Today was not the best day for me as a mother. I was distracted with phone calls and a what seemed like a million little things that had to be taken care of now. Sophie and Thomas were bored despite my many attempts to provide them with projects and offers of DVD's. They fed off my frustration/distraction and used it to try and get away with inappropriate behavior. I didn't give into their attempts of disobedience or whininess (for the most part), but my responses to them were less than loving. I was short and unjoyful. The house was (still is) a mess and my patience running thin. We had family movie night tonight which was fun and relaxing but even that felt rushed. The Avs are in the NHL playoffs, so we hurried through dinner to start the movie in order to be able to watch most of the game after the movie and bedtime routines. (This isn't flowing quite as well as I'd like, but again, just one of those days!) I'm sure we all have those days because lets face it, we are fallen, but for some reason I really felt alone today and certainly felt like a bad mom. Thank God his mercies are new every morning (and always). Today really could not have been a more "perfect" day to precede reading this on A Wise Woman Builds her Home.

p.s.
I also enjoyed the author's strategy for spring cleaning in one of her more recent posts.

Childhood

I walked outside fairly early this morning to get the newspaper and the air smelled exactly as I remember while walking to elementry school during the spring in Austin, TX. The air in Colorado pretty much never smells humid like it did this morning - it was a really odd moment considering that last night I dreamt about my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Chandler. Strange, but kind of fun:)
We close on our new house today and I'm starting to feel a little nervous. We've been thinking about moving for awhile, but now that it is really happening reality is setting in that we will actually have to MOVE. While we have totally outgrown our house, I'm feeling a little sad at the thought of leaving the place where we've had two babies and made so many wonderful memories together.

The garden we built over several summers

Vail

We headed over to Vail for lunch and ice skating on Tuesday. We had some wonderful German food at Pepi's and walked around town for a bit. Sophie and Gracie had fun being cute together but Thomas got a little bored with the whole afternoon. That is, until we found a candy shop:) I must admit the candy was more for me than the kiddos - I've had this wierd craving for Swedish Fish lately. I don't usually like candy in general, but during pregnancy all bets are off.

We are still not fully unpacked from the trip - I'm almost caught up on laundry, but all of the other various things one must bring on vacation with children are yet to be put in their proper places. Arggghh. It was still worth it though!

On Holiday

Our first official "time off" since the end of law school/Bar exam. After church on Easter Sunday we headed up to the mountains for a little bit of skiing. We stayed in Arrowhead just west of Beaver Creek - it such a fantastic week that nobody wanted to come home. Sophie went to ski school for the first time - she did great, even though some boy stole her gloves. Patrick enjoyed a beautiful day of snowboarding with our friend Grace. I sadly did not partake but am hopeful for next season! My mom and Aunt Linda came out to watch the hillarious ski school production. Thomas was chomping at the bit to get out there too - next year buddy.

He is Risen

Wow, can't believe a month has passed since the last posting. Here are some pictures from Easter morning out at Fiddler's Green (our church has the service there every year). It was a beautiful day - chilly, but nice and sunny. They always have great goodie bags for the kids, which kept Thomas occupied with a candy necklace for half of the service. The other half was spent chasing him around. Sophie was so satisfied with her coloring book and cozy blanket that she hardly moved.

2.5 Hours and Counting

Patrick has a few hours to go on the Bar. Yesterday consisted of essay questions and today is the mulitple choice section. He met numerous people taking the exam with him who had failed it last July. Lets hope that's not the case with him! Previously, I didn't think it was a big deal that it takes two months to get his results - but now, it's killing me! Regardless, we are having some friends over tonight for Indian food as sort of a pseudo celebration - can't wait!

I took Sophie to my 12 week appointment today - it was a fun little mother daughter outing and she was super excited to hear the baby's heartbeat. Then we went to lunch at noodles & Co. - which for the record is where she ALWAYS picks to have lunch when we go out. I love that she knows what she likes. My belly is already starting to pop out - guess my body is used to being pregnant this third time around. I'm thankful to have hit the 12 week mark. In addition to the heartbeat we also heard the baby kick, which was so amazing and reminded me just how much a baby develops in such a short period of time. How can one believe that life does not start at conception?

Now that you know

So I didn't actually tell anyone that I had started a blog because I don't like commiting to things I'm not sure I can keep up with. But, since I left a comment on Byranie's blog and it allowed her to see I had a blog, which she so kindly linked, I guess I'm officially into it. So Byranie, this one is for you baby:) I promise I'll post again in my second trimester too...

These last few months have been a whirlwind. Patick Graduated in December right around the time I did my first post. He took two weeks off for Christmas and then started his Bar prep course January 2. He has pretty much taken off of work since he started the course, but I've actually seen him less since he has made studying his job. Graduation was totally anticlimactic since both of us knew the Bar Exam would prove to be more of a challenge than night school for 4 years. Finally, FINALLY, he is almost done! Today marks his last day of studying - he will take tomorrow off completely and then take the Bar all day Tuesday and Wednesday. We are both already feeling giddy about it all being over. It's kind of a bummer that he won't get his score until May, but he feels like he has prepared well and gosh darn it, were going to go ahead and celebrate! He has done a really amazing job of staying focused and making us feel special even though he's been super busy. I've arranged to spend the night out on Friday sans kids thanks to my mom. Sushi and a posh hotel downtown seems fitting for the occasion. Patrick is unaware of my plans, but I'm sure he will be okay with the arrangement:)