Watch a movie about Ciera Jo Brooke

I discovered with Ciera Jo the fun of being a parent. I enjoyed Ciera as a baby. I appreciated how short the time was before she was grown and gone. I savored every moment and had fun watching every stage SHE discovered in her own life. I wasn’t in a hurry to get her to walk or talk. Being around older siblings her entire pre-teen life has made her wise beyond her years. The other day she reminded me that she will always be our baby. I want to remind her that she will always be loved. Click on the picture to watch her grow up right before your eyes.

Family, Realizations | No Comments »

The first day of our research/reunion trip was … well … educational. I decided I wanted to see Lee’s Ferry, again. Apparently Chris took me there years ago and I showed no interest. This time I had two cameras in hand. We parked the truck and Wistie, Ciera and I started walking the trail to the original ferry. The sign said: 1/4 mile. I thought, no sweat. Quarter mile later Wistie said she’d had enough and headed back to the truck.

By now Chris had caught up with us. We kept walking … in 101 degree weather … another 2 miles. You might think 2 miles is not a big deal, but it was high noon and we were carrying equipment. Whine, whine whine. The night before we had experienced food poisoning so our hydration levels were pretty low. Ciera was feeling a tad weak, but she tried to be a good sport and kept framing some good shots.

We finally arrived, or at least I thought so. I looked at Ciera and realized as the producer and the mother I needed to get her some liquid and fast. I told everyone we were heading back. Chris apparently thought we needed to keep going. “Just a little bit further, I know there will be more photo opportunities,” he said. I made a command decision and ignored him. We started walking and the funny part is that I actually thought he would follow. After all, I am the producer!

Pretty soon we could not see him. We yelled for him, but no answer. I could not go back to look for him or stop and wait. I needed to get Ciera some water! I realized once Ciera had water I would have to make a return trip with water in hand for the “injured” crew member. Maybe he had been bit by a rattesnake. I hope he didn’t sprain his ankle because I couldn’t carry him out. Then I started thinking that maybe he had a heart attack. He has been experiencing numbness and pain in his arms and legs lately. Maybe he fell in the river. That would be bad. He had my camera! As usual, my imagination ran wild. This only made me even hotter under the collar.

When I got back to the truck, Wistie was not there and the truck was locked with the water inside. I wandered around angrily and finally found her soaking her feet in the cool water! I had retrieved drinking water for Ciera and me when Chris showed back up. I scowled at him and told him he was grounded. “I am the producer! You have to do what I say!” He bowed his arms in mock acquiescence. Then told me about the shots he got.

ARGHHH! Tell me people, where is the respect? We finally had a moment to cool off. The water was FREEZING! How was that possible in this heat?Did I mention that the night before Chris wandered off, we could not find him for an hour … at the Grand Canyon? Oh, another story for another day!

Family, Film Production | 1 Comment »

Watch a movie about Christopher Isaac

“Saac” is my first born child. My guinea pig for sure. He delights in telling me stories of all my mistakes, but if my mistakes were what made him as wonderful as he is then dang I am good! Happy Birthday Saac. I cherish you and always will. (Click on the picture to see the cute boy do his stuff)

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Click to see a movie about Wisteria Marie Bowman. Nineteen years ago I gave birth to my daughter and I cannot adequately express my feelings for her or how grateful I am for her presence in my life. She has always been a joy to watch as she grew and learned and embraced her own life. She is determined and stubborn and proud. She is thoughtful and kind and funny. It is true, many say we are alike. This annoys her. She wants to be known as an individual. As for myself, I am honored to be compared to her. When I grow up, I want to have some of the qualities she possesses. Right now, I am just glad that I know this amazing woman. I am grateful for all that she is, all that she does and all she will yet become. Thank you, Wistie. You inspire me. (Click on her name for a taste of Wistie)

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Ben bought himself an iPhone. This left an extra phone in our family plan. So what’s a Dad to do but let his youngest 12-year-old, 7th-grade, pre-pubescent precocious child use it when she leaves the house. Great, another reason for her to be gone. She asked me, ever so sweetly this morning if she could possibly take it to “the last day of school.”

My emphatic answer was NO.

The shock, the dismay, the question, “Why?”

Well, this will be fun. I will not relent.

“You may not take it to school. I watch you, your siblings, my friends, my spouse, my work partner and complete strangers become obsessed with answering the phone, or send text messages while those around them, in their very presence, are discounted, ignored and irritated. Your brothers come to dinner and instead of participating in a conversation with those present, they are texting those who are not part of me “here and now”. My friend picks me up for a late night ice cream escape and spends 15 minutes conversing with someone else while I sit there, in the suicide seat, talking to myself. Your father takes every business call at all hours of the night and morning ON SPEAKER. In every meeting I have attended, every movie I go to, every event, every play, every concert, someone thinks they are so special that they do not have to comply with the request to turn off their cell phone. So no you will not be joining all the other lost lambs who listen and only respond to the call of the cell phone shepherd. Beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing, especially the one that comes with a two-year-contract.”

Her eyes are glassy. Her stare is empty. She has drifted off somewhere.

“And there will be no drugs, sex, drinking, or wildness. Do you understand me?”

She snaps out of it. “IGI.” Off she goes. Good thing because my phone is vibrating.

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Saac came in and said. “Mom, have you seen the look on dad’s face? He loves driving tractor!”
I reminded Saac that he used to get a kick out of driving tractor once upon a time. I told him to take a picture. (He likes driving camera now.) Ciera came in later and she confided in me that they did a wheely on the tractor when they lifted up the cement. Wished I had that one on film! Chris received a warning glare from the one who drives family! Wistie commented that the backyard will be a mess for four years and Ben, well Ben left town. That kid will do anything to get out of work!

Family | 2 Comments »

Thank you Ciera for paying attention. Thank you for trying to make mother’s day a special day for me. Thank you for spending time with me and wanting to spend time with me, even if it was just laying in the hammock and talking. I enjoyed our time together.

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Mothers Day. Oh boy. In my lifetime, I have run the gamut on this holiday. As a child I looked forward to honoring my mother and her efforts on my behalf. As a young wife, I was eight (8) months pregnant on my first “married Mother’s Day.” I received the small gift passed out in church for the mothers. As I recall it was a bar of chocolate. As the years passed, I went through the “oh-boy-I-get-a-gift” phase to the “oh no! More sentiments expressing how wonderful mothers are! Excuse me, but I could really do without the guilt.” This Mother’s Day, I am most aware that my nest is emptying and my family size is diminishing. I still enjoy the chocolate but it really ticks me off when they buy the kind with nuts. ARGH!

Every year my family used to ask me what I wanted for Mother’s Day. I remember thinking about a gift for my mother months in advance. I started saving and shopping and scanning the Sears Roebuck catalogue. It was really important to find just the right thing. Something to make her delighted. Something to make her eyes smile. Not the fake smile, but, the real deal smile. This year, the only one who asked me what I wanted was my husband and I am quite certain he is not my child (although some of my friends think of their husband as one of the children)!

It hurts my feelings when they run out on Saturday evening and grab any gift they can locate at Walmart. When their friends are having a birthday or the holidays are approaching, I watch my children save and shop for their friends weeks in advance. When it is my birthday (well, let’s not even go there this year) or a special holiday, I am saddened to have become a duty or obligation they endure.

This morning, I found an old envelope. I opened it up and there were all my old Mother’s Day cards that my kids had written to me. Some of the early ones were so full of youthful love, enthusiasm and excitement. Those were the days when I was still on the top of their list. Barring a miracle tomorrow, I am pretty certain nothing could beat those childhood gifts that just keeps giving. Dang those darn memories of wet kisses and misspelled sentiments of love and devotion. What’s a mother to do? I am still looking forward to chocolate bars. Surely someone will remember those. Hold the nuts, please.

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How do I know she is back? First clue is my car is gone, my keys are gone and there are dirty dishes. Okay, more than the normal amount of dirty dishes. She did lie next to me this evening to watch AMERICAN IDOL and then she had the nerve to ask me to make HER dinner. What is up with that? So when her friend arrived to whisk her away, I made her do the dishes first. If I cook then I won’t clean! And, since the dishwasher broke this week (just in time for that lovely government rebate!), it was the least she could do. I would take the car, but she has my keys! Good thing I have my bike. Tonight she tried to teach me the cha-cha. Well, that was good for a laugh. Chris was watching with amusement as I tried not to shake my booty! Kind of hard at my age when everything jiggles. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. I am sure another dance lesson is in the works. We argue about who is the guy. Only time neither of us wants to lead. Funny girl — got to love her.

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Two days of traveling and two days of … not traveling. I just have one question. Where is it written that Moms go to clean out their daughters apartments so they can receive their security deposit back? Where?
I told Chris to let Wistie pack up and clean and then she could call us and we would be more then happy to pick her up, once the slopes shut down. But NO! “I think she needs our help.” I do not remember my mother EVER helping me clean my apartment. However, I do remember helping CHRIS clean his! At least she comes by it honestly!

Now I fear we have set the precedence for Cierajo. I told her that in 6 years when she is college bound I will be too old for this stuff. She just smiled and looked at her Dad. The last night Wistie and Cierajo had a slumber party in her immaculate apartment. Pizza and movies and chocolate and no blankets or shower curtain or tooth brush. How could they stand it? I have to brush every two hours or go crazy!

So now the whole family is home for a week. I was home 5 minutes before the crowds started arriving, wanting …dinner! Fortunately, my boys had prepared breakfast for dinner. Brings up another question … Ummm, where did they learn how to cook?

Family | 2 Comments »