Love, Paul, Tammy, Logan, Austin, Jacob, Gracie and Chandler
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas from the Maus House 2011
I am trying out a new program. I didn't get these as organized as I would have liked. I think you will still enjoy. May God bless you today and always. May 2012 be full of memories for you and your family.
Love, Paul, Tammy, Logan, Austin, Jacob, Gracie and Chandler
Love, Paul, Tammy, Logan, Austin, Jacob, Gracie and Chandler
Friday, December 23, 2011
Video Christmas Card Coming Soon
Check back in Saturday December 24, for our Video Christmas Card : )
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dear son, you are leaving home today...
I sat down to write my first letter to Logan tonight. He left with only a backpack today
and boarded a plane to MO to follow his dreams of being a soldier in the United
States Army. It isn't that I am at a loss for words, it's that I know that we are
feeling very different emotions. I found this on the internet and it pretty much sums
up what I am feeling today.....
Dear Son,
You are leaving home today. I keep repeating that statement over and over in my
mind, trying to understand what it means. I have had your lifetime to prepare for
this, sometimes wanting it to come quickly and sometimes hoping this day would
never come. Most of the time though, I have been preparing myself and
preparing you, by madly gathering life’s questions and answers in the hope that I
haven’t forgotten anything. I keep revising the list inside my head; checking off
all the things I know I’ve already told you – so many times.
As tempting as it is to slip a few of the big ones into a casual conversation I
correct myself and let it go. An image of your face appears before me and I see
your eyes look upward and your mouth tighten with that expression of yours that
we both know so well. “Mum I know – you have told me a hundred times
already.”
Well, you know me well enough to expect a letter tucked away in your luggage
with just a couple of pages of instructions about ‘keeping yourself safe and
healthy’. You might even expect to find food in there, a little treat to keep you
going. And lots of XXX’s scribbled on a note like noisy kisses on your bare belly.
Protecting you and preparing you has been such a big part of who I am – it’s
hard to redefine myself and accept that my job is done.
I remind myself that this is about you, but as usual, here I am making it about me
again. Slightly neurotic, I find myself wanting to explain or apologize or gain
some kind of absolution from you. I want to go back into your history and call
myself to your attention and wipe the slate clean of all my mistakes. I do admit
that I have been selfish and hypocritical at times, and I don’t want you to leave
now thinking it was your fault or that you didn’t deserve better.
Yeah, yeah, I hear you say ‘Don’t worry about it, it doesn’t matter”.
I have such an urge to tell you of promises I made, as you slept below my heart
all those years ago. So very real and profound to me and so intense I’m sure I’d
weep if I even tried to tell you. You of course, would shift from one leg to the
other and endure my disclosure with discomfort and impatience.
Mini movies of first steps, first words and first everything else’s consume me.
Tooth fairies and Santa Clause and Easter bunnies. Little trophies, wall posters,
clay models and lego buildings.
I’m indulging myself, it’s my prerogative, but I have promised myself to keep it
all to myself. I want to reminisce, at a time when you have one foot out the door.
I’m going back to the baby and you are going forward to the man. You have
freedom, independence and adventure on your mind. I know you are ready;
capable, competent and smarter than I’ll ever be.
My attitude shifts as I accept you don’t need any precautions, no more
moralizing; no more “You know what you should do…”
And even though I have represented myself as parent and teacher I see so clearly
that I have also been the pupil. I have learned so much from you, you have
played such a large part in moulding me into the person I am. You have taught
me well and I thank you.
Now, I’m compelled to tell you of all the things about you that fills me with pride
and awe. Another long list of what you have achieved, the person you are, your
character and integrity. I want to place wishes on you and insist that they all
become true for you. I want you to stand at the head of the table and have
everyone who ever knew you, come forward and pay tribute to you. But, you
would hate that too.
It’s never about what you have done or anything that you are capable of doing.
It’s only ever about who you are; the real value is in the fact that you exist.
No, you don’t need to be told who you are or what you are capable of. You don’
t judge yourself by such things and I don’t want you to do that either. You are
your own person and you are comfortable in your own skin, and at the end of
the day, that tells me that I have done well. That tells me, that you are ready for
the world and the world will be better for having you as a participant.
I really don’t need to tell you any of this - I even wonder now what impact any
of the words have ever had. I do believe that I have taught you by example, but
more than that, I think you have always known my heart. The umbilical cord
might just be symbology for the heart to heart connection between mother and
child.
When you leave today, I will light an imaginary candle and place it on the
window-sill. Think about it, if you wander into shadows or if you need to lighten
up. Let it always be your beacon.
And all in all, there are only two things left to say to you, “I am proud of you and I love you"
Written by Sonya Green
and boarded a plane to MO to follow his dreams of being a soldier in the United
States Army. It isn't that I am at a loss for words, it's that I know that we are
feeling very different emotions. I found this on the internet and it pretty much sums
up what I am feeling today.....
Dear Son,
You are leaving home today. I keep repeating that statement over and over in my
mind, trying to understand what it means. I have had your lifetime to prepare for
this, sometimes wanting it to come quickly and sometimes hoping this day would
never come. Most of the time though, I have been preparing myself and
preparing you, by madly gathering life’s questions and answers in the hope that I
haven’t forgotten anything. I keep revising the list inside my head; checking off
all the things I know I’ve already told you – so many times.
As tempting as it is to slip a few of the big ones into a casual conversation I
correct myself and let it go. An image of your face appears before me and I see
your eyes look upward and your mouth tighten with that expression of yours that
we both know so well. “Mum I know – you have told me a hundred times
already.”
Well, you know me well enough to expect a letter tucked away in your luggage
with just a couple of pages of instructions about ‘keeping yourself safe and
healthy’. You might even expect to find food in there, a little treat to keep you
going. And lots of XXX’s scribbled on a note like noisy kisses on your bare belly.
Protecting you and preparing you has been such a big part of who I am – it’s
hard to redefine myself and accept that my job is done.
I remind myself that this is about you, but as usual, here I am making it about me
again. Slightly neurotic, I find myself wanting to explain or apologize or gain
some kind of absolution from you. I want to go back into your history and call
myself to your attention and wipe the slate clean of all my mistakes. I do admit
that I have been selfish and hypocritical at times, and I don’t want you to leave
now thinking it was your fault or that you didn’t deserve better.
Yeah, yeah, I hear you say ‘Don’t worry about it, it doesn’t matter”.
I have such an urge to tell you of promises I made, as you slept below my heart
all those years ago. So very real and profound to me and so intense I’m sure I’d
weep if I even tried to tell you. You of course, would shift from one leg to the
other and endure my disclosure with discomfort and impatience.
Mini movies of first steps, first words and first everything else’s consume me.
Tooth fairies and Santa Clause and Easter bunnies. Little trophies, wall posters,
clay models and lego buildings.
I’m indulging myself, it’s my prerogative, but I have promised myself to keep it
all to myself. I want to reminisce, at a time when you have one foot out the door.
I’m going back to the baby and you are going forward to the man. You have
freedom, independence and adventure on your mind. I know you are ready;
capable, competent and smarter than I’ll ever be.
My attitude shifts as I accept you don’t need any precautions, no more
moralizing; no more “You know what you should do…”
And even though I have represented myself as parent and teacher I see so clearly
that I have also been the pupil. I have learned so much from you, you have
played such a large part in moulding me into the person I am. You have taught
me well and I thank you.
Now, I’m compelled to tell you of all the things about you that fills me with pride
and awe. Another long list of what you have achieved, the person you are, your
character and integrity. I want to place wishes on you and insist that they all
become true for you. I want you to stand at the head of the table and have
everyone who ever knew you, come forward and pay tribute to you. But, you
would hate that too.
It’s never about what you have done or anything that you are capable of doing.
It’s only ever about who you are; the real value is in the fact that you exist.
No, you don’t need to be told who you are or what you are capable of. You don’
t judge yourself by such things and I don’t want you to do that either. You are
your own person and you are comfortable in your own skin, and at the end of
the day, that tells me that I have done well. That tells me, that you are ready for
the world and the world will be better for having you as a participant.
I really don’t need to tell you any of this - I even wonder now what impact any
of the words have ever had. I do believe that I have taught you by example, but
more than that, I think you have always known my heart. The umbilical cord
might just be symbology for the heart to heart connection between mother and
child.
When you leave today, I will light an imaginary candle and place it on the
window-sill. Think about it, if you wander into shadows or if you need to lighten
up. Let it always be your beacon.
And all in all, there are only two things left to say to you, “I am proud of you and I love you"
Written by Sonya Green
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Homemade Treats
A fellow blogger, Abbey Foster, shared this yummy recipe. I can't wait to whip some up to share with friends and family. It's totally amazing, especially with Ghirardelli's Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. Enjoy !
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Grease a 9"x5"x3" loaf pan (or something close to that size). Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
INGREDIENTS
Granulated sugar, 1 c
Butter, 4 oz
Mashed bananas (make sure they are ripe; usually 3 or 4 will do the trick), 1-1/2 c
Large eggs, two
Vanilla extract, 2 tsp
All-purpose flour, 2 c
Baking soda, 1-1/2 tsp
Salt, 1/2 tsp
Semisweet chocolate chips, 1 c
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix sugar and butter; beat in mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and then stir into mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips until well incorporated. Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Cover loosely with a tent of aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Test with toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Enjoy!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Grease a 9"x5"x3" loaf pan (or something close to that size). Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
INGREDIENTS
Granulated sugar, 1 c
Butter, 4 oz
Mashed bananas (make sure they are ripe; usually 3 or 4 will do the trick), 1-1/2 c
Large eggs, two
Vanilla extract, 2 tsp
All-purpose flour, 2 c
Baking soda, 1-1/2 tsp
Salt, 1/2 tsp
Semisweet chocolate chips, 1 c
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix sugar and butter; beat in mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and then stir into mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips until well incorporated. Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Cover loosely with a tent of aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Test with toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Enjoy!
Friday, October 8, 2010
A Letter From My Heart to My Kids
Hello my kiddos,
I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I love you. But I also have to have a mommy moment- bear with me here. I won't take long, and I won't be saying anything I haven't already said in one form or another, but it is important.
You may or may not have heard about the NJ college student who killed himself last week because his room-mate had posted videotape of him having sex with another guy. A terrible, senseless tragedy.
My mommy job requires that I remind you of two essential things:
One:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
Two:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
If that young man had only waited a couple of weeks nobody would have cared- he'd have gotten past it. People have short memories- life would have gotten better, much better. His parents and friends? They loved him prior to the tape- they would have loved him afterward too. A few awkward moments and then life goes on.
But when you are young you don't know that even the awkward moments are fleeting. On this, you just have to trust the old people. Remember when you were really small and cried and cried over something? Well, it didn't last. That's kind of what it's like- awful things happen, you feel like there's a rock in the pit of your stomach, somehow time goes by and it gets better. I promise you, it ALWAYS gets better.
The students, a girl and boy, who were involved in the taping and posting-- they are being charged with bias crime, invasion of privacy and possibly other things. Their college life is over. They will have to live with this death the rest of their lives-- and their families are devastated. What they did was so wrong- but also so kid-stupid. Not to mention mean. And so their lives will be different forever- but even so- their families will love them and they will have time enough to hopefully live in such a way as to make meaning from their mistake.
So, my beautiful kids, never, ever think something is unfixable. NOTHING you do will ever keep us from loving you. NOTHING you do could be so awful you can't get past it.
And if someone is mean to you, and it isn't something you can ignore-- seek out people to talk to about it. Surround yourself with people who are supportive. If you ever need help and don't know how to ask- try writing a letter instead. And right now- before you might need such help- think about who you would talk to if needed. In the midst of turmoil sometimes we don't always think as clearly- having a plan makes it easier to find help in crisis. And remember there are always alternatives. Always.
Finally, don't be mean. Don't let other people be mean.
Stand up for the underdog, protect those who aren't as smart or confident or easygoing as yourself.
Treat people's feelings like fragile little puppies- if you play with them- be gentle.
I love you so much and I know you really don't need me to tell you this stuff.... but it's my job.
Love and hugs,
Mom : )
I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I love you. But I also have to have a mommy moment- bear with me here. I won't take long, and I won't be saying anything I haven't already said in one form or another, but it is important.
You may or may not have heard about the NJ college student who killed himself last week because his room-mate had posted videotape of him having sex with another guy. A terrible, senseless tragedy.
My mommy job requires that I remind you of two essential things:
One:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
Two:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
If that young man had only waited a couple of weeks nobody would have cared- he'd have gotten past it. People have short memories- life would have gotten better, much better. His parents and friends? They loved him prior to the tape- they would have loved him afterward too. A few awkward moments and then life goes on.
But when you are young you don't know that even the awkward moments are fleeting. On this, you just have to trust the old people. Remember when you were really small and cried and cried over something? Well, it didn't last. That's kind of what it's like- awful things happen, you feel like there's a rock in the pit of your stomach, somehow time goes by and it gets better. I promise you, it ALWAYS gets better.
The students, a girl and boy, who were involved in the taping and posting-- they are being charged with bias crime, invasion of privacy and possibly other things. Their college life is over. They will have to live with this death the rest of their lives-- and their families are devastated. What they did was so wrong- but also so kid-stupid. Not to mention mean. And so their lives will be different forever- but even so- their families will love them and they will have time enough to hopefully live in such a way as to make meaning from their mistake.
So, my beautiful kids, never, ever think something is unfixable. NOTHING you do will ever keep us from loving you. NOTHING you do could be so awful you can't get past it.
And if someone is mean to you, and it isn't something you can ignore-- seek out people to talk to about it. Surround yourself with people who are supportive. If you ever need help and don't know how to ask- try writing a letter instead. And right now- before you might need such help- think about who you would talk to if needed. In the midst of turmoil sometimes we don't always think as clearly- having a plan makes it easier to find help in crisis. And remember there are always alternatives. Always.
Finally, don't be mean. Don't let other people be mean.
Stand up for the underdog, protect those who aren't as smart or confident or easygoing as yourself.
Treat people's feelings like fragile little puppies- if you play with them- be gentle.
I love you so much and I know you really don't need me to tell you this stuff.... but it's my job.
Love and hugs,
Mom : )
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Reflection
I can’t wait to scrap these pictures from our stop at the Walker Center in Minneapolis/St. Paul. We had a great time. When I see your reflection in these pics I can only hope that you see what I see… I see a beautiful girl who is determined, caring and vibrant. I want you to always feel good about yourself. I hope that you will never let life take that away. People may be mean, but that has nothing to do with WHO you are. So stay sweet little lady and always love you brother : ) You could never wish for a better friend and confidant. Big hugs!
Where Does The Time Go?
I am in total shock that the kids will all be heading back to school next week! This summer feels like it just flew by! Austin also had a big day this week-he got his driver's license. Woot! Woot! Such a big thing that he has worked on for so long. He is super excited about driving his brother and a friend to the Mayhem concert this weekend. So this afternoon, they loaded up in the car and off they went, leaving a teary eyed Mom and an apprehensive Dad. They made it back home safe and sound...but where did this little boy go?
I ran across this quote yesterday and it really touched me. I thought I would post it here too since it’s insanely in-tune with how I’ve been feeling.
“If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware. The tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered around the house, the piles and piles of laundry lying around to be tackled, will disappear all too soon. And, you will, to your surprise, miss them profoundly.”~President Thomas S. Monson
Yeah….. Amen. That’s all I can say to that as I rubbed the goosebumps on my arms. ♥♥♥
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