The Best

This morning my son was the first kid into our bed. You would think that since I was able to hum my two year old back to sleep in her own bed at 4:30 I would have slept better. Usually by then I'll just bring her in with us. Not true, I couldn't fall back to sleep for an hour, at least.

Needless to say I was still a bit comatose when my son climbed into bed but he knew just what to say to wake me up on the right side of the bed.

"Mommy, you give me the best kisses, they go straight to my heart."

Mother's Heart

Upon waking my thoughts immediately drift to my kids and our morning routine. Snuggles, breakfast, playtime and I can't stop thinking about if the babysitter found the milk in the outside fridge or if she would find anything to feed them for lunch.

I stand up to stretch my legs and look out the north facing window. Two cars drive past during the five minutes I stand watching the golden Sunday morning begin downtown.<\p>

I step into the shower to wash the smoke out of my hair (cursing Idaho legislation for not banning smoking yet) and hoping it will give me something to think about other than missing snuggles and kisses from the kids. <\p>

My thoughts do wander replaying the previous night out with my husband. How much fun it was to get out of the house for over twelve hours just the two of us. Dinner, dancing, walking, chatting, laughing. Remembering how this journey began and realizing how much stronger our bond is today than it was almost thirteen years ago when we met or even seven when we married. Sharing our hopes and dreams.

Relaxed, I look outside again attempting to comb my wet tangled hair with my fingers, knowing my comb is on the bathroom counter at home where I left it, with the toothpaste. I trust that God is keeping my children safe.

My body feels the stark white sheets calling - this is what you wanted, a day to sleep in and rest being responsible for only yourself. I climb back into my resting place next to Adam listening to the different rhythms of breath as a slowing darkness descends over me. I fall peaceful.

Mommy's Day, Another Perspective

Mother's Day seems to be getting me back into blogging mode for whatever reason. I've just been keeping things close to the heart for the last month or so. It's not a lack of writing, just the lack of publishing my rants, poems, and loves.

Stepping up and I'm sure tired of clicking over here and still seeing the same stuff about the Easter bunny, my Mom has written something about me and for me to post here. I'm touched by what she wrote, I love you Mom.

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From Heidi’s mom, to honor her this month for Mother’s Day.

When, in March I was looking for new blogs here, she suggested I write one about my visit in February. A few weeks later I wrote a rough draft and have been thinking about it since. As Mother’s Day approaches I want to share this visit from a different viewpoint than I originally planned. Yes, I have many fun memories of my visit; however the best ones are of a special mother.

Heidi, where has the time gone? It seems such a short time ago that I was tying your wispy strands of hair out of your eyes, now I see you dong the same with your daughter. Or playing a game with you as I see you with your son.

Not that long ago you helped me bake, or put away the laundry. These and many more loving moments I enjoyed watching you share with your children. It is very special that you are raising your children to love God and Jesus, while teaching them the Golden Rule, to love one another as He loves us.

Time does fly when you are having fun! The way I see it you are having fun raising, caring, molding, and loving your children.

Heidi, although we live too far to enjoy a Mother/Daughter treat in person this month, it is a treat to write a blog entry.

Hugging arms
Ever loving
Interested in learning
Dynamically creative
Inviting laugh

I love you very much and I bless you, child of mine!

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Thanks Mom, I hope this will jump start a round of postings around here... ;-)

It must be normal?!?!?!

I love my kids with all my heart but I'm feeling overwhelmed and like I need a break. I cried when I said it out loud to my hubby today who said that it was normal to feel like I needed a break and understandable. For some reason I feel like a bad Mom if I admit that I need some time to myself.

So tell me, what are some ways that you find time to rejuvenate in your life??? My parents are passing through tomorrow so I'm hoping to get a bath in or something.

Missing the dirt under my nails

I've updated my keep or tosspost to let you know what I decided! Also, If you missed the Make If From Scratch Carnival like I did today there are some really cool things up this week.

This past Saturday we went to a hike and Mother's Day craft at a local nature learning center. It was totally free and my son loved painting me this gorgeous pot and planting the little yarrow plant. Can ya'll tell I'm loving my first little crafty Mother's Day gift!!!???!!!

I love looking through the paper on Saturday mornings for a family activity for us. Many times things are free like this one was which is an added bonus. We also love to pack a picnic lunch and find somewhere to eat - we've done this almost every nice weekend this spring so far.

Anyway, having a new potted plant around made me really miss my garden. This time last year we had beets, broccoli, spinach and lettuce coming up already and my tomatoes were almost ready to get into the ground along with others. This year the only thing in the garden is lettuce - a ton since I let a couple plants go to seed last year and a few spinach plants. We've been enjoying these at most meals but I'm wishing I had just planted stuff even though we are selling our house.

I don't want to complain because I am lucky to live in a place with many farmers markets to purchase wonderful local produce, I just love tending to the garden. It's my soul food in the summer, a time when I can see God's hand at work in the soil and when I can get some treasured quiet minutes each evening while I weed or harvest a squash for dinner.

After our hike and picnic on Saturday my hubby took our son to the grocery store so he could get a few things for dinner for that night and Sunday. (He grilled me a delicious eggplant at my request and it was the best!) Usually when they both go somewhere I wander, not knowing quite what to do with myself. Wander around putting laundry away, debate taking a nap, blogging, doing the dishes, watching tv, etc. But that day I went out to my little seedlings, I planted them a little late, but I'm sure they'll grow to give me fruit. I potted two tomato plants and two basil plants. The tomatoes will need to be potted up once more since these pots are still to small but they work for now and I'll still be able to taste some fruits of my labor this year even with a new baby due and a move in the future.

Happy Mother's Day!!! I'm so grateful to have so many wonderful mothers in my life. My Grandma who is our family matriarch, she leads us by her example in her faith, strength and love - she still keeps us all together!!! My own Mom who has taught me so much and is the most wonderful person - love you Mom! My MIL who I also call Mom since she's just the best. I even have a step MIL and many Aunts who are also wonderful examples of Moms! I'm wonderfully grateful to have friends who are Moms to learn from and cherish wonderful visits with!!! (Even virtual visits!)

Somehow I missed this great post of Sarah's over at Walk Slowly, Live Wildly. It's long but worth the read, I like her inspiring views of the Proverbs 31 Woman.

Have you heard the song by Martina Mcbride called "In My Daughter's Eyes." I recently heard it for the first time and I just love the lyrics. (If I was a super-duper blogger I'd embed it here for you to listen to but I still haven't spent the time to figure that out!!!)

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero, I am strong and wise and I know no fear. But the truth is plain to see, she was sent to rescue me. I see who I wanna be, In my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal, darkness turns to light and the world is at peace. This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak, I find reason to believe In my daughter's eyes.

And when she wraps her hand around my finger, oh it puts a smile in my heart. Everything becomes a little clearer I realize what life is all about.

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough, it's giving more when you feel like giving up. I've seen the light, It's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future, a reflection of who I am and what will be though she'll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family, when I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me. For I'll be there, In my daughter's eyes

My Mama!

Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing started a photo tag. She thought it would be fun to see the Moms behind the Mommy bloggers, so here's mine!

Meeting my son for the first time....

Reading books on a visit this past fall...

I wrote a post about her here.

She's so crafty, she just finished this beautiful sweater that my son is handsomely modeling. She knit it on the tiniest needles I've ever seen. He loves it already and it just came in the mail two days ago. It truly is wonderfully made, terrific! Thanks Mom!

Thanks for Mothers

Chaotic Mom is away this week and is asking for thoughts on "thanks for Mothers" so here are my random thoughts.

I am so grateful to my Mother for so much it's hard to know where to start. From home cooked meals to carpools to and from dance classes and from kissing owies to playing games. She never questioned (openly anyway) why she paraded me back and forth and paid for 6 or more dance classes a week. She also didn't keep the neatest house on the block.

Her focus was on the things that mattered: God, her hardworking husband and the 3 of us kids. She always made sure that she was available to help with homework and was involved in our schools. She paid attention to who our teachers were and that we worked our hardest at whatever we did. Win or lose, succeed or fail she always encouraged us to try. I remember her patience letting our little fingers plant cucumber seeds in hills and staying up until o'dark thirty sewing our halloween and Nutcracker costumes.

No matter what, her love was always there and always felt. Even now when I think of my childhood home and memories her love just overwhelms me.

I have absolutely NO idea how she really did it all and actually slept.

Now that I am experiencing the overwhelming joy of my son's first two years of life I am so amazed at this journey of motherhood. How much it has taught me to stop and smell the roses. Each day, each hour and each minute is so important to my son.

In just a day he went from an infant to a chubby baby, from a slug to a speed crawler, from pulling up to first steps and from baby talk to singing songs and saying the alphabet. I revel in each hug, kiss and cuddle I can snitch. His great big smile and glimmer when our eyes meet remind me to seize this moment in eternity and be present as it passes.

I'm grateful that my Mom gave me the foundation and I'm grateful that my son is giving me the opportunity.

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