Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can be, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul
"To be truly happy & content, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content."--Confucius
"If your kids are happy & smiling, they did something, you just don't know it yet."--Me
The big news of today is a new app for the IPad that keeps track of Roman Catholic sins, to help users keep track of their sins, in hopes that they will go to confession more often. It takes users through a series of question on the ten commandments to help remind users where they may have slacked off. (http://www.1310news.com/news/world/article/181556--new-iphone-ipad-app-helps-roman-catholics-keep-track-of-sins-for-later-confession).
I heard this on the radio as I drove back from the gym this morning, and instantly thought the developers should go all the way with the app and make it user friendly like my Weight Watchers tracking tools. It should have not only a daily sin tracker but a weekly progress report. Log your sins daily and chart them weekly to see how you're doing week to week, but really, it should talk back as well, flag you with better choices.
When I put in meals or recipes at Weight Watchers, I can play around to get to better, lower point options for a meal or snack. Take a smaller portion or put in low fat dairy instead, and watch the points go down. Add in some fiber and make it a healthy alternative. Why not the same for this? Add in the reconciliation for the daily total. Okay, look, that's five hail Mary's but if I only thought impure thoughts instead of dropping the F bomb twelve times when the kids left dirty dishes all over the house again, then its only 3 hail Mary's.
Give you a little "Healthy Choices" button pop when you manage to only take the Lord's Name in vein, instead of gossiping about the slacker co-worker. Get a good job when you see the number of sins go down on your weekly time line. Get a concerned prompt when you forget to log the sins for the day. Add in strong moral fiber and have a smiley face pop-up. Have church bells ring on Sunday when its time for church and you're laying in bed watching the Three Stooges.
Think of the possibilities if we had this for our kids, it could just parent for us. "Did you leave your clothes all over the bathroom again", "Did you finish your homework or just put your name on the top of the paper & fill out 4 questions so you get credit" or "What were you really doing at the sleep over " with a drop down menu of choices, and the punishment choices "No video game for a week, no Facebook for 2 weeks or go clean the living room".
Wait, my living room is clean, what did the kids do that I don't know about?
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Love
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom acts as one with our very soul.
The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love. --Margaret Atwood
Trying to achieve a balanced life often gets tipped by the scales of love. We wake up with a set of goals for the day, a list of tasks which must be accomplished and a timeline to do them in. We rush around showering and multi-tasking in our heads the duties of the day, making mental lists and reminders for ourselves of the multitude of must do's like "get hamburger out for dinner, put in a load of laundry before work, pay gas bill, call dentist on lunch, clean bathroooms tonight, get dogfood." We plan and manipulate our time to the skin of our teeth, seldom leaving time for pee breaks, let alone time for ourselves. Once in a blue moon, in a moment of clarity, we rearrange our lives for some much needed down time, to chillax, to bounce to nowhere. We close our eyes and dream. Ah, the peace of it.
Then we wake up, and start our day. But the funny thing about schedules, is that they can always be changed for the things and people we love. At the end of the day, when it's all said and done, love and family come first. We can blow off work when we need to for a sick child, we can trek to the hospital daily for a seriously ill parent, we can rush to help a friend who's life has fallen apart. We fit it in. The schedule, written in air anyway, is erased and replaced. We place the importance on showing the love when the emergencies arise. We give the hugs and say "I love you, it will be okay."
But the deepest love happens without the words. Yes, it comes in the morning kisses and "how was your sleepy hugs," but it's also in the care packages we send to our children away at college or at sea for 6 months. It's in the endless meals of ramien noodles and macaroni and cheese . It's in the picking up of dirty laundry and cleaning of kitchens. It's in the endless hours of car pooling. It's in the sending of ads for jobs to friends who had a miserable day at work . It's in the inspirational emails you send to say 'you're really good at this, keep going." It's in the errands we run and the pizza we bring in case you are hungry. It's in the pats on the back at work to sad friends as well as in the happy smiles of our children when they have a good day or make a new joke we don't quite get. It's in the mundane details like buying apples for lunches, or keeping toilet paper on hand.
The love happens outside of the word and deeds we call love. It's in all the other things we do and say for our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers, everyday. It's in the kindness. It's in the smiles. It's in the laughter. Sometimes we are too tired to remember this and even see that it is there in our minds and our behaviors. God shows us how to share it and spread it and make it multiply so that it fills our lives. We just need to slow down and feel the Wow of it. We need to see God's love in the minutia and in ourselves.
Maybe we don't need 52 words for love. We need only open our eyes and feel it.
The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love. --Margaret Atwood
Trying to achieve a balanced life often gets tipped by the scales of love. We wake up with a set of goals for the day, a list of tasks which must be accomplished and a timeline to do them in. We rush around showering and multi-tasking in our heads the duties of the day, making mental lists and reminders for ourselves of the multitude of must do's like "get hamburger out for dinner, put in a load of laundry before work, pay gas bill, call dentist on lunch, clean bathroooms tonight, get dogfood." We plan and manipulate our time to the skin of our teeth, seldom leaving time for pee breaks, let alone time for ourselves. Once in a blue moon, in a moment of clarity, we rearrange our lives for some much needed down time, to chillax, to bounce to nowhere. We close our eyes and dream. Ah, the peace of it.
Then we wake up, and start our day. But the funny thing about schedules, is that they can always be changed for the things and people we love. At the end of the day, when it's all said and done, love and family come first. We can blow off work when we need to for a sick child, we can trek to the hospital daily for a seriously ill parent, we can rush to help a friend who's life has fallen apart. We fit it in. The schedule, written in air anyway, is erased and replaced. We place the importance on showing the love when the emergencies arise. We give the hugs and say "I love you, it will be okay."
But the deepest love happens without the words. Yes, it comes in the morning kisses and "how was your sleepy hugs," but it's also in the care packages we send to our children away at college or at sea for 6 months. It's in the endless meals of ramien noodles and macaroni and cheese . It's in the picking up of dirty laundry and cleaning of kitchens. It's in the endless hours of car pooling. It's in the sending of ads for jobs to friends who had a miserable day at work . It's in the inspirational emails you send to say 'you're really good at this, keep going." It's in the errands we run and the pizza we bring in case you are hungry. It's in the pats on the back at work to sad friends as well as in the happy smiles of our children when they have a good day or make a new joke we don't quite get. It's in the mundane details like buying apples for lunches, or keeping toilet paper on hand.
The love happens outside of the word and deeds we call love. It's in all the other things we do and say for our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers, everyday. It's in the kindness. It's in the smiles. It's in the laughter. Sometimes we are too tired to remember this and even see that it is there in our minds and our behaviors. God shows us how to share it and spread it and make it multiply so that it fills our lives. We just need to slow down and feel the Wow of it. We need to see God's love in the minutia and in ourselves.
Maybe we don't need 52 words for love. We need only open our eyes and feel it.
Show your love today on Valentine's day, not only to your families, but to the strangers and helpers that fill our lives everyday. Make a random act of kindness. Smile. Laugh. Give someone the good parking space. Let them ahead of you at the checkout. Shovel the neighbor's sidewalk. Pay the toll ahead of you. Leave a gift certificate for a co-worker in need. Make the coffee when it's empty. Clean up even though it's not your mess. Scrape the snow off someone's car. Take the time to thank someone who really just simply does a good job.
Put it out there and get it back ten fold. Let God's love grow in you today.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The little bakers
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
Valetine's day this week. Yum, the treats. Hershey kisses with raspberry cream centers. Cutout cookies shaped like hearts. Russell Stover little candy heart boxes. Red and pink M&M's. If it's a candy holiday, the food is good.
Maggie had her friend over all day hanging out. Miss J goes to church with the twins now, and I pick her up and drop her off. After church today, the kids were so quiet, I drove home in a trance. Pulled in the driveway, and Luke teases me, "Hey, are you dropping her home?" Huh? you guys are actually in the car? I forgot all about you. Iguess she stays.
Of course, there is always baking when Miss J comes over. They were not overly ambitious today, so they just made a cake. And the frosting. I am upstairs listening to the frosting being made. Get the butter. Warm it up a little in the microwave. Add the milk. Add the sugar. Add the milk. It's too thin, add the sugar. It's too sweet, addl the milk. Next thing I know they are adding flour. When I come down to see how it's going, they are drizzling the chocolate syrup consistency mess all over the cake, and the counter. I could not help but laughing and remembering baking with my best friend, CK.
We loved making brownies and adding stuff to them. Mostly gobs of peanut butter. I don't think they ever actually cooked, but got heated through and quickly devoured. We would often get side tracked playing with makeup and forgot what we were baking. One time, her older brother made the mistake of falling asleep on the couch (ok, maybe not sleeping, maybe passed out from too much beer in Grandma's barn, like we didn't know) and we decided to be evil. We tried out the makeup on him. Full eyeshadow, blush and lipstick. Even did his fingernails and toenails with bright pink polish. Man, was he ever mad when he woke up!! But we already had pictures to blackmail him with forever!
Too bad we didn't have You tube back then! Boy the fun we could have had!
Now, where are those pictures....
Valetine's day this week. Yum, the treats. Hershey kisses with raspberry cream centers. Cutout cookies shaped like hearts. Russell Stover little candy heart boxes. Red and pink M&M's. If it's a candy holiday, the food is good.
Maggie had her friend over all day hanging out. Miss J goes to church with the twins now, and I pick her up and drop her off. After church today, the kids were so quiet, I drove home in a trance. Pulled in the driveway, and Luke teases me, "Hey, are you dropping her home?" Huh? you guys are actually in the car? I forgot all about you. Iguess she stays.
Of course, there is always baking when Miss J comes over. They were not overly ambitious today, so they just made a cake. And the frosting. I am upstairs listening to the frosting being made. Get the butter. Warm it up a little in the microwave. Add the milk. Add the sugar. Add the milk. It's too thin, add the sugar. It's too sweet, addl the milk. Next thing I know they are adding flour. When I come down to see how it's going, they are drizzling the chocolate syrup consistency mess all over the cake, and the counter. I could not help but laughing and remembering baking with my best friend, CK.
We loved making brownies and adding stuff to them. Mostly gobs of peanut butter. I don't think they ever actually cooked, but got heated through and quickly devoured. We would often get side tracked playing with makeup and forgot what we were baking. One time, her older brother made the mistake of falling asleep on the couch (ok, maybe not sleeping, maybe passed out from too much beer in Grandma's barn, like we didn't know) and we decided to be evil. We tried out the makeup on him. Full eyeshadow, blush and lipstick. Even did his fingernails and toenails with bright pink polish. Man, was he ever mad when he woke up!! But we already had pictures to blackmail him with forever!
Too bad we didn't have You tube back then! Boy the fun we could have had!
Now, where are those pictures....
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Apple Soup
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
It's a cold dreary February day in Buffalo. Slushy snow, melting into rivers on the driveways, soaks us up to our ankles. Snow boots quickly remind us why they are not rain boots. The dampness permeates our guts and bones, making me feel like a little old lady in a rainstorm.
I crank the heat up. Get out the comforters. Throw on an extra sweater. Heat up the rice neck warmer in the microwave for 3 minutes. Still cold. I would really like 30 minutes of slow, deep kisses to warm me up, but its twin movie time, so I must make do.
Luke decides to make Apple Crisp. Does he pull out my recipe file and look for my version, handwritten in my 15 year old cursive? Does he go to my favorite baking bible, The Fanny Farmer Cookbook? No, of course not, that's old school. He goes to the internet, searches the Food Network and checks out recipes. Finds one, writes it out on torn corner of a piece of paper, and begins to cook.
I stay out of it, barely, as I answer the 95 questions. "Mom, how many apples should I use? Where are the measuring cups? Where are the teaspoons? Can I use this margarine? Which oven should I use? How big of a pan should I make?" And so on, and so on.
He peels, cores, cuts, mixes and stirs. "Mom, it's kinda runny." Hmm, add some more brown sugar and flour, and some walnuts, it should be good. Bake it. Pull it out. Smells delicious.
But it looks like soup. The whole 13 x 9 pan is under juice. The apples are barely visible. We quickly dub it apple soup and dig in. Wow, those apples were hot, but good. We take it back to the living room to watch the Disney channel. Maggie is buried under a blanket. She asked to be covered up, so I proceeded to give her the bake potato wrap. Had her lean forward, and I wrapped and tucked and covered her up. Pulled down the top so she could breathe. She looks like we could bake her.
Finally, all wrapped up like potatoes, eating their soup, watching TV together, there is a few minutes of peace and harmony. We all smile and feel good. It's nice. But then we finish.
"Take my bowl. No, you take my bowl to the kitchen. You. No You. It's your turn. Is not. Is too."
Yes, a normal Saturday night at last. The soup hadn't turned them into mini-adults. I can stop worrying now. Well, for a few minutes anyhow. I have bowls to take to the kitchen.
It's a cold dreary February day in Buffalo. Slushy snow, melting into rivers on the driveways, soaks us up to our ankles. Snow boots quickly remind us why they are not rain boots. The dampness permeates our guts and bones, making me feel like a little old lady in a rainstorm.
I crank the heat up. Get out the comforters. Throw on an extra sweater. Heat up the rice neck warmer in the microwave for 3 minutes. Still cold. I would really like 30 minutes of slow, deep kisses to warm me up, but its twin movie time, so I must make do.
Luke decides to make Apple Crisp. Does he pull out my recipe file and look for my version, handwritten in my 15 year old cursive? Does he go to my favorite baking bible, The Fanny Farmer Cookbook? No, of course not, that's old school. He goes to the internet, searches the Food Network and checks out recipes. Finds one, writes it out on torn corner of a piece of paper, and begins to cook.
I stay out of it, barely, as I answer the 95 questions. "Mom, how many apples should I use? Where are the measuring cups? Where are the teaspoons? Can I use this margarine? Which oven should I use? How big of a pan should I make?" And so on, and so on.
He peels, cores, cuts, mixes and stirs. "Mom, it's kinda runny." Hmm, add some more brown sugar and flour, and some walnuts, it should be good. Bake it. Pull it out. Smells delicious.
But it looks like soup. The whole 13 x 9 pan is under juice. The apples are barely visible. We quickly dub it apple soup and dig in. Wow, those apples were hot, but good. We take it back to the living room to watch the Disney channel. Maggie is buried under a blanket. She asked to be covered up, so I proceeded to give her the bake potato wrap. Had her lean forward, and I wrapped and tucked and covered her up. Pulled down the top so she could breathe. She looks like we could bake her.
Finally, all wrapped up like potatoes, eating their soup, watching TV together, there is a few minutes of peace and harmony. We all smile and feel good. It's nice. But then we finish.
"Take my bowl. No, you take my bowl to the kitchen. You. No You. It's your turn. Is not. Is too."
Yes, a normal Saturday night at last. The soup hadn't turned them into mini-adults. I can stop worrying now. Well, for a few minutes anyhow. I have bowls to take to the kitchen.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Yes Man
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"In order to experience joy, you must first say yes to it."--me
In the autobiography, "The Yes Man," by Danny Wallace, the story begins when Danny must take the bus home one day when the tube breaks down in London. He sits with a perfect stranger who asks him how he is. And for once, instead of the standard "Fine" he answers with the truth, that life is not good. He remarks how he has just been staying in every night, not going out when friends asks, not really bothering with food, watching the telly day in and day out, not really bothering with life. Or course there is a girl involved in the despair and the joy sucking events that leaves Danny at home, but the stranger challenges him anyway on saying no.
"So start saying yes " the stranger responds. So Danny does. The resulting true story will make you check the forward constantly to be sure the events really happened. Danny makes the mistake of telling one close friend only what is going on, that he will say yes to whatever comes his way, and of course, the friend constantly makes his buy the beer and pay for the dinner. But in the end, Danny finds joy in a new career, and a new girl. The resulting adventure will bring you much laughter and joy and the need to read the book right through to the end.
My youngest son Luke has the happiest disposition of anyone you will ever meet. He just is really joyful from the minute he gets out of bed, until he goes to sleep at night. And he will do anything for anyone, because he likes to make people feel good. I think a large part of his happiness is that he says Yes. While his siblings bemoan the fact that they missed this deadline or didn't bring that home so they can join something, Luke has himself signed up to play wrestling in the house league 2 nights a week, to play intramural floor hockey before school, and to play in a town floor hockey league on Saturday. The child who often forgets one folder or another, and is truly sad that he does, keeps all his social activities at the top of his brain. "Now tomorrow Mom you get to sleep in, because my team doesn't play until 1030 this week. You can even read awhile before you need to drive me there. "
In a family that just doesn't get sports, Luke is a wonder. He manages to find things that fit into our time and our limited budget. He finds his joy. He says Yes.
Often as adults, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. We do the same thing week after week, see the same people, eat the same meals, watch the same things on TV, and then we wonder where our lives are going. Why we feel so empty. Why things seem to bother us more. Where the joy disappeared to.
Somehow, we want the life to be the same, but be more joyful. Stability is nice, but coming to a stop so people wonder if you are still breathing, is not. Take a risk. Go for coffee with a friend. Take up that hobby you always wondered about. Give yourself one night a week for something fun you plan. So no to the TV, and yes to interaction with real people. If doing the same things, in the same job is sucking the life out of you, take a right turn and don't look back. Drive a new path, forge a new trail. Make a change. Read a new book. Listen to happy music. Watch some favorite movies and laugh. Plan a brunch with people you haven't seen for some time. Go to a new church. Change your hair. Change your underwear. Change you attitude. Say yes.
"Stability is nice, but coming to a stop so people wonder if you are still breathing is not."--me
If someone or something brings you joy, run to it. Make the time for it. Change your thinking on it, and you just might change you life. I have alway loved the saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I like to add, the journey begins, when you say yes.
Where might you be in 60 days if you said yes?
"In order to experience joy, you must first say yes to it."--me
In the autobiography, "The Yes Man," by Danny Wallace, the story begins when Danny must take the bus home one day when the tube breaks down in London. He sits with a perfect stranger who asks him how he is. And for once, instead of the standard "Fine" he answers with the truth, that life is not good. He remarks how he has just been staying in every night, not going out when friends asks, not really bothering with food, watching the telly day in and day out, not really bothering with life. Or course there is a girl involved in the despair and the joy sucking events that leaves Danny at home, but the stranger challenges him anyway on saying no.
"So start saying yes " the stranger responds. So Danny does. The resulting true story will make you check the forward constantly to be sure the events really happened. Danny makes the mistake of telling one close friend only what is going on, that he will say yes to whatever comes his way, and of course, the friend constantly makes his buy the beer and pay for the dinner. But in the end, Danny finds joy in a new career, and a new girl. The resulting adventure will bring you much laughter and joy and the need to read the book right through to the end.
My youngest son Luke has the happiest disposition of anyone you will ever meet. He just is really joyful from the minute he gets out of bed, until he goes to sleep at night. And he will do anything for anyone, because he likes to make people feel good. I think a large part of his happiness is that he says Yes. While his siblings bemoan the fact that they missed this deadline or didn't bring that home so they can join something, Luke has himself signed up to play wrestling in the house league 2 nights a week, to play intramural floor hockey before school, and to play in a town floor hockey league on Saturday. The child who often forgets one folder or another, and is truly sad that he does, keeps all his social activities at the top of his brain. "Now tomorrow Mom you get to sleep in, because my team doesn't play until 1030 this week. You can even read awhile before you need to drive me there. "
In a family that just doesn't get sports, Luke is a wonder. He manages to find things that fit into our time and our limited budget. He finds his joy. He says Yes.
Often as adults, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. We do the same thing week after week, see the same people, eat the same meals, watch the same things on TV, and then we wonder where our lives are going. Why we feel so empty. Why things seem to bother us more. Where the joy disappeared to.
Somehow, we want the life to be the same, but be more joyful. Stability is nice, but coming to a stop so people wonder if you are still breathing, is not. Take a risk. Go for coffee with a friend. Take up that hobby you always wondered about. Give yourself one night a week for something fun you plan. So no to the TV, and yes to interaction with real people. If doing the same things, in the same job is sucking the life out of you, take a right turn and don't look back. Drive a new path, forge a new trail. Make a change. Read a new book. Listen to happy music. Watch some favorite movies and laugh. Plan a brunch with people you haven't seen for some time. Go to a new church. Change your hair. Change your underwear. Change you attitude. Say yes.
"Stability is nice, but coming to a stop so people wonder if you are still breathing is not."--me
If someone or something brings you joy, run to it. Make the time for it. Change your thinking on it, and you just might change you life. I have alway loved the saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I like to add, the journey begins, when you say yes.
Where might you be in 60 days if you said yes?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Twin Hug
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"At least I was born cute. " --cupcake girl to muffin boy
Life with twins has always been exciting. From the sonogram at 6 weeks where the technician announced, "See the two heads" to the modern day hormone wars, you just never know what you might get. Day in, day out, it switches faster then the promos for the weather at 6.
From an early age, the twins were super affectionate with Mom. They figured out early on, that if they snuck up to me, one on either side of me, and each grabbed me at the same time, yelling "Twin Hug," that I would melt like butter and give them whatever they wanted. I just couldn't resist.
From their first birthday on, I always had their birthday parties together. As they got into school, it was kinda neat to have this huge party at home with 30 screaming kids batting at the pinata. They just loved having it together, double cake, double presents, double kids. Lots of fun. Then one morning, a couple of months before their 9th birthday, they each came up to me one morning and pulled the twin hug. Man oh man, I didn't know what was about to come out of their mouths.
"Mom, we want a divorce."
A what? A divorce. Really? Yes, we want our OWN birthdays.
Oh. Well, umm, I can't do that. You see, God gave you your birthdays together. I might have wanted a different scenario then the 40 weeks of double babies, a permanently inflated bladder, and weekly vaginal exams, but God had a different plan. So no, you are stuck with what you got. But they did get to separate their parties for a few years. Cupcake always got to go first, since she is 11 minutes older. 11 long minutes, trust me.
So you see, the words they spring on you, can really surprise you. Twins really do have a different way of looking at things. Mornings tend to bring some pretty exciting verbiage, when the adrenaline is running high to get it done before the bus comes at 8:04. Friday as I dressed I heard the usual,"You're fat. No, you're fat" followed by "You're stupid, no you're stupid. Then the new phrase from cupcake girl, "Well, at least I was born cute."
Mom couldn't help buy burst out laughing at that one, and of course, got caught doing so. Not supposed to be take sides in any verbal wars. Must stay out of it. Must maintain granite face at all times.
"Stop it Mom! It's not Funny! Why does he have to live here anyway?" Hmm, well honey, I don't really know an answer to that one, because God sent you both here at the same time. Silence permeates the air for a full two minutes as she contemplates that one. Wow, maybe I finally stumped her.
"Well, it's time to send him back!"--cupcake
Some days, Mom wants to send you all back, just to be able to have 2 minutes to pee in peace, without hearing, "No, you tell Mom. No, you tell her. " Oh jees, what now???? Can't I ever pee, and just pee?
No, evidently, you lose that right, the minute you conceive.
"At least I was born cute. " --cupcake girl to muffin boy
Life with twins has always been exciting. From the sonogram at 6 weeks where the technician announced, "See the two heads" to the modern day hormone wars, you just never know what you might get. Day in, day out, it switches faster then the promos for the weather at 6.
From an early age, the twins were super affectionate with Mom. They figured out early on, that if they snuck up to me, one on either side of me, and each grabbed me at the same time, yelling "Twin Hug," that I would melt like butter and give them whatever they wanted. I just couldn't resist.
From their first birthday on, I always had their birthday parties together. As they got into school, it was kinda neat to have this huge party at home with 30 screaming kids batting at the pinata. They just loved having it together, double cake, double presents, double kids. Lots of fun. Then one morning, a couple of months before their 9th birthday, they each came up to me one morning and pulled the twin hug. Man oh man, I didn't know what was about to come out of their mouths.
"Mom, we want a divorce."
A what? A divorce. Really? Yes, we want our OWN birthdays.
Oh. Well, umm, I can't do that. You see, God gave you your birthdays together. I might have wanted a different scenario then the 40 weeks of double babies, a permanently inflated bladder, and weekly vaginal exams, but God had a different plan. So no, you are stuck with what you got. But they did get to separate their parties for a few years. Cupcake always got to go first, since she is 11 minutes older. 11 long minutes, trust me.
So you see, the words they spring on you, can really surprise you. Twins really do have a different way of looking at things. Mornings tend to bring some pretty exciting verbiage, when the adrenaline is running high to get it done before the bus comes at 8:04. Friday as I dressed I heard the usual,"You're fat. No, you're fat" followed by "You're stupid, no you're stupid. Then the new phrase from cupcake girl, "Well, at least I was born cute."
Mom couldn't help buy burst out laughing at that one, and of course, got caught doing so. Not supposed to be take sides in any verbal wars. Must stay out of it. Must maintain granite face at all times.
"Stop it Mom! It's not Funny! Why does he have to live here anyway?" Hmm, well honey, I don't really know an answer to that one, because God sent you both here at the same time. Silence permeates the air for a full two minutes as she contemplates that one. Wow, maybe I finally stumped her.
"Well, it's time to send him back!"--cupcake
Some days, Mom wants to send you all back, just to be able to have 2 minutes to pee in peace, without hearing, "No, you tell Mom. No, you tell her. " Oh jees, what now???? Can't I ever pee, and just pee?
No, evidently, you lose that right, the minute you conceive.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A Warm Bowl of Love
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"Somethings just don't come in a box."--Me
January in Buffalo. Hmm, it just needs something good to eat. Searched the fridge, empty, of course, since I shopped more than 2 days ago. Looked in the pantry for hidden chocolate. Nope. I know, maybe chocolate chips. Scratch that, cupcake ate them all. I know, butterscotch chips. Zippo. Searched the freezer for leftover Christmas cookies. Wrong. Hidden cookie dough wrapped up in a meat bag. Zilch. Candy hidden in my closet. Eaten, empty box left in it's wake. Chips up on the high shelf in the laundry room, behind the honey and cutout tin. Nothing but dust. Checked my drawer in night stand, just the empty cracker box. Crud.
Crap, I actually might have to get out of my pink polka dot jammies and go to the store. Wait. I have corn starch. Sugar. Cocoa powder and soy milk. I've got it.
Warm pudding. Yum. Wow. Delicious. Shades of "When Harry Met Sally" joy burst out of my mouth as I picture the succulent pudding hitting my tongue, sliding down my throat and heating up my belly from the inside. I get excited thinking about licking the spoon. My eyes moisten and my taste buds start drooling. I get a grin from ear to ear, so big, you'd think I won the lottery. Real joy, real laughter and excitement as I get the stuff out. Truly an event, and I haven't made it in years. Almost as good as raw chocolate chip cookies dough, cinnamon buns straight from the oven or tomato soup and grill cheese lunch. Just the tasty snack I need.
I scald. I measure. I stir, I cook. I can't wait to see my kids faces when they experience it for the first time. They don't get it. I'm making pudding on the stove. No box, real ingredients from scratch.Not with a mixer. Not placing it in the freezer to thicken quickly. But cooking it. And licking the spoon quite often. I am running out of clean spoons to use.
I pour and divide. I lick the pan. I take my bowl and dive in. They come and get theirs. I wait. And wait. Expecting excitement. Anticipating the smiles. Thinking of the thrill. And then it comes.
"What's wrong with instant?"--muffin boy.
Ouch. Never mind, it's just a generational thing I guess.
"Somethings just don't come in a box."--Me
January in Buffalo. Hmm, it just needs something good to eat. Searched the fridge, empty, of course, since I shopped more than 2 days ago. Looked in the pantry for hidden chocolate. Nope. I know, maybe chocolate chips. Scratch that, cupcake ate them all. I know, butterscotch chips. Zippo. Searched the freezer for leftover Christmas cookies. Wrong. Hidden cookie dough wrapped up in a meat bag. Zilch. Candy hidden in my closet. Eaten, empty box left in it's wake. Chips up on the high shelf in the laundry room, behind the honey and cutout tin. Nothing but dust. Checked my drawer in night stand, just the empty cracker box. Crud.
Crap, I actually might have to get out of my pink polka dot jammies and go to the store. Wait. I have corn starch. Sugar. Cocoa powder and soy milk. I've got it.
Warm pudding. Yum. Wow. Delicious. Shades of "When Harry Met Sally" joy burst out of my mouth as I picture the succulent pudding hitting my tongue, sliding down my throat and heating up my belly from the inside. I get excited thinking about licking the spoon. My eyes moisten and my taste buds start drooling. I get a grin from ear to ear, so big, you'd think I won the lottery. Real joy, real laughter and excitement as I get the stuff out. Truly an event, and I haven't made it in years. Almost as good as raw chocolate chip cookies dough, cinnamon buns straight from the oven or tomato soup and grill cheese lunch. Just the tasty snack I need.
I scald. I measure. I stir, I cook. I can't wait to see my kids faces when they experience it for the first time. They don't get it. I'm making pudding on the stove. No box, real ingredients from scratch.Not with a mixer. Not placing it in the freezer to thicken quickly. But cooking it. And licking the spoon quite often. I am running out of clean spoons to use.
I pour and divide. I lick the pan. I take my bowl and dive in. They come and get theirs. I wait. And wait. Expecting excitement. Anticipating the smiles. Thinking of the thrill. And then it comes.
"What's wrong with instant?"--muffin boy.
Ouch. Never mind, it's just a generational thing I guess.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Snow Day
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"Mom, I want a snow day. Let's move to Virginia."--cupcake, upon hearing that Mrs. Virginia had off of school because it snowed 1 inch in Richmond.
Remember snow days? Oh, the glory of it. Waking up, wandering down to the kitchen where Mom was listening to WBEN AM 930 Radio with Jefferson Kay or Clint Buehleman, hearing the list of closings. In alphabetical order. Dying to hear your school's name. Come on OP! Enough about Nardin Academy and Nichols, tells us about Orchard Park. Sometimes you'd listen to the list for an hour, waiting to hear that our school was closed.
Finally, we'd hear it! Yes, it was closed! Yippee. And out would come the winter gear, and off to BFF's I'd go. We'd play and bake and draw and play in the snow for hours. Have grill cheese and soup for lunch, do it all over again. The best kind of vacation day, unplanned and totally free.No worries. Nothing to get done. No place we had to go. Nothing to do but use our imagination.
When my kids came along, snow days once again became special treats. We'd listen and then stay in our jammies all day. We'd bake chocolate chips cookies, play in bubbles in the sink, put on puppet shows (the stage was chairs, covered in blankets, the puppets stuffed animal friends) and watch favorite movies like "Ghostbusters" and laugh. It was great to take the day off and just play. Just imagine. Just be a kid. Just me and the kids.
We seldom seem to get many snow days now in Buffalo, not even one most years. We had the freak October storm last Columbus day, but really, we just don't get much snow. Nothing on the ground right now. It was 70 degrees here a week ago on Monday. Freaky.
Mrs. Virgina moved to Richmond 15 years ago, in her little Ford Tempo. Got rid of the wool clothes and long underwear. Doesn't own a shovel or the mandatory bucket of salt for the sidewalk. Freedom from the snow.
Then she bought a Ford Explorer. 4x4. Starts getting snow days as she begins her life as a teacher. They don't have snow equipment, so the smallest bit of snow, makes the world shut down. And she's goes out shopping on snow days, laughing, since the snow melts by 10 A.M. She laughs and laughs.
When she met her husband, and brought him up to Buffalo for Christmas, we got a little snow. And more snow. And some more. 8 feet of snow in 48 hours. Most places didn't even shut down. Just cleaned up, and told people to come in when they could. At best, 8 feet bought you one day off. 8 feet. Lots of shoveling, but nothing really shut down. We bought a six pack and stayed home.
After the 8 feet, Mrs. Virgina went home to laugh and laugh again, as she kicked in the 4 wheel drive and headed home to Richmond. And waited for her snow days there when it snows an inch.
Just like the guys always say, size doesn't matter. It's what you do with it that counts.
In Buffalo, we just keeping going on.
"Mom, I want a snow day. Let's move to Virginia."--cupcake, upon hearing that Mrs. Virginia had off of school because it snowed 1 inch in Richmond.
Remember snow days? Oh, the glory of it. Waking up, wandering down to the kitchen where Mom was listening to WBEN AM 930 Radio with Jefferson Kay or Clint Buehleman, hearing the list of closings. In alphabetical order. Dying to hear your school's name. Come on OP! Enough about Nardin Academy and Nichols, tells us about Orchard Park. Sometimes you'd listen to the list for an hour, waiting to hear that our school was closed.
Finally, we'd hear it! Yes, it was closed! Yippee. And out would come the winter gear, and off to BFF's I'd go. We'd play and bake and draw and play in the snow for hours. Have grill cheese and soup for lunch, do it all over again. The best kind of vacation day, unplanned and totally free.No worries. Nothing to get done. No place we had to go. Nothing to do but use our imagination.
When my kids came along, snow days once again became special treats. We'd listen and then stay in our jammies all day. We'd bake chocolate chips cookies, play in bubbles in the sink, put on puppet shows (the stage was chairs, covered in blankets, the puppets stuffed animal friends) and watch favorite movies like "Ghostbusters" and laugh. It was great to take the day off and just play. Just imagine. Just be a kid. Just me and the kids.
We seldom seem to get many snow days now in Buffalo, not even one most years. We had the freak October storm last Columbus day, but really, we just don't get much snow. Nothing on the ground right now. It was 70 degrees here a week ago on Monday. Freaky.
Mrs. Virgina moved to Richmond 15 years ago, in her little Ford Tempo. Got rid of the wool clothes and long underwear. Doesn't own a shovel or the mandatory bucket of salt for the sidewalk. Freedom from the snow.
Then she bought a Ford Explorer. 4x4. Starts getting snow days as she begins her life as a teacher. They don't have snow equipment, so the smallest bit of snow, makes the world shut down. And she's goes out shopping on snow days, laughing, since the snow melts by 10 A.M. She laughs and laughs.
When she met her husband, and brought him up to Buffalo for Christmas, we got a little snow. And more snow. And some more. 8 feet of snow in 48 hours. Most places didn't even shut down. Just cleaned up, and told people to come in when they could. At best, 8 feet bought you one day off. 8 feet. Lots of shoveling, but nothing really shut down. We bought a six pack and stayed home.
After the 8 feet, Mrs. Virgina went home to laugh and laugh again, as she kicked in the 4 wheel drive and headed home to Richmond. And waited for her snow days there when it snows an inch.
Just like the guys always say, size doesn't matter. It's what you do with it that counts.
In Buffalo, we just keeping going on.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Smurfs
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"Is your neck supposed to be blue??"--cupcake to Wild Child.
Just a dull Tuesday. Learning exciting new duties at work and the brain is a little fried. Not even sure I know my own name or how to drive my car, but I make it home. Looking forward to a little slow review of the training materials and an easy night watching "Gidget Goes Hawaiian."
Walk into the marble foyer with stained glass windows (translation: breezeway with 1950 windows frosted over on the inside during a Buffalo January cold spell) and trip over the large red, white and blue skateboarder shoes. Great, Soccer boy is visiting.
Hi, where are the boys? Doing a science experiment. Oh? That's nice. Change to sweats, go to computer to review more training materials. Check on the boys. Changing into shorts. Hmmm. Okay. Do some work, try to settle down while the twins are yelling "You're fat. No, you're fat. Am not, you're ugly. Well, you're just stupid. Am not. Are too."
Finally, the brain opens. "Science experiment? Hun, you know what they are doing?''No, they said they had homework. Homework, Wild Child hasn't opened a book since he chewed on them as a baby. "I hope they're not building firearms. What did they take up there?" Duct tape and a hair dryer. Duct tape? They don't have muffin boy locked up there, do they?
Walk upstairs, it smells like grape koolaid. Grape. Hmm. Go to bedroom, no boys. Go to bathroom, door is locked. Open up. No, we need 15 minutes. No, open up NOW.
There stands two 14 year old boys, with dark purple die on their heads, with duct tape around their face and ears. And the hair dye has dripped and leaked, well all over. It's dripped down their faces. Their necks have streaks. There's spots on my floor. My beige tub is streaked. They have dripped all over.
You are so dead. Clean this up. Rinse it off. NOW.
Call Soccer boys Dad. Apologize. Ask what he wants me to do? I could shave his head for him. He says, do whatever you want. Well, I may, just shave it to knock some sense into them.
They come down. The heads are kinda black, but the faces and neck, well, look like Smurfs.
Go Shave. Go shower. Go wash it off.
Yuck. Really, you are so dead, I will be on social security before you leave the house. Don't even ask me for anything.
Hey Mom, can I get the blond streak down the middle on Saturday?
"Is your neck supposed to be blue??"--cupcake to Wild Child.
Just a dull Tuesday. Learning exciting new duties at work and the brain is a little fried. Not even sure I know my own name or how to drive my car, but I make it home. Looking forward to a little slow review of the training materials and an easy night watching "Gidget Goes Hawaiian."
Walk into the marble foyer with stained glass windows (translation: breezeway with 1950 windows frosted over on the inside during a Buffalo January cold spell) and trip over the large red, white and blue skateboarder shoes. Great, Soccer boy is visiting.
Hi, where are the boys? Doing a science experiment. Oh? That's nice. Change to sweats, go to computer to review more training materials. Check on the boys. Changing into shorts. Hmmm. Okay. Do some work, try to settle down while the twins are yelling "You're fat. No, you're fat. Am not, you're ugly. Well, you're just stupid. Am not. Are too."
Finally, the brain opens. "Science experiment? Hun, you know what they are doing?''No, they said they had homework. Homework, Wild Child hasn't opened a book since he chewed on them as a baby. "I hope they're not building firearms. What did they take up there?" Duct tape and a hair dryer. Duct tape? They don't have muffin boy locked up there, do they?
Walk upstairs, it smells like grape koolaid. Grape. Hmm. Go to bedroom, no boys. Go to bathroom, door is locked. Open up. No, we need 15 minutes. No, open up NOW.
There stands two 14 year old boys, with dark purple die on their heads, with duct tape around their face and ears. And the hair dye has dripped and leaked, well all over. It's dripped down their faces. Their necks have streaks. There's spots on my floor. My beige tub is streaked. They have dripped all over.
You are so dead. Clean this up. Rinse it off. NOW.
Call Soccer boys Dad. Apologize. Ask what he wants me to do? I could shave his head for him. He says, do whatever you want. Well, I may, just shave it to knock some sense into them.
They come down. The heads are kinda black, but the faces and neck, well, look like Smurfs.
Go Shave. Go shower. Go wash it off.
Yuck. Really, you are so dead, I will be on social security before you leave the house. Don't even ask me for anything.
Hey Mom, can I get the blond streak down the middle on Saturday?
Monday, January 14, 2008
BFF....but not today
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
Do you remember the trials and tribulations of junior high? Trying to fit in. Trying to dress the right way so you don't get beaten up on the bus. Trying to hide that first really big case of acne. Dying when you had to dress for swimming in the locker room. Having your first crush. Trying to make new friends and keep the old. Good times and bad, all rolled into one.
My twin girl, little cupcake, went to "Activity Night" at the middle school (think dance for us old timers.) Muffin boy thought the idea of it "sucked." She dressed up and had to be first in line to get her ticket during lunch, in case they sold out. All excited about going. Goes with her friend and meets her other girlfriends. Seems to have a good time.
2 days later she says she has to tell me something. OMG, what. Her BFF, who has been having fights with cupcakes other friend, Miss Betty Crocker, decides she can't be friends with cupcake anymore. Just like that. And announces it to the world. Ouch. But cupcake seems to be handling it okay. We will live and conquer. I think, wow, she is just okay with this. One of her 2 BFF's says that's it, and onward she goes. I remind her to be kind, to still say hi, to not say anything mean about the former friends to other people, to try to show class.
I remind cupcake that God handles all problems for us, we just have to hand them other to him. I talk about putting my problems in a big basket and asking God for guidance, for direction and love. To let us feel peace. Probably too much for a kid to absorb, I get that. And I remind myself to take my own advice. To give my problems to God.
I was recently deeply hurt by a friend, when I remembered my talk with cupcake. Hand it over. Let God be your guide and director on this one. See yourself to peace. It's easy to give in. To cry and see only the downside, which is that you don't have that friend anymore. But the greater good, is when we give thanks, and anticipate the good that is right around the corner.
It may not stop the tears from falling, but it will help you feel rejuvenated by them instead. Feel the renewal and cleansing of the tears. See the healing power of letting it all go.
Or, on a bad day, just picture taking the person who hurt you, and getting a big nut cracker, and putting them in it. Really absurd I know, but also really satisfying.
Have, whatever makes you smile today.
Do you remember the trials and tribulations of junior high? Trying to fit in. Trying to dress the right way so you don't get beaten up on the bus. Trying to hide that first really big case of acne. Dying when you had to dress for swimming in the locker room. Having your first crush. Trying to make new friends and keep the old. Good times and bad, all rolled into one.
My twin girl, little cupcake, went to "Activity Night" at the middle school (think dance for us old timers.) Muffin boy thought the idea of it "sucked." She dressed up and had to be first in line to get her ticket during lunch, in case they sold out. All excited about going. Goes with her friend and meets her other girlfriends. Seems to have a good time.
2 days later she says she has to tell me something. OMG, what. Her BFF, who has been having fights with cupcakes other friend, Miss Betty Crocker, decides she can't be friends with cupcake anymore. Just like that. And announces it to the world. Ouch. But cupcake seems to be handling it okay. We will live and conquer. I think, wow, she is just okay with this. One of her 2 BFF's says that's it, and onward she goes. I remind her to be kind, to still say hi, to not say anything mean about the former friends to other people, to try to show class.
I remind cupcake that God handles all problems for us, we just have to hand them other to him. I talk about putting my problems in a big basket and asking God for guidance, for direction and love. To let us feel peace. Probably too much for a kid to absorb, I get that. And I remind myself to take my own advice. To give my problems to God.
I was recently deeply hurt by a friend, when I remembered my talk with cupcake. Hand it over. Let God be your guide and director on this one. See yourself to peace. It's easy to give in. To cry and see only the downside, which is that you don't have that friend anymore. But the greater good, is when we give thanks, and anticipate the good that is right around the corner.
It may not stop the tears from falling, but it will help you feel rejuvenated by them instead. Feel the renewal and cleansing of the tears. See the healing power of letting it all go.
Or, on a bad day, just picture taking the person who hurt you, and getting a big nut cracker, and putting them in it. Really absurd I know, but also really satisfying.
Have, whatever makes you smile today.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
Sometimes, paying attention to the things your kids say can surprise you more then you think. They can cause your hormones to rise to Mt. St. Helen's erupting levels one minute, and fill you with unexpected joy the next. I often wish it wasn't all in the same ten minutes in the morning when you are rushing to start your day, but so be it.
It's in the slowing down and really pulling into their words our hearts, that we grow and are rewarded. It's a little piece of God, reminding us of the everyday joys.
Driving in the Car: Always an experience. This one's too hot, this one's too cold. Usually, it's that we can't the heat going fast enough (we do like in Buffalo). So, yesterday, when we hopped in the car and cranked the heat, I had it at turned to a tropical 85 degrees. At home, I often fight over the temperature with DH, who likes it cold. He can run around in a blizzard in a tee shirt and be happy. So there I was cranking it, and not even noticing that I do this. And twin muffin boy gets in and feels the heat, commenting, "Wow, how nice to have your own space Mom. You can crank it as hot as you want!"
Facing Traffic Jams: It often jams up on Main street by our house. You barely get in the lane, and then you sit. Sometimes its 3 lights, and you think you will get to the other side, and don't. You sit, stuck in first place, being supremely irritated at this. And twin muffin boy comments again "Cool! You are in first place! You'll win the race for sure Mom!"
Watching TV preachers (who me? Where's the beef?). I get up today in time to catch Joel Osteen's Sunday message. I tend to sleep past this point, but I got up and was happy. The twins are cuddled in blankets, zoning out to Sponge Bob. I tell them I am changing the channel and they are happy to join in and listen, to pause and think about the message. Today Joel talks about changing your attitude. Seeing your problems as "light afflictions" instead of the end of the world. I tell the twins to give Thanks and count your blessings. Change your attitude about Joel and give him a chance, its only 30 minutes a week.
I think maybe it's working, when Muffin Boy smiles, looks at the computer and whispers to his sister, "Thank God it's only 15 more minutes."
You just can't help but smiling and laughing everyday.
Sometimes, paying attention to the things your kids say can surprise you more then you think. They can cause your hormones to rise to Mt. St. Helen's erupting levels one minute, and fill you with unexpected joy the next. I often wish it wasn't all in the same ten minutes in the morning when you are rushing to start your day, but so be it.
It's in the slowing down and really pulling into their words our hearts, that we grow and are rewarded. It's a little piece of God, reminding us of the everyday joys.
Driving in the Car: Always an experience. This one's too hot, this one's too cold. Usually, it's that we can't the heat going fast enough (we do like in Buffalo). So, yesterday, when we hopped in the car and cranked the heat, I had it at turned to a tropical 85 degrees. At home, I often fight over the temperature with DH, who likes it cold. He can run around in a blizzard in a tee shirt and be happy. So there I was cranking it, and not even noticing that I do this. And twin muffin boy gets in and feels the heat, commenting, "Wow, how nice to have your own space Mom. You can crank it as hot as you want!"
Facing Traffic Jams: It often jams up on Main street by our house. You barely get in the lane, and then you sit. Sometimes its 3 lights, and you think you will get to the other side, and don't. You sit, stuck in first place, being supremely irritated at this. And twin muffin boy comments again "Cool! You are in first place! You'll win the race for sure Mom!"
Watching TV preachers (who me? Where's the beef?). I get up today in time to catch Joel Osteen's Sunday message. I tend to sleep past this point, but I got up and was happy. The twins are cuddled in blankets, zoning out to Sponge Bob. I tell them I am changing the channel and they are happy to join in and listen, to pause and think about the message. Today Joel talks about changing your attitude. Seeing your problems as "light afflictions" instead of the end of the world. I tell the twins to give Thanks and count your blessings. Change your attitude about Joel and give him a chance, its only 30 minutes a week.
I think maybe it's working, when Muffin Boy smiles, looks at the computer and whispers to his sister, "Thank God it's only 15 more minutes."
You just can't help but smiling and laughing everyday.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Thank you
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"Thank you, God."--Wayne Dyer, from "Change your thoughts and Change your life."
Wayne Dyer talks about starting each day with meditation and prayer. This may be an overwhelming concept for some people, so he suggests simply starting with "Thank you. Thank you, God. Thank you for this day." Feel the silence, take the time to be grateful. Give thanks. Count your blessings. Start your day from a point of living in God's grace by recognizing his vast rewards in our life.
This is often a difficult concept to teach to our children. We get up each and start running at full speed to accomplish everything we need to do in the rush of the morning. Slow down and be quiet are foreign languages. Just the other day, I got up late, and 4 of us had to shower, dress, eat and get driven to school for extra test prep classes, in a scant 30 minute time period. It was loud, it was rushed, at times I was sure WWIII had erupted when we couldn't find what we needed in the exact 2 minutes. Even the dog was looking frantic and harried, running around with her bone from one kid to the next, hoping someone could play.
Time to plan better. Get stuff out the night before. Maybe get some baths in early on days we need to go in early (But bad hair that looks like we stuck our finger in a socket would be the result. I think we might scare the young neighbors and scar their little brains for life.)
Or maybe we just need to slow down, and enjoy the rush of quickness. Having to get ready fast is it's own ride, a joy just to see if we can accomplish it. It can make you smile and laugh if you let it. Enjoy each situation and remember to give thanks, and see the good. Count your blessings.
My friend, Mrs. Super Mom, is getting a transfer at work. It's hard to be real happy at first glance, because it's a lateral move, and not a full promotion as she wanted, no extra money. Office politics have played a hand, and she will need to work smart and do some damage control in the new place. She wishes it was all pizazz instead. She wants the joy.
Well, let's stop and slow down a minute. The new job is closer, saving her 20 minutes ride in and back each day. 20 minutes. I would kill for that extra time and she will have it. She will save $1560 dollars in gas. Wow, that's vacation money. She will have a new opportunity to begin again and prove herself. A fresh start, at last, instead of the mediocrity she was working under. The new boss will be a district person, so Mrs. Super Mom will be in charge quite a bit. Nice. The new boss is a better human being, willing to listen and trains and inspire her employees. That will be so empowering to work under.
Oh, and did I mention a fresh start? How many times do we get those?
So, look within and find the good. Slow down, and give thanks. Even if that's the only prayer today, let's do it.
"Thank you, God."--Wayne Dyer, from "Change your thoughts and Change your life."
Wayne Dyer talks about starting each day with meditation and prayer. This may be an overwhelming concept for some people, so he suggests simply starting with "Thank you. Thank you, God. Thank you for this day." Feel the silence, take the time to be grateful. Give thanks. Count your blessings. Start your day from a point of living in God's grace by recognizing his vast rewards in our life.
This is often a difficult concept to teach to our children. We get up each and start running at full speed to accomplish everything we need to do in the rush of the morning. Slow down and be quiet are foreign languages. Just the other day, I got up late, and 4 of us had to shower, dress, eat and get driven to school for extra test prep classes, in a scant 30 minute time period. It was loud, it was rushed, at times I was sure WWIII had erupted when we couldn't find what we needed in the exact 2 minutes. Even the dog was looking frantic and harried, running around with her bone from one kid to the next, hoping someone could play.
Time to plan better. Get stuff out the night before. Maybe get some baths in early on days we need to go in early (But bad hair that looks like we stuck our finger in a socket would be the result. I think we might scare the young neighbors and scar their little brains for life.)
Or maybe we just need to slow down, and enjoy the rush of quickness. Having to get ready fast is it's own ride, a joy just to see if we can accomplish it. It can make you smile and laugh if you let it. Enjoy each situation and remember to give thanks, and see the good. Count your blessings.
My friend, Mrs. Super Mom, is getting a transfer at work. It's hard to be real happy at first glance, because it's a lateral move, and not a full promotion as she wanted, no extra money. Office politics have played a hand, and she will need to work smart and do some damage control in the new place. She wishes it was all pizazz instead. She wants the joy.
Well, let's stop and slow down a minute. The new job is closer, saving her 20 minutes ride in and back each day. 20 minutes. I would kill for that extra time and she will have it. She will save $1560 dollars in gas. Wow, that's vacation money. She will have a new opportunity to begin again and prove herself. A fresh start, at last, instead of the mediocrity she was working under. The new boss will be a district person, so Mrs. Super Mom will be in charge quite a bit. Nice. The new boss is a better human being, willing to listen and trains and inspire her employees. That will be so empowering to work under.
Oh, and did I mention a fresh start? How many times do we get those?
So, look within and find the good. Slow down, and give thanks. Even if that's the only prayer today, let's do it.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
"Is this from when YOU were our age? You know, like the 1950's"--cupcake twin, commenting on my choice of Eurthymics music video on You Tube
I actually made some resolutions this year. Me, miss anti-resolution got all sentimental and went hog wild. Liked them so much I emailed them to friends and myself at work.
Cared so little about them I didn't save them anywhere. (Hey guys, can you send them back to me so I know what I am doing????)
I remember the most important one (okay, I numbered it number one, so I must have decided it was the cat's meow of resolutions.)
1. LAUGH EVERYDAY
My work friend Mr. Comedy often talks about laughing with his kids. Talks about watching a movie or TV show and then describes the scene and the general jocularity. Mentions surfing the net and sharing jokes with college bound son. Tells funny stories about his 3 cats. Yes, 3, he is a little deranged. And I laugh right along and get silly.
But then I realized. I work 2 jobs. I struggle to exercise in the morning and keep the house going at night. I carpool the kids everywhere. But when do I take the time to laugh with them? When did the joy I got everyday when they were little and I was home playing with them, disappear?
So I made it a priority this year. Laugh with my kids. Laugh at the news. And laugh at the absurd things which drive us nuts at work. You know, like being told by 3 different people at the same time, that they need something RIGHT now. OK, like that is a possibility. Laugh and feel the joy, even when it's a Wednesday edition of Monday morning blues.
Tonight we surfed You Tube. JKL Productions has a ton of teenage made videos which are just silly. Fred on Halloween2. Fred goes to the Park. Fred gets Babysat. The Tooth Fairy. Hilarious. I was dying. And its just the type of thing we would joke about back in the dark ages of high school. When we had to do it live, in a conversation, or in notes in Mr. Streit's physics class at Orchard Park High. Laughing at everyday things in life. Seeing the absurd. And letting the joy out. Doing Monty Python jokes with Kevin and Sandi and Erik in the hallways. And just being happy.
Another resolution was to not settle for mediocrity. Do a job right the first time. Hit the mark on the first try. Life purposefully, and not aimlessly. Life your best life now. Have dreams. Have faith. Have goals.
The Queen wants to go to Italy at the end of September. I have $214 already for the trip. My goal it to go with her. Or at least die laughing while I try to save the money while raising 3 kids.
Send me your resolutions and let's talk...or at least, send me my own back so I can see what exactly I wrote after that bottle of New Year's bubbly!
"Is this from when YOU were our age? You know, like the 1950's"--cupcake twin, commenting on my choice of Eurthymics music video on You Tube
I actually made some resolutions this year. Me, miss anti-resolution got all sentimental and went hog wild. Liked them so much I emailed them to friends and myself at work.
Cared so little about them I didn't save them anywhere. (Hey guys, can you send them back to me so I know what I am doing????)
I remember the most important one (okay, I numbered it number one, so I must have decided it was the cat's meow of resolutions.)
1. LAUGH EVERYDAY
My work friend Mr. Comedy often talks about laughing with his kids. Talks about watching a movie or TV show and then describes the scene and the general jocularity. Mentions surfing the net and sharing jokes with college bound son. Tells funny stories about his 3 cats. Yes, 3, he is a little deranged. And I laugh right along and get silly.
But then I realized. I work 2 jobs. I struggle to exercise in the morning and keep the house going at night. I carpool the kids everywhere. But when do I take the time to laugh with them? When did the joy I got everyday when they were little and I was home playing with them, disappear?
So I made it a priority this year. Laugh with my kids. Laugh at the news. And laugh at the absurd things which drive us nuts at work. You know, like being told by 3 different people at the same time, that they need something RIGHT now. OK, like that is a possibility. Laugh and feel the joy, even when it's a Wednesday edition of Monday morning blues.
Tonight we surfed You Tube. JKL Productions has a ton of teenage made videos which are just silly. Fred on Halloween2. Fred goes to the Park. Fred gets Babysat. The Tooth Fairy. Hilarious. I was dying. And its just the type of thing we would joke about back in the dark ages of high school. When we had to do it live, in a conversation, or in notes in Mr. Streit's physics class at Orchard Park High. Laughing at everyday things in life. Seeing the absurd. And letting the joy out. Doing Monty Python jokes with Kevin and Sandi and Erik in the hallways. And just being happy.
Another resolution was to not settle for mediocrity. Do a job right the first time. Hit the mark on the first try. Life purposefully, and not aimlessly. Life your best life now. Have dreams. Have faith. Have goals.
The Queen wants to go to Italy at the end of September. I have $214 already for the trip. My goal it to go with her. Or at least die laughing while I try to save the money while raising 3 kids.
Send me your resolutions and let's talk...or at least, send me my own back so I can see what exactly I wrote after that bottle of New Year's bubbly!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Christmas Vacation
Life Balance: a feat we try to achieve while searching to be the best that we can we, while simultaneously raising our children to do the same. This is the equilibrium in our inner life force whereby our heartbeat matches the divine force that exists all around us. When this life balance peaks, our sense of peace, joy, love and wisdom act as one with our very soul.
Laying in bed until 9. Staying up late. Eating Christmas cookies, especially Lemon meltaways for breakfast. Shopping and lunching with girlfriends. Reading 3 books, starting 2 more. Ah the joys of Christmas vacation....okay, that all did happen. But was that it?
Mrs. Virginia and I were reading a mutual friends Christmas letter on the phone. I don't like the letters. mostly because it means whoever sent you one, has no intention of ever calling you. And I like phone calls. I like interaction. And I usually hate the letters. Especially ones that tell you they have a better life than yours. But does anyone tell you the day to day reality of their life? What was my vacation really like this past week?
Getting up because the dog was barking. Stumbling out of bed one morning because the boss called and I had to go into work. Getting up to listen to the latest renditions of Guitar Hero 3. Getting up to find the kitchen was totalled with boxes of cereal, hot cocoa wrappers, half full cans of pop, cheese wrappers and boxes of macaroni and cheese, and listening to my kids, as I am viewing this mess and they are munching on potato chips at 9 A.M., tell there is nothing to eat.
After 2 hours of daily de-gunking the house, I started on the mounds of laundry each day. Then I proceeded to drive the little cherubs to one friend and then another. And then I shopped again for something or returned yet another item. And waited in traffic. And waited. And I got home to pick up junk from which ever kid was home while I drove around. Then I cooked. And I ate more cookies. Then I picked them up and we started the routine all over again. Twins arguing over guitar hero. Wild Child with 3 friends on the computer. Dog barking wildly. Food everywhere. Dirty laundry pilling up. FUN!
Today started with cuddle time. I was laying in bed until 9, me the woman who is up at 5 most days. I was reading and sipping coffee. And then cupcake came down and joined me and the mutt in the covers. And I flipped over, pulled the covers up and said I didn't want to get up today. And cupcake pulled the covers back, and placed her face right in front of mine. I still laid there, with my eyes closed saying, NO, NO, NO, I WILL NOT GET UP. And then I opened my eyes and burst out laughing. There cupcake was, with her face pressed one inch from mine, doing this huge cheeky smile. You just can not help but burst out laughing.
And then the song, "Stinky breath, Stinky breath, Mama's got Stinky Breath. "
Your breath is worse. Is not. Is too. Is not. Is too. Is not, followed by a blanket tackle and a tickle.
Now that's the reality I prefer to remember and smile about.
Laying in bed until 9. Staying up late. Eating Christmas cookies, especially Lemon meltaways for breakfast. Shopping and lunching with girlfriends. Reading 3 books, starting 2 more. Ah the joys of Christmas vacation....okay, that all did happen. But was that it?
Mrs. Virginia and I were reading a mutual friends Christmas letter on the phone. I don't like the letters. mostly because it means whoever sent you one, has no intention of ever calling you. And I like phone calls. I like interaction. And I usually hate the letters. Especially ones that tell you they have a better life than yours. But does anyone tell you the day to day reality of their life? What was my vacation really like this past week?
Getting up because the dog was barking. Stumbling out of bed one morning because the boss called and I had to go into work. Getting up to listen to the latest renditions of Guitar Hero 3. Getting up to find the kitchen was totalled with boxes of cereal, hot cocoa wrappers, half full cans of pop, cheese wrappers and boxes of macaroni and cheese, and listening to my kids, as I am viewing this mess and they are munching on potato chips at 9 A.M., tell there is nothing to eat.
After 2 hours of daily de-gunking the house, I started on the mounds of laundry each day. Then I proceeded to drive the little cherubs to one friend and then another. And then I shopped again for something or returned yet another item. And waited in traffic. And waited. And I got home to pick up junk from which ever kid was home while I drove around. Then I cooked. And I ate more cookies. Then I picked them up and we started the routine all over again. Twins arguing over guitar hero. Wild Child with 3 friends on the computer. Dog barking wildly. Food everywhere. Dirty laundry pilling up. FUN!
Today started with cuddle time. I was laying in bed until 9, me the woman who is up at 5 most days. I was reading and sipping coffee. And then cupcake came down and joined me and the mutt in the covers. And I flipped over, pulled the covers up and said I didn't want to get up today. And cupcake pulled the covers back, and placed her face right in front of mine. I still laid there, with my eyes closed saying, NO, NO, NO, I WILL NOT GET UP. And then I opened my eyes and burst out laughing. There cupcake was, with her face pressed one inch from mine, doing this huge cheeky smile. You just can not help but burst out laughing.
And then the song, "Stinky breath, Stinky breath, Mama's got Stinky Breath. "
Your breath is worse. Is not. Is too. Is not. Is too. Is not, followed by a blanket tackle and a tickle.
Now that's the reality I prefer to remember and smile about.
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