My Big Boy


Today Grayson got his first hair cut! ( sniff-sniff, by mommy... he's too big already!! ) I love his long hair. It's always been quite the statement. That's the first thing people comment on. I've been such a proud mother of his crowning glory, since my daughter never had any! Poor Maddy was bald, barely getting whispies when she was 1, and we are still cutting those whispies off trying to get the look of thicker hair! Not my boy, Grayson! The first thing out of the doctor's mouth when delivering him was, "Whoa! look at all that hair!" Maddy and I have had our fun too, placing pink bows and clips onto his luscious locks, when daddy wasn't looking. So getting it cut today was a big step for mommy... I mean Gray. :) So here it is, the before, during, and after of Grayson's big boy hair cut at the salon today!!!

"Watch out kids! Momma has a new camera!"

What are we doing?

I put my cable channel to the 'contemporary christian' music station this morning to be background music as I cleaned. A song with a catchy chorus caught my attention. I backed up and stared at the TV. Wow, it hit me deep. I'm very passionate about giving back, loving others, reaching out a hand. Knowing God has given me greatness if I would only tap into it. We have become so callused listening to the news everyday, and seeing the sad and "misfortunate" around us. My heart became heavy this morning realizing once again, I have been over focused on myself lately, and what I think I'm going through. I've tried to ignore the overwhelming sadness on the news and the world around me. And that is wrong. I'm very happy for the morning wake up call today. I need to see what I can be doing.....because if we all did one thing......Please listen to this song and see if you feel any tugs at your heart. Challenge yourself today, are you doing anything to "give back" ? There is greatness inside each of us to give compassion, love, generosity if only we'd take the time to listen and remember.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot4sgVYCeas&feature=related]

I've been the one in the back of that welfare line.





(btw, I'm not saying give money to all on the street corners, I'm saying give back somewhere in the world..you get my point , right? )

You must be married a long time.....


I realize now, that I have settled into marriage. Today is our 10th anniversary, and what was the very best gift? My husband doing all the dishes for me this morning, that I was too tired to do last night. He then brought me a cup of coffee while I was still in bed. Really, that was the best gift I could ask for right now. Raising 2 little ones, a house that has been under a remodel, and dealing with a lot of back pain. Coming out to a clean kitchen is like paradise for me!! Really, I don't have the expectations I used to. I think this is the reality of life, a life chosen for family that is. We're busy raising kids now. Back in the early years I thought and dreamed of what we would do for the "the BIG 10 year". We would go on a 'real' honeymoon- a cruise, or trip to Hawaii, we would redo our vows, we would upgrade my diamond ring, and all would be so settled! HA HA HA!!! The truth- we're struggling to buy diapers, trying to remodel a house we can barely afford that received flood damage, we had a 'fight' this week, I have tons of laundry to do, a baby, and a four year old who is not sleeping at night! And you know what? I'm relatively happy. Sure its not perfect, and we don't have our relationship 'figured out' all the time, and we're surviving on coffee. But its good. This is what we chose when we chose to have a family. This IS a sacrifice of our personal desires, for the trade of the joys and rewards of family life. Quite frankly, we couldn't take a week vacation anywhere away from the 9 month old right now, even if we could afford it. I could care less about diamonds right now, and as for the relationship... its just fine. We are companions on the journey of life.

What romantic and wonderful thing are we doing tonight to celebrate you wonder? Well, we'll be moving everything out of the master bedroom, closet and bath and ripping out all the old carpet and pad and hauling it out. Home Depot will be here at 8am tomorrow for their second time, since they mis-cut the carpet the first time. We'll be sleeping in the living room tonight, which I guess works fine, based on the fact we will be battling our daughter to go to sleep once again. Hmm.. you know, isn't this what having a family and a home is all about?

I'm happy we have made it 10 years, and maybe, just maybe, in 10 more we'll get that vacation..... ( or dare I dream, will it be the 30 year mark instead?)



"The grass may be greener, but it still has to be mowed"

( a favorite quote, that always gives me perspective)

Signs that remind your that you're a mother:

• Wearing a powder blue towel with a star on it that reads, "bathtub star" after showering!


• Handing your husband a "Go Diego Go" bandaid, for his boo-boo!


• Knowing all the words to the "Wonder pets" cartoon theme song!


• Snacking on Cheerios all morning for my breakfast!