Monday, March 30, 2009

Update...

The tooth came out at lunch today while my son was at Kindergarten! Woo-hoo!

My husband reminded me about the rest of the tooth history:
- Tooth 1 for my little boy came out in a wrestling match with big sister. (It was already loose but it does sort of sum up the level of activity in our house.)
- Tooth 2 he pulled out by himself with dental floss. (Shudder.)
- I think that if this isn't tooth 3, then tooth 3 also came out in some sort of food. And of course, today's came out while he was chomping on ice at lunch. (See - he must take after me with the ice-chomping.)

Oh - and another update is that my daughter made 3 runs at her kickball game today!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, baaaaabbbbyyyy......!
Up to bat 3 times, on base 3 times, and 3 runs. That's my girl!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Mom Stuff

So I've finally come to realize the (rather obvious) fact that I'm not necessarily a good mom or a bad mom - I'm just a woman who is able to do some "mom things" well - but other "mom things" just aren't my cup of tea. Last week I took my eldest to a Sara Bareilles concert here in town. She was playing at the rodeo, thus the cowgirl hats in the picture over yonder. We had a great time. I'm also having a great time cheering her on with her kickball. (Kudos to my husband, who thought it would be a good sport for her - he was right on target with that idea.)

So I'll give myself some credit for the role I've played in introducing my kids to lots of different kinds of music, art, literature and we're even finally getting some athletics into our lives. Good for us. I've got that down.

I absolutely do not have some of the other mom stuff down and probably never will. Case in point: loose teeth. I appear to be physically and emotionally incapable of pulling out my children's teeth. My mom had it down to a fine art. I didn't like it very much, but she was able to loop that dental floss like an expert and pull those teeth right out. Loop. Tug. Yank. Pop. Tooth Fairy. Simple as pie.

Me? Not so much.

When my daughter had her first loose tooth (in preschool - she was little, my kids got their teeth early and starting losing them early), we were visiting my parents in Waco and my mom and brother were mortified that I'd let her tooth get that loose without pulling it out. Apparently it could be a choking hazard at night. (I'm good at feeling the mom guilt too...have I mentioned that mom skill??) So my mom pulled my daughter's first tooth. And maybe some of her others also. I'm not sure. I know one of her teeth just came out in a corn dog. My mom is also the only one who ever clipped my babies' fingernails because for some reason that just freaked me out and I couldn't do it.

My son has lost a few teeth already, although he's such a little man that he generally just takes care of it himself. He pulled his first or second one out by himself. With dental floss...before his dad could even get upstairs with the video camera.

Tonight he has another loose tooth and it's really loose. He asked me to pull it. Bless his little heart. All I could manage to do was to sort-of, kind-of wiggle it. I was able to loop the dental floss around his tooth (although for the life of me, I have no idea how my mom is able to do that cool little lasso thing with the floss) but he had to pull. And...I couldn't even watch while he tugged on his tooth. I was feeling faint just sitting next to him on his bed while he worked on his tooth.

So, to sum up:
- music, literature, cheering at kickball, having fun, and even handling regular and non-regular medical emergencies with my kids is right up my alley
- pulling teeth and clipping baby nails intimidates me beyond all reason

There's probably some deep psychological reason for this, but I don't think I want to know what it is.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Why are there so many songs....







...about rainbows?


I've always loved that song. Honestly.


I meant to update my posting from the 25th with this picture because, after I left the bakery on the day of the huge hailstorm - I saw this gorgeous rainbow and snapped a picture with my Blackberry as I was finally going home.

The biblical story of the rainbow is one which means a lot to me, although I interpret it slightly differently than I was taught in Sunday School. (To those of you who know me well, this shouldn't surprise you in the least.) I was never very comfortable with the idea that God would choose to destroy the world because He'd given up on humanity. Not that I'd really blame Him, of course - we haven't inspired much hope in that regard - HOWEVER...that doesn't fit my idea of God. I mean, really - what's the point of a God who loses his temper and patience just like I did during my last 48 hours in Disney World? You might as well have a middle-aged, stressed out Mom as an all-knowing, all-seeing deity if that's going to be His reaction. It just doesn't seem to mesh with my faith.

In my heart, the rainbow represents the idea that even when things are completely stormy and we are in the darkest place ever, we only need to let a little bit of light into our hearts and we will then be blessed with the most beautiful sight in the world. Rainbows are even more stunning against dark clouds because they are luminescent. So even when my life is very dark, the little ribbon of love that comes through is that much more beautiful.



And...who wouldn't smile at a rainbow? I absolutely gasped aloud with joy when I saw this one. Just try to not have a spiritual revelation or at least an overwhelming sense of peace/love/joy when you look at a rainbow - I dare you. :)

Oh - I also dare you to interpret Bible stories in your own way. You might be pleasantly surprised with the messages you find!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Careful what you wish for, Texas...

So, Texas has been in a drought for a while. A long while. I'm really glad the weather broke, but wish it had chosen to do so, like, one hour later. Traffic was horrible on the way home as the storm clouds gathered. I'm a Central Texas girl, and as I passed Camp Mabry, I noticed the distinctive beginnings of wall clouds. Not what one wants to see as one is commuting home in the slowest traffic ever.

Then I get a call from my vigilant husband, who informs me that the hail was coming down at our house (a little further north) and I needed to get off the highway to wait out the storm.

So...I'm sitting at a bakery (which THANKFULLY serves awesome tomato bisque soup...I mean, really - the best I've ever tasted), eating my dinner, watching the rain (thank goodness there's no hail at this location), and waiting for the "all clear" to get back on the road. Apparently the hail was golf-ball sized at our house. Yikes.

It is cozy, in a way. And at least these Texas storms move pretty quickly. Within about 15 minutes, I should be able to get back out on the road. And...my yard is happier. So, like I always say at work: "silver linings...." (You have to picture me making a circle with both my hands as I say that to get the full effect.)

I do wish I was home with my kiddos, but I will be soon (Lord willin' and the creek don't rise...). If I hadn't stopped off, I would not have discovered this unbelievable soup. So Life's still good.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Read this book....

I might be slightly neglectful of my blog for a bit, but I just had to say that on the flight back from Orlando, I finished the book "A Year of Living Biblically." I got more from this book than I can even describe. It was awesome. It's billed as a humor book and it definitely has some funny moments and is easy to read - but it affected me profoundly. I highly recommend it to anyone who is trying to figure out how to walk a more spiritual life.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Going Home After My Pooh Hug....


I'm in the Orlando Airport as I type this and almost out of battery power. What I really wanted more than anything was a hug from Pooh Bear - and I got it! Here's the proof - a picture from the 18th....more later!


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Magic Kingdom


We've spent the last two days in the Magic Kingdom. Here I am on the 17th (St. Patrick's Day) as I look from the little Tinker Bell store towards the wonderful castle. I've been exhausted each night so I haven't had much time to blog.
During the last 24 hours in particular, my patience with my family has started to wear thin. I feel pretty guilty about that. I'm sure it's because I've thrown myself into this trip so much and have put a lot of effort into it, so I'm coming to the end of my energy level. Thank goodness I'll have a weekend to rest once I'm back in Austin! I just need to hold it together for my long-suffering family for just a few more days. Case in point: my husband kept re-cropping this picture for me, because he wanted it to look just right. That was so sweet of him, but I finally snapped and basically told him to get over it already and just give me the picture!! (Oops. I do feel bad about it - if that means anything at all...)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Erin go bragh!!!!

Ireland forever, that is. Happy St. Patrick's Day! I only have a moment before I need to wake up my kids to get ready for our entry into the Magic Kingdom today. Yea! What perfection. I get to walk through Cinderella's Castle on the ultimate day of celebrating who I am. (An Irish Woman, that is....)

Hope you are all wearing green today!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Liftoff!


Today started off well (we got to sleep in a bit before the kids' Pirate Adventure at Disney)...then it turned sour (my little boy got quite sick - asthma and the sinus infection seemed to come back so he and I came back to the hotel early and I was very worried)...then it turned up again (after a nap, he perked up enough to go to the pool).

At the pool, we were able to see the most amazing thing - a shuttle launch! Seriously - it might be the highlight of our vacation. This is probably one of the best things about being married to a geek...he's always TOTALLY up on things like shuttle launches, especially if he's within spittin' distance of them!


Friday, March 13, 2009

At Disney....



We made it and it's MUCH nicer in Florida than it was in Texas (considering the cold front that hit Austin a few days ago). I couldn't deny the kids a dip in the pool even though I was basically blue from getting in a pool when it was 83 degrees outside. Still, you gotta love the fact that we made it to Disney.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Good News/Bad News

Good News:
I'm going to Disney World tomorrow, baby!!!
It's not supposed to be cold and wet in Florida!
I'm packed! (My husband isn't, but he will be - and his clothes won't be wrinkled like mine.)
NO WORK UNTIL MARCH 23RD......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad News:
At my doctor check-up today, it was theorized that perhaps I've gained weight because I'm getting older so my metabolism is changing. "That's what happens as we get closer to 40...." (AAARRRRRGGGHHH!!!) Perhaps I'll think about that one after my vacation.

Actually - that's the only bad news that really comes to mind right now - because I am getting ready to go to the perfect place for a girl who still believes in fairy tales. I'll try to blog from there. My only true goal is to get an actual hug from Pooh Bear (we're having lunch with him one day so I have a shot at it). So wish me luck- I'll let you know if it happens.

Tomorrow, tomorrow - I love you....tomorrow!!

March 12, 2009 – We leave for Disney tomorrow!

I gave in to my kids last night and gave them their “pre-trip presents.” (Not that they had to twist my arm very much – I've been DYING to show them the activities I bought for the plane!) It was an awesome Mom Moment because they were so, so appreciative and excited. (“Mom – you are the BEST!! I just LOVE this stuff!!!”.....aaahhhh....as I glow......)

It's kind of funny because most of the stuff in their plane packs was from the dollar section of Michael's or the clearance section of Office Depot. They spent about an hour last night working in their workbooks (thank goodness I got them lots of stuff – or else they would finish the activities before we even GET to the airport!) and they also worked in their books this morning.

Here's a picture of our couch with the airplane stuff spread all over it. (Yes, I'll put it in my carry-on tonight!)
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Just for the heck of it, I took a closeup of some of their work as well! This probably only means something to me, as their mom, but since it's my pre-trip report I decided to go ahead and record for posterity the cute little word circles my son made on his Disney word search book (he's in Kinder) and the work my 4th grade girl did in her book. (Here's a question to ponder: why is it FUN for her to do math in this workbook I got her for the trip but it's totally un-fun for her to do her math homework??? Hmmmm.....)
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Rain, rain...

I'm posting as I sit in my car, crawling down MoPac. The cold, wet weather seems to create moderate traffic complications. (...sarcasm...in case it wasn't clear...)

Cold, wet weather causes problems for me too. It never ceases to amaze me how blue I get when the clouds roll in. Of course, listening to Joni Mitchell probably isn't helping matters here. (Sigh)

Music is a very precise form of therapy for me. Perky music certainly lifts my spirits BUT I've learned that I can't just pop in Pop music when I'm quite blue. I have to take myself through the 'stages' to get where I need to be. Kind of like the stages of grief, I guess - although I can go through them pretty fast with the right playlist. I have to sing my story, you know? I've had entire playlists devoted togoing from blue to pink (so to speak). Unfortunately, my iPod is maxed out and I had to drop some playlists. So I'm relying on a CD now. In case you're curious I'm now at the Seasons of Love stage of my progression. I'm making better emotional progress than physical progress. Yikes. This will be the longest commute ever. No doubt. Well - thank goodness for Rent.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Smell the Wisteria.....

I adore the smell of Mountain Laurel and Wisteria. I mean I really, really, really can't get enough of it.

Last summer, I bought myself a used red convertible. That purchase was, as pointed out by a number of my friends, probably a classic case of mid-life crisis. It's cool and fun and just plain awesome. (Although my kid brother recently tried to RUIN it for me by telling me it was an "old lady" car -- argh! Kid brothers!!!!!)

The best thing about this convertible just came to light during the last few days. As I am driving down the street, I will catch a whiff of wisteria and it is HEAVENLY! It is such a powerful smell, that even if I'm on the access road to 183, I'll catch the scent (granted, I have a very sensitive nose) and it brings a smile to my face. I have to tell you - even if you don't have a convertible, you should drive around with your windows open over the next few weeks. The weather in Austin is gorgeous (well, until the next cold front comes in around Thursday) and the flowers smell fabulous.

So as the saying goes, stop and smell the roses. Or - in this case - drive and smell the wisteria!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Davis Disco

I just got home from the Davis Disco (the fun dance and silent auction fundraiser for my kids' elementary school). Last year at this social event of the season, I was the dancing queen. This year I'm a little bit beat from getting ready for Disney and maybe just being a year older...so I was more of the dancing contessa - not quite so crazy but still jumping around quite a bit.

Well - that is until my little boy fell on the dance floor from chasing one of his friends and I had to bring him home early. He was wild and crazy until his wipe out, however. AND he asked his little friend Sofia to dance after I suggested he do so...too, too cute for words.

Here's an interesting factoid. They promised to only play G-rated music for the dance (which is, of course, a wise move). Since it's one of my all-time favorite dance tunes, I was extremely happy to learn that Love Shack is a G-rated song. Who knew??? I guess the G-rating is less dependent on the actual TOPIC covered in the song and more dependent on whether or not there are explicit lyrics.

Well, I'd better stop writing because I'm being called to the floor to play with an electric speed ball game I won in the raffle. (Luck was with me - I bought 20 raffle tickets and as of the last time I checked in with my husband, I'd won 3 prizes. This happens to me every once in a while - if I was smart I'd run out and buy a lottery ticket on nights like this. But...I'm already in my PJs, so I really don't feel like getting out again.)

Friday, March 6, 2009

Less Cool Than You Might Think...

Things that seemed cool in Jr. High/High School that are actually kind of un-cool:

1. Moonlighting - I totally adored that show when it was originally on, but recently rented the first few shows and was shocked to find out that it's actually pretty bad.

2. Porsche 911s - Used to want one of those really bad. I'm sure plenty of people still think those are cool cars (like my husband, for example) but now I just see them as kind of tacky.

3. Blue eyeshadow - 'nuff said on that one. Yes, I grew up in the 80's.

4. Perms - see #3, above.

5. Tom Cruise - I have major issues with this guy. Now, to my credit, I was never obsessed with him. Harrison Ford was my guy back then. But I did think he was kind of cool and really liked Top Gun (yet another item that deserves to be on this list).

6. Flowers in the Attic (shudder)

I'm sure there are plenty of other things as well...but that's what occurs to me at the moment.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Mocha Ruins a Perfect Evening


Have you ever had one of those evenings that works SO perfectly? When everything is just as you imagined it? Well...we ALMOST had one of those evenings.

My husband wanted to go out to eat - so I suggested Galaxy Cafe at the Triangle. I'd really been wanting to take the family there and the evening was just perfect for sitting outside. I'd simply raved about their mac and cheese - to the point where I was afraid there was no way it could live up to the billing I was giving it. (I mean, after all - it wasn't Kraft mac and cheese...so how could the kids possibly like it...sigh...) But, what do you know - they liked it!

Afterwards we walked around to the open area and discovered this fun jumping fountain. While my youngest played in it for a while, my daughter and I walked over to some dogs in the dog park to make friends with them and their owners.

Like I said - it was so perfect.

Until, that is, the MOCHA. The kids wanted dessert - so I suggested Mandola's. My daughter picked a huge cream puff and my son picked a huge piece of mocha cake. This cake was gorgeous. Seriously - it was amazing. It looked so good, as a matter of fact, that after he'd done all the damage he could do to it - I ate two bites of it. As we left that restaurant, my little boy began to crater. It was bizarre, he was so emotional. I shortly realized that my heart was racing and my stomach was spinning from just 2 bites of that cake, so I could only imagine what his little 6-year-old body (ok, ok....it's a BIG 6-year-old body) was doing with all that sugar and caffeine.

We're home now and things have luckily calmed down. Well, other than the loud laughter that's coming from the kids' bathroom as they brush their teeth. I don't even want to know where the toothpaste will end up tonight. I just need to remember to NOT look at the ceiling. What I don't know won't annoy me.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The Truth Is Out There

Admittedly, I am an "x-phile" - however, the title of this posting has nothing to do with Mulder's poster (athough it was cool in a goofy sort of way). I'm going through one of those periods of life where I'm seeing "truths." This is happening to me even when I don't want to see the truth. Which is much less fun than one might imagine - even if one is blessed with profound insights during the process.

Because I am such a giving soul and because this is my only remaining therapy (I tend to confuse human therapists, whereas my blog peacefully accepts my ramblings), I decided to share some of the truth that I'm facing.

1. I have major body image issues.
2. There are a lot of articles out there about the risk to girls because of how society (for lack of a better word) "objectifies" women.
3. I know I need to be a better model for my daughter but I'm scared to death because I have no idea how to help her when I don't know how to help myself in this regard.
4. Actually, nevermind - I guess #3 wasn't quite true - I do know how to help myself. I'm just a little overwhelmed at the prospect.

and the ultimate, most profound, and most difficult to accept "truth" that there is for me....

5. I will never be perfect. As a matter of fact, at times I will really screw stuff up.

This is what I get for doing Lent, you know. I committed to daily prayer/meditation every morning and sure enough - BANG! Sudden, painful insights. I feel as if I was hit by some form of philosophical molotav cocktail. You know how they say that you should only ask the question if you're sure you really want the answer?

Good advice, that.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

The Pep Talk



My eldest had her first kickball practice today and man, I really wish I'd had this as a kid. She's going to be pushed, she'll be expected to perform and she's definitely going to learn what teamwork is all about.


It's hard, because as a parent - at times like these I want to make sure that my kids know they need to take this all in and give it their best shot. But...ultimately we all have to decide how hard we're going to work. That's the joy of life, right? You're wisdom generally only comes with hindsight.


I left realizing that I need someone to push me a lot harder than I'm willing to push myself - especially in terms of exercise. Obviously - that's why people hire personal trainers. So I guess I need to find my own coach, who'll be willing to give me a pep talk and push me beyond my comfort zone.