Speechless
A few months ago, my four-year-old son Adin was complaining about having to take out the diaper trash. His father and I explained to him that as a family, we all pitch in with chores. I said, "Look at your dad. He goes to work, mows the lawn, pays the bills, etc." Adin looked up at me and said, "Well, what do you do?" I was speechless.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
OK, I just got home from grocery shopping when I husband accounced that he had something really exciting to show me. I raced downstairs hoping to find you know, like a million dollars, but no-it's another Rocky movie! As I watched the preview with him on the computer, I said, "Um, honey, isn't Rocky around 70 years old now?"
"No, no. He's in his late 40s."
"Oh, well, don't you think it's time he quit?"
"What?" he replied as if I had just suggested he give up his Breyer's ice cream or something horrible like that. Well, he's all giddy with excitement, and I even told him that I would go see the movie in December with him. You see, during our first year of marriage, I walked into the living room when Jim was watching one of the many Rocky movies and he was crying. He said, "He just works so hard and he comes from nothing." I can understand. Jim grew up with very little and ended up becoming a two-time Olympic wrestler, but it just surprised me to see him in tears. I cry when Beth dies in Little Women. These are my thoughts on Rocky XXXX-oh, I mean Rocky VI.
"No, no. He's in his late 40s."
"Oh, well, don't you think it's time he quit?"
"What?" he replied as if I had just suggested he give up his Breyer's ice cream or something horrible like that. Well, he's all giddy with excitement, and I even told him that I would go see the movie in December with him. You see, during our first year of marriage, I walked into the living room when Jim was watching one of the many Rocky movies and he was crying. He said, "He just works so hard and he comes from nothing." I can understand. Jim grew up with very little and ended up becoming a two-time Olympic wrestler, but it just surprised me to see him in tears. I cry when Beth dies in Little Women. These are my thoughts on Rocky XXXX-oh, I mean Rocky VI.
Thoughts on becoming a "Yooper"
Yes, I used to be RockyMountainMama, but, since we no longer reside in Colorado, I thought it fitting to change my name to "Yooper." We now live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan-home of interminable winters, cross-country skiing, hockey, red-neck snowmobilers, kayaking, blueberries, canoeing, and the Yooper pasty. I wasn't excited about our move to Marquette, but after being here for almost one year, I can honestly say that I like living here. The people are very down-to-earth, the locals are very proud of being "yoopers," and there are plenty of restaurants worth frequenting. I will say that I was a bit disturbed when I learned there wasn't a Barnes and Noble or a Starbucks when we first learned of our move, but now that I see a Starbucks is opening soon, I say, "Hey, go away-we don't need ya! I prefer Gopher's Cafe on Third Street!" It's the kind of place with a small-town feel but a lot of activities to choose from. So, those are my thoughts on becoming a "Yooper"-eh?
Yes, I used to be RockyMountainMama, but, since we no longer reside in Colorado, I thought it fitting to change my name to "Yooper." We now live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan-home of interminable winters, cross-country skiing, hockey, red-neck snowmobilers, kayaking, blueberries, canoeing, and the Yooper pasty. I wasn't excited about our move to Marquette, but after being here for almost one year, I can honestly say that I like living here. The people are very down-to-earth, the locals are very proud of being "yoopers," and there are plenty of restaurants worth frequenting. I will say that I was a bit disturbed when I learned there wasn't a Barnes and Noble or a Starbucks when we first learned of our move, but now that I see a Starbucks is opening soon, I say, "Hey, go away-we don't need ya! I prefer Gopher's Cafe on Third Street!" It's the kind of place with a small-town feel but a lot of activities to choose from. So, those are my thoughts on becoming a "Yooper"-eh?
Monday, July 17, 2006
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Less is More
I would like to dedicate this post to my three-year-old son Adin and his two young friends from Bible study this morning. He reminded me just how little a child needs when it comes to material items.As my friends and I were finishing up our study on the book of Judges this morning, my son and two other young boys decided to abandon their play with the train sets, Legos, and other toys for more "active" play. First, they decided to chase each other around the house. The next activity had us all in stiches. The two older boys decided to be veterinarians while my son was the designated animal. He layed on the floor while they poked at his armpits and tested his appendiges to make sure all was in working order. They were having more fun doing this than they were when playing with the toy that jumped in the air, spoke 10 foreign languages, and played Beethoven's fifth all at the same time! This reminded me of something that happened about four years ago.A friend of mine was injured in a motorcycle accident. She, her husband, and their four young children didn't have much money, so they were staying in a local RV Park. She had sprained her ankle, so I offered to come by and help for the day. As I was playing outside with her kids, some other neighbor children came by. Before I knew what was happening, I had about 7-9 small children under my care. We were all having a good time. One of the kids said, "Hey, let's all go to the park!" "Why not?" I thought. I put the small ones in the little red wagon and we were on our way. The thought did cross my mind that I didn't recall seeing any playground equipment when I drove into the neighborhood, but I placed my trust in my young guides and continued the walk. Soon, the stopped in front of two small trees and began to play. After a few minutes, I said, "Well, let's get going to that park." They yelled, "This is the park!" Thinking they had just forgotten their way, I said, "I'm sure we'll find it. Let's get on our way." They insisted that this was it. Could this be? They were calling two trees a park? I mean, there wasn't even a slide. What was more amazing was that they were having a blast! Part of me was saying, "I could get start asking for donations, holding a car wash, etc..and then I could get them a park with some real play equipment." The other part of me was saying, "They seem to be having a blast with trees, grass, and dandelions." When we returned to their home, their mom told me that those two trees were indeed their Six Flags over Colorado! I started to think, "Gee, how sad," but then images of them laughing as they swung from the trees stopped me short. Now that I have children of my own, I am often reminded that less is more. I can't tell you the number of times Adin has thought of creative play ideas for the laundry basket! I'm not saying there is anything wrong with toys-just the idea that they need a lot to occupy themselves or to be happy. When I think back on my childhood, I recall a few favorite toys; however, most of my memories center around fun activities with my family-waving at truck drivers during bike rides to West Branch, IA with my dad, hearing my mom sing in the kitchen, jumping of hotel beds with my sister, etc. I hope my kids can say that people and experiences are what mattered most in their childhood.:)
Less is More
I would like to dedicate this post to my three-year-old son Adin and his two young friends from Bible study this morning. He reminded me just how little a child needs when it comes to material items.As my friends and I were finishing up our study on the book of Judges this morning, my son and two other young boys decided to abandon their play with the train sets, Legos, and other toys for more "active" play. First, they decided to chase each other around the house. The next activity had us all in stiches. The two older boys decided to be veterinarians while my son was the designated animal. He layed on the floor while they poked at his armpits and tested his appendiges to make sure all was in working order. They were having more fun doing this than they were when playing with the toy that jumped in the air, spoke 10 foreign languages, and played Beethoven's fifth all at the same time! This reminded me of something that happened about four years ago.A friend of mine was injured in a motorcycle accident. She, her husband, and their four young children didn't have much money, so they were staying in a local RV Park. She had sprained her ankle, so I offered to come by and help for the day. As I was playing outside with her kids, some other neighbor children came by. Before I knew what was happening, I had about 7-9 small children under my care. We were all having a good time. One of the kids said, "Hey, let's all go to the park!" "Why not?" I thought. I put the small ones in the little red wagon and we were on our way. The thought did cross my mind that I didn't recall seeing any playground equipment when I drove into the neighborhood, but I placed my trust in my young guides and continued the walk. Soon, the stopped in front of two small trees and began to play. After a few minutes, I said, "Well, let's get going to that park." They yelled, "This is the park!" Thinking they had just forgotten their way, I said, "I'm sure we'll find it. Let's get on our way." They insisted that this was it. Could this be? They were calling two trees a park? I mean, there wasn't even a slide. What was more amazing was that they were having a blast! Part of me was saying, "I could get start asking for donations, holding a car wash, etc..and then I could get them a park with some real play equipment." The other part of me was saying, "They seem to be having a blast with trees, grass, and dandelions." When we returned to their home, their mom told me that those two trees were indeed their Six Flags over Colorado! I started to think, "Gee, how sad," but then images of them laughing as they swung from the trees stopped me short. Now that I have children of my own, I am often reminded that less is more. I can't tell you the number of times Adin has thought of creative play ideas for the laundry basket! I'm not saying there is anything wrong with toys-just the idea that they need a lot to occupy themselves or to be happy. When I think back on my childhood, I recall a few favorite toys; however, most of my memories center around fun activities with my family-waving at truck drivers during bike rides to West Branch, IA with my dad, hearing my mom sing in the kitchen, jumping of hotel beds with my sister, etc. I hope my kids can say that people and experiences are what mattered most in their childhood.:)
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Days of our Poop
It often amazes me just how much of my life now centers around the bodily functions of my offspring. Adin, my 3 1/2 year old always announces when he has to go. It's almost as if nothing will come out if he doesn't yell, "I have to use the potty." I'm not quite convinced that he wouldn't get poop on his hand if he wiped himself, so I always have to stand close to the door for him to say, "I need my bottom wiped." His sister, Arwyn, though is really the one who is obsessed with her own excrement. When she was about 8 months old, I heard her making the cutest baby sounds in her crib upstairs. I decided to peek in the room to get a glimpse at my precious little girl. Well, my delight turned to horror when I saw her diaper off and her poop spread around the crib. I think she was working on some type of "Number 2" masterpiece. Recently, she has decided it's quite fun to take off all her clothes. Today as I was upstairs putting on my make-up, Adin yelled, "Mom, Arwyn took off her clothes again." I heard them both laughing and the pitter patter of little feet. When I looked down the stairs, the first thing I saw was my daughter's little butt and something orange right in the center. I knew this wasn't the peanut butter she had for lunch. What I found to be really disconcerting was the fact that some of her orange bowel movement was around her mouth! Adin then told me that Arwyn had spread some of it on the wall. Who knows? Maybe she will be the next Van Gogh or something. Anyway, this blog really has no point-just a story about how much my life centers around children's bodily functions.:)
Days of our Poop
It often amazes me just how much of my life now centers around the bodily functions of my offspring. Adin, my 3 1/2 year old always announces when he has to go. It's almost as if nothing will come out if he doesn't yell, "I have to use the potty." I'm not quite convinced that he wouldn't get poop on his hand if he wiped himself, so I always have to stand close to the door for him to say, "I need my bottom wiped." His sister, Arwyn, though is really the one who is obsessed with her own excrement. When she was about 8 months old, I heard her making the cutest baby sounds in her crib upstairs. I decided to peek in the room to get a glimpse at my precious little girl. Well, my delight turned to horror when I saw her diaper off and her poop spread around the crib. I think she was working on some type of "Number 2" masterpiece. Recently, she has decided it's quite fun to take off all her clothes. Today as I was upstairs putting on my make-up, Adin yelled, "Mom, Arwyn took off her clothes again." I heard them both laughing and the pitter patter of little feet. When I looked down the stairs, the first thing I saw was my daughter's little butt and something orange right in the center. I knew this wasn't the peanut butter she had for lunch. What I found to be really disconcerting was the fact that some of her orange bowel movement was around her mouth! Adin then told me that Arwyn had spread some of it on the wall. Who knows? Maybe she will be the next Van Gogh or something. Anyway, this blog really has no point-just a story about how much my life centers around children's bodily functions.:)
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