A crazy, normal life!

Well, things have been a bit crazy around here lately. It seems like every time I've sat down to try to type up something, someone is getting into the fridge, escaping to the backyard, someone is hitting, "ya-ya" is doing something and I "have to come see", naps are abrubtly over, or some other major crisis can't be averted. Needless to say, it has been a while since I've had a chance to write anything. So, here is a brief attempt at an update:
I was going through some pictures on the camera the other day and thought I'd share a few from a field trip Sam's preschool class took to the Littleton Historical Museum not too long ago. It is a living, outdoor museum with homes and farms fashioned after those built during the 1800's. They have live animals, they plant crops and farm them in the customary style to the time period, and I heard that in the fall they have hay rides and a pumpkin patch. All the kids really enjoyed it.

Sami watching the goats.

Sam was excited to find pig tracks on the ground.
(Some of the animals wander freely around the farm.)

The water pump was a popular attraction for all the kids!

Sam with some of her classmates and Miss Elena, her preschool teacher.

Sam sitting in the empty barn.
Of course we had to check out EVERYTHING!The boys enjoyed taking their own snapshots!

Happy Mother's Day!

Earlier this year I read a wonderful book, "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. It is a beautiful and inspiring book. I read it during a particularly difficult time with the kids. Sam was the queen of attitudes, and the boys were really trying my patience as they were constantly pushing limits and "no" was the only word I ever heard. I was feeling really guilty about my parenting and felt that I wasn't a very good mother - that I wasn't very nice and all they heard from me each day was frustration and exasperation. As I sat down each night to read, I felt uplifted and ready to face the next day with a positive attitude. This book changed my view of motherhood and made me really appreciate what I have and my role in life. I truly love my children, and although I am far from being the perfect mother, and the frustrating , not-so-nice-mom days still happen often, I would never trade this moment in time for anything! I am so thankful for my three little miracles. They are definitely my life's greatest joy!

"In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service, " says Oprah Winfrey, another champion of motherhood. "We pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant, or a judge. I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything -- I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood....We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom.' It is on her back that great nations are built." ("I am a Mother", by Jane Clayson Johnson)

Happy Mother's Day all you beautiful, talented women!

A Bitter-Sweet Week

First of all I am excited to announce that my friend and I have expanded our little business! We decided to take a chance and sell some of our stuff at a little boutique and gift shop, and now "the little things" can be found at Wrought'n Apples here in Parker. This week we were able to get everything finalized and after a lot of hard work, and many late nights, we finally have our store display all set up and ready to go. I am really excited about it, and although we have no idea how things will turn out, I'm really glad we decided to go for it. We have worked hard to get it all put together and are really proud of how everything has turned out. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our little business venture - our wonderful husbands, family, and friends!
What would we do without you!

Now that I've shared the "sweet" on to the "bitter"...

A Soldier's Duty

Today I said my final good-byes to my brother Donny. He is a specialist in the Army National Guard and on his way to Afghanistan sometime within the next week. His tour will last about a year, cross our fingers that it won't be longer than that. He has been training for that past few months and is anxious to do his duty and serve his country. We are all so proud of him and the wonderful, amazing man he is. I was so excited when he called me today, since I wasn't sure what his timetable was for deployment, and was able to keep my composure during the first half of the call - of course it was all down hill from there! Once the tears came, there was no stopping them! I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. Since enlisting in the army he has graduated from an intensive language training program in Russian and is now fluent in both Armenian, which he learned while in Armenia for two years on his mission, and Russian. When he returns from his tour in Afghanistan he hopes to attend the language school again and become fluent in Japanese. He has also had the chance to attend an interrogator training school which will help him in the future since he is debating a career in the FBI or CIA.
Although I hate to say goodbye, knowing where he is going and the dangers that await him there, I know that he is ready and prepared for the task ahead.

I love you, Donny! I am so proud of your willing spirit and incredible courage. Know that your family loves you and not a day will go by that you won't be in our thoughts and prayers! I cannot wait for your safe return!