Being a mother

Everything I am as a mother, I owe to my own mother. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the great mommas out there! 

To those first time mommas who are experiencing their very first mother's day (Angie you are doubly blessed!) to my own mother who has been doing it flawlessly for decades, you guys rock! 

 

I have learned so many things from being a mother the last 4 years. 

Some of things I am proud of, others not so much. 

Here are just of the few things I have discovered about being a mom.

 

You know you're a mom if peace and quiet is found in the bathroom. (just one minute, please!!)

 

You know you're a mom if most of your jewelry is made out of string and pipe cleaners.

 

You know you're a mom if "mom's night out" consists of you going to the grocery store.

 

You know you're a mom if you've caught vomit in your hand. (remember that Tony?)

 

You know you're a mom if a child in pain brings instant tears and heartache.

 

You know you're a mom if dandelions are the most beautiful flower ever.

 

You know you're a mom if you find baby wipes in every spot in the house. (purse, car, bathroom, bedroom, living room... everywhere!!!)

 

 

What are some other lessons you have learned by being a mother?



Putting my feet up

This is what I call a Mother's Day weekend. Sunny Spring weather (even though it is a little chilly), the smell of the campfire, and I am actually sitting here with my feet up underneath a grove of pine trees. Peaceful. Serene. Even with the yelling of my kids in the background from the playground, I am happy. Maquoketa Caves was actually Nate's idea this year for our first camping trip. I had never heard of it, but I am always willing to try something new. This is our tenth camping trip in our fifth wheel and we have yet to stay at the same place twice. The caves are only an hour from our house which was ideal for a weekend we had to be close to home to go to Bubba's soccer game on Saturday and his flag football game on Sunday

This is the life!!

My Mother's Day bouquet

Last Night's dinner of pizza pudgy pies. YUM!! Nate has mastered the art of cooking supper in our pudgy pie griddles.

Today after our orientation by park staff on the white nose syndrome that is killing bats, we headed off for the caves. The chance to get really dirty and crawl on rocks, cross streams, and get filthy was almost too much for the kids. Lil Miss enjoyed her spot in the backpack behind Nate once again. She has gotten a little heavier from last year.

Some caves we could walk right in, some we could only peak in, and some (like this one) the kid's could really crawl far into. I shimmied as far in as I could get but it wasn't pretty. When I couldn't see the light from their flashlight I had them turn around. Rosie Posie was above getting dirty and was disgusted when mommy got out of the hole covered from head to toe in dirt. There's always one in the crowd. ;-)

As campgrounds go, this campground is beautiful. There aren't that many spots so it isn't swarming with people, and the playground is right along a trail through the woods. I give it a A+. Now going to enjoy an afternoon matinee of Mary Poppins while a few of my kids drift off on a nap.

To all the mother's out there. Those who are spending time with their kids, those whose kids are all grown up, those who have children up in heaven, or for those whose children have four legs or who go my the name niece or nephew, enjoy this weekend. A mother's job is so important. I don't take my job as a mother lightly. Having been blessed with the most amazing mother myself, I only hope to be half the inspiration my mother was to me. Remember those mother's in your life this weekend and every day of the year.

Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in the time to come...and on her tongue is the law of kindness... charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears The Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:25-30

 

Goal Accomplished

Never in a million years would I think I would have completed a half marathon and now look at me.

I have completed two!!!! I truly can't believe it. It wasn't easy, but how many things this rewarding

come without a lot of hard work.

 

Thanks to the encouragement of my sister I finished the race in 2:48 officially. Last year was better, but I had planned on that because I was so much more dedicated last year. I also don't know how my Nike+ app got a full mile off when I crossed the finish line. (on my app I completed 14.22 in 2:52) Who knows? I finished. I overheard another runner talking before the race that this was their first race not trying to place or win and she didn't know how she would motivate herself. I was at no point, I say never ever in a million years, going to win anything. My only race was the race with myself. I had to fight my body to go through any pain to keep going. I had to fight my mind in thinking that it would be so much easier if I would just turn and do the quarter. It was a constant battle the whole 13.1 miles.

The three of us looking pretty before we headed down to the race. I was still waking up.

Right before the start gun went off with lots of people huddled together trying to stretch out. If you have never run in a organized race like this, the crowd helped me fight the little voice in my head telling me to stop running. Whenever I would start to run out of wind and energy I would pass a group of spectators and they would shout encouragement. With my name on my bib, I would be struggling to keep my feet moving and would hear "you're doing great, Lynn" from a random stranger and get a little boost in my step. I have to thank all of those strangers along the route who took the time to encourage all of us in the race not just the ones they came to watch. You helped me finish. The sign that said "Run Stranger Run" helped put a smile on my face too!

Around mile 9, I passed a girl on a gurney getting oxygen and I had that brief moment of anxiety hoping that wouldn't be me. But I kept my head up and kept moving. Yes, I walked at certain points and if that makes me less of a half marathoner than so be it. To me that didn't matter.

Here is my shot after I crossed the finish line. It's not pretty. Every mile I ran is etched on my face in the form of sweat, dirt, and exhaustion. I gave it my all.

The proudest moment is when we got back to the house and the kids were excited to see mommy's medal and fought over who got to wear it. Bubba even put all my gear on and said "Hey, I am a runner like mommy!" That was my proud moment. Being a good healthy role model for my kids and showing them when there is something that you think you will never be able to do with hardwork you can accomplish anything.

So here today I sit typing away wearing my half marathon shirt. I still don't feel like a "runner" but I did it and no one can take that away from me.

Goal accomplished!!

 

Family Time

Still can't believe this weather. The kids have been enjoying so much time outside, they are so sad when I have to coax them inside to get ready for bed. Getting ready to travel this past weekend to Ohio, I had to think about what to pack because the Quad Cities were supposed to be getting cooler temps and rain/snow as the weekend came. Luckily we skipped out of the crummy weather and headed right into more beautiful weather. Thank goodness because I had packed alot of shorts for the kids!

We sneaked out of school and work a day early to enjoy a nice 3 day weekend in Ohio. Also this way mommy didn't have to travel 7 hours one night and get up and run the next morning. The extra day was awesome.

Friday was our family fun day. After picking up my runner's packet from downtown and stopping by my sister's to pick up my mom we headed out to find some free outdoor entertainment. Living in Columbus many years through college both Nate and I know our way around, but it is different coming back with kids. So we had to be creative. I have always wanted to go back to Inniswood Gardens with my kids and after facing reluctance in Nate to go to a "boring garden" and no other suggestions on what to do. I turned the van towards Westerville and we pulled into the park. Inniswood was as beautiful as I remember as a inspiring landscape architect student taking it all in.

The kids took off down all the paths leading to the many themed gardens they have over the acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

 

Lil Miss was doing everything to keep up with her brother and sisters.

Checking out the frogs at the pond.

Grandma Judy and the kids

All the excitement of flowers and plants (said sarcastically in Nate's voice) wore out Lil Miss. I could have spent hours there letting the kids run and looking at the beautiful spring blooms, but my hubby wasn't that into it and we headed to find something else to do.

More up my hubby's alley is a visit to the closest Apple store. This is what I call boring and not free! Luckily the Apple store was located in an outdoor mall and the girls, mom and I found enough to keep us occupied. We ended up finding the boy's at the bar. Daddy enjoying a nice cold beer and Bubba enjoying a sprite. Manly stuff.

The coolest thing to see is Lil Miss's infatuation with Mama Judy. Since mom was here in April, Lil Miss has talked about Judy nonstop. Love this!!!

We ended the night with a carb load on Adriatico's Pizza at my brother's. YUM!!!

The boy's love getting their photo taken .... Not!

Getting dirty on the trampoline

Cousin love playing with bubbles.

Serious basketball skills

It was a early night because three of us had to get up at the crack of dawn to be insane and run our butts off. My 17 week pregnant sister rocked it on the quarter marathon and Scott and I completed the 1/2. It was a proud moment.

The rest of the afternoon was spent recooping. Some of us more than others. I was flat on my back trying to keep my lunch down while Nate watched the kids a little bit longer. Lil Miss cozied up to Uncle Scott trying to sneak some chips in the process.

After mommy got a nap in and took a few tylenol to take the pain away, we all enjoyed the sun. We put a blanket outside and played with playdoh, went on treasure hunts, and played some pitch and catch. Seriously does it get much better than that?

The adults (plus Faith and Miss Rosie) went out to a nice dinner that night while the kids had a babysitter. It was a perfect way to cap off a perfect weekend. Our family dinners are usually filled with me cutting someone's food or keeping Lil Miss sitting in a chair or cleaning up spilled drinks, so sitting down to a dinner at Bravo was pure enjoyment. The peach belinis were good too.

It was sad to say goodbye on Sunday morning and start our long drive home. Fortunately, Nate volunteered to drive most of the way so I could sleep and try not to think about my legs stiffening as I sit there for long lengths of time in a sitting position. I looked like a 90 year old woman getting out of the front seat at the reststops.

No one mess with mommy, okay.

When we got home, we were shocked to see how long the grass had gotten in just 3 days! It was somewhat embarrassing. I was in no condition to mow though. I barely made it to the couch to collapse (stairs were still tricky to navigate), so Nate headed out to mow the ankle high grass. This is the results after mowing. We needed a baler to put it into bales.

The excitement of the weekend over we plunged into another week. Yesterday was Bubba first baseball game ever! The whole family headed down to the diamond to watch him pick dandelions. Okay, no not really there was one moment we caught him picking flowers, but he truly enjoyed being out on the field. He was 4 for 4 in hitting and ran the bases like a pro. Very proud mommy moment.

Lil Miss is such a proud sister. She was cheering from the fence "Go Bubba!"

This weekend we are headed on out first camping trip of the year. Lots more to come...

 

Weekend Festivities

Wow! What a weekend!!

It started off with a busy week and spending as much time outside as possible. We started the mowing for the year, as the lush dark green spring grass beckoned us to cut the prairie that was beginning in the backyard. Daddy got his first sunburn of the year with many more to come. It feels like spring!! I have tried to get my runs in every other day for the race coming up this weekend. Battling injuries, the running hasn't been going very well. When I can I have been running with the jogging stroller and Lil Miss. She makes me work up an extra sweat pushing another 30+ extra pounds and making me perform acrobatic acts picking up thrown out baby dolls or delivering snacks into the stroller while trying to keep my balance. Passerbys have to get a good chuckle.

Mommy all sweaty.... Lil Miss ready to play!

Doing her own blogging while at the park.

Our visit to the park was cut short when Lil Miss went straight for a mud puddle and fell flat on her butt. Her white pants will never be the same.

Bubba played pirates looking for his treasure in the backyard. Being cooped up in the house all winter, I am so greatful for this wonderful weather to bring our imaginations out and be creative. Love Spring!!!

On Friday night, Nate and I took part in a school fundraiser. It was a trivia night and while I was volunteering, Nate and our friends took part in answering the trivia. One of the categories was video games and Nate was a pro at those. The category about the kid's school.... not so much. He needs to read the PTA newsletter more. LOL There was lots of silent auctions, 50/50, and raffle items. Rosie was the proud reciepent of the American Girl Doll raffle. They had sent tickets home with the kids at school to buy and we had bought $20 worth and put the three kids names on the tickets equally and she won!! When she woke up Saturday morning and saw Saige on the kitchen counter she was smiles from ear to ear. She reminded me that I had told her "we won't probabley win so don't get your hopes up". I ate my words. I forgot how lucky my kids are. Saige went everywhere with us this weekend.

Saturday morning we went to the zoo to have breakfast with the elephants. It wasn't really eating with the elephants, something I had to clarify with the kids because Gigi was afraid they would eat us, it was a buffet and then a private elephant talk with the handlers. We walked into the elephant barn and saw where they take care of the elephants and check their enormous feet and teeth. Unfortunately we didn't get to take advantage of staying long and exploring much more of the zoo because of our busy busy day.

Lil Miss with her friend Livvy.

Can't go to the zoo without riding the train.

That afternoon after breakfat with the elephants and baseball practice, the whole family headed to the lagoon for Bubba's first fishing derby with the cub scouts. I had purchased three fishing poles just for the occassion. I made a visit to Wal-Mart to pick up bait and dessert for a cook out that night. Not two things that go together in a cart. ewww. I kept the worms and peach pie far away from each other for sanitary sake.

Gigi was the family fishing champion. She caught two catfish, one being 7" long.

Rosie's fishing technique was to fish near the lagoon edge. This won her a caught blue gill. The little thing almost jumped out of the water the way she caught it.

Lil Miss even tried her hand at fishing. She didn't want any help though, big girl wanted to do it all herself.

Poor Bubba was the only one NOT to catch anything. He tried his hardest, a couple times he even pulled them out of the water for them to fall off his hook before he could pull it ashore.

He and Gigi though learned how to bait their own hooks. I was impressed. Rosie didn't want to have anything to do with the icky woms.

That night we had our first cookout for the year. Lil Miss and livvy got to play some more. Neither one of them are hip on sharing their toys.

First smore roast of the year... yum!!!

On Sunday, mommy finally got that nap she had been craving all weekend. I could hardly keep my eyes open after Sunday school, so Lil Miss and I layed down for an hour to get some rest. Oh, that was so needed. I then had enough energy to mow, do yard work, go for a run, and still enough to take the kids to the park to practice baseball. The girls and I played outfielders, while daddy pitched to Bubba. I took myhand at pitching but after almost hitting Bubba for the fifth time I gave the ball to Nate. He was much better at it than I.

Cutest little outfielder.

It was a busy but rewarding family weekend. Can't wait for more weekends like this!!!