Family Update

Archer is home!!!  He spent the past week at scout camp.  I missed him a lot!  The house just doesn't feel right when one of the kids is missing.  The kids and I kept busy during the week with bowling, movies, grandma's house, and a Rapids game.  We had a really good time, but everything felt slightly off.  Picasso had a sleepover in the girls room, they set up the rollaway bed for him and had movie nights every night.  Of course Archer got home two hours early.  I was at a photo shoot and my sweetheart was with the other kids at Picasso's baseball game.  Instead of heading to the baseball game I went home to get my boy.  One of the first things that needed to be  done was get that boy a shower!  He had a fantastic time at camp, but came home smelling a bit rank.  His younger siblings were so excited that he was home!  That evening I took him out on a mother-son date to see Red 2 and dinner at the Alamo Drafthouse.  We had a great time and both laughed a lot during the movie.  I love that he is old enough to be a movie buddy for me!  All the kids love seeing movies, but Archer is old enough to see more grown-up type movies.  Now that he is home he is back to pet sitting, baby sitting, and working on his rank advancement for scouts.

Princess had been saving up her money all year to buy  an American Girl doll.  Let's just say those suckers are pricey!  Angel has one that she got for Christmas a couple years ago.  Santa almost cried that year.  Not really, but Santa was counting pennies to see if he could pay the elves!  A friend of mine was selling a brand new, still in box, American Girl doll for $70.  Thirty dollars off in store price!  My friend agreed to hold onto the doll for a couple weeks so Princess could get enough money together.  Princess didn't quite have enough money, but another friend hired her as a "mommy's helper" to come play with her kids so she could get some things done at home.  She finally had enough money, so the time had come.  She took her money and purchased her doll.  She named her Comet.  I am Comet's grandma or so I've been told.  I'm way too young to be a grandma.  Every night since when Princess gets hugs and kisses for bed, so does Comet.  Comet came to church with us too.  I am glad that she loves her doll so much.  She worked hard to get her!

Picasso has his last baseball game this week.  It has been a fun, but rough season for him.  He has never played before, but I think he has the makings of being a really good player.  We just need to get past the flinching when a pitch is coming.  He'll get there though.  He's worked really hard to be the best that he can be for his first season.  I hope he gives it another go next season!  I'm not sure if he will.  If he chooses not to, that is okay too.  He is a great kid no matter what.  He can keep drawing and being artistic instead if that is what he chooses to do.  As long as he keeps making me laugh, we are all good. 

Angel has been loving her kindle.  That girl is engrossed in it most days.  I worry that she spends too much time listening to her books and not reading them, but I know she does still read.  Her daddy loves his audiobooks, so that obviously has rubbed off.  We are going to be looking into surgery on her eye.  With her amblyopia she still gets a lot of eye turn when she is tired.  The surgery would tighten that up and help a lot with the eye turn and hopefully make it easier on her so she doesn't have to work quite so hard to keep that eye in place.  She amazes me every day with how hard she works at fighting her disability.  I only hope that someday I can be as strong as she is!

So that's us in a nutshell for now.  We are moving along, a day at a time.  Some days are crazy, some are "boring", some are busy, but they are always full of love.

Grandparents

I have been feeling lately like I need to go see my grandparents.  They are getting very elderly and are not in the greatest of health.  I have not seen them in almost six years and I miss them dearly!  My paternal grandmother will be turning 96 years old next month.  Last time I saw her was for her 90th birthday party.  She is one of those very elegant women who always has struck me as being very proper.  She was a beautician and had a salon in their house.  I have many fond memories of playing beauty shop there with my siblings.  Riding the chair up and down then sitting under the hair dryers.  My grandmother always had gum in her purse.  I remember once when we were having french toast for breakfast at her house my cousin mixed powdered sugar and syrup on his french toast.  My grandma was fairly horrified by the fact that he had done that.  Turns out it is a tasty mixture!  Grandma wasn't too sure about that though.  She has been ailing the past few years and has dementia.  I love seeing the pictures my cousin and aunt post of her on Facebook. 

My maternal grandparents still live in the same home I always remember them living in.  My grandfather is in his early 90's and my grandmother will be turning 90 soon.  Grandma cannot see so well anymore and grandpa has heart issues.  They are hanging in there and taking care of each other.  I last saw them on the way to my paternal grandma's 90th birthday party.  I get regular updates from my mom, so still feel somewhat in the loop.  It is not the same as being able to see them though.  My grandpa smoked a pipe for most of his life.  Many of my memories of him growing up revolved around him and his pipe.  He also loved to play gold.  I have a picture of him with Angel from when she was 2 1/2 sitting in his recliner.  He had his hand on the lever and would lay the chair back and then sit back up.  They were both smiling and laughing, just having a great time!  My grandma sat there and asked him if he was okay since he normally does not do things like that.  My grandma is a fairly tall woman and always liked to show off how high she could kick.  She loved to go to garage sales.  I still have a Christmas candle set that she bought me at a garage sale. 

I am planning on buying a plane ticket and setting up a car rental tomorrow so I can go out to see them all!  I will be going out the weekend before my paternal grandmother's 96th birthday.  I will spend two days with my dad's side of the family; my grandmother, my aunt, and my cousins.  My dad, step-mom, and I think their kids will be there also.  I am so excited to see them all!  I will then go spend a day with my maternal grandparents before I have to fly home.  I am very grateful to my sweet husband that is willing to make this trip happen for me moneywise.  I am also grateful to my mom for agreeing not only to take me to the airport, but to watch my kids for a couple hours. 

I cannot wait to get to see my grandparents!  They have made such an impact on my life and I love them so much. 

Bumps in the Road

Why do we fight with those we love over the most stupid and inane things?  Things that do not matter in any way shape or form, but they become something big.  My sweet husband and I got in an argument over, wait for it, frozen pizza.  Yep, frozen pizza.  What a dumb thing to fight over!  Things are fine, we made up as we always do.  We were discussing tonight why is it that the few fights we've ever had, seriously like 4 or 5 fights in 14 years, have all been over little things that don't matter.  I find it interesting and a bit infuriating.  It seems like if you are going to have a fight with someone it should be over something that matters.  Overall we have a really fantastic marriage.  We honestly rarely fight.  Yes we have our grrrr moments at each other here and there, but not fights.  We enjoy spending time together, just hanging out, talking, laughing.  I say very sarcastic things to him, he says something silly just to watch me roll my eyes.  We truly are best friends.  I suppose that is why fighting over the random things that don't matter just frustrates me.  However I would rather fight over nothing any day then fight over personal things.  I've been there, done that before.  In the grand scheme of things I will take the arguing over the nothings.  There may be bumps in the road, but as long as you can both forgive and move on it does not matter.  Those bumps in the road keep your eyes on the road, they help you keep your priorities straight.  We'll be celebrating 14 years of marriage next week.  That is the priority, that is the prize.  A few bumps here and there are no big deal at the end of the day.  Being with the one that you love, that matters.

Joys of Reading

I love reading.  I really love it a lot.  I talk to many people who rarely, if ever, read and it boggles my mind.  Reading is something that calms me.  It centers me.  It helps me focus and expands my horizons.  I love the weight of a book, the feel of the cover, the smell of the pages.  Yes, I may be a bit of a freak.  I just really love it.  The fact that I read fast does not hurt.  At times I would like to be a slower reader.  To have more time to savor the story, but alas I am a fast reader. 

My kids all love reading too!  I am grateful that that love is something that I could pass on to them.  Archer's favorite series is the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flannagan.  His favorite author is Eoin Colfer.  Angel's favorite books are the Nancy Drew series.  She started reading them with her Grandma and hasn't stopped.  Picasso loves anything that has to do with tigers or dragons.  He is not overly picky there.  Princess is currently into the Junie B Jones books.  They hurt my head, but I do laugh listening to my husband or Archer reading them out loud with her.  It is hilarious listening to the voices they do. 

I have really enjoyed watching my kids learn to love reading.  I love reading out loud to them.  I love listening to them read to me.  I love listening to them read to each other, especially when they start doing silly voices. 

Books are awesome!

Teenager

The teenage years are upon us.  I am not sure when we got this old!  Seriously, I am not old enough to have a teenager or at least I do not feel old enough.  Time sure does fly when you are having fun!  I keep getting asked, in almost a hushed tone, how is it having a teenager?  Want to know how having a teenager is?  It is awesome!  I love the sense of humor that has developed over the years.  I love that we can talk about whatever is on our minds.  I love being Facebook friends and sitting next to each other having conversations on FB while we both are laughing.  I love that we can have a date night and not worry about the kid being home alone.  Most of all, I just love my kid!  I love all of them, but so far I am loving having a teenager. 

Post Surgery Catch Up

Been a bit since I've blogged.  Having my surgery threw everything for a loop for awhile.  It is all getting back to normal though, so it's time to get back to putting my thoughts out there.  :)

Things went well with my foot surgery.  I'm still in recovery mode, but hoping that in the end the pain will be gone.  It does seem to be getting better, so I am very hopeful!  I can almost walk down stairs like a normal person.  Stairs are still one of the most painful things to navigate.  That and standing for longer than 5-10 minutes in one place.  It no longer hurts just to put shoes on, so I take that as a good sign.  I have to say that I am very grateful for my sweet husband and my kids throughout my recovery.  They have taken such good care of me and each other. 

Christmas went well.  Thanks to one of my bff's and my little sis I was able to get all the presents wrapped.  The kids all loved their presents and had a great time putting together all of their Legos.  We have Middle Earth in Legos at our house!  They have had a blast playing with them and I love it.  My hubby got me Merry Christmas Alex Cross by James Patterson, a sketch book, and a drawing kit.  I haven't broken them out yet, but I am really looking forward to it!  I haven't drawn in a while and I miss it.  My mom gave me two notebooks full of family history stuff.  One of the coolest presents ever!  I am enjoying the chance to go through them and read about my ancestors.

Angel had to do a family history project for school.  The notebooks my mom gave me were a big help!  Angel put a lot of work into her project and got the highest grade possible on it.  She learned a lot about her grandparents when she interviewed them.  We're hoping to frame the family tree she made.  We are wanting to print off pictures of different family members back many generations to hang around the family tree. 
A couple weeks ago our elementary school had a mother/son bowling night and a father/daughter dance.  The boys and I had a fantastic time going bowling.  Technically they bowled and I took pictures while cheering them on.  My foot isn't quite up to bowling yet.  After bowling we went out for pancakes and ice cream.  It was a great night!  The next night was the father/daughter dance.  The girls got all dressed up fancy and had beautiful wrist corsages.  They went out to a mexican restaurant with their dad and their uncle, who was Angel's date for the night.  At the dance they posed on the red carpet, went on a horse drawn carriage ride, ate some tasty chocolate dipped fruit, and danced the night away.  I am so glad that we have a school that provides us with these types of activities.  They are truly memory makers!

We've got the Blue & Gold banquet coming up this week, the Destination Imagination tournament for Picasso and Princess the following week, and the first Rapids home game of the season that night.  We're really excited about these things.  I love being able to support my kids in their endevours and spending time with them.

That's my recap post surgery.  Now it's time to help Picasso make cheese quesadillas for lunch as we are spending the day snowed in while the blizzard is blowing outside.  I truly love my life.  It isn't perfect, or stress free, but it is fantastic.

I Wish

In my Dare to Dream giveaway post I asked what everyone's wish was.  I thought it was only fair that I should share what my wish is.

For my children I wish for them to have a happy and healthy childhood.  I wish for them to grow into happy, productive adults.  Adults who find joy in doing what they love.  Who find that person with whom they want to spend the rest of their lives with and raise children with.

For our family I wish for us to be happy together.  To be able to continue to work through any silly little problems that come up.  For us to continue to laugh together and enjoy our time together.  For us to be able to have financial stability.  For us to be able to make it to Disneyland while the kids are still young.

For my husband and I, I wish for our love to continue to grow.  For him to continue to make me roll my eyes at the silly things he does.  For him to laugh at my sarcastic responses.  For us to grow old together.

I also wish that I will someday be able to visit Aberdeen, Scotland.  To be able to visit Forbes Castle and do some family history research.  I wish for my migraines to go away or at least become treatable.  I wish that my upcoming foot surgery will go well and help my issue, not make it worse.  I wish for more books to read.  For less stress and more smiles and laughter. 

Saying Goodbye

Last Friday I attended a funeral for a beautiful woman, Rebecca Wingo.  She was one of those people who was beautiful not just on the outside, but on the inside.  Her smile would light up a room and she was a self-proclaimed hugger. 

I left early for the funeral so that I could pick up a couple hams that had been donated by the Honey Baked Ham Company.  I found where we were to set up food and met one of the other ladies bringing food coming in.  We got a ham ready to be served and went out to wait for the others bringing food.  While we were waiting I was asked if I would let people know they could have a t-shirt.  Rebecca's favorite color was purple and there were purple t-shirts with a beautiful RW logo and her picture on the back.  So I spent the next hour and a half greeting mourners, handing out t-shirts and memorial cards, and letting them know where to find the food.  I did not know many of those who I greeted, but we all knew Rebecca.  I received many hugs.  I shared tears and smiles.  I was thankful to be able to help out in that small way. 

Once the funeral was ready to begin I slipped inside the doors.  It as standing room only and so I waited in the foyer.  When a member of the Air Force honor guard played taps as others from the honor guard handed folded flags to Rebecca's daughters and her mother it really hit home.  I was going to sit on a sofa in the foyer, but another friend found me and took me back to the room where my MLM friends were.  For those who do not know, MLM was a mom's website which was shut down last year.  While it was up I met many amazing women who I call friends, those friends included Rebecca. We had the funeral piped into the room we were in, but mainly spent our time remembering Rebecca in our own way.  We shared memories of her, we smiled and we laughed.  We felt that was how she would have wanted to remember her.  At the end of the funeral purple and silver balloons were released and swirled off into the distance.  We fed many more people, received many more hugs, we said good-bye one last time to Rebecca.  At the end of the night we packed up all the leftover food which had been donated and it was taken to feed Rebecca's family for the next few nights. 

At the end of the night I was one of the last few people to leave the funeral home.  I was exhausted, both physically and mentally.  However, I was also comforted and uplifted.  I am glad that I went to pay my last respects to Rebecca.  I am glad that I was able to help in my small way.  I am glad that I was able to know Rebecca.

Her Smile
Though her smile is gone forever,

And her hand I cannot touch,

I still have so many memories,

Of the one I loved so much.
Her memory is my keepsake,

with which I'll never part.

God has her in his keeping,

I have her in my heart.
Sadly missed,

but never forgotten.

For those who may want to help out Rebecca's daughters, their father has asked for all donations to go to the girls 529 fund that he and Rebecca set up before her death. 

‎529 Fund for the Wingo Girls - checks must be made payable to Nebraska Educational Savings Trust. In the memo line, include the account number

Nebraska Educational Savings Trust
NEST Advisor College Savings Plan

P.O. Box 30277
Omaha, NE 68103-1377

Account Number: 748788940-01 only checks please or Paypal acct 529 for Wingo Girls.

Don't Forget to Say "I Love You"

It has been a strange few days.  Archer was gone to scout camp this week, my sweetheart is in Mexico City, and so it was just the three youngest and I for most of the week.  We did fine alone, but it just has not felt right in the house all week.  Thankfully my best friend helped to keep us busy so we were not sitting home feeling lonely.  We took the kids to see Spy Kids 4 (part of a summer movie series), took the kids swimming, and took them to see the new Spiderman movie. 

The night before we went to see the Spiderman movie, technically the early morning, there was a shooting at a movie theater nearby.  Twelve people died and 58 (I believe) were injured.  It gave us a moment of pause before we headed to the theater.  In the end we decided that we could not let fear rule us.  Plus I did not want to explain the shooting to my kids, they did not and do not need to know about it right now.  There is enough time for them to be confronted by the evil things in the world as they get older.  Instead I will let them live in their peaceful childhood for as long as possible.  Unfortunately many children no longer have that peace.  Two of those children belong to an acquaintance of mine who lost her life in the shooting.  Thankfully those girls are surrounded by people who love them, but they lost their mother due to an evil man.  My heart goes out to all those effected by this shooting.

I really am looking forward to my sweetheart returning home tomorrow and being able to curl up in his arms.  Maybe I'll let myself have a good cry.  If I'm honest I won't let myself, it will just happen as I tend to blubber like a baby on a regular basis since my last miscarriage.  I would rather do it with my husband there to comfort me though.  Tonight I have all my children home, safe in bed.  I hope they know how much I love them, I try to show them all the time how much I love them.  Do not forget to hold those you love close.  Let them know how much you love them.  Do not let the little petty things get in the way.  You never know what will happen in life, so live it fully and with much love, happiness, and joy.

Mother's Day

I know it is a couple days past Mother's Day, but I was busy with being a mom on that day.  :)  Today I want to talk about MY mom. 

My mom is hands down the most amazing woman I know.  She is everything I want to be and more.  I do aspire to be like her, though I feel that I am lacking in so many ways.  Good thing there is still time for growth! 

My mom has been there for me since before I as born.  She carried me for 9 months while I made her horribly ill.  From the moment I took my first breath she has been there to hold me, to love me, to care for me.  I know that no matter what is happening in my life that my mom will always be there for me.

My mom taught me to love.  Love is described not only as an emotion strong personal attachment and affection, but as a virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection.  That is what my mom taught me.  Not just that she has affection for me and wants me around, but to show kindness, compassion, and affection to all those around us.  I had it pointed out to me recently that I am odd in that I don't look at the color of a persons skin, at what habits they have, how they dress, or how they speak in deciding whether to be their friend.  I look at who they are on the inside first and the rest second.  I never realized that that wasn't how it was done as a rule.  It is how it should be done, but too often is not.  My mom showed kindness and compassion to all, not just those that looked like her, that talked like her, that had her same standards.  What mattered is that they were a person and as such deserved to be loved.  She went out of her way to care for others.

My mom taught me how important I am as a person.  She did this not only through love, but by always being there for me.  She attended my school programs, my parent teacher conferences, she helped me with my homework, she attended all my sports games, my marching band competitions, my colorguard competitions.  It is possible that she did miss a few of my competitions, but that is not what I remember.  What I do remember is that my mom was always there to support me, to cheer me on, to lift me up when needed.  She did not do it because she had to, but because it was important to her.  I was important to her.

My mom taught me to pray.  To have a close relationship with my Heavenly Father.  She taught me this through example.  My mom would, and still does, turn to the Lord for everything.  She has taught me to do the same.  The comfort that comes from this relationship is invaluable.  It is priceless. 

My mom taught me to love music and art.  I joke with people that my family is like the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music.  We all sing, at least a little, we all play a couple instruments, and in addition we all enjoy drawing.  Music and art run in our family, but it was greatly encouraged in the home. 

My mom taught me to cook.  I may not be a world class chef, but I can definitely cook.  I still enjoying cooking and baking with my mom.  Her lasagna is my favorite thing ever!

My mom taught me to love animals, to love reading, to love nature, to love family history work, to love my family.  My mom taught me many more things, so many that I would be writing for days to express them.  At the end of the day I am who I am because of the things my parents taught me, the things my mom taught me.  What little girl doesn't want to grow up to be like her mother?  I still want to grow up to be like my mother.  She is by no means perfect, but she is amazing.  She is MY mom.

These words describe my mom perfectly......

   I love you mom!

Funny Things

My kids say the funniest things; all the time.  They make me laugh, smile, and roll my eyes at the absurdity of it on a regular basis.  I absolutely adore my kids and I love their sense of humor!

After church today I took a nap, I was just exhausted.  I woke up to Princess grinning at me.  She climbed under the covers and just started giggling.  She started to tell me what they had been doing while I was sleeping.  I missed part of what she said, as she was talking so fast, but what I caught was "I don't want to go to a PARTY, I want to go POTTY".  What the heck?  Turns out during their playing she told the boys she needed to go potty and they thought she had said party.  They do sound similar.  What a way to wake up! 

A couple weeks ago Angel told me that when I hiccuped it sounded like a sick hyena.  Ummmm....okay.  I wasn't sure if I should be offended or not!  Where do they come up with this stuff?

Yesterday Archer and Picasso were cleaning their bedroom.  I stuck my head in and gave them some directions.  When I was leaving their room I told them "I love you", in a slightly silly voice.  Archer and Picasso both holler "I love you!" back.  Archer says "I love you MOST", to which Picasso replies "I love you LEAST".  Thanks kiddo, I love you too.  I really, really love them.

Choose Your Love, Love Your Choice

"The worst day here is better than the best day there."  I'm paraphrasing here, Paul Jr (from American Chopper) said that on his show.  I could really identify with that statement.  When I was married to my ex things weren't happy. Things were pretty darn miserable.  They started out fantastic, fabulous even. Then it went down hill really quickly.  Even on the good days I was waiting for the bad, knowing it was lurking around the corner. So it really is true that the worst days here are better than the best days there.  I have to say that I am so lucky to have my husband in my life!  He is the most amazing man and I am so grateful for him every day.  Even on our worst days, which are few and far between, it's not that bad.  Like any couple, we have our differences.  That's to be expected in any relationship, whether it be a friendship or more.  Those differences don't have to be a major issue within the relationship.  I have found that our marriage is a partnership.  Even when we disagree, our love for each other overshadows whatever it is that is irking us.  That's how it should be.  It's okay to disagree, to get a bit ticked off at each other.  It's more important though to remember how much you love and care for the other person while you are having that disagreement.  At the end of the day, those little things don't matter.  I know that is easy to say and often it isn't that easy.  I will be forever grateful for my sweet husband.  For his love.  For his patience.  For his friendship.  He's amazing.  I did choose him as my love and I do love my choice.