It has been so much fun this month. It also has been so busy for The Green Family. Joel continued to wrestle through out the month on Saturdays at various tournaments. We did skip our own home tournament. 1) Joel was grounded, and 2) my son said he rather been at church than at a tournament. It is so nice to know that God is a priority in his life.
He wrestled his last tournament this weekend. He was a little sad that it was his last one for the season. He met a friend over this season from a different school that he wrestled the week before. The boys were in different brackets this last weekend. Joel was sad that he didn't get to hang with his new buddy that much. We are looking forward to next year already. Joel I know will be more ready, and be more prepared.
Joel had a eye doctors appointment in DesMoines one day. We decided to spend the day doing things together. We went out to lunch at Joel's favorite place, Bang Bang, after the appointment. He has a buddy that he is close to that works there. She was so glad to see the both of us.
After his appointment and lunch we went down town to do something fun just the two of us. Of course we wanted to do something that was free. So, we went to Iowa Historical Building, and went through it together. It had changed since I was a young girl. Joel may of not understood all the history of what has taken place in Iowa over the years, but he had fun looking at all the exhibits. His favorite was the Wooly Mammoth and the old cars. I didn't care that he didn't understand most of it. What I did care was that he had fun, and we got to spend quality family time together. It is such a blessing having Joel in my life. I know that he had made my world a better place since he was born.
We also had a good time that evening. After Joel's godparents got off of work we met up with them for a Tuesday night of fun. We went to eat and play fun games, raced go karts, and so much more at Incredabile Pizza. We had so much fun hanging together, and laughing so much. It is good to let go and just be yourself with good people in our lives.
Being a family is such a wonderful thing to do. It is such a pleasure. Grant it, it is just the two of us for now anyway. Being a mother is a pleasure, miracle, and privalage all wrapped in one together. I think one thing that makes our family the way it is; is that we put God first in our lives. I have people tell me that it is rude that I force my child to go to church. I never force my child. Church is not a must thing. It is also a privelage. God has been there for us in so many ways. It is wrong to turn our backs on Him. Joel loves God with all of his heart. If people can just hear my son singing Christian worship songs (which he sings more than just plain learning songs). I always wanted to have a family that is devoted to God. We may not be the perfect Christian family, but we love God and that is what matters.
Let's see what February brings!
It is so hard to believe that it is now 2013. Another year has gone, and a new one beginning. 2012 even with some hard times that took place it was a great year for Joel and I. We got to do things together that I never imagined that we would.
2012 brought us so much in our lives. Even in the hard times we saw the good in everything. We had fun even though it was rough for us at times. We even laughed through our tears. We learned so much with each other. Being a family is so important to us.
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| Preschool 2011-2012 |
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| Preschool 2012-2013 |
Joel had and still is enjoying preschool. It is hard to believe that this year is his last year, and will be going to kindergarten in the fall. He has had fun making friends both 2011-2012 school year as well as 2012-2013. He loves his teachers, and they are really good with him. They have done so much for Joel's learning. Joel is a very fast learner, and catches on sometimes fast than others. His teachers loves to challenge him. He had really found a true love for reading, and math. Sometimes Joel loves going to school and then coming home and practice what he learned from that day.
Joel played in his 2nd year of Blastball during the mid Spring. He got bored with it though this year because he says it isn't real baseball. He loves the ball being thrown at him and he hits it. He thinks that hitting it off the Tee is for babies. Got to love the way he thinks sometimes (LOL).
In late fall / early winter of 2012 Joel tried a new sport. He decided to go out for Pee Wee wrestling. It is nice that they have sport for preschoolers to enjoy that is more than one month long, and only doing practices. He loved compeating. We went to several tournaments for him to enjoy. I refused to be a "Super Parent" (a parent that yells at their child if they don't win or do something wrong). I wanted it to be fun for him, and me as well. He never won a tournament. Did win one match though. I say, "It doesn't matter if you win or loose; it is how you play the game." As long as he had fun that is what mattered. Through the sports Joel is loving I have learned that I needed to play a double roll parent. Joel doesn't have his dad in his life to teach him some of the neat boy sports like wrestling. So, I learned to love the sport (by the 2nd tournament I wanted to take him to more), and sometimes being the only mom in weigh in rooms with all the fathers. Thank you to my parents and Joel's godparents for also being there during the wrestling season.
We as usual went to Arkansas on mini vacations to see family. July 2012 we got to go to my brother's wedding in San Francisco, California. It was a chance in a lifetime to go. I had never been there so it was something new for both Joel and I to enjoy together. It was nice to see the Golden Gate Bridge, and touch the ocean. We had so much fun. The week went by so fast for the two of us. Some day I really hope that we can go back. There is so much to do and see out there.
We also enjoyed going to the Iowa State Fair, and even going camping with my son's godparents. It was truly a great year. We did have some hard times as my heart situation had made a change. Things were looking worse. I had to see new doctors that could deal with the complexity of issues. So, there were many trips and times I had to stay in Omaha, Nebraska. Eventually, the doctors decided that it would be best to try putting in a 3rd lead from my ICD in December. We made it through.
This December was so different for us. We had some pretty awesome things happen; as well as some tough moments for us. The month began on a hard note. I had to leave December 6 for Omaha, Nebraska for surgery that would happen the next day. Soon as I got into Omaha I received a call from one of Joel's teachers. Joel had an accident at school where he had cut his head right above his eye playing outside. It was hard for me to deal with because I was not there to know how bad it was, and not to hold him. I had to call a dear friend who is like a grandma to Joel. She went to see how bad it was. She called me and tried to describe it to me. I just wanted to know he was okay really. We all made the choice to take Joel to the walk in clinic in Winterset to have it checked out anyway. It was so hard not being there for his first real accident where he got cut good. He ended up with the area being glued and having a steri-strip placed. As a mom it was so difficult not to be there, but I knew I had to be where I was. I did cry until I knew he was okay, and back to school. I had to tell myself he will have plunty of more injuries that I will be there to deal with, but the only way to be there for him is to have the surgery the next day.
The next day I had my surgery. All I could think about was staying alive to go home to my son. The surgery was very rough. I made it through, but in 24hours I was not doing so hot as my body was shutting down. All I could think was to pray. I kept asking the Lord that if it was n His will to keep me alive, because my son needed his mommy. I was forced to the ICU. I didn't get to call my son until the following night when I was with it. It was so good to hear his little voice that he had missed me. It was the boost that I need to get through the following days. After a full week in Omaha I was released to go home with some restrictions.
While I was recovering Joel stayed at his godparents, but I got to see him every night about. I sure missed his hugs, laughs, and smile. One night my parents and I took Joel to another tournament in Perry, Iowa. Joel did an awesome job. Plus he with being a late night, and long he stayed patient. He one 1 out of 3 matches. It was a win that my son really needed to boost him back up from the tournament where he was forced to wrestle 2nd graders. He ended up with 3rd place out of 4, but it was a well earned place. He gave the 1st and 2nd place a run for their money. I was such a proud mom as he told the boy he beat that he did a good job too.
Christmas rolled around. It was different for sure, but we had so much fun. Joel was still staying at his godparents yet, because I was recovering yet. So, it was different waking up Christmas morning without my son there in 5 years. But we got together mid morning. We went with Joel's godparents to have lunch at a care center with their family member, and then it was off to their parents house. Joel loved all his gifts. He had so much. He even got what he wanted from Santa. A Star Wars ship. It was nice that our friends let us spend Christmas with them.
The day after Christmas Joel came down with the nasty flu bug. It was hard to not be with him, he was in good hand, and I had to stay away due recently having the surgery. By the next day he was doing a little better but his godparents came down with the bug. Soon they were all over it by Saturday.
That Saturday we went to the elementary school in Winterset. We had a good time as we watched Joel do another milestone in his life. He got to sled all by himself. He laughed and laughed so hard as we went down the hill. Joel loves snow. Joel's godfather even sled with him while his godmother and I laughed at the two of them. I finally did ride down with Joel twice. Just because I wanted to let him know that Mommy may have some limitations, but I am going to do what I can when I can. After two times I was exhausted.
The month was filled with high and low moments for both Joel and I. We are so blessed to have each other. We may not have a whole lot, but it doesn't matter to us. We have our love as a family, and most of all our Lord in our lives to see us through the low times to get us back to our high moments.
We have been trying to find ways for Joel to have more interaction, and something to do so he wouldn't be so bored. So, this year we found out he was old enough for Pee Wee Wrestling. So, we put him in the Little Huskies program here in Winterset. So, the sport mom title began for me. Joel loves wresting, and even went to a few tournaments with little practice. He mostly wrestles in the Pre-K/ K division. Although one tournament got thrown into a division where he wrestled 2nd graders (which I was not happy about because no one warned me that my preschooler was going to wrestle a child that has already a few years on him). Joel does hold his own at every tournament. He has so much fun. Scared at first at every tournament, but once he wrestles he is hungry for more. Joel is at the point that he doesn't care if he wins or loses, but just to have fun. He loves getting medals though. I am so proud of him trying something new. I don't care how many sports Joel tries, or what he chooses to do just as long s he finds something he likes and sticks to it (even if he stick to wrestling where he has to watch what he eats to make weight, but I will only let it go so far). I will be proud of him no matter what he chooses. I am loving the title "Sporty Mom". I am not one of those super parents that instills in my son that "Winning is Everything." I believe you are a winner no matter what. That is what sportsmanship is. Joel has that instilled that it is okay to win or loose. He is tells the other person good job no matter what, shakes their hand as well as their parent or coach.
For Thanksgiving break we went to Arkansas for a mini vacation. We rode down with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lil, and my dad brought us back. The week mostly consisted of relaxing and having some fun. It was nice to be able to wear shorts and tee shirt still in November. The trees are really pretty this time of year in Arkansas. We took Joel to the city park where he played before, and he loved the ducks that are there.
One day my dad got out his motorcycle because I was in the mood to go for a ride. My dad and I went for a ride into the country side. Just to get away. My dad said that I was Joel's age when he first took me on a ride just up and down the street. So, he asked if Joel could. My dad just went up and down the street with Joel a couple of times. Joel was so thrilled to have his first ride on a motorcycle.
It is always hard to leave Arkansas because we miss our family there, but we had to come home. Joel had a tournament, and I was scheaduled for surgery just a week and half later. We made it home. Joel went to the hard tournament where he had to wrestle 2nd graders, but did well, and did not give up. It was harder on his mommy than him though.
It is so hard to believe that it has been 5 years go since I gave birth to such a handsome little guy. He has been my world since I found out that I was pregnant with him. His smile and his laughs are so contagious that you can't help but to smile with him, and laugh when he does. He is such a happy boy as well as very smart. He has been strong through all of my heart issues, and brave when I have been sick, or in the hospital for my heart. He really loves to help me out around home more and more. He loves to help rinse dishes after they have been washed, run the vac at times, and even help make meals. His newest love is learning Math. He loves to add and subtract already. Grant it nothing higher than 10 right now.
We had his birthday this year again at church on a Friday night, because 1) Joel's birthday was the following Monday, and 2) scheadule just fit it. He was so happy with all that showed up to celebrate his milestone of 5 years. Joel wanted a "Star Wars" theme birthday. So, we did. He loves Star Wars. He wants to grow up to be Obi, and fight the bad guys. It was so much fun for everyone. I am really thankful for all the people in our lives that made my son's big day such a wonderful day. That night Joel went and spent his first at his friends house without me for the first time. I am use to him staying with his godparents house, but not with a friend yet. Usually when he stays at this friends house I am with because we have been there late at night. He had a blast though, because his friend celebrated his birthday the next day. His friend is a year and two days older.
This year for Halloween Joel wanted to dress up as Obi Wan (his favorite character from Star Wars). His whole costume was homemade by his Aunt and me. Joel and I always dress up together with matching some how with the theme we go with. So, this year I was Princess Laia. Usually we go up town and walk around the square getting candy from the different stores, but this year it was very hard. One I didn't have a car, and two by the time we got home from school, dressed it was almost over up town. So instead we just did our usual handing out candy. Joel does not mind handing out candy. He has done it for 5 years in a way. We had fun though doing something together. We may not have all the money in the world to do things, but we have love and each other that makes what we do even more fun.
Joel started his last year of preschool at Little Huskies North. With his teachers from the previous year. He was so excited, but sad at the same time. Joel learned that his friends from last year would not be there, because they all went to kindergarten. Joel was in their class last year because he needed to be challenged. Due to him having an October birthday he did not get to go with them.
First day was a little difficult as he really missed his friends. I took him to class. I stayed until I knew he was comfortable. He was happy though he still has Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Evans as his teachers. He is in the afternoon group. He also looked forward to riding the trolley bus again to and from home this year. He has made new friends. It took him awhile, because he thought making new friends would upset his old friends. We taught him you can have all the friends that he wants.
