Swinging on Birches

The first cut is the deepest. Isn't that how the song goes? I saw it tonight, and it shocked me into a new mama reality. Ward and I were talking about his school and how his friend, Gabrielle, is moving away next week--her dad got a new position in Alabama and they will be leaving right away. And even though he knew it was coming, he was suddenly overly concerned. "But we can go see her, right?" (Well, honey, I doubt we'll go to Alabama, but if we do, I promise we will see if we can get together with her). "But we can fly there, right mom?  It's not that far!" (Well, dear, I know it sounds easy, but it isn't that simple.  We have no reason to go to Alabama and mommy and daddy both have to work and we can't just pay for plane tickets to go on a vacation." "But why can't we build a house in Alabama right by hers!?  It's warm there and I like to be warm!" (Well, sweetheart, we live here and we love t...

Toddlers are hard. Modeling his best "angry face." Did anyone ever tell you that? I was never let in on the secret. I mean, sure, I heard about the "terrible twos" and all of that. But, we floated through two. Seriously.  Two was an awesome year.  Tons of sweetness, lots of learning, joy abounding. We thought we were home free. For real. But, then came three.  Ohhhhh, three. Don't get me wrong, we have AMAZING moments with him everyday.  Seriously.  Cuddles and giggles and dancing and reading and laughing.  The good stuff. On his third birthday last spring. But three has come with a whole new set of challenges. Fits and yelling and stomping and arms crossed and whining oh my. Who knew that talking and knowing would come with opinions and determination and frustration?  Everyone else?  Oh.  Got it. And as a parent, you sort of expect those things, right?  I mean, you know that no matter what, you're goi...

Wardie's participating in swim lessons.   Remember those?  Your little body shivering in the cold water, the instructor urging you to trust, teaching you how to cup your hands, straighten your knees, kick your legs.  Blowing bubbles in the water.  Getting the courage to duck your head under for just the quickest moment just to come up, sputtering and gulping, to catch that breath of air. Do we ever learn how to properly breathe underwater? Miss Elliot turned 8 months old last week.  My baby is 2/3 of the way through her first year.  Ward is going to morning Montessori preschool and taking swim lessons two nights a week.  We're considering soccer this spring.  I am watching (in addition to our children) between two and four other children each day.  I just started coaching club volleyball again.  I became the Board President of the local Food Bank.  I deliver food once a month to another location through our church.  ...