Monthly Archive for July, 2004

The Fourth of July

\"\" We went to Bellingham to visit our friends over the 4th of July.

S & D do not yet have children. We have two very precious, yet lively preschoolers. Right around the time of our visit, our sweet daughter had decided to enter her hyper-emotional stage of development. The first night we were there she went into hysterics for over 20 minutes straight! She had never done that before - at least not for that long. D went up on the roof for his own \”time out\”. I thought that was pretty funny! I only wished I could have been up there too:)

Some activities we enjoyed: a visit to the fire station, a couple of visits to Lake Padden (where the mommy-pile pic was taken), we even visited a new church. All four of us were pretty wiped out, but the two slave-drivers kept us going! Somehow, we all managed to take a nap the afternoon of the Fourth.

The evening of the Fourth was stellar. We finished off our strawberry margaritas, got the kids to sleep (not just in bed, but ASLEEP!!!), popped in a movie, and S and I were asleep within the first 15 minutes. Yes, we went out with a bang! My, how life has changed…

Published
by
jenny
on July 25, 2004
in Family, General, Joel and Olivia
. 1 Comment

5 Moms, 12 kids

\"\"We did it! 4 of my friends an I packed up our minivans (and 1 suburban), loaded up our ice chests, got the kiddos buckled up and headed on over to a campground at Lake Cushman for 3 days and 2 nights! The morning before I left, a good friend said to me, \”Enjoy your trip. Remember, this is a vacation, be a \’yes\’ mom… if it won\’t kill \’em, let \’em do it!\” I did. I even let Joel have whipped cream on his cereal! We all had a great time together, and the kids were so awesome. With a dozen kids, there is always a risk!

I had a hunch sleeping would be a challenge for the kids - it was. It was miserable hot in the tent. It took a couple hours to get them to sleep our first night, that was probably the only part of the trip I didn NOT like. Of course, this was not to be a \”yes\” area - mama needed her \”mama time\”! The second night I got smart. Ummm… after Olivia ingested a small amount of bug spray. I drove Livi around for awhile and got her to sleep (that was a first!) - THEN I put Joel in the tent and he went to sleep. They cannot be in the same sleeping quarters awake, they just play too much!

Camping was a great change of pace, for me and the kids. We got dirty, it was hot in the tent, got eaten up by mosquitos, and I gave the kids a lot of \”yes\” answers. We moms got to spend time talking and laughing, and the kids had plenty of friends to play with. We will be making this an annual thing!

Published
by
jenny
on July 24, 2004
in Family, General, Joel, Mutha' Hood and Olivia
. 0 Comments

Backwards Phrases

Joel loves to practice casting with his “Poley Fish”. Poppy gave it to him for his birthday:)

Published
by
jenny
on July 24, 2004
in General
. 0 Comments

Push Up Pop

Ah, the joys of summer!

Published
by
jenny
on July 24, 2004
in General, Mutha' Hood and Olivia
. 0 Comments

“I need my Joel!!!”

“I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!” “I need my Joel!!!”…said Olivia tearfully as her brother rode away in his friend’s minivan, headed for a playdate. She repeated this phrase many, many times over the next hour until naptime. Poor thing. The cry for her brother was the same one she uses when she cries for Mommy. When she misses me or her my hubby, she’ll say, “I need my Mommy/Daddy!” I actually felt pretty sad for her. I could tell she really missed her big brother and there was nothing I could do to comfort her, or stop those crocodile tears!

Published
by
jenny
on July 23, 2004
in General, Joel, Mutha' Hood and Olivia
. 0 Comments

My Heart Aches

Today has been a difficult one. The child of a friend from church died this morning. When I found out this morning, I felt so sick to my stomach, I felt like I might throw-up. My own physical reaction surprised me…

At church yesterday, the pastor shared that M was back in the hospital. She slipped into a coma yesterday afternoon. She relapsed some months ago after being in remission from brain cancer for nearly 5 years. I believe she was 8.

At a scrapbooking retreat in February, I met J - the mom. She worked on albums for M to enjoy. J said that out of her 3 kids, M enjoyed looking at the scrapbooks the most. I sat across from J those 3 days. It was hard to think about the possibility of M\’s death. I couldn\’t imagine working on an album for a child of mine that was probably going to die within the year. In March, I went on a church women\’s retreat and I was able to room with J and 2 other women. I got to know J a little better, and learn more about her journey. I learned that J felt it an honor to be the mommy chosen to walk M through this trial - though it was a hard path. She feels it is an honor to be the mom to walk with M… wow.

What a noble perspective and tremendous burden. It takes an incredible person to walk a child through such a valley, to accept that role, to plan months ahead whether they would like her to \”go\” in their home or at their hospital… I admire J for her strength, hope, and perspective.

I am not M\’s mom, but I feel so sad. I just cannnot imagine her sorrow… Then there is the dad who lost his little girl… A brother and sister lost a sister… their son is my son\’s age. I can\’t imagine having to support my children through the grief of losing one of their siblings.

The woman who called me this morning to tell me the news has a daughter who is friends with M. She is struggling with the death of a friend. I never had to deal with that at 7. This little girl is asking, \”Will I always feel this sad Mommy?\”

I can\’t imagine watching my child die. How can a mom survive that? I think my heart would burst out of my body. Coming from the \”religious\” (not a fan of the \”r\” word, but I lack a better one) perspective I embrace, I am thankful for the grace of God. How else could a mother or father survive the loss of their young child? How else could a parent\’s heart, body and soul not collapse? Indeed it must be God\’s grace…

Published
by
jenny
on July 19, 2004
in General, Mental Pause and Mutha' Hood
. 4 Comments

Deep Thoughts by Joel

Joel, you are a riot (in as many senses of the word). You are so goofy, and I know I could never remember all you say and do. So… this is for you Joel… we\’ll read this stories when you\’re a dad, drink some coffee and share huge belly laughs… We shared belly laughs tonight when:

At dinner, we (Gramma Myra is here for the week, so she witnessed this too) were talking about twins. You said you wanted to be a twin. Daddy and I started to joke about your \”multiple personalities\”. We began to list them off — \”Happy/Sweet Joel, \”Tough Joel\”, \”Silly Joel\” and \”Angry Joel\”. You quickly piped in your favorite personality… \” and Nose-Picker Joel!!\”

Yester day you really struggled with obeying Mommy the first time. By the end of the day I felt pretty exhasperated. Just before bed, you took the CLEAN pasta strainer and put it on your head (Spaceman Joel). I told you not to. You continued. I griped and told you that I just needed you to obey the FIRST TIME! You so softly and sweetly replied (shoulders lifted and palms and arms facing up,

But Mom… I just wanna have fun and be a kid. I just want to be to be a kid. That\’s all, I\’m just a kid.

Where do do you come up with this stuff, buddy?! You stump me and crack me up! I have to hide my giggles when we need to be serious. I have to admit it was a good re-focus for me. The strainer wasn\’t a biggie, I could have chosen not to go into that battle. However… obedience at the first asking/telling is pretty important. You\’ll understand it better when you\’re a Daddy. Until then, we need to figure this one out!

Published
by
jenny
on July 9, 2004
in Family, General, Joel and Mutha' Hood
. 2 Comments

Pirate Ship Cake

This was one of the easiest cakes! It was fun to make too! The only caution… we had to be careful with the cannons (candles) protruding from the sides!! My friend Julie made a much more girlie, but a very cute and clever cake for her daughter’s 6th birthday… The Year of the Blue Horse!

Published
by
jenny
on July 7, 2004
in Artsy Fartsy, General and Joel
. 1 Comment

Ahoy ye Maties!

Enter at yer own risk!

What a blast it was. Joel loved his pirate party! We put up a few Jolly Roger flags, black and red streamers, black and red balloons… When the pirates arrived, they each got to make a spyglass (tp tube and plastic wrap). Once everyone arrived, they all gathered to hunt - for pirate gear. They studied the map Paul created… they found their eye patches, moustaches, 4 foot inflatable swords, their hats, and finally the treasure chest pinata. Between present opening and cake, they went wild with their swords! Inflatable swords were the best! Those vermin got to swing with all their might and no one lost an eye! Some maties came dressed for the pirate theme (even with painted moustaches!!), while others did not. Dressed up or not, they all seemed to enjoy themselves:)

Published
by
jenny
on July 7, 2004
in Family, General, Joel, Mutha' Hood and Spawn
. 0 Comments

I Just Want to Thank the Academy….

OK, so I didn\’t get the esteemed Academy Award, but I think I got something better.

We decided to go to Red Robin for dinner with another couple last night. I told Joel about our dinner plans. Immediately, he asked if it was for his birthday. He had asked to go there for his birthday 2 months earlier. He wanted the birthday song, the attention and the ice cream with whipped cream and topeed with a cherry. We never made it on or near the day.

\”Joel, I don\’t think so…\” Then I said to myself, \”The boy has had enough birthday, besides it was almost 2 weeks ago…\”

With resolve — yet sweetly, Joel asked 2 more times, and I told him I\’d talk to Dad.

We did it. I talked to our waiter (who happened to be a friend of ours) and arranged the birthday scene. The line of waiters came, presented the treat and paper glasses with the huge eyes, and sang the song that drives most people crazy at restaurants. Joel sat calmly, with a silly little expression on his mouth (his eyes were behind the very large \”glasses\”). He happily ate his ice cream sundae, shared some with his sister then we all got up to leave.

Joel decided to leave with a little flare (typical Joel) that puffed up Mommy — in a good way. Joel walked along the bench seat as he came from behind the booth and announced,

\”I\’D LIKE TO THANK MY MOMMY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for my birthday!\”

We talk about \”those moments\” in motherhood. You know, the ones that make the hard stuff kinda worth it… this was one of those moments. No prodding… it came from his genuinely thankful heart.

Published
by
jenny
on July 7, 2004
in General, Joel and Mutha' Hood
. 2 Comments