Life and Times of the Sharp Family

After three babies, you find out that most diaper rash creams out there don't do jack compared to Desitin.  My poor little AJ has had about the worst diaper rash you can imagine for the past few days; all red and sore and at times even bleeding.  But a little Desitin seems to dry it right up.  Tonight I'm thankful that it can provide at least a little relief from the pain for her. Thank God for Desitin! Lord, thank you for the ability that Desitin has to help alleviate some of AJ's pain and discomfort.  But you are the Great Physician Lord.  Please help her to heal so that she can go back to feeling good again.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Someone called me "innovative" today at one of our professional development meetings.  It was just an off-handed remark, but I was totally floored, nonetheless.  I am pretty sure that's the first time I have ever been described by that word.  I have never considered myself to be a super creative person or an outside-of-the-box thinker, so I am not sure how accurate of a claim it was by this colleague, but it made me feel pretty awesome today.  And while I would not say that I am necessarily super innovative, I am super stoked about a lot of the new things that I will be trying this school year.  I have standards-based grading to tackle in my classroom, I am one of the new student council co-advisors, I am doing a research project with iPod touches that I won through a grant, and I am helping to implement "Power Play" (which is an intervention and enrichment initiative that we created in our building).  There are a ton of exciting things happen...

This may be one of the most ridiculous posts that I write throughout this entire experience.  But, I was so genuinely thankful for this today that I couldn't just ignore it. I am notorious for losing things, especially my iPod, my phone, and my keys.  Today, it was my keys.  Our new building principal surprised us today during our meetings by telling us to meet her in front of the building at 11:30 am.  There we were greeted by a big yellow bus which took us to a unexpected lunch at Gene Davis and Sons, where we ate a deliciously fancy meal.  Or, should I say delicious and fancy?  It was definitely both.  Oh well.  Moving on... When we were riding the bus back to Western, I realized that my dad-blumed keys were at the restaurant still, which posed a huge problem.  Literally every key that I need was a part of that set: car, classroom, home.  And there was the smallish issue of how I would get clear across Jackson to the restaurant....

I got back from a three hour bike ride this morning with a sore butt, missing my family. To add insult to injury, this workout was supposed to be a brick.  That is, a bike followed immediately by a run to simulate the transition during a triathlon. The run wasn't long, but I just didn't feel like doing it.  I wanted to hang out with my kids and husband; kick back and drink some coffee on the porch and watch the children play. I decided that to make it a little more manageable, I would take Dharia Lou with me in the jogging stroller for the run.  You'd think that pushing a 30 pounder in a jogging stroller after riding a bike for three hours would make a run harder, not easier, but you'd be wrong.  Here's a sample of what Dharia entertained me with as I pushed her through the streets of Albion: "Mommy, what's your favorite color?  Mine is purple.  Some ice cream is purple.  Mommy, do you see that kitty cat?  It's black. Do you love it? ...

Tonight, I am thankful for Noxzema. I use it every day to wash my face and have pretty much done so since the sixth grade, when I got a free sample at school. I love its characteristic odor and they way it makes my face all tingly and cool. It's cheap, effective, and classic.  I look forward to using it every shower.  It's small pleasures in life like this that I so often take for granted.  A warm shower and a clean face can make me feel like a new person on any given day. Thank God for Noxzema! Lord, thank you for the little things in life that I so often take for granted.  Please help me to be more aware and appreciative of these sorts of things as the blessings that they are.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight, Colby and I ventured into downtown Jackson, "one of the best kept secrets in Michigan", according to the city's own website for one of the Friday Night Cruise Ins.  I guess that title was catchier than "one of the armpits of society", but that's what I would suggest. But, seriously, I guess I can't really say that Jackson is the pits.  They do try hard to bring fun things in like the Cruise Nights, and we have the Civil War Muster and the Cascades Falls and the Michigan Theatre to make up for things like the huge prison and the Jackson County Fair. So, I gotta give some props to Jackson.  It has come a long way and there are some very positive things happening.  The Cruise In was cooler than I expected too.  I have never been to one.  There were Elephant Ears, so naturally we had to have one of those. I have to say that this one was even better than the one I had at the fair this year. Score! Colby and I enjoyed picking...

Today was our first cross-country meet at the Barney Roy Invitational in Marshall, Michigan.  It is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. One of our female runners collapsed at the 2.5 mile mark during the race and was unresponsive for over 4 minutes.  It was one of the scariest moments I have ever lived through. I could feel God's hand on us during the whole situation, however, as two of the spectating parents from another team who just happened to be standing right there were registered nurses.  Furthermore, once our parents caught wind of what had happened, they rushed over to help, including one who is a physician.  Other parents called the girl's mom, arranged to take care of her stuff, and even rode with her to the hospital until her mom could get there. After a few short, scary minutes, she was alert and responsive thanks in no small part to the good hands God placed her in . I felt so blessed that He arranged those people so close ...

I made chocolate chip cookies tonight for no reason, because when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, you never need a reason. As the cookies were coming out of the oven, Bres told me that he wanted a cookie tree in our back yard. "A cookie tree?" I asked. "What's a cookie tree? And how do we get one?" To my amazement, he told me without prompting, beginning with planting a chocolate chip in a pot of soil. It was so funny that we had to get it on tape, so this is the second telling: How could I not be thankful for that? On a separate, but related note, I wanted to show you the aftermath of the cookie-eating. A comparison study, if you will.  Just observe the state of the counter in both pictures, if nothing else: Thank God for a cookie tree! Lord, thank you for my kids. Thank you for how different they are. Thank you that the kitchen won't be trashed every time we eat forever and help me to remember that and to cherish these fleeting times. Th...

When Mrs. Shore and I decided to take on the role of Student Council Advisors for this school year at Western High School, we knew that we had a huge responsibility.  Our collective vision is to see Student Council foster a positive culture in the school, to engage in activities that bring about an increase in school spirit, and to empower students to use their talents and ideas to make our school a better place. We decided that our first mission as advisors should be to recruit a core group of students who would be willing to forge ahead with us -- students who would be committed to carrying out this vision and who would draw others in through their enthusiasm; the Domino Effect, if you will. We decided to set up a table at this year's Student Registration, although neither of us were really too sure about what the effectiveness of this strategy would be.  Over the course of two days (yesterday and today) every student (theoretical) was to come into th...

Dharia walked proudly out of her first "fall" gymnastics class tonight sporting a colorful stamp on her hand and one on her foot. The first was for participating in the class. The second was for being a good listener. This momma was so proud of her little gymnast. Thank God for two stamps! Lord, thank you for Dharia and that she was a good listener tonight.  Thank you for all of the fun she has at gymnastics and for all of the things she is learning.  Thank you for giving me so many opportunities to be proud of my kids.  They are amazing and I feel so blessed that you entrusted me with them.  In your name I pray, Amen .

I saw that my sister-in-law made it Facebook official yesterday, so that means I can shout it from the rooftops: I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT! I am so thankful for this tiny miracle, this baby that is so wanted and will be so loved.  I am so thankful that I get to be an aunt, to watch my baby brother be a dad, and to welcome one more beautiful member into our family. Thank God I will soon by Aunt Alaina! Although, I think I need a more clever title, like La La or Yi Yi or something.  Anyone have any suggestions? Lord, thank you for this baby.  Please keep it safe and healthy as it grows.  Please keep Laura feeling good as the pregnancy progresses.  Thank you for making me an aunt.  I am so excited.  In your name I pray, Amen.

On a spontaneous adventure this morning, we packed the kids in the van and headed to Okemos to meet my mom and Bob at the Meridian Farmers Market.  It was a glorious, sunny and cool morning and the market was buzzing with people selling veggies, fruits, perennials, floral arrangements, and more.  The kids were excited to see a humongous (that's Breslin's new word) playground area, and Dharia entertained the crowd by shaking her groove-thang as an acoustic guitarist played and tried to keep a straight face.  The smell of kettle corn lingered in the air, and it wasn't long before Colby broke down and bought a bag.  It was demolished in a matter of minutes -- a team effort, really.  My mom is always telling me about this lady who is always there with her soap.  She's even bought me a few bars before.  Today, we got to leisurely smell each "flavor" and then try to decide which ones to take home.  Since my Zum Soap is about all used up, I am look...

Tonight Colby made me a campfire outside in our back yard after the kids were all in bed.  We sat in the swing, had a glass of wine, made some s'mores, and enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of the river.  I was so grateful for some time together to have a conversation that was not disjointed by toddler interruptions.  Furthermore, in the firelight, I couldn't notice the chipped, peeling paint, or the toys strewn 'round the yard, so I could just relax, enjoy his company, and not be thwarted by a mental to-do list being created in my head.  Thank God for a campfire! Lord, thank you for a slice of time tonight to ourselves.  Thank you for the break from the hectic pace of life.  Thank you for the beauty of our property and the chance to enjoy it.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I love it when my kids play together.  Tonight they were playing doctor.  They each took turns being the doctor and the patient.  I was amused, but not really too surprised to find that Breslin knew what a stethoscope and what the blood pressure cuff was.  I was also amused, but not surprised to find that Breslin was extremely annoyed when Dharia did NOT know how to use the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff correctly.  For the first time tonight, I really started to wonder what career they might choose someday.  It occurred to me that they might actually grow all up and have big people careers! It was a scary revelation, but a little part of me was excited to see how that all plays out.  Their whole lives are just stretching out in front of them, just full of adventures to be had and potential to explore.  I am so proud to be their momma already, and they've just barely gotten started!   Thank God for Doctor Breslin!...

We have seen a lot of fits thrown in our days as parents, no doubt about that.  But, AJ threw one of an unprecedented variety this evening.  Those of you who are not parents yet out there, let me enlighten you with something: Sometimes, TV is the answer. For us, turning on a TV show is kind of like a non-disciplinary time out.  It gives both the fit-thrower and parent a chance to settle down.  When your child is arching his or her back and screaming at that particular decibel and pitch that makes you want to claw your own eardrums out of your head to makes it stop, this can be a pretty safe and effective alternative to some things that may come to mind. As both Breslin and Dharia were out of the house on this occasion, I had my pick of TV shows with which to soothe my daughter.  I chose Sesame Street.  As soon as we both heard the familiar melody and the words, "Sunny day..." we were both significantly more calm.  Not only that, but I got to si...

Tonight, we decided to take the kids to the Calhoun County Fair, in Marshall, Michigan.  It's only ten or so miles down the road.  We have gone every year since Dharia was a brand new baby.  This was the most fun I can ever remember having at a fair. To start, the Calhoun County Fair is a completely different beast than the Jackson County Fair.  The emphasis is definitely more livestock-oriented, rather than the carnival gangster theme that I have noticed is becoming increaisngly more common in J-town.  We spent a large portion of our time walking slowly through the animal barns, stopping to pet any animals we could.  AJ's favorites were definitely the BIG horses, Clydsdales and Percherons.  The bigger the better.  One was so tall that he was resting his chin on the rafter of the barn.  He brought his head down and gave AJ a little horse kiss/sniff and she was delighted.  Dharia struck up lenghthy, detailed conversations with several ho...

Our kids were nuts tonight. I don't know what it was.  Whether they were loopy from a full day at daycare,  they were hyper from seeing us after being gone for 2 days, or it is going to be a full moon soon, I'm not sure.  But they were bouncing off the walls from the minute we picked them up from Aunt April and Uncle Brian's house, who so lovingly offered to watch them overnight for us so that we could stay over in South Haven and recuperate after the triathlon.  It's much easier to recuperate sans children, especially considering the way they were radiating energy tonight. Here's just one small example of which I was able to catch on tape: I believe Colby's exact words were, "Well, let's put them to bed before one of them dies." We did just that. But, later on, when it was quiet and the house slowly settled back down into a more relaxed state, I couldn't help but smile at their infectious enthusiasm.  Their zest for life and passi...

I finished the Half-Ironman today! I could bore you with the specifics, but I am mentally and physically exhausted.  I had a fever last night (not the best time to be running a temperature) and I think my body is still dealing with that on top of the effects of the triathlon. With that being said, I'll have to save the narrative for another time because this girl is turning in for the night! But, I am so grateful that I finished and finished safely.  I am so thankful for the loving and supportive people who came all the way to St. Joseph on their Sunday to cheer me on.  Thank you mom, April, Brian, and Colby!  I love you!  You have no idea how much it meant to me to have you there. Thank God that I am a Half-Ironman Finisher! Lord, thank you for being with me today in so many ways.  Thank you for this accomplishment.  Thank you for helping me to finish.  Thank you for placing amazing people in my life who encourage me to l...

Eight years ago I married my best friend. He is my rock, my one and only, my voice of reason, and the love of my life. Walking down the aisle to him was the best decision I have ever made.  Even though we were surrounded in beauty with candlelight reflecting off of the lake, all I could see was him. I am so thankful that I have been blessed to have been married for eight years to such an amazing, faithful, intense, devoted, funny, and sweet man. Thank God for eight years! Lord, thank you for my husband and thank you for blessing me with this marriage the past eight years.  Help us to cherish each other and remember that magical night.  Help us to grow in the year to come in order to bring honor to you through our relationship.  In your name, Amen.

I had an intimidating experience at the Steelhead Athlete Check-In today.  I got my registration packet and attended the mandatory pre-race meeting at St. Joseph High School.  I must have looked bewildered during the announcer's brief description of how the aid stations on the bike course would work.  I sure felt bewildered. Around me were a sea of svelte, determined, and experienced-looking triathletes.  I felt like I was back in Algebra II again, not wanting to ask an obvious question and look dumb in front of everyone.  One lady next to me actually had interactive course maps up on her iPad while the announcer was going over the details of the course.  Yeesh. So, naturally I waited until the very end when he was all done and had answered all of the brave people's questions.  My plan was to go up and ask privately about the bike aid stations.  Apparently, several others had unanswered questions, because nearly 50 peopled bum rushed th...

I am starting to get a bit concerned about the number of posts dedicated in some way, shape, or form to food. Oh well. Something magical happens when strawberry or raspberry newtons go from room temperature to frozen. They become freaking awesome. I know I am not the only one in the universe who feels this way because my mom taught me this magic trick many years ago.  She's awesome.  To this day, I cannot stand strawberry or raspberry newtons at room temperature.  But, put them in the freezer for a couple of hours and -- BOOM -- they are one of my most favorite snacks of all time. By the way, the freezer trick only works on the strawberry and raspberry flavors.  I hate the fig flavor regardless of temperature. Thank God for freezer Newtons! Lord, thank you for this tasty snack.  Thank you for my mom, who taught me to freeze my fruit and cake.  Thank you for the little things in life that make me smile.  In your name I p...

When I say that you can get anything on Etsy , I mean it. Do you want a necklace that looks like a miniature human heart?   How about a handmade ceramic vase that looks like Captain Spock? Festive headwear for the feline in your life? A wedding ring made from recycled metals?  Oh wait, that's my wedding ring. :) So, when I stumbled across baby leg warmers one day while browsing the site, I wasn't too shocked.  It goes without saying that I thought the girls would look beyond cute sporting some tiny little leg warmers (especially on AJ's pudgy short legs).  In my head, I rationalized their purchase by thinking of their practicality.  Just imagine how we could stretch some of those summer outfits in the spring and fall if we could only cover up their chubby legs from the cold! Tonight, we got just that chance. The girls wanted to play outside on their new swing set in the cool, crisp summer air. I added some leg warmers to their outfits and voila! R...

So, we are sitting on the porch on this beautiful evening.  The kids are all asleep and it's just Colby and I left alone.  It's quiet and dark.  The white lights strung around the ceiling of the porch cast a romantic glow over us.  I look over at my love... ...who is straining to read a book in the low light called Jellaby: Monster in the Ci t y. ...who has a hunter's cap light attached to his JCC Golden Jets hat. This allows maximimum visibility and grasp efficiency for reading graphic novels (aka comic books) in the dark. OMW. I love my husband, who embraces his inner dork and doesn't let anything get in the way of his pursuit of elementary literature! Thank God for the cap light! Lord, thank you for my husband and his silliness.  Thank you that the kids are all in bed and that we have a few quiet moments together on this beautiful night.  Thank you for our porch and for the opporutnity to enjoy it together tonight.  In your n...

Breslin won the Super Bat at the Horton Street Fair back near the beginning of July. He played "Plinko" and won a medium prize. He chose the inflatable bat. He plays with it all the time. It started out as a tuba.  Since then, it has become an airplane,   a spray can, a car or rocket, a telescope, a bullhorn, an eraser, and an absurd amount of other things that my son's imagination has conjured. Breslin and Dharia spent a solid hour today playing "Wonder Pets" in which one of them pretended to be an animal in trouble and the other one rescued them from peril as a Wonder Pet.  The bat made an appearance as the phone and as a rescue device: I am so thankful for my son's imagination and for this free, strange little toy that helps him to explore and develop that creativity. Thank God for the Super Bat! Lord, thank you for the Super Bat.  Thank you that it has given my son so much joy in so many different forms..  Than...

I got a chance to see my old college roommate and very dear friend today, J Roberts.  I was "helping" her and her family cater an event.  I don't think I was as much help as I was in the way, unless you count eating leftovers helpful.  Her dad is the chef extraordinaire.  Ever since we met, her dad -- Mr. Roberts -- has amazed me with his skill in the kitchen.  My freshman year I was introduced to his world-famous brownies.  As time went on, I experienced his talent with all kinds of dishes as he hosted team dinners.  After we graduated, I would come out to see J at her parents' house in Trenton where I would be bombarded with delicious food and then urged to take some home with me.  Today was not a whole lot different.  Mr. Roberts made chicken, mostaccioli, and vegetables and sent me home from the event with caterer's-size tray of leftover mostaccioli (Colby had some within 30 minutes of my return). As I smelled the delicious aromas ...

I won a grant from the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning !  In the spring of this year, I traveled to Detroit with a group of teachers to learn from other teachers ways to successfully integrate technology into their classrooms in a way that enhances the quality and effectiveness of learning.  It was one of those experiences where I started to get so excited about the possibilities that I was literally shaking with excitement during a couple of the sessions, frantically writing down notes and websites, eager to incorporate what I'd learned into my own classes. My dream started by dividing my classroom into groups one day after teaching them about net ionic equations.  It was clear after day one that one group of students in my classes mastered the content immediately and did not require any further explanation or practice.  A second group I identified as needing a bit more practice and reinforcement before they would have it mastere...

Breslin with his balloons looking up at the clouds during a pause in the action at Relay for Life.  Evan was about his age when he first started having symptoms of what would be later diagnosed as leukemia. Ya Ya joined in the cloud-watching.  Too cute. Tonight was Relay for Life in Jackson at beautiful Cascades Falls Park.  We took all three kids, as we are loosely associated with two teams.  There is the "B Team", which is Colby's Aunt Kristi and Uncle Ernie.  Their sweet girl, Bree, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at a very young age, but is now free of cancer.  Then, there is "Team Tyslenko" that has numerous survivors as members, but most near and dear to me is my brother, Evan who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age five. Being at Relay for Life brought back a flood of memories for me centering on the times in my life where Evan battled cancer.  It helped me to realize just how blessed we were to still hav...

I have been going a bit stir crazy lately.  I have been cooped up in my house for days on end, not having a whole lot that I have needed to leave for, other than training.  When I have to be in/around my house for long stretches at a time, I start noticing all of the things that need fixing or cleaning.  It can be a bit depressing. So, today I am thankful that I was out and about all day.  From early in the morning until late at night I had fun things going on that I needed to be out of the house for.  It alleviated some of the crankiness I was feeling, but it also made me realize that I need to embrace these last few weeks of being at home.  Because as soon as school starts up, the days will be packed from early in the morning until late at night.  And just like today, that will leave me one tired girl. So, it's off to bed! Thank God for a day out of the house! Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to get out of the house for a while t...

For several weeks, now, I have had intentions of cleaning up all of the pine cones that have fallen from the giant pine tree in our back yard into the grass.  Sounds fun, right? It's not that I mind how they look, necessarily.  Our backyard isn't exactly a candidate for the cover of Better Homes and Gardens .  But they will twist your ankles if you step on them wrong.  With three little kids running around in the back yard, I knew that I needed to somehow get rid of them. Today was finally cool enough for me to stomach the though of being out in the yard long enough to give it a go.  So while Breslin and Dharia played on their new swing set (pretending to be the Wonderpets), I filled up wagon load after wagon load of pine cones and dumped them one at a time into our makeshift brush pile by the river. After a couple of trips, Breslin and Dharia decided that they wanted to "help".  This lasted for about thirty seconds before they got distracted. ...

The S-10 truck was out and about today.  Since the purchase of the mini-van nearly three years ago (it coincided with Dharia's birth), the little green truck has been relegated to the side of the garage, where it has basically become a backup vehicle.  It also makes appearances if we need to do any light hauling, like brush to the compost center or recycling to the recycling center or other things to other centers.  I guess it doesn't have to be to a center, necessarily. I was thankful for the S-10 tonight, because it was dutifully fulfilling its role as backup vehicle while the van was getting its front end worked on (by none other than the fabulous Rob Sharp ).  It was a present to me on my 18th birthday from my Grandpa Stuart, who gave it to me as a surprise at my birthday dinner.  Since then, it has seen many adventures, such as: It made it all the way to Grayling, Michigan for Colby's first canoeing experience. It took nearly all of the freshmen...

Tonight I had a meeting with the athletic director and other fall sports coaches at WHS to gear up for the upcoming fall sports season.  Cross-country is coming! I will be honest.  I wasn't really thrilled about it. I have been in a funk all day, what with it being August and all.  Seeing the calendar flip to August is tangible evidence that summer is coming to an end.  And even though you might think that I have a whole month of summer left, with cross-country starting the 10th, teacher in-service days at the end of the month, and the inevitable brain activity that begins to whir inside my head thinking about what/how to best teach, well...this month just doesn't have that pure summer feel any more.  It's purely psychological, but August 1st always poses a bit of a problem for me. This didn't make attending that meeting any more appealing, let me tell you. But, attend I did.  And I dropped Breslin off at the Sharps' to swim and ...