Pizza and Runaway Dogs

This weekend involved eating a lot of pizza. Saturday was my first full day off. I got up and had some coffee, and read my bible. I hung out in my room for some along time. Once I emerged I was playing the Wii with the boys. What hardships I have right. But, after a few games I had to run my errands. After the bank I wanted to try this breakfast and lunch only place called Eggsperience. First of all, it has like my favorite food in the name how bad can it be. I had classic bacon and eggs with toast and hash browns, and a cup of some coffee. Well, I have to say the Snack Shop has nothing on this place. The coffee was better here, but give me the greasy spoon any day over the place that follows all health code requirements. Also the service was not that great. I know I was alone and reading a book but I would like you to come and ask me how everything is right. I still gave a large tip and was excited that the price was not too bad compared to the other restaurants on the street.
I went to Dicks Sporting Goods after I ate my brunch. I wanted to see what bikes they had. And they are actually having a sale on the 2010 models. There is the perfect bike for me for less then 300 dollars. I would have to figure out if I can buy it at the end of this week. But, if I buy it I can ride to places around town and ride with the boys. I also would have a bike that I could use later in life as a commuter bike. The bike technician was helpful and very nice. Any question I asked he was able to answer, and he also told me I about where bike races happen on Thursday nights. There are only two weeks left so I might go and watch one of the two nights. He also told me I could bring in my Trek and he would give it check to make sure it is in tiptop shape, with no cost. I guess my talkative manner and interest helped a little there, or he really wants the sale.
After, Dicks I went home and watched my DVD from Netflix, which was MI-5 otherwise known as Spooks. You don’t even know how much I love British Television. I wish I could get BBC not BBCA. Our shows that they give us are not even this year’s series. Well, maybe sometimes but not always. I am really only watching MI-5 because in the seventh series Richard Armitage will be acting in it. One of my favorite actors, he also has stared in Robin Hood, and North & South, both also by BBC.
Saturday night I went over to my friend Jessica’s house, my first time driving down into Chicago. I did not have to drive that far only like 15 minutes down the road, but still within city limits. Good for me. I arrived and the plan was to watch the last preseason game of the Chicago Bears. Which I am pretty sure they lost. But, we got distracted by “The Time-Traveler’s Wife, so we watched that instead.
During the course of the movie, pizza came which was a nice surprise. And while we were eating pizza and watching the movie Jessica’s dogs decided to take a stroll down the street without leeches and anyone walking them. We go out and search for the dogs. Cha Cha went the farthest but was still just in the neighbor’s yard. Mia went across the street to visit the neighbors; she thought they needed to pet her. Once Jessica and I returned to the movie there was no longer an emotional connection and neither of us cried when the sad part happened. (I would say what it is but I do not want to spoil the ending for those who have not seen it.)
Caroline, Jessica's new roommate came home because she was going to spend the night there for the first time. I decided to leave while they were having putting things away in the kitchen roommate time. I stayed out the latest I have ever stayed out since being here, I got home at like 10:50. I am such a wild child.

School

I like the fact that school began this week. I also like the fact that there are friends down the road from us. Lucas started school on Tuesday. The bus picks him up at 8:30ish in front of the house and does not return until 4:00. It is quite fantastic. I do love Lucas, but he can be a handful sometimes. Logan when he starts school up everyday will be picked up the same as Lucas and dropped off at 12:00. Logan is so laid back. I do not want to say I have a favorite but if I could he would be it.
Lucas pushes the boundaries every chance he gets. He will constantly get upset over the smallest things. I do not know if this is an older child thing or a I have been spoiled for the last 7 years thing. But, he likes to tell me that he hates me. My reply will be, "Well, I am okay with that. And I still love you." Some of the tantrums are from knowing that when he cried his mother would give in. But, I am not one to give in because he cries, which he does not like.

Today, was the second day that Lucas and Logan went to school together so I did not have to work until 11:00. I went on a wonderful bike ride on the North Branch Bike trail. I rode 12 miles and it felt amazing. I think I might ride again tomorrow or on Sunday. The whole trail is 20 miles, and you can ride to the Botanical Gardens, and walk around fro free. I want to do that some day soon. I think the next Saturday off would be the best bet. It would have to be a morning to early afternoon event. But, worth it. the Chicago Botanical Gardens are amazing.

Playing in the Sand

Yesterday was an interesting day. Logan was not in Kindergarden because the class is separated into two groups by their last name, and attend their first day of school on separate days. Logan's was Wednesday. So Logan and I had Thursday all to ourselves. We went to the park and played together on the swings and on the play sets. I taught him how to pump his legs so he can swing without any help, but that was not fast enough for him. So, I got behind him and gave a few pushes and one slightly dangerous for my head, underdog. After a few jumps off the swing we ran over to the play grounds. I introduced them to a game that I have played with many kids throughout my babysitting days. The ground is no longer land but water infested with sharks. Sometimes they might get really close or they might hang outside the rim of shark repellent if you are lucky enough to play on a play ground equipped with some. I died once because I "accidentally" fell down the slide when we were hiding from the sharks. Thankfully, Logan said I could come back to life again if I could climb up the slide.
Logan then decided to play in the rather large sand box. He began to cover his foot with sand. We lost his foot for a little while but eventually we found it again to walk back home. While he had lost his foot we had a little talk about God. I said,"We know your foot is there, even if we cannot see it. Well, God is always here, even though we cannot see him."
I do not know if it is a fantastic example of God, but I think a 5 year-old's mind can understand what I mean. I kept thinking about that example even more.
Even when we try to cover God up with anything he is still there. Things like relationships, work, general business, etc. God is always there. Sometimes it is hard to remember because we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by the stresses of this world. But, basic truths such as this one helps us take comfort in our Maker and relax.
Even though we cannot see him, he is always there, apart of us. Praise God the Almighty. How great is our Father's love for us.

Saturdays

The last two Saturdays I have spent with Jessica Martensen, a friend I met while in Nicaragua. Jessica will be 23 in about a week so we are the same age. It is such a blessing to know someone here. Last week we went to Bucktown, one of Chicago's many neighborhoods. I met her friends, Barbie and Bobby, which are brother and sister. Their family has been involved with the American Legion, an organization that supports veterans of foreign war. The Bucktown post was having a fundraiser. They were playing bingo and having raffles. Okay, one how often do you play bingo, two, how often do you play bingo with 70 or 80 year-olds, who have defended your country. There are two different ways the night could have gone. I could of made the worst of it and hated the whole event, or I could make the most of it and dive right in. I decided to choose the latter.
I played about seven games of bingo at 25 cents a card, four cards at a time. I almost had a bingo but I accidentally marked a number that was not called. I was so upset, well not really. Then, now this is the exciting part. There was a raffle for a huge salami. I mean I could eat off of that for a month and still have some left over. I spent five dollars on tickets. I was so bummed by the end of the night because I did not win the salami. I wanted it so bad. I also bought tickets for the 500 dollar raffle but did not win either. I am okay with the money I spent, because I am supporting veterans who have fought for my freedom, and the posts will be needed in the future and I have so many friends that are in the military, so I am supporting them too. Oh I also got to draw some of the winners for the cash prize raffle. The whole event was fun, but sadly I did not win anything. Maybe next time. There is also another event on September 12. Maybe the bingo cards will work in my favor. I will keep my fingers cross.

Yesterday, I worked until 1:30. I was not suppose to work but I did to help out the family. I was picked up by Jessica and Laura, another friend from Nicaragua We went downtown. It is beautiful. I saw the bean. No I did not take a photo. I will but, not yet. We walked all around downtown. I saw Lake Michigan, grand park, and several other things I do not remember what they are called. I went to Garretts. Garretts, is famous in Chicago, I was told that the line is normally out the door.Garretts have been selling popcorn since 1949. It was the best popcorn I have ever eaten. The tree of us shared a small Chicago Mix, which is their caramel popcorn mixed with chedder popcorn. I still have some popcorn left from their small, and we all had our fill. I would make that on the top 5 places to visit in Chicago so far.
We continued to walk around and we went to buy Frango mints. These mints are also famous to this area. After tasting them you will know why they are famous. Okay, to buy the mints we had to go into the first Marshal Fields, which is now a Macy's. This store is an entire city block, and several stories high. It was amazing, the women's shoes had its own half a floor. I picked up a pair of slipper shoes, they were 230 dollars, I put them down saying, "I can't even afford to pick these up."

We walked some more and went to a pizza place. This placed was packed. We had a 25 minute wait and then a 45 minute wait for our pizza. The wait was worth it. This was my first time eating Chicago style pizza. I love it. It was the best pizza I have ever eaten. I was so happy. I had a beer and pizza with friends. We finally left after talking and eating for a few hours and I got home around 9:45ish. I walked in and Maria was surprised I was home. She thought I would be out longer. I am not a late night person, and because of my room with the light, I have been getting up at 5:30-6:00 on my own. So I was tired. Maria said she would be out late all the time when she was my age, I told her that I did not really stay out late when I was in college, why would I now. Maybe that will change but at the moment, when I have to work the next morning at 8 I need to get up earlier so I can spend sometime with God.

God has been so faithful to me. He has given me friends in a new city, a flexible family because I am flexible, and the opportunity to grow outside my comfort zone. Pray that my social anxiety will calm down. I miss you all and I love you.

Jesus Doing Backflips

Because I am up before I actually start work in the mornings the boys will come into my room or I am in the kitchen reading my bible and half way watching out for them Logan will sometimes begin to ask questions and I answer them. Mainly, the questions are about if Jesus can do a backflip, or can he turn me green. I tell him that Jesus can do anything, even turn you green if you needed to be, and that if you accept Jesus into your heart then he will do hundreds of backflips. Logan is more curious then Lucas.

The other day is was about to rain. Lucas loves the rain. He will stand and the glass door all night to watch the lightening hit. On this particular morning I began telling him the about Noah's arc and the flood. He listened and asked questions, But I did not think he really listened. Until today, he was getting something out of the cabinet and Logan was talking about rainbows and Lucas chimed in and said that Rainbows are God's promise that he would not destroy the earth by a flood. With complete confidence in what he was saying. I do not know how much believing was in the statement but at least he was listening to me.

The Glen

Logan, 5

Lucas 7


The Glen is a park that has a huge sand box, fountains for kids to play in, a play ground, a maze and an ice cream truck that sits in the parking lot. What more could a kid ask for.

Chicago Botanical Gardens

The boy's Nono (Grandfather) and Nona (Grandmother) took the boys and I to the Chicago Botanical Gardens.



Lucas, 7, at the Chicago Botanical Gardens, Monday 16

Giggles and Nerf Guns

Yesterday the boys met new friends. After we finished our errands for the day there was a knock on the door. There stood two little boys and their mother. Down the street there is a family with three boys, Gavin 2, Dylan 5, and Aiden 6. They wanted to play with Logan and Lucas. So almost immediately the two boys run into the play room and begin to play. The mother left and so I adopted two new boys for a while. They played well and hard together. After the day was over the boys were tired and ready for bed.
For dinner I cooked what my mom calls Mexican Chicken. It is really only some peppers, an onion, and chicken breasts put in a crocpot and cooked all day. But, the in the afternoon I made flour tortillas. They are so good. The boys were suppose to help but their new friends came by when I was starting to roll the tortillas out. Oh rolling pin no longer needed. I used a cup because the rolling pin is packed in the garage at the moment. It was quite a sight. :)
Today is Logan's 5th birthday!!! We began the day with opening a present from me and a cheese omlette that we shared. Then we went over to the King's house, the three boys down the road, and then off to the Park. The mom Alissa is very nice so we talked and had fun. As the day went on the number of boys I watched ranged from 5 to 2 depending on the situation. And then, I had a two hour break. Oh my goodness, it was fantastic. I swept, took a shower, and read. It was amazing. I had two hours of doing whatever I wanted. I love that the kids have friends down the road!!!!
Tomorrow we are celebrating Logan's B-day with a bowling party. It will be fun i think. I get to make cupcakes and then the boys get to add frosting and sprinkles.

Patience

I have been reading Romans this week. What a book. I have not been faithful in my time with God and beginning again feeds me so much. I was reading Romans and then I began writing a letter to a friend. I was commiting on how the boys are behaving a little better every day, but when they are tired their old habits come back. They begin to argue and hit one another. I try to have patience with them because I know they are tired but I still have to separate them and sometimes send them to their rooms.
This made me think about how about God and how he is patient with us. We get tired. We struggle through things and our defensives break down, and that sin we have been struggling with happens again. But God is always patient with us. He knows we are tired. And like the boys, I want them to behave properly, God wants us to follow Christ's example and behave like him. And sometimes we are separated and put into different rooms until we cool down. But, God is always there supporting us and encouraging us to do better.
I have heard people say that you begin to understand God as a father when you have children, and they are right. God has shown me how patient he is and how much he is there for us when we are hurting, even if it is only a stubbed toe or a paper cut.

Adaptation and Flexibility Are Key

The family seems really nice and the boys are adorable. Lucas the oldest is reserved and very into the weather. Logan the younger brother is, it seems like another younger sibling.
They play well together for the most part. And then there are those times that they hurt each other and want to take revenge for the scratch accidently or not. I am trying to teach them that hitting is bad, and especially if you do it in anger. Logan has a problem with that. He gets mad very quickly and then will hit. And within five minutes the anger has passed.
Even after a week he has begun stopped hitting as much as he did on Monday. With time-outs and being sent to his room, I think he is understanding a little more that hitting is bad.
Lucas has a problem of blowing things out of proportion. Everything becomes life or death and personal. He thinks that everything Logan does is to pick or make fun of him. I have seen an improvement of that as well. I do not know if it has been a matter or attention or not but, I believe I am making a difference.
Like I said Lucas is into the weather, I mean he watches the weather channel all the time. When we went on a bike ride on Monday he pointed out where flooding would happen on streets and at parks. He will tell me when it will rain, or not. It is really funny how excited he gets about the weather. Logan is all about flips and running around. He is a bundle of energy that never has to recharge his batteries.

Monday

Last night was an easy, chill night. I had dinner with the family. I moved most of my stuff into the new house and the other more immediate things into my room. I watched some TV and had dinner with the family. Monday I start work at 10:00 and end t 3:00, so it will not be that bad. The family seems really nice and the boys are adorable. Lucas the oldest is reserved and very into the weather. Logan the younger brother is, it seems like another younger sibling.
They play well together for the most part. And then there are those times that they hurt each other and want to take revenge for the scratch accidently or not. I am trying to teach them that hitting is bad, and especially if you do it in anger. Logan has a problem with that. He gets mad very quickly and then will hit. And within five minutes the anger has passed.
Even after a week he has begun stopped hitting as much as he did on Monday. With time-outs and being sent to his room, I think he is understanding a little more that hitting is bad.
Lucas has a problem of blowing things out of proportion. Everything becomes life or death and personal. He thinks that everything Logan does is to pick or make fun of him. I have seen an improvement of that as well. I do not know if it has been a matter or attention or not but, I believe I am making a difference.
Like I said Lucas is into the weather, I mean he watches the weather channel all the time. When we went on a bike ride on Monday he pointed out where flooding would happen on streets and at parks. He will tell me when it will rain, or not. It is really funny how excited he gets about the weather. Logan is all about flips and running around. He is a bundle of energy that never has to recharge his batteries.

Glenview

Yesterday's drive was a long one. The hours were the same but, it just seemed like it was longer. I left London around 8:30 and was on my way. I got to Louisville, and waved to the fair city that I have been to and enjoyed a time before. I follow the interstate around the city and I start heading North. I was in Indiana and I did not even know it until mile marker 10. The state border is covered with concrete and cars. I headed to Indianapolis and again waved to a city I have spent time in and loved. I was tempted to go down to Borders and buy a book but, I was on a tight schedule to get to Chicago.
I continue on my way thinking about lunch and trying to find a place to stop. I almost completely forgot that I need to check my gas. I was maybe a little lower than a forth of the tank. I needed to stop. So I got off the interstate and found a gas station. Then I headed a little bit further and found a Wendy's.
Okay I do not know what it was but, everyone and there mother were there. I waited about forty-five minutes to order. It was crazy. After I ate my Plain Chicken Fillet I got back in my car and drove on... and drove on... and drove on...
Until I reached Chicago. I am so not used to the traffic. There are so many cars. I am so glad I do not have to drive much in the city. I also had to pay two tolls. I was not expecting two. One I paid and it was only a buck fifty. Okay I could handle that. The next one which was maybe a mile away was for the skyway and it was three dollars. I freaked out, I only had a dollar fifty with me left. Luckily, the gentlemen allowed me to pay with credit. You can pay tolls with your credit card, how weird is that. No matter how weird it was it saved my life, well not my life but, you know what I mean.
I kept driving a little more and finally got out side the city and in the the suburbs and into Glenview. Beautiful area, plenty or streets for cycling. Nice green grass, and sidewalks everywhere. It is fantastic.
I found the house, and Bob, the father, was mowing the lawn, and then I passed the house because I did not know I was there until it was too late to turn. So I turned around drove back, and freaked Bob out because he had no clue who I was at first glance. Maria came out of the house and gave me hug and I felt so loved already.

London

I have always dreamed of going to London. I dreamed of walking the streets, shopping, going to pubs and maybe meeting my favorite British actor. So I am in London, London Kentucky. Well it is not the same as London, England but I was able to walk to dinner from my hotel. Tomorrow, I am driving the rest of the way to Chicago. Today was a day for firsts. First time driving on interstate 75, first time checking into a hotel myself, first time driving to Chicago, and first time in London. :) So after this day of firsts I need to sleep..............zzzzzzz.....................:)