Now, here's a Mom!

You may have seen this one before...I have. But it gets funnier (and freakishly more applicable) every time I see it! Enjoy!


The Mom Song from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Deep thoughts: What is a grown up!?!

Well, it's already November. Wow! We are having a beautiful Fall. The leaves are actually colorful, the weather is cool and the kids are in school. All wonderful attributes to this season. As I stay at home for my tenth year of parenting, I realize that despite the routines of my day, I am in an absolute lack of knowledge of what I am doing. Maybe I 'know" less now than ever. That's a doozy. I often expect myself to be perfected in my life of mom, wife and woman. The traditional (and quite blessed, might I add) Mom of 4 beautiful, smart children. The driver of a spiffy 2008 Honda Oddyssey. The caretaker of a perfect suburban masterpiece of a home. But despite it all, my brain is quite bored.

Now the kids are always a thrill. I say that honestly. Watching Alice grow and nursing her in her footy pajamas while it drizzles a cold wet rain outside is absolute bliss. Even watching a Spongebob episode for the millionth time and discussing it's life meaning with my now 4 year old Miles is an absolute trip. Even keeping up with the spelling words of an always energetic Weston is a lesson in why running on the treadmill is vital to my success as a Mom. And especially the challenges of ten year old Owen who lives in his own world 200% of the time, yet seems to know everything about how the real world should be run, reminds me constantly that even as my kids get older they need me more than ever.

All this said, it seems the struggle for me comes in deciding how to deal with the practicality of managing this lfestyle with the reality that it's my life too and I want an interesting one. Seems every 5 years or so I ride this wave of restlessness that takes me somewhere different. It wells up from the inside and comes rushing out of my heart. It's made me quite anxious several times as I fought it fierecly. Pretty futile when thinking about actually trying to stop a wave of water from rushing in on the sandy beach. It just can't happen. It's like I want change. I want to show my kids the world! I want to dream and follow the dreams I come up with! I want to LIVE and BREATHE and MOVE and CHANGE. But all the while my idealistic thoughts are taking shape, the realities of the world line up outside my door and tell me how much money I need to make these things real and how I need a nice backyard for the kids and how the kids need a stable school life.

You may ask, how radical are your dreams? Well, not really. But those darn annoying realities line up just the same. For example, I found a house in the midtown section of Macon. Beautiful really. Perfect maybe. Everything that I would dream of in a house and it's just a house anyway. But maybe the neighborhood is not as safe. Maybe the backyard is not as big. The whole school situation would have to change. It's really old, so what would that be like? I guess my question is "How do you know when it's OK to make a change without knowing how it will all play out ahead of time? How do you know when to take a risk when you have 4 kids in tow? How do you trust in God's providence when all you hear is practical parenting?" Seems silly really, but it's these everyday scenarios that I struggle with. Making little decisions to temporarily appease the big ones seems to be my regular line of defense. Growing up. I admire the people who just don't think about things so much!

This awesome house...Click Here...

Fifth grade fun...

Quick update...we are doing great getting adjusted to life as a family of 6. Well, GREAT is obviously a very relative term. It's crazy. Brian has been traveling, I had mastitis (an infection of, yes, the BREAST) AGAIN, and the kids school lives are ramping up...it all makes for some fun. I am learning to let things go and take a bit more "light" approach to life. Learning also is a relative term. Maybe I am becoming more aware of my need to learn these things!

Owen is memorizing Abe Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and is doing a stellar job. He has apparently not inherited my fear of public speaking which I Forced myself to overcome for high school debate and theater. I have challenged him to a memorization contest and he is whipping my butt. But I will give myself credit...I am a bit busy. Anyway, as I have watched him work with these famous words I have been reminded of one of my favorite Fife moments! Thank goodness for youtube!



Alice is growing and will be 8 weeks tomorrow. She truly is a joy and I am amazed at how she is just one of us. Life's cool like that. She's here and although initially unexpected, it's like it could be no other way. Here's a pic of her little smiley self...



Signing off for now,
Amanda

She's HERE!!!

Alice Amanda Hood
July 19, 2008
6:00 PM
7 lb. 5.8 oz.
19 1/4" long
and beautiful!

We are all getting adjusted to being at home and she already feels like she has been here forever, although routines are changing daily...I guess that's not called a "routine", huh? Anyway, the boys are adjusting and life is good!

Here are some pictures of our newest little one:

No baby yet and other stuff...

Well, no baby yet. But technically there is not supposed to be. Human impatience is a tough one. I keep reminding myself that I have te easiest job here on earth. Just chill out and let my body do as God designed it. Sometimes I just want to help a little too much. Oh well.

Miles is eager for someone to be in the baby's bed...so he figured it might as well be him. Here is a picture of him cozing up;o)



I finally have Owen's portrait at home. His art teacher, Debbie, put some of her work on a website and "Owen" has gotten some good comments. Thought you might want a look at some of her other art. Check out Debbie Anderson at the Fine Art America website.

She's Crafty!

I have had a serious case of nesting...so I am here to boast on some of my latest projects. I have been intrigued for a while by the artistic endeavors taken on primarily by women in our history. These truly are the lost arts of domestic engineering and they are truly beautiful. To me, quilting, pie making, preserving, gardening and the like are activities that I can be a part of that connect me to a history of women who have been dedicated to keeping their homes safe and beautiful places for their families to dwell. The other appealing idea is that these tasks are functional. In a world where everything can be purchased, I am left with the question of what point is there in me staying home if there is nothing personal about the space in which we live? What legacy am I leaving that is more meaningful than that of babysitter and taxi cab driver?

All that said, here are some of my projects:

I made a quilt for the baby's room. It took some time, but not nearly the amounts that people think. A little here and there. The main requirement was leaving the sewing machine out on the dining table for a few weeks so I could use my snippets of time here and there. I think it turned out great. I took a quilting class about 6 years ago so I had some experience, but the main thing about this project was getting started. It is by no means perfect, but endearing just the same.

Ta daaa!





Another thing I have been obsessed with is pie making. I love getting my hands in the making of the crust. This one is truly a delicate art and one I have made my fair share of mistakes. For the fourth I made a peach and blueberry pie and my crust recipe was right on. This pie truly tasted as good as it looks! Yea! Laura said I should post my recipe, but some things are better kept secret...ha!




Anyway, we are all doing well and are waiting this baby. I am trying to look at childbirth with the same old fashioned view as my quilting and pies. That one is a little more difficult! No pain, no gain, right? Hopefully...?

I'm Back!

Gosh, it's been so long since my last post, that I don't know where to start. For my own sanity I'll do a quick wrap up. Public school ended the year as mostly redeeming. Owen was accepted into gifted for next year, made some new friends and learned how to be a little more flexible in all areas. Weston's reading soared, he literally made a perfect score on the reading portion of the "BIG to do" standardized test the teacher was afraid he wouldn't pass because of different curriculum issues. He also has a boosted ego because he is competing with people more his own speed, instead of comparing himself to his main homeschooling peer, Owen. Miles is maturing and is so excited about being a big brother he could pop. Of course, she hasn't arrived yet, so we'll see what reality will do.



I am doing well. Still adjusting to the thought of doing all this baby stuff again, but trying to be understanding of the necessity of approaching each parent child relationship differently and not being too hard on myself that this one will be different. What with me having stayed home for 10 years already, I have definitely outgrown the phase of new motherhood, realizing the importance of taking some time for myself along the way. Everything is a transition which is the beauty I suppose. That said, i am getting so excited about this new phase of my life.

We visited Laura and Gwyneth in Virginia earlier this summer and had a lot of fun. We flew which was so worth forgoing the 12-13 hour drive for me and the kids. Here are some pics...




At home we have been enjoying Georgia summers...hot, humid, sticky, green and WONDERFUL! I absoluely LOVE this time of year. Miles and I have cultivated quite a garden, I have been working on the baby a quilt and we have been reveling in a baby spider building a web on our front window...this one the baby of our mama from last year. It was such an affirmation when we spotted it a couple of weeks ago. I will add some pics of these also.

Hope all is well for whoever reads this blog...and keeps up with us this way. Oh and I didn't mean to leave Brian out...he is working harder than ever. My wish for him is a little more relaxation in the days ahead, but for now he is plugging away...

Amanda

Obama?

This is a political video I received that brought some new facts to my eyes about Obama. This guy does need to be scrutinized to say the least...It's 13 mins. so I don't blame you for hesitating to watch it. But it is worth the time. As always, I view objectively but this guy is scary!

Progress?

I wrote this as a letter to the editor of our local paper...I've sent them in before and I haven't been published, but I'll try again. This is a topic of interest to anybody who cares about stopping haphazard land development. That's my semi-environmental spouting! Ha!





The controversy surrounding Georgia’s Jekyll Island is one that has been around since human beings entered the scene on the world stage. It all centers on progress and our innate desire to create and improve that which we have dominion over. Progress can be defined in many ways, but most would agree that progress in all definitions involves certain elements of change and growth. How these ideals are implemented is where the disagreement comes in regarding progress.

My own personal relationship with Jekyll Island began as a one year old playing in the sandy beaches of the island with my parents and maternal grandparents. My grandparents began staying on Jekyll Island soon after it was opened as a public beach for Jekyll’s citizens. My mother grew up going there, as did my sisters and I. Obviously, there are many sentimental reasons I could give for stopping further development of the island that holds so many dear memories for me. And while I see each of these reasons as being extremely important to maintaining the qualities possessed by this beautiful island, I am not so naive as to believe these reasons are relevant for everyone who has ever or will ever visit the island. However, being objective, I still have an overall opinion on the proposed redevelopment of Jekyll Island. What bothers me surrounding this issue is not the actual ideas of development and progress that must come to the island, whether we like it or not, but how this is being carried out as a war of power and politics with little to no regard for the island itself.

I am a mother now to three little boys, and am expecting our fourth child soon. My husband, children and myself just returned last week from this place of beauty and I am reinvigorated on my platform regarding this issue. There is no denying that Jekyll could use a simple facelift. The shops at the entrance to the island are architecturally outdated and could be remodeled to fit in better with the scenery and drop their 70’s appearance. OK, whatever. Even the convention center could use some improvements, and if that involves a complete overhaul, OK, whatever. Also, the hotels that were outdated have already been torn down and should be rebuilt right where they were to provide nice places for visitors to stay, OK; we’re already on that, thanks. However, it is the ignorant opinions that I continue to hear and read about that bother me. To say that Jekyll is in bad disrepair and to give the idea that the island is about to fall over from lack of “progress”, simply tells me that the people making these remarks have either not visited Jekyll recently or are not inclined to like a quiet beach atmosphere anyway. These are fine viewpoints to have when choosing your beach destination. But to impose these viewpoints on an island that is simply different from other places you prefer to visit is both unfair and wrong. No place will ever please everyone and to make this an issue of pity toward Georgia residents who “need” a better place for vacation that is not rundown is not an idea I appreciate. First of all, an island that is “underdeveloped” does not equal an island that is in poor disrepair or badly needs developing. It simply is what it is. Jekyll is a quiet place of stillness, unrefined, and full of natural beauty, while still being convenient enough to stay on and be comfortable. It is not Hilton Head, St. Simons, Sea Island, etc… nor does it need to be. There is nothing wrong with these places, but to suggest that Jekyll is “less than” because it is not one of these places is simply ignorant. Human beings have made footprints on Jekyll Island. These footprints can and should stay and even be improved upon. But to come in and make more footprints, move footprints, argue over footprints, stomp on other’s footprints is taking on the human agendas of money, greed and assumptions over what the people of Georgia need and want, while completely disregarding the island itself. I have learned in my adult life that sometimes it is in the still quiet moments that the truth can be heard. Yet, everyday, it is our human desire to drown out those moments with more noise and stuff, all in the name of progress. Everyone who is involved in the decision making process regarding Jekyll Island needs to take a weekend there relishing in it’s quiet beauty. Listening to the island and not your own inner desires for more, more, and more. Then an appreciation may come for what Jekyll’s place in the world should be. If it does not, that’s OK, too. That’s when you will know that Jekyll is not the destination for you and when making future plans, you should make them elsewhere. It does not mean that it is now time to conform Jekyll to your needs and desires just because the money is in your pocket, or there is money to be made, or those poor Georgians need a better island!

This “poor” Georgian is thrilled with my beach choices. Jekyll even has the fancy stuff! I have never seen a place more beautiful than the Millionaire’s village and it was developed over a century ago. It is residing in its original footprint and is coming alive again. So the next time you think of this issue as one of progress, remember this quote from C.S. Lewis who said, “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” I think we have an obligation to this great island to preserve her beauty, clean up our outdated footprints and leave her alone for the people who want a still, quiet refuge to enjoy. We still have time for that about-turn Lewis spoke of, and to make the truly progressive choice for Jekyll Island.

If this is your opinion also, go to www.savejekyllisland.org and see what you can do right now to allow your voice to be heard!

Easter and Jekyll...Spring is here!

We had a great Easter and an even better Spring Break at Jekyll! It was so nice to get away and the beauty of Jekyll surpassed anything I could imagine. That place always amazes me with it's quiet, simple beauty. It truly is my favorite place in the world. I plan on being more poetic in the very near future...but for now I will leave it at that. I don't even know if anyone reads this, but I find updating it is a way for me to document all the little and big things. Maybe like I used to do in a scrapbook, but not as time consuming. Kind of like reminding myself..."Wow! I DO have a life!" ha... But seriously, the mundane of life can get in the way of seeing all the meaningful things you do...a string of meaningful events scattered among the everyday. They are all important and beautiful in their own way.

Building Cathedrals

I received this in my email today. It is so great that I wanted to post it somewhere. It has taken me my whole life so far to realize the things we do may never be recognized during our lifetimes, but they matter just the same. This especially rings true for us stay at home Moms who may find ourselves wondering, "What am I doing with my life!!??!" Well, read on...

Invisible Mother...... .

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fued by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Snow in March and ART!!!!

We had some surprising snow last weekend for March in Georgia...well, for ANYTIME in Georgia! Of course it didn't stick but it provided about 20 minutes of wintry fun for everyone.

Owen has also completed some of his first big pastel pieces. They are fantastic! He says he likes this medium better than anything right now...so maybe we are in for more great work. I am sure no matter what art form he pursues it will be great...he is very talented.




I know I am his Mom so I am a bit biased, but it is so cool to see your child involved in something they really enjoy. I hope all my kids find that...in fact, I'd like to find it myself!!!

Owen

Owen is the subject of a new portrait done by his art teacher, Debbie Anderson. As Owen told me to say, "It looks amazing and I've already bought it and started paying it off!" True...donations, anyone? HA!

It's a GIRL!!!

We are having a girl! I really didn't know we had it in us! We are all excited, especially that everything appears healthy and going great. The boys are REALLY excited which I think is wonderful. I can't think of a better position to be in than having three handsome boys taking care of you all the time! :o) The nurse did say she was measuring big which my sister just chalked up to the fact that this girl knows she's got to hold her own among three big guys!

Consider it pure joy!

Passage: James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature, and complete, not lacking anything."

OK...last night I perservered through a night without sleep. My brain was on speed! Not even about anything in particular. I have had this happen before and have gone into complete panic. I tend to overreact, if you don't know this about me. "I want to sleep...NOW!" But I tried to pull together all my calming resources and decided to just have a sense of humor about it. After a couple of hours of laying there in some kind of mind blazing confusion, I decided to get up, make a cup of decaf hot tea, finish valentines, fold clothes, and watch an episode of sex and the city. I even tried laughing at myself. It worked somewhat. I never got into a deep sleep but the hours seemed to while away in a timely manner, so it wasn't too bad. If it is one thing I have tried to learn...maybe I have learned, but application is a different story...is that attitude is everything. I was trying to pull this verse up from the dredges of my memory last night and couldn't get it. Then this morning while observing in Weston's class it hit me...Consider it pure joy....everything! Wow. Hard to do, but a command from God nonetheless. I will consider it pure joy to have perservered through a sleepless night and come out with folded laundry and completed Valentine's.

Tomorrow I visit our Montessori school and will have more to update on the Saga of First Grade!

New Age rebel in my "Old Age"!

Here we are back at home and I find myself incredibly confused. I am sure I should not be, but nonetheless, here I am. I decided to put the kids in school and went public. It was free (ha), and appeared to be well run and appealing. I allowed those outer appearances to convince me of it's innate goodness. However, Weston is having such trouble or maybe it's me. I can see him coming to this incredible age where the world is opening up to him. He is reading some and is proud of his little self. I am so proud too. He is opening up to the idea of school and is really branching out and I can see him unfolding so beautifully. However, the school in their quest for grades and competition among peers is not going along with this natural state of growth he is in the midst of. Red pens with big red letters are coming home marking up his papers and warning of big tests and grades coming up and his teacher tells me he is just not performing. I beg to differ. He is performing more authentically than his teacher. And I as the parent act concerned, naturally. Then I get angry and wish I had told her what I really feel. Who cares if you grade my first grader, give me a break! Grade him on what? Being a 6 year old individual? It is not that I am against criteria, standards or general necessary education, but come on! Let the kid discover how great learning can be before you stomp all over his little ego. Oh well, we will figure something out!