Kids And Their Fazes

Kids go through all kinds of fazes... WEIRD fazes.

Especially it seems MY kids.

And especially a particular ONE of my kids.

I'm sure you can guess which one.

Jake.

As we pass through the different ages I roll with the punches. I acknowledge his extremeness, his weirdness, but being his mom, love him unconditionally. I stand up for him if needed and laugh alot.

When he was 2 he fiercely loved Blue's Clues.

No. I mean take it to a whole new level. Would only wear green like Steve. Talked incessantly about it. The word obsessed was whispered.

At this age he had a pocket of touching insanity with Santa. We're talking rocking him to sleep singing Christmas Carols, couldn't let the topic go...My mom handmade a Santa outfit for him that year and we have a picture of him standing in front of the mirror in awe looking at himself. Like he just couldn't believe the wonder...

There was the faze of bathroom habits, umm...not in the toilet?? how do I put this. Water drains, cat boxes....Pooping outside and having our neighbor Fred witness it was not a fun time. {{sorry Fred}}. No people. He was older. No excuses there.

His major allergy to poison Ivy but yet continues to venture out into it, EVERY TIME. Covering his entire body, all sacred areas. Once the Doctor told us after our many trips and cortisone shots that cold water would ease the itching. My mom walked into the room to see Jake sitting in front of the TV with his ummm {{package}} floating in a cup of water. He crouched in front of the cup obviously pleased with his plan.

So here we are...age 13. And the faze??? Is anyone familiar with the show "The Middle"?? The teenage boy Axl? That would be Jake.

We can NOT get him to wear pants. The boy is in his boxers all the time to the point it is upsetting. It has been a cold Ohio winter here and it has not deterred him. All day long he wanders the house in a shirt and no pants. The fun comes when he drags this obnoxious fuzzy blanket that my mom gave him for Christmas with him, or wraps it around him like a dress.

Tatum's friends and boyfriend come over, and this doesn't seem to worry him too much. He will saunter off to him room or get his blanket. {{good Lord, my 13 year old has a blanky!}} We have tried to MAKE him get on pants, and ENCOURAGED him to also...but I think that it will be like all the other fazes...we are just going to have to wait this one out. {[sigh}}

Secret Suprise

Last night, I had a nervous 18 year old boy show up at my door with his pockets filled with Hershey kisses, and his arms filled with roses. It was midnight and we had been texting back and forth for awhile. We had to be sure she was asleep and we had to be quiet...

He had a big grin, and as quiet as he could, he tiptoed up the stairs and set up his surprise for my daughter.


The note read...

"Now that I've kissed the ground you walk on , and showered you in Roses...Will you go to Prom with Me??"


Awww....Young Love <3

36

This year I turned thirty-six. I wasn't sure how I felt about this upcoming birthday. But when it came upon me, I had no choice. I was given such an outpouring of thoughtfulness and LOVE from friends and family, that I KNOW this year is going to be wonderful. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such great people and was given a day where everyone took the time to make me feel so special. Thank you all. It was so great to have people take the time to tell me how much they love me. You all are awesome. I feel it in my bones that God has put each of you in my life and in my path for a reason.

My husband..{he tried SO HARD to make my day special} topped off the day by giving me this. It is simple and silver and perfect. With a tree stamped on it, he couldn't of picked any thing more perfect.
One of the **fantastic** and funny cards that couldn't have been more me!
LOL! This is so true. And has happened to me before with one of my many cats! Thank you sweet Marty. Love you!
This paper airplane flew by and hit me in the head. I wouldn't expect it any other way from my Matty....
and the cake.... look at Summer...could she get any more excited! You think it was HER cake!
Of course I needed help blowing it out!. Thanks everyone. I think I am officially spoiled. I can't wait to see what this year will bring!

Ready or Not Walt, Here she comes....

This is the year we take Summer to Disney world. We have been educating her on the Classic's. Pulling out all the books and dvds, and even VHS's from the older kids. Talking and dreaming and planning.

Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Aristocats, Mary Poppins, The Rescuers, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, The Fox and the Hound, Pete's Dragon, Cinderella...

but you know the mind of a 3 almost 4 year old girl.

{{you don't?!?!?!}}

{ahem}} well let me tell you.

*******PRINCESS"S!!!!!!!!!*********

So this year in her little dance class when I found out her recital was going to be to the song for "Sleeping Beauty", I knew it would be perfect!

Little did I know HOW perfect it would be! Because....today...we got our costumes!

Aurora is ready!

(Oh how absolutely ready she is to be princess, lol!)
{{here she is actually calling sing songing to the forest animals to come out, LOL!}}

Early Gift

When visiting Lacey, she gave me my birthday gift early. There is something to be said about gifts from friends. When they know you in and out and try so hard to give you something of meaning. Lacey couldn't of done a better job. I love history, I love photography, I love antique objects....things with stories.

She had come across an old Kodak camera from 1912. The accordion fold in the middle is almost perfect. Back in that time, it had to of been a wonder to own something so small and convenient. It collapses into such a small camera. The kids and I have finally figured out how to look through it, which of course is from above with your desired picture being backwards and blurred.

I think Tatum said it best when she saw it. She said "that's a perfect gift for you, mom!

I Totally Can Do This...

This is the story of a girl. A big bad tough ass girl from Ohio...Who throws caution to the wind and lives on the edge daily....

Doesn't sound like someone you know???? LOL...ME NEITHER!
Actually this is the story of two friends who tried to break free from their daily grind, live out of the box, and have a little fun! Although it wasn't all fun ((tears WERE shed)) the box was definitely broken;)

Winter Formal 2011

18 years

Today is our 18 year anniversary. Eighteen YEARS, Mike and I have been married! I'm not going to lie. It has been a surprising different year than the others. I have come to places that I have not before. There have been new feelings and thoughts, and we've both had to work them out.

But when I got to the edge...what it all boiled down to each time....when I had the time alone to process and pray and think, and wonder....

I know that there is no other place for me but with this man. He is where my heart and my life and I am found. He is my mate, and my best friend, and I would be lost without him.
I love you Mike. Happy Anniversary.

(thanks for cutting your hair ;)

Leaving for Sunnier Days

The countdown is here! Well actually in MY mind, it has been going on for QUITE awhile now! This Sunday I leave for Arizona! I am packing my single bags up and leaving my world as I know for a quick glimpse of another dimension.
No children or husbands are going with me. No Ohio chill. No life as I know it. For just a brief pause I get to step out of my box and try a completely different atmosphere.
I am going to get to be with my wonderful friend Lacey, who in some ways couldn't be more different than me. This I love about us, our complete contrasts, but yet our bonds that are in common are what pull us together. We will fill our days with adventure (Lacey and Becky style of course....planned, careful, and not too adventurous, lol), photography, animals, books, and laughing. We have a huge marker to cross off one thing on our bucket list...SKY DIVING!!!! {{again...disclaimer....Becky and Lacey way....INSIDE~ in a dome :0 }} And of course Mexican food!
It will fill me up for the year to come. Emotionally, spiritually, physically. (I get to sleep in a bed alone!...no children, alarms, or interruptions) And I get to miss the heck out of my family.

(I think it makes them miss me some too :)

College Tour

Today Mike and I took Tatum on her 1st college tour. It was exciting, exhausting, and emotional.

What a transitional point in life this is. These kids {kids!} have schedules, and rooms and get their own food and do laundry, and have...have LIVES.

I was taken in by the whole atmosphere. Our cute little tour guide, a 4th year student herself, showed us the dorm rooms and classrooms and science labs. The food courts and hang out spots. I watched all this young life laughing and starting out and WANTED this for Tatum so badly. This would be awesome for her. A great and wonderful next step opening up what's next for her in life. What an exciting fun time.

I also got an ache inside. I wanted this for me! I had not had this? Why was this not a stepping stone for me? I started to feel sad, and jipped a little as we walked along the icy pathways between buildings.

LOL~ Then it dawned on me...like "DUH"...This is why!


and I wouldn't change a thing!~ This was my choice and a great one. And I would choose it 8 thousand times over again. I had my path and chose it, and am STILL choosing it....and I get the blessing of getting to be by her side while she chooses HER path. How fun it is to watch though.


( and if I get to help decorate the dorm room a little Tate, that would be cool with me ;)