Happy Halloween!

What a fun evening! Halloween is officially tomorrow, but we celebrated tonight by taking Caleb trick-or-treating for the first time. I'm so suprised at how much he not only enjoyed carving pumpkins this week, but also trick-or-treating. I found a giraffe costume at Old Navy earlier this month, and everytime I've tried it on him, he cried. So naturally, I figured he would cry once again when we put the costume on him tonight, but he didn't! Jeff and I took him over to his parent's house, where he got a bag of goldfish for his pumpkin bucket and took some pictures. Then we went over to my parents for trick-or-treating. Once again, I was suprised how well Caleb did. It was actually quite adorable, watching him walk down the sidewalk carrying his little pumpkin bucket. He wasn't afraid of anything or anyone, and seemed to enjoy himself.

It was one of those moments where I thought to myself, where has time gone? And why does so much change happen in one year? Just last year, our little Caleb was learning to sit up, and now he is a little boy, going trick-or-treating. I can't wait for the coming years of costumes, trick-or-treating, and fun, but I'll always remember Caleb's FIRST time trick-or-treating. So many firsts.....for him, and for his Mommy and Daddy.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

Mothers and daughters

Just thought I'd post a quick blog about my mom (and I know you'll be reading this mom, so enjoy!). The older I get, the more I enjoy spending time with my mom. She stopped over tonight to drop off some fudge from Mackinaw, and just to chat for a bit. As she sat and read a book to Caleb, I watched and thought about her time as a mother to me. Now that I'm a mom, I see many things in a new light, and recognize just how important having my mom in my life is. Our relationship has developed over the years from that of a mother and her daughter, to a wonderful friendship. I can pretty much talk to my mom about anything, and I still look to her for advice and opinions. She listens as I vent, encourages me, and consoles me. Mom, you have taught me so many great things, and there is no way I'll ever be able to repay you! I really can't even put in to words how much I love you, and how much I value our relationship. You are a magnificent mother, and a wonderful, kind woman. I love you!

"My mom is a neverending song in my heart; of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words, but I never forget the tune."

It's the moments that take your breath away....

There's a fairly new George Strait song out on the radio that always makes me take a step back and think when I hear it. I think it's called "Take your breath away". The song is basically about a Dad who shows up for some important moments in his son's life, despite work,distance, and other obligations. Here's a sample:

Life's not the breaths you take,
the breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain't what it's all about
You just might miss the point
Tryin to win the race
Life's not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away.

Sometimes I get so caught up in day to day things, living life, just waiting for one day to be over, and the next to start. Hearing this song is a reminder that I need to slow down, and really look at what's going on with my life. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that someday when I'm older, I won't remember Caleb's whiney days, Remmy puking on the floor, burning food, or doing all the other endless, day-to-day routines of life. I hope I remember the times that took my breath away. Like the day I got my first horse, the day I got married, Caleb's first cry as he was born, and a million other significant, yet small moments in my life.

I heard this song as I was driving to go ride tonight. As I rode under the stars outside, I cleared my head and thought about how blessed I am.

"I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

A quick quote

I just had to share this quote. It's true for all generations of families.

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."

Memories come in all forms, but no matter what they are, you can choose how to treat them. We don't always remember days, but we remember moments.

My first love

I was looking forward to tonight all day. The reason why? Because I got to ride a horse! It's been over 2 years, or maybe more, since I have been on the back of a horse. With the help of Kate, I got the chance to ride a horse who's owner is in college and doesn't have time to ride. Guiness is a thoroughbred/clydesdale cross, standing at about 17 hands. He is a big guy, but seems very kind. Actually, he reminds me alot of my first horse, Louie.

It was so refreshing and fun to go back out to the barn I spent so many hours at, and get back for a brief moment to my first love, horses. Maybe I should use the word passion, but love seems to fit too, since I have loved horses since I was a little girl. It's the small things that make me happy when I'm around horses and a barn. The smells, the sights, and the content feeling I get when brushing a horse.

I can already tell I'll be super sore tomorrow, and I felt a little like jelly on Guiness's back, but hopefully he didn't mind. I still remember the most important parts...I don't think that will ever go away. I've spent too many years of my life ingraining those techniques in my head. I'm still hopeful that someday I'll have my own horse again. I know there's a time for everything, but I really miss riding. I'm hopeful I can fit some rides in here and there, because it is so refreshing to my soul.

"The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears."

Do fall days get any better than this?

Wow, what an awesome fall day! This morning Caleb and I headed to Robinette's Apple Orchard to meet Jen and Aly. We started going to Robinette's together before we had our kids, and it's just become a tradition since then. The weather was so great today, and we had fresh doughnuts and cider before getting on a hayride around the orchard. I think Caleb and Aly had a great time....I know Jen and I did! We were commenting on how last year Aly and Caleb were in their infant car seats, unable to even sit up yet! A lot changes in one quick year.

Later this afternoon the big MSU vs. UofM game was one, and the outcome was what I was expecting. A win for Michigan State! Jeff and I watched most of it at home, and then headed out for dinner to catch the end. It was a great day to be a Spartan!

Caleb is finally feeling better and acting like his old self again. He was walking around the house all by himself today. Walking will only happen on his terms though. If he doesn't want to do it, he definetly lets us know!

Overall, it was just a perfect day. Fall is my favorite season, and it looks like tomorrow will be another beautiful day!

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower."

A comforting touch

Well, things took a turn for the worse here in the Miedema household last Friday night. Caleb very rarely wakes up during the night, and Friday night was one of those nights. I've learned to know what Caleb's differnt cries mean, and the cry we heard Friday night was one that needed to be attended to. With my eyes barely open, I ran to the bathroom, grabbed the childrens Motrin, and stumbled upstairs. My poor, sweet boy was burning up with a fever. Long story short, the rest of the weekend consisted of Caleb crying, whining, and feeling yucky. I took him to the Dr. this morning and found out he has a terrible ear infection. The poor guy is in so much pain, and it's very evident he's not feeling well. This is the first time in his life he's been this sick.

As parents, we hate seeing him like this. But throughout this weekend and today, I've had the 'power of mommy's touch'. Caleb has been so cuddly, and it's been kind of nice to hold him and have him fall asleep on my shoulder like he used to. Just by rubbing his back or cuddling him, for a short time I think he finds relief. I have so many memories of my mom being there for me when I was sick. Rubbing my back, sitting with me, and probably rocking me at one time, she was always there when I was sick. Even now when I'm sick, I miss my mom's tender loving care.

So, even though Caleb has been feeling terrible, and I haven't left the house much, I've had a few moments to cherish these fleeting moments where he needs me so much. I'm not going to lie- it feels good to be needed and know that I can provide comfort. For some reason, I was having flash forwards of Caleb grown up, and realizing that his little face and heavy breath of sleep on my shoulder, is fleeting. Sentimental I am, but it's worth it.

"Children arrive so fresh from heaven they are born with angel wings. If we love them competely, they are able to fly."

Introvert and Extrovert

I get a daily blog from 'Hearts at Home', and last week this was in my inbox. It pretty much fits Jeff and I to a T. (ok, we both like coffee and spicy food. I'm a morning person and he's a night owl!) I tend to be more of an introvert, and he is an extrovert. Funny...we still manage to get along somehow! Here's an excerpt:

"Mark and I are complete opposites in so many ways. He likes coffee and I like tea. He likes spicy food...mild for me. He's a morning guy and I'm a night owl. He's an extrovert and I'm an introvert.

Mark says...
I'm an extrovert which simply means that I get emotionally refueled by being with people. The more people...the better! I get to the weekend and want to socialize.

Jill says...
I'm an introvert which simply means that I get emotionally refueled by being alone. I get to the weekend and want to hole up at home.

Mark says...
Several months ago Jill and I listened to a CD about the differences between introverts and extroverts. One difference is the amount of friends they have. I have always had alot of friends and Jill has always had a small circle of friends. I frequently communicated to her that she needed to expand her friend circle. In other words...I felt there was something wrong with her because she didn't have as many friends as I did.

I was wrong. There it is in black and white for the world to see. I was wrong to impose my personality needs on her.

Another thing the speaker on the CD mentioned was that extroverts often have alot of hobbies and introverts have just one or two hobbies. I had many times told Jill that she needed to get a life. Find something she liked doing and pursue it. She was always reading and writing. That seemed like work to me...not a hobby.

Jill says...
But reading and writing are my hobbies. I love doing both. Yes, they are solitary activities...but they fit me well. And I find joy in them.

Mark says...
So I had to apologize to my wife on this one, too. I didn't realize that reading and writing were hobbies for Jill. They don't seem like alot of fun from my perspective...but we are two different people. And what's right for me isn't necessarily right for her.

Jill says...
Both Mark and I have had to move from thinking that our differences are wrong to realizing that our differences are just...well, different! When we impose our likes and dislikes on others that ventures into judgment and criticism and that's never healthy for a marriage."

A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.