I'm back!

Well, I figured after a whole year of not posting, it was time I rejoin the blog world and document some of the happenings in my life. I do this blog for me, don't really care if anyone ever reads it but it is a way for me to express some of my thoughts on paper and a way to save some of the person I am for my kids to read about in their future.
Life is really busy. I always have to remember the famous quote from Ferris Bueller "if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." There are too many blessings in my life to name them all, but this year I am especially grateful that my dad is healthy and here with us. After being diagnosed with kidney cancer in may and undergoing a pretty serious operation, I am recognizing how fortunate I am to have both of my parents. I went to too many funerals of friends who lost theirs this year and I know how limited time is and I make a conscious effort to see them often. My parents made it to the big 5-0 in July and we had quite a celebration in June with all 8 kids, spouses and 18 grandkids. The 4 of us girls and our families took mom and dad on a trip to Door County, Wisconsin in August after dad had fully recovered.
With the girls being in 3rd and 1st grade, and Ben started preschool 2 days a week, I actually have 9 hours a week that I can claim for myself. Usually it is taken up with errands, but sometimes I get to just sit in the still of my house, just like I am now. I am amazed at how different each child can be and what different challenges I face trying to parent each one of them to meet their specific needs. Both of my girls are in the enrichment learning program at school and of course Lauren being 6, is so excited to leave her class to do extra reading. Emily, on the other hand, has been in the program for 3 years and does not want to be. She feels she is punished by having to do extra work. I received a message from the learning consultant yesterday saying she did not do her "extra work" and had 2 weeks to do it. I was mortified. I have never even had to look at or check up on whether or not she did her homework. When we got home, I confronted her about it, and she was very angry and said that she hated it and did not want to have to do extra work since most of the other kids in her class didn't have to. I explained to her the importance of developing the gifts that God gave us and reading is one of her special gifts. This advanced reading program that she was selected for is a way to develop and improve upon that gift. I also quoted one of my sayings that is a credo of mine.."To whom much is given, much is expected from." I remember in the days that I worked full time, I was always the nurse getting the really difficult challenging patients and felt like an easy target. When I confronted my boss about it, she said it was because I was the most capable and organized to do the job well. It did change my perspective some. I talked about how her aunt has a gift of singing and it would be sad if she didn't share it by joining the choir or helping out with the children for the musical when she was asked. I also told her about my ablity to take care of people and that is why I clean grandma's house and send in homemade meals and do her laundry.
She said she didn't want to be in the program but at this point I am not letting her quit. Status quo has never been an option for me, neither has passing up opportunities. I am going to focus on rewarding her effort more, because I think since it comes easy for her, I tend not to praise her school efforts as much. I have to constantly remind my kids of how privileged they are to be in a loving warm environment and go to a good school. There is just so much that is taken for granted. That is all for now.