Talented One - It's a Vivas Thing!

Mar 09 2010

Quirkiness

This morning as B-boo was in search of whipped topping, I had to laugh. You see, each morning, she has a cup of hot chocolate with whipped topping and usually a bagel with cream cheese. She's willing to eat other things for breakfast, but do NOT mess with her whipped topping. Which brings us back to last night really. Hubby had to go to the store and so I asked him to get more whipped topping because I didn't want B-boo to run out. I know she'll flip if she gets up and finds none. She just can't start her day out without it. Or the chocolate.

For the most part, her chocolate is left alone. No one else seems to have the fancy for it that she does. We're talking Ghiradelli hot chocolate. Good stuff. And whipped topping.

So hubby purchases two whipped toppings, only to find out there was already one in the freezer, bring us up to three in the freezer because there was a hidden one, no TWO in the fridge. Except, one was empty and the other almost. Which of course, threw her into a panic, because that meant she might not have whipped topping for her chocolate! But, Dad to rescue, he showed her how he'd stocked up just for her.

And speaking of chocolate, the Smart One doesn't like the good stuff; he only likes the Nestle or Swiss stuff, mixed with milk instead of water. I think he's loopy, but he leaves B-boo's chocolate alone, so it works. What he likes is the gluten free waffles. Don't let him run out, because his morning preference is a waffle sandwich. This means, waffle, egg, sausage patty, cheese, waffle. He will go without the sausage, but he prefers to have the sandwich. He also prefers certain socks for his feet. They have to fit, just right. This is really important to him.

And the Talented One; you have to make sure his bagel is completely covered with cream cheese. If he sees bagel, he'll put more cream cheese on it. He's quirky in other ways, too. For instance, he doesn't like to have his hands dirty; and please don't ask him to touch raw meat. And don't touch his hair. And he likes his own bed. Always has. As an infant, he'd stay up until placed in his crib; then he'd fall asleep. To this day, he rarely does overnights because he likes his bed.

I can't blame him for that one, though. I like my own bed, too. And my pillows have to be placed a certain way or I can't sleep. And I don't like to crawl into a bed with wrinkled sheets. If my bed is unmade for any reason, I have to make it before I can crawl into it. I know, they probably get their quirkiness from me!

The only one that seems to have no real quirkiness is the Drama Queen! She's our flipperty jibbet who just goes along for the ride! She'll sleep anywhere, eat just about anything (as long as she's not allergic to it!), and doesn't always care about what she's wearing.

The only one that is even more so than her is Chicken Noodle Butt. He'll eat anything. Sometimes hubby likes to have fun with him to see how far he'll go. As in chocolate on rice mixed with ketchup and who knows what else. The joke is if no one wants it, give it to Chicken Noodle Butt. His only "quirkiness" is his calendar. He lives by that calendar! Don't mess with it; don't argue with it.

And then…there's hubby. I'm not sure I can even go there. I'd have to say his "real" quirkiness is his feeling for food. As in, if he doesn't feel like eating it, he won't. If he's not in the mood for it, he'd rather just not eat. What a funny man. I laugh when he stands in front of a full fridge, looking for something, but finding nothing that he is in the "mood" for. You gotta love him.

Our poor kids don't stand a chance at normalness.

Jan 31 2010

Dream Crushers

I am one angry mom. Why is it that some people think it is OK to be mean just because they are the adult and children’s feelings don’t matter? Or that because they are teenagers, they must not have any feelings?

Our family has visited a local music store on several occasions. We’ve bought music and instruments from them, recommended them, and more. The Talented One loves to go in and play their pianos. He’s always been welcomed. I’d say one of his biggest dreams is to one day own a Baby Grand Piano. He will take any opportunity to play since we don’t have one at home. He’ll go to church early so he can play. He’ll stay late so he can play. He’ll visit music stores so he can play. You see, we don’t have one. We have an 88 key digital keyboard. It’s nice, it works, and he spends hours on the thing! I”m talking at least three hours a day! Playing beautiful, classical music. And making me smile.

I am in awe sometimes at how God chose to bless me with a child who can play so beautifully. With his heart. He doesn’t play to impress. As a matter of fact, he has been our *hidden* talent up until recently when we finally talked him into playing for our children’s concert. It was beautiful. This week we received some rather disturbing news. As we sat together as a family that evening, just being together, the Talented One went over and played; without his ear phones, allowing us to just listen. And relax. And enjoy. A gift from our Lord for sure.

So you can imagine my hurt for my son when he called me on Saturday and asked to come pick him up right away. He just wanted to come home, he said. I knew something was wrong, so I asked my husband to please go get him. He did. I worried. They came home. And my heart broke. So much so, that I’m still stewing about it this morning!

He was in the Family Music Center store playing the piece he’s been working on this week, when the manager came up to him and started yelling at him. She proceeded to tell him that he was disturbing the customers in her store and that he doesn’t know how to play the piano and that he is *no good.* She commanded him to leave the store. He did. In tears. There was more said, but I’ll stop.

Hubby picked him, drove to the store and went in to talk to the manager and find out what her version of the story was. No, he wasn’t being belligerent. No, he was not being rude. Nope, he wasn’t being disrespectful. In her eyes, he was just a teenager in the store playing the piano piece incorrectly, so she felt it was her duty to tell him he was disturbing the customers and didn’t know anything about playing the piano. And yes, she did tell him he was *no good.* And she didn’t care that she’d crushed his dreams. And it didn’t’ matter, because she is the “manager” of this “family” music store.

Well, this family won’t be attending that store anymore.

But, this family will continue to encourage our son. We will continue to remind him of how God has blessed him with an amazing gift; one that is to be shared so that others can enjoy His music. It doesn’t matter what this woman might think. What matters is what God has placed on his heart.

Here is my son, playing his heart.

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Jan 23 2010

Quotable Quotes #5

As we were driving on a raining highway the other night, B-boo noticed some *hobos* in a tent in a ditch off of a nearby frontage road. She has a heart for these people and has even started a ministry for them. I'll do anything for this child, but it was almost dark, pouring rain, and it'd been a very long day.

This morning, B-boo, the Talented One and I were driving near the area on our way to his weekly Bowling league. Conversation went something like this:

B-Boo, "Hey, we should go drive by and see if the hobos are still there!"

Me, "You're crazy! Hey, did you remember the coupons."

B-Boo, "Yes."

Me, "I figured you did. You're the responsible one. If you ever did anything irresponsible it would probably be because of your brother. (the Talented One)"

Talented One, "I like Hobos."

B-boo & I crack up.

Me, "Your twin needs to shave his face. He's getting hairy."

Talented One, laughing. "I told him two weeks, but he thought it was three weeks without shaving, so I let him. I want to see what his face looks like."

Me, "You probably did say three weeks, but thought two weeks. He'll probably laugh thinking he's grown more hair than you!"

Talented One, "I only shaved my chin. I'm keeping my soul patch."

B-boo & I crack up again.

"You're WHAT???"

Talented One, "My soul patch. That's what Pastor M calls it."

After we were done laughing, the conversation carried on. But I probably shouldn't share it; it had to do with my mammogram post and well, we should really move forward now.

Incidentally, the Talented One & his Twin had an interesting encounter with a *hobo* after they were done bowling. I've yet to hear the full story, but I know it involved them receiving a hand made cross in return for their generosity. God is good.

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.