I posted this on my preschool blog today. Thought it would be fun to put on my personal blog as well...

One of the things that students begin to notice as they come to school in the morning is my car. As a small person, I drive a small car. A gold Mini Cooper to be exact. I guess because it's a fairly distinguishable vehicle, it interests the children and I get lots of comments about it.

So, I gave my car a name, Ginger. I also always park in the same spot and she (yes, I said she) has become a sort of extra member to our classroom. So, if you hear your child mention "Ginger", you can rest assured that you don't need to bring an extra snack when it's your day.

Also, I play games with the students that involve Ginger. At the beginning of the school year I always park her in the same spot. But once the preschoolers realize that, then I start to move her around to different places and see if they notice.

Here are some comments I have received about Ginger:

-How do you drive with your seat folded forward, Mrs. Gambee?
(I guess I reached into the back seat to get something and didn't put it back)

-Why is there a truck parked in your parking spot?
(because I drove my husband's car while Ginger was getting worked on, good noticing!)

-Why is there dirty laundry in your car?
(because I am going to stop at the dry cleaner on my way home from school)

-Why is there yogurt with a spoon in your car?
(because I ate breakfast on the way to school)

-Ginger looks like a roller skate.
(yup! I think so too!)

Preschoolers don't miss a thing!! I hope I never have to get rid of Ginger, she has brought so many fun preschool memories that I never would have expected!

Debbie Downer

I had an epiphany the other day. I originally just chalked it up to just hormone emotions and being grumpy with life that day, but the thought has stuck, so I decided to blog about it.

I was watching Sam in the lake at this campground that we were at over Memorial Day weekend. He was jumping with a bunch of kids from one trampoline to another and just doing what kids do. Suddently, in that moment, it struck me that literally right before my eyes I am watching the last moments of Sam's childhood. He's growing up. I looked over at Noah who sat in the gazebo "hanging out" with his friend and then got up and tossed the lacrosse ball--the part of him that "plays like a child" has been gone for a bit now. I never paused to notice it when he was 11. Which is probably a good thing because when I did so with Sam, I lost it. I had to go for a walk to get myself put back together (as my friend Sara can attest to).

I believe that Sam will always be a playful person. He'll be the guy that tosses kids around in the pool and jumps off rope swings into the water and makes people laugh. But the actual child part of him is changing into a wonderful young man and I'm just not quite ready. I wish these little boys would stick around just a bit longer.

Alrighty! I've done it. I've jumped in with both feet and signed up for the Warrior Dash in Mt. Morris on Sunday, July 31. Basically, it's a 5k (that's not so bad, right?) with some obstacles thrown in. Afterward, you wear viking helmets, have a big party and drink beer. My friend Karen from Columbus and my sister in law Melany are going to do it with me. Plus, some old friends from Spring Hill might be there too...and my brother and his friend, too. The party part sounds like a blast!

But...here's the thing. I've never run a race before. So...i'll probably look like a total idiot. But that's ok because it's only February. If I start training now...I should be set by the end of July. So, if you have any running tips...let me know.

If you want to join...the more the mightier!

Priorities

It's auto-show season and the past 4-6 weeks for Anthony's business, Latitude Software, has been insane. Tony's experienced long days and even longer nights. It's caused me to ask myself, "If this was our life all the time, would it be worth it?"

There have been multiple days/nights on end when Anthony leaves in the morning after we all head off to school/work, comes back to have dinner with us and turns around and goes back to the office not to be seen again until about 3 or 4am (sometimes not at all until dinner the next night), then repeat the same cycle again for days on end. Many times, when he is with us, he's on his phone quite a bit more than usual and to be honest a lot of the time his head is still in the office.

Now, let me clarify, this is a window of time for us which will close fairly soon, which is why I am able to tolerate it. Also, to his own detriment, Tony has gone out of his way to still carve family time out of this hectic schedule, so please know that it isn't as bad as I might make it sound. But, I still can't help, during the long stretches begin to ask myself, "What would we do if it looked like this was to become our norm?" Would we be willing to take the drastic steps that it would require if Anthony started turning down jobs because he wasn't willing to sacrifice family over work.

It's a trickle-down effect when you own your own business. Tony's clients, for the most part, know each other in some capacity. In the auto industry, they are always looking over each others' shoulders to see who is doing what and with whom. If Tony started getting choosey about which jobs he took on, word would get out that he's unreliable and unwilling to "do what it takes". Which would mean that he would get less business, which means less and less money, possibly to the point of a failed business.

We aren't "rolling in the dough" as it is. Business expenses are high and with increasing insurance costs and taxes, the take home is good, but we aren't rich. However, we have more than enough. Enough to maintain our home that I love, pay the bills and give the kids experiences that we feel are valuable. We are not wanting for anything. Do I wish I had a fatter savings...sure, but don't most? The question is...could I give these things up if it came down to a choice between maintaining the family priorities that we have thus far and having to make sacrifices? Would I be willing to tell the kids that they can't play sports...or that we that we have to sell the camper because we can't afford to travel? Would I sell my house?

How much "good life" are we willing to part with so that we can maintain "family life"? That is a harder question for me than I want to admit to. Certainly there are some things I could get rid of fairly easily...but what if did come down to the bigger things? Would I do it? If faced with the choice, would I make what I would consider to be the most difficult choice, be willing to sell my house, and live in an apartment or with family in order to maintain the "family first" priorities that we have held strongly to for the past 14 years? I would like to give a resounding, "yes!" without faltering, but I'd be lying. So instead, the best I can give is a week shrug of my shoulders and say, "I think so...I hope so". But it leaves a lump in my throat and a pit in my stomach thinking about it.

These are the things I ponder.

Sexting

Today in my staff development for my preschool job we had a person come in from Care House which is a place where minors that have been sexually abused can go to get help. She gave a lot of information about what they do and how they help children, but what I found most interesting was what she had to say about sexting. This is information that is, in my opinion, vital to anyone with their own kids, or who work with students in any capacity. I especially have in my mind friends that are teachers of jr. and sr. highers and youth ministry workers.

Here are the facts as were stated to me (and as far as I understood them):

In Oakland County--

1. If a child (minor under 18) takes a picture of any "private part" (defined by that which would be covered by a bathing suit) and texts it to someone, that child could receive 20 YEARS of probation and a permanent record of that.
2. If a minor on the receiving end of that "sext" distributes it to another person. The person that forwarded it AND the person who originally sent the picture could receive 7 YEARS of probation (this would be in addition to the initial 20 for person #1).
3. Each time the picture is further "passed around" an additional 4 YEARS could be tacked on to the 27 already earned! (This part I am fuzzy on...I feel like I may have misunderstood part of this- I could have the "every time" part not quite right).
4. HERE IS WHERE I WANT MY FRIENDS THAT ARE YOUTH MINISTRY WORKERS TO PAY ATTENTION: If an adult opens the phone of a minor that is NOT THEIR OWN CHILD because they suspect "sexting" and in fact find it on there. IT IS PUNISHABLE OF UP TO 27 YEARS!! If you suspect that a student that you know has inappropriate pictures on their phone, DO NOT OPEN IT! Take it to the authorities. The phone is property of that child's parents and you cannot open their property or view their child's pictures by law.

Again, this comes from what I believe to be a reliable source. She is a social worker for Oakland County and works closely with families that have had to deal with sexual abuse and child pornography. She is familiar with the law and stressed the consequences of this activty to us.

I know that, for myself, if I suspected a minor in my care, especially in a youth group/teaching capacity, I might not think twice about looking at their pictures to see if there was anything on there before I made an issue out of it, thinking that I was saving everyone from a lot of extra trouble if I was mistaken.

Also, after hearing this, I am going to be having a serious conversation with my boys about "sexting". We've talked about it a little but now I am going to make sure that they understand the consequences of participating in this kind of activity are great...first and foremost, emotionally and spiritually. But based on what I learned today...the consequences can last long into your future in ways that I didn't know were so severe.

No one wants to have these talks with their kids. I also can't imagine my own kids ever taking pictures of themselves. But the reality is that you can't control what other kids might forward to them. I want to let them know that activity like this is not to be taken lightly and that once something like this is forwarded onto their phone, it is their responsibility to handle it in an appropriate manner by seeking help from an adult they trust. Then, that adult needs to know how to handle it as well so that they are protecting themselves too.

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Happy Birthday to my 13 year old.

I can't believe how much you've grown.

You are wonderful!

Cleaning House

I cleaned up my blog. If you used to be on my list and you aren't anymore, it's because you haven't posted in over a year or close to it. No hard feelings. If you start blogging, please let me know so that I can put you back in.