Cookies

I gave Jewel her first chocolate chip cookie today, I think she liked it........................

Who needs sleep....

Lately my son no longer wants to sleep in his bed. When we go in and ask him what is wrong he either points at the ceiling or the window. My upstairs neighbors are very loud, and we think that he just doesn't understand that the noise is coming from people upstairs. When he points at the window, my husband and I believe it is the kids who run around all hours of the night unsupervised. These children have been known to knock on doors and run, so we are starting to think that they may be knocking on his window as well. Unfortunately, these things have seemed to happen for the past several nights, so that leads me back to my beginning statement, my son no longer wants to sleep in his bed. Now you would think I would be complaining. I am not. Tonight as I was getting frustrated, because it was after 10 and he had not gone to sleep yet, meanwhile his sister has been asleep since 8:30, which means she will be up at 6:30. This is bad for me because it means I don't get enough sleep, but this is not my point. As I go to rock him in our glider, God softens my heart by reminding me in just a few short years this time will be gone. I will turn from rocking him to sleep, to shaking him awake. He will stop being afraid of what is out there, and I will become afraid of what is out there. As he continues to get older he will need me less and less. So I need to cherish this moment, when I am so tired I think I am doing a better job of rocking myself to sleep than him, because soon it will be a memory. It reminds me of the best advice anyone gave me when I was pregnant with him, this woman said: "Enjoy every moment, even in the middle of the night, when you haven't slept and he won't stop crying and all you want is for him to go to sleep, stop and cherish that moment because it won't last long." She was right......

I pray

I have noticed that many families show favoritism to their youngest child (unknowingly most of the time). I believe this happens for several reasons. First, the parents have already been there with other children and are more laid back in their approach to every situation. This is the wrong way to approach because each child is different and each situation is different, but despite these things a parent should still try to maintain a consistency throughout. Secondly, the parents, usually, are more financially stable, so they are able to spend more freely. This is no big deal with the exception of going overboard with the youngest. An example of what I mean by that, the oldest child is going off to college, so you take them shopping and buy the cheapest essentials that is needed and tell them to call if other things come up (you will see what you can do), this is all before the job you expect them to get. The youngest goes off to college and you take them shopping allowing them to purchase whatever they want including some little extras, and they don't have to work or if they do it doesn't have to be much. I understand that you would have wanted to do that for the first, second, and whoever else in between, but were not financially able, but you didn't and you taught your children something about being wise with their money as well. Lastly, the parents are older and often ready to move into that next phase in life as the child gets older. In some ways this is a bad thing for the youngest because the parents don't have the energy they used to, in other ways it works out well for them because they have become more laid back in everything. I did some research online regarding statistics about younger children, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:                                             Cons:  
Outgoing                                   Financially irresponsible
Social                                       Spoiled
Charming                                  Manipulative
Creative                                    Self-centered
                                                 Short attention span
My husband pointed out to me the other day that I treat Jewel differently. He said I don't let her cry the way I would her brother when he was her age, and I seem to coddle her more. Stepping back from the situation I see that he is right, and I am glad to be told now. I said all these things more for me than anymore else, because although Jewel will not be our youngest (unless that is what God has planned), if I am starting to be inconsistent now what will I be like 15 years from now. I can only pray that when my children are grown and gone that there will be no resentment in that area. I know I will make mistakes, and I know there will be things my children sit around and talk about saying you got to do this or they gave you that, but I pray in the end it all evens out. I pray that my children are the exceptions the the birth order stereotypes. God help me, please.........

Sticky

For those of you who know me, you know I like the feel of sticky things. I love the feeling of tape or a sticker, anything like that. Well, apparently I have passed this onto my children. Monkey has been showing signs of it for some time, but today Jewel picked up the lint roller and had a ball. Monkey's big thing is putting it on his face. I don't know why. Today his "sticky" had fallen on the floor and rather than reach down and pick it up he leaned down and stuck it to his face. I will put up pictures soon of our "sticky" fetish......

Life is a vapor

In the past 24 hours I have found out that a girl I went to college with has breast cancer and a girl I was in elementary school with has passed away. I am reminded daily as I watch my children grow how fast time flies, but for some reason it is learning things like this that make me really stop. I am always so concerned about the future, and don't get me wrong that is important as well, but what matters most is here and now. That is what we have. It reminds me of that hymn "For I know, who holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lived." I know that my friend Heather would go to heaven, if God chooses for her cancer to take her, but I don't believe Aynsley did. I think what hit me the hardest was the fact that I found her on the social network I am a member of in July of 2009, but did not request her to be my friend at that time. I knew that my friends from elementary school drink and party, and I did not want to get into that. Now, that I know that on April 10, 2010, she would die, I should have. I don't know if my light would have been bright enough for those few months for her to have noticed, but what if it had. It reminds me that we are only here on this earth for a short time, so we should shine brightly because we never know when our time is up. Since I am only in my 20's I have, as do many others my age, to think that these kinds of things don't happen to people my age. It does though. No one is exempt from anything simply because of age, I am sure the parents at the Ronald McDonald House can testify to that. Only God knows when our time is up here, and we need to remember that it only what we have done for Him that will last. I am reminded of the words to my favorite hymn:

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

It's shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Until my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

Pictures

I have no idea how professional photographers do it. This morning I was trying to take a picture of my babies. I had it all planned out in my head, but as usual my children have their own plans. I couldn't get Monkey to look at the camera and when he did Jewel wouldn't smile. Oh well..........

This is the best one.

Mother's Day

I haven't been a very big fan of Mother's Day since my mom passed away, but since I have had children it has become better. I must say though that God has brought several different women into my life that have meant so much to me and I would like to pay tribute to them.
Chris~ My step-mother, who I did not like at first, put up with me through those teen years when most kids don't even like their biological parents let alone step parents. She loved me and stood her ground. Because of her I am who am today. She has been their for me when I needed her and his filled a small bit of that hole that was left. God blessed my life the day she and my dad married. I am so thankful that she is by his side.
Debbie~ My mother-in-law who prayed for me before I was even born. She has welcomed me into her family with open arms. She makes me feel like one of her own children, and whether or not she realizes it she is an answer to my prayers. When my mom died I began praying for a mother-in-law who would be like a mom to me, and I thank God for answering my prayers.
Mrs. Donna Davis~ One of my best friend's mom and my high school English teacher, she has taught me more than I can remember. I am so thankful for her understanding, having lost her mother young as well she always knew the right thing to say. Through the years as I have grown closer to her and her family I have more and more love and gratitude for her and no words can express.
Aunt Cathy~ My mom's sister, although she has been absent from my life for several years, we have recently reconnected. She reminds me of my mom in many ways, and I am so thankful to be close to her again. I thank God that she will be there in my children's lives as their great-aunt and as someone to give them just a small glimpse of what it would have been like to have their grandmother around.
There are several others Nonnie, who has given me love and recipes, Mrs. Smith, who was a dear friend's mom and I spent many many years at her home and doing things with her family, Aunt Joy, who I was around more when my mom was alive, but still means the world to me, most of my teachers at ACS and friends parents. I am sorry if I have not mentioned you by name, but know I am truly grateful!
Last but not least I would like to recognize someone who for many years stepped up to that plate in the mother role for me. This took care of me and held me close during those hard times. This person loved me even when I didn't make it easy. This person was always and has always been there if I ever needed to talk or when someone hurt me they were there to pick up the pieces. This person had a difficult job of becoming an single parent and not by choice. I wish I could figure out a better way to let him know just how special he is and how much I love him for the sacrifices he has made for me through the years. I had a country song brought to mind when I think about him. He would know it well, Kenny Rogers "Through the Years":


Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years


I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to all my "mothers" but most of all to my dad! I love you!