The Eyes of Time

Sometimes, when tucking them into bed, I think, gosh, I haven't seen you guys all day.  I'm with them, but I'm not always present.  The source of my absence is a combination of busy motherhood: chores, making meals, picking up, keeping up with them, taxiing, homework, reading, and sadly, the use of technology on my end.  I don't think I'm an over-user compared to others, but I shouldn't be comparing.  I should be the best me I can be.  It is easy to check Facebook, Google a topic, send a message, browse Etsy, read the front page of CNN... and get sucked in for ten minutes at a time. But that can happen once an hour.  Truly.  Nothing on there is so important that I be checking my phone that often. Why do we live with it constantly next to us?  So, I am going to take a step back.  They grow up too fast.

I vow to look my children in their eyes more, since I teach them to do the same.  To be up to speed on their current events, rather than the world's.  To answer them as promptly as I do my texts.  To put my social media family on hold, instead of asking my own family to hold on another minute.  Because, at the end of the day, I want to feel like I have seen them.  I have heard them.  That I have given them as much of myself as my "patience tank" allowed. Not so much for their benefit, but for mine.  Then, I can retreat to adult time with visions of their sweet eyes looking back at mine, no matter how hard the day was.

A sentimental me will plop down on the couch after bedtimes, chat with my helpful husband, and...
open my laptop.

        

Gold Medalists

There's a mom out there whom I only met and spoke with for twenty minutes, in a random encounter, on the beachfront of Cinque Terre's jewel, Vernazza.  Little does she know what an impact she made on me that day and long since.  I watch her life through social media feeds and find myself smiling each time I come across her posts.  She has a way of making every event... mundane, ordinary, unfamiliar or otherwise... extra fun.  She's a homeschooling mom of six who develops her own global curriculum.  At the end of each school year, the entire family of eight takes a trip to the part of the world they studied.  I was inspired by her, the importance they clearly make on cultural exposure, and her commitment to making moments count. She carries this through to daily life.  Watch the Superbowl on TV? No way.  Let's pull the TV outside in the snow and watch it from the hot tub.  Olympics hosted in Russia?  Let's plan traditional Russian meals for the duration of the Games. She's always using whatever is going on and turning it up a notch in the fun, meaningful, relevant, and memorable departments.  She's a gold medalist in this sport.

The other night, I channeled her.  Dad and Grier were here visiting and had gone to see the USS Yorktown with all three of my boys.  E and I stayed back so she could nap, and because I envisioned her falling into the harbor.  She's too busy to take to an aircraft carrier.  Much like the decision we made in China not to take her on the river cruise.  Not much has changed.  While Everlee slept, I made a short list of fun Olympic themed things to do with my kids.  I was as excited as they were.  Maybe more.

Cross country ski competition.

Decorating cupcakes with M&Ms to look like the Olympic rings.

Crafting a Downhill picture.  Penn was the only one into it. His version is on top, mine on the bottom.  If you look closely, you can see his person's eyes and smile, and the sideways triangular hat.  Complete with pom pom!

The Year of the Horse

There is a Chinese Association of Greater Charleston.  Who knew?  They host an annual Chinese New Year celebration at a large church about 20 minutes away and have a two hour program showcasing traditional music, dances, and songs.  And then, they feast.  We joined in the festivities and the kids lasted longer than we expected.  They especially liked the red envelopes containing a coin.  Beck held Everlee's hand as they raced up to the stage to accept their gift.  She was so excited to run back and show Daddy!

Penn didn't get the right memo.  CNY, not Halloween.  

She's always fuzzy, because she DOESN'T STOP MOVING. Thank goodness she's a good sleeper!  It's the only break this mama gets.  

Happy Year of the Horse!