How often do you go back?

How often to you look back at old blog posts? Next week, I'll have been blogging for 2 years! Every so often, I'll look back at my blog exactly a year ago or longer, to reflect: to see how life was different then, and to see how much my kids have grown, etc.

Whenever I do look back, I can't stop. I have to keep looking at more. I think it's the disbelief that that was only one year ago. I also find myself smiling, laughing or sometimes even crying.

For instance, a year ago - here's what we were up to. MAY 2007 2 years ago, this was us: MAY 2006 Can you believe it?

If you haven't gone back in a while...I highly recommend it.

Ode to Motherhood

I have to take a minute before another Mother's Day has passed to express my feelings about motherhood. There are so many things to express. I think I'll do a Motherhood's Top Ten List to try to keep it to the point.

Here goes -- TOP TEN THINGS ABOUT BEING A MOTHER

10. When my little girls get a bump, a scratch or an ouchie, they look to me to comfort them and make it better.

9. "I snuggle you"...words often muttered by my sweet little Ava. Elise is starting to enjoy snuggling as well. Many days we'll all snuggle up and watch a favorite cartoon.

8. Seeing my children imitate the nice things that I do or the good things I teach them - like Ava hugging Elise and expressing great concern when she's upset. or Ava even getting a book and going and reading it to Elise, without any prompting from me. Or Elise hugging and patting the little girl at church over and over again. It melts my heart to see them expressing love and thinking that maybe my showing them love has something to do with it.

7. When Ava tells me, "Mommy, I love you." or when she looks at me and says, "You're a good Mommy." all out of the blue.

6. The lessons I've learned and the strength I've gained from all of the struggles of being a mom, especially when kids are whiny, fussy or sick. I've learned to rely on prayers. I NEED to pray, I NEED my Heavenly Father's help and guidance every single day.

5. I've learned to appreciate the value of life and the value really of every day. I've learned to not take for granted the good health of my children or the fragile nature of life. I recently went to a funeral for a newborn (of Chris' coworker) that never had a chance in this world, who the doctors knew would never survive outside the womb. I'm so thankful to know that there is life beyond this life and that this child can be with her family again.

4. Seeing the world through 1 year old or a 3 year old glasses: I love the excitement about life that my little girls show. Elise giggles and dances, says "Hi" when she sees you, runs to the door when Daddy gets home... Then, Ava, who is such a compassionate soul, gets so excited about playing outside, visiting the neighbor animals, and picking blossoms and wildflowers. I get to enjoy all of the little joys of childhood all over again.

3. Watching them sleep - There's absolutely nothing in the world sweeter than looking at my precious little girls asleep, all snuggled up, feeling safe, comfortable and carefree. (Not to mention that it's a nice break for mommy).

2. Staying home. I'm so thankful that I get to stay home with my kids. I feel for the moms who have to work for whatever reason and may not be happy about it. I feel at peace knowing that I'm always with my kids, I know they are being loved and cared for by the person in the world that knows them the best and loves them the most. I wouldn't trade it. (Of course, Daddy loves them tons too!)

1. All the little things. There are so many little things that bring meaning to my life EVERY day as a mom. I'm important, I'm needed, my attention is desired. But more than that- I give, I cherish, I teach, I listen, I laugh, I learn, I grow, I help, I love.

Sappy as it may be, it's important for me to document how special it is to be a mother on this Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you!

Asparagus Picking

Today we went to a local asparagus farm and picked our own fresh asparagus. We had never been before so we didn't quite know what to expect. We had a blast! The kids had an especially great time. We rode the tractor to the fields and were a bit surprised at how the asparagus was growing...amidst lots of other weeds and vegetation. (These pics are from google images-our camera batteries were dead even though they were freshly charged - time for new rechargeables I guess). One of the owners showed us the ropes, instructing us to break off only the top 8 inches of the spears, that the larger width ones are more tender when talking about fresh, etc. He even had us try a fresh spear right there in the field.

Ava and Elise loved walking around in the field, picking a few of their own spears (or chompers as we started to call them) and chomp, chomp, chomping away. It was great to see them really enjoying eating the fresh, raw, asparagus. Elise had one in each hand for most of the time and cried when she ran out. I'm anticipating some "special" diapers. We also brought an extra pair of shoes for each of us due to the wet fields. Elise got especially muddy - falling over a few times and once getting a face full of wet dirt. She was happy as soon as I gave her some new asparagus to eat.

The rows of asparagus at the field we went to weren't so well defined. It was like a field of weeds with asparagus interspersed throughout. Very natural I guess. Anyway, it was a fun family outing and one we'll be sure to do again next year.

So what do you like to do with asparagus?

Afternoon Date

Chris and I had a fun date this afternoon attending the local Spring Homes Tour. It's basically a ton of newly constructed homes that are open to the public for viewing. We went to several houses, all varying prices. We saw 2 million dollar homes, one was still being constructed and the other was finished and amazing. It had 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 6 living areas, 5 fireplaces, an outdoor media/bbq entertainment area, a huge master suite and bathroom - (seriously, the bathroom is bigger than my whole living room - and I think my living room is big), and beautiful landscaping. More than once I wondered, how in the world can people fill up these huge spaces? Who needs that much room?

We both enjoy looking at houses, making our wish lists, and dreaming about our next house(s). All in all we had a great, fun, free date. (Thank you Kelly for babysitting!)

Tornadoes and stuff

It's that time of year again!

I woke up last night shortly after 1am, hearing another round of thunderstorms outside our windows. I decided I better get up and check things out. Right as I opened our bedroom door, Chris was on the other side, and said, "I was trying to decide whether or not to wake you up." Of course fear kicked in a bit at that.

I've always lived in the Midwest and have developed a pretty decent fear of tornadoes. I don't think I'm extreme about it, but they do bother me and I do get "scared" sometimes. My knowledge of tornadoes does help me to know that the likelihood is very small of a tornado actually hitting our house, and that really, the wind and debris, and not the tornado, are the main concern. It doesn't help though that Chris thinks it's kind of funny and teases me about it.

When I was a kid, I remember falling asleep one afternoon after school and then being awakened by a family member saying, "Lori, wake up, there's a tornado warning!" I come to, and hear the sirens blaring, everything is dark and the rest of my family is in the basement. There has been at least one more experience like this since I've been married. It freaks you out a bit, especially when you have children and animals you're responsible for. We also don't have a basement so there's always this moment where we have to make a decision - stay or go?

Then, there's the dreams. I've had many, many, many dreams about tornadoes. Most of them consist of me looking out and seeing a tornado coming and then running -running through buildings, trying to find somewhere safe to hide, running outside as far away from the tornado as possible...

I'm happy to say we're fine. I'm thankful for advance weather reporting - although what happens when the power goes out? I'm also thankful for prayers of peace and safety. Hopefully we'll all make it safely through another tornado season living in the Midwest. ;)