INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (796,2,'2011-12-15 14:56:51','2011-12-15 19:56:51','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"127\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac LOVED muThey are both now 23-years old and fine men.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-212  \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"127\" height=\"240\" /></a></dt></dl></div>\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n<dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 408px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-794   \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a></dt></dl>Several more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 507px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\">[/caption]\n\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_791\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys Will Be Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-12','','','2011-12-15 14:56:51','2011-12-15 19:56:51','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(797,2,'2011-12-15 14:58:43','2011-12-15 19:58:43','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"127\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac LOVED muThey are both now 23-years old and fine men.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-212    \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"127\" height=\"240\" /></a></dt></dl></div>\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n<dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 408px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-794   \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a></dt></dl>Several more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 507px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\">[/caption]\n\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_791\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys Will Be Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-13','','','2011-12-15 14:58:43','2011-12-15 19:58:43','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(798,2,'2011-12-15 14:59:01','2011-12-15 19:59:01','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"127\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac LOVED muThey are both now 23-years old and fine men.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-212    \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"127\" height=\"240\" /></a></dt></dl></div>\r\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\r\n\r\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\r\n\r\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\r\n\r\n<dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 408px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-794   \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a></dt></dl>Several more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 507px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\">[/caption]\r\n\r\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\r\n\r\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\r\n\r\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_791\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\r\n\r\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\r\n\r\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\r\n\r\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys Will Be Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-14','','','2011-12-15 14:59:01','2011-12-15 19:59:01','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(799,2,'2011-12-15 15:29:00','2011-12-15 20:29:00','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"497\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"522\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n<dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 408px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"></dt></dl>Several more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED muThey are both now 23-years old and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-15','','','2011-12-15 15:29:00','2011-12-15 20:29:00','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(801,2,'2011-12-15 15:42:22','2011-12-15 20:42:22','','AndrewMattPlayground','Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.','inherit','open','open','','andrewmattplayground','','','2011-12-15 15:42:22','2011-12-15 20:42:22','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(800,2,'2011-12-15 15:40:08','2011-12-15 20:40:08','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-212\" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac, standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud, in front of our home, when they were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-16','','','2011-12-15 15:40:08','2011-12-15 20:40:08','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(802,2,'2011-12-15 15:41:05','2011-12-15 20:41:05','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-212\" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\r\n\r\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\r\n\r\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\r\n\r\n<dl id=\"attachment_794\" class=\"wp-caption \" style=\"width: 408px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a></dt></dl>Several more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\r\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\r\n\r\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\r\n\r\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\r\n\r\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\r\n\r\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\r\n\r\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will live to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Sometimes, at this stage of life, I wonder how we will both survive.\"','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-17','','','2011-12-15 15:41:05','2011-12-15 20:41:05','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(803,2,'2011-12-15 15:59:54','2011-12-15 20:59:54','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-212\" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t manage to repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"497\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"522\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac immediately opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-18','','','2011-12-15 15:59:54','2011-12-15 20:59:54','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(804,2,'2011-12-15 16:06:59','2011-12-15 21:06:59','A 3-year-old boy at PALS (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat. Unaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"497\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"522\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\n\n\"He is just all-boy!\"  Which my friend, is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-19','','','2011-12-15 16:06:59','2011-12-15 21:06:59','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(805,2,'2011-12-15 16:16:56','2011-12-15 21:16:56','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\n\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"497\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-794\" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"522\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-787\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"598\" /></a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\n\n\"He is just all-boy!\"  Which my friend, is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-20','','','2011-12-15 16:16:56','2011-12-15 21:16:56','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(806,2,'2011-12-15 16:21:00','2011-12-15 21:21:00','','LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding','Lillian, his cousin, Hunt, his best man, Isaac and Aaron at Jessica and Jonathan\'s wedding June 2011.','inherit','open','open','','lilhuntisaacaaronwedding','','','2011-12-15 16:21:00','2011-12-15 21:21:00','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(807,2,'2011-12-15 16:24:48','2011-12-15 21:24:48','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\n\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794 \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-787 aligncenter\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"538\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_806\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lillian, his cousin, Hunt, his best man, Isaac and Aaron at Jessica and Jonathan&#39;s wedding last June.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-806 \" title=\"LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\n\n\"He is just all-boy!\"  Which my friend, is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-21','','','2011-12-15 16:24:48','2011-12-15 21:24:48','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(808,2,'2011-12-15 16:25:24','2011-12-15 21:25:24','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\r\n\r\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\r\n\r\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\r\n\r\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\r\n\r\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794 \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-787 aligncenter\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"538\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\r\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\r\n\r\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\r\n\r\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\r\n\r\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\r\n\r\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_806\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lillian, his cousin, Hunt, his best man, Isaac and Aaron at Jessica and Jonathan&#39;s wedding last June.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-806 \" title=\"LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\r\n\r\n\"He is just all-boy!\"  Which my friend, is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-22','','','2011-12-15 16:25:24','2011-12-15 21:25:24','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(809,2,'2011-12-15 16:32:41','2011-12-15 21:32:41','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\n\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794 \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-787 aligncenter\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"538\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant and outside, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_806\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lillian (his cousin), Hunt (his best man), Isaac and Aaron (who also attended PALS with Jonathan) at Jessica and Jonathan&#39;s wedding last June.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-806 \" title=\"LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\n\n\"He is just all-boy!\"\n\nAs a mother with four sons, I can assure you, that is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-23','','','2011-12-15 16:32:41','2011-12-15 21:32:41','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(810,2,'2011-12-15 16:40:58','2011-12-15 21:40:58','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\n\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\n\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\n\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\n\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story with me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794 \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-787 aligncenter\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"538\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\n\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\n\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\n\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant and outside, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\n\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Caleb can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_806\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lillian (his cousin), Hunt (his best man), Isaac and Aaron (who also attended PALS with Jonathan) at Jessica and Jonathan&#39;s wedding last June.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-806 \" title=\"LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\n\n\"He is just all-boy!\"\n\nAs a mother with four sons, I can assure you, that is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-autosave','','','2011-12-15 16:40:58','2011-12-15 21:40:58','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(811,2,'2011-12-15 16:32:51','2011-12-15 21:32:51','[caption id=\"attachment_212\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"159\" caption=\"Jonathan after a soccer game when he was 7 years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-212 \" title=\"Jonmuddysoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jonmuddysoccer-159x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nA 3-year-old boy at <a href=\"http://www.palsattrinity.org\" target=\"_blank\">PALS</a> (I\'ll call him Caleb) locked his baby sister, and the car keys, in the family car, earlier this week.  His mother (I\'ll call her Ruthann) had dropped her keys on the front seat of the car, before strapping her baby in the car seat.\r\n\r\nUnaware that Caleb had pushed the lock button on the car door, she closed that door and walked around the car to buckle Caleb in his car seat. And found that door locked. . . all the doors locked, with the keys and the baby inside.\r\n\r\nRuthann had REALLY meant to replace her back-up set of keys, which Caleb had \"lost\" the week before. (She replaced them IMMEDIATELY after this incident.)\r\n\r\nTwo fire trucks and five firemen arrived with flashing lights, to extricate the baby.  Caleb greeted them with \"Hi, guys!!\" and the firemen gave Caleb high fives.\r\n\r\nTalk about rewarding a little boy for his mischievous behavior! Ruthann will be fortunate indeed if Caleb doesn\'t repeat this stunt, hoping to achieve similar success.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ruthann shared her \"embarrassing\" story to me and another mother at PALS yesterday.  And then I shared some stories about Isaac, one of my favorite 3-year-olds, also a child at PALS - with our son Jonathan, twenty years ago.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"398\" caption=\"Isaac standing, watching Jonathan slide in the mud in front of our house. They were six years old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-794 \" title=\"JonIsaacmud2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacmud2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"418\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSeveral more moms stopped to listen, as I told about the day Isaac locked himself and the car keys in his house. His mother had carried a load of \"mother stuff\" - those things that mothers end up carting around with them - to the car.  She returned for Isaac and her purse, with the car keys.  To find the house locked.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-787 aligncenter\" title=\"JonIsaacMud\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacMud.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"538\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_794\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Jonathan and Isaac the day they graduated from Rome High. Both boys wore the National Honor Society stole. Isaac was valedictorian.\"]</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Jonathan and Isaac LOVED mud. They still went \"mudding\" when they were teenagers. They are both now 23-years old, college graduates and fine men.</dd></dl></div>\r\nShe knocked on the door and Isaac peered out the nearest window, waved and grinned at her. She went from door to door, around the house, looking for an unlocked one or an open window. No luck. Back to the front door where she knocked and Isaac waved and smiled at her again. Around the house again, looking for a door or window where she could break in.\r\n\r\nBefore breaking a window, she went across the street to a neighbor\'s house. That retired gentleman returned with her, rang the door bell and Isaac promptly opened the door for him.\r\n\r\nIsaac\'s mother had an extra house key made THAT DAY, and found a place to hide it, outside their home.\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_791\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-791 \" title=\"JonIsaacGrad\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JonIsaacGrad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"249\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnd, I reminded the 5 or 6 mothers now listening to my stories, Isaac survived to grow up, was his high school valedictorian and is now a grad student at Harvard.\r\n\r\nAnd, then, I told the story of the day Isaac slipped through the bars at the local Burger King playground. His mother was, of course, not small enough to slip through that fence.  By the time she raced into and through the fast food restaurant and outside, she found Isaac standing in the middle lane of the five-lane thoroughfare in front of the BK, with traffic stopped in both directions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Matthew and Andrew on a playground in Carol Stream, Illinois, circa 1985.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-801\" title=\"AndrewMattPlayground\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewMattPlayground-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut, adding my refrain to the verses of my story, he survived to grow up, was the valedictorian at Rome High, and is now in grad school at Harvard.\r\n\r\n\"You canNOT believe how much better that makes me feel!\" Ruthann told us. \"Caleb will survive to grow up? He\'ll graduate from high school? Noah can be so wide open, so inquisitive, sometimes people - especially mothers with quiet little girls - look at me as if something is wrong with me as a mother, that I have such an active boy. Or that something is wrong with Caleb that he is active and exploring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_806\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lillian (his cousin), Hunt (his best man), Isaac and Aaron (who also attended PALS with Jonathan) at Jessica and Jonathan&#39;s wedding last June.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-806 \" title=\"LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilHuntIsaacAaronWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n\"I don\'t want to squash the joy he finds in exploration, that excitement and curiosity. He is sweet and eager to please. If he gets too rowdy, I find it easy to redirect his energy.\r\n\r\n\"He is just all-boy!\"\r\n\r\nAs a mother with four sons, I can assure you, that is a GOOD thing.','Boys, Mud and Lost Car Keys','','inherit','open','open','','779-revision-24','','','2011-12-15 16:32:51','2011-12-15 21:32:51','',779,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/15/779-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(813,2,'2011-12-16 17:48:15','2011-12-16 22:48:15','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it?','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision','','','2011-12-16 17:48:15','2011-12-16 22:48:15','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/16/812-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(814,2,'2011-12-16 17:49:37','2011-12-16 22:49:37','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it?','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-2','','','2011-12-16 17:49:37','2011-12-16 22:49:37','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/16/812-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(815,2,'2011-12-16 20:32:48','2011-12-17 01:32:48','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it?','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-3','','','2011-12-16 20:32:48','2011-12-17 01:32:48','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/16/812-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(816,2,'2011-12-17 10:09:20','2011-12-17 15:09:20','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\n\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\n\n&nbsp;','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-4','','','2011-12-17 10:09:20','2011-12-17 15:09:20','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(817,2,'2011-12-17 21:46:23','2011-12-18 02:46:23','','JessJonWedding','Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.','inherit','open','open','','jessjonwedding','','','2011-12-17 21:46:23','2011-12-18 02:46:23','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(818,2,'2011-12-17 21:48:43','2011-12-18 02:48:43','','ChristmasTree07','','inherit','open','open','','christmastree07','','','2011-12-17 21:48:43','2011-12-18 02:48:43','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(819,2,'2011-12-17 21:50:25','2011-12-18 02:50:25','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"209\" caption=\"Our family Christmas tree in 2007\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818 \" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"400\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\n\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\n\nOf course, our children also exchange gifts among themselves.  They draw names so that each of them get one sibling gift and buy one gift for a sibling.  With Jonathan\'s marriage to Jessica this past summer, this Christmas is the first year we had seven children to swap sibling names.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_817\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-817 \" title=\"JessJonWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-5','','','2011-12-17 21:50:25','2011-12-18 02:50:25','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(820,2,'2011-12-17 21:50:37','2011-12-18 02:50:37','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"209\" caption=\"Our family Christmas tree in 2007\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818 \" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"400\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\r\n\r\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\r\n\r\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\r\n\r\nOf course, our children also exchange gifts among themselves.  They draw names so that each of them get one sibling gift and buy one gift for a sibling.  With Jonathan\'s marriage to Jessica this past summer, this Christmas is the first year we had seven children to swap sibling names.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_817\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-817 \" title=\"JessJonWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-6','','','2011-12-17 21:50:37','2011-12-18 02:50:37','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(821,2,'2011-12-17 21:57:33','2011-12-18 02:57:33','','AndrewOpenGift','You can see the stockings on the couch beside Matthew.  That\'s Andrew opening the gift.','inherit','open','open','','andrewopengift','','','2011-12-17 21:57:33','2011-12-18 02:57:33','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewOpenGift.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(822,2,'2011-12-17 21:50:54','2011-12-18 02:50:54','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"209\" caption=\"Our family Christmas tree in 2007\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818 \" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"400\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\r\n\r\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\r\n\r\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\r\n\r\nOf course, our children also exchange gifts among themselves.  They draw names so that each of them get one sibling gift and buy one gift for a sibling.  With Jonathan\'s marriage to Jessica this past summer, this Christmas is the first year we had seven children to swap sibling names.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_817\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-817 \" title=\"JessJonWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-7','','','2011-12-17 21:50:54','2011-12-18 02:50:54','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(823,2,'2011-12-17 22:00:31','2011-12-18 03:00:31','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"251\" caption=\"Our family Christmas tree in 2007\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818  \" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"480\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\r\n\r\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\r\n\r\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\r\n\r\nOf course, our children also exchange gifts among themselves.  They draw names so that each of them get one sibling gift and buy one gift for a sibling.  With Jonathan\'s marriage to Jessica this past summer, this Christmas is the first year we had seven children to swap sibling names.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_817\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-817 \" title=\"JessJonWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnd, each of our children also have a stocking, with some small gifts. Traditionally the stocking has one orange and a small bottle of grape juice. That\'s a family tradition taken from my family-of-origin; we always got an orange and a bottle of grape juice in our stockings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_821\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\" Matthew watches Andrew opening a gift. You can see our stockings on the couch beside Matthew.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewOpenGift.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-821 \" title=\"AndrewOpenGift\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewOpenGift.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"444\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe stocking usually also contains some candy and, most years, one or two small items.','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-8','','','2011-12-17 22:00:31','2011-12-18 03:00:31','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(824,2,'2011-12-17 22:09:54','2011-12-18 03:09:54','','ChristmasTreefeatured','','inherit','open','open','','christmastreefeatured','','','2011-12-17 22:09:54','2011-12-18 03:09:54','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTreefeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(825,2,'2011-12-17 22:12:03','2011-12-18 03:12:03','','treefeatured','','inherit','open','open','','treefeatured','','','2011-12-17 22:12:03','2011-12-18 03:12:03','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/treefeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(826,2,'2011-12-17 22:05:02','2011-12-18 03:05:02','\"Jesus received three gifts, so our little girl will receive three gifts this Christmas,\" the young mother explained.  I told about that conversation in a <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions, Part Three: Give Three Gifts\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/11/family-christmas-traditions-part-three-give-three-gifts/\">previous post</a>.  And that started a flurry of discussion on the idea of limiting family gift-giving to three gifts.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"251\" caption=\"Our family Christmas tree in 2007\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818  \" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"480\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOne mother takes the approach that they give each of their girls: one gift that she has requested; another gift that the parents have chosen; and a book.\n\nAnother parent, who has subscribed to the \"three gift\" idea for years, commented that her now-teen children \"really put thought into what 3 things they ask for instead of some endless list.\"  The three gift idea would have that impact, wouldn\'t it? An excellent benefit to this program!\n\nWe are thinking that this Christmas each of our adult children will receive, from us: one item listed on their Amazon wish list; one hand-made gift and one other present.\n\nOf course, our children also exchange gifts among themselves.  They draw names so that each of them get one sibling gift and buy one gift for a sibling.  With Jonathan\'s marriage to Jessica this past summer, this Christmas is the first year we had seven children to swap sibling names.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_817\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Andrew, Matthew, Lisette, Jessica (the bride), Jonathan, Debi, Gregg, and Benjamin.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-817 \" title=\"JessJonWedding\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JessJonWedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd, each of our children also have a stocking, with some small gifts. Traditionally the stocking has one orange and a small bottle of grape juice. That\'s a family tradition taken from my family-of-origin; we always got an orange and a bottle of grape juice in our stockings.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_821\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\" Matthew watches Andrew opening a gift. You can see our stockings on the couch beside Matthew.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewOpenGift.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-821 \" title=\"AndrewOpenGift\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AndrewOpenGift.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"444\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe stocking usually also contains some candy and, most years, one or two small items.','Give Three Gifts at Christmas: Different Approaches','','inherit','open','open','','812-revision-9','','','2011-12-17 22:05:02','2011-12-18 03:05:02','',812,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/17/812-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(828,2,'2011-12-18 23:18:04','2011-12-19 04:18:04','','BenjDebi','Benjamin with me, when he was 2 days old.','inherit','open','open','','benjdebi','','','2011-12-18 23:18:04','2011-12-19 04:18:04','',827,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BenjDebi.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(829,2,'2011-12-18 23:28:38','2011-12-19 04:28:38','An article in Psychology Today, this week, <a title=\"Letting_Babies_Cry\" href=\"http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out\" target=\"_blank\">“Dangers of ‘Crying it Out’”</a> reports that allowing a baby to “cry it out” in order to go to sleep results in significant harm for children:\n<ul>\n	<li>increased risk of ADHD</li>\n	<li>diminished brain development (When a baby is stressed, the toxic hormone cortisol, which kills neurons, is released.)</li>\n	<li>greater dependence - rather than independence</li>\n	<li>less personal confidence</li>\n	<li>less trust in the world</li>\n	<li>mothers and fathers who have “hardened their hearts” and lost their ability to read and understand the needs of their children</li>\n</ul>\n[caption id=\"attachment_828\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin with me, when he was 2 days old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BenjDebi.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-828 \" title=\"BenjDebi\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BenjDebi.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"310\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn an <a title=\"Singing My Babies to Sleep\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/11/01/singing-my-babies-to-sleep/\">earlier post</a> I explained why I sang my babies to sleep, rather than letting them cry themselves to sleep. That early pattern of responding quickly to meet the needs of our children resulted in: adult children who are all self-confident, responsible, well-adjusted adults. All five have warm relationships with their parents and their siblings. All five are Christians, active in their churches, with an outspoken faith in their Heavenly Father.\n\nThe Psychology Today article also says that a parenting style that ignores a child’s needs “is more likely to foster a whiney, unhappy, aggressive and/or demanding child, <strong>one who has learned that one must scream to get needs met</strong>. A deep sense of insecurity is likely to stay with them the rest of life.” (emphasis mine)\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-448\" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe article also states that \"caregivers who habitually respond to the needs of the baby before the baby gets distressed, preventing crying, are more likely to have children who are independent than the opposite.”\n\nWe certainly found the information in this article to be true for our family. The more we worked to meet the needs of our children - including their needs for boundaries and firm discipline, as well as their needs for affection and warmth - the happier we all were.','I Sang My Babies to Sleep: The Danger of Letting Babies Cry','','inherit','open','open','','827-revision','','','2011-12-18 23:28:38','2011-12-19 04:28:38','',827,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/18/827-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(830,2,'2011-12-18 23:33:54','2011-12-19 04:33:54','An article in Psychology Today, this week, <a title=\"Letting_Babies_Cry\" href=\"http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out\" target=\"_blank\">“Dangers of ‘Crying it Out’”</a> reports that allowing a baby to “cry it out” in order to go to sleep results in significant harm for children:\n<ul>\n	<li>increased risk of ADHD</li>\n	<li>diminished brain development (When a baby is stressed, the toxic hormone cortisol, which kills neurons, is released.)</li>\n	<li>greater dependence - rather than independence</li>\n	<li>less personal confidence</li>\n	<li>less trust in the world</li>\n	<li>mothers and fathers who have “hardened their hearts” and lost their ability to read and understand the needs of their children</li>\n</ul>\n[caption id=\"attachment_828\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin with me, when he was 2 days old.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BenjDebi.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-828 \" title=\"BenjDebi\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BenjDebi.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"310\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn an <a title=\"Singing My Babies to Sleep\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/11/01/singing-my-babies-to-sleep/\">earlier post</a> I explained why I sang my babies to sleep, rather than letting them cry themselves to sleep. That early pattern of responding quickly to meet the needs of our children resulted in: adult children who are all self-confident, responsible, well-adjusted adults. All five have warm relationships with their parents and their siblings. All five are Christians, active in their churches, with an outspoken faith in their Heavenly Father.\n\nThe Psychology Today article also says that a parenting style that ignores a child’s needs “is more likely to foster a whiney, unhappy, aggressive and/or demanding child, <strong>one who has learned that one must scream to get needs met</strong>. A deep sense of insecurity is likely to stay with them the rest of life.” (emphasis mine)\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-448\" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe article also states that \"caregivers who habitually respond to the needs of the baby before the baby gets distressed, preventing crying, are more likely to have children who are independent than the opposite.”\n\nWe certainly found the information in this article to be true for our family. The more we worked to meet the needs of our children - including their needs for boundaries and firm discipline, as well as their needs for affection and warmth - the happier we all were.','I Sang My Babies to Sleep: The Danger of Letting Babies Cry','','inherit','open','open','','827-revision-2','','','2011-12-18 23:33:54','2011-12-19 04:33:54','',827,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/18/827-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(931,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:46','2012-01-04 22:34:46','','treewrapped','','inherit','open','open','','treewrapped','','','2012-01-04 17:34:46','2012-01-04 22:34:46','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrapped.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(833,2,'2011-12-21 13:51:17','2011-12-21 18:51:17','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together. And one of our favorite - and easiest - Christmas candies is Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters, a recipe we got from our friend Wendy Williams, probably 20 years ago.\r\n\r\nIt is not possible for a candy to be easier to make, than this recipe!\r\n\r\nOnly three ingredients: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts. We usually use cashews, but pecans, walnuts, peanuts or mixed nuts, all work. Use what fits your personal taste.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_835\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-835 \" title=\"clusteringredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"380\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPour two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips (or 4 cups) and one 11-ounce bag of butterscotch chips into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until chips are melted. This takes 3 minutes in my microwave. I do it one minute at a time, and stir between minutes.\r\n\r\nWhen chips are melted, and stirred, add nuts and mix those in.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-837\" title=\"clusterinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"221\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Drop the mixture by spoonful onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Or, this time, I put a spoonful into 1-inch cupcake papers.  Let them cool and store at room temperature.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-838\" title=\"clustersincups\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"388\" /></a>Since our son Andrew does not care for nuts of any kind, we also make this alternative: before we add the nuts, we dip pretzels into the chocolate mix, for chocolate-butterscotch covered pretzels.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-840\" title=\"clusterpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"341\" /></a>Quick, easy, delicious treat that grade-school children could make by themselves. Although we enjoy making it together, as a family Christmas tradition.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','publish','open','open','','family-christmas-traditions-part-4','','','2011-12-21 13:51:17','2011-12-21 18:51:17','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=833',0,'post','',0),(834,2,'2011-12-20 14:33:30','2011-12-20 19:33:30','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together.','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','inherit','open','open','','833-revision','','','2011-12-20 14:33:30','2011-12-20 19:33:30','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/20/833-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(835,2,'2011-12-21 13:32:42','2011-12-21 18:32:42','','clusteringredients','Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews','inherit','open','open','','clusteringredients','','','2011-12-21 13:32:42','2011-12-21 18:32:42','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(836,2,'2011-12-21 13:35:27','2011-12-21 18:35:27','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together. And one of our favorite - and easiest - Christmas candies is Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters, a recipe we got from our friend Wendy Williams, probably 20 years ago.\n\nIt is not possible for a candy to be easier to make, than this recipe!\n\nOnly three ingredients: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts. We usually use cashews, but pecans, walnuts, peanuts or mixed nuts, all workaccording to your personal taste.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_835\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-835 \" title=\"clusteringredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"380\" /></a>[/caption]','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','inherit','open','open','','833-revision-2','','','2011-12-21 13:35:27','2011-12-21 18:35:27','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/833-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(837,2,'2011-12-21 13:39:08','2011-12-21 18:39:08','','clusterinbowl','','inherit','open','open','','clusterinbowl','','','2011-12-21 13:39:08','2011-12-21 18:39:08','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(838,2,'2011-12-21 13:41:32','2011-12-21 18:41:32','','clustersincups','','inherit','open','open','','clustersincups','','','2011-12-21 13:41:32','2011-12-21 18:41:32','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(839,2,'2011-12-21 13:41:07','2011-12-21 18:41:07','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together. And one of our favorite - and easiest - Christmas candies is Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters, a recipe we got from our friend Wendy Williams, probably 20 years ago.\n\nIt is not possible for a candy to be easier to make, than this recipe!\n\nOnly three ingredients: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts. We usually use cashews, but pecans, walnuts, peanuts or mixed nuts, all work. Use what fits your personal taste.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_835\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-835 \" title=\"clusteringredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"380\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nPour two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips (or 4 cups) and one 11-ounce bag of butterscotch chips into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until chips are melted. This takes 3 minutes in my microwave. I do it one minute at a time, and stir between minutes.\n\nWhen chips are melted, and stirred, add nuts and mix those in.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-837\" title=\"clusterinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"221\" /></a>\n\nDrop the mixture by spoonful onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Or, this time, I put a spoonful into 1-inch cupcake papers.  Let them cool and','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','inherit','open','open','','833-revision-3','','','2011-12-21 13:41:07','2011-12-21 18:41:07','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/833-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(840,2,'2011-12-21 13:44:46','2011-12-21 18:44:46','','clusterpretzels','','inherit','open','open','','clusterpretzels','','','2011-12-21 13:44:46','2011-12-21 18:44:46','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(841,2,'2011-12-21 13:47:39','2011-12-21 18:47:39','','clustersfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','clustersfeatured','','','2011-12-21 13:47:39','2011-12-21 18:47:39','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(842,2,'2011-12-21 13:50:28','2011-12-21 18:50:28','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together. And one of our favorite - and easiest - Christmas candies is Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters, a recipe we got from our friend Wendy Williams, probably 20 years ago.\n\nIt is not possible for a candy to be easier to make, than this recipe!\n\nOnly three ingredients: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts. We usually use cashews, but pecans, walnuts, peanuts or mixed nuts, all work. Use what fits your personal taste.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_835\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-835 \" title=\"clusteringredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"380\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nPour two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips (or 4 cups) and one 11-ounce bag of butterscotch chips into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until chips are melted. This takes 3 minutes in my microwave. I do it one minute at a time, and stir between minutes.\n\nWhen chips are melted, and stirred, add nuts and mix those in.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-837\" title=\"clusterinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"221\" /></a>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Drop the mixture by spoonful onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Or, this time, I put a spoonful into 1-inch cupcake papers.  Let them cool and store at room temperature.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-838\" title=\"clustersincups\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"388\" /></a>Since our son Andrew does not care for nuts of any kind, we also make this alternative: before we add the nuts, we dip pretzels into the chocolate mix, for chocolate-butterscotch covered pretzels.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-840\" title=\"clusterpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"341\" /></a>Quick, easy, delicious treat that grade-school chi</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','inherit','open','open','','833-revision-4','','','2011-12-21 13:50:28','2011-12-21 18:50:28','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/833-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(843,2,'2011-12-21 13:51:29','2011-12-21 18:51:29','One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is to make candy together. And one of our favorite - and easiest - Christmas candies is Chocolate Butterscotch Clusters, a recipe we got from our friend Wendy Williams, probably 20 years ago.\n\nIt is not possible for a candy to be easier to make, than this recipe!\n\nOnly three ingredients: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts. We usually use cashews, but pecans, walnuts, peanuts or mixed nuts, all work. Use what fits your personal taste.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_835\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Chocolate chips, Butterscotch chips, and Cashews\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-835 \" title=\"clusteringredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusteringredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"380\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nPour two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips (or 4 cups) and one 11-ounce bag of butterscotch chips into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until chips are melted. This takes 3 minutes in my microwave. I do it one minute at a time, and stir between minutes.\n\nWhen chips are melted, and stirred, add nuts and mix those in.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-837\" title=\"clusterinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterinbowl-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"221\" /></a>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Drop the mixture by spoonful onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Or, this time, I put a spoonful into 1-inch cupcake papers.  Let them cool and store at room temperature.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-838\" title=\"clustersincups\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clustersincups.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"388\" /></a>Since our son Andrew does not care for nuts of any kind, we also make this alternative: before we add the nuts, we dip pretzels into the chocolate mix, for chocolate-butterscotch covered pretzels.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-840\" title=\"clusterpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clusterpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"341\" /></a>Quick, easy, delicious treat that grade-school children could make by themselves. Although we enjoy making it together, as a family Christmas tradition.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part 4','','inherit','open','open','','833-autosave','','','2011-12-21 13:51:29','2011-12-21 18:51:29','',833,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/833-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(930,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:44','2012-01-04 22:34:44','','treewrap2','','inherit','open','open','','treewrap2','','','2012-01-04 17:34:44','2012-01-04 22:34:44','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(845,2,'2011-12-21 22:26:55','2011-12-22 03:26:55','More of our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Baking, making candy is one way we have always prepared ourselves for the Christmas holiday. While we work on these, we find time to talk about Christmases past, and what we are anticipating this year.\r\n\r\nThis recipe is a relatively new one, from just the past two or three Christmas seasons. Chocolate-Caramel-Pretzel Treats are easy and delicious, a combination of sweet and salty flavors.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We like to use the Christmas-shapes pretzels, but any small pretzels would work. Start by turning your oven on to a \"warm\" setting. Then assemble the ingredients: pretzels, Hershey Kisses (we prefer the caramel ones), M&amp;Ms and pecans.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-846\" title=\"ChocCarmelPretzelingred\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas-shaped pretzels, caramel Kisses, red and green M&amp;Ms, and pecans\" width=\"479\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spread the pretzels out on a cookies sheet.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-848\" title=\"pretzelsonpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-853\" title=\"kisseswrappers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Unwrap the Hershey Kisses and place one Kiss on each pretzel.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-850\" title=\"kissesonpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"535\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Slide the pan of pretzels/kisses into your warm oven. Set the timer for two minutes - just enough time to begin to melt the Kisses.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Pull the pan out of the oven and press either a red or green M&amp;M or a pecan half onto each kiss.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-851\" title=\"MMpecans\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>We took this entire pan-full to church last night, for Trinity\'s Live Nativity (more on that as a family Christmas tradition in a later post). They were eaten immediately! They are a nice blend of salty and sweet, and very attractive, too.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our friend Karen Tucker makes a variation of this treat, putting a second pretzel on top, and using milk chocolate Kisses.  You may make your own variation, using any of the many varieties of Hershey Kisses.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats','','publish','open','open','','family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats','','','2011-12-21 22:26:55','2011-12-22 03:26:55','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=845',0,'post','',0),(846,2,'2011-12-21 14:05:10','2011-12-21 19:05:10','','ChocCarmelPretzelingred','','inherit','open','open','','choccarmelpretzelingred','','','2011-12-21 14:05:10','2011-12-21 19:05:10','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(847,2,'2011-12-21 14:08:39','2011-12-21 19:08:39','','pretzelsonpan','','inherit','open','open','','pretzelsonpan','','','2011-12-21 14:08:39','2011-12-21 19:08:39','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(848,2,'2011-12-21 14:10:11','2011-12-21 19:10:11','','pretzelsonpan','','inherit','open','open','','pretzelsonpan-2','','','2011-12-21 14:10:11','2011-12-21 19:10:11','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(849,2,'2011-12-21 14:12:01','2011-12-21 19:12:01','','kisseswrappers','','inherit','open','open','','kisseswrappers','','','2011-12-21 14:12:01','2011-12-21 19:12:01','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(850,2,'2011-12-21 14:12:55','2011-12-21 19:12:55','','kissesonpretzels','','inherit','open','open','','kissesonpretzels','','','2011-12-21 14:12:55','2011-12-21 19:12:55','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(851,2,'2011-12-21 14:17:35','2011-12-21 19:17:35','','MMpecans','','inherit','open','open','','mmpecans','','','2011-12-21 14:17:35','2011-12-21 19:17:35','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(852,2,'2011-12-21 14:19:06','2011-12-21 19:19:06','More of our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Baking, making candy is one way we have always prepared ourselves for the Christmas holiday.\n\nThis recipe is a relatively new one, from just the past two or three Christmas seasons. Chocolate-Caramel-Pretzel Treats are easy and delicious, a combination of sweet and salty flavors.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We like to use the Christmas-shapes pretzels, but any small pretzels would work. Start by turning your oven on to a \"warm\" setting. Then assemble the ingredients: pretzels, Hershey Kisses (we prefer the caramel ones), M&amp;Ms and pecans.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-846\" title=\"ChocCarmelPretzelingred\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas-shaped pretzels, caramel Kisses, red and green M&amp;Ms, and pecans\" width=\"479\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spread the pretzels out on a cookies sheets.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-848\" title=\"pretzelsonpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>Unwrap the Hershey Kisses and place one Kiss on each pretzel.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-850\" title=\"kissesonpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"535\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Slide the pan of pretzels/kisses into your warm oven. Set the timer for two minutes - just enough time to begin to melt the Kisses.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Pull the pan out of the oven and press either a red or green M&amp;M or a pecan half onto each kiss.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-851\" title=\"MMpecans\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>We took this entire pan-full to church last night. They were eaten</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers.jpg\">\n</a></p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part Five','','inherit','open','open','','845-revision','','','2011-12-21 14:19:06','2011-12-21 19:19:06','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/845-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(853,2,'2011-12-21 14:23:08','2011-12-21 19:23:08','','kisseswrappers','','inherit','open','open','','kisseswrappers-2','','','2011-12-21 14:23:08','2011-12-21 19:23:08','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(854,2,'2011-12-21 14:26:03','2011-12-21 19:26:03','More of our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Baking, making candy is one way we have always prepared ourselves for the Christmas holiday.\n\nThis recipe is a relatively new one, from just the past two or three Christmas seasons. Chocolate-Caramel-Pretzel Treats are easy and delicious, a combination of sweet and salty flavors.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We like to use the Christmas-shapes pretzels, but any small pretzels would work. Start by turning your oven on to a \"warm\" setting. Then assemble the ingredients: pretzels, Hershey Kisses (we prefer the caramel ones), M&amp;Ms and pecans.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-846\" title=\"ChocCarmelPretzelingred\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas-shaped pretzels, caramel Kisses, red and green M&amp;Ms, and pecans\" width=\"479\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spread the pretzels out on a cookies sheet.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-848\" title=\"pretzelsonpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-853\" title=\"kisseswrappers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Unwrap the Hershey Kisses and place one Kiss on each pretzel.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-850\" title=\"kissesonpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"535\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Slide the pan of pretzels/kisses into your warm oven. Set the timer for two minutes - just enough time to begin to melt the Kisses.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Pull the pan out of the oven and press either a red or green M&amp;M or a pecan half onto each kiss.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-851\" title=\"MMpecans\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>We took this entire pan-full to church last night, for Trinity\'s Live Nativity (more on that as a family Christmas tradition in a later post). They were eaten immediately! They are a nice blend of salty and sweet, and very attractive, too.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our friend Karen Tucker makes a variation of this treat, putting a s</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers.jpg\">\n</a></p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part Five','','inherit','open','open','','845-revision-2','','','2011-12-21 14:26:03','2011-12-21 19:26:03','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/845-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(855,2,'2011-12-21 14:31:17','2011-12-21 19:31:17','','ChocCarmelPretzelfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','choccarmelpretzelfeatured','','','2011-12-21 14:31:17','2011-12-21 19:31:17','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(856,2,'2011-12-21 14:30:11','2011-12-21 19:30:11','More of our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Baking, making candy is one way we have always prepared ourselves for the Christmas holiday.\n\nThis recipe is a relatively new one, from just the past two or three Christmas seasons. Chocolate-Caramel-Pretzel Treats are easy and delicious, a combination of sweet and salty flavors.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We like to use the Christmas-shapes pretzels, but any small pretzels would work. Start by turning your oven on to a \"warm\" setting. Then assemble the ingredients: pretzels, Hershey Kisses (we prefer the caramel ones), M&amp;Ms and pecans.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-846\" title=\"ChocCarmelPretzelingred\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas-shaped pretzels, caramel Kisses, red and green M&amp;Ms, and pecans\" width=\"479\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spread the pretzels out on a cookies sheet.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-848\" title=\"pretzelsonpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-853\" title=\"kisseswrappers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Unwrap the Hershey Kisses and place one Kiss on each pretzel.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-850\" title=\"kissesonpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"535\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Slide the pan of pretzels/kisses into your warm oven. Set the timer for two minutes - just enough time to begin to melt the Kisses.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Pull the pan out of the oven and press either a red or green M&amp;M or a pecan half onto each kiss.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-851\" title=\"MMpecans\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>We took this entire pan-full to church last night, for Trinity\'s Live Nativity (more on that as a family Christmas tradition in a later post). They were eaten immediately! They are a nice blend of salty and sweet, and very attractive, too.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our friend Karen Tucker makes a variation of this treat, putting a second pretzel on top, and using milk chocolate Kisses.  You may make your own variation, using any of the many varieties of Hershey Kisses.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers.jpg\">\n</a></p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Part Five','','inherit','open','open','','845-revision-3','','','2011-12-21 14:30:11','2011-12-21 19:30:11','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/845-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(857,2,'2011-12-21 14:34:16','2011-12-21 19:34:16','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. They live in New Hampshire, Kentucky and Maryland. This time next year, they will live in New Hampshire, Kentucky, Maryland and Kenya.\r\n\r\nWhen they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" We ALWAYS make our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning. But, over the years, we have experimented with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies. We cannot make them all each year.\r\n\r\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy.  They are fun for a group of two or three of us to assemble together, each person with a different job: I\'ll add the sausage, if you\'ll squirt the ranch dressing.\r\n\r\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the host\'s house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\r\n\r\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\r\n\r\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\r\n\r\nchopped green and red bell peppers\r\n\r\nranch dressing\r\n\r\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Brown sausage and drain well.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-875\" title=\"sausagecooked\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"373\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Add four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"519\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Squirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"395\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Top with a pinch of shredded cheese.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-865\" title=\"cheeseadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-864\" title=\"finishedstar\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"356\" /></a>Somehow, in making these for our Sunday School party, we missed taking a photo of the finished product.  I guess we were in a hurry to get to the party. This poor, overcooked sausage star was the one we left behind. In general, we pull them out of the oven before the edges are this brown. But none of the prettier ones were left at the end of the party.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','publish','open','open','','family-christmas-traditions-sausage-stars','','','2011-12-23 15:55:40','2011-12-23 20:55:40','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=857',0,'post','',0),(858,2,'2011-12-21 14:32:35','2011-12-21 19:32:35','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision','','','2011-12-21 14:32:35','2011-12-21 19:32:35','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(859,2,'2011-12-21 15:55:35','2011-12-21 20:55:35','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" Because, while we\'ve always made our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning, we have experimented over the years with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy. We make them some Christmases. And some Christmases we make other things and never get around to making these.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offering them to our friends. What fun!','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-2','','','2011-12-21 15:55:35','2011-12-21 20:55:35','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(860,2,'2011-12-23 22:37:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Carol Payne’s Butter Toffee\r\n\r\n2 cups butter\r\n\r\n2 cups sugar\r\n\r\n1 T corn syrup\r\n\r\n1/4 t salt\r\n\r\n1 cup chocolate chips\r\n\r\n1 cup nuts\r\n\r\nPut butter in a large glass bowl.\r\n\r\nPour sugar over top.\r\n\r\nAdd corn syrup and salt.\r\n\r\nMicrowave on high until syrup is a golden toffee color. Do this in 2 minute increments, stirring the toffee at each stop.\r\n\r\nThen, after 6 minutes, shorten the increment to 1 minute, then 30 seconds. It should take 12-15 minutes.\r\n\r\nPlace nuts on a non-stick cookie sheet. Pour hot syrup over nuts. Let it cool until warm, rather than hot.\r\n\r\nSprinkle chocolate chips over the top.\r\n\r\nLet melt and spread.\r\n\r\nBreak into pieces.','Family Christmas Traditions: Carol\'s Butter Toffee','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-12-23 22:37:22','2011-12-24 03:37:22','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=860',0,'post','',0),(861,2,'2011-12-21 15:58:10','2011-12-21 20:58:10','Carol Payne’s Butter Toffee 2 cups butter 2 cups sugar 1 T corn syrup 1/4 t salt 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup nuts Put butter in a large glass bowl. Pour sugar over top. Add corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high until syrup is a golden toffee color. Do this in 2 minute increments, stirring the toffee at each stop. Then, after 6 minutes, shorten the increment to 1 minute, then 30 seconds. It should take 12-15 minutes. Place nuts on a non-stick cookie sheet. Pour hot syrup over nuts. Let it cool until warm, rather than hot. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let melt and spread. Break into pieces.','Carol\'s Butter Toffee','','inherit','open','open','','860-revision','','','2011-12-21 15:58:10','2011-12-21 20:58:10','',860,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/860-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(864,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:30','2011-12-21 21:17:30','','finishedstar','','inherit','open','open','','finishedstar','','','2011-12-21 16:17:30','2011-12-21 21:17:30','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(865,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:32','2011-12-21 21:17:32','','cheeseadded','','inherit','open','open','','cheeseadded','','','2011-12-21 16:17:32','2011-12-21 21:17:32','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(866,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:35','2011-12-21 21:17:35','','ranchdressingadded','','inherit','open','open','','ranchdressingadded','','','2011-12-21 16:17:35','2011-12-21 21:17:35','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(867,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:37','2011-12-21 21:17:37','','addpeppers','','inherit','open','open','','addpeppers','','','2011-12-21 16:17:37','2011-12-21 21:17:37','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(868,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:40','2011-12-21 21:17:40','','sausage','','inherit','open','open','','sausage','','','2011-12-21 16:17:40','2011-12-21 21:17:40','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(869,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:42','2011-12-21 21:17:42','','wontonsinpan','I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.','inherit','open','open','','wontonsinpan','','','2011-12-21 16:17:42','2011-12-21 21:17:42','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(870,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:45','2011-12-21 21:17:45','','pepperschopped','','inherit','open','open','','pepperschopped','','','2011-12-21 16:17:45','2011-12-21 21:17:45','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pepperschopped.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(871,2,'2011-12-21 16:17:47','2011-12-21 21:17:47','','sausagestarsingredients','','inherit','open','open','','sausagestarsingredients','','','2011-12-21 16:17:47','2011-12-21 21:17:47','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(872,2,'2011-12-21 16:19:32','2011-12-21 21:19:32','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" Because, while we\'ve always made our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning, we have experimented over the years with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy. We make them some Christmases. And some Christmases we make other things and never get around to making these.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n\nBrown sausage and drain well. Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin.\n\nSpoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.\n\nAdd four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.\n\nSquirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.\n\nTop with a pinch of shredded cheese.\n\nBake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-3','','','2011-12-21 16:19:32','2011-12-21 21:19:32','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(873,2,'2011-12-21 16:25:00','2011-12-21 21:25:00','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" Because, while we\'ve always made our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning, we have experimented over the years with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy. We make them some Christmases. And some Christmases we make other things and never get around to making these.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n\nBrown sausage and drain well. Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\nAdd four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers-277x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"277\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nSquirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded-300x247.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"247\" /></a>\n\nTop with a pinch of shredded cheese.\n\nBake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-4','','','2011-12-21 16:25:00','2011-12-21 21:25:00','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(874,2,'2011-12-21 16:34:14','2011-12-21 21:34:14','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" Because, while we\'ve always made our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning, we have experimented over the years with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy. We make them some Christmases. And some Christmases we make other things and never get around to making these.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n\nBrown sausage and drain well. Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Add four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"519\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Squirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"395\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Top with a pinch of shredded cheese.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-865\" title=\"cheeseadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-864\" title=\"finishedstar\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"356\" /></a>Somehow, in making these for our Sunday School party, we missed taking a photo of the finished product.  We were just in a hurry to get to the party. This poor, overcooked sausage star was the one we left behind.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-5','','','2011-12-21 16:34:14','2011-12-21 21:34:14','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(875,2,'2011-12-21 16:38:49','2011-12-21 21:38:49','','sausagecooked','','inherit','open','open','','sausagecooked','','','2011-12-21 16:38:49','2011-12-21 21:38:49','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(876,2,'2011-12-21 16:38:52','2011-12-21 21:38:52','','sausagestarfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','sausagestarfeatured','','','2011-12-21 16:38:52','2011-12-21 21:38:52','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(877,2,'2011-12-21 16:42:53','2011-12-21 21:42:53','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" Because, while we\'ve always made our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning, we have experimented over the years with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy. We make them some Christmases. And some Christmases we make other things and never get around to making these. They are fun for a group of two or three of us to work on together, each person with a different job: I\'ll add the sausage, if you\'ll squirt the ranch dressing.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Brown sausage and drain well.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-875\" title=\"sausagecooked\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"373\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Add four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"519\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Squirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"395\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Top with a pinch of shredded cheese.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-865\" title=\"cheeseadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-864\" title=\"finishedstar\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"356\" /></a>Somehow, in making these for our Sunday School party, we missed taking a photo of the finished product.  I guess we were in a hurry to get to the party. This poor, overcooked sausage star was the one we left behind. In general, we pull them out of the oven before the edges are this brown.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-6','','','2011-12-21 16:42:53','2011-12-21 21:42:53','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(878,2,'2011-12-21 22:26:35','2011-12-22 03:26:35','More of our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Baking, making candy is one way we have always prepared ourselves for the Christmas holiday. While we work on these, we find time to talk about Christmases past, and what we are anticipating this year.\n\nThis recipe is a relatively new one, from just the past two or three Christmas seasons. Chocolate-Caramel-Pretzel Treats are easy and delicious, a combination of sweet and salty flavors.\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We like to use the Christmas-shapes pretzels, but any small pretzels would work. Start by turning your oven on to a \"warm\" setting. Then assemble the ingredients: pretzels, Hershey Kisses (we prefer the caramel ones), M&amp;Ms and pecans.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-846\" title=\"ChocCarmelPretzelingred\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChocCarmelPretzelingred.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas-shaped pretzels, caramel Kisses, red and green M&amp;Ms, and pecans\" width=\"479\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spread the pretzels out on a cookies sheet.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-848\" title=\"pretzelsonpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretzelsonpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-853\" title=\"kisseswrappers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kisseswrappers1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"225\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Unwrap the Hershey Kisses and place one Kiss on each pretzel.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-850\" title=\"kissesonpretzels\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/kissesonpretzels.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"535\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Slide the pan of pretzels/kisses into your warm oven. Set the timer for two minutes - just enough time to begin to melt the Kisses.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Pull the pan out of the oven and press either a red or green M&amp;M or a pecan half onto each kiss.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-851\" title=\"MMpecans\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MMpecans.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>We took this entire pan-full to church last night, for Trinity\'s Live Nativity (more on that as a family Christmas tradition in a later post). They were eaten immediately! They are a nice blend of salty and sweet, and very attractive, too.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our friend Karen Tucker makes a variation of this treat, putting a second pretzel on top, and using milk chocolate Kisses.  You may make your own variation, using any of the many varieties of Hershey Kisses.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats','','inherit','open','open','','845-revision-4','','','2011-12-21 22:26:35','2011-12-22 03:26:35','',845,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/845-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(879,2,'2011-12-21 22:33:23','2011-12-22 03:33:23','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. None of them live near us. So when they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" We ALWAYS make our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning. But, over the years, we have experimented with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies. We cannot make them all each year.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy.  They are fun for a group of two or three of us tassemble together, each person with a different job: I\'ll add the sausage, if you\'ll squirt the ranch dressing.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the host\'s house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Brown sausage and drain well.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-875\" title=\"sausagecooked\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"373\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Add four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"519\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Squirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"395\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Top with a pinch of shredded cheese.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-865\" title=\"cheeseadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-864\" title=\"finishedstar\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"356\" /></a>Somehow, in making these for our Sunday School party, we missed taking a photo of the finished product.  I guess we were in a hurry to get to the party. This poor, overcooked sausage star was the one we left behind. In general, we pull them out of the oven before the edges are this brown. But there were none of the prettier ones left a</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-7','','','2011-12-21 22:33:23','2011-12-22 03:33:23','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/857-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(881,2,'2011-12-23 15:51:54','2011-12-23 20:51:54','Our five children are all now adults, two of them married. They live in New Hampshire, Kentucky and Maryland. This time next year, they will live in New Hampshire, Kentucky, Maryland and Kenya.\n\nWhen they come home for Christmas, I ask, \"What do you want to make for Christmas this year?\" We ALWAYS make our Christmas sweet rolls, to eat on Christmas morning. But, over the years, we have experimented with a wide variety of other treats, candies, cakes and pies. We cannot make them all each year.\n\nSeveral years ago now, we found a recipe for sausage stars that we all enjoy.  They are fun for a group of two or three of us to assemble together, each person with a different job: I\'ll add the sausage, if you\'ll squirt the ranch dressing.\n\nThis year, Gregg and I made some for our Christmas Sunday School class party. We walked into the host\'s house with these appetizers hot from the oven, and offered them to our friends. What fun!\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-871\" title=\"sausagestarsingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagestarsingredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"414\" /></a>Sausage Stars\n\n1 package wanton wrappers (usually found in the produce section of the grocery store)\n\n1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage\n\nchopped green and red bell peppers\n\nranch dressing\n\nshredded cheese (We like sharp cheddar or fiesta blend best.)\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Brown sausage and drain well.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-875\" title=\"sausagecooked\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausagecooked.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"373\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Put the wonton wrappers in a tart-sized muffin tin.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_869\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"I gently fold the wrapper and place in the pan. Do NOT press it down and make it fit the pan.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-869 \" title=\"wontonsinpan\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wontonsinpan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"352\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Spoon in less than a teaspoon of the cooked sausage.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-868\" title=\"sausage\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sausage.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"415\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Add four or five small pieces of chopped peppers, mix red and green.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-867\" title=\"addpeppers\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/addpeppers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"519\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Squirt a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon of ranch dressing in each star.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-866\" title=\"ranchdressingadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ranchdressingadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"395\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Top with a pinch of shredded cheese.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-865\" title=\"cheeseadded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cheeseadded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or so, until golden brown and cheese has melted.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-864\" title=\"finishedstar\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/finishedstar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"356\" /></a>Somehow, in making these for our Sunday School party, we missed taking a photo of the finished product.  I guess we were in a hurry to get to the party. This poor, overcooked sausage star was the one we left behind. In general, we pull them out of the oven before the edges are this brown. But none of the prettier ones were left at the end of the party.</p>','Family Christmas Traditions: Sausage Stars','','inherit','open','open','','857-revision-8','','','2011-12-23 15:51:54','2011-12-23 20:51:54','',857,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/23/857-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(882,2,'2011-12-23 22:33:10','2011-12-24 03:33:10','Carol Payne’s Butter Toffee\n\n2 cups butter\n\n2 cups sugar\n\n1 T corn syrup\n\n1/4 t salt\n\n1 cup chocolate chips\n\n1 cup nuts\n\nPut butter in a large glass bowl.\n\nPour sugar over top.\n\nAdd corn syrup and salt.\n\nMicrowave on high until syrup is a golden toffee color. Do this in 2 minute increments, stirring the toffee at each stop. Then, after 6 minutes, shorten the increment to 1 minute, then 30 seconds. It should take 12-15 minutes. Place nuts on a non-stick cookie sheet. Pour hot syrup over nuts. Let it cool until warm, rather than hot. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let melt and spread. Break into pieces.','Carol\'s Butter Toffee','','inherit','open','open','','860-revision-2','','','2011-12-23 22:33:10','2011-12-24 03:33:10','',860,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/23/860-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(883,2,'2011-12-23 22:35:04','2011-12-24 03:35:04','Carol Payne’s Butter Toffee\n\n2 cups butter\n\n2 cups sugar\n\n1 T corn syrup\n\n1/4 t salt\n\n1 cup chocolate chips\n\n1 cup nuts\n\nPut butter in a large glass bowl.\n\nPour sugar over top.\n\nAdd corn syrup and salt.\n\nMicrowave on high until syrup is a golden toffee color. Do this in 2 minute increments, stirring the toffee at each stop.\n\nThen, after 6 minutes, shorten the increment to 1 minute, then 30 seconds. It should take 12-15 minutes.\n\nPlace nuts on a non-stick cookie sheet. Pour hot syrup over nuts. Let it cool until warm, rather than hot.\n\nSprinkle chocolate chips over the top.\n\nLet melt and spread.\n\nBreak into pieces.','Family Christmas Traditions: Carol\'s Butter Toffee','','inherit','open','open','','860-revision-3','','','2011-12-23 22:35:04','2011-12-24 03:35:04','',860,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/23/860-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(885,2,'2012-01-01 21:39:02','2012-01-02 02:39:02','<p>Our church, <a title=\"Trinity_United_Methodist_Church\" href=\"http://www.trinityumcrome.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Trinity  United Methodist in Rome</a>, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.</p>\r\n<p>One of our most enduring and memorable family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so. At least ten people are needed for each shift: Mary and Joseph; 3 wise men (or women), 3 shepherds and 2 angels.  But, most of the time, we have more than 2 angels, and shepherd boys, baby angels and, in recent years, we\'ve added a page who holds the rope for the camel.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"In addition to the people who stand in the Live Nativity, several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>Our church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.</p>\r\n<p>I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And my husband Gregg and I and our children, would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome visiting my brother Terrell, even before we moved back to Georgia in 1988.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>We also have animals, usually a donkey and two or three sheep.  For two years we hired a live camel.  Then a church member constructed the camel statue, pictured below. Our camel is named Craven, after Paul, Frank and Allen Craven, the three generations of Craven men who have constructed the stable scene over the past 54 years.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>Our family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','publish','open','open','','christmas-traditions-the-live-nativity','','','2012-03-24 13:14:34','2012-03-24 17:14:34','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=885',0,'post','',1),(886,2,'2011-12-23 22:39:01','2011-12-24 03:39:01','','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision','','','2011-12-23 22:39:01','2011-12-24 03:39:01','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/23/885-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(929,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:41','2012-01-04 22:34:41','','treeonjeep','We tie the tree to the top of Lisette\'s Jeep and haul it home.','inherit','open','open','','treeonjeep','','','2012-01-04 17:34:41','2012-01-04 22:34:41','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(889,2,'2011-12-26 18:37:13','2011-12-26 23:37:13','We began making chocolate truffles more than 23 years ago, when we still lived in Carol Stream, Illinois. We\'ve made them almost every Christmas since we found the recipe.  They are easy to make, delicious, and our children loved rolling them into balls. We usually make three varieties: dark chocolate run; dark chocolate almond and white chocolate.\r\n\r\n<em></em><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-890\" title=\"truffleingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\r\n\r\n12 oz (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips\r\n\r\n4 tablespoons butter\r\n\r\n1/2 cup whipping cream\r\n\r\n1/2 teaspoon flavoring (rum, peppermint, almond or orange)\r\n\r\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-892\" title=\"darkchocolateinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\r\n\r\nChill for 2 hours.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_897\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We made two dark chocolate batches, one chocolate rum and the other chocolate almond. We topped the chocolate rum ones with a walnut and the chocolate almond ones with a sliver of almond.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-897\" title=\"truffleplate\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"433\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll ball in dark cocoa and top with a pecan - or other nut.</p>\r\nWHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\r\n\r\n12 oz (2 cups) white chocolate chips\r\n\r\n4 tablespoons butter\r\n\r\n1/3 cup whipping cream\r\n\r\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-891\" title=\"whitechocoinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\r\n\r\nChill for 2 hours. Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll in confectioners‘ sugar and top with a pecan.','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate Truffles','','publish','open','open','','family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-truffles','','','2011-12-26 18:37:13','2011-12-26 23:37:13','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=889',0,'post','',0),(890,2,'2011-12-24 16:14:53','2011-12-24 21:14:53','','truffleingredients','','inherit','open','open','','truffleingredients','','','2011-12-24 16:14:53','2011-12-24 21:14:53','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(891,2,'2011-12-24 16:14:56','2011-12-24 21:14:56','','whitechocoinbowl','','inherit','open','open','','whitechocoinbowl','','','2011-12-24 16:14:56','2011-12-24 21:14:56','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(892,2,'2011-12-24 16:15:00','2011-12-24 21:15:00','','darkchocolateinbowl','','inherit','open','open','','darkchocolateinbowl','','','2011-12-24 16:15:00','2011-12-24 21:15:00','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(893,2,'2011-12-24 16:18:58','2011-12-24 21:18:58','We began making chocolate truffles more than 23 years ago, when we still lived in Carol Stream, Illinois. We\'ve made them almost every Christmas since we found the recipe.  They are easy to make, delicious, and our children loved rolling them into balls. We usually make three varieties: dark chocolate run; dark chocolate almond and white chocolate.\n\n<em></em><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-890\" title=\"truffleingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/2 cup whipping cream\n\n1/2 teaspoon flavoring (rum, peppermint, almond or orange)\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-892\" title=\"darkchocolateinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours.\n\nScoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll ball in dark cocoa and top with a pecan.\n\nWHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) white chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/3 cup whipping cream\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-891\" title=\"whitechocoinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours. Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll in confectioners‘ sugar and top with a pecan.','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate Truffles','','inherit','open','open','','889-revision','','','2011-12-24 16:18:58','2011-12-24 21:18:58','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/24/889-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(928,2,'2012-01-04 21:06:04','2012-01-05 02:06:04','<p>For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever members of our family are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>When we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-929 \" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"326\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p>I did not get a good photo of this year\'s Christmas tree, decorated and lighted. So below is our Christmas tree from 2007, with many of the same ornaments that were on this year\'s tree. Most of the ornaments on our tree were hand-made by us, over the years. Each has a story behind it.</p>\r\n<p>[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"399\" caption=\"Our Christmas tree in 2007, the one year we bought a Carolina spruce.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818\" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"399\" height=\"762\" /></a>[/caption]</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\r\n','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','publish','open','open','','christmas-memories-2011-cutting-down-a-live-tree','','','2012-03-24 13:13:48','2012-03-24 17:13:48','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=928',0,'post','',3),(895,2,'2011-12-26 18:30:56','2011-12-26 23:30:56','','singletruffle','','inherit','open','open','','singletruffle','','','2011-12-26 18:30:56','2011-12-26 23:30:56','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/singletruffle.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(896,2,'2011-12-26 18:30:59','2011-12-26 23:30:59','','trufflefeatured','','inherit','open','open','','trufflefeatured','','','2011-12-26 18:30:59','2011-12-26 23:30:59','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/trufflefeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(897,2,'2011-12-26 18:31:01','2011-12-26 23:31:01','','truffleplate','','inherit','open','open','','truffleplate','','','2011-12-26 18:31:01','2011-12-26 23:31:01','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(898,2,'2011-12-26 18:31:03','2011-12-26 23:31:03','','onetruffle','','inherit','open','open','','onetruffle','','','2011-12-26 18:31:03','2011-12-26 23:31:03','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/onetruffle.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(899,2,'2011-12-26 18:34:51','2011-12-26 23:34:51','We began making chocolate truffles more than 23 years ago, when we still lived in Carol Stream, Illinois. We\'ve made them almost every Christmas since we found the recipe.  They are easy to make, delicious, and our children loved rolling them into balls. We usually make three varieties: dark chocolate run; dark chocolate almond and white chocolate.\n\n<em></em><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-890\" title=\"truffleingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/2 cup whipping cream\n\n1/2 teaspoon flavoring (rum, peppermint, almond or orange)\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-892\" title=\"darkchocolateinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_897\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We made two dark chocolate batches, one chocolate rum and the other chocolate almond. We topped the chocolate rum ones with a walnut and the chocolate almond ones with a sliver of almond.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-897\" title=\"truffleplate\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"433\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll ball in dark cocoa and top with a pecan - or other nut.</p>\nWHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) white chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/3 cup whipping cream\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-891\" title=\"whitechocoinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours. Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll in confectioners‘ sugar and top with a pecan.','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate Truffles','','inherit','open','open','','889-revision-2','','','2011-12-26 18:34:51','2011-12-26 23:34:51','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/26/889-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(900,2,'2011-12-26 18:37:00','2011-12-26 23:37:00','We began making chocolate truffles more than 23 years ago, when we still lived in Carol Stream, Illinois. We\'ve made them almost every Christmas since we found the recipe.  They are easy to make, delicious, and our children loved rolling them into balls. We usually make three varieties: dark chocolate run; dark chocolate almond and white chocolate.\n\n<em></em><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-890\" title=\"truffleingredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleingredients-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/2 cup whipping cream\n\n1/2 teaspoon flavoring (rum, peppermint, almond or orange)\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-892\" title=\"darkchocolateinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/darkchocolateinbowl-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"236\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_897\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We made two dark chocolate batches, one chocolate rum and the other chocolate almond. We topped the chocolate rum ones with a walnut and the chocolate almond ones with a sliver of almond.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-897\" title=\"truffleplate\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/truffleplate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"433\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll ball in dark cocoa and top with a pecan - or other nut.</p>\nWHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES\n\n12 oz (2 cups) white chocolate chips\n\n4 tablespoons butter\n\n1/3 cup whipping cream\n\nPut chocolate chips, butter and cream into a microwave bowl. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Depending on the power of the microwave, continue to heat at 10-second intervals, until chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. <a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-891\" title=\"whitechocoinbowl\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/whitechocoinbowl-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\n\nChill for 2 hours. Scoop out by the spoon-full and roll into balls. Roll in confectioners‘ sugar and top with a pecan.','Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate Truffles','','inherit','open','open','','889-revision-3','','','2011-12-26 18:37:00','2011-12-26 23:37:00','',889,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/26/889-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(901,2,'2011-12-26 18:42:27','2011-12-26 23:42:27','','LilyDressed2010','Lily being dressed as an angel. ','inherit','open','open','','lilydressed2010','','','2011-12-26 18:42:27','2011-12-26 23:42:27','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(902,2,'2011-12-26 18:42:30','2011-12-26 23:42:30','','angels2010','My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.','inherit','open','open','','angels2010','','','2011-12-26 18:42:30','2011-12-26 23:42:30','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(903,2,'2011-12-26 18:42:59','2011-12-26 23:42:59','','nativityfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','nativityfeatured','','','2011-12-26 18:42:59','2011-12-26 23:42:59','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativityfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(904,2,'2011-12-26 18:43:41','2011-12-26 23:43:41','','nativity2010','The Live Nativity in 2010','inherit','open','open','','nativity2010','','','2011-12-26 18:43:41','2011-12-26 23:43:41','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(905,2,'2011-12-26 18:44:26','2011-12-26 23:44:26','','SophLilyAngels','','inherit','open','open','','sophlilyangels','','','2011-12-26 18:44:26','2011-12-26 23:44:26','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/SophLilyAngels.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(906,2,'2011-12-26 18:44:43','2011-12-26 23:44:43','','Angels','','inherit','open','open','','angels','','','2011-12-26 18:44:43','2011-12-26 23:44:43','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Angels.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(907,2,'2011-12-26 18:44:46','2011-12-26 23:44:46','','AngelsMary2','','inherit','open','open','','angelsmary2','','','2011-12-26 18:44:46','2011-12-26 23:44:46','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AngelsMary2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(908,2,'2011-12-26 18:44:49','2011-12-26 23:44:49','','AngelsMary','','inherit','open','open','','angelsmary','','','2011-12-26 18:44:49','2011-12-26 23:44:49','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AngelsMary.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(909,2,'2011-12-26 18:44:51','2011-12-26 23:44:51','','NativityInside','Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus\' birthday.','inherit','open','open','','nativityinside','','','2011-12-26 18:44:51','2011-12-26 23:44:51','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(910,2,'2012-01-01 18:37:33','2012-01-01 23:37:33','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.</p>','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-2','','','2012-01-01 18:37:33','2012-01-01 23:37:33','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(916,2,'2012-01-01 20:37:49','2012-01-02 01:37:49','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901\" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a></p>\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_913\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\"></dd></dl></div>\n&nbsp;','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-5','','','2012-01-01 20:37:49','2012-01-02 01:37:49','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(911,2,'2012-01-01 20:30:44','2012-01-02 01:30:44','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Lily being dressed as an angel.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901\" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands at least two nights, out of the five nights of the Live Nativity each year.  We stand on the evening assigned to our Sunday School class.  And, for almost 20 years, we have stood in the Nativity on Christmas Eve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_904\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\" caption=\"The Live Nativity in 2010. The scene usually ortrays Mary and Joseph, three wise men (or women), three shepherds, ana\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"485\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-3','','','2012-01-01 20:30:44','2012-01-02 01:30:44','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(915,2,'2012-01-01 20:35:23','2012-01-02 01:35:23','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Our family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Lily being dressed as an angel.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901\" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"The nativity usually has Mary and Joseph, three wise men (or women), three shepherds and at least 2 angels.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\n&nbsp;','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-4','','','2012-01-01 20:35:23','2012-01-02 01:35:23','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(912,2,'2012-01-01 20:33:05','2012-01-02 01:33:05','','EmilyMattMaryJoseph','Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011','inherit','open','open','','emilymattmaryjoseph','','','2012-01-01 20:33:05','2012-01-02 01:33:05','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(913,2,'2012-01-01 20:33:08','2012-01-02 01:33:08','','fullnativity','','inherit','open','open','','fullnativity','','','2012-01-01 20:33:08','2012-01-02 01:33:08','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(914,2,'2012-01-01 20:33:10','2012-01-02 01:33:10','','wisemen','','inherit','open','open','','wisemen','','','2012-01-01 20:33:10','2012-01-02 01:33:10','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wisemen.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(917,2,'2012-01-01 20:46:45','2012-01-02 01:46:45','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_913\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\"></dd></dl></div>\nOur familyusually','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-6','','','2012-01-01 20:46:45','2012-01-02 01:46:45','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(918,2,'2012-01-01 20:48:57','2012-01-02 01:48:57','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_913\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\"></dd></dl></div>\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-7','','','2012-01-01 20:48:57','2012-01-02 01:48:57','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(919,2,'2012-01-01 20:50:47','2012-01-02 01:50:47','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\r\n\r\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"><dl id=\"attachment_913\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 490px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\"></dd></dl></div>\r\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-8','','','2012-01-01 20:50:47','2012-01-02 01:50:47','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(920,2,'2012-01-01 21:22:02','2012-01-02 02:22:02','','nativity1988','','inherit','open','open','','nativity1988','','','2012-01-01 21:22:02','2012-01-02 02:22:02','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nativity1988.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(921,2,'2012-01-01 21:22:05','2012-01-02 02:22:05','','MatthewShepherd1988','Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.','inherit','open','open','','matthewshepherd1988','','','2012-01-01 21:22:05','2012-01-02 02:22:05','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(922,2,'2012-01-01 21:20:26','2012-01-02 02:20:26','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve. Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-9','','','2012-01-01 21:20:26','2012-01-02 02:20:26','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(923,2,'2012-01-01 21:24:29','2012-01-02 02:24:29','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ. One of our most lasting family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-10','','','2012-01-01 21:24:29','2012-01-02 02:24:29','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(924,2,'2012-01-01 21:36:32','2012-01-02 02:36:32','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\nOne of our most enduring and memorable family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so. At least ten people are needed for each shift: Mary and Joseph; 3 wise men (or w0men), 3 shepherds and 2 angels.  But, most of the time, we have more than 2 angels, and shepherd boys, baby angels and, in recent years, we\'ve added a page who holds the rope for the camel.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"In addition to the people who stand in the Live Nativity, several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe also have animals, usually a donkey and two or three sheep.  For two years we hired a live camel.  Then a church member constructed the camel statue, pictured below and name Craven, after Paul, Frank and Allen Craven. Three generations of Craven men have constructed the stable scene over the past 54 years.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-11','','','2012-01-01 21:36:32','2012-01-02 02:36:32','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(925,2,'2012-01-01 21:38:02','2012-01-02 02:38:02','Our church, Trinity  United Methodist in Rome, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\nOne of our most enduring and memorable family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so. At least ten people are needed for each shift: Mary and Joseph; 3 wise men (or w0men), 3 shepherds and 2 angels.  But, most of the time, we have more than 2 angels, and shepherd boys, baby angels and, in recent years, we\'ve added a page who holds the rope for the camel.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"In addition to the people who stand in the Live Nativity, several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe also have animals, usually a donkey and two or three sheep.  For two years we hired a live camel.  Then a church member constructed the camel statue, pictured below and name Craven, after Paul, Frank and Allen Craven. Three generations of Craven men have constructed the stable scene over the past 54 years.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-12','','','2012-01-01 21:38:02','2012-01-02 02:38:02','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(926,2,'2012-03-24 13:15:59','2012-03-24 17:15:59','Our church, <a title=\"Trinity_United_Methodist_Church\" href=\"http://www.trinityumcrome.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Trinity  United Methodist in Rome</a>, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\n\nOne of our most enduring and memorable family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so. At least ten people are needed for each shift: Mary and Joseph; 3 wise men (or women), 3 shepherds and 2 angels.  But, most of the time, we have more than 2 angels, and shepherd boys, baby angels and, in recent years, we\'ve added a page who holds the rope for the camel.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"In addition to the people who stand in the Live Nativity, several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\n\nI played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And my husband Gregg and I and our children, would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome visiting my brother Terrell, even before we moved back to Georgia in 1988.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe also have animals, usually a donkey and two or three sheep.  For two years we hired a live camel.  Then a church member constructed the camel statue, pictured below. Our camel is named Craven, after Paul, Frank and Allen Craven, the three generations of Craven men who have constructed the stable scene over the past 54 years.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-autosave','','','2012-03-24 13:15:59','2012-03-24 17:15:59','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(927,2,'2012-01-01 21:39:02','2012-01-02 02:39:02','Our church, <a title=\"Trinity_United_Methodist_Church\" href=\"http://www.trinityumcrome.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Trinity  United Methodist in Rome</a>, Georgia, began a Live Nativity in 1957. And for the past 54 years, for the five nights before Christmas, Trinity folks have dressed up as Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angels to represent the birth of Christ.\r\n\r\nOne of our most enduring and memorable family Christmas traditions has been to stand in the Live Nativity.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_902\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"My niece Haley and great nieces Sophie and Lily as angels in 2010.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-902 \" title=\"angels2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/angels2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"447\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adults stand in 30 minute shifts. Children rotate in and out every 15 minutes or so. At least ten people are needed for each shift: Mary and Joseph; 3 wise men (or w0men), 3 shepherds and 2 angels.  But, most of the time, we have more than 2 angels, and shepherd boys, baby angels and, in recent years, we\'ve added a page who holds the rope for the camel.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-904\" title=\"nativity2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/nativity2010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"291\" /></a></p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_901\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"In addition to the people who stand in the Live Nativity, several people serve each night, helping people to get into costume.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-901 \" title=\"LilyDressed2010\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LilyDressed2010-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOur church is on a major five-lane road, in the middle of town.  So hundred of cars pass us every night in the two hours (7 pm - 9 pm) that we present the Live Nativity.\r\n\r\nOur family has been a part of Trinity Nativity since I played the part of an angel, as a teenager, in the 1960s.  And over the years, even before we moved to Georgia, we would stop by and take a turn, whenever we were in Rome, visiting my brother Terrell.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_909\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Once everyone is dressed, we stand for a photo. Then we pray that as people drive by they will remember that Christmas is Jesus&#39; birthday.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-909 \" title=\"NativityInside\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NativityInside.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"238\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe also have animals, usually a donkey and two or three sheep.  For two years we hired a live camel.  Then a church member constructed the camel statue, pictured below and name Craven, after Paul, Frank and Allen Craven. Three generations of Craven men have constructed the stable scene over the past 54 years.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Live Nativity 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-913\" title=\"fullnativity\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fullnativity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"251\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOur family usually stands on two of the five nights of the Nativity - the night assigned to our Sunday School class and on Christmas Eve.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Our DIL Emily as Mary, our son Matthew as Joseph, Christmas 2011\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-912 \" title=\"EmilyMattMaryJoseph\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EmilyMattMaryJoseph.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"460\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"348\" caption=\"Matthew as a shepherd boy, Christmas 1988.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-921 \" title=\"MatthewShepherd1988\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MatthewShepherd1988-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"536\" /></a>[/caption]','Christmas Traditions: the Live Nativity','','inherit','open','open','','885-revision-13','','','2012-01-01 21:39:02','2012-01-02 02:39:02','',885,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/01/885-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(932,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:49','2012-01-04 22:34:49','','BenAndcarrytree','Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.','inherit','open','open','','benandcarrytree','','','2012-01-04 17:34:49','2012-01-04 22:34:49','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(933,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:54','2012-01-04 22:34:54','','BenjCutTree2','Benjamin took a turn with the saw.','inherit','open','open','','benjcuttree2','','','2012-01-04 17:34:54','2012-01-04 22:34:54','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(934,2,'2012-01-04 17:34:57','2012-01-04 22:34:57','','BenjCutTree','','inherit','open','open','','benjcuttree','','','2012-01-04 17:34:57','2012-01-04 22:34:57','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(935,2,'2012-01-04 17:35:02','2012-01-04 22:35:02','','LisetteCutsTree','Lisette started the cutting.','inherit','open','open','','lisettecutstree','','','2012-01-04 17:35:02','2012-01-04 22:35:02','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(936,2,'2012-01-04 17:52:46','2012-01-04 22:52:46','','treefarmfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','treefarmfeatured','','','2012-01-04 17:52:46','2012-01-04 22:52:46','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarmfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(937,2,'2012-01-04 17:52:49','2012-01-04 22:52:49','','treefarm','','inherit','open','open','','treefarm','','','2012-01-04 17:52:49','2012-01-04 22:52:49','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(938,2,'2012-01-04 17:52:51','2012-01-04 22:52:51','','lookingattrees','','inherit','open','open','','lookingattrees','','','2012-01-04 17:52:51','2012-01-04 22:52:51','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(939,2,'2012-01-04 18:08:12','2012-01-04 23:08:12','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever ones of our kids are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-revision','','','2012-01-04 18:08:12','2012-01-04 23:08:12','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(940,2,'2012-01-04 18:13:43','2012-01-04 23:13:43','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever ones of our kids are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-929\" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"544\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-revision-2','','','2012-01-04 18:13:43','2012-01-04 23:13:43','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(941,2,'2012-01-04 20:35:11','2012-01-05 01:35:11','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever members of our family are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-929 \" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"326\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI did not get a good photo of this year\'s Christmas tree, decorated and lighted.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"399\" caption=\"Our Christmas tree in 2007, the one year we bought a Carolina spruce.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818\" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"399\" height=\"762\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-revision-3','','','2012-01-04 20:35:11','2012-01-05 01:35:11','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(942,2,'2012-01-04 21:03:12','2012-01-05 02:03:12','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever members of our family are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-929 \" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"326\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI did not get a good photo of this year\'s Christmas tree, decorated and lighted. So below is our Christmas tree from 2007, with many of the same ornaments that were on this year\'s tree. Most of the ornaments on\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"399\" caption=\"Our Christmas tree in 2007, the one year we bought a Carolina spruce.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818\" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"399\" height=\"762\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-revision-4','','','2012-01-04 21:03:12','2012-01-05 02:03:12','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(943,2,'2012-01-04 21:05:43','2012-01-05 02:05:43','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever members of our family are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-929 \" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"326\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI did not get a good photo of this year\'s Christmas tree, decorated and lighted. So below is our Christmas tree from 2007, with many of the same ornaments that were on this year\'s tree. Most of the ornaments on our tree were hand-made by us, over the years. Each has a story behind it.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"399\" caption=\"Our Christmas tree in 2007, the one year we bought a Carolina spruce.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818\" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"399\" height=\"762\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-revision-5','','','2012-01-04 21:05:43','2012-01-05 02:05:43','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(944,2,'2012-01-04 21:07:33','2012-01-05 02:07:33','For most of the 23 years we have lived in Georgia, we have gone to Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm and cut down our Christmas tree.  That\'s one of our best Christmas traditions.  In recent years, as our children have grown and left home, we\'ve settled for doing that with whichever members of our family are at home on the Friday after Thanksgiving.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_938\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lisette, Gregg and Benjamin look at a tree that Benj has selected as a possibility. Gregg is carrying a stick that measures the height - and price - of the trees.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-938\" title=\"lookingattrees\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lookingattrees.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"264\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Yes, we leave our Christmas tree up from the end of November until after Christmas Day.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-937\" title=\"treefarm\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treefarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Silver Creek Tree Farm has Carolina Spruce, cedar, and long-needle pine trees.  We usually select a long-needle pine for our Christmas tree. But it takes us a while, roaming around the tree farm to finally pick a tree that suits us all.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_935\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Lisette started the cutting.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-935 \" title=\"LisetteCutsTree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LisetteCutsTree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhen we arrive, the owner greets us, says, \"Don\'t have to tell y\'all what to do!\" and hands us a saw and a measuring pole.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_933\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Benjamin took a turn with the saw.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-933 \" title=\"BenjCutTree2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenjCutTree2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"298\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_932\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Benjamin and Andrew carry the tree up to be bundled.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-932 \" title=\"BenAndcarrytree\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BenAndcarrytree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"374\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_930\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"The tree farm has this contraption that covers the tree in netting, and makes it easier to transport.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-930\" title=\"treewrap2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treewrap2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"281\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_929\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"We tie the tree to the top of Lisette&#39;s Jeep and haul it home.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-929 \" title=\"treeonjeep\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treeonjeep.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"326\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI did not get a good photo of this year\'s Christmas tree, decorated and lighted. So below is our Christmas tree from 2007, with many of the same ornaments that were on this year\'s tree. Most of the ornaments on our tree were hand-made by us, over the years. Each has a story behind it.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_818\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"399\" caption=\"Our Christmas tree in 2007, the one year we bought a Carolina spruce.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-818\" title=\"ChristmasTree07\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChristmasTree07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"399\" height=\"762\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>','Christmas Memories 2011: Cutting down a Live Tree','','inherit','open','open','','928-autosave','','','2012-01-04 21:07:33','2012-01-05 02:07:33','',928,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/04/928-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(946,2,'2012-01-05 21:37:02','2012-01-06 02:37:02','<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The weather in Georgia turned cold this week. So it seemed to be a good time to make Brunswick Stew, one of our favorite cold-weather meals. I go with an \"easy\" version.  The old-fashioned style of Brunswick stew used turkey and beef and chicken left-over from the holidays, and took lots of time and effort to de-bone and chop all the meat.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-950\" title=\"BrunswichStewIngredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"551\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">My mother\'s recipe for \"Instant Brunswick Stew\" called for 10 cans of meat , tomatoes and corn.  Unfortunately, I can no longer find all those ingredients in the grocery stores near me.  So here is my adaptation of Mother\'s recipe.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Easy Brunswick Stew</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">4 pounds of fully cooked pork barbeque</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3 13-ounce cans chicken breast</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 15-ounce cans creamed corn</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-949\" title=\"StewStuffAdded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I open those packages and cans and dump it all into my largest crockpot. Usually I break the chicken and the pork into smaller pieces. Tonight my sweet husband cut the meat up for me.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-948\" title=\"MixUpStew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"503\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I stir it up.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-947\" title=\"finishedstew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I leave it in the crockpot to get good and hot.  Although, tonight, I heated it up in the microwave to speed things along.  Gregg and I were both hungry! We served it with hot corn muffins.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">You can leave the Rotel out, if you want your Brunswick stew to be mild.  We like it with the extra kick that the can of Rotel gives.</p>','Easy Brunswick Stew for Cold Winter Days','','publish','open','open','','easy-brunswick-stew-for-cold-winter-days','','','2012-03-24 13:13:03','2012-03-24 17:13:03','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=946',0,'post','',0),(947,2,'2012-01-05 21:12:28','2012-01-06 02:12:28','','finishedstew','','inherit','open','open','','finishedstew','','','2012-01-05 21:12:28','2012-01-06 02:12:28','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(948,2,'2012-01-05 21:12:30','2012-01-06 02:12:30','','MixUpStew','','inherit','open','open','','mixupstew','','','2012-01-05 21:12:30','2012-01-06 02:12:30','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(949,2,'2012-01-05 21:12:33','2012-01-06 02:12:33','','StewStuffAdded','','inherit','open','open','','stewstuffadded','','','2012-01-05 21:12:33','2012-01-06 02:12:33','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(950,2,'2012-01-05 21:12:35','2012-01-06 02:12:35','','BrunswichStewIngredients','','inherit','open','open','','brunswichstewingredients','','','2012-01-05 21:12:35','2012-01-06 02:12:35','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(951,2,'2012-01-05 21:30:37','2012-01-06 02:30:37','','brunswickstewfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','brunswickstewfeatured','','','2012-01-05 21:30:37','2012-01-06 02:30:37','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/brunswickstewfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(952,2,'2012-01-05 21:28:46','2012-01-06 02:28:46','<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The weather in Georgia turned cold this week. So it seemed to be a good time to make Brunswick Stew, one of our favorite cold-weather meals. I go with an \"easy\" version.  The old-fashioned style of Brunswick stew used turkey and beef and chicken left-over from the holidays.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-950\" title=\"BrunswichStewIngredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"551\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">My mother\'s recipe for \"Instant Brunswick Stew\" called for 10 cans of meat , tomatoes and corn.  Unfortunately, I can no longer find all those ingredients in the grocery stores near me.  So here is my adaptation of Mother\'s recipe.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Easy Brunswick Stew</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">4 pounds of fully cooked pork barbeque</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3 13-ounce cans chicken breast</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 15-ounce cans creamed corn</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-949\" title=\"StewStuffAdded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I open those packages and cans and dump it all into my largest crockpot. Usually I break the chicken and the pork into smaller pieces.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-948\" title=\"MixUpStew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"503\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I stir it up.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-947\" title=\"finishedstew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I leave it in the crockpot to get good and hot.  Although, tonight, I heated it up in the microwave to speed things along.  Gregg and I were both hungry!</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">You can leave the Rotel out, if you want your Brunswick stew to be mild.  We like it with the extra kick that the can of Rotel gives.</p>','Easy Brunswick Stew for Cold Winter Days','','inherit','open','open','','946-revision','','','2012-01-05 21:28:46','2012-01-06 02:28:46','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/946-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(953,2,'2012-01-05 21:35:27','2012-01-06 02:35:27','<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The weather in Georgia turned cold this week. So it seemed to be a good time to make Brunswick Stew, one of our favorite cold-weather meals. I go with an \"easy\" version.  The old-fashioned style of Brunswick stew used turkey and beef and chicken left-over from the holidays, and took lots of time and effort to de-bone and chop all the meat.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-950\" title=\"BrunswichStewIngredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"551\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">My mother\'s recipe for \"Instant Brunswick Stew\" called for 10 cans of meat , tomatoes and corn.  Unfortunately, I can no longer find all those ingredients in the grocery stores near me.  So here is my adaptation of Mother\'s recipe.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Easy Brunswick Stew</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">4 pounds of fully cooked pork barbeque</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3 13-ounce cans chicken breast</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 15-ounce cans creamed corn</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-949\" title=\"StewStuffAdded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I open those packages and cans and dump it all into my largest crockpot. Usually I break the chicken and the pork into smaller pieces. Tonight my sweet husband cut the meat up for me.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-948\" title=\"MixUpStew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"503\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I stir it up.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-947\" title=\"finishedstew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I leave it in the crockpot to get good and hot.  Although, tonight, I heated it up in the microwave to speed things along.  Gregg and I were both hungry!</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">You can leave the Rotel out, if you want your Brunswick stew to be mild.  We like it with the extra kick that the can of Rotel gives.</p>','Easy Brunswick Stew for Cold Winter Days','','inherit','open','open','','946-revision-2','','','2012-01-05 21:35:27','2012-01-06 02:35:27','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/946-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(954,2,'2012-01-05 21:35:55','2012-01-06 02:35:55','<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The weather in Georgia turned cold this week. So it seemed to be a good time to make Brunswick Stew, one of our favorite cold-weather meals. I go with an \"easy\" version.  The old-fashioned style of Brunswick stew used turkey and beef and chicken left-over from the holidays, and took lots of time and effort to de-bone and chop all the meat.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-950\" title=\"BrunswichStewIngredients\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BrunswichStewIngredients.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"551\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">My mother\'s recipe for \"Instant Brunswick Stew\" called for 10 cans of meat , tomatoes and corn.  Unfortunately, I can no longer find all those ingredients in the grocery stores near me.  So here is my adaptation of Mother\'s recipe.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Easy Brunswick Stew</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">4 pounds of fully cooked pork barbeque</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3 13-ounce cans chicken breast</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2 15-ounce cans creamed corn</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-949\" title=\"StewStuffAdded\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/StewStuffAdded.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I open those packages and cans and dump it all into my largest crockpot. Usually I break the chicken and the pork into smaller pieces. Tonight my sweet husband cut the meat up for me.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-948\" title=\"MixUpStew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MixUpStew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"503\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I stir it up.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-947\" title=\"finishedstew\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/finishedstew.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I leave it in the crockpot to get good and hot.  Although, tonight, I heated it up in the microwave to speed things along.  Gregg and I were both hungry! We served it with hot corn muffins.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">You can leave the Rotel out, if you want your Brunswick stew to be mild.  We like it with the extra kick that the can of Rotel gives.</p>','Easy Brunswick Stew for Cold Winter Days','','inherit','open','open','','946-revision-3','','','2012-01-05 21:35:55','2012-01-06 02:35:55','',946,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/946-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(956,2,'2012-01-06 22:15:33','2012-01-07 03:15:33','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\r\n\r\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"The perfect hostess, Sophie made sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','publish','open','open','','memories-of-christmas-2011-my-sisters-granddaughters','','','2012-03-24 13:12:17','2012-03-24 17:12:17','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=956',0,'post','',1),(957,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:45','2012-01-06 02:59:45','','SophieEating','Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.','inherit','open','open','','sophieeating','','','2012-01-05 21:59:45','2012-01-06 02:59:45','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(958,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:48','2012-01-06 02:59:48','','SophieServing2','Sophie walked around, making sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.','inherit','open','open','','sophieserving2','','','2012-01-05 21:59:48','2012-01-06 02:59:48','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(959,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:50','2012-01-06 02:59:50','','LilyEatingKisses','Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.','inherit','open','open','','lilyeatingkisses','','','2012-01-05 21:59:50','2012-01-06 02:59:50','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(960,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:52','2012-01-06 02:59:52','','LilyEvey2','When they realized that I\'d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.','inherit','open','open','','lilyevey2','','','2012-01-05 21:59:52','2012-01-06 02:59:52','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(961,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:54','2012-01-06 02:59:54','','EveyEatingKiss','Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.','inherit','open','open','','eveyeatingkiss','','','2012-01-05 21:59:54','2012-01-06 02:59:54','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(962,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:57','2012-01-06 02:59:57','','LilyEvey','','inherit','open','open','','lilyevey','','','2012-01-05 21:59:57','2012-01-06 02:59:57','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(963,2,'2012-01-05 21:59:59','2012-01-06 02:59:59','','LilySophieEveyfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','lilysophieeveyfeatured','','','2012-01-05 21:59:59','2012-01-06 02:59:59','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEveyfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(964,2,'2012-01-05 22:00:01','2012-01-06 03:00:01','','LilySophieEvey','Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.','inherit','open','open','','lilysophieevey','','','2012-01-05 22:00:01','2012-01-06 03:00:01','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(965,2,'2012-01-05 22:11:52','2012-01-06 03:11:52','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\n\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-960\" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"476\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision','','','2012-01-05 22:11:52','2012-01-06 03:11:52','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/956-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(966,2,'2012-01-05 22:15:54','2012-01-06 03:15:54','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\n\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Sophie walked around, making sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision-2','','','2012-01-05 22:15:54','2012-01-06 03:15:54','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/956-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(967,2,'2012-01-05 22:18:26','2012-01-06 03:18:26','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\n\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Sophie walked around, making sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision-3','','','2012-01-05 22:18:26','2012-01-06 03:18:26','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/956-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(968,2,'2012-01-05 22:19:54','2012-01-06 03:19:54','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\n\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Sophie walked around, making sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision-4','','','2012-01-05 22:19:54','2012-01-06 03:19:54','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/05/956-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(969,2,'2012-01-06 22:13:57','2012-01-07 03:13:57','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\n\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"The perfect hostess, Sophie made sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision-5','','','2012-01-06 22:13:57','2012-01-07 03:13:57','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/06/956-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(970,2,'2012-01-06 22:14:34','2012-01-07 03:14:34','I LOVE being a part of a large family!  I am one of 7 siblings, five girls and two boys (now, of course, women and men).  And we all have children and some of us have grandchildren.\r\n\r\nSeveral days before Christmas my sister Carol and her family visited my Mother.  And Carol\'s three granddaughters helped me make some <a title=\"Family Christmas Traditions: Chocolate-Caramel Pretzel Treats\" href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/2011/12/21/family-christmas-traditions-chocolate-caramel-pretzel-treats/\">Christmas Pretzel treats.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_964\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Even Evey, who is not quite 2 years old, unwrapped the kisses and put them on top of the pretzels. And if she missed the pretzel, the other girls helped her get it right.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-964 \" title=\"LilySophieEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilySophieEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"299\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_962\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Such concentration!\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-962\" title=\"LilyEvey\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"344\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_961\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"Then Evey decided she could eat a kiss or two.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-961 \" title=\"EveyEatingKiss\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/EveyEatingKiss.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"568\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_959\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Lily teased her younger cousin by eating a kiss, too.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-959 \" title=\"LilyEatingKisses\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEatingKisses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"275\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_960\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"When they realized that I&#39;d gotten their exchange on film, they posed for me.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-960 \" title=\"LilyEvey2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LilyEvey2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"286\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_957\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"479\" caption=\"Sophie waited for the finished product to nibble on one.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-957 \" title=\"SophieEating\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieEating.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"427\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_958\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"480\" caption=\"The perfect hostess, Sophie made sure everyone tasted their masterpieces.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-958 \" title=\"SophieServing2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SophieServing2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"401\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Memories of Christmas 2011: My Sister\'s Granddaughters','','inherit','open','open','','956-revision-6','','','2012-01-06 22:14:34','2012-01-07 03:14:34','',956,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/06/956-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(971,2,'2012-01-07 16:10:47','2012-01-07 21:10:47','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\r\n\r\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\r\n\r\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAll five of our children played soccer. And we ALWAYS attended our children\'s sporting events.\r\n\r\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\r\n\r\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\r\n\r\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately, played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_973\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Benjamin at age 13.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-973  \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"297\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a>\r\n</a>That year, we made the decision that we would make the home games, if possible, for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\r\n\r\nWe explained our decision to our children. There were only two of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\r\n\r\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\r\n\r\nHe\'d kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players, who expected him to play by the rules and contribute to his team.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982 \" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"446\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, laughing and giggling, only occasionally trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_984\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"346\" caption=\"Jessica, Jonathan&#39;s wife, was also a high school and college soccer star.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-984 \" title=\"JessicaHSkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"434\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.</p>\r\nThe official wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had reached up and touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball soared over his head.\r\n\r\nNothing in today\'s news indicates that the opposing goalie in the English Premiere League game touched the ball. But Tim Howard\'s goal definitely counted, and made soccer history.  We have no idea if Jonathan made local soccer history 17 years ago - if any other 6-year-old has ever scored a length-of-field goal at the YMCA in Rome, Georgia.\r\n\r\n</div>','Soccer Goalie Scores a Length-of-Field Goal ','','publish','open','open','','soccer-goalie-scores-a-length-of-field-goal','','','2012-03-24 13:11:33','2012-03-24 17:11:33','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=971',0,'post','',0),(972,2,'2012-01-06 22:43:56','2012-01-07 03:43:56','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then\n\n&nbsp;','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision','','','2012-01-06 22:43:56','2012-01-07 03:43:56','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/06/971-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(973,2,'2012-01-07 12:51:55','2012-01-07 17:51:55','','Benjsoccer','Benjamin at age 13.','inherit','open','open','','benjsoccer','','','2012-01-07 12:51:55','2012-01-07 17:51:55','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(974,2,'2012-01-07 12:51:57','2012-01-07 17:51:57','','Matthewsoccer','Matthew at age 6.','inherit','open','open','','matthewsoccer','','','2012-01-07 12:51:57','2012-01-07 17:51:57','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(975,2,'2012-01-07 12:51:58','2012-01-07 17:51:58','','Andrewsoccer2','Andrew played soccer from 6 years old through high school.','inherit','open','open','','andrewsoccer2','','','2012-01-07 12:51:58','2012-01-07 17:51:58','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(976,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:01','2012-01-07 17:52:01','','Benjjuggling','','inherit','open','open','','benjjuggling','','','2012-01-07 12:52:01','2012-01-07 17:52:01','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjjuggling.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(977,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:03','2012-01-07 17:52:03','','Lisettesoccer','Lisette at age 11.','inherit','open','open','','lisettesoccer','','','2012-01-07 12:52:03','2012-01-07 17:52:03','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(978,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:06','2012-01-07 17:52:06','','lastsoccergame3','','inherit','open','open','','lastsoccergame3','','','2012-01-07 12:52:06','2012-01-07 17:52:06','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lastsoccergame3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(979,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:09','2012-01-07 17:52:09','','lastsoccergame2','','inherit','open','open','','lastsoccergame2','','','2012-01-07 12:52:09','2012-01-07 17:52:09','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/lastsoccergame2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(980,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:13','2012-01-07 17:52:13','','LastSoccerGame','','inherit','open','open','','lastsoccergame','','','2012-01-07 12:52:13','2012-01-07 17:52:13','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LastSoccerGame.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(981,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:17','2012-01-07 17:52:17','','JonSrNight','','inherit','open','open','','jonsrnight','','','2012-01-07 12:52:17','2012-01-07 17:52:17','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JonSrNight.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(982,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:20','2012-01-07 17:52:20','','Jonkicking','Jonathan playing sweeper for Rome High','inherit','open','open','','jonkicking','','','2012-01-07 12:52:20','2012-01-07 17:52:20','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(983,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:25','2012-01-07 17:52:25','','Andrewsoccer8yr','','inherit','open','open','','andrewsoccer8yr','','','2012-01-07 12:52:25','2012-01-07 17:52:25','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer8yr.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(984,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:27','2012-01-07 17:52:27','','JessicaHSkicking','','inherit','open','open','','jessicahskicking','','','2012-01-07 12:52:27','2012-01-07 17:52:27','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(985,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:30','2012-01-07 17:52:30','','J headballL grad','Jonathan heading the ball, in Mark and Angela\'s backyard, in May 2007.','inherit','open','open','','j-headballl-grad','','','2012-01-07 12:52:30','2012-01-07 17:52:30','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/J-headballL-grad.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(986,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:32','2012-01-07 17:52:32','','Jarsenal17yr','','inherit','open','open','','jarsenal17yr','','','2012-01-07 12:52:32','2012-01-07 17:52:32','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jarsenal17yr.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(987,2,'2012-01-07 12:52:35','2012-01-07 17:52:35','','Jsoccerteam7yr','Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia state champs, has just defeated the Alabama state champions.','inherit','open','open','','jsoccerteam7yr','','','2012-01-07 12:52:35','2012-01-07 17:52:35','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(988,2,'2012-01-07 12:55:29','2012-01-07 17:55:29','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, has just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-2','','','2012-01-07 12:55:29','2012-01-07 17:55:29','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(989,2,'2012-01-07 13:19:03','2012-01-07 18:19:03','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, has just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. In fact, one year they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 7.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we had ALWAYS gone to our children\'s sporting events.\n\nWe made the decision that we would make all the home games for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.  We cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines that year!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_973\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"195\" caption=\"Benjamin at age 13.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-973\" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players.\n\nThe other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.\n\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys,','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-3','','','2012-01-07 13:19:03','2012-01-07 18:19:03','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(990,2,'2012-01-07 13:30:55','2012-01-07 18:30:55','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. In fact, one Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 7.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we had ALWAYS gone to our children\'s sporting events.\n\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we often asked them.\n\n\"Because you love us,\" they always answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>\n\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\">\n</a>\n\n<dl id=\"attachment_973\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 186px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-973 \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"270\" /></a></dt></dl>We made the decision that we would make all the home games for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games. We explained out decision to our children.\n\n\"\n\n</dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Lisette at age 11.</dd></dl></div>\n&nbsp;\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><dl id=\"attachment_973\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 205px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\">&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players.\n\n<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-982\" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"797\" /></a>\n\nThe other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.\n\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-4','','','2012-01-07 13:30:55','2012-01-07 18:30:55','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(991,2,'2012-01-07 14:22:54','2012-01-07 19:22:54','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. In fact, one Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd we had ALWAYS gone to our children\'s sporting events.\n\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\n\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\n\n<dl id=\"attachment_973\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 186px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-973     \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"270\" /></a></dt></dl>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\">\n</a>\n\nThe year of the four traveling teams, we made the decision that we would make the home games for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\n\nWe explained out decision to our children. There were only tow of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"406\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982\" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"406\" height=\"558\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.\n\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.\n\nThe officail wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball\n\n&nbsp;\n\n</div>','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-5','','','2012-01-07 14:22:54','2012-01-07 19:22:54','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(992,2,'2012-01-07 14:23:24','2012-01-07 19:23:24','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\r\n\r\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\r\n\r\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAll five of our children played soccer. In fact, one Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd we had ALWAYS gone to our children\'s sporting events.\r\n\r\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\r\n\r\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\r\n\r\n<dl id=\"attachment_973\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 186px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-973     \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"270\" /></a></dt></dl>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\">\r\n</a>\r\n\r\nThe year of the four traveling teams, we made the decision that we would make the home games for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\r\n\r\nWe explained out decision to our children. There were only tow of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\r\n\r\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\r\n\r\nHe kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"406\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982\" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"406\" height=\"558\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.\r\n\r\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.\r\n\r\nThe officail wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball soared over his head.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-6','','','2012-01-07 14:23:24','2012-01-07 19:23:24','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(993,2,'2012-01-07 15:45:30','2012-01-07 20:45:30','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. And we ALWAYS attended our children\'s sporting events.\n\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\n\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\n\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_973\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Benjamin at age 13.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-973  \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"297\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<a>\n</a>That year, we made the decision that we would make the home games for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\n\nWe explained our decision to our children. There were only two of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982 \" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"446\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_984\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"384\" caption=\"Jessica, Jonathan&#39;s wife, was also a high school and college soccer star.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-984 \" title=\"JessicaHSkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"384\" height=\"482\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, laughing and giggling, only occasionally trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.</p>\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.\n\nThe official wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball soared over his head.\n\nNothing in the news indicates that the opposing goalie in the English Premiere League game touched the ball.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n</div>','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the  ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-7','','','2012-01-07 15:45:30','2012-01-07 20:45:30','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(994,2,'2012-01-07 15:50:35','2012-01-07 20:50:35','','J soccerfeatured','','inherit','open','open','','j-soccerfeatured','','','2012-01-07 15:50:35','2012-01-07 20:50:35','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/J-soccerfeatured.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(995,2,'2012-01-07 15:58:06','2012-01-07 20:58:06','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. And we ALWAYS attended our children\'s sporting events.\n\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\n\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\n\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately, played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_973\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Benjamin at age 13.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-973  \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"297\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<a>\n</a>That year, we made the decision that we would make the home games, if possible, for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\n\nWe explained our decision to our children. There were only two of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe\'d kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players, who expected him to play by the rules and contribute to his team.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982 \" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"446\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_984\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"346\" caption=\"Jessica, Jonathan&#39;s wife, was also a high school and college soccer star.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-984 \" title=\"JessicaHSkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"434\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, laughing and giggling, only occasionally trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.</p>\nIn one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.\n\nThe official wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball soared over his head.\n\nNothing in the news indicates that the opposing goalie in the English Premiere League game touched the ball. But Tim Howard\'s goal definitely counted, and made soccer history.\n\n</div>','Goalie Scores a Soccer Goal, All the Way Down the Fiel ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-8','','','2012-01-07 15:58:06','2012-01-07 20:58:06','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(996,2,'2012-01-07 16:08:15','2012-01-07 21:08:15','On January 4, 2012, soccer player Tim Howard became the first goalie in English Premier League history to score from his own penalty area. He kicked the ball downfield, from his own box, to about 30 yards from the net. The ball then bounced over Adam Bogdan, the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal.\n\nYou can see the amazing <a title=\"Tim_Howard_goalie_scores\" href=\"http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/Everton-united-states-goalkeeper-tim-howard-makes-premier-league-history-with-goal-010412\" target=\"_blank\">film footage here</a>.\n\nI\'ve watched that clip five times now, and laughed and remembered the afternoon, 17 years ago, when our son Jonathan, then six years old, accomplished the same feat.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_987\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"389\" caption=\"Jonathan, age 7, with his arms in the air. His team, the Georgia YMCA state champs, had just defeated the Alabama state champions.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-987 \" title=\"Jsoccerteam7yr\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jsoccerteam7yr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"389\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAll five of our children played soccer. And we ALWAYS attended our children\'s sporting events.\n\n\"Why do we watch you play ball?\" we would ask them.\n\n\"Because you love us,\" they answered. We wanted them to be clear on that point.\n\nWe cheered on a lot of soccer sidelines over the years!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_975\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\" caption=\"Andrew at age 8.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-975\" title=\"Andrewsoccer2\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Andrewsoccer2-246x300.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew at age 7.\" width=\"199\" height=\"243\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_974\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"184\" caption=\"Matthew at age 6.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-974 \" title=\"Matthewsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Matthewsoccer-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"184\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne Fall they all played on select, traveling soccer teams.  Andrew and Matthew, fortunately, played on the same team that year. But that still left us with four different traveling teams to follow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_973\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"194\" caption=\"Benjamin at age 13.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-973  \" title=\"Benjsoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Benjsoccer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"297\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_977\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"196\" caption=\"Lisette at age 11.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-977 \" title=\"Lisettesoccer\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lisettesoccer-245x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"240\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<a>\n</a>That year, we made the decision that we would make the home games, if possible, for all five, and as many of the away games as we could, for the three younger children. We were not able to make any of Andrew and Matthew\'s away games.\n\nWe explained our decision to our children. There were only two of us; we could only do what we could do. We could not be in two places at once. Our children understood and accepted that.\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\n\nThe year Jonathan kicked a goal, as a goalie, was the year he was six years old. The first year he played organized soccer.  But certainly not the first year he\'d played soccer.\n\nHe\'d kicked the ball around with his siblings since he could walk. And while they cut him a little slack for being the youngest, by the time he was six, he knew the game and was accustomed to playing with much older players, who expected him to play by the rules and contribute to his team.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_982\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Jonathan kicking the ball in high school.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-982 \" title=\"Jonkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jonkicking-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"446\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The other six year old boys at the YMCA played \"herd ball,\" running up and down the field in a group, laughing and giggling, only occasionally trying to figure out where the ball might be. While Jonathan took the ball down the field and kicked it into the goal. Over and over. Boys on both teams cheered each time he scored.  Twenty times that Fall, in the 5 or 6 game season.</p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_984\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"346\" caption=\"Jessica, Jonathan&#39;s wife, was also a high school and college soccer star.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-984 \" title=\"JessicaHSkicking\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/JessicaHSkicking.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"434\" /></a>[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In one of the last games of the season, the coach put Jonathan in goal, presumably to give one of the other boys a chance to score. As goalkeeper, Jonathan kicked a punt down the field, over the heads of the other boys, and into the net on the far end of field.</p>\nThe official wasn\'t sure if the goal could count. Finally, he decided it could, but only because the other keeper had reached up and touched the ball with his fingertips, as the ball soared over his head.\n\nNothing in today\'s news indicates that the opposing goalie in the English Premiere League game touched the ball. But Tim Howard\'s goal definitely counted, and made soccer history.  We have no idea if Jonathan made local soccer history 17 years ago - if any other 6-year-old has ever scored a length-of-field goal at the YMCA in Rome, Georgia.\n\n</div>','Soccer Goalie Scores a Length-of-Field Goal ','','inherit','open','open','','971-revision-9','','','2012-01-07 16:08:15','2012-01-07 21:08:15','',971,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/07/971-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1023,2,'2012-01-16 11:10:21','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<h1>Motherhood and the Call to Holiness</h1>\r\n<h2>How staying at home helped moms understand their vocation. Jan. 15 issue feature.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n<div><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/motherhood-and-the-call-to-holiness1\" target=\"_blank\">Share</a></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<cite>by THOMAS L. McDONALD</cite> <em>01/14/2012 Comments <a href=\"http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/motherhood-and-the-call-to-holiness1/#blogComments\">(1)</a></em>\r\n<div>\r\n<div id=\"article-image-1\"><img title=\"Shutterstock\" src=\"http://www.ncregister.com/images/sized/images/uploads/motherhooddn-255x255.jpg\" alt=\"Shutterstock\" width=\"255\" height=\"255\" /><cite>– Shutterstock</cite>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nRecently, the Women at NBCU (a marketing firm for NBC Universal) study found that 66% of moms said they would rather be a stay-at-home parent than a working parent. Additionally, the majority of employed moms (53%) feel that, while financially they need to work, they would prefer to be stay-at-home moms.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLong before she was married or even pregnant, Vicky Stone intended to be a stay-at-home mom. It didn’t work out that way. When she and her husband had their first child, her career was taking off. They had just purchased a house and couldn’t give up the income or benefits. “I think it came down to me being too young and selfish at that time,” she admits. “I couldn’t see the big picture.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBy the time she was pregnant with her fourth child, she had risen to the position of assistant county administrator for Camden County, N.J. She enjoyed the work but felt the overwhelming need to be at home with her children. “Working was coming at the cost of spending time with my family. I needed to re-evaluate my priorities.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo she left the workforce and never looked back. Now, with seven children, ranging in age from 5 to 16, she knows she made the right choice. She discerned motherhood as her vocation and learned the unique way it sanctifies everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“God calls each and every one of us to holiness, but being a mother is a special blessing. Being a mother one is able to be his instrument in creation, his hands, as we help our children in all they do,” she says. “We demonstrate his love in our unconditional love for our children — and all of this carries through to not only our own children, but to all.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOther Catholic women have faced similar challenges and discernment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen Michelle Reitemeyer was working as a civil engineer, she believed she could balance both a large family and a demanding career. Married at 24, she had her first child at 27. She wanted to stay home, but, like many families, they simply couldn’t afford to lose the extra paycheck: “The reality was that we owed a ton of money from our private college education, and we hadn’t been overly prudent in how we spent our spare cash in our early marriage. I managed to keep my paycheck, but finagled fewer hours in the office and two days working from home.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThis approach didn’t work out too well, and a month before the birth of her second son, she made the decision to stop working and turn to motherhood full time. “Often, a woman works just to pay for childcare, and it makes no sense,” she explains. “Not in my case. Had I poured myself into my career, I could have made a lot of money. I was on an upward path, especially once my company added a commission to my base pay a few months before I quit. But, enticing as that was, I am an old-fashioned girl. I had dreams of waving goodbye to the kids as they left for school, spending my day cleaning the house and baking cookies, greeting them with smiles when they got home, and just having this perfect <em>Leave It to Beaver</em> life. I didn’t want other people to change my babies’ diapers, feed my babies bottles, or help my children with their homework.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMother of six Margaret Berns, on the other hand, always knew she would stay home to raise her family. “In fact,” she says, “I told my husband so on our first date. (The fact that he stuck around for a second date was very encouraging.) This is it for me: Raising my children is the most important thing I will do.” She left her job as a teacher in a small Catholic high school upon the birth of her first child.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeather Price was also working as a teacher when she decided to leave her job to stay at home. Teaching is “probably one of the most family-friendly careers there is,” she says. “I loved it until I was a mother — then the joy paled to nonexistence. I decided to focus on my family when it hurt so much to drop my oldest off at her aunt’s so I could go to work. It seemed hypocritical to be teaching other people’s children and leave someone else to take care of my own. Then No. 2 was born when No. 1 was only a year and a half old, and the work to get out the door was just overwhelming. Between prepared-food costs, gas costs and day-care costs, I wasn’t making any money.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow Price is pregnant with her sixth child, and she and her husband are committed to “the spirit of sacrifice. I would love to make annual trips to France or even take graduate-level classes in art history or French; even a solitary trip to the grocery store, however, is a luxury. Sometimes I feel like I live in a cloister, with my only influence being through prayer, but I don’t know that I’m comfortable with that comparison. Those courageous women have made far greater sacrifices than I.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor Berns, the call to holiness comes from “the love that I show my children and husband. Theoretically, this love will increase exponentially when my children leave the house — the ripples will expand; the faith will be shared. That is my great hope: that my children will all be emissaries of the King and will be inspired, not hindered, by what they’ve learned in our home.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSome new mothers, however, find the image of the vocation doesn’t always match the reality. How can children be the means for a mother’s sanctification if they only make her irritable, tense and exhausted? Reitemeyer learned gradually that things do get better with age and experience.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“There were many evenings I wept while nursing a little one to sleep,” she admits, “and prayed to Mother Mary for the grace to be gentle and patient and kind. I still have a long way to go, but, certainly, I find it much easier now to speak softly or slow down to a child’s pace or laugh before scolding. Motherhood, well done, has no room for selfishness, impatience, sloth or cowardice. Every day brings new challenges that require exercising one or more virtues, and to boldly face another day is to get a bit stronger, better, holier. Certainly, there is the possibility of failure, of becoming apathetic, of remaining selfish and self-centered. And, surely, as the mother goes, so too will go the family, and thus the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Holy women will tend to raise holy families, and since the family is the fundamental unit of society, the more holy families there are, the better our society will be.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor Stone, the call to holiness in her vocation reflects the call of God to mankind. “When we become filled with his love,” she says, “we see others as his children. And just as we want to help our children attain their full potential, you can see how God wants all of his children to attain heaven. We feel the call to help others, as we should, on our path to walk alongside us as we strive to be more pleasing to him.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p align=\"right\"><em>Thomas L. McDonald is a catechist in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey.</em></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\nRead more: <a href=\"http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/motherhood-and-the-call-to-holiness1/#ixzz1jdbMa400\">http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/motherhood-and-the-call-to-holiness1/#ixzz1jdbMa400</a>','Motherhood and Call to Holiness','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-16 11:10:21','2012-01-16 16:10:21','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1023',0,'post','',0),(998,2,'2012-01-08 13:45:44','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<a href=\"http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/01/06/the-minor-threat-age-restricted-communities-evicting-children/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl10|sec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D125716\" target=\"_blank\">The Minor Threat: </a>Age-Restricted Communities Evicting Children | By Stefanos Chen | Posted Jan 6th 2012 6:00AM 141 Comments ? 7612740 At 6 months old, Kimberly Broffman faced eviction. It wasn\'t because her grandparents couldn\'t afford the home where she lived -- they were current on the mortgage. And it had nothing to do with her mother\'s run-ins with the law; she was welcome to stay, too. The only persona non grata was the infant, and she had to leave soon. The reason: Kimberly\'s grandparents -- and primary caregivers -- live in an age-restricted community, where minors are treated more often as vagrants than visitors. Judie and Jim Stottler (pictured above with Kimberly), who belong to the Lakes Homeowners Association in Clearwater, Fla., have been in and out of court to keep Kimberly in their home since she was 3 years old, though the community board first raised objections when Kimberly was just an infant. She\'s 8 today. The couple gained legal custody of Kimberly because her mother had a history of substance abuse. The father remains unknown. Without her grandparents, Kimberly would likely be placed in foster care. But when the community board discovered that the child was living year-round with her grandparents, they issued an ultimatum: Remove the child or sell the house within 18 months. \"Throwing the child out would be throwing us out,\" Judie Stottler, 64, told AOL Real Estate. \"People end up losing their homes because they won\'t lose their children.\" The Stottlers are hardly alone. As the economic downturn bears down on families, an increasing number of grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren, and it\'s presenting a host of complicated issues, both legal and ethical, particularly when it comes to senior housing. A Major Problem With Minors At the Sun City Community Center near Tampa, Fla., one of the oldest age-restricted communities in the nation, the problem is growing. Ed Barnes, president of the board, said that he\'s discovered 10 cases in the past six months in which children were found to be living with relatives -- one of the most basic violations of age-restricted communities\' bylaws. But Barnes doesn\'t relish the thought of kicking children to the curb. \"Certainly the main reason is the economic downturn, coupled with personal tragedies,\" he said of the influx of youngsters. \"People are getting divorced and have no alternative, no job, and have to find some place for the kids to live.\" With a national unemployment rate of nearly 9 percent and millions of Americans still struggling with upside-down mortgages, it\'s not surprising that there are more multigenerational households these days. Yet bending the rules for even one child could land an age-restricted community in hot water. Legal and Financial Consequences \"Age restriction is a fundamental part of what makes up that community,\" said Michael Gelfand, a West Palm Beach-area attorney with experience in community association disputes. Putting aside residents\' attitudes about young children, sheltering minors could put the community under serious financial duress. The Fair Housing Act, which forms the basis for anti-discrimination law in housing, was amended to include a \"familial restriction\" that essentially validates senior communities\' right to prohibit minors from living there, Gelfand said. Up to 20 percent of residents in age-restricted communities can be under the set residency age, but these arrangements are largely used to accommodate adult children who inherit property. The rule is never used to accommodate minors, however, and if a community is found to exceed the 20 percent limit, or selectively enforces the rules, it could lose its exemption status. And that could cause a cascade of adverse effects. The perception is that \"property values are going to plummet,\" said Rob Freedman, a Tampa-based attorney who\'s written covenants for several age-restricted communities in Florida. \"Because now you have more people coming in ... and because senior citizens are not going to want to live in a community that has kids around.\" Moreover, senior communities aren\'t equipped for children, Freedman said. Swimming pools and other adult facilities will have to be reinsured; lightly used roadways will take a pounding as younger residents move in, creating safety hazards for golf cart-reliant seniors and increased taxes for residents; and mortgage lenders will likely be forced to revise their valuation of the community, making it harder for borrowers to change terms. For seniors on a fixed income, any number of these changes could lead to hardship. The median listing price in Sun City is $104,950 as of November, which is down 4.5 percent from last year, according to Realtor.com data. In comparison, the national median list price was $189,900. U.S. Census data shows that 5.8 million children under the age of 18 live in grandparent-headed households as of the last decennial survey, up from 4.5 million a decade ago. And while residents in age-restricted communities make up just under a million owner-occupied households in America, according to the National Association of Home Builders, economic hardships are bringing more of these eviction cases to the surface. A Slippery Slope The problem isn\'t entirely new. Take for instance the cautionary tale of Youngtown, Ariz., credited as the first age-restricted community in the nation. In 1996, 16-year-old Chaz Cope moved in with his grandparents in the senior community to escape his abusive stepfather. Cope\'s grandparents petitioned the association to allow the teenager to stay with them until he finished high school, but the board bristled. Chaz Cope\"It was scary. I didn\'t have nowhere else to go and I definitely wasn\'t going back to that abusive household,\" Cope, now 31, told AOL Real Estate. (He\'s pictured left with his 4-year-old daughter.) But when the story garnered mainstream attention, the Arizona attorney general\'s office ordered a stay on Cope\'s eviction and initiated a 10-month investigation of the community. It turned out that the town had improperly sought its age-restricted status and the town lost its exemption altogether, allowing Cope -- and anyone else inclined to live among a majority of seniors -- to move into the community. \"I made it so anybody could live in that community,\" Cope said, with a measure of pride. Kids in the Shadows Cope\'s story is a sobering example of what\'s at stake for 55-and-up communities that discover children in their midst. In Sun City Community Center, president Barnes said that he\'s seen more stowaways lately, but that the problem still only affects a small portion of the 10,000-plus population. But AOL Real Estate spoke to residents who claim that there are many children who remain hidden. \"Oh my goodness -- shock-o, shock-o,\" one resident quipped when informed of the recent discoveries. The homeowner, who asked not to be identified, said that she\'s seen several children peeking out from behind screen doors in the seven years she\'s lived at Sun City. The reasons they live in the shadows are clear to Judie Stottler, whose 8-year-old grandchild has been at the center of controversy since she was an infant. Kimberly BroffmanThe family has been battling to keep Kimberly since before she could crawl, but has had the services of attorney Rob Eckard for the past 5 years. Eckard, who first read about the Stottlers\' case in the local press, came on to defend the family pro bono. \"People who can\'t afford attorneys end up losing their home because they won\'t lose their children,\" Stottler said. Before they had legal representation, the family signed an agreement stating that they would move out of the home within 18 months. \"We thought we\'d have to sign or we\'d be thrown out right then.\" But when the housing market went belly up, they were left with little hope of selling. The home was first listed in 2006 for $250,000, Stottler said -- now it\'s priced at $89,000. Stottler works at a local assisted living home and supports the family entirely on her income. Her husband, Jim, is disabled. She expects to retire this February. To make matters worse, the community board president, whom the family had dealt with, recently died, leaving their lawyer with the arduous task of restarting negotiations. But there\'s hope for them yet. Because the family was granted custody of Kimberly during a separate hearing, Eckard said, there may be grounds for setting up a temporary zoning variance that would allow the Stottlers to keep their home, as well as their granddaughter. A Case for Revision The problem with these cases, even when the children are granted admission to the community, is that they\'re won on technicalities, said Shelley Cutts, a Tempe, Ariz., attorney who studied the Cope case. State attorneys general sometimes intervene in these cases, \"but never have to answer the tough questions,\" she said -- namely, revising the laws to include a hardship exemption for families with no other options. For the time being, however, families like the Stottlers face uphill battles in court, where their best defense is to find flaws in their community\'s bylaws. As of Wednesday, Eckard, the family\'s attorney, said the association was very close to reaching a deal with the Stottlers to allow Kimberly to stay on a temporary zoning exemption. The proposal was very careful to maintain the community\'s age restricted status, he says -- the offer would only be extended to Kimberly, and no other children found in the community. As of this writing, the community association\'s attorney has yet to respond to calls regarding the case. Eckard says he\'s already been approached by another resident in the Lakes subdivision who is sheltering a minor and fears community reprisal. \"There\'s people in that community just one event away from being in their shoes,\" he said. Until a policy is reached that both maintains age-restricted enforcement and considers extreme family hardship, residents within these communities will continue to have to choose between keeping their homes and housing their kin. But Stottler said she already knows where she stands. \"Your child is going to come first. That\'s just the way it is.\" Special thanks to Professor Judith Trolander, whose insights helped inform this article. Also see: Housing Market Unprepared for Aging Gay Community Survey: Most Boomers Would Cover Kids\' Down Payment Gallery: Ten Fastest Graying Cities in America Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WAHouston-Sugarland-Baytown, TXRiverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CAAlbuquerque, NMMadison, WI More on AOL Real Estate: Find out how to calculate mortgage payments. Find homes for sale in your area. Find foreclosures in your area. Find homes for rent in your area. See celebrity real estate Filed under: News Tags: age-qualified communities, age-restricted, chaz cope, clearwater florida, judie stottler, kimberly broffman, lakes homeowners association, senior communities, sun city community center, youngtown arizona 7612740 Reader Comments (141) by Cory - January 5th 2012 @ 5:56PM While I have sympathy for these grandkids, people move to adult-only housing expect the safety of adult-only housing. Many of these grandkids from dysfunctional families have substance abuse problems themselves. This leads to drug-related crime in the building or next door. A 16 year old is still a child but may have already been arrested dozens of times. I don\'t blame communities for enforcing the rules. Reply | Report by sammy - January 6th 2012 @ 2:13PM This exactly the reason we will never live anywhere there is a HOA. If our grandchildren were at risk, we would be there for them anyway we could...including giving them a home. So no condos, no age restricted neighborhoods, for us! | Report by Holly - January 6th 2012 @ 3:09PM Before moving into an age restricted community, people should seriously consider if there would ever be a circumstance that could arise where they would want a child to live with them. If there is, then don\'t move into that community and expect them to exempt you from the rules. These stories are written to make the age-restricted communities seem cold-hearted but they\'re not. These communities exist because some older people don\'t want to contend with children. What the people who want the community to make an exception for them are actually saying is I don\'t want to live around any children but those who matter to me. If an apartment doesn\'t allow pets, people with animals know they won\'t be welcome. If an HOA restricts what color your house can be painted, you don\'t expect them to let you paint it fuschia. If you don\'t want to live with restrictions, don\'t move somewhere where restrictions will apply. | Report by ED - January 6th 2012 @ 3:31PM BS | Report by Terry - January 6th 2012 @ 5:12PM I wonder what your viewpoint would be if it were your grandchild in such a situation. | Report by mojo - January 6th 2012 @ 5:53PM You closed minded, bigotted person! Shame on you for your broad paint-brush characterization of people who unfortunately are born into dysfunctional families. There is no gene that automatically makes them dysfunctional. What makes them dysfunctional is people who don\'t accept them for what they are and see that there is always hope for a child to succeed. The story/movie of \"Fish\" comes to mind. | Report by GB - January 6th 2012 @ 7:31PM Rules are rules. I live in FL and pets and kids are allowed in my condo. It\'t the rug rats that cause all the noise, destruction and rukkus. If I was to move into an adult community, I would expect no kids. That is what I am paying for and deserve! These people can just MOVE if they want to keep the kiddys around and they can rent out their joint (in the adult community). | Report by ENRIQUE - January 6th 2012 @ 7:53PM DID TED BUNDY GREW UP IN A DISFUNTIONAL FAMILY? | Report by Sue - January 7th 2012 @ 8:50AM Yes many chidren come from dysfunctional families but that does not mean that the child is dysfunctional. I live in a small town where the elderly and all the residents come together to help one another and though there are senior housing available,many of the elderly have their family living with them peacefully. How ignorant of you to think that every family that faces hard times is dysfunctional or the childrn are trouble makers. I respect the grandparents that are willing to stand up for family values. | Report by Karen - January 8th 2012 @ 10:50AM Exactly. If they want to keep their grandchild,then they need to respect the rules.THEY moved there because it was age-restricted. I wonder how they would feel if someone else had children where they expected all adults? They knew the rules when they moved in. I think it is laudable that they are raising the grandchild,but they can\'t have their cake and eat it too. They need to sell and move somewhere unrestricted. There was a REASON they moved there in the first place...to be in an all-adult community. THEY didn\'t want children around,so I think it is hypocritical of them to expect an exception to the rules for them alone. | Report by Nick - January 5th 2012 @ 10:45PM What if you are over 55 and have your own biological child who is 2 years old? Reply | Report by ed - January 6th 2012 @ 1:01PM You find someplace else to live. | Report by Joanne - January 6th 2012 @ 4:15PM Then you are a man and have a young wife. How did you sneak her into that place? | Report by Angela - January 6th 2012 @ 5:48PM Wow....now THAT is a stretch!! | Report by Carol - January 6th 2012 @ 6:56PM If you have a child at age 55 (or 53) then, MOVE! There is a valid reason why older folks don\'t want to live around small children and one of them is health related. Many seniors have terminal or life altering ailments and do not necessarily want snot-nosed disease carriers living so close where they may have to perhaps have to share a laundry area or common area not to mention, by the time senior citizens retire after working a long life and paying taxes and having raised their families they deserve a life of peace and quiet in a community of their peers, not 5 year olds. If your circumstances mean there will be a child living with you even part time....then have the descency to move to a condo where \"age\" doesn\'t matter. Thanks for letting me have my say.....I remain ...\"A Loving Grandma\" from Ohio. | Report by Medusa - January 6th 2012 @ 7:23PM If you are likely to have children, don\'t move into an age restricted community. I am elderly and I do NOT live in an age restricted community but I have often thought I would love to buy a house in one. Elderly people have the problems of elderly people: a tendency toward afternoon naps, canes or walkers or wheelchairs that don\'t deal well with bicycles, tricycles or skateboards, and fragile bones that cannot stand up to collision with running children or thrown balls. I have trouble walking and I have several times been nearly run down by skateboards and bicycles. This is a situation that is devastating to the grandparents. But, on the other hand, children running freely through the community can be devastating to the residents who paid a premium for a safe environment in their old age. I don\'t know what the solution is. Perhaps the Association should consider buying the home at a fair market price and holding it for sale while the grandparents move to a multigenerational community? If the residents can jointly shoulder the financial burden? | Report by dot - January 6th 2012 @ 8:11PM Then you have to move out. | Report by Sue - January 5th 2012 @ 11:27PM I am waiting until I am old enough to move into a senior housing development. I want what they offer. I don\'t want the problems that come with children of walking age thru teenager. And most times, if the kid is now living with a grandparent, the kid has issues. I am tired of being awoken in the middle of the night to my neighbor\'s teen age kids out on the porch playing music and talking. I was glad when the neighbor on the other side moved away with her 3 middle school kids. Amazing, the vandilism has stopped since she left. I understand circumstances creating bad situations. But is a whole community to suffer? It is a difficult situation for all parties concerned. The family presented her has had the kid for 7-8 years. Long before the housing crisis and property value decline. Reply | Report by Ed - January 5th 2012 @ 3:59PM People sign a contract and then are upset when the other party tries to enforce it. Reply | Report by Bryan - January 6th 2012 @ 7:22PM People cant help dieing. Your grandchild\'s parent die and you should be left to choose the child or your home. Well better make sure all your kin is dead before you move into one of these naber hoods. | Report 141 Comments / 8 Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 141 Comments / 8 Pages Most Recent | Next 20 Comments Add Your Comments * New Users * Returning * AIM First time? A confirmation email will be sent to you after submitting. If you don\'t receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder or add \"blogsmith.com\" to your address book. Name Email Members enter your username and password. 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I can\'t qualify for a loan. 5025 (39.5%) I have to sell my current home first. 4348 (34.2%) You could bring the interest down to 0 percent -- I still couldn\'t afford the monthly payments. 3359 (26.4%) Most Popular Stories Top Story How Large We Live: Average Home Sizes Across the U.S. Read More » Top Story 80 Cent \'Typo\' Almost Cost Man Home Read More » Top Story Iowa Land Boom Defies U.S. Real Estate Slump Read More » Top Story Melania Trump\'s Golden Penthouse Read More » Let\'s Connect! * Newsletter * Twitter * Facebook * RSS Sign up for our email newsletter to keep up to date on real estate news and trends. AOL RealEstate on Facebook Contributors Laura Goldstein Laura Goldstein Editor in Chief A Real Horror House for Sale Stefanos Chen Stefanos Chen Associate Editor The Minor Threat: Age-Restricted Communities Evicting Children Meet The Whole Team » Sponsored Links Prices for Senior Housing Compare Pricing &amp; Services on Top 5 Senior Living Communities by City. 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All Rights Reserved.','Grandparents Raising Children','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-08 13:45:44','2012-01-08 18:45:44','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=998',0,'post','',0),(999,2,'2012-01-08 13:43:58','2012-01-08 18:43:58','The Minor Threat: Age-Restricted Communities Evicting Children | By Stefanos Chen | Posted Jan 6th 2012 6:00AM 141 Comments ? 7612740 At 6 months old, Kimberly Broffman faced eviction. It wasn\'t because her grandparents couldn\'t afford the home where she lived -- they were current on the mortgage. And it had nothing to do with her mother\'s run-ins with the law; she was welcome to stay, too. The only persona non grata was the infant, and she had to leave soon. The reason: Kimberly\'s grandparents -- and primary caregivers -- live in an age-restricted community, where minors are treated more often as vagrants than visitors. Judie and Jim Stottler (pictured above with Kimberly), who belong to the Lakes Homeowners Association in Clearwater, Fla., have been in and out of court to keep Kimberly in their home since she was 3 years old, though the community board first raised objections when Kimberly was just an infant. She\'s 8 today. The couple gained legal custody of Kimberly because her mother had a history of substance abuse. The father remains unknown. Without her grandparents, Kimberly would likely be placed in foster care. But when the community board discovered that the child was living year-round with her grandparents, they issued an ultimatum: Remove the child or sell the house within 18 months. \"Throwing the child out would be throwing us out,\" Judie Stottler, 64, told AOL Real Estate. \"People end up losing their homes because they won\'t lose their children.\" The Stottlers are hardly alone. As the economic downturn bears down on families, an increasing number of grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren, and it\'s presenting a host of complicated issues, both legal and ethical, particularly when it comes to senior housing. A Major Problem With Minors At the Sun City Community Center near Tampa, Fla., one of the oldest age-restricted communities in the nation, the problem is growing. Ed Barnes, president of the board, said that he\'s discovered 10 cases in the past six months in which children were found to be living with relatives -- one of the most basic violations of age-restricted communities\' bylaws. But Barnes doesn\'t relish the thought of kicking children to the curb. \"Certainly the main reason is the economic downturn, coupled with personal tragedies,\" he said of the influx of youngsters. \"People are getting divorced and have no alternative, no job, and have to find some place for the kids to live.\" With a national unemployment rate of nearly 9 percent and millions of Americans still struggling with upside-down mortgages, it\'s not surprising that there are more multigenerational households these days. Yet bending the rules for even one child could land an age-restricted community in hot water. Legal and Financial Consequences \"Age restriction is a fundamental part of what makes up that community,\" said Michael Gelfand, a West Palm Beach-area attorney with experience in community association disputes. Putting aside residents\' attitudes about young children, sheltering minors could put the community under serious financial duress. The Fair Housing Act, which forms the basis for anti-discrimination law in housing, was amended to include a \"familial restriction\" that essentially validates senior communities\' right to prohibit minors from living there, Gelfand said. Up to 20 percent of residents in age-restricted communities can be under the set residency age, but these arrangements are largely used to accommodate adult children who inherit property. The rule is never used to accommodate minors, however, and if a community is found to exceed the 20 percent limit, or selectively enforces the rules, it could lose its exemption status. And that could cause a cascade of adverse effects. The perception is that \"property values are going to plummet,\" said Rob Freedman, a Tampa-based attorney who\'s written covenants for several age-restricted communities in Florida. \"Because now you have more people coming in ... and because senior citizens are not going to want to live in a community that has kids around.\" Moreover, senior communities aren\'t equipped for children, Freedman said. Swimming pools and other adult facilities will have to be reinsured; lightly used roadways will take a pounding as younger residents move in, creating safety hazards for golf cart-reliant seniors and increased taxes for residents; and mortgage lenders will likely be forced to revise their valuation of the community, making it harder for borrowers to change terms. For seniors on a fixed income, any number of these changes could lead to hardship. The median listing price in Sun City is $104,950 as of November, which is down 4.5 percent from last year, according to Realtor.com data. In comparison, the national median list price was $189,900. U.S. Census data shows that 5.8 million children under the age of 18 live in grandparent-headed households as of the last decennial survey, up from 4.5 million a decade ago. And while residents in age-restricted communities make up just under a million owner-occupied households in America, according to the National Association of Home Builders, economic hardships are bringing more of these eviction cases to the surface. A Slippery Slope The problem isn\'t entirely new. Take for instance the cautionary tale of Youngtown, Ariz., credited as the first age-restricted community in the nation. In 1996, 16-year-old Chaz Cope moved in with his grandparents in the senior community to escape his abusive stepfather. Cope\'s grandparents petitioned the association to allow the teenager to stay with them until he finished high school, but the board bristled. Chaz Cope\"It was scary. I didn\'t have nowhere else to go and I definitely wasn\'t going back to that abusive household,\" Cope, now 31, told AOL Real Estate. (He\'s pictured left with his 4-year-old daughter.) But when the story garnered mainstream attention, the Arizona attorney general\'s office ordered a stay on Cope\'s eviction and initiated a 10-month investigation of the community. It turned out that the town had improperly sought its age-restricted status and the town lost its exemption altogether, allowing Cope -- and anyone else inclined to live among a majority of seniors -- to move into the community. \"I made it so anybody could live in that community,\" Cope said, with a measure of pride. Kids in the Shadows Cope\'s story is a sobering example of what\'s at stake for 55-and-up communities that discover children in their midst. In Sun City Community Center, president Barnes said that he\'s seen more stowaways lately, but that the problem still only affects a small portion of the 10,000-plus population. But AOL Real Estate spoke to residents who claim that there are many children who remain hidden. \"Oh my goodness -- shock-o, shock-o,\" one resident quipped when informed of the recent discoveries. The homeowner, who asked not to be identified, said that she\'s seen several children peeking out from behind screen doors in the seven years she\'s lived at Sun City. The reasons they live in the shadows are clear to Judie Stottler, whose 8-year-old grandchild has been at the center of controversy since she was an infant. Kimberly BroffmanThe family has been battling to keep Kimberly since before she could crawl, but has had the services of attorney Rob Eckard for the past 5 years. Eckard, who first read about the Stottlers\' case in the local press, came on to defend the family pro bono. \"People who can\'t afford attorneys end up losing their home because they won\'t lose their children,\" Stottler said. Before they had legal representation, the family signed an agreement stating that they would move out of the home within 18 months. \"We thought we\'d have to sign or we\'d be thrown out right then.\" But when the housing market went belly up, they were left with little hope of selling. The home was first listed in 2006 for $250,000, Stottler said -- now it\'s priced at $89,000. Stottler works at a local assisted living home and supports the family entirely on her income. Her husband, Jim, is disabled. She expects to retire this February. To make matters worse, the community board president, whom the family had dealt with, recently died, leaving their lawyer with the arduous task of restarting negotiations. But there\'s hope for them yet. Because the family was granted custody of Kimberly during a separate hearing, Eckard said, there may be grounds for setting up a temporary zoning variance that would allow the Stottlers to keep their home, as well as their granddaughter. A Case for Revision The problem with these cases, even when the children are granted admission to the community, is that they\'re won on technicalities, said Shelley Cutts, a Tempe, Ariz., attorney who studied the Cope case. State attorneys general sometimes intervene in these cases, \"but never have to answer the tough questions,\" she said -- namely, revising the laws to include a hardship exemption for families with no other options. For the time being, however, families like the Stottlers face uphill battles in court, where their best defense is to find flaws in their community\'s bylaws. As of Wednesday, Eckard, the family\'s attorney, said the association was very close to reaching a deal with the Stottlers to allow Kimberly to stay on a temporary zoning exemption. The proposal was very careful to maintain the community\'s age restricted status, he says -- the offer would only be extended to Kimberly, and no other children found in the community. As of this writing, the community association\'s attorney has yet to respond to calls regarding the case. Eckard says he\'s already been approached by another resident in the Lakes subdivision who is sheltering a minor and fears community reprisal. \"There\'s people in that community just one event away from being in their shoes,\" he said. Until a policy is reached that both maintains age-restricted enforcement and considers extreme family hardship, residents within these communities will continue to have to choose between keeping their homes and housing their kin. But Stottler said she already knows where she stands. \"Your child is going to come first. That\'s just the way it is.\" Special thanks to Professor Judith Trolander, whose insights helped inform this article. Also see: Housing Market Unprepared for Aging Gay Community Survey: Most Boomers Would Cover Kids\' Down Payment Gallery: Ten Fastest Graying Cities in America Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WAHouston-Sugarland-Baytown, TXRiverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CAAlbuquerque, NMMadison, WI More on AOL Real Estate: Find out how to calculate mortgage payments. Find homes for sale in your area. Find foreclosures in your area. Find homes for rent in your area. See celebrity real estate Filed under: News Tags: age-qualified communities, age-restricted, chaz cope, clearwater florida, judie stottler, kimberly broffman, lakes homeowners association, senior communities, sun city community center, youngtown arizona 7612740 Reader Comments (141) by Cory - January 5th 2012 @ 5:56PM While I have sympathy for these grandkids, people move to adult-only housing expect the safety of adult-only housing. Many of these grandkids from dysfunctional families have substance abuse problems themselves. This leads to drug-related crime in the building or next door. A 16 year old is still a child but may have already been arrested dozens of times. I don\'t blame communities for enforcing the rules. Reply | Report by sammy - January 6th 2012 @ 2:13PM This exactly the reason we will never live anywhere there is a HOA. If our grandchildren were at risk, we would be there for them anyway we could...including giving them a home. So no condos, no age restricted neighborhoods, for us! | Report by Holly - January 6th 2012 @ 3:09PM Before moving into an age restricted community, people should seriously consider if there would ever be a circumstance that could arise where they would want a child to live with them. If there is, then don\'t move into that community and expect them to exempt you from the rules. These stories are written to make the age-restricted communities seem cold-hearted but they\'re not. These communities exist because some older people don\'t want to contend with children. What the people who want the community to make an exception for them are actually saying is I don\'t want to live around any children but those who matter to me. If an apartment doesn\'t allow pets, people with animals know they won\'t be welcome. If an HOA restricts what color your house can be painted, you don\'t expect them to let you paint it fuschia. If you don\'t want to live with restrictions, don\'t move somewhere where restrictions will apply. | Report by ED - January 6th 2012 @ 3:31PM BS | Report by Terry - January 6th 2012 @ 5:12PM I wonder what your viewpoint would be if it were your grandchild in such a situation. | Report by mojo - January 6th 2012 @ 5:53PM You closed minded, bigotted person! Shame on you for your broad paint-brush characterization of people who unfortunately are born into dysfunctional families. There is no gene that automatically makes them dysfunctional. What makes them dysfunctional is people who don\'t accept them for what they are and see that there is always hope for a child to succeed. The story/movie of \"Fish\" comes to mind. | Report by GB - January 6th 2012 @ 7:31PM Rules are rules. I live in FL and pets and kids are allowed in my condo. It\'t the rug rats that cause all the noise, destruction and rukkus. If I was to move into an adult community, I would expect no kids. That is what I am paying for and deserve! These people can just MOVE if they want to keep the kiddys around and they can rent out their joint (in the adult community). | Report by ENRIQUE - January 6th 2012 @ 7:53PM DID TED BUNDY GREW UP IN A DISFUNTIONAL FAMILY? | Report by Sue - January 7th 2012 @ 8:50AM Yes many chidren come from dysfunctional families but that does not mean that the child is dysfunctional. I live in a small town where the elderly and all the residents come together to help one another and though there are senior housing available,many of the elderly have their family living with them peacefully. How ignorant of you to think that every family that faces hard times is dysfunctional or the childrn are trouble makers. I respect the grandparents that are willing to stand up for family values. | Report by Karen - January 8th 2012 @ 10:50AM Exactly. If they want to keep their grandchild,then they need to respect the rules.THEY moved there because it was age-restricted. I wonder how they would feel if someone else had children where they expected all adults? They knew the rules when they moved in. I think it is laudable that they are raising the grandchild,but they can\'t have their cake and eat it too. They need to sell and move somewhere unrestricted. There was a REASON they moved there in the first place...to be in an all-adult community. THEY didn\'t want children around,so I think it is hypocritical of them to expect an exception to the rules for them alone. | Report by Nick - January 5th 2012 @ 10:45PM What if you are over 55 and have your own biological child who is 2 years old? Reply | Report by ed - January 6th 2012 @ 1:01PM You find someplace else to live. | Report by Joanne - January 6th 2012 @ 4:15PM Then you are a man and have a young wife. How did you sneak her into that place? | Report by Angela - January 6th 2012 @ 5:48PM Wow....now THAT is a stretch!! | Report by Carol - January 6th 2012 @ 6:56PM If you have a child at age 55 (or 53) then, MOVE! There is a valid reason why older folks don\'t want to live around small children and one of them is health related. Many seniors have terminal or life altering ailments and do not necessarily want snot-nosed disease carriers living so close where they may have to perhaps have to share a laundry area or common area not to mention, by the time senior citizens retire after working a long life and paying taxes and having raised their families they deserve a life of peace and quiet in a community of their peers, not 5 year olds. If your circumstances mean there will be a child living with you even part time....then have the descency to move to a condo where \"age\" doesn\'t matter. Thanks for letting me have my say.....I remain ...\"A Loving Grandma\" from Ohio. | Report by Medusa - January 6th 2012 @ 7:23PM If you are likely to have children, don\'t move into an age restricted community. I am elderly and I do NOT live in an age restricted community but I have often thought I would love to buy a house in one. Elderly people have the problems of elderly people: a tendency toward afternoon naps, canes or walkers or wheelchairs that don\'t deal well with bicycles, tricycles or skateboards, and fragile bones that cannot stand up to collision with running children or thrown balls. I have trouble walking and I have several times been nearly run down by skateboards and bicycles. This is a situation that is devastating to the grandparents. But, on the other hand, children running freely through the community can be devastating to the residents who paid a premium for a safe environment in their old age. I don\'t know what the solution is. Perhaps the Association should consider buying the home at a fair market price and holding it for sale while the grandparents move to a multigenerational community? If the residents can jointly shoulder the financial burden? | Report by dot - January 6th 2012 @ 8:11PM Then you have to move out. | Report by Sue - January 5th 2012 @ 11:27PM I am waiting until I am old enough to move into a senior housing development. I want what they offer. I don\'t want the problems that come with children of walking age thru teenager. And most times, if the kid is now living with a grandparent, the kid has issues. I am tired of being awoken in the middle of the night to my neighbor\'s teen age kids out on the porch playing music and talking. I was glad when the neighbor on the other side moved away with her 3 middle school kids. Amazing, the vandilism has stopped since she left. I understand circumstances creating bad situations. But is a whole community to suffer? It is a difficult situation for all parties concerned. The family presented her has had the kid for 7-8 years. Long before the housing crisis and property value decline. Reply | Report by Ed - January 5th 2012 @ 3:59PM People sign a contract and then are upset when the other party tries to enforce it. Reply | Report by Bryan - January 6th 2012 @ 7:22PM People cant help dieing. Your grandchild\'s parent die and you should be left to choose the child or your home. Well better make sure all your kin is dead before you move into one of these naber hoods. | Report 141 Comments / 8 Pages | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 141 Comments / 8 Pages Most Recent | Next 20 Comments Add Your Comments * New Users * Returning * AIM First time? A confirmation email will be sent to you after submitting. If you don\'t receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder or add \"blogsmith.com\" to your address book. Name Email Members enter your username and password. Email Password Enter your AOL or AIM screenname and password. Add a personal message (required) E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry.Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. When you enter your name and email address, you\'ll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password. To create a live link, simply type the URL(including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted - no need to use\n\nor\ntags. Sponsored Links 4 BR 3 BA $875 Rent 2 Own Hundreds of Locally Available Homes Any Credit Qualifies. Always Free! OwnerWiz.com/No-Downpayment Condos in West Palm Beach 2, 3, &amp; 4 Bedroom Luxury Condos with Ocean Front Views. Going Fast! www.twocityplaza.com Low Cost Senior Housing Senior Housing Net Get free Senior Homes Guide! SeniorInsider.com/t1 Senior Living Apartments Find Independent Living Communities Complete Senior Living Services. SeniorFacts.com See More Offers &gt;&gt;&gt; Video Tag Along with a Home Inspector * Get expert answers to home buying questions * Take a moment to meet our contributors Poll Mortgage rates are at an all-time low. What\'s keeping you from buying?Lender requirements are too strict. I can\'t qualify for a loan. 5025 (39.5%) I have to sell my current home first. 4348 (34.2%) You could bring the interest down to 0 percent -- I still couldn\'t afford the monthly payments. 3359 (26.4%) Most Popular Stories Top Story How Large We Live: Average Home Sizes Across the U.S. Read More » Top Story 80 Cent \'Typo\' Almost Cost Man Home Read More » Top Story Iowa Land Boom Defies U.S. Real Estate Slump Read More » Top Story Melania Trump\'s Golden Penthouse Read More » Let\'s Connect! * Newsletter * Twitter * Facebook * RSS Sign up for our email newsletter to keep up to date on real estate news and trends. AOL RealEstate on Facebook Contributors Laura Goldstein Laura Goldstein Editor in Chief A Real Horror House for Sale Stefanos Chen Stefanos Chen Associate Editor The Minor Threat: Age-Restricted Communities Evicting Children Meet The Whole Team » Sponsored Links Prices for Senior Housing Compare Pricing &amp; Services on Top 5 Senior Living Communities by City. BestSeniorCareOnline.com Ask a Lawyer Online Now A Lawyer Will Answer You Now! An Answer is Given Every 9 Seconds. Law.JustAnswer.com See Assisted Living Costs Get Online info, prices, &amp; Options See your options by city Today! www.OurParentsPlace.com HUD Homes - $10,000 Buy a HUD Home at huge 50% savings. Register for $1 to search your area www.HUDforeclosed.com See More Offers &gt;&gt;&gt; Logo Title Real Estate * Home for Sale * Rentals * Articles * Home Values * Quick Links o Homes For Sale o Foreclosures o New Homes o Rentals o Apartments For Rent o Condos For Rent o Homes For Rent o Short Term Rentals o Roommates * More on AOL Real Estate o Schools o Real Estate News o Real Estate Guides o Credit Center o Refinance Mortgage o Moving o Home Values o Neighborhoods o Home Improvements o Video * About Us o Site Map o Our Experts o Partners o Advertise with Us o Follow Us on Facebook o Follow Us on Twitter o Download Our Toolbar * Real Estate Resources o Kitchen Remodeling &amp; Design o Luxury Homes o Mortgage Types o First Time Buyer Guide o Celebrity Homes o Find a Pre-Screened Contractor o Post Your Own Listing Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About Our Ads | Trademarks | Download AOL Toolbar | AOL A-Z | HELP ©2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.','Grandparents Raising Children','','inherit','open','open','','998-revision','','','2012-01-08 13:43:58','2012-01-08 18:43:58','',998,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/08/998-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1000,2,'2012-01-13 15:40:53','2012-01-13 20:40:53','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448  \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"501\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you become mentally fuzzy on details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"prenatal_origins_ of_infant_maternal_bonding\" href=\"http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/20/6/384.abstract\" target=\"_blank\">A review of new research</a> suggests that \"prenatal hormone exposures are critical for priming the maternal brain for the challenges of motherhood and have implications for the mother’s brain structure and function that may last the rest of her lifetime.\"  And<a title=\"pregnancy_and_mommy_brain\" href=\"http://www.newsucanuse.org/pregnancy-and-mommy-brain/\" target=\"_blank\"> mommy brain probably explains </a>why new mothers wake up when their babies merely whimper in their sleep.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_214\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Lisette, age 3, with Debi, doing some mother-daughter bonding.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-214\" title=\"Debi with Lisette\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"Debi with Lisette\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDuring pregnancy, a mom  is exposed to a massive hormonal shift, that according to this research, readies her brain for the challenges of motherhood, \"helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs.\"\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><dl id=\"attachment_453\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 310px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LisetteNewbornFeatured.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-453\" title=\"LisetteNewbornFeatured\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LisetteNewbornFeatured-300x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Debi and Lisette on the day she was born. That\'s Andrew nose-to-nose with his new sister and Matthew peering over his shoulder.</dd></dl></div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\">So, in the same way that a mother, and how she takes care of herself during pregnancy, impacts the baby, the fetus affects the mom. When a baby moves in utero, even if the mother cannot feel the movement, the mother\'s heart rate rises and her skin conductance response is aroused - the phenomenon when skin momentarily becomes a better conductor of electricity, indicating an emotional response.</div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\"></div>\r\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\">How amazing! From the very beginning of life, mothers and their babies are fearfully and wonderfully - an intricately - made.</div>','New Evidence Confirms Mommy Brain','','publish','open','open','','new-evidence-confirms-mommy-brain','','','2012-03-24 13:10:48','2012-03-24 17:10:48','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1000',0,'post','',0),(1001,2,'2012-01-09 21:18:39','2012-01-10 02:18:39','At no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article reviews research that refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more. A fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','Emotional/hormonal fluctuations of Pregnancy','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision','','','2012-01-09 21:18:39','2012-01-10 02:18:39','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1000-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1002,2,'2012-01-09 21:27:54','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Mothers are better able to handle stress than females who have never experienced motherhood,<a href=\"http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mothers-little-helper-motherhood-itself-1229113/\"> according to a new study</a>. “Indeed, several studies report that new mothers are better able to learn to navigate in their environment, a behavior that would more often than not have positive consequences for survival of the offspring,” said Lisa Y. Maeng of the Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers University and lead author of the study. “We have also noted enhanced learning as a consequence of motherhood. In this case, the act of maternal behavior itself prevents a learning deficit that occurs in virgins after exposure to a stressful life event.” Research has also shown that females who have taken on mothering roles, without actually giving birth, deemed “maternal virgins,” also exhibit similar behaviors. In order to determine if the mothering behavior created the protective factor, or if it was only a result of actually giving birth, Maeng and her colleagues conducted a stress experiment on female rats who were “maternal virgins” and rats who were biological mothers and found a significant difference in responses. “Exposure to the stressor suppressed learning in virgins but not in females that had been mothers at some time in their lives,” said Maeng. “These data suggest that maternal experience induces a protective mechanism in mothers, which promotes associative learning long after the offspring have left their care.” Maeng also noted that mothers and depressed women share some similar brain characteristics. “For example, the prefrontal cortex is preferentially activated in depressed women and in mothers by infant cues. The region is also critically engaged during the stressor to reduce learning in virgin females.” Maeng added, “If the mechanisms within those regions are shared, one might imagine therapies that could target these regions and thereby protect women from the negative consequences of stressful life experience on their thoughts and behaviors.”','Motherhood Helps Us Handle Stress','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-09 21:27:54','2012-01-10 02:27:54','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1002',0,'post','',0),(1003,2,'2012-01-09 21:26:09','2012-01-10 02:26:09','Mothers are better able to handle stress than females who have never experienced motherhood, according to a new study. “Indeed, several studies report that new mothers are better able to learn to navigate in their environment, a behavior that would more often than not have positive consequences for survival of the offspring,” said Lisa Y. Maeng of the Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers University and lead author of the study. “We have also noted enhanced learning as a consequence of motherhood. In this case, the act of maternal behavior itself prevents a learning deficit that occurs in virgins after exposure to a stressful life event.” Research has also shown that females who have taken on mothering roles, without actually giving birth, deemed “maternal virgins,” also exhibit similar behaviors. In order to determine if the mothering behavior created the protective factor, or if it was only a result of actually giving birth, Maeng and her colleagues conducted a stress experiment on female rats who were “maternal virgins” and rats who were biological mothers and found a significant difference in responses. “Exposure to the stressor suppressed learning in virgins but not in females that had been mothers at some time in their lives,” said Maeng. “These data suggest that maternal experience induces a protective mechanism in mothers, which promotes associative learning long after the offspring have left their care.” Maeng also noted that mothers and depressed women share some similar brain characteristics. “For example, the prefrontal cortex is preferentially activated in depressed women and in mothers by infant cues. The region is also critically engaged during the stressor to reduce learning in virgin females.” Maeng added, “If the mechanisms within those regions are shared, one might imagine therapies that could target these regions and thereby protect women from the negative consequences of stressful life experience on their thoughts and behaviors.”','Motherhood Helps Us Handle Stress','','inherit','open','open','','1002-revision','','','2012-01-09 21:26:09','2012-01-10 02:26:09','',1002,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1002-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1004,2,'2012-01-09 21:32:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<a href=\"http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/newsfeatures/article/1111287--celebrity-culture-puts-unrealistic-veneer-on-older-motherhood\">MOTHERHOOD AFTER 40 </a>Celebrity culture puts unrealistic veneer on older motherhood January 6, 2012 How are older mothers portrayed in popular culture? This is a trick question, of course, since older mothers are rarely depicted on television and film. In fact, if aliens are now monitoring the planet’s TV networks and movie theatres for insight into human reproduction, they will conclude teen pregnancy is epidemic, multiple births (anywhere from four to eight) are routine, women in their 30s care more about work than family and, without exception, nobody over 40 ever gets pregnant. But in the real world, “Midlife Moms,” as they are sometimes called, are the fastest-growing demographic giving birth across most of the West. Yet our attitude toward them often seems mired in the dark ages. “I actually believe that society has developed a more negative attitude towards older mothers over the past two decades,” says Jan Andersen, an author and creator of the website mothersover40.com. “Before advances in the medical field, no one used to bat an eyelid if a woman in her forties or fifties had a baby. My grandmother’s neighbour, for example, was 53 when she had her last baby in the late 1950s, yet it was not considered unusual.” A key difference between then and now is our obsession with age. “Most people don’t know this or don’t think about it but Lucy was over 40 when she had Little Ricky in one of the most famous television episodes of all time,” says Robert Thompson, a professor at Syracuse University, referring to the legendary CBS sitcom, I Love Lucy. “(Lucille Ball) was born in 1911 and that child was born on January 19 of 1953.” There was no fuss, adds Thompson, because “Lucy never advertised her age.” But modern celebrities, who inhabit a world in which youth itself creates a halo effect, have no say in the matter.','Mid-Life Moms: Motherhood After 40','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-09 21:32:35','2012-01-10 02:32:35','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1004',0,'post','',0),(1006,2,'2012-01-09 21:36:06','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<strong>Even for well-prepared couples, the transition to parenthood can be downright stressful.</strong>\n\nNow a study offers some encouraging news: Blogging may be helping new moms.\n\nBased on research with 157 first-time mothers, former BYU student Brandon McDaniel and his two faculty mentors found that blogging was related to lower parenting stress and marital conflict.\n\n“Much more research is needed to come up with conclusive evidence, but at least for now it appears that first-time mothers who participate in blogging show greater levels of connection with family and friends, increased feelings of support, and more positive outcomes overall,” McDaniel said.\n\nThe new study will appear in a forthcoming issue of the <a href=\"http://www.springerlink.com/content/f570317vv4748227/\" target=\"_blank\">Maternal and Child Health Journal</a>. Fittingly, his wife runs a craft blog called “<a href=\"http://www.patchesofpink.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Patches of Pink</a>” that served as a creative outlet and a way to connect with other moms following the birth of the McDaniel’s child.\n\nAll of the new moms in the study had Internet access at home, and half of the mothers were employed. While the researchers found that moms benefited from blogging in several different ways, each benefit appeared to flow through increased feelings of social support.\n\n“Social support is one of those ‘Golden Variables’ that positively influence many other measures of well-being, including relationship satisfaction, stress levels and mental health,” said Erin Holmes, a professor of family life at BYU who co-authored the study with McDaniel.\n\nThe study authors caution that the study results are exploratory in nature. For example, it’s possible that women with stronger relationships have a greater tendency to blog.\n\n“Even if this were the case, we hypothesize that blogging or reaching out to extended family and friends would reciprocally increase their perceptions of social support, as social support has been linked by prior research to a variety of maternal well-being outcomes,” the authors wrote.\n\nThese days the McDaniel family is based in Pennsylvania while Brandon <a href=\"http://news.byu.edu/archive11-aug-top10phd.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">pursues a Ph.D</a>. in human development and family studies from Penn State.\n\n“This and other projects opened up so many doors for me,” said McDaniel, noting that he got accepted to every grad school on his wish list. “Really becoming involved in research as an undergraduate student – not just superficially involved – acted as a springboard for my career.”\n\nMcDaniel also maintains a blog called “Notes on Parenting” where you’ll find more details about the new study in <a href=\"http://www.parentsareimportant.com/2011/12/parenting-in-digital-age-new-mothers.html\" target=\"_blank\">this guest post</a>.','Blogging Eases Motherhood Stress','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-09 21:36:06','2012-01-10 02:36:06','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1006',0,'post','',0),(1007,2,'2012-01-09 21:34:29','2012-01-10 02:34:29','http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/newsfeatures/article/1111287--celebrity-culture-puts-unrealistic-veneer-on-older-motherhood','Blogging Eases Motherhood Stress','','inherit','open','open','','1006-revision','','','2012-01-09 21:34:29','2012-01-10 02:34:29','',1006,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1006-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1005,2,'2012-01-09 21:31:53','2012-01-10 02:31:53','MOTHERHOOD AFTER 40 Celebrity culture puts unrealistic veneer on older motherhood January 6, 2012 Vinay Menon LIFE REPORTER Related Meet the mid-life mama First baby at 45 Home birth after 40 How old is too old ? Costs of older motherhood More on News &amp; Features Moms over 40 weigh in on... Motherhood after 40: Meet... Top 10: Parents who stopped... INTERFAITH SERIES: Judaism... Foster-to-adopt parent... Most Read Woman banned from teaching... The ‘genderless baby’ who... Georgetown teacher’s sudden... World’s tiniest babies beat... A bold inner-city project... How are older mothers portrayed in popular culture? This is a trick question, of course, since older mothers are rarely depicted on television and film. In fact, if aliens are now monitoring the planet’s TV networks and movie theatres for insight into human reproduction, they will conclude teen pregnancy is epidemic, multiple births (anywhere from four to eight) are routine, women in their 30s care more about work than family and, without exception, nobody over 40 ever gets pregnant. But in the real world, “Midlife Moms,” as they are sometimes called, are the fastest-growing demographic giving birth across most of the West. Yet our attitude toward them often seems mired in the dark ages. “I actually believe that society has developed a more negative attitude towards older mothers over the past two decades,” says Jan Andersen, an author and creator of the website mothersover40.com. “Before advances in the medical field, no one used to bat an eyelid if a woman in her forties or fifties had a baby. My grandmother’s neighbour, for example, was 53 when she had her last baby in the late 1950s, yet it was not considered unusual.” A key difference between then and now is our obsession with age. “Most people don’t know this or don’t think about it but Lucy was over 40 when she had Little Ricky in one of the most famous television episodes of all time,” says Robert Thompson, a professor at Syracuse University, referring to the legendary CBS sitcom, I Love Lucy. “(Lucille Ball) was born in 1911 and that child was born on January 19 of 1953.” There was no fuss, adds Thompson, because “Lucy never advertised her age.” But modern celebrities, who inhabit a world in which youth itself creates a halo effect, have no say in the matter.','Mid-Life Moms: Motherhood After 40','','inherit','open','open','','1004-revision','','','2012-01-09 21:31:53','2012-01-10 02:31:53','',1004,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1004-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1008,2,'2012-01-10 10:30:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<a href=\"http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/240351/opinion/blogs/parenting-changes-one-s-perspective\">Parenting changes one\'s perspective</a> Richelle Sy-Kho December 14, 2011 1:33pm 14 Email2 762 ShareThis779 If someone had asked me 10 years ago what I would be in 10 years\' time, my answer would’ve been a no-brainer. You see, I had just finished a three-month long course on International Broadcast Journalism with the Thomson Foundation at Cardiff University in Wales, after a one-month internship training with CNN in Atlanta in 1999, and I was on a journalistic high. At 27 years old, my career was the only thing in my mind. So I would have said that I’d be a famous and award-winning TV anchor and reporter, with my own show. Or, I’d be working as an anchor and/or reporter for an international media organization like CNN or BBC.\r\n\r\nOh, and I’d have a masters and a doctorate degree tucked under my belt at the same time. The thought of having a family, or being a mother, didn’t even figure at all in the equation. That’s why it’s still hard to believe that I’m now a full-time wife to my husband Aldrich, and mother of three young kids, living a quiet and stress-free life away from the limelight. (At least it was quiet and stress free when I was in Iloilo the last seven years.) Quite a long way off from the dreams I had 10 years ago. But don’t get me wrong. I love my life now. Being a full-time yaya, driver, tutor, cook, mother and wife may not be what I envisioned, but I wouldn’t exchange it for the world. When I got married in 2004, I decided to quit my job as a reporter with GMA-7 to settle down and raise a family. I wanted to have time for my kids, to see them grow and be with them every step of the way. I figured I’d only be able to do that if I stay home full-time and be a hands-on mother. I had seen a lot of my colleagues struggle to balance work and motherhood, often missing milestones in their children’s lives because they were out covering a story and doing their job. I decided I wasn’t cut out for that kind of life. The Lord didn’t bless me with a child immediately after my wedding in July 2004. There came a point where I questioned my decision to stop working. After all, I had no children to show for it. It was just me and my husband. It didn’t help that I was stuck in the middle of Iloilo City, with nothing to do but be a bum. I started entertaining thoughts of going back to work and being useful again. Suddenly, just before our first wedding anniversary, I got pregnant, and all thoughts of work went out the window. I was sooo happy. Finally, my wish was granted. I took all the necessary precautions, ate mostly healthy food, and read to my baby even in the womb. I couldn’t wait to be a mother. In February 2006 I gave birth to my firstborn, a baby girl. I named her Raine Alexis. Raine was barely a year and a half years old when I gave birth to my second child, a boy named Aidan Riley, in August 2007. And in July 2009, I became a mom for the third time with the birth of my baby boy Aaron Russel. Being a mom... I’ve always loved Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak”. But it took on a whole new meaning when I had children. The first time I held Raine in my arms was pure bliss! I couldn’t believe my husband and I were capable of producing such a perfect creature. I was content just to stare at her the whole time, even while she was sleeping. I’d smell her breath, breathe in her scent like Edward breathes Bella’s, and generally smile at her like I had gone crazy. But all that warm fuzzy feeling toward my baby immediately disappeared during times when she’d cry for no reason at all. I was grumpy and tired from nursing and lack of sleep, and here was this abnormally loud creature who wouldn’t give me even a moment of peace and quiet. I was almost ready to throw her out the window. Good thing my husband was there to stop me by getting Raine and letting me cry out my frustration and baby blues away. When Aidan came along, things got worse. I had to take care of an eternally-hungry infant and an energetic toddler. I had to make sure I gave equal love and attention to both. Sure I had yayas, but they were there mostly to assist. I was still the primary caregiver, and the one who slept with them at night. So I often ended up nursing Aidan in one arm, while putting Raine to sleep using the other arm. Talk about multitasking! With Aaron now, things have settled down quite a bit. No more baby blues. I’ve gotten used to getting up several times at night, for feedings and to check on the children. Raine and Aidan are a bit older and have each other as playmates so they don’t bug me that much. Besides, that’s what Papa is there for, to take pesky kids out of Mama’s hands. Good thing my husband is more than up to the task of reining in their “kakulitan.” … is the best thing in the world But despite the occasional complaints I have about the headaches my kids give me, I can’t imagine life without them. I don’t think I can go back to work full-time anymore. I’ve gotten so used to being with my children the whole day that I’ll miss not being with them. The thrill of being looked upon with adoring eyes by my kids, of seeing them grow up and achieving important milestones in their lives … these are priceless. And having three kids doesn’t seem to lessen the excitement I have in being a mother. It helps that all three of them have their own personality and special ways of sucking up to me. As the firstborn, Raine is, and will always be, extra special to me. She’s my mini-me, in terms of looks and katarayan. She’s very perceptive, is naturally curious and is forever asking questions. I usually run out of answers to give her. She’s also sensitive and caring, and easily empathizes with people around her. As an ate, she’s bossy and very protective of her younger brothers, and usually acts as their self-proclaimed yaya. Aidan, my second child, is such an imp. He may be innocent-looking but is actually full of mischief, as most little boys usually are. Mayhem follows him everywhere he goes. At more four years of age, Aidan is still prone to tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his own way. But he’s very cheerful and affectionate, always ready to give me a kiss and a hug. He also politely greets people by touching their hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. Of my three children, Aaron seemed to be the easiest baby and more good-natured than his older siblings. He didn’t cry that much, and generally just ate and slept. But now at two years of age, he’s the most masungit, and prone to throwing temper trantrums, or even doing his own version of planking, when he doesn’t get his own way. Aaron may be the most innocent-looking, but he’s the naughtiest of the three. It’s true what they say that once you become a parent, your whole outlook shifts. Whereas before, I thought only of myself, now my children come first. I made it a point to breastfeed all three of my children to give them the best nutrition, eating boiled malunggay leaves every day to increase my milk supply and bearing with all the soreness and pain that came with nursing. I read up on parenting articles in magazines and on the net to find out how to raise my children better. I buy mostly books and educational toys to further hone their skills and to make them smart kids. And when they smile and look at me with such need and adoration and love, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world. But at the end of the day, I’ve realized that what’s important is not what our children manage to achieve, but who they are and how they turn out. My husband and I try to teach them the right values, to care for others and to learn to strive for what they want. However, I think the best thing I can do for my children is to introduce them to Jesus, and to raise them to be individuals who love and serve God above all. For I believe each child of mine is a treasure from the Lord. He gave them to me for safekeeping that’s why I should do my best to cherish and take care of these precious ones.','Motherhood Changes Your Perspective','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-01-10 10:30:22','2012-01-10 15:30:22','',0,'http://motherhoodstress.com/?p=1008',0,'post','',0),(1009,2,'2012-01-09 21:39:47','2012-01-10 02:39:47','Parenting changes one\'s perspective Richelle Sy-Kho December 14, 2011 1:33pm 14 Email2 762 ShareThis779 If someone had asked me 10 years ago what I would be in 10 years\' time, my answer would’ve been a no-brainer. You see, I had just finished a three-month long course on International Broadcast Journalism with the Thomson Foundation at Cardiff University in Wales, after a one-month internship training with CNN in Atlanta in 1999, and I was on a journalistic high. At 27 years old, my career was the only thing in my mind. So I would have said that I’d be a famous and award-winning TV anchor and reporter, with my own show. Or, I’d be working as an anchor and/or reporter for an international media organization like CNN or BBC. Oh, and I’d have a masters and a doctorate degree tucked under my belt at the same time. The thought of having a family, or being a mother, didn’t even figure at all in the equation. That’s why it’s still hard to believe that I’m now a full-time wife to my husband Aldrich, and mother of three young kids, living a quiet and stress-free life away from the limelight. (At least it was quiet and stress free when I was in Iloilo the last seven years.) Quite a long way off from the dreams I had 10 years ago. But don’t get me wrong. I love my life now. Being a full-time yaya, driver, tutor, cook, mother and wife may not be what I envisioned, but I wouldn’t exchange it for the world. When I got married in 2004, I decided to quit my job as a reporter with GMA-7 to settle down and raise a family. I wanted to have time for my kids, to see them grow and be with them every step of the way. I figured I’d only be able to do that if I stay home full-time and be a hands-on mother. I had seen a lot of my colleagues struggle to balance work and motherhood, often missing milestones in their children’s lives because they were out covering a story and doing their job. I decided I wasn’t cut out for that kind of life. The Lord didn’t bless me with a child immediately after my wedding in July 2004. There came a point where I questioned my decision to stop working. After all, I had no children to show for it. It was just me and my husband. It didn’t help that I was stuck in the middle of Iloilo City, with nothing to do but be a bum. I started entertaining thoughts of going back to work and being useful again. Suddenly, just before our first wedding anniversary, I got pregnant, and all thoughts of work went out the window. I was sooo happy. Finally, my wish was granted. I took all the necessary precautions, ate mostly healthy food, and read to my baby even in the womb. I couldn’t wait to be a mother. In February 2006 I gave birth to my firstborn, a baby girl. I named her Raine Alexis. Raine was barely a year and a half years old when I gave birth to my second child, a boy named Aidan Riley, in August 2007. And in July 2009, I became a mom for the third time with the birth of my baby boy Aaron Russel. Being a mom... I’ve always loved Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak”. But it took on a whole new meaning when I had children. The first time I held Raine in my arms was pure bliss! I couldn’t believe my husband and I were capable of producing such a perfect creature. I was content just to stare at her the whole time, even while she was sleeping. I’d smell her breath, breathe in her scent like Edward breathes Bella’s, and generally smile at her like I had gone crazy. But all that warm fuzzy feeling toward my baby immediately disappeared during times when she’d cry for no reason at all. I was grumpy and tired from nursing and lack of sleep, and here was this abnormally loud creature who wouldn’t give me even a moment of peace and quiet. I was almost ready to throw her out the window. Good thing my husband was there to stop me by getting Raine and letting me cry out my frustration and baby blues away. When Aidan came along, things got worse. I had to take care of an eternally-hungry infant and an energetic toddler. I had to make sure I gave equal love and attention to both. Sure I had yayas, but they were there mostly to assist. I was still the primary caregiver, and the one who slept with them at night. So I often ended up nursing Aidan in one arm, while putting Raine to sleep using the other arm. Talk about multitasking! With Aaron now, things have settled down quite a bit. No more baby blues. I’ve gotten used to getting up several times at night, for feedings and to check on the children. Raine and Aidan are a bit older and have each other as playmates so they don’t bug me that much. Besides, that’s what Papa is there for, to take pesky kids out of Mama’s hands. Good thing my husband is more than up to the task of reining in their “kakulitan.” … is the best thing in the world But despite the occasional complaints I have about the headaches my kids give me, I can’t imagine life without them. I don’t think I can go back to work full-time anymore. I’ve gotten so used to being with my children the whole day that I’ll miss not being with them. The thrill of being looked upon with adoring eyes by my kids, of seeing them grow up and achieving important milestones in their lives … these are priceless. And having three kids doesn’t seem to lessen the excitement I have in being a mother. It helps that all three of them have their own personality and special ways of sucking up to me. As the firstborn, Raine is, and will always be, extra special to me. She’s my mini-me, in terms of looks and katarayan. She’s very perceptive, is naturally curious and is forever asking questions. I usually run out of answers to give her. She’s also sensitive and caring, and easily empathizes with people around her. As an ate, she’s bossy and very protective of her younger brothers, and usually acts as their self-proclaimed yaya. Aidan, my second child, is such an imp. He may be innocent-looking but is actually full of mischief, as most little boys usually are. Mayhem follows him everywhere he goes. At more four years of age, Aidan is still prone to tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his own way. But he’s very cheerful and affectionate, always ready to give me a kiss and a hug. He also politely greets people by touching their hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. Of my three children, Aaron seemed to be the easiest baby and more good-natured than his older siblings. He didn’t cry that much, and generally just ate and slept. But now at two years of age, he’s the most masungit, and prone to throwing temper trantrums, or even doing his own version of planking, when he doesn’t get his own way. Aaron may be the most innocent-looking, but he’s the naughtiest of the three. It’s true what they say that once you become a parent, your whole outlook shifts. Whereas before, I thought only of myself, now my children come first. I made it a point to breastfeed all three of my children to give them the best nutrition, eating boiled malunggay leaves every day to increase my milk supply and bearing with all the soreness and pain that came with nursing. I read up on parenting articles in magazines and on the net to find out how to raise my children better. I buy mostly books and educational toys to further hone their skills and to make them smart kids. And when they smile and look at me with such need and adoration and love, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world. But at the end of the day, I’ve realized that what’s important is not what our children manage to achieve, but who they are and how they turn out. My husband and I try to teach them the right values, to care for others and to learn to strive for what they want. However, I think the best thing I can do for my children is to introduce them to Jesus, and to raise them to be individuals who love and serve God above all. For I believe each child of mine is a treasure from the Lord. He gave them to me for safekeeping that’s why I should do my best to cherish and take care of these precious ones.','Motherhood Changes Your Perspective','','inherit','open','open','','1008-revision','','','2012-01-09 21:39:47','2012-01-10 02:39:47','',1008,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1008-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1010,2,'2012-01-09 21:41:35','2012-01-10 02:41:35','<a href=\"http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/240351/opinion/blogs/parenting-changes-one-s-perspective\">Parenting changes one\'s perspective</a> Richelle Sy-Kho December 14, 2011 1:33pm 14 Email2 762 ShareThis779 If someone had asked me 10 years ago what I would be in 10 years\' time, my answer would’ve been a no-brainer. You see, I had just finished a three-month long course on International Broadcast Journalism with the Thomson Foundation at Cardiff University in Wales, after a one-month internship training with CNN in Atlanta in 1999, and I was on a journalistic high. At 27 years old, my career was the only thing in my mind. So I would have said that I’d be a famous and award-winning TV anchor and reporter, with my own show. Or, I’d be working as an anchor and/or reporter for an international media organization like CNN or BBC. Oh, and I’d have a masters and a doctorate degree tucked under my belt at the same time. The thought of having a family, or being a mother, didn’t even figure at all in the equation. That’s why it’s still hard to believe that I’m now a full-time wife to my husband Aldrich, and mother of three young kids, living a quiet and stress-free life away from the limelight. (At least it was quiet and stress free when I was in Iloilo the last seven years.) Quite a long way off from the dreams I had 10 years ago. But don’t get me wrong. I love my life now. Being a full-time yaya, driver, tutor, cook, mother and wife may not be what I envisioned, but I wouldn’t exchange it for the world. When I got married in 2004, I decided to quit my job as a reporter with GMA-7 to settle down and raise a family. I wanted to have time for my kids, to see them grow and be with them every step of the way. I figured I’d only be able to do that if I stay home full-time and be a hands-on mother. I had seen a lot of my colleagues struggle to balance work and motherhood, often missing milestones in their children’s lives because they were out covering a story and doing their job. I decided I wasn’t cut out for that kind of life. The Lord didn’t bless me with a child immediately after my wedding in July 2004. There came a point where I questioned my decision to stop working. After all, I had no children to show for it. It was just me and my husband. It didn’t help that I was stuck in the middle of Iloilo City, with nothing to do but be a bum. I started entertaining thoughts of going back to work and being useful again. Suddenly, just before our first wedding anniversary, I got pregnant, and all thoughts of work went out the window. I was sooo happy. Finally, my wish was granted. I took all the necessary precautions, ate mostly healthy food, and read to my baby even in the womb. I couldn’t wait to be a mother. In February 2006 I gave birth to my firstborn, a baby girl. I named her Raine Alexis. Raine was barely a year and a half years old when I gave birth to my second child, a boy named Aidan Riley, in August 2007. And in July 2009, I became a mom for the third time with the birth of my baby boy Aaron Russel. Being a mom... I’ve always loved Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak”. But it took on a whole new meaning when I had children. The first time I held Raine in my arms was pure bliss! I couldn’t believe my husband and I were capable of producing such a perfect creature. I was content just to stare at her the whole time, even while she was sleeping. I’d smell her breath, breathe in her scent like Edward breathes Bella’s, and generally smile at her like I had gone crazy. But all that warm fuzzy feeling toward my baby immediately disappeared during times when she’d cry for no reason at all. I was grumpy and tired from nursing and lack of sleep, and here was this abnormally loud creature who wouldn’t give me even a moment of peace and quiet. I was almost ready to throw her out the window. Good thing my husband was there to stop me by getting Raine and letting me cry out my frustration and baby blues away. When Aidan came along, things got worse. I had to take care of an eternally-hungry infant and an energetic toddler. I had to make sure I gave equal love and attention to both. Sure I had yayas, but they were there mostly to assist. I was still the primary caregiver, and the one who slept with them at night. So I often ended up nursing Aidan in one arm, while putting Raine to sleep using the other arm. Talk about multitasking! With Aaron now, things have settled down quite a bit. No more baby blues. I’ve gotten used to getting up several times at night, for feedings and to check on the children. Raine and Aidan are a bit older and have each other as playmates so they don’t bug me that much. Besides, that’s what Papa is there for, to take pesky kids out of Mama’s hands. Good thing my husband is more than up to the task of reining in their “kakulitan.” … is the best thing in the world But despite the occasional complaints I have about the headaches my kids give me, I can’t imagine life without them. I don’t think I can go back to work full-time anymore. I’ve gotten so used to being with my children the whole day that I’ll miss not being with them. The thrill of being looked upon with adoring eyes by my kids, of seeing them grow up and achieving important milestones in their lives … these are priceless. And having three kids doesn’t seem to lessen the excitement I have in being a mother. It helps that all three of them have their own personality and special ways of sucking up to me. As the firstborn, Raine is, and will always be, extra special to me. She’s my mini-me, in terms of looks and katarayan. She’s very perceptive, is naturally curious and is forever asking questions. I usually run out of answers to give her. She’s also sensitive and caring, and easily empathizes with people around her. As an ate, she’s bossy and very protective of her younger brothers, and usually acts as their self-proclaimed yaya. Aidan, my second child, is such an imp. He may be innocent-looking but is actually full of mischief, as most little boys usually are. Mayhem follows him everywhere he goes. At more four years of age, Aidan is still prone to tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his own way. But he’s very cheerful and affectionate, always ready to give me a kiss and a hug. He also politely greets people by touching their hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. Of my three children, Aaron seemed to be the easiest baby and more good-natured than his older siblings. He didn’t cry that much, and generally just ate and slept. But now at two years of age, he’s the most masungit, and prone to throwing temper trantrums, or even doing his own version of planking, when he doesn’t get his own way. Aaron may be the most innocent-looking, but he’s the naughtiest of the three. It’s true what they say that once you become a parent, your whole outlook shifts. Whereas before, I thought only of myself, now my children come first. I made it a point to breastfeed all three of my children to give them the best nutrition, eating boiled malunggay leaves every day to increase my milk supply and bearing with all the soreness and pain that came with nursing. I read up on parenting articles in magazines and on the net to find out how to raise my children better. I buy mostly books and educational toys to further hone their skills and to make them smart kids. And when they smile and look at me with such need and adoration and love, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world. But at the end of the day, I’ve realized that what’s important is not what our children manage to achieve, but who they are and how they turn out. My husband and I try to teach them the right values, to care for others and to learn to strive for what they want. However, I think the best thing I can do for my children is to introduce them to Jesus, and to raise them to be individuals who love and serve God above all. For I believe each child of mine is a treasure from the Lord. He gave them to me for safekeeping that’s why I should do my best to cherish and take care of these precious ones.','Motherhood Changes Your Perspective','','inherit','open','open','','1008-revision-2','','','2012-01-09 21:41:35','2012-01-10 02:41:35','',1008,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/09/1008-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1011,2,'2012-01-10 10:29:34','2012-01-10 15:29:34','<a href=\"http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/240351/opinion/blogs/parenting-changes-one-s-perspective\">Parenting changes one\'s perspective</a> Richelle Sy-Kho December 14, 2011 1:33pm 14 Email2 762 ShareThis779 If someone had asked me 10 years ago what I would be in 10 years\' time, my answer would’ve been a no-brainer. You see, I had just finished a three-month long course on International Broadcast Journalism with the Thomson Foundation at Cardiff University in Wales, after a one-month internship training with CNN in Atlanta in 1999, and I was on a journalistic high. At 27 years old, my career was the only thing in my mind. So I would have said that I’d be a famous and award-winning TV anchor and reporter, with my own show. Or, I’d be working as an anchor and/or reporter for an international media organization like CNN or BBC. Oh, and I’d have a masters and a doctorate degree tucked under my belt at the same time. The thought of having a family, or being a mother, didn’t even figure at all in the equation. That’s why it’s still hard to believe that I’m now a full-time wife to my husband Aldrich, and mother of three young kids, living a quiet and stress-free life away from the limelight. (At least it was quiet and stress free when I was in Iloilo the last seven years.) Quite a long way off from the dreams I had 10 years ago. But don’t get me wrong. I love my life now. Being a full-time yaya, driver, tutor, cook, mother and wife may not be what I envisioned, but I wouldn’t exchange it for the world. When I got married in 2004, I decided to quit my job as a reporter with GMA-7 to settle down and raise a family. I wanted to have time for my kids, to see them grow and be with them every step of the way. I figured I’d only be able to do that if I stay home full-time and be a hands-on mother. I had seen a lot of my colleagues struggle to balance work and motherhood, often missing milestones in their children’s lives because they were out covering a story and doing their job. I decided I wasn’t cut out for that kind of life. The Lord didn’t bless me with a child immediately after my wedding in July 2004. There came a point where I questioned my decision to stop working. After all, I had no children to show for it. It was just me and my husband. It didn’t help that I was stuck in the middle of Iloilo City, with nothing to do but be a bum. I started entertaining thoughts of going back to work and being useful again. Suddenly, just before our first wedding anniversary, I got pregnant, and all thoughts of work went out the window. I was sooo happy. Finally, my wish was granted. I took all the necessary precautions, ate mostly healthy food, and read to my baby even in the womb. I couldn’t wait to be a mother. In February 2006 I gave birth to my firstborn, a baby girl. I named her Raine Alexis. Raine was barely a year and a half years old when I gave birth to my second child, a boy named Aidan Riley, in August 2007. And in July 2009, I became a mom for the third time with the birth of my baby boy Aaron Russel. Being a mom... I’ve always loved Freddie Aguilar’s song “Anak”. But it took on a whole new meaning when I had children. The first time I held Raine in my arms was pure bliss! I couldn’t believe my husband and I were capable of producing such a perfect creature. I was content just to stare at her the whole time, even while she was sleeping. I’d smell her breath, breathe in her scent like Edward breathes Bella’s, and generally smile at her like I had gone crazy. But all that warm fuzzy feeling toward my baby immediately disappeared during times when she’d cry for no reason at all. I was grumpy and tired from nursing and lack of sleep, and here was this abnormally loud creature who wouldn’t give me even a moment of peace and quiet. I was almost ready to throw her out the window. Good thing my husband was there to stop me by getting Raine and letting me cry out my frustration and baby blues away. When Aidan came along, things got worse. I had to take care of an eternally-hungry infant and an energetic toddler. I had to make sure I gave equal love and attention to both. Sure I had yayas, but they were there mostly to assist. I was still the primary caregiver, and the one who slept with them at night. So I often ended up nursing Aidan in one arm, while putting Raine to sleep using the other arm. Talk about multitasking! With Aaron now, things have settled down quite a bit. No more baby blues. I’ve gotten used to getting up several times at night, for feedings and to check on the children. Raine and Aidan are a bit older and have each other as playmates so they don’t bug me that much. Besides, that’s what Papa is there for, to take pesky kids out of Mama’s hands. Good thing my husband is more than up to the task of reining in their “kakulitan.” … is the best thing in the world But despite the occasional complaints I have about the headaches my kids give me, I can’t imagine life without them. I don’t think I can go back to work full-time anymore. I’ve gotten so used to being with my children the whole day that I’ll miss not being with them. The thrill of being looked upon with adoring eyes by my kids, of seeing them grow up and achieving important milestones in their lives … these are priceless. And having three kids doesn’t seem to lessen the excitement I have in being a mother. It helps that all three of them have their own personality and special ways of sucking up to me. As the firstborn, Raine is, and will always be, extra special to me. She’s my mini-me, in terms of looks and katarayan. She’s very perceptive, is naturally curious and is forever asking questions. I usually run out of answers to give her. She’s also sensitive and caring, and easily empathizes with people around her. As an ate, she’s bossy and very protective of her younger brothers, and usually acts as their self-proclaimed yaya. Aidan, my second child, is such an imp. He may be innocent-looking but is actually full of mischief, as most little boys usually are. Mayhem follows him everywhere he goes. At more four years of age, Aidan is still prone to tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his own way. But he’s very cheerful and affectionate, always ready to give me a kiss and a hug. He also politely greets people by touching their hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. Of my three children, Aaron seemed to be the easiest baby and more good-natured than his older siblings. He didn’t cry that much, and generally just ate and slept. But now at two years of age, he’s the most masungit, and prone to throwing temper trantrums, or even doing his own version of planking, when he doesn’t get his own way. Aaron may be the most innocent-looking, but he’s the naughtiest of the three. It’s true what they say that once you become a parent, your whole outlook shifts. Whereas before, I thought only of myself, now my children come first. I made it a point to breastfeed all three of my children to give them the best nutrition, eating boiled malunggay leaves every day to increase my milk supply and bearing with all the soreness and pain that came with nursing. I read up on parenting articles in magazines and on the net to find out how to raise my children better. I buy mostly books and educational toys to further hone their skills and to make them smart kids. And when they smile and look at me with such need and adoration and love, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world. But at the end of the day, I’ve realized that what’s important is not what our children manage to achieve, but who they are and how they turn out. My husband and I try to teach them the right values, to care for others and to learn to strive for what they want. However, I think the best thing I can do for my children is to introduce them to Jesus, and to raise them to be individuals who love and serve God above all. For I believe each child of mine is a treasure from the Lord. He gave them to me for safekeeping that’s why I should do my best to cherish and take care of these precious ones.','Motherhood Changes Your Perspective','','inherit','open','open','','1008-revision-3','','','2012-01-10 10:29:34','2012-01-10 15:29:34','',1008,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/10/1008-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1012,2,'2012-01-13 14:42:37','2012-01-13 19:42:37','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"580\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-448\" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"895\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to At no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more. A fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','Emotional/hormonal fluctuations of Pregnancy','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-2','','','2012-01-13 14:42:37','2012-01-13 19:42:37','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1013,2,'2012-01-13 14:44:00','2012-01-13 19:44:00','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"464\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448 \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"716\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungryAt no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more. A fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','Emotional/hormonal fluctuations of Pregnancy','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-3','','','2012-01-13 14:44:00','2012-01-13 19:44:00','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1014,2,'2012-01-13 14:44:53','2012-01-13 19:44:53','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"464\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448 \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"716\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more. A fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','Emotional/hormonal fluctuations of Pregnancy','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-4','','','2012-01-13 14:44:53','2012-01-13 19:44:53','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1015,2,'2012-01-13 14:48:22','2012-01-13 19:48:22','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"464\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448 \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"716\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more.\n\nA fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','New Evidence Confirms \"Mommy Brain\"','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-5','','','2012-01-13 14:48:22','2012-01-13 19:48:22','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1016,2,'2012-01-13 14:48:57','2012-01-13 19:48:57','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"464\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448 \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"716\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more.\r\n\r\nA fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','New Evidence Confirms \"Mommy Brain\"','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-6','','','2012-01-13 14:48:57','2012-01-13 19:48:57','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1017,2,'2012-01-13 15:00:06','2012-01-13 20:00:06','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"464\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448 \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"464\" height=\"716\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you lose your ability to remember details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\n\n<a title=\"prenatal_origins_ of_infant_maternal_bonding\" href=\"http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/20/6/384.abstract\" target=\"_blank\">A review of new research</a> suggests that \"prenatal hormone exposures are critical for priming the maternal brain for the challenges of motherhood and have implications for the mother’s brain structure and function that may last the rest of her lifetime.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_214\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Lisette, age 3, with Debi, doing some mother-daughter bonding.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-214\" title=\"Debi with Lisette\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"Debi with Lisette\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n Just as the reciprocal nature of the parent–child relationship must be understood during the postnatal period, in order to understand the persisting influences of the intrauterine environment on neurodevelopment, the effects of the prenatal environment on both fetus and mother, as well as their reciprocal influences, must be appreciated. This is critical because the same hormones that program fetal development are those that shape the maternal brain and because prenatal bidirectional signaling may provide an adaptive function for both mother and fetus.\n\nAt no other time in a woman’s life does she experience such massive hormonal fluctuations as during pregnancy. Research suggests that the reproductive hormones may ready a woman’s brain for the demands of motherhood—helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs. Although the hypothesis remains untested, Glynn surmises this might be why moms wake up when the baby stirs while dads snore on. Other studies confirm the truth in a common complaint of pregnant women: “Mommy Brain,” or impaired memory before and after birth. “There may be a cost” of these reproduction-related cognitive and emotional changes, says Glynn, “but the benefit is a more sensitive, effective mother.” The article <a href=\"http://www.healthcanal.com/pregnancy-childbirth/24881-How-Pregnancy-Changes-Womans-Brain.html\" target=\"_blank\">reviews research t</a>hat refines earlier findings on the effects of the prenatal environment on the baby. For instance, evidence is accumulating to show that it’s not prenatal adversity on its own—say, maternal malnourishment or depression—that presents risks for a baby. Congruity between life in utero and life on the outside may matter more.\n\nA fetus whose mother is malnourished adapts to scarcity and will cope better with a dearth of food once it’s born—but could become obese if it eats normally. Timing is critical too: maternal anxiety early in gestation takes a toll on the baby’s cognitive development; the same high levels of stress hormones late in pregnancy enhance it. Just as Mom permanently affects her fetus, new science suggests that the fetus does the same for Mom. Fetal movement, even when the mother is unaware of it, raises her heart rate and her skin conductivity, signals of emotion—and perhaps of pre-natal preparation for mother-child bonding. Fetal cells pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. “It’s exciting to think about whether those cells are attracted to certain regions in the brain” that may be involved in optimizing maternal behavior, says Glynn. Glynn cautions that most research on the maternal brain has been conducted with rodents, whose pregnancies differ enormously from women’s; more research on human mothers is needed. But she is optimistic that a more comprehensive picture of the persisting brain changes wrought by pregnancy will yield interventions to help at-risk mothers do better by their babies and themselves. ###','New Evidence Confirms Mommy Brain','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-7','','','2012-01-13 15:00:06','2012-01-13 20:00:06','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1018,2,'2012-01-13 15:27:54','2012-01-13 20:27:54','Before my first child was born, I was concerned that I would never wake up if he cried in the night.  I was SUCH a sound sleeper BC (before children).  But I needn\'t have worried. As soon as Andrew was born, I discovered I had developed a \"mommy brain.\"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_448\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"325\" caption=\"Andrew as a newborn\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-448  \" title=\"AndrewNewborn\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AndrewNewborn-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"501\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou mothers out there know what \"mommy brain\" is: that condition where you become mentally fuzzy on details you thought you\'d never forget, while at the same time you develop an uncanny ability to hear your baby\'s cry and know whether he is hungry, tired, sick, bored, in pain or just wants his mommy.\n\n<a title=\"prenatal_origins_ of_infant_maternal_bonding\" href=\"http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/20/6/384.abstract\" target=\"_blank\">A review of new research</a> suggests that \"prenatal hormone exposures are critical for priming the maternal brain for the challenges of motherhood and have implications for the mother’s brain structure and function that may last the rest of her lifetime.\"  And mommy brain probably explains why new mothers wake up when their babies merely whimper in their sleep.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_214\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Lisette, age 3, with Debi, doing some mother-daughter bonding.\"]<a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-214\" title=\"Debi with Lisette\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/LisetteDebiPorchswing-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"Debi with Lisette\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nDuring pregnancy, a mom  is exposed to a massive hormonal shift, that according to this research, readies her brain for the challenges of motherhood, \"helping her becomes less rattled by stress and more attuned to her baby’s needs.\"\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><dl id=\"attachment_453\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 310px;\"><dt class=\"wp-caption-dt\"><a href=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LisetteNewbornFeatured.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-453\" title=\"LisetteNewbornFeatured\" src=\"http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LisetteNewbornFeatured-300x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" /></a></dt><dd class=\"wp-caption-dd\">Debi and Lisette on the day she was born. That\'s Andrew nose-to-nose with his new sister and Matthew peering over his shoulder.</dd></dl></div>\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\" style=\"text-align: left;\">So, in the same way that a mother, and how she takes care of herself during pregnancy, impacts the baby, the fetus affects the mom. When a baby moves in utero, even if the mother cannot feel the movement, the mother\'s heart rate rises and her skin conductance response is aroused - the phenomenon when skin momentarily becomes a better conductor of electricity, indicating an emotional response.</div>','New Evidence Confirms Mommy Brain','','inherit','open','open','','1000-revision-8','','','2012-01-13 15:27:54','2012-01-13 20:27:54','',1000,'http://motherhoodstress.com/2012/01/13/1000-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),