Blooming

December 29, 2010


If you asked my sister-in-law if her cup is half-empty or half-full, she’d probably look at you funny and say, “It’s not “half” anything! It’s full! Full-full!“


Some of you may remember reading that she had to undergo a double mastectomy for breast cancer back in April 2008. A double mastectomy that meant that her dream wedding and dream honeymoon would be cancelled so that she wouldn’t have to worry about chemotherapy ruining things.

That alone would have crumpled more delicate flowers, but my sister-in-law is made of stronger stuff than that.

Not only did she come visit us a couple of weeks post-op, she got married on the beach shortly thereafter and, oh yeah, went through a surprise pregnancy during chemotherapy.

Then she found out that her baby–her one-and-only baby–had spina-bifida.

But a lot more than nutrients seems to have passed through that umbilical cord: My niece isn’t letting anything slow her down, even walking on her own this year and making me wish more than ever that they didn’t live so far away.

And today, she is two.

Photobucket


Happy Birthday little one, from your family way up here in Massachusetts! We can’t wait to see you next year. And, Nancy (and that cute husband of yours), enjoy that birthday cake and the extra birthday hugs. You (both!) deserve all the love you give back in spades.
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Filed Under: Family n Friends 5 Comments

Six years

December 22, 2010

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and, today, the days get gradually longer, minute by minute.


I woke up thinking this on the sixth anniversary of my dad’s death: He died on the morning after the darkest day, as if he wanted us to remember that things will soon be brighter.

I think of him a lot, of course, though six years seems to be my threshold for that punch-in-the-gut sadness I used to feel. Now, I remember him with sadness for all he has missed–continues to miss–, but also with a kind of stoicism and resignation that yes, we all are born, live and die. The End, time marches on, and can I have a snack, Mommy? It’s hard to dwell when there is so little time for quiet.

But, my dad would’ve hated anyone dwelling on him too much. He would’ve delighted in the lives my sister and I have carved out in this world, and he would’ve been pleased to see our mother staying active, making friends, keeping busy.

He would’ve loved to have a beer with you. He would’ve worn a goofy Santa Hat just to make my kids smile. He would’ve offered to help with that squeaky door.

He would’ve told us all another story.

Unfortunately, the only story I can seem to remember, even six years later is this:

On December 22, 2004, my father died. And, though the days are getting brighter, minute by minute, I don’t think they’ll ever be as bright as they were when he was here.
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Filed Under: Fairly Odd Me, Family n Friends 16 Comments

Target practice

December 19, 2010


It’s no big secret that I’m not a super-confident homeschooler. Maybe if my kids’ orders had been reversed, I’d be different, but I didn’t get my early reader/early math lover until my third child, leaving me to believe that I absolutely suck at teaching my own kids.


The truth is, kids learn at different rates, and nothing taught me that with more sweaty palms than my oldest needing until she was about seven years old to read a book. And though I believe that kids learn at different rates, I’ve always wondered if maybe she just needed a different teacher to get through to her. . .



Hence, one of the reason we DO have another teacher, through our new virtual school.


But, one thing just happened that has given me a huge confidence boost and made me feel even better about our past four years as a homeschooling family: I found out my girls are On Target.


Just last week, they both were required to complete Scantron assessment tests in Reading and Math. After they finished, I sat back and waited to hear the worst: Your Children Have Learned Nothing At Home.


The results came through yesterday and with my husband looking over my shoulder, I nervously read the letter explaining the three segments each childs’ score can fall into: At Risk, On Target, and Advanced.


They were On Target, both girls, in Math and Reading in their respective grades!


I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gone back to look at these scores, making sure my eyes didn’t trick me, making sure I was comparing their scores against the right chart. Even in the individual “skills” breakouts, there were no glaring issues to indicate that they are majorly deficient in any area.


So, no extra “classes” or worksheets or worries.

OK, I’ll still worry.

But, I feel a heck of a lot better now knowing that I got them this far, and feel relatively confident that I can get them through the next few years with one little step forward at a time.

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Filed Under: Fairly Odd Kids, Fairly Odd Me, Homeschooling, MAVA 3 Comments
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