PreK to College ~ What Happened?!

Completely caught off guard, Abigail runs to me after Daddy brings her home from from vising her surrogate Grandmother and hands me a bright pink flier saying... 

"Mommy, please read this important special paper", folding her hands in front of her in the prim-n-proper little way that she does. 

It is an invite.... to her PreSchool Graduation Program.

Reading each line aloud, smiling yet crying more with each word... All I can think is,

How is this happening?! lol

She JUST STARTED PreK!

I was JUST sobbing uncontrollably in the hall as I watched her class get further and further away from me (after managing to hold it together until she couldn't see me anymore, of course) on her first day of school, clutching my wrist where we had drawn a smiley, peace sign and heart on ourselves so we could think of each other every time we looked at it on that momentous day.

It may have been nearly a year ago... but the days, hours, minutes.. where have they gone?? 

Somehow even in the midst of grasping on to each day as if it were the last, excitedly helping her with her once-a-week homework, watching her carefully (and eclectically) get her school clothes ready every night,  helping her choose something for 'Show & Tell' for every Thursday morning and eagerly asking her how her day went everyday when I picked her up.....

Somehow it all passed us right by, and now our baby girl who we brought home at just 4.5 pounds is graduating PreK and will be starting Kindergarten. :(

{....crying again....} 

All of these tiny milestones keep creeping up on us, and no matter what they are, they grasp my heart and instantly remind me that these precious times are just that; Precious.

I cry now for the woman in me that will one day be as I sit on the bleachers on the day of her High School Graduation crying at the years that passed us by... wishing I was only crying at her PreK Graduation Day again, rather than getting her packed for college. 

I cry now for the woman in her that she will one day be... Not because I don't want her to grow up, but because she must grow up. 

She must face this world as a Woman, Adult & Individual. 

And if we as parents {in general} are sure to remember exactly WHY we are living, working, breathing...

If we are sure to allow ourselves to FEEL and CRY in these times so that we are reminded to slow down and ENJOY our little ones during these precious years that we'll never get back ...

It is then that we can be sure to give them the quality kind of CARE, LOVE and ATTENTION that they need to one day face this world confidently, intentionally, thoughtfully and successfully.

These 5 years have gone by in a flash, and it is our promise to you, Abber-dabbers, that we'll be here for you at your every achievement/milestone, with smiles on our faces and with tears swelling in our eyes. 

Mommy & Daddy loves you baby... And we're so very proud of you. 

You're sweet, caring, creative, smart, loving, intuitive, polite and you love to learn. 

What more could we ever expect of you. <3

"May is For All Women" Project Post 3

May is for All Women and I have a Post Project for you this month to celebrate just that!

***Don't worry if you're just now learning about this.... You can jump on board at any time this month!!!***

Join me in a series of posts about, not just biological Mothers, but also of those women throughout our lives that have impacted us, helping shape us into who we have become and will become, all simply by being the beautiful embodiment of Motherly Support RIGHT when we need it most.

Here are the guidelines:

• Please become a follower of our blog Modern Hippie Momma and please 'like' our Facebook Page. Be sure to leave us a comment if you're participating so we can follow you back!! :) 

• Find a quote that inspires thought and reminds you of a particular moment in time with a woman in your life that you know has impacted you in some way... The way you live, think, deal with things/people/kids/LIFE in general, etc.

• Write a post about all that you are reminded of with that woman and a particular moment. 

• Repeat this at least once a week (more if you'd like) for the entire month of May. 

• GRAB THE OFFICIAL "May is for All Women" BUTTON ~ Post it proudly on your sidebar and especially at the bottom of your posts all month to help spread the word and get other's to join in!  Be sure to type a one liner just above it to encourage other's participation! 

• Don't forget to share it with us on our Facebook Page < HERE >!  We want to read your stories!!  

• If you can, share the story with the person who inspired you to write your post. I'm sure your lovely thoughts and reflections would be a beautiful and memorable gift to her. :) 

Thought inspiring quotes..... Oh how I love them. 

They spark one simple thought and BAM! 

All of a sudden you're reminded of moments, people, smells... and sometimes find yourself asking a few questions, inspiring more thought.. and BAM! 

You realize there's nothing left to do but... Oh yes.. 

Blog about it. :)

So what are you waiting for?? 

Search for quotes, get inspired and get your BLOG on!

"May is for ALL Women" - Post 3

     by Amanda* @ Modern Hippie Momma

Nothing can prepare a woman for all that takes place internally after having a baby. 

This is something I knew to be true after having Abigail, but there are some things I expected to be at least slightly different after giving birth a second time. 

I was so wrong. 

Today... well, right now actually... 

Is the first time I have officially left our infant, Carlin, who is now 3 months old, in the care of someone else. The longest I have gone is maybe 30 minutes and even then, I was taking a really long shower and Carlin was downstairs with his daddy and siblings. 

There's a sort of natural, maternal, magnetic-like "pull" that takes place when I part from my infants that is beautifully primal, yet still painful. 

It feels like it starts deep in my soul, from the bottom of my gut, goes up through my heart, makes a knot in my throat and feels like an imaginary rope between my body and my baby. 

It's by pure nature that the body responds in this way, and even as beautiful as that is to me... and even as I fully understand the survival/nurturing instinct that is kicking in to cause all this....

It hurts. 

Carlin is currently safe at his surrogate grandmothers, just waking from his nap, goo-ing and smiling at his bigger sister who he loves and is familiar with.

It is Mommy who is not handling it so gracefully.

After my husband made a comment today about yet another "event" (with the insinuation that he'd like to attend said event) coming up in Portland, I quietly cried over my omelet I was making myself for lunch, knowing that I... WE could not go on much longer in this way. 

We embrace the concepts of Attachment Parenting fully, but we must be sure to remember ourselves as Husband & Wife in the process. Remembering this will help us be more successful at parenting.

It was then that I knew that we as a couple could not last 3 more months of little intimacy or any time alone together, enjoying things as a couple again without the presence of our children.

As much a I truly soak in and enjoy every moment caring for Carlin, it is also quite desirable to have an afternoon of walking in downtown Portland as we used to with the only concern being what MAX Train we want to take next.

Paul left the house to return to work and I decided to waste no time.

It was now or never, and it may as well be now, because apparently I need to go cold-turkey with this or it will simply never happen!

The primal pull was most painful when backing out of the driveway of our babysitter's house. 

Driving back home, I sobbed like a baby, struggling to see through my tears and the heavy "February Rain" in the middle of May. 

This is the process we go through as Mothers. 

We join this club after giving birth.

It is the beginning of the growth we experience with being a new mommy. 

It just didn't occur to me that, it doesn't matter how many children you have...

You go through it ALL over again with each one.

Or, I do anyways! 

I've said it before a hundred times, and I'll say it again...

Being a parent is undoubtedly the most beautiful, amazing, terrifying, incredible, extraordinary, awesome, painful, wonderful thing a person could ever experience.

After 30 minutes of being away from my little man who has been attached to me like a parasite these past few months, I called and checked on him.

He was fine of course. 

It has now been 46 minutes. :) .....and 53 seconds.

I think I'll go back to get him now.

Slowly, but surely, I'll get myself just a little closer to being able to be my husband's wife again, and not just the woman that keeps our son alive. ;) 

For the record, my hubby Paul is incredibly supportive and in no way wants me to feel like I'm doing anything to him by prolonging our time before we can have a bit of "freedom". We went through a lot that hindered me from being able to do the things I do for Carlin, for Abigail, and it is just as important to Paul as it is to me that this time is different for the better of our baby.

I think that this Hippie Momma has officially arrived at the point where it is simply TIME. 

Time to take time for me and for us.

As a matter of fact, before the day is over, I just may make that massage appointment that I have a gift card for. 

Oh yes. It is SO time.

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"Today I Lived and You Did too".... Guest Post by Rachel @ Hands Free Mama

Introducing Rachel @ Hands Free Mama

"I’m going Hands Free. I want to make memories, not to-do-lists.  I want to feel the squeeze of my daughter's arms, not the pressure of over-commitment.  I want to get lost in conversation with my spouse, not consumed by a sea of unimportant emails.  I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by extracurricular commitments that steal my joy.  I want the noise of my life to be a mixture of laughter and gratitude, not the intrusive buzz of cell phones and text messages.  I am letting go of distraction, disconnection, and perfection to live a life that simply, so very simply, consists of what really matters.  I’m going Hands Free.  And if this sounds like a life you want to start living, come along.  A Hands Free revolution starts here!  I hope you will join me!"

It is with absolute HONOR that Rachel has allowed us to broadcast her beautifully written ode to Motherhood, Womanhood & Life, and we are THRILLED to bring it to you on this special day, Mother's Day.

For me, her words are a great reminder to slow down and simply LIVE the moment in the Present. 

She reminds us that life is made up of tiny fleeting moments, and if we don't slow down, we'll miss them.

Her words in this post, as well as her entire new-found philosophy, is such an inspiration and is.... in my opinion...

So "hippie mommma" of her. :) 

Please be sure to visit her page to finish reading her post!  
You MUST read the entire post to appreciate it! 
She has recently accepted a book deal (YOU GO GIRL!) so we're being SUPER careful about this Guest Post. :)


 So, without further ado... We share with you...

Today I Lived and You Did Too

Originally Posted on May 7, 2013 by Rachel Macy Stafford @ Hands Free Mama

Today I was awakened by the sound of shuffling feet.
It was my early-bird riser in her big sister’s pajamas that drug across the floor.
I wanted to pull the covers over my head and feign sleep.
But instead I got up and made toaster waffles that she said tasted “divine.”
She kissed me with syrupy sweet lips.
Getting up wasn’t my first response. But I did it.
Today I lived.

Today she lost her shoes for the 37^th time in two weeks.
It was right before we needed to head out the door.
I wanted to scream, to scold, to throw my hands in the air.
But instead I held her. I held her. My shoeless girl.
Together we found them wet with dew in the backyard and she whispered, “Sorry, I am forgetful, Mama.”
Being calm wasn't my first response. But I did it.
Today I lived.

 Today the birds....  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 

Please visit Hands Free Mama to read the rest of this well written post that does exactly what we try to do here at Modern Hippie Momma with every one of our posts.... Inspire Thought. 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

In the midst of grieving over the passing of our loving Papa,I came across a comment that lit up my energy in an instant. 

It was from my new friend Jamie over at Being Positive with a Depressive Soul. 

The dear heart has nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

I have to admit that, after receiving 7 Liebster Awards in one week a couple of weeks ago, I have given up on trying to accept them and do the work of nominating 11 blogs for EACH AWARD I received.

Let’s face it…. I am of course HONORED, but that takes a LOT of time, and I do have to be a Mommy and Wife at some point! J

So needless to say, I was thrilled to learn I had received a brand new award!

RULES:

List 7 Facts about Yourself

Nominate 15 Other Bloggers

Since Jamie nominated me (and I happen to agree with her), I will follow her lead and only nominated 5 blogs, instead of the 15.

Here are my 7 Random Facts:

1.      Becoming a Mommy has made me a stronger and better me, giving me the ultimate empowerment, making me feel like there isn't a thing in this world that I cannot do.

2.      I LOVE to upcycle/restyle things… Specifically right now, I make totes, purses, headbands, necklaces and MORE from used shirts, sweaters & skirts. Check out our store!

Delightfully Hippie

3.      I truly believe that we can each change the world, one person at a time, by simply offering compassion, a listening ear, positive perspectives, or even just a smile any chance we get.

4.      I’m obsessed with drinking smoothies!  It’s SUCH an easy (and YUMMY!) way to get loads of fruits, veggies & protein in your body. (for protein I use Hemp Seed Hearts… 13 grams of protein in only ONE teaspoon!!!)

5.      Instead of stressing about content or how many posts I still need to make in a week, I follow a simple rule… Each post I make on my blog is meaningful and comes from the heart. If I have to force it, I close my laptop and try again later.  It’s the best and only way, in my opinion, to keep readers coming back for more, because they need to FEEL your words, not just read them.

6.      After fleeing far, far away from the South (born and raised there), the only thing I miss (besides my family) are the incredible thunderstorms that make the hair on your arms stand up, and the heavy rain on a tin roof. Ahh…..

7.      I like waiting until no one is here but me and my little man, and then turning on some music and dancing all over the place. J It’s a great workout but… It is also simply good for the soul.

I award the following 5 blogs the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

Hands Free Mama

Writing Jewels

Effectively Human

The Giggling Truckers Wife

Delightfully Ludicrous

Please show some LOVE to these wonderful bloggers, and be sure to let them know we sent you!!!

"May is For All Women" Project Post 2

May is for All Women and I have a Post Project for you this month to celebrate just that!

***Don't worry if you're just now learning about this.... You can jump on board at any time this month!!!***

Join me in a series of posts about, not just biological Mothers, but also of those women throughout our lives that have impacted us, helping shape us into who we have become and will become, all simply by being the beautiful embodiment of Motherly Support RIGHT when we need it most.

Here are the guidelines:

• Please become a follower of our blog Modern Hippie Momma and please 'like' our Facebook Page. Be sure to leave us a comment if you're participating so we can follow you back!! :) 

• Find a quote that inspires thought and reminds you of a particular moment in time with a woman in your life that you know has impacted you in some way... The way you live, think, deal with things/people/kids/LIFE in general, etc.

• Write a post about all that you are reminded of with that woman and a particular moment. 

• Repeat this at least once a week (more if you'd like) for the entire month of May. 

• GRAB THE OFFICIAL "May is for All Women" BUTTON ~ Post it proudly on your sidebar and especially at the bottom of your posts all month to help spread the word and get other's to join in!  Be sure to type a one liner just above it to encourage other's participation! 

• Don't forget to share it with us on our Facebook Page < HERE >!  We want to read your stories!!  

• If you can, share the story with the person who inspired you to write your post. I'm sure your lovely thoughts and reflections would be a beautiful and memorable gift to her. :) 

Thought inspiring quotes..... Oh how I love them. 

They spark one simple thought and BAM! 

All of a sudden you're reminded of moments, people, smells... and sometimes find yourself asking a few questions, inspiring more thought.. and BAM! 

You realize there's nothing left to do but... Oh yes.. 

Blog about it. :)

So what are you waiting for?? 

Search for quotes, get inspired and get your BLOG on!

"May is for ALL Women" - Post 2

     by Amanda* @ Modern Hippie Momma

This morning came early.  I lay dreaming snuggled up next to our little man as the sun just began to rise and awoke to my loving husband laying across my back holding me tight, with his tears streaming down my shoulder. 

Opening my eyes and with an immediate knot in my throat, I asked him what's wrong....

He had already gone to work and had come right back home because he didn't want me to  have to learn of the news of my Papa's passing (my father's Dad) and have no one there with me. 

It was nice being able to hear it from someone I love and it was even better to have someone there to hold me as the cries from my core bellowed out in sorrow, saying Papa's name, crying out to him as if to beg him to stay just a little longer. 

Life goes by so fast. 

One day you're sneaking out of your house, told your parents you're "going to work"...

...but really you're jumping in the car with your high school sweetheart to run off and get married... 

.... and then the years fly by in the blink of an eye and suddenly you're telling nurses 

where to put the hospice bed in your house... for your high school sweetheart.

Papa was a living, breathing, walking example of LOVE, EMPATHY and LAUGHTER. 

We were all so lucky to have him in our lives, for as long as we had him. 

He outlived the doctors that told him 10 years ago he'd only have a few years to live. 

It is the strength of Granny that kept Papa going and the humorous & lightheartedness of Papa that gave Granny hope.  They were each other's other half and they fit like puzzle pieces. 

Today when I write for the May is for All Women Inspirational Writing Project, it is without question that the woman in my Granny has everything to do with the man that was my Papa.

Resting in my husband's arms, I am sure to FEEL him and appreciate him, as I know one day I too will be feeling the emptiness of losing my best friend and other half. 

Opening my back door and letting the breeze come in today made me somehow feel closer to my grieving family who are way across the country. 

Closing my eyes and feeling the sun on my face, I took a moment to remember life as a child with Granny & Papa........

The smell of peanut brittle throughout the house after waking from a nap.

A salty watermelon on a hot, Florida day.

Running in the field of daisies in my Easter dress. 

Banana pudding.

Papa's sweet voice over the phone.  His piercing blue eyes and handsome smile.

Papa's drenched shirt and hair as he passionately preached his sermon, dancing all over the place with the Spirit running in his veins.

How Granny & Papa were always so in love... flirting and picking on each other.

 I always wanted a relationship like the one they had.

The sound of Papa praying.

The sound of Granny praying.

Papa's piercing blue eyes and handsome smile.

....I could go on forever.

The quote above is a great reminder that we never really leave this world; we just leave our bodies. 

It reminds us that living in our bodies is only a part of our existence, and that we continue on by returning to this earth in our most truest form.

The bittersweet cycle of life.

Our daughter Abigail is only 5 but she appreciates the beauty around her better than most adults and was quick to appreciate the sun this morning, saying that Papa made it "sunshiney" to make her happy.  

"I'm certain he did", I told her.  :) 

♥ I love you, Papa. We miss you already. RIP. ♥ 

Please Join Us in the 

"May is for All Women"Project to 

Celebrate All Women, All Month Long!

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