He is leaving me on Thursday....

Oh were has the time gone? Thease 5 (almost 6) years have gone so fast. I love him so much!

Almost a Kindergartener

So Dawson starts school in less then 13 days! I have been very excited about it, but in the last few days I have been feeling very sad and nervous for him. I know he will ultimately be fine, but all these scenarios keep running through my head. What if he drops his lunch tray?? What if he gets lost?? What if someone picks on him?? I know that I am more worried about thease things then he is. He is VERY independent and I know that he is more then ready for this. But I can't help but think about how he has stay home with me for all of thease 5 years of his life. It's going to be a BIG change. Time has gone so fast. The next thing I know he will be brining home a girl for me to meet. Wow.

Brothers at the Beach

2 Years Ago

Brody never really was a baby. He was born big, and grew fast. He was in a size 5 diaper by the time he was 6 months old! I've had the poor kid wearing a size 6 shoe, went to Payless yesterday, and ended up buying a size 9!! I'm pretty sure he is ready to start potty training, but here is the problem, the plastic training pants don't come any bigger then 35 pounds. He's almost 40!! I can complain though, he may be big for his age, but he is also very smart for his age. Know, I know what your thinking, I'm his mom, and all moms think that. Maybe he's not that smart. But here is what amazes me....he just turned 2 on Saturday and he knows ALL the letters of the alphabet. If you draw them, he will tell you what they are. If he sees a word (like on an exit sign or a poster on the wall,) he will read the letters. He also knows square, circle, star and triangle. And he knows blue, green and yellow. To me, that is AMAZING!!!

We had his birthday party on Saturday. He got LOTS of balls. He really loves balls. And Diego!!

(Go Diego Go) It was a pretty fun time!! He's growing so fast!!

Rude People: Revised

There is nothing that gets my blood boiling more then rude people!!
As a mom, I have made my number one goal to be teaching my children to be polite, use manners, think of others. To me, there is nothing more important.
It really bugs the hell out of me when my kids and I go to a parade more then an hour early, sit down and wait, and then two minutes before it starts a whole swarm of people push in front as if we were never there.
It really bugs the hell out of me when I've got a car full of kids and I'm driving down the road at the speed limit and some jerk pulls out right in front of me like I'm invisible and I have to slam on my breaks.
It really bugs the hell out of me when I'm waiting to take a photo of my son's graduation and I'm standing polietly in the back with all the other parents and that one rude mother walks up clear in front of everyone like no one is behind her. Guess she just wants the back of her head to be in everyones photos.
It really bugs the hell out of me when my kid is playing on a toy at the arcade and some other bigger kids come up and take it away and his parent watches like that is perfectly okay.
It really bugs the hell out of me when I'm selling something for 50 bucks at garage sale and some lying bastard says he only has 25 dollars, I say okay, then he hands me 30 bucks and waits for change.
I beg anyone who is reading this, please, please, please stress the importance of common curtiosy to all the children in your life. Maybe we can rid the world of rudeness one child at a time.

In Addition: It also bugs the hell out of me when a person, who doesn't even know me, makes an assumption of me, or of others for that matter. If EVERYONE goes through thease challenges, then why doesn't EVERYONE teach their children to be better people, why don't they become a better person themself? My son is almost 6 years old and he knows all about "bad words" and rude people. And NOT because I use bad words around him, but because I teach him not to be a rude person. I thank the Lord that he is a good person and I hope that will never change no matter how many people disgust him. I believe that there are a lot of good people in the world, infact, I believe that the world has much more good in it then bad. I also consider myself and optimist. I don't have too many pet peeves in life....just one big one. I am not a perfect person, but I DO know how to teach my children to be respectful of others. I believe that I do live in a good world, it's just a world that consist of a few jerks that will most likely always be that way.

I feel so Loved

What a great mothers day. I got cards, flowers and a couple new DVD's. I feel so lucky to have such a great husband and such wonderful boys. I'd say life is pretty good. Kinda makes me want to add another addition to the family.....the more the merrier......maybe sometime soon! :-)

Joys of Being a Teacher: Now and Then

About 10 or so years ago, I used to be a summer camp teacher out at Heights of Learning. I did this for about 3 or 4 years while going to college and I really loved it! I bonded with all the kids there, kinda considered them my own (at least most of them.) As part of the program we put on Shows. The kids made the sets and designed their costumes and then were the actors. It was so much fun!!! When I left I felt so sad, like I was leaving part of myself behind. I also wondered what happened to those kids and I sure missed them.

Thanks to facebook, a couple years ago, I found quite a few of them again!! It's been so neat to see how they have grown and changed. Kind of makes me feel like a proud mom! I recently discovered that a couple boys in my class, Matthew and Micahel, have created a pretty successful alternative rock band. Last night, Doug and I went to watch them. It was so good to see those boys again...can you believe they are 18 and 20 years old now!!! Wow!! Time goes so fast!!! But I was so happy to get a hug out of both of them and it feels good to know that they are doing good in life.

Matthew and Michael at 8 and 10:



Matt and Mike Today....
Matt is the Lead singer clear to the left and Mike is the bass player clear to the right.
ONE LIFE LATER
Check out their website: http://www.myspace.com/onelifelater

It's Tulip Time

Thank You

Its unbelievable how many Easter (and Halloween) baskets my kids have. I want to thank everyone who did NOT get them one this year. I'm putting a bunch of them in a garage sale we are having. (May 7th, 8th, 9th.) I also want to thank those who did NOT get them candy. Lord knows they get enough of that every time there is a holiday. The best thing about it is, they really don't care what they get. They are happy to have anything. Dawson's just happy that the Easter bunny comes. The first thing he did when he woke up was announce to everyone "The Easter Bunny was here!" I love it!

My Sister Gives Up (Kinda)

So she says she is single....again. And she is also done.

Guess it's kinda funny....when we were young, she was the one with all the guys and I could never find anyone decent. Now I am (semi) happily married and she is feeling down and out. Life is funny that way isn't it. It's just hard for me to keep my emotions out of her life. I know she has to find herself first and I think she is on her way to doing that. I just care so much for her and I want the best for her.

So anyone who is reading this that knows her...send her some happy thoughts. And if you know a good man who is in the same boat....ready to settle down but can't find a decent woman...please let me know...or let her know.