A little bit of catch up.

If you are reading this, then that means you didn't give up on me! You knew I would come back! Thanks for your faith in me and sorry for the lack of posting. Maybe it's the end of the school year blues...you know where you just don't feel like doing anything you are supposed to be doing! Thankfully it's only blogging and not studying for finals or anything. Which I would NEVER leave to the last minute, by the way. We have been up to a few things, however.

I was able to take a quick weekend trip to NYC with my besties from NoVA. What a great time! We ate WAY to much and it kinda still makes me sick to think about it. In fact, I look back at our pictures and just about every one has us eating something.

A glimpse into our weekend:

Annika had her end of the year dance recital. She did a pretty good job. Not sure if we will do dance or venture out and try soccer again in the Fall. Cuz, you know, by the age of 6 we should really know what kind of talent this kid has, right?

Lately at night we never know where we will find Taryn when we go up to bed. This is where we found her the other night.

We went to a local Arboretum on Saturday. It was a bit more humid than we expected, but it was beautiful with all the flowers in bloom.

If soccer or dance don't work out for Annika, we can have her pursue a career as a tattoo artist.

Taryn will pursue a career in fashion design...this look she came up with herself. Swimsuit over leotard.

Last day of school is tomorrow! Hope you are all geared up for Summer!

Happy Mother's Day...just a wee bit late!

So it looks like have I become a once a week blogger. That isn't the intent but it's because either I have been too busy or nothing interesting has been going on. I am afraid it's more likely the latter scenario. Oh well, here I am now so what am I going to write about? How about dragging out mother's day a little bit longer?!

First, my mom. I don't think a woman can truly be thankful for her own mom until she becomes a mother. Not to say that women who don't have kids can't be thankful for their mom, no not at all, but there is a deeper sense of appreciation when you have kids of your own. I am pretty sure my mom and I mother similarly. Perhaps it's in our genes. Or, I think I turned out o.k. so she must have done something right. Right?! Everyone says my mom and I are exactly alike from the way we talk to our mannerisms to our cheesy jokes (that's right, mom, we are cheesy). I have even been told that my handwriting is like hers! Nature versus nurture? I don't know. But, now that I have kids I can start to understand her love for me. The "I'll do anything even stand in front of an oncoming bus so you don't have to get hurt" love. Oh, I know, I broke her heart, just like my kids will break mine. But I know she will always love me. She made sure to let me know that she was "mom" before she was "friend." Perhaps that's where some mother- daughter relationships are lacking. "Tough love" is something of the past. My mom was tough, but, man, did she love us. And, now, I am so happy to say that she is not only my mom but also my friend.

Then there is my mother-in-law. To say that I have been blessed with a good one, is an understatement. To say "in-laws" in our family, isn't saying a bad word. It's an interesting relationship mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law is the one who stole the son! I hear it often that men marry women like their mothers. To me, this is a compliment. My mother-in-law loves her family and has a servant's heart. She is sassy and has a great sense of humor. She is a woman who holds strong to her faith. I can appreciate each one of these things because it's what molded my husband into who he is today.

Then there's me. Now, this isn't the time to toot my own horn so to speak. But, as much as Mother's Day is a commercial holiday, I do think it's a good time to sit back and gauge how I think I am doing as mommy to my kids. Some days Super Mommy comes out and, on others, the great villain Mommy rears her ugly head. Usually, the latter depends greatly on the amount of sleep and sugar that are in mommy's system at the time. I think it's important as moms to be transparent and remember that we aren't perfect and nobody else is perfect. Our moms failed, and we fail. But only by the Grace of God are we able to get through each day realizing that we have His power in our weakness.

So, to all you moms out there. Keep up the good work!! Keep on wiping those slimy noses, milk mustached lips, and stinky bottoms. Kiss those cheeks, toes, and bellies. Clean those grass-stained jeans, fingerprinted windows, and play-dough encrusted tabletops. Listen to wildly imagined stories, songs sung out of tune, and bedtime prayers. Be thankful that you are a mom. I know that I am.

Romeo and Juliet?

This video made me chuckle. Anita Renfroe dedicates this to parents of preschoolers. For more of her funny videos check out her website.

But she said she wasn't tired!!

"I'm not going to sleep, mommy, I'm just going to play with my dollhouse, o.k.?"

"O.k."

If you listen closely you can hear her snoring. :)