Maliana ~
This past week was a bit of a tough one for me. I got some difficult news in relation to a tooth infection from some trauma it must have endured at one point or another and am now facing various procedures from a specialist over the next several months in the hopes of getting it under control. If it’s one thing that I hope you do much differently than your dear old mom, it's learn how to accept bad news and deal with the unknown gracefully. I am still working on that one. So, that being said, this week I have been on an emotional roller coaster, which means that I have not been able to be nearly as attentive as I would have liked lately. In spite of this, life goes on and many other good things have happened, so I will highlight those for you.
For one, the sun has been out a wee bit more, which is lovely and makes for interesting family portraits…
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| our family ~ riding your bike over Hoover |
Mr. Adam hosted a little showcase of what you kids have been working on in his Spotlight on Kids drama classes at school. I got to see you perform Alice in Wonderland with your friends. It was an informal and fairly disorganized little show, but you did fabulously and knew all the parts. You are so expressive and attentive. I was very proud of you and you beamed as you acted out the various roles. It was adorable!
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| with your certificate from Mr. Adam |
Speech went great again this week, and we got to spend our usual time at Tim Horton’s before school. With me dealing with my mouth pain and dosages of antibiotics and ibuprofen, I’ve been a bit distracted and like I alluded to before, was just not myself. As we got out of the car, you were excited to see Ms. Beth (your teacher, who had been out the day before) and said, “I can’t wait to see my real mom!” (Huh?) I asked what you meant by “real mom” and you replied, “Because she’s in my heart”…(ohhh!) So we talked about how great it was that our hearts are so big that they can have love in them for so many different people who are special to us. You agreed that yes, your heart was “HUGE HUGE HUGE!” You happily skipped into school and gave Ms. Beth a big hug. I shared with her what you had said and it really made her smile. As I walked back to the car, I reflected on the fact that some parents might feel intimidated by this little exchange. However, surprisingly I just felt grateful. I felt grateful that not only do you and I have such a strong relationship that I don’t feel concerned by this "real mom" comment, but also thankful that you have other adults in your life who make a positive difference, that you clearly adore, are comforted by, can lean on and seek for solace, and know that you are loved right back by them. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve realized that love is not a finite commodity, but rather something that multiplies tremendously the more it is shared. Kind of my whole point in affirming to you how wonderful it is that our hearts are so big that they can hold endless supplies of love. This exchange was perfect timing during a week when I felt like I was not being completely 100% present due to my own problems. I was comforted to know that you still felt very happy and loved in spite of it. It was a win-win. Love is never, ever wrong.
And speaking of saying interesting things lately, one night at Taco Bell (your drug dinner of choice lately), you thoughtfully asked me, “Mom. Is everything in the world inside someone’s mouth?” (Huh?) I asked what you thought and you said, “Maybe?” Geesh…I didn’t think you would start asking such trippy questions until college. What in the world goes on in that brain of yours? Ha.
By Friday I was starting to feel like I needed to get out and do something fun with you to feel a little more normal, so we went to Spoon Me for frozen yogurt and then on to Creekside to explore and feed the ducks and geese. It was a really nice afternoon in the fresh air. On the way home you said, “Mom! My hands smell like frogs!” Yep…I’d say it was a successful outing.
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| where to Mali? |
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| c'mere buddy |
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you kept making these little piles of popcorn on
all the rocks so the ducks could eat them |
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| target practice |
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| exploring |
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| probably why your hands smelled like frogs |
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| rock collection you worked so hard to get |
Sunday morning we got your official five year old pictures taken and we get to pick them up in about ten days. I'm so excited to see the finished product. This time, we decided to let you choose your own outfit, one that really expresses who you are, and you ultimately chose a green dinosaur shirt (that I specially made for you), your favorite skater shirt, jeans and green converse. It was definitely a “Mali outfit” and you were clearly more comfortable in it, interacting and goofing around with the photographer during the whole session. You had a ball.
Once home, you played with Brooklyn and Braycen a bit more…this warmer weather is awesome. C’mon spring!
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| going topless with your buddy Brooklyn |
I went back down into one of my funks on Sunday afternoon, letting my worries consume me again (unfortunately). But thankfully, Daddy picked up the slack and took you across the creek and into the woods out back to hunt for bugs and salamanders, then came home and you both built a “campfire” with the stones from our Creekside adventure right on our front porch. Imagination is an awesome thing. Your love for all of these outdoor adventures really got me thinking that Girl Scouts might be right up your alley.
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| attempted nap in the hammock = fail |
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| hunting for salamanders |
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| c'mon Dad! |
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| potty break in the woods...my little country girl |
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| campfire! |
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| Daddy helping stoke the fire |
That night, your fun with Daddy continued as he took you to KDB for games and CPK for dinner. You were silly and danced around the whole time, clearly ‘happy happy happy’. You both even got to see your favorite server Jeri at CPK…with you excitedly saying “Jeri’s my friend!” which made Jeri reply “You just made my night Mali.” Then when the manager came around to check on you guys, you gave big props about your bud Jeri, exclaiming to him, “Jeri’s my best friend!” Ha. Then as Daddy sat with you, finishing up your dinner, he said, “I just love you so much Mali”, and you came back with, “I love my family!” I tell ya kid…you’re right. Your heart really is HUGE HUGE HUGE…you just spread the smiles and love wherever you go.
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first note you wrote, sounding it out on your own...
wanting me to make sure I didn't let Abby
outside when you were gone, afraid she
would mess up your campfire
"NO NO NO..." |
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you are well over 2000 tickets at KDB...saving up
for one of their nicest prizes! |
And one final thing before I sign off for the week. Monday morning I had an appointment with an endodontist to get a second opinion on my tooth issue and was, to be honest, scared out of my mind. Well, your Daddy took the time to call me before my appointment and tell me that no matter what happened, he loved me just the way I am. He then recapped many of the reasons he appreciates me, talked about what a happy and loved kid you are, reassured me that I am a good mom, and reminded me of how far I’ve come with overcoming other challenges in my life and to never forget that. It got me thinking. Accepting and meeting our challenges (whatever they are), remembering what is really important in our lives, and loving one another no matter what. That really is what it’s all about.
I also felt so fortunate to have married your Daddy so many years ago, so glad he was still here now to reign me in from my crazy monkey mind and ground me in reality, and so blessed that at least one person loves and accepts me for who I am, no matter what. As for you, no matter whom you choose to spend your life with when you grow up, I sure hope they have those same supportive, thoughtful, loving, and unconditionally accepting qualities as your Daddy. He's a pretty great dude.
Love,
Mama
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