So many of you know by now that my daughter and I went to a Justin Bieber concert on Tuesday night. My daughter is a huge fan and I wanted to do something special for her, so we made a date and went.
We got there a little before the concert began and all I saw was thousands of smiley tween girls and cute little girls hurriedly going to their seats. There were 3 opening acts, and by 8:45pm, Justin Bieber walked on stage. Scream after scream. “Justin we love you” being chanted. It was so cute and so amazing to witness. Much to my surprise, he is a very talented and adorable boy. I learned that evening, that he taught himself how to play the guitar, the piano and the drums. I did not expect to enjoy the concert as much as I did.
During the concert, clips of his life were being shown on the big screen. Pictures of him, as a baby, as a toddler, and as a growing boy. Besides the fact that he was a blonde cutie pie, he was always in some kind of activity. It seems like he was actively involved in many hobbies and sports. At one point during the evening he was speaking to the audience. He was introducing the trailer of his new movie. He said to us that there were many haters, and there were many people who didn’t believe in him. They thought he would fail and that he never would have made it. Then he said, “I guess they were wrong.” The crowd went wild and we watched the clip.
When I got home, I went to bed, my ears were ringing but my face had a huge smile. The next morning I was curious to know a little bit more about the Biebster, so I did what any modern girl would do, I wikipedia’d him. I learned that he was born in London, Ontario. I learned that his mother had him when she was 18, and that she raised him on her own. I learned that he got discovered at the ripe young age of 14. Wow! This boy has accomplished popularity beyond anyone’s dreams. He has 4 AMA awards, something artists dream of for years. It took him 2 years.
I felt proud for him. When I was reading his biography it made me realize something. I appreciated the fact that anyone can become anything. He is a small boy, from a small town, in Canada. He is now a house hold name in over 30 countries in the world!
I feel excited. How amazing is the fact that anyone can become anything, when they want to be? How exciting is it that I can tell my children; with effort, determination, and true love, you can achieve the unimaginable. Life is really an open opportunity for all. There is no limit or boundaries that can stop anyone. Stories like this are a true inspiration to the young kids that don’t believe in the mere thought of “believe to receive.”
Imagine if everyone stopped trying for something if they failed? Imagine if we taught our children that they can never become something huge, if they want to be. Imagine if Justin Bieber’s mother told him that he would never be able to be a huge phenomenon? Imagine if she told him when he was younger, that he would never be able to sell out a show at Toronto’s ACC?
Imagine if she told him that even if he practiced, and practiced, and practiced, he still wouldn’t make it? Then she never would have known that her son would be the next big star. She never would have known what it feels like to witness her son accepting an award at the AMA’s. She told all those people that didn’t believe he wouldn’t make it, “Never say Never” because she knew in heart, that never comes faster than you think when you don’t stop trying.
That’s my peace today!
Mushroom with goat cheese melba toasts
2 cups shitake mushrooms
2 tbsp white wine
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tbsp chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste
1 package goat cheese
appetizer size melba toasts
4 tbsp olive oil
optional - 1/4 toasted pecans
In a pan, heat oil, add garlic and wine. Add mushrooms salt and pepper and parsley. Remove from heat once cooked (about 5 minutes) Drain and liquid. Arrange the toasts, evenly place the cooked mushroom mixture and top with crumbled goat cheese. Optional -Add a tasted pecan to each
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
30 minutes a day
This week my kids received their progress report. I didn’t really expect anything different than the year before. First I opened up Maria-Alicia’s report. E for Excellent in all the behaviour and independent activity section; developing above level for almost all the academic section. Then, I opened up Joseph’s report. Academically I was happy, he was developing and understanding just fine, I then turned over the paper, all I saw was S, S, S,S.....for Satisfactory. I almost died. Why was he getting satisfactory for his behaviour, conflict resolution and independent work time?
I paused for a little, I think I even had a tear. I then asked Joseph what was going on. He said nothing and that he always gets in trouble at school, even when it’s not him. I am one of those old school mothers when it comes to believing the teacher over my child. I look at it as, of course my son is going to blame the teacher, and he is too small to take responsibility. My husband and I talked it over with him and we both decided to wait until parent teacher interview to hear her side.
Thursday night came and my interview time was 6:40pm. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I decided Joseph should not be there with me because I felt this should be a confidential conversation between his teacher and I. I arrived and she greeted me with a smile. I sat down, I looked at her and I asked, “What is going on?” At the beginning of the year, Franco and I had gone for curriculum night and she assured us that he was behaving and that all was fine so this is why I was taken aback from the progress report. So she began to explain to me that Joseph is very smart and that he does not have a problem with the work. She said he is a social butterfly and he loves to interact with his friends. She went on to say that he sometimes does not always behave maturely and that he seeks a lot of attention. As she was speaking, bells went off in my head. I always knew that he was an attention seeker because he behaves like that at home, but I never thought he would do the same at school. She went on to tell me that he loves to be praised (not in an arrogant way) but in a child like way, so she praises his good behaviour whenever she could.
I don’t know how I kept the tears from running down my face. I felt like a failure. I felt like someone just confirmed to me what I had known deep down inside, but always tried to ignore. I know that Joseph loves attention but I didn’t realize it was the same at school. The teacher was being sincere in her tone; she calmly suggested that maybe Joseph feels like he is not always heard and that maybe he feels like he has to fight for words at home and he is starting to the same here because he feels like he can never be heard. Again, tears almost began to form; I had to fight ever fibre of being not to cry. I felt like hiding under a rock and throwing stones at myself. I allowed her to finish. I did not get offended or defensive because I knew she meant every word she said with every care in the world. She told me that she thought he was a bright kid, a wonderful free spirited kid, but not always as mature as he should be.
Then it was my turn to speak. I guess I was ok to admit to myself and to her that I do not always give him the attention he needs. All kids are different. Maria-Alicia enjoys being independent she does not need me to praise her every second, Joseph is the opposite. And instead of me comparing him to her, I had to learn to embrace his differences and treat him with more of the love and attention he needed.
I felt empowered when I left the interview. I felt like I had just learned something new in this world of parenthood. As I was going to my daughter’s interview I bumped into another mom. I quickly explained to her the brief realization of my son and how I will not be able to pay as much attention to my other kids as much as I like. She said something really enlightening to me. She said, “Keep your energy and attention for her when she is a teenager because right now she obviously doesn’t need it, but when she does need it you will do just the same for her.” That again, almost made me cry.
I went home and Joseph eagerly asked me what his teacher had said. I sat him down and I told him that she said he is super bright and that she loves being his teacher. I then asked him if he felt like he didn’t get enough attention from us. He looked at me, almost in tears, and said, “Mommy you are always so busy with the babies and you don’t ever have time for us.” I explained to him that he is lucky to have his siblings and that sometimes time gets compromised because of it. But I also came up with a solution. I asked him if we can set aside 30 minutes together every day (just him and I) and we can do whatever he wants in that time. He was excited and said, “I would like that.”
I am starting today (he even reminded me this morning..lol) I try my best every day to be a good mother. I always thought that feeding them, washing their clothes, buying them the necessities was enough, but it is obviously not. I cannot change the way I have been with my son since the babies have arrived. I cannot turn around and give him more of my time that has already passed. What I can do is recognize that I do not spend any alone time with him. I do not sit with him at least once a day and do something with him. I do not have the time that I need to do that to all 4 of my kids. But I have to play it one kid at a time. I have to roll with the punches and fill in the gaps as they come. The other 3 may not need me as much now, my oldest son does.
A mother bites her tongue sometimes when another mother judges. A mother brushes off the comment her own mother makes about her parenting decisions. A mother like the last word when she is arguing with her spouse. Last night when I was sitting there in the small elementary chair and my son’s teacher was speaking, it became all clear to me, I need to enjoy this time with my child. He needs my advice, he needs to hear my thoughts, and he wants to take my advice, because before I know it, I will be the one begging him for just 30 minutes a day.
That's my peace today!
Shrimp and Linguini with Pesto
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pack baby shrimps
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
5 tbsp of pesto
1 package linguini
In a pan put garlic and olive oil and heat. Add shrimp, lemon juice and wine. (if there is too much liquid drain some). Once shrimp is pink and cooked, add 1 tbsp of the pesto, toss and put aside. Boil the pasta, drain. In the same pot place the rest of the pesto and mix. Make sure the pasta is well coated with pesto. Top with shrimp.
I paused for a little, I think I even had a tear. I then asked Joseph what was going on. He said nothing and that he always gets in trouble at school, even when it’s not him. I am one of those old school mothers when it comes to believing the teacher over my child. I look at it as, of course my son is going to blame the teacher, and he is too small to take responsibility. My husband and I talked it over with him and we both decided to wait until parent teacher interview to hear her side.
Thursday night came and my interview time was 6:40pm. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I decided Joseph should not be there with me because I felt this should be a confidential conversation between his teacher and I. I arrived and she greeted me with a smile. I sat down, I looked at her and I asked, “What is going on?” At the beginning of the year, Franco and I had gone for curriculum night and she assured us that he was behaving and that all was fine so this is why I was taken aback from the progress report. So she began to explain to me that Joseph is very smart and that he does not have a problem with the work. She said he is a social butterfly and he loves to interact with his friends. She went on to say that he sometimes does not always behave maturely and that he seeks a lot of attention. As she was speaking, bells went off in my head. I always knew that he was an attention seeker because he behaves like that at home, but I never thought he would do the same at school. She went on to tell me that he loves to be praised (not in an arrogant way) but in a child like way, so she praises his good behaviour whenever she could.
I don’t know how I kept the tears from running down my face. I felt like a failure. I felt like someone just confirmed to me what I had known deep down inside, but always tried to ignore. I know that Joseph loves attention but I didn’t realize it was the same at school. The teacher was being sincere in her tone; she calmly suggested that maybe Joseph feels like he is not always heard and that maybe he feels like he has to fight for words at home and he is starting to the same here because he feels like he can never be heard. Again, tears almost began to form; I had to fight ever fibre of being not to cry. I felt like hiding under a rock and throwing stones at myself. I allowed her to finish. I did not get offended or defensive because I knew she meant every word she said with every care in the world. She told me that she thought he was a bright kid, a wonderful free spirited kid, but not always as mature as he should be.
Then it was my turn to speak. I guess I was ok to admit to myself and to her that I do not always give him the attention he needs. All kids are different. Maria-Alicia enjoys being independent she does not need me to praise her every second, Joseph is the opposite. And instead of me comparing him to her, I had to learn to embrace his differences and treat him with more of the love and attention he needed.
I felt empowered when I left the interview. I felt like I had just learned something new in this world of parenthood. As I was going to my daughter’s interview I bumped into another mom. I quickly explained to her the brief realization of my son and how I will not be able to pay as much attention to my other kids as much as I like. She said something really enlightening to me. She said, “Keep your energy and attention for her when she is a teenager because right now she obviously doesn’t need it, but when she does need it you will do just the same for her.” That again, almost made me cry.
I went home and Joseph eagerly asked me what his teacher had said. I sat him down and I told him that she said he is super bright and that she loves being his teacher. I then asked him if he felt like he didn’t get enough attention from us. He looked at me, almost in tears, and said, “Mommy you are always so busy with the babies and you don’t ever have time for us.” I explained to him that he is lucky to have his siblings and that sometimes time gets compromised because of it. But I also came up with a solution. I asked him if we can set aside 30 minutes together every day (just him and I) and we can do whatever he wants in that time. He was excited and said, “I would like that.”
I am starting today (he even reminded me this morning..lol) I try my best every day to be a good mother. I always thought that feeding them, washing their clothes, buying them the necessities was enough, but it is obviously not. I cannot change the way I have been with my son since the babies have arrived. I cannot turn around and give him more of my time that has already passed. What I can do is recognize that I do not spend any alone time with him. I do not sit with him at least once a day and do something with him. I do not have the time that I need to do that to all 4 of my kids. But I have to play it one kid at a time. I have to roll with the punches and fill in the gaps as they come. The other 3 may not need me as much now, my oldest son does.
A mother bites her tongue sometimes when another mother judges. A mother brushes off the comment her own mother makes about her parenting decisions. A mother like the last word when she is arguing with her spouse. Last night when I was sitting there in the small elementary chair and my son’s teacher was speaking, it became all clear to me, I need to enjoy this time with my child. He needs my advice, he needs to hear my thoughts, and he wants to take my advice, because before I know it, I will be the one begging him for just 30 minutes a day.
That's my peace today!
Shrimp and Linguini with Pesto
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pack baby shrimps
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
5 tbsp of pesto
1 package linguini
In a pan put garlic and olive oil and heat. Add shrimp, lemon juice and wine. (if there is too much liquid drain some). Once shrimp is pink and cooked, add 1 tbsp of the pesto, toss and put aside. Boil the pasta, drain. In the same pot place the rest of the pesto and mix. Make sure the pasta is well coated with pesto. Top with shrimp.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The role of a mother
The role of a mother begins from the moment you find out you are going to have a baby. The thoughts, the worries, the planning and all the sleepless nights occur. From the second your child is born your role in life becomes that much more important. You vow to take care of this child for the rest of their life.
Many women I know constantly question the way they are raising their kids. They call me or other mothers and ask for advice when you don’t know if you made the right decision. You second guess every little choice you make and you worry over a virus as common as the cold.
A mother is strong, not in strength, but in mind. They teach the family that love always comes first, and that a woman’s heart is her children. She teaches the family that the best people you will have in your life will be your siblings, and she will teach you that love can never be bought.
A mother’s day will be brightened by the simplest things; a good test mark, making the volleyball team, a compliment from another parent about your child, or the face she sees when her kids realize she made their favourite for dinner. Mothers are simple. They love and they need love back. They hug, and they need hugs back, they respect and they expect respect back.
A mother will never lie to you. A mother will never cheat on you, and a mother will never put anyone before you. A mother will cheer you on, even though you really suck at skating. A mother will stick up for you even though you really did break your brother’s hockey book. A mother will also always tell you that it’s not ok to be mean, and that it’s not ok to hurt someone’s feelings. A mother is there to sew your ripped sweater, or she is there to bring in to the cleaners to get fixed..lol. She will always find the way to make it right.
A mother will always wonder if she is doing the right thing. She will ask herself if her own mother would have done the same. A mother is a woman that is very important in your life. She is someone you want beside you every day when life is hard, or challenging, or just plain unfair.
I am sorry for all the friends I have, that have lost their mothers at a young age. I know that they miss them every day. I know that they think of them every day. I know that they strive to be like them every day. I cannot imagine the pain and the hurt someone feels when they lose their mother. The mother is the head of the household, the bricks in the home, and the soul of the family.
The only comfort I can offer to these dear friends of mine, is that the woman they miss is always there watching over them. She still is there to hold their hand when they are nervous for that interview. She is still there to make things feel better when they are hurt by someone’s ill intentions. She is still there to secretly advice them, when they don’t know what to do if their teenage child is out of line. A mother is a mother for life. When we are born she makes it understood that she is there for you always. You recognize her smell, her voice, and most importantly you recognize her love.
When we are little, our mothers are our hero’s. They are our mentors. They are our strength. Without you knowing, a mother teaches us that even though we don’t want to, we become them. A mother teaches us that we want to love so much more than we want to hate. A mother teaches us that they want so much more for us, than they ever had. A mother teaches us that even when they leave this earth, they are still guiding us. To all my friends that have lost their mothers, I commend your strength, I commend your courage, and I commend your spirits. You have been taught by her that she will by your side every day, that her job is never over and that she will be with you always. Because she assured you a long time before, that is her role as a mother.
That’s my peace today!
Apple Cake
5 apples diced
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder, salt, baking soda
2 tsp cinnimon
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
in a bowl mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients into egg mixture, mix with a spoon.Fold in apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes in a 13x9 pan lined wth parchmen paper.
Many women I know constantly question the way they are raising their kids. They call me or other mothers and ask for advice when you don’t know if you made the right decision. You second guess every little choice you make and you worry over a virus as common as the cold.
A mother is strong, not in strength, but in mind. They teach the family that love always comes first, and that a woman’s heart is her children. She teaches the family that the best people you will have in your life will be your siblings, and she will teach you that love can never be bought.
A mother’s day will be brightened by the simplest things; a good test mark, making the volleyball team, a compliment from another parent about your child, or the face she sees when her kids realize she made their favourite for dinner. Mothers are simple. They love and they need love back. They hug, and they need hugs back, they respect and they expect respect back.
A mother will never lie to you. A mother will never cheat on you, and a mother will never put anyone before you. A mother will cheer you on, even though you really suck at skating. A mother will stick up for you even though you really did break your brother’s hockey book. A mother will also always tell you that it’s not ok to be mean, and that it’s not ok to hurt someone’s feelings. A mother is there to sew your ripped sweater, or she is there to bring in to the cleaners to get fixed..lol. She will always find the way to make it right.
A mother will always wonder if she is doing the right thing. She will ask herself if her own mother would have done the same. A mother is a woman that is very important in your life. She is someone you want beside you every day when life is hard, or challenging, or just plain unfair.
I am sorry for all the friends I have, that have lost their mothers at a young age. I know that they miss them every day. I know that they think of them every day. I know that they strive to be like them every day. I cannot imagine the pain and the hurt someone feels when they lose their mother. The mother is the head of the household, the bricks in the home, and the soul of the family.
The only comfort I can offer to these dear friends of mine, is that the woman they miss is always there watching over them. She still is there to hold their hand when they are nervous for that interview. She is still there to make things feel better when they are hurt by someone’s ill intentions. She is still there to secretly advice them, when they don’t know what to do if their teenage child is out of line. A mother is a mother for life. When we are born she makes it understood that she is there for you always. You recognize her smell, her voice, and most importantly you recognize her love.
When we are little, our mothers are our hero’s. They are our mentors. They are our strength. Without you knowing, a mother teaches us that even though we don’t want to, we become them. A mother teaches us that we want to love so much more than we want to hate. A mother teaches us that they want so much more for us, than they ever had. A mother teaches us that even when they leave this earth, they are still guiding us. To all my friends that have lost their mothers, I commend your strength, I commend your courage, and I commend your spirits. You have been taught by her that she will by your side every day, that her job is never over and that she will be with you always. Because she assured you a long time before, that is her role as a mother.
That’s my peace today!
Apple Cake
5 apples diced
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder, salt, baking soda
2 tsp cinnimon
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
in a bowl mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients into egg mixture, mix with a spoon.Fold in apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes in a 13x9 pan lined wth parchmen paper.
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