Is it 3:00 yet?

The verdict is in, and he loves kindergarten. The jury is still out as far as mama is concerned. It was such a long day, and I just can't believe he can do without me for that long. I realize I've been very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend so many of my firstborn's hours right alongside him. We conquered mother's morning out and preschool, and mom even enjoyed the freedom to grocery shop alone. But, seven hours is a huge chunk of your day when you're only awake for 13-14 hours.

I'm so glad that he loves it, and he thinks his teacher is great. It's just going to take this sentimental mama some time to get used to the new reality. As a full-time mom, so much of my recent identity and achievements has been tied to this precious five-year-old and his wild little brother. They need me, but just a little less each day. Each of us has a purpose and gifts in this life, and I'm having to adjust to the changing landscape around me.

The old adage about your little ones growing up too fast is true, of course, but it seems I've managed to find ways to celebrate each and every milestone on this beautiful journey of parenthood. This one, however, is proving to be a wee bit more difficult. The celebration and gratitude will come, it always does.

In the meantime, just ignore the women sobbing at the stop sign or zoned out on the juice box aisle. She's looking for the next clearing in the landscape, the next place to share her gifts and probably wishing, hoping and praying for her watch to hit 3:00 already.


more photos from the first day

All in a day's work

It's no piece of cake being at home with two young boys, but we do our best to make it fun. I've yet to master the art to getting it all done. Although, I'm hoping since preschool started today, I'll have a fighting chance to at least have my kitchen floor stay clean for longer than 4 hours.

Sometimes I get little glimpses into God's plan for my life. Like yesterday when I sat in the floor and put together a train track so two boys could watch a motorized train go round and round. Or anytime I stop laundering, sweeping, emailing or fixing juice long enough to sit down and read a book with a sweet listener in my lap.

As I sat there assembling that train track I thought, "this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now! How many other folks can count train track assembly among their list of duties at work?" Granted, there are probably a few who are overjoyed train track assembly isn't in their job responsibilities.

Of course, along with the fun of playing "engineer" is the delight of playing referee between two boys who must have the same exact Lightning McQueen even though there are at least three others just like it. There is the joy of doling out punishments for pushing or hair pulling. There are the highly anticipated trips to the grocery store with impatient toddlers. Not to mention the glamorous diaper changing, snotty nose wiping, cleaning soured milk from sippy cups and scraping dried oatmeal from a myriad of locations.

So, yeah, it's no walk in the park, but the truth is we get to go to the park! Pretty much whenever we want to! In this business, the benefits outweigh the negatives. Between storytime at the library and tying on our superhero capes, it's all in a day's work!

Chugga, chugga, choo, choo on Mother's Day

On Sunday, we swung through Blue Ridge to take a train ride before heading home. The boys really enjoyed themselves. It was a beautiful day to take in scenery from the train.

Quick photo before boarding

all aboard!

Soaking in the scenery

Mommy with her boys

toes in the breeze, skittles in hand...

Is it Enough?

I read a great article a couple of weeks ago about how we all have a "home team." For most of us our "home team" consists of our immediate family and a few close friends. The kind of folks that you know would drop everything and just come, if you needed them. Also, the kind that you know what flavor milkshake they love and possibly you've even seen them without their make-up on . Anyway, the writer talked about how she struggled with letting her "home team" get a little too big. If you are trying to be everything to too many folks, they all suffer.

The article got me thinking seriously about the commitments that I accept and the activities that I participate in. How do these things affect my ability to minister and aid my "home team?" I can honestly say that I have gotten caught up at times in the myth that I can do it all since I don't have a real job. I think that many stay-at-home moms have fallen into the trap of believing that caring for their family, raising their children, tending to their households is not enough. Maybe part of it is our own fault, too. We feel like we need something else, something outside of our homes, to validate us as successful.

For most of the families that have stay-at-home mothers, there are sacrifices involved. Many of them are financial, others involved the lack of accolades or career-paths put on hold. And, I'd wager to say that most if not all of those decisions of sacrifice were made for the sake of their family, not the sake of the PTO or this board position or that volunteer shift. Now, don't get me wrong, I feel like I am in a unique position to be involved in a lot of opportunities that other moms might not have the luxury to participate in. I definitely think I should do my share, but I also want my time to be viewed as valuable too. I also want to be confident in my decision when I have to say no to things, that it's not so I can have more time to sit around with my feet up. Instead it's so I can devote more time to my family and my responsibilities at home, which I'm still continually figuring out how to balance.

So, I'm challenging myself to look at the tasks I do each day, the duties I fulfill, that often seem mundane as a ministry to my "home team." I definitely feel like this is where God has called me to be at this season in my life. And, because of that, it is enough.

The Rules

I know some rules were meant to be broken. Most of us gals raised in the South were probably brought up with a certain set of rules. ie. With your arms at your sides, your skirt should always reach your fingertips, etc. One of the rules I feel like my mama ingrained in me was "No wearing white after Labor Day." As a little girl, this usually applied to my Sunday dress shoes. The ones that had made their debut on Easter Sunday (and not a second before). Labor day approaching always signaled the retirement of those pretty white shoes and the welcoming of a pair of black (usually patent leather with a bow and strap) Sunday shoes. I still smile when I spot a little girl at church with similar shoes, especially when they are complemented with a pair of white lacey dress socks...folded down, of course.

Anyway, I have a pair of long white shorts that I wear all the time (at least once a week, sometimes more if they are clean). It certainly doesn't feel like Fall yet, and I hate to pack these go-to shorts away for the next several months. Is this one of those rules that is meant to be broken or at least bent these days? Tell me the truth, ladies. And, share with me what rules do you remember your moms passing down to you that you still carry with you today?

Someday I'll Miss...

If there is one phrase I hear more than any other it's usually something along the lines of: "Enjoy it. They grow up so fast." And, I believe it. I'm witnessing it. I mean I can't figure out how I have a near 3 year-old and an almost 7 month-old. It certainly doesn't feel like I've been doing this mothering thing for three years. Somedays it feels like I've never done it before. You know the kind of days where you forget to pack an extra set of clothes for your infant or one of those days when you have packed his bag to the brim with every essential and then some, but leave said bag behind at home. Or when you pride yourself on having remembered to not only check the bag for extra clothes and bring it along to find that the extra clothes or spare underwear (in most cases) is a leftover soiled pair.

Anyway, back to my point...I'm fully aware of how fast my children are growing. Today I found myself looking forward to a few things, which made me realize that someday I'll miss these mundane things. Although, I'm pretty sure it will take a few years. Someday I'll miss...

• all the tops, lids, valves, caps and various pieces that accompany bottles and sippy cups and the fact that sometimes they occupy the entire top drawer of the dishwasher, but not today.
• changing the diaper on a wiggly baby, cleaning poopy underwear, basically dealing with number 2, but not today.
• that my toddler needs my help to do the second set of buckles on his carseat and that he always waits for my help to get out of the same carseat when we arrive at our destination.
• shopping on the baby aisle at the grocery store, especially those itty, bitty jars/containers of baby food and how they hog your entire cart.
• the fact that I must accompany my boys when they want to play outside. I often dream of saying, "go outside and play." But, the truth is, it often means I get fresh air, a moment out of the house (and a break from housework, etc.), and a chance to just pretend I'm a kid again.
• washing loads and loads of laundry every week. I fondly remember having a laundry day usually once a week when Josh and I were a family of two. Adding Jack increased that immensely and then just as I'd gotten a handle on things and a system, we added Sam. Baby clothes are the worst. They are so tiny and these outfits with multiple pieces. I mean really, who needs socks, a bib & a hat to go with every outfit? Also, if you've got a spitter on your hands (like Sam) you may go through multiple outfits in a day, definitely multiple bibs in a day and count on having to Shout/OxyClean/SprayNWash every single spot if they have a chance at wearing it again. I feel I am in a constant state of putting laundry away. I think the ideal house would have a laundry room gigantic enough to hold several clothes racks, drawers, etc. and everyone's clothes would just be kept there. Then you'd just go grab everyone's clothes for the day the night before, etc.
• changing crib sheets, but as of now this task is the bane of my existence.

To my fellow mommy bloggers, what things are you eager to say goodbye to even though you know someday you'll miss them?

Birthday x 3 = FUN!

Saturday we had the pleasure of having Josh's family over to celebrate three birthdays. Mine, our nephew Sean's and Josh's dad's are all within about two weeks. We typically celebrate together. When they arrived Josh's sister and I started on a cake. Kristy had envisioned a green cake with football players and cheerleaders on it. She made all the characters in advance. The cake was certainly delicious, but I'm not sure you want to call the Food Network just yet...the finished product wasn't exactly picture perfect, but still photo worthy. Who knows...maybe it will end up over here at some point!

Sean & Jack had a ball playing together as always. Grandmommy & Grandaddy also brought Jack & Sam their very own patio table for outside. Thankfully, the rain stopped and it turned out to be a pretty comfortable afternoon outside. So, the table was assembled and snack were enjoyed!

Sam enjoyed some tickles from his Aunt Kristy too. It was a triple sized celebration just perfect for three special people...hey, the writer reserves the right to call herself special :)

On the Bright Side...

Whew...yesterday was a doozie. Tuesday evening I got hit with a bout of nausea. After taking some medication I tried to settle down to sleep, but tossed and turned most of the night. I woke up Wednesday completely miserable. The doc's professional opinion was that I had been hit by the stomach bug. I was ordered to drink lots of fluids and rest, which is much easier said than done with a two-year-old and 3-month-old. The biggest drawback I've found to being a full-time mommy is that you don't get sick days. Thankfully, my little men were champs. It's as if they knew I needed them to be on their best behavior. Jack did grow bored of laying around in bed and abandon me for the basement at one point, but overall he was so good.

So, on the bright side...

• we could have run out of milk yesterday (instead of today when I'm feeling much more like venturing to the store)
• Jack could have decided not to nap yesterday afternoon following our very lazy morning (instead he took a 2-hour plus nap and then stayed in his room singing and entertaining himself for another hour)
• Sam could have decided he wasn't happy with a bottle and needed mom to hold him (instead he happily took 3 bottles in a row and was content to snooze in his carrier most of the afternoon!)
• Jack could have been suffering from the same illness at the same time (instead he most likely had a touch of it Saturday evening/Sunday morning)
• the bug/virus could have put me out of commission for days (instead after about 36 hours, I'm feeling much better)

18 already?

Yes, our little one has hit the bit 18. Okay, so he's not quite legal, but as rapidly as he's growing he might as well be! Today Jack is officially 18 months old. Crazy, right? We are certainly enjoying his daily discoveries and his fondness for playing chase, throwing ball, reading books, brushing teeth and many other activities. A little less enjoyable are his bouts with dangerous independence or blatant defiance, but I hear those come with the territory.

Halfway through my second year of motherhood, and it's not exactly what I thought it would be...it's better!

Nine Months?

Where has the time gone? I can't believe my little boy is nine months old today! I'll share a note to Jack.

Dearest Jack,
You are nine months old today! Some days you still seem so new. Like when I'm not sure how much food you should be eating or if you're getting enough vegetables. Other days I can't remember life before you. Like when my first thought before leaving the house is always to smell your bottom. Gross, right?

It's absolutely crazy to think that you've been apart of our lives for nine months plus! You've actually been a very real part of our lives ever since we learned you were on the way, which was not quite a year and half ago. It was right after daddy's 30th birthday. Yes, your father and I were once in our 30s. I imagine by the time you read this you'll have no idea we could once have been so young!

As I've mentioned in previous letters to you, you've been quite a joy from day one and you continue to entertain us! We love everything about you (okay, except the whining when your need/want is undetermined). We love your scrunchy face and the fact that you love to blow raspberries to pass the time. It leaves quite the glistening ring of spit around your mouth! Your dad loves that sometimes you laugh or grin after passing gas. I think it makes him proud.

Since you were about 3 or 4 months old I've been working on a few signs with you. Mostly the sign for milk. For months you've gotten excited whenever the sign is made, but just last week you showed us the sign a couple of times after we show you. It's been so fascinating to watch you learning.

You're getting super close to crawling and terrorizing the entire house from our knees down. Your dad and I are very excited to see you approaching this neat milestone, but we also love that you pretty much stay put when we leave you on your blanket with toys these days. You can usually get to things by army crawling or rolling, but you haven't quite figured out the most efficient way yet.

You are a true people person. You greet everyone with a smile and often laughter. You attract a lot of smiles and waves wherever you go. I think it's the hair, which is getting a lot longer and lays down a lot better.

I can't believe we only have 3 more months until you turn one. Where has the time gone? One more thing, college football season kicks off tonight and the dawgs play their first game on Saturday. It would be really awesome if you would learn to enjoy football on TV as much as you like your Praise Baby DVD. Thanks!

I love you,
Mommy

Just Sittin' Around

Aren't Sunday afternoons just the best for naps and sittin' around? After church and lunch this week Jack went down for a nap and so did Josh. He had been up late admitting and up early rounding, so he had a very good excuse. I had a few things to take care of around the house, but also wanted to read the paper...another great Sunday afternoon activity. Well, little Jack decided he didn't want to miss any of the activities and decided on a very brief half hour nap. He then proceeded to show off his sitting up skills!

He's been getting very close to sitting up for a few weeks, but always needed a little support. Well, on Sunday he debuted the no hands look. He sometimes still uses a hand for support, but is getting pretty good at his new skill. I'm not sure why, but he seems to do better in no clothes! J/K...I know he has so many clothes, but it has been so hot the last couple of days that he wakes from his nap all sweaty. So, he shed his church clothes and we waited until just before evening church to get him dressed again. I promise he normally wears clothes!!

Jack and I managed to get in some play time between his sitting up show off times. Here he is giving kisses and cheesing with mommy. What a cutie!