Oreo crumbs
Wednesday's disaster
Morning TV - whatever works!
Missing TWO front teeth :)
Taking 'Peeling Carrots' to a whole new level...I have seen this before but still love it each time I read it! My 'Research Associate in the field of Child Development & Human Relations' title really got put to use this week! I had a really rough week, with my younger two 'lab assistants' doing some major experiments... we had oreo cookie crumbs (a box full), 4 pkgs of jello powder and 1/2 bag of oatmeal on the living room floor - from here it went to getting into my make-up, nail polish inclusive, in my master bathroom... the next day, Cole got the bag of flax & took it to the exact same location, remembering all the fun from the previous day! Argh! I'm thinking Liam learned his lesson though because he alerted me to the mess and was already helping to sweep it up when I got to the crime scene ;) Liam's punishment was missing a playdate AND playschool on Wednesday, so hopefully he now realizes that I mean what I say when I threaten consequences! He did get some positive reinforcement & encouragement for helping me the next day.... only to join his partner minutes later in mucking with sunscreen! I. GIVE. UP! The week before, we dealt with hair gel, lipstick, and a call to poison control because Cole decided to swallow a bottle of folic acid (used to help promote red blood cells in my severely anemic body and NOT for pregnancy purposes, just to clarify) - I know there are numerous other incidents but they have slipped my mind with the more recent events! Phew - too much adventure in such a short time... oh - and the littlest lab assistant has peed on the potty THREE times now, so there just may be hope of being diaper free before he starts kindergarten in two years ;)
I hope each one of my 'mom' friends & family have a BLESSED Mother's Day and if it is your first time celebrating the occasion (ie: KATIE & CRYSTAL F.) - have a most wonderful day!
JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ....?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed....
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door... Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."
Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know. May your troubles be less, Your blessing be more, And nothing but happiness come through your door!
JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ....?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed....
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door... Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."
Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know. May your troubles be less, Your blessing be more, And nothing but happiness come through your door!
