How will they remember me?

Since losing my dad about six months ago, I've given a lot of thought to how my children will remember me when I'm gone. I think about my dad a lot and little things will come to mind, either things he said or just ways he did things. For instance, when I was learning how to drive my dad would take me on the interstate. If I was in the fast lane and going too slow and was passed by another driver, my dad would say, "They are trying to tell you something Christie". While driving to Pennsylvania from Georgia, I was passed several times while in the fast lane. In my head I heard "they're trying to tell you something Christie". I also think of him a lot when I'm interacting with my children. Jack was lying on the floor the other day and I stepped on his stomach lightly and said "I'm going to squish that bug!". I can't tell you how many times I was "squished" as a kid.

I also remember certain objects from my childhood. My twin sister gave me a momento to take with me when I left Georgia to remember her by. This object not only reminds me of her love but also makes me think of my mom.

An almost exact replica of this frog sat in my mom's kitchen when I was a child. It holds cleaning sponges. Thank you Carla for not only helping me to recall on a daily basis the kitchen of my mother, but for also to adding to my home an object that my children will some day remember me by.

I also have a bank of my father's that sits on the mantle.

Each time I visited my paternal grandmother's house this is the first object I sought out. I was fascinated by the fact that my dad kept pennies in this very bank as a child. The spot of paint on the roof has been there from the beginning. If you could see the underneath, you would notice a screw with half it's head missing. I have loosened that screw a thousand times. Once while doing so, my dad said he did the same thing as a little boy. When Jesse and I moved to Pennsylvania we took my dad's reclining chair. As we picked up the chair some change fell out. That change belonged to my dad and is now residing in this little bank. Think of the stories I get to share with my kids about this object.

When we moved into our new house, several objects were left behind by the previous owners including the following:

I was somewhat surprised to find this in our new home. This same sign was in my home as a child. My twin and I found it so funny to sneak in the kitchen and put either my dad, mom, or one of my other sisters in the dog house. Thank you to the Rauch family for bringing back such a fun memory.

So like I said, I've been thinking about how my children will remember me. I have hopes that they'll forget all the times I lose my temper and have little patience. I have a feeling they will remember a mom who always seemed to be in her pajamas, countless times of cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and dancing in the kitchen while preparing dinner. I hope they remember the three questions that I always ask them. What do I love about you? Answer: Everything! What do I love the most? Answer: My heart! and How long will I love you? Answer: Forever and ever! I want to make sure they have objects that will remind them of their mother. Hence, I went out and bought this knick knack.

These are little measuring spoons. Jesse thinks they look like they belong in a little old lady's house. But here's what I picture. In forty years, Parker and Asher will be baking a cake together for Ella and Jackson's birthday. Parker will say "can you hand me a teaspoon please?". Asher replies, " Do you remember those silly baby chick measuring spoons mom had?".