moments.

via seeing the everyday magazine
(and wonderfully written)

happy monday. where did my day go?

i am just stopping and sitting down now for a moment. the kids are in bed, i just threw a load of whites in the washer and finally i am eating a dinner of crackers and cheese.

sometimes i wonder how a day can slip by just like that? yet, when i finally stop and remain idle for some time, i remember the moments. i remember the moments that made me smile. it was the confidence elle showed as she got on the school bus this morning and then found the friend she was planning to sit with. it was the giant chocolate chip cookie i bought sia as a treat today and in return she said "thank you mommy, i'm the best girl, right?" or her excitement to use the scanner at the self-checkout while we were shopping. it was the fabulous shirt i found (and bought) on clearance, perfect for the fall. it was the smile of proud satisfaction that slade gave to me as he came out of the batting cage looking my way. it was my two children sitting quietly in their rooms doing homework diligently. it was the sweet text messages i received from my more than supportive husband. it was the quiet "i love you's" and the kisses i placed on each child's forehead after they fell asleep. and, it is the calmness and serenity that permeates through our home as i sit here now.

everyday, there are those moments. joyful, happy, gratifying moments. moments that may seem inconsequential but are so nurturing for me and for our family. moments of reassurance. moments of life. i thought the day just quickly went by. but now i remember as i am sitting here now. i remember the simple, meaningful moments that give fulfillment to my life everyday.

hydrangea blooms.

I dropped Slade off at the bus stop this morning and on my way into the side garage door, I was very excited to see my hydrangeas were blooming and beautiful. So, with excitement, immediately I cut some of the larger flowers and brought them indoors to fill a ceramic pitcher.

I am flooded with memories. Happiness. Love. Unity. Galvanized buckets filled with the same color hydrangeas hung on the end of each pew in the church the day Jeff and I were married. For me, hydrangeas such as these will always symbolize the joy and love we shared that day. The day we became husband and wife. The day we became one. The day we vowed that we would be together forever.

I love when a simple moment overwhelms me with so many memories and such happiness.

emotions.

It's Tuesday. I am tired, feeling a little overwhelmed by emotions. Last week I was full of anticipation, excitement and joy. Jeff arrived. Then, feelings of extreme contentment and bliss surfaced. So happy to be a family sitting down to dinner each night and waking each morning to plan our day.

Sneaking out for sushi Saturday night without children. Our date. I am so in love. Lucky and amazed I have someone so wonderful to share the rest of my life with. Our dreams... our life... the past, present and future... we laughed, we talked.

Mother's Day. Blessed, truly blessed to have three beautiful children. Sad (really sad) they are growing right before my eyes. Proud when I look at the three plants in beautifully painted pots sitting on the mantle, made by each of them in school. Reflections of motherhood and how gratifying it is. I love being a mother.

Sunday night... it's quiet, dreading the goodbye. One by one, each child arrives in our bed that night. None of us sleep well, yet we are together. We don't complain or put them back in bed. We just hold on to being together.

Monday is a daze. The drive to the airport. We are all sad. Then the goodbyes. A part of me is missing. I drive home feeling empty and alone. Sad. Yet happy and so blessed to have had the most wonderful weekend and Mother's Day with my family being all together. I am truly thankful.

love + comfort + siblings

I hope your weekend was happy. I'm not sure where mine went. It seems to have gone by so quickly. It seems like it was just Friday afternoon and we were leaving the dentist office. It marked yet another milestone in the lives of my young children. Sia went to the dentist for the very first time. Luckily her brother and sister had appointments too.

The hygienist came out to the waiting area and called Sia's name. She looked at me, then Slade and he grabbed her hand and walked her back into the office. Ahhh... the love of siblings. The hygienist smiled and winked and then the door closed. I sat there and couldn't believe my baby was actually going to sit in that dentist chair like a big girl and without her mommy. I tried. Seriously tried hard to hold back the tears. It truly couldn't be that my baby was now old enough to visit the dentist. I was so choked up.

Thankfully, another hygienist came out to let me know that Sia was doing great but she was a little teary-eyed, however, she told me now Elle was holding her hand and wiping any tears. Ahhh... the comfort of siblings. I felt so much better and knew it was best that I remained in the waiting area. She would have really cried if she saw me. And, thankfully she had Elle by her side.

And then, before I knew it, out they came. Sia and Elle had gigantic smiles with new toothbrushes, prizes and stickers in hand. She did it. Sia's first dentist appointment was complete (and without mommy by her side). I was so proud of her and proud of Slade and Elle for the comfort they gave to their little sister. Slade came out next with the same statement of accomplishment on his face. He too was smiling big.

I checked out and left the dentist office feeling like such a proud mom. Not only was my little girl such a big girl today, but I was tremendously thankful for siblings. I am so blessed to have three children to love and to watch grow together. I am truly thankful for the love and comfort my children give one another, not only today but always.

Sia is not so happy as our wonderful pediatric dentist commemorates the event with a photograph. Elle steps in to help hold a giant toothbrush for the photograph since Sia absolutely refused to.

And afterwards in the car, Sia is very happy showing her pearly whites as she drinks her well-deserved milkshake.