We all view life differently. Some of us view our lives negatively, or positively or just like a typical day and not really noticing the miraculous things that occur daily. I use to be that person, I would just go about day to day and not think about the things I was fortunate enough to experience and see. I am truly really lucky and I get to see amazing things daily. I am a teacher and I get to see the "light bulb" turn on daily for my students- who else can say they have this at work! It makes teaching what it is. But it is not the "teacher lense" that I enjoy the most or even that made the change from day to day ritual to truly being grateful for everything.
My favorite "lense" is the mommy lense. I have a 20 month old and a four year old. Think about all the new things they experience and see on a day to day basis. So, as I go about my day to day routine, my kids are learning and seeing things for the first time. And, therefore, I see them too! The one thing I am seeing the most of lately is my kids are growing up and too fast!
Hollin started ski school. We got her into the incredible program available through the Breckenridge Ski Resort and she gets to ski every Saturday for eight weeks. I am seeing her all grown up and independent. We drop her off each morning at the gondola, with her lunch in hand, layers of clothes, sunscreen, helmet, goggles, lunch made (of course with a note from Mommy- who did not love this as a kid). I always knew I wanted MY kids to ski, and I couldn't wait for the day (especially after my year of teaching kids to ski myself). I was excited that first day dropping her off... and then I realized my new "lense" I was no longer the ski instructor that I once was, I was a mom and I was now questioning if this "ski instructor" was qualified enough to have MY daughter all day on a BIG mountain, with THOUSANDS of people and most importantly on a HIGH LIFT!! I was terrified, but so excited about the new possibilities for her! This I know, is just the beginning of her new found independence and my new "lense" of seeing my daughter grow up.
Recently, Johnny has been going through Speech Therapy. I am a teacher, and I pride myself on what I am able to accomplish with my students in my classroom. I believe that I help my students grow academically and socially each year. I never thought that MY son would struggle with something as simple as talking. We all know that I talk all the time and have NO problem talking. Johnny does. He needs help and is taking to learning on how to talk but at HIS rate. I look at him and realize that my "lense," the mom, can't fix this. I can help him but I can't fix it. It will take time, and who am I kidding... I am not patient! He is improving and my new "lense" shows me what each little accomplishment means. I am watching him grow and learn. Even though I think it is too slow and he needs help, it is overall, too fast!
I also get to see my kids in a new light about how their personalities have changed daily. Hollin acts JUST like me! With a purse, phone, shopping bags and a baby in hand. She is me-- never expected to see that in my "lense." Johnny is coming in to his own. He loves to play with the games on phones, switch light switches, and tonight he laid down on the carpet with his hands behind his head and watched Wipeout. He is his dad-- NEVER thought I would see what Ted was like as a little boy. That is a "lense" I am embracing. I have a new incredible view of the world. And for that I am grateful and blessed.
Stop and take a look at the way you view the world... try something different... view it differently. You will love it... I know I do!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Christmas Rhyme and card
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Vanderveen Christmas Letter
by Hilary Davis Vanderveen on Monday, January 3, 2011 at 7:06pm
I’ll tell you what happened in our little den,
It’s the Vanderveen Christmas letter of two thousand and ten!
Only a few days until Christmas and Hilary’s behind in her quest,
To bring you a letter that’s one of the best!
No boring letters here, so sit back this time
And enjoy the Vanderveen Family Christmas-time rhyme!
Let’s start at the top, with the boss of this clan,
who continues to be quite the CU fan.
Ted’s golfing skills are quite improved,
after spending the summer at the golf course since Hilary approved!
Hilary continues to teach third grade,
as a teacher and a mom she feels like she has got it made.
She likes to stamp and crop a lot,
she’s always looking for the perfect picture scrapbooking spot.
Hollin is now four and her interests are babies and horses,
her love for Disney Princess she endorses.
She dabbles in so many things it’s hard to mention them all at this time
It would take up the remaining space of our Vanderveen Christmas Rhyme.
Eighteen months and full of fun,
Johnny is our number one son.
He loves to wear hats and talk on the phone,
He thinks he is hot stuff and sits on a throne.
During this holiday season his laughter helps us keep this in mind:
this season is full of holiday cheer and put your worries behind.
That’s the abbreviated version of our life through this year,
But if you want more frequent updates don’t shed a tear.
Hilary keeps random thoughts about things on a blogging site,
Go to vanderveenfamily04.blogspot.com when you can’t sleep at night.
I was told that I must stop when this rhyme hit the bottom of the page,
I tend to ramble on as I get “up there” in age.
So we bid you great things from our corner of Heaven,
We wish you the best for two thousand eleven
Vanderveen Christmas Letter
by Hilary Davis Vanderveen on Monday, January 3, 2011 at 7:06pm
I’ll tell you what happened in our little den,
It’s the Vanderveen Christmas letter of two thousand and ten!
Only a few days until Christmas and Hilary’s behind in her quest,
To bring you a letter that’s one of the best!
No boring letters here, so sit back this time
And enjoy the Vanderveen Family Christmas-time rhyme!
Let’s start at the top, with the boss of this clan,
who continues to be quite the CU fan.
Ted’s golfing skills are quite improved,
after spending the summer at the golf course since Hilary approved!
Hilary continues to teach third grade,
as a teacher and a mom she feels like she has got it made.
She likes to stamp and crop a lot,
she’s always looking for the perfect picture scrapbooking spot.
Hollin is now four and her interests are babies and horses,
her love for Disney Princess she endorses.
She dabbles in so many things it’s hard to mention them all at this time
It would take up the remaining space of our Vanderveen Christmas Rhyme.
Eighteen months and full of fun,
Johnny is our number one son.
He loves to wear hats and talk on the phone,
He thinks he is hot stuff and sits on a throne.
During this holiday season his laughter helps us keep this in mind:
this season is full of holiday cheer and put your worries behind.
That’s the abbreviated version of our life through this year,
But if you want more frequent updates don’t shed a tear.
Hilary keeps random thoughts about things on a blogging site,
Go to vanderveenfamily04.blogspot.com when you can’t sleep at night.
I was told that I must stop when this rhyme hit the bottom of the page,
I tend to ramble on as I get “up there” in age.
So we bid you great things from our corner of Heaven,
We wish you the best for two thousand eleven
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Santa!!!! I know him!!!!!!!!!!
Our days are filled with excitement around here. The excitement has nothing to do with me, Ted, Johnny or anything else except Santa. Hollin is beyond excited to see Santa and have him bring her toys. She gets it! I can honestly say this is the first year that she totally gets it. We have been counting down to the BIG arrival, watching Buddy our elf move each night Elf on a Shelf. It has been fun. I am just as excited, if not more, for Santa's arrival.
What did Hollin ask Santa for? Twin babies. She wants these. Ironically, mom and I ended up at the new American Girl store here in Colorado and picked these up for Christmas just because we thought she would love them. Since then we have been getting frequent catalogs and each and every time Hollin pick those twins out and tells me she wants them. She asked Santa and has been so good because Santa has been watching her. Adorable I know. She has not really asked for anything else. She would be totally and completely content on just them. But I on the other hand went a little nuts on both of my kids. They are getting Christmas and I can't wait to see Christmas morning with them. Ted and I went shopping together and we got this, this, and this. We also got a lot more stuff but you get the gist. Our kids are going to be spoiled.
Last night, we went to the kids daycare party and Santa came. Hollin loved it! Johnny on the other hand... not a fan. Hollin got a kitty cat (stuffed) in a purse, and Johnny got a hammer bench. They love their new toys and it was so fun for them to see Santa. It was great that Santa also knew to talk to Hollin about eating her dinner. He is watching you!
So just like Buddy the Elf says, "Santa! I know him!" with pure excitement. My kids are feeling the same way.
What did Hollin ask Santa for? Twin babies. She wants these. Ironically, mom and I ended up at the new American Girl store here in Colorado and picked these up for Christmas just because we thought she would love them. Since then we have been getting frequent catalogs and each and every time Hollin pick those twins out and tells me she wants them. She asked Santa and has been so good because Santa has been watching her. Adorable I know. She has not really asked for anything else. She would be totally and completely content on just them. But I on the other hand went a little nuts on both of my kids. They are getting Christmas and I can't wait to see Christmas morning with them. Ted and I went shopping together and we got this, this, and this. We also got a lot more stuff but you get the gist. Our kids are going to be spoiled.
Last night, we went to the kids daycare party and Santa came. Hollin loved it! Johnny on the other hand... not a fan. Hollin got a kitty cat (stuffed) in a purse, and Johnny got a hammer bench. They love their new toys and it was so fun for them to see Santa. It was great that Santa also knew to talk to Hollin about eating her dinner. He is watching you!
So just like Buddy the Elf says, "Santa! I know him!" with pure excitement. My kids are feeling the same way.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Christmastime is Here...
We are a few days into December and in full force here for Christmas. Complete with 5 trees, millions of animatronic Christmas toys and the Grinch on the roof. We are after all, Griswold wanna be's and I think I was raised to be a Griswold from the beginning.
I remember as a kid my mom would always joke about being the Griswolds but I am now realizing, as an adult she was not kidding. We are and will continue to be the Griswolds. Mom would always joke about putting us in matching outfits for outings.
I remember one Christmas when my sister was coming home from college (it was her first Christmas home from college). My grandparents, Llenie and Herbie sent my family thesehideous amazing Christmas sweatshirts that light up. My mom had us wear them to the airport to pick up my sister. The WHOLE family, mom, dad, Greyson and I. I being 9 thought it was BRILLANT and I loved the idea. I wore my sweatshirt proud and marched through the airport excited to see what she thought of these WONDERFUL sweatshirts. Meanwhile, my brother and dad had their coats zipped up to their eyeballs so no one would see. Then the moment came, we were at the gate (before 9-11-01) and mom insisted on having us turn on our sweatshirts and have them blink as my sister walked off the tarmac and greeted our family for the holidays. I, proud and happy 9 year old, stood there and waited. I finally saw her, my sister, heading towards us and she got closer and closer. Even closer. Then she... walked right past us. She acted like she didn't even know us. Do you blame her? This is close but not exact of what the sweater looked like.
I remember as a kid my mom would always joke about being the Griswolds but I am now realizing, as an adult she was not kidding. We are and will continue to be the Griswolds. Mom would always joke about putting us in matching outfits for outings.
I remember one Christmas when my sister was coming home from college (it was her first Christmas home from college). My grandparents, Llenie and Herbie sent my family these
These are the moments that I laugh about as an adult and I see myself doing already to my poor kids. I looked and LOOKED for my kids to have matching Christmas outfits. Now before you laugh, realize that this is not too far fetched. It is possible thanks to places like this. The price is not right and my husband did not want it, have it! But let me ask you this... is there anything cuter than a matching family? I really want to be this family.
With the kids are new traditions for the holidays. These traditions will not be matching outfits but I do think it should be matching PJs at least.
So here is to all the new traditions and fun times ahead kids. Don't mind what I do... it is all about the experience and memories.
"Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.
Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?
Clark: No, I have one of those at home."
Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?
Clark: No, I have one of those at home."
Thursday, October 21, 2010
We have had a blast...
We have had a great time! This has been a great fall break! Here is the rundown of the break.
Monday- my first "official" work day off! I made it a day about me! My kids went to daycare and I cropped, did my own stuff. It was great.
Tuesday- I was woken up in the night witha seal in my house, Hollin coughing that sounded like a bark. It was croup. I knew it and know that barky cough from anything now. We have had enough exposure to it and I am suddenly an expert on croup. We sat in a steamy room and then on the front porch, to help her. We did this over and over all night to help her. Nothing worked. Morning arrived, doctor was called and no more barking suddenly. Nonetheless, I took her and yep, she had croup. When does a child outgrow croup? NEVER-- it just turns into something else. So we spent the day in bed and relaxing. It was nice, not what I had planned but I loved it!
Wednesday- We woke up late and they wanted to go to daycare. So I went and we made a craft.. I think... honestly I don't remember much of this day.
Thursday- Hollin had preschool and I was volunteering. I loved it and the teacher was THRILLED. Her aide went home with a sick kid (must be going around) and so she was thrilled to have me. It was busy but nice. I was a mom and a teacher. It was great to see Hollin in such a different capacity.
Friday- I had more cropping to do. And errands, tons of errands. I spared the kids and they played with their friends at daycare.
Saturday- much to my disappointment I didn't find a babysitter to watch the kids so Ted and I could go to the CU game. BUMMER! So I decided to take the kids to Halloween with Horses. It was a blast. More than I ever expected and although I couldn't go to the game with my hubby it was a great day. I can't wait to go next year.
Sunday- We took Hollin bowling. Mary Ann (mother in law) joined us and we had another great day. Hollin loves bowling.
Monday- I got my hair done. Highlighted and the works. It was great and nice to do something myself. Also ran errands.
Tuesday- Preschool again, volunteered again. It was much easier! But I know I am meant to NOT teach preschool. The centers, and all the baskets of items and where they go is a little overwhelming and I have to admit, I would lose it if the kids didn't put things where they belong.
Wednesday- We went to Little Monkey Bizness and played hard. Johnny did not like it at first but warmed up quick and loved it. He loves slides. Hollin made friends and had a blast. I wore them out but most of all, I had such a good time just playing with my kids. Johnny's favorite toy was the clubhouse climber almost like this. Hollin played on everything! Then we went and met my friend and her two boys for lunch at Panera. The kids took great naps afterwards!
Thursday- I took Johnny to storytime at the library. They sing songs, read books and do finger plays. He loved it! I just wish I could take him to more because I know he will start talking with more exposure to this.
Friday- (tomorrow) going to the Children's Museum. I am so excited. Another great day filled with activities. Then we are going to a Trick or Treat street.
Saturday- Buff game with Ted
Sunday- getting ready to go back to work.
All in all, a great fall break! I love my kids... they are so cute!
Monday- my first "official" work day off! I made it a day about me! My kids went to daycare and I cropped, did my own stuff. It was great.
Tuesday- I was woken up in the night with
Wednesday- We woke up late and they wanted to go to daycare. So I went and we made a craft.. I think... honestly I don't remember much of this day.
Thursday- Hollin had preschool and I was volunteering. I loved it and the teacher was THRILLED. Her aide went home with a sick kid (must be going around) and so she was thrilled to have me. It was busy but nice. I was a mom and a teacher. It was great to see Hollin in such a different capacity.
Friday- I had more cropping to do. And errands, tons of errands. I spared the kids and they played with their friends at daycare.
Saturday- much to my disappointment I didn't find a babysitter to watch the kids so Ted and I could go to the CU game. BUMMER! So I decided to take the kids to Halloween with Horses. It was a blast. More than I ever expected and although I couldn't go to the game with my hubby it was a great day. I can't wait to go next year.
Sunday- We took Hollin bowling. Mary Ann (mother in law) joined us and we had another great day. Hollin loves bowling.
Monday- I got my hair done. Highlighted and the works. It was great and nice to do something myself. Also ran errands.
Tuesday- Preschool again, volunteered again. It was much easier! But I know I am meant to NOT teach preschool. The centers, and all the baskets of items and where they go is a little overwhelming and I have to admit, I would lose it if the kids didn't put things where they belong.
Wednesday- We went to Little Monkey Bizness and played hard. Johnny did not like it at first but warmed up quick and loved it. He loves slides. Hollin made friends and had a blast. I wore them out but most of all, I had such a good time just playing with my kids. Johnny's favorite toy was the clubhouse climber almost like this. Hollin played on everything! Then we went and met my friend and her two boys for lunch at Panera. The kids took great naps afterwards!
Thursday- I took Johnny to storytime at the library. They sing songs, read books and do finger plays. He loved it! I just wish I could take him to more because I know he will start talking with more exposure to this.
Friday- (tomorrow) going to the Children's Museum. I am so excited. Another great day filled with activities. Then we are going to a Trick or Treat street.
Saturday- Buff game with Ted
Sunday- getting ready to go back to work.
All in all, a great fall break! I love my kids... they are so cute!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Teacher perks!
Well the time has come... I am on Fall Break! It is wonderful! I love that teaching has these breaks. The breaks are not just time off but also a time to reflect. Reflect on you as a teacher, parent, wife, colleague, etc. I have only been off since Friday and I have already done some powerful reflections.
I am a teacher... I love teaching! I love the daily challenges, and joys. I love what all the kids say to me and how I laugh daily and often. I love watching the kids grow both academically and socially. I have said all this before. I love having time to think about what I am doing and what I need to do to be better. Anyone that knows me, knows I am competitive and I want to be the best at everything. I am perfectionist. I want to be the best and this year I need to figure out a lot of things... to be the best that I can be! So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a teacher. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
I am a wife... I love my husband with all of my heart. He is amazing and although life is not perfect at times I am grateful to come home to him. I look forward to when he is home and I look forward to having my home filled with the people I love most. My hubby needs me and when I am working I am not always "here." So thank God for these breaks... to reflect and be the best wife I can be... again I need to be perfect. So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a wife. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
I am mom... I love my kids! They are incredible and already this fall break we have been busy. Ted and I took them to the circus and today I co-hosted a baby shower. It has been busy! I look forward to this break to be busier. I am going to take my kids EVERYWHERE! I need to expose Johnny to some more vocabulary in hopes that he will start talking. You see I had to make a tough decision... I had to call Child Find and set up and evaluation appointment for Johnny and his speech (or lack there of). He says nothing and actually he regressed a little. I am concerned and Ted is really concerned. We have done everything that I know how to do and so I must take off my teacher hat and just be the mom and let Child Find do the evaluation and determine the next steps to help Johnny. But in the meantime, I am going to take him everywhere and talk to him like crazy about all the things he is going to see and sees. We are going to go to the Zoo, Wildlife Experience, Childrens Museum, Aquarium, anywhere and all places. Johnny needs me and I need this break to be there for him. So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a mom. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
Bottom line is... I put a lot of pressure on myself and a lot of people tell me to relax. Here is my answer for that... I do put pressure on myself and I always have... this is what has made me into the person I am today. The pressure makes me better, helps me learn from my mistakes and be the person I want to be in the future. I thrive on pressure... is it for everyone? NO! But for me yes... and with that... I am going to have a great two weeks for fall break!
I am a teacher... I love teaching! I love the daily challenges, and joys. I love what all the kids say to me and how I laugh daily and often. I love watching the kids grow both academically and socially. I have said all this before. I love having time to think about what I am doing and what I need to do to be better. Anyone that knows me, knows I am competitive and I want to be the best at everything. I am perfectionist. I want to be the best and this year I need to figure out a lot of things... to be the best that I can be! So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a teacher. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
I am a wife... I love my husband with all of my heart. He is amazing and although life is not perfect at times I am grateful to come home to him. I look forward to when he is home and I look forward to having my home filled with the people I love most. My hubby needs me and when I am working I am not always "here." So thank God for these breaks... to reflect and be the best wife I can be... again I need to be perfect. So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a wife. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
I am mom... I love my kids! They are incredible and already this fall break we have been busy. Ted and I took them to the circus and today I co-hosted a baby shower. It has been busy! I look forward to this break to be busier. I am going to take my kids EVERYWHERE! I need to expose Johnny to some more vocabulary in hopes that he will start talking. You see I had to make a tough decision... I had to call Child Find and set up and evaluation appointment for Johnny and his speech (or lack there of). He says nothing and actually he regressed a little. I am concerned and Ted is really concerned. We have done everything that I know how to do and so I must take off my teacher hat and just be the mom and let Child Find do the evaluation and determine the next steps to help Johnny. But in the meantime, I am going to take him everywhere and talk to him like crazy about all the things he is going to see and sees. We are going to go to the Zoo, Wildlife Experience, Childrens Museum, Aquarium, anywhere and all places. Johnny needs me and I need this break to be there for him. So with this break I have now decided to reflect and make choices and decisions to better myself as a mom. Wish me luck... will two weeks of fall break be enough?
Bottom line is... I put a lot of pressure on myself and a lot of people tell me to relax. Here is my answer for that... I do put pressure on myself and I always have... this is what has made me into the person I am today. The pressure makes me better, helps me learn from my mistakes and be the person I want to be in the future. I thrive on pressure... is it for everyone? NO! But for me yes... and with that... I am going to have a great two weeks for fall break!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Stich in Time...

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010... a day I will never forget. Had a typical day at work, Ted's friend Paul was coming in to town and I was going home to cook dinner. I was going to make Turkey Stuffed Burgers. It was going to be a good but low-key night. Or so I thought....
Hollin had a immediate fondness for Paul and they played from the moment he walked in the door. It was crazy and she was getting all worn out... I put Johnny to bed and decided to go make Paul's bed and get ready to go to bed myself. I gave the Hollin the two minute until bedtime warning and proceeded to make the bed in the basement.
All of the sudden while I was on my last corner of the fitted sheet I heard Hollin's cry. I thought, she will go to her daddy and he's got it. I continued... she continued crying... I stood for a minute to listen and tried to hear what she was saying... crying continued and so I decided to check it out for myself. I get upstairs and she is on daddy and still crying. Now she cries even harder because I am there. Nothing like seeing your mommy right? Ted says she I think she is cut pretty bad and needs a bandaid. I take a look and immediately spit out and say, "SHE NEEDS STITCHES!!!!!!" Ted says, "What?" and Hollin wants to show me what cut her. I carry her upstairs face down (the cut is on the back of her thigh) and the second I get in my bathroom, where she directed me and I am in good light I don't even have time for her to tell me what cut her. She has fillet herself! I grab a towel, wrap it around her leg, call Annie, get Hollin in the car and tell Ted to stay home with Johnny. We were off...
The ER staff was great! Hollin got numbing cream on before I had even told them who she was and where we lived. I think it helped that one of my student's parents was at the reception desk! Hollin was not fazed at all! She was her perky, playful self and did not get the fact that she had to sit still. This of course was while we waited for the numbing cream to work before the "PROCEDURE."
She did great during the procedure though. The doctor was quite impressed with her cut and the staff loved her. While stitching her up we got the whole story...
Paul and Hollin were playing and he fell of the couch and hurt his shoulder. She was upset he was hurt so she decided to get him a bandaid-- she is four after all! In the process of getting the bandaid she slipped and cut her leg. At this time I thought it was the edge of the tile counter.
The ER staff thought that was the sweetest thing ever and gave her a BILLION bandaids to go home with. By this time the stitches were in (all 8 of them) and we were on our way with bandaids in hand, a pillow they gave her, and all the cool medical stuff she could keep. The whole way home she told me she needed to see Paul and give him a bandaid. Even after getting cut she was determined to make him feel better.
She slept with me that night, and I didn't sleep... I just kept replaying the night in my head.
The next morning (I took the day off to make sure she was OK) Paul woke up and asked me to take him to Urgent Care- he was really hurt. I took him and dropped him off and later found out that he had a broken collar bone.
So this turned into a HORRIBLE accident that I am sure is one of many...
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