Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The Next Best Thing

There is nothing in this world that I would rather be than Hubby's wife and Son's mother. Well, unless I could be the wife and mother who never has to do laundry and gets long vacations in the Bahamas. Or even just a nap, now and then.

We'd love to have more children, but so far we've not had much luck. I still count myself lucky, though. I do have a beautiful healthy son, and on most days I wouldn't trade him for anything. (On MOST days. There are moments when I'd trade him for a sprig of parsley. Or less.)

Still, there's something about having a great thing that makes one want even more of a great thing, so I'm sometimes saddened by Son's only-child status.

And so I'm very lucky to have the next best thing. At the moment I have twelve little nieces and nephews. And I adore each of them. Being "Aunt Stacey" is great because I can spoil these kids, get them all hopped up on sugar, and the minute one starts getting cranky, I can turn him or her back over to the parents! Personal satisfaction and the joy of inflicting chaos on my brothers all in one!

One of my favorite things to do is hold tea parties with my nieces. Not that I'm exlcuding my nephews, mind you, but so far they have been entirely too busy to be bothered with tea parties. Plus, getting them into tiaras for said tea parties is completely out of the question. One of my three-year old nephews did consent to attending a tea party once, but only with the strict understanding that he could bring his power drill to the table and use his screwdriver as an eating utensil.

When my brother and his wife had their third daughter, I was only too happy to take his two older daughters to my house for a couple of days. My brother thought I was being very kind and helpful, (though in truth, he was so stressed and exhausted that he would have been just as willing to leave his kids at the Atilla the Hun Day Care Center) but the reality is, taking care of the girls was a selfish thing for me. I loved every minute of it. I was so excited, in fact, that on the way home I couldn't help grinning. Hubs was driving so I was able to turn around in my seat and beam at the little girls strapped into their car seats. Niece One noticed and asked, "Aunt Stacey, how come you keep smiling so big at me?"

"Well, Sweetie, I'm just really happy."

"But how come you're so happy?"

"I'm happy because I have two pretty little nieces in my car and I get to take them home and play with them!" Niece One pondered this for a moment. Meanwhile, three-year-old Niece Two tugged the hem of her skirt up a couple of inches. She studied her legs and then with great excitement and no small amount of pride announced,

"Aunt Stacey, guess what? I've got two pretty little kneeses too!"

It doesn't get better than that.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aah Stacey! I'm sure you must be a Saint in people's clothing.

All I need, is 6 month on my own. Sigh!

Good day to you!

On Monday, my Grandson has torn the knee out of his brand new grey school trousers.

Yesterday, he bought one of those alien thingies that sticks on fridges and walls, leaving greasy marks behing. This he put in the pocket of his brand new black school trousers.

Needless to say, my daughter thinks she is going to lose her mind.

Me? I'm staying out of it. I find it unbelievable, too.

Anonymous said...

I forgot to mention, it has incorporated itself into the fabric of his pocket (the alien). Kind of like bubble gum.

It may not seem that serious to many people, but this boy needs a special cut of trouser. He doesn't have a waistline. Well, a slight waistline, but not a real one. Therefore he needs trousers with elastic at the back of the waistband.

Being far too big for his age, it is mission impossible to find him school trousers. His school shirts are 13-14 year old shirts. He is 8 years old.

He is well padded, but certainly not fat (which we could do something about).

Two weeks ago, my daughter was so excited that she had found him trousers that would fit.

Heh, I thought it was hard raising a daughter...!

stacey said...

Good day to you too, Mgt! Ah yes, the alien thingies. Son's pockets contain some scary stuff. It's reaching a point where I'm afraid to check them before I do laundry. I fully expect to find snakes and frogs and possibly a missile of some kind in there.

As I understand it, raising girls is easier than raising boys until about age 11 or 12 and then raising the girls gets a little tougher. At least that's what I've heard from parents who have raised both.

Anonymous said...

Don't get me wrong, Stacey, I love him to bits. I just wish he was easier.

He is an extremely affectionate child. Very emotional, too.

I think he has that hearing problem. You know, when you say "Don't run with that juice in your hand". And, your answer is "Oops! Sorry, Nana". LOL

stacey said...

Oh I totally understand what you mean, Mgt. I love Son more than I can say. And your love for your grandson is obvious whenever you talk about him. Interesting that these exasperating little people can be so lovable at the same time, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Good morning Stacey! I hope you are well today.

Don't you think it is time that you did a little less?!

I'm so glad that I have a job to go to. I know, I'm a bit odd!

stacey said...

Good morning, Mgt. Funny you should mention doing a little less. As it turns out, events of the past week have made me see I really do need to simplify my life a bit. But I'll be back!

Anonymous said...

You have such a huge heart, Stacey.

When that is the case, one tends to believe that you need to give maximum support to those in need. Try to spread it out a little with others who are also willing to help.

Please remember, if you make yourself ill, it doesn't help anyone.

You haven't had it easy for quite some time. YOU need a break!

Time for the "Changing of the Guard". Let the next shift take over.

Put your feet up and eat a Hershey!

stacey said...

Thank you Mgt. Very wise words, and I shall take them to heart. I actually prefer Cadbury to Hersheys, do you think that will do the job as well?

Anonymous said...

Most certainly, Stacey!

Cadbury chocolate is my favourite, too. Heh, I didn't know you could buy it in USA.

You learn something new everyday.

Anonymous said...

Stacey, just thought I should mention: I don't even know what is going on (not surprised, though)!

Obviously, there is something that others are aware of, but, I just made an observation that you really do a lot for others.

Just thought I would clear that up!

Have a peaceful, stress-free day!

XX

Anonymous said...

Good morning, Stacey!

Thinking of you and wishing you well.

Whatever the problem is, I hope you get out from under it, soon!

XX

stacey said...

Oh Mgt, isn't Cadbury the best? Mmmm. Now I'm craving some! And thanks for the good wishes. I am very blessed with good friends, family and a faith in the Lord that can get me through it all. It might not be fun, nor easy, but all will end well, and I'm absolutely certain of it.

Just keep writing to me! I need all the support I can get right now!

Thanks so much,
xoxo
Stacey

CountryGirl said...

Just stopping by to say I love ya and am thinking about you.

XXOO
CG

Anonymous said...

I nothing else, Stacey, your intelligence will get you through this. Nothing can "top" a rational mind.

Whoever hurt, worried, angered, used, abused or betrayed you, should be ashamed!

I don't pretend to know you, Stacey, but, if there was ever a really good, well intentioned person, it's you.

Once the pain has gone, your intelligence will get you through!

Fight!

XX

stacey said...

Thank you Mgt and CG. Right now there really isn't much anyone can to do "help" except pray. Oh and talk to me so I don't feel all on my own. And I appreciate your support and concern more than I can say. The only thing worse than struggling with this, is struggling alone. Thanks to you and all the Misfits, my family and friends and I should come through this just fine. A rough journey, perhaps, but with the support of my friends I can make. Thanks again. You're more help than you can possibly imagine right now.

xoxo
Stacey

Anonymous said...

I should have said; "Fight, for what you want".

You are a real gem, Stacey.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend.

Ciao!

CountryGirl said...

Stacey your faith and great sense of humor will get you through whatever you face. Take aim at whatever it is and write about it. It doesn't have to be on your blog or in public. When and if you feel like sharing you know we'll be here. Until then you know we're pulling for you.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there,Stacey.

Anonymous said...

Good morning, Stacey!

Thinking of you, with a certain degree of concern!

XX

Ronni said...

Mgt, Stacey has not been able to share the problem with any of us, that I know of.

But, she knows we sympathize, regardless. We don't have to know the specifics to know that our Stacey a) deserves better, b) will be just fine, and c) will tell us about it eventually. Maybe when we are all old and grey, but we will hear about it.

Stacey, remember to write about it, especially if you have no one in your real life that you can tell. I know your humour, and, if you start to write, you will find whatever humour is to be discovered in the situation, and then you will start to heal.

I have one for my Truth blog about that.

Oh, and Mgt? Stacey is a person in Saint's clothing, of the Latter Day variety, not the other way around! LOL!

~sorry I couldn't resist that~

stacey said...

You dear ladies, what would I do without you? You make me laugh even while I'm crying. And Ronni, you scourge of the internet you, you totally cracked me up with the Saint ins Latter Day clothing remark. Bless your soul.

Anonymous said...

What a delight!

Stacey I won't bore you with commenting on every Entry since I have been away.

You MADE my day!

Ronni said...

We love you, Stacey!

Anonymous said...

Morning, Stacey!

I wasn't trying to pry Stacey, just concerned that you may be suffering.

Ronni is such a hoot, isn't she?!

Get your pointy shoes and kick butt, Stacey!

stacey said...

Thanks Mgt, I know you weren't trying to pry. I recognize the difference between concern and idle curiosity and I have seen nothing but concern here.

Lesa, I'm so glad your back!

Love you all.