Outings, projects and worship, oh my...

[altarflame]

I spent most of the day out yesterday with Laura and all the kids - went to my recently discovered Plaza of Wonder, where there is a bead store, a yarn store, a scrapbooking store, a baby furniture store, a hippie children's clothes store and a skate shop (seriously, !). Several of these stores also either have a big play area full of toys with a low picket fence, for kids to be in while moms shop, or super kid-friendly owners that want to babysit and make them laugh while you shop, so how cool is that. Laura had never been there. Then we went to Wild Oats, had lunch, and got my vitamins and chlorophyll. Came home and she joined us for pizza night. Shaun was here too, which made it downright crowded once G Sr and Robbie came home; but in a pleasant way.

We went in this maternity store while we were out and I found the BEST MATERNITY SHIRT EVER. It was a plain tshirt that said, "Birth Control is for Sissies". I mean seriously, can you imagine seeing me out in a few months, with all the kids at the Farmer's Market or Publix or whatever, big and pregnant and wearing that? It really, really cracks me up. Unfortunately it was $36 and I think that's insane for a tshirt, but I'll make my own with a printed out iron-on or through cafepress or something. Maybe I could embroider it. There are some on ebay but they aren't as cool.

Grant went out with Shaun after I'd taken Laura home, to this restaurant nearby where there was a band playing, and while he was gone the kids all acted like they were on crack and were obviously not going to all go to bed simultaneously with just one grownup running the show, so I corraled them in my room and we read prayers and quotes of Mother Teresa's together for a long time. It was really, really awesome. I think Ananda understood everything and Aaron most of it (we discussed all of it, of course) and it led to praying and talking about forgiving each other.

When we were finished I looked in the back of the book - it lists all the Missionaries of Charity houses(Mother Teresa's religious order, they "wholeheartedly serve the poorest of the poor") in the United States and Canada, with phone numbers. I glanced through them and then saw that they actually have one in Miami. I got goosebumps. I am extremely excited about the possibility of being able to visit them.

And of course this leads me down my familiar path of thinking - this time it was, "Remember how C.S. Lewis said that Jesus had to be real, logically, because you can't say someone is just very smart and wise and says many good things all people should live by...but they are also a raving lunatic who's delusional. That just doesn't make sense. Either he WAS the son of God, or he just didn't have his head screwed on straight, which obviously wasn't the case" (paraphrased). Well...isn't it kind of parallel, like, I say, "Everything Mother Teresa said rings true for me, her words and actions have moved me so much and made me feel closer to God in so many ways. The Lord moved mountains through her, it's truly miraculous the innumerable lives she touched and improved. But, she was really deluded to be a part of the Catholic church and obediant to them and I'm not sure if this whole 'her being a saint thing' gels with me." I mean, hello. She accomplished everything she did within their bounds and through their leadership and aid. Most of the prayers she prayed that were recorded and have touched me, are old Catholic prayers. That was the faith that inspired and nurtured her to go on to such great things - although she had a very simple personal faith that centered almost completely around the gospels; she was definitely not a Catholic theologian. And probably would have thought I was very silly, analyzing every single in and out of each and every denomination in it's historical context...rather than just having faith.

My sister is contemplating watching the kids for us tomorrow so Grant and I could go to Mass together. If not I'll go alone.

I felt SO CLOSE TO GOD last night, it was the first time in quite awhile that I had that full-in-the-chest feeling like I could say, "Well, Jesus..." and He would be right there listening. The song on the radio in the van, the places I was passing, my first alone time in days...I got home crying I was so grateful for everything I have and how much I've grown up. *sigh*


It's very hard for me to make myself work on dolls for orders, when all I want to knit and crochet are Jake's birthday presents. His birthday is 2 months away, and so far I'm making him longies (coolest wool EVER, it's thick and thin in a light blue, deep blue and purple gradient), and a sweater (dark teal-y, sport weight alpaca). I'm sure I see a hat in his future, too, though, and possibly some socks as well.

For now, though...for now it's all about FOLDING LAUNDRY. Possibly for hours, until Grant and Ananda get home from a birthday party and we can go to ArtSouth and see Alex's painting show.

Comments

[forgetfulmuse.livejournal.com]

Now that's a great shirt.

[norwegian-wood.livejournal.com]

i found that shirt and others (some good, some very bad!) here. i want the 'i can grow people' one.

[(Anonymous)]

LOL You mean state aid like medicaid and leeching off your in-laws is being a sissy! Having more kids than you can afford to take care off is being a sissy. Spreading your legs over and over again before marriage and professing to be a Christian is being a sissy. Oh yeah you're so grown up now. Not!

[(Anonymous)]

Let's not forget you totally going from one man to the next. Poor Joey taking you and your kids in to leech of his father. Oh that's right. He's Grant.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

Hmm, why oh why did I ever ban you from my journal? I can't quite figure it out...

Anyway, why don't you OWN YOUR WORDS, instead of hiding out with no signature?

You're obviously not laughing, if you're that pissed about all this.

State aid is there to be "leeched off of", we are legal citizens who pay taxes. I think I can justify being on medicaid for a couple (literally) of prenatal visits before my homebirth (free). We pay for the kids' medical expenses out of pocket. I did not plan this baby and was taking pains to not get pregnant, but I'm not going to kill it. Christians are sinners who have sex. I am grown up. I've slept with a whopping 2 people in my entire life. And he's been "Grant" for over a decade now.

*rolling my eyes*

[(Anonymous)]

Homebirth? When have you ever had a homebirth? You don't pay enough in taxes to justify the amount of aid you get. How much did your previous "homebirths" cost in medicaid again?

WELFARE is NOT an entitlement. It's just to help with hard times. You are just sitting there having kids---THAT IS NOT A REAL JOB.


Oh yeah and sitting there staying home with the kids while leeching off Grant's dad is helping them right? They are absolutely well balanced kids. Sure they are. Every child pisses maliciously on things. NOT.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

I'm having a homebirth this time, as I wish I had every other time.

You don't know how much we pay in taxes.

I've never been on welfare in my life.

Having kids is not a job, RAISING them is. Perhaps you think checking people out at the grocery store would be a more significant contribution, but I disagree.

I actually am grateful every day that we have the opportunity to live with Grant's dad, so that I can stay home. It would break my heart to not be able to.

Anyway, you have enough backstory to obviously be riveted. I think one very intelligent problem child out of four is pretty good. Maybe one day you'll get to deal with someone who is "high needs", and understand.

Cowardly ass anonymous commenting. Honestly, if you're so adamant about all this maybe you could *tell us who you are*.

[(Anonymous)]

Just like you were going to have a "homebirth" with Jake? Aside, you didn't answer my question as to how much these "homebirths" cost.

I've got a pretty good idea how much you pay in taxes. I don't have to actually know it, you are only 24 and you probably have only paid enough in taxes to be on welfare or medicaid a week. Because you've been too busy popping out kids like a Disney ride.

Weren't you on aid with Annie? Don't you justify being on aid with her because she is so bright? Oh yes she has no problems. She is just absolutely painfully afraid of being around new people. She's not merely shy she is petrified. And yes Aaron has no problems at all right?

It would break your rhythm not to live with Grant's dad, that is all.

Sure it's only one child.

So if we don't agree with St. Tina Breeds A Lot we have to be named, that way you'll know who is being lynched? There is one thing between being an intelligent, problem child than a child who is just misbehaved because there are too many kids to give attention to.

[theneolistickid.livejournal.com]

I am drafting a letter to Time Warner (aka RoadRunner.net)'s abuse department stating that we are being harrassed by a user with the IP address of 65.35.91.152 (located aproximately in Ormond Beach, FL) and that we would like the appropriate action to be taken.

If you would care to identify yourself (I doubt it, but I would still like to give you the chance) within the next 10 minutes, I will not send this letter that may or may not have your internet connection shut off, at least for an inconvenient amount of time.

Stop fucking around.

[(Anonymous)]

Draft away. I have not slandered you nor am I making any threats. I am sure Time Warner will drop everything just to do your bidding. Go ahead and send the letter. It will show you what the location is of the server I am using but not where I am. But I have done nothing illegal. This is an open post and I made a comment. That is allowed. I would check that one if I were you. Tina allows comments on this thing. Therefore, what I am doing is allowed. It is an OPEN forum.

A few meetings with the Chamber of Commerce doesn't make you a big shot, Grant.


As stated above. I think the kids are fine but that you both suck as parents.

Since you don't like reality, I will leave you alone if you like. I understand that reality does disturb people sometimes.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, saying that people are on welfare (who aren't), are shitty parents (haha), etc etc - that's nothing like slander.

How can the kids be fine if we suck as parents?

Reality apparently is all perceptions, and we have very, very different perceptions.

I would think it was pretty damn obvious that we'd like you to leave us alone.

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

I never, ever planned to have a homebirth with Jake. And as previously stated, homebirth costs $0.

If you can't see how awesome our kids are, even from the incomplete picture painted in this blog, that's your problem, not mine or theirs.

I can't wait to find out which relative it is that lives at this IP address...

[(Anonymous)]

So when you had a C-section with Jake that was totally planned? Perhaps "homebirth" is the wrong term but you get my gist when I bring it up. You can't even have a natural birth what makes you think a "homebirth" is possible? So tell me, how much did those C-sections cost again? You still haven't answered that one.

I said your kids had problems not that they weren't great. I don't think the parents are all that great.

Yes, which one is it right?

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

C-sections cost a lot of money. It is a huge shame for our society that so many women are rooked into them by selfish, male obstetricians and greedy systems. I wish I were not one of them.

If you did some research you would see that having a baby at home is way less likely to end in a cesarean, as evidenced by the lack of an OR in my living room.

[babyslime.livejournal.com]

Um, friends list not stalker list. You're a regular Grade "A" Psycho.

On the plus side: Tina, you're now so e-famous you've attracted l33t anon hat3rz. w00t w00t.

[theneolistickid.livejournal.com]

Tina, Annie and Aaron are the best things that ever happened to me. I think it's really stupid and hurtful when people point out that they aren't biologically mine.

I do have some guilt about my father supporting us, so that really hurts me. But I also remember that is why family exists, to help each other. If any of my kids (all four of them) wanted to live with me and whatnot, I would gladly help them. If my dad is unable to live by himself and needs to live with us one day, I won't see it as leeching. I know it's hard to for you to relate to the idea of family because yours is so fucked up.

Christians are people that have accepted the forgiveness of Jesus for their sins. Not people who abide every law of God. We try to, yes...But it's really hard. God knows that and thus he sent His Son for our forgiveness. But, I don't expect a narrow-minded person like yourself to understand that.

We don't want you in our lives. Please stop reading Tina's journal and mind your own business.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh yeah, it fuckin' hurts to be supported by daddy, that's why you're doing all you can to make a real living--NOT.

And Christians don't fall into temptation. Let's not forget you sinned and sinned and postponed doing the right thing right?

If families are there to help each other. Why do you two resent your dad helping Mindy so much?

[theneolistickid.livejournal.com]

I am doing my best to make a living. By starting my own business, I am trying to set myself up for the rest of my life instead of going from job to job. And it's starting to pay off.

Christians DO fall into temptation. That's what the whole thing is about. Do you even know what Christianity is?

Neither Tina nor I resent my dad for helping my sister. Not that he does anyway...

[(Anonymous)]

Sure you are making a living so well that you still live home with daddy and brought your family along to leech off him. You can't even afford your daughter's dance lessons. You guys have to scrounge for money from various relatives. Good job there!

Yes they do fall into temptation. But over and over again? Fornicating without the sacrament of a marriage is wrong. How many times did you two do that? What was it immaculate conception? Was that how the next two that aren't as important to you happened? Oh that's right, you two wanted a nice wedding forget about your souls right? Vanity is MORE important. Having that nice wedding is more important than the soul. That is such a Christian thing to do.

I know enough about Christianity to know not to judge like you did. Did you not judge someone's family as being "fucked up" in the above statement? Umm yes, I believe you did.

He helps her in little ways. Taking care of her kids. Wasn't Tina the one complaining when Mindy's kid was there using up things? Isn't Tina always complaining when Mindy comes over to HER OWN father's house to visit? Tina forgets that he is Mindy's father and not hers. That he is in fact more Mindy's family than she is.

Umm yeah she totally suckered you into Annie didn't she?

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

Wow, you have ceased to even make any sense.

[(Anonymous)]

So when I tell the truth it ceases to make sense to you? Figures.

[theneolistickid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I admit I'm not perfect or close to perfect. You must be though, right?

Why are you getting on my case by think Mindy is all nice? Did you know she is in jail right now for attempted 1st degree murder by shooting someone in a car? This is after a long drug binge.

What is your problem, freak?

[(Anonymous)]

As a Christian you are supposed to help not judge right? Shouldn't you have compassion for your sister?

I'm not perfect but then again I don't claim to be a Christian.

Tsk, tsk. Name calling is so nice.

[(Anonymous)]

The purpose of life is to procreate. If you can't financially support your children by self generated income, there are means created by taxpayers to do so. Unless *every* person in America makes sure that they will never encounter unexpected circumstances, the state will provide a meager supplement to families in need. The kids in America who grow up with parents working outside the home are the ones shooting up the schools and ending up with emotional issues (not unlike yor own).

Tina and GRANT are simply living, and raising children with the childrens' well being in mind. How can that be so wrong.

[theneolistickid.livejournal.com]

Also, by your logic, my dad was also suckered into taking car of Mindy as she is not his biological daughter.