I love to dance. I love 80’s music. I love The Retros. They are a local 80’s cover band. We went to Pioneer Square and saw them last week. We went with 2 other couples and had a great time. We danced and laughed and I got to have fish tacos at Taco del Mar (”just can’t get enough” of those!) It’s nice to kick up your heels once in awhile… Someone with the Retros takes pictures of the people at the clubs, so the picture here is one I found on their site. Boogie face! Their bumper sticker is on my minivan — yes, my minivan. I am such a dork:)
Monthly Archive for May, 2004
I’m probably a little bitter, a little angry even. Maybe more than I know, or maybe more than I want to admit. You know the saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”? I’m not very squeaky, and for that I am blessed. However, sometimes, we make choices so we don’t “squeak”. I think the fruit of my life reflects choices of “good maintenance” and lots of blessings from the Lord. (Don’t get me wrong, it also reflects the fruit of my bad choices, I don’t want seem cocky here…)
But… I’m not the squeaky wheel, and I really don’t want to be, really! However, I sure would like a little grease from another source because it’s sometimes hard and lonely to maintain your “vehicle” by yourself…
about how difficult it can be to be a mom. I see things on the news about some special award or recognition for a really hard-working mom. I guess I don’t really work hard? Good for her I guess, but that kinda stinks for the rest of us. As if there isn’t enough pressure. Watch out for super-award-getting-mom. I’m not saying these women don’t deserve recognition, I find some motivation in their drive. I’m just saying maybe more recognition should go out to “plain” moms.
There are so many out there who consider it a banner day if they can get a shower or manage to NOT to yell at their kids before morning snack. Heck, for some, it’s a banner day just not to dread getting out of bed. Society is so geared towards super-achievement that trying to “just” be a good mom isn’t enough to warrant a special award.
Warning, this may be graphic! So here’s to the mom who has gross poop under her nails! Here’s to the mom who knows when to call a friend to help with her kids because she’ll lose it if she doesn’t! Here’s to the Mom who’s just had her face vomitted on and no one is around to help! Here’s to the mom who breast-feeds her 6 week old on the toilet while having diarrhea! Here’s to the mom who can’t get the laundry done because her kid won’t stop to pee-pee on the potty! Here’s to the mom who throws away the underwear with poop because it is just gross! Here’s to the mom who needs a nap everyday! Here’s to the mom who just can’t, put on make-up everyday! Here’s to the mom who lets her kids run through the puddle, eventhough it’s messy! Here’s to the mom who’s home is in disaray because she chose to spend time with her kids instead of cleaning! Here’s to the mom who has used the television as a babysitter to buy a moment of sanity - despite the threat of ADHD in children under the age of 2 who ever watch tv! Here’s to the mom who is on her knees and crying and broken by 8:30 a.m.! Here’s to you moms (though many may not read this) for all the effort you put into the daily grind of motherhood! We know how it can get, and we are not alone. I wish these moms didn’t feel alone.
Lastly, here’s to the mom who can laugh about all this stuff and still stand in amazement at how beautiful, talented, bright and charming their kids are…. while they are sleeping:)
For the last MOPS meeting, ALL the kids were brought in for the last half hour. Chaos! Here is a picture Joel and Olivia’s favorite thing to do after MOPS - eat the leftover grub! Livi wandered around eating much more than this chocolate muffin, she dove right into the fruit cocktail as well. She also dipped into a pan of cinnamon rolls. As I “stepped-in” to stop my little thief, a friend stopped me. She said, “Just watch her. It’s so fun to see what they do.” So, I watched my daughter take a spoon, shove it into the icing, lick it, and get more icing. Eventually, I stopped her, but for several moments she got to dig in - literally!
Thursday was a day if significance. It was my last day at MOPS as a discussion group leader. I have done it for 2 years at the MOPS group in Poulsbo. It has been a wonderful experience, and it has been a tough road at times. The first year was stressful because I walked in knowing almost no one, and volunteered to lead a table. It stretched me and grew me.
This year was hard for much bigger reasons. I had 6 moms at my table (plus me and one “mentor mom”). Coming in, 3 gals were pregnant. All have their babies now, but that’s not it.
–1 mom had her baby under stress of gestational diabebtes, terrible kidney problems (major surgery) and her husband works a whole bunch. I was able to throw a baby shower for her. She works hard to be strong, though I know she is hurting very much (both physically and emotionally. She has a tender heart, and is a very good mom, despite the obstacles she faces. Though pain is high, she works had to give energy to her kids.
–1 mom had her baby. Things are pretty stable for her - and that is so awesome! I was not able to pull a shower together for her, and I feel bad about that. She is strong and confident.
– 1 mom had her baby this spring. Madeline was born April 7th and has already had heart surgery. She is still in the hospital and she has been away from her other 2 kids for 7 weeks now. She loves God and you can see His strength and light in her.
–1 mom had her big mountain last year - divorce. She was the crafts leader for MOPS, I am amazed at her strength and her ability to persevere. She is NOT the bitter divored woman, she glows with the joy I know came from God.
– 1 mom is a busy woman with much on her plate. She took on the responsibiliy of working on the childrens program for MOPS. God needs to bless this woman! The time away we get from our kids at MOPS is so important for our sanity, we wouldn\’t have MOPS without her hard work. She\’s a strong woman too. she is my work-out buddy!
– 1 mom is recently pregnant and found out she has pulmonary hypertension - which seems to be a very serious thing. This is a new hurdle. She is afraid. She is a generous woman who has to start saying “no”, which is hard for her.
A common thread is all these women are very strong. I think that is a common trait in mothers. Out of just 6 women, there are so many needs and hurts. It’s been hard knowing how to help, if to help — it’s been hard to offer to help. There are lots of needs and very little time and energy. If I didn’t need sleep… The year is through, but the relationships are still there. The burdens, struggles, stresses are still there too. Bonds have been made, hugs have been given, tears have been shared… we are women, we are mothers.
Yeah, yard work is great (I just love the look of a freshly trimmed lawn), but look at that yummy bed - with matching valance! What a great place to recover. We really wanted to paint too, but the fumes… not such a good recovery smell!!! Plus, it’s a little something for Lisa too, she may not have gone through surgery physically, but she’s gone through it! Michele said it best
…you do know that whenever I’m depressed, I buy sheets, because sheets always fit - never too tight, never too long - sheets always fit.
I think that’s my new motto!
- and moving! Before Percy’s surgery the men bounced emails around and got a work party going! A nicely groomed lawn with mounds of dirt moved, rocks rolled, pipes sawed, trees pruned, and weeds whacked, makes a relaxing setting for Percy to gaze upon during the recovery period.
This is the stuff of friendship and life. This is how relationship should work. The neighbors sure noticed!
The are calling him “Wonder Boy”. Percy went in for heart surgery Wednesday morning, and the docs are saying he’ll probably be coming home this weekend!
The docs were able to save his valve (which means he will not spend the rest of his life on blood thinners!), he does not have Marfans (which means his 3 sons do not have to worry they may have inherited the same disease), AND the docs said that in a month Percy will be able to be FULLY active - like even climb Mount Rainier! For the past couple of years his activity and amount of weight he could lift has been very restrictive. He wasn’t even able to play basketball with his boys. Basically, the docs said his heart is good as new - just like a regular person!
A praiseworthy report for sure! I gotta say, we asked God specifically for valve salvage as well as no Marfans. We asked for a superb suregery and better-than-average recovery. Check, check, check, check! Yep, miracles still do happen… and I am thanking the Lord for this one!!!
“The rain it raineth on the just and also on the unjust fella; but chiefly on the just, because the unjust steals the just’s umbrella.” Sam Erwin - or Charles Bowen … I’ve seen credit given both! This witty verse reminds me of the feelings I had/have of a girl I knew in high school. It’s odd how some folks can be kinda mean and pretty darn selfish and not seem to suffer consequences. However, I guess we can never know what goes on in the heart…
is better than the grandest intention.” Who said that? It’s brilliant.
I am working to integrate this into my life. I find I focus so much mental energy on spectacular ideas that never benefit anyone, because they never get done!
I’ve been wanting to send a card to a friend - oh and a box of great things, but it’s not done. I should just send the card. If it were just the card, the thoughts and love would be on its way. Bigger isn’t better, especially when bigger never happens.
Latest Comments
RSS