gifts

Along with several gifts only a mother could love(a broken ladybug made in art class, patchouli soap made in spectra and flavor infused toothpicks), I received an unexpected gift from my own mom. Gardening was my mother's gift. I spent many afternoons helping get beds ready and dead-heading perennials so they would continue to bloom. Though I didn't inherit her gift for gardening, I do love flowers and do the best I can with what I have. About 6 years ago we were in Chicago and went to see some old neighbors on the street where I grew up. My mom's close friend Diane brought me into her back yard and dug up two rose bushes(one for me, one for Liz). They were rose bushes she had transplanted from my mother's garden after my father had moved but before our house was torn down. What a thoughtful gesture from someone who loved my mother dearly. When I awoke this morning, it had just started to bloom. It was a perfect reminder that my mom is all around me if I'll just open my eyes to see her.

luvoo

There really is nothing sweeter than rocking my 2 year old before her nap or night night. At times she can seem so big, but in the stillness of her room when it's just she and I, all is right in the world. She clings tightly to me and lets me stroke her hair and scratch her back. She looks up at me with those big blue eyes and says "luvoo." Her sweet way of saying "I love you." And though it's a few days early, hearing her say that is the best mother's day gift in the world. Luvoo too Avery, a whole lot.

The Kentucky Oaks 2009

We had a blast and after all that talk about no hat, Lori ended up having one that I borrowed! Can't wait to go to the Derby next!

And they're off!

Today Stewart and I leave for Louisville, KY to attend the 135th Kentucky Oaks horse racing event at Chruchill Downs. It's a day of fillies races the day before the derby. We were invited by Stewart's brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Lori who luckily ended up with tickets from her work. Let me just begin by saying that I am more than thrilled to be invited!!! I am equally thrilled to have some time away from my kiddos and time alone with Stew!

Lucky for me shopping was involved for this event. I LOVE to shop but rarely come home with anything for myself. I always seem to talk myself out of things. I am the queen of deals so if it's not a deal, I generally don't get it. Avery and I have searched high and low for a dress, a hat and shoes. Thankfully, she is a very patient shopper and will do just about anything I ask if I've got a pack of gum in hand. I've come home with several that Stewart has deemed duds but finally settled on the most comfortable, reasonably priced dress that actually looks good on me!!! I also found a great pair of sandals that couldn't be beat either! As far as the hat goes, I think I'm going to just skip it. I know I probably should just buck up and buy one but I just can't seem to spend money on something that I know I will absolutely never wear again. (darn that thrifty side of me!) If my friend Tiffany were here, she would never let me get away with this! She would absolutely insist that I buy a hat and fit the part of a true southern belle.

Just as much as I'm looking forward to the day at the races, I am also looking forward to 4 hours in a car, alone with Stew. 4 hours of uninterrupted conversation. 4 glorious hours of no fighting in the backseat. 4 hours of not having to unbuckle my seat belt, crawl into the back and retrieve some object that fell. 4 hours to paint my nails. 4 hours to sleep. 4 hours to do whatever I want. I haven't had that in exactly 10 years and 109 days, but who's counting?

All bets aside, we are sure to have a great time. Steve and Lori are a fun couple and we most certainly don't see them enough. I'm thankful that they thought to invite us and look forward to a few drinks and lots of laughs! Who knows, maybe we'll hit the big one and come home with a million bucks. Or maybe we'll just come home happy to see our children and happy to be together. Or maybe both!

ps-I'll be sure to take lots of pics and post when we return!!!

Dr Duhart

On March 14, the doctor that delivered all of our children at home and was our family doctor for many years, suddenly passed away. He was so much more than just a doctor that trying to put his loss into words is so difficult. The bond that we shared with this man was special. To know that his time on earth has ended brings me sorrow but just having known him here on earth was an amazing gift. Here are some things that come to mind when I think of him:

*he was truly a gentle giant

*he had a sixth sense about a woman and her labor-he could tell by the sound of her voice

*he embraced people of all kinds-evidenced by the wide range of people who came to honor him at his funeral

*he marveled at the human body and allowed it to do what it was meant to do

*he was a part of our family-no matter how much time passed between births or visits, he always greeted me with a hug and his infectious grin

*he was a consummate teacher

*he had a god given gift of caring for the whole person

*he had a grace and presence about him. he was a man of few words but you always knew when he was there

*you never questioned his abilities-you just knew he knew what he was doing

*he had the most amazing hands

*we knew we were finished having children before his death, now we are certain-we couldn't have another without him


here is an article that was in the St Louis Post Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/deathsobituaries/story/4CAA9DE5D501C0048625757F000BB491?OpenDocument

I'm pretty sure these boys would do anything for their sister. They've had their fingers and toenails painted, had their hair done, put on dresses, worn make-up and now they've had a chocolate mud mask. I think I've seen it all. They'll either be gay, metrosexual or they'll make really good boyfriends!!!!!

Wisdom

With age comes wisdom, or so they say. This morning Chase was sitting with Avery in her favorite chair. They have quite a bond, sort of like kindred spirits. I said to him, "what would you do without your baby sister?" "Well," he said, "you know I prayed for her, that's how I know God is real. If you can prove something then you don't have faith." He's so much farther with his relationship with God than I was at that age. Sometimes he's farther than I feel now. Interestingly, one of the definitions for faith is "a firm belief in something for which there is no proof."(merriam-webster online dictionary). He is wise beyond his years.