Cowboy T's Random Question of the Day . . .

Quiet moment during the day.  Everyone quietly doing their own things.

Then - the silence is broken by the following conversation:

T:  Hey Mom?
Me: Yeah T?
T: Do they make acid proof buckets?
Me: . . . . . ?????? . . . . . ?????????????????? . . . . . .  ummmmmmm . . .

(should I be concerned . . . ?)  ;o)  But seriously - I mean he has a good point!  What DO they keep acid in???? Hmmm.  But where in the world did that random thought come from?!?!?!  Ahhhhh . . . we've moved WAY past 'why is the sky blue'!

For all Moms and anyone who influences the lives of our children!

Why Oh Why Oh Why?!?!?!?!?!?

WHY is this what I see at the foot of my bed at one in the morning?!?!?!?!

(please refrain from answering that question as I am quite sure it will link back to my stunning parenting skills! HA!)

 

And THIS my friends . . . is the glory of summer!

LOVE THEM!!!!!!!  (the crazy nuts!)  :o)

MoMatron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So . . . a little background.  Because we both work - our children have cell phones.  They are mainly to contact us before and after school as needed.  Of course - the oldest two LOVE this concept!!  Cowboy T isn't really phased by it either way.  He rarely uses it or cares where it is for that matter!

Yesterday I noticed his phone was dead so I plugged it in to charge it.  Imagine my surprise when I see a large amount of texts rolling in.  Even more odd was that they were all under the name of MoMatron.  My brain began rapidly flipping through the rolodex storage files of all knowledge I have - and after a few seconds (hahaha!) I realized I was unable to associate the name with anything.

So I somewhat irritatedly questioned out loud to my sweet children . . . "Who is this Mo  Matron person on Travis' phone!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!"  It  wasn't even a half a second when they all burst out into laughter.  I didn't get it.  So I threw in my best "I-don't-know-what-you're-laughing-at-but-I-see-no-reason-for-any-laughter-until-my-question-is-answered" look.  It did nothing to quell the laughter but it did speed up a response.  Hrmph.

Did I feel silly or what when they lovingly told me that this strange person sending my sweet son a plethora of texts was . . . . . . ME!!!!!  I. AM. MOM-A-TRON!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond honored and flattered!  A super hero of sorts!  Perhaps a Transformer!  I am Momatron!  (I guess it was the other capital M that threw me off!  :o)

I wasn't irritated any more - just to clear up that little silly tiny matter I mentioned!

Wow!  I had no idea my children felt so Super-ish about me!  Life is good!

Ok kids . . . BRING IT!!!!!!!

I find myself trying rather unsuccessfully to claw my way out of this deep bewildering pit of "natural bickering of childhood" (as my own children claimed it to be while cheerily defending themselves).  In sheer desperation tonight I found myself constructing a way to manage this self-consuming issue with the least possible amount of parental involvement on my part that I can think of.  (I'm SO going to win mother-of-the year!!!)  ;o)

So here is my newest strategy which will be unveiled tomorrow.  I printed 20 copies after which my printer proudly proclaimed (and then snickered) (I swear!  I heard it!  I'm not kidding!  It's also part of this maddening unnerving plot against me!  I'm ok.  Really.  I am.) that it was out of ink.  With 20 copies we just might make it to about 10 AM.  (Hello sweet Office Depot!  See YOU in the morning!)

You know . . . the more I think about it . . . I do recall bickering with my own sisters.  Maybe it is a natural part of childhood.  Maybe the madness part of it is just me!!!!  Aggghhhh!!!!  And as such . . . I may be seeking professional help!!!  Or maybe I just need a nice relaxing massage.  (not likely!) Or a trip to the store by myself? (Ugh!)  Or a walk to the mailbox.  (Too hot!)  Ok maybe just a walk upstairs. (All the way up there?)  A trip to the bathroom?  (well I'd have to get up to do that) . . . Maybe there's some chocolate in the house.  Hmmm . . . Oh look!!!!  I guess this semi-melted, sticky, fuzzy m&m between the couch cushions will do.  Mmmm Yummy!  Ahhh . . . yep . . . that did the trick.  Now I can go on - I've had my "me" moment.  I'm good for . . . oh . . .say another 10-15 minutes.  HA!!! :o)

Conflict Resolution Request

Circle one:   Is this   URGENT   or a   NON-ISSUE  ?

Is there fire or blood involved?                         YES                        NO

Can this matter  be worked out between the disputing parties without outside mediation?

YES                        NO

Circle one:  Is this a   TATTLE   or a   TELLING  ?

If it is a non-issue, blood or fire is not involved, the matter can be worked out independently between the two parties or the matter is classified as a tattle please place this paper in the closest waste receptacle.

If further intervention is still necessary – please briefly describe below:

Names of parties involved:  ____________________________________________________________________________________

Issue of dispute:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you like it?  ____  Why not?  ________________________________________________________________________________

What would you like to happen instead?  __________________________________________________________________________

Please communicate your above comments to the other party involved.

If this matter still requires further intercession please sign below, deposit on your progenitor’s pillow.

Your Signature  _________________________________________________________________

All requests will be responded to within a three day period.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Dad & Mom

My Silly Silly Boys

HUGE blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my Buddy plays the cello.  So far he's played a 3/4 size cello and loves it.  Problem is he keeps growing!  :o)  And soon he will need a full size cello.  This has weighed on us greatly.  A few days ago we were at the local music store picking up a new string and of course - we went and looked at the used cellos just to see.  They were $3100+   This is why it's been weighing on us.  I was worried Bobby would be this big 17 year old hunched over a miniature looking cello.  On our way home my bro-in-law called and told me this obscure little music store I'd never heard of was going out of business.  It just so happened that when he told me that I was sitting at a red light - DIRECTLY in front of where the store was!  Coincidence?  I think not.

We went in and I asked about strings, a banjo . . . (they didn't have any - but someday!!!!! I will find one!)  :o), and a few other musical-ish things.  Then on a whim I asked if they had any used full size cellos.  He said he had one but it was pretty beat up and didn't have a bow.  I asked to see it anyway.  When he unzipped the case . . . we were both speechless.  It was beautiful!!!!!!!!  The neck had been repaired at one point - but didn't affect the quality of the instrument.  I later looked online to see if it was a huge deal and several luthier's websites said it didn't matter.  So anyway - I took a deep breath and asked how much.  We both heard him start with a 7 and our hearts sunk thinking he was about to say $700 . . . and then he finished w a 5.  Seriously!  He did!  $75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And then he went in the back and found a really nice bow he just threw in too.  I can't believe how blessed we were!!!!  We got it home and it has the most beautiful tone too it.  It is amazing!  I looked up the maker and it's not factory made - but luthier made.  A couple days later we went back and my Mom found a hard cello case for $50 (which online used for the same kind is $350).  Now it will be protected in a better case too!  I just wanted to cry I was so relieved and felt so blessed!  Bubba is so happy he has been playing and playing - which we love!  He is really really good!  He doesn't play like a 6th grader that's for sure!  So proud of how hard he works!

Fun Old Summer Pictures . . .

OUCH!!!!!!!!! Seriously!!! OUCH!!!!

So Bubba was so excited when his friends from church called to go play laser tag at the local pizza/bowling place. They were there about 30 minutes when he fell and hit his head on one of those metal railings like they use when you're lined up for a roller coaster or something. It happened so quickly that he didn't have time to put his hands out to break his fall. They immediately brought him home and we went straight to the ER. They did a CAT scan and everything is a-ok. The doctor said: "We checked his brain and nothing was there!" That was the comedic relief we needed - although the doctor was so embarrassed when he realized what he'd said. We all thought it was pretty funny though - even Bobby!

But bless his heart - he does have a concussion and he's still in quite a bit of pain - but he was so brave and such a trooper about the hospital. It's not his favorite place at all. I am so incredibly grateful everything was ok. There aren't words that seem appropriate enough to actually express how deeply I mean that. A lot of worries go through your mind as a parent - and Bobby had a lot of questions on the way there about what might happen that I honestly didn't know what to tell him. Thankfully we didn't have to worry about any of that. He said the CAT scan was a little scary. They wouldn't let me go in with him and it seemed like an eternity for both me and him - but I guess it was only about 10 min. One of his school teachers had recently told the class all kinds of horror stories about when MRI and CAT scans go bad! (Thanks a lot!!) But he made it through just fine! Phewph!

The picture below is while we were on the way to the ER. It's the biggest bump I've ever seen - so if it might make you queasy don't look. I think my Bubba was most upset because he was doing a great job at laser tag and they were going to play a second round and then go to the park and he had to miss all of that. Poor guy! It looks like he'll probably end up with double black eyes as it drains and heals. He looks a lot better today. The area is swollen and tender - but nothing like yesterday - thank goodness!

It's Honey Doll!!!!

Look what I found! This is Honey Doll! I got her when I was 2. She knows all my deepest darkest secrets! ;o) hahaha! My sisters always tried to squeeze her head and torture her. I often found her bungee jumping from the ceiling fan, rappelling the kitchen cupboards, and ransom notes left in her place. She went to Germany and Jerusalem with me - just for a picture to prove she was there of course . . . !

Can you believe she's being sold for $185!?!?!?!? Not MY Honey Doll of course - she's a little more worn - a little more loved - and a whole lot more tired than this one. But it was really fun to see her like this. I always wondered why I named her Honey Doll . . . and now I know! :o)

Smart aleck = Smart aleck

We were cleaning up tonight and there were three pairs of Travis' shoes in the family room. I told him to go pick them up and put them away because the family room was NOT his closet.

His reply? "Ohhhh! That would explain the TV!"

(I don't know where he gets it!)

Mourn with those who mourn

My husband's cousin posted this on her blog and I had to share it.

We had the opportunity to do just this last night. Well-meaning words don't often ease the pain in moments of grief or despair. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say or do. But last night I knew. We just sat. The kids understood and I knew a precious life lesson was being embedded. We stayed and were just there. There were moments of quiet and stories and memories were told. After several hours everyone's eyes grew heavy and I knew we should go - but when we readied to leave it was obvious we were still needed and so we stayed until it was finally ok. Even then - it was difficult to leave. We sat outside in the car for a bit - all of us wanting to leave our hearts inside. I hope it's something my children always remember. Our hearts felt so full while we were there. I'm so grateful Crystal posted this video. I really appreciated its beautiful illustration.

I'm so glad it's the weekend! I got an extra day added to mine since I stayed home with Travis yesterday. He's really sick. So it's not like it was for fun. But I'm so glad I did. He needed his momma! Our weekend was packed with various activities but we've cancelled everything. It's turned into a nice slow day for our family and I'm actually really grateful for that and for our time at home together instead of all the scheduled activities. I'm sure at this point I am covered in his germs after sitting with him and holding him all day and night - and I totally don't want to get anyone else sick so it's ok that we just stay in.

The whole week I had a mighty fierce cold of my own. I felt so incredibly lousy I ended up going to the dr. mid-week. He declared it one of my usual colds and gave me some yummy happy cough syrup w codeine for bedtime. Luckily the worst part was over when Travis got sick.

At school one of my classes was down to one student (because one kept coming w the flu and got all the others sick).

Speaking of school, my student teacher starts Monday! I'm excited about that. I also have a conference in San Marcos coming up. I hate to have to leave home for it - but the topic will be really helpful and it's just a short trip.

Cowboy T!

My little man isn't so little anymore!

Me and My Bud

Watch out 6th grade! Here he comes!!!!

In the space of about 20 minutes today I got calls that two families close to me had lost loved ones. My heart hurts for their losses and for the grief they bear. It's always difficult to know that as we go about our usual daily tasks - others are experiencing that kind of pain and loss. In addition - one of our students is not fairing well and it's always difficult to watch such sweet and innocent children suffer. I always wish there was a way to lighten all of their suffering and burden - but sometimes it seems like prayer is the only way to ask for the peace and comfort their hearts really need. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them tonight.

And Yet Even More . . .

And just to update to the previous post - while eating dinner a few minutes ago came another question - out of thin air.

"What would happen if you threw a ticking grenade into space?"

Ummm . . . maybe it's all the non-fiction books he checks out from the library. I'm just so curious what he's thinking in his head that doesn't actually get spoken! He's so fun! :o)

More Cowboy T

So Bob bought me a nice organizer basket to hold stuff on my desk. It's made out of some type of sea grass and is really pretty. However after about a week of searching for a not-so-pretty smell (which we immediately blamed on the poor dog) we realized it was the lovely basket on my desk.

I ask Bob: Why in the world would they sell something that smells like pee?

Cowboy T jumps in: Probably because some monkey peed on it before they sent it here.

How do you even respond to that? Only Cowboy T can send me to the point where I'm at a loss for words . . .

Question of the Night (by Travis)

"Hey Mom! What's the most pointless thing in the whole world?"

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!! :o)