We had one thing left to check off before Spencer could earn his Wolf badge, so it was off to the Fire Station to learn about safety. We had no idea what a great activity we were in for. We learned a lot more than just safety.
This large truck has a ladder that can extend 200 ft. It is Wonderful that they can save someone who is so far from safety. If I was in that situation, I would be grateful, but they might have to knock me out to get me on that thing. The truck can also pump enough water to fill 50 bathtubs in a minute. WHOA, I wouldn't want to be in the way of that. This is a truck to be reckoned with.
In the back there are extra ladders for smaller jobs. There are big hoses and small hoses. We saw the jaws of life they use to extract people from a car if needed. The kids were given the chance to try to carry it. THOSE are Industrial and not even close to lightweight. They have several saws, air tanks, axes and lots of equipment to make boys drool. Especially the helmet that can amplify the sound of your voice and attaches to the radio equipment (all they could think was WAY COOL WALKIE TALKIES)
We didn't know that 80% of a Firefighter's job is responding to medical needs. All Firefighters have to be an EMT and several are full level paramedics. That is why they respond to car wrecks and when 911 is called.
Captain DeGering was a wonderful guide. He opened up the Ambulance and had the kids climb in for a lesson about what Firefighters do. He taught them how an IV is administered and what they use them for. He turned on the Defibrillator and explained how it can restart someone's heart. The kids learned about Diabetes, Heart Attacks and that there is always a paramedic specialized in airways because oxygen is the first thing we have to worry about. He had us hold our breath as long as we could. We didn't make it a minute (Yes, I let it out first. Dallin's cheeks were so HUGE, I had to laugh. ~Mom, this is serious~) In 3 minutes the brain can start to die. I am telling you this guy had our kids complete attention.
Then he let them try on his gear. Dallin can't quite fill his shoes or pants yet.
And Spencer still has a little more to grow to fit this life saving jacket.
This is what a real firefighter looks like all geared up and ready to go. No skin showing anywhere, right kids?
And this is what Future Firefighters look like. Irresistible, aren't they? Before they got the nice hats and badges they had to promise some things pertaining to safety. NO Playing with Matches or Lighters and Always Buckle Up in the car. YES SIR! I breathed a sigh of relief.
Before we left, we learned that a Fire Station is also called a Fire House because they live there. I didn't take pictures of that, but they showed us their Kitchen, TV/Training Room, the Showers, Workout room, and even their bedrooms.
I have always feared my kids might become a Firefighter. I know, I am weak. It has to be hard waiting for them to make it home safely. These guys work harder than almost anybody. They are on for 48 hrs training, exercising, planning, cleaning, working many jobs and saving people's lives. They have to be organized, focused and hard workers willing to put their life on the line to save someone else they usually don't know. They are to be admired, respected and need our Gratitude. Captain DeGering, Your Team and All Firefighters, THANK YOU for all you do.
Two weeks ago Faith, Spencer & Christian went back to school. This was a moment they have been eagerly waiting for. Yes, they do love school that much. Is it because they love to learn? Yes and No. I would say they really miss their friends, recess, assemblies, library time, nice teachers, interactive learning and lunch. But as you can see, I did arm them with the best lunch we had to offer from our very own kitchen. No fancy cutting required. This will be Christian's first year eating at school, so it is very exciting.
They have grown up so much. I know they will look out for each other. We had a really good summer and it is hard to let them go back to school. Well that was until they went crazy with anticipation the last week of summer. I had to send them back to save all of our sanity. ;) Super Heroes Dallin & Luke had to join in a picture. Dallin says they are going to miss them "THIS MUCH" with his arms spread wide. I am sure they will. Luke became attached to Faith this summer. She was his second Mom, so it is hard to let her go.
But they are off. We are happy! We know they will have a great year. And we will find things to fill up our time.
"Hey, where do you think you are going?" Running to catch Luke, who has made it to the next driveway. "I am not ready to send you off yet. Thank heavens there is still a few more years. Let's go inside to dance to music about barnyard animals and read favorite stories."
We had lots of fun. Then we sat and waited for them to return (not really) But it is nice when they walk through the door, give me an "I love you" "I missed you" and a hug. I guess it is OK to send them back to school, if they will always give me a hug. And their little brothers too.
Dallin started preschool today. He was very excited. Even though he had leg cramps last night and didn't sleep the best, he was up bright and early and the first thing he said as he came out his door was. "Should I get dressed for Preschool?"
I am excited to see how well he does at this new school. We haven't attended the same preschool twice. We would have went back to the first one, but we moved out of state. Then every other one has been a let down or was too expensive. I have even done home preschool with just my kids, but I love the social part they receive and I miss the two hour break. So when a friend recommended this one at half the cost, but same benefits, I thought we would give it a shot. So far, I am impressed. She read them two books about going to school and sent home a copy of one with each of the kids to borrow and return. She also sent home a paper explaining what they did for the day. It included questions for the parents to ask the students about their day. Very impressed! Maybe this will be the first time we return to a preschool. :)
I knew all of these new adjustments would be hard on Luke, he is going to miss his buddies. So today was all about him. We went to the store, where we picked out a Toy Story bubble fan on clearance and a treat. He had fun trying to catch the bubbles, but mostly liked making a mess. He loved the Gummy worms and was more than willing to share (see Dallin is enjoying them too.) What a cutie! I think we will both adjust and be OK. Well, as long as we get our hugs. :D
Spencer LOVES Percy Jackson and the Olympians. We only own the first book of the series. When my husband found him reading it for the 9th time, he asked him how many times he is going to read that book. Spencer said "Until the pages fall apart and the words fade off of them."
Yep! He is my son! I do prefer a little different style, but I feel the same way about a good book. I just finished "Catching Fire" the sequal of the Hunger Games. I immediately started to reread parts of that book and then wanted to start it over again.
*I made this post a week ago, I was going to edit it because it was too long. Today, I reread it and I remembered this is for my journal and this is how I feel. So please bear with the long post*
I almost made a post about the bad luck I have had and how the 3rd one struck, but I had an eye opening moment. As some of my friends know my life has changed from the plan I had in my head.
On the day before school started, my friend asked me to watch her two girls two mornings before school because she has to work. With 5 kids, our mornings have been known to be hectic. As you can imagine: Luke (2 yrs) please stop crying. Time to practice the piano. I need to do your hair. Please change your outfit, it isn't winter. Eat your breakfast. We only eat at the table. Did you put your homework in your bag? Luke I'm sorry, but I can't hold you right now. Make the lunches. Where is the bread? I can't find my shoes. Well, who wore them last? Luke, please don't cry. Why didn't you show me this paper last night? Please don't fight, this isn't the way to start the day. You know the drill. ~OK, it isn't really always like this, but it can be and sometimes worse.~ I explain this to her and hope her girls won't be scared to death. She just needs a place for them to wait before school starts, they will already be fed and ready. Then the kids will walk them to school. OK, we can do this.
Then that night I get a call from my sister. Her daycare fell through and she has no one to watch her girls after school until she gets off work at 7:00 pm. This is the part I was going to write about initially. You know the saying "Since you aren't doing anything anyway." OK, I will leave it at that, because this post isn't heading the way I had hoped. So I have my two nieces every night until 7:30.
Not at all what I had planned for our lives. We were going to go on night hikes when we could, but they won't be up to what we do and we won't be back until later. We read the scriptures and have FHE, they aren't members of our Church. We have piano, cub scouts, activity days and new things we were going to add. There will be homework. We like to be adventurous and take off whenever the mood or opportunity arises. I was looking forward to many fun outings. But my car can't hold us all and 7 kids is more than I can handle in public.
But my biggest worry has been "Will I have enough time for my own kids? Will I be the Mom they need? Do I have enough to give?"
I got a blessing to help me through the immense amount of stress I was feeling. I was told I have a great gift and capacity to love others and that there are many children who need to feel of that love. Oh boy! (I didn't mention how I yell at my kids and the tension can be thick enough to serve for dinner.) I can't remember all of the blessing. I wish I could, but I remember I felt so much love. I couldn't contain the tears as I felt like I was covered in a blanket of love.
I had high hopes for the first day. I got dinner in the crock pot and rice cooker. Did I mention my niece has a strict diet because of health problems? I cleaned the house. Played with Dallin & Luke. We worked on Dallin's writing, alphabet & some phonics. We danced & sang along with Preschool music. I read some favorite books to them and got them down for a nap. This was a perfect setting for a good day!
The girls arrive 30 minutes before my kids get home from school. We talk about their first day of school. Did they like their teachers? Did they make friends? What are they most excited about? Then my kids arrive. They didn't know about their cousins because I wanted them to enjoy everything they could about their first day at school. So they are surprised to find them there. I have three planners thrown at me. I try to ask my kids about their day and I get some quick responses like "It was good." Then they run off to play.
Not much later I hear yelling, see one boy throw a ball at another. We have to talk. They both blame the other. There will be no more of that. Then I hear my child yelling names at someone and go out to talk to him and he is tackling his 4 yr old brother. There is a time out and um, soap in the mouth for being rude. Then after his time out he argues with me and won't listen so back to time out and shown how to respect his Mom. Then yelling again. This time my daughter is upset because Luke won't let her do anything, he misses his sister. Total mayhem breaks out. My niece acts grossed out at what I made for dinner.
I can't handle it. I go put myself in time out. What happened to my good day? This isn't what I had planned. How can I do this? What happened to all of that love I was supposed to give? I can't feel any of it right now.
Then I realized my kids were having a hard time because they didn't get their downtime with their Mom. They didn't get a chance to tell me about their day. They didn't have a chance to say what they needed to say and I didn't have a chance to listen. We tried to pull them each aside and talk to them a little, but it wasn't really the same at all. I was so worn out I went to bed at 8:00. It was the next morning that I learned that my daughter had had a "Rotten, horrible, no good day." She was excluded by her so called friends and played alone each recess. Seriously, it broke my heart, but even more so that she didn't get to tell me the day before. We talked and cried together and then said a prayer together. I thought of her often throughout the day and prayed she had a better day.
I called some friends to talk out my emotions. One of them has done daycare in her home. How does she do it? How does she have enough to give to her own kids? Thank you girls. I needed to talk it out. Let's see how the second day goes.
I again asked questions about my nieces day at school. This time I tried to get more details from my kids, but it was off to piano and get dinner on the table, so there wasn't much time. Somehow it went better. No fighting. They actually LOVED last night's dinner, so there was less hesitancy tonight. Then it was homework time. Thankfully Aaron was there. We had two kids who had homework that took some thought. And then my niece wants to read to us and help her with her homework. This part is going to have to change because I can't be responsible for helping her with homework. I still have other children to care for.
Then this morning was the first day with the other two girls in the morning. The day played out well. The kids did piano, ate breakfast, made lunches, had all papers in backpack. I talked to the girls about school. I did Faith's hair while I talked to them. I saw the one girl who had her hair down looking on longingly. Since I had extra time I braided her hair too. She loved it!
Holy smokes! Maybe I do have some extra love to give. But I have to make sure my well doesn't run dry. I know I can't do this forever. Other arrangements will have to be made, but for now I will try to do my best.
I saw this video and it fit perfectly with what I have learned I need to do to succeed. Each child has to know they are cared about and feel some love so they can be happy. I pray I can do what the Lord is asking me to do. I want to be there. I want to give my kids what they need. To listen and show I care. That they may know they are loved. May they never have to say "Mother Are You There?
No, it is not that I stepped on gum on my way home from Church and had to walk the rest of the way barefoot on the hot cement. Or that I now have blisters on my feet.
It also isn't that we climbed a new peak and that I didn't do nearly as much huffing and puffing. It helped that we only had one child with us. Imagine almost 7 miles of hiking and I still could talk most of the time, no yodeling though. Thank heavens we did the hike before said blisters.
No my HAPPY NEWS is about GOIN UNDER. I have met many goals in my mission to become healthier. But I just hit the biggest one so far. I went under a number I will never see on the scale again. I cried the day I first saw it and then I went on to exceed that number by far. Some of you may be perfect and have never felt that way, but to you, there is an X on the upper right corner of your screen, you may push it now. To the rest, I want to celebrate my joy with you. I couldn't have done it without the support of many of you. Especially my friend, Lindsay, who got me started. Thank you!
I really have to thank my family because their support has been more than I could have hoped for. When I started this journey for better health, they came right along with me. They have adjusted to brown rice, wheat pasta, smaller portions, new recipes, less bread, treats & eating out, more fruits & veggies. And done it with a smile on their face. Now, that may sound like a miserable life, but we have found some of the yummiest food on the planet doesn't have to be bad for you. And we do occasionally indulge. I just ate my favorite Chinese (not good for you) and then got back on plan with a smile. I didn't have to feel guilty because occasional small indulgences are part of life. Enjoy them and then get back to a healthier lifestyle.
Now back to my supportive family. They cheer with me, give me big hugs and high fives as I reach my goals. They see how happy I am and they want me to succeed. Before this last weigh-in, my husband sent me this text. "Go Carina go! I believe in you. You can reach your goal. You can do it! Go team Carina!!!" I didn't know there was a team Carina, but if there is, they are all on it. I love them so much!
Biggest Thanks to Aaron! He is very supportive, he makes healthy meals, doesn't persuade me to eat out too often, and helps me keep the house stocked with healthy choices. He is encouraging! And takes me hiking to enjoy God's beauty around us and to kick this fat to the curb. I love you Babe! I am glad you are getting healthier too. I want you to be around for a very long time.
Goin Under feels so good!I have been looking forward to this day. I still have a long way to go, but I know I can do it! I am loving the journey. A lifelong journey that will take us to places I never could have gone before.
And the camera lense won't have to be as wide.
A friend asked for pictures recently so here are some.
Above pic was from Christmas (two months before I started)
The picture on left was taken May 1st after I had already lost a happy amount. I remember a friend saying I looked hot.
Well I think the picture of me from yesterday is better.
One day I will post a picture of the finished product, hopefully the dress will fall off and it won't be permissible on this family blog. ;) But today I am thrilled with this.
I stayed up to watch the meteor shower last night. The stars were brilliant. Could this really be the view I see in my own backyard? It is beautiful! I had read there would be 60-80 meteors per hour. That is worth staying up for.
The only meteor shower I had ever seen was yrs ago at Girls Camp as we watched the heavens aglow across Bear Lake. I didn't ever know there was such wonder and beauty in the world. The light show was amazing! It is something I will always remember. I hoped this would be another moment to treasure.
At first I have to admit I was disappointed. I didn't see anything, so I changed views several times because I must be looking in the wrong part of the sky. It took lots of patience. Finally I saw one. It was bright and glorious as it shot across the sky. The heavens are celebrating! There is still good in the world. I wanted to shout for joy and say how stunning it was. But I was alone and felt that way. It was joyous, but it only lasted for a moment.
Shortly after I saw another one. It was small and hard to see, but it would take my breath away and I would want to share it on any regular night. Another small light streak came a few minutes later. It was beautiful, but I was alone. There was no one to share the joy with. I wished my husband didn't need rest to go to work in the morning. I wished my kids weren't all asleep. They would LOVE it! Are those the kind of wishes most people make on shooting stars?
I waited some more hoping to enjoy a beautiful show that I could tell them about in the morning. But the wait was long and the trampoline was getting more and more comfortable and my eyes were getting more and more fuzzy. As my eyes became slits I swore every star was a meteor. I quickly opened my eyes but it wasn't really so. I knew my family would find me on the trampoline in the morning if I didn't go to bed. Then, I saw another one, it was a little more bright than the last two. Four would have to be what I would tell them about in the morning. Off to bed.
I stumbled over a footstool in the bathroom and Spencer who is sleeping on the couch because he has an earache wakes and says "HELLO?" Ugh, I feel bad, but I guess he will sleep better in his bed after all. ~OR~ maybe he will enjoy a few minutes of celestial wonder with me.
We went outside and I had to train him to have a little patience, but we didn't have to wait too long. We saw one and then soon another and another. It was stunning! It was all I dreamed it would be. And sharing it with my son made it that way. We celebrated each streak of light and watched the stars in awe. There was one time when two meteors shot towards each other and the sky illuminated. Can the heavens really be this glorious? Is this really part of our world? Mom, did you see that? Wow, that was cool! As we were about to go in I saw one shoot across the sky as bright and beautiful as the first one I saw. This one was much better though because it was with my son. We only stayed out for about 10 minutes, because it is 1 am and he needs to get to bed. But we saw 8 or more meteors during that time.
Maybe wishes made on shooting stars really do come true after all. And maybe everything in this world is made more beautiful and more special by having someone you love to share it with.
PS Photos aren't mine, but they add so much to the post.
This is actually a positive place to be, but today I am feeling a little bit of self doubt. Please bear with me as I search for some answers. I have good friends who read my blog and give me some great advice. So that is what I am seeking today.
Is this the time of year that I return to feeling inadequate as a mother? Are my kids smart enough? Are they athletic enough? (Um, not really, they inherited that from me, see other post, but I am trying to help them be more athletic) Are they nice enough? Is their report good enough? Are they artistic enough? Do kids like them enough? Am I doing enough? And now I want to add into this equation, Are they eating good enough?
It is well known that school lunches are not healthy. I have paid for it anyway. It is easy and I have 5 kids, so easy is good. But as we are eating healthier at home, I am starting to wonder. My kids are good at always stopping at the salad bar, loading up on some favs and gobbling it all up. But what about the main entree? I had thought, well this is their only chance to eat pizza, lasagna, mucho nacho, and chili cheese fritos. When I asked my son his favorite lunch at school the last one was his answer. OK, maybe I am going to seriously think about making home lunches.
Aaaaahhhhhhhh! Are you kidding me? I hate the extra work in the morning. I hate the thought of having to make it any fancier than a PB sandwich, carrots, an apple and change for milk. But this isn't really good enough. I mean who wants to eat the same boring meal everyday? Yes, that is why there is some fancy term out there for well balanced and pretty lunches. It is called Bento. I just learned this today. Will my kids be sitting next to someone with this kind of lunch and wonder why their Mom doesn't make them something nice like that. Doesn't she love them enough?
Ok, I admit I do have a heart & dino sandwich cutter, but they don't work well. And I do have a box with 101 cookie cutters, I am not sure if they will be any better. But what do I do with all of the scraps? Does that become my lunch? Mmmmm, crusts for 9 months. I feel myself gaining weight now, realizing I would jump at every chance to eat something with flavor. Do people really make their kids such well balanced fancy meals? Can I do it?
Do your kids eat home lunch? What do you do?
And do you ever feel like it is enough? Whatever IT is.
I am going to try to let go of that this year, but it always seems to plague me. I never knew the stress of being a parent could be so much. But I also had no idea of the blessings. Just try to hold on to those Carina. Hold on to those.
Uh, in rereading this post. I am now concerned that people will think I don't see the talents and gifts of my children. I do. They are wonderful, but there is this stupid beast that comes out when you become a parent. It starts when they are young and someone asks you how much your child weighs, how tall they are, what their motor skills are and you find out there are benchmarks and percentiles. And suddenly this competition to have the best child comes out. I hate that beast. PLEASE GO AWAY!!!
(sorry for using a few of the no-no words in my post, but now you see how strongly I wish it would go away)
This large truck has a ladder that can extend 200 ft. It is Wonderful that they can save someone who is so far from safety. If I was in that situation, I would be grateful, but they might have to knock me out to get me on that thing. The truck can also pump enough water to fill 50 bathtubs in a minute. WHOA, I wouldn't want to be in the way of that. This is a truck to be reckoned with.
In the back there are extra ladders for smaller jobs. There are big hoses and small hoses. We saw the jaws of life they use to extract people from a car if needed. The kids were given the chance to try to carry it. THOSE are Industrial and not even close to lightweight. They have several saws, air tanks, axes and lots of equipment to make boys drool. Especially the helmet that can amplify the sound of your voice and attaches to the radio equipment (all they could think was WAY COOL WALKIE TALKIES)
We didn't know that 80% of a Firefighter's job is responding to medical needs. All Firefighters have to be an EMT and several are full level paramedics. That is why they respond to car wrecks and when 911 is called.
Captain DeGering was a wonderful guide. He opened up the Ambulance and had the kids climb in for a lesson about what Firefighters do. He taught them how an IV is administered and what they use them for. He turned on the Defibrillator and explained how it can restart someone's heart. The kids learned about Diabetes, Heart Attacks and that there is always a paramedic specialized in airways because oxygen is the first thing we have to worry about. He had us hold our breath as long as we could. We didn't make it a minute (Yes, I let it out first. Dallin's cheeks were so HUGE, I had to laugh. ~Mom, this is serious~) In 3 minutes the brain can start to die. I am telling you this guy had our kids complete attention.
Then he let them try on his gear. Dallin can't quite fill his shoes or pants yet.
And Spencer still has a little more to grow to fit this life saving jacket.
This is what a real firefighter looks like all geared up and ready to go. No skin showing anywhere, right kids?
And this is what Future Firefighters look like. Irresistible, aren't they? Before they got the nice hats and badges they had to promise some things pertaining to safety. NO Playing with Matches or Lighters and Always Buckle Up in the car. YES SIR! I breathed a sigh of relief.
