solsc: finally 7/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

it's not that i didn't know 

what to write or

i didn't notice a thread 

of a story to weave

it's just that my eyes

will not stay open

even enough to

get the letters out

my fingertips are 

heavy on my keyboard

prresssing mooore thaan

what i reallly neeeeed

this has just been a week

where every second was

consumed by a task that 

needed to be done now

yet i'm thankful it's

friday - a day of the

week we celebrate for

it finally brings closure

enjoy your friday

celebrate your writing

i look forward to 

reading more of your words

solsc: head-to-toe 6/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

The slowly changing season with the sun rising earlier, P. is feeling the early morning pull.

My early morning riser was up and ready head-to-toe before I was up and ready to go.

P. has always been selecting her own clothes to wear.  She has been the leader of the two when it comes to fashion.  I always bought the cute clothes, but P. has combined pieces that I never would have thought to -- and quite honestly, she has put together some very cute outfits.  I call her my little fashionista.  Then when she receives a compliment, she just glows, and will tell me over and over that "everybody loved my outfit."  

Today was no different. 

A purple Minnie Mouse shirt over a white undershirt.  Black leggings overlaid with a black skirt.  Pink and purple socks.  Deep purple flower headband.  And jewelry to top it all off.

Her twin sister laid in bed, covering her head with her blanket, slowly not wanting to wake up.  After stretching and practically rolling out of bed, M. looks at P., slinks over to the dresser, and pulls out the exact matching outfit.  

Head-to-toe.  And to think there was a time I wasn't buying two of everything, but the girls decided to change that.  

solsc: needed 5/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

"I don't want to lose all those moments when they do need me."  

Yesterday I worried about my girls being too independent.

Then I heard a little voice calling my name in the middle of the night.

I slipped on my glasses, carefully climbed out of bed, and tiptoed into the girls' room to let M. know I was there.

"Shhh...baby.  What do you need?"  I whispered as I brushed her hair off her face.

"Mommy, my ears hurt," M. cried reaching out for me.

I quickly picked her up and carried her to our bedroom not wanting to wake my other little sleeper.  I softly dropped into the glider that I sat in daily almost four years ago with newborn babies -- when they needed me for everything.  

I rocked her.  We snuggled.  I whispered in her ear.  We embraced.   I was there to comfort her.

She still needed me.

____________________________________________________

After the 2 a.m. wake up, we all drifted back to sleep.  M. went back into her own bed and slept until morning.  Waking up (again) after her sister.

Today I took her to the doctor to learn that she has a double ear infection.  Poor thing.

In this same day, where I was concerned about my girls growing their independence, I was needed again.  (You were all right!)  

And that was a good feeling.

"I don't want to lose all those moments when they do need me."  

   

solsc: independence 4/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

I thought I heard the light switch click on.  I stood still for a moment waiting to hear movement.  It was a little too early for my little sunshines to rise and shine.  And, as of late, I've had to sing them awake in the morning.  

It was quiet.

I continued to get myself ready for the day.

Twenty minutes later I'm just about dressed and ready to start the girls' morning routine.  

"Mommy.  Momm-eeeee,"  P. sang from their bedroom.  "I need help."

I opened the bedroom door to find that P. had indeed been up earlier.  She was completely dressed in head-to-toe pink.  Headband pushing her hair back.  New bracelet waiting to be secured on her wrist.

She was ready to start her day.  And she did it all by herself.

I look over to M. who was still under the covers in bed.  She was stretching, trying to wake up.  Pajamas still on.  Snuggled in bed.  She'll be the one hitting the snooze button (like me).

She decided to start her day.  And then she got ready all by herself.

The independence and choices of almost-four-year-olds is fascinating to observe.  I'm not complaining, the decision to be independent can be quite helpful, especially in the rush of the morning routine.

But I don't want to lose all those moments when they do need me. 

solsc: sleep tight 3/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

My almost-four year old daughters have been asleep now for nearly two hours.  They were once tucked in tight under their pink butterfly blankets as snug as a bug in a rug.  

After some tossing and turning, arms are hanging off the side, legs are sprawled out, blankets askew.

I quietly walk into their room.  The ocean waves from the noise machine and the glow of the nightlight are a constant calm. 

Once I was so afraid of waking them.  

Carefully, I slide, push, move, and tuck my babies back under the blankets.  Sometimes their eyes flash open, but the eyelids slowly close without a word.

A kiss on the forehead.  Another squeeze goodnight.

"I love you," I whisper in their ear, "Sleep tight."

Watching my sweet angels sleep and kissing them a final goodnight is one of my favorite moments in my day.  

solsc: you will 2/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

Dearest Slice of Life Reader,

You are back!

Yesterday, I told you a little about who I am.  Today is a little advice for Y-O-U:

You will enjoy this journey of writing this month, if it's your first (woo-hoo, day one done!) or your fourth (that's me!) or your seventh (amazing!) year participating.

You will enjoy the highs of the comments and the accomplishment of writing day-after-day-after-day.  

You will start noticing the world around you is full of stories.  Little seeds planted and story-after-story will blossom.

You will need to savor those little moments in a notebook that you will always want to carry with you - or those moments will float away in mid-air. 

You will struggle with the lows of writing and wonder what to write about.

You will probably even write a slice about not knowing what to slice about that unknowingly becomes your slice.

And then you will connect with so many others.

You will have to continue to write through the struggle.  It's always a good idea to have a backup plan.    

You will want to take time to reflect throughout the month-long challenge: think about the thirty-one day journey, your writing process, and the creation of your writing habit.  

You will also want to remember to lift up every writer when you read a slice by leaving a comment that showed you were there, that you read their precious words, that you heard their story, and that you connected. 

Even if it's as simple as, "I hear you" or "I'm so glad you wrote today" or "Write on."

You will understand that those words push us through the challenge. 

You will really enjoy this process.

I am so excited that we are on the journey together!

Write on (and be sure to let me know you stopped by!),
Michelle

solsc: intro - i am 1/31

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join us for a month of writing!

Dearest Slice of Life Reader,

I am a wife and mother.  A wife to a wonderful man who is my best friend and supports me.  A mother of the most beautiful and smartest almost-four-year-olds that make me laugh every single day. All precious gifts I never want to take for granted.

I am a daughter, sister, friend, colleague, confidant, child of God.  All pieces of me that make me whole.  As trustworthy, caring, honest, and supportive as I can be when needed the most all the while gaining my strength to balance this crazy life.

I am a teacher.  A teacher who is passionate about kids and building relationships to uplift.  A teacher who is passionate about all things literacy, books, reading, writing, and spreading that love of around.

I am a Pinterest-loving, Twitter-in-waves-addict.  Those are my go-to when I don't know what-to-do in those spare little moments that rarely happen throughout the day.

I am a writer.  A writer in my head.  A writer on sticky notes or scraps of paper.  A writer in my notebook.  A writer on this blog.  A writer on the side.  But I am a writer. 

I am so thankful you're here today.  Thankful that you read my precious words and learned a little about my story.  And through words on a page our lives and stories are now connected.

Writing (all month) with you,

Michelle

P.S. Starting this month-long challenge is a celebration! So today I am also linking for the first time with Ruth's Saturday Celebrate this week as she was the one who nudged me to start a blog and share my stories.  It's only fitting that my first slice this month is dedicated to Ruth and sharing in the celebrations!