I received this from my sister –in-law and just had to share…

Clay Balls...

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him.
He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel it doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. **I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
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God makes a promise. Faith believes it. Hope anticipates it.

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My rant for the day…
When I first started working for the great state of New York in Rochester, I noticed that most of the buildings on the campus were abandoned. Literally, many of the buildings were just abandoned, left where they were standing and now rotting. Now I am not one to re-use everything and certainly would not be called Green by most standards, but I really hate the fact that NYS just left these buildings to rot. Yes, they eventually sold these areas, but this only happened recently and come on, can’t we take care of our buildings?
A property owner would get fined if their house were unsafe or didn’t fit in with neighborhood regulations. But what do we really do to NYS or commercial property owners? If there are fines, they obviously aren’t hurting them where it really counts! If so, the properties wouldn’t look so neglected.
Why aren’t we re-using these buildings? Some say that it’s far too expensive to repair or rehab these buildings while others say that the cost associated with this are necessary and needed.

This is on my mind as Brian and I remodel our house. I’ve started calling it The House of Stages – we are currently in the breakdown stage. Rooms are being dismantled and torn apart to get fixed up. We are currently discussing whether there should be a side door by the kitchen when we move the bathroom. I am all in favor of this as I don’t want to bring groceries through the living room and track all that dirt, dust, etc. Please make sure that you weigh in on this important matter as it’s a bone of contention!
We could eventually redesign the layout of the house to be more efficient with space and have the layout of my dreams. I certainly would be moving quite a few things. Take for example, the doors to the kitchen, living and dining rooms. All three rooms connect at a central spot by three door ways. What a pain! Why not just have one large open area? Yes, there is a pesky problem of a load bearing wall – but come on! We can easily solve that with one main beam instead of three doorways.
I’m again hounding Brian to start the front room project – he has little (really, none at all) time to start this, but looking at the amount of stuff the kids have – it must be done! And if you’d like to take a bunch of toys off my hands, I’d appreciate that as well!
Have a lovely day!

Last night (early this morning), Emma woke me up to tell me that her stomach hurt and that she needed medicine and apple juice wouldn't hurt either. As I trudged down the stairs, she patiently waited for me. As I sat with her and gave her the medicine, I asked her if she felt if there were butterflies in her tummy. She gave me this horrified look and said, "I didn't chew any butterflies!"
As I tried to tell her it was a figure of speech, I hear her say, "Jeez, Mommy, did you grow up in a barn?"

Mommy, kiss my boo-boo!

Wow,  my kids have received my graceless gene.  It doesn't matter where we go, someone falls and tears up their knee.  If it's concrete, my kids are running way too fast and another boo-boo is covering the one received only days ago. 

Here's one that you'll either groan or laugh at...

Remember that Emma has had a crash course in Heaven and has recently lost Nana and Babe... Well, we just spent some time with Grandma Jean and Zeke, Brian's paternal grandparents (I have vowed they are mine as well) they are absolutely wonderful!  Well, the next day as we were at Uncle Guy and Aunt Nancy's house for brunch - if you ever get out to Rome - stop in, she is the best cook!  Wowee!   Well, on to my story...

Emma looks at Grandma Jean and said "you're old", to which Grandma replied "yes" - good lord - what do you say to that??  So Em decided to say that her Nana died and that Grandma Jean would too.  I'm hearing this second hand, so I couldn't really put my hand over her mouth or try to save her.  So Grandma said, "Yes, I will, but not very soon and I will meet you in Heaven."  Em looks at her and says, "I'm not old, I'm not going to heaven!" 

Grandma tells me this later and I couldn't help, wince at Emma's choice of words, but of course Gram takes it in stride.  "Out of the mouths of babes."

Did I tell you about the lady in Wal-Mart?  Emma walked up to her and told her that her teeth were missing.  Oh God! Why didn't you swallow me then?  I apologized to the lady and ran, not walked to the checkout.  Please save me from my honest little kids!

We had a great time with Brian's family and I came away with a great story about cows to tease my mother in law with.... 

God bowling

Can I tell you what a wonderful thing it is to teach your children about something bigger than them and what the world is all about?

We've now taught Emma that when it's thundering and lightening, that Nana, Babe and God are bowling and just letting us know that they are having fun even if they can't be with us anymore. 

It was a great way to teach Em about death and dying and what a great place Heaven is.  That while we can't see our loved ones anymore, they are always near and watching out for us.

It's the one thing in my life, I'm so very proud of, my two wonderful children.  I may say they drive me crazy (they do, and I am) and their antics sometimes send me to the moon.  But when they look at me like I could leap tall buildings?  I am invincible!

I love being with them and seeing their joy at the big and little things in life.  What could be better than seeing their joy at new things? 

Boston/Rhode Island here we come!

We decided to travel to Boston where Brian's cousin Kellee, was having a surprise 30th birthday party for her husband, Scott.  It was a beautiful weekend, the weather perfect - and it was great seeing Kellee and Scott as the last time we saw them was before McKinley was born. 

We stayed in Cambridge.  What a beautiful place to stay and so close to a million things we wanted to see.  As the party was early on Saturday, there wasn't much time to see a lot, but we managed to do a few things.  We went to Quincy Market and Fanueil Hall and the NE Aquarium. 

We walked through the "Big Dig", with its ground fountain  - Emma wanted to run through it like mad, but on to the next adventure!

We ran back to the hotel to change and had the kids lay down for a little while.  Emma sat down and 3 minutes later was out  - along with her brother beside her.  Ok, we traveled out for the party and the kids are going to sleep right through it!  So, I stayed at the hotel and watched the little cherubs sleeping.  They finally woke at 6 PM, 3 hours into the party and just in time for cake.  What could be better for a 4 yr. old than birthday cake?  Of course, we had a fantastic time and the kids had a blast and didn't want to go home. 

The next morning, Father's Day, we headed down to Rhode Island, where I had spent summers with my Grandparents.  I was so excited to visit where there are so many memories.  Of trips to the beach, to visits to Uncle Roll (pronounced Raul - short for Rolland).  To visit with our aunts and uncles and the fun it was just to listen to their stories and wish that I was there beside them having fun, instead of hearing about it.  To all the little trips, day in and out, even if it was just to the grocery store.  To Grandma's tuna salad mixed with sweet relish and diet rite soda.  To walking the rocks to get to the lighthouse.  To Aunt Carrie's and clam cakes. 

My husband had heard stories about Rhode Island for years, but driving there now, I got nervous, wondering if he would like it as much as I.  I had contacted Aunt Pat and Uncle Bud who live about an hour from where Grandma had lived and they would be meeting us at Aunt Carrie's for lunch.

It was all that I remembered and so much more.  It was bittersweet to see all the places that I had gone to as a child, and I found that while I was sad that we couldn't stay at Grandma's (Grandma had sold the place and had moved to Florida roughly 11 years ago) I was thrilled to share my memories and hear Pat and Bud's stories of their memories and knowledge of the area. 

Let me take you back to where Grandma lived, and what I woke up to each morning.  Grandma's house was located across the road from the ocean, it was a rocky beach, and the view from Grandma's living room and front yard was of the ocean.  The lighthouse is a mile down the road and as soon as you got to the beach, the Jamieson rule was that you had to walk the rocks as an initiation.  When it was foggy, I woke to the sound of the foghorn of the lighthouse.   To just spend time with Grandma. 

Right around the corner was Aunt Carrie's, the home of the best clam cakes anywhere.  You didn't go to Grandma's house without stopping there at least once during the summer.  As I was looking at places to go with Brian, I found a place that discussed all things in South County, Rhode Island - and it mentioned Aunt Carrie's.  Well, it stated how they couldn't believe they had to wait in line for over an hour for clam cakes or just for a spot to eat.  I smiled, yep, this was the place that you went to after a long day at the beach and sight seeing to get a bite to eat.  This was the only place that had a line out to the parking lot on most days.  I told my husband the day we left that we needed to stop for clam cakes - I told him that we needed to get there early so we wouldn't be waiting long.  He gave me a funny look, but when we got there a 1/2 hour early and found cars in the parking lot just waiting - I looked at him and said, "get out of the car and stand at the door."  He said "We're fine, there's plenty of time."  By the time he stood at the door, everyone was getting out of their cars to get in, there were atleast 20 cars just waiting for them to open. 

Well, for all my worries, Brian loved it!  We went to the rocky beach and walked to Grandma's house.  Pat and Bud shared their stories and enthralled Emma with walking on the rocky beach and throwing stones.  It ended up being cold and rainy, but we headed to the beach and the lighthouse and to Galilee, where the fishermen bring in their catch.   We drove along old Ocean Road towards Narragansett and Scarborough Beach.  By the time we left Monday morning, my husband was full of stories and calling people to get a trip planned for next year.  So if you get a call, get your beach gear ready for a weeklong trip next year!

School is out!

June 18, 2008

Is it already June? I think I just hit the lottery, sort of – both kids are down for the count and it’s only 6:45 PM. I am sure that I’ll pay for it later, but I have time to think and actually get on the computer!

Gosh, quite a bit has happened since I last wrote – I’ll try to go in sequence –

The second Sunday in June was Children’s Day – yep, the second one that Emma has participated in – kind of… Ironically enough, this coincides with McKinley or Emma (or both) getting sick – I tell you, isn’t that a sign we shouldn’t go??? This year, Emma had thrown up the night before and McKinley had a fever – some Mom I am, right? Nope, I am determined to have my child enjoy this special day.

Last year, if you remember Mommy spent a considerable amount of time sitting up at the front with Emma, coaxing her to participate. It just so happens that this year the air conditioner was not turned on the night before so it was blessed steaming. If I was Frosty, I would have melted in the first five seconds…

Well, true to form, Emma was shy and wouldn’t let me go sit down, so I and 10 little kids got up and sang the songs and did the movements for Children’s Day. I really should consider joining Sunday School.

Truly, I will miss it when Em no longer wants me to be there. Once in a while, when she’s brave, she’ll tell me “Mommy, it’s ok, you can leave I’ll be just fine”.

Sunday June 22

Ok, five minutes after I said I had time to write, my son woke up and wanted attention.  So much for me time...

It's May! Can you believe it? Another glorious Lilac Festival. I work across the street from Highland Park, so I can make it part of my daily routine to smell the lilacs. What could be better than that, right? The storm clouds are heavy and low so maybe not today, but definitely before the blooms are spent.
I ran across a particular note and I thought it very appropriate as I'm trying to live up to giving only good thoughts. You laugh, but sometimes it can be very hard. Yes, it's easy with acquaintences, but with those who know you? It can be challenging.

"If everybody brightened up the spot on which they're standing by being more considerate and a little less demanding, this dark old world would very soon eclipse the evening star - If everybody brightened up the corner where they are! - Helen Steiner Rice

So with that said I hope you have a lovely day!

Now for the kidisms...
Emma and I were headed off to church yesterday morning (usually Daddy is the one who takes Emma as I just can't move fast enough to get her there by 9 am) but I had a meeting before church. Well, I guess I should back up... I'm on the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) for my church. I've been on this committee since last August to find a new pastor for the church I grew up in. Saturday the culmination of all our efforts was realized as the pastor we extended a call to accepted. Yippee!!! So to that end, we needed to meet to decide what to tell the congregation and to go through some of the changes that are needed for the manse. My meeting was really at 8:30 am, but they know how hard it is for me to get there so early so I was given a half hour reprieve.

Emma had had a late night and was pretty grouchy, so she decided that being with mommy was better than being in Sunday school. Believe me, I earned my steps! Trudging back and forth between the manse, the church and the different meeting rooms certainly helped! Because Emma loves being with me when she knows that it's grown up time so her mood certainly lightened up.
We finally get to the Children's sermon and Reverend Paul decides to talk about differences and the likeness of people and things. Emma and I are usually the only ones there, but today Colby was there as well. Colby's a cutie, very quiet and shy. Reverend Paul asks Emma and Colby what differences are between them. Colby says "Emma and I are very different." Everyone, and I mean everyone starts laughing... Emma is the most outgoing kid you've ever seen - always questioning, always willing to chat. Emma couldn't be outdone, so she piped in her opinion of the sameness of her and Colby.
As I was taking Em down to the nursery, all I could think of was how did I get a child so completely outgoing? How did the time fly by so fast that she's already 4 and can hardly wait to be in school? Where's my little angel that clung to me? She already can't wait to spread her wings and run out into the world. My son is already talking and telling me what he likes and dislikes. I want to keep this stage they are in and bottle it so that I won't ever forget all the love and laughter.
I hope your week is a beautiful one, even if this weather won't be.

Everytime I see my kids do something that I want to remember years down the road, I think "I better right this down right now" Of course, days go by, I forget that cute little remark and I start all over again. So now my plan is to not procrastinate and right down their remarks immediately. Did I mention that I also have journals that I probably haven't wrote anything in since McKinley's first birthday last July?
Mother's day was wonderful, a day that I waited to celebrate for so long that I treasure each one. I remember my first Mother's day with Emma, just holding her and thinking "can I really be this person's mother?" "Of course!" I thought, don't you remember the labor pains, ding dong? I am going to be one of those moms that shares just how painful that portion of their birth was. My sister-in-law once told me that she barely remembers what she went through. All I could think of was, "what the heck is wrong with her that she can't remember that pain?" Nope, I will not be stoic and not tell them - they should know just how painful it was. Isn't that my duty as a mom to tell them the truth? Should I sugarcoat it? Emma accidently saw a birthing story on TV one morning. I didn't realize she was awake until she said in a whisper, "Mom, she just pooped that baby out". I don't know whether the whisper was from awe or from terror.
But now I look at her today, 4 years later and it amazes me how clever and thoughtful she is. She's alsos the biggest drama princess I've seen in a while... We started out to the Lilac Festival on Mother's day and of course she has the grace of a moose - and fell on the stones in our driveway before we even left for the day. She of course, could not walk for the rest of the day. Remember the days of the huge strollers? Well, we gave those up last year when McKinley started walking. How silly of us to keep these when we just don't use them, right? Can you imagine Emma in a cute little pink stroller that holds a child weighing 20 pounds? Up and down the hills we went. Mommy had to push Emma because mommy is a girl. Daddy had to push brother because he's a boy. Well, we hit that first hill and mommy gave her up. Just like that. Survival of the person who won't be huffing up that hill, right?
Anyway, we had a great time, but I swear we won't be going to the festival the first weekend next year. It was crazy busy and I didn't get a chance to buy anything because it was so crowded. I was really looking forward to a great new pair of earrings but it wasn't going to happen that day. Maybe I'll go on my lunch hour today. It looks like the weather is going to be cooler and that means less crowded!
Gosh, it's time for work again...
Have a fantastic day!