Mothers

This was forwarded to me, and I know so many great mothers that I wanted to share it with everyone:

MOTHERS


Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to
make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the
sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of
shag carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when
a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'


Real Mothers know that a child' s growth is not measured by height or
years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to
Mother...


The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My
Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a
lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't
really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally,
Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE -
Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE -
That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE -
Well, she might know a little bit about it .

35 YEARS OF AGE -
Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE -
Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?


65 YEARS OF AGE -
Wish I could talk it over with Mom.


The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the
figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty
of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the
doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of
a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is
reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she
lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a
woman with passing years only grows!

AWANA Closing Progam

I am SUCH a bad mommy for not posting these pictures about the closing AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) ceremonies last Sunday!

So, in honor of trying to be a nice, responsible mommy, and not a slacker, I present to you lots of picture of Cathryn, plus a couple of other kids who do not belong to me or Richie:

This is Cathryn and Beth's son Carson entering the church sanctuary with the other Sparks (kindergarten through second grade). Cathryn is obviously engaged in her second favorite activity, talking.

I don't know why Cathryn looks so incredibly disgusted at having to recite The Pledge of Allegiance.

Now she looks like she's saying, "See? I'm totally saying it. Happy now?" Why, yes, Cathryn, we are.

Also, I do not know why Cathryn kept her hand shoved in her pockets. I'm kind of glad she did, because otherwise her hands would have been flailing wildly all over the place. Talks and sings with her hands, you know. Much like her mother.

Gee, Cathryn. Being in front of the sanctuary and singing for the entire congregation just not exciting enough for you?

Cathryn engaging in her very favorite activity, singing and dancing.

Beth's daughter Elizabeth doing her best Saturday Night Fever impression.

And finally, Cathryn Thames, JC Penny catalog model. Tell me I'm not right.

Toodles!

"I'm Just A Girl"

It hit me last night as I was going to bed. Is there really such a thing as a conservative feminist? As long as we're thinking along those lines, is it possible to be a Christian and a feminist at the same time? And what do any of those titles mean, anyway? Being the responsible book nerd that I am, I went straight to the dictionary. Conservative has eleven definitions. ELEVEN. Although I knew I could strike off #11 immediately--a preservative. When you come to think of it, though, that's what conservatives are--they want to preserve their way of life. Not big welcomers of change.

All these years, I considered myself conservative. Aren't Christians automatically card-carrying Republicans? I'm without a doubt, a pro-lifer. Why abort when there are so many childless parents desperate to adopt? I believe in a "traditional" idea of family, with a father and a mother, but am I supposed to look down my nose at the woman who's left her abusive husband? It also doesn't mean that I think God doesn't love those people who don't live in a "traditional" family. It seems to me that there are just too many gray areas. Besides, I like change. I like the idea of constantly moving forward. Do we really want to live the way they lived in the first century? Remember, there was no running water or electricity then. I'll take modern convenience, thankyouverymuch.

I'm getting off track here. The dictionary told me that feminism is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Well, that is certainly a theory to which I subscribe. I certainly believe that women should have the same rights as men, and that we should be paid the same wage as a man for doing the same type of work. Women gave their lives in the early twentieth century just to give me the right to choose to vote, or go to work, or stay at home. Am I a bra-burner? A man-hater? By no means. I just want my voice to be heard as loud as a man's, especially about issues that concern me. I want my thoughts and ideas to be taken seriously. I don't want to be looked down upon just because I'm female.

Maybe I should supply a little backstory here. My sister and I grew up in a hyper-conservative home, born to a stay-at-home mother who also had been raised by a stay-at-home mother. Our father's mother was a stay-at-home mother. (Before I go any further, I want to say that I do not have an agenda against stay-at-home moms. I have a lot of respect for that choice, because I know that it's hard work.) It was impressed upon us at a very young age that this is the life we should strive to have as adult women. We weren't pushed about schoolwork and grades because, according to our family beliefs, the ultimate goal was to become a wife and mother. Any talk of dreams about "when I grow up" were met with scoffing, smirking, and exchanged looks that said "until she meets the right boy". I remember my grandparents laughing at me when I first told them I wanted to be a singer. It's a pain that won't go away.

Naturally, the way we chose to rebel against our parents was to become feminists. We poured our brains into our schoolwork. We argued with our parents about going to college (we wanted to go--our dad loudly proclaimed that it was a "money racket") and having lives that we could call our own. My sister got piercings, tattoos, and swore off marriage. (I was too much of a romantic.) We talked to each other about our dreams, secure in the knowledge that there really was only one other person in your house who understood how you were feeling.

Fifteen years later, we're both adults, and we're also both married. Because I'm not a buttinsky, I can't speak for her marriage, but I can speak for mine. Richie considers me an equal. We discuss family issues together. We raise our children together. We take turns grocery shopping (he's so much better at it than me!) and we clean the house together. He respects my love for God and my desire to be in His house. He respects my need for an identity beyond Mrs. Richie Thames, though it is a title that I'm proud to wear. It's something I feel very strongly about--I don't believe that a woman stops being herself because she got married. Being a wife just adds another dimension to the wonderful, beautiful creation that God designed.

Of course, the subject falls to children. How does a family who believes in Jesus Christ AND equality for the sexes raise a teenage boy and a schoolage girl in this age of Paris Hilton and Disney Princesses? I can say that Richie has done an excellent job teaching Trey to respect women, and I've seen that reflected in the relationships he's had with girls. But me, I feel partially at fault, being a woman like myself. I struggle with the thought that I'm setting the women's movement back by enjoying clothes and cosmetics? By burning Peggy Lee's "I Enjoy Being A Girl" to CD? I buy clothes for Cathryn that say "Princess". Her room looks like the Hannah Montana empire threw up inside it, everything is so pink and sparkly. Can Cathryn love girly things while still believing that she has just as much right to a life, an education, a choice as her male classmates?

By God, I"m going to try.

In conclusion, I've decided that you can't really be a conservative and a feminist. You can, however, be a Christian.

In the next post, I'll look at feminism from a biblical perspective.

Obsession Wednesday

Reading: Wicked, by Gregory Maquire. It's the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. It's fascinating, once you get past the strange language. It can get a little long in parts, but you're too afraid that if you skip a passage, you'll miss something important. It reminds me of watching Buffy--little things can mean a lot later on down the road. I've become so obsessed with the story that I had to purchase the sequel, Son of the Witch, plus I have acquired the Broadway musical soundtrack, as well as the book that goes along with the musical. If that's not obsession, I don't know what is!

Watching: Nothing. There is nothing on television right now that I have to watch. The writer's strike is driving me mad. The last Ugly Betty aired this past Thursday, and there hasn't been a new Heroes since December. how will I ever find out if Nathan Petrelli survived? Yeah, I know it's American Idol season. But I'm just not as into it. Maybe Season 6 has jaded me, but I'm finding these auditions just as boring as last season, if more humane. Maybe it's that I'm really enjoying the time Cathryn and I spend together at bedtime. I love reading her stories and talking about the day with her.

Doing: Reworking this blog! I really want it to reflect the real Josie. I'm still working on it, and I'm afraid that I'm still missing some links. If you see that the blog is missing something, tell me in the comments.

Cathryn began voice lessons today. I have to admit that I was the tiniest bit jealous when my mother-in-law came back with news of what Cathryn learned with her teacher, and how well she did in her singing exercises. In my mind, I know that she probably wouldn't do as well if I were there. She'd be too busy trying to impress me an wouldn't learn as much. But the curious part of me wants to see what's going on at practice.

I also had a moment tonight when I was attempting to help Cathryn go over the piece that the teacher had given her to practice this week. I took my keyboard out, but I had to label all the notes, and it took me forever to find the notes on the keyboard. Then when I played it a couple of times, it didn't sound anything like the way Cathryn was singing it. This is why I can't teach Cathryn voice, because I can't really read music. What I do know, I've taught myself and picked up from singing in choirs. It was really, really frustrating not being able to play for her the way it deserves. For a brief, fleeting moment, I was jealous of Richie and Trey, because they have a shared language of baseball, and Richie can always offer advice on how Trey can improve his game. I can only teach Cathryn so much about music.

I've resolved to go into my archive of online lessons and find out how to play this piece of music, because she deserves to have a mother who can talk with her about the things that interest her.

I didn't watch most of American Idol tonight, because it's just more important to me that Cathryn keep her school-night schedule of having her mom put her to bed with a story. Apparently, I do great voices, because she's always giggling when I read her a story.

Anyway, I only saw like the last half, and really wasn't paying attention then, until they announced a little person named "Carly Smithson". Now, I haven't been hiding under a rock, and I know that her maiden name is actually "Hennessey". Folks, I have a Carly Hennessey radio station on Pandora. Seriously, I'm not lying here, or even joking. She used to be a signed artist.

I remember a time (Season 4) when the purist in me would have said "NO WAY!" But now, I'm jaded, I'm cynical, I'm too tired to fight it. Listen, the girl can sing. And Simon's right--she can sing a lot better than what she gave them in that audition we saw on Tuesday. Go ahead--go to Pandora and type in Carly Hennessey. See what you find.

Other people that have had a record deal that are sure to be destined for the Top 24? Kristy Lee Cook, and the babysitter who had never seen an R-rated movie. Honestly, though, I would rather the producers put these folks through that the idiots who make it in to see The Big Three for the sake of ratings. It's almost justice for the overlooked talent.

Notice how I said almost. Wake me when it's Hollywood week.

The Great Blog Post-Dump of 2008

Much like people begin to purge their homes once the new year begins, I am going to purge my brain by dumping a lot of stuff right here in this post. You should expect me to talk about these again at some point in the future.

--Find a cure for my headaches. Don't tell me to cut out caffeine. I only have one 8oz cup of coffee in the morning. Someone actually said to me that they saw a news segment of how "regular" coffee has the same amount of caffeine as "decaf", and that I should just start drinking decaf. My response? "Why don't you just start drinking regular?"

--Live Healthier. Richie's been asking me to go walking with him when he walks the dog. I decided tonight to go. I realize that this is probably going to be the toughest thing I do all year. I have a heavy addiction to chocolate, and have been known to forgo dinner for dessert. I'm not talking about a diet here. Richie and I were talking today, and diets just don't work. If this is something I'm going to work at accomplishing, this is going to have to be a lifestyle change. Yes, I know this means giving up french fries.

--Good mommy vs. Bad mommy. Richie, Trey and Cathryn always say I'm the former. Me, in my infinite pessimism, give myself a vote in the latter.

--Become a better choir director. I want these kids to learn to worship through song and drama, and to lead others through the same. I want to put on a rocking spring musical, and another one at Christmas. I want to expose these kids to all kinds of music, and teach them to appreciate it.

--The Sims. Does anyone else play this game? It's the perfect game for control freaks who find themselves without people to control. It's also good for those folks who always thought it would be cool to be an architect, like Mike Brady but less square, but never could quite get the math. I fall into both categories.

--American Idol, or my struggle with obsession. I'm really struggling with blogging American Idol this season for two reasons: my involvement with the children's choir, and the general knowledge that American Idol just doesn't play fair just for the sake of "good" television.

--Blog more. About stuff that matters, not just my usual television-driven obsession-fueled rants.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them right now.

25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

I'm normally not one to pass on forwards. But today, I received one from my friend Lynn that was too good to let go. Try and see how many you've heard!

25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me: TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me: RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me: TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me: LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me: MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me: FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me: IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me: CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me: WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me: HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me: ENVY.
"There are millions of l ess fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me: RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me: MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me: ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me: HUMOUR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me: HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me: GENETICS.
"I swear you're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do y ou think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me: WI SDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!