Talia is working on the most important milestones in a woman's life. She has mastered beauty and using feminine charms to obtain her desires. The charming often includes big eyes and smiles with a tender hug and kiss if you are lucky. Then she grabs or points to her desire.
Now she is polishing her artistic side and ability to keep her home tidy. You go girl!
(I am sure that my lack of sweeping is why she doesn't know really where the broom is to be used.)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A Holiday Planned by Others
The 4th came and went for me mentally. It's such a fun holiday, but I just seemed to not really take note of it this year. My mind was wrapped around projects and travel plans in September.
Lucky for me, and our family, other people were a little more with it in regards to celebrations. We participated in our first neighborhood parade. The kids decorated their bicycles and rode around the circle. Even though it started at nine, we were all in need of some cool down. Thanks to some popcicles and sprinklers, the morning was a hit. Then we made a stop into Lowe's for some project helps and stopped in at the YMCA splash park for some fun.
(homemade ice cream sandwiches should count for minimal effort)
That night we had some good old 4th of July grill fun thanks to some thoughtful neighbors. I heard, but didn't see any fireworks, but did score some sweet plane tickets. $199 RT with taxes and a direct flight. I was happy.
A Good Reminder
It is strange how randomly I will think about the tenants of the Latter Day Saint Faith. The aptly named, Articles of Faith, are beautiful in their simplicity (not in music) and complete in their scope. The other day my sister and I happened to be talking about the 11th Article in relation to allowing all people the privilege to worship in the way they deem appropriate and how light and truth is still light and truth no matter what denomination claims your devotion.
Two times this week, thanks to certain events brought about by a very sweet and very 3 year old boy, I have contemplated the implications of the 2nd Article of Faith. For refreshing or enlightening purposes it states:
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
Now, there are many points to this tenant that one could contemplate, but my focus has been on punishment for our own sins. Wait. . .this isn't going to be an entry bursting with confessional angst, just a realization that came from the transgressions of an innocent boy.
Today's run in with the law, aka me, came just as we were about to leave for Sea World. We had already enjoyed a library story time and a fun lunch together, but I had spent Talia's nap time going over the unintentional faux paint job that comes with Texas textured walls. I offered to read to the kids while I painted, but they said that they would rather work on a project for Grandpa and Grandma who would be visiting soon. I asked them what the project was and they responded, "Playing". Fair enough. I listened half heartedly for signs of possible fighting, but never heard anything more then the normal tiffs.
When I heard Talia stirring, I told the kids to get ready for Sea World. I praised them up and down for keeping busying so I could paint. We were lotioned and ready to leave when I found the carnage. Sitting in the middle of the tv room was what once looked like a laptop. What was left was the carcass and dismembered keys from the keyboard. Every single letter, number, function key, you name it, were sprawled around the floor.
Although I questioned for motives, there was none to be had. Tiago simply found it pleasurable to rip off every last key and even a few of the strange green dots below the keys that give the keys there bounce backness. I could see the reason, but I couldn't just let it go. So, because of his transgression, Sea World was canceled. Mia, Talia, and I held subject to the punishment of this action. Fair? No. Necessary? Yes.
Consequences and punishments, I am learning, are often equally if not more damaging to the enforcer. I felt like a fair consequence for destroying the laptop was a chore for each key. Steep, I know. I just want him to remember that we should always treat other people's property with respect. The arrangement is as follows:
Tiago is not allowed toys or play time until the keys are paid back. He will have to do the chores and when he needs a break, he can relax on his bed. He has already done 3 loads of laundry, emptied and reloaded the dishwasher, swept the floor, and set the table for dinner.
Each time he complains, I remind him of the reason he is doing it. I want him to realize that since he can't pay to replace the item, he will have to earn it back through chores. Then the epiphany strikes.
The web of transgression is as intricate as everything else is on earth. His agency along with all others is not Free Agency in relation to consequences and effects, but free for all to have and operate at whim. Unfortunately/fortunately, that agency has far reaching effects. In the end, this whole key business probably links back to my attention or lack there of that I am giving him. All the "fun" I plan is usually partially attended by my attention and participation.
May be, just may be, I will become the example I expect my kids to be. Until then, I am grateful for forgiveness and love and my sweet children who expose my rats in my cellar quite effectively.
Two times this week, thanks to certain events brought about by a very sweet and very 3 year old boy, I have contemplated the implications of the 2nd Article of Faith. For refreshing or enlightening purposes it states:
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
Now, there are many points to this tenant that one could contemplate, but my focus has been on punishment for our own sins. Wait. . .this isn't going to be an entry bursting with confessional angst, just a realization that came from the transgressions of an innocent boy.
Today's run in with the law, aka me, came just as we were about to leave for Sea World. We had already enjoyed a library story time and a fun lunch together, but I had spent Talia's nap time going over the unintentional faux paint job that comes with Texas textured walls. I offered to read to the kids while I painted, but they said that they would rather work on a project for Grandpa and Grandma who would be visiting soon. I asked them what the project was and they responded, "Playing". Fair enough. I listened half heartedly for signs of possible fighting, but never heard anything more then the normal tiffs.
When I heard Talia stirring, I told the kids to get ready for Sea World. I praised them up and down for keeping busying so I could paint. We were lotioned and ready to leave when I found the carnage. Sitting in the middle of the tv room was what once looked like a laptop. What was left was the carcass and dismembered keys from the keyboard. Every single letter, number, function key, you name it, were sprawled around the floor.
Although I questioned for motives, there was none to be had. Tiago simply found it pleasurable to rip off every last key and even a few of the strange green dots below the keys that give the keys there bounce backness. I could see the reason, but I couldn't just let it go. So, because of his transgression, Sea World was canceled. Mia, Talia, and I held subject to the punishment of this action. Fair? No. Necessary? Yes.
Consequences and punishments, I am learning, are often equally if not more damaging to the enforcer. I felt like a fair consequence for destroying the laptop was a chore for each key. Steep, I know. I just want him to remember that we should always treat other people's property with respect. The arrangement is as follows:
Tiago is not allowed toys or play time until the keys are paid back. He will have to do the chores and when he needs a break, he can relax on his bed. He has already done 3 loads of laundry, emptied and reloaded the dishwasher, swept the floor, and set the table for dinner.
Each time he complains, I remind him of the reason he is doing it. I want him to realize that since he can't pay to replace the item, he will have to earn it back through chores. Then the epiphany strikes.
The web of transgression is as intricate as everything else is on earth. His agency along with all others is not Free Agency in relation to consequences and effects, but free for all to have and operate at whim. Unfortunately/fortunately, that agency has far reaching effects. In the end, this whole key business probably links back to my attention or lack there of that I am giving him. All the "fun" I plan is usually partially attended by my attention and participation.
May be, just may be, I will become the example I expect my kids to be. Until then, I am grateful for forgiveness and love and my sweet children who expose my rats in my cellar quite effectively.
-CS LEWIS MERE CHRISTIANITY
"[When we begin to try to be like Christ] We begin to notice, besides our particular sinful acts, our sinfulness; begin to be alarmed not only about what we do, but about what we are. This may sound rather difficult, so I will try to make it clear from my own case. When I come to my evening prayers and try to reckon up the sins of the day, nine times out of ten the most obvious one is some sin against charity; I have sulked or snapped or sneered or snubbed or stormed. And the excuse that immediately springs to my mind is that the provocation was so sudden and unexpected; I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself. Now that may be an extenuating circumstance as regards those particular acts: they would obviously be worse if they had been deliberate and premeditated. On the other hand, surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth?
If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am. The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.
Apparently the rats of resentment and vindictiveness are always there in the cellar of my soul. Now that cellar is out of reach of my conscious will. I can to some extent control my acts: I have not direct control over my temperament. And if (as I said before) what we are matters even more than what we do--if, indeed, what we do matters chiefly as evidence of what we are--then it follows that the change which I most need to undergo is a change that my own direct, voluntary efforts cannot bring about.
And this applies to my good actions too. How many of them were done for the right motive? How many for fear of public opinion, or a desire to show off? How many from a sort of obstinacy or sense of superiority which, in different circumstances, might equally have led to some very bad act?
But I cannot, by direct moral effort, give myself new motives. After the first few steps in the Christian life we realise that everything which really needs to be done in our souls can be done only by God."
Monday, July 6, 2009
Solution
First, thanks to all those who gave us input on the stuck situation. I didn't realize until after the post how awkward that could have been. We kept the dark shelves with I was hoping would happen which meant we returned the fan for a less expensive one and found a better storage option for our DVD's as shown here.
I thought it would be a perfect place to put our BYU helmet to help accent the theme we were going for.
What ended up being the nicest turn of events was the aforementioned fan. First, I barely made it to the store in time before closing. I even left my trunk open to make sure I got in on time. Because of all the stuff we bought a few days ago, we received a $10 off coupon. The store also happened to be having a $20 gift card rebate for fans that were $99 or more. Using the $10 made me lose the $20 gift card so I bought 4 energy efficient candelabra based lights for the fan with the $10 and still got the gift card. Confused? Me too, and I was there. Don't worry. Just be happy with me for the great deal. Then I went down a few stores to return another item just before that store closed. And finished by picking up the much needed milk and cereal and bananas at Target for commissary prices. Target just so happened to be a few more stores down and was about to close. I felt efficient, environmentally friendly, and happy to be one step closer to making our house feel like our home.
I thought it would be a perfect place to put our BYU helmet to help accent the theme we were going for.
What ended up being the nicest turn of events was the aforementioned fan. First, I barely made it to the store in time before closing. I even left my trunk open to make sure I got in on time. Because of all the stuff we bought a few days ago, we received a $10 off coupon. The store also happened to be having a $20 gift card rebate for fans that were $99 or more. Using the $10 made me lose the $20 gift card so I bought 4 energy efficient candelabra based lights for the fan with the $10 and still got the gift card. Confused? Me too, and I was there. Don't worry. Just be happy with me for the great deal. Then I went down a few stores to return another item just before that store closed. And finished by picking up the much needed milk and cereal and bananas at Target for commissary prices. Target just so happened to be a few more stores down and was about to close. I felt efficient, environmentally friendly, and happy to be one step closer to making our house feel like our home.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Stuck (and an egregious amount of parentheses)
Fernando has had better hours and even weekends off. This past week we launched into some home improvement projects which have been fun. Painting by yourself isn't half as enjoyable as painting with someone else. So now we are stuck. We are perplexed with what to do with our new BYU inspired TV/game room. Here is the dilemma:
Aside from the mess and the wires falling out everywhere (we haven't reassembled everything yet), the questions remain:
Stay with the dark shelf and dark wall bracket below (as seen on the left)
Change to the light shelf and either the dark or white bracket (right)
The DVD's have been temporarily held in the light wood cube thing which could have dark brown bins to keep the theme of light and dark. The brown leather couch has tan stitching. I am sure many of you are gagging at the whole scene (especially those who aren't BYU fans. Yes, there are a few people who seem to not want to support the true University :).
The ceiling fan is going to match either the dark or light wood. So, help! We are stuck and could use some ideas. Be brutally honest and don't be offended if we don't take your advice.
Aside from the mess and the wires falling out everywhere (we haven't reassembled everything yet), the questions remain:
Stay with the dark shelf and dark wall bracket below (as seen on the left)
Change to the light shelf and either the dark or white bracket (right)
The DVD's have been temporarily held in the light wood cube thing which could have dark brown bins to keep the theme of light and dark. The brown leather couch has tan stitching. I am sure many of you are gagging at the whole scene (especially those who aren't BYU fans. Yes, there are a few people who seem to not want to support the true University :).
The ceiling fan is going to match either the dark or light wood. So, help! We are stuck and could use some ideas. Be brutally honest and don't be offended if we don't take your advice.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Good Example
The other day, as I was catching up on blogs and other internet things, Mia asked about a friend she hadn't seen in church for awhile. She said, "May be she is sick. We should call to see if she is ok. And we should buy her something nice." I immediately got the phone and gave her the chance to act on her inspiration. It reminded me of a touching lesson I heard long ago in primary. (not when I was young, but when I had the chorister calling a few years ago). The Primary president talked about all the missing children and how we could not be as strong without them.
Far too often in our current ward, with all the craziness that can happen when you are outranked by the primary aged children, I think that people can be overlooked. I know that we have missed a few Sundays here and there for vacations or sickness and feel fine going back to church whether or not people noticed us missing. I am sure there are others who feel like their absence is left unnoticed and it has to do with them personally. I am sure there are many who think that their presence at church is directly linked to other people's ability to look outside of their own situation.
Mia has more then once thought of a person and wanted to make them feel important. Someday, I hope to be more like her.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Camarillo and the Beach
I guess I should warn you up front that this post will be much like the previous California post with a bunch of information after the movie. The movie should be the thousand words, but knowing me, I have to add a few. Since my blog is mainly for our family history (and giggles and venting and reconnecting and so on), one should only stomach the information when extremely bored or curious. With that said, onto our adventures in Camarillo.
My older sister, (I added the older part since in real life I look older and dress more frumpy than she does) and her family graciously offered us a chance to enjoy a little time with them in paradise. The weather, as she puts it, is never noticed. It never gets too hot or too cold ALL YEAR AROUND. Hello? May be this is why real estate there is pricey. Because of this phenomenon, my only request for adventures was that they were outdoors. We went to the beach several times and to some parks. Mostly, we had fun being with cousins and my sister and brother in law.
Longer version full of H-value
I never know how to begin these milogs (mile long blogs as Fernando affectionately refers to them). There is always so much to type and my brain moves much quicker then my fingers do.
I think what might be the best part of the first night spent with the Woidka family, as aside from just being there, was the biscotti that Chris made. This wasn't just good biscotti, because I really don't think good and biscotti go in the same sentence much like red and delicious can describe an apple, it was a fantastic cookie that just so happened to be twice baked. And with the amount of tweaking he did to the recipe, I think it would be safe to call it his own personal recipe. We nibbled and gamed and talked until very late. Always a good combo. Except, may be Bang! should be played with all its cards otherwise you just eat a lot of biscotti while others stratigize on how to destroy the sheriff. On second though, more biscotti for me.
There were two memorable events that the camera didn't follow us to. The first one was a fun library event where a balloon artist taught the kids how to make their own balloons. After giving lots of fun demonstrations and getting the audience to participle, he allowed every kid 3 balloons to try to make 3 simple balloon creations. Tiago, Ethan, and Mia were mesmerized. Naomi and Talia were busy in their own regards rolling over and exploring.
Next event was less then charming. Imagine church and CPA. Tiago and Talia decided to test drive their lungs for the whole of sacrament meeting. I tried to discreetly allow them to scream in a room near the sage the was completely black. At first, I wondered why no one was coming to see what was happening to the very distressed children. I am sure it was audible to everyone, but no one seemed to want to intervene. Then, a brave man, cracked open the door to see what was happening to the helpless children. He was barely able to finish his sentence when he realized that I, not the children, was helpless and in dire need of relief.
The rest of our days were spent on the beach. Emily took us to several different beaches, all of which were beloved by me and my children. The day before we left, we decided to spend the day at the beach. After naps and preparations, it was more like a half day. Emily bought a newfangled canopy for the beach and we brought the pack n play for Talia to nap in. The day was wonderful aside from the non napping Talia who was pacified by the ocean's apparent siren call. The only downer, was not be able to down the canopy. We were so excited with the easy up and expected to have quite a easy down. Well, an hour or so later, with help from a nice man and not so helpful Park Ranger we finally got the canopy down.
The last day went from grandiose plans which included a trip to the LA Temple and a science museum. In the end, Emily was super women with being a mom and a hair dresser and a sister, and a aunt, and a chauffeur etc. I no longer have a gradient hair colors (THANKS EM) or dead ends and we made it in plenty of time to the airport. Sweet little Ethan was sure that he got to come on the airplane with us. I need not explain the sorrow that happened when he realized that wasn't the case.
When we finally arrived in Austin at 1 am!, I couldn't remember why I thought the money we saved was worth this whole debacle. Here I was with overly tired children and oversize luggage trying to board a shuttle. A father/son duo quickly got on ahead of me and watched me struggle to get all the bags up. I had a myriad of thoughts like "Tiago, you will never be this unhelpful." "Are you kidding me, at least let me go on first." These thoughts were interrupted by this 17 year striking up pleasant conversation with me. If the lack of help wasn't bad enough, don't try and befriend me now.
We found our car and it started up and we started the whole 2 hour drive home. Thanks to Bread and Cat Stevens and granola bars, we made it home safely. It was tough leaving beautiful weather and driving home in 98 degree weather, but it was nice to be home.
My older sister, (I added the older part since in real life I look older and dress more frumpy than she does) and her family graciously offered us a chance to enjoy a little time with them in paradise. The weather, as she puts it, is never noticed. It never gets too hot or too cold ALL YEAR AROUND. Hello? May be this is why real estate there is pricey. Because of this phenomenon, my only request for adventures was that they were outdoors. We went to the beach several times and to some parks. Mostly, we had fun being with cousins and my sister and brother in law.
Longer version full of H-value
I never know how to begin these milogs (mile long blogs as Fernando affectionately refers to them). There is always so much to type and my brain moves much quicker then my fingers do.
I think what might be the best part of the first night spent with the Woidka family, as aside from just being there, was the biscotti that Chris made. This wasn't just good biscotti, because I really don't think good and biscotti go in the same sentence much like red and delicious can describe an apple, it was a fantastic cookie that just so happened to be twice baked. And with the amount of tweaking he did to the recipe, I think it would be safe to call it his own personal recipe. We nibbled and gamed and talked until very late. Always a good combo. Except, may be Bang! should be played with all its cards otherwise you just eat a lot of biscotti while others stratigize on how to destroy the sheriff. On second though, more biscotti for me.
There were two memorable events that the camera didn't follow us to. The first one was a fun library event where a balloon artist taught the kids how to make their own balloons. After giving lots of fun demonstrations and getting the audience to participle, he allowed every kid 3 balloons to try to make 3 simple balloon creations. Tiago, Ethan, and Mia were mesmerized. Naomi and Talia were busy in their own regards rolling over and exploring.
Next event was less then charming. Imagine church and CPA. Tiago and Talia decided to test drive their lungs for the whole of sacrament meeting. I tried to discreetly allow them to scream in a room near the sage the was completely black. At first, I wondered why no one was coming to see what was happening to the very distressed children. I am sure it was audible to everyone, but no one seemed to want to intervene. Then, a brave man, cracked open the door to see what was happening to the helpless children. He was barely able to finish his sentence when he realized that I, not the children, was helpless and in dire need of relief.
The rest of our days were spent on the beach. Emily took us to several different beaches, all of which were beloved by me and my children. The day before we left, we decided to spend the day at the beach. After naps and preparations, it was more like a half day. Emily bought a newfangled canopy for the beach and we brought the pack n play for Talia to nap in. The day was wonderful aside from the non napping Talia who was pacified by the ocean's apparent siren call. The only downer, was not be able to down the canopy. We were so excited with the easy up and expected to have quite a easy down. Well, an hour or so later, with help from a nice man and not so helpful Park Ranger we finally got the canopy down.
The last day went from grandiose plans which included a trip to the LA Temple and a science museum. In the end, Emily was super women with being a mom and a hair dresser and a sister, and a aunt, and a chauffeur etc. I no longer have a gradient hair colors (THANKS EM) or dead ends and we made it in plenty of time to the airport. Sweet little Ethan was sure that he got to come on the airplane with us. I need not explain the sorrow that happened when he realized that wasn't the case.
When we finally arrived in Austin at 1 am!, I couldn't remember why I thought the money we saved was worth this whole debacle. Here I was with overly tired children and oversize luggage trying to board a shuttle. A father/son duo quickly got on ahead of me and watched me struggle to get all the bags up. I had a myriad of thoughts like "Tiago, you will never be this unhelpful." "Are you kidding me, at least let me go on first." These thoughts were interrupted by this 17 year striking up pleasant conversation with me. If the lack of help wasn't bad enough, don't try and befriend me now.
We found our car and it started up and we started the whole 2 hour drive home. Thanks to Bread and Cat Stevens and granola bars, we made it home safely. It was tough leaving beautiful weather and driving home in 98 degree weather, but it was nice to be home.
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