At my youngest daughter's toddler class this morning I noticed that the knee on the capris I was wearing were starting to look worn. I got disappointed because it's not the first pair I've noticed recently. I've got quite a few pairs of pants that are getting threadbare, and will have to do some shopping, and soon, before the knees wear out.
A few years ago I had a few pairs of holes-in-the-knees jeans that I would wear, and a person I was friends with at the time would make me feel bad about them. Enough so that I got rid of several pairs.
Shame on me.
I realized this morning that those worn knees are badges of motherhood, announcing to the world that I spend a large part of my day on the ground with my children. Playing, tending, cuddling, crawling, hugging.
So I'll rock my worn-kneed jeans and capris. It's a sign that I do my job well.
Tuesday, May 7
Wednesday, May 1
I Don't Like Norah Jones
For nine and a half years, my "me" time has been an hour every Tuesday and Thursday night. My husband moves hell and high water to ensure I don't miss my Pilates class. And I rarely do, save for a few too many 9 months breaks!
The instructor plays music. Upbeat, relaxing, mournful. Whatever strikes her to complete the mood of the class.
I hate when she plays Norah Jones. How can that voice be melodious? I know I'm no songbird, but come on. What producer decided that voice was good enough to sell as well as she does? When I hear the first few notes of her songs, gone is my relaxed vinyasa posture, replaced by tense muscles and jerky movements. Finger nails on a chalkboard. Relaxation NOT at it's finest. I was secretly relieved during last night's class to sneak out a few minutes early, during the fourth song of the evening, to tend to a very sad baby boy.
The instructor plays music. Upbeat, relaxing, mournful. Whatever strikes her to complete the mood of the class.
I hate when she plays Norah Jones. How can that voice be melodious? I know I'm no songbird, but come on. What producer decided that voice was good enough to sell as well as she does? When I hear the first few notes of her songs, gone is my relaxed vinyasa posture, replaced by tense muscles and jerky movements. Finger nails on a chalkboard. Relaxation NOT at it's finest. I was secretly relieved during last night's class to sneak out a few minutes early, during the fourth song of the evening, to tend to a very sad baby boy.
Friday, April 26
Help Wanted: Tooth Fairy
The Tooth Fairy in our house got fired this morning.
She forgot to come. (Which, admittedly, has happened before.)
I blamed it on the sick big sister in the house, and the waking-up baby brother, and the nursing momma who is just a little too tired.
She bought it. Phew. But TF had to come while she was at school.
She didn't.
TF got waylaid by said sick big sister, and the little sister and little brother, and the momma who turns out to be sick, too. And the five men rebuilding the back of our house, which we've recently learned was rotting away.
TF managed to sneak $1 into our daughter's room while they girls were all getting ready for bed. Though we told her it must have happened while mommy was sneaking in a nap while daddy took the four big girls out to the park, and baby brother slumbered, too.
Either way.... it worked.
TF can keep her job. For now.
She forgot to come. (Which, admittedly, has happened before.)
I blamed it on the sick big sister in the house, and the waking-up baby brother, and the nursing momma who is just a little too tired.
She bought it. Phew. But TF had to come while she was at school.
She didn't.
TF got waylaid by said sick big sister, and the little sister and little brother, and the momma who turns out to be sick, too. And the five men rebuilding the back of our house, which we've recently learned was rotting away.
TF managed to sneak $1 into our daughter's room while they girls were all getting ready for bed. Though we told her it must have happened while mommy was sneaking in a nap while daddy took the four big girls out to the park, and baby brother slumbered, too.
Either way.... it worked.
TF can keep her job. For now.
Tuesday, April 16
April 15
Emotions high today, saddened with tears.
I shut my front gate and turn within.
Circle the wagons, friends. Huddle close in.
I shut my front gate and turn within.
Circle the wagons, friends. Huddle close in.
Wednesday, April 3
Blissfully Unaware
Last night, my husband told me a story. While waiting at school for one of our daughter's Girl Scout meetings to end, he overheard a conversation between two mothers. They were discussing the skit that the troop was practicing for the upcoming Variety Show that another troop in town hosts every year.
This daughter's troop has rewritten the words to a popular kids' show on the cable channel Nick Jr. Instead of "Bubble Guppies," they are singing the "Bubble Brownies."
Cute, huh?
Not to these moms. They feel that the song is too juvenile for their children. Who are in 2nd grade. Really?
My girls love to sit down and watch an episode of Bubble Guppies, especially because it means they spend some time cuddling up to their littlest sister and baby brother. They think nothing of watching the show even when their little siblings aren't around. And more than one Saturday morning has found the 7 of us crowded onto the sofa in our living room watching the show together. Not to mention a host of other shows, including some from our own childhood.
We edit what our children watch, listen to, or play. We nix games on the iPad and Wii, videos on YouTube and shows on TV. They listen to radio stations we pick, and songs on our iPods.
All too often we make our girls put clothes we think are too mature for their elementary selves back on the rack at the store. We don't want them growing up any sooner than they will have to. We know that 14 when we were young is not the same 14 it is now. Unfortunately, it's also starting to appear that 7 is not the same 7 we used to know as well.
We edit what our children watch, listen to, or play. We nix games on the iPad and Wii, videos on YouTube and shows on TV. They listen to radio stations we pick, and songs on our iPods.
All too often we make our girls put clothes we think are too mature for their elementary selves back on the rack at the store. We don't want them growing up any sooner than they will have to. We know that 14 when we were young is not the same 14 it is now. Unfortunately, it's also starting to appear that 7 is not the same 7 we used to know as well.
Are we blissfully unaware to the world that awaits our children, and perhaps they are not growing up fast enough to stay on top of what our society is now? Or are these moms blissfully unaware to how fast their children have grown up?
Tuesday, April 2
Reassessing My Steps
I've stepped into quietness lately, taking some time to look around and reassess my involvement in things, what I deem important and what really is.
For years I wanted waited for my children to reach school age, and become involved. But nothing is ever as it seems, and nothing is ever as you think it will be. Once you see the green grass up close it's nothing but weeds.
I've been wrestling with a decision to take a big step back. Once again I stepped up, spoke up, and got slammed back down by people seemingly unable, or maybe unwilling, to assess and acknowledge their own involvement. It seems that sitting quietly in the corner may just be what I am most good at, and what I most need to do.
For years I wanted waited for my children to reach school age, and become involved. But nothing is ever as it seems, and nothing is ever as you think it will be. Once you see the green grass up close it's nothing but weeds.
I've been wrestling with a decision to take a big step back. Once again I stepped up, spoke up, and got slammed back down by people seemingly unable, or maybe unwilling, to assess and acknowledge their own involvement. It seems that sitting quietly in the corner may just be what I am most good at, and what I most need to do.
Monday, April 1
The Plans... They Change... Again...
I'm glad to see March gone. It was a trying month, filled with second guessing, soul searching, and plans rewritten daily.
Not only did one friend leave this town for a new life, another did as well. Happiness for both of them, but I admit some jealousy as well. A third friend has talked with me about a similar change. I know that true friendship transcends distance, but, all the same...
Our son's surgery was postponed, so intensely did the adrenaline crash for us that day! Took the wind out of our sails, I think. We will build ourselves up again in a few months and try again.
The promise of Spring has quieted at this moment, as a cold rain has taken over April 1. Still... I'm glad March is done.
I was given this verse this morning by a friend who always seems to have the right words, even when she doesn't know I need them.
Not only did one friend leave this town for a new life, another did as well. Happiness for both of them, but I admit some jealousy as well. A third friend has talked with me about a similar change. I know that true friendship transcends distance, but, all the same...
Our son's surgery was postponed, so intensely did the adrenaline crash for us that day! Took the wind out of our sails, I think. We will build ourselves up again in a few months and try again.
The promise of Spring has quieted at this moment, as a cold rain has taken over April 1. Still... I'm glad March is done.
I was given this verse this morning by a friend who always seems to have the right words, even when she doesn't know I need them.
"Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." - Proverbs 16:3
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