Question -

So, I was just talking to one of my best friends via text. We were talking about how stressed we were and how we could get it all done. We were both almost in tears (at least I was!) Out of the blue, she text me a question and then answered the question. I have known her for 8 1/2 years and I never knew this about her! Imagine that! So - my question to you is:

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I'll be the first to answer the question.  I want to be a high school math teacher.  Sounds crazy right?  Anyway, share with me what you would like to be.  It was fun thinking about something else for just a minute!  And, if you have a few spare minutes - (which I don't) check this out!!

Reaching out

This is very hard for me to do. I am not one who normally asks for help. I have had to do it quite a bit more than I would like to admit because of health issues, whether mine or my kids. I can't do it all. I have struggled the last 6 months in Alaska to find a balance in my life. It's not happening. I hate to admit it, but I am not superwoman! {you heard it here first}

So, I am asking for your help. Do you have any ideas on how to balance school, laundry, dinner, dishes, order, bathrooms, paying bills, showering, exercising, sleeping, grocery shopping and bathing the kids? That doesn't include reading lessons for church, fhe, family scripture time, personal scripture time, scrapbooking, Biggest Loser {my one guilty pleasure - I fold laundry the whole time.}, reading and homework with the kids and some good old fashion me time. Where did the days of Bon-bons and soap operas go? Seriously. I need to add somewhere in there potty training Nate, cleaning the car, cleaning the garage, putting away the 13 bags food storage I bought last week, getting everything ready for the next Activity Day's and getting everything ready for Aaron to start nights. Yep, no Valentine's Day for me yet again. This will make 6 years of Aaron working the night shift on that beloved holiday.

Back to the issue- I don't see much I can cut. However, I can't manage it all. I spend my days putting out fires because everything is in disarray. My bedroom is trashed, I haven't packed my kids lunch at all this week and I don't even want to think about allergy shots on Thursday. So, can you please help me? I am as close to insane as I have ever been. I struggle falling asleep at night trying to figure out which fire I forgot to put out and my order of fires for the next day. So, I am officially saying, "my name is Sassy and I need help. Can you help me?"

Adorable

Go to Poppysnaps and check out the awesome giveaway by my friend Shelby and her sister.  Maggie has one of their Tutu's and is in LOVE with it.  (see big girl post below!)  I think I need a gift or two from them!  Head over and check them out.

1 step forward - 2 steps back!

I am sitting at the computer having some "me" time (playing games on Facebook) and listening to iTunes.  When, the song that takes me back to Dayton Ohio starts playing.  Once again, tears stream down my face.  In talking with my friends now, things are SO different there and I am glad I am here, but, I have a hole in my heart.  I just want you to know, if you are of my Ohio Peeps - I still miss you!  I can't help but listen one more time!

Sometimes I feel so weak!  And, for the record, the song that played after was Sobbin' Women from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.  Ha!!

Trees & Us

A few weeks before Christmas, we had raining ice.  The next day, it snowed.  I became captivated with the trees.  The snow stuck to the ice that was stuck to the trees.  They were beautiful.  I couldn't help observe every tree that we passed.  Each one unique and so very different.  I started to notice that some of the trees seemed to weak for the heaviness of the ice and snow.  Their branches sag under the heavy load.  Some of the trees are built to withstand the cold and heavy load.  Some trees are hanging on with everything they have.

When summertime comes, each tree will be stronger and more ready for the next winter.  You can  not tell the difference between those that were prepared for the winter storms and those who barely hung on.  The sun comes out, melts the snow/ice and everything becomes clean and pretty again.  They are again just trees. 

There are probably more than a few trees that are marked for removal in the spring because they have succumbed to the horrible winter and no longer have fight within.  They will be removed and a hole will stand as a bearer that there once was a tree there.  Eventually, that hole will be filled with another tree or flowers and over time there will be no evidence left of the tree that is gone.

That tree may have been the one with initials of young love carved into the trunk.  Or childhood memories of swinging as high as the wind will carry.  To those, the tree - even though it is gone - will always remain.  Forever etched in their hearts.

So it is with each of us.  Some of us are built to withstand many trials and tribulations.  Some of us barely hang on until summertime.  Our spirits sagging with the heaviness of our burdens.  When relief comes and those burdens and hardships are lifted, we enjoy our "summertime."  Having become a bit stronger to withstand the coming storms we enjoy all that summertime has to offer.

There are times when some cannot withstand the burdens placed and they are removed.  Suicide, death, excommunication, or falling away from truth.  Gone will their spirits be, but forever etched in our hearts are the memories and impact of each one.

Our goal - to build strength with every storm.  To not fall under our burdens.  To not take any moment for granted.  Take the opportunities to create those memories and moments with others.  Live each moment to the fullest.  Thanks for hanging in there.  Thanks for listening to my deep thoughts!

Finally

So, it's finally happened.  Let me 'splain!  When we moved to Ohio, I was 7 months pregnant with Nate, Kennie was 3 and Justin was 2.  I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of moving away from my safe home (okay, so D.C. was not safe, especially the area we lived in, but just pretend!)  We knew 1 family that lived within 30 minutes of Dayton, but I was scared.  I was one that didn't take change well.

Dayton got off to a rocky start.  Our house was a gazillion years old and looked it.  No carpet and my raging hormones made the problems much worse than they probably were.  However, within a few days, it was evident that Dayton was home.  We were invited to the courtyard cookout and instantly felt loved and accepted.  Kennie and Justin were the happiest I had ever seen them.  The next 3 years were a dream (kind-of) and I was VERY sad at the thought of leaving.  However, I knew there wasn't a choice, so I tried to be positive with our move.  Anchorage scared me (okay terrified me) and most of it was leaving my home.  (Still hurts!)

Anchorage started out worse than I could have ever imagined.  I have never felt so alone.  I have never been so full of despair and the "why me" mentality.  I couldn't figure out how a loving God would take me from what I had in Dayton to Anchorage.  We met the Holmes pretty quick and gelled with their family.  They were a HUGE blessing in my life those first few months.  I am sure I saturated her, but I had no where else to turn.  I have so much respect for her and who she was for me. 

Tonight, on my way home from a baby shower, I realized that I am comfortable here.  When the time comes for us to move again, the tears will flow.  I have grown to love the few friends that I have hear and appreciate all that they made an impression on me.  I feel "safe."  I have someone LOCAL that I can call just to chat.  Or because I have a headache and my kids are driving me crazy.  It is nice to finally be at peace with this being our home.  

So, for the next 2 1/2 years, we need to get as many girls nights, play dates at Arctic Playground, workouts at the base gyms, play groups and whatever we might come up with.  Maybe even a craft night!  To you - my Anchorage friends (you know who you are...) I say thank you!

Maggie's Growing Up!

**I added a few pictures from the original post!

Maggie has decided that she is a "IG" girl. (Big girl.) Walking down the stairs is the only way she will go down. Um, problem! We have 2 full flights of stairs. One leading from the main floor up to the bedrooms and one from the main floor down to the basement (toy room). So, she spends A LOT of time going up and down the stairs now. Oh, and she is obsessed with her tutu! THe only thing missing is her purse (she has 2 of them) or her baby doll (she has too many)!

I left the dishwasher open, and when I walked back into the kitchen, Maggie had unloaded all the plates and stacked them and handed them to me. And, she refused to sit in her high chair. She had to sit at the big table with Nate! So cute!!

More Kennie Info

This is more for my record than anything else, so I am removing the comment option.

I just met with Mr. Grabowski (Mr. G) who is hte head of the Gifted Programs for the Anchorage School district. Here is how he scored on his tests.

• He is reading on a 4th grade 3rd month level. That means not only reading, but comprehension.
• He is working on a 5th grade 1st month math level.
  
• He is in the 97th percentile of all 2nd graders in math and reading.
  
• He scored a 97% on his quantitative test. This is the magic test to determine if they are going to be in the Gifted Program. In order to qualify for the program, you need to get at least a 93%. GO KENNIE!!!
• To determine his rank of IQ scores, they took his IQ number and compared it to the rest of the IQ scores across the United States. Kennie is in the 99.5% for 2nd graders. SERIOUSLY??

I wanted to cry through the entire meeting. He is doing such a great job. Mr. G also mentioned that he is impressed with how advanced Kennie is socially. Most kids that are as smart as he is usually don't have good social skills. He was even more impressed when I informed him that Kennie is only 6 and supposed to be in 1st grade. Thanks to an AWESOME Kindergarten teacher who recognized his abilities and suggested him to be tested and advanced to 1st grade.

The Anchorage School District doesn't skip kids. Justin is far beyond his grade and the kids in his class. Thanks to an AWESOME teacher, he is given extra work and she sends reading projects home with him. I am excited for Kennie to start this program. I know he will do well and will continue to excel!

Kudos to Kennie

I got a call this afternoon from a teacher with the school district for the kids. He called my cell phone - so I was a little thrown. Anyway, he told me he just got Kennie's specialized test scores back. This is what I was told:

• Kennie's test scores are the highest he has seen from a 2nd and 3rd grader.
  
• After I go in and sign paperwork tomorrow - he will start the program next week.
• He is the first 2nd grader to start this program!

So excited for Kennie! The funniest part of this WHOLE thing is that Kennie is only the age of a 1st grader. This is SO crazy. Anyway, we are so excited for him. Knock 'em dead boy!!