In My Head...

If you can overcome your fears, you can do anything.

Angry Birds is way addicting!

Mommy and Daddy will always be here to lift you up, help you down, and catch you when you fall.

Fun Mom Part II

Before I knew it, plans were in full swing. There were so many other things I should be doing-- school work or laundry, for example. So many things that had fallen by the wayside while Lily and I were at the hospital. Instead, I found myself offering to bake cupcakes and helped Elise clip flowers from the yard to put in her bouquet. That day, I was the fun mom.

The table was made ready.

Everyone must be appropriately attired in posh princess fashion.

There were Pretty Princess games to play.

Delicious Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cupcakes graced my china plates. Only the best for my little princesses!

And, really, what better way to celebrate Lily no longer needing oxygen, and Leah finally having clear lungs than with a princess party?!

Perfect!

Hospital x 3

If you follow me on Facebook, you probably already know that Lily was admitted to the hospital last Friday. She (and I) had been fighting some viral respiratory stuff for awhile, and eventually she was on 5L of oxygen through a nasal cannula, and it wasn't enough. So, for the 3rd time this year, we went to the hospital.

The room was beautiful! And, I'm not kidding! Big screen plasma TV's, On Demand movies, nature slideshows, a pretty comfy sleeping area for me that completely curtained off from the rest of the room....SWEET!

Also, Friday afternoon at about 2:30 - 3:00, the hospital had just adjusted its visitors policy, so Mark and the girls were able to visit every day and stay as long as they wanted. {YAY}

Lily was discharged yesterday afternoon.

And, today, it's back to business.

The laundry didn't stop reproducing while we were gone.

The kids still need to eat. And, I no longer have access to room service (or cable TV and On Demand movies for that matter)!

Lily is still on a little bit of oxygen as needed. Sometimes she needs it, and sometimes she doesn't. We're still doing nebs every 4 hours or so and vest treatments.

It's busy.

Yet, despite the bickering and whining "music" in my ears this morning, it's good to be home!

My Realization

I came to a realization yesterday.

In my heart of hearts, I am not a fun mom.

I am not one of those types who wants her couch cushions trampled on, so her kids can make forts out of them (that's how my last couch got wrecked...well, that, and an unfortunate incident involving Leah and a Sharpie). I do not want my living room floor cluttered with every single cotton pickin' toy we have in the house. I cringe at my husband's idea to build a climbing wall in our 2-story entry way. I don't like mess. I don't like doing 5 extra loads of laundry each week because my daughters want to change clothes 4 times a day. And, I really, really don't like mud.

Yet, despite all of this, I also desire to nurture my children's creativity. Leah and Lily are both exceedingly imaginative and resourceful when it comes to their toys and play. I don't want to stifle that, but I do have to assist them in reorganizing the mess when they're finished. Elise has the big ideas. Currently, she's planning a princess tea party to be held in our front yard....

...at some point in the future....

...whenever I get around to baking cupcakes for it.

I want to be a fun mom. I pray that God will help me to be a fun mom. And, sometimes, I have to bite my tongue when I want to say "no" to one of their harebrained schemes.

So, yesterday, while Lily and I were lazing around with our coughing and fuzzy heads, I told Elise and Leah they could water my plants in the backyard.

Now, if you knew my children, you'd pretty much know that anytime water is involved, there's likely to be trouble. Still, I hoped not too much trouble.

Elise soon tired of watering plants, and began using water to clean out the old sandbox. (We had told them we'd try to get new sand for it this year.) I suspected this could be trouble, but I was still hoping for the best.

Then I overheard my daughters say something about mud. And, I saw they were wearing their bathing suits. Then I thought, "Oh, how much mess can they make?"

I'll let the photos speak for themselves....

I was going to use the hose to spray them off. Unfortunately, the hose didn't survive the winter.

The watering can performed admirably though.

And, all the while, sweet, little Lily watched from the rocking chair.

Sneak Peek

More to come...

Reflections...

I had a glimpse yesterday.

Just a glimpse of what our life might be like if Lily weren't part of our family. If she wouldn't have survived pregnancy, babyhood....

...toddlerhood...

...or even H1N1 last fall.

We were out at the Olive Garden, and suddenly, my eyes were full of tears.

It was only a second, but in that second, I was so thankful for our family. Thankful that Lily is part of our family. And, I leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I'm so glad you're part of our family." She snuggled a little bit closer, and whispered, "I love our fam-i-ly."

So, I prayed, and I thanked God for entrusting us with these precious girls...even though I feel grossly inadequate most of the time.

Enjoying Spring

Enjoying the perfect

sand digging,

fort building,

swinging,

kite flying,

mild Spring weather!