Thursday, July 05, 2007

The Fourth Continued

I have to brag on the Lord because we had surprisingly good weather yesterday. So good, in fact, that I made Curt give a clap offering with me at the end of the night. I'm going to try not to say the "r" word because I know y'all are sick of it. So am I.

We had invited a few friends over to cook out last night. We would have a baby pool for the toddlers and eat outside with the squirrels, birds, and mosquitoes. Homegirl started stressing out a bit when (A) I wasn't sure Curt would be able to mow the lawn-slash-marsh if it didn't dry up. AND (B) I wasn't sure how we would grill burgers and hot dogs if wet stuff was falling from the sky. It would kind of cramp our style. Not that we have a style or anything because the Jones home is rarely the site for social gatherings. I do not have the hospitality gene that so many minister's wives have. And our house is 1,100 square feet on a fat day.

We decided the backyard was too soggy for our purposes and turned the front yard into the gathering spot. The grill, the baby pool, and the chairs were all set out there. By the time things got going, I realized I had made a huge mistake assigning Curtis to the food and myself to taking care of everything else and Jackson. Trying to supervise a very active toddler swimming in the front yard (when he'd rather be running down the street) and hostessing a gathering simultaneously? Stoooopid. Call me idiot girl. I deserve it. All I'm saying is, next time I'm getting a nanny. And if I don't, someone better bring a tranquilizer gun and shoot me with it when my child chokes on some cheese and blows chunks...again...in a high traffic area. And after I finish hosing it down, please prepare a cool compress for my head before he blows chunks...AGAIN...in the baby pool after gulping too much water.

An hour later, when I saw that my child had something crusty going on around his mouth and chest, it occurred to me that I forgot to clean him off after vomiting episode two. I asked Janelle and Sunni what it was like to have recently witnessed me in my most humiliating parenting moments. At least they love me.

The girls settled inside with the little ones and performed our eat-and-feed-at-the-same-time-tricks. A little while later we looked outside and saw all our husbands lounging peacefully and having complete conversations, eating seconds and thirds. We agreed that it would not be long before we marched outside with our dessert and politely insisted they trade places with us. It was a beautiful thing. We had 20 minutes of peace and deep conversation before it was time to load everyone up and head to a fireworks display.

We positioned ourselves on the perfect hill in Las Colinas and waited about 40 minutes for the fireworks to start going off. It seemed like they were really taking their sweet time. Then we figured out we were positioned completely wrong and the fireworks were already going off in the middle of a bunch of office buildings. It was way too late to move. We could only see enough to tease us - we knew what the people gathered at Williams Square were seeing was amazing! Oh well, it probably would have scared the babies.

The night was crazy in every way, but so much fun. I have some great memories to laugh about every 4th of July until I'm wearing my red hat and can't remember anymore. And really, when things go perfectly there's just nothing to write home about...or blog about.

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, at least you came out of it all with your sense of humor! I love reading about your life! You seem so fun!

Anonymous said...

I love that you don't have it all together all the time! Makes me feel better about myself! :-)

Sounds like a happy 4th! Even though all the chunk-blowin' is really takin' me back to my college days!

boomama said...

Seriously? I think you totally got the hospitality gene. Because you had people over to your house. I, on the other hand, didn't take a shower AT ALL yesterday and stayed in my pajamas. All day.

You done good. :-)

Angie said...

What a hilarious post! I wish you had been my friend when my kids were little....I would definitely have laughed more. The image of Jackson blowing chunks is too funny. Not funny for you....I know. I hate cleaning up vomit. Anyway, thanks for making me laugh.

Angie

Profbaugh said...

Do I sense a "blowing chunks" theme here? Seriously, your blog always brings a smile to my face! Thanks, Amanda. And keep creating those wonderful 4th of July memories.

~Cheryl :-)

Anonymous said...

I am a minister's wife, too, and I do not have the hospitality gene either. I mean, once the guests arrive, I'm as sweet as all get out...it's the PREPARING THE HOME for the guests that stresses me out. I'd rather be a loner than have to CLEAN!

Shelly said...

lol! Glad you finally got some quality girl time over dessert (even if it was only 20 minutes).

And seeing as I didn't get the gift of hospitality either, it sounds like my pool party I decided to host on the 4th (what in the world was I thinking - clearly I must not have been walking in the spirit when I thought it would be fun to have all the girls over!) was a bit like your evening. Oh well....we still had lots of fun AND food :)

Sheila Lackey said...

Send some of the "r" word stuff to us in Alabama! This drought has gotten better, but we are still so dry! Thanks for sharing, and as Esther Burroughs would say, "splashing" some love our way.
I very much enjoy your blog.
Please keep it up!

Sheila

Charity said...

I am one of those random readers that just happened upon your blog by reading a blog, of a blog, of a blog of a friend. I am a stay-at-home mom to a 21-month old little man, Landon. I love reading your blog!! Jackson sounds just like my little guy. He would also rather be running down the street than to stay anywhere near me when we go anywhere!! It is nice to know I am not alone in my dramas of being a mom to a little wild man! I would not trade it for anything!!

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

I am just so glad to hear that you didn't blow chunks in front of your friends as well. That may not have gone over too well. People have a way of forgiving a child, but a chunk/blowing/adult is just too much!! ha ha

Have a wonderful day and enjoy the boy - what a sweetie!

leigh

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Hee-hee...one thing is definitely for sure, God is good to provide us Mommas with tons of great blogging material...;)

Anonymous said...

Hey Amanda, I live in Irving too! I am so with you on going back and forth about wanting to move out of the city. I was born and raised here, but I definitely have "the grass is greener" syndrome!

But I did here some interesting things about Irving, that is slowly changing my mind.
I was just at a meeting with the Chamber about all of the development happening in the city. Did you know that Las Colinas is going to be like the West Village? It is even going to have a Crate and Barrel! And they are brining in an upscale grocery store too - either a Whole Foods or, if we're lucky, a Central Market!

And they're working on a major redevelopment of South Irving, too! I really think that things are going to start turning around here!

Sorry for the long comment!

Jenina (a non-blogger who is reads everyone else's blogs religiously!)

Patty said...

I am glad you had your cookout poor little Jackson, and his mommy, I `don't miss the blowing chunks days with my two. I am totally with you on the no hospitality thing. It's not my gift. I did host a small party by my pool. I prayed for sunshine and God provided. Thank you, Jesus!! My problem is that I wear myself out cleaning the house before comapny comes and by the time they get here, I am ready for a nap.

It does sound like you had a great 4th I was laughing my head off at this post. You are so funny! Next time, I won't eat my breakfast while reading your blog. LOL!!

Janelle and Ella said...

It was one of the best nights! The food, the dessert, the time us girls got to have by ourselves, the teasing fireworks, I won't forget any of it. And you are definitely super mom for hosting all of us! It was great!!
I'm a litle relieved that not just crazy memories happen at my house. :-)

Nat Pat said...

we had some friends over friday night and i did the same juggling act. being mom and hostess is a challenge! sounds like you guys had fun.

a boy a girl and a pug said...

Sweet Jackson just loves drinking that pool water huh?

Amy T said...

Our cookout turned into a trip to Texas Roadhouse (who can complain?) and an afternoon/evening of the Next Food Network Star. Had never seen it and now we are hooked! Was bummed it didn't have the whole season finished yet, so now we have to wait on the new ones. My husband moaned "I'll never remember to watch the new ones!" It "r"'d off and on all day here, so glad y'all had some sun (or at least a break in the clouds) your way.

Anonymous said...

anonymous pastor's wife! - I'm a pastors wife too and I'm exactly the same - stress stress stress before they come - sweet as pie when they arrive lol

FitzandMolly said...

here's a tip: include on your guest list some people who love your baby, but do not have kids of their own with them. then run away when they pick up your child, and become quickly involved in deep conversation. works for me, every time!

Sarah said...

The ministry wife hospitality gene is overrated. And generally forced on the ministry wife. I think the "having friends over to eat and throw up with" gene is much more fun :) I remember when Caiden was 1 1/2 and threw up pepperoni pizza all over my then-childless best friend's WHITE carpet on New Year's Day. There's nothing like vomit to make a holiday memorable!!

Have a happy weekend!!

connorcolesmom said...

I love clap offerings!! I am prone to bust out in one at anytime - my boys crack up and join in!!
I am so glad you had no "r" and I hope you get many more days of beautiful blue skies and sun (so we can see more pictures of baby Jackson taking on the water park - so cute)!!
Oh and there is nothing like switching with the husbands so you and the girlfriends can talk - love it!!
God bless,
Kim

Danana Banana said...

You know that someone is your freind for life if they help you clean up your kid's barf!

PS - Can we start a club for pastor's wives who break out into a cold sweat at the thought of hosting anything? It's nice to know I'm not alone on that one!

Michelle said...

Um I chuckled out loud at the thought of you getting all set in a spot and realizing the fireworks were some where else... Miss you sister!

MamaCass said...

We missed those fireworks too. How dare they move them this year without letting us know. So disappointing. But like you said, very memorable 4th, in every way.