The Day I Was Grateful for Keys

For weeks these keys have been missing.  I actually publicly sort of suggested No.2 might have thrown them away (he has a bad habit of throwing thing away and my last memory of my keys was him playing with them).  But, today Mr. and I took apart No.1's loft bed (he and No.2 kept jumping off the top) so it just lies on the floor and I found these keys behind No.1's dresser.  I don't know how they got there.  I could have left them on the dresser and they fell behind, the boys could have been using the flashlight on the house key to look for/at things.  I don't know.  All I know is that I'm so grateful for finding them.

So, here's to public apologies (I apologized on facebook).

Here's to finding what was lost.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Umbrellas

I bought a few new umbrellas the other day and No.2 has, for some reason, adopted this one as his.  As we were out running errands, he insisted on using it (it was rainy).  It's just funny that he has taken such a liking to this particular umbrella.  I'll oblige.  Why not.  Pick your battles, right :)

So, here's to oversided umbrellas.

Here's to shelter from the rain.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Brothers

These two ended up in our bed Sunday morning.  I looked at the picture today and noticed No.1 was sleeping on No.2's arm.  They had been cuddling.  (They're wincing because the flash is waking them up.)  I love that these two do, for the most part, get along.  I hope that I can nurture that bond by teaching them to care for one another, for each other's things, to respect each other, to learn from each other, to teach each other, and many other things.

So, here's to brotherhood.

Here's to cultivating it.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Planning

No.2 cracks me up.  He insisted he wear this bow tie to bed in order to be ready for church in the morning.  He's not wearing that tie to church, I already have a different outfit picked out, but I loved that he wanted to wear a tie. 

I guess I remember No.1 being easy to dress, but as he's gotten older, he's started to express views and opinions on his attire.  If I had my way, he'd wear cute, preppy button up collared shirts with nice jeans or pants everyday.  But he prefers jeans and t-shirts.  He's good about wearing a tie to church, but he's not always happy about it. 

Something that helps us out, though is planning outfits for the week.  I don't plan No.2's clothes yet, but No.1 and I put his clothes out and put them in a hanging shelf in his closet.  It saves time in the morning and stifles any potential I-do-want-to-wear-that's.  Mostly, now that he's older and I need to start relinquishing some of my motherly fashion desires, No.1 gets his way, but I love when I can sneak in a couple of my collared shirt choices.

So, here's to planning ahead.

Here's to letting others do some of the planning.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Sparring

No.1 is not aggressive in karate, but today that changed.  He was on the attack.  I hope this continues.  He's very much a follower and I see how kids take advantage of that.  I can't step in a cover for him all the time because he does need to stand up for himself and his things.  So, I hope karate has a positive affect on him.  I'm not saying he should kick and punch when others try to bully him, there are other ways to handle that - at first, but I do want him to be able to speak up.  Mr. and I talk with No.1 after bullying episodes, we encourage him to speak up and not follow when others are doing wrong.  I just hope he really gets it one day.

So, here's to defending yourself and your stuff.

Here's to being brave.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Sand

No.1 and I built this sandbox last year.  It gets a lot of use on sunny days.  Now that Spring seems to have truly sprung around here, I'll be rinsing a lot of sand out of the bathtub, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  My boys do not spend a lot of time outside when it is really cold or hot, so we savor the Spring and Fall and are excited to make castles, tunnels, and whatever in our sandbox.

So, here's to creating.

Here's to future Neptune Festival participants.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Moms

I saw this youtube video and loved how clever it was.  Although I had it figured out from the first second, it was still fun to watch it unravel.  This company invented a fake job, posted it, and did webcam interviews for the position.  The interviewer was very straight faced as he told the interviewees that the job would require you to wear many different hats and would be required to work 24/7, 356 days a year, and they would have to deal with sometimes very difficult clients.  At first the interviewees were disgusted by such requirement calling them inhumane.  Then he tells them that he's talking about mothers.  I loved the reaction of many of them as they reflected on how much their mothers have done for them.

Sometimes when I see things like this, I think I don't measure up to the model of a true mother.  I click into my electronics when I should play trains.  I yell when I should breathe.  I force when I should guide.  I do so many things wrong and it seems only a few things right.  But, I suppose recognizing that allows me to fix on what is wrong and make it right.

So, here's to living up to standards.

Here's to righting wrongs.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Carbs

Today we saw the baby's heartbeat via ultrasound.  There's only one baby (hooray) and one strong heartbeat.  I really needed to eat afterwards, so Mr. allowed my stomach to guide us to Five Guys.  Mmmmmm.  These fries and my delicious burger really hit the spot.  I just can't go very long without eating or else I get really nauseous.  Sort of like I am now.  I'd better go eat some left-over fries :)

So, here's to an understanding husband.

Here's to showing selflessness (not that he doesn't love Five Guys as well).

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Pizza

Not just any pizza, this pizza.  I love this Roma pizza from my favorite pizzeria.  My stomach is very particular these days, and this really hit the spot.  It was a great start to our families afternoon out.  And, to my surprise, Mr. bought the balsamic vinaigrette glaze so I could make my own Roma pizza.  What a nice husband I have.

So, here's to what hits the spot.

Here's to a happy wife.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Sticks

No.1 has great coordination and I think would do well in dance (he actually did take dance from 2-4 years old).  Still, this coordination really helps in karate.  He is one of the lower belts in his class, but even students 3,4,5 belts above him can't seem to get the sticks down.  No.1 just lets it flow.  He is really patient with his partner who might mess up periodically and is not prideful when the instructor calls him up to demonstrate.

I suppose there's something to be learned from this stick activity that goes beyond karate.  Could it have to do with trusting your instincts and just going with what comes naturally, don't push it or try to make things go in an awkward direction.  Well, this post is headed there, so I'll end with...

So, here's to rhythm.

Here's to coordination.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for a Visitor

This little man sleeps in our bed nearly every night.  We don't want it to be that way.  He starts out in his own bed, but somewhere between 2 and 5 in the morning, he wakes up and joins us.  Tonight, however, he got an early start.  He was there when we came down to bed.

Even though we want him to sleep through the night in his own bed (I have a hunch he sleep walks), I still cherish each night he spends with us.  Those days will be gone before we know it, and, sure, we'll be glad for the solid nights rest, but I'll miss his squishy cheeks, soft skin, and sweet breath next to me.

So, here's to sleep-overs.

Here's to snuggles.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Flexibility

No.1 has slept on the air mattress that was put up in his room for my in-laws visit over the weekend.  This is how I found him asleep tonight.  He's pretty much sleeping in a full butterfly position.  He can pretty much do the straddle splits (and soaks in every drop of praise he receives from his karate instructors), he can bend and move in the strangest of ways, and he, well, he sleeps like a pretzel.  I use to be limber like that (though I could never do the splits), and I miss that those days are pretty much gone (though I can still put my legs behind my head - for a second).  But, it's fun to encourage No.1 in his stretches and skills.

So, here's to more flexibility (and not just in the body).

Here's to passing traits.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Color

Check out this meal I made.  It is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!  Pesto pasta with sun dried tomatoes and asparagus with a soft egg cracked on top, a lovely salad, and garlic-cheese bread.

I love trying new recipes.  This one is a keeper.

So, here's to trying new things.

Here's to having your family try them too and loving them.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Conference

This post's title makes it sound like I'm only grateful for General Conference today, but I'm actually grateful for is almost daily.  As it nears, I prays that I will be in tune to what I need to learn from the talks, and after the two days of meetings, I reflect on my notes and enjoy discussing the lessons with friends at church and while Visiting Teaching.  Still, today I am grateful I was able to listen to a prophets voice.

So, here's to inspiration.

Here's to heeding prophecy.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Worms

April Fools day was a lot of fun for me.  Of course, I read two little pink lines at 3:30am, made a fun snack and lunch for No.2, gave Mr. a litter scoop for an "early birthday present" (figured he'd need one for the next 9-months), and made a sweet dinner - literally, a sweet dinner:  meatloaf (cocoa crispies), green beans (green chewy Jolly Ranchers), mashed potatoes and gravy (ice cream and caramel syrup), and worms (jello set in straws).

These worms were a big hit.  The picture is blurrier than I thought, but believe me that the worms look awesome - so awesome, that my friends who were over for a play-date/cooking time refused to eat them!  But, No.2 ate them.  There were 100 or so worms, so they lasted a while.  Today, No.2 enjoyed them with lunch.

So, here's to creativity.

Here's to Pinterest.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Examples

No.1 doesn't always understand, but he is a great example to No.2.  This goes for the good and bad.  I think No.1 actually has more influence than I do.  Still, I love when I see No.1 having a positive impact on his little brother.  No.2 tries so hard to keep up with No.1 on his bike and wants to be just like him in so many ways.

So, here's to setting good examples.

Here's to positive influences.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Practice

This little boy loves his balance bike.  I think he'd even take it to bed with him if I would allow it.  He gets so excited, like jumping-up-and-down-excited, when I ask if he wants to ride his bike.

No.2 has gone from standing and walking with the bike between his legs, to actually sitting and periodically coasting (.135346572345 seconds at a time).  Little by little, he's gaining confidence.

So, here's to continual practice.

Here's to coasting through life (well, in this case at least).

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Plumber-Diaper

My children take after their father:  they severely lack in the hind-end quarters.  Of course, this results is cute plumber-diaper (and, sometimes plumber-diaper-crack).  It just makes me giggle.

Now, I will never permit my boys to walk around with their underwear showing, we are civilized, but this is just fine for now.

So, here's to more peek-a-behinds.

Here's to flat hineys.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for a Bun

Yes, that is a bun.  And, yes, that bun is in the oven.  And, yes, it means what you think it means!

So, here's to more babies (Dec).

Here's to more love.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.