Nostalgia Moment

Yesterday, I drove up behind a small SUV.  I could see  that there was an infant car seat occupying the middle of the back seat.  A wave of  "I remember that" washed over me.  I remembered the feeling of overwhelemedness that infant car-seats produced in me.  The fact that I had to do everything for my babies.  I also remembered the snuggly way that I could nuzzle my babies faces when they laid on their backs looking up at me. The fact that I could make my babies smile and giggle with just a tiny gesutre.   I was in complete control of their lives, well mostly, and that comes with its positives and negatives for sure!!     When the kiddos were super little, I never had to worry about my children running out into the street, or seeing something inappropriate on the internet.  I didn't have to think about whether their grades were good, or their friends were the right ones or whether their self-esteem was rock solid.  The flip side of that coin is that I also never got to have interesting conversations with my kids when they were tiny.  I didn't get to see the world through their eyes, hear how they approach their relationships, what they enjoy about their teachers and friends and classes.  As my kids go through stages, their mom goes through stages too.  Every few months, I feel a change in the air with one or more of the kids.  Its exhilarating and exciting and exhausting all at the same time.  I love this gig - its really the best job in the world!!

She turned 13, He turned 8!!

Our family has 2 more celebrations more than most people added to the last week of the year.  Maddie's birthday and Michael's birthday.  Special celebrations of very special kiddos!!

Maddie turned 13 and Michael turned 8.

Maddie went roller skating all afternoon and had friends over for her birthday.

Michael played soccer and spent time with friends for his birthday.

Both celebrations were so much fun and full of things that the kids loved.

Maddie has such a heart of joy.  I can hear her laugh all over the house, and it is a contagious one.  She is a very emotional, social person who is friendly and generous to almost everyone she is around.  I love being with Maddie because there is never a moment of quiet.  She is talking, or laughing, or asking, or arguing, or crying, or giggling the entire time that we are together.  She brings a smile to my face.

Michael is my thoughtful, compassionate child.  He is serious and reserved in one moment, and than crazy and wacky in the next.  He is intelligent and his perspective on life is very mature.  Michael can build a Lego set faster than anyone I know.  He is organized and focused on everything that he does.  This little boy is growing up into a sensitive, kind young man.

It is a blessing to parent both of these children.  They both challenge me to be my best.  They both add so much fun to our family.

Happy Birthday blessings to you, Maddie and Michael.

Mama loves you!!!!!

2013

It's New Years Eve 2013.  I haven't forgotten how to blog.  Truth be told, blogging has been on the to-do list almost every day, and I just haven't gotten far enough down the long, long list to make it to my writing time! I'd like to change that - I hope to change it!!

The other day, I was having a conversation with my parents and my hubs and I summed up the year with a negative attitude and a grumpy outlook.  "This year sucked" and "worst year ever" were both a part of my evaluation.  Because this isn't  my usual Polyanna way, the folks at the table were troubled,  shocked and taken aback by my declaration.  They said, "Not really"... and "Are you sure?" and "Think about this... and that... and this...".

And I have thought.

And maybe 2013 was a "smidge" better than I was giving it credit for.

But...

To tell you the truth, the year was just a personal drag.  It was filled with letdowns, fears,  disappointments and sub-par quality of living.  Things I wanted to conquer, remained monstrous.  Places I wanted to see my life go, left un-visited.  Struggles with my health that I hadn't ever had to deal with.  Don't get me wrong - I didn't quit, never let anyone see me sweat (well almost nobody)...  Through it all, I smiled, prayed, and remained grateful, but towards the end of year it was no longer healthy not to just make an admission of "this is draining", "this isn't fun", and "I don't like this".  Sometimes, it just needs to be said.  

And...

The year was also a year of adventures, vacations, remodeling, kids turning 7, 9, 13 and 15. ( It was an "odd" year!!  Maybe that explains something  :).)  The family laughed a lot, camped some, grew a lot, re-decorated a lot, prayed A LOT, fought a little (a lot), cheered each other on a lot, danced a lot, hugged a lot, texted a lot, folded laundry a lot, drove a lot,  loaded and loaded and reloaded the dishwasher a lot, shared secrets a lot,  cried some, cleaned a lot, kicked the ball a lot, threw the ball a lot, hit the ball a lot... in some ways it was a fantastic year.  I am so grateful that every year, each one of  us grow and change and morph into the person that God created us to be.  Its never going to be an easy trek, this living thing, but in our household this living thing is certainly never dull.


So... I'm ready.  Ready for a new year, a new perspective, a new day.

I welcome you, 2014.  Lets do this thing!!

I just got this sweet text from one of my dear friends.  It was a great reminder of the goodness swirling around my world. Icing on the New Years Eve cake...

I'm thankful for all that makes up this very special gift of life.  The good, the hard, the rough, the wonderful.  All mixed together, it produces what one of my favorite authors, Glennon Melton, calls "Brutiful". and That is a "for sure thing".  This Life is Brutiful.

Happy New Year!!!