Strangers stop me in public with their observations of my life.

“You must have your hands full!”, “Looks like you’re wonderfully busy.” “What a ‘super mom’ you must have to be – all the time!”

I do.  I am. And yes, sometimes I am a Super Mom (insert heroine music here, oh and, wind for my hair).

Sometimes, I smile glowingly with appreciation for the onlooker’s opinion. Other times, I’m tired and just want to get to my van, without regaling the details of my 4 children and my role as a mother.

Sadly,  strangers and, bless ‘em, even some folks I know, most often make comments, to me, about the details of their own inadequacies.

“I could never handle all those kids!”,  “So, glad I never had to have twins!”, and “I’d shrivel up if I had your life!” I think most people mean well, but really, the comments can get to me.

By knowing myself and my view of motherhood Super Mom-hood, I can guard myself from misguided outsider views.

Here are a few situations I know to be true…

1. A Super Mom leads first by example, then by instruction. (Molly & Leah.)

2. A Super Mom lets her kids build roots.

3. A Super Mom can give her kids wings. (Molly’s first day of Preschool.)

4. A Super Mom, always trusts her gut, but can let go of fear when necessary. (Ryan at the State Fair.)

5. A Super Mom seeks mental, spiritual and physical growth in themselves and their kids. (Claire and Leah)

6. A Super Mom knows that getting the “perfect” Christmas card photo takes FOREVER!!! (Molly, Ryan, Leah, Claire)

Of course, this list is anything but exhaustive, but rather, just a few snippets into my view of being a Super Mom!

Love,
Jess

Ryan and Molly share a laugh with their Papa Den (my Dad).

At a recent MOPS meeting my table mates and I shared ‘what we were grateful for’. I heard responses about health, careers, children, God, homes.

I was grateful that I made it through the last year still breathing!

I made it through the last year, not only with air in my lungs, but with joy in my heart. I am sure, without a doubt, my feelings of oxygenation and joy have been possible because of the involvement of my family.

During this season of gratitude I just wanted to shout from the roof tops…

Thank You, I Love You, Thank You!!!!!!

Love,

Jess

I feel like I have so much to say about what is happening in our life right now. Life as a family of 6. Feelings about time with God. My “job” painting furniture and repurposing home decor. The list goes on.

But, when I stop to write about it, I wonder what to say.

I decided to dig a little deeper and I found a photo in my archives…

This photo was taken 2 years ago, exactly. November 1, 2008. Two years is 730 days.

Molly,1, with her wild toddler hair, was too small to sit still. Ryan, 4, oh my…those cheeks! What a little dreamer. I thought he looked so grown up in his new Sketchers.

I have no idea what made me capture this moment. Maybe those sandy-strawberry cowlicks on my daughter or the dumpling face of my son.

Were we wrestling? Why did let Ryan on my bed with his shoes on? I’m puzzled why I never deleted this photo, after all, it is blurry.

Did I struggle with my thoughts and wonder what to “write” that day too? It seems like everything and nothing is important all at the same time.

So in 730 days from now, if I happen to be reading my archives…

• I went to the library today with all 3 girls while Ry was at Kindergarten.
• We ate Halloween candy and delayed putting away our costumes until tomorrow.
• I made baked homemade Mac-n-Cheese, to which, Ryan spent 1 1/2 minutes trying to teach me about the rectangle box of mac-n-cheese at Target.
• Molly and Peter read a Spanish word book together at bedtime.
• Claire walked from the fridge to the sliding glass door in the kitchen, by herself!
• Leah laughed herself silly during playtime. She threw her head back in enthusiasm.
• I finally called about our recalled dishwasher. It felt good to cross it of my list.

Love,

Jess

The bus doors opened and so did my tear ducts. I didn’t think I’d be “that” Mom that welled up with emotion. But, I did, and so it was…our days changed forever.

Ryan and his buddy Mason.

Claire and Leah, with their Little People bus, came out to wave bye-bye.

Ryan’s first day of afternoon Kindergarten.

sigh, I’m so proud!

Love,

Jess M.

Hi. I have just a second. Enough time to scrawl out a quick hello.

Hello future self. Remember, this moment?

When the Kindergarten bus was due in 20 minutes, Papa Den took Molly to the grocery store to pick up frozen lasagna and at least one baby was crying out a mamamamahhh from up stairs.

Think back to the guilt you felt, when you wished the time would pass more quickly. Think back to the joy you felt when all 4 little ones were clamoring on your lap at once. Think back if you can…

Ah future self, what are you doing now? Do your clothes ever get folded? Does anyone, but you, know where the strainer is? I don’t even want to ask what color your hair is!

What words would you speak to me at 31? Would be words of encouragement or words of direction? Maybe both.

Well, I just had a second. So, hi.

Love,

Jess

Dear Daughters,

I’m sorry I don’t have baby books for you all. I have loved your milky grins, curly-q hair and sparkling eyes. I’ve endured sleepless nights, potty training and baby proofing.

You are each very, very loved. Molly, Claire and Leah. So loved, really, even without the baby book, you are loved.

Here a just a few snapshots that will give you insight as to why you don’t have baby books.

Life is survival around here. I’ve spend a lot of energy just trying to give you a tomorrow, let alone write stuff down for you to remember tomorrow!

Eat or be eaten (by a giant dragon or get “hair-clipped” during a Sunday afternoon snooze.)

Love,

Jess

Family: Where Your Story Begins

I feel like I am a gardener that grows kids.

I plant their seeds (pregnancy), tend to their needs (water, sun & fruit snacks), and remove the weeds (teaching manners and gratitude and expecting nothing less).

I relish in their growth. I see beauty and take joy in their accomplishments. I could get lost in their fullness and diversity.

I get worried when I see patterns of drought and slugs. Meaning of course, too much TV, too many sibling arguments and too many reminders of common courtesy flown around with a crabby mama voice. (not really courteous!)

Unlike a garden plot, my little kids will only be perennials for a limited time. They’ll be pruned and carried through the winter months with loving hands. But soon enough they’ll be packing the back of the van with their dorm gear.

Off to find their own soil, sun and well….maybe they’ll come home for the fruit snacks.

Top: Jess & Pete, Bottom: Ryan, Claire, Leah and Molly

Okay is your throat all tight too? Ryan is starting Kindergarten tomorrow.

Breath…live in the now! More proof that time flies! Toddler Ryan slurping up soup!

Love,

Jess

Centsational Girl hosted a, Where Do You Blog?, link party.

Since, I’ve been meaning to show you my office space for awhile, I am happily joining up with the party.

Remember this empty space next to the attic entry?

It became a play room, until…

…a few additions later, it became my office!

Here are a couple of close up shots.

Never fear the little ones took over the “big” bedroom when the twins came last Fall. Their play space has been reinvented. More on that later!

Thanks for stopping by to check out where all the Just a Blink magic happens!

Love,
Jess

Just thought you should know.

Love,
Jess

(Leah, Claire, Molly)

The kitchen: it is truly the heart of my home.

Love,

Jess