Thankful

Thru fun days & long days my heart is always grateful for these little people! 

Balancing Act

I've decided to skip the tradition of posting something I'm thankful for everyday in November for two reasons. A) it gets receptive & I find I list the same things each year. B) I already struggle to find enough time in the day I didn't want to add one more thing. 

It's not that I'm not grateful, because I am.  I have been given MUCH this year to be thankful for.  In fact, I think this has been one of my favorite years yet! The kids are becoming more independent & fun to take out, I've found ways to incorporate excerise & me time without feeling guilty, we were able to purchase a bigger home, all the kids started school & love it, work has been steady & I'm in the beginning stages of what I hope to be a profitable new business venture- all in all things are good. Better than good, great. But despite all the wonderful things we are blessed with, life is still a balancing act.  Everyday I balance time spent reading individually with each kid, housework, playtime, cooking, disciplining, & doing it all over again the next day.  Sometimes I get off balance & need to regroup.  That's where I am at right now.  Having to let the house go a little & not let the pile of laundry on the floor keep me from having a good day.  Or sitting down with our newest reader (yep one of my kids can now read!) instead of scrubbing a tub that desperately needs a good cleaning.  You'd think that after being 'mom' for 5 years I'd have figured this out by now.  The truth is, my role is always changing.  What the kids needed one day isn't what they need the next.  No matter how many times I vacuum the dog will still drag in a pile of leaves on her fur.  Balancing isn't easy, isn't always fun but to keep a harmonious home it's a necessity. Maybe by the time they're 18 I will have figured it all out. ;-) 

Happy Birthday Breena!

Happy 5th birthday to my favorite little girl! We love you & are proud of you everyday!!!! 

Breena Turns 5



It was five years ago from this very moment that I was laying flat on my back in a hospital bed awaiting contractions to begin.  Breena was stubborn & didn't want to come out despite our best efforts to convince her it was time.  Finally I delivered her via C-section on October 28, 2008 at 4:52pm. 

 

 

This morning, Dave & I were reminiscing about our first day with Breena.  Looking back I laugh at how clueless we were.  We brought Bree home from the hospital around 1pm on Halloween.  She needed to eat and so I took her into the nursery to rock her in the glider we had placed in there just for her.  Dave brought me a glass of water (because the book said I should drink water) & a stack of new mother books to browse (which I never, ever should have opened).  He then went to the kitchen to heat up some chicken & leftover potatoes for lunch.  There I was holding my brand new baby in a room all alone for the first time.  I nursed her & cried.  Nursing was a struggle for us (I ended up solely pumping for 6 months for reason beyond my control) & I was lonely without Dave.  Finally, she had drifted off to sleep & lunch was ready.  We put Breena in her bouncy chair & sat next to her on the floor to eat our lunch.  We both just starred at her.  Now what??  I remember asking Dave if we should give her a bath?  Feed her again?  Find her a toy?  I finally decided that I really needed a garbage can and a clock to hang on the wall in the nursery so we went to Target (really dumb idea, who goes to Target three days post C-section?!?).  The trip was fine despite being horribly sore from walking until we were on the way home when I realized I had never grabbed the diaper bag!  Our first family outing & I couldn't even remember a diaper bag!  What kind of mother was I?!?  I starred out the window on the drive home trying to catch the tears before the dripped down my nose.  I didn't want Dave to know I was crying over a diaper bag.  What had happened to me?!?  The answer? Motherhood. 

 

 

Breena has taught me more about my life than I have taught her.  I learned very early on from Breena to follow my instincts and dump the baby books.  It was liberating to be able to have the confidence to be her mom without needing to follow someone else's recommendation.  The first few months of Breena's life helped sculpt our parenting style & taught Dave & I how to work as a team.  Breena is a blessing to us in everyway.  She is resilient & smart.  Funny & silly. Sassy & Sweet.  Breena is kind & faithful.  Confident & loyal.  Breena is a good friend, an excellent sister & an amazing daughter.  I cannot believe it's already been five years since the day I was given the incredible gift of becoming her mom. 

Did it!

5k crossed off bucket list! Onto new adventures...

Rememberance

 

I'll be lighting my candle tomorrow night & remembering the first little heart that I heard beat from within my belly. 

Thinking about grandma tonight. I'm thankful she was able to see our new home & super thankful for this last picture of her with my kiddos.  She loved them so much.