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.

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.