Are these all yours?!

Without fail I hear this, or something like it, whenever I'm out with my children.  "Are these all yours?" "Wow, you've got your hands full."  "Aren't you a busy mom!"  "So.. you got your boy.  You must be done now."  And here's my personal favorite, "you guys making  your own Brady bunch?" I heard that beauty just yesterday.  Now, I grew up in a family with four children.  I don't recall feeling like a spectacle whenever we went out, but apparently times have changed. In all fairness, there is the occasional Grandma who looks at me with those soft, crinkly, grandma eyes, and recognizes my children for the glorious gifts they are.  She'll praise them and tell me how blessed I am.  I read a woman's blog today who lost two babies to two different, but equally devastating, diseases.  Truly, it broke my heart.  Although some people may claim differently, I know my children give my life purpose and meaning. (I am mother, hear me ROAR!)  They are my greatest treasure.  Yes, there are moments when I think if I have to yell "flush and wash your hands!!" one more time, I'll go completely insane.  But there are countless other times when I know with certainty there is no greater work than raising these particular children.   I followed Lauren around at the beach the other day just watching her flit from one thing to the next.  She left this perfect little footprint on a rock near the tide pools.  It was so sweet and so symbolic.  I knew within minutes it would dry in the sun and be gone.  My heart got that "mother ache" that happens when you know your children are growing up.   Stop growing!!  Stay little for just a few more years!!  "Are all these yours?!"  Silly question.  Yes, all these, and hopefully, someday.. more.

Easter

Last night the kids were literally spinning in anticipation of Easter candy.  A little frustrated with the chaos, I asked them to please try and remember the true meaning of Easter!  Abbey looked up at me and said "I KNOW mom!  Jesus rose from his deadness on Easter morning" That's right sweetie.  He did.  So now we can all rise from our...er..deadness someday too.  

Crystal Cove

Low tide at Crystal Cove.  I think it's one of my favorite places to be. Tide pools really are the most amazing things!  And even more amazing still is watching my children scoop, dig, collect, and  taste (yes, I said taste) the mysteries we find there.  Since becoming a mother, I no longer measure time in days.  The children's moods change too fast for that. In a single day we have countless ups and downs.  And so I've learned to take it hour by hour.  This day, with the Pacific at our feet, we had a few perfect hours.

We thought Becki and Michael might enjoy poking around in the water with us.  They did.

Sarah

I once heard someone describe the experience of childbirth as touching the heart of God.  That moment, when I met Sarah for the first time, when they laid her little body on my chest, I felt my heart bust wide open.  There is no experience in my life to equal the majesty of that moment.   And today we celebrate seven wonderful years with Sarah. Happy birthday sweetheart!  Being your mom is the best thing I've ever done.  I love you!!

Grandparents

We had the pleasure of having Brent's Grandma and Grandpa stay with us for a few weekends last month.  There is truly nothing lovelier than to hear a grandparent adore their grandchildren, or in this case, their great grandchildren.  Especially when those children belong to you!  We love you Grandma and Grandpa!!

Guinea Pig Nova

Picture this: Brent and I trudging to the pet store, looks of resignation on our faces. Children leaping around us in exultant bliss as we choose the perfect family pet.  Ok, not the perfect pet.  I mean, really, if it's not a dog or cat what's the point? Anyway, back to the story.  So Molly the guinea pig comes to live at our house.  And I have to give her credit.  Her gentle nature is winning me over.  She's great with the kids and her little squeaks when we feed her are kinda cute.  A few weeks later I notice she's getting pretty big.  I mean REALLY big.  Are we feeding her too much? The wrong kind of food?  I get a little suspicious.  Upon further investigation, I realize Molly came to us "in the family way".  Dang it!!!  I'm online frantically reading up on guinea pig birth.  Long story short, our investment tripled in value last Saturday.  The children all gathered round and we watched two more pigs come into the world.

Discovered!

So I started this blog with the idea of keeping it a secret until I felt I actually knew what I was doing!  The perfectionist in me wanted it to be artistic/witty/unique enough before I announced to the world that I had joined the blogging community.  After all, do I really have that much to say?  So I wrote my first posting, swore my husband to secrecy, and promptly forgot all about it. Well.....last night Brent informed me I'd been discovered.  So now, dear friends, please visit as much as you like.  I can't promise artistic/witty/unique material, but at least I'll try to be consistent.