Superhero

To my Corbyn,

I asked your preschool teachers how you were doing in school. It took me a couple weeks to ask this and even as I did I held my breath waiting for their response.  As I stood there squeezing your brothers legs a little tighter and trying to quickly analyze their facial expression I thought about the the first time I had asked this question and got the response that you were working on keeping your hands to yourself because you were determined to be a crime fighting superhero (naturally). Since then when I have asked you how you are doing, you have told me you talk too much (which I'm sure is true) and only play by yourself (which I know isn't true because I watch as I come and go) so I asked waiting for a list of things we were going to have to discuss and work on at home. But to my surprise, which really shouldn't have been surprising, she looked at me, smiled and said "Corbyn seems to love school and is so compassionate with his friends. He makes people feel comfortable and always asks people to play especially those who are having a rough time".

This will always be better than A's on a report card. Being a friend, being hospitable, compassionate, and caring matters. At not even 4 years old you already get it. You are already making these things apart of who you are and for that my boy, I am so very proud of you.  May you continue to feel deeply for your friends, to look out for those hurting around you, and act out of love and compassion.

Little man, you really are a superhero! Just remember...keep those hands to yourself =).

Love,
Mommy

Parenting Peace

To mommy’s, 

Natural vs. Drug-induced

Breast-feeding vs. bottle feeding

On demand vs. parent directed feeding

Co sleeping vs. Crib the first night

Letting them cry it out vs. Rocking to sleep

TV vs. No TV

However, you are doing it, if you are doing it with your child’s best interests in mind than you are doing it beautifully. Every child is different. Every parent is different. There is no right or wrong, no instruction manual, no 12 steps you can follow for parenting. It’s basically praying for miracles, trial and error, and sometimes offering up a hail mary. It’s beautiful and messy and hard and rewarding and overwhelming and awesome! 

You are the perfect parent for your child. May we make decisions for our children out of love and grace.  Happy parenting!

Love, Amy

My two totally opposite littles that have taught me I know nothing and everything about parenting.

Election

Dear Fellow Followers of Christ,

The election has come and gone. The divisive negative ads have come and gone. Some people are in mourning and are packing their bags for Switzerland. Some people are over the moon excited. But what this election doesn't change, no matter if you are toasting your glass or shaking your head is that we have the same mission.

It hasn't changed. Not one intsy weentsy tiny little bit. Our call to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourself remains the same.

This is GOOD news.

Love, Amy

Kisser Bug

To my sweet smooshy,

I looked in the mirror tonight and I have little fingernail scratches all over my face. I don't mind though. They are from your over zealous kisses that mommy adores. I so adore you little boy! You grab my face or hair, squeal, and aggressively pull me close to your wide open slobbery mouth and then let go with a huge smile on your face.  Love! I hope, my little man, as you get older you stay passionate,  endearing, and so full of love that you can't help but leave your mark on people.

Love, Mommy

Body

To my body,

You are absolutely incredible. I'm sorry for all the harsh things I have said about you and how I have blamed you for a pair of jeans not fitting right and given you chips and cookies and said "here make this make me feel energized". I'm sorry for how I took advantage of how amazing you are.  Two times you have grown a HUMAN (mighty cute ones if I say so), seven months ago you held an eight pound baby giving him everything he needed to survive, for over six months now you have been the sole source of my baby boys food, two months ago I was out of breath and my legs were screaming at me for running down my street to the blue store (probably less than 200 yards), but tonight I was able to take you on a four mile trek through our neighborhood.  We smelled the yummy food from the restaurants feeding their customers, we heard laughter coming from houses, we saw the sky change from a light bluish gray to a dark foggy blue, we could feel the pavement beneath us. These things made me feel alive.  Thank you for making me feel alive and well, for keeping me alive. Thank you for putting up with me and turning junk food into energy for so long and keeping me healthy even when I wasn't doing much to stay healthy.  I promise to take care of you, to continue to push you, and say nicer things about you even when it comes to bathing suit season. Here is to many, many more years together!

Love, Amy

Parenthood

To the makers of Parenthood,

Thank you! Thank you for making a show that is relatable, that makes me laugh and cry and pray to God I am making good choices for my littles. Thanks for making it at least feel like the hours spent on netflix are in some way benefitting my parenting skills!

Love, Amy

Happy Halloween

To my little monster & my superhero,

You two are the cutest!

Love, Mom