Tending Roses

A few years ago I read a book called Tending Roses. It was the journey of a new mom from career and keeping up with the Joneses to moving to her grandmother's old house and learning about life. When the new mom was most stressed about people taking over her work and not being able to make payments on the boat and the country club membership, she found a note from her grandmother. When her grandmother moved into that house as a newlywed, she took pride in tending her rose garden. It was a beautiful garden, and it was representative of the effort she put into being a homemaker. The grandmother's letter put aside the beauty of the garden by saying "The best times of my life were when the roses grew wild." She was busy caring for her kids.

We live in one of those neighborhoods where the Joneses struggle to keep up with each other. Many people are retired, and you wouldn't find a weed anywhere in their yard. On the other hand, meet the Cliftons. We try to keep the front yard nice. We work on the back when we can. I pulled some weeds last week that were taller than I am. But, this is the best time of my life. Go ahead and grow weeds. You'll meet your match some day!

Speaking of Lexi, I am having some challenges. The baby whisperer defines Lexi as "Spirited." She doesn't want to sit still to get changed, to eat, to dress. Always exploring, getting into everything. I feel like she is fighting me. She and I need to take a few days to re-establish a good way of communicating and work together to develop a way to change clothes without any crying by either of us. And in the mean time, please don't expect her to be wearing pants.

As I tend my gorgeous little rose, I need to take time away from the computer. It sucks me in sometimes, and I feel like Lexi needs me right now. And I know I need her. -Jenni