Screaming Freedom's

Screaming Engines over all noises bleed my ear drums
Screaming in the sky after they have gone by
The sound of freedom ringing in the sky
I have been listening proudly for 5 years and smiling with pride
Thank you for serving
Thank you for flying
Thank you for what you do
I am here, you are there
Working for us, working for me, working for him
You soldiers, You husband, You Daddy
The screaming tells me you are there looking over us
Watching
Waiting
The clouds part for you
The birds trail in your way
They run from you
You soldiers, You husband, You Daddy
The silver bird that screams in the air is not only my son’s mobile
But our flag of Freedom
The heart of Family
Our song of Pride
Thank you
You Soldiers, You Husband, You Daddy
Happy Memorial’s Day

This is my life...taking it slow

I grew up in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona; traffic jams, hurry to wait attitude, living next to neighbors who you didn’t really know. I thought I would always be a big city girl and could never survive the boundaries of a small town. Then I married a military man, my future was no longer my own.
When we got our orders to Italy we were so excited, it was exactly what we wanted! And what a better place to spend 3 years, after just spending 1 year apart while my husband was in Korea! When we first arrived it was definite culture shock for me! No longer did I have a job (okay that wasn’t so bad), the weather was wet and sticky, none of the Italians spoke English, and you have to live on the economy with minimal American’s close by if any at all. Wow! The biggest change? Small town feel, lazy life, no corporate America stores, with a 3 hour siesta in the middle of everyday. Was I in my worst nightmare?
After 3 months we were finally grumpily comfortable in our Italian apartment. I still had not gotten used to the lifestyle the Italians lived here. No lunch with friends, sporadic shopping trips, making dinner every night, and only being able to run one appliance at a time, this was going to take some getting used to! We did however enjoy the beautiful scenery of vineyards and the Alps from our windows, the short train ride to Venice, driving 45 minutes with only 2 stop lights, and the limitless European travel opportunities. I grew a soft spot for this place. Even through the daily frustrations, I began to appreciate a life where sipping on wine nightly and slowing picking cherries off the tree became first nature.
We are now 6 weeks away from moving across the ocean, back to the states, to D.C.!! Again, this was the base we applied for, and are very excited to go to. As the day’s get closer I am slowly getting petrified of being pushed back into the real world again. The experience will continue to fill our lives with memories, and we are looking forward to that. But the idea of days that are strung together because they move so fast, having every shop window leering you inside to spend money on things, and not slowing down to see every smile on my son’s face scares me. The world sucks us into this swirling tornado that we sometimes don’t realize we are in until one day we try to look back and think about the quality days we spent together or just for ourselves, and can’t remember them. I can truly say how important this slow pace experience in Italy has been to us, even though I fought it for so long. It has changed our lives, and I will strive to live everyday in the bustling D.C. area as slow as I can to enjoy every moment.

Fun Fridge! For Adults!

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Going Political

Okay people, I'm going Political here...(this is only my opinion!)
Recently in the news there has been talk about entering Iran. Now, I haven't heard all the details on this, or claim to know exactly what that means. Actually I know nothing to be honest. But it got me thinking about this whole "war" we are in, and how the American people are reacting to it. More and More I hear about people saying they don't respect Bush, don't agree with his reasoning for going in, they want a different President, etc. This has made many people rethink their political position, wether they actually agree with the Republican's or not. So after years of hearing all the backlashing towards our leader, I have something to say.
Like I said before, I don't have a politically correct stance on what is going on, and that is not the topic I want to start here.
But more of this...I think we all need to realize what the United States of America is. We are the leaders of the world. With leadership comes responsibility, some of which is not wanted, but we can't run from it. Maybe we have labeled ourselves the "Peacekeeper" if you will, but that is our label. We are what we are. And I don't believe that will every change, regardless of who is in the White House. We will always have men overseas, it might not be all over the news, but they are there whether you know about it or not. The future holds a cycle of life that has been so since the world was created. People fued. Others stand against them. There is loss, and there is gain. This is the way of life, and no matter who is leading our country, this will always be the way of the U.S.A. I just want to stop hearing people talk as though this will change next year. People are dying, starving, murdering over beliefs, ALL over the world. Who will stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Okay, I will get off my soap box now.

Just for this Day ~Sally Meyer

Just for this day.

Just for this morning, I am going to smile whenever I see your face.
and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly, all rumpled in your
flannel and I will hold you until you are ready.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and
smile and say you're beautiful.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you
up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I am going to eat a huge breakfast , with bacon
eggs, toast and waffles, and you don't have to eat any.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you
teach me how to put that 100 piece puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the
computer off, and sit with you in the garden blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble
when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be
when you grow up or who you might have been before your diagnosis.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't
stand over you trying to 'fix' things.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you put all kinds of barettes in my
hair, and put lipstick on my face, and I will tell you how pretty you have made me look.

Just for this afternoon I will take you to McDonalds and buy us both a
Happy meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story
about how you were born, and how much we love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the bathtub and not get
angry when you throw water over your sister's head.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the
porch swing and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will bring you glasses of water, and snuggle
beside you for three hours and miss my favorite show on t.v.

Just for this evening, When I kneel down to pray, I will simply be
grateful for all that I have and not ask for anything, except

just one more day.

Sally Meyer
C. 1999.
No portion of this poem may be reproduced, copied, or forwarded, without express written permission by the author.

What artist/band has been there?

Tonight as I was baking a chocolate/mocha cheesecake for Easter tomorrow I was listening to my IPOD in the kitchen, as always. In my world there is certain music for every activity of life. I have cleaning music, cooking music, getting ready in the morning music, love music, angry music, worship music, play music, and crazy dance in the car with my friends music. Well tonight I was listening to my baking music, Lisa Loeb. As I thought about it I realized there have been certain artist/bands that have been in my life forever. Through it all with me. Lisa Loeb is one of those artist. I started listening to her as soon as I could appreciate lyrics and the words music speaks to your heart. So I am wondering, what artist/bands have been with you your whole life? Through the smiles, laughter, break ups, love, ups and downs? Who are you still listening to now?

Funny Thing's Kids Do...INTERACTIVE

Hi mom's!!
So I was looking at Cainen the other day just laughing at him because he does so many funny things! I just love seeing something new in him, especially when it takes me by surprise and makes me laugh.
So...what is something funny your kids' do??

The "Bucket List"

This summer while I was in AZ I saw the movie The Bucket List.
If you havn't seen it is about two older men to who are close to the end of thier time and want to do everything they have wanted to do. So they make a list before they hit the bucket, The Bucket List.
I was inspired! There are so many things that I would love to do, but sometimes lose tract of time and ambition to do them! Our time is ultimately unknown, so let's live life to the fullest and accomplish our dreams!!
What is on your Bucket List? I encourage you to make your own list, and share some ideas here!

Bruised Egos and Crashed Bikes: By Dena

I crashed Matt’s new bike, Yep that’s what I said. It really happened. To start things off, I am ok. I am bruised and sore and very mad at myself but I didn’t break anything except my ego. Here’s the story: Recently I have wanted to learn how to ride. But because we have 3 children having the time to teach me just hasn’t been easy. Well last weekend all the kids were gone except for Lily. While we were in Gilbert dropping Naomi off we decided to stop at Fire Bird Race Way. While Matt, Lily, and I all watched the bikes going around on the race track I got inspired to learn. I saw 5 chicks racing these bikes. So I say to myself,” If she can do it I can do it”. HA HA HA NO that is not true!! Don’t be so quick to think you can do something just because someone else can. Trust Me!! So when we got home I jokingly told Matt he should teach me to ride, and he said ok. After a wonderful lunch and long naps we got up around 5pm. I decided then was the best time. Let’s go! After teaching me the ropes I was doing really well for about an hour; then I learn how to shift into 2nd gear. Again I am doing pretty well; except I was still learning about the extra things you have to do with shifting. So off I go for the LAST time around (I told myself) it was about nine and I getting cold. (Oh I should tell you that I am doing this in my neighborhood, a small community of only 59 houses which are mostly empty. It is a gated one way entrance with a circular road, so I didn't have to worry about cars) Ok so my first mistake: I shift in the middle of a big curve. If you haven’t ridden a motorcycle before you need to know that you don't turn the bike, you lean and push down on the side that you want to go. Well it was too much for my brain to comprehend. I tried down shifting to slow down but by this point I realize that I haven’t turned at all and I am heading full speed toward the curb/sidewalk. I decide to try to brake using the foot brake and hand break, but I just end up giving it more gas. I jumped the curb, flew off the bike, and landed in the street. Matt and Lily were running to me even before I went down because he could tell that I was going down by the sound of the bike. Well the rest is just Matt pampering me. But the bike? Well it is pretty messed up. So the moral of the story (besides when you get hurt really bad you get pampered!) Is stop while you’re ahead. Don’t let inspiration gage your bravery. It could just end up hurting your ego, and causing a fortune to fix!
Dena

Guilty Pleasures - Interactive

Okay sisters! I really want this blog site to be interactive so I will be posing questions for your responses! Just click comment, and if you want to sign up for google you can, if not then create a name id. Just choose your name and add comment!
So here's the question:

What is one of your guilty pleasures??

Finding Childhood Happiness

This weekend was another snow weekend. We headed up the mountain with the car packed with snowboards, sleds, boots, gloves, and excitement for the day to come. I spent the morning snowboarding with a couple of friends, something I haven't had the chance to do for two years. I was very stoked to get back on the powder (well, icy slush really). I can't describe the feeling of being on the snow. Sitting on the ski lift looking down on the mountain that is blanketed with peaceful snow. Then attacking it with grace. The feeling is utter freedom. Later that day I met Daniel and Cainen to go sledding. I had such a good time snowboarding and looked forward to more fun the day had planned for us.

I had never been sledding before, and this was our first time introducing the fun filled sport to our son. We put him on the sled and pulled him around a while, expecting him to laugh and smile in excitement! Nothing. Okay, well maybe he is just wondering what we are doing exactly. So Daniel and I both take our turns taking Cainen down the hills, big hills may I add. Still, nothing. Now this is just boggling because all the other children are barreling down the hills screaming and laughing the way children should. So now we take turns watching closely for any expression of fun as the other goes down with him. Nope, nothing. So we just rack it up as Cainen being just like his father; unless it has two wheels and going fast it ain't nothin! (Unless he was petrified of it! Hmmm..) Now, that's the story from Cainen's experience. My story says sledding and tubing down the hills was a thrill ride! I was screaming in fear, and laughing the way the other children were! When we headEd to the tube run that was it, I was hooked! We shot down a contained channel in our tubes flying up and down the sides, turning around in all directions. Looking at the pictures o f me now is just hilarious! Eyes wide with fear and excitement melting together. My mouth open so wide you can hear the scream coming out! After I got to the bottom I raced back up to the top to do it again! I had found my childhood happiness again! This was not the feeling I had when snowboarding. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself very much while snowboarding. I think I had forgotten how to find my childhood happiness. That inner laughter that is always there, just bursting to get out! We can find this happiness in every day living, we just need to be open to letting it out.

So go on girl! Let her out to play!!

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day, Where is the Love?
During a recent conversation on Monday my friend asked what I was going to be doing for my husband on Valentine’s Day. Well, I hadn’t’ really thought about it, between changing diapers and doing dishes, Valentine’s Day just seemed too far in the future to be worrying about on Monday. (This is so unlike me! Usually by now I would have Hallmark sending me a package of cards to choose from, booked a cupid to shoot my husband in the butt, and hired a babysitter for the night) but I guess life has changed and my planning skills have decreased a bit. (Although I did manage to get him a card a few weeks earlier) Hmmm what was I going to do?
So when he got off of work that I night I politely reminded him that it was Valentine’s Day on Thursday, “What does that mean,” he asked in a “what, do you think I forgot?” sort of way. Just a reminder, is what I told him, not expecting him to barge down the door with flowers in hand.
So Tuesday I get around to buying cookies, three different packages of prepared to decorate cookies, and strawberry muffins, something to get my brain ticking. At this point I hadn’t thought of anything for my son either.
Now we are on Wednesday, still nothing. No great ideas on how I am going to romanticize my husband. This is so unlike me! I would normally have 100 hearts cut out ready to put all over the wall on Thursday! Motherhood has definitely kept me busy! Maybe one dinner idea, the fish in the freezer I can at least get out to de-thaw.
Thursday, it’s here, no avoiding it now! Wake up..kiss my husband, wish him Happy Valentine’s Day! First mission, accomplished. Beeline to the kitchen and start making those muffins (anything red or pink will do!) Oatmeal for my son, add red food coloring to make the theme of the day. Oh and the cookies! Start the oven, cut out the perforated hearts, throw them in. (as an added surprise take the extra cookie dough, form it into a heart, and add appropriate message that will make my husband blush at work) Mission Two accomplished (Mission Two was to not let on that I hadn’t planned anything!) Daniel leaves, I set Cainen at the table and we make a craft, for all the people we are going to see today. At the park we deliver our cookies and smiles form on Cainen’s playmates faces, this accomplished Mission Three, celebrate Valentine’s with Cainen and friends.
Later on that day I speak to a couple cousins, who each have already planned something great, man, how did I get in this position?
Focus…dinner. I remember a recent fish recipe with a “sweetheart” glaze. That’s what I’ll make!! Daniel gets home late, I haven’t started dinner yet. But that’s okay because we can eat when we put Cainen down. He sets up a nice ambiance in the kitchen, flowers in a vase, a card, and flower candles, then brings me in to surprise me. I like the flower candles the best. So he now proceeds to tell me the “story” that goes along with the real flowers. He didn’t intend to get me flowers but a friend of ours who works with him insisted. (Thanks Mary!) These stories are part of our lives. Giving me something nice, and then telling me a story that takes the romance out of it. But hey, I got flowers; this is a 3 time a year occurrence!! Daniel’s one and only mission, accomplished!
Dinner…well come to find out I didn’t have all the ingredience. So we had dry fish, burnt potatoes, and rubbery veggies. Over candlelight, in peace and quiet. Mission Four and Five completed! (Mission Five is top secret)
So where was the love this Valentine’s Day? All around us. This day allowed me to see this is my life, this is my husband, and this is our love. Sometimes special days might not go as planned, and be all Hallmark wants it to be. But in our own way we showed each other our love, and that is what it is about.

The birth of More than Mothers

So after a tough week of realizations More than Mothers is born. I have always wanted to stay home with my children, future children. I never imagined what that entailed. What motherhood gave to you, and took away. Seventeen months ago my husband Daniel and I had our son Cainen. No, I had our son Cainen, 12 hours of having. Since then everyday has been filled with love, giggles, looking deep into his eyes, watching him learn everything we teach him, and pure bliss....who am I kidding? (surely not the other mothers who are reading this) Yes motherhood has been the most special gift God has blessed me with. I will treasure every moment I share with my son. But many moments and memories go like this: my body transforms into something unrecognizable, what once was perky is now a source of food instead of a source of pleasure, and they are now in a new mountain region, constantly dodging flying bodily fluids and food that is only recognizable by taste (sometimes), hunched over on the floor picking up what didn't make it on my clothes, wondering if the neighbors downstairs are adding clothes to my laundry baskets through a hole in their ceiling because it never seems to let up, going to the doctor to have him insert an eye in the back of my head for the times my son is climbing on every possible surface area or channeling his father by standing on his baby quad turboing down the hallway, having a continuing concert ear ring because of the pitch of the screaming, and recently dealing with the horror that my son is the bully on the block. Yes, motherhood has been very rewarding, but let's face it, it can have you start to question, "Who am I?"

Sisters, we are not only mothers, wives, business women, or every other role you play in life. We are passionate, loving, creative, females that are multidimensional!! A very wise friend said it well, "God has given you these talents, these characteristics, to use them!" Taking care of ourselves is an important ingredient to taking care of our families.

So welcome sisters! To More than Mothers!