... Nathan is definitely walking - several long meters at a time.
I've got video footage, but right now don't have the energy to upload it from my phone to the computer to the web.
AND... we think Nathan is starting to talk. He's been babbling for ages now, but yesterday he said something that sounded distinctly like 'oggy oof oof' when the dogs were making a racket barking at the fence. Then, only minutes later, he started grabbing at Graeme's leg (while G was sitting at the dining room table) and said 'ickle ickle' (tickle, tickle) and giggling.
I'm thrilled. Over the moon. But my fear is that his first real words are going to be in Xhosa (since he's learning both English and Xhosa as his mother tongues) and I won't have a clue what he's saying. I REALLY need to learn to speak Xhosa. And soon. If he's starting to talk then I don't have months to do this - I have a matter of weeks.
If I can, I'll try to record his babbling and upload it for you. It's too cute!
And of course - he'll be a year on Thurs. Can you believe it??? We had party #1 today with G's family. Our cell group will be coming to pray over him and thank God for his life on Wed, and then my family and some friends will be joining us next Sunday for party #2. This boy is going to be thoroughly spoilt!!!
But when I think back, over the fears and paranoia, and his labour, then I think it's all worth it. It's worth celebrating how amazing God is for saving his life, for bringing this amazing soul into our lives, for bringing joy into my life in a way I'd never imagined, for this amazing child who is just too gorgeous for words. I know that this child's destiny in Christ is to bring healing and joy to the world (or whichever parts of it he touches), and already he is fulfilling that destiny.
(I often wish I had a clear sense of what Nellie's destiny in Christ was so I could better pray for her and train her up to fulfil it.... I think, though, that it has something to do with her emotional sensitivity. I suspect she will have incredible sensitivity to God's spirit and be able to discern not only God's heart but whether there are other powers/ spirits at work in a particular situation. However, that is very much only MY thinking and not anything at all that I've felt God say to me about her.)
I am incredibly blessed to have not just one, or two, but three amazing children. When I look at how amazing Nathan and Janel are, I can only imagine just how amazing Zoe is. She has all their good qualities without any of their sin or selfishness or jealousies, or naughtiness.
My good friend had emergency surgery this past week, and when she woke up was told that instead of having a cyst removed, she'd actually had a partial hysterectomy. Only God knows whether she will be able to have children. (I believe in miracles, don't you?) It made me acutely aware of just how blessed I am, despite my APS, despite having lost Zoe, that I am not only capable of having children, but that I have been blessed with two living kids who are just so amazing.
Thank you God for my kids. May I be a worthy parent to these precious souls you have entrusted to my care.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Matric Dance #8
I teach 2 matric classes and I've taught some of these kids for 3 years now - they were in Gd 10 when I started teaching at the school, so I've taken them through their entire LS course. Both classes are very dear to my heart in many ways, and so the matric dance this year was a really big deal for me - so much so that I went to the effort of buying a new evening dress (ball gown, except not quite matric dance style... after all, it's not my dance!) and accessories. (Plus, last year I was post-preggy, so wasn't feeling at all glam, so I promised myself I'd be glam this year.)
This photo isn't the greatest shot of it (or me) but it was the best we could do in the limited time and lighting we had available.
I had an absolute blast! Not having Graeme there was not so great - I had no-one special to dance with for my favourite songs - but it did mean that I didn't have to worry about rushing home to relieve babysitters, so I got to dance to my heart's content. Which I did. In heels. Till my feet felt raw and it was almost torture to walk back to the car. At midnight. It was bliss.
Most of the staff had a blast. We recalled how stressful our own dances had been and how, having no expectations now, we were better able to just enjoy the evening. The DJ was fabulous. The food was great. The company was just the best. The only thing that would have made this evening perfect for me was having my man along to dance with. But other than that, this was a perfect evening out.
But it marks an ending. These kids who are so dear to my heart are nearly all grown up now (and boy did some of them look adult in their get-up!). I found myself worrying about who would get drunk or take drugs or get themselves (or someone else) killed... about who would have sex and who might fall pregnant. I wanted to wrap them up and take them home with me, not let them get hurt. I found myself wandering around, telling them to have fun, but not to get drunk, and to be safe. It made me feel so old. I guess that's what being a parent is about. You find yourself having parental feelings towards all kids, irrespective of whether they're yours or not.
In SA, the traditional culture takes a similar tack on the rearing of children - children belong to everyone, not just their parents. Thus, if someone sees a child misbehaving or getting into trouble, they take responsibility and intervene. Not because they're being busybodies, but because that's what being part of a community is about. I love it. I wish that we would all take responsibility like that.
Sadly, many of our parents are not decent parents. That might be because THEIR parents never taught them basic life skills, values and responsibilities, so they have been unable to pass on to their kids something they do not possess. Sometimes though, it's just that their parents don't care. I can't believe it, but there are parents in our school community who honestly don't care about their kids. It makes me sick to think about it.
So although it makes me feel old, I will continue to demonstrate my love for these kids by trying to keep an eye out for them.
I wonder - in years to come, when I've been to hoardes more dances, will I love the kids more than I love these ones? Will I worry more? or will I have learnt to distance myself a bit more?
This photo isn't the greatest shot of it (or me) but it was the best we could do in the limited time and lighting we had available.
I had an absolute blast! Not having Graeme there was not so great - I had no-one special to dance with for my favourite songs - but it did mean that I didn't have to worry about rushing home to relieve babysitters, so I got to dance to my heart's content. Which I did. In heels. Till my feet felt raw and it was almost torture to walk back to the car. At midnight. It was bliss.Most of the staff had a blast. We recalled how stressful our own dances had been and how, having no expectations now, we were better able to just enjoy the evening. The DJ was fabulous. The food was great. The company was just the best. The only thing that would have made this evening perfect for me was having my man along to dance with. But other than that, this was a perfect evening out.
But it marks an ending. These kids who are so dear to my heart are nearly all grown up now (and boy did some of them look adult in their get-up!). I found myself worrying about who would get drunk or take drugs or get themselves (or someone else) killed... about who would have sex and who might fall pregnant. I wanted to wrap them up and take them home with me, not let them get hurt. I found myself wandering around, telling them to have fun, but not to get drunk, and to be safe. It made me feel so old. I guess that's what being a parent is about. You find yourself having parental feelings towards all kids, irrespective of whether they're yours or not.
In SA, the traditional culture takes a similar tack on the rearing of children - children belong to everyone, not just their parents. Thus, if someone sees a child misbehaving or getting into trouble, they take responsibility and intervene. Not because they're being busybodies, but because that's what being part of a community is about. I love it. I wish that we would all take responsibility like that.
Sadly, many of our parents are not decent parents. That might be because THEIR parents never taught them basic life skills, values and responsibilities, so they have been unable to pass on to their kids something they do not possess. Sometimes though, it's just that their parents don't care. I can't believe it, but there are parents in our school community who honestly don't care about their kids. It makes me sick to think about it.
So although it makes me feel old, I will continue to demonstrate my love for these kids by trying to keep an eye out for them.
I wonder - in years to come, when I've been to hoardes more dances, will I love the kids more than I love these ones? Will I worry more? or will I have learnt to distance myself a bit more?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Kan jy did glo?!
For the first time in MONTHS (literally) I have NO marking to do. Read my lips - NONE. NADA. ZIP. ZERO. NOUGHT. NOTHING.
Of course, this blissful state will only last about 2 days till my next lot of marking comes in, but I'm so pleased with myself, and so thrilled not to have marking hanging over my head that I thought it was worth a quick post.
Join me in having a glass to celebrate!
Of course, this blissful state will only last about 2 days till my next lot of marking comes in, but I'm so pleased with myself, and so thrilled not to have marking hanging over my head that I thought it was worth a quick post.
Join me in having a glass to celebrate!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
From smiles to destinies
Nothing warms my heart quite as much as seeing my kids playing together and having fun. I guess it's that I love seeing the people I adore loving and adoring each other as well.
On the way to church this morning I couldn't help smiling, and then laughing, as Nellie tickled Nate till he was squealing with joy. Seeing that boy's face light up as his sister's hand drew nearer was so precious. Seeing him laugh and smile is just so precious too, but seeing him love his sister like that, and seeing her love him like that.... It warms the cockles of my heart.
I was reminded again this morning just how blessed I am to have my kids. I was reminded again that I nearly lost Nellie during her birth, that I nearly lost Nate during his, and that I did lose Zoe before hers. I was reminded that Nate is a special blessing to us - not a replacement for Zoe, but a blessing to ease the pain of her loss. His friendly, outgoing nature and his ready smile make any dull day beautiful and any pain less intense. Wherever he goes he makes others smile and laugh. I truly believe that this child has a destiny to bring Christ's healing and joy to those he has contact with.
His sister's gift seems less spiritual - she is a WHIZZ at puzzles. She has a sensitive spirit and an enquiring mind, with a stubborn streak she could only have inherited from me. Quite what her destiny is, I'm not sure. It's going to be fun learning and growing with her though as we figure it out.
On the way to church this morning I couldn't help smiling, and then laughing, as Nellie tickled Nate till he was squealing with joy. Seeing that boy's face light up as his sister's hand drew nearer was so precious. Seeing him laugh and smile is just so precious too, but seeing him love his sister like that, and seeing her love him like that.... It warms the cockles of my heart.
I was reminded again this morning just how blessed I am to have my kids. I was reminded again that I nearly lost Nellie during her birth, that I nearly lost Nate during his, and that I did lose Zoe before hers. I was reminded that Nate is a special blessing to us - not a replacement for Zoe, but a blessing to ease the pain of her loss. His friendly, outgoing nature and his ready smile make any dull day beautiful and any pain less intense. Wherever he goes he makes others smile and laugh. I truly believe that this child has a destiny to bring Christ's healing and joy to those he has contact with.
His sister's gift seems less spiritual - she is a WHIZZ at puzzles. She has a sensitive spirit and an enquiring mind, with a stubborn streak she could only have inherited from me. Quite what her destiny is, I'm not sure. It's going to be fun learning and growing with her though as we figure it out.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Who SCORES?
Last weekend I went on a ProGro through Naptosa, on 'Leading across all levels in a school', which was based on one of Ken Blanchard's books (I can't remember which one at this precise moment). Anyway, the weekend focussed on how to implement the Situational Leadership Model 2.
Essentially, I think the big thing that I took away with me from the weekend was that there are 4 main types of leadership styles, and there is a kind of formula that can tell you which one to apply (and how) in each situation. Thus, for each person you deal with, you will have to use all 4 leadership styles at different times, depending on the task that person is engaged with. Similarly, at one point in time you will have to use all 4 leadership styles to deal with different people engaged in the same task, depending on the developmental level of each person.
I know this may seem straightforward to you, but to hear it put quite so succinctly, and to discover that there is a formula that can help you to implement it, was rather a revelation for me.
So - now what? I'm not sure. I need to think about it a bit more, and then I need to try to implement it, I think. It helps that 2 of my colleagues were on the course with me, so I have someone to wink at when I say 'S1', for example.
The purpose of this leadership model is to help turn schools into what he terms are 'high performing schools'. High Performing Schools "SCORES". That is, they Share information and communicate, experience Ongoing learning, focus Relentlessly on the kids' results, have Energising systems and structures, have a Shared vision, and I can't remember the C one... when I do I'll add it here. (Was it Collaborate??)
Two of the other highlights for me were the luxury of the place (3 course meals at all meals and a 5 course meal on Sat evening, open fireplaces in all the rooms, a 4-poster bed, grounds that were just incredible, etc) and the Throne-room. I'll post a photo when I get a chance, but try to imagine a large wooden throne placed over one of the toilets (obviously with a hole cut in it!). It was something special to behold, and (thinking as a mother) would actually have a purpose in helping kids go to the loo as they could climb up easily and could hold onto the arm rests.... ANYWAY. There was also a BEAUTIFUL sunrise on the Sat morning, which I also took a photo of and will post when I get a chance.
Essentially, I think the big thing that I took away with me from the weekend was that there are 4 main types of leadership styles, and there is a kind of formula that can tell you which one to apply (and how) in each situation. Thus, for each person you deal with, you will have to use all 4 leadership styles at different times, depending on the task that person is engaged with. Similarly, at one point in time you will have to use all 4 leadership styles to deal with different people engaged in the same task, depending on the developmental level of each person.
I know this may seem straightforward to you, but to hear it put quite so succinctly, and to discover that there is a formula that can help you to implement it, was rather a revelation for me.
So - now what? I'm not sure. I need to think about it a bit more, and then I need to try to implement it, I think. It helps that 2 of my colleagues were on the course with me, so I have someone to wink at when I say 'S1', for example.
The purpose of this leadership model is to help turn schools into what he terms are 'high performing schools'. High Performing Schools "SCORES". That is, they Share information and communicate, experience Ongoing learning, focus Relentlessly on the kids' results, have Energising systems and structures, have a Shared vision, and I can't remember the C one... when I do I'll add it here. (Was it Collaborate??)
Two of the other highlights for me were the luxury of the place (3 course meals at all meals and a 5 course meal on Sat evening, open fireplaces in all the rooms, a 4-poster bed, grounds that were just incredible, etc) and the Throne-room. I'll post a photo when I get a chance, but try to imagine a large wooden throne placed over one of the toilets (obviously with a hole cut in it!). It was something special to behold, and (thinking as a mother) would actually have a purpose in helping kids go to the loo as they could climb up easily and could hold onto the arm rests.... ANYWAY. There was also a BEAUTIFUL sunrise on the Sat morning, which I also took a photo of and will post when I get a chance.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Nathan walks?
I can't believe it's been a week since this momentous event, but it has. Just goes to show how busy I am.
Last weekend my dear son appears to have taken his first steps on his own. I'm not sure, because I wasn't present. It might have been more a case of "falling with purpose" than actual walking. However, he is now walking while only holding one of your hands (albeit still with a lot of shuffling and stumbling) and walking confidently along furniture. So, whether or not it was 'real' walking, it won't be long till he will be walking properly.
His sister was walking by 13 months, and she was 7 weeks prem, so he's got big shoes to fill if he's going to keep pace with her (he's a year in 4 weeks time - EEEK!). Then again, she was a LOT lighter than him, so it was probably a lot easier for her to get her weight airborne and mobile...
So - I'd better go and plan his birthday party now... Sheesh. Two kids to plan parties for... thank God they're 6 months apart - I don't think I'd cope otherwise.
Last weekend my dear son appears to have taken his first steps on his own. I'm not sure, because I wasn't present. It might have been more a case of "falling with purpose" than actual walking. However, he is now walking while only holding one of your hands (albeit still with a lot of shuffling and stumbling) and walking confidently along furniture. So, whether or not it was 'real' walking, it won't be long till he will be walking properly.
His sister was walking by 13 months, and she was 7 weeks prem, so he's got big shoes to fill if he's going to keep pace with her (he's a year in 4 weeks time - EEEK!). Then again, she was a LOT lighter than him, so it was probably a lot easier for her to get her weight airborne and mobile...
So - I'd better go and plan his birthday party now... Sheesh. Two kids to plan parties for... thank God they're 6 months apart - I don't think I'd cope otherwise.
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