Guess Who?

Which is Madison and which is Mallory? Send me a comment with your guess and I'll tell you if you're right. This is a tough one!

Think Spring!

I'm am soooooo sick of winter! The snow days are nice, but I would trade them in a second for some warm sunny days. I have felt so claustrophobic lately. When we moved into our house I felt like we had so much room. After less than 3 years it seems like every space is taken up with some thing. I tore my entire house apart yesterday. I started organizing toys and books and sorting through things to donate and throw away. It makes no sense to me. We have a house full of toys that our kids don't play with. So I thought if I reorganized and moved some things around, they would become interested again. It's worked in the past. But so far all I have is a huge mess and a case of the jitters because I am surrounded by a mess that I can't see my way clear of! I know it will be worth it in the end. I would rather start spring cleaning now while we are stuck inside. This confirms how part time work really is the best thing for me. My days to work are Wednesday morning and all day Thursday and Friday. I absolutely love my schedule. Just like every Wednesday morning, I dreaded getting up and hustling the girls out the door. None of the Scott girls are morning people, myself included. This morning Madison said,"Gee mom, I must have been really good because you didn't even yell at me once this morning":) Like I said, mornings are not my best time of day. My nickname in college was "The Flash" because I would practically fly past my roomates out the door every morning. Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that I am always late, especially in the morning. But at soon as I got to work, I felt refreshed and happy to be in the classroom. Now, by Friday afternoon, I'll be ready for the change of pace again:) I am so thankful for job sharing! I'll enjoy it all the more when my house is back in one piece and spring finally arrives.

Hobbies

A few weeks ago my husband expressed some concern for me because I don't have hobbies. Of course I immediately got defensive and started listing all of the things I do on a daily basis to keep the family going. It was a long list. In the limited amount of spare time that I have, I don't want to do anything other than sit on the couch and watch mindless t.v. I see Duane's point. It is important to have time for yourself. But right now I feel like I am doing exactly what I want to be doing. The time with our kids is so brief and precious. I don't want to miss a thing. My next thought was that I was in some way flawed because I don't have hobbies. Typical Amy fashion:) So I started thinking back through my life and how I chose to spend my time. Extra curricular activities were a staple of the high school years. I think that's the case for most people. I ran track, was the editor of my yearbook and was involved in pep club and choir. In college my life consisted of sleep, studying, going to class, working to pay my way through school and a little partying here and there of course. Then I graduated, got married, started teaching, bought a house and started a family. This is not a criticism, just and observation and interpretation of how I see things. I think when a woman becomes a mother, she freely evolves into something new and different, letting go of parts of her past. She trades her interests. But men seem to need to hold on to things, like certain hobbies and interests because they define them in some way. I know, I know. There is that fact that men actually enjoy those hobbies to. I get that. Time for yourself is crutial. My so called hobbies are things that Duane introduced me to like biking, hiking, skiing and boating. Now, I don't do these things just because he likes them and I don't do them on a regular basis, but I really do enjoy doing them. Now, if sleep, massages and pedicures are considered hobbies, I'm right on board with that. I guess until then, I'll stick with being a wife and mommy, exercising and reading a little and blogging. Good enough for me!

My Better Half

God was looking out for me over 17 years ago when I crossed paths with my husband. It took him a little longer to come to the realization, but I knew at first sight that I would be with him forever. He is so different from most men, as a husband and a father. Duane is an all around good guy. He is loyal, honest, positive, loving, humorous and motivated. The list goes on and on. It's been said that every father would like to have a son. But he is just the perfect dad for three little girls. Even though he grew up with three brothers, he knows just how to handle and respond to his daughters. He doesn't give a second thought to sitting down with Molly and playing "dollies", singing a song to Mallory or dancing for 2 hours straight with Madison at a father daughter dance. He is right there in the trenches with me everyday, helping with house work, taking the girls to their activities and dealing with all of his other responsibilities. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. He was such a positive influence on my life at a time when I needed it most. I am a different person today because of him. There are no words to express my appreciation or thanks for the gifts he has given me over the years. And I don't mean material things. I am proud and blessed to have him as my husband and I look forward to sharing every new day and experience with him.

My Biggest Challenge

My biggest challenge in life is balancing being a mother and a teacher. Being a first grade teacher and having my first born in first grade this year has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. Lucky for us, we absolutely love Madison's teacher and share a similar teaching philosophy. That helps a lot. I try to provide Madison with extra support without overloading her. The problem is I can't teach my own child! She is very resistant. I feel like every incorrect answer she gets on a paper is a direct reflection of my parenting ability. I know! That's absolutley ridiculous! I'm working on it. As I mentioned before, Madison and I are a lot a like. She is a day dreamer, as was I when I was her age. She tunes things out and misses important information. And I can't sit in the seat next to her all day to keep her on task. Madison is a bright and enthusiastic kid. She is the kind of kid that the teacher loves, but has to work all day to keep her attention. I have a masters in reading so I feel like she should be reading chapter books by now. But she is just right on track. I got a call a few weeks ago from the reading teacher who wanted to give Madison a little extra reading support. I almost had a heart attach! Secretly of course. I attempted to maintain the utmost professionally on the phone with the teacher. The reading teacher's child needing tutoring! We live where we live specifically because the schools are so great. They have resources that I could only hope for as a teacher myself. They also have higher expectations because of it. Which means that in actuallity, I should be thrilled because my child has the opportunity to have a little extra help. It is in no way a personal insult to me as a mother or a teacher. I thought that being a teacher would give my children an advantage. What that also means is that I have to make sure I don't let it become a disadvantage. The lesson to be learned here is I went to reading tutoring as a first grader too. Now, I am a first grader teacher with a masters degree in reading. She can make her dreams come true too!

What I Would Change About Me

The thing I would like to change the most about myself is I wish I could be relax more about life. When I am under a lot of stress, I seem to start snowballing things. This only makes me more stressed out. I'm my own worst enemy. I put so much pressure on myself. It has been a blessing and a curse all of my life. It has helped me accomplish goals I set for myself, but at the same time I am not able to stop and smell the roses enough. My husband always says that I am good at reflecting on myself, noticing my flaws and trying to fix them. I guess that's a good thing but it makes me too uptight. Any one that knows me can attest to the fact that I'm a control freak. I attribute this trait to the fact that I need to be in control of things because of the things that I could not control in my past. Having that control makes me feel safe and stable. The problem is there are so many things in life that I can't control. Particularly where my kids are concerned. It is so much pressure being a mom. I constantly worry whether or not I'm doing the right things for them. I want to show them how to smell the roses, not how to be a ball of stress. So I have been trying to make some positive changes. The first is I started exercising. Not as much as I would like, but I'm getting there. I'm working my way up to a diet (YUCK!) I think a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Wish me luck! Starting this blog has been a great stress reliever too.

Sweet Baby Girl

Mallory turned 1 in October. She is happy and on the go. We think she is going to be an early talker like Molly. She repeats everthing. Now that she is so mobile, she gets into lots of trouble. Especially with her two big sisters. She wants to be doing what they are doing. But most of the time she ends up destroying their works in progress and getting banished. Her latest accomplishments are standing on top of the kitchen table and doing a sommersault. There are no safe places left in our house. She loves to cuddle and give kisses. She looks just like Madison. Every time she hears music she starts to dance. She can imitate the Little Mermaid singing with perfection. Her giggles are contagious. She is a girl who knows what she wants and lets you know it. We started signing with her several months ago and she is really starting to pick up on it. It's so adorable! Her favorite things to do are taking a bath and playing with her Busy Ball Popper. She loves her toothbrush. She would have one in her hand all day if we would let her. Our sweet baby is not a baby anymore:(

Molly in the Middle

Molly will be 4 on March 14. She is a typical middle child all around. She seeks attention through what ever means possible, bad or good. Molly constantly has us near tears with laughter with the things she says and does. She has been very verbal since she was 18 months old. She looks, sounds and acts more like a kindergartner. It is amazing how much faster the second child picks up on things because they have a sibling. She wants to do everything her big sister does. Whenever we question it, she informs us that she is not little anymore because she is a big sister. She likes going to preschool two mornings a week but can't wait to ride the bus like Madison. She is our princess. Molly loves dolls, dress up and imaginative play. She insists on wearing a dress and her pink glittery shoes everyday. She is becoming quite the singer like her sister. She is daddy's girl. Every night some time between 12:00 and 2:00 am she ends up cuddled up in our bed, always on daddy's side of the bed. He never has the heart to send her back to her own bed. Molly is affectionate and loving. She wants to be every ones friend. I never thought I would have a blue eyed, blond haired little girls. I'm so thankful for her!

First Born

I can't believe that Madison is 7. It blows me away. She is so full of energy and enthusiasm. Most of the kids she plays with are boys. We think it's because of her athletic ability. Boys can keep up with her. She loves swimming, soccer and gymnastics. She looks just like her father but she is just like me on the inside through and through. We are constantly butting heads. I think it will only get more challenging the older she gets. We are both perfectionists. But we don't seem to see eye to eye on the best way to do things. I used to really want to teach in the school where my kids would go. I know now that it's better for her to have some space. She is a worrier and she is hard on herself. I hate that she inherited those things from me. But at least it gives me confidence that she will be driven. She has the most beautiful voice. She sings constantly and we love it. She writes detailed and creative stories that provide us with lots of entertainment. It thrills us that she is a reader. She has a kind and compassionate heart. Everyday when I look at Mallory, our youngest, I see Madison at that age all over again. It tugs at my heart that I'll never get that time in her life back again. We have learned with her that every phase of childhood wonderful, new experiences. I still can't believe she is a first grader!

Counting My Blessings

This is my first entry! I have always wanted to start a blog but never made the time. One of my greatest friends, Joey, convinced me that blogging is therapeutic and relaxing. As a mother of 3, I could certainly use a little relaxation now and then. Life is so busy and overwhelming and it seems to be racing by. This blog is going to be important to me because it will give me a chance to stop and count my blessings. I am truly blessed in so many ways. My children amaze me everyday. I feel like every breath I take is for them. My husband is my hero. We are two parts of a whole. He makes my dreams come true. I have a loving family. I am circled by exceptional people that I am lucky to call my friends. I value their support, encouragement and friendship so much. This year I was able to start teaching part time. I enjoy teaching, but I had so much guilt about leaving my girls. Now I feel like I have the best of both worlds. Not to mention I have the most wonderful teaching partner that I am proud to call a friend. We're up to our eyeballs in toys and laundry. But our house is our home. Don't get me wrong. My life is full of obstacles and challenges. But my blessings make it all worth while.