Gotta Say It Was a Good Day!

There are a few days each month that go exactly as planned... or perhaps even better than planned. I finished every task on my To Do list today, was able to take a nap, and ate two delicious meals. My little man was active in my tummy, my toddler was in a wonderful mood, and my husband actually asked me if he could help with anything.

Doesn't take much when you're a working Mom, and a good day makes 3 tough days worthwhile.

MWM Turns 30

The Phantom Tollbooth

A children's novel, yes, but extremely insightful! I am reading it for the first time with my students, and I keep stopping mid-chapter to say, "Isn't that interesting?! What a great book!"

For example, what would the world be like if we had to buy and sell words? Or what if there were a watchdog that showed up every time that time were being wasted?

Things that I am pondering as I read this book with my 9- and 10 year-olds...

MWM Turns 30

Sore Legs

I will gladly have sore legs for the next 6 weeks as a side effect of pregnancy. If Isaac arrives safe and healthy, then I will never regard my physical "ailments" as anything other than minor bumps in the road to growing our family.

I am not as accepting of the emotional side effects of things, however. I love teaching, but I get extremely frustrated and offended when my techniques and integrity are questioned... even though these instances are typically mild and infrequent. Similarly, I enjoy marriage and am deeply in love with my husband. I get angry, though, when we (again, rarely) fail to come to a quick compromise or resolution, or to communicate effectively.

Not quite articulate this afternoon (tired, crabby, and with sore legs), I am trying to say that I think that we (people, in general) are stronger physically than emotionally. Why is that?

MWM Turns 30

The Bird

We have a bird - at least, I think it is only one - that has flown into one of our rear-facing glass windows in the family room 2-3 times daily, for several days in a row. I have to both giggle and sigh when this poor creature mistakes our window for a gateway to someplace more appropriate. I alternately feel sorry for, and frustrated with, this bird, because he or she continues to make the same mistake over and over again.

How often am I like this bird, rushing off in the wrong direction, making the same mistakes that I've made in the past?

MWM Turns 30

Dead Wood

My husband has been cutting down the dead trees in our backyard this week, since they no longer produce leaves and pose a falling hazard. Something about this process has been "cleansing" for him. He comes in each day talking about how the yard looks "new" and "healthy" and how there will be room for new trees to grow now that the diseased trees have been trimmed. He's also happy that the chopped wood will take on new life in someone's fireplace.

I can't help but see the symbolism in this otherwise mundane activity. Ridding yourself of "dead wood" makes room for newer, fresher, and healthier thoughts, ideas, and relationships. I don't mean to say that "old" or "dying" things are useless, because they're not. They are a part of the necessary cycle of living. I am saying, though, that it is necessary to clear the woods and make room for new life every once in awhile.

MWM Turns 30

Family Feud

Well, not literally.

There are members of my husband's family that are angry with us for not spending the holidays with them this year. We chose to stay close to home and travel to church only, since our daughter is at such an age that she was excited about Santa and the Easter Bunny. Moreover, I was not interested in spending any portion of this pregnancy (already insanely high-stress given our history) with cats (super allergic!), alcohol (can't drink and live over an hour away), and horrible language (in front of my impressionable 3 year-old).

Anyway, all of this comes back to our not visiting our 20-something cousins often enough, despite the fact that we work full-time, are raising a toddler, and have a home to maintain an hour away from where they live. Doesn't matter that we've spent months grieving for our son and taking steps toward the future in preparing for (hopefully!) another baby to come into our home and our hearts.

I have never really had people angry with me - particularly for what I feel is no good reason - so I am having a tough time reconciling my role in the "feud." I am not the first person that they have ever been angry with, and I sure as heck wont be the last, but I still do not enjoy having people hold such negativity and hostility toward my family and I.

MWM Turns 30

Gain Weight! Huh?

My OB has jokingly been telling me to gain weight, even though my weight gain has been "normal" and in keeping with my last two pregnancies. It's as though he worries about most patients gaining too much, so in his relief, he is happy to deliver the news that I am welcome to pig out a little more if I should choose to.

Trouble is - or isn't, it seems - I already eat everything that I want to. My family has seen it (a whole mushroom pizza by myself last month); my friends have seen it (5 brownies at the last home party I went to); and I can tell the difference myself (I've already reached the weight I was when I delivered my nearly 9-lb Isabelle).

It is interesting to me that no matter what we women do, someone else is always looking to see whether or not we've gained or lost weight. If we gain too much, we aren't taking care of ourselves. If we lose too much, we have a disorder. I have to wonder if cultures all over the world have these same concerns with weight. Yet another reason to pursue my dream of moving my family to Italy and writing for a living...

MWM Turns 30