Deadline

I knew this would happen; I saw it coming and I should have been more prepared — my time as a mother is ending and I am having some sort of “mom-life crisis”. I am at the point in my life where I want another baby, which, obviously, isn’t in the cards for me. The rational part of me knows my family is complete. I know that having my two beautiful healthy girls is enough, but not having another baby means that in three short years, both of my girls will be in school… and then what do I do? My entire life is built around my children and husband. I have a routine, my house is always clean, I get to work out during naptime, dinner is on the table at 5:30 every day and, most importantly, my children are happy. I love being home with them. It is what I was made to do. Realizing that this phase of my life is coming to an end is terrifying. The house will still need to be cleaned and I will be involved with school in any way I can, but my babies will be out in the world without me. I guess I have until August to get semi-ok with it. My sweet Goose will be off to kindergarten and it will just be Quinn and I. If anything, I suppose, these worries and thoughts will remind me to enjoy every moment while they are still home with me.

Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered:

"Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

Very Best Friends

One of the main reason of Marley is going to preschool is for the social benefits. The kid is a genius. I realize that everyone says that about their own kid, but I really mean it. She has been gifted with an amazing memory and can memorize most everything almost instantly. That being said, socially the kid is just plain awkward. She isn't too afraid to talk to people but she really needs to talk with more children than adults. She has always been the oldest or only kid in the family. Everyday that she goes to preschool I tell her to talk with someone new and to remember to play with all the kids. Today I had the pleasure of taking her friend Gwen to school because her mom couldn't. Listening to them talk on the ten minute ride to school was hilarious. Marley was talking a mile a minute and Gwen had no idea what she was saying.

After their detailed conversation, Marley looks at Gwen and said, "Will you be my best friend?" Gwen replies "Do you really want me to be?"

Marley said, "I really do!" "Ok" said Gwen, "then we are best friends!!"

Apparently it is that simple. They held hands as they walked into school and they are now the very best of friends.

Friendship

"Sometimes we expect more from others because we would be willing to do that much for them."

Funny Story

I picked up Marley from preschool on Friday and we were talked about our normal stuff on the ride home. How school was, what she learned, who she played with… you know, the usual. As we began to drive home she asked what school she would go to next. I explained that she would go to elementary school like her friend Natatlie, then middle school like her cousin Logan, then high school like her cousin Sierra, and then college like her cousin Tawni. She was really excited because she loves school so much and can't wait to se what's next. She asked what was next after college. I told her that she gets to do whatever she wants. She could get a job, get married, she would live in her own house, and so on. She immediately asked if her sister Quinny would be leaving with her. I said probably not because Quinny would still be in school, but you never know. Her eyes started to fill with tears and she anxiously squeaked, “...But I can’t live without you, Dada, and Quinny!”

She started to have full on panic attack about how she couldn’t live alone. What if her new house didn’t have a night light? How could she possibly sleep without sharing a room with her sister?. I turned around with tears in my eyes (luckily I had sunglasses on) and I told her that she could live with us forever and ever! She would never have to move out. She of course agreed and said she would never ever ever leave Mama, Dada, and Quinn. It was pretty much the cutest thing ever and I going to hold her to that agreement.

Happy

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others… By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves."

-Gordon B. Hinckle

Big Fan

“It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach."

-Franklin D. Roosevelt