Mom

There is nobody in the world like her.

Nobody who can cook like her.

Nobody who can make your boo-boo’s feel better with a simple kiss.

Nobody who has her smell. Or her hands.

Nobody who loves you more.

Nobody who will rock you all night long when you’re sick.

Nobody who can read you Psalms or sing you songs before bed quite the same.

The sound of her voice.

The joy in her smile.

The smell of her roast beef after church.

The taste of her chicken noodle soup and mashed potatoes.

The sound of her laughter.

The love she brings in everything.

Is unmatched by anyone.

She is my biggest cheerleader.

She would do anything for me. Making untold sacrifices.

Always has. And, I suspect, always will.

This is my mom.

My friend.

And now that I’m a mom, I get it.

I totally get it.

Sorry I was a brat all those years. Thanks for putting up with me. Praying for me. And loving me anyway.

I love you, Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Two Years!!!

password: birthday

Two years ago, you entered this world and my life changed forever.

Two years ago, I fell in love with your tiny fingers and tiny toes.

Two years ago, God entrusted you to my care for a little while. What an honor.

Two years ago, you made me a mommy.

And today you’re TWO!!

Today, you are full of joy and laughter.

Today, your smile lights up a room.

Today, you are rough and tumble. And cute and cuddly.

Today, you’re a big brother. And you give lots of hugs and kisses to sister.

Today, those tiny fingers and toes are busy running and opening doors and blowing through safety gates and digging in the trash.

Today, you make me laugh. And cry. And want to pull my hair out.

Today, you’re a mess! A beautiful mess, but a mess nonetheless.

Today, I love you more than I did two years ago. If that’s even possible.

Today, I can’t imagine life without you.

And today, I get to say for the second time ever…

Happy Birthday, Eli!!!

Love,

Video by J. Hintze Photography.

Clones

Here’s our little family. As babies.

Aren’t we cute?

I don’t think there’s any way we could not claim these children. Our little clones. Not that we wouldn’t, of course.

It’s Not the End of the World

This is my new motto. I find myself saying it a lot these days. Because, as one friend put it, I have a very busy boy.

I find that my stress level drops tremendously when I say that magic little phrase. And it helps me discipline appropriately and not in anger when he does goofy, two year old things. (Primarily while I’m busy nursing, but not always.)

For example…

When he got into the coffee can.

Or when he got the matchsticks off the fireplace and used them as drumsticks on the coffee table.

Or when he got the pancake box out of the trash can.

Or when he got the permanent marker and colored on the walls.

Or when he eats the dog food for the bajillionth time today.

Or when he feeds the dog his crackers.

Or when he gets a hold of my drink and eats all my ice. And usually spills all the water on the floor before he’s done.

It’s not the end of the world.

We’ll all be fine. Even if I do have to break out the broom and vacuum and clean the walls and mop the floor and who knows what else a few more times (or a lot more times).

I just tell myself that this is a phase. And if it isn’t, don’t tell me. I don’t know if I could handle knowing that.

And even though I’m usually highly annoyed or extremely aggravated at the time, I have to admit, it’s pretty stinkin’ funny.

And maybe one day in the future (very distant future) (like years and years from now when I can no longer feel the aggravation) when I see someone else with kids this age, I may actually say, “Oh, they’re two? That’s such a cute age. Treasure every moment with your baby. They don’t stay this cute forever.”

Or not. I don’t want to get punched in the face.

Five Years

Pate Engineers Christmas Party, December 2007

I am supposed to be scrubbing toilets right now, but I had to pause a minute to say something important. You see, today is a significant day.

Five years ago today, I met the love of my life for our first date. It lasted twelve hours. We were together, pretty much every single weekend after that. And any other time we could get together. Which was difficult since we lived in different cities, roughly an hour apart. But we got together a lot anyway. In spite of the distance.

In the five years since that wonderful, crazy day, we’ve lived incredible highs and devastating lows. But we’ve done it together.

And today, I am so proud to call him my partner for life.  He is my confidant. My best friend. My shoulder to cry on. My rock to stand on.

He’s an awesome daddy. A wonderful provider. Faithful leader.

He’s all that I hoped to have in a husband, and much more. So much more.

I’m one of the lucky ones. And truly blessed to call him mine.

Marcus, if I had it to do all over again, I would. I so would.

I love you, baby.

Yours always,

Jen

xoxo