Our Mother's Day Crowns

"Gray hair is a crown of glory; 
it is gained by living a godly life." Proverbs 16:31

Here is this then 46-year-old-gray-haired-hott-mama-of-four with her 71 year-old-grayer-mom/grandma-of nine for 2012 Mother's Day! I think I'm almost as gray as mom!  That's.just.not.fair!

This year, mom and I will return to Maria's Garden and Inn in Berkeley Springs to celebrate Mother's Day with some very special people.  I.can't.wait!  Then.... it's off to Levi's soccer game!

The queens will be wearing their crowns to the field!

"Epicly Awesome" Moms

For all you "epicly awesome" moms out there, Happy Mother's Day! May you all feel as celebrated and appreciated as I was last night when Levi presented me with the attached flowers which say:

"To my epicly awesome MOM! Love, Levi"

He declared last weekend's game of Capture the Flag to be "EPIC!"  Now, well... it seems this 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four is also "epic"!  Cool, eh?

And, here is my traditional annual Mother's Day post called "Dear Mom:".  They don't stay little for long, that's for sure!

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  Proverbs 31:28

The Day the Levy Died (American Pie - Revised)

 Here is my revised version of American Pie, utilizing a little liberty with the "levee".  Sing along with me.  I know you know the melody!

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that teacher used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those students dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But May 11th makes me shiver

With every Facebook post I quiver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take more more ed-

itorial in the Morgan Mess

When I read about the other side

But something touched me deep inside

The day the teachers cried

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the Levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

Did you vote for the Levy then

In the 50's it was when

Morgan County they began

Do you believe in your success

Can schools save us from the rest

And can you teach me how to do with less

'Cause I saw you spendin in the store

You both bought brand news shoes and more

Man, I want some of those too

I was a lonely tax payin' broncin buck

With bills and kids in a Suburban truck

But, I knew I was out of luck

The day the levy died

I started singin'

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the Levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

Now for five decades, we've been on our own

With no moss growin on the "Banks" of stone

But that's not how it might soon be

With the levy gone jobs at the Dairy Queen

will be all our kids have seen

Said a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the King was looking down

And Brooks tried to steal His thorny crown

The courtroom was adjourned

Kate's verdict was returned

And while Lenin read a book on Marx

The band still practiced in the park

Parents sang dirges in the dark

The day the levy died

We were singing...

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

I met a mom who sang the blues

And I asked her for some happy news

But she just smiled and turned away

I too have bills at the sacred store

Where my kids need fed like yours before

But the man there said the levy wouldn't pay

And in the streets the students screamed

The teachers cried, and the parents dreamed

But not a word was spoken

School buildings all were broken

And the three men I admire the most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the levy died

And they were singing

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my School Board to the Levy

But the Levy was dry

And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high

Singing this'll be the day that they cry

This'll be the day that they cry

Meet Team McGeoBeeHottBell!

Sporting some "Team Fox" for Parkinson's Researach shirts, 14 members of my family, ages 4 to 77, traveled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to participate in the 5K Run/Walk to End Child Abuse this Saturday in Hancock, MD.

Did I tell you 14?!  Here we are following the race at Widmeyer Park on a beautiful Spring morning.  Little did I know of some last minute entries... to include our honorary Hott for the day, Tori Reed, and grandparents, Bobbie (77) and Mary McBee!  Also pictured here are Brian George, Brandon Bell, Dan Hott, Isaac Hott, Crystal McBee, Ashley Bell, Caity Hott, Angie Hott (me), Levi Hott, Violet Hott, and Nahtaniel Bell (4).

Results?  Well, let's just say we all finished.  Violet (13) did both races, coming in second in age under 25 and third female overall for the 5K.  She and Caity were the first in for the 2 mile "walk", followed by Dan with Levi (8) and another friend, Pierce.  Me?... well, let's just say I finally managed to catch up with Grandma! LOL!

Chalk this up to one of my favorite days...EVer!

"We Will Finish the Race."

"On the cover of its May edition, Boston magazine pays tribute to its city with a moving photograph of 120 running shoes, all worn in the Boston Marathon, shaped in a heart around the headline: “We Will Finish the Race.”

Boston magazine's heart-shaped shoes honor city, victims: http://on.today.com/17XWvLJ"

Yesterday, I was commenting about "running in the family" at this weekend's 5K Run to End Child Abuse in Hancock, MD.  

Can't help but think about all the runners in the Boston Marathon last week.  This 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four has a hard time wrapping my brain around it all.

I'm not much of a runner but enjoy it's benefits and what it means to our family.  Just feeling blessed to participate.

Our 11 pair of running shoes "will finish the race" for the 120 shoes in Boston Magazine's picture!  Keepin' the faith!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 

 2 Timothy 4:7

It "Runs In the Family"

Here is an inspirational running story! which shares the benefits of exercise for healthy living for ALL ages. (If I posted correctly, click the link above!)  Did you watch it?  Isn't that a cool story!

First, I want to thank Anne for allowing me to share her family's running story on my blog where I journal about this crazy family of mine.  You see, she sent me the link for PD awareness month and well, let's just say... it inspired me!

So, here's what I did.  I signed us all up for a family run!  And am I ever excited!  Violet's middle school track team is participating in a Run/Walk to End Child Abuse this weekend.  What a cool opportunity for some family fun and contribute to a great cause in our community.

The last time I did such a thing Dan told me I better never do that again.  Well, I sorta kinda did in March and we all had fun...so I did it again. (Yes, I'm exagerating here...a little!) Coming up, not just the Hott crew, but also our nieces from Philly and Pittsburgh will be joining us at the 5K Run/Walk to End Child Abuse in Hancock, MD.

Wanna come too?  Ashley and Crystal are!  (Did I tell you I am excited?)  It really "runs in the family!" Well, at least this weekend it does.

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

Promising Hope

"Wow! Look how brilliant the colors are!" (Yes, our nine year old talks like that!)  As April, Parkinson's Awareness Month, comes to a close, I thought that I would share with you what appeared here in West Virginia last night.  Check it out!

Earlier in the month, I was at a lost on what I could do, this 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four, to raise awareness about Parkinson's.  Sadly, I didn't manage to raise thousands of dollars, erect educational displays, or even offer the slightest glimpse of a cure.  If anything, it's just nice to know that we are not alone in this effort for Parkinson's Disease or any other challenge, for that matter. Well, at least it is for me anyway.

But you know what, this double rainbow was unusually brilliant.  A quick snapshot from my phone really doesn't do justice to the spectacular display the Hott family shared.  Appearing at the close of what has been one crazy month with everything from track meets, soccer games, talent show, Fun Nite, to a plethora of appointments ranging from multiple neurologists, dentists (my least favorite) diagnostic oncologist, to even a surprise request from Dan's cardiologist (golly that's a lot!), this rainbow rising from W. Va's emerald hills served as my reminder that no matter how crazy your storm is, whether it's PD or something else, there is always hope.

"I have set my bow in the cloud, 

and it shall be a sign of the covenant 

between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13

God promised!

Run Like the Wind!

"Run in such a way that you may win!"
1 Corinthians 9:24

While watching last night's WSMS meet in Charles Town, another mom said she saw this story about Violet in our community paper!  Watching Violet run reminds me how God has blessed me with this beautiful (no longer a) baby girl.

With that ponytail blowing in the breeze, Violet managed to pass two runners in the 4 X 400 relay to finish her personal best in addition to her 2:49 personal record in her 4 X 800, passing two again!!  We are so proud of her.

But what impressed me even more was watching her with the 400 relay team.  You see, a last minute stand in replaced another friend who fainted at the field.  Violet's excited text to her friend in the hospital was this:

"We got second!  We ran for YOU tonight."

Sometimes, some of us may not always get to do the event we want and we may not always "win", but when they run for the team, well... that's grace!

Lookin "Hott" in Grey for Parkinson's Awareness

Sending out a hearty heart felt "thank you" to all you friends and family out there sporting grey for Parkinson's Awareness Day!  This even spawned new awareness here in my neck of the woods!  From strangers in the supermarket to family in Philly, many have made loving efforts to share this crazy disease with others today!  I read on facebook that World Parkinson's Awareness Day, April 11th, 1775, is the birth of James Parkinson's and the first to write about this "Shaking Palsy" in 1815, eventually named Parkinson's Disease.  Hard to believe it was nearly 200 years ago!

Here is my favorite picture of part of my crew:

 Isaac, Dan, Levi, Violet, and Hershey (his face is grey!)

 Violet at Mountain Run on Hott Mountain.









Mom at the track!



Aunt Tammy working at Hair Cuttery wearing a grey ribbon in support of Parkinson's Awareness Month!

Brian at a Nationals game in Washington, DC!

                                                                                                    And a few crazy Hotts!

New Video Giveaway - Lisa Chan's "Deny Yourself"

Compelling, Gripping, Eye Opening!
Deny Yourself

New film helps women navigate an “all about me” society selflessly

Colorado Springs, Co., April 23, 2013—"Everywhere they turn, women are fed the message that self-indulgence and having-it-all is the end goal. Each season brings a new style, a must-have bag and a better-than-ever face cream that will turn other women green with envy. Sacrifice isn't applauded, but rising up in the ranks is but, as they climb, they realize that this way of life isn’t shiny and happy—it’s empty."

David C. Cook publishers are releasing the second of Lisa Chan (wife of evangelist, Francis Chan,  author of Crazy Love) called "Deny Yourself".  I had a blessed opportunity to preview this film and experience it's beauty as Lisa calmly and passionately portrays God's desires for women to deny yourself.  Lisa begins, and closes with the scripture from Luke 9:23-24.

"And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

Lisa introduces us to a mom faced with the challenge of raising 10 adoptive children, each with special needs and her struggle after an abusive marriage.  You know, I seem to always seek out another mom's struggle and find ways to relate to her pain.  This mom is amazing as she shares her testimony and introduces these beautiful children of God that He has placed in her care.

Personally, I comprehend the concept of "deny yourself" and am eager to anticipate the rewards of having my life saved!  Aren't  you?  (I think I heard an 'amen'!)  Frankly, as a mom, we deny ourselves everything from fashion, sleep, exercise, to even a simple daily shower at times!  Lisa mentions her "fears" but never really tells us what they are.  Although I know that she has spent time abroad in missions, I came away from the video wanting to know more of Lisa's personal story, sacrifice, and journey.  What is the wife of Frances Chan really afraid of?  Because there sure is a few things that scare the begibbies out of me and I was waiting for her to tell me how to remain truly beautiful while denying myself. 

Maybe I missed it somewhere.  Nonetheless, I still found the experience of listening to the video to be compelling, gripping, and even eye opening.  If you are interested, send me a message or just click like/share on this post to be eligible to receive a complimentary copy of "Deny Youself" from David C. Cook and Flannel Publications.  

Don't "deny" yourself an opportunity to carry that cross.  I kinda think maybe what Lisa is trying to say is that those fears we "carry" as moms are exactly what bring us closer to God, don't you?  Her lesson is that by giving up extravagances allows God to fill us in those spaces.

"God fills me up!" says Lisa.  

I think that's cool.