Parents are awesome!

My friend wrote to thank us for the fun night we had on Saturday and ended it with "Parents are awesome!" She was referencing the fact that my mom and dad had kept the kids for us Saturday AND Sunday night. She is so right!

So, a note to my children:

Your grandparents have been an amazing example for us. You don't know how many times they have come and helped out at just the right moment. When they keep you overnight, it reenergizes me, allows us to get some extra sleep, and reminds us what it's like to be just a couple. Your grandparents love you so unconditionally and so passionately. As their child, it's fun for me to watch their relationship with you and all of their grandchildren. They are amazing. So, my promise to you when you have your own little munchkins running around is to give back to you what my parents have given to me. You will find out that even after you have your own family, there is a part of you that will always need your parents. They give you something no one else can. My friend was so right--parents are awesome!

Keepin' it real

Over the last year, I seem to have gotten away from writing. I try to post pictures, but my words have gotten lost. The other day, I received the following message on facebook:

"Just so you know, I LOVE that you are a real mom! It is clear that you love your kids and family more than anything - AND that you are human...and need a break. :) Thanks for being real!"

That came from someone I barely know. She's a friend of a friend. Little did she know, she hit a chord with me. I haven't been real on here in so long. I lost the passion, the words, the feelings all because of how I perceived other blogs, other moms, other opinions. I started writing on this thing for my kids, my children, my babies, so when they were old enough to understand, they could catch a glimpse of why I am the mother that I am. I didn't start this to make my readers happy or feel comfortable in my world. I didn't start writing to be judged as a parent or as a person. I wrote this for my kids, and to be more honest, for me. I am who I am. I do the best that I can, and I do it for my family. Whether you agree or disagree, this is me. There will be times that my kids hate me, love me, respect me, detest me, and hopefully, think I'm the best mom ever. What I want them to take from this is why I am what I am.

I want them to understand that I love them more than anything, that I'm a strong woman, that I can be hurt very easily, that I make mistakes (way too often), that I question so many things that I do, that I question just as many things that I don't do, that I'm funny, that I need time for me--no one else, just me, that I love to dance, that sometimes the dogs make me happier than them, that there are times I'm in complete awe of my children, that I can be very tough and too cold, that I regret those times, that I think they are amazing little creatures, that I cry and need to throw temper tantrums just like they do, that their laughter makes me feel complete, and that I will always wonder why God thought I was good enough when He chose me to be their mommy.

I'm not your picture-perfect mom. I'm not even close. But what I am is someone who takes care of her family the best that she can. I love my husband, my babies, and yes, those dogs more than anything. There are times I long for a simpler life, and I won't apologize for that. Sometimes I want someone to take care of me, not just me taking care of everyone else. Sometimes, I just want.

But, what I've found that I need is for me to go back to spewing out my words. I miss them. So I apologize if it's not what you like or feel. Maybe you should stop reading now because for 2011, I'm keeping it real.

Snow Days...

Around 9pm on Sunday, the snow began to fall here. By 10pm, we had a few inches (which usually doesn't happen that quickly for us). I went up to Landon's room and woke him up. I took him to the window and had him look out.

"Wow", he gasped.

I looked at him with a spark in my eye and said "Go get your shoes on."

"Why?" he asked.

"We're going outside to play in the snow."

He proceeded to look at me like I was crazy and said that he was going back to bed. Well, I tried to be that fun mom who woke her kids up at 10pm to go play outside in the freshly fallen snow. I doubt I'll try that again any time soon. The next morning, he didn't even remember getting up. Since my oldest wouldn't get up and play with me, I settled for my youngest "child". Max, the crazy lab, had no problem joining me for some snow fun. We went out, and I threw a few snowballs that he spent way too long looking for. Remember, I said my youngest child, not my smartest.

The next morning, we woke up to 6-7 inches of snow. That is a lot for us, and we were ready to get out there and play! My Southern babies didn't last too long the first day--about an hour. It was pretty cold with the breeze that we had. However, we went out for a much longer time today since it was a little warmer and no wind.

Lilah trying out her bike in the snow.

Noah has loved shoveling (even though we've done very little of it). He's weird.

Landon looking a little cold the first day.
How Lilah spent a lot of time when we walked around...

We let the dogs come with us in the front yard the first day. They loved it and immediately ran across the street to see who had last visited the neighbors yard.

Max has been in snowy heaven!

We have definitely enjoyed the last couple of days, but I'm ready to get back to our normal schedule. The kids are out of school again tomorrow, and I'm not looking forward to it since Jason will go back to work. Here's hoping that school opens on Thursday. From what the forecasters are saying, it's a slim chance. Sigh. Just another Southern snow storm. ;)

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was a very good one! We started out our celebration in our own home with opening gifts with just us on Christmas Eve morning. After cleaning up, we headed to my parents house for a fantastic time Christmas Eve afternoon/night. Everyone seemed to be in such a good mood.

Christmas morning found us enjoying the gifts that Santa left for the kids and going to church to celebrate Jesus' birthday. One of my favorite parts of the holiday was being asked to carrying the gifts at Christmas Mass. When the usher asked us, I gave him a look of complete shock and pointed to my family with a response of "are you sure?" I was proud of my family of five dressed in their Christmas outfits, taking the gifts to the priest...the gifts which become the body and blood of Christ. As we walked back to our seats, my smile was a little bigger. It was a first for this Seabolt family, and I was happy.

Later that day, Jason's dad's side came to join us at our house for a Christmas lunch of homemade spaghetti. It was so nice to have them in our home with no need for gifts. Pops speech before grace made me head to our bedroom after for a few tears, but only because I love him very much. My grandfathers died when I was very young, so Pops means quite a bit to me. After dinner, two of Jason's cousins and their wife and girlfriend stayed around to chat for a while. We don't get to do that too often, and I thoroughly enjoyed that time.

The next day we went to the Gamble Christmas (Jason's mom's side) for a yummy brunch and some gift opening. Debra and Blaine are packing up and moving to Alabama, so this was our last Christmas in their house. We had a great time there as well. I can't believe they will no longer be living here. sniff sniff

We all received the best gifts throughout the weekend. I'm particularly proud because Jason and I got through this Christmas without putting anything on the credit card. It definitely feels good to know that we paid for Christmas with cash, and we don't have to worry about opening credit card bills this month.

Here are a very few pictures of our Christmas.

Lilah opening the dogs' gift.

Landon opening a gift from us.

Noah's turn...

Landon and Lilah checking out Lilah's gift.

Our princess.

This is probably not the best parenting, but this picture cracks me up.

Noah bringing his mom a beer.Lilah riding her scooter that Santa brought before church

Lilah waiting for her turn. ***A lot more pictures were posted on facebook, so check them out there.***

Christmas Preschool Style

Last Thursday, Mommy, Grandma, Papa, and Dharma gathered in the little sanctuary of Lilah and Noah's school to watch our little ones perform in their Christmas program. Noah very seriously sang 'Feliz Navidad' (or "Police Navidad" as he originally thought) and 'Jingle Bells'. Lilah's class did not sing, but they (or should I say she and another girl) danced their way through. After the program, we enjoyed some goodies in the fellowship hall and had a visit with good ol' St. Nick. There are few things better than celebrating Christmas preschool style.

Noah during his performance

Noah and Lilah after the program

Our Christmas princess
My Noah

Lilah trying to explain to Papa what she did during her performance.

(Love this picture and the love between them)

Dharma with two of her grandchildren

Noah and Santa Claus

He explained to this "helper" that he wanted a DS. He told us immediately that this was not the real Santa. We explained that many times Santa has to send helpers since he has so many kids to visit. He finally agreed to go talk to him after we convinced him this guy would talk to the real one.

This was as close as Lilah would get. She just wanted the candy cane.

Here's a little video of one of Lilah's performances.

Wish I could have posted one of Noah's songs, but the files were too big. I was fortunate to join Landon at his school later in the day for his holiday party. Next time I won't forget the camera. :) We had a good time making lots of crafts and eating yummy snacks.

She's Two

Our baby girl turned 2 on Thanksgiving Day. She woke up that day saying "it's my birthday". She loved opening presents and thought the special cupcake Aunt Sally made for her was delicious. It must have been a good day for her because in the days after, she continued to ask me if it was her birthday still. When I told her no, that her birthday was over, she changed the asking to stating that her "birfday is dum" (done). In fact, she said it again just yesterday. I'm glad the day made her happy. I know her birthday just reminded me of how thankful I was that Jason told me that our baby was healthy when she was born two years ago.

It's already happening...

Once in a great while, I will put a note in Landon's snack for school. It will be something simple like "Hope you're having a good day! I love you!", etc. I don't do it often--maybe three times this whole year. Earlier this week while we were discussing his snack, he said "Mom, don't include a note this time, though. My friends make fun of me when you do."

Sniff. Sniff.

I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Who are these so called friends? Do I need to go up to the school and tell them a little something about my notes?!?!? This is my baby--I can send him any notes that I want to, and they better keep their little mouths tightly shut. Okay, that wasn't exactly my reaction; however, I did feel like I had been hit, and I realized that it was starting. Mom isn't so cool anymore. Again, I was reminded that with each day that goes by, my children are taking steps away from me and creating their own lives.

The good news is that I'm not completely shut out yet. When I dropped him off at school after his doctor's appointment the next day, I went to give him high five so I wouldn't embarrass him. In front of another 1st grade class, my little man grabbed me instead and smacked a kiss on me.

Sigh...

I'll enjoy those kisses for the very short time I still have them.