mommyhood

The Makings of a TRUE Woman.

One of the greatest joys of friendship is watching each other's children grow up.  There is nothing funnier, cuter, or sweeter than your own children - with the exception of those who belong to people you love.  After a while, you find you love them almost as much as your own.

Malia and I have been friends for several years now - she married her Football-Playing-Incredibly-Handsome-High-School-Sweetheart like, a bunch of years ago - and proceeded to create not one, but THREE of my favorite kids in the world.  Two boys - both the most affectionate and adoring boys you will ever meet - intelligent and strong - with all the makings of their father - and sweet, red-headed Emma - who captured my heart the first time she called me Raaaaaayyyysssshhhhaaaeeell.  She could have been eating chocolate covered crickets for all I care - there is simply no way to resist the urge of stawberry ringlets and her sweet smile.

It can be two weeks or six months between much-needed visits with my friend, Malia.  However, no matter the time between - you can be sure that the boys always want to sit next to me and Emma will always want to hold my hand.  This is very rewarding.  I feel popular, almost.  I don't know the first thing about Yugi-O or Pokemon or any of the cool stuff The Boys are into - but sweet Jackson and Dylan - they alwas pretend like I know EXACTLY what they are talking about.

That's the sign of a good Mama.   When you teach your children NOT to look at your friend as if she just crawled out from under her rock yesterday.   Fake it, you instruct them.  Pretend like Miss Rachael is the COOLEST person in the world.   And do a good job. 

Speaking of a good Mama - you simply MUST go and read Malia's latest entry about Emma and um, "cleaning" her room.  To know Emma is to love her and all her diva-ness.  And this? The room cleaning episode?  Icing. on. the. Cake. 

 

Do YOU see what I see?

In my Circle.

Recently, I updated my list of friends' blogs over to your right.   I added Jill, one of my dearest and most wonderful friends - another Mommy Blogger, who secretly is addicted to MySpace.  But don't tell anyone that.  Because she would be mortified.

Several years ago, Jill and Jonathan became parents on Mother's Day.  To Kaley.  A tiny little bundle of red-headed joy.  A tiny little bundle who now, at four, is a ballerina.  She is currently ballerina-ing with Jordin.  J 

Anyhow.  There are just some friends you have, that you don't have to talk to everyday - but when you see each other - you just know.... that THIS - this is a person I would trust my soul with.  And definitely would bake cookies for.  And one day, when Kaley is all pre-teen, I will be there with tissues or Advil to say, "I know, I've been there."

So, I updated her link.  Because Typepad ate it.  Or possibly, MySpace found out she was spending her time on the internet somewhere else, and deleted it.  Jealousy.  It's a terrible thing.

04.19 / Happy Birthday to You

Today is Josh's 29th birthday.  Which really means he only has a year before he starts eating dinner at four and complaining that the six o'clock newscast is really on too late.

Of course, this is not the first birthday I have celebrated with him.  See? That's us there in our formative years... just before Josh started listening to country music and I started liking boys with nice cars.  Just look and see how excited! he gets about birthdays.  Not much has changed.

Oh look! Another one!  Notice how I am the ONLY ONE wearing a linen dress and WHITE! shoes.  And please, while you're noticing that, be sure to note Jenn's fashionable side ponytail. Complete with red yarn bow.

So, now that you've enjoyed a walk down memory lane - please wish Josh a Happy Birthday... to think all these years later he is my brother, best friend, child wrangler, bullshit-caller-outer and biggest pain in the ass I know.  And he still wears striped shirts. And complains that I never! write about him! on this blog.  So I think this is a decent present.   

Le Chateau de Mouse.

Don't worry. I survived four days at Disney with my children.

I know, I know... but listen, I am not paying Mickey $10.00 per day for internet.  SERIOUSLY.

I could right a huge post here about lost dining cards, the guitar shaped pool, hidden mickeys, margaritas, and etcetera - however, until I regain my composure after the eight hour drive home, please enjoy the following mini-summation.....