Random Thoughts

I have a lot on my mind today....and I'm thinking it might be therapeutic to blog about it all....so, here goes...

First of all, I'm a little (actually, A LOT) cheesed about the proposed sex-ed curriculum proposed by the Helena School Board. I'm wondering what kind of people think it's appropriate to teach elementary children about sex?! I'm not merely talking about simple anatomy, I'm talking about words like "vagina", which I am certain my sweet little kindergartener would NEVER say in the most inappropriate situation possible. This curriculum also includes discussion of sex, including anal sex, as well as acceptance of gay relationships. While I pride myself on not being a particularly judgemental person, I also pride myself on being an upstanding Christian parent who prefers to teach my children about their bodies and sex and MORALITY....WHEN THEY ARE READY. Not only do I feel offended that the school board is implying that I am either unfit or unwilling to provide this information to my children, I have no interest in putting my children in a situation where they are forced to listen to an adult with whom they have no trusting, caring relationship discuss things that I have told them strangers should NEVER say to them. I am certain that would be embarassing and uncomfortable to my children, and probably most others. Anyway, I think I could go on about this for days, and there's plenty of other stuff on my mind....

....like the job interview I have tomorrow afternoon. No kidding. After almost 20 years with my current employer, I am considering a change. I would still remain in my field....just with a little different focus and a different employer. It's so daunting to think of that kind of change....but I'm also in the mood to shake up my life a bit....so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I just can't figure out why this idea is so stressful to me. I've always thought I was pretty brave...but maybe I'm just a big weenie after all. I'll keep you posted on that...

....and how well my diet and exercise program is going. A friend of mine recently inspired me to not just exercise to lose weight, but to exercise to get in really good shape...well, and to look hot. I have this thing about my...ahem...rear. I have a goal to have the most firm abs and rear of my life....and I'm finding out it's going to require some serious work and dedication. Don't get me wrong, I'm not overweight and I actually have a flat stomach (which I consider an accomplishment after three children!), but I want to look like those sexy moms you see on TV. You know, those chicks who look ten years younger than they really are and everybody says "You don't look old enough to have kids that age!" Yeah....besides being the nicest, coolest person anybody ever met, I also aspire to be the hottest mom. I'm sure there is something really wrong with admitting that, but it's my blog, right?! And, anyway, after spouting my opinion about the proposed sex ed curriculum, I'm sure I'll be down a few readers anyway!

Whew! All of this therapy is making me crave chocolate ice cream...but I'm drinking ice water instead. Huh. Maybe that's what is really bothering me the most....no chocolate....sigh...

The Weekend

So, I got a taste of single parenting this weekend. Marc spent the weekend at Flathead Lake with some buddies so I was on my own. Naturally, Megan and Kellan were both invited to birthday parties, the boys needed haircuts, my house needed some serious attention, I needed some groceries, and Megan and Kellan both had soccer games. I was kinda stressed about getting all of this done, and my kids must have sensed that because they were perfect little angels all weekend. I keep waiting for them to go back to bickering and whining....so far, so good...

On Friday night we went to Target to do some birthday gift shopping and then we met Grandpa and Grandma McCauley at Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner I took the boys to Great Clips to get haircuts. We got up pretty early Saturday morning and the kids helped me clean our house. Kellan even cleaned the basement for me! We ate a quick lunch and then I took Kellan to his party and Megan to her party. Jacksen and I came home and finished laundry and took a little rest. Then we picked up Megan, stopped by the store for a few things and joined Grandpa and Grandma McCauley (who had picked up Kellan for me) for dinner. We got home with just enough light outside to feed the horses. This morning we met Aunt Ami and Cody and Morgan for breakfast at the Donut Hole. Cody and Morgan watched the kiddos while Ami and I went grocery shopping. Then the kids and I rushed home to put away groceries, eat a quick lunch and change into soccer gear for the afternoon games. Kellan played at 1:00 and Megan played at 3:30...we had some time to kill in between games to we cooled off with some ice cream at Dairy Queen. We got home at 5:00....the kids took showers while I made dinner....and then, because I felt like I hadn't done enough all weekend, I mowed the lawn. Whew!

And, speaking of soccer games, Megan and Kellan both played awesome today! Kellan scored a hat trick and Megan scored two goals against the toughest team in her league! I am so proud of them!

Well, I am too tired to type anymore....it's only 8:18, but I am going to bed!

Soccer Season

If you're wondering where I've been lately....the answer is Seibel Fields...watching Megan and Kellan play soccer. This year we decided to put Kellan in the Helena Youth Soccer league instead of the YMCA league....mostly because that's the league Megan plays in so they both have games on Sunday afternoons and our Saturday morning are free. We're finding that this is a much more competitive league, which is great for Kellan - he is no longer outscoring his opponents 5 to 0! He had a really great game on Sunday...he scored two goals and blocked a few more! All of the boys were really into the game so it was really exciting to watch.



Megan is playing well, but she's still working on getting into her groove. She isn't quite as into sports the way her brother is, but she does her best and has a good time...and that's what counts, right? Well, not if you ask her! Megan not only inherited my serious lack of athleticism, I guess she inherited my competitive spirt also!

Sibling Rivalry

Since school started, Megan and Kellan have spent a lot less time around each other...well, except they ride the bus together every morning and go to Kids' Club after school together, and they share a room together, and eat meals together, and ride in cars together....you see where I'm going with this? They are either bickering until I want to cry or they are bestest friends....there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Now that Kellan has started school, they have a bit more in common, which helps....but Kellan is still the pesky little brother who LOVES to bug his big sister and Megan is still the bossy big sister who LOVES to be in control at all times. Lately, we've been trying to think of ways to spend one-on-one time with them and give them a break from each other....kinda difficult when the kids outnumber the parents, but we're doing our best. I'm hoping a little break from each other will result in more moments like this:




Really, I think Jacksen is the smart one...he just stays out of their battles and does his own thing!

A Jacksen Thought

Jacksen is usually pretty quiet in the car. I think it's because he's so busy observing this crazy world that he just has a lot to think about. While driving into town this morning, we had this little conversation:

Jacksen: Mom, I want a guinea pig for my birthday so I can put money in it.
Me: Jacksen, do you mean that want a piggy bank for your birthday?
Jacksen: Yeah, I want a guinea pig that I can put money in.
Me: Okay, Jacksen. That sounds a little painful for the guinea pig, though. Do you think we should get a piggy bank instead?
Jacksen: Yeah. That would be okay.

Thank goodness he saw the wisdom behind my suggestion!