Did you buy me a Lexus?

This morning I once again woke up to sweetness. It has been my lucky week for sure with all of this pampering from Daddy and now my babies: sleeping in until 7:20, breakfast in bed, precious hand made Mother's Day art and a lovely card made by all three of them. I'm slowly waking up, munching on my muffins and fruit when J announces I need to go look out the front door....

-----This next paragraph went through my head in about 17 seconds-----

Well, I don't know about you but I've seen enough commercials to know what that statement could mean. Open the door and sitting there in the snow is a big fancy car with a huge red bow on top and a tag that says "To: Mom--From: Santa". Well, it wasn't snowing and it wasn't Christmas. {the voice in my head} I do not WANT or NEED a Lexus. I've just gotten used to being a 29 year old mini-van driving Momma and now you want me to drive a Lexus? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STARVING KIDS THERE ARE IN THE WORLD AND YOU BOUGHT ME A LEXUS? That is ridiculous! I hope you can take it back or sell it to some other crazy soul because we are not driving a Lexus. ABSOLUTELY , POSITIVELY NOT! {end voice in my head 17 seconds later}

So, I'm sitting there feeling very anxious at the prospect of what might be behind door #1. How am I going to tell my sweet hubby that he has lost his mind and he has to take back my Mother's Day gift?

M: Did you buy me a Lexus?
D: Ummmmmm. No. It's not a Lexus. (looking very confused)
M: Are you SURE?
D: Ummmmmm. Yes. I'm pretty sure.

Shooooo (wiping forehead), potential crisis diverted. No Lexus behind door #1. Thank goodness. Oh, and if you are reading this and you drive a Lexus, I'm happy for you. It's just not for me.

J opened the door and behold...
Two fancy garden urns for my front porch. I have been searching for them since we moved in but you know how it goes. It hasn't ranked very high on the "needs" list when the list contains things such as a breakfast table and window treatments. They are exactly what I envisioned and I am in love with them. Thank you Daddy, J and MG!We spent the rest of the day together enjoying each other along with our own Mothers and Grandmothers. I wore my beautiful corsage (given to me by my three favorite people) to church and then out to lunch. For me, there is something very special about wearing a corsage on Mother's Day. I know most women don't wear them anymore. When I was a little girl, I went to church with my Meme and she always wore a corsage to church on her special day. I always wanted to be a Mother and couldn't wait for the day I was able to wear my own. As long as my sweet husband remembers to purchase it, I'll continue to wear my corsage on Mother's Day (even if I'm the only one wearing one).

Ode to Motherhood...

This one has been around several times but it gets me each and every time I read it. Happy Mother's Day to all.

--Ode to Motherhood--

This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up spit-up laced with hot dogs, birthday cake, and fruit juice saying, “It’s OK honey, Mommy’s here.”

Who have walked around the house all night with their babies when they kept crying and wouldn’t stop.

This is for all the mothers who have shown up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who have run carpools and made dozens of cookies for school teas and sewn Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who haven’t because they are at work trying to earn enough to keep on top of the bills.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes and all their love.

This is for all the mothers who have sat on cold metal bleachers at hockey, baseball or soccer games instead of watching from their cars, so that when their kids asked, “Did you see me?” they could say, “Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” and meant it.

This is for all the mothers who have yelled at their kids in the grocery store and swatted them in despair when they stomped their feet, like a tired two-year-old does who wants ice cream before dinner, and then hated themselves for “losing” it.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children to explain all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn’t.

For all the mothers who read Goodnight, Moon twice a night for a year. And then read it again. “Just one more time.”

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who taught their sons to cook and sew and their daughters to be brave and strong. (And sink a jump shot.)

This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls “Mom?” in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home or grown up.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just fine once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away. And they do.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, and who can’t find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips, sometimes until they bleed, when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it the heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

Or the terror in your heart at 1 a.m. when your teenager with the new driver’s license is an hour late getting home?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 a.m. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

Or to feel the dull ache as you look in on your sleeping daughter or son the night before they leave for a college in another city?

The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

For all the mothers of the victims of all the school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for mothers who have tearfully placed flowers and teddy bears on their children’s graves. Whose children have died from illness, accidents and the worst of all and hardest to comprehend, suicides.

This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.

And mature mothers who have learned and are still learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us...

In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. Never EVER stop being their Mother and most importantly, pray.


To my own Mother (AKA Grammy), I love you.

Strawberry pickin'...

It was a lovely day for strawberry picking so we ventured out to a patch about 30 minutes from home. J and MG had a great time once they got the hang of it. I think Daddy picked most (read: almost all) of the berries while J tried to jump rows and hid from the honey bees, MG stole berries from Daddy to fill her little green basket and Mommy played paparazzi and took lots of pictures. Do you think there are bees in there?So proud of her (stolen) berries. Good thing Daddy didn't mind.MG making the LONG walk back to the farmhouse. She REFUSED to let anyone carry her or carry her basket. I had the very important job of collecting the berries she lost along the way. I discovered the phrase "hold your basket up" is not yet in her vocabulary.One final pic of the two Womble kids and their strawberry collection. It was great family time together. If you have never been--you should go. The kids had a ball and I think we've now found a new springtime family tradition.

{Interestingly enough, there were many visitors eating berries straight from the vine but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. The "aroma" from the fertilizer was a little too potent for me to ignore. It is a difficult job explaining to your children why they can't eat strawberries until the are washed. Think about it...how do you explain the contents of fertilizer to a 5 year old?}

Anniversary stuff...

a little something special for Daddy:
When we visited San Francisco in February we REALLY wanted to find an oil painting or piece of art to bring home with us. We never found exactly what we were looking for so we left empty handed. Since we came home, I have been searching for something I could give Daddy for our anniversary to remind him of our time in San Francisco. Well, a few days before D-day I finally found it. It looks just like the view from one of the vineyards we visited in Napa Valley: rows and rows of grapevines, little terracotta roofed cottages intermingling the vineyard and fog covered mountains in the distance. As soon as I saw it I knew it was exactly what he was looking for. Napa was Daddy's favorite day of the trip and since it is one of the many reasons I chose San Francisco I knew he would love it. I was right. As soon as he saw it he was reminded of the very same vineyard in Napa. 10 points for me!

a little something special for Mommy:
This morning, at 6:22 am I awoke to a pink envelope waving in front of my sleepy eyes. It was a beautiful anniversary card saying all the right kind of anniversary sentiments. Then, I read the personal note from hubby himself that revealed a sweet surprise. Daddy had taken the day off from work and I was off for a "Mom's Day Out" followed by dinner with Daddy later on this evening. This was my day...

10:00 haircut and color
12:00 lunch
1:45 massage (2nd professional massage EVER!)
3:00 pedicure
4:00 manicure
5:30 a grown-ups only anniversary dinner (of my choice)

I don't even know how to describe it. Ten points honey. Actually, I'll give you 11! It was perfection and just what a girl needs sometimes...the gift of time and a little bit o' pampering.

the Paparazzi...

J is obsessed with my camera. This morning he asked if he could take our picture. I reluctantly agreed and this was the comedy routine over the next 15 seconds as he snapped as many photos as possible while we laughed our heads off...

J: Oh yeah, perfect, great shot, that's a nice one, uh huh, good job, give me a smile, a little to the left please, could you look that way, uh huh, great shot, Oh yeah...
I have no idea where all that came from but it was hysterrical. Maybe we have a future photographer on our hands?

Thankful Thursday: 9 years and counting...

9 years? 9 YEARS! May 8, 1999 was a beautiful day for a wedding but not just any wedding--it was our wedding. It was simple yet beautiful filled with memories that are forever etched on my heart. It was the best day of my life. Today, on Thankful Thursday, I am thankful...

9. I sat behind a "city boy" in Mrs. Tucker's Algebra II class in 1993
8. the "city boy" befriended me even though I was a "Liberty girl"
7. we didn't date until after high school (the week after graduation)
6. my friend Andrea imposed the "3 date rule" before I bailed (first date=no sparks...third date=sparks...look what I would have missed if I had bailed on #1)
5. I said "yes" and we didn't let the "you're too young" opinions stand in our way
4. from day one, we have always put each other and our marriage FIRST
3. for the two precious children God has blessed us
2. my husband strives to be a strong example of a husband and Father for his family
1. he chose me 12 years ago and never looked back

I love our life, our marriage and our commitment to each other. I love our children and the blessing I have been given to be with them each and every day. I love how we have grown so much over the past 9 years. I love how God continually shows us that we can get through anything with Him walking by our side. Here's to 9 wonderful years and many more to come.

Oh, the irony...

Note to self: when writing a protest sign proclaiming how self righteous one is as an English speaking American, perhaps one should use a dictionary before making said proclamation.

Hmmm...what this sign says to me is if your native language is not English you do not belong in America? I could jump on my soap box here but I'm not going to. I'll just say that perhaps her attitude has something to do with what is wrong with our culture. I think she needs a little discussion about compassion and equality (and a trip back to 2nd grade spelling).

New blog category alert just for her: **What a Stooge**

A pick me up for today...

Encouragement. We all need it---from those we know and even from those we do not. "So whether you are the one running the hard road or the one standing by watching…encourage and be encouraged! We are on this road together!"

Thankful Thursday...

I wanted to do this last week but it was a little too fresh on my heart...
Today I am thankful for my sweet friend Kara. Last Friday, Kara, her husband and her two children loaded the final boxes into their moving van and headed back to Massachusetts. They are moving back to be near their family. It is wonderful for them but sad for those of us that remain here without our E. Main St. amigos. It is unlikely they will reside here again which made our goodbye last Wednesday even more bittersweet.

Not only was "Ms. Kara" J's teacher for a time she was/is also a wonderful friend to me. I'm really not sure how we became friends. I'm pretty sure it was God filling in the blanks for both of us. What do I love about Kara? She's funny. She's smart. She can be silly with the kids one second and serious with the Mommy people the next. She is certainly the most adventurous girl I know and I admire her so much for that. I don't know anyone brave enough to willingly pack up her kids, head out in an RV, indefinitely, without her husband, while homeschooling her children, all in the name of showing her kids the world. Isn't that awesome? I'm just not that brave.

I'm cutting this off here because it is at this point I need to discuss what "Ms. Kara" did for our son. I don't have the words to really explain that in one measly post and I'm not even going to try. Kara, you know what you did for him. We know what you did for him. I want you to remember that you were not just another teacher for J. During that time, you were THE teacher for J. We will never EVER forget that and I hope you don't either.

We are going to miss you and your sweet family. J is going to miss his pals B and L. He has told me every day that he misses them already. We know this move is a great one for you guys and we wish you the very best. I'm thankful I have had the opportunity to get to know you over the past three and a half years. I cherish our friendship and everything you have done for our little man. We can't wait to see you all again "in first grade". This was J's prayer last Wednesday night...

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this beautiful world. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and MG and Ms. Kara and B and L. Please let me be in first grade so I can see my friends again. -Amen

J has penciled you in for first grade so we have to make that happen (and at least one girls weekend in between). Can't wait...

Updated...

Over the past two weeks I have been updating the blog from the end of February working my way forward. If you haven't scrolled down you would not have known that. I am now up-to-date. Remind me to never get that behind again. Happy reading...

Sharing the love...

FYI: If Child B drinks from Child A's juice box while he is being treated for strep, Child B is going to get sick about 5-10 days later. After a fever filled Sunday I took her in yesterday and her rapid strep was negative. I thought we were in the clear and it was just viral. Ha! They called this morning and the culture grew overnight. Lovely. After 22 months antibiotic free, MG is experiencing the joy of bubble gum medicine like her brother has so many times before. She is so excited that it is FINALLY "Nonnie's mecin" instead of Zsa Zsa's.

Aworking we will go...aworking we will go...

Daddy and J spent the day together on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work" Day. I'm not sure how much work Daddy actually accomplished but J had a good time. He went to work from 7am-1pm. Daddy brought him home for rest time and then headed back to the office to actually get something done. At the end of the day I asked J what does Daddy do at work? "He plays computer, eats cookies, talks on the phone, goes to Lowes and gets his watch fixed." :-)

Dear friends,

I would like to ask you to pray for my sweet friend Molly. Within the hour she is headed for surgery and is understandably scared about the whole situation. She has had surgery once before and experienced some complications from the anesthesia. Her hubby is not "the hospital kind" so please pray for him also. They have two babies practically the same age as J and MG. They both love their Mommy so this is going to be tough for them. Please pray that all will go smoothly and she will be home with her family very soon.

Thanks,
M

Is there a doctor in the house?

Oh, wait. We don't need a doctor. J has already treated himself. He thought it was a great idea until they all had to come off at bath time. :-) I don't think he'll do THAT again. Hehehehehe.

Welcome baby Julia...

I co-hosted a Sip 'n See Diaper Drop for my friend Rebekah and her new daughter Julia. It turned out lovely. Many friends came to meet baby Julia and eat a little yummy food at the same time.The hostesses with Rebekah...Sydney, my friend Rhonda's daughter, made a baby shower sign for the front window. She didn't want anyone to drive past the party. On top of being the official sign maker she was also the baby holder for much of the shower. Isn't she beautiful?Little Miss Julia is the second daughter and last baby for our friends Rebekah and Darren. This little sign fits her perfectly...

Staph-no-cough-a-luss strikes again!

I am officially adding a category to the blog entitled "Cootie-bugs abound". That's pretty much my life these days. Nothing new at the Womble Times except who has the cooties this week. I know none of you care about our cootie bugs. It's OK, really. Since this blog is the life and times of our family, well, this is part of it.

J has the "step-toe-cough-a-nuss" again. You can read the significance of that here. How funny is it my five year old knows the meaning of that word? He does. Just ask him. He'll tell you he has germs on his HUGE tonsils and sometimes he has to take the bubble gum medicine to make it go away. I'm beginning to wonder if it ever REALLY goes away or if it just hides and rears its ugly head whenever it feels like it.

So, I guess you people should start reading the topics first. If it says Cootie-bugs Abound just move on to the next blog. Hopefully, they'll have much more interesting things to discuss. :-)

Three Piggy Opera...

Every spring at St. M's in lieu of a preschool graduation, the pre-K classes perform a silly version of the Three Little Pigs called the "Three Piggy Opera". This year they practiced their songs every school day for weeks. J was not thrilled about it. He was so upset because he thought everyone was going to laugh at HIM. It was tough to make him understand that it was SUPPOSED to be funny. People will probably laugh but they are not laughing AT you. They are laughing WITH you. Right up until the night of the play he was adamant he did not want to participate. "I want to sit in the chairs with you and laugh at my friends" he said. Ummmm...no. If you do not want to be laughed at you are not going to sit and laugh at your friends. Mrs. Sherri (director) and Mrs. Christy (teacher) talked to our wolf and convinced him to participate. Without further ado I present J, the wolf...Top row, far right side below the wolf, second from the end...MG cheering big brother on...Singing "I want a big, fat PIG"...
Our big scary wolf playing his part very well...The wolf's cheering section... The children didn't sing very loud so the audience didn't laugh very much because they couldn't hear the silly song lyrics. All the better for our child who was afraid of being laughed at. When the performance was over we enjoyed a very appropriate catered dinner of BBQ and pigs in a blanket. The cheering section (Grammy, Papa Mike, Nanny, Mommy, Daddy and MG) joined him for the encore meal. Great job little wolf! We are so proud of you.

Aspiring Photographer?

These photos have no subject or significant meaning... except for the fact that I found them on my camera when I transferred my photos to the computer...
I have no idea who captured these images but I've narrowed it down to two little people...
Noone is claiming the act. However, I have a sneaky suspicion who they belong to: the blond haired, blue eyed, mischievous little boy who lives at the Womble house. The same Womble who has a sneaky streak and the dexterity to remove a lens cover, focus and press the capture button while hiding behind a wing back chair in his parents bedroom.

Dear old friend,

It has come to my attention that I have been neglecting you over the past six weeks. I am so deeply sorry. Life has been going on all around us but I have failed to share it with you. I have filled you with posts that have nothing to do with what you are really all about...chronicling the life and times of our family. I used to stay up into the wee hours of the morning filling you with funny stories and beautiful pictures of our little blessings. What has changed you ask? Honestly, I've been avoiding you. I am so far behind I don't know how I'll ever catch up (but I promise I will give it a try). Just in case you haven't noticed, I've treated you to a cutie-patootie "Welcome Spring" blog-over. Perhaps a bit of spring decorating will encourage me to spend a little more time catching up with you.

Until tomorrow night,
Mommy