Career Day at the Elementary School

Meet your future Hazmat Civil Engineer!

Today is Career Day at Warm Springs Intermediate School.  Organized as a fundraiser for the fourth grade field trip to the National Zoo, each student is encouraged to come to school dressed as a career which interests them.  Each student brings $1 to participate!

So, imagine the excitement from Levi when he announced that he wanted to go to school dressed as a Hazmat Engineer!  I thought his daddy was going to burst at the seams as well!  I am not sure what was more fun for Levi; looking like the Hazmat dude in the Godzilla movie or his suit moving in and out when he breathes.

A retired civil engineer for Chevron, my hubby Dan was able to round up the professional mask and hazmat suit pictured here on Levi on his way out the door this morning.  Since Dan closed his environmental engineering firm in 2008, providing our 9 year old with his career day clothes made him just as giddy!  You should have seen them both!

Levi also has bathroom duty today.... a task for which he is well prepared!

"...For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise."  (John 5:19)

How old should a girl be to get hair highlights?

Violet and I have only just returned from visiting "Hair by Hillary" at Total Image, the local beauty shop, and I have the burning question:  What is the right age for a girl to get highlights?

NEVER!

I have come to this undeniable conclusion!  ALL teenage girls are TOO young to have their hair highlighted...and fourteen is much.too.early!

That's it!  No debate.  No discussion.  Our daughters should not be allowed to have hair highlights until the following criteria is met:

1)  They have reached the minimum age of well...let's say 35!

2)  They never leave the house once this hair transformation has occurred!

3)  They are gainfully employed to finance this dramatic investment to hair care!... AND

4)  They promise not to get another day older.

You see...this summer has been full of so many changes I can't even begin to discuss them with you.  So many, in fact, my now 49-year-old-grey -haired-hott-mama-of-four brain just can't seem to process it all.  From weddings to robotics... first time high schoolers to first time athletic endeavors... my heart is so full of summer mommy moments and memories that, well... it is just too mind boggling that I really don't know where to begin blogging, where to start.  In a way, some moments are just too precious to share.  

Too boggled to blog...that's me!

But it's coming.  Just as daily in the midst of all this chaos here on Hott Mountain, I continue to feel God nudging me as he whispers... "Excuse Me, can I tell you something?"... This time, who knows?  Maybe that book is about to write itself!  LOL!  

Until then... check out today.  History repeats itself ten years later as Violet gets her first highlights.  Is 14 the right age?  Oh, I don't really know.  But we had fun.  And, thank you Hillary for being a part of this mom's memory of her baby girl's frosted baby tips to her first hightlights.

BEFORE

DURING

Violet's new highlights with Hillary

AFTER

Alone?

Excuse me, God?  Are You there?  

Where are You?...  God?  I can't find You?  I know it is early in the morning, May 5, 2010, but I need You, God.  I need You, right now!  It is so cold here.  This building is just too unfamiliar and bright.  The stark lights reflecting off the surface of the spotless floors feel all empty and vacant.  All these strangers in white coats are rushing about, preparing to perform some critical procedure.  This place is full of activity,... yet it feels empty.  

I'm alone.

God?  Can You come soon?  It's still freezing in this giant empty structure while we wait.  Hold on...who is this?  Oh, oh, wait....  Oh, so this is the specialist who is about to insert two wires in my hotthubby's tender-loving heart and place a small computer under his handsome colarbone.  What?!  No, no, NO!... He did NOT just say that!  Wait, what?...!  What did you just say to me?  This new thing that is life-threatening, this Brugada, is heriditary!?  You say we need to have our children checked for this?!  

Oh, God.  I'm scared.  

Excuse me, God?  Anytime now, I need You!  They just wheeled him down this long, stark hallway and he disappeared into that room.  It's so cold here, where are You?  What will I do while I wait.

And, wait...alone.

Knowing the surgery would be hours, I figure that perhaps food would be important.  Over the last week, I keep forgetting to eat.  After calling to check on the children and updating family, I find myself roaming into the hospital cafeteria.  

I'm afraid.

Still virtually empty from the early morning hours, I walk through the line in a daze and pull out the only thing for breakfast that sounds remotely appetizing. Sitting down at a booth, I stare into my bowl of cereal.  Oh God, what else?  I began to sob into my breakfast.  For the longest time, our quiet table in the cafeteria is just me, You, a bowl of soggy Cocoa Puffs...

...and Pastor Andrew.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Put YOU On the Pole

This phrase "put you on the pole" is frequently heard here at the Hott House.

No, it is not some strange Miley Cyrus new dance move we encourage as an alternative to her "Wrecking Ball".  Nor are we offering "pole dancing" performance art from our humble abode here in the W. Va. hills.

So if you have arrived at this blog post expecting some erotic exposition of scantily dressed individuals, well, I am sorry to disappoint.  But while you are here, I challenge you to consider what probably is a memory of most childhoods.

Measuring our (your) children's annual growth.

Our third "hottling" recently celebrated his 10th birthday.  It was that day that my hotthubby, Dan, announced, "Come on Isaac!  It's time to 'put you on the pole'!"

You see, ours is a log house structure and smack dab in the center of our living room is a, well,... a pole!

Seen here, it appears to be freshly cut from the forest, right?  (Well, it sort of has.)  You will notice the plethora of names and numbers along our family "pole".

For the Hott Family, it is a bi-annual occurance for each child to be "put on the pole."  We mark each child's height on their birthday as well as their "half birthdays" until at which time they cease to reach new verticle measurements.

Which, for this 48-year-old-grey-haired-pd bloggin-mama-of-four, marks another sort of life measurement all together.  After so many calculations marked, and some include frequent visits from nieces, nephews, and cousins (and the occasional random neighbor kid who just wants to be included on the pole), each tiny mark "marks" a moment in my heart.

You see, this day in history marked the time that my now 10 year old has reached my height.  Grant it, it's barely 5 feet for me.  But, for a short (haha!) moment in time my next to youngest will look his mommy eye to eye.  And, before you know it, Levi will catch up to me too.

For now, I will cherish the time because as they get older (and some reaching the opposite side of the pole) we won't always see "eye to eye", right?

Then our sons in their youth

will be like well-nurtured plants,

and our daughters will be like pillars

carved to adorn a palace. 

Psalms 144:12-14

So, tell me.  Is there a "pole" in your house too?  Maybe a door frame or closet door?  

I may not always be tall enough to measure my children (nieces, nephews, cousins...) on the pole, but we will always see heart to heart.  And for those 6'7" relatives of mine, it is always fun when you return to Hott Mountain to find your mark on Aunt Angie and Uncle Dan's pole... and heart!

Oh My, My, My...Miley

Excuse me....  Miley?

Can I tell you something?

This is my little girl, Violet.  For her 8th birthday party in 2008, you came to our house along with 10 other little girls, younger siblings, friends, parents.  Ahhhhhh... just look how sweet!  Notice that Violet is wearing a Hannah Montana shirt too!

For just a moment in time, we were all movie stars.  Each party participant had a paparazzi photo opp complete with glitter, glam, and shades... and you!  Miley Cyrus!

Oh... my, my, my... Miley.

I am sorry to tell you this, Miley, but I am afraid this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD bloggin-hott-mama-of-four has to ask you to leave.  I'm afraid you are no longer welcome in our house and I will even be sending your Hannah Montana life size cut out to the trash.

You see, although you once were a child Disney star, now you have become a symbol of all things, well,... sinful: a threat to the hearts and minds of my children.  With younger brothers around, your pop star twerking image now at 20 is not something, shall we say... "appropriate" for not just our 13 year old Violet, but also her much younger brothers.

So, I am afraid I have to insist that you leave.

As a parent, I feel rather betrayed. Don't you?

You see... this family spent our hard earned money to further your career.  We bought exorbitant priced concert tickets, purchased a plethora of your "tweeny" clothing line, watched repeated episodes of your show "Hannah Montana", and cluttered our little girl's bedroom with your merchandise.

Our three year old son even rocked around the house singing your songs!

But enough is enough.

No more.  From now on, I really think you owe us all an apology.  Or, maybe Disney does.  When we parents buy into all things "magical" about Disney, one somewhat expects it to remain rated "G", right?  I mean, I surely hope we never see Minnie Mouse disrobing and dancing around on my television.  If Cinderella or Snow White grow up and ever lick a sponge finger on my screen, this house will never EVer spend another cent on anything Disney.

Of course, I understand all about freedom of expression.  Actually, I hate to give this any more attention than it already has received.  But last weeks parade of the VMA awards over and over again on the media was nothing but a blatant raping of all things innocent and youthful.  From Miley's comments on MSNBC, she said "How many times have we seen this play out in pop music?  Madonna's done it, Britney's done it. Every VMA performance."

Sorry, but those artists weren't invited to Violet's birthday party.  You were.

And sadly, the song taunted as "the biggest hit of summer 2013" was a complete surprise to me and the first I  ever heard of "We Can't Stop."  So, after I looked up the definition of "twerking", my curiosity lead me to youtube to check out what the fuss was all about.

"We Can't Stop" was a shocking slap in the face from nothing more than a troubled pop star.  The song belittles and objectifies women, degrades black females, and threatens to desensitize our younger generation to accept this as normal.  I'm sorry to rain on your party, Miley, but this mom will be blocking all things Miley Cyrus from now on.  For now, this mother CAN stop.

So.  This is MY house and we operate under not just MY rules, but God's rules too.  And in all honesty, while I feel the need to protect my children from your current choices, Miley, I also fondly remember the moments a younger artist was welcome in our house.  God not only judges, honey, but He loves you too. I can't imagine how Billy Rae responded to your display; but, I'm sure your heavenly Father's heart broke a little more at what happened last week as He whispered, "Oh my Miley."

For what once was a positive influence in our culture, Miley Cyrus, you are still a child of God.  Even though your current get-up appears otherwise.

Excuse me, can I tell you something?  Looks a little she has horns, doesn't it? 

"Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.” ...  Revelations 17:1-18

No Moms Allowed!

At the Daddy Daughter Ball!

Last night, First United Methodist Church was the host to an elegant evening designed just for dads and daughters.  From tiny toddlers to adult daughters, dads arrived to a crowd of cameras on the red carpet in suits, tuxes, fancy dresses and ball gowns.  It.was.beautiful!

So, why then was this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD-blogging-hott-mama-of-four so blue?  Honestly, I had to swallow back the tears before we even left the house.  Please don't tell anyone this, especially Dan, Violet (and Caity), but as they were preparing for the night, this mom had a bit of a panic attack.

What a nerd, right?  Well, after I finally convinced our basketball playing, hurdle jumping, 400 meter running, cross country training 13 year old to put on a nice dress and wear a corsage of daisies on her wrist, a got hit in the head with a ton brick.

Or maybe it was a boulder.  But, while I was brushing my teeth, I panicked.  What if Violet decides she is just too cool to dance?  What if our teeny bopper would rather hang with her pals than dance with her daddy?

What if tonight was the only night the two had this unique opportunity to dance together?

And I don't get a picture?  Enough, right?  But listen to me.  Just the evening before, Dan and I encountered another young adult in our house.  For the first time EVer, Violet asked to be "dropped" at the movies.  Our local "Star" theater became the middle school Friday night place to go - withOUT parents!

Okay.... so the time is coming. I know. I get it. So, why was my heart swelling in my throat and my eyes stinging?  (I tried my best to hide it all.)  Then, today our 23 year old calls the house after seeing the plethora of pictures poudly presented on facebook.  And she says it:

"These girls will LOVE these pictures when they are planning their weddings!"

So.  Save the pictures parents!  Caity is right.  At 23, she has set her date and is deep in the midst of planning her big day when she walks down the aisle to get married.  For now, Violet is 13.  Dad and I may not be the coolest set of parents out there; but, a looooooooong time ago, he took Caity to her Daddy Daughter Dance too.

And, she found the picture to prove it.

"Excuse me, can I tell you something?"  I panicked.  Sorry to be such a desperate sap; but last night's Daddy Daughter Dance was so much more for this mom, and just maybe you too.  This evening, (which required some pretty careful med planning for Dan) once again, made me appreciate this very day, moment, second, that my heavenly Dad gifts us with - a moment in time - to dance with your daddy.

Thank you, dear Father, for the memories made last night at the ball, and I pray that my girls will get to dance with their daddy at their weddings too.

In the meantime, I have another picture to prove it!  (Thanks Luke!)

Cowabunga Birthday Cake!

Really?  Is the youngest Hott really turning eight?  Well, he is.  And here is what Levi wanted to do to celebrate this 8th birthday.  With two older sisters coming before him, I must admit that I was a bit unfamiliar with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Until now!

Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello arrived to mutate into a team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles in our home for the celebration and play in the art of ninjutsu!  Following a transformation with "mutagen" turtle egg jello, turtle t-shirts, and masks, the boys all went crazy when they saw a tray of turtle cupcakes!

Gathered around for a very LOUD rendition of "Happy Birthday" heard miles away, these turtles from the sewers of New York City dove into their favorite green-masked cupcake.  As a mom, I was completely shocked by the response of this simple yet fun idea for Levi's birthday cake.  Who knew just a little ole cupcake could be so much fun?

You see, it all started with just a picture found on google while searching for an image to draw Levi's four Lego TMNT posters.  While exploring pictures, there.it.was!  Cupcakes!  

"MOM!  That's what I want for my birthday cake!"  So,... with a box of simple Betty Crocker funfetti, this mom set out to make her soon-to-be-8-year-old a mixture of mutant TMNT fun!  Equipped with a box of simple food coloring, a sister, and a friend home from school for a February snow day, we all set out to create gobs of green icing, four multi-colored masks, and some chocolate flavored icing for turtle eyes when......

"COWABUNGA!" 

We created a birthday cake to remember!  And, several happy little boys.  Check them out! (Warning, you may need earplugs!)

Trophy Child Book Review

Right in the heat of the holidays, I received a message from the social marketing folks for the publisher, David C. Cook.  Apparently, they wanted to know if I would be interested in previewing a new book by Ted Cunningham called TROPHY CHILD.  "Hummmmm... that could be interesting," was my thought, "I'm a bit of a book nerd anyway.  Plus, I just finished The Hobbit."  All I need to do is post a blog about the book later in January then I could give away a free copy.  I needed something extra to do just about as much as I needed a hole in my head.  So.... I said, "OK!"

What?  Am I crazy? (Don't answer that, Dan! (My "hotthubby"!).  I barely have a moment to read books for my own pleasure; so now I had just agreed to add another task to my busy plate during the holidays.  In what seemed like merely a millisecond  the pdf file of the book arrived on my laptop.  Wow!  How does that happen.  So, I began reading.

Shortly after, a package arrived in the mail of Trophy Child.  Cool.  Now I can throw this new book in may bag on my way to basketball and get to reading.  Let's see.  This is somewhat of a busy week.  It's the beginning of Levi's biddy buddy basketball; Violet's JV Girls Team has two games this week; Isaac has a piano lesson after school today; Social Studies project titles are due Wednesday at Warm Springs Intermediate School; Violet needs her deposit to go to The Rock in January; Levi has a spelling test; Isaac lost his book for Mr. Jones, again; someone else has canceled for Jingle Jam (the church's community Christmas Program) and costumes need to be arranged; plus, Christmas is less than two weeks away.

Does this chaos sound familiar?  Arriving at the gym to watch Levi and seven other second graders, I was thinking how much "fun" it is to sit in the gym for yet another basketball adventure while looking ahead to my week, we were scheduled for activities every.single.night.  With a moment to spare, I dug in my purse and cracked open my new copy of Trophy Child. A little distracted thinking about how long- legged (and super long haired) "blondie" Violet's practice was going and if she was able to run with that stinking cold she has that won't go away, I settled in for 90 minutes at the gym and turned over my fresh new book for the first time.

"The Anti-Tiger Mom Book" is written across the back.  Wonder what that means.  Hummmmm.... look at that.  There is a graphic of a child, girl with long hair down to her butt, shooting a.... yes, you guessed it!  Basketball!

"Excuse me, can I tell you something?"  Alright God.  What is it this time?  Isn't it funny how, when you least expect it, God manages to literally (yes, "literally" in this case), place something in your hands when you most need it.  If you ever feel like sometimes you are sinking in a sea of scheduling while drowning in parenting perplexities, Trophy Child reaches out like a hand to rescue you with insight on how to manage these moments to "help you create a home where our children find success in following their heavenly Father."

First of all, I came to realize that I am the epitome of the "Tiger Mom."  Yes, this is hard to admit; but I will just come right out and say it to you all, "Hello, my name is Angie Hott and I am a Tiger Momoholic!"  Aaaaaaah.  There, that feels so much better.  Not only that, after reading Trophy Child, this parent is also the product of being an adult "trophy child".  Are you?

Like other "tiger moms," I often become concerned about the success of my children's academics. Gauging their performances, I guess, is a direct reflection of my intellect, right?  Wrong!  So then, why do I obsess and fret over each spelling test, algebra assignment, report card.

Being vertically challenged (I barely make it to five feet), the fact that Violet has expressed interest in athletics is entirely new territory for me.  Of the hundreds of sporting events I have attended over the years, I never paid attention to a basketball game in my life.  Now, I watch every second eagerly, biting my nails, hoping for Violet to get that shot so she too can be a basketball star.  Levi too.  The same goes for any race or gymnastics event.

And don't even get me started about music!  Sometimes, I feel like Amy Duncan on "Good Luck Charlie"  Please don't tell anyone this, but if any of my four kids end up Broadway Stars, well, this 48-year-old-grey-haired-mama-of-four will split a seam for sure!  I guess this is why I get so disappointed when our Isaac refuses to play piano.

When I get all uptight about whether Levi knows his spelling words or if Isaac is ready for the Social Studies Fair, I try to remember what Aunt Tammy said years ago when her first baby was getting ready to graduate from high school, "I can't wait to see what God is going to do with her!"

And now, I understand.  Reading Trophy Child revealed that, yes, I really am doing some things right.  In fact, I was able to pat myself on the back a few times and, to my suggestion, hotthubby Dan also read it.  The author, Ted Cunningham, also shed light on what makes us a trophy child as well as how to work at "seeing your children embrace their full potential as children of God."

After all, isn't that a parent's ultimate goal!  I guess sometimes we all need to be reminded.  Trophy Child does this in a gentle way with Mr. Cunningham's parenting stories, guidance, easy family devotionals, and suggestions to prepare our kids for something greater than themselves:  a reflection of God's love!

To conclude, I pray that you give Trophy Child your consideration.  I have included the clip from the marketers as well as their press release below.  Finally, if you are interested in reading Trophy Child, please let me know either with a private message, comment, or simply a quick "like" or "share" of this post here or on facebook.  David C. Cook will select a single reader to forward a free copy.  And, just so you know, I do not receive any monetary compensation by participating; however, I do feel that it is important, as a parent, to remember that God has given these children to us to steward them to be all that God has created them to be.  Not us.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrowl!"  Now go and stop being Tiger Parents.  There are enough of them in the stands already!

TROPHY CHILD
Saving Parents from Performance,
Preparing Children for Something Greater
Than Themselves
TED CUNNINGHAM
Written for every mom who helps too much with homework
just to impress the teacher and every dad who takes credit for
his daughter’s soccer success, Trophy Child will give parents the
encouragement they need to nurture their kids into who God
created them to be.
Our culture’s obsession with achievement often leads parents to
form expectations for their kids based on the world’s standards, not
on the Bible. As a result, their kids feel they can never measure up.
Trophy Child will help modern Christian parents create a home
where children find success in following their heavenly Father’s
leading for them—and readers know the joy of seeing their
children embrace their full potential as children of God.
T H E   A U T H O R
Pastor  Ted Cunningham founded Woodland Hills Family
Church in Branson, Missouri, where he lives with his wife
and two children. A graduate of Liberty University and Dallas
Theological Seminary, he is the author of Young and in Love and
has coauthored several books with Dr. Gary Smalley, including
!e Language of Sex and Great Parents, Lousy Lovers.

Wait For It... Wait For It! The Hobbit

Nearly two years ago, Isaac, then 7 years old, made the announcement among tears, wails, and sobs, that he "would never play the piano again!"  He "hated" the piano.  Playing the piano wasn't "manly"...  With great big tears in his eyes, Isaac said, "Mom, I tried to play piano because I knew it made YOU happy; but I just don't want to play anymore."

:-(  I was devastated, to say the least!  You could have picked up little pieces of my heart all over the floor.  How could this child with a gentle soul get so upset about playing piano?  I came to realize through his statement that it really was me pressuring him to do and be something that I wanted from him... not something that he wanted.

Although, I thought I knew best.  I tried everything from bribery, negotiations, to outright paying him cash to practice.  I pushed all those buttons with Lego's, candy, to cupcakes.  But Isaac just dug in his heels and refused to play anymore.

It really was heartbreaking to have this beautiful silent instrument in the house.  At barely 3 years old, Isaac would play by ear his own rendition of "Ode to Joy" to a jazzy version of his own "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  As a kindergartner, he would compose his own little songs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SbH-L1lrJ0  What had I done?  Instead, his interest had turned to Nerf guns, Mario Kart and Minecraft.

Those stinking video games!

So, I waited.  And I prayed.  Dear God, how can You give this little boy a gift like that and just turn it off?  Why would You show him, and us, the magic of music and then have it silent?  And God said:

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." (Psalm 37:7)

Hold on!  Although it took me days to realize it, it wasn't a video game or even God.

It.was.me.

Yes.  And, hadn't I been through this lesson before?  Well, many times actually!  Waiting.  Why is waiting for God so hard?  Haven't I had to be patient many times?  Like all those months we waited and struggled over life's lessons, like... when we couldn't get pregnant, heard about Brugada and Parkinson's, going back to work, family illness, finances, health....

Then I got it.  When we wait on God and are patient, "we rejoice in the hope and glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4).

I found that when I place ALL my hope on God, and fully trust His plan (although it wasn't revealed to me), when He finally reveals His purpose, even his gifts, they were like sweet, sweet music.

Isaac is playing piano again.  And this now 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four has learned, again, to be patient and wait.  Wait in His presence.  Wait on His time.  Wait for His plan.  My phablet has this video clip of Isaac playing his Hobbit song just a few days ago.  Isaac actually asked me to record him and I finally fingured out how to load it.  While showing Katrina (the adorable hairdresser at Total Image), Isaac clues her with a dramatic "Wait for it.... wait for it!" before his fingers explode!  Check this out:

God just has a way of making connections, doesn't he?  A few weeks ago, I saw an ad in the Morgan Messenger for a piano teacher and, quite cautiously, proposed to Isaac about checking it all out.  Thanks and praises for Johnny Robinson, a new teacher that promotes making the piano fun.  Get this:  not only does Johnny call his studio "The Hobbit House" (go figure!) but his email is "spirit design music"!  I tried to share below Isaac's first recording session there (hope it works because it is an amazing example of how Isaac is learning to play all parts by ear and Johnny records it together!  A bit of a mystery to me.)

Listen to this:
Isaac's arrangement for The Hobbit

Prayerfully, God will reward our patience and, when He does, it's well, how can I express this?  I might be wrong about this but I don't think He wants us to wait as long as dying, going to heaven and stuff like that.  No.  Just like Isaac tells people to "wait for it" when he plays this song, the wait for this mom to hear him play piano brought me quite a lesson in not only patience but also that it has to be His plan, not mine.

I think I see my faith rejoice and rewarded in the little things; like each time Levi looses a tooth or gets another freckle; Violet speeds across the court; Caity texts me from her DC job; the boys fold me another origami ornament for the tree; or when Dan steps towards me for a hug; and now..., Isaac playing piano.

The wait is just preparing me to be strong during the struggles with big stuff like PD and disappointments.  It's not like I expect Isaac to be the next Elton John, or anything.  But I think God wants me to know it's okay if my kids don't turn out to be rocket scientists or brain surgeons.  They're just kids.  Enjoy them now, no matter what they decide to do  - "manly" or not!

Does that make sense?  Parenting really is an "unexpected adventure".

O-mazing!

This week on Moms of Faith:

http://momsoffaith.com/2012/09/an-o-mazing-weekend/

Here we are:

Surviving Tropical Storm ISAAC

http://momsoffaith.com/2012/08/six-rs-to-storm-survival-for-tropical-storm-isaac/
We're in survival mode here at the Hott House.  Yes.  Even for a storm unlikely to affect us here in the hills.  Images like this on tv can send Levi into hysterics.  (Btw, this is Tropical Storm Isaac's actual path... no where near us!)

The Hott brothers get so anxious about the least little change in the weather!  Do your children react this way?  Or, are mine the only ones having tummy aches every time the sun disappears behind a cloud or a tree begins to bend in the breeze??????

Sharing "Six R's to Surviving Storms" with you all today in my column.  Please pass along and let me know if you have any children secrets to storm survival.  And, remember to pray for those in Isaac's path.
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/08/six-rs-to-storm-survival-for-tropical-storm-isaac/
love, a

Back-to-School Blues

No one seemed to be singing the blues at our house today!  It was, thankfully, a pretty smooth send-off.  How did it go for you?  The boys are sporting their new Nike sneakers.  Violet got up early to "wand" her hair.  Me?  Well, I'm watching anything but Adventure Time while doing laundry... "loads of fun"!  What about you?

Guess this mom is the only one with the Back-to-School Blues! See today's column "Hott Flashes" for more:
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/08/do-you-have-the-back-to-school-blues/

Love Thy Neighbor

Still having a hard time comprehending some recent happenings over here in the W. Va. hills!  Have you ever encountered anything like it?  Please see today's "Hott Flashes" on Moms of Faith here:
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/08/love-thy-neighbor/
And... please share my prayer concern.  Thank you, dear God, for your love and protection.  Please help me to be an example of your kindness by showing love, not matter what.  Amen.

“... ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  
– Matthew 22:37-39

Birthday Rings

Okay...so this picture probably needs a little explanation. LOL!  But I think you will find this an interesting.... no, I think you will think this a romantic story.  Let me explain:

Yesterday, August 4th, was  my 47th birthday.  Thank you all for the sweet wishes!  "Oh what a celebration" was had!  It began with blueberry pancakes, floating around the pool to the tunes of "Wicked" (Isaac temporarily moved to Brock's house), basketball in front of the garage, garden fresh tomatoes from brother-in-law Charlie, yummy cake from of Grandma (Mary McBee) from the new bakery downtown Berkeley Springs (try it out... it's across from the Ice House), a poem from Isaac, Captain America costume from Levi, and ended with a memorable family dinner at my favorite little French place in Winchester, VA, called La Nicoise Cafe!  Violet's surprise (I just know it is a wagon wheel) is arriving Monday!

The evening was topped off with a roaring rendition of "The Potter Puppet Pal's Mysterious Ticking Noise" in the back of the suburban... for 45 miles!  It was a loooong ride home!

So, what's with the "Birthday Rings"?  Well, a really special surprise for my birthday was a story revealed by my mom.  The freckly hand you see there is mine.  (Don't you just love my manicure!?)  This ring was a birthday gift from Caity.  I've always wanted an Irish cluddah ring.  Now I have one to match hers, Ashley's, and Aunt Tammy's.  Isn't it pretty!

Now, the top hand is my mom's.  (Her nails always look good!)  See the ruby ring?  I've known these hands all my life and never did I know that mom had a ruby ring!  Guess where she got it?  This precious "Birthday Ring" was a gift from Daddy (Bobbie McBee) on her 16th birthday.  He gave it to her when he took her to Lurray Caverns for her Sweet 16th Birthday surprise in a '52 Olds.  We got to hear all about some of Daddy's cars and how this one met an unfortunate underside semi truck when he fell asleep driving through town, among others!  Apparently, my grandmother (Edith Roysten Daniels) was not too happy the gesture.  "Grandmama" felt that it was wrong to receive such a gift from a b.o.y.!  She even insisted that mom return the ring to daddy because it wasn't "proper"!  Ooooooooo...

Mom kept it.

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies."  

Proverbs 31:10

Another Stranger in the Supermarket

Do you ever get to grocery shop alone or are your children always along for the fun?  See what happened to me in Food Lion the other day when I met a "stranger" in Aisle 4!

Link to today's column "Hott Flashes" on Moms of Faith is here:
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/07/strangers-in-the-supermarket/

Please link to your friends!  Thanks for listening to "my story"...
love, a

I Am Optimus Mom!

Leader of the AutoHotts!  LOL.... That continues to crack me up!

For today's column on Hott Flashes, chick here:
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/06/i-am-optimus-mom-leader-of-the-autohotts/

"What If When We Get to Heaven Everything Is Made of Lego's?...Help Me Answer the Hard Questions!

http://momsoffaith.com/2012/06/what-if-when-we-get-to-heaven-everything-is-made-of-legos/
"Mom, Will There Be Lego's in Heaven?"
After searching the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, I could not find one single reference to the favorite pastime of my 7 and 8 year old boys:  Lego's.  Not a notion anywhere.  Listen in to our conversation in this week's "Hott Flashes" post, "What if when we get to heaven, everything is made of Lego's!"

http://momsoffaith.com/2012/06/what-if-when-we-get-to-heaven-everything-is-made-of-legos/
Any suggestions to answer some of these questions?  Let me know.  This mom sure could use some help.

love, a