The Boat is Taking On Water

Remember when I wrote a post about how mothers are the captain of the ship and make sure everything is "smooth sailing"?  Well, my ship feels like it is sinking.  My "new" job?  The one in which I was doing testing at preschools, for a research project for a college?  Well, as of tomorrow, it is in the "old" job category.  I won't go into ALL of it.  But, I will say that when I interviewed for the job, I said I needed 20 hours a week.  I was getting about 9 hours over the course of 3 days!  I was spending as much time driving around, as I was working.

So, this week and last, I've been working my new 2 day a week nanny job, AND my two week notice for the "old" job.  Plus, we had to drive to Erie last weekend, (which should be a 3 hour drive, but with the ridiculous traffic that day, took us 5 hours), to go to Jim's uncle's funeral.  Let me just say that I really don't know how you moms who work full time do it.  Seriously....HOW?!?

So, on top of all that, there was Mother's Day, my 9 year anniversary, (which is today), and Dylan's field trip at school (this morning).  Today is the only day off I have this week luckily, so I was able to go on the field trip.  To be honest, I was sort of dreading it.  We were going to tour a local pet store.  "Tour" implies a lot of talking and a lot of standing, you know... still.  Not one of Dylan's strengths.

This morning I was tired, and I was grouchy.  The grouchy might have had something to do with the fact that Jim and I had a serious communication "gap".  At some point last week, we were discussing going to dinner for our anniversary.  Jim said that his friend Rachel said she could babysit.  I assumed that meant that he arranged it with her.  He assumed that meant that I would arrange it with her.  So, last night while watching TV, I asked him "What time is Rachel coming tomorrow?", and I got one of those blank stares.  (We're losing the ability to communicate, but I still love you Jim!)

How could I stay grouchy, though, when my kid gave me this "fill in the missing word" picture this morning?

It was hard to stay grouchy as he sang, "This is the way we...", the entire way to school.  "This is the way we count the school buses... This is the way we go to the school... This is the way we sit at a red light...etc"  He did a pretty good job at the pet store, and was so excited to have me along that it made me feel great.  At one point, he even hugged me and yelled "I love you Mommy!", which elicited a round of "Awww!"s from the other moms.

For Mother's Day, my two guys brought me breakfast in bed, along with my cards, and flowers.  We went out for dinner with Jim's parents and mine, and had a nice time. (Since my ship is sinking, I didn't take a single picture on Mother's Day.  FAIL).

Jim just called, and said he made reservations for the three of us at one of our favorite restaurants for tonight.  I think I can get the water out of this boat, and by next week, it will be back to smooth sailing. (I hope!)  Anyway, the most important thing to focus on is this... I AM LOVED.  Happy Anniversary Jim!

A Proud Mom

Dear Dylan,

This weekend, Mi-Mi and Bubba watched you while your daddy and I went to Seven Springs to celebrate our seventh anniversary. We had a great time doing some things that we don't usually get to do when you're around, like talking over a long, scrumptious dinner, shopping, and sleeping in. We also got to do some things that we haven't done since you were born, like playing a game of mini-golf, bowling a game, playing some video games, and relaxing in a jacuzzi. Mostly, we just enjoyed talking and spending quality time together.

But, do you want to know what one of the most memorable moments was? When we were at the mall, looking at the merry-go-round, and your daddy said, "Are you missing Dylan?...I am". You are so much fun to be around, we can hardly stand to be away from you!

Speaking of fun, Mi-Mi and Bubba took you to the museum while we were gone. They told me that when you got in the car to go home, you announced, "I had fun"! They were sure I told you to say that, but I didn't. When you and I go somewhere, though, I always say "I had fun with you today! Did you have fun?" I love that you've picked up on that, Dylan! It is a great thing to show people appreciation, and let them know that you enjoy spending time with them.

Yesterday, for Mother's Day, we had more fun - at the zoo! Mi- Mi and Bubba, Mi-Maw and Pap-Pap, and your daddy and I, all enjoyed watching your reactions to the animals. The zoo was SO crowded, and you didn't get your regular nap, but you were such a good boy! You didn't complain about anything. (I've taken classes of preschoolers, who started complaining ten minutes into the zoo that they were tired, or hot, or hungry).

But, the most amazing part of the day was when we left. We were stuck in a traffic jam of cars, all trying to get out of the zoo at the same time. We sat in the car, barely moving, for an hour and a half! You didn't cry, or fuss, or whine! While listening to kids screaming in nearby cars, couples fighting, and your daddy and Pap-Pap discussing the logistics of the situation, you and I sang songs, played "I Spy", talked, giggled, and laughed. I enjoyed an hour and a half stuck in a traffic jam, because of you.

You have the amazing ability to make anything fun, and I LOVE that about you! On Mother's Day, and everyday, I am happy and proud to be your mom.

I Love You,
Mommy

Dandelions

It's that time of year when people start trying to get rid of those pesky dandelions. They don't want them in their yards. They want tulips, hydrangeas, and pansies, and they spend just as much time planting and watering those flowers, as they do trying to get rid of the dandelions. They are weeds, after all, right?

But, when they were a kid, they were happy to see them springing up all over the yard. They ran around picking them, and proudly handing a big bunch of them to their moms, who would search for a small vase to display them in. Their moms would glance at them, throughout the days ahead, and smile, remembering the sweet gesture of their young child. The ones that were left in the yard would turn white, and those young children would grasp one, close their eyes, and make a wish, and blow with all their might, scattering the white fuzz through the air. To a child, a dandelion is fun, beautiful, magical even. They don't see them as weeds. To a child, a dandelion is a flower.

My mom is like that, with people. When she looks at someone, she sees a flower, not a weed. She is somehow able to see past their flaws and see the beauty. Even the people who are especially weed-like. If a waitress is rude, she maintains that they are probably having a bad day. If a friend treats her poorly, she says that maybe something is going on in their life that is difficult. Her list of reasons for poor behavior goes on and on - "...maybe they are tired, maybe they just got bad news, maybe they had a difficult childhood, maybe they are hurting, maybe they are lonely, maybe they need some understanding..."
I often tease her for her ability to always look past people's faults, but in truth, I admire it. I certainly did not inherit that personality trait. It is difficult to see the beauty in some people. There are a lot of "weeds" in this great big "yard" we are all living in. Can you imagine how much more beautiful the "yard" must look to my mom?

Mom, I'm so glad that you are able to look past my flaws, and see a beautiful flower. Hopefully, I will learn from your example. Happy Mother's Day!

I Love You,
Jen