Refusal

 When the news broke last Friday about the Connecticut tragedy I made a conscious decision to only read about the actual event and refused to watch any television coverage.

And then while Molly and I were walking along the Scioto Mile, it smacked us right in the face. A local news station hung this banner along with sharpies for residents to sign.

Of course Molly wanted to participate but she also wanted details. How do I tell this innocent 3 year old about the tragedy? I was vague and sugar coated - a lot but also let her sign her name.

So maybe when she's older - a lot older and reads about the events in Connecticut I can send to here to see that she, too, wanted to help.

Jump!

We were at a friend's (and if pre-arranged marriage was acceptable I'd be able to type family) birthday party and all the kids were jumping off the stage, well all except for the one year old birthday boy and my soon-to-be four year old. Grandmas held hands, friends cheered, other showed examples, & one special little boy offered to catch. 

You could see the struggle in Molly - she wanted to jump because the other kids were (did the clique if all the other kids jumped off the bridge would you? just run through your mind?) but man that floor was all of 2 feet away. She thought and thought and just when we were sure she was ready to let go she thought some more. And then the time came and she shimmied off the stage without any help - once.

It was super frustrating for me to watch her take so.much.time to process something that she should have freely enjoyed but as I'm typing this I hope she never loses that need to process as I believe it will make her a much safer teenager!

15

Tomorrow we are celebrating Alec's 15th birthday. Its rough being a parent of a teenager. They are moody, messy, grumpy, and mumbling fools but that's only part of the time, the other part you see the adults they are becoming and it was never as apparent as it was the other night.

Mike had bronchitis and pneumonia over Thanksgiving so I needed to get the extra mattress from Alec's room so I could attempt to stay healthy. I texted him to let him know that I was headed up to get it and by the time I got to his door he had the mattress out and carried it to the loft for me. As I was getting my things, he told me to just lay down and he'd get me some blankets and should I need anything through the night to just text him and he'd take care of me. He's going to be an amazing father and awesome husband some day!


Alec - I love you to the moon and back and more than all the stars in the sky. I love how much you love your little sister when most 15 year olds could care less about their siblings. I love your creative nature and am so excited to see where it takes you. I love that you eagerly step up to help when you see someone struggling. I love that you appreciate the little things in life and embrace nature when so many people are too caught up in the digital age. Alec, our family would not be complete without you and I thank God every day that he let me be a part of your life!

Thanks

There are always so many things to be thankful for not just on Thanksgiving but each and every day. However, this Thanksgiving we are MOST thankful that we were able to make such loving memories with our family.

Mother of the Year Award

I officially LOST the Mother of the Year race today!

While shoe shopping with Molly today, I encouraged her to measure her feet on the kid rug provided in the shoe section. When I observed, I couldn't believe my eyes! So we quickly starting trying to shoes on.....the 10s were snug and the 11s were perfect, they were on sale, Molly loved them and so we headed to check-out - Molly proudly holding her box of new kicks and me walking behind her with my head hung in shame. I told the lady who checked us out that we didn't need a bag as we would be putting these shoes on immediately. Especially since the shoes currently on my daughter's feet were N-I-N-E-S! Yes, 9s - two sizes smaller than the ones purchased.

Hopefully with appropriate shoes, Molly will have even more fun running around with her friends!

So Much to Learn

We participated in Celia's Walk to Defeat Batten's Disease today. Its always been a family event complete with snacks, friends, and a big open field to play in. Today's walk was different because its the first walk without Celia so we arrived with heavier hearts.

Many of the kids found themselves in the soccer goal during the walk. We took a couple pictures ~ say cheese, thumbs up, funny faces and one waving to Celia all the way up in heaven. While waving to Celia, her little brother, Tucker said through tear streaked cheeks that he missed his sister.

And that group of 2-6 year olds, sat silently with sadden hearts while their friend grieved, once again, the loss of his big sister. Then, with approval from the adults, they hopped up and wrapped their arms and love around their friend. Surrounded him in a group hug to help lessen his grief.

Mike and I often marvel in what Celia taught us in her brief life but her teaching didn't stop when her body did. Her lessons are alive and working through the many children who love her and her family. We still have so much to learn.

Bi-polar

 All parents at one time or another has shared an expression of relief that their child exhibits some sense of self-control in public. There are also those times at home during a melt-down or over drinks with friends where a parent wishes others saw how ridiculous said child acted in order to receive some sympathy. 

Miss Molly is the queen of being an angel in public and with those whose opinions she values most (her preschool teacher - Mrs. Morgan, her babysitter - Miss Lisa, and family friends - Miss Jenni & Miss Denae).

Luckily, I was armed and ready with the camera tonight so I have proof of Molly's dark side. If a pumpkin can elicit this type of response can you imagine what another human can?