breathing again

These last couple of days I have made a point to leave the house as soon as all the kids get home from school and push it hard on the greenway. In those 3 + miles alone (with our dog) I'm able to calm down and re-center myself. It's been a bit wet, but very refreshing. As I was walking today I remembered a conversation I overheard from my two eldest (sometimes it seems they think of us parents like hired help and don't realize we can hear them when they're talking to each other in the van), it went something like this,
"Have you thought about what your kids are going to be like?"
"A little, you?"
"I want them to not be like Harold (yes names have been changed:-), he's too far gone, but I don't want them to be like Sally either."
"yeah! No kidding"....
And it went on, but this warmed my soul. It meant some very important things:
1- They were - in a very round about way- referring to themselves as the kind of child they want, the one between the two.
2- They are paying attention to their friends' parents and the results that have come from certain choices.
3- They are growing up!



Another nice memory of a child came to mind. (I'm trying to think good thoughts, you know- be a happy mom!)
The other day this song (above) came on the radio. Tawny gave her most frustrated "ugh I hate this song, please turn it to something else." I turned and looked at her with my "you're so weird" look and as I caught her eye I realized she's a mushy marshmallow! She has a hard crusty shell that she can't stand to have cracked because she all mush on the inside. So much like me. Although I am getting better. Tawny has a very sweet relationship with her dad, probably because she is so much like me, so Bill already knows how to handle her. He often sits back and laughs as Tawny and I are trying to find middle ground. I believe that this song reminds Tawny of how fast time is accelerating, and she loves her daddy so much!

These are the good memories, they balance out the hectic times and give a brief glimpse into what a together forever family is really all about!