Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm here with Joyce again today for the weekly hodgepodge...this is a post that I dearly love; thank you, Joyce, for your inspiring and thought provoking questions each and every week! I'll jump right in!
1. As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb'. Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal? Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March? The month came in like my son Graham's dog, Oakley...gentle, quiet, humble, and happy. I'm ready for spring and all the promise of hope and new life that the season brings! I think of Dad every year at this time, because it was his favorite month and season. Well...I can't say that it was his favorite month, but it is his birthday month, so I feel his absence a little more than I do in other months.
For me in my own little family, this is the month that birthday season begins. Jonah and Noah will turn 23 on the tenth, Graham will turn 27 on the eleventh, and Drew will be 26 on April third.
I will always think of times like this every time spring rolls around. What I wouldn't give to go back to this day for an hour! On spring break Fridays, we always went to Dad's for birthday celebrations and Easter egg hunting. We always had picnics down on the pier that overlooked his lake; there were always grilled hot dogs, chips and French onion dip, and brownies. Those were the days!
2. Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb? I am a lion when it comes to my sons, and to how people treat me. The old Mama Bear thing is no joke! As far as myself goes, I will never again be a pushover. I fight back now, regarding everything! This is a direct result of the new life I've adapted to in the last year and a half.
I am a lamb when it comes to students at my work; their teachers are impatient with them a lot, but my heart genuinely goes out to these kids. Many of them are autistic, or at the least, have severe ADHD and are medicated. Some of them need medication, but their parents won't let them have it; it's very sad and is a huge disservice to them.
I love my job and am so grateful to have such an impactful one.
3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake Day. Do you like pound cake? If so, do you have a favorite flavor? Let's play a little game of 'this or that'. Whose pound cake am I eating? My answer to this is dependent upon that answer. If it's my mom's pound cake, I'll take hers any day of the week over any other dessert. Not all pound cakes are created equal, but Mom's is the very best! My favorite flavor is lemon, again, only if it's hers. Mom, if you're reading this, please take this as your hint from me to you. I love you, Mommy!
- pound cake or cheese cake
- pound cake or layer cake
- pound cake or angel food cake
- pound cake or brownie
- pound cake or pie
That's a great picture of you, your dad and the boys. They were lucky to have a grandpa like that for as long as they did. My kids never had that :(. I'm sure you will miss your dad this month especially. I know what you mean about students and being like a lamb with them. When I subbed in elementary, I saw a lot of things that me sad for a number of students.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They were so lucky to have him for so long, you are right. It makes me sad to think that not everyone has that experience; mine passed away when I was young, so I never had it either. This is why my friend group at work doesn't eat lunch in one of the lounges; we eat in our room, because we don't want to hear them talked about in a bad way. I heard something last week as I walked through for a minute to use the restroom, and it made me so sad.
DeleteI love that graphic and that picture of y'all with your dad. It is the sweetest. It is wild that all 4 of your boys have birthdays within 3 weeks. You are such a good addition to your school for those students!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is wild. All I ever think about is when they were young and how insanely busy that time was in our lives! I am so grateful for my job; I love it so much.
DeleteYou have a lot of March celebrations! How fun that all your boys have birthdays close together. Did you do one big party when they were little? My son-in-law's birthday is today and my m-i-l turns 90 next week. We have some fun things planned for her to mark the milestone. My dad's birthday is also next week. He has been gone for many years but the missing never goes away, particularly at this time of year. Have a good day Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI know! It was so much fun when they were little. I let each one have their own sleepover on the weekend (the twins always combined, obviously), and then for family, we always had two separate celebrations since Drew's is in April. I tried to separate his, to help him feel special, because sometimes it seemed like he was a little overlooked. I can't imagine the missing ever going away, but I love all the memories I have! Thanks, friend, I hope the same for you!
DeleteThat picture of your dad - so sweet. He dressed like mine. Shirt always tucked in and running shoes with pants or shorts?
ReplyDeleteCheck out Reef brand sandals.
You are also like my sister Molly - four kids with March bdays - twins on the 23rd, single girl on the 28th and single boy on the 31st! Crazy!
He did always dress like that, but he never wore jeans or shorts. Ha! I love Reef sandals and have bought two pairs. They're so comfy! Oh, wow! I think you've told me that before.
DeleteSending love and hugs. I hope you get the chance to celebrate your dad this month. Happy birthday to your boys! What a fab photo and wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteI am the same when it comes to my girls, I will fight anyone that does bad towards them and good on you for fighting back. Aww! It sounds like you really love the students that you work with, they are lucky to have you in their lives!
I love how you romanticize life and you have inspired me to do that more too- loving your spring outfits- looking great! Oh that pic of you and the boys and your dad- what a treasure- I know how it must ache- I always wish to go back to different times too XO
ReplyDelete