Happiness is....Young Friendship

Remember your childhood best friends?  Here is Evie's!  Ava and Evie have been in the same class for three years and they are BFFs.  This was taken at Evie's last Christmas performance where they performed songs from around the world.  Evie's grade was Spain.  Hence the beautiful big flowers in the girl's hair.  I love this time of year and it is so exciting to go watch children rejoice in the season and singing their hearts out.  May you enjoy the last week before Christmas as much as I will!

Happiness is.....A change of appearance!

I bought a wig to play with....what more do I need to say:0)

Happiness is ..... Homemade Ice Cream!

Happy Fourth of July Ya all!!  Every 4th we celebrate with friends, neighbors, family, fireworks and of course HOMEMADE ice cream!  My Aunt Linda gave me a coffee recipe I did this year and I did my Dad's recipe of Chocolate and one vanilla ice cream.  They are all yummy:0)  Everyone is invited to our party so if you don't make it this year....come next!

Happiness is ...... Flower Power!

Just wanted to shout out a BIG THANKS! to Children's Rotating Closet.  They are carrying my cute (handmade) flower barrettes.  They are only $2 and they are SUPER cute!  Stop by and visit!
Northeast corner of Menaul and Eubank.

Happiness is..... Growing up.

Well, I suppose what I mean is if you are the kid that is what happiness is.  Not that I mind getting older (and wiser I might add.)  I just do not do well with change and seeing your first kiddo get his first apartment is exciting yet a milestone which means, well, you're getting older!  Okay, okay.  Maybe that isn't it.  As a mom I worry.  Hummm.... anyone else in that boat?  Will he have enough money for the apartment?  Will he be safe and use good judgement?  and Holly Cow!!!  What will he eat????  I'm up at night or early morning wondering these things.  I have decided today not to worry but to embrace the happiness that comes with growing up.  My dad said to me, "I never felt sad when you girls grew up.  I looked at it as another way, a different way to parent you and enjoy you as kids."  This is true.  Alec is no longer under my roof but he is still in my heart and my son.  I will take this time to encourage and coach a young adult who will indeed still need me.

Here are a few (really bad pictures) I took with my I pod touch of Alec and his girlfriend Sasha in their new apartment.

Happiness is.... Spring Break!

We took a little road trip this break to see my mom and dad in Scottsdale, AZ. Although it was so much fun to see them and my sister/brothers/nieces....it was so so so very hard to leave. I found today that the old saying is true. You never really understand what you have until it's gone. I took for granted when they were here. I didn't go see them nearly enough. I also realized how much I love my family. They are truly amazing. Even though my siblings are step siblings they feel like real brothers and sister. I love my nieces like they are 'my' nieces and don't see any difference. My step-mom, is my mom. Love doesn't differ for family. I thank God for all of them and am glad they moved close enough to visit often....not often enough but glad it will be at least once a year, probably more:0) We visited the zoo which was fun and amazing. The giraffe area was like you were on safari! Although the girls were tired, I think they enjoyed it. Ted was able to ride for two days. One day was with Ryan. AND he didn't get lost! Yippee!! We missed Alec...he stayed home to work on the skateboarding ramp with his dad. Next time he's going!! We missed him too much! We will be seeing Mom and Dad again for Alec's graduation then hopefully again when they go to visit my brother, Joseph, in Colorado Springs. We can't wait! School starts again on Monday...bummer. I could use another week. We will enjoy the last couple days. Becca has a lock in at church and I'm hoping Ted, Evie and I will get in a bike ride! Hopefully Mother Nature will agree with giving us warm weather. :0)

Happiness is teenagers....

Alec. My dear Alec is 16. Need I say more? I miss my son. I can't wait until these years of him hating me are gone. It is depressing you know....to have someone you love so dearly....someone you carried in your body for 9 months and got up with for...hummmm....let's say 16 years at night for. Who you'd do just about anything for.....hate you. Okay. I know he doesn't REALLY hate me but he left my home to move in with his dad. Realized he didn't like living with his dad so I ever so graciously brought him back 'home.' THEN (this is the teenager part) he realized he didn't like me after all (or Ted. After all Ted set many rules and we all know there are NO rules for teenagers) so he moved back in with his dad and has 'refused' to talk to me. Or heck as far as I know he is just 'too busy' to contact me. Hummm. Maybe he doesn't hate me. No, no he said so. That is right. Crush my soul. My very reason for living....my children (good thing I have 2 more!) SO...with all that said I have started therapy again (Russ Adams is amazing...he listens and gives suggestions all while I blubber away about all my horrible problems...), and upped my dose of anxiety meds (Laura Onerato is my PA and she also is wonderful. She even will still let me go to her despite the 2, yes TWO, hours I spent in her office crying.) At times I spend days in bed not moving just feeling and kuddos go to my husband Ted for just letting me. As for my other two children....Evie and Becca. They let me know just how much I do love my life and keep me going. Not that Alec doesn't do that....it's just in a different way.

SO this is my lesson learned. It sucks being the first born. You are a guinea pig. I had no idea that all my coddling was actually going to turn on me...and on Alec.

Happiness is.....being firm with your children. Setting boundaries (firm boundaries.) Not giving in. Love but teach. Parent don't friend. Have high expectations while have no expectations....yes both at the same time. Devote some of your time to faith so your child hears it from someone other that you. Most of all....remember that this shall pass. AND you will come out alive. Both of you (your child and you.) AND you will LOVE each other.

I love my mom and dad for putting up with me and thank them for the faith and love they gave me.. (both my moms!)

So my last word is I love you Alec. All of you. From your grumpy self to your super bubbly self. To your love as a child, friend and brother.