It's a Beautiful Morning...For Me.

I woke up at 7:15 this morning to a quiet stillness. In case you don't currently have a toddler and a 7 month old, let me accentuate the miraculousness of this feat. It's amazing and peaceful. I then heard a small voice. It was my sweet baby boy happily playing in his crib. After 12 hours of straight sleep, he was content and completely rested. Such a beautiful moment. Parker, who only knows running at full throttle, is still asleep at 9:00 a.m. I'm in Heaven. For now.

There is a place in West Virginia this morning where people are not waking to this kind of serenity. They are waking to a devastating horror that is long from over. I am speaking about families of loved ones who were killed or are currently missing from a coal mine explosion near Beckly, WV. My heart goes out to them. I cannot possibly imagine the sorrow they are facing. Though you may not know anyone involved, we all have known someone who has gone through some life-changing tragedy, so say a prayer for these people when you have a moment of quiet today. It's really the only way we can help.


I'll end on a brighter and longer note. Here's our family Easter picture.

You don't have to say it. I know my heels are stuck in the dirt. I know Graham is looking down. I know Parker is making a scrunched face. I don't care. This was as good as we could get on Sunday. Here's a bit of self-embarrassment. I'm all about "being yourself" and truth, so I've got to put one of my low moments as a mother on here since I put my highs. I know Easter is about Jesus raising from the dead and as a Christian it is one of the best days each year. However, in addition to going to church and celebrating my Savior's life, I wanted a family picture. Not too much to ask, right? Apparently so. Here's how picture taking went...with a few pictures to demonstrate.
1-Everyone ready and dressed early to take pictures before leaving for church.
2-I get out the tripod so that everyone can be in the picture. Going good so far.
3-I can't figure out the stupid tripod while David impatiently (in my opinion, not his) waits inside with the boys.
4-David is yelling instructions on how to raise the tripod while holding a screaming, tired baby  while I am about to intentionally break the tripod. Picture taking is starting to go downhill.
5-I finally get the camera set up on the tripod and ready to go. David and boys come outside.
6-I remind Parker that he has white pants on so he cannot frolic and play today. "No running and jumping" was a phrase used at least 50 times.
7-Self-timer is set and we all smile. Nope. I realized I looks bigger than David because of my heels and being on a hill and Parker's face is covered. Try again.

 8-Self-timer set. Flash. Nope. Parker is out of the frame.

 9- Self-timer set. Flash. Nope. Graham is screaming. I am starting to get really frustrated.

 10-15 more tries fail to make a nice picture and the first was the best we got.

 11-I decide that it's impossible to get a good family picture with everyone looking and smiling (yes, I really thought is could happen for those of you wondering if I'm delirious). I decide to just get one of daddy and boys and then me and the boys. On the way to the front porch, Parker forgets his white pant no running rule and slides in the grass as if trying to make it to home plate. Green streaks go from ankle to thigh. Yeah. I grit my teeth and decide to proceed.
12-Daddy and boys...check. Mom rules.

 13- David then tries to get one of the boys and I. It sounded like this."Parker, look at Daddy. Grammer, Grammer, Grammer. Parker take your hands out of your mouth. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Hey! Hey! Hey! Look at Daddy." All of this yelling was in vain. In the middle of all the commotion, Graham throws up on himself. I was over it and decided to not fake anymore smiles. Here's this best shot. At least Graham was happier after the spewing. He seems pretty pleased with himself.

At this point, I handed both boys to daddy, started grumbling, and ran inside. I almost threw the camera. I had the worst attitude. I just wanted a flippin' picture. In the midst of my trying to calm myself and bring my expectations back down to reality, my husband decides to so kindly remind me of what day it was and what was really important. Bless his soul, he thought that his pep talk would help. Eye yi yi. After a few minutes, I finally realized how stupid I was being. After washing the boys' pants on the quick cycle and redressing them, we were off to church and I was feeling much better. The rest of the day, I was over pictures and decided to just smile and let whatever happened with my kiddos' faces and bodies to be an expression of their age, not their desire to please their momma. Parker forgave me and I made it up to Graham. 

These moments we have as mothers are to remind us that we are human and have soooo much more room to grow. This situation seems ridiculous to me now, but I was for real upset on Sunday morning. I am now much more mature...until the next holiday. Feel free to share any moments you've had recently that you now see as juvenile. It will make me feel better. :)