Clues...

I've seen some clues lately that the two oldest boys are growing up. If Austin calls me from school, he no longer says "I love you" when he hangs up. Austin and Connor no longer run around outside in underwear (although they do pee outside) but that's just a guy thing, right? They talk in a deeper voice if they seem to want to impress someone, even though they still have little boy voices. Thank goodness, by the way. BUT, Connor gave me hope that he was still my sweet young boy when he said to me recently "Mom, let's make a bet, if you lose, you have to get a big hug from me." Yep, he's still my little boy.

Maybe later...

When I first became a mom, I was a here and now, at your service kind of parent. The more kids I had, along with a busier schedule...more laundry, more cooking, more shopping, more activities, have turned me into a "maybe later" kind of parent, at times. Let's face it, we've all been there. It's so hard to juggle it all. I try, but it seems someone always wants me to play a game, listen to a story, jump with them on the trampoline, break up an argument...the list never ends...literally. I pick the kids up from school and they actually have to take turns telling me about their day, or it all turns into one transcending nightmare where you'd rather be under the wheel of the car rather than in the drivers seat. One thing I have going for me though, is that I have a dear husband who tries to pick up the slack where I leave off. He too can be a "maybe later" kind of guy, but like me, he is trying. On this day when we all went on a picnic and Connor wanted to play football and Grace wanted to be swung around a million times until Chris felt sick, I felt so grateful for him in my life. I also felt grateful that even though "maybe later" is recited in our home more than I'd like, there is also an awful amount of love.

If the sun won't come to you, you come to the sun...

A few days ago when we were still stuck in rainyville, Grace put on my swimsuit and created her own beach/tanning area. She must have laid here for half an hour taking in the sun...I mean kitchen lights. She read her magazines and lounged. She's a girl after my own heart.

Smile...

Do you ever go into a store, and get stuck with a checker, or employee that hates their job and they seem to have their panties in a wad? Well, I don't like when this happens. It makes me literally want to force a smile on their grumpy, mean little faces. There's a girl at Walmart that treated me this way recently. A few weeks later I noticed that instead of checking, she is now gathering carts from the parking lot. I wasn't surprised. We all need to smile a little more. It's a proven fact that if you are down.. and you smile for an extended period of time, even if it's totally fake...it will actually lift your spirits. Maybe next time I see the grumpy walmart troll/girl, I will even smile at her. It couldn't hurt, right?

Laughing...

Once in a while you just need something to laugh about. This did it for me...

This is big...

Turning 5 is kind of a big stepping stone in my opinion. It's that age where a child is ready for school. Ready to fly the coop. Ready to break mom's heart by being gone more, and being more independant. I will miss my toddler Grace. Toddler Grace has moved on, and now big girl Grace is here. I'm excited to see what this brings, even if it does require a little letting go. Happy Birthday, sweet, sweet Grace.

My dear girl...

I read the letter below this photo...and couldn't help but share it. But first I want to add my two cents. :) One day we will all be old. I have been a baby, a child, a teen, a young adult, and now I don't really know what to call myself...not old...yet. But one day, I will be old, and I pray my children love me the way I love them, with every ounce of my whole being. I know I love my mom with the same love she graced me with as a child. The least I can do, is give back at least a small ounce of that.

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting ...old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "