1. We made homemade salsa and I made a tandoori sauce for the chicken we were having. This brought up a conversation about double-dipping (taking a bite out of a chip then dipping it back into the salsa/dip). Apparently, until the TV show "The Doctors" did an episode on the subject, MIL wasn't sure that she really shouldn't double-dip. She needed a TV show to tell her that it was gross.
Within minutes, she asked, while nibbling at a chip, if she could try the tandoori sauce as a dip. I said "Sure"....she reaches for the dip "but let me get you a fresh chip." *nervous giggle*
YUCK!
2. They came down for a "visit" to pick our grapes so FIL could take them home to make wine that no one likes, but whatever. They arrived Friday at 2 pm and left Saturday before noon (it's a 3 hour drive home). On the one hand, short visits work great for me. On the other, I feel a bit used. They haven't come to see us in over 2 years, and this is what they can manage? Bruce had Friday off, so they could've come Thursday afternoon/evening and had more time with all of us.
The other problem with this visit is that now it's "our turn." Again. And Thanksgiving is right around the freaking corner. UGH!
3. MIL complained quite bitterly about how "no one has time to sit and visit any more. Everyone is so busy. They just have to GO and DO things."
First, what could I possibly have to visit with you about? The reality is that I just don't like you. You don't like me. Pretending otherwise for hours while we "visit" is painful and a waste of my life.
Second, if you want to visit, how about sticking around long enough for it to happen?
Third, do you even vaguely remember what it was like to have kids at home? Granted, her kids were not in many activities, so I think that's where some of this complaining comes in, but she had *8* kids. Surely she remembers what it was like to be busy with them.
4. Tristan went straight from school on Friday to his music lesson and then to a Scout campout. The Outlaws went with Bruce to take Tristan to these things so that they could see him. And whined about how far it is to the music lesson (it's about a 20 minute drive if traffic isn't bad). We don't mind it one bit, ya old biddy. This, of course, led to a discussion about how life in Idaho is so much better than life here in Salt Lake. Dream on lady!
5. I had a yard sale on Saturday morning. This had been planned (just like the Scout trip) for weeks before they decided to come and get the grapes. Considering their history of cancelling visits at the last minute, I wasn't rearranging my life over this. Having a yard sale with Depression-era people around is amusing, to say the least!
A. We were selling a treadmill. Someone called about it the night before and I quoted him a price of $20. FIL about had an apoplectic fit over that. See, new they're at least $500 (this one probably was closer to $800 new, 5+ years ago). But I really didn't care. I wanted it out of my house. The next day, we discovered that the small bumple on the belt had grown to a full-blown tear (fixable with duct tape, I suppose). A new belt is $100, so I really couldn't justify selling it for more than that. We sold it for the $20 to a lovely family and I'm sure they'll enjoy it far more than I!
B. I was selling a number of articles of clothing, sweaters I no longer wear, sweatshirts that aren't my style anymore, stuff I bought on clearance and just didn't ever wear it....you know the drill. MIL kept pulling things off that table "This is a pretty sweater. You should keep it." Yes, it's pretty, but *I* don't wear it.
I was also selling sweatshirts with our college logo on it. Since we went to University of Idaho, several of them simply say Idaho in the school colors. MIL said, probably 4 times, that we might go back to Idaho and therefore should keep the sweatshirts. (Because we need to look at our shirts to know where we are? Or we're not allowed into the state unless we have the appropriate label? Never did figure out that reasoning).
This sort of conversation went on and on and on.....This is brand new, why are you selling it? This is handy, you might need it someday. These are fun things, you should keep them......I must have said "I don't use them" 20 times that morning.
And this is the woman who wants me to come and help her have a garage sale? When I told her that the rule was that what goes out does not, under any circumstances, come back in, she quickly said we should start with FIL's stuff! ROFL!
C. Bruce sold two different lawn mowers, both needing some minor work, to a group of men who, I think, either had or were starting their own business. They were driving a tiny 4-door car that already had a bike and another mower hanging out of the trunk. When we realized that they only lived about 5 miles away, Bruce offered to deliver the mowers for them. He got the trailer, loaded 'em up, and off he went. They offered gas money and paid Bruce $10 for his trouble.
All of this was taking place at about the time the Outlaws had decided it was time to leave. They had to be talked into waiting until Bruce returned before taking off!
6. MIL kept trying to buy stuff from the sale. I kept tellilng her that she didn't need it and when she dies in 5-30 years, I'd just have to try to sell it to someone else. The 5 years part ticked her off! But, really, she's 82 years old!
7. That started a conversation about how she wants to live to be 105. Just because. *groan*
8. A puzzling moment that we haven't quite figured out yet. MIL asked Bruce if he blamed them for something.....not sure what though. See, apparently BIL said something to MIL about blaming his parents for something. I can see BIL telling MIL he "blamed her" for something in a funny, joking manner, like I tell my dad it's his fault that I can't flush a live goldfish (dad taught me an overwhelming respect for life.....eating it is fine, wasting it is not). I can also see BIL telling MIL he blames her for other things, like the choices he made as a teen/young adult. Or I can see MIL taking something he said that was totally unrelated and turning it on herself. We're curious, but nailing MIL down about these things is dang-near impossible. She rambles and doesn't make much sense and then gets mad when you ask for more info or clarification. I don't envy Bruce that conversation (he may not even have it)!
So, there ya have it. I did walk away several times when the conversation turned to Neice who's recently announced she's getting married in Ocotober 2010. The problem comes, not with the engagement, but with all the "we'll see if she actualy goes through with it," and "I don't know that this is a good idea," and "She's always been rather impulsive," blah, blah, blah, badmouth-neice-some-more.
And I referred to the room they slept in as my "office," rather than the guest room because, well, 350 days a year, that's exactly what it is and I don't want them getting the idea that it's their territory.
MIL left a full bar of soap because she didn't have a dish to take it home in.....she refused the offer of a ziploc bag. She also left a washcloth. She leaves a wash cloth every single trip, and then, when I try to return it to her, claims it isn't hers, despite it's matching the towels in her bathroom. The soap was tossed and the cloth was added to my rag pile.
Oh, one more weird thing they do, at least *I* think it's weird. They stopped for lunch and brought their leftovers with them. Then they kept trying to get Bruce and I to eat them. I think that's a bit odd. We're not talking about rolls or the crackers from the soup or whatever. We're talking about "This was on my plate, I couldn't finish it, why don't you eat it?" Maybe because I'm not blood-related to them, but I think that's nasty! Of course, I simply politely refused, but EWWW!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Fall Insanity
Really, I should expect this, particularly after our Summer of Insanity. And yet, silly me, I actually was deluded enough to think that I would have a bit of a break once school started. You'd think I'd learn.
So, summer....let's review, shall we?
June--Church camp for Tristan. He's home for 5 days, and we ran off to Mesa Verde for about a week. AWESOME trip.
July--We returned from MV on the 3rd. The next weekend, 7/10, we were back at church camp for our annual Family Camp weekend up there.
Home on Sunday, and the boys left the following Saturday for Scout Camp. Girls and I left Sunday for church camp.
Home on Friday (girls) and Saturday (boys), and then off the following Thursday for a quick visit with my parents. We were there for just 3 days, and really, it was a PERFECT amount of time. Mom, of course, complained that it was "too short," and all of that, but the 4th day of any visit with her is usually a doozy. We may make this our new tradition.
Home on Monday night. Tristan and Shannon leave on Sunday for Diabetes camp. At this point, Tristan hasn't slept in his own bed more than 5 consecutive nights since early June and it's mid-August.
Home on Friday. Vacation Bible School starts on Monday. I didn't volunteer this year, except on Friday when the craft helper couldn't be there.
VBS goes through Friday, with a performance of the cute little songs and reader's theatre in church on Sunday and at the family BBQ Sunday afternoon. Alana, however, had to miss both because she threw up Sunday morning before church.
School started last Monday, and soccer started last week, so here we are.
We had an awesome summer, with fantastic new experiences with the kids. It was just so back-to-back busy that I was never sure if we were coming or going.
Now, our lives look like this:
Monday--Piano Lessons for Alana; Swimming for Shannon; Scouts for Tristan (and Bruce).
Tuesday--Back-to-back soccer practices for Alana and Tristan; Yoga for me
Wednesday--Swimming for Shannon; CM Meetings for me (every other Wed usually, but we've had a lot of meetings lately).
Thursday--Back-to-back or simultaneous soccer games for Alana and Tristan; Yoga for me, if life doesn't interfere too much.
Friday--Swimming for Shannon; Sax lesson for Tristan
Saturday morning--Back-to-back or simultaneous soccer games for Alana and Tristan. Yoga is offered at 8:30, but I can't make it due to the whole soccer thing.
Sunday--Church, of course, plus choir practice for the girls, youth group for Tristan, and once a month, Tween Flicks for Shannon. Also scrapbooking once a month.
This week, we add in the Scout family BBQ tonight, plus Back to School night on Thursday. Alana's soccer game is at 6:45, and BTS starts at 7:00. If Alana's game starts on time, we should be able to make it to BTS about the time they stop yapping at everyone in the gym and move on to the classrooms. I've chatted at length with Shannon's teacher, but I don't know Alana's well at all, so I really want to go meet her.
Tristan is trying out for Jazz band, which would mean before-school practices on Wednesday and Friday. Shannon will take orchestra again, which means schlepping her to the jr high Tuesday and Thursday mornings, then picking her up and bringing her to school.
And, of course, there are all sorts of fun things coming down the pike for us too.
Next weekend--Camping at Great Basin Nat'l Park, with a tour of Lehman Caves.
September 12 weekend--Yard Sale, Company Open House, CM card class
September 19 weekend--Boy Scout campout, CM crop, Annual consignment sale where I sell and buy gently used kids' clothes, books, toys, etc.
September 26 weekend--Dream Dinners session on Saturday, but so far (knock wood) that's it.
October 3 weekend--Camping at Buckhorn Wash, Middle-of-nowhere central Utah (as in, make your own freeway exit, middle-of-nowhere!).
October 10 weekend--Croptoberfest, Tristan's liturgist at church, and he's playing in the youth praise band. I'm forgetting something else that weekend, but it's a ways off, so that's okay, right?
October 17 weekend--Something's up, but I'm not sure what. That date is just really familiar to me right now.
So, there you have it. My "relaxed" life where I can get a "break" now that school has started.
You can stop laughing now.
Really, I'm not complaining. I'm a bit frustrated with myself for not being more on top of things over the last week or so, but I'll catch up and get it back together. I'm still on "summer" in some ways, so I spend my time flitting from thing to thing until I realize that it's 5:00 and we need dinner NOW because someone has to be somewhere and Bruce is still at work (he's buried right now).
Honestly, I'm glad we can offer our kids these opportunities for church, sports, and music. They love it. And if you look at it, it's not that many activities for each child. It's just that there are 3 of them! LOL! Really, I could be busy doing things that are a lot less interesting, a lot less fun, so I'm truly not complaining. I love our crazy lives! I love that the kids have these opportunities to do these things. I love watching them try new things, enjoy them, and learn along the way to discovering who they are. It's a fabulous blessing.
So, summer....let's review, shall we?
June--Church camp for Tristan. He's home for 5 days, and we ran off to Mesa Verde for about a week. AWESOME trip.
July--We returned from MV on the 3rd. The next weekend, 7/10, we were back at church camp for our annual Family Camp weekend up there.
Home on Sunday, and the boys left the following Saturday for Scout Camp. Girls and I left Sunday for church camp.
Home on Friday (girls) and Saturday (boys), and then off the following Thursday for a quick visit with my parents. We were there for just 3 days, and really, it was a PERFECT amount of time. Mom, of course, complained that it was "too short," and all of that, but the 4th day of any visit with her is usually a doozy. We may make this our new tradition.
Home on Monday night. Tristan and Shannon leave on Sunday for Diabetes camp. At this point, Tristan hasn't slept in his own bed more than 5 consecutive nights since early June and it's mid-August.
Home on Friday. Vacation Bible School starts on Monday. I didn't volunteer this year, except on Friday when the craft helper couldn't be there.
VBS goes through Friday, with a performance of the cute little songs and reader's theatre in church on Sunday and at the family BBQ Sunday afternoon. Alana, however, had to miss both because she threw up Sunday morning before church.
School started last Monday, and soccer started last week, so here we are.
We had an awesome summer, with fantastic new experiences with the kids. It was just so back-to-back busy that I was never sure if we were coming or going.
Now, our lives look like this:
Monday--Piano Lessons for Alana; Swimming for Shannon; Scouts for Tristan (and Bruce).
Tuesday--Back-to-back soccer practices for Alana and Tristan; Yoga for me
Wednesday--Swimming for Shannon; CM Meetings for me (every other Wed usually, but we've had a lot of meetings lately).
Thursday--Back-to-back or simultaneous soccer games for Alana and Tristan; Yoga for me, if life doesn't interfere too much.
Friday--Swimming for Shannon; Sax lesson for Tristan
Saturday morning--Back-to-back or simultaneous soccer games for Alana and Tristan. Yoga is offered at 8:30, but I can't make it due to the whole soccer thing.
Sunday--Church, of course, plus choir practice for the girls, youth group for Tristan, and once a month, Tween Flicks for Shannon. Also scrapbooking once a month.
This week, we add in the Scout family BBQ tonight, plus Back to School night on Thursday. Alana's soccer game is at 6:45, and BTS starts at 7:00. If Alana's game starts on time, we should be able to make it to BTS about the time they stop yapping at everyone in the gym and move on to the classrooms. I've chatted at length with Shannon's teacher, but I don't know Alana's well at all, so I really want to go meet her.
Tristan is trying out for Jazz band, which would mean before-school practices on Wednesday and Friday. Shannon will take orchestra again, which means schlepping her to the jr high Tuesday and Thursday mornings, then picking her up and bringing her to school.
And, of course, there are all sorts of fun things coming down the pike for us too.
Next weekend--Camping at Great Basin Nat'l Park, with a tour of Lehman Caves.
September 12 weekend--Yard Sale, Company Open House, CM card class
September 19 weekend--Boy Scout campout, CM crop, Annual consignment sale where I sell and buy gently used kids' clothes, books, toys, etc.
September 26 weekend--Dream Dinners session on Saturday, but so far (knock wood) that's it.
October 3 weekend--Camping at Buckhorn Wash, Middle-of-nowhere central Utah (as in, make your own freeway exit, middle-of-nowhere!).
October 10 weekend--Croptoberfest, Tristan's liturgist at church, and he's playing in the youth praise band. I'm forgetting something else that weekend, but it's a ways off, so that's okay, right?
October 17 weekend--Something's up, but I'm not sure what. That date is just really familiar to me right now.
So, there you have it. My "relaxed" life where I can get a "break" now that school has started.
You can stop laughing now.
Really, I'm not complaining. I'm a bit frustrated with myself for not being more on top of things over the last week or so, but I'll catch up and get it back together. I'm still on "summer" in some ways, so I spend my time flitting from thing to thing until I realize that it's 5:00 and we need dinner NOW because someone has to be somewhere and Bruce is still at work (he's buried right now).
Honestly, I'm glad we can offer our kids these opportunities for church, sports, and music. They love it. And if you look at it, it's not that many activities for each child. It's just that there are 3 of them! LOL! Really, I could be busy doing things that are a lot less interesting, a lot less fun, so I'm truly not complaining. I love our crazy lives! I love that the kids have these opportunities to do these things. I love watching them try new things, enjoy them, and learn along the way to discovering who they are. It's a fabulous blessing.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
MIL Strikes Again
When we last left our dubious heroine, there was the minor matter of a possible heart attack. Or perhaps it was actually heartburn. No answers on that front, so I'm quite certain she's been told it was NOT a heart attack. If that was even hinted, we'd be inundated with "I could drop dead any day now" phone calls, coupled with long litanies of all the medications and steps being taken to prevent her demise.
But the conversation yesterday went something like this....
MIL: How are the kids?
DH: They just got back from Diabetes Camp....
MIL: Now, are you really sure Shannon has diabetes?
Yes, folks, she actually said that. Bruce laughed himself senseless and told her that yes, both children do, indeed, have diabetes. I mean really? REALLY?! Nah, Shannon doesn't have diabetes....we just like giving injections so much we decided to test them on her too.
Good grief!
Bruce's only response is that clearly, his mother is losing it.
But the conversation yesterday went something like this....
MIL: How are the kids?
DH: They just got back from Diabetes Camp....
MIL: Now, are you really sure Shannon has diabetes?
Yes, folks, she actually said that. Bruce laughed himself senseless and told her that yes, both children do, indeed, have diabetes. I mean really? REALLY?! Nah, Shannon doesn't have diabetes....we just like giving injections so much we decided to test them on her too.
Good grief!
Bruce's only response is that clearly, his mother is losing it.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A Quick Mom Funny
We all know that my mother drives me crazy. I'm actually using this time to step back and observe, or at least try to, so I can figure out how to have a relationship with her that doesn't make me nuts all the time.
So, last night, we're having taco salad for dinner and mom only has 5 bowls. There are 7 of us. She tells me she has a job for me, and my job is to find enough bowls for all of us, or would plates work? She told me, at least three times, that she "didn't care" what we used. I said the adults could use plates and the kids bowls. She didn't come right out and say it, but it was clear that was NOT what she had in mind. So, I take out her 5 cereal-type bowls, and found a couple others.
Oh, no, we can't use that one....it has a chip in it, see?
So, if we're not using it, why are we keeping it?
WE'RE NOT! I JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO THROWING IT AWAY!
(oops)
So, I find another bowl and I leave the 7 on the counter.
Guess what?
Yeah, I know you're all brilliant.
She completely rearranged what I had planned, choosing other bowls, arranging them on the table, etc.
*sigh*
So, last night, we're having taco salad for dinner and mom only has 5 bowls. There are 7 of us. She tells me she has a job for me, and my job is to find enough bowls for all of us, or would plates work? She told me, at least three times, that she "didn't care" what we used. I said the adults could use plates and the kids bowls. She didn't come right out and say it, but it was clear that was NOT what she had in mind. So, I take out her 5 cereal-type bowls, and found a couple others.
Oh, no, we can't use that one....it has a chip in it, see?
So, if we're not using it, why are we keeping it?
WE'RE NOT! I JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO THROWING IT AWAY!
(oops)
So, I find another bowl and I leave the 7 on the counter.
Guess what?
Yeah, I know you're all brilliant.
She completely rearranged what I had planned, choosing other bowls, arranging them on the table, etc.
*sigh*
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Leaving in the morning
Well, we're off in the morning.
So that means I'm completely prepared and ready to go, right?
Yeah, um, notsomuch....
Took the van in for an oil change this morning. That was supposed to take 20 minutes. It took an hour. And they informed me that I needed a brake flush, power steering flush, and an alignment, plus new tires SOON. "I'll only keep you about an hour." Dude, I don't have an hour!
So we were late for swim lessons, and then late for piano lessons, and then I took the van back. By the time the shuttle was ready to take me home, the van was done. $375 and another 90 minutes that I didn't have, it's road ready. Or close enough. We'll worry about tires next month.
Bruce has a grand plan. He wants us to get up at 5:00 am and pour the kids in the van in their jammies, and be on the road by 6:00.
You can stop laughing now.
I know I'm not a morning person. Bruce knows I'm not a morning person. He promised me coffee, and he told me I could sleep in the van.....because I do *that* so very well. Not happily anticipating a darn thing about this trip, except a chance to see some friends.
Wish me luck, light candles, say prayers.
So that means I'm completely prepared and ready to go, right?
Yeah, um, notsomuch....
Took the van in for an oil change this morning. That was supposed to take 20 minutes. It took an hour. And they informed me that I needed a brake flush, power steering flush, and an alignment, plus new tires SOON. "I'll only keep you about an hour." Dude, I don't have an hour!
So we were late for swim lessons, and then late for piano lessons, and then I took the van back. By the time the shuttle was ready to take me home, the van was done. $375 and another 90 minutes that I didn't have, it's road ready. Or close enough. We'll worry about tires next month.
Bruce has a grand plan. He wants us to get up at 5:00 am and pour the kids in the van in their jammies, and be on the road by 6:00.
You can stop laughing now.
I know I'm not a morning person. Bruce knows I'm not a morning person. He promised me coffee, and he told me I could sleep in the van.....because I do *that* so very well. Not happily anticipating a darn thing about this trip, except a chance to see some friends.
Wish me luck, light candles, say prayers.
Monday, July 27, 2009
PineCliff Church Camp
Oh my goodness, what a week!
First, I have to say that I completely misjudged both the nurse and the camp director. The nurse was WONDERFUL! We went up Sunday evening, with campers arriving on Monday afternoon. The nurse, Kristin, sat down with Shannon and I and basically said "whatever you need, we'll do." So, Kristin kept Shannon's insulin and Shannon carried her emergency injection. Her counselor seemed a bit worried at first (the note I had was 2 pages long), but took it all in stride.
The camp director, Corey, is rather disorganized and schedules were mostly a suggestion, especially for morning stuff. BUT, it was clear from early on that he has a passion for this camp and for these kids. He truly loves doing this, and with that I can certainly overlook the disorganization stuff.
I had a cabin of girls ranging in age from a 1st grader (in the fall) to a couple of 4th graders. That caused a few problems. But the biggest problem came from a very insecure almost-2nd grader. She created so much girl drama and I was ready to throw my hands up in the air and run for the hills! She was doing a bunch of "You can be my friend, but *you* can't, and since you're MY friend, you can't be her friend" nonsense. She didn't want to participate half the time, and found all sorts of ways to not wind up where she was supposed to be. To be fair, I had that problem with most of them off and on all week, but seriously, I'd count heads, get to 7 and know exactly which one of my 8 was missing.
I think I've forgotten how to count past 8, by the way, after counting them over and over and over again, making sure they were all where they belonged. LOL! It was a bit like herding cats. And it was exhausting.
In spite of all of that, I had a good week. I was ministered to in ways I did not expect as people came to understand the challenges in our family right now. I thought I would pay my dues and never do this again. Now I can't wait to go back next year.
I probably won't go as a counselor though. It was just too much for me to handle, managing Shannon's food needs (the cooks were SO supportive of that) and her diabetes needs, plus Alana's clinginess (nuclear melt down Thursday afternoon, poor thing), plus the 7 other girls in my cabin. I'll go back as a craft or kitchen helper or general floater, but I need to not be in charge of so much. I don't think I had a hot meal all week, helping the little ones with trays, napkins, juice, etc.
Shannon had a rough moment Thursday night. She got her s'more, minus the graham cracker, and her sugar was 270-something. She just lost it. I think it all hit her at once, the food needs Every. Single. Meal. The can't-eat-anything-without-checking-sugar stuff. She just fell apart. She asked why she can't be normal, like everyone else. And that still rips me to my core. I don't have an answer for her. All I can tell her is that it sucks and I'm sorry.
Even in the midst of that, though, I was blessed by people who were willing to manage my cabin while I tended to my daughter. And Shannon was blessed by a cabin full of girls who quickly accepted her and all her foibles. She had a couple of friends from church with her who are used to her needs and her needles, and that really helped. I think they were able to help set the tone.
People commented all week about how strong Shannon is and how well she manages her needs. Of course, she doesn't feel so strong, but she truly is. Corey has to give himself a shot once a day and he hates it, but he told me that Shannon inspired him to buck up and deal. If an 11 yo girl can do it multiple times a day, well, then he can do it once.
I've been singing Twila Paris' "The Warrior Is A Child" all day, and I sang the chorus to Shannon Thursday night. It really is an inspiration to me...
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down.
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around.
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
Cuz deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child.
That's how I feel. The rest of the song talks about how people see the strength on the outside, but they don't see the wounds and tears. God does though, and I reminded Shannon of that. I reminded her that we're not alone. God has given us friends and loved ones, and even total strangers who care. And God has given us gifts and strengths so that we can meet these challenges, and He's always there for us.
I tucked her in and then fell apart myself. And was again blessed by people who barely knew me.
Anyway, this post rambled a bit. But you get the idea.
I found the song on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5o2YY5BRUg&feature=related
First, I have to say that I completely misjudged both the nurse and the camp director. The nurse was WONDERFUL! We went up Sunday evening, with campers arriving on Monday afternoon. The nurse, Kristin, sat down with Shannon and I and basically said "whatever you need, we'll do." So, Kristin kept Shannon's insulin and Shannon carried her emergency injection. Her counselor seemed a bit worried at first (the note I had was 2 pages long), but took it all in stride.
The camp director, Corey, is rather disorganized and schedules were mostly a suggestion, especially for morning stuff. BUT, it was clear from early on that he has a passion for this camp and for these kids. He truly loves doing this, and with that I can certainly overlook the disorganization stuff.
I had a cabin of girls ranging in age from a 1st grader (in the fall) to a couple of 4th graders. That caused a few problems. But the biggest problem came from a very insecure almost-2nd grader. She created so much girl drama and I was ready to throw my hands up in the air and run for the hills! She was doing a bunch of "You can be my friend, but *you* can't, and since you're MY friend, you can't be her friend" nonsense. She didn't want to participate half the time, and found all sorts of ways to not wind up where she was supposed to be. To be fair, I had that problem with most of them off and on all week, but seriously, I'd count heads, get to 7 and know exactly which one of my 8 was missing.
I think I've forgotten how to count past 8, by the way, after counting them over and over and over again, making sure they were all where they belonged. LOL! It was a bit like herding cats. And it was exhausting.
In spite of all of that, I had a good week. I was ministered to in ways I did not expect as people came to understand the challenges in our family right now. I thought I would pay my dues and never do this again. Now I can't wait to go back next year.
I probably won't go as a counselor though. It was just too much for me to handle, managing Shannon's food needs (the cooks were SO supportive of that) and her diabetes needs, plus Alana's clinginess (nuclear melt down Thursday afternoon, poor thing), plus the 7 other girls in my cabin. I'll go back as a craft or kitchen helper or general floater, but I need to not be in charge of so much. I don't think I had a hot meal all week, helping the little ones with trays, napkins, juice, etc.
Shannon had a rough moment Thursday night. She got her s'more, minus the graham cracker, and her sugar was 270-something. She just lost it. I think it all hit her at once, the food needs Every. Single. Meal. The can't-eat-anything-without-checking-sugar stuff. She just fell apart. She asked why she can't be normal, like everyone else. And that still rips me to my core. I don't have an answer for her. All I can tell her is that it sucks and I'm sorry.
Even in the midst of that, though, I was blessed by people who were willing to manage my cabin while I tended to my daughter. And Shannon was blessed by a cabin full of girls who quickly accepted her and all her foibles. She had a couple of friends from church with her who are used to her needs and her needles, and that really helped. I think they were able to help set the tone.
People commented all week about how strong Shannon is and how well she manages her needs. Of course, she doesn't feel so strong, but she truly is. Corey has to give himself a shot once a day and he hates it, but he told me that Shannon inspired him to buck up and deal. If an 11 yo girl can do it multiple times a day, well, then he can do it once.
I've been singing Twila Paris' "The Warrior Is A Child" all day, and I sang the chorus to Shannon Thursday night. It really is an inspiration to me...
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down.
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around.
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
Cuz deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child.
That's how I feel. The rest of the song talks about how people see the strength on the outside, but they don't see the wounds and tears. God does though, and I reminded Shannon of that. I reminded her that we're not alone. God has given us friends and loved ones, and even total strangers who care. And God has given us gifts and strengths so that we can meet these challenges, and He's always there for us.
I tucked her in and then fell apart myself. And was again blessed by people who barely knew me.
Anyway, this post rambled a bit. But you get the idea.
I found the song on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5o2YY5BRUg&feature=related
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)