Calling all VBS teachers...

Have you read Gary Pettus' column in today's Clarion-Ledger? I would recommend it, but since we are about to embark upon the VBS season, it may be best to clip it and put it aside until the end of June and your 'tour of duty.'

"Peace took a vacation in my Bible school," is the headline and that pretty much sums it up. Seems Gary and his brother attended VBS together. I don't know what it is about siblings, but as the mother of two boys close in age, I can assure you there is some biological trigger that forces their hands and feet to seek out the other when they are in the same room. I have often thought it would be a neat experiment to blindfold them, and tape their mouths closed, then seat them next to each other to see if, without being able to see or hear each other, they would still kick, hit and pinch one another. Haven't tried it, I think the 'taping their mouths closed' part would get me in trouble with the authorities. But I digress...

If you are a VBS teacher — thank you in advance. My boys love VBS. We hit at least two a summer, more if we can manage. I am sure, when you are not pulling apart two wayward siblings, you are also having a great time. And even in the moments that it is not so great, remember, you are racking up some serious brownie points redeemable when you reach heaven.

We're worth a small fortune!

Of course we always knew this, but now we have documented proof. A story that ran on CNN.com on May 2 said the job of motherhood is worth $138,000 a year! Are you due for a raise?? I sure am. According to the article, the job includes being a housekeeper, cook, janitor, CEO and van driver, among others. Sounds about right for my house, what about yours? Oh, and you will love this part, the "typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week." Bet that doesn't come as a shock to anyone.

Read the story at:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/02/news/economy/bc.life.work.mothers.reut/index.htm

Switching gears

On a mom note...I just ran by the grocery store (realized I had run out of everything before we began our three-day weekend) and Kroger has lots of kid-friendly stuff on sale. If your kids will eat Chef Boyardee they are 10 for $10, likewise with some canned fruit, and some cereal (though you can bet none of that is $1 a box but I did see some for $2 a box). Kroger brand bread was on sale too - I think it was $1.79. And when I got to the check-out, where there was only ONE person in front of me, one of the employees emptied my cart and they bagged my groceries and offered to take it to the car. I was in and out in 30 minutes and left not wanting to strangle anybody...I think I will have to go back to Kroger more often.

Three-day weekend

Nothing like a three-day weekend to wear you out! My co-workers and I just about decided this morning that one day of vacation may not be worth it. Okay, we don't really mean that, but it's amazing how that one little change to the schedule can throw off so much.

Add to that a road trip with three kids in the back seat and you know why I was excited to get to the office today. But we did have a great time. Went to Atlanta this weekend, where my husband grew up. His dad, a combat veteran from WW II and Korea, is buried there and his VFW group holds a ceremony each year on Memorial Day. So my boys got to do the regular vacation stuff, Georgia Aquarium, Braves game and swim in the hotel pool, but they also got a taste of what Memorial Day is really about.

As I was looking at these old guys from World War II, with their numbers dwindling everyday, I couldn't help but think about the 'new' reasons there is a Memorial Day. This most recent war has added about 3,000 men and women to the list (so far) of those who have died in battle. No matter your opinion of this war, that fact will never change though the number is going to keep rising. So while it is a day off for most of us, we all need to remember it is a day to honor those who have made that sacrifice, and a day to pray for those they left behind.

Welcome to MississippiMoms.com!

I am so glad you found us. We have been been having a great time with this site, and I know it is just the beginning. I have three boys, ranging in age from almost a year to 10 years. It is an amazing, and sometimes puzzling, thing to watch those little people grow up. You begin to understand so much more about your own parents, while at the same time questioning your every move on a variety of levels.

And that is what this site is all about. Sharing ideas, telling funny stories and finding a shoulder to cry on, when you need one. Add photos of your children, offer a favorite recipe, recommend a great kids' book — we want to hear from you. And it doesn't always have to always be 'kid' related. We can talk about the 'girl' stuff too. So check back often and be part of the discussion.

So let's get started. Have you seen the latest edition of Redbook? I got my copy and started looking through it. Debra Messing looks great on the cover, and there are the fun, tantalizing headlines — Amazing Makeovers, Organize the Garage (which is so much more fun to read about than actually do) but I missed the green bubble that says "Get upside down with Patrick Dempsey."

I realized this morning I should have started from the BACK of the magazine this month. I came in and saw the magazine lying face down on the desk of a co-worker. While Debra looks great on the front, holy cow, Patrick Dempsey is on the back. "The Hot Husbands Issue." Not to disrespect Debra, but really, surely they would have sold more magazines if they put Patrick on the front. He's a bit more dishevled in this photo than I like, but he is still Dr. McDreamy. And in the article he talks about how great his wife is. The man has to have a flaw somewhere, but darned if I see it.

Keep in mind - this is not your mother's Redbook. You can't leave this magazine laying around, like Better Homes and Gardens or Southern Living, cause it contains some pretty frank discussions about sex. Great magazine, but it's one I keep on the bedside table because I have a 10-year old who is an avid reader.