Summer has arrived!

I know, it's been over two months since my last blog entry. Besides being busy, I just couldn't think of anything to write. Looking back, there have been several things to share, but just didn't take the time to write about them.

Summer is finally here. Well, at least it is from a school perspective. Today is the first day the boys are home with our new nanny, Rachel. She is from SW Minnesota and is a junior at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Rachel became engaged over the weekend, so we are very excited for her and her fiance!

The boys are looking forward to being at home this summer. They have plans to go swimming, watch the Twins on TV, play ball, ride their bikes, hang out with their friends, and so much more. They love the freedom that summer brings and so do we.

This weekend we're going on our annual camping trip with friends from our church. According to the weather man, the temps are going to be incredible, so I'm looking forward to spending time catching up with my girlfriends and just enjoying the outdoors. The boys LOVE camping and spending time with their friends as well.

I'll try to do better with updates, but I'm not promising anything. Have a great day everyone!

The Birthday Weekend is Over!

We survived, but all of us are exhausted. We (or at least me) spent our entire weekend either on the go, entertaining, or household "stuff." It was a wonderful weekend, but I'm thankful it's over and that I was able to sleep last night.

Ty truly enjoyed having some of his friends over for a "sleep over." The boys were extremely good (their parents should be very proud) and their laughter filled the house. On Sunday, we had the family party with aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents and even Great Grandma (aka "Gram"). Gram and Ty both love the Minnesota Twins and always talk about the players and the schedule. It was a very nice day.

The day ended with us caring for our neighbor's 4-month-old baby girl. She is a beautiful girl, but struggles with reflux. It's been awhile since I've been responsible to soothe a crying baby, but we managed. She finally fell asleep in my arms and we spent some quality cuddle time together before her parents came home. Most of you know that I LOVE babies! However, I also love the fact that I don't have one of my own. After last night, we were once again reminded that we are past that stage in my life. So, the next time I am asked to care for a baby, I will welcome the opportunity, and also thank God for the place we are at in life as well.

Happy Birthday!

Today is our oldest son's 11th birthday! 11 years old! I can hardly believe it. 11 years ago today, I was overcome with joy and excitement of being blessed with my firstborn son. (The day before was a very different story)! My dream of being a mother had begun and it's been a dream ever since. I always wanted to be the mother of boys and God graciously blessed me with two!

11 years ago I didn't have any idea what I was getting into. I had no idea my world would spin when he was hurt. I didn't know that I would need an endless supply of milk, spaghetti and Oreo's in the kitchen. I had no idea that I could learn to like and even understand basketball and football. Never did I imagine that another person could push my buttons and frustrate me beyond belief. I never knew that I could love someone more than myself or even my husband. I didn't understand unconditional love until I became a mother. It's probably better I didn't know. However, knowing what I know now, I still would have chosen to be a mother.

There were things I hoped for as a mother, too. I always wanted to raise our children to know and love the Lord. I prayed they would be safe, healthy and happy. I hoped for "good boys," ones with manners who demonstrated respect. I wanted to have a trusting relationship with my kids so that if they were sad, confused, hurt or frustrated, they would have someone to turn to. Only with God's grace and a wonderful husband and father have we seen these things happen. They are still so young and have so much yet to experience. But for now, I am thankful for what God has provided.

So with my oldest, I became a mother. It has been the most wonderful, fulfilling and challenging years of my life. I love that boy. I love everything thing about him - even the bad traits he unfortunately inherited from me. He is a true joy to have in my life. I can only hope that the next 11 years of his life are better than his first 11 years. He will be 22 and finishing college. He may even have a special lady in his life. (I've already started praying for her - wherever she may be). Wherever he is in life, I pray he is still loving the Lord and is safe, healthy and happy.

So to my son...
I love you Buddy. Thank you for being a terrific person and son. I love you more than life and I thank God for allowing ME to be your Mom. I am truly blessed.

My little boy...

Just like every morning, today I had the distinct priviledge of waking up our boys for school. As usual, our oldest stumbled through his "good morning" to me, but got out of bed without incident. Our youngest was extremely sleepy and cuddly (which of course is a blessing to any mother). Despite being 8 years old and nearly 65 pounds, he insists on being carried from his bed to the living room couch. I figure it won't be much longer until I physically can't lift him (as with our oldest) and he won't want to be carried.

This morning, I lingered in his room as I held him. He was very sleepy and almost melted into me as his body laid against mine. It was a bit of Heaven on earth as I felt the softness of his hair on my cheek. His arms were draped around my shoulders and neck with his legs barely wrapped around my waist. I could feel him breathe as his chest rested against mine. At that moment, he was completely dependent on me to hold him up and trusted me completely. I fell in love with him all over again.

It's moments like this morning when I thank God for blessing me with two of His children and for trusting me to be their mother. I'm also reminded of God's love for us. I know how much I love my children. I am in awe of how much God must love me. I'm going to try to remember that today.

90 Years Young

This weekend we celebrated my husband's grandmother's 90th birthday! She is a beautiful woman that loves her Lord, family, friends, and life. Grandma was in her element as she visited and reminished with nearly 200 people. As I looked over the sea of gray hair, I realized that everyone in the room knew her from various points in her life. Some were family. Some were neighbors. Some were friends. Some were residents of the assisted living home where she lives. Regardless of why the attended, their lives were touched by her.

At one point, I couldn't resist asking a table of elderly ladies how they knew Grandma. After I explained who I was, they openly shared that at one time or another they were neighbors or went to church with her. Although she isn't my biological grandmother, I couldn't resist the opportunity to get to know more about this part of her life. I was saddened when I realized that as these people pass on, a part of Grandma will go with them. And one day, she too will go to be with her Heavenly Father and join her beloved husband.

Family is very important to me and I value both my current family and my ancestry. I want our children to understand that life as they know it wasn't the case for their great-grandparents. I'm thankful that our boys know two of their great-grandparents, but never really had the chance to know the others. I feel it is our responsibily as parents to ensure that our children understand their heritage and the impact that family can have on one's life.

I'm not able to in words express my true sentiments regarding my interest in family history. However, one of my biggest regrets in life is not learning more about my grandparents before they died. I just didn't have the chance and/or wasn't old enough to appreciate the importance of that information. I still have one grandmother left and I cherish her and the stories she has shared with me.

Things I'll Never Do Again

As I was listening to my favorite radio station this morning, I listened as the announcer described several situations in her life that were life lessons and ones she'll never repeat. It made me think about my own situations. Do you have any to share?

I will never again...
1) back out of the garage with the garage door shut.
2) allow a kitten with diarrhea to use an uncovered litter box.
3) leave the grocery store without my groceries.
4) leave my purse at a restaurant (I've done this more than I care to admit - thank God for honest people).
5) try to do the splits or a cartwheel.
6) congratulate someone on their pregnancy when I'm not 100% sure they are pregnant. (Yes, I did so this and felt miserable, horrible, guilty, etc).
7) put my tongue on frozen metal.
8) light the grill when the propane tank has been open for too long. (I'm okay but my hair wasn't).
9) eat at the Pizza Hut on 26th & Sycamore.
10) use a permanent marker on a dry erase board.
11) YELL at my husband.
12) eat oyster stew.
13) leave food uncovered in the microwave.
14) put bad/old food in the garbage and leave it for the weekend.
15) send a text message to the wrong person!
16) sit down on a toilet without first checking for a dry seat. (You gotta love having boys).
17) use salt instead of sugar.
18) use perfumed lotion on extremely dry skin.
19) go into a bathroom stall without first confirming there is enough toilet paper.
20) pick up broken glass while in a hurry.
21) push down the garbage to make more room without first checking for broken glass or sharp can lids.
22) aimlessly try to find a knife in the draw.
23) walk through a doorway in the dark without putting my hands in front of me first.
24) use the "Slip-n-Slide" without holding onto the top of my swimsuit.
25) do a belly flop in the swimming pool.
26) repeat my 21st birthday (for so many reasons).
27) eat raw hamburger.
28) set up a tent over pine cones and sticks.
29) leave food sitting on a picnic table for insects to attack.
30) go camping without clothes for both warm & cold, wet & dry weather.
31) order food from a drive thru and not have either a debit card or cash.
32) order pizza delivery and not be home when they arrive.
33) play catch with my boys without a glove.
34) miss an opportunity to tell my kids I love them.
35) ignore the renewal date on my driver's license (I didn't get stopped, but was past the date).
36) park in a handicapped parking spot (this is long story, but a good one).
37) wait too long to have a plantar's wart removed.
38) drink milk without first checking the expiration date.
39) drive the wrong way down a one-way street.
40) sit in the front row of a movie theater.
41) ride on a motion ride that goes in circles or promotes "sickness bags".
42) go to an air show without ear plugs.
43) sit in the middle seat in an airplane (unless I'm with my family).
44) not carry tissues in my purse, especially when my kids have a cold.
45) swim in muddy run-off water after a major storm (I was in elementary school).
46) go dancing and shopping with a broken toe.
47) ignore the urge to throw up.
48) ignore my children when they tell me they "might" throw up.
49) not wear socks while wearing bowling shoes.
50) drink pool water or lake water.
51) get into a hot tub or pool with too many bubbles (sign of germs).
52) go into a haunted house.
53) watch a horror or science fiction movie.
54) not clean out the oven after baking a pie that spilled over (my smoke alarms worked).
55) go barefoot on a wooden deck or steps.
56) forget to close the freezer door.
57) not stand up for our children's right for a great educational experience.
58) miss an opportunity to encourage our children to be leaders.
59) call back a telemarketer.
60) criticize a mother for not making her son cut his long, unkept hair. :)
61) wear shoes that don't fit or are uncomfortable.
62) allow a dr. to tell me my sinus infection is viral and not get a prescription.
63) eat spaghetti too fast while wearing light colored clothes.
64) use pot holders that are too thin.
65) not take Dramamine before riding on amusement rides.
66) ride a motorcycle or moped without long pants (the burn marks lasted for years).
67) walk quickly down steppes while wearing heels.
68) try to take off a pair of jeans with a knee injury. I'll let the nurse cut them if it ever happens again.
69) forget to wear my contacts while driving. (I'm getting too old)
70) intentionally scratch a bug bite.
71) lock my keys in my car...in my own garage...and not have a spare key anywhere!!
72) go without sunscreen while on the water.
73) go tubing down the Apple River on the weekend with my children.
74) sit in the back seat of water ride.
75) not send out a Christmas letter or greeting (the guilt is eating me up)!
76) enjoy Mt. Dew as much as I did in college.
77) believe that everything "tastes like chicken."
78) avoid my gut feeling when hiring a new employee.
79) leave my can of pop unattended when insects are around.
80) sit next to a trash container at a parade or concert. (lots of bees and odors).
81) try to jump over a water puddle when wearing a skirt or heels.
82) take a fish off a hook.
83) touch a hot stove.
84) sit too close to a crackling campfire.
85) open the outside door when our cat is nearby.
86) try to think of 100 Things I'll Never Do Again...in just one day.

Zoey

It's probably time to update you on our cat, Zoey. We have all adjusted to the newest member of our family and she has adjusted to us. Zoey is showing signs of routine, including her favorite times, places and people for naps. We are also beginning to recognize the meanings behind her different meows.

Even though she is mellow, independent and extremely laid back, it is also evident that she is feeling very comfortable in her new home - almost too comfortable. It's only been one month, but that cat has taken over our house (or so she thinks). In fact, I've had both of the boys wake me up in the middle of the night and say, "Zoey is keeping me awake!" She has also found her way onto our kitchen counters, which is a HUGE no-no for me. However, she usually makes her way up there when we're gone or sleeping. She doesn't realize, though, that my hearing is impecable when I'm trying to catch her in the act. Last night, I finally caught her and she ran like the wind.

Even though she has her quirks, she is still a kitten at heart and is trying to find her way and learn her boundries. Zoey is fun to be around (unless she's purring like a motor in my ear at 5 AM) and has been a wonderful way for the boys to learn more responsibility. Overall, Zoey has been a great addition to our family.