The First Month of Summer…

Posted on 2012-07-21 by Reema

It’s been almost a month since my last post!  Summer.  That about sums it up… these beautiful summer days that just beg us to just be!  And so, we have been relaxing, playing and hanging out with some of our favorite people.

There was the chat with a girlfriend that she was going camping… and her husband had got called into work and so we was going to be alone with her kiddies.  Hey… I thought, why don’t I join her?  I asked the boys if they wanted to invite a friend (the older 4) and got Sanj to drive up with me ( my first time maneuvering the trailer).  He helped set up the tent for the boys.  I set up house in the yurt, we unloaded the bikes, food and set up camp.  We had such a lovely time!

There was this island that the boys swam/canoed too and spent many hours fishing… trying to catch the creepy water snakes I saw slithering around… ewwww.  Give the boys some water… and life is good.

My younger ones loved the canoe and practicing and playing in it.

Victory!  Sanj stayed the day with us, after setting up camp and got in some fishing…

Smores!

Of course I could share picture after picture… but after a couple of days of camping, we packed it all up…

We went home… the older boys were packing and getting ready to head out to their SERVE destinations  (a mission trip of sorts).  The younger ones and I were heading off to Maryland/Washington DC to visit my brother and family and cousins.

We braved the 100 degree temperatures and played tourist in DC.  The boys had a chance to even do the news. 

Max being Max.  The Canadian Embassy on the left of him and the Capital building in the back, which he is trying to carry.

Cousins trying to understand the craziness of 911.

We had such a great time with cousins and aunties and uncles and of course there was a whole slew of family we didn’t even get to see with the shortness of this trip.  Yet there is something about family that just warms the soul.  I love that feeling of comfort that fills me when I am with the people that I love and I know love me.

I got to even fit in a girls night with my dear SIL and cousins  (well, techically they are Sanj’s cousins, but I claim them too).  We saw a crazy movie called… Beasts of the Southern Wild … definitely a great movie… but not what I was expecting.   I loved hanging with these sisters of mine, chatting, eating, laughing… I miss them.  🙁

I explored the world that so intrigue’s me, the mind of an introvert… as I questioned and invaded my SIL’s space… and she so willingly indulged me. lol

There was water park day, a day with my friend from high school… who graciously had us to her house and pool and we played and played.  There was hanging out with family and eating Popeye’s chicken… (we don’t have that in Peterborough… and a little spike in cholesterol is ok now and then, right?)

The boys and I had a day home before the older boys returned home.  It was a quiet day.  I realized that the raised decibels usually occur when the older ones were home… especially Sammy.   Soon we were all home, sharing our adventures of the week with each other.

This past week bought one of my closest friends here for a week with her family.  We have never had the opportunity to be together with our families.  Usually we seek out our girls weekend away from the men in our lives.  What a treat!  We spent time getting to know each others boys (yes, more boys were added to the fort… she has two of her own).  The boys asked, “What do we call them?”  I said, “Auntie and Uncle… as they are as close if not close then some family.”  In the most important ways that matter, they are family.

The week was full.  Crayfishing with the boys, a day at Silent Lake (where I camped with the boys), where we fished, canoed and hung out.  We eat and eat and eat.  We ended one night with a campfire in our yard.

I think this was my favorite night.  Sanj and Linda (my girlfriend) knew each other from days long ago too… and soon they, including Linda’s hubby, Ron, were singing songs from our youth.  The songs we sung were church ones, ones that just filled my soul with comfort.  It made me yearn for heaven.  You know, where will will never say goodbye again… where we will be reunited with family and friends and live forever.

Wow… it made me miss all those that I love that we are separated from due to the miles.  It made me sad, knowing that in days I’d be saying goodbye again, to my bestie and family.

It was a good week.  It will have to keep me filled up till we hook up again.  🙁

That’s summer this far…. it’s been busy… full of fun day, hot days and making memories.  I hope that someday, when my boys are grown, they will look back and remember all the times that we shared…

And will share, as their is still one more month left of summer…

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Summer Days Are Here…

Posted on 2012-06-23 by Reema

There’s something so special about the last day of school… isn’t there?  Maybe it’s just me but I love the end of a school year, of all the demands, structure, spelling words, homework, lunches and the dreaded early morning wake ups.  There is something so exciting about endless summer days, playing, bare feet, water and the leisurely meals… oh yeah!!!

I am not going to lie, my boys will no doubt drive me crazy at times, fighting with each other, the constant “Mommy…”  and yet in spite of that … I love our time together.  I love being with them.  I love making memories with them.

It started last night.  Somehow a BBQ  on the last day of school has become a tradition.  It is usually accompanied with the annual burning of unwanted school work in the campfire along with roasting of marshmallows.

I absolutely love how most of my boys 5/6 are social creatures.  They can get so carried away with “can we invite so and so?”  The weather was perfect!  The burgers were yummy.  Everyone bought salads of sorts and it was a feast.

I love people.  I am an extreme extrovert.  Of course if anyone from my high school days were to read this they would find this odd.  I was SO quiet.  My people from my life today have no clue of that person.  It’s almost impossible to comprehend. lol  I need people.  I love being with my friends.  I love feeding people.  I love bring people together for a party… no occasion needed and hanging out.  I hate when that first person stands up because then soon another one will follow and say it’s time to go. 🙁

Last night … it was perfect.  The laughing, the teasing, the planning… oh… this summer is going to be spectacular!  No, we don’t have big plans… but every week brings on a new adventure.  Going to the beach with friends… this is Monday.  Can’t wait.  My two oldest aren’t done till this week coming so that ties us down a bit.

So grateful for the break that summer brings…

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Goodbye to JK Tears and All That Jazz

Posted on 2012-06-19 by Reema

Last  night my third child left behind his junior high days.  In three months he will begin his high school career.  Jordan is off on his class trip to Montreal… good times, I’m sure!  Last night’s graduation marked 3 of our boys that graduated.  3 more to go from elementary school!  7 more years!  As I pondered that thought, I couldn’t help but think of all that would happen in that 7 years… 4 boys will have graduated from high school, maybe even university… by the time Josh marches down the isle and says good bye to Rhema!  Wow!

As Jordan leaves his Rhema years behind, I can’t help think of his first day at the school.  Sammy and Tyler had already finished JK and SK… and were in Grade One and Two.  Sammy only cried the second day of Kindergarten and then it was smooth sailing.  Tyler cried the first six weeks (I would so do things different now…) until one day he grabbed his teacher, Mrs. Herder’s hand… and the rest was history.  So, as Jordan headed into JK… he was excited!  I didn’t think there would any issues because this was his brothers school and he was so thrilled to be part of all the action.

At the end of the day, a group of moms and dads gathered outside the door of the JK room ready to grab their little person and hear all about the first day of school.  Then the quietness was slashed with a very upset little person, crying a cry of displeasure.  I can remember laughing and saying to someone, “Oh dear, someone’s not happy.”  After a few minutes the door opened and the kids started to come out.  Soon Mrs. Smale, the JK teacher came out.  I looked at her expectantly… wondering where Jordan was.  She came to me and said, “Jordan’s upset…”  First I was shocked that the wailing was from my child!  It didn’t sound like him!  I was almost a gasped that here I was laughing at someone else’s misfortune and it ended up being mine!

I walked into the classroom and almost tumbled over my little Jordan, there, sitting on the mat in front of the door… bent over, huddled over his beloved indoor shoes!  We had gone shopping, hyped up the fact that we were getting indoor shoes as big boys do when they go to school… and I never warned him that indoor shoes were to be left behind!  Now… I think that this was just a “excuse” to actually relieve the tension that had been accumulating from the stress of being in school and away from home.  Ah… my dear boy!  We ended up taking the indoor shoes home, prepping him that the next day they would remain at school and this ended the first day of JK.

So funny how this memory is one that has stayed with me.  Now this little boy of mine has grown into a big boy… and is off to the big school with big kids!  Wonder what his first day of high school will be like?  I’m pretty sure I will not be allowed to walk him to his class! lol

Congratulations Jordan!  I love you!

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Happy Fathers Day

Posted on 2012-06-17 by Reema

It’s been a glorious weekend, weather wise!  Hot, sunny days!  I am so glad that there are only 5 more sleeps till school is done for the 2011-2012 school year!!! I am ready as are my boys to welcome a summer of relaxing and making memories!  It sounds as if we have big plans, doesn’t it… but no, we do not.  Yet just hanging out, going to the beach or creek sounds heavenly.  No lunches and no homework sounds even better!!!

I got sidetracked by the weather… It’s Father’s Day!  My boys are blessed with a wonderful Dad.  I was thinking of all the traits that Sanj has passed on…

To Sammy:

Well… where do I begin?  I think Sammy looks like me but as he continues to grow I often hear people say that Sammy looks like Sanj.  His athleticism is so not from me.  lol  He can thank Jesus for that.   He is a natural on the rink and golf course.  His love for sports is something that he definitely was gifted from his dad.  (I see no point in chasing a little white ball  over many acres in ridiculous heat!!!)  He is a charmer.  Girls love him!  He always has a plan or party to get to.  ( Oh wait, that’s me… well, Sammy is more like me then I care to admit!!! lol)

To Tyler:

This son of mine has always been know as our gentle giant! He has a very sensitive spirit and feels the pains of others easily.  He is very much a introvert.  He is the one that will have  a small selective few of  close friends and be very loyal to them. He is a planner.  He needs a goal and then sets his mind to accomplish it… no matter what.  He is a protector.  Don’t mess with his people!  Tyler is lover definitely not a fighter.  Unless defending his own.  This child of mine definitely gets his musically gifts from his daddy.  He joins Sanj on the praise team at church and it is always a beautiful thing to watch them strumming to their own beat!

To Jordan:

These two are the most alike.  Jordan is a mini me of Sanj.    Their pensiveness, their smarts, their musicality, their artistic abilities,  yes, I could go on.  Jordan was gifted with Sanj’s personality of being a gregarious extrovert and then the contradiction of being  introvert.  I see him laughing out loud with friends and yet this same child can spend hours in his room on his guitar… just as his father can get lost in his world of music that no one else is allowed.

To Max: 

First and foremost, Max gets his crazy locks from Sanj.  Yes, my dear hubby had a full head of crazy locks… and now Max shares that trait.  Max has a very corky sense of humor.  So does Sanj.  I mean it is almost scary the similarity there is in their corkiness!!!  Max, too, appreciates his solitude.  He gets his love for fishing from his daddy as well as his smarts.  Max also inherited Sanj’s diligence in school work.  If he is told to do it, he will.  Max is a ladies man. (Lord Jesus, help me.)  Sanj still has the ladies swooning as the leave his office.  Hairiness.  Yup.

To Zachary:

My heart hurts when I think of Zachary’s love for his family.  He loves us.  He adores his brothers (even though they find him irritating sometimes).  He loves his dad and mom and looks to please us in any way possible.  This loyalty, this immense love for his family is something that his dad has.  He is such a hard worker.  He plays hard too.  He loves nature and being outside.  He is a gift giver.  He is a lover not a fighter.  He is a very adventurous eater.  He is a being with a huge heart that often overflows from his being.

To Joshua:

Oh my goodness… this child is a lover of nature just like his father!  He loves to hear stories of his daddy catching crazy kinds of animals in his younger days.  He loves to be outside and play with worms, frogs, and all sorts of icky things.  He is a lover and a fighter.  He loves his food… adventurous eater too.  He loves his momma.  He loves his family.  And yet he knows how to make that love work to his advantage.  He loves to read with his daddy.  He loves to surprise his daddy with pranks like scalding hot water to drink instead of a cold glass of water.  He loves to help cook and make concoctions.  He and his daddy love their stylish clothes!   They love life.

Ah… my sweet boys are so blessed.  There is so much more to their dad that would take me forever to write about but when God made Sanj a father x6… He knew “And it was GOOD.”

Happy Father’s Day dear Sanj.  I am so blessed to have made babies with you!

xoxo

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Last Night…

Posted on 2012-06-16 by Reema

Last night was one of those nights that left me exhausted and yet at the same time, it was one of those nights I didn’t want to end.

At the boys school, Rhema, there is the tradition that the Friday night before 8th grade graduation, there is the grad dinner.    This means that the kids leave at noon to get ready, if you are a girl and if you are a boy, grateful for the time to relax.  The grade 7 class spends the day(s) turning the gym into something very special… the world we entered last night was Paris, France, complete with the Eiffel Tower and lovely bistros.  The teachers chose a child and write a beautiful note and read it to the chosen child… it is filled with reminiscing of this child, their character, encouragement for the future and a special Bible text.  At 5:15 pm, the class congregates on the front lawn of the school for pictures dressed in their finest.  They are transformed from 8th graders into young people, ready to enter the challenges and adventures that high school brings.

Jordan is son #3 that has graduated from Rhema.  I still have 3 more to go.  Yet as with every graduating class, there are they families that are done and leaving and as my son says bye to some of his friends, I feel the ache of saying bye to many of my friends.

As we heard teachers speak of child after child (they are a large class), as we watched this incredible video called the Alter… Sanj leaned over to me and said, “This is why we send our children here.” (This week I was feel the stress of the enormous cost of tuition and beginning to question being at this place).  The Alter was  a piece videoed of each child of a special place on the school grounds where it was special to them… where they felt God or met God or came to a realization of God’s love.  Let me tell you, I was pretty dry eyed for most of the night… but this Alter… wow.  Incredible.  We have pretty amazing students leaving this school.  My son, Jordan, being one of them.

How proud I am of the man that he is growing up to be.  Handsome (yes, looks do count, right?), funny, smart (when he chooses to use that card), a leader in so many ways…  ok, I’ll stop.  I don’t want to embarrass him too much.

Speaking of embarrassing … after dinner, the grads are to go and serve their parents and teachers desserts.  Jokingly Sanj warned me that we never know with Jordan, we may end up wearing it.   We laughed.  Then came my son, with my cupcake, with the intent to pretend to tip it over on me, except the cupcake was not that stable and so what happened… yup… right on my bosom.  I’m not sure who was more appalled, Jordan or myself.  lol  Lucky for me and him, I was able to catch it before it made a big mess and all was well.  Funny man, though!

As I watched the videos of the class journey from Junior Kindergarten to now, I was struck by the many families that we’ve said bye to over the years for various reasons and couldn’t help think of what an amazing reunion heaven is going to be.

I was impressed with the gift that so many teachers are to those impressionable young beings.  Sure Sanj and I have a big hand in who Jordan is today… and yet there are so many teachers, who spend so many more hours in a day with them, that have impressed with with so much.  For this, I am so grateful.

I left feeling drained, emotionally.

Overwhelmed.

Blessed.

Hopeful.

Yearning.

Grateful.

And.  Thankful. For.  Great.  Shoes.

Continue reading →

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Battle of the Weed…

Posted on 2012-06-12 by Reema

It’s midweek… actually mid week will be tomorrow but it feels like it already.  So much happening! Last week, I hired someone to come weed the gardens.  I hate gardening.  I know, so many of you find it calming etc, yet I have not found that feeling, yet.  From a young age, my dad woke us up in the summers, to weed the huge garden he had so much pleasure nurturing.  I hated doing this.

If I had nothing to do, no laundry, no groceries to shop for, no meals to make, no errands to run… you know, if I didn’t really have a life, I think I would find gardening somewhat ok.  Sanj is usually the one that will eventually get to weeding the gardens.  So, last week, when I had someone here weeding, I went out.  I love being with people.  So, I squatted down and begin pulling a few weeds while chatting with them.  The thought crossed my mind, “This is kind of therapeutic…”  Soon I came to a weed that was very stubborn.  I think this weed felt as if it had been there forever, its roots grabbing on to the deeps of the earth, protesting, as I tried to pull it out.  I heard a voice saying “be careful…” and I thought I was being carefully, I mean it’s only weeding.  I kept yanking.  Then all of a sudden I found like in a game of tug of war, the weed gave suddenly… and I went falling back.  As the weed gave, I felt something deep inside me give too, as I felt myself fall back.  The inside of my tummy felt bad.  It actually hurt a lot.  More than the hemorrhoid (well, maybe not) but definitely more than the healing of my wounds.  I think that the insides where the doctor cut, had been healing fine, until I decided to something so stupid— weeding.  I’m pretty sure that I tore whatever was trying to heal.  And it hurt.

What hurt more was my pride as I called to tell Sanj that I was wounded.  He was silent for a minute… and then with puzzlement said, “You never weed.  Ever.  Why would you weed now?”  Sigh.  I know.  I know.  And I really don’t know why I did that.  I guess it seemed harmless.   I guess I was thinking how pleased Sanj would be to see my efforts (the part of someone else helping could have been my little secret, if he was impressed).

It’s been almost a week since my weeding injury.  As long as I really do take it easy… listen to my body’s chatter, I’m doing good.

Weeding and I  have broken up.  At least for now.  Sigh.

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Pain in the butt…

Posted on 2012-06-05 by Reema

I  had a horrible morning.  How is that possible when it is only 9:29 am?  Well, it is!  First of all, I have the most terrible pain in my butt.  No, I am not talking about one of my children but rather a hemorrhoid (which shows up spelt a 100 different ways).  Yes, I am talking about this… it hurts.  ALOT!  The pains of the hysterectomy were bearable in fact not bad compared to this!!!  🙁  Needless to say, if you have a very sore bum, there are not a lot of comfortable options… as you use your backside to sit, walk and even lay down, since I can’t lie on my tummy totally yet.  A sore bum makes for a very grumpy me.  There are some things that such have an instant remedy for a fix.  (FYI- don’t google images of hemorrhoids! Nasty!!!)

I usually will just let things such as the wet towels the boys never hang up but rather love to drop on the floor, pass.  Or let it go that there’s been a bunch of clothes of the bench on the porch that no one can bring in.  Or that there was a pair of pants, by the piano, that people had to walk over to play the piano… yup, I live with pigs.  But usually, I let this go.

Then a child of mine gives me attitude.  Over something stupid…  like I am not willing to pay for a pair of water shoes or boots for one day’s activity.  Attitude.  Then he flings a shoe and it accidentally hit his brother’s nose and ….  then I lose it.

I’m sure my kids think I am crazy.  I am sure they wish they were born into another family.  I am crazy.  Most of the time I can hide it well.  Not today.

I mean, really, what do they do that is oh so helpful?  Yes, they have chores.  Yet, does it get done everyday without nagging.  Um… no.  (Of course there are times they do things wonderfully, but I’m grumpy today so I’m not focusing on that).

I left the boys at school.  My bum hurts.  Alot.  I am grumpy.  I feel like carrot cake. Oh and there is no hot water when I went into the shower.

It’s not yet 10 am.  I hope my day turns around real soon.  And my bum stops hurting.

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel… Run, Now…

Posted on 2012-06-03 by Reema

Go see this movie.  You will love it.  Last night was such a crazy busy night of getting and picking up the boys … and yet I still made Sanj take me to make the 6:45 pm show time.  It was packed.  I was  a little stunned especially for Peterborough.  We had to sit in the second row, with our necks craned up at an uncomfortable angle and yet I was so glad we went.

I loved how it showed true India.  I loved the colors of this glorious country.  I loved the children and families depicted.  I found myself laughing out loud at the scene of the folks riding on the bus, scared for their life!

I found myself holding back tears of yearning… missing being there.  I had a rush of emotions, most of them I don’t even understand.  For much of my life, I wished I was American, with the white skin and blond hair.  I hated being different than others, especially when we lived in Ohio.  I wish I had a true appreciation for my culture and country growing up.  I guess if we grew up in Maryland with it’s own Indian community, where there were others just like me, it would have been different.

Going back to India was such a incredible journey.  I never felt bored.  I found myself wide eyed and amazed most of that trip.  Sanj asked if I wanted to retire in India… being funny… and I thought that what I want to do is travel India.  Experience all the ins and outs… all the vast cultures in this country.  I want to click my camera and capture all that leaves me breathless.

I need to go back.  This movie took me back for a couple of hours.  Great story too.
Go see it!  Now! Hurry…

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In My Life Time… Please

Posted on 2012-05-31 by Reema

My girlfriend and I have this pact since forever about our “rocking chair days”… the time in life where we think we will once again be roommates.  Where are husbands are, I am not sure.  Passed on, I’m assuming. (Poor Sanj).  Anyways, it is quite common for us to say, “in our rocking chair days, we will…”  The other day I texted her saying I missed her.  She (who lives in Florida) said that she wished we were neighbours.  I replied that I have dibs being her neighbour in heaven.  To this she replied something about Jesus not coming in our life time so we’ll likely be rocking chair buddies first.

I found this comment disturbing… that Jesus wouldn’t return in our life time.  Do you think that He will?  I am 43 years of age so I would hope that in the next 40 years Jesus will come.  Yet then again, growing up, my dad firmly believed that Jesus would come in his life time.   My dad lived and breathe that belief.  We heard stories of the time of trouble and how we would live and survive.

Today, my dad is the hospital, his oxygen is down and they are keeping him there to monitor him.  After chatting with him a few minutes, as I was ready to hang up, he said, “Remember me in your prayers.”  🙁   As usual, my heart hurt and bled a bit.  So sad.  And yet I wonder if my dad still thinks that Jesus will come in his life time?

It’s been a cooler day today and this evening the boys and I went to the Dragon Boat practice to cheer our team in … cancer… that’s what this whole event is about.   I couldn’t help but notice a lady that was there last year, missing this year.  She is back to battling against this horrid disease.   I made me so sad and tired and weary of all the heart ache.

I feel a bit beaten today…  maybe it’s my hormones or the lack of my estrogen … but I feel tired and weary.

I really need to You to come, Lord Jesus, please.  Soon.  Now.  In my life time.  Or my dad’s.  Please.  Please.  Please.  Amen.

Is it ridiculous how much I miss India and think of my family there?

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MILs and DILs

Posted on 2012-05-30 by Reema

This weekend, while at friends, we were chatting about mother-in-laws.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  I have always said that when it comes to a mama and her son, there is nothing like it.  Even the nicest of ladies becomes a little different when her son is involved.  Of course, I know there are exceptions.

I have already begun to pray that where my future daughter in laws are concerned, I’ll love them, butt out and mind my own business. (Please God…)  I think that having a life of your own, one that you love, is a big part of not being a busy body MIL.

So, about six months before the prom, one of my babes got asked by a girl, who was a senior.  They are/were always great friends.  I was surprised when she asked my son so ahead of time and even mentioned to my son that if something happens and she got asked by someone else, be prepared to be gracious.  My babe replied that it was no big deal.

The week of the prom, I asked my son if he shouldn’t be making some plans.  He said she had not mentioned it at all.  Sanj felt that he was in the right… that since it was her prom and she asked so should have taken the lead on having a  conversation with our son.

The prom goes by.  Soon on Facebook there are pictures of this girl with her group of girlfriends and their dates.  There are pictures of this girl with a boy.  I can’t lie.  I was livid.  I stalked her Facebook page whenever one of the boys would forget to sign out.  I even wrote (as one of the boys) on the picture with her and her boy, “Hey, that doesn’t look like (insert Son’s name).”

She never contacted him.  Never apologized.  Well… I can’t lie… I have many thoughts.  I mean, seriously, Chickie… How dare you mess with my boy?  He is way to good for your beep beep beep…

Sigh.  Sanj laughs every time he hears me determined not to be a meddling MIL.  I’m not meddling.  I’m just protecting my babes.  When they are married or even dating… I know I have no other choice but to mind my own business.  I’m sure by then my boys becoming men will have no qualms telling me to buzz off if I am crossing the line.  I am sure they will be strong men.  I mean I hope they are.  I hope that if I ever stepped out of line… they’d let me know.

Oh Lord Jesus… please help me to be a great MIL that loves my DILS.  Help me to be kind and loving and mind my own business.  Please help my boys to find and fall for nice, kind women.  PLEASE!!!

Sigh.

Amen.

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Max

Posted on 2012-05-29 by Reema

I have survived. 🙂 Today marks  three weeks of my hysterectomy.  Each day that goes by gets better and better, unless I over do it and then I feel the consequences of those actions.  Apparently I was quite a mess inside and so the took out the mess and 12 staples later… I was closed up.  Something about staples and humans that don’t seem right!  Josh’s face was priceless when he saw my owwie… simply because he has been told not to play with the stapler because it can hurt. lol

Sanj’s cousin, Dipal, is here helping me/us out.  She is here from India.  Last year she came and has been studying to pass her nursing boards.  It’s been nice to have the company during the day, as I would likely have been stir crazy by now.

It is so hot!  Our a/c remains broken… likely need to to replaced.   I think it will be out for supper tonight… to enjoy some nice cool a/c.  I feel like I was given writers block after my surgery.  Nothing is coming out. 🙁

I still know I need to write…  rather than babble away I’m sharing a poem that Max wrote for school.  I was surprised by it… it showed a Max that I don’t see  too often.  Enjoy.

I Am Max

I am a curious boy and I like to do my best

I wonder about how life was before Jesus came to earth

I hear things and want to learn about them

I see God guiding 

I want to learn more about life

I am a curious boy and I like to do my best

I pretend that I will always be a kid

I feel the need to know more

I fouch soft things and feel comfort

I worry about not doing good enough

I cry when I’m scared 

I am a curious boy and I understand Christianity

I say God’s the way!

I dream of succeeding

 I try to do my best at everything if possible

I hope to do good in life

I am a curious boy and I like to do my best. 

By Max Sukumaran

Age 12

Below is a little clip of my Max… being Max

Movie on 2011-06-12 at 09.59

Posted in Boys, choices, faith, Family, General, God and I, moments, motherhood, Parenting, Reema Sukumaran, relationships | 1 Comment

Thanks Eve!

Posted on 2012-05-04 by Reema

What a crazy storm we had last night!  The younger boys and I were in bed, snuggling, when Zach pointed out the darkness that took over the sky.  It was scary, the wind howled, the rain was beating down and there was just an over all eeriness.  Sanj and older two boys were in town.  I was wondering if I should head to the basement with the boys.  It ended up being just a crazy storm.  One of my favorite lullabies is the beating rain on our steel roof… I absolutely love it.

After we came home from school yesterday, Josh walked in and was beaming as he gave me a tulip.  It was the only tulip in the garden. (Sad, I know).  This boy is so in love with me.I can’t imagine my life without this special boy of mine.  He is such a blessing.  This fall I really should plant a bunch more bulbs so that he will have more choices (he only has dandelions  now to pick).

I really wish I could get into gardening.  It is so not my thing. 🙁

Yesterday I was chatting with one of my friends about life, marriage and being a woman.  Being a woman is hard work.  We have so many expectations.  Don’t you think?  It can’t be helped.  It is who we are.  And when those expectations aren’t met… what happens?  There is such a hurt.   Disappointment.  There lays a hole in your being.  Is this true?

Sigh.  I am glad I have boys.  They live life so differently.  They are so oblivious.  They just don’t care.  They… men in general… are such simple creatures.  Simple.

Maybe we have too high expectations.  Maybe our definitions are different.  I was reading a beach read and had an epiphany.  Part of the story was this wife totally frustrated with her husband for not helping out in the house more.  He would eat and leave his dishes in the sink… even if the sink was cleaned.  He would leave his clothes everywhere and then expect them to be miraculously cleaned and hung up.  He wouldn’t care about his hygiene. Even after his wife ragged on him… never brush his teeth before bed or shower after working with the mulch and manure.  Etc.  She, the wife was fed up.

Eventually, in the climax, when the husband finally realized (through a series of events) that he is losing his wife, they have that talk.  He told her that he was trying.  He would mow the lawn, clean the garage out etc.  He was doing his best.  It was a shock for him to realize that his wife wanted help INSIDE the house.

Now I realize there are many men that get this.  Yet there are those that don’t.  Such a funny thing because last weekend we had company coming over.  I was bustling around, cleaning, cooking and getting irritated at doing it all.  Then Sanj came home.  And then he went out again.  To mow the lawn.

I found myself laughing as I read this part in the book as the man said, “You want me to help INSIDE the house?” Such a funny world.  I wonder if Eve had not sinned if we, as women, would have had things so much easier, in general?

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Ignorance…

Posted on 2012-05-03 by Reema

Last week my mom who is visiting and I were at the Mall and it happened to be around lunch time.  My mom went to Subway to get a sub.  She ordered a veggie sub.  The lady serving her had been handling meat before my mom’s order.  My mom told her she didn’t want her to handle her veggie sub with her meaty gloves.  The lady was rude.  She took the tub that holds the lettuce and dumped it on my mom’s sub, despite the fact that the container held water.  My mom asked her to please make her another sub.  The lady said there was nothing wrong with her sub.   My mom asked how much her sub was, handed the lady the four dollars and told her she didn’t want it.  Now, the other worker told the lady helping my mom, “I told you that you shouldn’t be handling a veggie sub after the meat.”

My mom walked away. Now, of course, this riled me up.  Rudeness and unacceptable behavior.  Later when I went to the mall for hair cuts for the boys, I stopped by the Subway and asked for the manager.  As I begin to retell my story, she told me she had already heard what happened.  She leaned over, slowed her speech as one might for a young child and said, “Language Barrier was the issue.”  This manager is ignorant and for lack of a better word just plain dumb.  She obviously didn’t hear the philosophy that the customer is always right.  She had a hearing problem, that was obvious.  And if she had any skills at all.. I should have left there with an apology to my mom and a free sub… or something to make me feel better.  Instead I left there absolutely offended.

My mom has been in this country over 40 years.  Seriously Lady… language barrier?  Ignorance is a barrier too.  I called the Subway phone number and was told that I’d have a call back within 72 hours.  Sure enough, yesterday the owner called me.  Funny enough, her husband is Pakistani.  I told her that the manager is not someone I’d want representing my store.  I am not sure what will happen.  And yet I have done what I can.  I  will never return to that Subway nor will my family.  I still feel like it wasn’t resolved.   The owner should have done more than say that she’s speak to them.  I suppose I want to hear back… or something.  Shouldn’t we have at least received a free sub?  lol

“There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


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Missing Razors…

Posted on 2012-04-25 by Reema

Yes, I am playing catch up on blogging.  I have been busy with a few projects and having found the time to write.  Yesterday one of the boys asked me if I still blog? lol  Well, I have to admit that I stopped a moment and wondered if it was time to quit.  Yet that made me reflect on why do I blog?  Do others really bother to read my stuff?  And does it matter?  I hear so often, “I read  your blog.  I am a secret reader.” I guess I do wish for comments or conversation but the bottom line is I really still do write for myself.  I hope that someday my boys will be pleased to have this “souvenir” of my thoughts.

Oh well, regardless, here I am again.  We awoke to our lawn having a white dusting of snow.  Not impressed.  It’s the end of April!!! Sigh.  I went to Toronto with my mom  (who is visiting) and my mother-in-law to grab some Indian groceries.  Things are so much cheaper there.

Have I said that I am missing India?  Is that strange?  I feel like I left a part of me there.  I miss our family there, even though I didn’t get to spend but a short time with them.  I think of them often.  I feel a bit of my spirit is restless.  I had such a wonderful time there.  Maybe there was always a part of me that was missing and I didn’t realize it till I felt it while there.

I can’t believe Jordan is taller than me… He really doesn’t like taking his picture with me anymore.  🙁

I realize I am rambling… Lately I am often taken back as I look at my older boys.  They are so big.  Not babies anymore.  I find it always a bit of a shock as I see their long legs, wearing mens size clothing.  Or I see evidence of shaving occasionally… too funny!  In fact… the other day, I noticed my PINK razor missing from the shower.  I also noticed my deodorant missing.  I have not one daughter!  I am the only female in the house.  When Sanj is annoyed by his missing wardrobe… that is to be expected.  But my stuff???  So I came out of my bathroom ranting!  WHO IS USING MY STUFF???  AND WHY?  Well, a child of mine (I will not use names to keep from embarrassing anyone… see I can do that!)… child of mine looked at me sheepishly and said, “But your razor is a nicer shave…”  Me… not happy!!!  So I looked at him and said, “Leave my things ALONE, please… and remember I don’t shave in the same places you do!!!” lol  Insert my child with an appalled look and his brothers rolling!

When questioning my husband about the usage of my deodorant, knowing he had just run out, he replied, “But it is strong enough for a man!”   Yes, I use Secret!

Aw… that made me laugh!  I admit I love embarrassing them!  So much fun!!!

Happy Wednesday!!! It’s mid week!!!

Posted in Boys, choices, Family, General, God and I, love, moments, motherhood, Reema Sukumaran, relationships | 2 Comments

The Best Day EVER!

Posted on 2012-04-25 by Reema

A couple of weekends ago, when the weather was Gorgeous, while we were down to just three kiddies, Sanj and I took our half-sized family to the Warsaw Caves.  With us, Jordan, Zachary and Joshua… we made our way to the various caves…

This is a picture of Josh entering the first cave.  As you can see, he is very tentative and really wanting to be brave (as Indiana Jones would have been) and yet there was fear threatening to take over… and yet he did it!  It was so dark!!!

As we continued exploring, we heard a loud rustling and there in front of us was a HUGE porcupine racing up the tree!

There is something about being in nature… of exploring and learning that just seems to calm the rowdiest of boys!

I braved a few of the caves, freezing because I didn’t really dress appropriately for the cold caves that still had snow and ice in some of them.  It was SO DARK in there and narrow.  Being a fearful creature naturally, I was constantly thinking of cave ins and bears. Were the bears all awake from hibernating?  Lots of prayers were flowing through me as we wandered through the dark spaces.  I was also so grateful to not come into contact with the dreaded bats either!

Thankful for the flash on my camera… kind of a cool picture.

As we ventured further into the park, we came upon my boys heaven… an area with rocks to climb and a creek of sorts with all kinds of fun things to catch.

After we walked by the lake, skipped rocks, identified some tracks in the mud, we made our way back to the truck.

On our way home, Josh declared, “This was the best day ever!”

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Spoiled…

Posted on 2012-04-25 by Reema

Our family was invited to brunch at the Chandras.  All I can say is that we were spoiled.  The best restaurants had nothing on the fare we were blessed with!

The pictures tell the story:

I’m getting hungry all over again!  Best of all, over the delicious food was the company!

Mark and my dear Jyoti – picture from the Taste of India.

xoxo

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Surprise!

Posted on 2012-04-16 by Reema

Weekend Surprise…

Yesterday, we went to church, Sanj took Zach to his hockey game, I brought the rest of the boys home for lunch and then it was that kind of day that everyone was vegging out.  The phone rang and David, my adopted dad from my university days, called.  First he called to say hey and ask when all the boys would be home so he could call to say hi to them.  I said 5 pm.  At 5 pm he was distracted when he called.  I said so and said that I’d chat with him later.  Maybe 2 minutes later, Josh came up the stairs to our room,   “Uncle David just drove into our backyard!”  What!!!  There behind Josh is my crazy adopted dad, all the way from Alabama!

Crazy!  I love his crazy, unannounced visits!  Of course my house was kinda messy, piles of laundry awaiting me to sort and fold, dishes from lunch sitting in the sink… you know, the house in a lived in state when company wasn’t expected…  Of course that was all forgotten and soon we were at the table laughing hard at the silly stories that bind us.  History.  I absolutely love the relationship that has been passed on to the boys with this family I absolutely adore.

“Family isn’t always blood.  It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs;  the ones who accept you for who you are.  The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” 

-Unknown

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Joshua Daniel Sukumaran

Posted on 2012-03-31 by Reema

 This week my baby turned seven years old!

Of course, this child of mine looks nothing like a seven year old.  He is a big boy!    He took FOREVER to come out!  Sammy was a 12 hour labour, pretty normal for a first child.  Zach, my number five son, came out like the speed of light.  It was actually scary.  So, when we were preparing for Josh’s arrival, everyone was sure he would be quick.  So… everything was in place… so that I could have a safe delievry.    Josh had other plans.  First, he decided to come three weeks early (this part I was thrilled with).  He came Easter weekend that year.  I remember being in the bed, totally thrilled that I was having this baby and ready!  Since Zach was 2 hours, I was counting down.  Nothing.  I remember contracting every 5 minutes all night long!!!  Sanj was asleep, snoring on the rocking chair.  Every little bit he’d wake up and ask if I was ok.  Dumb question.  NO!!!

Sigh.  At 8:30 am doctor on call finally came in and said, “I heard about you.  If we give this babe a sniff of pitocin, he’ll shoot out of there.” Sigh.  Sure enough, Josh shot out within a half an hour.  There he lay…screaming.  I remember being so annoyed with him. Why did he have to take so long coming out!!!

Since then, he has become my side kick.  I mean, where do I begin when I speak of this child?  He is such a contradiction in every way possible.  He is a big boys in size and yet he is truly the youngest, the baby of the family in every sense of the word.  He is a child that will smother you with love and yet, look out… this boy has a temper!!!  He has no fear when it comes to being himself… in fact he can be down right rude.  And yet he is the biggest scaredy cat (to the point that his brothers get much pleasure teasing him).  He still loves dressing up and yet has no trouble being covered in mud.  He loves to snuggle.  LOVES it!  “Snuggle?”   It’s his constant question.  He can’t go to sleep without being wrapped up in someone (usually mine) arms.  And yet, since he has gone into grade 1, a hug or kiss at school is too embarassing. He loves to tell me that he loves me more after I tell him I love him.

I can’t imagine our family without this trouble maker.  I love that he doesn’t let size or birth order dictate his actions.  He has a name that he knows will upset Sammy and that will get him beat up… and yet he will still call Sammy this name, giggling the whole time, knowing he is going to get it!  He has a great giggle!  The boys love taping him on their phone… to capture that giggle.  He loves his brothers to death.  And they, each of them, love him back.

Tonight is his party.  He is SO excited!!!  We are going to play lazer tag to feed into  his love of guns and violence. 🙂  I love his excitement. I just hope and pray he behaves.  Last time he had a party, if he didn’t like the gift, he didn’t hide it too well! 🙁

I love this boy.  I am grateful for his presence in our lives.  I am honored to be called mommy by him.  Even at 2 a.m.

Happy Birthday my beautiful Joshua.

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The World We Found

Posted on 2012-03-25 by Reema

I hate when I finish a Good Book!

The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar was a great read.  She is an Indian author who mixes the the Eastern and Western worlds.  I felt a kinship to each of the characters, 4 best friends that go their separate ways.  Then when one of the friends discovers she is seriously ill, she hopes to plan a reunion of her friends from many years ago.

I loved this story.  It spoke to me in so many ways, of traditions and culture.  Of the things we so often just do, without questioning, knowing it is easy than to question the reasons of the generation behind us.

I loved the men in this book.  I loved that despite it all, they loved their women… in their different ways.

I always hate when a book ends without giving me a definite happily ever after.  I found myself aching for some of the characters in this book.  I loved the quoted by Truman Capote… “More tears have been shed over answered prayers than unanswered.”  It made me pause, reflect and realize that I often only have myself to blame when things go my way.

I loved that I’m not so much a stranger to this India as I was a year ago.  Now, as I read I could physically go back to this place of sights, sounds and smells so different from my every day world.

I wish the pages had gone on, as I finished this book, ignoring the house work, making hotdogs for supper and emerged myself into the pages and places of this book.

A definite good read.

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Thanks Mom!

Posted on 2012-03-24 by Reema

I really do have a great list of friend!

Yesterday, as I went to lunch with a girlfriend, I was counting my blessings that I have a list of friends that I can call pretty much anytime and unload my heart if I need to or laugh with or just play.  I love that!  I have friends of many different ages… my age, older and younger.  They add so much to my life.  So… if you are my friend, I love you and today am thanking God for you.

There’s so much floating around this head of mine.  I am bursting at the seams with so many thoughts.  They are all over the place!  It’s all good, though as it is FRIDAY @ 4:27 pm, pizza is for supper on paper plates and my jammies are coming on and I have a book awaiting me and tired children that I hope will veg out and everyone will relax!  There is a bug floating around but no one is really sick but it seems everyone feels a little off.  Today was a nightmare getting all the bodies out the door!  Josh was the last one out and the only job he had was to put on his shoes and get to the truck.  I looked at Josh wandering in seemingly ssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww motion… and yet as I checked his foot wear noticed that he had TYLER’S size 10+ shoes on his feet! Sigh.  This child…

In the truck, after dropping off two of the boys for jujitsu,  with just Max and Jordan, I said, “Thanks for saying thank you for your lunches today!”  Rather than the usual boring sandwich, I went to Wendy’s and got the boys a spicy chicken meal for a change of pace.  Max said, “Thank you”  Then a few minutes later he looked at me, with puzzlement on his face… “Why is it so important to you that we say thank you?”  So I replied that I was rushing around and took time out to bring them a special lunch and it makes me feel happy to know they appreciated it.  He looked at me… and said, “OK? Thank you.  I appreciate it.”

Max made me laugh as he really is my child that is so practical and doesn’t let emotion often dictate things.  Life seems to be so cut and dry.  I am sure that he really looks at me as a little crazy.

Boys are so different than girls.  Since I am their first experience of the female gender… I am trying to break them in.  Slowly.

Movie on 2011-06-12 at 09.59  This is a video of Max playing on the Mac.  I’m trying to learn to post video on my posts.  This isn’t working exactly how I wanted.

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