Thoughts for the day

I have been having the most interesting and enlightening past two weeks. I began subbing as a teachers aid for our school district. I pretty much go where I am needed to be plugged in. Anything from running lunch tickets through the machine at the high school, to hallway moniter, and most difficult working in the level 3 handicapped and special needs classrooms. Wow, have my eyes been opened. I never realized the world that these children and teachers live in. I went to job shadow for one hour prior to the day they needed me and about had to leave the classroom. My eyes were full of tears. Some of these children are in wheelchairs and need full care such as being fed, (even through feeding tubes into their stomachs)diapered, unable to talk but just moan and mumble sounds. One little girls who is in about 3rd grade is fed with a bottle and then vomits and sometimes stops breathing.
She has seizures on a regular basis. This is all very normal to be going on in these classrooms.

I had a sweet down syndrome boy in about 5th or 6th grade to watch over (not to mention 2 autistic boys) This boy showed me that life can still be fun and humerous and that the children are smart, but trapped in bodies that are so cruel to them. He would occasionally get stuck on a work or phrase now and then and not let it go. I tried not to laugh. He did use the "MF" word alot and I thought I was imagining things. His teacher would tell him that it was a "red" word and he needed to use a "green" word. He had his little schedule and knew just what he needed to do each hour of the day. I was pretty impressed. I couldn't imagine where to begin with a classroom full of these children. It is a calling...a mission for sure!

It is not for everyone and it takes a special person to be able to do it. I went home feeling grateful for everything I had in life, for my healthy children, and being able to function in society as a healthy capable person. That is a gift from God that we are given and should never take for granted.

Wiped out

I never did make it to Tacoma for the funeral for little Blake but my daughter Kirsty went. It was a nice service she said. I was so boggled down with issues back here that I couldn't get away. I am so tired and wiped out. I was a sub hall monitor at my daughter's high school today. I am doing this for a little extra cash when they need someone. I had to walk the halls for 7 hours non stop with a lunch break in there for 30 minutes. I can't even imagine how many miles I logged in not to mention how extremely bored I was. This job has got to be one of the easiest yet mentally unchallenging. I just can't take it. It didn't help that I only got 3 hours of sleep last night. I just need to sleep and maybe I will have a different outlook on everything tomorrow.

Beautiful Boy

I just found out this morning that my 5 year old nephew passed away this past thursday. He and his family live in the Seattle area. His name was Blake and he was one of the most beautiful little boys I've even seen. I am so sad. He has never had the quality of life that he deserved. He was born with a problem I don't know how to explain or pronounce. Basically his brain stopped growing and he lost the everyday functions in life that we take for granted. His brain stem kept him alive to breath and make small movements to let his family know he knew they were there. But he could not walk or talk or even eat like we do. I know God has called him to a better place, a better life that we cannot imagine. He is running and playing like he could never do. I just know that in my heart. So in a way I guess we should rejoice. It is so hard in the middle of grieving the loss of him to think in that manner. I have a song well under way in memory of him.

We have plans to take off for Seattle later this week for the memorial service. I haven't been to the Seattle/Tacoma area in over 13 years. Both of my daughters were born there and we have alot of great memories of our early years with them while living there. It will be a wonderful moment to see everyone we love again.

Good morning!

I don't think I have written in a week. It's been crazy! Sunday we took Steve's two youngest children to a local pool to learn to scuba dive. Steve is a certified diver and is brushing up for our upcoming trip to the caribbean. We are so excited about that. We are going to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel Mexico in December. I will probably snorkel but I am toying around with the idea of getting certified for diving also. I have been to the Cayman's and Cozumel about 3 times each now but never to Jamaica so I am pretty pumped about that.

Anyhow... the kids did great! They are like little fish. They are natural swimmers. I took about 50 digital pictures. Steve had one up as a screen saver already. :) I wish we could take them but this will be our official honeymoon so they have to stay behind. I will try to post some cool water pictures when we get back.

Not much in the way of music stuff on the horizon. That's probably good. I came down with a horrible cold yesterday. Don't know where this one came from. I am always the one to walk into someone's sneeze at Walmart. Ugh!
Have a super day!

Kansas City Renaissance Festival

Yesterday my mom, sister and I went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. It was such a beautiful day! Actually almost too hot. It was 80 degrees. Not too pleasant walking around in a kind of dusty location on a slightly windy day. We had fun though. I loved the costumes. I really love that time era. It looks pretty! But I am also sure that the bathing habits couldn't have been the best. Ugh! We saw all kinds of people. I saw my first drag queen fairy. There were actually about 5 of them in a group together. That was really something new to see. Usually you see the usual characters in costume that you would expect, king, queen, paupers, jesters, magicians, knights in shining armour, maidens etc... and then suddenly you see 5 drag queens with wings on coming right towards you. Punk hair do's and wands with fairy dust. I am just not used to seeing guys dressed up like that.

The weekend was busy. I sang with the Al Ford Big Band for a wedding reception on Saturday night. It was a fun night. I got to sing with a couple of rock musicians backing me up too. I am hoping for more gigs like this. I was shocked to see how far our society has come in regards for respect for others. The wedding and reception were held all in one big hall. During the reception a huge group of people left and stood in the hallway to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes game. The bride and groom must have ok'ed for the T.V. to be brought out. I tell ya, I just can't believe how fanatical people are with their sports. Geez! It was the couples wedding day!! Good grief! Well that is my 2 cents worth.