Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

I have attempted many jobs in my life. I have been the ice cream scooper at Baskin Robbins and built footlong sandwiches long before Jared discovered their nutritional value. I've waited tables (ok attempted to wait tables) and have supervised 60+ kids at a summer day camp. I have shot sports footage for a newscast and have produced, directed and assistant-directed a 2 hour morning show. But the one job that seems to have the best benefits is that of a mommy. It has no sick time, no vacation time and I think the only promise for a 401K is that maybe someday these children will make me a grandma. I have to say that being a mommy or as the P's call me "mama" is the best job with the most benefits. I've gotten to carry these precious little people and felt their kicks and hiccups inside of me. I was one of the first people they ever laid eyes on and got to hold their warm, wiggly little bodies before anyone else. I've gotten to get up at 2 in the morning to their...

Easter Sunday was a somber time for our family, it was truly the last holiday where Oma (my grandmother) will probably remember anything. She was diagnosed with Alzheimers almost two years ago and its been a very steady decline. Her true personality pops in a few times here and there but we rarely see Oma in her truest form. Gone are the eyes that sparkled each time she saw one of her grandchildren. And sadly, gone are any memories of her own children. She does seem to remember her siblings in Germany, which sadly are dwindling away, her sister passed away this weekend. My mom and aunt spent their day yesterday preparing to tell Oma this sad news. I have great memories of Oma. There are still certain smells and fabrics and flowers that bring me right back to standing in her kitchen and attempting to help her cook. I got a chance of a lifetime to grow up close to my grandparents and I'm truly grateful for that. Oma devoted her life to her family and now they are devoting their lives...

I try to make a point of finding a balance between being productive in the evenings during the week all the while enjoying time with the P's and with Kris. Grass fire season has kept some of that time to a minimum, but its our job as a fire family to be flexible and I think the P's and I have adjusted well to that life. Sometimes, it does stink but we seem to have gotten better at balancing right now. So while the fires burned last night - the P's and I spent some time outside. They love riding their bikes and big wheels. I remember spending many, many hours doing just the same on my bike and my big wheel. I literally wore the wheels off my Care Bear big wheel and outgrew several bikes. So I truly enjoy seeing them out there doing the same. I hope the balance is a good one, the laundry will still be there yes I know. And the dishes will get done and the trash taken out, so with the weather warming up, its truly time to balance it all out. Especially with big P starting T-Ba...

There are times in life when you seem to get settled and ready to live the routine, and then that routine is shaken a bit. I think those moments are the ones where God is trying to remind you that HE is in charge. So as much as we try to plan, try to get going, sometimes he takes us in a different direction. One that is better once we get to where we are supposed to go. There are some opportunities and questions that lie ahead for our family, ones that can be frustrating and stressful and others that could be just the change we needed. So for now, I will just pray that whatever doors God opens for us, we are willing to step inside. I'm excited, worried, happy, loved, loving, trusting, hopeful and blessed so I know that as long as we go forward as a family, ANYTHING is possible!

It has been a very long week, so glad its Friday. I wish someone would tell Mother Nature it is April and that she needs to save the snow for next winter! Gearing up to go back to school, wow its been a long time and I keep having the dream about forgetting to do my homework! YIKES! The P's are ready for the warm weather to stick around. I overheard them this morning making plans to play outside with our neighbor A on her swingset, riding their bikes again and running through a sprinkler. Oh to be their age again...their innocence is so sweet and so refreshing. I just pray w e can keep them so innocent for as long as possible.