Mother's Day Ramblings

This is a Non-Mother's Day, Mother's Day post. I didn't actually post on Mother's Day because I was busy being pampered. No dishes and no diapers for an entire day?!? I'm telling you, it's the high life. My husband is amazing. Truly.

But I did want to share a few Mother's Day sentiments. Mother's Day always carries a range of emotions for me. On the one hand, it's super wonderful to have a day where I get to be reminded how awesome I am. Cards and notes from the kids and the hubster, an excuse to ask everyone to do my bidding with the expectation that they will do it without getting cranky with me, well wishes from friends and family. It's pretty awesome. On the other hand, there is always that ache of not being able to be with my own mother. The ghost of Mother's Days past has oft reminded me that I really didn't spoil her properly during our time together. I have learned much since then. I could have spoiled her the right way now that I know what moms REALLY want. It's a cruel irony of life. Mom, if you can read blogs in Heaven, this is me promising to make it up to you one day.

I suppose this post is my weak attempt to satisfy part of my debt to my sweet mother, and also to my Heavenly Father who has given me the opportunity to be a mother myself, to the most incredible kids ever. I know every mother thinks her kids are the best. The difference is, mine really are. For real guys. They are ridiculous. Hilarious. Smart. Beautiful. Kind. I'm not sure how kids get to be this awesome. I thank my Heavenly Father (and every lucky star in the heavens) that I married an awesome man, because surely these kids are rewards for his good deeds. I am just privileged to be with them.

So in gratitude for my own experiences as a mother, as well as my gratitude for my experiences with my mother, here is my because of list...

Because of my mother:
I laugh every time I hear the song "Fever" by Garth Brooks
I think purple and magenta are perfectly acceptable colors for pants
I talk to plants and random wild animals like they understand me
I say things like, "that's a fine kettle of fish" and "me oh my and a basket of soap bubbles"
I shake the milk jug every time I get it out of the fridge
I know that your smile is the feature that make the biggest impression. It's the first thing you notice and last thing you remember.
I consider frozen yogurt a suitable lunch selection
I cry when I hear bangle bracelets jingling

Because of my children:
I wake up every day and pray that I can be a better mother
I go to bed every night and thank my Heavenly Father for every second I've had with them
I appreciate the man I married more intensely than I would have ever anticipated
I sing songs like "Baby Booby Bird" and "Water, Water" just for fun
I appreciate my parents more
I understand humility better
I understand love better
I understand God better
I am entertained by clapping and smiling in ways I can't explain
I have lots of new ideas on how the world should be run
I know less than I ever have
My life is filled with joy

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Things Change and Stay the Same

Five things that I loved before I had children, that I don't love anymore:
1. Sleeping late
2. Scary movies
3. Buttery popcorn
4. Logo shirts
5. Road trips

Five things that I still love, even after having children:
1. Playing loud music in the car
2. Dessert
3. Inflatable slides
4. Good books
5. Hanging out with my husband

Five things that I love BECAUSE I have children:
1. The way a two-year-old says "delicious"
2. Family access public bathrooms
3. Dirty feet
4. The smell of grass, sunscreen and baby wash all mixed together
5. School plays

Snack-tastrophe

I love graham crackers. I could eat them by the box all by myself. I love smearing them with nutella and marshmallow fluff, peanut butter and chocolate chips, cream cheese frosting, whipped cream and strawberries...the snack-worthy toppings are endless.
My kids love graham crackers too, which is awesome. It's awesome because my kids don't like any of the same things. At all. Ever. It's an unwritten kid-rule in my house. If four like spaghetti, there is one who hates spaghetti. For realz. So the fact that I can give one snack to all FIVE children, is a miracle from Heaven.
Tyler loooooves graham crackers. They are his favorite thing. Baby fussing? Give him a graham cracker. Baby teething? Give him a graham cracker. Baby up at 2am? Where are the graham crackers?!?! Graham crackers make him smile.

I like that Tyler likes graham crackers because they make my life easier. In motherhood, anything that makes life a little easier/quieter/less insane is a good thing. So if I can plop Tyler down in front of Blues Clues with a graham cracker and he will actually sit and play and be happy, then I am happy.
Yep, I am teaching my children to sit in front of the television and consume loads of sugary snacks. What could possibly go wrong? But hey, do you want my kids to have clean clothes? Trust me, you do. Television + graham crackers = Jen's kids having clean clothes.
There is, however, a down side to graham crackers. When you chew up graham crackers (or rather when you gum them to death) you end up with this delightful graham cracker crumb paste. It's a slobbery, buttery goop, which you can then smear all over everything from the carpet, to the couch to mom's shirt. The best part though? This goop doesn't stay goopy forever. It DRIES! Instant slobber-graham-crusties. MMMMMMMMM.

So, new math for you. Television + graham crackers = clean clothes and disgusting furniture. Thank goodness for baby wipes.

Yay for Indoor Plumbing!

This is how we've spent the last few days:

Feeling very thankful for:
1. Indoor plumbing (oh, and outdoor...had to use the hose too)
2. Clorox
3. Redbox
4. Gatorade and Saltines
5. The fact that weeks like these are rare and my kids are typically healthy

Gavin's To-Do List:

1. Wake up
2. Eat Breakfast
3. ...

Give Mom a heart attack.

For the Beauty of the Earth

For a husband who makes root beer for my fundraiser, and brownies for my friends, and changes his schedule to be home when I need him, and gets up at 5:30 with the baby so I can sleep, and tells me he loves me even when I'm cranky, and who is in all ways and times better than I will ever be.
For children who are healthy and smart and loving and funny and LAUGH-OUT-LOUD-FUNNY, and kind to other, and talented, and mine.
For family members who teach me and support me, even in stupid things that probably don't warrant any support.
For friends who love me even though they are all cooler than I am and even though I'm not always a great friend back.
For a home and a car (with automatic sliding doors) and food and my spot on the couch that has a dent from my bum sitting in it for extended periods of time.
For the people in my life who talk me out of my nonsense, who encourage me to write, who tell me I'm good at things (even if they lie, I think it's okay), who make me laugh and who share in my trials and triumphs and who are my "village".
For the dumb dog and the lazy cat.
For chocolate and ice cream and sparkly things and all things feminine and lovely.
For a Heavenly Father who knows me and knows my needs. Who is patient and loves me and pulls me through my every day.
For a Savior who gave His life so that I can live without being afraid of my imperfection.
For a gospel that guides me and fills my life with the best things.
For all things that testify of Christ.

Lord of all to Thee, I raise, this my hymn of grateful praise.

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