Cassandra Jane Lentz is just growing up too fast! Two nights ago we had a tooth-pulling incident. I had been keeping my eye on her tooth, which was loose for a few nights, but on wednesday, it was ready to come out. So her father and I tried really hard to convince her to have one of us pull it. "NO!" she would yell and start screaming if it seemed as if we would go for her tooth.
Kinda funny...but then daddy started to encourage her to do it herself. He told her to wiggle it and to twist it as far as it would go. So Cassie started doing that. She would stop and let out a little squeal if it hurt too much but she kept going (I was so proud of her to keep trying like that!).
Half an hour later, she finally pryed the tooth loose! We all squealed, and hugged. It was a torturous half-hour! lol. She showed daddy and we took a pic and sent it via cell phone to family and then posted it on Facebook.
Now she just looks so precious! lol. I love her so much....she is just growing TOO fast! In the next couple of years, Dean will be losing his first tooth. Didnt he just get his?? Oy. And so it goes...time flies when you have kids!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Small Tribute to a Friend. RIP Matt Story.
It's been 3 days since I learned my long time friend, Matt Story, passed away on Friday February 1oth 2012. It has been a struggle to believe this has happened...
Wednesday is the funeral and I just know it will be the reality check I am dreading.
I sit here trying to recall some of the memories I have of Matt. Its been 20 years since I met him. I had just moved to Kendall (7th grade) and he just struck me as odd. He seemed very muscular and sure of himself, but had a very "bookish" nature. Always reading, quoting and joking in ways only a literary genius can. Granted, I didnt get all his jokes (I never did read as much as he did!), and sometimes we just got on each others nerves, but I really liked who he was. Oh, and we hardly ever agreed on things, but that didnt stop us from being friends. He is the kind of person that just doesnt let different opinions come in the way of friendship. Ya know? A rare breed.
I do remember a stint in 7th or 8th grade where a group of us had to recreate a scene from Lord of the Flies. And we did, in Matt's backyard. I was piggy and we were staging his death. (a little macabre) I know, but true. We "killed off" piggy (as I rolled down the mound of dirt in the backyard) and then as a comic relief we tried to "cook" bacon over the fire with sticks. Anyone who knows about campfires, knows you CANNOT "cook" bacon over the fire with a stick. The partially frozen bacon kept falling into the fire and we finally gave up (when all the bacon was gone) :)
We had such fun that night. But to tell the truth, most of its a blur. 20 yrs is a long time to try to remember so many details. I dont really even remember who else was there, but I do remember it was Matt's house and his mom was so kind to us (for letting us "cook" her bacon) and for feeding me spaghettio's. lol... yes, that I remember (probably because I was dressed as "piggy" and I ate 2 cans of spaghettio's all by myself.)
*sigh* memories. I believe the last time I actually SAW Matt was about 8 years ago. I saw him in the mall parking lot. He was bald as a cue ball but still had his facial hair. Not who I remembered seeing in HS but unmistakeabley it was him. We said "hi" and took a min to catch up, but that was it. Then I caught him on facebook and kept well enough in touch. Or so I thought. Now I wish I had made time to see him again and chat or something. Regrets.
So, once again I say: Matt, I will miss you. I already do. Thank you for being you and making my days brighter.
(Since Matt liked quotes, I thought I would write one for him):
"There is no cure for birth or death, save to enjoy the interval" -George Santayana
Wednesday is the funeral and I just know it will be the reality check I am dreading.
I sit here trying to recall some of the memories I have of Matt. Its been 20 years since I met him. I had just moved to Kendall (7th grade) and he just struck me as odd. He seemed very muscular and sure of himself, but had a very "bookish" nature. Always reading, quoting and joking in ways only a literary genius can. Granted, I didnt get all his jokes (I never did read as much as he did!), and sometimes we just got on each others nerves, but I really liked who he was. Oh, and we hardly ever agreed on things, but that didnt stop us from being friends. He is the kind of person that just doesnt let different opinions come in the way of friendship. Ya know? A rare breed.
I do remember a stint in 7th or 8th grade where a group of us had to recreate a scene from Lord of the Flies. And we did, in Matt's backyard. I was piggy and we were staging his death. (a little macabre) I know, but true. We "killed off" piggy (as I rolled down the mound of dirt in the backyard) and then as a comic relief we tried to "cook" bacon over the fire with sticks. Anyone who knows about campfires, knows you CANNOT "cook" bacon over the fire with a stick. The partially frozen bacon kept falling into the fire and we finally gave up (when all the bacon was gone) :)
We had such fun that night. But to tell the truth, most of its a blur. 20 yrs is a long time to try to remember so many details. I dont really even remember who else was there, but I do remember it was Matt's house and his mom was so kind to us (for letting us "cook" her bacon) and for feeding me spaghettio's. lol... yes, that I remember (probably because I was dressed as "piggy" and I ate 2 cans of spaghettio's all by myself.)
*sigh* memories. I believe the last time I actually SAW Matt was about 8 years ago. I saw him in the mall parking lot. He was bald as a cue ball but still had his facial hair. Not who I remembered seeing in HS but unmistakeabley it was him. We said "hi" and took a min to catch up, but that was it. Then I caught him on facebook and kept well enough in touch. Or so I thought. Now I wish I had made time to see him again and chat or something. Regrets.
So, once again I say: Matt, I will miss you. I already do. Thank you for being you and making my days brighter.
(Since Matt liked quotes, I thought I would write one for him):
"There is no cure for birth or death, save to enjoy the interval" -George Santayana
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Fragile Life
Decided to go sledding today at Northampton Park. Took Alexis' friend with us and played for about an hour. During that time, a friend called. Not really expecting a call...but who knows, right? I try to grab my phone out of my coat pocket (dang gloves dont wanna cooperate)....finally get my phone, miss the call and call my friend back.
Sadly, it was bad news: My friend from HS, a classmate and good person, just died of a heart attack. He was only 31 years old.
When you hear something like this, its unreal. You think "no, this cant be...I just chatted with him on facebook a cpl days ago". But the reality is, it is real. Shockingly real.
Anything can happen to anyone in just a moment. Make sure you hug the ones you love and let them know how much you love them. Even if they are just going down to the store or out for the mail. It might be the very last time you get to tell them.
Live everyday as if it were your last.
*Love you all my friends* *Love you too my impossible family*
Sadly, it was bad news: My friend from HS, a classmate and good person, just died of a heart attack. He was only 31 years old.
When you hear something like this, its unreal. You think "no, this cant be...I just chatted with him on facebook a cpl days ago". But the reality is, it is real. Shockingly real.
Anything can happen to anyone in just a moment. Make sure you hug the ones you love and let them know how much you love them. Even if they are just going down to the store or out for the mail. It might be the very last time you get to tell them.
Live everyday as if it were your last.
*Love you all my friends* *Love you too my impossible family*
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Kid Tossing
WHEEEE....Bang......whaaaa! Yup, that's the order that kid tossing happens. Wasn't me tho! I swear! Apparently my oldest boy decided it would be fun to grab up his little brother and toss him onto the chair. (When is this ever really a good idea? I would love to know!)
As soon as Dean hit the chair, his head caught the arm of the chair (which isn't as padded as it was about 30yrs ago when the chair was made...) and that was the end of that.
I know my kiddos are bored. They are just bouncing off the walls (literally). Their playroom has been invaded by lumber we are using for making the new room off the playroom and now the kids really have no place to play. Not a good situation. If it stays snowy tomorrow, we might just go sledding after church. Now that would be fun :)
So, now everyone has calmed down and it's quiet....for now. Maybe I should just move some of the more breakable things and let the kids bounce off the furniture. I might just join them ;)
As soon as Dean hit the chair, his head caught the arm of the chair (which isn't as padded as it was about 30yrs ago when the chair was made...) and that was the end of that.
I know my kiddos are bored. They are just bouncing off the walls (literally). Their playroom has been invaded by lumber we are using for making the new room off the playroom and now the kids really have no place to play. Not a good situation. If it stays snowy tomorrow, we might just go sledding after church. Now that would be fun :)
So, now everyone has calmed down and it's quiet....for now. Maybe I should just move some of the more breakable things and let the kids bounce off the furniture. I might just join them ;)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Start to Finish
My downstairs seems to be missing something....oh, wait! Its missing the bathroom....
That's right, no more bathroom-for now. We are building a small bedroom in the playroom so that my brother could sleep in more comfort than where he is sleeping now: the basement.
So what makes more sense then knocking down all the wall and then knocking down all the bathroom walls and redoing it ALL? Sure, I see the sense....its here somewhere....maybe not.
Anyway, so I figured that 2 days of nonstop work and we would at least have the walls back up to the bathroom. Boy did I have some high hopes.... oy. So no walls, no potty, no shower and since the bathroom wall backs up to the basement, my brother now has no privacy. I am not so very happy.
Watching hubby do some work I am realizing alot of nitty-gritty things go into this. Did you realize that wiring has to go thru studs? I see our underlayer from our aluminum siding is cheaper than particle board (didnt know there was a cheaper item than particle board to use!) AND, apparently, everything has to be measured appropriately and placed in exactly the right spot or you dont get the right results. Whoda thunk it? Ok, so some of it makes sense, but does it have to take so gosh darn long???
I can hear hubby talking right now to his father. No work going on, just talking. So I yell down if they put up a wall yet....grumble...silence....back to talking to each other. This isnt going well, or fast. Maybe I need to get some girlfriends here and start some serious supervising...heehee....
That's right, no more bathroom-for now. We are building a small bedroom in the playroom so that my brother could sleep in more comfort than where he is sleeping now: the basement.
So what makes more sense then knocking down all the wall and then knocking down all the bathroom walls and redoing it ALL? Sure, I see the sense....its here somewhere....maybe not.
Anyway, so I figured that 2 days of nonstop work and we would at least have the walls back up to the bathroom. Boy did I have some high hopes.... oy. So no walls, no potty, no shower and since the bathroom wall backs up to the basement, my brother now has no privacy. I am not so very happy.
Watching hubby do some work I am realizing alot of nitty-gritty things go into this. Did you realize that wiring has to go thru studs? I see our underlayer from our aluminum siding is cheaper than particle board (didnt know there was a cheaper item than particle board to use!) AND, apparently, everything has to be measured appropriately and placed in exactly the right spot or you dont get the right results. Whoda thunk it? Ok, so some of it makes sense, but does it have to take so gosh darn long???
I can hear hubby talking right now to his father. No work going on, just talking. So I yell down if they put up a wall yet....grumble...silence....back to talking to each other. This isnt going well, or fast. Maybe I need to get some girlfriends here and start some serious supervising...heehee....
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Privacy invaded
What could be more upsetting than someone telling you that your kids are misbehaved? How about them calling CPS on you. This isn't the end of the world, but I definitely feel violated.
After picking up Conner and Hunter from school, and stopping at Wegmans, I get a call. It's some lady named Cely (sounds like Sully) and she tells me she is CPS and wants to know when I will be home. How does she have my cell #? Anyway, so I tell her I will be there soon. *sigh* First thought: What did I do?? Next thought: WHO called?? Thats 2 thoughts too many for me. I'm a simple kinda gal and thinking this much could hurt someone....so I settle. I meet her and we talk. I show her the food in my house, the kids rooms and explain that I homeschool. (Which is a strange idea to her because she just keeps asking questions about how and why and who do I contact about their schooling...oy).
So the accusations are as follows:
1) Beats children daily with a wooden spoon excessively.
2) Screams in their faces on a consistant basis
3) Puts bar soap in their mouths.
Um, what??!!
Yes, I use a wooden spoon. No, not excessively and its been almost a year since I have HAD to use it. My hands are for loving so I would rather use a spoon (once) to send the message. I dont want my kids cringing when I go to hug them because they see my hands coming at them....But apparently, CPS tells me to use my hands. (??)
I dont scream in their face. I did it once (a year or 2 ago) and I felt like such an absolute a** after I did that I just broke down and cried and asked for my kids to forgive me.
And last but certainly not least: WE DONT OWN BAR SOAP.
So I put that one to rest really quickly. I even told her to look thru our bathrooms and in the kitchen to verify.
So next, she needs to interview the children. Seperately and privately. Um, ok.
I just told my babes to tell the truth and answer as best as they could.
Jeff comes home mid-interview with one of the kiddos and I fill him in. He's not happy. Now he has to be interviewed. She was asking him about alcohol abuse in the home....oy. Probably because there is a giant 48 case of beer out on the floor, from Christmas, still half full.
She said she has to interview my brother because he lives with me, call the pediatrician to get health information and because my kids dont go to school, I needed to give her a reference.
*Deep Breath* Ok. She leaves and Jeff and I go vent for a few minutes. We have come to the conclusion that there isnt any credible evidence- and they didnt remove the kids from our home on the spot. I think we will be ok. BUT STILL....irritating...
Wont know the outcome for up to 60 days. God is good and He knows my heart, my life, my kids and the lies that were told AND who told them. Lets see where we go from here.
I would appreciate prayers for a quick close. Thanks :)
After picking up Conner and Hunter from school, and stopping at Wegmans, I get a call. It's some lady named Cely (sounds like Sully) and she tells me she is CPS and wants to know when I will be home. How does she have my cell #? Anyway, so I tell her I will be there soon. *sigh* First thought: What did I do?? Next thought: WHO called?? Thats 2 thoughts too many for me. I'm a simple kinda gal and thinking this much could hurt someone....so I settle. I meet her and we talk. I show her the food in my house, the kids rooms and explain that I homeschool. (Which is a strange idea to her because she just keeps asking questions about how and why and who do I contact about their schooling...oy).
So the accusations are as follows:
1) Beats children daily with a wooden spoon excessively.
2) Screams in their faces on a consistant basis
3) Puts bar soap in their mouths.
Um, what??!!
Yes, I use a wooden spoon. No, not excessively and its been almost a year since I have HAD to use it. My hands are for loving so I would rather use a spoon (once) to send the message. I dont want my kids cringing when I go to hug them because they see my hands coming at them....But apparently, CPS tells me to use my hands. (??)
I dont scream in their face. I did it once (a year or 2 ago) and I felt like such an absolute a** after I did that I just broke down and cried and asked for my kids to forgive me.
And last but certainly not least: WE DONT OWN BAR SOAP.
So I put that one to rest really quickly. I even told her to look thru our bathrooms and in the kitchen to verify.
So next, she needs to interview the children. Seperately and privately. Um, ok.
I just told my babes to tell the truth and answer as best as they could.
Jeff comes home mid-interview with one of the kiddos and I fill him in. He's not happy. Now he has to be interviewed. She was asking him about alcohol abuse in the home....oy. Probably because there is a giant 48 case of beer out on the floor, from Christmas, still half full.
She said she has to interview my brother because he lives with me, call the pediatrician to get health information and because my kids dont go to school, I needed to give her a reference.
*Deep Breath* Ok. She leaves and Jeff and I go vent for a few minutes. We have come to the conclusion that there isnt any credible evidence- and they didnt remove the kids from our home on the spot. I think we will be ok. BUT STILL....irritating...
Wont know the outcome for up to 60 days. God is good and He knows my heart, my life, my kids and the lies that were told AND who told them. Lets see where we go from here.
I would appreciate prayers for a quick close. Thanks :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
One of those days....
Ever wake up and just feel like a big BLAH? Well, thats me today. A big grumpy BLAH.
This wouldnt be such an issue if I didnt homeschool or have a house to take care of, but I do.
So I start the day not wanting to get out of bed. 9am rolls around and I can hear the kids up and I know if I dont get down there, someone will get hurt or something broken. So.....I sloooooowly drag myself out of bed and dress and get down stairs to remind the kids they need breakfast (if it were up to them, they would watch TV all day w/o eating.). THEN, I slowly realize my children are looking at me. Stop looking at me, its annoying (I dont actually say this, I just FEEL it). Oh, wait, your done eating...time for school. So I get the kids set up with some math work so I can grab a cup of coffee and grab my 'puter so I can type up their second quarter reports. God forbid I am not teaching my children the essentials. I dont even think the school system reads the reports, they are just happy they got one and send a letter of reciept and acceptance of your lesson the next day.
There goes a dvd flying by me....oy. Apparently, Dean didnt like that disc. Not cool. Not today.
And right this minute I am listening to my oldest son belt out a jibberish song while he is supposed to be doing his math work (yes, he is STILL working on it- must be a slow day for him too).
Maybe I should go easy today....
This wouldnt be such an issue if I didnt homeschool or have a house to take care of, but I do.
So I start the day not wanting to get out of bed. 9am rolls around and I can hear the kids up and I know if I dont get down there, someone will get hurt or something broken. So.....I sloooooowly drag myself out of bed and dress and get down stairs to remind the kids they need breakfast (if it were up to them, they would watch TV all day w/o eating.). THEN, I slowly realize my children are looking at me. Stop looking at me, its annoying (I dont actually say this, I just FEEL it). Oh, wait, your done eating...time for school. So I get the kids set up with some math work so I can grab a cup of coffee and grab my 'puter so I can type up their second quarter reports. God forbid I am not teaching my children the essentials. I dont even think the school system reads the reports, they are just happy they got one and send a letter of reciept and acceptance of your lesson the next day.
There goes a dvd flying by me....oy. Apparently, Dean didnt like that disc. Not cool. Not today.
And right this minute I am listening to my oldest son belt out a jibberish song while he is supposed to be doing his math work (yes, he is STILL working on it- must be a slow day for him too).
Maybe I should go easy today....
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Company is coming!
Kids get excited over some of the smallest things. Its great really. Makes me wonder why I am not smooshing my face against the window to watch the garbage guys pick up trash.
However, when it comes to having company over, that's when it gets BEYOND crazy.
My repeat guests have come to expect the overwhelming welcome they receive.
Here's how to enter my house:
However, when it comes to having company over, that's when it gets BEYOND crazy.
My repeat guests have come to expect the overwhelming welcome they receive.
Here's how to enter my house:
- Turn off the engine and lights and glide into my driveway, lest you give your presence away and my children come storming out of the house to attack you.
- Never ring the bell. My kids don't bark at it, but they do go barreling toward the door not giving the unsuspecting visitor a chance to even realize what is coming at them.
- Knock and come in as quickly as possible lest you get pushed back out the door by kids barreling toward you.
- Open arms wide so you can embrace the screaming love coming straight at you.
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