Tuesday, May 17, 2011

these days.

I've spent the last year, literally, preparing for this...and yet it is somehow nothing I expected.  Yes, I'm frustrated at some aspects of the program, but I'm also kinda dissapointed in myself.  I had so much confidence.  And now I feel so overwhelmed.

So, so overwhelmed.

I have so much I've wanted, needed, to say but the four foot stack of textbooks now littered on my kitchen table leave no time.

This is not a pity party.  Nope.  I knew what I was signing myself up for, that this was an accelerated program.  I knew all of that.  I just had no idea how very hard it would be.  So, I'm adapting.  Everything.  My life, my time with the kids, my relationship with the man I love, my patience, my tolerance...and I'm also teaching myself to say that it's okay.  This is for now.  This is not permanent.  I will not fail.  I will not fail.

I have so much to say.


(curlygirldesignsdotcom)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

(almost) five.



Periodically, I like to stop and pause and remember my kids just as they are, at that exact time.  My babiest boy is changing so much, and I'm feeling those familiar growth pains that come with motherhood.  He is just that...my last baby.  I am lucky to have a son, and I am blessed to have Carter as a son.

Carter Taylor at (almost) five years old.....

I used to always call you my "laid back lovey," partly because I stole the description from your auntie momo because it just fit you so perfectly, and for many many many months, you were just that, very laid back, go with the flow, loves to snuggle little boy.  I joke that this was a welcome change from your horrific infancy, but it's not really a joke at all.  I've loved you every day of your almost five years, but those first six months I would pay A LOT of money not to relive.  Recently, though, I've realized that there is a whole lot more going on in that head of yours then you always let on...  You, my sweet boy, are full of so much personality and character and love.  You are, genuinely, a good good boy. 


You are such a silly boy, you love to laugh.  You love to make your sister and your momma laugh.  I can see the little jokester in you that I'm told was a big part of me :)  You are also, though, very serious.  Sometimes, it's a little annoying, I won't lie, and maybe later in life you will laugh at how dramatic you were over hangnails, but right now none of us are laughing. 

You are so inquisitive....so eager to learn.  When you ask a question, you expect a real answer.  Not a pat "almost five year old" answer...the REAL DEAL.  Sometimes, this makes mommy's life very hard, as I tread lightly around too much information, but I love how much you want to know, and how it all needs to make sense in your little head. 



You absolutely adore your sister.  I will never fully understand how pure your love really is, but your concern and doting over her is adorable.  You are such a sweet boy, always looking after Katie, and even when I'm not looking, bubby, I know that you're giving her the first turn on 'puter games and the Wii.  You're such a good brother.  She will always be the luckiest to have you.

  And you, my sweet boy...you are still my momma's boy.  You love our afternoons together when you get out of school.  Sometimes we have snacks and watch your favorite cartoon, sometimes we play nerf guns, sometimes we play outside...and I treasure this time with you.  Just because I've already sent one child to kindy doesn't mean it is going to be ANY easier to send you off in that great big world.  And right now you are still so happy to snuggle with your momma.  And that makes this momma very very happy.

I wouldn't change a think about you, my amazing little boy.  I love the way you want to know how everything works, why things happen, how problems will be solved.  Your future is so bright.  And when you want to snuggle, I will always be here, with open arms.

I love you baby boy.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

big girl. big decision.

I know it seems silly...it's just a haircut.

But she's my baby girl, and she hasn't had a significant haircut one single time in her almost six years of life.  I adore her curls.

Katie begged me right before spring break to cut her hair off.  She said that she wanted it short like some of the other girls in her kindergarten class.  I thought that was a stupid reason, I'm not going to lie, so I was a horrible mother and all manipulative and started showing her pictures of her long curls and telling her how much I loved them and right about the time she started nodding along with me enthusiastically, I realized that it wasn't about me anymore.  It wasn't about her hair.  It's about Katie wanting to make a decision without me.  And I'm going to have to be okay with that.  And right now I don't know how to be okay with that.  But I'm working on it. 

As much as she grows, I'm growing, too.  Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it feels natural.  This motherhood thing is hard and keeps me constantly questioning. 

I have a feeling that I'll be saying that for many many years.

But this was a good day.
And my Katie is as beautiful as she always is.

so excited ;)

look how long it is... :(

at this moment, I did not like that woman.  Not at all.
Don't worry, I still tipped her well.

my lovely

happy.  so happy.



Her first big girl decision.  All by herself.
I know it's just the little things.
But they feel like the big things sometimes.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

It's coming...I can feel it!

Oh, Indiana weather how you tempt we with your 65 -70 degree days and then quickly dissapoint plummeting back into the 30's and forcing me to wait patiently again for the promise of spring, and even more than that....looking forward to this....


(p.s. this picture was not photoshopped in anyway)

This is a lakehouse night.  Seriously.  I'm not joking.  When we are sitting on our deck, the kids worn out from a day of swimming, but very much looking forward to "roasting smarshmellows," drinking good beer, having great conversations, this is what we see.  And when you see this how can you not just literally suck in all the marrow of life...all of its beauty and peace.  There is no place that I feel more peaceful than the lakehouse. 

I could not be more blessed to have these memories. 

And....my heart is so happy that there are more to come....soon, very soon.  I can just feel it....









And to all my girlfriends:
This year we're having a Girl's Weekend.  It's going to be amazing. 
Stay tuned for more details.   


Sunday, March 27, 2011

"Dance first. Think later."

(quote-s. beckett)


This little girl, she teaches me about dancing in the rain.  Albeit quite melodramatic at times, to Katie it's okay to go outside in your favorite dress, flip-flops, and an umbrella to use, you know only if you feel like it.

It's okay to be carefree sometimes.

note to self.

Friday, March 25, 2011

day number thirty...the end.

Wow.  I made it.  Making my blog a sort of priority has been good for me.  It's forced me to think, forced me to write, while at the same time bringing out so many thoughts, memories and feelings, not all of them necessarily "happy".  And I'm okay with that.  Because 30 photos of my life in 30 days is bound to have a few really bad pictures.  I think I'm beginning to learn it's just how life works.

so day thirty...

(a picture of someone you miss)

She has been the subject of more than one of my thirty days, because she was such an impact on me in the two short years I was blessed to have spent with her.  I miss our Mama Deb.  I miss her all of the time, and in specific moments.  I miss her for selfish reasons because I want her here.  I want to talk to her.  Damn it, I want to talk to her.  But I can't.  And that makes me sad.  I miss her for Katie and Carter, because they miss her.  They talk about her, unprompted, all the time.  And I don't know how to give their little hearts solace.  But I promise them that she is watching down on them, and smiling at their lives.  And I believe that. 
Deb, I hope that you would be proud of where life has taken your family since you've gone.  Your impression is felt everywhere, reminders of you in so much of our lives.  Your love lives on.  And I promise you, that will not stop.  Ever.  I miss you.  So very much.




(regrettably the only picture I have of Deb and I together)



"As long as I can I will look at this world for both of us. 
 As long as I can I will laugh with the birds,
I will sing with the flowers,
I will pray to the stars,
for both of us."
anonomyous