Family - It's a Vivas Thing!

Oct 21 2009

Scary Creatures and Such

It's been one of those days, you know? A sense of humor is really needed at this point and a good laugh even more. Therefore, when we entered church tonight with two big gift bags and asked a friend to watch them for us, I took great delight in her sudden fright! (Hey, that rhymed!) Wondering why she'd be afraid of two simple gift bags, she remarked that she didn't trust me since I had a *critter cage* in my hand.

Oh that.

Well, the simple explanation was that the youth pastor needed an aquarium and so I was bringing in one of ours. She didn't believe me, saying something about how looking at the pics from the Talented One's birthday still scared her.

When we came back, she was still standing a few feet away from the bags, asking if there were reptiles in them. I explained to her that, no, they were just blankets, although one of them did have turtles on it.

Anyway, it was pretty funny in my book.

And then I came home. And as I sat down to relax, I noticed a GIANT BLACK COCKROACH making it's way across the floor towards me. I did what any mother would do and demanded that the Talented One come here immediately.

Apparently he knows the cockroach tone, because he responded that he was not coming over to get a bug. Wrong answer. As his mother, I have the priviledge of using blackmail when it suits me. He came over…with my shoe. And I screamed; because it looked like he was going to scoop the thing up and toss it at me.

I screamed.

He screamed.

We all screamed for ice cream.

Ok, we didn't get any ice cream, but the other kids came running downstairs to see what all the commotion was about. By this time, the giant bug had made it under my footstool, where my feet were no longer resting. The Smart One joined in and helped get the thing.

Then the Talented One teased me for a bit by holding the napkin full of bug guts towards my face.

Yuck!

I hate cockroaches. I really do. Especially the big ones.

Even the little ones.

And to my friend who I had so much fun with tonight. I apologize. Really. I'll try hard not to ever tease you with your fears again.

Oct 16 2009

Willing to do Anything!

Some people are willing to do anything to be on my blog!

I'm ok with that….cause it means I get free labor, lots of laughter, lots of fun! And pictures.

This would be Rice Crispie treat preparation for the Drama Queen's Birthday! B-boo reminds Punky how do it. Now they know what they are doing. Punky brags to Twin who wants to be on blog that she will beat him to it! (This would be the twin to the Talented One. Sometimes I get them confused.)

Yes, you have to be willing to smear butter on your hands and play with melted marshmallows!

So…what's a guy to do? He learns how to make rice crispie treats so that he can be on the blog, too!

Am a brilliant or what?

And then there are cupcakes…we can't have a party without them!

Notice thebrilliant colors and wonderful photography! I tried to convince her to become a food photographer…but they all laughed at me. I thought it was a brilliant idea…much better to take pictures of beautiful food instead of dead bodies. (Forensics and all that!) The party was a success…but that's another blog!

Oct 15 2009

Living the Dream

Do you ever look at your life and think, "I really had no idea I'd someday be living this life?"

How can we know, really, what we'll be doing? I look at my kids today, and I wonder how they'll turn out. I remember when my oldest was 8, he wanted to be a Forest Ranger. From there he wanted to be an Air Force pilot. Then he turned to Civil Engineer, and finally, he's nearing a degree in hospitality. He wants to manage a resort somewhere in the boon dogs. So, it's not quite a Forest Ranger, but close to his heart, still, because he loves being in the outdoors away from it all.

I wonder how my next son will turn out. He's got so much talent in him. And a heart for others. I remember when he was little, he would go up to strangers and ask them if they knew Jesus. There's so much out there for him, it will be interesting to see where it goes.

There's B-boo. From the time she was itty bitty, she made her own fashion statement! We laugh at her whenever she wears matching socks because she just doesn't normally. Things have changed for her so much in the past two years. She has a new passion for Forensics (and not the debating kind)…yuck. We laugh and tease her that she'll be the best dressed forensic scientist that there is! She's the one that seems to have it all planned out; it will be interesting to see what happens!

Next, there is the Smart One. The boy thinks too much. He can figure things out in his head. He loves to just sit and think things up; figure things out. I remember when he was four, we were working on our house. Hubby was trying to pop up tiles and having a hard time getting to them. The Smart One just watched him for a bit, and then said to Dad, "If you turn it around and move over here, you'll get them out easier." Dad did; and it worked. He was amazed at the common sense in such a young child. His fine motor skills are amazing. He can make the tiniest origami things I've ever seen! He says he wants to invent something. He loves math and science; and drafting. I wonder what he'll end up coming up with!

Then there's the Drama Queen. I wonder how long it will take her to figure something out! She has a passion to try out everything in life! She loves, loves, loves to sing! And to dance. And she talks of becoming a doctor. And she wants lots and lots of children. And she'll probably try to do it all!

My son once asked me if I was doing what I wanted with my life. I told him that even as a little girl, I always wanted a big family with 8 kids and a home to go with it. I don't have 8 children, but we're certainly close to it!

I had no idea I'd learn to cook around food allergies, research endometriosis, restless leg syndrome, Celiac disease and Reactive Attachment Disorder; become a nurse, doctor, vet, home school mom, chauffeur, foster aunt and much, much more!

I had no idea of the pain I'd feel when they hurt or the joy I'd feel when they smile.

Of the skip in my heart when I see hubby, even after years of marriage.

Hubby and I were talking last night about where we are. Sometimes we look around and think, "I didn't see it happening like this." We may not have fancy cars and a room for each kid, but God has definitely filled our dreams. We have the big family; the foster children, the loving home; wonderful children, great friends; joy. He's given us all we've needed and more. And that's what I look forward to for my children.

Oct 12 2009

Warm and Fuzzies

What is it about childhood things that take us back to the warm and fuzzies?

My niece has her green bunny. I gave this to her a couple of years ago and she won't go to sleep without it. She was devastated when a child pulled it's ears off and thrilled when I was able to sew them back on. So the other night, as we were saying our prayers and cuddling with green bunny, she asked me if I had a cuddly from when I was a child. I did. I still do. Mine was an old-fashioned stuffed monkey that my parents bought for me on my first birthday.

I've held onto this monkey for almost 40 years now, and he isn't going anywhere. To be honest, I don't really have any memories of him until I started getting older, but I know that he's always been there with me. He's tattered and worn, and not played with anymore, but he represents a time of warm fuzzies. Much like the green bunny for my niece.

And Simba the Lion for my oldest daughter. I remember walking through the store with her on her first birthday, and she saw him; and she fell in love and 14 years later, she still has her Simba.

For my oldest son, it was a stuffed Mickey.

For my middle son, it was a blankie…so tattered and worn it fell apart. The other day, I found the pillow that went with it and showed it to him. He smiled; you could tell it brought warm and fuzzies, and so he asked me to keep it for him. I have.

For the youngest son, it's a blankie…and a blue teddy.

And for my youngestdaughter, it's a Boo doll.

There are certain things in life that we never get rid of. We never forget. They represent a time that was special for us. A memory that we hold on to. A feeling that we can never let go.

May we all remember a warm and fuzzy today!

Oct 10 2009

When They Get It!

As parents, we strive hard to instill values in our children. We hope that they will someday get what we are trying to teach them. In today's society of instant gratification and *I*, it's not so easy. We are constantly battling the television, music, selfishness, etc. that is the norm. One of my favorite scriptures is:

⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

When my children were younger, my family was more active in mission work. The larger our family became, the harder it became to have the *time* to serve others rather than ourselves. As a parent, we've had to be more creative, and teach our children, that it's not just about going out on a mission, but looking for opportunities to serve; in our home, in our neighborhood, in our church, on our streets. And I'll admit that our lives are so busy, and sometimes, other's won't ask me to help with this or that because of our current family situation; I've learned to say "no" when I need to. But, it is still important for us to have the chance to live outside of ourselves.

Sometimes I wonder if my kids notice; and then one of them does something like start a new ministry for our youth. And well, her heart is like mine; it's like a passion that burns inside of you and won't let go. It's my middle son noticing the homeless man on the street and asking for one of the bags that his sister had made up; and seeing this ministry in action. Or the same son running into the street to help another homeless person who has fallen out of his wheelchair into the street while others just stare or walk away. It's their willingness to stop and pray for someone in the middle of a restaurant because they looked like they needed someone to show them Christ.

Today was one of those days. For my youngest son, who is NOT a morning person and complains every single morning that school should not start before 10 am, it was a proud mama moment when he volunteered to run in a charity race along with his youngest sister and father to raise money for children with cancer. I honestly didn't think he'd make it. He did. He was up at 6 am and ready to go. When I asked him why he got up so well, he replied, "Because it was worth it to get up, Mom."

Last night, my niece brought in her loose change to give to those children because she wasn't able to participate in the run, but wanted to be included in the giving. So she gave all she had, much like the widow's mite.

Not long after the three left for their race, my oldest son called. He was at the park up the street. His fraternity was helping a charity event for children with food allergies and would I come? These busy young college students had gotten up at 6 am on a Saturday morning to help set up tables, chairs, tents, and bouncy houses for the families that were putting on the event. Then they stayed to help run the event, take pictures and then help with the tear down and clean up after. He had no idea when he volunteered that this was a group that could touch our family, too. You see, I have two children with severe food allergies, and this group had managed to raise over $35,000 to raise awareness for children with food allergies!

This evening, I can sit and write out my thoughts; no, my thanks. Thanks to my God, who continues to show me that my children do get it; that He is working in their lives.

I get it.