I'm participating in five minute Friday over at Gypsy Mama. Here's how it goes:
Let’s play Five Minute Friday. Where we throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write. Without wondering if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat. The rules are easy.
Write your heart out for five minutes and show us what you’ve got.
Tell your readers you’re linking up here and invite them to play along.
And most importantly, go visit, read, and encourage the fellow five-minuter who linked up right before you. {Pretty please turn off word verification for the day to make this easier!}
"motherhood should come with:"
...a practice child
the wisdom of Solomon
a nursing degree
32 hour days
no-calorie snacks
a photographic memory, because I'm already forgetting...
how tiny newborn diapers are. little baby noises. which of my children said what word first. how sweet cuddling in bed (often before daylight) is. the cute little phrases they say. when they lost their first teeth. when they got their first teeth. the way they reacted when they saw their first life-size train or ate their first ice cream or .... STOP!
I got glasses before I started second grade. I hated them within two weeks. School started and my little friend (who was a boy) yelled down the hall: "Ewww! What happened to you!?" Who wants glasses when they hear that?
Say to anyone who doesn't like their glasses, "Why don't you like your glasses? You look great to me!" and they will tell a story similar to that one.
I relate this story that you may know how very excited I was to get contacts in the 7th grade. No more teasing and taunting and "four eyes" and general trials of glasses-wearing. (and they are numerous, those trials, let me tell you).
And I relate all of the above that you may understand what happened today. Today Daniel, my two-year-old, wandered away from us for a bit. How long will it take me to learn that when a toddler is quiet for longer than two seconds he is most likely doing something wrong? Apparently he went to my bathroom and washed his hands. That in itself can be quite an adventure for him. He saw my contact case sitting innocently on the counter. And he opened it and washed it. And my contacts were in it.
When I found the case I took it to him and asked where my contacts were. He happily led me to the sink and showed me the drain.
This is what I'm thankful for: I didn't get angry with him. I remembered that he's two. I said, "Please don't touch Mommy's contacts." Some people might argue that he needs a consequence, but I was comfortable with a gentle reprimand. He didn't know he was doing something wrong. That was clearly evidenced as he pranced happily to the sink. I reminded myself that I shouldn't have left the case in plain view, I should have hid it somewhere very sneaky.
Two children ago I probably would have been MeanMom in this situation. I don't like who I was then. I like myself better now. The more children I have, the more I like who I become. I'm thankful that God has brought me here. That he has taught me a little about anger and a little about children.
And here's what else I'll be thankful for: a chance to work on my vanity. I've come a little way since childhood and don't hate my glasses anymore, but it will still be a good lesson for me.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
This is Grace in the morning. She hates wake-up time. I can't seem to find her in a good mood.
Seriously, she is so happy when I go in to get her up. She just lies there waiting for me and cooing. Who could resist? I fear this picture doesn't do justice to how happy and sweet she is.
Today I woke up thinking about how I've been feeling lately. It hasn't been good. I've been in a bit of a downward spiral, not sure how to get out. I get sad, then I get grumpy and angry, the I get down on myself...you might know the story.
So I got out my Bible. And I got out a book I remembered that talked about the "d" word, depression. And I started writing. This book, "Homeschooling With A Meek And Quiet Spirit", is really a book that's good for any mom. It talks about organization, depression, anger, and a host of other issues I think every mom deals with. Terri Maxwell (the author) shares on her depression, and how it was somewhat related to hormones. She also gave a lot of other practical helps that I'll be implementing today.
I'll also be heading to the natural foods store to pick up the herbs for the tea recipe my friend Minda gave me - to help with postpartum hormones (which I totally didn't need) - hah!
And I'll be carrying around my notebook with the verses that fill my head with God's truths instead of the lies I believe.
I'll generally be a little easier on myself.
Here are a couple verses I found this morning that I particularly wanted to share, in case they can encourage you:
"My beloved spoke, and said to me: 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:13
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
"He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged." Isaiah 42:3 (the Living Bible)
I'm excited to see what today will bring. And I'll go slowly. Not expect perfection from myself or my children. We will have some fun, though!!!!
I got glasses in 2nd grade. I immediately began a serious dislike for them. It all started when my little friend (who was a boy) saw me on the first day of school and proclaimed loudly, okay, he yelled down the hall "Ewww! What happened to you?!" Who would like their glasses after someone says that to you?
Say to anyone who wears glasses and doesn't like them, "why don't you like your glasses? You look great in them!" and they will have an answer similar to the above scenario.
I relate that story so that you may understand how excited I was in 7th grade when I got to wear contacts. Yes! No more "four eyes", no more sliding down when playing sports, no more...whatever other negatives come with glasses-wearing (and let me tell you, I can list quite a few). Freedom in contacts, that's what I say.
And I relate all of the above to tell you this: today Daniel (my two year old) wandered away from the rest of us for a while. Why haven't I learned that when a toddler is quiet, something is amiss? I guess he washed his hands, which in itself can be quite an adventure, and during the washing he saw my contact case sitting innocently on the counter. So he opened it. And he washed it. And my contacts were in it.
Some time later when I showed him the case and asked where my contacts were he happily led me to the bathroom sink and showed me the drain. Of course they're down the drain.
This is what I'm thankful for: I didn't get upset with him. I remembered: he's two. I did sigh, but I told him, "don't touch Mommy's contacts." Of course, some people might recommend a consequence, but I'm okay with a gentle reprimand. He didn't really know he was doing something wrong (as evidenced by his prancing happily to the sink to show me where the contacts went). And I made a mental note that I shouldn't have left them on the counter. I should have hid them somewhere very sneaky.
Two children ago, I wouldn't have been so calm. I fear I would have been Mean Mommy. I don't like who I was then. I like the journey I'm on. I like who I have become as I have more children. I'm thankful that God has brought me to a place where I don't get upset when things like this happen, generally speaking.
And now I get to work on my vanity a little more. Wear some glasses. Thankfully, I've come a long way since second grade, and even like my new glasses a little bit! (But contacts are in the near future!!!)
We will be adding a new member to our family on or around October 21st! Can you believe it? Me neither!!!
The boys are ecstatic. Charles has a girl's name all picked out.
I should rephrase: Charles and Thomas are ecstatic, Daniel is doubtful about the whole thing.
When I told 19month-old Daniel that there was a baby in my tummy he looked at me like I was crazy, then got off my lap and started looking around under my chair for the baby. He even crawled under the chair to make sure he wasn't missing anything. Surely he'll begin to get the picture as time passes and my tummy starts getting bigger...the others did.
I'm a genius. I think I just solved every parenting problem to do with little boys. It's a simple classification system that can be taught in mere minutes.
1. If it's not a drum, don't bang on it. 2. If it's not a ball, don't throw it.
Once the child can classify his world into these two sections - drum or ball - he can effectively repel most consequences.
Example: Child A would like to bang on his plate/wall/baby brother, but is this acceptable? He merely pulls out his classification chart: is this item a drum? No. Therefore, banging it will result in unfavorable consequences. Dilemma resolved.
Child B has picked up a small car/large rock/glass vase to throw at his brother, but is this acceptable? Out comes the classification chart again and child remembers that these items are NOT balls. Problem solved.
At one time did I hover over here a little more often? I haven't even checked up on my blogging friends since before Christmas. That's very sad. Clarissa, for one, has written some very entertaining posts. Craig and Mariella are traveling around the world and are currently in our old stomping grounds - Bali. I can't begin to say what's going on with everyone else, because those are the only two I've caught up on. Rest assured, I'll be checking in on you next...
My accounting class has come to an end, so there's more time on that front. Charlie has stopped traveling for now (thankfully), which is wonderful, but it means that he has to be on the internet a lot to make sales. Which means that I am not on the internet blogging and whatnot.
Besides, I'm homeschooling a kindergartner while fielding his four and one year old brothers. I don't know what I'm doing. Yes, I've done the reading, I know what it all could look like, but reading is a far cry from reality.
To all of you whose tidy facebook posts the day after Christmas read: "Christmas decorations down, house clean from top to bottom, Valentine's decor up, children snug in their beds since 6:00, snuggling on the couch with my dog, cat, two guinea pigs and my husband watching Sleepless In Seattle" - that wasn't me. And I may have had to curb my thoughts - recite a little "love thy neighbor" - because this girl had her Christmas tree down by the 19th of January. That's right, the 19th. No, not the day after, 25 DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS. Beat that. It's not because I'm a rebel. It's because I don't know what I'm doing.
I am now on the road to sanity. I could almost write that cozy little facebook update. The house is liveable. Homeschool goes relatively smoothly most days. And someday I'll write a book on how NOT to be the last one with your Christmas tree up.
I guess I ought to start moving that Halloween post a little further down the page since Christmas is nearly upon us. I'm sure my loyal readers (is it three now?) have missed me. Incidentally, there's a crumb or something underneath the space bar on my laptop, making this a challenging post indeed.
The only reason I'm finding time to write is because I forgot to take my night-time Thera Flu at a decent hour. And since my body is a little bit wired from the day-time Thera Flu it was tough to fall asleep. So I'm waiting for my night-time dose to kick in!
I would here like to give a little "TheraFlu" plug. Have you heard of it? Have you taken it? The night one tastes better than the day one, but it's an amazing invention. My throat felt like sandpaper, my head pounded, my nose ran, and then - nothing! I keep thinking I'm totally better until I forget to drink it and the symptoms begin to return. Anyway, if you must be sick, be sick with TheraFlu. It'll get you through. (did I just write a jingle?)
Holidays are upon us and I'm still going to class twice a week with church stuff two other nights a week and homeschooling during the day and trying to maintain a home...I confess, just the laundry is getting done, and only minimally - so don't drop in for a visit. Basketball practice starts next week (I'm so excited, the boys haven't played sports yet!) So that's what's up and how did we get so busy?
I will make an effort to write more, but I can't make promises. I do have some post ideas though...
I often wonder. I say many things, but what do my guys hear? For instance, this morning we needed to strip the beds - a task they've done many times. Not unfamiliar. I made sure they were looking at me and gave them their instructions:
"You need to take your sheets off your beds." "Yes, Mom." "You need to bring the sheets to the garage." "Yes, Mom." "You need to put the sheets in front of the washing machine, NOT in front of the garage door." "Yes, Mom."
Great! Mission accomplished. After some further directing as to Which went out and Which stayed, we were on a roll.
Some time later I went into the garage to change loads and what did I trip over walking out the door? That's right. The sheets. ALL of them.
When a sweet (perhaps the sweetest) almost-six-year-old rides past you in a wobbly fashion and proudly says, "I can ride my bike now!" don't be the guy who says: "Wow. How old are you?""Five and a half, almost six!""My daughter learned how right when she turned five. I just took off the training wheels and off she went!"
My son, completely absorbed in his new-found bike riding joy, didn't hear our neighbors comment. But his mother did. She said, "that's great. They learn so fast." She wanted to say, "why don't you just knock him off his bike and step on him! who cares about your daughter right this second? why do you feel compelled to make my FIVE YEAR OLD son feel like he learned to ride a bike late?" (she might even end that tirade by sticking out her tongue).
What kind of person wants to make a little child feel like less than he is?
While we're at it, don't be these people either:
The complete stranger who walks past on a neighborhood walk. The boys all wave cheerily at her. She seems cheery herself: "Hi boys! Did your mother put your sunscreen on this morning?" What? What happened to, "what a great day for a walk!"? are you the sunscreen police or something?
or the complete stranger at church who comes up to admire your newborn - or so you think. She actually accosts you with: "where's his hat? what were you thinking? it's freezing out here. he'll catch his death!"
These are all comments that I receive freely from certain people. But it's not the general public's concern as to whether my children have sunscreen or hats on OR NOT. The general public should just admire my children and move on.
So I was making the granola last week with the help of Charles and the following conversation ensued.
Charles: Can we have granola for breakfast tomorrow? Me: Yes Charles: I will have two bowlfuls! Me: Oh! Do you like granola that much? Charles: No, but I know it's good for me.
Many thanks to my son for not letting me get too big a head.
I didn't cry after this conversation because what 5 year old would eat two bowlfuls of something he didn't like?
This morning as I was sorting laundry in the garage and Daniel was scrounging for leftover soda among the recycle cans I called to Charles:
"Bud, could you please play with Daniel for a minute?" "Sure Mama, you have a lot of work to do out here."
Bless him. For that, Charles, you may stay under our roof for the remainder of your days as a child. You may eat our food, be clothed and schooled, receive our love, and continue to be the sweet, endearing little man that you are. Thank you for noticing your mama, and for your willingness to be ever helpful.
And to your brother Thomas, who crawls into bed with me in the morning, and amidst my morning yuckiness whispers in my ear: "Mama, you are the beautifulest girl in the whole world." You too, Thomas the Charming, may stay with us and receive the above-mentioned benefits...
I went to school tonight. That's right, "adult education". I never thought when I graduated with my degree in literature that I'd be going back to study bookkeeping, but here I am.
I've taken a few courses on Quickbooks, but when we saw this course offered on actual bookkeeping, we decided I should jump on it.
I don't really have a lot to say about it. I look forward to challenging my mind, and to learning more on being the financial expert in our home...hee hee. But for a lot of the class tonight I thought of the boys. And missed them. Isn't that funny? I'm with them sooooo much of my time, and when I get a little time off by myself I'm thinking of them.
It is interesting to remember that there is a whole people-group who goes out after 8. Amazing. Something I sometimes forget. Also interesting to note the people in my class and what their lives might be like.
Like the lady in the front row who is currently in rehab (for what?, I don't know - but she did mention rehab several times to the whole class). Who spent a good 15 minutes of the class time arguing about why the law can't be changed if someone has a specification in their will. As in: "...but, if it's in a person's will, what does the law have to do with it?..." And the instructor tried to explain about lawyers and wills and why wills must be written according to the law, not just made up without regard for the law. This concept, sadly, was not understood.
She then spent a further 10 minutes of class time seeking educational counsel from the instructor:
specific question: "why do the classes I need conflict?" helpful instructor: "which classes conflict?" rehab lady: "I don't remember, but they do and I need to get this certificate quickly so I can get a job..." and on and on for another 10 minutes.
That might have been the "unproductive" portion of the class.
Anyway, I look forward to knowing more about accounting, and maybe learning a little more about my friend in rehab too. Hmm, did I say maybe learning more about my rehab friend? Judging from what I learned tonight, we might be able to count on a life story before the semester is over.
Today was a wonderful day. I had the boys and we drove up to Yuba City (about an hour's drive) to see Charlie's aunt and uncle. We had a blast, but due to all kinds of factors - none of my boys got an afternoon nap. After an hour of swimming and fun times eating and playing with Uncle Steve and Aunt Mary, we were worn out. So we piled in the van and began the hour-long drive home.
Did you ever have a "green light" day? I have. I love those days. When fate is on your side, the gods are working for you, love is in the air, and you are not going to be late because every single light on earth is green when you arrive at the line. Those are good days.
I can't really remember having a "red light" day. Not once. But I think that's what I would call today. Before driving up to Yuba City we had an unusual amount of driving to do, and even the lights we hit this morning were red....
...but you should have seen the lights we hit tonight! The two littlest boys took a short nap and were awake and fussing. Charles was sweetly trying to calm Daniel down. And I was dutifully trying to get home. But I don't think the stars were properly aligned or something.
I have never in my life hit so many red lights. Not ever. Even those little neighborhood lights that never turn red - you know, the ones where one car exits the neighborhood every two hours? Those ones turned red. Fire station lights turned red. Lights that had just turned green turned red. It was insane.
But I didn't freak out. Because I was onto God, oh yes, I knew that just this morning I had prayed for patience. So I got some practice today. (note to self: don't pray for that again anytime soon.)
Anyway, my sweet mom saved the day by driving over and meeting me and the tired little children in the driveway when we got home. And she helped me get everyone into bed peaceably. Wonderful.
I'm currently in Day 2 of the Lemon Detox Diet. Basically, I'm not eating food, but drinking a mixture of water, lemon or lime juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. This drink is supposed to pull the toxins out of your body, and then I am taking steps to flush the toxins out each morning.
Think what you will, but after Day 1 I'm kind of excited. I am NOT one to skip a meal, or really refuse myself any food. I don't think that's a bad trait, but lately I'm getting a little out of control with letting food be more than just food for me. You know, "whew, the boys are in bed, what can I eat?" or, "hey, nobody finished off this ice cream, I'd better eat it during naptime, and a little more tonight!". Not that it's not okay to eat ice cream, I'm just getting a little bit out of control. And I'm not running as much as I want to be. Anyway, after making it through Day 1, I can hardly believe it.
I'm also using this as a renewing time with God. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days. (Which I won't be doing). But there's something to be said for the time I spend thinking about food. Just yesterday alone I spent almost 16 hours warding off all thoughts of eating. Yikes. I know I get grumpy and irritable when I'm hungry, and I'd like to use this time to get myself under control - think before I get frustrated with the boys, etc.
Also, ever since I heard about detox diets I've been terribly curious about whether they work. Is it all just a gimmick? Do people really feel better? Is there a noticeable difference after they're done? Is skin clearer? Are chronic pains gone? One person even said their eyes changed color! We'll see.
I woke up feeling great.Not hungry, not achy, just nervous about the saltwater flush.It tastes horrible, and I wasn’t sure what would happen after I drank it.I ended up using the bathroom on and off for 2 ½ hours, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or anything. I did wake up at 4:50am because I was so uneasy about the flush, but I had a great No-Kid time of prayer and reading Abiding In Christ.
My tongue is getting fuzzier and I had a low-grade headache for most of the day.I’m pretty sure I functioned normally though. It was harder to maintain patience with the boys today. As I was putting them to bed and trying to think back on where I go wrong when we have tough days I realized I hadn’t done a lot of meditating on Scripture like I did yesterday.Note to self:remember todo that tomorrow!It really seemed to help when I did.
The only other diet I’ve ever done was SouthBeach and I remember being soooo irritable because everywhere I looked were things I wanted to eat, but I had to eat this…salad or egg or salad or egg or…salad.On this one there aren’t any options.Like, “mmm, that cookie looks yummy…no” or “I’d like to eat that green bean…no to that too” and “that liver smells divine…no”.No matter what the food, I can’t eat it now.So although I’d like to eat, it’s not as big of a deal.I’m just realizing how much I eat, just throw something in my mouth to be doing it, or because I’m making lunch and it’s there.I must say though, I was reading the boys The Story About Ping before bed tonight, which takes place in China.And I started daydreaming just a little bit about Chinese food…I loooove Chinese food.Especially the super-healthy breaded and fried chicken and pork dishes.Especially sweet and sour chicken.Especially.And egg rolls.
We went to Costco today with my Grandma and the samples were kind of, for lack of better words, insanely tempting.I’m thinking particularly about a turkey/swiss sandwich-y thing on beautiful multi-grain artisan bread.Daniel didn’t like his and I contemplated snatching it, but I didn’t.
Toward evening my headache started getting a little stronger, and I’m noticing various aches and pains – specifically in my back and neck, but a vague pain everywhere.So I think I’m going to go to bed.Most of my reading has attested to Day 3 being the most difficult- we shall see!
I feel compelled to add, once in every few loads some of my glasses aren't as sparkly. I read that you can just fill the rinse dispenser with white vinegar to fix this. I personally can't find the rinse dispenser on my dishwasher, so I decided one or two slightly foggy glasses were workable. But I may get out the manual in future...
Some people have never heard of 20 Mule Team Borax, but I am not one of them. That's because I lived in Bishop, CA - a lovely small town which is familiarly called the "Mule Capital of The World". Every Memorial Day weekend Bishop is completely packed to the hilt with mule lovers and fun-seekers for the annual festival of Mule Days. One feature of mule days is the longest non-motorized parade in the world, during which you will see the famed "20 mule team".
It is a really fun weekend. Some of my facts may not be completely accurate, but I think my point is made. After we lived in Bishop I was at least familiar with mules and Borax. Borax turns out to be a very affordable laundry booster that I use in my laundry - especially with linens and towels. But two weeks ago I used it to make dishwasher detergent!
simply mix: 2 c. Borax 1 c. baking soda and add to dispenser as usual. Voila! Detergent!
A box of Borax cost me about $3.23, and a small box of baking soda was .50. I'm not going to break down the cost and figure in the ounces and compare the pricing with a box of regular detergent, because I'm not mathematically minded and I don't want to spend the time. Besides, it's so obvious that this is cheaper!!!!
I've been using it for 2.5 weeks now and so far it seems to work just as well as any other detergent I've used. So there you have it! Thought you might like to know!
Click here to see the Addendum post - a follow-up)
It's possible that I'm the last person on earth to discover the amazing effectiveness of this cleaning product, but not probable. So I'm telling you, in case you doubted the commercials like I did...BUY THIS!!!!!
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is amazing!!! As stated, I did not believe the commercials or the claims until I was volunteering with crafts at our church's VBS and someone used one of these sponges to get a Sharpee mark off of a table. Sharpee! Those marks don't come off anything. And she just wiped over the mark. No scrubbing!
So, I bought one this week and have been blissfully running through my house scrubbing off all sorts of spots that little boys tend to leave on walls and doors. Of course I neglected to take before and after pictures, but it is truly amazing. And I wanted to share this miraculous find with others in case they haven't seen it.
Doors: all of our interior and some exterior doors are white. They have been impossibly smudged and dirtied by little grimy hands. I occasionally give a valiant scrub to the most offending areas to no avail. Until my Mr. Clean sponge!!! I just got it wet and wiped the door and it's totally clean.
Walls: same with walls. There are spots from when the boys tried to climb up the hallway walls (don't ask). There is a random crayon mark (was). And several mystery spots that just make things look dingy and refuse to come out. NO LONGER!!! They're all clean now!!!
Closet doors: white again. and marked up by shoes or toy guys or something - but not anymore!!!
I'm still thinking of random spots around the house to try it on.
So, get thee to the nearest store and buy thee this wonderful easy cleaning tool.
(I'm thinking of contacting Mr. Clean himself and offering to do all marketing for this product!)
