A Year of Gratitude: Day 301

Today I am grateful that I was able to hold myself together and not cry as Baylor went through waves of worry about his first day of kindergarten tomorrow.  Even when he said he was worried no one would love him, I still managed to keep it together and calm him down.  I don't know where that strength came from, but I'm sure glad it stepped in today to help out.  Let's hope it hangs in there for tomorrow.

I will tell you, though, that after the kids went to bed and Bryson and I settled in to watch a little television before bed, this commercial broke me.  I had it all held together nicely, no tears, no quaking heart, and then this came along:





and broke me to pieces.

Here's hoping my strength comes back overnight, and I make it through the morning dry-eyed.

Have a wonderful night!

That's What They Said: Growing Up

Baylor:  Mommy, when I grow up, I'm not going to be like other grown ups.
Me:  (smiling)  I know, sweetheart.  But how do you think you're going to be different?
Baylor:  When I grow up I am not going to have a job.



(Bryson was sidelined for a couple days with a thrown out back.)
Amalia:  What did Daddy say on the phone?
Me:  He said his back feels better!  Isn't that great?
Amalia:  Yeah!  Hooray!  Now we can smush him!


Amalia:  (in an irritated tone)  Mommy, did you hook up on me?  I was calling you!



Me:  Baylor, what would make our trip to Chicago the best ever?
Baylor:  (smiling)  If we got to see Steve and Katie.



Amalia:  I'm going to Timbuktu.
Me:  Oh, I will miss you!
Amalia: (in a reassuring tone) Don't worry, I'll be back before dessert!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 300

Today I am grateful that my kiddos came back safely from their first outings on Sea Doos while we were up at the cabin for the annual Labor Day get together.  Some might say I'm not the most relaxed of mothers, so it was a big relief to me to see them have fun AND come back safe and sound.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 299 (a day late)

Today I am grateful for my sister, Christine.  She is an amazing baker, and yesterday she baked her heart out to help me.  She made crumpets for the kids because apparently my children are a bit British; they love having crumpets with jam for breakfast.

Just look at all that crumpety goodness!

I'm also grateful to my mom for convincing me that I didn't have enough time (or attention, let's be honest) to make a cake from scratch and that a lemon Bundt cake out of a box would work out just fine.  She was right.  I can't wait to take this to the family gathering at the cabin today!

Then, after the cake cooled, Christine supervised me while I made lemon glaze for the cake.  Without her help, it would have been a runny mess instead of this beautiful creation.

To top it all off, she made homemade Parker House rolls for me to take to the cabin.  They are gorgeous and perfect and, no doubt, delicious.  I can't wait to brag about my little sister.

So Christine, thank you for astounding me with your baking skills yet again and helping me out so very much.  It would have taken me days to do what you did in a few hours, and none of it would have come out quite as perfectly.

Have a wonderful day!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 298

Today I am grateful that the kiddos and I got a chance to walk through Baylor's new school and learn more about how his days will go.  I definitely felt better after I learned more, and I hope Baylor did as well.  *sigh*  I can't believe kindergarten is already here.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 297

Today I am grateful that we got to see some of our closest friends for dinner.  They and their three kiddos joined us for the never-ending pasta bowl extravaganza that is Olive Garden this time of year.  Actually, this is kind of our thing; whenever this "culinary feast" rolls around we make sure to meet up at the O.G. at some point and gorge ourselves on all the frickin' breadsticks, salad, and pasta we can eat.  The food is great, but the company is even better.

Have a wonderful night!

Oh, and by the way, I'm also grateful for this article.  I have been feeling this firsthand over the last 297 days, and I'm glad the word is spreading.  We could all use a little more happiness, right?

A Year of Gratitude: Day 296

Today I am grateful for a warm, reassuring e-mail, a good, cathartic cry, and a hope for tomorrow.  I am, sadly, really stressed out about Baylor starting all-day, every day kindergarten next week and it's all I can do to take a deep breath and get through it so every little bit helps.

Now, off for some much-needed sleep.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 295

Today I am grateful I was able to take a "fast" (20 minute ... I know, I know) shower this morning.  There was a thunderstorm brewing outside, and I hate showering when I know there is lightning around, with good reason, I might add.  With all the stress I've been feeling lately I was worried that today's shower was going to be extra long, but the threat of being electrocuted certainly helped that problem.

Hooray for weird fixes!

Have a wonderful day!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 294

Today I am grateful to have kept it together when Baylor started expressing his worries about school before bed.  The little man comes by it honestly; I was a nervous wreck about school ... just ask my parents.  And I'll be honest; I am extremely anxious about him starting full-day, every day kindergarten.  He's my baby and it seems too early.  But it is what it is, and I know he's going to enjoy it soon enough.  Luckily he has a thirst for knowledge; knowledge is something school certainly provides and fosters, and right now I'm using that as the hook, the thing to get him excited about going to school.  Hopefully he and I can both get through this together and come out happier once these first few days/weeks/etc. are over.

I want to fix the situation so badly, want to make this better for him NOW, and this urge makes me search out books and websites and anything and everything I can think of to help.  But, in the end, throwing book after book after everything at the problem isn't going to make it go away; they might help, but the first day of school will still be there and undoubtedly there will still be nerves.

So until those first few days/weeks/etc. have passed, until this becomes our new normal, I will be attempting to hold it together.  We'll see how this goes.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 293

Today I am grateful to have gotten out without the kiddos this morning to run some errands.  Don't get me wrong, I love taking them with me, but the trips are much less productive when they're tagging along.  And I was able to go quickly from place to place without having to drag anyone behind me or convince anyone that this was a good idea.  Plus, it was extra sweet to see their little faces when I got home from my errands.

Have a wonderful night!