To the Children of the TV Generation

I pity you. For your brains have turned to mush and your childhood imaginations buried underneath the Sponge Bob, That's So Raven, Yu-Gi-O, Pokemon collections. I feel sorry for you. Your parents took the lazy way out and instead of trying to expand your horizons and challenge your information hungry brains, they parked you in front of the TV. I wasn't one of those kids. My mother fought and fought to keep us away from the 'electronic babysitter'. And I swore when I had kids that I would let them watch whatever they wanted - within reason of course. But to my surprise, I have turned out just like my mother. When Jake was born, we had the television on all the time. That was until I noticed, when he was about 9 months of age, that he was actually watching and paying attention. I would go to pick him up and he would want to be put down to watch. It must be ingrained in kids or something. And that was it. I pressed that "off" button and in 9 years, it hasn't come back on. The kids do watch about 30 minutes of a video before bed and now that they are in school, we have chosen certain educational shows off The Discovery Channel or the History Channel pertaining to whatever they are learning. But for the most part, there is no TV on at my house. The same goes for video games and the computer. They are each allowed 30 min. on the computer. But I don't own the latest and greatest video system or have the largest TV on the block. Those things don't rate high on my priority list. What does rate high is their ability to use their brains and their imagination. Jake even knows why he has such a great imagination. He will tell me, "See what happens when kids don't sit in front of the TV, they use their imaginations."

This is their latest and greatest building toy that was a gift from their Pop Pop for Christmas. This video was made specifically for him.

The World According to Foo

Setting: In the car on the way to one of my many destination spots during the week.

What was happening at the time: Jacob was asking Gabi questions from his "Brain Quest - 5th Grade Edition".

The Narrative is as follows:

Jacob: Gabi, what is the longest river in the United States?

Gabi: Texas.

The craziest things come out of my daughters mouth.

Ode to The Crazy Bow Lady

Our family received some late Christmas gifts from my sister, of whom my daughter has now coined "The Crazy Bow Lady". She put an enormous amount of work into her homemade gifts and I must post about them. I must post about them because I am proud of them and to hopefully spread some more business to The Crazy Bow Lady. I also have a couple of points to make that I can only make in pictures.

So, first, we start with Jake. He really loves his plaque and has been begging me to get it up in his room.

Now, we go to Little Foo Foo. I will be returning this item to the manufacturer for longer ribbons. As you can see why!

And last is Princy. She received an adorable name plaque . .

And, as you can tell, she is in desperate need of a bow holder. HINT, HINT!

So, Crazy Bow Lady, that's my plug for your business. I will be needing a new bow for the new Tokyo Tea Garden line. I'd like my order filled by the time we go to Florida, so, can you handle it before mid February?? I also put Valentine's outfits on the girls this week and wore the adorable bows you made. Livvy kept telling everybody that The Crazy Bow Lady made them. Sorry, I didn't get any orders from that.

Long live The Crazy Bow Lady!!

DISCLAIMER: My other sister also sent homemade gifts to the girls this Christmas and she put just as much work into her gifts as my middle sister. They too have been hung up in each of the girls rooms.

Random Thoughts

What a holiday it has been. Loud. Crazy. Hectic. Enjoyable. Heart warming.

My 89 yr old grandmother walks into the kitchen where we are all standing around chatting, looks at all of us, says, "MEOW!", and walks off.

I am glad the holiday is over. It is enjoyable when I am in it and I enjoy all of it but once it's over, it's over and it's time to move onto January.

My mom and granny spent this Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us. It was definitely a treat and a new tradition. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together. It's been a very long time since I woke up Christmas morning with my mommy in my house.

My little niece turned one year 2 days after Christmas. We were able to spend Christmas evening with her and then run up to New York to celebrate her first birthday. What fun that was. She is definitely a joy to watch. I made a very special cake for her which took hours of work (thank goodness my mom was here to help).

Is it okay for me to discipline my children when on errands my 89 yr old grandmother, sitting in the back seat of our van with the kids, is poking them, blowing in their faces and growling at them, just to incite a riot??

I chose not to and just laughed inside.

Did I say that I'm glad the holiday is over?

Steph, I need a new theme for my blog, something snowy and white with snowmen would be nice?

We spent our New Year's Eve at First Night in Bethlehem where instead of watching a glass ball fall like in the big city, you get to watch a giant yellow PEEP fall to the ground. Bethlehem is the home of the Just Born company that makes those lovely marshmallow treats you get at Easter. We didn't stay for the demise of the PEEP but we enjoyed the festivities that the town provided. One of them was trying out the kids new ice skates that they got from Great Uncle Jim.

Gabi gained a new friend for Christmas. It is a purple, plastic ride on toy called a Roddy. This is how I found her and her Roddy this evening -

Notice the headphones and the blanket that is pushed into the dollhouse window to keep the poor animal leashed.

So, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your 2007 be a new, fresh start!

All I Want for Christmas . .

We recently took a trip to Florida to visit my dad. He is always instigating riots with the kids and rough housing with them. Now, I know where my son gets his talents!! On this specific trip, he was sitting on the couch with my big 9 year old son on his lap. They were tickling and punching each other and my dad bent down toward the ground with my son in his hands and dropped him. Unfortunately, my son bonked his head on the coffee table. He bonked it so hard that he ended up getting a big goose egg on the back of his head. My dad felt really bad and assisted in soothing my son and getting a bag of ice for his head.

The next night, my youngest daughter was sitting on a bar stool eating a snack at the counter. My dad, being the instigator he his, started picking on her and tickling her. My daughter being the goofy girl that she is, started wriggling and laughing her way away from him. She inadvertently knocked her nose on the counter top and she too ended up with a boo boo from my dad. Her little gash on her nose actually bled. I told my dad that he had to keep his hands to himself for the rest of the visit or my last, uninjured child could end up with Lord knows what happening to her.

When we got home from our visit, a Christmas present that my dad ordered online for us was sitting at the front door - it was a family gift of a camcorder. I was opening it up in the study in my big, black, highback chair. This is the conversation that took place:

Gabi: Momma, what's that? (she is standing next to me but where I can't see her because of the highback chair)

Momma: It's a camcorder from Pop Pop for all of us for Christmas.

Gabi: Well, it's not for me. I won't be allowed to hold it.

PAUSE

Gabi: This is all I got from Pop Pop for Christmas.

I turned around to see her pointing at her little gash on her nose. Poor baby Foo.

My Point of View (Part Deux)

This is my most favorite place in the world. I could sit here for hours. Just sit. Sit and think, sit and daydream, sit and work through life's problems, sit and watch my kids romp and play in the water and sand or simply just sit. And do nothing. Clear my mind of the daily exercises. Clear my thoughts of nothing and everything. Relax my being and melt into the sand. I've sat here for years. Granted, it hasn't been as peaceful as it is today. Today, I have a 9 year old, 7 year old and 5 year old that can surely entertain themselves. Occasionally, I am asked if my feet need cleaning or am shown a sandcrab or asked to take a glance at a newly created sand castle.

I reflect on days gone by when my kids were babies. I still sat here. Then, it was with a stroller next to me and a baby inside napping, or trying to nap, or just sitting enjoying the sound of the waves. Once and a while the tide would come in and I would have to jump up and rescue the stroller from the oncoming water. There was a time when they were toddlers that I would sit here and just watch them run in and out of the surf. Then, my time here was limited. But I still took advantage of it.

My hubby likes to walk the beach. I hate it. I sit here. That's my thing. As I sit here today, my mind goes to mush. I am thankful that I took the time to take this 2 day jaunt. My hubby had a 10 day break from work and I feel like I dwindled it away and didn't take advantage of the time that I could have spent together as a family. I worked 4 days in a row (being a stay at home homeschooling mom, I usually only work 2 short evenings or mornings), then I took 2 days to go to NY to help my sister paint her first home. Add it up, that leaves 2 full days at home. The painting in NY was an absolute necessity, my sister needed me and there was no question that I needed to make time to be there. The 4 days at work I could have done without. My oldest daughter clung to my leg on day 3 and asked when I was going to stop leaving and stay home. No lie, she really said that. That comment hurt. And it was said again to me on day 4 and to my hubby when he put her to bed that nite. I belong at home with my kids and if I've ever wondered if they notice that is my role or not, it was certainly made clear with my daughters comments. So, as I made the flight home from NY after my painting excursion, I made up my mind that we were going to Florida. It would only be for a little over 2 days but we were going. To be together and just be us. No distractions. Just us. We've always found this place as a retreat and I need it more than ever right now. My life is fast paced. I have accepted that and deal with it very well on a day to day basis. But there are times when I just need to sit and be.

And today I have accomplished that.

The Annual Lighting of the Kids

It probably looks strange and some odd way of torture but it is actually a tradition that we started back when Jake was a baby. Don't worry, the lights are cool so they don't burn my precious ones. What can I say, they're odd. They like this annual tradition and whenever I get the lights out, they all flock towards me and wait to be wrapped. They have to complain just a little that the lights are too hot or 'it's touching my neck'. But I wrap first and then turn them on to take the pictures.

Our season is officially kicked off.

The Christmas season has begun.

Gobble, Gobble

We survived.

19 people in my mom's 1800 square foot house.

We survived.

And what fun it was. So many people, kids and cousins. It was great having that time together and getting reacquainted with family members. I especially enjoyed watching all 8 of the cousins play together, ranging in age from 12 years to 10 months. I must share some pictures as I"m sure that's what you came for.

Cousins Camille and Lexi

The Keim, Smith and Johnson Cousins

Generations

A Quiz

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Cruisin' Right Along

Nothin much happen' here.

My life is going at it's usual high paced rate. The hubby's flying more to keep up with the mortgage and new car payment. School keeps me occupied most days when I am here alone. The kids are having a much better year than last year. I think first and foremost they are settled here and we don't here to much about Cleveland. Their teachers seem to be more relaxed and focusing on adding more 'fun' stuff like Magic School Bus videos, Amazing Race (pre-viewed of course) - it's an amazing geography lesson, Candy Store, field trips, enjoying their homeschool learning center.

Work at Gymbo is the same old political crap. I love the people that I work with and working with the customers but can't stand the politics. I've made a very good friend out of that job though and that has to be kept in mind. We are both Gymbo addicts and have the same affinity for buying boutique clothes for our kids. We are constantly finding more and more things that we have in common - shopping and thrifting being a big one.

I am constantly trying to find time to do the mundane things of running this house. I find myself exhausted by the end of the evening and all I want to do is plop myself down in front of the TV and enjoy a good movie or Discovery Health special. Sometimes I plop myself down in front of the computer and just mindlessly eBay. But I find these things rewarding for me especially after putting in a long day schooling the kids, working and squeezing in those mundane chores during that time. Evening is my time to just sit and be. Be nothing, be lazy, be silly, be quiet, be left alone. And because of that desire to be left alone and quiet, I find myself getting out of touch via phone with those that I hold dearest. I want to be left alone and not be bothered and picking up the phone and holding a conversation, I have to think. Something that I try and avoid in the evening. I have to work on that though because it really is my only time to devote 100% of my attention to that person without being interupted by the kids.

So, I'm just chugging along. Looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. My youngest daughter is thrilled to see her cousins Steph and Steve and can't wait to meet her newest cousin Lexi. As she has put it, "I can't wait to see the babies together" (meaning her other cousin Camille). And for those of you who know my Gabi, you can say that in her Foo Foo voice. It will be a wild, crazy and LOUD time at my mom's house with the 19 people that will be attending the festivities. Yes, that's 19 people folks, it will surely make for an exciting day.

And now I leave you with some cool pictures before I bore you to death anymore.

My Princess Turns 7

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Princess Olivia,

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Stolen Corn

It was a full moon. The sky was clear in the Illinois night. The stars were out and shining bright. There were 3 of us determined to get the job done. One had the clippers, one was to deliver the stalks and the eldest was to keep watch for anyone who might want to thwart our efforts. As we stole away to the fields, a sense of exhilaration swept through us all. We quickly assumed our positions and started our various jobs. Within minutes, headlights were spotted and we had to grab the eldest and pull her into the stalks to avoid being revealed. That was a close one but we were all safe. As soon as we were finished, we wrapped up our prize and the 2 youngest sprinted home to safety. The eldest sauntered along as if there was nothing to fear just being out for a walk in the clear, brisk night.

And, it made it all the way back via Honda to Pennsylvania.

And more fall fun pictures.

Greetings From the Convent

So, believe it or not, I'm still alive. Most already know that but just in case you are wondering, I have made it to Illinois in one piece. It took two days to get here with my mother as my co-pilot and my 89 yr old Granny as my back seat driver. But we made it in one piece,
ignoring the fact that my mom left her purse in Cleveland, OH. We didn't notice it was gone until we were well into Indiana. Thankfully, some honest person turned it into the hotel and we will pick it up on the way home.

Are you wondering about my title to this post?? I have come out to see my sister in Odell, Illinios and yes, her home used to be a convent. It has 11 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 floors and lots and lots of character. The picture at the top shows the gravel lot that used to be the Catholic high school connected to her house. The third floor of the house had a walkway to connect the school to the convent. You can see the discoloration in the bricks that were used to close that hole up. You can also see the I beams that were used.

The cousins have had a lot of fun together. They have enjoyed performing on the stage in the chapel,

eating meals together in the dining room,

and just hanging out being cousins,

What most don't know and I didn't even know until I got here was that this house sits on the original Route 66 from Chicago to California. And even more fun is that just a block away there is an old restored gas station that used to service all those cars driving on that long route. It is now a museum. Today all the little girls were looking out the windows and saw a swarm of old Model-T's driving past. They were all screaming and yelling that they had all stopped at that museum/gas station. So, wouldn't you know - FIELD TRIP!!! We lined everyone up and took a little trip down to that station and had ourselves a field trip. The owners of the cars came from Chicago and were on their way to Springfield, Illinois and even more interesting is that they were taking the original Route 66. The owners were nice enough to let the kids climb in the cars and honk the horns of those cars. It was a great learning experience for all of them. One I think they won't forget.

So, that's it. This house is hard to describe. It's just something you have to come out and see yourself. And don't worry, there is PLENTY of room!

Oh, yeah, one more picture.

Happy 5th Birthday Gabi

Happy Birthday to FooHappy Birthday to FooHappy Birthday dear little FooHappy Birthday to Foo

"All I want do to is go to Chuck E Cheese for my birtday."

"Gabi, do you want Chuck E Cheese to come out and sing 'Happy Birthday' to you?"

"That's fine but he just can't touch me."

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

Ahh, gross! The similarities are freaking me out!! Today Olivia got her bandages removed from her finger. For those that didn't hear, she had surgery on it about 1 week ago to remove a cyst from her pinky finger. The surgery went well except for the waking up from anesthesia part. She had a real hard time but once she got a little sedative she was fine and ready to watch Lilo & Stitch on the Disney Channel and snuggle in mommy's arms. So when the doctor took the bandage off her finger, I was a little surprised at how much her finger looked like what mine looked like 18 months ago when I sliced it. Check it out:

and mine:

All I can say is yuck, yuck, yuck. She really is doing well. The doctor told her she has to stop babying her finger and start using it again. I have to remind her of that because she keeps forgetting. She is back to doing cartwheels around the house and running around with her siblings. Thank God kids are resilient. Cause mom had a harder time with this than she did.

We Remember

Today is the 5th anniversary of the deadly attacks on our country. For our family, it holds many sad memories and has many significances. I was 38 weeks pregnant with Gabi and I guess you could say that she saved my husband from being thrown back up into the war zone just a few days later. Tom took a major demotion before I was even out of the hospital. We lived paycheck to paycheck for the next 3 years.

So for us, this day will always be remembered. And for my kids who are now of age to semi-understand what happened on this day. Jake remembers when the second plane hit the World Trade Center. He was 4 1/2 years old. He was sitting in front of the television as his parents watched in horror at what seemed, at the time, to be an accident. We didn't even think to turn the TV off for the sake of those innocent eyes. It never dawned on us. This morning, we had several discussions about the events of that day and our kids had several questions. We observed a moment of silence in our homeschool at the times that each of the planes went down. The kids went to their homeschool learning center today and when I picked the girls up, their teacher said, "When we talked about what happened on this day 5 years ago, both the girls knew exactly what the events were." Those darn homeschool kids, sometimes they know to much.

And for me, for some reason, those memories seem all to vivid. And the effects that it had on my life for months and years to come, seem to be so much more real today. I am thankful that my husband is home today and not flying. For I don't think I want him up in the air ever again on this day. What if they try it again, just for kicks, as an anniversary celebration? I was glad he was home on this day 5 years ago. Even more glad today. I don't think I ever realized, with my pregnant state in the past, how it would have felt to have him out of town that day. What would I have done? Gone into labor?? Had a nervous breakdown?? Cried all day? I look forward to a better day tomorrow.

End of an Era

This past Friday, a chapter was closed in my mom's life. For the last year, she has been wanting to retire and move on with her life. We have all waited for that perfect time to come, when the finances would be right, the perfect time to get her house on the real estate market, the perfect time that she could emotionally handle letting go of her job. That perfect time came when my grandmother got sick and we were all reminded of how precious life is and how feeble my granny had become. She wasn't going to live forever as we would all hope for. My mom decided then and their that it was finally time to take that plunge and retire. She had always said that when it came time that my granny would need help, that she would walk out of her job and never look back. And that's just what she did.

Maybe it wasn't as much her decision as she thought. I believe that it was the Lord telling her that it was time to take that faith walk. It was time for her to step out into the unknown and out of her comfort zone. She has a need now. She needs to find a part time job to make up the difference financially month to month. She's been talking about ending this chapter of her life for the last year and for some reason 'stuff' has just been coming up to prevent her from doing that. The one thing that would make her quit, my granny getting sick, would push her out the door. The Lord knew that and now she has taken that plunge. I'm proud of her for taking this walk. I was there last year. I took that walk of faith. I know the criticisms that can come with such a decisions. I also know the fear as you know what your deadline is and you see it coming closer and closer without any resolve in sight. But she will be fine, emotionally, spiritually, financially. The Lord will hold her and I know she believes that to.

So, HAPPY RETIREMENT, MOM!!

She came to my house on the day she retired and since the other two of the 'Byrne Girls 4' couldn't join us for this oh so special event, I had to make sure that she went out with a bang - something special she would remember forever. I think I achieved that goal.

We took her out to dinner at a Japanese Steak House. She had never been to one before and had asked to go so we gladly obliged her. Who could argue with that kind of food?? Yummy!! She wore a special 'Happy Retirement' headband to let the entire restaurant know what a special day this was. She got the attention she deserved when the staff came out banging a gong and then sang a 'Happy Retirement' song to her. They also put a special red chef hat on her to make her stand out more!

I made a special cake for her. I even made a sugar cookie person for each of the 'Byrne Girls 4'. Can you figure out who is who??

I'll give you a while to think about it and submit your answers!

I think my mom had a great day and I achieved my goal of making it special for her. I bought her some Brighton jewelry, her favorite, with her favorite theme of hearts. She got a charm bracelet and matching necklace, you turn the necklace to the other side and it reads, 'Love your heart(the heart isn't written out, it is a picture of a heart)'. I also made sure she had a banner, retirement plates/napkins, a table topper and retirement lawn ornament. She's excited for her new venture and looks forward to spending more time with the grandkids without any boundaries of work responsibilities. She has woken up at 7 a.m. these past few days, she's usually a 5 a.m. riser, just because she can now. I'm excited for her and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Tapping on the Glass

Dink, Dink, Dink

Dink, Dink, Dink

Tap, Tap, Tap

Dink, Dink, Dink

Ok, now tell me what mental image just popped up into your head considering the title and the first few lines of this post?

Did you conjure up the same mental image I did? Someone, maybe you, standing in front of a plate of glass, tapping frantically on it. What kind of glass was it?? Was it one way glass so the attraction on the other side couldn't see who was doing the tapping? Or was it clear plexi glass, where both could see who was tapping? And who did you put on the other side? Was it a boyfriend or girlfriend, or perhaps a coworker?? Was it your boss? Or maybe it was a arrogant, self righteous family member?? Or possibly a close-minded in-law?

I can think of several people I would put on the other side of that plexi glass. And I think I would choose to have one way plexi glass. Just for certain individuals though. Just so they would have no clue that I was the one tapping on their glass, wriling them up, insighting riots, rocking the boat. And for others, I would want clear plexi glass, so they would know, under no uncertain terms that it was me trying to get their fur to stand on end.

I am tired of playing reindeer games with certain individuals. I'm tired of doing their dance, just to not insight a riot. The time has come to start putting some of those people behind the glass and just tap away at my hearts content. Whether they realize it is me or not.

My Point of View

Finally, the rest I deserve. This is what I"m going to look at for the next 3 days. My feet, propped up on a picnic table (next to a pool, I might add), staring into the lush green mountains.

Finally a chance to just sit and be.

SCREEEEECH!!!!

If I were a car, that is how I would be feeling right now.

Put on the brakes.

STOP!!!

I need to slow down.

The time is flying by me and my summer is coming to an end way to fast.

Help!!

Is it helping??

If I close my eyes, pretend to be holding onto a steering wheel and slamming my feet on the ground like I were pressing on brakes in my car -

could I stop??

No, I guess not.

School starts for us next week and can you tell that I'm not ready for that day to day commitment. I have enjoyed my summer laziness and not having to worry about lesson planning, kids in bed on time, setting my alarm (vomiting a little in my mouth here) and having a hectic school day.

I need to recharge from my summer and get stuck somewhere were the only thing I can do is sit and do nothing. Soak it in and just stop for a minute. Get a grip and gear up for what is lying ahead 6 days from now.

Luckily, that time is coming up this weekend.