This blog is starting to get downright embarrassing…for me. There have been moments when I wonder why I share these personal moments of humility with others. Why not keep them private? Would it impact my ability to change?

If you could earn degrees in assumption-making, I'd have a doctorate fifty times over. A conversation in the car with my five-year-old confirmed this and reminded me why I should never make assumptions.

Assumption #1: Never assume that all children look forward to summer vacation.

Mother’s Day was full of the warm and fuzzies of having my child smother me in hugs and kisses while showering me with nine gifts and cards she had made during the past week. Nine! I promise I’m not bragging. I am saying this because I felt very loved by my little girl and never doubt her love and affection for me.

So when she told me later on Mother’s Day that I’m not nice, I didn’t take it personally. Here’s how it played out.

I have been enjoying myself reading these books.I finished the last one yesterday.Stephenie Meyer is an amazing author! In part three of the series the vampire known as Victoria is finally destroyed and Edward and Bella are free to continue their plans of getting married and settling down. There still is the the matter with Jacob who still has strong feelings for Bella.In the final book Edward and Bella finally get married and go off on their honeymoon, only to have to turn around and come back due to Bella's illness. It was later determined to be a pregnancy.

In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, here’s a simple tool for you to learn more about…you! So many moms put themselves last as they care for all within their care and reach. Unfortunately, this leaves many moms neglecting their own self-care. What happens next? Many begin to feel unfit, overweight, overwhelmed, unfulfilled and unhappy. They become depleted, exhausted and simply don’t have the time, motivation and energy they need to look, feel and live their best.

…and mammogram, money, macaroni necklaces, mistakes, moths,
making love, mortgage, martini, monsters under the bed, mall, mustard stains, milk,
memories, music lessons, marshmallow treats, mice, magic tricks, movie night, Monopoly,
messes, manicures and much-needed massages, miracles, makeup, Mondays, markers,
manners, measles, muffins, mood swings,  Muppets, marriage, Middle School, membership, mudpies,
mermaid, mashed potatoes, matches, market, mop, and Mama, Mommy, MOM!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Before you get angry with me, I am only repeating the conclusion made by my five-year-old so if you’re angry with anyone, you can be angry with her.

We watch carefully as our children grow and learn to express themselves.  Sometimes it takes a bit of restraint to let our children develop an identity without constructing them into mini versions of ourselves.  Several months ago my younger son decided he wanted a ponytail after I denied his request to get braids.

I recently participated in a “teambuilding” exercise at work, where we shared life-changing advice.  Some of the advice was wonderful, other advice so-so, but the point was that it was personal and life-changing.  Since the team included working moms, we quickly transitioned to discussing life changing products.

10. Finding that perfect ceramic planter for a new strawberry plant.

9. The challenge of getting to the strawberries before the squirrels do.

8. Buying a new bathing suit cover-up that’s both chic and comfortable.

7. First signs of a flip-flop tan on the top of your feet. 6. Patio umbrellas. 5. A man poised at the barbeque with a fork and tongs in hand. 4. Homegrown tomatoes.

3. Sun-kissed noses and cheeks.

2. The smell of sunscreen.