MOTHER

Our mother's day was pretty low key...mostly because I was out of town the days prior and flew back to Orlando returning the evening of mother's day.  Steve had a meal planned to cook, but had to adjust plans since my flight was delayed and we were pushing up against Karis' time to eat!  So he took me out to eat at Longhorn steakhouse.  I think the best part of my day was Isaac and I coming home and getting to spend the evening with Karis and Steve!  It was fun to be away, but I was glad to be home.  Steve and Karis had spent time planting flowers with cousins, Char and Eloise, along with Uncle Rob on the Saturday before mother's day to give to the mommy's in their lives.  It was fun to hear the stories Steve told about Karis "helping" plant.  Apparently she liked playing in the dirt more than anything!  I didn't get a picture of Karis with my new plants until a couple days later, which was perfect because there were several really pretty blooms on the plant that day. 

she was happy to have Isaac and mommy home

dinner with my babes

She picked out the card all by herself!

every hat is a silly hat to Karis, she is our silly girl!

getting so big

she likes smelling flowers and I encourage it as often as possible,
I want her to learn to enjoy the beauty she sees around her

Karis-almost 21 months.  Steve said the flowering
plant is from Karis, and the little plant is from Isaac ;)

In light of mother's day, I've been thinking about my role as a mommy.  I've been a SAHM (stay at home mom) for almost a year now.  I was telling a friend of mine this morning that it is probably the toughest job I've had to date.  I never had to deal with co-workers throwing themselves on the ground in a full on tantrum - although I get a kick out of picturing that happening!  I struggle often on how to discipline and get my eldest little one to listen to mommy.  I have days where I want to pull all my hair out (yesterday) and then there are those sweet days and moments where I just look at Karis and she makes my heart melt.  Isaac, the laid back one, seems easy after having one child already!  It will be fun to watch him grow and see how his personality begins to form.  So far, it pretty much consists of sleep, eat, giggle/smile and repeat!  Even though he's the "easy" one for me right now, it's still a juggling act trying to manage two little ones under the age of two!  People say it gets easier, I just think you get more acquainted to crazyness!  Over the past few days as I've been thinking about my role, I've had a few thoughts come into my head that define me as a mother, so indulge me in a little light hearted fun:

M-Mind reader.  Ok well not exactly, but as a mom I've become very good at studying and knowing all about human (aka toddler) behavior.  I can pretty much pick up what she is about to do or if I'm in the other room, know what she IS doing in the other room!
O- Others focused.  I will say I pretty much stink at this 98% of the time, but I'm forced into this on a daily basis.  Having children helps extinguish constant focus on self and you have no other choice but to focus on them.  It has become more of a challenge to treat myself, but Steve often helps me do so by getting a night away as often as possible.
T-Translator.  Have you ever heard a toddler speak?  I mean really, you pretty much are a translator if you can understand and interpret what they are saying,  even if no one else can!  Although there is this phrase Karis says over and over again that we have yet to figure out what she's saying!  Anyone want to take a stab at it and whoever can guess, we'll give you a prize!
H- Hair stylist. So I don't have to worry about this with Isaac, which is kind of refreshing to not always have a bow in hand!  But with Karis, if you don't at least brush her hair, she looks like a wild child!  When I find time and if she will sit still long enough, we have braids.  But most days, she ends up with piggy and pony tails.  I'm not ready to get her hair cut...one day soon though!
E- Energizer bunny.  Even when I think I can't do it (whatever "it" happens to be that moment), you have to find the energy to go on...again and again and again!
R- Relational.  Being a mom has taught me how to be a better person by cultivating my relational skills.  Teaching me by learning to be more patient, kind, patient, loving/caring, patient, speak clearly so the other understands, patient, helpful and just in case I didn't say it enough patient!

I am thankful to be a mother and even in the midst of the crazyness on most days, I often tell people, "I wouldn't have it any other way!"