In Awe



 My darlin' first born,

~you are unique
~you are adventurous
~you are motivated
~you are super intelligent
~you are a treasure

I promise you one constant in your dance through life:  We will always love you.
During your life, God will lead you on the path that He intended for you to walk on.  He has given you special talents that to others may seem "weird," but God created you to be the perfect individual that you are.  There is no one else quite like you. 

You are unique.  Allow that uniqueness and creativity to pour out...others will either admire it, be jealous of it, or fear it.  Don't stop being yourself to please others.   Don't change for those who tease and taunt you.  If you find yourself separated from the group, please don't fear or think less of yourself.  Even when you think you are alone, you are never alone.  The times of isolation will soon have you surrounded by people who will want to surround themselves around you because of your uniqueness.  These people won't want nor ask you to change who you are.  Wait for those people.

You are adventurous.  When God gave you to your dad and me, he gave us the best traveler ever.  Your quest to see, experience, and enjoy the beauty of life makes you the perfect "adventure buddy."  Just remember, most children your age don't understand that by the time you get to college, you will have experienced more than we could have ever given to you if we stayed in one location.  Relish in being a military child.  It has its benefits.  Life experiences can never be replaced.

You are motivated. Some may say your motivation is the manifestation of stubbornness.  I'm hear to let you know that sometimes the best catalyst that you can provide to other is that you will not back down if you know you can do something...especially if you have been told or made to feel like you can't.  Look at your ability to earn top grades even though you are laden with negativity from those who claim to be educators, be pleased that even when you have been teased or left out.  You are motivated to make sure that no one feels like they can't play with you because they may not be the best athlete or gamer.   You are amazing when you let motivation play a factor in your actions.  As an adult, that will come in handy.  Now, it may be hard to always stay motivated, but believe me...it will pay off regardless of how trivial or major the issue.

You are super intelligent. I only wish I had as much brain power as you have when I was 10!  You are mathematically and scientifically driven.  Numbers don't throw you into a tail spin and diving into the world of anatomy is going to the toy store.  Don't let anyone ever tell you that you are stupid or not worthy.  You may not be the best student at every subject all the time, but trust me, intelligence is not what will hold you from the excellent grades.  Sometimes, you just might not be awesome all the time.  Sometimes, you may have to ask for help and know that there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance.  Sometimes, well, you may just not study hard enough or maybe with all the studying in the world, you may have a "slip" or just not do well.  That's fine.  Every now and then.  Robots and computers are cold pieces of metal that warm up as they are utilized.  You are human.  That means you are already warmed up, but maybe not for what everyone else wants you to use your brain for.  You are always at the will of God and His plan.  Your puzzle piece in God's world is cut in many facets.  Always remember your gift of intelligence came from Him.  Use it.

You are a treasure. You try my patience right now.  That's to be expected.  You are no longer that little boy who followed right by my side.  You are growing.  You are learning about yourself, your relation to others, and you are desperately trying to prove you are getting more mature and responsible.  I am so proud of you.  Your dad and I never thought that we would be blessed.  It took us a long time to have you.  It took us a long time to have your sister.  Not because we wanted it that way, but because that is what God had in store for us.  He gave us two amazing treasures.  You are our first treasure box.  When I held you for the first time, that was my first glimpse into the gem that you would become as you aged.  You are multifaceted just like the world's finest diamonds.  You are funny, giving, empathetic, Faithful, loving, and headstrong. Any way you say it, the good characteristics and yes, even your "worst" characteristics, make you a priceless treasure.  Allow others to see the treasure you are through your actions.  We can speak many words, but I still believe that actions will always speak louder than the words.  Allow your treasure to be cultivated even with those who think only of themselves.  It is only by reaching out to others that they may get to know who you are and what you are capable of.

My darlin' first born, the beat life's dance will not always be a steady one.  There will be jubilant days fluctuated by discouraging days.   One thing I know for certain:  I am in awe of you.   There is no need to fear or feel alone.  God has you firmly in the palm of His hand.  I have you planted within my heart. 

 ~you are unique


~you are adventurous


~you are motivated


~you are super intelligent

~you are a treasure





*Always trying something new, I'm linking up today with Listable Life on Moments that Define Life.  The topic was to list the 5 things I love about my first born.  This type of topic couldn't have come at a better time. *
Moments that Define Life

Cinderella

 LD is in love with delightful fairies with their magical pixie dust, the handsome knights in shining armor who come to the aide of a beautiful and intelligent princess.  It goes without saying, that whenever you over hear her tales of adventure with her My Little Ponies, Strawberry Shortcake, or Tinker Bell Fairies, the story line  typically revolves around a dance.  She herself loves to spin around on her twinkle toes flitting around the living room.  LD also is addicted to dresses and jewelry (see all the earlier posts on this one...it is not uncommon to find her in my closet playing with my jewelery and surrounded by shoes.) and all things Diva-ish.

Leave it to her Daddy to sweep her even further off her little preschool tubby toes.  After we witnessed how much she loved seeing us get all dressed to the nines for some of the military balls and how she couldn't get over the fact that her Daddy looked just like the Prince charming in her storybook, HH decided now was the perfect time to take her to the MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) sponsored "Spring Father/Daughter Dance."

Needless to say, LD was a tad bit excited for the evening to happen.  We had a fun time picking out her dress, getting her hair just so, and then, watching her face light up as she was presented her first corsage.  Daddy treated her to a fun evening that as he said, "kept her dancing until the place shut down."

Oh...the memories....how they will follow her throughout the rest of her life.

Waiting for Daddy

The special thought of a corsage...
captured her heart.

So lucky

Ready for their dance

She stayed dancing...

Until the music stopped!

I'd say they had a great time together!

Kindred Spirits



My LD with one of her kindred spirits

  You learn from an early age the importance of that wonderful, magical, and vital part of each of our lives...now, there are many things that are of course filled with joy, but girlfriends, well...let's face it...kindred spirits are vital to our emotional stability as women.

 We need them to share some of life's curve balls, victories, disappointments, and of course...to share the topics of boys  husbands, kids, and  fashion.  I can't imagine life without girlfriends.  I think I may just be lost without mine.





Girlfriends sharing the chatter and
enjoying every minute.



I'd like to imagine myself as Thoreau-like in my love of being surrounded and immersed in nature.  I would love to picture myself living way away from the hustle and bustle.  An adorable cabin in the woods overlooking a mountain range complete with two rocking chairs (you don't think I'd want to be there without HH!)

However, I think I'd go insane. 

Utterly insane. 

I am a sensitive, proud, emotional wreck of a woman.  But, I can be that woman full of those qualities with grace when I am surrounded by my kindred spirits.  Even my HH knows that sometimes, all his love and encouragement when I'm down in the dumps, won't be the only motivator for me to pick myself up from whatever it is that is weighing me down.   That voice that only a girlfriend can use..."put on those big girl panties...and deal with it..." can act as the catalyst to rise up with a passion to fight for the solution, rally up the courage to try something new, squelch a fear and fill it with laughter. 

I do so love my HH.  My life is complete because he is my soul mate and partner in our dance through life.  He is my kindred spirit...my best friend...my confidant.  My girlfriends...well, they are the "wicked" good instruments that add the beat to my life.

Pause

Pause the clock. 

Pause the meetings, the activities, the chores.

Pause the temper flares, the spike in blood pressure, the worry over what I can not change.

Pause the stress about school, the anxiety I feel for my children and how they are developing,

and my own sense of belonging.

Pause.

Breathe.

Look around.

Play.

I only wish that life would pause every now and then.  Especially, on days like today.

Pause the clock.

Breathe.

LD tries everyday to teach me how to
be less stressed and over-crazed about
the world around me. 

In the Mind of Cody

If you've ever been to the house you'll know right off the bat within these walls lives the world's best dog ever.  Yep.  Cody, may be a lug of a dog and goofy, but his heart is as pour as gold.  To hear his thoughts aloud would be rather entertaining...

7.  Car rides are awesome.  No matter where we are going to I just know I'll love putting my nose to the glass and peering out as the world goes whizzing by.  Ooops.  I think I left a snot trail, too...

6.  If the skateboarders come by my fence one more time I'm going to lose it.  Those itty bitty wheels sound like a whiny locamotive whistle that never stops. Drat.  Mom's going to hate that I trampled the ginger plant down to nothing...again.   

5.  I'm going to wait right here until my brother comes home from school.  I'm not going to close...my...eyes...for...even...*snore*  Why didn't someone wake me up?  I missed his arrival...sorry about the dog drool on the floor mom...the dream was AWESOME!

4.  I think I heard the jingle of the leash latch.  That must mean...time to get my runnin' groove on!  I promise that I'm not to pooped from the morning run with daddy, the run with mommy, or the afternoon walk...

3.  Why does that tiny furry thing with a weird smell always have to pick on me?  I mean, really?  Doesn't that cat know I think he's the best thing since canned tuna fish?  Oh.  Yeah.  I don't eat tuna...but I could!  Let's talk turkey...I eat everything...there's no room for picky eaters here.

2.  Mom's doing the laundry...that means tasty fresh socks for me to enjoy munching on.  I may have to check the pile waiting to be washed upstairs...again...not picky...just need to get my daily dose of sock munching!

1.  They're heading onto the lanai to relax...that means...it's fetch time!  I mean, really, when is it not time to play fetch with me?  Who wouldn't want the big ball of dog saliva mixed with grass cutting on their outfit?   I'm a mean awesome fetching machine!

I'll give a personal shout-out to my handsome Aussie Shephard...Woof!  You are simply...the best!  Time to meet me at the door and run the island before you help me with the growing pile of laundry...

Note:  I'm trying out Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop this week and chose to "List 7 Things Your Pet Thought About Today"

Gettin' Unstuck



LD proving that it's possible to take a break
and enjoy down time...guess mommy needs
to practice.



This is a very sad, sad, sad realization. 

It has been over three months since I've even looked at my own blog. 

Are my loyal readers even still stopping by to see if I've written?

A dear friend of mine quit our idle fun chit chat and asked me..."so...when are you going to write, again?" She was serious.  Dead serious.  Hmmm...appears there is someone out in the land of internet space that does like to see what we're doin'.

Guess it is high time to take a break from the wicked crazy pace of our life...and instead get "stuck" once again with the writing I so loved to do during LD's naps quiet times. 

Just get ready...we've got some catchin' up to do!

Into You

Before the Ball

The thrill of getting ready for a ball always has at least one common element besides the usual

fuss over dress, hair and make-up.  

I want to make sure that my darlin' is caught and snared and into me as much as I have fallen for him.  Seriously, ladies.  Just because we are married to our husbands doesn't mean that we can't kindle that same schoolgirl giggles and heart quivers.  We're not dead yet!

Even though a number few years are under us as a married couple, he is still that Prince.  Especially on nights like this.  After all, as our LD made sure to point out, "he looks just like the Prince out of my book!" 

 Lucky for me, he has stepped out of those pages and right into my arms.

Fifteen years and about ready to celebrate our sixteenth next month and I'm totally into him.  

Hopelessly devoted and in love *giggle*

From the looks of it, I think he's a little stuck on me, too.

Thanks for a wonderful night darlin'.  

You know just how to take my breath away in that uniform.  

*sigh*

Oh Lordy...

Oh Lordy...the age that seemed like an eternity away is upon him.

There's no one in our clan that is letting the number do anything but just love him all the more...

After all, he's only 18 with 22 years of experience...and I've been able to share in 20 of those 22 years!

I decked the fenceline with black crows...my HH came home on his 39th and said, "well...I guess that means next year the 40 black crows make an appearance."  So, being the ever-loving wife...I made sure that exactly 40 crows came to visit the lawn.

So funny to think of 40 as Over-the-Hill when I know what this man is capable of physically and mentally, but I have to tease him for being older than me.  Trust me...I've already told him for my 40th...it's all about pink and being FAB-ulously 40!

I think this was one of his favorite things I put together in honor of him.  40 years goes by so quickly, but he certainly should know how many lives he's touched in a positive way. 

The long standing tradition that I took from my childhood...the candles on your cake will always reflect the person's age...well...I may have had to notify the fire department and get a fire permit before we lit his cake this year, but it was all worth it to see this expression.