Monday, October 27, 2008

Life Without Kids

Every once in awhile, I wonder about what life would be like without kids.

And I conclude that life would be completely boringly monotonous.

Sure, I would have a lot more time to do stuff, but what in the world would I do? Time to myself is much more precious and valuable now.

Sure, I would have a lot more sleep and rest, but I might not sleep as good, since I wouldn't be so tired by the end of the day.

Sure, I'd have a much neater, cleaner house, but that would be because I would have washed the walls and blinds every week out of sheer boredom. And who wants to do that?

Sure, I'd have a lot more money, but what would I spend it on - how many clothes do I need anyway? Just imagine year after year not having the opportunity to buy treats, toys, and Happy Meals for kids?!

Sure, I'd be able to go on lots more dates with Chris - and I do miss that. But we wouldn't have any funny stories to share with each other about what the little guys did or said that day.

I would miss all the squeezy hugs, sloppy kisses, "I Wuv You"s, and wiggly kids in my lap. I would miss the hot wheel races and the teddy bear games. I would miss brushing tiny teeth and washing baby hair. I would miss answering "Why" questions and reading stacks of books. I would miss cartoon days and trips to the park. I would miss funny mispronunciations and flat knock-knock jokes. I would miss the innocence and trust of childhood. I would miss being the bug-killer hero and the broken toy magician. I would miss impromptu dances in the kitchen and singing "You Are My Sunshine" at the top of my lungs. I would miss the complexity of blowing all the birthday candles out and the simplicity of Christmas. I would miss witnessing my husband develop into the wonderful father that he is. I would miss learning so much about myself by being a mother. I would miss family group hugs and sharing in the smile of my husband's eyes over five little heads. And I wouldn't even know what I was missing.


"Children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them... (Psalm 127:3-5)".

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Seize the Day

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Live in the moment. Seize the day. Take time to stop and smell the roses. Open your eyes and see the world around you. Don't live for the "maybes" and the "what ifs". Live for "now". What is going on right now in your life? What is going on right now in the lives of other people around you? Can you see? Or are you blinded by the future?

What enjoyment can you have or bring to someone else today? What suffering can you ease today? What can you do to imprint this day with your children on your heart and on their hearts?

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Friday, October 17, 2008

In Defense of Cheesy Music

When I was in 2nd grade, I rode the school bus. There's only a few things I remember about that - the embarrassing sign my mom made me wear around my neck on the first day on the bus with my name, bus #, and address; the girl I sat next to from a different school who shared her cough drops with me (we pretended they were candy); and this song: I Love Rock & Roll by Joan Jett.
Somewhere in the 1st-3rd grade range, I missed a school field trip to the James A. Garfield homeplace. (He was a US president.) So my mom took us there for a family trip. I remember sitting on the grass eating our picnic, and watching a really tall "cool dude" walk by with an enormous jambox on his shoulder. Just Beat It by Michael Jackson was blaring.
Memories...
And that's why those two songs are on the playlist to the right. Just be glad I didn't put this song on there...

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Hooked On Phonics...

Elijah and Seth are sitting at the dining room table diligently coloring/scribbling in their coloring books. Eli asks if doesn't his deer look real, seeing as he's colored it all brown. I answer in the affirmative. Suddenly, Jacob comes bounding in the room waving a white sheet of paper. "MOMMY!" (All afternoon he's been reading in his Wolf Cub Scout book and doing activities by himself.) "There's something I can do from my book! I can draw a skee-nee!"
A what?
"A skee-nee, you know, like a background!" He flips open the book and reads, "Draw, paint, or color a scene for a skit, play, or puppet show."

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Hungry for Popcorn?

Just because I'm a really good mom...

Here's an email that Jacob typed out all by himself this afternoon:

Dear Family and Friends,
Hi ! This is Jacob Hilliard. I am selling popcorn with my cub scout pack. I am a wolf cub
this year. I like being a cub scout because we make useful things and learn to be a good man. You can help me and support cub scouts by purchasing popcorn from
orderpopcorn.com. Be sure to use my order key: TERYS7X so I get credit for the sale.
Thanks,
Jacob
p.s.You can also send popcorn to our military troops on this website.


So if you feel like eating some delicious popcorn, or just feeling extra charitable, head over to orderpopcorn.com and do some browsing. These could make some great birthday, Christmas, secret sister or other kinds of presents as well... I'm thinking the 5-Way Chocolate Lover's or the Caramel & Peanuts is looking especially good; I think my tummy is starting to growl!



Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Seth's 2nd Birthday Party

Isn't it nice to be the birthday boy and get to lick the frosting spatula?


The boy loves a train. I always tried to teach my kids to call things what they are named, not by their sounds. But, alas, I have failed. Seth had a "choo-choo" birthday party.


Yes, Chris and I gave him the chalkboard. What were we thinking? Before the night was up, there was evidence of chalk happiness on doorknobs and carpet...



Clearly, blowing candles out is paramount. Seth has been practicing blowing. It's a hard thing to do - blow 2 whole candles out - but oh, the satisfaction when the deed is done!