Prayers for Samuel's Bride

My husband’s cousin is getting married tomorrow, and has asked my son to be her ring-bearer. It is his first wedding! Today at the rehearsal, we had him practice going up the aisle, cradling his pillow, over and over. He’s three, after all, and a bit on the hyper side normally. So you can see why we insisted on the practicing! But he performed like a champ and all fingers are crossed; if he does the same tomorrow then his first wedding participation will be a success. His mommy has her fingers AND toes crossed!

Samuel and Bride Keri at the rehearsal brunch.

Samuel in place (after handing the pillow to Seth!). On the right is Miles practicing "getting" Keri from her dad. Look at the love on his face...awwwww!

Being an emotional Mommy, I will probably cry as I watch him come up that aisle in his black tuxedo, complete with tie and a fuscia silk pocket square to match the bridesmaids. It will be my first time to see him coming up a wedding aisle in a tuxedo, but hopefully it will not be his last! I’m sure the tears will blur my eyes, and in that moment I will not see an impish three year old ring bearer…but a grown man who is a nervously excited groom. One day I will once again be on the front row in a church hearing wedding music, but this time I won’t be biting my nails and praying that he won’t just happen to pick his nose and decide to taste the salty delights discovered on his stubby fingers. I’ll be watching a youthful man taller than me and praying that God will pour out His blessings as he recites eternal wedding vows.

Speaking of praying for God’s blessings for that day, I’ve always thought those prayers should begin now. When my children are babies. My parents always taught me to pray for my future husband, whoever and wherever he might be. I did so; throughout my childhood, teen, and single adult years. When I met the man of my dreams and married him, it became clear that there were certain times in his life that were surely a better result or protection because of those prayers. Say what you will; prayer works! And why not pray earnestly for years about something so vitally important as the future marriage of your children?

So today during the wedding rehearsal brunch, the mother of the groom stood during all the speeches. My eyes began to automatically fill; after all, I am a Crier. Funerals, weddings, births…if I don’t know the people involved I cry. If I DO know or am related to the people involved, I sob. Looking across the tables at Denise as she looked across the tables at her son, the tears began to sting my Crier eyes. One day, I thought, that will be me. I will stand there as she is, wishing my son the best as he sits beside a girl. Today the Mother of the Groom smiled at Keri, her son Miles’ bride, and told her that she’d written a poem for her as soon as she knew that Keri had told Miles “yes”. Those familiar with the popular Christian song will recognize the tune, but the words are for Keri. And as these words flowed in love from a son's Mother to his bride, it just reminded me again of the importance of praying for Samuel’s future bride. One day, with God's blessing, I will feel the same amount of love flowing from me to her.

Thank you to Denise for allowing me to reprint the poem here; may it bless my friends and remind all of us to pray for the spouse our children will select.

“Keri, Did You Know?”

With love and prayer always, from Denise Denardi (soon-to-be mother-in-law)

to Keri Tamanaha (soon-to-be Presnell)

Keri, did you know

That someone has been

Faithfully approaching the King

On your behalf?

Keri, did you know

That someone has been

Praying blessings over you

Throughout your life?

Keri, did you know

That someone has

Been falling in love with you

Over the years

As she prayerfully anticipated

The wife God has for her son?

Keri, did you know

That you complete

The secret desire of someone's heart

Besides Miles'?

Keri, did you know

That someone is me?

Flower girl Rachel leading Samuel back down the aisle.

Tiger Woods and the Saints

I can't believe I'm going to blog about sports! But I guess, maybe it's not too weird. I never thought of myself as being a sports fanatic, because to me, a sports fanatic is one of those guys who come to parties and spend all their time spouting trivia details such as the winner of the 1976 Super Bowl or who had the best batting average in 1992. A sports fanatic has jerseys for all their favorite players, spends hours watching live and recorded games, and turns blue in the face if you dare mention an 'enemy' team. And since I don't have any jerseys (yet), don't know who won which Super Bowl, and can't tell you how to calculate batting averages, I don't consider myself a sports fanatic.

HOWEVER, does golf count as a sport....ha...just kidding, of course it does. And I LOVE golf! Before marrying my husband, I thought golf must be the most boring thing in the world. But in the early days of our marriage (before kids, of course), I loved to sit and watch him play his golf game on the PlayStation. He'd explain everything from pars to putting strategy. I guess in a way, it was a bonding experience, and as a blissful newlywed I wouldn't have cared if he was talking about golf or stock exchange rates as long as we were spending time together. A weird thing happened; I started to be very interested in golf. I went with him to the driving range and learned about clubs. I drove with him in the golf cart as he played, and as I breathed in the scent of open air and grass, I fell in love with the sport. It was so fascinating to observe...and that's what I should clarify; I do not play golf myself, but rather I love watching it and knowing about it! I absolutely love watching it played, and trying to figure out what the player is thinking and how he's gauging his putt. To me, it's incredibly interesting because it's a game played so much in the mind, as well as in the physical. There are no team dynamics; other than the player, his skill, and his brain. So cool!

Hogan's Bridge at the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, home of The Masters

And of course, I've always been a fan of Tiger Woods, because of his game. His drive and ambition. His goals and determination. The way he could block out so much and play the game with his mind, and how the other players fall like chess pieces when Tiger is in the zone and hurtling down the back nine with a steel-trap focus glinting in his eyes. I mean, how can you not stand back and be amazed at that sort of playing? Those golf-record-shattering statistics played out in front of our eyes? Even his competition begrudgingly admits their admiration. I know all about his recent personal drama, and as a woman, wife, and mother I am very ashamed and disappointed in him. In all honesty, I truly hope he gets everything repaired as much as possible because I'd love to know that his marriage and family are doing well. And then as a golf fan, I eagerly anticipate his return to golf because I want to see him continue to play well, and to continue to set golf records.

And then...there are the SAINTS! Oh my, when those SAINTS go marching in! I grew up in Bogalusa, near New Orleans, and whether you liked football or not, you lived in the Saints Nation, Under God. Don't bother telling me about their less-than-stellar record; I lived in the years of bags over heads and sad Sundays with disappointing trumps by other teams. However, being a fan doesn't mean you stop liking a team (or golf player) just because they are losing! A true fan loves a team even when they are down. A true fan is faithful. And the reward for that, is that when the team is WINNING finally, you can rejoice even more fully!

I remember going to my friend's houses on Sundays (we didn't own a TV) and watching the games. I've been to the Superdome countless times. I could play "Oh When The Saint's Go Marching In" on the trumpet. And even though I've moved away, I've never cared about any other NFL team. I've always loved the Saints, even though I didn't follow them as closely as some of my friends have. I couldn't tell you the first and last names of most of the players, although I admired Reggie Bush and his talent for reasons I can't really explain. But this year my attention was certainly jerked back to the Saints Nation as Drew Brees and his mighty arm began to gain national attention. The American nation, not just the Saints Nation, that is. The wins have piled up and I have breathlessly watched, dancing to "Who-Dat" (much to my husband's amusement) thousands of miles away from Louisiana, here in Hawaii. My friend Kari Jordan and I texted our game commentary to each other during the entire Saints VS Falcons game. And now I am finally ready to move on to the next level of fanhood and buy a jersey; I just can't decide if I should celebrate Brees and his leadership or my loyalty to Bush.

So there you have my sports thoughts on Tiger and the Saints. Here's to the Super Bowl for the Saints and a soon return, with stellar wins and an improved personal life, of Tiger Woods.

Jen's Blog and Giveaway

Don't you love it when you discover something COOL? Ha...my friend Amy is awesome and she has an awesome blog: http://miraflorfamily.blogspot.com/

Through her, I've discovered so many other awesome bloggers (have I overused 'awesome' yet?) You've got to see this Giveaway on Jen's blog today, it ends tonight though so hurry on over! http://thelifeaccounts.blogspot.com/2010/01/domestic-goddess-giveaway.html

I look forward to getting to know Jen!

Samuel's Tattoo Shop

Someday soon, I'll blog about our journey through the world of developmental delays, Samuel's early diagnosis of speech delay and the therapies, and his recent diagnosis of PDD-NOS on the Autism Scale. Whew! That's a whole 'nother story. It's been a challenge but God's blessings have been evident throughout the entire experience.

It's a painful experience, however, but I am a firm believer in using your own trials and lessons, no matter how painful, to help someone else when you can. If there is anyone else out there going through a similar trial...I can only hope that in some way, I can give them encouragement or at least, let them know that they aren't alone.

I'm just trying to gather my thoughts about this issue. Still.

But for now, above is a picture of my sweet (some of the time) baby boy being dapper while out shopping with Dad. I'm pretty sure there's magic marker remnants on his left cheek, which wouldn't be unusual since he has often been known to liberally self-tattoo. Here's proof of that; the first day of Hawaii Family Camp he obviously felt like he should apply some tribal tats before heading out to the more rural-Hawaiian area of the island:

And recently, he was discovered decorating his abs. Oh yeah, and his beautiful baby sister's face.

Can you imagine what she was thinking as he sweetly marked all over her face?!? 'Hold still, Oh-whi-wa," (how he says her name). "This won't hurt a bit. You'll look like a princess, I promise. Don't you trust your brother?"

OF COURSE he gets into trouble for this; time and time again. Sigh.

In the mean time, we are trying to learn to hide our markers. It's a fine line; encouraging your kids to have self-expression....appropriately!

The Button That Fell From the Fairy's Dress

I am THRILLED with this big tin of buttons!

I remember my grandma's big collection of buttons; how I'd idly sift them through my hands and try to imagine which ones were most valuable. To my childish mind, I thought they might have monetary value, and the shinier ones obviously worth more than others. The more gold or gilt, the better. Sometimes I'd ask her where certain ones came from; the padded houndstooth circular one...from an old overcoat. The gilt-edged braid replica in the shape of a Fleur-di-lis...from a dress, if she remembered correctly. A big black button so shiny I could see the reflection of my teeth with the recently-acquired gap in the front where I'd sacrificed a tooth in order to gain a couple of quarters from the mysterious Tooth Fairy. The black button, she said, was on a dress worn to several funerals. And church too, since people didn't have many nice dresses in her day, she somberly told me. You wore the nicer ones for special occasions, whether it was a funeral or a revival service with lots of fire and brimstone. It was so much fun to imagine what clothing those buttons had once adorned...what excitement or sadness they saw. I don't know what happened to those magical buttons, I'm sure they disappeared during her next move and eventually her death. Whatever stories and secrets they contained were lost forever.

With my latest interest in the World of Sewing, I've thought back to those buttons and remembered the magical feel of them in my hands. But also, I've realized the practicality of saving buttons; you can use them to replace the missing one on your husband's aloha shirt, or to once again replace one from your favorite overly-washed but comfy green and white striped American Eagle polo shirt. These buttons are simple and...boring. Small round plastic pieces in simple brown, white, or clear. They do the job but hold little character. It seems to me, it would be much more fun to have a pile of interesting buttons to choose from as I embark on my new creative efforts. An embellished t-shirt dress for Olivia might be completed with a large Lucite button from the '60's, for example.

But where to get a new collection of buttons? Neat ones...that is...not just the little piles of plain brown or white ones that come thoughtfully attached to new shirts by manufactures. And then yesterday, I was visiting a dear friend and noticed a large decorative tube on her bookshelf, filled to the brim with a wide assortment of buttons that practically screamed the decades they were from and my imagination was filled with their voices as I admired them; 1920's flapper dress! 1940's Rosie the Riveter overalls! 1950's housewife dress! 1960's Jackie O-ish suit! My friend proudly informed me that the buttons had been her mothers. Thankfully, she noticed my looks of longing, and perhaps the petulant tone to my voice as I told her that I sure wished I had a collection of old buttons. For my sewing projects. And for my imagination, I added silently. Well, she exclaimed as she stood up and headed into the bedroom, a friend had recently moved and tried to discard a tin filled with buttons, and the tin was rescued. Would I want them?

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Of course I came home with this tin containing hundreds of buttons and have already spent time running them through my fingers. Admiring the cubist Lucite button and the '80's neon miniature sunglasses. The earthy brown chunky button and of course, the gaudy gilty faux braided knots. Love them! I can hear their stories...or what could be their stories....whisper to me as I caress them. I will use these on my future sewing endeavors. Whatever they've seen in the past will be carried into my future. And perhaps one day Olivia will sort through these in her innocence, and I will retain some of the wonder of my childhood as we imagine their stories together. The white butterfly button that surely, once went to a ball on the shimmery green gown of a fairy princess. The huge diamond-shaped glittery marvel that fell from the evening coat of a grand knight...

The Genetics of Sewing

My Mom is one of the best seamstresses I know. My entire life has been filled with images of her busily working at her sewing machine creating virtual works of art; everything from mundane drapes to delicate wedding dresses and tiny baby clothes. When we get separated at Wal-Mart, without even thinking my feet begin walking to the fabric department because I instinctively know that's where I'll find her. But it has seemed like that Sewing Gene didn't make it into my DNA. As a young girl, I tried to learn to sew but perhaps I just didn't have patience for it then, because I quickly gave up and returned to easier activities; like reading a book or talking to my friends on the phone.

But fast forward a million years, add a husband and two kids, and suddenly I've found myself wishing I could sew. We need curtains in Samuel's room and I can't find any I like. I want my daughter to wear long flowing '70's style dresses and these are surprisingly difficult to find. But for me, the thing that pushed me over the edge and made me decide to get a sewing machine was when my son had to start taking his sister's Hello Kitty blanket to school to use for his naps. Again, not able to find a great nap blanket that we really like enough to buy. He's in Preschool so I don't think the other boys are teasing him about Hello Kitty yet, but as his Mom I wince every time I think of him snuggling down for a nap wrapped in that blanket. "I can make a better one for him," I thought. And so, for Christmas I asked for a sewing machine.

On a side note, you should see my friend Amy and her new-found creativity. We always end up doing things on the same time table and it seems that our Sewing Genes have mysteriously manifested within months of the others! She, however, has had hands-on help from her mother-in-law and this combined with her natural amazing talent means that she is already making things to sell. Today is the Grand Opening of her new hoodie line! Check out her blog: The Adventures of the Miraflor Family: Thank You!!:

Anyway, I have stumbled and sweated over the simplest things on this machine. Just learning to thread the bobbin (and figuring out what a bobbin even was) resulted in a broken needle (but then I learned out to replace a needle), thread being wound tightly INSIDE the machine instead of on the bobbin, and a few long, exasperated sighs. All before I learned how to sew a stitch.

But I'm sort of, kind of, figuring it out. Slowly walking out into the depths of this Sewing World. I don't know if I'll be able to sew and sell things like Amy, and I'll never be as good as my mom, but at least it's fun and my kids will be benefitting from my efforts. So here are some pics of my first ever completed projects!

This is Samuel with his new, anti-Hello Kitty nap blanket for school, and the matching pillowcase for his bed here at home. Who knows, maybe I'll get brave enough to do a whole sheet set one day!

This was just a plain red t-shirt, but the idea came to me during church last Sunday (sorry God!) to just cut the bottom part off, sew and attach a skirt, and use the rest of the t-shirt material to make some ruffles on the top. Here's the result...Elton likes it! And I love how it is so light and long that it touches the top of Olivia's cute little bare toes. Hippie-Style.

And here's the close up of the ruffles. Not perfect, but I wanted it to look whimsical.

And lastly, this is just an old denim skirt I wanted to dress up a little. It's supposed to be a little flower garden, with a little hem of "grass" on the bottom.

I'm sure everyone reading this blog could come up with better ideas and execute them more creatively, but at least I'm being honest...ha...here's to honing my Sewing Gene!

A New Year's Resolution....Sorta

As I sit here with a cup full of the last drops of my precious limited-edition Holiday flavored Kona coffee, I am mentally reviewing my day's "to-do" list and knowing I should gulp the coffee down, and get started on my day. I have a rule; I can sit and piddle around on the computer as long as there is coffee in my cup. And since I don't like cold coffee, I don't usually piddle too long. (By the way, is "piddle" a proper word? My mom has always used it, so I guess if a parent uses it then it's a Real Word). But sometimes, the "to-do" list seems so overwhelming that the coffee is made to last as looooooong as possible!

I have an internet routine; check email and answer the urgent ones. Glance at the Yahoo headlines. Check out the MSN and CNN headlines to see if there is anything extremely important to know, rarely do I actually read anything interesting that isn't too depressing. (Yesterday's headlines, for example: Boy Stabbed In Brain With Chopstick. Shooting at Vegas Courthouse. Baby Given Away By Mother To Strangers. I mean, who really wants to READ these stories...??) Then of course, Facebook time. I quickly scan the latest status reports because my particular group of friends are known to share life-changing news this way, and I don't want to miss the latest "I'm pregnant!" or "We're moving to Alaska!" report just because it's mixed in with the Cafe World menu's and Farmville lost animals seeking adoption. After making sure I know who's pregnant and who's moving to Alaska, I update my own status if I can think of something witty. Otherwise, time to log off.

Everyday, I also check my friend's blogs and remind myself that I, too, have a blog but it just isn't updated very much! Even though I put the blog address on my Facebook page so that I'll be more motivated to update it, knowing that other people may be casually checking it out. Sigh. But usually, my children are self-destructing at this point and I just get off the computer without visiting my blog page. UNTIL TODAY! I am determined to try to be a better blogger because it IS therapeutic to blog, and I really DO love doing it!

So, we'll see how this goes. Let me raise my now-empty coffee cup in a confident toast to the New Year, a more frequently-updated blog, and Lord knows...many more days of less-depressing news headlines in the future!

The picture, by the way, has nothing to do with the topic of this post, but I just really like it and wanted to post it for my own viewing pleasure.