I have wanted to write about so many things lately.
I swore when I found out that I was pregnant this time I would document everything. From the feelings I felt when I discovered the news, to the changes in my body, the symptoms and comparisons to other pregnancies. This will probably be my last one so I wanted to remember it all. I haven’t done any of that. I remember the feelings I felt when I found out. I know my symptoms. I can compare the experience I am having now with the ones in the past. Why is it so hard to write it down??? I was even going to do a month by month photo of my growing belly, okay let’s be honest, my growing body. I am not one of those women who get a little ball in the front and glow like I just swallowed something beautifully radioactive. I get girthy. Like a linebacker who just swallowed a water barrel. Whatever. It’s so fleeting, temporary and amazing that I am okay with it. For some reason, I just haven’t taken a single picture of this "metamorphosis" (mom to linebacker).
In other news, I took the kids to Tonto Natural Bridge today. It’s fall break this week. I feel like a pretty good mom tonight. This morning, not so much because I was twitching with agitation, but tonight I can pat myself on the back. We hiked a long, treacherous terrain (for 9 and 10 year olds) down to the underbelly of the bridge and then back up a different trail (which was long and treacherous terrain for a 9 and 10 year olds and 6 month pregnant women). The kids did great, as did I. (pat, pat, pat). I packed a picnic, and a craft, drove 2 ½ hours, and was patient the entire time. I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that I should start a fake journal of our day-to-day activities. I have realized that the kids don’t have memories of much. Even Crayton who is 10 doesn’t remember as much as I would imagine him to. I first felt sad about this realization, but then I wondered if it would be cool to use it to my advantage. Making lemonade out of lemons, if you will. I would write every day in the journal with entries similar to this, sprinkled with tales of amazing trips to foreign lands and disneyland:
Dear diary,
Today was amazing. The kids got up and did their chores while I made them a hot breakfast of eggs, flax seed and bran muffins, and fresh smoothies. I love picking berries from the garden and gathering eggs from our own flourishing back yard every morning after my run and turning them into something delicious and nutritious for my growing brood. While they ate, we read scriptures and had a beautiful morning devotional wherein I changed their lives with my motivating lesson and scriptural application.
When the kids got home from school, I sat down with them while they ate their after-school snack of grapes and homemade cookies (I’m so balanced these days). We talked and laughed about their day at school and then hopped on our bikes to go for an energizing ride around the neighborhood. They love riding bikes after school! When we got home I invited a few of their friends over for crafting homemade fall treats. Carmel apples and pumpkin bread. Halloween is coming up after all and what would the first tastes of fall be without crafting with good friends and home baked goods? The kids had an absolute ball and hated to see the day end. I did too. Most nights I just wish their bedtime would never come. Tomorrow should be fun though! I have planned a trip to the zoo and science center. We just can’t get enough use out of our season passes! Well, I had better get to bed. Tomorrow is another big day of fun, fun, fun.
I think the line between reality and illusion would get really fuzzy if they [the kids] read these journal entries every so often. They'd all grow up thinking that they led amazing lives and had an ideal childhood. But is it illusion if your intentions match your illusions? Now that’s deep…
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9 comments:
I think we would all love to write journal entries like that. But in reality mine is I yelled at the kids 10 times today and they went to bed early. Tonto Natural Bridge is really neat and you deserve lots of pats. Next you should go to Kartchner Cavern, that is awesome, but it takes around 3 hours to get there.
I love that. I think I'll start a journal just like yours. I especially like the bedtime part.
I love that journal entry! I think if we can manage half a day like that a year we are doing good. And you do amazing things more that you know. =)
Kinda like the movie inception. Except, with parenting. I wish my kids were like that. Abby remembers EVERYTHING!!!! Even when she was like two, good and bad... and I hate it. Oh well, hopefully she remembers SOMETHING good.
I think trekking up a mountain with 4+ kids while you're 6+ months pregnant is pretty darn impressive!
No need for the "lemonade" journal. Those kiddies have a lifetime of lovely, *real* memories to choose from.
xoxo
that's what scrapbooking is all about. I made the mistake of writing a REAL journal. Big mistake. I had forgotten too and looked back with rose colored glasses. I mean in pictures those little sweet angels are so cute. Then, I made the mistake of reading my REAL journal. I decided to stop when I felt an anxiety attack coming on. Now I know why my mom told my sister to burn her journals when she died. ha ha.
that would mess them up immeasurably Nat, they'd feel guilty for being horrible parents when they got older. Then again, that might be good payback...
*giggle!* I don't believe you've EVER been girthy, woman. You always look amazing. : )
You are so cute Natalie! I love your fake journal idea. We all have some amazing days with not so amazing things happening throughout our weeks. That's what life is all about though. All we can do is try to plan some fun things and hope our kids remember ONLY the good parts.
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