What would you be?

| February 15, 2016

Last night at bedtime, Samantha and I had just finished reading her books, and she was curled up facing the wall like she always does when she is ready to go to sleep when she asked me, “If you were not a mom, what you would do?” I asked her what she meant and she said she wanted to know what would I do, as in, how would I spend my time. I responded, “Do you think all I do is be your mom? I have a job, I do other things.” Sam kept pushing and she said she knows I go to work, but what would I do? I guess she meant with all my free time that I wouldn’t be spending taking care of her. So, I told her I’d probably travel a lot, read a lot of books, volunteer with the animals, a lot of things. It’s funny, once upon a time, Mark and I discussed that we may have to resign ourselves to being childless and we tried to console ourselves with thoughts that we would have so much time to do all of those things. I don’t know. I may not know for sure what I would do if I was not a mom, but I know for a fact what I would be. Lonely. Samantha tries our nerves, eats up a lot of our free time, and money, but I would miss her beyond reason if she was not here. She brings us enough joy to override all of those other things. I hope she knows that. That being her mom is the best job in the world.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

| February 14, 2016

Sam was beside herself today waiting for Mark to wake up so that she could get Valentine’s Day started. Mark had presents for her, of course, and Samantha had presents and cards for us too, that she made at school and at home.

Mark got her chocolate, of course! He also gave her a special Valentine edition Shopkins box. Boy, every girl her age is obsessed with Shopkins!

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Sam had made some pictures for us and also bought me a beautiful pink flower in a pot.

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Here’s her cards, up close.

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Earlier in the week, she was working hard and making us some other cards which we were not allowed to see. Here they are, complete with candy. She is so thoughtful.

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Mark and I never celebrate Valentine’s Day, we never have, not once in all the years we have been together. I truly don’t mind it, especially now that he has a very special orange-haired valentine. She can grab all the hearts and candy for a lifetime.

My Funny Valentine

| February 12, 2016

My girl, all decked out for her school Valentine party. 🙂

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Don’t know if I loved school this much…

| February 12, 2016

My sweet little girl really loves school. She loves being there, all the activities, her friends, and happily, her teachers. The other day we were finishing up her homework sheet for the night and she wrote this note that she attached for her teachers. I love the “inventive” spelling. The school encourages the kids to write things the way they sound and I think she actually did a great job.

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Married Life

| February 3, 2016

Tonight while driving home from my mom’s house, Samantha told me that when she marries Mark it would be ok if I still live in the house with them. I’m glad she still talks about marrying her Daddy, but thanks for nothing, kid! I guess at least I won’t be homeless. I’ll be out a husband, but not homeless. 🙂