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mkehr
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Name: Mary
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Metro: The Mountain
Birthday: 7/23/1975
Gender: Female
Interests: My family and spending time with them, serving God any way I can, my youth group kids, music...though I am totally untalented at playing any... doing hair, photography, reading, writing, SUMMERTIME and everything that goes with it.
Expertise: Hmm, lets see, I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, hairdresser, counselor, chauffer, maid, accountant, chef, referee, coach, cheerleader, you name it...though I'm not exactly an expert at it all.
Occupation: I am a mom, a homeschool teach
Industry: uhhh...kids and hair?
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
4/22/2006
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| Letting go...a little bit at a time.Tuesday, July 08, 2008  | Letting go...a little bit at a time.
Current mood:  nostalgic
Category: Life My kids aren't babies anymore. In case you haven't noticed, Katelyn is a mere inch away from being taller than me, and sometimes I think Kurt is smarter than me already. Josh and Daniel are still small and snuggly...and yet, they aren't babies anymore. This week is camp week. And this year my 3 oldest are there. And this camp is not as close as their old camp. At their old camp, only one or two would stay overnight, and I would be there everyday dropping someone off at day camp. So I could always see them, and know they were ok and having fun. They didn't really seem all that gone. This new camp, however, is 2 hours away. I can't 'stop in' and see them. They are really, truly gone for the week. I have friends who tell me this should make me very happy....but when your life is entwined in theirs every single day...it seems empty without them. But I swallowed hard and waved energetically with a smile as the vans pulled away with 'my babies' inside. Because I know this is good for them. They have to start learning how to use all I've taught them so far, in the real world. I have to slowly push away...not out of their lives of coarse...but out of the drivers seat of their lives. I am learning that that is, by far, the hardest part of being 'Mom'. Its so much easier to do everything for them, to keep them right here, under my wing. But in the long run, that will only ever hurt them...and make them a horrible person to be married to. I have alot left to teach them...and its a process that takes much time. But for the first time I can see the day when that part of my job will be done. When they were babies, I didn't think I would ever see the day when they could even dress themselves...let alone go off to camp alone for a week. So...I will survive the week, I'm sure. (it helps greatly that they set up a blog for camp and post videos of the kids for us ) And the kids will come back a little older, and wiser , and more independent. And thats ok. Because thats how its supposed to be. And anyhow...I still have Daniel...who has aloooooot to learn yet. I'm going to take him to Knobels today, and teach him a few things about fun. Though...I'm pretty sure that 'fun' is not something one ever has to 'teach' a child...in fact...I'm pretty sure kids are the teachers of fun in this life. |
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| There is something to be said for getting up early... Lately I have been having a hard time getting out of bed. I grumble and complain, curl up in a ball and wish myself back asleep...which, many of you don't know, is not really like me at all. I used to love the morning. There is a quiet peace in the morning that you sure don't find during any other time of the day. But lately, I think I've let 'life' kick me until I just didn't even want to get up and enjoy that peace. It seems like everywhere you turn there is a sad story, someone calling with yet another tale of cancer, or a child tragedy, or troubled relationship, along with the doom and gloom that I hear constantly about how our world is going to be a HORRIBLE place for our kids to live someday, that America is 'goin' down', and we won't be able to afford anything......frankly I think I let it all depress me. I am not the type of person who likes to dwell on that kind of stuff. I firmly believe that God is in control, and me worrying doesn't make anything change, it just makes me want to stay in bed! But when it is drilled into your head, day in and day out it starts to get to you. So when my neighbor called and asked me if I would do her daughters hair for her 6th grade graduation this morning, I was less than enthusiastic at the thought of getting up at the crack of dawn to do a fancy hair-do. And when I woke up this morning I did my grumbling and complaining and tried to curl up and wish myself back to sleep...knowing full well that I didn't have time for that. So I dragged myself out of bed, had some tea and a bagel, read my emails, and by the time she came I wasn't feeling half bad! In the hour it took me to curl up the monstrous amount of hair she has, we chatted about all the things that are important to a 6th grader. It wasn't talk about the rising gas prices, or how China is going to take over the world, or how the taliban is going to wipe us out, or how we are going to have to raise our own food and people will try to steal it from us, or the stupid presidential circus, or companies downsizing so that we will lose our jobs...no...we talked about the dance tonight, and what dress she was wearing, and how girls at school can be so mean sometimes, and how boys are silly, and how the summer is going to be so great, and how 7th grade is going to so cool and scary at the same time. And I was refreshed. And when she left, I sat and thought that I would like to have more conversations like that. Kids have such a fresh perspective on life. And so often, we get caught up in all that is bad in the world...because sure...theres an awful lot that IS. But on the flip side of that...there is SO much good to think about too. Staying in bed doesn't make the world stop, it doesn't change the evils we face every day...really, it doesn't make anything better. So I think I need to start having better conversations...more positive conversations...conversations about all that is GOOD in the world too...because, theres an awful lot that IS. And I'm going to start getting up early to think about those things and thank God for them. | | |
| A Moment of silence please....Friday, May 16, 2008 | A Moment of Silence Please...For Mr. Groundhog
Current mood:  ashamed
Category: Pets and Animals For a good month now, I have been hunting Mr. Groundhog. He has cleared my property of all flowers, every year...right down to my potted flowers on my porch! So this year I vowed he had to go. Especially since I plan on planting a vegetable garden. (and believe me...I'll have a hard enough time ALL on my own with THAT..I don't NEED any help killing those plants!!) I stalked him every day...but the slippery little...fat...sucker has ears like an elephant and ran away everytime I thought I had him. So, today..I wasn't planning on hunting groundhogs. I was sucking up all the dust from drywall sanding in my bedroom, with the shop vac. I opened the window to make sure the sill was clean, and *gasp* there he was!! RIGHT next to my front walk, nibbling away...closer and closer to those pots on the front steps. I couldn't believe he wasn't running! The vacuum sounds like a jet engine! I guess he didn't think anything of that since it was a steady sound, and never heard me take out the screen. He would look around from time to time...but then went right back to his nibbling. This was too good to be true! He even turned sideways for me, so I could shoot his wide side!! So....I shot. And I hit him. I then realized that never in my life have I ever shot a LIVING target!! He sat up straight, and I swear he looked RIGHT at me...which freaked me out...so I shot again. He dropped down and slithered sideways into..I THOUGHT..my front bushes. But darn if I can find him now!! I went out, ready to see him jump out at me like a rabid beast, ready to chew my face off, but he was gone! I guess maybe he made it to his little hole? So now I feel like a complete jerk. I should have used my .45 pistol....he would have been dead on the spot. Now he will die a slow death I guess...which is incredibly mean and horrible. I never thought about that. I have done nothing but target shooting my whole life! Even when I chose to stuff a squirrel in science class instead of writing a report, my friend shot the squirrel for me. It never occurred to me that a .22 might not be enough to kill him on the spot. In my minds eye, I saw myself shooting, him clutching at his heart and toppling over with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Thats how it happens in the movies, right?? Now I will have nightmares of this...I just know it. I have learned today that I am not the mighty hunter I thought I would be. I think I will stick to my targets...and pray hard that I don't have to shoot anything alive ever again. Poor, poor Mister Groundhog. Maybe I should have tried Geri's idea of putting gum in the yard and having him chew it and die. Though...logically..I have no idea how that would even work. On a positive note though: My flowers should be pretty this year!! And I don't have to dispose of any carcasses... And my neighbor said he would give me $50 to shoot him...the groundhog that is..not my neighbor. |
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| Motorcycles...Monday, April 28, 2008 | I’m just excited...
Current mood:  excited
Category: Automotive For as long as I can remember, I have loved motorcycles and fast cars...really, anything that I could drive. When I couldn't drive, I loved the lawnmower. Kind of strange, for a girl, I suppose. But I'll just blame my dad for that. When I went out to AZ, I sat around with Tiffanys family ~ who has known me forever~ talking about motorcycles, and how badly I wanted one. Well, I get a text the other night at work from her brother Jason...'Still want a motorcycle?' I was like 'of COARSE!!'. So he goes on to tell me he has been working on this bike that would be PERFECT for me and he would sell it to me for $800. I'm like...EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS????  Are you even KIDDING me??? The best part is that I TRUST him, and his work...and know that he would never give me a hunk of junk...and NO one can argue with a price tag like THAT!!  And the very BEST part?? He hasn't painted it yet...and I can have whatever color I want!!! You know I chose YELLOW!!!! So I have talked my sister into motorcycle riding school, and if she can handle a bike, she is going to get one too. And we will be Motorcycle Ridin' sista' chicks. hahahah. I AM a tad worried though ...she can't even handle a pedal bike....so those teachers may have their hands full teaching HER. lol.  My real 'challenge' is Matt. I haven't told him this yet....PRETTY sure he won't be as excited as me about it. And I know he will have a slew of practical reasons  why I should NOT get a motorcycle. But when I look at all the 'man toys' HE has bought over the years...I'm thinking its my turn. And I'll bet he'll want to borrow it after he sees it. |
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| RelationshipsWednesday, April 16, 2008 | Relationships
Current mood:  confident
Category: Friends Throughout my life I've had a good amount of experience in relationships. And by 'relationships' I mean of all types, friendships, family, romantic... As I sat and talked to one of my teenage girls the other day about the unhealthiness of the relationships she puts herself into, I was struck by how I am really not so UNlike her in that respect! Ever since I can remember I was the kid who was drawn to people with 'issues'. I'm not sure if at that young age I was aware of the pattern I had started, maybe even then I wanted to help people, FIX people, make them feel happy again. The unfortunate part of that personality though, is that people sense it, are drawn to you, and then will suck you dry if you allow them. Its not a REAL relationship, where both sides give and take. Its one sided where one person gives and gives and gives, the other taking it all and never giving back. It hurts. As I've sat and thought about it, I am so thankful for the steadfast, solid relationships I DO have in my life. Those people who know every silly quirk I have (not that theres many... ) and who love me regardless. That unconditional love that you know is there no matter what, whenever you need it...and whenever you think you don't. Its priceless. On the other hand I am realizing that there are relationships in my life that are sucking me dry. That are so one-sided its not even right. Thats not love. Thats not friendship. And the advice I gave to my little teenage girl is advice I need practice myself. Sometimes you have to walk away. That hurts, because sometimes you've invested alot of your heart into trying to make that relationship work and grow. But if its not a two way street, its better to walk away. Time really DOES heal all wounds. They don't go away, but the pain of them lessens with time. So I have decided that there is no better time to break my own cycle of bad, unhealthy friendships. I am walking away. Because we all deserve to have friends who value, respect and love us and who are there for us like we are there for them. We should settle for nothing less. Thats my thought for the day........ |
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