Time Flies

My baby, my youngest, my last little one...is eight. He is entering 2nd grade, he is an official cub scout, and a self proclaimed big kid. I'm not sure when it happened or even how it happened, but our young family is not so young anymore! Gone are the sippy cups and highchairs. No more baskets in the living room overflowing with cute colorful baby toys, no more massive-underused-overpriced-must-have baby paraphernalia lining the walls of every room in the house. There is not a stroller, car seat, carrier, cozy coupe, or baby swing to be found here! I no longer stock up on fish crackers, fruit snacks, and cheerios. I carry an actual purse...not a diaper bag! I don't have wipes or an emergency diaper and change of clothing in the car. I don't even have children's motrin in the first aid kit!

Somewhere along the way the never ending battle of sleepless nights, teething infants, midnight diaper runs, frantic binky searches, I-want-apple-juice-meltdowns, and oh so cute infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners has faded into the past. Blown away on the winds of change. Drifted by on the endless flight of time... I can't help but feel nostalgic.

I'm grateful to have been blessed with three wonderful children, and the experiences born of that blessing. I look back not with regret or sadness but with smiles and fond memories. I have loved every stage of our growing family and I continue to look forward to the next adventure. I never want to wish for the past nor do I want to wish away the present. It's all good. "For everything there is a time and a season." I just have "moments" now and then when I get all misty eyed and sentimental...I'm such a Mom! Take my advice and enjoy the Now... past, present, future... it's your story and you don't want to miss a moment of it!

A Spoonful of Cookie Dough

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, showered and got dressed then headed to work. I got home around 4:00 and was greeted by a messy house and starving children. I immediately started in on cleaning the kitchen, throwing a load of laundry in the washer, and rummaging through the pantry and freezer for dinner ideas. I got dinner in the oven and then tackled the cub scout paperwork for Caden which has to be turned in tonight...He is starting scouts this month!...I had to fill out 4 pages of info, call the pediatricians office to fax me his immunization records because I can't find my medical records folder (I'm sure I put it somewhere where it wouldn't get lost!...Sheesh!) and then feed all the kids and clean up after dinner...all the while I'm still doing load after load of laundry and dumping the clean ones on the sofa for some exciting late night clothes folding action! I sat down at the computer to do some online banking and a minute or two of blogging when Cassie says, "Mom, you look like you could use a spoonful of cookie dough." I couldn't have agreed more! She made me some chocolate chip cookie dough and it was just what I needed! Sometimes, at the end of a very long, very hectic day, you just need a spoonful of cookie dough.

Summer Cometh!

One more day of school! We are so looking forward to summer break!

For Trista

I have been properly scolded. I apologize for not spending enough time on my blog and too much time on Facebook. I realize this is completely unfair to the many fans of my wonderful blog!

So, without any further ado...

I will recap the last 6 months

Thanksgiving was great

Christmas was awesome

Coleton turned 14

New years was a blast

Cassie turned 11

We went on a mini vacation to Idaho

St. Patricks Day was enjoyable

Easter was fun

And today it is raining

Now some parenting advice

Parents of teens are to neither be seen nor heard

Parents of a preteen girl are to immediately begin construction of the tower to lock their precious daughter in before she is discovered by boys

Parents of an adorable seven year old should bask in the glory of still being respected, intelligent, capable adults who are the center of their child's world

I am the Mother

It's true. I am the Mother.

I have all of the power and none of the power.

I sing out loud to the overhead music in stores.

I share my opinion freely, even in front of strangers.

I wear my pajamas and bedhead-hair while driving morning carpool.

I like to hold hands with my children in public.

I like to be seen with my children in public.

I think I'm a goddess when I get a particularly nasty stain out of a piece of clothing.

I say, "take your vitamins" as if their lives depended on it.

I laugh at newly-weds and new parents...they are so naive.

I yell, "I love you" out the window as I drop a child off and think it's funny when they cringe.

I like to clean the house and think it's a perfect way to spend a weekend.

I play my favorite songs really loud...in front of their friends...and I sing and dance to them.

I sing in the car...no matter who is in it with me.

I say things like, "You'll thank me when you're older" and "Because I said so" and "Well, I'm not so-and-so's Mom that's why."

I think Dads are Hot.

I'm not embarrassed to use coupons.

I realize there is no such thing as, "it will be easier when they are older."

Yes, I am the Mother. sigh.

This was sent to me in an email awhile ago and I laughed so hard I had to share it with you all!

Redneck Harley

Redneck Bass Boat

Redneck Grill

Redneck Horseshoes

Redneck Lawnmower

Redneck Weather Station

Redneck Pet Carrier

Redneck Gingerbread House

Redneck Wedding Reception
Redneck CAT

Redneck Guest Bedrooms
Redneck Palm Pilot

Redneck Powerball Winner

The above Powerball Winner on Vacation

The Redneck Yacht

You Might be a redneck if...

A little rain doesn't spoil the fishing...

You need fashion tips from your husband...

You wear a shirt like this for your engagement picture...

And your wedding cake looked like this...

Your mailbox looks like this...

Your doghouse looks like this...

Your pickup looks like this...

You have a deer's butt for a door bell...

You don't need a lake to do a little skiing...

Or if your wife is quoted in the local paper saying...