The Heat is On!

Summer is here.   How do I know?  It’s  97 degrees y’all.  I get sweaty walking to my mailbox.  Welcome summer, welcome.

I do love the start of every new season.  There are things I love about every season, things that just belong to that short time.  It feels new…special…every year.

Unfortunately, these seasons can really pass too quickly.  Time is funny like that.  Now that I stay at home, there are some days that seem so long, so similar.  Days filled with making beds, doing laundry, pretend play, and wiping off the highchair over and over.  Before I know it, weeks will have passed and those “special” things I meant to do are not done.

Enter my number one weapon…a list.

I made a summer to do list.  It’s filled with big and little things that I want to do for myself and my family this (super hot) season.  We all brainstormed and came up with tons of ideas.  They are listed in no particular order:

This idea is not unique.  I saw it on someone’s (can’t remember whose) blog last year.  An idea doesn’t have to be unique to be good.

I can’t wait to cross things off!

And since another season is here, I also cleaned out my closet today.  Here are my observations:

1.  Gap, Inc. should thank me.  I have single-handedly kept them in business.  At least they could send me a free gift card.  (Hint, hint.)

2.  I have an obsession with black shirts. One can never have too many.

I also went shopping today.  It was remarkable for two reasons.  First, I went ALONE.  Thank you to my fantastic husband who stayed home with the kids. Second, I went shopping for something crazy…SHORTS.

Yes, shorts, my friends.

You should know that I have been really against shorts for several years.  Why?  Well, have you looked around?  90% of the population doesn’t look good in them.  Really.  It’s scary.  I don’t want to be one of those people. 

(Feel free to disagree with that statistic.  But you should know that it was based on a very scientific study called "My Opinion".)

 Why the change of heart about shorts?  See the top paragraph.  It’s 97 degrees.  In May. 

My shopping was good and bad.  The dress and three shirts (one black) I got on sale (all purchased with a gift card=FREE to me!) were great.  But the shorts search…ugh.

90% of the shorts in stores have a 3 inch or less inseam.  And remember, that looks bad on 90% of the population.  Count me in that population.

Where is the store for the “I’m a 30 year old mom who has to bend down to pick up her kids, yet I don’t want to look like a dorky mom” store?

Yes, I know Banana Republic would qualify.  Problem is I am still waiting for my kids to pay me six figures a year to take care of them.   I think I’ll be waiting awhile…

I did buy one pair.  I am taking them back.  When I got home and walked in them, they bunched funny in the front.  I didn’t walk in the dressing room.  Who knew walking would be important?

I guess I’ll add “finding fashionable, affordable, and age/lifestyle appropriate shorts” to that summer list. 

What I Miss...

I have figured out a major thing that I miss about working.

Oh, you say...is it molding the young minds of America?  Is is teaching children to read?  Is it making a difference every day?

No, that is not what I am referring to here.  Today, ladies and gentlemen, I miss disposable income.

And by that, I mean the ability to go to Target and buy whatever I want. 

I know, I know...totally shallow and ridiculous.  But it's nice to have the ability to throw caution to the wind every now and then.  For me, that means throwing things in that pretty red cart.  I live dangerously.

Target was amazing extra difficult today.  When it comes to knowing what I will like, they really hit the bullseye. (Go ahead and laugh at that.  You know it's funny.)

Here are some GREAT things that made me stop, and obviously take pictures:

 Target has this awesome blue and white stuff right now.  I have ALWAYS loved this and have similar decor in my living room and kitchen. 

 Yup.  Love it.  The reflection of Hayes and me really adds to it.

 Don't worry, this pillow is neither 69.99 or 49.99.  I moved it to a different shelf to photograph.  It's really on sale for $15!

 And speaking of sales, this duvet cover is half off!  I love the way it's gathered so you would never have to iron it.  It's supposed to be wrinkled.  This bargain almost did me in.

 Cheap.  Cute.  Comfy.  Would go with a Cardigan.  The 4 C's of perfection.

So...what did I buy?

If you are disappointed, you're not the only one. 

No living dangerously today.  When it comes to our budget, I've got to walk the straight and arrow, I mean, narrow.

Two Mother's Day Letters

 To my beautiful children, Bella Kathryn and Hayes Ryan,

It's Mother's Day, and I am sure you (with Daddy's help) have something planned for me, I wanted to take time to write you a letter.  This letter is going to have a couple of lists (love them) and it's going to start with a strange one.  Keep reading until the end.  Obey your mother.

Being a mom changes your life.  A lot.  That leads to list one:

Things I don't have since I have children:
- a clean car
- a clean kitchen floor (Which isn't really fair to blame on you.  It's white tile and it's impossible.)
- a fishing boat (That one's for your dad.)
- the ability to stay out late and sleep late the next morning
- a toy free living room
- peaceful time to shower without someone coming in to talk to me or play in the toilet (Ahem...Hayes)
-rockin' abs

But oh, my babies, you have brought me so many other things.  Some of them things I didn't even know I was missing.

Things I have since I have children:
- more patience
- the ability to multitask at an Olympic level
- the knowledge that you can trade in the toy at Chick-fil-a for ice cream.  Score.
- a pantry door that is covered in artwork
- the excuse to go shopping for clothes every season because you've outgrown the ones from last year
- a reason to use my camera everyday
- the opportunity to look at the world in a different way, as you ask questions and discover things for the first time
- a moment daily, where you rest your head on my shoulder, and I am so happy I forget to breathe
- a paper that says "Mama" taped to my mirror, because it's the first time you ever wrote my name and I want to look at it every day for the rest of my life
- a better understanding of who God, my Father, is and how much he loves me
- a scar, that I love, because it reminds me of where you both used to be

You see, the two of you have brought so much into my life.  Most of all, you have brought me joy, a heart that is overflowing with love.  I have tears in my eyes as I type this because I can't find words that are good enough to explain how much I love you.

When I rock you late at night, I look at the cross that says, "For this child I have prayed."  You both have them in your rooms.  It's a reminder for me.  It's a reminder for you.  You were prayed for.  You were so very wanted.  And God answered my prayer.

I am so very grateful. 

"Worthy are you, O God, to receive honor and glory, for you created all things." Revelation 4:11

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Love,
Mommy

And I cannot close this post on Mother's Day, without one more letter...


Dear beautiful woman who is longing to be a mother,

You are not forgotten. 

There was a time, just a few years ago, when I could not write the letter above.  I had been trying, and failing, for two years to have a baby.  I was in pain.
 
I had a doctor, fantastic as he was (and still is), who couldn't give me answers.  Pregnant women followed me around Wal-Mart.  I cringed when I had to listen to other women complain about their pregnancies.  I was the girl at the baby shower with nothing to talk about. 

And I hated Mother's Day.  It was a celebration of everything I was not.

I would avoid church on that day, because bursting into tears when they ask all of the mothers to stand isn't really a socially acceptable response.  

I remember.  You are not forgotten.

If you are waiting to be a mother, I am thinking of you and praying for you.

And you should know that I will still cry in church today.  For me.  For you.  For a God who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Love,
Shene'