Lessons Learned....

It never fails to suprise me when my son comes home with a "new" word a friend at school has used.  I'm amazed that children his age even know some of the things he's come home with.  What are their parents teaching them?  I am forever grateful that he comes to me to find out what they mean.  I am honest with him, even though I may find it uncomfortable.

My oldest asked me last night about a word his friend said yesterday....one of the words I hate the most.  I was completely shocked when he said it and he realized it wasn't good and started crying.  I told him what it meant and that he was to never ever say it.  I told him I wasn't mad at him as he didn't know what it meant, and that I was glad he came to me to find out what it did mean.  He's so sensitive and I could see I made an impression on him.  He kept telling me he was sorry and that he just wanted to know what it meant.  After being assured he was not in trouble he finally stopped crying and went back to his usual silly self.

I see teenagers around here pregnant, dropping out of school, and getting involved in lots of bad things, and I made a promise to myself and my sons that I was going to be the type of parent that they feel they can come to with anything.  I would much rather be informed and be able to talk about things than find out later.  It may seem like wishful thinking on my part but I think when you start young and they know that you are there for them whatever the issue then the teen years may not be so bad.

Today I gave him a little something extra, just for him.  I got him up at 3:45 this morning and he and I sat outside curled up in a lawn chair and watched the meteor shower.  It was cold, peaceful, and lots of fun.  Seeing his excitement over being able to see one, and it just being him and I.  Little things like that can make a difference, and make him feel special, spending time doing something that not all (if any) of his friends got to do.  I hope I can continue to do right by him and let him know just how much I love who he is becoming.

Library Fun

Wy had his first trip to the library today.  For someone who loves books like I do I'm not sure why he's almost four and just now going...says something about me I'm sure.  He was very excited as  he loves to read just about anything, and after begging me over and over while I was out taking pictures we finally made it.

What book would he pick?  There of course are so many to choose from, how will he decide?

He didn't.....

  They had a Thomas train set....nuff said.  

Sisters

"There's a special kind of freedom sisters enjoy. Freedom to share innermost thoughts, to ask a favor, to show their true feelings. The freedom to simply be themselves." "Chance made us Sisters, hearts made us friends"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister. I love you my sister

Wednesday Morning.

It's been a couple days or so since I posted. My family was here this weekend for the holiday and let me tell you, I had the most fun I've had in a long time. My boys got to go camping for the first time, which they loved. We went to the lake to do some Sea-dooing then off to the river to float and wade with the boys while DH went fishing. Fireworks, family, fabulous food all add up to a wonderful time. This morning I noticed a few additions to the flower garden. Some lovely bees and bugs on the blooms. My Tenor Phlox finally decided to grow, last year it decided not to, and Molly was enjoying a cool morning nap after a full belly from breakfast. I figured I'd share. Enjoy.

I have no clue what this is

it was growing along the side of the road

My tempermental phlox

planted last year forgot what it is Molly

Brothers

I love it when they're like this

all loving to each other

and not fighting

D enjoying the swing

My Boys

My boys watching UFC

I just love this man

W at bathtime My favorite picture all three hands together

I hope that as life continues to throw things at my growing sons they know their dad is there holding them up and giving support through all the rough and wonderful times that can happen as they go from boys to men. If they are half the men their father is they're doing pretty damn good.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

Tuesday was D's last game of the season so I went with and took pics to share for those who couldn't be there. I will be honest and say that he isn't the best player and he's not the worst player, he gives it his all and he has a good time. As far as I am concerned that's the way it should be...

Hanging in the dugout before game

check him out in all his catcher gear

He's up at bat! My little lefty! Contact!

He makes it to first!

Waiting on the next batter....

and he's off!!!

Safe!!! Safe at second!

Okay, I wonder if he's paying attention....

Yes!

Run Forest Run!!!

And he rounds third heading for home....

And he's........out. Oh well.

I enjoyed the season for the most part. The team finished in third place and I think D learned a little more this season. My favorite picture though is this one of D at the plate and DH behind him. A metaphor for life. Go forward and do your best. I'll be here behind you cheering you on and letting you grow and when life sometimes get's too hard and the ball is too fast to catch I'll be there to toss it back to you so you can try again.

Next Thing You Know...It'll Be Prom...

D decided to wear a suit to the funeral...it was supposed to be casual...but knowing my son as I do it was easier to let him wear the suit. It just about killed me to see him all dressed up, he looked so grown up. He turns 9 next week and for the life of me I don't know where the time has gone. He seems more like a little man every day rather than the little boy I want him to stay.

Of course W went casual

(thanks Connie!)

Kiss and hug the little ones...it goes by so damn fast!

Rest In Peace Maw-maw Allen

It's been a somber couple of days around here. My DH's grandmother fell on Thursday night breaking her hip. They performed surgery on Friday and she kind of went down hill from there. Sad. She was 97 and independent till the end. She lived alone and only recently had my FIL been spending the night with her. She was still sharp as a tack mentally even though she'd been physically unable to do alot of the things that I know she loved. I used to see her in her yard tending the flowers all through the spring and summer. She was always up for company and had a kiss and a hug for whoever showed up. I may not have known her well and didn't always agree with her, as we were very different, but she will be missed. I went today to do her hair (a first for me) to make her beautiful for the funeral tomorrow. I hope my family will be pleased with how she looks on her journey. Kiss the ones you love and tell them often for you never know what the next day holds....I took this picture of her on Thursday evening.....

We'll be seeing you Olive Allen

1912-2009

Happy Birthday Sista!

I am fortunate that I have an amazing sister. She truly is my best friend and the one I lean on the most. She is always there for me, giving support, advice, a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen to the bitching. She loves my children as her own and considers my husband a brother. As we are only 9 months apart in age we did alot of fighting in our younger years, and the words I would have used to describe her would have been much different than the ones I use today. I'm forever grateful that we have the relationship that we do, and I feel sorry for someone without the sort of bond we have, for it is one of the most important things in my life.

Happy Birthday

you.....

Wonderful

Understanding

Funny

Giving

Loving

Amazing

Beautiful

Sister

I love you

"There's a special kind of freedom sisters enjoy. Freedom to share innermost thoughts, to ask a favor, to show their true feelings. The freedom to simply be themselves."

"Sisters are different. They heard the sobbing in the darkness. They lived through all your triumphs, all your favorites, all your loves and losses. They have no delusions. They lived with you too long. And so, when you achieve some victory, friends are delighted - but sisters hold your hands in silence and shine with happiness. For they know the cost."

"One's sister is a part of one's essential self, an eternal presence of one's heart and soul and memory."

"How do people make it through life without a sister?"

"Every sister has a fund of embarrassing stories she can bring out at the most effective moment."

"A loyal sister is worth a thousand friends."

"Of two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer."

My Sister

She knows the things I dream of, the places that I've been,

she accepts the person I've become, she's a very special friend.

She's always been there for me no matter where I roam,

and whenever we're together, it's just like being home.

"I smile because your my sister...

I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it!"

Martha Stewart We Are Not....

I'm not sure W could have gotten any more stickers on that egg.....fun was had by all though.

Meet My DH

As most of you know I met my DH on a blind date set up by.....my MOM! Who would have thought that she would get it so right. We've been together 13 years and I just love this man, more and more each day. He has made me a better person, granted not the best I could be cause there is just some crap I have to work out myself. In the beginning he forced me to talk about what was bothering me, confident in our ability to talk about it and come to some compromise. After years of worrying about what others thought of me and wondering if I would say something that would make them not like me he forced me to realize that it just didn't matter. I should stand up for myself when I'm upset and just let the chips fall where they may. I'm sure to some degree he regrets giving me that ability, as it sometimes comes up and bites him in the ass. I'm decidedly more vocal about things now. He has proven himself to be a wonderful dad, both caring and loving, with strictness (is that even a word?) thrown in. He expects alot of his boys, but gives just as much. I love to see him playing with them, finding joy in their imagination and the hugs and kisses at night, with the "I love you" that all boys should hear from their dad. Like me he could use more patience with some things, but the good far outway the bad . After all he did let me get D a cat when he REALLY didn't want one. As the picture shows, she rides on his shoulder every day, it's her favorite place to be.... As a husband he is patient (most times), caring, willing to compromise, talk, and admit when he is wrong (usually after some insightful pondering). He sees the good in me that sometimes I can't see in myself, and he works incredibly hard to provide for our family. He will never know how much I appreciate all that he does, and how thankful I am that he chose me as his wife. Now as most husband do , he has a few "endearing qualities" (those things they do that you can't change, you just have to accept). For me they aren't a problem. For others....eh it's up to personal interpretation. He gets alot of flack for not being afraid to speak his mind, whether it's something you want to hear or not. Others may find fault with his work ethic because they don't possess the same, and fear he will shine a not so bright light on them, getting them in trouble with the boss. I think the world would be a better place with more men like him. So Honey as you read this (as I'm sure you will) just know that I love you from the deepest parts of my soul and though I may not say it every day I appreciate all that you do and all that you are. I love you....

D And Molly

"A really companionable and indispensable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding for it, and you can't buy it with money. It just happens along." - E B White,

Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother (or father) willing to let him have one.

I am joy in a wooly coat, come to dance into your life, to make you laugh! Everyone needs a dog to adore him, and a cat to bring him back to reality. Unfortunately that doesn't work as the cat adores him too.

My Little Surprise

A Boy And His Puddle..

I'm No Longer Virgin!

I had my hair colored today for the first time in 7 years! I bet you thought it was something else didn't you? I also got a new haircut! Big steps for me. I have a very sensitive scalp so I can't use on scalp color so we used a new product that bleaches and tones at the same time. Color: butterscotch...I like it. Suprisingly it wasn't so tramatic to cut it. I tend to think that my hair is my one redeeming quality, since the rest of me doesn't look so good, overweight and all ya know. It was time to let it go and feel fun and flirty seeing as I will be 40 soon. What ya think?

just in case you were wondering....

yes I did take these photos myself

except for the one above....

oh...and this one...

I haven't lost my sense of humor

in case you were wondering.

Molly

Miss Molly went for her surgery today. She's still a little nervous in the car but settled down fairly quickly. I was glad to see her positive reaction when she saw some other dogs at the office, as we weren't sure how she was with other animals. She of course was happy to see us when we picked her up, and after a small fit over the bill (they tried to charge me for a rabies vaccine she already had) we were on our way home. She was trying to get into my lap on the drive but I managed to get her to lie down. I know she's in pain and some slack in the car rules was allowed. As you can see she's sporting some clothing. It's to keep her incision dry and to keep her from pulling at the stitches. As she's an outside dog it's the best I can do. Hopefully she'll stay true to her nature and not go far from the house. I really don't want to have to take her back because she's pulled stitches out. I've seen it happen and it's not pretty. After staring at nothing for about an hour she finally laid down in her doghouse and is currently napping off the drugs in her system.

Spa Sunday

My beautiful sister was here to visit this weekend and as usual it was too short a trip. I look forward to spending time in ATL this summer with the boys and getting to enjoy her company for a week or so. Today was spa day, haircuts were had, eyebrows were waxed and for a select one, hey Dar!, toenails were cut! I must say I was just in love with the haircut I gave Kel, she has just wonderful hair for a short cut. Just the right amount of wave. Makes me want to cut my hair off, but I know it won't look anything like hers. Just not fair....:(