A Priceless Moment

A few weeks ago, my oldest son came home from school and ran up the driveway as per normal after getting off of the school bus.  He yelled out a 'hi mummy' as he ran past me and bounded up the stairs.  He barely reached the top step when he started tearing apart his back pack. 
"Mummy, I have something to show you!" he declared.
"What" I inquired.
"My report card."
We sat down on the couch together and went over the report subject by subject.  It was a wonderful report card!
Once we finished checking out each 'grade' (still at the age of "S" and "S+") and we had discussed what each comment meant, I then began to hug my son and tell him what a wonderful job he has done and how proud I am of him.
He then said, "Mummy, I think I'm going to cry."
"Why my love?" I asked.
"Because I've made you so happy and because I'm so proud of myself."

Awesome!!!

Two Years

March 16th was the two year anniversary of my mum's death.  I can't believe it's already been two years!!  I continue to miss her every day, and there are times I almost feel... guilty for going on.  This may sound silly if you've never experienced this kind of loss.  It's like, you feel like every day you live you should some how be honoring their memory.
I'm in a season of transition in my life.  Any time I feel down about it (I HATE transition) I try to think about how these changes would in some ways make my mum so happy.  My mother ALWAYS fretted about money.  Not just for herself, but for her children.  Hopefully God will be showing me the perfect job He has for me that will work well with my family soon, and the additional finances would make my mum happy.  I try to think about that - hoping that would be honoring to her in some way.
I also feel that my mother's gift of love and affection has been passed on to my own family, and in that way too, her memory is honored.

Well, without further ado - below is the eulogy that my sister Kerry wrote for my mother's funeral.  It was so well done that I feel it's the best thing to post each year at this time.

Thank you God for the gift of my mum.  And mum, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our mother, like most mothers, was a very special person. She was warm and loving and funny. You often hear people say how those that have passed will leave a hole or a void. The absence of my mother will leave an abyss. Or at least, that’s how it feels.Our mother was a big presence in our lives. For us, she was truly the tie that binds. Over the past few days, I’ve found myself wondering how we will carry on without her. I know, of course, that we will, but the idea of it seemed inconceivable.But as I thought about having to face life without my mother, without my best friend, I realized how, because of her, we will certainly get through this terrible time together.My mother taught us many things, as most parents do. But three things we learned from her are perhaps the most important lessons for dealing with life.Naturally, she, along with our father’s help, taught us right from wrong. Through her example, we not only learned the typical rights and wrongs, but we learned the right way to be a good friend, the right way to care about others and the right way to treat the people that are important to you. And she taught us that it is right that family takes care of family. More than once my mother told me what a great comfort it was to her that if ever any of her children were in trouble or in need that we could turn to any of the other 4 and we would be a help and support one another.Another thing we learned from our mother was to love one another and to do so openly. More than a few people have commented over the years how affectionate my family is to one another. We always great each other with hugs and kisses and do the same again when we part. Well – ok – maybe Eddie and Mark don’t hug and kiss each other – but there is certainly brotherly affection. When we speak to one another on the phone, conversations almost always end with “I love you”, and “I love you too”. We tell our children and our nieces and nephews all the time how much we love them and how special they are to us. Something we learned from our mother.The last of the three important lessons learned from Mom, was to laugh at life – even if it’s at your own expense – which, in her case, it often was. Mom loved a good laugh. All of the Rockwood family loves a good laugh and we are never together that we don’t laugh a great deal. We learned not to take ourselves so seriously that we couldn't laugh at ourselves – something my mother excelled at. In fact, if she did something funny and there was no one to witness it, she would'nt keep her goofs to herself – she’d tell everybody, which is funny in itself.So, as I think of these things, I realize, though the void is sizable and though the coming weeks, months and even times throughout the years will find us mourning our dearly loved mother, we will as a family, get through it together.We will stand by one another. We will love one another. And we will laugh together. And in doing so, we will keep our mother’s spirit with us always.I hope that some of you will learn from my mother, especially to tell the people you love that you love them – and tell them often. Not because life is precarious and you never know how much time you will have together. Not even because it’s what people who love one another should do. Tell them simply because you DO love them.I know that we will pass these lessons on to our own children and grandchildren: To stand by your family and love and support them; To tell them often how much you love them and to laugh at life – even if it’s at your own expense. Oh – and to never, ever tell a child you have eyes in the back of your head.

Tag

Saw this on SparkPeople.
If you read this, consider yourself tagged and update with your information on your own blog then link to me.


1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:45 to get my early bird son a bowl of cereal.


2. How do you like your steak? Medium well - especially if it's been marinated in Adolf's and then grilled.. yumm!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Chipmunks II... obviously the kids choice!

4. What is your favorite TV show? Ugly Betty, The Office, love Master Piece Classics..

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I really do love New England, but if we're really dreaming.. I LOVED England. Maybe a summer home for a few months of each year.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Egg beaters, a piece of toast, hot tea and water.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian (chix marsala, alfredo sauce, chix parm....), Mexican (not too hot and with lots of cheese!!), really... I love just about all foood. That's the problem!!

8. What foods do you dislike? When I think of German food I think of big sausages and sauerkraut ~ Yuck! Although they're also known for strudel - yum!

9. Favorite Place to Eat? In the kitchen. Oh, um, Betucci's and Bernardo's. Although I don't go to either very often at all!

10. Favorite dressing? Good Seasons made light by adding more water and less oil. I like it with either white distilled vinegar or balsamic and I use canola oil - nice and light.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? a mommy mobile (aka a minivan)

12. What are your favorite clothes? these days it tends to be whatever fits (which thankfully my wardrobe in growing by being able to incorporate things back in that I had once outgrown). My fashionista days are long gone.

13. Where would you visit, this weekend, if you had the chance? Disney World

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? depends, what's in the cup? Actually - it's a half a cup! I'm a realist.

15. Where would you want to retire? Small Town, New England USA

16. Favorite time of day? meal time ; )

17. Favorite literary character? Josephine March (Little Women) Love her boldness, sense of adventure and creativity!

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Figure Skating (is too!)

19. How many siblings? 5 (2 sisters & 2 brothers.. I'm the youngest)

20. Favorite pastime/hobby? Writing, reading, crafting (various) - used to love to bake.. but I have now retired as the official taste tester of every batch of yummy baked goodness that comes from the oven.

21. If you had a night off to yourself, what would you do? I have a bunch of girl friends that I haven’t seen for a long time- I’d try to get together with them.

22. Bird watcher? don’t poop on me! I do like to check out what's in our trees. We get Cardinals, Blue Jays and Oriels

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? BOTH, very fortunately. It's 3pm I have a problem with.
24. Do you have any pets? Absolutely not, but I have two children that I have to clean up after.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? hmm... I have just about finished creating my first web site. It's for my day care business.. stay tuned.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Hawaiian. Seriously, I had asked my mother when I was 5 if I could have an operation to make my eyes look like the beautiful girls who danced on the Don Ho show (sooooo dating myself!!).

27. What is your best childhood memory? going down stairs in the wee hours of Christmas morning to bring mine and my sister's stockings up.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? If we are talking about other people’s pets, then both. For me to own, I'd go with a dog.

29. Are you married? over 9 years!

30. Always wear your seat belt? YES!

31. Been in a car accident? Yes - a few fender benders and one really bad one when I was 19. An old man pulled off of a side street with traffic coming in both directions. I was terrified to drive for years after that! Thankfully I only tore the tendons and ligaments in my ankle.

32. Any pet peeves? Oh ya. One of them is that I have so many pet peeves

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Mushrooms are my fav topping!

34. Favorite Flower? I love daisies, pale pink roses and peonies (Anna!!). My favorite bouquet (in case anyone is wondering) would be a mix of flowers and look like someone had just picked them from the English country side with blues, pinks, purples and a little splash of yellow.

35. Favorite ice cream? YES!! LOVE ice cream. Anything with nuts and chocolate and caramel and... great - now I'm salivating!

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Never been a big fast food gal. Does pizza count? If so, Papa Gino's

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zippo - I passed the first time.
38. From whom did you get your last email? The Christmas Tree Shops

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Could never enjoy myself maxing out a credit card. I'd just keep thinking of needing to pay it off. Now, if someone were to hand me say a hundred dollar bill - I think I'd go to Kohl’s to get some clothes.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Let me check my day planner....

41. Like your job? I'm a licensed day care provider that does a PreK enrichment program - yes, I like doing the program very much. I'm also a stay at home mom, which although it requires tons of hard work, I don't really think of as my 'job' per say - but I love it!!!!

42. Broccoli? Absolutely - love the stuff!!! But not raw.

43. What was your favorite vacation? My honeymoon cruise to the Mexican islands was great because of the company, but my favorite vacation of all time would have to be when I went to England at age 17.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? The hubs - great time, great food! Don't do it often, so it's special the few times a year we go.

45. What are you listening to right now? Tom & Jerry
46. What is your favorite color? Periwinkle blue

47. How many tattoos do you have? I'm a blank canvas

48. How many people will fill this out? as many as would like to (if you do, let me know)

49. You're given $10 to spend within the next 30 minutes - what do you buy?  A D&D latte, donuts for the boys and the rest on a gift card so my husband can get a coffee in the am.

50. Coffee Drinker? Occasionally - prefer coffee drinks (latte, iced, etc..)


I'm tagging: http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/,  http://instaceyslife.blogspot.com/,  http://rawsomeadventures.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-rawsome-adventure.html

Where To Start?

Do you ever feel like there are a million and one things to do and most tasks are of just about equal importance?
Then when you finally dive in, you begin one thing and get distracted with another thing because you realize you really can't complete the first task without seeing to this newly found task first? Does this sound confusing? If it does, then you get my current state of mind.

Then coupled with this overwhelming sense of "I've got to get stuff done!!!" you are also riddled with guilt because in order to get 'stuff done' it means that you are not interacting with your child. And this is your last year home with this cihld too!!

Oh - and then (yes, this is all going through my mind at the same time) what in the world am I going to do about work any way??? I currently am a licensed home day care provider that does a preK enrichment program (as opposed to full time M-F care, totally not cut out for that), but the kids I have this year will be off to school next year. Do I start to advertise to see if I can get any new families, or do I get and out-of-the-nut-house job? If so, what can I do so that I don't have to put my kids in child care? And if I must resort to child care, what can I do that will earn enough money so that I actually bring money home after paying for said child care. pant... pant... pant...

This my friends is why I have been having such trouble falling asleep at night! I've tried writing my concerns down on paper before bed (this has been suggested by friends and doctor), but it does not help.

But then I am reminded, as the beautiful hymn (His Eye Is On The Sparrow) says:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come....
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Lord, help me to choose to not be burdend with worry, but to choose your peace. I ask you to guide my every step, and help me to remember that YOU are in control. Amen

Because I Love Him

I'd like to introduce you to a very important member of our family.  His name?  Monkey Buddy.

Monkey Buddy comes with us on all trips to theme parks, museums and other large gatherings.

MB attracts attention where ever we go.  People smile, point and sometimes, grimace and shake their heads.  We tell him to not mind THOSE kinds of people as they just don't understand.

Do you know who does understand our good friend MB?  Anyone who has ever, even for just one teensie tiny moment thought that their child was lost.

It happened to us once when our oldest was about 5.  We were at the Children's Museum in Boston.  We were on the elevator, not because we were too lazy to walk a few steps but because son # 1 was in a stroller.  Up we were going when the elevator stopped to let someone out on floor #2.  We were going up to floor #3.  We were all there... everything was good.  Then, just as the doors were shutting, our 5 year old went through the doors and they shut!  It was the longest 30 seconds of my entire life!  ( why'd he do that? He saw someone leaving and at the last second thought it was us.)
Instantly we could hear him crying in panic.  We tried yelling through the elevator that we were coming.  My husband bound through the 3rd floor opening and bolted down the stairs.  Thankfully the floors are open so when we got out and started yelling to him, he could hear us.  Some nice lady saw what happened and stayed with him until my husband got down there.  For a while, I never thought I could take my kids to places like that again - I had been far more frightened than my son because I was far more aware of all that could of happened (but didn't, thank you Jesus!!) than he.

Another time at the super market after making new friends in the isles as we went a shoppin' (you know how you keep seeing the same people even if you're going in different directions?) we heard a mother's panic in the check out line.  Our 'friends', a young mother with her 2 year old son and newborn baby, were a few people behind us in line when the mother noticed that the 2 year old was gone.  The panic in her heart broke voice sent chills down my spine.  "I know this feeling" I thought.  This was a very rare occassion when I was actually shopping with my husband and both children.  I told my husband - 'stay here with them!' and off I went.

I went running to the far end of the store yelling for Andrew and asking folks in the isles if they'd seen a small boy (everyone in the store was at a standstill as they could hear the mom yelling - even though they really didn't know what was going on.  and... can I just say that Shaw's did NOTHING to help!!!  they didn't have employees help, they didn't stop people from leaving the store - NOTHING!! and the manager was well aware of what was going on!).  Finally an older lady said to me 'I did see a boy by himself down there climbing into a shelf' pointing down the paper goods isle.  Ok - #1 - you see a 2 year old by himself and that didn't raise a red flag?! #2 - He was climbing on a shelf, and again...nothing?
Speaking of #2, when I got down to little Andrew, I do believe his reason for seperation was that he was at the age where he was about ready to potty train and wanted a little privacy if you know what I mean.  I scooped the little man up in my arms and started yelling for the people at the end of the isle to tell the mom I had him!
By the time I got into the car, I just sat and cried.  Not my kid - true!  Didn't even know them (other than saying 'hello' and warning the mom that he was filling her cart with frosting) - true!  But I'm a mom.  I knew her terror!

So, Monkey Buddy.... Don't get him?  Don't really care!!!  It keeps my child safe in situations where he could become easily lost and I love my son just as much (read 1000 x more!!) as another loves their animal (I like animals too).  So I will go on using our dear Monkey Buddy until age/behavior render him no longer necessary.

But I will say that as we were leaving the Museum of Science yesterday, a police officer pointed to us and said "Love those!! They make my job so much better.  Thank you for using one of those lady!"  So there scoffers!!!

Don't Make Me Go!

Raising boys means that you sometimes have to go where you otherwise would never go.

One such place, the barber. (please read this as though I were Jerry talking about Newman)

I really dread going to the barber. I even subject the boys to my pathetic attempts at wielding the clippers in hopes of prolonging the inevitable next trip to ... the barber.

It all started about 5 years ago...

Picture it, townie barber shop decked to the hilt in Boston sport paraphernalia. In walks a mother with her 2+ year old son. Mother is prepared with toys and a drink to entertain young son. What this poor unsuspecting mother does not know, is that she needed to plan over an hours worth of diversions. One barber shop in town - you take a number like at a deli and an hours wait is considered pretty quick!
The moment she walked in, glances were exchanged between the men. Conversations are obviously being redirected. While woman struggles to keep child amused, more glances and smug smiles are exchange. Comments about wives, girlfriends and the 'inferior sex' in general are being tossed about as woman wishes she could body check the next beer bellied client from his spot - get child's hair cut done and get out!!
After what seems like an eternity in testosterone hell, their number is called.
Son is lifted onto the cute horse seat in preparation for the cut to begin. Mother explains to barber (again!) that son has sensory integration issues. (hate the sound of nails on a chalk board? imagine that all loud sounds are amplified and the annoyance you feel with that sound is multiplied a hundred times over and you'll get the idea of what it is to have auditory sensory issues.) The child wont freak out, but does squirm and wince. Mother assures barber that she'll be happy with him just doing the best he can - not worried about imperfections due to squirmy child.
Cut begins.... squirming begins (again, not crying or trying to get up - I've totally seen worse!) chastising begins... "Come on buddy - this is nothing".."Stop acting like a baby and sit still".. to the mother "Just tell him to not move his head"...
There's now an murmur through the shop that begins increasing in volume making situation even more unbearable....

This uncomfortable situation has been played out many a time over the last several years. Not always the same circumstances (son #1 has mostly outgrown sensory issues and now sits beautifully, although his eyes may be shut tight through a lot of it) but always, super uncomfortable.

I feel like I'm walking into the men's lodge and have no business being there. And I tell ya, I really don't want to intrude on their sports talkin, female insulting, crass humor bonding time!! But... the hubs wont take them....

So if it's not challenging enough to be the Ladyofthehouse (a challenge that I love 99% of the time)- I also have to be the lady of the barber shop too!!

*Note: There was another woman at the barbers today - but she doesn't count. This is because she was a size 4 blond with fake nails and heels on. Women who look like that are warmly welcomed into the barbers! Go figure! ;)

Too Funny Not to Record