What did you do in school today?

What did you do in school today? I ask my oldest as he clicks his seat-belt in place.
Cheeks red from running, hair wild from play, he looks out the window, and says these words:

I don't know.

He leans over to tickle his little brother. Giggles and screams erupt in the backseat.
Brothers re-united after three, apparently looooooong hours!

I'm determined. I target the mirror on his eyes.

Tell me about it bud, how was your time at school?

More giggles. More high-pitched screams...

Who I am kidding? This conversation was over long before it began.

Stomachs are growling. Nap time is looming {for one son at least}, and Tanner is not interested in the slightest about reviewing his minute-by-minute PreSchool education with his crazy mother.

Yet, here I am, day after day, asking the same question and receiving the same distracted evasive answer.

What did you do in school today?

I don't know!

The right question with the wrong approach.

Around our worn, rectangular kitchen table, white cottage legs hold a million memories ~  the dark surface scarred from hot pizza boxes feeding friends over multiple moves, pen indentations from writing cards, a thousand sprays and wipes of snacks, marker scribbles, and peanut butter cracker crumbs. It's around this table we share dinner as a family.

Bryan looks at Tanner and asks magic words.

T, can I ask you three questions about your day at school?

Tanner's face lights, expectant of the questions asked specifically for him.

I watch, spellbound by what unfolds. My husband, over his plate of chicken, rice, and black beans, casually focuses his eyes on our oldest ~ no backseat distractions ~ and unwraps gift questions.

Who did you play with on the playground?
Tanner rattles off names, filling in the pauses with hand gestures and stories about fighting "bad guys" during free time.

What story did Miss Peggy read you guys?
"This one about a bear, it was a nice bear, and..."

I lean in... watching stories spill out, onto the worn table, liquid words pooling together before dripping off the edges.

Okay, third question. What was the coolest thing you learned today?
The word race continues... his hands fly, his voice energetic and hurried, recreating scenes and offering up details about his day.
We learned about the letter A. A is for anchor, and apple, and...

He knows what an anchor is?

Unbelievable!

The magic circles. Now, our oldest became the question-asker.

Dad, what did you do at work today?

He too is learning to inquire, to be an "others"seeker, with an awareness that the world is full of individuals, each with their own story ~ a story interesting enough to ask about, a story wanting to be shared. A world outside of his four-year old scope.


My prayer sky-rockets. 
May we are raise sons, who, whether in the company of their peers, or adults, are comfortable answering questions and confident asking questions.

Magic dust settles.

All this time.
I've been asking questions of my son, but forgetting the simple concept of asking specific questions.
Reflecting in my brain, I sift through past conversations with friends. When I ask about them, I long to hear the specifics, to grasp the heartbeats in their everyday.

Are you feeling connected in your new church? 
How is the adjustment with two kiddos? 
What is the next step in his job interview?
With being overwhelmed, what can you take off your plate?
Have you tried the chocolate baby bundt cake at Corner Bakery? {don't laugh ~ it's an important question!}

Yet, why don't I ask the specifics from my own child?

 
These questions are meant to draw out of the real corners of life, rather than the general expanse of open sky.

Not there there is anything wrong with asking, How was your day?

But specific questions often lead to answers one didn't know they had until asked!

When we first moved to Atascadero, the transition was numbing.
Enter city girl into small town. A town of strangers. A town with more cows than people.
An adjustment, to say the least.

People asked how I was. And I replied with the standard.
It's new. It'll take time. It's good. 

One particular Saturday I found myself on Mama Sue's couch- the mom of my dear sister-friend, Heather. Her blue eyes reflected my green pair ~ watery and fragile.
How are you adjusting to the move?
A simple question, but with specific movement.

Hours, I sat on that couch, watery eyes turned to floor puddles, setting words free to feelings I didn't realize I had.

It was a healing couch conversation.
Simply because of her specific, wrapped-in-love question.

Lesson learned.
Ask specific questions.


School days look different now.

In the morning, backpack already on before the oldest walks out the door, I kneel down and hug him. I pray for him, and remind him how he makes my heart smile. I tell him I can't wait to pick him up and ask him three questions about his day.  

Be looking for some cool stories to share. I can't wait to hear about your school adventures. 

He goes into his day with expectation. Whether it be looking for a new friend to include in his "bad guy" search, or learning unique facts about The Person of the Day, I no longer ask, How was your day?

Now, I squeeze him at pick-up, and savor the car giggles and screams. Arriving at home, I give him and his brother time to eat, wrestle, and settle in.

 {Caught stealing cookies off the kitchen counter, but at least they're sharing}

Then, I put our youngest down for his nap, Ty grasping Mickey Mouse in one hand, and Elmo in the other. Door closed, I walk into our living room and sit with Tanner. It's Lego time. Our time. To build. Create. Imagine. Talk.

Primary-colored miniature blocks scatter all around, we get to work on building Lego ships.

Conversation unfolds; comfortable, intentional.

Can I ask you three questions about your day?

No distractions, no forced answers,  just a comfortable back-and-forth of asking and sharing specific questions.

Traditions and HAIR TIE GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

A big Thank You for all of you who shared your favorite traditions... I love hearing about how your family celebrates.

The Hair Tie Giveaway winner is:

Julianna Williams

who wrote, 

"My favorite family tradition comes from my husband's family. We love to celebrate birthdays (never on time, but always with love!). Each time we gather for a family member's birthday, we each pray for the birthday guy or gal. It's a prayer of thanksgiving for who they are and a prayer of blessing for their future. I treasure this time and the opportunity to thank God for the amazing family I married into!"

{Julianna, please email me your address, and your hair ties will be on their way :)}

And, while we're on the topic of traditions, I thought I'd share an oldy-but-a-goody post about the Blanket Tradition we started at The Pogue Cottage... because who wouldn't want to make a blanket when they go to PreSchool?! 

Read about the blanket tradition here

In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.

MARGE KENNEDY, The Single Parent Family

GIVEAWAY~ Premium Hair Ties!!!

I'm not much of a girly-girl!

I rarely wear pink ~ in fact on the seldom occasion that I do, my oldest comments, comparing me to his Pre-School crush, who always wears pink!
Hmmm...perhaps I should re-think this pink-wearin' thang! I want him to have a crush on me!

But I do love a fab accessory!

Currently, these are my favorite accessories: HAIR TIES!!
Shiny, feminine, don't-kink-my-crazy-curls HAIR TIES!

Which is why I'm excited to share Today's Giveaway:

Annie, owner of Hair Tied ~ 

is giving away

 EIGHT UH-DORABLE PREMIUM HAIR TIES! 

Can you handle the cute black sparkly one? They are all so fun!

{Colors are chartreuse, plum, gray, black sparkle, aqua, magenta, black, zebra}

What I most love about Hair Tied {visit her website here} is that she gives 10% of all sales to Operation Smile. See why on her personal blog here! 

Not only does Hair Tied carry standard colors, but fun patterns and sparkly ones too! Yes please!

Owner/founder of Hair Tied, Annie is a friend I met through my sister-in-law. We share the commonality of having youth pastor hubbies and sons, but her level of rock-stardom is beyond my scope. She is welcoming her 4th boy to their family soon! Annie is creative, has the most beautiful smile, and an enormous heart for Jesus. Her joy is contagious, and I whole-heartedly cheer on her amazing business venture!

Because I'm the hugest fan, I thought I'd invite you into our bathroom to take a gander at my go-to, easy-grab necessity basket. 

Do you spy the jar of hair ties? 

Between my Hair Tied hair ties and headbands, I've got every color covered! 

See? Obsessed! 

My friends see me wearing the teal or coral ones daily.

This antique jar holds my many Hair Tied gems, and the lid ensures my energetic monkeys don't use them to slingshot Spiderman off the couch!

Here I am sporting my absolute favorite Hair Tied accessory~ a coral headband! 

{I roped Tanner into this picture, as I am not a fan of self-portraits}

To win this fabulous Hair Tied Giveaway, please share your favorite family tradition and your name on my blog under Comments. Entries are due by midnight on Friday, September 21st. The winner will be announced on the blog a couple of days later. Check back to see if it's YOU!

Peruse Hair Tied here and buy some for yourself; and while you're at it, grab some extras~ they make great gifts!
And, check out Annie's personal blog: montgomery party of five . While you're at it, send encouraging words her way. Starting a business is hard, and she's rockin' it!

Now, if you'll excuse me... I need to go shop for some pink to add to my wardrobe!

Tanner's Prayer

Today was the ideal vacation day. Plenty of relaxation, sprinkled with out-of-the-norm outings, and ending how all ideal days should~ with a bowl of ice cream!

Yes, it's true that I ordered Cookies-N-Cream and ended up devouring my hubby's Chocolate Almond Waffle Cone! Please don't judge, you would have done the same, too!

 

For starters, there was sleeping in until 9:30am! Which, for those of you with kids, is the equivalent to 2 in the afternoon. I might as well have eaten bon-bons and stayed in my fat pants all day... it was decadent. I do dress after enjoying a fabulous cup of coffee in a pearl, skinny mug that seems so vacationy and different than my chubby mugs at home, mugs that require both of my hands wrapped around to meet fingers. Even using different bath towels, and eating on resort china lends a subtle nuance of staying in a place away from home, a place appropriately named vacation.

There was the walk with cousins and my sister-in-law Rondi, noting trees that dance and shimmer, their green coins like tiny cymbals. Here, the air is different, crisp and fresh, lacking the saltiness of our beach town.

There was lunch, Bryan and I side by side, making turkey and provolone sandwiches, a treat from the independent, everyday schedule of just me and the boys. Smiling 'round the table, our mouths covered in chip crumbs, we are a family oblivious to the day, time, or urgency of a schedule.

There was venturing into Bend, The Old Mill, window shopping, and trying my new soy palette at an homey organic coffee shop. We discover a foodies dream store ~ selling spices, rubs and extracts, their top-seller, a pesto spice, popular when seasoning chicken or making guacamole. I'll be visiting again before the week is over.

There was spinach salad dinner, a feast for our eyes and mouths, inviting a colorful party of red and orange sweet peppers, grilled chicken, green onions, black beans, yellow sweet corn, drizzled with home-made cilantro garlic dressing.

There was the Fish Hatchery adventure. Sweatshirts on the inseparable cousins, we watch the horizon tug at the sun, drawing its warm temperature down with the ball of fire, each child gifted a quarter. Coin in, turn the handle, open lever, and out spill pellets ~ fish food for 24-inch rainbow trouts. Jumping, water rippling, the kids can't suppress their delight in feeding thousands of open-mouthed trout. Ty's chilly hand holds mine, tight. Mostly to ground himself from falling in the water, or perhaps, because he likes holding his mama's hand. Either way, I'll take it.

Umbrellaing the coming and goings, the savoring and sippings, is the chipping away that God is doing in my spirit today. It's slow-coming, like drinking salty, hot cocoa and feeling the all-over warmth seconds later. I'm steeping in His time, in His teaching, in His soft whispers. My brain is doing much thinking, so much that it carries over into my dreams, echoing His words about what I must let go of,  how to find freedom in His affirmation alone. I fight the urgency to learn this lesson and move on. Instead, I take advantage of the non-hurried, vacation mindset my thoughts and heart are in, following suit with His Truth prodding throughout the day.

And it's big! Life-changing big! What God's Spirit is uncovering in the sticky corners of my heart- scooping and scraping out to make room for space and light- will be a mountain step in my faith journey. It's a process not to be hurried or forced, but to lean into, and listen, as if my life depends on it. Because it does. My life must be changed. I can't sense His tug, and ignore it. I must turn over control to the Maker of All, allowing Him to transform this inner war into peace. Where self-talk or positive outlook can be fabricated from my merit, His work will heal completely, as only the Healer can... I can't wait to share the process with you!

Finally, there was Tanner's bed-time prayer: 
"God, I love you, I love you brave. I hope that everyone {he names every. single. person. in our family} is having a good time this week. You make my heart happy...  I pray that you are proud of me..."

From the mouth of babes. It doesn't get more simple and sweet than that.

As I settle into an over-sized bed, much larger than at home, I echo my son's prayer...

God, I love you, I love you BRAVE! You make my heart happy. I pray that you are proud of me.

There, the perfect end to an ideal vacation day.

A slice of Sunriver, Oregon heaven!

Vacationing with my hubby's side of the family is in full swing!

At the age of 4, Bry's memories began, their family of 6 piled into the Volkswagon Bus, sans air conditioning, Beach Boys blaring, the 14-hour road-trip en route to Sunriver, Oregon for a week of pure bliss. And now the family has grown to 3 daughter-in-laws, 6 grandkids, and a partridge in a pear-tree in the form of 3 suedo granddogs! We come from Encinitas, San Dimas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Huntington Beach by car and plane.

Every other summer, we anticipate this time, packing sweaters for the chilly evenings, and plenty of sunscreen for swimming, river-floating, and biking. Surprises await the cousins in coloring books, and glow sticks for the epic tradition of after-dark dance parties, the youngin's coming down from their sugar highs, and full, played-out days.

Seven days of endless bike paths, floating down the Deschutes River, enjoying home-made dinners on the porch,walking into the Village to enjoy Goody's flavor of the day {waffle cone, please}, savoring sweet family moments and holding them close until two summers from now, when the family returns to this slice of heaven in Sunriver, Oregon.

And heaven it is!

Settling into our condo, each family is greeted by the thoughtful assurance of mom and dad: fresh ground coffee for the morning's brew, creamer in the fridge, bananas and oatmeal, wipes and diapers for the babes. Extra, small notions that grow my heart.

It's going to be a special week!

The morning sun stares through the skylight and cheers us out of bed, beckoning us outside amongst the pine trees, shining river, his rays illuminating the bike paths and sprinkling of flowers.

Oh, the flowers!

Queen Ann's Lace scatters among the river brush, their cream faces lifted, reflecting glory to their Creator. Baseball size wish flowers, and lavender, furry-orbed puffs. Neon magenta petals push their way above the reeds, mini joy explosions of beauty. I can't process it fast enough. His Glory is manifested all around.

In the trees, vibrant hues on every leaf. Green, a thousand shades, underfoot to high above. He spared no expense when creating Sunriver!

As always, we start the first morning with the traditional bike loop, pausing near the local airport, model airplanes sputtering down the runway and barely breathing as they float horizontally above the ground. Tanner and Ty pop their curls out of the bike trailer to watch, their eyes still, the four of us squinting in the sun. Magic moments, these are! Built upon one another, they create a mountain of memories.

We bike further down the path, and approach Sunriver Stables, a barn welcoming horse-rides. Tanner debuted his first pony-ride on our last trip, at age 2. "Blueberry" was the appointed pony and walked an unsure toddler around the ring. Fast-forward to the present, our oldest now four, and Ty where Tanner was then, with all the confidence his spirit can contain. Amazing how two years grows us~ it promises stronger determination and more steady footing. Looking at my oldest, I see former fear replaced with excitement at the opportune, an eagerness to try. And my heart grows.

Comfortable afternoon hours settle into reading on the porch, Ty napping in the corner room. Cousins shoot their dart guns, others walk to the Village Country Store for fresh peaches and milk. Rondi and mom prepare dinner while baby Wyatt crawls on the white sheet, it's soft cotton hugging the grass lawn. Dad and Kristy play Ladderball and I sip a glass of wine, the most reverent act one can do while sitting on a porch.

Dinner is ready, and we gather inside to hold hands and thank the Lord for this food, this family, this place, where for one week of our busting-at-the-seams summer, we fly or drive to be together, and enjoy a slice of Sunriver heaven!

A day in the life at the Pogue Cottage

If you happen to find yourself in Huntington Beach on this fine, summer-fading day, a magnetic pull draws you to our home, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse soundtrack rockin' at decimal 10, a few steps before the threshold you'll pass a weathered black chair holding cheerful coral begonias in her lap, our front door open, screen cracked to welcome you in.

And in you'll walk, laundry piled on the far right leather chair, my favorite Laughter pillow propped, the smell of fresh coffee waving good morning, Bruiser jumping to greet, Tanner running down the hall ~ bare buns in search of board-shorts, and Ty carrying whatever he happens to be eating at that precise moment {and trust me, it varies moment to bless-ed moment- at not even 2, the kid is eating me out of the home}.

 

I holler to you from the kitchen, where I'm pouring coffee into my creamer, greet you with two arms, no make-up on, typically in workout clothes, but this morning dressed for the beach, my green and white striped bandeau bikini hiding under a chocolate sundress.

Pick your mug, help yourself to creamer {if there's any left}. Please make yourself at home.

You watch the scene unfold:

Ty wearing his typical sumo-wrestler stance, his busyness covering every room, legs wide, those stubby trunks supporting his stubbornly silly frame. He now has another "snack" grasped in his chubby fingers and is no doubt shouting to turn the Mickey Mouse soundtrack "up", while his other hand sneaks down the back of his diaper {help please... what do I do with a kid whose hand is prone to wander?}
I adore this little man. My Ty, who smells of toasted brown sugar and sandy socks, whose grin stops countless strangers, and strong will has me on speed dial to 'Oh Lord' ~  he keeps me on my toes ~ and knees ~ and I'm convinced he will move mountains.

The sound down the hall piques your interest... you pass the leather chair decorated in clean clothes waiting to be folded {don't hold your breath}, and peer through the cracked door, Tanner's vintage surfer room on the other side. Model cars and trucks {a hand-me-down from church friends} stall on the dresser, surfer bedding rests on the trundle, and you almost have time to take in the art wall above the reading nook before your eyes land on the noise...the noise of a stark naked boy performing kung-fu moves in the mirror, smacking his buns, and slitting his eyes for the imaginary opponent.

You have to cup your hand over mouth at what follows:

He is now peering over his unclothed backside, staring in the mirror, flexing those cute buns.
"They are getting bigger. My buns are getting bigger!"An eruption of "hi-ya's!" then 4-year old grunts! His words, a reflection from his recent doctor's appointment where he was told that, he is indeed, getting bigger, in addition, to having a mom that threatens to put him in a "Tanner box" if he continues to grow. It's all in love, I assure you. And now we know ~ his buns are getting bigger with the rest of him! 

Too late!

He heard your giggles and opens the door, his sky eyes staring up at you! The world is very big to this sweet boy, one he will navigate cautiously and intentionally. I adore my firstborn, this angel meets fighter-warrior.

Mickey has run his course, coffee mugs are drained, and it's going to be a great day at the beach! Join the party if you dare.

It will involve meeting at a childhood favorite, Little Corona Beach, with an old friend and her son visiting from small-town, our once-upon-a-time home in Atascadero.  Buckets will bow a thousand bows to the ocean, salt-water diving onto the sand racetrack, each boy holding his own car or tractor. Conversation is easy ~ comfortable and worn as the sleeping driftwood. We cheer the oldest boys, as they jump from unsure footing to the subtle current below.

Do you see it?

The energy, the life, the beauty beheld?

Children imagining and fighting "bad guys", savoring food, be it simple pb&j and raisins, the ease of friendship, and holding-on-to-the-last-days-of-summer weather.

It's an irreplaceable moment, and I'm so glad you are sharing it with me.

Now, back to the sounds of Mickey and sights of unfolded laundry...
sand must be washed off, and eyelids need resting.

Thanks for stopping by a beautifully typical, full-of-life summer morning at the Pogue Cottage!

Living in Plan B

It was a Plan B type of week.

As in Plan A simply didn't get the memo, took off on vacation, and left no forwarding address.

Whatever the reason, life lesson "go-with-the-flow" whistled in the breeze and rose with the sun, consistent and daily.

Life: Our youngest came down with a morning fever {did I mention our kids are rarely sick?} which resulted in my tardiness to a work meeting.
Plan B: Snuggles galore with this little boy typically too enamored with life's adventures to stop for a mere second and hug his mother!

Life: A sushi date ~ two patio seats basked in summer dusk and inviting us to sit, and the Viva Las Vegas Roll calling our name, only to receive word that our oldest son had a 102 fever!
Plan B: Our next date night location and menu selection already anticipated {make that two Viva Las Vegas Rolls}, and the 45 minute drive to pick up the boys from their doting grandparents gifted us much-needed quality conversation.

 

Life: In celebration of Tanner's 4th birthday, Mimi and Papa planned a surprise outing to Zoomar's Petting Zoo {if you are an Orange County local, check it out here}, but had to hit the pause button when the Birthday Boy's stubborn fever insisted on lingering on/off for several days.
Plan B: Quality grandparent time at home ~ movies splurges, puzzle creations, and yes, ice cream cones... 'cuz what birthday is complete without ice cream?

Life: Not enough room in our small bedroom closet.
Plan B: Eying blouses, sundresses, and sandals I haven't worn in a year, a bag full of fabulous finds for any gal in want of a new wardrobe awaits!

Life: Reality reminder from the Anxiety Bug gnawing at financial worries: my 6 week temporary job  has come to a fruitious completion.
Plan B: God's provision in the form of being asked to write a monthly article for TRU, my contribution geared towards encouraging parents. Hello!
Learn about this incredible spiritual parenting ministry, TRU, here.

 

Life: Piecing coolers, smores ingredients, beach towels, and EZ-UP canopies Jenga-style in the Pathfinder, beach-bound to celebrate our now healthy, 4 year-old's birthday in true bonfire fashion, only to discover that not a single beach-pit was vacant!
Plan B: Updating the fam on Birthday Bonfire's new location ~ The Pogue Cottage! Being that Tanner's only wish was to celebrate with his cousins, he was just as excited! Everyone pitched in to create backyard summer magic, and my sister-n-law saved the day by bringing their killer water slide and portable fire-pit! An impromptu makeshift Spiderman banner, blue Ball Jars overflowing with Red Vines, mini Rolos Smores, and clean bathrooms made it the perfect Bonfire Party! Without sand!

Plan B.
It's a looser, hands-open, faith-focused place to live.
Years have taught me that while it's wise to make plans, it's my mindset during the process, the potential changes and shifts in those plans, that directly effect the outcome.
Life doesn't take orders, our calendars only have so much room, and our plans aren't always His plans.
The "go-with-the-flow" approach has carried over from friends I admire, a city oozing with a kick-back vibe, and an unwavering desire to rest confidently in the center of my My Heavenly Father's plans.


Try it.
Go with the flow.
Be flexible.
Be surprised.
Be amazed at how often Plan B grows you in ways Plan A wouldn't.

Just watch, it may better than anything you could have planned!

My week with Tanner

Tanner is having a tough week.

Or perhaps I am having a tough time with Tanner this week.
Yes, that's more like it.

At church Sunday, a long-distance friend visiting, saw him, and exclaimed,
"Tanner, when did you become a boy?"

Raising my shoulders to my side-tilted head, I laughed.
But then I looked at him.
I took a
Good.
Hard.
Look.

And standing before me, in his big-boy flip flops and plaid shorts, indeed, was a boy.

My Tanner.

Who is almost four.

And is trying on his big-boy, independent spirit.

A spirit bursting with questions, creative story-telling, selfishness with his younger brother, and specifically this week, a plethora of

I don't want to's!
No's!
I don't like that!

followed by
running away from me.
Down the hall, where he jumps on his bed, his face buried in his striped surfer pillow, his curls framing the back of his head.

And he lays there, refusing to meet my eyes.

And it makes my blood boil.

Who is this boy?

For me, this has been a week of hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute prayer.
For patience
For direction
For seeing Tanner's heart through God's filter, not my frazzled mom lens.

And I see that this boy, my Tanner, is paving his way, he's testing his boundaries, he's seeing how far he can push me before I react,
or scream,
or make a testing moment much bigger than it needs to be.

So these days, I'm praying a lot.

And I'm not chasing him down the hall when I call for him.
I'm trying to wait patiently in the kitchen,
for him to follow my voice
and come back to me.

And he always does.
Sometimes it takes longer than others, but eventually he comes.
And I've been able to kneel down at his level, which I fear, will pass mine shortly,
and stare into his deep pale blue eyes, and see what God sees.

This boy, this Tanner, is a child searching for love and security.

In those seconds, when my blood is rising in my throat, and I'm fighting the over-riding desire to yell at him to 'listen'

I instead hold him, and ask him to look inside at his own heart and tell me what he sees.
Is it a heart that's listening, not just to me, but to God's Voice?
Is it a heart that desires to obey, not because he'll get in trouble, but because it means the best outcome?

I take his hand, which is bigger I notice, a hand belonging to a young boy, and together, side by side, we walk down the hall,
I lift him into his bed
and I pray over him,
that he will have a heart that listens to his Heavenly Father.
And his eyes, heavy from exhaustion, and his brain, tired from thinking up fighting words, relax.

I watch his chest move up and down, his eyelashes reaching towards his toes, his curls sweaty on his forehead,
and I see my baby, in the form of a boy,
needing to know he is loved
regardless of his actions
regardless of his hurtful words
regardless of his challenging eyes

He needs to know that I will always be here,
standing in the kitchen,
calling for him,
waiting for his pitter-patter of feet, coming from down the hall,
to hold him, and remind him
that I love him
regardless.

My Mother's Day Dream

To all you moms out there,  

Happy almost Mother's Day!

Being a mom, means pouring yourself out day after day

Wiping noses, breathing in giggles, sacrificing your time for their time.

Cutting endless halves of pb&j, modeling forgiveness, and throwing in one more load of laundry.

Being a mom means forfeiting temporary sleep for Candy land dreams.

And, being a mom beckons taking some time out for you.

To recharge your battery.

Fill up your cup.

And remind you of what is important.

And frivolously fun...

For Mom's Day, here are some things that have caught my eye...

Gap sweater 

Gap Hoodie Cover-Up

 J. Crew striped dress

{are you seeing my striped obsession?}

This cute number from Banana Republic

A striped cardigan, Banana

 

A subscription to this magazine

 

A refill of my favorite perfume, Ralph Lauren Romance 

 

 Some rose bushes for our yard. I adore fresh picked flowers sprinkled throughout our home, and these roses are known for their strong, sweet fragrance. 

Heritage, an English rose.

Double Delight, a fragrant hybrid rose.

Radiant Perfume 

And what bouquet wouldn't look fab in these glass vases from One Kings Lane

 

Cute, outdoor pouf

 

 Dar dishtowels

from

 Crate & Barrel

 

And this cute sign for drying our suits!

But more than anything, I live for these moments ~

watching my boys throw seashells,

and being silly with their daddy.

Throw in my favorite chocolate craving

and evening margaritas with homegrown limes,

family time with Mana and Papa Shorty,

and Pops and Mimi

and you've got

one

blessed 

mom!