Roots of Happiness.....

I have picked up a new book titled, Torn by Sarah Parent Walravens. It is a collection of stories from real-life mothers who have faced the decision of whether to continue with their careers or stay-at-home, but the commonality of it is the fact that women are "torn" by their decisions.

I can only speak for myself, but at times I definitely felt torn and whether or not the decisions I made and make are the "right" ones for my family. For any mother, I think we are our own worst enemy. I have learned early on to not compare myself to moms because at the end of the day, I can only do what works for me. When I first decided to leave my full-time job, I struggled with the decision, but when I put the decision in perspective of the overall bigger picture, I realized that my kids are small once, when they are grown I can never go back to replace that time. And even though my kids are still small, looking back, I'm happy I did it. I've got two of the best kids ever and I wouldn't trade any of the moments spent with them.


I will be the first to admit that I'm stern with my kids and they know that, but they are also learning that if they tell the truth, they don't get in trouble (and it's already been tested). I'm also not afraid to be silly with them, they know if they ask me I'll catch fireflies, I play freeze tag, and I will certainly dance and sing as loud as I can. At the end of the day, all I want is that my kids go to bed each and every night knowing how much I love them and I think they do.


I'm not a perfect mom, I've made mistakes and I'm sure I'll make plenty of more along the way, but I'm also not trying to be the perfect mom. I'm not trying to be a "cool" mom, I'm just trying to raise two little ones who grow into responsible individuals who believe in dreams, who believe in themselves, who aspire to be more, and who are willing to work for what they want.

"I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies." P. Aretino


“Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness." - Unknown

Random thoughts on my mind.....

It's late and I've got so much going on in my mind that I thought I'd share....perhaps then I can go to bed and not toss/turn.
I've been having crazy dreams for the last several nights, so crazy that I wake up most nights, I feel like it is almost like a warning , but the dreams are so vastly different that I can't make sense of it.
And then today, I learned something that just sadden me to my core and it makes me wonder does normalcy exist in families? Yes, we all have those quirks, but do most families get along or is there tension most of the time?
Sometimes it is like watching a train wreck before it has even happened and no matter how many warnings you throw, nothing changes, but then wonder why the train wrecked? I just don't get it., but a lot of times we view things the way we want to see things versus the way it actually is.
Also, the Christchurch area was hit with not one, but two more earthquakes (aftershocks) one was 5.5 and then another struck which was over 6.0 - I keep thinking when will this city get a break, how much more can one city sustain? Christchurch was such a vibrant and beautiful city and as we were putting the kids to bed and I said a prayer for those in Christchurch my kids asked some questions and what struck me was that they will never get to see the city how I remember it and how it was because I don't think it will ever be the same, which is sad. The people there are strong and resilient, but enough already.
Is something bigger coming? I really don't know, but I suppose it just makes you want to be with the ones who really do matter the most.

"My life has a superb cast but I can't figure out the plot." ~Ashleigh Brilliant

And so summer begins.....

This is the first week the kids have been out of school, my sweet pea is having a hard time adjusting. She likes being home, but I've caught her in her room sobbing. She is missing her friends and her teacher. And although I have tried to comfort her, it seems like it is one of those moments in her life where it is beyond mommy's reach. It is not like a cut or scrap that I can kiss and make it all better because even though I tell her it will be okay, it is not helping her.

The kids begin swimming lessons soon, so I'm hoping that will take her mind off it.

I think this is the first "growing" pain that we have encountered and I know there will be more to come, but as a mom, I feel so helpless in those moments, when my words are not comforting and it is just one of the many life experiences to come. At least she is feeling better about moving into 1st grade. My little man is doing fine, he still enjoys being at home, but towards the end of the year, he would get mad that I would pick him up, so I think he will enjoy going all-day next year.

Our front landscaping is finally finished (for the most part). We are not done with the wine bottle border, we ran out of blue bottles so as soon as we get more blue bottles we can finish the border and we need quite a lot. I could go on more, but I have to get the kiddies to bed....

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life." - James Allen