The Cunningham Family

3.14.2010

caretaker vs. mommy

This weekend I had a realization.
That I spend a lot of time being a caretaker, but not enough time being a mommy. I cook, I clean, I wipe noses, I pack diaper bags, I change sheets, and put on and take off four little socks & four little shoes... But I don't spend enough time doing the things that really count- reading to my boys, chasing them, laughing with them, making car noises, shooting hoops, hugging, kissing and playing make believe. And because of my inability to stop caretaking, I am missing out on all the moments that make being a mommy, well... being a mommy!
So for all my friends out there also raising little ones who keep you busy, here's a reminder to slow it down. Sit and play. Read a book. Kiss an owie. Enjoy the moments. Because we all know the laundry can wait, but we often forget to let it wait.
I was able to do it this weekend, and let me just say, while it was hard to let some things pile up, it was totally worth it for all the memories we made.
~
Hip-Hip-Hooray for all the mommies {& caretakers} out there!

3.12.2010

graduation & moving

Josh's graduation is in May. May!!! That's only two months away! (For those of you not in the know, he will be graduating from WSU with his bachelor in education, certified to teach k-8) We are so super proud of how hard he has worked. Today he got his official certificate to emergency sub, and he spent three days this week subbing for his internship supervisor. He is really getting excited to have his own classroom someday. And everyday that passes "some day" is getting closer.
Next week he heads to Spokane for a job fair, where there will be representatives from 13 different states' school districts. We are anxious for him to find a job so that I can be a stay-at-home mom next year. We are hoping, obviously, for a job here in town, or nearby. If not here, then anywhere in Washington State. And if not in Washington State, then anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. And if not in the Pacific Northwest, then anywhere in the continental United States (No Alaska, Josh!)... so I guess really, anywhere he gets a job, we'll move.
With some tears (okay, a lot of tears), but also with trust that it's the Lord's plan for us. I have moments of doubt or fear that Josh won't get a job, or that we will have to move to Texas (hello red state!) and never see our family again... Then I take a deep breath, know that Josh is a highly qualified teaching candidate and know that I will go wherever I have to go so that I can stay home full time with our boys.
At night when I go in their room {my sanctuary} I sit in the rocker and pray. I pray for their health, our happiness, our future. I pray for peace. For patience. For the ability to be in the moment. To enjoy these days, even if they are being spent away from my children, because these days are the only ones I have.

I will admit that occasionally I imagine the future. And I have to say it looks pretty bright.

life is sweet

So I had quite the week. We've had quite the week. Highs & lows. {some really low lows} Josh & I had a handful of days where we were just "off". Everything he said rubbed me the wrong way, and vice versa. We talked about it, and decided it was just because we are both so overwhelmed right now. Everything we have been working so hard for is finally within reach, and although we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we feel as if we are on a journey with no end.

Lucky for us the boys bring us back to the moment, and remind us what we have to be thankful for. For instance today when I hugged and kissed Jack good-bye he said "I've you" (translation: I love you) to me. Without me saying it first.
melted.my.heart.

They constantly remind me that life is sweet.
Tonight Logan was in his crib, all ready for bed and as I was leaving he said, "hug?" so I picked him up and he patted his sweet, pudgy fingers on my back.
{also} melted.my.heart.

So we are heading into the weekend thankful for our strong {resilient} marriage, and our beautiful, healthy children.
They are all that matter.

3.06.2010

21st

To celebrate my sisters' sister-in-law's 21st birthday we all got together at Ice Cream Renaissance. Funny enough, the boys were also celebrating their 21st today. (21st month, that is!)

Jack fed himself two adorable scoops of ice cream.
Vanilla & Chocolate.

After the scoops were gone he decided to "drink" the melted ice cream.
Yum!

Aunt Roxanne & Logan

The boys were so good.

They ran around in the back, playing & laughing.
They didn't get one single time out.
They were perfect!

If not a bit adventurous.
(Jack climbed up in this high chair on his own.)
Brave boy.

After the ice cream, Jack was still hungry.
So he had some goldfish.

And even shared with his cousin Isaiah.

I LOVE this kid.

And here is the closest I got to photographing the Birthday Girl herself.
This is Brittney's beautiful daughter, Aubrey.
What a beautiful birthday gift that baby girl is!

on a walk with my boys

We got to Ice Cream Renaissance early (before the party had started), so I decided to be brave and take the boys for a walk up and down Main Street (sans stroller). They were such perfect little boys. They held Mommy's hands and we walked side by side down the street, the boys saying, "Cars. Street. Walk..." in their adorable little voices.
It was one of those moments.

i'll love you forever...

I'll love you forever.
I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living,
my baby you'll be.

the oregon zoo

{logan & jack}

{polar bears}

{elephants}

{lions}

{rhino}

{gorgeous day}

{hippo}

{zebras}

It was Josh's idea to take the boys to the zoo to take advantage of the beautiful day we had today. We had a great time. All the animals were out, and the boys were super cheerful.

last wednesday

{Logan}
After work last week I headed to my mom's to pick up the boys.

{Jack}
We decided to hang out for the evening.

{Sunny}
The boys, my mom, her dogs and I all played in the back yard.

{Logan}
Playing and eating our snack.

{The boys & Papa}
Dad put on the Cars movie for the boys, and they sat on his lap to watch.

{Papa & Logan}
Logan LOVES my dad.

Josh came & picked up the boys at bedtime.
I stuck around and got to sample some of mom's
home made macaroni & cheese.

And...
she highlighted my hair for me.
I love it!

3.02.2010

'mother'

i read this in my good housekeeping
march issue {thanks julie}
and thought it was worth sharing:

My mother said, "You can wrap the baby in a t-shirt. You can use a paper towel for a diaper. 'Mother' is not what you have. 'Mother' is what you do. 'Mother' is a verb."

(Written by Shonda Rhimes)