Predicament

Such an interesting week here in the Arnold home.

My sweet Nathan is in big trouble.  Call from the principal who wanted in school suspension but I said no, home suspension kind of trouble.  Me waiting at home freaking out that every phone call is the school resource officer (and will he get a citation?) kind of trouble.  He bit someone for calling him gay and tripping and shoving him.  Really?  Who is the bully in this instance?  Nathan doesn't take crap.  Can I make him a shirt that says "DON'T FREAKING MESS WITH ME! I bite back."


Of course I don't want him to fight back. But, he does.  Revenge.  It's what we've been working on for 10 years.  Do not seek revenge son.  Turn the other cheek.  Love thy neighbor.  Etc.  SIGH.

Then, I got a call from our other principal.  And, I immediately think GREAT- now, what did Will do?  Poor Will.  It was Elizabeth.  A boy told her that he was going to kill her and "rip out her heart".  The principal recommended that I press charges.  I told him our whole story with Nathan.  How can I press charges when I am praying that it doesn't happen to us?  The principal seemed very touched and relieved that I understood.  It made me wonder if they HAVE to suggest filing charges to protect the school.  Then, I got the call from the school resource officer.  But, not for Nathan's case, for Elizabeth's.  He asked if I wanted a citation to be written.  "No!"  I said very emphatically and I told him our story too.  He hasn't heard of Nathan's case yet.... Does that  mean he won't?

When talking about this little boy with the officer and principal, I learned that his life is difficult.  His mom left and now he's with dad.  This is what everyone used to assume with Nathan.  What is wrong at home?  I wish I knew.

Finally Finished

Remember the bench Eddie and I made?  I finally painted it.  Yes, it took that long.  I'm glad I waited.  Apparently freezer paper works on wood.  I'm not really a quote kind of person, but I like this.

And, if you aren't a FB friend then maybe you didn't see my chairs.  Yep, these were ugly and orange velvet.  They still need trim, so the finished title does not apply.  But, I think I love them.

I used to hate everything I tried to make, now either I'm on a roll... or I'm just more comfortable in my own skin and know what I like and if you don't like it then who cares because I'm not 20 something anymore.  I like that feeling.  Know what I mean?

And, all pics are thanks too my sweet new iphone (my lover gave it to me).  Once Suze heard me call Eddie "lover" and she said gag- you might as well say person I have sex with.  Ummm, isn't "husband" the same thing?  Not sure where that came from.  I'll stop now.  Oh, yeah....

I'm going to Maui.

Jon Schmidt "All of Me"

I thought some of you might like to see the song Carolyn played for her school talent show.

Snow girl

I know that I'm biased an all, but this girl is the cutest thing ever.

Helen Harper

We have a patient who has been with our practice for years, at least 4.  I remember telling her when I was expecting Leah.  Helen is an English lady who is also a midwife so she loves all things pregnancy related.  She is the most kind person ever.  Really.  She would lay on my table and let me work her and want to know all the details about my life and kids, and how things were going for me.  MOST people never ask, or want to know.  Being a mostly home-bound-nobody-to-talk-to mother, this meant a lot to me.
Helen had cancer.  I remember her telling us, and crying, and then she got well, and then she got worse.  And she got well again.  She is the most look-on-the-bright-side person I've ever known.  She bragged about wearing a bikini once on vacation because her treatments had made her lose weight, which I'm guessing is something she wouldn't normally have done.  And, I won't ever forget how hard I laughed when she came back into the office from a trip to England with a package of Helen Harper sanitary napkins.  She said that is what they are called there.  Helen Harpers.  They sat in the office bathroom cupboard for a good two years, then one day I noticed they were gone and I was sad someone had taken them.  I wish I kept them.  Stupid Cancer.  Love you Helen Harper.

Moving On

I have written and deleted paragraphs about how things ended up with Dr. W.

I love Nathan and want to help him.

Dr. W is a crook.

I decided than Nathan is my son and somehow God will help me know how to teach him.

There is no label for Nathan other than super sweet, super smart.