Okay, wait...what?!

Hold the phone.

Pardon me?

Huh?

Hang on just ONE SECOND.

Please.

Where did the last three years go?

The other day I came home with a box full of pretty flowers

and fresh herbs to transfer into pots

for our quaint little patio.

Because nothing really makes a home

feel quite like, well, a home

as flowers and plants.

When Spencer got home 

I asked, "Did you see what I did today?" 

gesturing to the lovely display outside.

He looked at me puzzled and said 

(something along the lines of),

"Why did you do that? We only have 6 weeks left."

It actually stopped me in my tracks.

I wanted to say,

"No! We don't, another year at least."

But instead I... well I'm not totally sure what I did.

I think I just stopped and thought for a second,

staring at him.

I couldn't actually wrap my mind around it.

I hadn't been counting down because I didn't want to be.

I knew we were getting close.

I knew its the middle of May.

I knew it all was coming down to this.

But 6 weeks?!

6 weeks just sounds so soon.

A month and a half.

It is coming too fast.

Am I ready?

Does it matter if I'm ready?

I kind of feel like I am walking into this

with one of those blindfolds on that you can only see

just underneath where the cloth sits on the bridge of your nose.

You know what I mean?

I have no idea what to expect.

Will I be lonely?

Will I see Spencer less or more?

Will I keep in touch as I plan to?

When we came here I was blissfully unaware

of the road that was before me.

And here I am,

now on the other side of it,

and I feel the exact same way.

Six weeks.

Wow.

Music Day

Today is music day!

One of my favourite days of the week.

Claire and I signed up for Music Together's program

and wow is it ever amazing.

It is so engaging and educational.

We go with our friends Marissa and Miss L.

For some reason, 

all the other kids love to sit on their mommies laps

while they sing and play instruments,

and dance around the rooms with them.

Not our kids.

Claire and Miss L

are running/crawling around the room

giggling and laughing.

They love to go right up and sit with the teacher,

even other moms and their kids.

But not us.

Crazy kids.

It is so much for for me to watch Claire.

She is SO happy pretty much the entire time.

Each week I feel like I could cry I am so happy watching her.

She is just so in her element.

Some of the other parents 

(namely one)

are annoyed by her.

With her personality,

I feel like she might struggle with this.

She is such a bright and shining star,

her name means bright and illuminate.

And that she does.

I hope she doesn't let others negative energies dull that.

We're off to bang drums, shake some shakers and sing our hearts out!

Takin' It Easy

Yesterday I came down with something awful

and spent the day in my pajamas, lying on the couch.

This morning my poor little Claire Bear has come down with the same thing.

The washing machine has been going non-stop 

and I made a run to Fred Meyer for disposable diapers

(because doing cloth in these situations is NOT fun)

and more Clorox wipes.

Keep us in your prayers today

and hopefully hers is just a one day thing too!

Is it sad to say that I do love how cuddly she is when she's sick?

I have heard other mom's say it too

so I don't feel too awful admitting that.

We've logged in an hour (or two)

watching episodes of Curious George on Netflix

and snuggling on the couch.

Even though the sun is shining beautifully outside

I am going to just enjoy it streaming in through the windows today.

On another note:

I have been giving a lot of thought to Claire's new bedroom when we move!

It's fun to dream about it anyway.

I've come up with two ideas:

1) Girly with a modern twist:

dark green, black and cream polka dots with a touch of gold.

Something a little more eclectic:

 Or neutrals with a soft pink,

super girly:

For Claire's nursery,

we stuck to a fairly gender neutral theme.

We didn't do anything pink.

(Partly because I thought 'what if' it really wasn't a girl?)

It was kind of a circus theme,

I wanted the colours to be vintage bright,

and a very cheery and happy space.

I think it was a success.

However, 

now that she's (too) quickly growing into a little

girl I want her personal space to be a peaceful sanctuary for her.

Hopefully in our new place she will have a separate playroom

that can be that fun, bright and cheery space.

{ Which room do you like best? }

28

Then:

-able to grow a full beard

-varsity football player

-student, 2nd year

-guitar player

-gentleman

-great smile

-kind eyes

-tender hearted

-protective, safe arms that gave the best hugs

-a full head of curls

- falling in love

Now:

-able to grow a full beard
-flag football player
-student, 8th year
-guitar player
-gentleman
-great smile
-kind eyes
-tender hearted
-protective, safe arms that gave the best hugs
-a full head of curls (with a few greys)
- in love
-husband
-father
-doctor of chiropractics
-Portlander
-kisser of owies
-amateur lullaby singer
-builder of mega blocks
-occasional dish doer
-official remover of household garbage and recycling
- spiritual warrior
-family security guard

{ Happy Birthday Spencer! }

Things I've Learned from My Mom

“As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.” 
― Kristin Hannah, Summer Island

1. Silly songs such as "Knees Up Mother Brown", 

and "Yum, Yum, Bubblegum"

2. That making your bed makes your room appear tidier then it may be

3. Selflessness is an amazing quality

(your shoes are too big too fill, Mom)

4. Laugh often.

Laugh at yourself.

Be silly.

5. Dream.

Don't say if, but one day and when.

6. How to get all the food on the table hot

7. That prayer is always the first resort

8. The love you have for your husband.

9. Blood is thicker then water

10. The love of a mother is truely unconditional,

and yes Mom I now know that you really do love me more.

Being a mother myself,

I know fully understand the work it took to get me here.

The hours of labor.

The nights you spent on your knees praying for me

(and Spencer),

the times you worried about me,

the times you fought for me.

The hours you stayed awake setting up toys on Christmas Eve,

making costumes for Halloween or a school play.

The research we you did for science fair projects.

The mundane chores like bathing me,

folding my laundry and brushing out my hair.

Dragging me out of bed to make it to school on time.

Or sitting next to my bed singing to me, reading me stories

and softly stroking my face with your hands.

I am sure there are countless things you did 

that I did not see.

Little "chats" with friends and boys that hurt me, left me out or said something mean.

Teachers that wronged me.

I remember how upset I was the day I had forgotten my homework

and it meant I couldn't be a school mediator.

I'll never forget how much you hurt too.

Running to the store at night to buy Tylenol to bring down my fever,

and the struggles with getting a newborn to nurse.

Taking me to countless appointments and blood draws as a baby and child.

I remember you telling me how dad would tickle my feet to 

keep me awake so that you could feed me my bottle with medicine.

Those moments I appreciate.

I love watching you interact with Claire.

You are an amazing grandmother.

I am so thankful that you were there when she was born.

Mom, I love you.

If I was living at home 

I'd make you breakfast in bed tomorrow.

But because I'm not, 

I'll just blog for you!

“When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 
― Erma Bombeck, When God Created Mothers

These Are The Days...

... that I am going to miss so terribly much.

Marissa and I decided to go hang out at the park

and let the girls play.

Spur of the moment our husbands and James

picked up sandwiches after their class and joined us

for an impromptu picnic.

The sun was shining beautiful and warm.

We had fine company,

books and snacks.

The boys were dressed handsomely in their clinic attire.

It made for a wonderful afternoon.

Not sure I am ready to give this up just yet.

...

Good thing I don't have to for a while.

Time With Mama

Having a toddler is so much fun.

It's exhausting, challenging,

but it is so fun!

I love the little person she has become.

Her personality is so loving.

She actually gets told to stop 

hugging and kissing other kids

because she is so affectionate! 

She also loves to help me in the kitchen

(and say "I do it")

Whenever I'm in there 

she comes running

saying and signing 

"Hup? Hup, mummy?"

She gets to climb on to the counter top 

and knead, stir and mix.

Whenever I am wearing her,

have her on my hip,

or she's perched on the counter next to me

I tell her stories about me being in the kitchen with my mom.

I remember her teaching me how to make a roux,

baste a turkey, make gravy,

to not cook everything on high heat.

How to make sugar cookie dough and icing so I'll never have to buy it.

I remember spinning and tearing lettuce,

cubing chicken breasts,

and cleaning up after dinner.

Some of the best conversations I remember having

with my mom were cleaning up after dinner.

Its like the mundane actions of loading the dishwasher

and the warm soapy water were the base for some 

pretty great mother-daughter times.

As Claire grows older I am looking forward

to more of these special times together in my kitchen.

And I hope that one day when she's featured on the Food Network

she'll say,

"I learned everything I know from my mother."

Hehe.