Summer Break

So far summer break has been a whirlwind of laziness. We have had some company, some good times, some bad times, but mostly just laziness. I don't get summer break from school, but not having to take Isabelle to school every morning at 7:15 is the best from of vacation I can even think of right now. Our first week of true summer laziness has included:
our homemade summer reading program (the kids are loving it and have read for 15 hours each so far!)
Watching movies
breakfast with Nanna at IHOP
playing at the park
running in our neighborhood

trying out the YMCA that just opened near my house
building a sweet ramp for bikes and scooters and a neighborhood full of kids
planting flowers
killing flowers we didn't realize were shade flowers
nursing an apple tree (not quite like the way Pastor Greg nursed his babies)
whining about not being able to put in a real garden like last year
the farmer's market
spending time with friends
spending time with family
Nanna taking my kids far far away so I can veg on the couch and do nothing
applying for scholarships
praying, dreaming, praying some more for clarity
a little crying
a lot of laughing
a trip to the library
lots of laundry
trading beds with our friends (possibly my favorite thing)
FINALLY realizing how I want to decorate my master bedroom
breaking the zzzzz key on my keyboard (you have no idea how long it took me to type those z's)
sleeping with the windows open
waking up to birds chirping
waking up to saws whirring and hammers doing what they do best
discovering nature trails at Frenchmen's
sidewalk chalk and
late night BBQs while vegging on our front porch and loving my ideal life.
Anything exciting in your first week of summer break?

Ten Things I Love

the library
wild flowers
My red cell phone (mostly because it is red)
socks
smelly good lotion that doesn't make me sneeze
watching movies in bed
music
singing musicals randomly with my kids
my husband
quoting movies and TV shows with friends

Yard Work

Here are some yard pics. This is a before picture. Already our yard is prettier because our neighbors put a white fence between our yards. A little enjoyment for no money at all. We added burning bushes, a burning maple tree, and some flowers and herbs for some color. The Man brought home treasures from the river by way of huge pieces of driftwood that add a nice rustic touch to the front yard. Plus, the association put in a tree by our front sidewalk and as soon as the house next door is finished construction, we will have a gas lamplight out front. We are still adding to it, but our front yard is looking great. The kids and I planted a couple things this morning in hopes of filling the planter box near the front porch including sunflowers, a couple pumpkins, wild flowers and a small mound in the corner for cucumbers.







I love being at the end of the cul-de-sac. All the kids seem to accumulate here.

Pictures at the Park

These pictures make me so happy. I hope you feel the happiness, too. This is my Sam I Am, my baby.

Coming to a Close

This school year for Isabelle has been a great experience. I was so nervous at the start of the year. I have been her teacher for four years officially, and just a regular mom to her for the five years before that. There is always a lot of pressure for moms when we know our fruit is going to be judged. We prayed and prayed for a great teacher. I couldn't help feeling like I was becoming the outsider. After being mom and teacher for so long, I wasn't sure how we would all work together. Then we met Ms. Jasina. Oh how I love her. In fact, if I had a mug for everything I loved as much as her, my mug would say I heart Ms. Jasina. Isabelle comes home regularly saying, "Ms. Jasina totally gets me!" Our prayers were more than answered. I am only sad Isabelle can't have her again next year. I am sure I will be even more neurotic this August when I turn over the next two kiddos. I realize all this sounds a little crazy, but I have put a lot into these guys. It is in my best interest to help them turn out well.

My Kind of Parenting

I found this article online and cracked right up. One day I will write my own version of Life with George. For those of you who don't actually know, George Dahir is my dad (please always refer to him by his entire name as the rest of us do.) As children, my brothers and I were subject to George Dahir's overly creative need to discipline us. Cleaning walls, writing papers, finding imaginary shapes in the stucco on our ceiling. Ah the memories. Hope you enjoy the article.

Cat and Harlan Barnard have pitched a tent [snicker] in the front drive of their Florida home and erected [REALLY?!] signs, one of which says: "Parents on Strike!".

They say they will stay there until Benjamin, 17, and Kit, 12, start to do their share of the household chores.

The stand-off, in Enterprise, Florida, is being monitored by the police, welfare officers and teachers.

Mrs Barnard said she and her 56-year-old husband, a government social services worker, had tried everything to get their children to act more responsibly.

They tried smiley-face charts, withholding allowances and even sought help from a psychologist.

"We've tried reverse psychology, upside down psychology, spiral psychology and nothing has motivated them for any length of time," said Mrs Barnard, 45.

She said the final straw came when her son failed to offer to help her mow the lawn one Sunday, even though she should have been resting following a medical operation.

"I had already made the decision to do it [strike] then, but I had absolutely no motherly guilt about it," she was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.


Since Monday, the parents have slept on airbeds in their tent and eaten barbecue meals, only going inside to use the shower.

The children have frozen meals to keep them going inside the house.


The parents say they will stay outside until their children change.
Officers from the sheriff's department have called at the home three times to check on the situation but have not tried to intervene.

One of Kit's teachers also stopped by, concerned after hearing that her parents had left home.

The Barnards' story has been picked up by the media across the US, and they have been inundated with interview requests.

One woman shouted "Good for you! You should put the kids outside!" as she drove past their home, the AP reported.

But others are less supportive. "One woman said I should be ashamed for creating emotional stress on my children," Mrs Barnard said.

"I told her, 'Well, they've been doing it to me for years.'"

The action appears to have angered Ben, who described the strike and ensuing press attention as "extremely inconvenient".

But his sister, Kit, said she understood. "I guess we don't help out as much as we could. I'm going to change."

The OFFICE

I can't put into words just how much I love The Office. PB&J, The Dundees, Race for the Cure when it has nothing to do with cancer, The Schrute Beet Farm. Happiness. I am drinking out of my I heart Jim coffee mug right now, getting ready for school, and I had to take a minute to share this special video with you all. Pause the music. Thanks Boardman Brewer.

For the Record

I will be more clear as to when I am asking question about YOU and when I want you to answer questions about ME on my polls. But honestly, if I want to know about you guys, I visit your blogs. If you stalk me and aren't bloggers, could you also send me flowers sometimes, cause I really love freshly cut wild flowers.


In short, usually my blog polls are asking you to respond on what you know about ME.

The Screwtape Letters-Letter 22

This is an excerpt from C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. If you haven't read this book, DO IT DO IT DO IT. It is a fictitious collection of letters written from a demon named Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood. Screwtape is aiding Wormwood in his attempts to corrupt Wormwood's "patient." The girl in the passage is the "patient's" girlfriend.

I hope someTHING somewhere is saying this about me (well, maybe not the virginal part as much):

I have looked up this girl's dossier, and I am horrified at what I find. Not only a Christian, but such a Christian- a vile, sneaking, simpering, demure, monosyllabic, mouse-like, watery, insignificant, virginal, bread and butter miss. The little brute; she makes me vomit. She stinks and scalds through the very pages of the dossier. It drives me mad the way the world has worsened. We'd have had her to the arena in the old days. That's what her sort is made for. Not that she'd do much good there, either. Two faced little cheat; I know the sort, who looks as if she'd faint at the sight of blood and then dies with a smile. A cheat every way. Looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth and yet has a satirical wit. The sort of creature who'd find me funny! Filthy, insipid little prude. And yet, ready to fall into this booby's arms like any other breeding animal.

I can't remember why I came here

I was very excited to get my children into bed, but because that took forever and laundry doesn't appreciate Mothers Day, I took too long and I can't remember why I came here. "My mind is blank. Even now, days later, nothing."

Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers and single dads.

Answers from the Poll

Again, I thought it was important to give you closure by telling you how much I love basketball. AND by doing that, will mention how much I absolutely hate wrestling, boxing, and homos in shorts. Once while trying to do something useful, I over saw my husband's show of wrestling/boxing/whatever. The ref made the men get up, move to the center of the ring, and made one mount the other. wow. What little respect I had left. I am pretty sure everyone who sports a Tapout logo is a closet case faggot.
Basketball, on the other hand, is dreamy. I love watching it, and if I had any sort of stamina, I would play games other than horse and 2 on 2. When I was a kid, my dad had a court poured in our backyard. This was great for all of the obvious reasons, but also because we were crazy poor. It was the greatest investment in our eyes. And because God blessed us with the hugest yard in our development, we will be pouring our own basketball court in the next couple of months. When I was little, I was the hugest Chicago Bulls fan. Well, I was a Jordan fan, but couldn't help love the others. Cause remember when Jordan and Pippen were the greatest dynamic duo ever placed in God's sport? Horace Grant, Shawn Kemp, Cartwright, Dennis Rodman in all his faggoty flair. These are a few of my favorite names.
I tried to find a picture of my Rodman kicks from high school, but I was unable.
This is a close picture, but obviously I wouldn't have worn these back then as I thought Oakley was a prick.

Monday Funny

A little girl goes to the barber shop with her father.
She stands next to the barber chairs, while her dad
gets his hair cut, eating a snack cake. The barber
says to her, "Sweetheart, you're gonna get hair on your
Twinkie." She says, "Yes, I know, and I'm gonna get boobs, too."

A Change is in the Air (actually a few of them)-ramblings

This weekend I attended my Las Vegas church's 20th annual women's retreat. The theme was In the Garden of Eden and the focus was getting ourselves rooted in what God is intending us to be rooted, get rid of the rotten fruit we are producing, enhance the good stuff, and open our eyes to areas the slimy serpent is tricking us. Many of you know I am drawn to trees so the fact that everything this weekend was centered around the analogy of the tree meant so much to me. On Monday, I was feeling the need to disappear and sort through some things God has been yelling at me. I realize he doesn't normally yell, but every time I respond to his usual gentle pull by putting my fingers in my ears and singing the la la la's, his voice seems to get louder and louder for my clear understanding. SO I got on the phone and began scrambling to plan an out of town trip for the following Friday. God worked out everything! I was on the 6:15 am flight to Ontario Friday morning AND I was signed up to room with my friends. Perfect.

The first night, after strolling IKEA, watching episode after episode of The Office, and giggling to the brink of self urination, we settled in for worship and a teaching about the fruit we are producing. I have heard this teaching many times, but Terry Powell (one of the greatest almost pastor preachers I have ever heard) just has a way of digging in and speaking the truth. She covered our role as women, wives, and mothers and reminded us that cleavage is not actually necessary at church or anywhere outside of the bedroom. I leaned over and tried to convince my neighbor she was referring to me, but nobody was buying it. sigh.

I got the usual goodness out of the teaching with some good reminders. It wasn't a life changing speech for me because I feel God has been dealing with me with this issue for at least a year now, and I have made good strides. At the end, we sang another song and Terry Powell one of the greatest almost pastors said we could come up if there was anything we wanted prayer for. I was up at the front before I realized I was out of my seat. What?! What am I going to ask for prayer about? AHH, maybe I will ask to hear about what God was saying during my la la la's.

I said something like "Can I get prayer so I can hear God more clearly? I feel like he is trying to say something to me, but I can't quite hear. No, that is a lie. I feel like God has been more than clear about something and I have mostly said thanks anyway." After the lady laughed for at least a minute, she prayed for me. It was a good, releasing kind of prayer. She prayed for God to restore even deeper my gift of music and show what my calling is in this area so I can share it and bring glory to God. I felt happy. But then she said, "I feel like God is trying to give you a gift, but you are refusing to receive it. Any ideas?"

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Yes, that may be familiar. I cried. A little kid cry when he realizes there is no justification in his behavior. crap. So, I went back to my seat and asked for forgiveness for being lamer than Moses when God asked him to free the Israelites. He forgave me, and I turned my ears on to hear more clearly what I am supposed to do now that I have said yes, cause frankly I am still terrified and tragically under qualified.

The rest of the night was full of laughter and fantastic friends who just get me.

Saturday morning included another good teaching from Terry Powell the greatest almost pastor ever on boundaries. A subject I love. When it was through, we were each given a little paper pamphlet of verses and asked to spend at least an hour alone with God, just being and digging in. We do this every year and I used to feel weird, but it is what I was looking forward to all week. I was so anxious to be alone with God. Let me set the scenery: Calvary College, lake in the center of the grounds, lush trees and California green everywhere, so many trees you can't see or hear any of the surrounding businesses, randomly placed college students playing guitar and worshiping, winding sidewalk trails over what I consider steep hills. I settled on a spot on a grassy hill very near the lake. The breeze was strong, but perfect.
I prayed for my time and for me to find God's voice while I was there. I have stopped asking God to meet me. That is silly. He is here waiting; if I can't find him it is me, not him that is missing. About one minute into my prayer, God gave me a song. I wrote it in my journal and finished it in about 30 minutes. music and lyrics. Thanks again, Tony, for praying for that. I was overwhelmed with my quiet time. I only hope I can find that same sort of quiet at home. I hate to seem pessimistic, but there are just so many noises.
The rest of the retreat was filled with good reminders and laughter to the brink of self urination. I was given very specific areas to work on, accept, and renew. My friends were given real life visuals through moldy fruit and may have gotten tired of hearing the phrase, "hey, I feel like God wants me to tell you something." I hope you don't feel like we ganged up on you Jess. We honestly did not preplan your intervention HA!! I feel God started using my newly discovered gifts right away, and so far I have been obedient. so far. There was all the things you want to find at a retreat: relaxation, confirmation, late night laughter, hot springs, connection, crying, and mostly God. I left with a cold, but still feeling grateful for all of the above.

So Many People to Thank

But for today, I would like to thank the construction worker/electrician who was working on the house next door to my own. As I walked on my treadmill, I noticed him splicing wires and working hard at the edge of my driveway. Then, once he looked around to be sure no one was looking, he threw the trash from his special experiment on the sidewalk. The thank yous come in for the lesson I was able to show my son.
"See that man, Son? Do you see how he is doing his job, then looking around to make sure no one is looking? Do you know why he is doing it? He is throwing his trash on the ground because he thinks no one is looking." Then my husband went outside because I pointed this man out. My husband is good at this sly fox role so he mostly fiddled around but made himself seen by the worker. I made my son keep watching the man outside. And big surprise, the man put the rest of his trash back into his truck. Here is where I pointed out the man in the green Jeep Cherokee's integrity issues.
"See, Son, that man is only cleaning up his messes because he thinks Daddy is watching. THAT, Son, is low integrity. He isn't choosing not to litter because he thinks it is the right thing to do. He is doing it because he thinks he is going to get caught."
(My Son): Wow, Mommy. Is that why you punish me when I have bad integrity? So I will learn and not grow up to be that man?"
Me: Yes, Son.

You Had Me At Chapter One

Seriously, in addition to this guy making me laugh out loud, this book is one of the best I have read in a long time! My disclaimer includes the point that I have only made it through chapter one so far, but if I didn't have others to care for, I would not stop reading until the end. I got mine at Barnes and Noble in a three for one compilation including Through Painted Deserts and Searching for God Knows What. Some churchy books get you thinking but usually in an I-can't-believe-how-(fill in the name)-could-seriously-learn-a-lot-if-he/she-just-read-this-book way. This book is not like that. All arrows point to me on this one.

Home Alone

This weekend, The Man is gone with Papa Shaun and my brother, George, to visit the fish.

Translation: I am home alone with my children and grossly outnumbered! Never the less, I have shopped for a few new home things including a super cute lampshade and new kicks for Sam, Eli, and Addison, sanded, prepped, and painted my piano, stuck to my exercise schedule, shopped for scrap stuff to organize my scrapping area, read a book, read some great reminders in Acts, mastered a new song on the piano, eaten 12 cups of vegetables, vacuumed, cleaned, done some laundry, wrote a paper, created a Power Point presentation, drank 158 ounces of water, ran a mile in 11:30 (my last time was 16:02), and introduced Samuel (along with the others) to the drive in for a little Horton Hears a Who. AND, it is only Saturday. What did you do this weekend?

In case you wondered

The answer to my poll is a resounding "a cabin, books, movies, and mountains." (I think that was the fourth part?) The three of you who chose Hawaii must not know how unappealing sand in my nethers is to me. I absolutely LOVE Frenchman Lake only a quick jaunt of thirty minutes from my house. Just perfect. This picture is literally our view from our favorite campsite. We already have reservations for two trips this year. We have spent hours hiking for a Christmas tree, waiting on the fish to arrive, wandering with Moby Richard, camping, vegging, running early morning runs, and sometimes nothing. I love it. Especially when I forget something and running home to get it isn't really crazy!

Funny Questions

My Isabelle is going to be ten this coming week. I am only sort of ready for this. A couple weeks ago I committed to scrapbook the memory and pictures of her as a three year old learning to write her name. She was playing in her room for about 15 minute before she came out with a paper in her hand of her attempts to learn to write her name. I wrote it correctly at the top of the page. She returned to her room, and twenty minutes later came out having written successfully her full name of ISABELLE BREWER. I was a proud mamma. Luckily I hung onto that paper and was able to include it on my page.
This week I noted funny life lessons she is picking up. One conversation began with her asking how many feet a person uses while driving- odd, but funny to me. Another that spanned across three or four days was about the workings and usefulness of hazard lights. "What is that red triangle button for? What does it do when you push it?" I tried my usual smart response along the lines of "it is in case you get too mouthy. One push from me and you go flying out of the car. Two pushes and you end up with the rest of the builders of the Tower of Babel- wandering in a foreign land with no hope of return." I was met with an oh-please-I-so-don't-believe-you look, so i told her the truth. Sigh, my baby is getting so big. She was very excited a couple days later to witness hazard lights in action. I told her she was cruel to be excited over someones car troubles. Again, the look.
I like moments like these because I can take notice of the impact I have on my kids. I am the one teaching them. I am the biggest influence. I am responsible. I am the first. I am the one. I am Mommy. I am under qualified. :/
We all have to answer for our parenting skills when God replays the "video" of our lives. Are you ready for that? It isn't too late to be the one.

What is in store

There really isn't much happening around the Brewer Maxi Pad. We are keeping busy and preparing for the end of school.

MIKE-
is busy with his new job and loving it. He has picked up lots of overtime, and God is blessing us through that. He is also elbow deep in his EMT class at TMCC. Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will be happy when that is over.
ME-
I am in a Psychology class, my last class before I begin my upper division classes. I am also trying to get all of the curtains settled on each window. I really never realized how difficult this is. We have a LOT of windows. As previously posted, I am waiting on the weather to warm up so I can plant all of my veggies.
ISABELLE -
(who prefers everyone to call her Izzy only because she gets irritated when people spell her name wrong) has two months left of school. I am surprised she hasn't made one of those paper chain count downs. She is a munchkin named Curly in her schools upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. I am extremely excited to watch it.
ELI & LAYLA-
are happy our school days are shorter which leaves time for the important stuff, like bike and scooter riding, sidewalk chalk, and new neighborhood friends. Layla Grace just finished her third box in her reading set and Elijah just started reading his first chapter book. I was thrilled with both of them.
THE SQUIRREL AND THE FISH-
Mostly run around the house and play/argue/scratch/bite/giggle. They give new depth to the meaning of a love/hate relationship. This morning Sam put together his first group of words. Luckily for me they were directed at me while I was getting dressed. He said, "you're ew," then laughed maniacally and ran away. Special. They don't know it yet, but this fall they will get me all to themselves between the hours of 8am and 2:30pm. Eli, Layla Grace, and Isabelle will be full time students at the Coral Academy of Science. We are all really looking forward to this new phase. And I am confident in my parenting skills to say "previous phase complete" with each of them.

Feeling Great in 2008

Okay, I will only say I have not been totally slacking on my goals for 2008, but I have not added any new ones. That isn't actually true; I have been eating a lot of veggies each day. But, mostly to counteract the other crap I eat. Like tonight- we had a late lunch so we let the kids (and we participated) in ice cream sundaes for dinner. I was beginning to get a complex that maybe I am not the cool mom I think I am because my kids would not believe me even when I was scooping the ice cream into their bowls. Why is this so far fetched? GASP! Maybe I am one of those lame moms that hangs around too much trying to convince her kids and her kids' friends she is cool! Argh.
Anyway, I got dressed to exercise many times this weekend, but only managed to do weights and push ups. I was too sore from the insane amount of gardening I did. Let me point out I had a teen age helper BUT completely lacked any man help. Ladies, listen up! This is over rated. Do NOT take on these sorts of projects on your husband's weekend away. My hands hurt so badly last night after three days of prepping my yard, I could not actually mash the mashed potatoes. Eli loved them. They were still yum, just a tad lumpy.
I DID manage to dig two holes-one for the tether ball pole, which I later sunk and buried, and the other for my new Granny Smith Apple tree. It is the perfect focal point outside of my kitchen window. I also cleared a 20x 20 section of Moby essence, rocks, and other oddities, tilled the dirt, laid a brick border, and laid 8 bags of topsoil. mm yummy. Plus, we met a really great gentleman at Home Depot to help load our car and wave hello to when we go back all summer long. He is at least 65, white hair, and the thickest German accent I have heard in a long time. His name is Milan and he made me recount my entire native history in hopes of finding a bit of German in me. He said Eli is a spitting image of me, only he looks very German. He was very accurate. And, my children love him.
NOW, I am exhausted. I must sleep.

What's the Answer?

I hate when people put up polls on their blogs but never give the answer. So, here you go. My favorite word from among the choices IS faggot. I DO so love the other words, but this one has such a naughty feel to it I get a rebel-dotty-a-loner sensation when I use it. It is the only bad word I holler to my husband when he is being obnoxious. I know it adds to the long list of reasons I am un PC but once again, if you love me you must love all of me. Plus, I don't care if I offend you. (hysterical malicious laughter)Plus, anyone who gets offended by things I write must not realize this world is less about them and more about me. Sigh. (demeaning head pat.) You will get it one day.

One of these things is not like the others..

Who can guess what is missing?

AAH Beautiful!

Dysfunctional Family

Now, I know you all want me to talk about the true dysfunction that stems from the Dahir side of my family, but I don't have that kind of time. I don't know that you can put that level of dysfunction into words. I will just focus on today's event where my husband took the kids on a bike ride around the block. He let me know, but because I am not the typical multi-tasker, being on the phone with the AmEx people caused me to not hear him clearly. He said something like- Addison is right here in front of you where I delivered her for he safety, and I am taking the other children on a bike ride around the block. I heard something like - kids will be gone, talk freely on the phone, bikes rock, block something or other. All this lead to Addison wandering aimlessly hunting for her daddy in tears throughout our neighborhood. Sigh. I am not sure I am ready for motherhood. Anyone need a good babysitter-keep looking.

Why I like Mike #16

Recently The Man and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. I heart him. He bought me flowers and gave me a funny card. But that isn't why I like him this time. I like him because he giggled as much as I did at Dan in Real Life. He even wanted to rewind parts to laugh again, but we couldn't find the dvd remote. We really are M.F.E.O.

Reflection

While examining my perception of the issues around me, I was reminded of a teaching I wrote in case one day God calls me to be a grown up and share about him in front of others. Here is an excerpt:

You can find a reflection in many things- a mirror, a window, a pool of water, a prism, a diamond; after a big steak dinner, you can find your reflection in your steak knife and use it to make sure you don’t have anything in your teeth. Reflections can be very handy. They can also be very scary.

Recently, God revealed to me a little of what I am reflecting. I have to tell you folks, it was like one of the ugly step-sisters stole Snow White’s mirror.

Mirrors tend to reflect everything placed in front of them. If you were a mirror, what would you be reflecting? Picture yourself at home-chaos ensuing. Mine looks a little like this-feel free to close your eyes if you get scared:

I step out of a long peaceful hot shower with a grin. I am excited because I got to shave, shampoo AND condition my hair, and use body soap all in one interval. I step out into the living room and my husband who has been left in charge of our children, is vacuuming. I automatically assume he is trying to make a point rather than be helpful. Samuel, my one-year-old is covered in his own hair after my toddler decided to play “barber,” my six-year-old son is screaming hysterically in our front yard, but smiling so I am confused, Layla Grace, 5, is pulling on my towel trying to show me how much of my makeup she was able to fit onto her eyelids, and Isabelle is insanely barking and hopping up and down around my still vacuuming husband as she attempts to get the dog to attack the vacuum.

When I catch my reflection in the bathroom mirror…. I am snarling. As it turns out, I don’t think I am ready to have a dog.

1 Peter 1:7- Trials have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Christ Jesus is revealed.

"Shine your light and let the whole world sing. We're singing for the glory of the risen king, Jesus."

For my friend who has chosen hope in the hardest struggle of her life. I love you Marie. Thank you for being a great example of a woman who puts her hope in God. You are my hero. And Baby Patience, you are a beauty with the squishiest, puffiest cheeks I have ever seen. I love you, too. I am comforted to know you are truly held by my Lord. My heart hurts that we did not get to know you longer.


For any of you who want to give to the Lear family, they can use your prayers most of all, but your money is equally as welcomed. Hillside Foursquare Church has set up a memorial fund for the Lear family to help pay for the unexpected medical bills. You can visit www.Hillside4.org to donate to the family.

(I totally stole this Psalm from my sister. I hope she doesn't sue me for plagiarism.)

this morning my heart is hopeful
in you, Lord, will i rejoice
i gaze out my window
and i see the sun
its rays bouncing off the morning frost
it is cold but shortly the sun will melt away the iciness
and so it is with my soul
the light of redemption is breaking
over the horizon
bursting through the darkness of winter
that wants to swallow me
renew me, my God
allow me to rest in your warmth
the road ahead is long, and i will need your strength
but for today
may i simply be warmed by your light.

Psalm #3 by Mel

When I Grow Up...

NO I can't wait that long. Recently, I have been in touch with the publisher of the RGJ (our newspaper here for you out of towners) (Jessie, this "town" has nothing to do with what you may be thinking). In January, Cory Farley retired from his spot as top-notch columnist, and I want to take his place. I don't so much want to fill his shoes as buy myself a bigger mouth in a real publication and be the new recipient of his paycheck. In my research about how to become such a person, I found out my new friend, Erin Harrison, was once the topic of one of Mr. Farley's column pieces. Apparently, when she lived here, she followed in HER mother's footsteps and became homecoming queen or something along those lines. I couldn't stop giggling, but then I got to thinking; "I want to be that guy!! I want to write about nonsense, happy family legacies, and why I think the protesters at the Olympic torch lighting ceremony are too disorganized and creepy for people to take them seriously."
In addition, I found out I have friends that have family at the newspaper, and I can't decide if I should play that card or not. So far, I am compiling my portfolio and waiting patiently for the Executive Editor to email or call me back. Mr. Ted Powers told me to wait patiently, so here I am. "Hear me God? Are you up there? It's me Margaret."
I am praying about God's timing and his amazing ability to say no when I shouldn't really do more. He has given me this desire, of that I am certain. I simply can't tell if he is calling my number just yet. I am willing to be patient, though I don't know if I will be any good at that game. As usual prayers are welcomed. Plus any advice you may have..ahem..David?

Sayings People Should Never Say

Recently I have notice an unintended cringe when people use certain phrases. This means if you are one of these people, you are causing me physical pain. Do you really want to be responsible for that? Help me out. Plus, feel free to add your own phrases.

*Been there, done that (Really?)
*Not! (Partly because only adults from Omaha use this saying through their still feathered hair, but also because white people feel the need to holler it while acting out the head waggle.)
*Get 'er done (Okay, seriously, that is the hillbilly version of "tap that". Any of you who have previously used this saying for something other than your expectations to get it on with "her" have my permission to reel. "AH CRAP! How DID I use that saying?")
*Help me help you (sigh. This one is just sad.)

And my absolute can't-handle-this-nonsense-phrase-because-it-causes-me-to-twitch saying

*It is what it is. (Who the heck are you, Confucius? Please, next time decide what IT is and just tell me. If I wanted fortune cookie sayings and obscure noun use I would go to a Chinese restaurant.)

Things to Do Before I Die (or get too old to do them)

*Graduate from college with at least a bachelors (halfway there and going strong).
*Read all of the books on my "Books I Wanna Read Before I Die" list. There are nearly 250 so far.
*Teach kindergartners to love school.
*Talk and pray with someone to receive Jesus (strangely this has never happened except counting me which doesn't count.)
*Be published as a regularly featured columnist
*Finish my scrapbooks.

*Take the whole of my family of seven on the Disney cruise with spending money.
*Master at least two instruments (preferably piano and the cello)
*Take voice lessons just cause.
*Date my husband regularly to out of town places.
*Become a skilled climber/rappeller/spelunker-er
*See things that may me go "wow!" ( I will cover these in another post as there are many)
*Learn to be compassionate.
*Become neater, but not to the point of freakish like the rest of you.
*Teach at a University or College.
*Save enough money to retire nicely with The Man with the possibility to easily enjoy my children and grandchildren.
*Lose my baby fat and have at least the beginnings of a six pack. I have mastered the pony keg; I think I am ready to graduate from this stage.
*Run/walk a half marathon
*Finish my book and get published.

I am sure there are more, but considering I have graduation as an upcoming goal, I figure should stop procrastinating and get started on my homework.

Movie Review

A little background before I get started: I am watching my DVDs in alphabetical order on the nights I am caught up on my homework or I decide to snuggle up with The Man.
So far I have watched up to the Cs with my last movie clearly being Chicago. (See previous post.) Yesterday the kids and I watched Cheaper by the Dozen, which always makes me cry. This movie is an oldie but a true goodie! Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are two of my chick flick family favorites. She also co-starred, wrote, and directed Return to Me. I will get to that movie near the Rs.

Cheaper by the Dozen is a total family friendly, have-on-in-the-back-ground-of-game-night kind of movie. It is based on an older movie of the same name. While everyone is clearly scripted, the happiness in the chaos reminds me of home and is sure to either make you want children or stop having them forever. When this movie first came out, I couldn't watch it enough. No real swearing, no real violence, no real issues with sex. My kids' favorite part is when Steve Martin's character does the "love dance" when he realizes his wife is checking him out as he walks away. Good stuff. If you havent' watched it yet, rent it- no, buy it. It is a must have.
I think this movie came out on DVD right near Addion's birth or at least when she was a baby. Once, after a few come to Jesus moments where we realized we actually were the unqualified parents of four children, we settled down to watch this movie. Mid way through, The Man snuggled up close and said he was glad we had a big family and "see, we could totally keep going. Let's try to beat them!" I was too scared to ask if he was serious, but I agreed if each of our children would stick to a written script and live in their own trailor, I would consider it. I am, after all, a giver.

Can't Say Why But...

I just love musicals. I know that will be painful for some of you to hear, but if you love me, you must love all of me.

Tonight I tucked my kids in to sleepy town, snuggled in with my green blanket and some orange juice, and put on one of my favorites, Chicago. So sadly I wasn't able to get my favorite song Cell Block Tango on here for your listening enjoyment. I love the recent musical movies like Moulin Rouge and Chicago for being brave enough to put musical numbers in the middle of a Hollywood production. And then another bravo for their stellar skills in finding some seriously surprising talent in the likes of Rene`e Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta Jones, Nicole Kidman, and my two faves John C. Reilly as Mr. Cellophane and Ewan McGregor who could sing me the phone book and make me swoon.


Of course I love the classics,, too. I love that my children (all of them) will sit and watch the entire two tapes of Fiddler on the Roof. Just happiness.

If you forgot about these gems or have never been brave enough to sit through one, I highly recommend one of the newer ones. Sometimes it is easier to handle something new when you know what to expect. Be brave! Take a chance! At least you can say you did this before you died. Don't worry, you won't really die from watching.

In the Mood for Funnies

Sometimes I just need funnines. If you also need some funnies, check out the link over there. See me pointing? The link is to a blog called Stuff White People Like. Ever since my refound friend Liz told me about it, I am addicted. And incidentally cracking up whenever I visit. Enjoy.

Oh, and Let's Be Real

IF Jesus HAD to choose, he would TOTALLY go to Hillside. Don't be modest Lou (not Louise)

My Life in a Musical

Seriously, I used to be amazed that people in musicals new all the words to the songs one character started singing and somehow they all magically knew the moves to the greatest dances ever! Now that I am grown, I just WISH my life could break into musical with willing participants around every corner. Tomorrow I am taking Layla Grace to the mall for her birthday. I wonder if our Hot Dog on a Stick lady will give us this same service!
Thanks to my friend, the speckled bird for showing us this improv group. They are called Improv Everywhere. I recommend the video where they mass froze in Home Depot and Grand Central Station.
Don't forgot to pause the music.

Feeling Great in 2008

I am truly a rockstar. Because you all have been catching onto what serious baby steps I need to accomplish any great physical goals, you will understand why I am so excited with my progress. At the beginning of this year I was working out about zero times and could hardly watch someone else exercise without getting worn out. In January I timed myself walking a mile and I checked in at a very sad 19 minutes and some seconds. Tonight I ran a mile in 15:37. Thought I wouldn't make it, but I did. I even stuck it out for a five minute cool down. Now I must shower because stank is eeking from my pits, but I will live you with this week's goal.

This one is awesome and truly all about me. My goal is to paint my toes and nails on Sundays to celebrate my sabbath. I am excited about this one because this gives me something to do just for me. It benefits no one but me. Am I selfish? Answer that when I wake up in the middle of the night to switch laundry for my husband, or make my daughter's lunch for her instead of exercising, homeschool my children and care for those other two instead of eating bon bons and watching my stories all day.

Sesame Street Favorite

On a Sesame Street sketch involving the sometimes controversial Bert and Ernie, Ernie was using a banana as an imaginary telephone. I was half listening to him attempt to convince Bert to give it a try. I cracked up laughing when Bert said, "Ernie, I am just not emotionally secure enough to do this."

On the Fly

In my attempts to keep up with a stronger, happier, healthier George Banks, I am wearing a pedometer courtesy of my friend Ms. Ridge. So far I have walked a whopping 3142 steps and it is still am! Yay! Who knew I chased kids as much as I do? In addition to this exercise awareness, I have started keeping my food journal again and am trying to be purposeful with my food. Last night I accused a friend of being pregnant when she just isn't (sigh. why do I talk?) and the only saving grace was my ability to point out my own baby fat in the shape of a beer gut around my middle. Hopefully she is inspired as much as I am and God will grant her time and energy to devote to herself. After all moms, this year is all about you!

Feeling Great in 2008

Next installment:
exercise- 20 minutes on treadmill-4/wk.
10 pushups/ 25 sit ups 3 days, drink two cups H2O/day
Seems easy enough, but I have been a rebel-dotty-a-loner when it comes to exercise. I can DO IT!!

Movie Review

Tonight I watched a movie with The Man, so I am clearly not hitting my 10pm bedtime. Time well spent though.
We watched Michael Clayton. Worth the rent. (Especially because we got the movie from one of those little Red Box renters. Love those guys.) The movie stars George Clooney and a number of other recognizable faces. Though the randomness came in spades, and I am sure I laughed at not-meant-to-be-funny parts, the story was interesting and most of the acting was excellent. And, well, George Clooney (Doug Ross, swoon!) He is definitely on my list of yummies. In fact, he may have moved up a spot because ole Heath pulled a Heath Ledger on us...wait; Jessie that doesn't really work for this situation. Anyway, I recommend the movie, and since I am the movie queen you must listen to me and watch it. Probably not a good purchase because I can't see us snuggling up to it again. My favorite part comes near the beginning when, without explanation, one of the semi-characters is seemingly leaning over a toilet, suddenly notices her pits are sweaty, and reaches her hand in said pit to check out the total situation. I have nothing more to say on that.
I give it 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5.
Swearing was medium to medium well on the steak scale.
Sex was none.
Violence was fairly minor as most violence was implied through interesting cinematography.