Hey, It's Okay Tuesday

Amber at Airing my Dirty Laundry got this idea from Glamour magazine and I am copying it. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this and it doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up with Amber and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.

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To pray for a money tree to pop up on the patio and I can skip the 14 days of travel I have scheduled in November.  I won't burst into tears and throw a fit, but I sure do wish something would change so I didn't have to go.

To keep a mile long Christmas list in my head while I am shopping for everyone else.  You know, just in case said money tree pops up.

To say "bless your heart" to the lady who intentionally fawned over "Bob" and complimented her on her soccer game.  She was trying to make The Princess feel better since her mother was screaming like a lunatic on the sidelines.  Bless her heart.

To drink Starbucks three times a day when I come into the office before 6 AM. The pre-sunrise Starbucks is a necessity, the mid morning is usually a social occasion and the mid afternoon keeps me from wanting to go to bed before dark.

To just want to elections to be over. Seriously, it’s great that people are passionate about things, but some take it way too far. If we all had the same opinions that would be a totally different problem.

To be ready for Halloween to be over, too. If my kids ask me one more time if I'm going to dress up then I really will be scary. I freakin' hate Halloween.

To daydream about sweaters and boots.  I am all done with the 80 degrees in October.

To sing at the top of my lungs in the car.

To browse Pinterest while I'm on conference calls.  I mean really, no one is listening except the person talking.  Ever.  If corporate America ever gets a clue about this one we'd all be much more productive.  Conference calls are an excuse to take something off of everyone's to do list and to look for the recap.

Happy Tuesday!!

The written word

A lot of my time lately is spent with The Princess. Not that I mind.  That little chick is hilarious and we like to get our nails done and do girly stuff together.  Having her as my constant companion is a gift in many ways. 

But the truth is, I miss my guy.  He spends oodles of time with his Dad.  They go to football games, baseball practice, basketball practice . . . everywhere together.  I know that E loves having him as a constant companion, too.  It works. And I also know that the older he gets the less I will see of him.

The sad little glimpse into the future, however, is not working for me so much.  With school, work, sports and life I only see my guy for a few hours every week. I know that is more than I can expect even a few years from now but I am missing that sweet face and warm heart of his.  We're going on a date tomorrow night.  I can hardly wait.  And if I didn't think he'd get all weirded out I'd say every single thing on this page to him, but he is a ten year old boy.  I am pretty sure that he would be uncomfortable with my sharing how madly in love with him that I am.  So, as a keepsake, I will use the written word.  I truly hope one day he'll read all of it and know how much he was loved. Every single day.

For my son,

You have ALWAYS been too good to be true.  You were the happiest, easiest baby in the history of the world.  That is an absolute fact.  Every day of my life since February 19, 2002 I have said Thank you to God for the gift that you are. I have talked before about how it terrifies me that life with you is so good, but of late I have just decided to take everything one day at a time and be genuinely grateful for every day that we have.

Life is going really, really fast for us right now.  Daddy and I are awfully busy raising you and your sister and being us, and you are so very busy being ten and living life to the fullest.  I love that part more than you will ever know.  It delights me to see you running off to practice and putting on your belt as you go or holding your sister's backpack while she climbs out of the car just before you turn away and walk into school. The spoiled selfish girl in me wants to tell you to stop and come hug ME and spend time with ME, but I love you too much to ever hold you back.  I love to watch you go and find your way, but I miss you so much. 

You are SUCH a boy with your smelly socks and your wrinkled shirts that you cram into drawers when I ask you to put them away, but I am told by someone at least once a week how kind and polite you are.  Wow.  A few weeks ago the umpire at your baseball game, Mark, came to the fence and said "who's kid is that?"  That's sort of a weird question, but I claimed you unconditionally.  He said, "He has really great manners.  He is so polite every time he's at bat.  I've never met a kid that's more polite." I can forgive the toothpaste on the mirror every time because there are a million reminders in the world that you are doing much better things than cleaning up behind yourself.

Sometimes when I am watching you from a distance and catching snippets of your conversations with friends I can imagine you much older and even further out in the world.  I visualize you trekking across a college campus chatting with your buddy on the way to class and just being a slightly larger version of your wonderful self.  I wonder what profession you'll choose.  Your sense of humanity is larger than life and you have a genuine heart for service.  You are super squeamish so I'm not thinking that being a surgeon is in your future, but think maybe physical therapy is or even a career as a high school teacher and coach.  Oh Punky, you would be such a fantastic teacher.  I selfishly want you to make more money than that, but that's just plain shallow.  You would really make a wonderful teacher.

You have so many amazing qualities that I could write a giant novel just about you and your goodness.  You're a great student, a talented athlete, a gentle soul and a wonderful Christian.  You do everything well and there are some things you are exceptional at.  Sometimes I get so focused on the doing of all that we do that I forget to stop and enjoy what we do.  I really enjoy being your Mom.  I enjoy talking with you about the Pendragon books and how that call at second base could be different.  I enjoy hearing how much other people appreciate the young man you are becoming.  I enjoy watching you play with your cousins and hearing you talk to your family.  I enjoy you.  I cherish you.  I adore you.

Thank you for all of the terrific things you are and the hope of the things that are to come.  It is such an honor to have you for a son.

With All my Love ~ Mom

p.s.  I'm thrilled you accepted my invitation for tomorrow night.  I can't wait.

My Proud Mommy Moment is all about my first born. I am so proud of him every day.

Tell me something good

Today was conference day at school.  E and I spent 20 minutes with The Athlete's teacher and then 20 minutes with The Princess' teacher.  The conferences were QUITE different but then so are the kids.
He is
"such a good friend."
"a fantastic writer." (this one surprised me, BTW)
"so polite and considerate."
"really doing well."




She is
"extremely bright."
"reading well beyond her grade level."
"very organized in her thoughts."
and . . .
"funny, but sometimes disruptive."



UH OH.  Not that we didn't know, but it's not really what you want to hear from the person who spends seven hours a day with her five days a week.
Her teacher was surprisingly good natured about it and has been really good about keeping me updated on what is happening in class.  But still . . .
We talked about ways to keep her focused and to challenge her,  but the bottom line is this.  She is healthy, happy and smart.  And super damn funny.  Things could be much, much worse I say.  An extremely bright, funny girl doesn't feel so bad.

Here's to a great weekend with our amazing kids. They are more than I could have ever asked for.

Confidence

It's taken some time for me to embrace the morning rush at my house. Every single breathing creature is annoyed to be woken up before they're ready. Even the dogs give me dirty looks while I'm banging around in the bathroom. But I've slowly come to understand that everyone has a better day when I set the tone for them. Good days are the ones where I am showered, made up, fully dressed and lunches are packed before I beg them to wake up. On those mornings I have the time to sit at the counter with them to talk about their plans for the day and what we have going on. There's ALWAYS something going on.

This morning was a good morning. Fully dressed, laundry running and lunches packed. My sweet peas slowly made their way to the kitchen with almost smiles on their faces. They ate toast and bartered over who was feeding the dogs. As the conversation evolved they got into a debate over who's busier and who was most entitled to be tired. To my great delight they acknowledged that we're all equally busy because we still travel in a pack and even if only one of them was at practice or playing a game the other was present. That rationale totally works for me.

Somewhere towards the end of the chatter about the 5th grade social studies project, 2nd grade mass uniforms and cotillion this question comes directly to me.

"Mom, do you think less successful kids are this busy?"

I'm still not sure if it makes me sad that they are questioning how busy they are but I am over the moon that they identify themselves as successful. All good mornings start with confident kids <3 br="br">

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A good life

This week has been brutal.

I am in Las Vegas for a conference and I don't love Las Vegas. As a general rule, I get sick every time I spend more than two days in the desert. I am in the airport sucking on a cough drop and balancing tissue between my upper lip and my nostril. Pretty picture, no?

In the four days I've been here I have had 24 scheduled face to face meetings, as well as working until the wee hours on my regular workload back in the office. I have met some amazing people and had a lot of high-level, thought provoking conversations. That part is good. But, getting this involved in business always makes me a little melancholy because I feel like I'm choosing business over my family and I NEVER want that to be the case. I'm in perpetual scramble mode lately and I don't like it. This week gives me hope for better days ahead, but if I let things get the best of me (and I do) I just get sad. And then I remember . . .

My life is overflowing with beautiful and wonderful things. So much goodness. My happy thoughts for the week in no particular order.

The Princess has decided she prefers to be called "Bob" over her given name. That cracks me up, I read an email from her soccer coach this week and he referred to E as "Bob's Dad". Funny.




That quote reminds me of my Nanny. The love she gave me when she was here sees me through lots of sad days. It's comforting to still feel like I'm protected by her love.

Since I moved to California I've had a pile of bosses in the event industry. I saw three of them at this week's conference and they all hugged me tightly and asked authentically about my life. That feels really good. I've been blessed to work for some truly talented and extraordinary people.

Last weekend's concert date with E. He's so much fun to go out with.







A fun weekend ahead with E's family for a wedding. I love to get dressed up for any reason and I LOVE weddings.

Blueberry mojitos, Tory Burch wedges and Alex and Ani bracelets.

A fun project that I found on Pinterest (of course) and am super excited about the final product.

Being able to jump on a plane and be in my sweet children's bedrooms in less than two hours. I can't wait to see these faces. They carry me through every moment that is less than I want it to be.




A good life, indeed





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Ten Things: September 2012

Ten Things to Smile About: September 2012

Spending time with my giggly little nieces.  They always crack me up and they are so much fun to be around.

 

My first born entering the first year of sports for his school team.

This season is flag football and I think these boys couldn't be any cuter.  We play lots of sports around here but until now I couldn't understand how sweet it is to watch your child be a teammate to children he's literally grown up with.

 

 

I love #8!

 

 Soccer season starting for The Princess.  She is much more talented than she gives herself credit for, but all we're learning as we go.  She is having fun and we love to see her in action.

 

 

 

And isn't Neon Ninjas the cutest team name?!?!?

 

Spending quality time with girlfriends.  Lunch dates, shared dinners crammed between practice schedules, cupcakes and chats on the phone.  My family is EVERYTHING but man I love my girlfriends.  You know who you are.

 

An outdoor concert and night out with E.  We shared some drinks with friends before the show and had a great night.  I don't ever want to get so wrapped up in being a Mom that I forget that I was Mrs. first.

 

Showing The Princess that sometimes it's totally worth it to work your tail off.  She LOVES the transformation that is happening in her room.  It's a work in progress but she has total pride in what's hers and works on it a little every day.  Too cute!

 

 

 

Fall baseball season.

 

The Athlete will move up to a new age bracket this year and the pitcher's mound is ten feet further from home plate.  I'd be OK not to play the "extra" season but no one makes me love baseball like this kid.

 

 

 

Trader Joe's.

 

We're working hard to pack better lunches and eat dinner at home more.  That can't mean coq au vin for our family, but it does mean good, easy and (as) healthy (as possible).  They can't be beat for good, well-priced produce and easy to prepare meals.

 

Being Mom to the girliest, girly girl in the history of the world.  She loves mani/pedis, shiny lip gloss and sleeping in curlers.  I happen to find all of that totally irresistable.

 

 

 

Princess self-portrait

Seeing good grades and happy faces come home from school. Both of my angels have become avid readers and carry books with them when they're going to have down time. It's still early days, but I do love to see a folder full of 100% papers on Fridays.

 

Every day feels like a gift to me.  I am admittedly more gracious in receiving those gifts on certain days but I am constantly mindful of how beautiful every day is with healthy children and the life that E and I are sharing with them.  Ten Things each month is not enough, but it's a great place to start.

 

Emmy Mom