A few things...

A few things I've learned so far this year...

To start with, I've learned that I've got a lot to learn about parenting a tween! My oldest is now 10 and he is for sure going through some changes- along with his ADHD that brings it's own baggage to life! I'll admit it, I'm in need of direction on this ..and lots of it! I'm doing my best to read and research but WOW, his mood swings are giving me whip lash! I know that I don't help the situation because I take it all personally- which I KNOW I shouldn't!! I've been told the things usually get worse before they get better. Some days the beautiful, sweet hearted child that melts my heart shows up and those are days that I cherish and store away in my heart and try to reflect upon on the really hard days. Each day is a new day and I try to remind myself - and him- of that fact! I keep reminding myself that I have to take the 'emotion' out of it and to not react to it all. Some days are better than others but truely...this is hard and takes all I've got to show him I love him some days. I love him beyond anything I ever thought I was capable of ...but these days I don't LIKE him very much. ; ) That's ok, that's allowed. I pray with all my heart that this 'change' doesn't change the awesome kid that he is and we all comes out on the other side of this closer than ever.

I also learned that I really enjoy the toddler years!! My lil' one is 2 1/2 and is PURE sunshine!!! Don't get me wrong, he soooo has his days but more often than not he is pure sunshine! I have gotten to see the look on his face when he accomplishes something or 'gets it' for the first time. He loves to laugh and play. He's beginning to realize that he has his own feelings, thoughts, and wants in life. His words are pure poetry sometimes- at least to me. He loves people and being around others. His biggest love , right now, I would say is his MDO class and his teachers, Ms. Iva and Ms. Tara. Starting MDO this year was a wonderful thing for him and I would recommend it to ALL mommies! He only goes 2 days a week and it's perfect. I get a lil' "ME" time and he gets his play time and gained a group of friends that are oh so precious too. He has a real 'love/hate' thing for his older brother though. He loves him and for the most part, wants to play with him but there are days when he wants nothing to do with him. I always reflect back to a 'psycic' reading I did for fun that told me that 'he loves his brother with all his heart and thinks he so great. He knows there is something different about him- not a bad different- and it doesn't affect how he feels about his big brother! ; )

I've learned that I have a wonderful husband who loves and respects me for who I am. He sees the me that gets emotional about my children when things are too much or just right, he sees the me that gets excited picking him up at the airport and anxious to put my arms around him again or frustrated at his work hours and trips, and he sees the me that is just well.. ME. A women who in the midst of all this is trying to remember who I am! He's my calm during the storm and when he tells me, "It's all good" or "It's gonna be ok", I somehow know that it will be. Somehow we are able to balance each other out, yin and yang- as cliche as that sounds. Having him by my side as my partner in life is a true gift. I know I am guilty of not making the most of each moment, I think we all do that at some point. But at the end of the day, I love the way my life is- with HIM.

Lastly, I learned that I've come along way in my life in who I am. When I was younger I used to have a 'way' with words when I was upset with others, I used to tell people off with no regard for how it might make them feel. As I grew and changed, I realized that how you treat others is one of THE most important life lessons a person can learn. I'm working very hard to pass this on to my kids - especially my oldest! Realize that people have a bad day and may offend you now and then but you don't need to do it back. But in the same, also realizing when someone is not a geniue person and when to move on. It's not an easy thing to do but sometimes it's necessary. There is a saying that people come into your life for a reason or a season and I've had both. We all make mistakes but we have to do our best to do what's right and sometimes that means swallowing our pride and saying your sorry. And if we are the ones they treated unkindly, then we just do our best to know that we did our best to be a friend and that there are just some people who don't get it. Time to move on and well, as Reba says "Letitgo!" LOL!

Live, Laugh and Love. Three words that have touched many peoples lives and I'm one of them. Sometimes you have to remember to laugh when you really want to cry. Make the most of each moment and live it so there are not regrets.

So that's it so far and the year is less than half way over. So, stay tuned, I'm sure there is more to come ....
~K

Gettin' back into the groove!

Since today is beautiful..not too cold and not humid (AMEN!), E and I went to the park. He was pretending to cook with a little girl, Celine- was almost 3, and it was too cute! When we had to go, she leaned over and gave him a kiss goodbye! WAY CUTE!!

E actually went back to school on Monday and both boys went to school yesterday- another AMEN!! I was SOO stinkin' excited to have the house to myself, to have quiet time, to get the house back in order. I rearranged the front room, it looks bigger. I found the quote, "Live well, Laugh often, Love much" at Target on vinyl letters- so I got it! It looks so nice on the big wall in the living room- perfect since we needed something there!

The Christmas trip to Colorado was so nice and I loved every minute of it! The mountain still put me in awe every morning I awoke to see them. I told my hubby I'd like to try Snow Mountain next time in the winter as it seems to have more to do and it has a ski area ON SITE- nice!

The first day we were there- it was 9!! Yes, 9! The wind was unlike anything I've ever been in before, most days around 20-50 mph. Crazy, right? Bear lake was the most memorable adventure out. Everyone there had snowshoes on ...but us! The wind was extremely high (60+, I bet!) and it was snowing. Probably the closest thing we'll get to a blizzard! C was whining the whole time! Back at the cabin it was about 36 degrees so it was pretty warm to us by then! We didn't wear our usual thermals under clothes since it was pretty "warm" and boy did we regret that later!! HA!

Well, E is beckoning me to come with him so more later....
~K

Christmas Trip

Well, it's 9:06 am and I'm about to log out and get started on the final stuff so we can head out tonight. The dog is off at camp, Chance is off to school for a field trip he was very excited about (George Ranch), Eric is giving his best shot at clearing up last minute items at work and Evan and I are here finalizing things.

We are headed to Colorado for Christmas and it's all I could do to sleep last night! YIPPPEEE!! I went to be about 1:30, trying to take advantage of the quiet so I could concentrate on how many pairs of underwear we'll all need!! : ) LOL!

My birthday was yesterday and was so fabulous!!! I feel very blessed to have the friends and family that I do. God is good!

Well, hopefully I will remember that I just set this blog up and will continue it during vacation or afterwards * and hopefully can post some great pictures!! : )

Bye for now,
~K