Last night, Dan, Ian*, and I watched, as Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America.
It was a touching moment.
For the first time in our country's history, a person that is identified** as an African-American, has been nominated for the highest political office of the land.
I fully planned on watching Obama speak, but what was very unexpected, was how emotional (in a good way) it was for me.
I was proud that my grandparents, who were born in the era of "Whites Only" restaurants and bathrooms, were able to witness this. I'm sure it is a day, that never thought they would live to see.
I was excited that my parents, who were students that experienced desegregation of public schools, experienced this.
I was excited for people of my generation, that have witnessed a plethora of firsts for African-Americans.
But most of all, I was excited for Ian.
See, I'm hoping that for his generation, seeing an African-American nominated as a presidential candidate, or any other office with high standing, will be something of the norm. I imagine Ian fully knowing the history of Black people in America, but not being able to even imagine a time where the color of one's skin determined their worth.
We may not all agree with Obama's political positions, but put that aside for just a moment. Last night, the 45th anniversary of MLK Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech, was a historic night not only for African-Americans, but all Americans. It was a night that said "we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood", and that, is change I can believe in.
*Ok, Ian was asleep, but he was in the room while Obama spoke :)
**Describing Obama as being "identified" as an African-America is not meant to be an insult. Obama has both a Black and White parent, and it doesn't seem fair (IMO) to have him choose between the two. However, when a person sees Obama, he is typically viewed as a Black man, and that is the point I was trying to get across.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Ian
You see this?
This is my living room.
It's nothing too fancy, just a couch, a couple of chairs, an ottoman, a ladder bookshelf, and a TV (not pictured). I show you this photo, not because I think my living room is wonderfully decorated (I'm working on it). I show you this because you will need it as reference for the rest of this story, so just take a good look and stash it in your memory box.
It's a nice, sunny Saturday afternoon and Dan and I have been straightening up the house. As we tidy up each room and move on to the next, we make sure to close the door to the newly cleaned room. It's a precaution, you see. If we leave the doors open, Ian will crawl into the room, close the door, and then sit right in front of it so that we can't open door. As you can imagine, it's the perfect toddler game, but not so much fun for Mommy and Daddy.
Anyway, once all of the rooms were cleaned, Dan decided to watch some TV in the living room, Ian was playing basketball in the corner next to the TV, and I decided to head into to kitchen to make some lunch.
As I'm preparing lunch, and basking in the glow of our freshly cleaned home, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Ian was crawling away from his basketball game. I didn't give it much thought since I knew that we closed all of the doors in the house, which meant he had to stay in the common area. After a couple of minutes of silence from Ian, I decided to find out what he was doing.
"Pooh", I called out. "What are you doing?"
Silence.
Me: "Dan, is Ian playing basketball over there."
Hubby: "Nah, I think he's behind the couch playing with some of his other toys."
Thanking God for open floor plans, I peer over the counter to sneak a peek at the kid.
Hmm, no Ian.
I glanced down the main hallway to see if he was sitting there playing.
Nothing.
At this point, my heart starts racing a little bit. Where the heck is this kid? I'm nervous, but I'm steadily reassuring myself that it was silly to get worked up over this. Obviously he's in the house, and odds are he's fine.
So now I'm thinking maybe I didn't close one of the doors all the way, and he managed to get into one of the rooms. I checked 2 of the bedrooms, and when I still didn't see the master of hide and seek, I decided to ask Dan to help me find him. After another 15 seconds or so of searching I heard Dan exclaim "Boy! What are you doing there?", and then he proceeds to laugh quite loudly.
I hurriedly head back towards the living room where the noise was coming from, and this is what I saw.
Do you know where he is? Go ahead, refer back to the living room pic. I'll give you a minute.
.
.
.
Yep, that rascal crawled behind the ladder bookshelf and was quietly crouching behind it. Crouching, I say! He only stood up once Dan saw him. We thought this was so hilarious that, of course, we just had to take a picture.
When will I ever stop underestimating this kid?
This is my living room.
It's nothing too fancy, just a couch, a couple of chairs, an ottoman, a ladder bookshelf, and a TV (not pictured). I show you this photo, not because I think my living room is wonderfully decorated (I'm working on it). I show you this because you will need it as reference for the rest of this story, so just take a good look and stash it in your memory box.
*****Picture it*****
It's a nice, sunny Saturday afternoon and Dan and I have been straightening up the house. As we tidy up each room and move on to the next, we make sure to close the door to the newly cleaned room. It's a precaution, you see. If we leave the doors open, Ian will crawl into the room, close the door, and then sit right in front of it so that we can't open door. As you can imagine, it's the perfect toddler game, but not so much fun for Mommy and Daddy.
Anyway, once all of the rooms were cleaned, Dan decided to watch some TV in the living room, Ian was playing basketball in the corner next to the TV, and I decided to head into to kitchen to make some lunch.
As I'm preparing lunch, and basking in the glow of our freshly cleaned home, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Ian was crawling away from his basketball game. I didn't give it much thought since I knew that we closed all of the doors in the house, which meant he had to stay in the common area. After a couple of minutes of silence from Ian, I decided to find out what he was doing.
"Pooh", I called out. "What are you doing?"
Silence.
Me: "Dan, is Ian playing basketball over there."
Hubby: "Nah, I think he's behind the couch playing with some of his other toys."
Thanking God for open floor plans, I peer over the counter to sneak a peek at the kid.
Hmm, no Ian.
I glanced down the main hallway to see if he was sitting there playing.
Nothing.
At this point, my heart starts racing a little bit. Where the heck is this kid? I'm nervous, but I'm steadily reassuring myself that it was silly to get worked up over this. Obviously he's in the house, and odds are he's fine.
So now I'm thinking maybe I didn't close one of the doors all the way, and he managed to get into one of the rooms. I checked 2 of the bedrooms, and when I still didn't see the master of hide and seek, I decided to ask Dan to help me find him. After another 15 seconds or so of searching I heard Dan exclaim "Boy! What are you doing there?", and then he proceeds to laugh quite loudly.
I hurriedly head back towards the living room where the noise was coming from, and this is what I saw.
Do you know where he is? Go ahead, refer back to the living room pic. I'll give you a minute.
.
.
.
Yep, that rascal crawled behind the ladder bookshelf and was quietly crouching behind it. Crouching, I say! He only stood up once Dan saw him. We thought this was so hilarious that, of course, we just had to take a picture.
When will I ever stop underestimating this kid?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
46 things you probably didn't want to know about me
A friend of mine sent me a fun little quiz today, so I decided to answer via this blog. Feel free to add your answers to your own blog, but please let me know if you do. I want to read your answers as well.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope. As the story goes, I was supposed to be named Rachel, but about 3 days before I was born another family at our church had a little girl and named her Rachel, so my parents chose Melanie.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Feb or March of this year. Ian had his first big fall -- Update: Answering question 17 made me shed a tear.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? uh, sure
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Are you kidding me? Have you read any part of this blog?! (yes, I have a kid)
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. I rock
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Refer to answer 5
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nah. I'm more interested in skydiving
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Crunch
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Caramel Turtle Fudge - Blue Bell
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Eyebrows. Weird, I know.
15. RED OR PINK? Neither. It's all about blue and purple
16. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE LEAST ABOUT YOURSELF? Nothing. I may not be what society perceives as perfection, but I'm exactly the person I need to be, at this moment in time, and at this stage in my life. That will always be true.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Preston and Paula - May you both rest in peace
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? NA
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gotcha! I'm wearing a skirt (blue jean), and the shoes are brown leather sandals
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A fish sandwich
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My boss talking to my co-workers
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Violet
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla, Newborns, New Car smell, Chocolate
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mother
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yep, she's swell :)
26. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Pro Basketball
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I'm supposed to. I wear glasses when I drive though
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Not nearly enough time to address this question
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Sicko
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Only one? Hmm...Probably peach cobbler
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? NA
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? NA
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSEPAD? Dell
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? I didn't watch an entire T.V show last night. I saw a little bit of Good Eats and Family Guy
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Laughter
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither. Well, do you count The Grey Album?
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Jamaica
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Living life
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Texas
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope. As the story goes, I was supposed to be named Rachel, but about 3 days before I was born another family at our church had a little girl and named her Rachel, so my parents chose Melanie.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Feb or March of this year. Ian had his first big fall -- Update: Answering question 17 made me shed a tear.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? uh, sure
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Are you kidding me? Have you read any part of this blog?! (yes, I have a kid)
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes. I rock
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Refer to answer 5
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nah. I'm more interested in skydiving
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Crunch
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Caramel Turtle Fudge - Blue Bell
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Eyebrows. Weird, I know.
15. RED OR PINK? Neither. It's all about blue and purple
16. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE LEAST ABOUT YOURSELF? Nothing. I may not be what society perceives as perfection, but I'm exactly the person I need to be, at this moment in time, and at this stage in my life. That will always be true.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Preston and Paula - May you both rest in peace
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? NA
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gotcha! I'm wearing a skirt (blue jean), and the shoes are brown leather sandals
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A fish sandwich
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My boss talking to my co-workers
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Violet
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla, Newborns, New Car smell, Chocolate
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mother
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yep, she's swell :)
26. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Pro Basketball
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I'm supposed to. I wear glasses when I drive though
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Not nearly enough time to address this question
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Sicko
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Only one? Hmm...Probably peach cobbler
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? NA
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? NA
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSEPAD? Dell
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? I didn't watch an entire T.V show last night. I saw a little bit of Good Eats and Family Guy
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Laughter
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither. Well, do you count The Grey Album?
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Jamaica
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Living life
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Texas
Monday, July 21, 2008
We went swimming...Well, kinda
This past weekend, we packed up the little one and headed to Dan's hometown. The occasion was a surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law, and it was a lot of fun. It appears that Dan's mom was genuinely surprised, and the party went well. It was a good time to let her know just how special, loved, talented, giving, and inspirational she is, and I think she appreciated it.
Over the weekend, we also decided to take Ian "swimming" for the first time. I put swimming in quotation marks, because what we really did was turn down the temperature in my father-in-law's hot tub, put on our swimming trunks/suits and splashed around in the water. Ian seemed to enjoy himself though, and that's all that matters.
Here are a few pics
Over the weekend, we also decided to take Ian "swimming" for the first time. I put swimming in quotation marks, because what we really did was turn down the temperature in my father-in-law's hot tub, put on our swimming trunks/suits and splashed around in the water. Ian seemed to enjoy himself though, and that's all that matters.
Here are a few pics
Monday, July 14, 2008
Charismatic Church Movement...Who's with me?!
Listen up people 'cause I have something to say. I have an idea, but I'm going to need some help to carry it out.
I am here to propse that we, those who attempt to attend church on a regular basis, begin what I've lovingly named, the charismatic church movement (which from here on out will be referred to as CCM). What is a CCM? I'm glad you asked. CCM is a movement to turn our quiet, reserved, prim and proper traditional churches, into band blaring, hand clapping, praise dancing churches. That's right, I want drums so loud, that you can feel the rhythm in your chest. I want shouts of praise from everyone in attendance. I want preaching so boisterous and extravagant, you can't hear anything else, and do you want to know why I want all these things? Hmm, do ya? Well, I'll tell you.
I'm heading up the CCM so that you, the quiet churchgoer, will be so inundated with noise, you won't even notice the giggling, squealing, crawling, jumping, and yelling, that my 15 month old son is doing.
Now I know it sounds like I want this for purely selfish reasons, but I assure you this isn't the case. I don't want this just for my benefit, I want this for all the parents out there. I'm willing to bet that most parents that have children under the age of 3 (please God, tell me it gets better as they get older) would appreciate this. Just think of this as my act of Christian service.
Oh, and for you parents with your 3 month old infant that naps so sweetly and quietly during church. I see the looks you give me as I carry Ian out of the sanctuary with his legs flailing as he screams "GA GA GA WRAAAAAA". I don't judge you though. No, I just take comfort in the fact that in about 6 months, you will join the rest of us packing sippy cups, juice, snacks, books, toys, tranquilizers, and anything else that will keep your kid quiet for an entire church service.
Yes, I look forward to it, because on that day, we can stand together before God and everyone else, and loudly proclaim "CCM Parents Unite!!!!"
I am here to propse that we, those who attempt to attend church on a regular basis, begin what I've lovingly named, the charismatic church movement (which from here on out will be referred to as CCM). What is a CCM? I'm glad you asked. CCM is a movement to turn our quiet, reserved, prim and proper traditional churches, into band blaring, hand clapping, praise dancing churches. That's right, I want drums so loud, that you can feel the rhythm in your chest. I want shouts of praise from everyone in attendance. I want preaching so boisterous and extravagant, you can't hear anything else, and do you want to know why I want all these things? Hmm, do ya? Well, I'll tell you.
I'm heading up the CCM so that you, the quiet churchgoer, will be so inundated with noise, you won't even notice the giggling, squealing, crawling, jumping, and yelling, that my 15 month old son is doing.
Now I know it sounds like I want this for purely selfish reasons, but I assure you this isn't the case. I don't want this just for my benefit, I want this for all the parents out there. I'm willing to bet that most parents that have children under the age of 3 (please God, tell me it gets better as they get older) would appreciate this. Just think of this as my act of Christian service.
Oh, and for you parents with your 3 month old infant that naps so sweetly and quietly during church. I see the looks you give me as I carry Ian out of the sanctuary with his legs flailing as he screams "GA GA GA WRAAAAAA". I don't judge you though. No, I just take comfort in the fact that in about 6 months, you will join the rest of us packing sippy cups, juice, snacks, books, toys, tranquilizers, and anything else that will keep your kid quiet for an entire church service.
Yes, I look forward to it, because on that day, we can stand together before God and everyone else, and loudly proclaim "CCM Parents Unite!!!!"
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A year ago today...
On the afternoon of July 10, 2007, Dan and I brought Ian home for the very first time. After a 100+ day stay in the NICU, Ian was finally able to see his room for the first time. It is so amazing to think that an entire year has passed. I still remember all the emotions that were running through me that day. Excitement, fear, worry; and oh my, all the questions I had. How would we be able to keep up with Ian's medication schedule? Did I remember how to work the oxygen tank/concentrator, the apnea monitor, and the nebulizer for breathing treatments? How would I ever be able to sleep without fear of the apnea monitor going off? 
But now, here we are a year removed, and Ian is healthy, happy, strong, and all is right with the world. It's also interesting to note that on today, the anniversary of Ian's homecoming, we also celebrate the fact that Ian is officially med free! That's right, this morning Ian took the final dose of his very last medication. Hurray!In light of Ian's homecoming anniversary, and the end of his medications, we decided to celebrate. Nothing big, just the three of us, hanging out, eating spaghetti, and for dessert we decided to get some pie (yum!). I guess I passed down my love of chocolate, because Ian inhaled the chocolate cream pie. It's cute now, but we may have to nip this in the bud. There can't be two chocolate lovers in the house. It could make for some ugly fights when it gets down to the last piece of chocolate.
Anyway, all in all, it was a good day. I got to hang out with my men, eat some good food, and reflect on the past year. Yep, it was a good day indeed.
What a difference a year makes!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
How do you rate as a husband/wife of the 1930s?
I thought this was funny little quiz. Take the test yourself, if you dare.
I barely made the threshold for an average 1930's housewife. Wow! That's better than I expected. I must be having a good week
Ok, I'm off to go see what the heck it means to "darn a sock."
I barely made the threshold for an average 1930's housewife. Wow! That's better than I expected. I must be having a good week
Ok, I'm off to go see what the heck it means to "darn a sock."
 | 44 As a 1930s wife, I am |
Scoring:
0-24 - Very Poor (Failure)
25-41 - Poor
42-58 - Average
59-75 - Superior
76+ - Very Superior
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
