baseball through the front window

once upon a time there was a mother...
She was just an ordinary mom.  You know, you've seen a thousand of them.
exhausted, tired, and overwhelmed from the everyday tasks and decisions that constantly fall to her.
{whiney voices that never seem to stop!}
"do I have to eat my carrots?"
"where's my sock?"
"do I have to take a bath?"
"so-and-so touched me"
"is my blue shirt clean yet?"
etc, etc, etc......

once upon a time there was another mother...
This one a little more seasoned and a little older and wiser.
The older mom lovingly welcomed the children into her arms and home.....for days.  Soon the days grew into 2 weeks.

Let's go back and visit the first mom, shall we?
She was sitting alone in a silent quiet house listening to the water heater kick on and off.

The first few days were glorious.  Honestly the first week was pretty magnificent with no bedtime, schedules, and sinks overflowingly full of dishes. 

Soon this mother realized that she lived in a home

without the little footsteps,

without voices that go from giggles to arguments to giggles
without the asking and asking for cookies
without all the squeezes and hugs 
without the bedtime stores and kisses.

All of a sudden a thought struck her like a baseball coming through the front picture window.   Many, many elderly woman had told her something through the 8 years she'd been titled as a mom.  Those woman would touch the children's heads, smile quietly-lovingly-patiently and with a far away look share some story of their own children.  Then the older lady would matronly look at the tired young mother (who was balancing a baby on her hip, holding onto the toddler's shirt tail, and watching two other children in opposite corners of the room at the same time.)  
The words were always the same.  "Remember, dear, this is the best time of your life."  While accepting the advice this young mother would smile graciously than remind her own self that "Grandmothers just don't remember....everything."

You know what.  They're pretty smart.

This baseball through the window moment is all due to the "other" mother.  The one I lovingly call my mom, these days alone have truly shown me that now is the best time of my life.   I want to enjoy and cherish it to the fullest!

To My Future Teenagers

To my future teenagers,


I've enjoyed you so much, and loved each stage of your lives.  It saddens me to remember those sweet newborn hours.  How I loved snuggling with you and your fresh new scent.  Daddy and I love watching you learn new things and discover.  As you learned to talk and communicate we felt such pride in how smart you were.  Now you spend your carefree days playing house or tea party, dressing your baby dolls and building castles out of chairs.  Childhood can be such a happy time.


I, personally, don't consider myself a girly-girlly.  I truly favor feminine things but my tastes are more simple or vintage.  I enjoy clothes shopping or browsing especially with someone to discuss the clothes with.  Since I was a little girl I have always enjoyed getting dressed for Church on Sunday.  That was my time to wear my best and it was fun to chose my outfit and accessories.  I've noticed you're the same way.  Many times you come to me and tell me which dress you'd like to wear to Church.  You like to lay it out ahead of time with your shoes and hose...and hair do-dad.   It thrills me when you ask if we can match.  You are so happy and proud when mommy wears the same color and we are "twins".  This is fun and something I'll remember when you're a teenager.


Speaking of teenagers, I often sit and dream of what kind of young ladies I hope you become.  Love of clothes and fashions are strong in this world, especially to a pretty young woman.  


Here are some thoughts on modesty that I believe:
1. More skin doesn't mean more attractive.
2. More skin will get you lots of attention from the fellas, but that is the wrong kind of attention.  Just trust Mama, you don't want that!
3. Don't sell yourself short.
4. Most of the time, people assume who you are with how you are dressed.  If you are a nice, decent young lady, why would you make your life harder by wearing something that makes you look less than who you really are?
5. Treat yourself with respect.  Dress accordingly.
6. There are many ways to be modest and at the same time accomplish a modern, cute, and stylish look.
7. If in doubt...don't wear it.  


My precious girls, I love you so much, and I know there's going to be times in those teenage years that we don't see eye-to-eye on clothes.  I do want you to be happy, but I want to raise you to honor the Lord who gave you to me.  I truly don't wish you to look out-dated or frumpy.  If you don't trust my opinion then we'll call and ask one of your aunts.  They love you too, but I have a feeling they will back mommy 100%.

The thought about writing to your daughters on modesty is from another blog I follow.  I contacted her and she graciously consented to me using her idea.  Thank you.

a past post you might enjoy Advantages of wearing skirts

In the Sweet By and By

This past week, my sweet Great-Grandma, back in Missouri, went to be with Jesus.
It is sad when someone dear to you passes away.
Sad you can't be with your loved ones to grieve.
Sad to return home and they're just not there.  Life is but a vapor.

So this post is to reminisce about my sweet Grandma and record these thoughts for my daughters.

Back in Missouri my {very large} family gathered to celebrate the life of Mona Chrisman.  She was the mother of 8, grandmother of 25, great-grandma to 52, and great-great grandma to 20.

I have the highest respect for my Grandma, whom I lovingly called Lil' Grandma.  And rightly so when she stood 4 foot 8 beside my 5 foot 9 frame.  Lil' Grandma didn't grow up in a Christian home.  She wasn't saved until she was in her 20's, but Grandma was a lady who lived her beliefs.  She stood up for them, and her close walk with the Lord would put many a preacher to shame.

Lee and Mona Chrisman early after they were first married

(My Brynlee is named after her Great-Great-Grandpa Lee)

Grandma Mona was sweet sixteen.

This picture shows the 5 generations.  

Mona Chrisman, Grace Starbuck, Paula McNamar, Maria Wesley (me), and Moriah and Alexis

I stole this picture off of my cousin's fb.  It is just adorable!

Me, my sisters, and my cousins visiting our Great-Grandma

My sister Rachel hasn't changed much....guess which one she is?

headed to church

My mom told me that Grandma Mona could tell "the best" Bible stories.  

She used flannel graph and she had so many tiny details that elaborated her stories.

 This picture is taken on the farm that my Great-Grandparents lived on since 1933.  This was their home where they were farmers.  Except for when WW2 started, they moved to Kansas City and my Great-Grandfather worked at Sunflower Ordinance Plant (where they made explosives).  Then he went to work at the North American Bomber Plant.  They returned home right before the war was over because Grandpa's health was not good.

This is the  same farm, in the beautiful hills of Missouri, that Grandma Mona lived on until the day she died, 78 years later.

1973 (I think this is their 40th wedding anniversary)

Isn't that mustache just adorable?

music is very special to my family

As a {young} girl, my favorite thing at family reunions was to listen to my Great-uncles and cousins 

get out all their instruments.  Christmas Eve (when everyone would crowd into Grandma's little house) and sing carols and listen to the instruments was one of the best things about the holiday to me.

I have a very vivid memory of Lil' Grandma singing "Oh, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Shine On."  It will always be one of my favorites because she loved that song.  {tears}

Music was very important to my Great-Grandparents and they shared that love with their children.  Grandpa Lee played the fiddle, Grandma Mona played the accordion, and all of their 5 sons played a stringed instrument.  My Grandma Grace, was the oldest child, and she played the guitar and the mandolin.  My Grandma could also play the piano and organ.  Aunt Chris was another daughter and she used to play the accordion also.  

this is the Great-Great-Grandma that my girls remember.  They knew who she was right away.

The princesses were sad to hear of their Great-Great Grandma, but they have a few sweet memories of her.  And actually we were talking about her the very morning she passed away.

A sweet memory my girls have of lil' Grandma is our last Christmas.  While in the States, to have Baby Brynlee, we spent Christmas day at her house.

Princess Moriah and Princess Eden outside their Great-Great Grandma's backdoor.

What a heritage, God has been so good to me.

Stolen Blessings with guest writer

a child's shoulders fall as they turn away....the ignored {pretty} weed falling from their fingers
                 the little boy's baseball rolls away...unnoticed by daddy even though "watch this, daddy!" was repeated many times
    a grandma blinks in awkward silence as her offer to help in the nursery is gently refused so she can "enjoy the service"

Are you a Blessing Stealer?
This is a guest post by Mrs. Paula McNamar, a wife to an American soldier and mom to 7 great kids.  How do I know they are great kids?  Because I have the privilege of being the oldest of those kids.  Mom talked to me a few weeks ago about this subject and mentioned she was really burdened about it.  It really "rung my bell".  I've thought back to this subject many times since then.  I'm honored that my mom would share this with us today.

"Ever given a gift only to have it returned to you?  What a belittled feeling for the giver.  Sad to say but we have to guard against being the one who "steals the blessing" from someone else.  I of course am thinking mainly of my children.  It is so easy for me to "steal their blessing" and for me to not even know it.  Let's consider what kind of "blessing" would a child give... a flower, a masterpiece (picture), a hug, or maybe even a smile.  A child has little to give and yet they do give us their best.  It can take us as little as 10 seconds to stop....and give them your undivided attention and acknowledge that what they find important is also important to you.  We must purpose to "accept" the gifts that are give to us by our children.  It will fulfill a need we all have of giving to another.  This will make us fell loved, accepted, and needed.

I have concurred that the greatest pleasure in life is giving "a gift" to someone else.

This philosophy needs to be applied to adults as well.  I realize that we are extremely busy these day, but is is essential to stop and listen to feel what those we come in contact with are feeling too.  My perpetual prayer " God, help me to keep my big mouth shut and my ears alert!"  This should be not only our spouses, but people we come in contact with daily.  I know of little that will hurt a persons feelings like being told (not necessarily in words) "You are not needed here".  Look 'em in the eye.  Smile....if nothing else!

Anybody remember the song "What Can I Give Him?"


"What can I give Him, as poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I would bring a Lamb.  If I were a wise man, I would do my part.  Yet, what can I give Him?  Give Him my heart."

We should be thankful that God accepts us as we are with only the meager gifts that we bring to Him!  Thank you, Jesus, for loving me!"
 

Holding Extreme Power

The power of my voice.

Normal everyday situations fall crashing and clattering at my feet.  Just like that bowl of cornflakes someone just spilt.  Slipping from those small fingers....clattering loudly on the tiled floor.  I watched it all in slow motion as the milk gracefully swirled up in the air.  {Blink}

Wide eyes turn to see mama's reaction.  Now it's my turn.  I'm on the stage right now.  {deep breath}

With just my choice of words and voice tone I hold extreme power.
I can make them feel guilty.
I can make them feel ashamed.
I can make them feel inferior.
I can make them feel scared.

Do I really want them to start a day like that?  Start OUR day like that?  It's not even 7 o'clock yet.

Mama grabs two rags.  Hands one to the little princess and says, "Let's let the dog in...he loves milk.  Doesn't he?"

Now doesn't that SOUND like we're gonna have a good day?  Who's day can you make better today?

Princess Moriah and Princess Alexis (Sunday Morning)

someone said....

"mom, it's so much fun to match!"  Give them about 10 years!

out of the blue

Sometimes.... when God wants to really get our attention He uses others to do His will.
Sometimes.... those "others" are older more seasoned Christians.
Sometimes.... those "others" are the sweaty little barefoot kid running around the yard.

It was just Alexis and me in the yard, when out of the blue she says,
"Mama, God talks to me."
I tried to hide my surprise and said, "Really?  What does He say to you?"
"Sometimes....{pause}....He tells me just to believe."
                             Princess Alexis, age 5

"I'll say, yes, Lord, yes
            to Your will and to Your way.
I'll say, yes, Lord, yes
              I will trust You and obey.
When the Spirit speaks to me
     with  my whole heart I'll agree.
And my answer will be, yes, Lord, yes."  (Jamaican prayer chorus)

one of the kids

dear, sweet Drago

how do I describe you?

unconditional love

my peace of mind

playmate by day

watchman by night

a puppy in a huge body

one of the kids

 

Letters of Love

 I snapped this sweet picture of Princess Alexis, sitting in the doorway.  

Enjoying a good book and the evening breeze.

And what, may you ask, is this book that has her attention 

clasped so tightly?

Nothing less then the good ole' Hershey's Cookbook

....complete with {tantalizing} chocolate pictures.

My princesses love to look at desert cookbooks.

What can I say?  They have their mother's taste.

 I L-O-V-E receiving love letters from
Prince and our princesses.

Alexis worked quite a while on this and definitely

 put a lot of "love" into all those tricky letters.

It might be hard to read for some. 

She sometimes forgets to start from the left and work to the right.

Like on line 3 (starting from r to l)

"best girl in the..."

She told me the letter says, 

"dear mom, you are the best girl in the entire world."  

With lots of "i {heart} you's" sprinkled through it 

like colors on a doughnut.

 Have you wrote any love notes lately?

What a Girl Needs

"Mom, when you don't hold me for a week or two...it feels...
        like you've not held me for a week or two."  Princess Alexis

Talk about a 2x4 between the eyes.

At 5 years old, Alexis, is tittering between wanting to grow up and still clinging to mama wanting attention.    She loves being held and rocked and she glows with pride when I acknowledge her accomplishments.   She loves for me to take a minute or two and rock together.

(princess Alexis playing in the rain yesterday)

It is an important part of growing up.

There's curiosity of
life and new adventures
                     but a girl  needs
that secure knowledge
    knowing mama's arms will always be there
              and she'll listen when life gets tough.

p.s. Thanks for always being there, mom.  Love Maria Jean

tiny Baby Potty Training

"There has never been a house mess or job so gross and disgusting that the mom didn't feel obligated to clean up."  Until now.

 I just paid Princess Alexis $1.00 to stick her skinny little hand down in the murky potty water to retrieve the baby's pacifier.  Yes, I know....{gag}.  How did the pacifier get in the potty, you ask?  Good question.  6 month old Brynlee put it in there!

I was encouraged to start infant potty training after seeing some of my close friends do it...and accompolish it.  Don't turn me off.  The first time I heard about babies using the potty I scoffed {huuuuh!}.  Then I put it out of my mind as "just weird".

I heard of it again when my good friend, Maggie, showed a picture of her tiny little baby above the potty.  Humm, interesting.  My sis-in-law and I started discussing it and told each other we were gonna try it also...that was back before we were expecting or even anticipating expecting.  It's so much easier to talk big sometimes.  Lo and behold we both got pregnant and had our babies.  She started working with her baby and they got the hang of it.   I was pretty amazed.

Princess Brynlee's first few months were crazy.  We were living in Missouri for her birth, then when she was 3 weeks old we left for Baton Rouge to prepare everything for returning to the Island.  Busy...busy...busy....just doesn't describe it.

After returing to Jamaica, things settled down and we got back into our routine.

On her 3 month birthday, Brynlee and Mommy started her potty training.

It went like this.  We went potty before morning feed, after morning feed, maybe every 45 minutes to an hour after that.  We always tried before naptime and immediately when she woke up.  Research on the subject advised using a word the baby would learn to recognize.  Because of her extremely short attention span and my unwillingness to continually stand in the bathroom and repeat (excuse me) "pee-pee" 500 times, we came up with the "potty song".

It's a catchy little ditty that goes like this,
"Brynlee go pee-pee in the potty like a big girl, Brynlee go pee-pee in the potty like a big girl,
Brynlee go pee-pee in the potty .....pee-pee in the potty... pee-pee in the potty like a big girl.

Sung to the tune of "She'll be coming 'round the mountain".  Don't ask my why..it was the first thing that came to my mind at the time.  The song was forbidden to be sung by anyone.  And the word pee-pee is not mentioned in other rooms of the house or in front of Brynlee, unless whispered to mommy.

Each time we stayed there only through 2 verses.  Never more, unless I could tell she was trying.  It does take some time of "mommy watching" her baby and learning their little "signs" when she needs to potty. Don't think it is All Time Consuming.  I carried her around on my hip or sat her in a chair beside me and continued on with my other duties.

I tried dribbling a little water on her, but that didn't work with us.  She just got ticked off at the cold water.

It honestly only took 3 days and she understood that mommy got soooo excited when she'd go pee-pee during "our" song.  By the end of 5 days the smart little squirt would regularly go on command, especially after she'd been sleeping.

End of 1st month I was so impressed with how intelligent my baby was.
End of 2nd month I got busy with life and thought "this is a hassle taking her potty so often."  Who has time for this?
Before the end of 3rd month I'm so happy I worked with her.  She always goes (excuse me, again) poo-poo in the potty.  I rarely change a dirty diaper.  To me that makes all the work worth it!  She doesn't understand to hold her pee-pee all the time so she still wears cloth diapers.

I don't know if it's for everyone.  I was really impressed with how fast she caught on.  If you have any questions about it I'd love to answer them.

Don't worry we threw the paci away!

Beside Your Side Beside the Sea

"By the Sea,

By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea.

You and me, 

You and me, oh, how happy we'll be.

I love to be beside your side, beside the Sea

Beside the Seaside, by the beautiful Sea."

BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA From the musical "For Me and My Gal" (Harold Atteridge / Harry Carroll) (1914)

(Princess Alexis)

God is so good,

How to Have A Lovely Day

Things are twirling and spinning in my world right now, but I want to send you this beautiful picture from my rose garden and a few thoughtful thoughts.

1. Smile at Strangers

2. Slow down

3. Say thank you

4. Give lots of compliments

5. Dress nicely

6. Wear perfume

7. Observe and listen

8. Be charming

9. Laugh

10. Wish people a lovely day

list from One Woman's Haven blog http://onewomenshaven.blogspot.com

Mama Got Her Sunshine

Sometimes there are those little glimmers of sunshine that help me get through my day.  You know those days where you feel like a stretched bungee cord ready to {boing} any moment!! Don't act like you never have them.  Well, if you have perfect children and husband and live in an a/c environment with a maid...... nope, I still wouldn't believe you.  

Here is a few instances recently where "mama got her sunshine". {nod head}

{mom lies limp on couch} {arm over eyes....fan on high speed}
a little voice says, "you sick, mommy?"
"no, just stir-crazy"
"maybe you should watch Donald Duck.  Make you feel better."
mom cracks open one eye and asks, "do have have an chocolate?"
{pause}
"you can have the rest of my piece of cheese."  
{mom eyes limp piece of luke warm cheese.}
"no, thank you.  Mommy feels better."

After a full day of motherhood, mom picks up baby, retreats to the sanctity of her bedroom.  She closes the door and sits in front of a loud fan.  Typically, 8 seconds go by before someone knocks on the door. Mom closes her ears.  What?  You didn't know you could close your ears?  Uh, huh, you can.  My kids do it all the time.  Knocking persists.... and persists.  Nearly 3 minutes go by with the incisive knocking!  Finally mom cracks or snaps (either one describes it pretty well).  "What do you want?  Can't I just have a few minutes of quiet just to myself????"
The knocking stops.   After a few seconds of silence, a quiet little voice says, "I brought you my bankie'"   {awwwww}
Somebody got hugged.

"Mom, you want to......??...??"
{Exasperated} mom erupts, "no (!!!!)  I have to start the laundry... wash the dishes... sweep that floor... clean the bathroom......etc...etc...."  {mom starts running around in tight little circles with hands over her face}
A calm little voice says, "No worries, mom.  Sit down and hold my baby."
Mom takes baby doll.  Mom loves holding babies.  The little princess was right, she does feel better.

Becoming a Mother

Happy Birthday, Lil' Princess

7 Years ago today I became a mother.

                        How life changing is that?

7 years ago today, I gave up sleep for the next....well... I still haven't had a great nights sleep.  {blink, blink}

I'd like to think being a mom made me a better person. It's taught me to be more selfless.  More considerate of others and to appreciate my own mother way more.  

I stayed up late and had Princess Moriah's presents displayed on the dining table when she woke up.  Prince and I put together our creative minds and made a doll bed.  That was her favorite present....lil' Eden is so jealous.  Princess Brynlee woke up at 5 to eat her breakfast.  This is unusual.  Daddy always rocks her to sleep at 8:30 and then she wakes up at 6:10 on the nose.  Because she woke up earlier, I  laid her back in her crib, after feeding, and I slipped back under the covers....something I never get to do.  A few seconds later my room was filled with excited little girls ready to start "Moriah's day".  

Prince started singing, "Happy Birthday"...all the while his ulterior motive was he just wanted to cut the birthday cake.  Being the totally awesome mom and wife that I aspire to be....we ate cake with blue frosting for breakfast!

The Grandparents had sent presents back with us.  So Moriah was so excited to get those.  Plus we skyped each of them while she opened them.  Grandma Paula, the boys, Aunt Rachel and Cousin Evan sang her happy birthday.....modern technology is so awesome!

After Prince got back from the gym, he had a surprise for the Birthday girl and Princess Alexis.  He had arranged with a fisherman friend of his, Tiger, to take the girls out on a boat ride on the Caribbean Sea.  This is the first times the girls have went out in the Sea on a boat and they were super excited.  

(Alexis holding a white sea urchin.   {smile})

After they got back from their boat ride, we all went to the ("the" not "a") Pizza Hut for a late lunch.  I love birthdays and pizza!

Moriah-poloza ended with a slumber party on the living room floor.  We piled on blankets and pillows and watched a movie......PAST BEDTIME!

A big heartfelt hug and squeeze to the two special ladies in my world that became a grandmother 7 years ago, Grandma Paula McNamar and Memaw Bonnie Wesley.

I made the present tags from clip art off this cute site called Free Pretty Things For You  She has such cute vintage stuff!