A daughter who shall remain nameless, had a lesson on "finding an eternal companion" in YW's yesterday. Clearly she took the lesson very seriously ;). Way to make your momma proud and good luck with that. :)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
We Survived Summer of 2011
Not going to lie, but I will not miss this Summer. Let's just say that the last two months have been full of life's lessons....
Although I hope by next summer this summer is just a distant memory. I am sure I will still be grateful for the things we have learned now.
Gratitude List
An eternal perspective.
The fact that I laugh at inappropriate times, and can find humour in anything.
The constant assurance that we will survive and things will get better.
My children's infinite capacity to love and understand.
All those who loved with understanding and listened without judgement.
Competent supportive medical professionals.
Copious amounts of diet Dr. Pepper and Stand-up comedy
It would take a 1000 page book to list all of the tender mercies we have experienced this summer.
We are now on the road to recovery, with a new understanding and perspective. Our future is both hopeful and bright.
I come away from this Summer with the absolute knowledge that none of us walk alone, ever.
I love my superman and I continually marvel at his humility and courage.
So farewell to this.....
Happy-crazy-funny-scary-soul searching-rollercoster ride SUMMER.
I think an
"The Krazy Kramers
Survived the Crazy Summer
of 2011"
T-Shirt ...is in order!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Meet Our Newest....Band Geek.
So most of the Kramer household are currently walking around with headphones on and I just turned the news up like I suddenly have the ears of an eighty year old. Why might you ask....
Alex just came home from her first day of band class and will not let anyone pry her alto sax from her cold, soon-to-be dead fingers.
Dallyn: "Mom are you going do something about the moose dying in Alex's room ?!?!"
Its been a few years since a rug rat has started a new instrument and oh how I had forgot the assault on the eardrums that we must endure for a month or two. {Here's hoping?}
Alex learned three notes today..... C, D, E. or let me just say C HHOONNKK, D SQUEEEEEEK, E BBBBEEEELLLCCCHHH!
Way to go Alex, our newest little band geek!!! And may God bless band teachers every where. How my Dad taught High School Band for 35 years, I'll never know.
Alex just came home from her first day of band class and will not let anyone pry her alto sax from her cold, soon-to-be dead fingers.
Dallyn: "Mom are you going do something about the moose dying in Alex's room ?!?!"
Its been a few years since a rug rat has started a new instrument and oh how I had forgot the assault on the eardrums that we must endure for a month or two. {Here's hoping?}
Alex learned three notes today..... C, D, E. or let me just say C HHOONNKK, D SQUEEEEEEK, E BBBBEEEELLLCCCHHH!
Way to go Alex, our newest little band geek!!! And may God bless band teachers every where. How my Dad taught High School Band for 35 years, I'll never know.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Our Starter Child + Grad Dresses
So this whole "being the parent of a daughter graduating" is new to me. Grad is not until June 27th and so the thought of a grad dress for our starter child hadn't even crossed my frontal lobe. It probably wouldn't have even entered my psyche 'til like April... But no, our nearly adult child came home on Monday (her 9th day of classes) and asked the Superman "Can we please go look at grad dresses, daddy please?!"
Notice that she asked her Dad before even mentioning it to me?? When it comes to the shopping-fashion-ballgown-patience department, my skills are remedial at best. My Superman is the best dad any daughter could ask for. When they were toddlers he could do a better ponytail than I could. When they were little girls he would play barbie or dress up. When they were tweens he took them to Disney Princesses on Ice and now he wouldn't miss taking his first born grad dress shopping....
As a courtesy I was invited to tag along....
The dress show was at the swanky golf resort at the top of our hill. As we entered the club house I was surprised that they allowed us country bumpkins in the door. We awkwardly climbed the stairs. The room was full of girls, moms and sequins. A women looked at our Superman and said "Well aren't you a brave soul!!" He just smiled. Holly wasted no time trying on all the different styles. Clearly she did not inherit my aversion to dressing up.
It was a surreal moment as parents. All the special dresses in her life flooded my mind....Her blessing gown, the first dress my mom sewed for her, the dress Grandpa Bruce bought for her first birthday, the matching pioneer dresses Grandma Lynette sowed for her and her sisters, her baptism dress....
For the first time I realized that this was going to be one of those special dresses. Each dress Holly tried on was beautiful, an outward expression of her inner beauty. I caught the Superman tearing up (I know, shocking!!) thankfully he managed to maintain composure. I could never even imagine this day would ever come and in the blink of an eye here we are. Being the mom of not only one daughter but four, is such a blessing. And thankfully they put up with my fashion awkwardness with very few eye rolls :) and at least they have the Superman to make up the difference. I guess I better get used to this I have been informed that hand me down grad dresses are unacceptable. And the price of dresses makes me slightly regret never learning to sew....shhh don't report me to the RS president ;)
Notice that she asked her Dad before even mentioning it to me?? When it comes to the shopping-fashion-ballgown-patience department, my skills are remedial at best. My Superman is the best dad any daughter could ask for. When they were toddlers he could do a better ponytail than I could. When they were little girls he would play barbie or dress up. When they were tweens he took them to Disney Princesses on Ice and now he wouldn't miss taking his first born grad dress shopping....
As a courtesy I was invited to tag along....
The dress show was at the swanky golf resort at the top of our hill. As we entered the club house I was surprised that they allowed us country bumpkins in the door. We awkwardly climbed the stairs. The room was full of girls, moms and sequins. A women looked at our Superman and said "Well aren't you a brave soul!!" He just smiled. Holly wasted no time trying on all the different styles. Clearly she did not inherit my aversion to dressing up.
It was a surreal moment as parents. All the special dresses in her life flooded my mind....Her blessing gown, the first dress my mom sewed for her, the dress Grandpa Bruce bought for her first birthday, the matching pioneer dresses Grandma Lynette sowed for her and her sisters, her baptism dress....
For the first time I realized that this was going to be one of those special dresses. Each dress Holly tried on was beautiful, an outward expression of her inner beauty. I caught the Superman tearing up (I know, shocking!!) thankfully he managed to maintain composure. I could never even imagine this day would ever come and in the blink of an eye here we are. Being the mom of not only one daughter but four, is such a blessing. And thankfully they put up with my fashion awkwardness with very few eye rolls :) and at least they have the Superman to make up the difference. I guess I better get used to this I have been informed that hand me down grad dresses are unacceptable. And the price of dresses makes me slightly regret never learning to sew....shhh don't report me to the RS president ;)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Eating Out = Someone Save Me!!!
After four hours of back to school shopping in Nanaimo my brainiac Superman had the ingenious idea to take the little hooligans out to eat at Montana's. Much to my protesting. After spending nearly two hours in the teenage tight shirt mecca known as Urban Planet, my parenting skills had reached a non existent level and now I completely understood why certain rodents eat their young. I just wanted to hit the Costco snack bar and head home. But nooo going out to eat as a family is a unifying bonding experience that the Superman insisted on happening...
So as we walk into Montana's the hostess says "I guess I can push two tables together..." (No we would like to huddle around just one table, more bonding that way)....Much to Dallyn and Alex's chagrin they get handed kids menus, I will take advantage of 12 and under for as long as possible.
After they spend 60 seconds squabbling about who's sitting where and the Superman threatens to send them all to the loser cruiser, we finally sit down. They are all busily drawing on the table....
They waitress comes to take our order:
Grant: Steak
Robin: Chicken
Holly: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Bailey: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Madison: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Alex: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Dallyn: Chicken Fingers and Fries
You've got to be kidding me!!!! Out of a thousand menu options ya'll get chicken fingers and fries. What is wrong with you. We just spent $55.00 on CHICKEN FINGERS and FRIES!!!! It would of cost me less than $20 at Costco.
As we wait for our elaborate meals, the Superman notices that two unnamed offspring are drawing inappropriate pictures and confiscates their crayons. He then tells me to stop laughing, "You're just encouraging them". (I admired the accuracy of their depictions...we'll just blame that on their public education;).
Our meals finally arrive and my only vindication for the evening is that D and A's meals came out in this....
So as we walk into Montana's the hostess says "I guess I can push two tables together..." (No we would like to huddle around just one table, more bonding that way)....Much to Dallyn and Alex's chagrin they get handed kids menus, I will take advantage of 12 and under for as long as possible.
After they spend 60 seconds squabbling about who's sitting where and the Superman threatens to send them all to the loser cruiser, we finally sit down. They are all busily drawing on the table....
They waitress comes to take our order:
Grant: Steak
Robin: Chicken
Holly: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Bailey: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Madison: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Alex: Chicken Fingers and Fries
Dallyn: Chicken Fingers and Fries
You've got to be kidding me!!!! Out of a thousand menu options ya'll get chicken fingers and fries. What is wrong with you. We just spent $55.00 on CHICKEN FINGERS and FRIES!!!! It would of cost me less than $20 at Costco.
As we wait for our elaborate meals, the Superman notices that two unnamed offspring are drawing inappropriate pictures and confiscates their crayons. He then tells me to stop laughing, "You're just encouraging them". (I admired the accuracy of their depictions...we'll just blame that on their public education;).
Our meals finally arrive and my only vindication for the evening is that D and A's meals came out in this....
Apparently when you are almost teenagers having your chicken served in a red cardboard truck is humiliating....ah my poor children. I make it through our family bonding experience without a major mommy melt down. Dallyn then spills the chocolate ice cream off his cone right into the superman's lap just as we get the bill....who wants to take them out to eat now Grant?? He he he.
Just because we hadn't punished our selves enough for the evening... we rounded out the night by taking all the girls bra shopping at once. Let me just say THAT. WAS. FUN!!!
Food Drive
Yesterday was the BC wide Thanksgiving food drive sponsored by the church.
We collected bags that had been dropped off earlier in the week.
It was touching to see how generous everyone was.
Courtenay Ward collected 2500 lbs of food for our local food bank.
Look Dallyn's helping!
Great way to spend a Saturday morning as a family.
Way to go Courtenay!
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Latest News :)
For the first time in several weeks I feel like I can finally take a deep breath, that I can finally see some purpose in the deeply personal heartaches our family has faced recently. Only a few know the true nature of our struggles not because we are trying to hide anything its just that you either get it or you don't. And I don't have the strength right now to explain our lives to anyone. We don't need judgement or pity. We need support and understanding.
I am super-sensitive right now and I am the first one to admit it. I find myself retreating from people who while well intentioned say dumb or insensitive things (Amen to Caller ID). {No I'm NOT depressed} {Yes We are still HAPPILY Married} {No none of my rug rats NEED treatment centres, at least not yet} {No I HAVE NOT started drinking, but will admit to slight diet Dr Pepper addiction} {YES, we are still active at church, but I do think testimony meeting recommends would be at times appropriate :)} You can always tell when people are enquiring about your lives because they honestly care about you or when its because they want to be in on the latest gossip NEWS .
More often then not I have been overwhelmingly humbled by the actions of our friends. From the boss who offered to drop everything, in the middle of inventory, to take my Superman to the hospital. To the friend who phoned at the exact moment I thought I couldn't take another step forward. To the "Robin, maybe there isn't anything for you to learn, maybe that its that you have so much to give" comment, in the middle of my whining, that instantly changed my perspective, from another dear friend. Our lives are continually blessed and We know it.
One of my favourite talks by Joseph B Wirthlin is "Sunday Will Come". When things seem at there darkest and I am losing faith and hope in the future, I remember this quote from that talk.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.
Things will get better of this I am sure.
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