Boney Apple Teet

This morning in the car, the boys clinked their granola bars together and John said "boney apple teet". I didn't bother to tell him it's "bon appetit". I got a good laugh out of that one!

First Report Cards

This week the boys got their first ever report cards for their first trimester of Montessori at St. Patrick School. They both had all positive marks and their teacher had the following comments (she really nailed their personalities to a tee):

Ethan:

"Ethan is a pleasure to have in class. He loves a project, and takes real pleasure in his work. Ethan loves all the children in the class and is especially drawn to the older boys. He loves being the center of the boy action and is learning who to play with without being rough. He is making good friends and learning the routine of school. Ethan's fine motor skills are progressing and we will continue to push him in this area hoping to see him writing his name better in the next trimester. Ethan is a bright light in our classroom."

John:

"John is a quiet sweet boy who is progressing well in class. He is working well in the area of the curriculum. His writing is improving rapidly as he works hard in this area to develop his fine motor skills utilizing practical life exercises and writing activities. John is a keen observer of the classroom routine and this allows him to grasp new lessons quickly. He is starting to make more friends as he cautiously branches out of his comfort zone. We will continue to challenge him in language and match as the year progresses. John is a great addition to our class."

So proud of our boys. Way to go John and Ethan!

Pride

I write a lot about how proud I am of my two beautiful boys and my wonderful husband and then I usually go on to beat myself up on the inside about how worried I am that I'm not doing a good enough job as a wife, mother, friend, co-worker, etc. Some of this is just part of my nature and something I will have to fight my entire life, but I also have some control over how I feel about myself.

Today, at this moment, I feel proud. Of myself. Proud that I've supported my husband emotionally to the best of my ability through a long period of unemployment due to the economic recession. Proud that we have a loving marriage that has lasted 9 years and going strong. Proud that we together are raising amazing, kind, sweet, polite children. They are wonderful because WE are doing a good job...I'm proud that I'm a good mother. I'm proud of the woman I've become. I'm proud of how hard I work to provide for my family. I'm proud that I am able, through my career, to hopefully help people through very difficult times.

My hope for this next year is that I can continue to be proud of myself. I will, in my moments of self-doubt and worry, look back at this post, and remind myself of how I feel in this moment, today. I deserve it.

Christmas Tree Hunt - 2010

This year we decided to get 2 Christmas trees. We have room for a large tree in our entry way and since we're having a Holiday party this year, we decided to get our regular tree (around 7 feet tall) and a large 11-12 foot giant. Our day started off well....getting the kids bundled up and ready. We stopped by Jason's mom's house ("Nana") and followed her to the tree farm. Long story short, we found two amazing trees and had a really great time (we even managed to get some good pictures throughout the day).

All bundled up and ready to go...

Mommy and the boys at the tree farm in front of a huge Cedar tree...

Daddy and his boys...this is one of my new favorite pictures...

Our family in front of our 12 foot Christmas tree (prior to cutting it down and trying to get it loaded):

Mommy, Nana and the boys...

Mommy and Ethan having a snuggle in the tree farm...

A great day was had by all and we found both of our trees...2 beautiful Noble Firs. Will post more pictures once we get them all decorated. I love my family!

Thankful

This past week was Thanksgiving and I've been reflecting lately on just how much I have to be thankful for. For me (I don't know how it is for anyone else....or if anyone reads my blog at all), but I am the worrying type....I worry about things that happen, don't happen, might happen and probably won't happen. Unfortunately, I tend to focus more on the negative and let it drag me down instead of focusing on all of the wonderful blessings I have received, all the wonderful people in my life and just how much I have to be THANKFUL for. The goal I've set for myself is simple....worry less, live more. Live happier. Live without worrying about what bad things might (but probably won't) go wrong. Know that when things do go wrong (as they will at times) that it always gets better...usually very quickly. Know that, in the end, my wonderful family and friends are all that truly matter in life.

Happy Halloween!!!

John & Ethan,

We CANNOT believe this year was your FIFTH (be still my heart) Halloween! This year was really the first year you decided (on your own, with no prompting from Mommy and Daddy) what you wanted to "be".

John, my sweet boy...you decided to be Thomas the Train. You are currently on the verge of obsessed with Thomas the Train...you love all things Thomas (videos, toys, books...we even have a Thomas alarm clock. My little man...you looked simply adorable.

Ethan, my little lovey...you decided to be Batman this year. We still aren't sure where this decision came from unless someone at school also likes Batman (we don't recall you ever seeing the Batman movie or really anything Batman, but you must have picked it up somewhere). You were the cutest crime-fighter I've ever laid eyes on.

2 little piggies...Halloween 2006 (you were only 5 months old):

2007 you were Pooh and Tiger (and NOT happy about it):

2008 you were the cutest dalmations there ever were:

2009....John was "The Cat in the Hat" and Ethan was "Kung Fu Panda"...cute, cute, cute.

2010...Batman and Thomas the Train.

Can't wait to see what you'll choose next year.

Love,

Momma

Need for Help

I, thanks to my cousin Michal, follow a blog called Momastery....the woman that writes this blog, Glennon, is simply amazing. She wrote an article last week about bullying that grabbed my heart and squeezed. Her PROFOUND call for love and acceptance (not just tolerance) of others was inspiring and such a good example for everyone, in this Mommy's humble opinion. Her love for her son is unending and unconditional and that's the kind of Mom I am too. Her blog post entitled "A Mountain I'm Willing to Die On" is just about the best thing I've ever read in my life....EVER. This world would be a much kinder and more loving place if there were more people like this woman and I vow to strive every day to make sure to teach my kids lessons of love, acceptance, celebration of our differences...the best way to "teach" this, as Glennon writes, is to live it...be the example. Our children are our mimics....be the example.

Following is a link to her blog...

http://momastery.blogspot.com

This morning, when I checked her blog, I was brought to tears about a guest post about a friend who's 22 month old baby daughter, Evy, has an aggressive form of brain cancer called AT/RT. I cannot imagine what this family must be going through. They are complete strangers to me, but will be included in my prayers and if there is any way I can help, I'm going to. They have set up a donation link to make monetary donations and they also have contact information if you would like to donate something for a "silent auction" fundraiser they are having this month. To donate or read more about Evy and her family, following is a link to their facebook page...

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111857755534457

I am so inspired by Glennon and her passion for her family, her friends, God and every human being. We should all be doing our part, like Glennon, to make this world a more loving and accepting place.

XOXO,
Shelley