Last Friday, Holy Terror watched me clean off and reposition the photo of my deceased father-in-law.
"Who's that?" It's a simple question. The younger boys were not lucky enough to get to know Dan.
"That's a photo of your grandpa standing in the city, honey," I replied. "He's in heaven now."
Holy Terror looked at the photo with interest. "Where's heaven?"
"It's waaayyyy up beyond the sky, deep in space."
He gazed up at the ceiling, probably imagining the sky. "How far beyond the sky?"
"Past the moon, way beyond the sun, and deep in space with the stars."
There was a long moment of silence (about 5 seconds in toddler time). "He's a Transformer?"
I have to admit, even as a mega transformer fan, it took a minute for me to figure this logic out. For those of you non-Transformer people out there...Transformers come from far away, in space.
I think Grandpa, always the funny man, looked down and laughed at that moment. It's the kind of logic he would love.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tense Toddler Negotiations
Morning starts with the toss of the gauntlet by Holy Terror. He now doesn't want the dinosaurs he bought yesterday. He wants the motorcycle and rider Wyatt picked.
The stand-off begins.
Holy Terrors stomps with all his might. Super-Wy responds with his best warrior's bellow. The negotiator has to go to work. This situation will have to wait. The dinosaurs are placed in the safety of the neutral zone (breakfast bar). Super-Wy remains in possession of the motorcycle and rider by rights of ownership.
Negotiations flow to the office setting with a very important toddler conference call.
"Hello?" The negotiator asks from her desk.
"Mom, mom." Pause. "I'm giving Wyatt my dinosaurs and he's giving me his motorcycle and guy."
"Is Wy aware you are trading?" I ask. This sneaky trade tactic as been used before without the knowledge or consent of the secondary dealer. The result was near-toddler meltdown (imagine Chernobyl disaster, if you will).
"I get the dinosaurs!" Super-Wy chimes in with excitement.
Confusion of multiple toddlers speaking at once, and arguing about who's going to talk, ensues for several moments. This, until the daddy (aka conference liaison) speaks up and concludes the negotiation talks have been successful, and confirms the tension has settled.
All in a days work for the mom and dad of two tough cookies.
The stand-off begins.
Holy Terrors stomps with all his might. Super-Wy responds with his best warrior's bellow. The negotiator has to go to work. This situation will have to wait. The dinosaurs are placed in the safety of the neutral zone (breakfast bar). Super-Wy remains in possession of the motorcycle and rider by rights of ownership.
Negotiations flow to the office setting with a very important toddler conference call.
"Hello?" The negotiator asks from her desk.
"Mom, mom." Pause. "I'm giving Wyatt my dinosaurs and he's giving me his motorcycle and guy."
"Is Wy aware you are trading?" I ask. This sneaky trade tactic as been used before without the knowledge or consent of the secondary dealer. The result was near-toddler meltdown (imagine Chernobyl disaster, if you will).
"I get the dinosaurs!" Super-Wy chimes in with excitement.
Confusion of multiple toddlers speaking at once, and arguing about who's going to talk, ensues for several moments. This, until the daddy (aka conference liaison) speaks up and concludes the negotiation talks have been successful, and confirms the tension has settled.
All in a days work for the mom and dad of two tough cookies.
Monday, September 14, 2009
New Soul/Old Soul
As a mother of four, I stand in a unique position of witnessing the spiritual diversity of humans. The statement may sound a little odd. True, we are all grouped together, in the same household, community...cultural society. Hubby and I teach them the same morals, values, and ethics. Therefore, the initial thought would be to say our spiritual core would be similar.
This, from my experience, is an over-simplification of spiritual evolution.
At the core of our household belief is the concept of a soul’s life span. That is, physical life is just one cycle of a soul’s life cycle. It is only one learning experience. In this system, there is the new soul (the rookie) all the way to the old soul (the crusty). The rookies are grouped up with souls at varying ages to help orient them. These groupings may go through several lifetimes together, set up in similar or different relationship dynamics.
Of my children…I have two crusties and two rookies.
The Crusties: Skater Boy and Super-Wy
They were born with knowledge. Holding them in my arms at the hospital, I could see the depth and wisdom. At each of their life experiences they look on as if they know the outcome. They look at the sky, the rain, the ocean as old friends in a reunion.
Their joy and wonderment seem to come from knowing the beauty of life around them and realizing the sustainment of life within this knowledge. They move at a slower pace, digging deeper into each experience instead of just grazing by.
The Rookies: Drama Queen and Holy Terror
They were born with the energy only found in heaven. Looking into their newborn eyes, I found innocence and hunger for the coming adventure. They fly through life with a zest to take in as much as possible.
They are clumsy, not used to controlling a physical form. They are often brash, not realizing the rules of speech and emotion. Looking at the wonders of the Earth, they are in awe, as if meeting a new friend for the first time. They run headlong without any knowledge of the results.
I love watching the interaction between the four of them. The crusties help damper the recklessness of the rookies. But, the rookies help the crusties see the forgotten excitement and adventure of life.
I have to say...It is a true glimpse into the footprint of life.
This, from my experience, is an over-simplification of spiritual evolution.
At the core of our household belief is the concept of a soul’s life span. That is, physical life is just one cycle of a soul’s life cycle. It is only one learning experience. In this system, there is the new soul (the rookie) all the way to the old soul (the crusty). The rookies are grouped up with souls at varying ages to help orient them. These groupings may go through several lifetimes together, set up in similar or different relationship dynamics.
Of my children…I have two crusties and two rookies.
The Crusties: Skater Boy and Super-Wy
They were born with knowledge. Holding them in my arms at the hospital, I could see the depth and wisdom. At each of their life experiences they look on as if they know the outcome. They look at the sky, the rain, the ocean as old friends in a reunion.
Their joy and wonderment seem to come from knowing the beauty of life around them and realizing the sustainment of life within this knowledge. They move at a slower pace, digging deeper into each experience instead of just grazing by.
The Rookies: Drama Queen and Holy Terror
They were born with the energy only found in heaven. Looking into their newborn eyes, I found innocence and hunger for the coming adventure. They fly through life with a zest to take in as much as possible.
They are clumsy, not used to controlling a physical form. They are often brash, not realizing the rules of speech and emotion. Looking at the wonders of the Earth, they are in awe, as if meeting a new friend for the first time. They run headlong without any knowledge of the results.
I love watching the interaction between the four of them. The crusties help damper the recklessness of the rookies. But, the rookies help the crusties see the forgotten excitement and adventure of life.
I have to say...It is a true glimpse into the footprint of life.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Siblings
The dictionary defines sibling simply as a brother or sister who shares at least one parent. But, we all know things are never that simple. Siblings are a more complicated dynamic than just parental connection.
If you think about it, your siblings are the ones that have known you the longest. They have seen you in every emotional state. They have been with you during your growth and transformation into an adult.
Even if you are vastly different people, know you each other. They know what upsets you, angers you, saddens you. And, you know the same about them.
My siblings have been on the top of my mind lately. Possibly because my sister’s birthday was last week and my brother’s is coming up in a couple months.
I don’t ever remember a time NOT being with them. Even with my brother, who lives thousands of miles away. We are hardly able to speak due to hectic schedules, and both of our aversions to the phone. I still feel connected to him. Just as much as I do to my sister who lives three blocks away.
As small children, we three were a tight unit. My brother and I were cohorts during active times. My sis and I were sounding boards for each other during downtime and daydreaming.
The dynamics changed as the years passed. Our relationship strained, as it naturally does. This allowed for each of us to develop into individuals, and start the paving of our own paths beyond our family.
From those ashes, however, new relationships grew. Stronger bonds developed.
My sister grew into a strong and resilient woman and mother. My brother grew to be a loving and hardworking father of four.
I know I frequently take them for granted…we are family after all. But, when it comes down to it, I know what a blessing I have that God chose these two to be my longest running relationships in life.
If you think about it, your siblings are the ones that have known you the longest. They have seen you in every emotional state. They have been with you during your growth and transformation into an adult.
Even if you are vastly different people, know you each other. They know what upsets you, angers you, saddens you. And, you know the same about them.
My siblings have been on the top of my mind lately. Possibly because my sister’s birthday was last week and my brother’s is coming up in a couple months.
I don’t ever remember a time NOT being with them. Even with my brother, who lives thousands of miles away. We are hardly able to speak due to hectic schedules, and both of our aversions to the phone. I still feel connected to him. Just as much as I do to my sister who lives three blocks away.
As small children, we three were a tight unit. My brother and I were cohorts during active times. My sis and I were sounding boards for each other during downtime and daydreaming.
The dynamics changed as the years passed. Our relationship strained, as it naturally does. This allowed for each of us to develop into individuals, and start the paving of our own paths beyond our family.
From those ashes, however, new relationships grew. Stronger bonds developed.
My sister grew into a strong and resilient woman and mother. My brother grew to be a loving and hardworking father of four.
I know I frequently take them for granted…we are family after all. But, when it comes down to it, I know what a blessing I have that God chose these two to be my longest running relationships in life.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where Do Babies Come From?
Holy Terror and Super-Wy are playing with the dog in the front room. I'm sitting at the computer, working on my novel.
Holy Terror comes and stands next to the desk. "Mom, mom. Where did you get Wyatt?"
My fingers freeze on the keyboard...uh, oh. This wouldn't be like telling the older kids. These two boys are...well, wild. Not only that, Holy Terror must drill to the tiniest element of something. I prepare for a LONG , DIFFICULT conversation.
"I made him, honey," I answer.
"In the garage, like daddy makes things?" he asks.
I snicker as both boys eye the outside, in the direction of the garage. "No, in my tummy." They both shift their gaze to my belly, eyes wide.
"Did you get the parts from the store?" Holy Terror asks.
"No, I grew you in my tummy all on my own," I say.
Both boys look at me as if I were a superhero...the awe twinkles in their eyes. Then Holy Terror knits his brow in thought.
Here we go...time for the interrogation.
After a moment of silence he looks at me, a little upset. "Why didn't you make me out of paper?"
Of all the weird, oddball things that he's ever said...
What does a mother say to this? I had to think fast, or the day was going to be...tense.
"I didn't want the rain to make you soggy."
To my surprise, he nods in appreciation of the scientific reasoning. Then he goes off to play with the dog and Super-Wy.
Holy Terror comes and stands next to the desk. "Mom, mom. Where did you get Wyatt?"
My fingers freeze on the keyboard...uh, oh. This wouldn't be like telling the older kids. These two boys are...well, wild. Not only that, Holy Terror must drill to the tiniest element of something. I prepare for a LONG , DIFFICULT conversation.
"I made him, honey," I answer.
"In the garage, like daddy makes things?" he asks.
I snicker as both boys eye the outside, in the direction of the garage. "No, in my tummy." They both shift their gaze to my belly, eyes wide.
"Did you get the parts from the store?" Holy Terror asks.
"No, I grew you in my tummy all on my own," I say.
Both boys look at me as if I were a superhero...the awe twinkles in their eyes. Then Holy Terror knits his brow in thought.
Here we go...time for the interrogation.
After a moment of silence he looks at me, a little upset. "Why didn't you make me out of paper?"
Of all the weird, oddball things that he's ever said...
What does a mother say to this? I had to think fast, or the day was going to be...tense.
"I didn't want the rain to make you soggy."
To my surprise, he nods in appreciation of the scientific reasoning. Then he goes off to play with the dog and Super-Wy.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Just Hangin' Around
Family and friends can be hectic and crazy...but one thing they are is, well, fun. It'd be boring without them. We've had a busy couple of weeks with our friends and family (hence the lack of blog time). I thought I'd post the memories.
Of course there was a lot of just hangin' out (and no, our family doesn't just relax in parking lots...most of this section is from 4th of July):
Ash and friends/family brought home a bounty of crayfish so, of course, we had to invite everyone and celebrate. It was also my brother-in-laws b-day so we got a double celebration out of the evening:
Some handled their drink better then others...this little guy needed a ride home.
Ash and the kids were also busy with fishing and gardening:
There was some battles that had to be conquered:
(The Heat)
(The playground)
(Big brothers)
(And the stuffed animals of the wild)
There was time to be goofy:
Then there's always the times I force them to pose for me:
There's the latest and greatest....aren't they cute?!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Holy Terror Catches His 1st Fish!!!
Whoo-hoo! My Holy Terror caught his first fish. You should've seen the way he walked in, strutting like a proud little rooster.
He strolls in and like any good fisherman son states to me, hands emphasizing the excitement of the moment, "I caught a striper!"
It was an exciting day for him and Daddy Fisherman. We blasted the photos on our Facebook and Daddy printed it out to hang at Sweeney's.
Go ahead and take a look at the up-and-coming Fisherman Boy catching his first fish...uh, I mean striper. (We'll change his nickname when the Holy Terror phase is over.)
Now Daddy wants to get Holy Terror into archery....uh oh.
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