Just call her Paul Mitchell

Doesn't every mother have the same story?

Child gets quiet.
Mom hears giggling.
Mom sees uneven hair and spots evidence on the floor.
Child acts as if nothing is wrong.

Well, the same story unfolded at our house yesterday afternoon. I first thought the fact that ALG was putting on her apron was cute...until I realized she was just reenacting the hair salon. Dang, I should really be able to be 2 and 2 together by now. I 'ain't no rookie mom.

Guess that'll teach me a lesson. When your daughter begs everyday for two weeks to get her hair cut, get yourself in the van. Go to the professionals the first time, rather than for "rescue and recovery." You'll thank yourself later.

I'll post pics soon. It wasn't horribly bad, I just think my initial reaction could've been a little better :-)

Just had to share...

I just found and ordered the cutest stinkin' sibling shirts. I've been on the hunt for these for a long, long time. Yea for the Internet search engine. I'd share where they're coming from, but that would totally ruin the surprise. You'll have to wait for the baby debut :-)

Miss Sassypants

Anybody out there have one of these? I did not realize when the OB yelled out "It's a girl" just how drama-filled life could be. Mom/Dad, surely I was not this sassy?

The following scenarios:

Missing flip flop. Wrong cup for her juice. Misplaced baby/blanket/toy. Seatbelt not buckled. Wrong item cooked for lunch. Not enough blueberries or too many. Blueberry smeared on shirt. And on and on...

Induce the following results:

Tears.
Screaming.
"I don't like you Momma".
More screaming.
Yelling.
Writhing on the floor.
More tears.

Seriously?

I've questioned, particularly in the last few weeks, if I'm cut out to be the mom of girls. Guess it's too late now, right? Any good books, advice you can share would be fab. My patience was exhausted last year on this one. God love her - and I do very much - I just am struggling with how to be the best Mom to her. Ugh.

Hooters Anyone?

I trust that this conversation will be one shared with Will over and over again, as he gets older. Sometimes, you're just driving along and your kids ask you a question, completely out of the blue...which leads to some pretty though-provoking discussion. Below is a conversation I had with our oldest, most astute, sibling and why we don't eat at Hooters. Here goes...

W: Mom, why don't we eat at Hooters?

K: Well... (as I quickly scan through my brain's rolodex of 'how much information do I give out here?')...it's not really a place that's respectful toward women.

W: Why not?

K: The waitresses wear clothing that isn't very respectful of their bodies.

W: You mean they're naked?

K: (dang it, now what?) No, no, no, it's just that their clothes show off some of the parts of their bodies that God wants us to keep private.

W: Why would they do that?

K: Um, well, adults make choices, like you make choices. Sometimes they're good and sometimes they're bad. And, we believe that not being respectful of our bodies is a bad choice.

W: Well, if they're adults, don't they know the difference between a good choice and a bad choice?

K: In an ideal world, buddy, they do. But, we all make mistakes sometimes. Sometimes those women choose to work there because they need a job and they aren't as thoughtful about how they are showing off their bodies.

W: Why would people eat there if people make bad choices?

K: I don't know. (just ask your Uncle Daniel next time you see him)

W: Hmm, well...are you 'friends' with people that dress like that Mom?

K: Sweetheart, it's not about us being friends or not being friends with people that wear clothes that we don't like. We all make bad choices from time to time. Our job isn't to preach to people about what they should wear, but we should model good behavior. Like say, for example, you see one of your friends wearing a shirt that says "Aggies stink" (as an aside people like that should be jailed, but that discussion will surface during another van ride), then that's not respectful of Aggies or people that like A&M. The clothes we wear and the things we do and say should always honor God.

W: So, does that mean we like Longhorns?

K: (dang, bad example) Well, we're not big fans of Longhorns, buddy, but I would never let you wear a shirt that put them down... Can I ask you a question?

W: Sure.

K: Think of a woman who God respected a lot.

W: Mary?

K: Yep. Do you think Mary would ever wear anything that didn't honor God?

W: Probably not.

K: So, just think of it that way. If you are wearing, saying or doing something that doesn't honor God, then we probably should make a different choice, right?

After 30 seconds or so of silence, Will looks me right in the eye and ends the conversation with this quote of the year...

W: Well, Mom, when I am President, I will shut down all the Hooters.

Well said, my young man. Well said.

My 2-Cents Worth

Imagine my horror when I read this article on MSN the other day (I know, that's what I get for reading MSN, right?) Please, don't think I look through my marriage, or life for that matter, with some pretty stellar rose-colored glasses. Life experience has taught me that even the best marriages - the ones that go to church every Sunday, the ones that love our kids beyond our wildest dreams and the ones that take time for a weekend getaway with the hubby - struggle. Yes, you heard that correctly. Scott and I have had our bad weeks, months and perhaps even longer stints when we needed some serious work on this lifelong commitment we made.

I'll add this disclaimer...the reason the article made the hair on my neck stand up wasn't that it was about divorce. Hey, sometimes it happens and sometimes it's necessary. But, the author wasn't married to a man with an addictive habit or was horribly abusive. Nope. None of the above. She was just tired of working at it.

I knew that this article was clearly off base, when I read this little nugget. After listing how she can fill the kitty litter box, make dental appointments, whip up dinner and schedule repairman visits, she just couldn't seem to squeeze in the whole 'work on my marriage thing':

"Do you see? Given my staggering working mother’s to-do list, I cannot take on yet another arduous home- and self-improvement project, that of rekindling our romance."

Oh really? So, that's what our society has come down to? If it's work, nothankyouverymuch? Here's a reality - everything in which we love - requires work. Hard work. And, I'll throw this bit of reality to munch on into the ring. A marriage that's between two people won't work. Yes, you read that correctly. Think Trinity. As Fr. Phil reiterated the day Scott and I married, "You are about to go from the 'I/me' existence to the 'We/us' existence."

He knew that holy, sacramental marriages were a bond of three. If God ain't in it folks, you best get it that way soon if you want to be holding your sweetheart's hand in 50 years. He also passed along to us that God doesn't make marriages perfect. And, we shouldn't expect them to be that way. If not for some of the holy hell (and I mean that in the holiest sense of the English language) Scott and I have been through, we wouldn't have made it to the other side with a greater appreciation for each other, or for our commitment to one another.

Life isn't perfect. Spouses aren't perfect. Therefore, neither is marriage.

The author then goes on to share this:

"Some of us stay married because … what else is there? A lonely apartment and a hot plate?"

Um, I'm gonna go down a totally different path and offer up this alternative rewrite.

"Some of us stay married because...our spouses bring out our best selves. They challenge us to see our faults and make us become the best version of ourselves. They learn to love us unconditionally, even if we don't pick up our shoes or wash the dishes in the sink. We stay married because what we formed on our wedding day is sacramental and holy and the love we have for one another is our earthly way of sharing how heavenly love can be."

Better?

The author ends with this "outstanding" piece of advice:

"In any case, here’s my final piece of advice: avoid marriage — or you too may suffer the emotional pain, the humiliation, and the logistical difficulty, not to mention the expense, of breaking up a long-term union at midlife for something as demonstrably fleeting as love."

What a warm and fuzzy piece of advice, don't you think? Here's my final piece of advice. Instead of whining to your girlfriends about how lousy your husband is, scratching the 'work on my marriage' off your to-do list or checking out early, make a commitment every morning to make it work. Pray daily with the love of your life, even on the days you don't want to. And, on the days when you don't think you can do it anymore, pray a little harder.

Marriage is worth it.

Busy as bees

Well, God led plenty our way to keep us busy this weekend. He's a good man.

Scott and Will ventured off to Aquarena Springs, down in San Marcos, for the 2nd grade class field trip. As Will said when he returned home, "It was pretty much the most awesome field trip, Mom." Guess it was fun. Scott was in heaven. He may be a fundraiser now, but his heart has always been at home when he's around wildlife. Maybe that's why we have 4 kids? At any rate, they came home super happy.

Saturday evening, one of the mom's in Will's class organized a going away party for the six families that are leaving St. T's. It was bittersweet, but for us, we're not moving THAT far away, so playdates are still on our horizon. I loved the company, the good food that I didn't have to cook and the 4 very tired kids that we brought home. Darn it all if I didn't take any pictures. Totally spaced that I brought the camera until it was time to go home. Sometimes, though, I think it's just nice to visit and enjoy the company. You know, live in the present. That we did.

Today has been all about the banging. Yes, the roofers are still here. If you're looking for a good one, I can tell you who not to hire :-) Poor guys, they drew the short straw with the pregnant lady who's on the edge. I've been all over them like white on rice.

So, tomorrow is coming whether we're ready or not. Deep breath. The pathway gets its start tomorrow...

Feel good story

We all need these at some point. Today, I needed to hear it. I'll put the top 10 on hold this week to share some news with you tomorrow. In the meantime, check out this story in today's Statesman. Another reason to respect my spine surgeon.

The Godmother has arrived!

Carla ("La") along with lots of friends and family are heading into town today and tomorrow to help Will celebrate a BIG milestone - his First Holy Communion. So excited I can hardly stand it. Short post today, but be prepared for some good ones this weekend.

Still no word on our house hunt. The one we liked, we unliked :-) but ours is still sold. So, the hunt continues. We promise to keep you posted.

Make it a great weekend!

SOLD!

Holy smokes that was fast. Our house was officially on the market 8 days when we got an offer. We signed initial papers and will close on May 21. Yes, you read that correctly. (Insert major freak out here) In the same breath we're hyperventilating, we're also shouting out major thanksgiving. In this market, heck in any market, 8 days is fantastic. And we even made some moula! Our buyer seems to love our house as much as we do. That always makes it easier to say goodbye.

We were actually all set to make an offer on another house but we've put on the brakes while we get some questions answered about said fantabulous house. We shall see. Reason #2 why I'm freaking out.

I kinda feel like I'm on the Tilt-a-Whirl at the amusement park, without the seatbelt. Nauseous and excited all at the same time. I'm trying really hard not to think about how my to-do list just hit the one-mile mark.

So...any prayers you could send this way would be quite welcome. I'd say any boxes of wine or hard liquor but only Scott would get to enjoy those :-)

Amen Sister!

Because my back is having one of "those weeks", I'm totally plagiarizing and offering this for your reading pleasure.

I'll have the top ten next week. I've been such a slacker. Forgive me please. And, tomorrow is a BIG, BIG anniversary. Check back in for details.


It's Time To Speak Up
Elizabeth Foss
4/22/09 12:00 am

It’s been one of those weeks. They don’t happen very often, but when they do happen, we all become more aware. This is a countercultural life we lead and it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to swim against the tide.

There was the baseball coach who insisted that a parent must be present for the entirety of every practice and every game. When it was pointed out that he was making baseball inaccessible to any child with a sibling (or eight) playing other sports, he just repeated the policy.

There was a basketball coach who was clearly “disappointed” we were unavailable for a tournament Easter weekend.

There was a frank conversation about the way Christian young ladies behave when we were confronted with young ladies who clearly hadn’t had such a discussion.

Everywhere I turned it seemed, the big, Catholic family was sticking out like a sore thumb. I felt it and so did my children.

Those are the times my husband and I genuinely smile all the brighter and remind ourselves that this life is a blessing — that the crosses, though real and rough and heavy, are our privilege to carry. I want to run for the hills, to build a house on the mountain and gather my children around me.

It’s a lot of work to interact with so many people who touch the lives of my many children and don’t understand why we live the way we do. Instead, I try mightily to smile and give an authentic Christian witness with my entire being. Those are the teaching opportunities, the chances to show the children by example that being Catholic isn’t something we do for an hour on Sundays, nor is it something we do when it’s convenient. Being Catholic is who we are, all the time.

I think that’s why it was particularly disturbing to me this week when Georgetown University shrank from its Catholic identity. Instead of proudly being Catholic for the world to see, instead of proclaiming itself Christian, the prestigious Catholic university cowered in the corner like Peter before the cock crowed. True, they didn’t honor the president with a degree the way Notre Dame plans to do. Instead, they just obliterated Christ.

According to news reports, President Obama asked that the “IHS” inscribed behind where he was speaking be covered. The White House made it clear that the monogram, which stands for the Greek translation for Jesus Christ, not be visible to cameras. It was covered over with a piece of black painted plywood, which remained in place even the next day. As a parent who teaches her children to be authentically Catholic every day, I am dismayed at Georgetown’s decision. I don’t take down my crucifix or hide my statues when non-Catholics come to visit.

From a purely secular perspective, I might even understand why Obama would ask to have the IHS covered. It's a politically-motivated, misguided communication strategy. Such a request is disrespectful to the host, but I understand it.

What I don't understand is why Georgetown would agree. To remove the ancient symbolism of Jesus Christ Himself from a Catholic institution in order to placate one of the most extreme anti-life, pro-abortion-under-any-circumstance politicians in the history of the our country shows a clear lack of character.

They could have said, "No, we won't deny Jesus at the nation's oldest Catholic university. Respectfully, Mr. President, you'll need to find another place to deliver your speech." We practice responses like that with our children all the time. Perhaps if the folks who make decisions at Georgetown were made to practice authentic Catholic responses, they, too could answer readily in defense of the Faith.

Perhaps Catholic University spokesman Victor Nakas would coach them. He said, "I can’t imagine, as the bishops’ university and the national university of the Catholic Church that we would ever cover up our religious art or signage for any reason. Our Catholic Faith is integral to our identity as an institution of higher education.”

On Good Friday, when I talked with my children about Peter’s denial of Christ, and then we prayed the Stations of the Cross, my 8-year-old’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why,” he cried, “why didn’t anyone step in? Why didn’t the Apostles stop them? Why did everyone just let Jesus die?”

In this country, He’s dying again and again and again. It’s time to speak up before the cock crows.

Foss is a freelance writer from Northern Virginia.
http://www.elizabethfoss.com/

Did I mention...

Yeah, so last Wednesday Scott calls me at 8:15 in the morning and starts off with, "Guess what just happened to me." Go ahead, guess.

I'll give you some hints.

Blinding sun.
Hilly part of Austin.
Animal.

Yep, he hit a doe. Dang it. So, the car is in the shop getting fixed for that AND the hail damage from a few weeks ago. I've officially signed myself up for the crazy house. Anybody want to come with me?

Top Ten: Emotional Week

So, when we started this week, my "plan" was so totally different than the one God had planned. He's a funny man, that God of ours. HA, HA. In honor of that sense of humor, here is this week's (slightly belated)...

TOP TEN EMOTIONS I'VE HAD THIS WEEK

1. Joy

2. Frustration

3. Trepidation

4. Fear

5. Relief

6. Thankfulness

7. Love

8. Sadness

9. Excitement

10. Peace

Setting all others aside, it's that #10 that really matters. Tomorrow, you get the Paul Harvey rest of the story on the ER visit - no worries, all is really ok on the homefront - and we'll share some exciting news. It's just hard to be the grownup sometimes, ya know? Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

Still here...barely

Sorry for the lack of posts since Easter. We have some big decisions looming here at the homestead and they're starting to take their toll. Fortunately, it will be over soon. Hey, in the last 48 hours, we've had two major doctor visits and a stop at the ER. See all the posts you have to look forward to? No siree, never a dull moment here.

I'll be back in the thick of it tomorrow, along with your way overdue Top Ten.

No foolin'

I love this day. Just wish I had the energy to play an A+ joke on someone that we could laugh about for years and years. Another year, I guess. It's been a wee bits nuts around Casa Whitaker the last week. Part of it still acclimating to stateside life, part taking John Paul out of baseball (another post on that one) and part other "stuff." We've been doing our share of knee time around these parts.

Sorry for no top ten today. I hate disappointing people (strike that, if my kids saw that word, I'd be in trouble)...I strongly dislike disappointing people.

We'll be back in bloggerland soon.

For real?

We have this HUGE, and I'm talking ALL CAPS folks, sign on the window next to our front door that says...

PLEASE KNOCK

That's it. Not mean, not unclear, pretty durn straightforward. Can anyone tell me why the guy who came to fix my washing machine clearly can't read? Rang that doorbell like a pro 10 minutes before naptime was finito. Scratch that, his little trigger finger successfully ended that little slice of heaven.

:::sigh:::

Lost in translation?

So, Speaker Pelosi briefly met with the Pope yesterday. From the sounds of the Vatican-issued communique and her office's statement...I think something got lost in translation?

As proud as she was to show off those beloved photos of her children and grandchildren, may she be humbled to learn that ALL children are a gift and all aspects of life should be sacred, not discarded or shoved in a nursing home corner to be forgotten.


From the Vatican Information Service:

A JUST SYSTEM OF LAWS CAPABLE OF PROTECTING HUMAN LIFE

VATICAN CITY, 18 FEB 2009 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today:

"Following the general audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.

"His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in co-operation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development".


From Speaker Pelosi's office:

"It is with great joy that my husband, Paul, and I met with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today.

In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger and global warming, as well as the Holy Father’s dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel.

I was proud to show His Holiness a photograph of my family’s papal visit in the 1950s, as well as a recent picture of our children and grandchildren.”

What a fun weekend

I hope yours was full of the same.

Saturday night, Scott and I gave our kids kisses and hugs and said "good luck" to the babysitter and headed over to the school's gala, the St. Valentine Soiree. We got all dressed up, chatted with friends, ate great food and even snuck in a dance to "Amarillo by Morning" by our beloved George Strait. What a fantastic evening.

When we moved back to Texas, we started a little Valentine's tradition with the parentals, when Daniel moved back he joined the fun, then we added wife Amanda and this year, we added our super-fun cousins. Our Sunday gathering is always a great dinner (the salmon rocked, Dad) with lots of laughs and good family time. Holly, that dessert was...wow. We need the recipe. Maybe I'll post it on the blog!!

Today, we're enjoying NO SCHOOL - that's right, we're just now getting ready to eat breakfast and I'm enjoying my sweat pants. Doesn't get any better than that. It's a busy week, as usual, but I'm thankful that it gets to start like this!

I deserved that.

I just had to say the "super" thing and God was sure to show me He has a sense of humor. I hestitate to say it was a bad mom day, the kids were at Parents' Day Out until 12:30. And, I got to have lunch with my mom and Clare. Not bad. Naps were pretty good. The venture to get Will from school, totally normal. Even the playing outside and dinnertime went relatively well.

But, boy, at 6:30, the wheels fell off. Actually, strike that. They came flying off. So, I ended up putting 4 kids to bed, all screaming. That was fun. The boys didn't even get a bath. I hate days like this. It stinks when a perfectly happy, normal, totally average day turns into the third ring of you-know-where with 30 minutes and counting before bed.

The really stinky part? I can't blame it all on the kids. I was tired and just wanted to sit on the couch, watch Grey's and ER, eat some ice cream and wait for Scott to get home from his late-night meeting. Is that too much to ask? No, I know it's not. But, in moments like that, I realize I need to give myself a timeout and ask for some divine intervention. Then, I can tackle the last 30 minutes with a bit more grace, understanding and compassion.

So, here's to tomorrow...and to helping my 4 screaming kids get a good night's sleep.

It's the little things

Last week, I was shlepping outside to take out the trash, but just as I turned to head back into the house, I looked up and saw this. Who knew taking a poopy diaper to the trashman could be so beautiful?

A word to the wise

Just a little word to the wise...never fully trust your dry cleaner. I took Scott's yell leader sweater to the cleaners the other day because I am an overachiever. I thought it would be nice to get them cleaned up and then put into a shadow box for our office. Aren't I smart? Yeah, that was until I got them back and the beautiful, sparkly, WHITE block "T" on the front came back NOT white, but PINK. Um, yeah, not a good day...for the cleaners, or for Scott.