mama said there'd be days like this...

the first of many good-byes.  

i said good-bye to carley tonight.  and most of us in this pic are leaving the island in the next month.  

seriously, when did this kid get so big???

my keiki and me at school for lei day.

then there's this one!  

trying out a new style...  not sure what to think!

well, i had pretty low expectations about what today would hold.  and they weren't met!  i woke up to fighting kids, and it took them quite a long time, and quite a few tears on all our parts, to get better.  it was a rough day.  i don't even think i was prepared for how rough it would be.

and a friend showed up with a lei for me to wear today.  

and let me cry!

and c had spent the night and was here to just be a friend!  (and a witness, so i had to be civil and calm!)  she just left... the first of many good-byes as we get ready to leave.  

and i realized, as church was on grace and mercy, that i might not have been showing a lot of that to my kids this morning.  i was having a pity party.  and not having patience.  

i also realized that it could be so much worse.  so, i hugged my kids a little tighter.  and listened to their silliness and giggles in the car.  and let them watch a little bit extra tv so i could FaceTime with my mom for mother's day!  

at church today, during the children's message, he asked the kids about loving their mom and their mom being important.  a certain 5 year old that i am related to said, "my dad is more important".  and then followed it up with "but God is the most important".  the guy leading the children's message came up to me after and said, "i just want you to know, you ARE important".  i hadn't heard the aforementioned 5 year old claim his daddy is more important, i had only heard the God comment.  and i will take ranking behind God!  any day!  i love that he already knows this.

and i also wish i would have told him that i will also always take ranking behind daddy.  i am so thankful that in spite of the attitude i am getting recently and the times daddy isn't physically present, i am SO, SO, SO thankful that they love him and rank him as important!  even if it is above me!!!  

and i love a church that, in so many ways other than the "important" comment, seeks to make sure i (we) am doing alright with a daddy missing.  and the men and women who seek me out specifically to ask what i need and how they can help.  

so. blessed.