I am at Hopeful Parents again today. I hope you will visit me there.

Our Community Keeps Growing

Jess, at A Diary of a Mom, wrote a piece a while back for a friend who was joining the sisterhood of mamas on this road with raising amazing kids. I've had many reasons to think of Jess' post lately and to feel grateful for it, so time to provide the link: http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/welcome-to-the-club/

Thanks, Jess.

I would prefer easier roads for all the kiddos out there, for my friends' kiddos, but this is a powerful and beautiful community, and there is much joy and hope.

Fishing for a Gold Star

Okay, look.
I am NOT good at putting on the brave face.
But I HAVE been doing it.
Have you noticed?
If you have been around these bloggy block with me for a while you know I'm prone to more gnashing than I've done lately. More vinegar. Some wallow.
So perhaps you think things have gotten easier.
HA!
They have not.
But I've been trying to be a better sport, a little more half full.
And now I guess I am showing my true colors.
Which is to say I can only manage to keep doing this if I get my gold star for it.
This makes me deeply ashamed of myself for being so small, but also very proud of myself for keeping it real.
Ya know what I mean?
I just need one single person out there to say: Good job. Keep bright-siding.
And then I will.
Can you help a sister out? It IS almost Mother's Day and all.
And a very happy one to you, too.

Happy Today

Dear Rooster,
Sunday will be Mother's Day, and I thank you for making me a mother.
The week after will be your birthday, and I thank you for being my son.
The first week in June will be the 10th anniversary of your dad and I getting married, when we officially started our journey toward you and your sister.
All the milestones that stretch ahead of us and behind us remind me that every day is precious. I see each part of my life differently since you entered it, and that is a very good thing.
If you should ever look at my life for clues, the way I examined the family history of my mother, her parents, and theirs, read this post, and know that the biggest single thing of all, the biggest thread from me to you, has always been love. Amid the noise of all my yapping with worries or stresses or anything else, you have given me more reason to celebrate than you could ever imagine.
Happy everything.

I love you, so big, forever,
Mom

Hopeful Parents

I am at Hopeful Parents. Come visit!

The Blessing of a Meltdown

Have you ever heard of "the blessing of the skinned knee?" I thought of that tonight.
My kiddo is in bed, screaming and crying and melting down about not wanting to go to bed. But it's not Rooster. He's in there comforting his little sister, whispering encouragement that she should calm. down. As I type this, as I pause to eavesdrop, I hear her sob, "Thank you, Rooster, for helping me today." And that, my friends, is what I'm talking about.
And now, it is all quiet, save for my joyful typing sounds.
Today was not awful.

Pickin' and Choosin'

This weekend my son caught a ball ten times in a row. (Doesn't matter that I threw it gently from a close distance, it's a big deal.)
This weekend I got a facial. The first one in many years. I had a coupon, too -- double score.
This weekend I met up with a friend, someone I haven't seen in years, for tea. Just us -- our husbands stayed at home with kids.
The sun shined, but not too hot.
My husband called me beautiful. (I slip him magic pills that make him believe I am still 29.)
I went for a jog, and felt good enough to tackle the bleachers stairs afterward too.

If you had a hard weekend, don't hate me: That is what I choose to remember from this weekend. I leave the rest behind.