Busy but blessed.

The title says it all. Here's a glimpse of my to-do list.....

• Get house ready for a big family visit {Thanksgiving}
• Pics of my little studio for Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studio magazine submission
• Type up blurb for above submission
• Finish art, inventory, pricing for my art guild's upcoming Holiday Craft Show
• Finalize craft show display and pack accordingly

In between those items, I'm doing my best to fulfill my most important roles....those of a Mommy and Wife.

I know that y'all can understand. Some of you probably have lists much longer than mine. You have my sympathies and, at the same time, my cheers of encouragement!

We are busy....but so very blessed!

Mommy moments...

I've put off thinking about it all day. It was quite easy to do with all my mommy chores and hanging out with the boys.

Even as the Bubs and I talked excitedly about it, I put off thinking about the implications...the changes it would bring.

It began to sink in as I started to get things set out and organized for tomorrow morning. That inevitable rush to rise, shine and get out the door.

My throat couldn't help but get a little tight as I tucked the Bubs in and read him a story. As I gave him silly kisses and basked in his rolling, little boy giggle.

*sigh*

The Bubs starts his first day of second grade tomorrow. I'm so very excited for him...but a little sad, too. Such is the life of a mommy.

Pointing out the clouds...

I've found myself pointing out the clouds to the Bubs a lot lately. From the white, puffy cottonball kind to the dark and rain-filled...they've all been pointed out and discussed.

My mom used to, at random moments, point out the clouds to us. She'd ooh and ahh over the purple and orange stained ones in a stunning sunset or laugh at the kind that were so big and fluffy we couldn't help but look for silly shapes in them.

I remember thinking, on more than one occasion, "Momma, you're so silly."

Honey, I now know that Momma was anything but silly. Whenever she pointed out those cloud-strewn skies, we'd all lift our heads from our indiviual pursuits (some worries, too) and take in something wonderous together. Precious moments, those.

That's why I point out the clouds...even if the Bubs thinks I'm a little silly.

Summer Vacation = Boredom and Teething?

When I was a kid in school, I used to look forward to summer vacation. I could sleep in, no homework, maybe take a vacation trip, trips to the beach, hanging out with friends...I'm sure most of you remember how it felt to be free for a couple months!

Now that I'm a parent, the meaning of summer vacation has changed. It means that I now have both boys at home all day. Two active boys. Two boys who want mommy's undivided attention. All. The. Time.

Of course, they want the attention for two entirely different reasons. The Bubs, who is used to having a scheduled day, wants to be entertained and given activities to do. I don't mind doing that for a while, but since I can't magically split myself into multiples, I have to insist that he find something to occupy himself while I tend to E-man/Hubby/the house. Perish the thought!

E-man wants to be cuddled and entertained most of the time because he's cutting 4 or more teeth at the same time (yikes!) and that makes him a bit crabby. I'd be crabby, too.

So what's a overwhelmed mommy to do? Give us time to adjust to a new routine, plan a few activities for all of us.....and set up the new little inflatable pool that Poppi bought the boys and have some fun.

It's summer vacation, after all!

Little Moments - Big Boys

As Moms, we all know that it's those little moments along the way with our kids that make life so great. A giggle, a discovery...moments of bliss wrapped up in the simple acts of being a kid.

I love those moments. I live for them. I've always tried to actively keep my eye (and ears) out for them because I know that they can be easily missed as I go about my day-to-day business.

Lately, I've been having moments of a different sort...

You know the ones. The moments that bring the stunning and bittersweet realization that your babies are, well, not babies anymore.

Sometimes I look at the Hubby and moan over how quickly they're growing up.

The Bubs is almost through with 1st grade and is getting to be so tall. He's already up to my shoulder!

E-man is walking everywhere and lets us see more and more of his little personality everyday.


Our boys. My babies.

Sigh...