Saturday, November 28, 2009

New ventures in blogging!

So, for no reason other than I like filling out forms, I've decided to try out Tumblr. Seeing as how my brain is sinking all of its creative energy into forming a person, I've not been terribly interesting or motivated to write. But, a friend suggested that I try out Tumblr, which, despite its unnecessary misspelling, sounds like fun. Plus, it will give me a place to house all of my complaining about the minutiae of pregnancy. Really, I'm a ball of fun these days. I eat a lot, and then go to bed at 7:30.

Without further adieu, here's something else for you to bookmark. Thank you, as always, for reading. It's brought me much joy to know that you're out there. I'll still post here, about as frequently as you've come to expect (which is to say, not that frequently). But, I'll try to keep the pregnancy dealings separate. Maybe that will help me be creative AND organized. Also? flying monkeys will come to do all of my housework.

So, here it is:

http://revmamaflemming.tumblr.com/

Many blessings to all of you -
Rev. Mama

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A little stick...

and a bit of waiting

have changed me

and my family

forever

and we wait

until may

or maybe june

to see

who

this baby

will be.

9/27/09

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Yet another reason why we love the City Schools of Decatur

Living in Decatur has been a fantastic experience for the Flemmings. We can walk to all kinds of cool stuff (if you consider Matt's office cool), and have really enjoyed shortening our commute. The City Schools are a big draw, and last week, our good friend, Bruce, who is the Principal at Renfroe Middle School got the call that they've been named a Georgia School of Excellence. It's a good time to be in Decatur.

And, the boys have had a great run at College Heights thus far. Jackson is rockin' out the Pre-K world, with his wonderful teacher, Ms. Angela Gabriel. Making her extra cool is the fact that she co-owns a feminist bookstore in Little 5 Points, Charis Books. So, J and his classmates read things like, "The Peace Book," and "Celebrate our Differences." It rules.

Cooper is having a swimmingly good time, as well, and super-loves his rockstar teachers, who teach him songs and dances to "We are Family" and "Lean on Me" (the Club Nouveau version, mind you. We be jammin', indeed). They even came to cheer him and his classmate on at their soccer game, bearing signs that said "GO LIONS!" and the like. They rule.

Cooper made fast friends with a boy in his class, and as it turns out, that boy's mama is a phenomenal photographer. This is a totally shameless plug for her, because LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS:

























So, here's what you do. You call, write or e-mail Deana Levine and say, "You're amazing! Please photograph my children with the same ease and magic that you've shared with so many. Make my children that perfect on film!" Look how easy I'm making it for you:

Deana Levine
phone: 678-661-1408
web: www.deanalevine.com

So, you know, give her a call. Don't you want good pictures of your kids? DON'T YOU!

I thought so.

Love and blessings to you all!


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Theology on Tap: Assignment #2 - A Cinderella Story

Halloween is a holiday that brings with it as much anticipation as Christmas. Jackson wore his Halloween costume with such enthusiasm and frequency that we actually had to buy him a new one. In a Game-Day decision, J and C decided that they would both go as Buzz Lightyear, defender of Galaxies and opponent of the Evil Emperor Zurg. We’re good with this. Buzz is a pretty wholesome, upstanding guy. Plus, he has wings. Accessories make this costume even cooler.

This is our first year Trick-or-Treating in our own neighborhood, and our first year living in Winnona Park. We’ve been looking forward to Halloween, in particular, since we moved here. And, it worked out splendidly that our friends were having a birthday party for their sons on the same day, just a few streets away. We enjoyed revelry (and cake!), and then headed out with a large crew of folks and all of our adorable, costumed children.

Despite the drizzle and moderately unpleasant cold, it was a great night. We moved from our friends’ house to the thick of Trick or Treating on Avery street, and watched as our little folks became a determined herd of candy getters. They checked in with us briefly at the end of each driveway with heroic shouts of, “They had Reece’s Cups!” and (my favorite) “MOM! I GOT PRETZELS!” Then, they quickly moved on to the next house. C somehow managed to wrangle 3 times as much candy as his more polite and rule-abiding older brother.

As they were approaching a particularly exciting house, I noticed a child dressed elegantly in a princess costume of some sort (I parent boys - I don’t have the gene that helps to determine the subtle differences in princess costumes). The child was graceful, and wore the gown with confidence. I turned to the child’s mother and said earnestly, “Your daughter is beautiful!” She responded, matching my earnestness, “Thank you. That’s my son.”

Before I could apologize, or make some sort of repairative response, she continued:

“He’s my son, and I love him. He’s probably gay or transgendered, but I he’s mine and I love him no matter what.”

I eeked out a “Wow. You are an amazing mother.”

“Well,” she said, “some folks say that. But, tonight, he was really concerned - embarrassed - that people might laugh at him. But I told him, ‘Honey, don’t you worry. I love you. And no one’s laughter will ever take that away.’”

I did my best to affirm her, and to tell her how blessed her son must be. This boy, with his dark skin and short, curly hair, was the antithesis of the blonde, waifish Cinderella we normally picture. But, he took that story of one misunderstood, set apart from her sisters, and left behind and claimed it as his own. He was as fitting of his title as any little girl, and he wore it with more confidence and grace.

When he returned from the house, new pieces of candy in his basket, he ran to his mother and said, “Mama! They knew who I was! They saw my charm, and they knew!”

He pointed to the Cameo on his necklace, which bore the picture of Cindarella.

But, I hope that this is how he is always received - as one who knows who he is, and conveys it because of his charm.