Be careful what you ask

Ok, I'm probably not feeling well emotionally so this may have been a bad time to survey my children. I had wanted to ask them questions and then years down the road, I thought it would be fun to read what their answers were when they were at this age. I asked them for their favorites and least favorites. I asked them also what they thought they would be doing in 5 years and what they'd be when they grew up. Now I'm questioning whether I'm giving my children what they need to develop a healthy desire for success. Or maybe more accurately, I'm realizing my dreams for them, are not the dreams they have for themselves!

DS11 wants an "easy" job. He doesn't want to go to college. (That's actually ok with me. I'd rather he go to tech school.) In 5 years, he'll be "delivering mail or helping the librarian." When he grows up, he wants to "be a baker or a builder of houses." He also threw in video game designer. No surprise there. I thought he'd be an accountant because of his gifted number aptitude. I could actually see him being a carpenter. He really likes to build things and he could use his math talents.

DS7.10 wants to be a judge or a food critic. Actually, I think he'd make an excellent lawyer. He is very strong willed and will tell you its black when you know its white. He isn't very easily persuaded so I don't know if this would make a good judge or not. As for food critic, he is such a picky eater now, he'll only eat a few different foods. How could he be a food critic! DH thinks DS7.10 would make a good Pastor. This shocked me because DS7.10 doesn't show his sensitivity outwardly. I always thought, or hoped for, DS7.10 to be an auto mechanic. He used to be into cars and trucks and we need a good trustworthy auto mechanic in the family!

I know I shouldn't get too worked up about this. DH was going to be a truck driver with a shark tank in the back of the trailer. I remember wanting to be a teacher and in a way, I guess I am. Who knows what the Lord has planned for them? I just have to remember they have their own dreams.

Oh yeah, I have a blog here...

I've been busy playing over on Yahoo 360. I can't help it if they make it more fun and easy to connect with others.

For those of you too shy to venture over to My Other Blog, here's what we've been up to. It hasn't all been rosy.

On October 30th, DH entered into indentured slavery. He is trapped on a sinking ship. There is too much work and not enough workers. He is sacrificing to try and keep the paycheck coming. Pray for him with us. He hasn't had a day off since the 30th.

The boys are doing great despite the lack of family time we've had. Amazingly they still have trick or treat candy left and teeth still in their mouths.

I made a deal with DS11 that I won't give him spelling tests if he promises to use spellcheck. This is how I learned how to spell. I spent years in the public school system excelling at most subjects except spelling. Once I began using a keyboard and having the words highlight when I mispelled them, it all clicked. DS11 is spending more time on the computer these days.

Yumi had her operation. She was away for 25 hours but we missed her so much! I think they fell in love with her at the vet too. She returned to us like nothing had happened. Her belly is still naked, but she's stopped licking her incision.

I tried to start our holiday enjoyment by making cinnamon applesauce ornaments. They didn't work out. (Thanks a lot Martha!) I have started to get our house season ready by cleaning and clearing out. It feels good to purge and simplify.

Next week we are hosting a HEARTS party. The kids are collecting books for a family shelter and school supplies for a school in Kabul, Afganistan. Sadly, our turnout will be low. I'm trying to see past this and realize how important it is for even one person to give of their time. I want the boys to learn how rewarding volunteering can be.

Well, that's about all my sore throat will allow me right now. Time for another cup of Elderberry Tea.

Stop me if I get this way...

I told DS11 to tell me if I get this way. Yesterday I witnessed a mother IMO, disrespecting her son. She had arrived early for his lesson so she told him to wait alone while she ran to the store. I thought this was harsh. She could have spent those 15 minutes with her son, enjoying his company. She could have ran her errand after his class began. When she returned at the end of the lesson, she opened the door to the men's locker room and started yelling at him to come out now. The poor kid just got out of the water and needed to change! This young man was probably 13? I felt embarrassed for him. When he came out, he was clearly upset. Her schedule was more important to her I guess. I told my son, if I ever get that way, say something! I don't want to be the kind of parent who forgets my child is a human being with feelings, worthy of my respect.

I can try to see this event from the mother's point of view. She probably had tons to do, places to get to. But perhaps she could have better managed her time, or at least laid out her expectations for her son to comply with her schedule. She seemed so rushed. I felt sorry for her. Her stress was also causing stress for her son, effecting their relationship.

I hope I can remember when I'm stressed, to slow down and remember what's really important.