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Archives For November 30, 1999

What she wants to be when she grows up

March 18, 2013

As my four-year old daughter and I lay in bed one evening, she started in on a litany of endless questions per her normal bedtime routine.

When will I get a husband? When will I be a mommy?

I instinctively launched into a series of sensible replies. You don’t need to worry about getting married until you are done with college. After college, you can find a job that you like and then maybe find a husband too. After you are married, you could become a mommy. And then I will be a grandma! (giggles…hers genuine, mine nervous)

A large part of me wanted to preach about not rushing into sharing her life with others. I want her to know what it’s like to get to know and love herself first.

But then I paused and thought about how awesome it is that she really wants to be a mom someday.

Heaven knows I am not the poster child for attentiveness. I work full-time, which means my children have other caregivers besides me that they rely upon. I write often so it’s not uncommon for them to see mom’s face buried in her laptop. I run on occasion so they’ve had to accept that exercise contributes to mom’s happiness.

However, I am also confident they know there isn’t anything I value more in life than them.

I’ve consciously chosen to put them first, over climbing the corporate ladder, ahead of my social life, and even before my husband when I think about it. Date nights get scheduled or they don’t happen in the midst of our kids’ activities.

cocktails by candlelight...errr...the glow of TVs

cocktails by candlelight…errr…the glow of TVs

The last drinks I shared with my spouse were more of a survival tactic than a pleasurable escape. We sipped them in between basketball games while eating dinner at a local sports bar. The romantic ambiance of blaring TVs was surpassed only by the chatter of overstimulated children.

The funny part is…I honestly wouldn’t want to live my life any other way.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to check out every now and then, throw my hands up in the air, and auction them all off to the highest bidder.

It simply means that chaos feels comfortable.

Knowing that my little girl wants to follow in my footsteps is humbling to say the least. I have a feeling I will want to follow her lead too.

I just hope she doesn’t leave me in the dust as she heads off to conquer the world.

Created by Heidi Woodard

In Belonging, Family, Kids, Love, Memories , , , , , , ,
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$92

March 14, 2013

Sometimes life gets a little fuzzy as you fight to prevent something drastic from rocking your world.

Earlier this week, I noticed my dog, Murphy, wasn’t acting like her normal peppy self. (Read on…I promise there’s a happy ending.)

my best pal with paws

my best pal with paws on her human sister’s Dora couch

I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s slowing down. After all, she’s 13 canine years old, which I think translates to somewhere between the advanced directive phase and nursing home stage for people.

Problem was…she slowed down considerably in a very short amount of time and her eyes conveyed she was in serious discomfort. I can’t remember ever seeing her head hang so low or her tail tucked so far between her legs.

As I drove Murphy to the vet, my mind filled with fear. I am not yet prepared to make any decisions about her quality of life. In all honesty, I will never be ready for that.

I had to put her canine companion down in June 2010 and I haven’t fully recovered from that experience. I doubt I ever will.

Murphy epitomizes what it means to be a good friend. She won’t resent you for ignoring her. She’s simply there for you when you need her the most.

She was my first child before I had children. She was the first living, breathing soul who relied on me, who made me realize life was bigger than me.

And, yes, I know I sound like a crazy dog lady right now, but for anyone who thinks that way, I will simply smile knowing that you’ve never had a dog like her.

As I carried her into the vet’s office, her demeanor changed immediately. Her tail returned to its curled-up, wagging state while her entire body perked up. I thought to myself, Awesome. All she needed was a change of scenery. A very expensive change of scenery no doubt.

Turns out she needed to have her a_al sacs drained (edited for those eating right now). Ninety two dollars later, we walked away with two prescription meds and  a greater understanding of a dog’s anatomy than I ever dreamed possible.

Why would I take the time to share this diagnosis, you ask? Because I find it ironic that a pain in the butt made me rethink my life today.

I guess I needed to tell you all how happy I am to still have my furry friend by my side.

Created by Heidi Woodard

In Kids, Love, Pets , , , , , , , ,
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Hip hip hooray for the Great Wolf Lodge getaway

January 31, 2013

I struggle at times to remember what it feels like to step away from the everyday grind and have no set agenda other than to relax and have fun as a family.

It’s been too long since we’ve experienced that feeling. We’re getting ready to re-embrace it at one of our boys’ favorite places, Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.

We’re rarely at home. Always on the go. Stressing about getting kids to school and ourselves to work on time. Stressing about leaving work on time to rush home. Stressing about meal planning and getting out of the house on time to make it to basketball. Stressing about getting the kids to bed at a decent hour.

Shoot, I’m stressing with guilt right now over the fact our daughter has never experienced a Great Wolf Lodge getaway. And she’s 4.

Pregnant mom with baby girl

The boys loved to pretend their bellies were as big as mine when I was pregnant with their baby sister.

We’re lucky that all three of our kids LOVE getting wet. Water slides, lazy rivers, spray stations…you name it…I remember the boys having a blast standing under the 1,000-gallon bucket dump.

You know what’s even better than getting soaked by such an extreme force of water? Watching your 4-year old sister experience that combination of fear and adrenaline rush for the first time.

Dad and sons in the lazy river

Lazy boys in the lazy river.

Some of my favorite memories from Great Wolf Lodge have nothing to do with water at all. Each evening, lodge guests are invited to attend a story time in their pajamas in front of the Great Clock Tower within the grand lobby.

The Great Clock Tower has timed lighting and mechanical animals that sing and talk to the audience. Anyone who is my age may recall Showbiz Pizza back in the 80s. This Clock Tower is like Showbiz on steroids, highly entertaining for kids and adults alike.

I’m going to make it my goal to use my iPhone for picture taking and maybe a periodic Facebook status update. One of the best things about vacationing at an indoor water park is that water and electronics don’t mix.

We deserve the uninterrupted time together and each other’s undivided attention.

The rest of the world can wait.

Created by Heidi Woodard

In Family, Just for Fun, Kids, Love, Memories , , , , , , , , ,
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