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Wed Oct 28 12:34:55 UTC 2009
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Midwest Moms
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Being a Mom is a funny thing maybe only another Mom can understand. But, in the spirit of fun, I can let you in on some of my secrets. So, grab your cup of tea and have a laugh -- its a great survival mechanism.
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skip to main | skip to sidebar Midwest Moms Make us your homepage at http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Love and Marriage This weekend, we had the honor of attending a very special wedding.My husband's uncle John (also his godfather) married a dear woman after a whirlwind courtship.We visited with family and friends all day on Saturday after a beautiful ceremony at St. Patrick's church in Tolono, Illinois. It was a celebration of life and love that was really, truly heartwarming.Why? John and his bride are both over seventy years old.Each has been married before, with children and grandchildren aplenty. And each had endured the death of their spouse due to prolonged illness. Despite that tragedy, they did not let sorrow wear them down. Each led an independent, full life pursuing diverse interests, continuing to learn, volunteering time, cultivating friendships, and caring for family.Then -- after years of living alone -- they managed to meet each other.And the rest is history.They joked during the ceremony, in a final blessing before the assembly, that they hoped to live together until "a ripe old age" and to love one another always as much as they did at that very moment.At the reception, we danced and laughed and told stories. The happy couple celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage more fully than I have ever seen a bride and groom celebrate. I think it is because they understand what their commitment means. And they are making a choice to live every moment and pack life with as many new experiences as possible.I came away from the day not just happy, but hopeful.And I have two extraordinary people to thank for it.So, John and JoAnn, I wish you every blessing and a long and happy life together -- "until a ripe old age." You are a joy and we are so thankful to have you in our lives.- Midwest Mom Posted by Midwest Mom at 5:45 AM 3 notes from friends Labels: focusing on what's important, living life fully, marriage, old age, sacraments, weddings Monday, October 26, 2009 Adventures in Housebreaking I am a felon at heart. And worse, so is my son.The other day, I rushed and rushed to get my kids out the door and into the car so that we could head over to the local superstore for beer essentials. I'll admit it. I was in a hurry.Once everyone was buckled in, I reached into my pocket. The tell-tale combination of weight and jingling left me confident we'd be on our way in no time. But instead of keys, I found eighty-five cents and a paper clip.Rats. Locked out.No problem, I thought, I'll get the spare.But whoever had used the spare last (probably yours truly) hadn't put it back.I unloaded the kids from the car. Fortunately, it was a sunny fall day and they were thrilled to play in the leaves for a while Mom figured things out. I contemplated breaking a window. I contemplated calling my in-laws. Both options (for obvious reasons) were off the table.I contemplated calling my husband. Too much trouble. He would be home in an hour and I was planning on having my errands done by then.What remained? I searched my memory banks and flashed back to a time I was in similar situation. I was eight years old.The year was 1980. I was a flip-haired flare-wearing third grader. Life was good. That is, until my kindergarten-age brother and I arrived home from school one Spring afternoon to find the doors locked and the garage empty. We were perplexed. Where was Mom?At first, we sat on the front porch steps, waiting. I have no idea what we were waiting for, but whatever it was, it never came. There was no sign of Mom and our street was as deserted as a Utah ghost town.It occurred to me that, sitting out front like that, we were sitting ducks for a child predator of some sort. After all, Nancy Reagan had told me to be careful of that sort of thing. Someone could see us -- no Mom in sight -- and try to sell us drugs or something.I suggested we go around to the back patio. Everyone knows drug dealers wouldn't be caught dead on a patio.We waited, seemingly, forever. In reality, it was probably twenty minutes. Still no sign of Mom, though.It was then that my eyes spied a way in. The kitchen window had been left open a crack. If I could just get the screen to pop out, we'd be in like Flynn. I pried. I finagled. I coaxed that screen open. My younger brother Drew mopped sweat from my brow. The screen came loose! And my tiny fingers reached through to ease up the latches and remove it from the window. With a hearty shove, the kitchen window opened, and we scrambled up and onto the kitchen floor.I was flush with success. I thought, breaking into houses is exciting! I could do this for a living!Nancy Reagan, I was sure, would have been ashamed, but I didn't care.My brother and I helped ourselves to some snack and started in on our homework. My mom walked in about 10 minutes later. We grilled her about where she'd been and regaled her with the tale of our amazing feat. As she eyed the bent kitchen screen, I was sure I saw pride at our self-sufficiency gleam in her eyes.I was wrong. It was fury.As a mom now myself, I recognize that the angry words that flew through our harvest gold-applianced kitchen too fast for the eight year old mind to process were really just the guilt talking. She hadn't been home when her children got in from school, but rather than beat herself up about it, she decided yell up one side of us and down the other. Honestly, I can't remember much of what she said... but it was something like we were supposed to go to the neighbor's and get a spare key and now the screen was ruined and also darnit our house isn't as secure as we thought...We went to our rooms until supper. We were in that much trouble. But for the first time in my life, I don't remember being hurt that she was upset. Even if I didn't get dessert for a week or was grounded or (God forbid) had to wait until Dad got home... I was on cloud 9. Because I had just successfully perpetrated my first felony.Fast forward to 2009.As the kids started a battle-royale with the fallen leaves, I turned to my house -- seemingly impregnable -- and was filled with a sense of challenge. All the tools I would need were in the garage to which, fortunately, I had access.All I needed was an accomplice who was lithe and agile -- and willing.My eyes fell on my eight year old third grader.He'll do, I thought -- perfectly.- Midwest Mom Posted by Midwest Mom at 6:16 AM 2 notes from friends Labels: criminality, Future Felons of America, humor, Nancy Reagan was my Idol, raising boys, raising sons, thrill-seeking Monday, October 19, 2009 The Law of the Pack My boys and their Dad have their first foray into the world of Scouting tonight. My first-grader, especially, is stoked.What is he most excited about, you ask? Is it learning to camp or canoe or tie knots? Is it making new friends?Nope.He feels the irresistible pull of this..."Ooh, Mom... it looks like a police shirt!" he told me last night when I showed him this photo of the Cub Scout Uniform.Um... I thought, Police shirt?? Seriously?!??Then I showed my son the Cub Scout promise. He recited faithfully:I, (say your name), promiseto DO MY BESTTo do my DUTY to GODAnd my CountryTo HELP other people, andTo OBEY the LAW of the PackOh, how he relished those last words... You know, the part about THE PACK.It makes me think he's going to come home howling tonight.[This is the part of the post wherein Julia pauses to thank the Lord in heaven that the boys' DAD is doing scouts with them, not her... Because -- well -- giggling during pack meetings would be frowned upon, I'm sure. ]I showed him the Cub Scout Motto immediately after the promise. With the same irrepressible joy, he practically shouted Do Your Best!I thought, well... that doesn't sound so bad.(I'm still 50-50 on it... so we'll see how it goes. At the very least, a photo of him in that uniform will be SO worth it.)- Midwest Mom Posted by Midwest Mom at 11:28 AM 8 notes from friends Labels: Dad, fatherhood, giggles, gratitude, humor, Men in Uniform, raising boys, scouting Friday, October 16, 2009 Making Time for Friendships I decided to pull myself out of my mothering funk and encourage my boys to invite friends over on Wednesday and Thursday this week.It was a rousing success.My oldest invited a friend over on Wednesday, and the kids had a blast showing him around our place. I kept my daughter occupied by mixing up a batch of brownies in the kitchen while the boys went crazy in our basement playroom. After lunch, we all went outside in the yucky weather for a big game of soccer. Then, we appreciated the added bonus that he lives in our neighborhood by walking him home. Yesterday, my younger son had his turn. He is new to the world of making friends from school, and it has been a journey finding the right sort of kids for him to befriend. He had a terrific time. They played non-stop with the Playmobil castle downstairs and spent their outdoor time riding bikes through puddles and playing a raucously muddy game of tag.I was fun for me to see the boys with their friends. We spend so much time at school and evening activities that I rarely get the chance to see what a few friends will do with a quiet environment. On Wednesday, my younger son was so willing to follow along with the bigger boys and do his best to play what they wanted to play, I emerged from the experience with a greater appreciation of his generous nature and easygoing manner. On Thursday, though, while my second son played with his friend, my oldest was irritable. He chafed under the expectation that he had to let his brother lead. It left him out of sorts. I guess I hadn't realized before how much a part of my oldest's identity is tied up with being in charge. So I pulled him aside, much as I had done with my youngest the day before, and let him help me with a kitchen project -- cherry pie. I let him do all the gathering of ingredients, measuring and mixing. We spent some time with the math involved in cooking. He was in his glory (and the pie turned out great!)Both days were a learning experience.In the end, I found that fostering friendships was worth the time and trouble for my boys. We all gained from it (especially after eating brownies and pie!) Even though our weather remains dreary, new friends provided what we had been missing -- the excitement of something new.Both boys said they had a wonderful time and they'd like to come over again. One even called after our visit to see if my boys would join his Boy Scout troop. So, our new friend adventures will continue.I'm glad.- Midwest Mom Posted by Midwest Mom at 7:23 AM 5 notes from friends Labels: excitement, expected guests, friends, making new friends, Playmobil, rainy day ideas, raising boys Thursday, October 15, 2009 A Message to My Love I dedicate this post to Green Girl in Wisconsin, whose humor and poetry have inspired me today. And to Joe, of course, who leaves a little something waiting for me every morning._________________________Ode to JoeLost in your darknessAnd that of the world outsideI pry lids apart to gaze at your beautyAnd awake, dream of richness.My other half has made youUnadulteratedPure on the edge of nightNo trace of dreaded decaf in sight.I drink you ingratefully.Your taste is silkwith a touch of milk.Imbibing I sitBefore the glowing.Offspring linger on the horizon,Threatening.They stirNot as horribleAs imaginedSo I too stirAnd sipAnd adore you.- Midwest Mom Posted by Midwest Mom at 7:00 AM 4 notes from friends Labels: friends, husbands, I love caffeine and my husband, marriage, mornings, poetry, things I can't do without Older Posts Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) Midwest Mom Welcome to Midwest Moms Being a Mom is a funny thing maybe only another Mom can understand. But, in the spirit of fun, I'll let you in on some of my secrets. So, grab your cup of tea and have a laugh -- it's a great survival mechanism. Slideshow Followers and Friends About Me Julia Kelly Gardener, blog author and co-leader of our little clan. View my complete profile Other Places to Read Midwest Mom Are you reading the Motherscribe feminism interview series? It's a fascinating read for strong women. Mine is the 20th interview in the series. http://tinyurl.com/cancgcLooking for ways to get your child started helping in the garden? Check out Gardening with Kids: An Easy Guide at Midwest Parents. There's no better time than now to get gardening!The BlogCatalog Blog is where you can find my weekly features of the best Family, Home & Garden blogs. If you aren't on BlogCatalog, you should be. Gems & Pearls ▼ 2009 (108) ▼ October (10) Love and Marriage Adventures in Housebreaking The Law of the Pack Making Time for Friendships A Message to My Love The Waiting game... Celebrating New Friends and Old Girl Power Signs of Fall BloggersUnite to CureJM ► September (8) Harvest of Friends BlogCatalog Blog Spotlight: We are THAT Family ...... Unanswerable Questions Salad Days Birthday Girl turns 4 If I had more time... Shifting Gears: From Discipline to Self-Discipline... Can you Teach Grace? ► August (6) Worms in the Fridge Our Family's Back to School More to do with Tomatoes What to do with All Those Tomatoes Guilt Glad to be Back ► June (8) Imagination and a Good Read Summer Vacation Survival Guide Conquering Fear Summer Means Letting Go Tips for Easier Weeding Lots of Misc No Battery Required: Toys for Summer Fun Right Here in River City ► May (12) Celebrating One Year of Midwest Moms Tickled Pink Mom-Blogging Basics at BlogCatalog Here Comes the Sun: Hints for Sun Safety When Mommy Gets Sick: Guidelines for Self-Care Our Midwest Garden: First Fruits Laundry on the Line Dilly Dally: Tales of a Lady in Waiting It's Planting Time The Deep Well of Motherhood Mother's Day Gift Idea: How to Make Garden Steppin... 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