Since the boys are now playing a little b-ball, we thought we'd let them stay up to watch the K-State / KU game tonight. Little did we know Thomas would get so excited about it - or that K-State would actually pull it out!
Tom was jumping around, cheering each time the Cats made a basket and he got made each time there was a foul called. He was just loving the action!
Finally, we got him to sit down to cuddle (almost an hour later than usual...) and as soon as he put his head down, he was OUT. He wanted to fight it, knowing he'd miss the game as soon as he slept. Too cute!
When I picked him up to carry him to bed, he tried to fight me. He keep trying to get back on the porch to "finish the game momma..." I told him it was over and the Cats won. "But mom,I want to waaaaaaaaaatch. oh. they won? it's over? ok." and then he went back to dead weight. It would have still been cute, but my arms were killing me! :)
All in all, in was a nice quiet night at home. Boys were happy to watch the game with us and daddy was happy his Wildcats won. What more could a mom and wife ask for in an evening? Besides a glass of wine and some guilt-free chocolates of course! ;)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Alarms for the Addle-Brained Mom
I was randomly searching for something else today and came across these WONDERFUL little gadgets. I believe mom here will need to get one of these little do-dads to encourage my butt to get out of bed before the children. Both are available from Urban Outfitters.
The Runner
Flying Alarm Clock
This happy do-dad will literally get you out of bed - or drive you insane if you refuse. According to the description, once the alarm goes off, the propeller piece will FLY OFF and run around your room. Doens't sound so bad, right? Wait for it...yes, it's the KEY to turn off the piercing alarm! You must retrieve the propeller and fit it back into the base to shut it up. Gets your body moving and brain thinking - at least enough to not allow return to easy sleep!
The Runner
This happy looking guy will probably tick you off quickly. If you hit snooze two times, he will perform a kamikazi move and JUMP.OFF.YOUR.TABLE! Literally throw himself off the edge and run around your room until you catch him and silence him. He would probably be taking his life into his own wheels should he do this around our cat, but it would get me up for sure - either to shut him up or because I'm laughing WAY to hard.
Got a great do-dad like this? Let me know - I could use ideas to get me up and going every day!
Impossible
I got this video from a friend of mine and couldn't resist posting. I love magic and this was just SOOOOO cool. Have a smile today!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Time with Travis
Today I had a rare occurrence - time with only ONE twin. since it was such a beautiful day outside, I suggested the boys go out play (I honestly was trying for 15 - 30 minutes of peace for myself). Travis jumped at the idea and was dressed and out the door in a flash. Thomas showed no interest and simply went on playing Hot Wheels.
A few minutes went by and I peeked out the window to check on Travis. I have a compulsive need to check on them every 2 minutes when they're outside, especially when only 1 is out there. We have a HUGE backyard that is completely enclosed, but I fear losing them whenever they're out of my direct contact and it's a fear I deal with as best I can.
I found myself smiling out how he didn't care if he was out there alone - he was running in circles and just generally being a little boy. And I decided I HAD to join him. Forget the laundry, the dirty dishes, the messy house, the sleeping husband and the content boy IN the house. I wanted to play with that happy little boy OUTSIDE. So, I did!
For 30 minutes, he and I danced in the sun, dragged branches to the burn pile, raced through the muddy yard, played in the play house, swung (he tried to push me and THAT was funny), and we even had a snowball fight (60 degrees and just a little snow left, but enough for the two of us!). But best of all we TALKED. About what he did and did NOT like in school. About Thomas. About nothing. About how he WANTS to be a good boy, but it's hard sometimes. It was everything and nothing. I even took him to the side of the house and showed him where I wanted to put in a secret rose garden since we moved in 11 years ago. He asked me why I'd never shown him that before and I told him it was my secret place and I finally wanted to share it with him. That made him smile the biggest smile I've seen on him in such a long time!
Eventually, he got bored with me though and ran back inside. But, the rest of the day he was SO much nicer. And quieter. With less fighting and less back-talk. He was just such as sweetie. For awhile he was just my little boy again - not one of the terrible twins. and every once in awhile, he'd catch my eye, smile and give me a big wink. It was SOOOOO worth it!
So - new resolve - spend at least some time each week with EACH of the twins separately. I can usually do this with Emily no problem - retail therapy works not only for cancer survivorship but also for mother-daughter relationships! And sometimes I can get in a little time with at least one of the boys. But good quality time with both of them individually is something I'm going to have to plan and work on. Because I finally realize how much they need it - and so do I!
A few minutes went by and I peeked out the window to check on Travis. I have a compulsive need to check on them every 2 minutes when they're outside, especially when only 1 is out there. We have a HUGE backyard that is completely enclosed, but I fear losing them whenever they're out of my direct contact and it's a fear I deal with as best I can.
I found myself smiling out how he didn't care if he was out there alone - he was running in circles and just generally being a little boy. And I decided I HAD to join him. Forget the laundry, the dirty dishes, the messy house, the sleeping husband and the content boy IN the house. I wanted to play with that happy little boy OUTSIDE. So, I did!
For 30 minutes, he and I danced in the sun, dragged branches to the burn pile, raced through the muddy yard, played in the play house, swung (he tried to push me and THAT was funny), and we even had a snowball fight (60 degrees and just a little snow left, but enough for the two of us!). But best of all we TALKED. About what he did and did NOT like in school. About Thomas. About nothing. About how he WANTS to be a good boy, but it's hard sometimes. It was everything and nothing. I even took him to the side of the house and showed him where I wanted to put in a secret rose garden since we moved in 11 years ago. He asked me why I'd never shown him that before and I told him it was my secret place and I finally wanted to share it with him. That made him smile the biggest smile I've seen on him in such a long time!
Eventually, he got bored with me though and ran back inside. But, the rest of the day he was SO much nicer. And quieter. With less fighting and less back-talk. He was just such as sweetie. For awhile he was just my little boy again - not one of the terrible twins. and every once in awhile, he'd catch my eye, smile and give me a big wink. It was SOOOOO worth it!
So - new resolve - spend at least some time each week with EACH of the twins separately. I can usually do this with Emily no problem - retail therapy works not only for cancer survivorship but also for mother-daughter relationships! And sometimes I can get in a little time with at least one of the boys. But good quality time with both of them individually is something I'm going to have to plan and work on. Because I finally realize how much they need it - and so do I!
The Russell Girl - Mom insights
CAUTION: Spoilers may lie within. Read at your own risk...
The hubby and I watched the newest Hallmark Hall of Fame movie tonight, The Russell Girl, starring Amber Tamblyn. Now, as a quick aside, I'm really surprised he stayed up for it, and about 3/4 of the way in I told him as much (I thought it would be a lilttle too "touchy-feely/chick-flicky for him). His simple reply - "I wanted to see it, too.". Ok. News to me, but very cool. And no elaboration was forthcoming, so I took it as face value. He's a surprising guy sometimes!
On to the movie...
In many of my Biblee-stufy classes, it usually comes out that God sometimes puts you through things so that you may be an example or a comfort to others going through the same thing. This movie was a shining example of that!
Essentially, Sarah Russell (Tamblyn) did something as a teenager that haunted her well into her 20s. It also subjected her neighbors to emotional turmoil and no one ever really talked about it in either family. The neighbor mother essentially fell to pieces - both in the past and when Sarah came home. But, she eventually found her footing again - just in time to help Sarah's family with their new troubles.
It was, at times, as if everything was happening just in time to move the story along and was of course very Hallmark-y, feel good, all's well the ends well sort of thing. But, the point was still made. The neighbor mother got through the trouble just in time to explain and help Sarah's mother.
Sometimes it seems like a platitude, but God really DOES have a reason for putting you through bad times. Sometimes it might be just so you can understand the good times better. Or, it might be so you can be an example to other of what NOT to do (I personally feel this is where I usually fall!). And even more so, it's so you can help someone else move positively through the same situation.
At this point, I have to bring up my mom (and hopefully don't embarass her too much. Sorry mom - you are a great example here).
Many years ago, she and I were in a car accident. That was followed by another one 6 months later just with her. Same van, same road, almsot the same type of accident and she broke the same foot/ankle. There was a LONG healing process (and many hours of her and me watching Ice Castles but that's another story!). Eventually, the troubles she had with that leg ended with a below-knee amputation.
This amputation meant learning to drive left-footed (thankfully she's already right-brained with being left-handed so this may not as been as hard as it could have). It also meant years of limping and additional surgeries, troubles with broken legs (the prosthetics) and less-than-helpful orthopods. But, that doesn't stop her. She drives everywhere (although I haven't convinced her to drive cross-country yet!), she works full-time, she sings in the church choir, volunteers, goes on LONG shopping trips with yours truly, etc. She's great!
But, beyond dealing with her own troubles, she does more than that. With her new husband, she helps direct the Ohio Wheelchair Games. She's willing to discuss her situation with anyone who shows interest - she doesn't scorn them for being curious about something so many people don't have a clue about, but discusses it with frankness and a highh sense of humor. She's had a good laugh over "scaring" a lady at a swimming pool where she had left her leg in her jeans on a lounge chair while she took a dip (I still love that story!). She's had good cries with anyone who has difficult times or troubles and never "one ups" them on it (would never think of making such statements as 'you think that's bad? I lost my leg!'). I was even told a story by my grandmother where a minister talked with mom for quite a while after running into her at a mall and just being so touched by her and her story and who she is. She hasn't let something that is obviously, in-your-face, debilitating stop her from enjoying life or helping other.
Now, take a minute to think about your life. What negative situation have you overcome? What sadness have you turned into happiness? What door closed and subsequent window opened? And think of how you can channel that into helping others. How can you articulate that into a positive story of hurt and help?
The hubby and I watched the newest Hallmark Hall of Fame movie tonight, The Russell Girl, starring Amber Tamblyn. Now, as a quick aside, I'm really surprised he stayed up for it, and about 3/4 of the way in I told him as much (I thought it would be a lilttle too "touchy-feely/chick-flicky for him). His simple reply - "I wanted to see it, too.". Ok. News to me, but very cool. And no elaboration was forthcoming, so I took it as face value. He's a surprising guy sometimes!
On to the movie...
In many of my Biblee-stufy classes, it usually comes out that God sometimes puts you through things so that you may be an example or a comfort to others going through the same thing. This movie was a shining example of that!
Essentially, Sarah Russell (Tamblyn) did something as a teenager that haunted her well into her 20s. It also subjected her neighbors to emotional turmoil and no one ever really talked about it in either family. The neighbor mother essentially fell to pieces - both in the past and when Sarah came home. But, she eventually found her footing again - just in time to help Sarah's family with their new troubles.
It was, at times, as if everything was happening just in time to move the story along and was of course very Hallmark-y, feel good, all's well the ends well sort of thing. But, the point was still made. The neighbor mother got through the trouble just in time to explain and help Sarah's mother.
Sometimes it seems like a platitude, but God really DOES have a reason for putting you through bad times. Sometimes it might be just so you can understand the good times better. Or, it might be so you can be an example to other of what NOT to do (I personally feel this is where I usually fall!). And even more so, it's so you can help someone else move positively through the same situation.
At this point, I have to bring up my mom (and hopefully don't embarass her too much. Sorry mom - you are a great example here).
Many years ago, she and I were in a car accident. That was followed by another one 6 months later just with her. Same van, same road, almsot the same type of accident and she broke the same foot/ankle. There was a LONG healing process (and many hours of her and me watching Ice Castles but that's another story!). Eventually, the troubles she had with that leg ended with a below-knee amputation.
This amputation meant learning to drive left-footed (thankfully she's already right-brained with being left-handed so this may not as been as hard as it could have). It also meant years of limping and additional surgeries, troubles with broken legs (the prosthetics) and less-than-helpful orthopods. But, that doesn't stop her. She drives everywhere (although I haven't convinced her to drive cross-country yet!), she works full-time, she sings in the church choir, volunteers, goes on LONG shopping trips with yours truly, etc. She's great!
But, beyond dealing with her own troubles, she does more than that. With her new husband, she helps direct the Ohio Wheelchair Games. She's willing to discuss her situation with anyone who shows interest - she doesn't scorn them for being curious about something so many people don't have a clue about, but discusses it with frankness and a highh sense of humor. She's had a good laugh over "scaring" a lady at a swimming pool where she had left her leg in her jeans on a lounge chair while she took a dip (I still love that story!). She's had good cries with anyone who has difficult times or troubles and never "one ups" them on it (would never think of making such statements as 'you think that's bad? I lost my leg!'). I was even told a story by my grandmother where a minister talked with mom for quite a while after running into her at a mall and just being so touched by her and her story and who she is. She hasn't let something that is obviously, in-your-face, debilitating stop her from enjoying life or helping other.
Now, take a minute to think about your life. What negative situation have you overcome? What sadness have you turned into happiness? What door closed and subsequent window opened? And think of how you can channel that into helping others. How can you articulate that into a positive story of hurt and help?
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