Goose’s class made a recipe book for Mother’s Day. Each student wrote their favorite recipe and drew a picture. Below is what Goose submitted. Keep in mind, I cook and bake all the time.

“You have to put the cold Kolochi into the microwave and then it is done.”

I could have died. Peanut butter and jelly would have been better. And…some other kid’s mom, well, she makes homemade kolaches. Plus, my star speller didn’t even spell KOLACHE correctly!

For Today…May 9, 2010

Outside my window…it’s dark, the day is almost over. It is definitely getting hot and humid here, but today wasn’t horrible. When I left Chicago this morning it was in the 40’s. I can’t say I like our weather here any better, but this is what I’m stuck with so I might as well enjoy it like the boys do.

I am wearing…a white shirt, (that seems to move every time I take a picture so that you can see my bra, totally annoying) and a blue skirt with black flip flops. Plus blue toenails! Lance and I had our pedicure last week and I chose blue nail polish. I have to say I love them! And so does he!

I am thankful for…old friends. In the past four weeks I have seen an old high school friend, my first college roommate for two hours on Saturday (she lives five minutes from Paul and Brian!), a friend from law school, and Paul and Brian. I get so sad after seeing all these people, generally whining about how I wished we lived in the same city, but today I’ll just be thankful for these wonderful friends.

• Super Saints
• two park dates for Baby Hulk and Kobra
• swim lessons
• lunch with my mother
• get ready for Squirt’s birthday
• field trip with Goose

A picture thought I’m sharing…

Last week I mentioned how I’m not a fan of Hallmark Holidays. Nothing has changed, but since today is Mother’s Day, I am forced to reflect on Moms. I have a great mom, have friends who are wonderful mothers and love being a mom myself, so reflecting on motherhood isn’t such a bad thing.

I was sitting on the plane this morning praying and trying to stay calm. Usually I offer up my prayers for my peace of mind while flying and the obvious- please don’t let the plane crash. Today I decided to offer my prayers for all mothers, but mostly me. (Because to be honest, most of my prayers are for me or my kids!) But this time it was a prayer of thanksgiving for this wonderful gift. This amazing gift of motherhood. Not a day goes by that I don’t marvel at my children. Sure, they drive my crazy at least once a day, usually more, but each one of my children is amazing in their own unique ways. I have a couple of sweet ones, one who is just like me, and a baby who is just beginning to show his true personality. And I can’t believe that God has trusted me with these children. There are days when I look back and I’m ashamed at the type of mother I’ve been to them. I pray for forgiveness and for the strength to do better the next day. But I am always thankful for these children. I am thankful for the chance to raise them and am petrified of not getting it right.

I look back at my childhood and think about how great it was and it was mostly due to my mom. Yes, I have a great dad, but mom was IT. She did ALL the day to day stuff, as most moms did back then and never complained. Probably because she loved it as much as I do now. She was meant to be a stay at home mom. I loved hanging out with her and used to say that she would ground me in high school just so I would have to stay home and hang out with her. (I’m sure I never deserved it.) I’m hoping to take all the good from her and give it to my kids.

Thank you God for my mother and for these wonderful children you have entrusted to me. I promise to love them and take care of them for you.

And thank you Lance for giving me the four little people who call me mom!

Brian just finished his Master’s Program in Architecture. It’s been three long years. He has put so much time and energy into this program, I would get tired just hearing about everything he was doing. Honestly, I don’t remember working that hard during college or law school. We are so proud of Brian and wanted to be with him to celebrate this moment. SO…we surprised him and flew to Chicago last night. It’s a quick trip, (we leave Sunday morning at 8 am) made even shorter with the three hour flight delay we had. We arrived as everyone was about to get ready for bed. I can’t believe we managed to surprise him! Congratulations Brian! We love you and are so proud of your hard work!

Should I feel bad that I just lied to my three year old about losing the coconut M&M’s? I don’t. Didn’t he see the package Stacy sent was addressed to ME?

Me hiding candy from my kids for selfish reasons as opposed to “it’s bad for you” reasons should come as no surprise. Lance and I routinely buy food, especially desserts and take it to our room and eat by ourselves.

Something tells me I am not getting anything on Sunday from my kiddos. And that is fine, my kick ass husband has asked an artist to create a piece just for me based on my past year. I hope it’s not all black!

Goose: “Mom, if you lived when Louis Armstrong lived, you would have to sit on the back of the bus because you are dark. I would be in the front and that would make me sad.” Then he got tears in his eyes. (I wonder what he would think of Arizona right now? Probably not much, me either.)

“Just because we can’t go to church doesn’t mean we can’t give glory to God today.” Love it. The only problem is that this quote was followed by him antagonizing his brother.

“Who is the patron saint when you hurt yourself?” I love that he wanted to pray and ask for intercession. He gets it.

Squirt: “I thought I had a right to privacy in my bedroom.” This could be the funniest thing I have ever heard. As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as privacy, Squirt. Just ask any of my ex-boyfriends.

Okay, I’m going to say it out loud and there is no way I am the only person who thinks this way…

Why is it that there is Teacher Appreciation WEEK and then there is Mother’s DAY? How did I get the raw end of that deal? To make it completely obvious that I’m getting screwed on appreciation, I am reminded of their week during the same week I should be celebrating my motherhood. Who thought this was a smart idea?

I’ll admit I’m not a fan of Hallmark holidays to begin with. I don’t buy Valentine’s cards for anyone including my Valentine. And Mother’s Day is no exception. I have already declared that I will never go out on one of these holidays again after my experience on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day last year. How is it that parents get one day a piece, a day that includes going to eat at an overly crowded restaurant with a set menu? And teacher’s get a week. Oh, I know, they are teaching our children. GUESS WHAT??? That is their job! I didn’t get a week when I was a lawyer for people to bring me food and gift cards. Nobody ever felt sorry for me as a lawyer and they don’t now that I’m a stay at home mom. And they shouldn’t. It’s what I have chosen to do.

Disclaimer: While I think the idea of a week is STUPID, I do LOVE Goose’s teacher this year. I know I won’t always, just ask Squirt how I felt about some of his teachers and if those teachers got anything during teacher appreciation week except a complaint for their files.

This came in the mail for me yesterday! Just a few of my favorite things! It was to help make my week better. There were three packages of M&M’s, but I immediately ate one. Thank you, Stacy!

It’s Tuesday afternoon and we’re down to one person: ME. Thankfully, I have yet to catch this virus, but I’m not an idiot, I know it’s coming and I’m sure it will arrive at the worst possible time. The bright side of this is that everyone else will be able to take care of me!

Squirt’s downfall came pretty fast in the middle of Sunday night, but he was still unable to return to school today. He didn’t seem to mind except that he is confined to his room again. (This makes two weeks in a row for him. Last week it was due to bad behavior. He has already made sure he can come out as soon as he comes home tomorrow!)

Here is Kobra yesterday at the ER getting an IV. As you can imagine, he was less than thrilled with the procedure. Poor kid, he is using all the signs he knows to get more than a tablespoon of Gatorade every twenty minutes.

• sadly there aren’t many plans except to make sure everyone is healthy and the house clean.
• I am hoping to get to Bodystep by Wednesday
• Goose’s field trip with the boys on Thursday
• and a little surprise for Brian on Friday

A picture thought I am sharing…