Our long weekend

My Memorial Day weekend got extended one day because Emma and Colt's daycare had to close the Friday beforehand. I took the day off and enjoyed running some errands with my kids. Sometimes I think I could be a stay-at-home mom, but then I think about what little patience I have! After we got some groceries, we headed to the lake for a few hours. The weather was beautiful, but not necessarily for swimming. Think that stopped my kids??

I was so chilly, but it was fun to play with them and see them so excited. After a few hours, we headed home, but we didn't stay long. We picked up Denny and headed to Outback for a very late birthday celebration. Both kids fell asleep on the way, but it was still a fun evening.

On Saturday, I took the kids to the softball field to cheer on Denny in his first game. We then went home and hung out until mid-afternoon when we left to go to Indiana for a surprise birthday party for my Uncle Fred. The party was held in the gym of a church, so the kids loved playing (and so did the big kids!). It was a fun night visiting with family, but we didn't make it to Jeremy and Emily's (where we crashed for the night) until around 11 p.m.

The next morning we got donuts, ate some yummy quiche and went to the park before we left Marshall. We then headed back to the lake where we stayed from noon to 7 p.m. It was a perfect lake day! Karen had a lot of company over, and it was fun to hang out with Jenny and Alicia. Emma was a riot. She was so full of energy and joy. One of my favorite memories from the day was when my sweet little girl picked up a dead fish and was proudly showing everyone. Ha! She loves nature so much. I love that about her! Before we left the lake, Chad took us for a cruise around the lake in his pontoon.

On Monday morning, I took the kids to the Cement City Memorial Day parade. We saw a lot of Denny's family and the kids got ice cream sandwiches and corn on the cob. We then went home and played in the water and with water balloons in the afternoon.

I feel tired just remembering our busy weekend, but it was so great. I love seeing my kids have fun. On Sunday before we left the lake, Emma told me it was the best day of her life. I'm looking forward to making many more of those types of memories this summer!

May 17: Part II

The fun carried into the afternoon! Ha! It was actually a super exhausting day, but so much fun to see Emma dance!

Denny, Emily and the kids left my graduation a touch early so they could get to the recital on time. Emily did Emma's hair and makeup and got her in costume. It was a big relief to show up there and just walk Emma in!

Emma's group went in the middle of the show, but it was so much fun to watch all of the girls--from teeny-tiny girls to high school girls--it was just fun. When Emma's group came on, it was adorable. I just loved every minute of it. She did some fast twirls and was so cute! I thought all of the girls in her group did fantastic!

Right after Emma performed, I had to change Colt's diaper, so I relieved Denny of his duties for a while. Colt was a handful that day! He wanted to run around and just be a kid. I took him back into the auditorium and stood in back with Travis, Chad and Luke for a while, but he was just too crazy. I finally took him out to the cafeteria where there was a concession stand and we had a snack.

Then Denny took over for a while, so I was able to see the finale, where all the girls came out dancing to "Happy." Afterward, our families visited for quite a while giving Emma flowers and taking pictures of her. Did I mention that I bought 14 tickets for this show?! Emma is one very loved little girl!

Right before her second show was about to begin everyone left except Emma and me. Debbie came to the second show, and I kind of volunteered, but mostly hung out with Emma. After that show, Emma got her trophy, more flowers from Debbie and we went back to the house to celebrate.

I put my cap and gown on for a family photo. We then ate baked ziti that Emily made and ate cake. Jeremy and Emily ordered a special cake to commemorate the day.

I always love having my family over, and this weekend was great! Everyone pitched in, and I was worried over nothing (like usual). 

On Sunday afternoon, I took a nap on couch, which was the perfect end to a great weekend and the busiest year of my life ... to date.

May 17: Part 1

Saturday was such a full day that I think it justifies a two-part post. I have anticipated this day for so long, but I had no idea how the emotions would hit me.

To start with, I was so excited for my family to come into town, but on Friday I found out some sad news. It's certainly not the end of the world, but I think a person can only take so much change before it starts getting to her. I found out that the daycare provider for kids is selling her daycare. The good news is that she plans to stay on as an assistant. I don't know more details yet, but that news set me into a crying episofe. Yuck!

I cleaned the house and got everything busy for our hectic Saturday. I woke extra early on Saturday remembering that I had forgotten to wash Emma's tights. I got up and hand-washed them and then started getting everything together.

We went to a small breakfast the department hosted before the ceremony. The kids ate a ton, and we visited a little. I was able to meet the graduate from the program (we had a few classes together), so that was great. We then headed to the gym. My cap was huge. It kept falling off my head, but otherwise, everything went well.

The moment we started walking into the gym, I started crying. I think it just hit me, but I got it together and was fine. I was the second one to walk across the stage. Afterward, it took a while to find everyone. Jenny and mom snapped a couple quick photos and then we booked it to Emma's dance recital (part 2 coming soon).

I thought the culmination of this degree would jump start a new career path, but these days I find myself wondering if I am focusing on the right thing. Right now, my family is most important to me, so is it the right time to jump into attaining a promotion or new job (all hypothetical ... nothing is in the works)? Should I step back and learn how to be content (from a professional standpoint) until my kids are little older? I don't have the answers. I have been praying that the right door opens or that I find comfort in my current role, but only time will tell.

In the meantime, I had a wonderful weekend celebrating this milestone with my family. They were amazing, but I will write more about that in my new post.

Tough lessons

This morning as we pulled up to daycare, Emma saw another child through the window and said, "Oh, I hate it when 'Simon' is here." Yikes! What???

I had a little talk with her about being nice to everyone and treating them as she would want to be treated. I think a part of her is envious because her best friend plays with "Simon."

As we talked, she said some things that made me believe she is partially reacting to the feelings of others. Emma is an observer. She takes it all in and remembers everything.

This morning was another eye-opener for me. I need to say and act in the manner I want Emma to behave ... always. Never would I think that Emma has a mean bone in her body, but she sees how people—people she respects—act and talk, and she responds.

This parenting gig is harder than I thought! My kids continue to teach me more and more everyday.

My kids are pretty amazing

We have never been one of those "schedule" families. (not that there's anything wrong with those families) We are just busy and need to go with the flow more often than I would like, but my kids are so amazing. They go with the flow. Sure, there are some occasional fits, but I am learning so much from them.

It's Wednesday, but it definitely feels like it should be Friday. I had to go out of town on Sunday for work. I got home around 9:30 p.m. on Monday night.

On Tuesday, we all got up and went to work and daycare. After work, I picked up the kids and took Emma to ballet (her last class of the year!). After that, we rushed home. I made the kids a quick dinner (thank goodness they love PB&J), and we all had to get ready to go take pictures for the church directory. Denny had a work meeting at 5:30, so we were waiting for him in the car. He got home just in time to make it.

We got home around 9 p.m. and got ready for bed. This morning, though, the kids were so good and fun. Emma insisted on getting up by herself (I usually carry her into the living room). She then insisted on taking Leonardo in the car. As I dragged the trash down for pick-up, she worked on buckling him in. It was just a great morning, and I am so thankful for resilient children.

Failing miserably

Tonight after I yelled at the kids, Emma, my sweet 4-year-old, cried and told me I wasn't myself. I need to get a grip. I was upset about a work email. I need to invest way less (of my heart) in my 9-to-5 and much more in my sweeties. My heart is aching.

Planting trees

One of my distinct memories from when we moved into our home nearly five years ago was Denny's sentiment regarding the number of trees on our property. No, I don't recall the number (maybe 68?), but he counted them all and remarked about what a pain it would be to mow around and trim them. Not that he didn't love the trees. He is a nature guy.

Fast forward to this spring when Denny announced that he wanted to buy some trees. He showed me the order form and I kind of shrugged it off, but then he told me we needed to place an order. $183 later, we had ordered a ton of trees. Luckily most of them went to his grandpa's farm. We only planted seven on our property. Fittingly, we planted them on Arbor Day.

The kids helped, of course! They also loved digging for worms and feeding them to our chickens.

I know we will be happy when our honeycrisp apple and peach trees become fruitful within the next few years.

Out of the mouths of babes, part 1

I am totally stealing this idea from some of my favorite blogs. It's time to start recording some of the cute things my babes say ... especially since Emma has started telling jokes! ;)

Oftentimes, Emma likes to tell me loves me more than something silly that "rhymes."

I love you more than a blimp, dimp, gimp.

The other night when she was watching TV in our bedroom, she ran out to me in the living room and said, "This is one promise you must keep. You need to record the new Doc McStuffins next Monday."

This morning Emma said, "Maybe this weekend our entire family can go out to eat at a restarnaut (more like astronaut than restaurant)."

And then there's Colt. He still often talks gibberish, which I love, but he is starting to say more and more. One of his current favorites is, "Hey!" It's adorable!

Also, one of his constant demands is for "chocolate milk."

Finally if Denny isn't home or out with us, he constantly says, "Where's daddy?"

I love them to pieces!

I finished

Tomorrow will mark two weeks since I presented my capstone project and completed a master's degree. I thought I would feel so overjoyed, but that has yet to happen. I was so anxious due to the way that day went and purely exhausted. To top it off, I got sick last week, and I'm fighting a cold (thanks, Colt Buddy) this week.

I told my dear friend that it felt like I limped over the finish line. This semester was the hardest by far. And now, now who knows. When I set out to get my degree, it was to attain something greater professionally, but now I have doubts about getting too ambitious. I really want to focus on my children. Now, hang with me for a second.

I don't plan on being a stay-at-home-mom (though I would love it). I just don't want to take on a job that goes too far beyond 40+ hours on a regular basis. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a Girl Scout leader someday. I would love a little flexibility in a job where I feel appreciated. But is that too much to ask? I'm completely serious.

Last night, I prayed for the right opportunity to present itself. I feel a little desperate since there is no clear-cut path to what could be next. I just need to take one day at a time and remember that change doesn't happen overnight.

As far as finishing my degree, I am hoping the elation comes in a few weeks when I actually walk. I picked up my cap and gown today.