Run Away

I have a rule that I don't look at Facebook while my kids are awake/around. And I usually stick to that rule. But on Saturday evening I felt like I should check it before bedtime. I pulled out the laptop (because I took Facebook off my phone), lifted the screen, and selected the right browser tab. I got some important and timely information that I would have otherwise missed, so I believe I was prompted to check it.

Before I closed the computer I saw a post from a friend from college. She had shared a picture of herself and a handful of friends in running clothes and wrapped in blankets. She wrote about doing a half-marathon that day and how sore she would be the next day.

Sophie came over and looked at the screen.

Sophie: What are they (pointing to the screen) doing?

Me: (wondering how much of an explanation to give, opting for something simple) They're running.

Sophie: (pausing to consider) From what?

Mom's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day.

I got to sleep in, shower, and get ready for church without pausing to break up fights or calm an unhappy baby.

Bryan made a delicious breakfast of light and fluffy Belgium waffles, eggs, and bacon, then made a wonderful dinner of homemade chicken cordon bleu, multi-colored carrots, wild rice, and watermelon.

Peter, Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie hugged me and kissed me and wished me a happy Mother's Day whenever they saw me.

Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie sang beautifully with the Primary during Sacrament Meeting.

Bryan and the kids presented me with thoughtful (and useful) gifts and cards.

I sent and received Mother's Day greetings to and from many of the amazing mothers that I know and love.

I got to video chat with two of those mothers, my Mom and my Grandma.

I ended the day snuggling with Topher. I do this every night, but I still count it as a highlight.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Life of Mom: The Words

A few years ago I noticed several blog posts and Facebook updates encouraging moms to "get in the picture." I think about that campaign sometimes as I'm taking pictures of my kids and their accomplishments or shenanigans. I realize that I'm not in very many pictures these days because I'm often the one behind the camera.

On Sunday night I found the picture that Phoebe took that I posted on Monday. Looking at that picture inspired me. I wondered if I could find enough pictures with me in them to post for the whole week before Mother's Day, pictures that would chronicle, at least in part, my job as a mom. I came close with four out of five days and decided to save Friday for words.

This job of mine, it's hard work. There are no days off, no lunch breaks, no substitutes to cover for me. Bryan is wonderful and goes out of his way to support me and give me a breather now and then, but I still feel like I'm always on duty. Today I literally woke up tired and ready for a nap.

Does it sound like I'm complaining? Don't worry, I'm not, just painting a picture. Because the thing about this insanely hard job is that I love it. Love, love, love, love, love it. I love these little (and not so little) humans that I get to teach and watch grow and learn. I love that I made the choice to be with them at home. There are times when I feel judged or looked down on for my choice to stay home. Sometimes that judgement comes from my own brain. But when I can get outside my own insecurities I can see that this is the right choice for our family.

This last year has been exhausting, physically and mentally and emotionally. One thing I've done to treat that has been to focus on the love and gratitude I have for my family. In my morning and evening prayers I talk about how much I love them. Then I tell them each day that I love them. And the more I talk about it, the more I feel it. That keeps me moving forward.

Happy Mother's Day!

Life of Mom: Am I Shrinking?

Life of Mom: Say Yes to Books, Always

Life of Mom: Sometimes Silly

Life of Mom: Snuggles and Laundry

Photo credit: Phoebe

The Tip

When I picked Peter up from volleyball practice on Wednesday he told me that most of the A team was in Alabama for an engineering competition. That meant that he would be playing much more than usual during his game on Thursday, an away game that we hadn't planned to attend. At his request that we come, I quickly rearranged our Thursday schedule so we could be there to support him.

He did a great job! He played in three out of the four games, had several strong serves, and tipped the ball over the net for the first time. This is a screenshot Peter pulled from a movie I took, capturing that tip.

I'm so glad we were there.

Communication Skills

Wedding Wishes

Topher and I attended a bridal shower last night for a young woman in our ward who is home from college for a short time before her wedding. Each guest had the opportunity to give advice to the new couple. We were given a half sheet of paper with five prompts, each starting with a different word or phrase. During the party I was stumped, I couldn't think of what to write for more than half of them. I've been thinking about it all day and I think I've finally come up with what I should have written. The prompts are underlined and in bold.

• Always say I love you everyday.
• Never assume you know what your spouse is thinking/feeling/planning, ask questions instead.
• Sometimes you have to be reminded of the covenants you made, so go to the Temple often.
• Don't worry about what anyone other than you, your spouse, and Heavenly Father think about your choices, your votes matter the most.
• My wish for you is joy!