Cheese and Whine

Let's face it. This Mother thing is not for the faint. I have always dreamed and planned on being a mom. When asked "what are your plans for the future." My answer was- "I will be married and I will stay at home!" In my mind I saw nearly perfect obedient children, with their hair always combed neatly, dressed in outfits with accessories. I saw myself helping with homework, while preparing gourmet meals. Everyone had smiles and manners. Pretty sure I was showered, and had on some real clothes too.

My reality is pretty much run by the stress of living up to that dream. Keeping things in order, trying to live up to what seems like an impossibility. I live in this world where saying put your shoes away means slip them on and take them off somewhere else. Hang up your coat, means put it on the nearest door knob. Brush your teeth means wet the toothbrush so when mom checks to make sure we did it, she thinks we did! Cleaning your room means putting the clothes under the bed. Asking if piano has been practiced is met with eye rolls. Good grief, what have I done wrong!?! They turned out just like me!

This is what my mom meant when she said. "You just wait- One day you will have children of your own." Did she plan this? How did she know?

I am so tired! Will I survive? Will they?

Yesterday I yelled at my kids. Then I sat in my room on the floor and cried. I said a little prayer, then I wiped my tears and went back to the hardest job in the world. Thankfully they took me back. They are teaching me so much about who I am, my expectations, and what I need to work on. The list is long my friends.

And while everything is not like my dreams, each smiling face, carefree laugh, and free spirit give me the fullest heart a mother could ever ask for.

Happy Mothers Day!

To my Mother, who I love, miss and appreciate even more than before. Thank-you for the love and support you have given me over the years.

Ben is One

We Love him...

Before and After

This is the boys room.

small

cramped

dresser in the closet

shoes behind closet door

furniture along every wall

makes me crazy

The Challenge.

Aaron's needs:

cars

big bed

My needs:

must make me stop pulling my hair out

Final results:

we both win

House Guests

Visits from family always equals fun. We loved having Todd's parents here for two weeks this month. I am not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or me!

We miss you already

Turning Three

Before the dust could even settle from all the Narnia Madness my thoughts were turned to a little blue engine, and the number 3. Plans were much less elaborate, however there seemed to be everything there that a three year old boy could ever want. He was pleased with his small gathering.

Birthday morning he discovered this downstairs. We hardly saw him the rest of the day.

Grandpa made a Birthday Feast! Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green beans. It was great!

His Cake

Enjoying every bite!

His buddies Ari and Cal

Aaron is turning into such a sweet little boy. He adores his sisters. I see a very close bond between he and Olivia. She is so patient with him, playing with him and reading to him whenever I ask or even just because she wants to. He is a good big brother. Sharing with Ben but he is also quick to show Ben his place. He finally potty trained in February! Thank the good Lord! One thing I didn't expect though is that my bathroom would smell like a urinal. ICK! I can't stand it and end up with a bucket of pine sol, a sponge and rubber gloves, scrubbing it down. Sadly it would seem this needs to be a frequent thing. I suppose I should show the girls how it's done. (Evil laugh).

A few things I have learned from Aaron...

When nature calls, you've got to answer!

One can not assume sleep is occurring just because it is quiet!

If you need to shop, then pony up a buck for the horsey ride. We must ride the carousel at the mall!

Thanks for all the laughs and lessons you have taught me sweet boy!

Planning a Party

I don't really like celebrating birthdays. They stress me out. There are so many decisions to make, and I seriously panic if I have to make them alone. All year long I have been preparing Olivia for her birthday. Saying key words like "small, one friend." Yet somehow as her Birthday approached I was taken with the idea of having her girl friends here. I was thinking pizza slumber party, maybe doing nails and dancing. Nothing to stress out about, just having fun with the girls. Olivia however had her own plans, and my seemingly small simple party slowly started turning into The Chronicles of Narnia Birthday. Narnia is her latest craze. Dad started reading the C.S. Lewis books to her over Christmas breaks starting the obsession. I wasn't even sure how to have this kind of party. I spent time researching on the Internet, reading about parents who dressed and acted like the characters, going way overboard in my opinion! I just wanted to use their ideas for games, keep it simple you know. I got some ideas of my own and ran with them, and soon there wasn't much that was simple about the day. The kids had a great time, and while I pulled a few late nights, and as usual was stressed out. I had so much fun with the kids!!

The Invitations

The Cake

The Wardrobe

The Land of Narnia

Mr. Tumnus Cave

The Games

The Food

Olivia and her best friend Aiden who also slept over

The kids after their Strawberry Waffle Breakfast!

It really was a perfect party and today Olivia gave me the biggest hug, and thanked me for her best party ever. I hugged her and said "Next year Olivia, one friend!"

Life Happens

We have survived our first semester. I am proud of Todd and his hard work and dedication. I think he did fabulous! However I am not allowed to talk about it. It's a weird law school thing. On the other hand, I can talk about how I did. Thankfully there was a generous curve, and I managed scrape by.

All the visits we have had have kept me going. Todd's parents were here in October. It was so great to have them. We took a trip to Williamsburg and enjoyed all the history and the beach.

My sister and Brother-in-law were here for a brief weekend in December. We packed in a few D.C. activities, and some wine country tours.

We spent two weeks in Orlando over Christmas with Todd's family making memories at Disney World.

Then my parents came towards the end of January. It was so nice to have them, and to show them around Charlottesville and D.C.

I have also made so many great friends. Seana, my neighbor inspires me. She has 4 children very close to the ages of my kids. Her husband is in a Cardiology fellowship. So she knows just exactly how I feel and she has proved to be a pillar to me! She is the only one who can pull my butt out of bed at 5am. I ran with her in the fall and am looking forward to doing it this spring too.

Merrie, you have saved me! Helped me escape for time away with my husband and been such a resource of knowledge and understanding with everything! Merrie runs VLF(Virginia Law Families), even though they call her husband the president. No offense Kirk. Kirk and Todd, we have decided were twins separated at birth. From attending the same college in the same dorm hall at the same time, to the same careers and of course let us not forget, AMAZING taste in wives. Let's just call it like it is, right?

There is Jaime who is at my door if she even hears I am having a hard time. She likes to ring my doorbell and take off leaving me bagels, and other goodies. She calls me just to chat, and when we can get away, we do it over a glass of wine. I am so blessed, and that's just naming a few.

I have been really tested over these past few months. My husband is my rock. While he is so busy with his workload, he has never hesitated to put his family first. I love that man!