Fun at the Rocks

Today was a very hot and humid day, we spent the afternoon at home, playing in out little kiddie pool and then we all took a nice nap. Then we decided to go up to Rocks State Park which the boys love and take Abby for alittle swim. Dogs are not allowed there, so we kept having to hide her when the park ranger would come by!! She loved it-she hasn't been swiming all summer and needed it!! Logan and Alex enjoyed themselves just as much. Logan did some fishing and Alex could spend hours throwing rocks into the river. It was a nice evening-spending some good family time together!!

Like Mommy, Like Son???!!!

Occasionally I have to take Alex in the shower with me, if I want any chance of getting a shower at all. He does fine, usually playing with some toys while I quickly wash my hair. The other day I had to shave and he was watching me very closely. Then he grabs the shaving cream, and the tongue scraper and starts "shaving" his legs!!! He even put his leg up on the side like I do!! I had to laugh-I really hope he doesn't think that's what boys do!!!

Little Wonders

I first heard the song "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas when I was in the car, last summer on my way to pick up Logan once again from daycare because he was flipping out. I was so upset and was having a hard time understanding what was going on with Logan. I was mad, sad, frustrated, and helpless all at the same time. Then this song came on and for some reason I really listened to the words, and I swear it was like he was singing the word directly to me. I couldn't believe how much those words went along with my situation so well. I realized that I really needed to look at the big picture and be thankful for all the wonders that my life has. I have 2 beautiful healthy boys, a loyal husband, a decent job and a house to live in. I can handle all the curve balls that life throws me, as long as I keep that big picture in the back of my mind. Its been a long, tough road, but I've made it through and I continue to push on, because as a Mom-that is my job and sole purpose. Here are the words that inspired me so much:

Let it go,

Let it roll right off your shoulder

Don't you know

The hardest part is over

Let it in,Let your clarity define you

In the end

We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made

In these small hours

These little wonders,These twists & turns of fate

Time falls away,But these small hours,These small hours still remain

Let it slide,Let your troubles fall behind you

Let it shine

Until you feel it all around you

And i don't mind

If it's me you need to turn to

We'll get by,It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made

In these small hours

These little wonders,These twists & turns of fate

Time falls away,But these small hours,These small hours still remain

All of my regret

Will wash away some how

But i can not forget

The way i feel right now

In these small hours

These little wonders

These twists & turns of fate

These twists & turns of fate

Time falls away but these small hours

These small hours, still remain,Still remain

These little wonders

These twists & turns of fate

Time falls away

But these small hours

These little wonders still remain

This is me and Justin at my High School Senior Prom

My Little Wonders!!

Abby

I talk so much about my kids, and my life, but I forgot to mention another part of my life-my sweet dog Abby. She is a 7 year old yellow lab that was my first "child" and has very much been an important member of our family.

We got Abby on November 25, 2001. We had been talking about getting a dog for awhile and I kept going back and forth on it. I really wanted a dog, but I knew how much responsibility it would be and how much work it was. So one day when I was at my sister in law's baby shower, my husband went out and got Abby, and surprised me when I got home. As soon as I walked through the door and saw her, I fell in love!! She was so cute and little!!

I named her Abby because I wanted a name that would easy for kids to say, since we were planning on having a family the following year. She was a really good puppy-never chewed up our furniture, and was potty trained by the time she was 9 months old. We worked really hard on getting her ready to deal with kids, training her and just being rough with her-the way kids might be.


When Logan was born, she was amazing with him. She was always so cautious around him and licked him all the time. Logan loved her from the start and as he got older, the poor thing took some beatings, but she never got aggressive towards him. She was his protector, following him wherever he went, and if he went to far, she was right by his side until I came to get him.





Alex came along and I think she probably thought "Oh great, not ANOTHER one!!" But she did just as good with him. And Alex loved petting her and crawling all over her. Even now-I love the way Alex calls her "Abb-bay" and she listens to him.



Abby-or Abba-girl-as we often call her, is getting older, but still acts like a puppy-loves to play ball and go swimming. She is truly a family dog and loves the boys. I'm so glad that Logan and Alex have her in their lives-its made them learn to be gentle with animals and not afraid. I hope that she lives a long wonderful life-and continue to bring joy to all out lives!!

FREEDOM!!!!

Now don't get me wrong-I love my kids more the life itself, and I love spending time with them. But since I now am home by myself all day without them has been wonderful!! I can finally get my work done without distractions and be done by the time they come home. No more stressing over having to work until 10 every night, or worrying about trying to juggle work and spending time with them. Its been so hard to manage a family, house and work when its all in my face every day!!! I love working from home, the flexibility it allows, and the availability it gives me. Now that I know both my boys are getting the attention and learning that I could not give them while they were home with me during the weekdays, I feel like weight has been lifted off me. Alex loves daycare and is getting so much out of it, and Logan is improving a little every day in Kindergarten. I finally feel like being home is worth it. I do get lonely at times, and wonder what they are doing, and I do miss them, but to be able to spend all night with them, and really dedicate my evenings to family time-make its worthwhile. I just joined Logan's school's PTA so I'm hoping to be able to help them out some, which will give me some more social interaction with other adults and parents. I also have the freedom to go into the office more, when needed without the hassle of finding people to watch the kids for me. As much as I really want to do other things in my life, career wise, for me right now this is the best thing for me. I can be there to put my kids on the bus and when they get home, I can go to school functions and save money in travel expenses. Eventually I would like to go back to school to do something else, but for me, my kids are my first priority and I want to be available for them whenever they need me too. So I guess I'm feeling pretty lucky right now!!!

Totally Rad!!!!

Saturday I went with my brother and his girlfriend Laura to see the "Legwarmers" play. They are a 80's cover band and everyone that goes dresses up in 80's style clothing. I got all decked out in my hot pink and black, teased my hair and put on gaudy accessories. I think it was the best concert I have ever gone to. I knew every song and danced the entire time. It was like one big karaoke party!! I can't wait until they play again-I'm definitely going!!!

You're so cute!!!!!!

I find myself saying this to Alex on a daily basis-because he really is!! Whether its something he says, something he does or just how he looks-I can't help myself!! Like the way he calls me "Mom-may" and Justin "Dad-day" and Logan "Go-gan". Or the way he tells all his friends Bye Bye when we leave daycare. Or how he gets so silly sometimes and does his crazy dance. Or how he tries so hard to help and do big boy things. Or how he can undress himself before a bath and say-"pee-pee-where are you?" Or how he mimics everything Logan says or does. Or how he can do the same thing over and over again and be so proud of himself by clapping and saying "Yay!!!!" And just his overall personality in general. He brings such joy to me every day-and to everyone he comes in contact with. I really cherish these moments--they go by so fast!!!!