Made A Difference to That One

We went down to the beach for Spring Break. Will was able to join us for a couple days and then some other friends and their kids came down. Monday night/Tuesday morning there was a string of awful storms...didn't really think much of it until we went back out to the beach Wednesday afternoon. It was way to cold to swim, but the kids wanted to dig in the sand (and who can blame them) so of we went. I have been going to this same beach forever and have never seen anything like this before: starfish; hundreds of them, filling the tidepools, covering the sand. It wasn't until we got back to the house and saw a report on the news that I understood...the storms Monday night had knocked the starfish loose from the rocks and washed them ashore. All the kids were a little wary of touching them...but not Liam! He walked right over, picked up two and proceeded to take them back to the ocean.

This story is from one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Books:

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew closer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up, and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean. As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water. Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said "Good evening, Friend. I was wondering what you are doing."

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"I understand," our friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize it is probably happening on hundreds of other beaches all up and down the coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"
The local native smiled, bent down, and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

Rainbows and Sunshine

It's true that life (in particular, being a mom) is not always rainbows and sunshine. But sometimes, it just is! Today was one of those days. Yesterday Annah lost her first tooth. I am so proud of the big girl she is turning into. She has really grown (emotionally...not sure she will ever grow physically) so much this past year and she is getting so much more confident. Gone is my little girl who used to hide between my legs. Even though I am amazed to watch her grow, I am a little sad to see my baby growing up. You'll see in the pictures, she is really turning into a kid. 

Today was Liam's first soccer game. While he has no concept of a team, I have to give him credit. He got out there and played (by played, I mean he ran around a lot and there was a ball involved). He does everything in life with his heart on his sleeve. You never have to wonder how Liam might be feeling because all you have to do is look at his sweet face...it's all right there!

So, after a fun-filled morning of soccer and shopping at Target (had to spend that tooth fairy money), we came home to an absolutely beautiful afternoon. I just couldn't resist getting the camera back out to take some pictures. Some good friends came over and the kids had a blast (Dierdre and I even managed to have ourselves a margarita on the deck while they played in the backyard). Today was one of those days that I feel so peaceful about where I am in my life. I know I am right where I am supposed to be. Today was full of rainbows and sunshine!

(author's note: Christi, you were not home...I did try to ask...so I hope you don't mind the use of your tree! I'll come take some pictures of the girls for "tree rental!"

Funnyisms

My kids are nothing if not funny! Here are some recent conversations:

In the car on the way to school:
Annah: Liam you are not a big boy, you are a baby
Liam: I is a big boy Annah!
this goes back and forth for a while :) until Liam clinches it with this
Liam: I IS a big boy 'cause I tee-tee in the potty and I poopy in the pantry!

Annah after getting dressed this morning, takes a look at herself in the mirror and says "mommy, this skirt is a good look for me!"

Liam and I went to the park one morning while Annah was at school. There is a fire hydrant right by the entrance to the park and a fire hose was left (unattached) right next to it
Liam: Mommy, I want to take that hose home with us
Me: Oh Liam, that is too heavy for you to get it in the car
Liam: Mommy, you are very strong (long pause)...why don't YOU put it in the car for me?!

Liam was playing with his grill this afternoon and it has wooden pieces that go with it. One of the pieces is a ketchup bottle. The top (obviously) does not come off the bottle. Liam comes over and says, "The problem is the top won't come off...that'll be $50!" It wouldn't be so funny, but it sounds like something someone in the service department might say (ie the problem is your car is out of gas...that'll be $300)

Finally, the cream of the crop. Liam and Annah are both in the tub one day last week. I look at Liam and he has 4 very clear fingernail scratch lines going from the top of his chest all the way down his belly. So I ask Annah what happened:
Annah: It was an accident!
Me: No way that was an accident. You had to mean to hurt him to do that.
Annah: No Mommy. I was trying to hit him, but I accidentally scratched him!
How can I argue with this kind of logic?!

Feeling Thankful

This post is one I have started in my head over and over again, but have yet to put in down on paper (or on screen as the case may be). But today, I am feeling especially thankful for so many things, that I just can't seem to keep myself from writing...

It all started about 6 months ago. I was riding (something that happens much less often than I would like for it to) and this minivan stopped on the road in front of the barn. The woman driving (I am assuming) was alone. She stopped, rolled down her window, laid her arms crossed on the window ledge, and rested her head on her arms, just watching silently for probably no more than 5 minutes. My initial thought, was this is really creepy, but then I started thinking...I bet this woman used to ride, she grew up, got married, had kids, got a minivan, and has, somewhere along the way, lost herself. How lucky am I to still get this precious time for me?! I know lots of you run or go to the gym for your "me time," but I feel fairly certain your treadmill has never called out when your car pulled up; your tennis shoes have never been a constant source of support as you passed through your teenage years, got married, had children, got a minivan, and then took care of your children as they learned to ride. The bond with your horse is something I could not ever put into words and the bond I have with Senator is unlike any I have had with any other horse. He is my friend. I know he is getting older and I dread the day he is no longer with me, but he has carved a very special place in my heart and that is a space that will never be filled with anyone but him. I feel so very grateful for all that he has taught me; patience, kindness, empathy, and responsibility.

My family: Y'all I cannot tell you how thankful I am for my dear family. Annah is quite possibly the sweetest little girl in the whole world. Always thinking of others and such a wise little girl. Liam is a constant source of smiles and comic relief. The relationship I have with each of them is different but I wouldn't have it any other way. They are both going through a very affectionate stage, and I would be lying if I said the steady stream of "I love you's" was anything other than music to my ears. And Will (you didn't think I would forget you, did you), is just the best. While I wish he was home more, he is really putting in some quality time with the kids when he is here. We (just the 2 of us) got a weekend away last weekend and it so so nice for the kids to finally be at an age where we can go away for a few days and know they will be fine. (a great big thank you to the grands too, for keeping said children!). I am loving where we are in our lives right now and I love my family to pieces!

My friends: I know that I do not say it often enough, but I am so, so, so thankful for my friends. You know who you are, and you are a constant source of support and love in my life. No matter what the situation, I know there is a handful of faithful friends I can count on, no matter what. Some I talk to every day, some every month, but the relationship is just as strong and I don't know what I'd do with y'all.

Finally, I have managed to be a stay at home mom and have a career all at the same time. I am so grateful that Stella and Dot has come into my life (and Ida and Lauren too!)! I don't think I realized how much of myself I had let go after having children and to find it after losing it, makes it that much sweeter. I love that I get to contribute financially and love helping other women find what they have been looking for; whether that is to replace their full time job or to just have a night a month to devote to themselves. It has re-claimed a friendship that had lapsed and allowed me to find a self confidence in myself. I have high goals for myself through Stella and Dot and I really believe I can get there.

So, there it is, my day of thankfulness! This is not to say there is not more I am thankful for (there's my parents, my in-laws, the list could go on and on), but here it is just the same. Thank you, all of you!

Ice Ice Baby (too cold, too cold)!

We got snow (AGAIN)!!! This never happens here...2 snows in one season, nevermind just 3 weeks apart! While it was still snow, it was fun, fun, fun...but then came the ice! We ended up with around 6 inches of snow and then a decent ice skating rink on top of that! Liam, for some unknown reason, decided he was skiing and needed to wear my goggles for the day. Pretty funny since they didn't fit even a little bit! Annah was just so excited to have a snow day! For myself, a snow day was great...however we ended up with a snow week and that is just about all the the family bonding time I can take crammed into the house for days on end. I am pleased to report the highs for this weekend are supposed to be in the 60's which is much more my speed!

Liam thought he was so clever when he figured out he could throw the snow up in the air to make it "snow again!"

Unfortunately, my camera got wet and kept fogging up. I have not had much experience shooting in freezing rain (maybe I should say fortunately I have not had much experience shooting in freezing rain)

But these faces made it all worth it!

Annah and Charlotte (our neighbor) had a great time sledding down the ice covered hill. I have GOT to remember to buy a sled before next winter. One of those things you never remember you will need until the day you need it!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Let me start out by saying there are an obscene amount of pictures in this post. Sorry! It has been a while since I posted and here goes nothing! Now that I have a grip (a very small grip...probably more like a finger-hold) on how to use my new computer, I am loving it! The photo editing alone is worth it!

These first few picture are from the kids Christmas program. They both did an amazing job. I had to move around to get some pictures of Annah, but know that they both sang their little hearts out. This mommy was so proud!

There's my daddy!

Here are 2 pictures I love. The first is straight out of the camera, the 2nd I edited. What do you think?

We had a blast at The Columbia Fam's house making x-mas cookies. The Boys and Me were there too (as well as a few other friends). There was quite a mess and I think Laura might be cleaning up sprinkles until next Christmas, but the kids sure had fun!

Then, of course came Christmas! Santa (and Gramme, Grandaddy, Rosie, and Poppa) were very good to Annah and Liam this year. I am just now getting my house to not look like the inside of a Toys R Us (a Toys R Us that had a bomb go off in it, anyway). We decided last year that Baby Jesus got 3 presents on the first Christmas, so we would follow the same rule. Annah got a baby station (one of those things with a baby bathtub, bed, highchair, etc all together), a 2 wheel scooter, and a Tinkerbell water fountain. Liam got the "buzzwightyerscooter," a grill, and a Leapster of his very own (in an attempt to stop world war 3 that was threatening over the one Leapster we already had). Note to self, next year at least brush Annah's hair before taking x-mas morning pictures!

This is a jar to count the money Annah has been saving for Disney World. She has been saving Will's change for the last 2 years to go have breakfast with the princesses!

I know there is a very small window of opportunity left while Annah and Liam will still believe in the magic of Christmas. There is something almost sad in Liam's excitement about Santa bringing what he really wanted, because I know that in a few years that magic will be gone. Doubt will creep in. Christmas will always be special and we will always be together, but I can't help but feel a little pang of loss as another year passes. That said, I will hold on to the magic of this Christmas for as long as I can!

Note the halo on my sweet angel

Then, as if all that was not enough, it snowed!!!!! I have decided that snow of the weekend of Christmas definitely counts as a white Christmas. We had so much fun and the only downside is that all the outside toys they got for Christmas had to be ridden inside the house (almost drove me insane). But there was still plenty of fun to be had outside...snowball fights, snow angels, snowman, and jumping on a snow covered trampoline (which if you have never tried it, really is a lot of fun)!

I have this same picture of Liam in front of this door every year since he's been born looking at the snow. I am afraid he is going to think this is what to expect every year!

Jackson was not a fan and stuck close to the house! 

Doesn't the house look pretty with the snow and all the decorations?!

Seriously, couldn't this be a Patagonia ad?!

the perfect snowball!