Another summer another crop...

Life on a farm revolves around crops and cattle, everyone in agriculture knows this. So when your husband says he will be doing this... 

Instead of this ....

You learn to live with the disappointment or go without him. Which we did and Gulf Shores was lovely in June. 

But now tobacco season is over and it is all cut and housed in big lovely barns like this...

So now while it sits we are getting a rare treat we are going back to the beach for fall break for some more family time... I can't wait!

I remember...

"the Blue Hour" OKC Memorial

I remember when on April 19, 1995  Timothy McVeigh parked a truck filled with Anhydrous Ammonia made into a bomb and blew up a building full of men, women and children killing families in Oklahoma City's Murrah Building downtown. I was 17 years old.

I remember when almost too the day 4 years later on April 20, 1999 when 2 boys destroyed a community by going on a rampage in a Colorado High School in the Columbine School Shootings. I was 21 years old.

 

 And I remember when at 8:03am on September 11, 2001 I stood watching the Today show on CBS and behind the morning anchor I saw the first plane hit the trade center without them even knowing what was occurring at the time. I remember watching in horror as the next followed closely behind. I was 24 years old.

I will never forget the devastation and heart ache caused by the actions of a few. But I also will never forget the bravery of a few that saved the lives of more.

I am unbelievably proud to be an AMERICAN. I am proud to live in the home of the free and the brave. I am proud of those who sacrificed their lives that day knowingly to protect others and I pray for those who lost their lives just by circumstances. I am proud and grateful to those who protect our freedoms. lifestyle, and choices everyday by serving in the United States Armed Forces and can't not say often enough THANK YOU nor can my gratitude repay you for your service. Nor can the tax dollars I pay be enough for your sacrifices because no amount of money is enough to pay for your life- none the less thank you!

I have yet to visit the memorial in NYC for the tragedy that struck that day. But I have spent many a quiet prayerful moment in the OKC Memorial and I can say without question it is one of the most serene yet tragic places I have ever had the pleasure to spend time. It affected me in ways I can not put into words and if you ever have an opportunity to visit please do so. Like the Holocaust Museum at the Smithsonian Institute you can not fully grasp a tragedy until you look at it in the eye surrounded by the scars it left behind. So today and every day as an American, remember those who sacrifice and continue to do so so that you can pray, vote, play video games, shop on the internet, cuss the president, smoke, and even eat junk as you see fit. Thank a solider and pray for their safety! And remember those we have lost not just on this tragic day but all of the days that have shaped the lives of Gen X and others...

Free enterprise and the current uproar

It seems the world is all a "twitter" about the current public profession of beliefs by a certain restaurant chain... Therefore I will be getting on my personal soap box for just a moment here and putting in my 2 cents worth.

To start let me preface with the fact that I have no issue with same gender couples as a rule. While it is not my choice it is also not my place to disagree with your choices. I have friends, family, and an odd acquaintance here and there who feel this is the right path for them. Yay for the freedom of choice. That being said it is well know that I am a conservative, over all in my views. I believe in the freedoms we are provided via our forefathers profound vision, as an American I have a voice.

I agree with protection for a couple under the law. A union that allows for mutual health and death benefits, tax deductions, and all that a married couple receives. However, I disagree with the use of the term marriage to classify this union. Here is why- marriage is a term that is from the bible as a male/female bond and commitment and the bible is very clear on homosexual relationships. There is no dispute in the fact that it is mentioned as being wrong. Now that does not mean I think that "sin", if you will, is any worse than the sins I personally have or will commit because it also says that all sin is equal. As to that we are all sinners- period.

So here is my thinking- call it something else, support, or don't, those businesses that agree with your views that is your right as an American. Personally I don't care. Be true to yourself, ask forgiveness from none but God himself and those you have personally wronged, and live your life according to your faith and beliefs. Stand up for your faith regardless of disagreement with it from others- you can not change others actions but you can control your own!

Instead of protesting a chicken restaurant- VOTE people... This November make your voice heard vote in 2012 or don't bitch about who decides the laws you live by...

The "EX" Factor

Obviously it has been ages since I found the time or inspiration to post. Nearly a year to be exact- I really have got to get back into the habit... But this is too good not to write about. Oh and FYI the names in this story have not been changed because none of them are innocent!

We traveled home to WY from KY in the last week or so. We left KY on a Wed. morning and stopped in Iowa for some time with family and in my case to do a little business. We then drove to eastern WY and stayed with a dear friend of mines family for the night. We arrived at home on Sunday July 1. Really it was a rather uneventful trip.. However- it was a few days later that the "fun" began..

On the 4th of July we had reservations to head to Bear Lake for some family fun in the sun- but htis was no ordinary trip. It seems the Granny got q bit over zealous in her invitations to others who would be joining us. This is how it played out...

We arrived and checked into our condo. A short while later my sister in law showed up with her 2 girls, in tow was her mother in law. Now for those of you who don't know my wonderful father is actually my step dad and was married for 20+ years to a woman named Nancy. Now Nancy wasn't overly friendly or kind for many years given the circumstances- you know of my mom marrying her ex-husband and all... So here comes my sister in law, my 2 nieces and my daddy's ex wife- staying, of course, two doors down! Now she smiled and hugged me exclaiming over my adorable children, who could blame her, and proceeded to help take charge of my very fussy little doodlebugs. Now this would not be odd other than I have not seen nor spoken to said "outlaw" in around 20 years and now here she is rocking the fussy butt to sleep poolside on the family vacation.

 Now in case this is not odd or awkward enough it just so happened that my hubby had to leave the next morning to fly home. Upon dropping him off I drove through the current hometown of another of my nieces. Now this particular little towhead is my little brothers daughter from a seriously deranged relationship long over for nearly the entire length of my nieces life. Her mother is a crazy twit who I would prefer to have no contact with but for the sake of the sweetie exceptions are made. Biting my tongue I picked her up and headed back to the lake... Well ok, you may be thinking, big deal. But trust me it gets even more odd...

So now we have my 4 monsters, my mother, my niece, my sis in law, my daddy's exwife and soon my brother. Once my brother arrives it seems the family is complete. WRONG! not long after his arrival his current wife and daughter also arrive. Yay- now the family is all accounted for, but NOPE- the next morning not only does my niece's mother (the Twit) show up but so does her ex-husband and other child.

So now to recap we have my crew, mom, sis in law 1 and two daughters, her mother in law, my brother, the current wife, her daughter, his daughter, his daughter's mother, his daughter's brother and his father... WTF is going on with this trip??? Is this a Jerry Spring moment or what.
I am proud to say however, I did not punch the "Twit" out, cuss at anyone other than my brother- which is normal for us, and even were invited to boat with the Twit's other child and ex in the process... Happy Independence Day is this a great country or what!

So far behind yet so much still to do...

When I last posted I was a 8 thousand million months pregnant with our last child... I am happy to report that not only did the little sprout arrive whole and healthy on June 28 but I have finally recovered my feet! YAY!! I believe that may be one of the worst things about pregnancy - not only don't clothes fit but neither do your shoes. Such a tragedy, at least by my standards, since shoes are a very favorite thing of mine!

something like this is always fabulous :)

It seems that even on maternity leave I just couldn't find the time to finish much of anything. I mean why is it that I was home nearly every day for 10 weeks yet I did not get my bathroom repainted, the boys valances hung, that baby's curtains or valances hung, or anything else? Well technically that isn't true- I did have a yard sale that was moderately successful though I still have oodles of crap sitting in my living room left over from it.

However, since returning to work last Tuesday I have sorted all that junk, caught up laundry, cleaned the house, and still found time to nap with 2 of my 4 favorite kids... Unfortunately, I still have not accomplished any of the a fore mentioned tasks that desperately need my attention! Add to this to the fact that my family is pretty sure grocery stores no longer exist because I haven't set foot in one in like a year  month. It has even gotten to the point that my husband has been going occasionally. This is a scary thing since when he goes he doesn't just buy what we need but typically comes home with what I requested plus multiple boxes of cookies, bags of chips, donuts, sugary juice, and cokes. All of which are strictly off limits on my new get back in shape diet! Of course the rest of the scrawny people in the house couldn't care if that's all there was to eat... And besides I truly am in shape- round is a shape? Right?

So it looks like perhaps this week I will have to brave the wild untamed wilderness and take myself to the store- otherwise we wont even get to have clean laundry since we are out of soap!

Budgeting for five soon to be six!

We all know the economy is crappy at best right now... This is not news to anyone. However, regardless of your political affiliations I think it is time for us materialistic instant gratification seeking Americans to step up and take responsibility for our own actions! We have enabled our children to be slackers with no regard for consequences monetarily or otherwise. Don't get me wrong I am as bad as the next person about trying to give my kids everything they think they want or don't know they do whenever possible- but is this a good choice for them or us as a family? No it probably isn't. Keeping up with the "Jones'" is a losing battle that will put us all into financial ruin.

While we strive to live in a budget friendly manner reality is providing for five and soon to be six people it tough. Plus I love shoes.. and purses- not just any purses of course but COACH purses.

The dream baby bag! :) Coach of course.

Now my husband has been known to indulge my addiction by purchasing a bag or two here and there for random holidays. He knows they make me smile and with the exception of currently being pregnant your feet are never fat and you can always find a flattering style for them- Your body as all women know is not always as forgiving. Luckily my two loves have yet to cross paths in my closet and I have not bought Coach shoes...

Although these are awfully cute!

Cute though they are none have really grabbed me, they are terribly expensive and with shoes in many instances I am a realist- quantity usually will win over quality!



 But none of this is really pertinent to my post. What is important is that I have found a helpful way to cut real expenses. Of course we do simple things like turn of lights when we leave a room and keep the thermostat set at a reasonable level. But my new trick is I have started couponing...

Yep, that's right I strive to be the crazy coupon lady at the store. My kids just wander buy as I sit in the chair and snip away and ask if I am "touponing adin?" which makes me smile and simply say yes.

While this is all very new to me I have found a ton of websites that are user friendly ways to get started- such as classycouponclippers.com which is a very nice lady in a nearby community who knows the area and is very helpful, classes (also provided by Rebecca of Classy Coupon Clippers), and trial and error. Truthfully I don't have the space to go crazy with this. I won't buy something just because it is on sale, I don't dumpster dive for inserts and I don't buy dozens of papers. I will probably never save 90+% on the things I buy.

I did however set up a gmail acct for just my couponing stuff to go to, I ordered a - as in ONE- Sunday paper, and I started signing up for promotions on product websites. I watch the match-ups done by Rebecca and a few others via Facebook and when I have the chance I gather my mother in laws inserts. This along with the printable and electronic coupons online allow me to get several items without spending tons of time or money. I don't spend days and days doing this stuff. I spend some time Sunday afternoons clipping and organizing while the boys nap and then search inserts for deals when they come in. Then at some point during the week I will work on my list and Saturdays I try to go to the store. Living in a rural area makes it harder since many of the deals are at stores that are not convenient and I am lazy about going all over for  $0.10 savings.

Now I have only just begun this journey but so far I am happy with my return on the time I spend doing this.  For instance last week I saved 30% off of my bill at the grocery buying items we needed and will use in the next little while. I am not concerned with getting everything for free but saving any money is always a help in a family this size and I think that over time I will get better at knowing when is best time to buy! As it is an $80 savings for the week on the bill made me smile- almost as much as a new pair of shoes- almost!

May and beyond...

Well it is now June! Wow- what a month May was...
Squirt had the most adorable Mother's Day program at preschool- It brought me to tears it was soo stinking cute!
Squeak had a birthday and turned 3 going on 33.
I went missing for a week only to return and find that thank goodness the house was still intact and my children alive. Whew, what a relief.
My missing week is a blur of foreign accents, over my head science and company drama... It was exciting and interesting but also exhausting. All the excitement caused my blood pressure to spike- of course, my feet to swell- imagine that, and little actual sleep to ensue- not far fetched. However, I also got to re connect with old friends, meet new people and as important- have a guilt free pedicure. :-)
Now school is winding down and the birth of the little sugar is on its way fast and furious. Frankly this can't happen soon enough! I am very glad this pregnancy is winding down and it will be the last.

As usual it has been forever since I managed to put up a new post. This is for a variety of reasons- not the least is that I am growing obscenely large while growing yet another life in my womb... Yep, there it is in black and white, err pink and gray, I am pregnant once again. Much to my chagrin in November that fateful stick turned up with 2 lines on it...

While this "miracle" of birth stuff is complete and utter insanity I am now firmly entrenched in the knowledge that the minute this child is delivered from my loins I am taking back at least a small portion of my life and getting myself neutered spayed fixed (?) or what ever you want to call tying tiny knots in your feminine plumbing.
The sad fact is that I am as naturally fertile as a damn rabbit and since we now have enough children that they could be considered a herd or even a gaggle it is time for my years of procreation to stop...

I love each and everyone of my darling little heathens monsters boys I am ready to be done... I want them grown and gone before JR decides he needs to have children and we have grandchildren underfoot. While this seems a misnomer the fact is when there will be 14 years between oldest and youngest, factor in 18 years till graduation for the little dear and that makes JR 32, nearly the age I am now and assuredly old enough to consider if not already have children and a family of his own.
So while this was a bit unexpected and we were thoroughly unprepared for the event personally I am happy this is the end of the road and the light at the end of this particular tunnel is that the doctor has given my strong reason (99%) to believe it is a...

GIRL!!! Yes, that's right after 3 boys my prolific husband has finally managed to scare up a Y-chromosome and give me a girl...
Amen our house will become awash in something besides tractors, trucks, and blue little boy things and will at least have a moderate amount of pink within.

Actual bedding I love!

 

 

 

Unfortunately due to the date I am to deliver I will sadly miss my sisters wedding and my boys are thoroughly pissed that we will not be returning to the beach this summer! Well, hey some things must be sacrificed when bringing forth life...

As the new year approaches...

The New Year is quickly approaching (like in 2 days) and I am left pondering the reality of yet another year gone by. 2011 will bring many changes to our lives- Squirt will start school in the fall, JR will be in his last year of middle school and our new little peanut will join the mix. Juggling a newborn and a nearly high school aged child should prove to be an exhausting interesting feat to be sure. But for now as 2010 closes I am pondering my goals for the coming year. Some people say you should make a list, some choose a word to live by. Me I need short and long term goals. So here they are...

Short term goals-
1) Pray more
2) Be more patient with my kids
3) Keep my GPA a 4.0
4) Clean my basement out- really you all have no idea what kind of goal this is!
5) Work out more now and after baby gets here
6) Spend more time on me- no really, selfish? maybe- but necessary in order to complete 1-4

Long term goals-
1) Pray more
2) Finish my BS Degree
3) Get a MBA
4) Raise healthy, happy, functioning members of society

One word to live my life by in the New Year- FAITH!
I need to be more faithful to God and my goals both short and long term. I need to have faith that we as a family can survive the stress and tensions that come with farming, kids, work, and life. To faithfully strive each day to live my life properly so that I am an example to my children and others.

So now the question remains- What are your goals and or life word?

Christmas are you over yet?

The radio DJ cheerfully announced this morning that the average American spends $341 per child at Christmas! Seriously?!?!?! Does anyone else think this is a ridiculous amount of money? Yet as I sit back and add up  the receipts and tally everything in my head I discover- DAMN IT he was probably right... And my holiday spirits sink with the dread of the coming year and the debts to be paid.
How did we become such a commercialized mess? Why has the birth of Jesus become national debt day? What happened to the years of some candy and one gift for Christmas or even lovingly made ones? I will tell you where! They have dissipated like morning fog and left behind a generation of spoiled children who have so much already but the over stimulated market is so full of "amazing" things that as adults we want as much as our children that we are willing to bury ourselves in debt to attain them.
STOP THE INSANITY PEOPLE!
I am as guilty as the next of making my list and checking it 63 times with the thought "oh just this one more little thing and I am done," until the madness finally fizzles on Christmas Eve and I am struggling to wrap all the nonsense in time for Santa's arrival the next morning...
So cheers to all of you who make the holiday about the Joy of Jesus Birth without the commercialism attached- because I am sorely behind in that lesson!

Gross Anatomy at 2...

The curiosity of little people is, on occasion, quite trying and sometimes baffling. Now in our house we have 2 small males, a teenage male, my husband and myself. This means that no matter what I am always out numbered and there is more testosterone floating around my home than in the average varsity locker room. It is, however, the littlest of these that make me shake my head with confusion, smile at his stubbornness, and sometime want to pinch his cute little head right off!
 
 My youngest child and often his closest brother have a mild aversion to clothing- not always, but in the evenings they have apparently been bound up too long and have to be free- free to roam my house naked or at least pant-less... Attempting to change this and make the Squeak put at least some underwear on has been a bit trying... Explaining that no one wants to see his "pee-bob" is a study in patience. My husband, is rather modest and is therefore baffled by my child's exhibitionist nature, but he hasn't always been so "covered". As a child he was known to streak the neighborhood dropping clothes at random only to end up at the neighbors house down the street buck-assed naked. Given these stories I am less baffled by the little monsters behavior.

However, the newest toy in his list of things to explore- is himself. To the horror of my husband who told him "Don't play with that or it will fall off..."

This is not his only brush with anatomy as of late....

With our newest attraction we have the following conversation. It typically goes something like this...

"Mommy? You don't have a pee-bob?"

"No, Squeak, boys have pee-bobs not girls- mommy is a girl..."

"That's right, only boys do not gewrls," replies Squirt." Mommy is a gewrl."

5 mins later

"Mommy? Mommy? Ar those your boobies?" pat, pat, pat with his little 2 year old hand as we all lay and watch cartoons...

"Yes, Squeak, those are my boobies- now stop mashing me..."

" I don't have boobies," he says while looking down and sticking out his little chest.

"No," says the squirt with all his 4 year old wisdom, "only gewrls do."

"Mommy? Mommy? Can I lay on your boobies?" as he scooches up close under my arm and puts his head down on my chest.

5 mins later

 "Mommy? Mommy? Are these your boobies?" pat, pat, pat...

Who knew that they would drive you so crazy while still sweetly curling up next to you..

the woes of farming...

So last year around now my husband comes to me and says, "Honey, I want to farm more."
To which I respond, " I know but we really can't afford you too."
"No," he says, " I will take care of all of it- you won't have to worry about a thing- it won't affect your budget or you at all."
Famous last words....

ours is almost this nice...

So now here we are a year and a lot of MY sweat as well as his sweat, blood and manly brooding  later to find ourselves with a bunch of really old equipment, a passel cattle and a tobacco crop that is in the barn. You might think that this should qualify as a good year. But, you would be mistaken! The weather here has been bad, really bad, and hot, really hot- this makes for a bad cure on the tobacco in the barns, not to mention poor growth of hay in the fields and really dusty feed. All this comes down to an oh shit situation...


Well the tobacco is in the barn but isn't curing properly- this means broken leaves, lots of waste and its brittle. All of this makes for less pounds in a bale. Obviously, you are paid on usable pounds so light bales are bad and right now we don't know if we have any usable sale product...

this is what you hope it looks like...

Ok, so we covered the tobacco issues now on to the rest- dry, hot weather means not enough hay- not enough hay means not enough cattle feed- enough said.

Last is the dusty feed- what we do have in hay that can be ground into feed is very dusty because of the dry weather- this causes respiratory problems in wean calves. This problem causes at least one dead calf and several more struggling and full of medication...

So, the famous last words of- "don't worry about any of it." are bogus! Of course I am worried because now we have calves dying, less hay than anticipated,with no alfalfa at all, and a tobacco crop that may not be acceptable to the buyers...

Naw, nothing to worry about! YEAH RIGHT...

farms, farming and the farm...

On first glance it appears the title here is nothing but a repetitive litany. However, in our house there is a large difference between these phrases and each entails its own quirks.

1. Farms- now where I am from a farm is something that has crops, typically in a large quantity and mostly edible. But here in the east south(?) a farm is any piece of land over 2 acres that has some sort of animal or outbuilding available on it. FYI this is not a farm- a farm is as described above and encompasses many more than 2 acres!

2. Farming- contrary to my belief this is not just working the land full of harvest-able, edible crops it is the process of anything agricultural. Again the venacular of the area throwing me for a loop. Just so we are clear- farming is the process of working dirt to grow said edible crops...

3. The Farm- is the not just any farm but home of my in-laws, which entails approximately 55 acres, cows, a dog, several cats, barns, and lots of random equipment. Ok, here this is the way of distinguishing location, Although as of last year- we have grown to have "the farm" and "the new farm" (the lease we hold)

Now I explain this all for a reason. In our house we have a farm (leased) but we do not grow crops, well maybe a bit of hay and an odd tobacco patch, that are edible by humans-  we have cattle instead.  We farm but it is cattle we raise not crops. At "the farm", where husbands parents live and my children occasionally filch a meal (if I am lucky), is where my husband spends his entire life free time. 

Now many may ask what difference does it make- a rose by any other name and all that- but in reality there is a world of confusion created by these terms.

So for all you westerners, anyone west of the Mississippi River that is, we have a cattle ranch of about 155 (shared) acres where we run 35 cattle pairs, we have hay, a small alfalfa patch, and some tobacco.

Now hopefully it is clear- we are not dirt farmers (not that there is anything wrong with that) and we do not row crop anything...

For further questions see the unabridged version of the Crazy People who Talk Funny Dictionary!

Country Festival...

I have experienced festivals, and parade days, holidays and fairs through out my life both here and out west. However, there is something different about being a part of an annual event within an event. When I was young the girls and I would make yearly treks to different rodeos and events always with one goal in mind. To get into as much trouble have as much fun as possible in a brief time. These road trips would almost always include alcohol in copious amounts and late nights with little or no sleep. Sometimes we would have accommodations upon our arrival but many times we would just wing it and stay wherever.
As a married couple with small children we don't often go anywhere that is a kid free zone and we have almost never planned to be out till undetermined times multiple nights in a row.  This weekend was different. We attended the annual Pigs on the Porch party at the home of a friend's parents and were gone nearly all weekend off and on. The people we met were fabulous and we enjoyed wondering the festival a few blocks away and visiting with new and old friends in between. The affair was only one county over from home yet the difference in the people here was marked. Gone where the snotty reserved, judgmental cliquey, and status orientated people of home and instead there were open, friendly, fun loving people who didn't care about our my pedigree and community social status. This breath of fresh air has been one of my happy times here and I hope that they will have us back again soon.

Out west...

      It's been a little while since I posted, partly because I was busy, partly because I was out of town and probably mostly because I am a slacker... But really I was out of town on a little trip I have been anticipating for weeks and possibly months!
     We moved to Kentucky from Oklahoma five years, three months and ten days ago- (but who's counting) and I miss it desperately. The reality is that even though I was raised way out west in Wyoming I feel like I "grew up" in OK. I spent the majority of my 20's there, I met the love of my life there, and I found out who I was there. Oklahoma is somewhere I never wanted to go in the first place but ended up loving- it is home to wide open spaces, spectacular storms and Bedlam football! 
It is home to me

Every time I cross the Mississippi River heading back east I cry for missing the smell of the wind, the comfortable atmosphere and the friendly faces I know and love. This feeling of loss may seem strange since I have now lived in KY the same length of time as I lived in OK but it is there none the less.
      But back to my trip... I had an amazing time! I saw old friends, met new ones, ate fabulous local food and even brunched with a girl from my high school in WY. Though I missed my boys at home- I still cried when I left knowing that I would once again be missing the lives of my friends and seeing the growth of their children and them mine. I wouldn't trade my family for anything but most days I sit and wonder if we made the right choice leaving our lives out west behind to move to where the bluegrass grows...

Sundays-

     We live in a great neighborhood- we have amazing friends across the street, down the road, and right next door. Often we will plan to have potluck style suppers in the evenings on Sundays.  Because of this I love the idea of Sundays! From the feeling of peace and grace when you enter a church building to the serenity when you leave a well spoken sermon. The homey smells of Sunday supper cooking and of laughing kids as they play in the yard while everyone gathers to eat. It is one of my favorite days over all.
      However, I absolutely hate Sunday mornings.... I don't understand how each weekday everyone can easily get themselves dressed and groomed in an orderly fashion to leave the house by 7:30am but on Sunday mornings we can't manage to achieve the same feat by 11:00 and forget about making it to Sunday School by 10:00.  The fight and fuss will not begin to allow it! Between Squirt and Squeak battling at the top of their lungs and Bubba hollering because they are doing so in front of the TV there is no peace, serenity or beauty in a Sunday morning. With two televisions blaring so loudly you can't think all I really want to do is put in some earplugs and go back to bed, completely forgetting about the rest of it. Needless to say we will typically slink in to church right as the announcements are being read and as quiet has descended on the congregation making my husband cranky we are late and me flushed with worry and rushing.
    Thankfully by the time we leave services I have typically cooled down and am feeling better only to get to start being frazzled all over again in the flurry of lunch and nap time whining... Why do I love Sundays again?

     Oh right because even through the fuss and muss it is spent with all my little monsters, my husband and friends and it means I get to rest on Monday when I get back to the office.

Where does the time go?

My Flowers :)

Today is the day... 13 years ago today my oldest son was born- yes we have finally reached the dreaded teen years. Not to say that Bubba's emotional tangents, verbal tirades and attitude didn't rival those of any 16 year old hormone filled adolescent during his last few "tween" years- but officially it has now begun.  Even so on certain days I still see that sweet little boy who smiled brightly and handed me my first Mother's Day bouquet of handmade paper flowers in a decorated soup can vase and the beaded necklace to go with it.

The beautiful necklace

      Where does the time go? I look in the mirror and staring back I see the fleeting years of my youth and can't regret the things I have done. They have made me who I am, they have given me what I have and who I have in my life. They have brought me everything. But from smallest to biggest I struggle every day to see the cherubic infant inside my growing children's faces and wonder if looking back they will feel the same way? Will they find regret in their youth? Will they find happiness and wisdom as they grow and mature? My only hope is they live their lives as completely and fully as they can with no regrets, but with a sense of moral strength, faith, love and security. Security in the fact that no matter their struggles life always turns out exactly as it should if you believe in your self and keep your family close. Happy Birthday Bubba- we love you.

My Boy!

Getting Started...

So here we go... 
         With such an amazing amount of stress in my life I read somewhere or heard, probably from some quack on tv or the internet, that a blog- like a journal could be therapeutic and stress relieving so I thought why not lets add one more thing to my list of stuff to try and get done. I have three children, a full time job, school, a husband, and laundry. Lots and lots and lots of laundry! No really - lots of laundry- I am certain my kids wear 63 outfits a piece a day at least and my husband well lets just say that my kids do not get their clothing genes from me...  Their tastes perhaps but not their penchant for dirtying everything in their wardrobe in a day!
     Now technically speaking I am a terrible writer. I don't spell well (thank God for spell check- even in texts and IM's), I punctuate terribly and my word choice isn't always the best. But I have discovered in recent blog perusal that this doesn't seem to matter in the least. However, I would still like to take a moment to apologize for my weaknesses, especially to those of you out there who do these things beautifully. So in the end I may not end up a consistent blogger but then with God's sense of humor and my children and their rambunctious behavior who knows I just might have more to say than I think.