Summer Time - Chicago Area Family Photojournalist

There are 72 days of summer left.  After waiting in the doctors office last week for potentially bad news, I decided that I was going to do everything I could to make this the best summer ever for my kids.  What if we don't get another summer?  Crazy things always come to my mind, when a concern about health arises.  My biggest fear is not to be here and watch my children grow up. 

Then the doctor said..."maybe it's acid reflux."  HA! I'll take that any day.

I've decided to go ahead with my promise to make this the best summer so far.  You know why?  We will never get another summer like this.  My kiddos will never be 2, 4, and 6 again.  I will never be a young 32 again ;)

This is the summer the Lord has made. We will be glad at the pool, park and library... and rejoice in it.

One of our first adventures this summer was checking out the Museum of Science and Industry.

My check list before we leave the house:
sunblock
snacks
water
band aides (mostly for the boy)

  
I keep telling myself: my spirited child (above) will reach great heights in her life as long as I keep channeling that spirit in the right direction. 

M takes on such a motherly role with her brother and sister.  I just want her to enjoy herself and be a kid. 

Yesterday J put his socks on all by himself! WHOOT WHOOT!  When they are babies it's so hard to just get up and go.  It's even harder to enjoy an outing because of diapers, bottles and naps.  In the moment the baby years seem as if they will never end.  Now that J can put his own socks on, it's official he isn't a baby any more :)

I have lots of fun things planned this summer.  I am exhausted even thinking about them. 

Garden update: The above picture was this weekends harvest.  Harry is doing a great job! We haven't had any strawberries yet.  The strawberries are green right now but still on the plant.  There has been a delay on the electric fence.  Only half of it was shipped from the company.  "This is a sign," I tell my hubby.  "That morons work there," he replies. 

Friends - Chicago Area Photojournalist

On Saturday, I caught up with several friends.  I barely give myself time, forget about giving my friends the time they deserve. 

At a high school friends house warming, I caught up with 2 other high school friends and 2 grade school friends.  I laughed so much my mouth was sore when I left.

I had dinner with a college roommate.  She is a SAHM mom too.  We shared our current struggles and triumphs; we also shared our fears and dreams for the future. 

A friend from Nashville just so happened to be visiting Chicago this weekend.  I ventured into the downtown area, even though the news said to stay away because of NATO protester.  I didn't see any protesters just lots of police officers and my sweet friend. We talked for hours.  Our husbands work in the same field and it was nice to talk to someone who understands what challenges it brings for the family.          

I covered a span between 1984-2007 of friends, that's 23 years, in one day.  Can you tell I don't get out much? 

There is no coincidence that this blog is about friendship.  I have been thinking about friendship, what it means and how it has changed over time.  I even read up on the subject of friendship.  One article said there has been a decline in friendship in the U.S. by 23% since 1985.   I also read this, "the conventional wisdom is that good friendships enhance an individuals sense of happiness and overall well-being, but a number of solid studies support the notion that strong social supports improve a woman's prospects for good health and longevity."  I have said that motherhood can be a lonely place but only because I allow it to be.

I have made some really great friends through out the years, across the country. I must admit that the last few years I have become guarded and haven't really made new close friends. 

I love watching my children develop friendships.  They have the attitude of this quote, "Everyone is a friend until they prove otherwise."  I should follow their example. 

You Are A Good Mother - Chicago Area Photojournalist

Recently, I read a blog about how mother's are missing out on their children's childhood because we are distracted by our handheld devices and not engaged in what really matters.  Right after reading it I felt... horrible and guilty.  I started analyzing my every day and asking myself if I am choosing to spend my moments wisely.  Do I listen to my children or am I not really in the moment? 

After a day or two of this self deprecating, I'm a bad mother feeling I started to ask different questions.  I wonder if mother's through out history have been told the same thing, "Don't listen to the radio too much because then you aren't listening to your children."  After a television could be found in every home across the country were mom's being told, "TV is the devil.  You can't watch TV and be a good mother." With every forward movement in technology why do we feel the need to remind mother's what is important? 

Motherhood is a tough job in itself with out someone telling you that you could do better.  We all want to be good mothers.  Some days I'm totally off the mark and that's okay, it doesn't mean that I can't try again.  I am a good mother.  You are a good mother.  We all want the best for our children, stay encouraged.