Quick, happy notes...

Sometimes during the day I need something--anything--to make me smile.  Whether I've just been cut off in traffic, found out some not so good news, or just have a case of the "blahs" that I can't seem to shake.  In those times of perpetual "blahness" I look through pictures and inevitably end up smiling...Welllll, I thought I'd share a couple of smiles with you.  Hope you're having a great day!

Here are (respectively) KB trying on Caeden's clothes (no, C didn't give her permission), Caeden helping to bake a sweet potato pie at Mimi's, and Mia Hamm--I mean Caeden--about to give the BUSINESS to someone's children!

This girl is FOR REAL....

I KNOW you guys think I exaggerate when I talk about Caeden's athletic ability.  I KNOW you all think I make things up to make her seem better than what she is.  I KNOW it.  But guess what? I'M NOT JOKING.  This child is FOR REAL.  I have NEVER met a child who naturally exudes athletic ability like C does!!!

Take today for instance, Mimi, Peerless, Kai Baby, and I all went up to the school for Field Day.  I remembered how much fun field day was when I was growing up, but I somehow forgot how Field day gave you the ULTIMATE bragging rights.  You could LITERALLY walk away as the fastest kid in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. grades.  In my old age I somehow allowed these important details to go straight out of my head.

I was reminded of this notion today.  My child signed up for, and competed in EVERY single event in field day.  I won't try to say she placed 1st in EVERY event, but let's do the tallying:

50 Yard dash:  1st Place

Sack Race:  1st Place

4x1 Relay:  1st Place *please believe she was the anchor

100 meter dash: 2nd  Place

1 Lap race: 2nd Place

Victorious in 3rd grade tug of war

She didn't place in the three legged race or the piggyback race, but she had fun, so I'm just as happy for her.  She is unbelievable, I tell ya.  She was in 1st place the entire way through the one lap race, and then she got a cramp, got tired, and eased up.  

She also had a personal victory in the form of her dad.  He was a field day "parent volunteer", and he also participated in the teacher/parent race.  One guess what he placed...jogging at a comfortable pace....still 1st.  You gotta love sports!

Lil' Wayne and Jesus....

I love music.  One of the things that intrigued my husband when we first met (according to him) was my diverse taste in music.  I can listen to anything from Shania Twain to Lil' Wayne and be just as content either way.  Gospel to classic rock--all in my catalog.  In church today our pastor told us a story in which music--pop music at that--gave him an exceptional spiritual experience.  The short version of the story is this:  he was riding in the car, heard a song, got convicted by the words, and realized that the song so vividly expressed how he felt about Jesus.  The song was "You Are So Beautiful To Me."  It was a very moving, touching story and as the congregation joined him in singing the chorus one couldn't help but understand the emotional journey the lyrics had sent him on.  Just beautiful.

I found myself thinking of all types of songs at this point and how they describe my relationship with Jesus.  Now, I know the song I'm going to bring up is going to have most of you sitting there with your mouths wide open, but please finish reading before you call your travel agents and book me a one way ticket to hell for blasphemy!!  Pastor Franklin spoke to us about not becoming to comfortable in our lives so we don't aim for better.  He gave us a very compelling message about becoming so comfortable in our walks with Christ that we forget to do the important things--fellowship, reading our Bibles, being support systems for our brothers and sisters.  As he spoke, then sang that song, one song popped into my head: "Comfortable" by Lil' Wayne and Babyface.  Now I KNOW many of you are wondering how I could have thought about anything dealing with Lil' Wayne in church, but seriously--give or take a couple of lines--the song really summed up what our pastor was saying. Here's (on pertinent part) what I'm talking about: (Husband (and Lil Wayne's #1 fan)--please forgive me if I'm messing up the lyrics, but this is what I hear...love you)

"I'm not saying this to shake you up,

I'm just saying this to wake you up, 

It's all good when we're making love,

All I ask--never take our love,

For granted,

For granted-love for you is real.

And if you don't love me, 

Somebody else will.

Babygirl, don't you

Ever

Get too

Comfortable!!!!"

Yes, I know that Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds nor Dewayne "Lil' Wayne" Carter had not NARY an intent to sing this at the next Christian fellowship disciple's meeting, but for me and MY relationship with Christ--it speaks!!!  The lyrics tell me that I need to WAKE UP and realize that if I'm not willing to do the things God asks--no requires--of me as his child, it's no biggie.  He's not going to sweat me or disown me, he's just going to lay back and watch me in my comfort zone--realizing that just as I've drawn farther and farther away from him there is a Christian out there welcoming his love, blessings, and peace into their lives. A Christian who has NOT gotten too COMFORTABLE in their walk with Christ to try to step out and do whatever is asked of them to "up the ante."  

No, I'm not a perfect Christian, a perfect woman, a perfect wife, mother, friend, daughter--I'M SO VERY IMPERFECT.  But I can tell you this.  I know that in order for my life to be put into the PERFECT order that God has in store for me, I have to step out of my comfort zone, do what feels a bit weird to me, and not get too....COMFORTABLE.  I'm just saying:  wouldn't you rather live not letting things be too COMFORTABLE on Earth, so that when we get to heaven we can be COMFORTABLE and not suffer the DISCOMFORTS of hell????

Electric Relaxation...

A Tribe Called Quest really out did themselves on that tune! I can still hear it and VIBE to it like no other.  While being a fantastic song, it also describes exactly what my weekend has been thus far.  Caeden's soccer game was at 11:30 this morning, so we didn't have to get up waaaay too early for it.  After the game C went home with another girl on her team for a play date, which free'd Peerless, my mom, and me up for the afternoon.  

After lunch P and I went to see "State of Play."  I thought it was a good movie, but I enjoy most any movie which ends up having some type of twist.  We are at home now, no kids, just us....oooohhhh. Perfect opportunity to act like old people and veg out in the theater room watching movies. We didn't have a date night yesterday, so I guess we are quasi-making up for it now....I guess.

A Real Life Phenomenon!!!

Have you ever seen raw talent?  I mean the kind of thing that happens when a 6 year old with no vocal training opens their mouths and belts out a tune comparable to the likes of Celine Dion or Whitney Houston (the old Whitney..."Greatest Love of All" style)?  Or the kind of talent that last year's "So You Think You Can Dance" winner, Joshua, exhibited having NEVER taken a formal dance class yet still winning the competition???  

Well, let me tell you:  my daughter has that type of talent when it comes to soccer.  She has been playing for a year now, and she amazes me every week at her games.  Last March she began playing soccer.  The first two games she played she just kind of ran around the field, hung out, and even played in the grass when she got in goal.  After watching that for two weeks,  Peerless decided to offer Caeden some...ahem....."incentive."  While candy, cookies, and other sweet treats may qualify as a huge bonus to some children, they do NOTHING for my 8 year old.  She--in the same way as her father--is a capitalistic entrepreneur.  The idea and opportunity to make money makes her tick.  Want her to clean her room?  Threaten her allowance.  Want her to do extra work?  Give her a bonus.  Seriously.  I know I don't have to worry about her financial security in the future, because the girl can make money.

Back to the story:  so, her father told her for every goal she scored, she'd get $100.  Now, there were some conditions to this money.  If she misbehaved TERRIBLY the total could be deducted--kind of like a swear jar.  Caeden amicably agreed!  Her next game she scored two goals....then two...then three....ending the season as the team's highest scorer.  She came out of the season much richer and so excited.

Fast forward to the fall soccer season.  Having been exposed to a little bit of the game, she came out ON FIRE.  First game: 5 goals.  Second, 3....this continued throughout the season, and she ended the season having scored in every single game.  Her money?  Oh, gradually rising.  Sure, there were nicks here and there when her mouth would get $10, $20 deducted, but she was still rolling in the dough.  Saturdays with Mimi took on a whole new meaning as she asked for "withdrawals" to go shopping.  Soccer, indeed, had it's BENEFITS!!  What was more interesting that her ability to score, however, was us noticing how she could dribble, pass, be a defender, and just an overall good player.

Now we are back in Spring Soccer, and she's back in true form.  She has, again, scored in every game!!  Yesterday, however, we thought her streak was going to come to an end.  Caeden had had an exceptional game.  She hustled, she passed, she ran....just really a good game.  She had even been in goal and didn't allow a point to be scored on her!!!  When the fourth quarter rolled around, she realized she hadn't scored, and as her mother I sensed the waterworks coming on!!!  Caeden and I made eye contact for a brief moment and I knew, without a doubt, that if she didn't score those rosy cheeks and furrowed brow were going to turn into a hot, watery, teary eyed mess, and I just couldn't stand it.  I began preparing Mimi and Peerless for the inevitable events.  I'd say, "You know if she doesn't score she's going to cry???"  or, "Please don't fuss at her if she cries--you know she really wants to score."  My pleas were more for myself than her, because I could literally almost feel her determination and desire to score.  Somewhere between fall soccer and spring soccer it has become more than just a great way to make a few extra bucks.  She somewhere along the line developed a deep love and appreciation for sport.  Three minutes left, still no score.  I had noticed Caeden becoming more aggressive and really lobbying for the ball.  One minute left, no score, and we began deep breathing exercises to get it together.  10 seconds left.  Caeden is running down the field dribbling the ball.  She's quick, she's agile, she shoots....and just like a scene out of a fantastic sports movies SHE SCORES!!!

I could immediately see her facial muscles relax and I felt myself begin breathing!!!  There is nothing quite as  bad as your child being disappointed, and I was so happy that my real life phenomenon had her streak still in tact.  You've gotta love it!

Easter at O'Charleys...

Yesssss.  I do reliaze Easter was four days ago, and I'm sorry for the late post.  Time just won't wait for me to catch up during the day, so I always seem to get behind on the updates.  

Easter was really nice.  We went to church (Kai didn't even act out, because she went to sleep!), and then headed over to O'Charley's for Easter brunch.  All of the pictures are of brunch, because going into and leaving church was akin to going into and leaving a Beyonce concert.  There were hoards and hoards of people there, and we didn't even try to brave pictures in the parking lot.  At any rate, we were able to get a few pictures in the parking lot before we eat, so I hope yo enjoy.  

After brunch Caeden and Kai had to lie down so the Easter bunny could come and drop off the eggs for them to hunt.  Let me just say:  Kai Baby was all about finding eggs-any type of egg.  Caeden?  It was all about the money egg!!!  It took her a minute (not to mention a little help from us in the form of  "hot, cold"), but she found it.  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, and got a chance to reflect on the beauty of and meaning behind the day.  See you soon!

A letter to the lady at the pool who could have ruined my vacation...if I had let her.

Dear Lady from Ohio (Heather, you know who you are),

First of all,  let me say I am thoroughly aware, accepting, and compassionate of and to your situation. I have a friend whose son has autism, and I have spent the last two years watching her struggle, fight, hurt, and succeed on his behalf.  I know it is difficult to be different, because although I am not limited by any medical condition I have been in situations in which I was the lone outcast or in which I felt completely and totally ALONE.

Now, with that being said, let me tell you a thing or two.  First of all, it wasn't your place to approach me and say a THING on behalf of your friend.  IF your friend had a problem with anything my 8 year old child said, she should have cowgirled up and come to me herself.  Secondly, I'm sorry your friend's child has a condition which unfortunately renders her "different" in our society.  As I mentioned above, I have very little tolerance for displays of intolerance to difference.

I kept my composure, listened to what you had to say, and now--because I have battled myself since NOT saying what I SHOULD have said back to you in an attempt to not ruin YOUR day--you will hear what I have to say.  My 8 year old is a lot of things.  She's beautiful, intelligent, smart mouthed, witty, athletic, fun loving, impressionable, inquisitive...and that's the short list.  What she is NOT is malicious, mean, or hateful.  I don't say this because of what I see at home.  I say it because a parent's greatest compliment is the feedback you receive when you send your child in public and someone has nothing but good things to say about them.  I'm not bragging--wait, yes I am--but the WORST thing I've ever heard about Caeden was that she talks too much.  Not talks mean, disrespectfully, or nastily, but just too much.  I'm quite sure she knows bad words--she's heard them all around, but I also know that the fear of God has been instilled in her as far as letting an adult hear her utter even the BEGINNING syllables of a curse word.

You so calmly looked me and my husband in our faces and told us that Caeden said the word "midget."  I'm sure to a person who is height challenged, being called a midget is quite an insult and may have been equivalent to being called, oh...a bitch, maybe.  The thing about it is this:  I asked Caeden if she said that, and she didn't give me the usual "oh, my, I might be in trouble because I shouldn't have said that" reaction she would've given me if she had said it.  Instead, she was sincerely baffled and trying to figure out why I was asking her such an asinine question.  If I had followed my first mind I would've called Caeden over to us when you came to report her "misdeed" and would've been able to correct you right then and there for lying on my child.

Not only did you lie on her, but you--a white woman--had the audacity to UTTER the word "Nigger" to me--likening the level of offensiveness of hearing that word to that of calling a little person a midget.  I'm not even going down the "I'm not racist, I have white friends" road with you--anyone who has to defend their anti-racism with explanations of the color of their friends is automatically suspect to me, but let me tell you this:  it was nothing short of a miracle from the ALMIGHTY GOD that I didn't forget who, where, and what I was and smack the taste of LIFE out of your mouth.  I don't know what ship you rolled in on, but understand this:  I don't say "Nigger" freely--even in slang it can have negative implications, but you--under no circumstances--should EVER, EVER, EVER say it.  I'm really proud my husband didn't jump up and turn you into a Sportscenter highlight, but he didn't, and I'm proud

Anyway, lady, hear me:  you are an offensive, bossy, and rude TRICK, and I hope you never run up on the wrong people spouting your insane nonsense.  Be forewarned:  my children are PRICELESS to me, and the quickest way to an immediate grave is to cross either them, the man who helped me make them, or the woman who made me.  Think it's a game.