Strawberry Picking

Today was a wonderful spring day. It was the perfect Saturday. J, G and I went strawberry picking. It was so much fun. We set G up between two rows so that he could easily reach the berries. He squatted down and picked one strawberry before proudly announcing, "Okay, I picked strawberries, let's go ride the train." Contrary to his wishes we actually picked more than one berry, as you can see from the photos. We then enjoyed a delicious bowl of strawberry ice cream before heading to the train for a ride.

The train was an adorable, homemade creation that was constructed from plastic barrels that were attached to handtrucks and connected to a lawnmower. I was initially concerned about letting G ride the train because it lacked seatbelts. After a quick appraisal of the situation I determined that there was no way I would fit into the tiny train cars. We decided to go ahead and let G ride with us walking along beside the train holding his hand. G loved the ride and did extremely well balancing himself.

We made great memories today. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyday could be Strawberry Picking Day.

Strawberry Picking

Today was a wonderful spring day. It was the perfect Saturday. J, G and I went strawberry picking. It was so much fun. We set G up between two rows so that he could easily reach the berries. He squatted down and picked one strawberry before proudly announcing, "Okay, I picked strawberries, let's go ride the train." Contrary to his wishes we actually picked more than one berry, as you can see from the photos. We then enjoyed a delicious bowl of strawberry ice cream before heading to the train for a ride.

The train was an adorable, homemade creation that was constructed from plastic barrels that were attached to handtrucks and connected to a lawnmower. I was initially concerned about letting G ride the train because it lacked seatbelts. After a quick appraisal of the situation I determined that there was no way I would fit into the tiny train cars. We decided to go ahead and let G ride with us walking along beside the train holding his hand. G loved the ride and did extremely well balancing himself.

We made great memories today. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyday could be Strawberry Picking Day.

Reading, Reading, and More Reading

T has had an insatiable hunger for reading for the last year or so. He asked me to check out the latest Harry Potter book two days ago when I took G to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. The book is enormous. I am unsure of how many pages it is but it is easily 2-3 inches thick. This morning when I woke up I was greeted by the book along with a note saying, "I am finished with this book, would you please return it for me?" He amazes me. I wish that I could read that much, but life interrupts when you become a wife, a mommy, and a student.

Reading, Reading, and More Reading

T has had an insatiable hunger for reading for the last year or so. He asked me to check out the latest Harry Potter book two days ago when I took G to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. The book is enormous. I am unsure of how many pages it is but it is easily 2-3 inches thick. This morning when I woke up I was greeted by the book along with a note saying, "I am finished with this book, would you please return it for me?" He amazes me. I wish that I could read that much, but life interrupts when you become a wife, a mommy, and a student.

It's a skunk, it's a monkey, oh, it's just T

Lat night Mommy and Daddy finally found a spot for the inflatable pool we bought last weekend and spent some time getting the site ready for our pool. Of course G had to try it out immediately and nearly froze to death but refused to get out until he had played. At one point he was up on fingers and toes which is quite a feat for him. Today I decided to brave the cold water and play with G in the pool. We had a great time. The water was not too cold since it had been sitting in the sun all day so Mommy actually enjoyed our play time. G was busy using his imagination again today. He kept putting his face near the water so he could look through the translucent sides. He was pretending to crawl through a tunnel. At one point he said, "look Mommy I see something. It's a skunk." We continued to pretend and the sightings soon turned to a monkey. After announcing it was a monkey G said, "Oh, I was wrong, it's just T." I'm telling you the boy is getting a serious sense of humor.

It's a skunk, it's a monkey, oh, it's just T

Lat night Mommy and Daddy finally found a spot for the inflatable pool we bought last weekend and spent some time getting the site ready for our pool. Of course G had to try it out immediately and nearly froze to death but refused to get out until he had played. At one point he was up on fingers and toes which is quite a feat for him. Today I decided to brave the cold water and play with G in the pool. We had a great time. The water was not too cold since it had been sitting in the sun all day so Mommy actually enjoyed our play time. G was busy using his imagination again today. He kept putting his face near the water so he could look through the translucent sides. He was pretending to crawl through a tunnel. At one point he said, "look Mommy I see something. It's a skunk." We continued to pretend and the sightings soon turned to a monkey. After announcing it was a monkey G said, "Oh, I was wrong, it's just T." I'm telling you the boy is getting a serious sense of humor.

Med Free

We have recently decided to take G off a medication that he has been taking for several years. It helps with the spacticity in his muscles. The doctors were less than supportive in our decision but we went ahead anyway. What I have found out during the process is that the medication is thought by some to cause cognitive delays. After coming completely off the meds I noticed that G was walking much better and wasn't scissoring hardly any. The doctors thought the opposite would happen.



Today I decided to keep the television to a minimum (I have used it as a babysitter way too much while I was in school.)This afternoon I did allow G to lay on his bed and watch some t.v. but in a few minutes I heard him talking to himself. He was pretending which is very rare for him. He only started it last October. He was pretending to talk to Nana on the phone (his phone was his finger stuck in his ear.) It was really funny because his conversation was one sided and what he said was very appropriate. I went in to lie on his bed with him and he said get in the car Mommy we are going to Nana's. When I pretended to get in the car he said, "Buckle up, I'm a demon." This phrase came from The Suite Life on Deck. It was hilarious. When we "arrived" at Nana's he said, "feel of Gramps' grass." I have no idea where that came from but I said, "Gramps needs to cut the grass it is so tall." Apparently G didn't like this because after we went through the same scenario a couple of times he said, "feel of Gramps' grass Mommy, he cut it." It was refreshing to see him assert his opinion on his game instead of going along with what Mommy said.

Med Free

We have recently decided to take G off a medication that he has been taking for several years. It helps with the spacticity in his muscles. The doctors were less than supportive in our decision but we went ahead anyway. What I have found out during the process is that the medication is thought by some to cause cognitive delays. After coming completely off the meds I noticed that G was walking much better and wasn't scissoring hardly any. The doctors thought the opposite would happen.



Today I decided to keep the television to a minimum (I have used it as a babysitter way too much while I was in school.)This afternoon I did allow G to lay on his bed and watch some t.v. but in a few minutes I heard him talking to himself. He was pretending which is very rare for him. He only started it last October. He was pretending to talk to Nana on the phone (his phone was his finger stuck in his ear.) It was really funny because his conversation was one sided and what he said was very appropriate. I went in to lie on his bed with him and he said get in the car Mommy we are going to Nana's. When I pretended to get in the car he said, "Buckle up, I'm a demon." This phrase came from The Suite Life on Deck. It was hilarious. When we "arrived" at Nana's he said, "feel of Gramps' grass." I have no idea where that came from but I said, "Gramps needs to cut the grass it is so tall." Apparently G didn't like this because after we went through the same scenario a couple of times he said, "feel of Gramps' grass Mommy, he cut it." It was refreshing to see him assert his opinion on his game instead of going along with what Mommy said.

Newlyweds

The adorable young couple in this photo is me and my husband. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since that day. As we posed for that picture we had no idea what life had in store for us. We only knew that we loved each other with all our hearts and couldn't bear to live life without each other.

That was not the best day of my life by far. I was totally opposed to having a wedding. The idea of getting up in front of all our friends and family terrified me. In fact the night before I begged J to call the wedding off and elope. He refused and assured me that everything would be just fine.

The day of our wedding I was so nervous that I couldn't eat anything. I wanted to talk to J but everyone refused my requests saying it was bad luck. We had scheduled our ceremony for 7:00 so I spent the entire day worrying.

When the time for the ceremony neared my fear increased to the point that I was experiencing cotton mouth. I sent my bridesmaids to get me some punch but they returned saying that whoever was setting up the reception would not give them any. They brought me lukewarm water instead. I guess I don't have to tell you that warm water was not the ideal thing to put into my nervous stomach. Soon after drinking it I began to vomit uncontrollably. It was so bad that my future father-in-law heard me from down the hall and came in to check on me.

As I continue to throw up into a waste basket the photographer's wife burst into the room and said, "Honey, did nobody come and get you? Your bridesmaids are already in the church. I jump to my feet and gather the tail of my dress across one arm and hold my nephew's had in the other. As we are running around the country church through a graveled parking lot a little voice says, "Uh, oh." The flurry of activity comes to an immediate stop as we all begin to search through gravel for the wedding rings that had seconds before been tied to the pillow in DJ's hand. So precious and handsome in his tiny tux with tails he finds the rings and we tie them once again in their place on the pillow.

We make it to the front of the church to a proud, happy, nervous, and brokenhearted daddy waiting to walk his little girl down the aisle to present her to another man. No longer will their relationship be the same. This moment marks her passage into adulthood.

If I had known then what I now know I would have spent my day differently. I would have spent some time alone with each of my parents. I would write them a letter thanking them for their love and support. I would share some time with my sister. I would find my way to my sweet groom and let him wrap his arms around me providing the reassurance that I so needed. I would not drink warm water when there was cold sweet punch waiting in the adjoining building.

The couple in that photo are not the same couple who lay in bed tonight. I am no longer that meek, quiet girl who is afraid of upsetting the plan. He is no longer the same energetic freespirited young man. We have grown in age and we have grown in wisdom as well. Wrinkles are beginning to form deeper creases on our faces everyday. We snore, his hair has turned a distinguished shade of grey, and I have not only come completely out of my shell, I actually threw the sucker away. But with all the changes that have transpired one thing remains. We still look at each other with that same love in our eyes. I know, get over it, that is so sappy. Well, it may be sappy but it certainly is true. I love you, sweetheart.

Today, Tommorrow, Always
Sweetpea

Newlyweds

The adorable young couple in this photo is me and my husband. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since that day. As we posed for that picture we had no idea what life had in store for us. We only knew that we loved each other with all our hearts and couldn't bear to live life without each other.

That was not the best day of my life by far. I was totally opposed to having a wedding. The idea of getting up in front of all our friends and family terrified me. In fact the night before I begged J to call the wedding off and elope. He refused and assured me that everything would be just fine.

The day of our wedding I was so nervous that I couldn't eat anything. I wanted to talk to J but everyone refused my requests saying it was bad luck. We had scheduled our ceremony for 7:00 so I spent the entire day worrying.

When the time for the ceremony neared my fear increased to the point that I was experiencing cotton mouth. I sent my bridesmaids to get me some punch but they returned saying that whoever was setting up the reception would not give them any. They brought me lukewarm water instead. I guess I don't have to tell you that warm water was not the ideal thing to put into my nervous stomach. Soon after drinking it I began to vomit uncontrollably. It was so bad that my future father-in-law heard me from down the hall and came in to check on me.

As I continue to throw up into a waste basket the photographer's wife burst into the room and said, "Honey, did nobody come and get you? Your bridesmaids are already in the church. I jump to my feet and gather the tail of my dress across one arm and hold my nephew's had in the other. As we are running around the country church through a graveled parking lot a little voice says, "Uh, oh." The flurry of activity comes to an immediate stop as we all begin to search through gravel for the wedding rings that had seconds before been tied to the pillow in DJ's hand. So precious and handsome in his tiny tux with tails he finds the rings and we tie them once again in their place on the pillow.

We make it to the front of the church to a proud, happy, nervous, and brokenhearted daddy waiting to walk his little girl down the aisle to present her to another man. No longer will their relationship be the same. This moment marks her passage into adulthood.

If I had known then what I now know I would have spent my day differently. I would have spent some time alone with each of my parents. I would write them a letter thanking them for their love and support. I would share some time with my sister. I would find my way to my sweet groom and let him wrap his arms around me providing the reassurance that I so needed. I would not drink warm water when there was cold sweet punch waiting in the adjoining building.

The couple in that photo are not the same couple who lay in bed tonight. I am no longer that meek, quiet girl who is afraid of upsetting the plan. He is no longer the same energetic freespirited young man. We have grown in age and we have grown in wisdom as well. Wrinkles are beginning to form deeper creases on our faces everyday. We snore, his hair has turned a distinguished shade of grey, and I have not only come completely out of my shell, I actually threw the sucker away. But with all the changes that have transpired one thing remains. We still look at each other with that same love in our eyes. I know, get over it, that is so sappy. Well, it may be sappy but it certainly is true. I love you, sweetheart.

Today, Tommorrow, Always
Sweetpea

Changes

I have never been one to like change. I like for life to be predictable, to know what is coming next, well, basically I want to be in control. Over the past few years God has done a work in me concerning my desire for control. Through many painful lessons I have learned to enjoy the season that I am in and not worry about tomorrow. My problem now is that I tend to want to look back and mourn the things that have passed or been lost over time. I mourn the loss of friends. Friends lost through tragic death and friends lost through deception and betrayal. I wonder if they were ever truely friends at all.

I look back with regret over the mistakes I have made as a mother and wish that I could go back and live certain moments over. I grieve because time is passing so fast and changing my babies into men. I am so thankful that God gave me my two boys and I know that they are His first; but I so want to keep them young and happy and safe from the world.

T will be a senior this fall. He will turn 18 years old on his birthday. He's already old enough to drive, old enough to be held legally responsible for his actions (thank God he is a good boy), will soon be required to register for selective service, and will be able to vote after his next birthday. It has all passed so fast. I wish that I could go back and relive it all again.

Tomorrow, or rather today (it is after midnight) will be T's last day as a junior, it will also be G's last day at the school he has attended for the past three years. He has really come to love so many people at that school. They have meant so much to him and I truly believe that they love him. We went to see his new school today. It is a great school. The people there are very nice but they are not yet family like the people at his current school have become. Everything is changing and in a way it is exciting; but at the same time it is sad. I know that tomorrow I will cry when I walk out of that school for what may be the last time. I am so thankful to those who have embraced my child, loved, and nurtured him. He has blossomed this year and they have spoiled him rotten. I pray that God will bless them as much as they have blessed us.

Changes

I have never been one to like change. I like for life to be predictable, to know what is coming next, well, basically I want to be in control. Over the past few years God has done a work in me concerning my desire for control. Through many painful lessons I have learned to enjoy the season that I am in and not worry about tomorrow. My problem now is that I tend to want to look back and mourn the things that have passed or been lost over time. I mourn the loss of friends. Friends lost through tragic death and friends lost through deception and betrayal. I wonder if they were ever truely friends at all.

I look back with regret over the mistakes I have made as a mother and wish that I could go back and live certain moments over. I grieve because time is passing so fast and changing my babies into men. I am so thankful that God gave me my two boys and I know that they are His first; but I so want to keep them young and happy and safe from the world.

T will be a senior this fall. He will turn 18 years old on his birthday. He's already old enough to drive, old enough to be held legally responsible for his actions (thank God he is a good boy), will soon be required to register for selective service, and will be able to vote after his next birthday. It has all passed so fast. I wish that I could go back and relive it all again.

Tomorrow, or rather today (it is after midnight) will be T's last day as a junior, it will also be G's last day at the school he has attended for the past three years. He has really come to love so many people at that school. They have meant so much to him and I truly believe that they love him. We went to see his new school today. It is a great school. The people there are very nice but they are not yet family like the people at his current school have become. Everything is changing and in a way it is exciting; but at the same time it is sad. I know that tomorrow I will cry when I walk out of that school for what may be the last time. I am so thankful to those who have embraced my child, loved, and nurtured him. He has blossomed this year and they have spoiled him rotten. I pray that God will bless them as much as they have blessed us.

Watching the World Go By

Today as G and I were talking about his day at school, he mentioned getting to go out onto the big playground with his kindergarten class. I asked him if he played on the swings and he said, "No, I just sat and watched." It is times like this that break my heart. I aked him if he ever gets to play with his playmates and he said, "Yeah Mommy, when you come I do." I wish that I could always be there to give him the help he needs and deserves. I must admit that at times I have discouraged him from going out to play in the treehouse because of the difficulty of getting him out there and back. I feel so disappointed in myself. I vow to make this the best summer for my precious little boy. I am going to recapture my youth and make mud pies, play pirate, and make every day magical for my sweet little boy. I guess what makes it so hard is the fact that he is so sweet about everything. I pray that God will grant me the strength, the motivation, and the creativity to make each day the best day possible for us. After all, you only have one summer to be six years old.

Watching the World Go By

Today as G and I were talking about his day at school, he mentioned getting to go out onto the big playground with his kindergarten class. I asked him if he played on the swings and he said, "No, I just sat and watched." It is times like this that break my heart. I aked him if he ever gets to play with his playmates and he said, "Yeah Mommy, when you come I do." I wish that I could always be there to give him the help he needs and deserves. I must admit that at times I have discouraged him from going out to play in the treehouse because of the difficulty of getting him out there and back. I feel so disappointed in myself. I vow to make this the best summer for my precious little boy. I am going to recapture my youth and make mud pies, play pirate, and make every day magical for my sweet little boy. I guess what makes it so hard is the fact that he is so sweet about everything. I pray that God will grant me the strength, the motivation, and the creativity to make each day the best day possible for us. After all, you only have one summer to be six years old.

Jumping

Today was a very eventful day. G's class had a field trip planned for today and due to the difficulty of transporting him and his chair, I was allowed to meet them at the destination. This meant we slept late and ate a nice leasurely breakfast before heading to Kangaroo Jake's at 10:30. When we arrived I had G walk into the building using his walker. We could hear the squeals of G's classmates before we were half way down the hall. We were greeted at the door by four adorable little girls yelling, "There's my butterbean." This is a nickname his parapro has lovingly given him and the kids have started using it too.

We spent the morning jumping and sliding. His parapro and I took turns playing with G and passing him off to each other so that we didn't completely exhaust ourselves. I am not sure this plan actually worked because I was drenched in sweat before we left. Being the mother of a special needs child is not always easy in fact its pretty much never easy; but it is always fulfilling. If you had told me a few years ago that at my age (let's just say over 40) I would be spending my morning jumping in an inflatable I would have said, "yeah right." But having a special needs child requires me to stay young. And you know, when I was in there all alone waiting for him to come back around and do it again, I jumped! All by myself, I jumped for the fun of jumping. For a minute I was able to imagine jumping on my Momma's bed with my little sister until we were out of breath. I used to be a very negative person, and still fight that trait at times, but lately I have realized how much I have to be thankful for and am living every moment to the fullest.

Jumping

Today was a very eventful day. G's class had a field trip planned for today and due to the difficulty of transporting him and his chair, I was allowed to meet them at the destination. This meant we slept late and ate a nice leasurely breakfast before heading to Kangaroo Jake's at 10:30. When we arrived I had G walk into the building using his walker. We could hear the squeals of G's classmates before we were half way down the hall. We were greeted at the door by four adorable little girls yelling, "There's my butterbean." This is a nickname his parapro has lovingly given him and the kids have started using it too.

We spent the morning jumping and sliding. His parapro and I took turns playing with G and passing him off to each other so that we didn't completely exhaust ourselves. I am not sure this plan actually worked because I was drenched in sweat before we left. Being the mother of a special needs child is not always easy in fact its pretty much never easy; but it is always fulfilling. If you had told me a few years ago that at my age (let's just say over 40) I would be spending my morning jumping in an inflatable I would have said, "yeah right." But having a special needs child requires me to stay young. And you know, when I was in there all alone waiting for him to come back around and do it again, I jumped! All by myself, I jumped for the fun of jumping. For a minute I was able to imagine jumping on my Momma's bed with my little sister until we were out of breath. I used to be a very negative person, and still fight that trait at times, but lately I have realized how much I have to be thankful for and am living every moment to the fullest.

Impressive

Today was therapy day at our house. We stayed home from school today since G convinced the nurse at his doctor's visit to give him a two day "ma-skoose" from school even though they didn't do the procedure we went for. Mom and son had a good morning playing together. We had a wonderfully delicious breakfast of IKEA cinnamon rolls (I didn't say nutritious), and got dressed to go to therapy. We were actually running a little ahead so I decided to have G walk to the car using his forearm crutches that he has named "the sticks".

Walking with those sticks is very exhausting for G and for whomever is assisting him. I was worn out by the time we made it to the laundry room. The first cute thing that came out of his mouth was, "I sure hope Miss Amy (physical therapist) doesn't want to walk with the sticks." I told G that if he wanted me to stay with him at therapy he had to walk really good the rest of the way to the car. He immediately started to take some good steps and was using the crutches well. I praised him and he said, "My daddy is going to be so impressed."

There is not a day that goes by that G does not impress me. He has the sweetest spirit of anyone I have ever known. Everything he does is physically challenging for him but he has only told me that something was hard for him one time that I remember. His muscles may be weak and unwilling but he has an amazing strength of character and determination. People often tell me that G is so blessed to have been placed in our family. That is so far from the truth. The truth is that we are blessed that God chose us to be G's family. He challenges me every day to be a better person. I admire his determination, positive outlook on life, and his tender spirit so much. I always thought that parents are supposed to pass on wisdom to their children but so many times in our family it is my children who teach me.

Impressive

Today was therapy day at our house. We stayed home from school today since G convinced the nurse at his doctor's visit to give him a two day "ma-skoose" from school even though they didn't do the procedure we went for. Mom and son had a good morning playing together. We had a wonderfully delicious breakfast of IKEA cinnamon rolls (I didn't say nutritious), and got dressed to go to therapy. We were actually running a little ahead so I decided to have G walk to the car using his forearm crutches that he has named "the sticks".

Walking with those sticks is very exhausting for G and for whomever is assisting him. I was worn out by the time we made it to the laundry room. The first cute thing that came out of his mouth was, "I sure hope Miss Amy (physical therapist) doesn't want to walk with the sticks." I told G that if he wanted me to stay with him at therapy he had to walk really good the rest of the way to the car. He immediately started to take some good steps and was using the crutches well. I praised him and he said, "My daddy is going to be so impressed."

There is not a day that goes by that G does not impress me. He has the sweetest spirit of anyone I have ever known. Everything he does is physically challenging for him but he has only told me that something was hard for him one time that I remember. His muscles may be weak and unwilling but he has an amazing strength of character and determination. People often tell me that G is so blessed to have been placed in our family. That is so far from the truth. The truth is that we are blessed that God chose us to be G's family. He challenges me every day to be a better person. I admire his determination, positive outlook on life, and his tender spirit so much. I always thought that parents are supposed to pass on wisdom to their children but so many times in our family it is my children who teach me.

Finality

Today I took the last of my finals for this semester. There are no words to describe the feeling that I experienced when I turned in my last test and posted my very last reflection for at least 4-6 months. I have not had a break from school for two years since I took summer classes last year. Thank goodness that I only need to take one summer class this year and it is thankfully online. I feel like a heavy load has been lifted from me.

When I "reflect" on the meaning of final I am almost saddened. Taking those tests only mark the end of another chapter in my life. I have really enjoyed my time in school. It is so exciting that I will graduate next year (it only took me 26 years), but at the same time it is just the passing of another thing that I will never get back. Life is constantly changing and you never know what is coming next. I have learned through some tragic events in my life that things aren't always as bad as you think so enjoy the place that you are right now and don't worry about tomorrow.

I have arrived at a point in my life where I try to be content wherever I happen to be and I am successful in that most of the time. Who would have ever dreamed that I would grow to this point. A friend once told me that Jesus just wants me to stand with Him wherever He puts me. My reply was, "I do want to stand with Him, I just want to stomp while I stand here." Boy have I come a long way from there. I am not saying that I have arrived at spiritual maturity. There is nothing good about me that I had anything to do with. It is all God and His wonderful GRACE. I am so undeserving of anything He gives me but He loves me and showers me with blessings that most of the time I fail to acknowledge. Tonight as I write this I am so thankful for the things God has brought me through and for the many blessings He has so graciously given me. I am so blessed to have been the wife of the most wonderful man in the world for almost 25 years and the mother of the two best boys God ever created.

Finality

Today I took the last of my finals for this semester. There are no words to describe the feeling that I experienced when I turned in my last test and posted my very last reflection for at least 4-6 months. I have not had a break from school for two years since I took summer classes last year. Thank goodness that I only need to take one summer class this year and it is thankfully online. I feel like a heavy load has been lifted from me.

When I "reflect" on the meaning of final I am almost saddened. Taking those tests only mark the end of another chapter in my life. I have really enjoyed my time in school. It is so exciting that I will graduate next year (it only took me 26 years), but at the same time it is just the passing of another thing that I will never get back. Life is constantly changing and you never know what is coming next. I have learned through some tragic events in my life that things aren't always as bad as you think so enjoy the place that you are right now and don't worry about tomorrow.

I have arrived at a point in my life where I try to be content wherever I happen to be and I am successful in that most of the time. Who would have ever dreamed that I would grow to this point. A friend once told me that Jesus just wants me to stand with Him wherever He puts me. My reply was, "I do want to stand with Him, I just want to stomp while I stand here." Boy have I come a long way from there. I am not saying that I have arrived at spiritual maturity. There is nothing good about me that I had anything to do with. It is all God and His wonderful GRACE. I am so undeserving of anything He gives me but He loves me and showers me with blessings that most of the time I fail to acknowledge. Tonight as I write this I am so thankful for the things God has brought me through and for the many blessings He has so graciously given me. I am so blessed to have been the wife of the most wonderful man in the world for almost 25 years and the mother of the two best boys God ever created.

Silly G

G is becoming such a silly boy lately. Here are just a few things he is doing before I forget to write them down:

1. He has a girlfriend at school; she will retire this year from her job as the school secretary.


2. He has recently decided to start firing people. He looks at you, points his crooked finger in your general direction, and says "You're fired!" He is not being mean, he just thinks it is funny. He fires T almost every night when T comes into mine and their dad's bedroom to tell G goodnight.


3. He just started spending the night with Nana and Gramps about three weeks ago.


4. He likes to talk on the phone and until I bought a new phone had learned how to use speed dial to call Aunt Beck Beck and Aunt Davette.


5. He wanted to go to the prom with T. When I told him that you have to go to school to go to the prom, he said, "I go to school Momma so I can go to the prom."


6. He was convinced that T was going to eat at the Waffle House before prom and wanted to go along.


7. He still loves to swing and has recently begun to swing in a big boy swing all alone. When he can no longer hold on, he says, "My arms are getting tired," and we stop for a minute to rest.


8. We stayed outside the other night and mosquitoes were swarming him even after I sprayed him with vanilla. I tried to convince him to go inside but he was having so much fun I let him win and stay outside. The next day his teacher called from school and said his legs were covered in bites. When I picked him up he said, "Momma you shoulda not made me stay outside."


9. We had a doctor's appointment in Atlanta on Tuesday, which was a waste of time (another story for another day). Gabriel, who didn't have the procedure we went to get performed, convinced the nurse to give him a school excuse not only for Tuesday but for Wednesday too. He is such a charmer.

Silly G

G is becoming such a silly boy lately. Here are just a few things he is doing before I forget to write them down:

1. He has a girlfriend at school; she will retire this year from her job as the school secretary.


2. He has recently decided to start firing people. He looks at you, points his crooked finger in your general direction, and says "You're fired!" He is not being mean, he just thinks it is funny. He fires T almost every night when T comes into mine and their dad's bedroom to tell G goodnight.


3. He just started spending the night with Nana and Gramps about three weeks ago.


4. He likes to talk on the phone and until I bought a new phone had learned how to use speed dial to call Aunt Beck Beck and Aunt Davette.


5. He wanted to go to the prom with T. When I told him that you have to go to school to go to the prom, he said, "I go to school Momma so I can go to the prom."


6. He was convinced that T was going to eat at the Waffle House before prom and wanted to go along.


7. He still loves to swing and has recently begun to swing in a big boy swing all alone. When he can no longer hold on, he says, "My arms are getting tired," and we stop for a minute to rest.


8. We stayed outside the other night and mosquitoes were swarming him even after I sprayed him with vanilla. I tried to convince him to go inside but he was having so much fun I let him win and stay outside. The next day his teacher called from school and said his legs were covered in bites. When I picked him up he said, "Momma you shoulda not made me stay outside."


9. We had a doctor's appointment in Atlanta on Tuesday, which was a waste of time (another story for another day). Gabriel, who didn't have the procedure we went to get performed, convinced the nurse to give him a school excuse not only for Tuesday but for Wednesday too. He is such a charmer.

Junior Prom

I know if I told my son that it seems like it hasn't been long ago that I was going to my Junior Prom he would laugh. Today as I stood looking at him in his tux I found myself wondering where all the years went and how time had slipped away quietly while I was busy living my life. I find it hard to accept that Trey is so close to adulthood. We are at the beginning of his last year at home. It seems like it was only yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. He has grown up so fast. He started talking very young and has never stopped. He has been and continues to be a joy, although he is so much like me that most of the time we drive each other crazy.

It is amazing yet terrifying to see the man he is becoming. He definitely has a strong will and great determination. His love of reading gives me great satisfaction. I worked so hard to instill a love of reading in him and seeing him with a book in his hands almost always brings a smile to my face. I am, however, concerned about some of the choices he makes when it comes to literature. It is not that what he reads is so terribly bad; some of them just have a world view that is very different from what he has been taught. I know that I cannot protect him forever and that he has to make his own choices in life and face the consequences of those decisions all by himself. I can only turn him over to his Heavenly Father who loves him more than even I do. I pray that God guards his heart and protects him from making choices that he will regret in the future.

Junior Prom

I know if I told my son that it seems like it hasn't been long ago that I was going to my Junior Prom he would laugh. Today as I stood looking at him in his tux I found myself wondering where all the years went and how time had slipped away quietly while I was busy living my life. I find it hard to accept that Trey is so close to adulthood. We are at the beginning of his last year at home. It seems like it was only yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. He has grown up so fast. He started talking very young and has never stopped. He has been and continues to be a joy, although he is so much like me that most of the time we drive each other crazy.

It is amazing yet terrifying to see the man he is becoming. He definitely has a strong will and great determination. His love of reading gives me great satisfaction. I worked so hard to instill a love of reading in him and seeing him with a book in his hands almost always brings a smile to my face. I am, however, concerned about some of the choices he makes when it comes to literature. It is not that what he reads is so terribly bad; some of them just have a world view that is very different from what he has been taught. I know that I cannot protect him forever and that he has to make his own choices in life and face the consequences of those decisions all by himself. I can only turn him over to his Heavenly Father who loves him more than even I do. I pray that God guards his heart and protects him from making choices that he will regret in the future.

Overload

This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life. It all started last Thursday morning. I had a paper due that morning on my philosophy of teaching reading. I was already overwhelmed by all the assignments that were due all in the same week. I stayed up late on Wednesday night to finish the paper and just couldn't stay up until it was done. I woke up early on Thursday to finish the paper and get it printed before heading off to school. As I was typing my last few words I asked my teenage son T to proofread it for me. He turned and looked at me in a what I perceived in my altered mental state to infer, "are you stupid?" With that one look I burst into tears. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I don't usually cry that easily but on that morning the tears came quickly and refused to stop.

I kept trying to compose myself as I drove G to school, but just could not keep it together. I did manage to pull it together long enough to get G to his classroom and find my way back out of the school before the floodgates opened once more. I continued to cry as I made the short drive to my school. When I arrived at school, I parked in the back near the library where my class meets. I decided to sit in the car and pull myself together before going inside. While sitting in my car I noticed the cutest little chipmunk playing in the grass in front of my car. He was so cute with his little tail sticking straight into the air as he repeatedly hopped back and forth across the grass. Now I don't know if God sent that little chipmunk specifically to cheer me up or not; but nevertheless I felt as if it was dancing around cheering me up. I never cease to be amazed by the little things of nature. You know how it feels to go to the nicest, most well planned event where not one detail is missed? That is how I feel when I look at a blade of grass, a creepy crawly bug, or a playful chipmunk. God didn't leave out one detail. He is an amazing creator.

Overload

This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life. It all started last Thursday morning. I had a paper due that morning on my philosophy of teaching reading. I was already overwhelmed by all the assignments that were due all in the same week. I stayed up late on Wednesday night to finish the paper and just couldn't stay up until it was done. I woke up early on Thursday to finish the paper and get it printed before heading off to school. As I was typing my last few words I asked my teenage son T to proofread it for me. He turned and looked at me in a what I perceived in my altered mental state to infer, "are you stupid?" With that one look I burst into tears. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I don't usually cry that easily but on that morning the tears came quickly and refused to stop.

I kept trying to compose myself as I drove G to school, but just could not keep it together. I did manage to pull it together long enough to get G to his classroom and find my way back out of the school before the floodgates opened once more. I continued to cry as I made the short drive to my school. When I arrived at school, I parked in the back near the library where my class meets. I decided to sit in the car and pull myself together before going inside. While sitting in my car I noticed the cutest little chipmunk playing in the grass in front of my car. He was so cute with his little tail sticking straight into the air as he repeatedly hopped back and forth across the grass. Now I don't know if God sent that little chipmunk specifically to cheer me up or not; but nevertheless I felt as if it was dancing around cheering me up. I never cease to be amazed by the little things of nature. You know how it feels to go to the nicest, most well planned event where not one detail is missed? That is how I feel when I look at a blade of grass, a creepy crawly bug, or a playful chipmunk. God didn't leave out one detail. He is an amazing creator.