Preschool Physical

Ok we all know that the kids have to get checked out every year before starting school. So far I've been on schedule, but this year it got put off until today which happens to be a week AFTER school has started. Anyway, I practiced with Lia before we left the house so she'd know what to expect. I told her about the doctor checking her throat and ears and how they'd check her blood pressure. We pretended it was a "birthday balloon" and she made a wish every time the nurse squeezes it. When all done she would blow really hard to make the wishes come true. I figure whatever works is good for me. She did really great with all of it! The nurse then hands us a gown for her and then tells me Lia will have to pee in a cup. I totally was thrown!! First of all, how is a 4 year old supposed to manage that? Second, since she obviously can't manage on her own, what am I supposed to do with my 18 month old while I help her? And last---Where in the Mama Handbook is it that I have to hold a cup for her to pee in?? That page must have been ripped out or something.

So the nurse was gracious enough to watch Nathan while Lia and I slipped to the little girl's room and took care of business. Let's just say she doesn't tinkle well under pressure. Then when she decided she could 'go' she also mentioned she had to poop. Let me tell ya that I quickly decided a urine sample was unnecessary and I was outta there. She laughed at me because she really didn't have to poop, but wanted to know what I would do. That little stinker!! It all turned out okay and they got their three drops to test. That's all I could get before she tinkled on my hand. UGH!! Had I thought it through, I would have requested gloves. Thankfully the bathroom had a full soap supply.

After that, Lia ended up getting four shots--two in each leg. She cried a little bit, and of course I wanted to join right in, but I had to stay positive and keep it together for her. Nathan cried loudest because he wanted to be held and I had to put him down while I held Lia's hands. She got TWO green suckers and a Diego sticker afterward then we met Daddy for a special BK lunch.

We told her how proud we were of her and now she's excited to go to school and tell all of her friends about her experience.

Is sanity worth jail time?

Today I had to buy school supplies for my dear Lia's Pre-K class. Since I had a gift card to Wal-Mart, that was where I went. We walked the store looking for random items like plastic shoe boxes, shaving cream and water colors. Why a Pre-K class needs shaving cream I have no idea. We also needed a pillow case cover. We walked the store three times before we found them tucked into a corner and then they were so expensive I walked away. By this time Lia and Nathan were both tired and hungry which made us all very very grumpy. After standing in line (20 items or less) for 40 minutes I was losing my sanity. On a side note: why does it take so long to get through the express lane and why are there only 3 check outs open at a super Wal-Mart?!? By the time we made it to the check out both kids were hitting each other even though I separated them time and again. Hitting means crying and crying leads to screaming on my part as well as theirs.

At that point I just imagined the Wal-Mart security guard would judge me as a bad parent and call social services to get my children. I envisioned sitting in the Wal-Mart security office while the security guard took the kids to the toy department while waiting for the social worker. Then the security guard would come back after 10 minutes with my children and apologize profusely for misjudging me. He would then understand that I wasn't a bad parent and I didn't deserve jail time, but I was just a frazzled mama shopping for school supplies.

At that point I realized I was day dreaming and that I still had my little lovies screaming at each other. Ahhh...it's so good to be the mama.

Worship can happen anywhere

Last night Larry and I went with four friends to see the 'Music Builds Tour' including Switchfoot and Third Day. I was expecting a fun time hanging out while listening to some fantastic bands. Switchfoot didn't disappoint and were terrific as always. When Third Day came on stage, it seems a feeling of worship covered the crowd. As they sang in praise to our Lord, hands were raised and spirits were lifted. Seeing that many people come together was amazing, but knowing that some people were there and hearing about the Lord for the first time was thrilling. I pray people came to know Jesus because of the music they heard at that concert.

If you have the opportunity to go see the "Music Builds Tour" I highly suggest it. It will be an experience you won't soon forget.

Silly kids

I'm really enjoying watching our son and daughter develop a relationship with each other. Lia is 4 and Nathan is 18 months and he's starting to repeat every sound he hears. She's teaching him animal noises as her big sister project. It's so fun to have her roar like a lion and hear him repeat her. He even mooed this week when she said 'cow'. Her newest thing is to teach him his body parts. She asks where his head is and he slaps himself in the forehead. It looks painful, but he always laughs. She asks where his nose is and he sticks his finger in it every time.

With Lia, I enjoyed teaching her all of those things and I enjoy doing so with Nathan as well, but Lia considers him her baby too and she wants her big sister projects to revolve around educating 'baby'. I'm so proud of her for loving him and showing it. It makes me proud to be a mom!

What happened to customer service?

Monday was a big day for us. We traded in our SUV for a mini van. I'm now a proud owner of a Buick Terazza mom-mobile and I love.

However, before we could make the transaction we had a few things to take care of. First, we decided to go to McD's for lunch. Larry asked for a refill on his sweet tea and was refused. I gave it a try and was refused. I made sure they knew that I've always gotten a refill and I wasn't about to pay $1.06 for a $.03 cup of water and sugar. The boy refilled the cup. What's the big deal about refilling a cup for a customer? If you want the customers to return shouldn't you try to make them happy? What happened to 'the customer is always right'? Do they NOT know they are in the SERVICE industry?

After that we went to the Secretary of State's office to get the title to our truck. Larry had to sit in line for almost two hours. At least the people were cooperative and polite. While he waited, Nathan and I went to the grocery store at the end of the strip mall so I could buy a book. When I got to the registers they were all full with about four people in each lines with full buggies. I only wanted a book. There were no self-check registers at all so I took my spot in line. I was fine with waiting until I noticed a couple of cashiers that had closed their registers so they could talk about their boyfriends. Finally they opened their lines when the manager spotted them. I was raised that when you're at work you should actually WORK. Talking is for your break--but that's just me.

We were then off to the bank where it took two plus hours for us to sign four pieces of paper. Again, the bank rep was kind and helpful. The reason for the delay was the incorrect paperwork given to us by the dealership--not the bank. When we got to the dealership we found that they had charged us several hundred dollars extra to file the documents. When we went over the numbers last week, nobody ever mentioned a document fee. It adds up to an extra payment. We weren't happy. The salesmen just shrugged and took us out to the van. They hadn't even bothered to clean it up. I would think that when selling a vehicle it should be washed with a little armor all on the dash, but they didn't bother. Larry let them know and they remedied the situation. Why did the customer have to point out a service they should provide without question? We had already gone through so much trouble to get the loan and title that we proceeded with the deal. I really wished I had the advantage of just walking away and letting them know why. Oh well.

I want to encourage everyone to remember to serve others as we should serve the Lord. Regardless of your profession, we should all remember to be in the 'service' industry for God's people.