Monday, June 29, 2009
The realization of the effects of growing up
This past weekend we packed up the vehicle with kids, a change of clothes, and a cooler full of capri suns and headed East. "East" was the direction of Vernon, Texas and the destination of the weekend family gathering also known as a "family reunion." After rolling into town and finding the correct church to head to, we all poured out of the car ready to see the faces of loved ones we had not seen in years.
Among these faces were some of Hubby's cousins that we had not seen in well over 2 years. This doesn't seem like a long time but given the fact that new marriages have taken place, some marriages have dissolved, and babies have born...it has been too long!! The afternoon brought the same family reunion rituals I think all families practice. There was the fried chicken lunch with at least one side dish item you weren't certain about but you go ahead and eat it and discover how yummy it was. There was also the annoying hold your smile until your cheeks crack photography session. And to top it off, the small children running around while the older kids play their hand held video games quietly in the corner (we have some of those kids! yes!)
The afternoon drew to a close and our motley crew retreated back to the cool comfort of our hotel. It would be here that the real fun was had.
It wasn't that all hell broke loose or that something happened that would be talked about for ages occurred. It was simply that during the course of the evening and into the night, the effects of becoming older and growing up appeared. No longer where the cousins the rag tag crew of young kids, we were now grown adults with kids.
This was the first time in probably about 13 years that many of us gathered in one spot for 5 hours and just talked. Granted a little drink took place and the clock quickly showed the "AM" side of things, the main thing and the most glorious thing was that we just talked.
Memories were shared and laughter ensued. It was a beautiful thing to be apart of and a wonderful thing to behold. It was the re-tying of family bonds that time had untied just a bit. After everyone left our room (yes, we old married couples can still host a party!) the hubby and I commented the laughter that had filled our hotel suite.
It is a shame that growing up means often that you grow apart. We are all so eager to grow up and move on to bigger and better things that often those things we move from are the bigger and better. This weekend I watched my husband reconnect with cousins that he spent not only vacations and holidays with, but also tears of joy and sadness and family crisis. We lamented the fact that we rarely see them any more but the realization set of "well, when would we otherwise?" It was then the realization that set in that growing up isn't always the best effect on life...
Among these faces were some of Hubby's cousins that we had not seen in well over 2 years. This doesn't seem like a long time but given the fact that new marriages have taken place, some marriages have dissolved, and babies have born...it has been too long!! The afternoon brought the same family reunion rituals I think all families practice. There was the fried chicken lunch with at least one side dish item you weren't certain about but you go ahead and eat it and discover how yummy it was. There was also the annoying hold your smile until your cheeks crack photography session. And to top it off, the small children running around while the older kids play their hand held video games quietly in the corner (we have some of those kids! yes!)
The afternoon drew to a close and our motley crew retreated back to the cool comfort of our hotel. It would be here that the real fun was had.
It wasn't that all hell broke loose or that something happened that would be talked about for ages occurred. It was simply that during the course of the evening and into the night, the effects of becoming older and growing up appeared. No longer where the cousins the rag tag crew of young kids, we were now grown adults with kids.
This was the first time in probably about 13 years that many of us gathered in one spot for 5 hours and just talked. Granted a little drink took place and the clock quickly showed the "AM" side of things, the main thing and the most glorious thing was that we just talked.
Memories were shared and laughter ensued. It was a beautiful thing to be apart of and a wonderful thing to behold. It was the re-tying of family bonds that time had untied just a bit. After everyone left our room (yes, we old married couples can still host a party!) the hubby and I commented the laughter that had filled our hotel suite.
It is a shame that growing up means often that you grow apart. We are all so eager to grow up and move on to bigger and better things that often those things we move from are the bigger and better. This weekend I watched my husband reconnect with cousins that he spent not only vacations and holidays with, but also tears of joy and sadness and family crisis. We lamented the fact that we rarely see them any more but the realization set of "well, when would we otherwise?" It was then the realization that set in that growing up isn't always the best effect on life...
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Top of the Pyramid
I'm a very fortunate lady as the man I married still after all these years knows how to treat me like a queen. I know that I don't always shower him with such love and adoration so there are many times I feel quite undeserving.
The Hubby somewhat joked some time ago that his life is a pyramid and I'm at the top of that pyramid. He basically repeated that after watching a Seal interview in which Seal stated that his wife, Heidi Klume, is at the top of his pyramid. I like the idea of being compared to Heidi Klume so anytime Hubby says that I'm at the top of the pyramid, I tend to just shut up and agree.
Apparently my youngest, Goober Girl, is not happy that Mommy is often at the top of the pyramid. She announced that other day in the car that she was at the top of the pyramid. I turned around and asked "oh really?? But Mommy is at the top of the pyramid!" Goober Girl stopped and thought about it and then changed her mind.
"Mommy, you can be at the top of the pyramid with me. I can sit in your lap."
Compromise...works for me!
The Hubby somewhat joked some time ago that his life is a pyramid and I'm at the top of that pyramid. He basically repeated that after watching a Seal interview in which Seal stated that his wife, Heidi Klume, is at the top of his pyramid. I like the idea of being compared to Heidi Klume so anytime Hubby says that I'm at the top of the pyramid, I tend to just shut up and agree.
Apparently my youngest, Goober Girl, is not happy that Mommy is often at the top of the pyramid. She announced that other day in the car that she was at the top of the pyramid. I turned around and asked "oh really?? But Mommy is at the top of the pyramid!" Goober Girl stopped and thought about it and then changed her mind.
"Mommy, you can be at the top of the pyramid with me. I can sit in your lap."
Compromise...works for me!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Shiny clean teeth!
There are many times I really don't know what to blog about. And then I remember I have kids and that is always a good place to go to for blog material.
The other morning my Hubby called me into the bedroom with the Incredible Z Girl. He instructed me to shut the door behind me and sit down on the bed. Incredible Z Girl looked worried and the Hubby prompted her to talk. All I could think of is "uh oh!"
Incredible Z Girl started off very slowly talking about brushing teeth and her older sister, Mom Junior. She then rattled off about how she took Mom Junior's toothbrush and proceded to put soap on it.
(Insert moment of silence followed by laughter.)
This caught me so off guard that I began to laugh. I then had to quickly stifle my laughter because this is a serious offense. I asked Incredible Z Girl why she would do such a thing and she simple replied, "she's mean."
I went on to explain that we don't do such things to our sister's toothbrush cause it could make her sick. Incredible Z Girl did explain that she already apologized for what she did. Good to know.
I asked the Hubby later how Z Girl got caught and apparently it was by Mom Junior. Z Girl then tried to cover herself by saying she was simply trying to wash her sisters toothbrush. riiiiiiiiiight!!
The other morning my Hubby called me into the bedroom with the Incredible Z Girl. He instructed me to shut the door behind me and sit down on the bed. Incredible Z Girl looked worried and the Hubby prompted her to talk. All I could think of is "uh oh!"
Incredible Z Girl started off very slowly talking about brushing teeth and her older sister, Mom Junior. She then rattled off about how she took Mom Junior's toothbrush and proceded to put soap on it.
(Insert moment of silence followed by laughter.)
This caught me so off guard that I began to laugh. I then had to quickly stifle my laughter because this is a serious offense. I asked Incredible Z Girl why she would do such a thing and she simple replied, "she's mean."
I went on to explain that we don't do such things to our sister's toothbrush cause it could make her sick. Incredible Z Girl did explain that she already apologized for what she did. Good to know.
I asked the Hubby later how Z Girl got caught and apparently it was by Mom Junior. Z Girl then tried to cover herself by saying she was simply trying to wash her sisters toothbrush. riiiiiiiiiight!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Alas, our luck hath runneth out-eth...
Here I sit at my cubicle. I've downed my super mega infused with Vitamin C juice and am now staring at my orange about to be consumed for more vitamin c. In my lunch sack is a can of chicken noodle soup. My nose, stopped up. My sinuses, raw and flowing. My eyes are half blitzed by the sleepless night I had with Goober Girl (formerly Goober Baby) last night and the last dose of benedryl currently coursing through my veins.
Goober Girl has confirmed Strep Throat. One of my co-workers has confirmed Flu.
Where is my white flag??
Goober Girl has confirmed Strep Throat. One of my co-workers has confirmed Flu.
Where is my white flag??
Friday, February 06, 2009
So soon?!?!?!?!
When our first born daughter came into our world, we knew we had a precious little girl that would one day be a giggly boy crazy girl. And this very thought made us queazy with the notion that our world would be invaded by boys not suitable for our daughter's affections. I don't think Mom Junior was in size 2 diapers when her Daddy proclaimed that "she would not date until she was married!!!!"
Of course this queaziness was doubled when the Incredible Z Girl came along and then tripled with Goober Girl (formerly the Goober Baby) made her arrival. My poor Hubby realized that a large snarling dog and a very large shot gun would perhaps be secured in preparations for when the time came that boys came around.
And it appears that time is quickly approaching.
We were enjoying the last bit of afternoon warmth the other day with the girls riding their bikes around the drive way. Our next door neighbor's son was out playing with a few of his friends in his front yard. Within a few minutes Incredible Z Girl zipped around the corner with a huge goofy grin on her face. "MOM!!" she quickly blurted out. "I was riding my bike around Daddy's truck when I saw the boys next door. I said 'hi' to them when one of them said 'she's hot!'"
I quickly found myself laughing and mortified all at the same time. All I could think is "NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Incredible Z Girl quickly ran inside to tell Daddy what just happend. Soon after Mom Junior came up to me with an embarrassed grin on her face. "They just told me 'Hey DUDE!'"
Later that evening after the girls went to bed, I talked to my Hubby about what happend early that evening. I think he was more mortified than I was and we both agreed we are so not ready for this.
So.
Not.
Ready.
Of course this queaziness was doubled when the Incredible Z Girl came along and then tripled with Goober Girl (formerly the Goober Baby) made her arrival. My poor Hubby realized that a large snarling dog and a very large shot gun would perhaps be secured in preparations for when the time came that boys came around.
And it appears that time is quickly approaching.
We were enjoying the last bit of afternoon warmth the other day with the girls riding their bikes around the drive way. Our next door neighbor's son was out playing with a few of his friends in his front yard. Within a few minutes Incredible Z Girl zipped around the corner with a huge goofy grin on her face. "MOM!!" she quickly blurted out. "I was riding my bike around Daddy's truck when I saw the boys next door. I said 'hi' to them when one of them said 'she's hot!'"
I quickly found myself laughing and mortified all at the same time. All I could think is "NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Incredible Z Girl quickly ran inside to tell Daddy what just happend. Soon after Mom Junior came up to me with an embarrassed grin on her face. "They just told me 'Hey DUDE!'"
Later that evening after the girls went to bed, I talked to my Hubby about what happend early that evening. I think he was more mortified than I was and we both agreed we are so not ready for this.
So.
Not.
Ready.
Swirling around us.
I keep tempting fate every time I say this but I quickly follow up with a quick knock on wood. This winter has been THE healthiest winter we've had...EVAH.
And the thing is, I can slowly feel the illness closing in on our family. We've had soooo many brushes with sickness that it is not even funny. Last Sunday the Hubby went and played 9 holes of golf with a co-worker who then on Monday called in sick to work with the flu. Our family spent Sunday watching the Super Bowl with the Hubby's family which have recently had nasty stomach viruses. It seems like all my cubicle mates have been sneezing or complaining of sore throats.
This all means that either...
1. My attempts at a healthier lifestyle is perhaps benefitting the whole family. (Sound good in theory right?)
OR
We are perhaps just carriers of disease and making everyone else sick while we stay perfectly healthy.
In any regards sick karma will rear its ugly head and probably within the next 48 hours I will be paying homage to the porclain god with many sacrifices.
And the thing is, I can slowly feel the illness closing in on our family. We've had soooo many brushes with sickness that it is not even funny. Last Sunday the Hubby went and played 9 holes of golf with a co-worker who then on Monday called in sick to work with the flu. Our family spent Sunday watching the Super Bowl with the Hubby's family which have recently had nasty stomach viruses. It seems like all my cubicle mates have been sneezing or complaining of sore throats.
This all means that either...
1. My attempts at a healthier lifestyle is perhaps benefitting the whole family. (Sound good in theory right?)
OR
We are perhaps just carriers of disease and making everyone else sick while we stay perfectly healthy.
In any regards sick karma will rear its ugly head and probably within the next 48 hours I will be paying homage to the porclain god with many sacrifices.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cause sometimes you can go back
This past weekend I gave myself a gift and put on my tap shoes that hadn't been worn since high school and took a tap class with the tap teacher from my youth. It had been 15 years since I last tapped a combination so I wasn't sure what was going to come from my feet.
I drove up to the studio with a few butterflies in my stomach. I was looking forward to spending the time with my tap teacher as I've been taking under her since I was just a kid and now my kids are at her studio. The butterflies became excited as I peaked into another studio and watched the competitive dance troupe in a workshop.
I followed my teacher into the studio and quickly put on my tap shoes. They are about 16 years old but still amazingly but snugly fit. Soon we were standing in the middle of the floor and I watched my teacher.
It was slow and steady as we ran through various combo's of "irish, buffalo step, times step" until we finally got up to speed on the stuff I loved doing. In a hour filled with "catching up" chit chat and lots of tapping I found myself literally giddy from the fact that my feet still work. And what really took the cake was the fact that I got to show off some of my old stuff to the young girls who were there. My ego and my spirit were flying.
Of course there is not a huge market for 32 year old tap dancing, Mom of 3 kids, but to still be able to do something from my youth was the ultimate and like a drug addict, I want more. My teacher obliged and gave me the flyer for an upcoming tap workshop...3 hours of tap.
I drove up to the studio with a few butterflies in my stomach. I was looking forward to spending the time with my tap teacher as I've been taking under her since I was just a kid and now my kids are at her studio. The butterflies became excited as I peaked into another studio and watched the competitive dance troupe in a workshop.
I followed my teacher into the studio and quickly put on my tap shoes. They are about 16 years old but still amazingly but snugly fit. Soon we were standing in the middle of the floor and I watched my teacher.
It was slow and steady as we ran through various combo's of "irish, buffalo step, times step" until we finally got up to speed on the stuff I loved doing. In a hour filled with "catching up" chit chat and lots of tapping I found myself literally giddy from the fact that my feet still work. And what really took the cake was the fact that I got to show off some of my old stuff to the young girls who were there. My ego and my spirit were flying.
Of course there is not a huge market for 32 year old tap dancing, Mom of 3 kids, but to still be able to do something from my youth was the ultimate and like a drug addict, I want more. My teacher obliged and gave me the flyer for an upcoming tap workshop...3 hours of tap.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Answering Life's tough questions
When kids came along, the Hubby and I agreed that there was never a start time in dealing with the whole sex discussion with our kids. From the moment they discovered their own body parts and realized that Daddy stood up to potty, the discussion began. We both agreed that discussing sex with our children involved the truth however a somewhat restrained truth as to not make their heads explode. What we have discovered is that no matter what you discuss with your kids, there is always some kid in their class who will tell your kids something you hadn't. That something being the phrase "doing it."
This simple phrase has turned into several not so simple discussions over the past couple of weeks. We've had to do the careful dance of trying to figure out what actually was discussed while not making our child die of embarrassment as they discuss this with us. We've also tried to discuss it as the opportunity allows because we also want to encourage open and continuing dialogue (damn this parenting thing is difficult) and not have it a one time thing only.
Yesterday found another opportunity to discuss the subject with our oldest and as we concluded the discussion, we reinforced yet again that we wanted her to come to us if she should have any concerns or questions.
Our darling daughter looked at us puzzled and you could tell a question was coming. The Hubby and I braced for what was to follow. She took a quick breath and then asked....
"What is 10 times 20??"
This simple phrase has turned into several not so simple discussions over the past couple of weeks. We've had to do the careful dance of trying to figure out what actually was discussed while not making our child die of embarrassment as they discuss this with us. We've also tried to discuss it as the opportunity allows because we also want to encourage open and continuing dialogue (damn this parenting thing is difficult) and not have it a one time thing only.
Yesterday found another opportunity to discuss the subject with our oldest and as we concluded the discussion, we reinforced yet again that we wanted her to come to us if she should have any concerns or questions.
Our darling daughter looked at us puzzled and you could tell a question was coming. The Hubby and I braced for what was to follow. She took a quick breath and then asked....
"What is 10 times 20??"
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