Tami's Tips- Volume 1: Are your piggies ready?

If I were Mary or Dawn, I'd have a really cool logo to go with my new idea. Alas, it is just me, Tami. What you see, is what you get. Nothing fancy, but sent out with the best of intentions. So this in my new idea. I love learning, and picking peoples' brains for improving my life. What I love even more than that is sharing the things I learn. If it makes my life easier, better, happier, etc. . .surely someone else might benefit from this little tidbit. In honor of the pay it forward of advice, each week I'm going to share a tip I've learned.
Tami's Tip #1: Preparing the Piggies
With spring in the air, warm weather and summer sandals are just around the corner. Now if your poor piggies are anything like mine, they are looking a bit neglected right about now. Seriously, who needs cute feet when they are in socks 23 3/4 hours of the day? Well, a few weeks ago when I was getting out of the shower, I noticed my heels were all cracked and not so attractive. Is this what 40 means? My feet are going to heck in a hand basket?

My solution? Before bed each night I've been slathering my feet and hands with lotion. Nothing fancy, just the Target brand aloe and lanolin. I massage a generous amount of lotion around my feet and ankles, then I put on some nice cozy cotton socks. After a few weeks of this, my heels are all healed up and ready for summer.

It sure beats a spendy trip to the spa for a pedicure. Now to tackle those toe nails that have been on hiatus since last fall. . .

The General on Nutrition

Trying to get my oldest child to eat healthy has been a challenge, just about his whole life. He started out so promising, gobbling up the Lima beans, asparagus, broccoli, or whatever healthy veggie we placed before him. Around 18 months, the tides changed. We have battled for years. I've tried every trick in the book, and am now resigned to continued nonchalant education.
So the other day The General and I are eating lunch, and I go into my nonchalant education mode.
Me: "Hey, did you know you can tell if you are getting good nutrition by looking at the colors of the food on your plate?"
The General: "Seriously? How?"
Me: "Well, They say you are getting good nutrition if your food is colorful. See my salad? I have green, red, black and purple in here. How about your lunch? Do you think it would cut it?"
The General: "Hmmm. . .well, I have white-tortilla, brown--peanut butter, and gold--honey. Hey, give me some Cheetos, then I'd have orange."

Smarty pants!

Rock & Worship Roadshow 2010

The other night I scored serious cool points with the Nomad Kiddos. I gave in to their begging and pleading to attend the Rock & Worship Roadshow 2010. :)Sidewalk Prophets opened the show, and they were great. I'm a bit embarrassed to say I didn't recognize their name, but I did know their music. I so enjoy their song " Words I Would Say."Next was Remedy Drive, with their hit "Daylight". They are one of The General's favorite bands. He has indoctrinated Bubby into their greatest fans club. It was so fun to see my boys rockin' out in concert, to a song they have played no less than a billion times at home. (No, I'm not exaggerating.)

Fee took the stage next. They sounded great, although I have to admit we didn't see as much of them as I would have liked. There are no intermissions, just quick breaks in between acts. After noshing on a half bag of Kettle Korn, and a 16 oz. bottle of pink lemonade, Bubby needed to make a rest stop. You may not see it, but I do believe this may have put me in the running for Mommy of the Year 2010!

After our pit stop, we were treated to the beautiful voice of Francesca Battistelli. You might recognize her big hit, "Free to be Me." She was very sweet, introducing her aunt in the audience. We all laughed when her aunt held up a sign that read, "Franny, call your mom."

I think Bubby really enjoyed Francesca. He asked for my cell phone, then proceeded to wave it in the air. Bubby, age four, official christian rock concert groupie. I'm so proud. Really, I am.

Family Force Five was up next. They were very AC/DCish, and not a favorite of mine. Some people really enjoy heavy metal, so this was definitely the portion of the show for them. I sent Mr. Nomad a text saying, "David, save me. . ." I'm too old for headbanging. In their defense, they did say if you didn't want to dance, you should go get a corn dog or something. I'll take the dog next time. ;)

The David Crowder Band did indeed save me! Oh my! I have to admit, I love to listen to music, but I'm not a HUGE fan. HUGE fans like The General, Princess and Mr. Nomad know all about their favorite musicians. What they look like, where they are touring, their hometowns, and how they came to be a band. Real music fans can pick out songs by just hearing the intro. You get the picture.

Any who, I am familiar with The David Crowder Band, but I had never "seen" them. So when they took the stage Mr. Crowder's appearance surprised me. He had a crazy fro, with a lumber jack shirt, and preppy square black glasses. He looked like he just walked off the streets of my beloved Olympia, WA. Meaning, he was very eclectic. Which is not a bad thing, just not the image that I had in my head. Do you ever have those experiences? You hear a voice, create a picture, and then when you meet the voice in person it just doesn't jive?

Now don't get bent out of shape. Before you think I'm shallow and unkind, know this. . .Mr. Crowder even made a joke about he and his drummer's beards fitting right into the Pacific Northwest look.
Enough about the look. Let's talk music. Again, OH MY! The David Crowder Band ROCKED THE HOUSE! They played the favorites, but also some fun crowd songs. My favorite was when they had the whole Tacoma Dome singing, "I'll Fly Away." My kiddos were surprised and impressed that I knew the words. Shhh, don't tell them it is a really old song. Let's keep it between us. You know, I am campaigning hard for that Mother of the Year 2010 title.

Just when we were having such a great time, and you think it can't get better. . .MercyMe took the stage! Okay, that may be a stretch. We've been blessed to have seen MercyMe in concert before. I knew they could rise to the occasion, and they did not disappoint.

I'm telling you this, I am smitten with their whole new "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" theme. The look (see above) is cool. The message is even better. Bart, the lead singer told the story of their brainstorming session. They discussed how we struggle to be kind to our neighbor. We neglect to know the guy across the street, so when he needs help we may not even realize it. We also fail to turn the other cheek when someone is rude or unkind. In a nutshell, they are challenging everyone to LOVEWELL! Love it!

As I sit typing this little synopsis of our evening, it is a bit bittersweet. Bitter, because Mr. Nomad had been looking forward to this concert for months. Unfortunately, he is off on another Air Force adventure. Bummer. (I'm not complaining, I feel beyond blessed he was able to be with us for Christmas and 2 birthdays. A luxury we do not take for granted.) Sweet, because I love sharing experiences like this with my children. I'm so grateful there are great Christian musicians out there providing awesome entertainment for our family. How wonderful to be able to take my entire family, and never once worry about foul language, unkind words or immodest dress.

Now the icing on this delectable cake? When we were walking up to the entrance a very nice gentleman stopped us, asking if we were a family. Since I didn't know what he was getting at, I briefly thought "What a goof ball. Of course we are a family. What crazy woman would pick up 3 kids--one just 4 years old, and bring them to a rock concert?" So I answered in a confused voice, "Yes, why???" The gent handed me 4 admission tickets, and said, "Thanks for bringing your family tonight!"

I think that generous act of kindness really sums up the reason for this tour. MercyMe is trying to make their music ministry available to the masses. The quote I loved went something like this, "We don't just want to be Christians who simply use our talents to entertain alone. We want to inspire others to serve Christ." MercyMe and several other Christian artists work closely with Compassion International, and many other wonderful charities to help those less fortunate. If you are interested in learning more about this charity, check it out here. If you are interested in learning more about the tour, check it our here.

I hope some of you are able to see it when it comes to a city near you.

AND, hey, if you happen to talk to any Nomad Kiddos. . .a vote for Tami would be greatly appreciated!

NEWS FLASH. . .I don't read Chinese or other foreign languages.

Just a little note to those who find it necessary to leave spam comments on my blog. I do not appreciate it.
I do apologize if you were honestly trying to leave me a comment in Chinese praising the wonders of my blog. Desperately wanting me to know there was a deep connection. My writing, my musings have so enthralled you. Maybe you want to make a movie out of my life? I mean PW isn't the only one with a good love story and interesting past.
Alas, somehow I do not believe that to the be case.
You'll notice my comments are hidden. My garbage can to delete said comments went missing. Until I can tidy up. . .no comments.
You have no idea how this pains me. I live for comments. Okay, I'm being a bit dramatic. But your comments really do make me smile!
Tami

PS It's not that I don't want to read foreign languages, it is just that it has been awhile since I've studied German. When I'm done homeschooling my children, I'll take up personal development in this area. Until then, please stick to English. I honestly don't mean to be a rude American.

POST PUBLISH EDIT
YIPPEE!! My garbage cans magically appeared, so comments are ON!

Tuesday Treasures - Sometimes it is in the memories.

Mary over at Hope Echoes hosts Tuesday Treasures each week. Stop by and check it out.

This is one of my favorite treasures. Doesn't look like much, does it? An old soda can, that has seen better days. Sometimes the treasure isn't in the value, or even in the aesthetic properties. Sometimes the treasure lies in the memories. . .

This old can used to have a picture drawn on the side, with my name, T-A-M-I neatly printed on the side. It was my very own bank my Grandma B. made, just for me. When I would visit on Saturday, which was the weekend tradition--Saturday Grandma B., Sundays with Grandma L., I would go to the cupboard and get out my bank. Oh the fun I had counting the change.

My Grandma's house wasn't fancy. She often joked that she lived in a tar paper shack, which wasn't far from the truth. What Grandma's house lacked in "things", it more than made up for in love and fun. There was slopping the pigs, carrying in baby lambs in the spring, collecting the sap from the maple trees for syrup, gardening, doing laundry with the old fashioned ringer machine, mushrooming, wood hauling, tractor driving and card playing until late into the night. My favorite task at Grandma's house was baking-she even let me eat the dough! I could go on and on. You see, Grandma didn't have electricity until 1977, and running water with indoor plumbing came a few years after that.

This was taken the last time I visited my Grandma B. at the home place. (She has since moved to a nursing home.) Bubby was just 4 months old. He was meeting his great-grandma for the first time, which was extra special for me. Bubby was born on her 89th birthday. When we arrived that day I made a comment about him being her birthday present, and without even missing a beat she replied, "Well, do I get to keep him then?"

Here is Grandma with Princess when she was just 3 or so. Grandma was collecting eggs from her hen house. Grandma was 86 years young in this one. Still living on the farm alone, with chickens to tend. When the chickens got to be too much, we knew her days in the Boondocks were numbered.

Looking at this old soda can doesn't mean a whole lot to others. In fact, on a few occasions Mr. Nomad has almost thrown it out while unpacking. However, when I hold this old can, it brings back a flood gate of happy memories from my childhood. It brings back a place where I was unconditionally loved. A place where I was made to feel worthwhile. Over the years I written numerous gushing letters to my Grandma. I needed her to know how much I love her, and how much I appreciated all she has done for me. Grandma only brushed off the praise, and prefers to hear about the everyday happenings of my life as a momma. You see, that is my Grandma B. She is quiet, strong, hard-working, and loving. I hope I can grow up to be as wonderful as my Grandma B.

Bubby on human anatomy.

The other night Bubby & I were taking a quick shower before bed. I'm not sure how it happens but there seems to be a time warp at my house. Does anyone else have this problem? One minute it is around 4:30PM, and I'm thinking about what we should have for dinner. Before I know it, it is 8:30 or 9PM and I'm saying, "Oh crap, I've gotta get this little man in bed!" Which is how we both came to be in the shower at the same time.
While I was quickly shampooing our hair, Bubby starts walking around me in circles. He then looks up and innocently declares, "Mommy, I think something of yours fell off."

Words of Wisdom. . .

READER DISCRETION ADVISED












The other day The General and I were having a little follow up discussion about the "Purity" talk at his church youth group. When we first started having these "talks", I was very uncomfortable. In fact, I was a little put out that I was even doing any talking in this area. He is a boy after all. Isn't it the job of Mr. Nomad to chat on these matters?
Enter reality. I'm with the children 95% of the time. Most chats are not choreographed, rather they just happen. When you are the one who "happens" to be home all day, you get the surprise chats. Which it turns out, God has given me the grace to handle. In fact, I feel really good we have been able to foster an open relationship with The General. (Okay, so he is a chatterbox like me. I'm not so great, he is. Princess may be a whole other matter. She is much more quiet and reserved like her daddy. . .time will tell.)
As we were talking, I wanted to make sure things were being laid out in a biblical manner. But even more importantly then that, I wanted to make sure he wasn't hearing about this topic and being shamed. Or that he wouldn't feel shameful in the future.
So I started explaining how we can't control what thoughts come into our heads, but we can control our reactions to them. Seriously, what young man doesn't notice girls? I don't want him to feel shamed because of a natural response, but rather help learn to him train himself into appropriate responses. Seeing a pretty girl may bring about, "Hmmm. . .she's pretty"--acceptable. "Nice knockers"--not acceptable. (Don't laugh. As a child I heard all about the knockers in this world. I want better for my boys, and my girl. )
Here is where the wisdom comes in:
The General says, "So our brain is like a computer?"
"What do you mean?" I replied.
"Our brain is like the inter net. Sometimes you just get pop ups. You don't ask for the pop up, it just comes up on our screen. Then you have to make the choice to X it out," my boy wisely explained.
That is exactly it. Impure thoughts may just "pop up", which doesn't make you bad or sinful. Rather it is the follow up which can cause us to sin. Do we quickly X out the impurity, the jealousy, the unkindness, etc. . . Or, do we act on those thoughts in a sinful manner?
Once again I am reminded I did not become a mother to impart my wisdom on this world, rather God uses these precious blessings to raise me.
I hope my blessings may be helpful to some of you, as we journey through this life together.