I Know, I Know

"I know, I know Sophie girl" was one of Trexen's favorite lines this weekend. He found a small beanie cat in our random toy bin the other day, the bin I only get out when I really need them to be entertained. My mom got him this cat a year ago and he has loved it on and off since. Well apparently we are on right now because this weekend at the cottage was all about Sophie.

























She got a tour of the cottages, came on the pontoon with us, took a paddle boat ride and even got some guitar lessons.

















































At first I discouraged this Sophie girl as he calls her, I can't stand stuffed animals and we already have one little boy dragging a monkey around everywhere. Once I stopped to watch Trexen with this stuffed cat though my mind changed, he is learning so much. Taking care of her, putting her needs first, being responsible, thoughtful and darn right cute with his little Sophie.




















Who am I to squelch this relationship, for the time being I know he needs her. I know he is listening to me as he repeats my common phrases "I know you want to... but we can't right this minute, Sophie please use listening ears, mommy leave her alone she is crabby, Sophie two more minutes, etc".




















By the end of the weekend there were ten adults worrying about Sophie, talking to her like a real cat and caught carrying her around all gingerly.

I know it is extremely challenging being a mom but it's so worth it.

I know it would have been easier to just stay home but unforgettable memories wouldn't have been made.

I know my kids are loved unconditionally.

I know the mud, buzzing bugs, flapping fish and fresh air are all good for my boys.

I know my hair is greasy, feet black from dirt and the smell of campfire buried into my pores but fun was had.

I know I am incredibly thankful and blessed.

Randomness

Happy Friday!

My whole family (minus Kelsey/Jordan and my grandma) are going to the cottage for the weekend. Our car is packed full, boys bouncing off the walls and me excited to have 10 adults and only 2 little kids which means lots of help and relaxing for mommy. Don't have time for a long, in depth post but here's some randomness...

~I love the Internet, feel like I always have more to do online and could sit for hours sipping cocoa holding my laptop.

~I love when Trexen wakes up happy, he kissed my cheek this morning and said, "can I do on the pontoon boat?".

~I love when Trexen asks me to pray, makes my heart happy and brings tears to my eyes. He wanted to pray for his cousins Ethan and Grace yesterday because he loves them so much. Often though we pray for Lightning McQueen, Chic and Sally from the movie "Cars".

~My closet looks like a combo of all season, shoes laying everywhere and small piles of clothes strategically placed, only I know the unorganized organized system in there.

~One of my "big prayers" (will post more on those later) is for our PB & J group, that the right people would come on the right days making the most impact. For 3 new moms to start coming consistently and for me to give back as much to everyone as you have to me.

~I tried to be on top of it yesterday making zucchini bread for some friends, packaging it up all cute, however ran out of time and had to deliver the last box to my one of my bestie's mailboxes at 9pm...so close.

~A new blog is in the works, I am super excited and finally have some direction with it.

~My throat is raspy but I am trying to ignore the fact that I may be getting a cold.

~I had the best time last night at the Poplin Party. Tween girls are amazingly funny.

~Trexen has on a red shirt, orange long sleeve and blue shorts, I've lost all control.

Have a fantastic Friday, live it up and enjoy this day.

Making Memories

I feel myself becoming more aware of memories, feeling the need to make unforgettable ones, soaking in every last drop of fun and trying to store each moment in my mind. My childhood is filled with the most happy memories; summers of camping, swimming, late nights by the fire and just enjoying friends and family. It's funny the bits and pieces of memories I remember, my mom says, "remember camping with friends, how crazy it was trying to entertain all you kids while setting up the tent, preparing food, keeping everyone caked with bug spray"... nope I remember the smell of campfires filling the air, the bright colored Christmas lights on all the campers, staying up past bedtime and loving the freedom to run a few sites down to dig in the dirt with friends.











I don't remember the stress of packing for a weekend away, the anxiety bedtime in a tent with 3 kids must have brought or my parents ever complaining about how much work it was to make a weekend of fun happen. I also don't remember every part of the memories, each detail that completes the event but the pictures stamped in my mind put a smile on my face. I'm sad those pictures are now just memories and life took old friends on different paths but incredibly thankful my parents loved us enough to make the memories.











Everyday as I pray for God to mold me into the best mom I can be, to keep me patient and calm, I pray for energy to always make memories. Don't ever let me pass up an opportunity to stamp some amazing pictures in my kid's minds. Yep my little ones are only two and one and won't remember all the details of this past weekend's cottaging trip but I know love was just stamped in their minds and hearts. They were loved not only by their mommy and daddy but three other families, they played in dirt, had the smell of campfire trapped in their clothes and in the end cried when saying good-bye.











I am the first to say, "It's a lot of work to make memories" but you have to do it. Fill your little one's minds with pictures they won't ever want to forget. Look past the stress, exhaustion, dirty laundry, what ifs and make happy memories.