by Grant
...Before Christmas. The girls got sick just the other day but they both look much better now. Titus and Forrest still have some lingering issues. Rebekah is still coughing. I am on the strongest antibiotics but am feeling better. I guess this is just one of those trials families go through. It seems like a universal issue is 1. money and 2. health. But, since I have zero, zip, zilch, nada, naught ability to heal my family I guess I can rest in putting these burdens on the great Physician. I always used to say, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger... unless, that is, it results in a weakened immune system which then allows a common cold to turn into double pneumonia and cause a slow linger death." Ok, that's the long version, but it's basically in spirit of my attitude in times past. Nowadays, I try to be a little more positive about things although I freely acknowledge failing quite often.
Thick skin: My Dad has one. I remember people saying some horrible things to my father when I was growing up and it never phased him. He always used to say that it was like water off a duck's back. I seem to recall that duck feathers have some oil or some such in them so that they don't get saturated with H2O. I personally prefer the concept of developing a "thick skin" as I personally have no feathers and wouldn't know how to infuse them with oil even if I did. I've found that by realizing that I have a "thin skin" I can take various offenses in stride and chalk it up to toughening me up--callous if you will. My Dad has such thick callous from all the work he's done that he can pick up really hot pieces of metal that would burn a mortal man. So, I'm trying to get some callous on my feelings. Both work and personal life have given me great opportunities to do so recently. Focus is really important in issues such as this. If I focus on the fact that I was wronged, I am hurt and possibly embittered. However, if I focus on the fact that God (or Life/Karma etc. if you're a heathen) is trying to teach me something, it tends to be a much easier (or less jagged if you like Alanis Morisette) little pill to swallow.
The Simpsons!
I finally saw the movie. It was very entertaining. "Spider Pig, Spider Pig"
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tis the Season
by Grant
Well, this time of the year is frustrating for me. I'm such an oblivious person (I've cultivated that quality) that I have a hard time really enjoying the time of year like I want to. Christmas sneaks up on me. Last year it was especially difficult because Rebekah had to go into the hospital and we had guests living with us. Ever celebrate Christmas in the hospital? Yeah, it was as rotten as it sounds. Poor Forrest was so upset about not being with us that it was breaking my heart. Last year sickness had visited me pretty hard and I was even so bad that my Dad (or was it my Mom) insisted that I go to the ER. After an hour or so there waiting, I finally decided that if they didn't consider it a true emergency then it probably wasn't so I went home. So, with all that in mind I could either enjoy the simple fact that all had turned out well and this year we were all home, or I could be frustrated that I couldn't celebrate Christmas like I wanted due to financial reasons. I chose the latter. Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it. There is so much to truly be thankful for and as I've learned from both the Grinch and Charlie Brown, Christmas isn't about the gifts. Oh, I'm not overly frustrated about me getting gifts. I've gotten little for the past ten years. I'm frustrated that I can't get my wife some nice things. The kids will get stuff regardless. But I can't afford to buy gifts for the family members that I will be around this year. It makes me feel pretty cheap to say to family "Don't buy us anything, cause we're not buying you anything." But, I guess that's something I just have to get over. I am very thankful for my family--even my extended family. No, our health isn't what we'd like it to be but that's life. Our girls are pretty healthy and happy and even if the rest of us are still afflicted in some way, we are pretty happy too. I have been praying fervently for health for my family and I would appreciate your prayers as well. A large part of our current financial struggle has been with medical expenses for this health trial our family is going through. Both Rebekah and Titus definitely need antibiotics again, but we have already spent about $200 just this month on Dr. visits and meds. Pray for wisdom and grace for the physicians that we will need to see. We need correct diagnosis (what's the plural of that?) and kindness in giving us new prescriptions over the phone instead of requiring a visit with a copay.
But hey, at least i know without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to heaven. And I am definitely grateful for that.
Well, this time of the year is frustrating for me. I'm such an oblivious person (I've cultivated that quality) that I have a hard time really enjoying the time of year like I want to. Christmas sneaks up on me. Last year it was especially difficult because Rebekah had to go into the hospital and we had guests living with us. Ever celebrate Christmas in the hospital? Yeah, it was as rotten as it sounds. Poor Forrest was so upset about not being with us that it was breaking my heart. Last year sickness had visited me pretty hard and I was even so bad that my Dad (or was it my Mom) insisted that I go to the ER. After an hour or so there waiting, I finally decided that if they didn't consider it a true emergency then it probably wasn't so I went home. So, with all that in mind I could either enjoy the simple fact that all had turned out well and this year we were all home, or I could be frustrated that I couldn't celebrate Christmas like I wanted due to financial reasons. I chose the latter. Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it. There is so much to truly be thankful for and as I've learned from both the Grinch and Charlie Brown, Christmas isn't about the gifts. Oh, I'm not overly frustrated about me getting gifts. I've gotten little for the past ten years. I'm frustrated that I can't get my wife some nice things. The kids will get stuff regardless. But I can't afford to buy gifts for the family members that I will be around this year. It makes me feel pretty cheap to say to family "Don't buy us anything, cause we're not buying you anything." But, I guess that's something I just have to get over. I am very thankful for my family--even my extended family. No, our health isn't what we'd like it to be but that's life. Our girls are pretty healthy and happy and even if the rest of us are still afflicted in some way, we are pretty happy too. I have been praying fervently for health for my family and I would appreciate your prayers as well. A large part of our current financial struggle has been with medical expenses for this health trial our family is going through. Both Rebekah and Titus definitely need antibiotics again, but we have already spent about $200 just this month on Dr. visits and meds. Pray for wisdom and grace for the physicians that we will need to see. We need correct diagnosis (what's the plural of that?) and kindness in giving us new prescriptions over the phone instead of requiring a visit with a copay.
But hey, at least i know without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to heaven. And I am definitely grateful for that.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wring that Sponge out!
by Grant
I recently was informed that Children are like sponges and that they absorb what they see and hear. This was counter to my argument that cartoons have negligible affect on the wee munchkins. Alas, in the heat of the exchange, my point was ill phrased and further stoked the fires of discontent (hey, you can have a winter of discontent, why not a fire?). Personal quarrels aside, I was forced to examine what my children see and hear to make sure that I am not warping them beyond a reasonable amount (basically I stop before it legally constitutes abuse). NO! My goal is not to warp my children, please! I am not that weird... or am I? No! I'm really not. Ok, well, the point is that I don't want to subject my children to the various and sundry evils of the world. So, let's say that I watch the Simpsons. My children are there and watch it with me. I am aware of this. I have a TV Guardian that effectively blocks over 90% of the naughty words (or at least, that I find objectionable to children and short relatives). As they watch the show, I tell them when something is "naughty" or they will ask me. If I find the subject matter unreasonable I will skip whole chunks or shut off the show entirely. Hmm... well, it's that or watch something "adult" such as CSI:Miami where they delve into shattered bodies in graphic detail (BTW, I like CSI:any city).
But I've decided that I'm keep doing what I'm doing. And when my kid picks up a word (whether from TV or his Uncle) I will squeeze him like a sponge until it's all out. Then, I'll stick him under a heat lamp until all traces are gone. Hmm... I'm not sure if I have a heat lamp big enough. Anybody know of a tanning bed for sale cheap?
I recently was informed that Children are like sponges and that they absorb what they see and hear. This was counter to my argument that cartoons have negligible affect on the wee munchkins. Alas, in the heat of the exchange, my point was ill phrased and further stoked the fires of discontent (hey, you can have a winter of discontent, why not a fire?). Personal quarrels aside, I was forced to examine what my children see and hear to make sure that I am not warping them beyond a reasonable amount (basically I stop before it legally constitutes abuse). NO! My goal is not to warp my children, please! I am not that weird... or am I? No! I'm really not. Ok, well, the point is that I don't want to subject my children to the various and sundry evils of the world. So, let's say that I watch the Simpsons. My children are there and watch it with me. I am aware of this. I have a TV Guardian that effectively blocks over 90% of the naughty words (or at least, that I find objectionable to children and short relatives). As they watch the show, I tell them when something is "naughty" or they will ask me. If I find the subject matter unreasonable I will skip whole chunks or shut off the show entirely. Hmm... well, it's that or watch something "adult" such as CSI:Miami where they delve into shattered bodies in graphic detail (BTW, I like CSI:any city).
But I've decided that I'm keep doing what I'm doing. And when my kid picks up a word (whether from TV or his Uncle) I will squeeze him like a sponge until it's all out. Then, I'll stick him under a heat lamp until all traces are gone. Hmm... I'm not sure if I have a heat lamp big enough. Anybody know of a tanning bed for sale cheap?
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