Until You've Walked a Mile in Their Shoes

Feet. They aren't pretty at the best of times. I mean, really, they are kind of weird looking. I guess mine are in especially bad shape right now.  My heels tend to be dry, cracked and tough. In the winter I can slather them with heavy duty lotion and wear socks, but in the summer I'm strictly a sandals and barefoot girl. Add in the fact that I regularly put at least five miles a day on these babies and I haven't had a pedicure in ages and you can only imagine what they must look like.

Well, apparently they look a bit worse than that.

I was sitting in my favorite chair with my bare feet resting on my footstool, just reading and minding my own business, when Ryan came plopped himself down on the floor next to me - eye level with my feet. It was only a few moments before he started poked at my heels and running his finger along them.

"What's wrong with your feet?" he asked, puzzled.

"They are really dry and cracked," I said. "That's why they look like that."

A pause, then he said, "You must be walking WAY too much if they look like that."

Time to schedule a good pedicure.

A Semi-Charmed Kind of Life

Does anyone else remember the song "Semi-Charmed Life" from the 1990's? I've had that song going through my head for the past couple of days. Not because the lyrics speak to me and not because it's an earworm of a song, but because of something one of our neighbors said.

Duane and I were shooting the breeze with this neighbor from across the way. We were just talking about life in general, and animals and all that kind of stuff when the neighbor said, "You know, your kids are growing up in a charmed life. You have a nice house, a quiet and safe neighborhood with kids for them to play with. You have family around you and the two of you are happy together. It's the kind of childhood you dream of."

Something about her comment, as well meaning and nice as it was, has left me feeling a little uncomfortable.  Yes, my kids are very fortunate - our whole family is.  We do have a nice house in a nice neighborhood. We do have family that we are close to and that live anywhere from 2-30 minutes away. That's a blessing. And I don't know what we would do without our family's love and support. It's vital to us and we wouldn't be where we are (physically or mentally) without it.

In a lot of respects we do have it easy. We don't have to worry about where our next meal is coming from, so we give to the school and church food banks. We can pay our bills, so we give to a special fund at church to help those who need short term relief. We have plenty of clothes to wear, so we donate those we outgrow or don't use. I'm not saying we're perfect, I'm saying we're aware that we're fortunate and try to give back and give to those who don't have these luxuries.

Our kids are growing up in a household with two parents who love each other very much and who are working together to teach them empathy, respect, manners, and kindness. I know that is something many kids never experience.  Duane and I try hard to be a team and I hope our kids see that. I hope they see that our family and our marriage and our service to God are our priorities. I hope they see us working hard.

 All I know is I there is no way I will take it all for granted.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not start telling Ryan there was a tax on cheese puffs just so I will have an excuse to steal one from his plate each time he has them.

I did not wear a bright yellow dress that I love and have owned for years, only to spend part of the day feeling a little bit like a Minion.

I have not reached the age when dining at a McDonald's, Wendy's or Burger King feels like a special little slice of hell instead of fine dining.

I did not have a dream that I had another baby and, upon waking from said dream, described it to Duane as a nightmare. 

Despite the fact that they always turn out fine, there is not a part of me that always dreads my kids' birthday celebrations.

Birthday Parties and Star Wars

The celebration weekend continued in the W. house. Saturday was Star Wars Day at my library, and even though I don't normally work Saturdays, you know I wasn't about to miss the chance to get my geek on!

I'll admit it, I was a little star struck standing next to Darth Vader

I'll admit it, I had this one taken for my kids.

The galaxy is safe when a librarian with a crocheted lightsaber and crocheted Princess Leia hair is protecting it

While I played worked, Duane and the boys got things ready for Ryan's family birthday party.  In fact, Duane passed on some of his cake decorating secrets to Ryan.

Practicing technique before applying icing to the cake

Not bad at all!

The cousins!

This evening was Ryan's party with his friends from school and the neighborhood.

My handsome birthday boy

He wanted "laser bean" from Plants vs. Zombies on his cake. Don't ask.

 

It was a great weekend, but I am utterly exhausted and plan to collapse into my bed shortly.

Celebrating Seven

Since Wesley was feeling a bit under the weather and I stayed home with today, I got to spend the whole day with my birthday boy!

The day started pretty darn early when Ryan woke up at 6:15 and yelled, "Mom! What day is it?"

"It's your birthday," I groaned. "Now go back to sleep!"

He did for a little while and when he awoke he requested a breakfast of triple chocolate pancakes - which is exactly what he got!

Ok, this one was mine. Ryan had his sans Nutella, bananas and strawberries, but I figured since I am the one who did all the work seven years ago, I deserved a treat too!

We spent the first part of the morning just hanging out at home. Duane and I got Ryan a new orange comforter and Skylanders sheets for his birthday, so the boys spent a whole bunch of time rolling around in the bed and playing up there. Wesley started to feel a bit better as the morning wore on (and as the medicine kicked in), so we did venture out to the conservatory for a short birthday outing.

Honey, I shrunk the kids!

I love Wesley's total movie star pose in this

Selfie with the birthday boy

I believe I can fly!

After the conservatory we stopped at a fast food restaurant (ugh, but it made the birthday boy happy) and Wesley fell fast asleep on the way home. I think the outing was just long enough.

We had to take two of our cats to the vet to make sure their vaccinations were up to date before we bring Lucy home in a week(ish.) Okay, not exactly birthday fun, but it had to be done.

Ryan comforting Sadie before she got her shots

We wound down the big birthday day with dinner at Dewey's Pizza and ice cream at Graeters.  Hard to believe we have two more celebrations for Ryan this weekend. This kid knows how to do birthdays up right!

Happy Birthday, Ryan

To celebrate Ryan's birthday, I tortured  asked him a bunch a questions about life as he turns seven.

What is your favorite color?: orange
What is your favorite animal?: cat

What is your favorite book?: Double-Fudge by Judy Blume
What is your favorite TV show?: Battle Bots
What is your favorite movie?: Big Hero 6
What is your favorite song?: Animals by Maroon 5
What is your favorite food?: white pizza
Who is your best friend?: Adam
What is your favorite thing about school?: gym
What is your favorite holiday?: 4th of July
Where is your favorite place to go?: Olentangy Indian Caverns
What is your favorite restaurant?: Dewey's Pizza
What do you want to be when you grow up? Geologist

Ryan, I cannot put into words how much I love you and how lucky I am to be your mom. You are sweet and ornery and smart and so much more. Happy Birthday!

Last Day of Being Six

I can't believe this is the last night I will be the mom to a six year old. He's growing up way too fast. For some reason I get mushier about Ryan's birthdays than I do with Wesley's. I think it's because Ryan is the youngest and everything is "the last" with him. All I'm saying, is be prepared for lots of sappiness out of me this weekend. 

Right now I'm kind of bumming that Ryan isn't going to be able to spend his birthday with his grandparents. Wesley has the beginnings of a summer cold (complete with stuffiness, headache and sore throat) and we do not want to risk Grandpa P. getting sick again like he did when I was in New York. So, the birthday boy will be stuck with me tomorrow. Hopefully Wesley will feel well enough that we can do a couple of fun things

In other Ryan news, we spotted a rat as we were walking to the park this evening. We live in a very nice neighborhood, but our area and the suburb to the north have had a lot of rats in the past few years - possibly due to all the bird feeders everywhere. Ryan saw the rat dart into the bushes as we were walking and said, "Aw, isn't he cute?"  This kid love animals a little too much.

Looks Like We're Growing

Our family has been approved to adopt a 1 year old Australian Cattle Dog/Terrier mix named Lucy. If all goes well (and I can't think of why it wouldn't) we will be bringing Lucy home on August 2nd.  The boys are pretty excited - especially Ryan. We think she's going to end up being Ryan's dog just based on how they were together when they met on Sunday.

In fact, last night as we were getting ready for bed, I said "goodnight" to Sadie and Cleo and Ryan said, "I'm thinking goodnight to Lucy."

Hope that girl is ready to be loved a lot.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not step up to fill in for the elementary school session of VBS Bible Stories one day,  even though two years ago I swore I'd never do that again.

I know I didn't tell my kids to quit reading and go play in the (extremely rare this summer) sun. That would have made me a traitor to my profession.

I did not get tackled in a "group family hug" by one of my preschool groups at VBS. And I certainly didn't love every second of it.

There is no way I was so tired one morning that I attempted to get into the shower while still wearing my pajamas. Nope. Didn't happen.  

Boys Will Be Boys

This evening was my work picnic. It was held at different part of the park where Duane and I got married.

The wedding site, not the picnic location.

The picnic pretty much meant I got to take a lot of pictures of my kids doing weird things that boys do and that make their mom wonder "why would you do that?" I mean, things started off pretty normal.

But then we get this....

Let's spin around in circles and see how far we can fling water!

At least we aren't in a drought, so I don't feel too guilty about this

Is this water yoga? Who works the drinking fountain like this when there are icy cold bottles of water less than 20 feet away?

Just....no words.

 In other news, we also filled out adoption applications for a couple of dogs today. We are only interested in getting one dog, but you have to fill out the applications in order to see the dogs.  We briefly met each of them, but are hoping for a more in depth meeting - especially since the boys like one and Duane and I like the other.  Could make life interesting around here.

Super Saturday

Yesterday was another full Saturday for the W. family. Despite being so exhausted I could barely drag myself out of bed in the morning, I did my first 5K in about 2 months. I'm really glad I made myself get up and go because I had so much fun that I came home and signed up for a few more!

Librarians, unite!

Me and my partner in crime at work, Sarah

Pretending to run off  with a friend's daughter

At the starting line

Finished!

My first medal

While I was busy running/power walking, Duane was busy making a cake as a surprise for our VBS coordinator.

Isn't it cute!?

After THAT, we went to a birthday party/cookout at a friend's house. We had a fabulous time, but I didn't take many pictures. Only one good one of Wesley and a couple of his buddies.

And after that party, I went out with some friends to celebrate one of their 40th birthdays. What a fun (and yet exhausting) day!

Final Day of VBS

May I just say that my hind quarters are dragging? Seriously, my entire body hurts and for some reason I thought it would be no big deal to sign up for a 5K for tomorrow morning. Is it wrong that a small part of me is hoping for severe weather so I don't have to do it? I don't really mean that. Much.

Today was exhausting, but really good. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, just a nice end to the VBS week.

In the preschool Bible story, we talked about there being room for everyone in God's house

Wesley and Yeddy

Ryan holding Yeddy's paw

Wesley pretending to get burned by a fake campfire. I'm not sure what Ryan is doing.

One thing that our church does during VBS is "God Sightings." Every day the kids are encouraged to write down where they see God and the sightings are hung on the wall. Throughout the rest of the year, Miss Alisha (our VBS and Sunday School coordinator)  includes a God Sighting in the church bulletin each week.

Wesley's God Sighting today

Ryan's God Sighting

And that, my friends, is VBS.  We have a crazy busy weekend ahead, which is too bad because all I want to do is sleep. It was completely worth it though.