Scary Night = Feeling Good for Mom

little willow a few years back at grandpa's house.
So my daughter called and told me about spending the night at grandpa's house, which involved watching a scary movie with her cousin. Apparently, it was so scary that she stayed up until 3:00 in the morning.

Daughter: I would close my eyes and they would POP right open, because I was so scared. So you know what I did?

Me: What?

Daughter: I closed my eyes and imagined that I was on our couch at home in the living room, with you walking by in your gray muscle shirt and pink and white pajama shorts, and you see me and say...hi baby! On your way to the kitchen to get more diet coke.

We both laughed, and the sound of her voice made me feel warm inside. As I'm writing this Post, I realize that the scene she described happens almost daily, and how I don't even think about it when it's happening; yet, it has made enough of an impression on her to help her relax.

It sure feels good as a mom, to be a part of that image she had conjured up in her pretty little head to find dream land!

Come home soon, my sweet girl!

~TW

New Formula to Live By...

PAIN + DENIAL -> SUFFERING

BUT...

PAIN + ACCEPTANCE -> HEALING

~TW

Sunday Mornings...

The husband loves his new iphone and ilove him. Look at him, he's just so damn content. It's now Sunday night, and he's in the same position again (I swear he is), just different clothes. He has his headphones on and he's giggling like a kid...one of my favorite sounds in life.

~TW

If Only I Had Three Thumbs!

I loved this movie! I caught the last showing yesterday with one of my girlfriends, and it's a "must see" flick for the Summer!

I really enjoyed Catherine Zeta-Jones performance, few woman in this world look damn beautiful when they cry--and she's one of them! I didn't realize that food or fine dining could be such a sensual experience...and the behind the scenes happening in the kitchen, you get a good sense of the creative process that transforms the chef and their recipes.

My favorite line came from her therapist in the movie, "It's the recipes you create yourself that are the best."

Happy weekend, jelly beans! With the daughter away, I'm off to spend some quality time with number one son.

~TW

Flying Solo...

Yesterday, we both stressed over and celebrated another milestone in our "parenting" career. We watched as little willow took that walk through gate 28 onto a huge jet. Her destination, a week long vacation with her favorite aunts and grandpa in Louisiana. This would be her first experience flying solo, and the husband and I were stressing just a wee bit...wink!

She is definitely daddy's little girl...so it was a little harder on him; I on the other hand, have tremendous faith in my sisters and maybe it's a "sister thing", but I trust them with even the most precious treasure in my life, my daughter.

I was a little sad, because the last time my daughter made this journey--she was attending her grandma's funeral. So I knew this trip was going to be bitter sweet for her, as grandma is no longer there. I know that this trip will bring that final closure for her. So I wasn't surprised when the phone rang this morning and our conversation went something like this:

Daughter: Mom?

Me: Hi, baby!

Daughter: Guess what I did today?? (Her voice filled with love)

Me: What?

Daughter: I went to see Grandma.

Me: You did? Well, how was it?

Daughter: Good...I went with grandpa to change the water and put fresh flowers on her grave, AND they moved her.

Me: Yes, I know, grandpa had her plot moved so that he wouldn't have to use a ladder, just to talk to her.

Suddenly, the conversation took a lighter turn, and she was ready to get off the phone. She had more important things to do than talk to me, like using the bathroom and getting ready to go to the mall. And I knew grandma must have been smiling from heaven.

Have a great time, my sweet girl. Going back to your roots, and learning about the heart of your family is something that I am incredibly lucky that I can give you, because there's no greater gift than family.

Happy Friday, jelly beans!

~TW

Happy, Happy Birthday to My Little Willow...

When I hear this song, I always think of YOU, sweet girl. You're one of the *sweetest* blessings in mommy's life. I love you.

~TW

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

by Martina McBride ©

You're the Man...

Happy Birthday to the coolest guy on earth--my husband! I was thinking earlier, that my husband and I grew up just a few miles of each other when we were young kids, but of course, we didn't know each other then. So I often wonder, did we ever cross paths in a store, did we ever sit at the same red light in cars next to each other, was he ever at the flea market the same day I was, OR was he ever at the county fair or our favorite amusement park, maybe riding on the same ride?

It makes me giggle to think that all those years ago, my best friend was living his life just a few streets away. I know for sure if I had spotted a cute little boy with dark eyes, beautiful smile and licking away at a "mint chocolate chip" ice cream cone at our local Baskin Robbins...I would of stopped in my tracks and said, "Mom! that's him, the guy I'm going to marry someday.") I'm so lucky!

Happy Birthday to True Willow's True Love. We will party like rock starts tonight...wink!

~the wife