...Because I am a Mom

And Mom's are not perfect. For example, I have a house full of laundry in differing stages from piled dirty on the floor to piled clean on the floor and a hand full of items that happened to make it into a dresser drawer neatly folded...only to be shortly worn and subsequently tossed into the dirty pile. (have I mentioned before my disdain for laundry? It makes me want to become a nudist.)

The point I'm getting to here is: I am not perfect. I have a to-do list a mile long and not enough time or motivation to get it done. But, man, am I having fun. So much, that I haven't even paused to document it.

Our trip to Chicago came and went in a blur of fantastic family gatherings, food and outings. I am convinced there isn't a more gracious and welcoming host than my Aunt Jeanne and staying at her house with my two rambunctious girls was delightfully relaxing and infused with bits of nostalgia and hilarity.

It was amazing to watch my girls under the microscope of traveling with one parent. Bailey came even further out of her shell; a feat I formerly thought impossible to achieve. She made friends with every Tom, Dick and Harry from here to The Windy City and just about died from excitement when she realized how life-changing a robotics competition can be. We've taken to calling that girl Joe Junior; mark my words, she'll end up a gear-head just like her Uncle.

Audrey, as predicted, was skeptical of pretty much everyone, bossy, and protective of her baby sister. The love that Audrey bestows upon relatives is hard-earned, but oh, so worth it--cuddles, hugs, high-fives, even full eye contact--those are the things to strive for. So, imagine how honored Grand Aunt Jeanne felt when Audrey fell asleep and then peed on her while at the FIRST competition. If that ain't love, I don't know what is. While luckily escaping any such extreme sign of affection, I think that Emily's boyfriend, Mike, made a lasting impression on my bossy girl too. Mostly because he allowed her to order him about and goaded her into silly arguments that she would subsequently win. I think that's the real type of relationship Audrey is looking for with all friends and family, so take note!

After Chicago, we fell back into the routine of busy nothings that take up so much of our time: running errands, playing with friends, checking on the chickens, working in the garden and wishing that Spring would actually show it's dad-gum face already.

Kathryn, Jeff and Ollie D came into town for Easter weekend. The girls and Ollie took a trip to the tea shop and we spent Easter Day with family. According to tradition, we didn't get any acceptable shots of the girls in their dresses...and according to tradition, we will do a fake Easter photo-shoot in the back yard once the weather cooperates and their dresses are either in the 'clean pile on the floor' or 'hanging neatly in the closet' phase at the same time. If you're holding your breath for pictures--try not to die waiting.

Anyway, I think that pretty much brings us up to date--I have been pampered and loved-on more than I deserve this Mother's Day. Mostly, I'm just grateful that I'm the Mama to those two incredible girls--the one's I threaten to put up for adoption any time they wake up before 6am or don't listen to me the tenth time I've given instructions--those ones are the best. I'm so glad they're mine and that they made me a Mama.