Facebook-Friend or Foe?

I'm ashamed to say that it's been so long since I have updated my blog that I had to look up the password.  Pathetic!  How did it come to this, I used to love blogging.  I think there are a few reasons why it's not on my priority list anymore.  When my blog started, my kids were little.  And by little I mean Sophie was 4 and Michael and Emily were 5 ms old.  Sophie went to preschool, the babies napped, and I wrote.  It was a sure way to keep my sanity in those incredibly insane days. 

My days are still pretty busy, but not in the same way.  Now they are busy with two preschoolers and a 3rd grader.  That means play dates, gymnastics, PSR, Brownies, soccer, IEP meetings, media center duty, field trip chaperone.  Throw in the occasional case of strep throat, the beginnings of orthodontia, and you have one mother who is not really home as often as she would like to be.

But I do think the biggest detriment to my blogging has been Facebook.  Not Facebook itself, but rather, my usage of Facebook.  Because let's face it (no pun intended), if I can post 25 words that elicit 10 comments, as opposed to putting together a blog post complete with captioned pictures that might elicit one comment....ummmm, which do you think I am going to do??  I used to get lots of comments on my blog, but that was before FB.  Of course, I used to check many blogs on a daily basis, that was also before FB.  Now I can easily keep up with these same folks all in one place. 

But the point of blogging is not to see how many people think you are brilliant and want to comment.  My original reason for blogging was to pass on information about my two premature babies in a time saving way.  It grew from there as our family underwent some changes, and blogging became a refuge for me.  Still a way to connect, but also a way to have something concrete, something that was all mine and that made sense.  Life is so much better now, but does that mean that I should give up blogging?  I don't think so, because it still can mean something to me.  And maybe that's what I am attempting to figure out.  Yes, I know I will still share about the kids and post pictures of them.  But I am also hoping to see what else comes of blogging.  Not quite sure what direction I am heading in, but I feel in time that answer will come.

I posted on FB yesterday that I was giving it up for Lent, which began today.  And so far, so good.  I even turned off the email notifications, so I really have no idea what is happening in the FB world.  I am sure my East Cobb peeps are all abuzz over the school board's latest decision to table any further discussion about the 2011-2012 calendar.  Who knows what else I have missed, but I do know that anything really important I will hear about, in person, from people that I actually know in real life.  I am not dissing FB, but it can give you a false sense of intimacy.  When I walk into preschool at 9:30 am, I already know what my friends there have had for breakfast, what trouble their kids have gotten into, or what their schedule for the day is, because I have already checked FB at least once.   Because of this, our conversations are  much shorter, or even non existent.   Is that a bad thing?  Maybe not considering many of them are busy parents like me, and a few of them are teachers as well, trying to corral their own classes.  FB has it's place, but I was starting to use it IN place of real life encounters, and that doesn't sit well with me.

At Mass tonight, Fr. Henry encouraged us to give up something for Lent that has become a distraction to our real purpose for being here.  Something that has been keeping us from a closer relationship with God.  He talked about how we are not to become too attached to what we have in this world, that as humans our time on Earth is finite, and our main concern should be what will happen to our soul when our time here is over.   I do think that for me, FB has become a major distraction.  I check it many times a day, and once the kids are in bed, I can be on it for an hour without even realizing it.  What better things could I do with that time?  My mind becomes so cluttered with all the posts that I read, I find myself thinking about them during the day, wondering who has commented, what they said, etc.  When your child does something funny, and the first thought that pops into your head is "Wow, that would make a really funny post." .....I think you might have a problem.  Or even worse, when something happens in the life of your 9 yr old and she says to you, "But don't put that on FB Mom!"...you may have a problem.  Embarrassing, but true. 

I am hopeful that by removing this distraction for awhile, I will become focused on more important things.  Will I miss it??  I already do, but today was a much calmer day for me, and I didn't feel as scattered as I normally do.  This morning I did my WII training for 35 minutes, then ran/walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill. I still had time to shower and do a couple loads of laundry before going back to school for pick up.  Any other day I would have come home from taking the kids to school and would have logged on before starting any other project.  It really was freeing to just walk right by the computer.

And a note for my mil Pam.....I think the funniest thing Michael said today was during Mass, after we received Communion.  "How come you get to eat in church and I don't? "  The two older ladies sitting next do us thought that was darn funny. 

Shameless Photo Album of Christmas

This is going to be a long post with a ton of photos.  You've been warned.  This post is really for people like Aunt Karen and Uncle Jack, who couldn't be with us on Christmas, and who love my kids like they are their own. And also for my friend Patrice, whose kids are now teenagers.  She has helped me realize it does go SO fast, and that all the work is worth it.  I wanted them to see the happiness of our Christmas morning, so here it is!

                                          Before heading to Noche Buena at Marilyn's, Terry and the kids decorated the gingerbread house.  I was very proud of my husband, he relinquished control and let the kids help.  It's a Christmas miracle!!

                                                    My handsome man at Marilyn's

                                                        Terry and his mini-me
                                    

                                Waiting for the OK to come downstairs on Christmas morning. 

                                                               Lily's final hiding spot

                                 It was Michael's turn this year to put Baby Jesus in the manger.   

                                       I think Emily likes the Barbie Sophie gave her. 

                              Check it out Mom, Emily's dollhouse even has a TOILET! 

                     Terry's super cool hat with under the brim lighting.  G'pa Maier got one too. 

                                                           Oh my gosh...is it...can it be???

                                                    YEEEESSSSS!!!  It's Lanie! 

                                                          

                      Michael gets tools just like Daddy's.  Even has his own safety goggles now. 

                                               Who says the Batcave is just for boys? 

                        Emily's not too sure about whatever it was Grandma was saying.

                                                                 Me and Michael
 

                                                             Michael and Nana

                  Snow on Christmas Day in GA.  Last year that happened was 1882!

Got on my new footed pj's, laying on my pillow pet and playing with Michael's Leapster.  Yeah, life is good!!

Getting our Christmas On

Tree trimming can either be the picture perfect event that you might see on a Hallmark Card...or not.  Ours fell somewhere in between, but more toward the Hallmark Card.  That's because Terry did the hard parts while the kids were in school.  Hard parts would include bringing it from the garage to the front door, positioning it in the stand while I hold it (never fun for me), getting tree through front door and into front room.  Deciding which side looks best, trimming top and getting star to stay on top.  Then shimming up the side that makes it lean.  And lastly, stringing the lights.  So much easier without the running commentary of us telling the kids "hold on, we can decorate it in just a minute, no you can't help right now, PLEASE put the loping shears down"...And of course if the occasional iffy word DOES fly, no little ears are around to hear it.  This could be our new tradition in years to come.

So, the kids came home, and the excitement of opening the ornaments began.  It's always fun to unwrap each ornament and remember where each one came from.  Now that our kids are older, they understand there was a time before them, and they do enjoy hearing about Mom and Dad dating, being single, or ornaments left from their childhood.  Emily showed me a crocheted angel and told me how pretty she thought it was.  I told her that her Aunt Clare had made it.  Her eyes grew wide and she asked, "You mean, she sew-ded it?"  I told her yes, and that did she remember that was where her middle name came from?  She was Emily Clare after her Aunt Clare.  She walked back to the tree to hang the angel saying to herself, "Emily Clare, Aunt Clare, Emily Clare, Aunt Clare."  Makes those we miss seem not so far away when we can remember them and teach our kids about them.  

Thankful

What a great Thanksgiving week this has been.  I have so much to be thankful for, too many things to list out here.  But I'll try...my husband and children, my parents and in laws, my siblings and their families.  Good health for myself and those I love.  My friends who enrich my life in so many ways.  The school communities that teach, support and encourage my children.  Last but not least, I am thankful for the challenges God has thrown my way.  Without them, I would not have grown into the person I am today.  At the time, they were anything but welcome, but in hindsight, they served a purpose.  Today my life is so much better for the many lessons I have learned.

Some pictures from the past few weeks:

Mike with the supplies for "Bill's Nuts"

Grant and Terry loading up the bin with freshly roasted nuts.

Our dear friend Bill.  94 years young! 

Bill filling one of the many jars.

Emily helping by handing him the jars.

M and Em sitting on Bill's  "Johnny Walker". 

Flowers we received for Thanksgiving.  Sent by my husband's new boss to welcome him to the company.  Could be my favorite part of Thanksgiving!!  

The Real Deal

Michael and Emily had a "real" birthday party this year, meaning we invited friends, instead of a family only party at home.  They are the first to turn 5 in their class, so it was a pretty big deal.  We went with the party in a park, and I would do this same party again next year.  The weather was picture perfect, 75 degrees and sunny.  The playground was empty except for us, and the kids were totally entertained.  Add a bunch of chatty moms, a veggie tray, chips and salsa and a birthday cake, and life is good. 

The funniest event of the party had to be the pinata. No sissy pull string deal for my kids, I wanted them all taking a whack. 20 four year olds, a few 7-9 year olds, 2 on the edge birthday kids and one swinging shark. Thankfully Kathleen was there in teacher mode to direct the kids. No one lost any body parts, except for the shark, of course.

Terry and I are wondering if we have insurance to cover serious injuries

Sophie helps Emily by trying to hold it for her

My sweet Michael, what happened to him??

Didn't know he had it in him

Take that, Mr. Shark!

And of course, the candy frenzy always leaves someone crying......

(And a big shout out to Niki for these pics, they are great!  No offense KK....)