401ks, Tears, and a White Board

On Saturday I was sitting at the table eating breakfast when Bryan arrived home from early-morning men's Bible study.

He mentioned to me that he thought I should consolidate my 401k accounts (from different jobs) so that all my retirement money (sounds like a lot!  It's an itty-bitty-bit) is in one place.

My response?  I started bawling.  "I just don't know what to do!"

He was flabbergasted.  Blown. Away.  What?  Are you sentimentally attached to these accounts?

Then, "Are you sure there's nothing else wrong?"

Problems Only A Farm Mama Faces

It seems like we're in a constant cycle (ha.ha.) of washing coats, snowpants, and mittens.  The kids get them out of the dryer, put them on and go outside, come back in completely soaked, and put them back into the washing machine.

Today when we pulled the coats out of the dryer, I noticed something in the dryer.  Not a hair tie or a pebble or any of the normal kids-leave-in-their-pocket items.

If I Call, Will You Answer?

Will you turn away from the husband with a thought in his eyes?  Will you miss the smile from a chubby-cheeked baby?  

Potty-Training and Birthday Cake

I have no idea what made me decide to start hard-core potty training yesterday.  I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I was up a while in the night and was really tired.  Somehow this turned into "My day is shot anyway; I may as well have pee all over the floor, too."

It was literally a decision I made in about 3 seconds.  As I was changing Kamryn after she woke up, I decided I was not going to put a diaper on her.

Kyla, on Your 5th Birthday

My dear, sweet, firstborn daughter.  I can't believe you are five years old!

Bear with me while I reminisce for a bit.  Five years ago...

Daddy and I woke up at 3:30 a.m.  We arrived at the hospital at 4:45.

Take a picture. Save a memory.

Today was a Happy Day at the Bork house.  I didn't have anything pressing that I had to get done.  Cleaned those durn bathrooms yesterday.  (Hate that job.  Don't judge me.)

So I told Kyla that we were going to have a fun day where we could read books, play games, and do whatever else we found that was fun.

Time-Grains Slipping Through My Fingers

The other night, after Daddy put Kyla to bed, he came downstairs to let me know she wanted me to go up and sing her song to her.

Do I wish I'd never started this routine?  No, these moments are precious.  And few.

Kamryn and the Banana

A couple days ago at lunch, I gave Kamryn half of a banana.  She took a couple bites and said she didn't want to eat it.  I informed her she needed to eat it before she got down from the table.  She insisted she did not want to eat it.

So I let her sit.

The Day My Grandma Lived

I saw her breathe in for the very last time.  And breathe out.

I saw the transformation from life to death.  And death to life.