Remember When

Well, it's been about a billion years since I've written anything on this blog, but my mind is going crazy and I didn't want to write a 10 page Instagram post.

Today my oldest son graduated grade 5, and my youngest daughter turned 1. That's enough to make any mother cry for about 10-15 minutes.

Life passes by so fast and you always hear a lot of people say that. I know when you're going through a difficult time, it feels like you're stuck in a hole and there's no way out. If you do feel like that - I want you to know that you WILL get through this. One day in the future, you'll look back and say "remember when." Remember when my life was so hard that I didn't think I would get through it?

God carries us through those hard times. He's carrying us now and always. You're not going to be stuck in a slump forever, and you're not stuck in the darkness alone. God will carry you through like He always does. Trust Him and enjoy the ride we call life, because it flies by. And those difficult times turn into teachable moments from God.

When I look back now at the difficult moments in my life when I felt sad and alone, I can see God with me. Trying to tell me that He's there for me. That he's hugging me. That he's taking care of me. I can see God speaking to me through other people. If you look for Him, you'll find Him. Just don't forget He is there, carrying you through it.

My kids are big, and my life is difficult for different reasons, and even though I'm always tired, I feel blessed and loved. My heart is full. I know God is with me, I get my strength from Him every day. Life will never be easy, there's always going to be an obstacle, and that's okay. Because God is there to help us through it. Maybe he's making that obstacle a teachable moment. Maybe he wants to remind us that He's there for us, even when we think we don't need him. God is here.

Thank you God for getting me through my "remember when" times. You give me strength every day. You gave me strength back then, you're giving me strength right now. I know you love me. I know you will carry me through anything and everything.

Help me to remember you during my "remember when" times.

And thank you for my life.

A letter for my Flipp Ops Family.

Dear Flipp Ops,

I never got to give a proper goodbye. It was all so overwhelming. Everything happened so quickly. My last two weeks came and went, and I felt like I didn't get any time to really take it all in.

I started working at Flipp during a desperate time in my family's life. Mateo was just 8 months old, and we were running low on funds. I remember the month prior, I signed up to be an Avon representative because, heck - the girl was a good sales person and, let's face it, I was an easy sale.

I ended up being the WORST Avon rep. I would give away free things, and feel guilty taking people's money in exchange for their orders. I would always be like "oh, it's fine, take it free." If you know me as well as you all do - this wouldn't be a shock to you guys. I am who I am. 

Needless to say, that phase in my life lasted quite a short while. I remember browsing the internet for easy data entry jobs, and there was this sketchy ad for data entry. No company name, just a job title and an application form or button of some sort. I applied, I had nothing to lose, why not? I took a leap of faith and, well, it was the best choice of my life. That sketchy job ended up being that one job that changed me and helped to grow me into a better person.

At Flipp I not only learned a lot about what I could achieve as an individual, I also made a lifetime's worth of friends. I worked at Flipp for 6.5 years, part time and full time combined. During that time, Life had me experience many milestones: College Graduation, Starting my first real full time job, The birth of my third child, my first nights away from my children, my first time getting drunk, my first time on a plane (excluding that one time when I was 4). In all this time, I realize that I didn't just have coworkers, I had made forever friends.

When I started high school in grade 9, I had moved from Brampton to Mississauga. It was the hardest transition of my life. I didn't know anyone, and everyone already knew each other because they all went to the same Junior High Schools. I was the new girl. I had next to no friends and because of that, every day in grade 9, I would walk home for lunch and stay at home. There would be days where I didn't even say a word to anyone. I was basically invisible. When it came time for people to sign my yearbook at the end of the year, my yearbook only had 5 signatures. I didn't want my mom to think I had no friends, so I faked a couple of "Enjoy the summer" signatures to fill up all the blank empty spaces. True story.

On Friday, I was handed not one, but 3 books filled with signatures from you lovely people, real signatures. Notes of praise, and encouragement, and love. I had no words. The first memory that popped up in my head was my grade 9 yearbook. It was great because the first thing I did on Friday when I got home was show my mom the books I got. And together we read all the notes left by everyone. 

On Saturday morning I read the books to my kids. On one of the books, as I flipped a page, I saw a note of encouragement in the middle. I cried. You all have no idea how much your gifts and your kind words meant to me. You all have no idea the impact you have made on my life, each and every one of you. I am a better person because of you. 

It's not an easy decision, making such a drastic change. I haven't been out of a job since I was 15 years old. I literally don't know what to do with myself. I tried to check my phone to see if Live Dates was completed - I couldn't. I woke up at 7:30am on a Saturday morning and didn't know what to do, I ended up taking the dogs out. This is a huge transition for me and I am absolutely terrified. But I was told a couple of weeks ago, that if you're not afraid, then your dream isn't big enough. Well - my dream is huge. It's like a dinosaur. The biggest one.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone, for making my time at Flipp a dream. I worked my butt off every single day. This wasn't a job to me, this was my way of helping my friends. Pushing flyers through, completing spot checks, fighting fires, I did it because I love you guys. I did it because I want to make sure that no one was stressed or worried. I stayed up late, completing box spot check, reallocating capacity, managing the completion of urgent flyers because I wanted you to wake up in the morning and just smile a stress free smile. I did it for you. I did it all for you.

Now, it's time I do it for my kids. 

I love you all, and always will. Don't forget about me!

Peace out. A town. 

Love, 

Mari

Hop vs. The Guardian Brothers

Every weekend I have a movie night.

Movie night Friday's/Saturday's and a Sunday afternoon flick. Usually we watch family movies or cartoon movies.

Since my kids are all old enough to talk and give their own opinions, I thought it'd be nice to hear what their own reviews are of the movies we watch each week and which one they like better.

Here it is - The Venturanza Brother's review

Josiah Michael
Age: 8

Hop:

What was the movie Hop About?
It was about a bunny who wanted to be a drummer, but his dad forced him to be an easter bunny.

Did you like the movie?
Ya. Because it was funny.

What was your favourite part? Why?
Where EB said "Now the angry dads to sing."

Who was your favourite character? Why?
EB. Because he was funny

The Guardian Brothers:

What was the movie about?

It was about a spirit going to free the Nian.

Did you like the movie?
Ya. Because there was a lot of fighting.

What was your favourite part? Why?

Where he throws the ninja star? Cuz it scares the dogs.

Who was your favourite character? Why?

Yu Lei. Because he has the sword and a ninja star.

Which movie did you like better?
The Guardian brothers. Because there's lots of fighting.

Mateo Jordan
Age: 6

Hop:

What was the movie about?

About a bunny that didn't want to be an easter bunny. 

Did you like the movie?

Ya. Because there was animals in it

What was your favourite part? Why?

When EB was pretending to be a stuffed bunny. Because he looked so cute.

Who was your favourite character? Why?
EB. Because he's funny.

The Guardian Brothers

What was the movie about?
It was about someone destroying the free spririts.

Did you like the movie?

Ya. Because there was two guardians.

Who was your favourite character?
I don't know.

What was your favourite part?
When one of the guardians scared the dogs away with the ninja star.

Which movie did you like better?
Hop. Because I like how they made the candies

Jacob Michael
Age: 3

Hop

What was the movie about?
Hop hurt. Because he get stuck in the fire monster. He fell away to the basket.

Did you like the movie?
Yes. Because it's not scary

What was your favourite part?
--

Who was your favourite character?
Hop.

The Guardian Brothers

What was the movie about?
Fireworks went in the sky and went in the stars and tried to go home.

Did you like the movie?
Yes. Because it's not scary

What was your favourite part?
--

Who was your favourite character?
--

That's all I could get out of these kids.

I hope that gave you good insight on the movies for your kids.

As a mom, I liked the Guardian Brothers better. It was more family based, interactive and was a cartoon so it appealed to my senses more.

I didn't like the way Hop ran away from home or the way that the other guy was kicked out of his house. But there were funny parts, like when the guy interrupted his little sister's play and did a ventriloquist act. That gave me a chuckle.

Stop. Drop. And be a mom

"Mommy?"

"Yes joba?"

"Look at that plane! It's going so fast!"

"It is."

"I bet it's going 100 hours a mile!!!"

"That's actually really slow, joba."

"Oh. Ok."

Every morning is a panic. Have you ever had to get 3 boys changed and feed them breakfast and get them ready for school? Sounds easy, eh? It's not. No matter how much you plan, it's always chaotic and every day you find yourself screaming "Hurry up! We're Late!!"

It's as if they find the slowest way to do something, and then as the week progresses, they find more and more slower ways to do it. For example - on Monday, I told them to put on their snow pants and jacket. "Okay mommy" they yell. I trusted they would do just that. Quietly put their stuff on. Simple instructions, no?

You would think. It's like - 8:00. I have a good 20 minutes before we have to leave. I'm good on time right? So I slow down - take some time to pick my work clothes. 8:15 - I go downstairs to put on the kids shoes. There they are. Arguing and screaming. 

"Jacob closed the closet"

"Nalas eating my glove"

"I can't find my boots"

Blood pressure rising. I then go on a yelling rant "you guys have been here for 20 minutes and you don't have your jackets on?!?!" Then I start barking orders. "Joba - get your backpack. Teo - get your boots on. Jacob - come here!!"

And so begins my Monday morning. Tuesday's and Wednesday's and Thursday's are all the same. And then it's the weekend. Here's where I yell at them to clean their rooms or to take turns. 

I find I'm constantly yelling. It's exhausting. I don't want to yell anymore. 

This one time this week we were late, rushing over the field and running to school. Teo has his asthma and Jacob is running off in a direction and joba is beside me and points at the plane. And then we have this funny conversation. All of my responses were so abrupt.

I found I was so focused on rushing and getting them to school that I never stopped to talk to joba. I never told him why 100 hours a mile is super slow. I never stopped to enjoy the conversation where we were saying maybe the plane is going to Africa or France to visit the Eiffel Tower. I didn't even know joba knew what the Eiffel Tower was. I never stopped. 

I don't want to rush through life anymore. I just want to be a mom. I want to enjoy every moment and every conversation with my children because one day - they won't want to talk to me anymore. One day, they'll be on their own cell phones talking to their own girlfriends about slow planes. 

I don't want that right now. I'm not ready for them to grow up - and I always say that but am I even taking the time to spend with them and admire and love them at this specific age? We say we're not ready for them to grow up - but maybe we need to take some time and get ourselves ready by loving them now. 

I love my kids more than anything else in the world. I would do anything for them. Do they know that? I yell at them so much - do they even know how much I love them?

I want to yell less and love more for my children. I want to be the mom they need me to be because in this world full of hatred and anger - the last thing they need is to come home or wake up to a yelling mom. Let's all love our kids so they know what it is. 

THAT Child. These teachers.

http://www.upworthy.com/this-letter-from-a-teacher-dear-parent-about-that-kid-made-me-cry-like-a-baby

I read this on FB today and it truly touched my heart. 3 kids. All boys. I've been the mother of THAT child and I've also been the mother who in my mind says "oh thank God my son is not that child."

I'm not ashamed to say I've been on both sides of this conversation. But I've learned that children need one thing. Love. 

If I could express how grateful I am to the teachers my kids have. They've built them up to get through those phases of tantrums and outrage. Without these teachers, my kids would not be who they are today. These teachers know my children more than I do. They spend more time with my children than I do. I treat them as if they were the third later - asking them what I could do better or what I need to do to help them learn and grow. 

Teachers are the ones raising our kids and building them up. They're a huge influence on our kids lives. We all have that one teacher that we remember and admire and respect. I have several that at the time I hated but now I realize they were helping me to be better and pushing me to my limits so that I could push them further. 

School is hard - no doubt. But it's the teachers we have in combination with parents support that determine children's views on school and learning. 

Respect our teachers. They're raising our children and the future of this world. 

The Battle of the Toothpaste

And there it is again. That dreaded, lifeless, empty tube of toothpaste. You know, honey bunches of oats, we have like ten full tubes downstairs!!!

Oh he knows that. He knows. This is a game now. He's testing me. A game that I will win. I WILL WIN!!

For the longest time - I would walk into the bathroom in the morning and I would find that lifeless, empty tube. Then - I would have to go down those three flights of stairs to get another toothpaste. First thing in the morning!!! I know what you're thinking - just put the full tubes in the upstairs bathroom!

No. ITS THE PRINCIPLE PEOPLE. Like when the rule in the Simpson house was if the garbage falls you take it out. Homer resorted to stapling banana peels to the garbage bin to avoid tipping the leaning tower of garbage JUST so he wouldn't have to take it out. 

Well soap AND toothpaste is our homes' garbage bin fiasco. I will NOT replace the toothpaste. Though it be empty, there be some still. That is my life's mantra. At least until hubby decides to refill it. 

This time - the battle will be won by me! The wife! And if I have to refrain from brushing my teeth due to the empty toothpaste, then SO BE IT. Bring it on husband!

#winning

Signing off,

Stinky Breath mammatch 

The Tooth Fairy

So - Josiah (we call him Joba) lost his tooth about 3 weeks ago. He lost it at school. They took him to the office and put his tooth inside a tooth fairy envelope. He went home all excited and showed me the envelope. I was all excited, and sad cuz jobas getting older, but excited for him. 

He ran and told me "mommy, mommy, I'm going to put this under my pillow and see what the tooth fairy gives me!"

My outside reaction was "OK! Let's see what she gives you!" 

My internal reaction was "who told you about this tooth fairy woman, and I hope she's real. Cuz if she's not - do you take debit?"

So, the afternoon passes. We watch iron man and read stories of giant peaches and such. He soon gets tired and off to bed he goes, leaving the tooth on the windowsill. I forget about it and such too so all is good in the hood. 

A week passes by and joba comes to me and says "mommy, the tooth fairy didn't give me anything."

Womp womp. Riiigghhhht. The tooth! "Well joba! You have to put the envelope under your pillow silly!" 

So the afternoon passes and we read books and watch iron man cartoons and such. The kids go to bed and wake up. Life goes on. 

A week passes and yesterday morning Joba goes "mommy, the tooth fairy didn't give me anything...."

Double womp womp. RIIGGGHHHTT that darned tooth!! 

"Well Joba, I said you have to put it under your pillow! How else is the tooth fairy going to know you lost your tooth, you silly bum!"

"But mom...I did put it under my pillow!"

Triple womps. Internally slaps forehead. 

 "Oh.....well maybe she's on vacation and didn't get a chance to do her duties"

"But mooommmm, it's been under my pillow for over a WEEK!!"

Ultimate #motherfail

This kid is lucky I'm quick minded on Sunday mornings. 

"Well Joba! Maybe she's been on a two week vacation! Sometimes people go on two week vacations you know!"

I'm a genius. 

"Okay mom. Hopefully she comes back soon."

So we go to church, get on with our Sunday afternoon and evening. The kids go to bed. Busy busy day. 11:45pm rolls around...

"OMG Honey!!! Grab some coins and put it under jobas pillow! I told him the tooth fairy was on vacation but she'd be back soon."

Joel runs to my wallet, excitedly pulls out some coinage and sneaks into the kids room and does the magical swap - a month old rotten tooth for a dollar. And he also added a wonderful note. 

The next morning:

Let's just say Josiah was happy the tooth fairy came back from vacation. 

Lessons Learned:

As a parent it's important to be quick minded and witty if you want to trick your children into believing in a fairy who buys rotten teeth from little children.