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9.30.08 In His Eyes

Most mornings Jake gets up early and crawls in bed with Tom and I (always on my side by the way, which is the far side from the door).  I never mind this little morning intruder because too soon the time will come when I'll have to bribe him with the car keys to snuggle under the covers with his old mom.  He is well on his way to full blown "boyhood".  Being my last child, I kept him a toddler past the legal age of 4 until my husband finally said enough is enough he is going to grow up to be a manchild, still hanging onto his Mommy's leg sniveling!  Tom was right, and I cried my way through his fifth year knowing that this was the end of me carrying him on my hip.  So this morning he climbs in bed, and as groggy as I am I clearly remember him saying to me "Mamma, I will keep my  best picture of you in my heart cause I love you so".  That little moment of sweetness is all I need. As a mother I make so many mistakes.  Most of them made out of truly good intentions, but screw ups just the same.  I try new things, old fashioned things, all in the effort to be the absolute best parent I can be.  But having my son say those words lifts a huge weight off my shoulder.  In spite of the mess of motherhood I might make on occasion, I truly believe that he sees the best picture of me and that is what he keeps in his heart.  He doesn't linger on the tantrums I can unleash or the ridiculous rules I throw out and then break for no reason.  So thank you Jake for recognizing all the beauty I stumble around trying to create for you.  

 

9.27.08 Back In The Saddle!

We had a joyous return to school today!  Amazing how the children just picked right up where we left off! 

Yesterday we headed out to the Nature Fest (or in Texas mosiquito Fest), and in true festival form, we ate our way around the event!  Snowcones, cotton candy, hot dogs, coke, grilled corn....

 

Old Soul

Jake is the "old soul" in our family.  He talks very openly about death with no fear or hesitation.  It's as if he feels it is a natural part of his life like waking up to waffles and cartoons in the morning ~ no big thing.  He often speaks of deceased family members as if he has a deep connection to them still.  According to Jake he and Grandpa Jerry were best buddies "back in the old days" doing everything from visiting the Grand Canyon to riding bikes together.  He told the twins when he met their suite mate last week that she was his sister "in the old days".  That same day he said that sisters would die together.  "Twins have to die together since they were born together" were his exact words.  Kind of an eery thought isn't it.  We are not sure where this fascination is taking him.  He could one day be the proprietor of the Heath Family Mortuary or perhaps the guy you see at 1am claiming he can contact your dead Grandma. 

 

 

Just Jake 9.26.08

Still in his PJ's and high on life from watching Sponge Bob episodes, Jake runs to the freezer (without permission) and shouts "Come to PaPa!" as he grabs a blue bell chocolate ice cream cup.

 

Queendom no longer! 9.26.08

Not so long ago in the land of FallCreek there lived three Princesses and a Queen.  Now these ladies were kind and gracious, and allowed the King to stay in their castle with his son the Prince.  When the time came for two of the Princesses to leave the Queendom in search of adventures in the Hill Country, the Queen suddenly realized her reign was over.  No longer were the cards stacked in her favor!  The playing field was equal with 1 Queen, 1 Princess, 1 King, and 1 Prince.  Because the King doesn't view himself as a "King "this means they are all reduced to peasants!  Come home girls, we need to reclaim the Castle! 

The Essence of a New Day 9.25.08

 

As much as I love teaching Kindergarten this year, I must say I miss my volunteer work at the food pantry terribly.  I am struggling to find a way to serve again.  That experience brought me closer to God, to his people, and to myself.  That connection made me a better mother and friend.  One day a young man came in to get food for himself.  He was staying in a shelter and had the use of a microwave and can opener.  He was 22 maybe and so polite and gentle.  A kind soul if I ever saw one.  Anyway, he stirred something in me that day, and I had to fight back tears.  I think I would've adopted him if he'd let me!  As I was finishing his paperwork he said, "thank you ma'am, and since you've given me something let me give something to you".  He asked for a piece of paper and this is what he wrote (from memory). I keep this on my desk in his handwriting and it never fails to move me every time I read it.

The Essence of aNew Day

This is the beginning of a new day.

You can waste it, or use it for good.

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.

In it's place will be something you have left behind.

Let it be something good.

 

Girls Go To College to Get More Knowledge...Jake Goes to Jupiter!

We took a little road trip to Austin to visit the girls since we have an over abundance of free time on our hands.  It was well worth the drive to see KT and BB and their darling suite mates and know that life is being good to them.  Is it perfect at the Castillian?  Of course not, but these girls are not complainers.  They find the bright side of life!  I am amazed by how well they have handled life on their own.  I know I had a goofy smile on my face the whole time I was with them today ~ I hope my pride wasn't hanging out for all the world to see! 

Oh, and Jake was off the wall crazy in their dorm room.  I'm sure security was alerted and we made it out just in time!  They probably wondered why one of the students was drunk at 1:00!  He was screaming and jumping on the beds and causing more chaos than a whole group of 6 foot Freshman boys could think of!  You just don't imagine the damage a 44 pound Power Ranger can inlict on a dorm room.

Serendipity...9.22.08

 

Power has been restored and now the clean up process begins, so the boots are once again lined up on the back porch at Serendipity (just as they ought to be).     

Make a Wish...and then Make it Come True! 9.21.08

You are given life by your Mother and Father, but then it's up to you to make yourself a life.  And in order to "get a life" you have to have hopes and dreams. If you know me, you have probably caught me staring off into space.  No I am not intoxicated (unless it's after 5) nor am I looking for aliens.  I am daydreaming...pondering an all girls trip to NYC,  what new recipe I should try to startle the family out of the hamburger helper slump,  how I can help the victims of hurricane Ike, trying to write a song (with no skills for that mind you), or what surprise I can throw in a package to the girls so they know I only think about them oh, 208 times a day.  All of these little "dreams" make life worth living.  Waking up every day to small hopes is what it means to treasure the best of what God has given us.  Mother Theresa said it doesn't take someone great doing something big.  It takes someone small with big love. So today have some big love for what is small in your life! 

We were discussing the upcoming Presidential Election at dinner last night.  By the way, since the teenagers have left these debates are downright hilarious. Without the girls there is no rational voice to keep me on track.  When I asked what it means to wake up and run the country as President, Jake tells us that it's like being line leader at school.  You are the one to keep all the children straight on the sidewalk.  Maybe he's got something there!  Audrey isn't sure but she never wants to find out because all President's end up getting assasinated.  I think that study of Abe Lincoln in 1st  grade went a little deeper than just making a paper plate with a top hat and beard!  Anyway, what I was trying to convey was that in an overly cynical world you can't let go of your dreams.  Even though people will say who cares who wins they all just tell you what you want to hear and then do nothing, you have to care.  If you stop caring you may as well be 6 feet under.  Never give up the dream of a better nation or equality for all men, whatever.  If you are an American someone died so you could have the freedom to dream.  Make that man's sacrifice count for something. I often tell myself the best thing I can teach my children is how to dream.  I want them to hope for themselves and others.  Dreams have energy that turns into the passion to create change in yourself that will give you the life you deserve.  Stare off into space more!  (just don't stare off on November 4th, go VOTE)!

 

Note to Self...Say More Nice Things About Your Husband! 9.20.08

So this is a hard one for me.  I have a difficult time going "goo goo" over my own family.  I am an extremely humble person.  I love my family to the depths and breathes of my soul, but I am so afraid of coming across to others as if I think I have the "perfect" life, or the most fabulous children or husband.  That to me is not "real life" and is an injustice to others who may be struggling in their own relationship.  Therefore, I go to the other extreme.  So if this is supposed to a heartfelt journal that my family can look on as the "truths" of our life, then i have to say a little something about my Tom.

~Tom is a so cute when he does the "grandpa" dance around the kitchen.  He's at this best being nerdy.

~He "wrestles up" with the best of the Power Rangers.

~If you need any help with logic or getting anywhere in Houston, TX, he's your man.

~He did not send his daughters off to college with a big "yahoo" and a relief to have two out of the nest,  rather he spends much of his day talking about them to whomever will listen...texts and calls them more than they'd like I'm sure, and wears his UT shirt they bought him for his birthday with pride. 

~Generosity is a natural reaction for Tom.  He works hard for the success he has, but gives it away eagerly to those in need. 

~He is a selfless father and husband always focused on our needs(only plays golf when we assure him we can make the morning without him).

When I think of having a husband I am a bit hesitant to use the normal definition of that role.  I am not one to lean on others and having a partner kind of feels like leaning to me.  You see, I had a difficult childhood and out of neccesity have worked very diligently at arming  myself with the ability to depend on no one for my own happiness, but God gives you what you need (even when you are to stubborn to admit it),and God was right about me needing Tom. 

*Side Note about Hurricane Ike ~ when a disaster strikes it is best not to question the reasons.  You must pick yourself up and then pick someone else up.  This storm has brought out the best in many people.  It has opened our hearts in ways everyday life can not.  So as God gives and takes away, we endure and forever keep our eye on the goodness of life in all it's many forms. 

This is a picture of the "Shake it With Ike" dance we did in the early morning after the storm had passed.  Audrey did not want to get out there, but once she did she loved feeling the wind, and the rain,and the power of Mother Earth. 

 

 

Skipping Autumn and Headed Straight to Christmas

 

Like I don't have a jillion other things to do, here I am working on my christmas cards!  Can anyone say ADD ~ "Oh look a chicken".  Focus, time, and calendars are not my friends!  Anyway, I am really liking this version only problem is I can't use my friend's beautiful daughter on the Heath Family card!  I'll have to get one of my own offspring cleaned up and looking this purty!

9.10.08 Retire #4's Jersey

 

#4 took the field last night and made a gallant effort to "step up to the plate".  However, in true "Charlie Chaplin" fashion he didn't hit a ball but rather was a hit with the crowd!  Delighting all with his four spins after each swing and slides into infield diving for an "imaginary ball". 

Let's end this post by saying Jake played his first and last game with the Yankees and is being sent back to the minors (our backyard) for more training before he dons the jersey and gives it another swing.

9.8.08 Frame the Freckles

This frame was a freebie on the pay it forward photography site.  I think it is just darling.  I love how generous people are with their talent.  This isn't the best photo for the frame but I just threw something in to try it out.

The Grass is Dancing...9.8.08

 

My boy is a poet, that's for sure.  The question now is whether or not he's a baseball player?  Tonight as we waited for practice to start we were sitting under a big oak tree and a breeze was blowing (imagine that!) and Jake, seeing this for probably the first time in the city the wind forgot, says "hey Mom, the grass is dancing".  A tear comes to my eye at such a poetic statement.  Then we get to practice, and I am full blown CRYING because he is so awful at playing ball!  Poor fella just doesn't have the heart for sports yet.  We'll keep at it though, as all well rounded boys are expected to do, and we'll rest easy knowing we have the poetry of life down (the throwing and catching will just have to wait until the grass is finished dancing)

 

9.4.08 My New Pet Chair...

I am so thrilled with my new bedroom chairs.  How can one not be giddy over such an inviting chair as this?  I am so taken with them that I think of them not as furniture but as my pet.  I'm sure the fascination will wear off but for now I can't even bring myself to sit in them.  I simply pet them and talk to them and gaze at the hypnotic dots!  They are calling out to me to get cozy with a glass of merlot and a nice tune on the ipod...someday...for now, they are a fine subsitute for the dog Tom won't let me get (although I'm not sure he likes the chairs any better than he would a french bulldog).

  

9.2.08 The Real Audrey...

 

About Audrey at Age 9:

likes to sing the same line in her favorite song over and over (usually right in my face as she trots by me)

has an unexplainable dime sized hole in her scalp where there is absolutely no hair! 

has an issue with her shoes pretty much every morning

must sleep with music on

already outgrown her backpack and is trying to trade with her brother

likes to be the 4th grader who gets the biggest laughs (subjects at lunch include hairy moles)

still puts her wet swimsuit and towel on the floor everytime

claims she actually enjoys loading the dishwasher

wants to have a sleepover everynight and pretty much asks everyday even though the answer remains NO!

is a very loveable little pumkin (even though she hates when I call her pumkin cause she thinks it means she's fat)

She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

Jake was sitting in the backseat of the car today quietly saying to himself "She loves me, she loves me not..."  My sweet boy.

8.31.08 Don't Be Common

I just read an article where Angela Bassett said she brought home a C on her report card and her Mom was not happy and she said to her Mom, "this should be okay, it's average" and her Mother replied "I don't have any average children". 

 I often say to my kids "don't be common".  All great things that happened for the good of man came from people who weren't satisified being average.  That doesn't mean you are trying to be better than someone else or put yourself in a higher class. It simply means that you take it as your personal mission to give your all to the life God has given you.  Anything less is neglecting God's plan for you. 

So here's to three uncommon girls!  They were painting the tree house when a paint war broke out (I think it started with Audrey's hand prints on Kendall's backside)!  Anyway, this kind of fun is a perfect example of not settling for anything less than a life that is so exciting that you turn into a sunflower!

Deuteronomy 6:8

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.