Saturday, March 29, 2008
Your only a mother....
I dropped my future jar head off at school, and continued on with my day. I went grocery shopping with Thomas in tow. I then brought all my groceries home, put them away, cleaned up a bit, played with Thomas, and then it was time to pick up Matthew. While waiting in the foyer of the preschool something on the wall caught my eye. Apparently the teachers has asked each child what their parents' professions were. I scanned the list for Matthew's name. "My mom cleans the house, and my dad is a police officer." I felt an immediate knot form in my stomach. I smiled and laughed a bit. At this point more parents arrived and where huddled around the list, waiting for their children. Matt was dismissed, and we headed home.
For a little while later, I kept thinking about Matt's description of what I do - "my mom cleans the house...." Is that really how he sums up my duties? After some contemplation, I was okay. In fact, Matt was completely correct in his statement - I do clean the house. Of course there are many more duties associated with my job as mother, but he realized one of them. He did not say my mom does nothing. No, he clearly defined one of my tasks. The role of a mother has many defining elements. While us mothers, have some common threads we all have a slightly different job description and that's okay. That being said, I still remember a comment made to my mom a number of years ago. In a family conversation, a certain someone refuted a statement that my mom made. That certain someone, who at the time was not yet a mother, said (to my mother) "you're only a mother." Clearly she was correct in her statement. My mom was, in fact, a mother but what that certain someone failed to realize is what the role of a mother encompasses - it is vast. It is huge. I often wonder how that certain someone would feel if someone referred to her as being "only a mother". Certainly she would now realize how much many duties fall under this job title!
For a good laugh and another tale of motherhood at it's finest, check out Lisa at Happy Days!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Having everything?
credit for this picture goes to Mary
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Day at Castle Island....
Sunday, March 23, 2008
A highlight of motherhood....
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's all in the details....
Monday, March 17, 2008
Weekend Recap in Pictures....
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Not the kind of preacher I know....
In my church, my reverend preaches love and respect for all mankind. He surely does not distinguish by race, or ethnicity. He also does not discriminate against other creeds. Everyone is welcome. We are a mixed congregation. In fact, while my church is protestant and the denomination is congregational, some members of my family, are catholic. Here they are all included and not judged. Additionally, our church, shares it's space with an all black church. You may ask why they don't they form one church? The answer is simple. The black church was looking for space for its members and we had space to offer them. Our church has existed for 175 years. We are housed in a historical building, and we were happy to share our space. They still wanted to retain their own church and they do just that. All the while, we invite them to special services that we have and they do the same for us. They are all very nice people. Sure we all worship somewhat differently, but fundamentally we are the same - we believe in Jesus, and follow his teachings. We do not HATE anyone!
I think Jerimah Wright is an evil person. He promotes hate, not unity. If you haven't already witnessed his hatred ways, you can see them here and here. In addition, he had something to say about Natalee Holloway. Nevertheless, his message speaks HATRED for the white race.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Grocery Shopping.... it's an experience Part I
Monday, March 10, 2008
A letter to a hoarder....
You said yesterday that I am "nasty, sassy, pushy, and just not nice". I am sorry that you feel this way. You mentioned the other day that this world was an awful place - that people aren't nice to one another and do not help each other. I told you that I do not agree. I do not believe everyone is bad. I like to think that I am a kind and caring, person. You replied, "sometimes you are and and sometimes you aren't." Your statements trouble me for many reasons.
Last summer when you fell and needed hospitalization, I met you in the emergency room. The next day, I bought you a new nightgown, bathrobe, and pajamas, as I felt badly that you didn't have any of your own things. While you were in the hospital, John and I continued to visit you. In fact, I repeatedly got babysitters to mind my children so that I could visit you. Additionally, John and I helped you to deal with your biggest problem - the condition of your house.
Although we have been your neighbors for ten years, you never let us see the inside of your home. We knew why, upon seeing the state of your home, when you went to the hospital. When the emergency people responded to your medical call, they saw the inside of your house. The state of your home was "unfit for human habitation". That is what the Board of Health determined after responding to your home. They condemned it until it was brought up to the health code. While I can't imagine how hard this situation was for you, John and I helped to do everything to get your house back in order. You entrusted us to do this, and in no way did we fall short. You see, when the hot summer temperatures were in the 90's we were inside of your house broiling, while trying to salvage the things that you requested. You may have forgotten, and that's probably better if you did, but there was only one narrow path trough your house. Piles of stuff fell every which way when we attempted to walk around inside. There were no clean or uncluttered surfaces. The odor was atrocious, and the filth was indescribable. Though, my anxiety level soared out of control every time I entered your house, I did not let it stop me from doing the things that needed to be done. We both stayed true to our promise to you.
During the months you were in rehab, John and I continued to visit you. We sacrificed our family time because it was the right thing to do. We took care of things that you asked us to do. John spent countless hours making phone calls, getting quotes for the work that need to be done on your house, and clearing out stuff that should be saved. All the while, the boys and I, were here. It was a very trying time for all of us. On the night of our 10th wedding anniversary, we were taking care of things for you in your house.
Through out this whole ordeal, your primary goal was to come home to your house. First and foremost, you needed to be strong enough and in the end, you were. Secondly, your house needed to be fit for human living. While it was up to you to regain your strength and get well, you left it up to us to make your home suitable for human existence. We did just that, but this was only achieved through hard work and compassion.
You arrived home and we spent time with you. In the weeks and months after you returned, I always asked if you needed items at the grocery store. In the beginning, you seemed appreciative. As the months passed you were more demanding and things were never good enough. I bought you the wrong items, I didn't go to the right store, and better yet, I don't pay attention. These are all things of which you accused me. Though you did not act gracious, I continued to call you. I tried to make pleasant conversations, but instead you continued to complain. You consistently talked so negatively.
In spite of the things you said to me yesterday, I will still call you. I will still reach out to you, as that is the Christian thing to do. I refuse to let you sour my view of elderly people, as I know this has nothing to do with growing old. I do feel badly that you have no family. I have forgiven you. While not only did you put yourself in danger by your way of living, you endangered you neighbors as well. Thankfully, the pests are now gone and your house is no longer a fire trap.
When no one else seemed to care about you, we did. I would not want my worst enemy to live in the kind of conditions, in which you were living. I am not sorry for anything I said the other day. I know we did the right thing to help you in the beginning, and our positive actions have continued. I did not cause your problems, though you blame things on me. You and your obsessive hoarding behavior have been your demise. I am sorry you can not see this.
Warm regards,
Amy
NOTE: Of course, I will never send this letter, though I wish I could. Mrs. X is an elderly woman, and I do not want to upset her.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
One stop shopping....
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Pinewood Derby, Lent and Ice Cream
The Johns were a bit busy this past week preparing for the Pinewood Derby, a yearly Cub Scouts tradition. They worked all week on this project, and the race was last night. Though we did not have a winner, John did make one fine car. He designed it on paper beforehand then milled it, painted it, added the weight and the wheels. It had a Marine Corp theme. Though, it is fun to win, the experience was paramount. John already has ideas for next year!
Following the race we went to Friendly's for ice cream. I had to twist John's arm to order an ice cream as he has given up dessert for Lent. He did this all on his own, and has stuck by it for the last month. I convinced him it was okay, as it wasn't dessert it was to celebrate the race. It's pretty ironic that I had to convince a 7 year old to eat ice cream!
Friday, March 7, 2008
What's for lunch?!?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wind it up.....
Yesterday with a little coaxing, John agreed to walk across the street to the beach so I could play around with my camera.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Just wondering....
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Blog Angels
Monday, March 3, 2008
and it started like this....
I started to cry. I was panicked. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. These little critters had made their home in my boy's head! Well in the hours that followed, we washed his head and combed out the little eggs. This was of course, nothing I would have expected, when I took my current job as a mother. After we annihilated the little buggers in the field of John's hair. We took precautions and washed our heads too. Thankfully we were not victims and Matt was unscathed, as well.
In the aftermath of this event, I washed more items than I have ever washed in a day. Every stitch of bedding, clothes, stuffed animals, etc. were washed. The wash seemed never ending. The psychological impact lingered, of course. I felt those buggers for days. Yes I could feel them moving on my head. Though I "felt" them, they were really not there. In time, I knew they were really gone and stopped "feeling" them. There are still days, when I feel that itch and start to panic. A day never passes when I don't check the boys' heads.
I laugh now at this event. While it was certainly not funny then, it really is now. Just telling this story reminds me of how silly I was. It was really no big deal and very minor in the big picture. While I feel very lucky the bugs have not taken up residence here again, I am more grateful for that being one of the only events that made me panic since being a mom. Just thinking of this story reminds me just how lucky I am. Though I don't want those little critters to come back, if they do, we can get rid of them and they'll be gone. Really, they're just minor!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Here is the first one which I received from Steph at the Daily Grind
Here are the rules:
You must post the rules before you give your answers. You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).
J - Joy is how I feel each day with my boys, well sometimes they actually make me feel like JUMPING off the roof. Is it alright to use the letter twice?
E - Endurance is something I am trying to increase, as I am beginning to train for a half marathon.
A - Amy is my first name! I was also given the title class Angel in my high school year book!
N - Never - Since being a mother, I try not to say I will NEVER do something. Until your in a situation, you never know!
Here is the next meme that I have received from Lizzy at Life According to Lizzy
Rules: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you have written. Link one must be about family. Link two must be about friends. Link three must be about yourself. Link four must be about something you love. Link five can be about anything you choose. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least two of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.
1.This is a fun family post and one of my first posts!http://kelly4.blogspot.com/2007/09/maine.html
2.This one is to my bloggy friends http://kelly4.blogspot.com/2008/02/power-of-prayer-and-blog-angels.html
3. Here's one I love. I love my boys, and I love the funny little things they say! http://kelly4.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-2-candycanes.html
4.The jokes on me.... if you want to share the laugh it's all one me!!! http://kelly4.blogspot.com/2007/11/sports-bras-breast-enhancers-and.html
5. Here's a random post .... http://kelly4.blogspot.com/2007/12/attitude.html
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A bit of inspiration......
Today they may have intended another story to be a "filler" segment, but I was pleasantly surprised - it was an amazing story! The story was about a high school boy who had tragically lost his arm in an accident when he was young. I should correct myself, because it wasn't simply about having one arm. Rather, it was about how he chooses to live his life, despite his loss. He played basketball for his high school team and he played awesome. Watching him shoot from the thee point line was fantastic. While the segment mainly focused on this boy overcoming adversity with respect to basketball, there is so much more to know about him. I realize this because my husband googled his name afterwards. Here is a story he found on-line.
I am so inspired by his faith, positive outlook on life, and by the way he chooses to live life. While every day we are faced with negativity, it was nice to hear about something positive!