Boys R Us

Welcome Dylan Harper Moore

2011-11-02T13:28:00.003-04:00

On October 23, 2011 our famliy was blessed with a precious baby girl - Dylan Harper Moore. Let the adventures begin....

something to think about

2010-01-18T14:24:00.001-05:00

Children are not tomatoes to stake out or mules to train, nor are they numbers to plug into an equation. They are full human beings wondrously and fearfully made. Parenting, like all tasks under the sun, is intended as an endeavor of love, risk, perseverance, and, above all, faith. It is faith rather than formula, grace rather than guarantees, steadfastness rather than success that bridges the gap between our own parenting efforts, and what, by God's grace, our children grow up to become. Leslie Leyland Fields

Another Year

2010-01-06T18:49:00.013-05:00

It's that time of year again. I'm not talking about the New Year (as in 2010) - I am completely caught up in THE new year (as in, the little boys will be 6 years old tomorrow!). There have been plenty of opportunities for reflection these past few weeks as this special day approaches. And I have been as weepy as always as I am reminded how miraculous their existence is and recall their fragile entry into this world. We've watched some videos of their babyhood, looked at photos, remembered.

I am so proud and humbly grateful for who they are becoming. Something that happened just this afternoon, simple and relatively insignificant to anyone else, brought tears to my eyes as we sat in a busy waiting room full of children with a broad range of disabilities, some very significant . A small act of grace by a 5 (almost 6 :) year old boy. Without prompting from a parent, without knowledge he was being watched - just sweet and genuine concern for the well being of another child, his lovely little heart in the right place.

And later over our evening meal, a discussion about a new child at school. A child who is having trouble adjusting and has been acting out, not too kindly, to those around. A telling of a talk with a teacher and a decision to show this child kindness in return, despite the mean spirited things being done, so this child might learn - by their example - to use words and be peaceful. (I might add here that I adore this lovely and gracious teacher who so clearly lives and shares the very best vision of Maria Montessori).

Small, simple daily tasks that are too difficult for a little boy with a broken arm (guess who) - being done for him by his brothers - every day - without being asked.

I could be here all night making this list but the point is this - I adore these amazing little boys. And I am thankful, so very thankful for the privilege of watching them grow into such wonderful human beings.

It's going to be a GREAT new year!

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T08:28:00.007-05:00

Feeling challenged and inspired by this right now. A lot to consider in the next few days as I look ahead to this brand new year.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-14T12:02:00.001-05:00

Feeding The Family: Fresh Taco Wraps

2009-08-13T17:38:00.003-04:00

Fresh Taco Wraps

I wish I had a picture because in addition to being DELICIOUS! these were beautiful too. I love when that happens!

We are gradually adding more raw food to our daily diet. This is easy for snacks, and even lunches as we have often had "snack" lunch picnics this summer but main dishes are a little trickier. We made these for dinner tonight and it was a total success.

Hoping to post more often about our kitchen adventures...the punks think we need our own show. B even has a very fitting name for it..."The Crazy Kitchen". I'm certain this title will apply as I begin to pack lunches daily - the dudes start kindergarten in 4 days (sniff, sniff, boo hoo) Maybe we'll upload a few clips to the web, go viral and be infamous :)

Stay tuned....

Our Local Harvest

2009-06-19T16:54:00.001-04:00

just picked from our backyard garden...a truly "local" harvest :)

sugar snap peas, early radishes, dragon tongue beans and the last of the raspberries

farmer B - very proud of what he has grown!

2009-06-08T14:43:00.000-04:00

Indifference to injustice is more insidious than the injustice itself.
- Dr. Cornel West

Camping and Fishing at Lake Lanier

2009-06-08T13:44:00.003-04:00

Summer Break Chronicles

2009-06-08T13:41:00.002-04:00

A series on life with 5 year old triplet boys for the next 70+ loooong days of summer break.....

In an effort to keep a bit of order around here and to promote the idea that we all work together for the good of the whole (family), the boys have summer chores. There are 9 different tasks that I made little laminated cards for, using clip art as well as words, and they each randomly choose 3 cards per week for their chores (in theory, to keep them from getting too bored with the same tasks). The novelty of it has them very excited and all the jobs are much loved (so far) - especially the "bathroom cleaner" since I made a special bucket complete with gloves for this job. Anyway, to the point of the story...this morning as C was helping me move laundry from the washer to the dryer, a quarter fell out onto the floor. I explained that a benefit of being the "laundry helper" is that when you find money in the laundry, it is yours to keep. This made him very happy! A little while later, as I was busy with chores of my own, C excitedly ran to get a piece of paper and told me that his quarter was a "special writing quarter". He proceeded to show me that pressing and dragging the side of the coin on the paper produced a gray line. I made the appropriate oohs and ahs about his "special quarter" when he let this slip - "it even works on walls". When I asked if he had tried it on the walls, he realized his slip of the tongue and timidly replied "by accident". When I asked him which walls he had "accidentally" discovered the magic of his quarter on he said he could not remember and quickly removed himself from the conversation. I have not yet discovered the scene of the crime...

Beautiful Like Me - Inspiration

2009-05-18T20:56:00.006-04:00

Okay, here it is! This week's Beautiful Like Me question is In your opinion, what is the best way to build self-esteem?

Like so many of life’s bigger questions, there are more answers, leading to more questions – none of which can be looked at in isolation. Generally, the answer to this question seems to focus on media and culture. I want to explore something else. Something personal and something I believe may be an integral part of finding our way to a better place.

I propose that the best way to build self-esteem is to start with a foundation of respect, unconditional love and support and the recognition that every child is fully human. As a first time parent, I have spent a great deal of time reading all manner of books on the subject of raising children. Despite some significant differences in “expert” opinion about how to do this, there is often a common theme centering on behavior. Specifically, how to get your child(ren) to behave in a way that is acceptable to you as a parent and society in general. I will be the first to admit that a compliant child is a more appealing thought to me than one that might be labeled “strong-willed” but I am increasingly bothered by the means to which we will go to get that compliance. There seems to be very little regard and even less respect for the fact that the child is a human being fully capable of his or her own thoughts and feelings. There is an assumption that they are lesser than; incapable – that they need adults to coerce them about how to feel, how to think, how to behave. I am not saying that children do not require guidance. But I am struggling to accept the ways in which we (parents, adults) try to bend them to our own will. Frequently when it really does not matter all that much.

In case you’re new here, I have triplets. Three little boys who are as different as can be. Three personalities who view the world uniquely, who set out to solve problems in ways that make sense to themselves but not necessarily to each other or their parents. I believe them to be amazing individuals with incredible gifts each their own. But I also need (if I am being really honest it’s more likely that I want) things to run smoothly. Their compliance makes life easier – less challenging – for me. And there is always the underlying fear that if I do not stay on top of it utter chaos will prevail and we will never have any peace again. I’m always outnumbered and having some semblance of order over the situation allows me to feel (as delusional as it may be) like I am in control. But what price are my children paying for my need/want to maintain my comfort zone? How often am I reminding, correcting, nagging and my worst offense that happens entirely too often, yelling at them to obey? What is the message they receive from me, the person they spend most of their time with, the person they look to for guidance and unconditional love? My greatest fear is that what they are hearing from me (never overtly, of course) is that they are not good enough. And I am left to wonder if this is where the breakdown of self esteem begins. And it cracks my heart open with grief because I am only human, I really do try and be the best I can be for them but I am selfish, I am tired, I am overwhelmed.

Two books have challenged me in a way that no other parenting books have and I highly recommend every parent check your local library for copies –

· Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn, and
· 10 Conversations You Need to Have with Your Children by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

I was going to give a little summary of each but coincidentally (or maybe it’s fate??), I just began another this evening and within the first 3 pages I have found myself challenged, moved and inspired. It is completely in sync with the thoughts I am exploring here and so I share this with you now:

Parenting isn’t about molding lumps of formless clay into something virtuous and beautiful. Your child arrived in the world a complete original…Your job as a parent isn’t just to pay for piano lessons, or drive your son to soccer practice – it’s to enable him to explore the full potential of his own personality and intelligence and capacity for love. Parenting doesn’t just mean wiping our kid’s nose and making sure that her socks match; it means throwing kindling on the spark of her potential and ardently fanning the ensuing blaze.

We must not simply police our children, we must inspire them.

If we simply superimpose our will on our children, they will feel coerced... If we bully our children into doing well, instead of bringing out a desire to contribute their unique gifts to the world, they will resent us… We must instead use inspiration so that they become willing participants – enthusiastic ones, even – in their own improvement. Every parent is capable of inspiring their children, and we must now find this talent within ourselves and bring it to the forefront. (from Parenting With Fire,
Shmuley Boteach)

So my answer to this week’s question, in your opinion, what is the best way to build self-esteem, is really a thought I am still developing. One that will ask more questions than it answers but one that I hope I will be mindful of in my journey as a mother. I think the building of self-esteem begins long before the pre-teen years and long before the media and culture at large begin to exert their influences on our kids. I think it begins at home and I think it begins right now.

There are several very talented bloggers participating in this project. Because I am a technical dingbat, I have not figured out how to link everyone here in my post. Check out the Beautiful Like Me Project Home Page for links to all the participants and check them out for more thoughts that will make you think (that sounds funny, but you know what I mean!).

Beautiful Like Me - Coming Soon!

2009-05-18T09:05:00.002-04:00

Today's question to ponder for the Beautiful Like Me Project is In your opinion, what is the best way to build self-esteem?. I have draft after draft attempting to answer this in a way that makes sense but I have not yet achieved what I think is a readable answer - it's more a running stream of thought(s) ramble. So, this post is to serve as a place holder for the real thing coming soon -really, I promise. Okay, maybe not really soon but today for sure. Possibly late in the day but today. Please check back later and let me know what your thinking about this question as well...See you soon!

Boys

2009-05-05T10:57:00.002-04:00

A boy is trust with dirt on it's face, beauty with a cut on it's finger, wisdom with bubble gum in it's hair, and the hope of the future with a frog in it's pocket

Beautiful Like Me

2009-05-04T06:57:00.005-04:00

Tricia at Shout asked me if I would like to participate in the Beautiful Like Me Project. Having had the opportunity to discuss this and other life questions with her, I was honored and more than a little intimidated to say yes. The explanation of it's beginning can be found here. Participants are asked to blog about a series of questions every two weeks. I am joining in on question #3 - What features/qualities would we like today’s children to see as beautiful? I am sure I will not do justice to the vastness of this consideration. This is my feeble, and very incomplete attempt. I am still mulling it over and continue to discover layers of feelings and thoughts on the issue.

How to answer this question has been with me for days now. I think about it in the shower, in the car, making dinner, having conversations with my sons and when looking through a magazine or watching television as I confront the perfect images being sold to us everywhere. Undoubtedly, my perspective is shaped by my own experience. A girl, one of three sisters, who grew up in a very dysfunctional family. We each had to find our own way amongst the culture of perfect while our parents struggled with their own demons. They say that a girl’s relationship with her father is incredibly influential in her acquisition of self-worth, of value, her definition of what it means to be beautiful and I believe it to be true. Sadly, our father perpetrated unspeakable acts against my innocence and while I rarely discuss this because I claim that it does not define me, in a lot of ways it has. To introduce sexuality at a young age, to equate a loving relationship with a person who should be your protector, with fear, shame and confusion denies a child the ability to understand, to evolve into, her own value.

I was always a skinny kid. Scrawny is probably more accurate. It was not the blessing I would perceive it to be now that I am 20 pounds heavier than my “ideal” body weight. I vaguely remember feeling inadequate, not at all beautiful when comparing myself to the images I believed to be perfection, in high school. But it was not something I obsessed over. I had friends, a boyfriend, activities. And I finally filled out, a little, by college so there were a few years of actually feeling good about my appearance. It was not until my late 20s, when my body began to fail me. It’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Until then, I had always eaten whatever I wanted without obvious consequence. I was active, though not necessarily actively exercising but I rarely gained a pound. Suddenly, or so it seemed, I started to gain a few pounds. And they quickly began to add up. By 30, I was 25-30 pounds heavier than I had been at 18. I hated this new body, worked hard to fight against it but habits had been formed and I was definitely an emotional eater. I began exercising in earnest and though my weight remained a larger number than made me comfortable, I started to feel healthy and generally better about my appearance. After a long struggle with infertility, I became pregnant at 32 – with triplets! The goal weight gain for a triplet pregnancy is somewhere between 60 and 70 pounds…YIKES! I spent the first 15 weeks with severe “morning” sickness and actually lost 13 pounds. I spent the next 17 weeks on bed rest, eating every few hours to try and make up for lost time. When I delivered at 31 weeks, I had gained only 33 pounds. I assumed, with a weight gain that was typical of a single pregnancy that it would fall off after my boys were born. Or at least start steadily melting away over that first year. Not so. I will spare you the details of the next 5 years by summarizing this – I have still not lost the “baby weight”. And I now struggle daily with feelings of inadequacy, ugliness, disgust at my appearance.

Despite the confessional about my weight issues, I have never, ever mentioned weight as a factor in beauty or even health to my children. After their birth, I became diligent about our health as a family. Nutrition and exercise focused, we often talk about how amazing our bodies are – all the things they can do – especially if we take care of them. We discuss how the food choices we make can either help or hinder our body’s strength. We plan and prepare our meals together using local and organic food as much as possible. We have a garden, we shop at farmer’s markets, we belong to a CSA. We do not watch TV during the school week, opting instead for physical activity – outside as much as weather allows. I cannot remember a time with them when physical appearance has been perceived as an indicator of beauty – until now.

The boys do not like kisses from me when I have lipstick (or even chapstick) on. This has initiated some funny comments and conversation but I was taken aback at this question that was posed as I kissed them one morning before school – “Why do girls wear lipstick?”. I paused before answering, uncertain if my response would set off more questioning from the peanut gallery (it usually does). I did not want to say that makeup makes a girl pretty or imply it necessary for a man to find her attractive so I answered with “sometimes it makes a girl feel pretty to wear a little lipstick”. This of course was met with “why” and I repeated my original answer before quickly changing the subject. Not my typical MO. I have answered many a question that would make my husband, and a lot of other adults, squirm. I have always been truthful with them about hard topics – “am I going to die, are you going to die, why do people die, what happens when we die, why don’t girls have a penis, what’s a vagina, how are babies born, how do they get in there” and on and on. Why then am I so uncomfortable defining or at least answering honestly a simple question about makeup?

As the mother of boys and a feminist at heart, it is incredibly important to me that I raise men who recognize the equal value of the opposite sex. Men who are respectful of differences without feelings of superiority (or inferiority), men who are self sufficient, who know how to take care of themselves and do not expect someone (a woman) to do it for them. Men who value intellect, humanity, kindness, authenticity at least as much as or more than appearance when looking for a partner in life. Men who value their own bodies as marvels, miracles capable of so much if respected and cared for. Compassionate and strong, confident while humble, secure in all they do, respectful of all humanity understanding the value of every life, be it their own or that of someone in Iraq or a person on a street corner downtown. Yes, it is idealistic and likely unrealistic, but these are the things I hope they value. These are the things I hope they see their parents modeling. Struggle as we may to do so.

So, to answer the question what features/qualities would we like today’s children to see as beautiful?, I hope today’s children can find the beauty in humanity. I wish for them to recognize the beauty in the human experience. To recognize their strengths and even their struggles as beautiful. To reject the idea of perfection and to embrace the everyday, to recognize the miracles that abound, to find real joy in the moment and to seek the beauty in everything. To hold on to their childish innocence and wonder at all that is. These are the things I wish for us all.

Earth Day Everyday

2009-04-22T08:14:00.002-04:00

2009-04-16T11:02:00.000-04:00

The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Yummy Fun

2009-04-14T11:31:00.001-04:00

C, making whole wheat tortillas

Powerful

2009-03-24T21:55:00.002-04:00

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my
vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

-Audre Lorde

Yea Spring

2009-03-23T21:38:00.001-04:00

Feeding the Family

2009-02-25T10:34:00.002-05:00

Okay ,we are all super busy. Nonetheless, we need to eat and for those with children, we must feed them too. I am always surprised at how frequently some of my friends dine out. It may seem simpler to have someone else prepare and serve the food, but it is expensive, not to mention you have no idea where your food is coming from or how healthy it actually is (or is not). I thought I might start a "Feeding the Family" topic for sharing healthy, easy meal ideas. Here is the first one, we are trying it tonight so I'll add on tomorrow about how it was received by the kiddos - enjoy!

EASY CROCKPOT RECIPE: Chicken with Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah - a complete protein grain that is super easy to cook with, has a similar consistency to couscous)

Ingredients:

2T butter
2t minced garlic
1C chicken broth
2T white wine
3/4 t black pepper
3/4 t kosher salt (I used sea salt)
1/3C plus 1T quinoa, rinsed
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs (much cheaper than breasts and very tasty)
1T chopped fresh parsley (OPTIONAL)

1. Add all ingredients except for chicken and parsley to slow cooker crock and mix well to combine. Place chicken thighs on top of the mixture. (It only took me 15 minutes to assemble this in the Crock Pot - and then it is done!!!)

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. To serve, transfer chicken thighs to individual bowls. Mix quinoa and vegetables well, then spoon into bowls alongside chicken. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

APPROXIMATE NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: Calories: 510, Protein: 47g, Fat: 26g, Sodium: 583mg

*I will probably steam or roast some kind of green vegetable to go with this as well (brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus - whatever) or make a big green salad. Lots of color on your plate is good, good, good!!

Hmm

2009-02-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Identity Crisis

2009-01-27T09:56:00.002-05:00

What to do with this blog...ideas running around about things I want to explore, stories to tell, opinions about life and the world at large but how do I make it make sense? (Rhetorical question)

Here are some things I am passionate about:

Health - particularly how nutrition affects our overall well being
Children's Health (and availability of health care for all)
Cooking
Education
Parenting (not necessarily good at it - but passionate for sure and always trying to improve)

Things I am trying to figure out still:

Religious beliefs
Political opinions
How to balance it all
Domesticity
What do I want to be when I grow up?

It's a start. Posts will be in no particular order and may not even be regular but I'm going to give this blog thing another try. Hope you'll check in every now and again and join the evolution of ideas.

Wanna Be

2009-01-25T11:01:00.002-05:00

I want to be a "real" blogger, I really do. I think I'm just a stalker though. I keep finding blogs I love to read. They inspire me to think about things in different ways, to appreciate things overlooked. They also validate some of my feelings about mothering and life. I have a zillion stories of my own floating around inside my brain but I cannot seem to get past being freaked out by how publicly accessible things are on the internet. I always feel a bit dishonest when I do post something because there are so many layers being left our for the sake of privacy. If anyone ever looks at this post, and if you are a blogger, how do you find the courage to be so honest? So vulnerable to an unknown audience? And even more so, knowing that people you know are reading, do you not feel so exposed?

I think I'm going to post a little more often this year. We'll see...

Happy Birthday Little Boys

2009-01-07T09:50:00.002-05:00

B

B
C

Yummy

2008-11-21T11:22:00.003-05:00

the best blueberry muffins

this is a recipe I found in a favorite magazine - we have made a few adjustments and it is now a family favorite...easy for little ones to help with and oh, so delicious!

You will need:

2 cups flour (we use whole wheat, increase to 2-1/2 cups if freshly milled)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (we use sea salt)
4 large eggs
16 ounces sour cream
10 tablespoons (1-1/4 sticks) butter
2 cups light brown sugar (we use Sucanat)
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups of blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
2 tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Line two 12-cup muffin tins with muffin cup liners (or two 24 cup mini muffin tins) - this recipe does not work if tins are unlined...too sticky. Combine flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.

Melt together butter and brown sugar in saucepan over medium heat (about 3 minutes). Let cool about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Beat eggs with sour cream then add brown sugar/butter mixture and beat until combined.

Stir in oats.

Fold in flour mixture and then berries.

Sprinkle a pinch of sugar onto the top of each muffin.

Bake for 25 - 28 minutes (15-20 for mini-muffins) or until edges are medium brown and tops are firm. Cool for 5 minutes and remove from pan.

ENJOY!

Worthy of Consideration

2008-11-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

Yes we must...

2008-11-04T11:57:00.001-05:00

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life flow no longer in our souls.

- Elizabeth Cady Stanton,speech to the National American Woman Suffrage Association, 1890.

Politics

2008-11-02T21:03:00.003-05:00

The Left mocks the Right. The Right knows it's right. Two ugly traits. How far should we go to try and understand each other's point of view? Maybe the distance grace covered on the cross is a clue.
~Bono. lead singer of U2

Currently Reading: God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T22:38:00.001-04:00

Today's Thoughts

2008-10-23T12:59:00.002-04:00

O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succor; let me notbe afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich ... And so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee.
- Alan Paton

No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew - Albert Einstein.

Family Photo

2008-10-20T15:59:00.002-04:00

2008-09-25T19:13:00.004-04:00

It's extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion dollars to save 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases. ~Bono

Great social forces are the mere accumulation of individual actions. Let the future say of our generation that we sent forth mighty currents of hope, and that we worked together to heal the world.~ Jeffrey Sachs The End of Poverty

So Long Old Friend

2008-09-22T08:16:00.004-04:00

We said goodbye to our beloved family pet this weekend. Jake has been with us almost 14 years, since he was 6 weeks old. He was a great companion and a loyal friend. The boys are taking it in stride. We've encouraged their questions and sharing their thoughts and feelings about him. They each had some time alone with him to say goodbye and I think it helped. B assured him that he was going to be with God and we have all found some peace in knowing he is no longer in pain. His final days were difficult and we are all grateful he is not suffering now. He joins Max (our first dog who passed away just before I became pregnant after 10 years with us) so we are also comforted that he is with his old friend. Here are some pictures of Jake (and Max)...

2008-09-18T14:54:00.001-04:00

Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise, what is the use of seeing?

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

It's Time To Get Real

2008-09-17T08:21:00.004-04:00

The Unbearable Lightness of Election 2008

2008-09-11T15:46:00.001-04:00

The only dream worth having ... is to dream that you will live while you’re alive and die only when you’re dead ... To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or to complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.

- Arundhati Roy
From her book, The Algebra of Infinite Justice

Send a Letter to Your Congressional Candidates

2008-09-11T10:45:00.001-04:00

Nearly nine million children in America do not have health coverage and millions more are underinsured. The elections in November provide an extraordinary opportunity to bring attention to this critical issue. We must seize this historic opportunity to ensure that every candidate running for a seat in the U.S. Congress understands that providing coverage for all children is something the American people want, that our children and nation can't wait, and that their commitment to children is a condition of your vote.

Send a letter to your Congressional candidates today asking them to sign the Children's Defense Fund Action Council's pledge.

Vote Out Poverty

2008-09-10T13:05:00.003-04:00

From September 10-16, 2008 people of faith across the country will be mobilizing their communities to ask their local, state and national candidates what they will do to address the pressing issues of poverty and opportunity in America in their first 100 days in office.

In communities across the country, people of faith will be calling and writing the candidates, holding forums to discuss these issues with civic and political leadership, engaging in interfaith community service to aid those in need in their communities, and otherwise highlighting the need for increased leadership on these issues.

What will YOU do?

With the convention spotlights dimmed and the partisan parties over, we still have two long months until Election Day. Don’t stay on the sidelines – now is the time to get involved. Get behind something meaningful this election season, something that goes beyond partisan politics.

Sojourners’ Vote Out Poverty campaign asks voters and candidates to make the needs of our neighbors living in poverty a national priority and to follow the lead of the church in serving the needs of all people.

The Vote Out Poverty pledge says that we want a national plan from the next president and Congress that will:Cut domestic poverty in half over the next decade, and Provide the leadership necessary to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, a set of international goals for reducing global poverty.

Commit today to help put poverty on the national political agenda by signing the Vote Out Poverty pledge!

Dinner Talk and More

2008-09-08T18:11:00.003-04:00

C: Mom, why is Jake [our very old dog] dying?
Me: Jake is very old and his body is tired. One day his body will stop working and then he will die.
C: What if his body stops working while we're taking a shower?
Me: I don't think that will happen but I really do not know when he'll die. He might go to sleep one night and not wake up or he might get very sick and we'll have to take him to the doctor and he might die there...
C: Another [dinner] roll please.

What kind of transition is that?!?!

This is the nature of all our conversations these days. Very serious questions, me trying to be as honest as possible while still age appropriate, them moving on to something completely insignificant and unrelated...it's kind of funny and a little un-nerving too :)

Also, God really is the maker of all things as noted by H in this recent exchange in the car:

B: Why does green mean go and red mean stop?
Me: I don't know but we always stop for red and go for green
B: And slow down for yellow
Me: Yes, we slow down for yellow
H: Well, God made it like that! (this was said in a tone that implied - DUH, Don't you guys know anything?)

What I am Thinking About

2008-08-21T11:27:00.002-04:00

The little boys are back in school. And as the summer wore on, I must admit that I was ready for their return. I've got a "to do" list that is miles long and limited time in which to accomplish these things that are so much simpler without small children in tow. But I am also learning to cherish the time I do have with them. To give to them - joyfully. And this is a hard lesson for me as I sadly default to resentment when I feel stretched too thin. This came to my inbox this morning and I am considering it slowly, thoughtfully that I may take it to heart. That I may keep it at the forefront of my mind. Both as a mother and a daughter. Another hard lesson, one that I am reminded of daily on this journey of mine as a mother, is grace and thankfulness for my own mother who plucked so much of herself for her little ducklings. Thanks Mom - I love you.

Random Summer Photos

2008-08-10T21:56:00.001-04:00

Go Outside and Play

2008-07-15T16:59:00.000-04:00

Because You Never Know

2008-07-15T08:56:00.003-04:00

SafetyTat is a fun and colorful kids temporary safety tattoo that’s uniquely personalized with your cell phone number. When applied to the arm of your child or loved one, SafetyTat provides an immediate, highly visible form of identification that stays in place even when wet and lasts for 1-5 days.

2008-06-18T19:50:00.001-04:00

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.
This makes it hard to plan the day.

E.B. White

Summer Break

2008-06-10T14:49:00.004-04:00

I am intentionally disconnecting for the summer. Planning to spend my time enjoying these little boys who are growing up at warp speed. Not sure how I will use the blog but it will definitely not be a top priority for a few months. Here's a picture from our recent (amazing) vacation to the Florida Keys. Have a great summer!

Why Bother?

2008-05-22T11:55:00.002-04:00

Going personally green is a bet, nothing more or less, though it’s one we probably all should make, even if the odds of it paying off aren’t great. Sometimes you have to act as if acting will make a difference, even when you can’t prove that it will.

Read the rest of this article by Michael Pollan here...

Vocabulary Continued

2008-05-20T22:03:00.004-04:00

As I handed out bottles of water to take with us to the playground yesterday, B proudly let me know that he was being very respectful for his water today. Helping another child and checking off my mental list of what we needed, I thought I'd misunderstood and asked him to repeat himself. "I'm being respectful for my water"...what? And then I realized what he meant. We have had multiple conversations about being respectful and responsible (as in for your own stuff - Mommy cannot possibly keep track of and carry everything!), though not necessarily at the same time. When I asked him if he meant that he was being responsible for his water he looked at me like "duh" and said (in a tone indicating the "duh"), "yes, I am being responsible for my water".

While picking the boys up from school today, B rushed out to greet me exclaiming that he had caught "so many holy molies today"...the translation for that would be roly polies (aka pill bugs). His teacher had a good laugh at that, as did I.

Why Our World Needs Montessori

2008-05-15T14:48:00.000-04:00

http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/blog/2007/07/why-our-world-needs-montessoribadly.html

Picture Memories - H

2008-05-14T14:09:00.003-04:00

The biggest of our babies at birth, H weighed in at 3# 13 ounces. He had a head (and body) full of hair and the round cheeks of a little chipmunk stocking up for winter. In appearance, the most durable of the babies, now our smallest little boy - our firstborn son - is the kindest, and most gentle of our brood. He has a compassionate heart and striking blue eyes. A personality that can charm the socks off ya and a passion for numbers that is quickly exceeding my mathematical abilities. His true love is baseball and he is always thinking or dreaming about it (he has actually told me that I will be watching him play baseball on television when he is bigger - and that I should wave to him). He is one amazing little boy. Here are a few pictures of his beginning and one captured just a few days ago...

Birth Day

Bonding

Snuggle Bug

My Sweet Boy

He's already breaking my heart with those eyes...

4 Year Old Pictures

2008-05-12T05:54:00.003-04:00

Red Top Mountain April 2008

Cindy Harter Photography

Eat Out, Support the Atlanta Community Food Bank

2008-05-07T10:31:00.002-04:00

Great Health and Wellness Website

2008-05-07T10:26:00.002-04:00

Nourish Your Kids

Vocabulary Lessons Part 2

2008-05-03T18:11:00.004-04:00

After dinner last night, B climbed in my lap. I gave him a kiss and then squeezed him in a bear hug to which he responded, Do Not Do That Mom! I'm trying to vibrate my food! After a few clarifying questions, we determined that he meant digest when he said vibrate.

A few more common phrases with words that get mixed up:

There's a mustache in my eye! (instead of eyelash)

I want to wear my invisible shorts today. (he means reversible)

Really, we laugh a lot around here...

The Sad Truth

2008-04-30T14:31:00.004-04:00

Tell Your Members of Congress to Invest in Every Child: Secure the Future

Did you know that a baby is born into poverty in America every 35 seconds? Did you know that almost 13 million — one out of every six — children in America live in poverty? Test your knowledge about child poverty in America

Vocabulary Lessons

2008-04-30T13:48:00.004-04:00

Yesterday morning, approximately 7 AM

B: stomp, stomp, huff, snort - I do Not want to go to school today
Me: Why not?
B: I do not want to go because school is boring!
Me: Really? (a mix of disbelief at both the allegation and his use of this word that to my knowledge has never been uttered in our home)
B: SCHOOL IS BORING, and I don't like it (loud voice)
Me: What is boring about school?
B: Pause, deep thought
Me: B, what does the word boring mean?
B: Very loud sigh, stomp, look of defeat, gets dressed as he realizes he is so busted because he has no idea what boring means but it seemed like it might get him out of going to school when he initiated the conversation.

This morning, same time

B: I don't want to go to school. It makes me nervous.
Me: What does nervous mean?
B: On the verge of tears (the angry kind) - lots more stomping and a loud I DON"T KNOW BUT IT MAKES ME NERVOUS!!!
Me: trying not to laugh at his frustration, sorry Buddy, let's eat breakfast, it's almost time to go to school...

I should clarify that B has never had a problem about going to school and still does not. He loves school. C, on the other hand, has legitimate anxiety about it. The last few days, C has been very distraught about going to school and we are trying very hard to figure out why while comforting and assuring him that we still love him when he is not with us, that Miss Laura (his teacher) loves him too and that his little brain needs good stuff in it to grow just like his body needs food. His teacher assures us that he is fine all day and I have witnessed this myself as I observed in the classroom last week. The psych 101 of this situation is better saved for another post. Just wanted to point out that we are not disregarding any legitimate issues on B's part...he is simply trying to get in on the action and experimenting with new vocabulary - leading to a lot of internal laughter (and eye rolling) on my end.

Ordinary Miracle

2008-04-29T15:56:00.005-04:00

I am so moved by this song right now. Opening my heart to the ordinary miracles everyday. We are so very blessed...

B, C, H - Red Top Mountain 4/24/08 - 4 years old

*Studio C Photography

Growing Like Weeds

2008-04-28T22:11:00.002-04:00

October 2006 (C, H, B)
April 2008 (H, B, C)

2008-04-28T21:12:00.001-04:00

It is so important not to let ourselves off the hook or to become apathetic or cynical by telling ourselves that nothing works or makes a difference. Every day, light your small candle.... The inaction and actions of many human beings over a long time contributed to the crises our children face, and it is the action and struggle of many human beings over time that will solve them—with God's help. So every day, light your small candle.

- Marian Wright Edelman

Guide My Feet

You Think You Got Game? BRING IT!!!

2008-04-28T17:31:00.003-04:00

Thanks to the 2 participants on the blog, and several in my multiples group...we have a name winner for the above photo. It was submitted to Kodak for "Picture of the Day" - if chosen it would be on a screen in Times Square. No word yet...

You Talkin' To Me?

2008-04-27T15:23:00.001-04:00

2008-04-24T13:04:00.003-04:00

Perhaps everything terrible is, in it's deepest being, something that needs our love.
Rainer Maria Rilke

Did You Know...

2008-04-24T10:48:00.002-04:00

Worldwide, 1 child dies every 3 seconds due to malnutrition and mostly preventable diseases. One billion children, almost every other child in the world, live in poverty. (source: UNICEF)
Fourteen million children worldwide have lost one or both parents to AIDS. (source: UNICEF)
Ninety percent of war casualties are civilians — almost half of these victims are children. (source: UNICEF)
Everyday in the U.S., more than $1 billion is spent on the military while 1,700 babies are born without health insurance and 2,500 babies are born into poverty. (source: Children’s Defense Fund)
Fifty-seven percent of the U.S. 2006 discretionary budget goes to military spending — everything but Medicare, Social Security and a few other small-ticket items (source: U.S. Office of Management & Budget.)
The U.S. military budget plus additional funds allocated for the “war on terror” is as big as the defense budgets of all other countries combined. (source: Institute for Policy Studies)
In 2006, U.S. taxpayers spent $535 billion on national defense and $19 billion on international development. (source: U.S. Government, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)
Seventy-eight percent of Americans favor helping poor countries develop their economies as a way to fight terrorism. (source: Center for Global Development, 2004)
World leaders have committed themselves to a set of eight targets called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which if adequately funded, will halve extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. (source: U.N. Millennium Project)
More than 60% of Americans believe that contributing 0.7% of the GNP to meet the MDGs is the right thing to do. 0.7 refers to the repeated commitment of the world's governments to commit 0.7% of rich-countries' gross national product (GNP) to Official Development Assistance. (source: U.N. Millennium Project)
On average, humans use around 20% more resources than the Earth can replenish. Americans use 500% of their share, Italians 200% of their share and Mozambicans use around 40% of their share. (source: Global Footprint Network)
Women spend 83% of the money in the U.S. We can use this economic power to create enormous change. Inspire women to flex some economic strength on behalf of children! (source: Time Magazine)
The percentage of female representatives in national legislatures is: Rwanda: 48.8, Islamic Republic of Pakistan: 21.6, US: 15

Our tax dollars at work: The 2008 US budget request for military spending, now referred to as “security” spending is projected to be $699 billion – bigger than all other military budgets combined. This represents a 61% increase since 2001. For a number of years, experts have confirmed that 15% of the budget could be shifted to programs that nurture & protect the lives of children without weakening the strength of the US military. SHIFT HAPPENS!!!! Mothers*, it’s our job to decide how we want to spend our tax dollars, because business-as-usual just got an urgent memo from its mother saying her children will no longer be ignored. Learn more at Mother's Acting Up.

Farm Bill - Action Needed Today

2008-04-23T15:56:00.002-04:00

Please call your representative and senators by noon Eastern time Friday, April 25, at 1-800-826-3688. Tell them we must pass a new farm bill now, and must not lose the nutrition increases and food aid changes already passed. At a time of sharply rising food prices, these increases are especially critical. Modest commodity reform could pay for these increases without resorting to tax increases or other cuts.

Background information and talking points are available here.

World Hunger Crisis

2008-04-22T22:15:00.002-04:00

It's being called the "Silent Tsunami." In three years, prices for the basic staples that feed the world—wheat, rice and corn—have risen by a staggering 83% and this week, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said that if left unchecked, global food shortages could set the world back seven years in the fight against extreme poverty and global disease. For people in the developing world, affording enough food to eat is becoming a daily struggle for survival. Without action to stop the upward spiral of food prices, 100 million people around the world will face deeper poverty and hunger, and hundreds of thousands will confront famine and starvation. Help the ONE campaign reach a new goal of 100,000 ONE members urging President Bush to rally the G8 to take emergency action against hunger and to invest in agricultural productivity in the developing world. Click on the the image...

2008 Spring Soccer "Frogs"

2008-04-19T17:17:00.002-04:00

Healthy Child Campaign

2008-04-16T10:54:00.004-04:00

By the end of today, one million children will have been born without health coverage since the start of the 110th Congress — a Congress in which the House of Representatives was convened on January 4, 2007 with these words, "For all of America's children, the House will be in order." Unfortunately, Congress has not yet succeeded at being "for all America’s children." Despite attempts last year to expand health coverage for children, Congress was unable to override vetoes by President Bush and today 9.4 million children in America are living without health coverage.

Every 41 seconds, a child is born uninsured. To emphasize the stark reality of this crisis, I have added a "counter" to my blog that has been counting the number of uninsured children born since the start of the 110th Congress. Later today… that counter will hit one million.

In honor of those one million children and the millions of other children suffering in America without health coverage, I ask you to step up, take action and help solve this crisis. Tell Congress there is still time to truly make this a Congress for all of America's children by supporting legislation to ensure health coverage for every child and pregnant woman.

During this busy election year, send a clear and overpowering message to our Members of Congress today to make children's health coverage a priority. Children cannot wait.

Please take a moment and send an email to your Members of Congress today then ask your friends to do the same.

You can also help spread the word by adding a Healthy Child counter to your own website, blog, or social network profile!

Random Photos

2008-04-14T23:22:00.000-04:00

A few recent pictures I finally uploaded from the memory card...

Not Really A Contest...

2008-04-14T08:37:00.003-04:00

I have no "prize" to offer the winner. But, if you're feeling witty - I'm looking for a name for this photo taken a few days ago. All six of these kiddos (2 sets of triplets) are 4 years old. So help me out here and name this picture...(leave a comment and I will post the "winning name" later this week).

Random (Like My Life)

2008-04-13T09:41:00.005-04:00

Okay, I may be the worst blogger on the web in terms of regular posting, writing anything interesting, analyzing what I've written (on the rare occasion I do), offering wisdom, insight, humor - anything of value (legitimate or entertainment) to any reader (if there are any) who happens upon this site. The world wide web is full of blogs that can offer all of the above and more and there is an ever growing list of links on this site for you to choose from.

Incidentally, though you would never guess it from this blog, I am a decent writer. And I am pretty analytical by average standards. I am also very guarded and tend to withdraw into my own thoughts and feelings when pondering something of great significance (if not to the world at large, at least to myself and my family). So I tend to stick to the factual information, the advocacy I believe in (via links to other sites - rarely of my own analysis), pictures of my boys (who I believe to be some of the cutest kids alive so who wouldn't want to see more of them), and random posts where I say I am going to post more often, more substantially - and then never do.

Also, my head is so full of the things necessary to our daily existence that it "hurts my brain" to think too much beyond the obvious - at least in terms of being able to articulate it somewhere (here). I'm full of random thoughts, ideas, feelings about things that are so incohesive they sometimes do not even make sense to me so trying to make sense of it in a user friendly, readable format seems like a lot of work that I am not overly inclined to take on. Not to mention the constant interruption (happening even now) that diverts my attention from the task at hand - and it is increasingly more difficult to find my way back to whatever I was trying to do before the interruption. I'm not sure if this is due to aging, laziness or triplet induced insanity but my ability to focus for long periods of time is waning and if interrupted cannot easily be attained again. So I have a blog full of half finished (or barely started) drafts of things that I meant to document, to discuss, to report on that I have never gotten around to completing. And probably never will ...

Seriously, I meant to pull this all together - to possibly post a complete thought - or even - sit down f0r this- several thoughts pulled together with great insight and wit...you may roll your eyes excessively now :) But there is a little boy - a very cute one - who is insistent about sitting on my lap. Who very much wants my undivided attention and while I do feel some frustration at yet another interruption, I recognize that he will be little for a very short time. And he will not want (or fit in) my lap much longer. So I am off to snuggle an adorable 4 year old who cannot wait, nor should he. And so the blog will wait again. Maybe a day, maybe a week, a month - who knows. Life is happening all around me and I am logging off now to be a part of it.

Have a great day - or week or month....I'll check in later (likely, much later :).

H - my currently needy for his Mama little snuggler - how can I say no to this?

2008-04-10T16:08:00.002-04:00

ONE is launching a petition campaign to tell our senators that we want them to support record increases in funding to treat and prevent the spread of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Please sign ONE's petition and ask your senators to join us in the fight against these deadly, but treatable diseases.

Enjoy a Good Meal for a Good Cause

2008-04-03T12:53:00.005-04:00

On April 23rd, nearly 200 restaurants in the Atlanta Metro area will participate in Dining Out for Life donating a minimum of 20% of food and beverage sales to Project Open Hand.

Open Hand is one of the largest producers and distributors of home-delivered meals in the United States. Each and every day, the organization -- with the help of over 125 volunteers -- prepares and delivers more than 4,500 freshly cooked, nutritious meals to people in metro-Atlanta whose health complications have impaired their ability to prepare meals for themselves. Clients include homebound seniors, dependent children and persons with chronic, critical and terminal illnesses - 93% of whom live below the federal poverty level. With only 30% of Open Hand's annual budget coming from corporate and government sources, the organization relies on contributions from individuals in order to continue to serve the community. Dining Out for Life -- their largest annual fundraising event -- plays a vital role in helping bridge that funding gap.

Make a point dine out on April 23rd in support of Open Hand!

Photography

2008-04-03T11:33:00.003-04:00

This is a photo I took on Easter that was re-touched by my friend Theresa at Cherry Berry Studio. She is a gifted photographer and mother to twins plus one. Her work is more than photography, it is art. She has captured the true beauty of my children since they were a year old. I highly recommend checking her out (and some more pics of my boys in the gallery) at Cherry Berry Studio.

Happy Easter

2008-03-24T13:00:00.003-04:00

Call to Lament and Repent

2008-03-19T14:55:00.002-04:00

Next week will mark five years since the United States invaded Iraq. We all lament the suffering and violence that continue after these five heartbreaking years, and we all share in responsibility for a war that has been waged in our names and with our tax dollars.That's why I've added my name to a public statement repenting for the Iraq war, which Jim Wallis and other Christian leaders will be releasing next week - with the signatures of thousands of Christians of all theological and political stripes. Support for U.S. wars and foreign policy is still the area where Christians are most "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). We must commit to put our love for Christ ahead of obedience to a misguided government, and to ask our brothers and sisters to join us in working for peace.

Will you join me in signing the statement? Just click here.

Random Photos

2008-03-18T15:54:00.004-04:00

Here are some pictures that have been hanging in suspense on my camera - I finally got around to locating the cable required for uploading. These are not apearing in the order in which they occurred because I can't make them upload in sequence -I am a serious slacker folks. Enjoy!

Game Face

They were so excited that the flowers were blooming that the boys' ran from our car to the fence to check them out.

We had a fun filled Saturday with the grandparents a couple of weekends ago visiting The Wren's Nest and Imagine It! in Atlanta. We happened upon these very patient policemen while walking through Centennial Olympic Park. They were gracious enough to make two of the boys' big dreams come true - "riding" a motorcycle, and being a policeman.

A Call to Action

2008-03-13T09:55:00.002-04:00

What shalt thou do? ... Do good. Do all the good thou canst. Let thy plenty supply thy neighbor’s wants; and thou wilt never want something to do. Canst thou find none that need the necessaries of life, that are pinched with cold or hunger; none that have not raiment to put on, or a place where to lay their head; none that are wasted with pining sickness; none that are languishing in prison? If you duly considered our Lord’s words, "The poor have you always with you," you would no more ask, "What shall I do?"

- John Wesley"On Worldly Folly"

Act Locally, Think Globally

2008-03-13T08:38:00.004-04:00

Here's a chance to act locally. If you are a Georgia resident, please consider making a donation to this campaign.

The $10,000 Challenge
All gifts made online between now and March 31st will be matched by a special challenge grant, with a goal of raising an additional $10,000. Please be as generous as you can to help us receive the full challenge grant so we can feed more of our hungry neighbors today! Please spread the word! Click here to make a donation using our secure server.

Want to Be an Activist?

2008-03-11T16:30:00.003-04:00

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.

Bread for the World members write personal letters and emails to and meet with our representatives in Congress. Working through churches, campuses and other organizations, we engage more people in advocacy.Bread for the World works in a bipartisan way. We enjoy the support of many different church bodies. Bread for the World collaborates with other organizations to build the political commitment needed to overcome hunger and poverty. For example, Bread for the World is a founding partner in Bono's ONE Campaign.

Here's how you can help.

And Now, The Moment You've All Been Waiting For...

2008-03-10T12:02:00.004-04:00

Okay, I am unable to follow through with a time commitment of any kind. Now that we have established this, be prepared to wait an extra few days whenever I say a post is coming soon :)

The last week (month actually) of our crazy life has been...well, crazy. The boys have started going to school 3 mornings a week and you'd think an additional morning without kiddos would lead to greater productivity for me. This has not proven to be so. I am perpetually trying to catch up on all things neglected (everything organizational), stay on top of all things necessary for daily survival (you know, like feeding this brood and making sure they have clean underwear), and I have been attempting to carve out some me time for my own physical and mental well being (I have actually managed to get to the gym more times this month than I have in the last year). Throw in our usual geriatric dog care, sick kids every other minute, traveling Daddy, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, veterinary appointments, travel plans, garden planning (because it is almost Spring and I am anxious to get outside in the dirt - we have a delusional plan for growing much of our food this year) and this is the tip of our iceberg. Of course, I cannot imagine anything else so I want to clarify that this is not really complaining so much as assessing the chaos and pondering how to manage our (okay, my) time more efficiently.

Cs eczema (which I have not yet written about in detail but has been an ongoing struggle for him) is getting bad again. Unfortunately, his face has it the worst this time and has become a source of embarrassment and shame for him. 4 years old is not a time when being different is okay and he has said a few things that lead me to believe he may be getting left out of playground games at school. His own brothers have told him that he cannot play with them because they do not want to catch his "itchies" ( a conversation I overheard a couple of weeks ago that broke my heart). I've spoken with H and B both about Cs eczema, explaining that it is not contagious but is something that C has to live with just as H has asthma. We've talked about how he (C) must feel when his brothers and/or friends are unkind to him, when he is being left out and we have talked about how they (as brothers) need to always stick together, to take care of one another. How much of this they take to heart I do not know. I knew this day would come when one of our boys would be faced with a hurt that we could not protect him from. I did not expect it so soon and my heart is in no way prepared for the pain of watching it happen. Not sure where I am going with this - I am still coming to terms with it and looking for a way to address it sensitively with C.

H has had a weird stomach virus that had him puking for half a day (and he is usually at least a 24 hour puker) and then just lethargic and not eating - but no longer throwing up. He has not had a legitimate meal in 5 days and he is not a picky eater. I finally took him in this morning and the pediatrician said she's seeing a lot of this right now. She checked him out and feels he is probably just nauseated still - poor kid. We're hoping his appetite will return soon. He has already been surpassed in height and weight by his brothers...he needs all the nutrients his little body can get. And I need him to go back to school. Though in all honesty, it's been kind of neat to spend a little time alone with him as he convalesces.

B is full of imagination - telling stories and creating pretend scenarios for his brothers all day long. Well, most of the day - the rest of the time he is firing off questions at me about every possible thing imaginable. This child makes my brain hurt! I am thrilled at his inquisitive nature - it is much like my own. But his need to understand everything in the universe coupled with his inability to look it up and find answers for himself are wearing me down. "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer either. We must look for the answer - at the library or on the Internet (which, by the way is so crazy that my 4 year old knows that this is a way we can use computers - I don't think I knew which end was up at 4 years old) and then discuss it - ad nauseum - for days on end. I've never been interrogated, but I am beginning to see how it might make a person crack up after long enough.

On a group note, the boys started soccer last week. This is the funniest thing I have ever witnessed. Really. 15 four year olds "practicing" (code word for free for all) is comic relief for me as I am on the sidelines watching some poor innocent soul's (their very patient coach) attempt at "herding cats" (this is how Kelly refers to efforts at any organized drill with preschoolers). As twisted as it is, I revel in seeing other adults experience a slice of my daily life while I relax and do absolutely nothing to even hint at helping manage the chaos. If only I had a cold beer in my hand it would be perfect. Since their soccer league is through the church, I am thinking that beer at 4 year old soccer practice/games may be frowned upon. Too bad.

And this will have to do for an update as I can hear the little hooligans getting a little too crazy in the next room. I will try (and we have already established this means nothing) to post some pictures, at the very least, before the end of the week. I have several good ones on the camera that I will happily download if I can ever again find the cable to connect it to the computer...

2008-03-06T15:13:00.002-05:00

Worth Checking Out

2008-03-06T14:43:00.006-05:00

Kids Talk is an award-winning weekly column dealing with childhood development issues and written by Maren Stark Schmidt. Mrs. Schmidt founded a Montessori school and holds a Masters of Education from Loyola College in Maryland. She has over 20 years experience working with young children and holds teaching credentials from the Association Montessori Internationale.

If you have preschoolers, this is a really good site full of information about learning (particulary reading) at this developmental stage and you can sign up to receive a weekly newsletter.

Plan B

2008-03-06T10:43:00.002-05:00

Clearly I am not keeping up with daily posting. I do want to keep the blog and I do want to use it for journaling this process of little boys growing up (and Mommy too), so my new goal is to post weekly...possibly more often if time allows but weekly for sure. Not even ready to commit to a day of the week - it may be Monday it may be Friday - who knows, but I will post at least once per week. This little ramble is not my post for this week. I will have a week in review up tomorrow - seriously, I will (try). Here's a sample of things that may be in that post:

The boys started soccer (1st time) and it is a hoot
New mommies - as observed at the playground and memories of my first year as a first time mom
sick kids (this is a winter long theme)
faith and politics - because I am feeling crazy
higher education - as in, I want to go to grad school next year but I think it may be a little delusional to think it possible, we'll see
whatever else I can come up with that seems slightly interesting even if only to myself

So check in tomorrow (night) and see what made the cut.

Monday Memory (a few days later)

2008-03-01T00:13:00.006-05:00

I missed this Monday past for my memory post. I'm barely getting the necessities done around here so blogging has fallen to the bottom of the to do list. But check out this picture (above) taken sometime in the first couple of weeks after the boys all came home. Don't I look so - I dunno, stupidly calm, optimistic, joyful that I have three infants dependant upon me for survival? I had no idea what was coming. I have no recollection of this photo being taken. The entire first year is a blur. I do remember how grateful I felt that all the boys were home and healthy. I feel that gratitude even now as I recognize how blessed we are. Also I feel exhausted - but I'm trying to focus on grateful. And how can you not be grateful for such cuteness (photo below).

The Quest for Perfect

2008-02-28T09:59:00.005-05:00

I have issues. Who doesn't? But I am struggling with how to keep my balance, my calm (this is not something that comes to me naturally) under pressure. The daily demands of raising three young sons, a husband who works a lot and travels often, a home that has never been described as organized (even on our best day), and the list goes on. Meanwhile, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up but am desperately trying to find a way to define myself - for myself - as my identity seems to have been lost in the delivery room. I read self help books, I lurk on mommy blogs, I pray - sometimes beg - for patience and acceptance of things I cannot control...and life goes on. I try to be grateful for everything. The little things as well as the obvious. I try to remind myself that this is only a moment in time. It will not last forever and while some days seem eternal, I will be sad when they are gone. Just as I already miss so many things about having babies although the first year of life with triplets is something I doubt I have the strength of character to ever repeat! I am not inclined to discuss these things or even to write them down (I am a terrible journaler and even worse when I think of everyone being able to access my thoughts and feelings online - as if anyone reads this...). I am struggling. Whether or not peace and (internal) silence can ever be achieved I do not know. But growth - now I have lots of that going on. And that is good right? I think it is. I hope it is.

I just started what so far seems to be a fantastic book - The Mother Trip: Hip Mama's Guide to Staying Sane in the Chaos of Motherhood by Ariel Gore. Here's a brief excerpt from the Preface (titled Chaos Training):

Motherhood is not what we imagined. It is more delightful, more
heartbreaking. It ruins everything. It's not the calm after the storm we have been led to expect. It's almost more than a person can bear. Almost...
Our intuition isn't always accessible. We need each other's support and helpful words. What we don't need is junk-food advice that tells us to ignore our feelings, that undermines our confidence and insults our intelligence. It's just a recipe for depression. Because what is intuition? It's a capacity of the spirit. It's knowledge...But there is also a jumping off point from this circular equation, a point where we can recognize our exhaustion for what it is, give ourselves a break, and in that quiet hour begin to transform the energy our culture has taught to use to scrutinize and blame ourselves, and turn it outward, into something revolutionary.

We can juggle, run in circles, we can make ourselves manic, burned out, bummed. But here's the thing: Chaos comes anyway. It comes whether we want it to or not. It comes even if we pretend we don't see it coming. And here's the other thing: Chaos is good news. It's movement. It's change. It's revolution. It's scary. But like intuition, I think we can trust it.

Hooligans

2008-02-26T15:01:00.001-05:00

Daddy's away and mutiny prevails....

I'm Still Here

2008-02-26T14:16:00.003-05:00

But I have not been able to blog in awhile. Partly because I have been on my own for long stretches of time as this is the busiest time of year for Kelly and he is traveling more than usual. And partly because I have so much to write about - or at least to think about - that I do not know where to begin and am uncertain if these are things I want to share in such a public arena. So, I have not disappeared from this blog but am wrestling with what it is that I want from it and really short on time. In the meantime, I will try to keep posting pictures of and stories about the boys. There's always entertainment in the words of these little nuts and I'd like to remember it later - when I can use it against them :)

Here's an exchange we had in the car recently (I'd just put in a CD):

B: Is this Bob Marley?
Me: yes
B: Is Bob Marley in Heaven? (we have already had a previous discussion about BM no longer being alive - that was fun)
Me: I'm not sure - maybe
B: Is he playing music in Heaven?
Me: I think probably yes
B: Why is he always playing music?
Me; Because he has a gift. He is a very gifted musician. Everyone has gifts. Something you are very good at and that you love is a gift. If you can do something you love well then you will always be happy (or something to that effect - I was totally making this up on the fly)
B: I have a gift
Me: What's your gift?
B: Yep, I have a music gift too. My favorite instrument is the guitar and I am really good at it.
Me: Really? (He has never played the guitar)
B: Yes, the air guitar - I am really good at that and I love it - it's my gift

Monday Memory - Baby B

2008-02-18T11:18:00.011-05:00

under the lights for jaundice treatment (aka the tanning bed)

Birth Day

first bath (2 days old)

3 1/2 years old (at the beach last summer)

One of the things I remember about B is how laid back he always seemed in the hospital. Honestly, had he not been hooked up to a monitor I woud have been checking for a pulse. The first to progress to room air and an open bed, he seemed to coast through the checklist of things he needed to accomplish in order to come home. The majority of his time in the nursery was spent getting bigger. And he did this well. Not the biggest (length or weight) at birth, he very soon overtook his brothers in both. Still at least an inch taller and a few pounds heavier than H or C, he is often mistaken for the older brother of twins. B's was the first diaper that Kelly ever changed - in his life. Through the arm holes of an isolette, it was no easy task. He (B) was the first of my babies that I bathed. Two days after his birth, I walked (very, very slowly) into the NICU and his nurse was just getting ready to bathe him. She asked if I wanted to do it - of course, I said yes. He was so tiny! Once the boys came home, there was a period of time that I wondered if this was the same baby. Always easy going at the hospital, B was our colic baby at home. His lungs got lots of exercise in those early weeks and I was more than a little scared of what was to come. Just like in the nursery, he has continued to thrive. He is the healthiest kid I know. And this brings me to another memory that is heart breakingly sweet and was a revelation to me just how much each of my little boys needs to feel special in his own right. H and C have had their share of chronic health concerns. Asthma and allergies kept us very busy with appointments to various specialists in addition to the pediatrician. Both have had multiple visits to urgent care and the ER as well. B, on the other hand, has been to the pediatrician maybe 3 times outside of well checks in all of his 4 years. So we're sitting in the kitchen one evening not long after one of the other boys had been to urgent care for something I can't even remember and B falls off the stool at the counter. I should note here that he's a bit dramatic about everything so hysteria over a stubbed toe is common. On this night, he hurt his finger. After attempting to comfort him and asking him a series of questions about where it hurt, having him squeeze my hand, feeling around, he was still pretty fired up. He insisted that he needed to go to the doctor. Alone. With me. And I realized that in his mind, every time I left with one of his brothers to go to a doctors appointment, that child was spending time alone with Mommy and he was not. So to the doctor we went - sort of. It was after hours and I seriously doubted this needed urgent care but I did not have the heart to tell him we were not going anywhere together. So I offered a stop for dinner in the way. We had a wonderful "date" at a local restaurant without a hint of pain in the finger. As we got back in the car, I mentioned that I thought he was going to be okay and maybe we should go on home. It was a lesson I keep with me as these little babies have become little boys. And the inspiration for dates with Mom (and Dad) that we try to plan with each child individually as often as schedules allow. B is still a little dramatic though these days it is more imaginative. He tells amazing stories with great detail and he is one of the coolest kids I know!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T20:00:00.004-05:00

I just found these... they are the first Valentine's cards we received as parents (2004)

(kindly made for us by the nurses at Northside Hospital)

The Miniature Earth

2008-02-12T01:48:00.000-05:00

Wow

2008-02-12T01:16:00.000-05:00

I accidentally discovered this blog of a triplet family living in Hong Kong and came across this from an archived post

Who do our children see when they look at us? Do they see a cynical, busy person rushing around answering e-mails on the Blackberry? OR, do they see a calm, patient teacher... leader... or even Jesus? Similarly, who do we see when we look at our children? Do we see a naughty, cranky kid... OR do we see God's grace... innocence, love... or even Jesus?

Wow!

Monday Memory

2008-02-11T12:08:00.001-05:00

As we prepare for this year's March for Babies (formerly WalkAmerica), I've been recalling the early weeks of our boys' lives. Much like their birthday, this time leading up to the walk and the realization of the incredible gift we have been given causes me reflect on where we've been, what we've been through to get where we are today. In an effort to document some of these thoughts and memories, post more regularly, and to share the commitment we have made by choosing to support the March of Dimes by walking each year, I am going to start having "Monday Memory". While looking at some pictures from our NICU days this morning, I was overwhelmed by the raw emotion I still experience when I see their tiny little bodies, covered with tubes for nourishing, medicating, breathing, in plastic boxes (isolettes). I took a lot of close ups then so it is hard to tell how small and fragile they really were. There are a few [pictures] though with my or Kelly's hand, a regular sized (small) Ty Beanie Baby or some other normal sized thing in the picture as well and the perspective from those is shocking - and I was there - but it still is incredible for me to see. I think because I am so far removed from it now that is is kind of surreal to look at these crazy, healthy, wild, smart and unique 4 year old boys and know that they are lucky, blessed, to be alive at all.

C, our smallest and least stable baby (his NICU experience was filled with peaks and valleys, a roller coaster of good and bad days without any indication how things would ultimately turn for him) is the most amazing, determined, silly, sweet and stubborn little boy I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I have never articulated this to anyone, but there was a day that I went to see him - the morning after we'd received a midnight call telling us he was being moved back to Intensive Care from a less critical nursery - when I looked at my tiny baby and my heart was gripped with fear, pain and completely breaking because for the first time in the 4 weeks since the boys had been born, I did not know if we would bring them all home. It was the first (and only, I think) time I broke down - I mean really lost it - in the NICU. This was compounded by the fact that the nurse caring for him that day was the only one (out of many to whom I owe so much for their exceptional care of our boys) who I had previously felt was inattentive, distracted, patronizing (to Kelly and I) and - I realize this is harsh, but it was how I felt at the time - incompetent. Here was this baby of mine, desperately wanted and loved, whose life was literally hanging in the balance. There was not one thing I could do to protect him, to fix him, to save him. It was my worst day. I'd like to say that I felt comforted by the love and support of our families, by the prayers from all over the world for our boys, but at that moment, I had never felt so alone and unsure of what to do. There was nothing I could do. So that is what I did. Nothing. Nothing but sit and wait, next to the baby I could no longer hold because he was again full of tubes, and pray and hope and plead and beg for mercy and wait some more. If you've been to our blog before, you know that he [C] did come home with us and is our craziest punk of the bunch. There are lots of pictures of him as he is today (cute, huh?). Here are a few from his first days. We've come a long way Baby...

Fun Day

2008-02-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

Today we made snowboards out of some of the boxes that are still in our garage from Christmas...

Of course, we had to try them out on the hill in the backyard. Big fun for little boys who aspire to the X Games.

*click on the picture above to watch a video

To The Dentist

2008-02-08T16:56:00.000-05:00

H had his first trip to the dentist today. He was a trooper. X-Rays, full teeth cleaning and not a single tear. This is the photo they took for us to commemorate this momentous occasion. I suppose I am biased, but what a cute kid!!!

It Works For Us

2008-02-06T19:52:00.000-05:00

I've been lurking on several mom blogs and picking up ideas about everything from homemaking to blogging and more. I've noticed that several have sections about things that work for them. Some are even themed (crafts, homeschooling, recipes, organizing). Over the last 4 years, we've figured out a few shortcuts and little things that seem to make life run more smoothly at our house. So, I think I'm going to post a few every now and then and tag the posts as "it works for us". Every family is unique so these are in no way intended to be one size fits all advice or claims to genius or anything like that. Just things that work at our crazy house with three 4 year olds, two dogs, three cats, a mom and a dad and a sister who may never move out (a whole other topic to be sorted out another day). Here it goes-the very first It Works For Us...

Our boys attend a Montessori preschool and we have been embracing much of the Montessori philosophy for early childhood at home as well. Recently this has carried over into independent food (snack) choices. The boys are becoming increasingly independent as they master new skills everyday. They are able to dress themselves and usually are given the freedom to choose what they wear (weather appropriate, of course). This results in some ensembles that would rival any worst dressed list winner - but they are happy and warm so who am I to judge? They have designated shelves in our home for their books, puzzles, games and art supplies so they may access any of them at any time. They get their own cups and water (from the refrigerator dispenser). And now, they choose what to have for snack and when. Much of our survival as a triplet family has hinged on efficiency. It is really the only way I've stayed (barely) sane. So this new freedom has been a difficult adjustment for Mommy who is used to running things on a tight schedule. But it has been really neat to watch how proud they are when we create an environment that allows them to do for themselves. So here is what we've done - and it is working out fantastically:

I cleaned out the pantry (agh) and left one low shelf to be designated for the boys. I bought a 100 pack of snack bags (smaller, sealable baggies) and filled them with appropriately portioned healthy snacks (Spelt pretzels, trail mix, raisins, craisins) as well as some pre-packaged cereal bars and fruit leathers and stocked the shelf. I also filled some up with carrot sticks and celery and placed them on the bottom shelf of the fridge. I use little plastic storage containers without lids to keep them separated and semi-organized. When someone says they are hungry (which is all day long around here), I say okay, you may choose a snack and they are so grateful (still, and we have been doing this over a month now) and excited to be able to do for themselves. They get their own, take it to their seat at the table, eat, clean up and go back to whatever they were doing before snack. No whining about when is it going to be time for snack, no work for me and no argument about what they're having because they picked it. And, they feel important, confident and proud because they did something on their own. It's a win-win and it works for us!

War

2008-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

I recognize that there are no easy answers. I am saddened by the partisanship that does not allow for thoughtful, logical, rational discussion about solutions. And I am astounded at the waste (in all areas) of our tax dollars when there are children here - in the United States of America - without food, shelter and access to basic healthcare and education. Feeling a little overwhelmed by it all this morning...

Regardless of your political affiliation or your belief about whether or not government should respond to these injustices, we are all responsible for the children. The least of these, whom we are commanded love, cherish and protect. Where is Jesus in all the rhetoric? What are you doing to live your life in accordance with His commands?

I am asking myself these and other questions. Searching my heart and striving to live every day according to my principles.

More Super Tuesday

2008-02-05T00:43:00.000-05:00

Get the facts on those who control your future

Project Vote Smart

Super Tuesday

2008-02-04T17:13:00.000-05:00

ONE Vote '08 is an unprecedented, non-partisan campaign to make global health and extreme poverty foreign policy priorities in the 2008 presidential election.

The next president will take office in a time of great hope: there are effective and affordable solutions that save lives. AIDS drugs can now cost as little as $1 a day. A $5 bed net can keep a child from dying from a mosquito bite. With the force of more than millions of members from all 50 states and a coalition of more than 100 non-profit, religious and charitable groups, ONE Vote '08 will educate and mobilize voters to ensure that the next American president is committed to using "strategic" power to end global poverty and keep America strong.

In deciding which candidates are ready to lead on issues like clean water, hunger and stopping global AIDS, knowledge is power. You can make a difference by visiting the On The Record website to learn more about the candidates' plans to bring strong American leadership to the historic opportunity we have to make poverty history.

The United States cannot win the war on terrorism unless we confront the social and political roots of poverty. We want to bring people to justice if they commit acts of terrorism, but we also want to bring justice to people. Colin L. Powell, No Country Left Behind

Read why this is so important here.

Lessons in Love

2008-02-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

Love is patient.

And hard.

Love is patient. How can I be patient in the tipsiness of this domestic chaos? How can I be patient in the pain of now? When vocal cords pitch screams, when tears brim and fall, when the clock keeps ticking steadily ahead and we just keep sputtering, stumbling along? I want to strive ahead of here, into the future where we all stick to the script of buffed perfection.

Deep breathe. Love is patient. And it strikes me, an epiphany over the fry of bubbling pancakes, “Love can only be patient when it is first grateful for what is right now.”

Spending a few minutes to read this in it's entirety has made an impression on my heart. Take a moment and check out The Order of Love by Ann Voskamp

A Few More Fun Photos

2008-02-04T11:55:00.000-05:00

We had an amazing weekend! Daddy was home with us and we spent much needed quality family time together. The photos are blurry - I've been playing with my camera settings and can't figure out what I've done just yet. They're still cute (I think). The boys visited the famous Fox Theater for the first time to see Go Diego Go Live and it was fantastic. Then some outside fun chasing squirrels at Piedmont Park and dinner with live music where 4 year old dancing skills were on display. Enjoy...

Family Fun

2008-02-04T10:49:00.000-05:00