Mommas Love Their Babies

I love being a mom. I mean, I really, really do. It is the best thing I have ever done in my whole life. The hardest thing. The most humbling thing. The most maddening thing. At times, I literally feel like banging my head against a wall. It can be a gut-twisting, eye-squinshing, heart-squeezing experience that tests my patience to levels I heretofore have never known. I realize that to make it through, I absolutely MUST rely on a higher power. I CANNOT DO IT OF MY OWN STRENGTH.

But at the end of the day, being a mom is sweetest, most funnest thing ever <(I know, not proper English there. It was just for emphasis). I've been thinking lately about how it's really a blast to be a mom. And to be able to introduce my kids to new things. Teach them about their surroundings. Help them look at life through the right lens. Give them tools for living. Pray for them. And hopefully, make them proud that I am their mom. (though I probably embarrass them - I have a weird habit of singing and dancing when their friends come over.)

When you really, really think about it... being a mom is an amazing privilege. Being able to significantly shape the very life of 3 human beings. Wo, that's heavy. And that's a lot of pressure. But again, I remind myself that He (the God of Heaven and Earth) will give me wisdom and strength if I will just simply ask. He will give it to me. I hang onto that truth. And hopefully he will also give me ESP during those teenage years. (I am totally serious about that.)

These three paragraphs were just a veiled apology for what I am about to say next: I am posting about Luke. Again. I just can't help it. I tried not to post about this incident. It happened a few days ago. It is really not that big a deal. It is not like I am thinking that he is some whiz-kid. Four year olds say stuff like this all the time. They are all so inquisitive. But to me, this moment is fantastic, and I don't want to forget it. Because not only can I hear the words I am about to post, but I can see the burning wonder in his eyes. I can remember how he licked his lips as he asked this question, something he always does when he is thinking about adult stuff. So now that I've built it up so big, I will share it. I call it "Perplexed."

We are in the car. I guess he has a lot of time to think in the car. He is strapped in. He has nowhere to go. So, he thinks.

"Mom, the road that we are driving on is flat, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, when you go in outerspace and you look at the world, it is round, right?"

"Yes."

Long pause.

(incredulous) "WELL, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?"

This Tickles My Funny Bone

Take a look!!!
http://view.break.com/422660 - Watch more free videos

A Funny Feeling

Post Note: See the finished clipboards HERE

My camera is broken. It happened on Christmas Day about 4:00. No longer did my prized possession operate as it should. Just like that. I didn't drop it. I didn't spill anything on it. And miraculously, none of my children did anything destructive to it. Inside the camera, a little plastic pin, being moved up and down a little too much in too short a period of time, snapped. I found it annoyingly interesting that on one particular website, 5 other people posted that their Canon Rebels did the EXACT SAME THING on THE EXACT SAME DAY! Huh. In-ter-es-ting. But fruitless in terms of getting a quick fix or convincing Canon to recognize this as a documented problem with the camera. I can just envision the camera manual... a section called "Christmas Day and Other Holiday Troubleshooting" with a note that "taking too many pictures could (and eventually will) result in the collapse a major camera element that will cost $150+ to repair! Take precautions to lower your camera shots to 2 shots per moment." (instead of my usual 32 spm.) Grrr.

Now, as my camera sits sadly on a shelf in a camera repair shop, a funny feeling sits down in my stomach. You know that vague feeling you get sometimes that something is out of place, weird...unsettled.... kind of like you've lost your last set of car keys, or your watch, or even worse, your cell phone? That's how I feel. So, I realized something about myself through this painful separation from my camera.... (just halfway kidding).

I realized that like eating and sleeping, releasing my creative energy is right up there for me on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Does that sound ridiculous? Well, it's true, Maslow identified creativity as a valid need! I realized that not being able to snap pictures has taken an avenue of creativity away that usually satisfies me. Instead, I am journaling a lot more, and clipboards. I have been decorating the clipboards! Clipboards in the morning and clipboards in night. When I get my camera back, I will take a picture of one and show you the clipboards I have been making for the kids' teachers for Teacher Appreciation in February. 3 down, 67 to go. Just kidding... I will be relying on other people for help with those. But taking a pic of my clipboards will be a like a Double Shot Coffee Drink from Starbucks... a nice double jolt of creativity. That buzz should last me a good couple of days, and help me get rid of that funny, funky feeling down deep in my gut.

The Duke of Rough and Tough Has a Girlfriend

Let me just start by saying that I am sorry for all the Luke posts lately. I don't mean to focus on him any more than our other wonderful kids, but he is just at that age that everything he says and does is so darn funny. I could write 10 posts a day about him right now. But, ok, I'll limit myself to one a day.

Today, when I picked him up from school, he offered singsongily, "I have a girlfriend; her name is Emma." Kami, Ellie and I hadn't heard as much about Emma as we had Elly and Abby. So, we asked the obvious question... "Luke... we thought Elly and Abby were your girlfriends..?...?"

He quickly replied, "No I cracked up with them."

So, how do you learn to crack up (break up) with a girl when you are only 4 years old? We all cracked up when he said it, and I have a feeling he may be a real heart cracker when he grows up! ;)

Vote 2008

Ok, folks... I know bringing up politics is dangerous territory. Everybody has an Opinion (yes, with a capital O). Let me make it clear... I am not ready to walk into the polling booth. In fact, I had barely heard of this man until the Iowa caucuses. But I must say that I Admire what Huckabee says here about evolution and creationism.

Hamburgers Don't Taste Good During Overtime

It's just the latest truth I've learned as the wife of a college basketball coach. Snacking has never been a way for me to soothe myself during basketball games (although it carries me through about every other challenge in my life). Food is just not appealing as I watch those guys go to battle on the court. It's kind of like eating while watching a loved one have surgery. Not good. But with the game hundreds of miles away from me, I ordered a nice, juicy, mushroom and swiss burger. I had heard Louie's makes great burgers! And as fate would have it.... when that burger was served, I simultaneously discovered that the Golden Eagles were in OVERTIME. So as the kiddos crammed down their grilled cheeses and pizzas and the Smiths enjoyed their fare of choice, my burger and fries just sat there real lonely. I cut it into fourths, I sprayed a big pond of ketchup on my plate. But it didn't help. I just couldn't take one single bite. I watched the tickers on the 29 TVs in the restaurant. Couldn't find the score anywhere! Finally, I called my dad. "Dad, what happened in the game? I know we were in overtime?! Is it over?" Tick Tick Tick............................ "We won by 9!" Dad reported. I felt like screaming. It probably would've been fine to scream. It was so loud there no one would have noticed. I went back and sat down at the table. And ate the whole darn burger. I learned something else: burgers taste absolutely delicious after a sweet win.

Now With More Gusto

Those of you who have read this blog know that I always talk about the gusto with which Luke approaches life.

I just loved his gusto-filled comment today: "I'd like to dip the world in ketchup and take a bite."

I know... you're thinking I misunderstood him. Surely, he said he'd like to dip his fries in ketchup. That's what kids LOVE to do. Dip their fries.

I do have one ear that squeaks more than it should, but No, I didn't misunderstand him. Because it all started with his discussion of the massive and varied list of ketchup-worthy items. Mac and cheese. Waffles. Olives. Mommy. Our House. The World.

Coming soon: Luke's Breakdancing Chronicles

It's The End of the Year As We Know It

We celebrated with our 2 year "tradition" of going bowling. The kids loved it (Luke bowled a strike! and surprise! I bowled TWO strikes!) Goodbye 2007! And welcome 2008!

A Few of Our Favorite (Christmas) Things

The season kicks off with the decorating of the gingerbread houses. We do it in early or mid-December, and it is traditionally held with our cousins at Granny's little gingerbread house of her own. We love going over there, making memories for our kids, just like ones we have of growing up. Same house, same granny. Unfortunately, this year, Grandma I was out of power for EIGHT days. It didn't seem to get to her though. She said, after all, she didn't even enjoy the luxury of power until her third son was born. Good point. Anyway, Kim sweetly offered her house, and Granny came over to join us. It is definitely one of our favorite things.

It just wouldn't be the same without all the musical numbers that are presented this time of year. Kami is a proud member of the Jenks East singers, and loved performing with them this December.

Who doesn't love to party? With parties come friends, food and fun. Ellie is really our party girl. She loves to hang out with friends, probably the most social of our family. Luke runs a close second, but I think Ellie wins the prize for most friends. In fact, whenever there is a break from school, we hardly see the child. She contentedly lives like a hobo, bringing her pack from one home to another, turning a regular day into a party of her own.

I can probably (not probably, definitely... what, am I dreaming?) count on one hand the years I have left to capture the magic of this shot. It's going too fast....

Well, back to Granny again. Words cannot accurately capture the amazing qualities of this woman. But I know you have all had someone in your life who is a warm electric blanket, a donut with sprinkles and a heart-warming movie all wrapped up into one. Comfort. She is comfort. She is love. She is happiness. She is the most with-it 96 year old on the planet. When I was a little girl , I just prayed God would let her live to be 88. I wanted my kids to know her. I wanted to cherish the years I had with her. And God has blessed us with her for longer than that. My kids are getting to know her. They are being covered by her prayers. And they got to spend another precious Christmas Eve at her house. As for me, I spent my 38th one there.

It feels good to have some new traditions of our own too. This Christmas Eve at our house was a lot of fun. We came home from Granny's house and made cookies for Santa, and then had a family game of Twister. Pictured here is the championship game in which the most fiercely competitive members of our family went head-to-head (and leg-to-leg and buns-to-buns) to determine the winner. After that, we let the kids open their presents to each other and tracked Santa on the internet. (Who woulda thought?) Then, we said our prayers and went to bed.

This one probably seems kind of out of place, but if you are in our family and it is the month of December, you are going to be playing in or watching some kind of basketball game. On December 22nd, we traveled to OKC to watch ORU play OSU, and I'll tell you, it sure feels nice to go into Christmas with a win. We've experienced a few pre-Christmas losses, and it takes a bit of the tinsel off the tree when that happens. Here is our little point guard Kami dribbling down the court for her team, the Wildcats. Sorry about the blurry shot... I obviously haven't mastered action photography yet. Think I should try a faster shutter speed, eh?

Well, I'd be lying if I said that gifts weren't one of the kids' favorite parts of Christmas. I just love this picture of Lauren watching Luke open the present she got him.

I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that amid all the butthustling, we don't stop as often as we should to really soak in the magnificent focus of this holiday. When Luke said we were celebrating Santa's birthday (quickly followed by... oh no , not Santa's birthday, Jesus' birthday) my heart dropped into my feet. I prayed to God that we as parents would not let Christmas become just a shiny celebration of Santa. I had to remind myself that this year may be a little more difficult than others since we don't have a church to call home right now. Making the choice to leave First Baptist and look for a church closer to home was pretty hard, and we have put ourselves in a position where our kids are not getting their usual Christmas church focus on Jesus' birthday. It is so basic, so pure, and so important. The birth of Jesus. I happened to turn on the CBS "special" - "The Mystery of Christmas." A title intriguing enough for the Christian and sinister enough to draw in a non-Christian. As I made pumpkin rolls and took in this show, my heart again dropped as I watched basically an hour long campaign for people to doubt pretty much every aspect of the birth of Jesus. They even presented "evidence" that Jesus was probably not born in Bethlehem. It was probably Nazareth. And Mary a virgin? Ha! She was what one "expert" called "nothing more than an adultress." I can barely type the words. My point here is that by the grace of God, in my heart, I know that I know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was born of the virgin Mary to be the Savior of the world. I am so thankful that the program didn't sway me in the least... just swayed my anger. I pray that the spirit of God will give that peace and assurance to my children. That they will BELIEVE.

Dear Santa...

I would like a toy parrot and a plain Password Journal. Be Safe. Ellie
Post Script: We must have been one of the last stops on his list because Santa was fresh out of "plan pass wrde grnols." All he had were the Pet Shop ones, and they're just not quite as cool.

A Christmas Connection

Finding time for friends is not easy in the stage of life we are in. It seems like months whiz by before we can get together. This Christmas, we got a date on the calendar, and all the stars aligned just right! We were able to spend the evening with the Sammons and the Streeters. The kids had a blast and the adults talked til we dropped.