friday morning.

Every Friday morning we have cinnamon rolls. Nothing fancy, just 2 packages of pillsbury refrigerated ones. Its easy. The kids love them. Its how we celebrate making it through the school week. It's been a tradition this whole school year. I'm sure we missed a Friday or two, but for the most part, Fridays have been cinnamon roll day as Coleman calls it. Well, when Josh and i went to bed last night, we remembered we didn't have any cinnamon rolls. No problem, Josh said he would run out in the morning and get some. Then we decided he would go and get donuts from our favorite donut shop instead so there will be nothing to come home and cook....(we usually do donuts on saturday mornings...but why not Friday....the kids will love it!)

Moments before Josh walks back in the door one of my children (whom I'll keep anonymous) said something like "where are the cinnamon rolls?" I was not sure what to address first: the rude comment or the fact that there were not going to be cinnamon rolls today. As I am thinking, I hear the back door open and so I say to this child, " dad's home and he brought donuts". I am waiting to see excitement and instead I got, "But its friday and I wanted cinnamon rolls". I repeated myself, Dad went and got yummy donuts. Again I hear, " I wanted cinnamon rolls." (with a slight edge to the voice) I was dumbfounded and also highly annoyed. Seriously? my thoughts went something like this: You are mad that your dad just got up early and went and got you donuts? really yummy ones. You ungrateful little thing. Who taught you to be so rude? As I walked out of the room I muttered something about being upset and hurt by the comment. A few minutes later I went into the kitchen and saw him eating his favorite kind of chocolate donut. The words you should have to eat cold cereal slipped right out of my mouth before I could catch them. Its okay. I have a long list of ways I'm trying to become mom of the year.... The child of course snapped back with a "Fine, I will." I then proceeded to say to unnamed child that I wasn't serious. I apologized for making a sarcastic comment. and then said I didn't appreciate his rudeness over what he was being "served" for breakfast.

Jessie - maybe this child can visit your behavior bootcamp when you get it all figured out, because it doesn't look like my teachings of gratitude and respect are having too big an impact.... apparently I've lost the correct instruction manual. If someone has taken it, please return it.

Mother's Day.

Mother's Day always gives me much to think about. It sends me back in time thinking about my mom and how good she was at mothering. Nurturing, patience, love, selfless, organized. She was all of those things. Not to mention she was super good at all the basics too - you know, cooking, cleaning, etc. I'm pretty sure so much of why I wanted to be a mom more than anything else in this world had a whole lot to do with how good she was at the whole mothering thing. It inspired me. It came so natural to her. It was who she was. I wanted to be like her. I often think of her example and then check to see how I am measuring up. I fall short in lots of areas, but I'm trying. And I do love it. Man do I ever love being a momma. I am the first to admit that my dreams of motherhood were full of me and babies. Sometimes toddlers. But always babies. school-age kids - not so much. But now that is where my real life has taken me. My youngest is 4 and my oldest is 11. We are clearly in school-age mode. I am out of my element. Out of what my mind had all planned out. Good thing my heart does a decent job of guiding me. I find myself depending lots on that heart of mine to help me be the mom that I need to be. The mom that my amazing kids deserve. And I think I'm starting to get it. Slowly. And, I really am enjoying the ride.....well, on most days!

mother's day pictures...may 9, 2010

14 years.

From the moment I began dating Josh, I knew I wanted nothing more than to spend forever with him. However silly that sounds, it's the truth. I love to peek back through my old journals and read my thoughts from back then. my thoughts about how much fun I had just being with him. How my heart leapt when I saw him or held his hand, or better yet danced with him. (man I can still hear the music from those youth dances). How when we were apart all I could think about was him.

I love being able to say that if I had to do it all over again, I have no doubt that I'd choose Josh again. I love the life we've made together. It may not be the exact life we envisioned 14 years ago, but that's okay. I am happy that we still love just being together. I love that we have nightly dates. I love that we still talk for hours on end. I love how Josh still makes me laugh. I love that I am married to my best friend (cliche but true).

Man I love the memories we have packed into these 14 years. Can't wait for more....

wedding day 5/3/96

today 5/3/10

time to spare.

The best mornings for Coleman are when there is time to spare; time to watch a little PBS before heading out the door for school. Extra time makes for a good morning for everyone. Unfortunately it doesn't occur very regularly around here.

more baseball.

Mitchel had his first game on Tuesday. He was the starting pitcher and then played shortstop. He did a good job in the field and on the pitchers mound. He did have trouble at the plate though and struck out both times at bat. His team lost and Mitchel was pretty bummed about it. I think his team will improve but its going to take them some time to figure out how to work with each other. He's got some really young kids on his team....

The weather was cold, windy, and rainy the entire time which also makes for a tough night.

The other games this week have been cancelled due to weather. (cold, snowy/sleety/rain) I am hoping for a nice warm front to move in and stay all of baseball season. Seriously, if I could have one wish right now, that is what it would be. Then we wouldn't have to dress like Ashley at all the games....

all better.

Luckily, Mitchel and Ashley recovered quickly from their bout with the stomach flu after and nobody else caught the nasty bug. I am thrilled at that!

Ashley did love her "floor bed" as she liked to call it. She laid on it and watched tv in between naps. I knew she was on the mend when I discovered this on her spot...

It has begun.

Baseball season has begun. And this makes me happy. Yes, the hectic days and figuring out how to be in two places at once is exhausting. The fact that Coleman is bored after one inning irritates me. The amazing ability my kids have to be hungry as soon as we get to the field (even though we just ate dinner) is highly annoying. But despite all that, I love it. I love baseball uniforms. I love watching my boys play something they are good at. I smile seeing Justin, much smaller than the boys his age, throw a good pitch and strike the guy at the plate out. I love watching them smile and have fun being a part of a team. I love the sunny warm weather that accompanies baseball season. Oh wait, we live in Idaho Falls, and the weather is not sunny and warm during baseball season. But that's okay. I still love it. This year, Justin and Mitchel are on different teams. They are both on the White Sox, but Justin is old enough to move up to the majors and Mitchel is still on the minors. This means games every night of the week. And practices for the boys not having the game on the night the other one has a game. That's the hectic part. But that's okay. Its going to be a good season. And I'm excited.

Justin's first game was tonight. He was the starting pitcher and he pitched well. When he reached his pitch limit (the league puts a limit on how many pitches can be thrown per game to allow you to pitch in the next game), he went to second base where he played the rest of the game. His team won, 6 to 3. Justin's big goal this season is to become a hitter. He gets a bit intimidated and puts a lot of pressure on himself, which usually equates into strike outs. He hits like crazy in practice and in the batting cage, so its clearly a nerve and pressure issue. I'm convinced that this will be the season he overcomes his hitting fear....