Faith - It's a Vivas Thing!

Aug 20 2009

The Talented One

We found out we were pregnant with the Talented One exactly one year after hubby had proposed and one month before hubby's adoption of the Good-Looking One was final. The holidays were full of celebration that first year! After a pretty non-eventful pregnancy, we were thrown into a surprise by the early arrival of this one. 7 weeks premature, weighing in at 6 lbs 3 oz, he just couldn't wait to join us!

By far the best baby, we often joke that he was great…until he turned three! He's also the clone of his father!

Hubby on the left, the Talented-One on the right!

He was a child who had a mind of his own, too! When he was four, I tried and tried to teach him the alphabet. He'd have none of it. Then, one day, he noticed the letters on Wal-Mart made up a word. A child who loved anything to do with reptiles, he turned to me and asked,

"You mean if I learn how to read I can learn more about animals?"

A week later, the boy was reading. If he wasn't reading books about snakes and lizards, he was reading the dictionary. Yes, the dictionary.

So why is he the Talented One instead of the Smart One? Well, because he has an amazing musical talent. And quite a gift in photography, too. When he was younger, about 8 years old, he picked up my clarinet while I had gone upstairs for a sec. Moments later, he was playing a song. He was the same on the piano. He would hear a song, and then play it. He's like that today. And I'm not talking simple songs, either. He watched, "The Phantom of the Opera" and then went into the other room and started playing. Same thing after attending a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. For years, he'd only play for us. Today, he is slowly starting to share his musical talents with his friends and others. His dream is to one day own a Baby Grand piano.

Really.

At camp this year, he waited for hours, just to ask someone to let him play the baby grand in the dining hall. He was refused. Mom prayed. Hard. And then we went in search of someone to talk to. And God answered that prayer. In His way. Which meant instead of playing that piano in the big room, we were taken to a small, private room. And my son was able to not only spend some time playing his heart out, but mom got to spend some time just sitting in the corner, listening, and praising Him, for the talents He's seen fit to give my son. Wow! It was a moment I won't soon forget; my own mini concert.

When he's not playing music (either on the piano or mp3 player!), he can be found manipulating photos he's taken. He's quite the talent for that, too!

His youngest sister, the Drama Queen

He never outgrew the reptile passion either. Really. Being the cool mom that I am, he's been able to have some friendly reptile pets…among others. For his 16th birthday, we threw him quite the party! You can read about it here.

Yes, that's a python around his neck!

Now that his older brother has moved out on his own, the Talented One has become the in-house older brother, not just to his younger siblings, but to his younger cousins as well. Yikes! But it's ok, because he can always escape to his music, which he does!

Aug 17 2009

The Man in My Life

Over the past eight months, I've blogged about the Vivas Adventures, but I've never really wrote a post about who we are. So, I've decided over the next week (yes, we have that many in our family), I will write about those who are near and dear to my heart. Of course, that would have to start with the main man, the love of my life, you get the picture.

The other day, my middle son asked, "So mom, how long did you and dad date before he asked you to marry him?"

"Oh, well you see, son, just because we did, doesn't mean you should, um, you know."

His eyes widened as I told him we'd had one date, yup, one date. I went on to explain that he told me he loved me a couple of days later, and well, the next week, he proposed.

"But, son, I don't recommend that you do it that way."

"Yeah, mom, because I heard the first year is the hardest."

I met my hubby at church right after I became a Christian. I'll never forget the first time I met him. I was with my mom, and someone introduced us. He was wearing a purple shirt. My favorite shade of purple, my favorite color. And that was that.

Several months later, I was at a single's Bible study and in walks this guy. He was in black biker shorts and a t-shirt; he'd just ridden his bike over. Yeah, I admit it, I noticed the thighs. And that was that.

And yet, even later, six months after the first time I'd met him at church, he asked me if I'd like to listen to some music with him while he worked on some audio stuff. Sure. OK. And so it began. I'll admit, I was a little panicked when he started to drive me out of town. And then up the mountain. Until we reached the lodge. Where we had a romantic dinner and talked and talked. And then we drove further up the mountain and talked some more. And saw several shooting starts. And he kissed me. And that was that.

Six months later, we were married. Our parents thought we were nuts. Who wouldn't? But, we were in love. And now, 17 years later, here we are! Still in love.

So, what is it about him anyway? It's in his kiss.

OK, but seriously, it's more than that!

He loves His God.

He loves me. Deeply. And he's not afraid to show it.

The man would do anything for me; and he has. He rarely tells me no; and when he has, it's usually because I am not good at saying, "no" myself, so he says it for me. 🙂

He does the dishes. A lot.

He'll do laundry.

I cook, he cleans. Sometimes he'll follow right behind me, cleaning as I cook!

He cooks, and he cleans.

He'll go to the store for me in the middle of the night. Even when I'm not pregnant and craving something.

Speaking of which, he put up with me through several pregnancies! That's not an easy task.

He makes the tough things look like fun!

He fixes things for me. A lot.

He's a soccer coach.

He'll plunge the toilet. That alone is worth an award after certain children mess it up.

He lets me mess up his garage…and only complains a little.

He puts up with my painting obsession; even if it's in the middle of the night with B-Boo & my best friend!

He puts up with coming home each night to who knows what chaos….or a houseful of children, or a houseful of animals, or….well, you just never know with me.

He's not afraid to have fun, or be silly, or laugh at himself.

He plays the guitar.

He sends me flowers for no reason. And chocolate.

He tells me he loves me, every day. Sometimes more.

He checks in with me every day; just to see how we are doing.

He loves our children. Deeply.

There's not enough space to tell of all the ways he's special.

Even less space to tell of the ways he shows how special I am to him!

There's so much I could say, and so much that I'll probably leave out.

I'm sure after I post this, I'll think of a hundred more things I should have said.

Or could have said.

But I'll leave it with this. I love him, and he's mine.

And I'm so thankful that God saw fit to save him for me.

Aug 16 2009

One of THOSE days!

This is one of those posts that I'm not sure how to really even start! Therefore, the best thing to do is to go back to the beginning…but where is that exactly? I guess it could begin a week ago when we tried the date thing that failed for the most part because I got the stomach flu. Or, when we drove the girls up to CCA camp for the week, which wasn't too terribly bad even though I still had the flu, because a wonderful woman helped drive me home after we dropped the girls off. We could begin with the chaos that happened at home while I was away that day, or we could begin at any one of the incidences that just kept happening all week long! But, I think I'll just fast forward to yesterday morning.

Yesterday I had to get up early, like 4:30 am, to drive to California to go pick up the same girls I'd dropped off on Sunday. I didn't get a great night's sleep because the Smart One got sick at camp on Friday, along with two other boys, so they were brought home a night early. And even though my hubby was wonderful and went and picked him up in the middle of the night so I could sleep, I still had that mom thing going on through my head and dozing, so restful sleep was not an option.

As I got up and headed out, the Drama Queen woke up and begged to go with me, so she quickly dressed and on our way we went! She promptly fell back asleep in the van, and so I cranked up my Christy Nockels cd and drove off into the sunset into the darkness. (I did get to see a sunrise though, in my rearview mirror later that morning!) I had 2 straight hours of reflection time while I listened the the lyrics, sang my heart out, and prayed. By the time I got to….whatever town it was, I felt better and thought that perhaps I can regroup and focus on Him and make it through these trials that keep getting thrown our way! The Drama Queen eventually woke up so we cranked it up again and we both sang out hearts out until we made our way to the camp.

At camp, I was able to spend some time with the girls counselor for the week because the girls had gone off to say goodbye to their camp families…or something like that. She mentioned it had been a tough week for them and we talked a bit about that, then went in search of the girls. We finally ended up circling back to the cabin only to find out the girls had been circling the camp trying to find us! After hugs hello and hugs goodbye, we started on our journey home. And we made good time, too. As we drove up to Barstow, I mentioned that I'd always wondered why they would stick that fancy outlet mall in the middle of the desert by itself. The girls wanted Taco Bell, which just happened to be next to the mall, so off we went. One of the girls had a birthday this past week and had birthday money to spend, so the girls decided they'd help her find school clothes with her birthday money. We finally made it to a parking spot and headed on in, thrilled that we'd found a PacSun, especially me, since I had $40's worth of pacloots. B-Boo also mentioned that she still had the money I'd given her for camp in case she needed it. I told her to keep it for later if we needed it, and we spent the next hour having the girls shop and model for us as we picked out school clothes.

As we headed back out to the van after our little shopping spree, we realized that we were actually in the wrong mall! We'd visited the older outlet mall and never made it to the mall (across the street) that we thought we were going to! No, I'm not really brainless, it was just part of that series of unforunate events that continues to plague my life right now. But we had a good laugh, were happy with PacSun and ready to travel the next 140 miles to take us home.

Until the air conditioning went out….and we still had a long, long, way to go. And we were in the desert…in August.

I called hubby and told him what had happened and that I planned on stopping in the next town to stock up on cold water and then we'd continue on our way home….in the heat…with no air conditioning. And we did…stop in the next town, I mean. Purchases our cold water, loaded back into the van, and started it. And promptly turned it off, before it blew up.

I'm glad I had the sense to go to the nicer, newer Chevron station that had, yes, Taco Bell in it. The girls went back inside to drink their water and take care of the Drama Queen, while I called the local mechanic…and hubby.

I'll save you the drama of the next 30 minutes, but suffice it to say, the van was undriveable for the rest of the trip. The mechanic said it had just enough in it to take it to his shop a block away. He also said he charged $100 for closing his shop to come look at the van, but he'd take it off the final bill. I understood. Then he informed me he'd only take cash. Um, ok, but I don't have $100 cash. There is no ATM in the gas station. He says he'll wait…he was very nice, not rude, just waiting…for me to figure out where I was going to get $100 cash. B-Boo took off running inside the gas station. In the next moment, the girls came running out, diggin through their purses and pulling every bit of cash that they had so that we could pay the mechanic. We paid him and I told him we'd meet him at the shop in a few minutes.

And then we took a few moments to compose ourselves. Because you see, I have the priviledge of working with an amazing group of teens! Teens who don't really have a selfish bone in their bodies and who will drop everything and step up when the occasion arises! These were my girls, and I adore them! And for a brief moment, they saw my human side drizzle after my terrible week…and their not so great week, so we cried for a quick sec…then laughed and went on our way…to the mechanic's.

After dropping off the van and calling for a ride home, we decided to walk down to the Valero gas station because it had bathrooms, air conditioning, and most importantly, Dairy Queen! I told the girls to get whatever they wanted since we were going to be there for a couple of hours and I'd pay with my debit card since we were all out of cash. They ordered; I tried to pay. With my debit card. But their computer was down, so they needed cash. I thought I responded well, through my laughter.

"What is this? A cash only town?"

The cashier responded that there was an atm next door at Valero's. And hey, it only costs me $5 in ATM fees, but I was not going to sit in Dairy Queen for the next hour or two and not eat ice cream!

So we laughed, played the card game, "Speed," laughed some more, and before we knew it, our rides were there!

And we finally made it home, 16 hours after I'd woken up to start my day!

And so here I sit, on a Sunday morning, with my van 100 miles away, my sick son sitting next to me, typing this blog. Yeah, it's been one of those weeks!

And to my triplet boys…yeah, I know, I'm supposed to be writing about you….it's just that THIS happened instead!

Aug 12 2009

When Your Hands are Tied

I know what I'd like to say, but maybe I shouldn't.

I know what I'd like to do, but I can't.

I know who I'd like to be, but I'm not able.

I know I should keep quiet, but why?

I know we must go through this, but I don't want to.

Sometimes my life seems like a movie, except it's real.

Or a moving train. And I want to shout, "Let me off!," but the roar is too loud and no one can hear me.

Or an asylum, where I'm the sane one trying to get out!

This is me, for once, not worrying about what others may think.

I'd like to say that it is not fair that my niece and nephew have to continue dealing with parents who just don't seem to care at all! I'd like to say that the *system* really stinks to high heaven, when parents are given more and more time while the children wait for them to get it together. That's what I'd like to say!

I'd like to get a big house with a room for each child, and give them a safe place. I'd like to take them away from this *system* and give them a home where they don't have to cry themselves to sleep at night after they have been let down, once again.

I'd like to be strong, loving, optimistic…but it's hard.

I know we must go through this, because, even if it's temporary, their lives can be touched.

By something that's real.

By something that's good.

By someone who loves them. Many, who love them.

I know I can't do this on my own. I know it's not about me. I know I'm selfish for the discomfort that I feel, because it's nothing compared to what they feel.

I know that my God is a big God!

I know that He is able.

I know that He has a plan.

I know that He'll provide a way.

I know that His way is better than my way.

I know.

Aug 10 2009

Daddy’s Girl

Daddy's Girl, what is it about those girls? The first time I really noticed it was when B-Boo was about a year old. She used to love her hair up in the foam rollers, dressed in a onesie…and cuddling with her daddy. I remember waking up once in the middle of the night, to find B-Boo and Daddy sitting in front of the TV, watching Beauty and the Beast, eating strawberries and whipped cream…and when it wasn't that, it was popcorn. And so it began.

Six years later, the Drama Queen came along. I'm not really sure when she became a Daddy's Girl, but I know it was there by the time she was four or five…and it was definitely there by the time she was six. We were at a doctor's appointment for a series of shots (that's another blog another time). It was a long appointment and we brought special coloring books and markers. The doctor came in and the Drama Queen made some comment about her Daddy. I think she was coloring a picture for him. Anyway, B-Boo had just turned 12 and was going through some stuff that only a mom can take care of. Days before, my husband had made a comment that she wasn't his little girl anymore and he was having a hard time with it. Anyway, the doctor made a comment that he had a 12 year old daughter and that all of a sudden she wasn't his little girl anymore. We had a laugh because his complaint was the same as my husband's! The good thing for my husband was that he had another Daddy's Girl to lean on!

She has a way of saying MY Daddy that lets you know he's hers. For fun sometimes, I'll say that he was MY husband before he was HER Daddy…that usually throws her for a loop! Sometimes, it drives me nuts, this Daddy's thing. Heaven forbid something should happen to her while Daddy is away. It doesn't matter if I've taken care of it, the minute her Daddy is home, the drama starts all over again as she retells the story. She's a tough cookie, too, until she sees her Daddy; then the waterworks start.

We realized just how much a Daddy's Girl she was one day when I told her "no" to something. Her reply?

"I'll just go ask MY Daddy!"

That didn't turn out like she'd hoped!

As irritating as it gets sometimes, I'll have to admit, I'm glad he has that special relationship with her. I can only imagine how it feels to know that the minute he pulls up to the driveway, she'll come running out yelling, "Daddy!" There is not a day that goes by that she is not thrilled to have her Daddy home!

It's the same when he leaves in the morning. She'll get her hugs and kisses then run to the window, throw it open and yell good-bye to her Daddy until she can't see him anymore or someone tells her to hush cause they are trying to sleep!

Heaven forbid she should get into trouble during the day. She'll look up at me with those big puppy-dog eyes full of tears and beg me to please not tell her Daddy.

She can talk him into going down an inflatable water slide…over and over and over again!

She can also talk him into going to the park at just about any hour.

She can talk him into riding bikes around the block, no matter how tired he is.

She can talk him into watching "Game Plan" or "Parent Trap" for the 100th time. (Notice the theme?)

She can talk him into letting her put ponies in what is left of his hair.

She can talk him into letting her cook scrambled eggs with him, even though she's allergic. (She'll wear gloves, Daddy!)

She can talk him making her popcorn at the drop of a hat!

She can talk him into playing with her, even when he's in a cast and can't walk!

But she'll also love on him.

She'll hug him and cuddle with him.

She'll rub his head when he has a headache.

She'll walk on his back when it hurts.

She'll go with him to the store anytime, and work with him in the yard.

The Drama Queen has a birthday party tomorrow. It's been a long day and I'm trying to get over this stomach bug. I realized about eight pm that we'd neglected to get a birthday gift. She responded that she'd find one of her special toys to give to her friend. I told her that was sweet, but I'd take her to go get a gift after I got the kids to bed. A few minutes later, she walked over to let me know that her Daddy was going to take her to get a gift.

Her friend doesn't realize how lucky she is. If I'd have taken her, it would have been a simpler, yet nice gift, with a simple purple gift bag and tissue. But Daddy took her. She came back with a gift bag full of cupcakes that came with stickers for decorating. She had a glitter card. She had star tissue paper. She even had a glittery bow to go with it! They also got a couple pretty cool gifts to go with it.

I didn't really think about the cost; I figure it was worth it, having that Daddy moment.

I think every Daddy needs a Daddy's Girl, don't you?