My Name is Mommy

Well, today is the last day that I’ll have a two year old. My baby turns three tomorrow. It’s crazy how quickly time flies. And if you’re looking for me tomorrow, I’ll be the one dancing up and down the street singing, “Hallelujah!”.

As you may remember, two hasn’t always been easy in our house. And I’m not really sad to see it go. And really not for any other reason than it means we’re moving forward with our little family.

Two is quite amazing, actually. The changes that occur in that year are unbelievably phenomenal. From speech, to mobility, to they way they play, to the way they think, it’s just unimaginable. It seems that it would take an adult an entire lifetime to accomplish the changes that a child makes in just that year. And it’s a beautiful thing to be a part of.

But I don’t think I’ll miss it. I’ve had the joy (and struggle!) of being with all of my kids, day in and out, through all of their twos. And I think I’ve had my fill.
Now to get one more through the threes. Because, as well all know, three is much harder than two. All those fancy words that you thought it would be fun to teach your two year old? All of the attitude he’s been observing in his older sibs? All of the knock-knock jokes that he’s committed to memory? They all come to haunt you in the threes. And I’ll feel completely joyed at getting to experience the threes for one last time. (Remind me of this in a coupla months, will ya? )

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And Happy Birthday to Jackie!!!!!!! (I was gonna put a nice photo of her up here, but I think she’ll kill me no matter what photo I use. She should stop yawning when I go to take her picture so I have some options. )

Late, I know, but nevertheless….

These were the Valentine’s Day waffles. You may not be able to tell, but the batter was pink (food coloring). I received this heart waffle maker from my Dad one of his last Christmases with us. He and mom both new that I wanted a waffle maker. He actually went out on his own and picked this one for me. Of course, mom got me the one I really wanted. But, I knew that I should keep the one that he got especially for me, and mom told me to as well.

Now I love it. Everytime I use it, it’s like a hug from my dad. And I get to tell the kids that we get these fun heart waffles because of Papa. And they think that’s pretty cool.

Tonight Last night marked the final presentation of Chief Illiniwek, the latest symbol to fall victim of the pc wave that is sweeping the nation.

I don’t get the point. Really. I know that there are symbols out there whose sole purpose is to make fun of and ridicule certain groups of people. I really don’t think this is one of them, you know? I grew up near the U of I and had the honor of seeing the performance of the Chief a few times at a few ball games. Our little high school band even hosted the U of I band when I was in Jr. High, and I do believe he came along. (Jack says he did. Kel? Do you remember?) Anyway, I never once viewed the Chief as being a symbol of mockery. I thought of him as a remembrance and sign of honor to the people who lived on the land before us. I thought of him as a reminder of our history, both the good and the bad. I always thought he was cool, and I can’t imagine the U of I without him.

No, I know, it’s not like someone really died. But I do think that removing him from the forefront of the university’s image will allow more people to gloss over the facts of the many Native Americans who DID live in, die on, or were forcibly removed from that land. Do we really need less reminders of who originally inhabited this land, and what became of them?

And the fact that NCAA sanctions seem to be the final motivating factor (I said seem, I have no facts) makes it just that much more crappy. I don’t think it’s really about the dishonor to the Native Americans (though some do feel dishonored by him), it’s more about the dishonor to the pocketbooks of the school. Now they can go on and host their tournaments and bring in the dough, but with a huge loss to their tradition and identity. Great lesson to the students, don’t ya think?

Head over here to see a video of the past Chiefs and of the Chief’s final dance.

ht: Jackie (she still needs a blog for me to link to)

…is that all of the actors from my generation are starting to have episodic parts in it. It is fun to see some of them, but way frustrating when I can’t figure out what they’re from!!! Tonight is one such example. The girl who needs to testify but who is being intimidated was on some sitcom–NO, NO, NO!!!! I just got it!!!!!! She was a younger sister in Some Kind of Wonderful. Whew. Glad I figured that out. I feel better now. Don’t you?