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just another Saturday breakfast with the family

I woke up with a splitting headache but with a mission to make this day a lovely day!

Took 4 Advils, got showered and headed to the Post Office.

Honey drove me since the wind was like 50mph!
Luckily, I packed on ten extra pounds from being sick in a week – I shouldn’t be blown away.

Wow! I’ve been in seclusion for a week! It’s definitely chilly but I was so glad to be out of the house.




Honey and I were on a mission to get some organic all-natural pancake mix from the grocery store. Honey’s the king of apple-pancakes!

Having teenagers (19, 17, 13) and an 8yo, getting together for dinner is just getting harder and harder. So I’m just hoping the kids will still be in bed by the time I’m back at home.
So honey made some awesome pancakes with cinnamon-sprinkled apples!








Everyone came together and had an awesome time.

We talked about their schedules for the day – another weekend where it seems like our home-sweet-home is an empty nest.


Our oldest (19) plans on watching a movie and then hang-out later on. I can’t believe she’ll be 20 in a month! She talks about being a teacher of a new generation of leaders;


Our second (17) is in anxious to get his hair-cut before he head to California next week for spring break;


Our third (13) is savoring the pancake! He loves carbs but he can’t have too much of it;
He has two piano students later in the afternoon and plans on hanging out with his friend;


Our youngest (8) is asking about our Easter plans and how he thought he missed the Easter Egg hunt last year.








That’s when the debate on Easter and Passover started - the whole "commercialization" of the holidays.




I reminded everyone that Wednesday is Passover Dinner and that I’ll be making mom’s chicken soup with matzoh balls, charoset, and maybe hamantaschen.
(Note: no mention of gefilte fish. I have to tell you the story of my first and LAST encounter with gefilte fish. It’s a true comedy – a Filipino ewok’s initiation to Jewish tradition!)




But wait.
Honey’s not totally happy about celebrating Passover dinner without Mom and Dad.
You can make the chicken soup but we’re not having Passover dinner.
We have to wait until my parents come home from Florida.
I don’t want to have another Passover dinner without them.”

(Passover photos from 2007)


My eyes just got big, and I got all teary-eyed.
“I’ve made Passover dinner before, why can’t I make it again?
Mom said we have to keep the tradition.”
(Note: I cry watching iCarly and Drake and Josh)

I did not understand at first but after the third time (Hmmm..kind of slow, I guess…)
I guess we can have seder in May.
(Oh. I would love it if you take a moment to read honey’s seder prayer! It uniquely belongs to our diverse family..)




(Please click image to enlarge)

So my 8yo said,
“Does this mean we won’t have Easter unless we go to the Philippines?”


No my dear, we don't have to cross or part any ocean...


Oh, how tough it is when our families are so far away! Arrgghh! At least I mailed that letter to President Obama:

There’s got to be some kind of immigration reform that can help unite families together and not punish those who seek legal assistance in getting their immigrant visas.
Laws should be enforced, I believe that, but since the law allowed them to stay in this country for almost 20 years, isn’t it cruel to remove them from the home they’ve grown to love and cherish?
Especially when they paid their taxes, didn’t collect any welfare or any government assistance and have families here in this country?”( I really have to work on my book!)

Oh! Luckily, my 13 year-old changed the conversation to:
“My friend is having a party, his parents won’t be home so I’m wondering if I can hang-out with them – and he mentions some guys and gals names…:Wait. Press on the brake for a second!
Did I just hear my 13yo say his friends’ parents won’t be home?
“Oh no, no, no. They’re just next door.”
At this point, I looked at my husband and before I can say anything, my 13yo said,

“Don’t worry, mom, we don’t drink, do drugs or smoke.”
(Note: I will be posting my experience on teen and drinking . For the meantime, go check ZiggyBlog’s)
“But there will be girls. Is this a girlfriend-boyfriend thing?”
Silence.

Honey, I think we have to have a talk about girls and boys!”( To make a long story short, we grilled our 13yo and I don’t know how but we ended the conversation with discussion on the politics of gay marriage. )But before you go, just three last words: I Love You.

Copyright 2009 © GottaLoveMom CJ Solutions, Inc








Comments

  1. we are funny, hahaha.
    i love you too mommy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HONEY, I DIDN'T GET THROUGH THIS STORY WITHOUT CRYING. YOU ARE RIGHT, I DID ASK YOU TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION AND YOU DO SUCH A GREAT JOB.
    THIS YEAR WE WILL CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY AND PASSOVER TOGETHER.
    NEXT YEAR, PASSOVER IN FLORIDA!!
    LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING CRAIG'S APPLE PANCAKES.
    LOVE, MOM

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a really heart-felt post. I love your honey's reasons why the Passover is important to you and your family. Your conversation with your 13 year old is priceless. And the heartbreak of your family of origin being forced back to the Phillipines must feel tremendous. Hugs to you. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joshee, I love that you make me laugh. I love you, too.

    Mom, can't wait for you and Dad to be home.

    D, I'm so thrilled you stopped by!Please keep reading and sharing your thoughts. It keeps me smiling. One day, my family's full story will be told. I can't wait for them to be back.

    ReplyDelete

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