The Invisible Woman

This is an excerpt from The Invisible Woman by Nicole Johnson. Jake's sweet preschool teacher gave it to us for a little Spring Mother's Day Program. I'm so going to check out the book!

"It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and asks to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30 please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude-but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone.
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style- dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this. It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees'
In the days ahead I would read--no, devour--the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals---we have no record of their names. These builders gave the whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No will will ever see it. 'And the workman replied,
Because God sees.'

Wow! I don't feel quite as invisible as she did....Brian is sooo good to appreciate things I do around the house and with the boys, but some days, you do forget how to just be yourself and not a mom. I know, even though I do feel invisible at times, the "sacrifices" I'm making today for the boys will hopefully make them into "great cathedrals"! If only I could just remember to always feel blessed that I am able to stay at home. I think I take that for granted, a lot! Well, gotta run, didn't mean to turn this into a homily! Hope everyone has a great day building those little cathedrals!

I'M BACK!!!!

Okay, I know everyone has been on pins and needles since I "came" out of my lurking closet...ha ha! Anyway, I'm dying to blog but my day MUST consist of other duties. I will post more later but just in case you needed your "Staci" fix...I thought I'd let ya know we are back and had a great time! I do want to say, I'm feeling very grateful and blessed today. Mainly because I am able to stay at home and try to conquer this insurmountable pile of laundry from being gone for only 5 days! I'm so thankful for Brian working so hard so I don't have to rush off this morning to work and be stressed out that there is laundry that needs to be done and stuff like that. I'm just that way, laugh if you must, wish I could change it, but I can't. I generally have laundry done the same day I get home from a trip, but last night was not the case. We were supposed to arrive home at 6:00 p.m. but instead, we arrived home around 8 :00. Then, a drive down to Norman to pick up the boys...who had a GREAT time at Mimi's I might add! Thanks Mom, if you are reading. Anyway, very tired today after all that and very thankful I can be at home doing laundry and getting caught up on all the love. So, Brian, if you are reading, thanks for all your hard work for your family. We love you soooo much! Gosh, this is turning into a sappy thank you post. Really, all I wanted to say was, hey...I'm home (if anyone cares!), I had Monica (from Friends) hair while I was in Cancun (see, if I was a great blogger, I'd be able to link you to that particular episode, but remember people, I'm not, so you'll have to find it yourself!), and hopefully, I'll have pictures up very soon! I know you can't wait to hear all about me getting seasick on our Katamaran day and things like that :) So, can't wait to get caught up with everyone! Can't wait to hear how the BlogHer conference was!!! Until later....

COMING OUT PARTY!

Okay, so two posts in one day! I am BIG time. As previously posted, http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/The Nester flew by my blog earlier and left a sweet little message. Then, her just as sweet sister http://emmafree.blogspot.com/(Chatting at the Sky) left a little comment too! Anyway, I think I have mustered (sp?) (At least I DO know it's not spelled mustard, as in Classic Yellow stuff!) up enough confidence to comment now and not just lurk on "the popular" sites! I'm coming out...TODAY! Whew hoo!!! Next blog on the list ...http://www.musingsofahousewife.typepad.com/ JoLynn!!! YAHOO, I did it---no help from Brian! Okay, so here I go to leave my first comment with her. She's so smart and all. From grammar to what shoe you should wear with an outfit. Okay, my hands are getting all sweaty again. I can do it, here I go!
Oh yea, but before I go...little story. Well, you know me, nothing is ever little or short!
Tomorrow is Connor's kindergarten graduation picture day. They want them to wear ties and a nice shirt. He's never worn a tie, so I'm thinkin' this ought to be interesting. So, I'm running all over creation trying to find the cutest tie (and being selfless...thinking about how I really need to be buying some things for MY trip!). I end up finding this really cute tie at Kohl's for about $7.50!!!! Only it's a clip! Brian despises clips! But, it will do the job. Needless to say, Connor has worn this tie all the live long day while riding his bike, sidewalk chalking, and yes, eating dinner at Taco Bell----WITH A T-SHIRT on! I have a picture to prove it!
Okay, so I'm off to comment! It's been a GREAT day!

BIG DAY!!!

Okay ya'll...THE NESTER left a comment on my blog!!! I am so excited! I am not worthy! If you haven't checked her out...you REALLY must, right now! She's under My Fav's under "The Nesting Place". I guess, I have to come out of lurkdem. Is that even a word? If it is, I'm sure I didn't spell it correctly! Anyway, I just had to let everyone know...my day is complete...and it's only 3:30!

Also, Brian and I are going to Playa del something in Mexico on Saturday! YEAH! I am sooo excited! So, hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to post next week! I don't know what I'm going to do...not being able to lurk around for 5 days! I'm sure I'll find SOMETHING...or better yet, NOTHING!

Personal Storm Tracker!

Just a little shout out to my friend and personal storm tracker, Shelly! Thanks for keeping me ahead of the fire, in this case! She knows I wouldn't be watching the local news at this hour because, hello, Dora is on Noggin! So, she heard "Timbuktu" on the news and knew it had to be close to me and sent out her big alert! Thanks Shelly! I know it's safe to say YOU don't have a weather woody! Hope you have a fantastic trip to The Bahamas! Start the Jergens natural glow right now!

SUPER MARIO GALLLLLLAXY!!!

(This pic was from December!)

So, Brian has been out of town since Thursday...we've muddled through without Daddy on a weekend :( I'm catching up on some blogging while the boys are playing Super Mario Galaxy. I know, don't look at the time...it's 10:30 am and we aren't at church and they are playing their Wii. Connor actually plays...REALLY well, Jake, not so much, or at least we thought not so much. Usually we just give him a controller and he thinks he's helping Connor out with Mario. So, here's the funny thing I hear 2 seconds ago...

Connor: "Wow, Jake, do that again!"

Jake: "OK Connor"

Connor: "Mommy, this kid is gooood!"

I don't know whether to be ashamed or proud?? that my just turned 3 yr old can play Super Mario Galaxy!

DISASTER!!

So, here's how my Monday started:

Walking upstairs to wake the boys up...head down, look up to turn the light on and Connor is standing at the top of the stairs. Scares the *@!!&*^* out of me! I say, "well, good morning buddy, didn't hear you up here all getting ready, and by the way, you are all dressed and ready for school, huh?" "Yep, Mommy, I looked out the window and it's a 2 shirt day." (OKAY, IN HIS DEFENSE, IT DID LOOK REALLY COLD, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY CRAZY, HUMID AND LIKE 70 DEGREES ALREADY BECAUSE OF SOME CRAZY STORMS THAT CAME THROUGH LAST NIGHT) Anyhoo, he had chosen fleece pants, a long-sleeved shirt with a hood and a t- shirt over it....at least there was camo on the side of the pants to match the camo undershirt...one black--one green! He then says, "Mommy, there's been a disaster!" I reply, "Well, what do you mean buddy?" He says, "well, come in the play room and see...(the tv is on the local news channel giving the latest update on the tornado that touched down on the west side of Edmond. Now, usually he doesn't see this stuff because I keep the tv in the play room on kid-friendly channels, BUT, Brian was watching the storms upstairs the night before and had left it on the local channel...all for our 5 yr old to start his day off with..thanks honey!) So, he goes on to say, "A tornado ripped off this family's roof last night!" I say, "Yikes, that's just terrible, now let's turn this off and take a picture of this get -up you've got on today!" "Mommy, why are you taking a picture of me?" "Because you are so dang cute!"

I knew I needed a picture of this to remind me why I still pick his clothes out! So, without further ado, sp? Here is the picture of Connor's choice of clothes for the day:

TAGGED!!!!

I'm getting all nervous and sweaty! I was tagged by Lisa! My very first tag ever!! I'm gonna try my very best, unfortunately, I don't have people to tag because I'm a major lurker and have only commented on a few blogs :(
But, here goes:
1) I was married to my Sweet Husband 10 years ago in SCOTLAND!! In a castle too!!
2) I am a dental hygienist...just haven't done it since I had kiddoes.
3) We have 2,000 fish as pets...not in our house, but in our pond!
4) I am a definite rule follower...yet, I have trouble with directions??
5) I have a sick fascination with sharks...I love Shark Week on Discovery!
6) My hair is curly but I straighten the heck out of it!
7) I LOVE MY OKLAHOMA SOONERS!!!! (and really any college football!)

So, not so interesting, but I'm a little tired tonight :)
Thanks Lisa! Loved YOUR list! Wish I could figure out how to make my blog all cute and musical like yours!!