Kindergarten Graduate

Alyssa's officially a FIRST GRADER. Guess that means we've made the decision to move her up. Her end of the year play was God's way of showing me she has the confidence that I was so worried she wouldn't find. As the one of the chicks in the "Little Red Hen", Alyssa beamed with confidence.

This summer I will look for more opportunities to grow and challenge Alyssa to take more risks, work on as a team player and play to her strenghts. I'm trusting God will be with our family throughout the summer and into the next school year. I think I've done some growing myself through this Kindergarten experience.

Our ray of sunshine

Alyssa brings so much joy to our family. She just growing so quickly and is quite a delightful girl. She is so patient with her brother, happy to be in school and compliments Chad and I on our parenting skills (most of the time). I think she's really happy with where she is now. She can hula-hoop like a pro, jump rope with out missing the beat and has mastered several sight words and is beginning to read.

Lately, I've been consumed with the decision whether or not she should move up to 1st grade next year. Something in me has been saying she's still so young, she lacks confidence and is still a bit shy. I've probably been talking to too many moms and not talking enough to God. All my mom friends have been so supportive and will give me their thoughts and advice. I've talked to school teacher moms, christian moms and moms with children the same age as Alyssa. Some say "What?, why would you do that", other say "you're her mom you are her advocate, you know best". Others have asked if I've talked to her teacher.

Well I talked to her teacher tonight. I shared all my concerns and she was open and honest with me. I cried, she listened and then she said..."She's really ready for 1st grade, and I've thought about this since you brought it up and she really is ready...and she's not the youngest in our class." Of course she said I'm the parent and she'd respect our wishes if we did chose to have her do Kindergarten again. But she emphasized that Alyssa is bright, she really holds her own at school and "she's a lot different when you and Chad leave." She said she's not as timid as we think she is and that she is participating in class, really opened up this year and "really Emily, I think she's ready".

I appreciate Ms. Kurbis's time spent with me and interest she has taken in Alyssa and in our family. I'm going to pray about it now and see how it all works out. Maybe it's time I let go a little. Oh but it's so hard.

Ouch Owen

Ok, so we are moving past the "Oh Owen" to the "Ouch Owen". We are thankful that the pooping in the corner has subsided and the tantrums in public are getting more and more sporadic. However, this boy is prone to accidents.....or are all boys prone to accidents.

Fortunately, we've had only a few smashed fingers, scrapped knees and bloody lips. Today I read about my friend's son Connor who broke his arm while riding a bike. Last year my cousin's son swallowed a open safety pin. I think this is normal and I should just be blessed that my son is healthy enough to be active, regardless of whether that makes him accident prone.

Yesterday Owen was running to greet Chad (who had been out of town since Wednesday) when he bit it in the carport. Scrapped knee, little blood no big deal. Except when he had to take a bath and it was stinging, you would have thought we were putting salt on his wounds. The worse part is all the spiderman band aids are gone and all we have on hand are barbie band aids. It's just not cutting it. You know you're a mom when you are calling to ask the neighbor not to borrow a cup of sugar but to get a more masculine band aid for your boy.

Well today as I was pulling in I see Chad holding Owen on the stairs. Chad motions with his hands that Owen tumbled off the stairs. Owen is crying pretty hard. I get a sick feeling (another sign that you're a mom of a boy) and start towards Chad and Owen. I get closer and Chad says "wait until you see the other side of his face".

The blood on Chad shirt indicates more than a scrapped chin. This boy is going to have one large shiner in the morning. "Ouch Owen".

Missing my sister Kim

My sister Kim means the world to me and it really stinks that she lives in Spokane and not closer. I think what I miss the most is the fact that her son (Nash was 1 in Feb) is growing up so fast and we arent' close enough that we can hang out, talk kid talk or swap kids for the night. I hope one day her husband Nate wises up and decides Tacoma really isn't that bad.

Kimmy Joe I miss you tons...I can't wait for you and Nash to come and visit.

Love ya sis.

My Family Makes Me Happy

Look at them, wouldn't you be happy too!

Mother's Day

As I celebrated the day with my family I couldn't help but think about other moms. Especially my mom. For the last five years I've relished in the fact that I'm a mom and let the day be about me. Yes, I admit a bit self centered. But I let myself get caught up in the self loathing attitude that I'm the only mom that has it this hard or works more hours in a day that are naturally possible. Usually I'm critical of my mom, finding fault or ways that I'll "do it better or differently". Saying things like "oh no I sound like my mom".

This year I have a new perspective, one that has me reflecting on what my mom my means to me.

I realize that I have taken for granted the fact that my mom is worth celebrating and should be acknowledged for her efforts in raising three girls. Because I am a mom now, I can appreciate all that my mom sacrificed for us.

My mom is one strong woman and now that I know all the work that it takes to be a mom, I appreciate her all the more. I think about how young she was when she had my sister and I. Despite being young she loved us as babies, she nurtured and cared for us...she treasured us. Even though the circumstances weren't perfect she did her very best to provide for us. She taught me the importance of working hard for the things that matter the most to you and never giving up.

I can appreciate all the times she cuddled us when we were sick, took the time to bathe us before school the next day, cooked us dinner at night, took us to child care so that she could work to support our family, put our hair into pony tails even when we protested, took us to the beach and went to all our parent teacher conferences.

I appreciate her all the more that she put up with my sassy attitude, my disrespectful ways and my teenage challenges. She never stopped loving me, supporting me and showing me grace and mercy.

As I reflect on all that my mom did I realize that as a mom I have it really easy. I have a husband that shares the responsibilities with our children. My mom didn't have that. She did it all on her own much of the time. This Mother's Day, even though I wasn't with my mom she was constantly on my mind and in my heart. I love you mom!