I can’t believe the last time I wrote one of these posts was last September!  Jotting down a few of the little things in my life right now…


I WANT TO REMEMBER… how our Little Miss gets a twinkle in her eye when she gives you a “kiss” and then proceeds to chomp down on your lip with her two little teeth.  

I WANT TO REMEMBER… the utterly exhausting adventure that is raising brothers.  They bicker often and sometimes there are tears, from them and sometimes even from me.  But that moment where M declares that D is his “best friend in the whole world”?  Or I hear J say, “Good job, Mi-mol!” while they play a computer game?  Or I find the three of them in bed together reading books?  Those make it all worthwhile.     

With the movers coming in just a few days, I’m becoming quite sentimental!  Here are a few things I want to remember about this little home of ours:

I WANT TO REMEMBER… moving into this house on a crisp fall day, almost six years ago.  I was just weeks away from M’s due date and we were so excited to be able to bring our baby back from the hospital to a home.  Our home.


I WANT TO REMEMBER… the slow and steady process of making it “ours” through the years: new furniture, a kitchen renovation (and how excited I was to get new countertops!), DIY projects like the board and batton, and my favorite: having hardwood floors installed.  


I WANT TO REMEMBER… what “living in the country” feels like: wildlife in our backyard, lots of trees (requiring lots of raking in the fall!), and trips to town that take 30 minutes or more.     


I WANT TO REMEMBER… that this home will always have a special place in my heart.  It’s where I learned how to be a mother and a better wife.  I grew self-confidence here.  I learned to embrace my vocation, discovered new hobbies and uncovered some long-hidden dreams.    
  
I WANT TO REMEMBER… how we grew from a couple to a family in this home.  Our boys’ early memories are here: birthday parties, family dinners, playing in the backyard and lots and lots of laughter.  We have much to remember and be thankful for.


Off to make more memories in the next chapter of our family’s life.  We are excited to see all that is in store for us!    

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of the things I am loving lately:

I WANT TO REMEMBER… searching for the ever-elusive J, only to find him (sitting cross-legged, no less!) playing Legos with his brothers.  My sweet boy is growing right before my eyes.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much fun the boys had during our first visit to the beach this year.  They all played so nicely and independently that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself!  Perhaps this is the year I can actually read a book?!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… that old cell phones are great entertainment for little kids.  The big boys found a couple of my out-dated phones (circa 2005?) and they have played with them for hours!  I love that they call them their “Iphones”!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… the notes and drawings I find scattered around the house.  I’ve been leaving paper and crayons out in the dining room with the intention of assisting independent creativity. So far, big hit!
 
I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much I love and appreciate my husband.  While I’m wallowing in self-pity with an achy pregnant body, whiny kids and never-ending days, I want to always remember his sacrifice for our family too.  We are a team and we are on this crazy adventure together.  

I WANT TO REMEMBER… waking up to two excited big boys bounding in my room.  They were full of hugs and proudly announced that they had cleaned their room all on their own.  And then I had the early morning privilege of witnessing a full. out. brawl.  Some things never change, not even for Mother’s Day.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… my breakfast: breakfast burritos.  My husband is a master cook, I tell you.  They were delicious.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… making it through the majority of Mass with very well-behaved children.  I was feeling proud and even a little braggy, until J wasn’t allowed to color in M’s coloring book and had a full. out. tantrum right there in the pew.  Hello walk of shame to the back of the church.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… meeting my mom, dad and siblings at the restaurant for a yummy Italian lunch.  I will never forget the look of pure joy on M’s face as he enjoyed his spaghetti and meatballs.  Apparently that is a rare delicacy in our home and he couldn’t get enough. 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… a wonderful gift: a childless afternoon, browsing through the antique stores downtown with my mom.  It was amazing and relaxing.  And it ended with icecream.  Does it get better than that?

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much I love this vocation – the good, the bad and the ugly.  I am so, so blessed.   

Sometimes life gets so
busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of
the things I am loving lately:

I WANT TO REMEMBER… that life isn’t about the accumulation of “stuff” but of memories.  Lots of purging and organizing around here and the boys don’t even know the difference.  I’m trying to remember that even though the world tells you that kids “need” all kinds of things…experience tells me otherwise.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… J’s sweet hand on my cheek when I get the opportunity to rock him to sleep.  These moments are quickly passing with that big boy…I’m going to savor them while I can.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much fun two big boys can have with a new pool.  Last week (when it was too cold to swim) the pool became a ship, a fort and even a place to sit and read books.  Now they are so excited for 90 degree days and using it for its intended purpose!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… what a selfless man I married.  Even though the pollen is out of control and his allergies are practically debilitating, he’s still out there playing soccer in the backyard with the kids.  I am blessed.  

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P.S. Don’t forget to enter the Honduran coffee giveaway!  Enjoy a good cuppa Joe while supporting a farmer at the same time!  You can find more info here. 

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of the things I am loving this week:



I WANT TO REMEMBER… our silly dance parties in the living room.  We put Pandora on and at the boys’ request, spread blankets on the floor for “stages”.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how wonderful it is to have only one in diapers!  Less than one week and D is fully potty trained!  Although he’s definitely a late bloomer in this area, I learned my lesson with M and waited until he was ready.  And gosh, is he adorable with his new Super Hero underwear!   

I WANT TO REMEMBER… J’s new word: “UH OH”.  Quite appropriate since he is into everything lately!  His new trick is climbing onto the kitchen table.  He may be my hardest yet! 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… our date nights lately that consist of watching episodes of Burn Notice on Netflix.  As usual, we are seasons behind, but it makes for great marathon watching!  Our favorite way to unwind together after a long day.  

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of the things I am loving this week:

 I WANT TO REMEMBER… how adorable D is when he declares either of his brothers is his best friend.  This happens on nearly a daily basis.  The two most recent: “Mamma, J is my best friend because he kisses me.” and “M, you not my best friend anymore?” (they were having a spat)

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how sweet it is to watch the bond between baby J and his daddy.  They have had a special connection since he was a tiny newborn.  I can’t wait to see their relationship as he grows up.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… M and the crazy things he’s been saying lately.  At bedtime, my husband always prays “in thanksgiving for my family”.  M, in an attempt to one-up his father, tried this new prayer: “in Christmas for my family.”  I guess the holidays work interchangably.  🙂

I WANT TO REMEMBER… this amazing prayer prayed by Mother Teresa:

“Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.” 

I am my little sister’s Confirmation sponsor and we are praying this daily until the big day.  I hope it’s as powerful a prayer to her as it is to me. 

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things. Here are some of the things I am loving this week:



I WANT TO REMEMBER… the way baby J grabs his brothers’ faces and gives them lots of slobbery kisses.  I love their joyful squeals.   

I WANT TO REMEMBER… that when it comes to toys, the lesson most certainly is quality vs. quantity.  I’m happy to say that our Christmas choices this year were perfect!  So much imagination in my house right now!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… M’s fascination with spies right now.  We’ve been watching lots of Spy Kids and he’s been sporting his new Night Vision goggles.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how hilarious D is becoming!  At three years old, this kid is quite the comedian.  He has me in stitches everyday with his funny lines.  So much like his Daddy.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how excited I am for 2012.  We’ve got exciting things in store this year!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how appreciative I am to all of the brave men in my family who served our country.  They are true examples of selflessness – what a gift for my boys to see and grow up with.

I WANT TO REMEMBER.. how the big boys “knuckle” each other and “blow it up” at the end (this they must have learned from their either their father or their uncles!).

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how J is a cleaning machine just like his Mamma.  He waddles around the room, picking up random items that his brothers have dropped.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… his J kicks his legs when he’s either excited or angry.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how school always runs more smoothly when I’ve planned ahead.  I’m going by the seat of my pants this week and you can tell. 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how a clingy baby with four teeth coming in at once is a sign to slow down.  Like everything, this is only for a season. I’m going to enjoy all of these extra baby cuddles while I can!

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how J “shares” his food with me.  It’s usually him taking food out of his mouth, but hey!  Sharing is sharing, right?

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how much fun we are having with school.  Just when I think everything I’ve taught has gone in one ear and out the other, M will say, “Hey Mamma, there are Chinese kids on Sesame Street.  Just like in Ping!  I wonder if they are going to the Great Wall of China!”  (True Story!)  My Mamma heart soars with pride.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how the boys are really into forts right now.  Anything can be a fort: beds, the table, even J’s high chair!  I think my tentative Christmas gift for them just became permanent.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… the lessons learned from this blog post.  Such a powerful post…definitely a must read.