Auld Lang Syne

The end of the year is upon us. I have no idea what they will do for the New Year's glasses at Times Square this year. 2011 doesn't have two eye holes, so yet another tradition gone (or perhaps a new one involving cyclops?). But I digress. Auld Lang Syne. It's from a poem and from the Scottish would literally be "old long since." More idiomatically, it's "days gone by" or "old times." So for auld lang syne loosely means for the sake of old times. So for the sake of old times, let's do a year in review (everybody else including the whole blogging universe is doing it, so why not?).

January: we began the hunt for houses, pinning our hopes on Frankenmuth, but it was one bust after another. Malachi turned two.
February: even after expanding our housing search, we were still at loose ends.
March: we took a break from looking at houses because we were getting nowhere fast.
April: I had another birthday and we finally found a house, just around the corner from our old one. It was a bit of stress to get things done in time to get the tax credit.
May: Gabe's birthday came and with it our first whole class party. The science themed party was quite a success. The new house got a new roof and we were still awaiting our closing date.
June: we became home owners. Painting and packing consumed the month. We started a garden. Matt and I celebrated ten years of marriage.
July: Matt's grandpa passed away. We were officially out of the old house and in the new.
August: Matt I finally took our anniversary trip to New Orleans, where we had our honeymoon. We also took the boys to Crane Lake for the first time and to three of five Great Lakes.
September: Gabe became a first grader. Chi went off to daycare. Matt was no longer a first year professor. :)
October: tried to figure out all sorts of ways to get to Washington D.C. for the Rally to Restore Sanity, but realized we were being insane to try to do it and stayed home to watch on TV. Gabe was Han Solo and Chi was the Cat in the Hat for Halloween.
November: Gabe was the Pizza Man for his Thanksgiving day program. Went to see Mom and Dad and much of the family for Thanksgiving.
December: finally got to Wicked. Gabe helped lead worship with the children's choir for Christmas Eve. Santa came. We also saw much of Matt's family after Christmas.

What will 2011 hold for us? Eh, who can tell. Hopefully we'll have a lot of fun along the way.

Merry Christmas!

Santa's a bit behind this year, but I have confidence his elf will finish everything up today. Cards went out, but late. You might receive one in the Christmas season. Or just consider it an Epiphany card. :)

The boys are bouncing off the walls, but it is being tempered by relatively good behavior right now. Funny Malachi story: yesterday he wanted a banana, but he didn't want help so he took it and ran off. Then I hear, "Aw man! It's locked!" So I helped him "unlock" his banana and then he took over.

Tonight, the worship service involves the kids. At our church the early Christmas Eve service is Christmas program/worship. So the boys have been practicing their singing. I don't think Chi is going to go up front though. He wouldn't stay during practice, so we'll see. This year the kids don't have speaking parts or any real dramatic performing; they just sing songs/carols in between parts of telling the story. So, they will just wear their Christmas sweaters and look handsome.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

December activities for the family included the Luminary Walk at Dow Gardens and a visit to the Santa House. The whole garden path was lit with luminaries and the conservatory boasted a huge display of pointsettas. It was lovely. The pictures can't capture it. The Santa House is Santa's home away from home during December. It is filled with all things magical and Christmas-y. It was a long wait, but the boys got to climb into Santa's sleigh, and tell Santa what they want for Christmas. When we went back outside, they got to see Comet and Cupid. They had real reindeer in a pen outside. Just two at a time for visits though.

Love and dying

Gabe got sick at school last Friday. It was the first time he threw up in a long time. I was trying to remember, and I think it's been about three years since it last happened. So, of course, he doesn't remember it. He really keeps things in perspective though. As he lay on the bathroom floor, he whined, "I'm dying!"
"No, you're not dying," I said, "but I know it doesn't feel very good right now."
"No. I really am dying! I know it! You just don't want to tell me."
Hmm. Seriously. Drama, much? I am happy to report the 24-hour stomach flu bug that went away with only a bit of puke (though clearly much emotional pain, I'm sure) did not, in fact, kill him. He is alive and well.

On a happier note, Chi said to me for the first time, "Love you, Mom." Kind of caught my breath a bit. I was tucking him into bed. I've just gotten so used to him not saying a lot of things that it never occurred to me before then that I had never heard him say that. I knew he loved us, of course, but it makes a mom kind of weepy to hear it sometimes.

Gingerbread Houses - A How-to

One thing that is so much fun to make with kids around the holidays is a gingerbread house because they just love the piles of candy to choose from. But who has the time and patience to make an actual gingerbread structure that will hold up to young kids' hands? So cheat. I had Gabe bring home four milk cartons from school. Milk cartons are harder to come by now-a-days, but a school will give them to you if you go in and ask at lunchtime, as long as you are prepared to dig them out of the trash yourself. Me, I let my kid do the dirty work. Crafty, I know.

After washing them and letting them dry. I hot glued them shut and then glued two together so I had one long ridge line on the roof.

Then I hot glued graham crackers to the milk cartons. You heard me, hot glue them. For mine I used half a graham cracker that I had to trim a bit with a knife to make it fit on the short end. I glued those on first.

Then one full size graham across the long side. There was a bit of a gap from the edge of the graham to the top edge of the wall, but this will be covered by the roof, so don't sweat it.

Next, the ends need triangles. This is a little trickier, but not hard. I took half a graham, laid it on my cutting board, and used the house itself as my template. I laid it on top and used a knife to cut it to size, and then hot glued it in place.

Last, the roof, each side needs a full size graham. The cracker is slightly larger than the roof itself, allowing for a little overhang like a real roof. When you glue them on, make them meet on the ridge line.

Now you need glue. Here's a good stiff frosting recipe that makes great glue:
Cast of Characters:

2 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. water
Beat until frothy.

Slowly add 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, beating after each addition until you achieve something inbetween soft and stiff peaks. It will be thick and pasty. Perfect for strong glue.

Now the fun part. Use whatever candies you desire. (I rotated this picture, but it didn't want to stay and I give up. You get the point.)

Just plan on extra for eating. For the boys, especially Chi, it was easier to just cover a side at a time with frosting and let him go nuts adding whatever he wanted. If you wanted to be more sophisticated about it, you could just put the frosting where you wanted glue something on. But that's all there is to it. Fun and simple.
(Obviously, don't eat the graham crackers now that they have glue, but you can pick at the rest.)

Dot, dot, dot

Church was interesting today. Chi serenaded everyone with high pitched screaming which led to his banishment to the nursery, where in desperation for quiet, calm children, "A Goofy Movie" was enjoyed.

During the prayers I had a moment. I guess we were praying for all the things that sustain life like water and such, and I heard "the hair that encircles the earth." Hair? or maybe that was hare; there are a lot of bunnies. Oohh, AIR. That makes more sense. Pretty much giggled the rest of the way through.

During the Great Thanksgiving, the bulletin shows the start of the sentence, then ..., followed by the closing of the prayer. Gabe groaned, "Not the dot, dot, dot. That takes forever!"

Yeah, church was interesting.

Lo and behold

Matt actually came up with a Christmas gift idea for himself if you are looking (or I guess birthday): http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-113-837-219-AM
He would like two of these VW key blanks.

Praise the cheese

Gabe and Chi are in choir at church. This is just okay for Gabe, but for Chi it is the best thing in the world! It's the only activity he's old enough for, the only thing that the poor thing doesn't have the door shut in face as big brother goes off for the fun on the other side of that dang door. So, Chi sings all the time. Only his pronunciation is slightly off.

See if you can figure out what he's really singing when he sings, "Hi-gouda. Hi-gouda. Hi-gouda. Amen." Ah, bless his heart. People don't often sing the praises of cheese (I mean literally sing the the praises.)

He also switches it up and yells, I mean sings, Beck. "Where it's at! I got two turntables and a microphone!"

I'm just tearing up...I see Grammy's in our future. ;)

Sharpies and whatnot

I still can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here. A couple weeks ago, it felt like a couple weeks was a nice amount of time, but now I'm "what? where'd the time go?" Mostly the only stress that causes is with school, just making sure I get all my assignments done on time.

Today I am bouncing around between projects. I am on a mission to add texture to my home. At first I was just thrilled to paint color on the walls, but after living with that awhile, I realize that it doesn't do much more for me than rental white walls. So, in the long hallway I am drawing pattern on one wall with sharpie markers. Although it kills the sharpie fast, it's still a bit easier than messing with paint or stencils.

I am also working on painting. I am sticking with watercolor right now. I'm a bit surprised with myself, but I don't know. I guess I'm just feeling the medium right now. But I have to take lots of breaks because I have to wait for things to dry. It's not exactly a speedy medium.

Basement update: we have picked carpet and had the measurements done. There isn't enough in stock, so it has to be order so it will be at least another week (plus some because of the holiday) and we will have carpet. I am so excited to be able to use the basement!

Not much

There is really not much to share from the home front. I did discover this week, after all the rhetoric from the various Republican victors that I am not really an American because they know what ALL Americans think. Since what they say is not what I think, I guess I'm not American. Interesting. Explains a lot, I think. Oh, well. It's not the first time I was called out on my lack of American-ness. So, I voted, and the chips did not fall my way, and I do truly believe America is going to have one hell of a hang over from this vote, but I can't change it. So, I'm mostly (not completely) ignoring it all now.

Chi decided all day Friday and Saturday to pee wherever he happened to be standing. Annoying as he never has accidents at daycare. So after throwing lots of clothes in the laundry, I put him back in diapers. Maybe bad parenting choice, but it was a choice for self-preservation. Actually, strike that, it was a choice for child-preservation. I was really getting mad. Then, for no apparent reason all day Sunday he had zero accidents, and ran in and used the toilet all by himself several times. When we did know he was going, he kicked us out so he could do it himself. Hey, I'll take it. Actually, not having to physically take him to the bathroom and remind him all the time is awesome.

The basement remodel is coming along, but it's a big headache. I think (fingers-crossed) all the painting will be done today. This week we will go pick out the carpet. I'd love it to be installed before Thanksgiving, but we'll see. The built-in bookcases, cabinets/entertainment center will not be done before Christmas, but once we get the carpet down, the space will be usable again. Really, that is all I'm going for with my low expectations right now. On the up side, we really like the wall color and the drop ceiling looks ten times better with just the addition of a fresh coat of white. Part of the reason I am impatient is because I know what I want to do with some other projects now, but I am not going to spend any money on other things until I know what the finally tally on the basement is. Some other stuff may have to wait.

Halloween and other happenings

Halloween was fun. Gabe was Han Solo (and I am quite proud of myself for figuring out how to make the boots and the holster out of pleather), and Chi was the Cat in the Hat, but he refused to wear his red bow tie. Oh, well. They did not trick or treat long because they were cold and because my kids felt like 2/3 full buckets were plenty full. I love that they don't feel like they need mounds of candy. We are very socialist with candy and treats around here; they were automatically going to combine it all into the candy/treat jar for everyone, but, partly because they ought to enjoy their own loot, and partly because it wouldn't have fit in the jar, I had them keep their buckets separate for now.

Gabe picked an elaborate Star Wars plan for his pumpkin, so I had to carve his, but for the first year Gabe did carve a pumpkin himself. We bought extra this year for decoration, so he was able to have his Star Wars, and still have one with a simple face he could try. He did alright. Chi just got to choose the shapes for his pumpkins face. Neither of my kids like pumpkin guts so Matt had a lot of scooping to do since I was busy drawing and carving.

I was accepted into a juried art show (juried means a judge decides if you get into the show or not, so it's more prestigious than an open call). It's at an art center here in town. The theme was Crystals and Wonder: the Art and Science of Snow, so I did a watercolor of a single snowflake. It's a microscopic view that is semi-abstract, meaning it looks like a snowflake, but it's simplified down to it's essence. Now, we will see if it sells. Part of me would like it to because I have never sold any art work (I give it away usually), but I don't have great shots of it for my portfolio so part of me hopes it doesn't so I can get better pictures. But that doesn't really matter. I am just proud of myself for get out there with my artwork. It's hard to risk the rejection.

And an update on school for Gabe: we've talked (and talked) with his teacher and principal and I think things are going to get better. They are finally addressing the advanced readers with a separate reading group and Gabe likes that so far. They are also address the math with an advanced group that does do extensions now instead of just working fast and sitting around. I'm still doing spelling and flash cards at home, but Gabe really likes doing it and now it doesn't feel like I have so much extra to do. The important thing is that they are taking it seriously now, and they aren't annoyed with us yet. I do feel like everyone is wanting what is best for Gabe.

Christmas Lists

Okay, for train stuff, see the earlier post on Gabe's Christmas List.

Both or either:

• Toy Story 2 DVD
• Toy Story 3 DVD (set to release Nov. 2)
  
• Princess and the Frog DVD
• Curious George Christmas DVD
  
• Zhu Zhu pets (these are fake hamsters, if one gets one, they both need to get one)
• Pillow pets
• Imaginext aircraft carrier

Chi:

• Buzz Lightyear action figure (it's about 12 inches tall or so, and has all the bells and whistles like the "real" Buzz Lightyear.
• Mobigo games (this is a made by vtech and can be found at any toy store, Walmart, Target, etc. He has the Toy Story game)
• Magneatos or other magnetic building toys
• Geotrax, especially the ramp pack, but any of the track or set add-ons, including the Cars sets
• Imaginext Batman accessories, we already have the Batcave
• underwear 2T/3T size
• Chi wears 3T clothes right now.

Gabe:

• DS games (he only has Lego Star Wars)
• Anything Star Wars: toys, Legos, dress-up...
• Legos, especially the boxes of legos, or wheels, or other pieces of interest rather than the sets
• Easy bake oven mixes
• kid's cookbook (colorful, something to actually make a real meal with help for our budding chef)
• easy bake oven cookbooks - "Baking with Mommy Cookbook: Recipes for Kid-sized Ovens" and "Easy Bake Gourmet" (The first is more practical but it's really just desserts and the second is probably a bit out of Gabe's league, quail eggs?, but I still think he'd get a kick out of it because he loves Iron Chef, Top Chef, etc. Who knows, he might even want to try new things if he made them himself in his little oven. Both available on Amazon)
• Gabe wears Boys size 5 or 6. He's sort of in-between right now. All pants must have elastic either all the way around like sweats or the hidden extend tabs like jeans. The boy is so skinny, they won't fit without it!
• Easy chapter books such Magic Tree House (anything above book #6), Jigsaw Jones, Pee Wee Scouts or Nate the Great or Easy Reader books level 2 or 3
  

Becoming one of "those" parents

Someday Gabe will forgive us. I hope someday he may even thank us. But we are becoming "those" parents. You know, the ones who are forever ostracized because they rock the boat. Who won't just sit down, say "our school is the best ever!" and otherwise shut up, and who give generously. You see Matt and I have this crazy notion that schools should be in the business of educating. Crazy, I know. As much as I strongly believe in arts, foreign language and gym classes for all students, I also want my child to actually learn the basics. While some schools in our nation are fighting for an art class, we have to fight for a math class.

Alright, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. Let's start with math because I brought it up. Math has been ridiculously easy for Gabe so he's bored. He told me math wasn't any fun. So, I talked to his teacher. Now he is in an "advanced group." But all that has amounted to is that they go and do the worksheet faster than the rest of the group and then read a book. Now, they did a lot on patterns. That's fine. Patterns are important, but instead of going to read, why couldn't the teacher extend the learning? Why not look for number patterns, or patterns in the world? Or at least play a math game. So far, this has not improved. We have begun to teach math facts at home. Schools seem to have gone away from memorization and we think it's important, so that's one thing we are now teaching at home.

He was never tested on his reading level and was started significantly lower than his level. We have gone back and forth and all around on this. You see, they read Accelerated Reader books and take comprehension tests. Okay. fine. But the teacher has set a goal of 100 AR books. If a student achieves this goal she takes the student out to lunch and buys them a book. So, if you are reading this, you likely know Gabe. How well do you think he'd take it if I just said, no, you aren't going to reach that goal? It's not that he can't read 100 books, he just can't read 100 chapter books before the end of the school year. That means that he has to read far below his level to reach the goal. Now, the only time in class that they are getting to practice reading on their reading level is with the AR books. Are you seeing the problem? Quantity over quality, apparently. So, now he's being actively held back, but there is nothing I can do about that without taking away the chance of the lunch with his teacher. So, now I have to get him through the easy books and then challenge him with harder books myself. That's okay, but now I'm up to two things I have to do completely at home.

Rather than having spelling and grammar instruction, it will just be modeled for them during reading and writing time. Eventually they will pick it up. New levels of ridiculousness courtesy of our public schools. Three things I have to teach at home.

(Interestingly, Gabe doesn't mind the extra math work at home, but he's mad about the spelling tests. I need to come up with a good reward for those. Any ideas?)
About the only thing that seems to be going well is science.

They also do lots of cheesy projects that don't have much educational value, but I guess I am okay with that too. I don't think that they shouldn't have any fun. I just think the focus should be on fun because they are learning. And learning while being engaged in meaningful work rather than busy work.

So we've tried talking to the teacher, who is now hurt that we don't trust her. To that I was just a bit dumbfounded. She has only given lip service to the issues. She has a bright, inquisitive kid who has a great thirst for knowledge. That should be a blessing to her, but I constantly feel like she treats it as a large burden. We will be talking again. But we are also meeting with the principal next week. I wish I was able to have more faith in this working out, but I don't.

So, in the meantime we become "those" parents. Who will forever more be labeled as difficult, and that label will follow us the rest of the way through this elementary school. Gabe will be unfairly judged by it, but that is what happens. I know it's a fight I won't win, but I guess when it's a fight worth fighting, winning isn't what's important. Not giving in is what's important. So, in the meantime, you can find us over here in Crazyland, where we expect more than just advancement through the grades, but actual education. I know, I know. Still wasting our time with that critical thinking nonsense...

Autumn perfection

We had a really nice weekend. Matt's parents came up to visit. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, so it made for a great trip to the pumpkin patch. We went to Johnson's Giant Pumpkins again this year. They have a really nice variety of activities, but the big draw is the trebuchet. We watched a 74 lb. pumpkin fly almost a 1000 ft. Gabe and I ran down to check the spot where it impacted. There was nothing but some bits of shell and a mushy crater. It was pretty awesome.

The boys took a ride on the mini train and got to see some birds. I think they saw geese, but lately Chi insists every large bird is a duck, so according to him, that is what they saw. We came home loaded down with pumpkins and gourds. Slowly, but surely, we are starting to get the home decorated for Halloween.

Chi's costume is pretty much ready to go. He is going to be the Cat in the Hat. I still have a bit of work to do on Gabe's, but it's about half ready. He is going to be Han Solo. Really it was all about weapon choice this year for Gabe. He wanted to be a storm trooper so he could have a blaster. I pointed out that it would be easier to make a Han Solo costume and he had a cooler blaster, so that worked for Gabe.

Yesterday was also a nice day, but we were tired out. While Matt and Chi napped, I had on the Colts game. Gabe looked at the score and asked, "Is that how many tackledowns they have?" Oh, yeah. We've educated him well in sports. I tried to explain touchdowns and field goals, but every time some one got tackled, he said, "Yea! A tackledown! How many points, Mommy?" I think we are going to have to work on that. :)

What Gabe wants for Christmas

I am starting my shopping early so I can spread the cost out and make it more enjoyable for me to do the shopping. I thought others might be doing the same, and since what Gabe wants is so specific, I thought I would start his list on here now.

What Gabe wants the most for Christmas is a great start on his train table. We are doing an HO scale set. We haven't selected buildings yet, but we are thinking Northeast scenery. If you prefer things like trees and such, evergreens or deciduous would be appropriate. We are planning on Autumn for the season. So, here's stuff that he needs to create our layout.
Track pieces (Atlas True-Track):
4 460 18" curves (pkg 4)
3 450 9" straight (pkg 4)
1 452 3" straight (pkg 4)
2 478 left-hand turnouts
2 479 right-hand turnouts
2 465 terminal joiners (pkg 2)
Girder bridge (Atlas 885)

Since he only needs the amount of track I have listed here, please put a comment up here if you buy it so that others can see that it has already been purchased. We have a lot of scenery to fill so it's okay if you guys go nuts on the trees or flock or whatever catches your fancy, but just give a heads up to all the family if you happen to buy some of the track. And if you really have no desire to go to a train hobby store, I will put up a list of other stuff sometime in the next few days for both boys.

Ladies' Man

Gabe has a new girlfriend. Well, he'll tell you he has two girlfriends because he still has Larsen too.

We went to Amanda and Mike's (or as we call him, CA, which is short for Commander Awesome) wedding this weekend. Gabe is still so excited that he went to Canada. Gabe was Ring Bearer (or Ring Master, as Sienna kept saying). So, through the course of his duties he met the Matron of Honor, Kim. He really liked Kim. He danced with her many times. Actually he also danced with Cindy, the other Bridesmaid and his cousins. He really didn't want to leave any girl on the sides. But he only had eyes for Kim. He was very proud that she told him her husband would be jealous of the handsome little man who was so attentive to her. :) Alas, it will have to be a long distance relationship since she lives in Virginia.

The kids were very cute that day. Here's a picture of the cousins: Chi, Sienna, James, Gabe and Sylvie.

Seeing Red

I am taking deep breaths. I have counted to ten enough time to reach a million (well, maybe...) I love my kids. Really I do, but sometimes they drive me so crazy I just want to scream. I would love to escape to a sound proof room so that I don't have to hear, "Mom!"..."Mom!"..."Mom!" when they know they are supposed to be sleeping.

What is it with kids? It is like they know exactly when you don't feel your best no matter how carefully you hide it and that's when they pounce. That's when they decide even though they've fallen to sleep with no trouble many nights in a row, the night you need it the most, is the night they refuse.

I really have stuff to do that is impossible because of them. I also just really want to lay down and rest, but that's not going to happen either.

I love my kids...but grrr!

Crane Lake

Some pictures from the summer, at Crane Lake.

I'm awake

We had a busy long weekend. A football game, a play date for Gabe, a dinner with friends that went much later than expected, and a get together with another family. Chi crashed on the couch before dinner tonight. But he didn't stay asleep. He woke up at bedtime. So a warm bath, a story and to bed. It worked...for about an hour.

He walks out with his arms outstretched gesturing for us to keep our seats and said, "I'm awake. I'm awake." I couldn't help giggling. So he curled up with us and watched the end of the movie we were watching. But then I said bedtime. And he said, "No bedtime. I want Graump (meaning Grandpa)." He accepted that Grandpa had to be at his house and we had to be at ours. But it got me wondering how much he wriggled out of bedtime during his week at Mom and Dad's. :)

I Have a Dream Anniversary

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!³

(Not so) Lazy, (but definitely) Crazy, Hazy Days of Summer

Hello? Anybody still out there? It's been awhile. I haven't been home much this month, and up until this week, when I was home, I was taking classes three days a week. It's been a tiring marathon of a summer.

Classes went well. I took Psychology of Human Development and Intro to Watercolor Painting. I needed them so I can go to grad school next year. This fall I am taking Ceramics and then completing my portfolio and applying.

The first weekend of August we went to Crane Lake, MN. We stayed with my grandma in the same cabin she rents every summer since longer than I've been alive. My aunt, uncle and cousin also were there. It was a good trip. The boys liked the boat rides (though Chi kept falling asleep on the boat), Gabe went fishing and managed to sacrifice his rod to the fish (in other words, he dropped his pole and it sunk), and we saw bears. We went to a wild bear preserve and got to see about 40 bears just sitting around eating. The cubs were perched up in the trees. Oh, and Grandma, Aunt Jeryl, and I all did Jello shots...mostly just because they were there and Chase told us to.

On our way back home, through the Upper Peninsula, we stopped off and played on the Lake Superior shore (clear, beautiful, amazing water!) and the Lake Michigan shore as well. It was kind of fun to be in both great lakes within a few hours of each other.

After a whirlwind final weeks of classes for me, we loaded up the car again and drove to Springfield to drop the boys off with Mom and Dad. Then Matt and I drove on to New Orleans to (belatedly) celebrate our 10th Anniversary in the city where we spent our honeymoon.

We had a nice trip. The French Quarter is now dirty, stinky and not very well maintained. That part was sad and disappointing. But we plowed our way through the city, one forkful at a time. Really, NOLA is all about the food. People think of Bourbon Street and the drinking, but it's the food that makes the city sing. We had an amazing meal at Domenica and even met the chef. I still dream of that desert... Muffaleta's from Central Grocery (twice!), beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde, red beans and rice and crawfish etouffe at Coop's, cheeses and preserves at the art museum... oh, I'm hungry just thinking about it all.

And that's not to say there was no drinking. We had great fun at Pat O'Brien's, where Earl kept the drinks flowing and we met Pat and Lucy who ran around with us for the night. (They were old enough to be our parents, and we were the ones to throw in the towel, how sad!) I sat at Carousel Bar and chatted with a local (of all places to find one!) which was cool because the bar really is a carousel that moves slowly around. And we popped into other places, including a jazz club. One of the best parts of the trip was the day we went to the Museum of Art and the City Park. It was beautiful up there. The museum was great and the sculpture garden was worth the visit.

Now we are home. We have traveled enough miles this summer to have crossed the country and started back. The car is tired and beginning to protest. We are happy to be home. We do have Amanda's wedding next month, but other than that we are refusing to travel for awhile. We need the break! School starts for Gabe after Labor Day. Matt has started working this week and he starts teaching next week. Chi's great adventure will be part time day care. I think it's still going to be busier than I'd really like, but at least we are about to have a routine again.

It's hard to say goodbye

Last week Matt's Grandpa White passed away. He had fought a long, hard battle with cancer. This weekend, along with many others, we will attend his funeral. He was very well respected in his community, and not just because he was a good coach, but because he was a good man. He lived a life that is a worthy example to all. He was patient, concerned about the welfare of others, and willing to help people in any way that he could. He respected others for the simple fact that they were people. How many of us can always say the same? He told Matt that he wasn't afraid of dying because he had never been afraid to live. I hope that I can live to the fullest, without fear. Grandpa will be missed.
If you should wish to make a contribution in honor of Dean White, there are two different memorial funds.

To support cancer research: Jerad Foundation 900 Havemann Rd. Ste. B Celina, OH 45822, jeradcenter.com.

To support hospice care: Community Health Professionals 816 Pro Dr. Celina, OH 45822, comhealthpro.org.

Trials and Tribulations

Chi wants underwear, specifically "Cars" underwear. But he's not had much success with using the toilet. He is interested and "tries" at least once a day, but it's usually after he's already gone. So, we decided to promote this desire for the underwear because we are sick of diapers. (I secretly think that's the real reason any kid potty trains. The parents hit a wall.) So, it's going to messy. Chi is pretty lazy about things too, but physically I believe he's capable. We've geared up. Fun underwear so he's excited to wear it, a new Thomas toilet training seat, and even an extra step stool so we don't have to move our one from the sink to the toilet and back. The only thing I can't find is rubber pants. I'd really like those for when we go out.

This morning he wanted to put on the underwear, but he wasn't letting anyone help him. He was upset because he couldn't get them on. Finally, Matt made him accept help and pulled them up. Chi was more upset. Lightening McQueen was emblazoned on Chi's butt. Gabe casually looked over and said, "Chi, Lightening McQueen doesn't want you to poop."

After Matt and I had our fits of laughter, Chi was indicating the problem was HE couldn't SEE Lightening McQueen. It's not good enough to know he's there, I guess. (Or that he can't see the front once he has pants on anyway.) He also was mad when Matt offered to put him in a diaper. So right now he's been running around naked. Sigh.

Home Sweet Home

We've been in the house for a little over a week, and it feels so much like home that it's hard to think of the other house as ever having been home. I have painted the living room and half the kitchen. I like both colors (living-yellow, kitchen-green), but I'm wondering if I need to make a change. I think the colors next to each other remind me a bit of a gender-neutral baby room. I'll have to live with it a while, but the paint guy at Lowe's and I may be getting pretty chummy. Gabe's room was already a blue we liked, so that was good. Chi's room is now the color of mac and cheese, and being his favorite food, that seems appropriate.

We have vegetable growing out back. Matt is so excited about our tomatoes. We have three varieties: beefsteak, Roma, and Mr. Stripey. How could we resist a plant called Mr. Stripey? How could anyone, for that matter? He also has bell peppers, jalapenos, zucchini, radishes, beans, cucumber, and (the one he's most excited about) cantaloupe. We also have containers full of various herbs.

The boys now have a giant trampoline. I worry a bit about them getting carried away and hurting themselves or each other, but I like this. It's a good energy-burner and it's something they won't quickly outgrow, like a traditional playset.

We have more work to do, particularly in the basement (which is right now just a pile of boxes), the garage (which is right now just a pile of empty boxes), and some additions to make outside, but it's coming along and it can't all happen overnight.

Homemaking

We've been busy at the house. We have the living room, hall, and Chi's room painted. I still have to paint Chi's closet doors and the kitchen. I don't know if the kitchen is going to be done before we move in or not. It's a lot of work and one of has to stay with the boys while one paints so it's taking awhile.

We did yard work today. Matt put the vegetables in and we planted some marigolds. Gabe picked those. Sometimes I feel tired and just see all the work that needs to be done, but days like today, it starts to feel like home. We'll start moving furniture soon. We hope to be sleeping over there by next weekend.

And as to the new layout. Blogger offered new choices, so I was messing around and then it turns out they don't offer the old one anymore. So, it is likely to be different. I may mess around some more to see what I like. But feel free to leave your opinion of it in the comments.

Entering the ranks of homeowners

It's official. We own a house, or as Matt likes to say, we own a mortgage, which is a bit more honest. Closing wasn't too bad. It actually took under an hour. And signing wasn't so bad, but I did tell Matt I should have had him take my last name instead when we got married because signing Jennifer Jones would have been much faster and easier than Jennifer Vannette. It's a lot of n's to make. :)

We went over and settled on paint colors and let the boys run around and think about how their rooms should look. Chi mostly just ran around and enjoyed the echo since it was empty.

I think Matt and I are mostly just exhausted right now because all the stress is leaving us. I'm happy, but I mostly just want a nap right now. :)

10 years

Yesterday was our ten year anniversary. We celebrated small this time, but we'll take our anniversary trip later in the summer.

I said, "We've been married ten years; that's a third of our lives."

Matt replied, "I know. Will you stay married to me for ten more years?"

I laugh, "Well, yeah. Now that you have a real job, you're the gravy train."

Matt, "I'm not so much a sugar daddy as a high fructose corn syrup daddy."

Rollercoaster

Things are cruising right along with the house. The new roof is on and it looks good. I'd been stressing because I did not just choose to replace the roof with the same color that was there. Sure, there were sample boards, but those are only so big and any color en masse is different. But it came out great. The FHA appraisal happened yesterday and so far we have not been contacted about any red flags, so we are taking the stance: no news is good news. We are scheduled to close on June 9th. So that's all good and we are looking forward to moving to the new house. It's tough waiting though.

We wondered if we should really invest in staying in Michigan though, but finally decided we should do it. Now we are on the hook with the house. So of course the other shoe drops. (I wonder where that expression even comes from? Anyways.) The state has decided to slash education to make up for its budget woes. I still can't understand why this is always an acceptable option to legislators. So they want to immediate cut salaries by 5% and then freeze salaries for three years for all teachers Kindergarten through college. To do this they actually have to amend the constitution and they know it won't be popular so they just made it public yesterday and they are pushing to vote by Friday.

So, we are kind of screwed if this goes through. We've notified our senator about our position, the teacher's unions are fighting, but the way politics roll nowadays, I have no confidence. For our kids, it means they are going to drive good teachers away from the state thereby hurting education. For Matt, well, it's going to hurt. It means all the plans we've laid our for the next five years are scraped and that I can't go back to school. Chi was going to start part-time day care so that I can work on my portfolio and get back to painting in general. That won't happen. I'm sad right now because it should be a happy time for us to have our own house, but now it feels more like an albatross.