A Prayer of Thanks For What I Don’t Have

(Note: God is one of those things that I still intellectually struggle with. I haven’t fully surrendered to His will, I tend to dispute issues in the Bible that seem improbable, and I can’t let go of the belief that I can do it on my own, so discussing prayer is not easy for me. However, that won’t stop me).

Lord,

I thank you for not being sick. I ask that you bring health and healing to those who are.

I thank you for not being hungry. I ask that you bring nourishment to those in need.

I thank you for not being out of work. I ask that you lead people who need work to where they’re meant to go.

I thank you for not being out of touch with my family. I ask that you help broken hearts reconcile or at least find resolution in your will.

I thank you for not letting me give up on my mental health. Please open those who need help’s minds to allow peace to enter in.

I thank you for not giving up on me. Please keep not giving up.

In your name I pray, in your way I try to follow, in your will I am, Amen.

(Updates: Chewie’s hip is back in its socket. My grandma is cancer free. This is all good.)

Dog Days

Chewie got hit by a vehicle today.

She somehow got out in the rain and was up in the street, and a truck got her.

Fortunately, all that happened was she dislocated one of her hips, and the vet thinks he can put it back in place tomorrow.

I don’t know whether to be angry or sad. Angry that the dog got out, angry that I’m going to have to pay for another surgery, or just sad at the whole affair.

Work is hard right now. I’m coming home at approximately 8 p.m. every day, and there supposedly is an end in sight somewhere…

At least the kids are O.K.

A long update

Let’s see, where to begin:

Jacob has a rare blood disorder called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Roughly translated, that is “We don’t know why his platelet count drops and causes bruises.” It only happens when he gets a virus, but he really bruises easily, and we have to watch for possible head bumps. The gist of it is that his immune system kicks in to take out the virus but also attacks his platelets as well, thus causing bruises and petechiae on his skin.

You wouldn’t know it by the look of him, though. He’s a boy, and he runs and plays as hard as ever.

Jessie’s gone from doing the equivalent of the Michael Jackson in Thriller “Step step step swagger fall” to preferring to walk around the house. This gives her access to all sorts of new things she shouldn’t be playing with, especially Jacob’s toys.

About two weeks ago, I was in a car accident. A driver pulled out in front of me, and I swerved to avoid T-boning them. Bent the frame of the Saturn, causing $2K worth of damage. I was unhurt, just mad that the other driver took off without stopping.

Work is difficult right now. We’re in the “gotta get the product out the door” mode, and that means stress, long hours, and other et ceteras. But I’m a team lead, which means I’ve got four people under me. This is a good thing as I’m learning new skills.

I just want to know where this girl’s parents failed her.

Laureen’s Mary Kay business is doing OK. I ran into this website called Pink Truth that basically is very Anti Mary Kay, largely on the basis of money (it’s an MLM, etc.). Well, while turning a profit would be nice, I’m not supporting Laureen solely because of it. I don’t dream of fantastic riches, nicer cars and the like. L. is learning quite a bit about leadership, and that’s always good. If you’re interested in cosmetics, check her site out.

Okay, this confuses me

Check out that sign

As the entry tag on fark.com states: “After your kid fails the minimum skills assessment, a sign reading “Let are kids walk” is probably not going to convince the school he/she should walk for graduation.”

Now admittedly, I’ve got tons of issues with standardized, mandatory assessments. They have encouraged new generations of school administrators who must force teachers to “teach to the test” — albeit not saying that in those terms — thus wasting fully one sixth of a school year just preparing kids to take a test. We’re not teaching kids life skills, we’re not teaching them to enjoy learning, we’re not teaching them anything except how to take a test.

However, what bothers me about this protest is that these students who failed had the same opportunity, instruction, content, classes, and etc. as the thousands of students who passed. Yet, for whatever reason, they failed. Despite the large amount of extra tutoring, extra focus, extra everything that was afforded to these students, they failed. Despite having taken the test at least three times already, they failed.
Is it because they’re bad testers? Maybe. Is it because our educational system is flawed? Probably. Is it because kids get promoted ahead of their level without knowing basic necessary information? Probably.

This, more than anything, makes me want to homeschool my kids.

UPDATE: My brother (who formerly taught in the FWISD), had this to say: “They want the reward without the work.” Essentially, if you read the article, it’s not about whether the students graduate, not about whether they can read or not, etc. It’s about the party. It’s about being with their friends. It’s sad and demoralizing.