Here's to Moms

My mom managed a lot in her life: work, school, travel, family, in-laws, health issues and (the biggest adventure) two teenaged girls and all the fun that must have come with being our single parent. It didn't dawn on me then, but she was balancing a lot on her little body. Why didn't I realize it?! Because she never complained.

And now, as my guardian angel for nearly 20 years, she's balanced my nonsensical twists and turns. She's kept me safe and landed me in a great life.

Well done, Mom. I miss you.

So if I can give my kids one great lesson - something I've been thinking a bit about on this Mother's Day - it'll be about balance.

Not this kind of balance, which Roman demonstrated at Ben's soccer game today:

(Jogger balls? Juggle balls? I still don't know if this is an actual move.)

I mean the kind of balance that makes us happy, humble people. You know...
We get, so we give.
We play, so we work.
We spend, so we save.
We eat well, so we exercise.
We make a mess, so we clean.
We have great days, and some not great.

And this one falls into the great category. I'm sharing Mother's Day with my beautiful mother-in-law Eileen and with Anthony, who turns 36 today.

(Behold: Eileen and me not saving as we arrived at the Kansas Star Casino last night.)

So, today, as I celebrate my mom and all the other lovely moms in my lucky life, I propose a toast to good life balance.

See? We drink cheap champagne, so we buy good o.j. Ah, balance.

Happy Mother's Day, friends.

Thankful...

...for an especially lovely, long weekend in Denver with my in-laws and beloved girlfriends.

The boys savored it too; in fact, it was the first year they could thoughtfully answer the question, "What are you thankful for this year?" (Ben: "Roman." "Our house." Roman: "Toys." "The toilet.")

And, while I don't think anyone asked me what I'm thankful for this year (family, friends, health and Big House Red by the box), the weekend's festivities only added to my mental list.

So, in no particular order, I'm thankful...

...that Ben still believes the Pilgrims and Indians were pals (seriously, they still teach that!)...

...for my high-altitude Turkey Trotting partner...

...that I have a new, future sister-in-law...

...for vegetarianism (that was the turkey talking; you're welcome, turkey)...

...that Roman's face didn't actually melt off, despite appearances...

...for these handsome Scognamillo men (and further proof that group pictures are impossible)...

...for friends willing to drive a long way for a short visit...

...and that the holidays aren't over. What can I say? I'm a sap.

These Happy Fall Days

Posted today as a guest post on www.WichitaCityMom.com.  

These fall days are falling away far faster than planned, and my brain is swirling like leaves in the street. So before my thoughts are dissipated by my neighbor’s incredibly loud leaf blower (why, neighbor…why?!) I should jot down a few happy thoughts from a particularly busy week.

Behold, things that I love this week (in no particular order):

• This windows-open, fresh breeze weather. I want to bottle and shelve you for February.
• Being the mom of boys on picture day. One green shirt, one striped shirt, two pairs of jeans. Done.
• $1.99 Gladiola bunches at Dillons. For less than four dollars I feel like I live in a tropical wonderland. Or at least a much nicer home.
• The “Assembles in only minutes!” claim on Roman’s new bike box. Two grown men’s sanity and one hundred minutes later… 

• Roman’s new bike, a way-early birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

• The new recycled clothing place in town (Fashion Bar, 21st & Woodlawn). Locally owned, unreal prices, and a potential new drop off location for everything but my leisure wear, which will only be taken from my cold, lifeless body.
• Evolution Futbol Club (EFC), Ben’s soccer program. They teach the value of real skills and the importance of sportsmanship. Naturally then, we try to play it cool on the sidelines. But, what, am I made of stone?! We all went bananas when Ben scored (three times!) last Saturday. 

• Dr. Kumar, the boys’ pediatrician since day 1, even though I don’t always love what he has to say. (Wednesday: “Ben’s hearing is fine, so it must just be a problem of his listening.”)
• My in-laws, who headed back to Denver on Monday, after an extraordinary food- and wine-fueled weekend. I adore them more with every visit, and double that for Ben and Roman. In fact, I wonder how they got into their car after Roman’s pleading: “Grandma, please just don’t leave.”

 

And while we’d love to be closer, their visits always help me re-open my eyes to what a great life Wichita offers us. And if ever I forget, I’ll just open that late-September weather bottle and take a swig.