Let me start by saying I love all my western Washingtonian friends, but this part just cracks me up! I also just love, love, love living in Western Washington, I love all the weird weather phenomena and I even love the very short, dark, rainy winter days. I also must admit that one of the main reasons I love it here is because I do not like the heat and I hate humidity even more. I will only visit my own parents (who live in S.C.) in the winter. I have lived in other regions of the U.S. and I KNOW I don't like heat and humidity. Course, I don't really like the cold either. I'd like to live at 70 year round inside and out.
The thing that CRACKS me up about people here though is THEIR thoughts on heat. OK, I kid you not, the heat at even PUBLIC places here is like the A/C in New Orleans... too much to accommodate for the outside conditions. I've learned not to dress like winter even though the temps are 30's or 40's out because anything more than a long sleeve will kill you with the heat! I've realized that folks here don't dress for winter - I mean its semi-difficult to find something heavier than a long sleeve T and most folks wear short-sleeves year round... its no wonder they have to turn the heat up so high. Its like they think because they live near the ocean, they deserve tropical weather or something. BUT the FLIP SIDE is that on a day like today, I've heard people say "Its gonna be a scorcher!".... but the high temp is supposed to be low 70's and the humidity less than 50%. Granted, its plenty hot for me but a scorcher? I save that kind of language for temps in the 80's at least...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
That thing you do...
Our town has a big relay race every year (somehow that description doesn't begin to do it justice but we'll leave it at that) and my husband has participated in it the last couple of years. The other evening we were with his team for a pre-race gathering and as they went to talk business I was left with the other wives whom I'd just met, who were, both childless and participating in the same event. Have I ever done said event they wanted to know?...
Huh, uh, no. No, I am not and have not participated in this event. Why?? Well, I suppose I'll save the whole part about me being described once by my husband as "totally physically worthless" - and this was when I was young and in shape long before I was married with children. Alas, there is no event in this race for the 15-20 minute mile walker, the slow asthmatic swimmer. The only event in this race that I can say I've actually got any experience in, is the river canoe and uh-hum, I've never RACED in a canoe unless you count the middle schoolers at camp. So, I decided to spare them the whole story of my life-long lack of great athletic talent.
Instead, I just said, "Nope, I uh, well, I have 4 small children, so I don't really, uh, well, do much of anything."
How does one describe what it is I actually DO to a couple of childless people. Before kids, I could say "I'm a teacher" and people could picture what I do - at least a little bit. Now, I do a lot, but I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a whole lot of nothing at the same time. I don't do a paid work position. I don't even do a lot of leisure activities (I like to kid myself that I read on occasion). I don't go a lot of places and I don't get done have the things I'd like to. I don't have time to do a lot of things that would be nice.
Each day, though does not bring the same old monotony. Well, OK sometimes it feels like it does but in reality each day brings a new challenge, a new joy, a new thing to worry about, a new piece of exciting news... A good report card, a nightmare, this one learns to read and that one learns to jump and this one won the soccer game and that one lost a tooth, and this one had a fight with a friend at school and that one got a prize, this one fell off their bike and that one peed in their pants and that one learned a new word. This one needs a snack and that one needs a band aid and the other one needs their shoes tied and that one needs a new diaper. This one is taking time out to dance to the music and that one is smelling the flowers and this one is in time-out and that was is taking a nap.
And while somehow I do "mom" does even less justice to the position as "relay race" does for this fabulous mountain to bay extravaganza held each year in our area, it is what I do these days. I don't "do" much else these days ... and I wouldn't have it any other way (well, at least most of the time!)
Huh, uh, no. No, I am not and have not participated in this event. Why?? Well, I suppose I'll save the whole part about me being described once by my husband as "totally physically worthless" - and this was when I was young and in shape long before I was married with children. Alas, there is no event in this race for the 15-20 minute mile walker, the slow asthmatic swimmer. The only event in this race that I can say I've actually got any experience in, is the river canoe and uh-hum, I've never RACED in a canoe unless you count the middle schoolers at camp. So, I decided to spare them the whole story of my life-long lack of great athletic talent.
Instead, I just said, "Nope, I uh, well, I have 4 small children, so I don't really, uh, well, do much of anything."
How does one describe what it is I actually DO to a couple of childless people. Before kids, I could say "I'm a teacher" and people could picture what I do - at least a little bit. Now, I do a lot, but I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a whole lot of nothing at the same time. I don't do a paid work position. I don't even do a lot of leisure activities (I like to kid myself that I read on occasion). I don't go a lot of places and I don't get done have the things I'd like to. I don't have time to do a lot of things that would be nice.
Each day, though does not bring the same old monotony. Well, OK sometimes it feels like it does but in reality each day brings a new challenge, a new joy, a new thing to worry about, a new piece of exciting news... A good report card, a nightmare, this one learns to read and that one learns to jump and this one won the soccer game and that one lost a tooth, and this one had a fight with a friend at school and that one got a prize, this one fell off their bike and that one peed in their pants and that one learned a new word. This one needs a snack and that one needs a band aid and the other one needs their shoes tied and that one needs a new diaper. This one is taking time out to dance to the music and that one is smelling the flowers and this one is in time-out and that was is taking a nap.
And while somehow I do "mom" does even less justice to the position as "relay race" does for this fabulous mountain to bay extravaganza held each year in our area, it is what I do these days. I don't "do" much else these days ... and I wouldn't have it any other way (well, at least most of the time!)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
People Say The Darndest Things...
So, in our year+ of being a bi-racial family, I've heard a lot of comments. I've gotten a lot of looks. We live in an area that is not horribly diverse. I've seen worse, where there is NO diversity, but still. However, I will say we haven't experienced a whole lot of negativity. Sure, there are the comments about how amazingly cute my daughter is, and while I'm sure of them are just saying that because I've caught them staring at us just trying to work out how she and I fit together, but I choose to just live in the world where they are in awe of her striking beauty - after all, I am! We've gotten the comments from a store employee shocked that this little girls mother left her alone in the cart, when I was just a couple feet away. We've had people, who know people, who have adopted and want to strike up conversations about said people they know as if we know every adoptive family in our county. We've had the typical ugly questions like "Are they all yours?" etc.
Today, we were prancing our little army through the church lobby on the way to their various Sunday school classrooms when we passed a sweet elderly gentleman who said something I can only speculate on because I didn't hear the whole first sentence but the follow-up sentence was "And the white ones are cute too!". The boys were talking amongst themselves and seemed not to have noticed, thankfully but my husband and I just looked at each other like "did you just hear what I heard??". I guess some folks just haven't learned to put a filter on their thoughts yet... Still, I suppose he meant well...
Today, we were prancing our little army through the church lobby on the way to their various Sunday school classrooms when we passed a sweet elderly gentleman who said something I can only speculate on because I didn't hear the whole first sentence but the follow-up sentence was "And the white ones are cute too!". The boys were talking amongst themselves and seemed not to have noticed, thankfully but my husband and I just looked at each other like "did you just hear what I heard??". I guess some folks just haven't learned to put a filter on their thoughts yet... Still, I suppose he meant well...
Friday, May 15, 2009
A First!
Leaving Trader Joe's this morning, my husband and I heard a woman calling "Excuse me! Excuse me!". We both turned around reluctantly expecting... well, I don't know what exactly we were expecting, but we were bracing ourselves. It was a bit too insistent for the usual "Oh, she's soooo beautiful" comment about my daughter. It could be some random person from church that recognizes Dave and wants to say hello. I was fairly certain the kids had been behaving and hadn't to my knowledge done anything to hurt the store in any way. Could be someone looking for money, or to sell something. Needless to say, we both stopped and turned with much trepidation...
"Would you mind if I touched your daughter's hair?". Strange. Different. Fun! Honestly, I struggle with MY OWN hair, I haven't a clue about my daughter's. Mind you, I TRY to be a girl for her sake but I just am at a loss. I've studied and mostly, I've turned to miracle products to save me (Thanks Suzi for doing all the research and just telling me what to buy!!!). We've come a long way in the learning... she still has issues with the back where it gets broken and lied on but it IS getting touchably soft. And while, we just do headbands or at most attempt some pigtails I've always agonized at my ineptness.
But here, was an African American woman admiring MY daughter's hair and saying hers is extremely tight curls like my daughters and she's trying to grow it out and have it look just like hers! Go figure. And, believe it or not she even felt for my son Easton and asked to see his hair as to not leave him out (freshly shorn as my hubby puts it, there wasn't much to see but its the thought that counts!). A first, and probably a last, but I'll take it - and far better a result to someone calling after you than wanting to sell you something!
"Would you mind if I touched your daughter's hair?". Strange. Different. Fun! Honestly, I struggle with MY OWN hair, I haven't a clue about my daughter's. Mind you, I TRY to be a girl for her sake but I just am at a loss. I've studied and mostly, I've turned to miracle products to save me (Thanks Suzi for doing all the research and just telling me what to buy!!!). We've come a long way in the learning... she still has issues with the back where it gets broken and lied on but it IS getting touchably soft. And while, we just do headbands or at most attempt some pigtails I've always agonized at my ineptness.
But here, was an African American woman admiring MY daughter's hair and saying hers is extremely tight curls like my daughters and she's trying to grow it out and have it look just like hers! Go figure. And, believe it or not she even felt for my son Easton and asked to see his hair as to not leave him out (freshly shorn as my hubby puts it, there wasn't much to see but its the thought that counts!). A first, and probably a last, but I'll take it - and far better a result to someone calling after you than wanting to sell you something!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Family Dinner
Don't get me wrong - I'm a big fan of the family dinner. For one thing, Dave's our cook - if we relied on ME well, we'd all starve probably.
However, some of the time, I just hope to survive the family dinner and don't dare reach for such heights as to enjoy it!
First there is the time prepping the dinner. Four kids, the older ones needing help with their homework, Dad coming home and needing to get cooking, the younger ones tuning up for their grouchy/hyperactive time right before bed. Not exactly a recipe for success.
So, provided we even manage to get the dinner on the table in a timely manner, then of course, there is eating time. Or, should I say the whining time. With six people, one who watches sugars & carbs, another who watches the fat, another that is super-picky with odd tastes, another who prefers meat & carbs, another who refuses to eat meat and a toddler who screeches and gets some food into her mouth but more on the ceiling, floor, table, hair etc it's near impossible to pick out something for dinner that doesn't upset at least ONE member of the clan.
Dinner is chaotic at best, with hyper children all sharing at once and just two tired parents wondering when will it be bedtime? At worst, its whining and crying from one or two about do they REALLY have to eat this? Still, when you manage to survive, its nice to be all together, to hear the stories and catch up on each others' days, and to laugh and enjoy each other -- if only we could survive on pizza every night!!
Tonight is flaffel - believe it or not, something that is low carb, sugar and fat (if you bake them!), loved by the picky eater, loved by the one who doesn't eat meat and enough to fool the one who loves it (just like a meatball, right???), and plenty messy for the toddler. Looking forward to a fabulous dinner - at least tonight!
However, some of the time, I just hope to survive the family dinner and don't dare reach for such heights as to enjoy it!
First there is the time prepping the dinner. Four kids, the older ones needing help with their homework, Dad coming home and needing to get cooking, the younger ones tuning up for their grouchy/hyperactive time right before bed. Not exactly a recipe for success.
So, provided we even manage to get the dinner on the table in a timely manner, then of course, there is eating time. Or, should I say the whining time. With six people, one who watches sugars & carbs, another who watches the fat, another that is super-picky with odd tastes, another who prefers meat & carbs, another who refuses to eat meat and a toddler who screeches and gets some food into her mouth but more on the ceiling, floor, table, hair etc it's near impossible to pick out something for dinner that doesn't upset at least ONE member of the clan.
Dinner is chaotic at best, with hyper children all sharing at once and just two tired parents wondering when will it be bedtime? At worst, its whining and crying from one or two about do they REALLY have to eat this? Still, when you manage to survive, its nice to be all together, to hear the stories and catch up on each others' days, and to laugh and enjoy each other -- if only we could survive on pizza every night!!
Tonight is flaffel - believe it or not, something that is low carb, sugar and fat (if you bake them!), loved by the picky eater, loved by the one who doesn't eat meat and enough to fool the one who loves it (just like a meatball, right???), and plenty messy for the toddler. Looking forward to a fabulous dinner - at least tonight!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
This mother's day, surprisingly, I'm thinking about mothers and children...
I'm thinking of what a blessing my own mom is. I'm wishing that it didn't take a whole day of FLYING to see her. Let's face it. I wasn't exactly an easy teen; in fact, I was the queen of using words as a weapon. She not only survived my independent spirit, but also helped guide me and was still there for encouragement when I failed. And still is!
I'm thinking of what a blessing all four of my children are (even though it was just last evening they went to bed early for all our sanity's sakes!). Trevor with polite ways and sensitive spirit, Behailu who is so helpful and easy going (and that smile!), Easton the little guy with the big personality and dancing eyes and the big hugs, and Kenzie the outgoing happy toddler and even her attitude is pretty amusing.
I'm thinking about my children's other mom's... their Russian and Ethiopian mothers. The mothers who gave them life and love and made a sacrifice so selfless I honestly cannot fathom it. I'm thinking about the millions of orphans in this world who do not have a mother or a family any longer.
I'm thinking that I wish life didn't always get so life, if you know what I mean. You've probably heard the mom song on you tube or something... we had it in church this weekend too. That song makes me sad because I can so relate, but boy it really isn't all the flattering, is it? I mean, its not the image of the dream mom I always wanted to be... its a list of "do this" and "don't do that's" and sometimes that’s what I feel like I do all day with a random hug and I love you thrown in for good measure.
I'm thinking of my own hopes to be a mother and the long road it took to get there, and all the women that are traveling that difficult road now. I'm thinking of the fact that I never dreamed of 4 children, never imagined my life would look like it does - the chaos and imperfections, the struggles and the juggling, the sacrifices and the laughter all rolled into one. And I'm thinking that despite the times that I want to run away screaming, or the times I feel like I failed at being the mother I'd like to be, that really, I love my life, my family, my joys... and I wouldn't have it any other way...
I'm thinking of what a blessing my own mom is. I'm wishing that it didn't take a whole day of FLYING to see her. Let's face it. I wasn't exactly an easy teen; in fact, I was the queen of using words as a weapon. She not only survived my independent spirit, but also helped guide me and was still there for encouragement when I failed. And still is!
I'm thinking of what a blessing all four of my children are (even though it was just last evening they went to bed early for all our sanity's sakes!). Trevor with polite ways and sensitive spirit, Behailu who is so helpful and easy going (and that smile!), Easton the little guy with the big personality and dancing eyes and the big hugs, and Kenzie the outgoing happy toddler and even her attitude is pretty amusing.
I'm thinking about my children's other mom's... their Russian and Ethiopian mothers. The mothers who gave them life and love and made a sacrifice so selfless I honestly cannot fathom it. I'm thinking about the millions of orphans in this world who do not have a mother or a family any longer.
I'm thinking that I wish life didn't always get so life, if you know what I mean. You've probably heard the mom song on you tube or something... we had it in church this weekend too. That song makes me sad because I can so relate, but boy it really isn't all the flattering, is it? I mean, its not the image of the dream mom I always wanted to be... its a list of "do this" and "don't do that's" and sometimes that’s what I feel like I do all day with a random hug and I love you thrown in for good measure.
I'm thinking of my own hopes to be a mother and the long road it took to get there, and all the women that are traveling that difficult road now. I'm thinking of the fact that I never dreamed of 4 children, never imagined my life would look like it does - the chaos and imperfections, the struggles and the juggling, the sacrifices and the laughter all rolled into one. And I'm thinking that despite the times that I want to run away screaming, or the times I feel like I failed at being the mother I'd like to be, that really, I love my life, my family, my joys... and I wouldn't have it any other way...
Monday, May 4, 2009
What a change?!?
This weekend Trevor went to have a special time getting spoiled with attention by his aunt and uncle, leaving us not only missing him, but also with just 3 children! Just? Yes, Just! When we adopted siblings over a year ago, we doubled overnight. We've never had JUST 3 kids before. Never having experienced the joy of JUST 3 children, I guess I just assumed that once you are out numbered it hardly makes a difference, because honestly, I've had more than my four and I hardly notice. So, I just expected that with loss of the oldest, most independent of the brood that really life would not feel very different aside from missing him. Boy, was I wrong! What a difference it makes! From shopping to bath time to going to church it was just easier (not better - I can't imagine life without my Trevor!)...just easier, smoother, faster...
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