Invisible Mother...

Today was a long, exhausting day.  I came across this story a sweet cousin sent me a long time ago.

Invisible Mother.....


It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen ag ain. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully
wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .
I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it t o me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work
they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by
the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become. At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there..'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job, MOM!

This week I feel more like I'm building mud pies in the dirt instead of cathedrals, but it still made my 'blue' day a little brighter. :)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!! 101

Today is my sweet Grandpa's 101st birthday.   When I stop and think about it, I can't believe we are truly celebrating him turning 101.  It's amazing! He's amazing.
Grandpa makes me so happy!! We had such a wonderful time getting to visit with him all summer.  He's led a very inspiring life and I enjoy talking with him about the 'old days'.  While he can't remember many things from his childhood, or latter days, his life is a great example to me.  Like all of us, he has faced a lot of trials through out his life.  When I asked him how he felt or dealt with it he said, "Oh I can't remember.  I had faith and just did what had to be done."  His house had burnt down and he'd lost his farm and he can't remember! Made me realize how much we all worry about little things in life.  Yes, I say little.  It happened 50 + years ago and to me that seems like a big trial, but he can barely remember it and he's still very sharp.  We are always told that trials are here for our learning and experience and they will be 'but a small moment'.  He is a true example of that.  No matter how tough things may seem, they will be ok and we will go on.  I think his faith and positive attitude is what has kept him alive for so long.  Well, he'll also tell you steak, mush and Dr. Pepper. :) 
  I spent a LOT of time in his home growing up and I have many precious memories of him.  Again, he can't remember all of them, but 'I' can.  Getting to go for truck rides, hunting, going after wood, playing in the snow, raking a million leaves and then jumping in them, watching MASH, building fires, shoveling coal, playing blocks, sleeping outside.  My list could go on but I'm tearing up so I gotta stop.  :) 
I wish that everyone could know him!  But for the most part I am thankful that my kids can know him, and love him and get to spend time with him the way I did.  I don't know how many more birthdays he will celebrate, but for now- today is one fantastic day! 

Still Alive

Things have been crazy busy for us this summer.  We've been working, traveling and having a great time.  Lots of changes but we are doing fab!  Due to all the playing/working/traveling (and my dang piece of junk computer not working properly) blogging has been put to pause.  Exciting news-I'm going to buy a new computer next week. (Jumping, smiling, cheering) Til then- I'm not going to blog from the phone..
Enjoy the last few days of summer. :)

Battleship Texas

 We love going to museums and all sorts of site seeing.  A while ago we went to the San Jacinto Monument.  It was pretty cool.  It's the worlds tallest memorial column, standing 15 ft taller than the Washington Monument.  My husband especially loved it because of its history, him being a very proud Texan!! :) The top of the monument has the Lone Star of Texas with an observation deck inside.  The kids thought that was really neat to see out over the bayou.  And...they got to go on a long elevator ride up. 
I love this picture of Andy and Halle.    Along side of the monument is a 1300 acre swamp, grassland where the battlefield took place.  There is a boardwalk for a good part of it, and despite the mosquitos, it was actually a nice walk and pretty view.    

 

We then headed over to the Battleship Texas.  This was awesome!  It's the 1st Memorial battle ship in the U.S.  It's now also a flag ship of the Texas Navy.  It is the only surviving USN vessel that fought in WWI and WWII and has 17 different gun configurations.  The ship is just across from the San Jacinto Monument in the Houston Ship Channel. 

 

We of course found ALL 17 'big guns' and more.  These are the kids "mean" faces.  It's a BIG ship.  Many of the guns still can be maneuvered, sans the bullets of course.  The ship is currently being renovated back to it's original state.  

We had a very interesting talk about why there were so many guns and why they were used to kill people.  Basically, it came down to this:  "sometimes there a lot of bad people in the world and sometimes we have to kill them to keep everyone safe."  This later lead to a lot of funny conversations that I'll post soon. :)  

It did make me think about war and how scary it must actually be to be shooting at people and hiding behind the steel frames and duck holes for protection from these tiny bullets:  yeah, bigger than Payton.  (And yes, I know they aren't actually called bullets!) 

 

I actually found this very interesting.  If some one ever complains about not enough closet space or doing laundry, show them these pictures above.  :)  

They had many "bed/holding rooms" and then these cots also lined every 'hallway' of space along the lower decks.  There was a large kitchen, soda/snack shop, tailor, dentist, doctor, etc.  Also a tv room, (not exactly sure how that worked since it currently has a flat screen), game room, gym and yep, a "hanky panky" room, right next to the infectious disease room. 

 

It's definitely a good workout just looking at the ship.  There are stairs, no more like thick ladders, everywhere.  You also would have to get over a fear of heights very quickly as our kids found out.  They were 'brave' as they said and climbed all the way to the top lookout.  It's amazing how they build these things and I'm curious how different the new ships are with updated technology. 

My kids still think we're gonna move next year and can't really tell ya if they are from Utah, New York or what.  But for now, we are starting to love Texas and it's history.  

Don't Mess With Texas!!
 

Self portraits.

Halle and I enjoy sidewalk chalk.  We generally do it while waiting for Paytons bus to get home from school.  The current phase is now drawing rainbows and tracking each other. 

Normally I just trace the kids but today Halle wanted to trace me.  Hmm.  If that is what I look like, I think I'm now depressed and will no longer be blogging..  :)

It's all gone to the dogs...

I love my dog..despite the fact that she drives me crazy sometimes.  Like digging the back yard to get cool and sitting RIGHT next to me (too close next to me) when I sit down.  I love her so much I caved and agreed to let her ride in my car (ugh) to go to Grandma's house so she could play (several times). We are really a site in our little car with our 2 kids and enormous dog all in the back seat.   I did NOT like it at all, but I dealt with it since my sweet hubby convinced me it would only be a temporary thing.
Well, that day has finally arrived.  Boo now gets to join the rank of all other dogs and ride in the back of a truck where she belongs.  If a truck were for that one purpose alone, I'd be happy.  :)

Andy had been looking a very long time and patiently waiting for the right deal.  It finally came and the kids were so excited when we took them 'truck shopping'.  Payton new exactly what he wanted and thankfully we were able to find it. :)  Halle just wanted a "big, strong truck that is pretty". 

Payton had to make sure it had a radio.  He carefully looked the truck over- all over, and then said he approved.

After being crowded and having all sorts of crazy, fun adventures in our little car, we are looking forward to all the fun things we can now do.  However, if you ask Andy, he'll sadly say, "it's my wifes truck", and he gets to use it on weekends. :)  If only they made trucks with excellent gas mileage for going to work.  Hey..I'll share it!

Afterwards, we went to celebrate Payton getting his cast off that afternoon.  What a fun day for him.  Nothing says celebration like ice cream.  :)

Happy Easter!

The kids had a really fun time decorating eggs this year.  I know we did do it every year, but I think they are finally old enough to enjoy it now.  Plus, they finally like eggs now and will eat them so that made it more exciting I guess.

They were very proud of their eggs and suggested we do it every day.  Also, they figured we could color ALL of our food and were trying to decide the best way to go about it.  I finally convinced them we could color our food by other methods.  That.. and we were heading up to Grandma's where there would be more egg coloring.

                                           All ready for the Easter Egg Hunt

So much fun playing with cousins!! Didn't take them very long.  Everyone got a basket full of goodies. 

Last Easter we were traveling so this was basically Halle's first Egg Hunt.  She just loved it!

What can I say..we love our pinatas.  The kids had a fun treasure hunt that ended with the 'golden duck'.  Its always fun watching kids try and do this.  They had more fun hitting the duck then getting the candy that fell out. 

                                         Payton was so happy to get to color more eggs. 

Again...this was basically our kids 'first' Easter, doing the egg hunt and baskets.  They were very surprised and happy.

Eventually...

So I am a slacker..... this fact does not surprise me.  I am, however, surprised to hear people mention I need to update, because I highly doubted that anyone actually even looks at our blog. ha ha  :)  So for those 2 people (one being my mom ) I'll update later today..or tomorrow..or maybe Friday at the latest..hee hee.
Mostly I've had issues with uploading my pictures.  Then we've been out playing and when not playing I am too busy resting on my couch with a nice cup of Blue Bell Ice Cream.  It's very difficult to type with a spoon you know. 
Until my MASSIVE update, I leave you with a cute conversation with Halle:

"Mom, I love you."
"Awe, I love you too."
"I love YOU too!"
"I love you to the moon."
"Mom, I love you to a cow."
"...........ok.....(laughing)..is that far?"
"Mom, the cow jumps OVER the moon, duh!"

Of course.....

Miss Halle

With Payton at school all day, Halle and I are 'forced' to entertain each other. :)  I have to say that she does a much better job than I do at entertaining.  This girl cracks me up.  This is a picture from a while ago when she helped me paint her room (gulp..pink)  Yes, it's been her dream the last year to paint her room pink.  Thankfully it turned out cute.  But I love the expression on her face because it's one I get all the time. 
I was thinking the other day, (when I was feeling moody), kids are just happy people.  Yeah, she bugs her brother and steals his toys, but every morning she wakes up happy and excited for the day.  If only I could be that way everyday.
This morning we were getting ready for her playschool.  I especially love these days because she is extremely excited and most importantly, will do whatever I ask her. (hee, hee) 
I decided to go running while she was gone so I got dressed accordingly.  She saw my regular bra on the floor and said, "Mom, what are you doing?  Don't forget your boobies!"  LOL No, it actually wasn't a Victoria's Secret push-up bra, not that there's anything wrong with that! :) But yeah, I guess she's right. :)
Heaven help us when she's older but for now I'm enjoying every crying, laughing, smart and sassy moment.

I dreamed a dream...

Yesterday Andy managed to get home at a decent hour, yahoo!  We were sitting around trying to decided what to do for the evening when Andy recalled to Halle a dream he had about her the night before.

Andy:  "Halle, last night I had a dream about you.  You were a young women and you were walking along the beach.  You were older, your hair was long and you were just so beautiful." 
Halle:  "Really daddy!"
Payton:  "Halle, I had a dream about you last night too.  You got eaten by a cow.."

Spring Break

My mom and our/her friend Cherry came out to visit for Spring Break and Payton's birthday.  It was great having them here.  They decided to take the scenic route and drive.  Mom got a speeding ticket on the way here, ($200 for out of state, yikes!)  She wasn't too happy after that when we kept calling her and telling her to hurry. ha ha.  We kept reminding her they didn't have to stop at every Walmart on the way. :)  The kids were happy though cause they arrived with lots of toys and surprises for them. 
Since Payton broke his arm, we spent several days lounging at home til he felt better.  Grandma got brave and let Halle put makeup on her.  So beautiful. 

 The kids were then equally brave and let Grandma put makeup on them. 

The kids just love when Grandma comes to visit.  I can't say I don't either.  It's like Mary Poppins, well, without the magic and umbrella, and I guess it's not.  BUT, she's got the bag and plays with the kids all day.  We were equally spoiled to have Cherry too.  The kids hung all over her too and she was so nice to bring them toys and make fun crafts.  I grew up living across the street from her and we learned a lot of neat things about her we never knew.  She was so nice to come with mom all that way. 

The weather was nice and we were able to get outside for a picnic.  Well, until Payton broke his arm and then they were kind enough to watch Halle and entertain themselves at our boring house. :) 

This picture cracks me up!! ha ha.  We went out to dinner for Payton's birthday and it depicts so perfectly that they are arguing over who gets to pay!  They did that a lot.  ha ha.  They were both so good to us and we can't wait to go visit them so we can return the love. We were sad to see them go. 
We then put the house back together and headed up to Andy's parents for the weekend.  All the cousins were there again and it was great weather to get out and play. 

They have mostly finished the deck.  It' looks really nice.  I believe they have decided to now extend it all the way down the property so it will be exciting to see how it all turns out. 

It was nice enough to take the boat out.  Boo loves the boat to say the least.  This dog is so spoiled! 
It was a fun weekend and the kids got to have a sleep over, run, jump and  play themselves into exhaustion.  Grandpa and Grandma got last week to themselves and then we're all up there again for Easter. Can't wait. :)

Payton turned 6!

I can't believe that my sweet little boy just turned 6!  I was looking back at pictures and videos recently and just wanted to cry.  Time goes by so fast.  We've had a lot of fun these past 6 years and I hope the next years to come are just as exciting.

If you know Payton, you know he LOVES music.  As you can see, he started very young.
Payton has always had a beautiful smile.  His entire face lights up.  This kid is almost always smiling and though that little boy trouble phase is slowing coming upon us, he is still the sweetest boy.

                                                             Payton at 2 yrs. :)

We had a fun celebration for Payton's birthday.  We ended up having a change of plans at the last minute which later proved to be a blessing in disguise.  My mom and our friend Cherry were here and we all headed up to Grandpa and Grandma Golds house for the weekend.  We had a yummy picnic outside and the kids were brave enough to go swimming in the lake.  Yeah, the weather is starting to get nice but no way am I getting in the lake yet.  They didn't stay in too long but  had fun either way. :)

Payton picked out the picture of the football cake he wanted and even put the decorations on himself. Sadly since it was double stacked, it didn't last the car ride there too well.  :(  Oh well, it was delicious all the same. 

I was so surprised and thankful that Andy's family had some presents.  We had planned to have his party on his actual birthday the following week but since everyone was up to the lake for spring break we shot for that instead.  It was totally last minute and I really appreciate everyone helping out and making it a special day for him.  

The kids all gathered around and helped Payton guess his presents before he even opened them. :)  They were right on almost all of them! 

                                          Peter and Halle enjoyed the celebration too!

 I was so glad we had Payton's party over the weekend because this is what happened Monday.  :(  We had got up and headed for the zoo but since it was spring break and the Houston Rodeo, it was impossible to find a place to park.  We ended up heading home and going to a local park for a picnic.
He was climbing up the twisty slide and fell.  We didn't realize how bad it was till we got home and he still couldn't hardly move at all.  He was in a lot of pain and was being SO BRAVE.  I told him it was OK to tell the doctor if he hurt him.  He would put on a strong front and then as soon as the doctor was done, he'd turn around and cry in pain. 
Luckily we didn't have to wait too long at the ER.  However, proud of my hubby for noticing a fracture on the x-ray.  The ER doc asked if we wanted to see the x-ray.  Sure!   Andy told him it looked like there was two fractures.  The doc said, "nope, I don't see it, he's fine".  Radiology report came back and yep, two fractures!! Imagine that.......idiot.
Had to leave it in a sling a few days for the swelling to go down and then on his real birthday, he got to go the the orthopedist and get a cast.  Doc walked in said, yep, 2 fractures.. (I wish I could get out of paying the ER doc)

He was a good boy and thankfully the cast has helped his arm to feel much better.  He had a rough couple days so we are happy to have him smiling and playing again.

Grandma and Cherry took us out dinner that night for Payton's birthday.  The waiter brought him an enormous piece of strawberry cheesecake.  Payton does NOT like cheesecake, or strawberries for the matter.  He posed for a picture but looked like he wanted to cry when he saw it.  Thankfully the waiter was nice and brought him a giant slice of chocolate cake instead.

He was much happier after that and the rest of us were all fatter after eating both the chocolate and the cheesecake!

 It ended up being a wonderful birthday.  When he went back to school on Monday, he was happy to see they were learning the letter X for x-ray.  :)