We have company this weekend. They came to see Hillary in The Wizard of Oz. They brought hugs and laughter and car seats and pets. It's so good to see them.
We actually managed to get everyone in a real bed, except for one who likes to sleep on the couch. Parker and Hillary slept in the king sized bed with us...a rare treat for them! Even after the lights were out, we giggled and wiggled and took so long to settle down that Yancy finally mumbled...."This is like having a sleepover."
And as I snuggled under the covers, with everything most important to me right there in that room...and the rest of it right there in the house...I thought...
4 Grandparents
1 Little Sister
2 Kids
1 Aunt
1 Cousin
1 Baby
and 1 Dog
= 1 Full House!
And a full house makes for one happy heart!
Our Family
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Out of Tune(s)
It was a bright warm Sunday afternoon. The kind of day that beckons you to wash the car. But not by hand. No...this was the kind of day that found us running through the automatic car wash while we waited on our to-go order to be completed by our favorite Mexican restaurant. The four of us were together, laughing and chatting...and listening to music. My husband put the debit card in the machine and chose the Ultra Wash. $8 worth of frothy clean. I never choose this wash. I always go for the $5 economy wash, but hey, what's the harm in a little indulgence now and then. Settled in the cozy dim bubbly light, Hillary and I opened books to get in a few pages during our wait. Parker and Yancy watched the spinning brushes...commenting on whether or not they were actually touching the car and wondering if they were on sensors or just permanently set. Water poured over the car, rinsing off the grime of the last few week's weather.
Then the blower came down.
It was much closer to the car than the brushes had been.
Yancy and Parker decided this part definitely had to be on a sensor.
And as it slowly moved over the hood, windshield, and cab, Yancy said, "Uh oh." "What's wrong?" I asked. "I forgot to turn off the radio."
I fumbled for the off button, but it was too late. The blower slid right down the back window, effectively maiming our erect antena.
I thought the kids were going to die laughing.
And I have to admit, the look on Yancy's face as the broken antena swayed at an awkward crooked angle WAS pretty funny.
Not so funny today when the mechanic told me we could get a used antena from the salvage yard for $100 (plus $25 for labor). Or we could get a brand new one for twice that price. Our $8 car wash just turned into a $125 car wash.
Needless to say, we will have to wait a few days on this non-essential car repair. So for the time being, we are a family in total harmony...but temporarily tuneless!
Then the blower came down.
It was much closer to the car than the brushes had been.
Yancy and Parker decided this part definitely had to be on a sensor.
And as it slowly moved over the hood, windshield, and cab, Yancy said, "Uh oh." "What's wrong?" I asked. "I forgot to turn off the radio."
I fumbled for the off button, but it was too late. The blower slid right down the back window, effectively maiming our erect antena.
I thought the kids were going to die laughing.
And I have to admit, the look on Yancy's face as the broken antena swayed at an awkward crooked angle WAS pretty funny.
Not so funny today when the mechanic told me we could get a used antena from the salvage yard for $100 (plus $25 for labor). Or we could get a brand new one for twice that price. Our $8 car wash just turned into a $125 car wash.
Needless to say, we will have to wait a few days on this non-essential car repair. So for the time being, we are a family in total harmony...but temporarily tuneless!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Stopping by the Blog on a Friday Evening
Whose life this is, I do not know.
Her house is in a village though.
Her kids take turns at falling ill.
Her car to the city, often goes.
My little car must think it queer
To stop without a Starbucks near.
Between my job and sports events
I haven’t time to shed a tear.
My husband gives me just a shake
To see if I am yet awake.
The only sound’s the loud alarm.
I think there must be some mistake.
I’ll stop before this gets too deep
Cause I have dirty floors to sweep
And loads to go before I sleep
And loads to go before I sleep.
Her house is in a village though.
Her kids take turns at falling ill.
Her car to the city, often goes.
My little car must think it queer
To stop without a Starbucks near.
Between my job and sports events
I haven’t time to shed a tear.
My husband gives me just a shake
To see if I am yet awake.
The only sound’s the loud alarm.
I think there must be some mistake.
I’ll stop before this gets too deep
Cause I have dirty floors to sweep
And loads to go before I sleep
And loads to go before I sleep.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
On Call
I am a 21st century woman. I embrace all of the gadgets and devices that make modern life more convenient. My fireplace comes on with the flick of a switch. My garage door opens magically when I turn into my driveway. My dishwasher is currently doing my dishes, so I can sit here and blog guilt-free. I even have a facebook page.
But lately, I can't help wondering if all our bells and whistles are a blessing or a curse.
Recently, my daughter broke up with her boyfriend. Soon after, she started getting texts from strange people, giving her their two cents on how she should handle her love life. Some were just annoying, while others were downright rude! Then she got phone calls from a "withheld" number. The person wouldn't talk, just made weird noises or played recorded bits of voices from tv shows. And her email password stopped working. Things she'd emailed friends were suddenly known to her ex - with no explanation of how he knew.
Unsettling.
Scary.
As my husband and I took the necessary steps to find out what was going on and protect our child, we mused about how it came to this. Are kids really different these days? Maybe the rules of relationships we grew up with don't apply anymore?
Kids haven't changed. But technology has. Teenagers have always craved communication, but it hasn't always been so easy. We didn't text each other constantly, but we did write letters to each other during class. At home, phone time was limited because you were "tying up the line." If a boyfriend wanted to call me, he had to risk my dad answering the phone. Once, a boy prank called our house, saying in a breathless voice, "I want your bod!" He didn't know my mom was listening in. He soon found out! To this day, mom doesn't let me forget that phone call. (Thanks a lot, Jeff!)
My husband and I have been carried along with the rest of America on the technology wave. We went from two "parent-only" phones, to four nationwide, unlimited text, blackberry, blue-toothed phones.
And now, each of us is unequivocally available.
Comforting when Parker calls from the neighbor's backyard to tell me he'll be playing inside their house. Not so comforting when I see texts on his phone from a girl, asking at 11:00 at night if he's still awake cause she can't sleep. Should kids really be able to say whatever, whenever, with no fear of consequences?
And therein lies the real issue. Good parenting requires constant awareness. Whether it's intercepting letters via "snail mail" or collecting cell phones every night at bedtime, it's my job as a mom to know my kids...who they are, who they talk to, where they go. Ironically, with all the ways to check up and check in, a good, old-fashioned, open, healthy parent-child relationship is still the best way to keep them safe. Parenthood is a full-time job. And I'm happy to be on call.
But lately, I can't help wondering if all our bells and whistles are a blessing or a curse.
Recently, my daughter broke up with her boyfriend. Soon after, she started getting texts from strange people, giving her their two cents on how she should handle her love life. Some were just annoying, while others were downright rude! Then she got phone calls from a "withheld" number. The person wouldn't talk, just made weird noises or played recorded bits of voices from tv shows. And her email password stopped working. Things she'd emailed friends were suddenly known to her ex - with no explanation of how he knew.
Unsettling.
Scary.
As my husband and I took the necessary steps to find out what was going on and protect our child, we mused about how it came to this. Are kids really different these days? Maybe the rules of relationships we grew up with don't apply anymore?
Kids haven't changed. But technology has. Teenagers have always craved communication, but it hasn't always been so easy. We didn't text each other constantly, but we did write letters to each other during class. At home, phone time was limited because you were "tying up the line." If a boyfriend wanted to call me, he had to risk my dad answering the phone. Once, a boy prank called our house, saying in a breathless voice, "I want your bod!" He didn't know my mom was listening in. He soon found out! To this day, mom doesn't let me forget that phone call. (Thanks a lot, Jeff!)
My husband and I have been carried along with the rest of America on the technology wave. We went from two "parent-only" phones, to four nationwide, unlimited text, blackberry, blue-toothed phones.
And now, each of us is unequivocally available.
Comforting when Parker calls from the neighbor's backyard to tell me he'll be playing inside their house. Not so comforting when I see texts on his phone from a girl, asking at 11:00 at night if he's still awake cause she can't sleep. Should kids really be able to say whatever, whenever, with no fear of consequences?
And therein lies the real issue. Good parenting requires constant awareness. Whether it's intercepting letters via "snail mail" or collecting cell phones every night at bedtime, it's my job as a mom to know my kids...who they are, who they talk to, where they go. Ironically, with all the ways to check up and check in, a good, old-fashioned, open, healthy parent-child relationship is still the best way to keep them safe. Parenthood is a full-time job. And I'm happy to be on call.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Seriously?
I'm taking bets on how many empty rolls would stack up if I just let it go. I guess I'm going to have to fire the housekeeper.Sunday, February 15, 2009
Open House, Open Hearts
Like every mother, I try to teach my children to be kind, loving, empathetic. And they continually exceed my highest expectations. I am amazed at their ability to understand, comfort, and uplift others. Hillary recently gave up an entire Friday night to go with me to minister to the young girls at Boys and Girls Town. She smiled, chatted, and sat hunched over for more than an hour, painting designs on bitten fingernails...bringing a bit of beauty into scarred and broken hearts with her art and sunshine personality.
And when my sister came to our house, needing a soft place to land for a few days, Parker immediately offered his own room, saying that his room was the darkest and she might need the extra help to sleep. He helped me clean and arrange everything to provide the most comfort possible.
This weekend, we had more visitors. Our house held a few extra girls and a couple of dogs. Far from complaining about "their" stuff or space, my kids shared their home and hearts (and parental attention). They petted the dogs and played with the sweet four-year-old girl who made us laugh with her antics. As often happens, our guests commented on how peaceful our home felt. I don't think that's an accident. It's because of our family's conscious effort to be used of God to minister to everyone who comes through our door. My husband and I have tried to teach our children that everything we have is a gift and we are priviledged to share our blessings. So to see them living out our lessons with open hearts makes my heart sing.
And when my sister came to our house, needing a soft place to land for a few days, Parker immediately offered his own room, saying that his room was the darkest and she might need the extra help to sleep. He helped me clean and arrange everything to provide the most comfort possible.
This weekend, we had more visitors. Our house held a few extra girls and a couple of dogs. Far from complaining about "their" stuff or space, my kids shared their home and hearts (and parental attention). They petted the dogs and played with the sweet four-year-old girl who made us laugh with her antics. As often happens, our guests commented on how peaceful our home felt. I don't think that's an accident. It's because of our family's conscious effort to be used of God to minister to everyone who comes through our door. My husband and I have tried to teach our children that everything we have is a gift and we are priviledged to share our blessings. So to see them living out our lessons with open hearts makes my heart sing.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
One of the hardest things about your kids getting older is watching them move in and out of relationships that you have little or no control over. You teach them the best you can, model a loving relationship in front of them, gently offer subtle advice, and pray...a lot.
After a run of short-term boyfriends in junior high, and one "bad boy" kind of boyfriend her freshman year, Hillary finally found the one that could be "just right." We quickly came to love the quiet, guitar-playing, brown-haired boy because the two of them just seemed to have so much fun together. They were easy to be around...drama-less and naively happy.
But teen years are kind of like dog-years...outside the normal span of grown-up time...and a lot can happen in a year and 4 months. People change, grow, see new horizons opening up in front of them. And it's not surprising that such young "love" couldn't stand up to it.
Not that that makes it any less painful.
So as some good things must do, it came to an end this week. And while I hate to see my child hurt, I am so proud of her. She is handling things with a grace and maturity we haven't seen before. Her relationship with God is strong and she seems to know where she's going, even though it means giving up a boy - a display of faith I've seen grown women unable to grasp.
It makes me less fearful as I begin to loosen the apron strings and get ready to send her off to college next year. She can make the right decisions - even when it's hard.
After a run of short-term boyfriends in junior high, and one "bad boy" kind of boyfriend her freshman year, Hillary finally found the one that could be "just right." We quickly came to love the quiet, guitar-playing, brown-haired boy because the two of them just seemed to have so much fun together. They were easy to be around...drama-less and naively happy.
But teen years are kind of like dog-years...outside the normal span of grown-up time...and a lot can happen in a year and 4 months. People change, grow, see new horizons opening up in front of them. And it's not surprising that such young "love" couldn't stand up to it.
Not that that makes it any less painful.
So as some good things must do, it came to an end this week. And while I hate to see my child hurt, I am so proud of her. She is handling things with a grace and maturity we haven't seen before. Her relationship with God is strong and she seems to know where she's going, even though it means giving up a boy - a display of faith I've seen grown women unable to grasp.
It makes me less fearful as I begin to loosen the apron strings and get ready to send her off to college next year. She can make the right decisions - even when it's hard.
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