I've really been thinking a lot lately about being a better mom. There are some things that I just need to improve on, but the biggest is really being present and connected to my kids instead of just going through the motions. At least 3 blogs that I read have shared this quote from Anna Quindlen in the last few days:
“…the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make…I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of [my children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”
--Anna Quindlen
I was especially hit today by this post from this blogger who I've been reading for a few weeks and totally loving. I really need to follow her advice. I'm currently trying to figure out the how-to's of being present. I've got a lot to work on. But I'm determined. Our family is worth it. My kids are worth it.
Feel free to share your wisdom.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Addie Funny and a Quick Plug
Addie has had me laughing lately. As she's getting older, she's just so matter of fact about things. Tonight after dinner I went to put Sam in the bathtub when I noticed Addie's undies on the floor. When I asked her if she'd changed into a new pair (getting enraged at yet one more unnecessary clothes change which she is so famous for), she innocently replied no. I then realized I needed to question a little further. "Addie, do you have underwear on?" I asked, hesitant to find out what the answer may be. "Let me show ya," Addie proudly replied, and proceeded to show me the lack of coverage under her capris. Her first experience going commando occurred this afternoon, and I couldn't restrain my laughter. This was the scene Pat found upon returning from work with me just making the discovery- welcome home, dear! What a girl she is.
On a totally different note, if you're as in love with my banner as I am (or even if you're not) enter Hannah's giveaway! She'll design a blog banner for you if you win. And she's got skills, so she'll make it whatever you want. So even if you don't like my banner, she'll figure out what you do like and make it work for you. Don't miss out!
On a totally different note, if you're as in love with my banner as I am (or even if you're not) enter Hannah's giveaway! She'll design a blog banner for you if you win. And she's got skills, so she'll make it whatever you want. So even if you don't like my banner, she'll figure out what you do like and make it work for you. Don't miss out!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
200!
Happy 200th post! My blog's little birthday is coming up soon, so I think we won't get too celebration crazy for a few more weeks. Let me just say, if you've been here for all 200 posts, thanks for continuing to read. I'm not the most entertaining blog, but it is nice to have a place to write and think and get a little feedback from time to time.
My apologies for my 4th of July musings that turned into some sort of weak poem. Jana's reference to AP English had me rolling and realizing just how lame that looked. We did have a great 4th of July.
Moving on, below the 4th of July disaster post is a fun tag that I just finished and posted today, but now it's not in order and I don't know how to fix it. I interviewed Addie, so take a peek for some mildly amusing reading.
My apologies for my 4th of July musings that turned into some sort of weak poem. Jana's reference to AP English had me rolling and realizing just how lame that looked. We did have a great 4th of July.
Moving on, below the 4th of July disaster post is a fun tag that I just finished and posted today, but now it's not in order and I don't know how to fix it. I interviewed Addie, so take a peek for some mildly amusing reading.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
This Land is Your Land...
Flags will be flying. Fruit will be sweet.
Grills will be blazing.
Ice cream will be creamy.
Water will be everywhere.
Sun will be beating.
Fireworks will be beautiful.
Sousa will be appropriate.
Laughs will be plentiful.
Family will be everywhere.
Hearts will burst with pride.
I will be enjoying one of my favorite days of the year. Happy 4th!
{image found via}
Mommy Tag
Hannah's sweet girl E tagged Addie- how fun!
What is something mom always says to you? "Sorry."
What makes mom happy? "When I obey."
What makes mom sad? "When we do not listen."
How does mom make you laugh? "Cause you tickle me."
What was mom like as a child? "Play games when I was the mom and you were the kid."
How old is mom? "I don't know...45."
How tall is mom? "Really tall. Stand up and I can see. Whoa, way tall."
What's mom's favorite thing to do? "Play with me!"
What does mom do when you're not around? "Play with Sam and Dad."
If mom was famous, what would she be famous for? "I don't know."
What is mom really good at? "Working on the computer and doing laundry."
What is mom not really good at? "Playing puzzles."
What does mom do for her job? "Clean up."
What is mom's favorite food? "Spaghetti."
What makes you proud of your mom? "Be good because I can go to high school. Look at my eyebrows (insert funny face here- obviously she was easily distracted during this exercise)."
If mom was a cartoon character, who would she be? "a dog"
What do you and your mom like to do together? "Play ring around the rosies but I get dizzy."
How are you and your mom the same? "We're both tall and we're both good."
How are you and your mom different? "I don't know."
How do you know mom loves you? "Be good and healthy and clean up. See, I told you. That's how I know. You clean up dishes and stuff."
Well, this was telling! In some ways I relate- I feel like I spend way too much time doing laundry and being on the computer, and obviously Addie does too. The fact that I'm 45, would make a good dog, and that I'm so tall have me a little concerned about her perceptions. Thanks for the fun, Hannah!
What is something mom always says to you? "Sorry."
What makes mom happy? "When I obey."
What makes mom sad? "When we do not listen."
How does mom make you laugh? "Cause you tickle me."
What was mom like as a child? "Play games when I was the mom and you were the kid."
How old is mom? "I don't know...45."
How tall is mom? "Really tall. Stand up and I can see. Whoa, way tall."
What's mom's favorite thing to do? "Play with me!"
What does mom do when you're not around? "Play with Sam and Dad."
If mom was famous, what would she be famous for? "I don't know."
What is mom really good at? "Working on the computer and doing laundry."
What is mom not really good at? "Playing puzzles."
What does mom do for her job? "Clean up."
What is mom's favorite food? "Spaghetti."
What makes you proud of your mom? "Be good because I can go to high school. Look at my eyebrows (insert funny face here- obviously she was easily distracted during this exercise)."
If mom was a cartoon character, who would she be? "a dog"
What do you and your mom like to do together? "Play ring around the rosies but I get dizzy."
How are you and your mom the same? "We're both tall and we're both good."
How are you and your mom different? "I don't know."
How do you know mom loves you? "Be good and healthy and clean up. See, I told you. That's how I know. You clean up dishes and stuff."
Well, this was telling! In some ways I relate- I feel like I spend way too much time doing laundry and being on the computer, and obviously Addie does too. The fact that I'm 45, would make a good dog, and that I'm so tall have me a little concerned about her perceptions. Thanks for the fun, Hannah!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Blogger Debut
I just wanted to give a shout out to my dear friend Candis. She recently started (or kind of re-started) her blog and although I'm immensely enjoying her blog so far- I especially related to today's post, I can't wait to see all of the amazing things to come. This girl has got talent and an eye for beautiful things and is extremely fun. Do go check out her blog (you may even see some cute pics of my kids in the process, because heaven knows I'm terrible at posting them!). You won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tag Team Back Again
My friend Bonnie tagged me-be prepared for more of a timeline than you ever bargained for!
20 year ago...
I was 6. We lived next door to my grandparents in Pennsylvania. I had just finished kindergarten and loved every minute of being in school. Beyond that, I don't have a lot of huge memories of age 6. Maybe I should see if I was keeping a journal then as I journal-ed off and on throughout my childhood.
10 years ago...
I was 16 and loving life! I was in summer school P.E. and at the peak of my love for running. I got up to regular runs of 6 to 7 miles around this point and was in really good shape. I was going on dates and having so much fun. I was laying by the pool with my bf Amy. I was babysitting and I think this summer was when I worked to fill in at a sno-cone shack- one of the most miserable jobs I've ever had.
5 years ago...
I was deep in the throes of spring and summer terms at BYU, taking max credits, finishing up a correspondence course, working as a TA plus at the MTC plus doing some secretarial work for the company Pat was working for at the time, and rapidly approaching my one year anniversary. Life was extremely busy but blissful. I was writing my senior thesis on Mississippi Freedom Schools and immensely enjoying the research and the writing.
3 years ago...
I had just quit teaching and was enjoying the summer. Addie was 6 months old and we were totally obsessed with house hunting. We had found a builder we loved and were in the process of trying to find a lot, when an underhanded real estate agent didn't accept our bid for the lot correctly and we were so heartbroken. We spent a lot of time going on drives looking at neighborhoods and land and deciding where to settle to raise our family. A few months later we found this house already under construction and snatched it up, and the rest is history!
1 year ago...
I was enjoying life with two kids. Sam was about 5 months and busy being a great and happy baby, Addie was still adjusting to having a brother, but was otherwise sweet and pleasant. Pat was unhappy in his job and entertaining a few other offers around this time. We had also recently returned from a trip to Boise and McCall for my friend Amy's wedding.
So far this year...
Pat started a new job the end of January which has been a huge blessing. Pat was called to serve in the Elders Quorom Presidency at church, and I was called to serve in the Relief Society Presidency. I've begun my first quilt which is still a work in progress and planted my first garden. I've enjoyed some good times with great friends!
Yesterday I...
had a semi-lazy day. We stayed home, and I spent a lot of time looking at vacation rentals for a potential upcoming weekend in Park City. Addie and I made a batch of freezer jam and took a much needed nap. We had hamburgers for dinner with potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon- yum! We had Family Home Evening. Chrissy stopped by to drop off a pair of haircutting scissors her friend picked up for me at the beauty supply.
Today I...
took a walk this morning, took a shower and got ready, and went to the library. I'm hoping to do some cleaning and laundry this afternoon, maybe sneak a little nap or start reading my new library books, make dinner, and I have presidency meeting tonight.
Tomorrow I...
will take the kids to playgroup at the park, and hopefully run some errands to the grocery store and the bank. In the evening we're going to hang out with Pat's best friends from high school and their families. I need to make some cookies to take with us at some point in the afternoon.
In the next year I....
will send Addie off to pre-school! Finish my quilt. Can/freeze/eat the bountiful harvest from my garden. Work on being a better mom and spend more time really engaged with my kids. Will most likely get braces. Will hopefully lose the rest of the weight I need to so we can think about getting pregnant. Will reign in our budget to increase our savings. Will improve my scripture study. Will enjoy the moment.
Feel free to play along. :)
20 year ago...
I was 6. We lived next door to my grandparents in Pennsylvania. I had just finished kindergarten and loved every minute of being in school. Beyond that, I don't have a lot of huge memories of age 6. Maybe I should see if I was keeping a journal then as I journal-ed off and on throughout my childhood.
10 years ago...
I was 16 and loving life! I was in summer school P.E. and at the peak of my love for running. I got up to regular runs of 6 to 7 miles around this point and was in really good shape. I was going on dates and having so much fun. I was laying by the pool with my bf Amy. I was babysitting and I think this summer was when I worked to fill in at a sno-cone shack- one of the most miserable jobs I've ever had.
5 years ago...
I was deep in the throes of spring and summer terms at BYU, taking max credits, finishing up a correspondence course, working as a TA plus at the MTC plus doing some secretarial work for the company Pat was working for at the time, and rapidly approaching my one year anniversary. Life was extremely busy but blissful. I was writing my senior thesis on Mississippi Freedom Schools and immensely enjoying the research and the writing.
3 years ago...
I had just quit teaching and was enjoying the summer. Addie was 6 months old and we were totally obsessed with house hunting. We had found a builder we loved and were in the process of trying to find a lot, when an underhanded real estate agent didn't accept our bid for the lot correctly and we were so heartbroken. We spent a lot of time going on drives looking at neighborhoods and land and deciding where to settle to raise our family. A few months later we found this house already under construction and snatched it up, and the rest is history!
1 year ago...
I was enjoying life with two kids. Sam was about 5 months and busy being a great and happy baby, Addie was still adjusting to having a brother, but was otherwise sweet and pleasant. Pat was unhappy in his job and entertaining a few other offers around this time. We had also recently returned from a trip to Boise and McCall for my friend Amy's wedding.
So far this year...
Pat started a new job the end of January which has been a huge blessing. Pat was called to serve in the Elders Quorom Presidency at church, and I was called to serve in the Relief Society Presidency. I've begun my first quilt which is still a work in progress and planted my first garden. I've enjoyed some good times with great friends!
Yesterday I...
had a semi-lazy day. We stayed home, and I spent a lot of time looking at vacation rentals for a potential upcoming weekend in Park City. Addie and I made a batch of freezer jam and took a much needed nap. We had hamburgers for dinner with potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon- yum! We had Family Home Evening. Chrissy stopped by to drop off a pair of haircutting scissors her friend picked up for me at the beauty supply.
Today I...
took a walk this morning, took a shower and got ready, and went to the library. I'm hoping to do some cleaning and laundry this afternoon, maybe sneak a little nap or start reading my new library books, make dinner, and I have presidency meeting tonight.
Tomorrow I...
will take the kids to playgroup at the park, and hopefully run some errands to the grocery store and the bank. In the evening we're going to hang out with Pat's best friends from high school and their families. I need to make some cookies to take with us at some point in the afternoon.
In the next year I....
will send Addie off to pre-school! Finish my quilt. Can/freeze/eat the bountiful harvest from my garden. Work on being a better mom and spend more time really engaged with my kids. Will most likely get braces. Will hopefully lose the rest of the weight I need to so we can think about getting pregnant. Will reign in our budget to increase our savings. Will improve my scripture study. Will enjoy the moment.
Feel free to play along. :)
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