**
One year ago this weekend, we were preparing for Dave's first marathon. How was I involved in the preparation? Solid question.
In retrospect, it really seemed like an easy task. The supportive wife and mom, transporting beloved hubby to the starting line (at 5 a.m.!) and then toting the kids from point to point to watch said husband accomplish one of his life-long goals.
The real story was a bit more harried than all that. (Click here to relive my chaos. Yes, I'm shamelessly seeking sympathy.)
This year's marathon is just a few hours away and, like last year, we're fighting off the first of the summer cold viruses. Rachel and I have been hit the hardest, but Dave didn't escape it entirely, even though we've done our best to keep away from him.
On the plus side, Dave survived the training season without injury, I don't have any broken appendages, and Dave won't be boarding a red-eye to the east coast at days end.
Last year's marathon got off to a rocky start, with Dave stressing he'd miss the start as we fought gridlock traffic getting there. We made it (in spite of the fact that we had to pull over ON THE FREEWAY, at 5 a.m, in gridlock traffic, so that newly potty trained Rachel could use our little port-a-potty), but it was a little too close, so this year we're starting out at 4 FREAKIN' a.m.
Compared to Dave, though, we've got the easy part. The girls and I will get to go back home for a little nap and a leisurely breakfast while Daddy starts off his 100 mile run (seriously, anything beyond a couple miles might as well be 100). Dave's goal is to finish within 4 hours.
He is either more determined and focused than I am or just a little bit crazier. It's anyone's guess. (And if you know us at all, you know which is closer to the truth!)
But either way, you GO Daddy. We're proud of you and we'll be there rooting for you along the way, and cheering as you cross the finish line.
You ROCK!
**
Saturday, May 31
Monday, May 26
Dreamin
**
11 p.m.
WHAAA!!
sniffle, sniffle, wail.
"Ray, what's wrong hun? Did you have a bad dream?"
"You scared me."
"What sweetie? What scared you? Did you have a bad dream?"
"Ummm, yeah. I just want to go to my party."
"You already went to the party - this afternoon."
Blink. Blink.
"OK."
Quick sip of water.
"Good night sweetie. I love you."
"I love you too mommy. I'll see you in the morning."
And...
she's asleep again.
**
11 p.m.
WHAAA!!
sniffle, sniffle, wail.
"Ray, what's wrong hun? Did you have a bad dream?"
"You scared me."
"What sweetie? What scared you? Did you have a bad dream?"
"Ummm, yeah. I just want to go to my party."
"You already went to the party - this afternoon."
Blink. Blink.
"OK."
Quick sip of water.
"Good night sweetie. I love you."
"I love you too mommy. I'll see you in the morning."
And...
she's asleep again.
**
Thursday, May 15
Nurturing My Inner Redneck
**
After a very early morning Starbucks treat with the girls, this is how I chose to spend Mother's Day with my family...
The girls had a ball! Daddy loved all the action. And Momma? Well, there is just something about cowboy boots and jeans. (Note to self: Add cowboy boots to Daddy's Christmas list.)
**
After a very early morning Starbucks treat with the girls, this is how I chose to spend Mother's Day with my family...
The girls had a ball! Daddy loved all the action. And Momma? Well, there is just something about cowboy boots and jeans. (Note to self: Add cowboy boots to Daddy's Christmas list.)
**
Wednesday, May 14
Friends
**
Joy, happiness and friendship are never as untainted and uninhibited as when you're five years old.
Alex and her preschool friend Rebecca
are all giggles on the playground.
**
Joy, happiness and friendship are never as untainted and uninhibited as when you're five years old.
Alex and her preschool friend Rebeccaare all giggles on the playground.
Sunday, May 11
A Mother's Guilt
**
It happened. I let it happen. I did it.
The time was 11:00 a.m. The place was Rachel's preschool class room. And I wasn't there.
I was there at 11:08, but that was too late. The little Mother's Day preschool sing-a-long was over. I'd missed it. Something Rachel had been excited about. Something she'd practiced. And I wasn't there, sitting in the audience with all the other mothers (OK-not all, but most) beaming proudly at their kids as they sang (more or less) together, way off key.
Yes, it's just a moment. One single moment in time that Rachel isn't even likely to remember. But it's a moment that we'll never get back. A moment that, if I'd had pictures or video she might remember-or think she remembered.
It's also not likely to be the last time that we (I) miss a moment because we (I) just couldn't get there in time, but after today, I guarantee you that I won't let it happen again as easily as I let this happen. It was just a matter of answering one last email, making one last phone call, and stopping for one last brief chat in the hall. NOTHING was that pressing or deadline driven to the point that this should have happened.
It was simply not getting there on time. Oh, yes, and not realizing that an 11:00 event meant that they'd actually begin singing EXACTLY at 11!! (Seriously! That should have been spelled out for us 'slow' parents!) Yeah - won't I won't make that mistake again!
And - don't doubt for a second that a few salty tears were shed. Oh yes - and they were all mine. Rachel just smiled, seemingly bewildered about the tears, and handed me the picture of herself that she'd drawn and placed in a frame that she'd made for me, for my special day. God, I love that kid.
Her smile is infectious. The tears dried up and the girls and I spent most of the rest of the day together.
**
And I've said it before; We can only be "perfect" parents some of the time. And the rest? Well, that's what therapy is for.
**
It happened. I let it happen. I did it.
The time was 11:00 a.m. The place was Rachel's preschool class room. And I wasn't there.
I was there at 11:08, but that was too late. The little Mother's Day preschool sing-a-long was over. I'd missed it. Something Rachel had been excited about. Something she'd practiced. And I wasn't there, sitting in the audience with all the other mothers (OK-not all, but most) beaming proudly at their kids as they sang (more or less) together, way off key.
Yes, it's just a moment. One single moment in time that Rachel isn't even likely to remember. But it's a moment that we'll never get back. A moment that, if I'd had pictures or video she might remember-or think she remembered.
It's also not likely to be the last time that we (I) miss a moment because we (I) just couldn't get there in time, but after today, I guarantee you that I won't let it happen again as easily as I let this happen. It was just a matter of answering one last email, making one last phone call, and stopping for one last brief chat in the hall. NOTHING was that pressing or deadline driven to the point that this should have happened.
It was simply not getting there on time. Oh, yes, and not realizing that an 11:00 event meant that they'd actually begin singing EXACTLY at 11!! (Seriously! That should have been spelled out for us 'slow' parents!) Yeah - won't I won't make that mistake again!
And - don't doubt for a second that a few salty tears were shed. Oh yes - and they were all mine. Rachel just smiled, seemingly bewildered about the tears, and handed me the picture of herself that she'd drawn and placed in a frame that she'd made for me, for my special day. God, I love that kid.
Her smile is infectious. The tears dried up and the girls and I spent most of the rest of the day together.
**
And I've said it before; We can only be "perfect" parents some of the time. And the rest? Well, that's what therapy is for.
**
Friday, May 9
A Mother's Guilt
**
It happened. I let it happen. I did it.
The time was 11:00 a.m. The place was Rachel's preschool class room. And I wasn't there.
I was there at 11:08, but that was too late. The little Mother's Day preschool sing-a-long was over. I'd missed it. Something Rachel had been excited about. Something she'd practiced. And I wasn't there, sitting in the audience with all the other mothers (OK-not all, but most) beaming proudly at their kids as they sang (more or less) together, way off key.
Yes, it's just a moment. One single moment in time that Rachel isn't even likely to remember. But it's a moment that we'll never get back. A moment that, if I'd had pictures or video she might remember-or think she remembered.
It's also not likely to be the last time that we (I) miss a moment because we (I) just couldn't get there in time, but after today, I guarantee you that I won't let it happen again as easily as I let this happen. It was just a matter of answering one last email, making one last phone call, and stopping for one last brief chat in the hall. NOTHING was that pressing or deadline driven to the point that this should have happened.
It was simply not getting there on time. Oh, yes, and not realizing that an 11:00 event meant that they'd actually begin singing EXACTLY at 11!! (Seriously! That should have been spelled out for us "slow" parents!) Yeah - won't make that mistake again!
And - don't doubt for a second that a few salty tears were shed. Oh yes - and they were all mine. Rachel just smiled, seemingly bewildered by the tears. She proudly handed me the picture of herself that she'd drawn and placed in a frame that she'd made for me, for my special day. God, I love that kid. Her smile is infectious. The tears dried up, everyone was smiling and all was good again.
All except for the lingering echo of a mother's guilt.
**
It happened. I let it happen. I did it.
The time was 11:00 a.m. The place was Rachel's preschool class room. And I wasn't there.
I was there at 11:08, but that was too late. The little Mother's Day preschool sing-a-long was over. I'd missed it. Something Rachel had been excited about. Something she'd practiced. And I wasn't there, sitting in the audience with all the other mothers (OK-not all, but most) beaming proudly at their kids as they sang (more or less) together, way off key.
Yes, it's just a moment. One single moment in time that Rachel isn't even likely to remember. But it's a moment that we'll never get back. A moment that, if I'd had pictures or video she might remember-or think she remembered.
It's also not likely to be the last time that we (I) miss a moment because we (I) just couldn't get there in time, but after today, I guarantee you that I won't let it happen again as easily as I let this happen. It was just a matter of answering one last email, making one last phone call, and stopping for one last brief chat in the hall. NOTHING was that pressing or deadline driven to the point that this should have happened.
It was simply not getting there on time. Oh, yes, and not realizing that an 11:00 event meant that they'd actually begin singing EXACTLY at 11!! (Seriously! That should have been spelled out for us "slow" parents!) Yeah - won't make that mistake again!
And - don't doubt for a second that a few salty tears were shed. Oh yes - and they were all mine. Rachel just smiled, seemingly bewildered by the tears. She proudly handed me the picture of herself that she'd drawn and placed in a frame that she'd made for me, for my special day. God, I love that kid. Her smile is infectious. The tears dried up, everyone was smiling and all was good again.
All except for the lingering echo of a mother's guilt.
**
Sunday, May 4
My Wish for My Girls
**
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
and if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,
if it's cold outside,
show the world the warmth of your smile,
but more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more then you take.
But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
this is my wish
i hope you know somebody loves you
may all your dreams stay big
~Music and lyrics by Rascal Flats~
**
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
and if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,
if it's cold outside,
show the world the warmth of your smile,
but more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more then you take.
But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
this is my wish
i hope you know somebody loves you
may all your dreams stay big
~Music and lyrics by Rascal Flats~
**
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