My husband left this morning to go snomobiling in the Adirondacks with his father and brother. This is the third year he's taken the trip. The third year he's left me with the kids to play in the snow. The third year he's missed Valentine's Day.
You may think I'd be bitter. I'm not. I'm happy for him, excited for him. Why? Because he deserves it. Scott is one of the hardest workers I've ever met, both at home and work. He is a wonderful father and husband. He does a great job at balancing a 60+ hour work week with the precious time he does get with family, not an easy task. He unwinds in the snow and probably prefers it to the beaches of our current home in Georgia. As his wife, his support...why wouldn't I want to give him that time, once a year?
You're still not convinced? You're worried I'll feel unloved on the upcoming Hallmark holiday, Valentine's Day? He not only left me with three kids, kids we created out of love and who give the absolute best hugs, better than any boquet of roses, but with cards to open too. He thought ahead and bought cards for the kids to give me. He had them sign them last night. Gracie told me this morning that the Dora one is from her! I didn't even do that. I thought about it, but didn't do it. And what about the kids...Valentine's Day is so much more about them then Scott and I right now. There are cards to get, school parties to prepare for. I don't need to get extra-expensive flowers or pay a baby-sitter to go out and pay for dinner. Scott shows me and tells me he loves me every day. He can buy me chocolates and sweep me off my feet anytime...missing this one opportunity isn't reason enough to be bitter.
So, if you're convinced that I love Scott, want what's beneficial to him, and really harbor no bad feelings...pass it on! Convince the nay-sayers around me...or at least ask them nicely to stay quiet. If you're not convinced...well, nicely stay quiet.
About Me
- Annie
- Like all of you, I'm a number of things to a number of people...Navy wife, homeschooling mama, educated woman and aspiring writer. Read my thoughts on all of it here. Please feel free to leave your thoughts on all of it too!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Out of the mouths...
Whilst Jace and I were making dinner the other two fell asleep. Jace looked around at his sleeping siblings and very seriously said, "Two tired kids. They get to take naps and we have to do everything for them."
I smiled. I sighed. I managed not to laugh. He's such a great, wonderful kid. And so perceptive.
(We're having Packet Wrapped Chicken tonight. Haven't tried it yet, but it looks pretty!)
Timing is Everything
I used to be very punctual. By punctual I mean that on-time was late, early was on-time, and less than 15 minutes early wasn't early at all! Over time, I relaxed just a little, but I still like to be on time, but I've accepted that it just isn't always possible.
I really think that with each additional child the time it takes to get out the door goes up exponentially, at least for moms. And I can't seem to get that 20 minutes head start down now that I have three to get ready.
I have an aunt who was always late to family gatherings. After a while they would start telling her we were eating at noon when the meal was really at 1:00 pm. It worked. She had three children. My mom has four kids and ever since I can remember there are a few clocks in the house set 15 minutes ahead to increase the chances of leaving on time. I wonder when I'll start being tricked or using tricks or figuring out what the trick is to punctuality as a parent!
I really think that with each additional child the time it takes to get out the door goes up exponentially, at least for moms. And I can't seem to get that 20 minutes head start down now that I have three to get ready.
I have an aunt who was always late to family gatherings. After a while they would start telling her we were eating at noon when the meal was really at 1:00 pm. It worked. She had three children. My mom has four kids and ever since I can remember there are a few clocks in the house set 15 minutes ahead to increase the chances of leaving on time. I wonder when I'll start being tricked or using tricks or figuring out what the trick is to punctuality as a parent!
Total Relaxation
Have you ever noticed the slackness that occurs in a child's face as he or she drifts off to dream land? It's one of my favorite things about motherhood. What's better than witnessing your children let go of all the little stresses they have in their lives? I love watching their cheeks go slack and their mouths open. The calm that comes over them is contagious. I always find myself breathing more evenly, matching their lazy rhythm. I know I could never look as precious and innocent as they do, and that's fine. I would love, however, to feel the way they look more often...free of cares, secure, loved, zen...totally relaxed.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Baby Baking
I really hope we're done baking babies. I know that might sound not-so-nice, but having three kids wears me pretty thin. I don't even know the last time I slept through an entire night without being woken by someone. Bad dreams, nursing, there's always something. And without a good night's sleep dealing with other things becomes even harder.
My kids used to eat really well. They weren't fussy. They tried things and liked most of what they tried. Now they're picky. Now they complain more nights than not that I'm making foods they don't like. I noticed that they've started complimenting me on the nights we have macaroni and cheese or fish sticks.
"Thank you for making this for us, Mama."
"Mama, this is really good. You should make this more often."
Somehow I think it's working because I just don't have the ability to keep making broccoli, which used to be their favorite, and watching them move it around their plate. It's tiring.
And then there's the laundry and the dishes and grocery shopping and housework. I know, I know. I'm a mom. That's what it's all about. It won't last forever, at least not like this. They'll grow and our roles will all change. I'm glad...I love my kids. I LOVE my kids. But I'm very happy that we're done baking babies. It's time to move past infancy and slowly let toddler-hood pass us by. It's time.
My kids used to eat really well. They weren't fussy. They tried things and liked most of what they tried. Now they're picky. Now they complain more nights than not that I'm making foods they don't like. I noticed that they've started complimenting me on the nights we have macaroni and cheese or fish sticks.
"Thank you for making this for us, Mama."
"Mama, this is really good. You should make this more often."
Somehow I think it's working because I just don't have the ability to keep making broccoli, which used to be their favorite, and watching them move it around their plate. It's tiring.
And then there's the laundry and the dishes and grocery shopping and housework. I know, I know. I'm a mom. That's what it's all about. It won't last forever, at least not like this. They'll grow and our roles will all change. I'm glad...I love my kids. I LOVE my kids. But I'm very happy that we're done baking babies. It's time to move past infancy and slowly let toddler-hood pass us by. It's time.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Copy Cats
Kids are sponges, right? Copy cats? They listen to what we say and repeat it out of context at inappropriate times. They copy the way we scold them when parenting their toys. They dance the way they see musicians in music videos swoop and sway. It's just what kids do.
So, someone please tell me why Tyler insists on throwing his food on the floor! This behavior has never been modeled for him. Daddy doesn't he's finished with his dinner and drop his plate to let us know. Gracie, who barely eats anything at dinner time, doesn't throw her food on the floor. Nobody does, but Tyler. And let me tell you, poached eggs are a pain to clean up. Arg.
So, someone please tell me why Tyler insists on throwing his food on the floor! This behavior has never been modeled for him. Daddy doesn't he's finished with his dinner and drop his plate to let us know. Gracie, who barely eats anything at dinner time, doesn't throw her food on the floor. Nobody does, but Tyler. And let me tell you, poached eggs are a pain to clean up. Arg.
Vocabulary Lesson
Like many, we watched the Superbowl last night. I don't have a favorite team. I usually cheer for the underdog, which made last night's game very exciting! Toward the end of the game I was winding down and considering going to sleep. After all, Monday morning still comes at the same time. But I stayed up...and learned something.
I know a lot of the football talk this morning will be about the game itself, but I like to critique the commentators. I used to think I could do their job, but I realized last night that I can't. I don't know enough words, not to mention I'm still learning the rules of the game.
With just over ten minutes left in the game, and Arizona down by 13 points, the excitement was building. And one of the wise commentators noted that their offense was "working with alacrity." To which I said, "What?"
It was after my bedtime. Yes, if at all possible I go to bed at 9:00 pm. Don't laugh. So I was barely tuning in when this guy whipped out this word that has as many syllables as letters. I had heard it before, but didn't know what it meant or how it might ever be appropriate for a football game. So I looked it up.
At our house, that's a big deal. The dictionary is one I got in college as a gift for completing an Honor's project. We jokingly call it "the 50 pound dictionary," although it probably weighs slightly less. I got it off the shelf and found alacrity. According to Webster's Third New International Dictionary it means eagerness or readiness.
With their hurry-up, no huddle strategy it seems the commentator's observation was, indeed, true. Arizona's offense played with alacrity. Unfortunately for them, it wasn't enough in the end. For a fan of the game and learning, though, what an ending it was!
I know a lot of the football talk this morning will be about the game itself, but I like to critique the commentators. I used to think I could do their job, but I realized last night that I can't. I don't know enough words, not to mention I'm still learning the rules of the game.
With just over ten minutes left in the game, and Arizona down by 13 points, the excitement was building. And one of the wise commentators noted that their offense was "working with alacrity." To which I said, "What?"
It was after my bedtime. Yes, if at all possible I go to bed at 9:00 pm. Don't laugh. So I was barely tuning in when this guy whipped out this word that has as many syllables as letters. I had heard it before, but didn't know what it meant or how it might ever be appropriate for a football game. So I looked it up.
At our house, that's a big deal. The dictionary is one I got in college as a gift for completing an Honor's project. We jokingly call it "the 50 pound dictionary," although it probably weighs slightly less. I got it off the shelf and found alacrity. According to Webster's Third New International Dictionary it means eagerness or readiness.
With their hurry-up, no huddle strategy it seems the commentator's observation was, indeed, true. Arizona's offense played with alacrity. Unfortunately for them, it wasn't enough in the end. For a fan of the game and learning, though, what an ending it was!
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