"I'm not David, I'm Spider Man." This phrase is heard alot around our house these days. My son puts on Jon's winter gloves and suddenly transforms into a super hero, or a contractor (Handy Manny), or a fire fighter (which he still calls 'fighter fighters', and I love it). These black gloves are magical gloves that when worn transform him into anyone he chooses to be. Other than himself. Heaven forbid we forget which character he is currently playing; a frustrated David corrects us first before answering whatever question we had put to him.
When I look at my boys my heart swells with joy and love, and I just want to crush them to me in a gigantic hug. I think of preschool in September and try not to think of all the hurts, physical and emotional, that are bound to come their way in the school years. Sometimes I dwell too much on all the world can do to hurt them, make them feel inadequate, scare them... I've confessed my choking fears to my husband and he responded "well we can't keep them in a bubble for the rest of their lives". Which is true. I almost thought I needed to see a professional about this 'problem', until while organizing my mountain of books I found one I hadn't read yet. I picked it up, and started to read; almost immediately my irrational fears came to rest.
The book is called "Understanding your Divine Nature", by Grant Von Harrison. It is amazing! I would strongly recommend this book to anyone! One of my problems I think was that I am very possessive, so to speak, of my sons... I have wanted children for so long and now I look at them and they are so perfect, so wonderful, that I don't want anything bad to ever happen to my kids, my precious babies. Sound familiar? Well the first chapter of this book is about our premortal existance, and from page one things were put into perspective for me... eternal perspective. While I still don't want anything bad to happen to my precious babies, I am not consumed by the fear of all the horrible possibilities. I look at them and my heart still swells with joy and love, but I also have in mind their divine nature and know that there is One who loves them every bit as much as I do, probably infinately more...
David isn't wearing the gloves right now, but he is pretending to be a radio show host. Sitting right beside me while I type, he just said "I have a very special grown up with me today.... it's Mommy... " and pushed his makeshift mic toward me. How I love this boys' imagination!! And how I love enjoying these moments without suffocating from the fear of the ugly possibilities.
If you haven't read this book, do. Go out and buy it, read it, and mark it up. What a great reference to add to your collection. Even if you aren't a crazy lady like me the book is wonderful. I would keep plugging this literary work but I must run, I get to be a special guest on a radio show!!!
**'Understanding your Divine Nature' by Grant Von Harrison is a sequel to 'Drawing on the Powers of Heaven', by same author (I haven't read this book but plan to track it down! 'Understanding...' was a given to me to read while I was in the hospital on bed rest 3 years ago, which I didn't until now)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
How Does He Do It?
This morning I couldn't get back to sleep after my husband left for work. Benefits of waking up before my kids.... a long, hot, uninterrupted shower. Ahhhhhh. Getting dressed without someone banging on the door, shouting "MOM, MOMMY, MOMMEEEEE, Where is my Lightning McQueen??" which really translates to "Mom how dare you take personal time when I need you!"
I'll try to remember this relaxing start to the day when at 3:30 PM I am about to crash from exhaustion as a result of getting up at five-freakin-o'clock! I seriously don't know how my husband does it; he gets up so early, works a twelve-hr shift, comes home and still has energy to play indoor hockey with our sons, tease them, have tickle wars with them, and then watch the game, have supper, run backup for me as I try to get the boys down at bedtime, then go back out to the store if there's something I've forgotten.
On the few mornings (VERY few) that I can't get back to sleep and end up starting my day as early as my husband starts his, my afternoons suck. I can't nap... for some reason my body just feels sick post-nap. My stomach is queezy, I just feel yech! So I power through the day and usually have a grumpy, grumbly afternoon.
I don't know, maybe Jon has an hour between lunch and supper that just drags and he feels horribly tired and cranky. Most of the time when he gets home it doesn't show, though. He is some kind of amazing energy-conserver, with a pack on stand-by for when his boys want to play.
As for me, I'll be falling asleep at 8:30 tonight, as soon as the boys go to bed. Probably with a smile on my face, as usual when I snuggle down under the covers and relish my sleeeeeeep!
I'll try to remember this relaxing start to the day when at 3:30 PM I am about to crash from exhaustion as a result of getting up at five-freakin-o'clock! I seriously don't know how my husband does it; he gets up so early, works a twelve-hr shift, comes home and still has energy to play indoor hockey with our sons, tease them, have tickle wars with them, and then watch the game, have supper, run backup for me as I try to get the boys down at bedtime, then go back out to the store if there's something I've forgotten.
On the few mornings (VERY few) that I can't get back to sleep and end up starting my day as early as my husband starts his, my afternoons suck. I can't nap... for some reason my body just feels sick post-nap. My stomach is queezy, I just feel yech! So I power through the day and usually have a grumpy, grumbly afternoon.
I don't know, maybe Jon has an hour between lunch and supper that just drags and he feels horribly tired and cranky. Most of the time when he gets home it doesn't show, though. He is some kind of amazing energy-conserver, with a pack on stand-by for when his boys want to play.
As for me, I'll be falling asleep at 8:30 tonight, as soon as the boys go to bed. Probably with a smile on my face, as usual when I snuggle down under the covers and relish my sleeeeeeep!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Things of Beauty
Christmas is long over, the magic of that season lost in the whiteout. Life is back to normal, visiting family escaped back to the shelter of their lives, and decorations once again claiming space in the jungle that is our basement. Spring is still only a dream, flowers sleeping off the boredom and only a select few brave birds serenade. Someone save me!!
Since January is my least favorite month, I have decided to fend off winter craziness by looking for beauty in the blah. For instance, patches of blue sky after 2 solid weeks of grey overcast glumness. Beautiful! Wind blown snow from the roof that sparkles in the street lights... definately beautiful, and makes me think of pixie dust. Snow cap toppers on fence posts that the wind has carved and shaved until they resemble whip cream dollops. Okay, maybe not beautiful, but interesting to look at! The smiles on my sons' faces as they glide down the hill on their saucer sleds. Absolutely beautiful!!
In case my readers think this is enough to beat the insanity, I assure you it isn't and I have other plans. Swimming, for starters; waterslides and friends, then pizza afterward-- what could be better in January? (For those stuck here without the luxury of trips to warmer climates, I mean.) Then there is always the barbecue, sitting out there so lonely... simply dust the snow off and throw the steaks on. The smell alone is beauty. I also have in the planning folder of my brain a Girlfriends Mexican Night. Mmmmm, enchiladas! That may just have to wait. February will definately need some help..
Since January is my least favorite month, I have decided to fend off winter craziness by looking for beauty in the blah. For instance, patches of blue sky after 2 solid weeks of grey overcast glumness. Beautiful! Wind blown snow from the roof that sparkles in the street lights... definately beautiful, and makes me think of pixie dust. Snow cap toppers on fence posts that the wind has carved and shaved until they resemble whip cream dollops. Okay, maybe not beautiful, but interesting to look at! The smiles on my sons' faces as they glide down the hill on their saucer sleds. Absolutely beautiful!!
In case my readers think this is enough to beat the insanity, I assure you it isn't and I have other plans. Swimming, for starters; waterslides and friends, then pizza afterward-- what could be better in January? (For those stuck here without the luxury of trips to warmer climates, I mean.) Then there is always the barbecue, sitting out there so lonely... simply dust the snow off and throw the steaks on. The smell alone is beauty. I also have in the planning folder of my brain a Girlfriends Mexican Night. Mmmmm, enchiladas! That may just have to wait. February will definately need some help..
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Primetime Blues
I used to be a huge fan of 'reality' television. When Survivor came out I didn't miss an episode. The Amazing Race, Big Brother - even the first Bachelor, were all on my Must Not Miss list. (Ok, so Big Brother still is.)
Ten years later I cannot believe how overrun my digital guide is with so-called reality television! Dance shows, talent searches, reno and decorating catastrophies, vying for love lies, even just total smut like Jersey Shore!! I mean, COME ON!!! It's all just blah, blah, blah - the bullet train to Dullsville. I'm so done with it!
This dreary winter I will break out of the blues. I will instead soak up the beautiful scenery and excitement found in Hawaii 5-0. I will laugh my ass off at How I Met Your Mother reruns. I will even let the occasional tear escape for victims in Criminal Minds. (Yes, I can be an overemotional loser)
I may be found peeking in on Survivorman, though, because you just never know... that info could come in handy.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Go Team Go
The other night while my husband and I were enjoying dinner out, in an actual restaurant, I made a bet. I bet my husband $50 that the Edmonton Oilers would make it to the second round of playoffs this season. On what basis? My logic is that you can't lose forever. Our baseball team did crappy, our football team isn't doing well, and the Oilers hockey club has been on a down streak for a few years. It makes sense to me, you just can't lose forever. So I made this bet, which Jon accepted.
While I am not a die-hard hockey fan, I grew up with it. When I was little Saturday night, a.k.a. Hockey Night In Canada, was always background noise for me. It bored me, while keeping my Dad and brothers glued to the screen. As I grew up though the sounds of Hockey Night In Canada were music to my ears. When I make comments to my brothers, father, or husband, like "so-and-so is playing well" they come back at me with stats, figures, charts and trade possibilities. I don't understand any of it, but I love the 'music'.
It's back. Preseason games, but still that background music that feels like home and puts a warm smile in my heart is back. I may not understand the intricacies of hockey clubs, but I understand the basics of the game. And I have bet my husband. So Oilers, you better deliver! We are due a cup, and I want my fifty bucks.
While I am not a die-hard hockey fan, I grew up with it. When I was little Saturday night, a.k.a. Hockey Night In Canada, was always background noise for me. It bored me, while keeping my Dad and brothers glued to the screen. As I grew up though the sounds of Hockey Night In Canada were music to my ears. When I make comments to my brothers, father, or husband, like "so-and-so is playing well" they come back at me with stats, figures, charts and trade possibilities. I don't understand any of it, but I love the 'music'.
It's back. Preseason games, but still that background music that feels like home and puts a warm smile in my heart is back. I may not understand the intricacies of hockey clubs, but I understand the basics of the game. And I have bet my husband. So Oilers, you better deliver! We are due a cup, and I want my fifty bucks.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Killing Time...
Well I made it through the first 2 days okay. Those of you who read my last post know that my boys are with their grandma for 2 weeks. The first couple of mornings waking up without those smiles were rough but I'm pulling through! (chuckle)
While my wonderful mother-in-law was here she purchased a bunk-bed set for my boys as their birthday present. The past few days I have been cleaning out their room to get ready for the delivery of the beds. Down came the cribs, which without front rails served very well as toddler beds. I wasn't even emotional (unusual for me) while I dismantled the cribs, only reflective on the past 3 years. I thought of when the boys were so tiny I had them sleep in the same crib, then as they grew separating them (which for some reason was tough to do), and finally when the rails came down and the boys were free to come and go as they pleased (boy was THAT fun!).
After the cribs were out it was organizing toys and clothes - I had a lot of pants and shirts in regular circulation that were too small for them. This, with toys and clothes organized in the closet, left an empty room save for their basketball net. It's so strange to not only have a very, VERY quiet house but also an empty boys room! I just finished vacuuming and washing the walls. Ready for the new bunks to come! That will be a fun job, assembly.... haha. Then it won't be a toddler room anymore but a Big Boy Room!
So for once in my life I got my work done before I played, and now I have a few days to do the fun stuff! Meeting up with friends, shopping, and decorating the walls in the boys room. Yay!
On a separate topic, thank you to those who've inquired about my parents. They are doing well, really enjoying their mission to Nauvoo. When they aren't working in the temple they have been bike riding around the countryside and working a garden. Their mission ends on Nov. 1st and they will be returning shortly thereafter. :)
While my wonderful mother-in-law was here she purchased a bunk-bed set for my boys as their birthday present. The past few days I have been cleaning out their room to get ready for the delivery of the beds. Down came the cribs, which without front rails served very well as toddler beds. I wasn't even emotional (unusual for me) while I dismantled the cribs, only reflective on the past 3 years. I thought of when the boys were so tiny I had them sleep in the same crib, then as they grew separating them (which for some reason was tough to do), and finally when the rails came down and the boys were free to come and go as they pleased (boy was THAT fun!).
After the cribs were out it was organizing toys and clothes - I had a lot of pants and shirts in regular circulation that were too small for them. This, with toys and clothes organized in the closet, left an empty room save for their basketball net. It's so strange to not only have a very, VERY quiet house but also an empty boys room! I just finished vacuuming and washing the walls. Ready for the new bunks to come! That will be a fun job, assembly.... haha. Then it won't be a toddler room anymore but a Big Boy Room!
So for once in my life I got my work done before I played, and now I have a few days to do the fun stuff! Meeting up with friends, shopping, and decorating the walls in the boys room. Yay!
On a separate topic, thank you to those who've inquired about my parents. They are doing well, really enjoying their mission to Nauvoo. When they aren't working in the temple they have been bike riding around the countryside and working a garden. Their mission ends on Nov. 1st and they will be returning shortly thereafter. :)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Vacation
In a week & a half my boys will be 3. It's really hard to believe how fast time flies; I know it's only three and those of you with older kids are probably rolling your eyes at that last sentence... but it really does fly. Seems like they were only born last week, just started crawling last week, spoke their first word last week... and now they will be three.
The point of this post is not to reminisce over the past 3 years; the point of this is .... drum roll please... when Grandma Cindy leaves a day or two after the birthday party she's taking my boys with her for about 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! This post is a celebration of my first real vacation in 3 years.
I did take a weekend off when the boys were 8 months, Jon and I went with some friends to Banff and Grandpa Ron & Grandma Terry watched our boys for the weekend. But they were so young that even though I had fun in Banff my thoughts were mostly on David and JD. This will be a real vacation in that I have time .. time for a bubble bath, time to actually get walls washed, baseboards scrubbed, carpets cleaned (doesn't sound like a vacation, does it? But when none of that gets done uninterrupted, it will be so nice to take on a project I can actually finish!) , heck, I'll have time to go to the bathroom without hearing "MOM! MOM, WHERE ARE YOU?" .
I am so excited. And not in the least worried. Grandma Cindy has this in the bag! Plus if in any way it is a problem, or the boys are homesick, or I miss them too much we just have to cut the visit short. My mother-in-law is so excited since she only gets to see the boys once, maybe twice a year. They know her and miss her, talk on the phone with her a lot, so I am not worried- they will have a great time.
And all the stuff I can do!!!!! This house needs an overhaul, and I can sleep in and still get tons of cleaning done. Maybe I'll wax the floors. Maybe I'll meet friends for lunch. Maybe I'll cook my husband a gourmet meal to be ready when he gets home from work. Maybe I'll ..... the possibilities are endless!
The point of this post is not to reminisce over the past 3 years; the point of this is .... drum roll please... when Grandma Cindy leaves a day or two after the birthday party she's taking my boys with her for about 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! This post is a celebration of my first real vacation in 3 years.
I did take a weekend off when the boys were 8 months, Jon and I went with some friends to Banff and Grandpa Ron & Grandma Terry watched our boys for the weekend. But they were so young that even though I had fun in Banff my thoughts were mostly on David and JD. This will be a real vacation in that I have time .. time for a bubble bath, time to actually get walls washed, baseboards scrubbed, carpets cleaned (doesn't sound like a vacation, does it? But when none of that gets done uninterrupted, it will be so nice to take on a project I can actually finish!) , heck, I'll have time to go to the bathroom without hearing "MOM! MOM, WHERE ARE YOU?" .
I am so excited. And not in the least worried. Grandma Cindy has this in the bag! Plus if in any way it is a problem, or the boys are homesick, or I miss them too much we just have to cut the visit short. My mother-in-law is so excited since she only gets to see the boys once, maybe twice a year. They know her and miss her, talk on the phone with her a lot, so I am not worried- they will have a great time.
And all the stuff I can do!!!!! This house needs an overhaul, and I can sleep in and still get tons of cleaning done. Maybe I'll wax the floors. Maybe I'll meet friends for lunch. Maybe I'll cook my husband a gourmet meal to be ready when he gets home from work. Maybe I'll ..... the possibilities are endless!
 |
| Last year, Grandma Cindy reading to the crazy-hair boys! |
Saturday, September 4, 2010
My Firefighters
I want to send a big THANK YOU out to the New York City Fire Department for realizing that kids love fire trucks and making a video about the job of being a hero.
My boys are crazy about firefighters (or fighterfighters, as David calls them) and while in Walmart the other day I found a video. It's called 'All About Big Red Fire Engines' or something like that... sounded about perfect so I bought it. David and JD LOVE it!!
The FDNY made this video 15 years ago; firefighters go through every tool on the truck and explain how it works and what it's used for (including the saws and Jaws of Life, which at first I thought would scare them but it didn't), then does the same for all the gear the firefighters wear and why, finally showing the trucks and firefighters in action going to a fire scene. HOW INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!!
Now the boys run around putting on imaginary gear and jump in their firetrucks and race to a scene. David will put his hand up to his ear and say "Oh no! I hear a fire! I better go!" and then take off running to the rescue. It's so adorable, I love it. As a birthday present I want to find them firefighter costumes, they would freak out!!
My boys are crazy about firefighters (or fighterfighters, as David calls them) and while in Walmart the other day I found a video. It's called 'All About Big Red Fire Engines' or something like that... sounded about perfect so I bought it. David and JD LOVE it!!
The FDNY made this video 15 years ago; firefighters go through every tool on the truck and explain how it works and what it's used for (including the saws and Jaws of Life, which at first I thought would scare them but it didn't), then does the same for all the gear the firefighters wear and why, finally showing the trucks and firefighters in action going to a fire scene. HOW INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!!
Now the boys run around putting on imaginary gear and jump in their firetrucks and race to a scene. David will put his hand up to his ear and say "Oh no! I hear a fire! I better go!" and then take off running to the rescue. It's so adorable, I love it. As a birthday present I want to find them firefighter costumes, they would freak out!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Got Junk?
It is a rainy, cool day today, and while I have to get the boys outside later to burn off energy (let's face it, that's a necessity with children!) for now we are organizing. It doesn't take long for clutter to appear in day-to-day life, unless you are one of those excessively tidy people. (I have dropped in on a friend or two to return an item, only to find a SPOTLESS home behind their front door - that is NOT me!) In our household clutter gathers at a speedy rate and grows, finding a comfortable habitat. So we are organizing.
As I am organizing I realize that what I am organizing is... junk. Yup, junk that we do not use, or no longer use at least. Coats that no longer fit the boys which they love to free from the closet and fling around the room. Blankets used primarily for tents and forts, which have holes and/or are so old they haven't been used in the capacity they were made for for quite some time. Baby toys which I have confiscated, but not given/thrown away, have been found repeatedly and strewn around the house. Trinkets. Old suitcases. Flyers I save for Jon to read, which he doesn't get around to, and even though they are now out-of-date I still save for him to read... you get the idea.
So this is my fall project. Get rid of the junk! And it's not garage-sale material, even the baby toys which I will give to good will instead. It's mainly junk! Toys and coats will be given to good will or the annual Coats for Kids drive. Everything else? TO THE DUMP!!!! I look around and speculate on how much nicer our house will feel, how much more like a HOME it will feel, once the junk is not spread around like pixie dust. I could breathe again....
As I am organizing I realize that what I am organizing is... junk. Yup, junk that we do not use, or no longer use at least. Coats that no longer fit the boys which they love to free from the closet and fling around the room. Blankets used primarily for tents and forts, which have holes and/or are so old they haven't been used in the capacity they were made for for quite some time. Baby toys which I have confiscated, but not given/thrown away, have been found repeatedly and strewn around the house. Trinkets. Old suitcases. Flyers I save for Jon to read, which he doesn't get around to, and even though they are now out-of-date I still save for him to read... you get the idea.
So this is my fall project. Get rid of the junk! And it's not garage-sale material, even the baby toys which I will give to good will instead. It's mainly junk! Toys and coats will be given to good will or the annual Coats for Kids drive. Everything else? TO THE DUMP!!!! I look around and speculate on how much nicer our house will feel, how much more like a HOME it will feel, once the junk is not spread around like pixie dust. I could breathe again....
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