Field Trip

** Update Wednesday Morning After the Election**

I know there are so many of you out there that are sad and disheartened after last nights election. I totally felt the same way going to bed last night and just asked why. This morning I felt a lot better and looked at the whole thing through a different lense and I feel surprisingly encouraged. Then, I just took a look at my good friend Buffi's blog and I read a post that even encouraged me more. Read this post -- Hopefully you too can get a new perspective on this whole thing.

Taken from this blog:

http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/

"This is the day for new things in America. Some of us rejoice with the coming new and some of us fell asleep last night weeping for what that new may mean for this country. Either way, it is the reality.And I refuse for that reality to stifle my sense of possibility. Now is the time for Christians to live the message of Christ.Maybe, more than ever before, we will be invited outside our comfort zones where living what we believe won't be easy. And dare I say, that may be the best thing that has happened to Christians in a very long time.It's one thing to hold fast to traditional principles, but a completely different thing to act whole-hearted upon them.It's easy to say abortion is wrong, but hard to walk beside and support that woman who chooses life. It's easy to think we should help the poor, but hard to write that check from our own bank accounts to do so. It's easy to point out wrongs in other people, but hard to examine the many places we ourselves fall so short. It's easy to point out problems, but hard to sacrifice our time to be part of the solution.But, that's exactly what being a Christian is supposed to propel us to do. With grace and gentleness and humble spirits, we are to be more than a band of people labeled as conservatives. We are to actively be Christ's hands and feet in this world.Jesus never called us to the comfortable life. He called us follow him through whatever life hands us. Jesus never waited for the circumstances of the times to line up in his favor. He called us to follow him and be light in the darkness.Jesus never bad mouthed the leaders of the day or demanded they change their policies. He called us to follow him and live out the truth through our right choices.And in following Jesus, an air of excited expectancy will be breathed fresh in our souls.In Obama's speech last night he said, "As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." Now is the time to be representatives of truth to all those around us.May we Christians be seen not as those who continue to strain against the unity of our country, but as followers of Jesus, those who help create it.Now is the time... today is the day... to follow Jesus like never before."

Back to the orgional post:

Owen's class had a field trip to our cities cultural center playhouse to see the play JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. I was invited to attend as a chaperon. I was not able to find a babysitter for Mia so I just took her along-- Owen's teacher Mr. Kooyman was totally cool with it. Owen is so lucky to have Mr. Kooyman this year. Ethan had Mr. Kooyman in 3rd grade and luckily Owen got him this year as well. He is just an awesome teacher and really likes Owen. Owen has ADHD and takes medication each morning to deal with his inattentiveness. We increased his meds this year and it was the best thing we could have ever done. Owen is totally on top of it. Mr. Kooyman says he is attentive, does great academically and really is one of his star students. I echo those sentiments as he is just a joy at home. While he does challenge us sometimes, he is just really on top of things at home. He comes straight home and does his homework without us even having to ask. He works hard and is just a great kid. I am so proud of him and he is proud of himself!!!

Owen and Mia on the stairs of the theatre. Mia is not rabid foaming at the mouth-- she was eating gum and she was drooling all over herself.

Mr. Kooyman's 3rd grade class

That is Hannah holding Mia. Mia totally knows Hannah (as in Chuck and Susans Hannah) and loves her so when we got there Mia went straight to Hannah to be held.

Mia and I walked the kids back to their bus to say goodbye. It was a lot of fun and Owen totally loved having us there with him on his field trip!