Faith - It's a Vivas Thing!

Jan 10 2010

Sear’s Repairmen and Golfish

After the week that I'd had, I decided to rise to the occasion on Saturday and make it a great one. I was hoping the repairman would come early so that I could accomplish my mounds of laundry. I was ready for my day! I'd made an omelet for the bowler, a waffle sandwich for the karate boy and was working on turkey bacon for the others.

We managed to get them where they needed to be in the morning and came back to tackle the house. The three little ones and I would clean, clean, clean and have fun doing it We dusted, we vacuumed, we straightened shoes, we mopped.

And of course, there was drama. Chicken Noodle Butt has been on a roll of tantrums whenever he's asked to do something. Not hard things, just normal things; like taking a shower, picking up your toys, putting your plate in the sink…you know, normal things. And while this was going on, Mr. Goldfish had been found floating around on his side. Then upside down. With his little mouth trying to suck up air. The Drama Queen was sobbing uncontrollably because *this was the first pet that she'd ever had that she didn't have to share that was dying." Now understand that we've had hamsters, rats, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds and dogs. The only thing that is remaining today is the snake and the dogs! (Ok, we had to give the birds away because the dog wanted to eat them, but still! And no, they didn't all die, some we shared with others, but still!) And we were crying over a goldfish??? I was nice and I held her and told her how sorry I was. I asked hubby to take her out of the house with him when he left so I could flush it down the toilet give it a proper burial. Meanwhile, little Goldie was still trying to decide whether he wanted to float or swim.

And then, the repairman calls to let me know he's on his way. I ask if he's got the rubber seal. He doesn't know what I'm talking about. No, the nice lady from Friday didn't put it in the notes. I tell him what is needed, he states he'll get it and I'll have my washing machine today. I do have serious doubts, especially after my last Sear's fiasco, but I am determined to stay positive! He comes on over, with the part needed and we discuss the washing machine. We talk about previous fiascoes with the washer and repairmen and my growing dislike of this particular machine. He guarantees me that he will be able to fix it and fix it correctly the first time.I almost believe him. I'm elated when he tells me it's fixed and I can do laundry! I'm so happy, I can do anything! I can put up with temper tantrums and dead goldfish because I can wash clothes again. Wow, this was easy. I can't believe it! Life is good again in the Vivas household!

I manage to get a load in and even sit for a whole 30 minutes! The kids are happy playing outside now, the goldfish has decided to live after all, and it's not so bad.

For about 30 minutes.

We head out to run an errand and do what we need to do while the clothes wash. I get back and start cleaning again, and ask the Smart One to please put the clothes in the dryer, then put the jeans from the other day back in the washer so that they can be rinsed out properly. He wonders if the reason why he was itching the other day was due to soap in his jeans, I say it might be. I finally finish and head downstairs to relax.

And I walk into the garage.

And there is water every where.

But I need to get ready for church, so I guess there's a part three to this saga.

Other Sear's Fiascoes:

Appliances and Repairmen

A New Day

Sear's Repairmen & Goldfish

Sear's Repairmen & Goldfish, Part 2

DMV

Sear's Part 3

Jan 06 2010

MIA

It has been almost a year now since I first started this blog. I started it because I love to write and thought it would be a great way for me to *tell our tale* and have fun with it. And I have enjoyed it so much!

Right now, I'm in a stump. I find it hard to write, because, quite frankly, I am having trouble seeing the fun tales to tell! I figure I'll be honest and state that there is a struggle going on right now and it seems to be my main focus. Getting through the day is tough. Finding time to blog is even tougher.

I'm having a little struggle with God right now. Not my faith in Him, but just not liking certain aspects of my life right now. There are parts of me who are screaming and stomping my feet and shouting, "It's too much! I can't do it! You're asking too much this time! It's not fair."

Then, there is the reasonable part who knows I should put my big girl panties on and deal with it. Except, I can't seem to find them. (If you find them, can you please send them my way?)

Last night, Punky and I were working on memorizing the moves for a VBS concert that our childrens choir is giving in a couple of weeks. I didn't want to do it. I told her, not even so and so could talk me into doing a VBS musical with her, and we've been friends for almost 17 years! And yet, somehow, here I am; looking foolish and doing it anyway. Last night, I wanted chocolate and my bed. Let me wallow, God.

But, I did it anyway. And unknown to those surrounding my ineptness when it comes to stuff like this, I was actually able to get my brain away from the temper tantrum stewing in my head, if only for an hour. But this morning, I was able to wake up with a song in my head. Ok, it's a VBS song, but these words are what keep going through my stubborn brain this morning.

God Knows

God Hears

God Leads

God Speaks

God Knows

God Loves

God Cares about Me

So I will cast my cares on the Lord, because He cares for me

I will trust in Him, no matter what

'Cause I know He will never stop, caring for me

It seems to me, that He knows I'm having trouble seeing Him right now, so He's bound and determined to prove it to me, if only through a child's VBS song that I can't get out of my head.

Dec 27 2009

Butterflies and Dragonflies

When Chicken Noodle Butt first came to live with us, he had nightmares. We would pray with him each night. B-boo started praying with him to dream of dragonflies and butterflies. Now, when we pray with him before bed, we always ask God to give him dreams of dragonflies and butterflies.

In our family of 7 children, we draw names for Christmas gifts. This year, Chicken Noodle Butt drew B-boo's name. When I took him to pick out a gift for her, we walked around and around while he commented on how she would like chocolate, or jelly beans (she doesn't), or bubble gum for a bubble gum machine. The list went on and on and on. Just when I was about to give up, he found a beautiful butterfly necklace for her; but he didn't want just the butterfly, he had to find a dragonfly, too. So, as we searched through the necklaces, we finally found the last dragonfly. He wanted us to help him write for B-boo to dream of dragonflies and butterflies on her wrapped gift.

And so, he found the perfect gift for his cousin; from the heart. And she was touched.

But the story doesn't end there. You see, he has a serious addiction to video games. Yesterday, when it was time for everyone to get off the Wii and clean their rooms, he threw a major tantrum. I am talking a rollonthefloorkickingandscreamingforthreehourstantrum. Because he was going to play the Wii and that was that. He's had fits, but this was the biggest we've seen!

When all was calm again and he had finished his room, he came up to me and apologized. Later that evening, I was exhausted and sore; partly from the Wii and partly from raking 1/4 acre of leaves. I went to bed. And he crept in and said he might see scary things. I reminded him to dream of dragonflies and butterflies. And then, he decided he was fine but that he needed to pray for me and tuck me in. And so, he prayed to God and asked Him to help me to dream of dragonflies and butterflies.

I said, "Thank you for tucking me in tonight."

He replied, "You're welcome."

And he went to bed and dreamt of dragonflies and butterflies.

Dec 26 2009

Christmas Memories

I wasn't sure what this Christmas would hold for my family. It's been a tough year all around, so focusing on the true meaning of Christmas is what has kept me going. And I'll have to admit, this is probably one of the best Christmas's I can remember. Would you like to know why?

My older brother showed up. This may not seem huge; but in the past 9 years, we have seen him all of three times! My kids were thrilled that he came! When B-boo found out, she came running down the stairs screaming, "Uncle Mando is coming, Uncle Mando is coming!"

As if that wasn't enough; my parents showed up. I always know they'll show up, but this year, there were health issues involved and it seemed like it may not happen. Then, while taking a break from shopping, I called to check on her. And she was happy. I told B-boo, "Grandma and Grandpa are here." She asked how I knew and I replied, "She's not crying anymore."

My husband's whole family is also here now. This means that the cousins that adore each other get to spend their Christmas together. It just doesn't get any better than spending the best part of the year with those that you love.

And there was cookie baking. Lots of it.

And then there was the little things.

Like the jacket that I knew B-boo wanted so bad. For weeks I would stop by the store to see if they still had it and if it had gone down in price. They still had it, but it was still too expensive. So I waited. And waited. And finally, when I could wait no more, Mom and I went to get it. It was gone. I was almost in tears. And then Grandma found it; on the clearance rack, marked down only an hour before. 80% marked off!

And in return? Poor B-boo had been dragged all over town with me for well over a year looking for the perfect sheets for my bed. It had to be dark purple, California king sheets. Impossible to find! I finally found a store that carries them, only they were sold out. And yet…

…there they were on Christmas morning; from B-boo. She had found them. And I slept like a baby last night, on my new sheets! I almost cried, that she would do that for her mom.

There was the origami calendar for the Smart One. He loved it! (We should really change his name to Mr. Paper!)

There was the clothes for the Talented One; and the ability to find ones that he loved at the price we could afford!

There were homemade picture frames, pj's and cheese and Yankee candles that I love!

And so much more that I could go on about; like the precious friends that have overwhelmed us with their blessings of goodies and candles and generosity.

There was the brisket from my hubby; my brother will probably never be the same again! (That and the fact that he had his first ever In & Out burger!)

There was the gift from my brother. He bought my kids a Wii! We thought that the Drama Queen would jump through the ceiling she was so excited. She just kept jumping higher and higher screaming, "We got a Wii, we got a Wii!"

And there was Grandpa playing Wii tennis; and hitting his grandchildren in the head with the remote and the laughter that came with it!

And the teenagers explaining to hubby how to play…and which buttons to push, and why he did it wrong…and why we need Wii fit.

Because our arms are sore, but the rest of our bodies aren't.

And there's the slumber parties…and us not knowing which child is staying or going or who's house their going to!

And my beloved son telling me I look like Madame Blueberry in my new purple pajamas. (Yes, my favorite color is purple.)

But I forgave him, because he did this.

These are the things that made my Christmas.

Dec 13 2009

Makes a Mama Proud

I just love those proud mama moments! Tonight was one of those times! We've been planning our Children's Christmas concert for a few months now. Not only do we have a fabulous director and amazing helpers to go with it, but my whole family ended up pitching in tonight. It was so cool!

Earlier today, the Smart One was asking if he could miss youth to attend the concert and what was everyone else going to do. I told him we were all going to be doing something in the concert and we'd love to have him come and support us by watching. He went a step further. He took it upon himself to gather some friends and pass out the programs. He didn't seem to think much of it, but I did.

B-boo worked hard helping us to not only make props, but make sure they were organized, working, etc. And then she went on to take photos, too! I don't know what we would have done without her these past few weeks!

The Talented One almost made me cry! He agreed to play the piano for us. Not one to play in public and certainly not in front of an audience, he played beautifully! Seriously, I wanted to cry. The compliments I received on his playing after the concert were too many to count. What a gift he has been given!

Then there was the Drama Queen and the Princess. They sang their hearts out! It was so good to see the Princess be able to manage herself on stage. What a moment! And she sang her trio so well. I was able to see how far she has come in the past nine months. Wow!

And the Drama Queen. Well, she is that. Another child with a God given talent; what a voice! Listening and watching her sing was so much fun! She really got into her songs and just let herself go tonight.

And then, there was my hunny bunny. He is the most amazing man! He has spent countless hours putting together the sound, lights, and staging for us. If I haven't ever said how much I appreciate him, I'm saying it now! I appreciate you, honey!

So, tonight I'm exhausted, but I'm going to bed with a smile on my face. I have a GREAT family. I do. I really do.