Dear Mrs. Hartman,

I would like to thank you for teaching your 5th grade class ALL about enigmas. Payton thoroughly enjoyed researching Stonehenge. It appears as though he also learned a lot about crop circles.

Ummm....Thank you?

Sometimes I feel like a mom

I remember when I started 5th grade and I thought, "Hmmm. Strange. I don't feel any older or different than 4th grade. Bummer." (Well, I probably threw in "rad", "awesome", and "gag me with a spoon").

Most of the time, I just feel like me and have to stand back to fully realize that I'm really a mom.

Last night, when Macy wet the bed, I put her in a warm bath, washed her up, changed her sheets and tucked her in. Do you remember that feeling? Clean and tucked? The best. I felt like a mom. I felt like I'd given her a little present, a little relief. I didn't even mind that it was 1:00am and I hadn't been to bed yet. I loved her and she numbly dozed through most of it. But, she was clean and tucked with a smile on her face.

Last night, when Reily wet the bed. (True. Same night. New rule: no more cups upstairs. Too many refills) I went through the same process. I knew the outcome would be the same and I actually found myself enjoying this rare little moment of peace, quiet, and cleanliness. I tucked her in and went to bed. She came in 2 minutes later (as she always does) and asked, "Can I sleep in your bed with you?" (as she always does) and we curled up and slept (as we always do). I felt like a mom.

Tonight, when Taylor started talking in her sleep, I ran into her room to be a part of the conversation. I didn't make it in time to figure out what she was really saying. She said, "[She] was just trying to say the sandwich thing real fast". I couldn't help but laugh. She woke up a little more and realized what had happened, pushed me away, and told me to leave her alone. Ok, I felt more like a big sister than a mom. But, when she told me to leave her alone...I think I felt it.

Today, when I took the dog back to the adoption place because he bit Reily. I did not feel like a GOOD mom. But, I was a mom; protecting one and making them all sad. I was a mom and a creep.

Summer Learning Loss

So, they say that during the summer, children one month (or more) worth of learning instruction.

I know my brain has melted in the short 3 weeks we've been on summer vacay.

But, I have a new USB cord for the cam, and my hub is home from his research stint in the Northeast...I'm ready to start blogging again.

There's something about having ALL the pieces together that make it possible for me to get things done. I may be speaking too soon. I'm just feeling overly confident today...I vacuumed the stairs and mopped the floors. My house smells like pine-sol and looks pretty good (downstairs). Now, what to do when the gaggle wakes up?

Points for you...and you...and you...

That's it! I know it's all a part of my strange, people-pleasing psyche...but I always feel like I'm not being properly validated.

When I said my husband was going to be gone for 4 weeks and he came home at 3 1/2, someone clarified..."but, it wasn't actually 4 weeks". So, I don't get points?!

Another mother stopped to talk with me because she notice I was a mother of 4. She asked the ages of my little darlings. I said, "11, 10, 6, and 3". She replied, "Oh. There's a lot of space between them. Mine are 1, 3, 5, and 7". I guess she gets more points?!

I don't know what the rules of the point system actually are.

But, I'm here to hand out points, gold stars, and validation to you...and you...

to you...for not having kids

to you...for having dogs

to you...for having as many kids as you can mentally handle

to you...for having more kids than you can handle

to you...for not going crazy

to you...for going crazy

to you...for exercising

to you...for indulging your sweet tooth

to you...for your BA, BS, MA, MS, and PhD

to you...for finishing high school

to you...for following your dreams

to you...for living a real life

I know I've missed someone. Points to you for being forgotten : )

First day of Summer...

(Inspired by Traci)

• worked out
• Swim lessons for T
• Swim lessons for M
• Swim lessons for P
• made rolls
• tried to take them to a church function
• got lost
• drove around Columbia, SC for 1 1/2hours
• got rear-ended
• didn't get police report
• called insurance (should've got a police report!)
• waited and waited for some good Kharma
• ate watermelon
• ate scones with honey butter
• went swimming 'til dark
• caught fireflies
• made rules for summer

1. NO complaining!
2. Do what Mom asks...the first time!
3. Wait patiently to speak (no interrupting)
4. Stomp your feet before coming inside

Quite the day. I didn't win any awards. But, tomorrow is another day...Hallelujah!!