with a big fat pasture raised local TURKEY! It was a little ironic to me that my Thanksgiving meal plans were based around all vegan recipes because of J's allergy, except for that wonderful bird! My mom and I each bought a turkey from a local farm here. They are organic and pasture raised. They are also extremely expensive, but definitely very well worth it! We also had vegan mashed potato's, vegan green bean casserole, and vegan stuffing. Not only was it vegan, but it was the "cleanest" most "real" Thanksgiving dinner I've ever had! No processed food at our table! I actually felt good, even after all I ate! This is some of the results that I see J's allergies as a good thing! ;) Some of our desserts turned out quite...well, there's nothing more to say, but terrible, but the ones that turned out were just enough!
Our food wasn't the only thing that changed this year, but traditions did as well. We've gotten together with sweet family friends of ours for years now (as long as I remember), but this year we parted ways for our own quiet family dinners. It's always hard to let go of tradition, but it's refreshing to start new ones.
Our LP had been coughing since Tuesday night, but we thought it was just a cold. Unfortunately we were proved wrong when his belly joined in the party on Thursday. He started running a fever, and was just miserable. At one point we were just staying in our own homes for our own dinners with someone transferring foods back and forth, then everyone was coming here, we were going there but LP was eating outside, and finally settled with our original plans. Poor LP, he was so sad, and just kept saying "I'll take my puke bucket with me!" Needless to say, the puke bucket, his blankets and pillow ended up in the car on the way to grandma and grandpa's! It was a nice time, and LP managed to do very well!
The boys had been working so hard for the past few weeks working on their Thanksgiving unit. They worked on "First Thanksgiving Books", WOW (Words of Wisdom), maps, thankful crafts, and their memory verse..."Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4" They had to get on their "stage" (the fireplace) to put on a "play" for our family, complete with pilgrim and Indian hats! They did GREAT, and made this mom and teacher VERY VERY proud!!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Recovery Weekend
It's been an awesome weekend to cheer us all up after the dreaded week last week. I still think I'm a bundle of nerves and quite a bit of disbelief, but I'm slowly getting there. Those first few days were horrible. I didn't think I'd ever stop crying or get some of the final images erased from my mind, but here we are 4 days later and I've laughed, smiled and am at peace. I will miss Zoe, and I know that the boys will, but we will move on with her in our hearts and minds.
At first I didn't really want to address the situation with the boys, but after them telling people that we gave Zoe to the vet I knew I had to do something. I wasn't sure exactly what to tell them, or what age I should even begin to explain death to them. So what's a girl to do? Google...of course, Silly! I was truly at a lost, so, yes, I googled it. Pet websites recommended being honest with them. So that's what I did. LP doesn't really seem to be to bothered by it, but BP sure has been voicing his opinion so I knew I needed to have a heart to heart with him. Here's my do's and don'ts of explaining pet loss to a child:
Do's:
We've had our sad moments off and on. The other day, M said that he looked in the hall, and swore he saw her sitting there. I've seen blankets in a corner and thought it was her at quick glance. I think I hear her paws on the kitchen floor. J has said "Bye Zooooie" while walking out the door. I've woken up expecting to walk in the laundry room to feed her. I haven't opened my back door...well...since Wed, and that's just sad to me. I don't really feel like going out there, and it's probably a good thing that it's been a bit chilly out! I know that my sweet girl is watching me from above, and that she's in peace now. Sleep well, sweet baby girl!
So our good weekend! M's dad was in town this weekend for the Ne/Mn football game. M took the big boys, and sent me off to the spa. A wonderful massage and facial was all I needed for some rejuvenation and relaxation. My mom watched J, and then we were off for sushi. We finished off the night with some shopping, where my wonderful J refused EVERY Build-A-Bear I tried convincing him to make!! After a wonderful church service this morning, we randomly decided to visit the state park for brunch with my family. Then we stopped by the drive-through zoo with M's dad, and had a blast there. BP said it was the best day of his life...funny...he just said that last week too! :)
At first I didn't really want to address the situation with the boys, but after them telling people that we gave Zoe to the vet I knew I had to do something. I wasn't sure exactly what to tell them, or what age I should even begin to explain death to them. So what's a girl to do? Google...of course, Silly! I was truly at a lost, so, yes, I googled it. Pet websites recommended being honest with them. So that's what I did. LP doesn't really seem to be to bothered by it, but BP sure has been voicing his opinion so I knew I needed to have a heart to heart with him. Here's my do's and don'ts of explaining pet loss to a child:
Do's:
- be honest...use words like death and died
- explain age appropriately
- express your sadness so they know it's okay to be sad themselves
- offer solutions to relieve their grief ie:making picture books of the pet, drawing pictures of the pet, making poems to read at a celebration of life/memorial service
- don't use the words "put to sleep" as this could cause them to be fearful of falling asleep themselves.
- don't say things like "the vet gave him/her a shot to...." as this could cause them to become fearful of doctors
- don't hide your emotions
- don't replace your pet quickly as that could make them feel your pet was replaceable.
We've had our sad moments off and on. The other day, M said that he looked in the hall, and swore he saw her sitting there. I've seen blankets in a corner and thought it was her at quick glance. I think I hear her paws on the kitchen floor. J has said "Bye Zooooie" while walking out the door. I've woken up expecting to walk in the laundry room to feed her. I haven't opened my back door...well...since Wed, and that's just sad to me. I don't really feel like going out there, and it's probably a good thing that it's been a bit chilly out! I know that my sweet girl is watching me from above, and that she's in peace now. Sleep well, sweet baby girl!
So our good weekend! M's dad was in town this weekend for the Ne/Mn football game. M took the big boys, and sent me off to the spa. A wonderful massage and facial was all I needed for some rejuvenation and relaxation. My mom watched J, and then we were off for sushi. We finished off the night with some shopping, where my wonderful J refused EVERY Build-A-Bear I tried convincing him to make!! After a wonderful church service this morning, we randomly decided to visit the state park for brunch with my family. Then we stopped by the drive-through zoo with M's dad, and had a blast there. BP said it was the best day of his life...funny...he just said that last week too! :)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Goodbye my most loyal friend...
I just can't seem to pull it together today. My baby girl is just hours away from leaving our home, even though she will always be in our hearts. I got Zoe when I was a junior in high school, when she was a wee pup in the pet store I was working at. It was Easter weekend, and I just couldn't leave this poor girl with her litter mates for the closed holiday weekend. I begged my boss to let me take her home with the promise of bringing her back to work with me after the weekend. My parents were less then thrilled to see me bring her home, but everyone at our family Easter dinner was in love with her cute little fuzzball self. Needless to say, Zoe ended up earning a permanent place in our family. She was my best bud. She was there with me for my last summer as a high school student. She was there with me when I started my senior year. She was there with me as I lost my bearded dragon to a respiratory disease. She was there when I met M, and even though he hated her in the beginning, he has grown to love her as much as me! She was there as I prepared for college, took test, passed my nursing boards, and began working as a nurse at a local hospital. She was there as I packed my room in preparation to move away with my husband. She was there as I prepped for my wedding day, and she was with me throughout the day as I got ready to begin a new life. She was there as we brought home a new dog, and accepted his crazy self for just who he was. She was there as we lost our first pregnancy, and was my loving fur to cry on. She was there for the birth of our first baby, and was on the welcoming comity to bring him home. She was there to sniff the car seat, wag her tail and show her approval of his tiny self. She was there for all our new baby's first, and gracefully took the backseat to the golden pedestal she had been living on. She was again there to welcome home our second baby, and be constantly terrorized by a toddler! She was there as we lost our other family dog of 16 years. She was there when we sold our first home and purchased our second home. She was there at the passing of my grandma, my hero. She was there for the surprise of our third pregnancy and the sickness that came along with it. She was there for the arrival of our third baby and yet again took more badgering from our growing kids! Everything...Zoe has been here for everything. My most constant, ever forgiving, loyal, loving, kind, understanding friend.
This unknown illness has taken such a strong hold of her life, making her and us miserable. It's her time to rest in peace, and have no more pain. I will miss having my best friend here to share everything with and to constantly be here for me. I hope sweet girl that as you go on, you will know that we love you, and that we hope nothing but peace and rest for you. Love you baby girl.
This unknown illness has taken such a strong hold of her life, making her and us miserable. It's her time to rest in peace, and have no more pain. I will miss having my best friend here to share everything with and to constantly be here for me. I hope sweet girl that as you go on, you will know that we love you, and that we hope nothing but peace and rest for you. Love you baby girl.
Monday, November 12, 2012
P & P for Pizza
We took a break from our normal school work to talk about the elections. My boys were very "involved", as much as little ones can be, in the whole election deal. They saw a bazillion commercials saying why this person needs your vote, why this person doesn't, what this person can do for you and what this person cannot. They saw a lot of mudslinging, and heard a lot of ranting and raving. We don't consider ourselves highly political, as we trust that Jesus is our King no matter who is in office. We follow the Bible which means that we respect our leaders, as long as they line up with Scriptures.
I saw this as such a great learning opportunity for our kids in so many ways. It was a great opportunity to teach them how to treat other human beings, how not to treat other human beings, how to get excited and passionate about things they believe in, a brief scaled down version of voting, campaigning, past presidents, debates, how to be a gracious winner, how not to be a sore loser, and most important how to trust God in all circumstances.
I knew that BP was getting a little overwhelmed with the whole process, when one night he asked if instead of voting for the green party (not sure where he picked up on that one) I would vote for Jesus. Such a sweet boy, and he seriously was begging me as I was casting my ballot! I knew that come election day I just had to make it fun, and not get wrapped up in the presidential elections.
School morning came, we did a little spiel about elections and such and then we created a "What's for Dinner" poll. Our candidates were Pizza and Chicken Soup. Mostly because I didn't want to cook that night! I made them "P for Pizza" buttons to wear as part of their campaign's. They even had a ballot box for their "official" ballots.
They joined M and I for voting in the morning and then we went to the grandparents work place to have them cast their ballots. We got an absentee ballots over the phone from Uncle D too! I was so proud of BP at the shop, because he was determined to get pizza to win that he was even asking random customers to vote in his election! Oh, and an election just isn't complete without the "I voted" stickers, or in our case "Trader Joe's" fruit stickers!
I was so proud of how much they learned, and enjoyed our little election day. I was also blessed by seeing my boys get passionate about something, even though it was pizza! I was happy that we were able to make light of a day, that although a very important day for us grownups to pray and think about, that they as kids should only have to worry about being kids! Oh, and enjoying the fruits of their labor, as pizza won the dinner election!
I saw this as such a great learning opportunity for our kids in so many ways. It was a great opportunity to teach them how to treat other human beings, how not to treat other human beings, how to get excited and passionate about things they believe in, a brief scaled down version of voting, campaigning, past presidents, debates, how to be a gracious winner, how not to be a sore loser, and most important how to trust God in all circumstances.
I knew that BP was getting a little overwhelmed with the whole process, when one night he asked if instead of voting for the green party (not sure where he picked up on that one) I would vote for Jesus. Such a sweet boy, and he seriously was begging me as I was casting my ballot! I knew that come election day I just had to make it fun, and not get wrapped up in the presidential elections.
School morning came, we did a little spiel about elections and such and then we created a "What's for Dinner" poll. Our candidates were Pizza and Chicken Soup. Mostly because I didn't want to cook that night! I made them "P for Pizza" buttons to wear as part of their campaign's. They even had a ballot box for their "official" ballots.
They joined M and I for voting in the morning and then we went to the grandparents work place to have them cast their ballots. We got an absentee ballots over the phone from Uncle D too! I was so proud of BP at the shop, because he was determined to get pizza to win that he was even asking random customers to vote in his election! Oh, and an election just isn't complete without the "I voted" stickers, or in our case "Trader Joe's" fruit stickers!
I was so proud of how much they learned, and enjoyed our little election day. I was also blessed by seeing my boys get passionate about something, even though it was pizza! I was happy that we were able to make light of a day, that although a very important day for us grownups to pray and think about, that they as kids should only have to worry about being kids! Oh, and enjoying the fruits of their labor, as pizza won the dinner election!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)