What to write?

Okay, I know there's no kid pictures. Sorry to disappoint. I've been in a personal dilemma lately. What do I write on here? Do I really want to blog? Is what I say worth reading for anyone? Does it make me vain to think so? I could update everyone on the kids (don't worry, I will), rant about the current political issues (okay, maybe I'll do that, too), or just randomly talk about anything I want to (which I am obviously doing now).

I do want to say that I am nervous, yet hopeful. Tomorrow will bring us a change in some way, yet we just wait. Well, not just wait. Of course, there is work to be done between now and then, and it definitely won't end with tomorrow. The work will still be there. I am just holding on to that glimmer of hope that I feel that this is the point of change we've been waiting for. I am hoping to get another "yes on prop 8" caller at my house tonight. They caught me off guard last time, so my argument didn't sound quite the way I wanted it to. I am all prepared now. Wouldn't it be great to have the missionaries show up at my door, too? Would I invite them in? Offer some decaf tea? And, then unload. I sure hope I would.

Halloween is getting closer...

Our favorite season is here and favorite holiday just around the corner.  Can you tell they are excited?  I think the costume ideas change everyday.  Cat, mermaid, dragon, monster, and so on.  I have learned to not rush out and get costume supplies or search craigslist too much.  It could change tomorrow.  Yet, it is all so fun to anticipate.  In the meantime, our harvested pears are creating such a sweet aroma in the house tonight while the crisps cook.  

This time of year just reminds me of what family is all about and to remember these moments.  I want to nest and get ready for winter hibernation like the good mama bear I am.

My little Scout

This month for my book club we are reading the classic To Kill a Mockingbird.  I read it in high school, but this was the first time I read it since then.  What a wonderful book to read again.  Like the first time, I was completely smitten with one of the most memorable and likable characters in American literature,  Scout.  It made me think about what I first thought of Miss Scout when I read it as a teenager.  I remember thinking that she was the kind of daughter I would love to have as my own.  I wanted to be the kind of parent Atticus is.  Honest and steadfast in my beliefs and letting my children see this through my choices and actions everyday.  

We now are raising our children in a world that allows so many more opportunities for our children, particularly for our daughters, yet we continue to fight for a world of equality and justice.  My oldest daughter is my little Scout.  She already goes against the grain and challenges people's ideals and expectations of how a little girl is supposed to behave.  At times her energy and spirit is a challenge, but I have to admit she makes other children appear boring.  Even in the Bay area, amongst a "liberal" community, the gender roles and expectations still exist for our children.  I wince when I hear my liberal educated friends make comments questioning my children's behavior or justifying their own children's behavior based upon gender stereotypes.  I find myself falling into the trap and explaining my daughter's behavior when I should be proud of the person she is.  The daughter I always wanted, my little Scout, is right here with me.  I hope I can prove to be the kind of parent she is worthy of having.

Rings a little too true...

We got a good laugh from this story, yet it also makes me stop and think a moment about where I am and where I thought I would be.  I always knew I wasn't that alternative, but I never thought I would be quite this normal either.  Check out Goin' Suburban: Confessions of a Lesbian Housewife.  It makes me want to run out and buy the latest Ani cd.

Addictive, yet for a good cause

I am warning you, this is very addictive, especially when you start to see your bowls of rice fill up.

 

Mama's little helper

I have to admit something.  I have a love affair on the side.  And, actually, Mo is quite aware of it and supports it wholeheartedly.  I love my crockpot.  Well, actually I now have two of them.  Three, if you count the little dipper, which I've actually never used, but I've heard it's great for fondue.  I have to let people know about my little obsession because I happen to think that everyone should be converted.  I am on a mission.  I am not the only one.  In the last month or so I discovered A Year of Crockpotting.  This is a blog by a woman whom has committed to one year of using her crockpot everyday.  I think I have only made a couple recipes and there are loads I want to try (the chicken and rice one today looks pretty tasty), but I have to check it everyday just to see what she is up to.  I think our favorite recipe around here lately is making steel cut oatmeal overnight by steaming it in the crockpot.  You wake up to warm, yummy oatmeal without having to take the time to cook it in the morning.  The girls will even eat it.  We call it porridge around here,  so that helps with the persuasion.   

Happy Birthday, Mo!

This is a little belated in getting posted due to me having trouble on the actual day, but better late than never, right?  

A lot of blogs post photos of the delicious food served for a special occasion.  Don't get me wrong, I probably would've done the same had I remembered to grab the camera amongst the chaos of getting dinner on the table tonight.  I am particularly proud of my homemade butternut squash gnocchi that I made for Mo's birthday dinner tonight, but I realized that it is the chaos and the mess that takes up most of my time.  Given this, I decided to show you the mess.  There was so much chocolate cake on the ground I even secretly allowed our dog with food allergies to sneak bites off the ground every now and then until I decided to shoo her away.  Bad doggie mama! 

So, happy birthday, to my Mo.  It is chaos and love around here everyday and nothing is different today, except today we celebrate you.  We celebrate the love, creativity, and stability you bring to our home everyday.  Our girls cherish you and love you so much as do I.  Life hasn't been particularly easy lately and I hope you know that we always love you.