the honor of my life {pinewood derby}

The highlight of the weekend, well Kieran's weekend anyway, was the Pinewood Derby.

This is his second year in Adventure Guides with Erik, and the Derby is one of the signature events of the year. I loved Friday night because Erik and I were actually able to break away from all four kids and go to a dinner party with all the Adventure Guide moms and dads! Even though it wasn't a date all by ourselves, it was still with adult company and it made me realize how important it is to have that time, we need to go out more often!

As for the Pinewood Derby, we had to prepare Kieran that even when you don't win a trophy, participating is still memorable and a lot of fun! I think it's great the kids get a participant ribbon, and equally great that not all the kids get a trophy. Last year, Kieran cried and I was determined to have it sink in with him that no matter what, it was about having fun with his daddy.

Well, he definitely had fun as evidenced by the smile on his face...

 oh, and the fact that he won not one,

but two trophies!

Second place out of 35 or so cars for speed, and sixth place for design. I was a proud mama and wife of my two boys! 

He pouted just a little before receiving them because he wanted to win first. For a moment I thought, "Here we go again!" We talked about the Olympics and how winning silver is an amazing accomplishment, even just being in the Olympics is an amazing accomplishment!

Then after receiving the trophies, I had to laugh just a little when Kieran announced, "Winning these trophies is the honor of my life!"

Obviously we're still working on it, but for now, I'll let him bask in his trophy glory.

He's asleep with them in bed.

every day is mother's day

Every day is Mother's Day.

A new day dawns and I am

elated to have another day at being a mother, at doing things just a little better than 

the day before.

The sun sets and I am 

exhausted at the very thought that tomorrow will come and I 

will go through the routine all over again.

Still, it is welcomed.

Perfection isn't something that I'm striving for...

as they are perfectly imperfect.

They love me unconditionally...

as I do them.

Their daddy made sure that I knew how special I am with a card, roses, a plant, and a special dinner. 

It was all very sweet and delicious and of course, welcomed.

Yet, every day is mother's day as I wake to take on the joy that is 

Tatum,

the joy that is

Anna,

the joy that is

Kieran.

I cannot deny that I do not have my moments, the ones where I feel as though the ground is coming out from under me, where I feel as though there isn't enough air to breathe.

Of course, I learned to be a mother

from my mother, who is everything to me and more.

She's taught me everything I know about being a mother, and then some.

Nothing changes as I grow older, comfort is still found in my mother's arms.

I hope that my children will feel the same.

Every day is mother's day and I thank God that he has given me this gift.

wordless wednesday