Today's dream...

This is it. This is the look I want. If you need me, I will be somewhere staring at this today...

Big Day...

Wow. In exactly two hours and 11 minutes, I will officially be the mother of a 12-year-old. YIKES! Where has the last 12 years gone? No. Wait. Nevermind. I don't even want to TALK about it. Today, it makes me cry. How could it have slipped by so fast...did I enjoy it enough? Did I cherish it enough? Some days I think so, and other times I doubt it. But, no time to perseverate on such things...for tomorrow he is another day older, and I have to pay attention, or that one will slip away as well. We have witnessed so much in these last twelve years...he has been our "practice" kid if you must...trying out discipline styles, bedtimes, privelages and etc. What a good sport he has been too! Couldn't have asked for a better firstborn. He was a dream the minute he arrived...worked like hell to get him here though...on a sunny Friday afternoon at the beginning of Memorial Day weekend.

So, on this sunny Memorial Day weekend, we gathered to wish him a Happy 12th Birthday!

Birthday cake, made by Mom...proudly decorated by two little bro's

Grandpa Steve was there...

Uncle Mark and Aunt Kelly...

And we couldn't forget Uncle Ken...

And Kendyl Grayce opted for Rice Cereal with Applesauce rather than BBQ'd chicken...

His family, of course, spoiled him with some really great gifts, and I think he was happy with it all. Great gifts for a great kid. Couldn't love him anymore don't think. He is truly a joy (even though I feel like duct taping his mouth shut sometimes) and we couldn't be more proud to be his parents. Thank You Lord, for loaning him to us...we are eternally grateful.

TROUBLE...

Meet Tucker. I sorta forgot to mention that he arrived. Probably because I wasn't OVERLY thrilled about the idea. We have fought this dog issue FOREVER....and I seem to never win! We get dogs and then we give them away, because we realize we are not dog people. Then, after awhile, the boys start begging for a dog again, and I have to remind them that they didn't like the last dog, why should we get another? My angle doesn't seem to be working!!!! I was adamantly against getting another puppy, so that much we knew. We got a phone call about Tucker, who was in need of a new home, and I reluctantly said we could TRY it out for a week to see how it went.

Of course, he HAD to be cute and easy to love. Dangit. Of course, the boys HAD to fall in love with him instantly. Dangit. Oh well. I give up. It seems he will work out here I guess. I must admit, not having to go through the puppy phase has been nice, except we have not quite figured out his signals/signs, so he has had a few accidents. While insanely irritating, I try not to hold him too accountable considering there are so many doors and levels to this house, he probably doesn't know where to go. We are going to get him an outdoor kennel built, since he was an outdoor dog before, then we won't have to stress about the issue. He is soooo good with the boys, doesn't jump and I have only heard him bark ONCE in the last three weeks. I would say he is a pretty good dog!

The only problem we have with Tucker is that he LOVES the water!! Makes sense, since he is a Golden Retriever, but it can really be an issue when that water involves a MUD PUDDLE! He has had a few baths since he has been here, and that is quite an undertaking! Then, I have to blow him dry because it takes so long for him to dry out! We are seriously considering shaving his underbelly and the backs of his legs...less hair for dirt/pine needles to stick too! All in all, he is a good fit. I guess he stays.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers' Day everyone! I hope you all had a great day with your kiddos. Mine started off with a little breakfast in bed, complete with cup o' coffee and a giant chocolate chip cookie shared by all 5 of us, and ended with a yummy burger at Kim's house. I didn't have to cook LUNCH or DINNER!! YAH! I also did a little of this:

And this:

Two projects that have been on my list for a few weeks. Check. Off they go. And yes, I am a little over obsessed with my spice cabinet right now. I had to wear a crash helmet to open it, so decided to nip that problem in the bud. Winco sells these cute little bottles...ALL the same size. Work great. And the label idea I got from my favorite Farm Chicks girls. Turned out cute if I don't say so myself! Gives me great joy now to open that cabinet, AND, I feel safe. Whew.

It also gives me great joy to see these on my counter...

AHHHHH......peonies.

Nothing better. Someday, I will have an ENTIRE acre of these things. Can't get enough of them!

Sweet Moment...

After a bad dream last night, Travis was pretty upset, and usually Daddy cuts the mustard in putting him back to bed....but not last night. So, after about 5 minutes, I decided to intervene and give it a shot. I got him all tucked in and laid down next to him, and soon his sweet little breath was slow and quiet. What happened next literally made me cry. Not in a bad way, but good tears. He snuggled right up to me and immediately relaxed into a sweet slumber. Why did THAT make me cry? Because it made me realize that even though we have our bad moments...psycho mommy moments at times...our kids KNOW that we are MOM, and that is comforting to them, and takes all the bad stuff in their world away. I hope I always do that for my kids. I hope that I can take all of their bad moments away. I hope they always find comfort in my presence. That is powerful stuff right there. God knew what he was doing when he made Mommy's, and I couldn't be more thankful that he made me one.