Have you heard of Huckabee?

Recently at church we had a guest speaker who happens to also be running for President. I hadn't heard of him until then, but I must say, he was quite impressive. I actually got goosebumps thinking what it would be like to have a leader with such conviction, values and new ideas. A politician that could be respected...could that actually happen? He wasn't there to talk politics or even promote his campaign (well...maybe just a little...) but to preach. And he was good.

Unfortunately, I don't see Mike Huckabee in America's future, and that makes me sad. My fear is that we are going to have another Clinton...God, help us! Hopefully, I haven't completely turned into my mother (sorry, mom), but if Hillary wins, I might just have to stop watching television. Perhaps I'll become an info-mercial junkie instead of a Fox News viewer. I won't know anything about what's going on in the world except how to make salsa in my new hand-held blender that turns into a vacuum cleaner...or perhaps I'll decide to watch a new reality t.v. show about a 40-something Scott Baio finding his true love (gag).

My reaction to watching Hillary makes me want to turn into my 5 year old, Andrew; put my hands over my ears, close my eyes and scream over and over..."I can't hear you. I'm not listening to you." Not only do I not agree with her politics, but I don't think she is a person of substance, moral-character or value. She just rubs me the wrong way, like a bad itch that won't go away.

Even though I voted for Bush, I don't think he's been the greatest President. I'm a fan of his moral-character and convictions, and truly believe he is a man of God. However, I must admit, that he too has made me cringe watching him blunder his way through media interviews. It's definitely time for a change. Even though I would prefer a Republican in office, I pray God's favor over America's soil...because we certainly need it!

Meaning to a familiar song...

Like most people, Alex loves music, but at 6 prefers grownup tunes rather than"baby" music (as he so respectfully calls it). Recently, Rod purchased a refurbished MP3 Player for he and Alex and uploaded some kid-safe songs for him to rock out to. The hardest part was trying to find some rap music that his still innocent-ears could hear, but we managed to find some Christian Rap that he likes...and Will Smith "Get Jiggy With It" is now a fave.

One of Alex's requests was "Hotel California" by the Eagles. Rod said he would have to listen to the words and make sure it was kid-friendly. It was a boarder-line decision since the word "hell" is mentioned, but we decided that if we talked to him about it, it would be okay. So one day while Alex is jamming out with his ear phones on he innocently exclaims, "Mom, I think there is a bad word in Hotel California. Can I tell you what it is?" I said, "Sure." He said, "Golitas...what does it mean?" I started laughing because I knew what word he was referring to..."The warm smell of colitas rising up through the air..." In actuality, I didn't know what the word meant but I told him I thought it was a type of flower.

Now my mission in life was to find out what the word "colitas" meant...or was that even the correct word in the song? After googling the lyrics to "Hotel California" and discovering that in fact, colitas was the correct word, trying to find out what it meant was another task. Google suggested that I mistyped and asked me if I meant colitis, which means an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon. Ooh! Surely, that can't be right! Don Henley can't be singing about the warm smell of an inflamed mucous membrane! After further investigation, I came across a website/chat room where people are pondering the lyrics to this song. Apparently, it has a lot of people stumped. Drum roll please....

[quote]It seems to translate as "little tips" or "buds" - presumably of the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa) - where the tetrahydrocannabinol is most concentrated.[quote]

Okay, so I wasn't too far off the mark. I think for the sake of my 6 year old, we'll just stick with my version of a "type of flower." Marijuana plants do "flower", don't they? Ugh...now another mission...Google here I come!

Grandparents

Yesterday was my Aunt Sheri's birthday (my daddy's baby sister) and my Grandparents drove down from Cross Plains for a visit. As I was watching my Grandparents, who are in their mid-80's, interact with my children, it reminded me of my own childhood and how much I loved being with them. My memories are full of summers and holidays spent on their farm, picking fruit and vegetables from the garden, playing pool and records in the basement. No one can ever forget me banging on the piano and belting out my rendition of "Delta Dawn", "I Can't Live" or "Bette Davis' Eyes". My Aunt wasn't sure if she would live through this phase of my childhood, but 30 years later, we still laugh about it. Mumsy always baked me a chocolate cake (because hers was simply the best) and made me cinnamon toast and oatmeal for breakfast. I still crave her macaroni and cheese...something I've never been able to duplicate...and peach cobbler and apricot preserves. I loved going in to town and shopping at the local stores and picking out a little toy or treat. My memories of my time spent with them are so special because they made me feel special...something only Grandparents can do.

I am so blessed that my Grandparents have gotten to meet my boys and relive shared memories of my childhood with them. As Aidan was dancing around and singing "We Will Rock You" by Queen, Papa laughed and said, "Hey, did your mother teach you to do that?"...and I thought, no it's in his genes! Thank you, Mumsy and Papa, for passing on such good genes, memories and blessings to us all! I love you so much!

Tending the garden

I'm not a good gardener. In fact, I have a very black thumb. Whatever I plant tends to whither and die. Despite this, I keep trying because I love the outcome...if only temporary. I get excited to see the flowers blooming, the butterflies fluttering and the bumblebees pollinating. Nature doing what it does best, growing, thriving and producing. However, in the busyness of my life, I tend to neglect the very thing that I worked so hard to grow.

As I was pulling weeds today, it reminded me of a children's book that I read to my boys. In one part of the book, a little girl and her mom are tending their garden and pulling weeds. The mother uses the weeds as a metaphor to describe to her daughter how to nurture her spirit. Just like when we neglect our garden, the weeds choke and smother our plants, grass and flowers; the same is true for our spirit. When we allow negativity, anger, guilt, etc...to grow inside of us, it starts choking out the beauty and peace within. Surrendering our inner struggles to God and releasing the burdens of our life is like pulling weeds in our inner garden. Simplistic but true.

Although Aidan wasn't too thrilled with our task, it felt cathartic today tending to my garden. I was so thankful to God for loving me enough to cleanse my spirit, forgive my sins and listening/answering my prayers. Through God's Word, I am learning how to become the woman, wife, mother, daughter and friend He created me to be. I feel like a new flower bud blossoming and growing in His love.

Cleaning time well spent

So it's Friday and I'm trying to get my cleaning done before the weekend officially begins. The boys have been banished upstairs so I can sweep, mop and dust. In the midst of a very mundane task something miraculous happens...they ask if they can clean the upstairs! They asked me for cleaning supplies! These are words that a mother longs to hear but thinks she never will! They want to clean!!!

Alex got the Windex and some paper towels. I gave Andrew a damp rag and a feather duster. Aidan was there for moral support (actually, more like the supervisor since he likes to be the boss.) When I went to check on their progress, Andrew and Aidan were running with the paper towels draped around their shoulders like super heroes and swatting each other with wet rags. I know it's hopeful thinking, but maybe somehow their bodies were grabbing some dust bunnies along the way. Alex was faithfully cleaning the windows like a true pro with the Windex in one hand and the squeegee in the other. What can I say, the scene made me smile.

I quietly retreated downstairs and let it soak in. I poured myself a glass of red wine and held up my glass to cheer. I felt peaceful. Suddenly, Andrew was downstairs handing in his supplies. He was done. I told him how proud I was of him and how I thought he was going to make a really good husband some day. He looked at me, rolled his eyes and said, "Mommy, I can't clean all day, I have to go school!"

The filter-factor...

So I was once again explaining to my 6 year old tonight that there are sometimes when you should keep your mouth shut. For instance, when you have something to say that might hurt someone's feelings, you shouldn't say it out loud. He seems to think that every thought that comes to his head is okay to blurt out. This, of course, usually happens when we have guests over or are a guest in someone else's home. I'm sure the adults he councils on how to discipline their children really enjoy his advise; after all, he is so well versed on the subject of parenting. His precociousness is a bit much at times, and I'm left thinking, who's child is he? (Gulp...mine.)

Then it dawned on me: children aren't the only ones that lack the filter-factor. I know several adults (me included) that find it difficult to just shut up. How many times have you found yourself saying something you just wish you could take back? I will raise both of my hands to that statement. Of course, most of my embarrassing commentary comes from too many cocktails...need I say more?

My middle son, Andrew, who is 5, seems to have an innocent and funny way of blurting out his thoughts. Just the other day, Alex was telling Rod that he wanted him to be his t-ball coach forever. Andrew said, "Daddy, you can't be Alex's t-ball coach forever." Rod and I only thought we knew where this was going; we were wrong. "Why?" Rod asks. "Because you are getting too old!" Andrew says sweetly. Ouch!

My youngest child, Aidan, who is 2 1/2, is still at the stage where almost everything he does and says is cute. If I need a compliment, he's my man! One morning, after sleeping with him since 3 am, he wakes up, looks at me and says, "I love yo pretty hair!" He doesn't say "your" but "yo", which makes it even more endearing. (Of course, it was sticking up all over, but that is beside the point!) Most days, he tells me that he likes something I'm wearing or even that my freshly painted toenails are pretty. It's something I will miss dearly! However, don't get on his bad side. My in-laws call him the "General" because he's so bossy! If he doesn't like what you are doing, he will tell you that "yo" will be getting a spanking with the belt. In actuality, none of our children have ever had a spanking with a belt...but the General seems to think that this is just punishment for not giving him another piece of gum. I mean really, though, who can blame him?

Well, where do I begin? Blogging...ummm...what a concept. It led me to think, perhaps I should join the 21st century. The only problem is, my life isn't very exciting, but it is filled with children....and the occasional cast of characters that would make for a good/bad reality t.v. show. I might have to speak in code, though, to protect the innocent....:)

Today's adventure began with my dependable alarm clock, my oldest son, Alex. Every morning he wakes me up with a startling jolt of hyper-activeness that only a 6 year old can muster. He's my early bird. No matter what time he goes to bed, he's up between 6:30 - 7:00 am. Since I'm a night-owl, our mother/son conflict has already reared it's ugly face. Thank goodness he's cute or else I might just pull the covers over my head and moan...and believe me, some days I do.

He's already asking me questions that my still sleep-deprived brain can't quite comprehend..."Huh? What day is it? Where's my breakfast? Can I watch t.v.? Can I play a video game?" I quickly mumble "yes" to all of these questions and then "no"...both seem appropriate at the time. I keep my eyes tightly shut in hopes he's just a part of my dream.

"Mommy...wake up! I'm hungry!" He whines, shaking and poking me...and thus, the start of my day! Ahhh....but I'm thankful.