Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Look, there's a Rabbit in the Tree!

The kids fell sound asleep tonight at 7PM! I am thrilled to have time to sit and think!! Not that I don't think...that didn't come out right. I do try to think, it's just not readily apparent. You know what I mean? If you are not aware you're thinking then it feels like you aren't...it's just the busyness but when you think about thinking (what is that called, "metacognition"??) it's so satisfying...just to know that I still can think...are you following me at all?

So, I just want to jot down a few things before I forget that I even remembered them.
(Can you tell it's late?)

- Princess Moxie has really been speaking a lot of English lately. She has developed this funny but inane way of referring to me as "Ma Byrnes." It reminds me of JohnBoy calling his nana, "Grandma Walton" on each episode of the Walton's. Makes me feel 92 years old.

- The kids call zippers "seat belts." I sorta understand how they reached that conclusion and haven't corrected them yet. So, each morning one will invariably walk up to me, thrust her pelvis out and say, "Ma Byrnes, please, my seatbelt?" It's enough to make orange juice shoot out of my nostrils.

- Princess Diva Darling is very, very smart. But she insists on calling squirrels "rabbits." The other day she scared the life out of me by yelling, "Mama, a big rabbit jumped out of a tree and is on the roof!"

- Princess Sparky got a huge gash on her face this week after she fell on a pretzal rod. Yes, you read that right, she ripped open her cheek on a Rold Gold Rod. I think there is still some salt imbedded in her face but I can't be sure.

- Princess Moxie and I went bra shopping recently. Not that she needs it, but she asked for one, and I figured it's better to start wearing one when you don't need it than not wearing one when you do need it. The underwear is so small and sweet it looks like it goes with the American Doll Collection. Brought back uncomfortable memories of my mom, me and a grumpy saleswoman with a yellow tape measure at Caldors in the 70s.

- Princess Diva Darling went in a swimming pool for the first time in her life. She did great. She
even swam underwater. At the end of the day she spread her arms wide and gleefully reported, "I swam like a bird!" She did, she swam beautifully...like a rabbit jumping out of a tree :)

Big hugs to YOU.

Love,
me

How can I possibly complain about anything??

Here are some chilling facts about Ethiopia that I've unabashedly borrowed from The Rush Family Blog (thank you, Jenny!):
  • Ethiopia's doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000
  • One in ten children die before their first birthday
  • One in six children die before their fifth birthday
  • There are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia
  • 720,000 children have been orphaned by aids alone
  • 1.5 million people in Ethiopia are infected with HIV
  • 60 percent of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition
  • Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school
  • 88 percent will never attend a secondary school
When I read stats like these I want to bow my head and humble myself before the Lord and beg his forgiveness.

How can I live my life in such complete denial about the pain and suffering of my brothers and sisters in Africa? How can I spend more money on more stuff? How can I spend $39 a month at Weight Watchers to encourage me NOT to overeat when I could use that send that same amount to World Vision to feed, clothe, and educate an African child for an entire month?

I don't mean to be such a downer but when am I going to get my head out of the dirt and start to change? When am I going to stop complaining about all the petty dumb things and focus my energies on REAL problems, REAL issues, and REAL solutions for REAL people? Jesus, sweet Jesus, help me to see clearly and act rightly. I can't do a thing right without you.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Summer Arrives!




Three magical butterflies flutter to an abrupt landing.
Princess Moxie, Princess Diva Darling and Princess Sparky (from left to right).

I have been holding my breath for camp to begin. It started... exhale!
I am thrilled to have some time with just Princess Sparky and to simply BE.

Princess Diva Darling seems to love both summer school (7:30 am to 9am) and camp (9am to 1pm) while Princess Moxie is tolerating it. I remind myself that I hated camp,too, when I went as a kid, and only loved it fondly in my memories. That's just how it is with some experiences.

Diva is naturally more outgoing so it's been easier for her to meet and make friends. Moxie is quieter and more reserved, but each morning at breakfast she prays outloud that she will not be shy. Yesterday at the Village Pool she saw some girls from school and ran over to them. They all played together and I felt a huge sense of relief and hope.

Prior to the start of camp I brought the three Princesses to see the Royal Queen. Each morning we piled the kids into the old red wagon and ambled down the stony street to the beach. We had the most wonderful time! Here they are...




The big girls saw the ocean for the first time. I ought to add a video clip so you can see them react to the awesome sight! They were absolutely GIDDY!

Here is a view, however, of Diva Darling in a more pensive frame of mind:




Each evening we returned to the beach where we found ourselves alone with the waves, sandpipers, and setting sun:





And here's one of Princess Sparky after I told her for the hundredth time, "Put your panties on!"



Hope you're having a day full of laughs and joy...now, go ahead, wear your panties on your head!