Archive for the ‘Random Thoughts’ Category
May
It’s About Family…It Always Has Been…and It Always Will Be…
Our trip to the flower fields last weekend really got me thinking about family. Already my life feels like it is being ripped in too many directions with baseball, ballet and other commitments. I am acutely aware that it’s only going to get worse. I don’t EVER want extra activities to take over my family time.
After the last game is played or the curtain falls, what do you have left? More importantly, WHO do you have left?
Apr
My Sweet Baby Girl
Genetic Dysmorphology…now those are two words I never thought I would need conjuntively. That is the department at Children’s Hospital that we are headed to. Our 4 month check-up with the doctor yielded shots and questionnaires as usually. The end was caboosed with news of possible chromosome abnormalities for Gracie. He wasn’t specific on what he saw, but she holds a handful of symptoms that red-flagged the doctor. The insurance won’t even let the tests get run until Grace has had a “history, physical exam, pedigree analysis, genetic counseling and completion of diagnostic studies.” Did you just hear what I heard? Blah, blah, blah, blobidy, blah. It sounds like I had a word vomit moment just then, huh?
Either way, her neck still has difficulty supporting her head. But just look at us. The poor thing didn’t have a chance with Will’s head and my neck. Were you thinking, “orange on a toothpick scenario,” as well? So off we go to start physical therapy to prevent atrophy to the muscles on the left side of her neck. We love our little Gracie so much we just want the best for her. The earliest appointment they have for all the genetics testing is June 15th. They are worried about her though so they put us at the top of the cancellation list…fingers crossed.
I never intended to blog about this. Everything weighs heavily on my mind and it’s difficult to rehash it all over and over again. Although, I find my heart at peace and my eyes wet. Gracie could very well be completely healthy with nothing wrong. No need to worry about a monster under the bed, if there isn’t one there, right? We hope for the best and expect the worst. I have attempted and failed the 4 times I have tried to talk about it with Will, my mom, my mother-in-law and a close friend who happened to call up minutes after…inspired as always. The words come out as blubber. Do you speak blubber? If you do, you may be able to seek employment at my house as an interpreter. I’ve become quite fluent as of late. It’s only been a few days, but I find the little irritation of not knowing and trying not to worry because there is nothing to worry about is growing into a little monster inside that is screaming to break free and wreak havoc on my life. My rational self reminds me there is nothing I can do and no need to worry. Everything will be just fine and if it isn’t we can take whatever comes our way. The whole reason we are here is to learn and experience growth through trials. That is why I’m here.
Apr
As My Dad Says…
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose!
Mar
San Diego Bucket list…
photo courtesy of Will
I LOVE San Diego!! Since living here I have scoured the internet, my own brain and people’s experiences trying to put together a list of things I would love doing before I leave San Diego. If all goes well, I will never have to leave, but just in case, I want my list. Some of my favorite things on my list are things I have discovered on my own and we experience on a regular basis. If I have left anything off the list please feel free to add. I don’t want to miss ANYTHING. I’m sure I’m missing some fun stuff!!
- Kayaking in La Jolla
- Padres Game
- Sea World
- San Diego Zoo
- Wild Animal Park
- Star of India/ Maritime Museum
- Balboa Park
- La Jolla Tide Pools
- Beach/ Del Mar/ Torrey Pines/Moonlight Beach/La Jolla Shores
- Point Loma
- Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
- San Juan Capistrano Great Stone Church Mission (Sacred Garden and Bell Wall)
- Go to a musical
- Attend the opera
- Hot Air ballooning
- Tastes of San Diego Tour
- Speedboat tour in the Harbor
- Bates Nut Farm
- Grunion Catching
- Ranuculus Fields in Carlsbad
- Catalina Island Cruise
- Disneyland but this one doesn’t really count since it’s not in San Diego
- Cabrillo National Monument (tidepools, cemetery, museum)
- Point Loma Lighthouse
- Mystery Dinner Theatre
FOOD (We have eaten a ton of places here, but these are my favorite, can’t live without places to eat!)
Mar
In the Beginning…
So this blog actually started out as a website for my 6th grade students. Have you ever wondered why my site is mrsblattman.com? Couldn’t I have been more creative?! I offer a resounding yes, with the caveat, that most of my 6th graders would have “forgotten” the web address and as a result not been able to take their quizzes or review. Simplicity won out. I posted assignments and newsletters, had review games, help website links and quizzes as well as an, “Ask Mrs. B,” page that was quite fun. I would get the most random questions. I kept this website and turned it into a blog in case any of my old students ever wondered what in the world teachers do after they retire. I know it sounds soooo interesting, right? *cough*. I used to get occasional comments from a few. Yeah, well I’m sure none of them read it anymore and really I keep in touch with quite a few of them on facebook or when they have come on vacation and we’ve gotten together for Disneyland, Sea World or just lunch. Can you believe my first 2nd grade class started high school last year?! And my 6th grade class are Freshman this year?! Enough of my bird walking.
The point is, I want to add some of that back in. As summer approaches and I need to be keeping my kids busy physically and cognitively, I am going to start keeping an idea bank, if you will. It’s mostly to dump my brain and to keep from reinventing the “metaphoric wheel.” So if you happen to be looking for some different ideas for practicing math facts, or some crazy art project, your welcome to come along. Some of them are my ideas and some are ideas that have been passed down through so many teachers, no one knows where they even came from!
There is so much you can do in your house with little to no supplies. Sometimes, those teacher stores make me so upset with their crazy-priced ideas. The teaching profession as a whole, is great about sharing ideas because finding something wonderful and sharing it doesn’t inhibit you since you get paid the same no matter what. I’m going to stop here before I jump onto my soap box and get started on our broken education system.