3.17.2007
3.16.2007
3.14.2007
Deep Thoughts 3
Flynn's really struggling w/ her asthma, which means red cheeks & heavy eyes (accentuating the lashes); which basically equals instant beauty.
She woke from her nap just now & loves to get up in my lap. I said, "Do you know you're beautiful?"
She said, "God made me beautiful."
Score one for the creator.
She woke from her nap just now & loves to get up in my lap. I said, "Do you know you're beautiful?"
She said, "God made me beautiful."
Score one for the creator.
3.12.2007
Summer Boo-boo's & Bugs
Gabe officially got his first outdoor's boo boo ever. As he was leaning over the ball, his momentum never stopped... velocity got the best of him (as well as the weight of his big noggen) & over he went. Landed square on the top of his nugget, right onto the rough concreted patio.
Ouch.
It bled a teeny bit & now he has a battle scar. For most kids a tuft of hair would've been some protection.
But not from our mini Kojak.
And, oh! the spiders. They're taking residency in our house. There was a quarter sized bodied spider walking down the hall today. I think I saw him carrying a suitcase.
Which got me thinking...
When Flynn was about 10 months old, I was making her lunch. She was toddling around (walked at 9 mos) & was peering out the window over the cul-de-sac like the nosey ones like to do.
It was nearly fall & apparently that's some kind of season for the lady bugs. Mating, marrying, dating, or something. All I know is that they invade us like one of the plagues. And the sills are their favorite hang out.
She swaggered up to me like there was something she needed to report. When I bent over to look closer to her, I noticed legs.
Legs.
Hanging
out
of
her
MOUTH.
That's right.... bug legs.... as in ---- the rest of the bug was INSIDE her mouth.
I did the first-mom panic....
Did the finger sweep, got her over the sink to attempt at some sort of rinsing out.
But she'd swallowed most of it.
I had no idea what to do. Do you call the Children's Hospital Hotline for something like this? The Dr.'s office? What would I say? "Hi, my 10-month old just ate a ladybug."
I didn't really want that in her file.
Besides, you know what they always say.
Protein.
Ouch.
It bled a teeny bit & now he has a battle scar. For most kids a tuft of hair would've been some protection.
But not from our mini Kojak.
And, oh! the spiders. They're taking residency in our house. There was a quarter sized bodied spider walking down the hall today. I think I saw him carrying a suitcase.
Which got me thinking...
When Flynn was about 10 months old, I was making her lunch. She was toddling around (walked at 9 mos) & was peering out the window over the cul-de-sac like the nosey ones like to do.
It was nearly fall & apparently that's some kind of season for the lady bugs. Mating, marrying, dating, or something. All I know is that they invade us like one of the plagues. And the sills are their favorite hang out.
She swaggered up to me like there was something she needed to report. When I bent over to look closer to her, I noticed legs.
Legs.
Hanging
out
of
her
MOUTH.
That's right.... bug legs.... as in ---- the rest of the bug was INSIDE her mouth.
I did the first-mom panic....
Did the finger sweep, got her over the sink to attempt at some sort of rinsing out.
But she'd swallowed most of it.
I had no idea what to do. Do you call the Children's Hospital Hotline for something like this? The Dr.'s office? What would I say? "Hi, my 10-month old just ate a ladybug."
I didn't really want that in her file.
Besides, you know what they always say.
Protein.
3.09.2007
Digging for Gold
Between the city & home, just on 55 actually, we saw THREE people digging for gold.
I think it's a Shel Silverstein poem that talks about sticking your finger up your nose for fear your finger might not make it out?
These people had not read that.
This one lady, in a green pontiac, was even steering with her KNEE because she was using BOTH hands to do the job. She used on finger on one nostril. Then switched hands for the other nostril (I guess for agility's sake). Then, had to pick out from under one nail with the other nail. That's when she relied on other limb's for driving.
That's when I starting gagging & almost puked up the whole row of thin mints I had just eaten.
I think it's a Shel Silverstein poem that talks about sticking your finger up your nose for fear your finger might not make it out?
These people had not read that.
This one lady, in a green pontiac, was even steering with her KNEE because she was using BOTH hands to do the job. She used on finger on one nostril. Then switched hands for the other nostril (I guess for agility's sake). Then, had to pick out from under one nail with the other nail. That's when she relied on other limb's for driving.
That's when I starting gagging & almost puked up the whole row of thin mints I had just eaten.
3.08.2007
It's a "Gammy Night"
Since soccer season has kicked back up, Gammy has subbed in for Daddy for Mommy's long work night.
And this is not sad news for Flynn!
For Gammy Nights are full of tea parties, & hide and seek, and other fun things.
And you can be sure that when Gammy comes over, her arms are loaded down with something for everyone!
3.07.2007
Deep Thoughts By FJ
Last night, we segregated... girls stayed home & the boys went to a PAT meeting, 'Out of the Box', where they crawled through & did lots of other fun things with boxes.
Since Flynn is such a social butterfly & prefers the fun to be had AWAY from home, I was sure to have an evening chalked full of activity for her here, including a grand tea party, complete with tea (lemonade) & biscotti (Scooby graham stix). We spread it out on the livingroom floor, something we normally can't do w/ Bubby home, invited her babies, and even had music.
After that, she used her brand new finger paints, used brand new markers, ate ice cream (soy) sandwiches & even some 'guckers' (gushers).
Despite all this fun, she still kept on eye on the door & was wondering 'where' Dad & Bubs went.
In they came after their outting, and Daddy filled us in on all the great fun they had.
Flynn says to me,
"Can I go there when I get little?"
Since Flynn is such a social butterfly & prefers the fun to be had AWAY from home, I was sure to have an evening chalked full of activity for her here, including a grand tea party, complete with tea (lemonade) & biscotti (Scooby graham stix). We spread it out on the livingroom floor, something we normally can't do w/ Bubby home, invited her babies, and even had music.
After that, she used her brand new finger paints, used brand new markers, ate ice cream (soy) sandwiches & even some 'guckers' (gushers).
Despite all this fun, she still kept on eye on the door & was wondering 'where' Dad & Bubs went.
In they came after their outting, and Daddy filled us in on all the great fun they had.
Flynn says to me,
"Can I go there when I get little?"
3.06.2007
Bambi... a rite of passage
I was cleaning last night when I found a brand new VHS of Bambi. I bought it probably ten or so years ago - I think as a gift, but never gave it away. I've been doing some purging of sorts, in that I either use stuff or we give it away, no more storing!! So, I opened it up last night & we watched it.
Flynn was mesmerized. She was in love with Bambi, Thumper & Flower. This of course brought about questions of death (Bambi's mom) & the seasons & romantic love (remember the scene where they all find girlfriends??).
Some people don't show their children movies which have viewer-sensitive content. And I did have to resist the urge to shield her eyes from the mommy-dying scene. But it's all a part of life, and I can't shield them from that. And there are so many fabulous parts of the movie.
It was so fun watching it with the kids. Gabe fell right to sleep, but Flynn asked lots of great questions & made several comments.
One great comment (which perhaps I should've posted as 'Deep Thoughts by Flynn') was while watching the scene where Bambi first lays eyes on Faline. Bambi 'stumbles' over to a clear pool of water, where he's startled by his reflection. Flynn quickly said, "He sees his shadow." Which of course gave her science teacher dad the opportunity to explain reflection.
In the words of the great Thumper...
"Eating greens is a special treat, It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is awful stuff to eat. I made that last part up myself."
Flynn was mesmerized. She was in love with Bambi, Thumper & Flower. This of course brought about questions of death (Bambi's mom) & the seasons & romantic love (remember the scene where they all find girlfriends??).
Some people don't show their children movies which have viewer-sensitive content. And I did have to resist the urge to shield her eyes from the mommy-dying scene. But it's all a part of life, and I can't shield them from that. And there are so many fabulous parts of the movie.
It was so fun watching it with the kids. Gabe fell right to sleep, but Flynn asked lots of great questions & made several comments.
One great comment (which perhaps I should've posted as 'Deep Thoughts by Flynn') was while watching the scene where Bambi first lays eyes on Faline. Bambi 'stumbles' over to a clear pool of water, where he's startled by his reflection. Flynn quickly said, "He sees his shadow." Which of course gave her science teacher dad the opportunity to explain reflection.
In the words of the great Thumper...
"Eating greens is a special treat, It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is awful stuff to eat. I made that last part up myself."
3.05.2007
Sam's Club
Jeff & I have been dying to get a membership at Sam's. So imagine our excitement when the church signed me up to do some purchasing for the children's area.
We talked about it all week. Heck, I even dreamed about it.
We planned our whole day around it yesterday & on the way, Jeff said, "I'm so excited."
I pictured it in my head...
the kids behaving because of being entertained at all that's going on, us eating samples, finding fabulous deals that we could afford, etc., etc.
But it wasn't that way, at all...
It was Bubby throwing his binky down on the dirty concrete floor. And none of the samples were safe for Flynn. And unless we had the space to store a 100-pack of toilet paper, not much was going to work for us.
But, I was thirsty, so the 74-oz drink was worth it.
We talked about it all week. Heck, I even dreamed about it.
We planned our whole day around it yesterday & on the way, Jeff said, "I'm so excited."
I pictured it in my head...
the kids behaving because of being entertained at all that's going on, us eating samples, finding fabulous deals that we could afford, etc., etc.
But it wasn't that way, at all...
It was Bubby throwing his binky down on the dirty concrete floor. And none of the samples were safe for Flynn. And unless we had the space to store a 100-pack of toilet paper, not much was going to work for us.
But, I was thirsty, so the 74-oz drink was worth it.
3.03.2007
Reasons I Should Not Go to Walmart
I have a hard time even capitalizing walmart....
I hate it that much.
My standing joke at parties, is that I'd rather get a pap smear than shop at walmart.
After my a.m. visit today, there are other examinations I'd add to the list.
Herego reasons I'd rather be anywhere else:
I hate it that much.
My standing joke at parties, is that I'd rather get a pap smear than shop at walmart.
After my a.m. visit today, there are other examinations I'd add to the list.
Herego reasons I'd rather be anywhere else:
- it makes me strongly dislike others in the human race
- it makes me make ugly faces & be mean
- it makes me throw things & talk sarcastically to people
- it makes me say obvious things, outloud, even tho I'm alone, like, 'why are you stopping in the middle of an aisle, for no reason?' OR 'whose cart is this?'
- I want to trip or push down people
People, I don't mind moving over.... sliding my cart, stopping for you, waiting for you to decide IN THE MIDDLE OF AN AISLE if you want elbow, spiral, or shell shaped pasta.... just please, acknowledge that I did so...and Maybe, just MAYBE, say thanks or excuse me?
Since adjusting my blood pressure meds, I'm a new woman. I'm not tired all the time & dizzy & I actually hop out of bed in the am & go! So, at 10 'til 6 this morning, that's what I did. If I *have* to go to walfart, I do it at the crack of dawn. Becuz, if I have to be in that armpit of a place, I want it to be when most of the people I have a hard time being around, are sleeping it off.
I needed to buy fabric for church. So, I went to the fabric dept. No one was there. I was a buzzer to ring w/ a note, "Ring Bell for Service." Wow, how accomodating I thought! So I rang...and rang... and rang...
no one.
for miles.
So, I went to the auto dept, just adjacent to the fabric dept. Where I saw a man older than dirt. And I said, "Is anyone working in fabric?"
"huh?"
"Can you page someone to assist me in the fabric dep't?"
Apparently, that wasn't on his to-do list, and that bothered him. Tremendously. So he very hatefully & very Jeff Foxworthyly paged, "A customer needs help in fabric."
So I went back to my 'post' to wait for my help.
That never came.
Ever.
So, I strolled over to Layaway. Lights on. No one home.
So, I strolled back to my 'post.' Again. To wait. Again. No one.
So, I walked around like a moreon...aimlessly, looking for someone who worked there. Or who was working I should say.
Again. No one.
So, I heard some conversation coming from a hall by layaway. So, like a private investigator, I parked outside of the doorway & as soon as I saw a blue vest, I jumped all over them like I do when I buy bubblegum ice cream (see previous post). They kinda laughed & said, "I doubt anyone is scheduled in fabric 'til 7."
I looked at my watch, it said 7. So I muttered something hateful about 'how it would be nice if there was a little sign that said that....as most people assume that since the STORE IS OPEN 24 HOURS, THAT IT'S ACTUALLY OPEN' through my superglued glasses. Tightened my ponytail & begrudgingly wheeled my loaded cart back to fabric.
I rang the bell again. Just for the heck of it.
Here came the 5th golden girl. Her trademark would be the penciled in eyebrows. She was sweet tho & it wasn't her fault that no one bothered to tell me that she would be my white knight - not scheduled 'til 7. So she helped me. And I smiled & talked about my kids, and acted like there wasn't 45 mins previously wasted, trying to find help...
That I won't get back.
2.28.2007
Praises & other things...
God has performed yet another miracle. My aunt, whom I requested your prayer for back in October, who had 50% of her cells being cancerous (multiple myeloma, one of the worst!!), had a bone marrow biopsy done Friday. The results were made known to her on Monday...
SHE IS CANCER FREE! Now 0% of her cells are cancerous!
How awesome is that??
Some people go through their life not seeing any miracles (or not realizing that they're seeing the miracles), but my aunt gets to BE a miracle....TWICE. What a living testament.
I was cleaning the refrigerator the other day. It was completely filthy...dried crusty pickle juice, kool aid, juice, various fridge cheesery, you name it. Nasty. But I had always put it off as it's hard to empty everything & have it sitting around & having a 1 & 3-year old climbing all over you while you are spraying really strong cleaner.
So, we need food & the fridge was fairly empty & I knew it would be a good time.
So, I sprayed the kitchen antibacterial multi-purpose cleaner. And as I wiped the clear glass shelves off, the fridge seemed even dirtier. I rubbed & scratched on that dried pickle juice, only to expose more filth & the underside of the glass, which had gunk on it I didn't even know existed.
So what started out as me just wiping the tops of glass shelves transformed itself into an even bigger job.
As I wiped & saw more & more filth, I thought of the process of our transformation with God. When we ask Him to cleanse us, it might seem to us that we're just a little bit dirty. But as He sheds His light on us, we're made aware that it's more than just a bit of sin. As that bit of sin is washed away, we begin to see the things that were hidden, some jealousy, a bit of unhealthy competition... maybe some hautiness. And then you see back where the crisper is, maybe a tad of self-righteousness has dripped down, you see a little bit of self-reliance is stuck in the crevaces.
I've been a Christian most of my life, but I'd say that in the past year I've started to see my sin as it really is. Things I struggle daily with... somedays I might overcome them & the other days where I lazily refuse to deal with them.
In Corinthians, Paul tells the church that he dies daily. I'm no bible scholar (& you'd think after a yr & 1/2 of bible college, I might know exactly what he means by this) but I know that Paul had lots of struggle & I believe he refers to putting himself under submission each day.
I always liken everything to food (see my previous post wherein I eat a whole thing of bubble gum ice cream in 2 days time), so for me, forcing my body under submission could mean not becoming a glutton. For some, it's going a day without picking up the phone to call someone & gossip. For others, it'even worst (of course, sin is sin, so me using the word worst there is strictly objective).
But isn't it rather cool that we're able to be cleaned? That in our Christianity beliefs, we're lent this ability to pray directly to God & are forgiven, cleansed & handed tools (Holy Spirit, prayer, bible, other believers, etc.) to deal with our downfalls. And through those tools, we rub & scrape at that dried pickle juice, until we see a gleam.
Now....
on to my oven.
SHE IS CANCER FREE! Now 0% of her cells are cancerous!
How awesome is that??
Some people go through their life not seeing any miracles (or not realizing that they're seeing the miracles), but my aunt gets to BE a miracle....TWICE. What a living testament.
I was cleaning the refrigerator the other day. It was completely filthy...dried crusty pickle juice, kool aid, juice, various fridge cheesery, you name it. Nasty. But I had always put it off as it's hard to empty everything & have it sitting around & having a 1 & 3-year old climbing all over you while you are spraying really strong cleaner.
So, we need food & the fridge was fairly empty & I knew it would be a good time.
So, I sprayed the kitchen antibacterial multi-purpose cleaner. And as I wiped the clear glass shelves off, the fridge seemed even dirtier. I rubbed & scratched on that dried pickle juice, only to expose more filth & the underside of the glass, which had gunk on it I didn't even know existed.
So what started out as me just wiping the tops of glass shelves transformed itself into an even bigger job.
As I wiped & saw more & more filth, I thought of the process of our transformation with God. When we ask Him to cleanse us, it might seem to us that we're just a little bit dirty. But as He sheds His light on us, we're made aware that it's more than just a bit of sin. As that bit of sin is washed away, we begin to see the things that were hidden, some jealousy, a bit of unhealthy competition... maybe some hautiness. And then you see back where the crisper is, maybe a tad of self-righteousness has dripped down, you see a little bit of self-reliance is stuck in the crevaces.
I've been a Christian most of my life, but I'd say that in the past year I've started to see my sin as it really is. Things I struggle daily with... somedays I might overcome them & the other days where I lazily refuse to deal with them.
In Corinthians, Paul tells the church that he dies daily. I'm no bible scholar (& you'd think after a yr & 1/2 of bible college, I might know exactly what he means by this) but I know that Paul had lots of struggle & I believe he refers to putting himself under submission each day.
I always liken everything to food (see my previous post wherein I eat a whole thing of bubble gum ice cream in 2 days time), so for me, forcing my body under submission could mean not becoming a glutton. For some, it's going a day without picking up the phone to call someone & gossip. For others, it'even worst (of course, sin is sin, so me using the word worst there is strictly objective).
But isn't it rather cool that we're able to be cleaned? That in our Christianity beliefs, we're lent this ability to pray directly to God & are forgiven, cleansed & handed tools (Holy Spirit, prayer, bible, other believers, etc.) to deal with our downfalls. And through those tools, we rub & scrape at that dried pickle juice, until we see a gleam.
Now....
on to my oven.
2.27.2007
2.23.2007
HopScotch & Other Fun Things
Just in case I haven't mentioned it within the last few hours,
these kids o' mine have the best daddy in the world.
The best.
Flynn got an interest in learning hopscotch from jumping on the squares of one of our throws, then Daddy telling her, "that's like hopscotch." So, on one of our beautifully spring-preview days this week, he took her outside for a hopscotch lesson.
Being catlike & agile, our girl took to the scotch like a pro.
She's had the one-foot hop mastered for some time.
The other thing she has mastered, is how to be an adoring sister. Her favorite catch-phrase,
"Why is Bubby so cute? He is SOOOO cute!!"
She even yelled out from her bed the other night (when she should've been counting sheep), "MOM!" And when I appeared in her doorway... "Why is Bubby SO cute?"
Even tho it plucked away at my heartstrings, my reply was, "Flynn, Good Night."
But man, he IS cute!
2.22.2007
Gotta Get My Honeycombs
We had a BRAND new box of recently opened HoneyCombs cereal,
sitting on the table, near the edge.
Apparently Bubby wanted some...
well, apparently he wanted A LOT.
Because he pulled them all down on him.
The whole box.
So we turned it into a "Cereal Party".
The more the merrier.
2.21.2007
Bubble Gum Ice Cream
If I could marry it, I would (sorry Jeff).
As far back as I can remember, I loved it. My favorite.
So, what's the harm in loving a flavor that no one else can stand?
Finding it. Sure, everyone has chocolate, vanilla, even swirl or mint.
But no one has my blessed bubble gum.
I love it so much that my BF Heather brought it to me in the hospital after I had Flynn.
And when we forgot to grab the remaining 1/2 pint from the nurse's freezer the day I got to go home?
We went back & got it.
It's like gold.
For the longest time I couldn't find it. For a while the Baskin Robbins on Tesson carried it, but no more.
The place in St Chuck where Heather would go, was the only place in the Greater St. Louis area.
Until now....
NOW!, Breyers makes it. Found in the Walmart freezer section.
And as much as I HATE Walmart, I'd even venture there, if it meant tasting that yummy, sweet bubbly taste.
V'day, part of our date included a shopping trip to Walmart, where I bought this:
And 3 days later, it looked like this (I'm not kidding):
2.20.2007
Allergy Season Already??
That warm weather yesterday might have been great for most of us.But for Flynn, it meant going through an ENTIRE box of kleenex, just during breakfast.
2.16.2007
Oh wondrous Grammy, who took Flynn today to the "Art Project House" (aka P.A.T. PeeWee Picassos) then to White Castle. It doesn't get much better than that. And Mommy had almost two hours 'Flynn-Free' to do perfectly selfish things.
Like shower.
Flynn's absolute favorite pasttime is ART. "Can we do an art project?" is all I ever hear. Art Projects are 'up there' with Hide N Seek and Going ByeBye.
The best thing about what she did today?
I am not the one that cleaned up shaving cream, glitter, paint & paper mache.
I love this picture, because against that person's large derrierre, you can see Flynn's perfect profile.2.15.2007
V-Day Memories
We had such a good V'day. And it didn't hurt that it was also a SNOW DAY, so Daddy stayed home! We always have little parties, so we had a "Valentine Party" complete with card making, cookie making & gift opening!
Gabe doesn't yet know the significance of these two letters!
The baker hard at work on the Valentine cookies.
Ready for our *HOT* date at the "The Castle" (aka Whiteys).
I was trying to get a good photo of the kids for a frame I gave Jeff,
Gabe nearly had a breakdown, so I subbed in.
How sweet is Strawberry Shortcake?
So cute!!!!
2.12.2007
A Little Reminder
Reading Baby Noah's blog is a regular thing for me now. I asked Jeff this morning, "How can I grieve for a baby I never knew?"
When I read all her medical posts & saw the pictures of the tubes & needles, it took me back to the days Flynn spent in the NICU. Granted, we went through NOTHING CLOSE to what the Gravesons went through, I'd never insinuate that. But it did jog my memory.... enough to look up to see if Flynn's caring bridge site was still active. And it is! (click on the title)... if you have a moment, you can read the journal entries I made most of the days she was in the hospital. It was such a hard & sad time for us. I always say that one of the worst feelings (definitely the worst thing I went through) for a mother is to have her child taken from her. And that's literally what happened with us... Flynn was born, then had to be transported from my hospital (which was a very poorly-equipped hospital with NO staff or means to treat an ill infant) to Cardinal Glennon. Then I laid there another four days & heard babies being taken to their mommies & families going home, knowing my baby was in the city without me. I remember laying there in that hospital bed praying for NOW... what I mean by that is praying that there would be a day (like today) where Flynn was healthy & home.
And... Flynn is a healthy thriving girl, whom we have NOW! Thank God! He is good & His mercies endure forever! We have it so good... I hope I never seem like I'm complaining. If I do, remind me of those days, the days when I wanted these days.
When I read all her medical posts & saw the pictures of the tubes & needles, it took me back to the days Flynn spent in the NICU. Granted, we went through NOTHING CLOSE to what the Gravesons went through, I'd never insinuate that. But it did jog my memory.... enough to look up to see if Flynn's caring bridge site was still active. And it is! (click on the title)... if you have a moment, you can read the journal entries I made most of the days she was in the hospital. It was such a hard & sad time for us. I always say that one of the worst feelings (definitely the worst thing I went through) for a mother is to have her child taken from her. And that's literally what happened with us... Flynn was born, then had to be transported from my hospital (which was a very poorly-equipped hospital with NO staff or means to treat an ill infant) to Cardinal Glennon. Then I laid there another four days & heard babies being taken to their mommies & families going home, knowing my baby was in the city without me. I remember laying there in that hospital bed praying for NOW... what I mean by that is praying that there would be a day (like today) where Flynn was healthy & home.
And... Flynn is a healthy thriving girl, whom we have NOW! Thank God! He is good & His mercies endure forever! We have it so good... I hope I never seem like I'm complaining. If I do, remind me of those days, the days when I wanted these days.
2.11.2007
2.09.2007
Date Nights
No, I don't mean Jeff & I... I mean Jeff & The kids.
Every week I spend a night at work. Not the 'whole' night, but I'm gone 5-6 hours; so it's definitely a Daddy night for the kids.
Jeff could spend the bare minimum, meaning, he could just 'get by.' You know, make sure they don't eat anything poisonous or set the house ablaze... be sure they get supper & are put in bed at a decent time. But that's not all he does.
The nights Mommy works is "Popcorn Night." He & Flynn make popcorn. Since she can't have microwave kind, they make it from scratch (which is better anyway!). They play hard & if it's a bath night, they get a bath.
When I start to feel sad that we can't buy our kids lots of stuff, these are the things I remember. Because I know, these are the things they'll remember. They aren't going to remember if they had a Barbie Jeep or the $200 Buttercup Pony. They aren't going to remember that when we go to Target, they get a toy to play with while they're AT THE STORE (which gets put away before we check out).
But they're going to remember Mommy & Daddy reading to them everyday. And doing art projects. And going to church together. And Daddy's date night with them when they make popcorn.
Every week I spend a night at work. Not the 'whole' night, but I'm gone 5-6 hours; so it's definitely a Daddy night for the kids.
Jeff could spend the bare minimum, meaning, he could just 'get by.' You know, make sure they don't eat anything poisonous or set the house ablaze... be sure they get supper & are put in bed at a decent time. But that's not all he does.
The nights Mommy works is "Popcorn Night." He & Flynn make popcorn. Since she can't have microwave kind, they make it from scratch (which is better anyway!). They play hard & if it's a bath night, they get a bath.
When I start to feel sad that we can't buy our kids lots of stuff, these are the things I remember. Because I know, these are the things they'll remember. They aren't going to remember if they had a Barbie Jeep or the $200 Buttercup Pony. They aren't going to remember that when we go to Target, they get a toy to play with while they're AT THE STORE (which gets put away before we check out).
But they're going to remember Mommy & Daddy reading to them everyday. And doing art projects. And going to church together. And Daddy's date night with them when they make popcorn.
2.06.2007
Big Boots to Fill
Size 13s to be exact.Papa's work boots are more like waders.
But that doesn't matter.
He looks good.
And since he loves his Papa so much,
it's no wonder he loves the boots.
2.03.2007
Reading it has Changed my Life
I've been a little obsessed. Reading it whenever I have a free moment... staying up late reading it. Sitting there staring at the screen & sobbing.
A family, just like any other, touched in such a way... a way all of us hope we're never touched, yet they'd have it no other way.
They're hoping through this situation, they're touching many. And they are. As for me & my motherhood, they've reminded me of how things could be & why I'm thankful they aren't. After I read this, I held Gabe a little longer, forced more kisses on him and was more patient than Flynn. Instead of go-go-go last night, Jeff & I did nothing but played with the kids. He took her & I took him & we went into their rooms, sat on the floor & played play, completely directed by them, for an hour straight.
So what I should tell Noah's family is - for our family - as I'm sure is the case for many other families, they've reminded us how fleeting life is. Since heaven is a promise for believers, the fleeting moment of this life is just the thin curtain between us & Christ. But for a parent, the reminder of that fleeting moment makes each minute more precious.
So when Gabe was up for an hour in the middle of the night, I asked Jeff if he could just lie between us. We took turns rubbing his thin hair & wiping his snotty nose. I wasn't upset that I was losing sleep. I was thrilled that I had quiet time with my baby boy.
And this morning when I lost my patience with Flynn & yelled at her. I apologized, I don't want there to be a second when she isn't sure of my abundant, unconditional love.
Be sure you have kleenex on hand and be ready to have your viewpoint changed... even if only as temporary as your mind remembers. Click on the title. And God bless Noah's family.
A family, just like any other, touched in such a way... a way all of us hope we're never touched, yet they'd have it no other way.
They're hoping through this situation, they're touching many. And they are. As for me & my motherhood, they've reminded me of how things could be & why I'm thankful they aren't. After I read this, I held Gabe a little longer, forced more kisses on him and was more patient than Flynn. Instead of go-go-go last night, Jeff & I did nothing but played with the kids. He took her & I took him & we went into their rooms, sat on the floor & played play, completely directed by them, for an hour straight.
So what I should tell Noah's family is - for our family - as I'm sure is the case for many other families, they've reminded us how fleeting life is. Since heaven is a promise for believers, the fleeting moment of this life is just the thin curtain between us & Christ. But for a parent, the reminder of that fleeting moment makes each minute more precious.
So when Gabe was up for an hour in the middle of the night, I asked Jeff if he could just lie between us. We took turns rubbing his thin hair & wiping his snotty nose. I wasn't upset that I was losing sleep. I was thrilled that I had quiet time with my baby boy.
And this morning when I lost my patience with Flynn & yelled at her. I apologized, I don't want there to be a second when she isn't sure of my abundant, unconditional love.
Be sure you have kleenex on hand and be ready to have your viewpoint changed... even if only as temporary as your mind remembers. Click on the title. And God bless Noah's family.
2.02.2007
Groundhogs Rule!
I think I have a typical attitude when it comes to the seasons. I always want the NEXT season & like the present season for only a few weeks. As soon as the "new" wears off, I'm ready for the next one.
Well, the honeymoon is over for winter & me. I'm tired of him & he's been taking advantage of me....doesn't tell me he loves me anymore...and I can't remember the last time I got flowers. I'm sick of his snow & how cold he is to me. And if he sticks around much longer, I'm going to have to tell him to pack his old frosty bags & hit the trail.
There's someone else. His name is Punxsutawney Phil. I like him now.
He has told me of sunnier days ahead. I can just see us frollicking in the bright meadow...the sun on our faces... me in lighter fabrics... him in just his fur.
Well, the honeymoon is over for winter & me. I'm tired of him & he's been taking advantage of me....doesn't tell me he loves me anymore...and I can't remember the last time I got flowers. I'm sick of his snow & how cold he is to me. And if he sticks around much longer, I'm going to have to tell him to pack his old frosty bags & hit the trail.
There's someone else. His name is Punxsutawney Phil. I like him now.
He has told me of sunnier days ahead. I can just see us frollicking in the bright meadow...the sun on our faces... me in lighter fabrics... him in just his fur.
1.31.2007
1.30.2007
Deep Thoughts, by Flynn
Remember, "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey? We're going to start a little feature, here on Life & Times of Life at Home, called "Deep Thoughts by Flynn" (I realize that it would flow better if I used her last name, but sometimes I cautiously omit the use of our last name as there are crazies out there).
Flynn was sitting in her chair at lunch & turned around to stare out the patio door.
"I'm like the trees."
"I'm growing big and tall."
Flynn was sitting in her chair at lunch & turned around to stare out the patio door.
"I'm like the trees."
"I'm growing big and tall."
1.25.2007
1.22.2007
SPILLVILLE pop. 4
This morning, I had exactly 44 seconds to get downstairs, start a load of laundry, take out a load, grab something out of the car & bring the laundry & the thing from the car, back up the steps & into our room....
...to be back upstairs to be sure that none of the children choked on their breakfast, while they were momentarily left unattended...
OR to be sure Gabe didn't catapult himself out of his seat as he is rarely "clicked in" these days.
No easy feat for an overweight mom who is grossly out of shape.
While I was filling the washer with random, yet easy to dump, clothes, I heard Flynn scream. "Help Mom, Help!"
I just kept throwing the clothes in because I knew I was almost done.
"Help Mom."
"Nevermind Mom, I've got it."
That's the part that really alarmed me & thus, made me even faster.
I had a feeling it involved a spill. So when I came around the corner, I wasn't too suprised to see Flynn's sticky (soy) milk, all, over, the, table. A whole glass.
She was actually making matters worse by "taking care of it" & was sweeping it toward her with her napkin.
I was in a hurry. I had to leave soon for a staff meeting & still had no make up on & no one was dressed & I needed to round up my stuff. You know the drill.
So, it was all to easy for me to start getting mad. "Flynn! Darn it!" I felt my blood pressure go up & got even more mad to see her sweeping it onto her lap & into all the little grooves on her booster.
Then I remembered, 10 hours earlier, "The Great Spill of 2007", as Jeff & I have dubbed it:
The WHOLE fam was waiting out in the car & I wanted to get them each a cup of juice 'to go.'
So I quickly grabbed the GALLON JUG (you'd think we have a family of 6 rather than 4) that was BRAND NEW & VERY FULL. Pulled it out of the fridge & just as though it were filmed & played in slow motion that very full & heavy jug dropped straight down out of my hands. Down to the floor with such a ker-plop that the entire bottom literally imploded. Meaning the bottom of the jug completely dismembered itself from the rest of the jug. Like waves from the ocean the juice came GUZZLING out of the jug. It was happening so fast that I literally screamed so loud that Jeff heard me in the driveway, where he & the kids were waiting in the car.
I had no idea what to do. The juice was like a tidal wave & it was flowing so fast toward the carpeted livingroom & rolling under the appliances.
Oh yeah baby, when I do it, I do it right.
Jeff ran in & told me I needed to calm down. But all I could do at that point was to cry because a.) what a mess & b.) it was a brand new bottle of juice & we all know how much $3 means to us right now.
I cleaned the mess up while he returned to the kids but not before it rolled under the stove AND the refrigerator & found the hole where the waterline of the icemaker runs, which meant the juice poured down onto the a/c duct & then poured & dripped into the laundry room...all over the washer & dryer & a BLUES rug & all over the floor & anything in that room.
I said all that to give this Festusian Proverb:
"Don't cry over spilt milk..
or spilt juice."
...to be back upstairs to be sure that none of the children choked on their breakfast, while they were momentarily left unattended...
OR to be sure Gabe didn't catapult himself out of his seat as he is rarely "clicked in" these days.
No easy feat for an overweight mom who is grossly out of shape.
While I was filling the washer with random, yet easy to dump, clothes, I heard Flynn scream. "Help Mom, Help!"
I just kept throwing the clothes in because I knew I was almost done.
"Help Mom."
"Nevermind Mom, I've got it."
That's the part that really alarmed me & thus, made me even faster.
I had a feeling it involved a spill. So when I came around the corner, I wasn't too suprised to see Flynn's sticky (soy) milk, all, over, the, table. A whole glass.
She was actually making matters worse by "taking care of it" & was sweeping it toward her with her napkin.
I was in a hurry. I had to leave soon for a staff meeting & still had no make up on & no one was dressed & I needed to round up my stuff. You know the drill.
So, it was all to easy for me to start getting mad. "Flynn! Darn it!" I felt my blood pressure go up & got even more mad to see her sweeping it onto her lap & into all the little grooves on her booster.
Then I remembered, 10 hours earlier, "The Great Spill of 2007", as Jeff & I have dubbed it:
The WHOLE fam was waiting out in the car & I wanted to get them each a cup of juice 'to go.'
So I quickly grabbed the GALLON JUG (you'd think we have a family of 6 rather than 4) that was BRAND NEW & VERY FULL. Pulled it out of the fridge & just as though it were filmed & played in slow motion that very full & heavy jug dropped straight down out of my hands. Down to the floor with such a ker-plop that the entire bottom literally imploded. Meaning the bottom of the jug completely dismembered itself from the rest of the jug. Like waves from the ocean the juice came GUZZLING out of the jug. It was happening so fast that I literally screamed so loud that Jeff heard me in the driveway, where he & the kids were waiting in the car.
I had no idea what to do. The juice was like a tidal wave & it was flowing so fast toward the carpeted livingroom & rolling under the appliances.
Oh yeah baby, when I do it, I do it right.
Jeff ran in & told me I needed to calm down. But all I could do at that point was to cry because a.) what a mess & b.) it was a brand new bottle of juice & we all know how much $3 means to us right now.
I cleaned the mess up while he returned to the kids but not before it rolled under the stove AND the refrigerator & found the hole where the waterline of the icemaker runs, which meant the juice poured down onto the a/c duct & then poured & dripped into the laundry room...all over the washer & dryer & a BLUES rug & all over the floor & anything in that room.
I said all that to give this Festusian Proverb:
"Don't cry over spilt milk..
or spilt juice."
1.20.2007
Cute Cousins
Elissa, Baby Mallory, Hannah & Flynn, take a break from their stroll around St. David's gym.
High concentration of cuteness right there!
1.19.2007
If Only I was Five
Then I could live in this house.
This is a PLAYHOUSE.
A Playhouse!
A playhouse nicer than MY house!!!
Complete with siding, bay windows, a veranda & dormer windows!
We passed this on our way home from Malden.
We did a U-turn & I, of course, whipped out my camera.
The thing is though, the playhouse was nicer than the actual adult house!
Some lucky kid!!
1.18.2007
She's Going to be a Firefighter
For the longest time, Flynn claimed she was going to be a doctor, actually, she said, "I'm going to be like Dr Diehl" (her pediatrician).
'Fine by me!' I thought. She'll make a ton of money. It's a safe profession. It's highly revered & respected. Very rewarding.
She had plans of doctorhood for probably a year. She contantly checked our breathing with her fisher-price stethoscope. She loved giving shots. Goodness knows, she'd had enough practice being at the patient end.
Then yesterday all that changed. I'm not sure if she saw something on tv or in a book that sparked her interested, but she excitedly informed me, "Mom, When I am a firefighter, I'm going to grow up!!" (I assumed this was meant to be reversed).
I guess I was a little shocked, although, why should I be? This girl is anything but girly.
I explained to her, in case she didn't know, exactly what all firefighting entailed.
She nodded her head, like she knew it all.
Then she told me...
"I want to wear the hat."
1.16.2007
Well, if I didn't want to diet before...
then, I certainly want to now....
This picture was taken the day after Jeff's surgery, by our church pal Chris... who came to the hospital saying he was seeing Jeff.
But now we know his real intent.
Black mail.
Blasted camera phones.
We Shouldn't Have a Problem With Self-Esteem
Flynn's new thing is to list all the people she loves. Not on paper, just outloud.
"I love you Mom. I love Dad. I love Bubby. And I love myself."
"I love you Mom. I love Dad. I love Bubby. And I love myself."
1.15.2007
Ahh, the Smell of New Books...
Nana, being the gift expert she is, got Gabe & Flynn (among many other gifts), a giftcard each for Barnes & Noble.
I've forgotten how much fun it is to both shop & actually know you're going to be buying something and browse a bookstore.
Barnes & Noble has an excellent children's section and even has a Thomas the Train wing with a train table (doesn't matter to my kids that they have one at home they can play with) & every book & accessory to go along with Thomas.
Also, now you don't just buy your favorite book, you buy plush to go along with it, and a CD of songs that go with it, and a keychain (or something weird like that).
Books, books everywhere. And I'm just as nuts about them as they are.
Sandra Boynton is in our top 3 right now and that's what Flynn spent her giftcard on (lucky for us, today Boynton's books were buy 2 get 1 free!)
Bubby chose a chunky board book complete with swinging jungle animals in a bus. He also chose (with much influence from Daddy), Dr.Suess' Put Me In The Zoo, one of Daddy's favs, perhaps his altime favorite. Mostly, he just wanted to run down the aisles & screech a high-pitched, girly scream (we're hoping that tone lowers within the next 14 years).
See how great giftcards are?...you not only buy someone someTHING, but also the experience of going & getting it. I'm not always a fan of shopping, but this time was an exception!
I've forgotten how much fun it is to both shop & actually know you're going to be buying something and browse a bookstore.
Barnes & Noble has an excellent children's section and even has a Thomas the Train wing with a train table (doesn't matter to my kids that they have one at home they can play with) & every book & accessory to go along with Thomas.
Also, now you don't just buy your favorite book, you buy plush to go along with it, and a CD of songs that go with it, and a keychain (or something weird like that).
Books, books everywhere. And I'm just as nuts about them as they are.
Sandra Boynton is in our top 3 right now and that's what Flynn spent her giftcard on (lucky for us, today Boynton's books were buy 2 get 1 free!)
Bubby chose a chunky board book complete with swinging jungle animals in a bus. He also chose (with much influence from Daddy), Dr.Suess' Put Me In The Zoo, one of Daddy's favs, perhaps his altime favorite. Mostly, he just wanted to run down the aisles & screech a high-pitched, girly scream (we're hoping that tone lowers within the next 14 years).
See how great giftcards are?...you not only buy someone someTHING, but also the experience of going & getting it. I'm not always a fan of shopping, but this time was an exception!
1.14.2007
Lots of Prayers Answered
Mystery swirls around abductions...
To those who track child abductions, the mystery surrounding the boys’ discovery stood out.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, about 58,000 children are the victims of non-family abductions. The vast majority of those children are returned safely.
An average of 115 cases, however, involve children taken by non-family members for long periods, put up for ransom or killed by their abductors. Of that number, about 60 come home safely, said center spokeswoman Joann Donnellan.
But what makes the boys’ case rare, Donnellan said, is the fact that a single abductor took multiple children. The case was made rarer still by the length of Hornbeck’s captivity, Donnellan said.
Investigators who made the incredible discovery turned Saturday from euphoria to some troubling questions.
• A uniquely joyful family reunionJan. 13: Craig Aker, stepfather of a 15-year-old Missouri boy who was found after being missing four years, describes his family's elation.
Nightly News“It’s hard to believe that somebody could be that brazen,” said Craig Akers, whose stepson Shawn Hornbeck was abducted in 2002 at age 11. “This has been going on four years, and he’s been right under our nose the whole time.”
Neighbors said Devlin hardly appeared to be keeping secrets. He had lifelong ties to this middle-class suburb of 26,000, family in the area and apparently no criminal record beyond a pair of traffic fines. He was often seen coming and going from his jobs at a pizza parlor and a funeral home, and nothing seemed odd about a teenager seen hanging around his place.
Neighbors didn't notice anything unusualThe landlord at the apartment, Bill Romer, said he was in the apartment once to fix a plumbing problem and saw the teen, apparently Hornbeck, sleeping.
“As far as I knew, that was his son living with him,” Romer said. “The kid’s bedroom didn’t even have curtains on the windows.”
Rick Butler, 43, said he hadn’t seen anything odd or unusual from the apartment.
Huy Richard Mach / St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Police escort kidnapping suspect Michael Devlin in Union, Mo., on Friday.
“I just figured them for father and son,” he said.
Harry Reichard, 33, who lives in the apartment directly above Devlin’s, said he would hear arguing and banging noises at all hours coming from the apartment.
Alma Rodriguez often saw the teenager riding his bike in the parking lot behind the complex. Her husband, Mario, sometimes saw him throwing a football with another boy. Hornbeck did not attend school during his time in captivity, his stepfather said.
Craig Akers said Shawn had seen benches plastered with his missing-person poster. The boy even told his stepfather that a picture intended to show how he might have aged since his kidnapping was an “insult.”
The case recalls the improbable survival of Elizabeth Smart, the Salt Lake City teen taken for nine months by a religious zealot. After her return, many questioned why she didn’t flee her captors, despite many apparent chances at freedom.
Fear used as a weaponStephen Golding, a forensic psychologist who examined the suspect in the Smart case, said captors often establish control over their victims through fear.
“People are led to believe, through someone taking advantage of their vulnerabilities, that leaving is not an option, that things will get worse for them or will get worse for others,” Golding said.
Both boys were abducted from rural areas of eastern Missouri about an hour from metro St. Louis. Hornbeck disappeared Oct. 6, 2002, while riding his bike in Richwoods in Washington County. Ownby was taken soon after getting off a school bus Monday afternoon in the Franklin County town of Beaufort, a beat-up white pickup seen by a schoolmate the only real clue.
On Thursday night, police in Kirkwood noticed a truck matching the description while serving an unrelated warrant at a nearby apartment.
‘It was quite euphoric’When FBI agents walked into Devlin’s apartment a day later, Ownby asked them, “Are you going to take me home?”, and another teenager in the modest dwelling identified himself as Hornbeck — reported missing 4½ years ago.
“Obviously it was quite euphoric,” FBI Special Agent Roland Corvington said Saturday.
Hornbeck’s parents dealt with their grief over the years by devoting themselves to bringing missing people home. They said having their son back was evidence for parents of other missing children to never give up hope.
“I still feel like I’m in a dream, only this time it’s a good dream, not the nightmare I’ve had four-and-a-half years,” his mother, Pam Akers, said at one news conference, draping her arm around her son.
At the other, Ben Ownby grinned as his mother recalled that soon after his return home, Ownby went to the computer to play video games.
“We’re just ecstatic,” Doris Ownby said. “Don’t want to let him go out of our sight.”
© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
To those who track child abductions, the mystery surrounding the boys’ discovery stood out.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, about 58,000 children are the victims of non-family abductions. The vast majority of those children are returned safely.
An average of 115 cases, however, involve children taken by non-family members for long periods, put up for ransom or killed by their abductors. Of that number, about 60 come home safely, said center spokeswoman Joann Donnellan.
But what makes the boys’ case rare, Donnellan said, is the fact that a single abductor took multiple children. The case was made rarer still by the length of Hornbeck’s captivity, Donnellan said.
Investigators who made the incredible discovery turned Saturday from euphoria to some troubling questions.
• A uniquely joyful family reunionJan. 13: Craig Aker, stepfather of a 15-year-old Missouri boy who was found after being missing four years, describes his family's elation.
Nightly News“It’s hard to believe that somebody could be that brazen,” said Craig Akers, whose stepson Shawn Hornbeck was abducted in 2002 at age 11. “This has been going on four years, and he’s been right under our nose the whole time.”
Neighbors said Devlin hardly appeared to be keeping secrets. He had lifelong ties to this middle-class suburb of 26,000, family in the area and apparently no criminal record beyond a pair of traffic fines. He was often seen coming and going from his jobs at a pizza parlor and a funeral home, and nothing seemed odd about a teenager seen hanging around his place.
Neighbors didn't notice anything unusualThe landlord at the apartment, Bill Romer, said he was in the apartment once to fix a plumbing problem and saw the teen, apparently Hornbeck, sleeping.
“As far as I knew, that was his son living with him,” Romer said. “The kid’s bedroom didn’t even have curtains on the windows.”
Rick Butler, 43, said he hadn’t seen anything odd or unusual from the apartment.
Huy Richard Mach / St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Police escort kidnapping suspect Michael Devlin in Union, Mo., on Friday.
“I just figured them for father and son,” he said.
Harry Reichard, 33, who lives in the apartment directly above Devlin’s, said he would hear arguing and banging noises at all hours coming from the apartment.
Alma Rodriguez often saw the teenager riding his bike in the parking lot behind the complex. Her husband, Mario, sometimes saw him throwing a football with another boy. Hornbeck did not attend school during his time in captivity, his stepfather said.
Craig Akers said Shawn had seen benches plastered with his missing-person poster. The boy even told his stepfather that a picture intended to show how he might have aged since his kidnapping was an “insult.”
The case recalls the improbable survival of Elizabeth Smart, the Salt Lake City teen taken for nine months by a religious zealot. After her return, many questioned why she didn’t flee her captors, despite many apparent chances at freedom.
Fear used as a weaponStephen Golding, a forensic psychologist who examined the suspect in the Smart case, said captors often establish control over their victims through fear.
“People are led to believe, through someone taking advantage of their vulnerabilities, that leaving is not an option, that things will get worse for them or will get worse for others,” Golding said.
Both boys were abducted from rural areas of eastern Missouri about an hour from metro St. Louis. Hornbeck disappeared Oct. 6, 2002, while riding his bike in Richwoods in Washington County. Ownby was taken soon after getting off a school bus Monday afternoon in the Franklin County town of Beaufort, a beat-up white pickup seen by a schoolmate the only real clue.
On Thursday night, police in Kirkwood noticed a truck matching the description while serving an unrelated warrant at a nearby apartment.
‘It was quite euphoric’When FBI agents walked into Devlin’s apartment a day later, Ownby asked them, “Are you going to take me home?”, and another teenager in the modest dwelling identified himself as Hornbeck — reported missing 4½ years ago.
“Obviously it was quite euphoric,” FBI Special Agent Roland Corvington said Saturday.
Hornbeck’s parents dealt with their grief over the years by devoting themselves to bringing missing people home. They said having their son back was evidence for parents of other missing children to never give up hope.
“I still feel like I’m in a dream, only this time it’s a good dream, not the nightmare I’ve had four-and-a-half years,” his mother, Pam Akers, said at one news conference, draping her arm around her son.
At the other, Ben Ownby grinned as his mother recalled that soon after his return home, Ownby went to the computer to play video games.
“We’re just ecstatic,” Doris Ownby said. “Don’t want to let him go out of our sight.”
© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
1.12.2007
Surprising Discovery
The song, Daniel, by Elton John makes a really good lullaby, when hummed to Gabe.
1.08.2007
Oh The Nerve
Jeff & I spent Saturday evening on a date, which consisted of a movie & dinner.
After the movie ended, a packed-tight theater VERY SLOWLY exited...very slowly. The few bloopers there were, were over & absolutely NOTHING was on the screen but the blackness with the white credits rolling.
So, we were standing, creeping step by step toward the end of the aisle, when we heard a loud & somewhat ogre-esque voice behind us, "Hey, you make a better door than a window!"
Immediately assuming someone was joking, or that I'd turn to see someone I knew, I whirled my head to the man who LOUDly sat behind us through the entire film.
"We can't see through you."
My reaction was a much nicer than it should've been, "We're trying to leave."
"Well, you aren't getting too far, are you?!"
Jeff then chimes in, "Have fun watching the credits..."
"We're trying to, but we can't see them."
I could quickly see this was an ignorant low-life just picking a fight & wanting to have an exhange with someone, so I ended it by pulling Jeff in the other direction & squeezing our way through the crowd toward the exit.
Now, I might not be brilliant but those who know me are aware of the gift I have of quick wit & the ability to humorously embarass someone in about 2 seconds. In a moment, I had that guy sized up & had remembered that HIS cell phone rang in the middle of the film & that he commented (quite loudly) how his 3 & 5 yr olds would've loved the movie. So, it would've been nothing for me to insult his size, his poor wife & made him embarassed about some aspect of himself that was made obvious to me so quickly.
But I didn't.
Five years ago I would've put him in his place.
10 years ago, I would've publicly humiliated him.
And 15 years ago, I would've used such brash & downright mean criticism that he would've no doubt left the theater with a need for therapy & plastic surgery.
I guess I took the high road...or the God road.
That...
and...
Jeff said to him as we were leaving,
"Do you have a ride back to the home?"
After the movie ended, a packed-tight theater VERY SLOWLY exited...very slowly. The few bloopers there were, were over & absolutely NOTHING was on the screen but the blackness with the white credits rolling.
So, we were standing, creeping step by step toward the end of the aisle, when we heard a loud & somewhat ogre-esque voice behind us, "Hey, you make a better door than a window!"
Immediately assuming someone was joking, or that I'd turn to see someone I knew, I whirled my head to the man who LOUDly sat behind us through the entire film.
"We can't see through you."
My reaction was a much nicer than it should've been, "We're trying to leave."
"Well, you aren't getting too far, are you?!"
Jeff then chimes in, "Have fun watching the credits..."
"We're trying to, but we can't see them."
I could quickly see this was an ignorant low-life just picking a fight & wanting to have an exhange with someone, so I ended it by pulling Jeff in the other direction & squeezing our way through the crowd toward the exit.
Now, I might not be brilliant but those who know me are aware of the gift I have of quick wit & the ability to humorously embarass someone in about 2 seconds. In a moment, I had that guy sized up & had remembered that HIS cell phone rang in the middle of the film & that he commented (quite loudly) how his 3 & 5 yr olds would've loved the movie. So, it would've been nothing for me to insult his size, his poor wife & made him embarassed about some aspect of himself that was made obvious to me so quickly.
But I didn't.
Five years ago I would've put him in his place.
10 years ago, I would've publicly humiliated him.
And 15 years ago, I would've used such brash & downright mean criticism that he would've no doubt left the theater with a need for therapy & plastic surgery.
I guess I took the high road...or the God road.
That...
and...
Jeff said to him as we were leaving,
"Do you have a ride back to the home?"
1.05.2007
Proud of my Nieces
Mattie gives to Locks of Love.
My nieces are so generous. They have sweet & giving hearts.If you needed anything, they'd give it to you (including their hair.)
Last year, KK donated 12 inches.
And my sister says that Hannah says she's going to grow to donate her's.
1.04.2007
Happy 32nd Birthday Jeff
First of all, look at how gorgeous he is. I know, I know, you're all thinking, 'How did SHE get HIM?' And lest you forget, I didn't always look like this. I was once with a girlish figure, being without child. And my wardrobe consisted of stylish clothes, mini skirts, tight pants...not mom jeans, pj pants & baggy shirts.
Secondly, Jeff has this gift, this miraculous disposition, in that he sees inside. Can you believe he constantly tells me that I'm 'hot'?! He truly does act like he's more in love with me now, than when I was that chic with a girlish figure.
Thirdly, he has to be the BEST husband & father, out of all the ones God created (& I realize there are some pretty great ones out there, as my Dad is a terrific father.) He is so patient with the kids, so understanding with me. He does far more than is expected of him & does it as Colossians encourages, just like he's doing in for God.
Did you know that every single night, initiated by him, we pray before going to sleep? So, that's my way of saying what a Godly husband & father he is. Takes his family to church every week. And demonstrates, to the kids & me, what it looks like to walk in the light of Christ.
Jeff, last year was a rough year. We went through a lot...and we also experienced a ton of very cool things...an awesome vacation, our kids growing & thriving in health, Bubby turning the big one, my new job at the church. I know this coming year is going to be one of great favor. You deserve it. I hope your 32nd year is the best yet. We love you.
Secondly, Jeff has this gift, this miraculous disposition, in that he sees inside. Can you believe he constantly tells me that I'm 'hot'?! He truly does act like he's more in love with me now, than when I was that chic with a girlish figure.
Thirdly, he has to be the BEST husband & father, out of all the ones God created (& I realize there are some pretty great ones out there, as my Dad is a terrific father.) He is so patient with the kids, so understanding with me. He does far more than is expected of him & does it as Colossians encourages, just like he's doing in for God.
Did you know that every single night, initiated by him, we pray before going to sleep? So, that's my way of saying what a Godly husband & father he is. Takes his family to church every week. And demonstrates, to the kids & me, what it looks like to walk in the light of Christ.
Jeff, last year was a rough year. We went through a lot...and we also experienced a ton of very cool things...an awesome vacation, our kids growing & thriving in health, Bubby turning the big one, my new job at the church. I know this coming year is going to be one of great favor. You deserve it. I hope your 32nd year is the best yet. We love you.
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1.01.2007
Grandma Weldele
Jeff's grandma, Anita Weldele passed away Sunday morning.
He's so blessed to have had two grandmothers all these years.
He has so many memories of her.
We visited her a few weeks ago & took the kids.
She said, "Let me see these 'little people'" (referring to Flynn & Gabe) & Flynn sang her a song.
Of course, I'm so glad we saw her recently and am beating myself up that I don't have a picture of her with Gabe. I guess there can always be regrets.
She was pretty neat, made sure we each got a beautiful wedding quilt when each grandkid got married. And she was quite proud of the paintings she had done before she went to live at Delmar Gardens.
Jeff has a chair in his classroom, from when she moved from her house to Jeff's aunt's house. It's a swivel rocker & we call it "Grandma's chair."
It's quite broken down at this point & getting dirty.
But I have a feeling he'll keep it a while longer.
He's so blessed to have had two grandmothers all these years.
He has so many memories of her.
We visited her a few weeks ago & took the kids.
She said, "Let me see these 'little people'" (referring to Flynn & Gabe) & Flynn sang her a song.
Of course, I'm so glad we saw her recently and am beating myself up that I don't have a picture of her with Gabe. I guess there can always be regrets.
She was pretty neat, made sure we each got a beautiful wedding quilt when each grandkid got married. And she was quite proud of the paintings she had done before she went to live at Delmar Gardens.
Jeff has a chair in his classroom, from when she moved from her house to Jeff's aunt's house. It's a swivel rocker & we call it "Grandma's chair."
It's quite broken down at this point & getting dirty.
But I have a feeling he'll keep it a while longer.
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