Family Living: Abbott Style

This morning, Haley put on a new leopard print shirt.  A new khaki colored skort, A new pair of socks.  And a new pair of sneakers. She went to a new environment.  With new faces.  Pulled out new crayons our of a new pencil box.  Took her sack lunch in a new lunch box.  New routine,  New rules.  New faces, New...life. Everything is new. Including my role as a mother. Last night I had a nightmare.  It was like I was living the movie 'Taken' and Haley was in the starring role as the abducted girl. If you are wondering how I am handling, I thnk that summarizes it.  My anxiety is hijacking my dreams and spiraling into obscure levels.  Haley is coming home to a surprise of MORE new school clothes and a pizza-making-party.  I am trying to make the best of it.  My emotions are wild right now.  I remember loving school.  So the amount of sadness I am feeling today is selfish. ...

Tomorrow is the first day of a long journey.  With Haley, I was always excited for the next big milestone. First smile. First time rolling over. First time crawling. First steps. First words. In many ways, she has taught me more about life than I have taught her. And tomorrow, I hand her over to the world. I will still have a hand in her development--but her education and much of her social  interaction is in the hands of her tiny little community. Tonight, when I bow my head, I will pray hard for the years to come. And that God will continue to look over her and guide the hands molding her mild. As we close this chapter of our life, we begin another. This milestone, I approach with anxiety, hesitation, and tears. I am excited for her--she is going to LOVE kindergarten. Without a doubt, I know there will not be a tear shed on her part. She will walk through that door of her classroom, with not so much of a glance back. If anything, a reassuring smile to mom. To let me know-...

Haley is now 5.  And our life is about to forever change as she enters the "school age years". Newborn, toddler, pre-schooler, no more---school age child. How could I possibly summarize the last year in a few moments.--This last year went by fast.  And as far as Haley is concerned, one of my favorite years.  She is smart and funny.  Full of energy. She makes me proud. She is a great big sister.  She and Owen play well together. They have their moments, but when it comes down to it--Owen is one of her best buds. Here are a few highlights about Haley at this milestone: She loves mac and cheese--it was her dinner of choice this evening She makes up her own song lyrics, and it is pretty hilarious. She has started telling jokes.  Some are funny.  Most are not. She loves her daddy, but also loves doing girlie things with mom. She LOVES clothes.  And shoes....and fighting about clothes and shoes. She hates having her hair brushed.  Sh...

Dear Dad, First things first, I love you.  I miss you.  And I am sorry. I wish I had told you that sooner.  It still haunts me.  For too long, I wanted to hate you.  I wanted to hate you for hurting mom.  I wanted to hate you for leaving.  I wanted to hate you for coming and going.  I wanted to hate you for being so damn selfish. But I didn't.  I only hated how much I loved spending time with you.  I didn't want to want you.  I didn't want to miss you.  For me.  For mom.  It was like loving you meant I wasn't grateful for my life.   So at times, I pushed you away.  I am sorry. Wasted time. God made something beautiful out of the broken.  Mom did so good.  You knew John was a good man  And in some ways, it was good not having to come and go--being a visitor everywhere and home to nowhere.  That is no life for a kid.  We had stability.  We had love. Th...

Tired, frustrated, under slept, under groomed...and two kids are making it their goal to tear down the home.  The home I worked so hard to clean, after they were tucked in bed last night---again. I look down and see elastic around my ankles.   ELASTIC.  I vowed not to wear sweats--as like...an attire.  I judged...JUDGED mothers for wearing Yoga pants.  Even after Haley.  But here I sit.  Two kids, a messy house, under groomed---in elastic sweats.  In fact, I am not exactly sure the last time I wore pants that required a button.  And in these pants, I am not sure I could even get a prisoner to lust after me. I actually loath myself. I hurry through the day.  Holding my pee longer than what is healthy for the bladder. I've re-heated my coffee for the 3rd time.  THIRD time.  I am not even human until I can consume coffee. And even after my come to Jesus revelation just two days ago--I am thinking about my holey cup, leakin...

I want to publicly apologize in advance to my son's future girlfriends/ wife.  I hate you already. Our family is really hitting our stride.  We are settling into a good groove.  For a long time, it seemed as if life was a struggle.  Transitioning from one child to two was no an easy one for Haley...or for me for that matter.   Since day 1, Owen has been my easy baby.  Easy going.  Happy.  Go with the flow.  Haley is my smart, strong willed girl.  She puts up a real fight.  I admire that--but it is damn hard to parent. Owen at 2 Sweet, tender, kind--Owen is a lover. He loves playing with big sister, and big sister loves playing with him His vocabulary is blooming more and more each day.   Loves hotdogs. He is an awesome little sleeper.  Love his Daddy.  And his Daddy's yellow car. Mom doesn't get a lot of cuddles anymore.  He is a busy boy.  Playing and learning. He is reluctant to b...

My sweet baby is now an 18 month toddler.  And it is a blast He is officially weaned. Had our first overnight trip without the kids and it went awesome. Separation anxiety is finally easing up He is happy and silly He plays rough with sister. REALLY into animals.  He sleeps well and takes 1 nap a day. He is really into daddy right now. He is learning more and more words every day.  ' He says No, even when he means yes,  And it is totally cute. He has zero interest in tv.