I had no idea that living in an all boy home, I don't count I'm a mom, could create a language barrier. OK, that's not strictly true, I did realize at some point that my children were entering kindergarten with no ability to use female pronouns: her, hers, she. But until a week ago I had no idea that my children were suffering from a much deeper problem.
We were at 3 and 4s' baseball game, 1 was scheduled for a drive at A1 driving school. As he and I turned to head for the car a daddy on a bike pulling a kiddie trailer followed by his 6 or 7 year old daughter on a cute 'girl bike' rode past on the wide sidewalk that wanders through the ball park to accommodate bikers, skateboarders, scooters and brave pedestrians.
The daddy was thirty feet or so ahead of his daughter and as he rode past the snack shack his daughter lost her balance and fell over. Another man and I rushed over to help the little girl who lay in a heap tangled up with her bike whimpering. The man who had come to help realizing the only thing more traumatic to that age of girl then falling off her bike was having a strange man hovering over her went to get the dad.
I had watched the fall I knew that she was favoring the side that didn't get bumped and I knew that the incoherent whimpering she was using to communicate was more from embarrassment and fear then pain. I stayed by her until her daddy came back and then the two of us tried to talk to her. All the questions she was asked were answered with whimpers and unintelligible little girl responses. The dad helped her up and brushed her off as 1, who had been hovering close by watching the whole scene, and I headed to our car.
As we walked Jacob ask, "Mom, was that girl speaking English because her dad didn't sound like he was from another country; but, I couldn't understand a word the little girl was saying."
"Son," I replied, "that was a different language, that was seven year old girl".
My poor boys they have a language barrier!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Picture Perfect?
Not to far from our home is a set of duplexes. As with most duplexes these seem to host a regular turnover of tenants; every three-six months tenants move in and out. We've noticed young families, roommates, and middle-age couples. Despite the reputation of some duplexes, for the most part, the people living here all seem to be the typical, average, mild mannered, law abiding citizens living their lives and trying to figure out how to fill their scrapbooks with day-to-day moments just like the rest of us.
The other day as we drove past we saw a sheriffs car, another unmarked but obviously official car parked in front of the duplex and an interesting scene in the front yard. A guy with a camera was taking a picture of a man holding up some official looking documents who was flanked on either side by a sheriff and another man who appeared to be functioning in some sort of law enforcement capacity; meanwhile from the porch someone who appeared to be a family member held a baby on their hip and watched. Adorable Hubby and I quietly observed the scene as we drove past neither of us commented for a block or so then we simultaneously turned to each other and began making suggestions for the photo caption on that scrapbook page. The whole situation was our laugh for the day. It was just such a Mayberry moment.
Here our some of our photo caption ideas for that scrapbook page:
Bert receives top honors for Hunters Safety.
May 10, 2008, Our first subpoena.
Garth meets his new parole officer.
Billy Bob gets a certificate for one month clean and sober.
Happy Eviction Notice day.
The County Sheriffs Office test it's friendlier new mugshots at home program.
It's official, Uncle Chuck is on the Sex Offenders registry.
Oops! Butch's 1982 Lincoln gets repossessed.
Congratulations Uncle Larry, on completing the County Spousal Abuse Awareness program.
Sheriff Randy and Deputy Fred serve Bruce his first Search Warrant.
Maybe your family have more experience in this type of scrapbook moments, leave me a comment with your scrapbook entry on the day the sheriff stops by.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Happy Birthday
Seven Years ago I woke up in the hospital the Sunday Morning of Mothers day with a new baby boy. Today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Isaac. He was the first one up this morning and ran in to say, " Hurry Mom don't you want to kiss your birthday boy?" This boy is as fun and and 'full of it' as the meaning of his name implies Isaac (roughly translated) is to joke or laugh.
We asked Isaac a few days ago why he had started coming to get in bed with us every night after years of sleeping just fine on his own. "It's Aunt Jenny's fault" he informed us, "Because she won't give me her dream catcher to take away my scary dreams". So guess what Isaac got for his birthday? A down comforter, new pillow and a dream catcher. We surprised him today when he got home from school with a decorated bed complete with balloons his gifts, treats and two very excited little brothers and some pretty excited big brothers. I love how much fun they have making each others birthdays special.
Tonight to complete the celebration we get to eat What Isaac picked for dinner, Chef-Boy-R-Dee
ravioli and cottage cheese. Yum! Yum! Well I'm still not started on a chocolate cake, Happy Birthday Isaac!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
For Rob
My brother-in-law, may I just say, he's a totally awesome BIL, and I had an in your face debate loving family discussion about the Beatles song Imagine. He contended that it was atheistic, my contention is that it is a description of heaven. Being the know it all big sister that I am, I couldn't put it down until I had proved, to myself at least, that I am right.
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Article of Faith 10 ...Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
Heaven, hell it's all here baby; always was always will be.
"If you wish to go where God is , you must be like God, or possess the principals which God Possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going away from Him and drawing towards the devil (HC 4:588)
Heaven or hell is not a destination it's a way of life. And as we know that that same spirit that possesses us in this life shall rise with us in the next we will continue to create heaven or hell for ourselves eternally.
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right. (Joseph Smith)
Every government, from the creation to the present, when it ceased to be virtuous, and failed to execute justice, sooner or later has been overthrown. And without virtuous principles to actuate a government all care for justice is soon lost, and the only motive which prompts it to act is ambition and selfishness. (HC 2:11)
Aren't all faiths seeking world peace and government under one supreme being?
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
"The people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift" (4 Ne. 1:2-3).
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.
DC 29:6
And, it is written--Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.
I have no idea what John Lennon's politics were I don't know if he was a screaming, phsyco, socialist or a pinko commie or just some British kid who made a lot of money looked around at the world and said, "hmm, I think things could be a little better." Whatever he was he wasn't advocating establishing peace by force or coercion or law not in this song anyway. He invites us to join him in oneness, hmm, sounds like others I know.
As far as I can tell the only difference between peace on earth, or heaven, or Zion, and socialism or communism is force vs. choice.
I love this quote on peace from Joseph Smith:
If the nation, a single state, community, or family ought to be grateful for anything, it is peace. Peace, lovely child of heaven. Peace, like light from the same great parent, gratifies, animates, and happifies the just and the unjust and is the very essence of happiness below and bliss above. He that does not strive with all his powers of body and mind, with all his influence at home and abroad, and to cause others to do so too, to seek peace and to maintain it for his own benefit and convenience and for the honor of his state, nation, and country, has no claim on the clemency of man, nor should he be entitled to the friendship of woman or the protection of government....But the peacemaker, Oh give ear to him! For the words of his mouth, and his doctrine, drop like rain and distill as the dew. (commentary, 81)
I seek peace, the peace left by the Savior, "The of peace of God which passeth all understanding" Philippians 4:7
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Article of Faith 10 ...Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
Heaven, hell it's all here baby; always was always will be.
"If you wish to go where God is , you must be like God, or possess the principals which God Possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going away from Him and drawing towards the devil (HC 4:588)
Heaven or hell is not a destination it's a way of life. And as we know that that same spirit that possesses us in this life shall rise with us in the next we will continue to create heaven or hell for ourselves eternally.
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right. (Joseph Smith)
Every government, from the creation to the present, when it ceased to be virtuous, and failed to execute justice, sooner or later has been overthrown. And without virtuous principles to actuate a government all care for justice is soon lost, and the only motive which prompts it to act is ambition and selfishness. (HC 2:11)
Aren't all faiths seeking world peace and government under one supreme being?
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
"The people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift" (4 Ne. 1:2-3).
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.
DC 29:6
And, it is written--Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.
I have no idea what John Lennon's politics were I don't know if he was a screaming, phsyco, socialist or a pinko commie or just some British kid who made a lot of money looked around at the world and said, "hmm, I think things could be a little better." Whatever he was he wasn't advocating establishing peace by force or coercion or law not in this song anyway. He invites us to join him in oneness, hmm, sounds like others I know.
As far as I can tell the only difference between peace on earth, or heaven, or Zion, and socialism or communism is force vs. choice.
I love this quote on peace from Joseph Smith:
If the nation, a single state, community, or family ought to be grateful for anything, it is peace. Peace, lovely child of heaven. Peace, like light from the same great parent, gratifies, animates, and happifies the just and the unjust and is the very essence of happiness below and bliss above. He that does not strive with all his powers of body and mind, with all his influence at home and abroad, and to cause others to do so too, to seek peace and to maintain it for his own benefit and convenience and for the honor of his state, nation, and country, has no claim on the clemency of man, nor should he be entitled to the friendship of woman or the protection of government....But the peacemaker, Oh give ear to him! For the words of his mouth, and his doctrine, drop like rain and distill as the dew. (commentary, 81)
I seek peace, the peace left by the Savior, "The of peace of God which passeth all understanding" Philippians 4:7
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Spring is In The Air
In Boys-R-Usville spring is:
Warm days at the park.
Cold days in the toy room.
Baseball, First game of the season April 29, 3 & 4 are on the same team this year, the local weather bureau said it was 35 degrees; taking into consideration wind chill and metal bleachers I think -10 degrees is more like it. It was so cold that the boys would rather strike out then hit with a metal bat and cold hands. Isaac, on the other hand, was blessed with a day so bright you couldn't see without sunglasses. On his first ever up to bat hit the ball, completely by accident, stood there unsure what had happened then took off for third base. The stands went wild, six and seven year old baseball games are best if the kids do something funny, so Isaac was MVP on his first day of baseball.
Sprinklers:
No, I did not wake up and suggest they run across the street at 9:30 A.M. in their jammies' to play in the sprinklers on a 65 degree morning in May. I'm not that kind of Mom...I told them to get their swimsuits on.
Spring Programs:
Joshua, band. Jacob, Ballroom dance. Isaac, all the first graders. Benjamin, Hope of America.
Warm days at the park.
Cold days in the toy room.
Baseball, First game of the season April 29, 3 & 4 are on the same team this year, the local weather bureau said it was 35 degrees; taking into consideration wind chill and metal bleachers I think -10 degrees is more like it. It was so cold that the boys would rather strike out then hit with a metal bat and cold hands. Isaac, on the other hand, was blessed with a day so bright you couldn't see without sunglasses. On his first ever up to bat hit the ball, completely by accident, stood there unsure what had happened then took off for third base. The stands went wild, six and seven year old baseball games are best if the kids do something funny, so Isaac was MVP on his first day of baseball.
Sprinklers:
No, I did not wake up and suggest they run across the street at 9:30 A.M. in their jammies' to play in the sprinklers on a 65 degree morning in May. I'm not that kind of Mom...I told them to get their swimsuits on.
Spring Programs:
Joshua, band. Jacob, Ballroom dance. Isaac, all the first graders. Benjamin, Hope of America.
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