Patrick Swayze

Still really sad about the passing of Patrick Swazye.....

It Goes Both Ways

You know, at one point in my life if someone told me that they didn't want to have children, I would have scoffed at the mere thought. How can you not have kids, right?? I've just always known that for me, it would be a natural step in the progression of my life.

And now, I have children. I get it people. Seriously. I certainly would not change my decision to have kids; Hopefully by now I have made it very clear that my children are my world but I see now that there is another road. And quite frankly-I understand why some choose to take it.

I know that there are a few individuals that read my blog that do not have kids nor do they express any interest in changing that situation. I have been blogging about my kids so much recently- about how wonderful they are- about how they actually poop rose petals and cry tears made of molasses, that I'm sure those people are kind of over it. So for my childless friends who so graciously take time to read about the spectacle that is my life- this one's for you:

I almost never cook- but when I do, I tend to have visions that are far grander than what this night produced. And so here is my mommy disclaimer- both children were uber tired and cranky; they don't normally act this way. And this is the funniest part; watch how Tyson will go from crying to laughing and then tries desperately to cry again. The last shot of the video says it all...

Introducing: Dinner with the Browns........................

Favorite Part of The Day

This is my favorite part of the day.
I must say these words to myself
at least 5 times in a single 24 hour period.

I say them when:
Tyson wakes up in the morning, always with this little tuft
of straw-colored hair
waving at me
from the left side of his sweet head.
And he says
"Good Morning Mommy. Did you sleep good?"
(yes, he really says that)
And I smile and pull him close.
And I think
"This is my favorite part of the day"

I say this when:
I hear Riley cooing from down the hall-
her precious little baby cries that sing "I am a happy child".
And I go to her-
only to be met with something even more angelic.
Bright sapphire eyes and that gorgeous grin
that says "I am happy to be your child"
And I think
"This is my favorite part of the day"

I say this as:
My husband walks in from work
most of the time smiling
other times not
But no matter- I know he is happy to be there
and he hugs his children...
then his unbelievably lucky wife.
And I feel the way I did 8 years ago-
safe and secure,
and love like no other
And I think
"This is my favorite part of the day"

I say these words:
As I sit down to a dinner-
prepared by someone other than myself
which is almost always
and see my family across from me-
Kyle and his far off stare
which I have learned is just the way
he comes down
from the roller coaster ride
that is his career.
Tyson and his rambunctious bouncing
off of walls
and anything else
that has a permanent foundation.
And Riley just being
the most beautiful baby
I think I've ever seen
even when she is regurgitating
green beans
and bananas.
And I think:
"this is my favorite part of the day"

And I write these words now:
As I have just closed the door to child bedroom #2.
Soaking in the silence...
secretly missing the noise.
And I blog about my life
and drink my wine
and smell my husband
fresh from his shower.
And I feel that yes, this is really it:
"this is my favorite part of the day"

But who's to say that won't change
when tomorrow morning
that little tuft of blond hair
is waving at me once again.
Saying "Good Morning Mommy-Did you sleep good?"
and the glorious cycle of my life
just keeps going
and getting better
and better
and better...

AquaMan

Tyson started swimming lessons on Tuesday. I felt like it was kind of a big deal-almost a right of passage for most kids I would say and I was the beaming mom on the bench daydreaming about his Olympic debut. Micheal Phelps or not, he does love the water and appears to be a quick learner.

Today was his second class and he actually dove down to the bottom to retrieve a dive stick. I wasn't aware that this was something he could do so I nearly vomited when I saw him do it for the first time. Fortunately, he resurfaced, and the fear was quickly replaced by the most amazing feeling of pride I've ever known. My little man is not so little anymore....

Enjoy the pics!

Riley enjoyed watching big bro- and chewing on velcroe, apparantly.