For Every Mom. For Everybody.

---

Dear Mom,
-
I've seen you around. I've seen you screaming at your kids in public, I've seen you ignoring them at the playground, I've seen you unshowered and wearing last night's pajama pants at preschool drop-off. I've seen you begging your children, bribing them, threatening them. I've seen you shouting back and forth with your husband, with your mom, with the police officer at the crosswalk.

-

I've seen you running around with your kids, getting dirty and occasionally swearing audibly when you bang a knee. I've seen you sharing a milkshake with a manic 4-year-old. I've seen you wiping your kids' boogers with your bare palm, and then smearing them on the back of your jeans. I've seen you carry your toddler flopped over the crook of your arm while chasing a runaway ball.
-
I've also seen you gritting your teeth while your kid screamed at you for making him practice piano, or soccer, or basket weaving or whatever it was. I've seen you close your eyes and breathe slowly after finding a gallon of milk dumped into your trunk. I've seen you crying into the sink while you desperately scrub crayon off your best designer purse. I've seen you pacing in front of the house.
-
I've seen you at the hospital waiting room. I've seen you at the pharmacy counter. I've seen you looking tired and frightened.
-
I've seen a lot of you, actually.
-
I see you every single day.

-

I don't know if you planned to be a parent or not. If you always knew from your earliest years that you wanted to bring children into the world, to tend to them, or if motherhood was thrust upon you unexpectedly. I don't know if it meets your expectations, or if you spent your first days as a mom terrified that you would never feel what you imagined "motherly love" would feel like for your child. I don't know if you struggled with infertility, or with pregnancy loss, or with a traumatic birth. I don't know if you created your child with your body, or created your family by welcoming your child into it.
-
But I know a lot about you.
-
I know that you didn't get everything that you wanted. I know that you got a wealth of things you never knew you wanted until they were there in front of you. I know that you don't believe that you're doing your best, that you think you can do better. I know you are doing better than you think.
-
I know that when you look at your child, your children, you see yourself. And I know that you don't, that you see a stranger who can't understand why the small details of childhood that were so important to you are a bother to this small person who resembles you.
-
I know that you want to throw a lamp at your teenager's head sometimes. I know you want to toss your 3-year-old out the window once in a while.
-
I know that some nights, once it's finally quiet, you curl up in bed and cry. I know that sometimes, you don't, even though you wanted to.

-

I know that some days are so hard that all you want is for them to end, and then at bedtime your children hug you and kiss you and tell you how much they love you and want to be like you, and you wish the day could last forever.
-
But it never does. The day always ends, and the next day brings new challenges. Fevers, heartbreak, art projects, new friends, new pets, new fights. And every day you do what you need to do.
-
You take care of things, because that's your job. You go to work, or you fill up the crock pot, or you climb into the garden, or strap the baby to your back and pull out the vacuum cleaner.
-
You drop everything you're doing to moderate an argument over whose turn it is to use a specifically colored marker, or to kiss a boo-boo, or to have a conversation about what kind of lipstick Pinocchio's Mommy wears.
-
I know that you have tickle fights in blanket forts, and that you have the words to at least eight different picture books memorized. I've heard that you dance like a wild woman when it's just you and them. That you have no shame about farting or belching in their presence, that you make up goofy songs about peas and potatoes and cheese.
-
I know that an hour past bedtime, you drop what you're doing and trim the fingernail that your 3-year-old insists is keeping her up. I know that you stop cleaning dishes because your kids insist you need to join their tea party. I know you fed your kids PB&J for four days straight when you had the flu. I know that you eat leftover crusts over the sink while your kids watch "Sponge Bob."
-
I know you didn't expect most of this. I know you didn't anticipate loving somebody so intensely, or loathing your post-baby body so much, or being so tired or being the mom you've turned out to be.

-

You thought you had it figured out. Or you were blind and terrified. You hired the perfect nanny. Or you quit your job and learned to assemble flat-packed baby furniture. You get confused by the conflict of feeling like nothing has changed since you were free and unfettered by children, and looking back on the choices you made as though an impostor was wearing your skin.

-

You're not a perfect mom. No matter how you try, no matter what you do. You will never be a perfect mom.

-

And maybe that haunts you. Or maybe you've made peace with it. Or maybe it was never a problem to begin with.

-

No matter how much you do, there is always more. No matter how little you do, when the day is over, your children are still loved. They still smile at you, believing you have magical powers to fix almost anything. No matter what happened at work, or at school, or in playgroup, you have still done everything in your power to ensure that the next morning will dawn and your children will be as happy, healthy, and wise as could possibly be hoped.

-

There's an old Yiddish saying: "There is one perfect child in the world, and every mother has it."

-

Unfortunately, there are no perfect parents. Your kids will grow up determined to be different than you. They will grow up certain that they won't make their kids take piano lessons, or they'll be more lenient, or more strict, or have more kids, or have fewer, or have none at all.

-

No matter how far from perfect you are, you are better than you think.

Someday your kids will be running around like crazy people at synagogue and concuss themselves on a hand rail, and somebody will still walk up to you and tell you what a beautiful family you have. You'll be at the park and your kids will be covered in mud and jam up to the elbows, smearing your car with sugary cement, and a pregnant lady will stop and smile at you wistfully.

-

No matter how many doubts you might have, you never need doubt this one thing: You are not perfect.

-

And that's good. Because really, neither is your child. And that means nobody can care for them the way you can, with the wealth of your understanding and your experience. Nobody knows what your child's squall means, or what their jokes mean, or why they are crying better than you do.

-

And since no mother is perfect, chances are you are caught in a two billion way tie for

Best Mom in the World.

-

Congratulations, Best Mom in the World. You're not perfect.

-

You are as good as anybody can get.

I am a mother.

Saw this on Facebook and LOVE it.

Truth and Awesomeness ;)

Love this ;)

---

What'd your mom teach you?

Mom vs. Dad

I love the site HowToBeADad.com - so funny, and done by dads!

Here's another graph about mommy brain vs. daddy brain ...

Mother De-Evolution.

I saw this cartoon of how we chicks de-evolve through a work week.

And I couldn't help feeling that this week-

the first week of school (!!)

was pretty much... completely identical.

---

---

(In fact- there are many days I start out like the first girl

and by 5pm I'm like the last girl!  That's sad.)

As long as I'm living...

Last night I was alone, in the almost-dark, on the computer.

Everyone was sleeping, and the house was quiet, other than

the dull whoosh of a few fans around the house.

-

Out of nowhere, I heard a soft, "Ooooo" sound.

I'm thirty-four years old.  Educated.  Realistic.

But I'm also a fan of the show "Ghost Adventures,"

and my instant reaction was to jerk around and whisper,

"Holy-What-The-Crap-Was-That?!?!"

-

I looked around, listened for a sec... nothing.

But it came again, this time a little louder, a little longer.

My heart started beating.

-

The third time I heard it, I realized it was sounding

more like a crying son than a lingering spirit of the dead.

I went to the bottom of the stairs and there I could

hear it was Peli, doing some kind of whining-crying thing.

-

Now, the point of this story is that when I got to him,

he was crying- but still sleeping, you know how kids do...

So I was saying his name, and stroking his hair, trying to get

him awake enough to tell me whether something was

hurting or he was having bad dreams.

-

He opened his eyes and told me it was a dream,

and tried to go back to sleep.  But within seconds,

he was crying again.  I picked him up onto my lap and

started rocking back and forth, still stroking his hair.

-

And the ONLY thing in my brain at that moment

was this:

This is an image from the book "Love You Forever,"

one of my faves.  And this is exactly how I felt last night.

Peli felt so gigantic in my arms; I could barely keep him

on my lap.  He was curled up and trying to sleep.

-

It was definitely one of those moments.

Those surreal, "This is really being a mommy" moments.

It was awesome.

And he didn't cry the rest of the night.

-----

Dad thoughts v. Mom thoughts

I've come across an absolutely hilarious website-

"How To Be A Dad"

If you have a minute, it's a must-check-out.

They've got funny insights into parenthood, categories such as

"My Wife Just Said..."

and "Instructional Diagrams" like the following:

(click any pic to enlarge)

**I may or may not have had one or four of these thoughts. Allegedly.

-

**True. All true.

-

And just cuz it made me laugh, I included this:

**I love the hand/foot marks on the baby, and I LOVE the bum marks

at the end of the toddler's walk!

Ahhh, parenthood.

sweet.

the two BEST quotes I heard yesterday:

-

"A mother is not a person to lean on,

but a person to make leaning unnecessary."

~Dorothy Canfield Fisher

-

"A grandmother is a little bit parent,

a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend."

~unknown

---

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

We had an awesome weekend with our family... pix to come ;)

What Did Mom Teach You?



A friend of mine posted a few things her mom has taught her

on Facebook this past week, and it got me thinkin' about what

things my mom has taught me that have been valuable and useful

in my 'real life' as an adult and a mom!

-

So, in the spirit of Mom's Day, here are some cool things my mom

taught me, along with a few thoughts from friends, celebs, and

complete strangers!

-

A few of mine, from moms and grandmas:

-

~That my little family and I  are always welcome at home

-

~That if we got arrested, it may take some time- like a day or four- 

for her to come get us-

-

~That it's really important to be there through surgeries, barfing episodes,

and heartbreaks...

-

~That babies and kids can have 'bad days'- just like adults do

(her mom taught her that one ;)

-

~That it's okay for kids to get dirty, play in the mud, scrape their knees...

to have some of that freedom to play and just to be kids!

(she admits this was a hard one for her to grasp!)

-

~To sleep when the baby/kids sleep

-

~That some days, you'll get everything done, everything will be neat,

kids will be healthy and happy... and some days, you'll feel blessed

just to have survived the day- and that's just okay!

---

From friends and family:

-

 My mom said that your house is only ever as clean as your kitchen sink . . .

Which is probably why she always washes my dishes when she visits. -Mary Latu

-

To always wear clean underwear - you never know when you

could be in an accident and go to the hospital. -Nancy Low

(this is one of my faves... didn't we all get this one?!)

-

The importance of having a 'Nothing Day.' -Aunt Sue Heugly

-

My mom taught me to hang in there and do what needs to be done,

no matter what anyone else says. -Anita Elliott

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To stop eating when I'm full.  -John Barrett

-

That ANYONE can be your friend, even the people in the checkout line.

She has never discriminated in any nature when talking to people and

being there for people. I’ve NEVER heard her speak poorly of someone,

or gossip, and when that is happening around her she

chooses to remain silent. -Shersti Edwards

---

From Celebs and other people I don't know (some anonymous):

-The greatest lesson my mom has taught me is to know the difference between right and wrong.

– Einar Ingebrigtsen, 23

-

'Just don’t do it again.'  Works for me! I keep this in mind whenever I make

a mistake...  – Aubrey Miles, 27

-

Have fun living your life. Just think about waking up in the morning,

and whether it'd be a regret.. – Jet Dayola, 29

-

It doesn’t matter what other people think as long as you do what you know is right.

– Michael Karlo Lim, 24

-

To put my complete trust in God always and for everything.

He always has a reason for why we go through the things

we go through, and we just have to have complete faith that He

will get us through every trial and challenge in life. I should

see these challenges and trials as ways to build and strengthen

my character and faith.

Oh, and another lesson: use sunblock daily to avoid freckles and skin cancer.

– Alyanna Martinez, 21

-

One thing my mom never failed to keep reminding us while growing up

 was to never stop believing. That’s how to achieve all your dreams in life,

she’d say. You have to believe. I was 6 years old when she first told

me that. I was being hardheaded and kept asking, 'If that’s true,

how come I can’t fly right now?' She simply replied: 'You have to believe more.'

 I’m 24 years old now, and I still believe that, someday, if we believe

 it hard enough, we’d be able to fly. – Raf Rosell IV

-

If you are at the lowest point of your life,

don’t let it get you. Just enjoy it. You will go there only once. – Luke Jickain

-

To think before I open my mouth.

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Don't be quick to judge people.

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To be strong, confident and stand up for myself and my family.

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Whatever happens, keep your dignity... always.

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Not to smoke.  It brought on her death way too early.

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To be careful whose promises you believe.  Don't put your trust into empty words.

-

How to wipe correctly. (haha)

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To listen when your children say they need to talk to you.

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To be thrifty.

-

That just because we didn't have everything we desired,

we were still capable of being content, confident and good.

-

To dance.

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Not to shoplift meat from the grocery store and run from the security guards.

-

Never refuse a breathmint.

-

Always wear comfortable clothes.

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My first day of kindergarten my mom told me, 'Don't fart in class.'  Best. Advice. Ever.

Never forgot it.

-

Save, save, save, save................

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Don't care what other people think about you.

It is what you think of yourself that matters.

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You get one life so make the best out of it.

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That "They are your children and you are there mother;

no one else can raise them like you; love them and raise them right."

-

That how your children look and act reflects back on you.

-
That painting or crafts or scrapping, etc., are good outlet for stress.

-

That she had my back.

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Never make a promise you don't intend on keeping.

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That sanity flees the minute you have kids...

and the older they get the "stupider" you are.

-

That an easy life is a boring one.

-

That it's good to give people a second chance.  Most of the time.

-
To have self-esteem and patience.

-

To be open-minded.

-

To make my own decisions and come to my own conclusions.

-

How to sew

-

Never let anyone important to you go to bed or

walk out the door without telling them you love them, it could be your last chance.

-

Don't make your children pay for your mistakes.

-

Once you leave home, coming back will never feel like home,

BUT always remember you can come back home anyway.

-

Not to say bad things about your in-laws.

-

That education is something that no one can ever take from you.

-

How to cook (something I use every single day).

-

As parents, present a united front. Agree up front on issues and discipline.

-

Choose your battles. Think about it, and decide what you're willing to go

 to the wall over, what's important to YOU--and stick to it.

-

'Onward and upward'. Her life was full of many disappointments and

when she had dealt with them or moved on from them, she would

announce in a cheerful voice, "Well...Onward and Upward."

-

To speak well of others, kindly to them, and really listen

to what they had to say. She taught me (by example) that most people will

respond in a friendly fashion if you simply show that you think they are important.

-

That a little kindness and compassion go a long way.

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To make sure that those I love know how much I love them.

-

The importance of family, and how to make a marriage work

(compassion, commitment, communication, and compromise!).

-

To consider the source, and to let insults roll off my back.

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To have confidence in myself, including my appearance.

-

To be thankful, and to realize that money isn't everything.

-

Never buy the cheapest, never buy the priciest.

-

“Do your best, and whatever happens, you will make me proud.”
-

When unsure about whether to proceed with something new, she'd ask me,

“What’s the worst thing that can happen?” I’d answer and she’d ask me,

“What would you do if the worst thing happened?”

-

“Love your children, cross your fingers, and the rest will work out.”

-

“My mom taught me the mental side of athletics is just as important as the

physical side. When I walk between the lines, I feel as if I’m going to get the better of

every pitcher I face, that I’m going to win that battle. That ‘necessary

arrogance’ came from her. She’s a 100-pound professional equestrian who every day

deals with animals that weigh 1500 pounds. She’ll always be my source

 of confidence and pride.” -Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves.

-

"I’ll always remember my Mom telling me that when you borrow something,

make sure to return it in the same—if not, better—condition." -Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

-

“If it’s light outside, then you should be out. Always break a sweat

at least once a day.” -Two-time Men’s Health cover guy Matthew McConaughey

 -

“My mother taught me to always do what I can to help others.

She instilled that principle in me at a young age, and it's become part of my soul.

If you focus on blessing others, you’ll live life in abundance.”

-Common, two-time Grammy winning hip-hop artist and actor. 

-

“My mom taught me that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to—

except for tall people stuff because I have little arms!” -Kevin Hart, comedian

-

"Be kind to everyone you meet on your way up, because they are the same

people you'll meet on the way down." -Nathan Fillion, actor- Castle 

-

“My mother raised five children all with very different interests and talents.

I think through her I've learned that embracing your individuality and that the people

around you are key to living an honest and inspired life."

-Andrew McMahon, singer

-

She drilled us on using a hot washcloth to take off our makeup!  And to use eye cream.

-Kim Kardashian

-

Growing up, the message was, "No matter what you look like, you're beautiful."

 I have pictures of when I was 6, wearing cowboy boots with a frilly pink dress,

and my hair all a mess. That was just how I got dressed.

-Clementine, daughter of Cybill Shepherd
-

Don't repeat everything you hear.

-

That everybody's welcome in our home.

-

The elderly are to be treasured.

-

If you're married, you're part of a team.

-

That church, and God, and knowledge... are important.

-

How to make a killer homemade mac-and-cheese!

a mother's hug

"A MOTHER'S HUG"
-

A child sits at her window
Watching storm clouds in the sky
Knowing that she’s frightened
Not really knowing why
-
Maybe it’s the thunder
Could be it’s the rain
Maybe it’s the lightning
Mirrored on the window pane
-
But it really doesn’t matter
What fears the day may bring
If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug
You can face most anything
-
So soon the smiles of childhood turn
Into teenage frowns
It seems so much of growing up
Consists of falling down
-
And through those painful middle years
I soon would come to know
The pain that seems to hurt the most
Is the kind that doesn’t show
-
But it really doesn’t matter
What fears the day may bring
If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug
You can face most anything
-
Now children do get older
But a child they still remain
Childish fears of darkness
Give way to worldly pain
-
Maybe it’s the sadness
When you lose someone you know
Maybe it’s the grief that comes
From reaping what you sow
-
But it really doesn’t matter
What fears the day may bring
If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug
You can face most anything
-
Now I still look out those windows
At storm clouds in the sky
At hopes and fears, joys and tears-
Of many years gone by
-
And I thank God for the blessing
Of allowing me to be
The one who gives the comfort
When my children come to me
-
Cause it really doesn’t matter
What fears the day may bring
When you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug
You can face most anything

children of summer

Children of Summer

With your sticky popsicle smile,

Racing out the slamming screen door,

Splashing, soaring through the sprinkler,

How could I adore you even more?

With your bare feet tickling in the grass,

Cheeks warmed in the sun, bright pink,

Twirling, whirling, dancing in the heat,

How could you change each time I blink?

With your drowsy head upon my shoulder,

Warm smell of your summer dusted hair,

Wet soggy swimsuit dampening my lap,

How could I need you more than air?

rest easy, Real Mothers.

I've been reading a book.

[Don't fall off your chair... I actually love to read,

it just seems like I can't usually find the time!]

-

It's called 'House Rules,'

and it's an amazing read, so far.

Written by the author of 'My Sister's Keeper,'

it's about a single mom of two boys, one of whom has

Asperger's Syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism).

That son is obsessed with forensic science and crime scenes-

which ends up being a problem when he is a suspect in a murder !!

-

Anyway, a page I read a few days ago has been running itself

 over and over in my head since I read it-

like an old record whose needle keeps skipping back to the same exact place.

The funny thing is that this excerpt has almost nothing to do with the actual story-

it just hit me... and stayed with me.  The boys' mom, in the book, writes one of

those Dear Abby-style advice columns in the local newspaper.

This was from one of her columns.

So, TaDa... Read On:

---

I cannot admit this out loud.  In the first place, we are expected to be supermoms these days, instead of admitting that we have flaws.  It is tempting to believe that all mothers wake up feeling fresh every morning, never raise their voices, only cook with organic food, and are equally at ease with the CEO and the PTA.

-

Here's a secret: Those mothers don't exist.  Most of us- even if we'd never confess- are suffering through [the Daily Grind] in the hopes of a glimpse of that magic [secret.]

-

I look very good on paper.  I have a family, and I write a newspaper column.  In real life, I have to pick superglue out of the carpet, rarely remember to defrost for dinner, and plan to have 'Because I said so' engraved on my tombstone.

-

Real mothers wonder why experts who write for 'Parents' and 'Good Housekeeping' seem to have their acts together all the time when they themselves can barely keep their heads above the stormy seas of parenthood.

Real mothers don't just listen with humble embarrassment to the elderly lady who offers unsolicited advice in the checkout line when a child is throwing a tantrum.  We take the child, dump him the lady's cart, and say, "Great.  Maybe you can do a better job."

-

Real mothers know that it's okay to eat cold pizza for breakfast.

-

Real mothers admit it is easier to fail at this job than to succeed.

-

Real mothers know the ratio of Daily Grind to Fun is severely imbalanced.  For every moment your child confides in you, or tells you he loves you, or does something unprompted to protect his brother that you happen to witness, there are many more moments of chaos, error, and self-doubt.

-

Real mothers may not speak the heresy, but they sometimes secretly wish they'd chosen something other than this endless routine.

-

Real mothers worry that other mothers will find that Magic Secret, whereas they'll be looking and looking for ages.

-

Rest easy, Real Mothers.  The very fact that you worry about being a good mom means that you already are one.

Children of Summer

Children of Summer

With your sticky popsicle smile

Racing out the slamming screen door

Splashing, soaring through the sprinkler

How could I adore you even more

With your bare feet tickling in the grass

Cheeks warmed in the sun, bright pink,

Twirling, whirling, dancing in the heat,

How could you change each time I blink?

With your drowsy head upon my shoulder,

Warm smell of your summer dusted hair,

Wet soggy swimsuit dampening my lap,

How could I need you more than air?

ahhh, boys.

This is Peli's absolute, hands-down, favorite commercial.

(yes, the four-year-old has a fave commercial. is that bad?)

He laughs out loud every single time he sees it.

If you have boys, tend boys, know boys, have ever seen a boy,

you know why I just sigh and say...

Figures.

having two kids.

Having two kids was a little overwhelming at first.

(i know those of you with more than two are rolling your eyes right now!)

Having two kids has been stressful at times.

Having two kids has meant non-stop telling peli to

"Stop Taking Her Toys Away!"

Having two kids means double the sick,

double the poop,

double the crying,

double the costs,

double the worries...

BUT

Having two kids has also been sweet,

like when Peli was hugging Raini, singing to her and she was laughing,

...then he growls and roars and tickles her

and she thinks he's the Greatest Thing Ever!

She lights up and smiles whenever she sees her big brother;

when she laughs at him, he feels like a Super Hero...

[yes, look at how TEENY TINY this spiderman shirt is ;)

 it's a size 3 and he wears a 7! 

but he was dead-set on wearing it this day (stubborn kid!)]

Having two kids is special when they work together to find secret places

 and they think they're working Covert Ops.

As challenged as I feel sometimes,

having two kids has been wonderful!

sweet.

cute.

hilarious.

tender.

milestone: Sunbeams

my baby boy went to the Big Boy Class yesterday.

Sunbeams!

(yes, i took this pic with my phone with the sun behind,

so it's not my best photo work)

Here's the Story:

If you don't know Peli well, you may not know that he is quite

shy with new people, and he's very, very attached to me right now.

Part of it is that after 2 years of staying with my mom while I worked

in the day, he's had me all to himself for a year.

Part of it is that since having Raini, he's had the typical separation

anxiety and "sharing mom" feelings that many kids have after

another kid is born.  He'd been doing great in nursery, going

and staying on his own... until Raini came along.  Then he reverted

to not wanting to go, and not wanting to stay unless I stayed

with him.  So that's been a challenge for me, and something

I've worried about.  Yesterday was a day that has just been

LOOMING in my mind for weeks.  I kept wondering if we'd

be that family whose kid freaks out about going to primary

and everyone else rolls their eyes ;) ... and I wondered how many

weeks (or months!!) it would take for Peli to be okay with going to

class and staying and enjoying his time there.

Well, yesterday came and while Peli was happy and excited to

talk about going to primary, once the time came to get ready

to go to church, he shut down.  He didn't want to get dressed,

argued with me for approximately 42 minutes while I was getting

ready, then fought with Suka about putting his clothes on.

Finally, we actually opened the door and threatened to leave

him home alone.  Yes, we are mean like that.

That's when he agreed to put his church clothes on.

I just felt the looming cloud of darkness and tears that was

going to be our First Day of Primary.

BUT... after sacrament, they asked us to take the kids to

nursery cuz they were going to come get them and had some

special things planned.  They came in with crowns for each of them,

they took them into the big primary room and introduced them

each by name and sang the welcome song "hello HELLO" you know.

Then they sat down in the front row.

Peli grabbed my hand and wanted me to sit with him, but I told

him I was going to go stand in the back, which I did.

From the back of the room, I could see him holding his face

in his hands for just a couple of minutes.  I couldn't tell if he was

crying, or just shy and not knowing what to do.

But after that, he was just fine!  He was watching the "singing lady"

and the kids around him.  After a while, I left.

Later, I saw them crossing the hall to their classroom.

He wasn't freaking out.  He wasn't looking for me.

That's a good thing.

Then, at precisely 2:59, the classroom door opened and Peli

came out, crown still on his head, newly colored picture in his hand,

and big green treat bucket in his other hand.

He was given the assignment to fill and bring back the treat bucket

for next week... and he was EXCITED about that!

He told me all the things they did and that he got to play

with Joplin and Cassidy and Tanner...

I was sooooo relieved that everything went smoothly and

he enjoyed his big boy sunbeams class.

Then I cried, cuz my little baby

isn't a little baby anymore.

Peli-ism and 'Awwww' moment

I was away from my kids overnight Saturday and most of Sunday-

 certainly the first time I've been away from Raini that long,

and, now that I think about it, I believe it's the longest I've been

away from Peli that long!  (that may sound weird to some of you,

considering he's 3 1/2, but we just love being with our kids

 and would rather be home with them than away!)

Anyway, in an attempt to comfort me, Suka kept texting me

while I was gone, telling me that Peli hadn't even asked for me one time! 

In a way, it was comforting, but I was also like "What?  Not even once..."

[oh, the thoughts of a woman...] 

I was so excited to come home the next day, and when I walked in,

Peli said, in a loud, excited voice, "MOM!" 

I said, "Hey, honey," and gave him a big hug. 

He looked me in the eyes and said,

"Mom.  I was looking for you. 

And it was sad." 

Awwwwww...

===

No worries, though, we were quickly back to our weird/funny/crazy life...

Peli later brought me a different shirt he wanted to wear. 

He started trying to take off the shirt he was wearing,

but it was too small and he couldn't get it off his huge head. 

He quickly pointed to the words on the shirt

(which said "Surfer Dude") and said,

"Mom, see these words? 

 They say, 'I can't take this off."

Apparently, words say whatever Peli wants them to say.

Sharae has arrived !!

This is Dallas and Suzanne's baby girl,

Sharae

She arrived last night at 7 lbs., 19 1/2 inches.

She is so beautiful and check out that hair!!

Congrats Dall and Suz, we love you!

it was a moment.

During a particularly loooong,

stressful stay-at-home-mom kind of day,

I had a moment.

I sat down for five minutes of peace

(yes, both kids were asleep at the same time !!)

...only to realize that I had:

Spit-up on my shirt

a booger on my pant leg

and a nice smear of peanut butter on my arm.

(no, I am not exaggerating.)

-

To my own surprise,

I did not think "Ewwwww..."

I did not think "Gross!"

I didn't even think ,

"I should probably get up and get in the freakin' shower."

-

The first and only thought I had was this:

"This is one of those moments.

I'm a mom.

This is a mom moment."

-

Being a mom (or a dad or a grandma or a human...)

is all about moments.

For me, there are moments when I am proud-

like when Peli wrote his name

last week for the first time!

-

There are moments when I laugh-

"Mommy! Come look at my poop in the toilet!!"

-

There are moments when I am touched-

like when Peli says, "Mom, Hold You?"

or when Raini looks up at me while she's nursing and smiles.

-

Sometimes I let myself get caught up in the moments that are

hard, or exhausting, or stressful or chaotic.

But those are the moments that get us from

one great moment to the next.

-

I love those great moments, and I love being a mom.

(though I could live with a few less boogers. I'm just saying.)