Jam

I made strawberry jam last night. I much prefer homemade jam. Thanks to me dear friend, housewife, I was converted to homemade vs. storebought. I think it's quite tasty, even though I'm perfectly aware of how unhealthy I just made all those strawberries. I have made raspberry before but last night was thinking I might venture to other flavors. The kiwi sounded a bit too strange for me. Kiwi and peanut butter sandwhich anyone? However, if someone has tried it or any other flavor and thinks it's FABULOUS, let me know. I would love to try a new flavor!

Mixed success

Richard finally pooped again in the potty! Yea! He was so proud of himself! However, he'd peed on the carpet 3 times before 12:45. I guess I can't have both...

thought this was cool...

JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'
'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'
'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,'housewife' covers it,' said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myselfin the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?'
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

Admiration

I have a good friend that is unable to have children. She and her husband have adopted a couple of children, but she and her husband were just approved for the foster-care program. I don't think that's something I could do. She just got a baby who was born early due to the drug habits of the mother.  She'll get to care for it for about a month and then will give it back to the family. I think it's wonderful that she's willing to care for children intermittently until they can go back to their family. However, I think it would be extremely difficult to bond with the child and then to be pretty much cut out of their life. I know much of the bonding that occurred with my children was in the middle of the night when I had nothing to distract my attention from them. So, to have those middle of the night experiences and to bond with a baby but then to have to say goodbye forever would be extremely difficult. You know that child will never remember you. I admire my friend for caring for children. I don't think I could do it. Hurrah for all those who make that kind of difference to children all over.

Potty training update

I can pretty much keep Richard in underwear all day if I remind him about every hour he needs to use the potty. Occasionally he'll actually tell me he needs to use the potty, which is great. However, he has yet to poop in the potty. Today, he told me he needed to go, so I put him on the potty. A couple of minutes later, he told me it wasn't coming and he wanted his pants back up. Five minutes later, he'd gone in his underwear. At least we seem to be making progress in one department, but I just don't know how to overcome this last hurdle. He cleans himself, so I'm hoping that will be a motivator, but it's not happening as quick as I would like. Any suggestions?

Prepare to be astonished!

I am not crafty. It's just not one of my talents. I try to be creative and see other people's work and realize how UNcreative I really am. So, I'm OK with this. I realize we all have our talents.

On that note, I got a cute frame for Richard as a baby shower gift. Ever since I knew I was pregnant with Audrey, I've wanted to copy this so she'd have something. So, realize, she is now over 18 months, so it's taken a little bit of time. However, it's finally done! It's mostly copied, but I had to make adjustments since I couldn't find the exact things. So, not much creativity on my part, but I'm rather pleased with myself. Now, I just need to wait for Scott's mom to come and write the stats, because she did Richard's and Scott thinks they ought to look similar. I don't have pretty handwriting, so I'd prefer to not do it. Fortunately, she comes next week and I'll be able to hang it! Only 18 months late. Perhaps I'll be better next time around...

Hair!

Audrey now has enough hair to do more exciting things than just comb it! She's pretty cooperative, too. She leaves it alone pretty well while she's awake, which means I only have to redo it after her nap! So, I know you're all amazed that I can fix a little girl's hair since it took me until I was a teenager to look slightly respectable (and that could be argued). I just think she looks so cute!