Character Counts

When asked to babysit last night she said "please tell her I made a prior commitment and cannot tonight." For my firstborn who not only loves babysitting, but is also striving to pay a portion of all her camps this summer, that "no" represented her blossoming character. Serving alongside her at the homeless shelter last night was even more meaningful because of her choice. 

Striving to parent my four firecrackers properly is the hardest thing I've ever done and continue to do, but I do believe that it is the most important too.

To my Sweet Daugthers

 From middle to high school, elementary to middle, 
2nd to 3rd and pre-school to kindergarten. 

My sweet daughters, 

            May you always remember that you are BRAVER than you you believe, STRONGER than you seem and SMARTER than you think. 

You will glow in this harsh world as you continue to be a LIGHT unto others and lift where you stand. 

No matter how old you are, I will always be your Mommy.

5-10-17

 8:00am - Moms and Muffins at Eli Pinney Elementary.

9:00am - Preschool drop off.

9:30am - Mini Van drop off for oil change and tire rotation.

9:45am - Picked up by Lexus dealer to go sign on my new FREE car!

12:00pm - FINALLY done - race back to get the van, rush home.

12:30pm - Throw everything together for our trip to Washington for Grandma's burial.

1:30pm- Get elementary school girls, then middle schooler, then preschooler. 

2:00pm - Fill up with gas and head off on a very relaxing (NOT) seven hour drive.

As I Have Loved You, Love One Another

Today after church we visited a widowed gentleman in our congregation. The girls played piano and danced for him. We giggled and talked. He must have thanked us twelve or more times. At one point I noticed him holding back tears. We already have a date to go visit him again.

I was the perfect mother before I had children. When they were little I was a surviving mother. Fourteen years in I am a mother who struggles daily, but chooses to not give up.

Among my many shortcomings - today I was reminded that our girls ARE learning to love and care for others and for that that I am proud.

Mother's Day Walk 2017

We went on a leisurely mothers day walk together - my request. Allow me to recap a fraction of our experience:

"Mom, do we ALL HAVE to come?!!"

"I NEVER get to play with my babies at home..." sobbing, then more sobbing.

"It's TOO HOT (75 degrees) I am burning!!"

"I think bugs are bitting me, my skin itches (3 min. into walk) can I PLEASE go back??"

"My foot hurts. Why did they get to wear flip-flops and I have to wear sneakers. It's not fair."

"I can't pull my babies anymore, it's too heavy!" (Insert sobbing 

and the fact that she INSISTED on placing a full carseat into the wagon to strap her baby in. The other is lying in a basket)

"Dad do we HAVE to say something nice about Mom when we turn the corner. REALLY?!! Ugh."

"Reese!!! STOP climbing on the trees, we all want to get this over with." (insert Reese crying because her feelings are hurt)

Two girls went back early. We ended up pulling Reese back in the wagon and Aspen limped to the finish line frustrated.

Throughout the "torturous" walk we forced our children to endure (on a most gorgeous day), I remembered that someday I will feel empty inside when they are gone. Someday I will be the one sobbing that walks are so peaceful. Someday I will want nothing more than to relive our family walk on Mothers Day 2017.