Curtis

Yesterday - my baby boy turned 9.

Sometimes he can be the most quirky, crazy kid on the planet..... trying to find every obnoxious noise that he can possibly make with his body..... finding every dirt hole in existence ...... or picking on his baby sister till she turns purple with rage and punches him in the nose..... lol

Other times - he absolutely amazes me with his generosity and kind heart. The other day while dropping him off at school, he was walking to the door in his own little world taking his sweet time - just when I thought that he was taking TOO much time and was going to make himself late, he finally reaches the door. Opening the door, he stands there - Just Stands There! holding the door Wide open! I am wondering what the heck my child is doing -

Then I see the woman......

she is carrying two very small children, dragging her reluctant kindergartner, and about three different bags. He was waiting ever so patiently for her to make it up the stairs so he could hold the door open for her. My eyes are tearing up at this point - and just when I think that I couldn't possibly by more proud of my son ..... he reaches out - and takes two of her bags to carry in.

He is turning into quite a young man, and growing so fast. Ever since he was very little - he has captured the heart of Every Single person that he has ever met. I am so grateful to be blessed with this child - and so proud to call him mine.

* Lake Erie *

Josh and Curtis on the head boat catching some walleye!

Sat. in the pouring rain - we found this "prehistoric forest". It consisted of finding dinosaurs in the woods - walking through a cockeyed house with some weird gravitational pull that made you walk sideways and made water flow up-hill! Really cool.....

Digging up fossils.....

Cora Looks like she is leaning on the house - but she isn't......and she thought she was standing up straight!

Pic by the lake - and yes...we were freezing! :)

O-H-I-O

Exploring rocks along the shoreline by the light house.

A few of my favorite pics -

catching the kids in moments of bliss.......

no matter what you think -

these were not posed!

Such a beautiful sight! :)

This past weekend we went to Lake Erie to spend time with some friends of the family, get away, and actually for a little roof work...lol. Even with the work involved - it was very relaxing and very fun! Due to the rain we had on Sat morning and early afternoon, the work was delayed and our trip was extended by one day.......gee darn - another day at the lake. :) I love the quality time I was able to spend with the kids - especially Cora, because we usually don't get much time together away from the house. The kids and I : went to the beach and even though the breeze was very chilly we warmed ourselves on the sand that seemed to be soaking up the heat of the sunshine. - climbed the rocks along the coast by the light house - ate strange popcorn from this store in Port Clinton. They had so many flavors to choose from and the one that the kids picked tasted like fruit loops -we fed the sea gulls because they were everywhere "mine! mine! mine!" lol - took pictures of course and each of the kids were taking them too - drove around looking at the beautiful houses - and went to a petting zoo. At this petting zoo, a heard of deer followed us Everywhere and bit our back pockets when we were not feeding them! Josh and Curtis were out on a head boat walleye fishing when the girls and I went there.

We all had such a great time - and really didnt want to leave!

"working"

ok - so I really am supposed to be working.......lol shhhh - don't tell :) I am sitting in my office wishing to be outside. The window is open and the warm fragrant air is brushing my face in a teasing fashion. Scents of freshly bloomed flowers and cut grass fill this room and Pretty soon - I will be able to take it No longer, I will succumb to temptation and out the door I will go. Walking into the sunshine, driving with the windows down and the music loud. Racing to get home to play outside with my kids and my husband until we are over come by complete exhaustion, then we will relax in the hammock. Listening to the birds sing their songs of life and contentment. Eventually, the dog will flip us completely out of the hammock, but such is life - for he is a part of the family too, and we are not accessible to him from there. Down goes the sun - and with it, the kids to bed. Time to snuggle into the warmth of my husband's embrace. I love this time of year - surrounded by warmth, growth and sunshine...... the only thing missing is a couple of horses :) Oh wait! Look at the time.......

I Call Her Mother

I would stand in the doorway, staring at the woman I never really had a chance to know. All I know of her, I learned from other people. I've heard stories about the woman she was, about things she has done, and how proud she was of me.

I knew precious little of her and she knew less of me.

She would look at me with this blank stare as a horrible sickness took her slowly from me.

I would walk away blinded by tears, trying not to let her see, because it wasnt her fault.

I would stare at her, trying to see the woman inside, remembering the woman I have been told that I have so much in common with.

She would stare at me, not remembering who I am.

One day - someone asked me who she was...

... I told them

Some people call her a hero

Some people call her a mentor

Some people call her a friend

I simply call her Mother.

Dedicated to my Mother -

she has shown me the mother I want to be

I love her always -

Realization

I've come to realize that my hair... …..has a mind of its own, and will never do what I want it to. I've come to realize that my job... ….is what it is and is necessary. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... ….I sing like no one is listening. I've come to realize that I need... ……my husband and my children. Their love is my food for life…..without them, I would be starving. I've come to realize that I have lost... …….nothing. Those that I have lost are forever in my heart. Though they are physically gone – the love I have for them will always remain. I've come to realize that I hate it when... ……my cat pukes on the floor…….lol. I am not a hater and I cant think of anything else…..lol. I've come to realize that money... ……is convenience – not necessity I've come to realize that certain people... Will never learn... I've come to realize that I'll always be..... …..the listener & the confidant. People give themselves away in their words, and they can count on me to never betray that trust. I've come to realize that my mom... …….is an awesome, selfless person that will truly be rewarded in heaven. She has set the example of the mother I want to be, even in the short time that she was with me. Such a strong woman she was in life….and a continuous influence still. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning... ……I still wanted to be sleeping. I've come to realize that my dad.. …..is a mountain of a man – physically and spiritually – Gentle yet firm and the strongest man I have ever known. I truly miss him……..and he will always hold a huge space in my heart. I've come to realize that when I get on Myspace, Facebook, ect... ……..it takes up Twice as much time as I Ever intended. I've come to realize that today .. ….is today, and should be lived for today – tomorrow will be here soon enough I've come to realize that tonight... …..i should really try to go to bed early. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will... ……probably wake up sleepy – cause I didn’t get to bed early. I've come to realize that I really want to... …….be a great influence and example to my children. I've come to realize that life... …Is what you make of it, and is too short...when you have the opportunity to hug your father, walk in the woods with your husband, read a book with your children, do a crossword with you mother………those moments are golden – cherish everyone as if it were the last. Those memories are the ones that stick with you, and truly lift the soul. I've come to realize that my friends... …….are absolutely amazing people that I love to spend time with and that I cherish. I've come to realize that this year... …….is going by so fast and sometimes I wish I had a pause button.

The Begining

With much encouragement - I have started a blog :) Thanks, Angie! I cannot guarantee that there will be many entries, but I can guarantee that they will be from the heart. Which is a chaotic roller coaster.... so buckle up, and grab some tissues......lol For today - just a thought People give themselves away in their words...and I like to hear what they have to say. Few people truly recognize the Power contained in their own words, or how often they actually speak condemnation, sickness, defeat and lack over their own lives. Take great care to only speak that which you would have for yourself and for others. Speak blessing, encouragement, comfort, and love..... ....and see all of these things returned to you in abundance.