Randon loves his jeep and recently purchased some new tires for them. Kelcie and I got some great photos of him in all of his new tire excitement. He loves smelling them, driving them over anything, looking at them, and picking off the little plastic pieces which come on new tires. See what I mean:
Who knew new tires could do that?
Okay so I need to update the picture of the porch. I was waiting until it was all done but, the last picture just does not do it justice.
The only thing left to do is the trellis which will go from house edge to the west pole (furthest right in the picture).
“Without courage, we cannot hold out against the worst in ourselves or others.”
~Comte-Sponville, French Philosopher
This is a beautiful passage I came across today while reading “Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification” by Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson.
Scott: “Mom, if I clean my room will you take me to the pool today because I did something for you?”
Mom: “NO.”
Yes, it is still raining today, that is the first problem with this request. And the second problem is why R. and I need to put this boy in a debate club: he is telling me that he is going to be doing me a favor by cleaning his room like he was told. Brilliant try son, I love you, go clean your room.
Is going to be in High School in August, sigh…..of course I am proud of her!….but that doesn’t mean this is easy to take.
I should say that she got all A’s in 8th grade this year, a goal which she worked hard to accomplish. Way to go my girl (but could you slow down a little bit)!
I know that it is traditional on this Sunday in May to ooze all of the gooey goodness we feel for our mothers; as a mother I appreciate this tradition. And indeed I am thankful for the women who have mothered me. I am thankful for the mothers who have guided me through motherhood, mothers who have shared thier ideas with me, who have listened to my complaints when mothering was tough, and who have co-mothered my children. But sometimes it is fun to skip convention and do your own thing. This Mother’s Day I want to record what it has meant to me to be the mom.
Being the Mom has meant falling in love with the same five creatures thousands of times. First, at the moment I knew they were coming. Then, at the incredible magic of birth, when I saw my child for the first time. And then over and over as they enchant me with their unique view of the world. Now, my favorite thing in the world to do is to have fun with them. To laugh with them is my heaven.
Being the Mom has meant experiencing the most desperate of emotions. I watch as my children feel pain, experience sickness, make mistakes and endure the resulting discomfort which always follows.
Being the Mom has changed me. I was a sort of second Mom from a very early age, to my 5 younger siblings, and that made mothering incredibly natural to me. I was not afraid of diapers, I didn’t have to “learn” to handle and hold a baby, I knew how to cook for them and take care of them. In fact, I thought I knew everything there was about being a mother before I ever became one myself (and I did know a lot of the nuts and bolts facts because of my experience).
But, the thing I did not know was what mothering would give me. How I would develop my own personal set of mommy super powers. All moms have them; they are unique to each individual, so you don’t know which ones you might have before you notice you have developed them. And it may come as a shock when you realize your mother had them before you.
Some standard mommy powers are the ever reliable: eyes in the back of your head, built in lie detector, supersonic hearing, and yes, that telepathic connection you have with your child, that is also one of them.
There are infinitely many superpowers, and I do not posses them all. I have often seen super powers in other mothers which I have wished for. Here are a few that I enjoy:
I can take virtually any crying baby and comfort them, it is a touch born of experience. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to spend my days with crying babies, motherhood did not make me a complete lunatic, but I love that I posses the magic necessary to calm them when needed. And it has come in handy over the years when one of my fellows needs a break: in fact, I have developed something of an immunity to crying, especially with very small infants, I hear crying and I think “wonderful, a healthy baby.”
I love that I can love my children without restrictions or boundaries. I have learned to love them for who they are, for whoever they choose to be. This super power has extended, for me, to all people. Motherhood has helped me to love without judgment; to appreciate the good in all people. That is not to say that I am not irritated by people sometimes. Sadly, this super power does not exempt me from genuine irritation with others.
Another super power I have developed is the ability to do at least 15 things at once. I can cook dinner, help with homework, do my own homework, while answering a phone call, doing a load of dishes, kissing ouwies, fill out a permission slip, listen to someone’s troubles, bake a batch of cookies, watch the neighbor kids, all while I am finishing the laundry and planning breakfast for the next morningThis super power is semi-standard issue to moms.
Another super power, which is at times troublesome, is that I can mother ANYBODYIf you look lost or like you need help, I’ve got your back. It is not my intention to make you feel incapable, I just can’t help myself, I want to help you. There is something in me that feels as though it is my mission to help everyone. I do not particularly like to be around people who are clingy; and this super power seems to attract that type. I really don’t want to mother you forever, I just want to help you through a tough spot and then watch you succeed.
I am proud of the few super powers I have cultivated in the inferno that is motherhood. I love being a Mom. I love the children who made me a mother. I especially appreciate the man who is my children’s father; he is always very sensitive to when I need a break from being the Mom (so I do not break). I love what motherhood has given me. All moms have super powers, Mothers Day is about celebrating them!
Randon and I became the parents of a beautiful son on May 8, 1998. We named him Randon, like his father. He has been the source of much joy for our family. He was an easy baby from the begining, after previously having two not-so-easy babies, we were pleasantly suprized by this fact (yes, K & M that is you, you were tough but, you know that 
).
This is my favorite picture of Scott. This is an hour after his birth, his daddy is holding and meeting him for the first time (Randon could not be there for the birth because Scott and I were air lifted to the hosp. due to his coming out backwards). We love to tease Scott about his butt first birth, and he takes it like a champ. I think he kinda likes the fact that he was born a little less conventionally.
He was a beautiful baby, as you can see….
This is his first “Father and Sons” camping trip. He was a year old.
Scott wanted a brother but, was so happy to meet his sisters. He still wants a brother but is accepting that this is not going to be for him. We are counting on his sisters to marry a few good brothers for him.
Our boy has a passion for anything motorized and anything with wheels.
He is the best son. The perfect little boy. I am so proud that he calls me mom.
Michelle
Randon
Kelcie
Morgan
Scott
Addison
Charis