As Wil Smith says....

It's Summer Summer Summertime!

We've been savoring the days although they have been flying by.  Thankfully my kids don't go back to school until after labor day so we still have a few more weeks to create some more summer memories!  

Here is what we've been up to ~ in pictures:

Forever

(note ~ pictures are random, just go with it ☺)

 (gorgeous blue teeth via a blue ring pop)

It feels like it's been forever since I've sat down to write an actual post.  I've written many in my head, but finding time to get them out in black and white has been a problem.  

(Action hitting a single)

A lot has been going on in my little world ~ organizing games for 200 elementary school kiddos for  a week of vacation bible school, driving 45 mins one way to get Sassy to pitching clinics, sports every night and weekend, job stress, and simply finding time to breathe and simply enjoy the kids whenever I can (after all it is summer vacation).  

(Smiley ~ passing the time playing in the dirt instead of watching the game ~ gone are the every other night baths ~ it has to be daily)

What I'm trying to say is my little blog here has definitely taken a backseat to life.  It's not that I haven't been making things ~ I designed a banner for Sassy's Fastpitch team for their State and National tournaments coming up later in July, I've created some fun chalkboard subway art for our home and as a gift for some friends (they haven't seen it yet), I've make a few cosmetic updates to our teeny tiny master bathroom, have redone Smiley and Action's rooms (except for a few accessories for Action), not to mention all of the recipes I've made off of pinterest (definitely some highs and lows there).  And it's looking like I may be transforming our guest bedroom into a home office and hopefully incorporating the guest part into it too. 

(Sassy ~ proud of her 1st place tournament win)

My camera has been gathering too much dust, I'm missing the weekly "Embrace the Camera" link up, as I rarely have any pictures of myself or hubby anymore.  I do believe the host of that link up stopped doing it, but I may have to revive it ~ so important to be in pictures ~ I personally love looking at old pictures of my parents alone, or with myself or my siblings.  To me pictures are such a treasure.

(Hubby playing catch with Action's baseball team)

Anyway ~ The fourth of July is almost upon us.  We've got some family and friend time coming up in the next few days and I am very much looking forward to a little relaxation.  We've got  two more fabulous months of summer vacation with the kids and I plan to enjoy them.  Hopefully I can get back here more consistently ~ I'm missing all of you!

(Action, just chillin' between Sassy's softball games)

Friday, Monday....check.

I don't know about you, but for us, it has only been 2 full days since school got out for the summer.  The year flew by and the last days came fast.  What is even faster, is the fact that my little Sassy has graduated!  Sixth grade that is.  She will now be onto the dreaded middle school years.  New school.  New teachers.  New bus.  New friends.  New sports teams.  New tears for mom as I look back and wonder where my baby went and how life went too fast!  New.. New... New....

Anyway,  as I look back, I am very proud of these years she had in elementary school.  Let's highlight a few of these things shall we...... It is my blog after all, and yes, I am a proud Mama :)

She took pleasure in reading aloud to her kindergarden class during group time many days a week and would bring her favorite books from home in hopes her teacher would let her read a story to her class.

(First Day of Kindergarten)

She had eye surgery in 1st grade.  She was not nervous or scared, but excited about the possibilities.

She made her first communion.

She got involved in sports:  basketball, slowpitch softball, eventually on to fastpitch, gymnastics (for about 3 years) and volleyball.

She has tried out for fastpitch softball for 3 years and has made the top team every year.  Let me add, she works hard, puts in the time and is very determined.  She LOVES softball!

She thrived in school.  She was reading and completing math work at 1-2 grade levels above her own.

She tried out and was accepted into the district choir.  Then when one of her friends suggested they start a singing group this school year she was completely on board.  The girls got approval from the principal and music teacher to come into school early 1 day a week to practice.

She protected a friend. She stood up to a girl who was bullying this friend, not worried about what the bully would say/do to her in return.

She really tries to make the best out of adverse situations and to keep herself and others happy ~ poor teachers and principals, frustrating rules at school (especially at lunch and recess),  being on the losing end of games, arguments with friends, tough work ahead, etc...

DARE graduation and of course, Sixth grade graduation.

Basically, it comes down to the fact that I am pretty stinkin' proud of this girl!  Is she perfect?  No.  Has she made some bad decisions? Yes.  Do I love her unconditionally every single day?  Absolutely!  I am a very proud mama!  I am sad that the elementary school life is behind her ~ it went to fast.  Excited for her and her upcoming years in middle school.  And I admit, a bit nervous as a parent, as this next chapter in her life begins but am looking forward to guiding her on this journey.

What We've Been Up To

Each day, the daylight hangs around longer and night comes later.

The temperatures are slowly creeping up.

The end of the school year is within the kiddo's reach (7 more days).

Spring sports are in full swing.

And we are savoring the minutes we are together and not rushing from here to there... and sometimes back again.  

I admit, I have not been very good at pulling the camera out, but here is a little snip-it of what we've been up to:

Watching and Cheering  Sassy at her Softball games:

(Action has had many baseball games, but it's been too chilly and rainy to pull out the camera ~ maybe tomorrow......)

Riding 4 wheelers at Grandpa and Grandma's house:

A weekend of fishing:

Smiley's first catch of the day ~ a little Walleye ~ which she was absolutely NOT going to touch! She almost wouldn't take her picture with it, because it was "too close":

A little golfing:

Shade Rockin' while doing some yard work:

Honoring our Service Men and Women who have and still fight for our Freedom and Safety:

A day at the Horse Races with friends:

Having fun at the race track (and acting like they like each other ~ ha!):

And learning ~ our friend was teaching Smiley how to braid in between races.

What have you been up to?

Something to Think About ~ Mother's Day ~ Take 2

A little over a week ago,  I posted some of my thoughts regarding an blog post that I had read titled, "Ten Things I Really F'ing Want for Mother's Day".  Reading this post struck a cord with me and it wasn't really a good one.  And I posted my feelings, on my personal blog for all of you to read.

I had many comments condemning me for judging other Mothers.  Honestly, I am one of the last people  to judge anyone.  I am FAR from a "perfect" mother.  And I FULLY recognize this. For example:  My kids have on occasion been known to watch TV and play video games for longer than they should.  My house is not always clean ~ right now, dishes sit in the sink, papers are strewn about and pillows and blankets from last nights fort building still lay on the floor.  Don't even go into the guest room, that's where I've been folding laundry and it is currently impossible to see the bed.  Dinners I create are not always amazing and I am known to loose my patience when the kids complain about the food I've set before them (there are SO many children who don't have a meal to eat or a table to set it on). And the list goes on and on and on.  Here's the thing,  I know and understand we all walk our own paths, our lives are all busy and complicated for many different reasons, and each one of us handles every circumstance differently.  We all respond to stress and anxiety in our own ways.  

Am I telling you you can't or shouldn't go out with your friends?  Absolutely NOT!  Go out, we NEED our friends!  We NEED dates with our husbands.  We NEED to give ourselves a break from our kiddos to keep our emotional tanks full! 

Am I insinuating you don't love your kids because you found the post funny or feel the same way as the author of it?  No Way!

My point in writing this post was to point out that our children grow up so very fast.  And every single moment counts, so savor them!  Think about this:  If you have your child from birth until the age of 18 (I know this is not always the case) you have about 6,575 days with your child.  That might sound like a lot, but take out about 6 hours each day your child is in school starting roughly at age 5 (not including preschool).  That's 13 years at 6 hours/day for about 170 school days.  Now your down to having your children for only 6,021 days.  That's down 553 days.  

So, 6021 days to enjoy your child.  And that doesn't include sleeping time,  the amount of time work (paid or volunteer work)  pulls us away from them, extracurricular classes and/or sports consume them, friends occupy them and as they get older, jobs engage them. 

Time is short.  It is fleeing.  And for me, I choose to enjoy every snuggle, middle of the night waking, and  homemade gift and card, with or without macaroni.  Is it easy to always enjoy these things?  No, sometimes it is a completely conscious choice I have to make.  And this choice is hard, when I am tired and want a full nights rest without having to change sheets on another wet bed or when I want to sleep in and snuggle with my hubby.  And yes, I would like to shower in peace without someone pounding on the door and eat my lunch in its entirety before having to wipe a butt.  But this isn't the case.  At least not for me, not right now.  And I wouldn't have it ANY OTHER WAY!

Let me leave you with this true story:

This story begins with me as a carefree high school-er.  The time of your life, when you are invincible, right? :)   The day began like every other.  Hanging out with friends, chatting at our lockers, but wondering why we hadn't seen our good friend "Mike" (I have changed his name).  He seldom missed a day of school.  The day went on normally until early afternoon, when the entire school was called to the auditorium for an unplanned announcement.  The solemn faces we saw as we entered the auditorium told us this was not going to be a good announcement.  They told us of a tragedy involving our friend Mike's 9 year old sister.  I don't remember the principal giving us much for details, but the details were all over the news that evening.  My friends little 9 year old sister was kidnapped while delivering news papers with her family (something they did every morning and they split up a bit to make the route go faster).  She was raped, murdered and found later that day abandoned in a gravel pit.  My friend and I lost contact and he was never the same after that, how could you be.  But I can guarantee that their mother would have given ANYTHING for more snuggles, more kisses, more homemade gifts from her as well as to be awoken in the middle of the night because her beautiful daughter had a bad dream.  Her daughter who would now never need her again.  Her daughter she would never see grow into a beautiful woman.  Her daughter who would never be married or have children.

I know of other families who have lost their children.  Tragedies happen every single day.  Accidents can not be prevented and any of these things could happen to my family at any moment.  We are not exempt.  And I will NOT live with anxiety or fear because these things could happen, but I do refuse to live with regret.  So I will make conscious decisions every single day to savor all 6021 days!  Actually I only have 2147 more until my 12 year old turns 18 and perhaps heads off to college............ :(

Always remember, 

The days may be long,

but the years are short!

Mother's Day ~ Something to Think About

Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May. It complements Father's Day, a similar celebration honoring fathers.
Via ~ Wikipedia

I'm certain most of you realize Mother's day is this Sunday, only a few days away.  
I also know that many of you who read my blog are mothers.  And for you I have a question......

You see, a friend of mine posted a link to this blog post on Facebook entitled "Ten Things I Really F'ing Want for Mother's Day"

Seriously?

Go ahead and read it, or skim it.  I'll wait.................
.................................................................................
.................................................................................

Well?

Numbers's 4, 5, 9 and 10 have my jaw on the floor.

Here are my comments, I'll go in order....

1.  Yep, I'm tired of wiping butts ~ Smiley is on the verge of independence on that one, but can not quite be trusted :)

2.  I like brunch ~ and as long as I'm with people I care about, I'm happy

3.  Sleeping in......anything past 4:40am is sleeping in for me

4.  I would love a card ~ one created by Hallmark and meticulously chosen by someone I love, or one made using any or all of the following: paint, markers, glitter, crayons, tape, glue and or macaroni and no sauce and wine necessary.

5.  Jewelry ~ Sure.  Beads and Macaroni noodles more than welcome.  And this year, it was a shrinky dink pendant with a beautiful drawing of me on it.  Thanks to Smiley ~ who HAD to give it to me TODAY because she was so excited and proud and that is what makes the gift so unbelievably special!

6.  I'm ok with this one, but absolutely use our kitchen.  And honestly, cereal and fruit or yogurt is just fine with me.  Actually, a cup of coffee that someone else brewed (and in our own coffee pot is just fine) would be perfect!

7.  Yes, it would be nice to use the bathroom just once without someone trying to come in. 

8.  Chocolate is good.  I don't need any, but if you must, I prefer milk chocolate.

9.  What?  If a present is given, it is the thought that counts.  Just because I may not love it, doesn't make your effort and thoughtfulness any less valued!

10.  ARE YOU KIDDING?  Why are you a mother?


I'm sure, at least I hope that this blog post was written in humor (and no offense to my friend!).  

I just don't see it.  

Maybe it's because as I look around me, those little ones whose tiny diapers I used to change are not so little anymore.  They are 12, 9 and 4.  They are becoming more and more independent every.single.day.  The middle of the night (newborn/baby) and morning snuggles that use to be an everyday occurrence are already becoming few and far between.  And there will come a day when I long to hear them pitter pattering around in the mornings, when the house is too quiet, and I crave a knock on the bathroom door, just because it means they are home and there is something so unbelievably important that a 2 minute trip to the bathroom must be interrupted.  And yes, presents are always nice ~ whether they are something I truly love, or something I love because someone important to me had me in mind when they picked it out.  Handmade cards and gifts ~ bring them on!  Not because I love to accessorize with macaroni, but because the look on the face and the excitement in the heart of the giver is an absolute gift in and of itself.  

There are so many women who LONG to be mothers........

And I am lucky, I have three beautiful children and the smiles on their faces are what fill my soul.  I am a mother.  And I would never want that to change.  So please don't EVER give me "Leave me the Fuck Alone" coupons that never expire as that lovely blogger so eloquently expressed.   Yes, there are occasions I need to take a breather and times I need to go out with "the girls".  There are moments I wish my children would stop bickering and whining, but I would take those noises over the sounds of an empty home any day.  

So this Mother's day, I will wear my Shrinky Dink necklace, carefully created and designed by my 4 year old with pride.  And I will savor the day.... with an early start I'm certain, bickering, butt wiping included, but with my family and that my friends is the only present I need.  (ok, they can clean their respective rooms without me asking.... that would be a most wonderful gift!)

And now the question(s)...
What did you think of this blog post, and what do you really want for Mother's day?

Friday Funny ~ 9 year old humor

My 9 year old son is OB.SESS.ED with this video. 

And I admit, I laughed the first few times he begged me to watch it with him.

And seriously, what's with the sippy cups?

Have a fabulous weekend!