The Byrds (the Bees) and The Mamas & The Papas

The Byrds

The talented band at my church played The Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn" yesterday. It was a great reminder to me so I thought I'd share the link from The Byrds performing the song here as well as the lyrics for what it's worth. I hope you do steal a moment to listen to it as I believe it's a timeless message to absorb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNopQq5lWqQ

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of war, a time of peace

A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time to love, a time to hate

A time for peace, I swear its not too late

The Mamas and The Papas

I spend a lot of time in church crying. And I go alone. I am sure the people around me think I am a wreck. The tears are not sad ones ever. I am so genuinely moved and tuned in during that 90 minutes each Sunday. Not only do I think my pastor is very bright, insightful, and as genuine as they come, I love the music (really--they are clearly somewhat "hip" to play The Byrds during Sunday service), and experiencing the connections of people around me is so lovely. Seeing moms and daughters with their heads resting on each other's shoulders. All ages, too. Teens and their moms. Mothers in their 60' and and daughters in their 40's. Dads and their kids holding hands and dads with their arms slung over the back of their son's chairs. Beautiful.

Blessed

One of my favorite church songs is Blessed Be Your Name.

These lyrics permeated my soul yesterday- it's easy for me to be grateful in the good times. I need to remember to trust and roll with the flow of life in the dark times, too.

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Finally, The Bees

Total tangent here---my 8 year old, Olivia, is really blossoming. Not just socially but physically (already). I've had to guide her through some of the physical feelings she is experiencing lately as her body grows, walk her down the deodorant aisle as she needs it now that she works out several hours a week at gymnastics sessions (I am so glad there are "safer" deodorants available nowadays for these developing bodies), and watch her as she so gently and skillfully took care of me the other afternoon. (I was sidelined with a migraine and had to take to my bed--she took care of Audrey, the dogs, and herself. Beautifully.)

Here is my special girl reading to our three year old class at Sunday School.

Here is a shot below of her little sis, Audrey, posing at the store the other day.

"Take a picture, mama. This will be for my album cover called, Faith of an Angel". ha! She posed a couple of times as you can see...

I hope to experience their heads on my shoulder and their hands in mine all the days of our lives.

Playdates Suck

There, I said it. I know how inappropriate it is and I know that I am clearly not radiating sunshine when I make such a proclamation but I said it. And now I hope I can let it go. Well, let me first rant and then I will let it go. Dear reader, you can stop now if I cause offense but otherwise you're on your own because I need to get.this. out.

Most of the time it is NOT the other kids so let me state that upfront so as not to offend ANY of you. Truly, no harm intended.

Today it's MY kid. Audrey to be exact. Didn't want to share her bike helmet with her friend and in turn threw a fit when I declared how that is not kind or appropriate. Just told me off, stuck her tongue out and SCREAMED at me throughout the neighborhood. Total meltdown and no reasoning was working. At least twenty minutes of pure freak out following me through the neighborhood as her friend and I attempted to ignore her---walking the dogs, riding the scooter, greeting the neighbors. ugh.

I am still "healing" from a debilitating migraine yesterday afternoon that left me without proper speech and vision and naturally sidelined me for a handful of hours. Thankfully I mended quickly but the day after my episodes I tend to be left weak with a dull ache where the migraine eventually settled.

Back to playdates---I have learned (very slowly and after many, many mistakes) not to host them when I really need to get something done. Today I was simply going to balance our personal and my business check books. Could I afford to take the time away from clients to do it? No. Did I feel obligated to? Yes. Each afternoon at school pick-up one of the six darling girls in Audrey's class asks, "When can we have a playdate?" After six months of daily requests I finally caved in. Most of them stay at school until the evening hours as their moms work longer days. I see how brilliant that appears now...

So my deal with playdates-- I don't like being the clown at the circus. I think creating the cute lunches with all the bells and whistles (balanced meals of course to please mamas and kids) along with carting out the crayons, markers, paints, leggos, dress up dolls, cd player, toy pianos, books, and more should suffice. Nope--they want MORE dress-up clothes (and help putting them on) and they want something more to EAT. Constantly. How can a 40 pound kid be so damn hungry? All the time? Now, honestly, the eaters and the "needy" players are not my kids. At least HERE at home. I assume at your house my kids are as demanding as the next ones. (if you tell them "no" and then ask them if their mama would allow it --if they're being honest-- they will tell you unequivocaly NO). I heard Audrey today tell her friend in fact--"No, we can't get that out. We'll need my mom to help with it the whole time and she is busy." Phew--she is trained. somewhat. Truth be told I used to feel really guilty when my kids would say that--not any more I don't!

Back to playdate drama--
A recent "friend" of Liv's spent the afternoon snacking on at least 10-12 items and then was seen walking about the house in.my.slippers. I recall myself meek in the presence of my childhood friend's parents and certainly wouldn't be caught dead wearing their articles of clothing!

quick aside--
Honest to God--this little one visiting us now just approached me again and said ---"I'm still hungry." I am not kidding it's at least the 7th time she's said it. Help me out here--I fed her applesauce, an apple, almonds, TWO gogurts, carrots, banana, PB & J, veggie booty, water, and even sugared her up with Nerd candies she pulled out of the Halloween candy bin...come on--it's been 2 1/2 hours! I, by the way, have yet to eat my lunch and it's 3 p.m.

OK, must go get Liv from school and settle Audrey. Yes, the tantrum has been going on as I typed. The other child? Plunked in front of the TV? Guilt ridden--not a bit.

As for my check book balancing status? Not nearly done. Perhaps I can finish it up this evening as Audrey is drafting her apology letter to her playmate.

One final thing---I guess I should clarify my statement--I LOVE playdates --when I am not in charge or at least when the duty is shared. And there is beer. or at least a lot of yummy food. FOR THE PARENTS