So the other day Big Papi and I were attending the 11:00 church service. The 11:00 church service can be dangerous. The 11:00 service is where they stick all the baptisms and ceremonies so you could be there for hours. Now, I realize that these events are important but this particular Sunday was the morning after Big Papi and I stayed out until 1:00am with the Bugg (who happens to be one of the pastors in this church) and my new friend Brynne (whose husband is working crazy hours at Langley and shares my affection for Williams Sonoma). I know that I didn’t have to stay out until 1:00 am but it was a good time and Six in Phoebus has awesome cocktails and tapas.
Anyway, so Big Papi and I pull into the church parking lot and I notice a large amount of Boy Scouts and their families are heading towards church. Oh no Scouting Day! My church is a site for Boy Scouts Troop 84 and Cub Scouts Pack 184; we also have a Girl Scout troop that uses the facilities as well. This is great, I’m all for the teaching of be prepared and how to eat tree bark. In fact more boys should probably be involved and I even had hopes that the Caveman might want to try scouting so long as I didn’t have to venture into the woods with him. Yes scouting is fun, but then I saw the mothers.
The scouts' moms obviously are very involved with their sons’ activities. That is awesome; but why must they dress like men? Seriously, I’m talking over-sized men’s button down khaki shirts with patches designed to make a woman look fifty pounds overweight. To make it worse these women did not seem to do their hair or attempt to wear at least flattering pants. Most in fact had on the dreaded mom jean, which all mommies should know puts the focus on that mom pooch you get from carrying babies. After checking out the national website I have discovered that they have actual Boy Scout uniforms for women, and while not the best fashion statement they are at least fitted for a woman’s body. So these women willingly made the decision to dress this way.
I feel guilty looking at moms who are involved with their children’s activities, but for God sakes visit a tailor and get the shirts to fit your body. Taking the time to look your best is a good example for your children. I feel this is especially important when your child is receiving an award and you are suppose to stand by him. These boys worked hard to receive the acclamation from their church community. The least these mothers could do was make sure they looked their best for these boys as well.
The problem with moms who don't take care of themselves is that it leads to their lives becoming all about their children. This sounds good in theory but children grow up and no longer need us as much.
When you are on an airplane the flight attendants tell you to put your oxygen mask on first then assist your child. In life we need to do the same thing. My goal as a mom is to be great one but not to lose who I am as well. At some point the Caveman and Alien will grow up. To be the best mommy for them when they reach that milestone I need to know who I am when I am not being their mommy. Being a mom is only one side of me and I refuse to allow my children to take over my whole existence. If I should be so fortunate to have my Caveman or Alien join an organization that requires me to wear a uniform I will have it tailored with my hair done and wearing flattering bottoms and amazing shoes. That way I am still being mommy but remaining true to myself.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Peer pressure
So there is this chain note going around Facebook: 25 random things about yourself. You are suppose to come up with some and then send it in a note for all your "friends" to read.
I have problems with this concept. It isn't that I don't want to share things with people, but Facebook has an info section where I have put things on to share with people. Isn't that enough. But alas I am giving into peer pressure- that and I have had writer's block for almost a month that is why no blog posts. Maybe this exercise will fix that, so here we go.
25 random things about AJ Rice's Mommy x 2
1. I have birthed two AJ's - though we only call the Caveman AJ!
2. Big Papi and I met playing Yahoo! Chinese checkers almost a year and half before actually dating.
3. I hate horror movies. Maybe it is just my empathic nature but I see no joy in watching people get murdered for entertainment.
4. I have a slight obsession with Williams Sonoma- but come on what cook doesn't
5. I am terrified that I might actually be a successful writer someday. By terrified I mean that people will actually read my writing and want me to do more of it and then I can't.
6. I am afraid that I won't be a successful writer ( and I realize that this contradicts number 5 but it is my list so sue me).
7. I do not eat cheese - it is gross- I will eat pizza once in a blue moon but the cheese has to be burnt. I also do not eat eggs or mayo because both are gross as well.
8. My favorite food at the moment is the mushroom soup I had at Sonoma wine bar in Virginia Beach. I am annoyed that I haven't been able to recreate it.
9. I hate doing home improvement projects. This is a big revelation as my mom and the Tigger read this and they could out drill Martha Stewart and Bob Villa any day!
10. I think my children are my true soul mates.
11. I am still annoyed that my best friend's husband keeps moving her further and further away because he actually likes teaching college. Seriously Utah?
12. I long for a day when cigarettes are completely outlawed.
13. I am ashamed I voted for Bush twice. Actually I am more ashamed I didn't have better choices until now.
14. I believe that marriage is between two consenting adults- body parts shouldn't matter. Maybe is if the Conservatives would realize that it is none of their business what people do in the bed room maybe they could focus on things more important like the economy and defending our country from its greatest threat the uneducated children of our public school system.
15. Crocs are the silly shoes ever- seriously unless you are a nurse, gardener, or chef don't wear them.
16. When I walk into a store I notice where the manager's are- and if they aren't on the floor or yelling at an associate for something stupid I call them out on it. I used to be a retail manager and I was awesome because I treated my employees like they were my customers.
17. I am an excellent massage therapist- but I only like giving massages to people I like not strangers and why I didn't stay with it.
18. I can read a book in a day- sometimes a few hours.
19. I hate the beard Big Papi is growing- now there is a blog topic
20. I like hanging out with guys better than girls- much less drama
21. Big Papi is the funniest guy I know- the jail story is the best!
22. Hearing endless rounds of toddler songs should be considered cruel and unusual punishment- I have loathed getting into a car with the Caveman ever since I bought the damn CDs
23. I have to have my feet covered when I sleep
24. I believe the real problems with UVA's men's basketball and football programs are not only coaching but an athletic director who should be replaced. Stop worrying about what students are writing on their poster board and worry about the lack of defense and scoring from these programs!
25. I like wearing glasses more than contacts. In fact I haven't owned contacts since 2001
I have problems with this concept. It isn't that I don't want to share things with people, but Facebook has an info section where I have put things on to share with people. Isn't that enough. But alas I am giving into peer pressure- that and I have had writer's block for almost a month that is why no blog posts. Maybe this exercise will fix that, so here we go.
25 random things about AJ Rice's Mommy x 2
1. I have birthed two AJ's - though we only call the Caveman AJ!
2. Big Papi and I met playing Yahoo! Chinese checkers almost a year and half before actually dating.
3. I hate horror movies. Maybe it is just my empathic nature but I see no joy in watching people get murdered for entertainment.
4. I have a slight obsession with Williams Sonoma- but come on what cook doesn't
5. I am terrified that I might actually be a successful writer someday. By terrified I mean that people will actually read my writing and want me to do more of it and then I can't.
6. I am afraid that I won't be a successful writer ( and I realize that this contradicts number 5 but it is my list so sue me).
7. I do not eat cheese - it is gross- I will eat pizza once in a blue moon but the cheese has to be burnt. I also do not eat eggs or mayo because both are gross as well.
8. My favorite food at the moment is the mushroom soup I had at Sonoma wine bar in Virginia Beach. I am annoyed that I haven't been able to recreate it.
9. I hate doing home improvement projects. This is a big revelation as my mom and the Tigger read this and they could out drill Martha Stewart and Bob Villa any day!
10. I think my children are my true soul mates.
11. I am still annoyed that my best friend's husband keeps moving her further and further away because he actually likes teaching college. Seriously Utah?
12. I long for a day when cigarettes are completely outlawed.
13. I am ashamed I voted for Bush twice. Actually I am more ashamed I didn't have better choices until now.
14. I believe that marriage is between two consenting adults- body parts shouldn't matter. Maybe is if the Conservatives would realize that it is none of their business what people do in the bed room maybe they could focus on things more important like the economy and defending our country from its greatest threat the uneducated children of our public school system.
15. Crocs are the silly shoes ever- seriously unless you are a nurse, gardener, or chef don't wear them.
16. When I walk into a store I notice where the manager's are- and if they aren't on the floor or yelling at an associate for something stupid I call them out on it. I used to be a retail manager and I was awesome because I treated my employees like they were my customers.
17. I am an excellent massage therapist- but I only like giving massages to people I like not strangers and why I didn't stay with it.
18. I can read a book in a day- sometimes a few hours.
19. I hate the beard Big Papi is growing- now there is a blog topic
20. I like hanging out with guys better than girls- much less drama
21. Big Papi is the funniest guy I know- the jail story is the best!
22. Hearing endless rounds of toddler songs should be considered cruel and unusual punishment- I have loathed getting into a car with the Caveman ever since I bought the damn CDs
23. I have to have my feet covered when I sleep
24. I believe the real problems with UVA's men's basketball and football programs are not only coaching but an athletic director who should be replaced. Stop worrying about what students are writing on their poster board and worry about the lack of defense and scoring from these programs!
25. I like wearing glasses more than contacts. In fact I haven't owned contacts since 2001
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The 100 Things AJ Rice's Mommy Must Do Before...
This is an exercise that I learned from real estate guru Terry Watson. He believes that if we do not have a set lists of things we want to accomplish before we die then we have nothing to work for. Here is the 2009 edition- I removed the real estate items and finally added some things to make the list really number 100. I also kept the things on the list I accomplished in 2008- next year I'll remove those things and add new ones.
I highly suggest people do this for themselves and then let their family and friends know. Why? The people you surround yourself with should know your heart's desires. They could possibly have a way to accomplish this. A big example of this was Crazy Grandma gave me a Coach gift card last Christmas and I was able to buy my Coach bag without worry. I know it is silly, but I love that bag and every time I pick it up I remember that my mom- the Alien and Caveman's Crazy Grandma made that dream come true. This year she is at it again- she gave me a baking cookbook that has a method for croissants.
This list is really important when you look back at the past year and maybe you don't think you accomplished anything. If you do only one thing on the list you have accomplished something.
100 Things I want to do before I die
1. Get accepted into UVA
2. go to a Super Bowl
3. attend a World Series
4. attend a UVA vs. VT football game and UVA wins by a landslide
5. attend an Olympics
6. attend a final four- men's basketball
7. attend a BSC bowl
8. attend a NFL draft
9. host an all girl fantasy football league
10. enter and play in a World Series of Poker event
11. Attend an ACC men basketball tournament
12. Watch the Eagles win a Super Bowl
13. buy a Coach bag at full retail price without worry about the cost (did it!)
14. get published in a glossy magazine
15. Get my college degree
16. Make a brother or sister for the Caveman (did it!)
17. learn to make croissants from scratch
18. lose a good amount of weight and keep it off
19. learn to knit well
20. publish a book that I write
21. see a TV show live
22. run a marathon
23. drive across America
24. drive up the Mississippi from south to north
25. create a higher education scholarship foundation
26. go to Rome
27. go to London
28. go to Paris
29. go to Hong Kong
30. go to Chicago
31. go to Australia
32. adopt a single mom and her children for an entire year
33. see the Northern Lights
34. throw an amazing party (did it, Big Papi’s surprise 30th birthday!)
35. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
36. read every F. Scott Fitzgerald published work
37. Show up at the airport and take the first flight available
38. teach a class
39. drive RT 66
40. learn to sew well
41. see Oprah live
42. do the Sydney-Harbor Bridge climb
43. sit on a jury
44. visit Ground Zero
45. watch launch of space shuttle
46. see a NASCAR race live
47. drive a convertible with top down
48. be invited to have a black American Express card
49. be invited to join Phi Beta Kappa- the honor fraternity at TCC which means you have to have an 3.5 GPA
50. go to the Baseball hall of fame
51. go to the football hall of fame
52. see a Notre Dame football game live
53. take a course at the French Culinary Institute
54. spend a year traveling around the world
55. learn to ballroom dance properly
56. forgive those who have hurt me
57. sky dive
58. bungee jump
59. go to Kentucky Derby
60. learn Spanish
61. donate money to a political candidate (did it!)
62. buy everyone in a bar a drink
63. redecorate a house without my mom's help
64. do my family tree
65. drive the autobahn
66. learn to bartend
67. learn to properly carve a chicken (did it!)
68. leave a $5000 tip to someone who deserves it
69. watch Anderson score a home run, a goal, a touchdown
70. teach the Caveman to read and read well
71. Teach Caveman to use the big boy potty
72. Get the Alien to sleep through the night
73. Submit a recipe into the Pillsbury Bake-off
74. Raise my children to have a personal relationship with God
75. Create a welcome committee for my church with my husband
76. Host a game night for the 21+ group
77. Build my freelance portfolio
78. Clean out my closets- only keeping what my family loves and needs
79. Buy a house big enough for mommy to have a room of her own
80. Have a gourmet kitchen with a pot filler, baking station, Viking range, and at least two convection ovens
81. Actually finish the scrapbooks I bought all those supplies for
82. Learn how to incorporate yoga into my daily routine
83. Learn how to apply the Franklin Covey methods to my daily life
84. Keep the house clean longer than one day
85. Take a polar plunge
86. To go shopping in a regular sized woman store and actually find things that fit me
87. Get over the pass
88. Not look too far into the future
89. Live in my moment right now
90. Save enough money so my kids don’t have to take out student loans
91. Pay off my credit card debts
92. Learn to live within my family’s financial means
93. Have a diverse financial portfolio
94. Become a land baron with my husband
95. Love my husband everyday; and tell him so
96. Always appreciate all the things my children do- even the bad
97. Become a gracious person
98. Keep my car clean
99. Get a tattoo
100. Keep adding things to the list
I highly suggest people do this for themselves and then let their family and friends know. Why? The people you surround yourself with should know your heart's desires. They could possibly have a way to accomplish this. A big example of this was Crazy Grandma gave me a Coach gift card last Christmas and I was able to buy my Coach bag without worry. I know it is silly, but I love that bag and every time I pick it up I remember that my mom- the Alien and Caveman's Crazy Grandma made that dream come true. This year she is at it again- she gave me a baking cookbook that has a method for croissants.
This list is really important when you look back at the past year and maybe you don't think you accomplished anything. If you do only one thing on the list you have accomplished something.
100 Things I want to do before I die
1. Get accepted into UVA
2. go to a Super Bowl
3. attend a World Series
4. attend a UVA vs. VT football game and UVA wins by a landslide
5. attend an Olympics
6. attend a final four- men's basketball
7. attend a BSC bowl
8. attend a NFL draft
9. host an all girl fantasy football league
10. enter and play in a World Series of Poker event
11. Attend an ACC men basketball tournament
12. Watch the Eagles win a Super Bowl
13. buy a Coach bag at full retail price without worry about the cost (did it!)
14. get published in a glossy magazine
15. Get my college degree
16. Make a brother or sister for the Caveman (did it!)
17. learn to make croissants from scratch
18. lose a good amount of weight and keep it off
19. learn to knit well
20. publish a book that I write
21. see a TV show live
22. run a marathon
23. drive across America
24. drive up the Mississippi from south to north
25. create a higher education scholarship foundation
26. go to Rome
27. go to London
28. go to Paris
29. go to Hong Kong
30. go to Chicago
31. go to Australia
32. adopt a single mom and her children for an entire year
33. see the Northern Lights
34. throw an amazing party (did it, Big Papi’s surprise 30th birthday!)
35. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
36. read every F. Scott Fitzgerald published work
37. Show up at the airport and take the first flight available
38. teach a class
39. drive RT 66
40. learn to sew well
41. see Oprah live
42. do the Sydney-Harbor Bridge climb
43. sit on a jury
44. visit Ground Zero
45. watch launch of space shuttle
46. see a NASCAR race live
47. drive a convertible with top down
48. be invited to have a black American Express card
49. be invited to join Phi Beta Kappa- the honor fraternity at TCC which means you have to have an 3.5 GPA
50. go to the Baseball hall of fame
51. go to the football hall of fame
52. see a Notre Dame football game live
53. take a course at the French Culinary Institute
54. spend a year traveling around the world
55. learn to ballroom dance properly
56. forgive those who have hurt me
57. sky dive
58. bungee jump
59. go to Kentucky Derby
60. learn Spanish
61. donate money to a political candidate (did it!)
62. buy everyone in a bar a drink
63. redecorate a house without my mom's help
64. do my family tree
65. drive the autobahn
66. learn to bartend
67. learn to properly carve a chicken (did it!)
68. leave a $5000 tip to someone who deserves it
69. watch Anderson score a home run, a goal, a touchdown
70. teach the Caveman to read and read well
71. Teach Caveman to use the big boy potty
72. Get the Alien to sleep through the night
73. Submit a recipe into the Pillsbury Bake-off
74. Raise my children to have a personal relationship with God
75. Create a welcome committee for my church with my husband
76. Host a game night for the 21+ group
77. Build my freelance portfolio
78. Clean out my closets- only keeping what my family loves and needs
79. Buy a house big enough for mommy to have a room of her own
80. Have a gourmet kitchen with a pot filler, baking station, Viking range, and at least two convection ovens
81. Actually finish the scrapbooks I bought all those supplies for
82. Learn how to incorporate yoga into my daily routine
83. Learn how to apply the Franklin Covey methods to my daily life
84. Keep the house clean longer than one day
85. Take a polar plunge
86. To go shopping in a regular sized woman store and actually find things that fit me
87. Get over the pass
88. Not look too far into the future
89. Live in my moment right now
90. Save enough money so my kids don’t have to take out student loans
91. Pay off my credit card debts
92. Learn to live within my family’s financial means
93. Have a diverse financial portfolio
94. Become a land baron with my husband
95. Love my husband everyday; and tell him so
96. Always appreciate all the things my children do- even the bad
97. Become a gracious person
98. Keep my car clean
99. Get a tattoo
100. Keep adding things to the list
So it 2009 and I have not kept up to date with the blog- sorry things are crazy in the alien/caveman universe. Here are some highlights so far for 2009
1. The Alien has a tooth!
2. We are still struggling to get the Caveman into his bed.
3. I was smart and did not take a bath in the Chesapeake Bay- seriously 29 degree weather with 50 miles per hour winds does not make a day at the beach.
4. The Eagles are in the playoffs- mommy is super happy!
5. I actually have worked up to walking two miles a day- not fun but great to burn off the left over mommy tummy.
Stay tuned for my updated 100 things I must do before I die- things on the list have to change because one I'm not a real estate agent any more- and I actually accomplished some things on the list in 2008 (yay for mommy).
1. The Alien has a tooth!
2. We are still struggling to get the Caveman into his bed.
3. I was smart and did not take a bath in the Chesapeake Bay- seriously 29 degree weather with 50 miles per hour winds does not make a day at the beach.
4. The Eagles are in the playoffs- mommy is super happy!
5. I actually have worked up to walking two miles a day- not fun but great to burn off the left over mommy tummy.
Stay tuned for my updated 100 things I must do before I die- things on the list have to change because one I'm not a real estate agent any more- and I actually accomplished some things on the list in 2008 (yay for mommy).
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Splish, splash I might be taken a bath
So the Bugg has invited Big Papi and I out for New Year’s Eve, very exciting. A new character to the Caveman and Alien universe, the Bugg is actually one of the ministers at our church, and he happens to be our age.
The age thing freaks me out.
Seriously, how can someone my age be a whole minister who is allow guide people? Or doctor or lawyer- insane! Or maybe I just feel this way because I have still not figured out what I want to be when I am a grown up.
The Bugg is a very interesting guy if you look past what he does for a living; I mean how many people do you know who collects a paycheck from Jesus? He is single ladies, and very adorable and well spoken and well read (he actually knows who Whitman is, and not the candy company). Also he seems to like polar plunging.
Polar plunging is an event where seemingly normal adults go into freezing cold water for fun. Many times it is to raise money for charity, which is awesome. However tonight Big Papi and I will be surrounded by people who want to jump into the Chesapeake Bay just for the fun of it.
Maybe it is the mommy in me, but I don’t see how jumping into the Chesapeake Bay in January while it is 26 degrees outside with winds blowing northwest at 20-30 miles per hour seems like a good idea. Yet, the woman who desperately wants to break free from always appearing like someone’s mommy kind of wants to be silly and take a big jump into the Bay.
It has been a long time since I have had the chance to try something daring, well besides giving birth. I have never been one to take chances, and I think that is a problem in my own life. When you are afraid of taking chances you live life with regrets. I don’t want to walk away from tonight wishing I had jumped.
Yet the grown up in me sees that if I jump into the water I could catch cold, and man do I sound old. Yet even as a kid I have been this way. During swimming lesions when all the other kids were learning to jump into deep water I held back, something inside me held me back.
As an adult I want to try new things. 2008 represented the end of a cycle for me, I was in a funk but I am starting to come out of it. 2009 represents for me new start, as I want to focus on actually living my life instead of just surviving it.
I won’t know until later this evening if I’ll be dripping wet from the cold water, but I do know that it is progress on my part that I am even considering it.
The age thing freaks me out.
Seriously, how can someone my age be a whole minister who is allow guide people? Or doctor or lawyer- insane! Or maybe I just feel this way because I have still not figured out what I want to be when I am a grown up.
The Bugg is a very interesting guy if you look past what he does for a living; I mean how many people do you know who collects a paycheck from Jesus? He is single ladies, and very adorable and well spoken and well read (he actually knows who Whitman is, and not the candy company). Also he seems to like polar plunging.
Polar plunging is an event where seemingly normal adults go into freezing cold water for fun. Many times it is to raise money for charity, which is awesome. However tonight Big Papi and I will be surrounded by people who want to jump into the Chesapeake Bay just for the fun of it.
Maybe it is the mommy in me, but I don’t see how jumping into the Chesapeake Bay in January while it is 26 degrees outside with winds blowing northwest at 20-30 miles per hour seems like a good idea. Yet, the woman who desperately wants to break free from always appearing like someone’s mommy kind of wants to be silly and take a big jump into the Bay.
It has been a long time since I have had the chance to try something daring, well besides giving birth. I have never been one to take chances, and I think that is a problem in my own life. When you are afraid of taking chances you live life with regrets. I don’t want to walk away from tonight wishing I had jumped.
Yet the grown up in me sees that if I jump into the water I could catch cold, and man do I sound old. Yet even as a kid I have been this way. During swimming lesions when all the other kids were learning to jump into deep water I held back, something inside me held me back.
As an adult I want to try new things. 2008 represented the end of a cycle for me, I was in a funk but I am starting to come out of it. 2009 represents for me new start, as I want to focus on actually living my life instead of just surviving it.
I won’t know until later this evening if I’ll be dripping wet from the cold water, but I do know that it is progress on my part that I am even considering it.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
This holiday season has been an exciting one for the Alien and Caveman filled household. Well the Alien not so much because she is really a baby and doesn’t know what is going on. The Caveman, however, discovered the following this season:
1. The Pretties- I think this started at his preschool when they hung Christmas lights (he attends a Christian preschool which allows for said activities). Since every time he sees Christmas lights the following conversation has happened: “Oh mommy look! The pretties! I love the pretties! I love my pretties!” Then he adds, “I see blue, I see pink, I see green, I see red.” Even if you do not celebrate Christmas the lights are an ideal way to help your caveman learn colors. Also it reminded me that when the lights go on the houses the world seems brighter even in our darkest days. There is something magical in the power of the “pretties.”
2. Christmas equals mommy bakes- Yes I love to bake but the only time of year I get to do it properly is around the holidays. People never want homemade chocolate chip cookies in August because we are all still trying to look awesome in bathing suits. The Caveman not only experienced mommy’s amazing chocolate chip cookies but also the grasshopper bars (really the best thing you could put in your mouth) and the five-minute fudge. The one thing I wish I had the time to do this holiday was to make rice crispy treats with the Caveman. I want him to know the power that comes from understanding how with a few ingredients and a little time, love and patience you can create something amazing that can be shared. Think if more little boys were taught those things when they were cavemen how different the world would be.
3. Santa is not awesome- I am sure this will change but the picture says it all.
1. The Pretties- I think this started at his preschool when they hung Christmas lights (he attends a Christian preschool which allows for said activities). Since every time he sees Christmas lights the following conversation has happened: “Oh mommy look! The pretties! I love the pretties! I love my pretties!” Then he adds, “I see blue, I see pink, I see green, I see red.” Even if you do not celebrate Christmas the lights are an ideal way to help your caveman learn colors. Also it reminded me that when the lights go on the houses the world seems brighter even in our darkest days. There is something magical in the power of the “pretties.”
2. Christmas equals mommy bakes- Yes I love to bake but the only time of year I get to do it properly is around the holidays. People never want homemade chocolate chip cookies in August because we are all still trying to look awesome in bathing suits. The Caveman not only experienced mommy’s amazing chocolate chip cookies but also the grasshopper bars (really the best thing you could put in your mouth) and the five-minute fudge. The one thing I wish I had the time to do this holiday was to make rice crispy treats with the Caveman. I want him to know the power that comes from understanding how with a few ingredients and a little time, love and patience you can create something amazing that can be shared. Think if more little boys were taught those things when they were cavemen how different the world would be.
3. Santa is not awesome- I am sure this will change but the picture says it all.
4. Church is fun during Christmas- Being new to a church a great way to get involved is to participate in the services and activities. My church exploded with activities from the Hanging of the Greens (a fancy way of saying decorating the church) to Santa’s house (we did not participate in this particular event because of said outing to the mall Santa above). My favorite holiday is the one hosted by Pastor Bugg (that is his real name I promise) in which grown up gets to drink and be merry. The Caveman and Alien will be safely at their non-crazy grandma’s (Big Papi’s mom).
The holidays have been quick this year- and way lower keyed than in the past for myself. I only entered a mall once and it was to visit Santa on a Tuesday and it was like a ghost town. I realize that this is the effect of the economic slowdown affecting our country but I still think it is a good thing for the most part. One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and it reminds me that this time of year is really about the people you surround yourself with not the things you buy. It is also a time of year to be reminded that miracles happen even if it is as simple as watching my two-year old look in amazement every time he happened to see Christmas lights twinkling, burning bright into the dark sky.
The holidays have been quick this year- and way lower keyed than in the past for myself. I only entered a mall once and it was to visit Santa on a Tuesday and it was like a ghost town. I realize that this is the effect of the economic slowdown affecting our country but I still think it is a good thing for the most part. One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and it reminds me that this time of year is really about the people you surround yourself with not the things you buy. It is also a time of year to be reminded that miracles happen even if it is as simple as watching my two-year old look in amazement every time he happened to see Christmas lights twinkling, burning bright into the dark sky.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow- Swedish Proverb
So the Alien went to the doctor today and thankfully Big Papi had the opportunity to attend because he is usually working when the kids go to the doctor.
I think fathers have figured out ways to get out of the haircuts, doctors, dentists appointments. Well I really shouldn’t say that because Big Papi is always willing to help out if I ask. I think that is the bigger problem; I am the one who has to arrange for things.
I am the concierge of my household if it is a reservation I am the one making it happen. Now, I know I could ask Big Papi to do the arranging but again I have to ask. This is a huge gap between fathers and mothers, because fathers really only care that the kids are breathing (and even that is questionable when in the middle of the night I will stay awake a creep over to the crib to ensure that the Alien is still breathing while Big Papi snores away dreaming of Angelina Jolie). Big Papi is also very concern that the Caveman is not messing with the Big Papi’s stuff (I have to remind Big Papi that the Caveman is a boy, and therefore his DNA is imprinted with the desire to play with things that light up and have buttons).
I, on the other hand, am a constant bundle of nerves, concerns and issues over my children. Are they eating enough? Are they eating enough of the good things? How much television is okay for the Caveman? How can I convince the Caveman that mommy and him do not have to listen to endless cycles of “Skinnamarink” in the car on the way to pre-school? If the Alien is warm is she getting sick? Will my children look back on their childhoods and have more happy memories than sad ones?
The thoughts are constantly streaming across my mind and get worse when someone mentions another kid screwing up. I want to ask them, where did you make the wrong turn. Did it start when you let them watch too much Sesame Street? Do you indulge your child too much before realizing that you shouldn’t? Or was it when you started to not watch their every move and let them go on their own? These are the things I worry about as a mother.
I wish I could be more like Big Papi, relaxed and calm- but I think for a good parenting relationship you need someone who is awake in the middle of the night checking to see if the Alien is still breathing.
I think fathers have figured out ways to get out of the haircuts, doctors, dentists appointments. Well I really shouldn’t say that because Big Papi is always willing to help out if I ask. I think that is the bigger problem; I am the one who has to arrange for things.
I am the concierge of my household if it is a reservation I am the one making it happen. Now, I know I could ask Big Papi to do the arranging but again I have to ask. This is a huge gap between fathers and mothers, because fathers really only care that the kids are breathing (and even that is questionable when in the middle of the night I will stay awake a creep over to the crib to ensure that the Alien is still breathing while Big Papi snores away dreaming of Angelina Jolie). Big Papi is also very concern that the Caveman is not messing with the Big Papi’s stuff (I have to remind Big Papi that the Caveman is a boy, and therefore his DNA is imprinted with the desire to play with things that light up and have buttons).
I, on the other hand, am a constant bundle of nerves, concerns and issues over my children. Are they eating enough? Are they eating enough of the good things? How much television is okay for the Caveman? How can I convince the Caveman that mommy and him do not have to listen to endless cycles of “Skinnamarink” in the car on the way to pre-school? If the Alien is warm is she getting sick? Will my children look back on their childhoods and have more happy memories than sad ones?
The thoughts are constantly streaming across my mind and get worse when someone mentions another kid screwing up. I want to ask them, where did you make the wrong turn. Did it start when you let them watch too much Sesame Street? Do you indulge your child too much before realizing that you shouldn’t? Or was it when you started to not watch their every move and let them go on their own? These are the things I worry about as a mother.
I wish I could be more like Big Papi, relaxed and calm- but I think for a good parenting relationship you need someone who is awake in the middle of the night checking to see if the Alien is still breathing.
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