Defintion of a Mom

So when I finally got the little people down for the evening I sat myself down, pulled out my cut out fabric and started working on a skirt for Gabby. You may be thinking "oh how excellent, you sew". Actually, no I do not. Just getting my bobbin (is that the right word) threaded was a feat in and of itself. And yes the machine jammed. And yes I had to attempt to pull mechanisms apart and cram them back together. But, at the end of the night I had sewed what looked like an actual skirt. Well, an actual skirt made with love. I refuse to call it loving hands of home.

This is going to sound a little strange and I'm sure it will invoke a few "huh" comments, but I truly believe that I should sew. Let me rephrase...I think as a Mom I should know how to sew. And yes, I'm a fairly liberal, women studies minor type person so that's a pretty strange Susie Homemaker comment coming from me. But darn it, I believe it. I started to think more about this idea I have of what traits I should have. So, if I was going to post a job for myself here are the top 10 requirements:

1) Mom should be able to sew a simple skirt (not talking Project Runway here)
2) Mom should be able to assemble a basic Halloween costume - sew, staple, glue gun (personal fav) or whatever mean to make it happen
3) Mom should have a fall back, never fail chocolate chip cookie recipe. And be able to sense when the day requires that cookie to make it all better.
4) Mom should be able to throw a birthday party that will ooh, ah, and most importantly make that recipient feel like the luckiest little person in the world.
5) Mom should be able to make coffee, scramble eggs, feed baby, and do a french braid. And yes, all at the same time.
6) Mom should be able to reach into the depths of the drawer and find the only pair of non itchy matching socks (for 3 kids)
7) Mom should be able to determine when to tickle and when to hug
8) Mom should be able to pull together a dynamite dinner or at the least know where the number is to have it delivered
9) Mom should always have band aids and know the special rub/blowing of imaginary magic powder to relive pain
10) Mom should lie awake at night thinking about the little people and their little troubles and how to fix it all. And even with only 4 hours sleep, she better be ready to address all those troubles, put out all those fires, and make sure her little customers head off for the day with a smile and not a worry on their minds.

I would love to tell you that I have these all mastered myself. I do make a mean chocolate chip cookie and I'm hell on wheels with my glue gun. I definitely don't think all Mom's need to do these things. This is just what I feel like I should bring to the table. So, yes I will keep attempting to sew those made with love, crazy hemmed garments. And I will attempt to pull all the troops together for a wholesome breakfast of whatever the heck I could cook up when I wasn't brow beating them to brush teeth, put on shoes, etc. But the reason I will do it is because I love being a Mom and I take my job seriously. Whether or not I need to, I give myself a report card and I just keep trying to bring up the grade.

Where in the World have you been?

Yes, I know. You don't have to tell me it's been forever since I've written in my blog. Trust me, I know. Do I have a great excuse? Nope. Let's just say that summer with all the little people home 24x7 has not left me with much bon bon eatin, nap taken, blog writing time. But I'm back.

So let me step back a few months and mention that on June 8, 2010 our newest addition turned one-years old. Jessamine Mae (Jess) is plainly put, a baby you want to know. Not only does she have the world best disposition but her smile could brighten the day of even the crouchiest of old men.

When I stood up at her family birthday dinner and raised a glass (yep every event gets a toast from Mom and yep the 'ugh not again' eyes are usually in full effect) I told my littlest love that she is the person I didn't realize I needed. Jess is such a great addition to this family it's hard to describe. It's like that great friend that you don't see enough but when you finally do your bucket is so full at the end of the visit that you have a hard time not spilling some water out getting to the car. I feel so complete having her in my life. And no I'm not going to throw the Jerry McGuire "you complete me" line. But if I were, let's just say it would be fitting.

Now I'm a little cautious when it comes to religion and a little cautious when you throw around the word fate. But Jess makes me a believer in both. I am truly exciting to see this little person develop and grow. She's going to take us all for a ride. But, I have a feeling this will be a ride I want to be on.

Happy Birthday My Little Love!