Birthdays

Well, as of this month, my boys are 7 & 3. I'm so proud of both of them.

Garrett is 3 weeks into 2nd grade and all is going well. He's really starting to show some maturity. This morning, he actually got out of bed - that took a little prompting - and got himself completely ready and did all his morning chores - without constant reminding. He's still a momma's boy but he's pulling ever so slightly away and exerting his independence. One thing that comes with all that growing up is the smart mouth & eye rolls. Now, that, has got to go. That's when I think he's only 7 and I have, what, 10 more years to deal with that. I wonder if we'll all survive it.

Colby is officially a pre-schooler. Every morning he tells me he's going to the 'big boy class' when he gets to school. I thought that child was never going to go in the potty. But sometime in the last couple of weeks, the light went on and he finally started doing it. I no longer have a baby. He's started dressing himself, another thing I never thought he'd do. He's not slow, just lazy enough to want us to do it for him. He's trying so hard to be his big brother that he's growing up almost too fast.

Seven & Three...It's hard to believe, but not all that hard to accept. I want them to be where they are. I enjoy the ups & downs of every new age. I try not to wonder what the future has in store, just to enjoy where they are today. And to remember that they'll never be this age again.

Happy Birthday boys!

August

I hate August! As far as I'm concerned, only 2 good things ever came out of August. Their names are Garrett & Colby (my children). Really. I choose to live in the south - I don't want to be anywhere else, because this is home. But, come on. 104 degrees?! Triple digits for 10 days in a row?! My electric bill is going to cost me a week's pay. We don't even let the kids go outside for more than a few minutes. Even after dark, it's in the 90s. Hopefully, it won't last much longer.

I'm ready for fall.

Spring Fever

I feel the need to kill time at work today. Not sure why. Maybe it's just time for a break. I'm more focused than this. Usually. Everything is scattered and I can't seem to set my priorities - or even care about them. I used to hear this called spring fever when I was in school. I know teachers who dread the last 6 weeks of school - from spring break to Memorial Day - for this very reason. Maybe I'm just a pre-teen in a 34 year old's body. I honestly can't remember the last time this happened to me. And I can't bring myself to care enough to deal with it.

So there.

About Blogging...

To tell the truth, I'm not sure why I started this.

I have an account with another service where I communicate with a lot of my family and friends, post pics, soccer schedules, etc. I have an account with my university alumni association. My point being, that I already have websites to keep updated. Why add another one?

I don't really need to rant. Anyone that knows me, knows I'll tell you what I'm thinking, or at least I'll rant to my husband later.

I don't have a knack for making the every day things that happen at my house funny or dramatic. I'm not all that great at expressing myself in writing.

Since some of my family knows about this, I try to be careful about what I'm writing. Although, I'm not sure any of them have ever read it. Actually, I'm not tracking my stats, so I'm not sure anyone is reading it. Which is fine, because this was supposed to be just for me. But it makes it hard to decide what to write. There are some things I would rather people that know me not see. I know it could happen, I'm not exactly anonymous.

I say all this to say that I'm not sure what kinds of things I'll be posting here. If you're reading, say hi - and stay tuned...

I just want to say...

Hug your children extra tight every day - especially if it's been "one of those days".
And remember to pray for all the mommies & daddies who no longer have their children to hug.

Happy Anniversary to me...

I would love to be a stay at home mom. Unfortunately, I can't. I have to have some kind of income. So, I have a job. Tomorrow is my 5th anniversay at this job.

So, I got this email today:

Congratulations on your 5th year celebration with the company. You are a valued team member of the XXXX division and I appreciate your contribution towards building a great company! Thank you for your dedication and commitment delivering outstanding results to our customers. These successes are paving the way towards building the most respected XXXX organization in the world. Due to your loyalty, we truly have a great team that is the most respected in our industry. You are an inspiration to all members across our company and together, we will build the greatest XXXX services company in the industry.
Thanks again for being on the team and I look forward to working with you in the future!

It was "signed" by a man that I have never met, and I'm sure never will. I especially like the part where he's "looking forward to working with" me. Maybe at 10 years I'll get an actual letter I can frame. Or even meet the person that set up the automated process for sending the emails.

Everyone else has done it...

So here are my 100 things:
1. I was born on election day 1972.
2. In Arkansas.
3. We moved to Tennessee when I was 6 weeks old, and I've been here ever since.
4. I have one sister, 3 years younger.
5. I credit my love of fall to my birth date.
6. As well as my obsession with voting.
7. I wanted to get married in the fall.
8. Since I was a full time grad student, we got married during one of my breaks - Memorial Day weekend.
9. We were broke, so we went the one place I didn't want to go for our honeymoon - Gatlinburg.
10. He promised me a better trip for our 5th anniversary.
11. But we both got laid off that year and didn't have the vacation time at our new jobs.
12. Plus, we had our first baby that year.
13. Three and a half weeks early.
14. It was a difficult pregnancy.
15. It was also a difficult labor, resulting in an emergency c-section.
16. When we found out he was all wrapped up in his cord.
17. Four years later, we had our second child.
18. The pregnancy was easier.
19. I scheduled the c-section that time.
20. He came early anyway.
21. Still had the c-section, when I found out his cord was wrapped around him, too.
22. I'm not disappointed. Whatever got them here safe and healthy was okay with me.
23. They are both all boy.
24. Everything in our house can (and has been) turned into a car, a bat, a ball or a light saber.
25. Not a day goes by that I don't say "Get off of your brother!" to one of them.
26. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
27. And we are not trying for a girl.
28. We finally got our trip - on our 10th anniversary.
29. It was worth the wait - an Alaskan cruise.
30. We left the boys at home.
31. It was nice, but I'm not sure I'll do it again for a while. I missed them terribly.
32. Alaska was the 40th state I have visited.
33. I want to visit all 50.
34. But I never want to live anywhere else.
35. We live in the suburbs.
36. In a neighborhood full of kids around our boys' ages.
37. Right across the street from the elementary school.
38. In the town where I was raised.
39. Yes, I know: sad.
40. Our children keep it interesting - and busy.
41. Our oldest plays soccer.
42. And is a Cub Scout.
43. Our youngest just isn't old enough yet.
44. I guess that makes me a soccer mom.
45. Minus the mini-van.
46. I drive an SUV.
47. Yes, I know, gas is pricey.
48. But we're not paying the equivalent of our mortgage on our cars either.
49. We're debt free except for the house. Thank you Dave Ramsey.
50. We try to eat dinner at the table most nights.
51. Mondays are hard because of Cub Scouts.
52. Wednesdays because of Bible school.
53. We attend church 3 times a week.
54. I was raised that way.
55. Even went to a small, private, Christian university.
56. I had a scholarship, or wouldn't have been able to afford it.
57. Even though the school has a reputation as a "marriage factory", I didn't meet my husband there.
58. I met him at one of my summer jobs.
59. My degree: Math.
60. My master's degree: Math.
61. I do work, but wish I didn't.
62. I guess if I have to have a job, I have a good one.
63. But if the opportunity presented itself, I'd quit tomorrow.
64. My husband and I have very different families.
65. I guess opposites really do attract.
66. He is one of 7 children.
67. I think I asked him on the third date how many he wanted.
68. I was not going out with him again if he wanted that many.
69. We do not discuss politics & religion with his family.
70. I love them, but we generally disagree on those issues.
71. I can agree to disagree with people. But if people cannot accept that, I move on.
72. I do not have time to argue.
73. I am politically conservative.
74. I used to think I was moderate. But I was just in denial.
75. I believe in voting.
76. I believe it is not just a right, but a responsibility.
77. It is also a responsibility to be informed about the candidates and issues.
78. And pay attention to the local races, too.
79. I could go on and on, but I won't say anything else.
80. Except maybe this: I will discuss it, but I won't try to change anyone's mind. And don't try to change my mind: I won't.
81. Did I mention I'm stubborn?
82. In our limited free time, we are working on the house.
83. It's a fairly new house, so it's mostly just decorating.
84. And organizing. That is an issue for me.
85. But I'm getting better. Thank you Fly Lady.
86. I also like puzzles. Sudoku is my current favorite.
87. And I read. Like crazy.
88. I can get so wrapped up in a book the house could burn down around me and I probably wouldn't notice.
89. I watch too much TV.
90. I love reality shows - I just can't help myself.
91. We watch a lot of Disney channel, too.
92. I also love to sing.
93. I was in one of the choral groups in college.
94. I like singing too loud in the car better.
95. I've never wished I could go back to high school, college, etc.
96. I think my life just gets better.
97. I think that's how it should be.
98. I keep in touch with my best friends from those times. But we don't relive them.
99. I don't really have one best friend.
100. I'm close to my family, like all my neighbors and have close friends from church.

I could probably add more or revise the list. But I'm done.