Life and Times of the Sharp Family

Tonight my older two kiddos got to try out karate for the first time. I loved seeing them concentrate so hard and I was incredibly proud of them for trying something new. Not to mention, they were terribly cute throwing their tiny punches and yelling their "HI-YA!"s. They both enjoyed their time immensely and were pumped to go back again. In the car on the way home, Breslin was practicing his low block and chanting in Korean. I was thankful that they now have a physical activity that they can look forward to for the next five weeks. Thank God for karate! Lord, thank you for a fun new activity that my kids can enjoy. In your name I pray, Amen.

I am so thankful that I have 5th hour prep this semester. I am enjoying it so much more than the 3rd hour prep I had last semester.  I feel more relaxed and productive. The day seems to go faster.  It's good.  I l ike it. Thank God for 5th hour prep! Lord thank you for the change in schedule this semester. Help me to be a blessing to the students you've given me for the rest of the year. Amen.

My trip to get the oil changed in my car tonight can be summed up by explaining how it started and ended. It began with the young man doing a check if the car's exterior. When checking the wipers, the driver's side wiper broke off in his hand. It ended with gas from my gas line spraying all over him.  So in addition. To needing a new windshield wiper, I also need to take my car in to get my gas line leak repaired before someone next to me throws out their cigarette and blows my little Saturn to kingdom come. There was more, but I think you get the idea. Tonight I'm thankful that I made it home safe (ie the car did not explode) and that we have the means to repair these problems.  Within a half an hour, Colby had made arrangements with his dad to get the car into a mechanic and had secured alternate transportation for us.  I am grateful that a not so good situation didn't escalate into a horrible or dangerous one. Thank God for a disastrous oil change! Thank you for a ho

It's not often that I get crafty or creative at home.  I don't really do pinterest and I'm not much for do-it-yourself projects. But today, as the temperature plummeted and we roamed the house finding various play activities to keep ourselves occupied, I decided it was time to try out some homemade play-doh. When I was a little girl, the lady who watched me while my parents were at work would make homemade play-doh all the time.  We loved the way it smelled as she worked it into existence and could hardly wait as it cooled down enough for us to handle. The kids were amazed to watch the Play-Doh come together and happily played with it for a grand total of about 15 minutes. But that's okay.  I was proud of myself for making it and I think they were pretty impressed with my mad skills too.  I am thankful for this fun snow day activity and for the time it meant we got to spend together.  Thank God for homemade Play-Doh! Lord, thanks forgiving me fun time today with my

I love having a Biggby in Albion.  Usually, when I go, I just stick to plain old coffee.  Because, at Biggby, even plain old coffee is very, very tasty coffee. But, today, after snowshoeing for well over an hour and feeling tired, cold, and wet, I decided to treat myself to one of Biggby's specialty drinks, the Caramel Mellow.  I didn't see how I could go wrong.  The drink has all of my favorite things: caramel, coffee, and marshmallow flavoring. I wasn't disappointed.  The Caramel Mellow was warm, smooth, and an explosion of deliciousness.  The coffee balanced out the sweetness of the caramel and marshmallow and I felt warmed from the inside out. As soon as a finished, I started craving my next one.  The experience brought me disproportionate happiness. I am thankful for this small luxury and for a day slow and easy enough to both snowshoe and make a stop at Biggby. Thank God for the Caramel Mellow! Lord, thank you for a day home from school filled with lots of

Tonight, I took my kids to Awana at First Baptist Church in Albion for the first time. According to their website, Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Our programs offer a proven approach for evangelizing and discipling kids in the church and community. The kids learn verses and play games.  They are surrounded by caring adults who love Jesus.  They are immersed in God's love for them.  They are fed cupcakes (at least tonight, they were...but there is always some kind of a snack involved). I am so thankful that we took them to Awana tonight.  Dharia and AJ LOVED it.  When they saw all of the other kids sprinting around the gym before the official program started, their eyes lit up and they immediately jumped into the fray.  When it was time to go, they sobbed tears of desperation as they begged to stay. Breslin, was not quite as sold.  He never is.  He was skeptical of the loud

Today I tried something new that I have had my eye on for a long time. It was intimidating and and I had no idea what to expect, but I braved the slippery, wintery roads and arrived at Crossfit517 on Horton Road nervous, but excited to work out. The hour was filled with mostly strength training based on olympic weightlifting.  It was unfamiliar territory for me, a dedicated long-session cardio person, but I did enjoy the challenge of attempting to perform the skills that others in the class made look easy.  Within a few minutes I was drenched in sweat, and it was humbling to see that some of the exercises that seasoned Crossfitters did with ease and grace were impossible for my body to even execute.  I believe that I will be all kinds of sore tomorrow. I'm still not quite sure what I think about Crossfit.  The instructors at Crossfit517 encouraged me to try at least 4 sessions to get a complete idea of what the program entails.  They told me that many people are a bit stunned

My favorite place to be in the whole house is in the big rocking chair with my kids.  The arms of it are just big enough so that all three of them can snuggle up comfortably in it while watching a movie, reading books, or talking.  I got to do all three tonight, and I felt so lucky that I was able to just be close to them and enjoy having them near.  I feel like I haven't seen them much at all this week, and being able to spend such quality time with them was certainly both a joy and a blessing. Thank God for some time in a chair with kids! Lord, thank you for my kids and for the way that they always make things better.  Thank you for the time I was able to spend with them tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I realized this afternoon that the last time I had seen Breslin when he was awake was Sunday afternoon. I missed that boy. So, tonight, with no gymnastics meet, I was thrilled to see him walk in through the door after his piano lesson.  I scooped him up and took him immediately to our big chair to hold him and rock him and get caught up on everything he'd done since Sunday. To my dismay, the poor boy looked up at me with his big, brown eyes and sadly said, "My tummy hurts." After a few minutes of rocking, he was pretty much asleep.  I was heartbroken to realize that the time I finally had with him he would be sleeping and sick. But, I seized the moment.  I carried him up to my room, and snuggled with him underneath the covers in my bed.  For the rest of the night (almost 12 glorious hours), we slept cozied up to one another.  It wasn't what I had in mind, but it was enough just to be close to him, inhaling his sweet scent and feeling his warmth.  Thank God for some ti

Today was my first day in the classroom with my new student teacher from Albion College.  I think I was nearly as nervous as she was and probably just as excited to introduce her to all of my students. She did great.  Even though the day progressed at a frantic pace, she interacted with students and began making herself at home in my classroom. I am so thankful for this young lady and for the opportunity to help her learn the ropes of this amazingly challenging and important profession. Thank God for my student teacher! Lord, thank you for a good first day.  Please help me to have the wisdom to help guide my student teacher throughout this semester.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I  have tried really, REALLY hard during my stint as a pretty-much-almost-completely-vegan to not force my kids into adopting my eating habits. It does come up in conversation.  And I am honest with them about where their food comes from, but I try not to be scary. Today, I was surprised to hear Dharia say that she turned down her bacon at breakfast with Grandma.  Apparently she told all at the table that she "wasn't going to eat baby pigs". Tonight she told me that her restaurant was going to serve only vegetarian dishes. I don't know if she'll stick with her vegetarian convictions, but it was pretty cute to hear her talking about it tonight in her typical sincere, compassionate way. Thank God for my little vegetarian! Dear God, thank you for my daughter and for the fun things she says and does.  Thank you for the way that she thinks and cares about others.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Colby and I decided today that WE WILL BE GOING SOMEWHERE FOR SPRING BREAK THIS YEAR! It has been a depressingly long time since I have had a true spring break trip to plan and look forward to. We are so excited to spend some time in the sun with our kids.  It's only 10 weeks away! I can't wait! I am so thankful to have this trip to help get us through these cold, dark weeks and for the chance to spend a whole week in the sun with my family. Lord, thank you for helping us make this trip happen and for the excitement of the promise of a week away and a new adventure.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Colby and I went snowboarding at Nub's Nob all day today. My favorite run of the day was a black diamond named "Chute".  We went down it about a gazillion times, riding the yellow lift, which was delightfully devoid of crowds.  I felt an elated exhilaration flying down that steep hill carving front and back at breakneck speed. I am thankful for the fun we had and for the opportunity to enjoy all of the outstanding runs at Nub's. Thank God for Chute! God, thank you for the chance to spend time with my husband today doing something we both love. In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight Breslin got to go to his first ever big time hockey game. My dad took him to see the K Wings play in Kalamazoo. Apparently, they are havin a grand-old time, as is evidenced by this video my dad just sent to me. This is him trying to move the noise meter: http://youtu.be/X9g_xR89kYU I'm thankful for the relationship my dad and Breslin have and for the memories they are making tonight. And I'm grateful for the uncanny ability my dad seems to have to get Breslin out of his comfort zone.  He frequently challenges him with new adventures and experiences, which I know are valuable and meaningful. Thank God for KWings with grandpa! Lord, thank you for the time Breslin and my dad had together tonight. Thank you for the relationship they have and for the fun adventures they share. In your name I pray, Amen.

We took the kids to open gym tonight, in order to give them a chance to run around and escape the typical scenery of these long, dark winter nights. The olders were terribly excited at the prospect of some hard core playing in their gym wih their friends outside of normal school hours, but AJ was not so easily persuaded.  To my shock and awe, Dharia took the lead, sweetly bending down to her sister's eye level and doing her best to convince AJ to overcome her reservations. She impressively and passionately used examples of times when both she and AJ had conquered their fears. It was the most genuine and adorable pep talk I have ever seen. It made me so proud to be Dharia's mom. I felt wholly and entirely blessed to be her mom.  Don't ask me how, but I was lucky enough to catch some of it on video. You'll have to copy and paste this into your browser because I can't figure out how to link this from my phone.  Sorry about that: http://youtu.be/D8B31RRUR1 U Thank God f

This week has been so busy that I haven't really had a chance to work out. Like at all. I've been feeling a bit antsy, so today, I decided that I was going to run even though I was a bit tight for time. I explored the new exercise track above the Western High School gymnasium and I'm here to tell you that running 72 laps around an indoor track is as crappy as it sounds. But -- it was a run.  I was thankful for the opportunity to work up a sweat, think about things, and get a workout in before heading out to judge a gymnastics meet. Thank God for an afternoon run! Lord, thank you for giving me he time and energy to work out today.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Breslin received a gift card for his birthday to Pizza Hut.  Last night, he offered to take all of us out to dinner after swimming practice was over. I was so thankful for a dinner out and for the chance to spend time with my kids.  I felt so lucky to be surrounded by their warm, energetic bodies and to not have to prepare a meal or clean up the kitchen afterward. Thank God for a Pizza Hut date! Lord, thank you for giving us this time to spend together as a family tonight.  Thank you for Breslin's generosity and willingness to share his gift with us.  In your name I pray, Amen.

This evening, the girls and I got a hold of what I now believe to be a pirated version of the movie Frozen , which we saw in the theatre over break. Regardless of its source, the girls and I were thrilled to be able to see the movie again.  After dinner, we cuddled up in the big chair together under a blanket and watched Elsa and Anna sing. I figured it would be a good long while before we were able to enjoy that movie again.  Not only is it a movie that we love, but I believe it makes all of us girls feel good inside to be a part of it.  We ate popcorn, snuggled, and laughed through the part of Sunday night that is usually the most difficult. It was the perfect way to end weekend. Thank God for a Frozen encore! Lord, thank you for giving the girls and I a treat to enjoy together tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I don't know if I am sick, or just, exhausted, or what.  But, tonight I fell asleep at 6 pm and I slept hard until it was time to go to bed. I am so thankful for a husband who could tell that I needed rest and encouraged me to lie down.  He wasn't resentful of me leaving him alone with three kids (at least not that I could tell).  I am also thankful that my schedule was clear so that I could get that rest.  I am hoping that it will make me full of life and energy over the weekend. Thank God for rest! Lord, thank you for the chance to rest this afternoon and evening.  Thank you for a gracious husband and an open schedule that made this possible.  In your name I pray, Amen.

When I returned home late this afternoon from a gymnastics meet, I was pleasantly surprised that Colby asked me out to dinner. It was nothing fancy--we went to Rocky Top BBQ in Jackson, but I greatly enjoyed his company and the chance spend some undistracted time together. We waited so long for our food that it ended up being free (2 hours for a veggie burger is an unnecessarily long preparation time), but I wasn't upset at all because every moment that I waited was one more that I got to talk with my husband without someone interrupting us or needing us to do something.  It was nice. Thank God for dinner out! Lord, thank you so much for giving us a chance to go out to dinner tonight and spend some quality time together.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today was an interesting day back.  It was full of hustle and bustle, rudely jarring us all awake from our Christmas break complacencies.  Instead of sitting down in the morning and having a coffee, it was getting up at 5:30 am and running around like a chicken with my head cut off until 4 pm. I was not really happy to be back, I'll admit.  I fought back tears as I dropped off my little one, realizing it would be over ten hours before I saw her again.  Even with the three extra days, I wasn't ready.  I'm not sure I would have ever been. Regardless, I do have something to be thankful for, and that is the fact that no matter how "Monday" today felt, it wasn't.  Praise Jesus that it really is Thursday, which means that before I know it, I'll be facing a weekend home with my kids.  Somehow, knowing that made this tough day a little easier. Thank God for a Monday that's not really a Monday! Lord, thank you for being my strength going back to school

I have never been a huge fan of puzzles myself. I remember struggling over them as a kid, exasperatedly resigning myself to putting edge pieces together while everyone else seemed to make much faster progress. So the fact that I love doing puzzles with my kids is inexplicable. Tonight I laid on the living room floor for well over an hour watching my youngest tear through no fewer than seven different puzzles. I was amazed to see her strategy of piecing together objects or characters that she recognized first, then fitting the different sections together as it became evident.  This is far different than my typical strategy, although I did manage to help a little with some of the edges when she encouraged me to join in. Puzzles are a highly cerebral activity, so I wasn't surprised when she conked out shortly after finishing her seventh puzzle.  Nor did I mind.  It's not every night I get to sit in my rocking chair under a pile of blankets with sleeping three year-old -

I am thankful that I have a warm home to be inside on this bitterly cold night. I am thankful that all day I was able to spend time with my kids.  And the fact that I was able to do so in my pajamas is just icing on the cake.  Even being productive we had fun.  For example, Colby and I did some work on nErDcamp 2014.  We already have people from five states signed up to attend!  We used author Laurie Keller's Scrambled States of America game to keep track of which states are represented so far. There are many days where I am discontent with our house.  I hate how small it is, or the fact that my bathroom is lame, or the imperfections I am constantly finding in our walls and ceilings.  Our kitchen is out of date, our carpets need replacing...the list goes on and on. But the fact is, the blue house with the purple door is a solid, safe place to raise our kids.  It is warm and cozy, and we have money to keep the lights on and the (warm) water running.   I am bless

I really need to stop writing posts so late at night... ...or the day after the fact. I'm sure it's not contributing to the quality of my writing. Regardless. Today was a perfect day for snowshoeing with multiple inches of fresh powder and temperatures not yet too frigid.  My husband purchased me snowshoes for Christmas four years ago for Christmas.  It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received.  I was pregnant with AJ at the time and very limited in what kind of exercise I was capable of doing.  The snowshoes combined two of my favorite non-people things: hiking and snow.  Just one outing and I was hooked. Over the last few years, I haven't had too many chances to go out with the snowshoes. I was deliriously happy to be out in the fresh, deep snow and the quiet, deep woods. While I was out, I got a great workout and I was able to do a considerable amount of deep, clear thinking -- about the present and future, both personally and professi

We met my mom and Bob today at Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate Breslin's birthday.  While there, my mom presented Bres with a gift: We have had so much fun with these.  Not only did it give an opportunity for Breslin, my mom, Bob, and I to hang out for a while at Chuck E. Cheese's after the tokens had all been spent, but it's the first time I have seen him so animated with something that's not a video game in a long time.   Tonight, Breslin and I spent an hour building a castle for his cast of Mario characters.  I was in awe of his innovation and imagination.  That kid is just awesome. Thank God for Squigz! Lord, thank you for a fun toy that allows my son to use his creativity.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight I crawled into bed and realized that I still had the pajamas on that I woke up in this morning. Now that's my idea of a good day. Thank God for PJs all day! Lord, thank you for giving me a chance to hang out with my family at home all day.  Thank you for the opportunity to rest and relax.  In your name I pray, Amen.

As you are probably well aware from previous posts, long days of traveling are just not my thing. My least favorite part is all of the waiting around. And today there was A LOT of just waiting around through three different flights out of LA, Portland, and Minneapolis.  We finally landed in Kalamazoo only to discover that our car was so cold that it wouldn't start. So there was more waiting as Colby valiantly tried to get it started.  Then more waiting as we called family to come help us. Miraculously, as we were starting to lose hope of making it home tonight, the engine roared to life. Colby sprinted into the terminal telling me "The car started! Hurry! I need to give it some gas and in illegally parked!"  Fortunately, Colby's dad had only made it a short ways down the road when we called him with the good news. Now, we are waiting in the drive through at McDonalds for a drink. But then we'll be on the last leg of this crazy long trip from palm trees and ocean b

Today was a magical day.  It was Rose Bowl Game Day.  It's safe to say that I have never seen Colby so excited for anything since the day that I met him. Here is our day in pictures: At 7 am we woke up and got ready. I had to make sure I was wearing my rose tattoos and my sparkly green headband. We began our 7 mile trek to Rose Bowl Stadium, in which we made use of the light rail, ate lunch at the Blind Donkey, got lost on foot, and used a construction site porta-potty. Found our seats at Rose Bowl Stadium and pinched ourselves repeatedly to convince ourselves that what we saw was real. We also started the "GO GREEN! GO WHITE!" chant repeatedly. Marveled at the beauty of Rose Bowl stadium. On a similar note, we also marveled at how I never had to wait to use the restroom, but Colby's lines were out of control ridiculously long. Were happy and proud to see the State band represent so well during their pre-game performance. This band contains 2 of my