Saturday, January 27, 2007

"Well, Hello my name is Simon..."


Do you remember the cartoon, "Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings"?
As I lay in bed this morning, name gaming for #3, I mentioned the name Simon, and my husband ED, who must ruin every name he possibly can, immediately starts singing (in his best weird little British accent), "Well,Hello my name is Simon, and the things I draw come true..." We both started cracking up remembering how much we loved this cartoon as kids---it was definitely one of my favorites. Remembering how as a kid I used to believe that Mr.Rogers and Captain Kangaroo were actually talking to me through the TV--the power of imagination is such a gift to the little people.
For a short period of their little lives you really can create a happy, perfect world for them.


Click on the link below to see a Simon cartoon!

Source(s):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvj2j4gwwj8

Thursday, January 25, 2007

My Highest Calling...



I watched Oprah two days ago on the neverending debate The Working Mom vs The Stay at Home Mom and that always gets me thinking...and a friend of mine just sent me this essay, so i thought i would post it b/c i have to believe in what/why I do what I do everyday. Every mom must make this huge decision and whatever you choose you always find that you have made some sacrifice somewhere. I do know that I will have a fulfilling nursing career at some later point and yes, it was my passion and it was not easy to let it go for the time being, but it will wait and I will join the "paid" working world again one day. Now, what i do is my investment in their future and it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I liked how Oprah did clarify that "IF you are a creative and involved stay-at-home mom then it is the hardest job"...this is true. It is a very personal decision riding on finances, insanity, and the list goes on...whatever your reasons are...you should always do what truly makes YOU a better mother for your kids sake; and that is a heavy-weight question for all who come to that crossroad in life. Anyway~read on...
The High Calling of Motherhood
by Ginger Plowman
If I have to answer one more insignificant question, wipe one more runny nose, or bandage one more boo-boo today, I'm going to pull my hair out…and maybe the hair of whoever is standing close by also! "I've had it, kids! I'm going to soak in a hot bubble bath and I would strongly advise against any interruptions. Unless someone is dead or dying, do not knock on this door!"

As I ease down into my vanilla scented-bubbles, I pray, "God, is this really what I'm supposed to be doing? I mean, don't you have something really important for me that requires a little more skill that tying shoes and cutting the crust off sandwiches?"

Let me back up and tell you about myself before I reached this point in my life. I wasn't always bordering on the brink of insanity. It wasn't too awfully long ago that I really had it all together. I successfully managed a booming and well-respected business, counseled others in organizational skills, and drove a pretty cool automobile that would NOT seat an entire soccer team, and me, comfortably. I enjoyed television shows that were not hosted by singing vegetables or a purple dinosaur. I never found the milk in the pantry and I never experienced the sheer panic of trying to remember whom I was calling before the voice at the other end said, "Hello?" Yesterday, I placed an order by phone. When the sales lady asked me for my address, I had to put her on hold. I absolutely could not recall my own address. It did finally come to me as I was reaching for the phone book to look it up.

What happened? The stick turned blue. I have traded in Victoria's Secret for the stretchy comfort of Hanes Her Way. I have boxed up my contemporary Christian music and now you'll find me rockin' to "Silly Songs with Larry." Yep, it's good-bye "20/20" and hello Elmo.

Sometimes I think that just getting dressed and making it through the day is all I ever accomplish. "Isn't there something more that you wanted me to do today, Lord?" Finally, I hear that still, small voice. I may not have found a cure for cancer or conquered world hunger, but as I soak in my tub, God gently reminds me of what I did accomplish today. I had the privilege of listening to the hopes and dreams of a handsome young man who thinks I'm the greatest woman in the world. He stands just over three feet tall and only gets really excited over Legos and pizza, but he is funny, charming, and never boring.

I also got to see a bright and precious smile illuminate the sweet face of my five-year-old daughter as I took time out to invade Barbie's house with green aliens. As she squealed with delight, my heart melted.

I did have a few minutes of well-appreciated privacy, as I was able to sit on the potty without someone banging on the door. I actually jotted this rare event down in my journal under "miracles." I got to read a couple of great classics. Out loud. Move over Dickens, we have moved on to the works of Dr. Seuss. I was also able to dust, organize, clean, counsel, and cook. I kissed away the boo-boos and washed away the tears. I praised, rebuked, encouraged, hugged, and tested my patience, all before noon.

Yes, my greatest accomplishment today was nurturing the two precious children that God has entrusted to my care.

Now let's talk about my greatest challenge today… and every day. It is raising these two precious children in the ways of the Lord. God does have an important job for me and it does require much skill. It is my calling, my priority, my struggle, and my goal. I will rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand. I will love, nurture and train my children the way that God has called me to do.

Moms, we need to be reminded of the awesome responsibility that God has given us. When we respond to the high calling of motherhood with passion, the rewards are far greater than any we could ever gain outside of that calling. The joys of motherhood are rare and beautiful treasures that can be easily missed if we don't seize the opportunity to grab them.

Being a mom is more than being cook, chauffeur, maid, counselor, doctor, referee, and disciplinarian, (just to name a few). It's molding character, building confidence, nurturing, training, and guiding. There is no calling as consuming, challenging, and rewarding. And there is no calling as worthy of our efforts than the high calling of motherhood.

* This article is adapted from Ginger's book, Don't Make Me Count to Three! published with Shepherd Press. (Available fall 2003)


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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

more pics on Used to be Fun...



The first pic is the old gang (Niffer,Beth,Nicki,and Kim)
The second pic is of Sarah and Scott (now Mr.and Mrs. with 3 kiddos)
p.s.Sarah~i tried to find one of us on your old pink couch-LOL! we'll see what i find later...

Monday, January 22, 2007

Used to be Fun...





the inspiration for finding a glimpse of the old me started last Wed.nite when a new friend of mine calls me up and says "get ready" b/c she wanted me to go on a $91 r/t fun two day weekend to NYC to catch a show and shop (hotel paid for)--they just wanted me to go b/c "i am so much fun" (her words)...of course,I (who would LOVE to go) had to decline my pregnant butt with two kids and a husband b/c I have a new life,right? That responsible grown-up s/t comes and squats on you. So my husband is laughing at my sorry prego self, and quickly responds,"I'll go!"
So again I ask,"WHO's IN?" (dream with me)--5yrs. from now--we all go away--just the girls--ALONE!? somewhere FUN! This brought me to my old mug shots of you and me
...old pics of old friends--LOL! OK--this is fun--i crack up every time s/o busts out an old picture and it's like you've never seen it before and you feel young again...so since my 100's of albums that would have great pics(blackmail)of all you guys are in storage....these i came across whilst cleaning out my closet in a framed collage! WAH (what a howl--for those of you that don't remember that expression) Enjoy, old friends! In true girl scout spirit (since it's that time of year and those TDF cookies are out again) "...Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold..."
p.s.I will try to find some more pics to post =0)

How boring am I?



So,I was surfing old photos and came across this one of Donald Trump's wedding to Milania down on Palm Beach. This cracks me up, b/c this was a very fun event and it took me just 20minutes to go see all these photographers just waiting for that perfect shot. I never thought that I would actually see anyone, but got caught up in all the hype, so.....the funny thing is now that I am particularly boring (and used to be sooo much fun--hee!) I talked my husband into dropping me off and driving around with my two kids while i stalked who would show up next in the limo at the church. Benjamin must have been like 2 or 3 months--poor Ed. I ended up standing on a ladder(notice the first picture b/tween two ladders--ha)that some photographer had not been using and got to see more stars than I ever dreamed i would catch---right there across the street (stupid me used up my last pic on the church seen here). I saw Katie Couric,Kelly Ripa with husband, Simon Cowell and girlfriend, Heidi Klum, Mr/M Hilton, and tons more that i can't even remember now, oh yeah, Billy Joel--wow! right there just waving at the crowd---it was like being on the red carpet and all those Ent.Tonite hosts were all there on our side. I will say most of those people in real life didn't look as good as they do on camera. It was such a fun memory for me (the stay at home mom with not much fun happening anymore).=0) Can anyone else relate?

Friday, January 19, 2007

Men In Trees

OK,so i have a new escape--Men In Trees (on right after Grey's Anatomy).I really hate getting sucked into these shows b/c i am a devoted watcher, and once i am hooked i can't miss a show (and i am not lucky enough to have Tivo).
Anyway~ There is just something sexy about Mr.James Tupper (aka Jack)! wheww! There is something very sex-Z about a quiet man to me...i think it's probably cuz my father is so quiet (but like EFHutton-when he speaks,people listen). They don't waste words. I just think loud men should shut-up and leave some room for a girl's imagination. You know,i find truth in the statement "still water's run deep" and all that...It's the mystery that they lead you to believe is there. Quiet men keep you challenged, interested, and guessing. They have lots to say when they find the right girl to say it to--this is sexy!
I also love how this show takes you outside the real world to a place that is just simple and the people are not so plastic. It took me a bit to adjust my perception of Ann Heche and now she is becoming her character for me (Marin), we'll see if this show stays alive. Is anyone else watching this?

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Charlotte's Web


"'SALUTATIONS' (welcome), the right words can change everything'"~Charlotte

If you haven't seen this newly released movie yet--you must! It was brilliant, better than i thought they could have done. This was my mom's favorite book as a child and, since she is the most amazing teacher that ever was =0),we knew this whole story before we were born. So,I now,as many others,have learned to love this classic story of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice. This new movie really does bring it all to life. My kids have been watching and reading (note-*Jim Trelease "The Read-Aloud Handbook"--you need this if you don't have it already) Charlotte's Web I and II in cartoon form until now, but we will be buying this one on DVD when it comes out.
I went to see this with my 5yr.old little girl,Kayden and her Granny (my mom)---i cried 3x (yes, i know i am pregnant but it was sooo good!) There is so much to this movie and i guess as an adult,sitting there with my mom, made me see this movie from a new perspective with all it's parallels to life (your relationships in friendship and love).
YOu see, I LOVE my mom--she is s/o who has completely given herself to countless children (as a teacher), to her 3 daughters (as a mother,exceptional role-model and best friend),to my dad (as a devoted soul mate)...she has always had so much to give and I can only hope to carry a small bit of it on to my next generation. She gets better with age and somehow she grabbed hold of the TRUTH in the midst of all the lies in this world and never let go...(she invests in people as the only "treasures" that you can "take" with you when you die and nothing else here on this earth matters--we are only passing through this temporary place til we meet Jesus in heaven someday).That world view has effected everything she does. OK, I am rambling, I should have named this one Retta, after my mom =0)
Anyways,I remember two places that made me cry in the movie--
1.>when Charlotte shows Wilbur her eggsack and calls it her "magnum opus", you see my mom has always called me (and my sisters)her "magnum opus"(meaning "her greatest work or masterpiece") since I was very little and back then i never understood why, I don't think i figured this out until college at some point, but now that i have my own "magnum opuses" do i truly understand (so i cried)...
2.>when Charlotte died (it was horrible) and I again thought of my mom--i can't even go there.
You must go see this movie before it leaves the theatre! OK!
Now I must close with a reference to one of my best friends, Beth, I spoke with her yesterday for one of our usual, nothing less than two hour, chats...and she prodded me to blog more often....so here i am...hope you enjoy,Beth =0).......If you have not read Beth's blog at www.beethovenavenue.blogspot.com then you should. People have always thought that Beth has a lot of words(or things to say)--this is one of my favorite things about her! She is intelligent,expressive, and inspirational to me. Wordy? yes, but this is why she loves blogging and I am one of those that love to read her blog--two of my recent favorites of hers were...Shalom in the Home (which has now become one of my fun phrases-ha!) and one about her commited comb and "Kyrie Eleison" (we should say that more often)...go read them!
Since I said a paragraph ago that i was closing, i will with the last line of Charlotte's Web by E.B.White, "It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.Charlotte was both." ~ThankYOu, Beth (true friend and writer)

Brooks, "You're My Everything!"...