A few thoughts on denial and special needs parents.
Read that post (and know she's right) and then look at this face:
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| Kid-I-Would-Do-ANYTHING-For |
Now, how could I not be making phone calls today?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
What I'm doing today
Today I'm making phone calls. Lots of phone calls. To people who don't know me. Who possibly don't actually care about me but it's their job to answer the phone. A blog post by a friend of mine explains why I am making these phone calls.
A few thoughts on denial and special needs parents.
Read that post (and know she's right) and then look at this face:
A few thoughts on denial and special needs parents.
Read that post (and know she's right) and then look at this face:
Monday, May 9, 2011
I baked again...
I made these cupcakes again yesterday to take to my in-laws mothers' day dinner. I ran out of time so I ended up bringing the icing bowl with me and frosted them there. In all the rush I also forgot to grab the filling out of the fridge. So they were fillingless and without cookies on top (my son finished the mini cookies off days ago) but the point of this post is they were still a hit. Kevin even said he liked them better the second time around. I'm feeling better and better about my baking skills as I practice on this recipe. Probably doesn't hurt that I get to eat the icing as I go. That is some good icing, let me tell ya. You should make some, you know you want to...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mothers' Day Song
My husband has a long time good friend who, every Mothers' Day since I met him 5 years ago, never fails to mention his frustration at the hymns chosen for church that day.
It's not that he dislikes the songs that are chosen, he just gets a little irritated that one particular song is not chosen.
I think that most likely the title itself takes it out of the running for any chorister who maybe doesn't know the lyrics. However, he firmly believes there is no better song to sing on Mothers' Day because it is the one and only hymn that mentions Heavenly Mother.
So, to perhaps put his mind at ease (probably not though) for this one Mothers' Day, the hymn -
O My Father
O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Text: Eliza R. Snow
(Emphasis added)
It's not that he dislikes the songs that are chosen, he just gets a little irritated that one particular song is not chosen.
I think that most likely the title itself takes it out of the running for any chorister who maybe doesn't know the lyrics. However, he firmly believes there is no better song to sing on Mothers' Day because it is the one and only hymn that mentions Heavenly Mother.
So, to perhaps put his mind at ease (probably not though) for this one Mothers' Day, the hymn -
O My Father
O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Text: Eliza R. Snow
(Emphasis added)
Friday, May 6, 2011
In Honor of Mother's Day
(I couldn't find a title or an author for this, it's been going around the web for years. If you know for sure who wrote it let me know, I'd love to give them credit.)
Untitled
Author Unknown
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of Independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a ceasarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
"You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God - and that of being a Mother.
P.S. Yes, Kevin, I fall in love with you every time you reach for the baby powder. (So I love you a lot.) ~Amy
Untitled
Author Unknown
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of Independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a ceasarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
"You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God - and that of being a Mother.
P.S. Yes, Kevin, I fall in love with you every time you reach for the baby powder. (So I love you a lot.) ~Amy
Thursday, May 5, 2011
I baked today...
My facebook feed "fed" me this utterly drool worthy recipe from TidyMom yesterday morning.
I never randomly choose to bake (it's got to be Kevin's birthday or something) but I knew I had to taste these cupcakes. Which means I would have to make them. I later realized that one of my visiting teach-ees DOES have a birthday today. Yay for random inclinations that leave me with awesome things to share.
(Happy Birthday J! These are coming your way!)
The recipe calls for 6 and half sticks of butter and has a filling that includes sweetened condensed milk. Rich rich rich. So I went ahead and halfed the recipe for the cupcakes themselves, that way I'd end up with just 12 instead of 24. Since I didn't half the filling and icing recipes, I have leftovers of those but I can keep them in the fridge or freezer and use them with fresh cupcakes another day. Other than that I followed the directions exactly. Just pop on over to TidyMom for the must have recipe (and maybe tell her I sent you.)
My first attempts at icing. I tried to get fancy. (Fail.)
Still not professional grade but better yeah?
Kevin came home and liked but didn't completely love his cupcake. We have somewhat different tastes in food (and various other things in life). You'll definitely need a glass of milk close at hand to combat that richness we were talking about. Yummy yummy yum yum! I'm so glad I decided to bake today!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Alternate Software
One of my readers asked if the DIY tissue paper photo canvas could be done with different software than the ones I listed.
Absolutely it can!
One example of a good (free) downloadable software is GIMP. That's actually what the original tutorial author used, I just like what I already have. I've never used GIMP myself but I've heard good reviews about it and I figure you can't beat free.
I'd love to see the canvases you all are doing! Please leave me a link if you do a blog post about it and I'll be sure to check it out!
Absolutely it can!
One example of a good (free) downloadable software is GIMP. That's actually what the original tutorial author used, I just like what I already have. I've never used GIMP myself but I've heard good reviews about it and I figure you can't beat free.
I'd love to see the canvases you all are doing! Please leave me a link if you do a blog post about it and I'll be sure to check it out!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Graduation time printable
Click. Save. Print.
Suitable for greeting card or framing.
Feel free to tweak/edit as you wish to fit your individual needs.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Another Form of Inspiration
It looks like most if not all of my readers are women so I would like to take this opportunity to share an awesome resource for both men and women alike.
The Art of Manliness
If you've never seen this site before, you HAVE to check it out. Start with the About page and you'll instantly see what I'm talking about. The site never fails to bring a smile to my face and inspire me to be more sophisticated myself. Read and then share with your favorite man. He'll love it.
The Art of Manliness
If you've never seen this site before, you HAVE to check it out. Start with the About page and you'll instantly see what I'm talking about. The site never fails to bring a smile to my face and inspire me to be more sophisticated myself. Read and then share with your favorite man. He'll love it.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Entryway Ledge Reveal
Before
After
I haven't decided how big a fan I am of the "Love" tile being up there but that's pretty much the only place I have to put it in my house where my son can't reach it. I'm also thinking the display might need some fabric of some kind added to give a little more softness and dimension. But there's the general idea.
Thanks to my hubby for setting up the ladder for me and cutting the legs off my new easel when I discovered it was to big to fit up there and for generally being the best husband ever!
Printable Foldable Mothers' Day Cards
I wanted these cards to be quick and easy to make for any forgetful child (of any age) or husband who happens to hop online at the last minute looking for something to give the mama. So I've included the full page sheets formatted to be printed on 8.5x11 printer paper and folded in the quarter fold card style.
Of course if you've found this post ahead of time and want to get down and dirty with some cutesy, scrapbook-esque card making, by all means reformat my little project anyway you see fit.
Digi-Scrapbooking elements used are from:
-Winkart Graphics and Kiss This Designs. Found in Rakscraps Nov 2010 Megakit
-Shabby Princess Designs Festival Collection
Quarter fold instructions
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Not overly elegant but it will give you something to sign your name to in about 60 seconds flat. It's the thought that counts, even if that thought is in the wee hours of Mother's Day morning.
Of course if you've found this post ahead of time and want to get down and dirty with some cutesy, scrapbook-esque card making, by all means reformat my little project anyway you see fit.
Generic Mothers' Day Card
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
From Husband to Wife on Mothers' Day
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
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Mildly Humorous Mothers' Day Card
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
Digi-Scrapbooking elements used are from:
-Winkart Graphics and Kiss This Designs. Found in Rakscraps Nov 2010 Megakit
-Shabby Princess Designs Festival Collection
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