Before I was a Mom

Okay some of you are going to think this is cheesy.....but I love it. My neighbor brought it over and slid it under our kitchen door while I was out running errands. I thought it was so thoughtful of her. Author unknown.

Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night.
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache
The wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much
before I was a Mom.

summer fun

We have had a wonderful summer full of water park fun, canning, playing in the neighbors pool, jumping on the trampoline, visiting local parks and of course ice cream shops and all the fun, free family community activities we could find. Here is just a sampling.



















In addition Ben outgrew his turtle sandbox. (Well, he and is toys.) Joseph spent the better part of one Saturday constructing a new one for him under a tree by the swing-set. He loves it. I am glad that he likes to play there. I can see him from the kitchen window and love to watch him construct. We feel so lucky to have him.
Today we are going to the Library for their free movie. It will be Cars. They serve popcorn in cute popcorn boxes and the kids love it. I'll try to get a picture to post because it is just so cute.