I am SO lucky.

My house is a disaster. But only because I'm lucky enough to have children to make it that way.

I am completely sleep deprived. But that's because I have two beautiful children who make me that way.

I got a case of Post Partum Depression. But I wouldn't have it if I didn't have my lovely girls.

I miss my husband. But I only miss him so much because he really is quite wonderful.

My house requires so many repairs and cosmetic upgrades. But only because I'm lucky enough to own a house.

I could keep on going, but I have a house to clean!


Some days you just need to take inventory to realize just how lucky you really are.

I DARE YOU!

So, Belinda does this thing on Flickr called "I dare you." And I thought I'd play along. She posts the rules here.

Click on the photos to get to my Flickr page with all the notes.

Cuddle Time.

This heat and the long days is making regular bed times an impossibility. Last night Peach woke up at about 10:30 and refused to go back to sleep until 1am. I blame the heat and all the sweat she woke up drenched in. Cherry has been going to her ROOM at her regular 7pm bedtime, but hasn't gone to sleep before 9:30pm in several days. She's usually happy to just play and sing quietly in her room until she falls asleep. But sometimes, she sort of gets a little out of hand when she trashes her room.
That's right, she's sleeping UNDER her mattress, and is using her blanket as a pillow. When I went in there and removed the mattress from her, and put it back on her bed, she very quietly woke up, said "Thank you mommy" in the cutest little voice and crawled onto her bed and went back to sleep.

Tonight (Saturday night) she wasn't so happy just playing in her room and trashing it quietly. Tonight she was upset because she was "all wet mommy." (Covered in sweat). So, I asked her if she wanted to cuddle. (I know, cuddling doesn't exactly solve the sweat problem, but I thought it would make her feel better, and I don't really get much alone time with either one of my kids, so I thought I'd take advantage of the situation.)

She was super excited about cuddling, and so was I, really, 'cause it's only been a few months now that she's actually let me cuddle with her since she was a little baby. And I mean REALLY cuddle. And she's not shy about the kisses now either, which is excellent!

ANYWAY... we cuddled for awhile, but she was no where near ready to go to sleep, and after several rounds of "I love you"s and talking about how much fun we had at the beach today, I decided it was time to go to sleep. So, I rolled over and pretended to sleep, complete with full out fake snoring. Cherry tried EVERYTHING to get my attention. She was calling out "Mommy, mommy, I love you!" and stroking my hair and everything. It was very cute, and I did an EXCELLENT job at continuing to fake snore and not crack a smile.

But then she got me.

When she knocked on my head and said....

"Knock, knock, Helllooooo? Anybody home?"

I totally cracked up laughing, which sent her into a fit of laughter, which turned into a tornado of kisses.

Then she let me tuck her in and she went right to sleep.

Aww, I love being a mom.