Well, it happened. I’ve heard of it happening to others, but never imagined it would happen to me. Everything was packed and ready for our missions trip to Iceland. I was taking a team from our church to Reykjavik to run an English camp for Icelandic children. I had the lesson plans, construction paper, multi-leveled books, writing paper, stickers, small prizes, and had even remembered to bring extra staples in case we ran out. My list had all been checked off and I was feeling pretty proud Read More
GUILTY
In late March, I got pulled over for the first time in my life. I was on my way to a pediatric cardiologist appointment in Charlottesville and had even made a commitment that morning to NOT, under any circumstances, speed. That commitment apparently only lasted 20 minutes because on Route 3 a sheriff flagged me down and gave me a ticket. I felt distraught...ashamed...helpless. There was only one hope: a court date on May 3rd. Today I woke up and rushed the three girls out the door to the Read More
Earthquakes and House-Fires and Bees….Oh MY!
It all started when I read my six year old's writing assignment for Thanksgiving: Tell me something that you're thankful for: A-Z. Most kids would happily write of apples, balloons, cats, and ducks. Not my Haley Jane. Listen to letter A: I am thankful that Aligatrs are not in are howse. Letter B: I am thankful that nuthing Bit me. Fast forward to Letter X: I am thankful I nevr so a fox. Haley is acutely aware of all the traumatic things that could possibly occur in this world, and this Read More
Green Grass
On Tuesday, I was having a funk day. It was probably just fatigue after a jam-packed weekend, but nonetheless, every little chore felt monumental. I was sitting in a exhausted stupor after lunch watching the kids nag each other, depressed that all my training and hard work with them had been in vain. This came after a discouraging day homeschooling as Haley's backwards 5s and Zs almost sent me to the psychiatric ward. So there I was, sitting and thinking about how I needed find a better job Read More
Haley’s First Mile and the Story of Mine
Haley ran her first race! The Turkey Trot Kid's One Mile was the perfect distance for Haley to run. After she was done, she asked me if she could run another race the next day. Addicted already? At least it's a healthy addiction! During the race, one child stopped at a port-a-potty for a quick break. It reminded me of my first race--The Sixth Grade Mile....allow me to tell the story: You weren't allowed to join the track team at Logan Middle School until you were in 7th grade, but once a Read More
Pros and Cons of Still Looking Pregnant After You’ve Delivered
CONS 1. It is depressing. 2. Your 4 year old still kisses your stomach and tells the baby hello. 3. Your 5 year old (who is only slightly more logical) asks when the NEXT baby is coming out. 4. You have to avoid eye contact with people in elevators when you see them look down at your belly and then up at you in an attempt to bypass the awkward question, "So...when is your baby due?" PROS 1. People still are kind and patient with you in public because they think you're expecting. 2. In Read More
Rewind
In January, Colby and I started going to a Framhaldskoli. Basically in Iceland, Grunnskoli is the "elementary school" where you attend from ages 6-16 (Haley starts that in September). After that, your compulsory education is over, but there are Framhaldskolis you can choose to attend that continue your education (KIND OF comparable to technical colleges). Okay, so we go to a Framhaldskoli to learn Icelandic and are in class with 16 year olds and 17 year olds. It has been like reverting back Read More
Clint Clifton Saves the Day…
The last time I purchased soda was October 1994. It was at an Oktoberfest carnival in LaCrosse, WI where I purchased a Mountain Dew and a bag of Cheetos. Shortly thereafter I rode the tilt-a-whirl and got so sick that I vowed never to drink "pop" again (Yes, I'm a Yankee). My cross-country coach also convinced me that drinking soda would slow me down, so I have not consumed much of anything carbonated for over a decade....that is, until recently. When Clint came in December, he bought a 2 Read More
The Chronicles of Language Acquisition
The last nine months of learning (what is said to be) one of the hardest languages in the world: Month 1: I can say my name, how old I am, and where I am from.My Icelandic is as good as Darcy’s English (2 year old level). I feel completely overwhelmed by the complex grammar structure of this language.There are 48 words for the number one. FOURTY-EIGHT. My husband, Colby, has studied 2 languages with similar grammar and gets it immediately. Although the grammar is ridiculous, I am learning new Read More
Toby & Me
In 1990 I was 10 years old. I can remember the day we went to the Learning Shop to buy a tadpole and a "grow-a-frog" kit. It was very exciting to meet "Toby" and learn about his stages of development. He was a rather easy pet and my mom gave him only the best of care. I have memories of driving across town to get free filtered water from the Brewery for his tank. Soon he graduated from his small cup to a bowl, his bowl to a small tank, and eventually was granted the luxury of a 10 gallon Read More