Better Questions...

It's no real secret that I am not a music aficionado. I like just about every type of music and because of this I have never slowed down long enough to determine a favorite genre or artist. I am the person that if the radio is on in the car, regardless of what's on (within reason of course) I probably won't change the station. This also means that if the radio happens to be off then it usually stays off. I have never been a purchaser of CDs -- mainly because I don't know the names of albums to request on birthday and Christmas lists and because I am a little too frugal to spend money on a CD if I don't know that I will like everything on it.

However...

This past Christmas, Luke and I attended a concert at my parents' church; the headliner was Newsong with Matthew West and Todd Agnew. I know enough of Newsong's music to be excited at the opportunity for some good Christmas music. I have to say that while both Newsong and Matthew West performed admirably, I was absolutely blown away by Todd Agnew. His Christmas album this past year is entitled "Do you see what I see?" and is based on the idea that those that were involved in the birth of Christ had very different perspectives on the situation. Todd's story-telling was wonderful and his song writing was inspired. Of course this meant that after the concert, Luke and I ran to the lobby to buy every one of his CDs. After listening to songs I knew like "Grace Like Rain" I decided to become adventurous and try out his "Better Questions" album. I can honestly say it is one of the most refreshing and difficult to listen to albums -- possibly ever.

As a musician, Todd is blessed vocally and instrumentally. But that is only part of why I have become such a huge Todd Agnew fan. The album "Better Questions" combines new and exciting sounds with ideas/feelings/questions/thoughts/doubts that I have had over the course of my very short walk with the Lord. The album challenges me each time I hear it. Of course as I write this I can visualize one of Todd's questions which while I cannot repeat verbatim here (the CD is in Luke's truck) basically asks why people look to musicians for complete spiritual guidance. Todd's album is not new in the sense that the questions he asks have plagued mankind for centuries (ie. "If you wanted me to be like You, why'd you make me like me?"); the new-ness, if you will, lies in the fact that in today's world of poster Christianity, Todd takes a risk to admit openly that he doesn't have things figured out, that while his faith is strong there are still aspects he doesn't understand (and maybe never will), that despite his best efforts to be as Christ-like as possible there are days that he fails miserably -- each one of these sentiments that echo loudly in my own life. When I mess up so completely I find myself thinking, "it's funny how a fish can obey you but I can't" -- which of course is quickly followed with the humbling revelation "well I can but I don't, and I want to but I won't and I don't do what I want to, I do what I don't mean to and I'm confused." (If you didn't pick up on it -- those are lyrics to one of his songs).

We recently had a sermon during which our pastor declared that one particular and popular praise song was not to be sung in the church again because it was theologically unsound. This was a shock to me -- I had never entertained the idea that a praise song would ever be contrary to what is Biblical. Of course after this sermon, I examine every song, whether in church or on the radio, for it's scriptural accuracy. I have been shocked to realize how many of the songs I hear, while musically pleasant, are completely false. This is another reason I am so fond of Todd's new album. His praise songs are so complete and so scripturally sound that after I have beat myself up, I can't help but walk into the presence of God and seek help and refuge there. Besides, there is nothing sweeter than a toddler asking to hear "Glorious Day" so he can sing "living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising He justified freely forever, one day He's coming, O Glorious Day." While Jack has no idea what it means to be justified -- the knowledge that this information is first in his head and will eventually trickle down to his heart at the right age is precious.

So while not a personal anthem, I must say that this new album has made me re-examine, grow and cling a little tighter to the One to whom my faith belongs. There is so much more I could say but then you wouldn't have to explore the album yourself. Go find out what happens on "A Corner in Memphis."

Recall...

For mommies of preschoolers...here's info on a recall that has actually affected us. Jack received these for Christmas. They are megastix. Inside these wonderful stix and balls are magnets which make building perfect for little hands.

Unfortunately, the magnets appear to have the ability to fall out and as any mommy knows -- magnets and preschoolers are a bad combination. You can read about the recall from one of our local news outlets here.

Looks like tonight it's covert "Operation Toy Removal" for this mommy.

New blog

I have changed the blog (an obvious statement I know). While the blog is no longer entitled "My Cluttered Brain" this in no way indicates that I have suddenly developed a way to organize my life. Rather, the new title, "Memoirs of a Mommy", is a nod to the realization that my cluttered nature is not a passing fad in my life...and that perhaps that's okay. So here's to the new blog -- a place to vent, to discuss things that a three year old would never understand, to brag on my kids and anything else I want to write about.

Plus it's pretty...

a fun game from a friend

My friend Lindsey posted this on her blog and I couldn't resist.

So here it is:

10 years ago:
I was 16 years old and busy spending my days either in band rehearsals or cheerleading practice. Around this time of year I would have been gearing up for cheer try-outs which meant lots of trips to the tanning salon and a new set of blonde locks. I was also dating a boy who would some day turn out to be the least successful person I know (and perhaps the dirtiest). SOOOO glad God's plans are better than my own!

Things on my to-do list today:
It's 8pm on a Saturday and things still to be accomplished include grading a stack of research outlines, laundry ad naseum, put away stuff from the baby shower this morning and I am hoping to also get in a little movie time on the couch with my husband.

What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire:
Quit my job, pay the kids college, pay ALL the bills -- and who knows what else...

Three of my bad habits:
gossiping, eating (when I'm happy/sad/angry/celebrating, etc -- everytime except when I ought to eat), anger -- I have a mean temper that must learn to control.

Five job I've had:
mommy
teacher (from TAKS remediation to 9th grade all the way to 11th grade Advanced Placement -- you could say I'm an English-teaching stud)
Learning Specialist for TAMU
office assistant in COALS development office at TAMU (I took donations from a bunch of rich farmers and ranchers)
principal intern at a private school

Five things people didn't know about me:
I wish I was this complicated...
1. My math skills are atrocious. I can work derivatives and integrals but I can't divide fractions.
2. I secretly think about (and occasionally plan) opening a bakery someday. The silly thing even has a name and a decor scheme.
3. I sometimes wonder if I have already had my 15 minutes of fame...and if so, what was it? my name mentioned for honor roll a thousand times? and then I think that if I had known that was what I would spend it on, I would have been more of an attention hog.
4. I have never wanted to be President of the USA...but I do wish I was his personal assistant sometimes. The stuff that woman knows must be AMAZING (see my bad habits list)
5. Despite my best efforts, I am fairly certain that it wasn't my mad dance skills that won over my husband initially but rather my ability to speak intelligently about the Aggie secondary.

My Latest Tax Experience

Did you know there is such an animal as the Alternative Minimum Tax? Originally this creature was created to force some of the wealthiest in our country to pay taxes as they had previously found so many ways to make deductions that they owed little to no income tax. The government spotted their clever ruse and decided to make a way to force these misers to actually pay. Unfortunately, like so many government institutions and ideas, once enacted the AMT was never updated to reflect inflation and tax cuts. Consequently the AMT no longer applies to the upper class but increasingly manages to snare folks in the middle class range as well. Basically the AMT says that if you make over X number of dollars and also have more than Y number of deductions (thus reducing the amount of federal income tax you owe), there is a chance that the government will say NO WAY to your tax rate and put you in a higher bracket, forcing you to pay more. The AMT dollar figure started high but isn't so high anymore. Needless to say I was a little peeved when I was schooled on this matter. But not to worry, I have sufficiently calmed myself after learning that Congress took another look at the cooky AMT and did some revising so as to leave us middle of the roaders out.

Acceptance Letters 101

Here it is...the first of my to-blog list!

Due to some recent decisions that will significantly change our family's lifestyle, Luke and I have been diligently searching for a pre-school for Jack for the 2008-2009 school year. Our first thoughts of course were the pre-school at our church. Being the good (read lazy) mom that I am, I polled members of our Adult Bible Fellowship in regards to the the CEC. After receiving mixed reviews on everything from the academic standards to the amount of chapel attended each week, I found myself in the pre-school trap. I was certain that if I didn't find the EXACT perfect pre-school certain doom would befall. After a week of researching and pulling my hair out in angst I came to the realization that it really doesn't matter. The pre-school I send Jack to has no bearing in any form on the university he will attend or the career he will have. It is just pre-school -- a chance for his three year old (when school starts that is) self to run around, make some friends, color some pictures and learn some songs.

But this recent search opened my eyes to an entire world I assumed I was miles away from...the crazy land of pre-school competition. I called one school to find that there was a waiting list several students long...already...and registration hadn't even been opened officially. Other moms I know were visiting pre-school after pre-school in hopes of finding the program that offered the most Bible exposure, the most creative yet rigorous academics, the nicest looking facility, the most options (ballet and tae-kwon-do to name a few). They were and are genuinely concerned that their children will somehow be behind in life if the perfect pre-school isn't found. The entire process is preposterous. And that is when I noticed the correlation -- between these parents and the students I teach now. My students are so concerned with each grade and every extra-curricular all in hopes of earning a spot in the most prestigious university; most of these students are so focused on prestige they haven't stopped to consider whether the university of choice is the best fit for them -- just like these other moms.

So here is the conclusion to which I have arrived. Jack will attend CEC -- we hope that he will learn a few things he didn't know before, he will gain a greater sense of the God to whom he belongs, he will make friends that may last a school year or a lifetime but most of all we hope that he will have fun. After all, isn't that what being three is all about?

Things to blog about...

The purpose of this blog was to de-clutter and organize my very cluttered brain. Well three months of maternity leave has left my brain uncluttered (sort of). I honestly think the reason for the lack of clutter is not so much that I have managed to organize my thoughts but rather that I am living on the brink of utter exhaustion and therefore have so few original thoughts that I couldn't possibly be cluttered. That being said there are a few things on which I would like to voice my opinion. Here is a list...I will leave you in anticipation as to my thoughts on each subject. Think of this as a blog to-do list.

1. Acceptance letters 101: from preschool through college
2. Playgroup and beyond - where the real crazies live
3. my recent tax experience
4. my new BFF: the new parent friend dilemma
5. Brain drain: the new study that proves pregnancy does cause the crazies (not that I didn't know that already) and what this means for moms everywhere

I think that's about it. I am going to try to get writing on some of these soon. Of course, since I return to work in a week, my likelihood of success is anyone's guess