In Certain Circles...

This has been a very busy weekend! Kassidy attended two birthday parties of fellow kindergarten students in her class at CCA. The first was "Spa Day" where 13 little girls under the age of and newly aged six were treated to facials and nails with the help of several adults. The funny saying for the morning was, "Just relax and allow yourself to de-stress." I couldn't keep down my laughter at the absurdity of a five and six year old needing to release stress. Ha! And although the party was a hit, I honestly needed a Spa Day by the end of all the pampering. The second party included the five boys in Kassidy's class at Pump It Up which essentially is a brightly painted warehouse filled with large inflatables. These kids had a blast jumping and jumping! As we pulled away from the second party, which also offered pizza, cake, and soda like the first party, Kassidy said with a sigh, "I sure hope that the mailman doesn't bring anymore party invitations for a little while." I had to agree with that tired little girl!

While attending these social events with my sweet, five year old daughter, I visited with several Moms. Some of these ladies did not know me or my family. I enjoyed visiting with people and sometimes had the most funny conversations. I learn the most about people when I remain incognito, which means information is not revealed about my identity as the mother of five including two with special needs.

Some Moms love to "drop names" of the people running within their circles, like popular preachers or somewhat notable musicians. I smile when I hear these wonderful stories, but I have another scenario playing within my mind, deep within my heart. You see, I run in the most amazing circle; although few people know the names of the sensational people I am privileged to see. It is like being a member of a very exclusive private club where membership requires far more than any Mother or Father would voluntarily give to join. It's a club where most members remain for life although a precious few get to leave when their membership status changes with the cure of their beloved. The world would not recognize them, but the "famous" people in this circle include children and adults, some with noticeable outward characteristics and all with life-changing challenges: Luke who has Fragile X and autism; Libby with heterotaxy syndrome which includes complex heart defects, asplenia (no spleen), and intestinal malrotation; Connor who was born at 22 weeks gestation; and many more families who live daily with overwhelming obstacles. Membership requires doing things you never wanted to do, and pushes each participant way over the limits of her abilities. However, it rewards, too, as meeting and "rubbing elbows" with these mostly unknown celebrities always leads to inspiration, warmth, acceptance, and a deeper level of self. I have two living under my very own roof! Wow!

Then at the party shortly before anyone reveals my "true" position in life as the manager of five fabulous children including the two who are secretly famous, some Moms share how stressful and overwhelming current circumstances are making them feel very unhappy or unsure. In some cases, the state of the economy and current events might be unsettling. At the forefront of concerns is the stability of employment and providing for her family. Some confide that marriages are "rocky" at best. Or some have frustration over the unwelcomed, continuous misbehavior of a mostly healthy child. It seems all of the normal problems of life like stomach virus and over-scheduled calendars can hit hard all loving Moms, no matter how many children. I commiserate as my status does not protect me from any of these realities, either.

It never fails: Someone asks a question and my circumstances are revealed. It seems looking into my "Circle" temporarily helps mothers change focus from current worries to clear vision of the people they love, creating the need to hug and kiss. My circle of friends is magical. For those on the outside looking into it, feelings of thankfulness and emotions leading to tears can be the result. And although the names of the members remain mostly unknown, this club hosts the most inspiring and most gifted people: People who are the most vulnerable yet persevering. People with such huge obstacles yet overcoming. People who are most dependant yet so dependable. People who are the most challenging yet the most lovable. People with bleak futures yet shining brightly.

My Goodness! You can see why this circle is more than name dropping and a list of "who's who," for the people within it make such an impact. Anyway, it was such a busy weekend. I'm sure the week ahead will be as busy. "The Lord is the One who keeps you safe" (Psalm 91:9.) Have a good one no matter what happens. I hope to do the same. M&R7

Sports as the game of Life...

Tonight was a wonderful night! Why? I attended my first CCA basketball game! What's funny is that Mason, our seventh grader, has been at Covenant since kindergarten. William and the "big" boys have cheered on our team in the past, but I had my first experience tonight.

Something else that struck me was on how many levels I was affected by being at the game tonight. First of all, Ethan escorted me (okay, he begged me to take him) and this sports-loving kid LOVES his cougars, no matter the sport they're playing. And although our "date" was very sweet as he held my hand and allowed me many hugs, the head-rubbing "nuggie" he gave me after the cougars scored brought me to reality that he is not quite the savvy man that his father is. By the way, we won the game, giving high-fives in celebration of the rest of the points.

Next, I reminisced about watching the Dallas Mavericks late at night when the twins were newborns and how basketball games became a way to survive the endless days that continued into and throughout the nights for many months. Some of you may remember when we played late into the summer as the Mavs went into the playoffs that year. Whew! Now days, we watch professional basketball earlier in the evening, or I usually fall asleep before the first half finishes. Let me strongly assert that as much as Ethan loves sports, I LOVE sleep. Let's face it, I have a lot of ZZZZ's coming to me.

Happily leaving behind the past and those sleepless nights, my eyes almost focused when I visualized a future scene of Ethan running up and down this very court working with his team to score points. What an optimistic future to see where my children might continue to grow healthy in the nurturing environment at Covenant. This week was homecoming which at CCA represents when former students come "home" for a visit. Giving me a motherly twinge of what a hopeful future holds, the alumni surrounded us as CCA recognized and honored them at half time. Like I said, Mason is a seventh grader but wasn't he just in kindergarten? All too fast the time has flown and continues to fly at warp speed.

By far the deepest level was when I identified with the coach of each team. Both men had the same job; both did it differently. Both men had to finish the game and both hoped to win it. HMMM. But interestingly enough, the truth of it was that it all depended on how well these five kids worked together as a team and how well each one remembered what his coach had taught him. Each player's position was crucial to the success of the team with not one player being less or more important than the other.

Here I am, the mother of 5 children. We're all on the same team,in the same family; although, each player has a different position and job. Believe me that as coach of the Rumuly 7, I want to win the game! But no matter the outcome, I am required to finish the game at the very least. And interestingly enough, the truth is that it all depends on how well these five kids work together as a team and how well each one remembers what his coach has taught him. Remember, each player's position is crucial to the success of the team with not one player being less or more important than the other. Clearly my job as coach is tough! Between coordinating each member for the team's functionality and remaining consistent in the lessons of each player's job, I as coach must encourage, discipline and demonstrate. The coach must work towards winning through practice everyday.

Well. Then I started thinking about the score-keeper. This guy recorded the fouls and the points of the entire game. He received reports from the referees detailing the activities on the court. Sometimes the coaches did not like the calls made by the Officials. Oh Boy - Understatement! As coach, I also get angry at the "ref" like when the call is Rett Syndrome or Tethered Cord Syndrome. Man! But truthfully, no one faults the guy keeping score. I can't fault Him either.

As much as tonight's basketball game impressed upon me on so many different levels, I know that every team wins in sports as the game of Life. What? Yeah. Even the angry coach who make tons of mistakes can win by giving away her anger and asking for forgiveness for failing. Cool thing is in this game, Life, the scorekeeper, Jesus, wipes away the fouls and adds up the points giving every coach a winning team even if the coach loses.

So that was my evening at the basketball game. How profound sports, as the game of Life, can be! Ha! Game over for tonight; I hope. It's past the coach's bedtime. Have a happy weekend. M&R7

Happy 2009!

Wow! Okay, I really must say it: It's 2009, already! Some in my family are making resolutions for this new year. William is hoping to be more consistent which has been his goal for many of the past years. Ha! Now that is consistency! My dad's resolution is trying not to interrupt my mom when she's speaking; although we might all enjoy his attempt at an optimistic point of view, including Mom since Dad greets her each morning with coffee and the daily "depressing and hopeless" current events. In his most determined voice, he will not attempt such a resolution that is doomed to fail as he greatly enjoys the "trauma" inflicted by reading the morning news and sharing it with Mom first thing. Mom figured out that for Dad resolutions require a sacrifice of some sort like giving up sugar in 2007, instead of attempting a goal like running a marathon or writing a journal. Mom does not conform to this tradition by creating resolutions for herself but tries to remind Dad of his goal such as last year when he attempted to censure his mouth before letting out any unthoughtful words. He gave it a good try for a few weeks.

What are my resolutions? Well, I don't have any diets and extra exercise regimens in mind. Not that I wouldn't benefit from them, and I am limiting the amount of sugar our family devours at dessert. I'm also not going to set the noble goal of posting to my new blog on a daily basis. Actually, that goal is more lofty than noble. In such a life as I live, resolutions can be detrimental if I'm not careful, so this year I resolve not to resolve.

What? I mean this year I will cut myself some slack when time runs out and the list remains long. I will not set too high of expectations of myself by not self-inflicting guilt when I fall short. I will accept today even though it is hard and also allow myself to be tired at the end of it. I will focus on what I have and try not be disappointed by what I wish could happen. The "if only" will be forgotten because I will not compare my life to the normal and exciting lives of other people. When friends and strangers find my life inspirational by being thankful that their challenges are fewer, I resolve to feel honored and will try not to tease them about "my overwhelming troubles" changing their perspective on how much worse their lives could be. Ha Ha! Okay, I still will tease. But, I will remind myself that I am honorable to receive and eat from such a large and heavy-laden plate at the buffet of life.

It seems to me that maybe a diet might be better as I think of buffets and plates full of food. Well! So as I resolve not to resolve, I will point out to loving and helpful people that the Lord often gives man (and woman) much more than he can handle when it is not the temptations of life but the overwhelming troubles of it that heavily burden a person. What I mean is the plate He has given me is too big for my eyes and too stuffed for my stomach! So, my resolution is to offer this big, heavy plate back to Him who has the voracious appetite. "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your Wings." (Psalm 61) Lord, I resolve not to resolve and to offer back all these responsibilities which you have entrusted to me.

HMM! I guess essentially my resolution is a diet! Although, I never will leave the buffet hungry or too full either. Now that's my kind of resolution! Here's to big holiday buffets, new year's diets...and here's to your 2009, M&R7

Christmas 2008-Do you Believe?

My mind struggles to realize that today is Christmas! Although, our day has been grand! We are all well, and we have enjoyed a wonderful lazy day together opening gifts and playing with new toys.

Today, I drank invisible tea in Kassidy's new "Summer Bug's" tea set, had imaginary steaming hot coffee made in Camden's new stainless steel pots and pans. All day Ethan has held his new Webkinz puppy, "Vanilla," even taking her to Nana's. Mason disappeared often to play his new Nintendo DS, trying to avoid a twin disturbance. Action continued in the jungle on the new Indiana Jones Lego Set while Bionicle creatures have been flying all over the house. Horses were galloping and Princesses were taking rides. Four mini cars have been racing around an Indy 500 Track each time resulting in an exciting and close finish. Between naps, Aly enjoyed a video bought for her by her biggest bubba, Mason, while her feet stayed warm in her new princess-ballerina slippers. And my surprise gift from William and the children now keeps guard by the front door, ready to greet visitors with their nutcracker smiles.

Later, we took a ride on Aly's magic carpet, also known as the Rumuly Rocket, for a short and sweet visit with my parents and my oldest brother's family, eating desserts and treats. In the afternoon sunshine, the children played games of tag and chase in the backyard with their cousins, running and leaving their marks all over Grumpy's prized garden. We even managed to snap a family photo before leaving my parent's house just as we all began to feel the "grouchiness" produced by the inevitable downward spiral left by over-indulgence of afternoon sweets.

For us, Christmas 2008 definitely ranks as the most relaxing and enjoyable. I hope each of you has enjoyed your day, too. But I must confess; I have a favorite among the many gifts opened today. This morning Kassidy gave to us a very wonderful and touching gift that put into our minds the real reason for Christmas. As we unwrapped the box's pretty paper, Kassidy smiled. She had worked hard on her gift to all of us, and she had kept secret its contents for almost an entire week. Inside we found a message on birthday stationary written carefully and purposefully by her hand with hearts drawn across the top: "I Luv You Jesus...K" Wow! I agree, the gift of Jesus is the one that I am most glad to have received.

I hope you opened all of your gifts, too, especially the most important one born over two thousand years ago. Oh! By the way, I guess my Christmas cards might be made and mailed after the New Year. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, M&R7

This One Is For Grumpy...

Ha Ha! I bet you're thinking about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, right? Well, you are right that we usually talk "Disney" everyday, but this time I'm referring to my dad, also known as Grumpy to all of the grand kids. You're wondering how he got that name out of all the choices of terms for grandpa? I think he was worried that something more conventional might have been assigned to him like grandfather or paw paw, so he quickly jumped on his own creation. Maybe it was his choice because the thought of becoming a "grand-anything" was scary, or maybe it was working the night shift for all of those years that made him so ornery. In any case, he is our family's very own Disney celebrity, Grumpy. "Grumpy is in the building!" Ha Ha!

Kidding aside, my kids love their Grumpy, pronounced Gra Gra by some, and he has a sweet side that makes his "grumpiness" an oxymoron (or ironic) at times. Let me stress, at times. My mom even has a term for the sweet, adventurous side of my father. It's not the Honey, Dear, or Darlin' as she often refers to him even when he's acting like a grumpy kid, make that acting like an old goat. My mom actually refers to my dad by a specific code name that lets us all know that today great things could happen.

My parents have been married for forty-five years and that's a long time by anyone's book-keeping! My mom contributes part of their marriage success and all of their wedding bliss to the side of my dad that she refers to as "Al Lien," also spelled alien but always pronounced Al Leon with a french-like emphasis on leON. When Al is visiting, my mom loves to take Dad shopping and sight-seeing. She dines with a man interested in conversation and not in scarfing down his food as fast as possible. She gets extra special treatments and treats from her doting boyfriend, Al. Al has optimism about the future and adventure for the present. My mom enjoys her dates with Al Lien knowing their time together could slip away, for as fast as Al sometimes appears he also leaves with my grouchy dad in his place. Hmm!

However, being a grouchy dad or Grumpy is not a bad thing, either. Remember in the Disney movie that Snow White softens Grumpy so much that even he has tears in his eyes when the princess is found sleeping after eating the evil Queen's poison apple? Our Grumpy also is a "softy" like when he has had the task of holding a crying baby or changing a dirty diaper. My dad makes lunch and afternoon coffee for us when I visit, and Grumpy serves only to Cam a special "coffee" consisting of warm chocolate milk with whipped cream topping. There are many tender moments between Grumpy and his grandchildren.

Throughout the years, there have been many tender moments between Grumpy and his daughter, too. And even in the midst of making mistakes (as all parents accidentally make) and without much training or many role models, Grumpy has managed to give fatherhood and grandfather-hood much more than his name represents or symbolizes, for found within him is a sweet and precious tenderness.

Wednesday, my dad requested that I update my blog more often. I asked him why, thinking he must be so impressed with my topics. Ha Ha! He replied that he liked "keeping up" with my life even though we visit together at least once a week if not more often. Then I started thinking: Grumpy might be addicted to the drama of my real life like he is addicted to his reality shows, or he was giving me a tender "kudos" in support of my starting this huge ongoing project of blogging. Thanks, Dad. And in that case, this one is for Grumpy.

By the way, yes Mom, I can have lunch tomorrow to give you a break from Grumpy. "Grumpy has NOT left the building!" I'll expect you around 11am. Love, M

Update on Thankfulness

Howdy, Friends! I just wanted to update everyone on a couple of new things about which I am so thankful, especially as we have entered the Christmas Season.

The lift and EZLock are a huge success in our new van! Aly took her first ride in her new "carriage" and was bewildered at first. She knew we were not at Disney World for her birthday, but she was riding in her wheelchair inside the van? "How could this happen?" she was wondering. We had told her that Daddy had bought her a new "magic carpet", but she had no idea that it would accommodate her wheelchair! On her second ride, she smiled and "kicky feeted" the entire time. She loves the skylight above her that allows views of the sky and lots of natural lighting. Of course, Miss Linda and I LOVE it, too. Now Aly is safe and comfortable without a hazardous transfer of her fragile-boned 70 pound body. Plus, the two and a half year old wheelchair goes with us instead of being left behind at home because it would not fold and fit into the trunk of the minivan. Hallelujah!

Our family has been HEALTHY! Besides normal minor colds and coughs, everyone has stayed away from the major life-threatening illnesses of last November, December and January. Last year, our family dealt with 104/105 degree fevers, vomiting, RSV, Adno Virus, and pneumonia from November 2 until December 12, plus stomach virus and the flu in January. Remember, Aly's doctors in the hospital had predicted she would not make it home for Christmas or out of the hospital at all. They also thought she would need to remain on oxygen if she did leave the hospital. Before Thanksgiving this year, we were able to buy airlines tickets to go to Disney World for Aly's birthday in February 2009. We explained that she would NOT need any "sick drama" to convince us how much she wants to be in her favorite, magical place for her special day this next year! Thank the Lord for providing this incentive early to stay healthy! I know no one can control those icky "sick" bugs, but our family LOVES Disney! Praise the Lord!

Thank you, dear friends, for praying for our family. Even though we are in the middle of flu, RSV and cold season, our family has been very healthy! We continue to keep Aly away from public places, and we continue to need your prayers to remain healthy! I also pray that your Christmas season has been healthy for your families!

By the way, I am working on my Christmas cards. I have received a few; please include our family on your Christmas card list this year. We love to see/hear from your families! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, M&R7

No more POTTY talk...and other things for which I'm Thankful

This has been a week full of blessings, so many that I could not count them! The weekend started with a miracle! Our potty was "healed" and passed the waded toilet paper test to prove it. So what happened? Well, I won't tell the whole embarrassing story in detail, but let's just say that the lady who came to adjust Aly's wheelchair somehow also "adjusted" the position of the lodged toothpaste container when she failed to read our sign posted above the potty prohibiting any #2 activity . With her two trips to the bathroom and a big plunging later, the potty works fine! She was embarrassed, but it saved us a weekend of tearing apart the bathroom!

Whew! Wasn't that a wonderful way to begin my list of things for which I'm thankful? No one wants surgery on a toilet if it can be avoided, and I spared you all the gory details! So let me just list some of the other things for which I am so thankful:

**Will took off an entire week.
**Everyone has been healthy, excluding minor colds and Aly's new cough. (Last year at this same time, we were in the hospital with Aly and almost didn't get to bring her home.)
**Of all weeks, this was the best time for our wonderful nurse to be sick for the first time. She was better by Thanksgiving, too.
**My parents and Debbie watched the kids, giving Will and me the chance to pick up our new van...and have a nice dinner together.
**We bought a new van! We'll actually own it after 75 months of mortgage-like payments.
**We have bought (and paid for) airlines tickets to Orlando! We told Aly that she would need no "sick drama" in order to go for her birthday this year.
**The kids had Daddy Game Time: They played football outside in the leaves. I think Daddy and Kassidy won! Mason was also thankful for time on his game boy.
**Together, we made a fantastic Thanksgiving feast, including morning monkey bread and homemade stuffing. MMMMM...Yummy!
**We set up the Christmas tree without too much fighting and nothing getting broken.

I am so thankful for this season! It's with a grateful heart that I thank the Lord for His provision for me and my family: "Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:2-3)

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, too. And I'm sure that everyone is thankful that there will be no more potty talk, at least until the next incident! Can you believe it; tomorrow is the first of December! Now, it's time for Christmas! Happy preparing, M&R7