mondays.

I gotta tell ya, these Mondays are really starting to kick my butt.

We had a fabulous weekend. Ari went to her first soccer game, her first Easter service, tried eggs for the first time. It was a big deal. But holy Christmas I'm spent!

We started really working with her personality this weekend also. She is definitely not shy about telling us. So we started working with her to mold that opinion into a strength not a weakness. Kevin kept saying, "she is just so obstinate" with fury I would respond, "no she is not. she is no different than any other kid that has an opinion." Yes, she tests the same thing 3 times but then she gets it and its over. Having said that, IM EXHAUSTED! So While I am encouraging all parents every where to invest in your children, teach them to use their powers for good and not evil; I'm also commiserating with all of those frazzled and frayed moms out there who are just praying for their sweet baby to return.

So, here are some pictures from this weekend. Please don't just the bags under my eyes, or the lack of official family photo. It just didn't happen.

Babara Streisand is a liar!

Sorry Babs. Please know that I love you and you have always been one of my musical icons but, "people who need people" are not "the luckiest people..." People who HAVE people are the luckiest people... innnn....theeeee...wooooooorld!

So listen up you young ladies out there. You not marrieds, almost married or barely marrieds take heed. Strike out on your own. Have an adventure. Move overseas if possible. Backpack, fly, skate, run whatever. But do it. And do it before you consider having babies.

** that is not to say everyone, all marrieds should have babies. that is certainly not the case and I absolutely respect anyone who says parenthood is not for them. There is wisdom in that decision.

But, if you, like me, burned way down deep in your uterus for the tiny feet big blue eyes and of course giant hair bows... heed my words. MOVE BACK HOME!

Again, I realize not everyone has the family that I am so generously blessed with. So moving home may not be for the grandparents. Perhaps you have a tightly knit circle of friends in your current city. Great! But no matter what, find yourself somewhere with a support system.

I don't generally support a particular politician on here, far too volatile. However, I could not agree with Hillary Clinton more... it does, in fact, take a village to raise a child. You are not meant to parent alone. That doesn't mean single parents... that means alone with no family or friends to help. You will need a break. Trust me. Also, you do not know everything (gasp, I know. but bare with me) you couldn't possibly know everything. That's why for centuries mothers and grandmothers have continued living with their families. It is their right, their honor and their joy to be there for the bad days. They have walked this path, ya know the one that leads up and down the hall when squirt just will not sleep in her crib. how could you possibly recognize that rash as an allergic reaction and not the plague? These women, these pillars of poise and wisdom, monuments to the sheer tenacity of a mama bear, they are blessings. Cherish them, honor them, show them just how much you love and appreciate them. There will come a day when you will be one. When you will watch your daughter fight thru the marathon of labor then take home a swaddled squishy and trudge thru those first few months. She will look to you for guidance, for solace and finally forgiveness for the obvious anxiety, pain and unceasing love she caused in you.



In conclusion,

Ladies you are strong, confident and capable women. You can and will conquer the world. But you are not prepared for the endless task of parenting. "Peeeeeeeople who have people. are the LUCKIEST people iiiiiiiin....theeeeee....wooooooooorld!"