How Does Your Garden Grow?

When I was young my mom would spend countless hours planting flowers and tending to her shrubs.  I regret to say that I didn't pay much attention or offer to help her, either.  

As I got older and had my own home I began to appreciate the colorful accents that flowers brought.  I can remember planting pots full of pansies on the front porch but that's about as far as it went. 

When we moved to our new house it was like having a blank canvas.   Earl and I hired someone to landscape the front of the house but decided the back yard would be our own vision. 

It's taken a few years to for the plants to mature and for us to figure out what works and what doesn't.   

What's funny is how much I love to garden and plant flowers just like my mom.   One of my favorite things in past years was to walk the yard with Tucker early each morning and check in on my plants.  His absence this spring has been so apparent when I find myself walking to the garden alone.  

Luckily the kids seems to enjoy gardening with me.  McKenna has selected her own plants and planted her own fairy garden for the past two years. I am a little partial but I think she has quite a green thumb. 

Regardless of if our gardens prosper or fizzle out, I am thrilled that this is something that for now we enjoy doing together.  

    "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."   ~ Audrey Hepburn

Cooper's Field Day Fun 2015

I pretty much had one goal this week - be feeling well enough to attend Cooper's field day on Friday.  I was still feeling so guilty for missing his field trip.  I rested up all week, forcing myself to take afternoons "off" snd caught up on some movies that I had been hoping to see.  It was torture (insert sarcasm). By Friday morning I was feeling pretty good and my little buddy was feeling very excited. 

Field day 2015 consisted of many of the same events, with a few new ones mixed in.  

Water games are always a hit - even this year when the temperatures barely met 70 degrees. 

Cooper and I skipped out about 10 minutes early and made a special trip to the Freeze before heading home to get ready for the 4th annual Post Field Day picnic with the Brazier's and Bailey's.   The parents who did not spend the day at field day engaged in a heated whiffle ball game while those of us who had herded 40+ kids around all day opted for drinks and conversation.  

Though I might make a couple remarks about "the things we do for our kids" when referencing field day, I am always glad to be there and make those memories with the kids.  Like Cooper

Said, "It's kind of our thing."  

It's Not Goodbye

A few weeks ago we spent a special evening with one of our most favorite people.  Brigit has been a big part of our little family for the past three years.  While we are super excited for her to be graduating college and moving on to a new chapter in her life, we are so very sad that she won't be a weekly or even monthly part of our lives.

I remember the first time Brigit set foot in our house.  I had hosted a little Halloween party that day for some of Kinley's little friends.  Brigit stopped by so that I could meet her and feel out if she would be a good fit for us.  Kinley was just barely a year old and I had yet to leave her in the care of anyone but family.   Not to mention the fact that we now had three kids and who in the world would be crazy enough to volunteer for that!   I knew almost immediately that Brigit was going to be unique.   She was wise beyond her years and was not the least bit ruffled by the fact that Kinley would cry at first whenever I left her in Brigit's care.   I remember one of the first times I left them together.  When I returned home I couldn't find Brigit.  I could see on the baby monitor that Kinley was sleeping but where on earth could Brigit be?  I finally tracked her down to the rocking chair in Kinley's room where she was studying during Kinley's nap.

Brigit quickly became a valued "big

sister" to McKenna.  They both bonded over all things Harry Potter and Hunger Games and the rest is history.   I can tell McKenna trusts Brigit and generally loves having her around.   Cooper has always been over the moon about her.   He loves that she teaches him soccer and comes to his basketball games.   This past winter we returned to find him curled up in Brigit's arms burning up with a fever.    He was feeling really crummy with a terrible strep infection but just kept telling us about how Brigit took good care of him.  

Over the years we have enjoyed watching Brigit's soccer games and sharing meals with her family when they came to town.    They are delightful people - the kind who bring homemade baked goods and send me texts on Mother's Day.    We are going to miss them, too.
We are back to being without a babysitter and there is no plan in place yet to replace her.   Quite honestly, I don't think she really can be replaced.   There is a lot to be said for finding someone like Brigit with whom you can trust your most precious little people.   There is no doubt in my mind that she was always supposed to be ours.  That she was never supposed to leave Bucknell as she had wanted to because she was homesick.   We were always meant for eachother and we were a perfect fit. A few days before graduation I took Brigit to lunch, just the two of us.  It was a first for us to be able to sit and talk without kids clamoring for our attention.  We ate and talked and ate and talked and talked and talked.   Before we left I thanked her for all that she has done for our family over the past three years.  From babysitting to house sitting to dog sitting, she has filled in whenever and wherever we needed her.  I also told her that my prayer is that someday when she has babies of her own that someone special will come into her life;  someone she will come to call a friend, who will allow her to work, allow her precious time with her husband or time to volunteer in her sons classroom.  I hope that she will understand that she was never "just the babysitter" and that we will always remember the gift that she has been to us.
I have no doubt that we will continue to keep in close touch.   She and the kids have already been hatching plans for Disney vacations and trips to Boston.   We look forward to all of those things as well as watching as Brigit embarks on this next phase of life.  After all, it's not goodbye, just see you soon!

5th Grade Band

Life is happening at a furious pace lately and time, I feel, is beginning to get away from me.

Monday was a big night for McKenna particularly;  her first band concert.  We were all so excited but no one more than this mamma.   I have really enjoyed listening as McKenna has progressed and improved over the last year.  She is so good at the flute and puts a lot of time and effort into it.  

I have also loved the fact that she was able to study with the same band director as I did. 

Mr Orris is an amazing man with more patience in his pinky than I have in my entire body.  His talent and love of music and music education pours from his soul.  My greatest high school memories mostly involve him and band.   Monday marked his last 5th grade band concert as he is retiring.  He will be greatly missed.

One quick picture of everyone together before we left.  Not the greatest of smiles but I manged to get them to all stand together.  That counts for something, right?

Feeling Better

I am finally feeling better!   And just in time.  THIS is how my very loving, very competent husband was going to send my very adorable daughter to school on Friday.  Bless her heart.  I love how she struck a little pose and smiled with her whole heart for this picture.  We should all maintain such self esteem through adulthood.  But still. She was not going to school like that.  

In fact, she didn't even end up going to school.  Not long after this picture she crawled up on my lap and we both fell asleep.   We needed some snuggle time after being apart most of the week.

By Sunday I was able to spend more time out of bed than in bed.  We made a sign for Brigit's graduation and also told the kids about our upcoming trip to Florida.   More about both of those things later.  

My biggest goal was to feel well enough to make it to McKenna's band concert on Monday evening.  I was able to rest most of the day with the exception of a follow up appointment and by 4pm I was actually feeling pretty good.  The concert went off without at hitch and I can't wait to tell you more about it. So many great things happening around here.  Lots of wonderful posts on the way. 

 

It Just Gets Better

I was really hoping to be feeling better by now, and in a lot of ways, I am.  But in the process I ended up here for a few days.  

Yesterday was extremely rough but today I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.  In the meantime, I have been getting great care and my friends and family have been wonderful with helping take care of the kids. Earl and Mimi and pappy have been especially wonderful between taking time to spend with me, making sure the kids maintain their schedule and generally just getting things done.  

I am hoping to be home later today but I know I will have to work hard at regaining my strength and resting.  That may prove to be the hardest part!

The Let Down

It was bound to happen at the crazy pace I've been keeping.  I'm sick.  Like really sick.  This afternoon I was in the ER and diagnosed with a kidney infection.  I'm home now with lots of meds and with lots of help from my parents, neighbors, Earl and the kids.   Everyone is tucked in tight for the night and I'm praying to be able to get some sleep.  

In addition to my kidney pain, my heart is aching tonight too.  Tomorrow is Cooper's field trip and I was a chaperone.  He knew as soon as he saw me tonight that it wasn't going to happen.  His tears broke my heart.  There is nothing worse than letting your kids down.   I'm feeling let down too because I know these opportunities are fleeting.   I want so badly to be with him.  But I know I can't.  My body just needs a rest.  I am so incredibly grateful that on her day off from watching Blake this week, my mom has agreed to go on the field trip in my place.   I know that no one can replace your mom but your Mimi comes pretty darn close.   

Coop, I'm so sorry to have let you down. I love you so much.  But on the flip side you are getting an opportunity to share a class trip with Mimi.  Not many kids get that chance.  I know you will have so much fun and make awesome

Memories    Love you! 

Happy Mother's Day Mom

"Thank you for doing all the hard work so that now I can."  Those are words I heard, on of all things, a Hallmark commercial floating around Facebook.  Out of all the other little tidbits people were sharing about moms, that was the one that stuck out to me.  I don't know if I'm doing the hard work yet.  I feel like I am.  But maybe I have no idea.  What I do know is how hard my mom worked when my brothers and I were young.  I now understand the sometimes long stretches of lonely days and evenings parenting young kids by yourself.  I understand the sacrificed jobs and last bites of meals; clean houses and new clothes.  I get it now when she says,"Just let me know when and where you need me to be."   Those words used to bother me.  Those words that made me feel like I was taking advantage of her.  Now that I've spent a few years as more a stay at home mom than anything else, I understand those words.  It's what I'm living right now.  I arrange and rearrange and miss out on some of my own things by choice.  I want to be there for my kids for whatever it is they need.   I guess that as long as you're a mom that doesn't change.  So thanks, Mom, for always being there for me.  With words and advice when I need them.   For continuing to drive carpool long after you've paid your dues; for waking up early for soccer games; for being at all the dance recitals; for allowing me to continue a career that I love; for being my shopping buddy and fellow lover of Disney World;  for your decorating advice and listening ear.   Without you (and dad) none of those things would be possible or as fun.  Thank you for doing the hard work so that I now I can.  We love you to the moon and back again.   Happy Mother's Day.

One of my favorite places to be with my mom..

Hard Work Pays Off

I am so proud of this girl.  She not only has the biggest heart for others, but she has the best work ethic.  Her goal for this marking period is to improve her math grade from a 92% to at least a 95%.  

With tests this past week and one coming up on Thursday she has been giving up time outside with her friends I order to study.   Not to mention the fact that she is preparing for a band concert and a dance receital in the bext two weeks.  But she doesn't complain.  There is no doubt in my mind that she will reach her goals - all of them.  

Shiny New Teeth

It was an early morning for a few of the Mowry's.  We reported to the surgery center at 6:20 this morning to have Kinley's dental procedure done.  She was slightly annoyed that she could not have breakfast first.   This girl likes to eat very first thing. 

She was chatty and sweet at the surgery center and completely enthralled with the pager used to let us know when it was her turn.  

We snapped a quick selfie in the few minutes we were in the waiting room. 

Soon our nurse, Terri, was settling Kinley in with a movie and taking her vital signs. 

Kinley was cool as a cucumber and completely cooperative the entire time. Until it was time to take the sleepy medicine.   We were able to get about 1/2 of it into her which was enough to achieve the desired effect.   

Before long she was drowsy and funny and snuggled up watching her movie.  We knew the meds were working when instead of playfully wiping off her kisses like usual, she said, "I'm going to keep your kisses."  I think that was just what Earl and I needed to hear before they came to whisk her away to surgery.  Dr. Jay said she will experience no discomfort from the procedure so we are fully expecting to have a quiet but fairly normal afternoon.    A sweet friend is spoiling us by bringing dinner later and we are anxious to visit with Brigit tonight for what may be the last time for a few months.   

It's been so nice to have lots of people praying for us for the past few weeks.  We are ecstatic that Kinley stayed healthy and we were able to get her procedure all done before our summer fun hits. 

Kinley woke up wonderfully from anesthesia and we were thrilled to have my friend, Becky, as our nurse in the PACU.  I have know Becky since my early days on Children's 2 and it was wonderful to chat and catch up with her while Kinley took a little nap and ate a Popsicle.  

We were discharged from PACU after being there a little over an hour.  The only time Kinley made a peep was when they took the tape off of her IV.   We loaded our sleepy girl in the car and stopped for a slushy before heading home.  

I am glad that she didn't ask for something drastic like the puppy she's been wanting because I'm not sure I could have said no when I saw her little face.  

We arrived home to find a casserole that Tab had made for our dinner.   That means I can sit and snuggle my girl all afternoon and hopefully sneak in a little nap.   I know she slept all morning but I definitely have not slept well for a few days.