Are you a MOM?

Although multitasking is not exclusive to women, many of us, especially mothers, have become quite adept at it. The ability to multitask could mean the difference between surmounting obstacles versus being overrun by them. Which begs the question, are you a MOM? You know, a Master Of Multitasking? Extreme organization and forward-thinking are paramount to becoming a MOM. A MOM is analogous to a well-oiled machine. She can run a household, manage finances, run a part-time business, coordinate social functions, head the school PTA, take up charitable causes, and still manage to devote ample quality time for her family. The list goes on. To a degree, I strive to be a MOM; but mostly I am just a regular mom. You know, the kind with a perpetual To-Do List. The kind of mom who finds herself folding laundry at 11:00 p.m. while watching the late night news. The kind of mom who, at the end of the day, wishes she had more time to complete certain tasks.

If life were an ocean, a MOM would glide swiftly to shore; whereas a regular mom would dog-paddle through the water. We enter into motherhood without the imprimatur of any formal training. We learn on the job, gaining invaluable experience and wisdom along the way. For me, combating the effects of sleep deprivation was perhaps the most difficult. Combined with the baby’s crying spells and nursing around the clock, it was quite overwhelming. I was elated with my new baby, yet there were fleeting moments of despair. I can honestly say that being a first-time mother was tantamount to a deer caught in headlights. Fortunately, the baby blues gradually faded over time; and once I got my bearings (and a little more sleep at night) life seemed “normal” again and my world was turned right-side up again. I even found ways to do ordinary chores with a baby in tow. For instance, I found a way to cook while rocking baby in the infant carrier using my foot! I learned to wash dishes, dust, and vacuum with one hand while holding baby in the other.

These days, as a mother of three, my multitasking skills are always put to the test. At home, I bounce from child to child, activity to activity. All of my senses are on overdrive. My ears are tuned in to Joseph’s piano playing; my eyes and lips follow the words on Mary’s book; my brain is focusing on a math problem that Danielle needs help with; and my hands are busy stirring a pot or chopping vegetables. On the road, the children and I talk about anything under the sun and I am peppered with stories and remarks. My brain undergoes mental gymnastics as I respond to each of them as attentively as I can. Danielle says, “Oh mommy, there were French exchange students at our school today and everyone was following them around. Celeste gave one of them a hug (giggle).” “Did you meet any of them?” I ask. Then Joseph says, “I played basketball at recess today. But Jordan never passes the ball and it’s not fair.” “That’s great, but it’s too bad Jordan doesn’t pass the ball. Who else was on your team?” I reply. Just then Mary chimes in excitedly, “Mommy! Mommy! That man is riding a bike without a helmet!” And to this I respond, “Tsk, tsk, he really should wear a helmet, shouldn’t he? A helmet will keep him safe in case he falls.” It is almost like being in a Seinfeld episode, and I can’t help but be amused.

As mothers, we become a hybrid of sorts: part teacher, counselor, spiritual leader, cheerleader, chauffeur, life coach, nurse, psychologist, problem-solver, caretaker, playmate, and friend. The list goes on. In retrospect, I realize that multitasking has always been a part of my life with a few subtle changes. For instance, I used to read the newspaper while having breakfast. These days, I also read Mother Goose nursery rhymes while Mary eats her breakfast. On leisurely afternoons, I used to take up a hobby or paint my fingernails. Today, playing board games, coloring, and painting are our leisure activities. And just as I knead dough to make biscuits for dinner, I also knead Play-Doh.

It’s amazing how these subtle changes make such a remarkable difference in our lives; but more importantly, in the lives of our children.

Here’s another take on motherhood from the “William Tell Overture Mom”. If this is your first time seeing this video clip, you’re in for a treat. If you’ve seen it before, it is definitely worth seeing again!

A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere

Black & white photo
(from left to right):
Seated: Michelle, Rose (on Mom's lap),

Mom, Vivian

Standing: Melody

Not pictured are Grace (youngest of 7)

and 2 older brothers, Ray and Paul.

Fast forward 38 years later...

Colored photo

(from left to right):

Back Row: Grace, Melody, Rose

Front Row: Vivian, Mom, Michelle

Today, four out of five sisters are

"mommies" with 10 children between us.

A Tribute to Mothers

-Anonymous

This is for all the mothers
Who have sat in rocking chairs
For hours on end soothing crying babies
Who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers
Who show up at work
With spit-up in their hair

Milk stains on their blouses

And diapers in their purse.

This is for all the mothers
Who run carpools and make cookies
And sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers
Who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies
And gave them homes.

This is for the mothers
Whose priceless art collections
Are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

This is for all the mothers

Who froze their buns on metal bleachers

At football or baseball games
And that when their kids asked,
"Did you see me, Mom?" they could say,
"Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,"
And mean it.

This is for all the mothers
Who go hungry, so their children can eat.

This is for all the mothers
Who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year.
And then read it again, "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers
Who taught their children to tie their shoelaces
Before they started school.
And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers
Who teach their sons to cook
And their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all the mothers
Whose children have gone astray,
Who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the mothers
Of the victims of recent school shootings
And the mothers of those who did the shooting.

This is for all the mothers
Who taught their children to be peaceful
And now pray they come home safely from a war.

The emotions of motherhood are universal
And so our thoughts are for young mothers
Stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.
And for mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.

In the end we can only do the best we can.
Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Born on April 12 forty-some years ago, Dan weighed 8.5 lbs and measured 21 inches long. The youngest of 3 children, Dan was the “baby” of the family and the cheeriest. According to his mother, Dan used to “wake up singing” in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Other stories I've come to know revolve around Dan’s boyhood mischief and adventure. Like the time when Dan walked out of the house and wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood. He was 2 years old! I can just imagine the agonizing moments his mother endured while searching for him with the help of neighbors. And later, incredible relief when they found him a few blocks away from home. Or like the time when he was ordered to “Stay in the closet, or else!” as punishment for misbehaving. While in the closet, nature called, and suffice it to say that Dan unduly baptized his brother’s favorite train set. Then there was the time when Dan and his friend decided to play a prank on their friends. One cold, winter morning, the two boys decided to water the driveway. After some time, they proceeded to call friend after friend asking each one to “come over and play.” Unbeknownst to these poor boys, the driveway had been coated with a thin sheet of ice, causing them to slip and slide on their bikes. Luckily, no one was hurt and they all had a good laugh out of it.
Ah, childhood memories.
Mischief and pranks aside, Dan grew up in a very loving home with a mother who sacrificed greatly in order that her children could have a stable home. As a 12-year old boy, Dan was the youngest All-Star to play for PAL Football. He was also voted MVP in his baseball league. In college, Dan graduated from San Jose State University with honors and a member of the Dean’s List. Today, Dan is a husband and father with three young children. Along with those roles and responsibilities, he is also the family’s handyman, mechanic, gardener, weekend chef, occasional laundry person, comic relief, and sports coach. Dan also helps with the nightly routine by doing the dishes every night after dinner. He is a man with many hats. Of all the hats he wears, one of his favorites is the one labeled "Coach Daddy". He derives great pleasure in coaching his children's sports activities and teaching them about nuances of the game. He delights in watching them compete as he once did. At 6’4”, Dan looms large on and off the field. With a booming voice to match, he has earned a reputation for being a “mildly-intense and boisterous” coach. It is not unusual to see him exchanging good-humored quips with the other coaches, or engaging in friendly banter with team parents on the sidelines. As a coach, Dan also has a serious side. He coaches with the very best intentions of helping the children reach their fullest potential. His coaching style would be a tremendous asset to any team.
So today, on his forty-something birthday, we wish him lifelong health, happiness, and togetherness as a family.
Happy Birthday Honey!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

JOSEPH MARTIN SIGNS WITH BVPL ANGELS FOR SPRING 2008

By Michelle "Mommy" Martin

Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- March 29, 2008, BVPL (Blossom Valley Pony League) Opening Day Ceremonies.

Hundreds were in attendance to hear commencement talks, enjoy carnival-style games, delicious food, and camaraderie. Slightly cooler temperatures and soggy fields were not enough to squelch the day’s excitement. Among the players was our very own Joseph Martin. Having just ended the season with the YMCA Warriors, Joseph is wasting no time. Dressed in red, white, and blue, Joseph is ready to play America's favorite pastime. Go Angels!!

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

A bit of history: This song was written in 1908 by a man named Jack Norworth. One day when he was riding a New York City subway train, he spotted a sign that said "Ballgame Today at the Polo Grounds." Some baseball-related lyrics popped into his head, that were later set to some music by Albert Von Tilzer, to become the well known baseball song, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Despite the fact that neither Norworth or Tilzer had ever been to a baseball game at the time the song was written, it is one of the most widely sung songs in America.

(Source: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/ballgame.htm)

The audio visual recording of the song was played on a 1900 Autophone Roller Organ. To learn more about this interesting instrument, visit www.theantiquesalmanac.com/rollerorgan.htm or http://home.vicnet.net.au/~wolff/mechmusic/GemRollerOrgan/Gem.htm

More pictures....

Following in his sister's footsteps, it seems rather fitting that, by pure coincidence, both Joseph and Danielle were assigned the No. 1 jersey.

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! Read all about it!!

DANIELLE MARTIN HITS A GRAND SLAM,
12-8 VICTORY FOR CRUSADERS

By Michelle “Mommy” Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It’s the bottom of the 2nd inning. Bases are loaded. The score: 0-0. Danielle Martin is next at bat. She walks up to the plate just outside the batter’s box and takes a few practice swings. Good follow-through. She enters the batter’s box, her feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. With her aluminum bat, she taps home plate to signal she is ready. She wraps her hands firmly around the bat and raises it to eye-level. Her arms flexed, prepared to absorb the shock when her bat collides with the ball. She turns her head to face the pitcher, her chin just above the left shoulder, her countenance showing no signs of nervousness. The pitcher takes a few moments to survey the situation. Danielle maintains her stance, looking statuesque. The pitcher launches the first pitch, a wild one that nearly hits Danielle. Instinctively, she squats to avoid being hit. “Ball!” yells the umpire. Unshaken, Danielle assumes position while the pitcher tries to regain her focus. Decisively, the second pitch is thrown right in the strike zone. Danielle seizes the moment and hits the ball with one powerful sweep. The ball is catapulted to an unmanned section in centerfield. A Grand Slam! One by one, the four Crusaders make it safely to home plate securing an early lead to a victorious outcome.

JOSEPH MARTIN BEGINS SPORTS CAREER
WITH YMCA WARRIORS

By Michelle "Mommy" Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joseph Martin, younger brother of Danielle Martin, makes his debut in the sports scene. Beginning with a 10-week stint in the YMCA basketball league, Joseph proved himself a worthy opponent. To say that Joseph eats, lives, breathes, basketball is a fair and accurate statement. And although Joseph’s enthusiasm for the sport currently exceeds his skill level, he puts forth his best effort in every game. And in so doing, he has shown marked improvement in speed, agility, and skill. In his coach’s words, “Joseph has turned out to be a great point-guard.” Joseph looks cool and collected in possession of the ball, moving slowly at first, like a cougar watching a herd of deer. The sound of the ball bouncing on the court is like a slow, steady drumbeat. Gradually, the tempo increases as Joseph sees a narrow opening and runs to have a closer shot at making a basket. However, he is soon surrounded by a pack of defensive players like lions to a zebra. He hovers over the ball, dribbling faster now, all the while looking for an open teammate. When, over his shoulder, Joseph sees a fellow Warrior with his arms outstretched. Joseph pivots and passes the ball to his teammate who, in turn, scores for the Warriors. Now that’s teamwork!