Taking For Granted

Lately as we prepare for Jesse's deployment(our first since marriage and kids) I can't help but realize all the little things in our life that we take for granted. It seems so simple and easy to get caught up in the every day mumbo jumbo. Sometimes there is so much to do and so much going on that we don't even take time to realize what is really important. However, because this deployment is looming even closer each day seems like a time for reflection. I don't know why exactly, and I don't really know exactly how to describe it.  But I feel like each day is somehow different. Trips to the playground aren't just trips to the playground. Snuggling to a movie as a family, isn't just a movie. Even watching tv with Jesse and the kids feels like something special. I guess you can say it's a lot easier to cope with the idea of being seperated as a family for an entire year, if we view  each day before he leaves as a blessing rather than one less day together. The other day Jesse thanked me for doing so good with the kids, and for making such beautiful babies. This made me realize something. We need to stop taking credit for something we are only partially responsible for. The Lord has blessed our lives in so many ways. Although sometimes I feel like everyone is against me, Jesse has to work a long day, the kids won't nap, Brianna won't stop crying, the house is a mess, and bills are waiting to be paid. I  have realized more now than ever I am really blessed. I have two  uber beautiful and healthy kids. A roof over my head,and food in my belly. A loving husband who supports me in everything I do and is an INCREDIBLE father to our children.  We have a steady paycheck, our own health, and Jesse stays safe each day and comes home(eventually) in one piece. I am blessed. We are blessed. So I am taking the time to slow down and capture the blessings I have in my life each day, I think it makes things easier. So we may not get around to doing all the "family pre deployment" activities. I think what really matters is right here. Jesse getting to tuck the kids into bed, hold Brianna until she falls asleep, hear  the kids giggle, see them smile, and watch them do all the amazing things they do as the become beautiful little people. So today and each day before Jesse leaves I will cherish the time we have rather than time we've lost. I will hug longer, smile more, and just breath. Because as crazy as this life is , it's our life and it's beautiful all by itself.

Playground Ettiquette

Today was a playground day. As I headed to the playground with the kids in tow the only thought I had in my mind was that nap time would last forever and man oh man did I need that long nap time! Anyone ever notice though that when there are other kids there, there seems to be some unwritten playground rules of ettiquette? Who decided these rules? Obviously Tristan going up to a little girl that caught his eye and rubbing her butt is not ok haha in fact it was quite embarrassing. My little man thinks he  knows all the right moves to wooh the ladies. When I told him we don't rub girls butts (as I choked back laughter  at the fact I had to say those words) he replied with "cute" and pointed to her and laughed. Ohhhh boy... I don't think he gets it. However, here's the deal with the rule thing. Tristan is two not even old enough to understand turns. The kids that were playing on the playground were like 4 and 5... anyways they all decided to go down the slide at once. I'll admit I'm not the paranoid Mom on the playground, in fact as long as he's not bleeding or crying I assume he's having a heck of a time. With all the kids on the slide everyone collided at the end, which made all the kids cry. All the kids except my own... of course because he's awesome and tough:)! Toughness aside the other moms and one dad...(totally weird too, in uniform, this guy doesn't have anything better to do during work hours than hang with some housewives?) gave me the look of death and glared at my little dude. Seriously?? So the best part is they began a little whisper session( which brought me back to highschool) as they gathered up their kids and headed to the "other" playground about 500 ft. away. I couldn't help but laugh to myself. Did Tristan just become the playground bully because he was the only one that didn't cry after the group slide sess?? So lame. Even more lame is I had to explain to Tristan why he now was the only one at the playground and how the other kids didn't want to play. My two year old had the first moment of rejection. Where did this rules come from?? How sad has it become that I am a bully's mom and Tristan a bully simply because he's not that wimpy kid that cries over everything. My son played at that playground today for hours and wouldn't you know other kids came and went and played contently with Tristan... no crying either. Apparently the days of childhood innnocence are being clouded with  the complexes of some parents.I will not understand these unwritten rules, and I guess that means some days Tristan will just be the bully.