Some Kind of Wonderful

Miss Meekers, you hold a special place in my heart. You are the special someone who made me a mom. (Mia around 18 months and or Talia's age now)How could I be so blessed to have such a girl in my life? You can do everything. Your magical optimism is infectious and shapes our family's life daily. I love your obsession with reading and learning. I love hearing you sing and catching mini shows when you don't realize that I am watching. I love your diplomatic tendencies and your innate sense of equality (even though it is often slightly biased). Your siblings adore you and wait anxiously for your arrival home each day from school. I love finding you and your siblings immersed in some game you've concocted or find them rapt in attention while you read to them. Your beautiful smile and surprisingly blue eyes are only second to your precious spirit and tender heart. Thank you for who you are and who you make me want to be.

Mr. Man

There is a reason why I call you Handsome. I love your smile especially when it creeps onto your face every time an engine roars or sheep are ramming their heads together.
(picture by Tiago and my iPhone)
I love your curiosity even if the bugs' life is put at risk of closer inspections. Your love for life is as contagious as your laughter. (picture by Tiago and my iPhone)
Your tender spirit and love of Jesus is evident in how you treat all of us in the family and stray dogs that need attention. Nothing is more sweet than your consideration of Mia or Talia's feelings above your own. Thanks for reminding us about scripture study and prayers. Thanks for energizing the group and cuddling. I love your hugs and whispered I love you's. I love that you eat and drink like a horse but hide that evidence nicely (I mean your weight and not your ability to sneak food behind the couch and leave it there).I love you, Mr. Handsome Man.

Miss Giggles

Yep, I can't get enough of your sweetness. I love how you say prayers and how you say Jesus. I am sure that brings a big smile to your Heavenly Father's face. I love how you want water aka daughter and crackers constantly and will go get them for yourself whenever possible. I love you laughter that can be heard more frequently than not. I love your pleas to sleep in Mia's bed and how you let us know when daddy is at work. I love your excitement over airplanes and how you pretend fly airplanes throughout the house. I love how you love Lammies and pray it will last as long as you need it. I love all your hugs and cuddles and kisses. I love your crazy hair and precious smile. I love you, girl.

Thanksgiving

Wonderful Times:

#1
Seeing the kids faces as we prepared the Turkey. Mia was much smarter than me. I assumed that the neck bag in the chest cavity was the extent of the giblets because we got such a small turkey and the rest of the garbage just didn't make it. Wrong! Oh well, I am sure that isn't the first time the bag was left in for the cooking. The bird was bagged and cooked upside down for a time. Then, cut from the plastic restraint and flipped upright and basted for the remaining time. This made for great drippings and a new tradition of gravy making in this house.



#2
We finally went on a family "Turkey Trot" after many years of talking about it. Right before we were going to eat, Fernando announced the race. It almost fell through when a massive spider was spotted on the driveway. My kids and spiders (especially Talia) equals rapt attention. They hovered over the spider trying to find all the parts we had learned about a few days before. I even had to take a closer look to see all the eyes. I was also the one who screamed the loudest when the spider decided to give me a closer look. We lined up finally and took off around the block. We made it with only a few complaints and warnings of possible death by running from the kids.


#3
Our annual "Turkey Chase" was silly like usual. Tiago snagged the most feathers with Fernando coming in at a close second. Usually, we have just colored our best rendition of a feather. This year and I think from now on, Mia suggested we color things we love and are thankful for.
Tiago drew a crane, dump truck, train, and bulldozer.

Talia got apples and a Lamb picture.

Mia had a Tinkerbell, candy cane, and a flower.



Best of all. . .Fernando was wake and with us for at least 4 hours. It was nice to have him home. Happy Thanksgiving!

Around the World in 25 Days

Hunting for interesting activities for each holiday has become a little more tricky since we moved from the heart of constant cultural exposure aka the DC area. We do have a few fun events here like the Sea World wonders, Lights on the Riverwalk, Bass Pro Shop with all its free fun including the free Santa picture!, and this weekend's Handel Messiah concert just to name a few.

Today while reading the Friend Magazine (a magazine the Church of Jesus Christ publishes for young children), I stumbled upon a working advent calendar of sorts. It was called "Christmas Around the World". As we read each one, I realized that the activities mentioned would be fun to do as a family and kind of culturally uplifting. I have already tweaked some of the ideas to fit our circumstances. For example, day 6 tells us that Australians will go to the beach and sing carols. We do have beaches not too far from our house, but the Sabbath day isn't a day for us to make a day trip to the beach. So, instead, we switched the 5 day's activities from Germany and the candy left in the shoe (ok the candy will be substituted with a clementine orange) to allow us either a day trip to the beach with caroling or heading to Sea World on Saturday to listen to all the carols while we play in the artificial beach fronts.

You should check it out. There are some amazing things to do. I am sure thankful for all the research the people put into the calendar so I could have a no brainer Christmas time.

PS Enjoy browsing around on the website. There are a lot of great things even for those who are not of our faith. My kids love looking at this site on Sundays to help keep their thoughts focused on the One who brought the First Real Gift of Christmas. If you want, there are pictures that can be cut out and place on each day to remind you of what you did. I think I will just blog about it.

Slightly Embarrassed

For days I have been trying to figure out a few comments posted on my blog. Something about being "tagged". Although I love the internet and blogging and what not, I think I am more suited for dial up then high speed when it comes to such things. That is not where the embarrassment comes from. The person who tagged me, Lisa, is amazing and does so much. She is an inspiration to so many. Check out her blog and you'll understand. Now that I have figured out what a tag is and what this tag consists of, her is my response.

What makes me an authentic mom:

1. The night time wake up calls from weeping children are always my best mothering moments. Probably all the rest, even though it was interrupted, helps me see their tender needs for what they are. Sometimes I wish my night time manners could be as readily available during the day light hours.

2. Being away from my children is more of a punishment then a treat. Not that being a mom 24 hours a day isn't trying especially when kids are tired, hungry, and bored all at the same time and you feel the exact same way, but lack the age excuse to act out. I just love each movement and word that spills from their precious selves. For example, Tiago was having a particularly rambunctious and disobedient day and it was a challenge for me to deal with the random spurts of tantrums. Then he suddenly bursts into the room and in an almost still angry voice states "You know what I'm thankful for? This beautiful earth that God created." Or Mia, who woke up too early on morning and set of a chain reaction of too early morning time moments for the other kids was found in the toy room closet tenderly reading a book to a very attentive brother and sister. Or Talia was says things like "More Chocolates". I wish there was some way to record their idiosyncrasies and mannerisms to cherish forever.

3. I detest television watching for my children. I would much rather them stare at the wall. We watch movies once a week and that is about the extent of their tv viewing. Mia used to think that Elmo was Elma because her only reference to that character was from other kids pronouncing its name. I still have troubles figuring out the whole DVD player in the van since we have used it a total of 4 times. I much rather enjoy a good book with them and we are currently car listening to the Secret Garden. I would highly recommend it. (ironically I am addicted to television or I should say I have no control over myself once the tv is on so I keep it off for that reason. I agreed to have cable just so we could see the BYU games and watch General Conference at home.)

4. Even though my singing voice is less then desirable, our home is constantly in song about something with a little dance to compliment the music. In fact, Tiago and Mia will often be singing something about a given make believe scenario. Talia has even began randomly bursting into song and dance. Mia, the most prominent theatrical child of the 3, began the dancing before she was born. She would make my belly contort into all sorts of interesting shapes whenever a good beat could be detected.

5. I would live in second trimester of pregnancy forever if that were possible/rational. (again, this isn't any sort of announcement) There is something magical about little feet and arms kicking around inside of you, but you still have room for all your vital organs.

I think now I am supposed to tag 5 other people and I am at a loss. One of the biggest reasons I blog is to learn from the other women I have met in my life. With that said, I will pick Angela R., Emily W., Kristi G., Claudia S., and Kimberli T.. I am sure these ladies will know what to do better then me, but here is the gist:
write about 5 experiences/feelings that have shaped you as a true, genuine Mom. The rules are to keep it real and then tag 5 other mom's with this honorable recognition.

Merlin's at Seaworld

Here in the fine state of Texas, Thanksgiving equals cancellation of school for the whole week. Not that you can tell that Thanksgiving is coming with all the Christmas stuff, but it does mean a lot of family fun. (Too bad Fernando isn't rewarded with the same duration of time off. . .he has no time off at all)

To kick off the festivities this week, we headed to Sea World. The park was transformed into a winter wonderland which helped remind us that it is winter. 74 degree temperature makes it hard to remember. Upon entering the gate, we were greeted by Merlin or at least that is who Mia thought it was. It was one of the best Santa costumes I have seen in my life. Next we watched the Polar Express 4D! What was the forth dimension? Vibrating seats, falling "snow" aka fluffy bubbles, gusts of air shooting into our face, and a fancy disco ball.

We watched a slightly corny Christmas show entitled Deck the Halls with Clyde & Seamore. Clyde and Seamore happen to be preforming sea lions. Luckily there was the rope climbing area to help burn off some pent up steam from the two shows we sat through.

Then came the best part of the whole day. Me and the kids who were tall enough rode Journey to Atlantis over and over again since there were no lines. The ride isn't very long, but who can pass on a roller coaster that gets you sopping wet? Not I. I just felt bad after a few times since the 2 other moms were stuck watching us ride and trying to entertain the toddlers. Talia was a little annoyed by the no water restriction that my friend thankfully imposed upon her. The day was pleasant, but misery was sure to come after the first wave of water splashed her unknowing self.

Even with Tiago's melt down at the end and his unscrupulous use of his hands on his friends, the day was wonderful and we are planning to go back again.