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Sep 18 2010

Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!

The other day, I walked into the kitchen to find this:

IMG_4740

"What is it?" An egg; soaking in vinegar.

"Why?" Because, one of my children had decided to make a Naked Egg.

I wasn't sure which one, because weird things tend to show up in my house. Which led to this post.

It's no different then walking into the house one day to someone holding up a ziploc bag to my face and asking me, "Who put the snake in the freezer?"

Or walking into a dark house after a long day…thinking I'd quietly set my stuff down on the counter and then relax for a moment. Only instead, something jumped onto my chest and scurried across my shoulder; hopped off and ran across the counter and went through the window back into the boys room.

It was Gordo, the chinese water dragon, escaped from his cage.

Then there was the escaped hamster that showed up in my room in the middle of the night. You can read about that one, here.

I've been known to be sitting here, minding my own business…and have one of the boys walk up to me with a spider in an empty medicine bottle. Or a scrorpian.

Or a tarantula wasp. Don't worry…it was already dead.

Wasp

 As for myself? I've been known to make green eggs and ham. I've taught my children how to color carnations with food coloring (and splitting the stem to make them have multiple colors!) I've had no problem making…and then serving, chocolate covered meal worms to the Talented One's birthday guests for his 16th birthday. I don't mind bringing home lollipops with crickets in them; and I am not afraid to pick up a horned toad.

Short-horned-lizard

From my own childhood, my mom and dad instilled the love of wildlife. Mom was always taking care of some strange creature; from birds to a fawn to baby bunnies. Dad…well, he was more of the *catch a lizard and freeze it so it goes into hybernation; then let it warm up and run free* type of guy.

I'm not surprised anymore when my children bring me something they've caught. I'm not surprised to find a creature in my freezer. And I'm not surprised when they tell me about some new pet they'd love to have.

I'm not surprised when the dog brings a bird into the house; and I'm not afraid to ask my friend to help catch it!

And sometimes that comes in handy. Like yesterday when I had a crying 5 year old at work. He needed a distraction. And my stories of creatures are always fun!

I love the adventures of motherhood and typically, can handle what they throw at me. Rattlesnakes, not so much, but I am able to remain calm when my children are caught in the moment.

Lions and Tigers and Bears? Not yet…but it wouldn't surprise me!

 

 

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Family, The Vivas Family!, Ya Gotta Read This One!

Sep 12 2010

Mrs. Wagner

Mrs. Wagner, an amazing woman, went home to be with her Lord and Savior today. Although I am sure I don't have enough words to show what she meant to our family, I will try.

I don't exactly remember the first time I met Alice, but I know she's taught, and given, my family so much. It was just a few weeks ago that her husband of 52 years, went to be with the Lord. As we remembered him and how sweet he was, we couldn't help but reflect on Miss Alice, too.

For those who may not have known her by name; she was the wonderful woman in the suit and hat every Sunday. She never wore pants, but she loved those moo moo dresses to relax in! When Alice was around; you knew it. She had an air about her that just drew your attention to her. The thing was, the attention was because she obviously had something that you wanted to be a part of…and that was her passion for Christ!

She was an original member of Green Valley Baptist Church; one of the few members who have been around longer than hubby and I! Each Sunday, she'd expect a hug while she planted a kiss on your cheek; and you needed to make sure you didn't wipe off the lipstick until she was out of sight! She was not afraid to shout out an "Amen!" or "Praise the Lord!" in the middle of a song or sermon. And she wasn't afraid to tell you exactly what she thought you ought to know!

During my childbearing years, she'd say to me, "You about done yet?"

When I was five months pregnant with our third child, she came up to me one Sunday and said,

"You pregnant again?"

I replied with a, "Yes, Miss Alice."

And laughed when she remarked, "Oh good! I thought you were just getting fat!"

That was B-boo. Miss Alice gave her some beautiful porcelain dolls when she felt B-boo was old enough to take care of them; and every once in a while, she'd ask, "Do you still have those dolls I gave you?"

One Christmas season we were in JC Penney and we came across a blue hat like Miss Alice would wear. B-boo refused to leave without it…and so the next week, Miss Alice got a new hat to wear with her blue suit!

There wasn't a Sunday that went by that she didn't ask how my family was doing and what she needed to pray for. She called while I was sick to check in with me even though her husband was sick himself. She'd check on me and update me on Moses.

Miss Alice would sometimes call and request our presence…and when Miss Alice asked you to do something, you didn't refuse! And if that meant driving over to her house to get something from her, you did it. She'd invite us into her home, the whole while talking and telling you what to do…and you loved it, because she was just that way.

I have many good memories of Miss Alice, but mostly, I remember the lessons she taught me. I was a new Christian when I met her, yet she never made me feel less when she was teaching me about her Lord. I was blessed to have her as my caller when we had the 24 hour prayer chain. She was scheduled to pray before me, so would call when she was done and update me on whatever it was that needed prayer. But she didn't stop there. She'd always insist on praying together before we hung up and I began my prayer time. I was afraid to pray in her presence…what if I messed up? But she simply stated, "Before we begin, we need to ask for forgiveness so the Lord can hear our prayers." And she'd pray. And you knew she meant every word of it.

Miss Alice was big on manners and taught me ways to properly do things.

Her faith was amazing; when she lost her leg, it didn't seem to faze her; she stayed strong.

When Moses died, she stood up there and praised the Lord and told us not to worry about her, because she had her Lord with her.

52 years of marriage.

This morning, I was surprised to hear the news that she'd gone home, too. But I praise the Lord, for her work is done here and she is able to praise Him in person.

I can just see her up there in her white suit, bossing the angels around; and I smile.

She was one of the great ones; and she will be missed.

And I am so glad to have known such a woman as she!

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Faith · Tagged: Alice Wagner

Sep 05 2010

Quotable Quote #14

B-boo and I were watching, "Say yes, to the Dress."

Some of the dresses are very expensive. I told her not to count on a $10,000 dress.

Then I told her not to count on a $5000 dress.

Her reply?

"I'm not getting married, Mom."

I replied she would.

Her reply?

"I don't want the responsiblity of dealing with an emotional man."

Ya gotta love her!

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: B-Boo, Quotable Quotes

Sep 02 2010

Joy of Marriage

I've often said that I love Good, True and Beautiful's "Just for the Joy of It," because it makes me think of something that brought me joy this week. And there are many things I could write about. But mostly, I'll have to say it's my husband. Seriously.

He is a HUGE supporter of whatever I do. He sees more in me than I could ever see; and he has faith and confidence in me when I shutter in my lack of it. I am often time left in awe as I realize he probably truly sees me the way God intended a husband to see his wife. I hope that makes sense.

And he loves me when I am sick.

Or tired.

Grouchy.

and perhaps, even a bit irrational. (But not lately! ha ha!)

This past year, he has been by my side through it all. He was there with me throughout my illness and LENGTHY recovery.

He held me when I cried because I was going back to work full-time. He understood my tears and didn't take it personally.

And he has become a really, really good stay-at-home dad/husband.

Seriously.

He cooks…really, really good meals. And he cooks for my friends, too!

He cleans. Much better than, me, I might add.

He does laundry.

He runs errands.

He checks on me to see if I need him to do anything.

He loves me and cherishes me.

And that, my friends, is what has brought me the most joy this week!

JustfortheJoyofitcopy

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

Sep 02 2010

My hubby is just the most amazing, stay at home dad/husband there ever was! Just had to share that!

http://itsavivasthing.com/2010/09/02/my-hubby-is-just-the-most-amazing-stay-at-home-dadhusband-there-ever-was-just-had-to-share-that/

Written by Mama Vivas · Categorized: Uncategorized

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