Stop, Look, and Listen

It has been an unusually busy week for me this past week. Along with work I attended a two day training. This was mind numbing, information overload training. It was a GREAT training. I am exhausted both physically and emotionally. This made me think today, I need to Stop, Look and Listen for a while.

STOP - Take 5 to 10 minutes or more to just stop and do NOTHING!

LOOK - Look around me and take in everything and everyone that I am blessed with.

LISTEN - Listen to the sounds in my life. My kids (even if they are fighting), my husband who is singing along with his iPod, my friends who advise me and guide me. These sounds bring me joy!

When was the last time that you took time to Stop, Look and Listen?

It's been a while

As you can see, it has been a while since I have updated my blog. I have been busy but I wouldn't say that I have been too busy to blog. I just haven't known what to post. At least I don't think I have anything to say that is that important.

Today I thought I would just update everyone on what the family has been up to.

In March Z had birthday number 9 and B had birthday number 4. April brought birthday number 8 for KT and September was number 6 for A. Man the boys are growing up so fast.

In July KD and I went to Dallas, TX for a week to attend the National Convention for the National Federation of the Blind. This was my first convention. I loved it. I learned so much about how I can help my boys receive a better education. It was very inspiring and uplifting.

One of the best things about going to Dallas was being able to see my friend and former college roommate C. It was so fun! Thank you C for being such a great host and being willing to take KD and I around Dallas.

In August Z and KD went to Baltimore, MD for the Junior Science Academy hosted by the National Federation of the Blind. Z learned how to build a simple machine. He played beeper ball (a form of baseball for the blind). Most of all, he had fun and made new friends from different parts of the US. What a great experience for him.

KD wrote about their experience as a guest blog author on http://slateandstylish.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-author.html.

Z and KT started school on August 1st. Z is in 4th grade and KT is in 3rd. They are both doing very well.

A and B are at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind once again this year. The school year started with a little glitch but not as bad as last year's issues. A is mainstreamed into morning Kindergarten and then is back at USDB for the afternoon.

B is enjoying preschool again this year. He definitely keeps them busy. Almost every day his behavior in the classroom is describe as "mischievous". Not sure what we are going to do with him.

KD and I are both doing well. We are enjoying watching the boys grow. KD is determined to learn Braille this year. We are both involved quite heavily with the Utah Affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. We are doing all that we can to support the boys.

That's about it for now. I hope to be better at updating the blog.  Until the next time...

The Privilege of Friends

I have the privilege of knowing some pretty amazing people. People who inspire me. Today I had the opportunity to sit and chat with two of those amazing people. They are both single mothers. We were talking about the every day adventures of having children. As I sat and listened to how their days usually go, I realized how blessed I am to not only have a husband who helps so much with the chores around the house and keeping the boys in line, but also how lucky we are to have been blessed with four boys. Each of these wonderful ladies have one son. It's just the two of them together before work and school and then after work and school every day.

I don't know how many times I have whinned and complained about having a messy house or having to clean up after the boys. At least my boys can entertain themselves. When you are an only child in a single parent home, who do you play with?  Mom or dad, whichever the case may be. When they told me that they keep their homes clean by staying up until after 11:00pm to "straighten up" I was humbled immediately.

Bless you my friends. You are truly amazing in my eyes. I resolve to do less complaining and more playing with my boys. I resolve to stay up a little longer to make sure my house is in order.

Thank you for teaching me.