My blessings.

Every morning I wake up and look forward to hearing my name.

Zoe: "Mom! Dad? Out!"

I hear Max over the baby monitor talking to a stuffed animal, his blanket, or just talking to the ceiling.

Every morning I wake up and look forward to being a mom.

I can't help but notice that this generation of mothers are not the same as my mom.

Mom had six kids and we went everywhere with her.  If grocery shopping needed to be done, all six of us kids tagged along.  If Mom had to run by the bank or drop something off for Dad, all six of us were there in the back seat.

I have some great memories of my Mom.  She was the best -- and I'm not just saying that, I mean it whole heartedly.

Other moms have harder time relating to me because I'm a lot like my Mom was -- my kids come with me everywhere I go.  Yes it may be a little hectic, but that's what I signed up for when I decided to take this position, and God has given me the patience and thankfulness for my slower walkers!

I hope one day my kids will have great memories with me like I did with my Mom.  I do my best everyday!

SIDE NOTE:

I do not want any mothers to feel offended by my remarks.  I am not being judgemental towards anyone and how they raise their children.  I'm just stating who I am and how I feel about myself!  Thanks!

Graduation.

The morning of graduation I was wide awake at 6:30.  I was too excited to sleep any longer!  We got the whole family ready and headed out a little before 9:00.  I dropped Paul off at the main building and then I made my way to the gym.  I was the first to get there, so Zoe and I did our best to find a good, open spot since we were expecting quite a few to come and watch.

It was quite a struggle to save spots all by myself, especially since people were piling in and the gym was filling fast!  Thankfully people started to come in that I was waiting for and we all were able to sit together.

It was so exciting to see Paul come into the gym wearing his cap and gown!  My eyes may have welled up a bit.. maybe.



Where's Waldo.. I mean, Paul?



And here he is!  Our handsome graduate!

I had kind of fallen behind in the crowd when we all were leaving the gym because I had to wave at my parents who were watching online.  That was fun!  When I got outside, though, I had a hard time finding anyone I knew.  I finally broke through the crowd and found my Paul.

It may be funny to some, but I still tear up when I think about when I finally found him and ran to give him a big hug!  I can tell even by the way he hugged me back that we both felt the same thing -- relief!  I am so, so, so proud of Paul and his accomplishments!  I cannot say it enough!

Paul has worked so incredibly hard these past four years.  There were plenty of times I had to stand on the sidelines as hard as it was for my jealous self.  I knew it would be worth it one day...and it was. =)

I can't help but laugh at our little family picture!  Zoe was very hot in her shoes and socks when we were in the gym so they had been taken off and never put back on.  Max just looks like Max.  Haha!  My handsome butterball baby!  Doesn't he look so tough with his fists?

After graduation we had dinner at our local Mexican restaurant and then we had cake and party afterward.  It was a lot of fun celebrating with Paul on his special day!

It is 9:40 and Paul is still in bed.  I'm not going to wake him.  He has 4 years of sleep he needs to catch up on. =)

Daddy's Girl

This past weekend Zoe has turned into a complete Daddy's girl.  On Saturday evening I told her I was going to turn off Sesame Street and play music till Daddy got home.  Her eyes lit up and she said, "Dada!" and climbed up on the couch as fast as she could to watch him come home.  Within a few minutes he came home and she was very, very excited.

They have been glued at the hip all weekend.  She calls his name all the time to make sure he is close by.  When we're in the car, she doesn't call my name anymore to tell me funny stories -- she calls her Daddy.

I have a feeling this week is going to be pretty hard for her since Daddy will be leaving before she wakes up and will most likely be gone till late at night due to working and finals.  This morning when Zoe woke up she immediately called for her Daddy.  I went and got her and she immediately wanted to go to our bed.  I brought her in there, and she started moving the covers around looking for "Dada."  I did my best to explain that Daddy went bye bye already, but as soon as I said he was gone she put her hands to her face and started crying.  How can you not cry along with the poor soul?!

I cannot wait for this weekend to be over!  I'm so thankful Paul is finally at the end!  I look forward to finally having a chance to spend some quality family time with one another.  I think Zoe would appreciate that too. =)

Cousins.

Last night we said goodbye to Paul's cousin and her adorable son.  They had been here a little over a month and we really enjoyed having them here with us!  I might be guilty of dropping hints for her to just stay and never leave, but I'll never tell. =)

Zoe and Jax didn't get along most of the time.  For some reason Zoe chose to be a pill and push him away and just boss him around.  But last night we went out to dinner together and then met up at home and they got along pretty well!  Go figure.

I'm trying my best to teach Zoe to be nice to everyone, to share, and to not be bossy!  Some days I feel like a failure, though.  But, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!