My Inside Funny

Today the family spent a great deal of time searching out wall decor for our newly painted dining room. The best part of the day however was when Hana told me I just didn't get her "inside funny". I absolutely couldn't contain the smile that spread a cross my face. There was something incredibly childlike about calling her sense of humor her "inside funny". She knew what it was but didn't quite have the vocabulary to name it. I think I am going to have to begin calling my frustrated moments of motherhood my "inner child needing to be in control and throwing a big temper tantrum moment". Wait, having given it thought, that might be a little wordy and hard to remember.

Shocked!

I arrived home to a 37" TV sitting on my cedar chest in the living room. It replaced a very old 13" that we have had our entire marriage. We are simple folks really. I could have lived with that 13" for quite a bit longer. What I really wanted was a new kitchen table. Now don't get me wrong. My dh loves his new buy and he hardly ever buys big ticket items. I must also concede that it has amazing HD quality and it's just amazing to look at. So why I am I complaining. I am not really sure. It's just the shock of the enormous size and I suppose a little bit of the fact that I wasn't consulted about the buy. It was a big ticket item. Then I remember all the times that I have bought things that probably added up to the cost of the tv (clothes to be percise). Having gotten over the initial shock of the tv, I went to work on cleaning out the closets in the girls rooms and tidying up. It's amazing how one semester of teaching would leave the girls rooms in much neglect. I think Nanna is at the age now that she can keep her area tidy. She's a bit of pack rat (we went through the hording of snack rappers last year YUCK) and it's hard to convince her to throw away anything. I was doing really well with my cleaning until I came to her room. Literally my blood pressure rose just looking at the mess she was sifting through. Then she had the bold adacity to ask for a helping hand. I was so annoyed and I know that I should have taken a deep breath and maybe twisted myself into some zen yoga pose but I found myself scolding. I need to find that balance where I can voice my disappointment without going into the "Mommy just can't let it go" mode. Well today is a new day. I will tackle the garage today and call salvation army to carry off all the boxes of toys and clothes I have amassed over the five years we have lived here.

Fantasy Fudge

I went to visit my parents for the winter break. My mom of course wanted the girls to help her make fudge! I have tried for years to make my mom's fudge but it never ends up as wonderful as my mom's. After watching my mom and sharing stories of my bowl licking escapades as a child, my girls got the chance to lick the spoons and bowl. I did get to eat a small spoon full of the delightful creation. RaRa being the youngest of the two and having not learned the art of not getting too messy, was enjoying each delicious spoon full. I hope everyone has a chance to make their own fudge at least once in their life. Don't forget to lick the bowl and spoons when finished. There is no sense in letting any of that fudge go to waste.

This is the Nanna and RaRa that I will begin to chronicle about. They are the best things that have happened in my life and the most challenging. I want to believe that I can be a be an amazing influence and advocate in their life. Guiding children is an amazing undertaking. I have found that it is something that is lacking in our society today. I, as a mother, know all too well how life has a way of sweeping us along. We start at point "A" only to end up at point "B" with little recollection of how we got there. We breathe a sigh of relief when we take note that our children are still physically there with us. It is a false sense of security though. Our children have a delicate soul in them that is hard to guage. We must be aware of those things along the way that shape them. I hope this blog is a way that I can reflect upon my journey as a mother and share those reflections with others. It is my hope that it will create dialogue with others.