Love at First Sight

Today is my dear husband's birthday. I have known him for more than half my life. I saw him when I was just 15, and instantly wondered to myself, "what if he were my boyfriend…" it was love, or at least big crush, at first sight.

We just stayed best friends for quite a while before dating. We even broke up for about a year and a half. But we ended up back together in 1999, married in 2007, and have been happy together ever since.

Here is a trip down memory lane for #TBT. I love you husband, happy birthday!!

The Time, She Flies

"Enjoy your kids, the time goes so fast!" this is a phrase that any parent of young children is sure to hear often. Kids grow and change quickly and so are amazing time markers.Here is a series of pictures showing how much our lives have changed since 2012.

Sibling hug 2012 & 2013

Halloween 2012 & 2013

Dinosaur ride 2012 & 2013

Reading with Daddy 2012 & 2013

Toddler bed 2012 & 2013

What I Love

A lot of people still think of climate change as something that will happen in the distant future. Many projections talk about dire consequences by 2100, which can still seem very far away to some. By 2100 my own little children will be ages 88 and 90.

But really, climate change is happening already. Think of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. There was Hurricane Irene in 2011 which devastated much of my home state of Vermont. The Midwest, our nation's breadbasket, has been hit hard by severe drought for several years in a row now. Right now there is the Biblical flooding in Colorado and major storms on both coasts of Mexico. Hong Kong was just narrowly missed by a huge typhoon (Usagi) this week, and in Japan last week 500,000 people were rendered homeless by flooding from typhoon Man-yi. This is just a small sampling of recent extreme weather events. These types of events are growing more frequent and more devastating, thanks to climate change.  

Many of us in the US, are still largely insulated from the impacts of superstorms, floods, droughts, rising sea-level, and ocean acidification. It is easy to be lulled into a reassuring state of thinking yes, climate change is bad, but it's still far away and doesn't personally affect me. 

So, I would like to share a poignant tool (below) that aims to help people understand that the things they love today are already under threat by climate change.

"The real threat of climate change isn’t what it means for polar bears. 

It’s what the crisis means for the things that make us who we are."

Visit WhatILove.org and choose the people, places, and things that define your life … then discover how climate change will directly impact each one.

I chose 8 things that matter to me: kids, cookies, water, wildlife, swimming, gardening, peace and humanity. Then you can click to get a brief summary of how climate change threatens each of those things.

It's a tool designed to inspire you to protect the things you love, and add your voice in the fight against climate change. It affects every aspect of our lives, and if you don't fight for what you love, what will be left?


Like what you read?  Visit and 'Like' Mama of Ma'at on Facebook

Thank Goodness for Good Teachers

Our transition to preschool went so smoothly. I was so proud (and relieved) that it wasn't a big deal. But last week, on his 5th real day of school it changed a bit. When I went to pick him up his teacher said he had a "sad day." About 10 or 15 minutes after getting dropped off by his dad, he got teary during free play. Thankfully, his teacher, who is also a friend who has known him since he was a baby, noticed. She talked with him and cheered him up, but she also couldn't leave his side or he would tear up again. She stayed with him the whole morning. How happy I am that he has such a wonderful teacher who gave him such gentle care when he was feeling sad and missing his parents!

Back at home, he recovered quickly with me, his sister, the dog, and his toys. I was grateful that he had a day off before having to go back to school. The next school morning he slept later than usual. We had a nice leisurely conversation while still in our pjs before realizing we had to get going or he would be late for school. His dad took him to school as usual, then called me to say he was quiet when he arrived at school. We both worried that he was going to have another sad day.

When I went to pick him up he seemed much happier than the previous day. I ask his 2nd teacher how he had done. She said he had gotten sad and teary again, but they had sat together and read a book called, The Kissing Hand.

The book is about a little raccoon who was sad to go to school and be away from his mom. So she gave him a kiss on the hand, and whenever he needed it, he could press his hand to his face and feel his mother's love wherever he was.

"Chester loved his Kissing Hand. Now he knew his mother's love would go with him wherever he went. Even to school."

Reading The Kissing Hand with his teacher allowed him to move past his sadness more quickly, and enjoy the school day with friends. When we got home and his sister went down for her nap, he and I settled into our big bean bag chair in front of the tv to snuggle and watch Super Why! He sat on my lap and twirled his hair like he has since he was a toddler. He needed extra cuddles after another big day at school.

 

Preschool is a big step for him out into a bigger, wider world. I'm glad he still takes so much comfort in being with me and I treasure these moments. But I am also grateful for good teachers that will help guide him when I'm not there.

Like what you read? Visit and 'Like' Mama of Ma'at on Facebook