Wonderful Mom

I found this poem from several years ago and wanted to post it because I don't remember ever sharing it.

There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better.

I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for these children.

I have sat in the NBICU and waited.

I have cried and prayed.

I have endured.

Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my boys.

I will take time to watch my children sleep, explore and discover.

I will marvel at my surviving miracles every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to a nurse taking another temperature, an alarm going off, another round of meds or because I am crying tears for fear of the unknown.

I will be happy because my babies are alive and crying out for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.

Whether I parent a preemie with physical challenges or medical issues, I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better sister, daughter, neighbor, and friend because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body.

I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.

I have succeeded.

I have won. So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it and join them in theirs.

I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.Yes, I will be a wonderful mother.

My boys....what else can I say

The boys have started Karate lessons and are doing so well. Colby is really excelling and coming out of his shell and out from Austin's shadow. Austin just thinks it's fun but Colby is really working to earn his first stripe towards his next belt. He loves to practice at home and is always ready for each lesson. Austin is my silly son who I never know what he is doing behind my back until we see the picture.
My 3 boys in the "egg" at the Arch in St Louis

I've learned as a Mom of 3 boys, that sometimes my life is not about baking, pedicures, manicures, shopping and lunch dates but it's about Monster Trucks. We took the 3 boys to the annual Monster Truck show and they loved it. Though it was loud, they would squeal each time a car got crushed.

Colby and Austin were part of a football game half time show called "Bulldog Boogie". They were given Bulldog hats and can be seen quite often wearing them.

There is no doubt my boys love their Mommy and usually make it a point to sympathize with my aches and pains. In this particular photo they are sympathizing with me after my knee surgery and me having to walk on crutches so they made their own crutches at the pharmacy with walking canes.

I love my boys and even though my house will never be filled with dolls, princesses or easy bake ovens, these boys have completely filled my heart. I can't imagine not being a Mommy to boys.

The latest with Colby

Colby is still my love who just wants to be like his Daddy. He is without a doubt, a Daddy's boy, unless he is sick, tired or needs help in the bathroom then he wants his Mommy. I love watching him find his own identity and remove himself from Austin's shadow. He is such a sweet, easy going boy who just wants to make us proud.Colby also loves to play Soldier and here is his latest picture as Soldier Colby.
I am so proud of Colby and how well he is doing in school and home. He has begun Karate lessons and loves it. I think we have found the right activity for him because he is excelling and gets recognition in every lesson for doing so well.

The latest with Austin

Austin always has us laughing at his creativity and imagination. He is outspoken and usually never quiet. When he plays he always has to be somebody such as a construction worker, soldier, chef, policeman etc. and he have to address him as such. Here are few pictures I found on our cell phones that I couldn't resist sharing. This is about the only time he is quiet.
My cowboy!
Soldier Austin...make sure you check out his shoes.
Austin is one of the loves of my life and considering how he entered this world and the medical battles he fought, he has without a doubt earned a purple heart. He is a very special boy who just wants to fill every one's heart with love and smiles. I just hope he doesn't give Mommy gray hair.

Pics with Santa

What would the Christmas season be without going to see Santa's helpers several times. The boys were not shy at all and were very specific this year in what they wanted.
Sean was a team player and I am not sure if he knew anything to tell Santa.
Sweet Colby asked for a tiger pillow pet and robot

Austin who had on the the perfect shirt (80% naughty and 20% nice) asked for a Soldier Bible to carry to church and a camera. He had been asking for a Soldier Bible for almost a year and was so excited to see it Christmas morning.

I on the other hand was just happy to know I would be with my family and friends for a nice, quiet (sort of) Christmas at home. We are all healthy, happy and blessed and I couldn't ask for anything more.

A happy family is but an earlier heaven

I am one lucky lady to have this wonderful family. We aren't perfect but our house is full of love, respect, fun and we teach our children to follow the path God has provided for them."Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all things we can give them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children."
"God sends children to enlarge our hearts and make us unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affections"

What would a family photo shoot be without one funny!

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family"

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they will turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes"

"The love of a family, is life's greatest blessing"

"To us, family is putting your arm around each other and being there"

"Any man can be a father, it takes someone special to be a Dad"

"The house does not rest upon the ground but upon a woman" "There has never been, nor will there ever be, anything quite so special as the love between a mother and a son"

Christmas 2010

What does Christmas morning bring the O'Leary Family? Lots of excitement, energy and smiles! I guess our family has been exceptionally good this year with all the nice gifts Santa dropped off in Utah for us. The boys went to sleep pretty easy on Christmas Eve night and luckily there was not a lot of assembling to do this year. Pat, Daddy and I stayed up and watched a movie and just enjoyed the peace and quiet before the tornado of excitement hit the next morning. As you can see I have two very happy boys Christmas morning! Well my other two bigger boys were pretty darn happy to but you can't see them so take my word for it.

The funny part of Christmas morning was Pat and I were awake around 6:00am listening for the boys to wake up. They all slept in the same room so we were hoping Sean would be able to keep them upstairs...ok, that didn't happen. Austin came in around 6:30 and we put him in bed with us. He kept begging to play with a tool set from Matthew and Lauren, until Pat finally got up and went downstairs to get it. He sat in our room and played while Pat and I got up to get ready. A few minutes later Sean came in and was talking with Austin as he played quietly. As Pat and I were brushing our teeth we heard Colby yelling from downstairs that Santa came and brought him a camera and he started naming the unwrapped gifts. I quickly went to the stairs and told him to get upstairs with Austin and Sean. When he got upstairs, I told him not to say anything about what he saw because Austin had not seen anything. Colby proceeded to tell me, "well I was just going to tell Austin I saw a camera for him". Once Austin heard that he was ready to go! Pat and I got downstairs with Daddy and had them sit on the stairs until we get the cameras ready. Daddy happened to be downstairs when Colby snuck down and he said Colby walked around looking at everything. What a little stinker! Next year we'll be sure to tell them to come to our room when they wake up or make them sleep in our room so they can't escape.

I love Colby's "Christmas spirit" in this picture. His expression says, "yes, I already peeked!"

The boys were ready to get serious about their Santa sacks and gifts.

I got all the boys nerf guns for gun wars and they even got me one so needless to say, we have had several gun wars in our house.

Sean got each of the boys a Woods Cross sweatshirt to wear to his football games next year.

Pat gave Sean one of our Army flight jackets with patches from Iraq and units we have been in while serving in the military.

I guess I was the best Mom this year since I really got spoiled. Not only did I get an I touch but all the boys got me a chocolate diamond necklace. It's so pretty and different. Colby did ask if he could taste it...hee hee.

Love all of my boys!

We had such a wonderful Christmas and I loved staying at home and just enjoying my family and friends. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who always makes my holidays special and I am a very lucky daughter whose Daddy came to spend time with us this year and enjoy his grandsons. There are so many days I just wish Mom could be here to enjoy them as much as we do. I am very excited for 2011 and to see what wonderful memories we are going to create.