Hot Momma

We were driving along the highway today. The kids love to read all the billboards aloud. It is a lovely background noise to have being the driver and trying to navigate your way through the perilous highways. I was trying to tune them out...which is actually rather hard for me. But then Bennett reads this one sign and I can't help but laugh out loud.

Sign: Your Wife Is Hot (maybe you should get your a/c fixed)

Then he felt the need to comment, "Well I don't know about my wife, but my mom sure is hot." HA!!!

Then he proceeded to tell me a story about something that happened at school and how one of his friends called a teacher hot and he told me that it's just a synonym of 'pretty'. I'm glad he cleared things up for me.

Game Ideas

So...the kids are at the pool this afternoon swimming it up, having a blast. But then the inevitable happens, they run out of ideas of what to play. They know that if they complain to me, swim time is over. I can see them over in the corner of the pool brainstorming game ideas that would include all three of them. That's the greatest challenge - something that all three would enjoy. Suddenly, Chloe announces, "I've got it, boys! Let's play Bad Kid, Mommy and Daddy!" Bennett yells at the top of his lungs to claim the most coveted role, "I'll be the bad kid!" There are plenty of others around. They don't yet understand nor appreciate my children's knack for loud, narrative, play. When my kids play 'Bad Kid, Mommy and Daddy' they always do outlandish things (unfortunately, no, this is not the first time this game has been played), this tends to be how they act out things they'd never get away with in real life...evidently it's therapeutic for them.

So there are my 3, precious, offspring flouncing around gaily in the pool. Their volume is on MAXIMUM. This is their preferred level of speech when Mommy is only semi-close by because then Mommy will get the chance to hear everything they are saying and they wouldn't want me to miss out on all the fun. They are so considerate of me and my needs. Obviously the book I brought was no where near as entertaining as watching them play 'Bad Kid, Mommy and Daddy'.

To jump start this game, Bennett yells, "HEY GUYS, I'LL BE CHAINED TO MY BED WHILE YOU GUYS GO OUT TO A RESTAURANT!!!" as he's entwining himself amongst the railing on the pool steps. "OH YA - AND I'M ONLY 5!"

There are many, many things going thru my mind at this point. I'd like to think that maybe I'm just hallucinating from the hot, hot sun, but alas, my children are right there, ever before me with all the loudness they can muster. Then I start wondering how many other pool patrons heard Bennett - probably all of them since he was screaming. What must they think of my mothering skills? Do they think that this child got this idea in his head from personal experience? Where would a kid come up with such a ridiculous idea? Should I laugh loud enough for the others to hear me or should I play stunned, like I can't imagine my son would even suggest such a hideous idea? Such a quandary.

In the end, I did what I always do...laughed to myself, made a mental note to remember it so I could blog about it and then went on sunbathing like we are a perfectly normal family.

Mr. Tender Heart

Today at lunch, I was explaining to the kids how Jadziu (their great-grandpa) was not doing so well. We were also looking at very old pictures of when their Grandpa (my dad) was a little boy and Jadziu was much younger. We were talking about how sad Grandpa must be watching his daddy stop acting like himself (because of dementia). We decided this was something we definitely needed to be praying about. Each of the children were so concerned, you could see it all over their faces. But Bennett's heart was melting, I could tell. He has so much compassion bottled up inside him.

He mulled over our lunch discussion all afternoon. Once dinner time rolled around, he asked me if he could call Grandpa. I told him, "Sure". I heard him in the other room making small talk with Grandpa, but not telling him what was on his mind and heart. Then I heard him talk to Grandma, he tells her what he can't bear to tell Grandpa, "Grandma, please tell Grandpa that I'm sorry that his dad is not doing good." I could hear his shaky voice, see his eyes well up with tears and see the compassion in his face. He would have cried if he had to say it to Grandpa himself. He hates to see other people hurting. He took on the hurt himself.

I recently read a wonderful definition of compassion: to hurt with someone.

We all love Jadziu and hate to watch him and Bapchie walk this sad, lonely, unknown road that is the end of their lives. But having people who love you around to hurt with you helps lighten the burden of everyone.

What I Like About You

I walked into the gameroom where the white board is located and found this. I have no idea when Bennett did it. But evidently he needed to get some things off his chest. I'm so thankful how communicative he is.

Prim and Proper

As we're getting ready for the day, Chloe comes into my bathroom and asks me what the weather is going to be. It's summer. It's Texas. It's going to be hot. It doesn't really matter what the actual temperature will be - hot just about covers all of them.

Since meteorologist is one of the many hats I wear in this job, I informed her of the temperature highs and lows for the day, the chance of rainfall and the level of humidity. I decided to leave barometric pressure changes out of my monologue since it really doesn't affect one's clothing choice for the day.

She sits there staring up at me hugging herself, with dreamy eyes she laments, "Oh Mommy, I was longing to wear something warm and cozy today."

Hello Jane Austen, what did you do with my Chloe?

The girl speaks as though she's jumped out of Little Women or Sense and Sensibility.

What six year old longs to do anything?

Her vocabulary at this age is astounding and she loves using it on me. Not that "longs" is a big, hard word, but the context and manner of her speech placed it in just the right place at the right time.

Oh my, I'm growing me a little idealist. Welcome to the club my darling. My name is Mommy and I've been longing for you to join me.

Distracted

This morning I was trying to carry on a conversation with Chloe and Bennett while also trying to read something on the computer. This is not something one should try multitasking with.

Chloe asked me a question and I didn't totally hear her (of course), so I responded with, "What Punk?"

It only took me 2 minutes to realize what I said. Then I had to backtrack to try to explain my name calling. I always call her Punkin. Obviously, in my distracted state, I felt shortening this to "Punk" was appropriate. Not. Do not call you children Punk. It does not sit well with them.

Then I'm stammering all over myself trying to fix my distracted error and I start calling her my "Sweet Punk". Bennett sees only hilarity in this whole, disheveled event. I on the other hand am walking around with my imaginary tail between my legs feeling awful to trying to multitask a conversation with my children.

Step away from the computer, Mommy. Now.

From now on, any one who talks to me has my undivided attention. However, if I ever slip up and call you "Punk", please don't take it personally, I was just falling back into the error of my ways and trying to be too efficient with my time.

Flattery and Bennett

Here's a peak into Bennett's brain:

Yesterday, he and I were laying in the hammock visiting about our day, solving the world's problems and just enjoying the weather. Then he makes an announcement. He felt the need to stand and present this, "Mom, you know, you and Grandma are alot alike."

"Oh really? How do think so, Sweetie?"

"Well...you both smell good and you both like to spend time with me."

Oh the ties that bind.

And then there was today. I'm thinking he's secretly taking lessons in flattery.

We were on our way somewhere and were probably going to be a little early. I informed the kids of this and told them we might have to wait a little while for our friends. This did not phase Bennett in the least. He eagerly presents his solution, "Oh that's no problem, Mom. We can just sit and admire your beauty while we wait."

The problem was, he wasn't being the least bit sarcastic. He was totally genuine. I guess there could be worse problems we could have to be dealing with.

This does not count the multiple times a day I get custom white board messages prounouncing his love for me or telling me 'U Rock Mommy' or exclaiming his undying affection for me. I love being the center of his little love struck heart. I know one day it will change...but right now is perfect just the way it is...flattery and all. (Trust me, the pictures he draws of me are in no way flattering).

Texas Beauty

Gorman Falls

Fields of Wild Flowers

A Beautiful Firewheel

Our Campsite

A Deer in the Bush

Gorman Falls

How To Avoid An Answer

This genius verbiage came to me this past weekend. We were in the midst of our latest greatest camping adventure down in the Hill Country of Texas. For most that know me, camping is not my forte. To quote a great saying: "some men were born great, other's had greatness thrust upon them" - my version: "some ladies were born to camp, other's had camping thrust upon them". I fall into the latter category. I go to see the joy on my children's faces. We won't even attempt to delve into the psyche that is my brain and try to understand the origins of my camping fears. If I were playing a word association game some words that pop into mind when the word 'camping' is uttered are: hunger, dirt, porta potty, acrid smoke, migraine, hard ground, snakes, bugs, dirt....you get the idea. But I was not about to let my fears, negative associations or general dislike of the sport, hinder my kids from experiencing this adventure for themselves. After assuaging my fear for the past few years, I've actually come to like it, sort of, in it's own little way. I love nature, I love my family, I love fresh air...so in a sense, I could possibly grow to love camping too. It all hinges on bathroom facilities when you get right down to it.

All that to say, I was assimilating in to my new environment for the next 48 hours. We were on a little hike after our first cook-out dinner. I'm still trying to shed the hee-bee jee-bees nature sometimes induces in me. Telling the children not to touch anything green is pointless. My eyes are darting back and forth across our path in search of any reptilian friends. Someone of the younger generation asks me a question. I hear it, but can't shake the stupor I'm in. I'm focused on the task at hand, I can not, under any circumstances, deviate from my search for snakes. I hear the question and know an answer is needed. I don't even know what the question was, so how can I commit to an answer? The best I could come up with was, "Okay Honey, we'll do that closer to later."

WHAT?!? Talk about non-commital and utter avoidance. I'm sure they felt they had my complete attention at the moment. Then Chloe actually called me down on my response. She's like, "Mom, what does that mean anyway?"

"It means, Honey...that I'm otherwise occupied and have no clue what to say at the moment and it just plain sounded good."

I'll probably post some amazing camping pictures for y'all....closer to later.

Get Well Soon

I have been sick with strep throat the past several days. Bennett just can't handle this. All of us hoped I would get better, not for my sake, but for Bennett's. His compassionate heart was just bleeding for me. It was so beautiful to see his genuine concern. But he wouldn't let up. He was constantly trying to make me better. Like one more foot rub would do the trick. Or one more Berentstain Bear book he read to me would finally break the spell. He brought me water with a straw and a little note. He was constantly checking on me. And my favorite...bringing me Ludens, my absolute favorite "medicine". I am apparently the only adult on earth who thinks Ludens has any medicinal qualities...and thankfully Bennett believes me, because he showered me with plenty of them. Then in one last ditch effort to make me well he creates a powerpoint slide show for me. This is it:

Evidently, this picture represents serenity and encourages health and wellness.

The last part, written in the pretty font, is part of a Bible verse and I say to kids each night. I thought it was adorable how he got it mostly right and he interpreted "may he lift up his countenance upon you...." as "acountinents"...I'm just now learning that this is how he hears it.

Evidently, this is what I look like when I sleep. I like how my legs levitate. And just for the record. I do NOT snore.

More encouraging words, although a bit morbid. I'm hoping he doesn't think my strep throat will lead to an early demise.

This is us, without arms, standing next to a river, proclaiming our love to one another, seriously.

If this can't make a person well again, what can?

Know Your Name

A couple days ago Bennett asked me what his name meant. Evidently, he'd been talking to some friends at school who knew what their names meant and he became curious as to what his meant. I remember that I loved what it meant when we chose it, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember what it meant when he asked me. Thus a trip down memory lane ensued when we had to take out his baby book to look up the meaning.

Bennett means: One Who Walks With God

He produced a big smile on his sweet little face.

Then this morning he tells me, "Mom, I've been thinking...I think I want to start acting like what my name means."

*this is where my heart is melting with joy over the sensitivity of this sweet child*
I told him that was a very mature thing to want to do and asked him what prompted it. He replied, "Well...I just think I need to start taking it more seriously...be who I am."

Only God can inpart wisdom like that to a person.

I asked him, "What would that look like?" He sat contemplative for a few seconds and then answered, "I think I should probably starting thinking more before I act, put others before myself and just remember what it means to walk with God."

Substitute Chef

As I walk into the kitchen with my groceries for the week, I find a little note from Gavin on top of this cookbook. It reads, "Mom, for one week, can we please have dinners out of this cookbook? They look so good! Thanks! Love, Gavin" Where was he when I was agonizing over what meals to cook for the week? This is the most dreaded chore of my profession (mommyhood). I love to cook, I love to serve people, I love to see the smiles on their faces when they are enjoying my meals and believe it or not, I even love to grocery shop (I attribute that solely to the wonderful people at my grocery store). But I HATE, utterly hate trying to decide what it is we should eat week in and week out. I can't commit. There are too many options to choose from. I wish someone would just make a weekly menu for me. Life would be so much easier that way. But life is not about being easy and I'm too picky of an eater to let anyone else make our menu - thus, the cycle begins again each week with, "So guys, what should we have for dinner this week?"

Hence, you can understand the irony upon seeing this little note AFTER going thru the dreaded ritual of meal planning. That didn't stop me from running to Gavin and giving him a big hug for rescuing me from next week's torture session.

Since he was given the green light, he decided to write out our menu and then proceeded to write the grocery list of items we needed. I could get used to this. The whole "not thinking about it" part did wonders for my brain capacity that week. I felt energized, renewed. I might just promote him to my personal chef. Granted, he didn't pick one meal I could eat...but that didn't matter to me, I can always throw a salad together and be semi-happy.


Here is my new chef in action. He loved the freedom of controlling the family's food choices; of following the recipe all on his own without me standing over his shoulder. He actually told me to "Go sit down Mom, I can do it all." He doesn't have to tell me twice. I was actually surprised by some of his menu selections such as Greek Salad. He told me he just "loved red onions", since when? Come to find out, my whole family loves red onions, who knew? Matter of fact, everyone loved everything he made. There wasn't one "Ewwww...what's this??" or "Do I have to eat it?" like I'm normally accustomed to when testing a new recipe. He was praised, lauded and hailed a wonderful chef. Looks like I've cooked my way out of a job.

In this picture he's making Spicy Bean Soup. Even I liked that and I don't like beans. We each got like 3 spoonfuls only because he failed to notice the serving size. Just one of the many lessons learned while figuring out this whole chef business. Needless to say, we raided the refrigerator for leftovers afterwards.

Now on any given week we have meal choices already in pre-ordained days of the week...but that is just an outline, a guide if you will. Who actually eats what they plan on each day? We're not that organized. I like the freedom in deciding, "Hmmm, I don't really feel like eating that tonight, I think I'll pick this instead." Unfortunately, Gavin doesn't get that. He doesn't understand the whole 'feeling' part of this process. Bennett and I are in touch with our feelings, but Gavin, he likes to do things exactly like the book says, no variation, no deviating, stick to the rules and no one will get hurt kinda guy. So, when I switched up a meal on him and asked him to make Greek Salad on a day it wasn't written down for, he about flipped out, "What?!? It's not on the menu until Wednesday!" I like to refer to this 'feeling' as intuition. I had a feeling that the fresh ingredients needed would go bad before he made this dish and didn't want to see that happen, so I up-ed the day on him. I told him it's called, "going with the flow". Once he wrapped his brain around the idea, he was cool with it.

His hardest entree was one called Salmon Fish Cakes. Very labor intensive but also very delicious. He did such a good job and didn't complain one bit. However, I advise getting salmon that already has the skin and bones taken off. This particular recipe required a quick run to the store to get the right fish by the person who made the oversight in the fish department - me. But dinner was still great 2 hours later than expected. The one meal he never got to make was Quiche. He was really looking forward to that one and kept pronouncing it "kee-shay". It was quite cute to see the french chef in him come out. But, Mommy wasn't in the mood for kee-shay. I wanted pizza. We were able to twist the kids' arms on that one. Talk about role reversal!

He even treated us to Crepe's for dessert one night. Very cool. Why have I never tried this? I'm thinking I might start using the Children's cookbook from now on. We filled them with cool whip and jelly and had very happy tummies! The crepes that is - not the kids.

I'm liking the perks that come with older children: no more diaper duty, no waking at random times in the middle of the night, no more cleaning up all the food in and around a high chair three times a day, no runny noses...the list goes on and on. But believe it or not, I'll always miss those chores associated with those ages, but I'll also treasure the joys and unknown that each phase of life brings us with these, my most favorite people in the world. Growing into life is always a wonderful, risk-taking, love-filling, age-changing, mess-making, constant-learning, unknown adventure. Carpe Diem!

If you ever stop by, I'll make sure and have Gavin whip you up a little kee-shay.