My take on MJ...
Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by people's worship and admiration for Michael Jackson. Back in the 1980's, he used to rent out the Civic Center in Pensacola to practice and prepare for his upcoming tours. People would camp out nearby just to get a Michael Jackson sighting. Just to see his limo going by. Just for him to wave at them. All this, for a man who wouldn't even do a concert in Pensacola because we didn't have a large enough venue for him. Anywhere he went across the world, hordes of people would faint or become hysterical just because of his presence. Now, don't get me wrong. I had his pictures hanging on the walls in my room. I owned the red leather jacket with 5000 zippers everywhere. I had the white socks and penny loafers too. Shoot, I even had a MJ purse with his picture on the side. (I could probably make a pretty penny if I still had them.)
He was, and still is, a god to a lot of people. The true American idol. Even in the more recent years when he was but a caricature of his former self and hadn't put out new music, people still would sit in awe of him.
Yes, he was a talented man. Yes, he seemed to be a philanthropist. Yes, he had a troubled life. But, he was still a man. A man who was destined to crumble under the pressure that comes with knowing that millions of people expect greatness. A man who searched for perfection so much that he marred his previously beautiful face.
So, what's the point of this rant? Glad you asked. Seeing the world's fascination with his life and now his death and seeing the reports of the server crashing because of people trying to get tickets to his funeral makes me contemplative. What if we were as interested in seeing Jesus? What if we loved Him so much that we knew all of His word like we know MJ's songs? What if we took such an interest in His death and resurrection that we wanted to make sure everyone knew when it happened and what it means for us today? Writing this made me think about the hymn that says "Turn your eyes upon Jesus...so the things of this world will grow faintly dim." Satan uses any and every thing to turn us away from what should be our true focus. While we mourn the death of the greatest entertainer, while we learn lessons from his life, while we grieve for his family and kids, let even this bring us closer to Jesus and more ready for life eternal.
I'm busy y'all...
I've been meaning to post something lately but just don't have the time. Let's see what I've been up to, if I can even remember. I have a horrible memory lately.
Our 12 year old niece is here for a large part of the summer. That is...interesting. And it confirms my decision to not have more children. I am not ready for my children to hit that adolescence stage. My kids and their cousin have been arguing, fussing, fighting like crazy. Then they have a few moments of kindness and get along. Talk about annoying. Still, we're glad she's here and hope she has a good time out here.
Jaelyn had a successful heart surgery. We are so extremely happy about that. We have been praying and asking so many other people to pray for her. God is good!
Our other niece was born on Monday. Can't wait to see little Denise.
I totally missed my friend Red's birthday. I reminded myself until the day of and then forgot to call her. Sorry girl! I still love you!
I'm basically a single mom during the week right now because Dwayne has a huge audit coming up at work. As soon as I can, I'm taking a me day and enjoying it to the fullest.
Danae is now taking ballet, tap, and gymnastics class. So cute! I'll have to upload pictures when I get a minute. Brayden is in gymnastics class and he absolutely loves it.
Oh, and I'm almost 32. Where has the time gone?
Baby Body
I don't embarrass easily nor am I very self-conscious. But, I am really bothered by my body since Danica has been born...specifically, my stomach area. I know that I have birthed 3 babies. Because I didn't spread or gain weight anywhere else, my stomach was stretched to its limit. But, now, post baby it is NOT CUTE. I look like I'm still 5 months pregnant!
So, I have been working on it for a few weeks now. I know it hasn't been long at all but I am seeing no results yet. I'm still working though. I was hoping to comfortable enough for a bathing suit this summer but that may have to wait a year. Ugh!
I still can't wear quite a bit of my pre-pregnancy clothes. But I refuse to buy more. Why? Because I WILL get back into them. I have been fortunate most of my life to not really have to worry much about weight gain. So, this is bothering me big time.
I will track my progress and if I ever get a post-baby body where people don't say "you look good to have 3 kids" but instead just say "you look good" I will be so very happy.
With a daughter like mine, you have to have a very good self-esteem. She has asked me a few times if I'm pregnant with a baby brother. She's laughed at my stomach. I can't wait until she's in the same predicament in 20+ years because payback is a mutha.
Being Busy
I know I have been having big breaks in between posts lately. I just can't seem to find time to get to this thing, although I have so much to write about. Before Danica, I would wake up earlier than the children to have a little quiet time, have my morning devotion, write in this blog, and take care of things around the house. After Danica, I just tried to sleep as long as possible. However, that affected my efficiency around here, and my sanity, since I had no 'me' time. .
So, today I have gone back to the way things were. I woke up early, ate breakfast, studied my sabbath school lesson, and am now writing this post.
I had a nice weekend. Church was good, we had company for lunch, and then watched a movie (well Dwayne watched the movie while I slept on his shoulder). Yesterday, we went to a park for a child's birthday party and then came home and worked in our garden. We were supposed to go to a graduation party Saturday night but didn't make it back out of the house.
The garden is doing wonderfully well. We now have tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, carrots, collard greens, spinach, strawberries, thyme, basil, oregano, cilantro, scallions, and lavender growing out there. I may have left something out. It's rather nice not having to buy those things. The tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers are growing like crazy. Our neighbors have been helping us eat the tomatoes and peppers. Some of the neighborhood kids like to come to look at our garden. It's crazy because the garden itself is quite small but producing a lot. Can't tell you how the strawberries taste because every time one grows the squirrels come and eat it. We covered the plants with a mesh/net covering to keep them away. We'll see how that works out.
The kids are great. Danae is on a spelling kick and wants to know how every word imaginable is spelled. Makes for a lengthy conversation sometimes because if I use a word she finds interesting she will stop mid-conversation to ask how it's spelled. Brayden is writing now and doing very well. There are a couple of letters he can't quite get but I'm proud of him anyway. He's doing quite well for a 2 year old. Danica busies herself blowing bubbles and cooing and screaming at her annoying older siblings. Life is good.
Later.
CBS is not smart!
That title is only because I can't say stupid...because it's a bad word.
Anyway, I was all ready to post something new and exciting and then I read that CBS has cancelled The Unit. That is my show! It's the only show in the whole week that I absolutely HAD to watch. I'm actually angry about this. I love Jonas Blaine and the rest of the unit.
Stomping off...
Motherhood
Yesterday, I had something to do so the kids went to their old sitter's house for a few hours. We got home later than intended so I knew I would be rushing to prepare dinner, get them bathed, and settled for the night. Here's what really happened.
As soon as we entered the house, Brayden started running around saying "Mommy, I have to pee". So we rush into the bathroom and as soon as his pants are unbuttoned, he starts peeing on himself. I clean him up and decide they can play in the tub while I start preparing dinner. As soon as we get to the kitchen, Danica throws up all over me, herself, and the floor. So, I take her to our bathroom and bathe her. Before I can get her pj's buttoned up, Brayden starts screaming "I have to pee!" Because he just went all over the bathroom floor, I'm a little perplexed. I run to their bathroom anyway only to find out he didn't have to pee, he had to poop and had already dropped two bombs in the bathtub where his sister and a ton of toys are. So, I grab him and put his wet butt on the toilet (because he wasn't finished). Danae is already out of the tub and I'm cleaning the tub, putting all the toys in a bucket to be cleaned (more likely thrown out). Meanwhile, Danica is on my bed waiting to be completely dressed but being really patient and quiet. I clean the tub, bathe Danae first, then bathe Brayden. They're dressed and ready for bed. I take them to the kitchen and find leftovers in the fridge to feed them. They're happy. I get Danica dressed and in the swing. I still have to clean the bathroom and kitchen floors, wash pissy clothes, and whatever else that needs to be done.
Where is Dwayne? At a charity golf tournament enjoying himself.
Unnecessary Comment
If you know me, you know I am not easily offended. But this comment...it kinda got to me a little bit. Luckily, it happened over the phone.
Other Person: Your baby is so pretty.
Me: Thank you.
Other Person: She really is beautiful. The other two just weren't as pretty as she is.
Me: (Long silence) I can't believe you just said that.
I won't bore you with the details of the rest of the conversation. But, is it just me, or was the last part of that statement just really not necessary. I would've had absolutely no problem with just the first part but don't compare my kids and, in essence, put down my other two. Thank you if you think my baby is pretty. I do too. Now, let's just leave it at that.
Ugh...
My next post will be much happier and filled with pictures and commentary on my wonderful, although way too short, trip to Florida.
