Life and Times of the Sharp Family

Tonight I was doing the dishes after dinner, and while I washed and scrubbed, I listened to my son practice his piano. I heard him go through the repetitions of his exercises -- carefully, meticulously. I smiled as I thought about how far he has come in such a brief time. As he finished, I said to him over my shoulder, "Buddy, I love listening to you practice." And do you know what? That kid came in and gave me a squeeze. Tonight I was so thankful to be able to listen to him play --and for that hug. It was a sweet and wonderful moment. Thank God for piano practice! Lord, thank you for the opportunity to listen to my son practice tonight and for the hug he gave me. In your name I pray, Amen.

We took full advantage of our time home together today to have some fun. We made a "Harlem Shake" video in the morning: And we played in the snow this afternoon: I am so thankful that my family is up for doing crazy, fun activities.  And I'm grateful for the time we had together to do them. Thank God for our snow day fun! Lord, thank you for a day together and for the chance to have some fun.  Thank you for my family, who is up for almost anything.  In your name I pray, Amen.

After a wild drive home in the snow, it felt very good to "slide" into home. Lord, thank you getting us all home safe and sound. In Your name I pray, Amen.

It's the silliest, most simple thing, but it makes a huge difference in my morning routine. Instead of wearing my heels to school, I have been wearing my big fuzzy boots.  Then, once I'm in my classroom, I change into my heels.  I know you are probably surprised, because this requires me to think ahead.  Believe me, I am just as surprised as you. It's so odd, but I am a much happier person when I wear my boots for this extra 45 minutes.  As soon as I realized this a couple of weeks ago, I started wearing them every day for my drive and bringing whatever dress shoes I wanted to wear in a bag to change into once I was inside the high school.  I don't have to worry abouts stepping in puddles or slipping and falling in the parking lot at daycare or at Western anymore because I have some major tread under me. And instead of my feet being wet, cold, and cramped in the van, they are warm and comfortable.  I feel like I am wearing slippers all the way to school while I sip

Shortly before bed, Dharia came downstairs, resplendent in her princess gown.  She led Breslin into the middle of the living room, where they bowed to each other, then commenced to go through a series of ballroom dance-like maneuvers together.  Colby and I watched open-mouthed as they turned and twirled, dipped and sashayed.  They took a final bow and turned to us for our assessment.  I was so flabbergasted that I couldn't do anything but clap and smile.  I've always wanted to learn how to dance -- in any form really.  I'd love to ballroom dance, but I think I'd be equally happy learning how to salsa dance or swing.  But I have to imagine that what I saw from my kids tonight would rival anything I'd be able to pull off on the dance floor -- and certainly anything Colby could. :)  I was grateful to be able to experience this moment between my two oldest kids tonight. Thank God for ballroom dancing! Lord, thank you for the creativity and sweetness I got to see i

After going way too long without seeing April, tonight I got to go to dinner and out shopping with my dear friend.  After dinner, we hit up Target, where we spent time browsing clothes, shoes, and purses while catching up. We laughed as we tried on silly hats and made fun of jewelry high schoolers wear.  We must have spent close to an hour and a half just farting around in Target, having a good time and enjoying each other's company. I desperately needed this time with my friend.  We once again showed that it doesn't matter what we do, just as long as we are together. Thank God for farting around in Target! Lord, thank you for giving April and I time in our schedules to be together tonight.  Thank you for the lift in spirits it gave to me and for the fun we had.  In your name I pray, Amen.

After school today the kids, Colby, and I all ended up at the Sharp's house. We had dinner and chatted. It was nice. Lord, thanks for allowing us to share some unexpected family time tonight. In your name I pray, Amen.

Who has two thumbs and drives a van with four hubcaps? This girl. As funny as that sounds, I can't remember the last time I would have been able to honestly say that. Apparently, while I traveled to Tecumseh in my dad's Saturn last night, he took my van and got 4 shiny hubcaps put on it.  It's awesome.  My van is looking good.  I am so thankful for a vehicle that runs and gets us where we need to go safely.  And I'm especially thankful for my dad, who may have been embarassed by the ghetto-ness of my van.  But, I'm guessing it's more just that he's just really awesome (he doesn't really embarass easy).  It feels nice to have someone looking out for you and taking extra special care of you.  I like it. Thank God for my hubcaps! Lord, thank you for my dad.  Thank you for reliable transportation and for all of the ways you provide for our family.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I finally made it home from Tecumseh tonight.  The roads weren't bad or anything.  I was just really, really tired.  The last 10 miles or so were rough, and I had to roll down the windows and smack myself on my cheeks to stay awake.  My eyes are on fire and my bed is calling, but I am here. I am so thankful that God was watching over me, keeping me safe and getting me home. Thank God for geting home safe! Lord, thank you for helping me get home safe.  Thank you for keeping me away from animals and keeping my eyes open.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Even though I had been home with kids all weekend long, I found myself struggling today mentally and emotionally.  I did not want to be at school.  I had a poor attitude that I fought all day long. I tried my best to stay positive and do what I could for my students, but it wasn't easy. It was a war, and by the time I got home, I was exhausted from a fighting a battle I was definitely losing.  And I missed my kids.  I had been thoroughly spoiled by those days of snuggling and playing and laughing.  The absence of this time was keenly felt by the time I finally walked in the door tonight. AJ, more than the other 2, seems to be more sensitive to me being with her or gone, and before she went to bed tonight, I scooped her up and started singing to her in the kitchen.  She had her arms clasped around me in a bear hug, and her legs around my waist.  As I sang to her, I stroked her hair, breathed in her scent, and embraced the feel of her sweetness in my arms.  For some reason, after

This morning, I decided to do a bulk bathing -- all three kids in the bathtub at once.  There was a significant amount of screaming and tears, but in the end, it was worth it.  I had three shiny, warm, clean kids.  I even brushed the girls' hair and put it up in a tangle-proof 'do. This is a ton of work, so needless to say, it doesn't happen very often that all three kids are freshly clean simultaneously.  Because I did it nearly first thing in the morning, I got to spend the rest of the day admiring my sparkling kids, inhaling their crisp, clean scent and appreciating their lustrous, brilliant hair (at least, relatively speaking).  This was especially nice because I was home alone with them, so there was many opportunities for snuggling and cuddling together (and falling asleep on the couch). I am grateful for the disproportionate sense of accomplishment this gave to me and for all of the pleasantness I experienced the rest of the day because of it. Thank God for 3 C

One of the things that is an absolute necessity for me as I train for any triathlon is a good headband. When biking or swimming, it keeps the hair out of my face and the copious amount of dripping sweat out of my eyes. When swimming, a good headband goes a long way in making your hair look presentable when you get out of the pool. It turns out that a great headband (or head Bandaid as AJ lines to call it) isn't as easy to come by as you might think. Some are too thick, some too stretchy, some become too sweat-logged, and some slide up and off my head. A couple of years or so ago, while in the throes of my first half Ironman training, I was given a Buff. It's a convertible headband made out of a moisture wicking material. It so can be bent and folded into whatever thickness suits your need or fancy. In other words, it's the perfect headband. After many, many wears, it went missing. I was devastated. I looked high and low, but my wonderful Buff was gone. I was once ag

There's one thing about the middle of February that comes as a delicious and delightful surprise every year.  I love Shamrock Shakes form McDonald's.  I saw one walk into the game last Friday night (okay, to be fair, it was being held by a person walking into the game, but I like the mental imagery of my first phrasing better) and I literally gasped with excitement.  For a moment on Thursday night when we stopped at McDonald's, I thought about running in to get one with a box of Fish McBites before I realized I was being set up for a romantic rendezvous, which was a perfectly acceptable trade.  But, my point is, in the midst of all this rambling, is that I have very badly wanted a Shamrock Shake all week. Tonight, I got to drink one.  My delicious and delightful husband brought one home with him.  It was every bit as good as I remembered. Every year, when I drink my annual Shamrock Shake, I remember when I gave my sweet little baby Dharia some of mine and she gree

Remember this song?  "Skidamarink-ee-dink-ee-dink, Skidamarink--ee-doo... I... Love... You... "Skidamarink-ee-dink-ee-dink, Skidamarink--ee-doo... I... Love... You... I love you in the morning, and in the afternoon, I love you in the evening, and underneath them moon! Oh, "Skidamarink-ee-dink-ee-dink, Skidamarink--ee-doo... I... Love... You... I... Love... You... I... Love... You. Too. Boo Boo Be Do! Mwah!" I still remember this song as the outro to "The Elephant Show" when I was a little girl.  There were even dance moves to go along with it.  Today I sang it to my little girls, who giggled and shrieked as I kissed them at the end.  They caught on quickly to the simple lyrics, and soon we were all singing it together.  It was a blessing to me today to see the smiles on their faces as we sang and to hear them say "I love you" to me over and over again. Thank God for Skidamarink! Lord, thank you for a fun an

I had a meet tonight in Sturgis.  Knowing that in the back of my head all day, I had resigned myself to an uneventful, definitely unspectacular Valentine's Day. On the way back from Sturgis, Courtney and Linda, who I had carpooled with to Sturgis, pulled into the Coldwater McDonald's to grab a drink.  When I looked out the window, I saw our little blue Saturn parked right next to us! Colby had arranged for the girls to drop me off in Coldwater after the meet so that he and I could go out for dinner on Valentine's Day!  It was an amazingly romantic surprise.  We went out for a bite in Coldwater, and fully enjoyed each other's company.  We even got to ride all the way home together. My husband made me feel so special tonight.  I am so grateful for his sweetness and thoughtfulness.  I am truly blessed to be married to this wonderful man. Thank God for my Valentine's Surprise! Lord, thank you for a memorable Valentine's Day.  Thank you for all of the peopl

I was having one of those days where things that normally don't get to me were getting to me.  My patience was wearing thin with students.  By the end of the school day, despite my best efforts to be positive, my nerves had been grated to the point where I was struggling to maintain a cool demeanor.  I needed to run. My time, like my fuse, was short.  I had to be at a gymnastics meet that evening, and I still had to pick up the kids and change my clothes.  But if I hurried, I'd still be able to get in a good workout before all that.  I threw on my running shoes and out I went. And it was glorious. As I breathed in the cold air and let the sun shine on my shoulders, I felt the stress melt away with each step.  My edges became rounded once again.  The pettiness of the day's annoyances made way for the big picture. After kicking my own butt for an hour, it was amazing how much better I felt. I am so thankful that I had this release, this opportunity to get my head

A week or so ago, we got a flyer in Breslin's school folder advertising a mobile dental clinic that would be visiting Warner.  Essentially, it was like bringing the dentist to school.  You fill out the form, listing your insurance information, and the employees call your student out of class to do a check-up right there at the school.  Genius. Going to the dentist is something that Colby and I struggle with.  To be able to schedule an appointment for the kids and get them there would require calling a substitute, using a sick day, and having a very unhappy child.   The mobile dental clinic would take care of at least two of those three problems. Breslin went to the mobile dentist today.  He got to see pictures of his teeth, talked to the hygienist about how to brush and floss, and even scored a new toothbrush. Unfortunately, however, he was also told that he had a cavity.  On his dental report card, he had listed one cavity that will have to be taken care of at a follow up ap

Today, I used the game Battleship to teach my juniors how to predict the electron configuration of an atom based on its position on the periodic table. It was awesome. To a student, every single kid in my class today was excited to do the activity I had planned.  I didn't have to harp on anyone to stay on task or listen to anyone moan and groan about the day's agenda.  I saw students engaged, practicing, learning.  It was blissful. I bust my tail every day to do what I can to help my students learn in a way that is meaningful, relevant, and engaging. I research.  I plan.  I obsess. Some days are a giant flop, some days are mediocre, and some days are really, really good.  I was so incredibly thankful for today, both for the encouragement it gave to me and for the apparent positive effect it had on my students' understanding of electron configuration. Thank God for electron configuration Battleship! God, thank you for a good day at school.  Thank you for a giving m

We were at the library today with the kids after church, checking out some books.  And by some, I mean so many that the library asked if we brought our truck so that we could bring them home.  And by some, I mean that I was worried how we would all fit in the car with said books to get home.  So, instead of squeezing into our tiny Saturn with three kids and tons of library books, I asked Dharia if she'd like to walk home with me.  It was no surprise to me whatsoever that my spontaneous, free spirited daughter agreed without hesitation.  It was realtively warm out and the library is less than a half mile away from our house, so we held hands and took off down the sidewalks of Albion.  Walking home with my Dharia was delightful.  We chatted and caught up after not seeing each other very much during the week.  We discussed the beauty of the snow.  We sang songs and laughed.  Before I knew it, we were home, and I found myself wishing that the walk home was a little longer.  I

Our girls' varsity basketball season has had a rough season. I guess that's putting it sort of mildly.  Before tonight, they have had a running clock in each game for the past two weeks.  In a tournament, they scored less than ten points. Total. I happen to have many of the girls who play for the team in class.  As a whole, they are hard-working girls, with great attitudes.  But, needless to say, they have been feeling discouraged and defeated as of late.  My heart breaks for these beautiful, interesting, funny, determined girls who just can't seem to catch a break. Until tonight, that is. Leslie came out strong, but Western held tough.  The game was close the entire way through, but in the end, the girls emerged victorious.  No running clock, no defeated looks, no tears.  Just a win. I have been following the girls all season, trying to make it to their games, get the student section going, and encouraging the members of the team I have in class.  I was so pr

There is this song that I learned when I was a kid in Sunday School: It's callled "I'm In the Lord's Army", and I sang it over and over again when I was just a sprout at Ganson Street Baptist Church.  It's the type of song with lots of choreographed movements to accompany the lyrics and extraneous shouting.  Okay, you know what? You just have to hear the song and experience this for yourself if you don't know what I'm talking about.  Here, watch this: Okay, so Dharia was singing this song today.  At least, I was pretty sure she was.  She changed the lyrics a bit. And that is what I am thankful for. My daughter sang, at the top of her lungs, with all of her heart: "I May Never March in the Infantry, Ride in the Calvary, Shoot the Artillery, I May Never Fly O'er the Enemy, but... I'm in the Lord's RV!" It brought me so much joy to hear her rendition.  I laughed until I cried, which I am always incredibly grateful f

I judged tonight at Lumen Christi, who was competing against Haslett High School. When I walked into the gym, I swore that the Haslett assistant coach looked just like a friend that I hadn't seen in many, many years: Trinea. The problem is, the last time I saw her was when I was a seventh grader. You see, Trinea and I did gymnastics together at Great Lakes for several years. We were in the same group for most of the time I trained, which meant we spent a lot of quality time together. We were quite close. I knew it would be awkward to go over to her, introduce myself, and ask this girl if she was in fact my long lost friend , but I had to know if it was really her. When I told her my name she squealed with delight and gave me a huge hug. We talked and caught up for a while until she had to board the bus with her team, exchanged numbers and promised to stay in touch. I felt so blessed to be able to reconnect with someone who shared the meaningful memories From Great Lakes and

My son asked if I would be his Valentine on the way home from school today.  I thought that was pretty cute, but it paled in comparison to the poem he recited me directly after in the van on the way home from school: "Aples are Red Blueberries are Blue Chocolate is Sweet And So are You." I am so thankful for my smart, sweet boy.  I am so glad that he wants to be my Valentine.  I know I don't have too many years left of that.  Thank God for my Valentine! Lord, thank you for my son.  Thank you for his love and for the joy he brings me each day.  Thank you for tthe way he made me feel so special today.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I have worn a lot of outfits today. I got dressed up to go to school.  I wore dress pants and a blouse. I came home with the girls midday because AJ was sick.  I wore sweatpants and a t-shirt. I rode my bike on the trainer.  I wore a sports bra and a shorts. I judged a gymnastics meet.  I wore a skirt, sweater, and heels. I came home and put on my favorite outfit of all -- my pajamas. Around here, pajamas are special.  The girls and I always wear them to bed.  There's something comforting about putting them on in preparation for a good night's sleep. AJ and Dharia like to choose their pajamas and can almost sense that's something's not right if they don't get a chance to put them on before they fall asleep. At the end of the day, I am thankful to put on my comfortable jammies too and crawl into my bed.  Today has been an especially long one, and I am grateful that I have my pajamas on and I will soon be sawing logs. Thank God for my jammies! Lord,

While I wa s riding my bike today on the trainer, I was watching an episode of  The Biggest Loser , but the wireless Internet in our house was having a little trouble streaming the video.  That meant that, obnoxiously, ever five minutes or so, the video would pause and reload.  With roughly 15 minutes to go, it quit altogether and refused to get started again.  I sighed heavily as I realized I had my last 15 minutes to pedal hard with nothing to distract me. Then, our Picasa screen saver started up.  I guess I don't notice our screen saver very much, and I definitely don't update it very often, because the pictures were not recent.  In fact the "newest" pictures that went by were of AJ's first birthday party.  I looked on in wonder as pictures I had forgotten existed went by one by one: the building of the kids' playset, camping in South Haven, our trip to Tennessee.  I puzzled over deciding which girl I was looking at sometimes ("Is that Dharia or A

There aren't too many days where I don't have to set an alarm.  This morning, not only did I not have to set an alarm, but my husband got up with the kids so that I could sleep a little longer.  I slept in and spend most of the morning in my pajamas, drinking coffee and snuggling with my kids.  I even got to take a nap after lunch, too.  It was exactly the kind of restful day that I needed.  Thank God for sleeping in! Lord, thank you for the chance to rest and relax today after a very busy week.  Please help me to catch up on sleep and recover this weekend to get ready for the week ahead.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today Dharia got to spend the evening going out on a date with Grandpa Stuart . She had a blast getting dressed up, going out to dinner, and watching MSU gymnastics. Lord, thank you for giving Dharia the opportunity to get to spend some quality time with my dad.