"Lucy's Mom"

My conversation with Lucy this very minute...

"And then it's Christmas. And then you eat cookies ALL THE TIME. And then you jump because you are so excited! And then you go to Wal Mart and get milk and then you have ucky poop and it gets dark out early today and then Lucy cries because she peed on the floor like this and then the car went beep beep. Cookies, Mama! Oh no, Mommy, Clara puked on you!"

...She then went on to go dance to the CMA's on TV.

When I watch the CMA's I kind of turn into a little girl again myself all wide-eyed and excited with that feeling of someday that will be me accepting that award. I used to practice my acceptance speech in the mirror...not to mention my humble, shocked face that says, Who? Me? I'm so honored to even be nominated in the same category as Kenny Chesney...

Side-rant; Taylor Swift is a no-talent-ass-clown and it really gets under my skin that she is slightly more famous than me right now.

Long story short, my dreams of being a country singer (which, btw, gets a much better reaction from people as an 8 yr old than at 18) were a bit trampled on when I got knocked up and moved to Austin, Minnesota. It's okay. I can still dream. Someday.

As for today, though, I volunteered in Lucy's classroom at CBS this morning. The two yr old room was fun, entertaining, and just plain cute. I would have liked to be a fly on the wall at music time, though, for Lucy clung to me instead of dancing like her usual crazy self. I got called "Lucy's Mommy" and for the first time I understood how my mom felt. My mom used to talk about how strange it was going from Stephanie or Mrs. Weber to being "Anna's Mom". I can't imagine she hated that identity, though ;)

I spoke with my mom today, as well as my dad, about how my dad had agreed to watch the girls for a couple of hours the Tuesday before Thanksgiving when I go home to visit. My dad thought he was watching them this Tuesday (as in yesterday) and was so disappointed when he found out he will not be seeing all of his girls for two more weeks. I think the role of "Papa" is a perfect fit for him. He is an amazing Grandpa. Today I realized that my parents are the only grandparents my kids will ever know, but they are very fortunate, regardless, for the ones they have. That reminds me, too, that I need to memorize my dad's chili recipe at some point in my life so I don't have to keep calling him everytime I make it, like I did today. I won't always be able to that. For now, though, I don't think he minds :)

As for my daily thanks, today I am thankful for (queue the applause, award in hand with big, flawless hair and a strapless gown, 20 lbs thinner) my supportive mom and dad who have been there for everything from encouraging my dreams of stardom to standing by my side through an unplanned pregnancy at 20 yrs old to cheering me on as I write a silly little blog and taking a tremendous interest in my girls. They are proud of me no matter what. Now that I am a mom myself I finally understand the unconditional love that I've always been showered with. Most importantly I fully comprehend the dreaded, "Anna, it's only 'cause I love you".

I love you too!