Italian Stallion grew up on some "acreage"...
I did not...
I grew up where you could reach out your window and touch your neighbor's backyard...
In the winter, snow drifts were just little mounds in between everyone's driveways or up against the side of each house down the street...
In the summer, the sprinklers were basically shared because it always reached your neighbor's grass anyway...
If a phone rang, everyone ran in assuming it was theirs...
This is not the case where we currently live...
Don't get me wrong...it's not that I abhore the 3 hour tractor grass cutting routine, or the hours of shoveling a driveway that looks like a short street, or having to put on boots to check on the garden...
I'm really not complaining...it's just different...it's not bad, better or worse than anything else...
HOWEVER, what I wasn't prepared for was the whipping of wind and the damage it can cause when there aren't other houses to soften the blow...
This morning a LOUD bang scared all of us as we were preparing to get out to the bus stop...I thought for sure Little Munchkin must have launched herself off the top of the stairs or from Peanut's loft bed...
after I swallowed my heart back into my chest, I had a hunch that I may have been mistaken and went to the front door...low and behold, my beautiful storm door (which has already been damaged once by the wind) was once again smashed off it's hinge and bent in a most awkward position.
Bending down in my sweaty pajamas (I actually exercised this morning) I surveyed the damage...as the wind, ice and rain pelted me, I started to yell to the girls to get me a screwdriver....
Peanut, my ever astute little one began running all over the house bringing me all the flat head screwdrivers she could find...of course, I needed the other kind and so my clothes were soaked through and my hand frozen to the storm door by the time she was able to locate one...
The television was vying for Sweetpea and Little Munchkin's attention and therefore their "help" in the matter was rather limited...I mean, come on, Mommy versus Curious George? there's an obvious winner there I suppose...not sure why CG trumps Mommy freezing her fingers off for a 4th grader, but I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that they aren't allowed much TV at all, so basically a bright screen must put her into a trance...UGH
While struggling to keep the storm door in place, I bent down to unscrew what was left of the hinge on my beautiful door...when it was said and done, I closed and locked the door and that was the end of it...The wind is still whipping outside and you can hear it howling all around the house:(
Thus ends my dream of a storm door on the front of the house...
Also, a reminder to get dressed, in warm clothes, before the children get ready for school...you just never know...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Continuation of thoughts...
I felt the need to clarify or perhaps delve a bit deeper into my reasoning behind books that I read and ultimately choose for my girlies…not because I feel the need to defend myself, moreso for when I eventually print off this blog for my girls to have as a keepsake one day, they will have their mother’s crazy ideas on paper…and perhaps have a little insight into what in the world she was thinking way back when…
So, onto the book thing…
I think there is a fine line…a balance, if you will, between ability and context…let me explain…
When I taught elementary school, I had groups of identified readers…my goal was not for them to realize which “group” they were in, and therefore I mix-matched them often, but I knew which ones were at a higher ability level than the others. However, at the same time, I was dealing with the hearts and minds of innocent 9 and 10 year olds (in my 4th grade classroom).
Often trying to find a book that was at an ability level to fit my high readers AND have the book contain subject matter that was relevant, and appropriate for their actual age was a difficult task.
Now, for some this may not be a big thing…some reasons being: some kids just aren’t that much into reading, or they want a quick story, so for them it doesn’t matter the “challenge” level, but just the storyline itself. Therefore, they would independently choose books that were more “age” appropriate rather than “ability” appropriate. (am I talking in circles yet?) And some might argue, that that is just fine because glory-be they are reading and isn't that the most important thing! To that I would agree, in part…you do want to develop a love for reading, especially in those that it might not come easily.
Now, for those readers that love to read and you can’t seem to keep their hands full of books, it becomes a challenge…and here is my “deeper thinking” concerning that…
When I read a book, I often “become” part of the book…i.e. Anne of Green Gables…oh my goodness, I became Anne…I thought like her, acted like her…fell in love with Gilbert Blythe and tried to see the world through her eyes. In that story, my imagination went as far as she did…my “relationship” dreams only went so far as Anne’s did in her story… I think Gilbert might have whisked a lock of hair off her face at the end of book 1.
I found that as I got older and started reading “teen” books, the “relationships” in those books were more serious…acting more “grown up” than perhaps they actually were…So, how did that affect me? Well, being who I am, I started to see MY relationships in that way…my daydreams drifted to whatever I had read, and if I could insert “real life” people in my visions, then that made it all the better…do you see where I’m going with this?
Even as a married, adult woman, there are times that I read stories and have to clamp them shut because I don’t want THAT picture in my head…I don’t want my mind to wander to things of that nature and dwell on them. In this way, I have to “be careful little eyes what you see” especially when the “things” that aren’t appropriate are glorified rather than held accountable for in the story.
I think this is true for not just things of a “relationship” matter but in violence and evil as well…as well as a whole slew of other things while we’re at it. When I put a book into the hands of an inexperienced 10 year little girl, I need to be sure that the content that will be playing in front of her eyes is something in which she can handle to the extent that it won’t be what she dwells on…it won’t be what she imagines once the book is closed…or if it is, then those things upon which her gaze falls, should be appropriate and cause feelings that spur her to think of things that are : “Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
This could be an appropriate relationship, it could be the consequence of a choice made, it could be the victory of good against evil…
I’ll give another example…I loved reading the series Hunger Games…I thought all 3 books were great (well, except for book three’s character development because it totally left you hanging when it came to certain characters and it just cut it off completely with the epilogue) It was reminiscent of the Colosium days and Hitler and power and it almost felt like you were reading Animal Farm all over again. However, if you are me, you fall in love with characters and cling to them…I did so with Katniss and Peeta and Gale. There was some descriptive violence and awfulness to the story…and it was rightly shown as evil and wrong and therefore I could swallow it…however, as I thought of teenagers reading this book as it showed peeta and katniss sleeping together each night (innocently of courseJ ) I couldn’t help but wonder how many teens put themselves in that position and thought, “oh wouldn’t that be cool to do…if I were in that position” etc etc etc…As a married person, I have already “been down that road” so to speak, so that “snapshot” didn’t dwell in me…except as it related to what I envisioned teens or those that shouldn’t have those physical relationships before they get married, thought…
Again, not everyone thinks like me..I get that…and maybe I put too much of a bubble around myself and my girls…at the same time, I know that “Romans 7:18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” Therefore, I do all that I can to hedge my thoughts as such…all the while still searching for great writers and superb literature…this is where my challenge continues to lie!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Ancestry and Roots
My aunt started looking up ancestry stuff awhile back...
I can't say that I wasn't interested. I remember doing the same thing on my dad's side of the family while I was in high school. His family is more of English and German heritage, whereas my mom comes from Scottish/Irish descent.
Needless to say, after our little Glen Laurel getaway, my mind has tended to wander in the direction of all things "Celtic"...
I even had someone from our lifegroup tell me that his boss' name is the same as mine but she demands it pronounced differently because she is a firm believer in her Irish backgrounds, or some other such reasoning...
This was quite humorous to me seeing as our name is not an actual Irish name, rather it is the American version of the name "Cailin" in Ireland, meaning lass or girl. Therefore to "pronounce" it correctly would necessitate it being an actual Irish name...which is "technically" is not...
but I digress...
The direction in which my head was going, was just settling upon those European countries every once in awhile. Italian Stallion and I finally sat down to watch the Sherlock Holmes movie that tagged along with us to Glen Laurel one evening last week...and I came across this book shortly thereafter:
and I started reading it...I became mesmorized by names such as Florilyn and Courteney and Gwenyth...and I was immersed in the history and land that Mr. Phillips eloquently developed.
Italian Stallion and I have discussed the dream of going to Europe with the girls when they are older and able to appreciate it...to get a bigger sense of the world they live in...
This post really has no other reason except to express my random thoughts as I "talk" my way to a conclusion...
The fact that within books I tend to escape and become a part of the story is something of which I am quite aware in myself. I had a discussion about this with Sweetpea lately.
We have allowed her to read the first two books in a series that others might label unsuitable or "unchristian"...she is becoming similar to me, however, as she grows in her love of reading...she is learning to recognize quality literature, character development and storylines that are well developed. She has always done well with realistic fiction...Fantasy has been more of a struggle...being "black and white" with her understanding of the world around her, she often struggles in trying to grasp meanings that are beyond her imagination...
Therefore, the fact that we have allowed her to begin this journey in a fantasy series, has definitely challenged her and caused her to grow...much to the point that she is frustrated that she must stop for awhile...until we feel she is able to handle the not only more complex storylines, but the "feeling" that is in them...
I know that there are those that books do not affect them in the same way...remember I said that I tend to "become" part of the story...therefore, when I read something, my mind "sets to think on those things"...I have discovered that IF those things that I come away thinking upon, are not true, noble, right, nor do they lead me in a direction of "lovely", then it's not good for my heart...plain and simple.
That's how I explained it to Sweetpea as well..
Others may see that as ridiculous or immature...but for me...it gives me a gauge by which I choose to subject myself so that I may enjoy literature, but also be on guard for the things that are most important. For Sweetpea, as she learns to determine where her heart and thoughts are drawn, we want to be able to guide her and help her discern whether a book is just a fun read, a learning journey, a thought-provoking mystery or something in which she has to put down and walk away from.
I enjoyed this unexpected treat of the From Across the Ancient Waters...it attracted me because of the Scottish references, but it was also a read that not only allowed a sweet escape of which I enjoy, but set my mind on things that were good and noble as well:)
I'm not really trying to give a recommendation toward a certain book...my style isn't necessarily something that others may enjoy...namely one of my BFFs who thoroughly enjoys nonfiction from which she can learn...where again, I rather like to escape instead:) But to each his/her own:) I suppose Jesus enjoyed both, as he gave many facts, but thoroughly enjoyed telling stories as well:)
Anyhoo...that's my two cents for the moment:)
I can't say that I wasn't interested. I remember doing the same thing on my dad's side of the family while I was in high school. His family is more of English and German heritage, whereas my mom comes from Scottish/Irish descent.
Needless to say, after our little Glen Laurel getaway, my mind has tended to wander in the direction of all things "Celtic"...
I even had someone from our lifegroup tell me that his boss' name is the same as mine but she demands it pronounced differently because she is a firm believer in her Irish backgrounds, or some other such reasoning...
This was quite humorous to me seeing as our name is not an actual Irish name, rather it is the American version of the name "Cailin" in Ireland, meaning lass or girl. Therefore to "pronounce" it correctly would necessitate it being an actual Irish name...which is "technically" is not...
but I digress...
The direction in which my head was going, was just settling upon those European countries every once in awhile. Italian Stallion and I finally sat down to watch the Sherlock Holmes movie that tagged along with us to Glen Laurel one evening last week...and I came across this book shortly thereafter:
and I started reading it...I became mesmorized by names such as Florilyn and Courteney and Gwenyth...and I was immersed in the history and land that Mr. Phillips eloquently developed.
Italian Stallion and I have discussed the dream of going to Europe with the girls when they are older and able to appreciate it...to get a bigger sense of the world they live in...
This post really has no other reason except to express my random thoughts as I "talk" my way to a conclusion...
The fact that within books I tend to escape and become a part of the story is something of which I am quite aware in myself. I had a discussion about this with Sweetpea lately.
We have allowed her to read the first two books in a series that others might label unsuitable or "unchristian"...she is becoming similar to me, however, as she grows in her love of reading...she is learning to recognize quality literature, character development and storylines that are well developed. She has always done well with realistic fiction...Fantasy has been more of a struggle...being "black and white" with her understanding of the world around her, she often struggles in trying to grasp meanings that are beyond her imagination...
Therefore, the fact that we have allowed her to begin this journey in a fantasy series, has definitely challenged her and caused her to grow...much to the point that she is frustrated that she must stop for awhile...until we feel she is able to handle the not only more complex storylines, but the "feeling" that is in them...
I know that there are those that books do not affect them in the same way...remember I said that I tend to "become" part of the story...therefore, when I read something, my mind "sets to think on those things"...I have discovered that IF those things that I come away thinking upon, are not true, noble, right, nor do they lead me in a direction of "lovely", then it's not good for my heart...plain and simple.
That's how I explained it to Sweetpea as well..
Others may see that as ridiculous or immature...but for me...it gives me a gauge by which I choose to subject myself so that I may enjoy literature, but also be on guard for the things that are most important. For Sweetpea, as she learns to determine where her heart and thoughts are drawn, we want to be able to guide her and help her discern whether a book is just a fun read, a learning journey, a thought-provoking mystery or something in which she has to put down and walk away from.
I enjoyed this unexpected treat of the From Across the Ancient Waters...it attracted me because of the Scottish references, but it was also a read that not only allowed a sweet escape of which I enjoy, but set my mind on things that were good and noble as well:)
I'm not really trying to give a recommendation toward a certain book...my style isn't necessarily something that others may enjoy...namely one of my BFFs who thoroughly enjoys nonfiction from which she can learn...where again, I rather like to escape instead:) But to each his/her own:) I suppose Jesus enjoyed both, as he gave many facts, but thoroughly enjoyed telling stories as well:)
Anyhoo...that's my two cents for the moment:)
Friday, February 17, 2012
Blast from the past...
I've had a little trouble lately coming up with things to write about...not for lack of things going on in my life, but for lack of concentration...
This week I've had awesome friends come to visit (love you Tricia), met with our financial guy, met with our tax person, gone to the library, cleaned the kitchen at least 3 times daily, went to Bible study, played in the snow, exchanged wrong size jeans, went to Target, inhaled lots of coffee, listened to my girls play the SAME song on the piano a dozen times a day, attempted to fit in another piano lesson (due to the aforementioned), celebrated my brother's birthday, prepared for a photography class, tried to figure out how to get my blog into a printed book form, searched in my basement for old photos, chatted ont he phone with clients and old friends...the list goes on and on...
So, in an effort to bring some humor and light-heartedness to today, I went in search of a post I wrote a long time ago...it is copy/pasted below...it makes me laugh...just because it's my life:)
Have you ever seen the movie UP?
Ya know when the dog is talking (yes, I know...dogs don't talk...he "talks" through a speaker thing on his collar...but anyway...) He's in the middle of a long discourse that would explain the entire situation of why the older gentleman and the young boy have happened upon him...all of a sudden he turns his head, "SQUIRREL!!!"
Yes, that's me...
Oh, let's sit down at the computer and start working on my bl..."LAUNDRY"...
My, there are lots of clothes to do today, I need to get a basket for the drier..."VACUUM"
Holy cow, the floor in here is filthy, good thing I got the vacuum out..."MIRRORS"
Okay, the mirrors are awful, how did the girls manage to get toothpaste all the way up here, I've got to get up on top of the sink to be able to rea..."BLEACH THE TOILET"
Whew, that smells much better, now I'll just scrub around the edges here and on the floor, I've got to move these ribbons out of the wa..."ORGANIZE THE DRAWERS"
Where did this come from? I think I saw a match to this in the kitch..."DISHES"
The dishwasher is full again? how did that happen? I just emptied it an hour ago...this is crazy, I guess I'll just start collecting the dishes from the office first..."BLOG"
Oh Darn...I didn't write my blog...and now it's time to make "DINNER"..."GET THE GIRLS OFF THE BUS"..."CHANGE THE LAUNDRY OVER"...good grief...
Have a GREAT weekend everyone!
This week I've had awesome friends come to visit (love you Tricia), met with our financial guy, met with our tax person, gone to the library, cleaned the kitchen at least 3 times daily, went to Bible study, played in the snow, exchanged wrong size jeans, went to Target, inhaled lots of coffee, listened to my girls play the SAME song on the piano a dozen times a day, attempted to fit in another piano lesson (due to the aforementioned), celebrated my brother's birthday, prepared for a photography class, tried to figure out how to get my blog into a printed book form, searched in my basement for old photos, chatted ont he phone with clients and old friends...the list goes on and on...
So, in an effort to bring some humor and light-heartedness to today, I went in search of a post I wrote a long time ago...it is copy/pasted below...it makes me laugh...just because it's my life:)
Have you ever seen the movie UP?
Ya know when the dog is talking (yes, I know...dogs don't talk...he "talks" through a speaker thing on his collar...but anyway...) He's in the middle of a long discourse that would explain the entire situation of why the older gentleman and the young boy have happened upon him...all of a sudden he turns his head, "SQUIRREL!!!"
Yes, that's me...
Oh, let's sit down at the computer and start working on my bl..."LAUNDRY"...
My, there are lots of clothes to do today, I need to get a basket for the drier..."VACUUM"
Holy cow, the floor in here is filthy, good thing I got the vacuum out..."MIRRORS"
Okay, the mirrors are awful, how did the girls manage to get toothpaste all the way up here, I've got to get up on top of the sink to be able to rea..."BLEACH THE TOILET"
Whew, that smells much better, now I'll just scrub around the edges here and on the floor, I've got to move these ribbons out of the wa..."ORGANIZE THE DRAWERS"
Where did this come from? I think I saw a match to this in the kitch..."DISHES"
The dishwasher is full again? how did that happen? I just emptied it an hour ago...this is crazy, I guess I'll just start collecting the dishes from the office first..."BLOG"
Oh Darn...I didn't write my blog...and now it's time to make "DINNER"..."GET THE GIRLS OFF THE BUS"..."CHANGE THE LAUNDRY OVER"...good grief...
Have a GREAT weekend everyone!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I almost missed the bus...AGAIN
So, time management is not my forte...
I know this...
my husband DEFINITELY knows this...
my children NEED to learn this...
I tend to believe in "efficiency" which translates into: "how much stuff can I cram into a small amount of time and still manage to get where I"m going without being toooo incredibly late?" See, I'm not all that affected by "lateness"...I rather enjoy "grand entrances"...much to the chagrin of the entire, rest of my family...
However,
This morning as I was:
cleaning the kitchen
packing lunches
making pancakes
making coffee
fixing apple juice cups
taking laundry out of the drier
finding a show for Little Munchkin to watch
warming up coffee in the microwave
trying to locate someone's boots
stomping downstairs in search of jeans for Peanut that didn't have holes in them
warming up coffee AGAIN in the microwave
listening to Peanut read her book aloud
signing Sweetpea's binder
getting vitamins
warming up the coffee AGAIN
I failed to watch the clock...or maybe I was actually watching the clock, but the batteries are going so it's kinda slow...but whatever the case...the next thing I knew, Sweetpea was already out the door to the bus stop and Peanut and I were still scrambling to find our shoes...
And then I heard the bus...and low and behold, it was out there...waiting...
bless her heart for running outside with me and not crying! She had to follow crazy Momma who was donned in her sweat pants and polka dot rain boots, white winter jacket and sunglasses...looking quite dapper if I do say so myself...
Because of my eldest's keen ability to "inform", she was able to let the bus driver know that we were just running a tad late and could she hang on until her little sister made it...
she did...Peanut got on the bus...Mommy dropped her COLD coffee in the garage and allowed all the other parents at the bus stop to feel quite good about themselves this morning!!
It's no wonder I needed a nap this afternoon...Efficiency people!!
I know this...
my husband DEFINITELY knows this...
my children NEED to learn this...
I tend to believe in "efficiency" which translates into: "how much stuff can I cram into a small amount of time and still manage to get where I"m going without being toooo incredibly late?" See, I'm not all that affected by "lateness"...I rather enjoy "grand entrances"...much to the chagrin of the entire, rest of my family...
However,
This morning as I was:
cleaning the kitchen
packing lunches
making pancakes
making coffee
fixing apple juice cups
taking laundry out of the drier
finding a show for Little Munchkin to watch
warming up coffee in the microwave
trying to locate someone's boots
stomping downstairs in search of jeans for Peanut that didn't have holes in them
warming up coffee AGAIN in the microwave
listening to Peanut read her book aloud
signing Sweetpea's binder
getting vitamins
warming up the coffee AGAIN
I failed to watch the clock...or maybe I was actually watching the clock, but the batteries are going so it's kinda slow...but whatever the case...the next thing I knew, Sweetpea was already out the door to the bus stop and Peanut and I were still scrambling to find our shoes...
And then I heard the bus...and low and behold, it was out there...waiting...
bless her heart for running outside with me and not crying! She had to follow crazy Momma who was donned in her sweat pants and polka dot rain boots, white winter jacket and sunglasses...looking quite dapper if I do say so myself...
Because of my eldest's keen ability to "inform", she was able to let the bus driver know that we were just running a tad late and could she hang on until her little sister made it...
she did...Peanut got on the bus...Mommy dropped her COLD coffee in the garage and allowed all the other parents at the bus stop to feel quite good about themselves this morning!!
It's no wonder I needed a nap this afternoon...Efficiency people!!
Lies I have believed recently...
* I am overweight and need to either starve myself or exercise into oblivion.
* people are only nice to me because they're polite...they'd rather not really spend time with me.
* when people are subtly rude to me, they are actually quite upset with me and want to "stick it to me" in a way that doesn't make them look mean, but get still gets their point across.
* I'm only as good of a wife and mother, as it relates to how clean my house is.
*we will never retire...ever...my husband will have to work until he can barely walk and our children will never make it to college...
*3 pieces of chocolate can't do any harm at 11 at night...and if you add some coffee with lots of cream and maybe a few pretzels and nutella, it's STILL not going to do a thing to the scale in the morning.
*if it's 9am and I plan on trying to exercise, shower, clean the kitchen, make the beds, have a cup of coffee and check facebook...I should definitely be ready to get in the car by 10am.
*I can totally get at least 6 hours of solid sleep if I get to bed by midnight.
There were a few more rather degrading lies that entered my head as well...it's crazy how Satan likes to have haydays every once in awhile...:) All is well though...I'm happy to say that I'm getting better at recognizing "lies" and seeing them for what they are...I suppose it also helps that I have a hubby who can call me out on it...and that I have 3 innocent faces watching me for guidance:)
Some of those "lies" are just plain time management issues...of which I've had for forever (or so I've been told)...I rather like to think that I enjoy grand entrances (not being late:)
Other lies have just been brought to my mind because my focus is off...
And others yet, may in fact be true...however, I have a choice as to whether I will allow them to determine my attitude, or better yet, my course of action.
I don't have all the answers yet...I'm just plugging along like everyone else. And, I'm learning to make better choices onto that which my mind settles...
And tonight, that would mean that I"m not going to eat that peanut butter blossom that is calling for me in the kitchen!! woohoo...point for me!
* people are only nice to me because they're polite...they'd rather not really spend time with me.
* when people are subtly rude to me, they are actually quite upset with me and want to "stick it to me" in a way that doesn't make them look mean, but get still gets their point across.
* I'm only as good of a wife and mother, as it relates to how clean my house is.
*we will never retire...ever...my husband will have to work until he can barely walk and our children will never make it to college...
*3 pieces of chocolate can't do any harm at 11 at night...and if you add some coffee with lots of cream and maybe a few pretzels and nutella, it's STILL not going to do a thing to the scale in the morning.
*if it's 9am and I plan on trying to exercise, shower, clean the kitchen, make the beds, have a cup of coffee and check facebook...I should definitely be ready to get in the car by 10am.
*I can totally get at least 6 hours of solid sleep if I get to bed by midnight.
There were a few more rather degrading lies that entered my head as well...it's crazy how Satan likes to have haydays every once in awhile...:) All is well though...I'm happy to say that I'm getting better at recognizing "lies" and seeing them for what they are...I suppose it also helps that I have a hubby who can call me out on it...and that I have 3 innocent faces watching me for guidance:)
Some of those "lies" are just plain time management issues...of which I've had for forever (or so I've been told)...I rather like to think that I enjoy grand entrances (not being late:)
Other lies have just been brought to my mind because my focus is off...
And others yet, may in fact be true...however, I have a choice as to whether I will allow them to determine my attitude, or better yet, my course of action.
I don't have all the answers yet...I'm just plugging along like everyone else. And, I'm learning to make better choices onto that which my mind settles...
And tonight, that would mean that I"m not going to eat that peanut butter blossom that is calling for me in the kitchen!! woohoo...point for me!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ode to my Brother
Today is my brother's birthday. He's a Valentine's Baby...
He hates it basically...
But, I can understand...I mean, who wants to share their birthday with another holiday...? (If you want to call today an "actual" holiday, but that's another post in and of itself...let's not go there right now)
However, it behooves me, as the older (and wiser...ahem) big sister, to take this opportunity to bestow upon you the mentioning of the "qualities" that make him who he is:) or at least, why I love him so much!
And though he will probably want to wring my neck afterwards, I'm pulling the Big Sister card...AGAIN...and will do it anyway.
And so I begin...
*cough, cough*
Don, my dear brother, I do love you so
though I pulled out your hair so long ago
we were called the "Old Man and his sister, Mean Ween"
but, Oh MY, we were cool...a super hero good team!
You took the back seat to my talent and smarts
but, really, we know who stole all the hearts
You put up with much...yes, my"big sisterly" fuss
but you see the real me, and still don't throw me under the bus
I'll love you forever, knowing you're with me to the end
couldn't imagine a better brother and sooo blessed to call you friend...
So, my poetry isn't all that much, but the point is that I am so thankful for this day, some thirty-odd years ago...God knew what He was doing when He gave me a little brother...OH man, did I treat him rotten though...it's true, the pulling out of the hair...I bossed him around like none other...and he came back for more...that's the thing about him...no matter what, he loved me...I could throw so much "stuff" at him, (and sometimes still do:) but, he doesn't give up on me...ever...
He's the one that I talked to about marrying my Italian Stallion...he's the one that walked with me through all the ups and downs of our early life...We can be so alike at times and then completely different. We can infuriate each other and turn around and tease and laugh until we cry...I guess that's what makes family sometimes...
What is amazing to me as well...is that with my "girls" and his "boys"...it's a whole new generation of relationships...and I'll be honest, it brings a smile and sometimes tears to watch them all interact...just so thankful...so, so thankful!
He hates it basically...
But, I can understand...I mean, who wants to share their birthday with another holiday...? (If you want to call today an "actual" holiday, but that's another post in and of itself...let's not go there right now)
However, it behooves me, as the older (and wiser...ahem) big sister, to take this opportunity to bestow upon you the mentioning of the "qualities" that make him who he is:) or at least, why I love him so much!
And though he will probably want to wring my neck afterwards, I'm pulling the Big Sister card...AGAIN...and will do it anyway.
And so I begin...
*cough, cough*
Don, my dear brother, I do love you so
though I pulled out your hair so long ago
we were called the "Old Man and his sister, Mean Ween"
but, Oh MY, we were cool...a super hero good team!
You took the back seat to my talent and smarts
but, really, we know who stole all the hearts
You put up with much...yes, my"big sisterly" fuss
but you see the real me, and still don't throw me under the bus
I'll love you forever, knowing you're with me to the end
couldn't imagine a better brother and sooo blessed to call you friend...
So, my poetry isn't all that much, but the point is that I am so thankful for this day, some thirty-odd years ago...God knew what He was doing when He gave me a little brother...OH man, did I treat him rotten though...it's true, the pulling out of the hair...I bossed him around like none other...and he came back for more...that's the thing about him...no matter what, he loved me...I could throw so much "stuff" at him, (and sometimes still do:) but, he doesn't give up on me...ever...
He's the one that I talked to about marrying my Italian Stallion...he's the one that walked with me through all the ups and downs of our early life...We can be so alike at times and then completely different. We can infuriate each other and turn around and tease and laugh until we cry...I guess that's what makes family sometimes...
What is amazing to me as well...is that with my "girls" and his "boys"...it's a whole new generation of relationships...and I'll be honest, it brings a smile and sometimes tears to watch them all interact...just so thankful...so, so thankful!
Happy birthday Don...I hope you have a great day!
I love you!
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