Two Years

I feel a little stab in my heart when this date comes around on the calendar. The day my mom passed. I think her about her so often and continue to admire her more than ever as I experience motherhood myself. And it's kinda' funny/sad: everytime Landon or Anders is having an extremely fussy day and whining for their mommy, I in turn yearn for mine.

I suppose this time of year decades ago, we were bugging my mom while she decorated for Christmas and anticipated family and friends for a big dinner. As it was, I don't ever really remember her lashing out at us very often in anger or frustration, which I once considered as her failure to recognize us and that we were oft ignored. But I realize now her ability to hum and tune us out from time to time was actually very smart and is basically a mommy survival skill. Good one, Mom. Sorry it took me so long to figure it out. Hope we didn't drive you too crazy!

We had a nice warm cozy home decorated for the holidays every year. I hope I can make Christmastime as special for my boys as my parents did for us.

Gearing up for Christmas at the Mares household. Pants optional.