When hubby and I got married, we were the first in our group of friends. When we had our kids, same deal. As great as it was to have people supporting us through those times, our friends were at different points in their lives, making it difficult to stay close - or appreciate the full extent of these life events. It didn't help that all of hubby's friends and family live in another part of the country as he had just moved here from far away. We had some family and friends that remained close, but not at all comparable to now.
Now we have an amazing, supportive, caring, fun, perfect network of friends (some also family) who are generally walking the same path as us, and I feel for the first time in my adult life like I have a CORE.
I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones, just me getting older, or the extra support I have been having through this pregnancy, but it feels as if I live in a different world than I did eight years ago when my oldest was born. What a wonderful way to experience such a major life event! These people CARE about us! They are around to help in a pinch, as we are for them, they have been through this all before, and they are genuinely happy for us. They enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs and I don't mean in a superficial kind of way.
I feel much more loved than alone, more whole than fragmented, more full than empty, more at peace than getting by. As much as I loved the process of my family expanding when I did it six and eight years ago, I am in bliss now. I'm not only fulfilled as we welcome a new baby boy, but fulfilled when I see my children enjoying their community of friends and family. Every birthday party that starts off with a list of 25 people BEFORE we get to school friends is a happy birthday party to me....granted it's a bit hectic but I love surrounding ourselves with people we care about and who care about us.
I could see it in the eyes of the people I told that I was pregnant - a long five months ago. Each person as I sat them down and broke the news just lit up with happiness for us. Each person's reaction burned a little impression into my heart, and it's one that I will cherish forever, as I will their friendships. I value this little life we have built as a family and I can't wait to live it as it grows and expands.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
**The things we do for our kids
It has become a yearly tradition for our family to go to a local festival in the spring, plant a tree, and get a caterpillar as a prize that turns into a butterfly.
This year both kids got caterpillars and they ate and ate and ate, became chrysalises, hatched, showed off their beauty and gave us a good lesson on metamorphosis. Emily and Fuzzy were going to be released today.
However, last night we noticed that their bums were stuck together. They mated. We googled. Turns out Emily stores the eggs that Fuzzy fertilized (for many, many hours might I add) in her tummy and deposits them on a certain type of plant.
I promised the kids I'd do my best to figure out what kind. A call to the number on the instruction sheet revealed they need a hollyhock plant. I am no gardener. This was Greek to me. The kids want to TRY to see the rest of the lifecycle.
I called four garden centers. Closest hollyhock is a 15 minute drive away. File this under "things Daddy would never do". We hopped in the car and sang along with the radio as we made our way to our hollyhock.
Two dollars and fifty-nine cents later we brought it home, fed the baby butterflies orange gatorade with a q-tip, and put them on their plant. Immediately Emily (who we frankly cannot tell apart from Fuzzy) put her bum on a leaf and pink stuff was left on it when she flew away. Who knows if this will work and if we will hatch any caterpillars, but heck it sure is fun to try!!
I hope they remember this. I hope they remember how important it was to their Mommy to do my very best to teach them, love them and make them happy. When they are Moms and Dads I want them to do things like that for their children because the smiles and excitement on their faces brought the most satisfying, happy feeling to my heart I have ever felt. THIS is what life is about people.
This year both kids got caterpillars and they ate and ate and ate, became chrysalises, hatched, showed off their beauty and gave us a good lesson on metamorphosis. Emily and Fuzzy were going to be released today.
However, last night we noticed that their bums were stuck together. They mated. We googled. Turns out Emily stores the eggs that Fuzzy fertilized (for many, many hours might I add) in her tummy and deposits them on a certain type of plant.
I promised the kids I'd do my best to figure out what kind. A call to the number on the instruction sheet revealed they need a hollyhock plant. I am no gardener. This was Greek to me. The kids want to TRY to see the rest of the lifecycle.
I called four garden centers. Closest hollyhock is a 15 minute drive away. File this under "things Daddy would never do". We hopped in the car and sang along with the radio as we made our way to our hollyhock.
Two dollars and fifty-nine cents later we brought it home, fed the baby butterflies orange gatorade with a q-tip, and put them on their plant. Immediately Emily (who we frankly cannot tell apart from Fuzzy) put her bum on a leaf and pink stuff was left on it when she flew away. Who knows if this will work and if we will hatch any caterpillars, but heck it sure is fun to try!!
I hope they remember this. I hope they remember how important it was to their Mommy to do my very best to teach them, love them and make them happy. When they are Moms and Dads I want them to do things like that for their children because the smiles and excitement on their faces brought the most satisfying, happy feeling to my heart I have ever felt. THIS is what life is about people.
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