I didn't hear much info about Sam today (mom forgot to charge her phone and so we didn't talk much).  I know Liz came down today (so in other words Sam is happy!). 

My mom has been watching him sleep lately (I guess she's mastered a way not to require sleep herself).  She says he is doing things that look like sleep apnea.  So, he is going to be evaluated for that as well.  This can make your O2 drop. 

There was a beautiful moon out tonight.  So Rob and I snatched the kids out of bed at 11:30 and walked to the soccer field across the street from our house.  We layed on blankets, snuggled, talked and looked at the stars. 

Yeah, it was late.

Yeah, they need to sleep.

But we made the day memorable. 

Those are the moments with my mom and Aunt Lin that I remember vividly.  Swinging on the swings in the dark with all your might (I've already done that with my kids).  Surprising your kids with a trip; the bags are packed, the car is packed, go get in.  Taking walks, playing in the front yard, jumping in leaf piles. 

My mom has always told me (and has ALWAYS followed this rule) to mark my days.  Don't let Monday run into Thursday without being able to look back and say something special you did each day (well, I went to work, picked up the kids, made dinner, cleaned up and went to bed...rinse and repeat).  Let Monday be the day that you have a picnic in the back yard and Tuesday be the day that you walk to the park after dinner. 

Make life unique and mark every day. 

My mom has the amazing talent of making everyday things seem interesting and like an adventure.  Someday what will your kids and grandkids say about you?  Let that idea help change you, see yourself through their eyes. 

My mom never yelled at spills or accidents, she'd try anything once and even if she was tired if you asked her to play, she would.  She gets down on the ground and plays dollhouse with my girls (she built them a dollhouse).  She'll take you on hikes and teach you about the plants and trees.  She'll sit with you and have a cuppa (this is the comforting cup of something hot we have together) when you need to talk.  She ends phone conversations and departs with "call me if you need me."  The thing is, she means it!

I strive to be that every day.

My dad is the strong silent one, the one I liked to sit by on roller coasters because he could put his arm around me and still hold onto the bars making me feel perfectly secure and safe.  He is the one you think you have all figured out and then he goes and surprises you.  He is the giver of jewels and the writer of letters.  He leaves a movie if it gets too scary but he was a cop for umpteen years and was never afraid. 

If you need him, he may whine, but he'll be there.  He's strong, smart and reliable.  He isn't really one for surprises, he likes an itemized agenda, and there are times that you need that feeling of predictability and security.  He is there.

He used to let me take his sports car all the time when I was a teenager.  One time I drove it over to my boyfriends house.  I parked and was there for about 1/2 of an hour when I heard a crunch sound.  My boyfriend's dad's friend had backed out in his van and hit the car, my dad's sports car. 

I immediately returned home and when I pulled in my dad happened to be opening the front door.  I was balling before I even got up to the front porch.  He looked at me and said, "What did you do to the car?"  I expected him to lose it, to forbid me from ever using it again.  He whined a bit, but told me not to worry, he got it fixed and (gasp) continued to let me borrow it. 

Be forgiving and accepting.

Heather