Moments of Greatness

Having kids isn't easy. As babies, we labor with them. As toddlers, we chase after them. As little kids, we worry as we send them off to school and watch them grow. As preteens, we chauffeur them around and put up with less than stellar attitudes. As teenagers, we fear for them and watch them struggle to find out who they are and what they want from life.

But, amid all of this there are moments of greatness. Moments so sweet, it makes you weep with love, pride, or joy. When they are babies, sometimes it is just that wonderful baby smell or the pure innocence and promise of a life just beginning. As little kids, it can be watching them play with pure joy or the way they hug you so tight and never want to let go. As preteens, it's that quick hug they give you when no one is watching, or the wonder in their eyes as they discover talents they didn't know they had.  As teenagers, it can be the pride of watching them excel at something they worked very hard for, or the bittersweet feeling of knowing they can take care of themselves now.

I didn't really put much thought into karma or yin and yang before I had kids. Now, I see it everyday. I feel the joy and pain they bring. I see the light and dark in them. I hear the kindness and bitterness in their words.

All this light and dark, love and pain, pride and disappointment can make being a mom seem like a constant roller coaster ride. These kids keep us on our toes. You never know what they will bring home with them when they walk in the door after school: homework, detention slips, school projects, hugs, smiles, tears, dirty gym clothes, trombones, girlfriends/boyfriends.

But guess what? I love roller coasters! Bring it on, kiddos. Give me your best and I will cheer for you, give me your worst and I will cry with you and help you in any way I can.

I Love You,
Mom (Jen)

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.  ~Robert Brault

Bear Security Test

Tonight we tested the alarm system at our house. System is functioning perfectly, test was successful. Here is what our alarm system looks like:

This is what we used to test the alarm system: very odd son #2.

Spike went crazy when he saw a tall polar bear in our house. Good Dog! Now I can sleep soundly knowing that we are safe from tall polar bears.

My children have decided that it is their mission in life to get animal masks and dress up in costumes. This is the first endeavor: Formal Polar Bear.

I mean, really, what do you say about this? Son #2 informed me that he was buying the mask today with his own money. OK. Son #1 says he wants a unicorn mask, but he's not sure what he would wear with it. Huh? Sort of like what shoes go best with my unicorn mask? Sigh.

I'm not sure how these kids got so strange. I do have to thank them though, after six weeks of being stuck at home, this is the best entertainment I've had in awhile.

Formally yours,

Jen

What is a home without children?  Quiet.  ~Henny Youngman