Friday, March 13, 2009

Where there's a will...

When I was growing up, my dad (an attorney) had this sign in his office that said, "Have you made your will yet?" I was maybe 8 years old and this sign would stare me down everytime we came to visit him - he had his own law office, so this was a lot - and I think I really felt like I needed to get my will done right then. It was the same feeling you would feel if it said, "Have you made your bed today?" and you knew you hadn't. Eek.

Well, finally, finally, can take that weight off my shoulders, because very soon our wills will be done! Hurrah! (I know, who says "Hurrah" at this, but we are talking like 30 years on the to-do list, so it deserves celebrating) Have had all kinds of excuses, from not having assets, to not knowing whom to have prepare our wills, to not feeling like we could afford the expense, to not wanting to make decisions about guardians of our kids, to whatever. I planned to do it after Hannah was born - no dice. Again after Kaylie - nope. Again, a few years ago before my friend Lori died when she and her husband did their wills - even knowing I did not want to prepare wills on mine or Jim's deathbed, still did not get it done. When I became an employee of Ronald Blue, I became eligible for a benefit of partial reimbursement of the expense (even met a Christian attorney who said he would do our wills, even though Jim and I are not big bucks people like the average Ron Blue client) - got as far as the discussion with him and got stuck at data gathering and decision making.

Seems like one of those things we keep saying: We need to do that. And you always think there will be tomorrow. But we never know. So finally this week, was discussing with my co-worker, Marilyn, her mother-in-law's illness and living wills, etc. When Marilyn learned we still had not completed our wills, she agreed to be my Estate Accountability Partner and harrass me until I got it done. (Yay, Marilyn!) So, I talked to the attorney again, and Jim and I have talked again and I think we have everything lined up, we just need him to write it up and we sign it and we are good to go. (or not go..maybe..um.. you know what I mean).

It is hard to make these decisions. I am someone who worries too much about what other people think and while part of me doesn't care (I'll be partying up in heaven - yee hah!), I still am afraid of offending someone when it comes to the choices we have made. Especially when it comes to guardianship of our kids. But it is just way too important to us for them to grow up in a Christian home, knowing who their Savior is, continuing to love Him the way they do now, that people are just going to have to get offended if need be. Hopefully they understand and will respect our wishes, but if not, tough.

So I ask you, "Have you made your will?" Especially if you have kids I STRONGLY encourage you to do this. You don't have to do anything fancy, most of us are in a fiscal position where we can have a very straightforward, simple will. I did not elect to use any of them, but there are even tools online and at office supply stores to help you out. Do it now so you are not ever in a position of regret. And let me know if you need me to be your "Marilyn".

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Belle of the Ball

Kaylie has ballet and basketball on Mondays. This week was the last basketball practice for this season and the basketball clothes inadvently did not travel to participate in practice - must have been a Dancing with the Stars injury or something. So Kaylie dressed up for basketball. By the way, she is not in dress code for ballet either.




Yes, she really is this much taller than most of the people on her team (and the other teams). But don't let the height fool you. She gets her athletic ability from her mom.









Ta da! Still not in uniform. This is yet another reason why I will never be a Professional Mom. But can I just tell ya, that I love her 1,000,000% EXACTLY the wonderful, fantastic, beautiful way God made her?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Y'all ready for this???



Do y'all see this?

It is a hair.

A WHITE hair.

It does not live alone. It has friends. Productive, pushy friends who can't take a hint that they are not welcome.

Oy vey-arama. Next thing you know, this will be me....







Watch out world!!!!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Condiment blogging: Worthy of a tribute?

More blogging on the month that was February...

The 4th grade students and the Honor Choir at the girls' school did a lovely music concert a few weeks back. It was a multicultural theme and they had songs representing a host of countries and cultures. Some of the students did dances, or sang, or played instruments to round out the event. It was great and a nice representation of the variety that is present at her school and where we live. At the end, they sang Michael Jackson's "Heal the World", with some of the kids doing sign language to the chorus. It was pretty moving.

There was one section that made me uncomfortable, however. It started out fine, but ended up weird. (First off, let me say that as a Christian, I think hero worship of any kind is a very fine line to walk because we worship the one true God and should not put any person on too high of a pedastal.) A young man from the 4th grade class who was dressed very smartly in a suit and tie got up and spoke from a podium, primarily from memory, and spoke about Martin Luther King, Jr. and quoted part of his momentous "I Have a Dream Speech". I think he was supposed to speaking from the point of view of Barack Obama, but did not catch on to this until mid-way through his piece. I thought he did a very good job and was very well spoken and a piece like that was not out of place, given the make-up of the township where we live and the historic implications of our nation's first African-American President.

However, the evening then moved into a slide show tribute to Mr. Obama, on top of the piece outlined above. It was a slide show composed of photos of President Obama, and some of Mr. and Mrs. Obama, but no one else, set to David Foster's "America's Song", a big anthem with the kids singing along on the chorus.

I don't get this. Why a tribute to President Obama less than one month into office? A tribute to all the trailblazers who led the way so that he could get to where he is - I get that. But a tribute to him, at this point? Why? What has he done to earn it except being the right man in the right place at the right time?

I feel bad for thinking this, though, because maybe it means I am not as open to diversity as I want to be. Maybe I just don't get it. Don't fully understand all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into getting Mr. Obama where he is today. And maybe I can't because I have never been there. This isn't the same, but if we had our first woman president, that would be very meaningful to me, but I still don't think that person would be entitled to her own tribute just because she got herself elected. I think it would be more for all the strong women who have led the way before her to get her to that place. Then, if she does something super-awesome, maybe we can talk about a tribute just for her. But for now, I think it is just too much, too soon.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Condiment Blogging, vol. 1

Time for some "ketchup" blogging...


Last month I helped chaperone a bunch of 4th of 5th graders from church at "SuperStart" - a high, energy youth conference just for kids their age. It was held at Indian Creek Christian Church and there were tons of kids there. I actually had fun.
Friday evening we took the fun bus (because that sounds better than smelly bus - which is what it was) down to Indian Creek and partied down there until late, then journeyed back up to TPCC to spend the night.
This is Hannah and her friends Sarah and Lorin - I love this picture because these girls have been friends since they were tots and now they are little ladies and still friends. :)
Big ole Twister board. YEE HAH!



Day 2 we got up way too early, had a nutritious breakfast of PopTarts and sugary cereals and headed back to Indian Creek for more fun, learning and worship.
This is Yancy, the very energetic worship leader. She was great. Check her out at www.yancynotnancy.com. She has some great CDs for kids and tots. If you would like something other than the same old sing-song music for your kids - this is for you. (Definitely not Barney territory!!)
Took the kids to Great Times for pizza and games - the adults even got to play too! - and then back to Indian Creek to close out the day.
Here is another photo I love: Hannah & Sarah side singing "Lean on Me". How cool is that??
We got home very pooped, but it was a great weekend!

Monday, March 2, 2009

balance

Am struggling with balance in my life right now. Having a very hard time being a good mom and a good employee and trying to take care of myself and, oh yeah, Jim would probably appreciate having a good wife. Yes I know if I just wasn't an evil working mom I wouldn't have these problems, but thanks to some debt created when I was staying home with the girls, currently that is not an option. (and I probably wasn't perfect back then, either) Blah.