It's Thursday.

Wake at 5:15 - "Great just 45 minutes before the alarm will go off." Grrr. Make a plan, out of bed by 5:40, color hair, while hair is timed for 30 minutes - start looking for homes for client. 6:15am Kids are up, kiss the kids, start their breakfast, jump in the shower, get out, get dressed. Grab Andi, "Time for your shower" get her started. On to dry my hair, flat iron, and make up. "What? Is the water off? Did Andi stop the water and is now drying herself off - ALONE!?" Bless my 6 year old - she's getting so big! And thank God, because I don't have time right now to do it. Get kids ready for school, listen to Andi read a book, quiz Tyler on this week's spelling test. Find the kid's shoes and backpacks, where is my cell phone? 8:20am Organize lunches into sacks (Thanks Wayne for lunch!), get Tyler on the bus, get Wayne and Andi out the door for the field trip on time. 8:35am Grab keys, lunch, purse, shoes, off to work. Crap forgot to turn off the coffee maker, oh well. 11 minute commute - arrive at work, damn, "Down time is over, just 11 minutes later." Arrive at SSSC with a smile. Answer incoming emails, voice mails and organize today's list of work orders to complete. Write income update requests, contact clients, compose environmental review packets for two homes, finalize 8 completed work orders, invoice receipts. Wow it's 1:00, nibble on lunch while compiling labor hours for 11 jobs, update payroll, contact snohomish county environmental review auditor for missing FEMA map requests. Leave work. 2pm Quick call on the ride home to check in on Wayne who's taking care of my dad (post knee-surgery) and see how the kindgergarten field trip went. Eleven minutes later arrive home, change clothes, invent another after-school snack, wait for the bus - hugs all around as the kids get off the bus, listen to stories about their day, serve the after school snacks of the day 'Icy Strawberry Soy-shake'. "Mooom, I'm still hungry", serve two bowls of cereal, get outside with the kids. Today's plan: mow and edge the lawn. 3:15 Unpack the shed, move the old mower, move the new mower, get out the weed wacker..."Yes, Andi I'll take out the yard swing if you guys help me carry it and set it up." "Yes, Tyler I'll teach you how to start the mower and weedeater". Mow the lawn, edge the lawn ("Yes, Tyler put on the goggles and I'll let you hold it this year for just a minute."), pull some weeds. Grab the yard waste can and put it away, grab the hose spray down the mower. Everything back in the shed. Whew. "WHAT is that?!" Dead rat full of magots. Nice. "Back up kids, I've got it"...ew! 5:45pm run in for another shower today, while in the shower start planning Mother's Day dinner, get dressed again. While drying my hair (again today), "Tyler, come plunge this toilet that you clogged." (Why is watching an 8 year old plunge a toilet more work than doing it myself? Ew, again! Back to the make up...again. "Tyler come quick, I've got a minute to show you how to change the furnace filter." Take apart the furnace with Tyler and learn about wires, blowers, and air circulation. Dispose of the dusty old filters. Grab dinner - already on the table (Thanks Wayne! Hey when did he get home?). 6:21pm "Andi come read to me, it's almost bedtime." Listen to Little Red Riding Hood - wow, she's really reading well!!! Grab a belt...Why is Andi crying? Help Andi get to the potty on time. Find my shoes, Why is she crying again? "No I'm not staying home tonight, Mommy is going on a Mommy Play Date. I need to take care of myself and have fun too. You look really tired today, that trip to the Children's Museum at school today really wore you out early." 6:45pm Tuck in Andi - good night sweetie, rub her back while I sing another made up song (I've been doing this for the kids for 8 years and I'm running out of song ideas), kiss Tyler goodbye, kiss Wayne goodbye, run out the door to Bible study. 7:03 Arrive and breathe and laugh and learn and laugh some more. 9:15pm, leave thankful and refreshed. Rush home, taste Wayne's delicious home made bread, start Gray's Anatomy that we taped and log on to the laptop while I watch TV. Start the show and start checking client emails. "Wayne, I need to show houses tomorrow at 2:30." Start searching for real estate homes, compile final list to show to clients tomorrow. "What was so funny?", missed another funny on Gray's. Answer another work email. 10:35pm Sign Andi up for swim lessons. 11pm, print out real estate findings, map the listings. Jot in blog. 11:29pm Go to bed. Do it again in a few hours.

I can't find all the answers or the energy to get it all done they way I would like. So I decided to ask my more sensible side and give myself a little permission to just be me.



Dear Sensible Side,

I'm struggling with my life. I'm juggling two jobs, two kids, a husband, church, weight gain, the bible study, the PTA, family obligations, housework, homework, yard work, and the number of hours in the day to do it all. How can I find the energy to be good at all this?

Sincerely,
Pooped in Pittsburg

P.S. I don't really live in Pittsburg; it just sounded better than Pooped in Lynnwood.


Dear Pooped,
Drink more coffee to wake yourself up. Drink more red wine to fall asleep.
Sit side-by-side when talking with your kids about homework. Look into their mind. Lay side-by-side when talking to your husband. Look into his eyes.

Put down the fork to reduce your waistline. Put up your feet to reduce their swelling. Allow your church to lift you up. Allow the Women's Bible Study to catch you when you fall.

In regards your housework:
Your home should be kept clean enough to be healthy and remain dirty enough to be happy. And in regards to your yard work...well, consider a condo.

Two jobs, my dear, is an understatement of the number of jobs you actually have. Know that your contributions and time spent in things like the PTA, client meetings, and family obligations are treasured by those with whom you spent that time because of your intelligent and heart-felt responses to real issues that they take with them.

Finally, make time for YOU: time for you to be alone, or out with your girlfriends. Time for you to excel at work, have fun as a mom, and for you to actually date your own husband. Know that, when they have grown, your children will not treat themselves as you treated them, they will treat themselves the way you treated yourself.

With strength,
Your More Sensible Side

Hakuna Matata

Worry. It seems to be a common thread among many of us these days. It appears that money is at the root of it for many people. Our 401k's, our jobs or lack of a job, how to find a job, even how to find time for a job, or just how to find a sitter that you can afford so you can go to that job; it all smells of money.

The stories I'm hearing from my dear friends and family these days root from money. Money is running out...or has run out. Credit is running out...or has run out. 401k's have become 101k's. Expenses are being cut: heaters are left off and sweatshirts are put on. Out to the movies is now in with Netflix. I heard "out for lunch" today was "10 cent Coke's at Dick's". Everyone is ok with Trader Joe's two buck chuck...I listen as you share how little you spent and watch as we all take note. I have received phone calls alerting me to a cheap gas station to hit today and emails on how to prepare inexpensive meals. Birthday parties at Pump It Up are now held at home. We have bragged about how much lettuce you can get at Costco for well under $3 - enough for an army! Girl's Night Out has become Girl's Night In. I've compared vacation stories this past year that were just miles away in a tent roasting dogs over a fire. I watched as each of us changed our driving behavior to combine trips and save gas when its cost doubled 2008. Over and over you told me how hard it is to afford health insurance and life insurance. Often I listened as a voice cracked in despair of what the coming months expenses will bring...desk fees, rent, renters who aren't paying, tuition, gas, babysitters, food, medical expenses, mortgages with rising rates, clothes for your growing kids, birthday parties to throw and to attend, the holidays and lack of income and credit to support it all.

Some of us are cutting corners and scraping for money more than others. Many of us are searching for jobs and for clients. All of us want what's best for our family and especially for our kids.

I offer each of you this, "Hakuna Matata".

Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase.
Hakuna Matata!
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!

May your worries of today, be just your memories of yesterday as we venture into a new year. Blessings to each of you.

The other side...

After a crazy, typical day of running after my kids and meeting their every need, I asked myself (out loud, no less), "Will I come out the other side [of motherhood] crazy?" Seriously, how long am I supposed to keep up this pace and not go nuts?

Hours later, in walks my husband from work and soon he makes me a serum that will make me ok, at least for a few hours tonight. Cranberry mixer, Mandarin Orange Vodka, and a splash of Ginger Ale. Ah, everything will be ok for now. I wonder why I don't do this more often.

Snowing again

Last night the snow began to fall. I was just thankful it didn't stick to all the roads.

Yeah, me too.

I received this in an email today. I had not really thought of things this way, but yeah, me too.

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.


FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.



FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE



FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.



FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.



FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.



FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.


AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Another Make-up Day

Another crazy busy time around our house yesterday morning. Lots to do before I left for work. I felt lucky to sleep in until 6:45 am after Andrea had pulled me out of bed at 4:00am to fix her twisted covers. After showering and drying my hair I chose to go help Wayne outside with a ditch digging project (grrr don't ask!!), so I decided to skip the make-up until I was done with the sure-to-be-messy chore in the dirt. After working longer than I had anticipated outside, I rushed inside at 10:30 to make lunch for my hungry again 5-year-old and for myself to brown bag it today. I jumped into some work clothes and soon rushed out the door to work, kissing and hugging each of my loved ones liked I'd be gone for days not just hours.

After an exceptionally busy open house I realized that I had made several good contacts for future leads. I had spoken to nearly 20 buyers...only a few with their own agents. Sometimes a busy open house that produces much more than a canned conversation about the weather and current housing market is hard to come by. I can only attribute those good days like this to a good vibe. Me confident, them open to chatting and learning something new that I may have to offer. So something was working for me that day... It was about time for me to pack up when I was leaving the bathroom and looked up in the mirror. I had forgotten to put even an ounce of make up on! (Thank God the shower had removed all of yesterday's make up!) YIKES! A pale faced boy looked back at me in the mirror - at least that's what I see when I look at myself without make-up. I was so thankful that I didn't know about this huge oversight in my morning when I first arrived at my open house. My confidence level would have been shot. It's ironic that I felt so good about my day and contact with people on a day that for sure should have shot all my confidence.

Have you ever had a bad hair day? All you do when you talk to people is avoid their eye contact and fiddle, fluff, and pull on your hair. Probably drawing more attention to your flat, frizzy, or kinky do.

I'm not one to go anywhere without make-up. I even pack it with me when we're camping with just my family! I came home and asked my brood, "So, uh, why didn't any of you tell me I didn't have make-up on when I kissed each of you good-bye this morning?" They each took turns telling me how they don't even notice and that I was beautiful without the make-up. Boy that is why I love this family. So kind when I need it the most. They spoiled me with their loving comments so much so that I blushed and had to cover my face to make them stop.

A few weeks ago, I was rushing again through my morning routine. Dabbing foundation all over my face. Dot dot dot on my nose...dot dot dot on my cheeks and under my eyes. Just as I began to blend, Andrea began screaming in her bedroom for my help. I rushed to her side only to find out it was nothing and she was still not dressed for school. Running late, I helped her get dressed, grabbed the rest of my things - socks, shoes, purse, keys - and together we ran out the door to drop her at pre-school.

"Good morning!" I greeted the other parents with a smile. "Good morning! How are you today?" I asked two of her teachers. Smiling and confident I left the school, returned home. About an hour later I looked in the mirror only to find out I had forgotten to get back to blend, blend, blend all my dot, dot, dots!!!! Again, I ask, why didn't any of those kind women I greeted tell me that I looked like a Freak from the House of Horrors!?? It's no wonder I wonder if this blog makes my butt look big. Sigh.

Naughty Curiosity

I'm a married woman with small children. So I was surprised this week when I felt that little butterfly that you get in your stomach when a really great looking guy glances your way and you catch each other's eye. I blushed and smiled gently. My mind filled with naughty curiosity. Geez, where is this coming from today? What is it about that little wave of chemistry that can be exchanged across a crowded room by two people? How is it that one person can cause a burst of hormones and adrenaline inside your body with nothing more than a look?

I continued to watch him, glancing often in his direction, selfishly hoping for that little wave of butterflies again. Remember that first love feeling? That new love feeling? That obsessed with everything that guy does feeling? That 'I'm just going to drive by your house and hope to see you by chance' feeling? That childlike adventure of love and how just brushing up against that person could turn your world upside down with lust! The first kiss, the anticipation all night of when could it happen. The feeling of his lips against mine - finally. The never want this night to end feeling.

That was exactly the way I felt when I first met Wayne. I was dating a guy I adored, but every time Wayne even walked into a room, my attention focused on him and I became head-over-heels in love. The curiosity and new love. The close 'accidental' encounters, our bodies brushing past one another. The first time we joked around with friends and he grabbed me to tease me and restrain me. I about lost myself. His breath on my cheek. His smiling blue eyes. The way he smelled. It was all I could do to restrain myself and not kiss him...my boyfriend would not have approved.

Nearly 20 years ago, Wayne and I started our love affair. And when he looked at me this week and I fell madly in love with him again, I felt so lucky. I've been blessed with a man that time and time again can give me those little butterflies. No one else has ever done that to me. How great that I feel like leaving my perfect life and sneaking out late at night when my kids are asleep to run off on a passionate, lustful adventure with my own husband.

2008 has been an extraordinary year for him. I think that his energy with life right now leaves him just glowing with pride and passion. His confidence, so subtle, is just sexy to me. The harder he works toward his dream right now, the more I want him. There is just something about a man who knows what he wants and goes for it. It probably doesn't hurt his sex appeal that he wears a uniform too... Today I'm so thankful for my marriage to my best friend.

Lessons from Preschool

I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day as I listened to my kiddos playing nicely together in one of their rooms. Their stuffed animals were acting out life. "Grandpa, come here and make me some breakfast please." "Andi, he is not her Grandpa, he is her daddy even though the daddy and mommy are divorced."

Good grief, I thought to myself. Where is this conversation coming from? They went on with their conversation as if it was common place to have divorced moms and dads. For a moment I was saddened at the life their friends are surrounded with that divorce is common to know and talk about at school. Wayne and I made a decision on how to remove the fear of divorce from our family a few years ago. We are close to a family who went through a divorce and our kids began asking questions. We confidently explained, "Some moms and dads get divorced but they still love their kids. You guys are lucky because you will never have to worry about that. In our family we stick together. We will never get divorced." Wayne and I have been together for nearly 20 years this fall. Through all the ups and downs, it's been clear we'd rather stick them out together. It felt so good to give that promise and confidence to our kids. You could tell they felt good too. The both responded, "Yeah, we stick together in our family!"

So, back to the story...I walked down the hall to find out why the animals were getting divorced.

"So, who is divorced here?" I asked with a half smile on my face.

"Don't worry mom, they still love each other mom," was Tyler's (7) immediate response.

"Yeah mom," Andi (5) piped in with some facts from a friend in her class, "Lisa's mom and dad are divorced, but they still sleep in the same bed!"

wow. too much information.

Conquered, next!

It was summer of 2007 that my dear husband informed me that he would be visiting his brother in NC before his brother's deployment to Afghanistan. They planned to go motorcycle riding since his brother has recently purchased a beautiful new Suzuki. My husband would rent one. Although I was not thrilled of my husband risking his life while on vacation and dying on the road 3000 miles from our home, I gave him my blessing on one condition. I asked him to take a motorcycle safety and endorsement class to brush up on his skills. I also told him that I would join him for the two day class of hands on practice, in class lectures, book work, and full on testing. He was thrilled!

For two days we sat on our motorcycles learning first to correctly mount them, them push them, then start them, finally we were allowed to kick it into gear and feel the friction plate on the clutch grab the motor and zoom we were off! What a thrill. For hours we rode around a huge empty parking lot painted with lines and curves to follow and practice control of starting, stopping, and turning. Then it happened. It was near the middle of day two when I was supposed to start an obstacle course and stop quickly at the end near the orange cones. I completed the course, but when I went to stop I grabbed the hand brake and at the same time gave it more power and gas. You see, some idiot (probably a man) designed the brake and the gas on the same handle. So when my right hand squeezed the break, I also squeezed a bunch of gas right into the motor. Instead of slowing down I was now racing for the edge of the course toward a row of parked cars. I let go of the gas...also letting go of the brake, still careening toward certain doom. Quickly I grabbed the brake again, faster and tighter - this also made me grab the gas and apply it faster and tighter...more gas, more speed, more crap in my pants (and the entire class and two instructors). My total panic set the speeding bike onto a crash pattern. As my bike wobbled violently left and right, left and right, I thought, "This is going to hurt because I'm going to crash!" It was then that I squeezed the brake a third and final time - this time remembering to also squeeze the left hand clutch so that any gas given would not engage the motor. I braked hard, the engine screamed and reved, but this time I stopped. I sat for a few seconds then slowly turned my head to see my instructors shake their heads and give the "Oh shit, we almost lost one" look to each other. I would have been ok at that point to leave the class at the time and never come back.

I began the class fearful to even touch a motorcycle leaning on it's kick stand...but by the time the class had ended I was able to maneuver a figure 8 in a 15 foot box, swerve to avoid an obstacle at 40 mph, safely ride over a piece of wood blocking the roadway, and take a corner with speed and control. It was a mentally and physically exhausting learning experience. Many times during the two days I would smirk just to think that I was actually doing it. I was riding a motorcycle!

Months later an instant message arrived on my computer while I was at work. It read, "Which one do you like?" Pictured were 4 motorcycles that were for sale on Craigslist (damn that Craigslist!). Since we still didn't own one, my husband was still in his year long search to buy one. To make a long story short, my hubby promptly took my, "I like the black one" to heart, contacted the owner, ditched the kids with my dad, and drove out with his buddy to meet with the owner with a load of cash in his pocket. And that was that.


So now we own this bugger. And if I was going to be part in owning it, I was going to not fear riding it...occasionally. So there it sat in our garage. Day after day I would look at it. "I want to try and ride it, but the kids will be done with school in 3 hours and if I crash and end up in the ER, who will get the kids?" I would talk myself out of it over and over. Every day unsure of how I would juggle the crash, the ambulance, giving the EMT's my parents cell phone numbers, reaching my dad, giving him directions to the school to get the kids...Geez, how would I juggle all this while strapped to a back board with a tube down my throat and IV's in my arm?

So one day, I decided to just sit on it. It had been 8 months since our class. I thought it would be a good idea to be restricted by the feel of the helmet and jacket so I put them on and sat on it parked in our garage. I adjusted myself and righted the bike balancing it under me. I reviewed and touched all the controls. It felt good, but not good enough to go for a ride. I got off the bike. I went to take off the helmet and ... panic! I couldn't unhook the chin strap. More panic! I picked at it, pulled at it, pinched my fricking chin tighter in it. I went to a mirror and couldn't manage to see the flipping strap! I thought I would just call Wayne and ask for help - sheer panic - how the hell could I even use a phone, I WEARING a helmet! I began to sweat. My heart pumped faster. I picked and pulled some more, and I felt my panic become full fledged claustrophobia. I guess I could go next door and see if my sweet neighbor would open the door to what would appear to be a 5'8" stranger wearing an all black helmet. Hell no she wouldn't open her door! Finally, I felt the strap budge...it was loosening. Whew. I was able to take the thing off my head. Exhausted by my two minute tantrum, I flopped onto the couch. Gee, this is going to be great! Not.

Since then, I gathered the courage to take the motorcycle around the block while the kids were at school. That day I passed right by Andrea's preschool. Her class was out at recess as I drove by. I wanted to honk and wave, but feared taking my hand off the handle to do so. Watching her mom fly OVER the handle bars and crash into a near-by ditch was not really my intention, so I played it safe and rode by unnoticed.

Last week I drove to my parent's house nearly 5 miles away on major roads. That's when I realized I was now a Hot Motorcycle Mama! I was less than a mile from home when I found myself stopped first in line at the stop line at a light on Hwy 99. In the lane next to me another motorcycle pulled up. Gray hair, beard, skull cap helmet, and an orange Harley Davidson balanced under his Levi's, he looked at me, smiled and said, "Nice bike." Oh yeah baby! This is what it about right? Whatever.

On the way to my parent's house I was stressed like a 16 year old learning to drive a stick shift at every stop, start, and corner. I was ready to quit half way there after making a corner onto a hill where I shifted to neutral instead of second gear. But I made it.

The next night I think I impressed the girls at my monthly Bible Study when I walked in wearing all my gear and carrying this huge black helmet.

Ok, I can ride baby, what's next?

"She is as pretty as a ..."

A few days ago I was kneeling on the cold, hard kitchen floor, leaning over my smallest child. I reached to pull back her hair, to hold it behind her neck and off her face. Weak and visibly shaky she spoke to me over the top of an old bowl held under her chin, "Mom, I've never thrown up without you." I smiled at her and reflected to myself, what an honor it has been to serve her and her brother through all that life has given us. This is what it's all about. This is motherhood. Joy and blessings in all the ups and downs.


Today is Mother's Day. Each of my children have been planning for days with excitement. "Mom!" Tyler (7) invited me over to the easel, "Mom, write down some of your favorite breakfast foods, but don't ask me why, okay?" This last week I spent time in his classroom helping the teacher to get the Mother's Day project completed by each child. For hours I would help create page after page of this lovely book. By Thursday I knew the 10 page book, with a line on each page of a sweet poem written and illustrated by the child, almost by heart. Yet today, when I was presented with the book that Tyler had created, I still cried with joy for the love that he put into his project.


Andi (5) too would remind me daily, "Don't look in my closet mom - your gift is in there!!" Today she was beaming as she cuddled close to my side while she unwrapped each gift for me and gently put it into my lap. The precious words on a small, laminated poster she created made me laugh out loud and cry - tears of laughter streaming down my face - with the love and special thought she put into each line. It reads:

My MOM By Andi
My Mom is special because...she helps me across the monkey bars...even when I couldn't do it!
She is as pretty as a...rose, she is even beautiful right in the morning! Her hair stays in place! (this is where I started to laugh so hard I started to cry - it's so untrue!)
My Mom is so smart, she even knows how to...help Tyler with his homework and make sure he does it right.


This morning my beloved husband was buzzing around to make me a yummy breakfast, answer my every need, and stealing more than his share of wafer cookies at church to feed my sweet tooth and make me giggle. He then put together a nice sack lunch for me to take to the Open House I'm hosting in Seattle today. This afternoon while I'm away he'll do the grocery shopping and create a special 'breakfast' dinner with the kids for my special evening - crepes with raspberry jam and whipped cream, YUM! I am spoiled!


I watched both of my kids preform at church today. Andrea in her preschool group was chosen to play the bells for a special song. Those sweet little 3 to 5-year-olds sang their hearts out. Tyler, also chosen to play an instrument, was my little drummer boy standing tall as he tried to sing and tap the correct beat on the African drum he held. I was so proud of both of them. I thank God for all that he has given to me and this life that I am privileged to live!


Blessings to all you proud mom's out there. What a joy!

Hmm, I had no idea!

Andi shared an exciting tidbit she learned in school today.

"Mom, you know those little red bumps in your mouth?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know those little red bumps right here," she explained by sticking out her tongue.


"Oh, yes. What about them?"

"Those are called Taste Bugs."

Just thought you guys should know that too. Consider yourself informed.

The Journey

My life is about the journey and the joy I spend taking it all in - all of it: the wonder, excitement, joy, duty, commitment, and the pain. As I live my life, I live all of it. I've come to realize that now - this time and this space - is a treasure.

I have, on many occasions, opened my eyes to suddenly find myself weeks down the road, mechanically rushing through each day: the chores, appointments, duties, even the personal encounters with those I love - friends and family alike. Next thing I know another month has arrived and I have forgotten to slow down the take in The Journey. No more.

I pledge to believe in myself (and not what I believe others believe about me) so that I don't spend time worrying about my future or fretting about my past, but to instead spend time growing my heart and sharing all of me.