Things. It is a teaching novel, and I, in the tradition of great teaching, feel it was written just for me. I see myself in the professor who is considered by the senior faculty too "Christian" to be an academic, and in the student who realizes that her friends in the ultra conservative Christian group are close-minded and insecure. It is a great read--and I recommend it (Dad and Cary, especially to you!).

My children played outside today for hours with their cousin, Payton. They were imagining kings, queens, dragons, spaceships, and swordfights. All of this enchantment required only a few nerf guns and the tiny spoon and fork from Katie's tea set. It was rich, fabulous, child's play at its best.

We watched Chip's new favorite show, Unnatural History, and it is awesome. It's all about a kid who is intellectually independent and is more comfortable thinking outside the box than in it. It is sort of National Treasure meets one of the Hardy Boys. Heroes were so important to me (ok, still are) as a kid, and this Henry fellow is a hero to Chip. I think he's a fabulous hero to look up to. And Chip is adorable when he is watching it, because he is so into it, he wants us to stop it (Oh, shallow maybe, but I am thankful for DVR) periodically so he can tell us who he thinks "dunnit!".

Blessing #84, July 20, 2010

I have become so accustomed to looking for blessings I have days now where I can't pick just one. I am thankful that I am trainable-this has become a habit and unlike Diet Dr. Pepper or hasbrowns, this is one that makes me better.