Stone in glow-in-the-dark face paint. Boys LOVE glow-in-the-dark stuff. On the 4th of July, it was a the glow sticks that held their attention, not the fireworks. And this face paint was a huge hit, too. SPOOKY!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Just For Fun Friday
Each Friday, I'm going to post a picture I took that week that makes me smile - or laugh - or say 'Hmmmmm.' These won't be the most amazing pictures, just a warning!
Stone in glow-in-the-dark face paint. Boys LOVE glow-in-the-dark stuff. On the 4th of July, it was a the glow sticks that held their attention, not the fireworks. And this face paint was a huge hit, too. SPOOKY!
Stone in glow-in-the-dark face paint. Boys LOVE glow-in-the-dark stuff. On the 4th of July, it was a the glow sticks that held their attention, not the fireworks. And this face paint was a huge hit, too. SPOOKY!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Back to Work
I got the call today. An offer on a job I really wanted. At a location that is perfect. Working with people I know and care about. A really perfect job.
As I'm talking with Chad about the news, I look up and there are Stone and Cade, sitting together on the floor playing race cars. My throat constricted. Two years ago, I had the incredible luck of staying at home with them. I was pregnant with Cade, and Stone was only two. It's been an incredible two years of joy and learning - about myself and my children. And, although I'm incredibly grateful and excited about this position, I can't help but look back on the last two years with a hint of sadness that it's coming to a close.
The highlights:
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Stone is a patient older brother. But it wasn't always easy. This picture was taken right after Stone poked Cade's eyeball the day we came home from the hospital. Daddy said, "No!" a little too loudly and this was Stone's reaction. This picture reminds me how much he's grown in his role as big bro. These days, he's the one to get Cade up and he does it with this sweet little voice - I'm looking forward to that not changing.
I also loved the interesting places I found my kids when the house was WAY too quiet.
I also got a kick out of watching the interaction between my oldest kids and my youngest kids. You don't know how a wide age gap is going to affect your family until it happens. Luckily, I have amazingly awesome kids. Here's an example of weapons training. :)
One of the things I loved most of all was hanging out in the back yard with my kids and watching them run around. Mostly naked. Um...them, not me. One of Cade's favorite things to do was to go over and peep through our fence to the neighbor's yard.
I'm not going to lie to you. I'm excited about the job, but having a hard time looking at Stone and Cade without getting misty. We've been traveling this road together for two years. But, I'm excited to learn about their new friends and what they are learning each day.
And truthfully, I'm excited that someone else is in charge of daily diaper changings and potty training!
As I'm talking with Chad about the news, I look up and there are Stone and Cade, sitting together on the floor playing race cars. My throat constricted. Two years ago, I had the incredible luck of staying at home with them. I was pregnant with Cade, and Stone was only two. It's been an incredible two years of joy and learning - about myself and my children. And, although I'm incredibly grateful and excited about this position, I can't help but look back on the last two years with a hint of sadness that it's coming to a close.
The highlights:
.JPG)
Stone is a patient older brother. But it wasn't always easy. This picture was taken right after Stone poked Cade's eyeball the day we came home from the hospital. Daddy said, "No!" a little too loudly and this was Stone's reaction. This picture reminds me how much he's grown in his role as big bro. These days, he's the one to get Cade up and he does it with this sweet little voice - I'm looking forward to that not changing.
I also loved the interesting places I found my kids when the house was WAY too quiet.
I also got a kick out of watching the interaction between my oldest kids and my youngest kids. You don't know how a wide age gap is going to affect your family until it happens. Luckily, I have amazingly awesome kids. Here's an example of weapons training. :)
One of the things I loved most of all was hanging out in the back yard with my kids and watching them run around. Mostly naked. Um...them, not me. One of Cade's favorite things to do was to go over and peep through our fence to the neighbor's yard.
I'm not going to lie to you. I'm excited about the job, but having a hard time looking at Stone and Cade without getting misty. We've been traveling this road together for two years. But, I'm excited to learn about their new friends and what they are learning each day.
And truthfully, I'm excited that someone else is in charge of daily diaper changings and potty training!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Just For Fun Friday
Each Friday, I'm going to post a picture I took that week that makes me smile - or laugh - or say 'Hmmmmm.' These won't be the most amazing pictures, just a warning!
I love this time of year for so many reasons. Here's one. If I let me husband slack off on the mowing, our yard fills up with the little white flowers. And, sometimes there's a bunny laying in them. It makes me smile.
Enjoy, because I got super itchy lying in the grass to get this shot for you. :)
I love this time of year for so many reasons. Here's one. If I let me husband slack off on the mowing, our yard fills up with the little white flowers. And, sometimes there's a bunny laying in them. It makes me smile.
Enjoy, because I got super itchy lying in the grass to get this shot for you. :)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Remember the Alamo!!!!!!
I'm just warning you. This is going to be a sappy one. The kind where I'll write it, post it, then realize that maybe not all of my inside thoughts belong outside. And the internet is as outside as you can get. At any rate, here I go. And really, I pick on Chad enough that he deserves ONE sappy post on my blog.
When we were in San Antonio together without our kids, we both realized that we still LIKE each other. Aside from loving each other, we really get along. Like chocolate and peanut butter. Ok, maybe more like ants and picnics; we aren't perfect, but we still go together (I'm the picnic in that scenario, just in case you wondered).
We made a pact as we walked hand-in-hand down the Riverwalk that we were going to get through the child-rearing years come hell or high water. We both know that if we can just hold out another decade or so, we'll come out on the other end still liking each other.
And that's the catch. Getting through that decade or so with our kids. Parenting differences are effective relationship land mines. Agendas, conflicting communication styles, goals, expectations - all of these things are bad enough on their own, but when you throw in children, they become nuclear. There are times when I can't fathom why we got married. There are times when I feel like he's an alien because we can't agree on the best way to handle a parental conflict. There are times when I feel defeated and hopeless.
In the future, these are the times when I'm going to Remember the Alamo. It was there that Chad reminded me who he is as a husband. We went into the gift store to look for trinkets to take home to the boys (by the way, lollipops with scorpions in them are big hits in my house) and on the way out, I saw this awesome necklace. Just a silver chain with a pendant-sized silver Texas Rangers' badge. I admired and we walked out. Once we were in the courtyard, Chad asked, "Did you want that necklace?" And I replied with the usual, "Yes, but I don't need it." He told me I should go back and get it. He held out cash and asked me for a kiss. I kissed him and he said, "Even." And that's my husband. Who regards my affection so highly that a simple kiss is considered currency in an impromptu gift exchange.
I was embarrassed as I purchased the necklace fighting tears the entire time, thinking of Chad outside who thought he'd gotten a fair trade that day. He is amazing and I will fight for him, even if the battle is within me during those times when the stress of life gets us down. I will remember who he is. I will remember why I love him. I will Remember the Alamo!
When we were in San Antonio together without our kids, we both realized that we still LIKE each other. Aside from loving each other, we really get along. Like chocolate and peanut butter. Ok, maybe more like ants and picnics; we aren't perfect, but we still go together (I'm the picnic in that scenario, just in case you wondered).
We made a pact as we walked hand-in-hand down the Riverwalk that we were going to get through the child-rearing years come hell or high water. We both know that if we can just hold out another decade or so, we'll come out on the other end still liking each other.
And that's the catch. Getting through that decade or so with our kids. Parenting differences are effective relationship land mines. Agendas, conflicting communication styles, goals, expectations - all of these things are bad enough on their own, but when you throw in children, they become nuclear. There are times when I can't fathom why we got married. There are times when I feel like he's an alien because we can't agree on the best way to handle a parental conflict. There are times when I feel defeated and hopeless.
In the future, these are the times when I'm going to Remember the Alamo. It was there that Chad reminded me who he is as a husband. We went into the gift store to look for trinkets to take home to the boys (by the way, lollipops with scorpions in them are big hits in my house) and on the way out, I saw this awesome necklace. Just a silver chain with a pendant-sized silver Texas Rangers' badge. I admired and we walked out. Once we were in the courtyard, Chad asked, "Did you want that necklace?" And I replied with the usual, "Yes, but I don't need it." He told me I should go back and get it. He held out cash and asked me for a kiss. I kissed him and he said, "Even." And that's my husband. Who regards my affection so highly that a simple kiss is considered currency in an impromptu gift exchange.
I was embarrassed as I purchased the necklace fighting tears the entire time, thinking of Chad outside who thought he'd gotten a fair trade that day. He is amazing and I will fight for him, even if the battle is within me during those times when the stress of life gets us down. I will remember who he is. I will remember why I love him. I will Remember the Alamo!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Just For Fun Friday
Each Friday, I'm going to post a picture I took that week that makes me smile - or laugh - or say 'Hmmmmm.' These won't be the most amazing pictures, just a warning!
It's been so hard to wait to post this picture. Chad and I bought this turtle for Cade that projects stars in amber, green, and blue on the wall. I've wanted to take this particular shot since then. He finally fell asleep deep enough for me to go in with a tripod (and Chad's assistance placing the turtle just right). This picture just makes me smile.
It's been so hard to wait to post this picture. Chad and I bought this turtle for Cade that projects stars in amber, green, and blue on the wall. I've wanted to take this particular shot since then. He finally fell asleep deep enough for me to go in with a tripod (and Chad's assistance placing the turtle just right). This picture just makes me smile.
Monday, October 4, 2010
The most glorious day ever
**DISCLAIMER** I love my kids. I really do. I have many posts on this very blog that proclaim my love for said kids. I love them more than coffee. More than Star Wars. I even love them more than my camera (horror!). So, to sum up...Who loves her kids? That's right; I do. **DISCLAIMER**
Today I had the most glorious day ever. I don't even know how to describe it or what part of it made it so spectacular. But, to start, it was JUST ME. Alone. Singular.
Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself in my excitement to share with you.
Chad and I are in San Antonio. He's at a technical conference and I came with him to have a mini vacation. He went to class today and I grabbed Baxter and drove out to the San Antonio Missions National Park.
Ok, now we are caught up. Back to being alone. Several times today, I had the 'Oh no - where are the kids' panic moment followed by the blissful 'Dori, you are completely by yourself right now' moment. It's like being dipped into a pool of ice and then wrapped in a blanket fresh out of the dryer. There were times when I sat on benches and closed my eyes just to take in the awareness of 'being.'
I know that being a mom is rewarding and that my kids add endless entertainment to my life, but there's a sacrifice in parenting. You give up a certain amount of yourself to do it. Maybe not give it up, but definitely set it aside (where it becomes dusty and outdated). Today, I was free to remember something - I am me outside of my roles. In other words, I'm Dori. Not mom, wife, daughter, friend, crazy blogger, but Dori. Being alone with yourself on a beautiful October day surrounded by 300 year old Spanish missions is restorative. I feel filled back up with a sense that I'm not lost, I'm just traveling several roads at once.
As I touched those stones that had been there so much longer than me, that had been there before the roads, the 7-11 across the street, the power lines above them, the business of tourists, I had one of those zoomed-in moments. I was aware that, by touching it, I was a part of that building's 300 year old history, and yet I was separate from it (as it was from me). It's that way with my life. I'm part of a history I'm making in these roles I play, but I am separate from them, too. I'm me.
It was nice to spend a day apart from my roles. A day with just me. A most glorious day indeed.
Friday, October 1, 2010
It's My Dad's Fault
I play an online game called Rings of Orbis. In the forums, a person started a thread titled, "Why are you here?" Here's where we take another fun look into the thought process of a woman with serious adult ADD.
It's my Dad's fault that I play that online game. Stay with me.
You see, my Dad watches Westerns. Lots and lots of Westerns. And I was indoctrinated into the world of westerns at a very young age. I was quoting John Wayne at 3 and I'm pretty sure my dad used the War Wagon theme song as a lullaby. We spent many a weekend hanging out watching Jack Pallance 'get his' and Chuck Connors trying to redeem his name. Love of Westerns - check.
When I was in 2nd grade (8 years old, so you don't have to do the math), the trailer for The Shining came on TV and I was petrified. You can view the trailer here. My Dad took time to tell me how it was made of Cherry Koolaid (not at all true - Stanley Kubrick shot it numerous times because the texture and color 'didn't look like blood'). He did this for every scary movie question I had until I developed a strong love of horror films. Love of Horror - check.
That same year, The Empire Strikes Back came to our theater. Dad took me to see it. The theater had trouble with the film and the entire audience was offered refunds as we dejectedly left before the movie was finished. My disappointment was more than palpable, I'm sure. So my Dad, who had just bought himself a suh-weeeet red Nissan 280ZX, took me home Han Solo style. We swerved and shifted crazily pretending to outrun Imperial enemies. Love of Sci-Fi - check. Twice.
So, even though my Dad doesn't love scary movies or sci-fi, his coolness solidified my love of those genres. That's why, when a friend loaned me the already canceled Firefly Season 1 DVD set, I was a goner. A space western. With a scary twist. Once it was over, I was left in the same pool of people who fell in love with prematurely canceled Fox series. Wanting more. Jonesing for more. And like an addict who can't get the real stuff, I went to the next best thing - new series with the actors from Firefly. Chuck and Castle are both currently in my DVR favorites. I even 'follow' Nathan Fillion on Twitter. Leading to the answer, why do I play Rings of Orbis? Why, because Nathan Fillion endorsed it. And he was Captain Mal. Who reminded me of Han Solo. Who reminds me of my Dad. The coolest space cowboy of them all.
It's my Dad's fault that I play that online game. Stay with me.
You see, my Dad watches Westerns. Lots and lots of Westerns. And I was indoctrinated into the world of westerns at a very young age. I was quoting John Wayne at 3 and I'm pretty sure my dad used the War Wagon theme song as a lullaby. We spent many a weekend hanging out watching Jack Pallance 'get his' and Chuck Connors trying to redeem his name. Love of Westerns - check.
When I was in 2nd grade (8 years old, so you don't have to do the math), the trailer for The Shining came on TV and I was petrified. You can view the trailer here. My Dad took time to tell me how it was made of Cherry Koolaid (not at all true - Stanley Kubrick shot it numerous times because the texture and color 'didn't look like blood'). He did this for every scary movie question I had until I developed a strong love of horror films. Love of Horror - check.
That same year, The Empire Strikes Back came to our theater. Dad took me to see it. The theater had trouble with the film and the entire audience was offered refunds as we dejectedly left before the movie was finished. My disappointment was more than palpable, I'm sure. So my Dad, who had just bought himself a suh-weeeet red Nissan 280ZX, took me home Han Solo style. We swerved and shifted crazily pretending to outrun Imperial enemies. Love of Sci-Fi - check. Twice.
So, even though my Dad doesn't love scary movies or sci-fi, his coolness solidified my love of those genres. That's why, when a friend loaned me the already canceled Firefly Season 1 DVD set, I was a goner. A space western. With a scary twist. Once it was over, I was left in the same pool of people who fell in love with prematurely canceled Fox series. Wanting more. Jonesing for more. And like an addict who can't get the real stuff, I went to the next best thing - new series with the actors from Firefly. Chuck and Castle are both currently in my DVR favorites. I even 'follow' Nathan Fillion on Twitter. Leading to the answer, why do I play Rings of Orbis? Why, because Nathan Fillion endorsed it. And he was Captain Mal. Who reminded me of Han Solo. Who reminds me of my Dad. The coolest space cowboy of them all.
Just For Fun Friday
Each Friday, I'm going to post a picture I took that week that makes me smile - or laugh - or say 'Hmmmmm.' These won't be the most amazing pictures, just a warning!
The world around me is getting ready for Fall. Grocery stores are now filled with men buying chips and queso for football games. Some of my friends are already shopping for and even wrapping Christmas gifts. My church is preparing to transform itself into the Pumpkin Patch Church once more. And yet, there are rebels. There are the women still wearing white patent leather shoes. Spaghetti straps abound. And my oldest sons refuse to put away their shorts until January. But this flower stands out among the rebels. The other plants in the bed are going to sleep, putting away their blooms, and preparing to turn their nice oranges and reds, while this harlot brazenly screams, "What are YOU looking at?"
The world around me is getting ready for Fall. Grocery stores are now filled with men buying chips and queso for football games. Some of my friends are already shopping for and even wrapping Christmas gifts. My church is preparing to transform itself into the Pumpkin Patch Church once more. And yet, there are rebels. There are the women still wearing white patent leather shoes. Spaghetti straps abound. And my oldest sons refuse to put away their shorts until January. But this flower stands out among the rebels. The other plants in the bed are going to sleep, putting away their blooms, and preparing to turn their nice oranges and reds, while this harlot brazenly screams, "What are YOU looking at?"
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