Hanging out and having fun

Wow. It's been a crazy couple of weeks! What with preparing for school parties, preparing for company, Christmas shopping, making some gifts, and the normal daily activities, there has been a lot happening in this house. But this week, I've been hanging out and having fun.

My mom has been here all week - haven't seen her in 2 years. It's been nice to have some time with her all to myself. Then the boys get home from school and I have to share. I guess it's ok - they need their Grammy, too. The boys have LOVED having her here. We'll be sad when it's time for her to leave.

This week was the last week of school before the Christmas Winter break (because you can celebrate any holiday you want as long as the word Christ isn't in it). Today was their Christmas Winter party day. I got to help a classroom full of kindergarteners decorate cookies (read: sugar high!). Then I served pizza to a classroom of 3rd graders. The parties were short and sweet, but fun. Both of my guys appreciated that I came. I'm glad that they were not embarrassed by my presence. I know, I know. They'll be embarrassed soon enough. You don't need to remind me. That's why I'm enjoying it while I can!

Next week, my the rest of my family is arriving - my brother and sisters, with their families. It will be fun to have everyone together. It will be a crazy busy time, but so worth it. We don't see enough of each other. We don't have many specific plans yet, except to hang out and have fun. Those are the best plans of all!

Santa Claus 101

Every year, about this time, David starts asking questions about Santa Claus. He didn't know who Santa was until he was 4. Since then, he's learned everything he needs to know about Santa. Then he started asking questions. Things just never add up for him.

A couple of years ago, he was creeped out by the thought of a strange man who he'd never met coming into his house via chimney and leaving him toys. He didn't know what to make of the chimney - aren't doors good enough? He didn't like the idea of a stranger giving gifts - isn't that what mom and dad are for? He also didn't like the idea of someone breaking into his house while everyone slept. It really is kind of creepy, when you think about it.

Last year, there was a rumor going around that Santa died. David was very upset at first, and then confused. I figured out what was happening and was able to restore his faith in Santa. Then, he was confused as to why anyone would want to say that Santa died. It took us a few weeks to clear up all those questions!

This year, it was a completely different take. He started asking questions about how Santa gets around the world so fast, knows what every kid in the world wants, and knows if each child has been good or bad. Finally, I turned the question back to him: "What do you think?"

He paused for a moment, and said vehemently, "I know Santa is a real person."

Then there was another pause and he said, "But flying reindeer? That can't be real!"

I asked him if he could prove it. A short pause, and, "I know! I'll just look on the internet at the North Pole!"

Of Midnight Shopping and Photo Booths

Black Friday. At the mall at 4 AM to get a start on Christmas, score some good deals, and maybe get in a few fights along the way. Some people enjoy the madness, but not me. I like my sleep too much. It's just not worth it.

Then we heard that the outlet mall in Austin was opening at midnight. Actually, some stores opened at 10 PM on Thanksgiving Day. My sister (Sarah) and my sister-in-law (Snow) and I decided to go. Crazy, yes, but once you hear of an opportunity and you don't take it, you're always left with "what if?". Besides, it's so much fun to do things that are out of character every once in a while. It's fun to say, "I went shopping at midnight!" and then see what people's reactions are to that.

So we went. We had a blast!! We got there a little before midnight and left a little before 4 AM. It was so much fun. We shopped, we encouraged each other to buy things, we made fun of a lot of hideous merchandise, we even squeezed into a photo booth to take pictures.

The photo booth was an experience. Sarah and I had never had pictures taken in a photo booth. Since we were throwing caution to the wind, we went for it. Y'all, those things are TINY!! There wasn't enough room for two of us, and three of us squeezed in. Sort of. I was sitting behind Sarah and Snow was standing and leaning over me to get her face in the photo. The funny part? The best photo we took was the one we took outside the booth!

We did get a few good deals along the way. Like Andres said before we left, "What's the point of going if you're not going to buy anything?" While we did take advantage of a few deals, we didn't buy too much.

I wish I had pictures to share, but I forgot to get copies off Sarah's and Snow's cameras before leaving. Sarah? Snow? Pictures, please!!! :)

All in all, it was a fun weekend, one I will remember for a long time!

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, so do the Christmas decorations. With the Christmas decorations come thoughts of Santa and gifts. The boys have been making wish lists for a while now. As they see more and more Christmas things, their lists get bigger and wilder in anticipation of Christmas day.

I think it is a wonderful thing that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas. In our culture, Christmas has become a selfish holiday, one in which people think only of themselves and what they will get. Thanksgiving is a day of reflection, a day to remember to be grateful for what we already have. A day to remember that what we have is enough.

So many times, Thanksgiving has been passed over, but it is so important. If we can keep the spirit of Thanksgiving going throughout the rest of the holiday season, our Christmases would be so much more magical. Knowing that we have enough, we are more willing to give with unabashed joy. Knowing that we have enough, we receive gifts with the sense that we aren't deserving, instead of the sense of entitlement.

I've been trying to teach the boys that gratefulness. That what we have is enough. So this year, instead of telling you what I'm thankful for, I'm telling you what they are thankful for.

David:
First, he told me he was thankful for the 4 F's. "You know, friends, family, food, and football!"

Then he made this list for me:
Friends
Family
Food
Sports
God
Jesus
The sun (because it gives the earth the right amount of what it needs)
Freedom

He read the list to me, paused, and said, "But most of all, I'm thankful for freedom."

I think he gets it. Mostly. :)

Alex:
He's still learning about Thanksgiving and what it's about. He's excited about visiting famliy in Austin, and playing with Hanes (the cat). He did tell me that he loves David and Miguel, so I told him that since he loves them, he's thankful for them. Maybe next year, he'll understand a little better. note: He just told me he's thankful for Jesus and God. Then he added, "Actually, Jesus with God."

Miguel:
Miguel is too young to talk about giving thanks yet, but he is learning how to say thank you. It sounds like "ee ooh", but he's working on it! Things I'm thankful for related to Miguel are: his smile that lights up a room, his adoration of his brothers, and that we were able to find doctors here that are just as good as the ones we left.

As Thanksgiving come and goes, no more than a blip on the radar for many, will you pray with me? Will you pray for your own children, your own families, that we can remember Thanskgiving throughout the holiday season? Will you pray that in your own heart, you can remember that you have enough, even as you are bombarded with messages that preach the opposite? Will you pray for me, that I will be able to effectively teach (and model) thanksgiving in our everyday lives, especially as Christmas nears?

I wish each and every one of you a happy Thanksgiving Day and a happy Thanksgiving season!

writer's block

I have writer's block. I want to write. I want to post things more frequently. I want to share what's happening. Every time I sit in front of the computer, though, my brain turns off. It's empty, mush. I can't think straight. I can't think of anything. Not even about what to serve for lunch or dinner.

Thinking of dinner, it took me an hour or so of trying to come up with an idea for dinner tonight before I remembered that we have leftovers to eat. Normally, I'm on top of things. Not these past few weeks.

The funny thing about writer's block is that everytime I intentionally take a break from all things computer related, I end up overflowing with things to share and can't keep away. Weird.

The stories will come. I know they will. I wish they would come sooner rather than later. Now I'd like to close this post with something witty, some remark or joke or something, but, you guessed it, I have writer's block. :)

Bonfire. 10 years later.

At Texas A&M University, there is a saying that if something happens once, it's a coincidence. If it happens twice, it's a tradition. One of the most beloved traditions of all time is bonfire. A huge fire, built by students. It represents the Aggies' burning desire to "beat the hell outta t.u." (University of Texas). Burned before the annual Thanksgiving week football game, it's the epitome of Aggie spirit.


Sadly, that tradition ended 10 years ago, taking with it the the lives of 12 Aggies. I always thought it was ironic that 12 died that day - since the 12th man is another one of A&M's long-standing traditions. The day our beloved tradition ended was November 18, 1999. The day bonfire fell.


I remember that day. More accurately, I remember that night, since I was awake for most of it.


Wednesday, November 17, 1999.


I had a 15 page paper due the next day for a chemistry class. I knew exactly what I was going to write. All I needed to do was get the information from my brain and onto the paper. I should have started writing earlier, but I had other classes to study for and had been busy with extra-curricular activites. I didn't worry because as long as I know what I want to say, writing is a quick and easy process.


I had been off-campus that evening so I parked at the computer lab instead of having to walk across campus and back. I sat down at a computer and started typing. Two and a half pages later, I had written everything I wanted to write. Did I mention the paper was to be 15 pages? I went back through looking for places to add in extra information, fluff, anything. I got it up to almost 4 pages. So, at 9:00 at night, I scrapped my original idea for the paper and started over. This required choosing a new topic, doing research on that topic, and writing a whole new paper.


It was hard. It was tiring. I was struggling to find the right words for my topic. I was struggling to stay awake (I am so not a night owl!). Finally, at 4 AM, I knew I wasn't going to be able to get any more written. I had a little over 5 pages. I knew that with more time and a good night's sleep, I could write a great paper. It just wasn't happening and I couldn't worry about it anymore. I drove across campus to my dorm and went to bed.


As I was driving to my dorm, I went past the bonfire site and noticed it was on its side. In my sleep-deprived incoherence, I thought, "Oh, bonfire fell over. They'll have to get it back up pretty quick. The game's next week." What my sleep-deprived incoherence did not let me remember is that is was push week - the week in which students worked around the clock to get it finished.


November 18, 1999.


I woke at 6 AM to the phone ringing. My roommate, Helen, answered. She mumbled something like, "I'm sure she's fine. Go back to sleep." A minute later, it rang again. Then again and again. By this time, we were both awake. Helen said people were calling to ask her where their friends were because bonfire had fallen. I mentioned something about driving past and seeing it down. Then, it all hit. Bonfire fell. People were on it. Helen's friends were part of the group that built bonfire.


There was a moment of silence as the realization hit. Then, I heard the sound that still haunts me to this day. A guy banging on the door around the corner from our room. "Chris! Chris! Wake up! Chris! You gotta be in there! Wake up! Chris! Come on, man, you gotta be there!" The tone of the guy's voice was surreal. It was panic and worry and fear. The same thing that everyone was feeling.


Helen and her friends had phoned back and forth enough to know that everyone was accounted for except for one person. She left to go to the site to see if she could find him. I was left alone. I briefly talked to my mom and then went to the MSC (the student center) and hung out there for most of the day.


I went to one class that day - the class in which my paper was due. The whole class showed up, only because the paper was due. Our professer walked in and rambled on about how in the midst of tragedy, life must go on, so he wasn't excusing anyone from class. He would lecture first and then collect our papers. After about 20 minutes, he stopped. He said, "You don't want to be here. I don't want to be here. This is ridiculous. Let's just go." So we turned in our papers and left. By the way, I got a good grade on the paper, even though it was 10 pages too short and obviously not finished.


The thing I remember the most is that everyone was in a daze. All day. Of course, part of why I was in a daze was because I was running on two hours of sleep. The rest of it was shock. I participated in a mass prayer in front of the MSC. Friends and I made ribbons which we passed out to people to pin on their shirts. The whole day was monotonous. We kept busy all day but didn't really do anything.

That evening, my roommate came to our dorm room in tears. After being at the bonfire site all day, she found her friend. He was on the stack when it fell - and was the last to be pulled out from under the logs. He died doing what he loved - building bonfire. He loved A&M. He loved the Aggie traditions. He loved bonfire and was thrilled that he could be a part of it. As Helen said that day, "I don't understand death. It's such a waste."

I did not personally know anyone involved in the tragedy, but I had connections to many who were there. Three people from my dorm, one from my church, a friend of a friend, were all involved in some way. Of course, we all were connected simply because we all are Aggies.

Today, 10 years later, I offer up prayers. Prayers of remembrance. Prayers for those who were injured and those whose lives are forever changed because of their injuries. Prayers for those who lost family. Prayers for those who lost friends.

10 years. A day I will never forget.

Conversations

So, Wednesday was Veteran's Day. Three military members went to David's school to talk about life in the military. One was in the Marines, one in the Navy, and I don't where the third serves. David told me the important things he learned about life in the military:

"Mommy, they use a lot of bad words in the military."
"They eat things I didn't know could be eaten. Like frogs and lizards and
squirrels and rabbits."
"I don't think I want to be in the military. You have to dig a hole in
the ground and then sleep in it!"

__________________________________________________________________

I've been wanting to make an Advent calendar for several years now. I have a kit to make one, but it is missing all the beads and threads that decorate the pieces. I finally got an idea on how to make a nice one that (should) last. I was telling Andrés and David about it. I have 25 wood pieces that will hang from dowel rods. One side will be decorated with snowflakes and the other will have the Christmas story from the Bible. We'll flip one wood piece over each day so that by the end, the entire Christmas story will show. I showed Andrés and David the supplies I got. At this point, David piped up:

"Great! All you need now is your Bible and some scissors!"

Um. What a nice mental image that creates - turning the Holy Bible in to a Holey Bible.
___________________________________________________________________

It's Friday!!! Hope your weekend is full of rest, relaxation, fun, and blessings!

My brother-in-law (a veteran's day post)

Let me tell you about my brother-in-law.

He married my sister. He's a dad to three beautiful girls. (This picture is a couple of years old - baby girl #3 arrived this summer.)



He works hard to take care of his family.



He's a drummer in a praise band. (This is his drum, adorned with Magnetix pieces courtesy of my kiddos)



He rides motorcycles. (and dries them off with leaf blowers)



He likes guns. Big ones. Oh, you know, like the ones the military uses. He's a former Marine, currently a Coastie.



Thank you, brother, for all you do. You put yourself out there so I can live my peaceful life. I appreciate that, and I'm proud of you for it! You're a blessing to our family, and a blessing to this country.


It's Veteran's Day - hug one!

Life

Life. Things around here have been kind of crazy. Well, not just kind of crazy, but really crazy. Really, really, intensely crazy.

It all started not quite a month ago when we all got miserably sick. Sinus infection, possibly (and most likely) flu, bronchitis as a result of said possible flu. The whole family was knocked down by it all. Miguel took tamiflu; the rest of us battled it out without medicine. We're all better now. For now.

Illness I can deal with. The tamiflu, I could not. It turned Miguel into Oscar the GROUCH. He was cranky, moody, clingy, overly sensitive to everything, horrible to deal with. I hate saying that about my own child, but it's true. The problem is that his mood has not improved after going off the tamiflu. For the past several weeks, the smallest thing will set off a full-blown temper tantrum. Alex singing the alphabet song. Wanting to eat the granola with chocolate instead of the granola with blueberries. Andres giving him a bath instead of me. Not believing me that his shoes are in the car, or upstairs, or in the living room. All of these things have set off the tantrums. Fifteen, twenty minutes or more of crying and screaming and rolling on the floor. I tried to hold him close to calm him down a few times, but his crying was so loud that I couldn't hear anything for a few minutes after putting him down and walking away. My ears were in pain from it (the memory of it is making my ears hurt).

But wait, there's more!

His new favorite phrase is "Don't want to." Every time I ask him to do something, it's "Don't want to." He thinks that as long as he tells me he doesn't want to do something, then it's settled - he doesn't have to. Sorry, kiddo. I'm not doing that. It's been a struggle to get him to do anything. From sitting to eat a meal, to taking a nap, to bringing me a book so I can read to him. Even when I'm encouraging him to do positive, fun things, I get resistance.

Alex hasn't helped. He is such an instigator. He has started saying the wrong things with the sole purpose of making his brothers mad. Man, oh man, has it worked. He started calling the mini-van a fire truck. That caused a fight with David. He told Miguel that he (Alex) got the last of the juice and Miguel would have to drink milk, even though he watched me get out a new bottle of juice. Of course, Miguel got mad because he wanted juice. Those are small examples of things Alex does. It's been a lot worse. Trust me.

Alex has pushed Miguel's buttons so hard that Miguel has started biting (or trying to, anyway). I don't blame Miguel. He's trying to express himself and Alex is ignoring it. The only way Miguel has been able to get Alex's attention is through the biting. Fortunately, it's only happened twice, but still. Twice is two times too many.

It's been hard. Really, really hard. I've done my best to keep things calm, but the boys have refused (for the most part) to calm down. I've done my best on the worst days to keep them separated, but they always go back to picking at each other. The crying is the worst. They go from happy to snippy to full-blown tantrum in 30 seconds. They don't allow me to calm them down and prevent (or lessen the impact of) the meltdowns. They have been happening so fast and are so incredibly intense.

Like I said, it's been hard. And frustrating. Let's not forget frustrating. And depressing. These are not my kids. I don't know where all this negativity is coming from. I've taught them better than this. They know better. They can do better. I've seen it. Being kind is normal for them. This IS NOT NORMAL. And I don't know why.

The thing is, in the midst of all this negative emotion in the house, the boys have been super loving towards me. Both Alex and Miguel have started giving me hugs and kisses. We have hug fests. We kiss each other's cheeks, noses, foreheads, arms, legs. I've been getting them to tell me "I love you" and I always say it to them. David, who is anti-hugs and kisses (they're girl things), has been allowing hugs. I tried to get him to tell me that he loves me. The best I got from him is "I heart you." Oh, well. I'm still working on him.

In all of this frustration, and emotional rollercoaster, I've had hope that it will get better. I saw a glimpse of it today. Miguel was happy most of the day. He was cooperative. He was NOT CLINGY!!! We cleaned up the house, putting things away. He had a smile on his face all day long. He had trouble at nap time with falling asleep, but he stayed on his bed. I went into his room after a while, and with me sitting there, he promptly fell asleep. I think he needed that comfort of knowing I was nearby.

Of course, Alex nearly destroyed it all. He came home and was fine at first, but really got annoying when we went to Michael's to get some paint for a school project. He was irritating Miguel to the point that Miguel tried to bite Alex. Since Miguel was in the cart, he couldn't reach, but I think he did have part of Alex's jacket in his mouth at some point. I don't want to take biting lightly, but I completely understand Miguel's lashing out at Alex. Alex was annoying, and he refused to stop when asked to. Miguel asked him to stop, David asked him to, I asked him to. And he still refused. It was not a pleasant scene in the paint aisle. (If you were there, I apologize. I did what I could, which apparently, wasn't much.)

After getting home and Alex in bed for a much needed nap, Miguel went back to his happy self again. I was so glad that his distress was temporary. I was so glad that he did not go into that clingy, moody funk for the rest of the day. I was so glad that what happened in Michael's, stayed in Michael's.

SO.

Overall, today was much better. I'm looking forward to tomorrow being even better. I'm hoping that we're getting out of this emotional storm hurricane and heading into peaceful waters once again. We'll see.

It's like I've said before: Whoever coined the phrase "terrible twos" never met a three year old.

Alex and Art

Alex has been busy, busy, busy at school. He is learning to write and draw. He comes home every day and immediately pulls out crayons or markers and starts drawing. Sometimes, he finishes a paper he brought home from school. Other times, he grabs a paper and creates his own pictures. I'm proud of him because before school started, he gave up writing as soon as he made a mistake. Now, he's learning that mistakes are OK and all he has to do is try again. Here's a sample of his drawing:

The "story" says: My Mom and my Dad cook dinner together for dinner.

The picture is Andres and me standing at the stove. The rectangle is the dining table, complete with chairs and plates.

He also drew a horse (with saddle!) and wrote the following about it: Once there was a horse with no men riding on the horse. (It took a while for me to figure it out, but the zig-zag on the horse's neck is its mane.)



This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Two months ago, Alex could barely write anything. He could write family member's names, but that's about it. His drawing was just scribbles. Now, he's drawing real pictures that actually look like what they are supposed to, plus he's writing stories to go with them. Yes, he has some work to do on spelling, but he is listening to the sounds and picking the letters that he hears. It's a HUGE step for him and I am so proud of him!