A mom’s birthday is so different from the parties planned for a mom’s child. As a mom, I gather my sons’ friends, design a cake that will inprint in their memory, fill up water balloons until my fingers are sore, puzzle over party favors that are cost efficient but are die-to-take-home favors. A day of celebration, a day that hugs … Continue reading →
Health insurance has changed since my first son was born. Each year we do pay more and more for services. When Perceiver of Truth was born, the state of Kentucky paid for all immunizations. When Faithful was born, I paid a $5 co-pay for each visit and immunization. When Joyful came around, the co-pay went up. However, when The Fire … Continue reading →
We had some difficulty. . . . keeping our pets out of heaven. Figaro, a pretty little Beta fish, a birthday gift given to Joyful from a friend died twice. Once when Joyful was away visiting grandparents. We cheated death, though. The fish store had one that looked just like him. Joyful never knew. However, he died one Christmas when … Continue reading →
The boys found a baby turtle one day. Wild Animal Rule #1 in our house: If you catch it today, you have to release it tomorrow. Wild Animal Rule #2: Rule # 1 doesn’t include snakes. They made a nest in a critter box, looked up what to feed the 1-2 inch little fella, and watched him. The next day, … Continue reading →
When the first Harry Potter book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone first came out, I ignored it. I wasn’t going to fall prey to smaltzy new fiction that roused my crew to a frenzy. I also didn’t want to get involved in a lot of the issues that grated against my values. I was unwilling to discover the truth … Continue reading →
There is a lot I like about the Harry Potter movie and books in a Grimm’s Brother-fairytale-kind-of-way. I love the music, the castle, the special effects. I love how the beaten-down kid sides with good over evil and wins. Let me be candid, though. My son asked if he could be Harry Potter one year. I told him, “No. There … Continue reading →
“How’d you learn to kick a field goal like that, son?” the football coach asked after my son kicked a 45 yard field goal in the 8th grade. “Squats, sir,” he replied. “Squats? What do you mean by squats?” the coach asked. “Hundreds of squats, sir,” he answered. ‘Why did you have to do hundreds of squats, son?” the coach … Continue reading →
Did you know that if you say “Gullible” real slow, it sounds like greenbeans? That’s what my third son told me. And I fell for it! Much to his amusement. He says I owe him $15 dollars every time I use that joke. He should have been named Joyful. He has such a joyful spirit: good humored, mischievous, comfortable-in-his-skinness, gladness. … Continue reading →
This is the story of a boy called Faithful. Not because in the beginning he was, but because God told me so, to call him so, He would make him so. My son’s science fair project one year was to determine whether 1 out of 4 children will have the recessive eye gene. Both sides of the family tree have … Continue reading →
“How do you like my haircut?” I asked one day when I picked my son up from kindergarten. “Do you like it?” I learned two things that day. First, never ask your sons if they like your hair cut, your shoes, or your lipstick! Second, don’t ask Perceiver of Truth anything unless you want the ugly, honest truth. “Don’t ever … Continue reading →