Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
This is just a quick post to let all the mothers in our lives know how much we love them and appreciate how much they have done and continue to do for us. So, to name you by name; Moms (Jill and Julie), Grandma Faun, Grandma Mere, Grandma Baker, Gina, Alyssa, and Gwen, thank you for all you have taught us. We learn more everyday from you about what it truly means to love unconditionally, sacrifice continually, and remain a beacon of all that is beautiful and wonderful in the world. Thank you for everything. We love you and are grateful for the influence your goodness has had in our lives. Happy Mother's Day!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Firsts
Until I talked to Gina earlier yesterday, I didn't realize that some people, while they are not devoted bloggers themselves, depend upon me to be that dedicated blogger in their lives. I guess you could say they depend on my insight and witty banter to get them through the day. Not to mention my superlative grasp of grammar and humor. So, back by popular demand, here I go again (even though, No Gina, it has not been a week since I posted last...nerd. I love you, but you're a nerd! But so I am, and look how well I am doing with it. It's the only reason I have friends. Just ask Gwen, she only likes nerds.) Getting back on track, if you are one of those who think I blog too much, just don't read this post, it's not for you anyway... :P (I heard that's how you make a smiley face sticking out it's tongue! If it is, Go me! If not, now you get the effect I was going for.)
Now for my real post:
I used a weed whacker yesterday. All by myself. Now I know most of you are saying "so..." But I'd never done it before, it was a first. And, not only was it a first, it was something I always wanted to be able to do (No, I don't know why....I just did. A right of passage you might say.) Anyway, I did it. And, I can't see what the big deal was, it's not like it's hard. Anyone could do it. And now, I can, so I guess that describes my skill level. But I've done it, and I can do it (albeit I'm not an expert, but who is?) and that excites me.
I have to chalk my excitement for new things up to my dad. He was always showing us by example that even the day to day "mundane" things are actually opportunities to learn. I give my desire, thirst, and excitement for new knowledge to my father, and it is a great blessing in my life. He always taught me, you'll never know if you don't like it unless you try. Also, how do you know it's the best if you haven't explored/researched the other options. Don't get me wrong, certain things with my dad are just wrong because their wrong (I'm the same way, I've never had a desire to try something that I didn't believe was right, just so I could compare. That's stupidity, not knowledge) and certain ways about doing things with my dad are the best way to do them just because they are his way....which sad to say, much like my husband, my father is rarely ever wrong, so most times they are the best way. (I'm not saying that sarcastically, I'm saying it with all sincerity and admiration.)
So, as odd as it sounds, I guess my desire to learn how to use a weed-whacker came from my dad. There is so much in this life that I don't know how to do, and while I always get odd looks for my desire to learn how to move pipe, or milk cows, I just can't help it. They are things I've never done and so there is an inner tugging at me, a tug for knowledge that pushes me towards asking questions, asking to participate, picking someones brain until they are so sick of me they're going to scream. There are no ulterior motives, I just want to know/experience.
There is so much to learn in life; true, you learn a lot just from going about your life, but can't you also agree that there is a lot you will never learn if you don't put yourself out there and ask questions, learn from those who know more than you. (heaven knows, I know very little about very little - but the good thing is, knowledge is free, it's limitations are only set by me) Not only that, but allow yourself the confidence that you can do anything, you can learn whatever it is you want to learn, nothing is holding you back except you. Even though you aren't a dairy farmer, a contractor, a teacher, a physicist or whatever, that doesn't mean you can't learn about those things. It also means, that others shouldn't hold you back or scoff at you for an interest in something that "doesn't apply to you". Go for it! Ask questions! Try something new, or even something old and "mundane" that you've never done. If not for anything else than to be able to say to yourself, I can do that, or I've done that, or I know about that. TRY. LEARN. GROW. Have firsts.
Thanks Dad.
Now for my real post:
I used a weed whacker yesterday. All by myself. Now I know most of you are saying "so..." But I'd never done it before, it was a first. And, not only was it a first, it was something I always wanted to be able to do (No, I don't know why....I just did. A right of passage you might say.) Anyway, I did it. And, I can't see what the big deal was, it's not like it's hard. Anyone could do it. And now, I can, so I guess that describes my skill level. But I've done it, and I can do it (albeit I'm not an expert, but who is?) and that excites me.
I have to chalk my excitement for new things up to my dad. He was always showing us by example that even the day to day "mundane" things are actually opportunities to learn. I give my desire, thirst, and excitement for new knowledge to my father, and it is a great blessing in my life. He always taught me, you'll never know if you don't like it unless you try. Also, how do you know it's the best if you haven't explored/researched the other options. Don't get me wrong, certain things with my dad are just wrong because their wrong (I'm the same way, I've never had a desire to try something that I didn't believe was right, just so I could compare. That's stupidity, not knowledge) and certain ways about doing things with my dad are the best way to do them just because they are his way....which sad to say, much like my husband, my father is rarely ever wrong, so most times they are the best way. (I'm not saying that sarcastically, I'm saying it with all sincerity and admiration.)
So, as odd as it sounds, I guess my desire to learn how to use a weed-whacker came from my dad. There is so much in this life that I don't know how to do, and while I always get odd looks for my desire to learn how to move pipe, or milk cows, I just can't help it. They are things I've never done and so there is an inner tugging at me, a tug for knowledge that pushes me towards asking questions, asking to participate, picking someones brain until they are so sick of me they're going to scream. There are no ulterior motives, I just want to know/experience.
There is so much to learn in life; true, you learn a lot just from going about your life, but can't you also agree that there is a lot you will never learn if you don't put yourself out there and ask questions, learn from those who know more than you. (heaven knows, I know very little about very little - but the good thing is, knowledge is free, it's limitations are only set by me) Not only that, but allow yourself the confidence that you can do anything, you can learn whatever it is you want to learn, nothing is holding you back except you. Even though you aren't a dairy farmer, a contractor, a teacher, a physicist or whatever, that doesn't mean you can't learn about those things. It also means, that others shouldn't hold you back or scoff at you for an interest in something that "doesn't apply to you". Go for it! Ask questions! Try something new, or even something old and "mundane" that you've never done. If not for anything else than to be able to say to yourself, I can do that, or I've done that, or I know about that. TRY. LEARN. GROW. Have firsts.
Thanks Dad.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Home Alone
It is a milestone in the Bowen house, even more so than the mouse episode: I, Brittany Bowen, stayed home alone (with the kids) while my husband went on a camp out. In fact, I was really alone, I didn't even have the Andersens in the back yard, they were away. Some may say, No Big Deal, may I say YES BIG DEAL!!! This is the first time I have stayed home all night long by myself while Brandon was away, we have been married for 3 1/2 years.
I should have prefaced this blog with the fact that I am dreadfully afraid of the dark, especially the dark in the middle of nowhere. And, I probably should also tell you I am the biggest scaredy cat you will ever meet. But I was brave. I made it all through the night and only cried once. Of course, I sang primary songs until 2 in the morning but that was just to keep my vivid imagination in check and I didn't go to bed until 12:30 so that's not so bad. We had a couple of scary moments (one of which involving, shall we say, very romantic cats under our trailer. They knocked alot of stuff over in the process and scared the pee out of me at 5:00 am - no not literally, I didn't really pee my pants, but I could have)
Anyway, I am very proud of myself! So much so, I think everyone should send me congratulatory presents. GO ME!!!!
By the way, I'm not home alone anymore and so no scary creeps should come and get me because my husband is huge and he could hurt you: BAD!...
I should have prefaced this blog with the fact that I am dreadfully afraid of the dark, especially the dark in the middle of nowhere. And, I probably should also tell you I am the biggest scaredy cat you will ever meet. But I was brave. I made it all through the night and only cried once. Of course, I sang primary songs until 2 in the morning but that was just to keep my vivid imagination in check and I didn't go to bed until 12:30 so that's not so bad. We had a couple of scary moments (one of which involving, shall we say, very romantic cats under our trailer. They knocked alot of stuff over in the process and scared the pee out of me at 5:00 am - no not literally, I didn't really pee my pants, but I could have)
Anyway, I am very proud of myself! So much so, I think everyone should send me congratulatory presents. GO ME!!!!
By the way, I'm not home alone anymore and so no scary creeps should come and get me because my husband is huge and he could hurt you: BAD!...
Friday, May 4, 2007
Play-doh
We had an experience today that was of definite blogging caliber. Kameryn Grace stuck play-doh up her nose. It was actually a rather traumatizing and slightly embarrassing experience for her (albeit rather amusing for me.)
I don't know if I have much more that I can add to the story. The play-doh was pink and it was up her nose.... We enlisted all methods we knew of to get it out, we used fingers (save your "ews" I'm a mother, I've had my finger in worse), Kleenexes and even the baby "nose sucker". The nose sucker worked best, but it was definitely her least favorite method. My favorite, however, was after we thought she had it all out, she sneezed and even more appeared. (Yeah for pink buggers!)
By the way, probably best not to bring this little experience up with Kami, she is rather touchy about it. I still don't exactly know what possessed her to put play-doh in her nose, but in her own words "My no play-doh in my nose, mommy dot it out in my buggers!" And, there you have it.
I don't know if I have much more that I can add to the story. The play-doh was pink and it was up her nose.... We enlisted all methods we knew of to get it out, we used fingers (save your "ews" I'm a mother, I've had my finger in worse), Kleenexes and even the baby "nose sucker". The nose sucker worked best, but it was definitely her least favorite method. My favorite, however, was after we thought she had it all out, she sneezed and even more appeared. (Yeah for pink buggers!)
By the way, probably best not to bring this little experience up with Kami, she is rather touchy about it. I still don't exactly know what possessed her to put play-doh in her nose, but in her own words "My no play-doh in my nose, mommy dot it out in my buggers!" And, there you have it.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Lord, or should I say Lady, of the Flies
And thus it begins, probably the single most annyoing fact of living next to a dairy. The flies are back, and with a vengance. I truly had forgotten how awful they were last year. Needless to say, they have reminded me. And, unfortunately, they caught me unawares. (If you remember our Christmas Crossword, do to my violent fly swatting, we no longer own a flyswatter) So, we are now being over-run, plagued, you might say, by flies.
Kameryn has taken this into her own hands. Any methods of killing the flies (pie-ders, as she calls them) she can think of, she uses. Today she came running in to me from the kitchen "dare a pie-der an I donna till it!" (I know I shouldn't be proud, but I really am!) She then proceeds to grab the closest item and begins whacking the fly to death, literally. I tell her good job and to leave the fly alone so mommy can clean it up. I walked around the corner and heard her say "Oh man, da pie-der crap!" I walked in and she pointed to the mess the fly had made when she killed it: "See, the pie-der crapped ebree-where and dat's tuz me till em!"
(Now, I shouldn't laugh, especially since we don't say crap in our family....but come on, it's pretty funny.) Honestly, I wish there was some way to keep them out of our house, but what more is a girl to do.
Kameryn has taken this into her own hands. Any methods of killing the flies (pie-ders, as she calls them) she can think of, she uses. Today she came running in to me from the kitchen "dare a pie-der an I donna till it!" (I know I shouldn't be proud, but I really am!) She then proceeds to grab the closest item and begins whacking the fly to death, literally. I tell her good job and to leave the fly alone so mommy can clean it up. I walked around the corner and heard her say "Oh man, da pie-der crap!" I walked in and she pointed to the mess the fly had made when she killed it: "See, the pie-der crapped ebree-where and dat's tuz me till em!"
(Now, I shouldn't laugh, especially since we don't say crap in our family....but come on, it's pretty funny.) Honestly, I wish there was some way to keep them out of our house, but what more is a girl to do.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Kameryn Talks a lot
Well, she has inherited my love of gab. Kameryn has started this new thing where she likes to tell me everything she possibly can about everything she could ever possibly do. Take for instance: "Kami, do you want to go outside and jump with Mommy?" "Yeah, me want to jump on da tampa - o - leen, bounce-a my bum, jump willy high, go whee-whee, than me gonna say Mommy......" and so on. She pretty much goes on and on for minutes at a time and I only get glimpses of what she is trying to say. . . Yeah, so pretty much, she is me. Fun times! She also really likes to role play and use her imagination. She is just getting to that stage where she realizes in her "imagination" she can create whatever scene she pleases (which, usually consists of real life scenarios - she even throws in nap time. Too bad she can't work that into real life.) It's been fun watching her grow. The day is not far on the horizon where I will her the words "let's pretend" coming from her mouth. Oh, she is getting big!
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