Family

The child I hope I raise….

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I’ve always been told that the responsibility of being a parent is the greatest responsibility you will ever be given… or at least it should be. I didn’t know how true that was until I had my own child. I love this kid more than life itself and sometimes I find myself looking at him and wondering if I’m getting it right… or at least in the ballpark. One thing I’ve learned is that I’m not perfect. I’m far from it. Perfection is an unattainable myth… one that guilts us, haunts us, and makes us question ourselves on a daily basis.

I know the kind of kiddo I want to raise.. I want him to be his own person, to find his own way, and decide who he wants to be.. but it’s also my responsibility as his Mom to light the path.

I want him to know God, and to know that all prayers are heard. Each and every one. If they don’t get answered, it wasn’t meant to be. Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.. this is so true. I want him to also be thankful.. prayers aren’t just for requests.

I want him to always be true to himself…. never caving to the peer pressure or going along with what’s popular just to feel accepted.

I hope his heart is always as kind and loving as it is right now. He is the most giving and loving kid I know. In a lot of ways, he’s wise beyond his years. He’s experienced a lot of loss in his short time on this earth, unfortunately. He lost his Grandma, which he was extremely close to and his Pa, all within a four month period.

I hope he always knows the importance of a sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine. It’s always been said that mine is a little warped, and I own that. I come by that naturally, as does he…. and that makes me smile.

I want him to always know that not everyone is as fortunate as he is. There are people who have struggles that we could never even fathom.. where to lay their head at night.. where their next meal will come from.. Never treat anyone like they are beneath you, or ‘less than’. We are all equal in the eyes of God. Period.

I also want him to realize that no one owes you a thing. Anything worth having is worth working for, but that doesn’t mean that you will always get what you want. Disappointment is a part of life and life is sometimes unfair… it just is. It’s how you handle those disappointments and rebound from setbacks that define your character.

Lives matter.. all lives. Not just human. I do believe he already has this ingrained in him.. I can only take credit for a small portion of that. I believe for the most part, he was just made that way. For that, I am thankful. We definitely make a good team. We are excellent turtle spotters.. if there is one in the road, we move it to the other side. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. We can’t save them all.. but we save the ones we can.

I am teaching him to accept people for who they are.. regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, the way they dress, what they look like, etc. We are all the same in spite of our differences. Different doesn’t mean wrong. I wish more people would adopt this way thinking.

I want him to know that he will always encounter people who have different opinions and viewpoints. You can respectfully disagree. It is never okay to belittle or resort to insults to make a point, because the moment you do.. you have already lost the argument.

I am also trying to teach him the old adage of ‘do no harm, but take no crap’. I want him to stand up for himself and what he believes, as well as standing up for those who can’t do so for themselves.

There are a lot of things I hope to teach him as he grows up.. but there are a lot of things he’s already taught me. I do believe that leading by example is the best teacher of all and kids keep you honest. They really do. If you mess up, they notice… and if they’re anything like mine, they will call you on it. I never knew how much having a child would make me want to be a better person and work on my short comings. I know I will still mess up.. there are things I will get more wrong than right. The point is, to keep striving for ‘better’… not perfect. Just better… because he is watching and taking notes. I thank God each and every day for the gift of getting to be his Mom. ♥

Snow!

Family • Photography

The only good thing about snow is watching the kiddos play in it. My son and nephew had a blast. Tomorrow is March 1st so this better be the last of this white stuff we see for a long time!

snow day 1

snow 2

snow day 3

snow day 4

snow day 5

snow day 6

This is our grumpy old man, Bandit…. he’s 15 years old and although he doesn’t run and play like he used to, he loves this weather. If a dog could make snow angels, he would be making them. He’s still the prettiest dog I’ve ever seen.

Bandit 1

Bandit 2

Kiss that annoying nighttime cough GOODBYE!

Family • Reviews

MIRACLE IN A JAR!

We’ve all experienced it.. you’ve got a cold, bronchitis, etc.. you may start feeling better, but that nagging dry cough, tickle in your throat keeps you from sleeping at night… not to mention your significant other may be secretly plotting your death from the other side of the bed due to your constant hacking… Well, I have read about this trick several times online over the past year or so, and thought, “No way.. it can’t possibly be that simple.” Well, let me tell you IT WORKS!!!

The trick:

Rub Vicks Vapor Rub on the soles of your feet and then cover with a pair of socks before getting into bed at night.

I was desperate last night.. I grabbed an old bottle of Vicks that I’ve had since Lane was a baby.. didn’t even know if it was expired or not, but it’s all I had. Much to my amazement… I did not cough one single time after slapping this stuff on my feet. Not sure why it works, but it does.

The next time you or your kiddos are coughing at night, try it.. you’ll be a happy camper and so will they.

It’s that simple.. all the years I’ve suffered.. all the sleepless nights.. who knew?

I’ve Got A Beef…

Family

Ok, just warning you now.. I’m getting ready to go on a rant. A year ago this past September, my Mom was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast cancer. (I know the ‘c’ should be capitalized, but I refuse to show cancer that respect) After a lumpectomy, several rounds of chemo, and radiation she is now cancer free. Thank God! The diagnosis alone is terrifying. Then, you set out to learn as much as possible about this horrible disease. Time and again, when you search ‘Triple Negative’, you will see it described at the ‘DEADLIEST FORM OF BREAST CANCER‘. I used all caps because that’s exactly how it jumps out at you from the page. Ok, we know any form of cancer is potentially deadly. Duh. Yes, Triple Negative is a faster growing type, that leaves the doctors with fewer treatment options.. mainly chemo and radiation.. but it is VERY responsive to both of those things. Granted, it’s a rarer form, and has a higher rate of recurrence, but that is hardly a death sentence. Don’t get me wrong.. I am absolutely not one of those people who wants all bad news coated in a nice layer of sugar.. but really? I wish the people who write these articles would stop and consider the woman who has just been given this diagnosis.. each and every case is different and the last thing you want to see when you set out to learn about this horrible diagnosis is ‘deadliest’.

Where I’m From…

Family • Random Ramblings

A friend of mine… my sista from anotha mista, if you will, did a blog post that I absolutely loved.. so I thought I would give it a shot. You can see her blog HERE.

I’m from the smell of fried chicken at Grandmother’s on a Sunday afternoon.

I’m from Shawnee Wolves Football on a Friday night.

I’m from peddling until your legs were sore, while riding bikes on washboard roads.

I’m from folded notes passed in hallways.

I’m from the sweet smell of fresh picked honeysuckle at Summertime.

I’m from friends you’ve had since birth because your parents have been friends just as long.

I’m from small towns with big dreams.

I’m from lightning bugs in mason jars because they make the best night lights.

I’m from late nights with best friends, and giggling while talking about boys.

I’m from cousins playing football in the yard after a great meal at Christmas.

I’m from 1 cent bubble gum at Ben Frankin’s.

I’m from graduating high school, thinking about how great it is.. only to realize you have no idea how good you had it.

I’m from cool breezes and driving down dirt roads.

I’m from Grandma’s amazing biscuits and gravy….. and her Coke Ham on Thanksgiving.

I’m from Bob’s Roll-A-Way Rink, skates with hot pink wheels, and band aids on blistered toes.

I’m from thinking you’re cool jamming to New Kids on the Block at Eufaula Lake, while working on a tan.

I’m from tractors on the ‘main’ roads.

I’m from “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”.

Maui Waui

Family • Photography

In January we left the cold behind and headed for Maui. I have to say it was the most beautiful place I’ve every seen, and I can’t wait to go back someday. Although, first class is the only way to go.. 8 hours is entirely too long to spend in a cramped seat, but it was totally worth it.

This is one my favorite photos I took while we were there.. it looks like a postcard. It’s impossible to take a ‘bad’ photo in Maui.

He was carving Lane’s name in a wooden turtle.

You can’t go to Maui and not do the Road to Hana. As crazy as it sounds, I really feared for our lives at a few different times, but I’m glad we went. The views are absolutely gorgeous.

These Macaws were gorgeous!

My Little Boy Is Growing Up…

Family

Pass the tissues… my little boy is almost GROWN. Ok, well not really… but it sure seems that way. I can honestly say that I did not cry on his first day of Pre-K. He was so excited to be starting school and making friends, that I couldn’t be anything but happy for him. It didn’t hurt that it was only for a few hours a day and kept telling myself that “it wasn’t ‘real‘ school”…. so I’m really NOT turning loose of my boy just yet. Today was a different story completely! I blubbered like a baby watching the video of all the kiddos throughout the year with the sappy songs playing, like ‘let them be little’ and ‘thank God for kids’… yep, blubbering FOOL!

This year has literally flown by.. and it really has me thinking that tomorrow I will be attending his high school graduation. That causes the tears to flow and my chest to tighten… Hold on, I feel a panic attack coming on………………………………………

Ok, I’m back. I’ll be the first to admit that I never saw this coming. I was so proud of myself and the way I handled him going to ‘not real‘ school…. but here’s the problem… Next year he will be gone ALL DAY long. What will I do?

As a Mother, I worry about everything under the sun. What if he needs help going to the bathroom? What if he doesn’t remember to wash his hands? What if he gets a tummy ache and they can’t get a hold of me? What if he is being bullied by some big ole’ meanie? What if…? You see where I’m going with this. I’m sure it is the same stuff that Mothers have worried about for generations. I guess this is the beginning of learning to let go and trusting that what you have taught them so far will be put to use.

I am so thankful for Lane’s Pre-K teacher. She really is a wonderful example of everything a teacher should be. Lane absolutely loves her, as do I. It takes a special person to do what she does, and she does it with such enthusiasm… you can tell that she really cares about each and every child that she teaches. Lane has learned so much this year, and has grown beyond my imagination. She really is responsible for him loving school as much as he does.

So here’s to the ending of one adventure… and the beginning of another.. and as they sang today “Kindergarten here we come, we know we’ll have lots of fun!”