Sometimes a Mom Needs a Break

  Steve has been traveling quite a bit lately. It gets old. Fast. Missing him stinks. Having his patriarichal presence around is missed. The lack of his consistant strength is felt. And even though he's really good at making his support available no matter where he is, the simple fact is, it isn't the same as when he's home. The children ask where he is and when he'll be home and if he can help them with homework, they adjust with anything life shovels just as children typically do. So the one who is left missing the most, of course, is me...Mom. For many a month now I have expressed my desire to have just a couple days without the cares of household tasks with freedom to do what I desired, when I desire it. I suggested a couple days in a hotel room all on my own. So a few weeks ago, knowing he was going to be out of town a couple weeks in a row, Steve suggested I join him in coastal Newport for a night.

                                                                    (image found here)

 The promise of a nice quiet dinner eating seafood with a view of the water with it's crashing waves and uninteruppted time alone, was more than I could refuse. Having Friday off, the boys were content with the idea of my leaving to spend time with Dad on Thursday. I took off around 7 and left assignments with the children. Things went smooth. Dinner was nice. The view was lovely. The night with just the two of us was enjoyable. Then the morning came, and my arms ached for my babies. My voice yearned to express my delight in seeing them when they woke up. My heart felt tugs of lonliness and concern. There I was in a hotel room all on my own with the possibilities of doing whatever I desired...and all I wanted to do was race home as quickly as possible. To my life. It was important to have this experience to realize that, this is what I chose, the one I desire to live every day, and the people I'm so grateful the Lord has blessed me with to call family. But, sometimes a Mom does need a break. A time to distance herself from the life she lives in order to appreciate, from afar, what she has and know that the challenges in life are worth the effort for the blessings that come through conquering them. I'm grateful I had this opportunity. I'm content with what I chose to be...

                                                                                      ... my life.

Birthday Present from Brian Regan

In an effort to catch up on the events of the past few months, I'm going to start with the birthday gift Tyler got to go see the comedian Brian Regan here in Eugene. He graciously took Bryon and I since he knew we were dying to go (*partly since I told him he had to take us or I would probably never speak to him again, BUT, I said, "the tickets are yours and you can do what you want with them." *e-hem*.)

This is Bryon and Tyler waiting at the light to cross the street, looking more unenthusiastic than they really were, with their insanely excited mother (behind the camera).

 We got there about an hour early and enjoyed a few snacks since we were waiting to eat after the show.

 Tyler is pausing from his texting just long enough to have his picture taken. He had a friend in the theatre up in the front of the balcany. They texted while we waived.

They were a little silly for awhile, but it was a fun silly and we had a great time.

This is the dreamy look Bryon had after saying to me, "Just thinking of Bryon Regan makes me smile."

We were in STITCHES the EN-tire time. I truly got a taste of what it would be like to literally DIE laughing.

Afterwords we went to our favorite and traditional dinner spot for the three of us at Red Robin.

(we used to go there on special occassions before the other children were born.) 

It was a wonderfully memorable night!

 Last night when I knelt down to say my prayers, I noticed something on my pillow. It had been a long and productive day and I was worn out from all the running around, feeling as if there was not another thing I could make myself do, even if I willed it, short of collapsing into bed. Initially when I saw the note I thought it might be something more I needed to do, a request from or a favor for someone.  As I looked closer, I realized that it was so much more...

 sweet appreciation and expressions of love. This was a beautiful reminder to me what a simple note can do for someone. Whether it's been a long day, a difficult month, a challenging year, or even an enjoyable time in our lives, kind expressions and thoughts by someone, in any form, can lift spirits and offer encouragement. Though we may not realize it, taking a moment to show someone what we feel for them not only blesses the lives of the reciever,

but even more often, the giver.

I quickly turned around and gave gratitude through hugs and kisses to my giver.

I am so blessed!

A Place to Hide

One day a couple of months ago, I was truly at a loss as to where my little girl was. I hadn't seen her for a few minutes and she wasn't to be found in her typical position near her big brother and sister. My concern for her wasn't peaked yet, I just wanted to know her whereabouts. Just keeping an eye out as I went about my regular household duties, I discovered her while doing a load of laundry...

     

                                            ...right in the middle of the laundry sorter.

Since then, I have found her there on occassion. Sometimes she is hard to see depending on the amount of laundry.


     Since then, I have found her there on occassion. Sometimes she is hard to see depending on the amount of laundry. Sometimes it catches me quite off guard and I just chuckle and let her be.

I've come to realize that everyone, no matter their age, at times need a place they can be alone. A place they find comfort, peace, tranquility or even refuge from everything else.

                                                                        A Place to Hide.

What they Say Wednesday

Mom: Justin, what instrument do you want to play when you grow up?
Justin (without hesitation): A Horn.
Mom:What kind?

Justin: A nice and shiny one that's not slobbered on. And if it is slobbered on, I don't want it.

Mommy Tip Tuesday

Over the years, perfecting the chocolate chip cookie has become completely vital. As they are the most loved cookie in our house. Not only have I come across some of the best all time recipes, but I have come to find the secret to perfect cookies every. single. time.

. The above picture is a prime example of a cookie that is made with just butter or margarine, no shortening.

The below, is a picture of a cookie that is too cakey or puffy. This happens when just shortening is used, no butter or margarine.

(excuse the overly used cookie sheets. I promise they're clean, just well used!)

 The optimum quality cookie is one that has 1/2 shortening, and 1/2 butter. After much trial and error, I have found this to be the secret to the best cookies. EVERY time. Go ahead, put it to the test....

Unless, of course, you're just in it for the dough. Then it's all about the flavor, and either can work, but we prefer butter. ;)

Bittersweet

We've been doing a lot of rearranging in our house lately. After finishing the guest room, which is now Bryon's own room (something he has been wanting for a LONG time) we began changing room arrangements and painting like crazy. I have had the reorganization bug since Christmas, so this has been a wonderful answer to satisfying that need to clean, create order, and purge. As I have been painting, which for me is very theraputic, I have been reminiscing the events of the last seven years since we've lived here as they are gradually being erased from our walls. The most difficult rooms to paint were the memories from what was the nursery and is now Tyler's room, and what was Bryon and Tyler's shared room, which is now shared by their three younger brothers. Although it is a happy change, I think about the many memories that took place in that room since our oldest boy was a ten year old. Now that he approaches 18, so many things have changed and evolved. A necessary course in life, yet done with much trepidation as those fragile, innocent years peel away. It has been wonderful to watch as these children have grown. Feeling sorrows, joys and experiencing life all on their own. It's a blessing to be a parent to such wonderful spirits, yet the time slips away, is hard to let go of. I often wonder if I am ready for what the future holds, when one by one, these dependant souls become independant and need us less and less. How grateful I am for the time we've had to share in their learning and growth. I often reflect on the good with fondness yet, like most parents I'm sure, with a yearning to change what I didn't know better at the time. I wonder, would the sweet be as sweet as it is to us now, had we done things differently? I guess we won't know. This I do, however it has been a challenging, yet wonderful, roller coaster ride that at least I am thankful I've spent not alone, but hand in hand with the man I never thought I could love more now than I did 20 years ago, and yet do in a much more intense-profound way, and the guidance of one that knows us better than anyone else: A loving Father in Heaven. How bittersweet life is. I find time is difficult to let go.