Twelve Years Ago

The year? 1996.  

And just what was happening in the world?

Both Russia and America re-elected their leaders: Boris Yeltsin was re-elected Russian leader and Bill Clinton was re-elected US president, beating rival Bob Dole.....Right-winger Binyamin Netanyahu was narrowly elected Israel's prime minister..... 

National elections were held peacefully in recently war-torn Bosnia.....The divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was confirmed by England's High Court, dissolving the Royal couple's 15 year marriage....The US city of Atlanta hosted the summer Olympic Games. But a bomb stole headlines from the sporting achievements, exploding in the Olympic Park on July 27, killing one and injuring many.....A U.S military base in Saudi Arabia was bombed, killing 19 U.S serviceman.....We also saw the high profile arrest and charging of Ted Kaczynski, the notorious serial 'Unabomber'.....TWA Flight 800 exploded over Long Island, New York, killing 230 people (more people were killed on commercial flights in 1996 than any other year to date).

AND

I married my other half on March 16th during spring break! (Which was significant as we were both students at the University of Utah at the time.)

We went into D.C. on Saturday night to celebrate at Mio - A posh restaurant in the District.  We know the chef, which made the night even more special because he kept sending us samples of different things to try.  The Hub had Grilled Duck Marget with caramelized pear and I had roasted quail with pesto risotto.   Delicious!  What a great way to celebrate!

My Son, The Artist

N has established himself in the family as a budding artist.  

This crayon on paper piece has been titled -

THE CANNON

I wonder what he will be shooting out of it.........Hmmmm.

  

Epiphany!

In 1999 a pop soliloquy by Baz Luhrman was all the rage on the airways.  It was called 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen), or The Sunscreen Song.  The 'song' originated as an essay called 'Advice, Like Youth, Probably Just Wasted On The Young', and was published in a newspaper.  One haunting line from the essay/song that I have always remembered was: 

"Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.  Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded." 

I thought of this line today, when after school I presented my 9 year old daughter with a snack.  Earlier, I had spied an unopened box of Samoa's Girl Scout Cookies.  Knowing that they are my daughters favorite - I pulled them out and offered them to my kids when they got home.  Usually after school snacks in my house are bananas, carrot sticks, apple slices, and the like.  Consequently, when offered a sugary treat over a healthy snack, my daughter was delighted.

The joy and excitement that this girl had over an unexpected favorite cookie was incredible. She jumped up and down, squealed, thanked me profusely, and said, "I was going to tell you that today was kind of a bad day, but now it is the best day ever!"

Watching her revel in the chocolatey chewy goodness, it occurred to me, that I could not remember the last time that I was as excited over anything.  I will openly admit that I am a bit of a 'grass is always greener' kind of girl.  I would not label myself as a pessimist, but I often think - when THIS happens, THEN life will be better and I will consequently be more satisfied. (While many different factors cause these thoughts, financial desires and body image issues take a front seat in my when/then frame of mind.) 

I am well aware that this mode of thinking is not helpful or wise, but it must be ingrained in my psyche - because it frequently happens.    

As I observed my daughter I had a dual reaction.  I couldn't help but grin at her delight, but I also wistfully thought about the power and beauty of youth.  Two Girl Scout Cookies had made the girl's day and changed her attitude.  Certainly, I thought, nothing so simple could ever do the same for me.    

Through out the afternoon, I thought - how beautiful, how powerful, would it be for life to be so simple?

As an at-home Mom, I worry.  About many things: my dirty bathrooms, what I will make for dinner, cleaning the house, getting laundry done, carpool runs, keeping the peace between offspring, homework, neighbors, church work, doing acts of service for my kids and husband. The list goes on, and on, and on.

But I have no quick fix to my worries.  I could (and sometimes do) eat two (or more) cookies, which might satisfy my sweet tooth, but I know that once consumed, they will end up on my thighs.  And then I will worry about my weight and about going to the gym the next day to make up for exceeding my daily caloric allotment.  

And I would tell my self that when I loose 10 pounds, then I will be satisfied.  

I reflected on the differences between my daughter's outlook and my own for most of the day - thinking that the ballad set to music by Baz Luhrman  was awfully prophetic. 

Once the kids were in bed, however, when I had time to clear my head of the business of the day,  something occurred to me.  I realized that while feeling wistful about not appreciating my own youth, (alright 30 something is not THAT old, but it IS a far cry from 9) my initial reaction to the earlier event was to smile - in fact I had my own brief moment of joy.  I had felt content, peaceful, like all was right in my world because for a moment I witnessed my child's delight. And then I let it go to think about all of my worries.    

Tonight I finally realized Baz just might be wrong.  Surely, my youth has faded, but I am continually privileged to enjoy the power and beauty of the youth of my children - which is one of the most satisfying feelings I could imagine.   

Do you know what my epiphany means?  Despite all my 'grown-up' worries, something as simple as cookies can make me incredibly happy.  And if that is not powerful, I don't know what is.  

Unless I eat the cookies.  Because Then I will have to worry about the gym.

Swaped!

I was recently the happy recipient of a package from the Easter Swap hosted by GustoGirl.  It was my first experience with interstate swappage and it was a ton of fun to shop, ship and  then receive. 

Here is a big fat thanks to Chris for her timely delivery of my Easter package.  I was definitely spoiled!  

Why Silence is Not Golden

Do you have one of those kids? The kind that you hear screaming, banging, crashing, fighting, laughing, crying, falling......the kind that is so vocally and physically loud that you can identify his or her location from anywhere in the house at any time? I have one of those. And sometimes I wish that he would just pipe down and exist quietly for a while.

But then, frighteningly, he does. The house falls eerily silent - and I know I must quickly investigate, to see what this incredibly cacophonous child is up to - because assuredly, it will be something that is not good. It is at these times that I will find him eating cookies under his bed, squeezing an entire tube of toothpaste into the sink, using the toilet plunger in inappropriate ways, urinating in inappropriate places, etc, etc.

Silence, with this child, is most assuredly not golden. When I finally get him into bed each night, I feel like I need a good stiff drink. I don't actually know what a 'good stiff drink' is, as I do not imbibe - but if I did turn to the bottle, I could readily use this child as an nightly excuse for alcoholic consumption.  If pharmacological solutions are necessary, I favor Tylenol with a Diet Coke chaser.

I have two other offspring that are habitually quiet. They are careful and deliberate...causing nary a worry.

However - this is why I can be blind sighted by their rare but creative antics. My oldest is one of these. She has grown out of most deviant behaviors - so I don't have to keep such a close eye on her. Silence, with her, is simply - silence. No checking, no worrying, no investigating. The days have long past of finding her rifling through my jewelry box to pocket her favorites, or snagging my wedding ring from whatever counter top I momentarily placed it on, and hiding it in one of her many bags and purses.

My youngest is not unlike his sister, usually playing quietly and independently. I have to remind myself to check on him where I more often than not discover that he is simply involved in his play things.

HOWEVER - I neglected to check on him the other day - and when he came downstairs, I could tell that something was amiss by the worried look on his face.

"I have a little scratch on my stomach," he said, "and I don't want you to see it but I really need a bath."

I agreed to the bath - wondering what was up, but I couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary. When we got to the bathroom, I filled the tub. He then asked me to leave - but I wasn't about to leave a 4 year old to his own devises in the bathroom. I asked him to get undressed but he stood still - evaluating me.

"Okay," he finally said, "but you are not going to like my scratches."

To conclude: Silence is golden, only at night when the kids are in bed. And by 'in bed' I mean dead asleep. For a child, simply laying in the dark does not qualify, There are too many potential trips to the potty, drinks for the thirsty, blankets or toys left in the basement, etc, etc, etc.

And I will leave to your imagination, the expansive and highly innappropriate artwork that is concealed beneath the spiderman underpants.

Madjalooked Me

Z: (very tearful) 'A' madjalooked me!
Me: (very confused) What did she do?
Z: (crying) She madjalooked me!
Me: (trying really hard to decipher what he is saying) I don't know what that is.
Z: She pointed her finger at my shirt and said 'what's that' and when I looked she madjalooked me!"
Me: Oh....she made-you-look huh?
Z: (crying on my shoulder) I hate madjalook!

I thought that it was humorous that he was so upset over such a silly thing, but it was his interpretive vocabulary that really cracked me up. This small exchange got me to thining about 'N', who of all my kids, has had the most interesting linguistics. A few of my favorites from his vacabulary past are:

Kinky Toys (tinker toys)
Prey Goop (play group)
Jovest (Joseph)
Chapitch (ketchup)
KaChicken (ka-ching - his term for money)
Police Naughty Dog (Feliz Navidad)

I also have good memories of both 'N' & 'A' calling out: "I'm all alonely" whenever they found themselves alone in a room.  (This was especially humorous because at the time, we lived in a 1200 square foot town house which kept us pretty cramped.) 

With my first child, I tried my best to correct her language as she learned to speak. By my third round of parenting, I have been sad as he figures out, and then changes his idioms. He is my last child, and he is growing up - fast.

Sometimes when I look back at pictures from years earlier, when my kids were younger, it occurs to me that I probably missed out on enjoying a lot of different and wonderful 'little' things. This is largely due to the fact that It is very easy for me to get wrapped up in the trials and dramas of being of Mom. Perhaps having my first two children 13 months apart added to my inability to 'stop and smell the roses' back then as well.

I have been trying harder, as of late, to stop and enjoy my kids more - and worry less over the things that are not perfect. I am grateful to have been blessed with three insanely great kids. (Great being the first operative word and insane bringing up a close second!) This pic is my kids, 4 years ago. I miss their little selves!

My first tag!

Now I get to be in on all of the fun-fun blogging games! I tweaked the content though. Thanks Becca!

A AUTHOR? JK Rowling/Stephenie Meyer
B BEVERAGE? Ice Water with Lemon
C COLOR? Hot Pink
D DOG OR CAT? Neither, offspring provide enough poop, vomit, messes, etc....
E ESSENTIAL ELECTRONIC? TIVO or I Phone
F FRUITS OR VEGGIES? Steamed fresh veggies with butter spray
G GAME? Pictionary, Scattergories, Wii Sports
H HOME STATE? Utah
I INDULGENCE? Dark Chocolate
J JANUARY OR JULY? July
K KIDS? 3
L LIFE AMBITION? Write a book/start a business
M MIDDLE NAME? Elizabeth
N NUMBER OF SIBLINGS? 3 Sisters, 1 brother - all awesome
O OCD TRAITS? I need things to be symmetrical
P PHOBIA OR FEAR? Claustrophobia (darn that Finding Nemo ride)
Q QUOTE? If the wind will not serve, take to the oars - Latin Proverb
R RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT? Nordstrom Rack
S SURGERY? Once - when I was 21 - 10 points to whomever can guess what it was
T TIME OF YEAR? Summer
U UNUSUAL SKILL? I can intentionally hyper-extend my knees. Not a skill, I know, but unusual.
V VEHICLE I DRIVE? Honda Pilot
W WORST HABIT? Too much night time TV when hub is out of town
X X-RAYS? 5 - hand,hand,hand,foot,foot
Y YEARS OLD? 34
Z ZODIAC? Capricorn

If you read this - you are tagged!