blog 7-10-07

A Message from Dad... Or ten reasons I am thankful that Wendy is my wife and the mother of my children.

 

I have to say that I am incredibley and amazingly proud of my wife. She has completely transformed herself as of late. I commonly refer to her as super mom! Here are just a few of the amazing feats that she has perfomed over the past few months:

1. She is working hard on her spiritual self. What I mean is that she is spending time reading her bible, thinking about ways to change in her relationship with God and praying.
2. She has been running 3+ miles a day 3x's a week for over 5 months.
3. She has had a terrific attitude while I work an obscene number of hours and manages our household like any of the best CEO's in the valley.
4. She has been very resourceful and focused on taking care of all 3 boys. For example (per the post below), she took all of them to Bodega Bay yesterday (2 hours one way) and played all day at the beach. Ambitious, bold and amazingly loving. The boys seem to be very secure. And I cannot help but think that it has much to do with the fact that their mom will do all these things and in addition, roll down the hill with them.
5. She has been building new friendships with women around her and branching out.
6. She has been part of a "mommy" board for over 6 years and continues to influence women all over the country in a positive way.
7. She is recycling, thinking about how to reduce our "footprint" and wants to get a car that is more environmentally friendly (my mom is very proude, to say the least).
8. She has been supportive and very, very loving towards me - even when I have been not so...
9. She is managing our finances.
10. She cooks meals almost every day and many times has a plan for the entire week.

 

Bodega Bay - Not Just for the Birds

With two weeks left until school starts, the boys and I were in need of a little time away, something fresh for entertainment. So after we picked up Thomas from day camp, we took a road trip to Bodega Bay. I'd never been there before but I know we'll be back. It was flat out gorgeous. A few clouds, no wind, mild temps and three energetic boys made for a great afternoon.



Some might call this an ambitious undertaking...three kids to the beach, 2 hours away, by myself for the day. I would probably have thought myself crazy six months ago. But somehow, this has been the summer where I feel like I have undergone a transformation. I call it "putting on my big girl panties and dealing with it". haha

What I mean is this: I am almost 40 years old. (Well, in two years...that is soon enough) I have a husband and three children. I no longer have a career...my job is to be a mother to these boys. It's a job I'm going to have for much, much longer than any other career I have embraced, and it's infinitely more important. I might as well love it and become good at it. I love my kids fiercely...that's nothing new...but loving the not-very-fun-and-glamorous parts of parenting is an acquired skill. Like wiping bottoms and scrubbing floors. Making eighteen snacks a day and cooking and cleaning up meals constantly. The never ending stacks of laundry. I have never thought of myself as a natural at these things. I like having time to myself and being able to wear something besides sweats. I have more high heels in my closet than I will ever be able to wear out. Handbags are my hobby. So relishing my role is something I have to work at. I am realizing that there is no one else who is going to clean up that mess in the kitchen, so I might as well just do it now and stop complaining and hoping someone else will take care of it. Sounds simple when I write it out, but really for me it has been a big thing. After this summer, I know I can take three kids anywhere successfully without having a meltdown...and that, friends, is what big girl panties are all about. And I can still do it with my nice handbag, can't I?

Year of the Bike

I know some of you Chinese-thinking people think it's the year of the pig, or the rooster, or something, but really, it's the year of the BIKE.

Meaning...the boys finally have picked up bike riding! We have had bikes for them forever, but they could never get the hang of pushing the pedals around and around and they would just give up. I thought my kids might be the only ones to never learn to bike ride. But suddenly, this summer, they both have GOTTEN IT! All on their own. We still have training wheels of course, but this is a great start. We found Wesley one his size at a yard sale this weekend and he has been on it ever since, going up and down the driveway, and to the store. Then I heard much screaming outside and it was Thomas, getting frustrated but finally having a victory on his small version! No more tricycle for him. Now we just need to get Natey on board and we will be in business.
Oh, and don't ding me, he does wear a helmet. We removed it for photos. haha