A Weekend in Westberry

Mr. WestberryDad and I probably have a higher than average tolerance for noise, chaos and activity. A raging sea of boy energy surrounds us, even into the night when wee ones wake up with nightmares or have to use the bathroom and can't reach the light.

This past weekend was exceptionally turbulent....tax forms to fill out, wacky weather, a birthday party and Easter Egg Hunt. A student musician playing "The Sound of Music" for three shows.

Puppy gets loose, an entire grain delivery is left out in the snow and rain, and my boss delivers some end of the month bullying.

We took the kids to The International Museum of Photography. It WAS a thrill to see original prints by Ansel Adams and the original "Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima" picture. We went out for Greek food at Jine's where I used to work.

It was Palm Sunday and our little church's birthday/anniversary. The children waved palms and paraded through the aisles.

Turbulent times or otherwise, I feel blessed to be on this American ride with my energetic family.

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New Face on the Farm

There's a new Face on the farm with a great big personality behind it. Meet our Great Pyrenees puppy.

Tonight N and I were working with puppy on the "sit" command. I decided to examine the dog's feet more closely. Imagine my surprise when I found two extra toes on each paw! Was this puppy somehow "defective?"

Chalk up another "thank goodness for the internet" moment when I learned that extra toes are part if the breed standard for a Pyr.

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Armored

Our Chechen son loved to modify things with tape, rocks and paper. He would, for example, take a toy truck and attach a homemade second level and action figures to fashion an odd-looking double decker bus. He would then "steal" the rocks from my garden beds to make roads, mountains, and buildings as a landscape to drive the truck on.

W learned well from Khamzat. Throw in some of his father's tendency toward design and my father's mathematical acuity and you have a rock, tape, paper genius (mini madman).

I observed him at work yesterday afternoon, prostate on the floor as he fitted himself for body length armor. He measured, snipped, taped, folded and taped some more, eventually covering his fingers, arms and torso.

Instead of bemoaning the fact that we are always out of tape, I would like to be able to shop for some extra supplies. Instead of complaining about paper snippets all over the floor I want to cherish his playfulness and creativeness.

Here's to putting on the full armor.

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Lamentations...or, "What have I done?"

I overslept this morning, pulling myself out of bed at 6:20. I'm not feeling so well, and I gather it's because my stress level is high, I've been working a lot, and I've eaten way to much junk food lately.

It was cold upstairs. A boy had his bedroom window open. Downstairs was a sauna as the geothermal system worked overtime to make up for the sub zero air pouring in.

I couldn't find clean uniforms for the little boys but I did find some old pizza slices under the spice cabinet. Curious.

There's rice cereal on the living room coffee table, two full boxes, and a strange blue paint spattered on the chimney.

And I'm bringing in a puppy to add to this mess? What have I done?!

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The Other WestBerry Brother

I'm really proud of our 14-year old.

He recently starred in the musical "Annie" as "Daddy Warbucks." His performance was professional and solid. He was humble and grateful when complimented.

He carried himself with grace and charm.

And did I mention that he sang beautifully and remembered every line? He waltzed with style and carried a sleeping "Annie" from the stage all the way back to the theater exit doors.

Those who know us commented that they had never seen this side of "N."

I'd like to remember this as a pivotol moment in his life. He really made a name for himself, as opposed to being "someone's younger brother" or "part of The Westberry Clan."

Thank you God, once again, for the gift of this child.

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Finish Wha You Start

I am listening to Part 5 (of 5) of Joyce Meyer's Series, "Finish What You Start." The series has inspired me to finish some outstanding projects and focus my attention. By happenstance, I am about to write the last paper for a graduate level IT course, the last course required for my "Certificate of Digital Leadership." I WILL write this paper today!

This morning I woke up to a very, very messy house. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I decided to pick one room to work on (and FINISH). I started by picking up the Man Room (a paneled room off of the kitchen where "the guys" watch TV. Our refrigerator is in this room too, as is the computer and the farm office). Upon sweeping I discovered that I couldn't find the dust pan (boys!). I couldn't find a single envelope to mail bills with (from the front of the fridge). And the printer ran out of ink this morning at 1 a.m. when the sophomore was awake working on his A.P. English paper.

So mid-job I made a Walmart run. I threw some extra coat hangers in the cart in hopes of being able to finish hanging up the clean laundry.

And tonight I plan to bake the apricot coffee cake, the ingredients for which have been sitting on the kitchen counter for over a week.

The Bible story Joyce based her teaching on was the story of Esther. Through dedication Queen Esther saved an entire nation.

May I have the strength and dedication to finish what God asks me to do!

Smile Report

This week was, one again, full of joy stealers...burglary at one neighbor' s house, by another nneighbor...a new nephew I'm not welcomed to see...conflicts with my bosses...arriving with a friend at court so late that the public defender had already left chambers...my poor, sick husband and oldest son.

When asked if I'd like to watch him in his misery I politely replied (and rolled my eyes),"No. Thank you, I do NOT want to watch you use the netit pot."

But then, I had the privilege tonight of taking three teens and the five year old out for pizza. Then I had the chance to witness drum line practice and do a little marching and shaking myself.

There is something exhilarating about walking through the high school corridors while making an enormous amount of noise. I was NEVER allowed to do THAT before!:)

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