Bear with me while I re-organize....
6:47 PM Edit This 2 Comments »
Page could be a bit of a mess until I get the new layout situated and decide if it is going to work!
Saying goodbye to a pet
8:13 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
The boys' dog was put down yesterday. Rosko was about to turn 5. They arent sure what happened to him but something was attacking his immune system and the vet said there was nothing they could do, so they put him down. Two years ago their Great Grandma died and that was their only experience with death so far. Losing Rosko had a big impact on them, especially since he was young and it was quite sudden.
Have you lost pets in your family? How do you deal with it?
The film Marley and Me is playing in the theatres currently and at the end deals with pet death. It is being reccomended as a good way to introduce the facts to kids.
A tribute to Rosko:
(the boys did this in total silence before he went to the vet)
Have you lost pets in your family? How do you deal with it?
The film Marley and Me is playing in the theatres currently and at the end deals with pet death. It is being reccomended as a good way to introduce the facts to kids.
A tribute to Rosko:
(the boys did this in total silence before he went to the vet)
Teach your kids to value (and understand) diversity
4:31 PM Edit This 0 Comments »Children often question whether I am a "boy" or a "girl". I have short hair and wear loose fitting mens clothing. There is nothing wrong with wondering. Kids will be kids, and I always value their curiosity about the world. If a child asks me I have a whole speech prepared (that I give quite often) about how sometimes girls have short hair and boys have long hair (listing examples if possible) and how all people look and dress differently and that is ok. They are children, they are new to this world and dont understand all that there is to know. When they see a person with a disability, a different colored skin, "funny" clothes or a haircut... anything out of their small world they want to know about it. Children should NEVER be punished for this curiosity! I cannot count the number of times that a parent has yelled at, spanked, or inflicted some other kind of corporal punishment on their child for inquiring about my gender. These kids are learning that it is bad to ask questions and also getting the subconsious message that something is "wrong" with the object of their interest because of the reaction they are getting when they ask about it. And because no one is taking the time to explain differences to them, it is much too easy to grow up ignorant and fall victim to the thought process of many other un-enlightened groups of people.
It is easy to avoid this. Open the lines of communication early. There are great books out there that teach diversity. Todd Parr is probably my favorite author. 'Its Okay to be Different' is a fantastic book to have in any collection. Tell your children to ALWAYS ask if they have a question and to not be embarrassed about it. In order to be effective at this, YOU need to be comfortable talking about things. Its not always easy, but think about the effect it will have on your children in the future and you'll be able to handle it. We took the boys to pride in 2007, when they were 7. Before heading to the parade I explained that they would probably see a lot of things that they had never seen before, and that if they had any questions to ask me. Because Danny is very shy I told them they could just tap my arm and whisper their questions to me. And you know what? They did. They asked questions here and there and accepted most of my answers without protest or further inquiry. And in all honesty, they asked a lot less questions than I expected. Kids are innocent. They take things for face value.
So when your child blurts out "Is that a boy or a girl?", "Why is that lady dressed like that?" or "Why does that man walk funny?" in public, try not to be embarrassed. Answer them to the best of your ability. And dont be afraid to talk to the person. Because in most cases the person in question will not mind educating a child.
It is easy to avoid this. Open the lines of communication early. There are great books out there that teach diversity. Todd Parr is probably my favorite author. 'Its Okay to be Different' is a fantastic book to have in any collection. Tell your children to ALWAYS ask if they have a question and to not be embarrassed about it. In order to be effective at this, YOU need to be comfortable talking about things. Its not always easy, but think about the effect it will have on your children in the future and you'll be able to handle it. We took the boys to pride in 2007, when they were 7. Before heading to the parade I explained that they would probably see a lot of things that they had never seen before, and that if they had any questions to ask me. Because Danny is very shy I told them they could just tap my arm and whisper their questions to me. And you know what? They did. They asked questions here and there and accepted most of my answers without protest or further inquiry. And in all honesty, they asked a lot less questions than I expected. Kids are innocent. They take things for face value.
So when your child blurts out "Is that a boy or a girl?", "Why is that lady dressed like that?" or "Why does that man walk funny?" in public, try not to be embarrassed. Answer them to the best of your ability. And dont be afraid to talk to the person. Because in most cases the person in question will not mind educating a child.
And the winner is....
6:48 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
The winner of the LittleLovies giveaway is..... #21!
"judybrittle said...
My granddaughter goes to sleep each night with her ratty doll. It looks like its been through a war but she loves her. I was always with my Barbie. I love your Pooh and Friends Latchook. My entire kitchen is Pooh and this would look awesome on my wall. Thank you!"
Thanks to everyone who entered. There were only 32 entries and I truly appreciate those 32 people for taking the time to stop by!
"judybrittle said...
My granddaughter goes to sleep each night with her ratty doll. It looks like its been through a war but she loves her. I was always with my Barbie. I love your Pooh and Friends Latchook. My entire kitchen is Pooh and this would look awesome on my wall. Thank you!"
Thanks to everyone who entered. There were only 32 entries and I truly appreciate those 32 people for taking the time to stop by!
The day.....
9:08 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Was great! We had a 2 hour delay, so they were only in school for 4 hours, and we only had 4 kids! They were thankful to be back and showed it with exemplary behavior! Yay!
Stop! Baby time!
9:50 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
*can you tell tha I am avoiding going to bed???*
MY cupcake!She ate the whole thing, too!
Phone? What phone?
MY cupcake!She ate the whole thing, too!
Phone? What phone?
School starts tomorrow
9:39 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
In 10 hours i'll be back at work after a 2 week break. Im pretty sure im going to be a walking zombie! Im excited to see the kids, I really have missed them. I do feel like there should be some kind of de-briefing meeting first, though! Mondays are hell on these children because they had 2 days off. I cannot imagine what 2 weeks will be like. I hope all goes well.
Im going to the School District Office tomorrow after school gets out to ask about the test you can take to be a certified Para. I love the company I work for, but it is just too stressful to not get paid during the breaks. I am missing a full check this month because of the 2 weeks off for winter vacation. If im employed through the district I can choose to be paid year round, and I will also get health benefits, which is huge! I need to have a checkup, and I would love to be able to fill my perscriptions again! One way or another I need to find a solution before this summer, because I need a paycheck those 3 months! The other option is taking out a bunch of loans and going back to school. Ive tried to work and go to school and I just cant manage it; it has to be one or the other. I guess we'll see what happens!
Im going to the School District Office tomorrow after school gets out to ask about the test you can take to be a certified Para. I love the company I work for, but it is just too stressful to not get paid during the breaks. I am missing a full check this month because of the 2 weeks off for winter vacation. If im employed through the district I can choose to be paid year round, and I will also get health benefits, which is huge! I need to have a checkup, and I would love to be able to fill my perscriptions again! One way or another I need to find a solution before this summer, because I need a paycheck those 3 months! The other option is taking out a bunch of loans and going back to school. Ive tried to work and go to school and I just cant manage it; it has to be one or the other. I guess we'll see what happens!
What makes a good parent?
9:16 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
I have touched on the fact before that some people do not belive that I will be a fit parent (at least not yet) because of some of my... differences. I truly belive I was born to be a mother. Its all i've ever wanted to do. I know that I am fundamentally capeable of caring for a child. So im a bit odd. My child will simply be exposed to more things. Many people with disabilities have kids. Monica has Ceberal Palsy, a physical disability. My problems are more neurological. But they will not get in the way of my parenting.
I was eating rice today and the spoon tasted too metally, so I had to get a new one. My body shakes a bit when I get overly excited. Loud noises bother me. Tell me why any of these should prevent me from being a parent?
They shouldnt. Thank you for staying tuned for this broadcast.
I was eating rice today and the spoon tasted too metally, so I had to get a new one. My body shakes a bit when I get overly excited. Loud noises bother me. Tell me why any of these should prevent me from being a parent?
They shouldnt. Thank you for staying tuned for this broadcast.
Giveaway!
12:35 AM Edit This 33 Comments »
I've become addicted to making fleece tie/no-sew blankets! Im even working on mass-production! I've got the rudimentary beginnings of a store going here: Little Lovies
To celebrate my hopefull success in this endevor, im having a giveaway! I made a couple super cute little lovey blankets tonight in an ABC animal pattern.
I told you it was cute! They're about 12" by 12", and oh so soft! And im giving one away! All you have to do is comment here saying what your childs favorite lovey object is, or what yours was as a child! (I still sleep with a stuffed Heffalump!)
Feel free to check out my store as well, but dont criticise too hard yet- its 1am and I just put it together!
Giveaway will run through Thursday, December 8th at Midnight! Winner will be chosen at random!
To celebrate my hopefull success in this endevor, im having a giveaway! I made a couple super cute little lovey blankets tonight in an ABC animal pattern.
I told you it was cute! They're about 12" by 12", and oh so soft! And im giving one away! All you have to do is comment here saying what your childs favorite lovey object is, or what yours was as a child! (I still sleep with a stuffed Heffalump!)
Feel free to check out my store as well, but dont criticise too hard yet- its 1am and I just put it together!
Giveaway will run through Thursday, December 8th at Midnight! Winner will be chosen at random!
Happy New Year!
1:40 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
I hope 2009 brings health and happiness to all of you, your family, and friends. I have a weird feeling at the moment, which for some reason I think is attached to the New Year (though it could be the fact that its 2am, the nacho's I had for dinner upsetting me, or the 13 episodes of Big Love that i've watched today!) In any case, I had nightmares while taking a nap earlier, and my head is kind of up in the clouds at the moment, pondering life, love, and the world as a whole! I'd love to write around 2am every day, but with our household schedule the way it is once I start work again, that isnt a possibility!
I have a feeling that this week will go really fast. School starts again on Monday so it's back to work, and a crazy few days it will be I am sure! With two weeks off of school the kiddos are going to be all sorts of worked up. I just hope that the holidays treated them all okay.
I have so much to do this week, and its already Thursday. I need to finish taking the Christmas decorations down (Once the holiday is over, Monica is DONE with it until next year!), do dishes and laundry, de-clutter the house, and clean the garage! Our garage is a complete disaster. I am quite literally giving most of it away. Im a packrat and keep absolutley everything. So im putting it all in boxes, setting it on the front snow (read: lawn) and posting on craigslist for people to come take it away. I hope it goes quickly because otherwise every time I have to walk past im going to be picking things out of the boxes!
Im getting all nesty. It happens quite often. Ive fallen in love with a house thats pretty much down the street, just a couple blocks away. Its incredibly cramped to have 3 adults, 3 dogs, and 2 cats in a 900 sqft, 2 bedroom house. We're going nuts! The house is on my favorite street in town and its beautiul, plus it has a yard! Its on the high end of what we could afford right now, but its there still. We could stay there for a while without outgrowing it, too. Des could bring more of her stuff over and not leave it sitting in the garage. We've put a lot of work into this house and I love it, but its just too small for us now. Not to mention the other work that needs to be done I dont really want to pay for. We need a new fence in the backyard, and we need new windows throughout the house. Last week there was literally a 1/4 inch of ice in the INSIDE of our windows. Its costing $300 a month to heat our little place!
Anyways, we cant really afford to move at the moment. Especially this month since im missing a check because of the winter break when I didnt work. And come summer time I wont have work either. I really need to get on with the school district so I can choose to get paid over vacations. Or find a way to afford to go to school so I can get that over with and earn a decent living and not have to worry.
Ok, feeling a little loopy. Best be off for tonight I suppose.
I have a feeling that this week will go really fast. School starts again on Monday so it's back to work, and a crazy few days it will be I am sure! With two weeks off of school the kiddos are going to be all sorts of worked up. I just hope that the holidays treated them all okay.
I have so much to do this week, and its already Thursday. I need to finish taking the Christmas decorations down (Once the holiday is over, Monica is DONE with it until next year!), do dishes and laundry, de-clutter the house, and clean the garage! Our garage is a complete disaster. I am quite literally giving most of it away. Im a packrat and keep absolutley everything. So im putting it all in boxes, setting it on the front snow (read: lawn) and posting on craigslist for people to come take it away. I hope it goes quickly because otherwise every time I have to walk past im going to be picking things out of the boxes!
Im getting all nesty. It happens quite often. Ive fallen in love with a house thats pretty much down the street, just a couple blocks away. Its incredibly cramped to have 3 adults, 3 dogs, and 2 cats in a 900 sqft, 2 bedroom house. We're going nuts! The house is on my favorite street in town and its beautiul, plus it has a yard! Its on the high end of what we could afford right now, but its there still. We could stay there for a while without outgrowing it, too. Des could bring more of her stuff over and not leave it sitting in the garage. We've put a lot of work into this house and I love it, but its just too small for us now. Not to mention the other work that needs to be done I dont really want to pay for. We need a new fence in the backyard, and we need new windows throughout the house. Last week there was literally a 1/4 inch of ice in the INSIDE of our windows. Its costing $300 a month to heat our little place!
Anyways, we cant really afford to move at the moment. Especially this month since im missing a check because of the winter break when I didnt work. And come summer time I wont have work either. I really need to get on with the school district so I can choose to get paid over vacations. Or find a way to afford to go to school so I can get that over with and earn a decent living and not have to worry.
Ok, feeling a little loopy. Best be off for tonight I suppose.
We got the loot!
9:24 AM Edit This 2 Comments »
Christmas was great! We got some really cool stuff! :-)
(pics are from google, not our actual stuffs)
My dad got me a 9inch Dell Mini Inspiron laptop (which im writing this on right now) Its wicked!
Monica's family got us 7 sets of FiestaWare in 7 different colors. Each set is a dinner plate, bowl, saucer, and coffee cup!
Monica got me an awesome 8.5 inch digital photo frame that holds 3000 photos! Its on permanent slideshow on our desk! :-)
Destiny got me a beautiful Jewelry Armoire! (I've wanted one for a long time!)
My dad and Monica's parents both got us pots and pans!
I also acquired an iPod because I got Monica a new orange one!
So yeah. All in all, it rocked! I have cute pictures of the boys unwrapping presents, but I left my camera at their house! So as soon as I get it back i'll post those!
How was YOUR holiday?
(pics are from google, not our actual stuffs)
My dad got me a 9inch Dell Mini Inspiron laptop (which im writing this on right now) Its wicked!
Monica's family got us 7 sets of FiestaWare in 7 different colors. Each set is a dinner plate, bowl, saucer, and coffee cup!
Monica got me an awesome 8.5 inch digital photo frame that holds 3000 photos! Its on permanent slideshow on our desk! :-)
Destiny got me a beautiful Jewelry Armoire! (I've wanted one for a long time!)
My dad and Monica's parents both got us pots and pans!
I also acquired an iPod because I got Monica a new orange one!
So yeah. All in all, it rocked! I have cute pictures of the boys unwrapping presents, but I left my camera at their house! So as soon as I get it back i'll post those!
How was YOUR holiday?
Christmas 2008
4:49 PM Edit This 5 Comments »
Hello family and friends and welcome to the Bock’s eco-friendly (but mostly because stamps are expensive and we ran out of time) Christmas card! It’s been quite a year!
The biggest news would be that Monica and I registered as Domestic Partners on August 8th! We drove over to Olympia and did it in person, got our registry cards and everything! We had a little dinner in Ellensburg, nothing big and fancy. We were planning to have a reception, but money and work schedules didn’t really permit it! So we decided to wait until marriage is legal so that we can have a big wedding and reception! We were in the local paper this summer in an article focusing on Domestic Partnerships!
Monica and I both changed jobs this year; she now works for CWCMH (Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health) as a Mental Health Worker in the Detox Center. I work for Elmview in the Yakima Schools Program, and im currently an aide in a kindergarten classroom for kids with behavioral disorders. I’m not currently attending school, but hoping to go back at some point once life calms down and I know what I want to study. I love what I do, and im considering looking at a Behavioral Specialist program in school. Im still interested in Occupational Therapy and have even considered being a Kindergarten teacher, but I know I couldn’t make it through all the schooling! I am working on learning sign language a little at a time, and I am really enjoying that!
We now have 3 dachshunds (Camden, Dashiel, and Skittles) and 2 cats (Nigel and Ripken). Our house is busy, to say the least! We have got lots done, including painting the entire interior, putting wood flooring down in the living room and kitchen, and getting the yard in decent shape; along with tons of other little stuff that has kept us super busy!
This year we went to a couple Storm (WNBA) and Thunderbirds (hockey) games, to Silverwood this summer, and to Jeff Dunham in November. Monica and I also saw Fergie and I saw Neil McCoy. I got my first tattoo in June, a bear in honor of my mom. It was an incredibly painful experience and I thought I was going to go into shock, but im glad I did it and I love it! Monica got 2 new tattoos this year, on on her calf [Rainbow infinity symbol with M2 (Marcy & Monica squared) 381, (3) words (8) letters (1) meaning- I LOVE YOU] and on her wrist [start love, end hate in computer coding].
Monica got me a Yamaha scooter for my birthday in June, and we also bought a Yamaha 4-wheeler! I ride the scooter all over town (100 MPG is pretty great these days!), and we keep the quad at my dad’s place in Ellensburg. Dad is doing well, still driving cars for Ellensburg Chevrolet and always busy doing something! My brother Josh and his girlfriend had a baby girl, Loreli, so I am an aunt for the second time!
Monica’s family is doing well, the boys are 8 already and in 3rd grade. Charlie is a genius and Danny is a jock, they reach a pretty good balance! We bred my dog Dashiel and got one of the puppies, which we gave to Monica’s family. They named her June and she is a very sweet little dog!
Well, I think that’s about it for this year! We have really enjoyed getting cards from all of you, and I will make sure to get cards out next year! Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment, and enjoy the Holidays!!
-Marcy & Monica
The biggest news would be that Monica and I registered as Domestic Partners on August 8th! We drove over to Olympia and did it in person, got our registry cards and everything! We had a little dinner in Ellensburg, nothing big and fancy. We were planning to have a reception, but money and work schedules didn’t really permit it! So we decided to wait until marriage is legal so that we can have a big wedding and reception! We were in the local paper this summer in an article focusing on Domestic Partnerships!
Monica and I both changed jobs this year; she now works for CWCMH (Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health) as a Mental Health Worker in the Detox Center. I work for Elmview in the Yakima Schools Program, and im currently an aide in a kindergarten classroom for kids with behavioral disorders. I’m not currently attending school, but hoping to go back at some point once life calms down and I know what I want to study. I love what I do, and im considering looking at a Behavioral Specialist program in school. Im still interested in Occupational Therapy and have even considered being a Kindergarten teacher, but I know I couldn’t make it through all the schooling! I am working on learning sign language a little at a time, and I am really enjoying that!
We now have 3 dachshunds (Camden, Dashiel, and Skittles) and 2 cats (Nigel and Ripken). Our house is busy, to say the least! We have got lots done, including painting the entire interior, putting wood flooring down in the living room and kitchen, and getting the yard in decent shape; along with tons of other little stuff that has kept us super busy!
This year we went to a couple Storm (WNBA) and Thunderbirds (hockey) games, to Silverwood this summer, and to Jeff Dunham in November. Monica and I also saw Fergie and I saw Neil McCoy. I got my first tattoo in June, a bear in honor of my mom. It was an incredibly painful experience and I thought I was going to go into shock, but im glad I did it and I love it! Monica got 2 new tattoos this year, on on her calf [Rainbow infinity symbol with M2 (Marcy & Monica squared) 381, (3) words (8) letters (1) meaning- I LOVE YOU] and on her wrist [start love, end hate in computer coding].
Monica got me a Yamaha scooter for my birthday in June, and we also bought a Yamaha 4-wheeler! I ride the scooter all over town (100 MPG is pretty great these days!), and we keep the quad at my dad’s place in Ellensburg. Dad is doing well, still driving cars for Ellensburg Chevrolet and always busy doing something! My brother Josh and his girlfriend had a baby girl, Loreli, so I am an aunt for the second time!
Monica’s family is doing well, the boys are 8 already and in 3rd grade. Charlie is a genius and Danny is a jock, they reach a pretty good balance! We bred my dog Dashiel and got one of the puppies, which we gave to Monica’s family. They named her June and she is a very sweet little dog!
Well, I think that’s about it for this year! We have really enjoyed getting cards from all of you, and I will make sure to get cards out next year! Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment, and enjoy the Holidays!!
-Marcy & Monica
A special Christmas Card
7:17 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
Christmas cards for Recovering American Soldiers
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. A Great Idea!!!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, pleaseinclude the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. A Great Idea!!!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, pleaseinclude the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001
Blog layout...
7:08 PM Posted In blog Edit This 2 Comments »
I really want to switch mine... but its such a pain to re-add the widgets and whatnot....
No tickling in school
11:45 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
The rules never seem to cease. Last week I was reprimanded to tickling a child. The teacher informed me that it is a red flag for pedophile's. Makes some sense I suppose. But some of these kids love tickling as a reward, and now I cant do that. Many have trust issues with adults so for them to trust me to tickle them is big. Oh well I guess.
Christmas is coming....
1:24 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
I have strict holiday traditions. I will NOT decorate for Christmas, not a single paper snowflake, until the day after Thanksgiving. I will not buy any Christmas themed items or decorations in the store until the day after Thanksgiving.
But I WILL shop for Christmas presents. Because if I leave myself less that 30 days, it isnt possible. I try to collect things throughout the year, and come November start buying a few presents every paycheck. Christmas really WILL be a bit smaller this year, no presents for extended family and such. I always hate that, but its necessary. We're SO CLOSE to having some bills paid off, next year will be better. Trying to keep presents at 1 per person this year, and not to expensive. So I really am hunting for the "perfect presents", because if people are only getting 1, it better be cool!
But I WILL shop for Christmas presents. Because if I leave myself less that 30 days, it isnt possible. I try to collect things throughout the year, and come November start buying a few presents every paycheck. Christmas really WILL be a bit smaller this year, no presents for extended family and such. I always hate that, but its necessary. We're SO CLOSE to having some bills paid off, next year will be better. Trying to keep presents at 1 per person this year, and not to expensive. So I really am hunting for the "perfect presents", because if people are only getting 1, it better be cool!
AMAZING giveaway
1:05 PM Posted In giveaway Edit This 0 Comments »
I happened by a giveaway this morning that is too good not to share! Head on over to The Dirty Shirt and check out her Christmas Giveaway! Its a 1 Terabyte (thats HUGE, guys) Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme External Hard Drive. Seriously, go check it out!
Cant fight the fatigue.....
6:48 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
Once it gets cold out, I get tired. DJ told me last night its like I hibernate! I can easily sleep for 18 hours straight in the winter. This also comes with lots of body pains. Two years ago it was so bad I actually saw the doctor and got tested for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Sleep Syndrome, and some thyroid disorders. Everything came up negative. And its not Seasonal Effective because im HAPPY, just exhausted. So I spent this week sleeping as much as humanly possible to see if that would help. Nope! Next week im going to try staying up and active as much as possible. Keep in mind that we arent drinking soda anymore, maybe once a week. And im used to drinking 2 lieters of Dew each day, on average. So that doesnt help. BLAH. I need to figure something out. Gotta be on my feet at work. They are like animals, they can smell when you're weak!
Day with the boys
12:43 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
Let me tell you what Zilla is wearing in this picture. Of his own accord. Camo pants, a suit jacket, a beanie, vans, different colored socks, a marble necklace, and his rasta bracelet. He's gonna be a rock star.
Diggy is a bit calmer!!
We went over to see them on Tuesday and went Glow (in the dark) (miniature) Golfing. It was pretty fun. Zilla was thrilled because he usually gets shafted, but we went somewhere HE wanted to go, and he even won a free game of golf! While DJ and Moe shopped I took the boys to a game store they had been begging to look at, and they spent an hour immersed in a trial run of WarHammer (think D&D) and even got to paint their own miniatures. They had a blast! :)
