Sweet recollections

I adore the relationship I have with my children and I hope that it only gets better. It is not always perfect and there are times when I don't know what to say or do, but isn't that all part of parenting? Through each new phase that my girls enter in their own lives, I am actually transformed in my own life. They are teaching me so very much...The levels of communication have changed considerably, what we talk about and the places that we go have changed as well. But what doesn't change is the love I feel...in fact maybe I am feeling the love even more so, knowing that one day, my little chicks will fly away from the nest...

I will love them forever, to the moon and back...

Motherhood is a sacred dance; a second chance to see purity within

We are caretakers, matchmakers, lovers and creators; we accomplish so much as mothers. But we are also prone to being "super" mothers; women who take care of everyone and everything. There was a time when I believed in choosing that path but it burned me out and I had to find a new way of mothering. I think we owe it to ourselves and our children to show them that we can indeed be unsure, or hurting or even emotional. Growing a tiny human being in pregnancy and then growing that same child as a mother is one of the most misunderstood, yet amazing feats ever taken. I have caught myself feeling overwhelmed at the prospect before me; a wave of doubt in my capabilities as a mother. I've been told many times that I'm a wonderful mother, that my children reflect a peace about them but I have still felt unsure and still do at times.

It has been easy most days but harder on others, along the way I felt the need to hide my tears; I'm not supposed to cry about this! But there were moments that I did, especially when I couldn't find the answers. I realized that the best thing I could do was allow my children to see me cry or allow them to hear me say, "I don't know."When we reveal that vulnerable side of ourselves to our children, they can feel the genuine connection with us even more. After all, don't children readily express their emotions with us? Sadness, anger, fear and happiness whenever they feel it coming? I can honestly say that my children have seen me grieve, cry, and laugh plenty of hearty belly laughs from the pit of my soul. They have even seen me scared; scared of the unknown...They do know and sense that protective lioness energy in their mama but they also know that I have been weak. We are truly stronger than we know, but the truth is that we thrive so much better when we have a sense of community as mothers. It is so important for us to nurture each other on this path.

The dance of motherhood is a sacred dance; we see our children through many stages in life while we are also going through our own unique stages. We are amazing creatures to be able to balance all of that and more; it is undoubtedly what makes us so strong. To all mothers, I salute YOU.

Communication is a beautiful art

I find that when I talk to my kids and really listen with intent to what they have to say, I am able to have a closer relationship with them. I really love hearing their thoughts and what they feel is important in their world, it seems to make a big difference in their self esteem. I make sure my phone is out of reach for a bit, the t.v. is off and we are in a comfortable space for them to share their feelings with me. I was a child once and I remember how good it felt when I was listened to and not brushed off. I feel like I am setting the stage for the teenage years; if I talk to them now and expect us to have healthy communication patterns, perhaps it will be something they will continue as they get older. I would love for that to happen, even if they don't tell me everything they are experiencing, the gist of this practice will instill in them that they can come to me no matter what. I often learn a thing or two when communicating with my kids and believe me, they do take notice! The older my children get, the more imperative it is for me to make that connection with them. Things are different, they don't always volunteer to share every waking minute of their lives with me like they did when they were just learning how to speak. I have to make the first move sometimes when we talk, and I have to show them that I am deeply interested in what they have to express to me. I treasure our moments when we share a laugh or our opinions together, it is meaningful indeed. Perhaps I will get the scoop on their school day or be able to put myself in their shoes about an event that stuck with them when we have heart to hearts. Either way, they will know that what they have to say matters.

Sushi anyone?

So Friday afternoon brought some smiles to the faces of my girls being that we were going into the weekend. I usually do smoothies, fresh juices or find a recipe for a quick but filling snack to hold us all until dinner time after school when they get home. Last week's grocery shopping trip entailed getting ingredients to make sushi at home but I didn't even remember to get a sushi mat! I finally ended up grabbing one and decided that we would make our own little recipe. I was becoming excited as I prepared the sticky sushi rice, pulled out my nori sheets and chopped up veggies to go inside of our rolls. I chopped up avocado, carrots, green onion and celery for the filling. There were easy to follow directions folded up inside of the package that contained the bamboo rolling mat. I called the girls down to help me and they were quite interested in how everything would turn out. They helped me to assemble the ingredients onto the seaweed and we rolled it all into a perfect log which we place on the cutting board to be cut into sections. We were so excited to try it!! We grabbed some organic, gluten free tamari and sprinkled a little on a dish for dipping. We also sprinkled some sesame seeds onto the rolls before we dug in. I was wishing I had some wasabi paste and pickled ginger to accompany the sushi but didn't dwell on it too much, I would have been the only one eating it anyway...We all tried some of our creation and the smiles and eyes widening told me all that I needed to know! It was a success! I couldn't help but share with the girls that they all of a sudden liked veggies that they told me they weren't too crazy about in the sushi. They didn't think much of it but I was happy about making sushi a signature snack here and there. Especially a snack that they can enjoy as much of as they want to because it's so darn healthy! They commented on how cool the rolls looked; "just like in restaurants" were their exact words. Bow and curtsy for that one. I love thinking of new things to try out with the girls when we cook; variety is the spice of life! Needless to say, we didn't leave any leftovers...until next time!