A Mommy's Unconditional Love & Parenting through Divorce

Great show today with some awesome women!

Another great show with some awesome ladies. We ran out of time on the show today so stay tuned. We may continue our discussion next week. Leave me a message below with your questions or comments for the ladies.

On demand...

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I never did like Barbie nor did I ever want to be her

What the hell? Yep, I said it.  WTH is Mattel thinking?  What message are they sending to our girls? They can be anything they want to be...including white, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that is algebraically deformed.  I am utterly disappointed in McDonald's but not surprised.  On their behalf, I have already drafted a statement for them to release to the media:

McDonald's apologizes for the recent lapse in judgment.  It was not our intent to offend or suggest that all little brown girls should dream to become little ugly white girls. McDonald's has always been supportive of the black community and continue to attract little brown children with our cheap toys that end up on the floorboards of cars up and down MLK Blvd. We stand by our commitment to be a prevailing source of obesity and many other childhood illnesses including significant damage to self-esteems.  We are currently in the process of reviewing internal locus of control to insure that the head of McDonald's is apprised of any media campaigns intended to perpetuate the supremist attitude conveyed in this message. Additionally, we have hired a diversity coordinator to train our employees  on cultural sensitivity and assure  our customers that this will not happen again in the near future. As an indication of our sincerity, we will now offer chocolate ice cream cones with every happy meal purchased.

How’s that?  I would also like to think that I could implement a complete boycott of all McDonald’s stores.  But where would my boys get their weekly supply of saturated fats? Wait…didn’t we boycott Pappadeaux’s some years ago?

That Kids Face Is Dirty and Other Manners We've Forgotten

"Mommy, why does my little three year old buddy (name has been changed to protect the parents of the innocent) always have a runny nose and a dirty mouth"? 

Can you believe it! The nerve of him asking about the condition of another child's nose or mouth, when I am constantly saying to him, "Wipe your mouth. Wipe your nose"! Or saying, "Let mommy wipe your mouth. Let mommy wipe your nose"!  How ironic it is, that he has noted that someone else always has a dirty nose and mouth-- but not himself. 

I have to admit, I really wanted to laugh.  Then I grew concerned.  What if he posed that exact question to the child himself?  Or worse! What if he asked the parent of the child?  And to add anxiety to my concern,  "the Daddy" got in on the conversation and thought it would be funny if the next time he saw the father of the child in question, he would share our three year old's concern.  

Not!

Even "the Big Brother" recognized, that it was not polite to ask such a question out loud. Whew! I am glad to know that "the Mommy's" moments on manners are resonating in someones brain.

So, I believe we all have agreed, that it is not polite to wonder aloud about the condition of another person’s nose or mouth.  What should you do instead? I'm glad you asked!  Politely offer them a napkin and let them know there is something on their mouth.  Yes, even at three, this is the most appropriate way to handle this type of "sticky" situation.

Teaching manners to kids is no longer the priority it was when I was growing up.  Even Margo on RHOA is taking etiquette classes.  Seriously? You mean to tell me, no one told her before now, that you break off your bread, butter and then eat, instead of buttering the whole bread. Surely she knew long before now, that ladies cross their legs at the ankles.  I guess that is the problem.  Many parents’ today, are not aware of the simple rules of social etiquette and therefore are not teaching them to their children.  After all, how many times lately,  have you followed someone through a door only to have him or her release the door in your face? 

 How rude!

So just to make sure, that Margo (RHOA) is not the only one brushing up on social graces, I have provided a list of five things you could start doing immediately to improve your social behavior. (You're suppose to say, thank you!) 

1. Don't be tardy for the party.  In other words, be on time! Stop being late everywhere you go.
2. Say yes to the dress. Dress appropriately for the occasion.  Just because you think a sundress and cowboy boots are cute does not mean it is appropriate attire. Just because they make it in your size does not mean you should wear it.  After all, if you found it in the store, some other person your size left it there for a reason.
3. You're not a celebrity, so if you must be on the phone, get out of here.  Mobile phones have brought about some extreme conveniences, but you should not use them in certain places  or events. Short list: Church, job interview, date, meeting, prayer, school play, restaurant, examination table, restroom, movie theater, concert, etc. This also includes texting.  
4. What you post online could cause you a deal or no deal. Quit posting all your business on the Internet for all to see.  A future employer, spouse or business partner would think twice about hiring, marrying or investing in you after reading horrid details on Facebook of a relationship gone bad. And even if you are a teenager, five to ten years from now, those details can come back to haunt you.  (Hello Facebook Timeline)
5. In the real world, no one really cares what you are doing, where you have checked into, how many friends you have, how many are following you, who you're linked too, who you like, what you have stumbled upon or what are your Pinterest if you are rude and impolite.  Say bless you if I sneeze, follow request with a please, and no matter what they do, don't you forget to say thank you!

And now, you along with Margo are well on your way to better habits, cleaner faces and much better social graces.

Be still for a while and praise God

Thought I would try something different today...

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!  I HOPE YOU DECIDE TO STAY A WHILE. And if not, be sure to stop in often, because I am making major changes daily!

Happy New Year

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.             2 Corinthians 5:17

It's time for reflection, resolutions and repurpose.

Wow the year is almost over and I am thinking of all of the New Year's resolutions I can break.   There is something about the start of a new year that inspires us to become reflective.  The problem is it is short lived.

Out with the old. In with the repurposed!

But regardless of my personal disdain for resolutions, there are a few things I must get in order in 2012...stay tuned I'll post them soon.  In the meantime, maybe you could share some of yours with me...

Hot Cocoa Deer! on Twitpic

The boys are co-hosting their Jack and Jill activity this weekend. They wanted to make these to go inside of the bags the kids will get as part of their Downtown Dallas Holiday Scavenger Hunt. This started out as a great idea....and ended up somewhat of a mess! But nevertheless, we did enjoy ourselves.

Hot Cocoa Deer! on Twitpic

Everywhere you go in the D-FW area there is construction. The inconvenience of a detour has caused me to think about how life is very much about changes, delays and improvements. The Brainy Quote defines Construction as
The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.

Here are a few things I have realized lately about life and construction.

• Construction like life is unpredictable.
• You never know where a detour is going to take you but your final destination should not change.
• Everyone is not supposed to use the same route.
• Construction (like life changes) is not always convenient but should provide you with a better outcome.
• Construction should be well planned after some thought and consideration.
• It is hard to communicate to someone else about how to navigate construction delays. Just as it is hard to tell someone else how to navigate through their life changes.
• Sometimes major construction occurs all at the same time. (Job loss, divorce, weight gain/loss.)
• Just when you think it’s complete, there is more construction to come.
• Construction requires us to drive with caution. Life often requires living cautiously.
• Construction never seems to be complete. We should always seek to improve our lives.
• You are expected to check your route in advance for delays. No one is obligated to tell you when the road ahead may be closed.
• Everyone does not always agree with the timing of construction.

It is at any given point in our lives that we may find ourselves under major construction. There may be some things going on in our life that cause us to proceed with caution; forcing us to heed the warnings of the detour signs. At the end of construction, there should be notable improvements. Our life should be wider, our roads should be smoother, and our journey should be ours. When there are no roadblocks in sight, that doesn’t mean there may not be delays ahead. It just means that we have what we need to navigate the turns, the yields, the merges and the stops. I’ve noticed that just like construction, everyone around you should notice the changes. Everyone should see the improvements you have made. There are things that happen on the roads that require needed improvements. Rain, heat or snow may leave roads damaged and daily living may require repairs in your life. The construction around the Metroplex makes me wonder, what changes or improvements are needed in my life. Which roads should I repair, and which lanes should I widen? And, if I start to think that all is well, I stop and think about the parts of town or roads that have not been under construction---people tend to avoid those areas. Who wants to drive their new car on an old raggedy road?

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Happy Sign Blue Birthday Card

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View the entire collection of cards.

How do you get to be the second car in the carpool line?

We are second in the carpool line!

Over the last month or so, there have been some major changes in our household.  For the most part, they have been positive and even spectacular on some levels.  Most notably my job status has changed,  Although I am still employed, it looks a lot different for our household.  I can now drop off and pick up children.  The highlight of my day has gone from a slew of nonproductive meetings with people I don't like to seeing if I can be first through  fifth in the carpool line.  Which is where I now sit, an hour early mind you while I type this post. My child can now look me in the face in the morning and say, "Mommy, I think I want you to pick me up from school today. Try to be first in line." Incredibly, I smile and say, "first"?  He replies, "Okay maybe fifth."

For some one who has always worked full time and overtime this is a whole different lifestyle for me.  Honestly, it is one I feel that I have stepped into excitedly with only a tad bit of uncertainty.  I am excited that I can enjoy, slowing down long enough to play with my kids after school and not have to worry about the hustle of getting home, getting dinner prepared, kids fed, and bathe and bedded only so that I can continue the day's work while sitting in the bed. I am excited to think that dinner does not have to be full speed ahead, but well thought out and prepared with love.  I am no longer over exhausted, over worked or overlooked.  I can smile at my husband, wait patiently as he talks about his day, repeat for the thousandth time what I just said and fold the clothes after they have been washed.

There is at least one room in my house that remains tidy, our bed is made daily, I  now stop moving long enough to pick things up off the floor and even put them where they belong.  I am amazed at how I ever had time to work.  I love this new life and realize that I will have to make some sacrifices if it is to continue, but three weeks into it, I would say, I am ready to do what I have to do. Even if that means cutting in front of some over achiever mom trying to be first through fifth in the car pool line ahead of me. Not on my watch!

This makes lots of since and we subscribe to this thought daily

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fenblogs/~3/O0QFmAhcdFA/tuesdays-tip-handle-care

posted from Bloggeroid

Every now and then, I think it is important to remind myself what the bible says about marriage.

Today I am reading day 1 of Marriage:

posted from Bloggeroid

Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Love - Food on Shine

I have had more than a few conversations this week with moms trying to figure out some creative things to pack in their child's lunch other than the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

My oldest sons kindergarten teacher told the parents to "pack a little bit of a lot of different foods". And since I never knew from one day to the next what my child will 'like' or 'dislike', I liked her suggestion and really found it to be a great way to get him to eat more of his lunch than he brought home.

Recently, while perusing the Internet for ideas, I ran across this article of some not so  great ideas for your kids lunch... based on the comments, I would say that packing soup for a first graders lunch is probably not such a great idea.  With that being said...any great ideas? #anyone

Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Love - Food on Shine

A list of top 10 things that make my middle school experience a lot different then kids today...

10. I could not wear lipstick, eyeliner or mascara in the 7th grade

  9. I did not get my first relaxer until I was in 7th grade

  8. All the "fast girls" would smack  their lips when they talked

  7. There were boys who chewed tobacco and the school allowed them to hang out on the "spitting         porch" before school

  6. Teresa what's-her-face 'wanted' to fight me (we never did)

  5. The first time I remember the school talking to us about college was when the track coach who was dating a guy still in college introduced  us to Phi Slamma Jamma (UH)

  4. 9th grade was junior high

  3. Everybody could participate in whatever sport as long as you made the team

  2. The only electronic device(s) were cordless phones

  1. The parents did not act worse than the kids

Get Some Where and Sit Down

My Big Mama use to say that.  She was really trying to tell us to stop moving so much, settle in one place for  a minute---peace be still.  I have been telling myself that quiet a bit today.  Here it is,  one year later and I find myself in the same professional mess once again.  I keep asking, how do I get in this same predicament year after year. My mother told me once before, when the dysfunction that surrounds you becomes functional...it's time to go.

With that thought in mind, I am looking for my keys.

But this time, I am not moving until God says move.  The problem is, there is so much noise in my life, I am not sure if I can hear him when he speaks.  The question is, will I know his voice if I hear it? Will he have my attention? Will I hear my voice and think that it is his? Perhaps that is one reason, I find myself here in this place over and over again.  Maybe I should do what God has already told me to do. (That sounds crazy! Of course I should do what God has told me.) Nothing in his plan tells me I need to be where I am today.  I am a square peg trying to make myself fit in a round hole. Which is why I am right here at this same place facing the same ole mess just on a different day.

So now my question is, do I know how to follow?  Can I be obedient? Can I ignore the distractions, overcome the obstacles, walk in faith and find my way? In Big Mamas words, can I get somewhere and sit down?

What I do know is, life is a persistent teacher.  It will repeat the lesson until I learn.

Dang, I'm tired of taking this class.



Simple words I hear from God. Could it be this simple.

1, 2, 3..

Listen to me

4, 5...

You will survive

7,8...

I am God and I can wait.

9, 10...

Let's not go through this again.

Who Can You Count on to Remind You that Character Counts? Michael Josephson Commentary: Put the Big Rocks In First 735.1

Michael Josephson Commentary: Put the Big Rocks In First 735.1

I enjoy Michael Josephson's stories. I don't know anyone else who reminds the world, that character counts. I wish more people would listen and learn.

My Husband Wears Mom Jeans

So there!  I said it. My husband wears "Mom Jeans" and seems to be confused that I don't find them...uhm...attractive!?
What are Mom Jeans you ask?  Well, I define them as jeans you should have given up wearing a while back,  but you can not seem to let them go because they are so damn comfortable and  'broken in' after years, months, days and hours of wearing.  They render  you momasexual, ( a mom with no sex appeal) less desirable, but prove to be functional, particularly when chasing boys around the park while talking on your Iphone. They tend to sit high on the waist and taper at the legs, falling just short of what could be considered 'flooding'.  They give your view from the rear an appearance less than attractive but more flat and unbelievably wider than normal.   I think it is safe  to say,  that if you purchased them more than two years ago, they probably fall at the top of what one would considered as bonafide "Mom Jeans".
Fortunately, I tend to buy jeans that are  long and boot cut. Most appropriate for wearing with a stiletto, high-heeled boot or wedge sandal. The husband on the other hand...let's just say he does not have as many options nor is he as fashion conscious.  Why does wearing "Mom Jeans" pose such a problem? Well, the Urban Dictionary has nine different definitions of "Mom Jeans" none of which I would want used to define my outfit of choice.  But how do I get the hubby to agree that "Mom Jeans" on him or me are a definite no-no? Even President Obama took a great deal of heat for his fashion choice.  Swagger or no swagger, just say no!

One of nine definitions:

jeans highlighting the flat curvature of the 40+ buttocks. Similies: upside-down-heart shaped-butt. Commonly seen aacompained with front butt. Extremly high waist, and always a crappy shade of blue or black. Usually found in Kohl's or Mervyn's It's late afternoon, the boys scream to go to the park. It's hot, I'm tired and it is starting to get dark, In the car, kids, cups, balls and bikes, The trip from the car seems more like a hike. Running, jumping, screaming they play, I try my best to stay out of their way. Push me. No! Push me. Me first, me too, How much is a mom expected to do? I cook, I clean, I even sing, running here, there, every where, I love, I scold, showing how much I care, but wearing mom jeans---I would not dare!

I AM UP

I am up.
Doing nothing that seems like a lot of something.
Time passes by and I continue to deny, that I am  doing anything of importance.
Click after click, my husband snores.
As I watch HSN, getting my quiet time in, perusing and cruising site, after site way into the night.
Love and Basketball hears my call for mindless entertainment that keeps my attention for longer than I care to mention.
As the night turns to day, it is my time to lay.
Still my mind, close my eyes and rest.