lost and found

Last night, my brother told me that I was "inspiring." So, obviously, I must find a way to squash, I mean LIVE UP TO HIS HIGH EXPECTATIONS. Prepare to be dazzled.


So I was reading a very funny post over at While They Play, and Kalurah told the story of the Peanut Butter and the Penis. It made me laugh. A lot. And I said a quick prayer of "Thanks for the Girls."
Ok, are you back? I told you that it was pretty funny.

Then, I remembered the crazy/gross/frightening things that have happened to our girls: They have all -each and every one of them - passed out in my arms. "What kind of horrible parent lets this happen to all 3 lovely Littles," you ask? I had very little to do - and try as I might I couldn't stop any of them from holding their breath when they cried . So each and every child - eyes rolling into their heads, going limp in my arms, quite breathing - passed out!

Noni actually bit a hole clear through her tongue when she fell off of a chair and hit her chin on the arm rest - it took multiple doctors HOURS to decide if they should stitch her sweet, pink tongue or not. In the end? Not. Turns out a tongue is quite resilient. Who knew?

But I think the story that takes the cake is this one:

My children prefer to be naked. Well, really, who doesn't?

One lovely winter's afternoon, Via was playing - naked - in her room. Her new baby sister, Noni, was taking up a lot of Mom's time, so Via found it increasingly easy to create toddler chaos. On this particular day, Via had taken the entire box of hair doodads and dumped them onto the floral rug in the girl's bedroom - spreading pink plastic hair clips and polka dotted ribboned bows from bed to dresser to closet to door. It was like a field strewn with wild flowers, except it really hurt to walk on.

I didn't think much about Via's au natural romp through the plastic hair clips until she came in and told me that she couldn't find her favorite one. I was tired. I was trying to be a supermom to Newborn Noni and Toddler Via, and I don't think I was making the grade on either account.

"Have you looked for it?"

"Yes."

"Honey, I mean have you REALLY looked for it? Everywhere?"

"Yes. It is missing."

She was looking very concerned and close to tears...

I asked in an exasperated voice, "Where did you last have it?"

"Here," she said, and pointed to her body.

"Was it on your lap," I asked.

"No."

"Then where did you have it last?"

"Here," she said, more emphatically and pointed to her body again. Now she was starting to cry.

"Via, you just said it wasn't in your lap. Where did you put it?" I am sure that was really shrill when I asked it - I was sleep deprived, after all.

She lay down on the floor, threw one leg up into the air and pointed at her crotch.

"I put it in there, but now I can't find it."

OH MY GOD! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!?

Now, those of you with children will understand that the toddler years are filled with exploration of the body, with particular curiosity directed at genitalia. It usually doesn't matter who's genitals - "Daddy has a penis. Do you have a penis?" Typical questions my children have asked random men in grocery stores. Toddlers are busy labeling and investigating and exploring.

I totally freaked out! I bundled up my new baby, grabbed Via's winter gear from her bedroom - cursing every time I stepped on a purple plastic hair clip or a yellow plastic hair clip as I searched for clothing, loaded both girls into the solid gold mini-van, and sped down to urgent care. Just imagine, if you will, telling the attending doctors and nurses the reason for this visit. I was absolutely certain that the folks from Child Protective Services would show up at any moment, and I'd be sent home without either girl.

Well, after some gentle examining and lots of discussion, Via ran to her jacket pocket and produced the pink plastic hair clip for the charming doctor with the purple latex gloves. It had been THERE all along. I dissolved into a teary hormonal heap on the sticky vinyl chair while Via danced around the exam room. The doctor and nurse gently laughed, and sent us on our way. They recommended that I try to keep my children fully clothed.

My kids still run naked and now they spend a great deal of time drawing washable magic marker tatoos all over themselves and each other. I haven't had to return to urgent care because I feared that a child had lost something inside their vagina. Now, our motto is "The only thing you can put in there is your fingers." A pretty good motto, I guess. I have had "The Talk" with Via and Noni - they asked. I guess after you've got a toddler at urgent care with a Case of the a Missing Hair Clip, nothing is really that shocking again.

lamp: runner

apple: blossom

Here's what I noticed today. Inside my house. Outside my house it's 35 below zero.

monday's inspiration

I've been inspired! The following links are the places that have inspired me today. Most of you know that I have plotted and planned and pleaded and got down on my knees and begged until I finally got a new camera (canon EOS DSLR). In my quest to take better pictures, AND find a place of peace for myself and my family... well this project just seems like the right fit right now. I hope you go exploring and find the magic, too.
Alicia and Heather are swell artists on their own - check out their own blogs, shops and Flickr sites - but together, they share something really special.
They have created the Noticing Project
Mayfly This link is Alicia's shop.
Mayfly: this site is the blog of artist Alicia Alferman
Heather Smith Jones is where you can find artist Heather Smith Jones.

What do you see when you look around your home? Work? School? Neighborhood? I mean, really look. It took me a long time to get past the pet hair, spiderwebs and dust in my house. Yea. I tried to photograph them for the sake of "art", but ... yuck. Who really wants to see someone else's laziness? So, look for a new photo every day (M-F). It's my attempt at peace and perfection. Ha!

its' a start

OK
It's time to catch up with some unfinished business - here goes:

I've been given the task of passing this award on to other wonderful bloggers. Each of these blogs has something interesting to offer the reader. I'm not certain that any of these lovely folks are into this - or if they even know that I've been lurking around their sites, but you really should visit them, so...
Minnesota Matron starting close to home. Turns out - our children go to school together. Not the same grade, but the same school. Cool. Can't wait to meet her. Love what she writes about.
Ahnalog is another Ahna! This Ahna is the southern version. She is young and creative and thoughtful. She is who I wanted to be at her age. She even spells her name the same way that I do. Cool!
bean & noodle is such a lovely little spot with a magical blend of creativity and parenting.
cjane enjoy it is funny and goofy and real. She's like a favorite cousin.
Derfwad Manor is one of my favorite places to visit. Ms. G is so damn sarcastic and funny and right on the money - I can't drink coffee while I read her stuff. It's likely to shoot out of my nose. (I'm pretty certain that most people who read this blog love her - and at last count, that's a lot of folks. She probably knows how excellent she is, but that's totally OK.)
Inside Out is a lovely, soft, gentle site. Very thoughtful. Full of love. Written by my very favorite sister-in-law!
Marsbarn Designs... is a really creative spot to visit. I am always inspired by the creativity that bubbles over here. Creative and a great mom - wow!
Welcome to the Patti-O is definitely one of my favorite spots to visit. Patti has such a sarcastic wit and a sharp sense of who or what is full of it - she'll happily share her take on things which is usually very funny! She'll openly share her take on life. Without fear of trying to please everyone - very refreshing!
shining egg is a great site! The photographs are gorgeous and her take on mothering is very refreshing. I love what is written, but visually - it's gorgeous!

There are so very many great sites that I visit, I can't include them all. Perhaps at another time I will share more snippets and insights into the ones I love.


We Rocked the Cradle in style. This is Noni and her buddy, Otto. She loves Otto. She will do pretty much whatever Otto says. She was all set to dance with her mother until Otto said he didn't want to dance. Then Noni wouldn't dance. When I suggested that we dance our buns off, she just rolled her eyes - did the tsk & huffy - and then, she crossed her arms and gave me a sassy look that I expect to see well into puberty. Great. Otto and Noni did exactly what they wanted to do. It seemed that they had a great time together. Glad I could be there to chaperone.



This is Noni taking in the rhythms of the day. She really is an art and music lover! It's so fun to go places with her because she so actively appreciates what she is seeing and hearing.

That's a start. I'll check in again in a day or two. Couple of stories that I can't wait to share with all of you.
Here's to a restful Sunday evening and a rockin' week!

surprise

I am going to a party tonight for our dear,sweet neighbor. It is a surprise birthday party! He is 38 years old. Tonight, we are celebrating more than just another ordinary year. We are celebrating a spectacular year. You see, he has survived what the doctors decided was an inoperable brain tumor. He has been through many rounds of chemo and radiation. The cells have stopped growing and the tumor has actually shrunk in size.
And so, we celebrate this spectacular year!

As I walked with his wife this morning, we talked about the power of positive thought and prayer. She firmly believes that his health and healing are a direct result of prayer and positive thoughts.

Recently another friend, a few blocks away, was given a new diagnosis. She also has a brain tumor. She is just beginning her journey on the path to renewed health. She and her husband will go to Mayo on Monday for a new round of tests and pictures. She has said that she will "not give the thing inside her head the power to take her life." She has 2 small children and a lovely husband.

And yet another neighbor is finishing up her last round of chemo. She is a breast cancer survivor. She also is young and has a family. She is also strong and positive and has a courageous faith.

Is the power of prayer and positive thought enough? How does anyone look at such a diagnosis without being frozen by fear? How does my friend go on with her day without falling into a heap of tears on the kitchen floor?

I obviously don't have any answers, just lots of questions. And prayers.
If you have the space in your heart to include these people, I am inclined to believe that prayer and positive thoughts are a powerful healing tool.

oh dear.

What a dork. I thought Sally Field. I saw Sally Field in my mind. And yet, I wrote Sissy Spacek. Who I do like quite a bit. I think she's a great actress... but I KNOW that it was Sally and not Sissy who had the same insecurity thing that I do. I wish I could chalk up my brain fart on hard livin' and tough lovin' but, alas, I fear that it is simply old age and young children. C'est la vie. I still love all of you!

I'm off to tame a wild young cowboy. What are you doin' this balmy Friday night?

And of course, by "cowboy," I mean my kids - the Littles - are running stampede through the bedrooms and I've got to corral them to greener pasture for the night.

I wish that I meant "Cowboy" as in hot young college boy, scantily clad in chaps, a hat and a low slung guitar... mmmm.

obviously, I need more sleep.

Or an pretty pink cocktail

Or less bedtime stories that rhyme.