We Are A Strong Community With So Much Love To Give

Sweet baby Tuesday lost her battle with cancer yesterday. She was only two years old (a twin) and if you have time please go over and offer kind words and prayers for this family that is going through a very difficult time. The site name is Go Blog Yourself.

Also, please remember to keep Angie and Brian in your prayers and take a moment to go over and offer your support as well at Keep Believing. In my sidebar there is a Keep Believing button where you can also go to a wonderful site that has been created (http://keepbelievingfund.blogspot.com/) to help support Angie and Brian through donations. Whatever you can contribute will surely help and be greatly appreciated. Please consider displaying this button in your sidebar to help spread the word (you will find the code for the button over at the site).

Thanks, everyone! Have a good weekend.

Strong Foundations

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

My son walked by me in the kitchen recently and he commented casually,"It's fun being smart."

I knew what he was referring to, as earlier that day he had presented me with a handful of graded papers he had brought home from school and also his report card for the past 6 weeks -- all of which reflected how smart he is and grades that represented his accomplishments.

I said, "It sure makes life easier -- being smart," and I giggled. "But ... do you know what I believe?"

He waited for my answer.

"I believe it's not just that you are smart -- lots of kids are really smart -- I believe that you are so successful because you are applying yourself and you should be commended for that."

He went on to ask me to explain what "applying himself" and "commended" meant. I guess even smart kids need help now and then with vocabulary (tee hee).

I explained to him that I was very proud of his good grades, but I was most proud of how he took his classes seriously enough to listen and learn and apply his skills towards being successful in his school work. The dedication and commitment are what I view as the true success.

This is not an easy thing to teach -- this teaching a child to care about setting goals, dedicating time and energy to meeting those goals and then to feel proud of their accomplishments enough that it inspires them to continue the positive cycle. It's something I have been trying to instill in all of my children, but have never completely understood if those lessons I have taught, examples I have tried to set or expectations I define, will do the trick.

I was proud on this day, to see the light in my son's eyes. The light that indicated to me that he was proud of himself. That indicated that he got it. That indicated that the lessons I had been trying to teach were getting through and making a difference in his life.

You know the lessons --

• You reap what you sew
• Hard work pays off
• What goes around comes around
• You create your own path in life
• Life is choices
  

You know.

I am proud of my son and ... I am also proud of myself. I've waited to see this light in his eyes and hear these words from his mouth for a long time now. It tells me that I have done something right and it gives me confidence that he will succeed in the world.

He is only eleven years old, but ... I know he is creating a strong foundation for himself. And ... because I believe that it is far more difficult to ignite the light than it will ever be to snuff the light out ... that gives me tremendous hope.

-

Here --- Have A Cracker!

Boy have we've been eating out a lot!


We've been eating out a lot --- for a long time.


I am not in the mood to cook.


I have not been in the mood to cook for ... a long time.


I was never in the mood to cook.


Before I had kids and when I got hungry - I ate bowls of cereal, a sandwich or a cracker.


Since having kids - 16 years ago - it doesn't matter if I am hungry or not - I have to come up with meals and prepare those meals for many other hungry people.


I'd be perfectly happy eating a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal for lunch or dinner.


I'd be perfectly happy eating a rice cake with peanut butter slathered on it or an apple with a cup of yogart.


But ...


NO!


My brood is not happy with these simple pleasures.


My brood wants "real food"!


So ...


We've been eating out a lot lately.


I'm not in the mood to cook "real food".


I've been out of the mood for --- about 16 years!


Billy called me from McDonalds.


"Do you want anything from McDonalds?"


"Nope - I ate a bowl of cereal."


"Who's there? Do I need to get Little Billy and the girls anything?"


"Probably a good idea."


I can hear Alexis in the background - she's in the car with her daddy. "What do they have?" she screams loud enough that I can hear her all the way to my house.


I hear my sweet husband say, "The same thing they had yesterday. The same thing they had the day before that. They always have the same things," he tells her nicely, "Bye - gotta go," and he hangs up the phone.


On the upside ... Dear God - Thank you for McDonalds. And - thank you for sweet husbands.

-

M Is For - Make Me Laugh

I have a new post up over on my mySA blog called M Is For - Make Me Laugh.

I would love if you would come visit me over there today and read this story about the silly name-game I played with Alexis.

Thanks so much for your kind words and well wishes for our family over the loss of our sweet Barbie - I really appreciate your friendship and prayers.

Have a good day, everyone!

-

Sad Times

Over the weekend, we had a tragedy hit our family.

It's not anything we won't overcome, and fortunately it does not involve the health or death of a human family member. But, it does involve the death of one our precious pets.

Our sweet Pomeranian, Barbie, got out of our yard and went out on the road in front of our house and was hit by a car (on Friday).

A woman walking saw the accident and stopped, pulled Barbie off the road and was then quickly assisted by another woman driving by. The other woman happened to have her own dog in her car and was on her way to the veterinarian. She urged the first women to help her load Barbie into her car and they then both rushed to take her to the vet. They returned a short while later and went from door to door (not an easy task in our large neighborhood) looking for the owners of the injured dog. I had already been made aware that Barbie had been hit (from our next door neighbors) and was waiting for the ladies to return. When they did, they allowed me to follow them back to the clinic.

It was there that I was given the great opportunity to get to know these 2 women that took time out of their lives (several hours) and showed tremendous kindness and concern for not just our precious family pet, but an animal in need of help.

Our sweet Barbie was injured too badly to save her and so I made the decision (with the help of the veterinarian) to put her to sleep. I was with her when she died.

I thanked these women over and over for taking her so quickly to the vet, as if it had not been for their kindness and immediate decision to handle the situation, she might have suffered further out on the road. Because she was at the clinic and treated with fluids and pain medications, she was stabilized and out of pain when I saw her. My family and I were relieved to know that she was so loved in her final moments and protected from the pain that might have surely been in store for her.

We will miss our beloved pet ...

Barbie's death has affected Alexis the most, as Barbie was her dog - a gift to her when she was 4 years old. She immediately gave this precious pup the name of Barbie, as Alexis loved Barbies. I found this written on the white board in Alexis' room ...

It says: Dear God, Please let Barbie live a happy life in Heaven and let her meet all the dogs of ours that have died and play with them and someday I want to see her in Heaven. Amen.

I totally believe that God will answer Alexis' prayer - totally!

*********************

While this has been devastating to our family, there are far worse things that can happen in one's life. I was reminded of this fact on Saturday when I went over to visit my friend Angie at her site Keep Believing. Angie wrote a post on Friday called, The Worst Results Ever that just broke my heart. I beg you to go over and offer Angie your kind words, your words of support, your words of wisdom, your prayers - during this truly devastating and difficult time in her a Brian's lives.

I told those women that stopped to help my dog that, "We women - we need to just take over the world," and I was joking at the time, but what I meant was that there are no more compassionate and caring human beings ... than women. We gather and we rally and we support and we make the hard decisions.

Please go over and show Angie your love, as her sweet husband, Brian, is struggling and is in the final days of his life. Angie needs our shoulders and ears and arms and hearts and prayers.

-

I Had Him Shaking In His Church Shoes

I have a new post up over on my blog at mySA called I Had Him Shaking In His Church Shoes.

I hope you have time to go over and read this story about surviving motherhood.

Have a great day!

And The Winner Is!

Thanks to everyone that participated in my contest this week. I'm happy to announce that the winner of the $25.00 Target gift card is Utmomof5 of My Five Little Monkeys. Congratulations! If you have never visited My Five Little Monkeys, you should go by and see her beautiful blog and 5 beautiful children (and her very handsome hubby).


I also promised to tell you who it was - which Mom Blogger - that gave me permission to publish her story that prompted this contest.

It was RACHEL! I hope you go over and visit Rachel at From The Land Of Monkeys and Princesses, as she is not only a great friend of mine, a fellow Texan, my roomie for the BlogHer '09 conference in July, but she has a truly fun and fabulous blog, she's a wonderful mother to two of the most adorable kids and she's a very good cook and often posts fabulous recipes on her site (one day she WILL have her own cookbook) and she's also an editor for Blissfully Delish *breath*. Not to mention she's FAMOUS - check out her blog in the business section of the Chicago Sun Times .


Thanks, Rachel for this fun story! I can't wait to see you in Chicago - we are going to have so much FUN! I hope all of these other ladies will also be in Chicago (and I hope you guys are too) - as I'd love to meet every single one. I had the honor of meeting JCK at last year's conference and love her to death and would definitely have loved rooming with her too!


Thanks, everyone for participating in the contest.

Have a good weekend.

-

Sweet Girl

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

When you are seven years old, you have your whole life out in front of you.

You spend your days coloring and painting and playing with Play Dough.

You watch TV.

You swim and jump-rope and giggle a lot.

You cry and whine and eat corn dogs and Bagle Bites and Popsicles that taste like watermelon and bubble gum and lime.

You look to your parents to retrieve cups from too-high cupboards, bake you chicken nuggets and french fries and wash sand out of your eyes and swimsuit and hair.

When you are a darling seven year old girl ...

You might one day ask your mother ...

"When you grow up ...

When you get older ...

Before you die ...

Can I have all the pictures of you and Daddy?"

"Why? Why do you want all the pictures, Sweet Girl?" the mom might wonder.

The sweet girl might smile.

She might touch her mom's face with her small hand.

She might say ...

"So I will always remember you."

On the upside ... Hopefully --- there are many, many years before the mom grows up. Many, many years still - to spend time with this sweet girl.

******************

If you haven't already entered my contest, there's still time. It will continue until Friday night at 9:00. Just go to yesterday's post to enter. I will announce the winner on Saturday. I will also let you know who the Blogging Mother was that gave me permission to post her cute story.

You Know I'm Going To Blog About This CONTEST!

This is a contest

There are all kinds of mothers.

There are working mothers.

There are stay-at-home-mothers.

There are grandmothers.

There are mother's-in-law.

There are good mothers.

There are bad mothers.

There are famous mothers.

There are infamous mothers.

There are historic mothers.

There are f-other m-uckers.


Then ...


There are ...


Those mothers ...


That BLOG!!


There are no other mothers like BLOGGING MOTHERS!!


Am I right?


I am a BLOGGING MOTHER.


And ...


Being a mother that BLOGS, I am always - ALWAYS - A.L.W.A.Y.S ...


Looking for the next BLOG story.


I am.


So ...


I am on the phone the other day.


Just so happens I am on the phone with another BLOGGING MOTHER.


Not just any BLOGGING MOTHER, but ...


A FAMOUS BLOGGING MOTHER!


She and I have become friends over the past year or so and we recently decided that since we both plan on going to the BlogHer '09 Conference this July in Chicago (WOO HOO!), we would room together. After discussing this and finalizing our decision to do so, we talked on the phone to settle some reservation-making details.


During the course of our conversation - after talking a bit about her life and a bit about of mine - after discussing the conference and hashing over details - after about 10 minutes or so into the conversation - something happened.


Something happened on her end of the phone.


It was funny.


It made me laugh.


I said ...


"You know I'm going to blog about this!"


But ... I then assured her that I would never do that - it would stay just between us - I would never blog about her life on MY blog - never, never, never!!! It's an unspoken rule. I'd never do that.


She gave me permission to tell this story.


So ...


While we are on the phone, I can hear her kids playing in the background. Every so often, one will come close to her, ask her a question, she will answer and off they go back to playing - leaving their FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER to her business.


Then ... her boy child comes back, "Why do you have your helmet on?" she asks the child. "Do you want to wear your helmet? Well ... okay," and she returns to our conversation.


"He wants to wear his helmet?" I ask.


"Yes," she says.


"Are you outside?" I ask.


"No ... he just likes to wear it - so I let him wear it."


I don't need any further explaination to this - I get it.


She goes on to tell a VERY CUTE story about how one evening they took the kids to dinner and the boy child insisted on wearing his new helmet and how she - the FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER - felt sure that people in the restaurant surely must have thought that he was a "special" child. (She needs to write that whole story on her blog - it's a great story.)


So then ... after she and I talk another minute or so, the boy child returns and she says, "What do you mean you dropped your popcorn? Where did you even get any popcorn?" she explains to me that he has popcorn spilt and there are bits and pieces of popcorn all in the grooves of his helmet - I get the visual.


Then she says, "I'll make you guys some new popcorn," and she goes about putting the bag in the microwave - all the while continuing our conversation at the same time.


A bit of time lapses - the popcorn is done and given to the kids - we continue to talk.


A short time later, the boy child returns again and she says, "I see you spilt it. That's okay, just pick it back up and put it in your bowl - it's okay - you can still eat it. Just put it back in your bowl," she is trying to convince him and I am imagining him standing there - eyes wide and tearfilled - looking at the popcorn on the floor - looking up at FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER - but I never hear him say anything so I believe she is convincing him. Then she says, "Or ...... just sit right there and eat it off the floor."


It was at this point that my BLOGGING MOM radar went off!


I tried to ignore it.


I tried to turn the radar off and just giggle through the moment, but ..


I could not help myself ...


I said ...


That famous line we MOMMY BLOGGERS are known for ...


You know the one ...


I said ...


"You know I'm going to blog about this!"


Now ...


I'm going to offer a list of BLOGGING MOTHERS and give you the opportunity to guess which of these moms is the MOTHER BLOGGER that told her boy child, "It's okay, it won't hurt you - just eat the popcorn off the floor."


Who do you think it is?


Kat from Seeking Sanity

Karen from The Rocking Pony

Karen Meg from A Day In The Life ... One Glass At A Time

Holly from June Cleaver Nirvana

Elaine from Miss Elaine-ous Life

Rachel from From The Land Of Monkeys And Princesses

Kami from Kami's Khlopchyk

JCK from Motherscribe


I love this story because - I have been known myself to encourage children of mine to ... eat food off of the floor.

I know there are mothers out there that might very well frown upon a mother that would encourage her child to eat food off of the floor - but - I am not one of those mothers.

I get it!

I've been there!

I've done it!

I LOVED IT!


On the upside ... This is a contest. Leave me your guess in the comments and you will be entered in my contest to win a $25.00 gift card to Target. I know - I don't normally do contests, but I thought it would be fun guessing which mother said this. You don't have to be right with your guess - you just have to choose one name and leave a comment. I hope you take the opportunity to visit all of these women and try to figure out who it was. I will leave the contest up through Friday (1/23/09) evening, 9:00 p.m., and then on Saturday sometime, I will announce the winner and also let you know which of these bloggers gave me permission to tell this story (and who it is that will be my roomie in Chicago for the conference).

To Catch A Thief ...

My twin daughters, Courtney and Chloe, are in art. They've been taking art for many years. Last year they were in 3D art and as so, were often required to create 3D art projects for a grade. One time last year, Courtney made these life sized alien looking figures, using pipe for thier bodies and these white masks, she ordered from Oriental Trading Co., for their faces. She made 3 of these alien figures and for a while they stood in the court yard at the High School and now they make their home sitting on the benches around the fountain in our front yard.

So, nearly every day I see these alien figures when I go out to my front yard or pass by them on the way to my car.

The other day, when I went out front, I noticed something strange.

The aliens had moved.

I found Courtney and Chloe in the family room. "There's a Marshall's shopping cart in the front yard," I said calmly.

All I heard was 2 crazy sixteen year old girls giggling.

"And ... the aliens are pushing the shopping cart," I said.

All I heard was 2 crazy sixteen year old girls giggling.

"Where did you get that shopping cart?" I asked.

Courtney finally stopped giggling long enough to say, "We found it behind the store."

*giggle, giggle, giggle*

"We threw it in the trunk and ... brought it home."

*giggle, giggle, giggle*

I can see that.

On the upside ... I love Marshalls. Now I've got my own personal Marshall's shopping cart. I'm going to have to be sneaky, though - loading the thing in and out of the back of my van ...

-

A Bit About Blogging - Continued

I really appreciate the comments on yesterday's post - BOY are you guys a bunch of smart and classy women!!!! I just loved reading all of your thoughts and experiences about blogging.

I did want to make a few things clear. I love blogging. I am also in a really good place with blogging and seldom feel the frustrations I did when I first started out. I have a pretty good following and get my share of comments - I am not complaining. I also have made some of the most FABULOUS friends!

I would say that the most frustrating thing I experience now with blogging is the guilt I feel about not being able to read and comment on all the blogs I would like to - there is just not enough time in the day. And, it's not just guilt but I also miss visiting sites that I truly would like to keep up with - I miss hearing about what is going on in everyones lives.

And ... I do get a bit frustrated with the whole competitive thing. I am competitive by nature and I have to constantly remind myself that it's not a game. And, if it is a game - I am just not likely smart enough to figure out all the tactics it would take to win. But ... I do try to use all the tactics I have figured out and apply those often to help me achieve more success. And, I definitely rely on my writing. It is what I ultimately hope attracts readers and keeps readers here On The Upside.

It feels like a game, sometimes, though - doesn't it? Especially with the whole comment thing. Not only are you completely aware of the number of comments someone else has on their posts - but you are also constantly aware of your own comments - how many you got yesterday - how many you hope to get tomorrow. It's CRAZINESS! I have honestly considered closing my comments for good - but, then realize that it would cut me off from so many new readers and an easy pathway to their blogs (this is how I find so many new blogs I love to read) and also cause me to possibly lose some of my old readers - I couldn't have that! I don't want to lose readers - I don't think any of us do. What's the point of having a public blog if you aren't interested in attracting readers? I think every one of us that has a publicly viewed blog is interested in drumming up new readers and traffic. I know I am. And, the more success you have at it - the more and more you want it. It's like a drug.

What I want from my blog is for it to be a place where I can write my stories and where I can offer those stories to people who are truly interested in reading them and truly interested in me and my life. I have to admit, I honestly find it very difficult to decipher the difference. It's just not possible to determine why people come to your blog and why some stay and why some leave. You can't even be sure if people are actually reading anything.

This leads me to one other thing that bothers me about blogging and bloggers. It's knowing that there are a certain percentage that care nothing about other bloggers and their blogs. These are those bloggers that are only concerned about building their traffic and popularity - and not at all interested in supporting other bloggers. I was distinctly made aware of this fact when I went to the BlogHer '08 Conference last year in San Francisco. It was very evident that most of the bloggers there (myself included) were primarily interested in finding out ways to improve their blog traffic and recognition - not so much interested in networking (while I thought I was) (and we were all there to meet each other - that was a BLAST!).

So ... this made me realize that that is likely true of lots of bloggers and then therefore, while it is a respiratory relationship - I visit you and you visit me - in a lot of cases it is probably not "real" or "honest", in that you can't know or trust that those (bloggers) that visit your site are there because you are truly a good writer or saying things that they find impressively interesting. The only bloggers that can pretty much guarantee that their traffic is legitimate "readers" is those A-list bloggers that have reached the status of A-list because they have proven that they are either great writers or offer content that is unique or irresistible. The rest of us are simply playing a game of Russian roulette - hoping that those that visit our sites will realize that we are a blog worth reading - regardless of what they get in return.

Would I like to be an A-list blogger? The answer is - YOU BETCHA! I would love to be considered the BEST - who doesn't want that? I don't know if that will ever happen and if it doesn't it will not be the end of the world or the end of my blogging - I love blogging and I love my blog. But, I know I am not alone when I admit that I would love to be one of those bloggers that knew for certain that it was my writing and true friendships that was what was sustaining and building my traffic.

I know so many bloggers that visit me are my friends and are sincere when they take the time to come by my site, read my stories and either leave a comment or not - I KNOW they are. I'm not saying that any of the people I know are these un-attached, self promoting type bloggers. It's the primary thing that keeps me blogging - day after day. Knowing that I have found one of the greatest circles of women in the blogosphere. We support each other and I hope you know that I sincerely care about you and your families and I care about your blogs! I wish I had more time to visit and support you the way I sincerely wish I could!

I don't know what got me off on this blogging tangent this weekend - I guess I just wanted to know how you all feel. I guess I just wanted affirmation that I wasn't alone over here - hoping for the best and feeling like I'm sometimes swimming against the current - striving for honest relationships and striving for success.

Unfortunately, blogging is just like everything in this world - achieving success doesn't always just happen for the good guys. Sometimes, the good guys are left in the dust while the rule-breakers are sitting pretty at the top of the heap. And, if you think there are no rules in blogging - you are fooling yourself. There are plenty of rules and it's one of the things I pride myself on - following them as close to the letter as possible. It might not pay off in the end - but, I will always feel proud that, if it gets even better than it is, I achieved success - the right way.

I know it might seem unlikely and it might even be hard to believe, but ... I wish you and your blog the same amount of success that I wish for mine. There is room at the top for all of us. Well ... those of us that aren't willing to walk on the others to get there! And - I don't want any whiners when we get up there either - I'm sick and tired of hearing all the whining. You want my help - ask for it. You want to succeed - get out there and do the work. You want good things to happen for you - then be good to others.

One day - if and when I get to the top - I hope you are still around because I will not look down on you, I promise. I will, however, offer you a hand and do whatever I can to pull you up there with me. And, if you get there before I do - I hope you will not look down on the rest of us either. There are enough A-list (and plenty of B-list) bloggers doing that already!

-

Let's Talk A Bit About Blogging

I read a post on someones site recently where the blogger said something like, "Blogging isn't real - it doesn't mean anything." Or something close to that.

I couldn't have disagreed more!

I think to some of us - it means a whole lot. I know it does to me.

I have been blogging for a nearly a year and a half and it has been a tremendous blessing in my life. A place for me to write - which I love to do. A place to document my children's lives. A place where I have found a community of friends. It has been tremendously positive.

But ...

There are certainly things about blogging that I often find frustrating. I know I am not alone, as there are millions of bloggers and we all encounter many of the same issues from day to day.

I'd love to hear some of the things you find frustrating or that make you angry about blogging.


Do you take it too seriously - like I sometimes do?

Do you take things too personally?

Do you get your feelings hurt?

Do you feel rejected and sometimes snubbed?

Do you feel guilty?

Do you feel competitive with other bloggers?

Do certain bloggers bug you?

Do you feel like blogging is honest?

I have one of those Follow Me thingys in my sidebar. Recently I noticed when someone stopped following me. I have had people stop following me before and just ignored it and not worried about it. But, this time, I happened to look through my followers to see if I could figure out who it was - I was just curious. I don't keep track of who is there and who isn't, so really - I might be wrong about who I think it was, but I believe I figured it out. Truthfully, I was angry and very tempted to go right to that person's site and stop following them. I really wanted to. But ... I didn't. I decided not to hold it against that person - it just didn't matter.

This is the sort of stuff I HATE about blogging! I hate not knowing why. I hate that I take it so personally. I hate that I truly believe that that person stopped following me out of meanness. I HATE all that stuff!!

I also get a little miffed by those people that have the Follow Me thingy on their site - but don't follow anyone else. What's up with that? It's like on Twitter where they pick and choose who is follow-worthy. I still follow some of those people, but honestly it bugs me! Surely I'm just as follow-worthy as they are?!

I've even considered getting rid of that Follow Me thingy on my site - I think it is just another way for bloggers to feel bad about themselves!

What are some of the not-so-positive things you have experienced in blogging? And, if you have been lucky enough to never have experienced anything negative - please let me know the positive things you love about it.

Have a great weekend!

-

My Girls

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

I took my girls to get their hair cut.

We walked into the hair salon and seated ourselves on the couch in the waiting room. I picked up a magazine and began to flip through the pages. Before too long, our hair stylist stepped out from her room and greeted us with a friendly smile. I placed the magazine on my lap.

Time slowed a bit in that strange moment. I glanced at the stylist and then my eyes moved down the sofa at my girls. They sat beside me, in a row - the two oldest of my children and beyond their figures, my baby.

"These are my girls," I gestured towards them, and then strangely ... I heard my own words.

My heart suddenly fluttered. Can you see how proud I am of them? Can you see the love I have for them - floating around them like white silk ribbons brushing their faces, touching their bodies and lacing us all together. Can you feel my happiness? Aren't they beautiful?

I was acutely aware of their faces and their bodies. Of their hair and eyes and hands. I looked at them, in this one strange moment, like I had not seen them before and likely will ever see them again. It was a sliver of time where their presence - next to me - was overwhelming. They were ... my daughters.

When did I become a mother?

Who would think I would make a good mother to these precious girls?

How can I suddenly feel so powerful and important and yet ... in their presence, at the exact same moment, feel very small.

They surround me constantly - my children. They are part of me and with me, and yet ... I seldom stop to comprehend the force they stir in my life. The blissful shift created by their existence. The power of the bond and the pride of the endevor.

I was quickly pulled back into the moment - away from my daydream - my awakening. I do not believe it was evident to anyone other than me - this moment of awareness. These seconds where ... it was clear and palpable that ... they are mine and I am theirs.

-

Sometimes ..They Push Me Over The Edge!

My kids make lots of noise.


If you are one of those people not used to being around kids - my kids and their noise will ...


WEAR YOU OUT!


OVERWHELM YOU!


MAKE YOU ... COMPLETELY CRAZY!


I am around my kids all the time and ....


THEY MAKE ME - CRAZY!


My husband and I were in the car recently, driving across town to look at a car we were thinking about buying.


In the back seat was our son.


He had been working with his dad all day and was a bit tired.


He was a bit hungry.


He was a bit - wired.


He began to laugh.


Not at anything.


Not with anyone.


Not for any particular reason.


He just began to laugh.


He started out laughing in a giggle-like laugh. Sort of squeaky - sort of quietly - pretty annoying.


Then ...


He got LOUDER!


He started laughing with a rhythm - like a song.


Short spurts - no words - laughing in the tune of a song ..


HA HA -- HA HA -- HA HA HA --- HA -- HA ...


*sigh*


Then ...


He got REALLY LOUD!


He began to laugh like a machine gun - long hahahahahaha and then a short haha--haha-haha-- long hahahahahahaha and then a short haha--haha--haha ...


*sigh*


REALLY LOUD AND REALLY ANNOYING!


I turned around ...


I said ...


"WILL YOU STOP DOING THAT!"


He didn't stop.


My husband - totally unaware of this bizarre and LOUD ongoing annoying behavior going on in the back seat of the van - says ... "Just ignore him - that's what I do," he keeps on driving.


"Does he do this all day long," I ask.


"Pretty much," my husband responds.


"Does this sound funny?" my son asks and then offers up yet another ear-piercing, drawn out, ridiculous rampage of giggles.


I turned around and watched.


The small boy was putting an obnoxiously huge amount of energy and effort into this laughing episode.


I tried to bite my tongue.


I tried to find the humor.


I tried -

I tried -

I tried -

I tried -

I tried -


But ...


Instead ...


I SCREAMED ....


"YOU. ARE. DRIVING. ME. CRAZY!"


He stopped.


On the upside ... Then ... I laughed - LOUDLY - like a machine gun - long hahahahahaha and then a short haha--haha-haha-- long hahahahahahaha and then a short haha--haha--haha ...


-

The Oddest Child!

All of my kids are a bit odd - I know this.

I think they are aware of this fact, as well.

As a matter of fact ... I think my kids work hard at being odd - going against the grain - standing out in the crowd - marching to their own beat - they do!

But ...

Of all of my kids ...

Alexis is by far ...

The oddest!

So ...

It could not be more appropriate that Alexis' word of the month is the word --- ODD.

Alexis often has a favorite word that she uses over and over again and for the past month it has been the word ODD.

When we prepared to go on our Utah vacation just after Christmas, Alexis was very excited.

She loved the plane ride even though her ears felt odd when the plane flew above the clouds.

She loved eating in the airport even though she found it odd that there was no McDonalds.

She loved the excitement of passing through security and having to take off her shoes but did find it odd seeing everyone walking around in their socks.

She loved seeing the snow falling from the sky outside the window of the airplane and found it odd that the sight would scare the living day lights out of her mother.

She loved pretending like she was on a roller coaster in the airplane and would throw her hands up in the air when the plane would drop due to turbulence and liked how odd it made her tummy feel.

She was very excited and could not wait to get to ... Utah!.

On the afternoon of our first day, I unpacked Alexis' snow clothes and proceeded to dress her to go out and play in the snow.

She cried.

She whined.

She complained, "These pants feel ODD!"

She complained, "These socks feel ODD!"

She complained, "These gloves feel ODD!"

She complained, "This hat feels ODD!"

She complained, "These boots feel ODD!"

She complained, "Why do I have to wear all these ODD clothes?"

I ignored the complaining and the whining and the crying --- I stood her up and aimed her at the front door, "GO," I said. "GO PLAY IN THE UTAH SNOW!"

"It's not Utah," she turned back towards me. "It's U-T-A-L-L," she insisted with a slight Texas twang.

"Okay," I said. "GO PLAY IN THE U-T-A-L-L SNOW!" and I pushed my oddest child out the front door.

She did not go far.

She walked about 5 steps down the snowy sidewalk.

She turned.

She SCREAMED ...

"I'VE GOT A WEDGIE," at the top of her 7 year old lungs - so all the U-T-A-L-L Mormons could hear her all the way to the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City! "IT FEELS ODD!" she begged me with her eyes.

I walked out the front door.

I turned her around.

I put my hand down the backside of her snow suit and ... yanked those panties out of her butt crack.

She smiled and went on her way.

On the upside ... I threw my hands up in the air, closed my eyes and tried to pretend like I was on a roller coaster ride - WHEEEEEEEEEE - WE'RE HAVING FUN NOW! Oddly enough --- it didn't work for me.

-

Sorry, Neighbor!

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in a winter wonderland, such as the beautiful state of Utah ...

You MUST make time to play in the snow ...

Build yourself a giant snowman and ...

Lie down, spread your wings and ... become an angel.

You might even get creative (like Aaron and Matt) and make a lovely heart sculpture.

You could spray it with colored water so as to make the heart a beautiful pink.

From the road, people would see your glorious giant heart sculpture in your yard and it might bring a smile to their faces - especially your Mormon neighbors.

It might make them proud to have you as their neighbor - that you would make such a beautiful symbol of love for all the neighborhood to see.

But ...

Be very careful.

Until the frozen heart melts in the Spring ...

Do not invite your Mormon neighbor up to your front porch.

Because ...

From your front stoop ...

Your beautiful heart sculpture ...

Does not ...

Look like a heart at all ...

And ..

Your lovely Mormon neighbor might be appalled!

They might even cover their eyes and scream ...

"Dear Lord ... That nasty woman needs to take her head out of the snow, stand up and put her clothes -- back -- on!"

*Kellan throws her head back and laughs like a bad Southern Baptist that obviously has too much time on her hands and her mind in a south Texas gutter - tee hee*

-

I'm Going To Be Hard To Live With

*Throws head back and laughs*


Okay ... I'm already a bit hard to live with.


But ...


It's likely going to get worse.


Why?


Because ...


I am writing again!


I know - I've been writing here On The Upside and over there On The Flipside and even more on mySA ... but, it's not the writing I speak of?


I do love all of this writing.


It is fun!


It does take a lot of thought and words and sentences and paragraphs and grammar and punctuation marks!


I have invested so much time and effort into blogging - I love to write and it has given me a place to stretch my creativity and explore lots of different ways to write about motherhood - about my kids - about my family.


But ...


It is not the sort of writing I did before I started blogging. It is non-fiction and it is non-fiction story-telling. I have loved it and would never give it up, but ...


I am writing again!


Fiction.


Another novel.


Yes - I have written several novels. None of which are good enough to publish, but I have been inspired and so ...


I am writing again!


If I had invested all the time and energy and words I have invested in writing and publishing all of my blog posts - I suppose I could have written at least 2 novels by now. Not that I would trade that time and energy spent blogging - in creating and taking care of my blogs - I wouldn't. But ... I think I have it in me - a novel. A really good novel. So ...


I am writing again!


I know ... this is awfully presumptuous of me - me thinking I could ever possibly write a novel. Well ... I've written several (3 to be exact) novels - so I know I can do it. Now ... all I have to do is write one worth publishing. That's my goal. Right here, in the middle of my life, when I have more on my plate than any human being could possibly manage realistically and successfully ...


I am writing AGAIN!


So, you might ask, where did all this sudden burst of energy come from? Why now? What has triggered this sudden urge to write again? Well ...


I read a blog post on one of my favorite blogs recently that inspired me in such a way that after I read it I went straight to my desk, sat down, started organizing my thoughts over several days and, well ... I am into Chapter 2 and ...


I am WRITING AGAIN!


I have not written anything (aside from blog posts) in over a year. I haven't had the time, really, nor the desire. I guess it is because blogging has given me so much satisfaction and the writing has been so fun and productive that I haven't had time to think about fiction or consider taking the time to write anything.


My family will continue to come first ...

I will do my best to keep up with all of my responsibilities ...

I will continue to write and keep up with my blogs (and ENJOY it) ...

I am completely certain that I am going to be hard to live with ... because ...


I AM WRITING AGAIN!!!


From the blog post that so inspired me, "There will be a last time. Nothing lasts. Each and every time is propped against the last time. The present is made of all gone things."


Black Hockey Jesus (the writer of the wonderful post: Last) inspired me with not only his writing, but his words. He writes brilliantly (go on - go over to his blog, The Wind In Your Vagina, and read some of his great stories) and so often, when I read a great post that someone has written (and I've read hundreds that are truly great!) - like this one he wrote - I am inspired. And this post - this writer - just happened to trigger that thing in me that said - You need to write - get on with it - before it is too late.


Wish me luck?


Wish my family luck!


I am going to be hard to live with ...




-

In The Moment

I don't always know where I am supposed to be, I am only ever aware of where I am and often where I'd like to be.


Sometimes ... I am completely happy in the moment.


Before Christmas I felt rushed and frantic. I shopped and wrapped packages. I decorated the house. I didn't get around to baking, not even one single cookie. I planned our trip to Utah and I packed for my entire family. I tried to feel excited about Christmas. I tried to become excited about our Utah adventure. Excitement came only briefly on Christmas morning when I saw the happiness in the eyes of my children.


Then ... we hurried to the airport, weighed our luggage, shifted our belongings so each bag was not over the 50 lb. weight limit - ended up with 3 suitcases weighing almost exactly 50 lbs. each - what are the odds of that? Saved us a ton of money not being charged for the extra weight.


I was excited about that.


We boarded the plane to Phoenix - all went well, while I am not a casual flier and frighten myself to death over the least little odd noise or fluctuation in cabin pressure or altitude or tilting of the plane.


We got off the plane in Phoenix and boarded a new plane to Salt Lake City. The pilot immediately informed us that the airport in Salt Lake City was closed - they were having difficulty clearing runways, blah, blah, blah. We took off anyway, much to my confusion and fear! We headed off towards Utah and flew right into the blizzard that would put our plane into a "holding pattern" above the airport for what seemed like an eternity. How I knew we were in a "holding pattern" was because the pilot was so nice as to inform us that this was what was going on - waaaaaay more information than I really needed to know.


While we were flying in circles or figure 8's over the Salt Lake City Airport, I tried hard not to glance out the window. I tried hard not to become panicked. I tried to ignore my children that found the bumpy turbulence entertaining and would pretend they were on a roller coaster ride each time the plane would drop and rise again. I tried not to let my children see terror in my eyes.


I love the snow.


I do not love the snow when it is blowing hard and thick outside the window of a Boeing 737. I could not stop imagining that episode of Twilight Zone (Nightmare at 20,000 Feet) - the one with William Shatner - where he looks out his plane window and sees a little gremlin monster messing with the plane. I could not see out the window - past all the snow, but I still imagined ... monsters and other planes in "holding patterns" above a closed airport with closed runways and planes that would soon run out of fuel and have no where to land, but maybe crash into the side of a Utah mountain or be diverted to a nearby freeway ...


Before the Twilight Zone gremlin had a chance to dismantle any of the plane engines or unbolt a wing from the body of the plane - we suddenly landed. Without warning. Without incident. Safely.


I was excited!


Once on the ground, we made our way through the airport, retrieved our luggage, met our friends and headed towards the car. When we walked through the automatic doors leading out to the parking lot, I could feel the cold. The cold that was a welcome change from the humidity I had left behind in Texas. The cold I had longed for. The cold that enveloped me and seeped quickly through my clothes and into my lungs. The cold that brought all of my senses alive.


It made me smile.


I was excited.


And then ...


I saw the snow.

As if I was like a child.

I was excited ... like I always am when I see snow.

Smell snow.

Touch snow.


I yearn to be near the snow, like I yearn to be lulled into the darkness of a rainy day.


I don't always know where I am supposed to be, but sometimes ... when I am where I need to be ... want to be ... I am completely happy in the moment.







-

Texas Dad Builds Snowman In Utah

If you are a seven year old girl and you be real sweet ...

If you smile really pretty ...

If you talk nicely ...

You definitely might be able to convince your Texas Daddy to help you build a ...

Snowman!

He is liable to work real hard.

He is liable to take the job very seriously ...

You probably won't even have to help.

You probably can just go about playing and rolling around in the snow!

You will probably have time to make yourself a snow angel ...

And have a snowball fight with friends.

And ...

Your daddy will continue to work ...

Even when the seven year old girl that talked him into the project doesn't help at all ...





He will build that snowman ...

And, he will let the girl play.

He will not complain ...

Even when the small girl stands by a tries to supervise - a trick she learned from her Texas mother ...

And, in the end ... the Texas Daddy will likely let the small girl stand there next to his beautiful snowman and let her have her picture taken by it as if it was HERS.

As if ... she had a thing to do with the building of the perfectly sculptured masterpiece.

If you are a sweet seven year old girl ... you will ask your Texas Daddy to pose for a photo too ...

After all ...


He did do all the work!

-