I feel the need to purge, to be honest, to let some things out. Writing is the best way for me to do that. Perhaps the words you are about to read will cause you to flog me with your comments, and that is okay. I know what I am about to say is ugly.I am pregnant. This baby is a complete surprise. We did not plan to get pregnant, and furthermore, we didn't…[more]

Today I took the day off from work, not just to grieve my mother, but to help my sister and cousin work through some of the details. It's funny how grownup I feel until something like this happens, and then I want someone else to take charge because I don't feel mature enough to handle it.But I am 35, I am an adult, and I am my mother's oldest child.…[more]

This morning I found out my birth mother, Kathy, died on Thanksgiving day. I haven't talked to her in over a year, although I think about her and pray for her every day. She died as we sat around our Thanksgiving table, acknowledging our blessings from God, thanking Him for our life and health. Thanking Him for the new baby growing in my womb.I'm so sad m…[more]

Last night Zion had a crying, mumbling, fit. He was upset because he wanted to come to work with me this morning. I have mentioned that I work at a school for kids who are emotionally and behaviorally disturbed. One of the many great things we get to do for the kids there is hold celebrations. Today was our Thanksgiving luncheon for staff…[more]

Last week Zion was DIBLES tested. He came home upset that day, tearful and snapping at his sister for every perceived slight. I didn’t know his teachers were testing him, otherwise we would have talked about it first.DIBLES is a standardized test schools use to test reading ability in grades kindergarten though sixth. I hate standardized testi…[more]

The school year is well under way, and last week I noticed Zion’s homework, which I felt was way too easy, was not getting any more difficult. You see, in reading and writing Zion is performing at a first grade level, and his homework is accommodated to reflect that. But Zion was breezing through his homework, and the packet that was suppos…[more]

I love popcorn and popcorn loves me. As a kid my dad would make huge bowls of stove-popped popcorn, and he could always count on me to enjoy it with him.These days, I don't eat popcorn very often, but when I do, I prefer the gourmet stuff. I was delighted to find KuKuRuZa, a popcorn-lover's paradise in the heart of down…[more]

One of the first things I do at the beginning of each school year is get Zion’s teacher and other support staff’s e-mail addresses and set up a group e-mail list. I know it’s a geeky thing to do, but it helps tremendously. By the end of the first week of school, I’ve e-mailed the team to introduce myself to those I haven’…[more]

Saturday afternoon we went out to lunch, all four of us, to the neighborhood Applebee's. You know, on the commercials they sure make that food look good, and present this whole friends-and-family image that makes you want to stop in for a good time. Hm. Based on my experience, I'd have to change the commercial. I'd show the pile of pork fat they tried t…[more]

My husband isn’t home with us during the week – he’s off working swing shift so we don’t see him until Saturday morning. It’s a difficult schedule, but one we accept and have made work for us as best we can. Still, it is not easy. That is why on holidays, when we are all home together, I give my husband the responsib…[more]