Beautiful Spring and Little Women

We have been having the most beautiful weather for the past few days. Yesterday Sammie took advantage and found the perfect place to do her homework.


Annnnd.... Abby found the perfect opportunity to sneak away on her bike in the front yard.

I love these days. Being outside is so rejuvenating and we all feel a bit more relaxed. Sammie loves to spend time outside. She is my little "nature lover" we like to say. Abby has figured out how to ride Sammie's bike. She tries to figure out everything out on her own.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the kind of mother I am and have been frustrated with myself for overreacting to things, being short-tempered and such. I always think of Marmee from Little Women. I wish I could be the stable, wise, nurturing, patient, strong-willed but a kind guardian mother that she is. I realize that it is romanticized fiction, but I can't help but wish that I could be like her a bit more. The past few weeks when I have been getting short-tempered I stop and think, "What would Marmee do in this situation?" Now my thoughts are just shortened to one word, "Marmee" when I am over-reacting. Take a deep breath and... "Marmee." As a mother of all girls there are a lot of emotions in our household and Marmee's 4 daughters were each so different and strong-willed. I'm sure she had her moments too where she had to take a deep breath. Whenever I picture her, I see her daughters lovingly gathered around her and they adored her. She was their comfort. She was there for her children when they needed her, but she gave them the confidence to be who they were meant to be. Yes, I know that I am comparing my life to something that is entirely unreal, but still, if slowly breathing in and out and saying "Marmee" to myself helps me keep things in perspective, I'd say that's a step in the right direction.