Is this parenting? July 10, 2008

I am on week four of my summer nanny duties with my nephews. I think the novelty and loveliness of it all has officially worn off.

My nephews tried every last nerve today. They were bored, tired, irritated and irritating. They were sitting too close, too far away, touching too much and breathing too much of the same air - all at once. At one point on the ride home from swimming lessons I actually flung my arm in the backseat to see what I could grab to get their attention so they would shut up. I think I got a leg, which of course started a new round of arguing of whose leg I should squeeze but each was convinced his brother was really the culprit.

Jordy is pretty easy to take care of. He’s hyper, but at 7 he just wants you to spend time with him. Mikey, at 10, is adopting to his pre-teen ways a little early. He has all the answers. You can’t tell him anything and he doesn’t listen AT ALL. There are moments of fun, sanity and cuteness with him but they are getting fewer and further between the moments where I just want smack him.

The hard part about all of this is that I have no authority. My brother is still in the house, albeit sleeping, so they want to run in there everytime they disagree with me. Today Mikey actually called his mother at work because he wanted his own way. The sad part is, his mom gave into him. UGH!

It has never been established that I’m actually in control and they actually have to listen to me. I’ve tried to bring this up to my brother but he doesn’t get it. He just says I’m getting a taste of parenting. So I wind up just feeling like a glorified maid to make sure that they’re getting fed and don’t hurt themselves. If this is parenting let me stock up now on condoms and the pill. At least with my own kids I get to set the rules.

Tomorrow is a new day. My hope and prayer is that then there will be more moments of cuteness than moments where I want to roll under a moving vehicle out of frustration.

Stuff Christians Like July 8, 2008

If you grew up anywhere near or in a Christian church you really must add the blog Stuff Christians Like to your daily reading. It is comedy therapy. In the past week alone it has rated the myriad of christian festival names on a scale of holiness, given a quiz to judge if its a John Mayer lyric or a verse from the message version of the bible and compared christian conferences to prom. How can you not love that. I have to say my father, the pastor and I a seminary graduated missed 5 of the 15 on the John Mayer quiz.

Stan Hywet Hall July 3, 2008

Stan Hywet, originally uploaded by greenbeangirl74.

Today Mikey and I braved the rain for our final adventure of the week and headed north to Akron to visit Stan Hywet Hall. We had a blast inspite of the weather.

The estate built in 1914 for the Sieberling family, founders of Goodyear Tire and Rubber. It has a grand entrance with a large lane and massive meadows. It was landscaped to be like an English country estate. At the entrance there is also a treehouse, as part of a Great Garden Adventure added for the kids. I stopped at the treehouse and said, “OK Mikey we’re here, get out.” He looked at the treehouse, looked at me and said, “You drug me all the way here for this? Seriously.” I had to laugh. It was awesome. Once he saw the real house, the grounds and the conservatory he was excited and forgave me for “dragging him” all the way (20 minutes) to Akron.

We had so much fun trapsing through the gardens in the rain. There are great walking trails, allees, vistas and history in this estate. It is worth a visit if you’re ever in merry ole Akron.

Visiting the Akron Zoo July 2, 2008

Mikey and Pops as Penguins, originally uploaded by greenbeangirl74.

The adventure for today was the Akron Zoo.

Mikey, my dad and I went up to Akron for a special exhibit on Jellyfish. I took Jordy last week while Mikey was at camp, so I have to take Mikey this week while Jordy is at camp. Apparently that is how it works. So off we went.

The Akron Zoo is an ok zoo, as far as I can tell. I am by no means a zoo expert. I think I’ve only been to three: Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom, the Cinncinati Zoo (when I was 10) and now the Akron Zoo. An animal lover I am not.

The zoo isn’t that big and there isn’t a huge variety of animals, but its something to do. It is clean. The zookeepers are friendly and knowledgeable. We saw a lion, tiger, lemur, penguins, bats, red panda, birds, etc. It was good.

Mikey’s favorite animals were the bats. He also enjoyed learning that the lemurs have reddish poop.

I think for me I enjoyed watching Mikey be a kid. He was so giddy with the animals, so was my dad really. Amazing how animals are an equalizer. It was sad for me to see the wounded Eagles. There were two at the zoo by special permit. They only have one wing. Maybe these wounded symbols of our nation are a metaphor for our current state. You never know.

It was a good day.

Trip to Glamorgan Castle July 1, 2008

Glamorgan Castle, originally uploaded by greenbeangirl74.

While Jordy is at camp this week Mikey and I will go forth to have some adventures of our own. On the itinerary today is a trip to Glamorgan Castle in Alliance, OH.

50 acres of land was purchased by Col. William Henry Morgan, owner of Morgan Engineering Co. He hired architect Willard Hirsh to draw up plans for his castle. He even sent him to Europe to study, so it would be authentic. However, the family did have an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley and billiard room.

It was named Glamorgan Castle after his father’s birthplace in Wale. Construction began in 1904. The family moved in in 1907. It wasn’t done until 1909 and cost $400,000. After Col. Morgan’s death his widow sold all the land and house for oly $25,000.

After changing hands several times the castle is now home to the Alliance City School District. Armed with a $700,000+ restoration grant they have made the castle their offices.

However you can still see the splendor, craftmanship and detail in the castle. The receving room, dining room, solarium and entry way all contain period furniture and look as it did when the family lived there. I wish they would have left one of the bedrooms dressed. There are many rooms closed off - like the swimming pool and bowling alley.

Still worth a visit. If nothing else to help preserve a piece of history. During our self-guided tour we were free to wander around the entire castle, all three floors. It was fun. In the servants quarters on the 3rd floor and in the basement Mikey freaked himself out convinced that there were ghosts.

Self-guided tours are offered Mon-Friday after 2 p.m. for $2 for adults and $1 for children. 200 Glamorgan St., Alliance, OH.

Nanny Marti June 25, 2008

Since my brother, father and five other pastors left their church they’ve all had to go out and find other employment. Many of them are taking a break from the ministry to see where God leads.

My brother took a job at the post office. Since his wife works first shift he opted for third so that someone would be home with the kiddos at all times. But since its summer and they’re home all day I come over during the day to help take care of them - mainly just to make sure no one burns anything down.

Since they’re 7 and 10 they entertain themselves. I work a couple of hours on my freelance projects and we spend the rest of the time playing Wii, PS2, beach baseball in the backyard, cards, and board games.

Mikey is at camp this week. His first time away from home and he still went even though his friends bailed at the last minute. He didn’t know anyone that was going to be there. I’m so proud of him for sticking it out. I would have cancelled. But he’s a braver soul than I.

So Jordy and I are doing lots of fun things together. Yesterday we went to the zoo. He was hilarious. We call him our shiny boy since everything shiny attracts his attention. He was bouncing all over the place. He wore me out. But we saw lemurs, penguins, tigers, lions, bats, jellyfish and bears. He was most fascinated by the disco ball at the entrance to the jellyfish. He stood there for 10 minutes just twirling around. It was funny. We were both exhausted at the end of the day.

Finally, some purpose as to why I’m in Ohio. I get six hours of uninterrupted time with my nephews. What’s not to love? They are deliciously exhausting. I just love to talk to them. You never know what they’re going to say. Sometimes I’m surprised by what comes out of their mouth. It can be rather profound and observant.

Today I’m going to get them signed up for swim lessons and then Jordy and I are off to rent a new game for the Wii. It will probably be Guitar Hero.

The Trinity loves sports June 20, 2008

In the past week my nephews have spent countless hours playing their new Wii. But the part Mikey has loved most is setting up his Mii’s. He has created a village of people to play including God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Slightly sacreligious but quite funny. Jesus plays great baseball. God like bowling and the Holy Spirit is a humdinger in tennis. Who knew.

Religiosity in Action June 18, 2008

St. Augustine say that the church is a whore but that whore is still his mother.

Brutal truth about an institution that I wonder if is more harmful than helpful. It sets itself up in judgement of many, setting standards for all, and can feel more like a social club than a sacred place of any sort of worship. I realize my own opinion of church is jaded by a lifetime of participation and 21 years in and near church leadership. I’ve seen the underbelly of both the congregation and those in power.

I go through waves of enchantment and disillusion with this institution that Christ died to redeem with his love. Yet I often find it to be the last place to experience any sort of love or acceptance. I won’t even begin to rant about the church and women. I will just say that the church as it stands today often feels misaligned with what God wants to do in the world. It seems devisive, out of touch and driven by personal agenda and politics.

But I digress. I don’t normally dwell on these things. I usually accept the church as a broken institution run by needy, broken people. We all make mistakes and occassionally get misguided. My cynicism is generally balanced in my heart with some of the amazing experiences I’ve had in its warm maternal embrace. So my opinion is generally tempered by the genuine, compassionate people I’ve met that have made my life richer and better. In the midst of the pain and angst I am reminded of the good to be found there. I can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater but must be faithful to the whore, who is my mother.

The angst of my church fire was recently stoked vicariously through my father’s experience. He was one of the pastors at a church here in Ohio. A couple of disgruntled church staff and their friends got together last summer, when the pastor was on vacation, to stab him in the back, spread ugly rumors and basically slander him and anyone associated with him. It was started with insidious little lies that erroded confidence in him and called his integrity into question. They acted maliciously disguised with a furrowed brow of concern convincing themselves that they were doing God’s work. It’s sad really the things we say that we do in the name of God. I suppose that’s why Jesus said many will claim do to things in his name and he will say depart from me I knew you not.

Last night we heard a fresh round of rumors of things my dad supposedly did, didn’t do and should have done that were just silly. We also heard some of the just downright mean things they’re saying about him as a chaser to the other rumors. In the midst of being tired, worn out and weary my dad shrugs most of it off. As his daughter it makes me angry. I want to go punch the righteous indignation right off their faces. I want to beat them til they repent. I want to be the vehicle of vengence that God uses to exact his wrath and justice. Not exactly a holy response of love either.

But in his gentle spirit my dad says it doesn’t matter what they say, he knows what’s true. He also reminds me that the innocent don’t need to defend themselves. He will continue to stay to the course God has given to him. My dad is much better at turning the proverbial cheek than I am. But I know he’s right. If someone has decided to hate you, disapprove of you or otherwise there is nothing you can do. And at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what they think. I can’t stand in place of judgement against them, that isn’t my job. I just have to watch my own integrity. It’s hard because I feel like my dad has been wronged.

But I suppose it isn’t about who is right or wrong it’s about the attitude and motivation of the heart. This is when we show true love to the unlovely and our enemies. UGH. Hard.

I need to keep growing and learning how to love, because I still wanna street fight.

Riverfront Irish Festival in Akron June 15, 2008

DSC00213, originally uploaded by greenbeangirl74.

On Saturday we went to the Riverfront Irish Festival, in Akron, which boasts is the largest free Irish Festival in the midwest. Ok. Not sure that particular claim to fame is what drove us there but it was a nice perk.

A couple of years ago I went to an Irish Festival in Irvine, Ca that had sheephearing, celtic games, Irish food, clothes and plays. It was a lot of fun. They played to the history, tradition and Irish culture.

The Riverfront Irish festival, presented by the St. Brendan Division Of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians was a middle-aged drunk fest. It played to the Irish stereotype. Everyone had a guiness and the band on stage was playing Neil Diamond. Not sure if he’s Irish but the over 40 crowd ranted and raved like it was 1974 all over again belting out Sweet Caroline. It was excellent people watching.

The one highlight was a band called Rathkelthair. It was a rock band centered around a bag pipe. This band actually had someone from Ireland in it (the drummer.). But the star was the bagpipe player, Neil Anderson, who just returned from active duty in Iraq. He played at least five different instruments and two of the flutes at once. It was incredible.

After their set we decided to leave. The drunk boomers and families left and the drunk college frat boys were rolling in. It was a good time to jet.

Still a fun night. We sampled some fine Irish cuisine, heard a rockin’ bag pipe and found our families coat of arms.

Happy 10th Birthday Mikey June 13, 2008

Today my beautiful, first-born, nephew turns 10.

It is amazing to watch him grow, discover, explore and learn. He is inquisitive and curious. At the end of this school year (4th grade) he was accepted to the gifted arts program for the 5th grade. That means he will be in middle school a year early to participate. What he’s excited about is the long ago promise his dad that to provide a cell phone once he hit middle school. He’s thrilled.

One thing I’m amazed at with him is what a tender, sweet soul he is. I always feel overwhelmingly loved when he comes to cuddle with me. It isn’t every time I see him. He’s way to cool for that. It happens in completely random moments and oh so great when it does.

A relationship with Mikey is a fulfilling one. He is learning how to give and receive. One of my favorite things about him is his imagination. He is constantly inventing things to make life easier. Once he gets to know you and your needs he will start to look for things that will solve those needs. He knows my dad and I are diabetic. So one day he watched a 60 minute infomercial on these new glucometers that draw less blood and provide reports you can download to your computer. After watching all of it he wrote down the phone number and web site and gave it to me to investigate.

He is a wonderful young man, no longer a boy, he informed us today. He’s leaving next Sunday for church camp, his first week away from home. It’s already starting - the pulling away from family. Soon his cries of - come be with me - will change to - get away from me. I can’t bear the thought. I want him to stay little FOREVER.

It’s amazing how much I love and worry about him. I worry about a 10 year old in middle school. I worry about the influence of 8th graders on him. I worry he’ll be exposed to things beyond his maturity level. And I’m just the aunt, I can’t imagine being a mother. I’d never go to sleep. I think of way to many worse case scenarios.

Instead I pray that the foundation he’s been given of love, security, and strength will withstand all of the new things thrown at him. I pray for courage, wisdom, and joy. I pray that he learn how to dream big dreams and always have confidence that he’s capable of achieving them.