365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 26

03/01/11

DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY STUFF AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY STUFF

I sometimes

worry about the little stuff, when I shouldn't.

I sometimes

complain about people, when I shouldn't.

I sometimes

stress out about the tidy-ness of the house, when I shouldn't.

STOP.....I just need to STOP.....and smell the flowers.

Others say I already do this. I must put on a good smiley face and front at times.

I know I could do better.

1 Peter 4:24

For,

All men are like grass,

and all their glory like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord stands forever.

When I found out that "dandy lions" weren't flowers, I was a little disappointed. I refuse in my mind to call them 'weeds'.

I love the color this 'flower' brings to a brown, boring field.

I love the softness of this 'flower' between my fingers.

I love blowing this dead 'flower' all over the yard.

(Sorry Dad, that was totally me all those years)

I haven't broken the news to Delilah yet. She doesn't quite know the flower petal poem yet. Instead

She sang happily out loud to herself as she pulled apart her flower.

Mommy loves me! Yes.

Mommy loves me! Yes.

Mommy loves me! Yes.
Mommy loves me! Yes.

I wanted to enjoy the moment.

So I put down my camera. Picked up a "dandy lion" and stopped.

to smell the flowers.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 24

2/27/11

RE-RUN POST

Day One In Haiti (part two)

I wipe my tear stained face, dirt already underneath my finger nails. I look around the hot, grungy van at the other members of the team. Laughing, smiling, talking, napping. They all look normal. Not me, my head is stuck in quick sand. I take deep breaths and talk myself through what is going on outside the smeared window. I hear my voice drone on, I begin to annoy myself. It sounds like I'm giving a 1979 BRADY BUNCH pep talk to one of my kids.
Everything is going to be fine honey.
Let's find the good in this.
What's life without adventures.
There is no I in TEAM.
BLAH BLAH BLAH
I was getting nowhere in my mind but the van continued to whiz, turn and bump down the worst conditioned roads I've ever been on. Is this for real? Every inch of the road is a dusty, filthy mess. Nobody seems to notice or care when other Haitians use the bathroom just inches away from their piles of fruit and raw meat for sale. I do wonder what THEY are thinking. 16 clean WHITE people with moist eyes and expensive cameras. Are they offended? Do they know why we are taking pictures? Not because we see beauty but in complete disbelief. Where is the other side of the tracks or better part of town? We have been on the road two hours, I'm beginning to think there is NO better...........

LIFE CHANGING..........NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.......SPIRITUAL GROWTH


Oh yea, we all heard the well wishers weeks and days before departing on this Haitian Vacation. I know now it wasn't just small talk or hot air. I'm already changing. My life is a cozy, easy breeze compared to what it is here........like Paris Hilton I live in SC. How dare I complain the white tile on my kitchen floor shows all the dirt?

At home I sometimes feel too lazy to get through bath time with the kids. Well, things change after watching a dedicated Momma bathe her toddler in a scummy roadside puddle. I will never see this warm, lavish, bubbly routine the same again.


As far as growing. I think I've just hit puberty. I want my mom to grab a ruler and measure me on the wall. She would be excited to see I've grown at least 2 and 1/2 inches....spiritually, that is.

My marathon conversation with GOD continues the entire ride to the hotel and well past lights out. Why? Why? Why? I dive into my beautiful new green travel Bible. Bought especially for this trip to Haiti. I push back the stiff front cover, smile at the embroidered dragon fly and search for answers. Different than at home..... it's quiet in my room, no babies, no snoring, no distractions. I read wherever my now clean fingers flip to. As I meditate on HIS WORD I'm very aware of my breathing. Long deep breaths........like cleansing Yoga. I'm still.......very still...... except for my lungs moving slowly up and down. I'm pretty sure I've never in my entire life been this quiet......I then could have sworn I heard a soft voice whisper........

It is about you Victoria and you are exactly where I want you.
I better get some rest, these Haiti days are L-O-N-G

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY# 22

02/25/11

DREAM CAR

I slam on the brakes when I see this beauty. I couldn't ignore the shine of the Incredible Hulk green paint. calling my name for sure. I can admit now I probably stopped a tidy tad too fast. Shoulder straps locked up, happy meal toys litter the floor and a half full water bottle rolls to my feet. Yeah, it was that cool of a car.

I jump out of the van, the water bottle follows me, hitting the parking lot pavement. I toss it carelessly back in through the open window. No time to aim, I was on a mission.

"MOM!"

I really should slow down, guess it hit one of the kids.

"Sorry!" I yell back as quickly put my camera up to my non-squinty eye.

I don't know what kinda engine this puppy has.
I don't know how many seconds it takes to get to 60 mph.
I don't know how much this baby puts one back at the bank.
I don't even know how many kids it would seat.

BUT
I do know one thing,
It gave me chills.

I felt the need to take a zillion pictures, from every angel. Just in case I win the lottery. I wouldn't have to waste my time or words describing my this car. I hear rich people are smart with their time. I would simple hand the dealer this picture and go back to counting my millions. Muuhahaah.

The kids are getting antsy, urging me to get back in the van.

"Hey Mom, what if the owner comes out?"
"Hey Mom, your kind of embarrassing us"
"Hey Mom, please get off the pavement, you look a little crazy."



The special time with my dream car is over. I pucker my lips, blow a kiss and whisper I LOVE YOU. That's not weird, really...... I don't get out much. Totally normal. Did I mention the leather seats and super sparkly rims?
As I turn to go I notice the owner took up two spots. Oh man, I've always wanted to do that. On purpose that is. Hey a 15 passenger van can be tough to park ya know.
My old knees creak a little as I climb up into the van. I wrinkle my nose, why does it smell like a dirty diaper in here? No body wears diapers anymore, well, I'll worry about that later.

"Thanks for waiting guys, sorry it took so long"

"No problem Mom, we know how you are."

I twist to buckle back up, in the corner of my eye I see Drexel eating something. I look closer. He is shoving yesterdays french fries from in between the bench seats into his mouth. I also witness a slushy falling to it's death to the already stained dirty floor.
I immediately throw an entire package of baby wipes to the far back row. Yes, perfect aim this time. I set my camera down in a safe spot and drive off. Anxious to see the pictures of my dream car on the computer I smile. Not at the Camaro but at my white prison/church van. I think to myself, I'm such an idiot. I already have my dream car. No 'new car smell', real leather or sparkle to be found. That's ok with me. My dream car is the one filled with my family, our memories and lots of trash.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #21

2/24/11

STATISTICS

Happy Birthday Rich

One cold morning Dylan brings me a handful of gloves and dumps them on the counter.

Mom, I found six of these little stretchy gloves, not one of them match up

Without looking up I reply

Bummer dude.

and continue making sandwiches for school lunches

No really Mom, not one match! How is that possible?
At this point I'm cutting crust with a sharp knife, I definitely don't turn his way. Not to be rude, just knowing my limits with sharp items before 7am.

Geez, Dill, what do you think the statistics or probability are of that happening?

I put down the box of sandwich baggies and take a quick break, to jump start my brain. Surely a few sips of strong black coffee will enable me to do this math.

Yeah, right!

Even if I call up Juan Valdez himself for a home delivery of fresh Colombian Java. I ain't never gettin' that formula right. I'm OK with not being a #'s girl cause I kick BUTT in retail clearance math.

20% off original price

30% off original price

40% off original price

Ya know, the important, everyday kinda math.

My mind wanders down memory lane. Ten short years of working at different malls.

Good times

Good times

Holding my favorite mug with two hands, it's feel so good. Perfectly warming me up on this chilly morning. I suddenly realize I'm starring with glazed over eyes into the cup. Dylan is still talking. Whoops, wonder what I missed. I jump back in, maybe he didn't notice.

Ummm, did you figure it out yet Dill?

Mom, were you listening?

Yikes, I'm cold busted.

Did you know Mom that 64% of ALL statistics are made up?

Oh my gosh, really?

No, not really. I just made that up.

I smile and know I deserved that one.

Good Times

Good Times

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #20

2/23/11

WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN

DEUTERONOMY 6:5-9

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.



(typo on banana, should be chapter 6, sorry)

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.




Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

I enjoy writing where I'm not supposed to. Visual reminders work for me. It provokes discussion, curiosity and interest about what matters to me. Of course I haven't always been this way concerning un-washable sharpies and free flowing random art. Back in my early days of Motherhood I'd fuss when the kids wrote on their hands. Freaked out a bit if my little artists marked on the table, outside the lines. Crayon scribbled on the wall? No! No! No.....David!

Over time

I've changed

I've loosened up

I've learned

Our slightly used, but new to us dining room tables are stainless steel. Within minutes of the last leg landing on the floor, I hear a kid yell from across the house.......

you can write on them!

you can write on them!

you can write on them!

I ran in from the garage as fast as I could. Grabbed a hot pink Expo marker and tried it myself. Could have sworn I heard angels sing as I wiped it clean. With just one easy swoosh of a napkin, it was gone. I smiled out loud and looked up at the heavens. This Christmas gift came just at the right time. God's timing is always right. He knew for sure, I had no more room left on my walls to write a thing.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 19

UN-TALKATIVE TUESDAY

2/22/11

I'VE NEVER HAD AN UN-TALKATIVE DAY IN MY LIFE. MY MOTHER SAVED EVERY REPORT CARD I EVER RECEIVED. TOO BAD THERE IS REALLY IS PROOF.

" VICKY WOULD DO MUCH BETTER IF SHE TALKED LESS."

SAME REPORT, DIFFERENT CARD.

I JUST HAVE TO SELL OUT HERE PEOPLE. TWO IN THE BATH. HOMEWORK WITH ONE LEFT TO DO. TWO BIG HUNGRY ONES COMING BACK FROM A SOCCER GAME. NO TIME FOR TALK TODAY.



BEEN HAVING A FUN TIME EXPERIMENTING WITH MY CAMERA AND THE SETTINGS I NEVER KNEW EXISTED.




LOOK AT HER FEET SPARKLE. HOBBY LOBBY LOVES US!

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 18

MONDAY 2/21/11

YUMMY GOODNESS IN A JAR

To Monica, my 'sister' in many things important, including NUTELLA SPREAD

It must be one of those 'interesting' food items you either love or hate. I've given samples to inquiring beginners.....never to hear from them again. Others like me, keep a stash in my special, magic closet, the pantry. Monica has hers labeled with a sharpie. Each of her kids names neatly written on the once smudge free clean white top. I'm sure to avoid confusion and ownership when someones runs out. Made from Hazelnuts and blended with skim milk. Gotta be good for you.

The' good for you' kinda oil and fat, right? Added sugar? What? I can't hear you, I can't hear you....LA LA LA LA LA

I can't hear you!

Spread it on just about anything. Oh and it's easy to spread for sure. Perfectly creamy and smooth any time of the day or night. While approximately ten and a half months pregnant and roughly 345 pounds I find myself up in the middle of the night. Not officially diagnosed by a doctor or anything but pretty certain I had that wacky syndrome. I saw it on 60 minutes once, when people sleep walk and eat almost everything in the kitchen. In the morning they can't remember a thing. Well, one morning I lay in bed half awake and a little confused. I go to wash my sticky face, raking my brain while having spotty flashbacks of my head in a jar of Nutella. After piecing it together , mostly checking the trash and sink for 'clues'....NUTELLA was the main course. The bestest sandwich ever eaten.

Hawaiian Bread (so sweet)

Marshmallow Fluff

Peanut Butter

and

Nutella

I can not confirm nor deny if a bottle of syrup was somehow involved as well.

I licked the container clean. I'm officially out. No worries. I can always go over to Monica's house and JACK the one labeled MOM.

I

365 Days Of Random Team Zybko

Day #16

I should Write This Stuff Down

2/19/11

Happy, cozy and squished reading books with the three year old. Delilah gets side tracked and squishes my boob.

Um hello, can I help you Missy?

Mommy, it there still milk in there?

No.

Why not?

Cause we don't have a baby anymore.

oh, ok.................

Well, we need to GET one Mommy!

***********************

Taking a sunshiny walk to the lake to throw rocks is simple perfection

for D-rex.

Holding my hand and in his HAPPY PLACE he says to me;

Mom, if I could make any dream in the world come true,

I'm thinking world peace, ending hunger.......forgetting he is a new SIX

He says,

I would turn our WHOLE entire family into fish.

I just love fishes.

I'm thinking affordable health will have to wait for next year too.

***********************

In 2ND grade Delaney brought home a

'what do you wanna be when you grow up'

type homework assignment.

Shifting uneasy in her chair and starring of into space.

I smile over at her.

Thinking she just couldn't decide between being a teacher or

well being a teacher.

She does have a natural I'm in charge side to her.

What's wrong sweetie? Need some help?

Sort of.

I need to add a square.

What?

I have read all the choices a million times and there is no choice for...

Kindergarten Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher

This Mom stuff is so easy sometimes......I know what's she's gonna say already.

They didn't give us square for

ROCK STAR!

I'm sure you older kids said cute stuff too. I just can't remember that far back.

I should have written it down.

I've learned my lesson, for sure.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 14

A CHAPTER A DAY.....PROVERBS

2/17/11

Happy Birthday Tommy and Hannah

Ten minutes a day, tops. Grab a Bible, find a quiet place. Ok, don't loose me if that quiet part seems impossible. Instead find an open bathroom, lock the door, plug your ears and go for it. Reading a chapter of Proverbs everyday, that's it. Shouldn't be that hard. Well so far this February, I have stunk at it. Let's review a typical day of "ten minutes"I DO find time for.

*bloggin

*face booking

*cleaning behind the stove

*exercising

*being goofy

*plucking back hair

*talking on the phone

*making up steps for class

*creating a sculpture out baby teeth

*texting

*making fresh orange juice

*watching TV

*taking pictures

*cleaning behind the stove

*walking around house forgetting what I'm doing

Can you pick out the "fake" ten minutes?

I hope so, or you'll surely give me a freaky look next time I see you.

I figured I'd type the Chapter for today's date. This will ensure reading it more than once. I should make "ten minutes" for a spelling and typing class a priority. Never do I get it right, the first time around.

Proverbs 17

1. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

2. A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

3. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

4. A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

5. He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6.Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

7. Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8. A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it:whenever he turns, he succeeds.

9. He who covers over an offense promotes love, but he who repeats the matter separates close friends.

10. A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11. An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.

12. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

13. If a man pays back evil for good evil will never leave his house.

14. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

15. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the Lord detests them both.

16. Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

17. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born of adversity.

18. A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security.

19. He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.

20. A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21. To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.

22. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23. A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.

24. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

26. It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.

27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

28. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

365 DAYS OF RANDOM TEAM ZYBKO

DAY # 15

TOO WEIRD OR BAD NOT TO USE

2/18/11

SOME DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION

OTHER CASES IT MAY NOT HELP

DELANEY MOCKING ME.....MY LITTLE MINI ME

EASTER EGG TIME
GAME OF NINJA....NOT A BRO-MANCE

PERSON?

CRAFT TIME

JUST LOVED THESE SHOES

SHAME ON ME FOR MIXING BRANDS WITH MY SOCKS

SHOULD BE PUNISHED

ON THE WAY TO PIE FIGHT

TOOK A TURN TOO FAST IN THE VAN

MAD LOBSTER BOY

FIRST PLAY DATE

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

DREX'S SLEEPY EYES TELL IT ALL

AT THREE SHE STILL TAKES A BATH IN THE SINK

BIG DADDY TOOK 11 KIDS TO THE BEACH ALL DAY

PRETENDED TO TAKE A SHOT OF THE OCEAN

COULDN'T RESIST THIS GUY

WEARING IN HER BOOTS

CRAZY EYES

SHE DID GO IN THAT PUDDLE

AND I DID, AT SOME POINT CHANGE THAT SAGGY DIAPER