Important

Sometimes I find it hard to believe how important I am.

In fact, sometimes I can hardly wrap my mind around the idea that I am the center of someone’s universe.

My boys fight over who gets to sit next to me during story time.

Baby girl cries when I leave the room.

My kids can’t let me walk out the door without a kissing hand.  They aren’t awake for even 5 minutes before they absolutely must tell me some great thing they’ve discovered.  They fight for space snuggled right next to me when the light goes out each night.

There’s always a story to tell me.  A question to ask me.  A smile to share.

It amazes me that there is someone who wants me to sing to them (I mean, really, have you heard me sing?).

It amazes me that there is someone who, regardless of our rough moments during the day, wants to share his pillow with me each night.

It amazes me that there is someone who always laughs at my jokes.

It amazes me that there is someone who always wants to play with me.

It amazes me that there is so much joy in their faces when they see me…their eyes literally light up.

It amazes me that there is someone who always wants to share each of moment of their day with me…the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It amazes me that there is someone so thankful for such little things…a kiss, a hug, a helping hand, a high five, a simple, “good job sweetie.”

There is always someone who wants to hold my hand.  Someone who wants to kiss my cheek.  Someone who wants to snuggle and read together.  Someone who wants just a little more mommy time.

Really, it’s hard to believe that me, little ol’ me, could possibly be so incredibly popular and wanted and loved.  But the proof is here.  It’s in their eyes.  It’s in their hugs and kisses.  It’s in their snuggles and hand holding and “I love yous”.  And if I just stop long enough to see that, then I can clearly see that I am important.  I am loved.

And I am so thankful to be a mommy.  It defines me.

{this moment}

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{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Daybook

Outside my window…it’s sunny and beautiful…a taste of spring.

I am thinking…everyone looking at the camera at the same time is getting to be a rare exception around here.

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I am remembering…the other night when I was putting Andrew to sleep.  I left the room for a moment only to return to a well-lit room.  I asked Andrew why the light was on.  It turns out Bullseye (the action figure) needed to talk to me.  When I asked what he needed to tell me, Andrew shyly replied that it was a secret and maybe he could tell me later.  The light went back off and Andrew (and Bullseye) fell asleep.  I have yet to learn Bullseye’s secret.

I am thankful…for boys who still love to snuggle.

I am laughing…because it’s extremely hard to take William seriously like this…

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In the refrigerator…scones and Cornish pasties.  We just began studying Europe this past week, beginning with Great Britain.  Tomorrow we’ll be eating in Scotland and soon it’ll be time for Irish stew.

I am wearing…light green yoga pants with a pink t-shirt.  The waistband on these pants is finally beginning to show a little too much wear.  I think I’m overdue for some new pants.

I am creating…a to-do list.  1099s top the list (yep, it’s that time of year again).  Organizing the school room closet, finding a moment to chat with my dear friend in Utah, and making more baby food are all up there, too.

I am pondering…this mama’s blog and thinking much about what I signed up for.

I am hoping…these sweet boys will always be such good friends.

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I am inspired…by Rachel Macy Stafford and her book Hands Free Mama.

I am readingTwenty Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank.  I’m a little embarrassed to admit, but I chose it because it was a free download for the Kindle.  I still haven’t become an avid Kindle user, so I’m sticking to the freebies for now.  It turns out this book is actually fairly entertaining.

I am looking forward to…a cup of tea in the morning.  I feel like the Chinese might be onto something with this whole green tea thing. 

In our learning room…Joseph is thrilled with our science plans for this semester…we’re studying the human body (and even William and Andrew are having fun!)

Around the house…I’ve dusted.  I’ve swept.  I’ve mopped.  I’ve scrubbed.  Now I’m resting.

One of my favorite things…when kids think they have found the perfect hiding spot (if I can’t see you, Mommy, then obviously you can’t see me…)

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A peek into my day

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Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

{this moment}

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{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

{this moment}

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{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

A Christmas Eve Daybook

Outside my window…the boys are warmly dressed, running wild, reenacting scenes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  I no longer have a Joseph, William, and Andrew…I now have a King Peter the Magnificent and two, yes two, Aslans.

I am thinking…my days of having this little girl tucked snugly against me are numbered…she’s crawling!

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I am remembering…it seems like just yesterday that this one was the one in the carrier.  Now he’s keeping up with the rest of them.

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I am thankful…for a husband who is incredibly helpful.

In the refrigerator…star sugar cookies…decorated and ready for Santa.

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I am wearing…light green yoga pants, a pink Gap t-shirt, and my slippers…they are just so cozy.

I am creating…a curriculum for our spring science…the human body.  Lots of great books and fun hands-on activities.

I am ponderingthe Advent Journey.

I am inspired…to find water bottle holders for each of the boy’s bikes…this human mule can only carry so much.

I am reading…The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.

I am looking forward to…delighted squeals on Christmas morning.

Around the house…the reindeer dust is ready to be sprinkled on the roof.

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One of my favorite things…sifting through old pictures and stumbling on a precious memory (that’s Joseph).

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A peek into my day

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Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

{this moment}

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{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

A Spark

Nothing sparks a little boy’s imagination like a Renaissance Festival.

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Magicians.  A spark is lit.

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Kings.  Queens.  Knights.  Another spark is lit.

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Performers of all kinds.  Fire-eating.  Belly dancing.  Jousting.  Twirling.  Juggling.  Singing.  Dancing.  Another spark is lit.

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Unbelievable costumes designed with attention to the smallest details.  Another spark is lit.

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Artisans selling their wares.  Blacksmiths.  Weavers.  Sword makers.  Authors.  Face painters.  Another spark is lit.

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A few treasured finds.  The sparks collide, the imagination is set afire.

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The little princess sleeps, peaceful and well protected.

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{this moment}

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{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.