Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Oh What a beautiful Day........

Today I choose to be happy. I have loved riding Lizzy to school every morning. The cool Autumn air awakes my still groggy senses and I'm able to more fully appreciate the beauty around me. We live near majestic mountains, the eastern morning sun cascades the most glorifying light off their peaks, and I feel lucky to enjoy it. Max notices all matter of animal life behind me in the bike trailer and loudly makes everyone aware of their presence. Rosie tries so hard to keep up with big sister, while still telling her to watch out for cars and look both ways. Lizzy appreciates her morning entourage and makes up super hero names for us as we bike (I'm Magnificent Mommy, then we have Lizzy the Leopard followed by little Robin Rosie-who can really fly). I enjoy seeing neighbors out enjoying a perfect fall morning. Although life isn't perfect, and I have had a stressful September, I choose happiness through morning bike rides and the hope that 'everything's goin' my way'.

To Everything...

"If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, He's going to ask for a glass of milk.
When you give him the glass of milk, he'll probably ask you for a straw." - Laura Joffe Numeroff

While we love all of Numeroff's books, I can't help but reflect on how my children are like the mouse, pig & moose. This week we have enjoyed wonderful spring weather. I've felt a need to be outside, enjoying the 'lamb' days of March. Yet, at the same time I have struggled with balance.

If I were to write a book about Max, it would go a little something like this:
If you take a Max to the park, he's going to ask you to push him on the swing.
When you push him on the swing (for 30 minutes) he'll want to get off the swing and roll down the hill (with Mommy). Once he rolls down the hill, and Mommy feels nauseous, he'll want to do it again (with Mommy) and again. When he rolls over a rock, he'll probably want to stop rolling and start sliding. When he climbs UP the slide and is very proud of himself, he will want you to clap for him (which you gladly do because you are so proud). When he slides down the slide, it reminds him of how he loved rolling down the hill, and he'll want to do that again (now that his head is better) with you. When you tell him you can't roll down the hill again (for fear you may loose your lunch) he cries and cries. To make him feel better, you push in on the swing. After he swings for awhile, he'll want to go down the slide. When you tell him it's time to go (because you have to pick up Rosie from Preschool) he’ll be very mad and will try and run away. When you run after him, he’ll think it's a fun game and will run around the park. Finally you will stop him on the top of the hill, where he will gladly roll down again.

The same could be said about each of our children. I love having fun with them. I hate telling them the fun must end. Frustrated by all the tears when a particularly fun day had to end, I turned to Nana. "Am I not spending enough time with them Mom?" I asked. "No!" she replied. "That’s just the nature of children. They don't understand balance" she explained. "It's up to you to teach them that there is a time for everything."

I think she's right. But, when I explain to them about time, will they then want a new watch to go with it? Just wondering.

A Constant

One thing in my life has been certain:

I have always been blessed with wonderful friends.

As a child, those friends were three little brothers and a blond haired girl cousin named Romney. Luckily, those early relationships have matured into life long friendships.

In school, there were many friends at times and just a few at other times but, there were always fun times in those days! One friend stands out amongst the crowd of childhood playmates. The first to visit me during my 3 week stay in the hospital at age 11 (thats another post), the girl who passed notes from me to my 9th grade crush Ted, the one who got her driver's licenese first & with it came a CAR sophomore year, the first shoulder I cried on over a dumb high school boy, who's Mother felt like my Mother, the girl I introduced to her future husband, the one who watched me mature and fall in love with a boy named Kelly,.......the list goes on and on. Brenda is a friend who is more my Sister.

San Francisco's treat to us was forever friends. Some who were more than twice my age! Women who jumped in to be my Mother, turned out to be my closest friends, still. It was there that I met Phoebe. A beautiful, stylish pregnant girl in water aerobics. We became instant friends and I have loved her ever since. Time, Miles and Babies have not come between our friendship. I relish in her style, wisdom and humor and wish we lived closer. She has taught me in the ways of being a good friend.

Back in Salt Lake, I turned to friends to help see me through my days as a new mom/apartment manager/residents wife. There I met a pretty red-head, also pregnant. Beth's practicality and kindness became a life saver to me during hard times. Hearts were shared, and I appreciate her candour and advice still. She has watched me raise our 3 babies, and I her. She is a source of encouragement to me I can always count on. Happy Birthday Beth!

Now in present days, I am surrounded by wonderful friends who I have learned so much from. I feel blessed to be among them. They have selflessly gave of their time to me and have made me feel so loved here. As this post is getting lengthy, I will have to save my ramblings on this subject for another post.

Thursday I will be reunited with my Phoebs. She has not come to visit for 2 long years. We have much to talk about, shop for, beautify and laugh over. Time will fly by, I must make the most of it. So, with that, I sign off for a few days, fly under the radar so to speak, to enjoy one of my lives constants.....a close girlfriend!