Memoirs of a Moorings

Jesus...Give Him His Stuff Back...Please!

"I take Him shopping with me. I say, "OK, Jesus, help me find a bargain."" ~Tammy Faye Bakker

Rhyan has lost three of his beloved toys. He's been hounding me about finding them. I told him when I lose things, I pray and ask Jesus to help me. We've been praying and asking. Looking and praying. The toys have not turned up. Yesterday on the our short drive home, the following convo took place:

Rhyan:  I want to go to heaven.
Me:     (Thinking: what a precious little boy) Why do you want to go to heaven?
Rhyan: To see Jesus.
Me:     (My heart soars).
Rhyan: I want to ask him to give me back. My Mario ball, my DS game case and the head to my Mario stylus since He took them.
Me:     (Heart drops) Rhyan, Jesus didn't take your stuff. I just said let's ask Him where it is since He is able to help us in all things.
Rhyan: I want Jesus to give me my stuff back.

*Sigh*

My prayer today: Jesus, please help this child find his stuff!

From Boys To Men--The First Haircut Revisited

I love and adore Sis. T who takes care of the boys. She sent me pics of baby boy's first haircut--done by her husband-- a great barber by the way, who also cuts Rhyan's hair. So happy she captured these.

Last shot is my favorite. Gotta get those waves right!

 

I'd Like To Thank.....

"There are certain places in the universe you never imagine standing. For me, it's the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here." — Simon Beaufoy on-stage after winning best adapted screenplay for "Slumdog Millionaire." 81st Annual Academy Awards

"It's not going to be 45 seconds, I can say that right now. Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I might be the first one." — Penelope Cruz, accepting the best supporting actress award at this year's Academy Awards.

Oscar night is over. All the pretty gowns have been put away. The clean up here in Southern California has begun. But I can't help thinking about all the people who didn't win. All those nominees who had acceptance speeches written and tucked away ready to be unfolded at that great moment. What happened to those notes? Was thanks still given even though they didn't win? I mean, they were nominated. That's pretty big stuff right there.

Got me thinking about who I'd thank if I was standing up there on the podium. OR who I should thank--even though I'm not standing on a podium. Just because my name is not in lights doesn't mean I haven't seen some sweet success in my life.

I can't thank the  Academy, but I can thank:

My husband: for being the first man to make me take that grand (and very scary) leap off the cliff and love for the first time ever--as imperfect as that love is.

My mother: for teaching me practical lessons like not wearing colored panties with white pants and being a living example of the importance of loving Jesus.

My father: for being my first big lesson in forgiveness.

My bestest girlfriend Dackeyia: for letting me be me and still really liking me and always providing a laugh just when it's needed

My babies: for allowing me to see that another side of me exists that I never thought I'd get to see

My seventh grade teacher Mr. Ron Brazil of St. Leo's in Oakland: who was the first person I remember telling me I had a special writing gift.

The late Alfred R. Williams, Sr.: for REALLY loving and leading like Jesus

Lisa Collins: for giving an eager young writer a chance to hone my writing craft and meet a ton of celebrities in the process as an editor at LA Focus Newspaper.

I could go on and on...but I think that's my 45 seconds :-)

Who would you thank if you were at the podium?

Diggin' This.

Sometimes when I get weary and tired and frustrated with all the junk and disappointment that fills up daily living, I turn on this song real loud and am reminded that there's more than what we are going through down here.

My favorite lines of the song:

"I think we're all afraid that we might be alone down here
We all want to have some faith
At least that's true in my case
To just believe
I've seen the great heights reminding me I'm alive."

Anyone who knows me knows that I've got a wild love affair going on with Tyrone Wells (his music too!) Love this impromptu version of More. (if you don't see the video-click through to NON-Superwoman Chronicles.)

At 14 Months

"The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder."

Blogging this baby's life slips through my fingers as my days get busier with him. Parenthood is hard. I want to hold this little one and his brother close to me--away from the great big world. I don't even want to think about the days when they are flying out of this nest--going to school, dealing with peer pressure, girls! Yikes.

Like the quote, my heart is cut asunder. Laughter and love abound when these boys are close. Anguish creeps in thinking about them growing up.

And already month 14 has come and gone for this sweet little baby. I love his big brown eyes, the way his lashes curl oh so perfectly in beauty, just like his daddy's. I love that he's so rambunctious and playful. Adventurous and a tad bit mischievous. And oh so smart and tuned into every single thing around him.

For all that I love about him, there's so much that pushes my buttons. His constant need for interaction. Unlike his independent big brother, he's always aware of where I am and wants to be up underneath me. His temper wears me out. And his newfound talent for waking up in the middle of night has left me more than a little weary.

Still...he brings beauty to this world. My world.

Morning Favorites

“There is no snooze button on a cat (or kid) who wants breakfast.”

I am not a morning person, but what makes mornings manageable is Tully's whole bean coffee-House Blend. I love the smell of freshly-ground coffee.

 

And his favorite thing in the morning? Dumping his bowl of cheerios out on the tray and eating it by the handful.

Now all we need is a wave cap.....

“Why don't you get a haircut? You look like a chrysanthemum.” ~ P. G. Wodehouse

Bear with me....grandparents wanted to see baby Shayne's first big boy haircut by the barber. Been cutting this kid's hair with scissors, a real haircut was overdue.

Before

After

Rainy Day Monday

“One thing a mother must always save for a rainy day is patience.”

Got a chance to sit down with my new camera and try it out. A C.anon R.ebel XSI on sale at C.ircuit C.ity's going out of business sale. Sweeeet deal! Now if only these two little boys would not pose and just go about their lives!

Rainy day today. Thinking a certain five-year old has cabin fever. He begged to go outside and stomp in the puddles with his sandals on so I said go for it. Baby brother looked out the window longingly. Hold tight little one, your time is coming.

Spread the Love

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." ~Anonymous kid quote

I had the cutest idea for the boy's V-day cards. They would each hold signs and I was going to take a pic and make cards. Alas, my great idea quickly took a nosedive when that sweet little baby crumpled up the paper and Rhyan just couldn't manage a decent smile.

The outtakes are priceless.

One thing that did turn out perfectly was our red velvet cupcakes. Rhyan even helped me decorate them. Yummy! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

This Pretty Much Sums Me Up.....