Oh no you didn't.

I could have predicted the outcome of my day just by the way i felt when i woke up.

There was no reason to feel it, but i woke up feeling cranky. Not like, crabby mad, but like there was something bugging me but i couldn't quite put my finger on it.

So, as I looked out my window, at the beautiful sun--shining in--i began to pray. For my kids, for our days, for this unusually odd feeling i was feeling.

I got he kids up and packed them all a special and healthy lunch. I was feeling productive. I had my makeup on, girls out the door, clothes together and gear ready to transfer to the car for my highly anticipated day with a friend.

I literally looked at the clock at about ten to 9 and consciously made myself wait to leave to bring Junior to preschool until 9 o'clock, exactly. Didn't want to be too early. But perfectly on time.

Nine o'clock came and i packed my gear, Junior begged to bring my Ipod, and i--well, i didn't agree--but he got it anyways. Nothing i could do--my hands were full.

So into the warming van we went.

And then i backed up.

And about half way down my driveway, i seemed to slant towards a snowdrift that had formed, unintentionally.

To which my van got hung up.

So i did a little maneuvering to try and get it unhung up.

To which i got more hungup.

To which my blood pressure began to rise--slightly.

I began to back up some more, in hopes to get out of this pickle.

I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR PETES SAKE!!!!

I was not getting stuck.

Not today.

Not in my driveway--no less.

Turns out, i didn't make the rules.

As i gently shifted from reverse to drive and back i found that i would get a bit unstuck, only to get re-stuck.

So then i opened the door and pushed my foot on the ground--as if--to help myself get unstuck.

I was feeling frustrated at this point.

I watched the minutes tick away as i mildly went from drive to reverse, drive to reverse, drives to reverse....

Soon the shift became aggressive.

Like i slammed that sucker into drive and then rocked it into reverse.

As if to punish my van for betraying me.

 Almost instantly my frustration turned to total and complete rage.

I may have passed out--i can't remember.

I only remember letting out loud, guttural, screams as i kicked my van and screamed "oh, no you won't!'

"Whyyyyyyy! Come ON!!  Not today...."

I looked around at the empty neighborhood through my blurred vision and spotted a neighbors husbands truck in the driveway.

As i got out my phone to text her, it was then, that i realized my fingers were possibly dead--as i had no gloves on and had been out in the -41 wind chill kicking my van and willing it to move for the past 20 minutes.

So instead, i called her.

And left a message.

In which i am pretty sure my opening line for her was a yell.

Like, "I'm stuck in my stupid driveway, in my stupid van, in the stupid cold, because we live in a stupid state...."

It wasn't until i hung up after asking if her hubby was home to help me--that i realized i possibly assaulted her via telephone message. Unintentionally.

(Sorry, Jen-clearly the problem is me!)

I got back into my van--where my son was happily playing that darn ipod and i screamed and cursed the day--to which he never even looked up.

I hit the gas a few more times--hard --you know--just to ensure i was really stuck. Like, permanently.

And then i just stood out in the snow......and yelled.

Like, from the depths of my soul--yelled.

Finally i decided that i was going to get Jeromy's truck out of the garage and just blow by this stinkin van, get Junior to school and likely never return. Ever again.

As i maneuvered the truck--in a very Austin Powers like way-- out of the garage and from rear facing to front, i drove about a foot from the vans bumper and got out.

I surveyed the situation.

I envisioned the sheer pleasure it would bring me to just blow through the van--with the truck. The satisfaction it would bring me at this point is unmeasurable.

I grabbed Junior and transferred all my crap from the van to the truck. And then I sat there.

Pondering this dumb idea.

I stared at the van and it stared back at me.

I had hoped to just squeeze by it but when it all come together there was NO way i could get through with out sideswiping them both and likely getting stuck again.

Can you imagine? I would have literally thrown myself off the roof at that point.

I stood out in the arctic weather and yelled.

Like fighting for my life--yell.

Like (fist to sky) "Whhyyyyyyy meeeeeee? Pleeeeeeease, help me, soooomeone!!""

So which only the wind answered back.

In a snide whisper.

"Nevvverrrrrrrr"

I swear i heard that.

At this point i honestly didn't know if i was gong to cry, scream, or have a heart attack.

The pain in my hands was so intense that i couldn't even think.

So finally i decided to grab a shovel and try to shovel my way out.

The words and thoughts that went through my head as i dug ...and dug... and dug.... my van out of the snowdrift--in my driveway--could make a sailor blush.

But i only thought em.

Sooooo, settle down already.

I let out a few more desperate cries as i finally cleared the snow and got back into the van to start it back up and do this dog and pony show, once again.

I looked forward at Junior, happily playing games on the ipod in the truck.

And then, I slammed the pedal to the floor--unable to hide my rage at the situation--and as my wheels smoked and spun..... the van sat still.

My blood boiled as i cranked that baby into reverse and did about 100mph as i watched the smoke bellow from my wheels.

i'm not proud here.

Its like i could actually hear Jeromy say slowly, "just give it a little gas."

But no way. Not today--if i was going down--i was going to go down in flames.

If i was seriously going to get stuck--in my driveway--i was going to bury these stinkin' tires to China.

Ya feel me.

At the last moment, i turned my wheel the opposite way--one last time--and i yelled out "Please, just help me!!"

And suddenly the van grabbed hold of the snow and i backed out of the driveway-- like a bat outta hell.

Seriously.

It happened.

And i just threw the van into park in the middle of the road--daring anyone to see it.

I got out of the van, went to the truck, told Junior to "get out, lets go" and made my way back to the van--arms full of stuff, fingers broken, thighs freezing and pits sweating.

Junior buckled in, i left that truck right in the middle of the driveway and  pulled away.

Trying desperately to calm my heart rate.

I called Jeromy--hoping he would answer so i could scream at him for nothing and blame him for everything that he had nothing to do with.

"why didn't you put up a snowfence in November!!!  Do you love no one!?......Waaaaa, crab, sigh, moan, wail....."

He just laughed.

I threw in some choice words to make my point and then ended with "I'm sorry. I know its not your fault, and i may have left a borderline threatening message on our neighbors answering machine, soooooo...."

As least i was out.

We got to Juniors school--45 minutes late.

And then he went to get out and i noticed his school bag, and lunch, weren't in the van.

We must have transferred them to the truck--in my fit of rage--and then i forgot as i drove away.....

.....in a fit of rage.

"oh, come on!!"  I said to my poor baby, who already felt bad, as i continued to remind him about the importance of being responsible.

We walked into school, and i laid it all out to the teacher helper, who only responded with silence....

To which my blood pressure began to increase.

I just wanted to get to my friends. I just wanted to get us a coffee and visit.

I had been looking forward to this for a week.

And now i had to figure out how to get Junior lunch.

My mom suggested SA so i ran there, grabbed him a gross ham sandwich, chips and a cheese stick.

And i flew back to school. Tried to over explain the lunch situation to the teacher helper---who only responded in silence--and then off i was.

To get a coffee.

At least i had this free drink on my rewards card.

After i ordered. I got stuck in the drive thru. Thanks to the 76 inches of ice.

But thankfully the huge, overconfident, truck behind me didn't seem one bit concerned as he sat on my tail and watched as i spun--uncontrollably--in place.

When i finally made it to the window.  i was angry. I wanted to slap the man when the window opened. Just because "Can anyone put flipping sand down--ANYWHERE?!?Its not like we live in California. Do your JOB!!"  

Truly, i wanted to beat him to the very grips of life. It brought me relief.

Again--i think the problem is my own.

I gave him my card and he informed me that my reward "wasn't for a drink, but for an added "flavor shot" in a drink."

(blink.......blink.....)

*Insert Kill Bill music here*

"Ahh, i see. Great. Thank you--LIKE WHO THE HECK WOULD ASK FOR A DISGUSTING *EXTRA* SHOT OF RASPBERRY? COME ON-- YOU GUYS ARE THE W-O-R-S-T!!! GUH--ROSS!!"

I said--as he pretended not to hear me at all.

I got the drinks anyways--obviously.

And as i drove away, i noticed they didn't even give me the BEAN on my mocha's!!!!!!!!!

It may have been my breaking point, i don't know. I only remember seeing red--my head literally opened up and fire came out of my skull!

Fast forward to Kwik trip--where i stopped to get donuts for my friend.

I basically got into a fist fight with the poor lady about the freshness of the donuts--gave her the finger--and left.

Okay, i didn't give her the finger--but that thought had crossed my mind about a trillion times in the last hour.

I arrived at my beautiful friends house, coffee in hand. I looked at the clock, only to realized that it was only 10:19 am.

What a morning.

I apologized about the bean sitch--told her my long, sad and drawn out story--and went back to the car for the donuts.

As i grabbed  the donuts and my other stuff i went back in. Got to the table. And saw that she had placed two chocolate covered expresso beans--of her own--onto the lid of my coffee. 


(blink......blink.....)



And it melted my frozen little heart, people.

My vision slowly returned.

My pulse began to slow.

And love--once again--began to fill my heart.

She's the BEST.

And winter is the WORST.

How was your morning?

Ya know what? Forget it--i don't even wanna know.

a mothers weakness

When i became a mother, i became weak.

I think back to my days before i was a Mom and i can hardly remember them. They hardly made much of an impact.  The days when i was a grown up, but not a mother.

What did i even do?

I suppose i actually slept through the night.  I bet i could go see movies whenever i wanted. I could go out late and sleep in.  Although i never was one for sleeping in.

But until i became a mother--none of that really mattered.

Sure it was life, and i lived it. Not even that fully.  But i lived.

And now as i look back i can remember that day, that moment, as if it were yesterday.

This intense love that you can't put  into words. A new found fear of any harm coming to this little human. A huge responsibility to be in charge of someones future--their well being. Truly living with your heart outside your body.

It changed me.

In ways i never could have imagined.

Suddenly i thought of my step children. Who were 7 and i panicked at the thought of them eating carrots. I clearly remember that thought going through my mind. Like HOW does a 7 year old eat a carrot and not choke?!? What if they choked?

And i remember watching my cousin hold my new born 5 pound 10 ounce baby girl--in her high heels--and fearing (borderline panicking) that her shoes may break and she would drop my child!!

I remember being in awe of God and amazed that he made our arms just for holding a child.

Those were just my thought that first day in the hospital.

Life was forever changed.

I was a Mom.

And now today, thought the fears have evolved -from fearing someone might choke on a bitter biscuit, to bumping their head on the coffee table when learning to crawl, from falling off a couch, to crashing on their bike--they are always with me.

A fear.

A protectiveness.

I'm not the mother to just let my child learn her own lessons. I don't just cling to the assumption that kids are resilient.

I worry.  I pray. I worry more. And then I pray even harder.

My 8 year old decided to go to a little church "lock in" if you will, last night.

From 7 pm to 7 am. She was going to be away from me.

And i kind of panicked about it.  I anticipated it. I tried to smile. I encouraged.

But in reality i just wanted her to be home with me and never leave.

But i decided i needed to let her "grow up" to experience these things. After all, i do overprotect.

So last night as i drove through the slippery roads to church, with my living and breathing HEART in the back seat, i felt scared.

As i walked into church and looked around at the other rambunctious kids running around with their friends, i held my breath.

We checked in and Ruby looked around for a friend. To which she found none.  So we sat on the bench and waited.

Finally her little friend came in and we tried to cling to them. They weren't as worried as we were--obviously.

So as her friend ran off to play with someone else, Ruby quietly turned her face into my body and hid her tears as she whispered "I was afraid this was going to happen..."

I knew what she meant, but didn't know what to do.  We can't make people understand our fear. We can't expect them to know we just need someones hand. An offer to come join the fun.

So we sat on the bench.

I had my arm around her, as if to warn the other kids--you mess with her, you mess with me.

So there we sat. Both silently fearing different things.

But smiling at each other--in hopes of protecting them

I tired to joke with her,  "Come on--this is lame, lets go home and snuggle forever!"  But she only responded with a smile "Moooom, don't say that."

I had a lump in my throat. It snuck up on me---but it was there.

How do people leave their kids. Why is everyone smiling. How do these kids even know each other so well.?

Finally another of Rubys (2 friends) came. And Ruby smiled and they stood together.  I took a picture.

And watched as Ruby tried to keep up with her.

Hurting the whole time, i grabbed her and prayed one last time as i wrapped my arms around her.

And then i left.

And i can not confirm or deny if there was weeping and gnashing of teeth in my van as i drove away.

But i can say, it was unexpected.

So off i drove, contemplating life.

Who we are?

Why did  i agreed to this?

I evaluated the different types of parents in the world and thought of the differences in their choices.

I know people who leave their kids for weeks at a time and don't bat an eye and then i have friends who can't even let their kids go to a birthday party at an Apple Orchard with out sending her Mom along--for protection.

And you know what?  Why wouldn't we want to protect them.?

What some see as neurotic, i see as loving.

I didn't have a kid to just let her learn leassons on her own. Just because she can do something, doesn't mean that she should.

Just because its the "norm" in society doesn't mean its the "norm" for our family.

You can call it a helicopter parent.

I just call it a parent.

I carried those babies in my body--and i will NOT pretend that their pain doesn't hurt me ten times full.

I drove away from the church and called Jeromy and immediately told him that  "This is a bad idea. We aren't "those" people. We don't find our identity in being overly involved in things. We don't need to be so involved in the church to profess we love Jesus!!! We can love Jesus while sitting in a heap-together- on the couch...like a little family of raccoons."

Jeromy just quietly agreed, thought i think he was just watching TV as i had a nervous break down.

All i wanted to do was go to bed so i could get back up and see my girl.

Being a mother at home without her child is like being a ship--with out a sea, a bird--without wings, A mother--without her heart.

And i hated it.

So last night, as i woke up every hour on the hour and checked my watch, i anticipated picking her up. I was excited to get her back in my car.

Though i did dream about the Russians again, and it was not a good dream, but in the end i ended up in a foxhole and shot the bad guy. SOooo.....that made for a peaceful night on top of the waking up every hour.

Yeesh.

Finally 6:15 came and i got up and headed to the car.

Anxious.

As i drove out of the neighborhood it was so beautiful. So silent. It like i was a part of a secret. And i loved it.

I think i'll do that more often.

I drove on the slippery road and couldn't get to church fast enough.

Finally i arrived, makeup free and in a hat--which tells you how bad i wanted to get there.  I feel like if there is anything, there's always time for a little mascara. Amiright.

Anywho.

I got into the church and heard Ruby had fun. But couldn't find Ruby.

And only with in a moment was i able to go into complete internal panic as i looked for her.

Finally someone spotted her --in a heap--in the middle of the floor, covered in her coat, on top of her pillow.
I laughed as i saw her and walked her way.

I talked to her and visited until i realized that she wasn't even talking back so i peaked under her hood only to see tears falling down her little cheeks.

I quickly knelt next to her and whispered "Are you crying cause you are tired or did something happen?"

She managed to whimper that she had a stomach ache so i scooped her up and said "lets get outta here."

In the car ride home. I was silent. Thought i wanted to talk, i knew she wanted the quiet.

I looked back in the rearview mirror to smile at her once in a while.

The ride seemed to take hours.

As we were closer to home, i asked her if she was feeling better now that she was with Mom? And she nodded.

Then i said, "You just need to get home, honey. Everything will be better at home."

And that's when it hit me. That is my montra in life.

We were at Jellystone as a family and all i longed for was home.  I was at camp as a kid, and all i longed for was home. I went to college, and all i longed for was home. I went scrappbooking a few weeks ago, and i left after a day, cause "i just wanna get home."

Home truly IS where the heart is. And as long as ours is beating and the kids are happy--that's where we're gonna stay!

Five minutes after walking in the door, my girl was passed out on the couch--and all was right in the world again!! :)

Who's car are we gonna take.

As you may have guessed, i jus got off the tradmill--plus, my coffee is starting to k-k-k-kick in, sooooo hold onta your butts!!!

Today i was listening to my new favorite song, which got me thinking about what i liked about it (which is obvious) which got me thinking about movies, which got me thinking about people, which got me thinking about what I liked in people--and this is what i have concluded.

As i look at the movies i like, and i try to link them--whether they are dramas, comedies, action filled, or even cartoons.

The main theme that i cling to in moves is the same concept that i cling to--or admire-in real life.

It usually boils down to one thing.

Loyalty.

I think about Lone Survivor and the unity that "brothers" who are in the services--especially the trenches of war--face and what binds them stronger than others.  One time i asked Jeromy if we--as a married couple-- were as strong as the bond of soldiers.....i don't think he responded now that i think about it?

And if not, then why?

I think about our families--both his and mine--and i actually see a lack of loyalty. There is loyalty for "their own" but not for all. And i guess to each their own.

But i am of the opinion that if you were to say "Hey, you KNOW i'd be there if you needed me. Or if it was a life and death situation". My response would have to be this, "Then don't bother."

Honestly, cause if you are of the opinion that you, "would be there if someone needed you" but you aren't there on a daily basis, or aren't "in the trenches", then to me--you just plain aren't there.

If i have to beg to love you and ask to be involved and to love you and yours....

Well, it just gets old, i guess.  Not that it means we should stop--its just gets frustrating.

Families, friends, we should stick together, shouldn't we???

I think of a conversation I had with my brother when talking about Lone Survivor as we tried to dissect the movie and the characters and as i--like always--try to link them to real life people that i know.

We brought our points to the table and talked and questioned, and dissected. And it was so great.

I love conversations like that.

So much depth, so many layers, so many unknowns...

After i proclaimed that Jeromy was a "task oriented" person, that word has stuck in my head.

If anyone has seen the movie, 'The Town' then you would understand what i am about to talk about.

In that movie there is a character--a little shady --but loyal to his "family". The friends he grew up with, who he would literally put his life on the line for.  Jeremy Renner is that character and there is one scene where Ben Afflecks character walks into his apartment, (clearly upset) and say (in his Boston accent) " I need your help.  I can't tell you what it is. You can never ask me about it after. And we're going to hurt some people." To which Renner responds, after a moments pause, " Who's car are we gonna take?"

That might not quite have the same effect on paper as it does in the movie--or heck--in my mind. But it says something about that guy. No matter what he's done in life. If his friend asks him, he's in.

And that jumps out at me.  And my brother and i agree--that is Jeromy. In real life.  I wouldn't say he is the loyalest of people, he tends to think i can fend for myself--which i usually can. But just say jump--and like a bulldog off his chain--stuffs gonna happen.

We've had this conversation and he has named names of the people--all in my family--that he would just get up and help.  And then he said a few other names--of people still in my family--that he would first ask, " is it legal"?" Before he jumped up--but regardless, he'd probably go.;)

Now that's not to say he is a criminal. Its to say he is task oriented and gets jobs done. And there are people in his life--that he would do anything for.  And i love that. Now, if "we" are fixing the furnace together and i am sitting behind him and literally asking 27 questions about what hes doing--like a toddler--and he only hesitates for a second, just to turn around and look at me--with annoyance--to say "Seriously?!?!" well, thats a different story! :)--That's when his "task oriented self" makes me loco.

But that's to say that there are so many different qualities in a person and you see specific ones come out in times of need. I've seen friends stand up for me, when it really had no effect on them--but they were loyal and they saw someone being "attacked" and they stepped in. It has literally blown me away.  You know who you are.  To those people, i am indebted. Like, I'm saying, "who's car are we gonnna take?" (with my Boston accent) Ya feel me?

And you know what else, i've seen people throw me under the bus. Or stay silent when i needed them. And that is equally as shocking. But i'm not focusing on that--i'm just movin' on.

I got a bit off track on the movie stuff, but its to show the beauty in a person. Don't ya think?

What are the traits that you admire in life? Do you even know? Have you thought about it? What do you want to be to others? Do you even know?

Cause you should. Its interesting.

I suppose, when you don't have something, you long for it more. But it does make you stronger, and sometimes spurs you on to build that--whether in life, in friendships, in relationships.

The buggars of life can break us--or they can strengthen us.

Yes, we've all come from somewhere and we all have a past and there something to that--but its not all that we are.  I don't like to see people with "poor me" histories act like they are broken. I like to see someone who is literally broken but still stands. Still fights. And doesn't lament about his woes.

Right?

I love to see people cry about being spanked as a kid, or about being left out, or not being accepted--and then i love to think of my husband. Who was basically broken as a child--and yet he stands. Silently. Strong. Faithfully. Hes not jaded because of it--he's better. Because he choose to be.

Its part of who he is. But it doesn't define him. Ya know?

It just goes to show that we can be more--but sometimes we choose not to.

You know what other movie i love??? Ice Age.

Yea, i know. Weird angle. I choose it on purpose to point out the extreme shifts and forms "loyalty" can take, but in the end--whether cartoon or true story--it all boils down to the same thing. I realized in that show that they were a herd, no matter if it was a mammoth, a saber tooth and a sloth. I may not have made sense to others, but they didn't go unless they were all together. Because "A herd stick together". No matter the problem. And no matter the faults.

I can think of a handful of my people who would jump if i asked. And you know what? The names would surprise you. They surprise me. They're people that don't have to. But do.

I guess i don't really have a point to this other than to talk.

I love to talk. To categorize, to put thoughts into words. And to acknowledge some foundational things in me--that i might have overlooked if i didn't spend time thinking about it. Asking the questions.

What is your "one thing" your foundation that you want in a person. What you love. What you do. Who you stand for. If you stand for it. Do you? Would you? Are you? Why?

Come on, don't be silent. Stand for something. Anything. Don't just live quietly and for nothing. Put your stake in the ground and live.

This is the new song that my brother played for me and its changing my world......i love it. The words are quite possibly the most phenomenal lines i've ever heard.

Have a beautiful day, my friends!