Being a mom is my favorite job in the world.  But it isn't at all what I thought it would be.  It is more heartbreaking and bittersweet than I ever expected, but also filled with incredulous, wonderful, side-splitting laughter.  Yesterday in my writing class, a colleague told the hilarious story of her daughter's embarrassing moment in public, and how she has said things as a mom that she never expected.  That got me thinking.  I mean, Reed is only two, but I could easily (maybe too easily) compile a list of things I never thought I would say, at least before I became a mom.  Please share in the comments some of the things you've said to your kids that you couldn't believe came out of your mouth.  It will be so fun!

1. "Get your head out of the toilet."
Ewww... I thought I'd gross you out right away.

2. "Please don't lick the dog."
You'll notice a common theme, here.

3. "You want honey mustard with your fish?"
I keep telling myself this "dip" thing is just a stage.
​
4. "Don't tell Daddy about the brownies."
Or the cookies.  Or the cake.  That we made at nine AM just because.  Didn't I promise myself we weren't going to eat junk food today?

​5. "Please don't lick me."
Seriously?!

6.  "If you are good, I'll give you a sucker."
I swore I would never bribe.  That was cute.

7.  "Get out of the fish tank... and please put Nemo back."
*Trying to look mad and keep a straight face.*

8.  "I can't keep my eyes open."  (It was 7 pm)
That's just embarrassing.

9.  "I have a booger on my shirt?  Oh, that's ok.  I'll wash it out later."
Actually around 12:30 today, my friend told me my shirt was inside out.  I'd been in class for 4 hours, and I gave a short presentation in that time.  Fantastic!

10.  "Please don't lick the floor."
Yes, again.

I can't even imagine the directions in which this list will go in the coming years.  It is exciting and really terrifying!  Please share your memorable moments, too!

Its day 4 at the beach, so I've been away from home for a total of 6 days. It is an awkward time for me because Reed and I are having a ton of fun, we are finally in a routine, and I am starting to get homesick! I miss Jacob, Oliver, Cha-Cha and Poppy, and even the fish! Can anyone else relate to this?

Reed and I spend our mornings in the sand and at the pool with my family.  I frantically chase him around with a bottle of sunscreen periodically.  We've managed to avoid sunburn for the entire trip thus far.  Gold star for Mommy!  Just a personal, non-sponsored recommendation: Banana Boat for kids is seriously the bomb.  That stuff stays on all day, is super water-resistant, and doesn't burn or sting.  You're welcome.

Reed's favorite beach activity is for someone (me) to dig him a big hole either close enough to the ocean to automatically fill with water or for Uncle Brandon to haul in water in buckets.  Reed sits in it for about an hour, digging, splashing in the water, or playing with various cups, shovels, sifters, and buckets.  He gets in a little zone.  It is so fun to watch!  After playing for a few hours, we come inside and he eats a PB&J and takes a nap while I do some chores around the condo and nap or read.  In the afternoon we go out to eat and poke around some tourist-y shops for a little.  It's quite the life!

There are a few parts of the trip I want to remember forever!

1) The balcony.  Our room is 17 floors up and looks over a busy beach.  I get up as early as I can and watch the sun rise in the morning, I'm back on the balcony for Reed's nap, and I try to sneak in a few minutes here and there throughout the day.  It is definitely my favorite place to be.  I read my Bible, people-watch, hold Reed (who is now calling me "mom" instead of "mommy" half of the time, sniffle), read, write, think, and nap.  Now if I could just get Jacob to build me one of these...

2) The people.  No offense to my fellow Ohioans, but the Carolinas have you beat in the hospitality/friendliness arena.  Most people here are really welcoming, and the further we get out of the city, the nicer they are!  I am always inspired by the easygoing kindness I find when I travel to the Carolinas.  I want to bring some of that home with me.  One of our favorite families in the whole world lives in the mountains of North Carolina.  Their kindness molded our family's philosophy on hospitality in many ways.  I'll have to write about them sometime.  Kindness is a world changer, man!  

​Yesterday, Reed and I spied a young guy playing a guitar under the pier.  Let me explain.  He wasn't under the pier in a creepy, loner way, just in a "hey, this is a nice, shady place to play a guitar" way.  And we weren't spying on him, we were just on the beach and Reed saw a guitar and flipped out.  ANYWAY... we walked over to him and he saw Reed looking at him in awe and he played us a song!  After that he got down on Reed's level to talk to him and showed him how he was playing with a shell as a pick.  And he took a picture with him.  Reed was totally excited and talked about it for the rest of the day.  So yeah, the people here are really awesome!

3) Little joys.  I had the opportunity to dolphin-watch (from the balcony, of course).  Its a magical place!  I pulled Reed on a really long wagon ride down the beach.  I watched Chopped, my favorite show on the Food Network, with my sister.  We don't have cable at home, and Netflix doesn't have Chopped anymore- boo!  I stayed up until 10:00 last night watching it (like a rebel- normal bedtime is 9:00).  I love listening to the ocean, the sounds of people playing on the beach, and spending 6 days of invaluable, uninterrupted time with my little guy.  I don't think I could ever get tired of that!

Tomorrow is my birthday.  Twenty eight!  It will be neat being here on vacation, but difficult spending it away from Jacob.  No parties or big night out planned- not my style!  Maybe I will live dangerously and get an extra scoop of ice cream.  Stay relaxed, friends!

Goodness.  I did it!  I survived May.

I apologize for dropping off the face of the Earth for the past four weeks.  Teaching high school in May is no joke, peeps.  Survival of the fittest is still very, very real.  But school is out now, I was able to give my students the end of the year they deserved, and I'm looking forward to a summer of rest, travel, continuing education, and planning.

I spent most of my spare time in May making little memories and cramming in as much soul food time as possible to counter the stress of the season.  We spent hours and hours outside, riding bikes, playing on the swingset, watching airplanes zoom through the clouds, and tracing leaves.  You know, the important stuff.

This kid...

Reed is doing great with his new bicycle.  He wants to ride it every day.  We've started taking it to parks and bike trails.  People are INTENSE out there, though!  I feel like I'm constantly keeping him from getting creamed by older kids and adults on bikes.  His bike has a little bell on it, too, and he is learning to ring it at people and greet them as they mostly swerve to miss him.  Geez, I still sound a little bitter about it!

We spent some great time with friends, too.  The Little Outdoorsman is rolling with one of his best buddies, Hunter, here.  Don't be fooled by those sweet faces... I solemnly swear they are up to no good!

It was all hands on deck at home this past month.  Jacob and Reed stepped up, helping out more around the house.  They are probably so relieved that summer break is here- bless them both!  Day after day after day I came home to a clean home, the essential oil diffuser diffusing "Tranquil" or "Relax" by Plant Therapy.  Its pretty funny, considering Jacob is such a "manly" guy.  Essential oils aren't really his thing- he makes this very clear.  But when it comes to keeping me sane... I would say he knows how to work that diffuser better than I do!  Hilarious!

 On another note, Reed started his first chore chart and has become more and more aware about what he can do to "help" out around the house.  His chores are very small and simple, but he really enjoys the sense of responsibility.  He gives us a big smile when he finishes his two-item list and volunteers to help out now, emptying the dishwasher utensils, picking up after himself, helping Jacob with different projects, and getting out things I need like the vacuum or Swiffer when he hears me talk about it.  It is pretty cool to watch!  I wonder how long it will last?

It's so wonderful to be back at the keyboard at last.  Thank you to everyone who reached out to say you missed me!  I missed sharing with you, too!  The long summer months promise plenty of soul food time.  I'm off to the beach in a few days and really looking forward to some time to write, read, eat, reflect, and love the family who will be with me!  I'll keep you in the loop!

xoxo- Rebekah