Thoughts from a grocery store parking lot...

Tonight I sat in my minivan in the grocery store parking lot eating chocolate and listening to music  because I could! And though it felt a little pathetic, it also felt good to get out of my house sans children for a few minutes and remember that I am a person too.

Motherhood has a tendency to make all my faults glaringly obvious. It's the most challenging thing I've ever done: In every possible way--mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. Whew, it's a doozy! But I love a good challenge and I'm thankful for this one. It helps me to grow.

And even though I sometimes find myself looking quite pathetic in a grocery store parking lot, a few minutes later I walk into my house with a full heart to sneak into darkened bedrooms and kiss those three sets of warm cheeks I love so dearly. The blessings and the wonder of it all are not lost on me...most of the time. (insert wink)

To Leah on her Birthday

Dear Leah,

My goodness, you are five years old! How did you get so big so fast?

I think the highlight of your year was going to Maui with Grandma and Grandpa last Spring. You talk about Hawaii nearly every day. "Maybe we can move to Hawaii after we live in Boston," you say, "I think Hawaii would be a good place. Or Idaho, I guess." It was sure a fun trip.

The other day I thought you should try on a pair of Lainy's old jeans. You've never liked jeans, but I thought that maybe because you are older you would want to wear them. I was wrong! As soon as we buttoned them up, you started squirming and making faces. So off they came and we put you back in leggings and dresses. It's okay, I get it. You just like to be comfortable. Maybe that is why you want to live in Hawaii? Because you can wear dresses and sandals all year?

You continue to have a sweet, tender heart. Whenever Samuel gets upset you try to help by getting his blanket and binky for him. And if that doesn't work, you beg me to help him. "I just don't like it when he is sad," you say.

Before Christmas, you started surprising me by making all the beds in the house every morning. I thought it was because you were hoping to get extra presents from Santa Claus, but you have kept it up! I don't think you know how much it helps me. Or maybe you do and that is why you do it. You are so sweet!

I am so grateful for you, little Leah. I guess since you are five-years-old you have to go to Kindergarten in the Fall. I have mixed feelings about this, but I know you are excited to be a big girl like Lainy. For now I will treasure my time with you all to myself.

I love you! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama


My favorite thing you said this year was the day this picture was taken. You said: "Mama, I'm a Hawaii witch and my power is to make people nice. And I sometimes have dreams about Jesus. He says: "Behold!"". :)