Thankful

I am so thankful for family. My extended family, my ward family, the family of mankind... but especially my little family. Because they love me, forgive me, challenge me, kiss me, encourage me and inspire me every day. And they think I'm beautiful.

Thank you Dan, Molly, Emma and Jack.

I love you.

I am The Mom

Last night as I was tucking Molly into bed, she asked me, "What do you think I'll be when I grow up?"

I said, "I hope you'll be a mommy like me."

"Is that the best job I could have?" she asked.

"It is the best job in the whole world," I answered. " And I love it."

Childhood

Why does childhood have to go by so fast?

My own is now a hazy, patchy blur with only a few distinct memories: some funny, some not, some I wish I could trade in for ones that were forgotten.

Last night, as I played a song on the piano while my daughter sang the words with her sweet little girl voice, I thought, I am going to miss these days.

That was also my thought this morning as I was chasing my laughing, naked son around the kitchen with a sweatshirt in my hands, trying to aim just right so as to get his head through the hole on the first fly-by.

That was also my thought as I was scrubbing lunch out of my daughter's pants, and wiping the peanut butter off of her cute face five minutes before she had to catch the bus.

And as I cleaned up the counter after my daughter made her own pb&j for the first time.

And as I taped up another masterpiece by one of my daughters in the art gallery on my bedroom wall.

And as I snuggled in my bed with whoever got up first last Saturday morning.

And as I chased yellow, windblown leaves with my son at the park on the way home from the bus stop.

And as I read my son "just one more" story before his nap.

And as I sang my kiddos songs to them at bedtime.

And as I went into their rooms last night before I went to bed, pulled the matted hair back from their beautiful sleeping faces and gave them one more kiss goodnight.


I know that someday, they won't need me or want me to do these things for them.

And I know that I will wish they did.

True Love

I can't help myself. I LOVE my kids.

Dan and I were discussing our interests last night and for the first time, I realized that my biggest personal interest right now is making sure that my kids are well cared for.

I know what you're thinking... "How can kids be your own personal interest?"

Good question.

I had always thought my interests were violin, reading, etc., but last night I realized that more than anything, I care about my kids well-being. I was actually shocked.

I've been mothering for seven years now - feeding, clothing, diapering, disciplining, teaching, kissing and hugging. I have always loved my children. Always. But I never realized how much a part of me they are.

It reminds me of my own personal definition of true love. I believe that true love between any two beings, is when you can feel every emotion for that person: love, frustration, happiness and sadness - in essence that their joy and pain are invariably connected to yours.

I love my kids. I truly do.

Abby

Abby Maile is an incredible person. I know this and I've never even met her.

Her husband, Naki, and my sister's husband, Frank, are cousins. As is the usual course of things, the wives of husbands who are friends, become friends themselves. This was the case with Heather and Abby.

Heather has told me about Abby on several occasions: how much she admires her amazing parenting abilities, her patience and her strength. These characteristics have been put to good use... Abby is the mother of six daughters: Line, Malia, Lose, Eli, Eva and Ane; ranging in age from 10 years old to 1 year old.

Early on the morning of October 16th, 2009, Abby's sweet husband, Naki, passed away unexpectedly. The autopsy revealed that he had a heart condition that had never been discovered.

I have been following Abby's blog since Naki's passing and have been so inspired, grieved, humbled, strengthened, and awed by the way she has chosen to face this most difficult trial. In her last post, she acknowledged that she believed more people were reading her blog than she was aware - many of whom she did not know - and she was glad. I think she knows how much people can be strengthened by another's experience.

So, I now feel at liberty to encourage one and all to learn something from Abby.

www.sixmailechix.blogspot.com