Writing Me: Where I'm From

I'm joining Bigger Picture Blogs in a community writing project. Such perfect timing as I'm getting back into writing, I love being able to share and learn from others.




I am from the Great Plains, red earth and willow trees. The smell of spring storms looming on the horizon.

I am from purple mountain majesties, white caps looming year around. I am from columbines and aspen trees.

I am from two stories, overlooking Boulder reservoir. A trampoline dug half way into a mountain side, Panther pride and blue and gold. Homecoming floats and three hour trips to football games. From, "Kiss my paw!"

From the wind and snow. Where Halloween costumes must fit over coats and snowsuits.

I am from two loving parents, discipline, church. From reading the Bible, believing Jesus died for my sins and knowing there are not enough good deeds on Earth that can get me into Heaven

From women who put family first and men who supported them. I'm from a place where you could never hear, "I love you" enough and men are manly for saying it.

I am from siblings who watch out for each other, pick on one another, tickle you until you pee. I'm from a sister who is my best friend and reassures me that I can handle these children and God loves me no matter what!

From the tight-knit, always have a place to go family. From imperfection, dysfunction, humor, and utter joy.

I am from devotion to duty, from a line of patriotic defenders. Doing my part to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America! I am from Haze Grey and Red, White and Blue!

Just Writing

I've missed writing, missed composing poems.

I find myself here next to a sleeping child, my mother-in-law entertaining the other, new life kicking inside and I want to write.

I want to catch up on all the lost words, months of words, excitement, happenings. But it just isn't feasible, too much was missed, too much time gone by.

Time continues to carry on while I sit and watch. Watch the children grow, watch my stomach grow.

The ebb and flow of life carries on, hopefully I'll be able to put some of it into words.

Adventures in Parenting: Learning or Attempting To

I find myself at a loss.

It took me several years to learn how B learns and specifically, how to teach her and get her to listen.

I now find myself staring down a similar barrel with Bear. I'm learning, quickly, what doesn't work. While positive reenforcement motivates B, Bear could care less.

I would rather support than punish but my goodness, I can not get that kid to listen! She takes selective hearing to a whole new level. I'm to the point I'm going to have her hearing checked to rule out actual hearing loss.

So tonight I begin my research for how to learn how my child learns. Any recommendations are very welcome, weather it be books or techniques, this is my plea for help!

My Journey: A Student

I recently embarked on a new journey and am thankful it ended today. I re-enrolled in college and intentionally took only one class. I figured I'd use this one class to get my feet wet and eventually take more and finish off my degree. Shortly after signing up for (or maybe just before) I found out I was pregnant with #3. Deciding to stick with my original plan, I proceeded with my class, Art 205, Art Appreciation. I was surprised a bit by the amount of time the course took on a day to day basis but balanced it well, at the beginning anyway. I was doing well up until the last couple weeks. A death in the family prompted a visit to Iowa, I was granted an extension that served me well as the house we were staying in didn't have Internet. When we got home I knew I had one week to make up two weeks worth of assignments and knew it could be done. Then this week happened, if something could have happened, it did. B's first day of school (which I knew was coming but still added a bit of stress, but that's a blog of it's own), bug bites causing swollen limbs, doctor visits, surprise duty days, you name it and something would come up. But I prayed and God got me (us, really) through it.

So, long story short, I'm a college student again although I will be taking the next two semesters off so I can learn how to be a mom of three and homeschool B. But before ling, I'll be back in the swing of things!

On a side note, I've very much missed blogging. I almost wrote that I missed writing but I've been a writing fool, it's just been centered on art history.

And I know it's been a while but it you didn't catch it, we're pregnant with #3, due in December.