My Friend

Yep, that's sweet Junie B. Jones in that picture.  Guess what?!  I know her!  Well, my own personal version of her that masquerades as Mrs. Raising Rascals, Amber.  When I first started reading her blog several months ago I could NOT put my finger on who she reminded me of and one day it hit me:  Junie B. Jones.  With her made up words, funny way of saying things and playwriting skills, I knew that I'd met a living/breathing version of Junie B.

I am a relational girl.  It's easy for me to establish relationships.  Deep, meaningful relationships with lots of people.  I have many precious girlfriends in real life and blogging has afforded me the gift of finding many others.  Uncoventional?  Of course.  Meaningless?  Never.  Each relationship fulfilling another place in my heart.  I am so very thankful for that gift.

Sometimes, though, you just share a special connection and bond that surpasses a comments section or an email.   You decide that it'd be great to say "hello" on the phone and you do and then it even becomes more real.  You share details of each others' lives and before you know it, you're talking constantly and sharing life and blogging actually is no longer the only tie that binds.

That's how I feel about Amber.

My life now seems like she's always been in it and I wouldn't have it any other way.  She challenges me to be spontaneous, silly and try new things.  She's trusted me with details of her life and allowed me to walk with on her homeschool journey and I feel so very blessed.  She's kindly allowed me to share my life with her...the good, bad, ugly and beautiful.

So, why am I telling you all this?!

Because, Junie B. and Lucille (for you non-Junie B.'rs out there that's her BFF in the books) are meeting in real life, FINALLY!!!  The Rascal Crew is loading up and headed to Georgia in just FOUR short weeks!!!  I'm so giddy I can hardly stand it.  See, we've a had a few failed attempts at trying to get together, if even for a brief moment.  Each one bringing heartache and disappointment but knowing that when the timing was right it would happen and we held tight to that and prayed that truly God would afford us that special moment.  Before, it may have been a quick day or a layover but now it gets to be a "kick back and stay awhile" type of visit.  Complete with Blue Box Mac and Cheese, all manner of reality TV, kiddos enjoying each other and for all you locals:  I'm takin' her to the Sock Shoppe! 

I love you, Junie B, you make life so much sweeter!  Betty Boop and I are patiently waiting! ;)

Thinky Thursday

Well, I've had a bit of a thinky post swirling in my mind as I've battled/thought/pondered over these musings the last few weeks.

We were in the "Always Christmas" store in the mountains a couple of weekends ago and I saw a lady wearing a shirt that said "Motherhood is not for sissies".  I leaned over to her and said "I love your shirt". 

Such a true true statement.

I think, as mothers, we tend to base so much of our productivity and accomplishments on how things "look" at the end of the day.  Is the laundry nicely folded and put away?  Is the dishwasher unloaded and ready for the next day's spoils to go in it?  What can we physically see that would be a good barometer on how the day went?  Finding that if there isn't any evidence then what could we have possibly done today?!

I am SO one of those people....I'd sit on the couch after kids were in bed, Husband at work and think "what did I DO today?  There are STILL piles of Legos in the floor, the laundry was washed and dried but NOT folded...nothing is COMPLETE".  I felt frustrated, tired, exhausted because yet another day had gone by that I felt as if I'd accomplished nothing for that 24 hours.  As I pondered and shared my heart with a few of my close girlfriends, I realized that it wasn't just me.  Within those conversations, I felt the Lord revealing something to me.

Mothering ALONE is an accomplishment.  Kissing hurt knees, nurturing the hurt feelings, making sure that we are instilling values in their hearts, making sure that one child feels special in one way and the other child feels special in another, educating them whether at home or sending them to the right school, reading stories, listening to long winded preteens, begging/crying out to Jesus to help us make it through this phase or that.  It.is.exhausting.

None of those previous "things" we do as mothers leave physical evidence when all is quiet at night and the physical things are glaring at us, lying, and saying "you didn't do enough today".  And, sadly, we listen.  We begin the never ending laundry cycle, the picking up and straightening without really cleaning and forget about the love we bestowed upon our kids and spouse that day, the time when we wanted to snap and didn't or if we did that we apologized and hugged our babies.  We forget because it's not physical.

I feel like my shoulders have long been tired from carrying such a heavy burden of how my home looks at the end of the day.  Thankfully, I'm shedding some of those weights and listening to the Lord speak to me about His Word:

Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-30: "An excellent wife, who can find? Really?! Me?! Excellent?!  For her worth is far above jewels. Wow, Lord, jewels are very precious. The heart of her husband trusts in her,yes, yes, he does and he will have no lack of gain thank you for helping me meet his needs, Jesus.. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life help me Lord to watch my tone and attitude toward this hardworking love of mine... Strength and dignity are her clothing not lounge pants and a tshirt?!  I'll take it, Lord, and give me the strength that only comes from you when I am weary and to take the high road when I am weak, and she smiles at the future that does say "smile" right, Lord?! not "worry". She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue may it ever be, God. She looks well to the ways of her household I'm so glad you said "well" Lord and not perfect, and does not eat the bread of idleness yes, Lord, and may I never be busy for busyness sake. Her children rise up and bless her oh how they bless my heart; her husband also, and he praises her thank you, Lord for his compliments and support, saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.' Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain and not just in my physical appearance, sweet Lord, but my home too, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised tis my heart's cry, Father, I love you."

I truly, truly believe that this passage I've semi-avoided before thinking I could never live up to such standards.  This woman's piles were put away at the end of the day and her tent spit spot.  But, she was a human woman, not a supernatural power Mom who didn't make mistakes or forgot to take the tunics out of the washer.  Striving each day to love and serve our Lord, nurture and love her children in a mighty way, run a household and love her man.  Hey, that's ME!?! And you and you and her and her and her......

So, join with me in praying for each other, as Moms.  That we will not "exchange the truth of God for a lie" (Romans 1:25 )  That we will wake with new mercies and fall asleep peacefully and that we won't gauge our worth as Mothers on how things look and appear in our homes or by any outside appearance.  That we would always always "look well to the ways of our household" but not hold ourselves to some ridiculous standard. 

One day, our children will living on their own and they will be gone away from the walls of our homes...but the piles and dust will remain and we can certainly make up for lost time!  Until then....

Betcha Didn't Know...

 

*that I am so glad Amber started this little idea so I'd have something to cohesively collect my thoughts with today.  Such a gracious hostess she is (and has totally given permission for us to steal, bloglift and ripoff this idea!

*that my daughter is in Paris.  Well, sorta.  She's getting the equivalent of a TLC program makeover done in her room.  My mother-in-law and her sister asked if they could makeover her room...um, YEAH!  There is an Eiffel Tower in there, too!

*that at any given moment I could write a blog post..think of one in the drive through, in the shower, during school and I sit down to write and NOTHING.

*I've sung on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC and at Universal Studios in Florida.  And, everyday in my house.  Almost nonstop.  And, I don't mean humming...I mean full out belting.

*that this ulcer in my mouth is going to drive me to drink.

*that JuJu must be really annoyed by Connor because she asked if I "could send him off to college".

*that my computer printer is D.E.A.D and I'm so very sad...just a reminder, we homeschool, and that printer is like a lifeline sometimes for materials (it's also a copier), quick prints, etc...not sure how were gonna fix this problem because I must have a printer.

*that I'm so excited November is here because a little movie is coming out that I may be thrilled about....it's Thanksgiving and Black Friday!

*that Mary Murphy on So You Think You Can Dance grates on my nerves worse that hearing ice being crunched.

*that I'd love a Dr. Pepper. Stat.

*that I'm sleepy so, I'm gonna hit publish, crawl in the bed and feel wide awake!

It was a BOOhaha....

Well, it seems that we may have started something here at the B&B house. 

Monster Mashing.

It was supposed to be my sister and her family coming down for trick or treating....but once our wheels got to goin' we decided to make it a full fledged party.  Some of my other awesome family members decided to join us and we went from there.  Last year after Halloween I'd picked up a few things on super clearance and I used those things for decoration and activities. 

As usual, my cheapy camera had soaked batteries dry and I'd forgotten to get new ones so my pics all came from my Aunt Gail and sister.  Now, they are not bloggers so they don't understand the importance of taking pictures of oddities that the rest of us call normal, for example:  a full crock pot of chili, empty candy wrappers or my bedroom where everything that didn't get cleaned up got shoved.  But, beggars without cameras can't be choosy.

Moving on...

So, would you like to know what all went down at the Monster Mash?!

*we had 2 yummy crock pots of chili and hot dogs to boot, dill pickle dip, chips and Meredith's Fall Mix.

*I spent the better part of the afternoon cussing and misreading directions pondering why my cake balls were not turning out....but then I finally pulled enough sense out me old brain to make at least a few:

*it was cold and windy and rainy...but we still trick or treated at several houses..including one guy who had a light on but forgot it was Halloween.  He pulled through with some HUGE bags of candy for the kids out of his cabinets and ham sandwich for each.  Just kidding about that last part.

*we had a treasure hunt with clues hidden all over the house along with skeleton parts...once the skeleton was put back together--PRIZE BAGS.

*we had a dance with a playlist to thrill Dracula himself:  Monster Mash, the Munsters and Addams Family themes, Thriller, I Want Candy, Somebody's Watching Me, She Blinded Me With Science...

*during said dance a grown adult, wild, trick or treating witch, came to the door and totally asked if she could come in and dance...yeah, I want what she was having...we were all about to pee in our pants from laughing and were so shocked, that the camera was the furtherest thing from our minds.

So, it goes without saying, that our night was just bootiful!  Family, fun and food.

The night in pictures:

Me trying to be tough and show off my new ink

(but you couldn't, however, see my rockin' knee boots):

The crew: pirate, army man, ladybug and veterinarian

Were we dancing or WHAT?!

My niece eating her wrist candy bracelet:

The lashes were a hit..Aunt Gail

MJ's turn

Uncle Gary after I put him in a headlock and smooched his cheek:

My sweet kiddos, one with a fresh new hair cut:

And, last but not least, Jack O. Lantern,

who is in serious need of orthodontics!

It should be noted that, a) the menfolk did actually attend but were too in to the football games for pictures b) my sister was obviously the photographer and I hate I never said "hey, give me that camera!" so you could see how well she's doing!!

So, until next year the cobwebs are down.  Well, sort of....and costumes put away but I'm most excited to see what next year brings us!!

A Letter.

Dear Halloween Candy,

So, you're back!  It's always good to see you after a long absence.  You are so colorful and desireable and I always appreciate your willingness to let me kidnap you at any given moment, hide behind the pantry door or in the bathroom to eat you.  However, I just thought we should get a few things straight if you're gonna stick around awhile.

Okay, first of all, the Kit Kats and the Butterfingers are neck in neck with winning my affection.  So, you may wanna tell them to shimmy to the bottom of the bowl and encourage the Smarties, Gummy Savers and Sweetarts to come up to the top.  Although, in my current state it may not matter because I can maneuver all around the "other" candy, if need be...so, they really needn't bother going through the work.

Next, I'd like you to understand that really I'm not normally so aggressive.  I'm a kinder, gentler version of myself before and after you're gone, pinky promise.  I know I seem sorta like a ravaging, plundering woman with no regard for your goodness...but I do really really KNOW your goodness.  At least for now.

Which brings me to my next point.  You should know that my love for you will quickly fade.  I know currently I can't even be NEAR you without pouring over you and whispering sweet nothings in your ear.  But, unfortunately, I am not Diana Ross nor you Lionel Richie and we don't have endless love.  You'll begin to make me sick and yet I won't tear myself away.  I'll be pillaging in the bowels of your bowl and eating those rogue flavored Tootsie Rolls and straggler Smarties with helpless abandon and begging you to GO!  I'm only trying to be honest here, HC. 

Now, with all of that out of the way.  Let's just carry on that great message from the timeless Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: 

There's a girl right next to you
And she's just waiting for something you do.
Well, there's a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love
Love the one you're with...

Yes, my fleeting love, HC, let's love the one we're with and right now, I'm with you, baby!

With heartfelt devotion albeit fleeting,

Tiffani

Because I think this is just great...

I have a very wise, word-lover and writer friend.  His name is John.  He is married to another friend of mine, Meredith, most of you know her from Life at 7000 Feet but some may not.  No, I've never had the pleasure of putting my arms around either of their necks and telling them how thankful I am to be a part of their lives but one day, I just know that we will.  And we'll sit and chat and I'll write down all the words he uses because he's just that thinky and that thoughtful and that lovely.  Go here to meet him and go here to buy his book.  Yes, his book, that he wrote and was published!!  I love reading what he writes whether in book or blog post...and I have an inkling you will too and you'll thank me! ;)

Georgia, Georgia...

The whole day through...

Just an old sweet song

Keeps Georgia on my mind...

Georgia, Georgia

A song of you

Comes as sweet and clear

As moonlight through the pines...

Other arms reach out to me

Other eyes smile tenderly

Still in peaceful dreams I see

The road leads back to you...

Georgia, Georgia,

no peace I find...

Just an old sweet song

Keeps Georgia on my mind...

North Georgia Mountains

October 2009