I'm super excited that I'm going home to my Dad's for Thanksgiving! I will get to visit with friends, hang out with family, and have some great times with family I haven't seen in years! I had lost touch with my cousins Angela & Tracy years ago - and recently found them on facebook! I'm super excited to catch up and see their kids again (although they are big kids now) and they will get to meet Cooper.
I was looking around for some things to knit for Christmas and ran across a neat pattern for mini-mitten ornaments. I am going to try this out this weekend and hopefully post samples soon.
I'm also very excited about this weekend - NO MORE FOOTBALL!! I'm really looking forward to doing nothing all day! I hope that works for me!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Proud Mama
Cooper does things all the time that make me proud. He also does things that make me laugh or just shake my head! But when a note from school came home about a special appointment, I was overjoyed and beamed with pride!
Cooper has been chosen to be in a program called "Connections". A couple of times a month, he and another student will have lunch with an autistic student (and his teacher) in a smaller setting than the cafeteria. This will allow the autistic student to learn to build friendships and learn socialization skills as well. His teacher said she chose Cooper because she thinks he is a good role model. Well, so do I!! Way to go Cooper!
I am thankful to God to have a child that is caring and compassionate for others. It is my prayer that this not only has a positive impact on the autistic child - but on Cooper and the other student chosen in this program as well.
Cooper has been chosen to be in a program called "Connections". A couple of times a month, he and another student will have lunch with an autistic student (and his teacher) in a smaller setting than the cafeteria. This will allow the autistic student to learn to build friendships and learn socialization skills as well. His teacher said she chose Cooper because she thinks he is a good role model. Well, so do I!! Way to go Cooper!
I am thankful to God to have a child that is caring and compassionate for others. It is my prayer that this not only has a positive impact on the autistic child - but on Cooper and the other student chosen in this program as well.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
My boy has grown...
So much has been going on since I last blogged. For one, Cooper finished t-ball and we were 1st place! He is now playing football and is a Cub Scout. Sometimes I just can't believe how much he has grown!
I went to Target yesterday and saw a display for Halloween themed Kraft Mac & Cheese. I was very excited, because I thought that would go great with the Halloween-themed dinner of mummy-dogs (it's kind of a tradition now). As I put the box away last night, I got to thinking about how much Cooper has grown and I remember when he was little - he called mac & cheese "maroni", and my heart sank. He's six years old and in 1st grade - when did that happen?
Cooper - if you read this one day, please know that I love you and I am very proud of you!
I went to Target yesterday and saw a display for Halloween themed Kraft Mac & Cheese. I was very excited, because I thought that would go great with the Halloween-themed dinner of mummy-dogs (it's kind of a tradition now). As I put the box away last night, I got to thinking about how much Cooper has grown and I remember when he was little - he called mac & cheese "maroni", and my heart sank. He's six years old and in 1st grade - when did that happen?
Cooper - if you read this one day, please know that I love you and I am very proud of you!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Food Revolution
I had been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on tv ... and I loved it. I admit, I used to be the kind of mom that put a sandwich and chips in my son's lunch box and carried on. After watching the series, I have implemented new rules in our house with regards to eating.
First, Cooper's lunch consists of half a sandwich, a vegetable and a fruit (typically carrots or yellow and red peppers with some strawberries or grapes). I have been proud of myself for taking the time and also, proud of Cooper for eating it and making good choices.
When I got home from work everyday, there was evidence that someone (MIL, Cooper, Don) would have fast food of some kind - EVERY DAY. You think I'm kidding - I'm not. Gross!! Anyway, Cooper has a new rules (and it helps Don eat more carefully as well) with regards to eating after school (and summer eating as well). I hope the rules will take the burdon off of MIL and Don and they won't become lazy about food. The rules are:
Cooper's after-school & summer food list
Cooper CAN have:
Apple
Grapes
Banana
Yogurt/Go-gurt
Strawberries
Peanutbutter and crackers
cheese and crackers
Carrots (or other veggies) with ranch
Ice cream/candy/cakes/pie/cupcakes/cookies/jell-o, etc. ONLY IF he ate ALL of what was given to him and is still hungry.
Water/apple juice/orange juice/milk to drink
Cooper can NOT have:
Ice cream/candy/cakes/pie/cupcakes/cookies/jell-o, etc (see above)
Happy meal or kids meal of any kind from ANY fast food restaurant
Fast Food of any kind
No food at all after 4:30 PM (so that he will have a good appetite for dinner - EXCEPTION is Tball game day when he needs to eat dinner at 5:00)
Soda
If he says he is still hungry - water or milk will help fill him up
The above is posted on the fridge...hopefully this will work!
First, Cooper's lunch consists of half a sandwich, a vegetable and a fruit (typically carrots or yellow and red peppers with some strawberries or grapes). I have been proud of myself for taking the time and also, proud of Cooper for eating it and making good choices.
When I got home from work everyday, there was evidence that someone (MIL, Cooper, Don) would have fast food of some kind - EVERY DAY. You think I'm kidding - I'm not. Gross!! Anyway, Cooper has a new rules (and it helps Don eat more carefully as well) with regards to eating after school (and summer eating as well). I hope the rules will take the burdon off of MIL and Don and they won't become lazy about food. The rules are:
Cooper's after-school & summer food list
Cooper CAN have:
Apple
Grapes
Banana
Yogurt/Go-gurt
Strawberries
Peanutbutter and crackers
cheese and crackers
Carrots (or other veggies) with ranch
Ice cream/candy/cakes/pie/cupcakes/cookies/jell-o, etc. ONLY IF he ate ALL of what was given to him and is still hungry.
Water/apple juice/orange juice/milk to drink
Cooper can NOT have:
Ice cream/candy/cakes/pie/cupcakes/cookies/jell-o, etc (see above)
Happy meal or kids meal of any kind from ANY fast food restaurant
Fast Food of any kind
No food at all after 4:30 PM (so that he will have a good appetite for dinner - EXCEPTION is Tball game day when he needs to eat dinner at 5:00)
Soda
If he says he is still hungry - water or milk will help fill him up
The above is posted on the fridge...hopefully this will work!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
New things...
I received a box of samples from Kraft last night. I have to say that the Sundried Tomato & Basil Wheat Thins were totally yummy. I just had them as a snack with some cheddar and it hit the spot! It will hold me until I am done with my lunchtime shopping trip to Target for some $0.69 Seventh Gen dish soap. Good deals make me happy!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Don's appointments
Don had a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Tuesday. The initial results are that he is fine! Given his symptoms, I wasn't so sure that would happen. He had two rather large polyps for his age, but they were removed. Unfortunately, he has to have another one in three years (he's not real excited about that!).
I really think that God is trying to get Don's attention. I'm not sure, but that is how I feel about this. This is just another "close call" with Don's health that I don't think he should ignore.
I really think that God is trying to get Don's attention. I'm not sure, but that is how I feel about this. This is just another "close call" with Don's health that I don't think he should ignore.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Joy
This is going to sound strange - maybe not strange to all - but God has changed my spirit about giving. I got paid last Friday - on the Monday before my paycheck I couldn't wait to write out my check to the church. So I didn't wait - I wrote it out and again - I couldn't wait to drop it in the bucket! We gave a little extra last week to a worthy organization and again - it felt GREAT!! I was figuring out my bills - and took my tithe money off the top! It's pretty amazing - I don't have the anxiety about money that I used to have. I really believe and know that by being faithful and joyful in giving, I will be blessed for it and God will provide. Besides, it isn't mine anyway - it all comes from God.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Leap of Faith
I've been a Christian for years now. I feel like I'm joining the game a little late...but here I am.
Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing in ABF being a good steward of what God has given us. I haven't been a good steward with what God has given me. God has really been laying some things on my heart about our finances. The only part of the Bible where God asks for us to test Him is in the area of our finances. So that is what I am going to do. Except my attitude is SO MUCH better than I thought it would be.
In the past - I've given what I could out of what I have left. My feeling was that God knew what I was going through and He understood. I was being trusted with something and I was in disobedience with God. I am taking a baby step to get where I should be. As soon as I decided to do this - I wrote out a check. I couldn't wait to drop it in the bucket at church!! I have never been happier to part with money! It was a beautiful feeling I had. To keep up this discipline, I've written it in my calendar and I'm READY! It's only Tuesday, but I've already written out my check and I can't wait until I can put it in the bucket this Sunday. I am very excited to see what God has in store for me.
I have come to the realization that God wants His best for me - not just good...but His BEST! His best is better than I could ever imagine!
Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing in ABF being a good steward of what God has given us. I haven't been a good steward with what God has given me. God has really been laying some things on my heart about our finances. The only part of the Bible where God asks for us to test Him is in the area of our finances. So that is what I am going to do. Except my attitude is SO MUCH better than I thought it would be.
In the past - I've given what I could out of what I have left. My feeling was that God knew what I was going through and He understood. I was being trusted with something and I was in disobedience with God. I am taking a baby step to get where I should be. As soon as I decided to do this - I wrote out a check. I couldn't wait to drop it in the bucket at church!! I have never been happier to part with money! It was a beautiful feeling I had. To keep up this discipline, I've written it in my calendar and I'm READY! It's only Tuesday, but I've already written out my check and I can't wait until I can put it in the bucket this Sunday. I am very excited to see what God has in store for me.
I have come to the realization that God wants His best for me - not just good...but His BEST! His best is better than I could ever imagine!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Diets
Diets suck. I know this isn't a news flash for those that have dieted. I have tried lots of diets. The road to skinny-town is filled with good intentions to stick to a diet. I start out with a great attitude and slowly go down from there. Once I get off the wagon, I just don't jump back on.
I saw a story on GMA about Stacy Woltmann and read her blog (click here) and have decided to jump back on. I'm going to focus on eating healthy and lower fat and cals. I'll add in exercise and see how I do. Yesterday, I got my fat butt on a treadmill for 30 mins (total of 1.44 miles). I was proud of that accomplishment (I would rather eat dirt than exercise - but I need to do it). I've already made out my grocery list for some healthier food items. I'm not the only one that has discovered this, but it's cheaper to eat terrible. For example, snack options - a bag of grapes is about $4.00 - a bag of Doritos is $2.50. The lean ground beef is almost $3.00 per pound, and the not-so-lean ground beef is $1.88. When a family (my family) has to tighten the belt - we have to make compromises. Sometimes we compromise in the quality, sometimes in the quantity and sometimes in convenience. When we are really poor - we compromise on them all.
I'm not only doing this for myself so that I feel better - but for my son as well. I would like to do more with him and make sure I'm around for a long time. Thanks for the kick in the pants Stacy!
I saw a story on GMA about Stacy Woltmann and read her blog (click here) and have decided to jump back on. I'm going to focus on eating healthy and lower fat and cals. I'll add in exercise and see how I do. Yesterday, I got my fat butt on a treadmill for 30 mins (total of 1.44 miles). I was proud of that accomplishment (I would rather eat dirt than exercise - but I need to do it). I've already made out my grocery list for some healthier food items. I'm not the only one that has discovered this, but it's cheaper to eat terrible. For example, snack options - a bag of grapes is about $4.00 - a bag of Doritos is $2.50. The lean ground beef is almost $3.00 per pound, and the not-so-lean ground beef is $1.88. When a family (my family) has to tighten the belt - we have to make compromises. Sometimes we compromise in the quality, sometimes in the quantity and sometimes in convenience. When we are really poor - we compromise on them all.
I'm not only doing this for myself so that I feel better - but for my son as well. I would like to do more with him and make sure I'm around for a long time. Thanks for the kick in the pants Stacy!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
91%
Don and I had our first parent/teacher conference this morning with Cooper's teacher. It was awesome! I didn't think she would have anything negative to say about Cooper, but he's doing better academically than I thought he was.
They did their Fall Assessment a couple of weeks ago. The teachers assess what they know. They go over letters, numbers, counting, shapes, rhyming words, syllables and comprehension (when a story is read aloud without pictures). Cooper's overall score was 91%!! Of the 123 questions on the test, he got 112 RIGHT! Only 11 wrong! Brought tears to my eyes!! I'm so glad that Cooper is doing well and seems to really enjoy school! My sweet little boy is growing up! He's getting so big! I'm so proud!
On the down-side to this - the OCD mother in me wants to spend an hour each night working on the things that he needs to work on to make a 100 on the next test. Is that wrong? I really need to work on my expectations!
They did their Fall Assessment a couple of weeks ago. The teachers assess what they know. They go over letters, numbers, counting, shapes, rhyming words, syllables and comprehension (when a story is read aloud without pictures). Cooper's overall score was 91%!! Of the 123 questions on the test, he got 112 RIGHT! Only 11 wrong! Brought tears to my eyes!! I'm so glad that Cooper is doing well and seems to really enjoy school! My sweet little boy is growing up! He's getting so big! I'm so proud!
On the down-side to this - the OCD mother in me wants to spend an hour each night working on the things that he needs to work on to make a 100 on the next test. Is that wrong? I really need to work on my expectations!
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