thanks dudes

well, consider my spirits lifted. you rule

sheesh...

dang! what does it take to get a comment out of you people...sheesh, i thought a sappy plea for one would do the trick. wrong again. well, i guess if you're reading it, that's good enough for me. thanks again

here's to the lasts

so, i was in the library picking up my latest "quick read," when a children's book caught my eye. this, of course, wasn't the first time this has happened, since i am easily distracted/amused...and also because i am always conducting research for my future children's book endeavor. anyway, i don't remember the title, i just remember that it was written by a mother who mentioned that we, as parents, are wrapped up in celebrating our kids' firsts, that we often miss their lasts. she recognized this as her last child was growing into toddlerhood amidst the tantrums and the throwing unwanted items onto the floor, etc...she decided that she couldn't remember the last time she had seen him crawl, or the last time he asked for his binky or asked to be held. so, she turned her book into a prayer of sorts, asking God to help her recognize the last time her child fell asleep in her arms or asked for a kiss in public, or begged for one more hug. it was a sweet book and really made me think of the shortness of life. how we often rush through the day, praying for bedtime, or through the week, anticipating friday night (not necessarily because we're supposed to go on a date or something...what is that again?)
anyway, i was pondering this tonight as i watched luke's eyes droop more and more as i rocked him in the same chair that i once nursed him in night after night. i put him to bed at the normal time and then proceeded to hear him scream for about 20 minutes. i decided to go in and see if something was wrong, only to have him snuggle up against me as i held him in the rocking chair. my thoughts went to the lasts book. how many more times would i have the opportunity to rock him to sleep? how much longer will he fit in my lap just perfectly that his feet don't drag on the seat? take it from me all you tired mothers out there. stop and love your kids a little more. cherish the moments when they're precious, rather than the moments that they make you want to rip your hair out. life is pretty dang short after all.

word to your mother...or you, at least

i just wanted to give a little shout-out, if you will, (i wonder where that phrase came from by the way...its not like i'm gonna wait for you to give me permission or something...anyway) to all those kind, little souls who are generous enough to leave a little comment on your way out of my humble blog. its nice to have a little reassurance that even though friends are scarce here in the lone and dreary world, you do still exist out there in cyberspace. in all seriousness, i really do appreciate the gesture and yes, even if you don't say anything, i'm still glad you drop by. thanks and consider yourselves pretty darn special :)