FOR MY FRIEND

"I'm praying for you."

I know that this is a common statement. It is one of the easiest things to do. It is one of the more comforting things to say when you don't know what to say.

A lot of people say the words and don't understand the power of the statement. They have heard it said "when two or three agree...." They have said the words countless number of times...yet they don't truly believe.

They think if their desired answer is not realized and obvious within a short time that it didn't work.

They struggle with finding the right words....don't want to be cliche...don't want to be callous...don't want to be fake. "I'll be praying for you," they say.

What do they pray? Do they know that God really does answer prayer? Do they understand that Jesus died on the cross and took EVERY sickness upon His back? Do they understand that we were promised healing? Do they even know?

They can't manage to go to church, to read their Bible, to really pray when there is a problem with their family or friends. "I'll remember you in prayer," they state in a concerned voice.

Do they truly believe? When we are called to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us....what does that mean to the unbeliever? They hear my concern for you, my friend. They have all said they would agree with me.

It is hard to imagine going through what you are going through. Although the outlook is positive, I hear it in your voice. I hear it in your hubby's voice. I feel it in my imagination. You are scared. That is okay.

I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen it TOO MANY TIMES! I have to believe in it.

It is the P.C. thing to say. It is comforting to say. It is soothing to hear. The words roll easily off the tongue. But not many understand. Not many know that they know that they know.

I promise you this, my dear friend: I am praying for you! I will continue to do so.

All my love to you and your family~

BLUEBONNETS

"It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat. The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." This statement was made by historian Jack Maguire.

They are blooming!

Few statements make me feel the way this one does. For most, it is simply an observance. For me, it is cause to celebrate Texas pride and drive my family crazy.

I am Texas born and Texas bred. I have known all my life that the state flower of the Great State of Texas is the bluebonnet. What I didn't know, was why. With my immature reasoning and understanding I thought that the state flower should be one that is found a lot in the state....like the tumbleweed, or the cactus. (The cactus, by the way, was on the short list of state flowers WAY back in the day.)

When I was in my early 20s, my husband and I moved to Austin. Moving to the Hill Country in July...well, we still didn't notice anything...until early spring. OH MY GOODNESS! NOW I UNDERSTAND! I cannot describe to you the breathtaking beauty that is a field of bluebonnets.

Living in North Texas, I still get to enjoy the beauty of the bluebonnet - thanks to the highway department's beautification project. They have spread TONS of wildflower seeds along Texas highways; and a lot of these seeds are bluebonnets.

The minute I see the deep purplish-blue that covers the fields and sides of the roads in quilted patchwork, I start planning the annual photos of these flowers and my children.

The difficult thing is finding a large patch that is safe to get out with 4 kids (all 7 and under) and go crazy with the digital camera. But every year, I recruit my hubby to help me find the perfect place. I watch the blooms to determine their peak beauty. I then dress the kids, schlepp them to the field, plop them down and snap away. If I'm lucky, nobody gets an ant bite. If I am REALLY lucky, I get some smiles out of the children.

My oldest told me this year that he didn't want to take pictures in the bonnets...that they were prickly and there were bugs on them. Bugs? I know. Prickly? I don't know. I haven't sat in them. That is only for my youngin's. :-)

I brushed his statement off as a little kid that didn't want to go out into the hot sun and say, "CHEESE!" as crazy mom snaps dozens of pics. UNTIL my hubby told me, "My mom used to do stupid stuff like that....I hated it."

Well, honey, I love you. This will just be a memory that my kids will share with you.

GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!!

I'M TIRED!

First off, this post is not for the reader with a weak stomach. So, if you tend to get puny reading about bodily fluids, you should leave now.

Secondly, I'm not throwing a pity party. I do not want your sympathy...wait, that's a lie. I want people to feel sorry for me. And the more I think about it, the more I think this IS a pity party. Anyway, I'm here to vent, so if you don't want to hear it, click the "x" at the top of your screen.

Thirdly, this post MIGHT be offensive to some. I'm cranky and tired and I really don't care if someone is offended at the words I might use. (No...I'm not going to cuss like a sailor, but certain slang or actual descriptions might come out that are less than ladylike. Frankly my dear, I don't give a rat's butt....just warnin' ya. Verstehen?)

OK....I'm tired of puke and poop. I'M TIRED OF IT!!! My youngest child, not even 2, has the rota virus. It is a nasty bug. I don't really care about bodily fluids...I mean, who does? But I don't generally get sick over the stuff. However, being a human who likes to maintain a certain amount of cleanliness...well, it is getting hard.

I'm tired of laundry. Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows that laundry is my arch-nemesis. I have done no fewer than fifteen loads of laundry since Wednesday. Every time I turn around, there is a leaky diaper or vomit all over the place. Dadgum...how much can a kid hold? In the words of Jeff Foxworthy...."When they say 8-10 pounds, they ain't kiddin'.That is all
them diapers will hold!"

Tuesday, on our way back from a family visit, my youngest puked in his car seat. There are few things worse than cleaning up puke from a car seat....having to do it 3 times ON THE ROAD is one of them. My sweet hubby cleaned out the FTU and the car seat...we had to strip it down and launder the other stuff.

Wednesday saw diarrhea...LOTS of poop...well, not really poop, but...well, you know. The vomiting seemed to subside, but the other end needed an insane amount of attention. Fortunately, a trip to Costco was not that far in the past...I have a case of diapers and wipies....I'm on my last section of diapers.

My issue (no the poop and puke is not really the issue here) is my 3 other children. My older 2, though they understand my need to be constantly tending to my youngest, do not understand how to facilitate the event. Every time I turn around, they are fighting or something. (It would be spring break...all 4 are home and I'm up to my armpits in puke and poop.)

My 3rd has not napped for the past 2 days. That is both good and bad. It is bad because for 2 hours when I NEED him to sleep, he is a whiney-heiney! The good thing is that in about 30 minutes, I can put in a movie and expect him to sack out for the night. Thank you, God.

My youngest, as we speak, is so tired that I put him in bed. See, we went for a drive because we are all going a bit goofy in the head. Well, either from movement or milk or whatever, the youngest puked FOUR TIMES in the FTU...AGAIN! *sigh*

We got home and I threw him in the tub. He is clean...I think. He is in his bed because I was convinced he was about to fall asleep. My dilemma is that when I go check on him, he is usually covered in either puke or poop and has to be tended to. Either way, he wakes and doesn't go back to sleep easily. I'm tired of washing sheets. I'm tired of washing pj's. I'm tired of smelling like puke. I'm tired of the house smelling like poop.

Are you tired of reading the words "puke and poop?" Try cleaning it up........

Mommy Spice and Daddy Spice...I don't think I'll be in church on Sunday.

LOSS OF A FRIEND

I have a friend...correction, I HAD a friend. Her name is Jennifer. I have lost her. I have no idea why. I am clueless as to what must have happened. I am saddened by this loss.

Jennifer and I met during our first week of college at Texas Tech University. She was one of a group of us that called ourselves "The Chicas." (I know...corny, but it was early 90s and we were a bit silly.) Anyway, Jennifer and the rest of us (a total of 5 girls) did a lot of things together. I was the prankster. (Hmmmm...that could explain my need to go BACK to college and actually graduate.) But, we had a good time. Once a semester, we dressed up and went out to eat at some restaurant that we could only afford once a semester. We called it "Chica-night.) Then, we would gather in one of our dorm-rooms, drink Dr Pepper, eat M&M's and have a sleep-over. Fun, huh?

I was the first to get married. All 4 of my friends were in my wedding. I was in 3 of the other 4 weddings. I was Jennifer's Matron-of-Honor. It was a nice wedding. In fact, I think it will be about 11 years this April.

I heard from Jennifer last when she was pregnant with her 2nd child. Suddenly, I never knew when she moved or had other children. It's like she fell off the face of the earth...except she didn't. :-(

I have "googled" her a few times. I know that she has moved. I know the hospital her hubby (a doctor) works in. I have sent her Christmas cards and birthday greetings. I even found a place where she works and sent an email through the "contact us" portion. I told them that I was an old friend and I was looking for her. I asked that they please let her know and have her email me. They said they would. That was about 2 months ago.

I'm having trouble saying goodbye to Jennifer, though it's been about 6 years since I heard from her. I don't want to seem like I'm stalking her. I guess I'll just stop trying to contact her. My mother says that friends are there for a season. I know the season has changed for us, but I didn't see any signs. My hubby thinks I should call and say, "What's up with all this?" I can't seem to grovel...nor can I be tacky to her.

No...I guess I'll just say goodbye. There is a chance, though slight, that she could read this. I've sent her the address when I practically begged her to write to me.

If you are reading this, Jennifer, thank you for a wonderful friendship. It was too short, but it was lovely. If you ever need a friend, you always have one in me. God bless you and your little family. Goodbye.

I THINK I'LL GO TO AUSTRALIA!

OK...those of you who are teachers know that line. It's from "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." A kid wakes with gum in his hair and his day just gets worse and worse. He wants to go to Australia to escape it all....he can go with me.

I love being a mom. More specifically, I love being a stay-at-home-mom to my 4 beautiful, healthy boys. But today has been one of those days! A day that I would like to send my children to the circus...except the circus would not have them.

Honestly, the problem isn't with my kids. The problem is my reaction to their actions. They are boys ages 7, 6, 3 and 1. There are some that would probably criticize me for how I handle them, but they can kiss my grits! So in honor of my desired trip to Australia (that will NEVER happen) I will just vent here.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, MY FRIENDS! Turn back now, if you don't want to join my pity party.

This morning (Saturday) dawned a bit cool, but sunny. I lazed around for a few minutes, then finally go around to go to WalMart. (That, in itself, is an adventure with 4...I could stop here, but where would the entertainment be?) We went to the bank to get $$ to pay for piano lessons for the month of March. (see how on-top of things I am?) Then we went to WM.

I had a short list of about 6 things. The 6 things became 8 when I was fitting DS #1 with soccer shoes. "These shoes are COOL, Mom! I've always wanted monster soccer shoes." I didn't even know they had them. They are black shoes with teeth. Hmmmm....I wonder if they make him run faster or kick the ball farther. Either way, my 2nd was convinced as he said that if his brother had monster soccer shoes, "shouldn't I have some, too?" That is a logic I can't argue. SO, as we fit #2 with shoes, my heart drops for the 5 seconds I can't find #3....who was down the aisle trying on shoes for himself. Shoes are always needed in our house, so I bought 3 pairs instead of 1.

It sounds harmless enough, but picture me pushing the basket while #1 and #2 were on either side trying to push each other down, using the basket with my 8 items and 2 younger children. So it began. We got into the FTU and the boys started fighting about goodness knows what.

We came home...all was OK. We ate lunch. Then came quiet time...and the time everything went to pot. My 2 younger children MUST REST! My 3rd can lie on the bed and watch a movie and be OK. My youngest MUST SLEEP for at least 2 hours. My older 2, for fighting in the FTU, were instructed to lie down until soccer practice. NOBODY RESTED! My 3rd came out TWICE, having pooped his pull-up. (Despite swats, he will NOT poop in the potty...I'm quite tired of wiping his big butt.) My 2nd kept asking "can I get up now?" And my 1st sat on the toilet reading for about 40 minutes. (Who knew those habits started out so young?)

At 2:20, I began the task of getting everyone shod so we could be at soccer practice at 3...a mere 10 minutes away. It took FORTY MINUTES to get this done. My oldest, despite my instruction, opened the front door. My younger 2, despite my warning, kept running outside. My 2nd complained that his white socks weren't as good as soccer socks (which are dirty, because my lazy butt hasn't done laundry in a good while.) AND, while cutting the tag of #1's shoes, I cut through a shoestring. I was IMMEDIATELY informed that new shoes MUST be purchased. Yeah right, kid! While dealing with all this, I must have gotten mean...my 2nd told me he wished I wasn't here right now. Can't get mad at him...I wish I wasn't here either...I think I'll go to Australia.

After practice (that was cold and windy) we came home. My 3rd refused to come in. So, I get him inside, kicking and screaming...literally...the child, not me. My younger 2 started to play chase. The noise was a bit much, but at least they were enjoying each other....until #3 slammed #4's hand in the door. As I rushed to his rescue and opened the door, I scraped the top of #3's foot. So we all sat in the hall kissing wounds and apologizing.

As we returned to our normal (it's shocking, isn't it?) day, my kids start getting upset about a paper mask that they had decorated and tried to fit with yarn. SO, I helped....and heard clanking. I turned and saw #3 and 4 climbing INTO the cabinets with glassware. I hollered over my shoulder. (I know....the model mother would never stoop to yelling. I know it defeats all purpose and teaches my children how NOT to behave, but please...I'm feeling pretty beat-up right now.) As I turn, I hear a crash. "STOP IT!! STOP STOP STOP!" I cry with my hands on my ears. My #2 said quite simply and quietly, "I don't like it when you do that." *sigh* I don't like it either, baby!

After that, my 2nd got up to corral the younger 2. Isn't that sweet? How wonderful that my 6 year old saw the need and responded. How sad that there was a need. I feel like a terrible mother. I feel as if I failed them today. I'm embarrassed and ashamed that my children are trying to talk me down. I'm upset that I got mad at my kids for acting like boys. :(

Tomorrow is another day....thank goodness. I'll get the kids down with a movie and regroup. I just found a bag of chocolate...that's always good, too. I think I'll put off my trip to Australia for another day.

Thanks for listening.

MANNERS AND OTHER LOST ARTS......

Today, I hosted a luncheon for the teachers in our school. It is still winter, technically, and though I have personally been wearing shorts and sandals all over the place, I thought I could push a soup luncheon. SO, soup it was.

We had 7 crock pots of soup, spoons, bowls, crackers, desserts, drinks and napkins. There are 70 faculty and staff that we fed. So what's the problem? Dependability. I cannot believe some people.

Being on the PTO board....more specifically, Hospitality Coordinator, it is my job to make the teachers feel appreciated. Having been a teacher, especially at the school I serve, I have a good handle on what the teachers would want and like. Food is ALWAYS a winner. I brought our Volunteer Coordinator on board. It was her job to find out what I needed and to call the many people who paid their $5 dues and stated how much they wanted to be involved.

"GREAT! THANKS! WE'LL GIVE YOU A CALL!"

So one call goes out to a sweet person. She is asked to bring spoons. I got spoons. TWELVE OF THEM! I kid you not. TWELVE SPOONS! PTO got to buy spoons today.

It is easy to say that something came up. But you know what? Something ALWAYS comes up! The last luncheon we had was a Frito pie luncheon. My cheese lady got sick. She really did. She called to let us know ONE WEEK AFTER the fact....one week after PTO bought cheese.

I have money at my disposal. Not a lot, but enough to get me out of the two pickles I have been in regarding "Teacher Appreciation." *sigh* What do you do? I can't really address the members at the general meeting and say, "HEY, CHEESE LADY, THANKS A LOT!" (though I must admit....it would be quite gratifying.)

This problem isn't the only one I've noticed. It seems to be an epidemic...and epidemic of cosmic proportion! It is due to poor raising, I believe. Manners are totally lost. Nobody cares anymore. You can't force someone to mind their manners. You can't force a "please" or a "thank you." (unless of course you are holding some tasty morsel out of the reach of a toddler or young child.) All you can do is train them "in the way that they should go" and hope it sticks.

My kids are being trained. So diligent is my tutelage that my 20 month old can be heard saying, "sawwweeeee" and "pweez." As we walk through WM, my children are often heard saying, "please", "excuse me", and "yes ma'am."

When I see a child look up and say, "excuse me," my heart instantly warms and I respond with "that's OK, sweetie," or something equally pleasant. Here lately, even when I say, "excuse me," I'm met with silence.

I was pushing a cart, with 2 of my 4 sweet babies, and I got rammed by some person in a hurry to get into the store. NOTHING was said by her. In my aggravation, I stated, rather loudly, "exCUSE us!" Not a look, not a huff....NADA! NOTHING! ZERO! ZIP!

All that being said, I'm tired of depending on the undependable. I'm tired of insincerity. I'm tired of people being inconsiderate. I hope, and pray, that I'm always mindful of how I come across. I do not want to be one of those people that I'm talking about now.