When A Lot is Too Much
I have extra heartbeats under my roof, which puts me in my happy place. We had a joyous reunion at the airport, as a little curly-headed almost three year-old came flying across baggage claim, arms wide open yelling, "MIMMIE!!!!" A movie director couldn't have produced anything better. It would've been a "cut" and "wrap." Her little hoss of a baby brother (packing on an additional 3-4 pounds since I saw him last, and growing 3 inches longer), gave me a stellar, Mimmie-melting grin, too. It was wonderful all around. When we got home (after numerous requests to see my garage[??] and after a quick drop in on her Aunt Maddie), Lilli wanted to see the "playroom," which is Lilli-speak for...
The Great Purge
As I've been getting ready for the kids to come (today! yippee!), I've found myself doing a little purging. I've cleaned out the guest closets, the grandkid room closet, and, even though it wasn't my intention, I ended up cleaning out my pantry yesterday. You know how sometimes you just walk into, or stand in front of, a closet to do a normal everyday thing, and as you gaze into it you think to yourself... I can't stand this another minute. I've hit my limit. Today's the day. Well, that's what happened to me. So, I got some trash bags and started tossing. I started reading expiration dates and tossing partial containers of cocoa powder and quarter-filled bags of brown sugar. Then it...
The Sun Also Rises
I've always loved that title. It's not mine, of course, but the title of one of Ernest Hemingway's books which, incidentally, I have not read. So, if you have, and this post is not remotely in the same vein as the book, just smile and play along and don't worry about it. When I read it, it implies a first part of a sentence which I think would go something like this... While it certainly sets, the sun also rises. It's a hopeful thought, isn't it? As I write this, there is a pink glow coming up over the hills in the distance, washing the treetops in a soft, cotton candy light. It looks fresh and new outside, with a soundtrack filling the air with a thousand birds wishing each other...
Preparing and Watching
The sheets are changed on the bunkbeds. The booster seat is firmly attached to one of the kitchen chairs and bath toys are in the tub. The infant bouncy seat cover is washed and ready for action, and the pack and play is in place. Later today, the car seat will go in the car. All this can mean only one thing: The grandkids are coming! Really, there's not much that makes me happier than knowing my grandkid room is going to be pressed into service. I spend a few days preparing for their arrival, pulling out toys that are age-appropriate (I have quite a stash in there), changing books around for the same reason, and this time, getting the finishing touches put on the vintage...
The Art of Mothering
I have a wonderful mother. I marvel unto this day, this 49th Mother's day of my life, that God saw fit to put me into my particular family, my particular mother's arms, because it was an idyllic way to be raised. She stopped whatever she was doing to play with me, read to me, and listen to me. She stayed up for me when I was on a date, not to lord my curfew over me, but to talk and see how it went. She has made a big deal of me my whole life, making me feel confident and loved. I say this with all humility and complete understanding that not everyone is born to such a mother. Not everyone has that type of background or example, and the older I get, the more I realize it...the more I...