Happy Mother's Day

The best gift I got today was a simple letter my oldest gave me and I'd like to share it with you.

My favorite thing about my mother is her kiss!!!!!!!
My least favorite thing is nothing.
The funniest thing is her laugh.
My mother laughs when I tickle her.
My mother cries when I am hurt.
I never get mad.
I love her because she loves me!

Hope this made you feel as good as it made me feel. Happy Mother's Day all!

The best book

One of my daughter's favorite bedtime stories is `Just in Case You Ever Wonder' by Max Lucado. It's been a family favorite for nearly seven years. It was given to me by a former employer as a baby shower gift and it's the best gift we've ever gotten. It still gets me a little choked up each time I read it to her because the declaration of love is almost is strong as the love I feel for that child. It just makes me thankful and grateful for the children I have every day.

Miss Delay Tactic

One of my favorite times of the day has to be bedtime, but I've got to say that my oldest loves pushing her bedtime back as far as she can. She's a master at it. Every night, I tell her the same thing. Get your pajamas, potty, brush your teeth, bath, get dressed, bed. I can't tell you how many times a night, I run through that list with her. Without fail, she usually tries to skip one or two steps.

When she finally does get dressed, she comes to my husband's office and says, `Repeat to the starting line. Repeat to the starting line.' Yes, she means `report,' but she's just so darned cute that we don't correct her. So then, I usually call a race down the hall between her and my husband. Every once in awhile, she enlists my help to block her dad's path so she can win. After a bedtime story, we tuck her in and give her a kiss good night. Before I leave, she'll ask me to `check' on her, then check on her baby sister, then come back and check on her again. I made the mistake once of telling her that I check on her several times before I go to bed. I usually give her a peck on the cheek and whisper, `good night, sweet princess.' I think it's comforting to her to actually hear it. I don't mind doing this at all. But now, I'm having to anticipate her moves even more. It seems the second I sit down to rest, I can hear her calling me from down the hall. She's either asking for water, a tissue, or me to leave the door cracked open. She's asking for me to talk to her dad in the living room because she likes being able to hear us. Did I give her the allergy medicine she takes at night? What's for lunch tomorrow? Did I remember to sign her binder? You name it, she's asked it.

She truly is our Miss Delay Tactic.

Girls night

I remember when a girls night was dinner or drinks with friends after work or on the weekend. Since I became a mom of two, the meaning of the phrase has changed dramatically. Once a week, my hubby attends a group meeting for a local organization, so that leaves me home alone with the kids until bedtime.

My oldest and I have been used to this schedule, but this year we've thrown a new baby into the equation. Man, those first few weeks were nerve-wracking. Now, I've got to say that I actually enjoy our `girls nights' together. My oldest is old enough to help with the baby while I cook. And the baby adores her big sister. I usually make the same meal every `girls night' too, and I think that's a comfort to my oldest. We sit at the table, eat and talk.

I can't tell you that every conversation we have is deep and profound, but I know that the time we have together is meaningful to all of us - baby, included. And when girls night is over with, there's nothing more enjoyable than peaking in on my girls sleeping and feel grateful for the gifts they've brought to my life.