• Good-Looking One
  • Talented One
  • B-Boo
  • Smart One
  • Drama Queen
  • Princess
  • Roni
    • Chicken Noodle Butt

It's a Vivas Thing!

  • Home
  • Hope Lives
  • Login
You are here: Home / Archives for Mama Vivas

Apr 25 2010

Oh Deer! What’s for Dinner?

Last night, we had a family gathering. For once, all of my children that still live with us, were home. At the same time. I know, in a family of seven plus two, that is virtually non-existent! And while my eldest no longer lives with us (insert sad face), he still makes sure to check in often.

But anyway, the kids were all home. So was hubby. It was a miracle.

Earlier in the day, I'd decided to make meat loaf since our pickins' in the freezer are getting pretty low. I knew I had potatoes and I knew I still had enough deer meat for one more go around. It turned out that was a perfect idea…because we actually had a family dinner, minus the eldest. (insert sad face)

(Insert even bigger sad face) It was the LAST of the deer meat!

Now, you just have to understand that most people I encounter don't like deer meat. BUT, my mom makes the best deer meat. I'm not sure what she puts in it, but all we have to do is thaw it out and make patties out of it and whalla…amazing deer burgers! I'd never made a meatloaf out of it, but all I added was garlic and onions…and whalla….amazing deer meatloaf.

And now…it's all gone.

But, the family dinner was so much fun. We laughed and talked. We talked of eating Bambi. (Sorry for the morbid humor.) We talked about elbows on the table. We talked about napkins in the lap.

We talked about broken noses and black eyes; and how B-boo's injuries have all been self-inflicted from her clumsiness. We talked about facial features and the Talented One's cute dimple. I explained to him that he wasn't born with that dimple, but that it had happened when he was 2 or 3 and a little girl had picked him up and dropped him in Sunday school. On his face. His cheek had slammed into the corner of a table. He was bruised for weeks and ever since then, he's had a dimple on his right cheek. So, B-boo speaks up,

So, mom…you saying he wasn't born with a deformed face that turned into a dimple, it happened later."

We all spewed.

Yes, dinner conversation is much like our laundry folding. We all get together and the conversation takes on a life of it's own.

Now, if we could just get our hands on some more of my mom's deer meat, all would be well in the Vivas household again.

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: B-Boo, Family, Humor, Talented One, The Vivas Family! · Tagged: conversation, Deer, dinner

Apr 22 2010

Looking for the Joy

Ya'll know I look forward to the Just for the Joy of It posts at Good, True and Beautiful on Thursdays. I really do.

And yet, it's been one tough week; and an even tougher day! It's almost seven and I am just now even getting to it. I thought to myself…what has brought me joy this week? And you know what…I'm still wondering! Isn't that sad?

Then I thought to myself, "Oh, I should have saved the *Special Memories* post for this" because that certainly brought joy to me this week!

And my son's music always brings me joy. But I already posted about that!

So, what can I say brings me joy today?

Well, I'm in a rather foul mood. The thought that runs through my head today is not ever having to deal with another state worker again, especially ones that just continue to dig and dig that knife deeper…that would certainly bring me joy!

And then, a light bulb went off! (It was probably the Holy Spirit speaking to me!) I am letting someone else still my joy! And that's just not cool! So, I went in search of some friendly reminders and found these:

John
16:33

"I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John
15:11

"I
have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be
complete."

Isaiah
51:11

So
the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

      And come to Zion with singing,
      With everlasting joy on their heads.

 They
shall obtain joy and gladness;

1
Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice
always; pray without ceasing;

in
everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Faith, Just for the Joy of It. · Tagged: just for the joy of it

Apr 20 2010

Special Memories

I was sitting here in the dark tonight with the Drama Queen, listening to my son’s music. I played it several times.

She finally asked,

“Mommy, why do you keep playing it over and over?”

“Because,” I said, “It takes me back to a special memory.”

“What’s a special memory?”

So I told her, “A special memory is a memory of something special that has happened to you, or with you and someone else. It can be anything, but it brings back that special moment.”

“But why is this song special, Mommy?” she asked.

So I told her about the song and the memories it created the day that the Talented One played it for me. And no matter what, I’ll always consider it “our song.” And when I”m tired, or he’s just there playing, sometimes I can ask him to play “my song” and he does. I don’t have to tell him which one or why, because he knows. And he plays it for me. And I think back to that first time, when he played it for me over and over. And so, sometimes, I just like to sit and listen to it over and over.

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

So she asked again, what kind of special memories I have. And I told her about one I have of the Smart One. He was younger, and it was just the two of us and we were listening to praise music in the living room. And a song came on. And he just lifted his hands up in praise to the Lord. He lifted his face up and closed his eyes and just sang and swayed back and forth, with his arms outstretched and his face shining as he sang along. I honestly don’t even remember what song it was; but the moment..wow. I’ll never forget that moment.

And so we talked of why I want to keep homeschooling her for now; so that we can created special memories together. ‘And we talked of things we’ve done together. And we talked about just knowing, some day, that there is that one special memory we can share and how she’ll have other special moments with other loved ones; maybe even her own children some day. And we talked about how important it is to just stop sometimes, and grab that special moment; make a memory, because you won’t ever get that chance back. Grab it while you can.

“Mommy, why can’t we go back?”

“Because, those moments only happen once. We can’t do it again.”

And she asked me, “Mommy, can you be there with me when I have my baby, so we can have that special memory?”

I’m not sure what her future husband will say about that one, but I know, when she has that precious baby, I’ll be reminded of this night. The night when we sat and listened to the Talented One’s beautiful music and talked about grabbing the moments in life that we can and making those moments count.

Because tonight, we made our own special memory.

 

 

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Drama Queen, Family, Smart One, Talented One, Video Moment · Tagged: memories, special moments, spiders

Apr 19 2010

Happy Birthday, Twin!

Img_3083-1(rev 1)

It's funny how even when they don't *plan* to look alike, they still do! This is the boys on Easter. They are actually a year apart, but you wouldn't know that. Today is the *Twin's* 16th birthday! He is the Talented One's best friend. I think the Twin may have realized that he is officially part of the family on Easter. You see, in the chaoticness (yeah, I know that isn't a real word) of Easter and trying to get home, I forgot to tell hubby to bring him with us. Yah…I probably won't ever live that one down…but it's a good thing, really. I only ever forget my children! ha ha

He's so much a part of our family that a friend actually thought he was mine from birth! Seriously. We had a good laugh at that one when she wouldn't believe me. To make matters worse, when I tried to prove that I wasn't teasing her and that he really did legally belong to someone else, I grabbed another teen (I am a youth leader at our church) and said, "Who's his mom?"

The reply?

"You!"

That certainly didn't help matters! It's a good thing his other mom and I are such good friends. We laugh about joint custody; especially during last summer!

Sometimes, there is actually a triplet that goes with the Twins.

IMG_0829(rev 1) 

He likes to be included once in a while and will go to extreme lengths to have my blog include him. He has such a good heart.

IMG_3346

He carved this for me after camp last year just so he could be part of my blog! I thought it was fitting that he get to share in the happy birthday wishes of his one of his best buddies!

So, Twin…from the Talented One, your Triplet friend and your other mom:

Here's wishing you the happiest 16th birthday that you could have! It's been great having you as part of our family. You're a true friend to the Talented One!

Oh…and no, you can't borrow the car keys! ha ha

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Family, Friendship, Talented One

Apr 18 2010

Heritage Festival and stuff

Yesterday was the Heritage Festival. My family has gone for years and loves the chili cook off. Only..there wasn't one this year! Why not??? Why get rid of a 20 year tradition? Why? Why?

I managed to get myself going and hubby dropped off the Drama Queen, Chicken Noodle Butt and myself at the parade so I wouldn't have to park and walk forever. The parade was nice. After, we decided to walk around the festival and see what was what.

Not a whole lot to see, really. I was pretty disappointed, but they did have a cute little kids craft section. They got balloon stuff….a sword and a butterfly. Then, Chicken Noodle Butt's balloon popped when he kept poking it on the hot concrete….but that was kind of special, because there were two girls standing nearby who saw it and then went and got another balloon sword for him. I so wanted one of my Random Acts of Kindness awards to give to them, but I didn't have any on hand. 

After balloons we headed over to make some tissue flowers. I had no idea how easy they are to make! Wow!

And then, we finally called hubby to come get us. What an exhausting morning…it was nice to get out, but still.

And yet, the Drama Queen was still unhappy because she didn't spend enough time with her cousin, the Ox. The same cousin who helped her to this

IMG_3331

And this

IMG_3342

To her face.

We had time for a quick wannabe nap and then a late visit of a round of Family Feud. And then….

I went to bed. Because my body still hasn't figured out how to have fun yet. It's trying though!

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Chicken Noodle Butt, Drama Queen, Family

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • …
  • 62
  • Next Page »

Follow It’s a Vivas Thing!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on RSSFollow Us on E-mail

Recent Posts

  • Because I can…
  • Sometimes, there are no words…
  • Only so much time…
  • Contagious Smiles
  • Be Kind Reflections

Categories

Enter your email address to subscribe to \"It\'s a Vivas Thing!\"

Join 71 other subscribers

Crazy things we talk about!

5 minutes for mom appliances Be Kind Bible study blog commitment dance Diving drama queen education faith family family time food allergies friends friendship front loader washer Front loading washer Green Valley Baptist Church HMO humor insurance Josh Stevens Foundation just for the joy of it Kenmore Kindness love mammogram managed health care memories ministry mom music New Year parenting Party peace quotable quotes Repair Sears spiders teenagers Wordless Wednesday working mom youth

Archives

  • Good-Looking One
  • Talented One
  • B-Boo
  • Smart One
  • Drama Queen
  • Princess
  • Roni

Copyright © 2025 · Altitude Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in