Spring flowers...

 April Showers...bring MOM flowers!  Love it!

To celebrate SPRINGTIME, I thought I'd redecorate my office.  I collected all the flower art that the kids have been coloring at school and posted it on my bulletin board at work (I took down all the reminders and memos...who needs all those stupid memos anyway, right).  I am really trying to make the space feel more cheery for spring. 

But the more I hang pictures and art from the kids the more I miss their sweet little selves.  I hate working sometimes, and think about being a stay at home mom...but we really can't afford that (unless I would be willing to severely cut all unnecessary expenses) and it is not really fair to expect hubby to carry the weight of our family alone (he would stay home too if it were up to him, LOL). We are not lazy people at all, its not the working that either of us mind, its the exchange of time with the kids we both dislike.  SO this brings me to a deeper thought, how do you find a balance?  Maybe this subject is at the forefront of my mind as a few friends' of mine are welcoming new additions into their respective families, or maybe its the yoga practice I have now become accustomed to, but really WHERE IS THE BALANCE?  Has anyone seen my balance? 

Our events over the last month included a visit from my friend Junko and her 4 year-old son from Japan.  Shuma her son is a few weeks older than Nico and they have become really good friends.  He and Nico are great conversationalists ( funny), Shuma speaks English pretty well, so language is no barrier.   Traditionally, they visit the US once -maybe twice- a year, and we always take the kids to Chuck E Cheese to play. 

This year was no exception. We also stopped in at Pet Smart to see the dogs and fishes, (cheap activity and very fun).  Junko and Shuma were also guests in our house for the first time ever, Nico's first sleep-over!  The kids camped out in the living room and played with each and every one of Nico & Noelle's toys.  It was really great to see them and visit for a few days, with all that is happening in Japan, I was certainly thankful to see them.  Although, they have left Mobile to return to Japan, we never say "good-bye", we just say "see you next time!"

Celebrating my parents 37th wedding anniversary April 6th, and my #2 niece's seventeenth birthday, we had a family dinner at Mom & Dad's.  Someone asked my Dad "whats the secret to staying together 37 years?" well Dad's answer is worth mentioning..."its  never 50/50, sometimes its 100/0, or 0/100...sometimes its 30/70...you just have to be flexible and pick up where the other lets off.  You have to be willing to be the 100% at the drop of a hat, with no notice.  I don't think I have ever been the 100, or if I have I sure didn't know it, Joan she is really awesome, things always just work out when she's around.  Raising you kids was/is the joy of her life, I was just her helper."  OK he went on, and on, but I can't paraphrase the rest of the conversation since I really was teary-eyed by this point in the conversation.  Talk about LOVE...guys this is it, the real deal. 

I took the kids to play at the Malbis fountains on Friday, (very much worth one PTO day) we had a great time!  Except for Noelle taking a tumble poor girl and ending up with boo boos on both legs and one foot...she recovered quickly and went right back to playing, she is such a trooper. The sun was warm and the water was great, I really enjoy watching the kids running and playing, how they interact with other kids.  They are really amazing!

               

Hubby and I also took the kids to the annual Strawberry Festival, which is always HOT, but fun. There is a small 'carnival' as Nico calls it, with fair rides, and the ever important Tractor exhibit is a MUST! This year Nico had his picture taken by a reporter for the Press-Register, doing what you ask...well playing on a tractor of course! It was on the front page of Sunday's metro section. Even Noelle enjoyed all the tractors! As expected the main event is the strawberry shortcake, which I was forced to eat alone, as the kids were more interested in the ice cream being made by that cool tractor contraption.

             

So as I am writing this blog recounting the steps over the last few weeks, I guess my balance is in check after all.  I have participated a great deal in the doings and goings of my family, much more than I first realized.  So bring on SPRINGTIME, I think we are ready for all the fun we can fit into the work-weeks, and weekends.  Being present in the time we spend together, being the partner in my marriage, and the mom that just gets it done, these are my aspirations.  I now have inspiration, and for that I am thankful.  Thank you God for this lesson, and please continue to guide me to do Your will.  Thanks also to all of you, friends,  who love and support my family.  We are blessed.