Life and Times of the Sharp Family

Who thought that when they looked like this... They would end up like this... ? On our way home from the hospital with Breslin and his new baby sister, Dharia began to cry.  Breslin's first and only response was to point at her with a tiny, accusing finger and shout, "NO!" until she stopped.  Sure, they don't always get along.  In fact, many times throughout their short lives they have successfully driven each other completely bonkers.  But, tonight, as I watched them be a super hero duo, a porcupine family, and a team of racecars, I marveled at their complex and inspiring budding friendship.  I am so thankful that although they have their moments, they are undoubtedly each other's closest friends and most constant companions.  I look forward to watching their relationship grow and change throughout the years, but I don't think I will ever forget nights like tonight. Thank God for my little buddies! Lord, thank you that Breslin an...

I have a cool toe ring. And I'm super stoked about that. Thank God for my toe ring! Lord, thank you for my awesome toe ring.  Thank you for my husband, who got it for me.  Thank you that every time I look at my feet, I get to see it, and it makes me happy.  In your name I pray, Amen.

This evening for dinner we ate lasagna roll-ups. They are extremely delicious...and a little spicy. I'm thankful that I got to see AJ eat our hot pasta tonight.  It's really cute watching her get all confused as to why her mouth is on fire. She kept shoveling in the lasagna and then tearing up a few seconds later.  AJ never did figure out why her mouth kept getting hot, but it was cute watching her try. Thank God for our hot pasta! Lord, thanks for giving me the opportunity to watch my children learn about this amazing world you created for us. In your name I pray, Amen.

This morning, all of the kids were at a grandparent's house, so Colby and I had the chance to sleep in, drink coffee, watch the news and hang out together. It was weird.  And kind of nice. Colby asked me, "Remember when it was like this all the time, back before we had any kids?" And I said, "No." Before too long, we were all back together and our house was again filled with the crying, giggling, and shrieking of our three kids.  But I was so thankful for a quiet morning to reconnect with my husband. Thank God for a quiet morning! Dear God, thank you for a chance to hang out and relax with my husband this morning.  Thank you for my mom and dad, who were willing to take the kids over night.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Colby and I got to see Michigan State whoop on Nebraska tonight at the Breslin Center.  Colby finally got to cash in on his tickets that I got him for Christmas.  Anyway, we both very much enjoyed watching the antics of the Izzone Student section. They cheered with enthusiasm the whole game, never pausing to even sit down.  Their chants were creative and funny, showing their obvious knowledge of the game and love for their team.  Here are some of my favorites: 1) Reading the newspaper and saying "Who cares!" after each Nebraska player was introduced (an old standard, but it was done well). 2) Waving the arms wildly and saying "Heyyyy, heyyy!" every time the Nebraska coach got upset about a call or non-call. 3) Waving the arms like wings every time Russell Bird entered the game or hit a 3-pointer. 4) Acting "frozen" every time the camera focused on them. I was so thankful to see young people having so much fun.  Honestly, seeing them go crazy m...

Breslin loves the Here Comes the ABC's video done by They Might Be Giants.  He is especially a fan of "The Alphabet of Nations", which is shocking, I know. In the car today on the way home I was shocked to hear Breslin singing the words to the song,...from memory.  I couldn't believe it!  So, we ran into the house and got out the video camera. I love this kid. Thank God for The Alphabet of Nations! Lord, thank you for my son.  He is so cool.  Thank you for his amazing brain and for his love of learning.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I drove to school praying for strength to just get through the day.  I was in a bad mood, plain and simple.  Dreading seeing my classes in this heightened state of irritation and impatience , I desperately needed an intervention. Fortunately, God had a mind to turn my day around.  From the moment I stepped through the wide, heavy double doors to enter the school, it seemed as though I could do no wrong.  The copies I needed before first hour were already made, my lesson plans were all ready to go, and every one I ran into had a smile on his or her face. In my classes, the lesson plans that I thought were going to be a drag turned out to be amazingly effective and even fun.  I laughed with my students frequently and felt as though they were engaged and truly understood the material at a deep level.  I have been feeling like I was due for a good day at school.  I'm so thankful that even though it initially appeare...

I want to describe today as being all together uber . As in, I was uber efficient, getting all of my grading done before the day was over. As in, I ran uber fast in my workout today. As in, I packed uber-thoroughly for the transition from school to workout to judging. As in,  I was uber on-time to the meet I needed to judge. As in, I was uber on my game as the chief judge on bars tonight. As in, I was uber hungry when I got home. As in, I was uber enthusiastic about the ACT Science prep course I taught. As in, I was uber patient with a couple of students who were driving me crazy. As in, I was uber irritated with a driver who pulled out in front of me and went less than the speed limit. As in, I was uber sensitive to the odor emanating from my daughter's diaper. As in, I was uber unenthusiastic about writing this post. As in, I am uber glad I sucked it up and wrote this post anyway and I am uber thankful that today was exactly what it was...

We had tortellini for dinner tonight. Or, as Breslin says, "Spaghetti." Or, as Dharia says, "Pasketti." Or, as AJ says "Buhgettee." Whatever you call it, we got to eat it together as a big happy family tonight, with garlic bread and everything!  And for that, I am so thankful. Thank God for spaghetti! Lord, thank you for dinner together as a family tonight.  Thank you for my kids and for the funny things they do that make me laugh.  In your name I pray, Amen.

It's always tough to get going on my swim training, for multiple reasons.  First and foremost, the Dean Aquatic Center at Albion College is intimidating.  From the locker room full of svelte, athletic, college-age swimmers with advanced swimming gear to the men in Speedo suits powering past me in adjacent lanes in the pool, being there makes me feel like a turd.  Secondly, going swimming involves walking a significant distance with wet hair in the cold--never an enjoyable task.  Finally, open swim times only line up with my schedule late at night.  Therefore, I have to drag myself out of the house after a couple of hours of eating and being warm and comfortable. I have had my four-month membership for a month now and today was the first time I used it. And, you know what? It was GREAT. It was a warm, sunny day, so I didn't have to worry about my hair freezing, and I had the day off of school, so I went at a reasonable hour.  To top it off...

Today I put all clean sheets on all of our beds.  I try to every Sunday, but it's been a few Sundays since it has actually happened.  I am looking forward to crawling into a freshly made bed with pleasantly crisp sheets, breathing in deeply, and falling asleep as I inhale the satisfyingly unsullied scent of linens.  Tonight I'm thankful that there's nothing quite like a bed with clean sheets and that I get to experience that here in a few minutes. Thank God for clean sheet Sunday! Lord, thank you for giving me the time and opportunity to do some cleaning today.  Thank you for my comfortable bed that has clean sheets on it upstairs.  Thanks that my kids all get to experience clean sheet Sunday too.  Help us to all get a good night of sleep tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen .

One of my favorite all-time artists ever is the band BarlowGirl, a rock-alternative all-girl Christian group.  Their music is uniquely charged and emotionally powerful. The lyrics of their songs are challenging and, for me, very often right on the mark. Every so often, I seem to remember and again stumble upon a BarlowGirl song that hits me right in the gut, saying exactly what needs to be said to me at the perfect time.  On more than one occassion I can remember driving my car down the road with tears streaming down my face, singing my heart out to a BarlowGirl song. Tonight, it was a newer song on an album I don't own, called, " Beautiful Ending ".  I can't even believe how amazing this song is.  It's official.  I want to be a BarlowGirl when I grow up. I am so thankful for an opportunity to worship my Lord and Savior through their music and to hear His voice ringing through the lyrics of their songs. Thank God for BarlowGirl! God, thank you f...

Sometimes while I'm training, I think about the amount I have completed in a workout as a grade on a test or lab that I give my students. Like, if I'm swimming laps and I do 3 of the 5 sets, I think to myself, "Well, that's 60% and that's a passing grade.  Or, if I do four, that's an 80%, and that's a pretty decent grade!"  Technically, in education, 80% is considered mastery.  I'd hate to think about what my performance on the Ironman would be like in July if I settled for "mastery" all through my training, but we are not here to discuss the problems with traditional grading structures in education.  If you would like to hear more about that, you are more than welcome to come see my first-ever presentation at a professional conference that will take place on March 9 in Grand Rapids.  :) I was thinking along these same lines when I set a goal to read my Bible every day during the school week.  As the days marched on, I could see mysel...

This is Colby. Alaina isn't feeling good. She went to bed when I got home at 5. I'm thankful for an MSU victory. I love the 2011-2012 Spartans. I'm not much of a Bo Ryan fan, so any time the Spartans can beat them twice in a year I'm happy. Go Green! Lord, thanks for a great Spartan basketball team.

What are these pretzel things?  They are amazing!  Not quite pretzels, not quite crackers, not quite chips, but they are covered with an entirely non-natural spicy, cheesy powder.  I am dipping them in Schuler's Cheese and pairing them with a cheap wine to make this a perfect snacking experience. Thank God for spicy pretzel things with cheese! God, thanks for a great snack that I can enjoy after a tough day while watching TV.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I know it's cheesy and cliche, but I love that my husband gets me flowers on Valentine's Day.  Today at school, I was surprised by a huge bouquet of beautiful Gerber daisies during my 2nd hour class, which was enough to distract my students totally from what we were doing.  Apparently a bouquet of flowers is more stimulating that learning how to write electron configurations, although for the life of me I can't figure out why.  I felt lucky and silly, just like those high schoolers walking down the halls with their giant teddy bears and Mylar balloons. I am so blessed to have my funny Valentine, and I am thankful for his thoughtfulness today. Thank God for Valentine's Day flowers! God, thank you for my Valentine.  Thank you for his thoughtfulness today and for my beautiful flowers.  In your name, Amen.

I love our big blue couch.  It's old and comfy and covered in the residue of a thousand snacks.  Its bold blue color resists stains.  It's so deep that I have trouble getting off of it.  It's a landing mat for my girls when they jump off the coffee table and the place where I spent many nights asleep with a newborn baby laying on my chest.  It's the perfect place for a nap or for painting my toenails or for watching How I Met Your Mother while drinking a Shamrock Shake.  Thank God for the big blue couch! Lord, thank you for a comfy place to sit in our house.  In your name I pray, Amen.

We have a rocking awesome library here in the community of Albion.  You really wouldn't expect that Albion could have the quality of the librarians, the breadth of services, or the expansive facilities that our library offers.  Colby visits the library several times weekly to pick up an array of children's literature for his review and to read to our kids at night.  They are spoiled with "new" books almost daily.  I read library books exclusively, as I believe it is a cheap way to read what I want while supporting the community and being environmentally friendly.  I am a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to reading books.  No, I don't want to buy a book from the store and no, I will never buy an e-reader.  I love the feeling of turning time-worn and slightly yellowy-faded pictures that have that unmistakable smell of words and stories...and dust.  I like to see my bookmark haphazardly march from one side of my book to the other as I make my way to ...

Breslin has been making letters out of his body lately.  Tonight, he was spelling words, but my favorite part was when he decided to start being the punctuation, too. He makes me laugh.  I'm thankful I had the chance to experience his sweetness and silliness tonight. Thank God for body letters! Dear Lord, thank you for my son and for the cool things he does that make him uniquely Breslin.  Thank you for the opportunity to catch him being himself toinght.  Help me to always appreciate his personality and to help him grow up in a way that honors you.  In your name I pray, Amen. In separate news, we caught AJ using the Little Tykes slide and dancing this morning, as further evidence of the joy it brings.

After a long day, I really enjoyed sharing a Shamrock Shake with my girls. Dear God, thank you for allowing me to have a few minutes to relax with my girls this evening. In your name I pray, Amen.

We picked up one of those little tiny orange plastic slides at a garage sale a couple of summers ago for a couple of dollars.  Both of the girls have loved going up and down the little slide.  Last summer it served as the step ladder up to the trampoline.  Tonight, when we had over the Messer children, all of the kids went up and down the slide in our living room.  You just never know what your kids are actually going to like and play with as they get older.  You hope to pick out toys that they will get good use out of for a long time.  But, I am always surprised by what manages to resurface.  I think it's safe to say that the slide has more than paid for itself. Thank God for the Little Tykes slide! God, thank you for two bucks well spent.  Thank you for the fun we were able to share tonight with the six kids we had in our house.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today, I wanted to get a lot of stuff done in a very short amount of time, and it wasn't looking good. After school, I had hoped to work out, then pick up the kids from dinner, then make it home in time to do a quick change of clothes and a bite to eat before heading to a gymnastics meet. I did my workout, because I needed to, then stressed and sweated all the way home as I picked up the kids.  I knew I would be cutting it close to get to the gymnastics meet on time and I could pretty much forget about eating.  And if you know me at all, you'll know that was a huge blow to my morale. When I raced in the door with my three children and their daycare paraphernalia, I ran upstairs to change into my black and white uniform.  I grabbed my judging bag and decided to check my contract for the meet.  I did a little shout of joy when I realized it started a half an hour later than I thought! Not only did I put on makeup, but I made and ate dinner, hung out with my kid...

Crockpot, more like... ROCKpot! Okay, that was a bit of a stretch.  I'll admit it. But, when I walked into my house today and dinner was ready, a goofy grin stretched out across my face.  Colby was coming in the door with a week's worth of groceries and I had three crazy kids and all of their gear, but dinner. was. done. And while I am talking highly of the Crockpot, maybe I should mention some delightful accessories that make the Crockpot extra rock 'n roll. First, the book Fix It and Forget It .  Honestly, it's got everything.  Several versions of everything, actually.  I have found so many great meals in there, and most of them are in my zone of proximal development  as a budding slow-cooker chef, if you know what I mean.  If you don't, well, you're really not missing anything.  Please don't click on that link. Second, and critical to the enjoyment of your Crockpot, are Crockpot liners.  These beautiful, seemingly sim...

Said the almost-stranger I met once at the Yeti Chase 5K run last year (upon receiving information from me about this year's race), "Thanks for letting me know Alaina.  We were just discussing it yesterday.  AND my granddaughter was telling me what an amazing athlete she thinks you are.  THANK YOU for inspiring her as well.  We could use more role models like you.. . " Talk about a lift to my day! I was so thankful all day for these gracious and encouraging words.  It just reminds me again that kindness matters. Thank God for a nice email! Lord, thank you for the encouragement you provide in all sorts of different ways.  Thank you for the uplifting words this person chose to boost me with today.  Help me remember how it affected me and to pass it forward.  In your name I pray, Amen.

So, today State had a sort-of big game (said sarcastically).  We played Michigan, who we lost to by one point at our last meeting.  And we won!  I wish I could say that I watched the game, or at least listened to it on the radio, but that would be a lie.  Instead I took a nap.  A big one. And when I heard that State was victorious, I felt as though everything was right with the universe.  On the way home from Clare, we were almost run off the road by a Chevy Suburban.  I called 911 on the maniac who tailed us for over a mile, then swerved around us as we tried to go go back into the right lane.  When he cut back in front of us and immediately hit his brakes, he had a giant yellow block M taking up the majority of his back window. Sigh.  "How typical," I thought.  Between that, the time of day, and the Michigan fan-wear I could see them in as I watched them whizz pass on the shoulder, I'm almost positive that they were ...

Today was cool.  Our whole family managed to spend some quality time outside. Colby and I took the opportunity to snowboard at Snow Snake Mountain in Harrison, thanks to my mom and grandparents, who were willing and able babysitters. While we were gone, they took the kids out to play in the back forty, where they stomped and trounced through the wet slushy mud. When we got home the girls spent even more time outside, climbing the same rock piles and running down the same hills I did when I was a little girl. I haven't been a huge fan of the weather we have been having this winter. I am a cold weather, bring-on-the snowstorm kind of girl. But even I have it admit that the sunshine and warmer temperatures were pleasant today.  It certainly made riding the chairlift more enjoyable. Here are some pictures I managed to get of Dharia and AJ while they played outside today. Dharia looking cuter than she was acting... The girls posing for a picture, but you c...

I know.  I KNOW.  Another food post.  And tapioca?  I know it's not one of the more popular puddings.  Around here, we call it fish eyes.  And here, being Clare, Michigan, is the only place on Earth I can count on to serve homemade, fresh tapioca on a consistent basis.  I love eating it while it's still warm.  It's rich custard flavor slip slides down my throat and makes my belly feel happy.  It reminds me of Clare and my grandmommy, talking, hanging out, and relaxing up north. Thank God for tapioca pudding! Lord, thank you for family.  Thank you for the opportunity to be in Clare with people that I love.  Thank you for traditions and for food that is not only delicious, but brings back good memories.  In your name, Amen.

The Minnesota Rouser is what the WHS fight song is based on.  Every time I hear it, I stand up and clap along.  I can't help it.  For four years I lived and breathed Western sports.  Colby too.  It makes me think of playing in the marching band, cheering on our varsity basketball or football teams in the student section, or having fun at a pep assembly.  I think it's really cool that after all this time, I still get to stand and sing the same fight song I did when I was a teenager.  As you can see, my kids enjoy a good pep band performance of the Minnesota Rouser as well.   Thank God for the Minnesota Rouser! Dear Lord, thank you for my job.  It's so cool to teach at a place that made such a huge difference in my life.  Thank you for the fight song and all the memories it brings back.  Thank you for my kids and the way they make everything a little more fun.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight I'm thankful for "sleep things". Sleep things are things that make sleep time wonderful after a long day. My sleep things tonight: 1. Comfortable Alma sweatpants 2. Grandma Combs Quilt 3. Warm Bed 4. Book Lord, thank you for giving me things that help me sleep. Help me to have a good night of sleep, and help me feel rested in the morning.