Momsters in the night

In the middle of the afternoon I might catch one of the kids looking at me with a curious glint in their eye and I have to wonder, have they found me out? Do they know what a horrid mother I really am? Can they see through my daytime Mommy costume and remember the sleep crazed monster that lumbers around the house in the middle of the night, roughly “tucking in” and impatiently “listening” to the absurd bad dream about French toast that woke them up.

I am not good in the middle of the night.

Everyone has a little glitch, something they can’t do well, like poaching eggs or drawing stick figures. I know this and I could handle my lack of control for eight hours while I recharge, if it didn’t affect my family. My glitch hovers over my children in the middle of the night, this dark ominous cloud of tired grouchiness attempting to sooth and comfort. How are they not terrified by this? How does Josh manage to fall back to sleep after my moody toss of the covers, grunts of impatience and the blackness of my soul seeping out onto the sheets?

For nine and a half years I have attempted to contain my inner nightmare, only sharing my treacherous deeds with my poor family. For a little while I secreted away this little hope that I would get better, find the time to listen attentively and gently coddle my poor babies in their time of need. Unfortunately, the dreadful fact remains that I am a real life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I guess it’s time to accept the fact that I would cut off my arm for my child, but I cannot contain the "momster" lurking about in the middle of the night.

Pictures!!

It took a little time but the pictures from our trip have been sorted, sized and organized (Thanks Josh!).  They are now in Picassa and hope you enjoy.  This time I'm going to let the pictures tell the story.  Clement Photo Album NC 2010  (I did have fun adding all the captions)

Just a little taste...

While Lennon takes a much needed (and deserved) nap and Colton sits in the blistering heat with his book I thought I would post a little teaser of our vacation.  Enjoy!! (we have!!!)

Good Morning!

Perspective...

Sitting in a plastic Adirondack chair I look through the deck spindles and spy my beautiful family diligently digging in the sand.  Jack Johnson lingers in the air from a neighbors boom box reminding me of two nights ago in Virginia Beach. I was walking around the village of vendors with Colton as we waited for Jack to begin his set.  It was still hot, 90+ degrees and humid, we were sticky and praying for a breeze.  The crowd was easy going, everyone making way for each other, nods of hello to strangers sharing in the atmosphere of harmony and simplicity.  Suddenly, a smallish hand found my hand and stuck there, giving me an unforeseen thrill.  This little event, this sticky, not so little hand grasping mine on a hot summer night will forever linger in my memory as one of the few glimpses at his unabashed love for me; for I know he loves me dearly, but "tween-hood" is upon us and it isn't cool to let anyone know you love your parents. 

A Wednesday Paddle

Life just doesn't get any more peaceful...

Oh, the stories they tell...

Lots and lots of laughter at our house Saturday night.  :)