A tale of two days

Today is Thursday of our Spring Break. We haven't done much-other than a quick overnight trip to see all the grandparents, we have been home.

Today, like the weather, everyone seems to be in a sunny mood...working a little harder to get along & enjoy spending time together. We've been outside in the warm weather, doing some sprucing up of the backyard & having a picnic.

But yesterday. Ahhh, that was one for the record books. No one could do anything right, no one could get along. There was lots of yelling, fighting, name calling, bawling. Going outside didn't help, chores didn't help, even time alone-didn't help. Some days are like that & as a mom you need extra graces, extra prayers, & a bottle of good red wine. I wish I knew what caused those days so as to avoid them!

We did watch for the white smoke yesterday & were surprised to see it so quickly! It was fun waiting for news of our new pope & we pray for him as the leader of our church.

(Sunset at my parents-there is an unobstructed view of both the sunset & sunrise)

My baby is one

Henry turns one today. As I sit here watching him feed his toast to the dog, I am amazed all over again at how much a person changes over the course of their first year. From a little squishy ball of yummy to a giggling, stepping, wiggling monkey that can talk (sort of). And while some milestones are nice, like sleeping more at night, some make you long for the little squishy again...oh, how I miss him snuggling in for a nap.

Henry is such a blessing to our family, as all of our kids have been. Each child brings something to the family dynamics that you didn't even know was missing, like a little more spice or some rowdiness in case things were a little too quiet. I think Henry was our balance...and while he runs me ragged most days going from one hazard or no-no to the next, he brings us all joy.

Last night as I rocked Henry, I thought about the night before one year ago-the anticipation, nervousness, fears, & elation the next day had in store, all the emotions that were running through me. I remember really trying to savor the last day I would be pregnant & not letting the amazing privilege of participating in the creation of a new little person give way to the next miracle. That's how we have tried to see this past year, as well as all the years with our kids-savoring the "now" instead of anticipating the "next".

Happy Birthday little H. Big Blue. Jett. Little monster. Bubby.

"Give me patience when little hands
Tug at me with ceaseless, small demands.
Give me gentle words and smiling eyes
To keep my lips from hasty, sharp replies.
Let not fatigue, confusion or noise
Obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys.
So when in years to come my house is still
Beautiful memories is rooms might fill."
-unknown