a quote I like...

Teaching is brain surgery without breaking the skin. It should not be entered into lightly nor performed by amateurs.

--Daniel Walker, Alaska Teacher of the Year

how to get mommy's attention

Bree found it - a sure way to get my attention away from the dishes. All she has to do is pick up a book, any book, bring it over and say, "Buh, buh!" I cave. I stop what I am doing and sit down with her. She grabs her snuggie, does a little hopping move and plops into my lap. We share some time together, cuddle, talk about the book. Sometimes I read it, sometimes we just look at the pictures, and other times we take turns saying words and pointing to the pictures of them.

I treasure these moments.

That terrifying, panicky feeling...

was mine.
Yesterday.

Maybe all moms go through this. I've talked to quite a few who have, so I know I'm not alone. Yesterday after soccer practice Dan was kicking balls in the small arena where Bree plays. Our friends were there with their son Chase, and Dan, Bree and Chase were together on the field. I was standing near the big, heavy door that is the entrance down to the arena talking to the coach, when I stopped and turned to see how the kids were doing.

I saw Dan kicking balls, and Chase doing his thing, but no Bree. Surely I was just overlooking her, I looked again and still - no sight of my darling little girl. I asked Dan where she was and he gave me a look like, what do you mean? I guess it was one of those, I thought you were watching her, no, I thought YOU were watching her moments? Bree the Adventurer had somehow managed to make her way through the big heavy door and out of the waiting area and into the rest of the indoor arena, all while escaping notice. Immediately, the panic set in...

There was a game going on in the big arena, and the place was packed. Spectators were standing around everywhere as I rudely shoved by them searching for my baby. It is hard to describe the feeling - like the world just stopped - as you try to push the scary thoughts away and concentrate on the task at hand which is to find your very reason for being. I'm not sure how much time passed, probably not a lot, as I headed towards the stands overlooking the big arena and caught a glimpse of a little blue soccer uniform on the other side.

Shaking, I climbed up onto the platform and walked between the spectators and the field, climbing back down more steps to the other side and my daughter. There was nothing here but a dead end, and Bree was happily running around and pointing up towards the ceiling. I scolded her for scaring mommy, picked her up and started walking back. Dan had raced outside looking for her there and was back inside as we walked over. Little Bree, she was not happy about being rescued. She seemed to prefer being on her own. Aren't kids supposed to cry and get scared when they are surrounded by strangers and don't see anyone they know? Not Bree, she wants so badly to be independent already, and she's not even two.

So much for that mommy of the year award. I'm out of the running yet again!

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has a great first line:
"She had often dreamed of her little sister floating dead beneath the surface of the ice, but tonight, for the first time, she envisioned Hannah clawing to get out."

In fact, the entire first chapter was riveting and I found it difficult to put the book down. Plain truth is the story of a young Amish girl named Katie who gave birth in the barn when no one even knew she was pregnant. The baby died, and Katie must face charges in the "English" court of law. A prominent attorney, Ellie, takes her case and moves in with the family to prepare her defense.

I spent a summer in Pennsylvania and visited the town where this story takes place, Lancaster. To me, Pennsylvania was beautiful, lush, firefly-filled and so different from my Colorado home. I would love to go back and enjoyed reading a novel set there. I also enjoyed learning more about the Amish culture, as Picoult certainly does her research. The one critique I have is that the momentum didn't seem to keep up throughout the entire novel. At times I almost found it boring, but then it would pick up again. Overall, however, I would recommend this book and of course look forward to reading more by Jodi Picoult!


View all my reviews.

one proud momma

Yep, that's right, my baby girl went pee-pee on the potty tonight! I will spare you the details, I realize that not everyone is interested in a story such as this, but Dan and I and the grandmas did a fair bit of celebrating tonight. Woo-hoo!! Good job baby girl!

50

My Aunt Kathy is an inspiration and role-model to our entire family. She lives by example, knowing that we are watching and learning from her. I appreciate her sense-of-humor and fun-loving attitude. She never seems to sweat the small stuff. In her, I see a generous spirit and a caring heart. I am lucky to call her my Aunt!

This weekend we helped her celebrate her 50th birthday with a surprise party. We ate yummy food (a baked potato bar) and played an exciting game of Texas Hold Em poker. We finally left that evening at about 1:30 in the morning after having an excellent time!

Kaitlyn - babysitter extraordinaire

1st place - Dan
2nd place - Erin 3rd place - Shawna