Emma's blog

For those of you who don't know, Emma now has her own blog page. It is located as a link on my page at the right. You can only view it by invitation only, so if you want to read it let me know and I'll add you to her "allowed" list.

The Recital

The evening began with our 3 G.E.M.s scurrying about the house putting on the final touches to their costumes. They had the hair done, makeup on, masks, helmets, etc. Off we went to our...piano recital. It was so cute. There they were, the kids and their friends all in their special costumes for Halloween, ready to play the piano for moms and dads. First, Minnie Mouse was up. She proceeded to improvise her newly-found talent on the "white keys" with her teacher at her side. It was precious. So proud when she finished, she took a great big bow while carefully balancing those sequin-ensconced ears. Her smile was so big. Then after a few others, it was the Cheerleader's turn. All prim and proper (so unlike her usual self), she assumed the position. She began only to stop again. A pause. Another attempt. Pause. One more time...success! With a few glances at teacher during her performance, she finally got to the place...that place of confidence. "I don't need no stinkin' music" she thought to herself. So just to make the point, she throws her music over her head and proceeded to finish the piece sans notes. When it was over, the bow, the grin and the triumphant "I didn't need the music anymore!" (Whose kid is that anyway?) Finally, It was brother's turn. The Clone Trooper. He took his helmet off before he began at least. His countenance became very somber. This was serious business you know. The most difficult piece of the evening, he began. Again there was a pause. A glance at teacher. Another beginning. After several attempts, he finally found his fingers and did himself proud. This was new for him, to be this nervous at the keyboard. But he finally finished, made a choking motion to the video camera I was holding and was quietly seated (after much applause of course). Seeing these three put themselves out there is so fun to watch. They love music, but more than that, I think they love the attention. So much like their parents! It's a joy (and sometimes a frightening thing) to see so much of myself in them. They always surprise me and often reflect me. So I definitely need to keep on my toes and make sure that I'm always practicing, so I don't end up "choking" in front of them!

Halloween Party

It's that time of year again. Here we go...the holidays. We're off and running with the first of the bunch. We had our first official Halloween (or as mommy called it: The Fall Fun) party. Nothing scary allowed, just funny or strange costumes only. It was great. I had 12 kids show up at my door, adorned head to toe in their best, most imaginative garb. There were three Star Wars characters, a Hannah Montana, a lady bug, a lizard girl and her sister the leopard. Oh, we can't forget my three favorites: The Clone Trooper, Cheerleader & Minnie Mouse! We even had some parents who were the best ever. She was Hermoine Granger (from Harry Potter), and he was an Arabic suitcase bomber - complete with shades and a ticking valet! (He's in the army, ok?) So funny.

The entire event was a loud, exhausting, and fun whirlwind of chaos and sugar. Note to self (and any others considering this dangerous mission): Don't ever have contests when there are little kids involved. Prizes become an issue! You'd think I would have remembered this little tidbit but alas, no. No I did not. Bad ju-ju. That's what my youngest daughter says when things don't go so well. "Mommy, that's bad ju-ju!" I think it's from a movie or something. Kids pick up on the funniest things. Overall though, I think everyone enjoyed themselves. There were enough snacks, prizes and sugar-filled bombs of delight to go around. So a good time was had by all. At least, until they all got home and tried to go to sleep. I still have parents thanking me for that one!

The moral of this story...If you're thinking of a Halloween Party, think FIRST! Then, go to someone else's and let them clean up! More later!

Not the Pants!

O.K so here's a little bit of funny. I get a phone call this morning from my husband and it goes something like this..."Hi honey. Guess where I am right now?" I reply, "Um...at work?" "Yeah, I'm sitting behind a desk (in Texas) in an office...in my underwear." "...What?!!" And so it begins. Another day of humor in our marriage. He apparently bent down to plug something in the wall and RIIIP! There goes his brand-new pants. He JUST bought them this week! So there he sat, while his colleagues had them repaired. I guess that's the difference between men and women. While a guy just sits there and waits behind a desk in his tightie-whities, a woman would have managed to hide behind a sweater or coat, made an excuse followed by a hasty retreat to the hotel to change! But that's just not the way my guy handles things. Needless to say, we had a fun laugh over that one. Then (of course) I proceeded to tell everyone I spoke with during the day! He knew I would. That's one of the many reasons I love him. He loves me even though I share some things I probably shouldn't. Thanks hon! (He asked me to be kind, 'cause he knew it would end up on this site!) :) Gotta love that guy.

Why Momster?

Let me first begin by stating that no, I don't really believe that I'm a MONster. MOMster is quite different however. What is a momster you may ask? Let me elaborate by beginning with a story. On my son's birthday last year (his 10th), I took him and his buddies to Laser Quest to play some laser tag. While there, you had to register a code name so you could have a laser gun keep track of your points. All the kids were having fun coming up with their names. There were names like...The Shadow, Mighty Man, 007, and Minnie Me. I began to think...it had to be a cool name. I didn't want to embarrass my newly elevated-in-age-and-status son. It couldn't be corney or cutsie. Something ominous would do, yet not too dark. Hmmmm. I had it. Momster. I wasn't afraid. "You can call me, The Momster" I said with a gleam in my eye. "Cool!" the guy at the counter replied. That's all it took. From then on, I'm always "The Momster". The boys thought that was definitely apropriate as well as "cool." I did it. I didn't embarrass the double didget guy, and I kept myself from being a total dork. OK, I wasn't really worried about that, but he was!

So now that the origin of the name has been established, let me tell you what I think it means. To me, a momster is a mother who likes to have fun. She likes to play with her kids, to be silly and also serious. She's not afraid to show her insecurities to her family, but also knows when to put on the mother hat and make sure the kids know where the line is drawn in the sand. It is a fine line to be sure, but it has to be there. A momster is fully in love with her family. The needs of the children come second only to her husband and herself. I say "herself" not to imply selfishness, but to remind us that...if mom doesn't take care, nobody else gets cared for either!
She provides for her family in many ways. She cares for the kids, the husband, her friends and extended family. She makes time for God (even though He often gets less time than anyone!) Her priorities are often jumbled, but she does the best she can. She's not perfect. For the Momster often blows her temper and roars at the dumbest of situations. But once she regains her human form, she (hopefully) apologizes and begins again the duties of mom-ness. She often fails due to her lack of discipline and faith, but she remembers where her strength lies. So she reaches to her God for grace and He renews her resolve to continue the quest. The quest to be the best mom she can.

So I think that a little momster resides in all of us. Whether we are super-moms who work in and outside the home, stay at home only, or care for other people's children, it doesn't matter. We all love those people close to us, and would do anything for them. Even if it means sacrificing some of that precious scrapbooking time, to go play a few rounds of laser tag with your boy and his friends. You GO Momsters!